Life Ho To Aisee - Sept-Oct-2007

Hello everybody,

First, a belated happy dassera to all of you.
I know you all are eagerly waiting for "Life Ho To Aisee".
But time is not permitting me to write enough on this and then once the work is pending will remain same. (Something like first law of Newton).
One thing is for sure, the gap for "Life Ho To Aisee" does not mean it has stopped or there is nothing going on in life and so on.
I got lot of emails asking about this. I must appreciate you all for your patience.

So continuing on Life ho to aisee again….
(As it was pending for long, there are too much details. But I am sure, you will not get bored reading everything).

11th August, 07:- Our trekking group went to Koraigad. It is near to Lonawala and very near to Ambey Valley. We went there on bike. Good rainy season and road from Lonawala to Ambey Valley was awesome. It was full foggy and we could see hardly 10 mtrs of road. On the way back, we enjoyed the water falls and the beautiful Bushi Dam.
Only bad thing happened in this trek was with my mobile. Because of rain water, it is no more active.
But good thing is I bought new Nokia 3110c (with 1 GB card off course !!!)

14th August, 07:- We had independence day celebration in office and theme was tri-color. This is my get-up for the day.

Same day, we had pooja in house for newly married women called "mangalagauri". That day night was like a festival. We were playing lots of game and then antakshari till next day morning. It was a rest day at all.
I missed my sister during Rakhi Pournima. She is in Norway.

September, 07:- Then there is Ganesh Chaturthi and gauri celebration. This is the first time in our new house. So lots of curiosity.
We had Ganesh mandal in our society and hence everyday functions.
I and Anagha participated in Antakshari and won the game.

2nd October, 07:- I got a new vehicle on this day. It’s a two wheeler, does not require either petrol or battery. It is manually operated. Yes, you got it right… (Photo next time..)

6th and 7th October, 07:- Harishchandragad Trek (http://www.trekshitiz.com/)

I, Anagha, Bharat, Amol, Anant and Tejas started on Friday night to Khireshwar, base village for Harishchandragad. We reached there at 2 am, slept outside one house. Next day morning, we started for the trek at 8 am. It was a long trek counting 5 and half hours. We were thoroughly exhausted by the October heat. We got one cave (read as specious and luxurius hall) to stay. Had our lunch and then everybody slept. We got up at 4:30 and then started towards 'kokan kada', the most beautiful place at Harishchandragad. But weather was not so good and we were not able to see it. It was full dark and cloudy. So we decided to come here
again next day morning and we did. All the hills were covered by clouds. Its awesome.
It was truly a remarkable place. After taking tons of photographs, we started back to our cave.
We all were tired and cancelled the plan to go the top summit, Taramati, which is 700 ft still above.
We started our journey back, reached to Khireshwar at 2:30 pm.
It was really a wonderful trek of my life.

12 th October 2007:- Ghat sthapana (pooja at house)
12/13/14 Oct 2007:- Koyana nagar
Deepak planned for Koyana nagar. We joined the gang on Friday night. It was a nice upcoming hill station. Koyana dam is situated here, which generates the electricity for entire Maharashtra.
It was nice two days here, relaxing with the company of others.
Hmm… that’s the end for this edition. There are too much to write. But I do not want to taste your patience.

I know you like to read, but I'll stop here. One can call this as a Deewali edition of Life ho to aisee.
Anyway, keep updating about yourself and do not forget to send comments/suggestions.
There are very helpful and keep me motivating always.

In the end, I wish all the readers of Life Ho To Aisee and their families a happy, healthy and memorable Deewali.

Life Ho Ti Aisee - July Edition

First of all, Monsoon greetings to all of you. OK OK.. I understand that there is not much of rain in July, but still..
Hope you had enough enjoyment in this rainy season, and not much of trouble.

Do you know whats special in this edition? NO ….
"Life ho to Aisee" has completed its one year.
Throughout the year, I got tremendous response ans support from all of you.
I really appreciate your pain in reading such a boring title, the title which gives only photos of forts and hills.
Anyway, I wish everybody will extend the same support in the near future.

July month was full of trekking plan, but only few came to reality.
Our trekking team was busy with their personal activities.
I went to Tikona on 7th and to Lohgad on 28th.
This time, it was only me and Anagha.
Both the times, it was heavily raining and we were fully drenched with water.
Tikona was a bit easy for trek. It took 1 hr to reach to top.
Lohgad was good. 3 hrs of walk. Lots of waterfalls on the way, attracting us on the way.
We enjoyed a couple of them, though interested in each and everyone.

