Upcoming Bali Trip

My hubby and I are planning for a getaway to Bali, Indonesia in August. Actually, we just wanna take a short break from all the stress at work. And to enjoy some nice spa, good food and shopping, of course. So I have been browsing thru the sites and came across Bali Garden Hotel situated at Kuta area which somehow attracted me. It is said that staying at Kuta area is like at the central of the main spots that we should visit in Bali.

And I sent an email enquiry but unfortunately they are fully booked on the 1st week of Aug. I was recommended to their sister hotel, Samsara Hotel & Spa instead. The reservation staff also offered me a deluxe room at RM138 per day and a 10% discount of their Spa Packages, which made a big smile on my face. But anyway the Spa packages are god damn cheap in Bali! It's only about Rm40 - Rm60. Damn Shiok rite. We are really looking forward to this trip. I think I better start saving some money from now coz I'll be in a shopping spree in Aug. Lolz.... No one can stop me! Hehehe, see how whacky I can be.....

Happy Tamil New Year

The month of Chittrai embarks the time of our new year. Tamil New Year " Puthandu " is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year (according to the Gregorian Calender). People greet each other "Puthandu Vazthukal" which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappu.

As per the Hindu mythical legends, Lord Brahma started creation of the universe on this day. New Year's day is a gala time for all Indians. The main focus is on the food eaten on the day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the pulse of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, neem flowers which tastes sweet, salt, sour and bitter (one of my favourite dish). This entails different colors of life. It depicts that life has to face everything from success to defeat. It is also said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswarar.

Indians follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view 'Kanni' at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.

Following the rituals, Indians take bath using a specially prepared medicament (Marutthu Neer) prepared by using various flowers, leaves, aruhampul, turmeric, milk and others. This is to reduce any negative effects that would be caused by any unfavourable planets during the advent of the New Year. After this, Panchangam (almanac) is read. Ladies adorn their houses with fresh mango leaves and Kolam (rangoli) designs. Sometimes, a decorated lamp kuthuvillakku is placed in the center of colorful Kolam to bring light to the house. People in the advent of merry making and feasting exchange gifts with each other. And this year is special as it falls on a Sunday. I will be celebrating it with my family members.

Wishing all Indian bloggers and friends,

Unggalukkum Unggal Kudumbatharkum ...

Enathu Iniya Tamil Putthandu Nalvaalthukkal

Good Deeds

Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up;
they must be performed.
Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great souls.
All these activities should be performed without attachment
or any expectation of result.
They should be performed as a matter of duty.

~srimad bhagavad gitaa~

What Do Dreams Mean???

The question hasn't been clearly answered by science yet. It's possible they are a way to exercise the brain. Some theorize that dreaming is a way to categorize and "file away" things that weren't sufficiently dealt with during the day. This theory could explain why daily events so often become a part of that nights dreams.

Dreaming does seem to be necessary. In experiments, people have been prevented from dreaming by being woken up whenever they started, as evidenced by their REM or "rapid eye movement," which accompanies dreaming. This seems to cause mental distress, although this distress was often nothing more than increased attempts to dream. Still, those woken an equal number of times, but randomly, didn't seem to suffer as much.

We may need to dream, but we don't know why, and we could argue endlessly about the meaning of the content of our dreams. There are many old wives tale but some say its superstitious and some do believe. An unexplainable topic.

Forever in Love

Love is a feeling that comes from the heart and changes our lives forever. It is very special and precious. It comes in our lives like a soft breeze and things change forever. So, when something is so valuable, we should make sure it stays with us forever.

Love gives a simple life, beauty, colour and fragrance. When love enters in a life, never-ending spring starts, new flowers bloom and the aura of beauty covers everything. Feel it to the fullest....

Moody Weather

What a bad weather! It's been raining for the past 2 weeks or so and i have seen the sun only twice. I have been feeling very lazy and inactive since then. It's not a good time to go out either, being caught in the rain or drizzles cause bad headaches and influenza. And moreover, i just hate the feeling of doing nothing and boredom to the maxxxxx.....

Sun, where have you gone hiding, please come out smiling soon........ : ) Miss you so much ok.

My Cousin Sister's Valakappu

Mum n Dad to be......

For her

Mum-in-law started with the traditional stuffs

Vanita Akka putting the bangles

Akka, you've put on weight, the bangle is not going in......... :p

Godmother

She opened the yoghurt rice 1st followed by the tamarind rice,

so its a boy........... (old grannies beliefs)

Glowing with happiness, my favourite akka. Love ya......

A shot after the ceremony

The bangle ceremony was held at her house in Bedok, S'pore. One of my favourite shopping paradise, there are many great stuffs you can get under her block. It's a very convenient place with all facilities surrounding the housing estate.

Anyways, i wish her all the best and pray that she will have a smooth delivery. After many years, she's finally been blessed with a child. Thank God.