May This Year's Ride Be Smooth & Fun!

The last post of the year.  I had many other posts, but may be will start the year with that.  Also, from this year onward, since I have several projects, I will probably restrict blog posts to 2 or less per month.  Ofcourse there can always be exceptions.

I cannot abandon this blog, and have an affinity for the readers, who have been with me for nearly eight years.  

While this image is funny, and says much about life, and no matter how good or bad our life, it is a version of 'Reality' rather than 'Our Plans'.  As they say, Man proposes, universe (call it God if you will) disposes.

This year, may you all have a smoother path than last year, may you all laugh more and enjoy more, be surer of your life goals, chart out a plan to focus on your life plans, and may you all have good friends and get along well with colleagues and family!!

Gott Nytt År!! (Happy New Year)!!

Velvety Snow Covers it All

When the Christmas Trees seem to look like sign from the universe, that light never leaves us.  We just need to pay attention!!

And this one tells us why so many fairy tales came out of Scandinavia!!

Voulez Vous--and the Nobel Goes To.....!!

So believe it or not, it was reposted 3 years ago on December 28, 2017.  But it is relevant today.

And so no  harm in reading again....

First published on December 28, 2012, I am republishing this keeping with the theme of Nobel and prizes--and December of course--and not to forget that I am still aiming for 52 posts before the year end...here is an 'encore' --well, sort of .....

PS: I do understand more Swedish now than I did when the post was written....five years ago---wow!! 

Above pictures were taken from the internet.  More pictures may be seen by clicking here. 

I often forget I am living in the country that bestows the Nobel Prize (except the Nobel Peace prize which is conferred by Norway). 

I missed the ceremony the last two years.  And so was committed to watching it this year.

But ofcourse, I forgot again!!

And I was so lucky that I turned on the Tv on just the right day...accidentally.   When saw live commentary in Swedish over images of people dressed in tux and gowns....I knew i needed to get my blanket, a cup of glögg (mulled wine, an apt drink at this time of the year.  By the way, to those concerned the alcohol level in glögg (pronounced ‘glug’), is less than 2%, which makes it less intoxicating than cough syrup....ahem, ahem...),

But sadly enough after a about ten minutes I had to move away.  Not because I was not interested, but  because the commentary was in Swedish and I understood every tenth sentence.  Secondly, because i had much work to do.

I did pay attention to what the commentators were talking about.  The guests, nominees and menu.  So in many ways the ceremony is more classy than the Oscars, where red carpet is all about ‘which designer are you wearing’.  

I tried to research information on my computer as I watched the ceremony.  Thankfully, many nominees are American so they speak English...ha, ha...

I enjoyed the interviews.  I researched the Laureate for literature, who happens to be from China this year.

Here is what the official website states about him...

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2012 was awarded to Mo Yan "who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary”.

Just that makes you want to read his writings.

As I was watching it, I realized that they never televised this ceremony in the US.  What with Oscars, and Emmys and Tonys and Grammys, and VH awards, and many other mindless ones created to constantly honor those who are always in the limelight anyway, where is the room to televise Nobel Prize Ceremony!!

Having thought that, I myself got busy organizing my place.  But kept my television on for the background sound.

And then I heard something that made me realize another fact that I keep forgetting...


The dance number came on....Voulez Vouz...

Ah, not only am I living in the country that bestows the Nobel Prize, but also the country that gave the world ABBA!! 

And I stood in front of television, wrapped in my fleece jacket, with a broom in one hand  and a dustpan in another.  Smiling as broadly as I could.

I smiled when they showed overhead shots of heads of state and royalty from all over Europe gliding on the floor to the seventies number.

There were close ups of food being served. Something I have noticed is a tradition in Sweden.  Whenever we eat at formal places, the chef comes and lists all the goodies being served and explains the delicacy in detail.  I understand only a little ----but now I do expect the cook to show up and list the dishes on the menu.

Isn’t Nobel Prize Ceremony more important than the Oscars, I thought?  (Although I love watching the Oscars?) (PS: I do think that good story told, that becomes a part of our mythology, and gets retold for generations, is as important as finding a cure.  Stories do heal, just as medicine does, if not better.   )

I put that question to my students the next day (Isn’t Nobel Prize Ceremony more important than the Oscars, I thought?).

*Naah....’ wrinkled the young man in my class.

I had to giggle....young people, they are the same everywhere....

And in some ways those who care about awards, may vary in their tastes....but they are all waiting to hear......And the award goes to........ 

An Unusual Answer!

First Published on December 27, 2014, I am republishing this--continuing with the double theme of may students, teaching and Japan.

