Table of Contents - at your humble service

© rachi creations..


Dear Readers,

It’s been full of the cheerful moments and a significant milestone to have shared a bond of affection between you and me through my blog Humming Today. I really appreciate you visiting the page and also taking time to give feedback.

I certainly appreciate all of the new and returning readers. I’m happier and grateful for reading the posts and also caring it. Keep subscribing and sending posts to friends. And also keep sending me your stories and photos to get listed in the Contribution-List.

Click recent post links that interest you, the archives and the labels (any will do to start) to see a month's topics at a glance. For your convenience, I’ve created the Table of Contents of the Posts in the blog.

On this page you can see the whole list of posts published. To show the full table of contents, please click on the link below...

This page contains our table of contents, showing post permalinks, the date and labels (category names.) There is a short preview of each post when you hover the cursor over the title. Titles are in alphabetical order, but you can click on the date column header to sort in ascending or descending order. Click on a specific label (not the column header) to display only the posts tagged with that label. To go back to the full list, just click Post Title. When this post migrates off the home page visitors can use the menu or sidebar link to see the contents.

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Little finger Story - Big Lessons

" Big things come in Small Packets."

" Its in the small things where our strength lies."

Very well said in the quotes. Here's sharing a short inspirational story of a Little girl and her fine fingers, where in simple words tell to care for little-small things.

Ones upon a time a little girl was praying to God joining her hands close tight with her fingers touching each other. Soon she was surprised to see her hand fingers started to tremble. She looked up her fingers and found that her cute thin fine fingers were fighting and making lots of noise. The little cute girl got disturbed and hence could not pray. So the girl in her very gentle and toned voiced asked the fingers the matter. And why were the fingers fighting in front of the God.

Soon the fingers replied that they were fighting to know which was the best and the super finger of the hand. The fingers were trying to know which finger was superior and most important. The little girl said that she was ready to judge the fingers and find out which finger is the best one. The girl asked the fingers to say one by one their best quality for which the fingers has to be judged. Each finger was given time to express their view.



The Thumb decided to speak first and said:
“ I’m the thumb and the most important. Without me no word done with hands is possible. I play a major part in holding the things with the hand. Also if I sign upwards means best of luck and if signed downwards it means bad luck. These are some of the major expressions in which I’m used and are very important. Hence, I’m the most superior and so best in all.”

Hearing the Thumb, the Index finger, the first finger next to the thumb said:
“ I’m a very powerful finger as if somebody keep me on their lips, it means to maintain silence…sshhuuu..! And often been addressed to be the first finger, hence I’m superior to every finger in this race. So I’m the best and most superior.”

Then it was the chance of the Middle finger to express, its views:
“ I’m the most superior to all other fingers as I’m the tallest finger in the hand. All other fingers are smaller in size than me. So I’m the best and most superior.”

It was the turn of the Ring finger to tell how was it the best finger and it said:
“As everybody calls me the ring finger, I’m the most precious finger in the hand as I wear the costly beautiful studded engagement ring. It’s me the Ring finger wearing the ring, which makes the occasion of the person so memorable. So the Ring finger is the best and the most superior to all.”

At last, the last finger the Little finger's chance to say. The Little finger kept silent. It looked each and every finger around and said nothing. All other fingers soon broke in to a huge laughter. All the fingers started teasing the lean and thin, little finger. They asked the little finger to say the great things about thyself and followed next was the huge laughs. The little finger felt sad and disheartened.
Soon the girl said to the little finger to say something that made it the best. Hearing this little finger said with one tear rolling down:

“ I’m no superior to any of the finger or thumb. I’m the tinniest and have no great thing about me. I’m inferior to all. The only thing that one can notice about me is that I’m the smallest finger, hence the weakest and stand last after the other major fingers.”
The humble little finger started crying intensely and all other fingers kept laughing loud on the little finger reply.

The girl was very much disappointed at the behavior of the other fingers. Then the girl consoled the little finger and said that the little finger was no less than any of the other fingers of the hand.
And there is one quality that the little finger posses in the hand make it special. Hearing this all the other fingers and the thumb got amazed and asked the girl, what quality of the little finger makes it special than them.

The girl with pride told the fingers that whenever she prays God, joining her hands close, it is the little finger that the God watches first. So indeed it’s the little finger that comes closest to God while praying. Hence, the little finger is the most special and blessed finger in the hand, in spite of being the tiny finger.

God have made everyone equal yet special. It’s our own perception that creates complex situations. He have gifted all of us some talent. We all the unique in our way but at the end of the day the person who is remembered is the one who respects all and is humble enough by nature. There are people who have pride of being either very rich or having good looks. But the richness is the golden heart that we posses and bring happiness in other people’s life. The people who feel superior of certain thing, actually forgets that there is only God who is larger than anyone else in the world.



"One must be kind enough to give respect to all regardless to any imbalance in the atmosphere. One must not make fun of others. Greatness is in people who accept all as they are without any demands made. In the society all types of people are important to have varied choices in the decision making to get the best results. Each one of us plays a unique role in the development. So there is lot to learn for the little finger story. "

There is still more and interesting to add this Little finger story. When ever we are praying God, joining our hands close, we must remember the “Five-Musts” to follow are given below:

1. 
   
   Our thumb is nearest to us. So we must begin our prayers by praying for those closest to us. They are particularly our parents, friends and relatives, the easiest one to remember.
2. 
   
   The next finger is the pointing finger/ index finger. We must pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. These include the teachers, doctors etc. They need support and wisdom in pointing the right direction to follow. Keep them in your prayers.
3. 
   
   The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. 
   
   The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is fact that this is the weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.
5. 
   
   And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. The pinky should remind you to pray for ourselves. Pray God not to remove all your pains and sufferings but pray to have the backup of God always with us in any circumstances. Pray for peace.

