This brought a smile to my face — kids are so cute. I am glad that I know who I am going to marry. But this was very cute and I needed something to bring a smile to my face. Its been a busy day of planning stuff and getting things done (passing out invites as well as researching hotels for my friends) so I am a bit burned out. Week and half and I will be in Delhi. Off to Chicago tomorrow morning with the family to see the relatives and pass out the invites some more.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

Its almost Thursday!!! These days I am just waiting for the weekend so that I am able to sleep in. The days and nights are just flying because I am staying sooo busy.

I am in one of those moods to just post anything and everything that pops into my mind….soooooooo…here we go.

Anuj Sharma is out of Indian Idol:!: Go Karunya:!:

As we speak of shows, Mandira Bedi is also going to be out of Deal Ya No Deal:!: Another good news

We also watch the Deal Or No Deal (American version), and there was a desi that was on — total lunatic but took home a whopping $375,000:!:

If I had $375,000 I would buy my parents and Neeraj’s parents a brand new home, a new car, and take a world tour — full family which would include my family and Neeraj’s family.

But afsoos, mere paas toh $100K bhi nahi hai.

Neeraj aur main bahut jald usko par kar denge.

Can’t wait to come to India and go to one of the great restaurants in Jaipur and Mumbai.

These days Neeraj isn’t able to watch the India vs. England cricket matches, so he had bought the CricInfo radio subscription.

Today he got an email that said that due to unforeseen circumstances they had to shut down the radio commentary. Now they are giving some 3 month subscription to an online magazine

I told Neeraj to write back to them and ask for the money to be returned. Who is going to read the online magazine??

We are writing a letter to the Immigration people to reschedule Neeraj’s green card interview — pray for us that it works out.

Mumma leaves for India on Saturday. Am going to miss her sooo much. But I know if she goes she will make sure that a lot of my work for the marriage will be completed.

She will be the first person in our family to try the new direct flight to Delhi which reaches in 14 hours 40 minutes.

We will find out from her once she reaches how it is as the rest of the family will also be flying the same airline.

We are taking our GSM Nokia mobiles to India this time. I had to call my cellular carrier (Cingular) to get the unlock code for my mobile, and she gave me the 9 steps that I need to do after putting in the local SIM in India.

Its something like “Press * four times, press # three times, etc…” Kind of odd that you have to go through 9 steps pressing the same time of buttons, but whatever.

These days the airlines are so strict with baggage weight, we have to weigh them on a scale prior to leaving for the airport. So that’s what I am helping Mumma do tomorrow.

Two and half more weeks left:!: YAAAAHOOOOOOOOOO India here we come :!: :!:

Deshwaasiyon get ready — kyon ke N and P aa rahe hain.
Abhi ke liye itna hi…hum aayenge ek break ke baad.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

Hope that those in India celebrated this day with lots of josh! As the rest of us Indians abroad had to go to work.

Today I am in the mood just to write snippets….nothing huge and burdening on my mind. So this is random on what’s happening in NP.com’s world. Enjoy:!:

“Jiya Dhadak Dhadak” from the movie Kalyug and “Say Na Say Na” from Bluffmaster have a special part in Neeraj and my hearts

That’s all for now.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

The week just passes by so quickly and again the weekend is here. For us weekend starts on Thursday night because I don’t work on Friday.

Two weekends left before the engagement:!: AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH….so much to do.

At first I didn’t like watching Celebrity Fame Gurukul, but now that its ending today, I have started liking it. I would have to agree with Neeraj when he says that its kind of dumb that none of the actors can even get close to singing a note in tune. That makes kind of listening to the songs a bit painful, but we survived. I hope that Tanaaz or Jayatia wins:!:

We are going to Chicago tomorrow once again as my laptop is giving us troubles. Shall also head over to Devon as we will be close by.

Otherwise not much else is going on in life. We want to a buy a new car, which we will do once Neeraj’s job is fully secure.

Everything seems to be going well for the Indian team in cricket. They are leading the series with Sri Lanka 5-1 and Neeraj is enjoying listening to the audio commentary on the net.

Its slowly getting colder and colder here, but let’s hope it stays like this and doesn’t snow before the engagement.

Congrats to Kunal saab:!: His marriage is in early December. Mr. and Mrs. Kunal Sheth will do the honors and be present in our wedding — can you believe it??

There are no good hindi movies to look forward to for the end of this year. I don’t know about you all but I thought this year was a bummer for movies. Nothing exciting at all:!: Can’t wait for Kabhi Alvidaa Naa Kehna.

