Herojit Rajkumar Singh, an exceptionally brilliant cadet, suffered serious injuries to his spinal cord in a flying accident during training in 2011. In a trend-setting gesture, the IAF, has retained him, though he is paralyzed waist downwards. He is now a Flight Lieutenant, perhaps the first such instance of a wheelchair-bound cadet being commissioned by any of the armed forces in the world.
Here is the story of Herojit by M P Anil Kumar.
"Even though the armed forces need to maintain a fit profile, not every soldier needs to be on the front; the organization has to deploy hundreds in the offices. That is, instead of throwing disabled soldiers to the wolves, they can be retrained for sedentary tasks, especially for the computer-driven workplace, and be made useful cogs in the organization," says Anil.
A prolific writer, Anil Kumar, was a former fighter pilot and is my friend and school-mate. He himself is a paraplegic, paralyzed neck downwards, since 1988.
Read about M P Anil Kumar here.
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Monday, 24 June 2013
Winners!
Hey Lovelies!
I have the winners for the giveaway that I was hosting! Thank you for everyone who entered, thank you for helping me celebrate. To those who didn't win, I'm sorry, but keep your eyes open I tend to do a lot of giveaways. I used Rafflecopter to host the giveaway, but Random.org is the program that chooses the winners. It takes the entries and randomly picks the winners! I'm going to be emailing the winners today. Then this week I'll be sending out the prizes! If for some reason the winners do not get back to me within a few days I might pick new ones.
Congrats to...
MaryJane
Shawn
Beverly
Mark
Shannon
Again congrats to the winners :)
I have the winners for the giveaway that I was hosting! Thank you for everyone who entered, thank you for helping me celebrate. To those who didn't win, I'm sorry, but keep your eyes open I tend to do a lot of giveaways. I used Rafflecopter to host the giveaway, but Random.org is the program that chooses the winners. It takes the entries and randomly picks the winners! I'm going to be emailing the winners today. Then this week I'll be sending out the prizes! If for some reason the winners do not get back to me within a few days I might pick new ones.
Congrats to...
MaryJane
Shawn
Beverly
Mark
Shannon
Again congrats to the winners :)
Friday, 21 June 2013
Irony of Obama's choice of Comey as FBI director
We are going to hear more about state surveillance on citizens in the coming days, with US President Barack Obama planning to nominate James Comey, a Republican, as the new director of FBI. He had been in the midst of the spying controversy right from 2004, when he was the deputy attorney general. During the Senate hearing for Comey's confirmation, in the coming months, he will in all probability be questioned about controversy.
In 2004, Comey had hit the headlines, when he refused to sign certain legal aspects of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance programme, initiated by George Bush. He was then serving as the acting attorney general since the incumbent, John Ashcroft, had been hospitalized. Ashcroft, too, refused pressures from White House aides, to endorse the programme. Later Bush intervened and the allowed the programme to run.
Obama has steadfastly defended the programme, while assuring the citizens that only certain generic data were collected and no one was actually listening to anyone's telephone conversations.
No government, of whichever party, anywhere in the world, will ever shut down surveillance. It's part of the police department's crime-prevention and law-enforcement procedures. Telephone tapping too has existed for many decades. So too privacy-intrusion concerns. Now, internet has increased manifold people-to-people contacts and, in the process, a lot of personal information are also more widely known than they ever used to be. So, we are just seeing a huge amplification of the age-old concern about privacy intrusion.
While Bush then, and now Obama in the US; and here the Indian government officials may argue that some amount of vigilance and surveillance is required to ensure the safety of citizens, the hullabaloo is over the seemingly inappropriate process used for surveillance. While the overriding concern of everyone continues to be their safety, the worry is whether governments are appropriating the right to pry into people's personal lives without the required legal and constitutional mandate. The objective may be legitimate but the process too needs to be.
In 2004, Comey had hit the headlines, when he refused to sign certain legal aspects of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance programme, initiated by George Bush. He was then serving as the acting attorney general since the incumbent, John Ashcroft, had been hospitalized. Ashcroft, too, refused pressures from White House aides, to endorse the programme. Later Bush intervened and the allowed the programme to run.
- Bush Intervened in Dispute Over N.S.A. Eavesdropping (NYT, May 16, 2007)
- Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Courts (NYT, Dec 16, 2005). Reporters James Risen and Eric Lichtblau won the Pulitzer Prize.
Obama has steadfastly defended the programme, while assuring the citizens that only certain generic data were collected and no one was actually listening to anyone's telephone conversations.
- Top secret rules allow NSA to use communication data without a warrant (Guardian, June 20, 2013)
- India’s surveillance project may be as lethal as PRISM (The Hindu, June 21, 2013)
No government, of whichever party, anywhere in the world, will ever shut down surveillance. It's part of the police department's crime-prevention and law-enforcement procedures. Telephone tapping too has existed for many decades. So too privacy-intrusion concerns. Now, internet has increased manifold people-to-people contacts and, in the process, a lot of personal information are also more widely known than they ever used to be. So, we are just seeing a huge amplification of the age-old concern about privacy intrusion.
While Bush then, and now Obama in the US; and here the Indian government officials may argue that some amount of vigilance and surveillance is required to ensure the safety of citizens, the hullabaloo is over the seemingly inappropriate process used for surveillance. While the overriding concern of everyone continues to be their safety, the worry is whether governments are appropriating the right to pry into people's personal lives without the required legal and constitutional mandate. The objective may be legitimate but the process too needs to be.
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Review ~ Arabelle's Shadow by Fleur Gaskin
Hey Lovelies!
Sorry that it has been awhile since I posted a review, but here is one, and I have a couple more to come! Here is a book that is based on a true story, Arabelle's Shadow by Fleur Gaskin:
Within us there is this evil voice hoping to pull you into the deep and dark side of gloom, it feeds off misery. Fleur Gaskin is an author who write a based on a true story about a model named Arabelle who is just struggling to not only to become famous as a model, but also just to survive. Arabelle had been battling against depression since she was little. Her home life was never good, which only grew worse as she got older. the constant yelling drove her to go travel as a model where she was traveling the world, meeting all sorts of different people that either helped quietened the evil Shadow or caused the voice to seem like it had a microphone. This is the perfect story for anyone who thinks they are alone and are in the need for hope.
For me this story was more like a three star story, however I believed because of the different style and her actual writing so that the readers who might not be able to relate are completely in Arabelle's head, feeling her pain as well. The book is told in present day and flashback from her childhood and when she is traveling more as a model, when the shadow was stronger. You can clearly tell by all the background knowledge that Fleur herself was a model, because the readers will understand how the modeling process works. I have a friend who has been battling an eating disorder for a few years now, and I had always told her that within all of us there is a deep dark voice, but it just for us to try to block it out, that it is sometimes louder for some than others. It was good to read Arabelle's Shadows to see that play out. This is a good book for anyone who is in search of the light at the end of the tunnel of struggle.
Sorry that it has been awhile since I posted a review, but here is one, and I have a couple more to come! Here is a book that is based on a true story, Arabelle's Shadow by Fleur Gaskin:
Within us there is this evil voice hoping to pull you into the deep and dark side of gloom, it feeds off misery. Fleur Gaskin is an author who write a based on a true story about a model named Arabelle who is just struggling to not only to become famous as a model, but also just to survive. Arabelle had been battling against depression since she was little. Her home life was never good, which only grew worse as she got older. the constant yelling drove her to go travel as a model where she was traveling the world, meeting all sorts of different people that either helped quietened the evil Shadow or caused the voice to seem like it had a microphone. This is the perfect story for anyone who thinks they are alone and are in the need for hope.
For me this story was more like a three star story, however I believed because of the different style and her actual writing so that the readers who might not be able to relate are completely in Arabelle's head, feeling her pain as well. The book is told in present day and flashback from her childhood and when she is traveling more as a model, when the shadow was stronger. You can clearly tell by all the background knowledge that Fleur herself was a model, because the readers will understand how the modeling process works. I have a friend who has been battling an eating disorder for a few years now, and I had always told her that within all of us there is a deep dark voice, but it just for us to try to block it out, that it is sometimes louder for some than others. It was good to read Arabelle's Shadows to see that play out. This is a good book for anyone who is in search of the light at the end of the tunnel of struggle.
Fleur Gaskin
Fleur Gaskin is from New Zealand. She was an international model for six years, working in over ten countries, mainly in Asia and Europe. She has been in TV commercials, walked on runways and appeared in many magazines including Elle, Marie Claire and Vogue.
She presently lives in Shanghai, China with her fiance
She presently lives in Shanghai, China with her fiance
Thursday, 13 June 2013
Dengue - of platelets and papaya leaf juice
My wife was recently diagnosed with dengue fever.
