The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk

Received from a friend; found it worth sharing. Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary People Sudha Murty, chairperson, Infosys Foundation and author, is known for her ability to glean interesting stories from the lives of ordinary people and weave these narratives into a unique blend of anecdote and fable. Her latest collection of stories, 'The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk', features a fascinating cast of characters, each of whom made an indelible impression on the author.
Extracted here is a nugget from 'Bombay to Bangalore', one of the most heartwarming stories in this collection:

 It was the beginning of summer. I was boarding Udyan Express at Gulbarga railway station. My destination was Bangalore. As I boarded the train, I saw that the second-class reserved compartment was jam-packed with people. I sat down and was pushed to the corner of the berth. Though it was meant for three people, there were already six of us sitting on it... The ticket collector came in and started checking people's tickets and reservations.. Suddenly, he looked in my direction and asked, 'What about your ticket?' 'I have already shown my ticket to you,' I said. 'Not you, madam, the girl hiding below your berth. Hey, come out, where is your ticket?' I realized that someone was sitting below my berth. When the collector yelled at her, the girl came out of hiding. She was thin, dark, scared and looked like she had been crying profusely. She must have been about thirteen or fourteen years old.She had uncombed hair and was dressed in a torn skirt and blouse. She was trembling and folded both her hands..
The collector started forcibly pulling her out from the compartment. Suddenly, I had a strange feeling. I stood up and called out to the collector. 'Sir, I will pay for her ticket,' I said. Then he looked at me and said, 'Madam, if you give her ten rupees, she will be much happier with that than with the ticket.' I did not listen to him. I told the collector to give me a ticket to the last destination, Bangalore, so that the girl could get down wherever she wanted. Slowly, she started talking. She told me that her name was Chitra. She lived in a village near Bidar. Her father was a coolie and she had lost her mother at birth.
Her father had remarried and had two sons with her stepmother. But a few months ago, her father had died. Her stepmother started beating her often and did not give her food. She was tired of that life. She did not have anybody to support her so she left home in search of something better. By this time, the train had reached Bangalore. I said goodbye to Chitra and got down from the train. My driver came and picked up my bags. I felt someone watching me.
When I turned back, Chitra was standing there and looking at me with sad eyes. But there was nothing more that I could do. I had paid her ticket out of compassion but I had never thought that she was going to be my responsibility!... I told her to get into my car. My driver looked at the girl curiously. I told him to take us to my friend Ram's place. Ram ran separate shelter homes for boys and girls. We at the Infosys Foundation supported him financially. I thought Chitra could stay there for some time and we could talk about her future after I came back from my tours. I was not sure if Chitra would even be there. But to my surprise, I saw Chitra looking much happier than before. Ram suggested that Chitra could go to a high school nearby. I immediately agreed and said that I would sponsor her expenses as long as she continued to study. I left the shelter knowing that Chitra had found a home and a new direction in her life.
 I got busier and my visits to the shelter reduced to once a year. But I always enquired about Chitra's well-being over the phone. I knew that she was studying well and that her progress was good.. I offered to sponsor her college studies if she wanted to continue studying.
But she said, 'No, Akka. I have talked to my friends and made up my mind. I would like to do my diploma in computer science so that I can immediately get a job after three years.' She wanted to become economically independent as soon as possible.. Chitra obtained her diploma with flying colours. She also got a job in a software company as an assistant testing engineer. When she got her first salary, she came to my office with a sari and a box of sweets. One day, when I was in Delhi, I got a call from Chitra. She was very happy. 'Akka, my company is sending me to USA!
I wanted to meet you and take your blessings but you are not here in Bangalore.'. Years passed. Occasionally, I received an e-mail from Chitra. She was doing very well in her career. She was posted across several cities in USA and was enjoying life. I silently prayed that she should always be happy wherever she was.
 Years later, I was invited to deliver a lecture in San Francisco for Kannada Koota, an organization where families who speak Kannada meet and organize events. The lecture was in a convention hall of a hotel and I decided to stay at the same hotel. After the lecture, I was planning to leave for the airport. When I checked out of the hotel room and went to the reception counter to pay the bill, the receptionist said, 'Ma'am, you don't need to pay us anything.
 The lady over there has already settled your bill. She must know you pretty well.' I turned around and found Chitra there. She was standing with a young white man and wore a beautiful sari. She was looking very pretty with short hair. Her dark eyes were beaming with happiness and pride. As soon as she saw me, she gave me a brilliant smile, hugged me and touched my feet. I was overwhelmed with joy and did not know what to say. I was very happy to see the way things had turned out for Chitra.
But I came back to my original question. 'Chitra, why did you pay my hotel bill? That is not right.' suddenly sobbing, she hugged me and said, 'Because you paid for my ticket from Bombay to Bangalore!'

