Thank you Binga!

              13th July, 2012, time 8.30 am GMT, woke up to read something which I was expecting, but not that soon. Brett Lee, 35, fast-pace Aussie bowler retires from International cricket. It took me a while to digest the news, but it eventually did. And here came a recap of the first time I saw this guy on TV, India vs Australia, 1999-2000 series, Australia. He was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar and was Binga, as he was nicknamed, was lighting fire on the pitch. I must admit, as a 11 year old, I was smitten by his cuteness. And thus began my journey as a cricket fan. My understanding of cricket increased during the 2002 Ashes series, when I became a complete fan of the Australian cricket team: their determination, passion towards cricket and their team and the no-giving up attitude. I can say it was because of Binga I became a fan of a game which is so beautiful, and the most beautiful in its original format.
             During my teenage days, like any other teenage girl, I did my best to know the most what I fan could know. His love for music, he had a fashion label back home in Sydney, where he was born, when he was born and even discussing with my friend Shikha and Binu that "he is only 13 years older, not that old no?" Talking about Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist to Binu constructed a ideal evening after a long day of school and studies ;) . Teenage girls fancied actors, but for me it was Brett Lee. I collected pictures, made scrap books for the whole Australian team, but in particular, Brett Lee. Till date, I am a proud owner of two big scrap books all dedicated to the team.  Slowly and steadily, I started understanding Brett Lee as a cricketer as well, his pace, action, as a team-mate, as a classy lower order batsman who won many games for Australia and so on. I went to watch all the matches in Mumbai when Australia came down to play: To see the team and of course, the pace and athleticism of Brett Lee. As far as my cricket knowledge goes, after Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee is one of most athletic and long lasting bowlers the world has seen.
           McGrath and Lee as an opening bowling combination was a treat to watch, just like Matty Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. McGrath killed the batsman reversely and Binga, with his killer pace and killer smile :) When he smiled, the opponents cried. When he bowled, everyone just looked at Lee ad not the batsman, because the ball had to be a killer delivery. It is difficult to point out the most memorable moment with Brett, because everything has been recorded in the history books of cricket and everything is great! But I always enjoyed when the scoreboard read: c Gilchrist b Lee, because the balls were the fastest and the caught behind were one of the best catches ever. And then the celebration what followed was an exemplar of the team-bonding the Aussies had in the Steve Waugh-John Buchanan, Ricky Ponting- John Buchanan/ Tim Nielsen period, the golden period. Seeing the names of favourites contributing to a wicket would be the best thing any fan wants, and seeing Lee-Gilchrist almost every time was a treat! Brett as a batsman proved to be a match winner. Even though the first thing what comes to my mind is 2005 Ashes, Trent Bridge, Lee-Kasprowicz, last two batsman battling to stay on the pitch to just draw the match, to save Australia losing the series. Sheer patience and determination from the two, but luck wasn't in favour of Australia that day. The image of Brett Lee just tired and sitting on the pitch comes to my mind. Flintoff showing good team spirit, and Lee and Kasper I still have no words for them. 
                  I feel lucky to have attended the rain abandoned match of Brett's last ODI series: Australia vs England, 2012 at Edgbaston and to have a glimpse of him practice, still being the most athletic in that bunch of newbies including Pat Cummins. 

Lucky enough to see him bowl, bat and sing as well. Inorbit Malad, Mumbai, 15th May, 2011

            
          Brett Lee has kind of been my idol since a long time. I am no bowler, but his spirit to combat all the hardships he has faced in his life as a cricketer, as a celebrity and as a person would always help me through any hardships I face and will face in my life. Tackling injuries, personal hardships which go public even before the person facing them and yet being happy for whatever he is doing is difficult. I appreciate him and always would look up to him for how he has shaped his life as a cricketer and as a person who is in the limelight always. I have respected him and will continue to respect him as a cricketer, a cricketer who loves his fans, his guitar, his love for India and his continued efforts to learn Hindi jaldi jaldi :) I don't know how possible would it be to meet him, but my efforts are continuing as well. Who knows what happens where, when.... :) Off to read his autobiography! Thank you Brett for some excellent 13 years of great fast bowling. 

Importance of logging your workout

'Why do I log my workout on Daily Mile?' 'What is the purpose of having an account on DM and publishing how did you exercise today?' Most of the people who are not on DM have such questions, but I think most of the people on DM know the reason behind "logging your miles". Why? Keeps a track of your progress, when did you do what in the month probably? You see your realistic fitness goal for the month/year or something...it basically helps you...

