Springbreak Adventures

On April 3rd Lall, Shobha, I left home around 11 am for city of San Francisco and checked in at Hotel Marriott, near Fisherman's Warf. After checking in and leaving our luggage in our room we headed for Japanese Garden. As there was a long line for the entry ticket Shobha suggested we get down and stand on line while lall drove to find a parking space. Nearly 40 minutes we waited and got our entry pass and still Lall could not come as he couldn't find the parking space.  Therefore we both decided to go inside the garden. At the entrance our first attraction was bed of flowers in distinct hades of color. We couldn't move farther until we stood and took pictures. Every nook and corner of the garden was always attractions hence we enjoyed watching with enthusiastic mood. 

I love this poem written by an author unknown.

(Author unknown ) Fully conscious and in Good health I am writing today my will. After my death, ransack my room search each item, that is scattered unlocked everywhere in my house, Donate my dreams to all those women who between the confines of the kitchen and the bedroom, have lost their world, have forgotten years ago what it is to dream Scatter my laughter among the inmates of all age homes whose children are lost to the glittering cities of America. There are some colors on my table with them dye the sari of the girl whose border is edged with the blood of her man who wrapped in the tricolor Was laid to rest last evening Give my tears to all the poets every drop will birth a poem I promise Make sure you catch the tough of the country and inject them with my indignation they will need it come the revolution. My ecstasy belongs to that Sufi who abandoning everything has set off in search of God Finally, what’s left, My envy My greed, My anger, My lies, My selfishness These simply cremate with me.

UNSUCCESSFUL FLING

The young lady slim, tall and confident, crossed my path as she ran. While I, in thick sweater beanie covered head mask on, balancing my slow stride continued to walk. Few moments, hardly any blink the vision in front disappeared, hallowed. Stamina of a youth fleeting past, an equate with light how I envied her. My youth returned in shadow dauntless courage of the past, closing my eyes, I seemed to locate it, but gone like a puff of wind. While memories of youth still cleaving, old age intersected it with age related health problems hiding in the dark corner. My trial to relinquish it ended as unsuccessful fling, but appeased!

My Days before Covid19 and After

My Days Before Covid19 and After. Written by Jamuna Advani A dim light of excitement dancing inside my head for the last few months was about to end by March 2020. The upcoming cruise with princess was booked well ahead of time. My friend in LA and I had planned it together and had been looking forward to it. The cruise was for 7 days with Sky Princess starting from Fort Lauderdale to Princess Cays island, ST Thomas, St Martin and then back to Fort Lauderdale. We were happy that Princess Cruise had given us Medallion Class, hence we could update everything needed for it so that our voyage was offered with new level of service, personalized attention, creating an effortless experience. Some of the shore excursions were booked and some other we decided to do on the spot. Since it was my fourth one with Princess my status would be upgraded like free internet access. During Mexican Riviera in December 2015 I came across an elderly lady who had an oxygen tank with her, and she proudly mentioned that she had been with the Princess 33 times. May be some of the seniors preferred to spend their days in the ship as they enjoyed all the facilities during the cruise. My flight was booked from San Francisco to Miami and then take a taxi to Fort Lauderdale. As my friend would be flying from LA to Miami we planned to meet at Fort Lauderdale on March 7 before boarding. Then the most unexpected and disheartening news flashed on February 4th. The news of major outbreak on board of the Diamond Princess infecting about 700 people and 14 people dead was a shocking one. Still hoping for the best I started packing, planning for formal wear during dinner as well as for daily use including shore excursions. Our plan was for 9 days including the air travel. Everything changed on March 5th, as my daughter was concerned about Covid19, suggested that we better canceled the cruise. After thinking over reluctantly I called my friend in LA to inform her about the grim situation. She also felt the same, we decided our long awaited trip to keep on hold. Finally, we called Princess to cancel our booking and we were given credit till end of 2021. Along with this we had another trip planned for Ireland in October 2020 and luckily the company Gate 1 cancelled the tour and we were given choice to cancel or keep credit. We still have booking for Ireland during May 2021. But the uncertainty lingers on until the pandemic is over and Gate 1 resumes its tour. Since locked down and stay at home already announced, we are now confined ourselves at home. Keeping myself busy in the house, helping my daughter with household work ( I live with my daughter) and backyard gardening are my chosen physical activities. Walking with my daughter around our creek before she starts her work is also my daily routine. As the sun peeps through the hills heading toward the blue sky I imagine a future of normal life coming soon. Most of the time we come across turkeys in group running when they see us and also fighting month themselves. We can’t help but stand to watching them fight or male ones dancing. It is also interesting sight when some deer coming out of the creek as if they are taking advantage of the quiet road. Now that people are confined at home due to work from home hardly we find cars on the road. For me now reading books (fiction and nonfiction ) keeps me occupied (now reading “Promised Land” by Borak Obama.) I am a bit worried that my interest in writing seems to be lacking. I sincerely hope that by joining e circle 6 my interest in writing may continue and thus resume writing again. At the same time my dream for travel still continues.

