Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘My Song’

This song of mine will wind its music around you,
my child, like the fond arms of love.

The song of mine will touch your forehead
like a kiss of blessing.

When you are alone it will sit by your side and
whisper in your ear, when you are in the crowd
it will fence you about with aloofness.

My song will be like a pair of wings to your dreams,
it will transport your heart to the verge of the unknown.

It will be like the faithful star overhead
when dark night is over your road.

My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes,
and will carry your sight into the heart of things.

And when my voice is silenced in death,
my song will speak in your living heart.

Family is one of the most important aspects of a person's life‏

Dear Children,

Family is defined as...

F- Fabricate a person

A- Alleviates his pain

M-Mandatory for a lively life

I- Induces values

L- Laudable

Y-Yoke to solve problems of life

Family is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life.

Our upbringing define us , and our family environment became a part of our identity. In this respect it remains of utmost importance to initiate, cultivate, maintain, and prioritize family relationships.

In our life's journey we come across some amazing people. There will be of course your best friends the one you make in your neighborhood and with whom you had learned cycling and then the one you make in senior school with whom you had spent hours chatting over with.

And then you become too cool and have gang of best friends with whom you spend all the time

But the sad truth is that all these people, no matter how wonderful, must part ways with us some day. It may be sooner or later but it is inevitable.

But the one constant all this while, which provided you the background is your family and will always be there for you. Though you may haven't appreciated it before.

We all take family for granted, don't we ? we always place them secondary to our friends. we assume that it is their duty to all that they do for us, only appreciating it when all those for whom we ignore our family left us.

As a child you find comfort in hanging out with your parents.

As a teenager you find identity when you step away from parents
and illustrate your independence.

As a young adult as you are now independent, you learn to appreciate them so much more. You find yourself loving their mannerisms so much more.

You thank them for the things they provided for you as a child,
and you look forward to one day being that same source of strength they were to you in your young age, to them in their old age.

It is a note that resonates deep within the heart strings.

No matter how hard you try, you can never extricate yourself from your family. They are integral to who you are...

WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

With Love, Amma-Naana

New Year Greetings from WATS Board 2008

Namaskaaram!

On behalf of Washington Telugu Samithi, we wish you and your families a very happy, peaceful, healthy, wealthy, loving new year 2008. It's my privilege to introduce the new board for 2008 which was elected on 15th December 2007.

President
Lavanya Reddy
president@watsweb.org

Vice President
Ajay Kasani
vicepresident@watsweb.org

General Secretary
Srikrishna Chavali
secretary@watsweb.org

Cultural Secretary
Madhusri Movva
cultural@watsweb.org

Treasurer
Ramana Kodati
treasurer@watsweb.org

Literary Coordinator
Vamshi Kancharla
literary@watsweb.org

Webmaster
Jhansi Reddy
webmaster@watsweb.org

Telugu Badi Coordinator
Anantharam Chadalavada
telugubadi@watsweb.org

We are very enthusiastic to present culturally rich programs this coming year and we urge you to provide us guidance and suggestions on how we can serve you better.

Please kindly mark your calendars for our first event for the calendar year, "WATS Sankranthi Celebrations" to be held on Jan 12th between 2 – 6 PM. Venue & more details on this event will follow shortly.

Also please note that this is the time all annual memberships need to be renewed. Please support WATS by joining as life members or annual members.

We are looking for volunteer to help us with Sankranthi celebrations. Please contact us at events@watsweb.org for further details.

Your cooperation and blessings will help us to serve you better. Please feel free to contact any of the board members for any WATS related activities.

With love and regards,
Lavanya Reddy
President, WATS Board

Steel and Velvet

Dear Suresh, How are you?

Your aunty, Vijaya and I attended the get together at Capilano, yesterday. And tomorrow, we are attending the other at Twin-brooks. How is your work? I am reading the books, I borrowed from you.

Your Loving Uncle.

Steel and Velvet

October 3, 1862.

Mark Van Dorm:
"To me Lincoln seems, in some ways, the most interesting man who ever lived. He was gentle, but this gentleness was combined with a terrific toughness, an iron strength."

When General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army, Lincoln sent an unexpected message to the enemy commander.

"Tell your men they may keep their horses; they'll need them for plowing," said the president. Then this: "Tell your men they may keep their rifles; they'll need them for hunting."

When Lee read those words he wept.

For each of us there is a time for toughness and a time for tenderness. A time for resolve and a time for compassion. An iron will is not the same as an iron spirit.

Another courageous American, Martin Luther King, Jr. some hundred years later encouraged us to exhibit tough minds and soft hearts...not the other way around.

Be mentally tough; your resolve and determination will overcome great obstacles along life's path. But let your heart be soft; your compassion and love will make the journey worth it.

---

Hello Uncle,

Season Greetings to you and your family.

Good to see that you are reading lot of books borrowing from me. I read every day before going to bed, so that I wake up with positive attitude and learn a lot about me too.

I have seen lot of folks feed three to five times to their body below the mouth, where as, in the modern world, they completely forget about feeding above to their mouth, which is the three pounds or 48 ounces deal, called "Brain".

