The early summer sky

Set wide the window.

Let me drink the day.

Linking with SkyWatch Friday Season 6 Episode 39

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Least Favorite Song

It is only second day of

the song meme

and I am stuck.

That would have to be me.

The lists says the least favorite song.

I am torn.

I usually delete the songs I do not like

from my computer

and so, I am left with all favorite kind of songs.

I have gone through the list again and again.

And I have finally succeeded.

Pitbull - I know you want me (Calle Ocho)

I listened to it and knew in an instant

that it was going to the recycle bin.

I wonder how did it ever came to

be in my song collection at the first place.

And also how did it manage to stay there

unnoticed!

All said and done,

May be it just was waiting for today.

Keep waiting,

Day 3 is going to be fun too.

And don't worry, I will be signing off

on a better note than that song.

Does it not look so beautiful?

Here's another one.

So now, you know what I am doing in my office

when I am not dealing with students and notes.

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Crafting a lantern

Summer vacations

are a sure way to indulge in

lots of arts and crafts

with a school going nephew at home.

Out of all the projects,

there was a paper lantern craft

that I enjoyed the most.

We took a white chart paper

and decorated it.

We let my nephew do the cotton ball painting.

Then we folded the paper vertically

and made equal equidistant cuts along the fold

as shown.

The cuts should be long but not very close to the edge.

If need be, you can mark off the margins on either side.

Then you can cut within these margins.

The cuts having been made,

the next step is to apply the adhesive

 along the axis of the cuts,

right angles to the fold.

Then roll in this direction

and stick the two ends together.

The last step is to give the lantern a handle.

Use the same chart paper

and make a thin 2 layered strip

by folding and re-folding.

The strip was then stapled to the lantern.

 To give finishing touches,

we cut thin strips of solid green ribbon

and taped them with adhesive

equidistantly along the bottom periphery.

(I could not get a decent picture of that one.)

And, there! Your paper lantern is ready.

Do let me know in case you enjoyed crafting this.

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SkyWatch Outside

It has been raining since Tuesday.

Rainy Tuesday,

rainy Wednesday,

a rainier Thursday

and a still rainy Friday.

But Wednesday,

the calls of duty dared me to step outside.

The route being dotted with

fog, mist and clouds

and rain.

I put my mobile to good use

but since the bus was literally being driven like a flying saucer

and there were few stoppages made,

I did not get quality pictures.

I will be sharing the tolerable ones only

No sky here, but I like the blanket of mist on Beas and the green of the hills in this one

The next two are my favorite ones

The persisting rains

have led to landslides

So you find me posting these pictures

rather than taking classes.

Of course, I got my day off :)

Rain, rain come again.

Linking with Skywatch : Season 6, Episode 4

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On the road

I stepped out on the road today

wearing my newest footwear.

Little knowing that the

heavy rains yesterday have

caused a cloud burst leading to

lots of water on the roads.

Gushing furiously - untamed and untrained.

The rains have also brought back

the life and activity in hills.

But thankfully,

the sky remained clear today.

At least most of it and

I did not face any inconvenience en route.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Linking with Skywatch : Season 6 Episode 3

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The Sunshine

To love and to be loved

is to feel the sun from both the sides.

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine ...

Touchwood.

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Simple clicks

Prompt - Texture

The prompt prompted me

to give a sneak peek

of my birthday purchase.

The official first look will be given

on the big day itself.

Yes, I have begun preparing for my birthday.

That is the only planned day as far as me goes.

And I love to indulge myself - so I buy new clothes, cut the cake and celebrate.

After all, it is one life :)

Prompt - Building

I clicked both the pictures en route to the office.

From a moving bus

with my humble mobile.

Guess, my mobile needs a standing ovation.

But not until I capture the rainbow on the dam with it.

Till then, hearty thank you's alone will have to serve the purpose.

Shared above is the picture of Temple of Markandya Rishi, Thalout.

And

shared below is a random click.

The location is Panarsa.

Prompt - Fingers

Hands at work

Fingers typing away.

But still, the day seems to fly away

and there is a whole lot of work to be done.

So signing off from the post.

Have a wonderful time ahead.

Meanwhile, the giveaway is still live.

Linking up with Simple as that

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A hearty sky watch

Sometimes inspiration come in the least thought of moments.

It so happened with me yesterday.

I was waiting for my regular bus in the evening,

When I looked up at the sky.

It was unbearably hot and stuffy.

And to think of it, it was 5 in the evening.

I looked up at the (seemingly merciless) sky

in a hope that it would take pity on me.

But what I saw took my breath away.

After a week of rainy and sunny hues,

With nothing as inspiring to click a photograph,

This was definitely a moment I could not let go of.

I believe the pattern I saw is that of a heart.

