Nishi's A Dream I Dream

Nishi's CD
is available at
NishiMusic.com

Upcoming Performances:
2/26: 169 Bar
See Schedule for details.

Music Samples available.
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Nishi is an Indian American who is working as an attorney in Manhattan. She is also a singer and songwriter who just finished her demo cd and has begun performing throughout NYC. She dreams of bringing her songs to the world and moving people with her music. Nishi is passionate about foreign policy, international affairs and international human rights.

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Name: Nishi
Where: New York
Faith: Christian
Sign: Aquarius
CH-S: Fire Dragon
AIM: SelenityHime
ICQ: 21380169
Email: be83398

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The Story Thus Far . . .
Currently, I am working full-time as an Attorney in midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York and learning kickboxing and Kung Fu and middle-eastern bellydance, and working on making a music career!

Jogging, Martial Arts Kickboxing, Dance - currently middle eastern dance & bellydance, Tennis, Singing (of course ;) and working on my songs, Reading & writing about all the things I am interested and passionate about, watching tv and movies, painting, drawing, astronomy, rollerblading (and trying to get better at it and ice skating!), obsessive anime and manga fan and professional web designing, ancient studies / ancient civilizations, history and archaeology, world mythology, politics and world affairs, international law, human rights, studying many languages (have studied and continue to study spanish, mandarin chinese, japanese and hindi).

1/1 - 2/21 | 3/5 - 3/30 | 3/31 - 4/18 | 4/19 - 5/10 | 5/13 - 6/22 | 6/22 - 7/29 | | 7/30 - 9/13 | 9/14 - 10/11 | 10/12 - 11/12 | 11/13 - 12/18 | 12/19 - 2/5 | 2/6 - 3/17 | 3/17 - 4/21 | 4/24 - 6/19 | 6/20 - 8/4 | 8/6 - 9/14 | 9/16 - 11/3 | 11/4 - 12/31 | 1/17 - 5/3 | 5/6 - 7/22 | 7/25 - 10/30 | 10/31 - 12/28 | 1/5 - 4/14 | 4/24 - 9/8 |

Lydia
Rence
SarahBeth
LilHevn21 Natsuki
Diana
Ailinon
Eowyn
Manda
Bonnie
Stephanie
Jen

Caroline
Rebecca
Kris
Miyu
Zbet
Adrianne
RameoG
Louise
Leanna
Niovi
Kayla
L.Macbeth

Lisa Alexi Aisha
Janeen
Danielle
Hemal
Callie
Millie
Marcia
Lorie
Lady
Aishah
M_JADE

Personality Quizzes I Made
The Royalty Quiz
The Woman of Beauty Quiz
Woman of Legend Quiz

Fun Blogs
Barbie
Naomi Novick
Libba Bray
Denslife
Cheryl-Shops
ChicShopping
FugYourself
Manolo Shoes
MyCiCy.com
SheFinds.
ShoppingBrains

Fashion Sites
DailyCandy
FashionWeek
FinderGuy
NYMetro.com
Planet LuLu
Scoop
StyleBakery
Trendwatching

Books / Stories
King Arthur and all things Arthurian, Merlin, light and dark; The Crystal Cave, The Dark is Rising series, most anything to do with magic, vampires, werewolves; anything fantasy and romance-like: EMMA, Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, Count of Monte Cristo, The Cask of Amontillado; almost anything Shakespeare wrote; The Harry Potter series; my childhood stories - Sweet Valley High, Twins, Kids, Babysitters Club, Boxcar Children, Bobbsey Twins, RAMONA QUIMBY series; SHERLOCK HOLMES, NANCY DREW; all books dealing with things I love from art, mystery, religion, magic, mythical creatures such as "DA VINCI CODE" and "Interview with the Vampire"

Movies
Emma, Contact, Ever After, Farenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, Legally Blonde 2, Princess Diaries, Sweet Home Alabama, Matrix: Reloaded, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Staw Wars: Episode II, TOMBRAIDER I & II

All-time TV Shows
Three's Company, The Nanny, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, FRIENDS, Relic Hunter, Buffy, Xena, Clarissa Explains it All, OUT OF THIS WORLD, Wings, Mad About You, Simpsons, Married with Children, Carol Burnette Show, Anamorphs, Punky Brewster, Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, and the list could go on forever ;)

Musicals
Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, WICKED

Favorite Drinks
In the summer: starbucks' iced caramel macchaito - decaf and nonfat; lychee, boba/bubble tea/pearl milk tea; thai iced tea; lipton lemon and raspberry iced tea

In the winter: hot chocolate and starbucks' white chocolate mocha non-fat

Fave Alcoholic Drinks
Margaritas, amaretto sours, singapore slings, rum & coke and white wine - pinot

Music to relax to: The slow version of the sailormoon theme song, the theme for Phantom of the Opera, the theme by Mono from Great Expectations and theme from Romeo and Juliet....so many more.....I can't live w/o music.....

A Fan Of:
I'm more a Democrat so I'm a fan of Bill & Hillary Clinton, Madeline Albright, Margaret Thatcher, Lee Iaccoca

Movie Actresses
Drew Barrymore
Kirsten Dunst
Kate Hudson
Nicole Kidman
Demi Moore
Gwyneth Paltrow
Julia Roberts
Reese Witherspoon
Renee Zellweger

Movie Actors
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Matthew Goode
Tom Hanks
Ashton Kutcher
Brad Pitt
Keanu Reeves
Adam Sandler
Robin Williams

Magazines etc.:
Vogue
Cosmopolitan
Jane
Shape
Fitness
Allure
Elle
Marie Claire
Archaeology
Mysteries
Foreign Affairs Journals
The Economist
Discover
Astronomy
Sky & Telescope
National Geographic
New York Times
Commondreams.org
In Style
US Weekly
PEOPLE

Reminders:
Salons in NY to try:

Buff Spa at Bergdorf Goodman: 754 5th Ave $$$

Tiffany Nails: 903 Madison $$

Soho Sanctuary: 119 Mercer $$

Maximus Spa - Massage: 15 Mercer $$

Just Calm Down: 32 W. 22nd $$ - get grape gatsby with Essie Bordeaux polish

Ajune Spa: 1294 Third Ave $$

Frederic Fekkai: 15 E. 57th - Mandarin Supreme Pedicure $$

Salons in L.A. to try:

Kathy's Nails: 7967 Melrose $
Salons in Paris:

Mr. Ho: 3 Rue Washington $$

La Bulle Kenzo: 1 rue du Pont Neuf $

Stuff in NY

Nobu - Sushi

TrapezeSchool.com

Things to Buy

HairArt's T3 tourmaline blow-dryer

Skin Ceuticals C + E Antioxidant Treatment $115 or

Renee Rouleau Vitamin C & E Complex $60

Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblock SPF 30 $10

Whipped Shea Butter Body Cream

Nippits

Boot Shapers

Hollywood Fashion Tape

White Pearl Bra

Bubble Maker

Lilac Round Rug

Voting Related
Vote-Smart.org

Rock The Vote.com

Saturday, May 19, 2007
11:42 p.m.

dude I cleaned the house like nuts today. Scrubbed the tile floors of the bathroom and the tub itself using this stain-remover spray and clorox bleach - which I think was unhealthy to breathe in - but dude everything's clean! Did a ton of loads of laundry, went grocery shopping - and still found time to write. Whew.

I just ordered this pretty 2-piece skirt suit from Newport-News.com - it's perfect for me to wear to court in May/June.

When I wasn't cleaning or writing, I was on the phone with my darling Ricky. He joined a new strategy consulting firm and they're doing an all-expenses paid trip for employees and their guests to Mexico's Peurto Vallarta and he asked me to go!!!! :) This means my air fare would be PAID and hotel and EVERYTHING - to MEXICO!! How awesome is that!! :) I've never been to Mexico! YAHOOOOOOO :D The trip is planned either for early September or late October :)

Even though I had dinner a couple hours ago (finished the left-over singapore mai fun and made a fruit salad for dessert of sliced organic red delicious apples, blackberries and blueberries) I'm munching on Petit Beurre biscuits ;) They're so good! :)

Because it's been raining the past couple days, I haven't jogged my usual 5 mile run so tomorrow morning, I'm getting up early in the morning and going for a morning run and then definitely heading to the diner at 9 or 10am for breakfast (it's my favorite meal) then coming back and spending the whole day writing and composing music. I'm off to bed now.

*HUGS* to all!

- Nishi

Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!