I have just uploaded the Lohgad photos. I'll upload the tikona photos very soon.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar/Tikona_Lohgad_July_2007

As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..

Joie De Vivre - Sensational edition of "Life ho to aisee" (जून २००७)

Hi All,
Its my pleasure to introduce this sensational edition of Life Ho To Aisee.
I just learned the word joie de vivre and thought this will be the title of my next edition.
This is the mid-June edition of this series.
Now, you will ask whats the sensational that forced me to compose this edition … Right ??
Hold on, hold on.. I am coming to the point…
Last week,
A one day trek to Rajgad was planned with company friends and Anagha.
Friday night 9 PM, Sujay told me that he is staying there on fort. I too decided that I'll stay on fort.
{ Its like, Like that AB's song.. Ek rahe iir, ek rahe bir …
Sujay bolaa mai fort pe rukungaa, Amol bolaa mai fort pe rukungaa,
Atul bolaa mai bhi fort pe rukungaa,
To hum bole…
}
We were 14 together, on 7 bikes.
As usual after assembling at Swargate, we started towards Rajgad.
Had a break at Nasarapur for MisaL.
Parked our vehicles at the base village, Gunjavane.
Started to trek on wrong way, but still continued. At one stage, we thought we lost the way 'cause we knew we had to go on top of the hill, but roaming around.
Then we had to climb a 50-60 ft patch in a dense tree surroundings.
Lot of scratches on hands,legs. To add to it, there were no rain.
Trek was planned assuming there will be rain. It took us 2.5 hrs to reach on top.
Rajgad has 3 machi's ( or legs, spreads) as Padmawati, Sanjivani and Suvelaa.
We entered thru a chor darawaja to Padmawati machi.
We kept out bags at padmawati temple and started for balekilla (fort on a fort).
Had our lunch at bale killa. Then six of us started their way back and we, remaining 8, were roamed on balekilla.
At around 4 pm, clouds started to gather and there was coldness and wonderful breeze all around.
Very soon, the fort was all covered by clouds.
After balekilla, we went to Sanjivani maachi. By this time, it had already started to drizzle.
We came back to the temple at 6 pm.
Had our food in the temple at night.. Awesome parathas by Sujay, breads,jam,ketups,and ……..
After food, we had some talk and everybody spread their legs in the available area.
In night, it was cold and raining outside. We could hear the sound of rain hitting the roof of the temple.
Morning, 8 am.. All fresh and fine, went to Suvelaa maachi after having tea. We started our way back at 11:30 am and reached to the base village at 1:00 pm.
It was raining at that time, but awesome weather to drive.
All the day from morning, I was having severe stomach pain, though I was walking in between the haults.
Weather was good..cool and raining.. But I was sweating like anything.
Evening 8 pm, I visited Dr. at last only to find that I was having infection due to water and nothing else.
Hope you will like the photos.

As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar
[ Joie de vivre:- A term used to express cheerful enjoyment of life. It can be a joy of conversation, eating or anything one does. ]

May 2007

Hi All, I am very glad to send this latest edition of "Life Ho To Aisee"। Though this month, there is nothing special (read as pictorius), I thought not to miss this edition। After all, well wishers expect some updates॥ Right ?? Well, first of all sorry for not putting the Washington trip photos ॥ I keep forgetting it everyday। Start of the month was very hectic with my cousin sisters marriage on 6th। It happened so suddenly that I missed my Bangalore trip for Raghu's marriage। Then next week end, early morning 6 am॥ I went to Sinhgad along with Anagha, Sachin and Sandip। That was my first (kind of) trek with Anagha. Sinhgad as always was beautiful with the delicious food. This time, we tried a new dish available there॥ Vaangyaache bhareet ( a dish from brinjal) These are vacation days and house is full of relatives. So daily cricket, cards and other things॥ Only fun & fun॥ Ya.. I started swimming back again.. Everyday morning 6:30. Got shocked. Nowadays, getting up early so that I can swim. !!! Last week end was wonderful as we all went to holy yatra.. We visited AshTavinayak, Shirdi etc. 22 People together in a bus for 3 days.. Imagine the enjoyment.

