Welcome Amitji
Sir ... I am hoping you are here and you read this ... If that happens ... I am blessed !!
For other who are not having a clue of what is happenning, Have invited Amitji to see my blog !! Lets see if the God himself visits my online home !! :) Keeping fingers crossed !! :)
Awsome cars on display
1. Rolls Royce ... The absolute fantacy car of any person who may ever want to own a car ...
2. Aston Martin .. The James Bond car .. Another absolute beauty ... You have to see it to believe it ...
Sent from my Nokia E71.
The World Cup Fever’s caught me too !!
The World Cup fever is here … and strangely its caught me too !!
I was never a soccer fan, but strangely I have been following each and every match since the start of the Soccer World Cup … I can probably say since there is nothing else to do … but its not that only … its strangely feeling nice seeing those exciting matches … Wondering why it never attracted me before.
I guess the earlier world cup matches used to normally at odd hours, which added to my disinterest. And this time around seeing the event happen in normal time and experiencing the mania right in front of my eyes has probably made the difference.
Year 2006: Just around my marriage time the soccer world cup was going on. I was, as I have said before, in a crazy state of mind because of my mom’s health issues. But even then I remember I had seen a little Soccer … See this post … The German - Klose scoring … :) … So I must give the game some credit.
From the games that I have seen till now … Lots of Draws .. but some very interesting matches. Like the opening match – Mexico vs South Africa. I have to say that it was quite a challenge for South Africa (which is Ranked 83) to take on Mexico (Ranked within the top 10 or 15 and who defeatedGermany Italy [Sorry ... Correcting the error] in the friendly match). All that SA was banking on was the wishes of the local crowd. It was struggling in the first half, somehow surviving after a Mexico goal – which was negated because of an offside – managing to keep the score at 0-0. I don’t know what the hell happened during the break, the Bafana Bafana team was a different team when they came back after the break. They scored an awesome first goal against Mexico and kept attacking them throughout the second half of the game. A defence error resulted in an equalizer by the Mexicans. Even after that there were couple of really close chances, which if had converted to goals, SA would have won the match. But it was not to be … but even with a 1-1 score at the end, I feel that the SA team did have a great start. If they keep up their form they could still have a chance in the top 16 to move ahead to the next round. Best of Luck to the Bafana Bafana Boys.
The next wonderful game was the one I saw last night at the Montecasino Fan Park. It was Germany vs Australia. It was a match where Germany sent out a loud and clear message across to all teams. It was not going to look like any weaker because of the absence of its “star player” and Captain Michael Ballack. Phillip Lahm took change of a team in Ballack’s absence. The world got to know what he meant when he said that “He has the Best German Team that he has ever played in” – when they annihilated Australia in a thumping 4-0 victory. Australians struggled and showed signs of desperation as the Germans went on an “impossible task” of satisfying their appetite for goals. Had they converted the missed chances they would have made much more goals than just 4!! It was a pleasure to see goals from the Germans including the excellent one from Klose (again). This German team is according to me the best team so far in the world cup.
Another good game was the Argentina vs Nigeria. It was a good game where I was able to see the Argentinean Living Legend Maradona. The Argentina is looking good but not as good as the Germans. The star player Lionel Messi missed quite a few changes that was expected of a player of his calibre. Hope he does better in the further matches. The Argentineans settled for a 1-0 victory much to dismay of the many Nigerian fans here.
I plan to frequent the Fan Parks to enjoy the game along with the many fans in the electrifying environment that I enjoyed yesterday. Enjoy some pictures.
Cheers !!
I was never a soccer fan, but strangely I have been following each and every match since the start of the Soccer World Cup … I can probably say since there is nothing else to do … but its not that only … its strangely feeling nice seeing those exciting matches … Wondering why it never attracted me before.
I guess the earlier world cup matches used to normally at odd hours, which added to my disinterest. And this time around seeing the event happen in normal time and experiencing the mania right in front of my eyes has probably made the difference.
