Species Undefined – The Men in My Life

It is often remarked that women are the most complex out of the two sexes. That may be true but I am sure that men are by far the most diverse. There is such a variety in terms of personality, behavior and physical stature. I have had the fortune of being associated with some of the most amazing male specimens in my life.

Each of them has enriched my life to a great extent. I am grateful to them for helping me in times of need, showering me with warmth when I felt down and for the wonderful companionship I have felt through their lives.

Most of us would associate love, care and affection with mothers but I have a different story to tell. My mother was largely occupied with my sister during my childhood since we were born only a year apart. She also had a career to cater to making spending time with me very difficult. I associate much of my childhood memories with my father as he filled into her shoes.

My father perfectly balanced his busy, public profile and his large family. He took us to school and kept a watch on us after we were back. He did this in unconventional ways but always with a certain grace. I remember him letting us play under the huge Almond tree after school in the premises of the institution where he taught. His eyes were occasionally peering out of the classroom window to make sure that we were alright. Other times, he took us to the library and gave us magazines to flip through while he worked. I could only admire the pictures in those glossy magazine pages since I didn’t know how to read then. This fascination for magazines, journals and books continues to this day.

He helped me with my homework as I moved into a new school system in the United States. He came to meet the teachers regularly and was active in the Parent Teacher Association. I was always welcome into his cabin in the University where he was a doctoral student. He introduced me to all the latest journals and newspapers in the University library while I was just in school. He made me believe that he needed a shortened newspaper because he didn’t have time to read the newspapers. He wanted me to condense each day’s news from leading newspapers like ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Washington Post’ and ‘The Star Ledger’. I did not realize then that he was opening a window to the world by asking me to read those papers.

Life was not always about work for him. He played badminton and Frisbee with his children while hot barbecue was being prepared for dinner during summers. He took us to the University gym for sports and games. He showed us the beauty of nature during our trips to the University arboreum.

He was also adamant that I spent time away from home during studies. I found it difficult to live alone at first since I missed the presence of my father. As an educationist, he believed that living with peers in a hostel environment would increase self-reliance and boost social skills. After spending about seven years in hostels and other places, I now know that he was absolutely right. I faced a life where I made my own choices, suffered or enjoyed the consequences of my actions, forged life-long friendships and shook off my fear of being on my own.

Throughout my lifetime, I have felt his presence as a guiding force. There is a special place in my heart for this remarkable man who is strong enough to tackle problems with ease but gentle enough to search for solutions. He showed me the power of mental resilience, spirit of humility and the influence of good-will. He is one of the men who have influenced me so much and I am very blessed to have him in my life.

I am amused at the striking resemblance in the voices of my father and my brother. My six-foot, dark & dusky brother looks very different from my father. Yet, I can feel the same traits running through him as well. He is very caring but at the same time very paranoid about all his sisters. My brother is more of a man of action and is quick to react. His giant frame deceives his tender nature. We both worked in the same building in Mumbai but for different companies. He was always so obsessed with my safety especially while commuting to and from work. He is an honest and genuine person and I am very proud of him.

My brother’s one-year old son is the other significant presence in my life. This hyper toddler brings unspeakable joy to the entire family. I enjoyed playing with him and crawling after him. He has a way of looking back to see if anyone is following him before speeding away. I have never seen such fast-paced crawling in all my life. I will always remember his innocent and playful character. He is the crawling wonder in my family.

Likewise, my brother-in-law is also another example of the diversity of male species. He is temperamental but jovial. I am sometimes shocked by his carefree disposition. He is the one who got me accustomed to my new home in Pune. He took me around to all the shopping centres and malls in the city. He accompanied me to the hospital when I went to do my lengthy medical check-up in the absence of my husband. The look of desperation on his face as he waited for me in the hospital lobby for my check-up to be over is imprinted in my memory forever.

I also have many friends who characterize every possible facet of the male psychology. I am in constant touch with my highly intelligent and super 'know-it-all' friend from post-graduate days. I liked conversing with this self-proclaimed ‘geek’ because he is one of the very few people with whom I can discuss any topic without sounding philosophical and profound. I have never seen such a wide array of interests ranging from technology, science, current events, history and sports emerging from a single brain. He reminds me of those men who are achievers in life but believe that they have “miles to go” before they sleep.

