The trip

Was excited abt the Miami trip. Heard so much about the weather, beaches, fun and frolicky life - 'Miami calls u Baby'. o wow!! with the cold cold heartless weather here, it was a respite to be in miami.. so set out with another family. the drive was long from Nashville. Abt 15 hrs. we took breaks on our way and a truck stop close to Florida border. Horrible motel it was - Rodeway Inn.. dont go in there with a family cause they arent cheap either.. dint have a choice.. we did drive about 8 hrs after work that as far as we could drive.. paid a load yet facility was not that well maintained .. if u r alone.. who cares.. anyways.. woke up early next day so we could reach Miami as early as we possibly could.. wow the route to Miami was welcoming.. palm trees lining the roads and all.. summery weather.. the jackets stacked to the rear end of the car.. woohoo!!! summer blast in winter.. who wudnt like it.. it was a pleasant day too.. we reached the condo that we had booked beforehand.. the road our condo was in - collins avenue..lined with stretches of hotels and condos.. and bayside area lined with yachts and a luxurious lifstyle.. that was obvious everywhere I looked.. ppl seeped that luxury in every moment of their stay there.. everyone in shorts and Ts and need I say more? come on guys that city is famous for its beaches!!! u guessed it right !!

dumped all our belongings in the condo to checkout the view.. wo!!! awesome.. the sound of the ocean.. the serene beach and the strong wind.. it was all that mattered.. being there.. quickly took some shots .. ones in this post.. hung out @ the balcony for sometime listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. Then cooked up a quick dinner while my other friends checked out the neighborhood..

woke up next morning - it was christmas day.. we all quickly got ready cause we had to drive all the way to Key West another 3 and half hrs drive. the drive they said was awesome with US 1 highway being the road thru the bay. it was alrite.. nothing compared to the CA US-1 drive which is flanked by ocean on one side and mountains on the other.. but yes the most amazing thing for me was seeing pelicans from a close range.. they were everywhere all thru our drive keeping us company.. some largish birds these are!!! eating food out of people's hands.. during our trip to Key west we actually crossed several keys.. forget the names now.. but enjoy the picture of this Pelican anyways :
After checking in with information and tourist centers on reaching Key West, we finally figured out that the main beach was @ Fort Zachary Taylor park .. it weaved thru a french oldish Key West town with carriage rides and rickshaw pullers.. it was pretty much like any other US old downtown heritage areas. But the real deal about Key west is its Rocky beach and also watersports... which we cudnt avail cause had children .. sports like parasailing, jet skiing,scuba diving and u name it.. but the beach was beautiful.. One particular thing that marked Miami and its surrounding areas was the color of teh ocean - sea green or blue ...heres a picture :
spent some time @ the rocky beach and kids had loads of fun too getting wet in the water.... time to get back..
we went back to Miami and headed for South Beach.. The Place to Be...woohoo!!! some nite life.. its so vibrant and colorful.. dint find a metered parking so had to use a parking area which costed us 20 bucks.. phew!! outrageous..
anyways we walked along ocean drive and peeked @ the ocean too.. the beach was pretty dark @ that hour.. but Baby o Baby thats wat ppl come here for - beach and nite life ... it was obvious.. colorful ppl everywhere.. street was lined with innumerous restuarants and clubs with dainty ladies walking around.. rest I leave for your imagination..

next day - was a little chilly for Miami.. we set off to see the Everglades wetland famous for its Alligators.. we took the famous Air Boat ride and also saw some Herons.. white big majestic birds... the guide was talkative and the ride was exhilarating too.. the wetland was much like the sunderbans.. with grass growing on water... but the air boat just zipped thru and made stops for alligator and rare animals and bird sitings.. that done we headed to North Beach - spent some time @ the beach.. it was getting chilly but the kids had fun making sandcastles only to be swept away by the ocean.. o we did see a lady on the beach taking some glam shots.. probably creating a portfolio for modeling.. she did hold many men's gaze for a long time with her skimpy dresses and ....... that done we went back.. we needed a change after the beach rezendevous.. the evening called for a boatride @ bayside.. o wow!!! we finally got to see downtown Miami up close.. it was beautiful with tall skyscrappers and hi-fi life style.. the boat ride took us around Fisher Island, Star island and the likes.. beautiful buildings flanked both side of our ride.. the the miami skyline - gorgeous!! guide was a chirpy spaniard part of whose deleberations we struggled to decipher.. heres a peek - my camera dint do justice:

something that stood out stark - Miami dint look much like any other US city.. it is densely populated with Mexicans and Cubans.. bayside area is another center for entertainment with open air concerts and street shows of all kinds.. hung out there for a while and finally headed back.. it was altogther a good relaxing trip and we did cover whatever was there to see of Miami.
Next vac - probably Orlando - who knows!!
Wish I had a dollar tree growing in my backyard.. even the backyard isnt mine.. belongs to the homeowners association ... sigh!!!!!

