My trip back to the Old Town

While I was in San Diego..went down to Old Town...this place takes you back in time..to when San Diego was a part of Mexico..and is very much set like a village from an old western movie...

They have street bazaars, lots of mexican shops selling all possible things from tin work to salt water taffy..All the shops are adorned with birght colours and colourful ponchos and sombreros...really take you into the heart of Mexico...
Had lunch at the famous mexican restaurant 'Casa de Pico' in the Bazaar Del Mundo..and it turned out that it was the last day for the restaurant as they are moving to a new place..must say was very lucky to be there on time..the place was packed with locals as well as tourists..and some were actually emotional that the place was closing..

Really cherished the time I spent at Old Town...


Old Mexican Villa


Mexican Dance

My friends at Sea World

Last weekend made a trip down to San Diego...had a great time at Sea World...especially the dolphin and the Shamu show...it is really amazing how these animals are so well trained...would love to be an animal trainer someday...sounds like a really exciting job..

Fact: Did you know that all the killer whales in Sea World are named Shamu...this is done so that Shamu lives forever!!

Sat everywhere in the Soak Zone..this is the area where you get drenched during the show...was soaking wet at the end of the day..but felt really good in the hot San Diego sun...The sea lion show was damn good too..very funny...

Sea World is a must-see if you are making a trip down here!!!


Here's Shamu!!


Blushing Sea lion..

My walk in the park

This weekend I went to Zilker Park in Austin..this park is located right adjacent to downtown..and still while I was there..it felt as if I was miles away from the city in the middle of a forest..far from civilisation...
There are several nature trails you can go on in the park..took these snaps along the trail I went on..along the springs in the park...ran across many squirrels running from one tree to the other..quite interesting...


A walk along the trail


Springs along the trail

My journey through time

Many of you may not be aware but Texas is called 'The Lone Star State'..I think it is because the state flag has a single star on it...
Because of this..Texans are absolutley obsessed with stars...everywhere you go..every state building you see..every column..every wall...has a star on it!!! It is as if no other design pattern exists in the whole world and the Star is an omnipotent symbol!!

Moving on..I went to see the Bob Bullock State History Museum last weekend..it was definitly a unique experience!! The whole museum is dedicated to history, culture of Texas...right from the Spanish occupation till todate...
The museum has accounts of every small happening in Texas..things like when was barbed wire first used in Texas..and how it affected the people (wow..i have never really cared to think about barbed wire)..some things on the other hand were quite interesting like the setting up of NASA in Houston..

One thing I have noticed Americans are seriously proud of their heritage and their past..and the whole museum drills the sole message..."America: the land of dreams"...

I think there is a lot to learn from this..we don't really pay so much importance to our heritage..it is high time we do...


Texas State History Museum

I flew over the Llano Nest

Texas has always played host to a huge variety of birds migrating to the south for winter..now that spring is in full bloom..these wintering birds are also nesting here..and one of the main attractions is the American Bald Eagles...this is the national bird of America and also the one on the American Emblem...

Not far from Austin...in Llano, these magnificent birds are found in plenty..and the same birds return to their nests every winter to raise new eaglets..I went over to see these llano nests..and must say it was certainly a great experience...

Went to see this one nest..which strangely has 3 parents..one male while two female eagles...(Hmm..i leave this to your imagination..)..and now two eaglets have joined the family...The eaglets have just learned to fly and keep wandering around near the nest..while the parents still get food for them ranging from fish from the river and even turtles..have no idea how they manage to eat that!!
People here defintely take a lot of interest in observing and studyin these birds..the place was packed with people equipped with digital SLRs with huge telescopic lenses and some of them even had telescopes to observe them more clearly...

Enjoyed a lot..watching the eagles and their lifestyle and daily activities totally oblivious to so many people watching them!!

My Austin log: Part I

I thought of starting this section..so I can write kind of a journal about things happening here in Austin..

I finally got my social secuirty..and so could go for my written driving test..felt weird studying after so many days..you actually have to read a 90 page booklet..including things like effects of alcohol..offences like selling alcohol to minors...and how much time in jail will I have to spend for not paying a ticket and so on...
The test went quite well..it is an online test..and you need to get atleast 70% to clear..luckily got 90%!!

