Why is it so difficult for a credit card company like Citibank to give a woman a credit card? Sure if the husband of the same woman asks for an add on card he will get it. If she tries to get one for herself, they won't give it. If this can happen to a self employed woman, namely myself, my sympathies to the mere "Housewife".
The male mentality is to consider a woman a credit risk. The media pushes that image by showing women to have no financial acumen. The movies paint pictures of women totally dependent on their men. In general if a woman wants to look after herself the society as a whole stands up and says "No, let your husband do it for you."
It is impossible to reason with society and after three abortive attempts with Citibank, I have finally given in to the pressure. My husband has mailed them for an add on credit card for me. We expect to get it withing ten working days. The bitter sweet taste of defeat lingers.
29 January 2009
24 January 2009
I believe in Angels
Of late Doreen Virtue and her Angel Therapy Workshops are playing on my mind. I first heard of them about a month or two ago from my Aunt who has attended them. She had with her an Angel Daily Guidance Pack which she used to give me guidance in that time. I was not too happy with the way my life was going at that stage and was looking for a change. The card I drew was the Ocean. At that point of time I was not conversant at all with Tarot or Angel cards and don’t remember too much of the reading details.
What I do remember was that my Aunt told me to get creative. Do something artistic or even write a book. I had always written poetry and prose as a child and some short stories as well, but after marriage and baby had never gone back to it. So I thought it over and decided to combine two big passions of mine cooking and writing to come up with a cook book. That project was barely begun when I got diverted into the world of online freelancing.
I had not even begun to get a hang of that when I got into Tarot reading. My life started changing in small ways as I became more creative. I was laughing more often, feeling more satisfied and happy doing what I was. One simple act of Angel Guidance helped me change my life. It was the final push I needed to do something about what I wanted in life. I still have not attended a workshop, but am happy doing what I love. The time for the workshop will come just when I am ready for it.
I am now a believer in Angels and I also know that they gently nudge me into fields as I get mentally prepared for them. For me that single card of the ocean started a series of events that helped me get to where I am today. I thank my guardian angels for all the work that they do for me.
What I do remember was that my Aunt told me to get creative. Do something artistic or even write a book. I had always written poetry and prose as a child and some short stories as well, but after marriage and baby had never gone back to it. So I thought it over and decided to combine two big passions of mine cooking and writing to come up with a cook book. That project was barely begun when I got diverted into the world of online freelancing.
I had not even begun to get a hang of that when I got into Tarot reading. My life started changing in small ways as I became more creative. I was laughing more often, feeling more satisfied and happy doing what I was. One simple act of Angel Guidance helped me change my life. It was the final push I needed to do something about what I wanted in life. I still have not attended a workshop, but am happy doing what I love. The time for the workshop will come just when I am ready for it.
I am now a believer in Angels and I also know that they gently nudge me into fields as I get mentally prepared for them. For me that single card of the ocean started a series of events that helped me get to where I am today. I thank my guardian angels for all the work that they do for me.
22 January 2009
Now I’m waiting for a Woman in the Oval Office
All the excitement and furor over the first black president is finally over. Obama is officially in the Oval Office now. People are talking about the high expectations from him in view of the tottering economy and the war on terrorism that he has inherited. If he succeeds they will say it pays to have a change. If he fails they will say that’s why we never trusted a black man with power in this nation before.
Every president has his supporters and distracters, but with Obama each action will be held out and examined in detail. Self proclaimed experts will give their opinion on the hows and whys of his each action. Then grand debates will ensure that no one knows for sure exactly how well he performed. Some positive will be highlighted and lot of negative will get thrown around in the media. The world will wait with baited breath to see what his policies will mean to their country.
The trouble with all this is that - its getting boring. I am fed up with the three ring circus that they offer each time a president gets elected. I am tired of each predictable move and counter move that the opponents put up. I am actually waiting to see a new contest. The one that almost happened this time and whose trailer we saw in the initial stages. I am waiting to see the American people choose between a male and a female candidate.
