Tag: People

5 everyday things that bring me happiness

On By namitadashIn Books, Social, Uncategorized, Writing1 Comment
Daily writing prompt
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
View all responses

Amidst the chaos and rush of our everyday lives,
It’s easy to forget what makes our souls thrive,
But in the little things lies true happiness,
Here are five everyday things that can bring us bliss.

First on the list is a simple cup of tea,
Steaming hot and fragrant, a moment just for me,
As I take a sip, I breathe in the aroma deep,
My senses awaken, and I forget to even think.

Next up, a walk in nature’s loving embrace,
With each step, my worries seem to fade,
The gentle rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds,
All around, nature’s orchestra plays her tunes.

Then, a phone call or text from a loved one,
A message of care, a reminder that I’m not alone,
As I read their words, a smile creeps up my face,
Their love, a warm blanket, in life’s cold embrace.

Fourth on the list is music, a gift to our soul,
With each note, it transports us to a place whole,
Whether it’s upbeat or mellow, it sets our hearts free,
And for a moment, we can be whoever we want to be.

Last but not least, a good book to read,
A portal to another world, where our imaginations can feed,
As we flip through the pages, we become the characters,
And for a moment, we forget our own life’s theaters.

In these five simple things, lies happiness in disguise,
It’s up to us to recognize and cherish them, as life flies,
For when we take a moment to indulge in life’s small joys,
Our souls light up, and our hearts dance with joy.

Reply 1988

On By namitadashIn Entertainment, K-drama, Uncategorized1 Comment

What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

“Reply 1988”

The drama Reply 1988 focuses on the themes of family, friendship, love, and growing up.

One of the strengths of “Reply 1988” is its well-written characters. Each character is fleshed out and given their own unique backstory, making them relatable and easy to empathize with. The main characters are all high school students who are facing the challenges of growing up in a changing society, and the drama does an excellent job of capturing the nostalgia and bittersweet emotions of youth.

The central character is Deok-sun, a bright and spunky girl who dreams of becoming a writer. Her family is struggling financially, and she often takes on odd jobs to help make ends meet. She is surrounded by a close-knit group of friends, including the lovable and dependable Sun-woo, the nerdy but kind-hearted Dong-ryong, and the quiet and mysterious Jung-hwan. The one sided love of Jung-hwan for Doek Sun is the highlight of this show. Can I give a spoiler here — the heartbreak will make you shed a tear or two.

One of the most appealing aspects of “Reply 1988” is its attention to detail in recreating the period setting. From the fashion and hairstyles to the music and cultural references, the drama does an excellent job of capturing the feel of the late 1980s in South Korea. This adds to the overall charm of the drama and makes it a delight to watch for anyone interested in Korean culture and history.

The drama also explores deeper themes of family and the meaning of home. Each family on the street has their own struggles and conflicts, but they all come together to support one another in times of need. The parents are shown to be just as complex and multifaceted as the children, and their stories are given equal weight and importance.

Another standout aspect of “Reply 1988” is the chemistry between the cast members. The actors all give excellent performances, and their interactions feel natural and authentic. The love triangles and romantic subplots are handled with sensitivity and maturity, and the drama does an excellent job of showing the complexity of teenage relationships.

Overall, “Reply 1988” is an excellent drama that manages to capture the nostalgia and emotional intensity of youth while also exploring deeper themes of family and community. The well-written characters, period setting, and talented cast all combine to create a truly memorable viewing experience. If you are a fan of Korean dramas or just looking for a heartfelt and engaging series to watch, “Reply 1988” is definitely worth checking out.

Tanah Lot – A Blissful Coastal Temple in Bali

On By namitadashIn Nature, places, Travel, Uncategorized5 Comments

Bali excels in every category, whether it’s the beautiful bluish blue ocean, the massive Hindu temples, or the sheer untouched virginity of the countryside. Tourists who visit throughout the year have the time of their lives and are relaxed beyond their wildest dreams. Variety is the spice of life, and Bali has a plethora of tourist attractions and getaway locations where one can recharge after months of strenuous work and strain.

It will take many blogs to cover my trip to Bali this June. So I plan to take it slow and introduce you to the place, one attraction at a time.

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot, also known as Pura Tanah Lot Temple, is a well-known and sacred Hindu temple in Bali. As a popular tourist destination, Bali attracts a large number of enthusiasts and adventure seekers who make it a point to visit this location each year. This holy temple is well-known for its beautiful sunset views and even more soothing cold breezes that flow throughout the beach.  This beautiful temple is situated about 20 kilometres southwest of Kuta in the Beraban town of the Tabanan Regency. This location may be reached in around an hour and a half if you’re travelling from Kuta. It takes around an hour to get there from Bali’s Ubud.

Three temples make up the Tanah Lot complex, which is situated on a massive offshore rock on the beach. The main Tanah Lot temple is one of the three, while the other two serve as a spiritual stand-in when it is closed due to high tide because they are inaccessible. The ‘guardian’ sea snakes that live in the cracks around the Tirta Pabersihan fountain can be seen at low tide by crossing to the base of the rock. It is one of Bali’s main attractions and welcomes everyone, regardless of caste or creed.

