my CBZ!

All that you can't leave behind?

20 more days and I will be flying to a yet unknown destination, through the clouds, miles and miles away from where I belong. The feeling has not sunk in that I will really be away from here for quite a long time.

I will surely miss the things here, things we always take for granted but well, at a certain level, they are beautiful and interesting and fill you with a kind of nostalgia...

I'm wondering if I will really be leaving behind these streets, the patched roads of my colony, the stray cows on the street, the pani puri vendors and this entire scenery in the next few days? And my family, friends and relatives..? Driving recklessly on the streets - sometimes without speed limits and sometimes stuck in the mad traffic? The hustle-bustle on the streets, the native dialect, the language, the people and of course the food?

Am I really leaving all this behind for a new tomorrow in a few days??

I'm a T-Bird!

I'm officially a T-Bird now. It's a wonderful feeling to be a part of a global school like Thunderbird (my dream school) after being an AIESECer for a span of 2 years.

I look forward to the 2 years of this journey which will provide me a new challenge, help me learn more about myself, take me to a whole new world and give me memories of a lifetime!

I look forward to the 23rd of August, 2008.

Like an Eagle..

From www.tawanawilliams.com:

The eagle is so powerful that it can even soar above an approaching storm. It catches the wind by the tail and then rides the air currents. It does not fear. It does not panic. It only watches and waits until just the right moment and then aligns itself with the coming force of nature. Then it rides, glides, and soars. Just imagine that same eagle without wings...

Without its wings, the eagle would be powerless. It would not be able to soar above the earth, and we would miss the sight of him in flight. It would starve. Without its wings, this magnificent bird of prey would die.

Like that eagle, we have all been created to soar. With outstretched arms, we wait for our chance to catch a wave and soar. But my story is a bit different. I learned to fly, even without wings. I pray that my story will encourage you to live without excuses and even if your wings get broken, make the attempt to fly. I believe that if you will try, then you will live. If you don't, then like the eagle without wings, your dreams will surely die.

Santa introduces Himself!

News from the Positive news network...

After 26 Years Secret Santa Introduces Himself!

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The answer to one of the happiest
mysteries in the Kansas City area is being revealed this year.

A man who has given away millions of dollars and become
known as Secret Santa for handing out Christmas cash to
the needy is allowing his name to be publicized after 26 years.

But the reason for the revelation is an unhappy one. Secret
Santa has cancer. He wants to start speaking to community
groups about his belief in random acts of kindness, but he
can't do that without telling people who he is.

The man who has spread cheer for 26 years is Larry Stewart,
58, of Lee's Summit, who made his millions in cable television
and long-distance telephone service.

Stewart told The Kansas City Star that he was the man who
would walk up to complete strangers, hand them $100 bills,
wish them "Merry Christmas" and walk away, leaving
astonished and grateful people in his wake.

He handed out money throughout the year, but he said it was
the Christmas giving that gave him the most joy.

Now, he wants to inspire others to do the same. He said
he thinks that people should know that he was born poor,
was briefly homeless, dropped out of college, has been fired
from jobs, and once even considered robbery.

But he said every time he hit a low point in his life, someone
gave him money, food and hope, and that's why he has devoted
his life to returning the favors.

Think About This: Even a small gift to a stranger can give you the
same benefits - you don't need to be wealthy to participate - a gift
of your time is always appreciated too!

Nostalgia..

It has been quite long, so many things I have to say about Poland have been left unsaid - about the beauty of the small towns like Luban, Slupca, Swidwin, the amazing warmth and hospitality of the people, the memorable parties and dances, the time spent with PEACE interns, AIESECers and the sessions in schools. It's hard to put these memories here in words coz they can only be felt, and each time I see the pictures (almost 4800) from Poland, I am taken back to those wonderful days, where everything seemed like a dream.

Looking back at those three months, they form a separate chapter in my life - and also the most unforgettable time. I have understood more about the world and about myself through these experiences, something that will stay with me forever.

Stare Miasto - Warszawa

Sessions in Polish High Schools

Foundation for CSR - Breakfast at Intercontinental

Polska jest rajem!!!

Poland is simply beautiful, just the kind of place I had always wanted to be in. The weather is not as cold right now as I had expected but it should probably get colder soon. Its about Zero degrees currently. Lets rewind and start from where the journey began...

Delhi - Boarded the flight at 1 30 AM. The flight from Delhi to Amsterdam is for 8 hours and I reached the Schipol airport at 5 30 (Amsterdam time). It's a huge airport with hundreds of gates, shopping centers and everything else. It was a beautiful morning in Amsterdam, slightly foggy.

It was a strange feeling to travel alone for the first time to a foreign nation. I was excited, enthusiastic about it and I should admit a part of me was slightly apprehensive as to how its gonna be like, and how will I click with the people there (esp. coz i dont drink, smoke and sometimes talk so less).

At 9 25, I was on board the flight to Warsaw. The flight took off and we passed through the fog, the clouds and above them. It was simply beautiful. I just love these things so much.

11 45 AM - I could see the beautiful city of Warsaw from the flight, hovering above the city, into the fog, the beautiful white snow, it was simply beautiful. I felt the 'refreshing' cold breeze as I got off the plane. I'm glad not to encounter minus temperature on my first day but im dying to see it.



I was not carrying a copy of the invitation letter with me in my handbag so they made me wait for quite a while until I showed them the copy on the laptop.

I got the most amazing reception by the AIESECers from Warsaw SGH who were waiting for me - Gosia, Simon, Dorotka, Szymek (hope I did not miss anyone) along with Ewa and Pablo from FCSR. I want to thank you guys for making it so special for me. I was no longer apprehensive about anything after I met these wonderful people.

We together waited for Berna and Sophie to reach Warsaw and upon their arrival we took the tram, then metro to get to Warsaw SGH. Needless to say, the ride was amazing..

'Imagine' by John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

I love this song because I can relate to it totally. At times, I have thought if the world can really exist without any boundries - Can India and Pakistan re-unite and live in peace? Can the same process of unity be adopted by all countries in the world making Earth one single country? Maybe it is ridiculous, maybe it is absurd or too utopic but well thoughts are thoughts...

An immensely thought-provoking song indeed. It has so much relevance at this point in time when people are fighting to satisfy their greed & hunger for money and power, fighting in the name of religion.

The world can be so much better, if we all can understand these simple things.

I love the phrase from the movie ' Rang De Basanti' where Siddharth says- 'koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, usse perfect banana padata hai'
(No country is ever perfect, it is upto us to make it perfect).

So true!