Its quite funny actually that this so called great democracy has not yet elected a female to its main office of power. So called third world countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have had women Prime Ministers, not to mention both India and Pakistan. Mynamar has a woman leader of considerable note. United Kingdom had Margaret Thatcher, so Europe is not that badly off. Africa I’m not too sure about, so I can’t comment, but America? The glaringly obvious statement is that they don’t believe that a woman is good enough.
So when a woman of Hillary Clinton’s stature has such a tough time becoming a candidate for the election, it makes me wonder just what kind of democracy are they running there? Now since I am a woman, I know just how difficult life can be for one in the male dominated society. I am talking about the patriarchic society rules that most of us blindly follow. Any woman who questions them gets termed a trouble maker. And that is just what I want. A trouble maker woman, sitting in the Oval Office and sorting out men’s views on world peace and economic crisis.
Let’s hope I live to see the day!
Every president has his supporters and distracters, but with Obama each action will be held out and examined in detail. Self proclaimed experts will give their opinion on the hows and whys of his each action. Then grand debates will ensure that no one knows for sure exactly how well he performed. Some positive will be highlighted and lot of negative will get thrown around in the media. The world will wait with baited breath to see what his policies will mean to their country.
The trouble with all this is that - its getting boring. I am fed up with the three ring circus that they offer each time a president gets elected. I am tired of each predictable move and counter move that the opponents put up. I am actually waiting to see a new contest. The one that almost happened this time and whose trailer we saw in the initial stages. I am waiting to see the American people choose between a male and a female candidate.
Its quite funny actually that this so called great democracy has not yet elected a female to its main office of power. So called third world countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have had women Prime Ministers, not to mention both India and Pakistan. Mynamar has a woman leader of considerable note. United Kingdom had Margaret Thatcher, so Europe is not that badly off. Africa I’m not too sure about, so I can’t comment, but America? The glaringly obvious statement is that they don’t believe that a woman is good enough.
So when a woman of Hillary Clinton’s stature has such a tough time becoming a candidate for the election, it makes me wonder just what kind of democracy are they running there? Now since I am a woman, I know just how difficult life can be for one in the male dominated society. I am talking about the patriarchic society rules that most of us blindly follow. Any woman who questions them gets termed a trouble maker. And that is just what I want. A trouble maker woman, sitting in the Oval Office and sorting out men’s views on world peace and economic crisis.
Let’s hope I live to see the day!
EVER WONDER ...
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin ?
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
21 January 2009
Indian Student
I know, I know, am cheating and not writing blog posts any more. Have been really busy and I promise to get back to this later. In the meanwhile this was too funny and I had to share it.
It was the first day of a school in USA and a new Indian student named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.
The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said 'Give me Liberty , or give me Death'?"
She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up: 'Patrick Henry, 1775' he said.
'Very good!'
Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?'
Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar. 'Abraham Lincoln, 1863' said Chandrasekhar.
The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed. Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about its history than you do.'
She heard a loud whisper: 'F*ck the Indians,'
'Who said that?' she demanded. Chandrasekhar put his hand up.
'General Custer, 1862.'
At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'
The teacher glares around and asks 'All right! Now, who said that?'
Again, Chandrasekhar says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.'
Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!'
Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!'
Now with almost mob hysteria someone said 'You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you.'
Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, 'Michael Jackson to the child witnesses testifying against him- 2004.'
The teacher fainted.
And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, 'Oh shit, we're screwed!'
And Chandrasekhar said quietly, "I think it was the Republican Party, November 4, 2008."
It was the first day of a school in USA and a new Indian student named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.
The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said 'Give me Liberty , or give me Death'?"
She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up: 'Patrick Henry, 1775' he said.
'Very good!'
Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?'
Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar. 'Abraham Lincoln, 1863' said Chandrasekhar.
The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed. Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about its history than you do.'
She heard a loud whisper: 'F*ck the Indians,'
'Who said that?' she demanded. Chandrasekhar put his hand up.