During my college years, I have also come across men who valued the old ideals of chivalry or respect for women. I am highly indebted to a friend of mine who supported me through thick and thin. He never forgot to call me whenever I felt lonely or overwhelmed. His voice was a support through the trying periods of my life. He is one of the few people I feel that I have the right to call at any time for help. I have an air of confidence in asking him for a helping hand for I know I won’t be denied.

Throughout life, I have encountered men with unique personalities. I cannot forget the dreamy Piscean who planned celebrations for my achievements even without my knowledge. I came to know of his fondness for me only during the last few months of my four-year tenure in college. It seemed more childish to me but I was surprised to see that he was sincere in his efforts. I even had a friend from Rwanda who shared his culture and experiences with me. Then, there was the elder colleague of mine in graduate school to whom I went to for advice. I have no words to describe the many men who enlightened me with their companionship.

This list will be complete only with the mention of the most important man in my life now. His personality defies all the boundaries that I set for the description of my husband. I find him to be different from my expectations in many ways. However, I believe that he has bettered my imagination.

I expected a quiet and calm partner in my life. I got a warm and boisterous husband. I got a person who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. I asked God for a partner who was content with what he has. Instead, I got a man lurching for the skies.

He is known for his determination and admired for his wit. He conquers my pensive attitudes with loads of energy. He is known for his impatience but he makes time for my wanderings. He spends time in the city centres looking around just because he knows I enjoy it. This impulsive man waits for me outside offices while I attend interviews. He assists me during my hospital visits and helps me with medications. He is everything I dreamed of in a husband but within a very unique mould. We are like two divergent beams filling light in the darkness. We are distinct but pursue a common dream. We are living proof of the old adage “opposites attract”. Out of all the men I have known, he stands out just because he is mine.

Update - May 2009

I have to update this post with a mention of the most special man in my life now. The long wait to bring him into this world was worth every second.

My life has changed dramatically after his birth. He fills my days with smiles, coos and laughter. I feel a sense of pride when I look into his eyes.

I realize that being a parent is a huge responsibility. I am awed by the task of transforming my tiny baby boy into a caring and sensitive young man.

I am sure that both of us will discover and learn much during this challenging journey of life.

Marriages are made in heaven…

I still can’t believe that I made the single-most important decision in my life within a mere forty minutes. The stage was set that day in August for the customary prelude to the arranged marriage. The prospective groom comes to meet his bride to be so as to make a final decision. The parents had discussed this match for a couple of months and agreed on a suitable meeting venue. As in the case of modern arranged marriages, there is never any coercion since the children are free to accept or reject the match.

As a free-spirited young lady, I was never in the right frame of mind to get married. I wanted to work more and pursue higher studies. My head was brimming with ideas and I was sure that a wedding at this time would foil all my planning. I was also sure that I will always be plotting my next moves and marriage would never figure in my lengthy list.

I belong to a traditional society where staying unmarried is akin to being afflicted with some disease. I knew that my parents would never allow me to keep my single status any longer. I didn’t have a choice in that matter but I knew I would get to pick the most suitable person.

I was considering a shift of residence and other job opportunities. I had many job applications floating around and was waiting for the elusive interview-call.

That summer was therefore an intense time for me in-terms of personal and professional life. Mumbai would be the venue for meeting the husband-to-be. I got the railway reservations done for traveling to this great metropolis of modern India. Just as all the plans were looking picture-perfect, catastrophe struck.

Strong rain showers lashed the entire western India. Mumbai and adjoining areas were flooded with monsoon waters. The communication and transport infrastructure was severely damaged. The railways cancelled all their services. Mumbai city was crippled leaving scores of its stranded inhabitants scurrying for cover.

I was only too happy that my ordeal was postponed. I had read too much about these meetings. There were often the prying eyes of the future in-laws, criticizing comments in some cases, bashful grooms-to-be and difficult decisions to be made. However, the delay was short-lived. The groom had only a few days to spend in India and he was due to continue his global travel ventures.

Air travel had resumed in India despite the bad weather. I managed to get flight bookings for Mumbai. There was again a last-minute delay in the travel after I reached the airport in time for the early-morning flight. A plane had over-run the runway in Mumbai and the airport was not accepting further traffic until the plane was removed. In the mean time, the rains in Mumbai worsened.