...Indeed the greatest gifts that God have given the human-beings are His answered Prayers!

Cheers!
Celebrate friendship..

"I write the blog
not because
I need to but because
I want to."
..Blog Author

Hope you liked our article. Don't forget to share your view or link to us. Thanks!

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My Birthday - unfolding petals

© rachi creations..

Regardless of the increasing age, birthdays are a special day for you and your loved ones. Some friends of mine teased me saying that why am I making all the gaga-story of my 25th birthday, as I am getting older every year. But, there is a strange saying I believe in is “Old age is always 15 years older than I am”, so celebrate life at the fullest. Above all if we carry our childhood with us, we shall never become older.

Indeed yesterday, I had a blast on my birthday. Lots of gifts and greetings simply added the glitters to the special day. For a change not cooking at all at home(which I usually I hardly do :p) and having Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner out was a great of fun with hubby. In the evening blowing candles on chocolate cake is the ultimate pleasure on birthday. But of coarse the most adorable gift of the day was reading the friends messages on Orkut and receiving loads of phone call, for the birthday wishes. One of my very close friends of mine Nirmala, mailed me her wedding ceremony pictures as my birthday surprise gift, for which I was waiting since so long. Truly sweet of her.

But some coincidence happened on my birthday and I found the mail delivered in my inbox. It was completely unexpected and truly amazing experience to read the mail. Please read the mail mentioned below:

hi,
first of all..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY....
MAY BE
WHEN u'll read this mail it would have had become..
BELATED HAPPY
BIRTHDAY....
Which ever is true HAPPY BIRTHDAY remains the same....

u wud have been wondering why i wrote u today..
u may think that
today was ur birthday (coz its 10:10 and now its 11:10) so
i wrote u..
but truly speaking i didnt remembered ur birthday but i really dont know
how, i was surfing on the web and i found u [on Blog: HUMMING TODAY lattest post Link: My Birthday Weekend - just Began]..and
10:00 i came to know that
today is ur birthday at 10:10.
i dont know
what it was ,how i got u today
and not in the days which are passed...but it
was really nice.

I thought i shud write a poem for u...
but my brain
isn’t developed in the direction in which i can write poems ..
But never
mine i got one frm internet for u...thanks to KAYLA FRASER..
Who wrote this
poem {for me}..as if she knew one day i m gonna download it
for U.

so here it goes,
" A sister is someone who leads you when you are having a problem.
A sister makes you laugh and cry.
A sister is someone who likes to fight with you.
A sister is the one who stands with you in all your ups and downs.
A sister makes you remember who you really are.
A sister sometimes makes you cry when they are very sad.
A sister is someone who is always there for you through all the laughter and tears.
A sister is real.
A sister never will pretend.
A sister is someone like you whom
I treasure everyday in my heart. "

so;
all yours,
suraj singh

"I meet Suraj's parents last year at my marriage ceremony. But I haven’t met Suraj, since last 12 years ago. Interestingly, today I'm around twice the age we meet before. Surprisingly finding this mail today and reading the whole story, truly makes me believe that destiny indeed stores some special gifts. The Surprises which are totally unplanned and unexpected...well! that what is the Life; a beautiful flower, unfolding petals of surprises. Suraj is right now doing his Engineering, and here wishing him good luck and all success in life. And Sweet Suraj...thank u so much for that wonderful peom and the mail that is such a preety gift on my 25th Birthday. Hope we meet soon."
NOTE: The pastry drawing is created by me © rachi creations..

Cheers!
Celebrate friendship..

"I write the blog

not because

I need to but because

I want to."
..Blog Author
Hope you liked our article. Don't forget to share your view or link to us. Thanks!

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My Birthday Weekend - just Began

© rachi creations..

Just to let everyone, but today, Sunday a Holiday and I’m off flying high for my birthday weekend. Today is the Silver Jubilee of my life. I shall turn 25 at exactly 10:10 at night. That was the time I was born and my Mother loves to remind me. She also reminds me every year of when, where, what, why, and how I was born. Truly sweet of Her.

Today, is the day which naturally reminds me of some of the most special people of my life, who made this day more memorable and hence special for me.Right from the beginning of my childhood memory lane goes how my parents managed to celebrate my birthday almost like a festival of the year. All around the home colorful ribbons and decoration made a home a total different place to live in. My Grand-Mother used to bring colorful bangles for me on my birthday to match with my new birthday dress.

Birthday has always been a special fine day, when I used to wait for the amazing things to be gifted by my parents. I remember, on my tenth birthday I got my “Avon Cycle” .Mummy-Papa brought it from the market, tied at the diggy, back of the car. It was indeed the happiest day of my life. One my sweet sixteenth birthday I got my first Laptop (IBM) in my hands. These were some of the most memorable gifts got in my childhood on my birthday.

My birthday (7th September) also reminds me of my Raju Chachu (parental uncle), who used to stay in Mumbai and bring home personally prepared cake traveling over night in train from Mumbai to Baroda. Blowing candles and cutting cake in the party with all the friends, neighbors, relatives and parents around, made me felt “Yeah! This is My Day”. But my uncle’s presence made my birthday party and day so special.

Waking up in the birthday morning and finding so many relatives at home came from far places just to bless me on my birthday was a great feeling. Some had to really take up so much pain coming home fully drenched, as my birthday being in the Month of September; it always rained heavily that day. In my childhood, I had to never buy new clothes whole year, rather during my birthday I used to get so many new dresses and other gifts from the relatives.Everyone is amazing and I love them dearly.

Going SCHOOL not in uniform but in the very new crisp colored birthday dress was the ultimate pleasure. Distributing chocolates it to all my classmates and teachers in the school was another attraction.It was sometimes amazing to see that other some classmates or schoolmates also had birthday on that same day.