Saturday, May 19, 2007
11:40 a.m.

astronomy and the latest discoveries and breakthroughs in science and physics, archaeology and the recent findings of sunken treasure and ancient solar observatories, mythology, ancient civilizations, the realm of spirituality and the state of the world today: environmentally, socially and politically.....fiction, political articles, philosophical writings, melodies and songs are flowing out from me faster than I can take them down....I feel like I've been immersed in a creative pot....I'm writing in a way I've never written before.........

- Nishi

Saturday, May 19, 2007
09:18 a.m.

woke up at 9am and opened all the blinds in my room. Cloudy day with a chance of rain. It's amazing how quickly the trees became full and lush. Half of the lake outside my window is covered by the foliage now....I can see ducks swimming in the lake and can hear some small bird chirp, chirp, chirping away ;) It's still spring-like weather today - 50 degrees right now....I'm debating whether to head to the diner or just make some coffee and cereal here at home and begin working - need to clean the house and write, write, write . . .

- Nishi

easing into the weekend
Friday, May 18, 2007
11:55 p.m.

friday....light rain all day....court in brooklyn this morning, my dark blue skirt-suit that looks black with my 3" high heel black suede boots, Guy and Gallard's on 34th & Madison to grab lunch and got a hair cut - an inch off everywhere with layers again in the front. Home on the 5:33 to a beautiful evening of The Holiday and chinese-take out: Singapore Mai Fun and boiled shrimp dumplings with duck sauce I drizzled on top. The night spent gabbing away with my sweetheart Ricky and several of my friends online. I feel like I just eased into my weekend.

I'm listening to some tracks the producer in Tennessee sent me earlier this week. They're really nice but not my style; however, of the four, 2 I think I could write lyrics for because one is a little dance-like and the other, though it has some elements that're R&B like, it's something I could definitely try my hand at this weekend. I'm going to spend this weekend entirely writing. Think I'll hit the diner for long breakfasts both Saturday and Sunday mornings and read the paper and write, write, write - except for when I go for ice-skating lessons at noon on Sunday ;) Have a great night everyone and enjoy the start of your weekend!

- Nishi

Thursday, May 17, 2007
11:20 p.m.

Listening to 'Aerials' by System of a Down, 'Southern Thing' by Better Than Ezra and 'On Top' by The Killers

I read a great letter to the editor recently in the Journal News by an M.M. Stewart on behalf of gay marriage rights. As many of you know, I'm an advocate of equal rights for all, including anyone who is homosexual. M.M. Stewart wrote in support of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposal to legalize gay marriage - a proposal I am also in support of. M.M. Stewart has lived with a domestic partner for the past 10 years in a committed and monogamous relationship. As residents and tax payers, M.M. Stewart writes, they own a home and business, make payroll, pay their taxes and vote for school budget referendums, support numerous charities and are active in church. And yet, the writer says eloquently, "politicians, social commentators and religious leaders routinely label us a threat to societal values (sometimes while committing infidelities of their own)." They cheer their friends and loved ones who legally marry, sometimes for the 2nd or third time, while "quietly wishing we could have one of our own." They don't want to go to Canada to get married because, "We're Americans" and don't want to go to Vermont to get a civil union because "we're New Yorkers." They want a marriage that recognizes them for who they are and where they make their home.

I do believe that one day, we will accept people who are different from us. I believe homosexuality is genetic. But regardless of genetics, or whether it's even by choice, the beauty of being a human is our capability to love, understand and accept others. We only need to learn to reach out with the same loving mind and heart to those who we think we're unable to understand. It is only through an effort to understand that we actually succeed in understanding. The spirit of having an open mind and open heart is godly. It is necessary for the benefit of humanity and all of creation. The opposite, a tendency to be closed minded and refuse to try and understand and accept, is base and lies with the most ugly part of our being. Some people are comfortable with being ugly. They're selfish beings.

I've been writing all evening and am ready for bed. Have a great night all.

- Nishi

Wednesday, May 16, 2007
10:44 p.m.

I wrote a new song tonight. It's called 'Dark Side of the Moon' and is a song about sadness, depression and the feeling that despite all you have tried and done, it's all been in vain.

I'm in a very dark, dark mood.

my songs are all about human emotions and feelings running the gamut of happy love songs, sad love songs, sexy lustful songs, empowering strength songs, spiritual songs, and reflective songs that are mostly dark/sad and full of symbolism. When I'm sad and down (like I am tonight because I think my PMS started on Monday), it's writing the dark and sad songs that are cathartic and healing.

I'm a definite believer in that you write some of your most beautiful works when you're sad or in pain.

I'm off to bed. Have a good night one and all.

- Nishi

Tuesday, May 15, 2007
10:57 p.m.

how excited am I that the American Museum of Natural History here in Manhattan is doing a brand new exhibition called Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns and Mermaids!! :D I just got their catalogue in the mail today and it details that the exhibition will trace the roots of some of the world's enduring mythological creatures of land, sea and air with artifacts anfd fossil specimens. My library shelves are full of books on unicorns and dragons and I even have a giant encyclopedia of mythical creatures. Anything to do with fantasy and myth has always mesmerized me....I'm happy to see some great new lectures I want to attend at the Hayden Planetarium again - one is 'Exploring the Orion Nebula' and the other is 'Endless Universe' in which a professor from Cambridge Univ in London and another from Princeton will discuss the origins of the Big Bang and whether we are 1 of multiple universes.

Long day of work, came home and jogged 5 miles again - had planned to attend an Amnesty International meeting but I stayed up till 1 a.m. last night talking with a friend and didn't get any of the motions I had to do for work done and now they're here again and I'm too tired to do them. Looks like I'll stay late at work tomorrow. Phooey.

I'm falling asleep in front of the comp. Time for bed. G'night people. See ya tomorrow :)

- Nishi

Monday, May 14, 2007
09:45 p.m.

I'm enjoying sweet strawberries immersed in a small bowl of 'very vanilla' silk soymilk...the perfect healthy dessert after a lovely dinner of my sister Mekha's meatless lasagna and mummy's cucumber curry. Got home around 6:20 tonight and went out for my 5 mile run, took a lonnggg hot shower afterwards, gave my nails a fresh coat of clear polish, then laid on my bed with the ceiling fan on as the polish dried and I practiced meditating. I was very in the zen-zone for about 10 minutes ;) I love Oil of Olay's new regenerating body lotion - my skin is so silky smooth from it.

This morning I had to serve papers down on Wall Street and Church Street so took a later train in and headed downtown on the #2 line and when I got out, I was in love. The sights, the sounds, the feel, the smell of morning coffee from the coffee cart guys. I love downtown Manhattan by William and Wall Streets...I love seeing the George Washington statute at the federal trade building and seeing the NY Stock Exchange and being surrounded by the rich history that defines NYC....as I walked down that way, I observed some guy who should belong in a circus because he was making noises JUST like some wild jungle monkey. Some guy by one of the carts was cheering him on - I think they knew each other - so quintessentially Manhattan to see such a random & strange thing like that at 9:45 in the morning ;)

Of course, there were things I didn't like - like the plethora of people who just HAD to smoke and walk and stand outside polluting the air with their carcinogen sticks and make me breathe it in. But if you can avoid that, NYC is sure beautiful :) I saw the water on the west and the financial district straight in front of me and the sun shined, shined, shined. A sweet guy inside the 67 Wall Street building made me feel good saying 'please don't get offended but I just had to tell you, you're so beautiful.' :) I smiled and accepted the compliment because he was being sincere and sweet and wasn't some gross guy who was only out to hit on me ;) That's another thing about NYC - the men are super appreciative of the women - whether u like it or not ;) I say be gracious, smile back and say thank you. They're just complimenting you and if one really tries to ask for your number, just tell him you have a boyfriend and are set & thank you. Works for me :)

Speaking of boyfriend, my sweetheart is being SO CUTE! Words cannot express how adorable he has been behaving lately, so loving and tender and just CUTE as hell. I love him so much :)

Tomorrow after work I think I'll be attending my group's Amnesty International meeting and on Wednesday I am booking an appointment at my favorite salon on 39th & Madison for a hair cut. I soooo need one. I can't make up my mind whether to re-layer it again or still grow it out one length. Thursday I think I'll be rehearsing with my guitarist again and Friday prolly head up to Connecticut with Mili and visit Mekha and Nithi I think. Full week ahead - just gotta make it through full-days of work too ;)

But right now, it's Monday night and I'm listening to 'Overcome' by Better than Ezra and finishing my strawberries in vanilla soy milk....I'm gonna work on motions now for work . . .