Tanha si koi ladki

tanha si koi ladki
khamosh uski zindagi
rang bharti jai usme
apne hi dhang se

sangeet aur sur mein dhunde apno ko
hansti hansati khikhilati jai
karm hi shradhdha.. usi mein nishtha
maan kar jiye ja rahi wo ladki

rah mein mile kitne jaane anjaane
kisine socha - 'aisa kyun?'
kisine apnana chaha usko
koi dosti lutata phire
koi dard bante
wo chahe ya na chahe

kisine ek baar ye na poocha
ki usey kya chahiye
azaad zindagi ki khonj mein
ab bhi bhatakti phire wo ladki

logon ki samajh itni hi choti
pareshan hoke ji rahi wo ladki

usey khuli hawa mein jeene do
usey bandhano mein na jakro

jeevan mein khuli sans bharne ki khwahish mein
ab bhi beetab hai wo ladki

RBC 2010 - Regional Bengali Conference

Regional Bengali Conference 2010(Regional Bongo sammelan) will be held in Franklin,TN next year. This is being conducted with support from many of the Bengali communities all across the US and arranged and organized by BAGN(Bengali Association of greater Nashville,TN). This is the 1st event of its kind to make Bongo sammelan accessible to a wider and broader audience. I would like to invite everyone in your respective region and surrounding areas since its being organized in my town this year. Please checkout the website for event registration and other details.. we are negotiating with esteemed artists and performers @ this time.. So please check back often for updates. It will be a really enjoyable, fulfilling and funfilled event.

In addition to sharing it with your community please do forward it to all your friends and family in the US.

Heres the website address: http://www.rbc2010online.org/

Thanks to all who are supporting us in this effort

my aVon store

well!!! had to publish it here sooner or later.. Very excited about the prospect. here it is - http://www.youravon.com/sganguly

My first business endeavor.. Hope and pray it sees success.. Avon actually needs no introduction. The name speaks for itself. Its sold worldwide and has been here for more than a century now.. how many of these name brand products you see last this long? with time .. aVon has revolutionized its product portfolio.. you are hence @ the one stop shop for skincare and beauty.. starting from age defying skincare products to treatment for your specific skin type, crowsfeet, wrinkles, acne, you name it and you will find a product for all your beauty needs.. you have it all @ your fingertips.. please feel free to browse my site and shop @ your convinience 24/7.. Most importantly - its the company for Women.. but you will be surprised @ the array of men's products.. check it out for yourself..

Juicy Steak - satisfactory meal for a gr8 dinner price

Well!! she wanted a taste of it so we finally ate out @ TGI FRidays. ordered a 8oz well done steak with onion rings, mashed potato and french onion soup. Was awesome and so was the prices of the meal - $15.05. Couldnt believe when I signed the receipt it was that cheap without compromising the quality of course. Sorry Ma you have to excuse me for this.

My new Slow Cooker

O wow!!! thank you technology. I get a warm cooked healthy meal, which cooks on low heat, all thru the day while I am not home. Why was I averse to this good eats this long? why o why o why? had chicken stew with toasted butter bread for dinner nah!! shud say supper last nite and have plenty of leftover hence todays dinner gets taken care of too.. the way our lifestyle is these days, jumping from job to home to several planned activities.. healthy eating gets compromised.. cause - 'no time to cook'.. but thanks to my Slow Hamilton Beach cooker .. bought a 5 quart crock pot for $17.00.. aweosme price too.. for those who dont have one.. go ahead .. indulge .. u will love it..

Indian Mothers in the US

My observations have shown we have 2 types in general:

some who have completely americanized and are mostly not concerned about their kids day to day activities or life in general. These parents are the ones who speak aggressively about kids privacy,etc. And then if they come to hear about issues their child is facing @ school... act most surprised..

The other group although have probably been living in the US for 3 decades or more cannot leave the age old customs and traditions and rules and regulations of parenthood followed in India. They need upto the minute details about whats going on in their children's life. They talk to their kids frnds and parents to learn about who their kids are hanging out with.. dont understand why a 7 year old kid is getting a call from her frnd.. oftentimes scolds and cajole their children in front of everyone(which is considered embarrassing by the kids of course).. setting curfew times and hours.. let me think - what else.. well in short everything that is considered embarrassing by the kid. But then agin the definition of embarrassment these days is overated too..

where do you draw the line?
thats where the 3rd category of parents come in -

I believe every parent should be involved in their kids life so much so that they have a general understanding of how their kids are and who they are socialising with and how they are doing in school or other activities.. theres no harm in asking a who or when or why to their kids.. cause until 18 all kids are dependent on their parents financially or otherwise and also during their growing phase they can take advantage of their parents experiences.. they should be able to build a bond based on honesty and trust.. they should encourage kids to openly share their thoughts and feelings and keep parents updated about their whereabouts..

theres a saying - 'if you love someone set him free'.. true.. but in case of love for ones own child you cannot let that happen.. you arent actually restraining the kid... yet a kid growing up would be lost without proper and timely support from the parent..

which category of parents am I?? I think ppl who see me everyday or know me can say it best..

its probably the toughest job in the world!! hands down!!

so many saying comes to mind instantly
*happy parents make happy kids and a happier future gen
*spare the rod spoil the child

I dont think we can ever have a Worlds Best Parent award.. cause every parenthood is unique in itself..

Happy Parenthood!!