Wow, I really admire you uncle, even at the age, how disciplined your are, in all ways, like taking care of your health, feeding excellent things to your three pounds deal, Wow, I have or everybody in the universe have lot to learn from you.

Great to have your association very close to us. Please convey our hello and good morning to dearest Aunty.

Warm Regards,
Suresh & Prasanna

మనసులకు మెరుగుపెట్టే ‘పరుసవేది’ : రచన: ఎస్. జయ : http://www.pranahita.org/2007/12/parusavedi_review

ఏ ఒడిదొడుకులు, వత్తిళ్లు లేకుండా ప్రశాంతంగా సాగిపోవడమే జీవితమని భ్రమపడే మందజీవుల్లో ఒకడు కాదు శాంటియాగో అనే యువకుడు. అతనికి ప్రయాణాలంటే ఇష్టం. గొర్రెల కాపరిగా కొత్త కొత్త ప్రదేశాలు చూడొచ్చని తండ్రి ద్వారా తెలుసుకుని, తండ్రి ఇచ్చిన మూడు బంగారు నాణేలతో గొర్రెలను కొని ప్రయాణాలు సాగిస్తుంటాడు. తన గొర్రెలకు పుస్తకాలు చదివి వినిపిస్తూ, తాను చూసిన వింతలను వాటికి వర్ణించి చెబుతుంటాడు. అలా రెండేళ్లు గడిచిపోతుండగా అతన్ని ఒక కల వెన్నాడుతుంది. స్పెయిన్ లో ఒక పాడుబడిన చర్చిలో గొర్రెలతో పాటు నిద్రించిన ఆ యువకుడికి ఆ రాత్రి రెండోసారి అదే కల వచ్చింది. ఆ కల గురించి తెలుసుకోవడానికి బంజార ముదుసలిని, వృద్ధరాజును కలుస్తాడు. ఆ కలకు అర్థం ఆఫ్రికాలోని పిరమిడ్ల వద్ద ఆ యువకునికి నిధి దొరుకుతుందని వారిద్దరు చెబుతారు.

ఎన్నో శకునాల మధ్య, హృదయం మాట వింటూ, విశ్వాత్మ భాష నేర్చుకుని, ఆపదలెన్ని ఎదురైనా ఒయాసిస్సులో, ఎడారిలో ప్రయాణాలు చేసి ఈజిప్టులోని పిరమిడ్ల చెంతకు చేరుతాడు. అతని ఒక్కో మజిలీ సాహసోపేతమైన ఒక్కో అద్భుత అనుభవ గాథ. ఆ అనుభవాలే అతని నిధి అనిపిస్తుంది. ఆ అనుభవ గాథలో మనల్ని మనం మరిచిపోయి, ఆ గొర్రెల కాపరి వెంట మనం నడుస్తుంటాం, ఆ యువకుడు మనకు చిరకాలంగా తెలిసినట్టు. కాని మరుక్షణంలోనే మన జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని చేరడానికి మనం ప్రయత్నిస్తున్నామా అని మనలో ప్రశ్నలు వుదయిస్తాయి. మనం అశాంతికి గురయి, మరచిపోయిన మన జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని తిరిగి గుర్తు చేసుకుంటాం.

“బాల్యంలో అందరికీ జీవిత గమ్యం ఏమిటో తెలుస్తుంది. ఆ వయసులో అంతా స్పష్టంగా ఉంటుంది. అన్నీ సాధ్యమే అనిపిస్తాయి. వాళ్లు కలలు కనడానికి భయపడరు. తమ జీవితంలో కావాలనుకున్న దానికోసం ఆశతో ఎదురు చూస్తుంటారు. కానీ కాలం గడుస్తున్న కొద్దీ తమ జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని సాధించటం అసాధ్యమని వాళ్లు నమ్మేలా ఒక వింత శక్తి ఏదో చేస్తుంది.”
“… చివరికి మనుషులు తమ జీవిత గమ్యం కంటే… ఇతరులు ఏమి అనుకుంటారో అన్నదానికి ఎక్కువ ప్రాధాన్యం ఇస్తారు.” కాని మన యువకుడు తన జీవిత గమ్యం వైపు ప్రయాణం కొనసాగిస్తాడు.

గొర్రెలను అమ్మి, ఆ డబ్బుతో ఓడ నెక్కాలని టాంజియార్ చేరుకుంటాడు. కాని ఒక కొత్త వ్యక్తి మోసానికి గురయి డబ్బంతా పోగొట్టుకుంటాడు. కొత్త వ్యక్తిని నమ్మినందుకు “ ప్రపంచం ఎలా వుందో కాక, ఎలా ఉండాలని కోరుకుంటున్నామో ఆ దృష్టి కోణం నుంచి చూసే అందరిలాంటి వాడినే నేను కూడా” అనుకుంటాడు. అంతలోనే “నువ్వు ఏదైనా కావాలని అనుకున్నప్పుడు దానిని నువ్వు సాధించడంలో సహాయపడే విధంగా ఈ విశ్వమంతా కుట్ర పన్నుతుంది” అన్న వృద్ధరాజు మాటలను గుర్తు చేసుకుని, మనసును తేలిక చేసుకుంటాడు.

