Manglorean Fish Curry

I was going thru my friends blog on her experiments with coking Mane Adige and got inspired to make this post. Thanks to no plans for the long weekend I decided to make one of my favourite food item.
Take 10 pieces of any fish, apply salt and turmeric powder to it. Keep fish to marinade for an hour.
Make fine ground masala of
2 Tomatoes
1 Onion
Grated coconut one cup
10 Red chilies slightly roasted in oil
1 tbsp of coriander powder
1 tbsp of cumin seeds
1/2 tbsp of mustard seeds
1 tbsp of ginger garlic paste
1/4 tbsp of turmeric powder
little bit of tamarind juice

The masala has to be finely ground.... better the paste tastier the curry. I do not have a good blender so I had to be happy with whatever paste it makes!!

Fry 1 chopped Onion in little bit of oil till it turns golden brown. Add 3 green chilies to it. Add the masala and stir fry for a min. If the mix is very thick add a little bit of water just to adjust the consistency. Add salt to taste. Clean the marinated fish in water to remove extra salt and turmeric powder. Add these pieces into boiling curry. Cook the fish in curry for few min do not over cook fish. (this is what I do.. taste the curry if salt or chili is required add some).

Add half a portion of lemon juice. Mix well and server the curry with hot rice... tan tadaaaaaaaa..

Quiz ???

I am sure everyone has encountered these hardest ever questions...

When we were kids and started to speak... First Q any ones asks is
'Whats your name??'
Kids may not even like their name but still forced to tell it over and over to the millions

You grow up a bit.. and they ask
'Whom do you love most... Mom or Dad??'
Depends who is asking :p

'What do you want to become when you grow up??'
There was always only 2 hidden options Doctor or Engineer

'Whats your job? Where do you work?'
I work for xyz company.. ohh so you did not get into Infosys!!

'Whats your salary?'
as if they are interested in paying my taxes

'What qualities do you look for in that one dream girl?'
Every night I dream of a new girl now how can I consolidate

Parents asking...
'Are you ready for marriage?? Shall we start looking for a match??'
my parents were clever, they made it a trick Q. Do you want us to look a match for you or have you already found one. They were trying to get answer for several Q at one go

'Where do you see yourself in next 5 years??'
person who first ever asked this question better not meet me.. I am sure its some MBA sucker

HR asking 'What is the salary you are expecting?'
Oh do I have option to say my number..!!

Worst questions that I am exposed every day from my boss is...
'Have you finished that work?? How busy are you, can assign you more work? etc etc.....

Weightwatchers!!!

Its been two months since Weightwatchers club was introduces in my company. I am not a member of it.. and I make sure I am far far away while they are having weekly meeting!!!... But some how I am influenced by it...
Ya ya.. its all because of this salad... My tech lead is a super star of this Weightwatcers club. In 45 days he lost 34 pounds. He keeps telling me the rules of this club but I have told him I don't need it cos all I need is Weightgainers. Anyways since last 2 months I am forced to have salad with my lunch. My lead brings in different fresh vegetables and chops them just before lunch... He is too good in making salads.. he uses different dressing each day. Its not just vegetables, it has fruits like apple, grapes pineapple. Fish or egg white or Chicken... some dry fruits!!!!! Man he has a talent to make salads with Mexican and Asian spices. It does not matter how hungry or how full I am.. I have to eat a certain quantity of salad that he serves me!!!!... My mom tried so many things to make me like vegetables that never worked but now I am so used to salads.... After lunch I am pulled by couple of Weightwatcher to take a 2 mile fast walk. I should admit yes it has impacted my life... I really feel good after the walk, I feel I am eating healthy. Not to mention the crowd in our office now looks so young, energetic and charming...

So today I asked my tech lead why does he feed me part of his meal?? his answer was simple

"If you want to loose weight SHARE your food"

Kannada Rajyotsavada Shubhashayagalu

On the day of celebration of formation of my home state Karnataka... I was doing some research on the internet and found this interesting information about Karnataka state flag.

(Note: these are the details taken from Nitin Kamat's web site. I did do some lookup to make sure the details are accurate)

"We Indians have one and only flag which is the Indian tricolour Flag which alone can be used, and none of the states are allowed to have their own flag.