Ramona quality is definitely more important :) I agree 100%! :) Sarah Beth I adore you, you know that? *HUGS*

Good night all! :)

- Nishi

Happy Mother's Day :)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
7:09 p.m.

what a perfect Sunday. Got up early and headed out at 8am to the tennis courts next door to my house for an hour and a half of non-stop tennis. I haven't played tennis in ages so hearing the tennis ball hit the green court was an amazing sound. Crisp....felt like I was back in high school again. I think I'll look into joining the local tennis club so I can play regularly and improve my serve. Boy did it feel great to be out on the courts again :D

Mekha, Mili and I then headed to that Episcopal church to speak with the Father about holding my wedding ceremony there next year. I have to call him again this week to go over the details. Hopefully we can do it!! :) Afterwards, we hit the diner on Main Street for brunch. The service at that diner is amazing - so quick and the food yummy! Had french toast with eggs, orange juice and 2 cups of coffee. My sisters then went back to the Cross County mall to do more shopping and I took our folks to JFK airport - they're going to our home in Florida, near Ft. Meyers, for a short vacation. I wish I could go away to our home in Fl. as well but the tickets are majorly expensive. Instead, Mekha wants Mili and I to come up to Connecticut next weekend. Mek and Nith both live in CT while Mil lives out in Long Island and our parents and I live here in Westchester. Mekha's promised that if we come up next weekend, she'll take us out to some great clubs in Hartford to go dancing and we'll do brunch and shopping and movies :) So that will be more fun than spending a huge wad of money on Florida tickets right now :) All 3 of my sisters left by 4:30 and after being on the phone with Ricky for a while, I'm sad now. I miss my family. *sigh* Life is only good when you have your loved ones there to share it with you. *sigh* well nothing I can do about it so I'm gonna do some laundry, tidy up my room, look through some magazines and catologues, take a relaxing hot shower, give myself a facial mask, have dinner and pop in one of my new netflix movies and enjoy the rest of my Sunday night. It's breezy and 66 degrees and still sunny and gorgeous out. I love this weather! Tomorrow morning I have to head down to Wall Street to serve some papers on law offices there and after work, I think I may go to my favorite salon to get a hair cut or maybe I'll stay late and get some TMs done instead and go to the salon on Tuesday . . . decisions, decisions ;)

Sarah Beth LOL! You're so funny :) *HUGS* For much of my church-going life, we rented from an Episcopal church - apparently their service and religious beliefs are very similar to Orthodox beliefs so it all works out :) Lemme guess, your dad is the pastor for an Episcopalian church? ;) Sean I guess you see the update now :) How're you? How's your weekend going? Darlene oooh good luck!! :D Being an art teacher sounds like so much fun! :)

Happy Mother's Day all! See ya tomorrow :)

- Nishi

Saturday, May 12, 2007
11:11 p.m.

it's 11:11 - make a wish! :)

ya know how you make a wish whenever the clock hits all the same digits? I seem to always see it turn 11:11 and that's when I make some small wish.

As I wrote this, I thought I would just look up the fact that I always see 11:11 and "make a wish/say a prayer" and so just did a google search using the search string 'make a wish when it's 11:11' and I can't believe what I found out. Apparently, if you see 11:11, it means you're here "to advance the concept of "we are all one" across the world." You're what's called a "light worker." Interesting . . .

Anywayz, we had a lovely mother's day dinner tonight - mek and mil both cooked up an amazing dinner of lasagna, baked chicken and sauteed green beans and a fruit cup for dessert. My sisters and I went shopping at the Cross County Mall this afternoon and I bought a ton of new summery clothes I'll wear this week - lots of dresses and breezy tops. Tomorrow I'm gonna show Nithi the church I found. Mek and Mil saw it today and loved it. Turns out the church is Episcopal (not catholic) and we rented from an episcopal church before so I think our church service can easily be held there! Either way, I'm going to the church again tomorrow around 11 to speak with the Father and make sure of it all :)

I checked with the G-Map Pedometer the route I take from my house around the road and lake in my neighborhood and found that it's a full 5-mile workout that I do! Very happy cause that means I'm burning anywhere from 400-500 calories every night I jog! :)

Happy Mother's Day everyone! I'll respond to msgs tomorrow night :) *HUGS* to all!

- Nishi

Friday, May 11, 2007
10:35 p.m.

Friday night, it's a balmy 65 degrees and my windows are open...got home a little while ago....my music tonight's Better Than Ezra (their album 'Before the Robots') - I seriously love each and everyone song on that album.

Went for a manicure & pedicure after work this evening (color this week is Essie's Vanity Fairest) before heading over to the Oyster Bar to meet friends for a quick dinner/drinks fete.

my night has been FABULOUS and the only thing that would make it better is to go dancing at a club right now. This music SO puts me in the dancing/club mood. Maybe not this weekend but definitely hittin' the clubs next weekend. I am itching to dance up a storm. This weekend is family weekend cause it's Mother's Day weekend! All my sisters come home tomorrow :)

Am relaxing now with a bowl of fresh organic strawberries & blackberries.

ML LoL! dude your message was funny :) I bought so many brides magazines last year that I'm pretty much set. Now when I look at them I just see all the things I really won't get to decide or do because most of it's been planned and set for the best already and any divergence winds up costing a huge deal more. If I had tons of money, I'd spare no expense, but can't do that ;) My dad constantly reminds me "remember my budget" and I'm like 'yeah papa I know, I knowww..." ;)

Darlene yep that's what we're hoping - my dad and I are going to that church again tomorrow to ask. :) How're you otherwise? What's new? Ramona that's fantastic!! Congratulations babe! :) So any exciting plans this weekend?

Lorie once you have the reception hall booked and the church set most of your stress is gone ;) the only other thing to really worry about is your dress. And after that the invitations, photographer, videographer, florist, cake, band/dj and bridesmaid/groomsmen clothing and flower girl, flower boy and so on ;)

Callie thank you :) Sarah Beth yeah they're pretty cool huh? great humanitarian org. What're u upto this weekend?

ok I'm out for the night! *HUGS* to all!

- Nishi

Wednesday, May 9, 2007
11:44 p.m.

quarter to midnight and I'm turning into bed so late because I was up designing layouts using new images I took for DesiAttitude.com. That's a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to bringing the desi (Indian) attitde of "caring to change lives" to the world by effecting change in various areas. DJ Desi, who created & runs the site, started an 'Artists/Musicians with a Desi Attitude' section and asked if I would be featured on it and being that it was an amazing human rights focused website and cause, I automatically said yes. So I bought a shirt and today, my friend Mark and I headed to Bryant Park during lunch and snapped over 20 shots at the fountain, carousel, on the grass and out by the periphery of Bryant Park. Of those shots, the 2 below are the best in my opinion:

After spending the evening writing songs and now designing layouts from those images, I am SO ready for sleep! Hope you all had a wonderful day and night! I'll respond to msgs tomorrow!

- Nishi

Wednesday, May 9, 2007
09:14 p.m.

songs are pouring out of me. I've written 1 full new one and began the lyrics for 2 others. I'm in one of those creative bursts where everything starts coming out at once and I have to stop everything I'm doing and just create non-stop. It's one of the most fulfilling experiences I have the pleasure of knowing.

- Nishi

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
08:07 p.m.

When I am sad, frustrated and discouraged, I have a deep inner strength I draw from. It imbues me with grace, humility, tolerance and understanding. This inner strength is actually my belief in myself and my enduring optimism to try and do better in every aspect of my life. Each time I fall, the cuts and bruises I sustain get washed with my tears, and I heal stronger. So is the case now, although it seems to happen repeatedly lately. God give me eternal strength to persevere, the grace to handle the difficult moments in my life, and the wisdom and spirit to carry through. Amen.

I just came back from a 4.5 mile run. Tonight I took along my mp3 player and it helped me run the full 4 miles non-stop, something I had been conditioning myself to reach but hadn't accomplished until today. :) On my playlist was 'Blurry' by Puddle of Mudd, 'Hollywood' by System of a Down, 'Ingenue' by Mono from the Great Expectations Soundtrack and 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day. Time for a hot shower, dinner, vocal exercises and perhaps some writing, or maybe I'll just relax with the latest issue of Glamour magazine. Have a great night everyone.

- Nishi

P.S. Please don't anyone comment on the above 1st paragraph. I will simply delete the message and may ban the writer.

Sunday, May 6, 2007
10:52 p.m.