గాజు వస్తువులు అమ్మే ఒక వ్యాపారి వద్ద పనికి కుదురుకుంటాడు. ఆ పనిలో లీనమైపోయి, ఎలా చేస్తే లాభాలు పొందవచ్చో వ్యాపారికి చెప్పి దాన్ని లాభసాటి వ్యాపారంగా మారుస్తాడు. వ్యాపారి తన లాభాల్లో అనుకున్న వాటా మన యువకుడికి ఇస్తాడు. అలా పదకొండు నెలలు గడిచేసరికి చాలా డబ్బు గడిస్తాడు. ఆ డబ్బు తీసుకుని తిరిగి తన జీవిత గమ్యం వైపు పయనిస్తాడు. నిజానికి చాలా మందికి ఇలాంటి పరిస్థితి సంభవిస్తే ఇదే బాగుందిలే అని జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని అలవోకగా మరిచిపోయే ప్రమాదం వుంటుంది. గాజు సామాన్ల వ్యాపారి ఎన్నో ఏళ్లుగా మక్కా పోవాలనుకున్నా వెళ్లలేకపోయానని బాధపడతాడు. జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని చేరలేని వారు దాన్ని సాధించలేకపోయామనే దాని కన్నా జీవిత గమ్యం కోసం ప్రయత్నించలేదని ఎక్కువ బాధపడడం ఆ గాజు వ్యాపారిలో చూస్తాం.

“నేర్చుకోవడానికి ఒకటే దారి ఉంది: అది చర్యల ద్వారా” అంటాడు పరుసవేది. తాత్వికస్థాయిలో జీవితాన్ని విశ్లేషించిన గొప్ప పుస్తకం “పరుసవేది” (ది ఆల్కమిస్ట్ ).

“మనం చాలాసార్లు పక్కదార్లు తీసుకుంటున్నా అంతిమంగా గమ్యం వైపుకే పురోగమిస్తున్నాం.” అంటాడు యువకుడితో పాటు ఎడారిలో తోడుగా ప్రయాణిస్తున్న పరుసవేది.

ఎడారిలో యుద్ధాల మధ్య నుంచి ఒయాసిస్సుకు పోతుండగా ఒంటెను నడిపించే వ్యక్తి యువకుడితో ఇలా అంటాడు. “నేను అటు గతంలోనో, ఇటు భవిష్యత్తులోనో జీవించడం లేదు. ప్రస్తుతంపైనే నాకు ఆసక్తి వుంది. ఎప్పుడు ప్రస్తుత క్షణం పైనే దృష్టి నిలపగలిగితే, నువ్వు అదృష్టవంతుడివవుతావు. ఎడారిలో జీవం వుందని, ఆకాశంలో చుక్కలున్నాయని, మానవజాతిలో భాగం కాబట్టి, ఎడారి జాతులు సంఘర్షించుకుంటున్నాయని నువ్వు గమనిస్తావు. అలాంటప్పుడు జీవితం నీకు ఒక అద్భుతమైన విందు అవుతుంది. ఎందుకంటే మనం గడుపుతున్న ప్రస్తుత క్షణమే జీవితం.”

యువకునికి జీవిత గమ్యం చేరేలోగా మూడుసార్లు వున్నదంతా పోగొట్టుకుని, ప్రాణాలు పోగొట్టుకొనే పరిస్థితులు సంభవిస్తాయి. అయితే అదే సమయంలో ఆ యువకుడికి మార్గ మధ్యంలో కలిసిన ఆంగ్లేయుడు, ఫాతిమా, పరుసవేది అతని జీవిత గమ్యానికి తోడ్పడుతారు.

ఎడారిలో ప్రయాణం, ఒయాసిస్సులో జీవితం కష్టసుఖాల పల్లవిగా మనల్ని అద్భుతపరుస్తుంది. ఈ పుస్తకం చదువుతున్నంతసేపు స్వేచ్ఛతో కూడిన స్వచ్ఛమైన తాత్వికతను ఆస్వాదిస్తూ పదేపదే మన జీవిత గమ్యాన్ని గుర్తు చేసుకుంటూ, జీవిత అనుభవాలను మననం చేసుకుంటాం. అంతేకాదు, ఒకసారి చదివి పుస్తకాన్ని బుక్ షెల్ఫ్ లో పెట్టేయలేం. మళ్లీ మళ్లీ చదవాలనుకుంటాం. ఏ పేజీలోంచి మొదలుపెట్టినా, ఆ తాత్విక చర్చలో లీనమైపోయి, మళ్లీ మళ్లీ పుస్తకం చివరికంటా చదువుకుంటూ పోతాం.

