We at Tepper Business School/Carnegie Mello work out our brains like this!

Check out the MBA parody!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvlySnvPtRo

My romance with SKY- Heightened Wait, Fear or Fun

I have been a fiercely adventurous person since my early years when I had just learnt to ride a tricycle. I have loved sports- be it extreme or gentle. And so sometime back I had created a list of my to do extreme sports. One of the most thrilling- Sky Diving just got checked out. What I love with these experience is the spine chilling excitement that runs through me to put me to a different high.

But my sky diving story is not about adventure. It is romantic! I had never thought that the most adventurous sport to me would turn into the most romantic one! All credits to my best bud and hubby. We celebrated my first year in our first home, in US, in St. Louis in the most "heightened" way by "high" flying the SKY

The story goes like this!

2010- The year that changed me. In May, I traveled to US for the first time. I had two weekends for this trip. The first one went in touring the windy city- Chicago and travelling to St. Louis where I currently stay. The second weekend arrived. I and my hubby had planned for sky diving for this weekend since I was in Dubai. But it rained :( and so we withdrew the plans!In July I shifted my base for good to US. All of the coming weekends for next few months passed by in setting up my new place. Family and friends visited us. We always had sky diving in mind but we kept pushing it to the "next weekend". Came Fall in September and I saw the lovely colors. Up till then I thought trees can be only green! Come November and I experienced another "chill". We rafted 5 to 6 miles in the sub zero. I have been a rafting fan but something in chilly waters at sub zero was definitely a chill thrill. Loved every moment of it! Next few months where extreme winters. I witnessed first snow in my life time. Next came our anniversary. We took a trip to NYC, Istanbul(Turkey) and back home(India) to celebrate it. Sky diving was definitely set aside in these months. Next were April showers followed by May flowers- Spring bloom! It amazing to see how nature transforms. It was still cold and rainy to sky dive. June-and I was sun kissed!! I had never loved the sun so much when the days were bright and sunny. Having lived in Ahmedabad and Dubai I had never thought I would yearn for sun. Now was the time to swim, get out doors, to make that big jump. Double it up with my birthday. My hubby had already booked it up for my birthday weekend. But it turned out to be too hot to step out. And so I kept telling him that this jump could wait!

But, same time around in July we had a long weekend. And we saw this movie- ZNMD- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara- 3 friends and extreme sports. Sky diving being one of them. That was the ultimate push. Since we were completing one year of togetherness that month he had an awesome chance to book a spot 10 days in advance. And I didnot even have whiff of it!! The previous night we celebrated at this awesome wine bar and the next day he said lets hike! But when he made a turn to an aviation club- I was shocked to the core! Thats when I realized that he had plan for me to defy the gravity! That moment was the most shocking and romantic- hard to say which one! To top it all- he said I have already made the payment. Being a gujju how could I let that go?!!

Next- when I was filling the disclaimer forms, I thought I would feel the fear while reading and filling details. But before that I had a liability to my name- "Zeal". So excitement and enthusiasm took me over. I was the first one to jump and hence I had no time to react much but gear up soon.

Next was my 35 minute ride by the plane to 11000 feet. My instructor told that I would hook you half way point. But he didn't till it was just 5 minutes before the actual jump. With each 100 feet rising up my heart was pacing faster. And then the moment when I was hooked. After 2 minutes my photographer opened the door and he stepped out. My instructor told me to step out. That moment was the moment of "heightened" fear. Next came 1..2..Arch..and out we were. "Heightened Fear" culminated into "Heightened Fun" and I free falling for almost 35 seconds(1 mile). And then the parachute opened and I defied the gravity for 8 minutes - free flying. Its amazing to see the world from a different angle, perspective, heights. I was definitely "HIGH"

I choose to stay high, stay zeal!!

