PASSION FOR PETS:

Like many others I too had a strong aversion towards pets until I met a stray cat at my door step on a rainy day, may sound melodramatic but the very instant I saw the kitty a sense of compassion crept in me, very soon it became my faithful pal.

Once the pets are into the family they become the integral part of life, they serve as loyal playmate, guide to visually challenged and source of entertainment at times. Earlier only dogs and cats were the choice of many pet owners the reason being simple, they are easy to train, friendly, outgoing, happy, trusting and devoted. But now the pets range from parrots to tortoise. I happen to read in a newspaper that even grasshoppers served as good pets, hence as the time changes so does the taste of the people change.

Gone are the days when your dogs ate leftovers and cats lay on door mat. Nowadays people take immense care in bringing up their pet just as they do for their own child. The accessories range from vibrant collars to balls, cosmetics range from coat conditioners to tick soaps. Pet-keeping is not easy as it sounds; it is indeed a biggest task which needs patience and of course a kind heart.

Today the idea on sharing few guidelines on pet-keeping struck me…read on and please adhere to these to ensure hale and hearty pet in your family. The room is open for you guys as well to share your views on pet-keeping and how much you love them and also any interesting episode with your pets.

STUFFS NOT TO BE DONE:

1) Never allow your pets to walk on slippery floor, walk your dogs twice a day.
2) Take immense care in bathing your pet, water must never enter its ears.
3) Don’t allow your pet to eat stones, pebbles, crow droppings.
4) Never ever allow them to mingle with other stray ones they are highly prone to infections.
5) Don’t allow them to have access to toilets, chemicals, plastic stuffs.

STUFFS TO BE DONE:

1) Bathe the pet once a week, daily grooming with a comb is a must.
2) Never feed them whatever you eat, special diet for them is advisable
For ex: They don’t respond well to native tomatoes.
3) If you own a dog, then don’t keep it chained unless and until the necessary arises, let it roam free.
4) Feed them with chew sticks to please their biting instinct.
5) Just as we take care of our body and skin, pay similar attention to them too, using powders like Noticks, anti-dandruff shampoos will ensure tick free pets.
6) While breeding your dog ensure that it mates with the right mate, do family planning at right time...else you have to suffer;-)
7) Most important get your pet registered, in case your pet gets lost it will help you to identify them. Also vaccinating them is must.

JETIX ACTION LEAGUE-LIVE IN CHENNAI

Jetix, a part of Walt Disney offer shows filled with action and have been top grosser in captivating the kids. They have been successful in keeping the kids glued to the television sets for quite some time.

I happen to ask one of the tots , what he likes the most about Jetix shows and Pat came the reply “Jake long,Vicky-Vethal,Amazing Storm hawks, the list was endless,. And I immediately asked WHY?, he replied “Simple, they are Super heroes fight for good cause along with their team, do stuffs which he wanted to do always”, …true indeed… they succeed in inducing the tonic of helping and being good to others to certain extent, but I wonder whether he would have answered with same flow if I had asked him anything relevant to studies;-)

Many of us admire the super heroes on screen and gaze at them with awe and wonder
So, Buddies are you feeling left out of action?.. Here is a chance to experience the same kind of feat, thanks to Jetix and its event co-ordinators.

They are hosting the biggest ever “Inter-school sports competition” for schools round the city. This event would be taking place on 15th Feb. in Nehru park ground. Around 80-150 schools are expected to participate .So far no such major event has ever took place in Chennai exclusively for sports.This event is making rounds in India,they have already covered Hyderabad & Banglore ,it was a grand hit among school folks and now they have set their foot in Namma Chennai..

What is Jetix Action League all about? It’s about Games, games and more games with craziest twist (The Jetix Twist) packed with oodles of fun. Aggressive campaign is going on to promote this event. It’s not about exhibiting your individual talents in field of sport; it involves forming a 26 member squad with true team spirit and determination, to vie against schools with high competency power, just like our Indian cricket heroes who stupefied us with their power packed performance in T-20.

There are loads of prizes for the winning team:
1) Which ever school emerges as the winner will get Rs.1 Lakh as sports grant.
2) Those who participated will be tagged as “CITY CHAMPIONS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR”.
3) They will also be taken for an adventurous camp where they can lead a life LIKE SUPER HEROES.
4) Above all good chance to be featured in television. Most of us have the desire to be seen in television by our friends and relatives don’t we? A golden opportunity for school students…Don’t miss the chance, just grab it.

The biggies in the industry, who are supporting this event, are:

The PRESENTING SPONSOR is:
->BOOST-The secret of our energy

The ASSOCIATE SPONSORS are:
->BOOMER-India’s Largest bubble gum
->Oceans park, Hyderabad

Beverage sponsor:
->Dabur real-Five oranges in one glass.

Schoolies what are you waiting for approach your sports teacher enrol yourself get further details, form a Solid team…Be there on Feb. 15th,get yourself ready for the League.!!! A chance to make your school proud, U may be the super heroes of the future! I wish those participating in Jetix Action League good luck…give your best.