అంతిమంగా మనం మన హృదయాన్ని వింటున్నామా లేక హృదయం వున్నదన్నదే మరిచిపోయామా అని తరచి చూసుకుంటాం. మన హృదయం మన చుట్టూనే తిరుగుతోంది. కాని రణగొణ ధ్వనుల మధ్య మన హృదయాన్ని ఆలకించడం మరచిపోతున్నాం అనుకుంటాం. ఎక్కడ మన హృదయం వుందో అక్కడే నిధి వుందని తెలుసుకుంటాం. “ఒకరి జీవిత గమ్యానికి అడ్డుపడేవారు వారు తమ జీవిత గమ్యం ఎప్పుడూ చేరుకోలేరు.” “ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ తమ నిధి కోసం వెతికి, దానిని సాధించాలి. ఆ తరువాత గత జీవితంలో కంటే తమను తాము మెరుగు పరుచుకోవాలి. తన అవసరం ఉన్నంతవరకు సీసం తన పాత్ర పోషిస్తుంది, ఆ తరువాత అది బంగారంగా మారాల్సి వుంటుంది”. “ప్రేమ అనేది ఒక శక్తి. అది విశ్వాత్మను మార్చి మెరుగు పరుస్తుంది… విశ్వాత్మను పెంచి పోషించేది మనమే. మనల్ని మెరుగుపరచుకుంటామా, క్షీణింపచేసుకుంటామా అన్న దాన్ని బట్టి మనం నివసించే ప్రపంచం మెరుగుపడుతుంది లేదా క్షీణిస్తుంది”.

పాలో కొయిలో పోర్చుగీసులో రాసిన ‘ది ఆల్కమిస్ట్ ‘ని తెలుగు పాఠకులకు అందించిన ‘మంచి పుస్తకం’ వారికి అభినందనలు

Good Morning

Dear Children, Good Morning.

Akkaiah, greeted us good morning. They are doing well. Vikram Nana and Vinod Kanna are enjoying their trip to the Disney world with their loving parents.

Today Your dear mom and I are going to Mr. & Mrs. Prasad Valpudas family, this evening. They have invited us for a dinner.

More in my next e-mail,
With Love, Amma - Nanaa

Abilities of a 3 Months Old Baby

Dear Ranamma & Ajay Nana, Good Evening.
Thank you very much for your e-mails and thanks for your love and care for us. Happy to know the activities of our Sweet PRAGATHI. I know all of you are taking a good care of her. And helping to grow herself well.

" It's the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected of him."

Here is an article written about the abilities of 3 months old baby: Please read once just asses the growth of the baby.

Introduction
At three months, a baby's favorite toy may be her hands. She'll use them to explore her facial features, and she might join her hands together and let each hand take a turn playing with the other. She'll enjoy interacting with you, too.
Things You'll Need
Ball For A Baby
Music
Baby Toys
Steps

1 Step One
Put her on her tummy on the floor. Roll a ball about 2 feet in front of her. With a little practice she'll be able to coordinate her eye and hand movements and reach toward the ball.

2 Step Two
Ring a bell while she's watching, and then ring it again just out of her line of vision. See if she'll turn and search for the bell with her eyes.

3 Step Three
Play music with a strong rhythm. Try a variety songs - fast, slow, loud, soft - and soon your baby will learn to recognize the difference.

4 Step Four
Bring your baby outside. Place her under a tree, and he'll enjoy listening to the leaves, watching light and shadow, and seeing birds and airplanes go by.

5 Step Five
Sew a bell securely into a wristband and put it on her wrist or leg. Noticing the sound it makes when she moves will help her develop body awareness and eye-hand coordination.

Tips & Warnings
Respect your baby's cues. If a particular activity seems stressful or frustrating, stop and give it a try another day. Remember that all babies develop at different speeds, usually with spurts and plateaus. Consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's development.

With Love, Amma - Nana

To Dear Pragathi...From Naanamma & Tataiah...

Dear Pragathi, Good Morning.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008 and Good tidings to you wherever you are...

How are you? How are your loving parents? And grandparents? Are you keeping them a little more busy? That is Okay.

It is their pleasure to be with you, enjoying your loving company.
As you grow well day by day they too grow with their rich experience in helping you grow up.

Not only you and your loving parents but we, your grandparents as well need to grow well to serve you better.

Dear Pragathi, I would like to submit my progress report to you since October, 2007.

I am learning at the speed of life...taking the help from the great, Metro Continuing Education, in our pretty town Edmonton. I got 94.5% of marks in my Final Assessment Test.

My dear teacher Estella admired my persistent effort. And she also told me that I'll be a good model for the younger students.

In fact that is what I desire to be. I want to be good model for you, dear Pragathi. I do continue my study at Metro. And our next session starts on January 7, 2008 at 8: 45 a m.

I am really very grateful to my teachers, Lynda and Estella, who taught us with their heart. They put their best efforts to our development.

More in my next e-mail,
With Love, Your Edmonton Grandpa

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My Dearest Tataiah

My hearty Congratulations and loving wishes to you and Nanamma. Congratulations on standing TOP of the class of software engineers and working professionals from around the world. As your learned teacher Estella has said you are the best role model for the young, but especially for me.

