Aches and pains

Apart from searching articles related to medical research, there are daily blog posts, entrecard drops, link referral, social networks,... innumerable sites, and innumerable tasks to perform....it's overwhelming and difficult to handle all in a day.

At the end of the day its not surprising to have back ache, shoulder pain, wrist pain, blurred vision,  and  in days to come suffer from problems related to circulation, respiration, digestion, bone (osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome) etc. etc., the list goes on...

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) due to prolonged periods in poor position alters posture gradually until one begins to suffer all the time. 

Ergonomic furniture and accessories do play a role in maintaining correct posture, relieving stress on muscles and joints, thereby avoiding more energy expenditure. American Chiropractic Association promoted May as 'Correct Posture Month'.

Certain precautions are needed while working on computer:

• For proper circulation in lower limbs, there should be two inches gap between seat edge and back of knees.
• Knees should be at 90 degrees angle with angled foot rest.
• Avoid bending of neck either forwards or backwards, by keeping top of screen at eye level.
• Keep mouse near to avoid shoulder and neck strain. Wrist rest helps in keeping it in neutral position.
• Frequent, short breaks to stretch your arms, hands, shoulders and neck .
• Headset or speakerphone to talk on phone and type on computer simultaneously, avoid cradling telephone between ear and shoulder.
• Elbows should be bent at 75 to 90 degrees while typing on the keyboard.

Fruits like pear, strawberries, green vegetables like spinach, carrots provide enough anti-oxidants and fish has poly unsaturated fatty acids to strengthen nerves of eyes. 

There is a free simple reminder tool for prompting regular breaks and helps symptoms of  RSI.

Physical activity goes a long way in avoiding obesity due to sitting jobs. Keep a check on your biochemical (blood lipid, blood sugar) profile. 

Best of Health with Computers!

Entrecard Contest

Five days ago I received an e-mail from Entrecard for writing a review mentioning pros and cons about it. 

Well, its almost a month now when I'm actively dropping (though not 300 per day everytime!), and I feel a remarkable difference in the traffic (graph proves).

Moreover, I have acquainted with very friendly people during this short time span. 

I read Jamie's post (http://www.crimsonsparkle.net/notebook/) who drops 600 cards in an hour. It is really inspiring for me at least who feels tired and often loses the aim. 

Its really fun hopping different sites, sometimes your attention is diverted towards something very catchy. I hope I'll try to get some very quick methods to drop other than those available on certain sites. More  practice will evolve more routes  (I think so!).

At last, we should all support Janie in her struggle with the stalker/harasser (Bravo Janie!). Sick people should be treated accordingly. 

Cheers!

My Hut

It was a sight worth watching. Kukkoo was admiring his elder brother's colorful drawing, trying to grab it saying "da-da-da-da". 
Suddenly my thoughts were roaming around  those days when life seemed so simple; days were bright and beautiful, nights were meant for grandma's stories followed by dreamless ten hour' sleep. 
During my childhood days when someone asked me about my favorite subject, 'drawing' was an instant, unthoughtful reply from my side. 
The passion was sometimes in its most exaggerated form which made me forget everything else around me...I used to turn deaf to innumerable calls for the meals...The more engrossed I was in sketching a beautiful scene, the more reason I gave my parents to worry about my casual attitude towards the rest of  subjects. 

As I grew older, my interest got limited to participating in painting contests without much practice, moreover each higher class imposed more responsibility to finish the syllabus.

I still have a clear memory of the first scenery I drew in the kindergarten. There was a hut with smoke coming out of a chimney, trees, flowers, green grass, flying birds , ducks swimming in a small pond, a girl with two braided tails tied with  red ribbons  holding basket full of different colorful flowers...and I simply adored the finished product..

Saturdays were colorful as we were allowed to wear our casual dresses and no compulsion to wear school uniform. It symbolized our share of small freedom. We had 'crafts' period that day. My first school was Carmel Convent High School, Mahanagar, Lucknow. We were given a yellow colored square cloth to fold the edges with the 'running stitch'. It was my first introduction to the 'sewing world'.

