almost there

How do you really prepare for the biggest day of your life?!!! Trying not to stress :-) Less than two months to go!!! :-)

Happy Holidays!!!

I love the spirit of Christmas :-)

Listening to the sounds of the season, beautiful carols, next to the lit up tree at home, soon to go around the city and see all the holiday joy of New York City :-)

Best time of year, especially in this amazing city. 

My last Christmas being engaged - soon to be a married woman!!!! WOOHOOO!!! :-)

Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

snow happiness dance!

Good morning New York!!!! :-)

Mandela

http://news.yahoo.com/obama--mandela--took-history-in-his-hands--and-wrought-justice-223324127.html

Obama: Mandela 'took history in his hands' and wrought justice

President Barack Obama paid somber tribute to Nelson Mandela Thursday, celebrating the late South African leader’s “fierce dignity and unbending will” and unquenchable thirst for justice.

“For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived — a man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice,” Obama said in the White House briefing room.

“He achieved more than could be expected of any man. Today he's gone home, and we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth,” Obama said. “He no longer belongs to us; he belongs to the ages.”

Mandela, who was 95, died from complications of a recurring lung infection.

"His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better," Obama said.

The president also recalled the personal connection he felt to Mandela, and the antiapartheid campaign that fueled the young American's political passions.

"I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life. My very first political action — the first thing I ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics — was a protest against apartheid. I would study his words and his writings," Obama said. "The day he was released from prison it gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they're guided by their hopes and not by their fears. And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set. And so long as I live, I will do what I can to learn from him."

In his 1995 autobiographical “Dreams From My Father,” Obama had described Mandela as something of an idealized father-figure — inspiring him and filling the void of his absent Kenya-born parent.

"It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela," he wrote. The two men met in 2005, when Mandela visited Washington, and Obama was a junior senator.

NYC train crash

This is our train and route to work every morning. I know exactly which turn it derailed on. I am so glad we were not on the train on this day. #countyourblessings #thankfultobealive

http://news.yahoo.com/us-media-points-human-error-nyc-train-crash-162924573.html

Happy December!

Happy December! Warms my heart and soul My favorite time of the year ~ our holiday spirited home!

:-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To our dearest family and friends,

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Happy holiday season :-)

We are cooking dinner together, listening to Christmas music, and decorating our home together with lights and the Christmas tree :-)

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday together with family and friends, enjoying yummy treats and delicious food!!!

Love, hugs, and best wishes this holiday season!

Anisha & Mohit

Marry Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3_OixpXwWE

by Jason Derulo

A hundred and five is the number that comes to my head
When I think of all the years I wanna be with you

The more I look, the more I find the reasons why
You're the love of my life

Will you marry me

:-)

100 days to go! 1 year of being engaged!

100 days to go!!!! #weddingprep
And celebrating 1 year of being engaged!!!!
#sohappy #blessed
:-)

Happy Diwali!!!!

Happy Diwali!!!! :-)

Nani turns 90!!!!

My only remaining grandparent alive, my Nani, who is my Mom's mother, turns 90 this Saturday :-) What an amazing woman, beautiful life lived and still going strong, strength to overcome everything, and good genes to pass onto her children and grandchildren! We are so blessed and will definitely respect all she has done for and given us! Happy almost 90th birthday Nani! :-)

(Photo credit - Shireen Saroea)

 

Patriots live game!!!!

Today was the BEST day. And I have the best fiance in the world. So, I have been a Tom Brady/Patriots fan for the past 10+ years. But have never seen them play live. So Mohit surprised me with tickets to the Patriots/Jets game today, 5TH ROW Pat side, I mean we were almost on the field, behind the Patriots goal line/near their bench. I saw Tom Brady real life, up close, and it was surreal. I couldn't believe he and the team were in front of me. The whole experience and game was surreal. I have been to live NFL games before, but I have not seen the Patriots/Brady play, and it was the greatest experience ever esp because my fiance does not even like football nor care for Brady, but took me for my happiness, as this once in a lifetime opportunity I seriously don't even care we lost in OT. I am super happy and on an adrenaline rush/high and so blessed - Mohit is the best 4 months until M-day!!! (Marriage/Wedding day) :-) :-) :-)

— at MetLife Stadium.

Myrtle Beach Wedding Weekend!!!

Lots of ups and downs this weekend, starting with a rude overcharging ($) airline (#spiritairlines #worstairlineever) who sent our bag to another city, while I flew to Myrtle Beach to attend my cousin-brother's wedding with absolutely nothing except my purse. Talk about #improvising. After a very long 24 hours, we finally got the bag back, and now I am filing a claim to hold the airline responsible for everything we went through, from emotional to physical to financial (had to shop the day of the wedding). But I saw my cousin-brother get married, hung out and danced with 200 of my family and friends, and my fiance met everyone, and we had a blast, so all in all, a fabulous weekend Oh and I got my hair done at a salon and pretty much fell in love #weddinghairtrials — in Myrtle Beach, SC.

beautiful morning

Obamacare & Government shut down

Obamacare
Government shut down

http://news.yahoo.com/whats-changing-whats-not-shutdown-211104037.html

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-to-make-12-25-p-m--statement-134130294.html

Gooooo OBAMACARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The president allowed that the site had suffered glitches — but portrayed it as victim of its own success, saying more than 1 million people visited the site before 7 a.m."

https://www.healthcare.gov/

My favorite and best encounter with a stranger

Sometimes, something so simple, during a few minutes of our day, can be truly life changing.