Then came in COLLEGE and celebrating the birthday had another heights. The birthday party at college hostel have total different scene. The SMS beeps and several mid-nite calls at the 00:00 from friends were great fun. Dancing late nights on full volumes were very much the hostel way of celebrating birthday party. Some close friends also made sure to give me greeting cards and other birthday gifts, actually the gift were the same things that I wished to buy sometime but dint buy, and here they were giving me a total surprise ofcoarse as they became father-mother only when I was born.

All around people wishing you,Happy Birthday!..Happy Birthday!!”;I simply loved it! Going out on lunch, giving all close friends small treats were great ways to rejoice.

Last Year 2007, my birthday was first birthday after marriage. I was far away from all, my parents, friends, relative and all. But my Ravi Mamaji (maternal uncle), came here B’lore far from Baroda just to wish me Happy Birthday. And my Hubby made sure to have fun on my birthday. He took us to an amusement park. Although missing everybody that day, I had great fun being adventurous playing in water fountains. I almost felt like a kid again and he definitely made me feel amazing.

When it rains on my Birthday, I feel as if God is showering the blessing on me. Same, I felt when I got married last year 23rd July 2007. Rain has become such an intrigue part of my life. So my birthday has been amazing always more because of the drizzling and showers.

I definitely want to thank my Maa-Paa and friends for making this such an Incredible Birthday for me. Thank you to everyone who has wished me a Happy Birthday on Orkut and through other mails. And also the people who could not call me but did remember me on my birthday:)
. I have so much to be thankful for the last 25 years. Its also an amazing year as this very date on 12th July 2008, my paa celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Life.

I’m 25, celebrating the Silver Jubilee of my life, a quarter century old and I’m proud

But I firmly like to believe that my Papa and Mom are also 25 yrs old

I also want to thank my Hubby for being there and making each moment so special. I’m sure he must have planned something today also. Till now it is a surprise. I can’t really wait until the sun rises or rains this morning Sunday. There is more fun still waiting for me. My Birthday Weekend has just began.

But I shall leave this post with my deep feeling in form of Pria's poem "Child”, depicts best of my Birthday fumes with a typical touch of Virgo quality. To the people who don't know, my sunsign is Virgo. It almost seems as in the poem “She” is “ME” talking of my childhood, month of September and my birthday bash.

-
" Trees and flowers filled with water
on a rainy day,
She sees herself in those dew drops
picturing herself before the mirror,
a small world to see who she is.
When the train passes, flowers bend
to welcome all
and sprinkle with new fragrance.
With the smell of wet soil
she waits for the raindrops
to fill the potholes
where she can step in to jump.
Ther comes a splash of water and dust
all over her
and she runs again to find
clear water to wash her legs.
She's a flower, waiting for the rain
with a small ponytail, and her skirt
filled with daisies
jumping and walking, nothing
to worry in this world.
She is a child, a girl and a woman
who lives a life of innocence."-

NOTE: The painting above is created by me on paintbrush © rachi creations..

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MY PENCIL - Lead Leads MY Life

© rachi creations..

"The average Pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser so move on and draw out your Plan on paper make changes if necessary using eraser. The Pencil with the Lead, leads through the basics in Life to Learn."
Ones there was a Pencil-Maker. Every time, the Pencil-Maker made the Pencil, he gave each pencil a personal special attention and care during the making process. For the Pencil Maker, His made each Pencil was very special and dear to Him.

The Pencil-Maker took each at a time one pencil aside to talk and share the wisdom. He helped the Pencil to understand the life after it enters the world. So just before keeping the Pencil inside the box, the Pencil-Maker said the Five-Must to do, when it enters the world. These Five-Musts shall make the Pencil, the Best. These Five-Musts are the purpose in life...

• 
  
  The Pencil will be allowed to do many great and creative things, only if the Pencil allows itself to be in Someone’s hands.
• 
  
  The Pencil shall be allowed or rather shall be able to correct any mistake made.
• The Pencil shall be going through an experience of pain, every time while sharpening. This process shall always make it a better pencil.
• 
  
  The most important part of the pencil shall always be inside it.
• No matter what the surface is used o write, the pencil will have to leave its mark and must continue to write.

The pencil promised that it shall never forget the Five-Musts and shall continue to follow the points under any circumstance to become the Best-Pencil. With such promising note, the Pencil went inside the box.

Now, just by replacing the pencil with “WE” (Human-Being). Understand the Five-Musts and become the Best person in the world.

1. 
   
   We (Human-Being) shall be allowed to do as many great and creative things, only if we allow you to be held in God’s hand. And also allow others to access our capabilities and abilities to explore the world.
2. 
   
   We (Human-Being), will always get a chance to correct our mistakes made. This shall allow us to accept our mistakes and learn from them.
3. 
   
   We (Human-Being), will be going through many problems in life hence will have to go through a painful sharpening process from time to time. This process shall make us a stronger person to lead life.
4. 
   
   The most important part of us is inside us, hence one need to explore the best of our blessed talent and aspirations.
5. 
   
   No matter where we stand or walk, we must be able to leave our marks with our deeds. Under any circumstance and situations, we must be able to perform our duties.

Like the Pencil understood and promised to remember the Five-Musts, in the same way “We (Human-Being)” must also not forget the Purpose of life. We must also remember that each one of us is special unique individuals who are born to fulfill and accomplish the purpose of life following the Five-Musts.

The Five-Musts is an attempt to try to be the best as can be and hope that is the best ever. Remember there is indeed nothing which cannot be changed or rectified. One mush believe that God will not give "Me" anything I can't handle. So no more worries.

My life is significant. I don’t have to further fear for my mistakes as ironically I think; only those who do nothing make no mistakes. It’s better to have sharpened our pencil and hope that God doesn't turn it over and use the eraser.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he/she has overcome strongly. So after being sharpened so much in life, I have turned to be a strong person.

