Some more interesting perspectives.

Firstly, a big thank you to those people who left a comment on the previous post which was special for me, as it was my 400th.( Ironically that post seems to have got the least number of comments compared to my previous ones )

Here is the part 2 of  the very special post . I had asked the same questions to a few more people and had also told you I'd give you my responses at the end. :-)  So here it is as promised!




Suma


Suma blogs here  and used to develop content for an educational website. She now freelances (writes travel articles) and does all the things she did not have time to do earlier. When I first stumbled upon her blog, I was so delighted as she is my kindred soul! Our thinking, values and even taste in books and attitude towards raising children matched to a T! :-) She is smart, articulate, beautiful and a  mother to two lovely boys  (Yes, she does not look it at all. Apologies to all men who drooled looking at her picture :P  :))


1. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
The power to be invisible...think of the fun/exciting stuff I could do *wink. Besides  I think I already read minds pretty well, ask my husband.

2.Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult?       

Without a significant other, ' cos at least then I could live life on my own terms, rather than spend it in conflict.
                                                                                            
3.Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not?

No...because if I did know when i was going to die, the time left would never ever be enough. I would rather live each day as if it were the last one, which unfortunately is easier said than done.

4.What does love mean to you?   
Depending on the relationship, it could mean any of these things
Warmth, kindness, a touch, a look, tolerance, in letting go, laughter, friendship

5.Do you think it is okay to lie? When would it be alright?
Depends on the circumstances. There are a few occasions when telling a little white lie does not really hurt. Though I lie to myself most of the time.

Reflections 
There is certainly something about her! :-) I am scared to even write her name as she had mentioned in one of her posts as to how she did not want people to find her by googling for her name. So I dare not whisper her name or even put up her picture! But she is amazingly honest, down to earth, witty, sweet and I love reading her blog like many others! (Click on 'reflections' to be taken to her blog and if you are very patient and if you read the comments and her older posts, you just might discover her name! It's really not a secret, but you have to look hard, to find it. Seek and ye shall find! :P ) :)


1. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
Both the powers in the long run, I feel will destroy one’s peace of mind but if I’m forced to choose I’ll choose the former simply because I’m the kind who hates to draw attention to myself. I know it’s hard to believe but I have trouble walking into my own living-room if it is filled with more than 3-4 visitors….So you can imagine how I feel reaching late for a conference or a party, finding a 100 pair of eyes [feels like that] staring at the late arrival. Now that I’m exploring the option it is looking more and more attractive by the minute;-D

2. Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult?
It was very tempting to choose the former but loneliness can be over-whelming.
Life with the latter is not going to be easy but if this extremely difficult partner loves me & is committed to the relationship I won’t hesitate.

3. Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not?
Yes I’d like to know. I need the time to pray.

4. What does love mean to you?  
For me love is about commitment, friendship, about listening, laughter, tenderness, passion, holding hands, instinctively finding each other in a crowded room, trust, making dinner together, a surprise gift, hugging, spending a day with my mother, forgiveness, cuddling with the kids, balance, …….u get my drift.

 5. Do you think it is okay to lie? When would it be alright?
A lie is a lie is a lie……whatever the circumstances. But it’s perfectly ok to when you are planning a surprise party or have a gun pointed to your head.
Personally I never lie…..I just stall, stammer, change the topic, pretend to trip and fall over, snap back, admire the coat the other person is wearing, gesture wildly with the spatula[which is dripping sauce all over], feign amnesia or tell the truth.

Ajay
 He is one of my closest friends. In the acknowledgements section of my first book, I have expressed heartfelt thanks to him  "for being a rock, morale boosting, giving additional inputs and hand-holding---all this between his very busy life."  He continues to do so for the book I am currently writing too.Click on his name to be taken to his blog (which has just one post :) ) But if you're really curious about him and want to know more, I suggest you go here.




1. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
I would enjoy having the power to read minds more than the power of being invisible. As with being invisible one can only come to know what one is doing or saying whereas if one is capable of reading minds one can know the unsaid too. The “flipside” might be what happens to Mel Gibson in What Women Want. But reading minds is my thing :)

2. Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult?      
I would rather be alone than having a difficult partner, without a doubt. As it is, one has enough problems to worry about without adding that to your list. This is not to say that I expect everything to be rosy and fairy-tale-like. There have to be lows to be able to enjoy and appreciate the high points.

3. Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not?
This is a tough one. While knowing in advance appeals to my meticulous nature and my habit of trying to plan things, not knowing appeals to me as “ignorance is indeed bliss”. The fact that death is inevitable is undeniable. I guess, not knowing when it’s going to come lets you live a fuller life.

4. What does love mean to you?
Love means sharing - the joy and sorrow, the festivities and the quiet moments, the celebrations and the mourning. Being connected as one and feeling for each other. Understanding the other’s emotions and having empathy. Love means providing support and encouragement when needed. And also, acting naughty too at times :)

5. Do you think it is okay to lie? When would it be alright?
I think it’s ok to lie when the cause is for a greater good or for helping somebody who’s in real need of help. “Greater good” and “real need of help” are again highly subjective things. And that is a discussion that can extend forever. Some might argue that employing violence to attain peace is futile and hence, the means are just as important as the ends. But to me it’s not so. I am not advocating employing unethical means for selfish ends too. To illustrate, it can be ok to lie to avoid breaking someone’s heart.

My  much awaited responses :) 
1.Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?
  Surely I don't want to read minds.(what a curse!)  I'd much rather not know and think what I like to think they may think :) But aah--to be invisible! I'd travel to India undetected in First Class on Kingfisher or Jet or British Airways as many times as I liked! Bliss :-)
 
2.Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult? 

 Even with a guy as sweet and charming as Satish, I sometimes feel like running away to the Himalayas (yeah, my family has heard it many times :)). No way would I tolerate a difficult partner for even 24 hours--I'd run away for sure! :P  (and I have been married for almost 15 years which says a lot :)) Life is too precious to waste even a second! 
 
3.Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not? 
I would surely like to know. Then it would concretely  and solidly reinforce the fact that time is indeed too limited. I could then read as many books as I liked guilt free and also watch as many movies as I liked without giving a damn to my ' worldly duties'  :)
4.What does love mean to you?    

Love  is unconditional acceptance of another person and the pure warmth, joy and that ecstatic feeling you experience  when you think of them. You smile inadvertently :) You forgive anything they do. You want it to last for eternity.  That feeling is love. :) It can be love for a mate, a friend, a child, an animal or even a passion for creating things--anything that gives you that feeling is love.
5.Do you think it is okay to lie? When would it be alright?

Yes--it is definitely okay.(as long as one is not  a compulsive liar like Jim Carrey in the movie) It is  really cruel to be one hundred percent honest all the time. 

"Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up at least a little bit."
                                                                            ---Edward. R.Murrow




Comments

  1. U really dont want to read minds? Still.. how many times must u have wished that u had the power for it? :)
    U know what? Weightlessness should come free with invisibility :P

    Seems like if we know the death date, we tend to do less productive work. More of stuff just for ourselves.. no?

    umm.. like my Science Sir in 10th said-- love is an uncontrolled chain reaction ;)

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  2. I always wish i could read minds!! its too difficult to understand girls!! bah!! but the things i could do with being invisible..wow!! imagine pushing the goalie out of the line when he is about to save a goal, watching movies without ticket! there are soooooo many things you could do and have a great amount of fun! But so far i have been only able to "Stay invisible" in GMAIL!! thank you GOOGLE..love ya!!! :D :D

    Gr8 post Preethi, get to the 500 mark soon.

    Cheers
    Shantharam

    PS: i guess the name of the blog reflections was something different b4. I think i have stumbled across her blog before too.. something was oddly familiar about the blog and the writings.

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  3. Again, truly enjoyed reading the lovely answers from you, Suma, Reflections and Ajay. Preeti- I really laughed out loud reading your "flying undetected" on those airlines and your Himalayas trip:-) :-) !
    The quote at the end is a nice one.
    Have a superb day!
    -gayu

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  4. Gayu: Thank you! :-) Running to Himalayas I really want to do at times! :P :) My family says they will run away with me :D Oh yes--that quote is indeed brilliant.

