> ~ POINTED REPLIES WHEN YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP
> >
> > Veer Savarkar once started addressing a public meeting in
> > Hindi at Bangalore.The crowd started shouting " Speak in Kannada. We will
> > hear only in kannada."
> > Veer Savarkar replied " Friends, I have spent 14 years
> > of rigorous imprisonment in ill famous Andaman Jail where
> > all freedom fighters were kept in jail. I have learned
> > Bengali from the freedom fighters coming from Bengal, Hindi
> > from those coming from Uttar Pradesh, even gujarathi and
> > punjabi. Unfortunately there was none from Karnataka from
> > whom I could have learned Kannada."
> > ...and there was pin drop
> > silence.
> >
> > At a time when the US President and other US politicians
> > tend to apologize for their country's prior actions,
> > here's a refresher on how some former US personnel
> > handled negative comments about the United
> > States.
> >
> > JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in
> > the early 60's when Charles DeGaule, the French
> > President, decided to pull out of NATO.
> >
> > DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as
> > soon as possible.
> >> > Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried
> > here?
> >
> > DeGaule did not respond.
> > You could have heard a pin drop.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
> > When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin
> > Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury
> >
> > if US plans for Iraq were just an example of empire
> > building by George Bush.
> >
> > He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United
> > States has sent many of its fine young men and women into
> > great peril
> > to fight for freedom beyond our borders.
> >
> > The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is
> > enough to bury those that did not
> > return.'
> >
> > You could have heard a pin drop.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~
> >
> > There
> > was a conference in France where a number of international
> > engineers were taking part, including French and American.
> >
> > During a break, one of the French engineers came back into
> > the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt
> > Bush has done?
> > He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the
> > tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb
> > them?'
> >
> > A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our
> > carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat
> > several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can
> > supply emergency electrical power to shore
> > facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity
> > to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce
> > several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each
> > day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in
> > transporting victims and injured to and from their flight
> > deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France
> > have?'
> >
> > You could have heard a pin drop.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
> > A
> > U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that
> > included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian,
> > Australian and French Navies.
> >
> > At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with
> > a large group of Officers that included personnel from
> > most of those countries.
> > Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their
> > drinks when a French admiral suddenly complained that,
> > whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn
> > only English.
> >
> > He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak
> > English in these conferences rather than speaking
> > French?'
> >
> > Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied,
> > 'Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians,
> > Aussie's and Americans arranged it
> >
> > so you wouldn't have to speak
> > German.'
> >
> > You could have heard a pin drop.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
> >
> > ............ AND THE FOLLOWING STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE
> > ABOVE....... ...
> >
> > Robert Whiting , an elderly US
> > gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
> > At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his
> > passport in his carry on.
> >
> > "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the
> > customs officer asked sarcastically.
> >
> > Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France
> > previously.
> >
> > "Then you should know enough to have your passport
> > ready."
> >
> > The American said, 'The last time I was here, I
> > didn't have to show it."
> >
> > "Impossible. Americans always have to show your
> > passports on arrival in France !"
> >
> > The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look.
> >
> > Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came
> > ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this
> > country,
> >
> > I couldn't find a single Frenchman to show a passport
> > to."
> > You could have heard a pin drop.
Friday, 11 December 2009
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world।
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem। The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will not make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem। The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: You will not make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.
Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10: Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Modern Life
This amazing bit below was written by George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
A Message by George Carlin:The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
A Message by George Carlin:The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
My year 2008
The year 2008 has been eventful for me. We started with the news that we will be moving to UK during the year. Majority of the year went in the transitioning and that has somewhat come in way of maintaining one on one email contact with many friends.
We have had series of "Goodbye" session as well as "Get to Know You" sessions and it is all about relationships. So this is a mail to all friends old & new, to share my year with you and look forward to staying connected in 2009.