I will take your loving, positive and ever-creative qualities; your determination, good nature and courage as my inspiration and will try my best to inculcate those into me thru sincere work. You are my guide and I will always look forward to your support, encouragement and mentoring.

I will also give my progress report to you. I am growing well at the same time enjoying the growth. Recently I had a chance to meet with my pediatrician and she congratulated me on my health as well as my cheerful nature. I will continue to enjoy growth and look forward to playing and learning from all my elders.

Thank you for the loving greetings on the occasion of Merry Christmas and New year 2008. My love and greetings to you, Nanamma and all our near & dear.

Your Loving Grand Daughter
PRAGATHI

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Dear Aunty & Uncle,

Happy to receive your mail. Hearty Congratulations on successful completion of your course. Glad to know that you received excellent score in your course.

Yes Uncle, dear Pragathi will look forward to your guidings and all the good qualities that you have. It is very inspiring that you have completed this course in spite of severe weather conditions.

Pragathi is doing excellent, she is growing very well in all regards. She loves smiling. She makes us smile with her cheerful nature. Pragathi likes to coo alot. She communicates with her cooing. She is almost 3 ½ months now,. She is lifting her head straight and enjoys her gym very much. Pragathi’s other favourite activities are observing her sorroundings keenly, enjoys bath in her small tub and cooing with all of us & her toys. We are enjoying every second of sweet Pragathi's presence.

Merry Chritmas & Happy New year to you & Aunty from Pragathi & all of us. And also best wishes for your next session.

With Love
Rani

Have a Safe Trip to the Disney World

Dear Peddakonda, Good Morning.

We Wish You All A Happy Journey And the Pleasantest Trip To the Disney World.

We Wish Our Sweet Vinod And Vikram Nanalu have many Happy Memories to Treasure in from This Nice Trip, During Their Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2008 Holidays. We also hope that they will have some good collection of nicer things too, to show to all of us here.

With Love, Amma - Nana

Congratulations...

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year...

Dear Our Sweet Children, Good Afternoon.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and good tidings to You, wherever You are our children!

Your dear mom and I are good. I came home just now with my LINC 3 Certificate and Progress Report. I got 94.5% on my final assessment examinations. I was recommended for the next session: Level 4. I showed the reports to your dear mom. She told me to try for 100% in next course.

Our teacher Estella wrote “Thank You for your persistent effort. You are a good model for the younger students!”

Please find couple of pictures below taken at our school.

With Love,
- Nana

Naana with his LINC class mates

Naana with his LINC class mates Naana at Bowling with his LINC class mates

Our Visit to Emory University, Atlanta

Dear All,

Here we are all fine. Felt happy speaking with Amma, Naana.

Today Vikram and Vinod and I visited Emory University along With Shailaja. We also went to her department greeted her lab colleagues and friends.

Tomorrow we are going for a lunch along with some of Kamalesh's office colleagues.

Yesterday we visited Shailaja's kid’s schools and took a walk in the neighborhood. We are all having good time in the holidays.

All of you, please have a nice time and take care.
With love, Yours Aparna

Happy to know that you all enjoyed a game of Bowling

Dear Nana,

Happy to know that you all enjoyed a game of Bowling. It is fun to play games. Congratulations on your good play and team win :-).

Have a nice Potluck lunch.

Loving Son
Ajay

A Letter From Magrath

Dear all,

Ajay has been elected for Washington Telugu Samithi, as Vice-President for the year 2008. Congratulations to Ajay Naana.

Simple Rules for Balancing Life & Work…

1. Give as much as each needs. Sometimes life needs more so give it more; other times work needs more of your time.

2. Keep both at the minimum level of happiness first and then prioritize based on day-to-day needs.

3. When an emergency in either life or work crops up it takes priority even at the cost of neglecting the other for the time being. You need to have a clean sense of understanding of what emergency is.

4. When there is an emergency on both life and work, life takes priority. After all life is what you are working for.

With Love, Amma-Naana

To Teach Is To Touch Lives Forever...

Dear Children, Good Afternoon.

I had my lunch already. Now we have a short break. Both your dear mom and I are doing well.

The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. To teach is to touch lives forever. The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.

With Love, Naana

Greetings from AmmaNaana

Dear all, Good Morning.

Your dear mom and I are fine here.

- Just now Basith spoke with me from Warangal. It is a causal call. His family is fine. His elder daughter is now in class 10, this year. She is studying well.

He has inquired me about Allam Kiran's death in his hostel at his Louisiana University. We felt sorry about it.

- We complete our LINC 3 Course by the next week. We have farewell party on December 21, 2007.

- Have a Beautiful Saturday all of you.
With Love, Nana

From School

Dear Children, Good Afternoon.

Thank you for your e-mails.

I had my lunch just now. We have festive atmosphere in our school due to two reasons - One: the vacation is fast approaching. The second one is Christmas is around the corner. The classrooms and the surroundings of our School are all decorated with beautiful color papers.

Here are some nice words for your reading.

