•Tuesday, May 30, 2006

#   A fresh egg will sink in water, but a stale one won't.
*   An espresso has less caffeine than a cup of coffee!
#   Eating carrots can help you see better. Vitamin A is known to prevent "night blindness," and carrots are loaded with Vitamin A. One carrot provides more than 200% of recommended daily intake of Vitamin A. Carrots have zero fat content.
*   A person can live without food for about a month, but only about a week without water.
#   Unless food is mixed with saliva you cannot taste it.
*   TIP is the acronym for "To Insure Promptness."
#   Watermelons are 97% water, lettuce 97%, tomatoes 95%, carrots 90%, and bread 30%.

*   There are more than 2,700 languages spoken in the world.
#   The first credit card was issued in 1951.
*   Mercedes cars are named after an Austrian girl.
#   Our eyes are always the same size from birth.
*   A house fly lives only 14 days.
#   A dog was the first in space and a sheep, a duck and a rooster the first to fly in a hot air balloon. A dog was the first to parachute.
*   Do you know the names of the three wise monkeys? They are: Mizaru (See no evil), Mikazaru (Hear no evil), and Mazaru (Speak no evil).

#   The names of all the continents end with the letter they start with. On every continent, there is a city called Rome.
*   The words "electronic mail" might sound new but was introduced 30 years ago. Queen Elizabeth of Britain sent her first email in 1976.
#   The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.
*   A green diamond is the rarest diamond. If you hit a diamond with a hammer, it will break!
#   Sound travels through water 3 times faster than through air.
*   Air becomes liquid at about minus 190 degrees Celsius.
#   Hot water freezes quicker than cold water.

•Monday, May 22, 2006
Yesterday night, my thoughts went on thinking about life after death (Might be, I thought about my Uncle's). And is death of a person, you like, so painful? I remember my dad calling up n informing Somesh Uncle expired. And again, within a month, VenkateswaraRao(V) Uncle passed away. This happened a year and a half back. I used to call them mamayya which made me feel so near to them. I used to talk to them normally only, but might be, I never used to know how to express my feelings towards them that they are my favorite mamayya's. They are more than close relatives, to my dad n mom, u can say them as best friends to our family. I know how much my dad is missing them even now. He only says what can we do, n we can't get them back. Yeah, it's the Truth that none can deny.

My V mamayya's death was so horrible. It was a car accident. He was driving on the highway and u know how lorry people drive over there. The car hit the lorry and it fell into the river near by. Only after 3 days, people knew what happened and knew about the body there. The body was too horribly damaged. The skin came out so easily with the creatures nearby. A dreadful scenario. It's only the body, right. No soul. It just got damaged. If soul is there, he would definitely have been alive. Body and soul r totally different. When we are alive, we take care of our body so much that we tend to forget to care for our soul. We never even ask what does it really want? We just move towards worldly attractions. We just will strive throughtout our life to make it comfortable by ignoring our soul. We just think about ourselves. That's how, things are turning out. I donno how many of u will agree?

I remember Robert Frost's poem: Miles to go before I sleep..... It's one of my favorite's, which makes me think to do many things in life. I feel strongly, that we need to do something good, which makes us happy throughout our life, or even after life, since, life is too short and we all need to use it in proper means. I remember my Uncle's doing that. Helping the needy and being very receptive. They talk with everyone in a sweet way. Might be, that's why I liked them and am even still thinking of them. Missing them a lot too.
May their soul rest in peace.
•Tuesday, May 16, 2006

We need to know some tips to get our work done easily. I have just included few of them. So, just have a glance.