Logging your exercise also motivates you. Not because others comment on your workout, but just seeing your past weeks miles makes you feel good about yourself. After becoming a part of DM, you can monitor yourself, what did you do which day, where did you go, which route you took to run last weekend etc. 

Logs are a part of an athlete's or a performer's life. If this athlete or performer is new to the field, logging helps a lot more. For instance, when I started running outdoor, logging my miles helped my gain some confidence in my outdoor jogs/runs because I myself could see some marked improvement. It is the best way to keep yourself motivated. Self-monitoring is much more rewarding than external motivation from peers or coaches because you can trust yourself! Yeah, but for this you have to be very true to yourself. Logging in correct miles at the correct time will help you become a better athlete. 

Similarly, preparing a PDP or a Personal Development Plan for your daily routine helps you as a person reflect on achieved goals for the day, or why some goals where not achieved. Even small things like diet can change if you prepare a small excel sheet planner for your daily diet. Keeping an account of food consumed and reflecting back in a week's time helps you monitor your sweet intake as well ;)

I can see changes in my own approach towards fitness and life because of logs. Many think it is a waste of time, but I feel it helps. But, one should understand only logging will not help, reflecting back on the logs and finding ways to improve the perceived flawed area or under achieved goals will certainly help you improve in you fitness and help you become a better athlete and a better person! 

Don't see DM as a way of showing off your daily workout, take the opportunity to get inspired by others, and also by yourself by seeing an improved you at the end of each week or month :)

Happy Exercising!

Cheers :)

The Joys of Running Outdoors

The title sounds like some essay topic does'nt it? Probably it will turn out to be an essay given the fact I am writing make research essays in the last few weeks :P  So yes, back to what I actually want to write.. Running- one benefit of being in a sport university, you will either get into some kind of physical activity or start learning a new one if you are already into sports.

I exercise regularly but indoors. I started running outdoors very recently. Though I dont run outdoors daily, I try to go atleast 2-3 times a week, rest spending in the gym. I had never even tried running on the road in Mumbai- traffic, mom not allowing fearing the worst etc. And there was the TM in the gym so I did not even give it a thought! It is difficult to make the transition- TM to roads. TM is straight, no hilly roads, no trees, no signals, no avoiding things; its just straight and simple. The only thing you can do is give a little gradient say of 1.5%. But does it equal to outdoor running? I dont think so. When I read what I just wrote, the difference when running outdoors and on the TM, I feel running on the TM is pretty boring! I know my pace on the TM is much better compared what I run outdoors that is because I am a new runner. But the joy you get after running or jogging on the hilly road and reaching the plateau is something you dont experience on a TM! thats where I start the joys of running outdoors.

As I said before, the environment makes a lot of difference. You see people running everywhere in Loughborough- In the university, outside on the road and at anytime- early morning, afternoon, late at 12 in the night-yes. You do not need any excuse- no time, lot of work- blah! just put on your trainers and run! So, yes watching so many people running did contribute to my "running outdoors" mission. Also, due credit to my uni friend who runs and runs and runs- Sandeep, you are an inspiration! Thank you!!
So, thus started my journey of running outdoors. But its been just 2 months I think and people may wonder, why am I writing so much even though I have just 2 months of experience of running outdoors? Well, that joy which it brings to you cannot be contained, you have to let it go somewhere, blogging is the best! :P
So what does running outdoor give me that TM cannot? 1. Continuous motion, I am not stuck in one place. 2. See new places. 3. Discover new roads (check GM and then go for that run!). 4. Make new ring circuit routes. 5. Satisfaction of doing something new. 6. A high what TM running may not give!

These are only a few things what came to my mind now. But, running outdoors does have its own charm. People say it weakens your knees and all. Seriously? I dont think so. One of the myths or excuses to not wear your shoes and run.
So if you are there somewhere in the world, and not exercising, just take your shoes and run- gives a lot of satisfaction to your mind and body :)

Another motivating factor in my running life is DM , DailyMile. A social logging site which helps you log your miles and you can track your improvement. Also, you have DMers who you can add as friends and motivate yourself by seeing their awesome miles log! You can send motivations to others and help them get back on track :) Research backs the fact that logging your daily exercise/ running miles/kms helps improve you as a runner/athlete (trust a sport/exercise psychology student :P). www.dailymile.com

So dont wait much- experience some joys of outdoor running, share it- maybe you will experience some more joy and other feelings which I am yet to experience!