With Love, Nana

The art of not becoming ill

Dear Children, Here is an interesting article for your reading. With Love, Amma-Naana


He who eats good food takes care of his health, but apart from eating them there is another important aspect explained by Dr. Dráuzio Varella, MD.

(1 ) If you don’t want to get sick “Talk about your feelings”.

- Emotions and feelings that are hidden and restrained end up in sickness such as gastritis, ulcer, backaches and back pains. With time restrained feelings can bring cancer. So let us open up, confide, and share our intimacy, our secrets and our sins. The dialogue, the talk, the spoken word is excellent medicine and therapy.

(2) If you don’t want to get sick “Take decisions”.

- The undecided person remains in doubt, anxiety and in anguish. The indecision accumulates problems, worries and aggressions. Human history is made up of decisions. In order to make decisions one needs to surrender, know how to give in to advantages and values in order to gain others. The undecided people are acquitted with nervous problems, gastritis and skin problems.

(3) If you don’t want to get sick “Find solutions”.

- Negative people can’t see solutions and increase their problems. They prefer to groan, murmur and be pessimistic. It is better to light up a match than to complain about the darkness. The bee is small but it produces what is sweetest. We are what we think. The negative thought generates negative energy that becomes sickness.

(4) If you don’t want to get sick “Don’t live what you are not”

- He who hides reality pretends, makes believe, always wants to give the impression of being well, wants to show he is perfect, good, etc. and is so doing is in fact accumulating tons of weight… a statue of bronze with mud feet. There is nothing worse for one’s health than to live by appearances and facades. They are people that have a lot of shine but no roots. There are destined for the pharmacy, hospital and pain.

(5) If you don’t want to get sick, “Accept yourself”.

- One’s own rejection, the lack of self-esteem, makes us one’s own butcher. To be one self is the center of a healthy life. The ones that don’t accept this are envious, grudging, imitators, competitive and destructive. Accepting one self, accepting other’s acceptance of one self is knowledge, good common sense and therapy.

(6) If you don’t want to get sick “Trust”

- He who does not trust, communicate, open up and interact does not make strong bonds and does not know how to make long lasting friendship. Without trust there is no relationship. The lack of trust is a loss in one’s own faith, in others.

(7) If you don’t want to get sick “Don’t be always sad”.

- Good humor, a laugh, leisure and happiness recuperates good health and brings long life. The happy person has the gift of bringing happiness to the environment in which he lives. “Good humor saves us from the Doctor’s hands”. Happiness is health and therapy.

Happiness is health and therapy.

Clear, Written Goals - Thought For The Day

Dear Children,

What does it take to succeed on a big scale? A tremendous talent? Inherited wealth?

A decade of postgraduate education? Connections with the top people in your field?

Fortunately for most of us, what it takes is something very simple and accessible: clear, written goals.

A study of Harvard graduates found that after 20 years, the three percent of them who had written goals achieved more than the other 97% combined!

An average person with average talent, ambition and education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear, focused goals.

With Love, Amma-Naana

Our trip to Water Park, West Edmonton Mall‏ : NAEJA : Beach Party

Dear all,

Christmas is a favorite of winter celebrations -- a time for traditions such as parties, baking cookies, trimming the tree, decorating the house, and family get-togethers. Enjoyed by both children and adults, Christmas is the most popular holiday of all!

Today we participated in beach party organized by NAEJA. Our sweet Vikram and Vinod enjoyed playing in the water. Our get - together started at 3: 00 PM in which many gifts were given by Santa Claus to all the children. Our Vinod and Vikram also got good gifts. They felt very happy and enjoyed the trip.

With Love, Nana.

Shake It Off and Step Up

Dear Children, Here is a story for our reading. With Love, Amma-Naana.

Once upon a time there was a farmer who had an old mule. The mule fell into a deep dry well and began to cry loudly. Hearing his mule cry, the farmer came over and assessed the situation. The well was deep and the mule was heavy. He knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, to lift the animal out.

Because the mule was old and the well was dry, the farmer decided to bury the animal in the well. In this way he could solve two problems: put the old mule out of his misery and have his well filled. He called upon his neighbors to help him and they agreed to help. Shovel full of dirt after shovel full of dirt began to fall on the mule’s back.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck to the mule. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" the mule repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! that seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. That's life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to bitterness...the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us!

తానుండిన కాలానికి తానె ఉషస్సయినాడు

”అవనిపై జరిగేటి అవకతవకలు జూచి ఎందుకో నా హృదిని ఇన్ని ఆవేదనలు, పరుల కష్టము జూచి కరిగిపోవును గుండె, మాయ మోసముజూసి మండిపోవును ఒళ్లు, పతిత మానవుజూచి చితికి పోవును మనసు, పరుల కష్టాలతో పనియేమి మాకనెడు అన్యులను గని యైన హాయిగా మనలేను, ఎందుకో నా హృదిని ఇన్ని ఆవేదనలు” అని అన్నడు ‘నా గొడవ’ల కాళోజీ.

ఓ తీరుగ జూస్తే ఇది ఆయన బతుకు ఫిలాసఫీ.