Being very close to mexico there is definitely a great mexican influence..mexican food is obviously a favourite for all...nothing like the food in TexMex..much more variety and more exotic..went to this lovely place called 'Hula Hut'..it is along lake austin..the ambience is just too good..reminded me a bit of boat quay...had amazing Shrimp Enchiladas there and my favourite Margarita!!

Latin dance is also very popular here..with many bars having live latin music..took this opportunity to put on my dancing shoes by learning salsa at the university of texas..they organise these informal classes which anyone can take up...it is defintely exciting and fun to learn salsa..basics are quite easy..also makes u feel really energetic and lively!!

As summer approaches..the day grows longer and with the day light saving kicking in from last week...the sunsets around 830..feels kind of funny...

well..thats all for now.
This is packan signing out for Part I of My Austin log.

My Fire Scare

On friday evening there was a huge thunderstorm in Austin..I was nicely relaxing at home when suddenly the fire alarm in the apartment complex goes off...It was the loudest thing I have ever heard..sure to make you deaf if you stay inside for more than 10mins..
I really didnt know what to do...I was running around in the house searching for a fire..luckily found none...then I saw that my neighbour was running down in the open...so I just locked my apt. and grabbed an umbrella and went out in the thunderstorm...there we were standing in the rain..gettin drenched..helpless and didnt know what to do...
one guy called '911' and the reply was 'please get back to us only if you see some fire or smoke'...wow...this was the limit..aren't these guys supposed to come to our rescue...

Standing in the rain I was reminded of 'Friends' and the episode where phoebe disconnects the fire alarm..i think it was titled "The one where they are up all night"

finally we got a maintenance guy who reset the shrieking alarm..apparently a lightning bolt had hit the copper conductors on the top of the building..which set off the alarm...

well this was definitely a unique experience...

My Real Encounter with Spring

It is here in Austin that I have finally experienced my first spring..it has always been just two seasons in singapore..hot and hotter!!

I can actually feel the gradual change in the weather from the cold glommy winter to bright sunshine and happiness...and the nature is certainly responding with full spirit to this change..everywhere the trees are adorned with new leaves and full with flowers...I clicked this snap right outside my office..very unique about this tree (don't know the name) that it has no leaves and only flowers and once the flowering stops will the new leaves emerge...

Must say.. I am truly in love with nature today!!


Purple Paradise

My Impatient Wait

So finally the harry potter covers are out and my excitement has crossed boiling point already!! the covers definitely look very good and mysterious..for detailed analysis of the covers refer to this site...
I wonder why the US and the UK covers are so different..in the UK one harry and dumbeldore look quite tense in the middle of a battle whereas in the US one they look deep in thoughts looking down into the Pensive...
also the adult UK cover shows a book titled 'Advaced Potions'..so looks like Harry is goin to be stuck with Snape much longer..

Anyways I just can't wait any longer for the book..the first thing I did after coming to Austin is to reserve a copy both at Borders and Barnes and Noble...actually i had reserved only with Borders but later found out that Barnes and Noble is gonna be open at midnight on 15th july so i can get the book then itself than on the next day...ya i know i am a freak!! but when it comes to harry potter who isn't!!


US Cover

My National Bird in Austin

nope..you are mistaken...I am not talking about Tandoori Chicken..but the actual national bird of India the beautiful peacock.

well..although being the national bird..I have actually never see them roam freely in gardens or meadows in my own country but always behind steel bars in zoos...however here in Austin these majestic birds seem to enjoy thier freedom and definitely make their presence felt!! found this peacock sitting idly outside an apartment balcony..was so surprised to see it just sitting idly..not scared of the evil humans..well probably because there is no peacock tandoori till today..I wonder if you can keep them as pets here...will be kind of cool..wat do u think?? will also get instant weather updates!!

Anyways..I sure do hope to get to see more of such exotic flora and fauna while I am here..


Majestic Peacock

My trip to the Capitol

Last weekend I went down to see the Texas State Capitol...it is very similar to the one in washington and a surprising fact is that it is actually bigger than the Capitol of the nation..it is the largest capitol in US..
It is an overwhelming structure and certainly gives you a taste of the enormity of the US government...


Texas State Capitol

My Texan Adventure

Ya I know that I have not been writing often..but finally now have a chance to let you know what is happening in my life...

As most of you would know..I started work with Emerson...was working for a while in the lion city but 2 weeks ago moved to heart of Texas..Austin. It is not too big a city (in American terms)..definitey larger than singapore!! yup and it is the capital of texas...