Medical literature says that you must suspect dengue if you have fever accompanied any two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash. But she didn't have any of them; only fever.
Her illness gave me an opportunity to learn about the disease. Here are some points. I have sourced the following from doctors and web pages of recognized health institutions.
(A diary of my wife's case is below the FAQs)
What is dengue?
It is a viral infection caused by the bite of a mosquito (female Aedes aegypti mosquito), which has previously bitten a dengue patient. The disease is transmitted this way: patient-mosquito-healthy person. The symptoms surface 3 to 14 days after the bite.
When should I suspect it could be dengue?
If you have fever that doesn't go with paracetamol tablets within 2 days, go to a doctor. You may or may not have other symptoms like headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rashes.
Is low blood platelet count, a sign of dengue?
As a first test, doctors order a blood test. The result would give lot of clues on why you have fever. A drop in platelet count could be a sign of dengue. The normal range is between 1.5 lakh and 4 lakh. But a drop in platelet count is no confirmation of dengue, as the count drops with any infection. So, a specific test for dengue is ordered.
After dengue is confirmed, with the specific test, the disease is monitored by looking at the count of the platelets. Typically, in a dengue patient, the platelet count keeps dropping. How fast and how much depends on many factors like immunity of the person and the severity of the attack.
Blood platelets help the blood to clot. When the count drops, there's a risk of bleeding. So patients are advised even not to brush teeth, because the gums could bleed. There are also dangers of internal bleeding.
The platelet count is monitored every 24 hours. But once the count goes below 50,000, every 12 hours the count is checked. Doctors won't let the count drop. Once it reaches a threshold level -- around 15,000 to 20,000, or even 25,000 -- platelets are injected.
Once the infection is out of the body, the platelet count starts increasing: at first slowly and then rapidly. The rate depends on the general health of the patient.
Is dengue dangerous, fatal?
If detected and treated early it is not. There is no need for panic or fear. A severe form of dengue can be dangerous, and even fatal without early medical intervention. So don't ignore the flu-like symptoms. Visit a doctor.
What is the cure for dengue?
There are no medicines for dengue. Doctors give medicines for the symptoms; and intravenously administer fluids. Patients are told to have plenty of fluids, like water and fruit juice; and have normal food. Nausea and vomiting reduces food intake; and that, combined with the infection, makes the patient weak. The infection lasts about a week. Even after fever is gone, the patient takes about one or two weeks to recover from the tiredness. Fluids, and more fluids, is the only way out.
How beneficial are papaya leaves?
Word has gone around that pomegranate and papaya; and the juice taken out of crushed pomegranate skin, papaya and neem leaves are said to be good for generation of platelets. Doctors merely advise patients to have any fruit. Though benefits of pomegranate and papaya have been well known, the benefits of papaya leaf juice is a new development.
People who have taken papaya leaf juice have spoken of dramatic rise in blood platelet count: for example, from 30,000 to 2 lakh; and from 80,000 to 3.5 lakh, within 24 hours. In Kerala, I am told that not just ayurvedic doctors, but allopathic doctors too, are advising patients to have the papaya leaf juice. I was advised by a couple of nurses to give the juice to my wife. I am also told that tender papaya leaves are being sold at a premium in Kerala.
In the hospital where my wife was being treated, a patient was being given papaya leaf juice right from day one. But that didn't help much, it looks like, since her platelet count went down to 15,000 and she had to be administered platelets twice. But after she was cured of the infection, the count went up dramatically fast: from 55,000 to 1,30,000.
There is no well-validated and documented scientific backing for this. It's merely an anecdotal evidence. Allopathic doctors are not very forthcoming in giving any credence to this. Ayurvedic doctors say there is an urgent need to research thoroughly the correlation.
Doctors say once the virus is out of the body and the infection is over, the platelet count will naturally increase with normal food. But most patients tend to have lot of pomegranate and papaya, as part of the diet; and some go a step further and include the juice from crushed papaya leaves. So whether the rise in platelet count is a natural phenomenon or aided by fruit and juice is not clear.
One way of looking at it is: any way the platelet counts will increase once the infections is gone; and the other way of looking at it is: the fruit and juice have played a role. Until a proper scientific investigation is carried out, we wouldn't know for sure the effect.
The effect of any medicine depends a lot on the individual's health. The effect of such remedies vary a lot from individual to individual.
(November 30, 2015 Update: My uncle has been admitted to Chaya Hospital, with viral infection and fever. Though dengue was ruled out, his platelet count is down to 65,000 because of the infection. Doctors have prescribed Caripill, which is made of papaya leaf extracts, in order to boost the platelet count. This means allopathic doctors are recommending this ayurvedic solution.)
How to prevent dengue?
Tough. since it's very easy for a mosquito to bite you, and it's very difficult to keep that one mosquito away. But the following steps could be helpful.
MY WIFE'S CASE
Wednesday, June 5
She got fever on Wednesday (June 5) morning. She had Crosin. The fever didn't go.
Saturday, June 8
After 72 hours, we went to Manipal Hospital at 9 am on Saturday. She was asked to take a blood and urine test. When we got the results at 12.30 pm, we found that all her parameters were normal, except the blood platelet count. It was 1,20,000. It should be at least 1,50,000. She was advised to get admitted to hospital. A specific test for dengue was also ordered.
Manipal Hospital has been seeing a rush of dengue cases. A lot of patients were also being referred to the hospital by smaller hospitals and clinics. There was no bed available and we were asked to call up at 5 pm. Luckily we got. She was admitted around 7.30 pm.
She was put on IV fluids, and given Dolo 650 (Paracetamol) and Folvite (folic acid) tablets. Her appetite had reduced to near nil.
Sunday, June 9
She had nausea and wasn't able to eat solid food. So the dietician ordered semi-solid food like kanji (porridge) of rice, rava, raagi etc, and soup. She was also having pomegranate and papaya.
On Sunday at 5 am, her platelet count come down to 90,000. By evening the fever and blood pressure, which was low, had satablilized.
Seeing the way her platelet count was dropping, I networked among my friends to look for papaya leaves. I thought, if papaya leaf juice has to be taken, then why not early enough, rather than when her condition had serious.
Monday, June 10
On Monday at 5 am, the count dropped to 35,000. In retrospect, arranging for papaya leaves the previous day, was a good move. Since her count had dropped below 50,000, her blood sample was taken at 5 pm. Her count hadn't dropped in 12 hours. It was the same 35,000.
By evening, I got the papaya leaves. Since we couldn't mash it and get the juice then, around 5.30 pm, she took three leaves and chewed them to get the juice out, and spat out the leaves, like bubble gum.
Since she had the leaves after the blood sample was taken, the leaves didn't have any role in arresting the fall of platelet counts. May be pomegranate and papaya and the water she had did.
Tuesday, June 11
The next day, Tuesday morning at 5 am, the count had gone up to 38,000. She had a teaspoon of papaya leaf juice around 11 am. Blood sample was taken at 5 pm. The count had gone up to 54,000. She was also regularly having lots of pomegranate and also papaya, and lots of water.
Wednesday, June 12
On Wednesday, at 5 am, her count went up to 65,000. I thought she would be discharged on Wednesday. But doctor said it was better her count goes up to at least 80,000. No sample was taken in the evening.
Thursday, June 13
Thursday, at 5 am, the sample was again taken at 5 am. Her count had gone up to 1,28,000. May be the juice had some effect in boosting the platelet count by 90,000 in 48 hours. She was discharged yesterday around 2 pm.
She is very weak. Recovery will take a lot of time. She will have to take a lot of fluids, and may be another round of papaya leaf juice.
MY SUGGESTIONS:
Medical literature says that you must suspect dengue if you have fever accompanied any two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash. But she didn't have any of them; only fever.
Her illness gave me an opportunity to learn about the disease. Here are some points. I have sourced the following from doctors and web pages of recognized health institutions.
(A diary of my wife's case is below the FAQs)
What is dengue?
It is a viral infection caused by the bite of a mosquito (female Aedes aegypti mosquito), which has previously bitten a dengue patient. The disease is transmitted this way: patient-mosquito-healthy person. The symptoms surface 3 to 14 days after the bite.
When should I suspect it could be dengue?
If you have fever that doesn't go with paracetamol tablets within 2 days, go to a doctor. You may or may not have other symptoms like headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rashes.
Is low blood platelet count, a sign of dengue?
As a first test, doctors order a blood test. The result would give lot of clues on why you have fever. A drop in platelet count could be a sign of dengue. The normal range is between 1.5 lakh and 4 lakh. But a drop in platelet count is no confirmation of dengue, as the count drops with any infection. So, a specific test for dengue is ordered.
