Dec. 8, 2005 - Avril Lavigne - He Wasn't

There's not much going on today.
I'm really bored, it's getting late.
What happened to my Saturday?
Monday's coming, the day I hate.

I'll Sit on my bed alone, 
Staring at the phone.

[chorus]
He wasn't what I wanted, what I thought, no.
He wouldn't even open up the door.
He never made me feel like I was special.
He isn't really what I'm looking for

hey hey hey
hey hey hey

This is when I start to bite my nails. 
And clean my room when all else fails.
I think it's time for me to bail.
This point of view is getting stale.

[chorus]

Uh ah, uh uh uh ah
Uh ah, uh uh uh ah

Na na na na na na, we've all got choices.
Na na na na, we've all got voices.
Na na na na na, stand up make some noise.
Na na na na, stand up make some noise.

I'll Sit on my bed alone, 
Staring at the phone.

[chorus 2x]

Like I was special, 'cause I was special.

Uh ah, uh uh uh ah
Uh ah, uh uh uh ah
Na na na na na.

Aug. 29, 2005 - ...

Some friends of mine asked me about this blog site... "why did you choose a brasilian site?"

I know it's strange, since I don't speak portuguese.. But I told them that I loved Brazil and that everything related to this country was intereting and that I'd like to know a bit of it.

So, if you are brasilian and if you can write in English, send me an e-mail, so that we could become friends.

May. 14, 2005 - Punjabi Wedding Customs

Punjabi Wedding Customs

The Punjabis, known for their zest for life, vivaciousness and of course, the bhangra, know how to pull all stops when it comes to celebrating. And what better occasion to celebrate than a wedding in the family?
 

Roka

As soon as the couple agree to wed, the roka or saith ceremony, which is an announcement that the boy and girl have found their soulmates and will look no further for a life partner, is held. The girl's mama (mother's brother) gives her the nath (nose ring) which she will wear on her wedding. The origin of this ceremony lies in the arranged marriage norm where the parents would let out the world that they are looking for a suitable match for their son or daughter. And once they had found that match, their search had come to an end. Though rings are not exchanged, the couple stand unofficially engaged after this ceremony. 
 

Sagai

The wedding celebrations begin with the tikka ceremony, held a week to ten days before the wedding (depending on the number of functions to follow) in which the family of the girl visits that of the boy's carrying beautifully wrapped gifts and the tikka material: a silver tray with a few grains of rice and saffron in a tiny silver bowl, 14 chuharey (dried dates) covered with silver foil and a coconut wrapped in a gold leaf. The father of the girl applies 'tikka' on his son-in-law's forehead and gives him his blessings and some money. In return, the girl's family receives baskets of seven dried fruits: almonds, cashewnuts, chuahara, coconut pieces, raisins, khurman (dried apricots) and phoolmakhana, at the kudmai (sagai or engagement). Nowadays the tikka ceremony is usually combined with the engagement. First, the girl is draped with a chunni (stole), which is usually very ornate. In some families this chunni is a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation. She is also presented with jewellery, which her mother and sister-in-law help her wear. A tiny dot of mehendi is applied to her palm for good luck, and the function is sealed with the exchange of rings. Everyone present congratulates the couple by feeding them sweet. 
 

Sangeet

After this function start the fun and dance. There is a sangeet function hosted by the girl's family, in which just a few close members of the boy's family are invited. The girl's family play the dholki (an elongated tabla) sing songs in which they tease the boy and his family, telling them to thank their stars they were lucky to find such a wonderful girl. who they probably didn't deserve! All in jest, of course, but they take care not to get carried away. After this, it is the boy's turn to retaliate, which they do in another sangeet function hosted by them. Though these are the traditional sangeets, many families opt for live bands or a disc jockey to churn out one dance track after another as guests shake a leg on the floor. 
 

Mehendi

The last major function before the wedding is the mehendi. Mehendiwallis are called to the respective houses of the boy and girl and they apply mehendi to the palms of the female family members, and the hands and feet of the bride. A basket containing bindis and bangles is handed around so girls can choose those that match the outfit they plan to wear to the wedding. 
 

The Final Countdown

The maaiyan of the bride starts three days before the wedding, which means she is now not supposed to leave the house until the big day. These days are meant for complete relaxation. She is not even supposed to meet the groom (if he can stay away!). The morning of the wedding, batna, a paste of flour and turmeric, is applied to the face, hands and legs of the bride. This is believed to beautify the skin. She then has a bath and sits for the puja, after which she is made to wear the bridal 'chura', red and white ivory bangles that signify her status as a bride. Her relatives then tie a kalira (jingle) on these churas, which convey their good wishes and blessings. The eligible girls line up and the bride lightly bangs her kaliras on their head. It is believed that by doing this, these girls would be the next to get married.

Similarly the groom's relatives also apply batna, more as a jest than a serious ceremony. This is followed by a puja, after which his mother ties a sehera (veil of flowers) on his turban, praying that his life ahead will be as beautiful and fragrant as the flowers. (And if the groom is ugly, the more of his face covered, the better!) He is then seated on a female horse and his sisters tie a mauli (sacred thread) on the reins of his horse. They also detain the horse in the tradition known as baagpakdai, saying that they won't leave it's reins unless their brother bribes them. Once they are satisfied with the cash or jewellery bribe, they release the reins so the groom can gallop off to fetch his bride. 
 

