Tales Of India

Ever since the age 16, I’ve been solely fascinated with the Indian culture. From it’s regularly practiced religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism), to its modern day “bollywood” movies; India has kept me engaged for the past 4 years.

My personal relationship with India began in 2006. Mimicking somewhat of an Indian marriage, I celebrated my 16^th birthday decked in colorful saris while indulging my taste buds in my families West Indian made “curry”. By the time I turned 18, I decided to tattoo right leg with India’s most familiar symbol: The Ohm.

“Ohm” or “Aum”, whichever you prefer, simply signifies “eternal peace” or “absolute peace”. The symbol is often found with certain mantras such as Ganesh or can be pictured with India’s most famous lotus flower. For those of you that don’t know, Ganesh is said to be the Hindu god of wisdom. Commonly known for the god with the body of a human and the head of an elephant, Ganesh is also the god who removes obstacles.

Christmas of 2008 came around and my sister-in-law blessed me with one of my favorite books in my personal “novel-reading” history: Sister of My Heart. Author, Chita Banerjee Divakaruni, couldn’t have produced anything less than the greatness it was. Exposing me to the culture, traditions and love, I felt as if I were an extra in the Anju and Sudha household.

Then there was tonight. After a long day at my internship, I decided to come home and relax. Browsing for a movie on hulu.com I was automatically drawn to a photo of a woman in sari. I immediately clicked on the link and appeared the title: Kama Sutra. Every bit of the movie was moving. In one word the movie was about women. Women in love. Women in lust. Women in hurt. And women in envy. While watching the movie, I’ve realized that I’ve known a woman in pain, as Tara. And I’ve loved a man as Maya did Rasa Dive. Tonight, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m still on this road of never ending love and I’m happy to proclaim my love as…INDIA.

Homemade Crab Cake Salad

For weeks now I’ve been glued to my television watching the Food Network. Between shows like Good Eats and Chopped, I’ve grown to have this newfound love for spices and flavor. I’ve been in love with food for a very long time now, but the Food Network opened something new for me. Instead of trying to get new flavors and tastes in expensive restaurants, I’ve decided to something new in my own kitchen!

Kalish’s Homemade Crab Cake Salad (I was super excited while writing that title!)

I made my own dressing which included the following:

Red Onion, Chopped Tomatoes, Red Wine Vinegar, Black Pepper, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Honey, Olive Oil *Go me!*

Emotional Wreck

When you begin to cry, they say that’s the beginning of your “healing process”. These tears no longer feel like tears of comfort, but as they stream down your face they sting like the pain you feel. This long going case of insomnia allows you to vision yourself in her place… “We were happy and madly in love”. His friends say “hey”, while he shoots a look of resentment your way. You try hard to compose yourself, but the tears are building rapidly, into a flood that needs to be released. You thought you were strong, but as soon as you’re home alone the tears become an involuntary reaction to the emotions that you kept bottled. Visions of his new love make you feel less than nothing. Where do you go from there? The one you loved, has found someone else to love, to laugh with, to care for. You have your options, but you're not ready to move on. You're not ready to give up immediately, you're not ready to find someone else. You want him, you need him, but he left. He left a wounded heart, he left you loveless feeling like there was nothing else to live for. Where do you go from there?

A Letter to DST

Okay so tonight is going to be a little different. For those of you that don't know I'm a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and lately there has been a lot of confusion going on concerning my organization. Just to set the record, I've decided to write a little letter.

Dear Devastating Ladies of DST:

To be frank and upfront with you, your founders were far from being unique. All they really did was take OUR idea and put a twist of red and white on it. If you ask me that's just devastatingly WACK. Obviously, they didn't posses the intellect to come up with something of their own. So I'll take your talk of being "paper" and threats of "seeing you in the cut" but after that what will you have? Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is known internationally and we continue to strive for the image that our founders exemplified and graciously depicted back in 1908. And if I'm so much of being "paper" why even waste your 140 characters speaking my organization's name. Isn't it your founders day today? Face it, you love us and since you were not worthy of becoming a TRUE AKA, you lowered your standards and settled for less. Your second and you will remain second. So as I turn my pretty PINK and GREEN back to you reciting the words "pardon OUR back" ....you can kiss my pretty ass while watching me walk away with much pride. It's all "greek" love and oh yeah happy founders day!

P.S. If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it. And a little word of advice: don't be so bitter, its makes you age quicker. =D

They Say...

They say that you never really appreciate someone until their gone. This, I’ve learned, is something that is very true. They say you’ll know when you have fallen in love; this is also true.

But when this all occurs, and your left with just a feeling, what do “they say” then?

When you’ve loved to the end and cried tears of bitterness until your heart aches of envy of the next that your lover may have. What do “they say” then?

When you no longer feel the importance of maintaining an everyday life, but instead you feel urge to sulk in the darkness of pain that may take your very own life. What do “they say” then?

People you thought were friends, soon become enemies. Family seems distant and no one is there to help you. What do “they say” then?

People always look to “they” for answers, overlooking the fact that the answers could only be found within you. Life is rough and love sometimes is even rougher.

You shouldn’t let people judge your life or anything else. Life’s only judge is God. When you figure out all the answers “they” will no longer exist, leaving you with the room you need to live a successful and meaningful life. The best way to go is: Live life and love. =)

The Journey of Reading

Okay, so I finished one out of the four books that I purchased while in California. This first book that I read was A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. It wasn’t until the ending of the first chapter that I had realized that I had actually seen the movie; which sucked because I knew the plot already. Nevertheless, I continued reading to get annoyed by Nicholas Sparks’ constant use of the phrase “…if you know what I mean.” Before reading the book, I’d revcieved so many great reviews about his writing, but it was nothing special. If you ask me, he’s seem pretty generic. Don’t get me wrong, the book wasn’t boring at all, but I’ve had better encounters with great literature.

One thing that I did love about this book was a quote found within the last few pages. It wasn't anything that Sparks had written himself, but it definitely caught my attention. It made me think about the word love and what it actually meant. It simply stated :

Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and it is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and endure whatever come.

*This quote is from one of the greatest books ever written. You guess which one.*

This week while browsing through the many channels that DIRECT TV has to offer (great promotion), I came across the title Love in the Time of Cholera. It had been a familiar title, but nothing I’d ever read or seen before. The movie was absolutely phenomenal, I’m a bit upset that I didn’t discover the book first. I totally recommend it for anyone that is looking for a great movie with a great plot! It doesn't get any better than that.

*Note to reader: Never watch the movie of a book, before actually reding the book. It takes away from the excitement of actually reading. If you read the book, then watch the film, its fun to compare the minor details that differ from the book to the movie.

Now Reading: The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Emotional

I wasn’t aware of my emotions until I met you.

Some say I’m emotionally detached, while others say I’m an emotional creature.

You say I’m emotionally unstable while I say I’m emotionally hurt.

The pain I feel when I think of how much I took for granted; the love we shared.

The anger I feel, when you tell me that you no longer care.

The picture that brings a smile to my face, when I think of our past.

The tears that fell, when you gave up too fast.

They come and they go, fulfilling those few minutes of satisfaction. Leaving me to wonder about

my personal actions. Never loved anyone the way I loved you, never really shed a tear until

things were about you.