Unsuccessful Fling

UNSUCCESSFUL FLING written by Jamuna Advani The young lady slim, tall and confident, crossed my path as she ran. While I, in thick sweater beanie covered head mask on, balancing my slow stride continued to walk. Few moments, hardly any blink the vision in front disappeared, hallowed. Stamina of a youth fleeting past, an equate with light how I envied her. My youth returned in shadow dauntless courage of the past, closing my eyes, I seemed to locate it, but gone like a puff of wind. While memories of youth still cleaving, old age intersected it with age related health problems hiding in the dark corner. My trial to relinquish it ended as unsuccessful fling, but appeased!

"Manipur Times Nurse Turned Writer - Jamuna Devi Advani
In Association with FindingTheVoices

Jamuna Devi Advani, originally from Manipur and currently resident of California, USA is the author of the book, Land of the Dancing Deer. 

After her graduation from the College of Nursing., (later named as Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing), she came back home and worked as sister-in-charge of surgical ward at Civil Hospital in Imphal. She worked there for about five years and then got married to Mr Rup Advani, a non-local. She stayed with her husband in Imphal for some time.

Even though they built a house of their own in Imphal they had moved to Shillong and settled there for about 8 years and then they moved to Kalkota where they lived for another 7 years. Those were the days of fond memories they had shared together while their four kids were growing up. 

Jamuna joined a workshop organized by an author Linda Joy Myer in the year 2007 . Since then her interest in writing aroused and there had been contributions as poems, short memoirs in journals of Story Circle Network and anthologies of Trivalley Writers’ Club and also in California Writers Club’s journals.

Now, writing has become a part of healing process for Jamuna. One thing she regrets most is about her kids. She did not spend much time with her kids instead they were sent to boarding schools at their tender age. She wishes if those times could be rewound again so that she can share every moment of their beautiful life together and holding them in her warm chest. She still bears the pain of an incomplete life.
She keeps Manipur close to her heart always. Her book, Land of the Dancing Deer, is about Manipur, and the deer she has mentioned here is Sangai. The book reflects the past of her life experiences and especially about her grandmother. The pictures in the book are the images of her paintings and photographs that explain the untold stories of those days in Manipur. Her book is available in Amazon.com, Lulu.com and also as E-book.

