The Dream, that came True

Its that time of the year again; when I am reminded and write about my annual sports achievements, reliving those challenging moments in my mind, and sharing the happiness of my success with my readers. Forming those thoughts after this gap of few months helps me set apart the fantacies and elated emotions from the facts :)

It was the morning of 16th January, 2011 when participants from all over the world ran for a cause, a belief, a goal... The Standard Chartered Marathon 2011 flagged its 11,000 Half-Marathon participants at 6:15 am IST and announced the start of the races for the day. We were to start from the holding area at Bandra Reclamation and reach Victoria Terminus which made it a total distance of 21.029 kms.

My heart pounded reverberantly as the countdown for the race began. Running over the artistically constructed Bandra-Worli Sea Link was thrilling and the beautiful sunrise added to its pleasure. 

There were water and sport drink pitstops where we could hydrate ourselves. Also, the emergency medical units by Asian Heart Institute, mobile toilets, and Relispray units added to the comfort of the runners. We were accompanied by media reporters, doctors and encouraging residents all throughout the route. Some excited and enthusiastic veteran runners kept motivating the newbies to keep enjoying the run as we kept time. 

The moist zone at 10 kms mark was refreshing. It kept us cool for the later part of the run;Chowpatty, Marine lines- when the sun was right on top of our heads. I was banking on the 3hr pacer lead by Venkat, which they had introduced this year to complete the race. He was the confidence pill for me as the race day approached, but I managed to complete it before him and his gang!

I was prepared for the Peddar Road stretch from the previous year's experience of the Gold's Gym Cycle Race... The uphill was the most challenging part of the race for me... It was timely that the Kenyan and the Ethiopian Marathon Runners passed by, because that really pumped up our energy seeing them sprint across the road. Residents at Worli Sea Face, Peddar Road offered lime juice, and glucose biscuits as they encouraged us runners to keep it up... 

The past 3-4 month's resistive practice on the sand had prepared me enough to cover the road stretch of 18 kms. The tempo, the group I was running with, the crowd and seeing my enthusiastic, fun, and loving family at Churchgate cheered me up to reach the finish line with full zeal and energy... Finally, I managed to complete the race in 2:58:29 net time, enabling myself for a AIMS recognized timing certificate.

It wouldn't have been possible without the support, and prayers, of my dearest family and friends, the educative seminar of Asian Heart Institute; where I learnt to recognize the needs of my body, and the confidence pill.

Exploring Mumbai

One of our dreams has been to explore Mumbai by the map. Travel to the unknown destinations, meet different people and get acquainted by their cultures that binds them close to their faiths. Its this faith that helps maintain the quintessential equilibrium.

Our need to have a bead curtain in our Entertainment room made us travel to Bhuleshwar in South mumbai; a place where ancient customs fight for space with modernity. This famous whole-seller's market, known for its temples, is visited by thousands throughout the day. The lanes are narrow and extremely crowded during the day where you will find a variety of interesting people doing odd professions.

A great way to reach Bhuleshwar is by train to MumbaiCentral station and then a bus 234 to the destination. The Bus passes through must-visit places like Sarvi -known for its Arabian Seekh near Nagpada police station, City Mall-Mumbai Central, MohammedAli Road, Paydoni. Old mumbai has a flavor of its own.

Its a place for the creative minds. A place where you can get the costliest and the cheapest options. A place where each shop owner has a smile on his face and is every ready to help you with your requirements even if it means directing you to the neighborhood shop. From Glass, Acrylic, Crystal to Plastic all kinds, shapes, sizes and colours are available in the beads market.

I believe we only experienced 1/3rd of Bhuleshwar that day. After sun set we moved on from this neo-gothic vicinity that had so much to offer, , not without pondering over the myriad shades that makes Mumbai a highly vibrant city.

As I conclude this thought and tick mark one of the many places I plan to visit and explore in Mumbai, I wonder about the people who travel to this place everyday for their businesses… What a life!

Belief

Inspiration from TED:Rebuilding America, one slide show at a time - Bill Strickland (2002) Mr Roch (his mentor) to Bill Strickland

”The world is a place worth living

I believe in you

I believe in your hopes and ur dreams,

I believe in your intelligence

And I believe in your enthusiasm

...