I just finished writing a letter to the editor of the Journal News - the local newspaper I subscribe to and read every day. In the past month, some disheartening news came to my attention that a developer in New Rochelle, Louis Cappelli, plans to buy out the leases of the New Roc Ice Skating Center as well as the Fun House and the Speedway. I began learning how to ice skate there last year and my sisters and Ricky and I always enjoyed the Fun House and the Speedway and whenever anyone visited from out of town we took them there for pool, bowling and the laser tag - not to mention the huge sky-high drop amusement ride. I love going to New Roc for the fun & games and movies and it'd be great to have a shopping center there with great retailers - but NOT at the expense of losing great family and community oriented places like the ice-rink et al. I pretty much stated that in my letter. Hope it does some good and we don't lose the best parts of New Roc for another chain store.

My dad and I went around and looked at a dozen churches today. My heart is set on 1 that's this gorgeous stone Catholic Church but I don't know if it will allow us, of Orthodox faith, to hold and conduct an Orthodox ceremony there. I'm crossing my fingers and calling them tomorrow, hoping for the best.

After a late breakfast today, I was just putting a pot of coffee on when in walked one of my fave cousins. He and my aunt were visiting for the afternoon. Turns out he's now a full-fledged father! My little new 2nd-cousin was born 18 days ago and her name is Sydney Grace. How pretty is that!? :) My cousin is SO happy and I think he will be a natural father. He and his 2 sisters, my other cousins, will all be flying out to L.A. for my engagement in October. Looks like everyone on both sides of my family will be coming - I'm amazed and quite happy! :) I went with him later to see Sydney and she is just precious - so tiny and beautiful! :)

After my dad and I looked at all those churches, I came back home and jogged 4 and 1/2 miles. Today had also been a gorgeous day - sunny with highs in the upper 60's....I just finished taking a long hot shower and changed my bed sheets (I love sleeping in fresh, clean linens at the start of the week - this week's it's a dark deep blue) and had a yummy dinner of chappati, dal curry and fresh sauteed green broccoli with sliced oranges for dessert. Even though I ate really healthy, I think I ate too much of it all in one sitting because my stomach is so full right now it hurts! Your stomach can only hold maximum 16 ounces of food and/or liquid at a time. I wonder how many ounces I crammed in.

Sanoj what church was the wedding in Peekskill at? I think we do plan to do a full orthodox ceremony I think. It's up to my parents. Sarah Beth ooooh Paris? That's fantastic!! :) Good luck job hunting! If you'd like me to look over your resume, I'd be happy to. Marcia LOL! :) Good luck on the paper. Gosh I would've LOVED to go to Journalism school!

I responded to everyone else's messages in the entries below. Good night all!

- Nishi

Saturday, May 5, 2007
07:32 p.m.

Evening falls once again and I am sitting here watching the sky change from a clear blue to the twighlight colors of indigo and lavender. It's so breathtakingly beautiful. The lake, too, is reflecting the lavender sky right now. Thank you God for letting me be alive to witness these beautiful colors.

I just had a yummy dinner of sushi (california rolls) with fresh organic strawberries and a glass of Light Vanilla Soy Milk. I jogged 5 miles this afternoon in the warm sunshine and then went out on the deck and stretched and after a long, hot shower, went to view the Hall my folks and I had looked at last night. Tonight they were having a wedding there so I wanted to see how they set it up. The place was beautiful with the chairs all covered and with sashes. Tomorrow, my folks and I will be traveling to different churches, checking them out and (hopefully) booking one for my wedding date next year.

Night is falling so quickly. It's all indigo out there now, except for the dark grey and white storm clouds I can see approaching. Just as I wrote this a flock of wild geese flew overheard calling loudly. I wonder what they're calling for and if they're flying north....

This has put me in a writing mood again and I'm going to work again tonight. Hope you're all having a fabulous night!

- Nishi

Saturday, May 5, 2007
10:10 a.m.

good morning guys and dolls :) it's the most beautiful May spring day out! The sun is shining, the grass is a lush kelly green, the lake is shimmering with the trees reflected against its face, and I can hear the lovely morning calls of many birds. Where I live in Westchester, there's a great expanse of woods behind my house and it's part of a nature and bird conservancy. We've been told that there are many rare birds in our woods. There's a soft breeze rustling the leaves now. God it's so beautiful. I really just wanna spend the morning writing in this sunshine but I'm looking around my room at all my clothes strewn over my bed and chairs and my jewelery all over the dresser and these plates and glasses on my table - ugh. A princess can't live nor write in an untidy room, so first things first - open the windows, let the fresh air in and tidy up! :) After that, I think I'll make breakfast and enjoy it out on the deck with my mom :) and spend a little time this afternoon "May-ing up" my closet, i.e. putting away my sweaters and leaving only my spring things in the closet. This coming week will be entirely in the 70's and low 80's.

I responded to all tag-board msgs in the entry below so check there :) *HUGS* to all! See ya later!

Updated at 1:30 p.m.
I finished un-winterizing my closet but before I did, I found myself singing one of my old songs I wrote back in law school called 'Guardian Angel/Outside Looking In'. It's a haunting song with an Indian/Arabic-like melody which is very sensual and exotic. It can be sung in 2 ways - a very gorgeous sparse sensual way which brings out the power in my voice and the pain in the song, and as a fully-produced dance-song. I could see it re-mixed easily and it sounds great both ways. I'm adding it to my songs I want produced on my new album. If I meet that new producer from Tennessee this month, I'll run it by him. If not, come June, I'm going to work with a new producer. I'm not waiting any longer to produce my full album.

- Nishi

Friday, May 4, 2007
10:02 p.m.

my folks & I visited 2 halls this evening which we had in mind for the wedding reception next year. They're both country clubs here in Westchester which are out on the water - the one we're considering putting a deposit on has this beautiful gazebo right in front of the water. I'm looking at other halls now online and while I do very much want to find the hall and site of my dreams, there are so many concerns about cost of food, venue fees, and associated expenses that the one we're ready to put a deposit on so far looks like the best.

We just came back from a late dinner at a local diner where I brought along my wedding books to show them the wedding dress and floral center pieces I had in mind. My folks get me so stressed sometimes about everything but it was fun to talk to them about this :) I love them! :)

Jenny hi! :) Yeah we've been researching halls and are close on placing a deposit on one that overlooks the water. We found this picture of a gorgeous church nearby I'm researching now. My email is nishirajan @ hotmail or be83398 @ yahoo - I check both :) We chose May 24th as the day. As for the engagement, because Rick and I had actually talked about the engagement back in 2005, I had bought my dress back then for the engagement - it's a beautiful red-orange-gold strapless creation with lots of beading. How are you doing? How was work?

Sarah Beth I checked out the pictures and they're lovely! Lisa looked like SUCH a happy bride!!! :) And you, my dear, looked lovely in your dress! :) What're you upto now that the wedding's over? Where'd Lis and Mike go for their honeymoon?

Ramona LOL! I knowwww! :) Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best! Your engagement went well? What happened? Details please!

Sean you smoke!???? SEANNNNNNNNNN!!! Quit right NOW! You *know* how awful that is for you!!! And hell yeah start running. You gotta do something healthy for those poor lungs of yours! >_<

Marcia LOLLLLL! You're so funny :) Don't worry about it. Honestly I'm still trying to enroll in new Japanese classes and new Mandarin and Cantonese classes as well. I won't have time for anything else ;) What're you upto now? Any plans for the weekend?

I've got a busy weekend ahead. Time for a long, hot shower and a good night's sleep. See ya'll tomorrow :)

- Nishi

Finished volunteering at the Tribeca Film Festival
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
10:49 p.m.

and I had an awesome time! Tonight, I actually met Ludacris and got to hear his panel and he is really a remarkable artist. Very down to earth, very funny and dedicated to his work both as musician, actor and (I'm impressed to say) philanthropist! I was part of the green room volunteers tonight who help greet the artist and give them the goody bag at the end. I was also to help with the microphones in case there was a Q&A segment. But the most shocking thing happened afterwards. I was asked to give Ludacris his goody bag but he raced off to where his car was afterwards to go to some show in Rhode Island, and I had to ask the security guard to race it to him because the bag was gigantic and so heavy and I couldn't run in my heels. Well on the way back I met this really cool guy who I just randomly started talking to. I thought he was Ludacris' relative or something. His name turned out to be Shaka Zulu and I was like NO WAY! Back in 6th Grade I was made fun of when that movie came out and the kids would be mean and call me Shaka (I can't remember why - something to do with being Indian even though Shaka Zulu was an African King) and he was like 'yeah I was named after him' and I was totally incredulous. And then - shocker of shockers - I just randomly ask him if he's Ludacris' brother or something and he goes 'No I'm his manager' - I'm in shock and I start stuttering and making a total fool of myself like you wouldn't believe. I think I re-introduced my name again when I had already introduced myself and shaken his hand. I could've kicked myself for getting so nervous and behaving foolishly. I then asked him if I could give him my CD but he couldn't accept it at the venue I think and offered to give me his email. I gave him my business card instead which had my music site's address on the back. God knows if he'll ever actually check it out. I pray so but I probably shouldn't get my hopes up. I bet he gets a million girls giving him CDs and cards, not to mention other men who're rappers or hip hop artists. Ugh I could kick myself for behaving so foolishly. I had no idea he was a manager! I wonder if that was a golden opportunity to really speak with a manager and I blew it. Totally. *sigh* I could cry.