My detox diet

When it comes to health and fitness, I have been always enthusiastic to try something new. Be it a different workout, diet or routine- I change the pattern every 3/4 weeks. For I know, that getting used to something makes it stop working for you. I have lots of experiences on this. For e.g.- sometime back I used to run a lot, but then I found that it had stopped affecting my muscle. I didn't see a difference- weight/inches/strength. I pulled back and started some weight training and so the difference. Again altered and brought some stretching- saw a lot of difference. Again altered- did some aqua aerobics, again a difference. Having experienced this I can definitely say that to reap the best- alternate the pattern of exercise and routine.

Few weeks back I wanted to get on detox diet. Had traveled a lot and was away from home for quite sometime,  so I definitely wanted some break from a pizzas, burgers and fries!

I have listed my plan here. It does work. You see a difference immediately!

Morning- Start the day with lemon, honey and cinnamon in warm water. This completely flushes your body of the toxins accumulated. Lemon is acidic and has anti biotic properties to cleanse our tract. Honey neutralizes and heals it. Cinnamon- an antioxidant. Water- a natural purifier. 

After this you can have your tea/break fast/coffee/milk.

Mid morning- Where ever you are- office/on the go/home- make a point to have a juice or simply water every hour/1.5 hour and some fruits and nuts. These cleanses the body and adds fibers to keep your digestion efficient the whole day. Take a smoothie glass, apples/bananas/grapes- any fruit! My personal favourite has been a glass of spinach celery juice.

Lunch- Soup/daal/bread- your regular. But end it with yogurt/butter milk. Again yogurt is a rich source of vitamin D and helps in digestion,cleanses the tract

Evening- Workout. Keep hydrated during the workout. It gives small bursts of energy. Juice/water with some lemon instead of soda

Dinner- Your regular dinner. But light on cheese/fasts/oils for few days makes makes a lot of difference. Your system needs to rest for few days! End with a light fruit dish/juice/warm milk. Milk is a complete diet. It works on your system while you rest.

Most important- get a good sleep: 7/8 hours!

I have been on this routine for last 4 weeks and I immediately saw a difference in my energy levels. So altering some patterns in your regular diet makes a lot of difference.

My list of favourites:

Fruits: Lemons, apples, bananas, grapes, melons, strawberries, 

Roots: Beets, carrots, radish

Leaves: Spinach, celery, parsley, cabbage/lettuce 

Veggies: Tomatoes, Zucchini, Cauliflower

Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, dates

Back to the BASIC!

Green revolution, Organic Food, Organic Cotton, Organic fuel, Renewable sources of energy: It is all about moving forward to go back, to go back to the basics.

I have been a avid reader and a staunch follower of the technology. The more I read, the more I ponder about the journey of the civilization moving forward. Its quite amazing to see how the zero sum game works here! The civilization started with the invention of fire and there has been no look back. Its quite amazing to see how this spark electrified and created the wealth of nations. And now, we are struggling to save electricity, save fuel, save nature- save our basics.

Standing in New York City- the hallmark of the civilization's progress today, one wonders where is this civilization going?? Every big corporation, city, nation, government is working towards " GREEN", "ORGANIC", "RENEWABLE".

But I question: How far is far and how green is green? We sing and laud about wearing organic cotton and eating organic food, but we wrap them in a plastic! We plan our policies and projects on alternate sources of energy sitting in glass houses that throw tones of light to heat up the atmosphere! So much heat that it alters the cycle of seasons, the sea levels and coast lines, altitudes of mountains and course of rivers. Where are we heading to?? Are we really revolutionizing? Are we really changing? Are we really saving the planet?

I feel, we -every individual is the revolution, the change that we foresee and work on. So, let us not use dryer for one cycle and air dry the clothes, car pool to office one day, shun plastic for a day, reuse the printed paper and let us step one foot forward in the crusade to save our planet.

Facebook- How real is it?

It is the new year- new dreams, new hopes, new plans, new resolutions! Everything gets a fresh start; so did my thoughts!