After dengue is confirmed, with the specific test, the disease is monitored by looking at the count of the platelets. Typically, in a dengue patient, the platelet count keeps dropping. How fast and how much depends on many factors like immunity of the person and the severity of the attack.
Blood platelets help the blood to clot. When the count drops, there's a risk of bleeding. So patients are advised even not to brush teeth, because the gums could bleed. There are also dangers of internal bleeding.
The platelet count is monitored every 24 hours. But once the count goes below 50,000, every 12 hours the count is checked. Doctors won't let the count drop. Once it reaches a threshold level -- around 15,000 to 20,000, or even 25,000 -- platelets are injected.
Once the infection is out of the body, the platelet count starts increasing: at first slowly and then rapidly. The rate depends on the general health of the patient.
Is dengue dangerous, fatal?
If detected and treated early it is not. There is no need for panic or fear. A severe form of dengue can be dangerous, and even fatal without early medical intervention. So don't ignore the flu-like symptoms. Visit a doctor.
What is the cure for dengue?
There are no medicines for dengue. Doctors give medicines for the symptoms; and intravenously administer fluids. Patients are told to have plenty of fluids, like water and fruit juice; and have normal food. Nausea and vomiting reduces food intake; and that, combined with the infection, makes the patient weak. The infection lasts about a week. Even after fever is gone, the patient takes about one or two weeks to recover from the tiredness. Fluids, and more fluids, is the only way out.
How beneficial are papaya leaves?
Word has gone around that pomegranate and papaya; and the juice taken out of crushed pomegranate skin, papaya and neem leaves are said to be good for generation of platelets. Doctors merely advise patients to have any fruit. Though benefits of pomegranate and papaya have been well known, the benefits of papaya leaf juice is a new development.
People who have taken papaya leaf juice have spoken of dramatic rise in blood platelet count: for example, from 30,000 to 2 lakh; and from 80,000 to 3.5 lakh, within 24 hours. In Kerala, I am told that not just ayurvedic doctors, but allopathic doctors too, are advising patients to have the papaya leaf juice. I was advised by a couple of nurses to give the juice to my wife. I am also told that tender papaya leaves are being sold at a premium in Kerala.
In the hospital where my wife was being treated, a patient was being given papaya leaf juice right from day one. But that didn't help much, it looks like, since her platelet count went down to 15,000 and she had to be administered platelets twice. But after she was cured of the infection, the count went up dramatically fast: from 55,000 to 1,30,000.
There is no well-validated and documented scientific backing for this. It's merely an anecdotal evidence. Allopathic doctors are not very forthcoming in giving any credence to this. Ayurvedic doctors say there is an urgent need to research thoroughly the correlation.
Doctors say once the virus is out of the body and the infection is over, the platelet count will naturally increase with normal food. But most patients tend to have lot of pomegranate and papaya, as part of the diet; and some go a step further and include the juice from crushed papaya leaves. So whether the rise in platelet count is a natural phenomenon or aided by fruit and juice is not clear.
One way of looking at it is: any way the platelet counts will increase once the infections is gone; and the other way of looking at it is: the fruit and juice have played a role. Until a proper scientific investigation is carried out, we wouldn't know for sure the effect.
The effect of any medicine depends a lot on the individual's health. The effect of such remedies vary a lot from individual to individual.
(November 30, 2015 Update: My uncle has been admitted to Chaya Hospital, with viral infection and fever. Though dengue was ruled out, his platelet count is down to 65,000 because of the infection. Doctors have prescribed Caripill, which is made of papaya leaf extracts, in order to boost the platelet count. This means allopathic doctors are recommending this ayurvedic solution.)
How to prevent dengue?
Tough. since it's very easy for a mosquito to bite you, and it's very difficult to keep that one mosquito away. But the following steps could be helpful.
- Don't allow yourself to be bitten by mosquitoes.
- Regularly spray mosquito repellents.
- If you are in a mosquito-prone area, apply some mosquito repellent on your skin.
- If there are too many mosquitoes, cover your body; and while sleeping use mosquito net, since the effect of the repellent may not last too long.
- Don't allow water to stagnate. Keep changing the water in plant pots.
- World Health Organization on dengue
- Wikipedia entry on dengue
- Indian Council of Medical Research on dengue
- Papaya leaf juice helps fight dengue (Indian Express)
- Papaya leaf juice helps stop destruction of platelets (The Times of India)
- Neem-papaya juice passes dengue test (The Times of India)
- Home remedies for dengue (Udayavani)
MY WIFE'S CASE
Wednesday, June 5
She got fever on Wednesday (June 5) morning. She had Crosin. The fever didn't go.
Saturday, June 8
After 72 hours, we went to Manipal Hospital at 9 am on Saturday. She was asked to take a blood and urine test. When we got the results at 12.30 pm, we found that all her parameters were normal, except the blood platelet count. It was 1,20,000. It should be at least 1,50,000. She was advised to get admitted to hospital. A specific test for dengue was also ordered.
Manipal Hospital has been seeing a rush of dengue cases. A lot of patients were also being referred to the hospital by smaller hospitals and clinics. There was no bed available and we were asked to call up at 5 pm. Luckily we got. She was admitted around 7.30 pm.
She was put on IV fluids, and given Dolo 650 (Paracetamol) and Folvite (folic acid) tablets. Her appetite had reduced to near nil.
Sunday, June 9
She had nausea and wasn't able to eat solid food. So the dietician ordered semi-solid food like kanji (porridge) of rice, rava, raagi etc, and soup. She was also having pomegranate and papaya.
On Sunday at 5 am, her platelet count come down to 90,000. By evening the fever and blood pressure, which was low, had satablilized.
Seeing the way her platelet count was dropping, I networked among my friends to look for papaya leaves. I thought, if papaya leaf juice has to be taken, then why not early enough, rather than when her condition had serious.
Monday, June 10
On Monday at 5 am, the count dropped to 35,000. In retrospect, arranging for papaya leaves the previous day, was a good move. Since her count had dropped below 50,000, her blood sample was taken at 5 pm. Her count hadn't dropped in 12 hours. It was the same 35,000.
By evening, I got the papaya leaves. Since we couldn't mash it and get the juice then, around 5.30 pm, she took three leaves and chewed them to get the juice out, and spat out the leaves, like bubble gum.
Since she had the leaves after the blood sample was taken, the leaves didn't have any role in arresting the fall of platelet counts. May be pomegranate and papaya and the water she had did.
Tuesday, June 11
The next day, Tuesday morning at 5 am, the count had gone up to 38,000. She had a teaspoon of papaya leaf juice around 11 am. Blood sample was taken at 5 pm. The count had gone up to 54,000. She was also regularly having lots of pomegranate and also papaya, and lots of water.
Wednesday, June 12
On Wednesday, at 5 am, her count went up to 65,000. I thought she would be discharged on Wednesday. But doctor said it was better her count goes up to at least 80,000. No sample was taken in the evening.
Thursday, June 13
Thursday, at 5 am, the sample was again taken at 5 am. Her count had gone up to 1,28,000. May be the juice had some effect in boosting the platelet count by 90,000 in 48 hours. She was discharged yesterday around 2 pm.
She is very weak. Recovery will take a lot of time. She will have to take a lot of fluids, and may be another round of papaya leaf juice.
MY SUGGESTIONS:
- If you get fever, especially when there are lot of dengue cases in your city, don't ignore fever. If it doesn't subside within two days, go to a doctor.
- Don't panic. Even if the doctor suspects it's dengue, and later it is confirmed it's so, don't panic. Do get admitted to a hospital, where your platelet count can be regularly monitored.
- Drink lots of fluids -- water and fruit juice.
- Have lots of pomegranate and papaya. If you can get papaya and neem leaves, do arrange for them. Wash the leaves very well. Mash them in mixie with a little water, filter it, and have the juice. Even if there may not not be any good, there won't be any harm.
- Recovery will take its time. Eat whatever you feel like. Drink lots and lots of fluid.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Belated National Friend's Day/Sample Sunday
Hey Lovelies!