 (Excerpted with permission from Penguin Books India from Sudha Murty's 'The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk: Life Stories From Here and There')

All about bread

Source: Today I found out

Two sides of a coin

A Mother was reading a magazine and her cute little daughter every now and then distracted her.
To keep her busy, she tore one page on which was printed the map of the world.
She tore it into pieces and asked her to go to her room and put them together to make the map again.

She was sure her daughter would take a lot more time and probably whole of day to get it done.
But the little one came back within minutes with perfect map.

When she asked how she could do it so quickly, she said,
"Oh Mom, there is a man's face on the other side of the paper. I made the face perfect to get the map right." she ran outside to play leaving the mother surprised.

Moral :

Perhaps there is always the other side to whatever you experience in this world.

This story indirectly teaches a lesson.
That is:
Whenever we come across a challenge or a puzzling situation,
Look at the other side...
&
Will be surprised to see an easy way to tackle the problem or an acute difficulty.

Solve all your problems this way and have a great day ahead!

Coin in the Shoes

A young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students' friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day's work.The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."
"My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense someone. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of the poor man. Put a coin into each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how the discovery affects him."
The student did so, and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.
While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. 
He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.
His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom the timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.
The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. "Now," said the professor, "are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?" 
The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of those words, which I never understood before: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Why does our Body do that?

Learn the common causes behind your body's little quirks. Whether uncomfortable, embarrassing or just plain weird, there are some pretty funky things that our bodies do. Curious about the causes of such reactions as hiccups, goose bumps and eye twitches, Eric Plasker, DC, Author of The 100 Year Lifestyle, gives the real scoop. Read on to discover the common reasons for 14 peculiar bodily functions.

Yawns

If your body is low on oxygen, your mouth opens wide and tries to suck more in. Yawning is a way to regulate the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood. Unfortunately, yawns are nearly impossible to stifle.

Eye Twitches

Serious eye twitches can be a symptom of neurological disorders, but often there is a more mundane explanation. Common causes for eye twitches include stress, lack of sleep extended staring or eye strain. Before you get frantic, try reducing your stress level, cutting back on caffeine and catching up on sleep.

Itches

According to Dr. Plasker, our skin most often gets itchy because of dryness associated with the environment or over-washing. Water and soap can strip skin of its natural oils, thus sapping moisture. Face or body lotion should be able to keep these types of itches under control; also look for body washes and soaps labeled 'moisturizing'. If you still have itchy patches, you may be experiencing an allergic reaction to a chemical, plant, food, animal or drug. See an allergist if the itching is persistent.

Hiccups

If you've frequently got a case of the hiccups, try slowing down when you eat and drink, suggests Dr. Plasker. Doing either too quickly causes your stomach to swell; this irritates your diaphragm, which contracts and causes hiccups. You may also get hiccups in emotional situations or if your body experiences a sudden temperature change. In both of these cases, the hiccups are a result of a glitch in your nerve pathways, which is why a sudden scare - which might shake up and reset your nerves - can sometimes end an episode.

Goose Bumps

Those tiny bumps that cover your skin when you're cold or scared are actually a defense mechanism. Goose bumps occur when the arrector pili, a tiny muscle that connects the hair follicle with skin, contracts and makes the hair stand on end. If you had more hair - like cavemen did - the upright hair would trap air to keep you warm or make you look bushier and therefore more threatening to predators.

Sneezes

Sneezes happen when your body is trying to expel an irritant from the nasal cavity. If you have allergies, pollen or pet dander is usually to blame. If you have a cold, your body makes mucus to trap the virus, and sneezing helps force it (and the sickness) out of your body. An over-the-counter allergy or cold medicine helps suppress your reaction to allergens or reduce mucus production, which should prevent sneezing fits.

Coughs

A cough is another mechanism your body uses to get rid of irritants. There are special cells along your air passage, says Dr. Plasker, that recognize irritants and force them out. Common colds, sinus infections and pneumonia all increase your body's mucus production, which triggers coughing. Smoking and asthma also tend to irritate the cells. To help cut down on chronic coughing, exercise regularly and practice good posture to keep your air passage open.

Charley Horses

These sudden, super-painful muscle spasms can be blamed on several things, including dehydration or electrolyte imbalances - often from strenuous exercise. After a demanding workout or an extra-long run, sip a sports drink to keep your system running smoothly. If you experience this type of cramping, walk around to help relieve the pain.

