Way to GC

For the being that is said to be human who hasn’t set his sight on the Grand Canyon YET

Where do I begin.. to talk about a natural wonder which has no parallel. So I’ll start at the very beginning. We were 7 and since I’ve already been there once, I became the person to ask about what “this” is, where do we get that and all that. I played it down and didn’t hype thing up as they did it for me. It really is good to go see a beautiful place without any preconceptions. No expectations.. no big disappointments even if the day is cloudy and u cannot see half the canyon. Therefore half nods and mono-syllables were my replies to all their queries.

Being a student at the UofA, Tucson, people would laugh at u if after 5 years, u are talking to friends and u said u never set ur eyes on this marvel. What’s wrong with u, u lived in the GC state and u never saw it…. So it began.

Saturday morning, Veteran’s day… 11 a.m. The car arrives just as planned and space in it is just right for 7 gals. Awesome legroom and luggage space (chevy something… not one to remember car names and all). Loaded in and set off to Phoenix, capital of the state about 2 hours away. Anthakshari and regular gossip made the drive very smooth and quick.

Lunch at a Andhra restaurant in the capital, Priya’s. U will not believe it. I have never in my life in USA (by this I mean Tucson, only Tucson and no other place) eaten such good South Indian food. Mark my words and repeat, I will never eat at any other place if I am in Phoenix. The Buffet cost $10 but it was worth every penny and more. Being my veggie day (my friends call it my “dry” day), I couldn’t eat chicken. But still, I devoured every morsel of veggie food that I could lay my hands on. The owners are a friendly lot and since they were friends with our team leader, Miss Music, we got lots of inside info about some recipes (trade secrets!!). Had a photo session and then loaded into the car once more.

Drive to Flagstaff lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some more gossip and photo sessions later, we arrived at this beautiful little town which looked as if it were rooted out of sleepy Europe and placed on the typical American Inter State Highway. Slopy streets, and beautiful stone houses with gardens, lawns and pets on them with a climate to match. Could one ask for more. But there is more, a university in this town, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY. Blessed are those who get to study there. No need for a European vacation. Just camp outside ur dorm and save tons.

Then came Williams in another 45 minutes. This is another town known just for being the closest, cheapest place to stay in when u wish to go to GC. Our destination was 50 miles away.

One hour later came Tusayan (sorry if I got the spelling wrong) which is one mile from GC village. We were going to put up in the Red Feather Lodge. There was lots of merriment and dancing and games that night. The food was the American usual, pizza. 11.30 at night, I went to bed, tired out and slept like a log. For the next morning, we had to catch the sunrise.

Woke up with a jolt in the morning, got ready really early and stepped out. There was the usual smoker’s mouth gimmick to do and make others laugh. Stepped on the road and did some disco (there was ice on the tar road and being Indians who have never seen that, took pics of that too). The car was covered with a thin layer of ice which both Music and B scrapped up. Loading and going on.. The pass costed $25 for 7 people. I think a pass for one year costs $20 and if u are going to other national parks later in the year, u can get the pass here for $50.

Then the grandeur that is the GC rose before us. We were mesmerized. No one talks, no giggles.. just plain awe. We stood transfixed by the sight before us. The sun was playfully touching the mountain tops at one corner of the scenery while the other parts were still shrouded in darkness and then slowly she blushes like a newly wed. The pink changes to red as the sun rises and a gasp escaped from everyone’s lips. Time stood frozen as each eye vied with another to take in more of that …. what do I call it, FIRST LOVE…

Arcindya

Have u a sibling??

Before beginning, I would like to apologize to everyone who reads this and doesn't have a sibling (this might make u want one) and to those who have one (nostalgia might kick in) since this is going to speak ur mind. The things u never think about and never care to either.

HISTORY: I have a younger brother (by 2 years). This is my experience with him. No generalisation.

A SIBLING... is a strange relationship. Strange and beautiful at the same time. Together from the very beginning and even before u r a life in a womb, the sibling stays with u until the end. He knows u inside out and upside down and can say how u reacted to a particular emotion with his eyes closed.

At first, u are jealous of him, what with him getting all the attention that u commanded before this "cute little thing" (that's how mothers call the younger sibling, however old he gets)came out. U plot complex plans about how u will make life miserable for this new being and make him dissappear altogether. Then, suddenly one day, u come home from school and peek through the window before knocking. He is already jumping in his crib excitement written all over his tiny face. He knows u are home. Pointing to the door, he demands mom's attention. He chuckles (that's all he can say) and u fall head over heels in love with the SMALL VILLAIN. U never look back again.

