"Darcy's Daughters"

My passion of reading English classics started when I was studying in Grade 7. It developed a world of perfectness and elegance where reputation and well manners of young ladies thrived. Those characters and romances and adventures always had a special place in my heart.

My all time favourite was "Pride & Prejudice" a work by Jane Austin. This medieval novel tells an enchanting story about lives of a family with five young daughters from their youth to their marriages. The different personalities of each daughter and the various ways their social attachments are formed brings out a much lively story that surely kept my mind bound to it until the very end. The fascinating romance between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy who is the most handsome and eligible bachelor in English literature, is the base of Pride & Prejudice. How this romance sustain amidst the pride of Mr. Darcy and the prejudices Miss Elizabeth is caught in, and finally how both of them  overcome all indifferences while the society turns its head in cruel and inardent ways can be dramatically felt in such strong wordings of the author, Jane Austen.

After twenty years of this romance "Darcy's Daughters" by Elizabeth Aston, has started the story about the family of Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, who now has five young daughters and two younger sons. "Darcy's Daughters" unfolds the story of the young Darcy daughters' visit to London from Derbyshire while their parents are in a diplomatic mission in Constantinople.

Elizabeth Aston, the author, has made an effort to combine both stories and make a continous tale of family in her book. Under the influence of Jane Austen's views of society and civilizations, the latter author has been somewhat a success in building those lives of the characters. But I should admit that when I kept reading I realized that the latter story is often similar with incidents and characteristics of each daughter with the previous generation. One thing is that Darcy family is much the same as the Bennet family in the first book. But I must say that the latter story has made significant changes in the intellectual characteristics of certain members, as the eldest Miss Darcy is a character who is vexed easily by the mere simplest things whereas Miss Bennet was a sweet natured but intelligent soul who had a very close emotional relationship with the second Miss Bennet. Both second members of the families are quite similar with their characteristics in the form of intelligence and emotional independance. Youngest members in both stories fall in trouble as to their misbehaviour and the story goes ending with all troubles overcome by the intelligence of the second daughter.

I wouldn't let myself to word the "Darcy's Daughters" as a mere copy of the "Pride & Prejudice" but I would have wished after tewnty years the society and people should have had more morality which would have affected the story more than it had. Because the Darcy parents were intellectuals and independant souls which would have brought up their children differently.

Bhel Puri

Yesterday I had the privilege of dining with a friend's family as they were leaving the area for a while. It was amazing food that gave me the idea to blog about it. They are Indian nationals which are students of Purdue University. We were really enthusiastic to try out their food as they liked our spicy Sri Lankan foods like Little Jack or Green Jack curry, String hoppers and Pol Sambol.

The food was Bhel Puri and it was the green gravy that caught my taste most. Spicy and tasty with layers of choped red onions and tomatoes, it was a real treat. The speciality of trying out different foods and drinks from different countries are the best thing when you live away from one's home. I believe food really weave together different people and cultures. At home we always really on Chinese food to give a break to the routine Sri Lankan cuisine and Indian foods and dishes have a significant role in snacks and eating out.

Even though we are so far from home, we still are previlidged to find our spices, rice and vegetables to maintain our traditional cooking for our little ones. For my belief is that we should teach our young to value all kinds of cultures and have a special place for our Sri Lankan cousine regradless of where ever they reside in the world. For this world is a vast continent where all of us should enjoy living together.

Wondering what to do...

Lately I've been struggling to find things to occupy myself. Only the other day a friend called from Sri Lanka and asked me what I'm up to these days! I said "nothing". Plainly it may sound, I'm out of work. Last month up till my dear daughter Hazelle's birthday I've been busy with planning her very first birthday party. The food menu, cooking arrangements, her dress and so on. Last but not the least her very first birthday cake. I loved planning her birthday cake, the trials I did with cakes and icing and fondant... I really enjoyed the thrill of accomplishing something so sweet to eat!! Well, my planning did its job and the cake came out well. I got lot of compliments and everybody liked it! And then after a week, my husband wanted a birthday cake done for his Professor. That was easy as I had practise now. It took me almost three days to finish Hazelle's birthday cake amidst all attention and care given to her while working and with the help of my husband. But now in one day I can finish a cake! So keith's order was done in a half a day!

