A peck on the check

I am hardly the sentimantal or mushy type - I am quite far from it... however, this article really moved me:
http://relativechoices.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/test/. The article is about how an American couple adopted an abadonded Chinese child and thank the
person who found this abodonded child. The article proves how one can love a child irrespective of whether he/she is your biological child or your adopted
child.

I am not a mother, I haven't experienced the feeling of growing a baby within you, giving birth to it, moulding and shaping that child - I am sure it gives an immense pleasure, great pride and a enormous sense of achievement! However, will all that be any less if you adopt a baby instead of giving birth to one - I sure believe that it is not so. If not, then why do most people in world give birth to new babies rather than adopting existing ones (especially
considering the amount of children that require a stable and deserving family environment) - I can attribute it to couple of reasons:

1. Couples want to experience the entire 9 months experience - I have seen people close to me go through this phase and all couples cherish and enjoy this. It really brings the couples close and prepares them up for the biggest task in their life.

2. Most importantly, many fear that they might not love an adopted child as much as their own - I perceive this only as a mind block more than truth. Once couples realize that it is more important to pass on values, experiences that you have learnt and love to your child than your gene, I think this apprehension will no longer exist. These are my 2 cents on the topic :)

For folks who are interested in enjoying an interesting perspective on adoption, I would recommend watching Kannathil Muthamittal by Mani Ratnam. For folks living outside India and not having access to an Indian movie shop, this can be rented in Block Buster or Netflix!

~ Sweta

I am back!

It has been a long time since I visited my blog... new project, shifting homes, my father's visit, new friends and a west coast trip has kept me away from here!

Developments in the last coupla months (in reverse chronological order):
a) Made couple of trips to the Indian consulate in NYC and realized how much I miss home (I will try writing a quick note about my trip to consulate)
b) Did a 10 day lovely west coast trip covering Grand Canyon, SF, LA and Las Vegas (I will post pictures soon)
c) Added a new Sitcom to my list - 'So you think you can dance'! I really like this show and it so much better than 'American Idol'. Participants are really really talented, judges are honest and provide the right amount of feedback (it is more on the dance unlike Paula's feedback on their personality :D).
d) Got to spend 8 days with my father when he visited Mr. & I during his summer vacation - it was so good to spend time with parents, not worrying about anything at home and being taken care of. I miss the good ol' days of staying with parents when I had no responsibility and all the freedom I could wish for!
e) Moved away from my 2 year old association of my previous account (account is usually a group of projects done for a single client) - it felt like stepping out of home... I miss everyone from the old project but am enjoying the new friends that I am making and the new experiences on my new account. However, I hate the commute to Manhattan :(!
f) Started growing plants at home - being my first experience, I managed to kill three flowering plants either by over watering them or not watering them. So, I now just stick to catci and crotons :)
g) Moved into a new house (the previous one had just way too many problems) - we are all settled in the new house


Things that did not change:
a) My love for all kinds of detective serials on TV - if anything at all, the list has increased only to include NCIS, 48 hours :)
b) My laziness for exercise - I tried being regular at swimming but did only for a week. I am still trying to change that about myself :D
c) My love for food & cooking - As I travel to Manhattan daily, I go on a cooking spree on the weekend and stock up the fridge with food for the week. Friday is my eat out day and being in Manhattan, I try a new place every Friday (it varies from food cart to some posh restaurants)

I hope I can be more regular here and keep everyone updated on my life :)

~ Sweta

Watch, Vote and Help

Please help by sending a message for a more greener earth from the campaign to save the Olive Ridley Turtles! I am so glad that cinema which is the most famous medium in India is used for such messages :) . In case you want to know more about the turtles, there is a 'Next' link of the front page which has a list of facts on them.

~ Sweta 'Green' Parthu

It is all relative...

Did you know that calling someone fat is such a crude thing to do - I have five different levels for fat as 'Big', 'Healthy', 'Husky', 'FLUFFY' and 'DAM!!@!@$#@' and I prefer to refer to folks with these levels!

For the record, I am not fat, I am just HEALTHY folks ;)!

~ Sweta

Courtesty: Comedy Express

On a high

My latest high (for the last one month) has been one more of ARR's genius creation - Jashn-E-Bahaara from Jodha Akbar (http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/hindi_bollywood/s/movie_name.9539/). Much to the irritation of the Mr., I run this song in loop for the entire day :D!

Even with my limited hindi skills (I can write an entire month on my hindi language skills :p), I think it is a beautifully penned song. More than that, I love Javed Ali's voice - it has been the most refreshing voice that I have heard in recent times and his voice is the perfect choice for the mellifluous, soft nature of the song. The stringed instrumental flows and Rehman’s excellent orchestration makes it a mystical outstanding track. Kudos to ARR and happy listening!

My score: . 5/5

Raising Curtains!

My good friend, Mr. JS has always been asking me to start a blog for a long time and I haven't had the time to do it. I have some time on hand now and in addition, ever since the Mr. and I moved to US, I have come across so many episodes, a lot of funny items, so much difference in cultures and the blog seems to be the perfect place to share all this.

So, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for my new blog, my scribble pad!
~ Sweta