IndusLadies - Blogs - sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ IndusLadies is a global online community of Indian Ladies. Discuss and share ideas about topics interesting to Indian Women. They discuss about Cooking,Recipes,Pregnancy,Parenting,Shopping,Articles,Snippets,jokes,work from home,marriage and family,etc. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:48:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.IndusLadies.com/forums/images/006/misc/rss.jpg IndusLadies - Blogs - sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ <![CDATA[Mom's Tools]]> http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/moms-tools-1787/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:04:43 GMT Attachment 399 (http://www.indusladies.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=399) Sarada,who was six and a half decades old, was sitting on the floor staring at her hands.She could no longer sit on the hard wooden swing set on the balcony. Not wanting to disturb her, Smitha asked her if she... Name: IL Mothers Day Contest -120x240.jpg Views: 409 Size: 24.2 KB

Sarada,who was six and a half decades old, was sitting on the floor staring at her hands.She could no longer sit on the hard wooden swing set on the balcony. Not wanting to disturb her, Smitha asked her if she was okay.

"Yes, I am fine, Smitha.Thank you for asking", said her mom in a feeble voice.

"Do you ever look at your hands"?asked Sarada.

Smitha stared at her hands, turning the palms up and down.It is time to get a manicure,thought Smitha. But she couldn't get the point her mom was trying to make.

"Stop and think for a while how your hands have served you well through the years. These are the tools that I have had to embrace life, though they have become shriveled,wrinkled and bony through the years.

When I was a little girl, I held on to my mom with these hands as she spent her day toiling around the house. As a child, my father taught me to fold them while saying slokas.

I then learnt to use the wood stove to cook by pushing the firewood with these hands. Later, when I married, I used these hands to cook for all the extended family on your father's side. When I visited my parents, my father, would hold these roughened hands and shed tears that his bright daughter's life is spent doing all the manual work like pulling water from the well. No lotion could soothe those hands the way my father's tears soothened them.

These were the hands that wrote letters to your father when he served in the military. Later, I held you, your brothers and your cousins with these hands.

Once, when a robber paid an unexpected visit, these were the hands that gave him a blow on his head.

These are the hands that have held my grandchildren, nursed a daughter in law back to health, and shook in fists of anger at atrocities in life.

Most importantly, these hands are the ones that my SriRama would hold and lead me to his home", said Sarada picking up the notebook to write her daily quota of SriRamaJayam on it.

Smitha forgot all about her wanting to fix an appointment to the manicurist, and held her mom's hands in awe and tears in her eyes. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/moms-tools-1787/ Life Is Beautiful http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/life-is-beautiful-1441/ Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:41:26 GMT It was a pleasure to watch this movie on Valentine's Day.I bought it from the library for a few bucks in their gift shop. I can't imagine anyone who will donate it to the library and not want to keep it!

Life Is Beautiful is Roberto Benigni's delightfully funny and hauntingly beautiful WW11 romantic comedy, tragedy about love, and sacrifice.

The movie unfolds in two parts.In the first, Guido ( Benigni) is an Italian waiter who is courting a pretty schoolteacher Dora, whom he greets with "Buon Giorno Principessa" ( good day, Princess). Guido woos his princess with the only way he can --humor.

Soon we learn that being a Jew, he, Dora and their young son Joshua are deported to a concentration camp,where Guido protects his son from the horrors they will face the only way he can--humor.
Oh! The boy is so adorable!

Trying to hide the boy from the camp officials( who put the other children to death), Guido tells Joshua that the concentration camp is actually an elaborate role-playing game in which the "players" are competing for points in the hope of winning a real battle tank. He teaches the boy that he must keep away from the officers seeing him by hiding under sheets. This, in addition to not asking for food, crying for mamma will earn him points to win the tank.

The romantic moments when Guido slips into a room and turns the record to play a song that he and Dora enjoyed together and when he announces her name as his "principessa" in a a loudspeaker to cheer her up touch the heart.

