One can learn more from ten days of agony, than from ten years of content

Dear our Sweet Children, Good Morning. How are you?

Today is the second day of our course, Intensive ESL program. This is a 15 week program. It started on April 28, 2008 and ends on August 08, 2008. And we have holidays from August 09, 2008 to September 01, 2008. The next session starts on September 02, 2008.

Mr. David Loney is our teacher. He is a good teacher. He has a very good name in the institute. Everybody likes his teaching. He says not to worry much but must pay him ATTENTION all the time for what he says. We are 17 pupils in total in our class. I am sitting on the first row on the first seat from the left in the class. I am enjoying learning the new ideas/ concepts in cultivating the language skills. Yesterday he discussed the importance of using correct Grammar in speaking, listening and writing.

Today I shall collect my check for $ 2, 435 from Alberta Works Learners, $ 225 for books and $ 2, 210 for Tuition from our office.

Have a nice day, all of you.
With Love, Nana

" One can learn more from ten days of agony, than from ten years of content."

"When we can see crisis as an opportunity, our life becomes not easier, but more s a t i s f y i n g. Problems are not stop signs, they are guide lines. I am going to be meeting people today, who talk too much, people who are selfish, egoistical and ungrateful. But I won't be surprised or disturbed, for I can't imagine a world without such people."

Cloudy With a Chance of Burgers - A Short Story By Vikram, Written on April 28, 2008 as part of his 2nd Grade Assignment

Across an ocean, over lots of enormous mountains and hot deserts. There lay the massive large city of Chewandswallow. In most ways the town was quiet like any other town. It had 800 people in it but there were no food stores in town. The weather gave us all the food we could ever imagine.

In Chewandswallow it never rained rain, it never snowed snow and it never blew wind. It rained hamburgers all over the town. It snowed broccoli. The wind blew strawberries. The people in town watched a weather report and there was a prediction about when the next food came. Everyone was ready with spoons, knives, glasses and forks. When there are leftovers, which there usually were, we put the food in refrigerators. We do that because we want to save food. After a brief shower of apple juice, low clouds blew toast and peanut butter and jam came sprinkling down on the toast. For lunch some mustard came blowing in. From the west some beans came blowing in and it started to rain eggs. For dinner came chops with carrots, and popsicles in the west. The food came pouring down on houses, lawns even down chimneys. The sanitation department took food off our houses, lawns, and even from down chimneys. With that food they fed animals all over Chewandswallow.

Life was good in chewandswallow until the weather changed. One day there was only cheese for the whole day. The next day there were only sandwiches with nothing inside them. On the next day there were only brussels sprouts. The next day there was only pea soup and no one could see what else was pouring down. The problem got worse. The people in Chewandswallow were so miserable that they started to cry. The next day they had only blueberries and gigantic hard strawberries came poring down. The next day only vegetables came pouring down all day. The next day there was a hurricane of pancakes that were so big that one pancake landed on a school and the principal had no choice but to close the school. The sanitation people could not do their job.

The people in Chewandswallow decided to leave. They glued a pancake on some cheese and the people in Chewandswallow took off. There were all sorts of animals eating the sides of the pancake. Finally they made it to a different city. The people in Chewandswallow tried to get used to the new city. All the food was put in different places. They put the food in containers, boxes, bags and many other things. The weirdest thing was that food didn’t fall from the sky. I will never forget how that pancake dropped on the school. I hope the people from Chewandswallow never go there.

Good Morning

Dear Our Sweet Children, Good Morninng. How are you, all?

I am back to regular schedules. It is 5 a.m now. I shall get ready for school, soon.

When we keep saying we are busy, then we are never free. When we keep saying we have no time, then we will never have time. We have to free ourselves and make time for attending important things.

Last night you dear mom and greeted some of our relatives at our homeland India. We spoke with Goverdhan mamayya family. Later we also greeted Chandermamayya Family. Radhika and Krishnannaiah were also there at Kukatpally. Radhika Celebrated her birthday, there yesterday. Mom and I felt happy to know the whereabouts of our near and dear people, there.

