Saturday, December 30, 2006

Make those Bodies Sing!

I bought bananas for $2 a kilo a few days ago!!!! HOW GOOD IS THAT??? It was on sale at Woolies and they were sooooo good!

Now, I don't really like bananas - I don't hate them (I know some people who REALLY HATE bananas - I just don't really like them, a bit like the difference between the English Cricket team and the Australian Cricket team - bananas being like the English Cricket to me rather than the Australian cricket team...). However, when I saw that they were only $2 a kilo, I HAD TO buy them! I haven't seen them for that price in what seems like forever!

Anyways, after I bought the bananas, I had one. I ate it and I thought, "You know...this isn't so bad!". Then I ate another one...

I didn't realise how much I had actually missed a fruit that I didn't particularly like in the first place!

Now I mis my mum and grandma's cooking. I made "pongal" today. I think I used the wrong paruppu or something.. it tasted fine but didn't taste quite "right". Anyways, Srini said to me, "Thank God we only have to do this for another two weeks!". I said, "Yeah, for you! I have to live with this for the rest of my life!".

Why doesn't my food taste like my mum or grandma's food???

Anyways! The Bananas were great! :D

Ba naa naaa naaa Ba naa naaa... Maaakkeee thoose Bodiieeess Sing! Haven't seen that ad in a while - I wonder why!

Monday, December 25, 2006

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

HOPE ALL YOUR DAYS ARE FILLED WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND FANTASTIC PRESENTS! :D

And for Sydney-siders - Who would like to start a club with me, where we place bets on the weather for the day???? How crazy is it???

Keep smiling everyone!!!!

Love,
Vidya

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Something I read Today...

"I, for one, thoroughly believe that no power in the universe can withhold from anyone anything they really deserve." - Swami Vivekananda

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Bye 2006???

Somehow it doesn't seem right to say Bye-bye to 2006 yet. I wanted to write a summary of this year, but I feel like there is still quite a big chapter of 2006 left, and so I am going to leave it for another week or two!

A month from today, I will be in Chennai! I really can't get over that! A month after that, I will be getting ready to fly back to Sydney...

How am I feeling? I don't really know how to describe it. I go through a roller coaster each day. I feel like I am emotionally unstable now (even more so than usual!). I shift from "manic" to "depressive" in less than a second! That is worrying!

I am sure what I am feeling is not that different to what most people would feel in my situation. I think it is "The Great Unknown" that makes this period in my life so very terrifying and so exciting all at once! I know I will look back on these days and actually appreciate and cherish each day for exactly what they are - a bundle of contradictions and time of great mystery.

I watched "Vivaah" yesterday - it was sickly sweet; enough to make one puke! I enjoyed it none the less. I sobbed all the way through the second half - can't remember the last time I cried that much during a movie!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Love and Marriage

I was at a really beautiful wedding yesterday. Gladys and Trent - CONGRATS! It was so lovely to see them both get married. There was a lot of love and understanding there...

It reminded me of something I was thinking about a few days ago. You know you really love someone when you are no longer able to hate them. It doesn't matter what they do, you continue to love them and accept them the way they are. When you reach that point with someone, you are at a stage in life when your true potential and vulnerabilities begin to reveal themselves. You see the real you and it suprises you.

I think one of the differences between a successful arranged marriage and a successful non-arranged marriage is this; in a non-arranged union, you realise you cannot live without someone and so get married to them, while in a successful arranged marriage, you are already married to them, so you learn to love them for what they are. I think both marriages are equally beautiful in their own way.

Anyways, I had a lovely time at the wedding - Gladys and Trent, once again, you both looked gorgeous and Thankyou for a beautiful ceremony and reception!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Top Stories

I don't often watch the news - I read the paper when I get the chance, and I am one of those people who think that if something important happens, then I am bound to hear of it through some other source!

I watched quite a bit of news today. Let me summarise for you...

1. "Female Politicians need to dress better". It seems that Gillard has been criticised for not dressing "well". Hmmm... I think that bit of news was more of an "interest" piece than REAL news! I guess looks do go a long way though - we don't want it to, but they do!

2. "Hanson to make a return". Another story on Pauline Hanson. She must have been the "humour" story of the day! This morning on "Sunrise", she kept talking about setting "stricter immigration laws", without really stating how these laws will be made "stricter". I am not too sure about her. Sometimes she makes me angry and other times I feel sorry for her.

3. "Therapeutic Stem-Cell Research - bill is passed." It was passed despite both the parties uniting in saying "No". I think greater awareness about Therapeutic Cloning is the main reason for this "success". I have more to say on this, but I might hold those thoughts till I can compose them with more than just mere opinion.

4. "Olympian Gold Medalist Kevin Berry dies". To be honest, I don't know who he is. However, I heard a little story about him on the news which I thought gave some insight into the sort of person he was. Apparently, when he was 15, he and 3 other Olympic Swimmers went to meet the Pope. The Pope said to him, "Son, I can only fish souls out of the water - I can't swim." He replied, "Well! Come to Australia and I'll teach you how!". :)

Really that seems to be it! Much of the news at the moment is about the upcoming election. I am still not sure as to who I am going to vote for, but this year I have a few different things that I am looking out for...

Saturday, November 18, 2006

A Smile...

Imagine this...

A 18 year old steps out onto the roads in a country where she knows no one, doesn't speak the language, and has never gone so far away from familiar territory. She has had a rough three days of travel and minus a few packs of "Le Snack", she has had nothing to eat.

She has a single address in her possession - and all phone numbers she has tried are either "Engaged", "Disconnected" or "Will be attended to after the Summer Break".

She is extremely worried, but she knows that she has to find her way to her University. She has money in the form of Travellers Cheques - the concept of which is very new to her, like everything else at that moment.

She walks out of the hotel, in search of a railway station. Lugging a 30Kg suitcase and a further 10kgs in hand bags, she finally makes it to "Centrum". She waits outside "Forex" - to convert money and is suddenly very very scared.

The feeling of utter helplessness must have shown on her face, for immediately a kind face looks to her and asks, "India se ho?". The girl nods feebly. The stranger then smiles at her.

It was that smile that kept me going during my time alone in a foreign country. It was that face that made me feel at home in a place that was nothing like home.

I spoke to Parveen - then stranger, now friend, a few days ago. Even as I speak to her now, I am truly overcome with emotion and I think "There must be a GOD somewhere who looks over me".

Thursday, November 16, 2006

:D

The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.

Conclusion:
Eat and drink what you like. It is speaking English that kills you.

PS: I am liking this new "blogger"!

Monday, November 13, 2006

Today

Today I am feeling... scared! I can't think of a better word than that!

I am not someone who copes with change too well and the next few months are going to be too much change too fast. Everything seems to be in fast-forward right now. I don't even have time to reflect!

I know this is only a phase and I will get over it. I also go through phases of intense excitement and acute happiness... it is all part of grand plan I suppose...

I guess my "scared" phase is also my most productive phase, so maybe I shouldn't complain!

Friday, November 10, 2006

A Phone Conversation...

Me: Hello Appa! Eppadi irrukeenga??
MPA: Ennada, indha ponnu unnum ennaku message anapaliyeennu nenaichindu irundhaen!
Me: Illa - I wanted to call you, adhunaala thaan naan message anapalla.

More Talk...

Me: Aparam next enage pogaporeenga??
MPA: En kitta podavaikku vendiya colour elaam soliirukiyyee. Naan seriya vaangaati, enna thitta maatiyoo??
Me: Naan thitta maataen!
MPA: Illa ma! Thittanum! Adam pidichaa thaane ponnu??
Me: Appadi illa - ippo thitta maaten-nnu sollanum. Aana, podavai seriya ilaati kandippa kathuvaen!

I told my mum about the above conversation and she said, "Evaloo aasai-ya irukaa paaraen!".

If she had had any doubts before, I am sure they are no longer there.

I do consider myself truely lucky.

(I don't want to translate the above conversation - it somehow doesn't feel right. It was a conversation I had with Sudarshan's dad over the phone today. It is just an example of how loving his family is!)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Geography? ME???

I did almost no Geography in high School and deffinetly no Geography at Uni! The only Geography I have ever done was the compulsory two terms that we had to do in Yr.7 and Yr.8, and honestly I don't think I remember any of it. (I do remember giving a great talk on the Daintree Rain Forest with Nadia though!)