I sat inside the airport blissfully unaware of what was going on. I was already checked-in and waiting for my flight when I received a phone-call from my brother who was waiting to receive me in the airport in Mumbai. I noticed the pandemonium in the airport with delayed and cancelled flights. People were standing in long queues but were not given boarding passes.

“Avoid traveling to Mumbai unless absolutely necessary”, a sharp voice beamed through the airport speaker system.

Within minutes the passengers were up and running to cancel the tickets or to make alternate arrangements. Some passengers with small kids in tow lamented about missing their connection flights. Others were arguing with the airport personnel. Confusion filled the airport lobby.

There were others who accepted their fate and waited patiently. Some families spread sheets on the ground to settle down their weary children. The normally calm airline staff members were fretting. Confusion reigned supreme as airlines were unable to pacify the irate customers.

I was thinking of an alternate course of action. I thought of cancelling or postponing the flight. I would then have to retrieve my checked-in baggage. I would have some difficulty going home in the adverse weather. I decided to wait and monitor my flight status. The major private airline cancelled all their flights to Mumbai. I was booked on the national carrier and they had just labeled my flight status as “indefinitely delayed”.

I approached the counter for further enquires about my flight. The lady in charge explained to me that they don’t have any information from Mumbai airport. She told me that the airline was willing to take the stranded passengers to the nearest airport hotel. They agreed to bring us back as soon as the flights to Mumbai resumed. I realized that this is the only viable option. I was soon sent to the comfort of a nearby hotel.

I was able to relax and have refreshments there. I spent hours surfing the TV channels in the hotel room waiting for some information from the airport. It was about ten in the night when I got a call from the hotel informing me that my flight was ready for travel. I was already sleepy by then but managed to scramble down to the hotel lobby.

Upon reaching the airport, I realized that passengers were still stranded. The private airlines were not being given authorization to land in Mumbai. The national carrier that I was flying on managed to get a slot. After a quick security check, the flight took off and was on its way to Mumbai. However, the plane had to still circle around Mumbai for some time before given clearance for landing.

I reached Mumbai at around two in the morning. It was not so difficult to locate my brother. His tall stature made sure that his head was visible amongst the crowd waiting for the delayed passengers. He also had his regular Punjabi taxi-driver with him. We loaded the taxi with my luggage and got inside to go to his house in Mumbai.

My unlucky streak continued even then. The taxi refused to budge and was stationed like a stubborn child facing reprimand. My brother and the jovial taxi-driver got out and pushed the taxi. The motors came to life after some frantic pushing. I saw the submerged roads, flooded shanty-towns and people trying to make it home even at that odd hour.

I relaxed for a couple of days in my new surroundings. The preparations were on for the important meeting in Mumbai. The groom had to travel to Mumbai from a neighbouring city to meet me. Even his plans were thwarted a couple of times due to the weather conditions. The day before the suggested date for the meeting, I received an interview call from a Mumbai-based company as a result of an application I had sent months earlier. They seemed very happy to know that I was already in Mumbai. They asked me to come in the next day in the after-noon for the interview.

I was pleased to have both the events on the same day. I was only anxious to get it over with. It would be thrilling to experience the results together. Hospitality is revered in the Indian culture and meetings such as this one required the utmost perfection. My brother arranged to have my aunt come the next day for some guidance.

I got up early in the morning to fix up a meal of chicken stew and bread, halwa, fruits and sweets. I wanted the meeting to be as natural as possible. A flash of lightening went through my head as the door-bell rang. I was wondering whether I was ready for entering into marriage. It meant a lot of commitment, changes in life-style and many compromises. My head was exploding with thoughts as I was called to the living room to meet the guests.

I was glad that the atmosphere was very informal. We both went to a corner to talk in peace. I was shocked to see that the groom was not following the conventional norms. He was in casuals and was in a relaxed mode. He outlined to me a little about his past, his aims and his vision for the future. I distinctly remember him telling me that his family wanted a daughter and not a daughter-in-law. We had a brief exchange of experiences and ideas. In India, the final decision is always made collectively as a family. Contrary to that, he expressed his decision to proceed with the marriage.

