Congratulations on 1 year !!!

Happy Anniversary!

You registered on WordPress.com 1 years ago!

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!

Feels like a dream but its true. Time does fly. A year ago on this day today, I started my blogging journey on WordPress with my first post http://paharidotme.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/my-rendezvous-with-sunrise-4/.  However, I re-posted it later on another date.

With 19,609 hits and 625 followers and 150 posts, it has been an incredible journey for me, a milestone that I am very much proud of to have achieved with the love and affection that WordPress community has showered upon me.

Like a flowing river time passed by but I enjoyed every moment in blogging, meeting some incredible people , reading many outstanding stories, poems, articles and also learning immensely from my fellow bloggers in a variety of topics of interests. I would like to extend my gratitude to all those that stopped by my posts and left wonderful comments that encouraged me every time.

Happy BLOGIVERSARY to ME!!!!!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for joining me in this wonderful journey and hope to continue together even in the years to come.

Time is like a river.You cannot touch the same water twice,because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life….

Tulips in Minnesota Arboretum

“Every person is like a single tulip. While they may blend when together, each one is special in its own light.”

—Kessler, Daniella

A little madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King. ~Emily Dickinson

Spring time in Minnesota Arboretum

Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil. —Bishop Reginald Heber

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nothing in the nature lives for itself.
Rivers don’t drink their own water.
Trees don’t eat their own fruit.
Sun doesn’t give heat for itself.
Flowers don’t spread fragrance for themselves……
Living for Others is the Rule of Nature.

Niagara falls

In the next couple of posts, I intend to write about a few of my earlier trips in the USA which I had been planning to but had been postponing for one reason or the other.  Going down memory lane as I recollect the innumerable road trips that we made, it makes me ecstatic and satiated.

I will begin with our trip to the spectacular Niagara Falls. I had read about the Niagara Falls in our school GK books, about it being the largest waterfall in the world, but never imagined how huge it would really be. When I first came to the US after my marriage, I had no idea what was in store. I never thought I would be travelling so much though we did talk about it often.

My husband was in Chicago at the time and Chicago itself is a place of wonder and beauty. This was the beginning of our road trips  and also my husband’s first long drive(self) experience in the US. We were joined by a couple friends with their sweet 3 year old who was very excited and enjoyed throughout the trip.

It was the month of  May, 2010. We drove from Chicago for about 8 hrs and stopped at Amherst for the night. Next morning, after another 4 1/2 hrs drive we reached the Falls. Since it was a long weekend, the place was over crowded and with great difficulty found our self a spot to park our car. Tired from the long drive we stopped at one of the restaurants and had a hearty meal as it was already lunchtime. Having rested for awhile we then went up the observation deck, which has a spectacular view of both American and Canadian Falls and The Peace Bridge.

After that, we headed towards the Maid of the Mist,  a boat tour that took us to the base of both the American and Horseshoe Falls.  At the start of the tour, we were given blue colored ponchos to keep us dry. The mists from the Falls intensified as we approached and the water began to swirl and roar. As we reached the edge, the boat stopped for a couple of minutes so that the people could enjoy the majestic view.The magnitude and power of the Niagara Falls can be fully and adequately appreciated only when one visits the place and feels the noise and the mists himself.

We returned in the evening to watch the display of colorful lights in the Falls. There was a huge crowd on both sides of the river.

The next day, early in the morning we walked towards The Cave of the Winds. In this trip we got to wear yellow ponchos and flip flops. The trip was literally breathtaking. After a long wait in the queue and a short elevator ride down about 175 feet into the Niagara Gorge, we reached a platform from where we climbed a few stairs that led to the Horseshoe Falls. To the right were the platform to the American Falls and Bridal Veil.

The roar of the water gushing down from above was just awesome.The final climb led to the Hurricane Deck, which literally gave us the feeling of a hurricane with the wind, gushing water and the crashing roar all around. I enjoyed getting drenched in the cool water of the mighty Niagara Falls, an experience of a lifetime.

After that we went to the Niagara park and walked along the bank of the mighty river. We took a couple of pictures there too. We explored the three sisters island and walked the trail down to the area just above the Fall. It was simply mesmerizing.

Anyone visiting the US must visit the Niagara Falls as its a place worth visiting. There are also many activities for the adventure lovers. I have heard that the Canadian view is even more beautiful but as we didn’t carry our passports we left it for some other time.

Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does Nature, because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous.– Leonardo da Vinci

“And even the Sun in dawn chorus sings, a celestial melody to the earth below.” ~Tjaden

Dreams are illustrations… from the book your soul is writing about you. ~Marsha Norman

Launching a Dream is like the mind taking a breath of fresh air…Like a surprise gift always waiting to be opened…Like a journey to a favorite place!! Always remember the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss

