Global Warming...or Warning.

After a good four month of hibernation, I have come back... It seems the short days and long nights disturbs my moods a lot. It was a very long mental block or you may call it, simply boredom. When a person is surrounded by mountains of snow and cloudy days..bone chilling surrounding, and not much physical activity going on, your brain is likely to go into a state--my sister-in-laws calls as--Brain freeze. And that is exactly what happened to me.
But when I had to go south on campus trips to three different schools I realized how it is not just me, but every thing around me is affected. Only a decade ago, winters were harsher in the north but summers were pleasant. People used to go to the north to enjoy autumn and moved to the south in the winter. Dallas saw record snowfall this year..heck it was snowing in Waco, Texas, while torrential rains beat up the coastal regions of Texas.
Toronto, Canada had above average temperature..which is surprising, for when we lived there we used to dread the winter season. Mild weather cradled the north but the Midwest and the south were hit by harsh and unexpected climate. Two earthquakes hit and left enormous devastation, whereas, Hurricanes and cyclone are reeking havoc in Europe and South America.
Finally, we find ourselves at a cross road of believe and denial. For decades United States denied global warming...but I guess, nobody can deny it anymore. The drastic change in climate, rise of water level, melting of snow in Arctic and appearance of diseases that didn't exist previously in the certain regions of the world are all proof of what scientists had been warning us of for decades.
But it is not too late. We can still turn the wheel of time back. If we conscientiously reduce the exhaustion of chlorofluorocarbon fumes into our atmosphere, stop cutting down jungles and start planting trees,recycle, reduce and reuse products, I am confident, our next generation will be able to breath a healthy air. It is our duty...we need to do our part. Make this world a better place for our children.

Presentation vs. Policies.

My mother told me the other day that my younger sister has asked her to send an Eid dress for her. She tell me it must be of Khadi material-- a hand-loomed plain-weave cotton fabric, usually worn by the underprivileged. But now a days it is in fashion. My mother says, " you know her, Swan will feed on a pearl or will die hungry. She only demands the best."
What? Here I am thinking since when did Khadi become the attire of the rich?
This non-relevant conversation kept me up at nights, thinking what is behind this imagery--Swan and Khadi.

25th September, 2008...Venue: UC Berkeley....Speaker: Robert Fisk....
Iraq war is going terribly wrong. America and its allies are losing Afghanistan to Talibans, etc. etc. etc..Even though, the commander-in-chief has already declared Mission Accomplished. But the reality is, surge is on in Iraq and Taliban are not only reunited, in fact, they are taking hold of major portion of Afghanistan. The West has failed to establish democracy in Iraq and outside Kabul and that too within the confines of the green zone.
The mess has crept into the neighboring countries, economies are dwindling and the bottom line is the whole world is sick of the American policies in this war, even the West.
Americans who have been shaded by their administrations from the rest of the world is now waking up to the bitter realities of the world events as they are affecting them as well. Robert Fisk pointed out to a very important element in the handling of this war...Americans are more concerned about the presentation of the war than its outcome.
He submitted evidence through various letters written by the marines serving in Iraq that Americans do not understand the complexities of the region, its culture and governance which are dependent on each other. The greatest fear of the marines were that the risks and sacrifices of the soldiers will go in vain in the eyes of the Iraqis whom they have come to liberate. This was at time frustrating and depressing for the soldiers.
I am sure U.S administration must be losing plenty of sleep on this war as they are planning exit strategy, but their main focus be on the presentation of the exit. History must not count them amongst losers. This war started out with the speeches of liberation from a cruel tyrant, democracy for the people and modernization and uplifting of the masses. But under all this facade are harsh, undermining, disabling and unconnected policies. USSR and Britain lost in Afghanistan, lessons should be learned from them. There is only one way to win this war...and it is to win the hearts and minds of the people, understand their geography, and accept their culture, adopt it and respect it....
Until and unless Honesty becomes the best policy, their will be no end to this war. Regardless of how successful our presentation is for the world as the liberators and pioneers of democracy, till the time we synchronize our policies with our presentation, and sincerely communicate with each other, on the bases of truth, trust and honesty, we can not win people over. And this war may very well become the Khadi dress for the Americans.
And not matter how you present it Khadi will always be Khadi and will not be the fabric of a king's robe.

