Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Attraction of Pearls

It was in the wee hours of the morning at three o' clock when the door bell and the mobile rang simultaneously. I was right...my friends were there to fetch me for our conference tour to Hyderabad
My visit to Hyderabad unexpectedly turned out to be more than attending an Academic Conference.
The Char Minar
Busy Charminar
After our Indigo landed the once rich princely state at nine a.m., we were soon heading for Taj Krishna, the venue in the cab. 
Despite lack of sleep, our enthusiasm knew no bounds.
Spacious and sophisticated, known for luxurious style and comfort, Taj Krishna, a five star hotel was accommodating New Zealand and Indian cricket teams those days. 
We all were especially interested in meeting the living legend, Sachin Tendulkar. Two of our friends were on the same floor where the teams were staying. And lo, Sachin's room was just diagonally opposite to their room while Sehwag's was in front of them.
Curiosity took us to visit their corridors many times a day, knowing that our giggles were not allowed and closed circuit cameras were watching us...At last our friends succeeded in getting autographs of these Indian celebrities for their kids. Yeah...it was a life time experience for most of us!
Within few hours in this exotic city, I came to know many things about pearls. 
There are two types of pearls-cultured and natural. The difference between the natural pearl and the cultured pearl lies essentially in the formation of the bead nucleus. Natural pearl is formed in an oyster when an irritant causes it to secrete a liquid which hardens over a period where as cultured pearl is formed when an irritant is artificially injected into the oysters to induce the secretion over a bead. The pearl formation depends on the shape of the bead. Natural oyster pearls are rare these days. Most of the natural pearls brought to Hyderabad are fresh water pearls. Cultured fresh water pearls are produced from mussels. While one single oyster pearl is cultivated in one oyster, one mussel can have as many as 50 pearls and they can be harvested quickly. Hence they are cheaper than oyster pearls.
We visited few famous pearl shops and couldn't resist the temptation of buying pearl sets for ourselves and our dear ones back home.
This pearl string costs four lac Indian rupees at the Krishna Pearls.
It was my first ever experience outside without kids and hubby and I really missed them...still it was no doubt an enjoyable four days' journey. 
A mall at Hyderabad
City Mall, a view

City Mall

'Rebecca's statue', Salarjung Museum

Children's section showing an army at 'Salarjung Museum'

Golconda Fort, a sunny day

Conference Hall 'Taj Krishna'

Hoping to share more of Hyderabad  trip with you,
Good Night...








Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Debate



I was a known introvert person, so when my name was called among those who had to participate in debate, it was surprising for everyone and myself.
Still I had to prepare and when the final day arrived ...I forgot everything :(
No need to say, I felt bad indeed.
A year later when transferred to another city and new school, I went to the organizer and volunteered to participate in Debate.
I still remember the topic given was: "For proper development of student 'mind' is more important or 'heart'?".
I prepared it with my heart and soul and spoke against 'heart' winning first prize.
Surprised na?
Actually I practiced a lot...I mean day-night,...on the terrace,..in the garden,...in school bus,...wherever I went,...whatever I did, I spoke to imaginary spectators and improved each time.
I learnt, persistence is the key to anything...failures are no failures till you accept them.
My present colleagues know I am a good debater.
Don't you think despite favoring brain in the debate, it was my heart who led me to success in this area.
Keep trying!
I want to share something with you, hoping you'll like it as well...http://www.thepraveen.com/heart-vs-mind/

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Dusting

Nobody likes dust on the table...still it appears like an unwanted guest whether one likes it or not.
Every morning I take a duster in my hands and start my day by removing dust from each and every piece of furniture.
By noon, I see it there again teasing my previous efforts.
This time, I am  with a soft brush ready to get rid off it.
As if this is not enough...
In the evening, when I lay down on the couch after spending a tiring day, I witness cobweb in a corner of the room.
I rest not till it is swept away from its place. 
Vacuum cleaner is too heavy to be used every time.
And I've few friends who say they are not fond of dusting.
I wonder if I'm  sane or in way of 'Obsessive Compulsive Disorder'?
I can be seen searching for ways of avoiding dust on the internet.
I found a  tip one day: wear old socks on your hands and move them on places where you want to remove dust.
Isn't it interesting?
Surprisingly, it works.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sing-sing-sing