Shivers

Shivering, says Dr. Plasker, is full-body muscle twitching. When your temperature drops too low, your body shakes all over in an attempt to generate heat. The only way to cure these kind of shivers is to get your temperature back to 98.6 Degree F.

Ear Ringing

Ear ringing, or tinnitus, can happen for two reasons. If you have fluid or an infection in your middle ear, you may hear a constant buzz. However, the more common cause is damage to the microscopic ends of your hearing nerves, which often happens when you're exposed to loud noises. To prevent permanent damage (and preserve your hearing), wear earplugs at concerts and sporting events - or even when you mow the lawn.

Stomach Rumbles

As food, liquid and gas move through your digestive tract, your stomach muscles and intestines contract and cause rumbling noises - Borborygmi is the scientific name. Everyone's stomach makes noise during digestion, but if you have extra-loud rumbles, a teaspoon of olive oil or a cup of herbal tea with lemon may help ease them, says Dr. Plasker.

Limbs Falling Asleep

When there's consistent pressure on part of a limb - like when you sit on your feet or rest your head on an arm - the pressure squeezes your nerve pathways and scrambles messages sent to your brain. The mixed messages make you lose feeling in the squished body part because your brain has trouble telling it what to do. To prevent a case of pins and needles, avoid sitting or lying in positions that compress your nerves.

Seeing Stars

If you stand too quickly, suffer a blow to the head or are stricken by a migraine, there's a good chance you'll see stars as blood surges to different parts of your body. Generally these tiny flashes of light will fade in a few seconds. If you see stars for more than a few moments, you could have a tear or tiny clot in your retina, and you should consult a physician immediately.

Ear Popping

The Eustachian tube in your inner ear is responsible for maintaining equal pressure on both sides of your eardrum. When you experience a rapid change in altitude - during takeoff in an airplane or when riding an elevator in an extra-tall building - the Eustachian tube opens to release pressure, and you hear a pop. To force the tube open (and 'pop' your ears), squeeze your nostrils closed while exhaling forcefully through your nose.

TIPS ON PUMPING PETROL

How to get more per liter. Very informative and MONEY-SAVER!!!


I  don't know what you guys are paying for  petrol.... I am paying  up to Rs.1.35 to Rs.1.50 per liter. My line of work  is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here  are some tricks to get more of your money's  worth for every Liter:  


Here  at the Shell Pipeline where I work ,  we deliver about 4 million liters in a 24-hour  period .. One day is diesel the  next day is jet fuel, and petrol, regular and  premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here  with a total capacity of 16,800,000  Liters. 


Only  buy or fill up your car or truck in the early  morning when the ground temperature is still  cold. Remember  that all service stations have their storage  tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground  the more dense the petrol, when it gets warmer  petrol expands, so buying in the afternoon or in  the evening....your liter is not exactly a  liter. In the petroleum business, the specific  gravity and the temperature of the petrol,  diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum  products plays an important  role.  


A  1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for  this business. But the service stations do not  have temperature compensation at the  pumps.


When  you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of  the nozzle to a fast modeIf you look you will see that the trigger has  three (3) stages: low, middle, and high.You  should be pumping on low mode, thereby  minimizing the vapours that are created while  you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have vapour return. If you are pumping on the fast  rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank  becomes vapour. Those vapours are being sucked  up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.


One of the most important tips is to fill up when  your Petrol tank is HALF FULL. The reason  for this is the more Petrol you have in your  tank the less air occupying its empty space.  petrol evaporates faster than you can imagine.  petrol storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between  the Petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimizes  the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here  where I work, every truck that we load is  temperature compensated so that every liter is actually the exact amount. 


Another reminder, if there is a petrol truck pumping  into the storage tanks when you stop to buy Petrol, DO NOT fill up; most likely  the petrol is being stirred up as the Petrol is being delivered, and you might pick up some of  the dirt that normally settles on the  bottom. 


To have an impact, we need to reach literally  millions of Petrol buyers. It's really simple to  do.

Haridas Guruji

Tansen was a great musician in the court of Emperor Akbar. One day, charmed by his music, Akbar said, "There is none who can equal you in music."

Tansen replied, "No, my lord, there is one person."

Akbar got curious. Tansen explained, "He is no ordinary person. His name is Haridas and he is a saint. He lives in Vrindavan and he is my guru."
...
Akbar wanted to invite Saint Haridas to the court to listen to his singing. Tansen replied, "He will not stir out of Vrindavan. Many have tried to persuade him but failed."