A fresh look at what we normally take for granted brings outs the creativity. This time it is the lean thin Pencil with loads of power that took my heart away to ponder some lengths of life.

"Patience-Perfection-Painstaking-Power-Penmanship-Praise-Participate-Paper-Problem Solving-Picture-Painting-Profession all lead with the -Pencil- how to hold and grip in the little hands with tiny fingers, taught by parents and teachers in the childhood. "

I want to thank heartily all my Teachers of Sacred Heart School-Mathura, GREMS-Baroda, K.V.(IOC),Noonmati-Guwahati, IHM-Guwahati, IITTM-Gwalior, who gave me something to take home to think about besides the homework. There have been some of the really true teachers who taught and still teach from the heart, not from the book, “Parents” are the best example. So a silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone, if you CAN Read the above short story than stand up and salute to the teachers and say Thank you for teaching. This short story heard in the childhood, mean a lot this day.

Happy Teachers Day!

(NOTE: Above drawing made by self. © rachi creations.. )

Cheers!
Celebrate Life..

"I write the blog

not because

I need to but because

I want to."

..Blog Author

Hope you liked our article. Don't forget to share your view or link to us. Thanks!

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pursuit of perfection - Not MY Nature

© rachi creations..

"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful.."

Ones upon a time, there was a round little wood-log. Strong rusty brown with the shark edge made the wood log little difficult to roll down quickly. It lived in the green beautiful nature. Everyone around loved it and wished only the best for it.

Though, the wood log rolling down slowly because of it sharp edge, it was able to enjoy the songs that the birds which sang sitting on it. The wood-log had many friends to talk. Insects like ants, grasshopper, and ladybird often sat on taking some rest from the busy world. The lovely fragrant flowers around shared their deep thought with the wood-log. The shinny stones and pebbles stuck hard on the green land made sure to chat with it.

But the strong wood-log was not so happy with something. Actually, wood-log did not like its rolling speed so slow because of the sharp edge. One day talking to the nature it expressed its grief of being imperfect. The wood log wished to be perfect with full roundness. The birds said to the wood-log that they liked the wood-log as it was. And there is nothing to feel anything like inferior or imperfect. But the wood-log wanted to have more speed in its rolling motion. And for that it has to change to become perfect that is having no sharp edge.

Somehow to everybody’s surprise the strong wood-log the next day became perfect. The sharp edge in the log was no more. Now the log could roll uncontrolled and with full speed. The perfect wood-log was very happy then. It wanted to share it happiness and excitement with the chirping birds, insects, lovely fragrant flowers and shinny studded stones and pebbles.

But the perfect round wood-log could not stop. It was perfect and hence simply rolled and rolled leaving all behind. The perfect wood-log could not stop and it moved on. There was no one to share the thought or even chat with someone. But it went on rolling alone and lonely unstopped. Hence, it’s not what being perfect matters but trying to achieve the perfection.

The Life is all about integrated wholeness and not the perfection. Being the human being we can never be perfect but only strive to be perfect. I believe, only one thing is perfect in this world that is God, the Creator.

"The wholeness fill all the holes in life, it rounds up the imperfections in oneself." The supreme happiness in life is the assurance of being loved; of being loved for oneself. In this fast running world, one need to hold on, stop and feel the moment. It’s important to take time to breathe, absorb the moment of happiness and the sense of beauty to feel mesmerized in the nature.

I read the above mentioned wood-log story long back in the childhood which I like very much and amazingly still remember it so well. So friends, I thought to share it with you all. Actually the beautiful poem "Art-Perfection or Impression" (Links below) created by poet Priya reminded me about the short story which is full packed with high values to lead a happy life.

And as the funny quote goes; "No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers", I agree verymuch. Perfection are the simple words to inspire people to achieve their goals. One shall come be across many angles, turning point, and sharp edges many but we have to deal confidently. I believe in watching the Whole-picture that is all about the pros and cons of the moment. And be brave enough to take risk and innovate. Commit mistakes and yet learn from them.

Art - Perfection or Impression?
Poet-Priya

A painter brushes
till the last ink waits to drip,
and convey so many colors
and dreams who sees it.

A writer runs with words
either with the flow,
or a rope hanging to connect
which waits to fill or say something.

A poet gives an impression
of visible and invisible thoughts,
from their mind and heart, to convey
which reflects people to grow.

An artist fills everyone's heart
with an action of eyes,

to be remembered forever
even when it's so hard to perform.

Perfect is not an art
but a lasting impression
where people give their
love and time to appreciate it.

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A Cheerful Scoop of Life - MY Blog

© ni3 designs Gurav

"Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit: we cannot flower and grow without it.”

Praise, Admiration, Appreciation, Encouragement are the words that an make the person cheerful. It is a unique delightful experience for anybody. This pleasure works on anybody and everybody. There are many things that others do but the reaction of happiness comes from me. For the better example to present is that I feel extremely excited every time I read comment on my blog “Humming Today”, my visitors have made. It a sudden instant kick to research more, write and present in the best way for the reader. Its that one thumb up green sign that makes the moment so special and restored in the memory lane forever.

I often have fun with my friends as when they compliment me for something; I say "I accept your compliments as ONE cannot argue with TRUTH." But honestly, the simple Noticing is more than anything in life to lead the determination.

“Potluck” is my one of my favorite restaurant in Bangalore where I can have home cooked flavored food. Recently when as usual I went to this restaurant and was amazed to see that the menu card have been updated with more variety of delicate dished. I turned down the last page of the menu and found some of the tints of the reviews made on the potluck restaurant. The links were of the internet from various sites and blogs where people wrote their experience in Potluck. " I often have a tendency to read first few lines and suddenly go through the last lines and only when I find the beginning and ending interesting, I go through the whole content, and to my surprise I read the name “Rachana” at the end of the page. Well! “Rachana” is quite a common name in India so to have a second go through the whole name “Rachana Shakyawar”……hey it’s ME!"