A beautiful movie to watch. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/life-is-beautiful-1441/ Slumdog Millionaire http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/slumdog-millionaire-1130/ Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:15:52 GMT I saw this movie yesterday as it came with rave reviews in the local paper and was talked about in NPR ( National Public Radio). For receiving such wide reviews, I was somewhat surprised that only one theater in town screened it. Anyway, the theater was packed. In the movie, there were no big... I saw this movie yesterday as it came with rave reviews in the local paper and was talked about in NPR ( National Public Radio).
For receiving such wide reviews, I was somewhat surprised that only one theater in town screened it. Anyway, the theater was packed.

In the movie, there were no big names except for Anil Kapoor and that too not in the lead role. There were quite a few gory details which made a few elderly westerners walk out in the beginning. It was refreshing to see no group dance numbers (which irritates hubby) except in the very end with the titles as if to compensate for it. The director Danny Boyle must be some kind of alchemist who spins tragedy into joy, pain into laughter, and poverty into riches.

Hope more impoverished kids in India get to enjoy such a life about one among them. Without giving away the storyline, go see the movie for yourself.

It is absolutely worth watching. You'll love the newcomers Dev Patel and Freida Pinto. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/slumdog-millionaire-1130/ Perfect Day! http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/perfect-day-1097/ Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:08:43 GMT Finest Blogs Contest - Nov 2008 - Runner-up Entry!

I wish you a day filled with miracle and awe

With the Sun shining on all God's creations

A fresh pot of filter coffee waiting for you

A rejoicing call from a dear one

Your book and key right where you put them

Matching clothes neat and ironed

Shoes and socks all agreeing

Clear traffic enroute to work

A favorite tune on your car radio

A quick checkout at the grocery line

Dinner steamy and hot at the table

A perfect Dream for a bright future

I wish you a picture perfect day! ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/perfect-day-1097/ A Tale of Two Birds http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/a-tale-of-two-birds-1041/ Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:10:25 GMT The Whole of Vedanta Philosophy is summed up in this story. Two birds of Golden Plumage sat on the same tree. The one above, serene, majestic, immersed in his own glory; the one below restless and eating the fruits of the tree. Some of the fruits were bitter and some were sweet thus making the... The Whole of Vedanta Philosophy is summed up in this story.

Two birds of Golden Plumage sat on the same tree. The one above, serene, majestic, immersed in his own glory; the one below restless and eating the fruits of the tree. Some of the fruits were bitter and some were sweet thus making the bird sad and happy at times. Once he ate an exceptiionally bitter fruit. He paused and glanced up at the majestic bird above. The bird above neither ate sweet nor bitter fruits, was neither happy nor miserable and saw nothing beyond His self. The lower bird longed for the condition of the Upper bird.

But he soon forgot about the other bird and went on eating the fruits of the tree as before. Once again he ate a bitter fruit, and this time he hopped up a few boughs nearer to the bird at the top. This happened many times until at last the lower bird came to the place of the upper bird and lost himself. As he neared the upper bird, it found its old self melting away. He found his low, intensely selfish self was melting away. He found that there had never been two birds, but he was all the time that upper bird, serene, majestic, and immersed in his own glory.

The bird on the lower limb symbolizes Jeevatma, and the majestic bird, Paramatma. The lower bird is a reflection of the upper bird. So in reality, we are all one with God. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/a-tale-of-two-birds-1041/ Sita Kalyanam http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/sita-kalyanam-1039/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:41:22 GMT May all those who read this be showered with prosperity, the unmarried be blessed with a happy married life, and those separated from their spouse due to misunderstandings be re-united by the grace of Almighty. Soon after Sita was found, King Seeradhwaja Janaka was blessed with another daughter... May all those who read this be showered with prosperity, the unmarried be blessed with a happy married life, and those separated from their spouse due to misunderstandings be re-united by the grace of Almighty.

Soon after Sita was found, King Seeradhwaja Janaka was blessed with another daughter by the name of Urmila.Sita and Urmila often played games such as Ammanai ( Juggling) with their paternal cousins Mandavi and Sruthakeerthi. One day while they played, the ball slipped from Sita's hands and rolled along the passageway into Janaka's pooja room. Sita saw a huge wooden decorated box on the floor and the ball wedged between the box and the wall. The royal maids came rushing to the scene to find out what was bothering Sita. On finding the reason, they tried to explain to Sita that the box held the Siva Dhanush and required atleast 5000 strong men to move the box. They quickly brought another ball for her to play. Sita's mind was set only on her lucky ball with which she always won. With one effortless movement with her left hand, she moved the box out of its way. The maids, totally stunned ran to tell King Janaka. On learning this, King Janaka went into deep thought whether he would be able to find a groom who would be equal in match to Sita. All the kings were summoned for sita' swayamvara. An announcement was made that the groom would to be selected based on his ability to lift the Siva Dhanush.

