Rare Me (#19)

Like most girls, I would like to be prim and proper, however that is not a skill set which I posses. There are very rare days, when I can paint my nails, apply make up, be girl like. However, I love those days, cos they make me feel, I can be what I want to ... I can also be pretty, prim and proper and very lady like, I do posses the skill. I am happy for these rare days and I am happy to be myself. 

One of those Pink nail Polish days. :-) 

Great Wall (# 18)

I have always loved travelling and I want to be able to see the whole world. I have got a few opportunities to meet people from different countries, ethinicities, religion, etc and I realize...all of us are "similarly different". Similar in more than one way and different on some common parameters. I am happy because, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to travel to a new country and see one of the wonders of the world. I loved it at it's first view. It's beautiful. However, it's sad to think of the history and the pain 1000s of laborers had to go through to build this beautiful piece of architecture. I am happy to have been able to see this amazing wall , which is  visible from the moon too :-)

Great Wall of China

Happy Bhai Dooj ( Day 17)

I am blessed to have a brother who loves me for who I am. He is the one man whom I have  loved consistently. I  can fight with my dad ( whom I love like crazy) for him and if need be I will fight the world for him. He is a great friend and he is the reason I feel I am a free bird. I am a wild, crazy,ambitious person . He has seen me through all my craziness and  been a good brother by sometimes standing by me and sometimes against me (That has never changed our relationship).  He has supported my ambitious plans  and let me have my wild adventures . 

He is my pillar of strength, my biggest support system, I have had a lot of fun with him, just by conversations .. he makes me laugh, ponder and cry ...We can have a serious conversation with the same intensity with which we have fun. I miss all the fun I have had with him. 

He has experienced a lot of hardship, but has never ever uttered a word about it. He has immense gratitude and respect for life's experiences. He not only lives his life for everybody around him, but has selflessly has crushed all his dreams for his loved ones.  He is a great son, great dad, great friend and the best brother a girl can ask for. I love him and will continue to do... no matter what .. 

He shines wherever he goes, he is loved by a whole lot of people and soon becomes a favorite of people.... in spite of all this he can be detached attached and think with his head... Woahhh... That's my bro....  

The love I feel for him is unconditional and it' a beautiful feeling to love some one unconditionally. 

Big B, you are my strength and the one thing I wish for you is - LIVE YOUR LIFE

http://www.scatterweb.net/top-10-big-brother-quotes-that-never-fail-to-inspire/

Emotions (# 16)

Happy to have made it to 14 days. It's made me realize that a commitment for no real reason is difficult to keep . I am happy today to be able to feel different emotions. To experience gush of sadness for no reason, to experience fear of failure for no reason, to know I am not the best.... I think all these qualities keep me grounded, humble and force me to do better than my own self, to admire and appreciate people who are better than me and to be able to be a life long learner...  I am happy to be be a life long learner....

Cos learning leads me from DARKNESS to LIGHT

My Favorite Time of the year ( #15)

Most people in my life know, I love love the FALL (AUTUMN) season. The leaves change colors, the wind blows cold breeze. There is a chillness in the air , surrounded by the majestic colors of nature. I am happy to be here, where I can experience this season in its fullest sense. 

Art (#14)

This is a dumpster , turned into art. It was beautiful. I am happy to be in a city, where such unique pieces of art are on display on the streets. 

One small accomplishment (#13)

I am happy today , cos I got my driving license. Now, I am not dependent on anyone to take me places. I am excited that I can drive wherever and whenever I want. I promise to myself and all those who love me- I will be safe, for myself and for all the people on the road :-)

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/man-driving-licence-18855327.jpg

Visitors (#12)

This happened last week, I was walking to the train station and I see these lovely birds enjoying the day. It was the perfect weather and a lovely sight to see them. I am happy for such god sent surprises :-)

Energy (#11)

I am thankful for the awesome level of energy level I have. I have been functioning with complete enthusiasm and energy from 8 in the morning to 12.30. I have slept only for four hours the previous night.  I not only accomplished my work goals. I also accomplished my personal goals... Yeah it's a good day :-) 

Happy Day 10

I am happy today for this recent invention , which has been taken for granted by all of us. It's became a part of our world now and we wonder how people lived without it... Honestly, the happiness quotient was higher without it, but today the  happiness quotient will be negative without it. It has made the world one small place and has made communication instant. We use it not only to connect with people, but also  to find all the information we need, do our assignments, to read our news, to find the best discounts, to shop, to find our way when we are lost, to send gifts across the world.