And update about the this precious student, this past summer, 2017, he graduated in flying from an MA from our department!!

The picture was taken in Hiroshima,  Japan, 2009, in a museum dedicated to those affected by the atomic bombing, which if we think deeply enough….is the entire world!

I ran into him around Swedish election results.  He was a bit hassled because Sverige Demokrtana had won more votes than ever before.  For those who do not know, Sverige Demokrtana is, however mild, the anti-immgration party of Sweden.  I am always amazed at how many Swedes are afraid whenever it gains a few votes.  That shows how Swedes love their respect for freedom and how deeply ingrained the value of equality is in the culture.  Things are changing and will change-- as is inevitable--because things have always been in transition and changing.  But Sweden has taken the best of what religions claim 'kindness, respect for humanity, a balance of work and rest' and incorporated into its culture--without the rigidity of religion. 

So, to see C's face a bit upset about the rise of Swedish Democrats power in the parliament was not unusual.  I am used to that expression.  After we talked briefly, we set up a time to meet to sit and chat, and catch up.

He was my student, over three years ago.  A quiet thoughtful young man.  I did not see him for nearly two years and then this year we ran into each other and started talking about life.  My schedule is crazy, so I hardly spend time with students outside of the class, but am deeply aware that I do want to spend time with my students to learn from them.  I keep thinking my life is in transition, so I should take the best of what I have.  One of the best things I have are my students.  And I have met some special ones in Sweden. 

So, despite the crazy schedule, I make time for a half hour chat, or a coffee with some of my students.  

So we met at Glantan, a small cafe in the student hall, for a cup of tea.  We talked about live and dreams and hopes and aspirations.  Among other things I remember him telling me was that he collects rainwater, because his mom taught him that.  That way you make the best of natural resources.  The rain water may not be used for drinking but can be used to water plants and do other chores.  I marveled at this simple and sustainable technique.   Now that is religion, taking care of nature, being a bit extra thoughtful in how to use the resources.  I knew an American woman in Fiji, who had lived in Tonga for over three decades who did the same.  

During our conversation, I asked C, so what are you passionate about, what do you want to do with your life.  He stayed silent for a bit, shook his head, covered his face  with his hand, removed his hand, ran his fingers through his hair--all of the took less than ten seconds, and then he gave me an answer, which I wish to live my life by….

"I want to learn in a way to be the best I can be, as a human being and take that and apply to wherever I go…"

Such wisdom!!

What more could we ask for--I know he's fine, he will be fine no matter what he chooses to do, but more than that, that we are grateful to have such young people around who inspire us to be --the best that we can be----

Finns and their Humor

Simple, straightforward and sort of scandinavian!!  

A sign at Helsinki Airport!

Search--Iglesia?: Found in Translation!

Dear Readers: Please know that I am not trying to simply re-use old articles, but there is a reason for this re-cycling some of these articles.  First, most of them are reposted with an update and sometimes and extra pic.  Second, these are some articles that I have myself thought about several times.  Third, I have told myself that by the end of this year, I should have 52 posts this year.  Meaning one for every week.  Finally, fourth and most important, especially for this---I have realized I have a few new readers.  I have not publicised this blog, there is no way you can post it anywhere, and it is not really meant to be shared, so none of those features are added.  I started this only to document happenings and musings and share pictures.  At first it was simply by permission, and there were about 100 people who I sent out the invitation.  Slowly, I realized, to keep it that way was much work, if something was not working. So, I kept it open. Also, kept my posts quite detached. Most of these are not personal--more like musings.  But writer that I am (I usually do not acknowledge it, and only recently told myself that is what I am), I am hungry for readers. It is good for the ego.  Sadly, as of now, I still love it when someone enjoys what I write.  Many of the readers come back and share that with me.  Especially the ones who know me.  

But recently, I have found out that that I have readers in France, China and Portugal.  I know someone in France, so it might be that friend who reads it.  I have a few friends in Spain, Germany, UK, Ireland, Ukraine, the US, India, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, so it makes sense that I see these countries on traffic.  But China and Portugal? My closest Chinese friend actually lives in the UK.  So, the two (or more) readers in China and Portugal are special. Since, it seems like they are completely new.  It delights me that someone wants to read what I write and keeps returning.

So, this is a special gift to them. 

First posted on March 9, 2014, this post is posted in the honor of readers in Portugal and China.  I have been to Portugal twice and the last time I was there was in early 2014.  I so enjoyed the place.  But it also brings back little spanish that I know.  This particular incident is something that I have thought about several times.  It always warms my heart.  It is a true story of 'travel'.  Meaning other than being real, it is a short incident that sheds light on how we find new meanings in travel, not just by travelling but by also helping those who come to our lands.