Last night's panel was awesome too - Ishamel Beah was there as was the author of Not On Our Watch (regarding the Darfur Crisis). All in all - with the Eva Mendez panel last Friday - I had an amazing experience volunteering at the TFF and everyone of you who lives out here in NYC should definitely sign up next year. You see great movies and you have a fantastic time meeting cool people who are really into the film & entertainment industry. Do it because you love films and the industry. This was my 2nd time volunteering and shall be my last. I'm going to focus my energies 100% now on music and writing. Up until now, I've been working full-time as an attorney and juggling producing the demo CD with performing and I want to be more dedicated to my creative endeavors. It sucks when you have law school loans and credit card debts to pay off and HAVE to work.

I can't believe I spoke with Ludacris' manager and gave him my business card and then acted like a nervous idiot. Ugh! God if you're listening (or reading) can you somehow make him forget that I acted so nervous and have him check out my website and, somehow, maybe let him focus on me as an artist and singer and see how marketable I am and see potential in me? Thanks! :) Amen. (And while you're at it, wouldn't hurt to let me grow a few more inches taller?)

Doesn't hurt to ask! ;) I'm going to go to bed - am exhausted after working all day and standing all night in heels! :)

- Nishi

Monday, April 30, 2007
08:46 p.m.

so last night I went on Slooh because they have these programs where knowledgeable hosts give a talk/lecture on a specific topic. Last night was the comet hunter Don Maccholz and it was so fascinating. While he lectured, I captured amazing images of Jupiter, the Swan Nebula and the Pelican Nebula (shown below).

You can see more of my Slooh screencaptures at http://www.myslooh.com/nishi.

Tonight's lecture is 'Strange Universe' by Bob Berman - the man who writes the same column in Astronomy Magazine every month.

I'm totally in the writing spirit tonight and have settled in at my desk to spend the entire night writing. I have my dinner in front of me and will then make a cup of hot herbal tea and write away until midnight.

I just remembered HEROES is on tonight. Dammit. But I have to write. I'll leave it on as background noise ;) LOL! :)

Sarah Beth awwww!! I can't WAIT to see the pics of Lisa's wedding!!! That's AWESOME!! :D Hey - why does it say Alabama on your myspace page location? DeviantArt is the 1st place I went to look at artists! I found many! ML LOLLLLL thanks babe ;) Virginia Beach huh? Cool!! :D What'd you do there? Marcia LOL BABAK! :) That IS funny :) If you get persian CDs, will you burn me a copy? I'd pay for the CDs and shipping! I'd LOVEEEE to learn!!! :) Ailinon that is so cool! You're gonna be like Tolkien who created an entire elven language! Can't wait to read your work! :) Sean LOL! In order to be strong and healthy and in fit shape, one should be getting 60-90 minutes of exercise daily and incorporating muscle strengthening exercises as well. Consistently doing that every day for a month AND eating healthy (no junk food!) will get you in superb shape within 1 month. 30 days. See the difference!

- Nishi

Sunday, April 29, 2007
06:23 p.m.

I'm watching evening fall across the lake. It's a serene crystal blue. All the trees are budding and the grass is a lush green. My sisters all just left about a half hour ago and I came back from a 2 mile run. I had my windows open all day and my room smells like fresh spring air :) I love it :)

Other than the sound of the birds, and the occasional engine of a plane overhead, it's quiet and peaceful. I miss the company of my sisters. I miss L.A. and the company of Ricky. If I was with him over there, I'd miss my family here. I wish I could have everyone I love together in one place. I don't know how it's all going to turn out. I'm so lost on everything right now. I wonder where my music career is going. I wonder where my life is going. What the hell am I doing with it anyway. I feel like I'm not moving forward at all. And even when I do (as far as marriage/L.A. is concerned), I still won't have moved forward with music or writing. I'll still be in the same kind of station in life I am right now - still working as a lawyer full-time - what will change? *sigh*

There's really nothing I can do about any of it other than what I've already been doing and keep persevering. When I came back from volunteering at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday night (I had a great time and saw Eva Mendes, Rosario Dawson & Julia Stiles - the former 2 are very, VERY TALL and both even more prettier in person) - I took a cab back home and the cab driver was this older gentleman who had been (and was still) an actor, named Bill. I was feeling down because, after seeing those actresses who had somehow achieved success in the industry, I felt so discouraged about my own attempts. I was telling the cab driver, Bill, about how I felt discouraged lately about the entertainment industry and he told me it was all about who you knew and he told me to not be discouraged - that when I felt like giving up - THAT is when I had to persevere. That's what I do, and have always done and will keep on doing. But still, I'm only human. It's normal to feel down and discouraged sometimes. The important thing is to pick yourself back up and keep going. He told me to pick up something called the Ross Report and to get an agent or manager - that it's too hard for me to try to pursue this on my own without the help of someone who's actively in the industry. If I had someone working for me, I'd be much further along. I agreed with him and am going to pick it up tomorrow in the city. I'm still down though. I'm sure this 'down' feeling is the result of my menstrual cycle - I get sad about my life the day right before it starts and the last day (today) - has to do with your hormone levels falling at the end of your cycle and rising at the start - wreaks havoc on your emotional state. Tomorrow when I wake up I'll be back to normal. I'll be thankful to have my hormone levels back to normal cause on an every day basis I'm very optimistic and happy-go-lucky. When my cycle hits, I'm forced to face everything I'm unhappy with about my life - it's good in a way because it makes me take action. I'm even getting a headache now which is also normal. Oh the joys of being a woman ;)

Anywayz,Saturday morning, all my sisters came home for the weekend and we spent the day looking at my wedding books and picking out ceremony/reception sites and dresses for the bride's maids. In the afternoon, Nithi and Papa and I went and looked at a couple of reception halls for my wedding next May. We checked out country clubs and 2 castles in Tarrytown. In the evening, the girls and I got ready and headed out to my friend Danny's roommate's bar called Exchange over on Fulton in the city. One of my friends from work was guest bartending at the bar and I wanted to support her. The girls and I showed up around 11pm and the place was packed! It's such a great sports bar with tons of flat screen TVs with the bar on the 1st level and a dance-lounge downstairs. We danced and had an awesome time and didn't get back home till after 2:30 a.m. My sisters and I go out to dance/club/bar-hop very rarely (maybe 1-3 times a year?) - all together that is - so when the 4 of us get the chance, we just have a blast getting ready together and painting the town red ;)

Woke up this morning at 10 and the whole family was still asleep, except for papa and mummy who had gone to church, so I went to the kitchen, put on coffee and made apple pancakes for everyone. Like bunnies coming out of rabbit holes, my adorable sisters woke up one at a time and came into the kitchen by noon and my parents came back from church and we all sat around the breakfast table reading the paper. Everyone loved the pancakes :) We then cleaned the house (swept, mopped & cleaned the bathroom) and while my sisters packed and got ready, I went and jogged. Was a really nice weekend.

Now as evening sets in, and I'm looking out my desk window that faces the lake, it would be so nice to take a boat out onto that lake, watch the sun set, and stay there until all the stars came out and then row back in. It would be so nice to do that and not have to worry about a job you have to get to in the morning. I'd rather stay home and write all day. *sigh* I wish I could just change my life with a snap of my fingers - like magic - pull out of the sky a publishing deal for my books, and a record deal for my music and, with it all, the money and freedom it buys to live and pursue my life the way I want to, instead of tied down by debt and work and a 9-5 routine that, in the end, leaves you so unfulfilled.