I am banking on you

and in all the decent people who still believe in something

And I dont think I am crazy, I think we can get home on this thing.

...

Make a friend in every town and you will never be alone.”

Inspirations

Those who never speak falsely can be secure and proud in the knowledge that they have done nothing to contribute to the confusion of the world, but have served as sources of illumination and clarification. They are totally free to be. Dont have to slink around in the shadows. Do not have to construct new lies to hide old ones. They need not waste effort covering tracks or maintain disguises. And ultimately find the energy for self-discipline which is far less than the energy required for secretiveness - Says M. Scott Peck in the "Road Less Travelled"..

Very impressive! A source to learn from.

Duct Tape

Happened to frame a few words on the Duct tape that we have been using throughout for repairs.... :) The solution -gum kind of started melting this summer and I thought of getting rid of it.. but somehow we kept using the roll untill yesterday I realised that it was almost over...

To just laugh our hearts out...This one is for the Duct Tape.. popularly known as as the Duck Tape..

Its farewell time for you my dear,
Bidding you good bye
With a tear in my eye...
You have served us well thoughout
Now ur siblings will do the working out...
Bits of you are all over my house -
For you were so special to my spouse;

We couldnt have done without you - there was no escape...
For you are rightly called the Duct Tape.

61st Replublic Day

How long has it been that you attended a Flag hoisting on one of the National days?

Not after school.....

Was enriched today when small kids of our building with support, encouragement of their mothers got together to hoist our Indian flag. Interestingly made to rest on the pulley (thread rolls); the flag hoisting marked the start of the

day for us.

Was followed by the National Anthem, snacks and a drawing spree where all participants were given gifts. They were informed about our President and Prime Minister.

The kids got me into putting my thoughts on paper. I held the blank drawing sheet in my hand after a long time and realized my mind was so restricted, I let the crayons do the wonders for the pencil gave me a scare. haha!

It was time well spent. Some pictures to speak for themselves...

Kids were pleased to receive postal colours.

Drawings by the kids.

Shantaram

I have been reading this book, its pretty impressive how the Author conveys through incidences his experience of Mumbai. I like his statements, analysis and judgements at the end of every chapter. Its getting me addicted to it more and more.

A few quotes from the starting chapter:

"The choice you make between hating and forgiving can become the story of your life" - Ch 2

"I am gay, I am jewish, I am a criminal. Bombay is the only city I have ever found that allows me to be all of them" - Ch2

"Civilisation after all is defined by what we forebid, more than what we permit" -Ch2

"When you judge the power that is in a person, you must judge their capacity as friend and as enemy" Ch2

Books I read

I have recently had this strong realisation about myself that I tend to start reading books on different subjects together and on the basis of my moods I continue to read them.. consequences are that I end up reading too many but never complete them for I get involved in one or the other concepts.

Currently m reading:

The spouse by Shobha De

You Can Win by Shiv khera

Management ideas in Action

Shantaram by Gregory Roberts

"Shantaram" has been a great inspiration. It has made me get aware of lifestyles in Mumbai which I was totally ignorant about it. Cannot be totally declared as a fiction. I think the author makes you live through his experiences.

"Spouse" has changed my perspective to things and relationships. There are a number of things I instantly agree with, things that I would want to take care of as my limitations.. Its a fruitfully involving self therapy...

"You can Win" strikes as the spark I need in my life.. It helps me think positively...

But as I said before.. have not completed either of them. Does this happen to all readers?

Article

Article from "The Pulse" - Gold's Gym Magazine October 2009

Re-living the moment has its own merits, it not only feels good but I can also share some good moments, experiences with you all...

So, it was the 17th May 2009 morning, when cyclist from Gold's Gym headed for a race. We were 15 cyclist and 20+ supporting team members. We were to start from Gold's Gym Bandra and reach Hotel Trident at Nariman Point ( famous for the recent hijack attack) and returned back.