I found out after I did my post yesterday that it was national friend's day, but I still wanted to do something fun for it. I might not have had the best of luck with friends in the past, but at the end of the day we really do need them. I have a couple of close friends in my life. I'm one of those people who wasn't part of the "popular" everyone knows me group. In high school I had the tight small group of girls that I was close with, I was friendly with people outside my circle, but usually stuck close. As the years have gone by, most of that group and I had a problem arise in the group after my ex-boyfriend and I broke up, I was a victim of social media bullying. Part of the group attacked me on a status on Facebook then they didn't get when people stood up for me on there, hello world wide web. I've always been picked on one share or another growing up so that might be where some of my wall comes from. It took me a little bit to grow comfortable again, but I took is as I found out who my true friends were, and in the early twenties I really feel like you grow into yourself, figuring out who you are as a person. Sorry for the TMI today. I have a small string of people I'm close with and know I can count on. I know I have a weird relationship with every friend I have, gees I'm close friends with my ex.
Now some of my relationships you might notice in my books a lot of them start off as friends. I know for me it's easier to enter a relationship when I knew the person as a friend first. So if that is where the samples come from heads up. I'm picking the samples as I go along.
To the friends that make our heads spin...
Family Ties:
Chapter 3 Cory
“Are you sure that this is right?”
She looked up at me with a smile. There was something formulating in those eyes of hers. This was not going to end well for me. She sighed, slowly shaking her head while placing another napkin down.
“Cory, what am I going to do with you? I mean, you can’t even figure out where spoons or forks are supposed to go. You might as well just plain give up on life and become a hobo. Living the rest of your days in a cardboard box on some street corner,” Abby spoke, her voice even.
“You suck, just so you know that,” I shot back as she stuck her tongue at me.
Abby’s eyes were bright and laughing at me.
That was when our boss came out of his office, still holding the door open. His eyes were on us with a raised eyebrow. He always thought we were up to something or other just because of our sarcasm and us being so close. That was when a girl, who must be around our age, maybe a couple of years older, came out of his office. She was a goddess, beautiful. The girl had commercial prefect mink brown hair that had big full curls. She was around my height while wearing those thin heeled shoes that had ribbons to laces up the long legs under the short skirt.
She turned her back to us so that she was facing the boss in which was able us sight of her tanned back from her hot pink halter. They exchanged some words. I couldn’t turn away from them. I wish I could hear their conversation. She turned away from him and headed for the door to leave. She left all the guys in the room to watch her legs from her dark jean skirt as she left the restaurant. Shaking my head a little, I turned back to the table with Abby narrowing her eyes on me. Her lips were tightened with her knuckles popping out from her grip on the cloth napkins. She was going to kill me.
“What?” I asked with wide eyes.
Her mouth was starting to open as our boss walked over to us. I was being saved from a very painful death.
Our boss stood between us around the circular table. His arms were behind him with a stern expression on his face.
“Okay, before any of you go telling people, I’m not having an affair.” He paused as he turned to look at me. “That girl is starting work tomorrow and was here for an interview. Also, she is my niece, Toni, so if one of you even thinks about going near her I will have your head.”
He was looking at me again when he said that last part.
How was that divine woman related to him?! I turned to look to where she had left. She wasn’t in sight anymore, but I had to check. Our boss walked away as I kept looking over there. That was when I felt a punch between my two shoulder blades.
“Ow!” I yelled as I turned around to see who did it.
There was Abby, her lips tight. Even though she was shorter than me I felt like she could kill me quickly with ease. Short people and their short fuses…
“I have a feeling she’ll be more of a distraction than actually doing work,” Abby grumbled as she gave me a small push as she went around me.
I couldn’t answer as I bent my head to see her driving away. Yup, she was a little older then us since we had our permits and not licenses. I was hit with something light and looked at Abby again. She was holding a cloth napkin looking annoyed.
“I’m not doing your work so you can drool over a girl!”
I rolled my eyes and went back to work.
“I’m working too, and I’m not drooling.” I glared at her.
“Please! You can see your jaw dropping a mile away!” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’m going to have to grab a bucket if you want to continue gawking at her.”
“Hey, wait, what is different at me looking at her and what you, Zoey, and Danielle do when we go to the beach and there’s all the shirtless guys?”
She sighed, shaking her head before answering.
“If a guy works out that much and has great abs and chest, it’s only appropriate to look at him for his great work and determination. Everyone needs a little encouragement!” Her voice was making sure to emphasize every word she said, almost as if she wasn’t sure how I didn’t already know this.
“That’s such a double standard,” I snapped, I wanted abs.
“Oh, cry me a river,” she muttered before putting the last item on the table.
“I really have no chance of winning this, do I?” I asked as I noticed her shoulders squared off, chin held high, her brown eyes razor sharp looking at the table.
“Have you ever had a chance of winning any argument with me?” Her voice was light as she looked at me. She was trying to be sweet with me, her dark eyelashes framed her eyes, and a small smile on her lips.
I just sighed looking at my friend. I started to laugh as a full on smile formed on her face, showing off her teeth. I couldn’t picture her not being in my life. Even though people thought we were seriously arguing, on the verge of killing each other, we both knew it was all fun and games.
To the friends who might not always understand why you do what you, but stay around anyway, and were friends with us when no one else was...
The Four Purposes of Oil
Noah Chapter 3
Madison then leaned in and kissed my cheek.Charlotte walked over to me brushing the hood off my head; my brown hair was scorched off of my skin leaving red rippling skin. I cringed as she ran her fingers over the top of my head down to my chewed up ear. Her touch was so soft.
I found out after I did my post yesterday that it was national friend's day, but I still wanted to do something fun for it. I might not have had the best of luck with friends in the past, but at the end of the day we really do need them. I have a couple of close friends in my life. I'm one of those people who wasn't part of the "popular" everyone knows me group. In high school I had the tight small group of girls that I was close with, I was friendly with people outside my circle, but usually stuck close. As the years have gone by, most of that group and I had a problem arise in the group after my ex-boyfriend and I broke up, I was a victim of social media bullying. Part of the group attacked me on a status on Facebook then they didn't get when people stood up for me on there, hello world wide web. I've always been picked on one share or another growing up so that might be where some of my wall comes from. It took me a little bit to grow comfortable again, but I took is as I found out who my true friends were, and in the early twenties I really feel like you grow into yourself, figuring out who you are as a person. Sorry for the TMI today. I have a small string of people I'm close with and know I can count on. I know I have a weird relationship with every friend I have, gees I'm close friends with my ex.
Now some of my relationships you might notice in my books a lot of them start off as friends. I know for me it's easier to enter a relationship when I knew the person as a friend first. So if that is where the samples come from heads up. I'm picking the samples as I go along.
To the friends that make our heads spin...
Family Ties:
Chapter 3 Cory
At work we were getting the tables ready for the day. Abby and I were working one table, trying to remember which side the forks were on. We had already walked around placing plates and glasses on the table, remembering that with the word bed as help, bread on the left and drinks on the right. Abby, the nice girl she was, was placing the napkins, leaving me with the silverware and trying to remember where they were suppose to be.
“Are you sure that this is right?”
She looked up at me with a smile. There was something formulating in those eyes of hers. This was not going to end well for me. She sighed, slowly shaking her head while placing another napkin down.
“Cory, what am I going to do with you? I mean, you can’t even figure out where spoons or forks are supposed to go. You might as well just plain give up on life and become a hobo. Living the rest of your days in a cardboard box on some street corner,” Abby spoke, her voice even.
“You suck, just so you know that,” I shot back as she stuck her tongue at me.
Abby’s eyes were bright and laughing at me.
That was when our boss came out of his office, still holding the door open. His eyes were on us with a raised eyebrow. He always thought we were up to something or other just because of our sarcasm and us being so close. That was when a girl, who must be around our age, maybe a couple of years older, came out of his office. She was a goddess, beautiful. The girl had commercial prefect mink brown hair that had big full curls. She was around my height while wearing those thin heeled shoes that had ribbons to laces up the long legs under the short skirt.
She turned her back to us so that she was facing the boss in which was able us sight of her tanned back from her hot pink halter. They exchanged some words. I couldn’t turn away from them. I wish I could hear their conversation. She turned away from him and headed for the door to leave. She left all the guys in the room to watch her legs from her dark jean skirt as she left the restaurant. Shaking my head a little, I turned back to the table with Abby narrowing her eyes on me. Her lips were tightened with her knuckles popping out from her grip on the cloth napkins. She was going to kill me.
“What?” I asked with wide eyes.
Her mouth was starting to open as our boss walked over to us. I was being saved from a very painful death.
Our boss stood between us around the circular table. His arms were behind him with a stern expression on his face.
“Okay, before any of you go telling people, I’m not having an affair.” He paused as he turned to look at me. “That girl is starting work tomorrow and was here for an interview. Also, she is my niece, Toni, so if one of you even thinks about going near her I will have your head.”
He was looking at me again when he said that last part.
How was that divine woman related to him?! I turned to look to where she had left. She wasn’t in sight anymore, but I had to check. Our boss walked away as I kept looking over there. That was when I felt a punch between my two shoulder blades.