- Nishi

Thursday, April 26, 2007
8:03 p.m.

mmmmmm just came back from my evening run. Only did 2.5 miles tonight. I'm trying to do my ab workout now to Justin Timberlake's 'What Goes Around' but I keep getting distracted because it's such a great dance song that I start dancing - right here in my bedroom. Feels so good to dance :) I wanna enroll in some classes and/or be a part of a dance group - it'll help me choreograph my own dances better and make me a lot more disciplined about training. As soon as I finish my abs and do my push ups and dips, I'm gonna hit the shower, have dinner and do vocal exercises and pick out some of my newest songs to rehearse with my friend Rob next week. My volunteer gig at the Tribeca Film Festival ends after next Wednesday so we're doing our 1st rehearsal next Thursday. I'm itching to do this new dance number I finished writing a couple months ago called 'Let Him Go' which I'd actually written last April 2006.

Music Lover LOL! Actually, I went to L.A. last Thursday! ;) I came back this week. I had the best time and will write about it when I get photos uploaded. But thank you & *HUGS* :) Marcia hahahahhaha persian? really? :) That's another language I'd love to learn some day! :) I'm so glad his mom hugged you like that! LOL! :) Ailinon ooooh a full fantasy system? I'd love to hear about it! :) *HUGS* Millie the first day Rick and I were in San Francisco we walked east on Sutter all the way until we found a cafe with wireless internet - they had this cafe mocha which was soooooo freakin' good I haven't tasted its equivalent - EVER. I'll see if he can find out the name of the place. Ramona yep that's right - Al Gore did the opening. How I would've LOVED to be there - even as a volunteer. Oh well. :) But yes, it starts tomorrow - my volunteer gig! That's when I'll actually get to see Eva Mendes, Rosario Dawson and Julia Stiles! :D Sean you need a guy with both feet OUT of the closet! :) Too bad I don't know more single gay guys, I'd love to set you up! :D

Ok - ab workout and I refuse to get distracted! I am determined to fit into a tiny little bikini by Memorial Day dammit! :D Us girls and our obsession with bikini bods. Hah. I could say men have the same obsession ;)

- Nishi

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
09:56 p.m.

I just finished a 90-minute 6 mile incline work out on the treadmill. Walking on an incline is a terrific workout because it forces you to really use the muscles in your thighs and buttocks. I want a long hot shower, a light supper and to type up the rest of one of my stories and then head to sleep. Can't respond to msgs tonight, will do so tomorrow. Have a wonderful night all!

- Nishi

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
10: 40 p.m.

The air tonight was scented like an evening in India. From somewhere, wood was being burned and its rich aroma was carried by the wind to mix with the fragrance of the blossom trees around my neighborhood. I came home around 6 and rushed out to jog my 4 mile run. My mom decided to walk and joined me at the start. Today had been beautiful: sunny, with temperatures in the mid-70's. Between the rich scents, the pink cherry blossoms, the budding trees and beautiful sun-dappled lake, I had the most gorgeous evening run.

I just finished dinner (rice with tomato curry, green beans and broccoli) with an apple for dessert and am relaxing with a tall cold glass of lemon water. My mom was so cute while I walked with her 1/2 way on the 2nd mile - she has this adorable way of walking when she exercises which reminds me of when we used to jog on the high school tracks back in Carmel when I was home from college or law school. Mum is still on a ton of medicines to cure the 5 strains of Lyme Disease she got from a tick bite 10 years ago and she can't walk a lot at all, and if she tries to walk a lot, it results in awful muscle pain. I pray every day she gets cured and goes back to the health and vitality she had before the disease showed itself in 2003.

I wrote more of one of my stories on the train today. This one is a fairy tale in both senses of the word - it is a fairy tale of Faeries. There is a Princess of the Faeries and a Prince and 2 kingdoms so far. This is something I've wanted to write for a very long time. I had intended this to be a children's fairy tale - very simple with short stories to be made into illustrated books - I may still be able to do that, but I'm not sure how because it's developing into a complicated plot and I can't stop it! I have to see it through to fruition.

I want to type up what I've written so far and then relax and watch NEGIMA! :) My friend Mark gave me the 1st DVD of the series and it looks so good! :) Also went to MidTown Comics today and picked up Book #6 of SKIP BEAT! :D Seriously funny manga :D

Ailinon oh my gosh! You looked so incredibly designer, chic and stylish! You look like a model! Are those calla lilies? The picture is beautiful and it's so original and stylish. I absolutely love it!

Jenny awwwww *HUGS* thank you!!! :) That means a lot to me :) How are you doing and how's your week been so far? I'd love to check out your friend Mary's site when she's finished! :)

Callie LOL! Way to go? :D Thanks sweetie and yes it will be very exciting :)

Alright guys and dolls, I'm out. Have an awesome night and I'll see ya'll tomorrow with the full details of my L.A. trip - I'm waiting for photos from Ricky before I actually try to write the whole thing out! ;)

- Nishi

Monday, April 23, 2007
11:59 p.m.

hello people :) I'm back from an awesome trip to L.A. I miss the mountains and the beach already. *sigh* I love California. We had a wonderful time and I'll write more tomorrow night and hopefully have some pictures to share.

I'm getting engaged this October! October 20th, 2007 to be exact :D It'll be in L.A. :D

Wanna say hi to a few people: Jeni it was a pleasure meeting you, your husband and son on Saturday! Aunty and Uncle must've told you about my music site a few weeks ago? I'd noticed someone checking my blog from Cal State U in Long Beach and in Cerritos for the past couple weeks and when I asked Rick he'd no idea, but when u told me on Saturday you lived there it hit me right away and that's when I was like "oh I have to tell you something later" ;) I didn't get a chance to but hopefully you'll see this message. ;) Don't be a stranger and do leave me a comment in the tag-board. You're more than welcome to read this - this is how I stay in touch with all my friends and it's public and has been for 6+ years now and I tell everyone about it - it's no secret :) I'm a web designer and very much pro-internet and blogging is just one of my many creative outlets - to me and my friends, this is very normal and just part of the culture of those of us who've grown up in the internet age.

Sean LOL!!!!! *HUGS* engagement talks have been in the works since like this past December? But it was only now that things really started to happen. So how're things going with that new guy?

Ramona: tbank you sweetie!!! *HUGS* :) It'll depend on what Rick's doing - if he's going to be in L.A. for at least 2 years, then after the wedding, I'll be moving out there. If he's going to be attending school or doing Doctors without Borders or something else, then I'll stay in NY until we get settled. He and I'll figure it out when he knows for sure.

Marcia LOL! What language does Sina's parents speak? This was the first time my folks & Rick's folks met and it was great :) We're all malayalees (the same type of Indian from South India) and all from the same religion so there was no culture shock or anything like that.

Millie *BIG HUGS* thank you :) How're you doing? You know we should've totally met up in San Fran when I was there last month! But then again I was boycotting all the San Fran Starbucks there cause of all the other amazing coffee shops I found ;) LOL! :)

Ailinon don't forget to send me a pic of your wedding! I'd love to see your dress.

It's midnight folks and I have work in the morning. See ya'll tomorrow night :)

- Nishi

Off to Los Angeles
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
9:09 p.m.

I'm all packed! I'll be gone tomorrow through Monday to L.A. to have my parents meet Ricky's parents! :) When I come back, I'm going to start planning my wedding! :D

I'm tired after all that packing and am famished! Time for mum's dinner and a hot shower and to sit down and write a full chapter of one of my stories. My goal is a chapter a night! I even plan to write on the plane to and from L.A.! :)

Marcia LOL! For real? Julia Stiles!? You should take that as a compliment because she's such an accomplished and talented actress! :) Ramona thank you! I'm not stressed at all! I'm looking fwd to a fun-filled and relaxing weekend and getting to know Rick's family better :) Aura will most certainly do! Unless cell phone picture-taking is banned that is ;) Sean Boston? Never been there and would love to visit! Heck yeah count me in! :) Ailinon ooooh do you have pics of the wedding online? I'd love to see your dress!

*HUGS* to all. I'll see you when I get back next week week!

- Nishi

Volunteering at the Tribeca Film Festival
Monday, April 16, 2007
06:12 p.m.

Oh my GOD! It's confirmed!! I got the 3 nights I wanted for the panels as a volunteer for the Tribeca Film Festival!!!

I'll be volunteering at the 'Bring Home The Bacon' panel with Eva Mendes, Rosario Dawson and Julia Stiles on April 27th and at the LUDACRIS panel on May 2nd!!!!!!!! I also got another one which my heart holds very dear as a humanitarian - a talk on the world wide human tragedies from the most devastated places on Earth. Panelists will be Suliman Baldo of the International Center for Transitional Justice, Ishmael Beah who wrote the book "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier", Terry George of Hotel Rwanda, Christopher Quinn, the director of God Grew Tired of Us), John Dau, director of the Sudan Project and John Prendergast of Not On Our Watch.

