SilverLining

Facebook.. see you soon..

2012-05-20T22:44:00.001+10:00

11th May 2012, Melbourne
-----------------------------
I had begun to feel that I was spending most time on social networking site facebook either commenting on friends status or browsing through some groups and liking them, or even thinking what to upload or update daily when others would ask, "Oh, no updates from you" or "Show us more of Australia", "Pics are so-so, could have clicked better, having known you for such long time...". Off late, I began to feel very unsecured sharing any updates on day to day life or even a photo of mine or ones which I have clicked. Or someone would ping you saying how much weight one should lose!

Initially, when I signed up facebook or orkut, finding good old mates from school or college and staying connected was important and fun. As time passed, I begun to receive requests from those whom I knew little or friend of friend of friend who just wants to have a good count of friend list and show off or someone from office who would just gossip on you, what you did, what your routine is.. Folks on your friend list make comments which you never expect. Though, good and bad are existent, have been seeing the other side of it.
Its been 10 days that I deactivated my account and feeling much better.

Oh, yeah. I can survive without Facebook. ;)

Reading Challenge

2012-05-20T22:35:00.000+10:00

I signed up the Book Reading Challenge on The Book Vixen's blog.
Having read only one book last year, I hope to read few more this year and keep up the reading pace. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Mt Buller

2012-05-20T01:25:00.000+10:00

It was my first weekend in Melbourne or rather say Australia and a long weekend here in Victoria being Queen's birthday on June 13th '11, few colleagues had planned to visit this snow filled placed, Mt Buller, about 208 km from Melbourne on June 12th '11, on a Sunday, so that we could relax the next day.

We started off at 5am in the bus at Fed square, Melb CBD. It is a 3 hour drive from Melb and we reached around 8am. One can hire the toboggan, ski jackets, gloves and ski pants and the ski board if you don't have one. We hire them all and started off with the toboggan with two sitting and sliding on it from the top.
I was excited seeing the snow filled mountain and holding the snow for the first time. It was my first encoutner with snow. When two of them slide others who were down would throw snow at us and it was all us hitting each other with snow. All of us started playing with snow after a while.

At 1pm, it was lunch hour and having skipped the breakfast we focussed on nothing else than pizza and coke. ;) We started again on the snow filled beauty with all smiles.

At 5 PM we got back back to the bus reluctantly as we had to head back home. All of us were tired and dozed off in the bus. At 8 PM we reached the Fed Square. It was a one day trip and a memorable one. :)
For more information, visit: http://www.mtbuller.com.au

The dollar

2012-05-01T01:00:00.001+10:00

A pop up flashes on your screen when a good old mate from your school or college pings you seeing your Facebook status that you have been living abroad for sometime. Aah, lucky you must be that you are at least remembered while you're alive and especially while you earn not in INR but in Dollar.

"hey gal, wassup?"

"hi ... How you been doing mate? Long time no see!"

"going good. Since you have gone there you have forgotten me altogether!"

"duh? When I was ever remembered dear? When you saw my fb status that I am here. ;)

" you see, its been a long time ever since we chatted. Saw you online and that too you're in Melbourne. Now that, AUD is more than USD when you convert. So you must be saving a lot naaaaaaa!"

"Why don't you give me your salary? I will save it for you as well. :P

"oh. Leave it. Even if I convert it wouldn't be as much. You guys who go abroad make bucks."

"Hmmm. Why don't you come over here? You can also make big bucks dear. Since you're very stingy and keep converting every dollar, you can show others how much you have saved and how to save also. ;)"

"Ok. Bye. Have some work. Ciao"

You will learn to handle folks while you're abroad. ;)

City circle tram

2012-03-30T20:51:00.001+11:00

In Melbourne CBD, you can find the City Circle team adapted from Vienna, Austria. Entry to the team is free and one can find the booklets for To see places in Melb. I am enjoying my free ride now. ;)

Coming up soon...

2012-03-17T12:49:00.001+11:00

Travel and adventures of Manasa in oz... Be patient!