Last Saturday, on 2nd June, again Sinhgad, with all bachche company and most importantly, my 70 yrs grandmother.
She climbed the whole fort. It was a great spirit from her. When she went to top, we all shouted like anything. That was the rocking moment of the day.
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
( Earlier photos are at http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar )
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

April 2007

Hi All,
Here I am with the latest edition of "Life Ho To Aisee".
I have decided not to be late this time 'cause there were lot of concerns about "Life ho to Aisee" especially after my marriage.
There are few well-wishers(I know, everyone of u are, but ...!!!) who are very curious and eager to the edition.
Well.. This time no photographs.. Only update.
There was cold and rain at the start of the month. We had a long holiday of good Friday. (No no.. Black Friday is different, it’s a movie)
Couple of plans like going to New York or Niagara or smoky mountains etc.. But we finally decided to go to Washington DC.
It was a long 12.5 hrs journey by car. We started on Thursday evening, reached there at noon, visited Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, Jefferson memorial,
capitol, II world war memorial. (No time to go to Smithsonian museum ..)
This is the season of cherry blossom. Yes, we did visit the lovely cherry trees.. ( U must be blaming me for not putting any photo.. Sorry ..)
Night, we lift for Williamsburg. We had a stay there. Next day (Saturday) we had been to Busch garden… amazing rides, rides and rides.. Wow.. Never thrilling as before.
Rides at Minneapolis MOA were great, but rides here were terrible and breath stopping. Lots of fun.. Right ?? Same day evening, we came back to Washington DC, watched the fire works for the cherry blossom , then had a good Indian food and started back to home.
We reached Moline at 3 pm on Sunday. In the evening, celebrated bday of Bharat by cutting cake. I prepared special payasam (kheer) for this occasion.
Next week end, plan for chicago was cancelled because everybody was tired. So we roamed around moline only.
Yes, forgot to mention.. I had a chance to play table tennis at the local club. It was great !!!
Journey back to India was wonderful. Always..
Chocolates for frnds, gifts for relatives and Creative Zen Vision M: 30 GB mp3 player for my lovely wife.. That’s it…
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
( Earlier photos are at http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar )
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

February+March 2007

Hi All,
I know you all are eagerly waiting for the new year edition of "Life Ho To Aisi".
It’s a bit late from my side. I am combining two months together now.
This year's Republic Day was quite different for me. I started realising that I am going to lose my bachelorhood very soon.
And it happened next day only. I met Anagha on 27th and and rest is the (HI)story..
My sister had to go to Norway. So obvoiusly marriage date was taken as early as possible. (Waise bhi sab se jyaadaa jaldi mujhe hi thee !!!)
11th March was engagement day and 25th was D day.. I mean marriage day. It happened so fast that I may had forgotten to invite you too.. Don’t know.
This was the Feb update. Starting from the march, I am roaming, very few days in Pune. First, the visit was to North India like Shimalaa, Manaali and Agra.
Now in USA for a short period..(yeah, 1 month is a short period, but looks like longer.. You understand..just married and then … )
Anyway, last week I had been to Minneapolis to see the biggest mall in America. No shopping as the whole time was spent in the in-door amusement park..
Coasters, twisters and …
Planning for next few weeks has been done. This will be updated in the April edition of "Life ho to Aisee".
You can get the photos at ==> http://www.picasaweb.google.com/mahesh.masurkar
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar

January 2007

Hi All,
First of all, a very happy and prosporous new year to all of you.
May all your wishes/dreams come true in this fabulous year 2007.
I know you all are eagerly waiting for the new year edition of "Life Ho To Aisi".
It’s a bit late from my side.
This year, nothing much of interesting as far as trekking/outing is considered though it’s a nice and wonderful atmosphere for it.
But we have internal JD cricket tournament organised in this month and being the key person, I cant do any other activity.
It was a nice experience from ground booking, teams arrangement, schedule and much more.
Yes umpiring too..(though it blackened my skin a little bit !!!)
My team progressed till final, but came runners up. I was out of tournament after the league matches because of the injury.
I got 4 stitches on my right hand fingers. Now its OK and stitches will be removed in a couple of days.
That’s the only fun in this month or to say last two months..
Plz update me from your side too. There is a long break/gap in the communication.
(Breaks between the communication is welcome, but not communication in between the breaks !!!)
As usual, waiting for your valuable comments/suggestions..
Thanks,
Mahesh Masurkar