Happy Running! n Keep Running :)

Jam Jam Jammy: Will miss your presence in cricket

     As a small little girl, I used to always run to see the Kisan Jam ad "jam jam jammy" when Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid would light up the small screen with his presence. Well, I did not care much about cricket then, but knew who Dravid was! When I cared about cricket, Dravid was the only Indian cricketer who I respected since the beginning. Classy cricketer who had cricketing intelligence, who gave his best when on the field and most important- respected his opponents. Michael Slater incident happened, but that happens in cricket: what is you cricket life if you had no drama in your career even once ;)
      It is difficult to sustain a reputation in international cricket especially when you are living in the same era as the so called "GOD" of cricket (I do not believe in God, so not for me) and above that, being in the same team. No doubt Dravid was very well recognised for whatever he gave cricket, but the reality was hiding somewhere. He had the potential to be a great captain, but somewhere things went wrong and he failed to give a good first impression. I may be wrong, but as an outsider and a cricket fan, it did look that even though he had an excellent cricketing brain, it was not enough to have power in today's murky dirty world of cricket. For me, he was not given a fair chance to prove his captaincy.
    My best memory of Dravid's batting (and many would agree) was the 2001 India-Australia test series in India. That partnership at Eden gardens with Laxman was the most epic partnership I have ever seen, and what more, it was a comeback match for India! Dravid-Laxman partnership have some amazing records especially against Australia. Not to forget the 2003-2004 series in Australia :)
   Another best thing about him: only cricketer who has scored a century against every cricket playing nations. Now that is something!

        Besides being an awesome cricket, he appeared to be a very humble, down-to-earth guy who just focused on his game and nothing else. Maybe every girl from my generation had a crush on him at some point in her life- whether she loved cricket or did not understand it.
        It is a sad 2012 till now- will not see much of my two favourites, Dravid and Ponting. He may be "The Wall" for many, but for me he is the same old Jammy.

Will miss your presence in cricket. Thank you for a brilliant 16 years :)
To end this, that awesome ad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-dhgXJlCaY
  
Have fun!
Cheers :)
     

poetry2..

Its been long since I updated my blog. Second semester starts. Poem I just wrote:

Think.Act.Think
Think,
They say
To stay
Healthy and
bring about
a change,
some new ideas
you engage
in.

Act,
then they say
to see
what you thought
speak
louder
ideas talk
actions shout
so, why not shout?

Think again,
they say if
you decide to act.
because,
for them change is
not good.
They then say
change your thought.
for what?
you
say.
You. Act.
Let others think,
and sink.

New Years- London Fireworks!

Way excited for this since people say, London is the place to be for your New Year...and so here we were. Me with 3 of my friends ended up in London just to witness those amazing fireworks!! We started off from St. Pancras and me leading the pack as usual for directions, made a little glitches though! Hahaha, but yes, walked all the way to Central London, crossed Trafalger Square, ate a Mac and then right at 6.15 pm we were on the Millennium Pier, right in front of the London Eye, which was all decked up....

So after 6 hours...I dont know what I did for 6 hours, just looking around...same people, same scenery.... and then they played BBC radio from 9 pm up until 12 and later as well.... The DJ was DJ Nihal and so we got some good share of Indian music on London streets! 

Once the clock struck 12 o'clock, the fireworks started and they were synchronised with the music played by this DJ... before that, he played some songs like Black Eyed Peas n all...but surprisingly Kolaveri Di also :D 

So, yeah the fireworks.....my video  

later we walked back towards Pancras, they played Chammak Challo.... The crowd was maddening! And we realised 80% of them were desis like us :P

Anyway, so we walked and walked, finally reached Euston station at 2am, camped there till 5.00 am and then walked towards Kings Cross. Our train was at 6.04...but unfortunately, the train was full, so we had to catch 7.04...we got 7.04 and due to engineering works, we had to shift trains from Bedford and we got on a bus organised by the railway only....that bus took us to leicester and then the driver said you have to change the bus, so we got off and another bus came by, and that bus took us to Loughborough station.... then we were waitin for our uni. bus...but then we realised that its 1st Jan, no bus service...sigh! So, we caught a cab, since we were too tired to travel.... the policy here is once we catch a cab, u cannot leave it and if you have to leave it, you pay the minimum..... bow since it was 1st Jan, the fare was double..... we ended paying 20GBP from Train station to Uni. So the amount I thought I saved in London...since I did not buy anything (I was very happy to see only 5GBP go off my wallet and 25GBP still in my wallet) had all gone in this stupid trip from town to uni/.... overall an amazing New years! Thanks to those awesome fireworks!!