M.S in U.S-Don’t Miss the Bus

Apparently innumerable universities in United States offer courses in various streams, now the students like us are posed with the task of choosing the right institution for the desired program. The main requirements to get a admit includes good academic background, English proficiency, scores of standard admission tests and adequate financial resources.

Many of us remain perplexed as when to write the exam, when to apply for universities and so on. Everything falls in its own place, when things are planned and worked out accordingly.

Here is a drop down list that ought to be done to reach your dream destination in no time; it begins a year and a half before your enrolment date.

P.S: This will be useful to those in pre-final year.

JAN (15days): Allot 15 days to search for the best institutions that offer the courses that you wish to enroll yourself.

JAN (Rest 15days)-March: Start preparing for GRE, meanwhile register for the test.

P.S: For those who don’t acquire a passport, kindly apply for it and then register for the test.

APRIL: Take up the admission test, better to take up before November else you will miss the deadlines of most universities.

P.S: It is preferable to go for a morning session.

MAY: Register for TOEFL and give it a shot in the same month.Those who want to boost up their spirits,better to write TOEFL first,its far more easier.

JUNE: Most of the universities offer online application, log on to the respective websites pay heed to the instructions, double check the details that you have keyed in. Submit the application form by paying the application fee through credit cards.Also check for additional documents such as financial aid form,course evaluation form,financial statement form and so on.

JULY: Draft your statement of purpose (SOP), resume, get minimum of three letters of recommendation (Reco Letters) from your professors.

P.S: SOP must be a captivating one which will distinguish u from others, so do it with utmost care and get the assistance of friends/faculty/web if required.

AUGUST: Apply for transcripts from your respective universities.
(You need to send the mark sheets that pertains your score till your 6th sem)

SEPTEMBER: Before sending your transcripts and supporting documents kindly jot down the correct address of the university. Lots of people get confused in this issue and at times their documents get hooked up in some unknown place.
While sending your packets, pay attention to the following:

1. The name of the institution
2. To which campus you are sending your transcripts.
3. If you are sending through private delivery services, then at times the university may request you to send to a different mailing address.
4. Apart from sending to the International admissions office they may ask you to send to the concerned department as well.

OCTOBER-NOVEMEBR: Start sending your packets that support your admission.

DECEMBER: Respond properly to any request for additional information.

JANUARY( The next Year): Simultaneously check your admission status online.

FEB-APRIL: You will start hearing from the colleges. Contact the international admission office if you do not receive any. Notify the university of your choice(from where you have got the admit), you will be asked to pay certain amount as a advance to “hold your place”. Request them to send your I-20 form and other documents such as SEVIS fee form.

MAY-JUNE: Apply for visa. Attend orientation programme that will guide you how to groom yourselves.

JULY: when the result turns out to be positive go on a shopping spree (make sure you have a list of essential goodies :-))

AUGUST: Your much awaited dream turned into reality!

Yes!!!!!!! You have found yourself in a most sought place-‘U.S’

UNHEARD STORIES!

I wanted to share few fabulous facts about some weird, yet fascinating traditions that are being followed across the globe:

BYTE THE LUCK:

“What you eat is what you get”

Welcome this year by stuffing your mouth with donuts…becoz this year whatever u eat in the shape of a ring(say, our desi vada) would bring good luck!!

In United States of America, New Year means eating Black eyed peas with either hog jowls or ham. Black eyed peas and other legumes are considered good luck in many cultures.
Cabbage is another “Good Luck” vegetable that is consumed on New Year’s Day as it leaves, is sign of prosperity. They represent paper currency.

Scare the Devil around:

Don’t grumble with displeasure at the loud cacophony & bellows as the clock strikes 00:00 on 31st of Dec. It is believed that evil spirits are let loose on the last day. So people used to make lots of noise, burst fire works to scare the devils, this tradition continues till date.

The pealing church bells, it was believed that it too helped in driving evil forces and was also considered as a warm gesture to invite the NEW YEAR!!!

Let this year bring you all the missed out fortunes and glories ...

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Guess which place would have been voted as the most happening destination to begin the New Year with warmth and happiness- It’s not a disco hub, not a beach resort, not an exotic holiday spot, not a restaurant either. Think…Think….What would it be??

To everyone’s astonishment it’s the holy, divine “Thirupathi Devasthanam”. This year about four lakh people have poured in (equally about 4-5lakh ladoos have been prepared too, feeling giddy?) to render their prayers & seek blessings from the almighty.

Thirupathi is situated among the seven Hills in Andrapradesh; it is the abode of Lord Venkateswara a.k.a Balaji.Lord Balaji is believed to bring good fortune. A great disappointment to page 3 celebrities and business tycoons is that, they was ,they were strictly prohibited on entering the temple on Jan 1st ,decided by the authorities, as they felt that managing the devotees will be a strenuous task, amidst this inviting a celebrity will be like adding fuel to the fire.

Instead of Partying hard let’s go in search for tranquillity and serenity for a while and begin this year with a big smile ;-) If not Thirupathi why not to a temple nearby-Is there any better way to welcome the New Year?

P.S: And for party animals, Party safe and Smart, paint the town red.!

Bonne Annee!!!