So how come Karnataka has its own flag, well I did a bit of searching and found that the flag is not officially or unofficially the Karanataka Flag. It is actually the flag of a political party ‘Kannada Paksha’ which was formed in 1965 by one Mr Ma. Ramamurthy, though the party did not last long, but the flag which is actually the Kannada Flag stayed on, and is now in the sentiments of the people as the flag which represents Karnataka. Hence we now find people using this flag whether for the Karnataka Rajotsava or be it for any protests.

Now are you wondering what is the significance of the yellow and red colours in the flag, well they stand for Arshina and Kumkuma respectively. So hope that clears out any misunderstanding that people may have regarding the flag."

Having said all that its just a representation of Kannada and Kannadigas. We are all proud Indians first. Thats why we have our Tiranga on Vidhana Soudha.

Yella Kannadigarige Rajyotsavada Shubhashayagalu

I love NewYork & Rock Of Love!!!!

In last few weeks while I was flipping thru some booring TV channels I happened to bump into these two TV shows on VH1. "I love NewYork & Rock Of Love"... These two happen to be shows with very high viewer ship.... I can't believe that I watched a lot of these episodes!!! But again what to do some weekends when I absolutely don't want to do anything I watch such CRAZY shows!!! ha ha ha I was not at all interested in these shows but was watching them just to know "whats entertainment today???"

Ok let me start with I Love NewYork
Tiffany Patterson calls herself "NewYork". She shortlisted (donno how) 20 guys and took them to her house. Now she will test each of them.. put them thru some tests.. etc etc and every week one guy gets eliminated. So the whole idea is GETTING to know the man and finally selecting "ROCK" of NewYorks life!!! These guys get to go with her on dates and prove their love for her!!.. Final two guys even got to sleep with her (I guess so). There was lot of fighting among the contestants. Funniest part was NewYork and these guys getting emotional and speaking huge romantic lines.. She cries he cries they all cry ha ha ha ha... Ho Ho the last part is the most fucked up!!! When she chooses who gets to stay she will put a chain around that guy and asks "Do you have love for NewYork" prrrrrrrrrr.... To add a twist we have a bitch witch mother of NewYork "Sister Patterson". She gives help & support to her daughter in selecting man of her life!!! This mom even tried to give money to one of the contestants to get rid of him...

Ok now coming to Rock of Love
This is no different show... Its an absolute replica of "I Love NewYork". This dude Bret Michaels is looking for a girl here instead. Again some how he also managed to get some 20 girls and takes them to his house. Now its these girls are put to several tests to show their love to Bret. There was once girls were supposed to come with a cover for a music album (but it was more like cover of a porn magazine). Its a hot show.. some of the contestants are strippers.. some of the things these babes do is awesome and crazy... Lucky Bret gets to go on date with them.. make out with them and have sex with few final ones!!! wow.. This show also has similar emotional shit.. During elimination its again I cry you cry we all cry.. Bret picks a girl who gets to stay and puts a chain called PASS around her neck and says "Will you continue to rock my life and stay here" prrrrrrrr

What a stupid idea or shall I say an amazing entertainment!!!!.. But before I could shower my detest towards these show something kicked in my mind & reminded me some mythology!!! Wasn't this something from our mythology. Oh ya we had something similar called "Swayamvar"!!! Off course not so vulgar or obscene.

OK "I Love NewYork" has failed.. the guy she choose actually DITCHED her.. ha ha ha So now we have "I Love NewYork 2".. she is back again looking for "ROCK" of her life...

Some one give me Doordarshan!!!! Man I can watch krishi darshan not these crazy reality show!!!

So what.... SRK got six pack!!! prrrrrr

Indian super star...
Another Amitabh Bachchan of Bollywood...
King Khan...

What not we call him... but dude where is the ACTING... I used to think he was admired because he was an actor... (what an irony ha ha ha ha ha). But today I was surprised to see his big poster in an Indian grocery store where he is displaying his new macho looks!!!... I had no problem with it till I heard a bunch of fans around speaking about it...

One girl said "Shahrukh is saying watch out Salmaan and John!!!"
A guy with her replied "I wish I could have a body like him!!!!"
Another aunty goes to the storekeeper... "Which is that movie?? I need a copy of that..."