“Ow!” I yelled as I turned around to see who did it.
There was Abby, her lips tight. Even though she was shorter than me I felt like she could kill me quickly with ease. Short people and their short fuses…
“I have a feeling she’ll be more of a distraction than actually doing work,” Abby grumbled as she gave me a small push as she went around me.
I couldn’t answer as I bent my head to see her driving away. Yup, she was a little older then us since we had our permits and not licenses. I was hit with something light and looked at Abby again. She was holding a cloth napkin looking annoyed.
“I’m not doing your work so you can drool over a girl!”
I rolled my eyes and went back to work.
“I’m working too, and I’m not drooling.” I glared at her.
“Please! You can see your jaw dropping a mile away!” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’m going to have to grab a bucket if you want to continue gawking at her.”
“Hey, wait, what is different at me looking at her and what you, Zoey, and Danielle do when we go to the beach and there’s all the shirtless guys?”
She sighed, shaking her head before answering.
“If a guy works out that much and has great abs and chest, it’s only appropriate to look at him for his great work and determination. Everyone needs a little encouragement!” Her voice was making sure to emphasize every word she said, almost as if she wasn’t sure how I didn’t already know this.
“That’s such a double standard,” I snapped, I wanted abs.
“Oh, cry me a river,” she muttered before putting the last item on the table.
“I really have no chance of winning this, do I?” I asked as I noticed her shoulders squared off, chin held high, her brown eyes razor sharp looking at the table.
“Have you ever had a chance of winning any argument with me?” Her voice was light as she looked at me. She was trying to be sweet with me, her dark eyelashes framed her eyes, and a small smile on her lips.
I just sighed looking at my friend. I started to laugh as a full on smile formed on her face, showing off her teeth. I couldn’t picture her not being in my life. Even though people thought we were seriously arguing, on the verge of killing each other, we both knew it was all fun and games.
To the friends who might not always understand why you do what you, but stay around anyway, and were friends with us when no one else was...
The Four Purposes of Oil
Noah Chapter 3
“You’re off from work and you’re washing your car?” Remy’s voice came from behind me.
Turning around she was wearing clothes much more relaxed and tamer then the other night. There she was in a dress and flats, with her hair tied back behind her.
“It’s my time off don’t judge me.”
“So what are the odds of me getting you to was my car as well,” she asked walking closer to me, taking a sip out of her ice coffee.
I smirked, “You make fun of me then ask me a favor?”
She batted her eyelashes, “You love me.”
I rolled my eyes as I finished the top of the car.
“I love this weather,”
“You’re saying that because your school year is almost over.”
“Someone’s grumpy.”
My head fell forward, pausing before I spoke, “Sorry I’ve been a little preoccupied lately. I almost forgot I have to do an oil change tomorrow.”
“Don’t you always do those? I mean you work at a garage,” her voice came out rough.
I glanced at her before moving to another section of the car.
“I do, but this client is special.”
“Sorry I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Sorry I haven’t been sleeping and been distracted.”
She raised an eyebrow at me as she stood next to me, “What’s on your mind buddy?”
I shrugged.
“You don’t have to pull that tough guy act on me, I’ve known you since we were little. I knew you when you went through your chubby stage of high school.”
I groaned closing my eyes, “I like to forget the chubby years of high school where no one talked to me.”
“So now I’m no one? Okay now I deserve a free car wash.”
“Didn’t your parents tell you not to insult a guy with a bucket of water that they could just dump on you?”
I smirked as she narrowed her eyes, “I really have some sense to call up your father and tell him how obnoxious his son is to women.”
I chuckled, “He would be torn of scolding me and laughing at what I said.”
She shoved my arm.
“I really don’t know why I’m friends with you at times.”
I chuckled. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about how it was a not so secret that Remy had a crush on me. I kept my eyes on the car instead of on Remy. Tomorrow I had my special client and I had to make sure I got enough sleep to be able to do the work.
To the friends who are also our siblings...
Beneath the Scars
Chapter 3
Rily
Turning off the engine after I pulled into the driveway I sat there listening to the music be cut off, as the engine slowed down till it stopped completely. I had to get out of the car and into the home. Sighing I tugged on the hood even though it was already up and covering my face. Slamming the door I walked to the front door ringing the doorbell than I waited on the front porch. Even though I was at family’s house I couldn’t bring myself to just walk in. My once stand up right posture was now slightly hunched over with my head hidden. Through the door I could hear the dog barking and shuffling of feet before my sister, Charlotte , opened the door with a wide smile. She stood aside as she let me in.
“I was starting to wonder when you’d show up,” my sister greeted her voice was so cheery giving me a hug before moving aside for me.
“Well I was waiting for it to get dark,” I answered as their collie ran over to me standing on it’s hind legs to put the front ones on my upper body.
My sister pulled the dog off me.
“Dumb dog, you are going to wake up the kids,” Charlotte pulled on the dog’s collar off me as she started in the direction of the kitchen. “Rily, I love you and the kids miss you. You are going to have to eventually come out in the daylight, can’t live like an nocturnal animal forever.”
I huffed, rolling my eyes at my sister’s back.
“Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me!” Charlotte snapped turning into the kitchen moving cups and the kettle around.
“Don’t use your mom ninja skills on me,” I sighed not in the mood to deal with my sister mothering me, again.
“I’m your older sister and a mother of two, it’s a habit,” Charlotte turned to face me, head titled slightly as her long, loosely curled, brown hair framed her pale face. “I worry about you.”
Her blue green eyes softened their shade similar to my own. Heavy steps came down the steps and in a couple of seconds her husband, Paul, strolled into the room. Paul nodded in my direction as he looked over at his wife, she smiled at him.
“I’m finishing up the last bits of my paperwork, but the little monkeys don’t want to go to bed,” he stated, his eyes locked on my sister’s, as a crash upstairs occurred on cue.
“I read to you guys your bedtime story go to bed,” my sister yelled as she put water into the kettle.
“But Mom,” a small voice whined, I smirked ready for what my sister was about to bestow.
“But nothing, you two bed-“
Before my sister could finish I interrupted unable to control myself, “Get back into bed before the monsters tries to bite your ankles!”
Yelps and screams poured from the upstairs as thunderous steps came down the stairs. Charlotte glared at me as she threw the empty box of tea at me, I chuckled. The two nearly slid into the kitchen with the younger one almost falling from the footie pajamas against the tile.
“Uncle Rily,” my niece Madison glowed as she noticed me changing her direction to me with open arms.
Madison had only recently been that friendly with me, right when I came home she was in tears refusing to come near me or even lay eyes on me. Charlotte talked to her about what I did overseas and why I was burnt all over, Madison slowly came around calling me a hero despite the fact that I didn’t feel like one. Parts of my skin were grafted while others were just distorted. She was seven, but my nephew Elliot was four, and was still afraid of me, I couldn’t blame him I had the appearance of a malevolence Greek creature. Madison jumped into my lap giving me a hug while Elliot tip toed over to my sister nearly hiding his face in his teddy bear.
“Uncle Rily can you read us a bedtime story and check to make sure that monster isn’t there?” Madison begged, her eyes grew wide, bottom lip puckered out.
“Maybe,” I responded ruffling the top of her head, my fingers got tangled in her light brown hair.
“Aw come on,” Madison continued to plead. “Elliot don’t you want Uncle Rily to read to us too?”
Elliot buried his face into Charlotte ’s leg.
“Elliot go on and say hi to your Uncle,” Charlotte encouraged her son, putting her hand on his back nudging him in my direction.
The grin on my face faded. My eyes drifted to the floor knowing that my once happy go lucky nephew who was so young when I left was no longer that way with me. Everything changed, now my own family was afraid to look at me, treaded on broken glass when they talked to me. My sister was the only one who acted like nothing ever changed. Even that I questioned. I felt sick and angry wanting to go back into my gloomy apartment.
“It’s fine Charlotte ,” I mumbled, my hand formed into a fist by my side on the leg that was opposite of Charlotte .
“It’s not fine Rily, go on Elliot see Madison is fine,” she spoke gently.
Elliot didn’t even budge, my brother-in-law just picked Elliot up and brought him back up to his room. Paul had the personality of a wet rag. He managed to talk less to me since I’ve been home the past year.
“He’s four don’t-”
“I’m a beast I get it,” I cut her off my voice gruff.
“You aren’t a beast,” Madison responded she turned around so that she was facing me she place a hand on both sides of my face, even the deformed parts that were forever scarred. “You are nice.”
“Night Uncle Rily,” Madison smiled as she hopped off my lap.