Driving Directions

Link:

<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=4th+%26+5th+Floor,Landmark+Building,Adj+Rupee+Bank+Pali+Naka,+Bandra+West,+Mumbai,+400050,+India+(Golds+Gym)&daddr=Mahim+Bus+Station+to:Hendre+Mansion,+Shop+No+29,+Gokhale+Road,+Dadar+(w),+Mumbai,+Mumbai+400028,+India+(Siddhi+Vinayak)+to:Worli+to:Peddar+Rd,+Cumballa+Hill,+Mumbai+City,+Maharashtra,+India+to:Marine+Lines+to:Hotel+Trident,+Nariman+Point&hl=en&geocode=Ff2wIgEdYkNXBCGPsRZNu_gb-w%3B%3BFUAtIgEdn01XBCFQ0Xmnaw5HmQ%3B%3B%3B%3BFYzKIAEduzJXBCG0IdMkqYIhKg&mra=ls&sll=18.988441,72.821159&sspn=0.187642,0.319633&num=10&ie=UTF8&z=12>

The group.

There were 7 Pitstops on the way where cyclist could stop if they could not go any further and return when the group would return... Support team of 3 members each were standing at these pit-stops to provide water, energy drinks, bananas or any kind of aid required. we were accompanied and lead by cars and trainers on the bikes...

We started at 6am in the morning, cycling our way through, surprising the people on the road including the policemen who were taken aback by the "spardha (race)".. The road in the morning was clear and the atmosphere pleasant..

We were all very excited about making it to the destination. Most of us had gear bikes..The other girl in the group backed off at the bandra signal itself.. I had participated for the sheer fun of it and wanted to test how

far I could make it.. Didnt know I was in for some cool surprises...

The peddar road stretch..

The entire journey was great till we reached Peddar road which is an uphill. Everybody struggled to get through for it was steep. Having gears in the cycle helped us a lot.. some with great muscle strength found it better to go on higher gear (more strength- less pedalling) whereas going on a lower gear just helped me glide through (faster pedalling with very little effort). Thanks to the training I had got from Raphae the day before.

The one who came first.

Reached Trident where a team of trainers were waiting for us. They made us stretch, lie down on the rocks and watch the clear sky.. that was new, coz had never done something like that before.. it was meant to cool us down for the trip back.. we were actually ready after the 5 mins meditation trick. and headed back to our very own destination... going back seemed easier for the peddar road stretch was crossed at the beginning of the journey.

All of us reached back safe and sound... the person to arrive first completed the 42kms in 2:05:00.. while I reached in 2:15:00.

I never believed I could go that far, but making it back and in decent time made me feel great...

Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did, writing about it..

When was the last time you played with foam. Remember those childhood days when you would lose your mind (LOL!) seeing water and foam.. I would..

Whenever I would go to the beach I would get that "Bubble blower".. We would go crazy trying to catch each bubble that would get created from that small instrument.. it was so amazing..

Just wanted to experience that once more.. was feeling like doing something crazy so we blocked out kitchen's washbasin.. filled in lots of detergent mixed water and started making bubles with a straw.. we the creative human beings found out ways to create castles, tunnels and caves through that foam.. I was trying to create two bubles in one.. ie wanted to create a series of bubbles but failed.. i guess will have to learn it from a child..


Ofcourse in the end just blew all the foam on each other and felt satisfied having done the job well LOL!

Sometimes even small things provide so much pleasure.. I guess its all in the mind.

Blessed with rains

What do you do when you get up in the morning and find that its raining outside? smile? Try reaching it from your window sill or call friends and get wet till it lasts?

Its raining as I write this note. M getting into the mood of describing it but at the same time m missing the fun I would have had getting wet :). The lush green leaves and the clean trees look beautiful. The smell of turpentine (m wondering where its coming from) is good. Getting into a mood of a long bike ride.

We have been enjoying rains since last week and tempers have gone down. People on the streets, strangers I meet look more happy to me. The blossoming trees, the chirping birds, the hen next door, the cats around seem to be enjoying the weather as much as we are...

