OMG

"Snow drifts and ice stalled a New York City subway train this morning, trapping passengers without heat, food, or water for more than six hours--even as the train was mere feet away from a subway platform. They were just some of the countless people left stranded by a powerful East Coast blizzard that shut down roads, rail lines, and major airports. The train was finally towed to a nearby station just before 8am. Meanwhile, thousands of travelers were stranded overnight at the New York City area's three airports, Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark, after more than 1400 flights were cancelled. Blankets and cots were provided in some cases, but some passengers who had already checked their bags were not allowed to retrieve them, and so had no extra clothing or toiletries."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101227/ts_yblog_thelookout/passengers-stranded-for-over-6-hours-without-heat-on-nyc-subway-train

yay holidays!

December 2010

To my beautiful family and wonderful friends,

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Hanukkah! (and anything and everything else you may celebrate!!!)

Wishing you and your family and friends a safe, happy and lovely holiday season :-) I hope everyone is enjoying with family and friends and FOOD!




My Christmas tree in my NYC apt :-)









Rockafeller tree in NYC - Dec 2010 :-)








Festive holiday candles and gingerbread man with red holiday pom pom earmuffs :-)






Peppermint soy white hot chocolate in a festive Starbucks holiday cup :-)












First snow in NYC!!!!







Store window decorations in NYC!!! :-)

hilarious video!

M1 Patient Diagnosis

Welcome Christmas!

Beautiful Christmas song :-)

Originally from the movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Covered by the Glee cast :-)

Glee means happiness, delight, and joy from within :-)

MBA

I finished my HR class finals & work early. My professor graded everything & I got an A in the course :-) She said I wrote one of the best final papers & praised me highly!

Xmas in the city!!!

"Starry nights, city lights, coming down over me, skyscrapers, stargazers in my head" ~Green Day

Xmas tree across the street from my apt :-)

Soy peppermint white hot chocolate in a Xmas cup!!! :-)

I love life stream of thoughts

I celebrated Thanksgiving with Mohit - our early celebration together, since we are both going home for the holidays. Two of my friends passed the bar exam :-) I bought the Glee: Christmas album. I love ALL Christmas music. But I love all music period :-) I got a new candle that is apple-cinnamon flavored. Mmm smells so nice and warms up my apt. I can't wait to put up my little mini Christmas tree in my apt too. I love this fall and winter season, the scents, the warmth, the spirit, the music, the snow, the lights, the decorations, the foods. Yay the holidays! I'm listening to Green Day - the Broadway songs version. I got some new things for my apt, including an air purifier, pink fuzzy slippers, a ball chair from Gaiam, and got holiday festive foods and groceries also. Love it! New York City is beautiful in the fall. See the leaves and trees near my apt :-)

Happy Diwali!!!!!!

To my wonderful and beautiful family and friends :-)
Happy Diwali to you and to all of your family and friends :-)
Enjoy!!!
Love of love and hugs,
Anisha

See these Diwali pictures from India from this year - so beautiful!
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-205_162-10005464.html?tag=page

I Look To You

A song about looking to God in our darkest times and moments, for strength and faith and hope :-)
The song and lyrics are incredibly beautiful <3
Touches the soul :-)

Original song: I Look To You by Whitney Houston

This version: Glee cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uYn3EKF7M8

As I lay me down

heaven hear me now

I'm lost without a cause

After giving it my all.

Winter storms have come and darkened my sun.

After all that I've been through

Who on earth can I turn to?

I look to you I look to you.

After all my strength is gone,

In you I can be strong I look to you, I look to you yeah

And when melodies are gone, In you I hear a song, I look to you.

Youuuuu

About to lose my breathe, there's no more fighting left,

Sinking to rise no more, searching for that open door.

And every road that I've taken (hmm) lead to my regret.

And I don't know if I'm going to make it.

Nothing to do but lift my head I look to you, I look to you.

After all my strength is gone, in you I can be strong I look to you I look to you.

And when melodies are gone yeah

In you I hear a song,

I look to you.

My levees are broken, my walls have come tumbling down on me

The rain is falling, defeat is calling.

I need you to set me free.

Take me far away from the battle. I need you, shine on me.

I look to you, I look to you.

After all my strength is gone, In you I can be strong I look to you I look to you.

And when melodies are gone, in you I hear a song I look to you.

Sink or Swim

One of my favorite songs and lyrics of all time (and my ringtone) :-)

"Hearing the song in your laughter, A melody I chase after, No one else has done this to me" ♥

Link:
Sink or Swim by Tyrone Wells

Embedded:

science and divinity

"The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired." - Steven Hawkings "A Brief History of Time"

Women Will Rule the World!!!