1. Always mash potatoes when they are still quite hot. They mash more easily and can be finely mashed too.
2. Add a few tsps. of milk to cauliflower while boiling, to get rid of the raw smell. Drain and wash before adding to the recipe.
3. Always soak cauliflower in warm salted water for some time to get rid of the tiny insects sometimes present deep inside the florets and not visible to the eye.
4. Store chopped vegetables in airtight plastic containers in the fridge to keep from browning and drying up.
5. Add some salt or vinegar drops while washing vegetables and greens to make them clean and germ free, eg. cauliflower, spinach, etc.
6. Place tomatoes in hot water for 5-7 minutes, before using for easier peeling and better taste in any recipe where tomatoes are required to be cooked.
7. Blanch green leafy vegetables ( fenugreek, spinach, etc.) in boiling water for 2 minutes. Hold under cold running water, press out excess water,and store in freezer for about 2 weeks without spoiling.
8. Add a few methi (fenugreek) seeds to toor dal while pressure cooking. This makes the dal easier to digest.
9. Indigestion ? - Add 3-4 crushed cloves of garlic to boiling milk and drink it. It gives immediate relief.
10. For indigestion/acidity - drink lime juice mixed with ginger juice. Pudina too(Mint) helps in digestion.

11. Oatmeal helps reduce cholesterol. Regularly eating oatmeal for breakfast results in significant reduction of cholesterol in a few days.
12. It is better to use round dishes in the microwave oven rather than square or rectangular dishes as round dishes spread heat faster.
13. Oil applied to dal before it is cooked helps it to cook faster by softening the proteins.
14. A pinch of turmeric powder added to all kinds of dal when cooking hastens the cooking process.
15. Excess salt in any dish can be brought down by adding diced potatoes, tomatoes or a teaspoon of sugar.
16. If the milk begins to boilover, quickly sprinkle a little cold water over it and the overflow will subside.
17. Always use a clean pair of kitchen scissors to trim edges of bread. So, u'll have much neater and less messy edges as compared to those trimmed with a knife. 18. Use a pair of kitchen scissors to chop chillies, etc. fine. It will keep hands from burning, and the job is done much faster too.
19. When ginger, garlic, etc. are crushed in a mixie, it gets tedious to try to remove all of it, from under the blade, etc. Once crushed and removed, run a little water in the mixie, and pour into the batter. The mixie will get cleaned as well as ingredients will be used economically. In case of fritters, use the cornwater itself.
20. If a grater is not handy, cut ginger or garlic into small bits. Crush with the back of a steel or wooden ladle. It will easily crush.

21. If you have boiled spinach etc. in excess water, do not throw away this liquid so full of health. Just stir in some salt or sugar and drink up, to you well being. Make this a habit, and drink up the vitamins and minerals, with a smile!
22. Use water in which vegetables are boiled to make soups, doughs, etc. instead of wasting this Nutrient rich liquid.
23. Store chopped vegetables in airtight plastic containers in the fridge to keep from browning and drying up.
24. To prevent lumps while adding flour to any liquids, eg. Water, buttermilk,etc. first mix the flour in a little bit of the liquid to form a smooth paste. Add this to the remaining liquid and stir well.
25. Rub slices of onion on dosa tawa (griddle) before spreading dosas. This will avoid the dosa from stubbornly sticking to the griddle or tawa.
26. Keep rolled puries in the fridge, for 10 minutes. It will consume less oil, and puries will be crisper.
27. Before frying onions soak them in milk for 10 minutes.The onions will fry fast and have a uniform colour and will be more crisper.
28. Store chapathi dough after applying some milk ,it will not turn black.
29. Whenever we buy vermicelli or sooji, before storing, if we fry them until it turns light brown colour, it can last longer. And whenever we want to cook them, it will be instantly ready to cook and this consumes less time.
30. To make soft 'idlis' and 'dosas' add a handful of Puffed rice or Poha or only just add cold water while grinding.

31. When you are cooking brinjal add a spoon of milk so that the brinjal retain its colour without becoming black.
32. Store plain flour in clean ziplock bags in refrigerator, to keep insects from attacking it. This way the flour will stay fresh much longer.
33. Rub mirrors with first wet and then dry newpaper. The mirror will sparkle without leaving any wipe lines.
34. To make your glass windows shine like new ones, wipe it with used tea powder in boiled water.
35. To sharpen the knife, just keep the knife in warm water for half an hour.
36. A clove and a cardamom kept in the mouth while travelling, brings relief to those suffering from motion sickness.
37. Place candles in a dish of water while burning. They will last longer.
38. Clean all your Silverware with toothpaste (You can use cotton for rubbing). When you use water, add milk also. They will sparkle.
39. Immerse nails in hot water for a while before nailing into the wall. This will keep the surrounding plaster from coming off.
40. A glass of warm water, to which the juice of 1 lemon, and a tsp. of honey has been added, helps in weight loss if taken first thing in the morning, regularly. And also it prevents throat problems.