Cheers!

Winter Poem!

End of term...Time to make some good poems! Loads written on England Winters. My inspiration for this poetry is my window and what I can see outside it ;)

The time winter arrives,
arrives the time to depart
Leaves leave their heart,
The tree.
The tree then lies uncovered
leaving the sly bird's nest to see
Then they dont feel free
to sit and sing on the tree
which leaves our mornings
with no sounds
no air with any glee.

The time snow arrives
arrives the time to depart
colour leaves nature
leaving us with grey and white
dull
dry, never bright,
just those fairy lights
that hang on the silent window
Unfazing the dark lights
of a small town,
turning into a smile,
from a frown....

:)

1 Semester: Done already!

It is almost the end of 1st term and thus my brain gives out a clichéd phrase "Time flies so quickly!" Sure it does! It felt just yesterday when I left Mumbai in that Air India flight! just so recent. When I sit to think about it, its been almost 3 months! And when I sit to think about more things, here comes 2012 and here comes end of the course...meh! Still a long time to go!

I was talking to my friend here at Loughborough, and she said she can see right how bad is the goodbye going to be... I dont know why we always think about the ending, when the actual fun is to have fun and think about this fun when we are ending a beautiful thing called uni life!! Everything has a end, but what matters is how beautiful you make life progressing towards the end without keeping in mind that there is an end! Let me end this end here!!

Exam week, preparing for 2 exams!! Cant wait for the second semester to start!! Before that, cant wait to go around see some new places here!
Wait for a post before the New Year, will write on Christmas!
Have fun till then!
Cheers!

Week 8: Santa Claus is already coming to town!

Well Well, 2 months here and Christmas is already around the corner. Besides Christmas, the feeling of hectic is also hitting in, everyone is getting busier and the days are getting smaller. no light for most of the 24 hours is like feeling 10pm when it is just 7pm... But you tend to get used to it- early darkness, erratic rainfall, wet wet everywhere!!

This week was a little busy! With a lot of readings to do now, I am just reading reading and reading for the assignments and exams.... I tend to spend most of the time either studying in the room, or going to the library and lectures. The only way I can release my stress is by going to the gym or get in to the groove in my room with my belly-dancing belt! ;) and also Cook! :D Cook new things and feel good about it!

This weekend when I went to the town, they were going to put up the first Christmas lights of Loughborough, a month before the festival... people are buying Christmas trees, decorations, fairy lights, what not... the town is bustling with all the joy and happiness this festival brings... and in a quaint town like Loughborough, you feel good when you see old people with their grandchildren walking into Argos to buy a new Christmas tree, when a mother buys a toy for her child because the child wanted the toy to be her Christmas gift.... Such small pleasures do count and when multiplied, we get larger pleasures out of smaller things and eventually, that is what life is, isn't it? A little philosophy is good for the week!
I made a small poem on life back home:

The herd of people on the street,
the stamping on your feet.
The pushing in the trains,
and the mess in the rains...
Reminds me of my home
Where you are walking in a crowd, yet you are alone!!

:)

Anyway,
Until next week,
Cheers! 

Week6:Presentations, Walks, annual fairs and Hanging upside down! :P

More that a month down- routine set in...but the routine isnt as bad because of the varied timetable, various things to read about, talk about, present about, group presentations. I have my first group presentation in week 7, i.e next week. Yey, totally excited about it... we almost completed the slides yesterday.... so I was a little more than happy for the day's work was done.... It was also Remembrance day, where people here wear poppy seed flowers (the red flower) the speciality of this day is the give a moment at 11am, 11/11 to all those martyrs of World Wars... luckily, we had our lectures at 11am and our professor reminded us of the minute to spare for the martyrs...

As soon as I was done with the work for the day, I went home and then I and my friend decided to go to the town fair. Loughborough hosts an annual fair for 3 days and it was the second day yesterday, so it was a must visit for us! We told out other friends and 4 of us went to see the Loughborough Carnival/ Fair 2011....

There is a bus to the town center (where the fair was) from the university but each way, they charge 1.30 :P which is a bit too much.... so we always walk to the Town center, no matter what (even if one of us had an injured toe!) We reached the fair and buzz was something I never experienced in Loughborough. 

