thnking of swans i did see a couple of swans the other day when out of nowhere, utilizing my new found freedom of having a car, i went for a drive down the main street of ann arbor to the west huron river drive. i will come to the drive later. first i went and had a look at the dam on the huron river and the huge reservoir.....and this is where i saw the swans. stately, majestic, royal....those are the words that first come to my mind when i see these amazing birds. but the huron river drive after that was good too. it would be fun to have a house there. i am gonna go back to this place soon, as soon as the trees change color. will come up with some snaps for sure.

other than that, at times i do get bogged down by mundane stuff that draws me down to more earthly matters. finally i guess i started the endeavour regarding the data analysis thing that is supposed to become my thesis. there's an amazing amount of information to be processed but i look forward to master this art since this is something that is going to lead to good times for a lot of people.

and this weekend maa will be complete and sitting on my wall reminding me of her just as i want her to. i managed to get the soapstone cone burner and the cones (made in auroville-the fragrance is opium!!) i also got a lotus shaped candle holder made with shells for burning candles at the puja place. now the next thing i want is a bowl-for home cleansing. i will get some sage and palm resin and cleanse the place probably every week. its so easy in india to get stuff like this.....go to the 'kumhaar' and get a earthen bowl for few rupees-but the good thing bout this place has become the bad thing since everything made by man has become costly and needs lotsa money. i have started loving the ambience in my house. i think i will get a conch shell which i can blow into and a bell and other stuff from india whenever i can. this is going to be hardcore!

the buddha thing is also going to be hardcore. i am going to get a fountain with some stones in it-actually that reminds me that i guess i should make one for myself. i will try for that soon. i think this weekend i am going to overhaul the whole look of the place in my apartment. i will work on the bookends and the racks. i ofcourse have to get a heater.....i have found a cool, remote controlled heating device which is going to be my best friend this winter. though sadly, as i realized the other day that a lot of people like this heater including me. the walmart store says its out of stock. :-( its kinda low which is what i want coz the apartment makes the feet cold since its empty below it and there's a parking lot.

right now i have started reading "to kill a mockingbird", a 'southern story' so to say. i don't think i want to make any comments bout it at the moment. but the plot sure is coming up. this month of mine is supposed to be the one in which i must spend time with myself-meditating, introspecting etc. etc. and i have been feeling a bit withdrawn for sure lately. inspite of all these tests which have come up i feel the need to go back to my warm cocoon of self. it also durga puja time. i finally did a good thing and bought some cool pair of shoes and a lovely corduroy jacket-something that i have always craved for. yea!! i have one now. i have no dearth of warm clothes. the winter should be nice. i guess that would be it for now. i wish i get to buy that heater soon though.......and i am looking how to make my own fountain now.HOT!