I found the link of my blog “Humming Today” in the list of appreciation of the menu-card. Long back in November, 2007 I wrote a Blog “Potluck- Home is where the food is”, reviewing the service of the relishing restaurant “Potluck”. It was such an intense moment for happiness. I wondered, how much the words creates magic & such simple words of little appreciation ignites the ray of encouragement.

I heartily appreciate very kind gestures of the Potluck Restaurant owner "Mr.Yash" and "Mr.Birla" for going through and acknowledging my blog. Please check the pictures (No. 1) at the end of the blog to see the menu pic. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

There are many internet competitions for various activities like art, writing, photographing, cooking etc. I participated in one of the food feast hosted by Sia (BLOG: MonsoonSpice). It was purely happy moment to watch the links of the pictures and recipes of my dishes in her blog. Please check the pictures (No. 2) to see the link. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

I have firmly believed that my blog “Humming Today” have reached here because of the immense support, appreciation and the honest critical claims made from time to time. The best efforts made to appreciate my little deed for this blog have been from Amit Semwal who ones mentioned that

“ my marketing strategy of free references for this blog so it be..I'll do it a 100 times not only because she is my very good friend but also because she writes good...know? I myself will be subscribing to it today, almost after an year of her blog coming into the blogspot and getting a shape where it deserves references and subscription! ”

I adore the humble acts of the readers contributed with the poems, articles and pictures to my blog creating a treasure voyage of talent and creativity.

At this date, the blog “Humming Today” is having around 4000 visitors from more than 94 countries. Today, the daily visitors can be from 30 to 50 in numbers. " The number is pretty impressive as for the blog only a year old but I believe there are still many hearts to be touched and mesmerized. " See the pictures[No. 3, 4] at the end of the blog for the daily-visitors. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

It has come indeed a long but a beautiful path modulating every time. Learning from adding up the new widgets, background templates and change in the font color, size and type, many experiments have been done to get the right flavor of the theme that resembles my humming mind.

It matters a lot, due to the fact that I was starting from scratch. One year ago, I had no clue about how things would work out or where I would head up in blogging. But it has turned out better than I have ever expected, I'm enjoying blogging and enhancing with each post made.

My blog “Humming Today” is starting to pop up all over the place on the Internet which is a really good thing and a sign of popularity. It has a consistent growth graph for the popularity. Please check the pictures (No. 5, 6, 7, 8) to see what my readers from all the continents, search and find out my blog. Click the pictures to see the enlarge one.

Thank you so much all of my readers for coming here, reading my posts and some even taking time for commenting, discussing, motivating and inspiring me to write more and new topics !A special thanks to all my friends who are in the contribution list. I wish more names in the list, so do mail me your works and get published in this blog with all your credits. If you enjoyed reading than do subscribe for email feed to get the lattest updates. Heres with your grace, my blog's the most popular posts list.

• Taare Zameen Par - a Colourful Childhood
• ME - Indian Bride
• Butterfly Park - an emotion of hue
• Kerala - Munnar is Must to visit
• Mission Kashmir - redirect to Paradise
• Its time to give a break - Pondicherry
• Missing royal tiger – National Park India
• Things You dint know about ME
• A Window to the Past – Bicolor Painting
• W.H.A.T.?
• Happy Birthday Papa - Celebrate Life
• Yummy Paratha - Indian Bread
  
  Cheers!
  Celebrate friendship..
  

"I write the blog

not because

I need to but because

I want to."
..Blog Author

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Tag ME - Picture Story

This is my first tag which is on request of Rajtilak (BLOG: The Chronicles of R), must read the blog, I say. This tag is little different as its full of colours and pictures known as "The Mosaic Tag".

The rules of the Mosaic tag is as follows :-

• Type your answer to the questions into Flickr search.
• Using only the first page, pick an image.
• Copy and paste each of the URLS of the images into the mosaic maker.
• Save a copy to your PC and then post it in your blog.
• At the end of the blog add your friends name and links, whom you want to tag the same.

The questions are as follows:-
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your user name?

My answers of the question through the pictures:


1. Rachana/Creation2.Chicken Curry 3.pebbles at brahmaputra river
4.Orange5. Salman Khan: 6. Apple juice

7. Venice 8. Dark Chocolate 9. Unique United Colours Together

10. Family 11. Humming 12. Elegant Elephant

TAG-LIST : Still its a pleasure to tag some of my very nice blogger friends Priya , RachanaK , Gopinath Mavinkurve. Also make sure to read their blogs as they are some of my favourite blog, I like to read. Please consider yourself "tagged" if this looks fun to you!

NOTE: The pictures are taken from flickr,just in case if any picture or photgraph is copyright please mail me. I shall remove it immediately! Sorry for the inconvenience caused!!

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A Celebrity in ME - look alike

MyHeritage is an internet-based company that offers you the chance to see which celebrity you most resemble. Some of the amazing site that makes you feel like a celebrity. Just sign up free, feed your photo and watch your face agian in the mirror, you will face a difference. It might just sound funny yet its amazing to find yourself a celebrity look-alike. It was exciting to see Marni's celebrity transformation who almost fit the frame perfectly.

But the irony of the story is that non of the celebrity pictures are accurate look alike, in my opinion. Anyway, its always amazing to see a look alike and such sites are full of fun and entertainment.

