Renee getting naughtier

Her First Loot

Her rolling over at four months

Her Early Months

Renee's First Month

Renee's First Week

Renee At Six Months

Renee's First Day

Birds At Palo Alto

I was in Palo Alto, CA, USA in October 2007 for work. There are a couple of nice places very close to Palo Alto that are nice to visit on a weekend or on any evening/morning. I had been to the Shoreline Lake which has a beautiful garden surrounding the lake and many birds reside there. Another place I had been to was Palo Alto Baylands (also known as Duck Pond) where you could see birds from real close.

Dandeli

Had been to Dandeli forest in Jan 2007. It was lovely and a paradise for bird lovers. And we had the pleasure of staying in a treehouse in the "Hornbill Resort", an amazing experience.

Photos

Kashmir (April 2010)

Birds At Palo Alto (October 2007)

The Beijing Zoo (June 2007)

Great Wall Of China (June 2007)

BandhavGarh (May 2007)

Dandeli (Jan 2007)

Bandhavgarh

Travel

Pahalgam

The Kavdi Experience

Binsar - The Clouds Beneath

Jilling - A Welcome Beauty

Gujara Jamana

Friendship

In the barren desert,
I wander with thirst,
Where like an oasis
Is your friendship

In the biting chill of winter,
When I shiver with cold,
What gives me warmth
Is your friendship

When I go blind,
In the darkness of my mind,
Like a beam of light
Is your friendship

When my heart has pain,
And eyes have tears,
What gives me comfort
Is your friendship

I've always got good,
At times even best,
And one of the best
Is your friendship

-smita

Walking On A Lonely Street

Dark and lonely standing still
Lit by fluorescent lamps that shine
    Not a single soul on the road
    Its a lonely street at nine

It nurtures on its sides
Some rich and poor's dwelling
    And also fosters a market
    Where some men do the selling

But doors of houses are now shut
Windows covered with blocking drapes
    Market's closed as if it never was
    Nor was the smell of wine and grapes

I pitied the street for its loneliness
And agony in which it was lying
    Girdled by discrete stories around
    Yet it seemed like it was crying

I walk and look at the house by side
Saw through the window a shimmering light
    Was it some kind of party going on
    Or was it someone fighting inside

Was struck by delighting aroma of cafe
Outside a shop which said 'have a sip'
    I craved for a mocha, but no one to serve
    Helplessly, I bit my lip

I chuckled for I was madly wondering
With not a single soul to greet
    I was the one who was lonely
    And I was pitying the elegant street

-smita

Street Show

I saw her on the street, with her face painted,
Doing gymnastics, wearing an attire tainted

Little she was, perhaps just six or seven,
With twinkling eyes of an angel dropped from heaven

I tried to see what her face was painted like
She'd done a black mustache with cheeks red bright

She arched her body back, hands holding feet tight,
And did it with such ease, were there no bones inside?

What was that blank expression on her face?
Why was she missing the childlike grace?

Did she learn at school these skills?
Who must be paying her tuition bills?

She moved to the car in front after the show,
Spread her hands, tilted head and whispered slow

The driver grunted and closed the window pane,
She knocked once before moving to another cab again

What if she gets no alms enough but only a few,
What would happen to her back home I never knew

How could God be so unfair to some,
What bad this little child could have done

From one car to another she was moving,
A penny or none folks were giving

I was restless, looked at signal light,
And found myself holding the steering wheel tight

Why isn't clock ticking, why's the time moving slow,
Oh she's now coming to me! God, oh no...

I turned my face to the other side, pretending not to see
She was there with her painted face, standing near me

Just then the light turned green, gosh! I got my way,
I started the car, changed the gear and I flew away

-- smita

Response to "Street Show"
We all walk on the street with our face painted,
trying to keep the attire clean and hiding the soul that is tainted.

We all grow up with our 'own' dreams in our heart
and learn to see the world as orderly bar chart.

Little do we understand the reality existing outside our AC car
that little hands on other side of window seems like another world afar.
We all express our world with taught emotions in our eyes
emotions that are all cooked up and garnished with the lies
that's why we get shaken for a moment when we see blank frozen cries.

The cries that are all true and imposed by the same word we think perfect,
and we assume for our comfort that was twinkling angel's effect.
While we blame Him for problems in the word,
He sends his angels in disguise to test our souls
trying to remind us of our duties and assigned roles.

We try to shift gears holding steering wheel tight,
He gets his answers and then shows us the green light.
-Manish Hiray

The Park

Near to where I live, is a small park
I've seen it in all seasons, in light and in dark

    I need to pass through it if I need to go anywhere
    And I enjoy the soothing breeze and flowers everywhere

There is a small puddle near the trees of pine
Where I never miss to watch the morning rays shine

    Far away a bird whistles, to me it seems
    "I am a happy man" is what the feeling means

Then one day on my way something happened that was best
I saw a little birdie had come there to build a nest

    Everyday I would see her carry the grass
    She was weaving a home with vigor and class

With her cheerful songs she was spreading around joy
Now I could hardly wait to go to the park everyday.. oh boy

    Suddenly the world had become a lovely place
    I had never been happier, and it showed on my face

Then one day I walked in the park, but the birdie I couldnt see
I ran around the park and the puddle, bewildered.. oh me

    I realized that this had been her seasonal home
    Now she has gone back to where she belonged, to Rome

It pained inside to have her part
But she would be happy there, I knew in my heart

    I stayed there late, sitting sad until dark
    But tomorrow will be bright again, with flowers and breeze in the park...

-- smita

The Poetic Side

Day Dream

Promise

Roadside

The Park

Street Show

Walking On A Lonely Street

Gujra Jamana

Friendship

My little angel

Renee, thats my little angel. Born on 1st June 2008, here are some of her moments captured so far-

Year 1

Her first day
Her first week
Her first month
Renee in her early months
Her first rolling over at four months
Renee at six months
Her first "Loot"
Renee getting naughtier
Her first birthday!

Year 2

Her first steps!
Bald Renee
"Tanha Pola"
Expressions
Renee in her uncle's wedding
Her first road trip - Goa
Loot (2010)
At Dapoli beach
Pre-School
Nine Yard Saree