Year 2006: Just around my marriage time the soccer world cup was going on. I was, as I have said before, in a crazy state of mind because of my mom’s health issues. But even then I remember I had seen a little Soccer … See this post … The German - Klose scoring … :) … So I must give the game some credit.
From the games that I have seen till now … Lots of Draws .. but some very interesting matches. Like the opening match – Mexico vs South Africa. I have to say that it was quite a challenge for South Africa (which is Ranked 83) to take on Mexico (Ranked within the top 10 or 15 and who defeated
The next wonderful game was the one I saw last night at the Montecasino Fan Park. It was Germany vs Australia. It was a match where Germany sent out a loud and clear message across to all teams. It was not going to look like any weaker because of the absence of its “star player” and Captain Michael Ballack. Phillip Lahm took change of a team in Ballack’s absence. The world got to know what he meant when he said that “He has the Best German Team that he has ever played in” – when they annihilated Australia in a thumping 4-0 victory. Australians struggled and showed signs of desperation as the Germans went on an “impossible task” of satisfying their appetite for goals. Had they converted the missed chances they would have made much more goals than just 4!! It was a pleasure to see goals from the Germans including the excellent one from Klose (again). This German team is according to me the best team so far in the world cup.
Another good game was the Argentina vs Nigeria. It was a good game where I was able to see the Argentinean Living Legend Maradona. The Argentina is looking good but not as good as the Germans. The star player Lionel Messi missed quite a few changes that was expected of a player of his calibre. Hope he does better in the further matches. The Argentineans settled for a 1-0 victory much to dismay of the many Nigerian fans here.
I plan to frequent the Fan Parks to enjoy the game along with the many fans in the electrifying environment that I enjoyed yesterday. Enjoy some pictures.
Soccer Celebrations @ Office
As South Africa celebrates the 2010 Soccer World Cup with full fun, frolic and enthusiasm; our project also made sure that we also join in the celebrations. We are having soccer celebrations in the form of floor decorations and various floors in our building are competing to win the honor of the “floor with the best decoration and most soccer spirit”. So today, to add to the soccer sprit, we had all come dressed in the Soccer Jerseys. Our floor has also been decorated with lots of colorful props and flags of various countries. All of us contributed to bring in snacks/drinks to form a Soccer pub-of-sorts called “Mama Lee’s Tavern”- we very well emulated a real soccer match party environment. We had also set up a mini soccer field on our floor to play some football during free time !! :)
We had created a wonderful environment at office which I have rarely seen or heard of in the Indian scenario. I must say that I had a lot of fun and had a very relaxed day at office today. Days like these make coming to office more fun !! :)
New “Fun” Experiences in Johannesburg
Accenture had arranged for a “fun-outing” event for us folks from the India location. Events included:
But my day on Sunday was a very exciting one as a whole, with some really new and exciting experiences and some nice time out with my colleagues. Days like these are what keep me going in Johannesburg, as I pass my days here, missing my family back in India.
- Ice Skating @ Northgate Shopping Center
- Bowling & Laser Gun Fun @ Brightwater Commons
- Bollywood Movie @ Monte Casino
Bowling was another experience that I was trying for the first time. And I was experiencing something that one of my colleagues referred to as beginner’s luck !! And Luck it was - as I was consistently making good strikes and spares at will … And I defeated two pretty experienced players with my score at 108 (I guess). It did get close at the end with the two contenders coming close to my score. I don’t think my technique was exactly the correct one … But I seemed to have a knack for it. Good for me !!
The Bollywood Movie that we saw was “Kites”. It was one of the super hyped movies since last 2 years. And I can only tell you that it never came up to the expectations that the hype had created. I really cant say that it was a “bad” movie, but what I saw in the movie was a normal love story, some nice songs, some good dance, “ok” performances and sort of a drag in the ending of the movie. Just not what I was expecting out of it … I normally go open minded to movies … but this one was so hyped that I also had some expectations … of something special … from the movie which it never delivered. I heard that the Indian audience was also pissed off that it wasn’t a real “Hindi” movie. Overall … Very “average”.