On the day of the Swayamara, the great bow was brought forth upon an eight-wheeled cart drawn by five thousand tall men. Viswamithra arrived in Mithila bringing Rama and Lakshmana with him. Ravana, came to know about the swayamvara and swiftly arrived in his pushpaka vimanam, burning with anger due to not being invited.
Ravana was the first one to try to lift it with his twenty hands. On seeing him fail, all the other kings and princes who were present slowly withdrew from the competition.

Poet Kamban describes the feelings of love that developed spontaneously between Rama and Sita. When their eyes met, says Kamban, there was fusion between their feelings. As if to re-emphasize the point, he adds that because their minds were fused with each other, there was mutual exchange of their hearts.

Rama lifted the bow efforlessly and strove to bend it. It broke in two. Sita's marriage was fixed with Rama, who had the blue color of the sky, just like Her father Padmakshan had promised. Rama is very fond of being called as Dasaratatmajan, Dasarathi, Kausalya Supraja, Chakravarthi Thirumagan rather than divine names as Lakshminarayanan. Saint Tyagaraja says that we are fond of calling him as Sitapathi.

Along with their marriage, the marriages of Urmila, Mandavi and Sruthakkerthi were fixed with Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna.

King Dasaratha performed the vrathas for his sons. He had invited all the people from Ayodhya to Mithila for the marriage. The same day, Kekaya prince and Bharatha's uncle Yudhajith arrived in Mithila. Next morning, Dasaratha having finished his morning duties , reached the marriage hall , next to the yagasala, surrounded by his relatives, ministers, maharishis and others.

His four sons, dressed in shiny clothes and donned with ornaments, finished the vedic rituals prior to marriage. They sat next to their father preceded by Vasishta and other
maharishis, sadhus and bhaktas.

Vasishta approaced Janaka and said to him," Rajasreshta! The emperor of Ayodhya is awaiting you to do the Kanya daanam after finishing all the rituals preceding the marriage. Please keep your word by carrying out this wonderful wedding".

Seeradhwaj Janaka was said to be a spiritually advanced Rajarishi , though he was a king administrating the kingdom of Mithila. He was also instructed by sage Ashtavakra upon the nature of the self or Atman; this exposition forms the content of the famous treatise Ashtavakra Gita. Janaka was not only a brave king, but was also as well-versed in the shastras and Vedas as any rishi. He was the beloved pupil of Yaajnavalkya, whose exposition of Brahman to the king forms one chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna cites Janaka as an illustrious example of the Karma yoga.

After hearing this he said, " Where is the gatekeeper who is stopping you in front of my palace? You should not be asking any one's permission to visit my palace. What is the block for going around freely in your own home? Feel free in Mithila just as you feel in Ayodhya. I have completed all the auspcious activities for my daughters. They are dressed in brilliant ornaments and new clothes. Their beauty is as radiant as the flames of the fire. I am ready and have been waiting for you. Why are you staying outside the palace? Please conduct the marriage without any delay".

Dasaratha entered the marriage hall surrounded and followed by his sons, friends, relatives, priest, maharishis, sadhus and bhaktas. Janaka greeted whole-heartedly and offered them seats. He turned to Vasishta and said, " maharishe! I request you and the the honorable rishis to conduct the grand marriage of Rama who is the bestower of blissfulness to all the worlds. He is the Sukha Subha Datha for all the tree worlds. Vasishta said " so be it". With the guidance of Viswamithra and Sadanandhar and other maharishis, he set the agni at the centre of the marriage hall. He placed silver containers that held sandal powder, flowers, golden Paligai cups, conches, dhoop, akshadai, puffed rice, and cups filled with sacred water. He spread dharpai and did the prathistapanam of the fire with the mantras. He performed the homam for the well being of the couple.

Janaka maharaja gently guided Sita in front of Rama. Sita was dressed in a red color sari and adorned with precious jewels.