Fun and interesting details regarding the history of the Tanah Lot Temple can be found in its legends. It is stated that in the latter half of the 15th century, a high Hindu priest from the Majapahit Kingdom in East Java travelled to Bali to propagate Hinduism and related ideas. He built a shrine to honour the Sea God Varuna, and despite objections from the village leader, he successfully used sea snakes to secure the rock where he meditated. That is how the eponymous temple in Bali, Tanah Lot, got its name, which means “land in the sea.” The priest is said to have gained Nirvana, or enlightenment, at this holy location.

 

The tranquil Tanah Lot temple site was properly protected and repaired thanks to assistance from the Japanese government, despite a serious erosion threat. As a result, the magnificent temple continues to welcome visitors today. On the approach to the temple, you’ll pass by a number of tropical gardens and rest areas where gift shops, art galleries, and sculptures are on show. Traditional drinks and sumptuous  snacks using coconuts are available here.

Pro Tip :

When you see the scene in all its splendour, the Tanah Lot Temple sunset view speaks for itself. In order to avoid the crowds, try to make this sight your final stop for the day and come well before nightfall.

 

Pseudonyms

On By namitadashIn Books, Social, Uncategorized10 Comments

Did you know there is no Agatha Christie? Mary Westmacott is the real person.

Since ancient times, authors have concealed their true identities behind fictitious bylines by utilising pseudonyms. When their personal name would not have been regarded seriously at the time, some people want their work to be. For them, it is a matter of stigma. Others picked a nom de plume because they yearned to break out of the mould and adopt a new character because their writings were categorised or assigned to a particular genre.

Every tale relating to the decision and utilisation of a pen name is fascinating, even if there are numerous reasons why an author could adopt a name that is different from their own. Although the majority of these aliases are already well-known, there are still plenty that will surprise or interest you to learn.

Agatha Christie is well-known and adored for her unmistakable ability to craft intriguing mystery tales with a twist and a cast of well-known characters, including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

But Agatha Christie chose to work under a pen name while she was a well-known mystery writer for a very straightforward reason. She intended to produce books about other topics, but she was aware that her admirers would always want her to write mysteries. Since Christie only published six books under the name Mary Westmacott, she had the opportunity to delve deeply into the field of human psychology, which is something that conventional Christie fans might not have anticipated from her own-name stories.

The pseudonym itself was picked with care. Agatha’s middle name was Mary, and the Westmacott surname was a common one. Surprisingly, it took close to 20 years for admirers to realise that Mary Westmacott and Agatha Christie were related. We have a lot more regard for what a skilled writer she was now that we know that these vivid and intuitive novels were written by the same person who wrote the Poirot volumes.

Here’s a list of authors who wrote under alias. Let’s talk about the stories behind their pseudonyms. Feel free to add to the list –

  1. Robert Galbraith – J.K. Rowling
  2. Mrs. Silence Dogood – Benjamin Franklin
  3. James Tiptree, Jr. – Alice Bradley Sheldon
  4. Flora Fairfield – Louisa May Alcott

The greatest writing pseudonym of all time is William Shakespeare. Although it would take an entire blog to write just a intro about him.

Whirlpool of Binge Watching

On By namitadashIn Uncategorized15 Comments

I am sure you have heard this classic Eagles song “Hotel California”

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door,
I had to find the passage back to the place I was before,
‘Relax,’ said the night man,
‘We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
But you can never leave!’

It’s often more challenging to get back into your regular routine after a nice vacation or a prolonged stay in bed due to illness. The same is true for binge watching also. You are trapped.

A lesser-known fact – You may come across Internet posts challenging you to binge-watch your favorite TV show or channel. Best of all, if you are chosen and complete the challenge, you will be paid. In 2019, Internet Service Partners ran a competition in which one person could win $1,000 for watching 24 Hallmark Christmas movies in 12 days. The winner was required to submit a personal critique on each film and keep her social media followers updated throughout the experience.

Even though these contests are brilliant marketing strategies used by the businesses, the question now is “Should we support encouraging people to spend even more time in front of their television sets?” According to Healthline, watching more than three hours of television per day may eventually cause memory loss and language damage. OTT platforms have really changed the way people watch TV.

Gone are the days of satellite TV channels. At least they were time bound. The majority of homes have multiple televisions for viewing purposes. Everyone in the house may watch different shows without interfering with each other thanks to the numerous gadgets and shared streaming accounts. Being addicted to your devices in a crowded house makes it simple to isolate yourself. Good for introverts like me, but not good generally.

The K-Dramas are definitely most addictive. I think they are produced with a mere intent of tricking people into binge watching them. Put on a Korean light comedy with a dash of romance on Netflix and there goes your weekend in a blink.

It’s a never-ending circle. You begin with an episode. You are halfway through a series after five hours have passed without your realizing it. You never thought you’d find yourself this deep in the whirlpool called Netflix, but here you are.

Share your binge-watching tales in the comments section. What is your take on it? Which net series are you hooked on? For me it’s a K-Drama these days “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”