Vantage Point

Our wonderful wedding gift

2009-12-19T17:35:00.001-06:00

My husband & I were married in 2008 but today, after running errands,
we came home to find a wonderful wedding gift from my sister & brother-
in-law... A Kitchen Aid "Artisian" standing mixer!!! I am so in love
with this thing. I have wanted one ever since I used the one my mom
owns. I kid you not, not even 2 minutes after we brought it up &
opened it, we used it to make some shortbread cookies. They are still
baking, so I can't tell you how they turned out just yet (but the
husband has a knack for getting culinary creations right the first
time, so I'm sure they will be fantastic!) Anyway, Van & I love this
wonderful gift. Thank you R-cubed!!!

O Tannenbaum

2009-12-12T17:58:00.001-06:00

The husband & I decided to honor our collective German heritage (he is
Polish & I am Indian) and buy a nice little Tannenbaum for our place
this year. We have 2 cats so we got a little tree that had built in
decorations that they shouldn't be able to destroy...plus we placed it
in a spot that is generally hard for them to reach! I really love this
li'l tree. It's very cute. It makes the place feel a little more
festive too! Happy holidays to you & yours!!

Thanksgiving Appetizer

2009-11-28T19:43:00.001-06:00

Here is my second (of two) turkey shaped contribution this year. For
more details about this centerpiece visit:
Http://yeswecook.com/2009/11/turkey-tom-2009/
Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving cupcakes

2009-11-28T19:30:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again! Here is one (of the two) annual turkey
shaped contributions I made for our family's Thanksgiving festivities
this year. These are turkey cupcakes. They are super easy to make.
Here's how you do it:
1.)Bake & frost chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting
2.)Wing, face, tail-feathers = broken/shaped Salerno butter cookies
3.) Eyes= dot of black icing
4.) Snood= drip of red icing

Poem: The Square Root of 3

2009-11-07T01:27:00.002-06:00

I just got done watching Harold & Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay and my nerdy self fell in love with the poem Kumar recited to his ex-girlfriend (which ultimately helped him win her back). The poem is "The Square Root of 3". Enjoy!

I’m sure that I will always be
A lonely number like root three
The three is all that’s good and right,
Why must my three keep out of sight
Beneath the vicious square root sign,
I wish instead I were a nine
For nine could thwart this evil trick,
with just some quick arithmetic
I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321
Such is my reality, a sad irrationality
When hark! What is this I see,
Another square root of a three
As quietly co-waltzing by,
Together now we multiply
To form a number we prefer,
Rejoicing as an integer
We break free from our mortal bonds
With the wave of magic wands
Our square root signs become unglued
Your love for me has been renewed

Types of souls

2009-11-06T22:24:00.002-06:00

I have always been drawn to people that seem older than their years. Especially men - I like younger guys that seem like "old men". I always equated them with "old souls". After reading the descriptions below, I am finding that is not necessarily the case. So, what other types of souls are there?

THE INFANT SOUL
INFANT SOULS choose lessons of physical survival. They live in simple situations that include intense experiences - famine, plagues, floods, wars, oppression, etc. They don't know the difference between right and wrong, though they can be taught to be decent human beings. They don't usually seek higher education and often don't seek employment, as such. Infant souls don't question authority and willingly adopt the religion of their parents as is.

THE BABY SOUL
BABY SOULS display less fear than infant souls and are more sophisticated. But they tend to over apply rules. Black is black as far as they're concerned. Their strong early beliefs remain fixed in their minds, regardless of lack of their wisdom or tolerance. Baby souls love to become big fish in their little puddles...but hate being opposed. Because of this they may spend much time in litigation. Baby souls don't spend time navel-gazing into their own lives. They're often "good students" that learn "proper subjects," and are attracted to
fundamentalist religions.

THE YOUNG SOUL
YOUNG SOULS are the "Donald Trumps" of the world...the movers and shakers. They usually set the bar too high for themselves. Achievement is paramount. They chase after what they believe will bring success without ever stopping to think why - because they're so limited in their perception. They fear death and must have all the toys, experiences, fame and money they can possibly accumulate before they die. They are designers of civilization. Young souls usually seek higher education and graduate-level degrees. Their views of orthodoxy are at one end of the spectrum or the other. Monks and nuns are at one end and a belief in total sexual freedom, the other. They have difficulty with insight into other people's behaviour.