Akbar asked, "Can I hear his music? Can you take me there?"

Tansen replied, "If you are willing to come disguised as my disciple, I can take you there and I will try to make him sing."
Akbar immediately agreed.

So, a disguised Akbar and Tansen left for Vrindavan. On reaching the place of the saint, both of them paid their respects to the saint. The saint did not sing at all.

In the evening, Tansen started singing. While singing, he deliberately made a mistake. Immediately the saint corrected him and to explain the correction started singing. Akbar and Tansen sat spellbound listening to him. It was the most divine music that Akbar had ever heard.

After some time, the saint was absorbed in meditation and fell unconscious.

Akbar said, "You should be blessed to have such a teacher. How does he sing so well?"

Tansen replied, "He does not sing for mere mortals like us. He sings for God. That is why his music is so good."

Another Set of Stupid Questions

1. At the theater: When you meet your friend.
Stupid Question: Hey, what are you doing here?
Answer: Don’t you know, I sell tickets in black over here..


2. In the local train: A fat woman wearing pointed high-heeled shoes steps on your feet..
Stupid Question: Sorry, did that hurt?
Answer: No, not at all, I’m on local anesthesia…..why don’t you try again.


3. At a funeral: One of the teary-eyed people ask…
Stupid Question: Why, why him, of all people.
Answer: Why? Would it rather have been you?


4. At a restaurant: When you ask the waiter
Stupid Question: Is the “Chinese Manchurian” dish good??
Answer: No, its terrible and made of adulterated powders. We occasionally also spit in it.


5. At a family get-together: When some distant aunt meets you after years…
Stupid Question: Oh, Johnny you’ve become so big.
Answer: Well you haven’t particularly shrunk yourself.


6. When a friend announces her wedding, and you ask…
Stupid Question: Is the guy you’re marrying good?
Answer: No, he’s a miserable wife-beating, insensitive lout…it’s just the money.


7. When you get woken up at midnight by a phone call…
Stupid Question: Sorry. Were you sleeping?
Answer: No. I was doing research on cats. You thought I was sleeping….you idiot!


8. When you see a friend with evidently shorter hair..
Stupid Question: Hey have you had a haircut?
Answer: No, its autumn and I’m shedding….


9. At the dentist when he’s sticking pointed objects in your mouth…
Stupid Question: Tell me if it hurts?
Answer: No it won`t. It will just bleed.


10. You are smoking a cigarette and a woman asks…
Stupid Question: Oh, so you smoke.
Answer: Gosh, it’s a miracle ……. it was a piece of chalk and now it’s in flames!!!

A girl and her 4 boyfriends

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends. 
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. 
She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. 
She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times. 
The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend, although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him! 
One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, will I be alone.' 
Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company? 'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart. 
The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold. 
She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her Like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated. 
Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!' 


In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives: 
        Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die. 
        Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth.When you die, it will all go to others. 
        Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave. 
        And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity. 


Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. 


Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

PriceLess World

A husband wakes up at home with a huge hangover. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the side table. He sits down and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotless, clean. So is the rest of the house. He takes the aspirins and notices a note on the table. "Honey, breakfast is on the table, I left early to go grocery shopping. Love You!" Totally shocked with the note , he goes to the kitchen and sure enough there is a hot breakfast and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. He asks, "Son, what happened last night?" His son says, "Well, you came home around 3 AM, drunk and delirious. Broke some crockery, puked in the hall, and gave yourself a black eye when you stumbled into the door". Confused, the man asks, "So, why is everything in order and so clean, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me? I should expect a big quarrel with her!" His son replies, "Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your clothes n shoes off, you said, "LADY LEAVE ME ALONE! I'M MARRIED!"

Are you good in Logic?

Ashok, a fresh computer graduate from a world-class University, goes for an interview in a software company.

The interviewer is Sunder, a grubby old man. And the first question he asks Ashok is, `Are you good at logic?'

`Of course,' replies Ashok.

`Let me test you,' replies Sunder. `Two men come down a chimney. One comes with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one would wash his face?'

Ashok stares at Sunder. `Is that a test in Logic?' Sunder nods.

`The one with the dirty face washes his face', Ashok answers wearily.

`Wrong. The one with the clean face washes his face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face.'

`Hmm. I never thought of that," says Ashok. `Give me another test.'

Sunder holds up two fingers, `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

`We have already established that. The one with the clean face washes his face.'

`Wrong. Each one washes one's face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face. When the one with the dirty face sees the one with the clean face washing his face, he also washes his face. So each one washes one's face.'


