Sea World

Sea World, San Diego
This place is a few hours drive from home. We drove to this place and upon entering the parking lot, we found out that certain rides and shows were cancelled for the day due to maintenance work. Disappointed, we proceeded however.

First we saw the sea lion. At every feeding point (sea lions, bat ray, dolphin etc) there would be a counter where they sell food for these animals (small fish) which we can buy and feed the animals. We just watched others feed.



We went to see the Bat rays, eels and the stars of the sea. These are our palm sized star fishes in different colours. They look like stones. You can close you fingers ,lift them and place on top of your hand. After about a minute, they cling to your hand. Only then do you realise that they are living creatures. We took one in hand and took pictures. The water was damn freezing and I couldnt hold it until it changed shape. My husband held one for a while and it clung to his hand. But by that time, his palm started freezing. Then we left the star fish back in the pond, washed our hands and moved on. We went into the fresh water aquarium and watched the varied species of fishes.We saw orange coloured beautiful flamingos in the Flamingo Cove.
There was a ride called Shipwreck rapids. It was not so thrilling but an enjoyable one.


We had lunch in a cafe over there. I managed to get a Burger and chocolate drink. My husband got some kind of fish. Then we went to the Shamu show. I thought these to be large dolphins but later realised they were whales and dangerous creatures too. All of these black and white animals have the stage name "Shamu". The show was fantastic and we were amazed at how well these were trained. Unfortunately a few weeks later, one of these whales in a different Sea World location killed it's trainer. We were shocked to hear the news. You can search the net for "Shamu" and will get lot of information. Here is one such link.



We saw a short 4 D movie at the Mission Bay 4 D theatre. It was about Sesame Street titled "Lights, Camera, Imagination". The kids would love it. There was also a play area called as the Bay of Play based on Sesame street characters having rides for kids. We also went to the Shark Encounter, where varieties of shark are found. A lot of information boards are kept around the place having interesting details about sharks.

We then headed to the Penguin Encounter. They really looked like dolls. There was also ride to the Wild Artic. The Beluga Interaction where you can see white whales, polar bears and walruses living in the artificial snow world. I pity them, as why should they be fooled throughout their lives for our entertainment.


There were few other shows we missed because of the specific timings. And one nice ride was not functioning. As it started getting dark, we too started back towards the entrance. We saw a rainbow. I was too happy as I'm seeing one after so long. Overall the trip was informative, not too entertaining. It is mostly for the kids who would have a great time.

Please go through more photos below: http://picasaweb.google.com/tamilarasanramya/SeaWorld#

I - a universe of atoms; an atom in the universe.

The following are the words from Richard P Feynman quoted from the book "What do you care what other people think?" I liked them , so sharing with you.

The imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man. For instance, how much more remarkable it is for us all to be stuck - half of us upside down - by a mysterious attraction to a spinning ball that has been swinging in space for billions of years.

There are the rushing waves
mountains of molecules
each stupidly minding its own business
trillions apart
yet forming white surf in unison.
Ages on ages
before any eyes could see
year after year
thunderously pounding the shore as now.
For whom, for what?
On a dead planet
with no life to entertain.
Never at rest
tortured by energy
wasted prodigiously by the sun
poured into space.
A mite makes the sea roar.
Deep in the sea
all molecules repeat
the patterns of one another
till complex new ones are formed.
They make others like themselves
and a new dance starts.
Growing in size and complexity
living things
masses of atoms
DNA, protein
dancing a pattern ever more intricate.
Out of the cradle
onto dry land
here it is
standing;
atoms with consciousness;
matter with curiousity.
Stands at the sea,
wonders at wondering : I
a universe of atoms
an atom in the universe.

My school day memories and siblings

While I was talking to my first sister a few days back, she was saying how we became close after we grew up. She even teased me saying she wouldn't ever forget those days when she had to sit behind me while I rode my cycle (a maroon Ladybird) and the numerous occasions when I used to pinch her and shout at her as I rode to school or back home.

I was in my 7th std and she in 2nd std. I had a big bag on my back, she used to sit behind it. Now if I think of it, I feel that she must have been a poor tiny thing trying to find some place in the back seat (there was no seat, just a steel carrier). And she too used to have a bag of her own. She must have been in pain and discomfort too. Then our lunch bags went in to the front basket. Our home was very near by; may be 10 min by cycle, but it seemed forever to reach home due to the luggage and hot weather. I really don't remember why I used to pinch her, but I used to have a very bad temper those days. Probably in the mornings, she must have been late or in the evenings she would'nt adjust and give me enough space. Whatever was the reason, I have to ask her forgiveness for those "loss of temper and pinching her" moments. I was too young; but she was younger than me which I never understood that time.