Today, I was tutoring one of my students and he said he had a couple of exams tomorrow and wanted to go through some stuff with me. He is in Yr.7 and so I asked him to come over. He came over and said, "Right! I want to know how to read weather charts!". I said, "Hmmm.... where are your notes on the topic?". He gave me his book and some 20 pieces of paper fell out - none of the sheets were complete and hardly anything was written on the subject!

I tried to tell him I knew nothing about the subject, but didn't want to stress him out a day before his exam. I gave him a few questions to do, quickly ducked into my room, Googled, "Reading Weather Charts", skimmed through a few websites and went back to explain it all to him!

How good am I??? :P Now I can read weather charts - Did you know that in the Southern Hemisphere, air spins colckwise at low pressure and anti-clockwise at high pressure???

We read a few different weather charts afterwards and predicted the weather at different places - now we both feel like we could do Tim Bailey's job - and do it without an accent!

At Work Today:

Note: We have quite a few people getting married in the lab over the next few months...


Rose: Shall I load your samples as I load mine?
Me: Are you sure? I can do it.
Rose: No No. I will do it - for the bride-to-be!
Me: Awww! Thankyou.

I then walked into the lab and announced loudly:

Me: ROSE IS LOADING GELS FOR ALL BRIDES TO BE!!!!
:P

Moral of the story: Never offer to help Vidya!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Sharada Ma

I attended a beautiful dance drama today. I really enjoyed it!

The drama was about Sharada - consort to Rama Krishna. The person who introduced the topic said something along the lines of "Sharada Devi was extraordinarily ordinary".

I thought the life history of a truly amazing person was extremely beautifully represented. I enjoyed it thoroughly and was left feeling extremely inspired...

I just wanted to thank all those people who put on such a beautiful show!

Friday, November 03, 2006

Hmmm...

"I could always fall in love with the person I marry... but I don't think I could ever bring myself to marry the person I think I love."

Friday, October 27, 2006

Happy...

While talking to Sudarshan today he was talking about how happy everyone is. It is so true. Everyone around me (and him) has been extremely happy today. I don't know the reason but it is all really lovely to see.

It has been smiles all around!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Pics!

Pics for those who asked...

The two of us - looking VERRYYY tired!

With the family

:D

I think this is the first time I am actually putting up pictures on this blog!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Something to say...

Hi All!

Gotta moment??? Just writing to let you all know that I am getting married on the 28th of Jan, 2007! Will update you guys on the exact details once I get back to Sydney!!

I am currently in India and will be going to Hyderabad tomorrow morning!!

Just want you all to know that I am EXTREMELY HAPPY!!!

Lots of love,
Vidya

Friday, October 06, 2006

Bye-Bye Sydney!

I am posting an early "bye bye" post because I won't have anytime over the weekend to update.

I am flying out of Sydney on Monday morning and will be getting to Bangalore on Monday night! People in Sydney - don't miss me too much :P People in India - WATCH OUT! :P

I am starting to get very exited about my trip now :D

I also feel more confident about my performance on Sunday, so I am all excited / stressed / happy!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

The coming month...

Things happening in October...

Oct 1 - Appu's Birthday

Oct 2 - Last day of Navrathri

Oct 3, 5 and 6 - Dance practice

Oct 4 - Preparing for Navratri Charity Function

Oct 8 - My VERY FIRST KATHAK performance!

Oct 9 - FLYING TO INDIA! :D:D:D

Oct 21 - Diwali

Oct 22 - Flying back to Sydney

Oct 24 - Annual Student Review

Oct 30 - I TURN 23!!!!!!!


I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Impressive? Really?

Yesterday my supervisor asked if a few of us from the lab could stay back and entertain a few people. These people were our major funding source and they came to hold a meeting at the hospital and stayed back to look at the sorts of things we do. We had 5 different stations set-up and each of us headed a station.

I had some pretty pictures of cells that had been stained for various proteins to show them and was just telling them about my project. As I was talking about my research I was reminded that what I do is actually important. I am reminded of this fact every now and again. As I was talking to our funding bodies, they looked at me wide-eyed and just kept saying, "That is amazing!".

When you are working with something day-in day-out, it isn't really a big deal to you. However, it is only when you meet people from a totally different field to you that you realise just how little the general public knows about the lab environment. They all thought that the centrifuge was truly amazing. They were totally stunned by the fact that I could pin point the exact location of a protein within a cell or that we were working at the MOLECULAR level.

I remember when I was in high school, I could never understand how people could study things they couldn't see with their naked eye - it was too abstract a thought to comprehend. I can't believe that I am one of them now!

It was nice to me reminded that what I am doing is not a total waste of time - then again, I only need for my current Western to not work to be disappointed again!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Navarathri!!!

Formal Invite to all...

"Enga aathula gollu vechirukoom... elaarum vandhu vethalai paaku vaagindu ponga".

(You are all invited to come and see our dolls over the course of the next 9 days!)...

I hope papier mache and plastic don't make the ancient art of clay-figurine making completely disappear!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

WHAT A WEEK!

Last week was sooo busy! So much has happened that I am still coming to terms with it all!

This is just a short post to let you all know that I am still alive and well. Life is ticking along - at an extremely fast pace! However, I am happy and content with life and that is the important thing. :D

Here is another "Vidya moment" for you all!

The stupidest thing I said (and it made complete sense to me at the time!):
"You mean cows can't milk themselves???". Apparently not... Who would have thought!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Inspirational Science

I was just watching "100 Greatest Discoveries" on the Discovery channel. They were showing the "Top Ten Discoveries of all time" as voted by viewers and so I had to compile my own list!

In their list, they spoke of Pennicillin, Newton's Laws of motion, Einstein's theories of General Relativity and ofcourse Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection - which was number 1.

Apart from the above mentioned discoveries here are some of my own favourite experiments. I have a feeling that I compiled a similar list a few years ago - but I am not too sure. No harm in repeating things that are worth repeating :D

Here is a list of some of my favourite experiments / discoveries...
(I tried to put these in some sort of order but I was unable to choose one over the other! So the following are in no particular order.)

1) Millikan's Oil drop experiment - determining the charge of an electron. Such a simple experiment and yet sooo powerful!
2) Milgram's Experiment - Ever since I heard of this experiment I have had to re-think about who we REALLY are. The baffling nature of the human mind - it forces me to think about just how much I am like everyone else and whether I can be manipulated by authority to the same degree as the subjects of this particular experiment.
3) Louis Pasteur disproving the Theory of Spontaneous Generation. When I first read about it, I hadn't even thought that a theory called "Spontaneous Generation" had existed. As a kid I had thought that that must have been how things came into the world - when it rains earthworms are EVERYWHERE - why? My way of answering it was "Spontaneous Generation" - but in simpler terms. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for someone to prove something that seems to make so much sense - until it is disproved and you think "How silly!"
4) Crick's Wobble Hypothesis - the redundancy built into the human genome continues to fascinate me!
5) Frisch's "Bee" exeriment. The "Waggle Dance". A discovery that I believe is able to make even the most head-strong individual humble and accept that nature is far more complex than we can imagine.
6) Pauling and Sickle Cell Anaemia. One small amino acid change is the difference between life and death. It is a miracle that there are so many "normal" individuals in the world!
7) Meselsohn-Stahl Experiment. One of my lecturers at uni called it "The most beautiful Experiment Ever". I think it shows the true power of collaborations from two very different fields - Radiation Physics and Molecular Biology.
8) John Cairns - the evolving nature of mutations. Simple Experiments are often the most Powerful.
9) Griffith's transformation experiment - showing that DNA are the carriers of hereditary information - who would have thought??
10) Rosalind Franklin's contribution to the discovery of the structure of DNA. This list couldn't possibly be complete without mentioning her.

I want to end this with a few of my favourite quotes...

"I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created parasitic wasps with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of Caterpillars" - Sir Charles Darwin

"One thing I have learned in a long life: that all our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike and yet it is the most precious thing we have." - Albert Einstein

"The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful. If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing, and if nature were not worth knowing, life would not be worth living." - Jules Henri Poincaré

One of my favourites - this has been said by many people in many different ways, but I often feel that this is basis of Science.

