Arian

Post-exam Euphoria but..

A quick update:

My exams ended on Wednesday.

As luck would have it, my computer has been down since my exams finished, forcing me to face up to the realisation that I am shamefully dependent it.

I attended the wedding of a girl younger than me and wondered why the hell she was binding herself at such a young age and vowing that I would not ever do so. I wore a saree yet again but didn't have the time to breathe let alone take pictures, so please don't ask me for any.

I also had the misfortune to watch Bunty Aur Babli - for those of you who have not watched it, please don't bother wasting 3 hours watching it. It really is such a load of crap! The only good thing about it is the VERY handsome Abhishek Bachchan :-) and even then, I would recommend just looking at a picture of him for three hours rather than watching B & B.

I'm still catching up with friends and sleep as well as getting used to a computer-free existence. But I'll be back...

Before I go, Vatsa kindly sent me an e-mail that compresses all the thoughts that I have been having for the past few months into a reader-friendly poem. I'll be passing this jewel on to my younger female cousins and friends!!

This is the fairy tale we should have been reading as little girls..

Once upon a time,
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in a land far away,
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a beautiful, independent,
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self-assured princess
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happened upon a frog as she sat,
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contemplating ecological issues
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on the shores of an unpolluted pond
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in a verdant meadow near her castle.
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The frog hopped into the princess' lap
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and said: Elegant Lady,
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I was once a handsome prince,
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until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.
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One kiss from you, however,
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and I will turn back
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into the dapper, young prince that I am
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and then, my sweet, we can marry
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and set up housekeeping in your castle
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with my mother,
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where you can prepare my meals,
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clean my clothes, bear my children,
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and forever
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feel grateful and happy doing so.
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That night,
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as the princess dined sumptuously
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on lightly sautéed frog legs
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seasoned in a white wine
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and onion cream sauce,
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she chuckled and thought to herself:

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I don't fucking think so!!!

Gender Equality?! Think Again!

GENEVA: But for participation in politics, India ranks virtually at the bottom of a study of 58 nations to measure the gender gap based on five critical parameters set by the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

Only five countries - Korea, Jordan, Pakistan Turkey and Egypt - rank lower than India's 53rd position in the Davos-based World Economic Forum's index, titled "Women's Empowerment: Measuring the Global Gender Gap."

Bangladesh, the only other South Asian country featured in the list, is ranked several rungs higher at 39, just below Japan at 38 and Malaysia at 40, says the index released here Monday.

"Large populous nations such as India, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt hold some of the lowest positions in the rankings. Their rankings reflect large disparities between men and women on all five areas of the index," the forum said.

The five areas are: economic participation in terms of remuneration, economic opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment in decision-making and health and well-being, particularly access to reproductive healthcare.

"The sole exception is India's good score in the area of political empowerment (24), a development that may be taken as a good omen for the future," the forum added.

India is ranked 54 in economic participation, 35 in economic remuneration, 57 in education and 34 in health and well-being.

The Nordic countries hold the top five positions in the rankings, with Sweden leading the way.

"The experience of the Nordic countries provides a useful benchmark for comparison purposes - an excellent example of the fact that concerted efforts over time will yield lasting results," the study says.

Among other countries in the index, Britain ranks eighth, the US 17, China 33, Malaysia 40, and Thailand 44.

Soulmates' Handbook

The Soulmates' Handbook says that some will find their soulmate straight away, some will end up with someone else's soulmate before they find their own (as Lucidly Awake rightly stated) and some will keep looking for eternity. Let me know how it turns out for you guys!!

Classic Definition of Soulmate

The concepts of soulmates arose from Greek mythology. According to the story, our ancestors once had 2 heads, 4 arms. They did something to offend a god so that god punished them by splitting them down the middle, resulting in the creation of humans. As a punishment, we are condemned to spend our lives searching for the other half, our soulmates.

Profound..and maybe a bit of crap

I am temporarily a social recluse. But I will be back in around 2 weeks. Watch this space..

Did you know that those who appear to be very strong in heart, are really weak and most susceptible?

Did you know that those who spend their time protecting others are the ones that really need someone to protect them?

Did you know that the three most difficult things to say are:
I love you, Sorry and help me

Did you know that those who dress in red are more confident in themselves?

Did you know that those who dress in yellow are those that enjoy their beauty?

Did you know that those who dress in black, are those who want to be unnoticed and need your help and understanding?

Did you know that when you help someone, the help is returned in two folds?

Did you know that it's easier to say what you feel in writing than saying it to someone in the face? But did you know that it has more value when you say it to their face?

Did you know that if you ask for something in faith, your wishes are granted?

Did you know that you can make your dreams come true, like falling in love, becoming rich, staying healthy, if you ask for it in true faith, and if you really knew, you'd be surprised by what you could do.