During summer vacations, when siblings and mother used to visit "Nani's" (maternal grand mother's) house, she taught me many more stitches. Those were the best days of my life. There comes a nostalgic element with them. There is still a hidden passion for creativity but now times are different...I start a project with full zeal but it takes years to complete.
I'll share some of my unfinished projects with you all in the days to come, may be I'll get enough motivation to complete them some day!
Good Night and Sweet Dreams from this part of the Globe!

'Hindi', our mother tongue

Today was Parent Teachers' Meeting of my son at 2 p.m., who studies in the third standard. When myself and hubby reached the school building, there were already many vehicles at the parking, leaving less options for  those who were left. 

After signing the arrival report we went to the basement where all his subject teachers were supposed to be. 

It was a huge hall where teachers were seated at certain distances along with few seats for parents to sit. Many of the parents had to stand waiting for their turn. 

The first term's reports were being given to the parents after showing their ward's performance in different tests. There was a change though, as this time the students were awarded grades instead of marks. 

Most of the parents were mothers, some of them very much bothered about their children's marks. 

This time, as expected Arvind had achieved A+ in all subjects except Hindi, in which he had B+. 

Our own mother tongue is becoming very difficult for our children to learn. 

They can learn English, EVS (Environmental Sciences), GK (General Knowledge), can have fun with IT (Information Technology i.e.Computers) and Maths, but when it comes to Hindi, it becomes a nightmare. To put proper 'matras' (मात्राएँ), use proper alphabet (स्वर एवं व्यंजन) and moreover, writing properly the language (व्याकरण) requires a lot of practice. I just could not stand what he wrote in paper...for example he wrote संगया  for the word संज्ञा .

Where comes the role of the teacher, when I was cursing myself for not paying more attention to Hindi.

Next time hoping for the better...

Happy Parenting!

        

  

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Syndrome)

Almost an hour had passed and it seemed an endless process to lie below a huge MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine with thirty-six weeks’ baby fetus to share my suffering. While I waited for the report in the lounge, my thoughts took me in a flash back mode.

I still have a vivid memory of what happened that day. I was nine years old then and was preparing for my forthcoming exams when suddenly, lights went off making everything dark. I rushed to follow my mother, but stumbled upon a blunt object and fell down. The other moment, my whole world had changed. The years followed multiple plasters, numerous physiotherapy sessions as part of management of my right elbow dislocation.

At present, the MRI report revealed nearly three decades’ history of an old fracture of medial epicondyle with displacement which had led to compression of ulnar nerve against it with altered signal and increased bulk of the nerve. In medical terminology, I had an 'ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome'.

It began with numbness in my little finger with pain which progressed with time. Initially, the numbness was transient and usually occurred in the middle of the night or in the morning. With time, there was persistent numbness along with weakness of the hand. In fact, I was at the verge of development of 'ulnar claw hand'.

My family got worried as the condition was affecting my routine activities; like, I was unable to write with a pen or hold a spoon properly.

According to doctors I needed surgery, but the decision was tricky as the procedure required general anesthesia which could be harmful for the growing baby. I prayed to the Almighty in such vacillating state of affairs.

At last another surgeon was consulted who advised surgery under regional anesthesia. The nerve was decompressed and transferred anteriorly under 'supra-clavicular block'. I was conscious throughout the procedure but felt no pain. The surgical procedure took around three hours. The prognosis in such (nerve surgery) cases is very slow, as nerve regenerates with a velocity of 1 mm per day (i.e. 1 inch per month approximately).

Nine months have elapsed since then and my little finger has resumed back sensations, it is no more numb. I can type with my original speed, write without any flicker, and power of the hand is 80% of normal and I’m driving the vehicle since last two months.

A six inch scar mark on the medial side of elbow is a rememberance of past.

'Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.' Ambrose Redmoon

Don't come to this land, my doll...

Let me live, Mama

Despite Chief Minister of Haryana Chaudhary Bhupinder Singh Ji Hooda wrote letter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to stop telecast of the daily soap  "Na Aana Iss Des Laado", the serial continues to go on air (Colors TV). 

It deals with issues of female infanticide and problems faced by women in male dominated world. 