I was happy with the proceedings of the day and was still thinking of coming to a conclusion. I was impressed by the laid-back nature of the groom, his reasoning, his ability to communicate and strong personality. I considered myself an accomplished lady educated around the world and pursuing diverse interests. I was sure that he would match my abilities if not better them.

My brother and I rushed to the job-interview venue as we were running late. I didn’t relax much until I came to the lobby of the office. I met with the interview panel within a short time. The interview was a little lengthy but was quite simple. I was able keep poise and answer well all throughout. I was sure that I would be called for the next round.

As expected, I was called for another round the next day and joined soon. During my tenure there, I have never come across such an immediate appointment in that company. It really mesmerizes me to date. That is one of the fondest memories I have of that place. The decision to leave my job was especially painful because of that swift appointment. The job was satisfying, rewarding and the people were warm to me. My work was appreciated and my views were valued. I am trying to find a job in this new country. I have gone through many rounds with companies here and even reached final stages. However, I have not seen the same level of openness to diversity in companies here in Belgium.

After that customary meeting with the groom, I made a quick decision to marry him. Both the families worked on the details of a marriage to be held six-months later on my birthday. We both came to know each other more only after the event was fixed. I believe that there is a great deal of trust that we placed on each other in making this decision.

Choosing a life-partner is a difficult decision that people take years to finalize. They wait for the right time and person. Arranged marriages work on the concept that it is not so much about finding the right person but in being the right person. This brisk decision is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Although we are completely opposite personalities, there is a common chemistry binding us together. We laugh at our differences and the very few similarities.

Entering into marital life is one of the most life-changing incidents. It is a unique learning experience. There is going to be a lot of marital bliss and some inevitable arguments. All healthy relationships have difference of opinions also. The success lies in managing the differences and keeping the delicate balance of life. It is often said that marriages are made in heaven. I would like to add that heaven is made on earth for those in successful marriages.

Sights and Sounds of Belgium...

Life in a different country can be the ultimate challenge in many ways. Scholars have coined the term "culture shock" to describe the feeling. Needless to say that the experience is shocking but also interesting. Its all a matter of perspective.

For me, the relocation to Belgium was a combination of both these emotions. I was happy to see a new country and experience new cultures & traditions. At the same time, it was a personal blow to be away from family and friends and the society I belonged to. I still miss the warmth of old friends, my work, familiar destinations and the country that I call 'my own'.

For those coming from hot and sunny countries such as India, Belgian weather is a dampner. The skies are mostly grey and rainy. The howling winds keeps you trapped inside your home. It takes great effort to ward off the depressing emotions associated with this climate. I am now waiting for the sunny summer respite.

The architechture and sights of Belgium more than makes up for the unpleasant weather. I have seen some of the most magnificient structures in the world right here in Belgium. Many of the buildings are grand and magnificient. I am captivated by the renaissance-style statues and carvings. The cobble stone roads and narrow streets transport me to an ancient period. The entire place feels like a leaf out of a history text-book detailing the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Art History. There is an over-abundance of museums in the country specialising in subjects ranging from the most obvious to the definitely obscure.

The Grand Place is one such monument in Brussels and is the town hall building of Brussels. I was fortunate enough to see the decorated building during christmas festivities. There was an immense crowd of visitors thronging the enclosed space at that time giving the entire light-show the feel of a carnival. The sight was spectacular and one of the best christmas decorations I have seen in my life-time.

The public transport in Belgium offers efficient and cheap travel options . The cities are well-connected. The buses, trams and the metro are integrated to provide a comfortable travel experience. I found the transport a little strange at first since transport from one place to another sometimes required using all the modes available. A short distance might need travel on the bus, tram, train and/or the metro. I am not known for my ability to figure out road directions. So, I a beginner in terms of deciphering Belgian public transport.

I did visit some of the cities in Belgium including Brugges and Antwerp. Antwerp has the trade-mark, old-world charm of Belgium. I was impressed by the distinct architecture, grand cathedrals and public squares. The city is the second largest in Belgium and lies strategically on the banks of the River Scheldt. This port city is a centre of commerce and economically significant as the seat of the Belgian diamond industry. The various museums include the Diamond Museum, National Maritime Museum, Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Fashion Museum.