Coffee o coffee

2012-03-16T00:47:00.002+11:00

I found this interesting post at a Tullamarine airport cafe. Here it goes:

Any lovers who wanna marry coffee ;)

Oh life!

2012-03-16T00:29:00.001+11:00

I had been feeling that I had no space or time for myself for the past few months. I wanna do a list of things which have been pending for a long time. My "To-do" checklist has been growing day by day and I feel depressed at times not being able to do it. The work pressure was so high, I had begun to find it monotonous.

I joined Fitness First, the gym, after 9 months coming Melbourne. But every day I ended up staying late at office and missed the regular work out as well which created much stress.

This week I am able to wind us things earlier and going to gym. Feel relaxed. Hoping to stay fit and fine like I used to work out daily in Bangalore. :)

Meanwhile, I signed up ohlife.com where I write tits and bits of daily events. Feels good that the writer in me still alive if not on blogger though.

Jaaneman

2012-02-11T21:35:00.002+11:00

"I had fooled my boss that I am from Calcutta though I had been there only once", he said.
I smiled with astonishment.

"Yeah. I look more of a Tamilian and question me if I am from Chennai".
Duh ? umm.. well.. [Yes, very much. I was of the same impression.. ]

Sit here, Jaaneman, I shall play it for you. The other Hindi word I know is Shukriya.
Shy me, No Thanks.

He lifted the huge Didgeridoo and the music played.
Lovely, this was the starting tune for the famous Hindi song, 'Jaane kyun log pyaar karte hai' from Dil Chahta Hai.

Fireworks!

2012-02-02T22:20:00.001+11:00

Fireworks at Docklands, Melbourne, VIC during the month of July, being the longest winter of 5 weeks. Fireworks would be from Friday to Sunday, 7PM lasting for 15 minutes. It is truly a bliss to see these!

View more on Flickr

Apps for blogger

2012-02-01T00:45:00.001+11:00

Aah! I downloaded apps for my blogger account on iPhone. I can blog at a feather touch even lying down without having to scribble telegram code on a notepad and later, trying to recollect what I was trying to write!

7

2012-01-05T23:50:00.001+11:00

'11 - A wonderful year it had been, a most memorable one of my life. There are lot of events which I need to pen down. A year of most important learnings of my life.

The year started off with myriad interests in arts, music, long working outs in gym, sports, travel and a lot more... There were times when I was extremely low and good friends who always cheered me up like here and here.

I attended a lot of stage events: L Subramanian's Concerts, Kadri Gopalnath, Kailash Kher, Lalgudi Krishnan and ViswaMohan Bhatt. Shubendra and Saskia Rao, Sapta Sitar.

Indiblogger blogger meet at ISKCON and a fairwell bloggers meet at Infy, DanceJathre, Chitra Santhe, Ananya Bengaluru dance events, Gudi Sambhrama, Bengaluru Habba, volunteering at Ellu Bella celebrations.

A wedding photoshoot of a close friend in Mylapore, Chennai. Visiting Dakshina Chitra, Besant Nagar beach, masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan.

I always had a flair learning Veena, the most divine stringed instrument in South India. Having trained in carnatic music for 3 years while I was at school, I finally managed to find a Veena teacher in Feb. After attending a couple of classes, bought home a miniature Veena and a Tanjavur concert Veena on Mar 11.

Exhibiting my photographs at Infy along with fellow SLRBB photographers. Most awaited KR Market photoshoot-one of the most crowded market areas in Bangalore; a place where you name it and you find it. :)

Clicked the Supermoon in March. Saw Moon and rings surrounding Jupiter in April for the first time through a telescope at Infy campus and the same day completed 10 km cycling in 32 mins. yaay!

Then came the twist, wp to Ausland. Don't ask how excited I was andthe dilemma I had. The last visit to Commercial Street roaming around each and every galli until my knees ached. Sipped lemon tea at Transit for the last time in Bangalore.