Pres. Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hooray, and many Congrats to the President Obama. There are many people world wide who are stunned and surprised at the nomination of the president. But let me assure you, President Obama has actually changed the Image of United States from and aggressive and angry nation to a friendly, understanding one..thanks to the tiring efforts of this President.
The world that gathered around United States in sympathy and genuine concern was so taken aback by the actions of the Bush Administration that all the sentiments of sympathy were lost and taken over by fear. United States had become an angry, out of control giant that the world was afraid of and unhappy with.
The mere election of Barack Obama was a beacon of hope for the world. Not only that, the way President Obama opened dialogues with the Muslim countries around the world, recognizing their socio-economic problems and acknowledging their utmost help in combating terrorism softened the image of United State as an ally in this war rather than a bully.
President Obama has initiated step towards the uplifting of the people of many underdeveloped countries. His efforts to diffuse the tension between Iran and United State is commendable. President Obama understands the realities of life and its crushing pressure on the people of underdeveloped nations. He understands that different cultures have their influence on its people and therefore, should be dealt with patience and respect. He acknowledges that an ally should always be treated as an equal rather than be commanded or pushed around.
President Obama has tremendous influence in bringing the world together at one platform. He has definitely created a new more positive climate in International politics and his efforts in pushing non proliferation of the nuclear weapons is applauded.
The Muslims of the world wish him great success in his term and look forward to friendly ties with the Muslim countries.

President Clinton got the release.

President Clinton's success in North Korea says a lot about diplomacy. I have been an avid believer that war is not the solution to problems our world is facing. If we engage the right tools of diplomacy, no mission is impossible.
Laura Ling and Euna Lee returned to USA after their four month ordeal in North Korea. Both the journalists had been sentenced to serve in a hard labor camp for twelve years, for entering the country illegally. The two journalists were covering for Al Gore's television program on Current TV.
American media has played a huge role in potraying the North Korean head of the state as a Monster, whereas, Pres. Clinton has shown that their is some common decency in every human being, and their status as a dictator or elected member does not influence their decisons.
This diplomatic effort has shed some light on the American engagement in Iraq. We could have been successful in a fast, speedy and inexpensive way a long time ago, with our world image intact if we had chosen to go the diplomatic route.
Let this be a beacon of hope for the world and learning oppurtunity for the American head of the states for the future.
As for our media...cheer people on towards peace rather than making war. We need to go an extra mile to find positives in every situations, and good in everyone...
Even in our enemies.

Preserve Your language, Culture, Food and Dresses

Good things about globalization is that information is accessible. Research, technology, information, knowledge, man power heck even the match making services around the globe...But I thing this globalization is destroying our heritage and cultures too.
Today people all over the world are wearing jeans and shirts, speaking English verses their own language and eating western foods.
Before people used to go to places across the globe and come back with stories about exotic food, cultures, heritage, people...It is annoying to see red yellow and greens of the east being replaced by the dull black, brown, white and grays of the west...Once a friend of my mine commented on my dress choice, she said, we are blessed with color in our skin and all the colors of the rainbow looks amazingly good on us then why do we choose to wear black brown and gray, which don't suit our complexion?
Our food is hot and spicy, full of flavor but we are going for bland, tasteless food with cheese in it...knowing it is not good for our health.
You go anywhere in the east and you will find people wearing the same shoes and clothes as the people of the west...whatever happened to the diversity...
In the end we will become like Jamaicans and Trinidadian...Indians who speak English, follow English culture but look Indians and know their culture only in Hindi movies.
Think! In the next two generations, we will have no stories to share with our grand children about our travel to exotic land, experiencing new and interesting cultures, and tantalizing our tongues with exotic food and languages.

Stuff we have.

For years now I had been planning to participate in the neighborhood garage sale. Yesterday, I went in the basement to do the annual cleanup. Guess what I found. All the things that my child will need to start on her own are right there in the basement. A set of canisters for her to keep tea, sugar and cookies in. Set of bathroom accessories; bed side lamps, floor lamp, nightstand, writing table a spare bed frame with the headboard and a lot more...
I know clutter is bad, hoarding is wrong, but in my case--it seems like things are going to work out just fine and we will be saving a lot of money. Money that can be used for other more important things.
As I was cleaning up the basement, I was actually preparing myself to accept the fact that children grow up and they move on. I was feeling at peace with myself and enjoying getting things together.
People say soon I will be going through the empty nest syndrome...I think not, if only I plan wisely to engage myself in community activities to keep my self beneficial to others.
Well I have a few years to go before my nest will be completely empty, until then I am holding on to the fort.

I'm Back.

After a long time out, I am back...It was a busy time out. Apartment hunting is not an easy matter by any means. So much to look for, safe community, location, easy transportation to and from the apartment. But the most important thing is getting to school on time.
Having done all that, renting a place, yet I found to my greatest surprise is that I am not ready for my child to move on in life. With each passing day I am getting anxious. How is my child going to live on her own, how is she going to manage on her own, how will she cook, clean and study all at the same time? Is she capable?
Then many of my friends encourage me to have faith in her abilities, that she is grown up and can very well manage on her own....Can she? I find myself asking that every day.
Regardless, I like it or not...there comes a time when parents have to let their young ones go. I can not hold on to her forever, it is time. I had been preparing her for this day all her life...now I can not hold her back. She has worked very hard for this day; It is time for her to realize her dreams....
I will always pray for her and wish her all the luck and success in this world and hereafter.
May all her hard work and sacrifices bring her happiness and peace.
Ameen.