We also had many days when we used to take the bus or walk home. Those days we used to have "Pepsi Ice" or those honey filled sweets "Thean Mittai". The Pepsi ice was 50 or 75 paise and thaen mittai 5 or 10 paise a piece. We didn't get much pocket money but we used to buy some once a while and relish and also fight as to who had the max.
Those days, there was no aqua guard or can water. Metro water used to be boiled in a vessel at home and then cooled, sometimes filtered and used for drinking. So after a hot day, and riding the cycle with my sister behind me, we would come home to find that the water is still hot. That would be the end of my little patience; I used to shout at my mother for not having cold water ready, and I would be in tears out of anger. The other thing for which I would loose temper was when my mother offered me rice and curry after school instead of tiffin which was my favourite.

Prior to the cycle days, when I was in fifth std, my mom used to come by bus, and pick us both and took us home by bus for a few days after which we learnt to go on our own. Those bus days, our dad used to drop us in the mornings. We had free Govt bus passes.

Somehow, mom never could give us lunch in the morning itself. So she used to come in the lunch break and give us food in those typical lunch bag (plastic moulded coloured baskets with a lunch towel and spoon) or dad would leave the bag with the watchman while he went to office. It was my sister's turn to take the lunch and come to my class(u see I was the elder :)). She used to join us with my friends. I used to blast her some days for being late. (Now I realise she was too small and did not deserve such treatment). She says even to this day that she was never once angry with me for not treating her right those days; she just wondered why akka is behaving that way. But she was a younger kid than us and my friends used to be friendly to her, some used to tease her too. We weren't close then, we were typical siblings.

After a few years, my other sister came to our life and there is this year that I would never forget. The year when we 3 were in the same school. I was in 12th, one in 7th and the last in 1st. I used to drive the TVS 50 by now (junior license), kutti sister in front; she used to stand and the other one behind and all our bags. As usual, mom used to bring lunch, feed the kutti one while we ate(most memorable). We four used to sit on the play ground. (It was the only year when I did not have lunch with my friends). And on teacher's day, I went to both their classes as their teacher. It was a good experience. The 12th stds would act as teachers on that particular day and we had to wear saree.

All my friends will remember my first sis and some my second sis, coz for any information regarding their studies, I would be called. I used to pay their fees as they were too young to handle money.

Later they grew up, got their own cycles, or walked home or took the bus. They had their own lives and similar instances between them. In fact they both are now in the "just siblings" stage. Life will give them more experiences and they both too will someday become more closer to each other as I'm to each of them now. Years have passed by since I left school but the above memories are precious and I cherish them. Now my sisters have grown up and are very close to me. We are not just siblings; we share a special relationship and hope we will continue this forever. Cheers to my sisters!!

Oh, I'm a victim of your sweet talk and good lies!

Those are the lyrics of some song but I felt how apt it is sometimes. How we trust people and treat them as friends but later discover that they do complain, crib and talk behind our backs. I really don't understand this - if they don't like you, why should they try to be sweet and nice to you, trying to catch up with your life. In those moments, we think, oh my God, how sweet the person is, with whom we have shared close times, is trying to be concerned about our lives. And we tend to be true and frank but later we realize that they don't agree with our opinion. It is okay if they do not agree. Each one has a different perspective and has a right to have. But going and telling someone else that our view is wrong or their view is right or complain about us is certainly not sane behaviour.

But we still love and live b'coz we were friends once. We again and again do the same mistake, being frank and feeling warm while talking to such people and feeling hurt when discovering what they talk about us later.

I think you are my friend and Oh, I'm a victim of your sweet talk and good lies!

More College Nostalgia

The last post received good response. Everybody could relate themselves somehow. So here are some more moments of nostalgia.

Awaiting for a break to rush to the coffee outlet and grab a cup of coffee.
Taking turns to xerox all study material.
Getting caught for some stupid reason and the whole class writes an apology letter.
Paying fines for being late, as a whole class for some silly thing.
Change of building and parking lots.
How we always planned trips and never worked it out.
Field Trip to Tidel Park.
Lucknow trip for Quality Circle Convention.
Leo Club meetings.
How my friend's mobile was seized and she retrieved it after final year only.
How people used to stand outside Princi's room late hours.
So many days of wearing saree and a day of half saree. - There was no dress code for our batch.
Numerous photo sessions.
How the boys got caught for playing holi.
Buying birthday gifts from DOK's dollar shop
Treats around our college area.
Copying so much lab observations, records and assignments.
Sample classes by new lecturers.
Seminars
Alumni Association Initiation - All girls bought same kind of saree.
Sad Ending to our Farewell Party.

Please add more to this list whatever you remember... :)

Gals Grow Up !!!

