A Wardrobe Forever
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 28, 2009
Fashion is fun but it could be. Trends come and go out often. Keeping pace at times get very diffcult. Do not cram your closet with clothes that will not last you, just because it is fashionable to have them. Instead, build a wardrobe with classic pieces that will sail you through every ocassion without being a fashion victim.
Here are a few must haves for that timeless look:
The Little Black Dress: Even when you feel fat and bloated, your little black dress will do the trick for that perfect night out. It will rescue your moment when everything else fails. Its classy, racy and formal enough. Select a dress in a figure-flattering silhouette at knee-length. This piece will never go out of style can be worn almost anywhere. Add a pair of classic black pumps or sling backs and a black leather shoulder bag, even a clutch. These fashion basics can be the foundation of your look year in and year out.
Don’t limit just to black: A gray business suit or a chocolate brown wrap dress and matching pumps are also fantastic choices that will withstand the test of time. A few great day dresses which are easy to wear and versatile for any occasion. One of these should be the indispensable wrap dress – smart, sexy and timeless. A colorful evening dress which makes you feel great are other essentials.
Classic Jewellery: They are ageless and never go out of style. Just wear a string of pearls around the neck and match them with diamond stud earrings to add that sophisticated look.
Jeans: Denim is a must. When shopping for a pair, consider the following: pocket placement, length, wash, fit, leg width, rise. It is best to have at least two pairs – one in a classic dark wash for a dressier attire, and another in a light wash for an everyday look.
Black Slacks & Khakis – A flattering flat front Khaki is best for any casual occasion. Those slim-fitting black slacks are best for a first date that goes from the upscale bistro to that favorite dive bar. Look out for flattering fits.
Classic Tees – Two basic colors of black and white are a must have. Long-sleeved T-shirts or tops in varying weights , one classic- fitted white shirt, crisp and classy. A cashmere sweater and cardigan in a V-neck and round neck. Buy a dozen in every color if you’ve found the tee that looks great on you. You’ll end up wearing them all the time. You’ll feel sexy in them, thus people will see you as that sexy, confident woman that you really are!
Handbags & Shades- Invest in a good handbag that brings out your sophistication and that you are proud of. Even if it means really splurging on one, you must do that. A good designer bag that you’ll pick will be your arm candy for years to come. Of course a few sunglasses in different colors and styles will accentuate your style.
Shoes- A few pair of shoes will make up for every occasion. One pair of wild look-at-me, statement shoes for those times you want to be noticed. A pair of versatile,sophisticated black medium-heeled courts. Comfortable ballet flats in different styles and colors and definitely a pair of walking boots and a pair of statement boots, fashionable and trendy.
This is just a guide. The real trick is to go back to basics because one really cant go wrong with them. Go on to make your own personal style from there on. Add a bohemian necklace if you’re a bohemian chic. Add a sleek silver belt, if you are a classic minimalist. Invest in something with a bit of flair. Timeless style shouldn’t be boring.
The Boy Wonder-Chef -Michael Mina
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 26, 2009
During his growing up years, his mom always overcooked his salmon. Upon chance when he really tasted a real good salmon, he relished, the true taste of freshness, simplicity and flavor of his fish and knew at once that this was what he wanted to do; cook simple, yet creatively exquisite and bold dishes (read sea food) with intense flavor that can enliven a person’s evening.
Chasing his dream, he worked in a small French Restaurant in an important role of a Garde Manger at a young age of 15. He went across the nation to formalize his culinary training. All of 19, he joined the Culinary Institute of America in New York, spending the 17-18 hours of the next 18 months honing his culinary skills in Charlie Palmer’s kitchen in Manhattan at the famous Aureole.
Determination, hard work and the instinct to follow his dreams paid off for Mina as he finally made his move to his dream city San Francisco. Soon he was training kitchen staff and refining the menu as Aqua’s Chef de Cuisine, introducing the concept of seafood that was high standard in food quality and service.
Years have passed since and he is now a partner in the restaurant’s parent company. His diners have trusted his adventurous seafood experiments and returned to find upgraded menu with the multi faceted bounty of the oceans like fresh eel and sea urchins. He turns them into unique and inventive seafood delicacies. Mina is known for his slow poaching method of cooking and the “trio” concept- using one luxurious ingredient (such as jackfish, foie gras, rabbit, pork) prepared three different ways. Each is specially presented on a custom made plate.
Go to Top
Mina in partnership with Andre Agassi has opened concept restaurants across country such as Nobhill and Seablue in Las Vegas and New Jersey and Bourbon Steak and Washington DC, featuring his award winning butter-poached meat and poultry and classic seafood dishes. His flagship restaurant, Michael Mina, was awarded two Michelin stars, one of only four restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
His Success Mantra: Learn as much as you can while cooking from every person that you can get information from. Mix all together, season with your own cooking style and techniques to get a steaming hot and fresh cooking technique.