`I didn't think of that!' says Ashok. `It's shocking to me that I could make an error in logic. Test me again!'


Sunder holds up two fingers, `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

`Each one washes his face.'

`Wrong. Neither one washes his face. Examine the simple logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. But when the one with clean face sees that the one with the dirty face doesn't wash his face, he also doesn't wash his face. So neither one washes his face.'

Ashok is desperate. `I am qualified for this job. Please give me one more test!'

He groans when Sunder lifts his two fingers, `Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?'

`Neither one washes his face', Ashok replies, `I have learnt this logic.'

`Wrong, again. Do you now see, Ashok, why programming knowledge is insufficient for this job? Tell me, how is it possible for two men to come down the same chimney, and for one to come out with a clean face and the other with a dirty face? Don't you see the flaw in the premise?'"

When Your Hut's On Fire

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him.
Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood
to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little
hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had
happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief,
grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him!

'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers.
'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't
lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our
pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the
ground... it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.

Things You Must Know About Your Body Temperature

Body temperature is an important indicator of our health. What is normal body temperature? What part of the body gives the most accurate readings? Find out the answers to these and other questions regarding body temperature.

1.Your body is great thermoregulator

Our body has an amazing ability to keep its temperature within safe range to keep you healthy, no matter what conditions you are exposed to outside the body. When you feel hot, you start sweating, which cools you body down. When you feel cold, you start shivering, which is involuntary muscle contractions that generate heat. Goosebumps that appear on skin when you are feeling cold are actually tiny muscles that raise body hairs, which increase their thickness.

2. Normal body temperature

It is commonly accepted that normal human body temperature is 98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C. However, there is also a number of variations to normal body temperature that depend on many factors, such as the time of the day, outside temperature, age of the person and others. Temperature may vary by 1 degrees F (0.6 degrees C), from 97 degrees F (36.1 degrees C) to 99 degrees F (37.2 degrees C), which is considered within normal range.

3. The body temperature varies throughout the day

Body temperature undergoes minor changes throughout the day. It is the lowest in the morning, between 4 and 6 a.m. And highest in the evening, around 6 to 8 p.m. Temperature also changes during sleep. Usually it starts to drop when we fall asleep, ensuring sound sleep and needed rest.

4. Rectal temperature - most accurate

Body temperature is measured with the help of different types of thermometers in various parts of the body. Temperature taken in your mouth may be influenced by many factors and is usually lower, while rectal and ear measurements are slightly higher than oral temperature readings. Temperature taken in your armpit may me the least accurate since it may not directly indicate core temperature. The most accurate way to measure body temperature is to take temperature rectally.

5. Fever is good for you

Many of us are scared of fever and try to reduce fever with medications. However, fever is not an illness, but the body's defense mechanism that fights infections and is basically harmless. Fever slows the growth of pathogenic bacteria and activates white blood cells to fight infection. Fever may range between 100 degrees to 104 degrees F and higher (37.8 degrees - 40 degrees C), but not all of them need to be treated with medications. The general rule of thumb is that fever medicines are necessary when it causes you or your child discomfort or there are other dangerous signs such as trouble breathing or pain.

This is the story of an eagle

The Eagle has the longest life-span of it's species
It can live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision
In it's 40th year its long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food
Its long and sharp beak becomes bent. It's old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, stick to it's chest & make it difficult to fly
Then, the eagle is left with only two options: DIE or go through a painful process of CHANGE which lasts 150 days.
The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on it's nest
1. There the eagle knocks it's beak against a rock until it plucks it out
2. Then the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out it's talons
3. When it's new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking it's old-aged feathers
And after 5 months, The eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth and lives for 30 more years


Lets compare this story with a company. Just a creative thinking and this does not refer to any specific company.
Like an eagle, The Company to live beyond certain time
1. will knock itself down purposefully. Go down in financial status.
2. Will retrench lower level people as there is no money to pay out
3. Will remove some of the higher level management.
4. Then will prosper and grow again. All this process will be publicised which will also add on to their reasons to grow.
5. Then the company will start taking in men
6. company will be there for another long long time.

Does this sound too negative in thinking? just for a difference...please bear with it.

Tips Tips Tips...

One of the complex machine in the world is nothing but Our human body. There are lot of amazing things that are yet to be learned from the human body. Not all things are know to our body, there are few cool tricks that we can teach our body. So, let's see those cool tips...


1) If you've got an itch in your throat, scratch your ear. When the nerves in the ear get stimulated, they create a reflex in the throat that causes a muscle spasm, which cures the itch.