Recent developments amongst my girl friends inspired me to write this post. Guys, I m sure this post would n't make any sense to you :) .
Back in college first year, friendships formed on where we found our seats, how we met up on Day 1, who will sit next to whom, who they decide to share their secrets with, their lifestyles, how they dress up, common interests so on. Some used to hang out with the other in station or bus stops to wait for the other to get their train or bus. Sometimes two or more would plan and wear the same colour dress or buy same pattern of dresses. Some were close enough that the mothers would pack up an extra lunch or buy the friend too a dress after a vacation. Some stayed at other person's house just for fun or in the pretext of group study. Outings would be planned as a gang, but people would pair up on reaching the destination which would irritate a few others. Lot of petty fights - who would stand next to whom in a group photo or why din't you tell me first or why did you spend time with her or why dint you buy me that gift so on. By end of Year 4 of engineering, lot of things happened. Possesiveness prevailed amongst the gang, there was no Gang effect achieved. Inspite of the efforts of few members of the gang, there were individual friendships formed. The "GANG" remained a namesake.

After engineering and as years passed by, everything was changing. People who were not close became close; and thickest of friends had problems in understanding each other. Some became dormant and cut off from other - no one knew what goes on in their lives. Some worked together in the same company but instead of becoming more closer, that made their friendship worser with no one to blame but office gossips going around. Some became closer with just email contacts; some catching up over the phone once a while. It takes years to know who your true friends are. We grow up as individuals and experiences teach us to see our friends lives in a different perspective too. What we thought they did was wrong back then seem perfectly fine now and vice versa.

Even though each one strived to keep their secrets within just their close friends, the rest of the gang eventually would come to know. After all, we were girls and were friends. Secrets such as their crushes, friends and boy friends, getting jobs, when they are getting engaged, break offs if any, when they are marrying, who they are marrying.. the list goes on. The latest in the list is being pregnant. Pregnancy is such a nice thing and discovering that you are on the way to be a mom is a happy moment. To share this life changing event with girl friends is the best thing to do. But what's happening is some try to hide it, some let a few know and the few who know try to show off with the others that they know first or they keep it as a big secret. How does it matter who became pregnant first or who came to know first about the new joy. But some do seem to make it a big deal. :(

So I just have to say this to them: Gals grow up..!! We were friends coz we are here to help each other, empathise and lend a listening ear to sorrows and joys. To make life easier. There isn't any jealousy involved here. So what if you are pregnant..or your marriage is fixed or anything of that sort, let your friends know. They will be more than happy for you. And to the people who know the secret - we don't care if you knew first. Coz we too know now through some other way.

What are girl friends for if they are not when commitments happen, or relationships break off, taking part in the weddings, sharing daily life events, sharing most wonderful phase changes of life, understanding the other's feelings... and friendship is not certainly to gossip about others, or wondering about the other's life or showing off that they know something first; or to probe what's going on in their life or passing rumours or chatting to get information or just inviting others to every damn irrelevant functions just as a formality!! If you are a friend, you will get to know direct from the person. And if you are the one who came to know first, let the others know in a nice way. Don't ruin friendships.

Here is the nice forward I received. Dedicated to all Girl friends in the world..

A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

Don't forget your girlfriends," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to
the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No
matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the
children you'll have, you are still going to need girlfriends. Remember
to go places with them now and then; do things with them. And remember
that "girlfriends" are not only your friends, but your sisters, your
daughters, and other relatives too. You'll need other women. Women
always do.

What a funny piece of advice,' the young woman thought. 'Haven't I just
gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake, a grownup, not a young girl who needs girlfriends! Surely my husband and the family we'll start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother; she kept contact with her girlfriends
and made more each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she
gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was
talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries
upon a woman, girlfriends are the mainstays of her life. After 50 years
of living in this world, here is what I know about girlfriends:

Girlfriends bring you curry when you need help.

Girlfriends keep your children and keep your secrets.

Girlfriends give advice when you ask for it. Sometimes you take it, sometimes you don't. Girlfriends don't always tell you that you're right, but they're usually honest.

Girlfriends still love you, even when they don't agree with your choices.

Girlfriends laugh with you, and you don't need canned jokes to start the
laughter.

Girlfriends pull you out of jams. Girlfriends help you get out of bad relationships.

Girlfriends help you look for a new apartment, help you pack, and help
you move.

Girlfriends will give a party for your son or daughter when they get
married or have a baby, in whichever order that comes!

Girlfriends are there for you, in an instant and when the hard times come.

Girlfriends listen when you lose a job or a friend.

Girlfriends listen when your children break your heart.

Girlfriends listen when your parents' minds and bodies fail.

Girlfriends support you when the men in your life let you down.

Girlfriends help you pick up the pieces when men pack up and go.

Girlfriends rejoice at what makes you happy, and are ready to go out and
kill what makes you unhappy.

Times passes. Life happens. Distance separates.

Children grow up. Love waxes and wanes.

Hearts break. Careers end. Jobs come and go. Parents die.

Colleagues forget favours. Men don't call when they say they will.

BUT girlfriends are there, no matter how much time and how many miles
are between you.

A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach.

So my dear girl friends, please GROW UP and be a true Girl friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And to all the new moms to be, Congratulations and wishing you Good Luck. May God Bless You!