His style: Keep everything clean, simple and classic. Use exciting flavors, styles and presentations; try a little different something that is bound to tempt taste buds.
His favorite fish on the menu: Black cod or butterfish, a really fatty fish. Do a miso and a saki marinade on it and then broil to get a nice big flaky fish and is served with hot and sour shrimp spring rolls and a green scallion sauce.
For recipes go to: http://www.michaelmina.net/recipes.html
Lama Surya Das – taking ‘U’ towards enlightenment
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 26, 2009
Buddha said:”See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?”
We can hear the echo of these words in all religious books.
• Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. – Matthew 7:120
• “This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.” – Mahabharata 5,1517
• “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.” – 40 Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
And these words are the essence of Lama Surya Das’ teaching.
Lama Surya Das is one of the foremost American Lamas. Born in 1950, Surya Das, is a poet, chant-master, spiritual activist and author of many popular works on Buddhism. Surya Das combines his extensive background and intensive training in Buddhist practices with his remarkable knowledge of other religions, philosophies, and psychology.
Before I move on to the excellent books written by Surya Das let me share with you some of his teachings.
The ‘bow’
Bowing is a yoga-like practice with many different levels of meaning. When we drop what we have been holding onto, which is required in order to put our palms together and bow; we free ourselves of past and future encumbrances, and our hands are more ready either to help or simply to be at rest. A lot of excess baggage falls away, which is a real relief. We get a chance to enjoy inner peace, at least for that moment.
This is a practice of what Mahatma Gandhi called “ahimsa”, which means truth in nonviolence. Bowing makes us vulnerable, humble, simplifies things and helps us arrive more fully and be centered upon the present moment. Whom then can we harm?
Prayer
One thing people can do, even if they don’t believe in God or any religion is pray. Peace prayers, healing prayers, and centering prayers are all a form of meditation.
Anger and its consequence…………………..
Green Saifu
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 25, 2009
Apart from being busy sharing on screen space with M S Dhoni in many advertisements and with co-star Deepika Padukone in much awaited Love- Aaj Kal, Saif Ali Khan is also busy with a very important cause—environment.
Saif is championing the cause of saving the environment with gusto, and has issued an order in his house and office- Illuminati Films, banning the use of plastic. He has sworn to ban plastic from his life forever. What more, he tries every possible way to avoid the use of plastic.
Chote Nawab is so committed towards the cause that he is bent upon starting an eco-initiative where he will organize programs to educate his fans and also participating in every possible, taking up many activities to educate the people about how plastic is choking our planet, a damage that is irreversible.
Charity begins at home, and Saif has already begun educating his staff t office and home. He doesn’t mind taking time out of his hetic schedule and educate people.
Khan is no stranger to charity. In 2005, along with many other Bollywood stars, he helped raised money for Tsunami victims.
We look forward to see his thoughts in action
Akki meets his match in Kane
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 25, 2009
Bollywood’s khiladi No. 1 Akshay Kumar met a bigger khiladi — in size, at least — in his Mumbai home yesterday morning. WWE superstar Kane, an idol of Akki’s son Aarav, visited the actor’s family, and the six-year-old was almost sleepless the night before, overcome with excitement.
Kane turned up in jeans and a white shirt, looking most unlike The Big Red Monster he is in the wrestling arena. Only his size, 323 pounds, and imposing height, 7 feet, set him apart. Akshay wore a long-sleeved T-shirt. “I told him to cover up because he’d never be able to compete with Kane,” said wife Twinkle. Akki later changed into jeans and a white shirt, too, so they would be perfectly matched. Incidentally, they are both 42. Kane was born in April 1967. Akshay was born in September. Plus, they share a liking for Jackie Chan.
While in Delhi, Kane had expressed his admiration for Akshay. “I believe he’s the Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarznegger of India,” he said to HT City. The actor was no less impressed by his guest. Before Kane arrived, his flight delayed, Akki was on the phone, talking about the ‘chokeslam’, Kane’s signature move.
A nice, big breakfast
The star couple prepared a big meal to welcome him — porridge, bacon and sausage, stuffed omelette, aloo parathas (served as “potato pancakes”), mango, litchi and mango shake. Kane, who loves pizza and generally has a protein shake for breakfast, tucked in happily. “He likes protein shakes, I prefer mango shakes,” grinned Akshay. “He has Myopax, I have ma ka parathas.”
The awestruck kids — Aarav and his little cousin, Twinkle’s sister Rinke’s four-year-old daughter — were waiting patiently for their share of Kane’s attention. But when the time came to tackle the man mountain, they took fright.