He grows up and u keep track of him in school. BIG SISTERS become half mothers by the age of 7.

Umpteen doubts about lessons,

Infinite queries about the teachers (eg. B:Y does she hit me? S:I disproved her theory about something 2 years ago. It is only natural that she takes revenge with the weak one. B: Y me? I hate u. (But secretly is proud of u)),

How do I mug this? (brothers usually believe that the sister's grades are solely because of her mugging skills)

Endless nights on one on one talking about life (pretending to be asleep when mom comes to check on u as if she cannot see through ur brain)

Teaching him to write (he still blames me for his bad handwriting)

Telling him which teacher to mess with and which one to act cute with

and my favorite of all time, calling him SHORTY. But alas, Newton's third law (for non physics majors: every action has an equal and opposite reaction) came to his rescue and now it is the other way round.

Moving forward into college, he becomes a vent to ur feelings. Ur triumphs, ur failures and all the near-misses and vice versa. U progress into the role of a very old friend with a patient ear. (He doesn't need u to mother him any more) U have such a bond that u r telepathic when it comes to him.

Having a sibling of the opposite sex helps u in the most confusing stage of life (adolescence). Since u are with him all the time, u understand the working of the mind of the other sex and u don't make assumptions.

Clearly, (there is no debate) I place the fact that a sibling is a life long bond of pure love except for the fights (which are physical most of the time).

Dedicated to my sweet villain,

Arcindya

Now is the season of Mythology

Hello there,

The season of the festivals is here. Starting from now till December, there will be a festival every fortnight until January when the harvest season in Tamil Nadu will culminate with Pongal. Mother Earth's bounty will be celebrated with pomp and grandeur in every house. But the explanation of this grand festival will be reserved for the first month of the new year (which to my belief will be here before u know it, the semester has begun!!!! REMEMBER... Cursing me for reminding u during a weekend is not going to change the truth)

Back to the subject, Today is Vinayagar Chathurthi (popularly known as Ganesh Chathurthi in the rest of India). Being a Tamilian, it feels strange to call our own Kutti (little) Vinayagar by any other name. Though He is the one with a million names, Vinayagar is my favorite and He stands first in the list of a thousand Gods that we worship. He has a special place in the hearts of students, job hunters, "bride" hunters (do not take that literally), etc. U get the idea, He is the one who

Removes obstacles from ur path
Gives u courage, determination and luck to get u where u want to be
Fights to keep evil off ur path
Acts as ur invisible guide to walk through ur journey BY u all the way until THE END

Today is celebrated as His birthday. Yes, u all know that.. But do u know the amazing mythology behind it. If u do, kindly refresh ur memory...

LOCATION CHANGE

Just Married Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva in Kailash (or Kailai, as we call it). Picture white snow everywhere with the soothing OM echoing off the peaks. Shiva is happy, this year's financial problems have been minimal and there was good rain for the Earthlings (this means us..people living on Earth). Peace reigns supreme.

Parvathi like all women (no offense meant to the other sex) goes her restroom, which is a palatial pool with a shower shaped like a swan's beak, to take a bath. The pool has no guards. Being a shy, new bride in Kailash, she decides to take matters into her own hands.

(Prior knowledge required: Divine women wear turmeric on their skin, a good sunbloc, mind u, since they live at these great heights. Turmeric is also very well known as a degreaser (oil remover). And this is just for the skin, there are other good values in turmeric. It is a anti-carcinogenic substance. Not exactly a bio-chemist to prove this but i heard that this has been proved. So next time u see ur mom putting a pinch of turmeric while cooking ur food, u know where and why it began.)

She scoops out the turmeric from Her skin and rolls it up into a ball which She shapes into a cute, little boy. She gives Him life with Her divine touch, plays with His tiny hands and feet for a while and asks Him to watch the door for anybody coming in unannounced. The chubby little child kisses His mother and agrees. This child will later be known as Vinayagar. Just as Parvathi walks into the pool, Shiva enters the house. Looking the way He does, with matted hair and tiger skin on His back and ash (Viboodi) applied all over His well built body, Vinayaga gets cautious. The child warns this strange guy to get out of the house. Shiva resists and warns the child to get out of His way. After all, this is Shiva's house and the child is an intruder there. A vigorous battle ensues but Parvathi has no clue of what is going on outside her restroom (a prelude to what will happen for centuries to come in every home). At the end, Shiva, very well known for his temper, flies into a rage and cuts the child's head off. The child lies in two pieces. Parvathi walks in during this and stands shell shocked. She explains the child's existence to Shiva and pours Her heart out.