“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” ― Sarah Dessen

Never did I fall in love with my bulging belly as I do now. Forever I had been struggling to get those jelly belly off my waist but to no good. I struggled through my gym and yoga routines and had to cook up all sorts of excuses for my failure to get rid of my potbelly. I blamed the weather for staying indoors and various aches and pains in my body for irregularity in exercises. Not once did I accept my sluggish temperament and lack of motivation towards my goal. That perhaps  is in human nature to overlook one’s own shortcomings and play the blame game. But now am happily settled with my bump. Yes, am into 13 weeks and don’t know whether my tiny one is a He or She. But for the time being am happy to say I don’t need to struggle for that bulge any more. Known people no longer suggest how to lose weight. Rather they inquire about my health and are happy to see the protruding belly. Irony: What once was a matter of concern has turned into a matter of convenience now. I no longer loathe going to the stores for new outfits, which I used to dread a lot.  Now this no longer matters. We had been planning this for a couple of months and now it has happened. I am excited and so is hubby. So far everything is going well with no morning sickness but evenings am all worn out. However, I am ready for it and enjoying my bumpy days. I don’t want to quibble about my doctor’s visits nor the trauma one has to go through during the pregnancy as many people do. Rather, I would like to accept it as God’s blessings and accept whatever may come upon me just for the sake of my beautiful one. A miracle is on the way and my hopes dreams and aspirations have been aroused again. Pray everything goes on well all through the journey to be a MOM.

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
― William W. Purkey

When life gives you something that makes you feel afraid, that’s when life gives you a chance to be brave.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.
Zig Ziglar

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience. ” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious.
Phillips Brooks

Chill in the Spring!!

Do I feel miserable? Well, hell yes. Its mid of April and yet have to walk through the snow as if its mid December, how else would I feel?  Seems mother Nature has forgotten to shine in this part of the world. Its supposed to be spring now but there is no sign of it. Last week when I was out for a walk, I happened to see a few birds playing around in the dry branches of the trees. That made me feel spring wasn’t too far away. I now wonder where the poor birds are. Surely they must be feeling miserable and wanting to go elsewhere or maybe already have. Here are a few shots taken this morning. You will know why am so miserable.

Prayer for the departed: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

The tragedy of life is in what dies inside a man while he lives – the death of genuine feeling, the death of inspired response, the awareness that makes it possible to feel the pain or the glory of other men in yourself.Norman Cousins

“You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.” by Evan Esar

But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

“Of course there is no formula for success, except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life, and what it brings.” ― Arthur Rubinstein

“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.”Denis Waitley

An umbrella can’t stop the rain, but it still protects u from the rain. Confidence may not bring success, but it gives u the courage to face any challenge.

You say you love rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it.
You say you love sun, but you seek shade when it is shining.
You say you love wind, but when it comes you close your window.
So that’s why I’m scared when you say you love me.

G.K. Chesterton wrote: “Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.”

The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary. Men alone are quite capable of every wickedness- Joseph Conrad

There are things we don’t want to happen, but have to accept. Things we don’t want to know, but have to learn. And people we can’t live without but have to let go. -Jennifer Jareau

The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.–Henry Ward Beecher

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Albert Einstein

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“No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.” Christian Nestell Bovee

“There are two ways to slide easily through life; to believe everything or doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.” ― Alfred Korzybski

“Life is a full circle, widening until it joins the circle motions of the infinite.”
― Anaïs Nin

“That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable.” ― Deb Caletti

How wonderful it is, to be silent with someone.
- Kurt Tucholsky

A subject that is beautiful in itself gives no suggestion to the artist. It lacks imperfection. ~Oscar Wilde

“Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.”
Malcolm Muggeridge

“That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.” Ninon de L’Enclos

“Where stone, that mystic symbol of permanence, nobility, and enduring strength, has been transformed by nature’s sculptors into a grand display of three-dimensional artistry in rock unmatched for variety anywhere else.” ~Ward Roylance

Where is the Spring?

I had been off WordPress for a while trying to reconsider and re-conciliate with the winter trauma of having to stay indoors doing nothing but cooking and watching TV. I didn’t feel like doing anything at all..not even wp. We thought the worse was over when yesterday it snowed again. The weatherman predicts its going to continue for awhile though spring is just round the corner. I feel sorry for dear hubby who has to commute to work in this despicable weather. I wish I could think something positive about the winter now but nothing comes to mind as I believe it has lingered on for too long. No sign of spring round the corner but heaps and heaps of snow piling up. Winter seems it won’t just let go.

Last year we hardly had any snow and we longed for a bit of  it so we could enjoy some winter activities. It’s been just the opposite this time. Perhaps its in human nature to be dissatisfied with anything and everything or rather too much of everything is bad. Whatever, I am sure all of us are eagerly waiting for some sunshine and warm weather.

 

I am reminded of a beautiful song from ABBA just to leave on a positive note.

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby. Ruth E. Renkel

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Instead of sailing off into the sunset, he hopes to sail into the next century ~Dave Anderson~

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Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction….Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A bell is no bell ’til you ring it,
A song is no song ’til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
‘Til you give it away.
~Oscar Hammerstein, Sound of Music,

“We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting” ~ Kahlil Gibran

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.”
Ivan Panin

“Losing An Illusion Makes You Wiser Than Finding A Truth.”Karl Ludwig Börne

“The road to success is not straight. There is a curb called Failure, a loop called Confusion; speed bumps called Friends; red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called jobs. But if you have a spare called Determination; an engine called Perseverance; insurance called Faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called Success!”
……UNKNOWN

Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift. – Albert Einstein

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
- Rachel Carson

“Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries”. — CORITA KENT

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