2) Having trouble hearing someone at a party or on the phone? Use your right ear it's better at picking up rapid speech. But, the left is better at picking up music tones.

3) If you need to relieve yourself BADLY, but you're not anywhere near a bathroom, fantasize about RELATIONS. That preoccupies your brain and distracts it.


4) Next time the doctor's going to give you an injection, COUGH as the needle is going in. The cough raises the level of pressure in your spinal canal, which limits the pain sensation as it tries to travel to your brain.

5) Clear a stuffed nose or relieve sinus pressure by pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth thenpressing a finger between your eyebrows. Repeat that for 20 seconds it causes the vomer bone to rock, which loosens your congestion and clears you up.

6) If you ate a big meal and you're feeling full as you go to sleep, lay on your left side. That'll keep you from suffering from acid reflux it keeps your stomach lower than your esophagus, which will help keep stomach acid from sliding up your throat.

7) You can stop a toothache by rubbing ice on the back of your hand, on the webbed area between your thumb and index finger. The nerve pathways there stimulate a part of the brain that blocks pain signals from your mouth.

8) If you get all messed up on liquor, and the room starts spinning, put your hand on something stable. The reason: Alcohol dilutes the blood in the part of your ear called the cupula, which regulates balance. Putting your hand on something stable gives your brain another reference point, which will help make the world stop spinning.

9) Stop a nose bleed by putting some cotton on your upper gums right behind the small dent below your nose and press against it hard. Most of the bleeding comes from the cartilage wall that divides the nose, so pressing there helps get it to stop.

10) Slow your heart rate down by blowing on your thumb. The vagus nerve controls your heart rate, and you can calm it down by breathing.

11) Need to breathe underwater for a while? Instead of taking a huge breath, HYPERVENTILATE before you go under, by taking a bunch of short breaths. That'll trick your brain into thinking it has more oxygen, and buy you about 10 extra seconds.

12) You can prevent BRAIN FREEZE by pressing your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth, covering as much surface area as possible. Brain freeze happens because the nerves in the roof of your mouth getextremely cold, so your brain thinks your whole body is cold. It compensates by overheating which causes your head to hurt. By warming up the roof of your mouth, you'll chill your brain and feel better.


13) If your hand falls asleep, rock your head from side to side. That will wake your hand or arm up in less than a minute. Your hand falls asleep because of the nerves in your neck compressing so loosening your neck is the cure. If your foot falls asleep, that's governed by nerves lower in the body, so you need to stand up and walk around.

14) Finally, this one's totally USELESS, but a nice trick. Have someone stick their arm out to the side, straight, palm down. Press down on his wrist with two fingers. He'll resist, and his arm will stay horizontal. Then, have him put his foot on a surface that's half an inch off the ground, like a stack of magazines, and do the trick again. Because his spine position is thrown off, his arm will fall right to his side, no matter how much he tries to resist.


15) Got the hiccups? Press thumb and second finger over your eyebrows until the hiccups are over - usually shortly.

Who is Laughing Buddha?

Every one must have seen the statue of "Laughing Buddha". He is also called as the "Happy Man".


In actuality he was named Hotei or Pu-Tai is best known as the jolly Laughing Buddha.In China, he is known as the Loving or Friendly One.He is based on an eccentric Chinese Ch'an (Zen) monk who lived over 1,000 years ago and has become a significant part of Buddhist and Shinto culture.Because of this monk's benevolent nature, he came to be regarded as an incarnation of the bodhisattva who will be Maitreya (the Future Buddha). His large protruding stomach and jolly smile have given him the common designation "Laughing Buddha.".

He was truly a great zen master and legend has a great story which is so inspirational for all of us.

The jolly good saint that he was used to go from one place to the other.He went to the Town Square and soon people gathered around him. He was so funny looking and always smiling that people used to crowd around him.

He would then distribute sweets and small toys to all children who had gathered around him. Then keep his bag down, look to the sky and just start laughing. He used to laugh madly and he was not interested whether other laughed or not. Soon his laughter used to be contagious and all who had gathered would start to laugh.

The whole town used to laugh and laugh.After sometime he would pick the bag, which he had kept down, smile to all, and go to the next town. All his life he did only this action and it was said that many people attained Nirvana, enlightenment just through this process.Hence he was called as the laughing Buddha because Buddha is someone who is enlightened and laughter was his unique method. Never before him or never after him such a simple aspect was used to achieve what all humans strive for-moksha or enlightenment.