Shiva, calm now, realises His mistake and says that He will walk out and kill the first animal He finds and bring its blood to fuse the head and the body of His son. (The first instance of organ rejection during transplantation and how it is overcome.) He finds an elephant, cuts the head off and brings it home with fresh blood dripping. He lays it near the child and takes some blood from it. He splashes the blood on the child's body and lo behold!!! instead of the child's beautiful head, the elephant's head fuses with the child's body. Parvathi utters a cry of agony to see the beautiful head lying untouched and the child with the head of an elephant. But what is done is done, Shiva gives life to the child and names him Vinayaga (one who will remove obstacles because he sacrificed his life trying to save His mother's grace).

There are so many other adventures of Lord Vinayaga where He helps others overcome their fears and obtain what they truly deserve.

Infinite eons have passed since then and Vinayaga is now a man. He is looking for a beautiful wife for himself. But since He knows no other women other than His mother and since He saw Her near the pond for the first time, He still sits as a statue near most ponds in Tamil Nadu waiting for the right girl to walk past Him.

Then.....magic happens....

Jai Ganapathi, Stay with everyone as we embark on a new semester.

Arcindya

My Excuse for not posting

This Monday, I had a stroke out of the clear blue. Some "regular" readers (whose identities I would like to protect) scrapped me asking why I hadn't uploaded my latest "post" on this blog of mine. The blood ran to my head and beyond and I decided then and there, whatever work I have on a 'Sunday morning', I will make time to satisfy my audience (if I can exxagerate to that level, what's this...., I can say whatever I want here.... I will exxagerate).

So my reason for not posting last weekend is as follows.

The apartment I live in can henceforth be called "Little India". New room-mates (3) have moved in and are all settling down quite happily.Each one is from a different state and there is always a medley of languages and dialects of Hindi going on in the background. The apartment is so full, we have to, absolutely have to empty the mail box and the trash bins daily. Cooking is going on in 'Ghadothghajan' quantities. But besides all this, there is so much more to do, much more to share,

Mouth watering recipes
Stories and experiences in the "work place" (if they have worked)
Favorite episodes of Friends
Mp3 songs we might not possess
"Sambhar masala"

and

LOADS OF FUN

I am kinda lucky to have got very good room-mates actually.

Changing the subject, today was one of my best days (considering the weather and my mood) in Tucson. The morning looked very bleak and no sun was even peeping out of the cloud cover. I got ready for work and looked out. The sky had turned shades to black. The voice in my head (who i call "Miss BE-WARE") told me, BEWARE!!!! U r not the lucky kind. If u go out without a raincoat, it is absolutely certain that it will rain heavens, cats, dogs and more...

To silence her and make the day brighter (what a gr8 responsibility to place on my small shoulders??), feeling like Atlas, I took out the green raincoat cum wind cheater that my mom had lovingly packed for me when I started for videsh (The idea of sending me with a raincoat to TUCSON was to BE SAFE. My mom is the slightly compassionate living version of Miss BE-WARE.), dusted it a bit... and wore it. An Indian who walked by me on the way to my cycle smiled. It was not even raining. I smiled back saying IT WILL START RAINING ANYTIME NOW.

And no sooner had I got on my bike that the heavens opened up and poured (I timed it exactly 05 minutes and 10 seconds only..... no more, no less). Nice Bicycle ride with rain pouring all around me. I was happy under the hood of MY MOM'S LOVE. Felt like an angel on a passing cloud (again blogger license) with a back pack instead of the traditional harp. Patting myself and Miss BE-WARE on the back for taking such an intelligent decision, I skipped all the way to my lab.

No wonder, the day got brighter and I got happier by the minute.

Miss BE-WARE says sayonara. Turn up the volume of ur inner voice.

Until next weekend,

Arcindya

Tis a new year again

Summer is coming to an end very quickly (not that this has ever mattered in Tucson). We keep track of this natural change only by the start of classes in August. The temperature is still soaring and the new students fresh off the international flights are pouring in.

Lots of new faces to greet into our lives. (advice to give out-and lots of it)
Lots of meals to cook for the dear jet lagged souls.
Bidding farewell to old friends and room-mates embarking on the journey that is 'JOBHUNT'.
('Gracefully agreeing' to take their stuff which will be very economical for u)
Working hard on choosing courses.
Reassuring mom and dad that u will definitely graduate this spring.
Shopping at WALMART (lucky I have u to go to)

and many more things everybody does when the new year begins. Funny thing, our new year begins in august.