"Truth in science can be defined as the working hypothesis best suited to open the way to the next better one." - Konrad (Zacharias) Lorenz

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Pointless Post

My last few posts have been quite pointless really - no real content. Reminds me of the sort of letters I used to write when I was 9 or 10. All quantity... no quality.

This post too is unfortunately going to be pointless too. I can't think of anything "important" to write! A "Blogger's Block"??

I guess this was a pretty big week for Australians with the death of two famous Australians - Steve Irwin and Peter Brock. Still a bit shocked about the whole thing. I don't think I would have been as shocked about Peter Brock's death though had it not been Steve Irwin's earlier this week.

When I went into work on Monday there was a an email waiting for me with the title "Interesting Article". The title should have read, "You are sooo stuffed!". The title of the article was the EXACT same thing as the title of my thesis. Hmmm... Oh well... I guess that is Science...Only consolation is that it came out now rahter than next year when I would have finished all my experiments!

My grandpa should be here tomorrow. Can't wait to see him! I told him I would come to pick him up from the airport in my brand new car:D

I seem to have the flu :( I am contemplating whether I should go into work today and finish some stuff or let it wait till Monday...

Life becomes complicated unnecessarily doesn't it??

OOHH! The only other thing MAJOR that has been happening this week is that my dad sent me the complete Mahabharath - the one that used to be on Doordharshan. So I have been watching that. I am up to the bit where the the Pandava princes have been brought back to Hastinapur and are learning from Dronacharya. I am half way through my second DVD - only 6 and a half to go! I should count the number of times the say "Parranthu" , "Hariputra" and "Yeh tho unnyaay hei!" in each episode!

Monday, August 28, 2006

Exciting times!

Lately I have been spending ALOT of time at work - even if I am not at work, I find that I am thinking about work. I even dream about ATGCs! It is not a bad thing though - the scariest part is that I am enjoying it all!

I can't beleive that I am half way through my PhD already - and I am not sick of it yet! So YIPPEE! Who knows - maybe I will get sick of it later...but right now I am still very excited about my project. I still look forward to taking pictures of my gel and jump when I have nothing in my negative control!

On a totally unrelated note, I wonder if any of you people can help me! I am trying to find two people who were born on the same day, same time (to the closest hour) in the same city...

I was born on the 3oth of October, 1983 at 9:30pm in Tirupati, AP, India. Anyone match that? OR Do you know anyone who was born in the same city as you on the same day at the same time?

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Piccies!

Brisbane Photos

I have put up the photos from Brisbane at the above URL... You guys will have to sign in to OFOTO to view it.

Once I get more photos I will put those up too. These are just the ones from my camera so I don't feature in many of them.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Monday, August 14, 2006

I knew it!

I knew it wouldn't be long before Vedic Astrology found the Internet! I predicted this a few years ago - and I if I try hard enough, I can probably find the blog to prove it.

You guys should try www.freehoro.com. It provided me with lota of amusement - I apparently have a 75% chance of getting married this year and an even higher chance of "accquiring cattle"...

:P

PS: BRISBANE WAS FANTASTIC! Will write about it later! Going to bed now!

Saturday, August 05, 2006

A Symposium of Nerds!

Apparently "geek" is the new "cool". To be a "geek" is supposed to be better than to be a "nerd". Did you know that??? Channel "E" did a whole show on that last week and I watched it! You know that "E" is not a "Nerd-y" channel just by knowing that it is called "E"... they can't even spell "Entertainment"! "Discovery" doesn't call itself "D" now does it??? (I think I may have overdosed on the quotation marks with that paragraph!)

With that aside, I am leaving for Brisbane tomorrow!!!! YAAAYYY!!! I can't wait! I will be at the ICHG (International Congress of Human Genetics) and I am VERRYYY EXCITED about it! I have been to a few other conferences and symposiums but this is my first International one! How cool is that?? I can't wait to get all my free pens! :P Any chance of meeting up with anyone else (by that mean - MEL!) at the conferance?? If you will be in Brisbane next week, let me know!!

After the conferance, I will be spending the weekend with my work buddies at Moreton Bay. That should be fantastic! I can't wait for tomorrow!

I am hoping to meet a few people during the course of the conference and establish some goood connections for my research. SOOO EXCITED!

In case anyone cares AT ALL... I GOT BISULFITE SEQUENCING TO WORK!! FINALLY! Can I get a global "Woohoo" at the count of three?? 1... 2... 3!!! "WOOOHOOO!!"

Monday, July 31, 2006

Bye-bye Accent... HELLO Yaris!!!

IT HAS ARRIVED!!!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

It is gorgeous!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

VERY EXCITED!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Ten things I will never understand...

1) Rear "spoilers" on a car

2) Why parents think that kids as young as 6 need tutoring

3) What you should do at an intersection if you want to turn right and there is another person on the opposite side also wanting to turn right, and you both have to "Stop" or "Giveway", and there isn't enough space for both of you to turn right at the same time! (I think a diagram would have helped here!)

4) Why people smoke

5) Why Indian Call Centre callers speak with a wierd accent, that is neither Indian, American, Australian or that of any other nationality!

6) Why there is "enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed."

7) How you can remember the silliest details for life, and forget the really essential bits right after the exam

8) People - as a collective

9) Why embarassment always wins a battle between emabarassment and pain - You had rather be in pain than be embarassed.

10) Why you HAVE TO justify why you are a vegetarian or a non-smoker or a non-drinker, but are never to ask for justification for why someone isn't. "Because I want to" is a perfectly valid answer but, "Because I don't" is not??

Monday, July 17, 2006

Sleepless nights...

OKAY! Srini sent this to me yesterday just before my bed time and that got delayed by an extra four hours because of this stuuupid puzzle! So, I thought, I would share the fun around :P

http://n.nfshost.com/1.html

Basically that is the first page of the puzzle. You have to change the url to get to the second number, then the third and so on.

I am upto 23 and I am still going! So if you guys figure out the clue for 24 - HELP ME OUT!!!

Have a beautiful day!

Thursday, July 13, 2006

A Series of (Un)fortunate Reminders...

I walked into the lab this morning and there was a post-it note on my computer that read as follows....

"Vidya could you please transfer my tubes from the 9600 to the -20 on the orange rack at the PCR machine. *heart* Des"

I then walked over to my lab bench.

There was yet another post-it note that read...

"An additional reminder: Vidya... could you please transfer my tubes from the 9600 to the -20 on the orange rack at the PCR machine. *heart* Des"

So I walked over to the PCR machine so that I wouldn't forget. There was yet another note on the PCR machine that read...

"If Vidya forgets, Could someone please put these tubes at -20 for me :) *heart* Des"

I had a good laugh over it then came over to check my email. I had a lovely email from another colleague that read...

"Please don't forget to move Des's tubes to the -20C freezer."

RIGHT! I think the people I work with know me a little too well!

NB: I may have forgotten about other people's tubes a little more than once or twice...

UPDATE:
I just wrote out a series of reminders for Des...

The first one read:
"Des, I have transfered your tubes from the 9600 to the -20 on the orange rack at the PCR machine. *heart* Vid"

The second one on her bench read:
"An additional reminder: Desiree... I have transfered your tubes from the 9600 to the -20 on the orange rack at the PCR machine. *heart* Vid"

I then proceeded to write a third note and stuck that one on the PCR machine and that said:
"If Des forgets, Could someone please let her know that her tubes are at -20 :) *heart* Vid"

I also wrote an email to my other colleague and said:
"Please let Des know that I have moved her tubes to the -20C freezer. Thanks, Vidya"

:D

Monday, July 03, 2006

YIIPPEEE!!!

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

It should arrive by the end of the month! :D :D:D:D

http://yaris.toyota.com.au/toyota/vehicle/FreeText/0,4665,2742_662,00.html

That is it (Aqua Marine) :D

WOOOHHHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, July 02, 2006

The Nature of Happiness

"Maybe unhappiness is the continuum through which a human life moves, and joy just a series of blips, of islands in the stream. Or if not unhappiness, then atleast melancholy..." - Salman Rushdie, in "The Satanic Verses".

Someone else said something similar to me once. She told me how she trusted unhappiness more than happiness.

I think it is harder to fake unhappiness than happiness - not impossible, just harder.

Just a point to ponder...

In other news, I am hoping to get a new car really soon. A Toyota Yaris in Aqua Marine! Wish me luck! I am just waiting for them to approve my Finance!!