They ran into the next room when Twinkle told Aarav that Kane would chokeslam him. They were not put off wrestling, though. The sounds coming from the other room convinced their parents that they were recreating a ring inside. A long while later, Akshay’s secretary Zenobia emerged, all ruffled. She admitted to being tortured. Kane was amused. “When my wife’s daughters were young they, too, thought I was neat,” he recalled with a smile. Not so scary, after all.
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H4 VISA HOLDERS-FAQ’s
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 24, 2009
Q1) Can I start a PhD while holding an H4 visa?
I have done my MSc in botany from India, with subjects like zoology and chemistry. At present, I am in the US on H4 visa. I want to do PhD in environmental sciences. Can I pursue education on H4? What is the procedure for admission in any university in Virginia? Also, what will be the estimated cost, or can I try to get some scholarship or fellowship? Ans) Conditions on your stay in the US, as dictated by your H4 status, do allow you to pursue a full-time PhD program in the US provided you convert to the F1 status. Once you are admitted into a PhD program, you should convert your visa status to F1, which would also allow you to work as a research assistant or teaching assistant in your school. For all practical purposes related to admission, you would be treated as an international student. You would apply for admission in the US just as you would anywhere else, say in India. That is, identify the school and the program, obtain the application form, submit the application with required documentation, and wait for an answer.
You can find a list of science colleges in the U.S. You can identify the colleges that best match your performance and needs.
Most US schools on their websites offer information on: academic programs, application forms and admission process, expected costs, and financial aid opportunities. Your prospective school is the primary source of financial assistance. As an international student in graduate studies, you are eligible for research assistantship and teaching assistantship. You may also be eligible for some scholarships offered by the school. You should indicate your desire to be considered for financial aid in your application. Most funding for schools comes through research grants, obtained by professors to pursue specific research projects. You may wish to contact professors who are conducting research in your area of interest to see if they can offer you research assistantship.
The cost of education in the US is high. Depending on the reputation of the school, and whether is private or public, the total cost of tuition and expenses would range anywhere from $15,000 to $45,000. Since you already in the US incurring living expenses, your additional costs would be lower. If you are offered any form of assistantship, your tuition would likely be waived. In such a scenario, you would basically incur expenses for books, supplies, transportation, and fees – a much smaller number indeed.
Ans) You are allowed to study on H4. You cannot work on H4.
If you want to get TA and pursue grad studies you will have to be on Student visa.
Out-of-state question:
It depends on State-to-state Universities.
Some Universities consider you as state resident if you are resident in that state for a year, and some Universities consider you as state resident if you are resident in that state for two years. For proof some Universities will also ask you for submitting a copy of Taxes that you paid in that state.
In-state tuition is definitely less than out-of-state tuition
Q3) I am on an H4, my husband is on a H1B. I am planning to Give my GRE and then do my MS here in the US.
I had a few questions
1. Can I get any kind of Aid while I am in H4 or I have to switch to F1. I would have completed one year in US at the time of applying so I should be eligible for the In State Feed.
2. My Husband has applied for I-485, If I switch to F1 now is it going to hamper the I-485 process and result in some complications
I may hopefully get my EAD card before I begin applying can this help me in getting some Aid
Ans) You can attend school while on H4. However, you cannot get any kind of funding form the the school. To do that you need to switch to F1.
In my case, my lawyer advised me to file H4 for my wife, wait for receipt notice before filing 485. Infact, he was so conservative that he did not allow my wife even to take the medical exam before getting the receipt notice. However, I saw on another lawyer\’s site that one can file for 485 while on F1.
The best thing to do would be to file for 485 only without the EAD. Once you get the 485 receipt notice, go to the local INS office and they would issue you the EAD the same day. The whole process might take 2-3 months but can avoid any potential complications.
Home Mortgage Basics
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 24, 2009
INTRODUCTION:
Although each individual home financing package has its own variety of features, the concept of a mortgage is really quite simple: a mortgage is a loan made to help you finance a home. Your lender advances you a certain amount of money, which you repay over a specified period.
Rates, Points & Loan Fees
The total cost of your mortgage is determined by a number of different factors, most notably the interest rate, discount points, and loan fees. The expenses that contribute to the cost of your loan can be expressed as the annual percentage rate (APR).
Interest Rate refers to the percentage of your outstanding loan balance that you pay the lender each month as part of the cost of borrowing money. Your interest rate will be based on the current overall rate environment, as well as your financial profile and the specific features of your loan.
Discount Points allow you to “buy down” your interest rate at closing. One point equals 1% of your loan amount, and the more points you pay, the lower your interest rate will be, and the less you will have to pay each month. How much your rate will decrease with each discount point you pay will depend on the specific features of your loan.