The experience to see Natalia Vodianova 74%, Emma Watson 72%, Christina Ricci 70%, Reese Witherspoon 70% and above all gorgeous Katie Holmes 70% as my look-alike results. It is the magical yet hilarious example with my and Katie Holmes pictures matching up to certain angle with the moment captured. Try the magic with your picture and find your own look-alike celebrities.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

" Anyway I am still the same, "UNIQUE" in my own style but with the mould of being verymuch "UNCONVENTIONAL in the Willful Way". Celebrating just the Living.. "

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Leos of MY Life

© 21st Century Tiger

The symbol for the sunsign Leo is the Lion. They are strong-willed, walk with pride, loves growling tends to be mushy almost like cute small lion cubs. Their major traits are being born leaders and highly focused at the target. They are generous, kind, extremely supportive and protective people. There are many people we come across our life but there are very few who last for life-long. And those are titled as dear friends, who are there for you and with you supporting. They believes in you and are willing to trust you at any circumstance. I have always believed  that it’s wonderful to have few close friends as they remind you how you were in your young age. These friends know all your secretes and the inner most thoughts. "I can be simply just ME with them without bothering what they will think about me." This allows exploring thyself more at every aspect.

At different stages of my life, I found friends, who got so much close to me and surprisingly I realised they were Leos! Their influences have been so positively intense and have been my aspiration. Here remembering the Leos of My Life and wishing them Happy Birthday.

Tanushree Baishya :

Birthday: 13th August.

I know this lady since our school days. We have done our education together in KV(IOC), Noonmati, Guwahati, Assam. We studied together from ClassVIII to XII. Those were the wonderful years and the most memorable times of my life, the "Teen Age” when we together with other friends had so much fun and creating menace in the school with our teachers and above all seniors. After completing our schooling we opted different careers and hence choose different lines of higher studies. But we often during our college vacations made sure to hang out with our other close friends and talk like hell! I like to call her "TWINNY" , as in school many people often got confused in identifying between two of us. May be it’s because we had almost similar hairstyle, same uniform and quite a same body structure. But in reality we are very much different.

She is bold with a gentle touch, which makes her so special. Her honesty not just defines her personality but portraits her Brain. Who says ! She forces people to appreciate her and give compliments because I strongly believe that ones you see her, compliments for her comes very naturally to you . She is an absolute divine beauty with brains.

No one in this small world is born who can win in argument with this LEO because she does her Homework well and in advance. And how can one forget that she have been always a rank holder.

As well definition goes from one of her friend "This is one girl (Tanushree) who has been with me, rejoicing with me in my success and consoling & supporting me whever I was low..." is having a same opinion like me.

Even though I haven’t met her since last three years, but I still feel same warmth, affection, care, trust, and above all hear the long Lectures Session. Tanushree, the Leo Lady has made us all proud with her works, deed, strength and love she shares.

I wish you all the happiness and success in life and may you achieve whatever you desire for. Moreove she reminds me of the qoute , "With clothes the new are best, with friends the old are best."

Amit Semwal :

Birthday: 19th August.

This Creature is also a LEO. I know him from past three years. We first meet during our interview for MBA at IITTM,Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Infact, we were in the same group for the group discussion. He made blunder after blunders during the whole event with senior and with the teachers but was still smiling. He is the only person in this world who acts stupid yet smart simultaneously. Well these traits are of Genius. By this time reading, he must have toppled down the chair laughing and holding his stomach. But buddy amit, get up, as I simply mean it, all above mentioned. I am so proud to be his friend. He is a true inspiration, aspiration and adore his trait of having equal feeling for all as a true Human-Being. When we participated in an art competition, where it was necessary to be in pair, I requested him to accompany me though I had no idea how to deal with the person like him. But when we actually one the first runner up prize the first thought strike my brain was that "We gel well".

He is very supportive but at the same time very much willing to take risks and also drag others to take risks. It’s because he is an innovative man, and making mistakes from the risk taken comes easily to him. His ideas might sound weird instantly but those are indeed the head turner for the society. “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me”, and fits to the quote so well !

He have so much inspired me ever since I know him. I even wrote a blog for him "THE PHOTOGRAPHER, i captured". May you keep capturing the great pictures and our hearts with you warmth and your innocent smile.

Please, go through the video of the wonderful pictures taken by him in last three years. It is, "Amit in Wonderland". Click here: COLLECTIONS VIDEO.

Bhupesh Koli :

Birthday: 15th August.

He is My hubby is also a Leo and hence I can't exit without appreciating him. He is a typical Leo, flamboyant and generous simultaneously. He has wonderful instant sense of humor. I'm so glad that he can cook, infact cook so well. Sometimes such small things really matter a lot. His been truly a great friend. We tend to have different style in approach of decision-making which makes us highly complementary and effective. The best thing that has happened to me is that he taught me to be less critical and more spontaneous. We have recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary and I realized that after one year,

“He is still that same adorable, sweet guy who treats me better than anyone ever has in my life making me feel so much blessed”.

 Here is the poem dedicated to the Loving Leos of my Life...

POEM - Impossible

by Priya

Free and release your mind

let the world know

what a wonderful person

you are.

Life is to live and rejoice

let that spirit

make you

stay alive

surrounded by love.

I know you like to flirt,

lie and

still capture

my heart, with fluttering eyes

and make me surrender.

I know, I stay faraway

only to let you know

you will always be

in my thoughts.

If you ever shed a tear

think of me

coz to

forget you

is something impossible.

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Countdown Begins - Celebrate Life

Countdown begins:

Wedding Day - 23 JULY

COUNT - 23

Hubby's Birthday - 15 AUGUST

COUNT - 23

My Birthday - 7 SEPTEMBER

Celebrate Life..

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My first Wedding Anniversary at Barbeque Nation

MY First Wedding Anniversary, it’s been an exact year celebrating the life with the companion. Indeed it’s the best feeling to share things and to be heard. Girls always need attentions, there is no limits to it and I am so proud as well as glad to say that my Hubby have been so humble and empathetic for all the things happening in my life. For being belonged to a typical Indian Culture the power/freedom given to me not to change my name and choose be known as before marriage sounded is something in my view incredibly inevetible to ignore. We have been more like best
friends, sharing stories, weird jokes but also have some common passions like cooking, traveling and one of the most essential is shopping.