Brugges is another famous Belgian tourist spot known for its canals, gabled houses and winding streets. This city is aptly called the 'Venice of the North' due to it's canal system. The city is preserved in all its beauty for all those who wish to take a peek into the past. This is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/996) famed for medieval architechture and historic settlement.

Belgium is not all immersed in the past despite the old structures and architecture. Even the ancient buildings are conveniently restored and have all the modern ammenities. I am amazed to see that some of the most powerful organizations of present day are based out of Belgium. The most famous of is the European Union and associated agencies in Brussels. This definitely marks Brussels as the power-house of Europe since many important decisions are made here. Similarly, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also operates out of Brussels. I am always stunned to read the NATO placards on buses and to look at the modern NATO complex in Brussels. I secretly wonder if it really refers to the same NATO I hear about in the newspapers, internet and in TV news reports.

The difference in language is what makes the country difficult to live in. Belgium is officially bilingual with French & Dutch as the official languages. The same place or street in Belgium can be referred to by two or more names. This makes life miserable especially for the foreigner in Belgium. Some parts of the country rely on French more and the other on Flemish/Dutch. The confused english-speaking people are somewhere in the middle trying to make sense of any of these languages.

For those living in Belgium, at least a slight understanding of either French or Dutch is mandatory. The supermarkets are lined with products labelled only in French or Dutch. The official communication and billing (house rent, electicity, gas, telecom) are all done in either of these two languages. I have successfully managed to grasp enough of French to understand what I read. However, I have miles to go before I can start conversing to the native speakers here.

Sometimes, the words become clearer to me a few minutes after it is spoken. By that time, the speaker would have disappeared after figuring out that I am either dumb or deaf. I had a very nice lady telling me about choosing pine-apples in the super-market the other day. As usual, I understood the conversation late. I did manage to give a wide grin to prove my friendliness but she must have come to any of the deaf or dumb conclusions by then.

Another time, I tried in vain to ask a super-market employee for green chillies because I couldn't locate it anywhere in the vegetalbe shelves. He consulted all his colleagues and still could not figure out what I wanted. Then I realized that I should pick up useful French vocabulary. That is still continuing and it is a relief to be able to know the French equivalents of common items. I can now understand bits and pieces of conversations. I am sure that my language will just improve over time. Hopefully, I will be one more language richer when I leave this country.

Undoubtedly, there are difficulties in leaving home and living in a distant land. But there are overwhelming positives as well. I believe that I can understand cultures and view-points better after this experience. I also hope that this will enrich my life and improve my personality. Life is definitely challenging with all the liguistic and cultural barriers here in Belgium. Yet, the novelty of it is enticing and opens a new window to the world.

Through Mine Eyes - St. Michael's Cathedral, Brussels

Through Mine Eyes..

I am mighty pleased by the glorious sunshine we are getting in Belgium this week. I adore the occasional bursts of sunshine breaking the monotony of the usual dark, grey Belgian skies. Around here, the skies always seem to chant frightening tones warning those venturing outside to be wary of impending rain showers. So, a sunny weekend definitely means visiting some of the popular Brussels attractions without getting drenched and being blown away by the chilling breeze.

I wanted to see the St. Michael's and St. Gudula Cathedral ever since I came here. I have always glazed at it with admiration from the windows of the yellow public buses. I finally got to see the grand gothic structure this saturday. This cathedral is dedicated to the two patrons of Brussels, St. Michael's and St. Gudula and was built around the thirteenth century. The architecture is magnificent as expected. The twelve pillars of the cathedral are decorated with statues of early christian saints such as St. Paul, St. Mathew and St. Philip.

The Cathedral also has smaller chapels attached dedicated to patron saints. The stained glass windows are richly decorated with work alluding to biblical themes. There are portraits of the Belgian royals who contributed to the construction of the cathedral on the massive walls.

The remains of the original church present in this location are preserved in a crypt below the cathedral. This monument has been renovated many times and is preserved in all its beauty. This is the place where the royal family comes to worship. There is a photo gallery near the entrance of the cathedral with pictures of the weddings and other sacraments of the royals that took place in the cathedral. This marks the significance of this cathedral in the country's history.

