Twitter – What ARE you doing?

Twitter serves as a tool to keep friends connected, joining the social networking bandwagon as yet another Web 2.0 technology. I rolled my eyes when I first heard about the tool but then curious, I checked the site out and I am hooked.

I find that this can be useful especially in the corporate space. Think about all the micro managers that you wished could leave you alone.Twitter away! Bombard them with second by second updates of your whereabouts. SMS, IM – the opportunities are endless.Micro managers beware.

• Check the site out

Sindhi Dal (Tangy Lentil Soup)

It’s tangy, “tomatoey”, yummy and really simple.

Avg time: 20 – 30 minutes
Pair with bread or rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pigeon pea lentils (also called toor dal)
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp asfaoetidia
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste mixed with 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes/powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

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Sindhi New Year – Cheti Chand

My Sindhi (hindu) community celebrates their new year today. Unlike the solar calendar where January 1 is officially the New Year, the Hindus (Hindu Sindhis included) follow the lunisolar calendar that is based on the new moon cycles. Read more ›

Role Playing: Predicting your opponent

I have often underestimated the importance of role-playing in interaction. While business leaders are role playing to predict markets and forecast growth, I realize it can be a useful tool in helping me face my opponent in a difficult siutation. I use the help of close friends and family simulating the situation and observing their reactions as I enact the conversation. I hone my actions and choose my words wisely. I have seen great results in the past. I am better prepared and composed. I know what I am going to say and how I am going to say it.
I am waiting to see how my next one goes. I have been role-playing for several days now.

Happy Holi – Connecting Cultures

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is my favorite Indian festival for two reasons one, since it officially marks the end of winter and second, for the range of colours that the festival centers upon.

The significance of these colours is related to change in weather that is prone to cause certain ailments. Hence it is assumed that the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance as the coloured powders are made of medicinal herbs well-known to Ayurvedic medicine.

It’s also the time when I am scrounging my trusted resources to see if someone in some part of the DC metro is celebrating Holi with the grandeur that is associated with this festival back home. Sadly, it is the price you pay for moving away from home. Today is like any other day.