Not prefect, but I do think the contours of this cloud are shaped like one.

I would like to hear your take on this one.

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Sunset shots

Travelling on one of the most beautiful roads

has one advantage.

i get to see beautiful shades of Mother Nature everyday.

Not that I can capture them all

like the dust storm the other day.

But I can definitely see them and an capture it all in my eyes and my heart.

And then I feel so blessed.

the other day, the commute took longer than usual.

A road accident had caused a traffic jam

and anyone who has been on this route would understand what it would mean

to have a narrow road blocked and then traffic being streamlined.

Right in the peak of the tourist season.

With the bus moving at the snail's pace

I got a good chance to put my Nokia 2730 to use

I began my journey with the sun hiding away in the folds of the grey clouds

But as the journey progressed,

the clouds melted away.

Yes, the dark grey clouds gone

The twilight shades on and across the hills.

The slate and rocks - the hills on this side are rough and rugged.

And this one is from the Pandoh Dam.

I missed my Canon Power shot.

It was beautiful sunset.

Only if I were not in bus, I could have had a better chance at it.

But nevertheless, I was not giving up without clicking another one.

Even though every single passenger was staring at me.

The result was not as promising

for more than a sunset it looked like a forest fire to me.

And in case you are wondering what made me think of forest fires,

it is getting hot and the snow and ice is all melting.

And every now and then, I can see smoke rising away at the distance.

And all this heat has made the water levels of the River Beas rise.

So the first gate of the Pandoh Dam has been opened completely twice in the last week itself.

And I did not let go of the chance of being able to take a picture of it.

It is more breathtaking than it appears here.

It definitely is.

Wishing a wonderful week to you all.

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Week 16th of Year 2012 and SkyWatch

With four hours in travelling

and the rest of the day in office

I am not getting time to charge my cameras and click better pictures

Not yet at least.

So, I am working on the challenge with my good little mobile.

The big thing is that I look at things and see if they can be the object of my pictures.

Truthfully, I had some breathing space today ...

so I have worked on most of the prompts for this week in this one day alone.

(I wonder if that disqualifies me as a participant.)

15th April, 2012 : Prompt - Sunset

There was a lot many times when I wanted to capture this look of the sky.

The road to improvement is never ending.

Once I get back into the routine, I am going to do this again - hopefully with Canon power-shot.

16th April, 2012 : Flower

The flowers from my lunch bag.

My Aunt gifted this to me when she heard that I have found a job for myself and that I have to carry my lunch with me.

This bag has found many a fans with the kids.

They all love the bright flowers.

I am basking in limelight (or should I say sunlight.)

17th April, 2012 : Prompt - Something you don't like

I am usually a fan of winter wear

But it is mid of April.

Not a time to be wearing cardigans and woolens

But with heavy rains and chilly winds - it is still no time to say goodbye to them

18th April, 2012 : Prompt -Hair

I have been wondering how to do this prompt

I had ideas ranging from doing a photo of other people's hair to trying camera on my own

But I did not get a good picture

Then I had one my brainstorms

I have found a new place to put my hair clips.

It is convenient to choose one and tuck them back here after use.

Very very convenient.

19th April, 2012 : Prompt - Orange

Orange is one color that I see all around me these days

(It is the theme color of my office)

So, there is no dearth of objects.

Finding one is challenging task.

Presenting here, the logo from the office sling bag

20th April, 2012 : Prompt - Something you drew

This one is my favorite

I opened my drawing notebook after ages

and I longed to be a child again

to be able to sit with a pencil and draw

I can not believe I did this drawing

I do not even remember when I did this

but there it was - in my very own old drawing notebook

21st April, 2012 - Prompt - Bottle

My water bottle

A must carry when I leave for office daily.

See, I had enough objects for orange.

I debated using one picture for two prompts.

But then I thought I would put it on pedestal - for being such a worthy companion.

And this sums up my week.

I hope you had and are having a great time.

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The week in pictures

It is surprising that even amid the daily commuting

and working and celebrations

I found time to take pictures for the monthly challenge.

Spontaneous and as and when I remembered the prompts

but I did take pictures.

The only handy tool that I had was my mobile

(I cannot carry fancy cameras to my work place

and I have not had the time to charge the batteries either)

so please bear with me the results.

10th April, 2012 : Prompt - Cold

The Ice cube tray ... 

Refrigerator is the first thing that strikes me as cold

Not that we are finding much use of it till now

(and it is mid-April already)

it is still cold outside ... chilly, rainy and windy

Cold also reminds me of the annual ritual of preserving the peas for their affordable use in summers

Steamed, boiled and stacked away in zip-lock bags in the freezer ... we are ready to face the summers

11th April, 2012 : Prompt - Where you ate breakfast

My bedroom

Not a great idea

but I have my breakfasts early these days

and it sounds cold to eat alone in the dining room

So, my bedroom is the safest and coziest place

12th April, 2012 : Prompt - Stairs

The idea struck me en-route to office and I clicked it from the window seat of the bus I was travelling in.

