R A K S H A B A N D H A N
So me an my family all got together at my uncle's house to celebrate RakshaBandan this Sunday....
(Info on the festival from http://www.urday.com/rakshabandhan.htm)
This is an ancient tradition. Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between gods and demons, and Indra (the king of the gods) was feeling depressed. At that time Indra’s wife Sachi took a thread, charged it with sacred verses or Mantras for protection and tied it on Indra’s hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies. Since then till today this festival is celebrated.
Through the passage of time festivals are undergoing modifications. Raksha Bandhan is also known as Rakhi. Rakhi has become a sacred festival for sisters and brothers. Sisters tie them to brothers. Priests tie them to people of his congregation.
During the middle ages, if a woman tied a Rakhi on the hand of any man, then it became imperative for him, as his religious duty of the highest order, to protect that woman. That man would put his life at stake to protect the honour of that woman.
According to ancient traditions, it is customary to have protection threads that are charged with sacred verses (Mantras) and sanctified with rice, durva grass etc.; to have these tied by people who know the Vedas or by near and dear ones.
This protection thread saves from sins on the one hand and removes diseases on the other hand. By tying this thread, protection is afforded for a full one year and all kinds of fears are removed.
Nowadays Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colours, and also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis enhance the artistry of the people. Within these Rakhis reside sacred feelings and well wishes. It is also a great sacred verse of unity. Acting as a symbol of life's advancement and a leading messenger of togetherness. Each person should celebrate with enthusiasm this sacred festival of Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan. (Raksha = protection. Bandhan = tie).
Another plus for girls is that when they tie a Rakhi on their brothers and cousins they tend to get money in return!So had a nice time on Sunday meeting up with my mum's family... and my cousin brought round her fiance too - he's ok - looks like he'll fit into our family...
Monday was Bank Holiday which meant just chillin' with my fmaily at home and watching telly ... watched a nice rom-com called This Time Around about a girl how is humilated by a boy at high school and decides to seek revenge when they meet ten years later - only to fall in love with the man he's become... ahhh!
So I've been playing in the official fantasy footie league - and my teams not doing too bad - my cousin's and their friends have set up our own league called United something - because most of them support Man UTD - well except my bro who is an Arsenal fan...
Now, I got to say that even though i'm a ManU fan - I have to admit that with the number of injured players they have their chamce of winning the premiership this year looks slim - also note the fact that I only have one ManU player in my antasy team and about 2/3 Arsenal players.
Unfortunately, Arsenal seems to be in top form with its 44 undefeated record - so it looks like they or Chelsea will win this year if Man U don't pick up their game.
Now, I got to say that even though i'm a ManU fan - I have to admit that with the number of injured players they have their chamce of winning the premiership this year looks slim - also note the fact that I only have one ManU player in my antasy team and about 2/3 Arsenal players.
Unfortunately, Arsenal seems to be in top form with its 44 undefeated record - so it looks like they or Chelsea will win this year if Man U don't pick up their game.
As usual, the newspapers have been presenting us with the 'dumbing down' argument to explain the high level of results at Alevel and GCSE - they make it seem like any bozo can get As in their exams. Well I'd like to tell them that I did revise to get good grades in my Alevels last year!
I think the main reasons for why the pass rate and number of As have risen are due to the following:
We have coursework and although this means that we have to work hard throughout the year doing this cwk, it also means that our grade does not depend soley on the exam.
BUT for some reason, the papers believe that coursework weightings should be reduced as it makes it easier to get higher grades - NOT totally correct - they are only worth about 20% of overall grade and so only help to push you up or down a grade boundary.
Another point is that teachers try to teach us only what is on the syllabus - so we know exactly what we can be tested one - this does mean that we don't have a broad knowledge of the subject but time pressures mean they have no choice.
The revision guides we have available nowadays makes it easier for us to revise and sometimes they are tailored to specific syllabuses - so this does mean that revision for us is eaiser - less note taking from large text books - but it doesn't mean we can do no work.
Finally, we have access to examiners mark schemes and past papers - this means that we can improve or skills. However, all of these benefits can only help us if we have the drive to do well - there are always those people who never work hard and make use of all these things. So the high marks must also mean that more people actually care about their education today....Hmm... well this is just my view ... it could change tomorrow...
I think the main reasons for why the pass rate and number of As have risen are due to the following:
We have coursework and although this means that we have to work hard throughout the year doing this cwk, it also means that our grade does not depend soley on the exam.
