National geographic magazine subscription

This is a huge deal for national geographic channel/magazine lovers. 12 magazines every month for this whole year for only $15. I ordered mine through mail last month, still waiting for the first issue. I am actually checking my mail everyday for the magazine, but read somewhere that the first issue takes around 4 to 6 weeks to arrive. So just have to wait :)

Here's the link to order online.

click here

Meanwhile, enjoy this incredible video which shows that it is not always about surviving!!!

UPDATE: Finally received March's edition on Water. Took a while since they got my address wrong

The present tense existence

On my way back to California after a work trip, I was reading an article in the National geographic magazine, Dec 09 edition, about a very unique tribal group in Tanzania called Hadza. According to the author, these tribes are hunter gatherers; they do not keep livestock, no agriculture, no possessions, no rituals, no ceremonies (weddings, birthdays, religious and funerals), no leader, no warfare, no emotions and no worry! They do not keep track of days and sometimes months.

I perceive them to be self satisfied with their lives. They do not know the outside world; they may have seen some other tribes and would exchange honey etc for some ornaments. Asked if they ever wanted to change their way of living, they know what’s out there, they may become maids or lead an under privileged life. They are happy here, in the forest, with all the freedom.

The best part was in spite of being hunters, they are not supposed to show off their kill, because everybody knows that it is a matter of luck sometimes, that you can hunt or not. I believe that culture does guide one’s behavior and attitude towards life. In Masai culture, even an infant is not supposed to cry. Nobody is allowed to cry.

All the while I was reading, I wonder how these people survive, what is their motivation? May be they are living primitive life and they do not know how could it be different. But we do! They live the present tense existence as the author called it. They live, they die and they move on.

It is sometimes hard and not practical to live at the present. There needs to be a plan to meet our needs in future. A rough plan not a detailed one I have to warn, if it is detailed, we will be caught in a vicious circle that will go on until our last breath. At the same time, we have to relax and get things done every day as steady as possible. No hurry, no panic! We may not have a lot of leisure time like the Hadza's, but we also do not have the risk of dying to gather everyday’s food.

Hadza's are not sentimental, they are neither happy when they make a good hunt nor sad when somebody close to them die. Ignorance is bliss! There is really no need for being emotional. We create a bond with the people we know, we know happiness and hence we know the sadness in departure!

All said above, Hadza's did teach me a lot today! Hopefully I will remember tomorrow!

Trader Joe's frozen meals

If you are looking for easy, quick, almost healthy, inexpensive and ready to eat lunch ideas, this is it! Trader Joe's have good collection of frozen lunch meals. Some of my favorite items include

butter chicken (small portion of basmati rice and chicken),
channa masala,
chicken tikka masala,
spinach lasagna
Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Quiche
etc.,

Very inexpensive and cooking time is less than 15 mins.

http://www.traderjoes.com/static/lists.html

Look for microwave icon..

list of quick meals

http://www.traderjoes.com/attachments/QuickMeal.pdf

Easy tip to drink more water

Water not only helps in maintaing good health, but, it is a great beauty secret. Usually we drink water from a bottle either taking a sip/gulp or two. Instead of that, keep a plastic/foam cup handy and drink a whole cup of water everytime you are thirsty. I know this sounds very simple and obvious but I bet it will improve your intake of water.

My cousin vinny movie review

One of the funniest movies I have ever watched is "My Cousin Vinny". When you watch the movie you will know that a movie need not be a slapstick to be funny. Every actor/actress acted so well that you can't stop smiling while watching the movie. The gist of the movie is two New Yorkers trying to save two yoots (haha!) who are charged for murder in Alabama. The movie is not like a parody of serious court room drama, but is intelligent, interesting and funny.

The leading actress Marisa Tomei has this lovely New York Italian accent and wardrobe with big hair, short dresses and high heels. The southern accent of the Judge with his lazy and serious face and fingers on his cheek while he is listening is very funny.

Every quote is my favorite in this movie, but here are some of them:

Lisa: "My biological clock is ticking"
Lisa: "Now I aks ya, would you give a f*** what kind of pants the SOB who shot you was wearing?
It is so funny how Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei keep saying aks for ask.

Vincent Gambini: "What about this pants i got on, you think they are okay, Oi?"

Judge: Uh, the two hhwhat?

Attorney: Idddentical!

The old lady: "Fry em"

I am not a movie buff but I certainly want to give this movie a 10/10.

Okavango delta

Most part of the Botswana lies in the Kalahari desert. But, it is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. In such an inhospitable environment, flows "the river which never finds the sea", the Okavango river. The water comes from Angola where it receives rainfall every year and overflows into the Okavango delta travelling 1250 km nourishing the flat delta region. The Okavango river has no outlet to sea and flows into the Kalahari desert making the Okavango delta, the world's largest inland delta.

When the river overflows in winter, it attracts thousands of birds and animals at one place. The incredible thing is that the wild life travels miles with their offspring providing us the greatest predator action.

Enjoy this cool video:

Some fun signs

"We irrigate with recycled water" (At a Golf course)

"We proudly state that this rest area is maintained by the people of ---- area with developmental disabilities" (not sure if I read it properly)

"Don't even THINK of parking here"

"Next gas 90miles"

"Sorry"

"Pets and glass not allowed on beach"