Fingers Crossed!!

I think I will miss my Hyundai Accent :'(

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Birthday Pressie

It was a colleague's birthday party yesterday and I said I would buy the present on behalf of the lab. We decided to get her a purple umbrella.

I went shopping on Thursday (late night shopping), and after looking EVERYWHERE for an umbrella, I was just about to give up and say "Umbrella manufacturers are on strike!". I then came across a great purple umbrella at Target just before closing time - the very last one. I quickly bought it.

Yesterday - Saturday, I opened the umbrella only to realise that it was broken! It was nearly 4:30m then and I had to leave for the party by 5:30ish as the rest of the present was at work! Also, because I had looked for a purple umbrella EVERYEHERE on the Thursday, I didn't think that my chances of finding on in less than 15minutes was that high!

Along comes my mum... I said to her, "Quick! Where can I get an umbrella from??". My mum goes, "Oh! they have some really nice umbrellas at Price Rite! You should have a look!".

By this time I was all panicky. I wanted to message another colleague and say "The umbrella is broken. I will try to get a new one!". However, instead of messaging the other colleague, I ended up messaging the birthday girl! AIYOO! THEN, I had the added worry of spoiling the surprise - so my quick thinking brain sent of another message to the birthday girl that read, "Don't worry about the last message... that was supposed to be for my brother!". PHEW!

I then raced to the shops, managed to get another purple umbrella at Price Rite - just as they were closing, and then raced to Target to return the broken umbrella! After that, I had to buy my mum some paneer, so I drove to the Indian shop, got wet, bought the paneer and drove back home. Then I had to get changed and leave for the party!

OH WELL! All's well that ends well! :D

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

My Kinda Music!

There have been a couple of songs over the last few months that I have really liked. I don't think I mention music that much in my blog, so I thought I would just give you a list of songs that I absolutely love... These are the songs that I can listen to over and over again!

"To be a better man" - Robbie Williams
"Reason" - Hoobastank
"Into the Dark" - Ben Lee
"This Old Love" - Lior
"Upside Down" - Jack Johnson
"Sway" - Michael Buble

My all time favourite Tamil Songs...

"Nila Kaaigirathu" - from Indra
"Unnai Kaanadha Kannum" - Not sure what movie
"Kalangalil aval Vasantham" - Not sure again
"Aduthaathu Abujatha paarthela" - Ethir Neechal
"Ilaya Nila" - Not sure again (Mowna Raagam?)

All Time favourite Hindi Songs...

"Kasam ki Kasam" - ? (Meenaxi?)
"Khamosh Raat" - Thakshak
"Churaliyaa" - ?
"Dil Deewana" - ? (Maine Pyaar kiya?)

I haven't heard much Hindi or Tamil songs in the last few months, so I am a bit behind with my music there!

So there you go!

I don't really have anything else to say! Wishing you all a truly beautiful day!

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Bio vs' The Other Sciences...

As most of you know, my younger brother Rama is currently studying Nanotechnology. As part of his course, he is required to take on a few biology subjects. I think it is fantastic because for the first time I have someone at home with whom I can discuss my project in any great detail. All my life I have had to hear my dad and brothers talk about the wonderful world of physics, electronics and communication systems. I had no one to talk to about the fantastic world of biological molecules and the cool things enzymes are capable off. Sad...but true.

So, as you can probably tell, I was overjoyed when I heard that Rama would have to study biology. I also know that if he didn't HAVE to do it, he probably would never have chosen to do it! He has a real dislike for biology.

That brings me to the topic of this post.

When I started university, I went in wanting to major in Chemistry. I had never done any sort of bio at school and I only took first year biology because I had to. I had some the BEST lecturers in first year - and coincidentally, some of the worst lecturers for chemistry, so the switch was made! I was sure that once Rama would start biology, he would give up on Physics (which is his real passion), and become totally amazed by the biological world.

I am extremely sad to admit that that has not happened :'(. Rather, he still hates biology and on top of that, tells me that he doesn't understand it! I find it hard to comprehend how someone could totally get Quantum mechanics, and not understand DNA synthesis! I was telling Rama how simple it all is and how amazingly beautiful Biology is, compared to Physics. He gives me the same lecture, only he gets the subjects the other way around.

This reminded me of Yoomi and Anika at Uni trying to tell me that Chemistry was a lot easier than Bio. I won't ever understand that either. I still dont know how to represent molecules in the Fischer model, or any of that stuff we had to do with stereoisotopes! Is it the L molecules that are biologically active or the D molecules??

I guess we are all wired in different ways and we are all able to understand and appreciate different things.

Isn't it wierd?

OOHH! I also don't understand how anyone can not want to study Science... but i also know that I am a bit wierd like that.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Dearest Hari-lu,

Wishing my dearest, sweetest, most lovable brother Hari and truly wonderful 21st Birthday. I wish I could stop you from getting any older!

Love you heaps and always will... Keep smiling chellam!

Big Hugs and 21 punches...
Gayu

Saturday, May 27, 2006

It's all good...

Been a bit of a roller coaster week but as I am heading towards the end of it, I think I am reaching a bit of a plateau...

I love this song...

"Upside Down" - Jack Johnson

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
I don't want this feeling to go away

Who's to say
I can't do everything
Well I can try
And as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren't always just what they seem

I want to turn the whole thing upside down
I'll find the things they say just can't be found
I'll share this love I find with everyone
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature's songs
This world keeps spinning and there's no time to waste
Well it all keeps spinning spinning round and round and

Upside down
We'll sing and dance and spread this love around
I don't want this feeling to go away

Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Please don't go away
Is this how it's supposed to be
Is this how it's supposed to be

Monday, May 22, 2006

Out of luck

I have always considered myself extremely lucky. I sometimes think that I have made it this far purely on luck. I have just been lucky all my life. Things have always fallen into place for me and I don't think I have had to put in that much effort for anything.

One of my biggest fears has always been, "What will happen when all my luck runs out??". I used to think about that alot. It would freak me out because I would be left with absolutely nothing.

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking that maybe my luck is leaving me now... slowly. It makes me uneasy and even slightly fearful.

It isn't all bad though, because I know it is a phase and I will get over it. I also believe in myself just a little bit - just enough to not lose hope completely.

Either way, it isn't a nice feeling to have.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Robbed...

We were robbed about two days ago. It has been a hectic day or two with everyone being a bit edgy.

It is funny when something like this happens because everyone reacts to it differently. My mum was under shock and then she picked herself up. My dad was worried sick about all of us. Rama and I felt like we should do whatever is necessary to get things back on track and Srini manages to see the humour and is a comfort in his own way.

We are all ok, and everything is getting back to normal. Things could have been far worse.

When things like this happen, you always discover something about yourself. I did something that I haven't consciously done since I was a kid. I think other older siblings will relate to this. I used to be the most protective older sister, and I saw that in me yesterday. Not just as a sister, but also as a daughter.

Anyways, all is well now...

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing my mum and my grandma a fantastic day.

My parents don't believe in Mother's Day or Father's day - they believe that we should be good to our parents everyday and not just a single day in a year. They think it is a very"Western" celebration... BUT I think it is nice to have an occasion to tell them that they are loved - and I like buying pressies!


I was thinking about this a few days ago... When my mum was my age, she had THREE kids, and was getting ready to leave India and start a brand new life in Fiji. I can't imagine having three kids at this age, or blindly following my husband halfway across the globe to a country that no one knew anything about! I can't get over how much more mature my mum was then, than I am now! Can't beleive how different our lives are!

My mum was talking to this family friend of ours today and they were talking about buying houses. About 8 years ago, we demolished our house and rebuilt our current home. When we were in our old house, we used to ALWAYS have visitors. We had on average, about 10 people staying in the one house! It was a three bedroom house and not particualrly big, but it was always full. One of the main reasons we had to demolish and rebuild was because our house was just too small.

My mum was saying how ironic it was that now that we have a bigger house, everyone is too busy to stay at home. We have all grown up and are rarely at home. With my dad in India, we don't have as many visitors either.

I think the thing that I admire about my mum more than anything else, is her stability. In the last 10 or 15 years, we have all changed so much. My brothers and I have grown-up, we have our own wants and needs. Even my dad has changed. Yet, somehow, my mum has always maintained her role. She is still Jayanthi... the SAME Jayanthi!