We traveled to India to visit family in early February (since after that there was no opportunity for us to travel as a family for a long time). Subsequently we had some lovely "Goodbye get together". We did our "Look See" trip in 1st week May. The school decision was made based on the criteria of the only international school close to where we were likely to live & the fact that it provided bus service. Yes , for those of you who may not know school busing is not the norm here. We decided on the house and hubby joined his new duties on May 6th & flew to France
Once back in Singapore we were to be there till the end of school year in end June. My little girl was a bit sad that Papa was not there for her 4th Birthday! A visit from Chacha (papa's brother) made a weekend very exciting. Sorting the house and managing kids without father and my work kept me busy. Stopped working in early June and then the packers arrived. Kids were amused to see the house boxed up. Then we did a trip to the Zoo & Night Safari as that what kids wanted to do before we went away. After spending a few days at our good friend home in Singapore we finally bid goodbye to Singapore.
We arrived on July 7th and stayed in Oxford for 2 weeks before moving to our new home on July 24th. We live in a village called Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire and is about 25miles North West of London. Hubby's office is 40 miles away & the kids school is about 8 miles away. The closest shopping mall is 6 miles away. The village & its high street is much like what Enid Blyton books used to describe - one each of :newspaper shop, post office, barber, bakery, coffee shops, pub , restaurant, dry cleaner , flower shop, book shop, hardware store, gift shop, library, train station, chemist, charity shop, movie theatre, a bus stop, a play ground, a community centre and a few churches ! All in less than 1/2 mile!!!
Then started the unpacking & settling process. A school picnic before school opened was instrumental in getting to know people and making new friends. School had its orientation on 20th August & started on Aug 21st. A big new change for little one as she was starting in big school for full day! Thankfully kids settled fairly well after a few initial hiccups.
Made some lovely new friends mostly thru school and then thru the first set of friends. We still miss all our friends in Singapore and India and look forward to some of them visiting us in 2009.
We did a little bit exploring around and guess will do most of the visiting & exploring UK next summer. But the kids loved the experience of plucking Strawberries and Raspberries & visiting a small old Apple farm. We also went to a Model Village - a miniature village that was wonderful and a Farm Park where the kids could play with Rabbits ; feed Chickens and see cow milking!!! Have lots more to do and look forward to next summer.
My planned sabbatical was extended due to the global economic situation. So with time on hand actively increased my network at LinkedIn at got a bit more active with Facebook. Watched movies, attended & hosted many coffee mornings and lunches and dinners. Have had the chance to be an active volunteer at school - I even went on a field trip with son's class, and did a lotto session in my kid's class as well as do a Diwali session in both classes. Then I did a session about India as well. This has been an experience of a different kind.
Hubby traveled frequently between May and November to continental Europe and was not home for Diwali. So we had a very unusual Diwali. We woke up to see 2 inches frost/ice outside, windy that Diya's would not stay lit & damp; rain that we had to do our sparkles in the tiny porch!
Christmas was a lot of fun as this is the first time that y little one wss excited about Santa giving her a present and that she can spell SANTA!!! . We watched Santa Claus 3 , went to London to see the lighting at Oxford & Regent Streets and went for Christmas dinner at friends who had a tree. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the decorations and the exchange of gifts this season.
The year is drawing to a close and when I reflect on it feel accomplished about the work I did in the first half of the year. Also the entire transition which has so many variables & impacts especially getting the kids to feel settled and coping with being home alone. More so coping with the weather and the very short days & scarce sunshine. It is all about being adaptive & resilient and pray that God grants us all the ability for same.
We have had series of "Goodbye" session as well as "Get to Know You" sessions and it is all about relationships. So this is a mail to all friends old & new, to share my year with you and look forward to staying connected in 2009.
We traveled to India to visit family in early February (since after that there was no opportunity for us to travel as a family for a long time). Subsequently we had some lovely "Goodbye get together". We did our "Look See" trip in 1st week May. The school decision was made based on the criteria of the only international school close to where we were likely to live & the fact that it provided bus service. Yes , for those of you who may not know school busing is not the norm here. We decided on the house and hubby joined his new duties on May 6th & flew to France
Once back in Singapore we were to be there till the end of school year in end June. My little girl was a bit sad that Papa was not there for her 4th Birthday! A visit from Chacha (papa's brother) made a weekend very exciting. Sorting the house and managing kids without father and my work kept me busy. Stopped working in early June and then the packers arrived. Kids were amused to see the house boxed up. Then we did a trip to the Zoo & Night Safari as that what kids wanted to do before we went away. After spending a few days at our good friend home in Singapore we finally bid goodbye to Singapore.