41. Rinse washed hair with a dilute decoction of tea in the last mugful, to add a lustre and bounce to your hair.
42. Do not discard strained tea leaves. Add them to the soil of rose plants, to act as an excellent manure. If you have many plants, feed one a day, in rotation.
43. Add salt to a tsp. of lemon juice to make a paste. Apply all over teeth, brush to give a gentle massage, rinse. Makes teeth white. Repeat weekly for very yellow cases.
44. To get rid of flies from the table, just place pudheena(Mint) leaves on it. You can add turmeric powder in water to clean the kitchen floor, so there will be no flies.
45. To get rid of mosquitos beside bed, keep a crushed onion.

You can even get more tips from the following sites too:
http://www.indianink.net/forums/Tips/
http://www.geocities.com/vemulasweb/tips.html
http://www.teluguwebsite.com/Telugu_Mahila.html


•Tuesday, May 16, 2006
This telugu site beautifully connotes 7 ways to attain blissful knowledge.
http://www.eenadu.net/antaryami/antarmain.asp?qry=1605anta
It directs us to the path of Brahmavidya. Following it, is not so easy. Only through constant efforts, it might be possible. But, it's a must read one. After going through this, I really felt like sharing the same with everyone. Along with this, u can go thru other articles from that site.
•Thursday, May 11, 2006
Until 9 years, as a kid, I never learnt my mother tongue itself. Just english and trying to understand what everyone talks plus few words of Tamil was what I did. It was something like a language mix. I really don't remember what I used to talk then. That's how it went, since situations demanded. I remember the days later, how my mom made me learn Telugu during summer holidays. Ofcourse, later I scored and learnt well:)). But still, there are many things to know like telugu sahithyam, slokalu, padyalu n what not. Slowly, later came Hindi. But, I am not too much into it.

When I was in Inter, I had options in languages. You can take Sanskrit or French n ....:( hmm..., this is what I remember. I did not choose to learn French since I felt I need to learn an Indian language. So, I took Sanskrit. But now, who talks in Sanskrit(didn't have that thought then, right....no guide too). Now, I feel damn why did not I take French since it was a complete new language to learn and experiment with. :)) Ok...Let that be.... I now feel Spanish is easier than French. So just started to learn few words in it out of curiousity(but not mastering it though). Some words like:
hola for Hello,
buenos dias for Good Morning,
buenas tardes for Good Evening,
buenas noches for Good Night,
adios for Goodbye,
mucho gusto for Pleased To Meet You,(n many more)
are really sweet. Just love the pronunciation since it's different, right. N sush, I remember how we both tried to talk in Spanish a few months back. Really great.

I feel, atleast knowing the basic words in 1 language per country, can be a good hobby. Just got the idea. Now will try to learn something like Japaneese.:))
•Wednesday, May 10, 2006
When we cook, we do feel sometimes knowing the terms of spices, nuts, flours used in some languages. I would like to include some of these in a nutshell.