BUT for some reason, the papers believe that coursework weightings should be reduced as it makes it easier to get higher grades - NOT totally correct - they are only worth about 20% of overall grade and so only help to push you up or down a grade boundary.
Another point is that teachers try to teach us only what is on the syllabus - so we know exactly what we can be tested one - this does mean that we don't have a broad knowledge of the subject but time pressures mean they have no choice.
The revision guides we have available nowadays makes it easier for us to revise and sometimes they are tailored to specific syllabuses - so this does mean that revision for us is eaiser - less note taking from large text books - but it doesn't mean we can do no work.
Finally, we have access to examiners mark schemes and past papers - this means that we can improve or skills. However, all of these benefits can only help us if we have the drive to do well - there are always those people who never work hard and make use of all these things. So the high marks must also mean that more people actually care about their education today....Hmm... well this is just my view ... it could change tomorrow...
Today was spent designing a logo for a community center in Altlanta (yes, I guess you're wondering 'but don't you live in London?') as part of some virtual volunteering which I decided to do.
I came up with two main designs - one traditional and monochrome - the other more modern and colourful. I emailed them in the afternoon and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
Also today I had to work with many distractions - my brother decided to use the laptop in my room because my dad had a business client over - and I had to put up with my little cousing msn-ing me to play online games with him.
On top of that, my pc seemed like it was low on memory and kept freezing up, which made using Photoshop very difficult.
Anyway, I've decided that my layout is in need of a makeover - so i'll start working on a better one soon - I may even change the title!
I came up with two main designs - one traditional and monochrome - the other more modern and colourful. I emailed them in the afternoon and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
Also today I had to work with many distractions - my brother decided to use the laptop in my room because my dad had a business client over - and I had to put up with my little cousing msn-ing me to play online games with him.
On top of that, my pc seemed like it was low on memory and kept freezing up, which made using Photoshop very difficult.
Anyway, I've decided that my layout is in need of a makeover - so i'll start working on a better one soon - I may even change the title!
Went to see I Robot on Friday night with my family. Took my student card along so I could get a discount - but for some reason the ticket girl gave us 3 adults and a child - but she said it wouldn't matter because child is the same price as student. Still, I was wondering if I would get stopped at the gates because I had a child ticket ..BUT they didn't! - which just goes to show that I look toooo young for my age!!! - well at least that means I can pay less and use ID when necessary ;)
Anyway... on to the review...
I, Robot is about the robot-hating Converse 2004 trainer-wearing Spooner's (Will Smith) investigation into a mysterious death of robot scientist Lanning. And it's about Spooner's scary discoveries about what's going on at Lanning's company and the new breed of Robots which are about to be released onto the unsuspecting public.Spooner's meets the seemingly rogue- but nice robot Sonny who at first he suspects as being the cause of Lanning's death.
As he digs, Spooner soon gets into trouble with his boss Lt. Bergin and his badge is taken away. Partly that's because Spooner is a seeming bigot, prejudiced against robots for reasons we learn of later on in the film.
Spooner's prejudice seems irrational, especially where robots are governed by Asimov's Laws, which state that (1) robots may never intentionally harm a human, and (2) robots must always obey human orders, unless they conflict with the first law, and (3) they must preserve themselves, unless their actions conflict with the first or second law.
Will Smith plays the lead so you know that there are going to be a lot of wise cracks made throughout the film. Although SOME of his jokes were funny, they were sometimes not really appropriate to the situation that he was in. Don't think I'm saying this because i'm not a Will Smith fan - I watch Fresh Prince and have seen his other films - but I don't think I Robot is one of his best.
The idea for the story was good - that Robots could evolve to have minds of their owns and start to control us - but the way they worked around the 3 laws was slightly sketchy.Overall, the film was good to watch if you had some spare time and Will Smith did try to keep it interesting - but since it was a 12A, there was no real sense of fear and less suspense - so i'll give it 6 out of 10.
Feel free to post your own views on the film.
Anyway... on to the review...
I, Robot is about the robot-hating Converse 2004 trainer-wearing Spooner's (Will Smith) investigation into a mysterious death of robot scientist Lanning. And it's about Spooner's scary discoveries about what's going on at Lanning's company and the new breed of Robots which are about to be released onto the unsuspecting public.Spooner's meets the seemingly rogue- but nice robot Sonny who at first he suspects as being the cause of Lanning's death.