THE MATURE SOUL
MATURE SOULS challenge the young soul's desire to "have it all." It is a hard cycle that demands seeking answers to life's tough questions. They are attracted to gentler faiths, such as Quaker, Unitarian, or Buddhist. Mature souls are not as open to the occult as old souls. They look for and question the motivation for all of life's actions. They often continue with inappropriate relationships - perhaps believing that through self-sacrifice, or tough lessons they will ultimately prevail. Often they can't shake their sense of duty. Mature souls suffer from stress related illness that sometimes results in schizophrenia, psychosis and a higher suicide rate than other souls. [Cayce emphasized the role that `stress' plays in not only physical illnesses but also mental illnesses; he believed it was `stress' that wrecked havoc on the brain chemistry/balance]. But they're smart enough to seek professional help without urging. Mature souls often make huge contributions to knowledge - particularly philosophical and scientific. But altogether they don't necessarily have the drive for fame, many still achieve it. They're emotionally high maintenance.

THE OLD SOUL
OLD SOULS live and let live. They seek the route of least resistance...they're individualistic and usually easy going. They have an inner knowing of the waste of time in pursuing fame and fortune and therefore create the appearance of being "laid back." Old souls are highly competent - even in roles they don't particularly like. They tend to choose work that is pleasant and undemanding, leaving them free to pursue their desired goals easily...unless the job adds to the spiritual search. They may or may not seek higher education... but definitely will seek it if they sense it's needed for their chosen path. Old souls create confidence in animals. And their choice of medical care tends to be alternative and holistic. Old souls are here to teach others their spiritual understandings. Their philosophies and writings are simple and easy to read. Old souls religion is far reaching and has no label. A grove of trees is a sacred place to them. They seldom cling to dogma and prefer personal spiritual practices. However, old souls are wise enough to be discreet in their religious practices and know how to pass in public undetected. They focus on searching for the spiritual truth and have a finer sense of knowing what is true than any other souls level. Old souls all over the world share the experience of emptiness and a longing for that feeling of home.

I am not even going to venture to guess where I stand (or actually post what I think I am), but feel free to see what type of soul you have! It's kinda entertaining...

Two broken iPhone screens under one roof!

2009-08-06T17:46:00.000-05:00

My sister dropped her iPhone a few months ago & cracked her screen.
Her husband got his stuck in the spoke of his bike which propelled it
into the pavement which **completely** shattered his screen. So sad :
( sigh!

Funny - Birds on Drugs

2009-06-27T23:48:00.003-05:00

Rishi head over heels for outdoors

2009-06-25T22:57:00.001-05:00

Rishi head over heels for outdoors
Originally uploaded by snapshot chandra

One of the CUTEST pictures, EVER!!!!

My Cute Nephew

2009-06-25T22:55:00.001-05:00

DSC_0033
Originally uploaded by snapshot chandra

My li'l nephew Rishi just learned the joy of peek-a-boo. Here is is at a show playing...

The view from here

2009-06-12T18:02:00.000-05:00

Day 4 of being bed bound-
I haven't seen much of the world the last few days having been
isolated in my bedroom due to the flu. What you see here has been my
view/world since Monday: tissues, water, antivirals, antibiotics,
cough suppressant, and of course, Oust "clean scent" disinfectant spray.

Next week, I'll have different, more interesting views, I'm sure :)

Technology and the Disintegration of the Family

2009-06-11T19:35:00.003-05:00

As I have been sitting here at home, recovering from my illness, I have spent a lot of time talking to my mother and sister and reminiscing about my childhood and life in general. There has been a resounding shift in the way we prefer to interact with our friends and family. Much of it is from a distance, without direct contact. In my Internet dating days, I have had almost an entire relationship based on emails, chat, and text, only to find that when we actually met, we didn't completely gel (as our minds had filled the gaps regarding the unknown elements) = a.k.a. disenchantment. Now with family and friends you've met in person and decide to keep in contact with, via blogging, twitter, IM, etc... the technology option can be a way to casually keep in touch...but it also be a double edged sword. This article really made me think and appreciate what I have.

Technology and the Disintegration of the Family

Remember when we were kids? We used to play outside all day, riding bikes, building forts, playing games we would made up as we went along. We moved… a lot, and we used our imaginations…a lot. When we got home, we would sit down with our families and have dinner together at the dining room table, and talk about what we did during the day, who pushed us down and who made us laugh. Today’s families are different. Today’s families are very busy!