You can view all the talks @: http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff-ep-tribeca-talks.html

So excited!!! :)

The rain stopped sometime around lunch today. I made it into work and spent lunch time walking 3 miles all over the West Village and Greenwich village. I saw so many inspirational characters and scenarios on the walk that I want to use in stories. This always happens after a day spent writing, like yesterday - I get into a zone where I see stories come at me from all directions.

Work let out early at 4:15 p.m. today to make our evening commute easier which was nice! :) I got home around 5:40 and found my dad vacuuming water out of the boiler room - the ONLY low room in the whole house - was the sole room that got water leaking in from the rain storm.

Every house in our neighborhood had their basements all flooded and we thought we were lucky last night! Well, our basement is fine because my dad raised the floors when he built the house, but he's still working hard to make sure the boiler room isn't damaged. I'm going to grab some dinner and go downstairs and see how bad the water leaking in is. I have my manga books and some cels and collectibles stored down there! o_o Don't want ANYTHING happening to THEM! :)

Aura you're so sweet! Thank you for your encouraging words. And no I'm not on Facebook. I thought you had to be in college to be on Facebook? Amir thanks and you're welcome. No plans as yet :) Sean his family owns a house on the beach? SWEET! Get him to fall in love with you already!!! :) It's only a matter of time ;) Ramona awww I'm so happy for you!! That sounds SO incredibly sweet! A December wedding is lovely! Ricky and I are great! My family and I'll be flying out to L.A. this weekend to see him and his family for THE VISIT! :D That all-important visit betwixt families when they shall discuss engagement and marriage plans! ;)

I'm off to do some writing and eating :) *HUGS* to all!

oh and don't forget my CALLING ALL ARTISTS & ILLUSTRATORS - please see 2 entries below - I need a good illustrator who can draw/paint animals in human like homes and clothing - the children's story I have been writing are based on groundshogs/hedgehogs and would need drawings of both. See 2 entries below for examples which should look similar in style to Beatrix Potter or Little Bear.

- Nishi

New Rochelle has declared a state of emergency.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
10:15 p.m.

"A major Nor'easter pounded the Hudson Valley region with heavy rain and high winds, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and flooded roadways."

From 5-8pm my dad kept getting calls from our church neighbors in our town looking for sump pumps because homes and basements had flooded. Apparently, many houses right here on our road are flooded and the sewers have backed up. Luckily, when my dad built our home, he had special reinforcements made to the foundation with tons of drainage installed underground so our basement is fine. He did that because we live with a lake right behind our home. The lake is HUGE right now. Its levels rose a great deal. And still I saw like tons of geese and ducks happily hunting in the grass.

It's gotten so bad that all the major highways and roads in and out of New Rochelle are closed. The Hutchinson River parkway was completely flooded with cars drowning in it over by Mt. Vernon. Now I learned that a bunch of church family members were evacuated from their homes and are at a "New Rochelle Center" and that 3 roads over where I live have been blocked off.

Lightning just flashed and thunder rolled 2 seconds later. We gathered water and candles and flash lights in case the power goes out. The rain is again falling so hard. I'm watching the news on LoHud.com which has news of the evacuations and the road closings.

- Nishi

Sunday, April 15, 2007
8:52 a.m.

The rain is falling ferociously and my window panes are drenched. I watched a bird this morning search for food in the grass before flying up into the fir trees to take cover from the downpour. I went out to get the morning newspaper, relishing the cool feel of the morning rain and enjoying the pitter-patter of the raindrops upon my umbrella. It's a beautiful, rainy, spring, Sunday morning in mid-April and everyone else is still asleep and I'm making cinnamon french toast in the kitchen and cinnamon mocha coffee.

Updated at 4:19 p.m. - Calling Artists & Illustrators

I'm writing a children's story based on this rainy April morning. I'm looking for an artist to draw painted illustrations for it. The story is about a family of groundhogs (or hedgehogs) that live in a cottage in the country. The story, I guess, could be similar to children's stories like Little Bear or Peter Rabbit and I'm seeking artwork similar in style. If you can illustrate, please contact me with samples of your painted work. I plan to submit the finished stories and accompanying illustrations as a manuscript to publishing companies and hopefully find a children's book publisher that will like it. If interested, please email me at be83398 @ yahoo.com with samples of your painted work. The pictures of the groundhogs should be cute and pretty and not too realistic, similar in color and style to Little Bear or Peter Rabbit or to these lovely illustrations: this or this and for a real image: this. Pictures of hedgehogs that would fit the images I'm going for at here and here and this gorgeous one here.

- Nishi

Saturday, April 14, 2007
11:30 p.m.

On my music playlist right now are Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around", "Dice" by Finley Quaye, Nellie McKay's "Face of a Faith" and Sense Field's "Save Yourself."

Got in touch with my friend Rob today, a guitarist who accompanied me at gigs last year. He's available to accompany me again at gigs because the band he was a partof is no longer performing because they lost their lead singer and lost their drummer. I'm gonna meet with him to do rehearsals on a bunch of new songs I wrote and a few covers and when we're ready I'll book us a new gig.

I'll be happy to get back out there and perform again. :) I really wanna perform my new material I wrote.

So today, my mom, my sister Mili and I, all drove out to Connecticut for a day spent at the casinos at Mohegan Sun! Mum and Mil gambled but I did not! I have NO MONEY to gamble with and I think it's a total waste to throw your hard-earned money away like that. The house always wins :P Instead, I kept them company, browsed the many stores and read a book (shamelessly) in one store which I fell in love with and will be buying at Borders or Barnes & Noble on Monday. It's called The Mysterious Benedict Society and it's one of the most interesting books I've read since I finished the latest book in the Temeraire series and Libba Bray's 'A Great & Terrible Beauty' & 'Rebel Angels.'

It's 11:30 p.m. now and I'm sleepy. I lit candles all over my room and everything looks so pretty with the candle light. Such a peaceful Saturday night - don't want it to end just yet. Nights like this, after a day spent with your loved ones, you appreciate life and the time that's been given to you. So I'm going to enjoy this quite moment, late at night, sitting by my 4 windows with a nighttime view of the lake, and think about all the people who are either asleep in their beds, or out clubbing to great music, or watching movies and seeing musicals and be happy that I'm home, warm, surrounded by my most loved family, and with pretty candles to light my room. We're often so unhappy and angry at life and others that it's important to take a good look at our blessings and appreciate them.

Something I just remembered that I meant to write about. On the ride over to Mohegan Sun, I sat in the back of the car and let my mind wander and, as usual, it rested on topics of life, its meaning, purpose, reincarnation, our spirits. I have many futuristic dreams....of me in aviation and space travel. Either in this life or the next, if it works that way, I think I'll be studying flight and eventually be a space traveler. Too many strange and way-too-realistic dreams to dismiss as impossible. I actually saw myself parachute out of one flight vehicle in my dream last night. I say flight vehicle because this was no plane or jet or helicopter. It was something like a personal flight vehicle with room for you and maybe 2-3 other people? Too hard to explain and I can't remember the details of what it looked like. In other dreams, I've actually seen myself on space missions, training rooms with other kids and students where we bounce on high and differently leveled styrofoam like floors, and in one dream, landing on a planet back at a station where the commanders there were unhappy with our efforts and blamed me and my crew for damaging the 'ship' carelessly. Just dreams? Maybe glimpses of lives on other planets and universes? Maybe. Who knows. Just makes you wonder.

But right now, I want to live and enjoy this life, with my family. I don't want this life to end. Don't want to lose my loved ones. I could see how, at the end of your life, when you're old and grey and you've lost your parents, siblings and those dear to you, that you'd look up and say you wish to be reborn with your loved ones or be reborn to this life, to live all over again, and maybe make it better a 2nd time around (or 3rd, 4th, 189th ;)). Without your loved ones there, the world becomes a much more harder and sadder place to live, and your life that much more lonelier and harder to bare. So live and enjoy friends, this time you have now with those you love. You may never have it again.

- Nishi

Thursday, April 12, 2007
10:38 p.m.

