Execution

“Sadam did not get to see the dawn of Saturday morning,” – announced the BBC world precisely at 11:00 this morning. “He did not show any remorse or resistance prior to his execution”- the reporter describes in more detail. This news took me by complete surprise. Just in the morning I had read the bold headline in “Japan Times” “Saadam maybe be executed ‘within days’”….. but it did not say how soon…The news had also featured how Sadam’s Baath Party had threatened to retaliate if this ousted Iraqi leader was executed. Within few hours there was a BREAKING news of SADAM's Execution.

Sadam is executed. He deserves this for all the appalling crime he has committed. Now that the dictator is gone, there is one question lingering in everyone’s mind—Whether Iraq will step into the milestone by becoming democratic nation or will the country suffer even more. His hanging was filmed as proof of execution.— vvvery disturbing!! Even though, he was a bad person, watching him in front of gallows was very distasteful.

This will be an interesting event to remember at the end of this year. 2006 also holds a death of another powerful dictator, Alberto Pinochet. Another big year for the death of evil regime I suppose.

All is going well with me. I am enjoying the holidays with my parents and my brother. My little brother has become so tall—He is only 13 and he has grown so tall—taller than me and his voice is slowly cracking… He has become more cuter.

The weather is Tokyo is cold—but at least there is sunshine. It feels nice soaking up in the afternoon sun. It reminds me so much of Nepal. We have the Indian Channel at home and I along with my mum sort of have become addicted to the TV series. The sun and the Indian TV reminds me of the winter holidays back home.

One more day and it is the New Year. The biggest highlight in Japan this year is the birth of the new crown prince—the heir to the royal dynasty.

Soon it will be 2007— the new year which hopefully will bring peace and prosperity in everyone’s life. I pray for peace in Earth and peace back home.

Oh! Yes—I will get to welcome the New Year with Mt. Fuji. Hopefully, Fuji san will be bring me lots of luck this year.

The land of rising sun

Procrastination indeed is an art… which can be interpreted in any ways you want to.
For me, last few days have been mixture of both procrastination and jet lag.
I got in Tokyo late Friday night. The journey was simply too long.

My trip to Seattle was fun…except the RAIN!! It rained all the time. The place reminded my so much of Liverpool…. Dark and gloomy and rainnnnn. My cousin had planned to take me hiking to Mt. Rainer; unfortunately the frozen rain did not permit us to do so. Despite the crazy schedules of my cousins who are both doctors, I did manage to get a quick overview of the downtown Seattle and was amazed by the number of Starbucks café the city had. Starbucks has really has diffused the city!!

After two days in Seattle, I was off to Japan. To recollect the journey, I watched two movies and read 1/3 of the book by Suketu Mehta. People who have read this book have told me that it really feels like being a part of the busy and crowded Bombay and really, how true was that. I have never been to Bombay but I really feel I have visited part of Jogeswari slums. It is very unique and interesting book indeed.

As I stepped out from Narita and climbed in the bus, I saw the lights of the busy streets of the Tokyo as I had seen a year…. or I should say years ago. A memory explosion, an instant bridge between the precise moment and this one. As I walked around the city, I step on little pockets of memory treasure… the treasures of my high school days burst open and waft open its scents.. Such an amazing power it has.

The next morning, I got woken up by my excited parents. My parents recently moved to a new apartment. The new apartment is in the 8th floor and you can actually enjoy the beautiful view of Fuji san…. Mt. Fuji from our living window. The view is simply breath taking. My brother has also bought a binocular to watch Fuji san every morning.

I am still jet lagged. I wake up early in the morning and then go back to sleep again later in the morning. Yesterday, I watched the movie called OMKARA. Interesting movie…. modification of Shakespeare’s Othello. This is probably the 4th movie that I have seen based on Othello. The first one I have watched was in 1998. I had to read the book during my summer break of junior high school. Then we watched the movie Othello with Kenneth Branagh and Lauren Fishburne in our English class. Then in my sophomore year of college I watched “O” with Omar Epps and now the Hindi version.

It is around 9 in the evening and slowly I am feeling drowsy and sleepy and it is time for me to stop. We are still waiting for the broadband connection. The dial up is too slow. This might be my last blog of 2006. :)

Finally it is over!

Procrastination is a fine art, however, this time, it is not the reason for the absence blog.Even though school was over, I still needed to do some last minute things… paper, write ups and all.. Now everything, I mean everything is done for me. I am relieved. Well not relieved per se.. cause I still do not know my grades, but I am comforted by the fact that I do not need to go to the library. Such a nice feeling it is.

This weekend was nice. We had a brunch at Shailendra dai’s place. Yup! The same great menu- waffle, eggs and hash browns. Since Snajay, the Waffle man was not there, both Pras and I made the waffle which turned out to be GREAT. I also did little bit of cooking that day—actually; I did a whole lot of cooking for Mr. D that afternoon.

Sunday was a Raag day. Prasanna sang Raag Durga with a mixture of Bilambit Jhaptaal and Tin Taal. It was so soothing and so beautiful. I really have become a fan of Raag. It really gives you a peace of mind which is a must in your stressful schedule.There were also little boys performing that day. They must have been probably 5 or 6 years old and they were playing tabla-- the view was soo adorable. I could not help smiling looking at them perform their piece. It was amazing!!

