Inspiration

March 2008 

Ab mat mera nirman karo

Yesterday, my husband read this out to me. My feelings put in words……..

Ab mat mera nirman karo ,

Kuch bhi abhi tak na ban paaya ,

Yug-yug bête, mein ghabraya

Bhulo meri vyakulta ko, nij lajja ka to dhayan karo

Is chakki par khate chakkar

Mera tan-man jivan jarjar ,

Hey, khubhkaar, meri mitti ko aur na ab haaeraan karo

Kehne ki seema hoti hai, sehne ki seems hoti hai

Kuch mere bhi bas mein, mera kuch soch samajh apmaan karo.

 – Harivanshrai Bachchan (India)

 Feb 2008

Wake up from your slumber

Didn’t we always crave for free time when we were working, and now that we have time, we complain about having too much of it and obssess about being unemployed & getting bored. 

Well, I did that for a long time…but realised the futility for endless worrying. I tried to learn lots of new things during my stay on h4…things which I always wanted to learn/do but could never find enough time due to academic / professional restraints.  

You too, dont have to sit and sulk, take up a YMCA course or learn something new from Michaels. If you dont have a car or cannot drive yourself to these places, then look up the internet for some painting techniques, make paintings, placemats, an interesting T- shirt or just knit a scarf.  Get a tennis racket and play with your spouse on weekends, invest in a pair of jogging shoes and run …as far as possible from your worries.  Write a blog or take up photography !

Trust me, it will help you get over your boredom for atleast sometime…and definately, enrich your life ! As they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. (if life gives you something sour, turn it sweet) …Keep smiling 🙂

 

 

 Jan 2008

BUCKLE UP

As I have emphasized in my earlier article, a driver’s license is a must-have for a H4-visa holder. It will provide you with certain amount of freedom. Even if you cannot afford to buy a second car, you can at least feel good about being able to go out by yourself on weekends or being able to offer your spouse take the passenger seat. Maybe you can drive your husband to work and then, have the car to yourself. You will not only be able to share your spouse’s responsibilities ( like picking up the kids, doing groceries, dropping off library books, etc) but in a way prepare for the time , when you will be able to work or start your education.The driver’s license will also serve as a Government issued photo id for h4 holders.

It can get a little embarrassing to say that we don’t have a photo id / license apart from our passports. You will not have to carry your passports while travelling within United States.Driving in USA isn’t very difficult, especially city driving. Drivers follow traffic rules and stay in their lanes. Most of the cars have automatic gears and lots of other features which make driving easier.  So, go to the DMV office today and get the handbook on road / driving rules. Buckle up and give your life a head start…

 

 

 

 

 

 December 2007

 

The hero lies in you

Click on the link below to hear the song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJWE5eJ6hj0&feature=related 

 

There is a hero
If you look inside your heart
You dont have to be afraid
Of what you are
Theres an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And youll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Its a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

 And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And youll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But dont let anyone
Tear them away, hey yeah
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
Youll find the wayAnd then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And youll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in youThat a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in   …..  You !  

– Mariah Carey

 

 

 November 2007

why has it become so important to be independent ?

I have always been an independent and a free spirit. For a person, who has enjoyed and advocates financial independence, it is a big part of her individuality. Not being able to contribute to society and earn, affects me in more than one way. I am more parsimonious than required, I get uncomfortable about little spending and am hesitant while taking financial decisions –  the fact that I am dependent just doesn’t let me be myself. I am humbled by it. 

I guess, I belong to an entirely different generation of women ( raised by our independent spirited mothers to be this way) who never thought of ever being financially dependent on anyone – even their husbands.  My husband has tried his best to make me feel better and has never given me an opportunity to complain. But it is a part of my character to be a little more self-assured and assertive when I know that I am earning  and being my husband’s equal partner in every respect.