To this day, my mum walks around in a saree (often her blouse doesn't match), eats her rice, bargains whenever and wherever she can, talks non-stop, insists on watching her Tamil movies, and is always honest - to almost an awkward degree! I often yell at her for those very things.

"Nalladha oru podavai-ya katindaa thaan enna??" (Why can't you put on a better saree?)
"Shoe-a konja seriyaa thaan podaen!" (Wear your shoes properly!)
"Oru naalaikku, saadam saaptaama thaan iraen!" (Why can't you go without rice for a single day??)
"Aiyooo! Manniiii!! Yen nee ellathukkum bargain pannara??" (MANNII!! Why do you have to bargain for EVERYTHING??)

Yet, I know that it is these very qualities that make my mum, MY MUM!

Just writing this to let my mum know, that I love her just the way she is! She is the one person in my life who I know will never change. Even when everything else around me turns upside-down, I just have to look at her to see something the right way up!

Love my Manni and Amma VERY much! Missing my Grandma heaps!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Going Vegan... temporarily!

I finally got around to seeing my doctor today. I have been feeling sick for a while now, so I thought I should probably drop in and say "Hello" (and give "Aunty" (my doc) the goodies my mum made for her...).

I told her I have been feeling nauseus for days now. After the consult, she said to me, "I think it might be a bug... have you been eating out much?". I said to her, "Not that much - and even if I do, there isn't that much variety in what I can eat - nothing that can make me sick anyway!". I am very much restricted in what I can eat when I go out - it is either Pizza, or some kind of a salad!

Despite that last comment, my doctor told me not to take any dairy products - including cheese and YOGHURT, no fried food, nothing spicy, and I also got asked to avoid lentils. That doesn't leave me with much to eat!!! I am going to die! It is only for a week, but I am seriously going to die! I once stayed without yoghurt for two days and I couldn't do anything on the third day!

Is this what detox is all about??? Is my doctor trying to detox all the yoghurt out of me??? Is that what she is trying to do??? SOMEBODY TELL ME!!!

I went shopping with my mum today, and it was sooo hard to find snacks! Mel - I am probably sounding like EVERYONE else right now, but I seriously don't know how you do it! I have always respected your Vegetarianism - it is one thing to be born a Vegetarian, and another to choose to become one - but now I respect your Veganism a 100 fold more!

However, if I don't die, I might even move to the EVEN healthier side in the coming weeks... who knows! It is sooo hard to predict me!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

This little piggy went to the market...

There are three places that I ABSOLUTELY HATE taking my mum.

1) The Indian Spice Shop!
2) Flemington Markets (for Fruit and Veg)
3) Parklea Markets (Fruit and Veg mainly but also other random gadgets...)

I hate everything about it! I hate looking for a parking spot, I hate how my mum points out spots that are closer AFTER I have parked, I hate the crowds, I hate people screaming out "2 for $3", "$1, $1, $1 yeeeeeaaaa $1, $1, $1...", I hate the crowded aisles, I hate having to hold my breath as I walk past the fish markets and above all I hate how my mum says, "That's all", but keeps looking for stuff!

AARRGGHHHH!!!

I took my mum to Parklea today and I was VERRYY good! I drove my mum there and I waited with the trolley. Once she finished with an aisle, she would dump the veggies in my trolley, and keep looking. This way, I wasn't rushing her and she wasn't asking me to look for veggies. I don't even know why she asks me to pick veggies - it isn't like I know the difference between a good coconut and a bad one! However, today was a good day - we didn't get on each other's nerves and we were both very well behaved! I think I deserve an eggless cookie for my efforts!

However, while at Parklea today I was sooo surprised at the number of Indians there. I mean, there is always a large number of Indians at both Parklea and Flemington, but I actually felt like I was in India today! There was just soo many that it felt like you could probably label the fruit and veg in Hindi, and it wouldn't have mattered!

About ten years ago, if you saw an Indian at the markets, you would go up to them and say hello and swap telephone numbers - because meeting other indians was a rare thing. If I was to do that today, it just wouldn't have been possible (there were atleast 70 Indian families at the Fruit and Veg section alone) and it would probably have been a bit odd! "Hi! Are you from India? Yes? Here is my phone number... do come over sometime for some chai!"... (See - that would have been odd!).

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Any old monkey can clone!

One of my first posts on this blog was titled "Vector Difficulties". That was on the 3rd of March, 2005. It is now the 4rth of May, 2006 and it has taken me THIS LONG to get POSITIVE CLONES! I cannot beleive that I have spent 1 year, 3 months and 2 days on this!!!!

However, I think I have encountered EVERY SINGLE problem along the way! For the first few months, I was perfecting my techniques. Then towards the end of last year, I realised that I was actually using the wrong enzyme!!! So I started using the correct enzyme, and again NOTHING!

I decided to start from scratch again this year. This time I realised that there was a restriction site which I had completely forgotten about! Then my competent cells weren't competent, and when they were, I kept loosing my inserts and vectors!

Finally, I got it right!!! TODAY!

This morning:

SW: Have you looked at your paltes yet?
Me: No... it is just going to make me depressed, so I will wait till mid-day or so...
SW: Let me go and look for you!!
DC: She has been having some good cloning vibes lately you know!
Me: I know... but that doesn't mean anything for me!

I then walked over to check out my plates.

SW: Ok.... which plates are you expecting to see colonies on? (She was holiding them and I couldn't see...)
Me: Oh God! There is nothing again? Just one colony would be good on any plate other than the negative control!
SW: Hmmm
Me: Why won't cloning work for me??
SW: Well, there are colonies on your vector only...
Me: Huh?
SW: Hmm... I see more colonies...
Me: WHAT?

She then showed me my BEAUTIFUL plates and I squealed (a bit like I do when I sit in the front seat of a car and the driver goes around a round-a-bout REALLY FAST!)!! I was sooo excited to just see colonies!

I now know that I even have POSITIVE colonies! When I found that out, I was bursting with excitement and I jumped around for a bit and tired myself out... sad but true... :P

I am just going to enjoy this moment while it lasts! I still have to sequence verify and see if my construct will actually express, but YIIPPPEEEE!!!!! (For now...)

("Any old monkey can clone", was one of the first things someone said to me when I told them I was planning to clone...)

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Sooo proud of you!

I was talking to Yumna yesterday and I was just saying how lately a word to describe how I feel throughout most of the day is "proud".

I am sooo proud of EVERYONE! In particular, my friends from school and uni. Back in highschool we all said we wanted to do various things, now we are all doing those very same things we wanted to! It is such a fantastic thing to see.

I an just so happy for everyone around me.

I dedicate this post to all my school and Uni friends - I just want you all to know that I am EXTREMELY proud of all of you!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Honesty and Faith

I have often thought , "Wouldn't it be great if everyone was HONEST for just one day?". I don't mean honest like handing in that $10 note you find on public transport or telling your parents where you REALLY went. I don't even mean things like telling people what you think without any inhibitions. I mean an honesty that goes even deeper than that. To be honest with yourself to that degree where you can actually see inside yourself - see the REAL you. I was thinking that last night when I said to myself, "Are YOU being honest with YOURSELF?". It is always best to ask yourself somethings before blaming others...

I thought about that some more. There are so many times in a day when I think that I am walking around with a mask. This is not to say that I am being superficial. This is about being dishonest without realising that you are being dishonest. It is when you put on that mask but don't realise that you have it on. So much so, that the mask and you become one and you are stuck in a position where you can no longer differentiate between the two.

I often think about just how honest I am being with myself. It scares me. I often see that I am not perfect. I do alot of "dishonest" things. I will ask myself to laugh when I had rather cry. I will cry when I know that it is no big deal. I will yell at someone I love and I will be friendly with a perfect stranger. I will tell myself that nothing is the matter even when I know that something is. I fool myself constantly.

People can know me for years without knowing a thing about me - and that is the case with alot of people in today's world. I have known people for years - and yet, I know I don't know them at all. I don't think there is one other person in this whole world who I TRULY know. It is not a stark realisation as such either. Even those people that I truly love, I know that I will never really know them. I know a lot of things about them - like their favourite colour, their topics of interests, what makes them tick and can even predict how they will react in a particular situation. Yet, I will never know exactly what they are thinking or feeling on the inside.