For those of you love anything that relates to Sailor Moon, here's an interesting bit of news: Japan's first lunar orbiter will lift off in August aboard a domestically developed rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture. The name of this lunar orbiter? Selene. :) It's short for the selenological and engineering explorer, or moon explorer, and is a satellite designed to collect data on "the formation of the moon and its transitional history up to today." Bet Naoko Takeuchi-sensei would smile if she heard that! :)

Speaking of the moon & space orbiters, I was on SLOOH the other day and captured these gorgeous shots! In order they are: the Lagoon Nebula, the Pink & Blue Nebula and Spiral Galaxy M109. I love, love, LOVE Slooh :)

Pretty neh? I'm on Slooh now viewing the Butterfly nebula.

This is a good way to relax after the horrible rainy commute to work I had this morning and working late til' 7:45 to get some important motions out. Didn't get home till almost 9pm tonight and after a yummy dinner, I'm drinking honey vanilla chamomile tea now and looking fwd to the weekend. I'm gonna zone out and enjoy the rest of my night. See ya'll tomorrow night! :D

- Nishi

Wednesday, April 11, 2007
10:16 p.m.

thank god it's wednesday night. it's been a long week and I'm glad there're only 2 more days till the weekend. Went to the mandatory meeting tonight for volunteers for the Panels/Talks dept for the Tribeca Film Festival. Because I work full-time and have meetings and classes I attend after work, and will be out of state over the weekends or busy with personal plans, I could only put myself down for 3 of the panels in the evenings I wanted to attend. If I can't get those, there's no point in volunteering cause my schedule and time don't permit it. Hopefully I'll get those panels. We'll see.

I'm going to make some tea, sit down with the new Gals #9 manga (and Tail of the Moon #2 <-- I LOVE this series) and go to sleep. *HUGS* to all.

- Nishi

Happy Easter :)
Sunday, April 8, 2007
07:24 p.m.

Myspace Graphics, MySpace Glitter Graphics, MySpace Glitters, MySpace Goodies, Myspace Codes at www.MyGlitterSpace.com

My family and I just finished having an Easter dinner of yellow rice with duck curry, green beans and talapia. The duck curry was out of this world delicious! I'm relaxing now with a cup of chai tea. We all got up super early and endured 5 straight hours of church service from 7am to 12noon. We're orthodox so we have humongously long services. Thank goodness my sisters were there because they made it bearable! ;) Afterwards, we came home, and I relaxed & read the Sunday paper, and my sisters and I watched CLICK but I started getting irritated with the movie 5 minutes in and decided to hit the treadmill and walk for a mile and a half and do sit ups, push ups and dips. Good thing too because I ate like bus-load of food today ;) Nith and Mek are leaving soon and Mil is gonna stay until tomorrow (yaaaayyy!!) so I'm giving her a facial tonight! :) I also have Disc 6 of Season 1 of The O.C. and seasons 2 & 3 of Newlyweds Nick & Jessica so I'm set for the night! :)

For those who don't know, Easter is celebrated by Christians as a remembrance of the death & ressurection of Jesus Christ for whom Christianity is based on. You can read a little mor e on it here. While Easter is predominantly a religious observance, it's been commercialized by the Easter Bunny and coloring and hunting for easter eggs. Easter eggs are colored on Saturday and then hidden all over the house and then you go 'easter egg hunting' on Sunday afternoon. We also make easter baskets filled with fake green or colored "grass" and place into them chocolate cadbury eggs, chocolate bunnies, and plastic eggs with goodies inside (jellybeans, $1 bills, coins, plastic jewelry). Apparently, in the U.K. it's traditional to have "hot cross buns" - I've never had them and I would love to try!

The tradition of decorating eggs is much older than Easter. Eggs and rabbits are age-old fertility symbols. The Passover Seder service uses a hard-cooked egg flavored with salt water as a symbol both of new life and the Temple service in Jerusalem. The Jewish tradition may have come from earlier Roman Spring feasts. The ancient Persians also painted eggs for Nowrooz, their New Year celebration falling on the Spring Equinox. This tradition has continued every year on Nowrooz since ancient times.

Interesting huh? :) Ok I'm off to enjoy the rest of Easter Sunday with my family. Have a great Easter if your celebrate and a Happy Sunday to all! :)

Special hugs to Sarah Beth and Miyu-chan :) Happy Easter guys :) And I can totally agree with the hard-bodied man-fest that is the movie 300 ;)

- Nishi

Saturday, April 7, 2007
10:26 p.m.

mmm working out feels so good :) spent 90 minutes on the treadmill and then did 60 push ups, 60 dips, and 360 different ab exercises and targeted the lower abs. Took a long shower and am relaxing with my sisters, painting our nails and reading magazines. :)

Have to get up super early, like 5:30 to get ready for church. We have to leave the house by 6:45 because our Easter services start crazy early. Ugh. I wonder if I can have coffee....

Time to call my Ricky - he's been sick all week and now he has a fever :( I talked to him for like 2 minutes today and it was more like me saying hi and him coughing in response ;) LOL! :) My poor baby.

Azure Kaze hahaah I think it's one of the very few times I talked about taxes ;) Usually I got REFUNDS when it came around tax time. This is the first year I actually had to pay! :)

Anywayz, good night folks! *HUGS* to all.

- Nishi

Saturday, April 7, 2007
05:50 p.m.

*sigh* I'm depressed now.

I wanna go back into the studio and produce a full 12-track album. I'm tired of shopping my demo and waiting for something magical to happen. It's gotten me no where but depressed. My goal had been to get signed within a year. HAH! Wishful thinking. Came close twice but no dice (they wanted to sign away all my rights). I need to re-work the songs on my demo and produce all new ones. I've written so many gorgeous dance songs that I didn't get a chance to produce, but I have no money now to pay for production. I'm so broke now after taxes it's not even funny. I had to clear out my savings to pay and now I'm back to zero. *sigh* I think I *will* have to adjust my withholdings at work.

*sigh* I wish I was rich. And I sure as heck wish taxes hadn't eaten my savings. I wish I was signed already. I hate whining but goddamit when was the last time I was sad about this on my blog anyway!? It'd be so amazing if I could just spend life writing and singing/composing and creating beautiful music and beautiful books. *sigh* *sigh* *sigh*

Ok now I'm frustrated with myself for being depressed about this crap. Ugh! I'm gonna get on the treadmill and jog my sad feelings away. Nothing like working out to make you feel a little better. *HUGS* to all! I responded to ALL msgs in the 2 entries below.

- Nishi

Saturday, April 7, 2007
03:47 p.m.

ugh, i just finished filing my taxes. I owed a LOT this year. *sob*

That's how I spent my afternoon after all. Taxes. They suck.

Responded to all msgs in the entry below. Miyu I wanted to see 300! :) But i don't think my sisters do ;)

- Nishi

Saturday, April 7, 2007
1:17 p.m.

Easter is almost upon us (it's tomorrow) and we have to get up super early for Easter Sunday services. On Thursday, my mom made my fave easter dish: appam and pal! It's a traditional south-indian style easter bread and sweet milk. I'm munching on some now :) My sisters are home and we just had a long brunch, pouring over the Saturday morning newspaper and the new issues of Allure and Cosmopolitan Magazine ;) I'm working on the Sudoku puzzle now.

Ramona oh my god! I'm soooooo happy for you!!! Congratulations!!! How did he propose? On one knee? *HUGGGGG* when will the wedding be? Sarah Beth what're u doing for Easter? Any special plans? I'm actually looking into auditioning for musicals and off-broadway plays :) I think it'd be fun and it's definitely something I've dabbled in, in the past, and would love to try once again. Kayla I know right? That's why it's so important to do what we can to help prevent those things from happening. Lorie the exploitation was documented in Cambodia but it happens everywhere. And the calendar will be available for sale but I hope to get a copy and scan the image in so you can see :) Sean if I get the tv spot I'll see if I can get digital copies and upload them to youtube and on my website :) Don't worry about your journal - it was highly interesting and well-written and way too much for my innocent eyes ;) LOL! :) But interesting nonetheless - worth reading to get a different perspective and insight to a different life. Cheers to you my friend :) How'd tabling for Lambda go? Desi thank you very much :) *HUGS*

It's now after 1pm and I'm debating how to spend my Saturday afternoon. I wanna do something eastery like making easter baskets but it's a waste cause we're not going to hang out with any of the relatives with little kids and I have no desire to buy or eat chocolates. Put that one down for the record books ;) I think I should drag the girls to an afternoon at the movies; but, there's nothing I really want to see playing locally other than maybe 300 or The Premonition with Sandra Bullock. Agh, we'll see.

Anywayz, Happy Saturday folks and I shall see ya'll l