Amongst the myriad thoughts and discussions with hubby I had in this week to write and blog about, one of the most compelling was: Facebook. Something that connects us all! No doubt, I am a facebook user and pretty much appreciate its success and its power of reaching 500 mn people. This in itself is huge. If it had to be a country it is third largest after China and India; soon reaching 1bn by 2012. So powerful that it coined the “facebook depression” syndrome. Either ways- using it and not using it, causes depression!

The latest news on Goldman Sach’s evaluation of $50bn for facebook made me all the more pondering- that is this virtual world, the phenomena, the experience really worth it all?? Is it for real or a bubble?! Is it amateurish for facebook to go for an IPO and go publicly listed??

I am sure everybody would have his/her view and perspective on the IPO for facebook and I would be glad to read and receive them here

Further to my analysis, I have jotted some of my perspectives and views here on the current situation

#1. The beauty of recession

Todays’ situation in United States is unique. A country where technology, innovation and entrepreneurship has always paved way- a land of opportunities is so much badly affected by the self-spiraling financial meltdown, that the government and people are hell bent on creating new jobs, new sources of income to break it. Today, with Goldman’s investment of $450 mn, a normal tax paying citizen has becomes an investor! Because Goldman- a bank holding company has unfettered access to the federal discounts/federal reserve window which is simply a tax payers’ share!

#2. Facebook’s interest

Today, facebook is riding the wave. It is capitalizing on it popularity and power. Happy to have an investment of $450mn from Goldman Sachs! But is it ready to go public?? Is it ready to be publicly listed? Is it ready to share its books and financial statements to the public? Or will it be dragged into it? If it at all goes for the IPO- what are its plans post the IPO that would attract the public investors? Agree, facebook has changed the world of communication- an enabler in the cultural change. But does it warrant the amount of commercial interest that it is receiving??

#3. Facebook numbers

It recorded 500mn users. But how many are real? How many are active? How many are not used for spamming? The reason we are hooked to spending time of facebook is because we have not found an alternative to pass time. Once an alternative- s0mething like a cool new app on the iphone or a new experience comes, will we cling to facebook???

#4. The bubble

Starting from emails to dotcom to housing to real estate- every sector has been over speculated to a bubble and it has eventually busted. Is social media the next bubble where the investors are speculating? Whats next after social media- green energy sector?!

My take: Ride the wave and do not speculate. If I was at facebook, I wouldn’t agree to IPO. Why do I need to show my books?! And if I were at Goldman Sachs- I wouldn’t repeat the past mistakes of speculations and bubbles

This world needs something of real to sustain its existence

PS: I am sure this post will have a better outreach if posted on facebook. Because this is its point of sell- outreach. Hence, I will post it on facebook ;)

Warped Thoughts

It has been almost more than 2 years since I penned something. 2 eventful years! I had been thinking 2 write something, anything and everything since quite a while. But, never signed in! Don't know what it was?! I guess lazy! But, all thanks to my best friend and now hubby who coaxed to get them jotted.

I rhymed a few babbles today morning and penned them.

Silent yet clattering,
Clear yet unclear,
Confident yet diffident,
Still yet the waves,
Pink, Red, Yellow, Blue
But with a cup of chai
They all make me smile!

Amdavad, Auto ane Activa

This post is dedicated to all the Amdavadis who love traveling in the rickshas and love riding the two wheelers!

Living in Dubai have made me realized the real essence of these A's- Amdavad, Auto ane Activa and I miss them so much :(..really, just want to meet them sooon :)

Amdavad-Jannat on this world
I was more nostalgic abt Amdavad while reading Chetan Bhagat's 'The 3 mistakes of my life'.
Jab kutte pe sassa aya tab Ahmed Shah ne nagar basaya ;) ..true so true. I salute this spirit of 'Bijnessss' of Amdavadis; who'd always find a 'cutting cha' way. Savar na 6 vage uthe, uthta ni sathe paper(read sharebazar),pachi khakhra ane cha ane pachi akho divas nikli jaay..i miss so much those khakhras! Well khakhras is not the only thing..a long list follows:

