Books I want to Read

I am trying to compile a list of books that I may like to read based on either reviews that I have read about them or have heard about them from my social network. This post will be regularly updated to include new names. I welcome your recommendation of adding books to this list.

1. "What I wish I knew when I was 20" by Tina Seelig. She is currently the Executive Director of Stanford's Technology Ventures Program

2. "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. The review of Born to Run listed below has been verrbatim taken from Amazon.com.

Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.

With a sharp wit and wild exuberance, McDougall takes us from the high-tech science labs at Harvard to the sun-baked valleys and freezing peaks across North America, where ever-growing numbers of ultrarunners are pushing their bodies to the limit, and, finally, to the climactic race in the Copper Canyons. Born to Run is that rare book that will not only engage your mind but inspire your body when you realize that the secret to happiness is right at your feet, and that you, indeed all of us, were born to run.

Presedential Award of Excellence for Tanya

I attended an award ceremony yesterday, May 27th 2009 in Tanya’s middle school, Thomas Russell. The function was to award talented middle schoolers in all spheres of school activities. Tanya had earlier told me that she will get a 4.0 GPA award for maintaining that grade throughout her 8th grade. I used to see her getting 4.0 GPA every quarter in her 8th grade whenever the progress report was sent by postal mail and hence I was not very surprised to hear this news. While I was happy to see her maintain 4.0 GPA throughout and get this award; I must admit that I now expect her to maintain 4.0 GPA (good Dads don’t do this – expectations; never). I am willing to work with her for her to maintain this GPA. See, I am not shying from my responsibilities!!!!

I know she missed her 4.0 GPA in Seventh Grade by a whisker, something she could not complete or was not sure how to complete some of the requirements in her Leadership Class. That one mistake cost her 4.0 GPA in seventh grade. That made her straight A’s in eighth grade more satisfying and I was looking forward to attend this event.

Once inside the multi-purpose hall in Thomas Russell School, I took my seat and as usual preferred to sit at the edge (1st chair of the row towards the aisle) though that seat was way back in the rows of chair. 2/3rd of the seats were already taken by the time I entered the hall. That’s what happens when you don’t get a bit early for such events. After a few minutes, I got up and went to the reserved student rows to take a picture of Tanya with her friends. When I came back to my seat after clicking the photo, I saw a lady sitting on my chair and refusing to get up. Not sure if she was taking drugs!

I got another seat at the last but one row but the one closet to the aisle. The ceremony began and various students were awarded based on the achievements. It’s always nice to see the result of your hard work at the end. I could see the proud parents of the kids who received the awards. All the while I saw Tanya rooting for almost all the winners. Don’t know if she cracked her voice towards the end.

Finally they called the 4.0 GPA students on the podium and there went Tanya along with 6 other students. I felt proud as well as a lump in my throat. I was never a 4.0 GPA student myself and seeing your daughter collect the award for 4.0 GPA makes your heart fill with joy. To sweeten the deal further when I looked at Tanya’s certificate and lapel pin, I saw it signed by Barack Obama, The President of United States. In fact the pin that she got has a seal of the office of the President of the United States. When I relooked at the invitation for the day I saw that all the 4.0 GPA students indeed were listed to get the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence.

So the first Presidential Award for excellence for Tanya. I pray that she maintains perfect GPA in each and every school year and more. Way to go Tanya. We are all proud of you Didi.

Logic of the mind & Playing On

“How odd is the logic of the mind - it seeks compromises when we are wrong, and it asks for justice when others are wrong !”

If people start criticizing you, hurting you, shouting at you.. don’t be bothered. Because in any game, spectators make noise, not the player. So just play on !”

...source : anonymous

What makes all Mother’s special –

ANSWER :

When I came home drenched in the rain my brother said –
“Why don’t you take an umbrella with you !”

My sister said –
“Why didn’t you wait till the rain stopped !”

My father angrily said –
“You will only learn after getting a cold !”

But my mother while drying my hair said –
“Stupid rain !”

...source : from Amitabh Bachhan's blog