The cathedral was full of activity with people moving about viewing the statues, stained-glass paintings and relics. There were others offering prayers, lighting candles and sitting silently on the pews. I noticed an aura of sanctity inside the cathedral despite the constant flow of people. The atmosphere of strength in the cathedral was remarkable. It was as though the well-chiselled statuettes held some powerful energy.

The 'Palais Royal' or the Royal Palace was the next place of visit. I was impressed by the enormity of the buildings and I couldn't believe that such opulence was possible even in the days of royalty. This is unlike any hi-rise buildings of our time. The buildings are huge, interconnected and spans quite a lot of territory. This bulding is mainly used as the office of the King and also as Government offices. The palace is open to the public only for a few days in June. Visitors can see only the outside of the palace now but the view is worth the effort.

Brussels also has a Palace of Justice believed to be the biggest building built in the nineteenth century in the world. This gigantic edifice is a treat for the eyes. The tomb of the unknown soldier of Belgium is situated next to this structure. The Palace of Justice is currently the seat of the Supreme Court of Belgium.

Brussels also has many interesting restaurants for those who enjoy eating-out. Brussels Grill is one such joint situated on Avenue Louise, a famous street in Brussels. The inside of the restaurant is dimly lighted with ornate chandeliers. There are mirrors strategically placed all around the restaurant to accentuate the effect of the chandeliers.

This is where we decided to have lunch after the long walk through the city. This place mainly serves grilled chicken, meat, barbecued ribs and salmon roast. There were also many drinks on the menu with highly-imaginative names. The food was generally good, mildly-flavoured and a little heavy. The lunch was the fitting finale to the trip and we hurried back home to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

A Tribute to the Feminine Spirit!

"The strength of women comes from the fact that psychology cannot explain us. Men can be analyzed, women... merely adored." - Oscar Wilde

She is a mother, a sister, a friend, a wife, a nurse, a nurturer and so much more. She has diverse talents and forges relationships with others. She can connect well and is emotionally sensitive to the needs of those around her. She is often lost in thoughts and has powerful dreams. She wins great praise with her feminine grace and gentle words. After all, she is a woman and she is not weak at all.

There were days when women were considered delicate. It is not so anymore since women have proved their mettle repeatedly. Traditional roles of women have slowly wilted and they now occupy the coveted spots in all spheres of life. Condoleeza Rice, the United States Secretary-General, advises the top executive of the United States. Her movements are fodder for the papparazzi and her words are resounded all across the globe. Oparah Winfrey, a celebrated talk-show host, won accolades for opening a school for the under-privileged children of South Africa. All eyes are set on Hillary Clinton, a US Senator, as she prepares to tackle the presidential election. These women exude the courage, determination, versatility and the humanitarian facets of the female personna.

Very few men can match the emotional-sensitivity and the warm nature of women. Most women can sense other people's difficulties without a single word spoken. This is an amazing intrisic trait of women that makes her excel in her traditional roles as wives, sisters, daughters and friends. Women in the medical profession use this innate ability to patiently care for the sick. Those in the teaching profession form strong bonds with the students to effectively guide and mentor.

Besides all this, women are clever and crafty. They are gifted with foresight and can see clearly through others intentions. This warm, charming but intelligent mix is a deadly but efficient combination. There is no question as to women being the "weaker sex" any more. The feminine spirit is unconquered and indomitable.

Here is a salute to women all over the world on "International Women's Day", a day dedicated in honour of the phenomenon called 'Woman'. All you need to do is just look around you to catch a glimpse of this amazing species. They are everywhere but conveniently blend into the background. Yet, they make their presence felt throughout with unparalled simplicity and kindness.

Fishing It Out!

We have all heard of the amazing health benefits of eating fish. The lean, flaky and delicious fish meat is supposed to be high in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also rich in Vitamin A, lowers the risk of heart attack and even contributes to intelligence. With so many benefits, fish seems to be a veritable treasure trove.

I was watching a programme on BBC the other day that outlined the beneficial aspects of eating fish. A few stressed-out London cabbies were asked to go on a high-fish diet. Their stress or hormone levels were monitored before and after the experiment. I was astounded to note that the stress levels of these cabbies decreased after just a couple of weeks on this diet. They responded better to customers and had improved tolerance to the agonizingly slow traffic in a busy city like London.