Two weeks before my first wedding anniversary I bought one gift for him, (which he insisted) a coffee mug, but could not hold back the secret and gave him the same evening, wishing it in advance. Well you must be thinking a coffee mug...well it is for his office purpose and what else could be expected form a girl it has to be something good and useful thing indeed! But just , just a day before my 1st wedding anniversary, yesterday he asked me what gift I was giving him this anniversary to him.......well "I thought I gave the gift so called the bold shinny black coffee mug".......ummm......I haven’t planned yet I replied! (Safe answer lets shop NOW)

23rd July,2008 My first wedding anniversary and yet another day celebrating my life as always a good start of a day with the cup of hot ginger tea prepared by my hubby in the morning. Busy phone lines for the wishes and where is the party to night a question after the every wish became today's jingle. So how do I feel after one whole year? Questions without any full stops....." Good....infact Great...!"I chuckled.

Soon when hubby went to office, I thought to do some SHOPPING. Went to the shop and bought a nice purple shade t-shirt. I had not planned to buy for me but having to the glance at the female section collection, got little tempted and bought for myself too a nice bright sky blue color.

Well I believe the only way to make your hubby happy is to buy something for yourself, as when you are happy , hubby is also happy to see your happiness..... so I thought to buy for myself too.

Came back home after a tini-mini shopping and started dreaming how would we make this evening more happening and memorable! Suddenly the door-bell rang; well Hubby took a half day and came back home early........Surprise! Surprise!! We cooked the kheer (Indian dessert) together and spent time together remembering some of the most happening times together in a year.

All those wonderful traveling to the beautiful destinations we did. There are more than 15 different places I have visited in past one year. And nearly 50 blogs are written in "Humming Today", so I show both thumb Up this year with background music of mauja mauja...!

Anyway coming to the celebration day, in the evening I gifted him the t-shirt I brought for him, He got so delighted and as for my return gift he said we shall be going in due course of time to Amby Valley, Lonavala-Pune. Well, that’s the pretty good deal and I am so excited to go there.

Then, we got ready, and worn our new t-shirts and went out for dinner to the recently opened Restaurant "Barbeque nation". This restaurant is the one of the biggest third outlet opened at Bangalore. Infact it was today celebrating its first 30 days/1month ceremony. I shall give more information about this restaurant in my latter blogs.

Well we reached the 3rd floor, entered the restaurant, first impression........"it’s a damn a huge place". In the mean time saw a chef......"I think I have seen him somewhere...do I know him...?" I thought. "Please this way sir, this table..." the service person guided us nicely......"Thank you". While we were making ourself comfortable on the table, I was wondering about that Chef .."I think ,I know him..." I told hubby, that chef looks like one of my senior of IHM, Guwahati college. He can be a look-alike also, anyway let us order starters. The barbeques placed on the charcoal on the table, instructions given how to do it by yourself, well ! this is a new and excellent concept, which I have never seen at any restaurant or hotel.

I am really hungry, can’t wait so asked the Restaurant Supervisor how much time it will take to cook these. "Maam, 90% it is done it shall take only 5minutes." OK! Suddenly he asked question that amazed me......"Maam, are you from Hospitality Industry?” For couple of seconds many thoughts hassled into my mind. My first thought was, "how does he know? Second thought why he is asking that too with the positive and assured answer" Yes! Very firmly I replied, Ahhh....how you know. Followed with another question, did your Chef told you? He said "yes! The chef thinks that you are his collage junior" I soon interrupted, requesting him, "Can I please meet the Chef?" He soon made a call and called the Chef to meet me.

The Chef came and replied "Rachana...!” Yes Sir, Hi...how are you? Well! HE is my senior of college IHM,Guwahati and I am not wrong, amazing the world is so small, today I feel. I meet him after long 4 years, and he still remember me with name and He is here standing right inform of me...With in minutes, my all nostalgic moments, images, faces of colleges, friends, teachers all came in front of my eyes, and my eyes soon turned a bit watery. Yes! I got a bit senti!!

I introduced him with my hubby and another surprise for him to accept, "You got married...when...?” Well this is my first wedding Anniversary, TODAY! He said we were today his guests and everything has to be specially ordered. What a great evening and double treat, first my celebration and now meeting my senior after such a long time gave me an immense pleasure. He (Chef Pradeep Kumar), is a busy person, still he took some time and sat with us sharing our collage days thoughts. It was a great moment for me to think and wonder that we did not had much conversations in collage. But an urge to meet old friends activates an intact bond, we still share as of being a senior-junior. We talked about our few common friends, teachers, college building, studies etc. On his instructions we were give high priority in serving. We got more delighted when a surprise chocolate cake to cut was brought by Chef Pradeep. He's been truly wonderful to us and I feel so blessed to have such seniors. It was simply the best day of my life with so many happy moments that shall be cherished all throughout my life.

While still all these surprises are sparkling and tickling my life, I dont want to forget to mention that I owe a humble "Thank you" to my hubby for SIMPLY Tackling Me so nicely around the year with all the mood swings and demands made..

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Stuffed Aubergines - Indian Style

Kids hate it. They make the tongue itch, some kind of an allergy, I guess! But these are stocked with vitamin B and its relatives. As well as potassium, iron and zinc in abundance. They are also an excellent source of fibre while it is low in calories and blissfully free of sodium and fat. In India people love to call it "Baingan Raja"( king brinjal ).

Roast, stir, grill, frying all can be done with this glossy skin, soft, chewable texture vegetable. I personally do not really like aubergine much but when it comes to stuffed-aubergine, I simply love them. Though a preparing the mis-en-place takes lots of time but its worth when one tastes it.