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

Urvish has tagged me twice, and don’t want him to think that I have forgotten. Indu, Urvish, and Kaush all had tagged me for the same post which I shall post later.

Here is the newest tag on hotspots.

You have to name three of your hotspots (things that make you angry/upset). It took me a while to think of mine, but here it is:

Dr. Uncle and Aunty came by for a surpise visit on Monday morning. They are from Chicago, and we hardly get to see them, but in the past month they have stopped over at our place twice! Dr. Uncle is great and always brings good logical questions/puzzles to do.

Here is the latest one he brought on Monday. First one to solve both problems correctly will get a prize!

1. You went to a zoo where they had some birds and some animals. you asked the zookeeper how many birds and animals the zoo has. The zookeeper said we have 30 heads and 100 feet. So how many birds and animals do they have?

2. You are given $100 to buy 100 animals. Each cow is $10, each pig is $3, and each chicken is 50 cents. You have to buy atleast one of each animal - and the seller will pay the tax.

Good luck!

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

If there is one thing you could change about your personality what would it be?

What would your answer be?

I would try to control my anger. I have a short temper, which I have gotten from my Papa, that I want to learn to control. At times, I feel that I am doing a better with it, but then I see myself reverting back to my old self. I get angry with Neeraj on things that he can’t control, and then its only time later that I realize what a mistake I made. Why do I do such things? I know better than that, but still I am just not able to control it. The ultimate goal that I have for myself is to be totally patient and not get hyper or upset on any matter, even those where my feelings are being hurt.

When I am angry, I just can’t let go of it until I am fully satisfied. An apology doesn’t cut it for me but knowing the fact that the mistake won’t happen again is when I feel better. My temper gets me into trouble, and I hate it.

I want to improve, and I know that Neeraj will definitely help me with that. I wish it could be something that happens overnight, but changing a part of your personality isn’t as easy as one thinks.

So what would you change and why?

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.

After a long time, I am finally posting today. Lots of things have happened in the past two weeks including good news.

Here are some news from my side.

As Poonam was enjoying with her parents, I was busy reading a novel by Dan Brown called The Digital Fortress. It was so interesting, that I could not resist myself from reading so I finished the book in a span of five days. There were over 140 chapters and over 360 pages. I was very impressed with Poonam’s choice as she had given me the novel when she had come to India in December 2004. The novel is a techno-thriller about National Security Agents (NSA) in USA, and they came across a mysterious code as an unbreakable algorithm but later on they find out it is a serious virus in their invincible code breaking machine. Its a great book from the same author who wrote The Da Vinci Code, and I highly recommended everyone to read The Digital Fortress. Feedback about The Da Vinci Code will be given by Poonam as she is currently reading that novel.

India vs. Pakistan. It was a very good if I would have written by post last week only as India had won the match. Today, I am writing the post and India has lost badly. The performance by the Indians was very disappointing, and I felt that they were not able to play with their mind because they didn’t understand what the situation is demanding. They lost their wickets so early and so the match was gone out of their hands. The Indian batting lineup is really experienced, but they had played like newcomers to the game. I was not impressed at all with the Pakistani bowlers, though it was decent. The majority of the mistakes were made by the Indian team. Anyway, let’s move forward with the series. I have a bet with my TL (team leader) and I am favoring India’s win so now the competition is getting really tough. Talent is not the issue with the Indian team, its that they don’t play with their minds so let’s hope that there is improvement in the next match!

At my work, now these days I do not have too much work. Right now working on one enhancement request given by the client and I have more than enough time to complete it. But this phase is just transient and I guess in June I will be having lots of work again. Well I don’t have any problem with too much work but this time I worry about it because in next two months I do have many other things in my to-do list such as taking a driving couple, visa’s stuff, preparation for GMAT etc.

I am going to start learning driving in the last week of April, will take a training school nearby in Hiranandani.

Thanks for all your suggestions regarding the books and study material for GMAT. I had a glimpse on KAPLAN’s book, it seemed to be good and after listening to all of you, I am going to take it for me and Poonam.

I am eagerly waiting for the call of my visa. I have already gone for police clearance ceritificate (near CST station here in Mumbai) and am about to prepare a list of all the documents to be ready by the time.

I hope time should go faster than ever before because of so many things I have to aim at doing in the next few weeks.

Lastly Poonam and I would like to wish Mona as her birthday is on 11th April. Wishing you a day filled with lots of happiness and joy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mona!!!!!!!