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

A beautiful note by Laura Lind, whom I met in my flight journey today

Enjoyment is learning from others. Never a day will pass that I do not learn from something that happens on someone I meet. Today I met a very gentle man who through his writing lifted my spirits and encouraged me to be a kind and considerate person. Be well as I believe you will always live a happy life.

- Laura Lind

---

Dear Madam Laura Lind, Thank you very much for your kind note on my beautiful notebook. I saw it just now.

I felt as though I was traveling with my own elder daughter this morning. Thank you for your loveliness...

Remain, Wishing you a Happy Trip to y(our) pretty city Edmonton

-Somayya Kasani

Mayor Stephen Mandel's Visit to Vikram's School

Hi Everyone,

Room 18 and Mrs. Worku wrote some persuasive letters to Mayor Stephen Mandel and he came for a class visit today! CTV news, Global TV and The Edmonton Journal were all there (I think CityTV too). So the class may be on the news tonight and The Edmonton Journal tomorrow! The Mayor took the time to answer some really good questions from the class and then read a story to them.

I had a great time in the Loving Company of Ajay Naana

Dear all, Good Morning.

Today is April 23, 2008. I am coming back home, Edmonton on April 25, 2008 by 12:40 PM. So tomorrow is the last day of my vacation. Ajay Nana is taking leave tomorrow to associate with me. We will plan our day well and work our plan, as well.

I am really very happy about my trip to Seattle. I could spend about 26 days in the loving company of our dear Ajay Nana. I have been boosted by his association.

My trip is fruitful. We prepared the soft copy of our VANI - 2008 and put it in Microsoft Publisher. It is almost ready to print, now. I could also participate in WATS Ugadi Celebrations, held on April 12, 2008. And I did a lot of good reading and made good notes for my reference.

I met Mr. Jesse Chiang a retired professor of Seattle University. He wrote two books. One, a Time for a new direction. And the Second one, The Good Life.

I already mentioned earlier about Mark Jarmuth who is an advocate who wrote " The Nazi Paradigm An Anological Study of the Origin and Nature of Authoritarian Rule in America".

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

2008 Alberta Chess Challenge Grade 2 Awards - Hearty Congratulations to Vikram Naana

Story on Hats by Dad's Friend Jim

“Do you want to come to Pans with me for lunch?” I ask my daughter, Jilly, knowing fully well that she will refuse. Pans is a pretty basic beanery. A meat and spuds kinda place. It is unadorned with frills of any kind. I like it because the food is inexpensive, good, and plentiful. Jilly hates Pans for exactly the same reasons I like it, but there is another reason she doesn’t want to be seen with me in public.

“Dad, do you plan to wear that stupid hat?” she asks, already rolling her eyes at the anticipated answer.

“Natch,” I confess. “My hat is the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I take off at night. Unless I’m indoors, eating, or in an elevator. My dad taught me to always take my hat off in an elevator. It’s kinds old fashioned I know, but…”

“Dad?”

“What?”

“Dad, face it, you aren’t a cowboy. Besides, you look like a walking lawn umbrella when you wear that stupid hat. It’s embarrassing.”

Jilly doesn’t understand that my hat is a lot more than a mere head covering. Just because I haven’t sunk spur and rode rough shod over the stubble fields lately doesn’t mean I’m not a cowboy. Being a cowboy has as much to do with attitude as it does with pedigree, although I have a smidgen of that too. My Cowography is in tact even if Jilly doesn’t know much about it and merely feigns interest when I try to tell her. She’s still young. I know developing an interest in things as boring as family history takes time.

Hats are a very personal thing and it seems to me that the world is make up of two kinds of people: them what wears hats and them what don’t.

