Up (2009)

Little Carl Friedrickson (Ed Asner) and his playmate Ellie are both travel enthusiats and fans of the great explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). As time flies, Carl and Ella get married but a miscarriage changes how they see things - like their dream to visit Paradise Falls in South America. But their dream stays one, lost in the pages of a scrapbook that is as old as they are.
However, in their old age, knowing that time is of the essence, Carl plans to surprise Ellie with a trip to the falls. But it's a little too late when fate intervenes and deals a cruel hand when Ellie dies. Depressed and lonely Carl stands firmly rooted to their home and refuses to sell their house and land to upcoming high-rises in the neighborhood. Grumpy, old Carl is deemed by court a public menace and is ordered to be sent to a retirement home.

Contemplating a future course of action Carl plans an escape to the falls, before being whisked away to the retirement community. He ties numerous balloons to his house and is almost ready when his doorbell rings. He opens his door to find Russel (Jordan Nagai), a wilderness explorer, at his doorstep offering to help Carl in any way he can, in the hopes of scoring the last badge he is missing, 'to help the elderly badge'. Carl tells Russel off and Carl is soon blissfully floating in his home high UP in the clouds. However, unbeknown to him, Russel is his steadfast companion whether Carl wants it or not. And so begins the biggest adventure of both their lives.

Come and live an adventure in this animated, heart-stirring movie

Letters to Juliet (2010)

Sophie (Amanda Seyfried)  is a writer who is employed with The New Yorker as a fact checker. She takes a pre-honeymoon trip to Verona, Italy with her fiancé, Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal) hoping their time together  will do their relationship some good and iron out what they assume are pre-wedding jitters. However, Victor, a chef, who is opening a new Italian restaurant in New York doesn't want to miss out on the opportunity that Verona has to offer and he devotes most of his time planning for his upcoming restaurant. Sophie, left alone, senses a disconnect and a growing disappointment leading her to have second thoughts about her marriage.
While out sight-seeing one day Sophie happens across the 'Secretaries of Juliet' and decides to join the brigade in their quest to unite lost loves. While doing so, Sophie comes across a letter that Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) has written to Lorenzo (Franco Nero) over 50 years ago and she sets out to bring two long lost people together. And what do you know, cupid could strike anyone in the midst of rolling vineyards and under gorgeous blue skies.

Word for the day :-
hoi polloi - Plural noun meaning the masses; the common people (derogatory)

Peace comes from within, Do not seek it without ~ Buddha

The world we live in today is in the throes of tremendous upheaval - civil wars, acts of terrorism and political unrest has left millions of people displaced and having to pick up the pieces to start afresh. Since I am still in the Easter hangover mode ... I am left thinking .. As solemn and somber both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are, it is a time of reflection of actions past. Holy Saturday and Easter brings with it liberation, brought forth by forgiveness and bringing peace, joy and freedom from fetters that our own sins bind us in. How do you stand firm in faith against all adversity? How far and how long can this Easter bliss last. I wish and pray, forever ....

As I wake up each morning I love the view that greets me

“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing? (136-137)”  

― Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras  

Buddhist monastery, Dharamsala

“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

Golden Temple, Amritsar

“For each and every person, our Lord and Master provides sustenance. Why are you so afraid, O mind? The flamingos fly hundreds of miles, leaving their young ones behind. Who feeds them, and who teaches them to feed themselves? Have you ever thought of this in your mind?”  
 -  Guru Nanak,    
Sri Guru Granth Sahib   

 

Bom Jesu, Old Goa

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” - 1 Peter 3:15, The Holy Bible

Fire Temple

"Turn yourself not away from three best things: Good thought, Good word and Good deed." - A Zorastrian quote

Sands of Time

The setting was beautiful! The ocean waves were lapping a cool froth, leaving an imprint of my feet on the sand with the sun shedding its setting rays over the horizon. I stood there feeling nostalgic of a time and the years gone by …..

I remember running along those very sands, my little hand nestled in my dad’s, strong and firm, and my little feet trying to keep up with his big strides. I was running into the waves; they seemed so big to me then and yet, I never feared … I knew I was safe and could face them fearlessly with my dad by my side. I remember looking up into his eyes that were so full of love for me, with laughter written all over his handsome face. I knew I would always look up to him for everything and he would always be my “Hero”. I had this image captured in my mind’s eye… Never to be forgotten.