    Shantharam: And what all have you been able to do by staying invisible on gmail? :P :) Thanks for the wishes! :)

    Shruti: To be honest, not even once have i wished to read minds. I really do not want to know. Weightlessness and also the power that anything you touch becomes invisible when you are in that mode--otherwise how will I drink Vodka on my flight to India? :P :D
    Science sir might have been right--but chain reactions can sometimes explode too :P

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  5. Isn't it nice to know when we'll die? I wouldn't mind knowing it because anyhow it's inevitable so then why not? I feel I would then value every second that I've got here, will always strive to be a better person, esp with my loved ones and will never think of taking life for granted. In the future, Preeti I hope you'll come up with more such fun posts.

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  6. Ariel: You are so right about being a better person and not taking life for granted.Thanks Ariel and yes i will :)

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  7. Again, nice to read the variety of answers. I would never want to read minds. I think it will be fun, but soon can be overwhelming ;)

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  8. Anonymous7:14 AM

    1. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?

    Power to read minds.
    A lot of times there are a lot of things you cannot see the way the other person is seeing. Which creates a lot of misunderstanding only if we could truly understand what the other person is thinking.

    2. Would you rather spend the rest of your life without a significant other, or would you rather have a partner who is extremely difficult?

    I would have a difficult partner than have none at all. If there is something between us then such issues will not matter.

    3. Would you like to know the day you’re going to die ahead of time? Why or why not?

    I would want to know when. This will tell me exactly how much time I have left before I do what all I want to do. A lot of times we put off things we like to do some other day thinking there will come a day when we will do this. We tend to keep saving for the illusion-ed "future" which we may never live for ever.

    4. What does love mean to you?

    (I'll act my age here and write what I'm currently feeling right now) It means to love somebody so much that it does not matter if she does not.

    5. Do you think it is okay to lie? When would it be alright?

    I think a lie is not okay when it is an excuse we give for our inabilities to stand up and face the truth. Other than that we all lie in a lot of situation. It is somewhere wired in us.

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  9. Gr8 preeti! congrats on your 400th post! keep going!!:) wishing you a happy valentine's day!

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  10. Will you not like to read the minds of your kids also ??? I really want to read the mind of my son at times :)

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  11. Cool! now those were some really really interesting responses :)

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  12. awwww

    see, i knew you would not disappoint me...thank you for making me part of your special day :)

    loved reading the other perspectives...including yours. When you do run to the himalayas, pls drop me a line, i'd come along too..tho i can suggest a better place than the mountains!

    @reflections: you make me laugh :D and i know your name too

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  13. Ahh ..Superb post!! ;)
    Lovely answers from everybody ..all those opinions made me look at the situations from a different point of view!
    I totally enjoyed reading this post and also the previous post ..and I really liked gillian's perspective in the previous post! :-)
    Each post just keeps gettin better! ;) ...Can't wait for the next one!! :D

    *Cheers* :D

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  14. Hi Preeti,
    I'm glad Reflections chose to go with the "extremely difficult partner" option! :) I was beginning to think Im sort of a lunatic, in going with that option - more so because, no one else seemed to want it at all! :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  15. Congrats on your 400th post Preeti :) Really great way to celebrate it...I loved your answers and also Reflections'. She seems like such a fun person.

    It really was refreshing to read so many perspectives.

    Pallavi

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  16. Pallavi: Yes--she is indeed a fun person. Glad you enjoyed it :)

    I am but a dreamer: My pleasure! And each of us are different from others--that is what makes us 'us'! :)

    Anusha: You are so good for my blogging soul! :) Thank you so very much for those kind words. Yes--Gillian had thought of how it could benefit others. We'd all though of only selfish ways :)

    Suma: Oh no! :) I love the mountains and the solitude. (but then I love the sea too) Have you ever been to Kedarnath? It truly makes one realise how insignificant one is. BTW thank you for taking part :)

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  17. Mamta: I found them interesting too :)

    Swati: When I think about it, no--not really. There would be no mystery left then :) Maybe when they were tiny babies I would have said yes. But now they are 12 and 8 :)

    Tamizhmaangani: Thank you and a very happy V day to you too:)

    onlycrap: have visited you and left a comment too. Thank you for joining in and sharing.

    Lakshmi: same pinch! :)

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  18. LOL my mum used to threaten to run away to the Himalayas whenever she had a tough time with us & I used to beg her to take me with her;-D

    Loved the fun way u introduced me, and u are right the answers seem to look just fine:-)

    Its always a pleasure to read ur posts Preeti:-))!!!!