We arrived on July 7th and stayed in Oxford for 2 weeks before moving to our new home on July 24th. We live in a village called Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire and is about 25miles North West of London. Hubby's office is 40 miles away & the kids school is about 8 miles away. The closest shopping mall is 6 miles away. The village & its high street is much like what Enid Blyton books used to describe - one each of :newspaper shop, post office, barber, bakery, coffee shops, pub , restaurant, dry cleaner , flower shop, book shop, hardware store, gift shop, library, train station, chemist, charity shop, movie theatre, a bus stop, a play ground, a community centre and a few churches ! All in less than 1/2 mile!!!
Then started the unpacking & settling process. A school picnic before school opened was instrumental in getting to know people and making new friends. School had its orientation on 20th August & started on Aug 21st. A big new change for little one as she was starting in big school for full day! Thankfully kids settled fairly well after a few initial hiccups.
Made some lovely new friends mostly thru school and then thru the first set of friends. We still miss all our friends in Singapore and India and look forward to some of them visiting us in 2009.
We did a little bit exploring around and guess will do most of the visiting & exploring UK next summer. But the kids loved the experience of plucking Strawberries and Raspberries & visiting a small old Apple farm. We also went to a Model Village - a miniature village that was wonderful and a Farm Park where the kids could play with Rabbits ; feed Chickens and see cow milking!!! Have lots more to do and look forward to next summer.
My planned sabbatical was extended due to the global economic situation. So with time on hand actively increased my network at LinkedIn at got a bit more active with Facebook. Watched movies, attended & hosted many coffee mornings and lunches and dinners. Have had the chance to be an active volunteer at school - I even went on a field trip with son's class, and did a lotto session in my kid's class as well as do a Diwali session in both classes. Then I did a session about India as well. This has been an experience of a different kind.
Hubby traveled frequently between May and November to continental Europe and was not home for Diwali. So we had a very unusual Diwali. We woke up to see 2 inches frost/ice outside, windy that Diya's would not stay lit & damp; rain that we had to do our sparkles in the tiny porch!
Christmas was a lot of fun as this is the first time that y little one wss excited about Santa giving her a present and that she can spell SANTA!!! . We watched Santa Claus 3 , went to London to see the lighting at Oxford & Regent Streets and went for Christmas dinner at friends who had a tree. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the decorations and the exchange of gifts this season.
The year is drawing to a close and when I reflect on it feel accomplished about the work I did in the first half of the year. Also the entire transition which has so many variables & impacts especially getting the kids to feel settled and coping with being home alone. More so coping with the weather and the very short days & scarce sunshine. It is all about being adaptive & resilient and pray that God grants us all the ability for same.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Media & the economic Crisis
We all know times are not good, but the media is just making it worse I feel.
Any news channel you put they seem to depress you.
The saying "Every dark cloud has a silver lining" , wonder why no one is trying to look for that.
The only people i know having lots of work to do are the credit rating & risk guys. They sure must be working more than ever.
We need some optimism & fresh air , and I guess we all can contribute to that....if we decide to.
Any news channel you put they seem to depress you.
The saying "Every dark cloud has a silver lining" , wonder why no one is trying to look for that.
The only people i know having lots of work to do are the credit rating & risk guys. They sure must be working more than ever.
We need some optimism & fresh air , and I guess we all can contribute to that....if we decide to.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Daffodils
I had never seen Daffodils like this before. They are everywhere ...on the streets, in the woods, on the sidewalks, at the supermarket . And they are beautiful. Am now planning to plant some more for next spring , so that we will have more in our garden.
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