To my readers in China, I apologise, I have never been there, although it has been my dream. I have seen it from across the border in Vietnam and Bhutan.  I hope to visit sometime soon. I have a friend who teaches at a Chinese university every summer.  And he  shares such lovely stories.

China being Asia, is always dear.  We learnt about Chinese travellers to India, who took several books back to China.  For example, Faxian (--法顯;  337 – c. 42) 2) was a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled by foot from China to India, visiting many sacred Buddhist sites in what are now Xinjiang, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka between 399-412 to acquire Buddhist texts. (DIRECTLY FROM WIKI)

His journey is described in his important travelogue, A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, Being an Account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Xian of his Travels in India and Ceylon in Search of the Buddhist Books of Discipline. Antiquated transliterations of his name include Fa-Hien, Fa-hian, and Fa-hsien.  (DIRECTLY FROM WIKI).

We also learnt about Huan Tseng.  Xuanzang (Chinese: 玄奘- Hsüan-tsang), fl. c. 602–664, was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller, and translator who travelled to India in the sixth century and described the interaction between Chinese Buddhism and Indian Buddhism during the early Tang dynasty. Born in what is now Henan province around 602, from boyhood he took to reading religious books, including the Chinese classics and the writings of ancient sages. (DIRECTLY FROM WIKI).

As for Portugal, well, I have known a few people from there. One of my room mates spoke Portuguese, since she was from Brazil!! A student and a good friend is from there.  

In addition, at school we learnt about Vasco De Gama-- c. 1460s – 24 December 1524), who was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. His initial voyage to India (1497–1499) was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans and therefore, the West and the Orient.

Da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India was significant and opened the way for an age of global imperialism and for the Portuguese to establish a long-lasting colonial empire in Asia. Traveling the ocean route allowed the Portuguese to avoid sailing across the highly disputed Mediterranean and traversing the dangerous Arabian Peninsula. The sum of the distances covered in the outward and return voyages made this expedition the longest ocean voyage ever made until then, far longer than a full voyage around the world by way of the Equator. (DIRECTLY FROM WIKI).

Vasco De gama and the following Portugese rule is not admired for the atrocities etc. But I do not want to dwell on that here (may be some other time :)—I thank as a writer to a reader.

This post is dedicated to all the readers, but especially those who do not even know me and show interest in pictures and words. 

Thankyou, Obrigada, Xie-Xie, Merci, Shukran, Gracias, Vinaka, Danke, and a very simple Dhanyavaad!! 

Heading towards my Swedish Class, I took another route.  Something that can happen only after you have lived in a place, when you feel confident enough to take chances.   The structure was very 'Lutheran'--simple and minimalistic.  But it looked majestic --with its strategically placed lights, in the dark Swedish evenings.  I had to stop there and smile--at the gems we can find, when we take detours.  Or well, discover something in a completely new angle!!  Moral of the story:  every so often take a detour, and walk the path not walked before. Sweden, March 2014.

Nativity scene, in the middle of Lisbon, Portugal.  Inspired by the stained glass windows of the cathedrals.  Lisbon, Portugal

There is another story from Portugal. I thought i would write a separate entry.   But time does not allow.  And I do not have enough time to write in my journal either.  So, I write here to document life.  To recognize how ideas course through my brain and my veins.  How people touch me in so many ways, and  wish I could write a novel on each person I meet…..

So, I was lost in Lisbon, Portugal, unable to find my way back, at sun down.  I asked for help. Something I have become used to. I asked this young man.  Told him where I was trying to get to.  He gave the directions, half in english, and half in portugese.  I understand a bit of spanish, which is what makes traveling through Spain so much easier and sometimes in Portugal.  

'And then turn left' he said as he pointed towards his right.  I understood, but confirmed again…

'Derecho?' (right?)  and I tilted towards my right.  

He nodded, 'And then you will see a Search, from there just go straight'

"Ok, thanks' I hesitated, 'Ah, what's a search?"

"Search.." he said confidently, as if how could I not know that word? 

'Search?" I said again, sort of confused.

He repeated, 'Search' this time with a little doubt.

'Uh, Iglesia' he finally said it in Portugese.

'Ah' I snapped my fingers, 'Church'

He nodded vigorously.  And we both smiled, I bowed, he waved his hand in 'De nada' (don't mention it) attitude.

And I walked back to my destination. Thinking how willing people are to help, and how much knowing even a bit of language helps in travel.

And yet, not knowing enough, we invariably rely on something we are here to acknowledge. 

'Our interdependency'.