Juggling work, home and community life has created a reliance on technology that has permeated our culture. While adults rely on technology for efficiency in their work and home lives, children rely on technology for play, limiting challenges to their creative mental systems, as well as their physical bodies. This loss of mental creativity, as well as physical exercise, has resulted in a host of children who are neurologically and developmentally delayed, with a variety of mental disorders and attachment difficulties. Diagnoses of Developmental Delay, Learning Disability, Autism, Aspergers, Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Depression amongst children abounds.

As children are connecting more and more to technology, society is seeing a disconnect from themselves, others and nature. A 2004 Kaiser Foundation study showed that elementary aged children use on average 6.5 hours per day of TV and videogames, and over half of North American bedrooms contain TV’s. As little children develop and form their identities, they often are incapable of discerning whether they are the “killing machine” seen on TV and in videogames, or just a shy and lonely little kid in need of a friend. TV and videogame addiction is causing an irreversible worldwide epidemic of mental and physical health disorders, yet we all find excuses to continue. Where 100 years ago we needed to move to survive, we are now under the assumption we need technology to survive. The catch is that technology is killing what we love the most…connection with other human beings. As the dining room table is slowly being replaced by a big screen TV, we are moving into a new age, an age where we will eventually see the disintegration of the family unit.

With the advent of technology we also have time pressures and stress. Cell phones ring constantly, email “bleeps”, Facebook, MySpace and internet dating all require upkeep and maintenance. Studies have shown parents currently spend on average 3.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with children. Parents are working more hours now than ever before, often leaving children on their own after school and in the evenings to entertain themselves. Research has shown that if a parent perceives their child’s world is unsafe, their children watch more TV and videogames, yet isn’t this merely a Virtual Safety? While the allure and excitement of technology continues to advance, our children are being enticed into an addiction that we know very little about, and therefore cannot possibly see the future ramifications. What we do know is that TV and videogame use has causal links to increases in ADHD, learning disabilities, sexual promiscuity, addictions, aggression, obesity, and sleep disorders to name a few. Yet parents who have children that are experiencing these issues, are often the parents seen purchasing the next latest and greatest piece of technology for their children, completely unaware of the detrimental impact.

How can we live in a world where we know what’s bad for our children, yet do nothing to help them? It appears that everyone these days, whether it’s adult, child or even a toddler, is pulled into the “Virtual Reality Dream”, where everyone believes that life is something that requires an escape. The Baby Boomers appear to have raised the “Me Generation” of children who are completely incapable of responsible behaviour, or the ability to help themselves. The immediate gratification received from ongoing use of TV and videogame technology, has replaced the desire for human connection. A sad state of affairs indeed. We would rather watch the latest episode of a sitcom, as opposed to asking our child what sort of difficulties they might be experiencing in school, or problems they might be having with their friends.

It’s important to come together as parents, teachers and therapists to help society “wake up” and see the devastating effects technology is having not only on our child’s mental and physical health, but also on their ability to learn and sustain personal and family relationships. While technology is a train that will continually move forward, knowledge regarding its detrimental effects, and action taken toward balancing the use of technology with exercise and family time, will work toward saving our children, as well as
saving our world.

I remember growing up in Texas, we were only allowed to watch 2 hrs of TV a day (3-5pm). We had to go play outside or with our toys. Our parents encouraged us to take things apart and put them back together (as long as it wasn't expensive or too intricate). And I know for a fact that is why we (my bro, sis, and I) have an interest and ability to fix or figure things out. My parents really cultivated our curiosities. My father made me draw pictures everyday during summer vacation. I have nothing but fond memories of all the activities we were involved in and the fun we had squeezing out our creative juices. As time went on, and life changed, for whatever reason, I stopped doing arts and crafts, and just didn't utilize my creative spirit on my own. I had to be inspired by an external force. I think in that time, I also became a little more reclusive. I have always likes people (when I can interact with them face to face especially), but working nightshift for 5 years, I only really socialzed with the people from the hospital at which I worked. I didn't come home much or call much. I had a small group of friends that I would hang out with (and a boyfriend that I tried to spend the majority of my time with). But even that changed as it became easier to seem attached while remaining detached. It really hit me when phone texting became big. Then I really had minimal personal interaction.... it felt strange, yet comfortable.

