15 March 2013

Day Four - 4 Books


Books are my sweet escape. Most importantly reading consistently gives me a much-needed break from my thoughts. I'm always analyzing and thinking about things and people and situations to the point of giving myself headaches. So reading has always been my safe place. It fills my head with other people's words and thoughts when I can't handle my own. It is very difficult to pick four because I can never get enough of my favorite books and the list of favorites is endless. So in no particular order...


The Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling)- I tend to come late to these parties... when everyone around me is fussing over something, I tend to go the opposite direction and stay away from it. And so it was with Harry. Until a friend forced me to watch the first movie a week before the second one was going to release. Afterwards I went home and immediately started reading (my brother's copies). These books hold so much inside them. There's a lesson for everyone. It is wrong to call it a children's book. The reader's age is irrelevant here. Harry's unyielding courage, Hermione's relentless drive, Ron's eternal loyalty, Snape's undying love, Dumbledore's infinite wisdom, Sirius's unbreakable devotion... I could go on. The magic isn't just in the spells!

The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg)- this is one book that has changed my life. I learned so much about people, about myself, about human behavior. I learned why I started doing the things I do, why I continue to do them, why I will never stop, and how I can if I really want to. Everyone should read this book.

The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)- this one is a classic. My favorite thing about this book is its characters. This is not a book about good people vs bad people. It's about the good AND the bad that exists within each of us. Integrity is an undervalued virtue and it's importance is highlighted beautifully in this book.

Leaving Microsoft to Change the World (John Wood)- one of the most inspirational stories to come from this generation. John Wood was a high-ranking executive at Microsoft who went on a trip to Nepal to get away from his stressful job. One day in Nepal he happened to visit a school and commented on the fact that there were about a handful of books for the entire school. One local man said "Perhaps, sir, one day you'll come back with books." Later that day, Mr.Wood sent an email to everyone in his address book with the subject line "Books for Nepal". What started as a book drive for a school in rural Nepal has turned into an organization called Room to Read that has been opened over 15,000 libraries and 1600 schools in the developing world. Room to Read is solely responsible for changing the lives of almost 8 million children. Reading this book made me realize that access to education is not something to be taken for granted. I am lucky to have been born to parents that not only value education but can afford to give me that education. It is no longer acceptable to say that it is "unfortunate" for a child to not have opportunities simply because of where he/she was born. I defy anyone not to be moved by Mr.Wood's story.

11 March 2013

Day Three - 3 Movies




The Godfather (parts I and II) - two of the greatest movies ever made! You can't call yourself a movie lover if you've never seen these. I've always been fascinated with anything mafia-related...when I was a kid I used to tell my dad that I would marry a mafia don one day. I'll never forget his expression when I told him it's because I thought it meant I would get free Prada.

The Lion King - whose list wouldn't include this one? Such a classic! Mufasa is the man!

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - had to include this one. One of the few chick flicks I could actually sit through. I was very young and impressionable when I saw this one. But still I'm me...at the end, I wanted a bestfriend not a lover.

07 March 2013

Day Two - 2 Songs



Look After You - The Fray

"There now, steady love, so few come and won't go
Will you won't you be the one I'll always know
When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down"

My most favorite song...that I can't listen to.

To me it's about a person and the song we called "our song." An old friend, the most cherished one of all. A special time in my life... in our life, because we were one entity. How we were together, how we laughed at ourselves, how we cried to each other. The long talks, the endless nights, the silly fights, and all the giggles. We never ran out of things to talk about but mostly we were perfectly happy sitting together for hours in silence. As difficult as it is to find someone to talk to, it is even harder to find someone to be quiet with. He knew me better than I knew myself, one look was all it took. What need is there for words when you can convey everything with your eyes? What we had wasn't just happiness, it was pure contentment. Wanting nothing more than what we had in that exact moment. He made me believe in soulmates...because he's mine.



Soundtrack 2 My Life - Kid Cudi

"I've got some issues that nobody can see
And all of these emotions are pouring outta me
I bring them to the light for you
It's only right" 


We all have issues. As much as we may pretend to be, no one's perfect. We've all seen pain. The least we can do for the ones who love us is let them in once a while. Easier said than done because it takes a mountain of trust. But truth is still and always will be the greatest gift we can give.