Those people who are truly honest with themselves (and I beleive that they do exist), are those with FAITH. Whether it be faith in GOD, themselves, or someone or something else, it is about having something to beleive in. Something to live for and live by. When you lose that faith, or when that faith is shaken, that is when you lose yourself.

As a child I was raised to pray for only one thing - "to have the courage to always do what is right". With time, the true meaning of that prayer was lost, but today I pray for that - honestly.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

I remember...

I remember...

... telephones with the round dials - where did they all go??? It used to take soooo long to dial international numbers!


... our first microwave - and how we only ever used it to make papadums!


... monochrome computers.


... watches with lights - you had to press the button soooo hard to get it to light up and then the button would go INTO the watch (because you would press it so hard) and the light would light up at random intervals or only on one corner.

... my dad's pager

... when "white goods" used to come in all sorts of colours

... a computer without a mouse

... Encyclopedia Britannica and being addicted to "Mind Maze".

... Tetris

... when TV was only broadcast for a few hours each day!

... drawing on Microsoft Paint.

... MS DOS and having to type in "C:/win" or something like that to get it to start.

... tape drives.

... an antenna that used to sit on top of our TV - which we had to adjust constantly to be able to see anything!

... being on dial-up internet. I remember the dial-up tone and how it would NEVER connect first-go. I used to HATE that!

... hand-held scanners that could only scan black & white pictures

... video-head cleaners - I remember the liquid you had to place in that tiny hole on the tape and you could never really tell if you had added enough or not! It used to smell wierd!

... using the "auto-tracking" function on the video player so we could watch all the pirated videos that would get to Fiji a few months after their release in India.

... wanting a mobile phone that would let me compose my own ring tones. That was all I wanted in a phone!

... playing "Snake" and getting REALLLY good at it on that same mobile phone. I am surprised I didn't get arthiritis in my thunbs from that!

... audio cassettes - and how they would get tangled in your radio and you would have to pull it all out and twist the little circle thing with your fingers (that used to hurt!) till all the tape went back inside - only to realise that the tape had reversed/flipped itself at some stage and so you had to undo it again and re-rewind it!

... taping from the radio to an audio tape! You would ask everyone to be REALLLLYY quiet but there was always someone who coughed so you were doomed to listen to your favourite song with an ill-placed cough. "Enna paaduvathu? *achuu* Enna Paaduvathu? Paatelaam ennaku paada theriyaadhu..*aachuuuu*..."

... sending hand-written letters. E-mails will never replace the joy of writing and reading a hand-written letter!

Most of the above things are not that old and are still around - but it is amazing how quickly some of the above became extinct from my day-to-day life. I refuse to watch video tapes or use dial-up internet anymore. Such small comforts are so easy to get used to! I often think about just how materialistic I REALLY am...

Comment of the day: "Do you even do anything any more???" - Rama. I think I have been so happy and relaxed over the last few months that it may actually be causing some concern! :P

Monday, April 17, 2006

52 Things You Never Needed to Know About Me...

(From Natasha's Blog)

1. First name? Vidya Lakshmi / Gayathri
2. Were you named after anyone? Both were after the Goddesses
3. When did you last cry? Hmmm... a couple of nights ago...
4. Do you like your handwriting? Most of the time. I am usually neat! I wish I could write cursive though!
5. What is your favorite lunchmeat? MEAT??? ME??? :O
6. Kids? I like kids...
7.If you were another person would you be friends with you? Nope. I would be too scared to approach me...
8. Do you have a journal? Yep! I don't write it in it that much anymore...although I probably should!
10. Do you still have your tonsils? Yep! *sticks hand in mouth* - Still there!
11. Would you bungee jump? Would love to!
12. What is your favorite cereal? Not too heavy, not too light - it's Kellogs Just Right!
13. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope... too much work!
14. Do you think you are strong? Sometimes...I think I come across as a weakling though
15. What is your favorite ice cream? Chocolate!
17. Red or pink? Baby Pink
18. What is the least favorite thing about yourself? I can be selfish...
19. Who do you miss the most? My dad at the moment :'(
20. Do you want everyone to do this list as well? It would be nice if you all could!
21. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Blue-faded jeans
22. Last thing you ate? A bite of puri that I snatched from my grandma's plate!
23. What are you listening to right now? My brother talking to a friend as they try to getsome simulation to work.
24. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red or blues - cuz they are often the only colours that work!
25. Favorite smell? Keroooseene!!
26. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? I think it was Natasha!
27. First thing you notice about people? Eyebrows and noses...
28. Do you like the person whose blog you got this from? Got it from Tash - so I guess that is a "yes".
29. Favorite drink? Mango Lassi.... yummmm
30. Favorite sport? To watch - Cricket.To play? NOTHING!
31. Hair color? Black
32. Eye color? Brown
33. Do you wear contacts? I have tried... I am not very good at keeping them on for long periods of time though!
34. Favorite food? Thechi mammu!
35. Scary movies or happy ending? Happy ending! Who would choose scary movies???
36. Last movie you watched? "Crash" - that was good!
37. What color shirt are you wearing? Black
38. Summer or winter? Winter!!!!!!
39. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
40. Favorite dessert? Anything sweet with no egg and gelatine. Preferably NOT a Fruit!
41. Who is most likely to respond? Noone!
42. Least likely to respond? Everyone!
43. What books are you reading? "Amrita", "The complete Short Stories of Hercule Poirot", "The colour of Magic", "Mr. Sampath", "God, Demons and Others"... I think that is it at the moment...
44. What's on your mouse pad? Don't use a mouse pad.... but I do have a free Sydney Uni Post-graduate one that I could use...
45. What did you watch last night on TV? "Australia's Brainiest Comedian"
46. Favorite sounds? I like things to be quite most of the time...
47. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles ofcourse!
48. The furthest you've been from home? Sweden!
50. When and where were you born? 30th Oct, 1983. In some government hospital in Tirupati, AP, India.
51. What condition are your hands and feet in? They aren't too bad - my nails could do with some work!
52. Who is your favorite author? Dickens and Austen. This particular answer is prone to constant change...

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Buying Time...

I was having trouble sleeping last night despite feeling extremely tired and sick. I decided to read through my own journal to pass the time. I am not the type who writes in a journal everyday - my writing is more therapeutic I think.

Yesterday as I was reading it, I was quite shocked at just how much I have changed as a person. I was reading my journal entries from my time in Sweden and some of the things I had written in there made me feel like I was reading someone else's story - not mine! While my writing style in itself hasn't changed that much - I always write the way I talk, the way I view the world certainly has.

I was only 18 when I went to Sweden, and now when I think about it, I think how brave I was to do such a thing! At the time, I wasn't at all scared about things like living on my own, having to make friends, having to cook for myself or any of that. All I could think about at that time was "I have to leave this place now or I will go crazy". In one of my own entries I was talking about having to come back to "normal life" here in Australia and I was so afraid of how I would cope with all the different things that I was going through at that time. I always knew that Sweden would just be a way of pausing everything here and I hoped that my time away will help me see things more clearly.

For a very long time, I was ashamed of myself for, ironically - the cowardice in physically running away from all the things that were bothering me. Rather than thinking things through and sorting things, I felt like I had taken the easier option of simply hoping that if I left things to be for as long as they needed and for as long as I could afford, they will sort themselves out.

I now know (and probably deep down inside, I knew then) that no problem will sort itself out - but there is nothing wrong in buying time to reflect and act accordingly. Time doesn't heal any wounds - that is the biggest lie I have ever been told. I have come to learn that I will not feel differently about something just because a lot of time has passed. However, with time you can gather the strength and courage to either deal with the situation or - yourself, and I think they are the only two solutions to anything.

This is what most of my journal entries look like - perhaps they are a little less cryptic though!

Sunday, April 02, 2006

BIIGG DAY!

UPDATE!!

I CLEANED MY CAR!!! I ended up cleaning the inside of my car on Sunday and today I FINALLY drove it to the car wash!!!!

You know, the last time I washed my car was 4 years ago! I am not kidding! I don't think I have washed my car once since the water restrcitions came into effect! I washed it once before I left for Sweden, and that was it!

How bad am I??? My car actually looks like it is a different colour! My car is not a "dull grey", rather it is a "shiny silver".

