Back in Hyderabad

Today is Deepavali, especially in India but also across the globe, a very anticipated Hindu holiday celebrated as the "Festival of Light," where the 'lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.' Though traditionally a holiday for Hindus, the country as a whole seems to join in the festivities for the pure enjoyment of firecrackers! Tonight the entire sky will be filled with color as families and friends gather to spend exorbitant amounts of money on shooting off 'crackers'. During this holiday last year I sincerely wondered the significance of eating 'crackers' for Deepavali, until I realized they were indeed 'firecrackers,' not salty snacks :) So I'll treat today as my July 4th for the year and enjoy the display from the rooftop.


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What an experience I had last last Thursday! I enjoyed an evening at a European-style coffee shop, sipping a vanilla milkshake, sitting next to two Indian men, a Nigerian, a girl from Washington State, and another girl from Hong Kong, discussing life in Italian with a student from Torino Italy!

Thought for the day: Challenge yourself interpersonally. Seek out friendship with someone new, who holds dissimilar perspective, looks, and/or ethnicity to you, and find out what life lessons they have to share with you. You'll be shocked.



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Love sought me out

I winked and turned away,
claiming I had much more important
earthly
goals to attend...
exercise
a new book
holding my tongue
arriving on time...
so Love waited.

Love sought me out

I laughed lightly
and went for coffee
eying the server who cleaned my table
and talking sweet nothings to my journal
while Love waited.

Love sought me out

I smiled dimly
and quickly exited and was soon
sending a
text
to the best friend who moved away
checking my Facebook account for a new friend
I've yet to meet
and registering for a conference
that would teach me communication skills
in a hall of people I'd sit by for two hours but never
see or speak to again...

Love doesn't push away,
get distracted,
give excuses,
run in the opposite direction.

Love seeks you out. Always.