Summer vacations with power cut off led to terrible nights. We cousins used to gather on terrace for 'Antakshari' as pass-time till lights returned.
Whenever someone asked me to sing, I wished I could do this job better.
I was not trained in music but I thought my voice was acceptable for humming alone in the bathroom.
Though I knew a few old melodies and bhajans from old hindi movies which came handy at that time, this was not always the case...
Once in my school days I prepared a song from film 'Madhumati' for a singing competition.
I wrote the lyrics on a paper and learned it.
When I reached on stage I was dumb struck and couldn't remember a word.
I fumbled for that piece of paper, but had dropped it somewhere.
Stage fright caught hold of me.
I simply gave up and at last came down without performing.
Poor show or No show...the first and the last one till now!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

PET Scan for osteosarcoma

Aditi complained having pain in her right arm consistently since last two weeks. 
On further interrogation she told that she had fight with  her classmate and was pushed hard by her. Investigations like X-ray, ultrasound and MRI revealed osteosarcoma in a lively twelve year old girl. 
Yesterday she had PET Scan done.
Osteosarcoma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the bone. 
It is the most common type of bone cancer. 
Osteosarcoma most often occurs in adolescents and young adults.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is an advanced diagnostic imaging technique that is used for diagnosis, staging and restaging after treatment or recurrence of various cancers. 
This technique exploits the increased metabolism of glucose in malignant viable cells. 
2-[fluorine18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) which is an analogue of glucose detects the difference in glucose metabolism. 
Like glucose, FDG is transported into tumor cells, by means of glucose transporter protein and subsequently it is phosphorylated by an enzyme hexokinase to FDG-6-phosphate. 
As FDG-6-phosphate is not a substrate for glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (the next step in glycolysis), it is biochemically trapped within the cell. 
This process of metabolic trapping in cell constitutes the basis for imaging of distribution of tracer with PET. Since there is many fold increase in glucose metabolism in malignant tumors as compared to normal, it is easy to detect this difference in metabolism using PET. 
Therefore PET has high sensitivity and high negative predictive value as compared to conventional morphological modalities like computed tomography (CT), Ultrasonography (USG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which use size as the only or major criterion to distinguish between benign and malignant disease in lymph nodes.
In osteosarcoma, degree of FDG uptake in tumour has good correlation with histological grading or tumour aggressiveness.
osteosarcoma of humerus
PET Scan

Her reports show that tumor is in initial stage, no metastasis. It's good news, osteosarcoma is curable with 75% survival rate with limb preservation modality.
Let's hope and pray for the best!


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Come to My Small World...

Come to  My Small World...
My mummy keeps on mentioning me as 'Kukkoo' in her posts. By now, you are quite familiar with me and my activities. 
Today, let me introduce myself to you. 
My actual name is Karthik.
I was born on 19th December 2009.
It was a  bright sunny winter day.
Arvind Bhaiya had gone to school that day.
Papa brought him straight to hospital after school to me.
He was very happy to see me.
I knew we will have good time together.
I was so small then...
I felt very cozy when I was swaddled, and slept most of the day.
I have very SWEET dreams ...
I enjoy being naughty with Papa. 
  
I am Mamma's small buddy. 
Let's play 'peekaboo'.Bye-Bye, will be back soon...













Monday, November 8, 2010

Children's Library

Some people never change their ways, no matter how many hardships they have to go through. 'Uttaran' serial's 'Tapasya' (Colors TV) is such character. Certain relationships  are predefined, and deep rooted hatred can never be thrown off till root cause exists. 
  As I mused on happenings in life of this particular person while ironing last piece of laundry, hubby called me  to have a look downstairs what our kids were up to. 
Before I reached there, I could hear Arvind's voice. Both of us peeped inside and saw him reading a story to Kukkoo from Enid Blyton's Noddy series. The younger one also seemed to understand what his dada (elder brother) narrated to him affirming by babbling sounds. They were enjoying each others company. 
When Arvind was an infant I used to read stories to him, now he has taken over my role. Children are capable of performing much more than what we think, its up to us to give them favorable environment to bloom up their hidden talent.
Happy Parenting!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