He addressed Rama and said," Sita is named so because she was found on the Earth. I have brought her up as my daughter with great love. I have taught her all the dharmas. She will follow the dharma that you wish to observe. Please accept her as you wife. May You be blessed with all the prosperity. Please take her hand. She will be a great pathivrata, your shadow , never to leave you". Thus saying he let holy water in his hand. Devas and Maharishis blessed the couple. Flowers rained from the sky. Divine instruments were heard playing auspicious music.

Then Janaka conducted the marriage of Lakshmana with Urmila, Bharatha with Mandavi and Shatrugna with Sruthakeerthi.

The four princes wed the princesses with the blessings of Vasishta. Then they circumambulated the fire, seeking the blessings of all elders. They performed agniprathishtai and homam.

At that time, the devas rained flowers, played dhundhubi and bheri instruments. Gandharvas and apsaras sang melodiously and danced merrily. These joyous activities occured during the marriage of the princes.

The princes went around the agni three times and retired to their palaces with the princesses. Dasaratha joyously followed them with his relatives, friends and maharishis.
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]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/sita-kalyanam-1039/ Story about Sita, the Ayonijai http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/story-about-sita-the-ayonijai-1032/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:41:43 GMT In Valmiki Ramayanam, King Janaka says that Sita was found in his yagabhoomi when it was being ploughed and she is "ayonijai" ( not born from garbavasam)

Ananada Ramayanam gives an exciting story about the appearance of Sita from the ground.

The demon king Padmakshan, desirous to have Lakshmi as his daughter observed a severe penance. Lakshmi, pleased with his penance appeared before him and Padmakshan asked that his desire be fulfilled.

Lakshmi advised him, " I am in the service of Lord Vishnu. If you pray to Him, your desire will be fulfilled". Padmakshan did that and Lord Vishnu appeared before him and offered him a fruit ( Madulam Pazham -- Pomegranate) The demon king broke it into two halves- and found fruit seeds on one half and on the other a beautiful baby girl. Padmakshan named her as Padmai and took good care of her as his daughter.

Padmai grew into a beautiful maiden.The King arranged for a Swayamvaram to select an appropriate groom. Devas, asuras ( including Ravana),yakshas, Kinnaras, gandharvas and many kings came to the swayamvaram. The king declared that whoever took the blue color of the sky and wore it on his body shall marry his daughter.

The kings felt humiliated thinking that it would be impossible to take the color of the sky and started to wage a fight with Padmakshan. As the fight got tougher, the Devas ran away from the scene.

Padmai entered into the agnikundam and disappeared as the asuras tried to capture her.The whole city was destroyed in despair by those looking for Padmai. Padmakshan died in the fight. Padmai lived in the agnikundam for many days and came out one day and sat by the kundam. Ravana who was traveling on his pushpakavimanam saw her and came down to capture her. Padmai again vanished into the agnikundam. Ravana poured water over the kundam and searched the ashes. He found five beautiful navratnas and took them to Lanka. He placed them in a sandalwood box in the pooja room and told Mandodari that she could have them.

Mandodari tried to carry the box and felt that it was quite heavy. Ravana tried to move it with his twenty hands and failed. Frustrated, Ravana opened the box. A radiant Padmai emerged out of the box . Ravana briefed Mandodari on the whole story about Padmai. A worried Mandodari put forth her thought to Ravana.
" Beloved, this girl has destroyed her race even when she was young. Why did you bring her here? I am worried about your well- being. Please throw the box with her in a forest".

The servants set to carry on Ravana's orders. Mandodari interjected and told them, " this girl is capable of destroying the life of whoever sees her-- do not throw the box on the earth -bury the box under the earth". As the servants were about to leave in the pushpaka vimanam, a voice was heard from the box. " I will come back to Lanka to cause the destruction of Ravana and the other asuras. I will come back to kill Nikumba's son Poundraka, Ravana, Moolakasuran and Kumbakarna's son Suran". Ravna tried to kill the girl, but Mandodari pleaded with him to let her go.
Ravana agreed and ordered the servants to take the box away. They buried the box in a land near Mithila.