It's a great invention and I am immensely thankful for it , cos of it you can read my blog, cos of it your feedback reaches me instantly no matter how many miles we are apart. I am happy , I am really happy for the INTERNET 

Happy Diwali (#9)

It' my favorite time of the year.. weather wise and festivities wise.. Fall is here... but I will talk about it later. Right now... I am thrilled about the festival of lights ... Diwali.... I am away from home and I miss all the love, fun and decorating the house. Me and my brother would decorate the house beautifully with earthen lamps... If I am obsessed about something in life.. it's about decorating my home and lighting a few 100 lamps...I have been blessed to be able to do it most years of my life and I hope I continue celebrating this bright, joyous festival....

HAPPY DIWALI... Stay Blessed Stay happy.This picture is a picture of my best Diwali in a foreign land.

Happy Day 8

Yeahhhhh... It's been a successful week. I have jotted down one reason to be happy every day of the week. I think that's cool. Today I am happy, cos I did something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but have for various not done it.... I participated in a 5.. I ran a 5 K run and I completed it. I didn't of course finish in the first set of people, nor was time commendable, but I am proud... I ran and completed it. This has motivated me to run regularly and participate in more such races... The race was for raising money for research on AIDS and providing health care for those who are affected by it. I have conflicting views about the cause.... Honestly, I didn't run for the cause... I ran to tell myself " I can"...I am glad, I did it.

My next 5 k race is on Nov 8 and I am excited about it.... I want to practice a little bit, before I go for the next one.... I hope I beat my own record. Thank you for reading about things that make me happy.... I HOPE they make you smile.

http://sojournermarablegrimmett.blogspot.com/2012/08/aid-atlanta-aids-walk-atlanta-5k-run.html

Happy Day 7

Uff.... What was I thinking, when I promised myself to find a reason to be happy and share it with a picture for 100 DAYS.... What was I thinking... With eyes laden with sleep and my bed calling... " come sweetheart , come".... I am fighting all my urges to sleep... to say I am happy cos.....

I happy cos, I grew up in a country which is diverse in culture, religion, food, languages, styles and every other thing you can think of... but it's still one big united nation.. It's crowded, there is a lot of hustle bustle all the time... but I always have found my own space in the crowd and found peace in the hustle bustle. I miss the whole year of festivities, the love, the crowd, the struggles, the fears, the joys.... Oh... I miss my country.. my home....  

I am so proud to be an Indian. As a nation of billion people, we may have our flaws, but they are outweighed by our accomplishments and willingness to change the world for a better tomorrow. I am sure every citizen is doing his/her own bit and each one of us are proud... Proud just not cos of Mangalyaan or Sachin or  Modi or Shahrukh Khan... but we are proud cos of the Rajasthani dal bati, Punjabi bhagra, Lucknow's Nawabs, Maharashtra's Ganesh Utsav, Calcutta's Durga Puja, Tamil Nadu' Bhartnatyam, Kerela's Onam, , Andhra's spices.... and all other specialties of  our  29 States...,We are also very very proud to be warm, loving, intelligent, smart, welcoming and being  INDIAN.

I am happy, very happy to be very proud of my roots. A lot of my personality is developed cos I grew up in India.

I owe it India for my ability
-To accept and appreciate  differences in cultures
-To not only respect other religions, but also to be curious to learn about them
-To make friends from other countries and to be willing to introduce them to my country....
----- and a million other things, which make me .. me ...

Thank you India... YOU ROCK.

Source-http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/7813-10.html

Happy Day 6

I am happy for all the love that surrounds me .. Love in the form of family, friends, colleagues,my mentor. I am grateful for people accepting me and for loving me in spite of me. Thank you every one in my life for making me life what it is... I am happy you are a part of it.