It was 2008 and I had been in New York for just a few months. I was on the 7 train, going between Times Square and Grand Central. I was sitting on the train, and a family of four got on the train. Parents, a son and a daughter. The moment they walked on, it was evident that the daughter was physically handicapped. I immediately stood up to offer my seat, but so did the man next to me, who was closer in proximity to the family, so the daughter sat in his seat. I motioned to the mother if she wanted my seat, but she kindly waved toward me “no no I’m fine.” So I sat back down. The mother stood with her husband and son. I had my headphones on, but could see the girl looking up at me from her seat next to me. She couldn’t have been more than 8 or 9. I smiled while listening to my headphones, knowing she was looking at me.

Then I saw her say something, but couldn’t hear it, so I took my headphones off, kindly smiled and brought my head down closer to her eye level, and said smiling “Hmmm what did you say?” And she said, “Are you going?” I could tell from her speech that she was also mentally handicapped. I had no idea what she was asking or saying, so I just said “Yes I am going. Are you going?”, continually smiling at her. She became happy and shifted in her seat excitedly. “Yes I am going.” We sat smiling for a moment, and I asked her “Are you visiting New York – where are you from?” And she smilingly looked toward her mother, who mouthed “Louisiana.” And the girl repeated it back to me happily. I said “Ohhh that’s nice to visit New York on vacation.” We sat in silence for another 30 seconds, I kept my headphones off and kept smiling at her, and as the train pulled into the station where I was getting off, I said “Well this is my stop so I need to go, but you enjoy New York” and I just lightly tapped the baseball cap she was wearing, and she happily smiled and waved as I got up to leave. As I left the train, her mother touched my shoulder and said, “God bless you.” And I immediately said “oh no no” and exited the train.

I thought to myself what this family, especially the mother must have faced in her life, having a handicapped daughter, and how people must have talked to her, treated her, as well as the mother, to a point where just a little kindness and smile from a stranger in New York made her so thankful and happy to bless me. I felt truly blessed, to have both met that girl and her mother, and just thankful for all that I had in my life, and just said a prayer for her and her family. God bless them.

stoplight

stoplight = red beet, yellow banana, green wheatgrass = ‪#‎healthy‬

Dr. Sree Gaddipati

heartbreaking - one of ours (Columbia OBGYN)

http://www.columbiaobgyn.org/memorial-service-sree-gaddipati#.Ug1j1ZwTW6N

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=sreedhar-gaddipati&pid=166436260#fbLoggedOut

get inspired

This documentary changed my life. If you want to change any aspect of your life for the better, I recommend watching it. Be inspired to make positive changes!
I will also document my health and fitness journey, and share when I have reached a major goal!
‪#‎getinspired‬
#Joe Cross

"Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD8e4Mg3NFU

Juicing

#juicinglikeaballer
#wheatgrassisthenewshot
#wheatgrassisgrossbuthealthy

Day 1 - Hail to Kale

#feelinggood
#juicingforhealthandfitness

1 year anniversary!

1 year anniversary of working at Columbia University Medical Center!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only 35 more to go until retirement hehehehhehe

:-)

strong is the new skinny

in the words of Fergie, "I be up in the gym, just working on my fitness"

wedding toning time :-)  

last months living in NYC!!!!

Almost there!!!! Spending the last 7 months of my unmarried life with one of my besties/bridesmaids in her beautiful Chelsea apartment. By the time I am married, I will have spent almost six years in the ever-so-amazing New York City. And will take my married self to the suburbs and start a new chapter there, which I am SUPER excited about as well!! I'll still be working in the city, but cheers to my last NYC apartment!!!! :-)

Happy July 4th!!!

Happy Independence Day!!!!!!!!!!

I spent the day relaxing, chillin in the sun, wearing red, white and blue, drinking some iced tea, listening to music, cooking dinner for my fiance and family, and watching fireworks over the Hudson River :-) Hope everyone had a blast too!!!!

Wedding fun

Amazing 3 days celebrating my cousin-brother's wedding :-)

We are all misfits, living in a world of fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AV8lxGjdZ0

We are all misfits, living in a world on fire

You've just gotta turn it up loud when the flames get higher
Sing it for the people like us, the people like us
People like us we've gotta stick together
Keep your head up nothing lasts forever
They can't do nothing to you, they can't do nothing to me
This is the life that we choose, this is the life that we bleed
So throw your fists in the air, come out, come out if you dare
Tonight we're gonna change forever

--Kelly Clarkson "People Like Us"

HUGE news - good day for equal rights / right to choose for all!!!!!!!!!

