Health Care Insurance.

Health care insurance is always a topic of discussion. Especially when one strikes with some serious ailment. Since, in general, we keep healthy and keeps away from serious diseases... we seldom bother for it in day to day life.

America is now struggling to get their Health care system 'set' and out of the flaws. Obama looks determined and also worried at the same time for the Health care in America. While talking about 1 trillion dollar spending on Health care insurance Obama mentioned... "That's real money, even in Washington," he said. "But remember: That's less than we are projected to have spent on the war in Iraq. And also remember: Failing to reform our health care system in a way that genuinely reduces cost growth will cost us trillions of dollars more in lost economic growth and lower wages."... You may right click here and select 'open in new window' to read more about the NEWS.

Find here a link to the video documentary expressing Health care issues in America. The video is 2 hours long and is informative. It compares various Health care systems with few other nations. It's good to have knowledge about it. Right click here and select 'open in new window' to watch 2 hour long and informative video.

Friends, here, I will like to encourage you to leave your comment(s) on the posting... suggesting what Health care insurances we must have? And what we shall avoid? Which insurance company is better? Where we shall be careful, while opting for an insurance? Your feedback will help many others... so do leave your comment(s) about this serious issue.

-AbhiShilpa.

Lilac Fair- Calgary.

Spring is 'on' and Canada is gradually coming out of it's den. Now series of celebrations will sprung up all over the cities. First in the series was Lilac Festival, here in Calgary. Lilac is a name given after a tree of flowers. This tree flourishes only for a week or two in a whole year and this festival is exactly placed in that period. As a matter of coincidence we have a Lilac tree in our backyard.

Last week on May 30th, three families went together to this Lilac festival. We started early in the morning so as to attend the Parade, which is the main attraction of the day. Lilac is just another 'fair'. I compared this Lilac to fairs in India and I found it very similar. The slide show below will give you proofs of the similarities. Lilac is little sophisticated version of Indian fairs.
Never the less, find below videos and slide show of the event. Sure you are going to enjoy it.

-AbhiShilpa.

It's Not All About Money, Honey!!

Fourth month of sitting at home. Apply-apply; no reply.... Though I received one or two interview calls; those did not materialized... In this arid recession time, I got an opportunity to do some freelancing. After years of working with MNCs and doing typical office job, this opportunity brought me new challenges. The job was to 'Review and Recommend' repair measures to balconies of old structure. I had to take help of 'friends'... though I was technically OK; I required help for documentation and legal formalities.

For the first time, on Sunday, May 24th, I used my P.Eng. stamp. And Monday I got my first pay check of the recession time. Though money is not a matter of interest here, satisfaction do. This job was like few droplets on hot sand desert for me. It gave immense pleasure, momentarily though!

It's not all about money, honey!
-Abhijit.

Johnston Canyon.

Back in India, a hill or a mountain means a Temple or Mashjeed. Here in Canada (or any other country other than Asian countries) hill means hill and mountain means mountain. A natural beauty takes precedence over anything else. Last Saturday, group of five families made to Johnston Canyon Trail. The trail was easy and very scenic. Nature takes priority here and all efforts are made to preserve nature and not to leave human 'footprint' at these places. To large extent people do follow the instructions to preserve nature.

Families of Panda, Mishra, Singh, Savai and Kadam were together to enjoy trail and Pav-Bhaaji. Trail had three destinations out of which we touched two.... Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The falls were beautiful... the sound of water was feeling the atmosphere. Mountains, green trees and stream flowing-by with group of friends around was a perfect combination for enjoyment.

A small break at Banff Garden and we started back to Calgary around six in the evening.

Twelve hours of enjoyment will be sufficient for few more days ahead.



-AbhiShilpa.

Badlands- Drumheller.

Last Saturday was very nice atmosphere to go out of Calgary. As Calgary was raining and was boring sitting at home. We took a trip to Drumheller- A Place Of Dynasore Museum. It was very pleasant atmosphere there and so enjoyable. We travelled around 150-160km from our home to reach Drumheller. As we reached the city, we noticed the soil was totally different there and the change was noticeable. You can observe this change in the slide show below. The main attractions of Drumheller are Royal Tyrell Museum, Hoodoos, Smallest Church in the world, Horse Thief Canyon, Coal Mine Suspension Bridge.