I'll be the first to admit, it is very hard for me to get too close to people. I like to maintain a comfortable distance usually (note - I am not saying it is right/wrong - it is just what I tend to do). However, I do prefer face to face contact, I think that is why I am not consistent with IM, twitter, blogging, etc. To me, there is a certain sense of understanding and comfort I get from seeing a person's eyes, face, and body gestures express whatever it is they are saying. I love the human interface - the characters and personalities. Quirks and mannerisms that you only really notice in person, really do it for me. My husband has fantastic flamboyant facial and hand gestures when he talks, that just does it for me. My sister is another person who is highly animated; it really tickles me to watch her & hear her explain things or tell stories. So help me, is my worry unfounded, or does anyone elso worry about technology or has anyone noticed how it has changed the way we interact? or how it has effected our ablility to manage face-face situations/relations?

Flu- but not Swine (H1N1)

2009-06-10T15:31:00.002-05:00

I am being evaluated at an urgent care clinic for my flu. It is confirmed that I don't have swine flu. But I am dehydrated so I am now getting IV fluids. Sidenote*** if you ever get sick and feel completely useless & lethargic, just get a liter or two of IV fluids and you will feel like a new person. Best thing EVER!

Forced balance

2009-06-09T21:03:00.002-05:00

Related to my previous post regarding work/life balance....

So, for the last 2-3 weeks, I have been under undue stress due to life, work, and school. So I felt I desperately needed a break because I was over working myself. Well, I guess I didn't have to make that decision because just after I submitted my last project for this school term, I caught the flu! So I was sent home from work and have been catching up on some well needed rest. Unfortunately, being the work-a-holic that I am, I can't totally seem to escape work. I have been dreaming about work and the projects I want to work on, during my sick time. Anyway, now that I am bedridden for a day or I have actually had some time to get some rest and get back to the people I like communiating with. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. It sucks that I have the flu but I think the Man up above decided for me that I need some time off. Tamiflu kicking in... feeling sleepy....

Finding a work/life balance

2009-05-15T23:51:00.003-05:00

As days go by, I find myself feeling more disconnected with the world around me outside of work and school. From assessing myself against this wheel (above) I really only am living 1/4 of my life. This got me thinking. For years, I have submerged myself in work and school. At some point, I want to quit my job for 6 months to a year and force myself NOT to work or go to school and to develop all other aspects of my life that I feel are missing or underdeveloped. This would be hard for me as I love staying busy, but the only real way I know how to stay busy and enjoy myself, is at work. I really don't know what to do with myself outside work and school. As I was talking to my sister about this, she said she felt the same way she had her first summer vacation as a highschool Social Studies teacher. She didn't know what to do with herself. Sadly, I know I would have a similar reaction. A situation like this would initially cause me a great deal of discomfort but after I replace my need to work with a hobby or start focusing on other aspects of myself instead of limiting myself to work and school, I think I will find the balance I am looking for. However, I don't think this will necessarily involve technology.

I actually know only one person who has the best work/like balance that I have ever known a person to have (that I wish I had for myself). He is a physician who has a passion for enjoying life (family, friends, baseball games, cars, and travelling). I have always envied his ability to live life so fully & so well (actually I think most people who knew him felt the same too). Every year he has made it a point to travel overseas to various exotic countries (either by himself or with friends) for a few weeks. If that wasn't enough, he also made time to travel within the US and go to a few baseball games as well AND spend all other free-time with friends and family. That was when he was a resident. Now, as an attending physician, he makes a buttload of money, he loves what he does (apparently is very good at it too) and STILL really knows how to live life to the fullest! That is such a cool trait. To top it, if that wasn't enough, off he has an endearing personality- he's sweet, happy, giving ; the sort of guy who would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it. For as long as I knew him, I wanted to be like him (or at least learn to live my life like him) because he was so balanced personally, socially, and professionally. Not to mention one of the nicest human beings that I have ever met. For as long as I have known him, though, I still haven't figured out how he managed to balance everything, but one thing is for certain, his pie is full! This is what I want to develop for myself...

Yes, I think an extended period of time off from life as I know it (work/school) would be scary yet beneficial. Anyone else go though a life experience like this?

Marital Satisfaction and Perception

2009-05-02T23:26:00.009-05:00

Anyone who has been in a relationship knows that, when dealing with another person, there are a good mix of moments that are both rewarding and frustrating. As a newlywed trying to get my head around life with my husband, to better understand the natural dynamics of marriage, I often try to find articles that help clarify what to expect as a married couple. I stumbled across this article which I found interesting. Hopefully you will too!

