Goodnight Raya, I hope you have a good night's sleep. Sweet dreams!
Good morning, Raya! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
The weather here is great today. The previous rainy day has turned into a warm and sunny day. I plan to go for a bike ride later and enjoy some more sunny weather.
Very Nice, and happy to hear from you Xuelin. Enjoy the day. Good Morning.
Thank you. I'm also very happy to receive your message. Communicating with you is always a lot of fun for me, and I'm glad we can enjoy this kind of exchange and sharing together.
Do you have any good plans for today?
Hey Raya, I bet you're asleep by now. I hope you had a wonderful Saturday. Get some rest, recharge, and have a good night's sleep. Sweet dreams, goodnight!
Good Morning Xuelin. Yes, I slept well, maybe like 9 hours or more, got up late 7:55 AM only, having gone to bed about 10:30 pm, did not have to go to bathroom in the middle, as is the case mostly (say 75%), only have to shift or turn sides a few times in the night, i maybe like partially-awake then perhaps being somewhat aware of it.
Good morning, Raya! Hope you have a wonderful day too. I'm so glad to hear the good news that you had a good night's sleep. I slept great last night too, so I woke up feeling refreshed. The weather here isn't great though, it's still raining outside. Maybe it'll change for the better later. Looking forward to the sunshine! See you later, I'm going for a walk now.
Good luck, my friend.
Do you have any good plans for today?
It seems you have a lot of plans for this weekend. Sometimes I see you just leave an emoji after seeing a message. If you have time, maybe you could share some interesting plans from your wonderful weekend here.
Nothing special, just my usual this and that, on the laptop, at home etc. Currently looking at possibly placing an order for a mug with photos printed on it as a gift to my brother's son in India, may or may not actually do it .. just looking into it costs etc at
Shutterfly.com (they are based in Seattle, I have ordered a lot from them like in 2010s, and previously they were known by a different name, and I used to send them all my film rolls for development and printing, I think they were Seattle Film Works, initially, and recommended to me by our friend relative India-classmate Bheem Bhat in 1980s living in Philadelphia PA)
I see. This company isn't far from me. It used to be an old-fashioned photo developing company, but it hasn't gone out of business or anything; it's simply adapted to changing times and transformed into a more socially responsible company. Their current name is PhotoWorks.
It seems you've really met a lot of people from your hometown here. That's a good thing. At least even far from home, you've felt a sense of familiarity and warmth around you. But do you still keep in touch?
I see. Yes, that is the company. Seattle Film Works became Photo Works first, and online business or related business is
Shutterfly.com, I guess. And, looking back, I think it may have significance that all my films were going there for development, instead of what I was doing randomly until then, using the free mailer envelops typically kept on near notice boards etc in college campuses and elsewhere (it was different situation then), after 1986 or so, it was all going to this one place because of the suggestion of our good friend Bheem Bhat -aNNa, it was much better, convenient, good quality, price was good / okay etc, and, it gave easier access to the photos for monitoring and / or influencing my relationships, contacts, doings, we can say. Considering what happened later etc, and so looking back, I see possible scenarios regarding why what how etc for various happenings in my life, why various other entities, interests, agenda forces, Deep State entities and actors etc might be interested in such things etc.. Not that it would have changed anything. I do not think so. I have uploaded later digital photos also to their site, so they have all or most of my photos. With BheemaNNa, we are in touch once in a while, not regularly, (we used to be in touch more in the past), he is a retired scientist now doing real estate, he is also my wife's cousin, and married her college friend and neighbor, interestingly we were asked to introduce them to each other to enable the traditional wedding (her family, Pailoor, her father, was well-known and in a leadership type of way in our community / region in India, also in Sai Baba group / organization / followers .... so I have my suspicions regarding that etc = they, BheemaNNa & family) were always very nice, helpful to us .. NO complaints. My observations, guesses or suspicions are about behind-the-scenes hidden invisible agenda forces, and that is LOOKING BACK about why-what-how-etc regarding past happenings, and it does not change anything also) .
Yes, this company seems to have completely changed its name and operational direction the year I came to the US. I must say, their decision at the time was truly significant, but their current development strategy and the company's profits prove that their decision and choice were absolutely correct.
Reasonable pricing and customer service are definitely good ways to retain customers, especially since they already have a large and supportive fanbase promoting them.