I cannot beleive that I have been able to put off washing my car for THAT long! I hereby grant myself the honorary title of "Procrastination Queen"! Even Mike Slackernerny could learn from me!


Today is a REALLLYY Big Day in my life. It is the kind of day that only comes around once a year - or maybe once every two years! I am going to CLEAN MY CAR!!!

Right after I am done writing this post, I am going to get rid of all the clothes that were supposed to have gone out to the needy weeks ago, then I am going to vaccuum the whole thing, get rid of old cassettes, tissues, bits of vegetables and fruits, other rotting bits of food, and finally take it down to the car wash!

I think not keeping my car clean is one of my most revolting habbits!

I am writing this down because a) it serves as procratination, b) so that I can mark down the exact date and time of this momentous occasion!

* BIIIG BREATH*... I am off to face my car!! Wish me luck!

(I will update this once more once I am done cleaning my car - just so that I don't cheat!)

Friday, March 31, 2006

Life is Beautiful - a reminder.

A few days ago I was walking to my car with a work colleague and we were both talking about how good it was that we now had a parking spot. (One of my other colleagues lives close to my work and so we all share her spot...) She was saying how that really made her feel like someone was watching over her. I thought that it was really nice how she could truly appreciate those little things. We often forget that.

I know I have said this several times before but I was reminded of this again this morning. I am truly lucky for all that I have and I am truly grateful for all that I have been given.

Life couldn't be any better right now!

When everything is going so well, the only bad thing about it is that it gives me nothing to talk about!

OOOO!!! My friend had a baby! HE IS GORGEOUS - and sooo soft!! Anika - he was born on the 27th of March!! I wish my friend would hurry up and name him! (She is only just starting to refer to her son as "him" rather than "it"!)

Monday, March 27, 2006

A Special Day!

To my favourite Lankan and wackiest buddy,

HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY!!!!!

Hope you have a terrific day oh Lankan one!

Wishing for all things nice to head your way! BIIG HUGS! You are much loved and MISSED on this day - more so than normal!

COME BACK SOON!!!

Friday, March 24, 2006

Ask Big V Vidz!

At work, we have a lot of magazines that we all browse through during lunch time. One of our favourite things to do is to read the horoscopes and make fun of them.

A few days ago, I noticed a column by a "numerologist" (I think that is right!), who was suggesting Lotto numbers, Powerball numbers and Club Keno numbers for the week for each of the signs of the zodiac. Now, can anyone else the MAAAJJOORR flaw in this?

HOW CAN YOU GIVE 12 DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF NUMBERS FOR A SINGLE GAME???? You can't expect everyone to win!!!

That is sooo stuupid!

Anyways, today, while looking for crosswords on the SMH website, I came across the horoscopes for the day. After reading mine, I wanted to see what kind of days other people were going to have...

I have managed to summarise all twelve horoscopes into a few lines to save you all the hassle of having to read all 12 of them! (These lines are pretty much word for word from SMH...)

"The Moon is void. Plan all activities for the first half of the day. Do not undertake anything new. Plan something creative."

The above roughly traslates to; "Wierd fact for the day: There is no life on the moon. It is Friday - go home early! Forget about the paperwork - it can wait till Monday! Do something nice this weekend - DON'T COME INTO WORK!".

I am not exaggerating! You guys should read it on http://www.smh.com.au/horoscopes/ and tell me if I am wrong!

I reckon I should start my own weekly horoscope! Better yet, I should start my own psychic advice hotline! I am simply oozing with fantastic advice about things that I have no first hand knowledge about! I reckon I would be great at it. I bet you don't need a PhD to do that!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

What the???

I just read my last post and I can't believe that I wrote a WHOLE post on my watch! That is sad! What is sadder is the fact that buying that watch was probably the highlight of my week! Isn't that terrible??

I don't really have anything else to say now. However, while I talking about being "sad", I might as well squeeze in the next sentence , "PRE-CAST GELS ROCK!".

That's it! Hope you are all having a fantastic day.

Stay Smiling people - but not continuously cuz then your mouth hurts! Trust me!

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Classic Watches

For the first time ever, I bought myself a proper watch. This is not to say that I have never owned a watch before - but for the first time, I bought a watch for myself - and it wasn't a "2 for $18" kind of a watch from the Parklea markets! BTW - I love watches!

Most of the watches I have owned prior to this were either given to me by my parents or as a gift from a friend. When my last good watch broke (a present from a friend of mine in Sweden - I am still upset about that - there is a sad story there, but alas, I cannot share it with you right now lest I should break into tears!), I went to the markets and bought 2 watches for $18. I didn't think these watches would last me very long and thought that they would make good "in-between watches" watches. I wanted to save up to buy myself a proper watch.

That was about a year and a half ago, and neither of the two watches are showing any signs of deterioration!

So, on Saturday, I decided that I would no longer worry about my unbreakable-but-not-very-nice watches anymore, and will just treat myself to a new watch.

I was at a Watch shop and I described to the shopkeeper exactly what kind of watch I wanted. "I don't want the straps to be too big, don't want the dial to be too small, NO METAL STRAPS...preferably, it should be black or brown straps and it has to have the date on it! I don't want anything too fancy or too expensive. I want it to be daily wear but it can't look too casual. I don't mind want the brand is, but it has to be a good watch brand." That isn't being too picky is it???

The shopkeeper kept showing me all these watches with metal straps and kept asking me why I didn't want metal straps. It is simple, "You can't wear metal strap watches with everything - if it is silver, you need silver jewellery... it just won't work!". He then kept showing me watches with really huge dials! Obviosuly the shop keeper and I had very different tastes! After pointing to various watches and going , "A bit like that, but in black or brown..." or "Similar to that, but a better brand..." and the classic, "Exactly like that - but with a date!"...

Eventually I saw my dream watch! It is a Lorus, has dark brown straps, a white dial with gold hands and the date. I was very happy with it!

Ofcourse when I came home, the first thing my mum asks me is , "Why didn't you get metal straps??". People seem to find it really hard to understand that I don't like metal straps on my watches!

However, the next day, someone I work with noticed my watch and said, "Is that a new watch?". The watch isn't all that fancy and to be honest it doesn't look all that different from my old Parklea Markets watch, so I was surprised that anyone had noticed. I said, "Yeah!!" and then my colleague said, "You know - that is my idea of the perfect watch!". She went on to point out the exact same things that I had looked for in a watch!

What is your ideal watch? (Obviously one that tells you the time...:P)

On a similar note, have you guys seen the new kind of watches that are out??? They have REAALLYYY huge straps and dials.... and have the dial sort of built into the the straps - you know what kind of watches I am talking about??? I just googled it - apparently they are called "cuff watches"- they look horrible!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Daddy going - AGAIN!

I will give a reward to anyone who can remember who came and who went over the last few weeks! It has been so hectic at our house! My dad is going back to India today. My grandpa will be leaving at the end of the week as well. THEN! In a month or so, my grandma is also thinking of going to India! I am trying hard to get my mum to leave as well, but that doesn't seem to be working...

Taking my dad to the airport today and so I decided to take the day off. I feel like I have taken a lot of time off recently! It stresses me out! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

In other news, research is going well. Hopefully I will be able to prove what I am seeing using two more methods - fingers double crossed for that! I also have a lab meeting with my spervisor this week (these come by quick!), which will hopefully go for more than 10minutes! I actually have stuff to "discuss" this time!

Some Vidya trivia for you...

I think this is funny - when you do a pubmed search for "Vasudevan V", you pick up a whole bunch of articles. Only one of which is mine (and that is not really that funny!:P). However, what is wierd about it is that while I work on a Cyclin-Dependant-Kinase-Like protein, there is another "Vasudevan V", who seems to be working on Cyclin-Dependant-Kinases.
That was a lot of useless information!

We (V?) Vasudevan's seem to be taking over the Phosphorylation Domains!! :P

Friday, March 10, 2006

*yawwnn*

I have been sooo sleepy over the last few days. It is not like I haven't been getting enough sleep though. About two days ago, I had to come home early because I was just feeling extremely tired and nauseus. I came home at 11ish, went straight to bed and didn't get up till 3ish. Then I went back to sleep around 9 and woke up at 7:30 the next morning.

I thought I was a bit better yesterday. I came home early today because I wanted to spend some time with my dad, but by 4pm I was sooo tired that I just dozed off. At around 7:30 my grandma woke me up - I couldn't beleive that I had been asleep for that long! I had slept through everything that happened in my house and I am usually not a sound sleeper!