English Hindi Tamil Telugu
Aniseed Saunf Sombu Sopu
Asafoetida Hing Perungayam Inguva
Almonds Badam Badam
Parupu
Badam
pappu
Arrowroot Paniphal
or Tikora
Koovakkilangu Palagadda
Bayleaf Tejpatta Punnai
Ilai
Masala
aku
Black Pepper Kali
mirch
Milagu Miriyalu
Elachi Yellakkai Elakayi Elakaya
Caraway
seeds
Shahi
Jeera
Seems
sombu
Seema
Sopyginjale
Cinnamon Dalchini Pattai Lavang
patta
Cloves Lavang Lavangam Lavangam
Coriander
Seeds
Dhania Vara
Kothamalli
Dhaniyalu
Cumin
Seeds
Jeera Jeeragam Jilakara
Curry
leaves
Kadi
patti
Kariveppilai Karivepaku
Cashewnuts Kaju Mundhiri Jeedi
pappu
Dry
ginger
Sonth Sukku Sonti
Fennel Badi
saunf
Perun
jeeragam
Pedha
jilakara
Fenugreek Methi Vendhayam Menthulu
Garlic Lahsun Vellai
poondu
Velluli
payalu
Ginger Adarak Ingi Allam
Peanuts Moongphai Verkadalai Verusanaga
pappu
Jaggery Gur Vellam Bellamu
Lemon
rind
Nimbu
kachhilka
Yelumi
chaithol
Nimmatholu
Mace Javithri Jadhipathri Japathri
Mango
Powder
Amchur Mangai
Podi
Mavidi
Podi
Mustard Raj Kadugu Avalu
Nutmeg Jaiphal Jadhikkai Jhajikayi
Onion
Seeds
Pyaz
ke beej
Venraya
Vidhai
Vulli
Vithanam
Poppy
Seeds
Khus
Khus
KasaKasa Gasa
Gasalu
Roasted
Gram
Bhuna
chana
Pottukadalai
parupu
Chutney
Senaga pappu
Red
Chillies
Lal
Mirch
Sigappu
Milagai
Yendu
Mirapakayalu
Raisins Kishmish Kodimundiri Kismis
Rice
Flakes
Chivda Arisi
Aval
Attugulu
Sesame
Seeds
Til Ellu Nuvvulu
Saffron Kesar Kungumma
poo
Kumkum
poovu
Sugarcandy Misri Kalkandu Kalakandu
Tamarind Imli Puli Chintha
pandu
Turmeric
Powder
Haldi Manjal
Podi
Pasupu
Tymol
Seeds
Ajwain Omam Vamu
Bajra Bajra Kambu Sajjalu
Barley Jowar Barley Barley
Bengal
gram
Channa
dhal
Kadalai
paruppu
Pachenaga
pappu
Broken
Blackgram
Urad
dhal
Ulutham
aruppu
Udhi
pappu
Corn Makai Makkacholam Mokkajonna
kanda
Cowgram Lobiya Karamani
or Thattai
Alasandulu
Corn
flour
Makkai
ka atta
Makkachola
mavu
Mokkajonna
pindi
Dry red
beans
Rajma Siggappu
beans
Yerra
beans
Gram
flour
Besan Kadalai
mavu
Maida
pindi
Plain
flour
Maida Maida
mavu
Maida
Pindi
Large
white gram
Channa Vellaimullu
Kadalai
Senagalu
Lentil Masoordhal Mysore
paruppu
Masoor
pappu
Greengram Mungdhal Payatham
paruppu
Pesara
pappu
Millet
flour
Bajre
ka atta
Kambu
mavu
Jonna
pindi
Sago Sabudhana Javvarisi Saggu
biyyamu
Semolina Sooji Ravai Bombai
rawa
Ragi Ragi Kelvaragu Raghulu
Redgram Turdhal Thuvaram
paruppu
Kandhi
pappu
Raw
rice
Chawal Arisi Biyyamu
Boiled
rice
  Pulungal
arisi
Uppudu
biyyam
Vermicelli Sevai Semia Semia
White
Kidney Beans
Chowly Vellai
karamani
Alasandulu
Wholeblack
gram
Sabu
turad
Karuppu
ulundu
Minamulu
Wholegreen
gram
Sabu
Turad
Pasip
payiru
Mudi
pesalu
Wheat Gehu Godhumai Godhumalu
Green
Beans
  Mochai Anamulu
Horse
gram
Kuthlee Kollu Ulavalu
Jowar Jowar Cholam Jonnalu
•Tuesday, May 09, 2006
I just wanted to share few jokes that I went through. Really funny...

LAWYER: "Now, would you please tell the Jury the truth - why did you shoot your husband with a bow and arrow?"
Defendant: "I didn't want to wake the children."