As usual I visited NDTV.com for some real news (which we hardly get now a days). All I see is a headline that says "SRK amazes his fans with new look"... There was a 18 min video regarding his new look but on the whole website not much details about the flyover collapse in Hydrabad!!! In that entire 18 mis fans go on an on about this asshole... Teens crying Shahrukh I love you.. Give him a break he is 40 married and has kids!!!...

I hate SRK... I don't give any shit about his looks.. dude drop over acting first and then learn real acting. He used to be good till DDLJ... I like his performance in all the TV serials.. He was wonderful in "Raju bangaya gentleman".. But what happened to that SRK??

I need to believe, that something extraordinary is possible.

All I need is a miracle.... Just waiting (hoping) for that ray of light that can give me a silver lining.

I am a Master...!!! but wait... Master of WHAT???

On Sunday the May 13th 2007 approximately at 11 am in carrier dome, Syracuse University chancellor Nancy Cantor pronounced me as a Graduate in Master's course that I was doing. In the next two days I got results of my final semester giving me final GPA and statement saying that I have completed required 30 credits to be a master in Computer Science. Wow... that felt really great. There were parties, celebrations, joy and happiness. Then I asked myself, what I have mastered?? Is this what I wanted?? Do I really know everything so that I can call myself a master?? Many such questions un-answered. May be I will have to figure it out myself in the journey of life where now I am gonna start a new job.

If I keep my studies apart, life here in US has thought me many things. First of them "dignity of labor". I was never used to say thanks but learnt that here. I got to know how it feels to work while u study. I got to meet so many middle classed American kids who know the value of money and made me change my preconceived idea that every American kid is a spoilt brat.

I am proud of the jobs I did while I was a student. I got to meet so many people and it was so much fun.
I worked as a Residential Security Aid: Responsibility being sitting at the entrance of a residential hall and check the ID's of students entering in. Benefits apart from getting paid were, I can do my home work/study while at work. After late night I can watch movies. I made so many friends with the residents.
I worked as a ITS consultants: Repair, troubleshoot and help students with any problems they have with computers. It was fun some times to see how dumb students are with computers even after coming to a grad school.
I worked as a outside runner in a dinning hall: I started my work in dish washer room. Next day I was promoted to outside runner. All I had to do was keep the soda machine up and running. Replace the milk. Refill the ice cream machine. Once in a while clean tables and make sure all counters look clean. Initially I hesitated thinking that its not a job for a guy how was a software engineer and who is now a CS grad major. but when I kept all my egos a side I had fun even at this place.

I donno how good I will be with my new job, but I am sure I did a pretty job with my on campus work. I wish I could put these jobs on my resume. "Life is not all about big things. Its about the small things which gives you joy & happiness which you will cherish for rest of your life".

My Guru.. My Mentor.. and Baap of C++

Dr. James Fawcett
Associate Professor - Syracuse University
Ph.D. Syracuse University, 1981

http://www.ecs.syr.edu/faculty/fawcett/handouts/Webpages/FawcettHome.htm
Teaching Interests:

Software Modeling and Analysis (Software architectural concepts with C#)
Internet Programming (ASP .net)
Object Oriented Design (with C++, best course so far on earth)
Distributed Objects (Microsoft COM)
Design Patterns
Software Engineering Studio (Create a software product just the way you do in a industry)

I guess this brief introduction itself is enough to know what an amazing person Dr Fawcett is. We know him as a man from Radar industry and who has a optimal answer for any technical queries. He has done a lot of coding in s/w industry. He has been architect for many s/w projects at GE.

When I was shortlisting universities to consider for my MS, couple of my friends at SU told me to have a look at the courses offered by Dr Fawcett. They looked really interesting so I inquired more about the course/person. All my friends could come up was just praise praise and nothing else. I did not believe them, told myself how can some one be so good. Its all hype!!! With that attitude I came to SU. When I reached Syracuse I wanted to speak with some professor regarding my study plans, courses I wanted to take, job related queries. So I got an appointment from Dr Fawcett. It took me just one meeting with him to start realize that my friends were right. With a fatherly caring attitude he answered all my concerns and gave lot of guidance. He said "I know you international students are so far away from home, any time you need any help feel free to approach me. You are just like my kids". I was feeling a bit sad about coming so far from my parents but this one meeting gave me confidence that I am still in safe hands. OK he is a nice man but I still had doubts...