Moreover, it points out clearly that a woman is the cause of troubles for a woman.

A lady who is mother of sons has full right to cruelly exploit her daughter-in-laws, while a woman has no right to give birth to a girl child. The poor thing will be killed in the womb of her mother itself!

Currently in the serial, Sia (the daughter in law) is pregnant and Ammaji ( the mother-in-law) comes to know that Sia is going to give birth to a girl child. According to the age old custom in Veerpur no girl child is allowed to born.

Now, coming to reality...Tuesday's newspaper headlines said "Jatland may be basking in the golden glow of women medal winners at the Commonwealth Games but the average Haryanvi continues to disfavour the girl child, posting the worst gender skew in five years."

Read more: Golden girls at CWG, but Jatland holds on to its boys - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Golden-girls-at-CWG-but-Jatland-holds-on-to-its-boys/articleshow/6771676.cms#ixzz12yVbVyoN

These are mere data which hardly have an impact on the minds of an average Indian, be they literate or have never seen a school. 

Haryana's sex ratio is skewed because people living here have enough money to get ultrasounds done teasing the PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Test) Act imposed by the Government, and they are proud of it!

In other states of India, people have to struggle for a decent livelihood (?)

Haryanavis are rich (estate owners) so don't bother going ahead with what is to be done.

As far as my experience is concerned, I lost a good friendship, just because I'm a mother of two sons and she is a mother of a daughter, and has undergone three abortions so that she could give a brother to her daughter. The other one is abandoned by her husband and mother-in-law, as she gave birth to second girl child and was unwilling to give birth to a third child (should be a male in all probabilities)! These women hold best professions, belong to so called higher middle class strata, still the mentality...God bless them!

And the same people will handle the projects "Save the Girl Child"?????

I had enough of arguments with those around me on this and other topics.... 
Now at last, may be I've found this as a platform to let my voice heard... 

I want to be born

Golden stairs

I am climbing stairs...with fast pace... then faster and then even more, and it is amazing to note that the stairs are changing their form...first, for a short distance they are made up of bricks,.... then they are of marble,....oh now I see golden stairs.....Unbelievable!

I am ascending with out any rest or break...

Suddenly there is a  phone ringing in the background which wakes me unexpectedly in the middle of such a sweet dream!

I still wonder where I was heading towards on those unbelievable stairs?

Lately I have been thinking about a blogger's life...As a matter of fact, my days have revolutionized. Earlier my life revolved around kids, home and duty...now something more is added as an integral part of each day, and that is 'my blog'!

Its an endless process of preparing drafts for the post, proof-reading them (I may do a mistake or two!), publishing them and then finally, sharing them on social networking sites like 'face book', 'twitter', 'my space', 'stumble upon', 'digg' and others.

Then one day I opted for 'entrecard' after reading about it in one of the blogs on increasing traffic to the site. I didn't do much with it till a day came when I casually visited a Sci-Tech Blog and shouted (wrote) my message in the chat box, "A new blogger from India". 

And to my surprise, I got message from the same blogger who advised me about 'Link Referral'.

Since that day, my blogging experience has been different...many more blog-mates have visited my site, given their reviews on 'My World'.

Till then, I was blogging alone, and there were a bunch of face-book friends to encourage and appreciate my work.

Now, I visit hundreds of sites in a day and there is a feeling of togetherness. It is a different world where people are working really hard to achieve their own recognition along with helping others, with a solo mission, a better page rank for their respective sites.

In a few weeks time, I have learnt many things related to this work, which I had never thought about before.

It is too much time consuming though, but an enjoyable and rewarding experience...

Now, there is a hunch feeling regarding that dream...can you guess? I shall better consult one of the dream interpretation sites :)

Till then,

Happy Blogging!

 

Just a look...

Oye, Hoye...I don't know what I've done...its simply amazing...Just have a look!

I simply cannot wait to share this with everyone around there...

A land of dreams...no worries...no hurries...

These cute li'l elephants dancing together...

I wish to be a child again...

No, no...let me correct myself...I wish to provide such colorful dreams to those cute little kids out there...

See these pink naughty elephants have brighten up 'My World'. 