Lahri ni pani puri(read Devbhoomi valo),cholafali
Induben na khakhra
Jasuben na pizza
Shambhu ni coffee
Rambhai ni kitli
RICKSHA
AMTS bus-yes i travelled back from Nirma by it..and yes, i miss them
Chakda ni ride to Nirma..i dreaded that but ahiyaan jya ek pan taxi na male tyare its a boon!
Municipal Market ma DairyDen no jello
Lahri no golo
Rasranjan ni panipuri..oh my god..my mouth is watering already
Mahalakshmi dosa valo
Ocean park paase makai vala ni makai bhel
ane Law Garden ni khaudhra gali..how can i forget!
Ravivaar na Bhavnagri na Fafda Jalebi
Jaisingh no icecream
Sagar and Spice ni Sizzzling Brownie..aje toh brownie khavij padshe!!!
Honest ni bhaji pav
RK na vada pav
Ambika na daal vada varasta varsad ma..ahiyan toh nathi varsad ane nathi daal vada :(
Khodela Rasta
Rasta par Mama(read traffic police) ne ullu banavvu
Rasta par ni gayo ane kutra
Wrong side ma two wheeler chalavu ane jyare koi saame ave toh 'alya joto nathi' kehvu
ATIRA na walks
CG road ni ride two wheeler par
First day first show at movies
Navo mall khule ne taratj eni safar karvi jaane navo melo lagyo..wah!
Navratri na 9 days ni ramzat..though i hardly went coz i am bad at dancing but i know how my friends and sister enjoyed it.
Uttarayan ma 'Kaipo Che'
Diwali ma fatakda fodva
Holi par friends ne rangva
Thali chamchi na 'Cheers' on every 4 or 6 when India scores
Dhvanit ni commentary on Radio Mirchi
...........
.......
....
...
.

I think the list will never end, rather i dont want to end the list!

Auto- Actually toh RICKSHA lakhvu hatu. But to make it more rhythmic i used Auto.
Yes, i yearn to listen 'Ben kya javau che' when i step out of my house and wait eagerly for taxis. Amdavad ni ricksha wala no pan ek anotho andaz che. Ankho hi ankho mein ishara..na signal na horn; fakht ankh na ishara ane side pan pag thi apvi!! wah wah! Hats off to this 'ishtyle'. Here in Dubai, everything is so sophisticated..oh common gimme a break :D. Speed breakers and bumps never exist for them and thodu lambu lidho toh- 'aye ferve che kem??' 2/3 rs vadhare thaya toh-'meter batay!'

Activa: Two wheelers..kevi maja avti! Bandit Queens ni mafak mask pehri cu maari nikli javu, no parking ma park karvu, kaka bas 5 min kahi 1 kalak pachi aav vu, speed breakers- e shu che bhai??!!,mama pakde licence maate puche toh befaam kehvu NATHI!!..i miss these so much :(..Here, geting a license digs a hole :( ek to register karo..2 mahine lessons ape plus forget everything abt the past..its left hand drive here; pachi 2 mahine test maate bolave..and if u are lucky toh 2nd or 3rd trial e licence mali jashe..else 2 varsh jindabad..yes! my cous- he is here since 3 - he doesnt have a license and has failed 7 times..arre yday a colleague appeared for his 10th attempt..mare to amdvad nu driving record kari batavu che RTA(Road Transport Authority of Dubai) vala ne..jo bhai- jo hun Amdavad ma avi rite drive kari shaku toh Dubai yeh to kuch bhi nahi!! ;) :P

I swear, the first thing I am going to do when I land on Amdavad airport next time is
1. Give a hugeeeee flying kiss to Amdavad..muaaahhhh
2. Shout 'Aye Ricksha' on top of my voice
3. Strictly use my Activa to wherever i go

Three Cheers to triple A-Amdavad, Auto ane Activa!! :D