Just Wo(a)ndering!!

  I signed up for this volunteer opportunity with only 2 sight seeing desires. Victoria falls and a game safari. Well , I guess that was well covered. ( thx to Stan for his management of this program) Victoria falls and a trip to Botswana over the weekend and some miscellaneous captures…with group mates who will remain as friends from this enriching program! Some visuals from the trip : Fascinating people friendships made experiences galore Baboon babble kingfisher diving Crocodile sunning Duiker grey jumping Bush Harem cold wind to warm sun Forgotten school assembly rhino heavy breath Ranger and guns Rainbow waterfall Dinner around fire pit Leopard in A flash alarm sounding animals roar of a lion, his mane missed Breaking branches impala’s joyful kick Limping zebra Pregnant giraffe Hippo wallowing Pitched tent Camp fire wood embers Saliva on twigs The Milky Way, the southern cross elephant tracks -ing us pirates of Heart Python shed skin School children Laughter and awe

  As I walked alone round and round along the track at the fitness center - keeping track of minutes, speed, steps and laps my mind is busy but quietly so.. with my own thoughts… I have a unique perch high above the gym below - sometimes empty. Today, A senior group is playing volleyball- ladies and men - and I watch the game as I come around the bend - encouraging one another- getting into the spirit of the game. I smile as someone misses or a groan or snort is uttered - seeing how involved they are in the game. All of a sudden, a few 3-4 year olds burst into the other partition of the gym. The younger group is noisy and energetic, running non-stop , fighting and chasing, active with what ever the teachers have set up for playing. In winter this is their playground. Now as I walk, I sometimes can see the seniors, sometimes the kids, and at others both the groups. (i took the picture in such a way you cannot see the people clearly especially the children) ! Suddenly, I notice th...

  Native American knowledge is, in my case, very meagre. But it does not mean I am unaware and unempathetic to their near annihilation and subsequent plight of the people, their culture and language and teachings! I had a chance to volunteer (after much anticipation and wait) to assist in teaching at a Navajo school in Navajo Nation. It has piqued my interest to learn more about the culture, conflict, the struggles of a race that came close to extinction. There is a lot to be learned of our human behaviors from the past and the danger we are to ourselves in the present and future. The Navajo Nation is located near the Grand Canyon and spans 3 states. It is a hard land, that has been taken away from the people and now leased back to them. Meaning the US government will always own the land and original inhabitants of this nation can only RENT it. So, they don’t build houses, only use a trailer that can be owned and taken with them. The old generation (very few) - speaks Navajo, bu...

  Tipping for Service:  United States service expects to be tipped 20% of the total bill. Now I may think that is exorbitant in many cases. Maybe you think 15% is ok or even 10% or nothing at all. I just heard, 30% is preselected in doordash!  My thoughts on the subject – and not necessarily the amount: If you cannot do that job or don’t want to or you have to rely on another to do it for you – irrespective of the reason, then tip if you are happy with the service. If the person helping you is grumpy, maybe it is their life's hardships, may be the last person was really rude to them, or the employer is not fair.  When travelling, you have to be aware if tipping is allowed, expected or nice to do. Expectation can be from the person helping you, the establishment or culture (yours or theirs). On a regular dinner out – tip depending on the service provided – is it buffet vs a la carte?  Keep change handy, if you don’t have enough, at least I let it be k...

  Other than solo travels and familial travel visits, it is fun to take stock of how an entire year was spent. Consider : babies born joy, sadness as loved ones moved on, warmth from get together with friends now and then , bliss of lending a hand here and there, a little creative moment and reflection as often as you can, spread a tiny smile every day - one year goes by and you hope to be happier the coming year- so here is a wish for all of us - this mixed bag - with more gratitude for those fleeting happy moments!! Happy New Year !!!!!

  A  Lullaby - Aararo, Aa riraro! ( Who  are you? who will you be?) A baby comes into your arms! This precious treasure that is a gift unto you Who are you? You ask! Where did you come  from? Where have you been? This soul that has been entrusted to your  care. You are born to the mother to feed you You are born to a father to protect you You are born into a family to belong to If only we the adults take care of you A litmus test of our humanity Day in and day out This small human will test your patience This wriggling bundle will test your strength This loud helplessness will test your tenderness Are you up for the challenge? Are you up for this weight to be carried? Are you full of love? Compassion? Wonder? At this being? Look at those small perfect fingers Already gripping your heart so tight Look at those tiny feet Kicking up and against you Ready to jump off into the world Are you ready to catch her as she jumps? Are you rea...

  Relationships.. A gift I received for house warming Long leaves - pretty green and white A shiny copper pot I found Gave him a new home – from the black ugly plastic A connection had begun – 23 or so years ago Identity still unknown, non-essential by now. Through neglect and care we have survived A few burned tips, I thought the end was near But every couple of years a new shoot Surprised, I wonder at this being A friendship of chance forged The earth had its way with the copper pot Welted skin, ugly to see Put him in durable plastic once again Replanting would be the way to go Laziness won, gave him another sheath. May be the copper was the secret He asks very little of me Once a week, a cup to quench No fodder ever asked for No other fancy ever provided I let him be, and coexist A fleeting thought - Happy he is there For me to walk to every Friday For 23 years, and counting! Does he now know?, I wonder!