I attended first OOD class, all he spoke was a bouncer. I never knew there was so much in C++!!!.. Finally he handed us the project-1 requirements with title "C++ program annotator and style analyzer". Project required us to tokenize, Scan and parse a C++ file!!!.... I said this man is nuts how can one do this in a time of 20 days!!!!... It took me one whole semester to write a tokenizer, scanner for 8086 assembler during BE. That too it ran for thousands of lines and still incomplete and inefficient. While I was wondering why I took took this course, there came project-1 help. He provided us a minimal tokenizer and scanner for C++ that he had written. I went home and read the entire code he gave us. Just 2 modules and some hundreds of lines to tokenize and scan a C++ file. That too the code was so easy and readable. I said I have landed in a right place, yes he is much more than what my friends told me.

- His projects are very closely related to industry, and all projects needs to be built using some existing modules. He believes that you almost rarely code from scratch, its always you build on some one else's or a existing module.
- Each project is highly challenging and look so interesting when you put them on a resume. They cover almost everything you learn in the course.
- His sample code handouts are mind blowing. I hardly used any text for his course, all I needed was the sample examples. His comments and instructions in those code samples are more than any book.
- If he is teaching a course then he knows in and out of that... he knows almost anything (may be I am exaggerating).
- For his age the amount of energy he has is a example for lousy pigs like us. He takes 5 hrs of continuous class. From start to end there will be no sign of drop in his energy, enthusiasm level.

Ok I can go on pages writing about this guy. Today I am done with all the courses required for my MS and wanted to thank this Guru for everything he has done for me. It is his courses that helped in giving any interviews and getting a job. Thanks a lot for all the help in my educational and personal life.

Value of human life

Gunman kills 33 innocent people in Virginia Tech.
Massive car bomb explodes in a busy market place of Baghdad's killing more than 170.
Serial killer takes life of more than 18 kids in Nithari.
Al-Qaida-led Iraqi insurgents claim of killing 20 kidnapped Iraqi police and soldiers.

and the list goes on so does the number

Humanity has reached to a point now where there is not respect for human life. It makes it more bad to know that its human who no longer care or value a human life. "Birth is accidental but Death is destiny" Thats what my english teacher used to say. But losing life due to some one else's atrocity, is that destiny???

Where have we gone wrong, whats that making us not at all care for others life. If you have forgotten whats the value of human life; ask that mother whose child was shot for no reason, ask that sister whose brother was burnt in the bomb blast, ask that father whose 12 year old daughter was raped and then chopped into pieces. Is it so difficult to understand value of human life? In all the cases who are the killer, they are all grown and mature people having enough brain to understand the value of life. Can we blame education, can we point fingers on parenting, can we say its religion or is it the society and our culture. No none of these...

What is making our mind into a beast? I am still looking for answer

Creator made this amazing world but missed out on making a perfect brain.

Selective Love!!!!

I don't believe in "Love at first sight". Is it physical attraction... hummm may be to some extent. I don't know how to describe Love. But in last few days I was exposed to this new concept of selective Love!!!

I am part of a online group where people discuss several issues related to my community or the society in general. There was a major discussion on Love marriage or Arranged marriage. Every one presented their own opinions, suggestions. Some even quoted few research results (without providing any evidence for the research) to support their argument. Among all the arguments some thing that amazed me most was, falling in love with a girl/boy of same community and then getting married. I know how tough it is "To be loved by some one who you love". But I could not digest this concept of Selective Love. Now in my opinion this can work only if

1. Make a huge list of boy/girl with whom you can possibly fall in love.
2. Eliminate the ones that are not from your community.
3. If you are left with handful of girls/boys go to next step, else go to step1
4. Now select one boy/girl from the shortlisted list who matches or suites your need and priority!!!!

How far is this practicable...?? Even if we do manage to shortlist one person, is it LOVE??? The concept itself appeared weird. First of all why are we so much concerned about loving some one within same community? Yep there can be lot of oppositions when it comes to love marriages. But is this selective love a solution!!! If you love a person no matter what you will stand by them. I feel that people suggesting Selective Love are the ones who do not have guts to fight or stand for their love. These are the people who want to look good and nice to the community/parents by loving some one within the community. At the same time want to claim that they have done a Love marriage and found their soul mate!!!! I am not saying love marriages within same community is wrong, as long as its the regular love not the Selective one.