Today …… here I am again … years later, with the love of my life and as I stand here I miss my dad. I remembered the massive waves of trials and tribulations that had washed up my shore over the years and the sound advice that my dad would give me. When they had passed … they were just little whitecaps again … small and insignificant … Pretty and cool … Like life, itself! Beautiful!

Pic self clicked while on vacation in Goa

Now as I start a new chapter in my life, I will always remember that moment gone by on the sands … of time….!  My dad will always be my Hero, but I have another who I will be sharing the roller-coaster of my life with….The highs and lows… the thrills and excitement … To leave a part of me and those memories as a legacy …..

Eat Pray Love (2010)

The 3 basics that distinguishes human life from the other forms of life - is the ability to appreciate food (Eat), spirituality (Pray) and Love. This is a story of Elizabeth Gilbert (Julia Roberts), an accomplished woman who seems to have it all - a seemingly happy marriage, a beautiful home and a career as a successful writer. Then why is she plagued with unhappiness? After much deliberation and frustratingly unsuccessful attempts at prayer, she asks for a divorce hoping to escape the invisible snares that seem to enslave her. In the hopes of living a life she feels she is meant to live she gets into a relationship, on the rebound, but when that tanks she decides to leave behind all that she owns in search of answers.
Her love for food (Eat) takes her to Rome and four months and an expanding waistline later, a happier Liz leaves for India in her search for spirituality (Pray). Her charming self, so simpatico, helps her make lifelong friends, who urge her on her way. However, will her sojourn in Bali, her final destination, help her cross off the missing link on the list of self discovery - (Love)?

And good ole Gloria Jean's

A brave tale of finding oneself and of healing.

And while in Bali! 😘

A spectacular sunset from Uluwatu Temple

Word for the day :-

Halitosis - technical term for bad breath

The Underdog!

It was early one Saturday morning and it was temperate with only a hint of breeze when we took off on our motorcycle. The highway was dotted on both sides with nurseries. We took a stroll through a few of them not looking for anything particular. However, I succumbed to temptation and couldn't resist this adorable hibiscus plant in the prettiest shade of yellow while my husband picked a gorgeous double colored peach beauty. I couldn't wait to get home and begin planting. My little butter-cup (as I named him) was perfectly fine for a week or two, till calamity struck. Butter-cup was invaded by little bugs that sapped the life out of it. The pesticide (believe me I had to buy it, even though I didn't want to) I bought promised to get rid of the little pests. At first, it didn't seem to work. In fact Butter- Cup was soon bald of leaves, and I thought it was the end - no thanks to hubby convincing me that it was (and I miss emojis, right now)! But I simply wouldn't give up. Butter-cup received all my attention - lots of water, sun, music and a healthy diet of kind words (I know what you're thinking right now, 'I'm nuts'). But soon all my hard work paid off and there were new leaves and I could finally heave a huge sigh of relief when I spotted buds. So all was not lost after all!

                                                              Hats off to the underdog!



After eight months, one leaf at a time ~ ta da ..

Madhumati (1958) - a movie shrouded in mystery and intrigue

Devendra (Dilip Kumar) is on his way to the railway station to pick up his wife and child. But enroute there is a heavy thunderstorm and the road he is on is blocked in a landslide, compelling him to seek shelter in a neighboring mansion. Here Devendra instantly feels a connection and he has a vague sense of having been there before. And he slowly begins to remember a previous life...

Anand is an employee for Raja Ugra Narayan (Pran) and he has been hired to manage a vast estate. Beautiful rolling hills, cloaked in mists and mystery enchants Anand and he is haunted by a melodic voice. Madhumati (Vyjayanthimala),  the beautiful owner - a local tribal girl, and Anand fall in love. However, when Anand and Madhumati's father have to be away for a few days, disaster strikes. On their return, Madhu has vanished without a trace. What is the mystery shrouding her disappearance? Will a love like the one that Anand and Madhu shared die a slow death or will it live to eternity. .

A beautiful Bimal Roy film that can hold its own to this day. Music by Salil Choudhury is absolutely mesmerizing. it's a story of undying and eternal love.

On of the beautiful haunting numbers

Word for the day :-
Wodge - a large piece or amount of something