As he digs, Spooner soon gets into trouble with his boss Lt. Bergin and his badge is taken away. Partly that's because Spooner is a seeming bigot, prejudiced against robots for reasons we learn of later on in the film.
Spooner's prejudice seems irrational, especially where robots are governed by Asimov's Laws, which state that (1) robots may never intentionally harm a human, and (2) robots must always obey human orders, unless they conflict with the first law, and (3) they must preserve themselves, unless their actions conflict with the first or second law.
Will Smith plays the lead so you know that there are going to be a lot of wise cracks made throughout the film. Although SOME of his jokes were funny, they were sometimes not really appropriate to the situation that he was in. Don't think I'm saying this because i'm not a Will Smith fan - I watch Fresh Prince and have seen his other films - but I don't think I Robot is one of his best.
The idea for the story was good - that Robots could evolve to have minds of their owns and start to control us - but the way they worked around the 3 laws was slightly sketchy.Overall, the film was good to watch if you had some spare time and Will Smith did try to keep it interesting - but since it was a 12A, there was no real sense of fear and less suspense - so i'll give it 6 out of 10.
Feel free to post your own views on the film.
Yup - so yesterday I finally got around to watching Munnaibhai MBBS - a Hindi film. I decided I 'd review it for all of you out there.
First, I 'd have to say that this film is really different from the usual assembly line type films that Bollywood usually chucks out to the audiences. This film, although it did have some boy-meets-girl stuff - actually had a unique and funny storyline. The story revolved around Munnabhai - a man who as a child ran away from his village and became a gangster - BUT - hisa parents believe that he is a doctor!
So everytime they visit him he has to put on the drama of being a doctor who has his own hospital ...unfortunately they find out and then he decides to prove himself and goes to medical school - albeit cheating on the entrance exam... and thats where the fun begins.
Although Munnabhai is a gangster he is actually quite a nice caring person and people at the medical school warm to him - that is everyone expect the Principal!
Overall this was a very funny film and I think a bit refreshing after all the similar hindi movies around today.
For an in-depth review of the film:
http://munnabhaimbbs.indiatimes.com/
First, I 'd have to say that this film is really different from the usual assembly line type films that Bollywood usually chucks out to the audiences. This film, although it did have some boy-meets-girl stuff - actually had a unique and funny storyline. The story revolved around Munnabhai - a man who as a child ran away from his village and became a gangster - BUT - hisa parents believe that he is a doctor!
So everytime they visit him he has to put on the drama of being a doctor who has his own hospital ...unfortunately they find out and then he decides to prove himself and goes to medical school - albeit cheating on the entrance exam... and thats where the fun begins.
Although Munnabhai is a gangster he is actually quite a nice caring person and people at the medical school warm to him - that is everyone expect the Principal!
Overall this was a very funny film and I think a bit refreshing after all the similar hindi movies around today.
For an in-depth review of the film:
http://munnabhaimbbs.indiatimes.com/
Yup - went to see Spiderman2 a few weeks ago and I have to admit I kinda liked it. We got to see another side of 'Spidey' - and how being a superhero affects Peter Parkers life. The Villan was also better this time -- Dr Ock who is controlled by with robotic hands! I think S3 will be quite interesting to watch now that many ppl know his secret - I think Aunt May knows it too - but just hasnt said it!
Post your coments on what you thought of the film.Some other films I wanna see are:
The Bourne Supermacy
I Robot
Mean Girls
Post your coments on what you thought of the film.Some other films I wanna see are:
The Bourne Supermacy
I Robot
Mean Girls
Was at my cousin's house last week - went on Tuesday - it was her 15th birthday and we had a family get-together. She got some CDs a Man Utd shirt, money and Command and Conquer series PC game from us (she loves those ones). Her lil' bro made her a birthday cake - plain and chocolate sponge with lots of cream (yum!). Me and my bro stayed over for about 4 days. It was so hot so we only went to the park once to play some basketball.Most of the time we spent playing Inklink, playing PS2, boardgames and lots and lots of Pool. I think my pool playing skills have improved a lot over the summer - can't wait to play others when I go back to uni! Even got close to beating my uncle..This weekend is India's Independence Day - so will be celebrating it at a picnic in Milton Keynes with people from my communitiy who live in England. There will be lots of food, Indian games and - of course - cricket tournaments!To top it off - Man Utd vs Chelsea match is also on Sunday at 4pm - so this weekend will be fun!
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