I come from a long line of hat people. Both my granddad and my dad wore a Stetson all their lives. I suppose my hat attraction began with wanting to be like them. After a while the hat habit was impossible to break. I don’t feel dressed if I leave the house without wearing a hat. For a long time I wore a baseball cap usually with a logo that read CATor KENWORTH…(no redneck, I) In the last few years I have gravitated back to wearing a felt hat during the winter and a straw hat in summer.

I bought my last hat partly because my wife Beth didn’t like it. I was grazing on the Internet one day when I found a picture of a hat that appealed to me. It was shaped in the old style dating back to the 1880’s with a high pinch crown and a wide brim.

“Whadda ya think of this hat?” I asked her. She bent over my shoulder and peered at the monitor. “Ewwww,” she said, tracing the crease in the crown with her finger.

I would have described the hat in a lot of ways but “Ewwww” would never have occurred to me.

“That crease is called a Montana Peak," I told her. "In the olden days you could tell where a guy came from by the crease in his hat. There‘s even a Canadian Crease but I never cared much for that style.” Then thanks to computer imaging I can turn the hat around so we can see what it looks like from different angles.. “Look! It even has a mule kick in the back.”

Beth is unimpressed. “Well, you’re the guy who has to wear it, not me.”

"How 'bout if I order two?" I ask her. "His and hers models?"

"As if!" Beth says as she walks away.

So, I ordered it and it arrived from Colorado about two month later. I’ve had a lot of comments from my friends, good and bad, and I’ve garnered a lot of laughs from that hat. It doesn’t bother me one bit what anyone else thinks about my preference in head gear. I simply don’t care.

Have a Nice Day

Just A Little Humor to Lighten Up Your Day

The Pope goes to New York. He is picked up at the airport by a limousine.

He looks at the beautiful car and says to the driver, "You know, I hardly ever get to drive. Would you please let me?"

The driver is understandably hesitant and says, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm supposed to do that."

But the pope persists, "Please?" The driver finally lets up. "Oh, all right, I can't really say no to the Pope."

So the Pope takes the wheel, and boy, is he a speed demon! He hits the gas and goes around 100 mph in a 45 zone. A policeman notices and pulls him over.

The cop walks up and asks the pope to roll down the window. Startled and surprised, the young officer asks the Pope to wait a minute.

He goes back to his patrol car and radios the chief.

Cop: Chief, I have a problem.

Chief: What sort of problem?

Cop: Well, you see, I pulled over this guy for driving way over the speed limit but it's someone really important.

Chief: Important like the mayor?

Cop: No, no, much more important than that.

Chief: Important like the governor?

Cop: Wayyyyyy more important than that.

Chief: Like the president?

Cop: More.

Chief: Who's more important than the president?

Cop: I don't know, but he's got the Pope DRIVING for him!

Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you

Dear Children,

Change is inevitable in a progressive society. Change is constant. In moving world re-adaptation is the price of longevity.

We must banish self-pity. Tears mess up your happiness. Nothing is so bad that you have to sit down and go crazy. In adversity, remember to keep an even mind. Do not lose your inward peace for anything whatever.

A man is as miserable as he thinks, he is. Misery is a communicable disease. How we react to events is very important. I love the man that can smile in trouble that can gather strength from disasters and grow brave by reflection.

Life, like war is a series of mistakes, and he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. To a brave man, good or bad luck are like right and left hand. He uses both. He turns his stumbling blocks into stepping stones. The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.

The great virtue of man lies in his ability to correct his mistakes and to continually make a new man of himself. He is lifeless that is faultless. Perfection is out of question. A good garden may have some weeds. To try to be better is to be better. Make the best of whatever happens!

Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you, is a popular proverb.

The art of life consists in taking each event which be falls us with a contended mind, confident of good. With this method rejoice always, though in the midst of sorrows, and possess all things though destitute of everything.

With Love, Amma-Naana

Thought For The Day

(1) From you I receive, to you I give, Together we share, By this we live...