ఇట్ల అవకతవకల జూసి ఊర్కునుడు గాదు, ఆ అవకతవకలకు కారణమైన వాండ్లను ప్రశ్నించడం, వాండ్ల భావాల తోటి ఏకీభవించకపోతే, అవి అన్యాయమైనవైతే అసమ్మతి తెలుపటం, వాండ్ల పద్ధతుల పట్ల నిరసన ప్రకటించటం ఇంకా, తర్వాత వాటిని ధిక్కరించటం కాళోజీ కవిత్వం లక్షణాలు. కవిత్వమే కాదు అవి ఆయన బతుకు లక్షణాలు. ఎందుకంటే కవిత్వమూ బతుకూ రెండు వేరే వేరే లెవ్వు కాళోజీకి. చెప్పుడోటి చేసుడోటి కాళోజీకి తెలువదు.

Pragathi Communicates a lot thru cooing now-a-days

Dear All,

Nice to know that Vikram and Vinod are very co-operative in the morning to get ready and go to schools soon. That’s wonderful.

Pragathi is enjoying growing up. She likes the mobile music that Kamalesh bava and akkayya installed and the framed letters from Amma, Nana on the wall. While drinking milk, she prefers to view those and feel happy. She communicates a lot thru her cooing now-a-days. Even when she is crying she stops and smiles and talks with those dynosaur pictures pasted by Vikram on the door, when we turn her in that direction. It is nice and funny.

Loving Son,
Ajay

New Years Eve Downtown - December 20

From: "Chrystal Seutter"
To: "somaiah_kasani@yahoo.com"
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:02:48 -0700
Subject: You are Invited

Physical activity can add years to your life, and life to your years.

The Importance of Physical Activity
Regular physical activity can improve health and reduce the risk of premature death in the following ways:

1.Reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and the risk of dying from CHD
2.Reduces the risk of stroke
3.Reduces the risk of having a second heart attack in people who have already had one heart attack
4.Lowers both total blood cholesterol and triglycerides and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL or the "good" cholesterol)
5.Lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure
6.Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have hypertension
7.Lowers the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus
8.Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer
9.Helps people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
10.Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
11.Promotes psychological well-being and reduces feelings of stress
12.Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
13.Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling or becoming excessively fatigued

Can everyone benefit from physical activity?
"Do it, move it, make it happen. No one ever sat their way to success." —Unknown

The good news about regular physical activity is that everyone can benefit from it (USDHHS, 1996).

Older adults
No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity. Evidence indicates that muscle-strengthening exercises can reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones and can improve the ability to live independently.

Parents and children
Parents can help their children maintain a physically active lifestyle by providing encouragement and opportunities for physical activity. Families can plan outings and events that allow and encourage everyone in the family to be active.

Teenagers
Regular physical activity improves strength, builds lean muscle, and decreases body fat. Activity can build stronger bones to last a lifetime.

People trying to manage their weight
Regular physical activity burns calories while preserving lean muscle mass. Regular physical activity is a key component of any weight-loss or weight-management effort.

People with high blood pressure
Regular physical activity helps lower blood pressure.

People with physical disabilities, including arthritis
Regular physical activity can help people with chronic, disabling conditions improve their stamina and muscle strength. It also can improve psychological well-being and quality of life by increasing the ability to perform the activities of daily life.

Everyone under stress, including persons experiencing anxiety or depression
Regular physical activity improves one's mood, helps relieve depression, and increases feelings of well-being.

Measuring Physical Activity Intensity
Talk Test
Physical activity can add years to your life, and life to your years.

The talk test method of measuring intensity is simple. A person who is active at a light intensity level should be able to sing while doing the activity. One who is active at a moderate intensity level should be able to carry on a conversation comfortably while engaging in the activity. If a person becomes winded or too out of breath to carry on a conversation, the activity can be considered vigorous.

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ~Oprah Winfre

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ~Oprah Winfrey

Dear Children,

Good Morning. Your dear mom and I are doing well. I woke up at 5.30am and got ready for school now. I shall take the breakfast,now. Your dear mom kept my breakfast, lunch box & snack ready already. We had a good sleep. And we are fresh now.

It has been snowing here in Edmonton heavily for the last couple of days. The motorists are finding it difficult to reach their destinations, on time. The police spokes-woman Lisa Lammi, told the motorists to drive for the weather conditions, but not the posted limits. And she also impressed upon them to have more patience out there.

With Love, Nana

A Story Written by Jim Duce, a Friend of Dad

Hi Somayya!

Thanks for the email! I'll read your web sites with interest. Great picture, by the way.

As I recall we were talking one day about family histories. Fortunately, I know something of my family, at least from the time my great great granddad emigrated in 1846 to the United States from England. Go far enough back and we are all from somewhere else.

Anyway, this is a little story about my granddad:

My granddad, Joseph Edgar, was born in Utah on the third of July in the year 1878. He entered a world so vastly different from my own that he may just as well have been hatched on another planet. The blood had hardly dried on the combatants involved in the Battle of the Little Big Horn, powered flight was still twenty-five years in the future, and horses moved the nation.