It seems you and your cousin have a very good relationship, and one of you works in the business world while the other works in politics. I've also worked in a similar field as him in real estate. If you don't mind, I'd love to meet him and learn some unique market insights from him.
Many of your stories are fascinating, and your entire nation is very united in your country. There's also a local American community where you can connect. Do you often have parties or similar events there?
How are you, my friend?
Hello my Dear friend Xuelin, Sorry I was busy with the photo mugs project, just finished and placed the order. Yes, hopefully I can introduce Bheem at some point. Presently I am not in touch with him, I do not have his current cell number, have his email, can give you. and Good Night, logging off soon. 👍😘
Good evening, my friend. A beautiful evening has arrived. It seems you've been busy with this exquisite gift lately. Regarding your friend Bim, I think it's alright... I don't know if you've ever considered the concept of fate, but every encounter between people is meaningful, just like ours. A chance meeting brought us together, and perhaps in the future, your friend Bim and I will also have the opportunity to become friends. But ultimately, the answer depends on this principle of fate.
My main reason for wanting to get to know him is for business exchange. I have many friends in this market, and I believe this senior colleague of yours, like you, possesses a lot of wisdom and unique ideas. However, you can give me his email address, and I'll try to contact him. Perhaps we'll have a chance to meet and sit down face-to-face for a cup of coffee.
But now, all we should do is say goodnight, my friend. Sweet dreams! Looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.
Good Morning friend Dear Xuelin. Yes, I agree with your views. I guess, we first connected on LinkedIn (???), before continuing here, I almost forgot (!!!). And, this is email of Bheem Bhat <
bhee...@gmail.com> Thank You.
Good morning, dear friends! I'm so glad that more people have joined our ship of friendship. I believe that the final destination of this cruise ship will be a beautiful island!
Yes, our encounter with LinkedIn was truly a wonderful experience, but upon reflection, it aligns with many people's assessment of life.
A brand new week, a brand new start. I hope you can also welcome all these wonderful things today!
I'm heading to the office now; I have some meetings to attend today.
Okay. Great. All the Best. Thank you!
You're welcome. I hope you have a smooth day doing all the things you enjoy! Best wishes!
Thank you! 😘👍♥️🌹🙏😘
You're welcome. I'm off to my next meeting now. Let's chat again later when we have time.
Okay! Sure, take care Sounds good!
😊😊
Hope you had a good productive day with work meetings and all Xuelin Good Night .
Thank you for your blessings. I hope today was a productive day for you. Have a good night's sleep and sweet dreams. I look forward to our conversation tomorrow. Good night!
Thank you! You, too!
Good morning, Raya! Hope you have a wonderful day. The weather here is lovely today. Would you like to come and soak up some sun with me?
Yes I would! Yes, please! Yes, of course! 😘👍🌹♥️🙏😘🥰😘😘
Lol, you seem quite enthusiastic! I welcome you here, though it's best to come during the summer.
Yes, I am! and, Thank You.
You're welcome. I hope everything goes well for you today, and that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
Yes, dear Xuelin, everything went well today. Had dOsa for lunch, and for dinner we had rice daal, curds, also payasa which is a special sweet dish (today is my wife's mother's birthday, also happens to be second anniversary of passing away of her father). So, as you said, I was more relaxed, enjoyed, we can say. 😄 Here also it was relatively warm sunny day 45 to 50 deg F, (i did not go out). now it is logging off tome. Good Night. 😘
It sounds like you had a wonderful day, especially the food you mentioned. I'm sure the dosa you described must have been delicious, and the desserts too! Just thinking about them gives me a feeling of relaxation and comfort. I hope you celebrated your birthday and cherished this special day. It's a very special occasion for you. I'm so glad you shared some wonderful moments from your life with me. I'm going to bed now too. Have a nice night and sweet dreams. Goodnight! Looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.
😁 Thank you! Good Morning 👍😘
You're welcome, Raya. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!
Thank you! Thanks! You, too 😊 Enjoy your day!