Anyways I am shortly going to ask these people advocating "Selective Love" how to do it?? May be I am wrong and they can show me some light!!!!!!! I wonder how Cupid works in these cases :)

Hope.... Ummeed pe duniya kaayam hai...

Been hoping for so many things.... Life poses new troubles, challenges and situations which forces me again to hope for the best!!!

Even after being optimist I was very negative about getting a student visa, I hoped I should get one.
Being away from studies for 3 years, I always hoped to excel in studies even after the break.
After learning things that I really liked and loved, hoped to get a job in what I wanted to do.

All these hope came true.....

There were so many times I hoped for a lot of things and many did happen... Off course I just don't leave everything to happen by magic.. I do put all my efforts to make my hope come true. But today life has put me into to a place where I have to just sit and hope; do nothing to turn that hope into a reality...

I got a call from HR of my future company saying "We have filed your H1B application by 2nd morning and made sure that we have done everything from our side. But as per USCIS they have received 150 thousand application and now the allotment depends on a computerized random based selection process. All we can do now is HOPE for the best. Keep your fingers crossed and start praying"

Yep thats what I am doing now keeping my fingers crossed and praying!!!!.... Why is life so complicated some times. I don't hesitate from challenges as long as I can fight against it. But here I am left handicapped, I am forced to be a blind spectator and watch what destiny has for me...

Ummeed pe duniya kaayam hai... yes I need to believe, that something extraordinary is possible.

I Don't care....

I have heard people saying "I don't care" for so many things.... But today I was walking in quad over heard a girl speaking on her mobile...

"I don't care even if your kid takes a real big poop in the diaper"

WOW

Madiraaaaaaa....

A slice of lemon.... Pinch of salt.... And a shot of Tequila!!!!! Wow what a way to start a friday night... How amazing; what more can I ask......

Hey I can have few more shots!!!! ha ha ha ha ha

A new experience

Had a phone in interview with a respected finance based company. I am not sure how to describe it

ring ring ring

Me: Hello
Interviewer: Good morning, this is XYZ you were scheduled to have an interview.. How are you doing??
Me: I am doing good. How are you??
Interviewer: OK before we start let me make it clear. Taking interview is not what I do here. I have loads of my regular work to do apart from this. So you keep you answers short, don't tell me any stories in your answers!!! If you do not know answer for a question just say you "DON'T KNOW" please do not waste my time.....

Rest of the interview continued with same tone and attitude. One more rejection to me....

A Mark of Love - Boldt Castle

Shāh Jahān completed the mausoleum "Taj Mahal" for his loved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Even today this world famous monument stands for love, beauty and passion. I visited another such monument that was supposed to show enormous love George C. Boldt had for his wife Louise.

Boldt Castle is on Heart Island in the 1000 Island region of Alexandria Bay, New York. Mr Boldt a millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, purchased one of huge islands and started construction of display of his love.

It is called Heart Island since it is in the shape of a heart. Original island was not actually in that shape but dynamite were used to bring it to that shape!!!


300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a draw bridge, and a dove cote.

In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegrammed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.

For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the Castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.


Expensive weddings are held almost every day during late Spring and Summer on this island. During winter entire 1000 island region is shutdown due to heavy cold and snow!!!!... St Lawrence river freezes during winter. Heavy vehicles are driven on the frozen river to transport supplies.




How can I miss this part... Mr Boldt was a rich man who could afford such a lavish gift for his wife... what about other love birds who can't??? We too have ways to express our LOVE.. hey write it down on the walls of the castel!!!!... This is what made me really happy "It happens EVEN in USA" ha ha ha ha

Kaapi and Coffee......

"Bhattare two by three kaapi kodi; swalpa strong erali"....
"Can I have medium regular coffee with cream and sugar".....

Ordering a coffee in US is a pain. All I want is just kaapi but no I will be pounded with tons of questions. What flavor?? extra cream?? extra sugar??....
come on what do u mean by flavor, I just want kaapi. Who cares for "Latte" "French vanilla" "cappuccino" "Hazel Nuts". One fine day I had "French Vanilla" and trust me that was not at all kaapi... it was an ice cream!!! Ya vanilla tastes good only with ice cream. Worst part is there is "two by three" system also.......