First international flight to Melb. Landed here on my birthday, the best gift I could get. :)

---In Melbourne---
This is the first time I am away from parents and home for such a long time. A great learning experience living with roomies, Cooking experiments and whole lot of responsibilities at work as well.

First ride in City Circle tram, then a train, ferry to Sorrento...left is helicopter ride..

My visit to Mt. Buller on the first weekend in Australia and holding the snow was an awesome experience which I cannot express in words. :) Lovely sun kissed beaches with the crystal clear waters, cool breeze blowing @ Wilsoms prom.

View of the city from the 88th floor of the tallest building Eureka in Southern hemisphere.

Posing with a sleepy koala in my arms at Gold Cost.

Dressed as a European Lady nineteenth century in Ballarat.

Bought myself a the famous German Cuckoo clock from Tamborine.

My passion for music drives me crazy and I managed to find a piccolo teacher. Why piccolo? It is easy to carry while travelling unlike Veena or a Sitar. The silvered coated piccolo comes in a cute pencil box case. Now I own it too!

The last week of the year is indeed a special one to me. I did so many activities which I had seen only the bravos on Discovery Channel and hero in the movie shot abroad. Yes, I did sky, scuba diving with a wide smile.. naah I wasn't afraid at all. Along with snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, bumber tube, river rafting, hot air ballooning.

June 5th 2011 - Jan 5th 2012. Seven months in Australia. In love with Melbourne. ;)

A wonderful new year eve and fireworks in Melbourne. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Flights of Fantasy

2011-10-24T00:53:00.001+11:00

Awesome violin by Ganesh and Kumaresh.

Raag Mand

2011-10-24T00:01:00.004+11:00

Noted Veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh playing Raag Mand of Hindustaani music. One of my favourite composition. :)

Mysore Dasara

2011-10-02T22:16:00.001+11:00

Dasara Goluvu is celebrated with the at home with the traditional wooden Pattada Bombe couple dolls which is widely available in Tirupati. The usual collection is Dashavathara, Krishna and Gopikas and a huge variety of dolls made of clay and oil painted.

I did not want to miss the tradition and bought these miniature dolls sold at Victoria Market. :)

Bottom Row: L->R 2 Boomerangs in background, Kittens in the basket. 5 crystal elephants, tiny gal with 2 plaits, kitten in basket.
First Row: L->R Japanese Kimmi doll, Guitar, Violin, Guitar, Japanese Kimmi doll
Second Row: L->R Australian Wildlife (Kangaroo and Koala), Didgeridoo, Places in Australia.

Mysore Dasara or rather call Melbourne Dasara or Souvenir Dasara? :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

See you soon!

2011-09-05T00:09:00.001+10:00

A few days before of my Melbourne trip got confirmed, a colleague of mine, S~, who is also a good friend got engaged. Initially, we were cubicle mates and in turn became close friends, having breakfast, lunch and snacks together. In fact, we did the shopping together for my trip. Don't ask how many shops and malls we roamed around! Even before she found Mr Nice, she would ask, "Would you turn up for my wedding?" I would pull her leg, "If I don't, who would bless you." ;) S~ got married while I missed the chance of wishing her for new phase of her life and capturing the beautiful moments. While we chat, we speak of meeting each other once we are in Bangalore. But both are sure its just a hope to meet in person. :)

Looking back at my old posts written a couple of years ago, I have hardly met or not met people who were so close to me at office, school or college or even a cousin of mine. We always speak.. if we meet.. we should meet.. when we meet... But when do we meet?

N~, a very good friend during school and who are admired by all of us at school and college passed away. While her little son still thinks she is asleep beneath the ground. It was an 2.8 years ago, I last saw her as a bride, the beautiful innocent face ever since we were in the primary school. Too young to die.

You will be remembered, RIP.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi in my own way

2011-09-04T01:20:00.000+10:00

Celebrating any festival is now easy.

Don't you worry if you haven't got an idol to worship; for all you have is a wallpaper to be downloaded to your phone or laptop.