Let me know what you think.

A new Northwestern University study suggests that dating couples who include marriage in their future plans will experience higher relationship satisfaction if they believe that a partner will always be there to support them after they tie the knot.

For many years researchers have been wondering what makes a marriage work in long-term, taking into consideration the fact that, just in the United States alone, the divorce rate climbed to 50 per cent, and that a significant number of people get married more than once. Previous investigations on this matter have found that the first several months, or even years, can be very exciting for couples, and that this could be one of the main reasons why they choose to get married. However, the future, in many cases, is not as cloudless as it seems, and some individuals simply find themselves unable to handle their partner's personality or habits.

When people are dating, the major concern in the relationship is whether things will be moving forward. People are convinced that happiness with a partner depends on whether the relationship will grow into something bigger and deeper, whether a partner will support the dreams the other hopes to fulfill. When people get married, they think that the best partner is the one who understands that the ideal achievements are still important and helps in the everyday obligations of life as a couple.

To come up with this conclusion, a team of investigators from the Northwestern University, led by psychologist Daniel Molden, has decided to carry out a scientific research into the matter, and to compare the state of affairs between 92 couples who were dating and 77 pairs who were married. The participants were asked to fill out appropriate questionnaires that included an assessment of how much they thought their partner understood and supported both the hopes and responsibilities they had set for themselves. In order to analyze how different types of perceived support were associated with happiness in the marital union, couples also were asked to report the level of satisfaction they had, as well as levels of intimacy and trust. Preliminary results showed that marriage, indeed, changed everything.

Based on the responds, psychologists found that all those who took part in the study believed that their partners should always cheer them up, and always be there for them. However, surprisingly enough, the study also discovered that it was not the shift of focus from "me" to "us" that was causing problems for couples after tying the knot. The major problem turned out to be passing from judging the other partner based on perception to judging them based on real facts, on what they do on a daily basis. Many couples that eventually went through divorce said that they simply could not cope with the behavior or attitude of their other half anymore. In some cases, it was habits that were very well known to the partner who left the relationship, but which had become too stressful to deal with in the latter years of their life together.

The investigators also revealed that people's self-absorption with themselves in many cases prevented them from really getting to know and understanding the person they committed to spending the rest of their lives with. Almost everyone who gets involved in a relationship start projecting their thoughts, beliefs, feelings and hopes on the partner, regardless of the subject or focus of these things. This messy projection can easily result in a big disappointment, even though, on many occasions, they are simply the outcome of a negative and wrong way of thought.

"People planning to get married should think about not only how their partners support what they hope to achieve but also about how their partners support what they feel obligated to accomplish," Molden said. "We could end up with both happier marriages and more satisfied people in general."

Swine Flu & Friendship

2009-05-01T21:03:00.003-05:00

Soap

2009-04-15T20:58:00.001-05:00

Ever wondered how soap really works?

Check out this very cool demonstration from space!

One year of Marriage

2009-04-13T23:01:00.003-05:00

April 11th was the one year anniversary of my husband and I getting married (legally). We had a civil ceremony prior to getting married in my parent's backyard in August. The biggest thing marriage has taught me is patience, tolerance, and how to dress better. My husband is very concerned with "dressing for success" and with the way people carry themselves. Before I met him, I was a "t-shirt and jeans" kind of girl. He is a manager and dresses to the 9's. I like to dress comfortably but like my face and hair to look nice. I got a new job as senior level management and he took me shopping and helped me choose clothes that would make me "look the part". God bless him because people always compliment me on how nice my outfits are and how "well put together" I look - especially my boss. I told her once that my husband is a fashionista and helps me decide what clothes to buy, as he is the guy who wears cufflinks and suits. So, whenever I have a particularly nice outfit on, she says "Did your husband buy that for you? Your husband did a good!" Personally, I still prefer my comfy clothes, but I must agree that professionally, his suggestions have really helped me in my position, dramatically! Next up, I think I might start getting mani-pedi's and facials on a more routine basis :)

Diaper Cake

2009-04-09T20:47:00.003-05:00

My sister and I enjoy creating these FABULOUS things called "diaper cakes". Basically, these are decorative (non-edible) cake-shaped centerpieces for babyshowers. This one happens to be made with a bottle of champagne (in the core) and rolled diapers around the bottle in the middle. Usually diapercakes are built with things a mom can use for her baby like bottles, nipples, diapers, formula, etc... This first picture represents a work in progress. The last two are the "finished products".

