Trip to Ukraine - Good Memories...

Sorry for such a long delay in posting my bits from the amazing trip to Ukraine. There is a lot I have to say about this trip...it has been memorable in so many ways. For now, these are some of pieces of my trip...enjoy :)

And after this one trip, I am pretty sure that a return trip is on the cards as a lot is still unexplored, which I do want to see through...

So once again...Slava Ukrayini....


Good vibes to all...

Easter 2012 - Trip to Ukraine

As a part of my `not just sitting and facebooking´ initiative this Easter, I have made arrangements for a travel to Ukraine (Kyiv and Lviv). My first impressions: amazing cities with amazingly friendly people…and yes, these are based on the basis of my interactions with people I know from Ukraine here in Norway. All of them were more than ready to connect me to one or more people in Ukraine so that I can have a memorable time out there…! Very friendly people. It is just a small gesture, but it makes my life way more easier...and I certainly get to experience moments, not just as a tourist, but the Ukrainian way :)

I have been given tips over mail and personally of where to go and what to do. It just feels that I already have a blurry idea of how interesting this trip is going to be…! My trip last year during Easter (To Krakow) was filled with loads of great experiences and I am sure, so will be this one…!

Among this left to do, is to apply for a travel visa since Ukraine is not in EU (yet…!!!). But that should not be any issue since the fast track visa processing takes just 3working days it seems (though I need to shell out twice the visa processing fees…but then that is the way it is…!).

Another thing in to-do list is to fetch an English-Russian dictionary and learn some basic words :) Though I hope it will be somewhat better this time considering Ukraine is co-hosting the UEFA European Football Championship this year along with Poland…hopefully I am not just being overly optimistic…but yeah, it will be a funny, challenging...but interesting experience!!! Well, if I could manage in China, I am sure Ukraine would be a walk-in-the-park ;)

With these in mind, I have already started the countdown…and soon its gonna be the day...!!!

By the way, the trip is 5days long from 5th April 2012 till 9th April 2012.

Keep traveling…keep experiencing !!!


UPDATE: I applied for the Travel Visa to Ukraine today and I will receive the visa on Monday - 02.04.2012. So all in place now :)

Knockin' on Heaven's door - Bob Dylan

G...D...Am...G...D...C

Umm..."What are you talking about...? Have you forgotten the letters of English alphabet...???" That's what my Language teacher from my primary school would have said...but then the same sequence sounded music to my guitar teacher...! Perceptions...you see :)

Well...the title of this post is really relevant. Today was my first day going for guitar sessions...finally realizing a dream which has been with me (as a dream) for...I don't even remember how long...! And this lack of memory is not because I am too old, but basically it has literally been that long a time :)

Well...this year is all about living my dreams...can't argue with Nostradamus and the Mayans I think ;)

Today, after work I went to attend my first guitar lessons and this was the song that we practiced...and hence the title of the post. By the way, I have always loved this song (though I prefer the Guns n' Roses version of it). So the start could not have been any more perfect...inspiring and motivating...!

Right now, after an hour long session and some practice at home, I cannot feel my finger tips...but then, I can sacrifice that much to realize my childhood dream...a dream that has lived its life as a dream way too long...like a document kept for approval at a Government office :) But yeah, finally it is becoming a reality.

Next 6 weeks will be a bliss...a step towards checking off another TO-DO as DONE from my 2012 checklist.

By the way...I am taking guitar lessons at Norsk Musikk Skole.

Keep rolling...like a rolling stone... :)

GOD bless...and keep the rhythm flowing... G-D-Am-G-D-C 

Bye bye 2011...it's (finally) time to say good bye to you...! Welcome 2012

If I recap my experiences in 2011, I am sure I have all the ingredients for a platinum-hit Bollywood movie. It has been a roller-coaster of a year (to say the least). Had a breakup (right at the 1st week of January 2011), somehow got over it, met another girl...was very happy with her...but then lied about things to her and our relationship got worse, then finally when I was sincerely making efforts to improve myself and when I thought that we both were making progress to get together, then I found that she was cheating on me... (sounds funny now, but it has been insanely frustrating and dramatic...!). Till 23rd November (my last post), I was very happy since I felt that 2011 would at least end on a good note...but then, I am not one deciding my fate (as Shakespeare would say: "I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage, where every man must play a part; And mine a sad one.")...and indeed mine was a sad one (at least in 2011). This year had a lot for me to learn...mostly the hard way...but then what we learn the hard way, possibly (and hopefully) stays longer with us. I am sure what I have learned this year, will stay with me for the rest of my life.

But being truly human, I believe that none of us is perfect and we all make mistakes. But, at the same time, being an eternal optimist, I believe in myself that I can get over my mistakes and make sure not to repeat those. Coming year, I have loads of plans, just to keep me busy and make sure that I feel better about myself. I want to travel to places, where I have never been or probably will never go either (once back in India), get going with my hobbies and interests and just keep myself busy. So I have to enjoy the coming year, be happy and keep learning (even if it is the hard way).

Yesterday, I was thinking of my motto for 2012 and I can put it up as below:

"Welcome 2012...it can only get better from here on...! Let go what was never mine and mend my present to make sure my future is happier. Live every moment this year as if there is no tomorrow...who knows maybe Nostradamus and Mayans might be right about 2012...!!!"

Stay happy and stay blessed...and welcome 2012 with both hands. Wishing a very happy New Year to all.............................