Click here to see Raag Durga in Bilambit Jhap Taal Part I :- (Prasanna’s Raag )

Click here to see Raag Durga in Bilambit Jhap Taal Part II :- (Prasanna's Raag)

Click here to see Raag Durga in Tin Taal :- (Prasanna’s Raag)

Now, I am doing packing. It is not even half way done-------- I would be stressed, but I can't be bothered. I am off to Seattle tomorrow. I have an early flight. I will be staying with my cousin and her husband who I have not seen for almost 2 and half years. I am excited. Then on Thursday, I am off to Tokyo. I'm really looking forward to it. Both Prasanna and I, we were in Tokyo last summer, almost a year and a half ago. It was a short 5 days visit. This is the first long trip visiting my parents since I have been married.

My parents also moved into a new apartment last week. Another thing to look forward to. The only thing I am sad about is leaving Prasanna. Since the past few trips has always been with Mr. D, this was one is going to be boring and sad without him. I am already worried about who I am going to be sitting next to in the plane. I hate traveling aloneeee.

The other day, I went to the library and have checkedout couple of books to read. My list is too long and I managed to bring 5 ( not all of them from the list) books but I do not think that I am going to finish it all.

I am taking- Suketa Mehta’s –The maximum city, V.S. Naipaul’s Magic Seeds, Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen and last but not the least--- Palpasa café by Mr. Narayan Wagle. This is going to be bit hard for me since everything is s in Nepali. The vocabulary is very confusing but I am very resolute to read it.

Almost over

Semester is almost over for me. My exams are done. I had my Accounting presentation--- I should add the "FINAL" presentation yesterday. It was on pricing project-- the one where I had interviewed Prasanna. It feels such a relief. I still need to do couple of last minute things before I call it off. Yup! I still need to work in the library to finish the final editing of the paper-- Tomorrow thankfully is going to be the LAST day.. I mean ABSOLUTELY last day for this semster. Even though I try not to, one way or another, I always end up going to the library.I some how get more attuned in the library-- I suppose because of the environment.It is the final week and everyone is studying...leaving you feeling guilty if you don't. I get more things done at the library as oppose to any other places. It works perfectly... no phone, no internet...and quiet!!!

After our accounting class which ended at 10:00 last night, we all went to the "6B" lounge in the downtown and everyone sort of celebrated the finishing of the semester by having champagne and wine.

It was a nice feeling. It was raining a little bit... the quiet rain and the mist that floats between worlds, that belongs to no one and nothing, that is the pause between one breath and the next.The humming of a Christmas song still lingers in my mind and no matter how cold it may be I always feel warm.

Reflective Journal

I have been doing the reflective Journal- my 15 page paper for International Business class for past couple of days. It is due tomorrow. This is sort of like a report -- or I should say company analysis of Nissan, the company I had worked during my Junior and Senior year of College. Nissan by far has been one of my best working experiences. The CEO Carlos Ghosn is really a true role model for this company.

I have lots to do, therefore,I shall stop it right here and bid Adieu for today!

Finals

I am in the midst of my Finals. School ended this week, however, since we have paper and group presentation, I still need to come to school. On top of that, I am behind my professor’s research. I really will not feel relief until the 14^th that is when everything will be DONE for me. Right now I am exhausted!

I have been in the library all day ( and I still am) - doing the accounting paper and trust me, it is very hard. It took me almost 8 hours to do all the questions and I still need to recuperate my energy to do the last few ones. My mind is tired and so is my body. I cannot wait for the school to be over.

Quickly I am going to recapitulate my weekend:

Saturday, after working on my paper for practically all day, we went to Mabi dai’s place for dinner. It was sort of a like a re-union dinner for us as we got to chitchat and re-connect with our old friends. It was really nice seeing Sworupa di, Somps dai and Sebs dijju. Lately, because of the school, I kind of have disconnected from the outside world as most of the time is spend buried with the book. It is not an excuse whatsoever, nevertheless, I still find hard to find time to do other stuff. I have wanted to go see “Casino Royale” for a long time… and still have not had the chance. I really hope I get to see the movie before it is out from the theatre.

Sunday was a good day for me .We went for a “MIMOSA BRUNCH” hosted by Omar and Christine, both my class mates from MBA. Omar lives in Northend and has a roof deck. Despite the chilly weather, it was a nice Sunday morning International brunch with all my friends. Meeting people invariably brings joy to me and I also learnt one new word that day, Mimosa- which means Orange juice and Champagne. That night we had the Yadav brothers over at our place for dinner. It is always so great to have their company.

On Tuesday, I found Christine’s long lost accounting book buried in one of the library shelves. I was doing some book research for my professor. She was happy—and told me I would have a good karma. Let’s see what my Karma holds and what it will bring. Professor Behnam's class got cancelled and we could not do our presentation... both good and bad. Since we had all worked so hard, it would have been since to get some extra points, good-- we all got the full points for that portion of the grade. I guess this was the so called Good karma for me.

Tuesday was one heck a day for me and I also missed the Victoria Secret fashion show which I was so much looking forward to watching it. sometimes, life takes a big plunge and you really not know what to expect.

This world is an aching void of need. I would disappear without so much as a ripple on the surface of that inky black nothingness, and there would be nothing left behind to mark my passing. Sometimeds, I just wish..