And Kukkoo is so happy to see them, he's making new babbling sounds at them which he never made before...

And one more thing,, he has started saying 'Ta-Ta' along with waving hands whenever I leave him for the day care center.

It's a good exposure for him out there, his participation is noticed by everyone...

My next post will follow soon...until then, Good Bye!

Caning not allowed

Last week was eventful both for me and the countrymen...

When the much awaited Common Wealth Games' magnificent opening show was making Indians say 'Jai Ho', Pakistani actors in the Big Boss show were causing sizzles in MNS and Shiv Sena front.

Rajni's costliest 'Robot' about the man, machine and love has made its presence felt both at the national and the international market and has surpassed other movies in bringing back monetary benefits.

Yeah...don't tell me, I seem like reviewing the headlines of the previous few days...I'm no news person, infact I lag much behind  in such matters...

Then there was news about the La Martiniere, Kolkata where the principal of the school was accused of using corporal punishment on a student. This matter has not yet been sorted out and as such there is no verdict yet. Sunirmal Chakravarti, the principal of La Martiniere for Boys, was arrested on October 04, 2010 by Kolkata Police on charges of assaulting of his student, Rouvanjit Rawla, a 13-year old class VIII student. Rawla had killed himself on February 12 2010, after being caned by the principal inside the school campus.

It's really unfortunate for such a thing to happen in one of the best rated schools of India. The schools offers an English-medium, all-round education from Nursery up to the Higher Secondary level. They are affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi, which conducts the ICSE and ISC Examinations at the close of Classes X and XII. The school motto is Labore et Constantia (by Labour and Constancy).

Such a description of school reminds me of my school days. I still remember the pin drop silence used to prevail in the campus when the Principal was on rounds. As my schooling was in different schools, mostly run by missionaries, we used to have 'Fathers' and 'Sisters'. Sometimes we used to hear about a notorious student being scolded or warned or may be caned for an ill deed for the sake of the maintenance of discipline of the school. As far as my memory tells me no one dared to take such step. 

I have a vivid memory of  being caned  once and sole time in my life when I was in VII standard. She was an English teacher, a 'Sister' who caned on both my palms with a straight ruler for not memorizing a ten page poem 'The Train'. I hated the poem for years and still remember the bruises on my hands. Was it so necessary to mug up that poem? I understood the meaning, the summary, was it not sufficient? I still not understand why our education system rewards 'muggers'? 

Then in our times, in medical college, during the first year we went through 'ragging' which was permissible by the faculty again for teaching respect for the seniors. How much respect it brought I have no idea, but lots of terror at the sight of a senior...yes indeed it did. There were certain incidences of suicides then in the news due to ragging in professional colleges...

Its a big relief now for both parents and students that ragging is banned by the Supreme Court of India otherwise many students used to run off  at the beginning of their promising careers...Still behind the curtains it exists and flourishes in milder form.

This debate is unending...but at heart of hearts we all want our kids to be happy, cheerful and enjoy life. Let no pressure cause stress in their minds, and creativity flow to make them realize their own unbeaten path. Let Love prevail, it will find the solutions...

Bling-bling in the air

Admirers are admirers, and one never knows what takes one to admire something in the other.

I never knew I admired a person till one day she entered the department without her usual attire...she looked so bland, I couldn't help going to her asking the reason why she didn't wear any jewelry? 
I've met many beautiful women in my life, but she's the one I simply admire...

The way she puts warmth and personal touch in everything she does is remarkable. 
She's the best mom and the best wife, what we can find only in books, and a friend to keep for life (her friend knows!).

 I was simply amused the other day when she casually mentioned children in her neighborhood were secretly planning to celebrate her birthday...her daughter had arranged for a group dance with her friends and was learning piano for the day. 
Even a two year toddler next door was excited for dear aunt's birthday. 
To be so loving for your near and dear ones is a matter of heavenly joy...

I might not have mentioned her about my feelings for her, but I take this opportunity to disclose that 'No matter what may come, please never apart with your enchanting smile, it rejuvenates all of us.'

Happy Belated Birthday Ma'am!

Today's post is devoted to my dear senior colleague...(Guess who's she???)