(2) Let us be protected together and accepted each other. Let us not resent each other. Let us be guided to each other and ourselves. Let us achieve strength together and may our learning ever shine.

Greetings

Dear all, Good Morning!

Here Ugadi Celebrations were a grand-success. The Venue was very comfortable. The theatre was excellent. Their service was also remarkable. Lavanya garu welcomed the community and the artists and their technical supporters. More than 100 kids participated in the event. Adults programs and children’s events both were good and got admiration from the audience, throughout. Lavanya asked Ajay Nana to speak a few words with the community and its supporters. He asked for the feedback from time to time for the growth of WATS to serve the community better. Some of the people who knew me came and appreciated the role of WATS Board and Ajay Nana. Here is the link to photographs taken on April 12, 2008 at WATS Ugadi celebrations.
http://picasaweb.google.com/SuryaSupreme/WATS

With Love, Nana

WATS Ugadi Celebrations

Quote Of The Day

"I am not a teacher, only a fellow traveler of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead - ahead of myself as well as you."

Dear Children,

Yes! we all admit that a man should be rich to unfold his soul and develop his mind. Yes! we have to enjoy the little things. One day we may look back and realize they were the big things!!.

Have a nice weekend, dear all.
With Love, Naana

Our Hearty Congratulations to you both on your 50th Wedding Anniversary

Dear Somaiah garu,

Firstly thank you for your affectionate mail. We wish you all a Happy Ugadi.

We're indeed glad to hear about your membership in the Alberta New Democratic Party. In our association with with you, we noticed that you had a selfless urge to serve people irrespective of their backgrounds.

I'm sure the people you interact with, will greatly benefit with your wisdom and practical approach to solving problems. This often reminds me of a quotation that my second son Chy. Shastri shared with me ( he read it somewhere). " Love people & Use things instead of Using people and Loving things". We wish you the best of health and happiness.

About us...
My wife Varalakshmi & I recently celebrated our 50th Wedding anniversary ( 7 March). We decided to keep the function low profile and chose to distribute food & fruits at an Old Age Home nearby ( on the road that leads to the Temple bus stand) in KPHB. Otherwise, we are in good health and doing well.

Please stay in touch and do convey our regards to you children & other family members.

regards
Prakash Rao

---

Dear Prakash Rao garu, Namaskaram.

I felt happy to receive your encouraging and supportive e-mail for my journey of life here in Edmonton, Canada.

We convey our hearty congratulations to you and Madam Varalakshmi on the occasion of the celebrations of 50th Wedding Anniversary.

We complete 40 years of our married life by May 5, 2008. I know how hard it is to make our journey of our life successfully! We have to face many ups and downs both expected and unexpected experiences...

Yes! I am enjoying the loving company of our family members, the community of our Telugu people in Edmonton and the people of other communities as well in my surroundings and the city.

I am taking ETS bus rides to the City centre five days a week learning Language, Culture, History and Geography of our province Alberta and Canada in general. In that way I am mingling with many people around here. Our provincial government will pay the fee for me, as I am not earning any more in Canada.

During my weekend I associate with the activities of other associations of my interest in the city. In that way I am keeping myself busy to avoid boredom.

I remember a quote: " He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to any circumstances." I am trying my best to suit my temper to my circumstances, here.

More in my next e-mail,

With regards, Somayya Kasani

MSM Trust website

Dear Mr.Somaiah,

Thanks for your greetings sent to my rediff id. When I tried to reply, twice it bounced. Hence this e-mail.

It is nice that you have taken up some inspiring work.

MSM Trust website will be enhanced with more details in three months time. Please visit www.materialistspiritualist.org. Please convey my best wishes to your near and dear people.

Regards,
C.Venkataramanaiah, Hyderabad

ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు

Pragathi in her 8th Month

Dear Our Sweet Pragathi, Congratulations.

Our hearty congratulations to you, our Pragathi you inaugurated your loving grandparents Sweet Home, Ramanthapur Hyderabad. The home is new and lovely.