Granddad found himself in southern Alberta just before the turn of the twentieth century. By 1902 he had settled in to stay and had married my grandma, who was then just two weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday. Ed and Nettie, as they were known, had a little girl in 1904, and a little boy, my dad, in 1906. Eventually six more children would follow.

I know my granddad drove the stagecoach to and from Lethbridge for a time and that he supplemented his income from the farm through buying and selling horses. He was fearless with horses, his confidence and skill in handling even the rankest mustang allowed him to flourish in the business, yet as the family legend goes, he was terrified of mice. Should one of these fearsome rodents somehow find its way inside the house Grandma had to be summoned into the kitchen with her corn broom to shoo the critter out the door, while Grandpa stood on a chair, paralyzed with fear.

My granddad remains the Grey Man to me. I never knew him; he died in 1948, five years before I was born, but in a strange way I feel very close to him. Looking at an old picture I have of him I believe there is a close physical resemblance between us. I have more hair but we share the same facial features and I have certainly inherited his build, and most probably his temperament. Granddad was once described as being, short, stout, and happy. What can I say?

To cloud the issue even more, no one in the family has ever spoken much about him even though my own dad was very close to him. The little information about my granddad that has filtered down to me through the years has only been brief anecdotal reminisces like the mouse business, or his lack of expertise behind the wheel of a car. (Apparently he crashed into the side of the barn on the first attempt at driving, all the while bellowing, Whoa! Whoa!)

The lack of information about granddad may be because my grandma was an overpowering personality who attempted to dominate everything and everyone around her. She was one of those people who steamrolled through life, hell bent for leather, and damn the consequences.

If mother was cooking something, one of my aunts once said at a family reunion, Dad would never lift the lid of a pot to see what was inside.

That’s because he didn’t dare! another aunt added, and they both laughed.

Jim

Vikram Naana participated in Chess competition and won a medal

Dear Children,

Good Evening. How are you? How is our sweet Pragathi? Thank you all for your e- mails. We are all fine here.

Today our dear Vikram participated in Chess competition on behalf of his school. He played eight games in total. He played almost day long. He won 5 matches, drawed 2 matches and lost 1 out of 8 matches. And he got a silver medal. Of course participation is more important than winning.

Edmonton has some of the best creative people in the country and this distinction will only add to the ingeniousness of our city.

More, in my next e-mail. Take care.
With Love, Amma.

Have a Good Weekend All of You - With Love, Amma-Naana

I am happy because I always choose the right moment.

I am happy because I am a good listener.

I am happy because I do not try to convince others.

I am happy because I do not complain.

I am happy because I do not do two things at the same time.

I am happy because I never think of two objects at the same time.

I am happy because I unreservedly accentuate the good in others.

I am happy because I follow my thought-control programme every day.

I am happy because I never quit.

Poem For The Day

Everybody Knows,
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.

So,
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
because no one else is in the contest of "being you".

Then,
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you'll be a most vital mortal.

Believe,
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in all history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

Chinna's Visit to Edmonton

Mom & Dad - Forty Years of Togetherness

Mom and Dad at Desk.

Akkayya and Chinna with their dear Mom

Vikram naana getting ready for Kumon Exercise

Vini Kanna at the breakfast table on his birthday

Two dear brothers having fun together at Grandparents home

Vikram, Vini enjoying Ammamma's goru muddalu ...

Vini on Tatayya's lap. Akkayya at the end of her work day.

Vikram & Vini with Tatayya - Enjoying their evening snack

Vini with his Anu Pinni

Vikram on Anu Pinni's lap. He just finished Kumon Math.

Vini & Akkayya with Mom & Dad

Chinna with Amma-Naana

Akkayya & Naana at naana's Dr's office

Chinna & Naana at Naana's Dr's office

Visiting Pragathi

Chitti Talli Pragathi - Family's latest new addition ...

Chitti Talli Pragathi

Pragathi in her cradle... enjoying watching everything around...

Pragathi - bouncing with joy - spreading joy around

Pragathi Talli - Nanamma Vodiloo, Tatayya choostundagaa..

Pragathi Talli - Ammamma Vodiloo, Tatayya choostundagaa..

Chinna Talli Pragathi - Pedda Attamma, Pedda Mamayya, Vikram Naana and Vinilaatoo

Pragathi Konda - Chinna Attamma, tana Amma & Naanalatoo

Pragathi held warmly by Lavanya Gaaru (WATS). In picture are Pragathi's parents and Pragathi's Pedda Attamma.

Darling Pragathi with her dear Mom

Darling Pragathi with her dear Dad

Have a Wonderful Day

Dear All, Good Morning.

Thank you all for your regular e-mails.

At -40 centigrade, a person loses about 14.4 calories per hour just by breathing.

We are doing fine, here. Getting ready for the great Thursday, the November 29, 2007. It is 5.30 am now. I would like to take the 6:42 ride, which goes to the Downtown directly. Your dear Mom had kept the lunch box ready for me already in the last night. I shall just have my breakfast and go, after I get ready for the day.

More in my next e-mail, dear all.
With Love, Naana