DOMA is dead!!!!
Prop 8 not going to the Supreme Court!!!!!!!!!
Texas Abortion Bill is dead!!!!!!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/supreme-court-doma-decision_n_3454811.html
In a landmark decision for gay rights, a divided Supreme Court Wednesday struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, NBC News reported. The law has blocked the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages in the states where they are legal. Same-sex marriage is legal in 12 states and Washington, D.C. The decision was 5-4, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy. The court also cleared the way for same-sex marriage to resume in California in a separate decision. The court said it could not take up a challenge to California's Propostion 8, the voter-approved ban on gay marriage passed in 2008.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/California-Same-Sex-Marriage-Prop-8-Supreme-Court-211812241.html
The U.S. Supreme Court decided Wednesday it will not take up a challenge to California's voter-approved Prop 8 -- a ban on same-sex marriage that landed before the Justices after years of legal battles. The ruling states the people who brought this case -- Prop 8 supporters -- had no legal standing to bring the case to the Supreme Court. The decision likely means same-sex marriage can resume in California. The Court decided Prop 8 backers lacked standing under federal law to appeal the case, effectively leaving an earlier ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional in place. The decision vacates the Ninth Circuit Court's ruling and upholds Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. Another same-sex marriage case before the court was struck down Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The 5-4 landmark ruling strikes down the law, which blocks the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages in the states where they are legal. The DOMA decision, written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, stated: "DOMA instructs all federal officials, and indeed all persons with whom same-sex couples interact, including their own children, that their marriage is less worthy than the marriages of others."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/texas-abortion-bill_n_3501005.html?ref=topbar
The Texas anti-abortion bill, which threatened to close nearly all of the abortion clinics in the state and prompted an 11-hour filibuster by state Sen. Wendy Davis (D), is dead, The Austin American-Statesman reported. Lawmakers had to vote on Senate Bill 5 before the special session's end at 12 a.m. local time. However, more than 400 protesters halted the proceedings 15 minutes before the roll call could be completed with what they called "a people's filibuster," The Associated Press reported. The crowd of demonstrators in the capitol cried "Shame! Shame!" when Davis' filibuster was halted by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who ruled that her discussion of mandatory ultrasound testing was off-topic. Then the protesters roared after state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte asked, "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?” Their cries continued to echo inside the chamber -- and over a livestream watched by thousands around the world -- until after the midnight deadline passed. Although some Republican lawmakers later claimed the bill had passed in time, Democrats denied that the vote was completed before the clock ran out on the session. A time stamp showing the vote completed after midnight was the deciding factor. “This will not become law,” Sen. John Whitmire (D), told The Austin American-Statesman. In response, the crowd of protesters gathered in the capitol cheered and began singing "The Eyes Of Texas," the alma mater of the University of Texas at Austin.

more healthy lunch

Quinoa salad with mango, cucumber, so yummy (I say "keenowahh" but apparently it is "kinwa") and tomato avocado chilled soup with cilantro.

#healthylunch

healthy lunch

Carrot ginger vegan soup and spring awakening fresh pressed juice (pineapple, apple, pear, mint)

#healthylunch

best sandwich & beautiful day NYC

Okay so today I had an avocado and egg whites sandwich, with cucumbers, onion, low fat mayo. It was toasty warm. BEST SANDWICH EVER! So good. Exciting when healthy things taste good. I don't have twitter but I want to use hashtags anyways. #bestsandwichever #healthythingstasteyummy P.S. BEAUTIFUL day in NYC #IloveNYC

Beautiful in Westchester also :-) #YonkersNYMetroNorthStation    #beautifuldayinNY

The Album Leaf - The Light

Beautiful :-) So peaceful :-)

The Album Leaf - The Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlXAf7RUJdc

5 years in NYC!!!!

Today I celebrate half a decade in NYC :-) I cannot believe it has been 5 years already!

Moved here with my suitcase and duffel bag, slept on a couch (thank you Sonya!) and have come so far and accomplished so much from apartment to MBA to career :-) plus now happily engaged :-) Looking forward to settling down and spending my life here, in the suburbs of New York ;-) Dreams do come true!

2 pics from my first days in NYC

:-)

Happy Holi!!!!!!

Happy Holi to our family and friends!!!!!! :-)

For those who do not know, Holi is the Festival of Colors in India. You drench everyone in colored water and throw colored powders on each other. Colors of Joy. It is celebrated as harvest festival as well as welcome-festival for the spring season in India. It is one occasion when sprinkling colored powder ('gulal') or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed.

Happy Holi to you and yours!!!!!!!! :-)

Love and hugs,

Anisha and Mohit  

Happy St. Patrick's Day and snow day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day and snow day! :-)

Hope everyone is well!
It is not much warmer here in NYC as of yet - still snowing away!

Looking forward to a real spring!

:-)

amazing!

U.S. baby's HIV infection cured through very early treatment


http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/u-s-baby-s-hiv-infection-cured-through-very-early-treatment

my birthday :-)

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone! 2012 brought me an MBA, new job, and engagement :-) I cannot imagine this year being topped, but cheers to 2013!! Wishing all the best to you and your family and friends, and enjoying every moment of it! Yay! :-)