De-stressing after Diwali

A Face-book friend from America informed that on Wednesday, President Obama observed the auspicious holiday of Diwali, or festival of lights, in the East Room of the White House. The occasion marked the first time that an American President has observed the holiday. It is nice, pleasing and appropriate gesture towards Indians when President is on his visit to India.
Today, our Sunday morning was brightened up by watching enthusiastic participation of the First Lady Michelle and the President in 'Koli Dance' with students of Holy Name School during Diwali celebrations in Mumbai.
 Diwali celebrations are over and Monday will be resumption of official duties and children back to school.
I searched for some De-stressing tips and found a few worth mentioning here...
  • Watching TV may temporarily entertain but in the long run activities like joining gymn/yoga class and a picnic with friends is more satisfying.
  • Scent of an orange makes one feel instantly relaxed.  A study has confirmed that the citrus fruit contains 'linalool', a compound whose odor has been shown to lower stress levels in animals. Linalool gradually breaks down when in contact with oxygen, forming an oxidized by-product that may cause allergic reactions such as eczema in susceptible individuals. Then why not enjoy fresh seasonal oranges?
  • Nutrients are absorbed into system faster via a beverage that's cold versus one at room temperature. So next time blend your fruit juice with crushed ice.
  •  Being super enthusiastic about others achievement spreads positive energy to yourself. Encourage your friends to speak up their minds.
  • Grab a protein and carbohydrate (complex one) rich snack...dark chocolate works wonder when your mood dips.
  • Surround yourself with colorful flowers. Buy them if you don't get them for yourself. Love yourself before expecting from others.
  • Nuts like almonds, pistachos, walnuts contain arginine which stimulates blood flow increasing supply of nutrients to various organs and serotonin which improves mood. Keep handful of them with you wherever you go.
  • Let your ipod play motivational tunes for you to keep your spirits high during a tedious task.
  • Take a round of near by park and feel the freshness of air.
  • Spices like cinnamon maintains blood sugar, cumin raises iron level, coriander elevates magnesium during stress. 
  • A charity goes long way...try it.
  • Opt for green tea during afternoons which contains threonine to increase concentration while caffiene is rejuvenating for brain.
  • Breathing deeply keeps you calm. Giggling for no reason will make you feel happy.
  • Enjoy outdoors on a bright sunny day for a vitamin D dose, just ensure you are sun screened.
  • Massaging ear lobe increases energy levels. Try it.
Reaching out for unreachable
 Wishing everyone work less, play more, feel great for happy days ahead!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Diwali Moments captured...

Friend Lord Ganesha, the first worshiped
Lord Krishna
Array of Diyas
Welcoming 'Lakshmi', the Goddess of Wealth
Diwali Poojan (1)
Diwali Poojan (2)
Diwali Poojan (3)
Diwali 2010

Thursday, November 4, 2010

'Happy Diwali, Safe Diwali'

She was on her rounds in the ophthalmic ward, and wondering why people play with crackers, or why do they exist? It may sound absurd but she was right in her own way.
Diwali was still to come and she had already done her sixth enucleation operation this week and most of them were on children 6 to 10 years old.
One of them was a teenager who was simply watching others play with crackers when a part of small bomb entered his right eye and there was no other option but eye removal.
Let us take pledge to make this Diwali safe for everyone.
No crackers please, and avoid electricity power overload by enjoying with decorations and diyas.
Making this Diwali full of sweet memories...
Happy Diwali!

Diwali preparations...

It has been more than a week now since I last posted on 'My World'. 
Every time I planned to post, some other important work overpowered the brain. 
It became really very hectic with a never ending list of tasks to be performed with in limited time along with departmental duties and routine household chores. 
After all 'Diwali' is once a year festival for us when maximum shopping is to be done. 
Yesterday was 'Dhan-Teras' when markets had no free space to move. 
Shopkeepers were busy making profits, while customers seemed unaffected by soaring prices. 
They were actively  buying sweets, dry fruits, steel utensils, silver-gold coins and ornaments, gifts for their near and dear ones .
To summarize, Diwali is best time to show off your buying power.
For me this festival brings reason to get rid off unnecessary clutter and be more organized. 
Though hubby avoids busy crowded places, after slight persuasion he agreed to accompany me to buy metal shelf for kitchen. 
Real work began after it took its place. 
Emptying, washing, drying, re-filling of containers followed in succession and at last the result was wonderful.
It would have been very tiring had I not taken frequent breaks to complete the job on my own. 
Of course, hubby indirectly helped me by taking care of kids in the mean time.
Hoping to share many more Diwali events...
Happy Diwali!