“Night Madison sweet dreams,” I responded, she giggled as she went upstairs.
“See,” my sister grinned showing her smugness as she poured the hot water into a mug. “Do you want some tea?”
“Sure,” I answered bracing myself for the lecture that was about to be served with the steaming water.
“See Madison is not afraid of you, you can stop shutting yourself from the world,” Charlotte started while I rolled my eyes. “You did a good-“
“Your husband is a grown man and won’t even look at me,” I pointed out getting sick of this.
“Oh he’s just awkward around every person, it’s not because of the burn scars Rily.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled.
“Rily, you’re not Madison ’s age, use your words,” Charlotte scolded her eyes narrowed.
“Yes mother,” I continued to protest stirring the liquid mindlessly.
“Rily seriously, you did an amazing thing and receive honors for-“
“Yeah the honors are really helping me I can’t even walk out of my house without being gawked at. My own nephew won’t come near me!” I snapped, not able to hold back the fury in my voice.
“Baby brother, you have a heart of gold, you always have. I just wish you could remember that and see past the reflection in the mirror,” her voice was a tender lullaby she bent down and kissed the top of my head while laying strokes on my scalp.
“Easier said then done,” I muttered my voice calmer then before.
“Uncle Rily you said you’d read me a story!” Madison pointed out from up the stairs.
“Your audience awaits,” Charlotte gave my back a little push.
I rolled my eyes and took sluggish steps towards the stairs to see Madison in her pajamas with a stuffed dog in her grasp.
“Come on, Uncle Rily you’re walking too slow,” Madison complained causing me to run up the stairs as she squeaked.
I scooped Madison up so that she was in a ball near my head, blowing a raspberry into her neck she giggled louder.
“Stop it!”
“Continue? Okay,” I tickled her stomach; her laughter filled the house as a door behind us cracked open to show a peeking Elliot.
“Rily I wanted them to sleep stop winding them up!” my sister ordered. “So help me when you have kids karma is going to get you in the butt! And if karma doesn’t I sure as hell will!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I stuck my tongue out at Madison she grinned, Elliot shut the door.
I sat on Madison ’s bed as she grabbed a picture book. Madison scurried under her sheets curling against my side. I started to read the book as her eyes slowly drifted to close and before the book was done Madison was asleep. Getting up slowly I tucked her in before tip toeing out of her room, closing the door lightly. My sister was standing there at the top of the stairs smirking, her arms crossed over her chest.
“You’re great with kids.”
I rolled my eyes for what felt like the billionth time tonight.
“So?”
“You’re going to be a great daddy one day,” Charlotte continued.
“A girl would have to be able to stand to look at me to make that happen.”
“You would have to actually leave your house at normal hours to start with. I just want you to be happy Rily, you know that right?”
“I do, but I probably should get going,” I spoke she gave me a hug and I made my way out into the night.
Saturday, 8 June 2013
Sequels, shops, updates
Hey Lovelies!
So there needs to be a lot of updates. I'm currently applying all over New Jersey in search for a teaching job, so my head is spinning with applications. The other night I sent out seven that night alone, I'm really hoping for a couple of the schools I applied to, one of my friends just got a job in E so it would be nice to have a friend, H is a high school my uncle and aunt live in, and HL is even closer than the other two. Sorry for using letters I just don't know if I should be putting the actual school names in here, because honestly I've probably applied to over 50 at this point. I hate the waiting game...
I'm getting in some real quality TLC time with my characters. I am getting to write fiction again, no footnotes needed! I'm putting a little pause on End of the Line trilogy because I did finish the second one, but the third one is a little weird, and I'd hate to put out a series just for the sake of putting out a series. I might come back to the series, but right now it's on the back burn. However Family Ties' sequel Invisible Bonds is doing pretty well, I wasn't sure how it would do, but the characters are taking me in a different direction. Abby knows what she is doing so I'll trust, it is different the first I will warn people now, even the format is different. That and I am working on a couple other projects like The Four Purposes of Oil which I broke through the writer's block on! If I can work on it more it could be a fun New Adult book :)
If you haven't already checked out my giveaways going on to the right is the one on Goodreads, and two entries down or HERE is a big giveaway that is going on till June 23 which is the biggie. It is my way to celebrate graduating college, I'm giveaway signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties and an Amazon gift card. Also you can check out the little store tab, I changed things up a little since I did change two of my covers. If there is a quote you like I can try to work it into the store. I know I did get a request for putting in the store tab to get it so I can sell signed copies, after the giveaway is done I will try to work on that because I do think that would be fun. So I will work on it!
~Ottilie
So there needs to be a lot of updates. I'm currently applying all over New Jersey in search for a teaching job, so my head is spinning with applications. The other night I sent out seven that night alone, I'm really hoping for a couple of the schools I applied to, one of my friends just got a job in E so it would be nice to have a friend, H is a high school my uncle and aunt live in, and HL is even closer than the other two. Sorry for using letters I just don't know if I should be putting the actual school names in here, because honestly I've probably applied to over 50 at this point. I hate the waiting game...
I'm getting in some real quality TLC time with my characters. I am getting to write fiction again, no footnotes needed! I'm putting a little pause on End of the Line trilogy because I did finish the second one, but the third one is a little weird, and I'd hate to put out a series just for the sake of putting out a series. I might come back to the series, but right now it's on the back burn. However Family Ties' sequel Invisible Bonds is doing pretty well, I wasn't sure how it would do, but the characters are taking me in a different direction. Abby knows what she is doing so I'll trust, it is different the first I will warn people now, even the format is different. That and I am working on a couple other projects like The Four Purposes of Oil which I broke through the writer's block on! If I can work on it more it could be a fun New Adult book :)
If you haven't already checked out my giveaways going on to the right is the one on Goodreads, and two entries down or HERE is a big giveaway that is going on till June 23 which is the biggie. It is my way to celebrate graduating college, I'm giveaway signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties and an Amazon gift card. Also you can check out the little store tab, I changed things up a little since I did change two of my covers. If there is a quote you like I can try to work it into the store. I know I did get a request for putting in the store tab to get it so I can sell signed copies, after the giveaway is done I will try to work on that because I do think that would be fun. So I will work on it!
~Ottilie
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Greenery not at the cost of development
Today is World Environment Day. One of the subjects commonly discussed is the loss of greenery.
We all feel bad when a tree, big or small, is axed to make space for anything -- be it a shopping complex, residential layout, railway or road bridge, Metro Rail or children's park. Opposition to these projects are instantaneous when trees have to be sacrificed. Protests are staged, roads are blocked, shutdowns enforced and litigations initiated in courts. It's almost made out that these development projects are merely an excuse to have the trees cut!
For good measure, parallely, alternative models of development are indeed discussed. But often it's too late to undo whatever has been initiated and bring in the alternative. Finally, these projects get the go-ahead, after enormous amounts of time, energy and money are wasted.
For a moment, look at it from this angle. The roads and railway tracks we travel, the apartments that we live in, the theatres where we enjoy the movies, the shopping complexes from where we get our essential household purchases, the schools and colleges we, our relatives and friends study or have studied in... They were not there when the Earth was formed. Most, if not all, I am sure, of them have been constructed after destroying some natural resource like a lake or a few trees.
How right are the protesters when they obstruct development -- by preventing building of bridges or shopping complexes or schools or parks -- when they themselves are enjoying the benefits of development?
Getting into full-throttle activist mode and arbitrarily stopping all development work just because a few trees have to be cut or a lake has to be levelled is a regressive step. To be fair to people who are involved in these projects, I am sure they have considered alternatives. If not, that's wrong.
The solution is two-pronged: one, ensuring that the strict rules and regulations, which are in place to safeguard our natural resources, are adhered to. Two, relocating trees, planting new sapling, not just on World Environment Day, and protecting greenery to the extent possible.
The heartening fact is that there is widespread awareness regarding the importance of greenery. Many corporates, NGOs, resident welfare associations etc actively support green initiatives.
Development and environment protection have to go hand in hand; and not one at the cost of the other.
We all feel bad when a tree, big or small, is axed to make space for anything -- be it a shopping complex, residential layout, railway or road bridge, Metro Rail or children's park. Opposition to these projects are instantaneous when trees have to be sacrificed. Protests are staged, roads are blocked, shutdowns enforced and litigations initiated in courts. It's almost made out that these development projects are merely an excuse to have the trees cut!
For good measure, parallely, alternative models of development are indeed discussed. But often it's too late to undo whatever has been initiated and bring in the alternative. Finally, these projects get the go-ahead, after enormous amounts of time, energy and money are wasted.