I don't know where the pictures are, but for my sister's baby shower, I made her a Taj Mahal diaper cake (which we affectionately refer to as the Diaper Mahal). If I can find a pic, I'll post that too. This started as a hobby, but we are looking to expand it to a small side business. So let me know if you need one!...or simply just let me know what your thoughts about our creation.

If money wasn't a factor, what would you do with your time?

2009-04-07T22:29:00.003-05:00

At work, I am avidly interviewing candidates for many positions including management positions. I like to have an organized approach to interviewing so I use a formalized list of questions that I put together. Some of the questions are unorthodoxed because I want to know what kind of person my new employees are going to be. One of the questions that got me thinking: if money wasn't a factor, what would you do with your time?

I have been thinking long and hard about this. And time and time again, I seem to come to the same conclusion: I would want to be involved in exactly the same things I am involved in doing now. I guess I would like more time off from work, but I definintely LOVE working and going to school. I guess the only thing that I would add on is spending more time with family and friends, and perfecting the craft of decorating food or spaces. And I would go back to dancing & exercising more regularly...and travel But other than that, I can't say I really have any desire to do anything different. I was surprised to find how I love exactly what I am doing right now.

How about you? What would YOU do with your time if money wasn't a factor?

Keeping busy @ work

2009-04-06T16:50:00.000-05:00

I usually make lists when I need to keep track of what I need to do,
but at work, I've found a more expeditious alternative - mini Post-
its! Sure my monitor looks like it had an unfortunate day of shaving
with a dull razor, but something about this just works for me! Anyone
else as addicted to Post-its as I am?

Saturday Morning Studying

2009-04-04T09:51:00.004-05:00

TThis past week, I started school (again!). This time for a Masters in Medical Informatics (MMI). I am currently taking 2 classes, one of which is kicking my butt (databases). Since I generally don't get better at things "magically" (like some people often seem to) I have started to make it a point to study from 8-10pm on weekdays, after coming work & dinner & in the mornings on the weekends (since my beloved sleeps until at least noon, generally). So far, just like in grade school, I still find a way to distract myself while trying to study, but this time am definitely more motivated to "self-correct" my ADD-esque issues. Does anyone else out there have this same issue? If so, what techniques have helped you?

Love and being in love

2009-03-24T20:27:00.005-05:00

This weekend, I had an interesting conversation which made me wonder about love vs. being in love. No matter what, love is a central focus of all of our lives. So I began to wonder, is it more important in the long run to love or be in love? I found this article that shed some light on what I thought to be true.

Is it possible to meet someone, connect with the person and love the person’s personality, way of life, etc? Truly be comfortable with such a person? Certainly! Most of us know significant others in our lives who fall into this category. At the same time, it is possible to totally connect with a significant other and feel the butterflies every time with this person.
Butthe latter scenario could very much be a crush or an obsession. How do we know that our feelings don’t fall into the latter group? To understand my discourse, we need to understand the various emotions at work in the different scenarios.
Firstly, the crush or obsession: One feels a crush for another person, for no good reason at all. Often, the object of the crush may not even be aware of it. It can be described as an irrational desire and/or admiration for the other person, which is totally uncalled for, or has no rational cause. Usually, this desire is almost purely physical: has to do with physical beauty, carriage, manners, smell, etc of the other person. It is a likeness from a distance, such that one has for someone whom one doesn’t even speak to, or in close proximity, with someone whom one just says hello. At best, these feelings are juvenile, immature and usually manifest in the awkward years of a teenager.
The obsession, however, is a more mature form of the crush. While the crush may be teenage in origin, the obsession stems from an advanced stage of the crush, where emotions and thoughts have been nurtured continuously to an inferno. Usually, at the obsessive stage, the obsessive person has plucked up the courage to develop some little relationship with the object of his or her desire without the latter being aware of it. What makes the latter an obsession is that the object of the desire is either unaware of this desire, or doesn’t appreciate it.
Now, to the crux: What is the difference between being in love and not being in love? It is the butterflies! When a relationship is still young, and both parties are starry-eyed about each other, they believe they are in love. They feel the butterflies. But true love must be tested, time and again.
Love that tests true to diverse storms and passes the true love tests may not feel the butterflies and starry-eyed-ness of the young hot couple next door, who can’t take their eyes or hands off each other. When a relationship which goes through stormy times (this is a must for every relationship) and still endures, it means that the butterflies still persist. The other person still gives you a reason to hold on; still has that something; the fire, the smile, the look in their eyes, the personality, the charm to make you still hold on, despite all the ups and downs. At this level, you know that you love that person truly.
But what about the others that are really sweet and loveable people? Sure, they exist; we definitely do know them. These are people we do love, but not with the same intensity. Yes, we will miss them in our lives, if it comes down to it; yes, we will miss them like we will miss an old friend or colleague or a really dear one. This is the love we have for our family members but may not quite make the grade, when it comes to a life partner. The love you have for someone you want to make your life partner needs to be stronger than filial love, because you want to hang in there, for better or worse, till death do us part.