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/06/women-will-rule-the-world.html?obref=obinsite

When historians write about the great recession of 2007–08, they may very well have a new name for it: the Mancession. It’s a term already being bandied about in the popular media as business writers chronicle the sad tales of the main victims of the recession: men. They were disproportionately represented in the industries hit hardest during the downturn, including financial services, manufacturing, and construction, and their higher salaries often put them first in the line of fire. Men are the victims of two thirds of the 11 million jobs lost since the recession began in 2007; in August 2009, when U.S. male unemployment stood at 11 percent (versus 8.3 for women), it was the largest unemployment gender gap in the postwar era. Those numbers have improved, a bit—new unemployment figures show men at 9.9 percent and women at 7.8—but not enough to stop Larry Summers, the president’s top economic adviser, from speculating recently, that “when the economy recovers, five years from now, one in six men who are 25 to 54 will not be working.”

Happy India Independence Day!

Happy India Independence Day! The Empire State Building is lit up with the colors of the Indian flag today :-)

personality

I took a random personality quiz online, and this is what it said about me (which is pretty much exactly right!!!) :-)

You are an explorer. You're always on the hunt for new exotic adventures that will appeal to your wild spirit. You'll try anything once! You've got a wonderfully childlike spirit. You see the beauty in the simplest of things. Happiness is not something to save for the future, it's about living in the moment. Nothing gets you excited like the thought of setting off on trip somewhere you've never been before. You really enjoy getting into planning all the sites you want to see. You're a bit of a cultural sponge too. You love checking out all the latest films, books and music. Deep down, you've got a big heart and like to put others first. Nothing puts a smile on your face like being able to make a difference. But remember it's always good to fit a little time for yourself in the mix too. Your batteries won't run forever!

My life's purpose and testament

All around us, there is negativity, pain, sorrow, unhealthy things, illegal activities, immoral actions, and so much wrongdoing that is happening to others and being done by people. People need help in all areas and aspects of life.
I cannot live in a world where all this is happening and not do something about it.

In the summer of 2005, I attended a healthy lifestyle camp that changed my life. It focused on physical health, inner strength, emotional growth, and living a healthy, fit and balanced life, in all aspects, inside and out. It was like no other camp or experience out there. The following summer of 2006, I returned to camp as a counselor, to help other girls the way I had been helped. Both summers changed my life. After only a few years in existence, Camp California Fitness closed due to lack of funding. I was devastated. I knew that in those five years, hundreds of lives had been changed for girls ages 8-21, forever friendships were born, and a lifetime of memories were made, laughter and love were shared, and knowledge was gained that changed all of our lives forever. I could not imagine that place not being there anymore to help more people because I know this world is full of people who need help in all different ways in levels. That camp was a safe haven, because no matter what your issue or concern or problem, there was something for everyone there, and everyone gained at least one thing, if not more, and left a better and changed person. What I experienced there, both as a camper and counselor, opened my eyes to a world of issues and problems from a to z, and how so many people can be helped and lives can be changed in so many different ways. Half of my best friends today are people I met in those two summers, and many others I am still in touch with. You leave a changed, grown, better person with friendships that last a lifetime.

The experience of camp, and then it's closing, made me realize that I want to have a career where I can help others and promote change, growth and positive actions on a small, big and widespread level. So I decided to go to grad school to get my MBA in Health Services Management. I know that my every day job, work life and career will be helping others. In addition, I want to continue to volunteer my time and money and give back in all ways that I can. And whether or not I am able to start a similar camp to CCF, I know I will continue to spread the message of living a healthy, fit, balanced and well rounded lifestyle, and maybe start a support group, a camp or anything that I can do to keep helping people who struggle in the area of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. I know just someone listening to you and giving you the right guidance can be the best medicine for mind, body and soul healing and growth. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have seen girls of all ages and backgrounds and walks of life conquer their destructive habits and surpass all of their inner and outer problems, learn how to handle them better, deal with them properly, gain knowledge to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle in all aspects and ways, inside and out, and become these incredible young women and go on to do amazing things. This includes myself as one of those girls. And many of them continue to help others in these areas of health today, not to mention their own lives being changed. That is what I wish to do in this world and in my lifetime. I feel this is both my purpose and my calling. My main goal in life is to work with others to create positive change in the world, in all ways, small, big and widespread.

Without health, we have nothing and we can do nothing. So be healthy and be happy. I wish this for everyone. Health in mind, body and spirit.