With regards to the wedding of Bheem Bhat Madeyala & Sharada Pailoor, which took place in Mangalore, in early 1980s, around 1982-83 perhaps, there is something interesting, which again, takes more significance for me, LOOKING BACK. We living in Fredonia NY at the time, were also informed and invited (but not able to attend), and so were our families in Mangalore, India. my wife's side is connected more closely with both the bride & groom's families, also neighbors of the bride's family, so they all went (as expected). My father did attend the wedding, although initially my family there had written to me that they are thinking of skipping it, to which I had replied that it would be best if someone from our family attended the wedding, that my wife & I had a strong role in enabling it by way of introducing, talking to both sides with the proposal, So, my father did attend to it, looks like because of my encouragement only. However, next time I met him personally there in India, he mentioned that nobody talked to him there, "aaroo maathaaDisiddaville", so he was not happy about it, being ignored and not respected. Until recently I had assumed it was because he and our family are like strangers amidst a gathering of people from their sides expected there for that occasion. But, looking back, and because of the bride's father's leadership role and standing in the community or region there with his strong connection and role in the Sai Baba devotees organization (we are not part of that) etc, the "discounting" and ignoring of my father, of our efforts, even if it was done unwillingly or non-deliberately, has a natural-like feel, with an intrinsic feeling of not to give us too much importance, almost like it is okay to look down upon us, excluded as "other" in some groups or gatherings. Anyways, .. whatever .., i just let it go, ignored it, it did not affect me / us in any way. Also, I was not looking for any credits from them there. And, it was also unusual for my father to complain like that, he never did. I remember from my young years that he often initiated himself or was in conversations with strangers, like on the bus etc which was not easy for me.
I understand, and thank you for reminding me, my friend. However, this memory feels completely different to you now than it did back then. What struck me most wasn't just the event itself, but also the rarity of how your father expressed these feelings, especially when you mentioned he was someone who enjoyed making friends and interacting with strangers, not easily troubled by social situations. This made the matter much heavier and more poignant.
But in today's society, many relationships are tied to self interest. Even those playing important roles can be unintentionally marginalized, which seems like a normal emotion. I think your reflection on this isn't about seeking validation, but rather a rejection of these things and the marks they leave.
I admire how you've let go of such things, but I also believe everyone is different. You must have considered this for a while before sharing it with me. This isn't about reopening old wounds, but rather deepening your understanding of certain things, or perhaps looking at the same issue from a different perspective.
Hmmm.. Yes, you have put it very well, very nicely. Thank You, Xuelin. 👍🙏😘🌹♥️🥰
Thank you, but I'm also glad to know this. How long have you known your friend Bheem?
He was my college classmate for a short time in 1968-69, I shifted to a different batch after about a month or two or so (wanting to study Math, he was in Biology) and i ate lunch in the same college hostel where he was staying, for the whole academic year. We did not interact much, I had stood First in the SSLC High School exam, in the whole Mysore state (now Karnataka state), so that was a fame or distinction, so people knew me more than I knew them. Afterwards, we met only in USA, he being a close cousin of my wife, we had travelled to St Louis Missouri in 1982, to see him, he was doing PhD there in Microbiology at Washington State University (?)/ Later on, when we moved to New Jersey, he to Philadelphia in mid 1980s, we used to visit each other, many times, so that our two sons and his daughter got opportunity to play together. The kids were happy with it. And we met several times in a year at our community events also. That's how or why the relationship or friendship grew.
It seems you two share a deep connection in life. However, some things that have happened have created a bittersweet feeling in your relationship. But I believe that the fact that you've persevered through so many hardships is enough.
You were truly outstanding in your youth, and the differences in your professional backgrounds shouldn't have created too much of a barrier. Hearing this, I'm curious what led you to decide to enter politics later on.
Perhaps the friendship you forged during this time together will be carried on by your children, continuing this bond.
It was during that trip to St Louis, in 1982 (?), as per the request / suggestion / instruction we received from my wife's parents (must have been by letter), do not know who influenced them or requested them for it, we talked to Bheem about the marriage proposal, and on the way back to Fredonia, we stopped by in Dayton. Ohio to see Sharada (she was studying there for Master's degree (?), living with family of her relatives) and talk / recommend to her about the proposal, then they two must have talked and decide to continue etc
The role you played was actually very meaningful, even if it seemed low-key and inconspicuous at the time. What impressed me most was the dedication and thoughtfulness throughout the process. You took the time to communicate with them individually and gave them space to think and make their own decisions. It didn't feel like interference, but rather like meticulous guidance. Looking back, such moments become more meaningful with time, even if they seemed like ordinary things at the time.
Thank you!
You're welcome, my friend.
Good evening, Raya, how was your day?
Good! It was good Great! And you?
I had a pretty good day, except for the less pleasant experience dealing with some emails.
Oh!
Do you handle emails regularly?
Sometimes those spam text messages are really annoying.
Yes!