He would rarely speak and once when he was asked to describe his method he told, that he gave sweets to children to symbolically that the more you give, the more comes to you. Thereby he unveiled the secret of "Giving with joy". Children are said to be GOD because they represent the GOD Nature, which is always, be in Present time, smiling and joyful, ego less, and most important is without judge mental mind.

The bag represented problems that all humans encounter. We are mistaken that when we have problems, that GOD only gave you a problem and the rest are so happy. The problems appear big because we are associated with it- calling it as "My Problem".Look at a funny phenomenon, if anyone comes to you with any problem of theirs and seek solutions or advice, what you do. You tell them so many solutions so easily as though you are an expert in all the fields in the Universe. However big the others problems are you can solve it so easily, you are a master solver of problems. But then what happens to your own problems. Hmm Hmm it is impossible to find any solution.

This happens only because of your attachment and association with the problem.So laughing Buddha said, simple keep your problem down (symbolically keeping the bag down) means "Disassociate with your Problem", "Separate form it" and yes just Laugh. What else can one do? Think and thank GOD that you only have such a small problem as compared to so many others. Whether you laugh or cry the problem is going to be there right. So why not laugh at it. Therein is the magic and mind you no small magic, it is huge, apply it to realize about the power of laughter.

On laughing your whole internal chemistry changes and thereby the body produces certain enzymes that are only released in a state of laughter. The problem now looks too tiny and as you pick it (symbolically he picks back the bag before going to the next place) the problem is solved.

Such a great zen master was Hotei or Laughing Buddha. So next time you look at the statue of "laughing Buddha" associate with that great teaching he gave all of us, the power of laughter. Each time you see the Laughing Buddha and if it reminds you to laugh, a great work has been done.

Whole life Hotei lived in Laughter. And when the time came to pass away, he knew he had to give up his life at an appropriate time. He called his disciples and said that after he passes away, they should immediately burn his body. The disciples were surprised because there was no tradition of burning in Zen. But they followed the master wishes. And as they lit fire to his body, "Fire Works and Crackers" started flying all over.

Hotei was so great that just before he died he hid a lot of crackers and rockets in his clothes.So there also he created such laughter by the suddenness of the situation.So Hotei not only lived in laughter all through his life, he also died in laughter.

Let us all learn from the great zen master that "It is our birth right to laugh" and "No matter what happens we should come back to laughter".

15 Facts about Banana

[Source: Today I found out]

Show And Tell

Ideas for Show and Tell for a Kindergarten two kid

Thing: Calendar
1. This is a calendar.
2. We learn all about day, date, month, and year from the calendar.
3. Blue coloured days are school holidays.
4. Days coloured in pink are public holidays.
5. My father users the calender to plan for holidays

Thing: Alarm Clock
1. This is an alarm clock.
2. Alarm Clock helps to wake me up early in the morning.
3. During day time we use this as a clock to show time.
4. It has a long hand, a short hand and a second hand.
5. Long hand tells us the minute, Short hand tells us the hour and the seconds hand tells us about the second.
6. The time now is ""(whatever the clock is showing at that time).

Thing: ToothPaste/ToothBrush
1. This is a toothpaste and a tooth brush.
2. We need to brush our teeth daily to keep ourselves healthy
3. We should learn to use this tooth brush properly from a dentist.
4. I brush two times daily and I feel good about it.
5. Tooth brush is made of plastic and it has bristels on it which helps to clean our teeth in an out.
6. We should always use soft type of tooth brush because hard type will hurt your teeth.

Santa Claus and Grandma

Start your Christmas season with a great Christmas story I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma.

I was just a kid.I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: There is no Santa Claus, she jeered. Even dummies know that! My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous,because Grandma said so. It had to be true.
Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. No Santa Claus? she snorted Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go.Go? Go where, Grandma? I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun.

Where turned out to be Kerby General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. Take this money, she said, and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car. Then she turned and walked out of Kerby. I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.
For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter.His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.Is this a Christmas present for someone? the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. Yes, mam, I replied shyly. It's for Bobby.The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, To Bobby, From Santa Claus on it.Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.

Then Grandma gave me a nudge. All right, Santa Claus, she whispered, get going. I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that careAnd may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus

Someone who understands

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about Nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post,he Felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy. Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine cents.Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said the farmer and with that he let out a whistle,"Here,Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this One noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.... "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need Someone who understands."

Stupid questions people ask

1. When people c u lying down, wid ur eyes closd dy still ask:- r u sleepin?
No! Em trainin 2 die.

2. When It's rainin & some1 notices u goin out, dy ask: - r u going out in dis rain?
No,in the next 1.

3. Ur friend calls ur home fone:- Where r u?
At de bus stop!

4. Dey see u wet comin 4m de bathroom:- Did u just hav a bath?
No, I fell in de toilet bowl !

5. U r standin rite in front of de elevator on the ground floor & dey ask:- Goin up?
No, no, em waitin 4 my apartmnt 2 come down & get me.