  Today is very special in 2 entirely different ways – this day last year my Father passed away.. this is also the day when an adorable bundle came into my life 3 decades ago named Rohini .. my first born. Do we celebrate her birthday or should we mourn our loss? that is the dilemma we face today and every March 29 th going forward. I choose to celebrate my Dad’s life well lived (an absolute joy within the sadness) and my daughter’s life now to be enjoyed! (an absolute joy unblemished)! My father had said after he sent his 2nd daughter to America – that if he had another, he would not send her so far! Now, I can understand that sentiment! Love for them both know no bounds .. and that is all there is to it.. it is a pure, simple, joyful love & gratitude for what has been, what is and what will be!

 Lezim : is a style of exercise originated in Maharashtra - I learned it at a highschooler at Udyogamandal School under Charlie Sir, our PT instructor extraordinaire.  It has been in my mind to do it here ever since.  The instrument is hard to come by and people like to keep the dance simple to stay authentic to its exercise mode.  I like a little more spice.. as much as my participants can muster up. So this year, I bought it in India (Amazon online, no less) , brought it to US and voila, I am able to enjoy and after of Lezims , teach it, record it and then the editing.. for Holi at Mission.  thanks to all participants, who will become friends, if not already !!!!! https://youtu.be/H8IMVYoW0jg Nostalgia2022 An exercise that was mandatory An instructor who was passionate A student with lots of energy, dance and rhythm   A good combination A good outlet A good attachment was formed   So many years she tried Four decades no less To ...

  Ravages of wars fought: only 172 people living now who speak Cherokee. Once a proud people & wise nation, living one with nature, now struggling to keep alive its wisdom, language and clean practices! Ravages of wars today: A mother with her 2 small children, crossed the border as refugees into Ukraine a few years back: one a mere toddler who succumbed to emotional trauma, forever scarred, another a teenager who took up a challenge to be better. Once again, on the road to crossing the border west from Ukraine – the mother and 2 children: one that needs constant tending, the other an older teenager with the responsibility of the world on her young shoulders: struggling to keep the tears from escaping her eyes, dealing with the same situation once again. Invade, destroy or oppress ?

 Alone, lonely, single, and one.. All words that seem kinda sad! Couple, double, twins, Two.. Words somehow seem not bad!   Hand in hand is always two Husband and wife – a couple too It takes two to tango – they say Or two to celebrate – anyway   But, one is free One is powerful One is quite And one is peaceful   Two is beautiful, so true Nothing created without two But to think there is no two Without one to make it too!

  A walk is a walk is a walk! 10000 steps to be completed a day inside for so long, a little weary the first walk of the season to be in nature the crisp air to breathe in the wind cutting in between the hood into the ear feel the cold stinging your exposed skin then a little warmth of the sun the blood flowing through your limbs again the two love birds, nay geese just hanging in the ice the two mallard ducks diving under the icy waters the young couple with their two out for a stroll the older, hand in hand, still in love or as insurance for one or two skids to come!!

  Traffic calming measures ahead! STOP! Really? what the heck is a calming measure for traffic? I had to STOP, back track the car and take a picture ,. who will believe me?  Not here, not my friends abroad!  Well in case you don’t get what this is about .. It is a traffic sign in Illinois suburb. As you drive south … you see that sign and get confused .. as you are scratching your head, not calm just confused .... watch out.. screech.. slam on the breaks .. A SPEED BUMP.. a speed breaker… a large one… yes you would have been more prepared if you understood that sign warning you of “speed bumps ahead”.. that is too obscure may be? what is a speed bump? what do you mean by ahead? how far ahead .. oh no, it is just a calming thing… meditative… it may put you to sleep? what? what ??? oh man, my car just got scratched on the entire bottom and came to a thump on top of the hump and down below.. who do I blame, who do I sue?  😓😛   Well, I am not calm !!! ...

Elvis's song:   i did it my way! resonated with me yesterday one more time....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixbcvKCl4Jc 60s have given me a freedom, a taste of which you get at 40 & expands in your 50s.  Contemplating retirement .... and even if you are not ... how many more years do you have? where are you now? where have you been? what is left to do?  what are you happy you experienced? what do you regret? and many, many, more questions that only you know the answer to!  But one thing is for sure.  you are you! a unique version! You do you! not anyone else!  You owe only you, no one else does!  you rely on yourself, who else is there? this is not selfish, just a realization.  you are finally happy if you know this.  be you! be true to yourself! inspire yourself!  be happy!   Lezims float my boat ... wanted to do it since high school:  Thanks to PT instructor Mr.Charilie Sir... now I get a chance, I was in In...