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  19. Oh I love the mountains too...but i was thinking that if i were to join you, might as well make the most of it and erm...paint the hills red!

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  20. Wow.. This is such a cool idea:-) I loved learning about more Indian bloggers and great ones at that. Plus, I agree with everyone who chose no partner over a difficult partner. :-)

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  21. Hi......Preeti

    Heartiest Congratulations on your 400th and 401st post......
    I simply loved these 2 part special posts.....All the answers were so interesting yet different...and I loved your answers the best :)))
    Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog and for your lovely words of encouragement.....
    They mean a lot to me :))
    Wishing you all the best for 4000 and more..........
    Lots of Love and Best Wishes always

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  22. Lovely way of celebrating the 400th post Preeti :) Liked reading all the responses...

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  23. Nu: thank you!! :)

    Rujuta: It was a pleasure to visit you--varan phal sounded interesting too :) And thank you so very much for your very kind words of encouragement.

    Prerna: I liked reading the book review you wrote too.:)Visited you and left a comment :)

    Suma: Yes! Now we're talking! You know to push all the right buttons! :)

    Reflections: THANK YOU :)My family also says they will run away with me :)

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  24. Again different reactions from different people. but the running away to himalayas seems to common. Btw your books were stacked prominently amongst books of other indian authors like chetan bhagat in a leisure store closeby home. will read the book now.

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  25. came here from Nancy's reflections... interesting... cool cool way to celebrate 400 posts... !! loved reading the responses... !

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  26. Anonymous7:01 PM

    Wow, didn't know Nancy was so popular :) Since that she's become a big shot, I guess it is time to confess that I do enjoy reading her posts.

    And this was a nice way to have your 400 posts. Very interesting questions and equally interesting responses.

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  27. Rakesh: i think everybody loves her :) Thank you for dropping in and thanks for reading too :)

    Hitchwriter: Thank you :)

    Asha: happy to know my books are available now.Thanks for telling me that. You're in Secundarabad right? When I went to Bangalore Crossword was out of stock and I couldnt buy my own book! Yes--i did feel honoured when I saw my book next to Barack Obama's in the best seller rack in Crossword, on an earlier occasion. :)

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  28. Hi Preeti,

    Congrats on completing 400th post, and best is u keep coming with interesting post one after another, that truly a gifted skill.

    I was waiting for the Part 2 to comment :-0

    Let me also tag(in a day or two) the same set of question, and see i do i end up on being invisible / define love / and most how to lie for a lie.

    you have a nice day.
    /Anish

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  29. We precisely agree on 1st and 2nd count :).

    And you have changed my opinion on the third question now. I would want to know.

    Lucky ones, those whom you love, especially given the definition :).

    And yay to lies :).

    And LOL (for you know what) .

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  30. Read both the posts together....lovely answers and interesting perspectives....

    Congrats on the 400th :)

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  31. 400 posts more, please!
    I loved Reflections answer for number four.
    And all your answers Preeti! You are right, being honest 100% of the time IS cruel! lol
    Thank you for the introductions to your fave blogs.
    xo

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  32. i love what you write and like u would like to write a book one day :)

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  33. Raam Pyari: Thanks :)Good luck and may you realise your dream!

    Gillian: yes :) Thank you! xoxo :)

    Shachi:Thank you! :) Thanks for reading too

    Prashant: :-) I love too many people and too many things too :) and that is NOT a lie :-)

    Anish: Do let me know when you do it --would surely read :)

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  34. Anonymous6:59 AM

    Congratulations on the 400th post and innovative way you chose to celebrate.

    Enjoyed going through all responses esp. Nance's (see I didn't write full name)

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  35. First time here. Nice blog!!
    Yet to explore :)

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  36. Tan: Thanks :) Welcome to my blog and enjoy your exploration! :)

    Solio: Yes you didnt! :) Yeah different perpectives I always find interesting.

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  37. This was nice too!I think I know what you mean about Reflections (I was going to write Na..., but decided not to, she might even come in my dreams and scold me)...there is something about her, something very warm that makes you want to talk to her!
    I loved all the answers, yours, same questions but so many views!