This is not my first monsoon in Mumbai. M still enjoying it to the fullest. Garam chai, pakodas and the scenic view from my balcony.. this place feels like heaven. Mumbai being a coastal region it usually experiences heavy rains.. so more water clogs, more road blocks - traffic jams, water on the train tracks.. apart from all this in the end everybody just loves the drop of rain falling on them be it acidic or natural. :) Once in a while I think I wouldnt mind getting stuck ON MY WAY BACK HOME.:) M sure its very exciting, adventurous and tactful to make your way back taking care of the puddles, open gutters, sharing the same time with strangers around and I would have all the time in the world hearing them grumble about the govt 's management flaws.

Its a pleasant season and the one I like the most of the three we experience in India.
(Pic Courtesy : Reuters)

Today

You must be thinking whats the big deal that she writes an article on her "day" in life...

Well, today of all the days was a good one.. many things happened, both new and bold... the most exciting of them all is that I have 7 guests at my place.. aaaah! Please dont frown at the thought of "guests"!!!! The ones at my place are different...they are living beings, from our world, seem busy like us; running- moving about in search for their dreams.... FISHES!

Wow! m actually excited to have them over... they are my teacher's pets and I have agreed to take care of them for the next coming month... All of a sudden my attention has diverted and is now focussed on those cute creatures that are living under my roof as my responsibility... which is a big thing coz never have I fed anybody (realistically speaking).. :)

An overwhelming feeling surrounds me.. and I am not going to be alone ever in that room... leaves me with a happy feeling... small things in life give pleasure so just thought I'd share with you all..

-Farah

Today

Hello Dear all,

The weather today is surprisingly pleasant. Have been experiencing lot of climatic changes in the past few months.. The summers have set in and its really very hot. Mumbai, being on the coast, has always been known to be pleasant but this year its different. Its vacation time here and everybody is in a laid back mood, kids enjoying their times off school and I am recollecting my times when i did the same... so took up  a project myself....

I have been learning to write calligraphy. A totally different prospective to writing. The positioning of the pen, curves and the output make it so artistic.Since I have been understanding and analysing handwriting, I realise Calligraphy brings out the creativity in a person and his moods determine the curvature and slope of the handwriting which plays a very important role in making the entire work look artistic and beautiful.

At the same time when most of my thoughts I convey come from the tic-tic of the keyboard, so is the case with most of us, I think Calligraphy will always just remain an art, hobby and never a script used frequently.Snail mails, and sounds of scritch- scratch pencil have almost disappeared from my world, I believe to keep this hobby of mine alive I need to consciously use it to my benefit.

I think same is the case for most of the languages. Which of the languages do you know of, have lost their value over the time.

Music

What kind of music would you like to listen to?

As I listen to the strains of "mirchi song.." from the neighbourhood.. I wonder about this phenomenon of extremely irritating music by some composer / singer being played all over the place, from music channels to discos to the paan shops... I first heard it in Surat in a Friend's car.. Why did it ever have to start from there.... LOL!

Why is it that only the horrible songs catch on like this? I mean think about Altaaf Raaja.. there was a time where you could not get onto a bus or an auto-rickshaw without hearing "tum toh thehre Pardeseeeeeee..." Aaaaaarrrr gggghhhhh!!! Some more I can think of "Acha sila diya"......

So why do you think these songs catch on all of a sudden and disappear even more suddenly? Is their popularity due to the fact that they appeal to the great masses or is it the other way around?

Realisations

Was watching " The Matrix Revolution" the other day, in the third part there is a scene enacted by Trinity and Neo where Trinity is about to die in the space ship and she remembers, recollects the first time Neo saved her life...

As she faces death, she realises that she has so many things to convey to so many loved ones and especially to Neo. She marks the importance of the moment by mentioning that her last wish was to say sorry to him but instead she confesses her love. It was then that she takes her last breadth and dies.

It touched my heart in many ways, made me think of what i would be wishing for; at that crucial moment when the stark reality of this world will grip me through. Where there will be no space for lies, negativity or corruption and all one will wish for is good.

Some of the things that I have decided to do is to speak up my feelings, concerns and gratitude to those who owe it, deserve it and not be held back by ego, wrong beliefs and sometimes even etiquette. Normally as a child we learn to express, are taught good manners and informed about the world...many inhibitions take over and we lose the real essence of life. in this moment of truth, I have taken this resolution to do, share and live life to the fullest. ( truly speaking i have yet to find out the extent of "living life to the fullest")