To be honest, I still really hate seeing those emails.
I see, Okay, must have been real bad then
Yes, it's especially difficult when you're trying to find your correct email among a bunch of incorrect emails.
Hmm.. Sorry to hear that you had some annoying experience emails to deal with. Yes, they happen to me also, perhaps it happens to us all, I think. Please Ignore, Do Not Worry, Cheers. 👍😘 Good night. 😘
Yes, thank you for your blessings and comfort, my friend. You always know how to comfort and bring warmth to those around you; you're so thoughtful! But you're right, all we can do is ignore them!
I hope you have sweet dreams tonight. Goodnight.☺️☺️😇
Thank You Xuelin, I appreciate your message. Good Morning. and, I had good sleep, over 8 hrs, waking up at 8:18 AM or so only. And, yesterday was a good day, as I finished things I was waiting to do, one more Shutterfly order (for my wife's sister's daughter Jaya in USA), (I had done the India one previous day, three photo mugs), and typing up that message to you regarding my father at Bheem & Sharada wedding. So, I was pleased with it, and well relaxed, we can say, perhaps. (!!!) 😄😘 Good Morning
Good morning, Raya! I'm so glad to receive your message today. I think our exchanges are always fun, and I always feel happy whenever I see your messages. I'm so glad you've finally accomplished those relaxing things recently. Are those mugs your current business? That sounds amazing!
With Friday and the holiday just around the corner, what are your plans for getting ready?
I think you're asleep now. I hope you have a good night's sleep and sweet dreams. Goodnight! Looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.
😘👍🙏Good Morning
Good morning, Raya! Hope you have a wonderful day. I'm on my way to the office now.
How are you, my friend? You seem very busy today.
A little bit busy, since I accompanied my wife at 2 pm to the eye doctor, and then we went and ate brooklyn pizza at a restaurant nearby there (in Hamilton NJ area), were back home after 6.30 pm, we were out for half the day. The pizza was excellent, enjoyed it, also coffee Americano, we also bought there zappolin, it was okay. Do you get good pizza in Seattle ???
It sounds like you had a busy but fulfilling day, accompanying family to the doctor and grabbing a pizza on the way a nice touch, even if it was mundane. The pizza in New Jersey is definitely top notch the Brooklyn style is classic, and Zappolin was a pleasant surprise.
I've lived in Seattle for 15 years, and to be honest, while the pizza here isn't the absolute best in the US, there are a few places I regularly go to when I crave pizza. Serious Pie: leans towards Italian style, with a carefully chosen crust and toppings.
Via Tribunali: authentic Neapolitan style, simple yet flavorful.
Pagliacci: unpretentious, but the kind you'll stick with after living here for a while.
Seattle's strengths lie more in its coffee, seafood, and the overall cleanliness of its ingredients it's not the kind of pizza city that's all about heavy oil and sauce. However, if you prefer "comfortable, high quality, and reliable" pizzas, you can still find places here that you'll want to return to.
If you ever come to Seattle, I can pick out a place for you based on your taste.
👍Okay. Very Nice. Thank You Xuelin, and it will be lots of fun for me to do that with you. 😘👍🙏🌹♥️🥰😘
I'm so glad to hear that, and I hope we can enjoy it together!
Almost time for me to go upstairs to get ready for bed. Good night Xuelin.
Okay, hope you get a good night's sleep, goodnight! Hope you have a wonderful weekend tomorrow!
Thank you! You, too! Good morning. (the weather here is now cloudy / rainy / cold type)
Good Morning Xuelin. How are you doing ? What's new ? Here, it was snowing here lightly but nicely yesterday daytime, like about 2" total perhaps, lot of it melting away, but more snow fell at night, and now there is like about 2 to 3 inches accumulated perhaps, so nice looking white cover everywhere.
Hmmm.. it looks like you are very busy today, Xuelin. Enjoy, of course. It was snowing nicely here earlier, some particles still coming down, looking almost all very nicely covered white outside
===+++===
in the four old photos here, from the mid 2000s perhaps, (?), we see, sitting on the sofa, my mother-in-law Saraswathi K (awake, in the middle) with us dozing off in two photos, my wife Usha leaning on her mom's shoulders and Me sitting next to her. all are awake or smiling in two other photos. Photos taken in Syracuse NY at the home of Usha's sister Sudha & her husband Mohan & daughter Jaya, when we visited, not sure if the last photo was from the same occasion..