For all the love in my life... What better significance than beautiful red roses....

Happy Day 5

Food, can make people fall in love with the cook . I am really happy today, cos I started my day with making breakfast for two of my friends, who love south-Indian food. I like experimenting new recipes and I like feeding people.  Luckily for me, this morning a new experimental recipe turned out well and I have two happy friends who love me a teeny-weeny bit more too :-) A simple breakfast can brighten your day .. even if you ain't eating it.

This is what I made - Dosa and Peanut chutney

Dosa

Peanut Chutney

Little Princess (# 4)

Kids make life wonderful, they not only add meaning to life, but also color, innocence, curiosity, responsibility and a lot of good attitude. I am blessed to have kids around me in form of my nieces and nephews... Oh, I love them like nobody's business. I love pampering them, but I also insist on them being perfect. I love their innocence and am amazed by their understanding and sensitivity.

Today, I am really happy about having a doll of a niece, who is more adorable than the cutest teddy bear. She is six, but behaves like a grown woman who has experienced life in it's fullest.

She cares for man and animal with the same love. I remember once she picked up a bird , cos it was injured. She named it, bathe it, gave it food and water and also ensured that the bird was healed, and reunited with it's family.

She compliments the smallest of gestures, attires and changes and all her compliments make you smile and blush, She is so genuine about them. She is a bundle of joy. Her questions are unlimited, so is her love. She dresses up like a barbie doll and is a genius like Einstein. She dances like the river and walks like a swan. Her style is impeccable, but so is her attitude towards other people.

This is a picture clicked by her. She likes clicking pictures, but she loves being in them:-)

Jaanu baby....

You have taught me that doing things for a peaceful surrounding is worth all the effort
You also made me realize, that being prim and proper is a an art,
You have taught me that friendship sees no class, community, creed or gender.
You have taught me to love all creatures by being tender at heart

Oh baby ! You worry a lot to please all. Please Don't worry!!!

I hope you grow up and do all what YOU want. May you fly high and reach the skies which you define for yourself. I am confident that you are making the world a better place by just being you.

Jannu Baby... We will always love you and be very proud of the wonderful human being you are and the wonderful person you will continue to be.....

Happy Day 3

I love rains, it brings me an immense sense of calm. I can stare at  it for hours and hours together. The way the earth smells, the way the skies look and the amazing wind which blows before, during and after it... Today was one such day... There have been thunderstorms from midnight and once they stopped, the air has been chilly and nice.. ... I am happy about the weather today. 

Happy Day 2

I am happy for being able to knit.. I learnt knitting this year and my biggest accomplishment in knitting has been a laptop cover and a mouse pouch and the best thing is .... I knit it over night... Love it.

Journey of Happiness thru Pictures

I read some.where " Every monkey with a DSLR thinks, he is a great photographer". This statement makes me wonder.. Do you need a great camera to be a great photographer or you just need " the eye"?

I have never had a great camera, nor do I have a great eye ( I wear glasses... really thick ones). However, I have always always loved capturing moments. Moments of people's life, moment's of nature, moments of the world which may seem so insignificant to you , but are immensely significant for the person in it. My pictures, like everyone's else pictures, are my base of memories. Every time , I look at a picture, it reminds me of the 100 things with it.

The website 100 happy days inspired me to start this journey of happy pictures. I am a happy soul and I like pictures and hence, I embark on a journey. A journey where I collect my pictures and my happy moments. I will post pictures, pictures of anything and everything, as long as it is a part of my happy memory. The pictures could be from  past or the present, but they will all be my happy moments. I will try and write a short reason for what the picture means and why is it special for me. Sometimes, it may just be " It's beautiful " and sometimes it may a long heartfelt story.  I would post only one picture a day and I commit to doing this for 100 days. Good luck to me for this beautiful journey.

My first picture is a picture of the trail  at http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm. This was one of the rare trips, I had planned all by myself to surprise him. The weather was perfect, the walk was perfect, the conversations were nerdy and the water was loud , gushy and white. This is to many such trips, walks and memories.  #lovehappinessjoy #firstofmany