For a moment, look at it from this angle. The roads and railway tracks we travel, the apartments that we live in, the theatres where we enjoy the movies, the shopping complexes from where we get our essential household purchases, the schools and colleges we, our relatives and friends study or have studied in... They were not there when the Earth was formed. Most, if not all, I am sure, of them have been constructed after destroying some natural resource like a lake or a few trees.
How right are the protesters when they obstruct development -- by preventing building of bridges or shopping complexes or schools or parks -- when they themselves are enjoying the benefits of development?
Getting into full-throttle activist mode and arbitrarily stopping all development work just because a few trees have to be cut or a lake has to be levelled is a regressive step. To be fair to people who are involved in these projects, I am sure they have considered alternatives. If not, that's wrong.
The solution is two-pronged: one, ensuring that the strict rules and regulations, which are in place to safeguard our natural resources, are adhered to. Two, relocating trees, planting new sapling, not just on World Environment Day, and protecting greenery to the extent possible.
The heartening fact is that there is widespread awareness regarding the importance of greenery. Many corporates, NGOs, resident welfare associations etc actively support green initiatives.
Development and environment protection have to go hand in hand; and not one at the cost of the other.
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Sample Sunday ~ The Four Purposes of Oil
Hey Lovelies!
I know it's been awhile since I have posted a sample Sunday, especially since I was working on sequels, but I am posting one! I had posted the first chapter while back, and it was flipping back and forth between first and third person, I finally settled on first person. I'll using third on another story to play with, and I'm so happy this story is picking up pace, I'm hoping I just didn't jinx it though ::knocks on wood::. It's going to be taking some interesting turns and I'm liking the characters.
Chapter One Noah
“It’s coffee dog, you don’t want that.”
Daisy tilted her head. Shuffling around I grabbed a mug then poured some of the coffee into the light blue cup. My eyes scanned the pale blue kitchen that I visited every summer while growing up. My Nana was very into the pastel colors, each room was a different color. Sipping the liquid gold I made my way over to
the cabinets to see if I had any oatmeal left. Shifting through the shelves it was apparent that I needed to go food shopping. I just was happy I got Nana’s medicine the night before even though she waited to the last minute to tell me she needed any.
“You scrunch your face that much you’ll look as old as me in like ten years,” a gentle voice traveled over.
“Just noticing I need to go shopping,” I responded.
“We can go after breakfast, shorter lines, and it’ll be good to be out,” Nana walked across the tile floor before opening the refrigerator.
“Payton I’m fine, I’m on meds not disable.”
Nana pulled out a gallon of milk as her long braid of white and grey hair was thrown over her shoulder. Her features that were once sharp were now softened a bit. She was wearing a sweater over her nightgown.
“Nana I can go by myself there’s no reason for you to have to go,” I spoke up as she pushed me aside to get her box of cereal. “Let me help you.”
Nana swatted my hands away, “Girl I love you, but you’re not too old for me to punish you. I can handle making myself a bowl of cereal, the doctor even told you that I should be doing some stuff around the house would be good for me.”
“I’m sorry Nana I’m-”
“I know you’re just looking out for me,” Nana kissed me on the forehead and poured her cereal. “We’ll eat and get ready to go out. Looks like a pretty day for a drive.”
Nana started to eat her cereal at the table with Daisy laying loyally at her feet. Glancing over while I made my own meal periodically peering over to her, getting no peace of my own while she hummed and ate.
“Nana are you ready?” there wasn’t any response and my heart sped up, so I knocked again. “Nana?”
“Are you in a hurry?”
“No but-”
“Then nothing, do you have your keys?”
“Yeah I-”
“Okay then we can get going
Rolling my eyes I let out a huff of breath. Nana was already halfway out the front door causing me to skip stairs to catch up with her. Who was glancing at the flowers along the walkway to the car. Nana’s fingers seemed to grazing each flower as she walked by.
“When we come back I should put on a hat and water these. Especially that spot it looks like it is drying out,” Nana leaned over to sniff a couple of her roses. “Despite the thorns they are quite beautiful don’t you think?”
Speaking quietly, voice drained, “Yes Nana, but can we go-”
“Take my advice, life is too short not to smell the roses.”
I unlocked the door and tried to help Nana into the car. Laying a hand on her back and trying to take her other hand only to get it swatted away.
“What did I say about helping me?”
I gave a weak smile while muttering in my head. Once Nana was fully in the car I closed the door and went into the driver’s side. Once the car was started I took off out of the neighborhood. Nana rolled down her window down before she started to play around with the different radio stations till she found one to sing with. I glanced over at Nana, I began to wonder which one of us was the twenty one year old and which one was the grandparent. People waved to the two family members in the car as they drove by. Nana waved to everyone back as I kept both hands firmly on the wheel. The small homes, each had their own gardens surrounded by bright green lawns. The local stores were in the center of the town.
Passing the recreation center with the soccer fields I turned into the heart of town. There was a small bookstore, movie theater that had two screens, toy store, and several more including the food store that I was targeting to get to for my mission. Parking up front I attempted to help Nana out of the car who ignored my offer. Before moving in with Nana, I moved around a couple of times so I did not get the full attachment that Nana had to her house.
Nana left Payton behind at the car to pick out a cart and started to head into the store. I turned towards the entrance to have my eyes widen at her lost family member. Jogging to catch up with Nana I ended up in the aisle with the apples. Nana was putting some in a bag.
“You can’t do that to me,” I muttered a little out of breath.
Nana pointed her index finger at me, “Watch your tone with me. You’re going to end up with more wrinkles then me at this rate you are going at.”
“OhBeverly ,” a woman called from across the section waving her arm high in the air, she pushed her cart over till she was standing in front of Nana. “It is so nice to see you about again.”
Nana just grinned politely at one of her neighbors not letting her know that she had no interest in talking to her.
“Good morning Patty I saw that your flowers were coming in beautifully,”Beverly responded. “You’ve met my granddaughter Payton?”
I know it's been awhile since I have posted a sample Sunday, especially since I was working on sequels, but I am posting one! I had posted the first chapter while back, and it was flipping back and forth between first and third person, I finally settled on first person. I'll using third on another story to play with, and I'm so happy this story is picking up pace, I'm hoping I just didn't jinx it though ::knocks on wood::. It's going to be taking some interesting turns and I'm liking the characters.
Chapter One Noah
The Four Purposes of Oil
Chapter Two
Payton
Standing in the kitchen in a tank top and shorts I leaned over to open the window above the sink. Coffee started to radiate through the air. Yawning big I press my back to the counter rubbing my face from last nights lack of sleep. The scrapper of nails made its way from upstairs and towards me. Then there before me were big brown eyes stared up at me with perked brown ears. Daisy was a mutt, mostly Border collie we think, since she was fluffy and had white and brown patches on her. Daisy sat down with a loyal plop against the tile floor.
“It’s coffee dog, you don’t want that.”
Daisy tilted her head. Shuffling around I grabbed a mug then poured some of the coffee into the light blue cup. My eyes scanned the pale blue kitchen that I visited every summer while growing up. My Nana was very into the pastel colors, each room was a different color. Sipping the liquid gold I made my way over to
the cabinets to see if I had any oatmeal left. Shifting through the shelves it was apparent that I needed to go food shopping. I just was happy I got Nana’s medicine the night before even though she waited to the last minute to tell me she needed any.
“You scrunch your face that much you’ll look as old as me in like ten years,” a gentle voice traveled over.
“Just noticing I need to go shopping,” I responded.
“We can go after breakfast, shorter lines, and it’ll be good to be out,” Nana walked across the tile floor before opening the refrigerator.
“Let me get you something to-”
“Payton I’m fine, I’m on meds not disable.”
Nana pulled out a gallon of milk as her long braid of white and grey hair was thrown over her shoulder. Her features that were once sharp were now softened a bit. She was wearing a sweater over her nightgown.
“Nana I can go by myself there’s no reason for you to have to go,” I spoke up as she pushed me aside to get her box of cereal. “Let me help you.”
Nana swatted my hands away, “Girl I love you, but you’re not too old for me to punish you. I can handle making myself a bowl of cereal, the doctor even told you that I should be doing some stuff around the house would be good for me.”
“I’m sorry Nana I’m-”
“I know you’re just looking out for me,” Nana kissed me on the forehead and poured her cereal. “We’ll eat and get ready to go out. Looks like a pretty day for a drive.”
Nana started to eat her cereal at the table with Daisy laying loyally at her feet. Glancing over while I made my own meal periodically peering over to her, getting no peace of my own while she hummed and ate.
Throwing on a tank top and shorts after my shower quickly in hopes that we can get in and out of the store. Brushing my hair I was thankful that it was cut short and that I didn’t have Nana’s long hair. Grabbing my purse and unlatching the keys that were clipped to the strap I went to Nana’s door and knocked.