Gender roles

2009-03-14T19:21:00.003-05:00

The other night I had the strangest dream.
Backstory:
I am a thirty-something woman who likes normal womanly things like: homemaking, beauty, decorating, makeup, children, cleaning, understanding people, taking care of people when they need it, etc. But I also enjoy things that are traditionally considered masculine like: science, technology, taking charge, deciding, fixing, and problem solving, designing & building things.

I have a new job and in my current role as Director of Knowledge and Performance Management, I really allowed (and encouraged) to be creative and make decisions that will effect everyone in the organization. To do this, I analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and manage much of the technological decisions that ultimately optimize how these technologies are used, and of course to reassess after my changes are implemented. Needless to say, it's a very profound & powerful position as I directly influence change.

Now, back to my dream...
I dreamed I was in my home that I lived in during high-school, in my bedroom. Long story, short, after certain events took place, I looked down and found I had male naughty-bits. And when I put my jeans on, I even had the trademark bulge - but I couldn't see anything more in the mirror (just my waist down). I was mortified that I had become a man!!! That's when I woke up. HIGHLY disturbing...so of course, I had to get my partner in dream-analysis, my husband, in on this. He was disturbed by what he heard too. Then over dinner, he pointed out that maybe I was becoming a man in a metaphorical sense.

Another back story:
Actually, the weird thing about us as a couple is he considers me a tomboy (not overly concerned about my outward appearance, the way I carry myself, not overly sensitive or emotional, laid back, matter-of-fact, likes techy stuff), and I consider him a man with feminine or gay-like tendencies (must color coordinate & accessorize his outfits, outward appearance very important, very emotional, likes decorating & preening, etc...).

Back to main story:
So, after my husband suggested that maybe I am "turning into a man" I started thinking about it. Oh my gosh, WHAT if I AM?!?!. What does that even MEAN? My job does make me feel very 'virile'. But in my home/personal life, I don't feel particularly masculine. Anyone out there good with dreams analysis?

Downward puppy

2009-03-11T18:29:00.000-05:00

My nephew Rishi is trying to learn to crawl but instead of moving his
knees forward, he gets stuck in this "downward dog" yoga
position....but he's a baby so I think that makes this "downward
PUPPY"!! Gotta love it :)

Making friends with our enemy

2009-03-09T21:11:00.002-05:00

Today, I was listening to the NPR Science Friday Podcast that I normally listen to and read about how viruses are being genetically engineered to attack superbugs like VRE & MRSA.

This article summarizes it nicely.

Microblogging

2009-03-09T19:37:00.003-05:00

So, for anyone out there using Google's Blogger application to blog and also using Twitter to keep your friends updated, I think I found a viable option for you to marry the two: Twitterfeed. I am trying it out myself. Let me know if you get this! Thanks :)

Review: Vosges chocolate (with bacon)

2009-03-09T17:53:00.001-05:00

So, my husband is on a bacon kick. He has been trying all sorts of
ways to use bacon in food. It started with breakfast. Then, it morphed
into "country fried" bacon (which I must admit, was SINFULLY good, but
I couldn't stomach more than a piece or two without my chest starting
to hurt!). Then one of his friends from work, who knew about this
mission brought him this little treat: chocolate with bacon bits. If
you like sweet & salty in a candy bar, and you like bacon, you will
really enjoy this. I, for one, am not one of these people. I'll stick
to the sweet & salty separately!

Rating: 6/10

Update: Breakfast Burrito

2009-03-09T17:31:00.001-05:00

So I had one "grab-n-go" breakfast burrito that I had prepared last
night. BOY was it good! I ate it as I was driving to work (around
8am). It satieted my hunger for 6 hours! Incredible breakfast - thanks
RC!