Hoodoos were really interesting to see. You can see the photographs of Hoodoos at the end of Slide show below. Hoodoos are natural formation of soil columns over the period of time due to erosion by flowing water. This area is rich for coal too. We could see coal bands (layers) on the hills.

Overall it was nice and enjoyable trip.

-AbhiShilpa.

Bright Day.

Now a days only few days are bright and rest all are darker. Last Saturday was one of the 'brighter' days. We, AbhiShilpa, visited Prince's Island (generally known as Princess Island), which is located in Calgary Down Town. It was our first time in last 2 years, of our stay here in Calgary, that we were visiting this garden. The Island is very beautiful and very cute, small patch in the middle of Bow River. The Saturday evening was very enjoyable and we felt fresh visiting the garden. The quacking of ducks, running squirrels, couples in love, joggers on track, kids in full swing, a group playing cricket, someone dipped into a book, dog walkers and couple like AbhiShilpa... simply enjoying all this. We are determined to visit this place quite often now.

Have a look at a glimpse of the garden. Enjoy the slide show.

-Abhijit.

Padawa- Hindu New Year.

Yesterday, 27th March 2009, was Hindu New Year (Padawa).

As per the ancient literature this day is known as Birthday of mother earth. As per the Vedas the life of the earth is predicted to be 4.32 billion years and as per recent technology the life of the earth is predicted to be 4.6 billion. Given the choice I will love to believe our Vedas... as I think Vedas are more accurate and more developed than recent technology. Well....

Seven families met on pot-luck and celebrated this New Year at Pasalkar's house. It was fun filled evening with variety of food and variety of games to play. Hope this New Year (Padawa) will bring Happiness and prosperity in everyone's life.

-AbhiShilpa.

Nano- A Grocery car.

Tata's Nano is making headlines everywhere. And all are wondering if this car will come to our country? As a down side, Nano has no safety features, no power steering and max speed of 70 km an hour. This car is best for Indian people for short and in city travel... I believe. City like Pune will surely adore this car and I can visualize Pune's roads getting more congested with Nanos.

Nano has hit the news in Canada too. Right Click here and select 'Open in New Tab' Or 'Open In New Window', to see the news video.... be patient with the advertisement and you might not continue with more videos lined-up next to Nano News video.

Cheers.

-Abhijit.

Spring.

I have nothing to write, except some small-small things.

Spring is here. And everyone is eagerly waiting for summer. For last few days the temperature been so weired. For some days the temperature was about -30degrees and suddenly next day it was +7degrees! We, AbhiShilpa, went out for a walk that day. Some guys took their motor bikes out and started roaming around. Young... adolescent were shouting and enjoying out on roads while keeping car window glass open!

Now again, the temperature fall down to -7degrees. All are waiting for May to come and waiting to come out of the holes!

Sitting here, I can oversee the LRT parking lot. Today the parking lot is quite empty. Why? Oh yes... from today they (Calgary Transit) started charging for parking. Cad 3 per day. People are indicating and showing that these charges are unreasonable. ....... the parking lot is quite empty on the first day of the charge collection.


-Abhijit.

Good Or Bad? Gandhi and Mallya!

I am not sure if it is Good Or Bad! Gandhi-ji's belongings are now in Vijay Mallya's possession and will be handed over to India soon.

At first instance, I was glad and felt good. Then I started thinking how those belongings were not in India but elsewhere. Indian governments all efforts went futile and those heritage items were put on 'auction'!!!! Vijay Mallya, not for the first time, brought back those heritage items for 1.8 million dollars.

Bravo! Salute to Mallya.

Now Good or Bad...... Mallya is famous for his liquor business.... Kingfisher!! And so many other businesses!... shall I talk about Kingfisher calender? Gandhi-ji.... bapu-ji were against alcoholic beverages!! Ironically king of liquors brought back his (Gandhi-ji's), now heritage, items back to India.

Time has changed and most of us uses alcohol with caution..... shall we say cheers on return of Gandhi-ji's belongings to India??

Mallya also has got Tipu Sultan's Sword and other items back to India....... First up all, these items are stolen or looted from India and we kept mum!! .... Kohinoor..... it is still not back to India..... Mallya, please try for this item too!! I am not fan of Kingfisher however if yo are doing these things then I will buy at least one bottle of Kingfisher for these good reasons!!

Bravo!!

-AbhiShilpa.