Aubergines come in a wide variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Aubergines can be the size of a grape to realy big one; the seed-filled, rounded, some also has green stripes and some are the beautifully long and slender pale-purple, the aubergine can also be ivory-coloured, certainly led people in some countries to name it the ‘eggplant’. It is known with many names like aubergine, eggplant, brinjals, same way in Indian there are many variations made to cook them in terms of the spices used.

From tamarind, curd, peanuts, coconut many different spices are used to enhance the taste. I use none of the above mentioned spices. As I have always believed in, to keep it simple yet delighting. Here, I am using small sized Green eggplants.

   

Stuffing the aubergines takes time , so have patience. The best thing about the stuffed aubergine is one can store then in cold storage for atleast a week and enjoy taking one out heat a bit on pan and enjoy it either in lunch or in brekfast with paratha/bread. Please go through the recipe and your will fin it indeed simple to make, but consumes time.

  

  Ingredients:

• Small rounded firm brinjals - 8 to 10 Nos.
• Medium onions - 250 gms
• Garlic-ginger paste - 20 gms
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Chilly Powder - 10 gms
• Coriander Powder - 10 gms
• Turmeric Powder - 5 gms
• Dry Mango powder (Aamchur) or lime to taste.
• Salt to taste.
• Oil - 20 gms
• White thread (optional)

Method:

1. Wash and the clean brinjals.
2. Make 2 slits to form a deep cross. Leave the stalks intact. Put them immediately into cold salt water, this shall prevent them to turn black from inside.
3. Roast fennel and cumin seed together, let it cool, then crush and powder them coarsely.
4. Grate the onions properly.
5. Mix the onions with ginger-garlic paste, red chilly powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, crushed fennel and cumin seeds with salt to taste. Also add some aamchur (dry mango powder) to the mixture. If no aamchur is there, then squeeze a lime to add a tint of sour taste. Mix it well for the filling.
6. Use hands and stuff the mixture into the slit of the brinjals/aubergine/eggplant/baigan. One can also tie the stuff aubergines with white thread and remove latter when cooked. (Remember not all the mixture can be stuffed. So the remaining mixture shall be used latter while frying the stuffed aubergins.)
7. Heat oil in a heavy pan. Non-stick pan is preferred. Now add the remaining mixture when turned golden brown add the cumin and fennel seeds powder. Let the mixture turns dark brown.
8. Check the salt and other spices and add accordingly. Add half cup of water. Now slide slowly the stuffed brinjals (barwa baigan) in the mixture.
9. Cover with remaining mixture. Simmer on low, covered till done. Stir once or twice in between carefully.
10. Poke with the knife at the brinjals and check they are tender to touch. Garnish it with spring onion or coriander leaves. Serve hot with chappatis, bread or with rice-dal.

NOTE: This dish "Stuffed Aubergines - Indian Style" is dedicated to the WBB-Feast. Deadline for this event is July 31st, 2008. Rush and post the recipes with your picture of dish & mail to Sia. Check out for more details to MonsoonSpice .

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Simple Snack - Raw Banana Cutlet

Raw Banana Cutlet
Buying the vegetable from the shop is a headache for me. What to buy and what not to, there is always so much of variety. I almost get confused. And in this confusion I bought raw green banana .It was a mess decision indeed, as I had never cooked anything with green banana. What to do? And two days passed ignoring the green banana kept in the fridge.

Well, today was a innovation day and finally I discovered eating the hot golden crispy banana cutlets. I am more excited to make these cutlets as today is my cousin Aman's birthday. He turned six years old. A naughty but cute little boy is very much fond of banana. Hence, making this dish on his birthday gives me great happiness.

So here, I am sharing my recipe with you. You can be more innovative to make further changes to enjoy according to your choice and taste.



Ingredients:

• Raw banana - 1 Nos.
• Potato - 2 Nos.
• Bread crumb - 50 gms.
• Cornstarch - 20 gms.
• Red chilly - 1 Nos. (optional)
• Green chilly - 2 Nos
• Spring onion - 10 Gms (optional)
• Ginger - 10 gms.
• Cumin Seed & Ajwain - 10 gms.
• Red Chilly powder - 1tsp.
• White sesame - 1 tsp. (optional)
• Sugar powder- a pinch (optional)
• Salt as per taste.
• Oil to deep fry.

Method of Preparing :

1. Boil the raw green banana and potato. Peel both the banana and potato, and mash together in the bowl.
2. Chop finely the chilly, ginger and spring onion and mix it with the boiled mashed banana and potatoes.
3. Roast the cumin seeds, ajwain and black pepper. Crush roughly the roasted seeds. Roasted spices adds more flavour. Add this also with other remaining spices with cornstarch and sugar powder in the mashed mixture made of boiled banana and potatoes.
4. Make small portion of size of walnut and press make cutlets. Be innovative and create any shape, round, circle, oval, trinagle etc. Wrap up the cutlets with bread crumbs. This shall work as the binding agent. Sesame seeds can also be added to the cutlet.
5. Heat the oil in the shallow pan . When the oil is warm, deep fry the cutlets until golden brown on the medium flame. The cutlets must not be very thick in size, this shall help to cook well and crispy.
6. When golden brown, take them out on the tissue paper to extract the extra oil.
   

Enjoy the golden hot and crisp cutlets with green coriander or mint chutney or simply with tomato sauce. My hubby liked this cutlet between the two breads as sandwich. So have it in the morning as a breakfast as banana is good for health or just have it crisp as brunch with the hot cup of ginger tea.

NOTE:

This dish "Raw Banana Cutlet" is dedicated to the WBB-Feast. Deadline for this event is July 31st, 2008. Rush and post the recipes with your picture of dish & mail to Sia. Check out for more details to MonsoonSpice

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