U feel like u r on top of everything in ur life and it is all up hill from here. Lets hope this feeling lasts atleast until u hand in the"FIRST ASSIGNMENT" of the toughest course u take this semester. I will try and be a little optimistic at this.

WORK HARD ENOUGH AND LADY LUCK WILL WALK BY U AS U STEP INTO A NEW SEMESTER...

(words will always be ur friend.)

Arcindya

My B'Day

Its been nearly a year since I set foot on this city that is now home. Funny to think that only a year ago, it felt strange to call it HOME. Tucson has opened up its arms for me. Finally a place to belong and go to at the end of a busy day.

Today is my birthday and I feel like I am someone here. This after a long time. I always thought that I was left out and that I had no friends here. But all the time, I had been the INTROVERT. I had kept myself at home fearing the non-existent. Of course, because of previous experiences. Yesterday after seeing all those happy faces around me at the strike of midnight, the thought suddenly struck me and I wondered. My one year has not gone unnoticed. I DO HAVE FRIENDS HERE. My heart felt warm with delight. There are people around who care enough to come and congratulate me on my birthday and coax me to dance and have fun.

I was up till 4 a.m. I really had a blast and still am. This year is going to be gr8. What with the start being so BRIGHT and SWEET.

You will see a huge change in my attitude. This is just the beginning. I will learn to have fun and do what I like. I AM GOING TO BE THE LEO THAT I AM.

the late bloomer,

Arcindya

Spring Fling

I had a nice, long fling with the very young Mr.Spring (seems particularly handsome after the cold Mr.Winter) in Tucson yesterday. The venue was the totally student run fair in Rielton Park. He brings out all the good colors in u like no one does. I saw my childhood and the innocent (didn't know the fears of grad school yet) laughter again. The pure joy in everyone's eyes, the skip in everyone's step. This will rank among the most beautiful things i saw.

I ate a very good veggie burger and fries and corn.

Arcindya

To kill a mocking bird

Gud morning guys,

It is a beautiful, lazy Sunday with the breeze slowly picking up. Summer has begun in this southwestern town and u can feel it. U have started to sweat a lot even when u are sitting at home doing nothing. No i am not going to bore u with "bio crap" as my dear Srivi put it so sensitively. Now is the time to go out and enjoy the season for it will grow too hot too soon and u guys will find it irritating go out at all. This is not for people with thier exams coming up on Monday.

To the matter, yesterday i saw this wonderful movie called "TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD". The story gist is as follows. There is a rustic town (Maycomb County-fictional of course) somewhere in the south east part of America. The period is just after the civil war. But the "colored" folk as they are called are still treated the same way here. They work in the cotton fields and do all the hard work for the "white" folk. One of these folk, Tom Robinson is accused of assaulting a white girl. This white girl is also poor and lives with her alcoholic father and 7 other siblings. The case comes before jury and the duty of defending this man falls on the hands of Atticus Finch (an able lawyer) whose only family is his 2 children (Scout and Jem). The whole story is seen through the eyes of Scout, a tomboy.

Now my question to u guys is if u were Finch, what would u do? Any way the people of the county live under the preconception that "colored" folk are liars and cheaters. They will not take the word of a "colored" man when 2 white folk, the girl and her father testify against him. The whole trial is a waste of time.

Second, would the people kill an innocent mocking bird who does not know anything but sings all day in people's gardens trying to bring happiness into their hearts?

There is another angle to this story.

Finally, the expected happens. Tom is convicted of a sin he did not commit. He escapes from prison only to be shot by the officer. He dies.

The father of the girl is angry with Finch because he defended the"nigger". He goes after Scout and Jem when they walk home alone on a dark night. Jem tries to defend his sister. Everything happens in pitch dark and no one knows what happens. But later they find the father killed with a knife in his back. Jem is also badly hurt and unconscious. Would u assume ur son did it? Will u destroy the life of another mocking bird?

What happens? Tomorrow. I will say only one thing. The end of the story says, "Let the dead bury the dead."

signing out,

Arcindya

Love

Hey guys,

Did u know why everyone describes love as a heart and an arrow in a particular direction through it.

My theory is that it is this way because the usual contraction of the heart is absolutely the opposite way, that is from right top to the bottom.

I learnt this in my physiology class. The heart beat begins due to the auto rhythmic fibers in the Sino atrial node (Right atrium) and then moves downwards towards the apex (sharp end) of the heart.

Maybe this "heart and arrow" is a visual way of saying that my heart is all confused and beating the wrong way BECAUSE OF U.

Yes, i know u are saying "what", "why"? But is this not a good observation.

urs,

Arcindya