http://www.manipurtimes.com/news-article/manipurtimes-article/830  — withNu Suphachai Sukhampha, Nao Chanu, Nao Leiran, Jay Duff Kh, Pooja Sorensangbam, Monica Ingudam's Findingthevoices and Jamuna Advani. Top of Form Like ·  · Share · February 10 Top Comments Erendro Leichombam, Shobha Tejwani, Dev Tejwani and 1,016 others like this. 75 shares Jamuna Advani Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.I really appreciate and would like to thank everyone individually. Like · Reply · 4 · February 11 at 8:21pm Mala Sen Super! Always feels good to see you ...u r such an inspiration aunty  Like · Reply · 3 · February 11 at 4:53am · Edited Sonam Ahuja Congratulations aunty.. Looking fwd to read your book. Like · Reply · February 11 at 9:26pm Neeti Grover Congratulations aunty!! Like · Reply · February 11 at 7:51pm Anilkumar Yengkhom heard about her from FTV..being grown up among writers would love to know more about her..admire her.. Like · Reply · 3 · February 10 at 10:38pm Uttam Konsam i cann say she is manipuri becos her husband is already non manipuri Like · Reply · 2 · February 11 at 1:49am Laijinglen Victor Khuman great keep it up Like · Reply · 2 · February 10 at 9:27pm Den Mi A warm Appreciation from all of us. . . Like · Reply · 2 · February 11 at 2:13am Santosh Leihaothabam Again she also belongs to Manipur/Sanaleipak/Kangleipak. Oh my god!! We must proud being a Manipuri. Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 10:13am Reena Arambam Nice contribution and of course she is a manipuri Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 6:29am Wilma Premchandani I look forward to reading your book. Congratulations  Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 6:23am Yaisana Huidrom looking forward to read her book...... Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 4:48am Rabindra Thapa Inspiring thing Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 4:20am Anthony Yumnam Respect Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 3:51am Street ßøý God bless you Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 1:04am Sultana Praveen Km great Maa'm Like · Reply · 1 · February 11 at 12:19am Misbah Haque Highly noble thing ma'am..really proud of u Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 11:40pm Krishna Jak Keep it up ma'am Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 10:48pm Soyhunlo Seb Great job ma'am.  Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 10:33pm Ỵŏṡęf Ṁạṱạrńeh Great,good to hear such things. Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 10:31pm Debajani Devi Great Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 10:29pm Sa Ya Saikhom Admire u.. Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 9:38pm Chris Wath wat abt flipkart Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 9:26pm Adeno K Kuotsu Yes, it is a beautiful place. God bless Like · Reply · 1 · February 10 at 9:11pm Priyojit Soiban Tangba I love the picture Like · Reply · February 12 at 8:57pm Bos Travis Phairenjam Congrats Like · Reply · February 12 at 10:01am Oinam Apsara I M SO MOVED!!!!!SUCH DELIGHTS Like · Reply · February 12 at 8:27am Honmillee Teronpi Must find the book and read it. Sounds lnteresting!!! Like · Reply · February 12 at 7:22am Core Manipur Know her personally and delighted to hear this news of her book! Like · Reply · February 12 at 4:51am Khundongbam Inunganba Thanks maam...... u let manipur high in d world Like · Reply · February 12 at 3:12am Phuralilatpam Daneshwar Sharma God bles Manipur Like · Reply · February 12 at 1:02am Rajeev Thounaojam Proud 2 b a manipuri...congratz Like · Reply · February 12 at 12:54am Prem Khuman fine to heard...congratulation!!! Like · Reply · February 12 at 12:22am Thounaojam Rajeshor Singh Proud of u mam Like · Reply · February 11 at 11:33pm Luhensänä Chänu Kh Respect  Like · Reply · February 11 at 8:42pm Daley Mangang Where ever you go, what ever you did, it matters not, your heart still singing the same..., there you bore a Manipur, you great aunty. Like · Reply · February 11 at 8:39pm Khuman Visual Merchandiser good job Like · Reply · February 11 at 12:11pm Robert Hemam Respect Like · Reply · February 11 at 7:35am Sandip Khumbongmayum Zòró Khàbá yam chotok ningai ne Like · Reply · February 11 at 7:06am Bottom of Form"

Lovely Candles

Lovely Candles Lively candles, Flames sparkle In silent contemplation Air mocks, Observes. Wind Storms suddenly, Flames erased, Disrobed candles stand Stunned in naked illusions.