Janaka, the king of Mithila had donated some land to a brahmin. The brahmin had employed a farmer to plough his land to start farming.The farmer found the box and gave it to the brahmin, who in turn brought it to King Janaka. Janaka said to him," I do not want to own the box because I have already given away the land in donation to you". The brahmin insisted that it belonged to him as Janaka was not aware of the treasure when he donated the land. The courtiers advised Janaka to decide ownership after finding out what was inside
the box.

King Janaka was extremely happy to find the beautiful girl, Padmai inside. He took her gently from the box and carried her to his palace. At this auspicious time, Devas played on their musical instruments and showered flowers on them; gandharvas sang and apsaras danced. The king took care of her as if she were his own daughter. She was called by various names--Madulangi( since she originally came from the Madula fruit), Agnigarbhai ( born from Agni), Ratnavati ( appeared as ratna or gem ),Bhuputri ( daughter of Mother Earth), Janaki (Janaka's daughter), Sita ( Sprung from a sita or furrow/ Plough).

Thus Sita came to be known as " Ayonijai". ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/story-about-sita-the-ayonijai-1032/ Book and our Life http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/book-and-our-life-967/ Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:41:11 GMT A Book with pages filled with happy and sad lines Our life filled with happy and bitter events, A story is understood only by reading all the lines A life is lived only by living all the days and nights; Many characters in a story-nice and evil Many people come and go in our life; ... A Book with pages filled with happy and sad lines
Our life filled with happy and bitter events,

A story is understood only by reading all the lines
A life is lived only by living all the days and nights;

Many characters in a story-nice and evil
Many people come and go in our life;

The chapters close some events and start new
We need closure with so many to start a day anew,

All books do not have a happy ending
Many people fail to find the happiness desired;

Some books get rave reviews, some criticism
The writer just enjoys the words--his tool

Some people find fame and glory
Yet some are like a lamp inside a mud pot. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/book-and-our-life-967/ Ray of Hope http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ray-of-hope-939/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:28:40 GMT A thin sunray in the lights of Dawn A drop of Rain in the cracked ground A gentle breeze in the Summer A new leaf after the Winter The blossoming of a tiny rose bud A baby taking the first step These are some of the Messengers of Hope conveying that tomorrow is going to be better than... A thin sunray in the lights of Dawn
A drop of Rain in the cracked ground
A gentle breeze in the Summer
A new leaf after the Winter
The blossoming of a tiny rose bud
A baby taking the first step

These are some of the Messengers of Hope conveying that tomorrow is going to be better than today. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ray-of-hope-939/ Taare Zameen Par http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/taare-zameen-par-839/ Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:07:33 GMT Every year on the fourth of July, we have been going out to see the fireworks for the Independence celebration ever since we moved to the US. For the one or two years that we may have missed, we still stepped out into our backyard and caught a little bit of the fireworks display. This year we were... Every year on the fourth of July, we have been going out to see the fireworks for the Independence celebration ever since we moved to the US. For the one or two years that we may have missed, we still stepped out into our backyard and caught a little bit of the fireworks display. This year we were so rapt watching "Taare Zameen Par" that we missed it. But we got the pleasure of watching a beautiful movie that gives the viewers to see into the world of a dyslexic child. The father of the boy believes that he is being lazy or disobedient while the boy sees the letters and the numbers backwards.

Having been in the teaching profession for some years now, I have seen a variety of learning disabilities. In the private school that I teach, a few years ago, there was a desi father who refused to accept that his son could have some learning disability. All the teachers were at their wit's end , nothing seemed to work with him. When other kids made comments to him as why he never turned his homework or why he never got his assignment book signed, he would make sarcastic comments that he does not care any more. His father, though very strict, was traveling constantly due to business. The family moved away few years ago.

Seeing the movie I was so reminded of Shan, the boy in our school.

It is one nice movie. I am so happy to see the awareness about the learning disabilities through movies, because there are so many children that go undiagnosed in India. They get labeled as "lazy", :dumb", :unmotivated" and so on. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/taare-zameen-par-839/ Ratatouille http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ratatouille-561/ Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:17:26 GMT Ratatouille is one brilliantly delightful movie that I recently watched, although I am not too fond of rats.This movie will delight the young and the not so young viewers equally. Remy, the rat who lives in Paris wants to be a chef . He gets separated by his family. Using a somewhat helpless young... Ratatouille is one brilliantly delightful movie that I recently watched, although I am not too fond of rats.This movie will delight the young and the not so young viewers equally.
Remy, the rat who lives in Paris wants to be a chef . He gets separated by his family. Using a somewhat helpless young man who finds a job in a restaurant as a janitor, he practices his art. He has to face the evil manager and the hard to please food critic. The young man soon becomes a celebrity.
How I wish I had a rat under my chef hat to cook classic delights!