At The Venue

The bride's family waits at the entrance to greet the baarat (the groom and his family), who reach singing and dancing. The father, brother, uncles and grandfathers of the groom embrace the corresponding members of the bride's family. While embracing, they try to lift each other up. as a show of strength and superiority, amidst much laughter and cheer. When they enter the venue the bride is brought out and the couple exchange garlands. The groom, who is usually taller than the bride, is not supposed to bend while she is garlanding him, to tease the bride as if to say she is the one who would have to compromise in the relationship; he will not bend. Another game played is by placing a ring in a plate filled with milk. The bride and groom dip their hands in the plate and the one who comes out with the ring will dominate in the marriage. 

The wedding concludes with the pheras, where the couple exchange vows in front of the sacred fire. The bride's parents give her hand to the groom in marriage in what is known as the kanyadaan. In the earlier days, in exchange for the bride, her in-laws would donate a sacred cow (gaudaan)! Nowadays money says it all, and a donation is given to the pundit. The couple take four rounds of the fire, and seven steps to the North to signify advancement as they walk together through life. Then the bride puts a foot on a stone as she says no matter what problems come their way, she will be stable - solid as a rock. Her brother pours kheel (a sweet) into her hands, which she pours into her husband's hands. Just as the kheel cannot return to it's original state of grain, neither can the bride return to her earlier state of daughter of the house.

Once this is done the boy's father sprinkles water on the newly-weds to say that if there are misunderstandings between them, he will help calm them down - not add fuel to the fire. The bride then makes a tearful farewell to her new home in what is known as the 'bidai'. Traditionally she would sit in a doli (palanquin) which would be carried by the bride's brothers. Even now some brides sit in a doli, which takes her to the getaway car, where the groom and a few members of his family are waiting to escort her home. She gets in, and zooms off to her new home - and new life. 

May. 11, 2005 - Called Dae!

That's my favorite doll. My grandfather gave it to me when I was five! My mother didn't let my play with it because she thought I'd damage it. I remeber passing a whole afternoon just looking at this doll and imaging how nice it'd be to be a doll... childish. I didn't have opportunity to play with it when I was a child but it meant so much to me that it was the only one that I kept.

Apr. 25, 2005 - Hey!

I've been posting about my cat and indian stuff...

Now I intend to write a little bit about myself!!

Well... I'm not interested in finding a guy althought my parents think it's time I were married. I have so many things to do... like traveling, studying and I know that if I got married, I wouldn't do all those things without my husband's permission. Living in  an indiam family is not that easy... I do respect my parent's traditions, but world has changed!!! Why is it so difficult for them to understand that? I was born in India but since twelve I've been living in the United States and here people have another thoughts, and I really enjoy my american lifesyle.

Thanks for reading my blog!!

Apr. 20, 2005 - Indian Music

The tabla, the sitar, the veena and the flute are one of the most important components of Indian music. Earlier, Indian music was restricted to only the classical music scene, but over the years with modernization and new things being accepted by the new generation, the aspect of music has changed a lot.

So what is Indian music after all? Indian music is a mixture of the voices of the new and the old generation, international music with a pinch of classical music. Indian music is definitely unique because when ranked among all Asian countries, India stands first when it comes to music. This ranking is not a result of the maximum number of music albums launched by Indian artists, but this is because many Asian countries have accepted and shown major interest in Indian music. Most of us are aware that foreigners esp. Europeans and Americans ignore Asians when we are in their land. That is true but there are two things that are an exception to the above statement i.e. they cannot ignore Indian food and Indian Music.

Apr. 17, 2005 - Bend it Like Beckham

Wonderful Movie! It tells the story of this Indian girl living in London and playing soccer against her parents' will. In this movie, you can see a bit of Indian traditions and way of thinking. Besides, it's a very funny and entertaining movie!

Apr. 15, 2005 - Freedom

Well, I love Freedom, but decided I can't have another cat. It would be too much work, they would make a mess out of my house and there's also the adaption period... I would love to have another cat, but I don't have the time or space to take good care of two cats...

Apr. 13, 2005 - HI!!

I'm thinking about adopting a new cat... Fredom would love to have someone with him during the day and to play with. Who does'n like to have a partner??? EVERYONE DOES!

Me too, but that's another story...

Mar. 23, 2005 - A Little gift for you

Source: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink328.html

Iron Hindu recipe

Mar. 18, 2005 - Hi

What I like most in my life is my Fredom...well... I'm talking about my cat!! His name is freedom. Sometimes he's the only one I can consider a friend.

He's really cute, isn't he??!

Mar. 11, 2005 -

Another common question is about marriage, "Is it true that men in India do not know the woman till they marry her?",

Oh dear. That is true in every country

Joke apart, it is true that many men and women go in for arranged marriages in India and have very little knowledge about the person they are about to wed.

I'm not anxious for getting married... I guess I'm still too young and I also enjoy my freedon.

Mar. 11, 2005 - Welcome!!!

Hi! I'm Yurica, 20 years old, single, from India.

I'm always asked by foreign friends about my indian stuff, for example, why do you  wear the dot on my forehead?, traditionally the dot (known as bindi, kum-kum) was the symbol of an auspicious privilege enjoyed by married Hindu women in India. The practice has now evolved to cover young girls and women of other faiths as well and has become part of the make-up. (I'm not using the dot in this picture but I use it a lot).