Must say it has been a great adventure so far...new city..new country..new people....

have got my apartment here..will be gettin my own car soon!! just getting settled in currently and planning a big list of 'to-do things' while i am here..also found out that they have sky diving and hot air balloon rides just an hours drive from here..yippy!!!

so for the next few months..this blog is goin to be more of a travelogue/photo blog...of my experiences in the land of dreams(apparently)

so stay tuned!!!

My Mup.sys problem

For the past few days I have been having problems with my computer...keeps restarting even in the safe mode!!!
Theproblem seems to be some file called 'Mup.sys' loaded during bootup..have tried all possible solutions and still havent got my comp working....must say it know..Win XP is pathetic!!!

It is at times like these that really feel like throwing my CPU: Conked Perfectly Useless device...from the window!!! Well if you guys know ne ideas lemme know...

Thinas already tried:
1. Removing all cards..and memory...
2. Disabling USB
3. Trying to disable mup
4. Kicking the bloody cpu
5. Praying to all the 33 crore gods...
6. Trying voodoo

HELP!!!

My trip down an Iris Field

I have always had an admiration for Van Gogh and his fabulous work...from his Self potraits to his Sunflower collection....
But I only realised the impact of his paintings when I saw his original 'Irises' at the Getty Centre in LA...the use of colour and the energetic strokes add such depth to the painting..it is as if you are actually in a field of irises....digital photos or prints simply donot do justice to his work...the layers of thick paint giving a 3D effect is just missing...
If you guys do get a chance to view any of his originals..please dont miss out on the opportunity!!


Irises

My Salute to Dan Brown

I must say this..I have never ever read anything earlier which had so much research put in it...especially a Fiction..
Dan Brown is definietly one of the greatest thinkers today...

'Angels and Demons' and 'DaVinci Code' definitely are masterpeices in their own repect..many people I met prefer Angels and Demons to DaVinci...I agree that the former is more thrilling ..more like a Bollywood movie...but I think DaVinci definetly has a greater impact..it deals with one of the most important aspects of history and one of the world's most enchanting mysteries: The Holy Grail.

I recently finished 'Deception Point'..a must read!!!..totally different theme..but a captivating adventure till the end..

Happy Reading!!!



The Last Supper

My New Beginning yet again!!

Yes after the long silence...I AM BACK!!
I know you all really missed me and I really missed all of you too..

So wat has happenend in the past few months of my silence..life in NTU is over..I must truly say that the past 4 years were the Days of my Life...
now I have started earing my own bread and butter..hmm.. doesnt sound too delicious does it...let me rephrase...so now i have started earning my own Butter Chicken and Paneer Kofta ( Much Better!!!)

I assure you all that I will keep updating regularly..
so stay tuned...
ciao

My lack of updates

First off..sorry guys for not takin the time out to update my blog..been really busy with my FYP!! well now that this never-ending project is finally over...I can get back to informing you all about the ups and downs in my life...so keep checking regularly...Ciao.

My stay at the Terminal

Imagine you have to stay at the airport terminal just because you can't cross immigration...hope it is Changi and not Sahar(Bombay Airport)..atleast one can hang out in Changi, watch movies.play tennnis...in short one can certainly have a nice holiday!!!
This movie is simply hilarious!! must say it is very different from usual spielberg movies...if you guys need a break and just relax..do go watch it..


The Terminal

Watashino Nihongo

Konichiwa. Watashiwa Pato Desu. Watashiwa Nihongo-o sukoshi arimasu! Yoroskiku Onengaishimasu...
I have always had this fasination for learning foreign languages...started with German then moved to Japanese...must say that I am slightly losing my touch with all wat I learnt..must keep practising!!! Now i am thinking of moving to Russian or Spanish..strongly dont want to learn French..dont know why...

But Japanese was really fascinating..It is the only language I know which actually has 3 scripts and 1 of them is just for writing foreign words!!! Did you know that nearly 35% of Japanese cant read all the characters in the newspaper!! There r just too many to learn...yaya I know our own Indian languages aren't a piece of cake..

so ne of you have this language bug??
Sayonara for now!!

My prayer

Just read in BBC about the school siege in Russia..where nearly 150 children are been held captive!!! What is the world comin to...what have the poor children done against Chechnya!!
I just hope that everything turns out fine..and the children are safe...Do pray for their safety!!