Loan Fees are up-front charges to cover the cost of originating, processing, and closing your loan, among other things. An origination point is a loan fee that equals 1% of your loan amount.
When considering loan pricing, keep in mind that rates, points and fees should be considered together. The interest rate alone only tells part of the story.
Mortgage payments can generally be divided into four parts: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. These are often referred to with the acronym PITI.
Principal refers to the amount of money you borrow to buy a home, and to the outstanding loan balance at any point during the mortgage term.
Interest is the cost of borrowing money. As noted above, the amount of interest you pay each month is determined by your interest rate.
Taxes assessed by your local government will likely be collected by your lender as part of your monthly payments, and then paid annually or semi-annually on your behalf. This process is known as an escrow.
Insurance, like property taxes, is normally collected by the lender in an escrow account. Insurance offers financial protection, and has two major components:
Homeowner’s insurance, also called hazard insurance, protects you against damage to your property caused by fire, wind, or other hazards.
Mortgage Insurance protects your lender in the event that you fail to repay your mortgage. Whether you must pay mortgage insurance usually depends on the loan program and the size of your down payment.
Note that the loan’s APR doesn’t figure into the calculation of the monthly payment. The APR reflects all the costs of your mortgage, including not only the quoted interest rate (used to calculate the principal and interest) but also required loan fees such as loan points, fees and mortgage insurance.
De Dana Dan – Movie Review
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 23, 2009
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Neha Dhupia, Sameera Reddy, Archana Puran Singh, Rajpal Yadav
Producer: Ganesh Jain, Girish Jain
Director: Priyadarshan
Music Director: Pritam
Nitin (Akshay Kumar) and Ram (Suniel Shetty) are only lucky in love – otherwise their life is a big zero as is their bank balance! But now their rich girlfriends – Anjali (Katrina Kaif) and Manpreet (Sameera Reddy) have given them an ultimatum – earn enough money so that we can elope or forget us forever…
Broke and desperate Nitin and Ram need to make big money and fast. They hit upon an audacious plan – to kidnap Moolchandji – the spoilt dog of rich bitch Archana (Archana Puran Singh). But Moolchandji runs away, and the police think it’s Nitin who’s been kidnapped. As the guys try to get their hands on the ransom money, they encounter assorted characters like a Chinese Don, a hired assassin, an ACB officer, a club dancer, an ambassador, a young frustrated wife, a letch, a drunken waiter and a dead body nobody wants…
what happens next is De Dana Dan... full of so many twists and turns that you’ll turn giddy with laughter!
De Dana Dan – full of masti and madness!!
Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 23, 2009
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shazahn Padamsee, Sharon Prabhakar, Gauhar Khan, Prem Chopra
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Shimit Amin
Music Director: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant
Harpreet Singh Bedi (Ranbir Kapoor) has just graduated, and his marks are, well, let’s say a little embarrassing. But marks never stopped him from dreaming of an exciting and adventurous career, and they never will.
He takes a deep, positive breath and dives into the world of sales, rumoured to be an ultra cool career for all smart people blocked from entering medical, engineering or business schools by brainless entrance exams. It’s everything he dreamt of, with its smooth dressing, smoother talking men and women who can sell ice to an Eskimo, dreams to an insomniac, and a lifetime mobile connection to a dying man. But soon, his idea of success begins clashing with the strange ways of these ‘professionals’ and ‘bosses’ he looked up to.
Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year is the sometimes thoughtless, sometimes thoughtful story of a fresh graduate trying to find a balance between the maddening demands of the ‘professional’ way, and the way of his heart – and stumbling upon a crazy way which turned his world upside down, and his career right side up.
Welcome to the world of sales boss!
Spicy & Savory Mangalorean Cuisine
Posted by: monadarlingblog on: December 22, 2009
Spicy fish delicacies like kane fry (ladyfish), rice-based preparations and a wide variety of fruits are perennial favourites on the Mangalorean menu. Epicures believe that fresh coconut, chillies and the Mangalorean mind together create culinary magic. Mangaloreans love rice in all forms – red grain rice, sannas (idli fluffed with toddy or yeast), pancakes, rice rottis, kori rotti (a dry, crisp, almost wafer-thin rice rotti which is served with chicken curry as a delicacy), and neer dosa. Patrode, a special dish prepared by steaming stuffed colocasia leaves, is a delicacy not to be missed. Akki rotti, or rice rotti, is a favourite not only in Mangalore but also in Malnad and Kodagu.
Here are some quick recipes:
1. Coconut Appam
2. Kori Roti (Chicken Roti)
3. Green Platain Sukku
4. Mangalooru Fish Curry
5. Patrode
6.Kesari Bath