6. U bring a bunch of flowers 4 ur sweet heart. & dey ask:- r dose Fl.wers?
No baby! Dey r Carrots.

7. U'r on the queue 2 buy tickets de cinema, a friend saw u & ask:- wat r u doin here?
Em here 2 pay my uni fee..!:-D

Below are those that I heard - AddOns

8. Your dress is very nice
It will not fit you..
Ans: Err…what are you trying to say???

9. When ppl c u eating breakfast, they ask: you having your breakfast now?
Ans: No, I having my lunch now.

10. When ppl hear you typed for non stop during office hour, they ask: are you very busy working?
Ans: No, EM playing games!

11. When ppl asked where did you go for lunch just now?
Ans: Err…EM going over there now!

Legally and Logically Nice!

A young Law student, having failed his Law exam,goes up to his crusty old professor, who isrenowned for his razor-sharp legal mind.
Student: "Sir, do you really understandeverything about this subject?"
Professor: "Actually, I probably do. Otherwise Iwouldn't be a professor, would I?"
Student: "OK. So I’d like to ask you a question.If you can give me the correct answer, I willaccept my marks as they are. If you can't give methe correct answer, however, you'll have to giveme an "A".
Professor: "Hmmmm, alright. So what’s thequestion?"
Student: "What is legal but not logical, logicalbut not legal, and neither logical nor legal? "
The professor wracks his famous brain, but justcan't crack the answer. Finally he gives up andchanges the student's failing mark into an "A" asagreed, and the student goes away, very pleased.
The professor continues to wrack his brain overthe question all afternoon, but still can’t getthe answer. So finally he calls in a group of hisbrightest students and tells them he has areally, really tough question to answer: "What islegal but not logical, logical but not legal, andneither logical nor legal? "
To the professor's surprise (and embarrassment) ,all the students immediately raise their hands.
"All right" says the professor, and asks hisfavourite student to answer.
"It's quite easy, sir" says the student. "You see,you are 75 years old and married to a 30 year oldwoman, which is legal, but not logical. Your wifehas a 22 year old lover, which is logical, butnot legal. And your wife's lover failed his exambut you've just given him an "A", which is neither legal nor logical !!!!!!"

Traffic in expressway

Today was doing a deep thinking while travelling in a two wheeler in the expressway. It was with massive, auto-imobilisive traffic except for two wheelers. Bike riders were doing their circuit practise in between two big row of cars and was facing challenges whenever a car was not standing on the middle of the road. Why so many people decide to go to office in the same time as mine?Why people choose car when travelling alone?Why people take taxi knowing very well that they will reach an hour late compared to the time taken to travel in MRT?
Can Governement/LTA do something about this? Widening the road doesnt help much and even if there happens to be another lane, its going to be filled up with bmws, chevys, hyundais, hondas and toyotas. Worst thing I saw today was an ambulance waiting for a long time even after it had its emergency lights on. Can there be a rule like1. A car to travel in expressway should contain minimum of 4 passengers2. A taxi to travel in expressway should contain minimum of 2 passengers excluding the driver3. A bus/van or minibus to travel in expressway should contain 3/4th seats occupied
Will this help reduce traffic?

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HUMANITY STORY HEART TOUCHING ONE

A HEART Touching Story ♥

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes & went directly to the surgery block. He found the boy's father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor.
On seeing him, the dad yelled:"Why did U take all this time to come? Don't U know that my son's life is in danger? Don't U have any sense of responsibility?"Th...e doctor smiled & said:"I am sorry, I wasn't in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call...... And now, I wish you'd calm down so that I can do my work""Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would U calm down? If your own son dies now what will U do??" said the father angrilyThe doctor smiled again & replied: "I will say what Job said in the Holy Book "From dust we came & to dust we return, blessed be the name of God". Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go & intercede for your son, we will do our best by God's grace""Giving advises when we're not concerned is so easy" Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy,"Thank goodness!, your son is saved!" And without waiting for the father's reply he carried on his way running. "If U have any question, ask the nurse!!""Why is he so arrogant? He couldn't wait some minutes so that I ask about my son's state" Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: "His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son's surgery. And now that he saved your son's life, he left running to finish his son's burial."Moral-Never judge anyone..... because U never know how their life is & what they're going through"

Don't Forget To Share Dis SPREAD HUMANITY :)