Please share which animated film is your favorite? ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/ratatouille-561/ An unhurried journey http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/an-unhurried-journey-509/ Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:34:23 GMT When we adults think of children, there is a simple truth we ignore: Childhood is not a preparation for life. A child is not getting ready to live, a child is living. A child is an active,participating and contributing member of the society. How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would... When we adults think of children, there is a simple truth we ignore: Childhood is not a preparation for life. A child is not getting ready to live, a child is living. A child is an active,participating and contributing member of the society. How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would recognize the child as a partner with adults in the process of living, rather than always viewing him/her as an apprentice. How much we would teach each other-.. adults with the experience and the child with the freshness? A child may not lead us, but at least we can discuss the trip with him/her. After all, life is his and her journey as well. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/an-unhurried-journey-509/ How to sleep, not count sheep http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/how-sleep-not-count-sheep-494/ Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:44:31 GMT Here are some tips to fall asleep fast and sleep tight.

1.Keep your bedtime and waking time consistent, even on weekends.

2.Don't try to sleep. Read or watch Tv somewhere other than the bedroom until you become very drowsy.Then go to bed.

3.Get at least 20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise everyday, preferably 5 to 6 hours before bedtime.

4.Avoid or limit coffee

5.Take a relaxing shower or bath before bedtime.

6.Don't eat or drink a lot before going to bed.

7.Minimize potential sleep interrruptions. Run a fan as background noise,and keep your bedroom relatively cool.

8. Remove computers, TV, and exercise equipment from the bedroom.

For years researchers have been preaching that people who are fatigued cannot pay attention to routine tasks, have trouble learning and are prone to health problems.

What is your favorite tip to have sound z's?
Mine is a warm glass of milk. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/how-sleep-not-count-sheep-494/ Blood Diamond http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/blood-diamond-485/ Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:11:06 GMT I recently saw this movie on DVD as my son was working on a school project on Sierra Leone, a west African country. The civil war is raging and the rebel forces are rendering millions homeless. The movie begins with a fisherman and his family trying to live a peaceful life. The rebels raid his... I recently saw this movie on DVD as my son was working on a school project on Sierra Leone, a west African country.
The civil war is raging and the rebel forces are rendering millions homeless.
The movie begins with a fisherman and his family trying to live a peaceful life. The rebels raid his village, he is ripped from his family and forced to work with the rebels in the diamond fields under inhumane conditions. He finds a rare 100-carat diamond, and risks to hide it. Not out of greed ,but desperation that the diamond will fetch him resources to locate his estranged family.
Meanwhile, a mercenary( Leonardo Dicaprio) finds out this and they form an uneasy pact. The two enlist the help of a journalist and provide info for her story on conflict diamonds, in exchange for getting information about the fisherman's family. When they locate them finally, the fisherman finds out that his young son has been taken by the rebels and turned ointo a child soldier.
It is a very touching movie, and an eye-opener. ]]> sundarusha http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/blood-diamond-485/ About my avatar http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/sundarusha/about-my-avatar-478/ Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:40:03 GMT This a picture I shot on my hike along the Windcave trail in Usury park in Mesa, Az. This is a Saguaro ( Sah-wah-roh) cactus that I shot during sunset. It reminded me of the Tree pose that a yoga teacher might teach. It is a native to the sonoran desert of Az, California and Northern... This a picture I shot on my hike along the Windcave trail in Usury park in Mesa, Az.

This is a Saguaro ( Sah-wah-roh) cactus that I shot during sunset. It reminded me of the Tree pose that a yoga teacher might teach.

It is a native to the sonoran desert of Az, California and Northern Mexico. The saguaros are slow-growing, taking upto 75 years to develop a side arm. They are also slow to propagate. Because of these two factors, they are a protected plant species in Az. Some specimens live for more than 150 years.

The night-blooming cactus blossom is the state flower of Az.
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