Now i'm bored. Apart of my daily housework I read. But thats all. It doesn't keep my mind occupied. My love for doing new things has opened up lot of doors for me but I'm kind of standing in one place wondering what to do...

Luck

The other day one of my school mates has posted a comment on my Facebook page saying that I am lucky. Yes according to her thoughts I'm lucky because I lead a very content life with my husband and my darling daughter.

I did my studies well in school. Even though I had a little number of friends, I never had any enemies. I got selected to University of Kelaniya to pursue my degree in Computer Science, a new department they had started under Physical Science. At the same time I got selected to Peoples Bank, one of the state banks in Sri Lanka. I was Just out of school and I didn't have the best impression of University of Kelaniya at that time! I took up the job and left my destine in University behind.

The job satisfied me for somewhat the worries that created in abandoning my studies, but the satisfaction turned to be a memorable start for my life. I met my husband in Peoples Bank and the start of my relationship with him kept any of those regrets at bay.

May be I was Lucky but I prefer to say I don't believe in luck myself. Self confidence and courage to face life's obstacles are the key to success in life. I believe in myself. I'm not successful in my life yet. I have a lot more to gain. Still I know that I got the world's best husband and the most cutest little bundle of joy in the world. Yes I am somewhat lucky than others.

Food for thought.

" We should try American foods more" exclaimed my husband. For some time it didn't boost any thoughts in my mind. But suddenly it was too loud in my head! Is my cooking that bad? I asked him straight. I wanted to know!. "Your food is just fine", came the answer. Am I to believe that...

Today we went to the public library. My daughter liked the kids area with lots of books and she loved to watch other children reading. We borrowed few board books for her and headed upstairs. There we went around and finally took a couple of books. Most interesting books we had chosen to be were on cooking. My husband had found a book called "365 easy one dish meals". Well that was fun. One-dish meals are really popular in this country. And when everybody's busy with work and life, balancing out family time has become a crucial necessity.

So I'm going to give it a try. May be my husband meant it when he said my cooking is fine. Or else I just have to assume that way. Still the traditional Sri Lankan foods will have to dominate our meals or otherwise my daughter will be lost in between two worlds of taste, wondering where she belongs.

Developed, they are!

Today was a hectic day for me. One way I went out on shopping, which I didn't enjoy that much! I know, it is quite unbelieveable from my point of view (which female is there who wouldn't enjoy a shopping spree??!), but the main incident today was a free ride day in CityBus! Well, we missed the bus and had to take a walk to catch the next. The hot Sun did not help us at all. And when we finally caught the Bus, it was halfway packed with children. As my little girl still too small to stand and go in the Bus, I had to carry her and get in. I basically did not have a place to keep my self properly. In one hand I was carrying Hazelle and from other hand I was holding one of the bars to keep me balanced. Too bad to say, there were many a people who was staring at me but did not offer to help. I carried Hazelle for about half way of my journey and I just couldn't believe what was happening.

I kept wondering. Sri Lanka, my motherland is a heaven, a Land like no other. Nobody will go through an incident like mine in our country. Because, our people are more developed than people of these so-called developed countries. We have a strong foundation of ethics and moral discipline embellished our lifestyles. The kindness and support of our people are priceless.

So I say to this world, please try to evaluate a country by both morality of its people as well as wealth it possess. Because money is not Everything!

My daughter....

Today after some rainy cloudy dark dull days (I'm serioous!) we have sunshine! Its remarkable how this nature plays in our daily lives. One moment the Tornedo warning buzzes and in next fifteen minutes its hardly cloudy...

Momentum of life... It never stops its hand on the shadow of the soul. Changing its visibility, affecting the rythm of flow.

It seems yesterday that my Daughter was born and I can remember how hard it was for me that very first day. I survived because my mother was there to help me. Next my husband starting his studies and my struggle into caring the baby.. After six months we coming together again and moving to US... And another six months have passed and my daughter is almost one year now. Time has created a steady platform for me to play my part in this world. This last year has taught me a load of lessons and made both catagories of people who like me and dislike me as well.

I learnt that I just simply cannot satisfy everybody. I needed to figure out the priorities and to whom I should pay more of my attention to. Because I had a small baby-doll who was continuously seeking my 100% love and attention.

Now she has grown to a lovely toddler whom still won't leave my side for a break. She may outgrow that in a few months or she may not. But rest assured, I will always be there for her.