But my day on Sunday was a very exciting one as a whole, with some really new and exciting experiences and some nice time out with my colleagues. Days like these are what keep me going in Johannesburg, as I pass my days here, missing my family back in India.
Memories … of my Engagement Day
I am not good with remembering dates … And I have been in trouble (and I guess would be in future too) for this trait of mine. But when I do remember something of the past, it does bring back either fond/sad memories based on what the event was.
Janani reminded me last week that it was around this time 4 years back that her father had (finally) called my father “to discuss the marriage or their daughter Janani”. After lots of attempts, this day had finally come. I will remain eternally thankful to Mama for that one gesture. As they say, “Khareed liya mujhe” !!!
I had not blogged much at that time about it, I guess 4 years down the line, is a good time.
So, what followed is the proverbial “Jhat Mangni – Pat Byah”. Engagement (7th May, 2006) and Marriage (6th July, 2006). So here is the story.
Parents Meeting (29-30 April, 2006, will confirm the exact date – Janani help!!): Before every wedding, there is a ponnu paakal ceremony – where the guy and his family (and relatives) go to see the girl. This ceremony has been made famous in many Tamil movies where the party comes in with fruits, flowers, sweets etc in various plates. In my case, it was the opposite. The Girls parents and relatives came to see the guy (Me). This event normally has the girls’ parents show off the girls “talents” – “Ponnu roumba nalla samayal pannuva” or “Ponnu roumba nalla paduva” etc. My all excited mother also didn’t hesitate to “show off” my talent. She went on “Hari roumba nalla samayal pannuvan .. Kitchen le enna roumba help pannuvan” or “Hari roumba nalla paduva … Hari Kanna oru paatu paadi Kaatu da !?” … And when my mom says that, I can never refuse ... :) … I was wondering if my mother would finally cap the ceremony by claiming “Unda Table cloth-le embroidery Hari than pannirkaan !!!!” … After that effective selling, who could refuse a ”IT professional boy – who can cook and sing” !! … So the Formal Engagement was set for a week later at my home.
Engagement (7th May, 2006): It was a small ceremony with close family members from both sides. Amma was happy to have that function at my newly purchased house and see her last wish fulfilled – seeing her son getting “settled”. For me, I guess as much as I had always wanted this day, the feeling was just not setting in. I just couldn’t believe that it all happening – I was very happy. But all this was also in the backdrop of my mother’s failing health condition and her slowly losing her 6 year battle with Cancer. So, the feeling inside me was such a strange concoction of extreme happiness and extreme sadness. I guess it leaves you silent and numb – all you give is a silent smile. I am able now to put all this in words now, but it was would have been very difficult for me to even describe this at that time. I guess my mother was also going through a similar feeling. We just smiled at each other.
Janani was looking extremely beautiful (as always), first in a light blue saree and then changed into the saree that I gave her - a dark blue with red/maroon border. You can see that in the link. Let me see if Janani can fish out our Family photo that we took at that time.
It also dawned on me for the first time that my life is going to change into something very different soon. I had to now look at life more seriously and together we had to start building our live together. We have come quite a long way – and I can only say that it has been such a wonderful journey with Janani.
If there is something that I miss, its my mother. Happy Mother’s Day – Amma. (Wherever you are, I know you are watching over us !!)
======
Translations:
- Amma (Tamil)- Mother
- Ponnu paakal (Tamil)…Seeing the Girl
- Khareed liya mujhe (Hindi) … meaning to be indebted be to someone
- Jhat Mangni – Pat Byah (Hindi) – Fast engagement and a faster marriage
- Ponnu roumba nalla samayal pannuva (Tamil)– Girl can cook well
- Ponnu roumba nalla paduva (Tamil)– Girl can sing well
- Hari roumba nalla samayal pannuvan .. Kitchen le enna roumba help pannuvan (Tamil)… Hari can cook well and helps me a lot on the Kitchen
- Hari roumba nalla paduva … Hari Kanna oru paatu paadi Kaatu da !? (Tamil)– Hari can sing well ..Hari, Please sing a song for us!!