We felt very happy to see your pictures with your grandparents and with your great grandma too. We believe that you liked the home, enjoy sweet, loving company of your loving mom, and your grandparents. Please cooperate with them well. Please eat and drink whatever your dear mom & grandma offer to you and grow well.

Our Sweet Kisses to you from all of us.

Yours, Lovingly - Canada Tataiah

Thought For The Day

Dear Children,

Knowledge is learning something everyday. Wisdom is letting go of something everyday. The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving. Every efficient act is s u c c e s s.

With Love, Amma-Naana

Greetings

Dear Somayya,

How wonderful that you are working to make a difference in society and have found a way to contribute to improving the human condition. I applaud your efforts.
The political arena is a challenging one and I will be very interested in your experiences..
Have I told you that I will be attending the St. John's College summer graduate institute in June? In this program I will study the great minds and am hoping to get a better grasp of today's world and my place in it. Perhaps I can contribute as well one day.

With loving thoughts,
Lillian

---

Dear Lillian , Good Afternoon. Thank you for your e-mail. How are you?

I am glad that I met you once only once, a year ago, at Seattle Public Library, downtown. However we are in touch with each other since that time with e-mails.

You are an enthusiastic reader and an experienced artist and more than anything else, I believe you are my well-wisher. So I update you the information from my side time to time.

On March 8, 2008 I took my membership in Alberta New Democratic Party, after participating in an election campaign, in recently held Alberta Provincial Elections -2008. I have been inspired by the ideals of the party, which always stands for the common families of the country. I don't know much about the history of the party, but I saw most of the teachers and university professors are part of it.

I am participating as a delegate in a Annual Provincial Convention - 2008 to be held in the month of June, 2008 in Calgary. I will be knowing more about the party and the people who work for it. I shall give a brief report of my trip to you later.
More in my next e-mail. Please acknowledge this e-mail with your feedback.

Yours Friendly, Somayya Kasani

Let Us Help to Save Our Environment

Our Earth is in trouble, and it needs your help! Our air is being poisoned everyday by car fumes, our oceans polluted with toxic wastes, and our beautiful rainforests are being destroyed. That's why the Earth needs all the friends it can get.

Our land is in trouble it needs your help,
So are the oceans, the coral, the kelp.

There must be a way for all to unite,
To stop the earth from a disastrous fright.

We can't leave this world a barren waste land,
But luscious and fertile, as many creatures as there are sand.

We're destroying our jungles, our forests our beaches,
Taking away what is the earth's like billions of leaches.

Few Natural Habitats are left on the globe,
All are scattered like the beats of a strobe.

We welcome you to an endangered land,
To show you how animals dwindle like an hour glass's sand.

Only you can help to save our earth,
And hopefully, with care give it a rebirth.

We could relearn from the children - How it is to really live!

Let us Look at the children full of wonder
So alive in every way
Passion for life expressed so fully
With the dawning of each new day

The freedom to play and grow
Without boundaries, not stopped by fears
Boundless joy and self-expression
Not diminished by their tears

Constant adventure and excitement
Experienced every single day
Play till you win, so very natural
Failure is merely part of play

We could relearn from the children
How it is to really live
Imagine if the beautiful child within us
To all the world we would choose to give

The magic of life lives within the children
In every village throughout the world
A life of miracles is possible
For every ageless boy and girl!

---

Dear Somayya,
Thank you for the beautiful poem. Children as with all life should be celebrated and this poem does exactly that.

I just read a wonderful anthology of contemporary poetry that was fabulous. It is THE BEST AMERICAN POETRY 2006 edited by Billy Collins.

I hope you are well.

With loving thoughts,
Lillian

Good Morning

Dear Children,

We can become an even more excellent person by constantly setting higher and higher standards for ourselves and then by doing everything possible to live up to those standards.

With Love, Amma-Naana