“Nana are you ready?” there wasn’t any response and my heart sped up, so I knocked again. “Nana?”
When there was still no answer I opened the door searching her room. Nana came waltzing out of her bathroom putting on a necklace.
“Are you in a hurry?”
Shaking my head as Nana continued down the stairs after walking by me.
“No but-”
“Then nothing, do you have your keys?”
“Yeah I-”
“Okay then we can get going
Rolling my eyes I let out a huff of breath. Nana was already halfway out the front door causing me to skip stairs to catch up with her. Who was glancing at the flowers along the walkway to the car. Nana’s fingers seemed to grazing each flower as she walked by.
“When we come back I should put on a hat and water these. Especially that spot it looks like it is drying out,” Nana leaned over to sniff a couple of her roses. “Despite the thorns they are quite beautiful don’t you think?”
Speaking quietly, voice drained, “Yes Nana, but can we go-”
“Take my advice, life is too short not to smell the roses.”
I unlocked the door and tried to help Nana into the car. Laying a hand on her back and trying to take her other hand only to get it swatted away.
“What did I say about helping me?”
I gave a weak smile while muttering in my head. Once Nana was fully in the car I closed the door and went into the driver’s side. Once the car was started I took off out of the neighborhood. Nana rolled down her window down before she started to play around with the different radio stations till she found one to sing with. I glanced over at Nana, I began to wonder which one of us was the twenty one year old and which one was the grandparent. People waved to the two family members in the car as they drove by. Nana waved to everyone back as I kept both hands firmly on the wheel. The small homes, each had their own gardens surrounded by bright green lawns. The local stores were in the center of the town.
Passing the recreation center with the soccer fields I turned into the heart of town. There was a small bookstore, movie theater that had two screens, toy store, and several more including the food store that I was targeting to get to for my mission. Parking up front I attempted to help Nana out of the car who ignored my offer. Before moving in with Nana, I moved around a couple of times so I did not get the full attachment that Nana had to her house.
Nana left Payton behind at the car to pick out a cart and started to head into the store. I turned towards the entrance to have my eyes widen at her lost family member. Jogging to catch up with Nana I ended up in the aisle with the apples. Nana was putting some in a bag.
“You can’t do that to me,” I muttered a little out of breath.
Nana pointed her index finger at me, “Watch your tone with me. You’re going to end up with more wrinkles then me at this rate you are going at.”
“Oh
Nana just grinned politely at one of her neighbors not letting her know that she had no interest in talking to her.
“Good morning Patty I saw that your flowers were coming in beautifully,”
Patty turned her head to glance over at me who was wearing a tight grin. Another person I was being introduced to. I had been introduced to so many people my head was spinning with names. It amazed me that Nana was able to keep everyone straight, the entire town seemed to not only know each person’s name, but their entire biography known. It took all of my strength to not sigh in exasperation.
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Not all autorickshaw drivers are bad
Autorickshaw drivers are a much-maligned lot. Very rarely do we come across one who is not rude or arrogant. But there are exceptions, which give us the much-needed hope.
The following is a Facebook post by Rita Senthil Selvaraj, who works with Cognizant Technology Solutions, posted in the last 24 hours.
The following is a Facebook post by Rita Senthil Selvaraj, who works with Cognizant Technology Solutions, posted in the last 24 hours.
I was for sure lucky today..Not all absent-minded people forget their phones in autorickshaws. And, rarely finders take the trouble to return the phone to the owner. Zamir's effort needs to be lauded. Hope we have many more people like him.
took an auto from koramangala to yemlur(my house), in between it started raining heavy. somehow i reached home safely and the driver u see in photo dropped me till the door step so that i don't get drenched. I was so excited to see baby that i made the payment and left my iPhone 4 (Gifted by my hubby on my birthday) in the auto..
after almost 35 mins I thought of making a call to my parents and here i don't find my phone. my hubby Senthil Selvaraj called from his cell to trace the phone n luckily the auto driver had kept the phone safe with him which he received.. he was dropping someone to whitefield but he promised that he will return the phone after the drop.. imagine heavy rain and the driver was so kind and honest that he dint think of his comfort.. he was not carrying any phone of his own. it took almost 1 hr for him to come back.. we generally dont trust auto drivers as they keep asking extra money, late night work and what not.. so with that mentality we used find friend and find my iPhone apps to trace the phone and the route of my iphone was sure to my house.. in that heavy rain he did come home and returned my phone..
We should seriously appreciate such people on earth.. and we do.. this auto driver's name is Zamir auto number KA 03 9847.. Thanks Zamir for being so honest and trustworthy.. and also to be a reason of making my day lucky..
Giveaway! Time to celebrate!
Hey Lovelies!
As I said I finally graduated college on May 16, 2013! To tie in my celebration and Family Ties' second edition I'm throwing a big giveaway. I want to share my accomplishment with everyone, there will be more than one winner. I'm trying Rafflecopter for the first time so it's going to be interesting, and I'm excited. I would have done this sooner, but needed Family Ties to be ready, and it was worth the wait. The prizes are still pretty awesome, sorry that there isn't more, but I'm still applying for teaching jobs so I'm on a limited budget.
Terms:
1. USA residents only, shipping reasons.
2. You can enter everyday, once a day.
3. Not a term, but I'd appreciate it if you helped share :)
Prizes:
Big Prize: Signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties, + $20 gift card for Amazon + ecopy of Best Friends
Signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties + ecopy of Best Friends
Signed paperback of either End of the Line or Family Ties
Ebook copy of End of the Line and Family Ties
Ebook copy of either End of the Line or Family Ties
End of the Line
When so much is lost how does one to have the strength to move on? At seventeen Lauren was prepared for yet another year of school. Then asteroids hit, killing all of those she knew except for a few other teens from her neighborhood. Joining forces with her classmate Aaron, they work together on the journey in the hopes of finding more people that are alive. On the way, threats of starvation, illness, and freezing to death don’t compare to the danger of Dean Manson. Manson is an ex-con out for revenge against Aaron. With so much working against them these teens fight for everything even if it means denying their feelings just for the chance to see a new day.
Family Ties
Stories told by word of mouth can get twisted or lost. Abby grew up hearing about her great-grandmother Emma, a royal who left that life to come to America. Yet when Abby takes a summer job with her best friend Cory, she feels eyes on her. When she is kidnapped after leaving work, Abby learns there may be a hidden part of her family tree...
Best Friends
Travel through Jordan and Michelle's friendship. Jordan has just moved back to her hometown with her daughter and she reflects on major points on her friendship with Michelle.
LASTLY GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As I said I finally graduated college on May 16, 2013! To tie in my celebration and Family Ties' second edition I'm throwing a big giveaway. I want to share my accomplishment with everyone, there will be more than one winner. I'm trying Rafflecopter for the first time so it's going to be interesting, and I'm excited. I would have done this sooner, but needed Family Ties to be ready, and it was worth the wait. The prizes are still pretty awesome, sorry that there isn't more, but I'm still applying for teaching jobs so I'm on a limited budget.
Terms:
1. USA residents only, shipping reasons.
2. You can enter everyday, once a day.
3. Not a term, but I'd appreciate it if you helped share :)
Prizes:
Big Prize: Signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties, + $20 gift card for Amazon + ecopy of Best Friends
Signed paperbacks of End of the Line and Family Ties + ecopy of Best Friends
Signed paperback of either End of the Line or Family Ties
Ebook copy of End of the Line and Family Ties
Ebook copy of either End of the Line or Family Ties
End of the Line
When so much is lost how does one to have the strength to move on? At seventeen Lauren was prepared for yet another year of school. Then asteroids hit, killing all of those she knew except for a few other teens from her neighborhood. Joining forces with her classmate Aaron, they work together on the journey in the hopes of finding more people that are alive. On the way, threats of starvation, illness, and freezing to death don’t compare to the danger of Dean Manson. Manson is an ex-con out for revenge against Aaron. With so much working against them these teens fight for everything even if it means denying their feelings just for the chance to see a new day.
Family Ties
Stories told by word of mouth can get twisted or lost. Abby grew up hearing about her great-grandmother Emma, a royal who left that life to come to America. Yet when Abby takes a summer job with her best friend Cory, she feels eyes on her. When she is kidnapped after leaving work, Abby learns there may be a hidden part of her family tree...
Best Friends
Travel through Jordan and Michelle's friendship. Jordan has just moved back to her hometown with her daughter and she reflects on major points on her friendship with Michelle.
LASTLY GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN! :)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)