I love you my little darling daughter and may you grow to be a better mom than me!

Is it wrong to be Selfish?

Lately I came across a person whom I got acquainted with recently declaring that being selfish is a matter to be! I just wondered through my mind these few days about the comment made in public. This person was very confident about this particular feeling and conveyed it in a way that intrigued me. If I may, this person is quite strong in both physical appearance and personality. From the facts that I know this person is quite successful in life. Does that give any reason to be proud of being selfish?

I just went to find the meaning to describe selfishness. Putting personal beliefs and desires ahead of others' feelings and desires are being described as selfishness. And to see there were more questionnaires  on this subject than I wondered.  From my past experiences I'm quite aware that there is no exact Right or Wrong but I wanted to give a thought to this concept. 

I taught myself that being considerate about other fellow human beings was the right thing to do. Sparing a little thought wouldn't harm! Well I eventually valued being unselfish. I tried to find that quality in others too and praised it whenever I saw it. But one day, as usual in life, I got hurt badly by trying to safeguard another's feelings and i thought that may be the price I got to pay. 

But that was a long time ago. I'm not quite sure why I feel so intrigued by being selfish. I think may be you need to be a little selfish too. This world holds quite too much to handle at once and on the long run hurt is inevitable. I guess lets be a bit selfish to the extent that it preserves our identity and not be hurtful to anybody around us. May be that person I mentioned is someone like that. I hope for the best.

Vesak Day; a moment to think...

Today according to the Sri Lankan calender, The Vesak Day and tomorrow is day after Vesak. It is a national holiday in Sri Lanka and a significant day in the year for a Buddhist.  The Wikipedia also has given an insight for the meaning of the day mentioning that it is "Buddha's Birthday". I'm not sure whether it is actually an appropriate definition for Vesak. True that Prince Siddhartha was born on a Vesak Day. And Prince Siddhartha gained the knowledge of the Truth on Vesak Day, enlightenment which made him Lord Buddha. And then life of Lord Buddha spreading the message of Truth, the understanding of the meaning of all those questions arose within the search of spirituality. The passing away of Lord Buddha is the third significant happening on the Vesak day.S o its a combination of all these incidents that make Vesak Day an important day of a Buddhist's life.

Even though I mentioned "A buddhist's life" I'm not quite certain whether it is really correct. The preachings of Lord Buddha always demanded clear understanding rather than some blind belief on the teachings. Buddhism always required logical thinking and understanding of deeper meanings. I think in most Asian countries it says that you are born to a certain race and a religion. And truthfully that is how I got my religion. BUT when a person matures in life there should be the right to decide on his/her beliefs as much as he/she gets the voting rights. I strongly believe that Buddhism shows a helpful pathway with logical thinking, for a better development of spiritual life. An insight of the truthful meaning of life itself. 

My opinion for Vesak Day 2010 will be that we all take a break from our daily routine and step out of our box, think about how we live. Are we being truthful to our beliefs and understandings of life? Are we living as true Buddhists? May be that will uncover some new understanding which we all lacked in our lives.

My shift in life..

Actually I'm not sure when I posted last time. But I know it has been a hell of a long time. So many things has changed for me and actually I've changed my country of living too.

I reside in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA now. This is my second week here and dear, my life has changed a lot than I thought. I'm living with my husband who is reading for his PhD in Purdue University and I'm here with my baby girl (I got a baby girl last July!!!) and its really cold here!

I left my job last December, which I enjoyed doing. Nobody liked the idea of leaving it but I had no choice. I was determined to come to my husband as soon as I could ever since he left the country in last August. I had no life without him. Our baby girl was growing so fast and I wanted to share all this new experience with him. And I knew deep down in my heart, it was hard to live without Keith. He is my inspiration, my guiding star. And I knew he too needed us with him. So we made a decision. We would take the risk and live together.

It was tough. I had to do all my documentation work and everything alone. True, all my family and Keith's family helped me in every way they can. My job was something I was hard to give up on. I had to undergo a few operations and there were times that I just lost my breath! I was not sure whether I would make it. With so many deeds to figure out with a lot less time as my baby was too small to leave with anybody and go running.

Finally, I made it. I'm happy with my family now, Keith, Hazelle and me, under same roof. Things may not be easy for us, but I think we better be together and face obstacles than living seperate afraid of problems.