'General Custer, 1862.'
At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'
The teacher glares around and asks 'All right! Now, who said that?'
Again, Chandrasekhar says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.'
Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!'
Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, 1997!'
Now with almost mob hysteria someone said 'You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you.'
Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, 'Michael Jackson to the child witnesses testifying against him- 2004.'
The teacher fainted.
And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, 'Oh shit, we're screwed!'
And Chandrasekhar said quietly, "I think it was the Republican Party, November 4, 2008."
15 January 2009
I appologize to the Americans...BUT
This came in on the mail and I had to share it...
Only in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the
front.
Only in America .......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke
Only in America ......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
Guess its not just Indians who spread the stupidity...
Only in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the
front.
Only in America .......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke
Only in America ......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
Guess its not just Indians who spread the stupidity...
12 January 2009
Works alike are worlds apart
Words never convey the same meaning in English. Even if they are written exactly alike. Just check this out.
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce .
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row .
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present..
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Now that's why English is a funny language!
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce .
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row .
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present..
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Now that's why English is a funny language!
04 January 2009
Reading : a Hobby
For the last decade or so I have always read two books at the same time. The practice began when I was still studying, because it helped me save time when I studied an easy subject like English Literature with a tougher one like Calculus. I would start out with the difficult one and when I could feel the mind closing and refusing to take in any new concepts, I would switch to the easier one.
Helped to keep me mentally agile and able to fill in a lot more stuff in the same time frame. Then exams became a thing of the past and I was free to pick and choose whatever I wanted to read. So I would again pick classics from Milton or Shakespeare and couple them with an Agatha Christie or a Sidney Sheldon. I also liked to read all the books of one author at a trot. The "Complete Works" series must have been made to order for me.
I love reading Omnibuses. Yes, I delight in going through all the stories with the same characters one after the other. Specially if the characters are Jeeves and Bertie. The fact that I sat down and read the full Jeeves series in the week before my tenth class boards, and still managed to score ninety out of hundred in English is one of my favourites.
I speed read and so don't usually get much beyond the basic plot and characterization in the first reading. In fact if I were to pick up a book I just finished reading today in a year's time, chances are that I would only realise that I have read it before after I am half way through, and then I will have to read it again as I most likely have forgotten the end.
The reason I am harping on and on about this reading habit of mine is that it is this one hobby that has helped me develop a great vocabulary. The more I read the better it gets. And given my current line of work, that is what is needed more than any other skill.
Helped to keep me mentally agile and able to fill in a lot more stuff in the same time frame. Then exams became a thing of the past and I was free to pick and choose whatever I wanted to read. So I would again pick classics from Milton or Shakespeare and couple them with an Agatha Christie or a Sidney Sheldon. I also liked to read all the books of one author at a trot. The "Complete Works" series must have been made to order for me.
I love reading Omnibuses. Yes, I delight in going through all the stories with the same characters one after the other. Specially if the characters are Jeeves and Bertie. The fact that I sat down and read the full Jeeves series in the week before my tenth class boards, and still managed to score ninety out of hundred in English is one of my favourites.
I speed read and so don't usually get much beyond the basic plot and characterization in the first reading. In fact if I were to pick up a book I just finished reading today in a year's time, chances are that I would only realise that I have read it before after I am half way through, and then I will have to read it again as I most likely have forgotten the end.
The reason I am harping on and on about this reading habit of mine is that it is this one hobby that has helped me develop a great vocabulary. The more I read the better it gets. And given my current line of work, that is what is needed more than any other skill.
02 January 2009
A new year begins and brings hope
As the new year begins I feel it brings with it all the hope that a new life does. As the tiny baby in your arms gives you a sense of joy and anticipation, so too does the date 1st of January. No matter what the year is, it makes no difference.
On this new beginning, I wish all my family, friends, and colleagues the very best that life has to offer. May there be peace and prosperity instead of war and terror. Long may we love and live.
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