Although I am a hard-core non-vegetarian, I was never so interested in eating red-meat dishes. I come from a region where the people are fond of fish. I know that my maternal grand-mother and mother don't even eat meals properly without a dash of fish curry. We always had a variety of fish in our house and even had a long list of family favourites.

I got a new splurge of energy after watching that BBC programme and decided to add more fish dishes to our non-vegetarian diet. The names and types of fish are so strange and varied in the country where I currently reside. To add to the confusion, all the labels and descriptions are also in a foreign language. Therefore, selecting and buying fish is more of an adventure for me and includes researching species names, common names and cooking tips.

Last week, I managed to buy 'fillet de pangasius' and tried frying it with spices. The common name for this fish is 'Iridescent Shark' and is mainly used by the Vietnamese. Despite the name 'shark', Pangasius is actually a sort of Catfish. Pangasius fry was very tasty and I got bold enough to try something else this week. After careful deliberation, I selected "fillet de cabillaud" today. This is supposed to be 'Cod fish' and from what I have read, has a mighty tasty flavour. I am planning to make a traditional, spicy fish curry with this Cod fish.

Ofcourse, I use canned Tuna fish to make fish cakes quite frequently. I also stock up on frozen prawns to make a trade mark 'prawns in coconut milk' curry. So, I have been using some sea-food items in the past but I'm going to aggressively add to that list with more fresh fish dishes. If all the beneficial effects of consuming fish are true, I am certainly looking forward to a healthier and more intelligent me.

I am now concerned more about how to monitor for these changes. Will I become smarter, better equipped to deal with pressures and have high tolerance levels? Is fish really good for health or is it mere publicity? And more importantly, are favourable health changes more due to positive thoughts and reflections rather than dietary changes? I will surely find out soon after some tricky experimenting.

Always Connected!

It is now difficult for me to think of a time without the sleek and trendy gadgets that keep us connected all the time. We talk and chat using laptops, cells and palm-top devices while eating, sleeping, walking, driving and other activities. It is multi-tasking at its best and those who master this art are the most successful in today's fast-paced world.

The technology companies continously innovate to cater to the constantly-changing tastes of the people. It is a mad scramble amongst these companies to market the most tiny, fully-enabled gizmos. In the same way, we are over-enthusiastic to own these shiny gadgets regardless of how useful it will be for us. It is a matter of prestige to own the latest equipments and accessories. The companies target their advertisements on the youth because they are the most faithful consumers in this technology-crazy world.

I always wonder whether being connected all the time is really good for our lives. It surely has its benefits. The word 'global village' denotes the advances in information & communication technology. Time and distance are not a factor anymore. People telecommute to work everyday and that can bring considerable ease to the quality of life. Companies conduct business around the world from any location and business booms from this kind of networking.

Everybody has the power of knowledge since information dessimination is so easy over the internet. The internet is also relatively inexpensive and that increases the strength of this medium. It is possible to connect to any remote corner of the earth and communicate with anyone from anywhere. The internet is powerful, unique and is now a global phenomenon. Cell phones are a rage across nationalities and beyond race barriers. Everybody is connected and can be reached all the time.

It is hard to imagine that all this was a novelty just a few years ago. Land phones were most common and cordless phones were considered advanced. This was the time that people could conveniently slip-away for some solitude without any disturbances. There was a structure to life then since work was in office and did not follow into home. We concentrated on what we were doing at present and not on the blabbering over the phone. The family dinners were without the annoying mobile ring tones and mid-nights without the flickering monitor of the laptop.

Moving back to that leisurely life-style of yesteryears is not advisable or even possible now. Life is all too advanced and there is a formidable urge to be connected. The pros of communication technology definitely outweighs the cons. The increased reach of technology, information access, faster exchange of ideas and ease of conducting business make this boom worth the effort.

Sometimes, I think of those times when I had to wait patiently for hours for half an hour usage of internet. I also wonder about the slow and broken internet connectivity we used to have and it seemed like ages for a page to load. I remember the obsolete, bulky computers I used to practice in schools. I remember queuing infront of the public-phone booth for making that weekly call home while away in college. Then, I am puzzled to realize that it was all just a few years ago and so many changes have happened in very little time. It also dawns on me that technology is being updated at such a fast pace and that the future holds so many surprises and promises.