Just about four months back I had blogged about my favourite walking routes in Mumbai and shared on this blogs the fond memories that I had of the Gateway area. That is a reason that the attacks seem so painful. They have attacked something that is so close to my, and most mumbaikar's heart. Lots has been written on the attacks and so much has been said. Hope these words will turn into action and make our country stronger.

My last post on Gateway had pictured it's beauty...this one capture it's angst.

God Save Us!!

Ever felt so numb that you dont know what to say or what to write?? Thats how I am feeling right now..The terror attacks on Mumbai has the city frozen in horror. All I can say is that Mumbai will recover from this. No matter how hard the terrorists try we will defeat them!!

Here is a prayer going out to all thoese effected by the attacks....GOD SAVE US

THE :

Hola!! ¿Cómo estás? The long break has made my Spanish a bit rusty..hopefully I can get back on track now. Today we will learn about the :)

In Spanish, the English "the" has four equivalents!! Like most adjectives, the definite article in Spanish varies with number and gender:

• Singular masculine: el
• Singular feminine: la
• Plural masculine: los
• Plural feminine: las

When to use the spanish articles??
The Spanish articles are generally used whenever "the" is used in English. However there are some additional cases where Spanish articles must be used. This includes :

With abstract nouns and nouns used in a general sense: In English, the article is often omitted with abstract nouns and nouns that refer more to a concept than a tangible item. But it still is needed in Spanish. A few examples might help clarify: La ciencia es importante. (Science is important.) Creo en la justicia. (I believe in justice.) Estudio la literatura. (I study literature.) La primavera es bella. (Spring is beautiful.)


With most titles of people: The definite article is used before most titles of a person being talked about. El presidente Bush vive en la Casa Blanca. (President Bush lives in the White House.) Voy a la oficina de la doctora González. (I'm going to the office of Dr. Gonzalez.) Mi vecina es la señora Jones. (My neighbor is Mrs. Jones.) The article is omitted, however, when directly addressing the person. ¿Cómo está usted? profesora Barrera. (How are you, Professor Barrera?)

Before days of the week: Days of the week are always masculine. Except in constructions where the day of the week follows a form of ser (a verb for "to be"), as in hoy es martes (today is Tuesday), the article is needed. Vamos a la escuela los lunes. (We go to school on Mondays.) El tren sale el miércoles. (The train leaves on Wednesday.)

Before verbs used as subjects: In Spanish, infinitives (the basic form of a verb) can be used as nouns. The article el is used when one is used as the subject of a sentence. El escribir es difícil. (Writing is difficult.) El esquiar es peligroso. (Skiing is dangerous.) No me gusta el nadar. (I don't like swimming. In Spanish, this sentence has an inverted word order that makes nadar the subject.)

Often before names of languages: The article generally is used before names of languages. But it can be omitted immediately following a verb that is used often with languages, such as hablar (to speak), or after the preposition en. El inglés es la lengua de Belice. (English is the language of Belize.) El alemán es difícil. (German is difficult.) Hablo bien el español. (I speak Spanish well.) But, hablo español. (I speak Spanish.) No puede escribir en francés. (He can't write in French.)

With some place names: Although the definite article is seldom mandatory with place names, it is often used with many of them. The list of place names using the definite article is quite arbitrary and can be found here. La Habana es bonita. (Havana is pretty.) La India tiene muchas lenguas. (India has many languages.)

With nouns joined by "and": In English, it often isn't necessary to include the "the" before each noun in a series. But Spanish often requires it. La madre y el padre están felices. (The mother and father are happy.) Compré la silla y la mesa. (I bought the chair and table.)

In my last post I wrote about Diwali celebrations. Lakshmi Pooja is also an integral part of the diwali festivities at my home. This beautiful Lakshmi aarti is from the SaiBaba Serial.
Its a great Aarti...praying that riches come to everyone's homes!!

Diwali

So last month we celebrated Dassera and Diwali!! Two beautiful festivals.

Dassera/Navratri is a festival that is celebrated across India in various forms. In Gujarat there is the Dandia fest, in Bengal they have Durga Pooja while in the northern states they perform Ramleelas. We Kannadigas have our own way of celebrating the festival. Known as "Bambe Habba" or the festival of Dolls, we deck up our houses and create a display of dolls!!

This year we dint do anything elobrate for the dispaly ( Though I wanted to do lots, mom put her foot down.) But the main dolls which represent Adam and Eve were beautifully dressed up ( thanks to grandma :) ) .

Diwali is the festival of lights!! More about the festival here.

Diwali celebrations at my place...



Hoping that everyone had a great festive season!

Back with a Bang!!!

So it's been 2 months since I last posted here...and now that CAT is done with...I am back with BANG!!

So things are going to change out here...Will try and write about things that are going on around me..I am also thinking of starting a section on preparing for various entrance exams!...I could give out some tips considering the fact that I have been preparing for CAT since the past 6 months...

Also will try and spice it up a bit...hmmm still thinking on that part..
OH!..I am also reviving my other blog..the one that was meant to trace my fitness routine..and I am planning to link the two up...

Anyhow.....This blog was meant for me...I write here for myself and not thinking what others want...thats the reason I dont go around mailing people to check out my posts....and this is not going to change...

This Blog is after all dedicated to ME!!