The bus having halted here, further improved my chances.

But originally I had wanted to do the spiral stairs of my own home for this prompt.

May be some other time ...

13th April, 2012 : Prompt - Something you found

This morning I found another packet of books waiting for me

So that my closet now looks something like this ...

Who said teaching is easy ... trust me being a student was far better ...

Last year, I found this belt for myself at a thrift store.

I was visiting my relatives and I had forgotten to carry my belt with me.

At the time when I bought it, I had hoped it would last me as long as the trip ...

But it has been a year now and it is still going good.

So, I guess economy shopping also works sometimes (only sometimes).

14th April, 2012 : Prompt - How you feel today

I have just the thing I need for this prompt -

Harjas (my elder nephew) likes this art of mine - has not allowed me to discard the paper in waste.

 I know I am going to be surprised with a replica of this drawing soon.

Hope you had an exciting week as well.

Happy and Merry Sunday.

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8th April, 2012 : Prompt - Inside your wallet

Prompt - Inside your wallet

There is nothing special about my wallet.

and there is nothing special that I carry in my wallet.

However, I do like to carry some coins with me.

Just in case.

And I like the fact that there is a small little button up pocket in my wallet where I can safely keep the coins.

Did the wallet surprise you.

Oh well, I do not carry it regularly ...

Only when I have to carry a big feminine hand-bag with loads of pockets and space.

I tend to loose the track of what I kept where.

So, this helps me save the time looking up for cash.

I end up searching the wallet, though. :)

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7th April, 2012 : Prompt - Shadow

Prompt - Shadow

The cutest toy that is my youngest nephews favorite too.

Harjas has played with this and now JaiAditya plays with this.

I have had my share both the times.

And still I have it tonight on the headboard of my bed.

I can not help liking it.

I tried every angle to cover both the shadow and the kitty.

This was the best attempt.

Talking of shadows, I read these sometime back and they fit the theme

so I sign off with these quotes.

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in our own sunshine".

- Henry Ward Beecher

So as Charlotte Whitton puts it

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."

Have a blessed time ahead.

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6th April, 2012 : Prompt - Lunch

Prompt - Lunch

Yesterday with my sister visiting us all,

the lunch had to be special.

So, I was helping mum out and

the prompt and the challenge thing just skipped, hopped and jumped out of my mind.

By the time I realized the prompt, the lunch was all eaten up

(there were no leftovers either that I could use as subject for my pictures.

But then I had a brainstorm

(another one yes)

So, I present the main ingredient of my yesterday's lunch ...

The mighty Cheese.

But I cannot sign off this post without presenting any real dish.

Can I ???

With mum attending to some outstation social responsibilities,

I am the kitchen in-charge these days.

My father is always a little skeptical of my experiments.

So, I try to play it safe by sticking to easy and standard things.

Like the Peas Pulav that we had today.

I qualified the overall experiment though it was not an outstanding result.

Despite my best efforts, the peas did not become very soft.

May be the fault of their being out-of-season thing

or may be my cooking fault

But steaming hot rice did look nice to me.

Look I tried to capture the steam as well.

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5th April, 2012 : Prompt - Tiny

Prompt - Tiny

I was travelling today.

Again.

This time though it was an official tour.

(You see, yours sincerely has found herself a job.

I am going to tutor kids officially now on.

I just hope I can stay afloat in this river.)

Back to the point, are you wondering how does prompt "tiny" fit in all this?

I shall not be able to put it in words ...

but I will still give it a try before sharing the pictures

(the quality of which is again debatable at the best considering that I clicked them using my mobile phone from a moving bus)

There was so much of natural beauty to take in on the entire route.

Big hills, dams, water or should I say lots of water,

meandering routes cutting through the hills in a zig zag fashion

buses crawling on those routes

and they look tiny and little from a distance.

Small huts midst this vastness.

I feel so small even while writing it all.

It was like nature reigning in full glory.

I hope the pictures help.

A shot of the hill that I managed while returning.

I wonder if you can make out the red truck that is just round the corner in this pic below.

(remember the theme is tiny)

Oh that is a Maruti 800 ... If I had been able to take an aerial view, this would have been as tiny as a toy.

And this is what I meant when I referred to the vastness of the nature.

This one has nothing to do with the theme.

On second thoughts, wait ... this is the longest road tunnel in India

the length is about 3 km and so, we are but a tiny speck once we are inside the tunnel.

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