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  38. Congratulations & Celebrations Preeti!! 400 is mind-boggling:-)

    My thoughts-
    * How I wish Satish also blogged!
    * Gillian's answers were my fav.
    * Nice to read Reflections` answers. Beneath all that humour, I think there lies a very dedicated & serious blogger:D Whatsay u Preeti?!

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  39. Hi Preeti...congratulations on the 400th post..although I started reading you now I'm sure I'm gonna go back and read the previous posts too...

    The questions you'd put up and their answers..both were interesting :)

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  40. 400 posts..tats amazing!!!.. Congrats preeti..
    Its always a wonder how u manage time for all as a wife, mother..friend..writer..u give ur best to all.

    I still remember the first time when i went thru your blog
    and read a post.. it gave me a compelling need to go back and read
    from ur 1st post and i read all ur posts in arnd 3days i guess and ur book too.

    when i read ur blogs they were never like reading a blog of a person whom i haven't met,..the writings were very true.It was more like someone sitting beside n talking to me. May be tats the reason we readers have a invisible bond with u expect more n more posts from you...:)

    Keep rocking...All the best!!

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  41. Sundari: omg--you have read all my posts?! I think I myself would not have read back :) Thank you so much! Encouraging words do make me want to keep writing.

    Varsh: thank you! And welcome to my blog! :)

    Lostworld: Thank U! Will tell satish :)Reflections is indeed very dedicated and she is a wonderful human being too.

    Sindhu: LOL at what you said about N. :)I agree with you about wanting to talk to her. Yes--all answers were so different from each other--i also enjoyed reading.

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  42. hopped here coz of reflection's no-comment-post!

    n must say some cool qsns that! :)

    n neat answers those reflection! though at some points i wanted 2 ask, "really?" ;)

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  43. Congrats Preeti on your 400th post. Good to read different, interesting answers for the same question :)It was fun reading.Liked Satish's reply for questions 1 & 2 :) Neat one :)

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  44. That was a wonderful way to celebrate your 400th post, Preethi. Congratulations!!

    Even I love reflections (i dare not utter her name), she is so forthright and witty :-)

    Looking forward to your 500th post and your second book too!

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  45. Dear Preethi,

    To say i enjoyed reading your blog wud b an understatement. to say i lived emotions reading them wud be somewhat closer to the truth. u make a super mom and super moms are blessed with super kids and a super hubby 2. i wish u all happinness .
    there was so much to reflect on as i read the blog. and somewhere i read those lines of minds meeting before physical bodies meeting and felt a jolt. those lines have passed thru my head too, sometime before !!!
    me, i am 43, a mother of 2 kids(a son- 17yrs and daughter 13 yrs) , a wife to a lovely husband and also a multi- tasking employee of a small firm.
    Lost my mom in a tragic way 3yrs back(it still feels like yesterday). In fact , i am discovering life only now.i really enjoyed your blog so much that i cudnt wait to write 2 u.
    like u,the only friends i hv are from internet, the reast have been either for a reason or a season... i am hopeless in friendships coz i expect sincerity and that these days is a diminishing quality in people, yet i still hope to find sincere friends . philosophy and humour both attract me and i guess your blog has both of these.
    thanks you for the delightful stuff and hope to see more and more of them. Goodluck always..

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  46. Jayashree Menon: I am so completely blown away and humbled by your comment and reply. Thank you so much. My closest friends in 'real life' are not very net-savvy and they do not even read my blog. I met them in person (not on blog) But two more people whom i consider very close friends (Niall and Ajay) I met because of the Internet and subsequently met them in 'real life' too. I do feel blog helps to connect minds like you have rightly said. Sometimes I feel one expects 'too much' from friendships which is the reason why they fail. And sometimes it is just for a reason or season as you rightly said. Happy to connect with you. God Bless.

    Wanderlust: Thanks you! i am looking forward to my second book too! Itching now and restless to complete it--like the last stages of being pregnant and cannot wait to get the baby out :)

    Mridula: Yeah--satish is one smart guy :) I too enjoyed reading everyone's response.

    Blunt edges: Welcome to my blog :) of course Reflections was being her honest self. Just that on her blog she is so hilarious!

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  47. hi preeti di... got here from reflections.... wow! 400.. way to go... grt way to celebrate the milestone.. lovely quesns... n lovelier replies...

    congrats!!!

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