Breakfast Burritos

2009-03-08T16:00:00.002-05:00

My brother-in-law made some fantastic breakfast burritos when I was over earlier this week. He told me how he prepares them, packages them, then freezes them so they can be eaten on a grab-n-go basis. This is exactly what I need in the morning because making oatmeal is becoming cumbersome when I am rushed...and I MUST eat breakfast otherwise, I get cranky. Well, here's all the stuff I just bought to try his tasty & convenient idea out! Will keep you posted on how they turn out!

Coming back, full circle

2009-03-07T18:15:00.004-06:00

Many opponents of technology claim that the "human interface" is now missing. When I worked as a nurse at a hospital in early 2000's, my hospital implemented an electronic health record. With it came a culture shift where patient's complained that the "computer" was the focus of attention, instead of them. Even though it might not be quite apparent right now, I believe technology will eventually bring us back to a point of focusing on other people again.

In all fairness, the electronic health record is still being perfected in it's current form. However, we will someday transcend to the next level of infromation gathering where clinicians won't need to perform the step of typing information and orders into the system anymore. Instead, this information will be recorded in real-time and documented into the appropriate section of the chart through electronic dictation (without a transcriptionist). In fact, this type of technology is already being experiemented with, in a few hospitals. It, too, is in the basic stages of testing. Once that step is perfected, clinicians will have no choice but to start interacting more directly with people again.

The concept isn't limited to healthcare technology, by any means -it's just what I used as an example. Bottomline, I am a firm believer that technology will truly be "optimized" when it returns us to the "human interface".

Mobile blogging

2009-03-07T17:10:00.002-06:00

I am trying to set up mobile blogging. This won't be a substantive
post as it is just a test.

Puppy love

2009-03-07T12:13:00.002-06:00

I have loved dogs for as long as I can remember. In fact, my whole family does too. Ironically, both my brother and I married cat lovers. Unfortunately, my brother is now allergic to cats, but since his wife loves them so much, so he is adjusting. I am a newly wed still adjusting my husband & his cats. I tell him that I want a dog (mind you, I am not saying I don't want his cats, I simply just want a dog). He doesn't seem to be opposed, as he likes animals in general.

Yesterday, as we were on the elevator, a building-mate and his HUGE Great Dane got into the elevator with us. My husband made the comment, later, about how some dogs (often medium - large in size) tended to be "aggressively friendly". That got me thinking. That is exactly what people have said about me! They told me I seem aggressive but I am just REALLY friendly. I think that is exactly what I LOVE about dogs. They are really friendly, want to play and be involved. They generally have warm, accepting, social & playful personalities. I didn't mind this comparison at all!

Oddly enough, one of our cats, Bender, is just like a puppy. He's great. He is super cute, furry, playful, warm & affectionate. He is very active and likes to play catch. He is always getting into some sort of mischief, which I find cute because of all his great attributes. One of my favorite attributes that makes him very puppy-like to me is that unline most cats I have encountered, he is an affection GIVER than taker. He head-butts me and nuzzles me which melts my heart. He's my "kitty-puppy".

I still can't wait to get a dog though! :)

Love 'em or hate 'em - People are people.

2007-07-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

I really love people...all different types of people for all different reasons. I recently found that even if I think I don't like someone or something about someone, or if they rub me the wrong way, I usually end up liking them for the unique being that they are. It would just be so weird NOT to have all these various unique people in world. Just think about all the different types of people we all have been exposed to since we can remember, and those we are surrounded by on a daily basis. They helped form who we are whether we realize it or not - even those people who we thought were not particulary "significant".

We all have a few things in common - we all have our own individual perspective, ideas, experiences, yet similar joys, sorrows, hang-ups, and desires ... fuse all these components and we all have our own story to tell. Even though we are all different, we are all still very similar - this is the irony of life. We spend so much of our time trying to conform to something, yet make sure we stand out somehow. What is really important is that we just need to enjoy "being". After spending time with various people (who are seemingly dissimilar) and just "being", I found that it is easy to simply feel them... and feel what they are feeling and sometimes get a good peak of their soul. I love this because nothing is more important to me than love and the feeling of connection. And what better way to connect than to be able to experience the essence of a person's being! That must be why I love my nursing job so much. I get paid to experience and exchange love, care, and the human process with others. Seriously, how fortunate am I?