As soon as we reached there, we saw 2 rides...both looked scary but, we sat on one fantastic ride which was spinning round and round and round, until it went upside down and the again started spinning round and round! So much fun! ;) I dont know how much I cussed on the ride, but I had the time of my life!!! Haha!

The atmosphere was quiet and electric..could not ask for more when it started drizzling :( but it was alright!! We then had Candy Floss and some donuts! This was followed by a Subway Sandwich and also some gossip (which was healthy for our souls :P) Before I forget, my friend Winnie wanted a teddy bear(a life size one!). and to win that, we had to put in two baskets (like slam dunk it mate!) So, our dear friends tried their luck and so did I, but we failed! :P and Winnie dint get her Teddy :( :D This was one of the very good evening that I had in United Kingdom, and especially in Loughborough! Oh oh, not to forget that awesome Hot Chocolate with cream and a little wooden chocolate thingy on top of it!!!! ;)

Well, we talked and walked back (I did that literally, walking backwards :D) to our respective homes,  ending the beautiful day with some ever lasting memories! :)

courtesy : charnwood.gov.uk

Till next time, Cheers!

Diwali In Leicester

Staying away from India and home on Diwali is a little difficult because you know you wont be pampered with all the sweets and all the good lunches and dinners. But I am fortunate to be at Loughborough because I am close to Leicester. And also very fortunate to have loving parents who couriered sweets from home! And very Lucky to have friends who came to see what is Diwali at Leicester!

We took a bus from Loughborough to Leicester (a slow one because it took 50 minutes to reach Leicester!!) Reached Belgrave Road at around 6pm and the whole street was lit up! Lights everywhere, Indian music being played, ISKON deities singing on the streets and lots of festivities around the place. 

The shops caught my attention. There were two kinds of shops there- Sari shops and Eating joints. Both were overcrowded. Our main focus was food. We indulged in chat at two chat houses- The Chat House and Chai Paani. Both has typical Indian street chat food.. I loved it!

Talking about Diwali, there was a small parade with big effigies of Ravan and Hanuman taking rounds of the road or The Golden Mile (famously known)

There were more than 6000 Indians and foreigners on that street at that point when the firecrackers started. It lasted for a few minutes, but it just reminded me of home and the amount of crackers people burn in India. It is much peaceful without crackers, the Indian classical music and the lights are enough to give the feel of Diwali and maybe a feeling that yes, this is how Ram was welcomed home after defeating the 10-headed Villain on Indian mythology.

Leicester made me feel like I was in Mumbai (sans the crackers) with my close set of friends from Loughborough, who are like family now!

Until next time!!

Cheers!  

Of weekly holidays, Clubs and fire-alarms

Though the pattern of education in UK does not differ much from India, many styles of teaching are new us. Like having an interactive lecture all the time, or even having no written exams for some papers and replacing them with oral presentations or something like that. Also, weekly holidays for studying, assignments and a lot of reading. And again a lot of assignments... well this is life. 

Here at Lufbra, you do feel like going to the library, sitting, reading books and getting them back to your room to read them. Maybe its because of your levels of interest in the course or even because of the ambiance that surrounds a library contrary to many parts of the campus :P 

I also went for the Universal Thursday night at Lufbra Students Union. Back home in Mumbai, I have never been to a club because I find such places too drab and boring because I dont do anything whats supposed to be done in a club- Drink, (eh, puke then?) Dance and then "while yourself away into the beauty of the night" (Call me boring, But I call that very boring!) I still find them the same and after yesterday- yeah, just confirmed it. It is some place where I will never go to have "Fun" I have better ways of having fun. Just my opinion!!!

And then to top it all (the best part of yesterday and today morning!!) Fire Alarm Drill!!!- 5.45 am, We just ran downstairs and I turned out to be the second person to get down. Hahaha! It was fun coz we were not equipped to face the drizzle and the cold!! Me shivering in that horrifying and seeing drowsy and sleepy people walk down was very funny for some reason.... phew! good start to a great day I guess !!

Till next time, Cheers!

Welcome!

Hi there, new place, new people, a brand new course and a great new beginning. These words are few to describe my first few days Loughborough University or as we call it LUFBRA!

Lufbra is a town university located in the beautiful town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It was a dream to get through Loughborough since it is (proudly saying this) Ranked #1 for Sport Sciences (and I am doing a masters degree in Sport Psychology)

It feels good to start a new life and a challenging year.. for those who did not get what I meant and for all those who are experiencing the same, wait for my blog to start! Happy reading, hope to keep you entertained!

Cheers!