- Unda Table cloth-le embroidery Hari than pannirkaan !!!! (Tamil)… Hari has done that embroidery on that table cloth
Thanks to Janani for finding these photos for me !!
Janani reminded me last week that it was around this time 4 years back that her father had (finally) called my father “to discuss the marriage or their daughter Janani”. After lots of attempts, this day had finally come. I will remain eternally thankful to Mama for that one gesture. As they say, “Khareed liya mujhe” !!!
I had not blogged much at that time about it, I guess 4 years down the line, is a good time.
So, what followed is the proverbial “Jhat Mangni – Pat Byah”. Engagement (7th May, 2006) and Marriage (6th July, 2006). So here is the story.
Parents Meeting (29-30 April, 2006, will confirm the exact date – Janani help!!): Before every wedding, there is a ponnu paakal ceremony – where the guy and his family (and relatives) go to see the girl. This ceremony has been made famous in many Tamil movies where the party comes in with fruits, flowers, sweets etc in various plates. In my case, it was the opposite. The Girls parents and relatives came to see the guy (Me). This event normally has the girls’ parents show off the girls “talents” – “Ponnu roumba nalla samayal pannuva” or “Ponnu roumba nalla paduva” etc. My all excited mother also didn’t hesitate to “show off” my talent. She went on “Hari roumba nalla samayal pannuvan .. Kitchen le enna roumba help pannuvan” or “Hari roumba nalla paduva … Hari Kanna oru paatu paadi Kaatu da !?” … And when my mom says that, I can never refuse ... :) … I was wondering if my mother would finally cap the ceremony by claiming “Unda Table cloth-le embroidery Hari than pannirkaan !!!!” … After that effective selling, who could refuse a ”IT professional boy – who can cook and sing” !! … So the Formal Engagement was set for a week later at my home.
Engagement (7th May, 2006): It was a small ceremony with close family members from both sides. Amma was happy to have that function at my newly purchased house and see her last wish fulfilled – seeing her son getting “settled”. For me, I guess as much as I had always wanted this day, the feeling was just not setting in. I just couldn’t believe that it all happening – I was very happy. But all this was also in the backdrop of my mother’s failing health condition and her slowly losing her 6 year battle with Cancer. So, the feeling inside me was such a strange concoction of extreme happiness and extreme sadness. I guess it leaves you silent and numb – all you give is a silent smile. I am able now to put all this in words now, but it was would have been very difficult for me to even describe this at that time. I guess my mother was also going through a similar feeling. We just smiled at each other.
Janani was looking extremely beautiful (as always), first in a light blue saree and then changed into the saree that I gave her - a dark blue with red/maroon border. You can see that in the link. Let me see if Janani can fish out our Family photo that we took at that time.
It also dawned on me for the first time that my life is going to change into something very different soon. I had to now look at life more seriously and together we had to start building our live together. We have come quite a long way – and I can only say that it has been such a wonderful journey with Janani.
If there is something that I miss, its my mother. Happy Mother’s Day – Amma. (Wherever you are, I know you are watching over us !!)
======
Translations:
- Amma (Tamil)- Mother
- Ponnu paakal (Tamil)…Seeing the Girl
- Khareed liya mujhe (Hindi) … meaning to be indebted be to someone
- Jhat Mangni – Pat Byah (Hindi) – Fast engagement and a faster marriage
- Ponnu roumba nalla samayal pannuva (Tamil)– Girl can cook well
- Ponnu roumba nalla paduva (Tamil)– Girl can sing well
- Hari roumba nalla samayal pannuvan .. Kitchen le enna roumba help pannuvan (Tamil)… Hari can cook well and helps me a lot on the Kitchen
- Hari roumba nalla paduva … Hari Kanna oru paatu paadi Kaatu da !? (Tamil)– Hari can sing well ..Hari, Please sing a song for us!!
- Unda Table cloth-le embroidery Hari than pannirkaan !!!! (Tamil)… Hari has done that embroidery on that table cloth
Thanks to Janani for finding these photos for me !!
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