1. Downloaded best of Lord Ganesha's wallpaper from Google images.
2. Prepared Hayagreeva adding jaggery, cashew nuts, raisins.
3. Kept only two varieties of fruit and two fruits as an offering.
4. Chanted few sloks and mantras.

The Pooja is over. The fruits and sweet is all yours in the lords name. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Life without a friend is like death without a witness

2011-09-03T23:35:00.000+10:00

Drafted on 22nd Feb 2011

There were times when I was extremely low. Near and dear ones would try their best to make me smile. Oh, smile! You have even faded away!

Like S~ would crack a joke on how his date was. Others would divert my attention saying...

feeling low..

at what depth?
below sea level?

at ocean level

thats plain.. not low

below ocean level

how are the fish, corals,

are you making fun on me?

below sea there are more creatures than on land.. did you know?
the blue sea... jet blue..
large whales...
beautifully shaped hued fish...
heavenly patterns of corals...
.............

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long, 'til I'm going to need somebody to lean on."
- "Lean On Me"

Looking back at times when all near and dear ones stood by me.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Bangalore to Melbourne

2011-08-26T23:48:00.003+10:00

Susceptible to boredom during my travel in the flight. I had my camera in my hand and clicked few pics. Though, not great, but still are memoirs of the journey from Bengaluru-Malaysia-Melbourne. :)

Finally reached on June 5th. Can't believe its been three months here and I am loving it. ;)

The busy street

2011-08-14T20:54:00.003+10:00

Its been exactly six weeks I arrived here in Melbourne. As I walk alone on Swanston St, not alone, along with iPhone ;)

There are signals for pedestrians too. Cross the road only when signal is Green or else you will be fined. :)

Trams everywhere

Beethovan Festival ;)

Tonga types, tram behind

China town. Aah, you find them everywhere. ;)

Musicians singing and playing guitar roadside.

State Library. You find interesting books here.

Flower shop.

Symmetry

Waiting for the tram

2011-07-10T19:02:00.000+10:00

I had boarded only the buses and auto rickshaws as a means of transport while at Bangalore. This is the first time I boarded a tram which I used to admire watching the English movies. :) The experience was good. One would find a tram at the Melbourne CBD area every now and then. Unlike, in Bangalore, there are no conductors who would issue a ticket. There are ticket vending machines. You insert a coin or a note. The ticket is generated and you insert them into another machine to validate the ticket and then the timestamp is printed.

Based on the frequency of commuting, one can choose monthly pass, or recharge coupon. Here goes few pics of the tram.

First post from Melbourne

2011-07-02T18:35:00.001+10:00

Here goes my first blog post from Melbourne. Its exactly a month, June 4th, that I left my hometown Bangalore.

Melbourne, a place that I had heard of only during the cricket match. Australia, a country of adventures. A place which I just dreamed of, never thought I would be here someday and type a blog post from here. ;)
As I walk on the lane the chill breeze hitting my face, I see some of the oldest buuldings of the city which reminds me of St. Marks Road in Bangalore. Have I been in Bangalore, I had never worn a sweater so far. People would wrap themselves in woollen clothes and relax at home sipping hot tea along with chilli bondas/bhajjis during evenings. But here in Melbourne, you see people wearing variety of woolleen designer clothes right from woolleen clothes, scarf, jacket, long leather boots (I bought one, too ;) )

2 years with Vaio :D

2011-05-16T03:17:00.001+10:00

Two years I own a Vaio lappy. Feels great when people appreciate, "wow!! It looks NeW :D" . Looking at the yesteryear pictures and the one I clicked today, it looks very much NEW indeed.

Miniature Veena

2011-05-08T19:47:00.001+10:00

Taye Yoshada

2011-05-07T03:09:00.001+10:00

I have been listening to this sing Taye Yoshada as a Comtemporary music. Beautifully sung by Carnatic Vocalist Sudha Raghunathan as a playback singer from the movie Morning Raga.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.