It is nearly 8pm now and I am ready to get back to sleep! I feel a bit of a head cold coming on and am feeling extremely tired.

As House would say , "Differential Diagnosis People!". Tash has already suggested that maybe it is TB or Malaria - both of which are pretty cool diseases medically. It would beat having something boring like an iron difficiency - but the former two might be a little bit more painful though and I don't think I can afford to get too sick this year...

It is just that I don't really want to see my Doctor because I don't actually feel "sick" just "tired"... Maybe if I continue to feel this way I will drag myself to the Doctor's surgery.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Wishing Yumna dearest a very Happy 23rd Birthday!!!

Hip Hip HOORAY!
Hip Hip HOORAY!
Knee Knee - Who Ray??
No... it's Yumna...

(It must be the fantastic Pizza that i had that is making me this crazy!) :D

I hope you had a beautiful day:D

Friday, February 24, 2006

Daddy come, Daddy go... and Daddy come again!

I have to drop my dad off at the airport tomorrow morning at 5am. He is going back to India! His trip was cut short by a week by some steeewwwpid meeting. IBM sucks! Very annoyed at present.

Well, that was the bad news. Now for the good news.

He will be back home again next Monday to resume his holiday! Once the meeting is finished, he said he will stay back and finalise a few things then come back and stay for an extra two weeks or so.

(Still annoyed with IBM mind you!)

He was originally only going to go back to India for A DAY! Can you believe that? India is like in a different continent! Both my brother and I said, "Appa... honestly, we can tell IBM that you are not worth that much!". It is silly to make someone travel 1000s of kms just for a single meeting - especially in the days of video conferencing! Does anyone else see a major flaw in their planning?? Do you all agree that IBM is stupid???

As a result of all this, I just know that some day I am going to become an over protective, over bearing parent!

(Just for the record, I have blogged on this page for a year and 14 days :D. I have blogged in total (minus the lapses), for about 2 years and 4 months! Pretty good!!)

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Time on my Hands...

All of a sudden, I seem to have all this time on my hands! I don't know where all this time was before! I am still at the hospital for as long as I used to be. I am still doing stuff for the same social groups and yet I find that I have a lot of time to do things I want. A change in attitude or personality perhaps?

A couple of days ago I was feeling extremely lucky - a bit like the opposite of when I was drowning myself in self pity really. I am doing all the things I want to do. I realised that I am at a point in my life when I can do what I want. I am studying what I want and love my work and my work mates. I can come home and watch TV, play games and read books. I don't have to worry about anything - cooking, cleaning, washing, paying bills... THAT IS LUCKY!

I have also realised that I can now do all those things I have wanted to do but couldn't either because I was too lazy to make the effort, or did not have the "time". When I joined the gym last year, I didn't think that I would keep to it. Yet, it has made me realise that if you actually get off your backside, you can make time for MANY things! Last week I decided to join a "Kathak" class. Not because I want to perform or anything like that, but because I know I am too old to learn anything professionally now. However, I enjoyed it and its nice to be able to do something you enjoy.

I feel like I am living the life that I want and I want to enjoy it while I can because I know that this won't last forever. I am not being pessimistic - just realistic.

So why was I indulging in self pity????

Sunday, February 19, 2006

On my desk...

I feel like writing but don't have anything to say!

So here is some useless information...

Books currently on my desk:

"Execution" by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan. I have no idea what this book is about. I used it yesterday while palying Cluedo to have something to lean on...

"Mumbai - Tourist Guide and Map". I got this from the lovely people at Grant Hyatt, Mumbai. They did their best to make me feel at home. "Thane" is pronounced "Tha-ney" not "Thain"!!!

"A Malgudi Ominibus" - R.K. Narayan. I still haven't started reading it!

"Cloudstreet" by Tim Winton. I was halfway through this book, then I lost it. I found it again yesterday!!

"Oliver Twist" Charles Dickens. I don't think I will ever be able to read it fully - it is tooooo depressing!!

Other Random things on my Desk:

Gold Coast Postcard - Yumna sent it to me!
My Hospital Swipe card - should put it in my bag before I forget!
My wallet - Should put that in my bag too
My phone - I don't think it works anymore!
An almost empty tube of "Fair and Lovely".
Tissue Box
Almost dry Metallic Markers
Bottle of Water
An empty journal that was a birthday present from two years ago.
Scissors
Lots of Pens that probably don't work.
Hair slides
A mouse that I should connect to my laptop.
A few credit card bills (PAID!!)

Hmm... So what does this say about me??? It says that I should clean up my desk!

Monday, February 13, 2006

3 times in 4 days!

YAAYY!!! Everyone is home!! It is great to have everyone back at home!

Rama arrived on Friday, then my Dad on Sunday and Srini on Monday! This means that I have been to airport 3 times in the last 4 days!

I love the airport. When we used to live in Fiji, my dad would take the three of us to Nadi airport. My brothers used to love watching the planes land and take-off. After watching the planes for a bit, my dad would buy us a little treat. I would go for chocolate (Milky Bars or a Crunchie Bar) while my brothers would buy icecream. Now, I just buy myself a hot chocolate and almost always burn my tongue. (:P <- see!)

I love watching people at the airport - especially at Arrivals. I can remain amused for hours just watching people meet and greet. Departures is always more depressing though.

Yesterday, as I was waiting for my dad to arrive, I realised just how multicultural Sydney is. You know Sydney is multicultural when you can't distinguish the visitors from the residents. People from all sorts of countries were there and almost all of them were met by Australians.

I hope I won't have to go back to the airport for a while now though because the next time I go it will mean saying "Bye" rather than "OI! HERE!!!" (followed by a frantic above-the-head wave).

On another note: Is anyone else upset by yesterday's cricket as much as I am?? Come on Sri Lanka! I am counting on you guys for tomorrow!!! Lanka Lanka Lanka - OI OI OI!

Friday, February 10, 2006

A productive day!

I said:

"What is it about empty cardboard boxes that compels people to place them over their heads??"

"I may as well get excited about binding other people's thesis, as I will probably never have one of my own to get excited about!" (BTW - if I ever publish a thesis, it is going to be black with gold embossing.)

I learnt:

I wrote the following on a piece of cardboard that I put through the photo developer yesterday: "This is NOT a piece of film!".

There are two sides to plain A4 paper - a side that will curl up once it has passed through a printer, and a side that won't! Did you all know that??? It is a piece of knowledge that has truly revolutionised my way of life forever! (A bit like when I first discovered that it is often better to draw graphs on landscape rather than protrait. Or like when I was taught how to re-use latex gloves... or how to find the centre of a page by folding it in half before placing it in the hole puncher thingy...)

Thoughts:

People who care, often show that they do by pretending not to care.

I am ashamed to admit that I have been indulging in far too much self pity lately - sometimes I need to reminded as to just how lucky I am! The world is how you see it.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

The day the neighbours stopped by...

My title is just keeping with the style of my previous title... As it suggests, our neighbours from when we were living in Fiji stopped by last night. They have moved to Canberra from Auckland and decided to spend the night at our house. It was really lovely to catch up. I haven't seen them since I left Fiji!

I was speaking to our neighbour's daughter-in-law today and she was telling me how it was so good to just have someone to talk to. She is from India and got married about two years ago and moved to Auckland. She was telling me how apart from her in-laws, there wasn't that many people to converse with. Now that she has moved to Canberra, apart from her husband and her 1 year old, there was really noone for her to talk with.

I was wondering how I would be if I was to take on the role of a housewife in a country where I had noone! I would find it very hard to meet people if it wasn't for things like work and uni. I would probably have a lot of acquaintances but I think it would be really hard for me to talk to strangers. It would be terrible!

I then started thinking about times when I have spoken to strangers. Usually it is because I have to - like when I was in Sweden, or because strangers have spoken to me. I don't see myself as someone who is unapproachable but I find that I can extremely hesitant to break the ice with even the most approachable of people. I don't know why it is because often with strangers you have nothing to lose! I can't start conversations... but I find it hard to end them as well!

I am going to the cricket tomorrow!!! Watch out for me on the telly!!! (RSA vs AUS at the SCG)!! Let me know if you will be there!!! SOOO EXCITED!!!