'Have you forgotten that you owe me 50 dollars.'
'No, not yet. Give me time, and I will.'

Teacher(answering the telephone): 'you say Ajay has a bad cold and cant come to school! Who is this speaking?'
Voice(with assumed hoarseness): 'This is my father.'

An industrialist removed his two sons from a mission school. He gave this reason - The school teaches them to be honest and I want them to go into business and industry.

A newly married couple reached an air-travel booking counter and asked the clerk incharge: 'Is it safe to travel by your company's aeroplane?'
'Ofcourse! If it wasn't safe,would we be using the fly-now-pay-later plan?'

•Wednesday, May 03, 2006
By saying friends, I remember those sweet and innocent childhood days. When I went to my village, me and my brother used to play with all our friends Vinila, Sunila, Nani, Geetha nela banda, london, dongaata, paila pacheesu, n many more. Chaala adevaallamu morning n evening since our parents never used to let us out in the afternoon saying it's hot outside(Summer kada). Now, not in touch with Vini and Suni. I heard that they got married. Wish them Success. Nani, I think I saw him at my marriage. Heard he married too. Geetha, yes she is one good friend who is in touch with me even now. I had enough fun with all of them during summer trip in the village. At school too, I had friends, but avi nilavaledu, might be since we 4got 2 note down our phone numbers:)).
I can say 1 thing, my first Best friend was Sai Baba. When I was in Xth, the power was not there in our house. We heard Sai Bajan happening opposite to my house. I just saw his photo then only. I donno what happened, then I felt n even told Him that He is not a God to me(earlier, I never used to believe in God) and He will only be a friend to me. That's it. And slowly, I started sharing every small thing with my dear friend. Now I believe in God, ask me how, He changed me. And now, He is my Best friend, Guide, Guru and what not. Everything in life. Everyone starts seeing Him differently, one might be thinking of Him as a Grandpa or Guru or whatever. That's how He makes people come to Him, might be. Then came long lasting best friends Geetha, Jyothi, Lakshmi, Sushma, Bindu, Madhu, Sridevi and Shanthi. With each n every friend, I have unique experiences. Really, had great moments.
Geetha showed me my dream. A dream of Sai which came true and made me believe Him deeply. Jyo, from Inter, we both were trying to be in the same group, which went out to be impossible. Atlast, ofcourse, we were in the same college for three years but again different subjects. Good that, we had atleast sanskrit subject in common to be 2gether. Enjoyed. Lucky, my dearest friend, n a great devotee of Sai. I admire her for that. We both used to have looong chats at night. My parents used to send me to her only place for late night studies n all. N she too used to be with me. Reaaaaaaaaalllly, good moments. Those days will never ever come back.
Coming back to Sush, my dearest friend n my best friend, our intro happened so funny when we met first time. Sush, I can't tell that. I feel giggling. The moment I met u, I felt u'll be my ever long lasting best friend. The time we spent in the class was less compared to fun we all had outside. Yes, Madhu n Bindu;)...... Our road side chats, pav bhajis, chineese noodles, movies n what not. To be true, I got the habit of eating road side items, only when I met u gals. Good fun. All of u had encouraged me in participating college activities too. Sush, I am happy to say that u'll be there with me when I need u whatever the situation is. Thanks for being my friend. When I come to Sri and Shanthi, I remember the days we used to travel, what not, all the three of us, in 1 scooty else 3 vehicles trying to run parallelly. Our visits to temples, necklace roads, B'day parties, movies.....so much of fun...:)) :)) :)) . Hey, when I say movies, I remember telling stories to our lecturer to come out of college n Njoy. N Sri, u were there to give us ideas 4 that. Watching horror movies between our exam holidays is really a big shot. Sri, do u remember? ;) When one of us were in bad mood, we were in the same theatre watching 2 different shows continuously n that too Njoying. And even now, we try to keep in touch and ofcourse when given a chance to Njoy a lot. Thanks for being my dearest friends. What I keyed in are still less when compared to days n every moment we all enjoyed together.
N we know, we all r the ones who uses the chances given effectively when we meet. Good Luck To All Of You!!!