I am just waiting to get back to Brahmins cafe and say
"Bhattare two by three kaapi kodi; swalpa strong erali"....

Relations...!!!!!

Like most others even I was also under the impression that there is no much importance is given for family in western countries... I used to think people don't value relations... Emotional bondings is pretty week here. It just took one simple incident to prove me wrong.

I was on my RSA shift during the closing. Semester was coming to an end; all residents were packing up and getting ready to go home and enjoy summer holidays. As usual I was sitting at the front desk with my radio and playing some game on my laptop. A lady aged 40-45 walks to me and asks can she go into the dorm to meet her son. 'Absolutely madam but I need your son to come down and sign you in'. "I am trying to reach him but he is not answering his mobile, his room number is XYZ". She no where looked like a trespasser. 'Yes madam; you go straight and take left for the elevator'. She smiled and left.

After around 3hrs she came down along with her son. Her son was walking in front carrying just a little back pack. She was pushing a trolley loaded with luggage, she was also carrying bags on her shoulders. Sitting at my desk I saw her really struggling carrying the luggage. I was little confused 'hey what kind of a son are you... common look at your mom carrying all your stuff'. Shocked, confused, a little upset I went to the lady and asked 'Madam let me help you'. 'No Sir I am absolutely fine I can handle this, thanks'. I went back to my desk looking her pushing and carrying all that stuff alone. I told my self boy thats a rude son..!!!!

After couple of minutes she came to me and told 'My son is not rude. He is really a nice kid. But has this problem with his back. He is not allowed to carry heavy weights. I just don't want you to think bad or wrong about my kid'. I was dumb found and speechless!!!! Felt really embarrassed and all I could say was "I am sorry".

No matter where you are... No matter what your culture is.... I realized everyone cares for their family and relations..... Its these emotions that keep us going....

I know.....

"Never listen to your Manager. They always show illusions to you so just nod on what ever they say"

All the management institutes are just a bunch of places where people are taught how to fool others... There is absolutely no reality!!!! Managers know how to speak sweat words and show dreams to their subordinates. They know very well how to exploit the faith a person have on them.

Learning --- "No matter what your manager says always have an alternative plan and stick to it"

Corporate Lessons

- No one is here to do charity; its all about business you work we pay and we pay that's why you work. Simple!!!

- Don't love your company you never know when your company will stop loving you!!! (NRN)

- We are way too emotional.....!!! be opportunists don't get struck in emotional intricacies!!!

- There is a thin line between Need and Greed... Now how to define them is up to you

- If want to have a good sound sleep leave work just in the office may be take it with you the gates of the office but not beyond that.

These are some of the things I was told by some big figures while I was working.

I got used to it....

Its the nature or the servival that makes us get used to anything. There were times when I have fallen sick when the temprature was just as low as 15 degrees. There were times when I used to wear thick cloths just to keep myslef warm when the temperature was just 18 degrees. Never Ever in my life I imagined I will say I got used to -15 degrees!!!!

I landed in Syracuse Newyork on Jan 5th 2006 10:45pm. My journey from Bangalore to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Philadelphia and then Philadelphia to Syracuse was pretty warm. No doubt every Boeing that I took and all the airports were very well airconditioned. I knew its winter and Syracuse is gonna be cold but had no idea how cold or how its gonna feel. I collected my bags and went out of main entrance to meet my friend who was there to receive me. Thats when I realized what real cold means!!!!... It was -10 degrees that night and I was speachless!!!... yes a new experience, new feel. Next day morning I started my walk towards University dressed up like an Eskimo I was shocked to see the reality of winter. There were not even a single leaf on any of the trees... Entire place was covered with just the white stuff... I cribbed & cribbed a lot... Got really bored and psyched of looking at just only ONE colour for 3 months. But hey it was my choice to come here.

Seriously its my second winter here in Syracuse and the things are not much different. B I don't crib so much I used to do last year. I dont wear even as many layers I used to wear last year. I dont feel any major difference let it be 0 degree of -17 (yep that was last night). I act as if I am used to snow & such winters since I was born.... Whats all this... Hey I got used to it.