After I found out camp had closed, I saw people's friendships continue to stay strong and to grow. I knew that we would always keep those memories and experiences of camp with us, in our minds and hearts, and that we would always remember what we learned there, keep that with us, live a healthy, fit and balanced lifestyle, and share that message with those in our lives. I knew that no matter what, this reminded me of how much I want to continue to help people in my life, and be a part of the positive energy in this world that will conquer all the negative aspects. I know that even one signature on a petition, a smile to a stranger, giving up my seat on the train, one hour of volunteering, participating in a walk to show my solidarity for a cause, one dollar of donation - every single action and every single person does help to change the world and add to the positive energy. In a world filled with chaos, these days just being a good person and living a right life is more than enough. If you can do even one thing beyond that, that is beautiful.

No judgments. No expectations. No pointing fingers. No asking questions. Just selfless giving back and helping others and being one person to contribute to positive change and growth in this world. I do matter and count and make a difference.
This is how I choose to live my life. And I pass the choice on to you.
Live well, healthy, happy and free. Love openly. Give. Open up your eyes and your heart. Help to change the world, one day and one action at a time. Be a part of the positive energy that is all around us. We just have to feel it to see it and make it work.
It's up to all of us.
Peace to all
<3

Open Up Your Eyes

by Daughtry

For the first time you can open your eyes
And see the world without your sorrow
And no one knows the pain you left behind
And all the peace you could never find
Is waiting there to hold and keep you
Welcome to the first day of your life
Just open up your eyes

morning light 2

Another MBA all nighter had me seeing the beautiful early morning light again from my apt, but thankfully I am all done with my summer semester now :-)

Two all nighters in a row during MBA summer semester finals week - insane. Seeing the morning light from the sun rise two nights in a row - beautiful. Knowing that as of this morning, I am 100% done with my semester and have six weeks before fall semester begins - priceless! :-)

Crawl

Such a beautiful song and video! ♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34v8xoOhhFI&feature=related

So we'll crawl, till we can walk again, then we'll run, until we're strong enough to jump, then we'll fly, until there is no end

So not counting the part of the song that is about getting back to love (he's singing about fixing his relationship with a girl)
but the chorus of the song means an entirely different thing to me
and I took this song, especially the chorus, to mean a lot more than just about romantic love and relationships
it means to me that when we can't walk, we can still crawl, and when we cant run, we can still walk, and when we cant jump, we can still run, and when we cant fly, we can still jump, and one day we will fly, and we will fly forever
and it means to me that no matter our difficulties or hardships, no one and nothing can stop us from doing what we want to achieve, our goals, our dreams, whatever is in our heart and soul, we can do it, nothing and no one can stop us :-)

morning light

I was up early morning doing work, and I took these pics while lying down on my bed, looking up and out of my middle window in my apt :-) Morning light and the sun lit sky - love it!I haven't faced the street in a long time, so it's really nice! I live in the main part of the city now - trucks honk. Laundromat open at 8:30am. People out and about all the time, early in the morning and late at night. Really love it :-) The fourth pic is of a park near my apt - a few blocks away, near the subway. There is some water fountain play thing coming out of the ground - it's really nice!
And the fifth pic is of a restaurant that I tried near my apt - fusion of Indian and Chinese restaurant "Chinese Mirch" :-)

equality

No offense to anyone else's religious views or beliefs, and all I want to say is that I believe God created men and women to be equal and views humanity thus way. So what is this nonsense - by the Catholic Church?! Who promote God, religion and faith - and compare women being ordained to sex abuse?! WHAT?! Forget being... a feminist, I am also a human being! Women or men, we are all humans, AND ALL EQUAL!!! WHEN WILL THE WORLD ALSO LEARN THIS?!!!! Equality. Geez.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/15/vatican-attempted-ordination-women-grave-crime

travel

I love....the beach, the ocean, the sun, the rain, nature, trees, lakes, forests, the outdoors, camping, hiking, mountains, scenery, fresh air, crisp scents of nature and trees, swimming, running, palm trees, all trees, warm sand in my toes, rocks and dirt, all shapes and sizes, scents of summer, scents of the rain, mist, fog, waves, froth of the waves, swimming in the pool, swimming in the ocean, lying on the beach, sun on my face, trails, paths, climbing the rocks, tide pools, docks on the lake, rivers, gorgeous sunrise, serene sunset, the colors of the sky, the sounds of the city, the sounds of nature, waterfalls, flowing water, streams, clouds, cloud formations, flowers, raindrops on petals, icebergs, colors, the soft falling snow, cold flakes on my eyelashes and cheeks, the beauty and serenity of the world around us, in the air, on the ground, under the sea, in the skies :-)

Any trip or vacation I take with anyone, friends, family, anyone, I love having these elements present and a part of that trip experience and in every and all experiences in my life, and that even when visiting or living in a big city or metropolitan area, to also find places where you can see and experience these elements also. I want to find more places in New York, esp outside Manhattan, that have more of these elements. The outdoors is beautiful and natural and amazing. And really, if we see, it is all around us - even in the middle of the city, there is the warm sun on your face or the scent of rain or the mist and fog by the bridge. It's all around us, everywhere :-) As long as we have open minds and hearts to see it :-) It's present in our every day lives, not just on trips and vacations. And also, I have seen some amazing places, not just living in California, but also trips to Hawaii, Europe, Florida, Grand Canyon, things like that :-)

health

"It begins to appear that almost everything one does to gain a livelihood or for pleasure is fattening, immoral, illegal, or, even worse, oncogenic."

- Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease

(oncogenic means bringing about tumors - so it's related to cancer or bringing about cancer)

So don't be like everyone else!!!!!
Live your life your way - a good and right way - healthy, fit and happy, filled with love and peace

<3

I want a pug doggie!!!

Awwww sooo cute!!!! :-)

My Dad shared these life's sayings with me

Keep reminding yourself of these simple things in life.

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up..
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Happiness is contagious and so is sadness but choice is yours... :) you know what I mean.

Worst Paying College Degrees

It is sad that most of these jobs are related to the arts / fine arts / music /drama, and then also helping others in social work, and then others are related to education, teaching and theology (God). It seems what is most beautiful and important and life cannot be made into a career - unless you are one in a million for the arts ones, like the top artist, actor, singer, etc.
It is ironic that our teachers and professors make the most difference in our lives - yet they get paid the least. But stupid actors and actresses are millionaires. I don't get it?!

Worst Paying College Degrees

Charles Purdy, Yahoo! HotJobs senior editor, Yahoo! HotJobs

There's no denying the value of a college education: According to recent U.S. Census surveys, the median salary for college grads is more than $20,000 higher than that of people with only a high school diploma. And the unemployment rate for people with bachelor's degrees is almost half the rate for people without.

But some degrees are worth more than others, as PayScale.com shows in its 2010 report on the earning power of bachelor's degrees.

No surprise, engineering degrees continue to be top earners--and (also no big shocker) you have to go pretty far down the list before you see the liberal arts well represented.

But there's more to choosing a major than comparing dollar amounts. We salute and congratulate the graduates whose interests (and hard work) have led them to the following degrees--the lowest-earning degrees on PayScale's list.

10. Drama (starting annual salary: $35,600; mid-career annual salary: $56,600)
Some mega-millionaire movie stars with drama degrees (Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep, for instance) may be skewing these numbers upward--for every Denzel and Meryl, there are thousands of thespians struggling to make ends meet. But you don't study drama because you want to get rich--you study drama because you love the theater. (And an ability to act comes in handy in many professions.)

9. Fine arts (starting annual salary: $35,800; mid-career annual salary: $56,300)
Well, it takes an artist to make a thrift-store wardrobe look like a million bucks.

8. Hospitality and tourism (starting annual salary: $37,000; mid-career annual salary: $54,300)
Jobs that include tips may be skewing these numbers downward--and this is an industry that looks to be on the rebound as the economy improves. Plus, the perks associated with jobs in hospitality and tourism may compensate for the comparatively low salaries--many jobs in the industry allow extensive travel (or provide considerable travel discounts).

7. Education (starting annual salary: $36,200; mid-career annual salary: $54,100)
For the right people, teaching is an immensely rewarding career--and it's truly a noble one. The good news is, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment opportunities for primary, secondary, and special education teachers are expected to grow by 14 percent in the coming decade. And there will be plenty of new opportunities in continuing education for adults, as professional skill requirements change ever more rapidly.

6. Horticulture (starting annual salary: $37,200; mid-career annual salary: $53,400)
It seems that a green thumb doesn't necessarily bring in the greenbacks. But when you work among flowers and plants in a nursery or garden, who needs 'em?

5. Spanish (starting annual salary: $35,600; mid-career annual salary: $52,600)
As an old proverb puts it, when you learn a new language, you "gain a new soul." Who could put a price on that? And certainly, knowing Spanish--the language with the second-highest number of native speakers (after Mandarin)--in addition to English opens up a world of job opportunities beyond Spanish teacher or translator (as a plus, you can better enjoy a world of fantastic Spanish-language music, movies, and literature).

4. Music (starting annual salary: $34,000; mid-career annual salary: $52,000)
Hey, if being a musician were easy, everyone would do it. Some of us are guitar heroes; most of us just play the video game.

3. Theology (starting annual salary: $34,800; mid-career annual salary: $51,500)
This is the perfect example of a degree earned by someone who's "not in it for the money": people who choose to study theology often feel they're pursuing a higher calling (and often feel a strong desire to do good in the world, no matter the cost).

2. Elementary education (starting annual salary: $33,000; mid-career annual salary: $42,400)
Specializing in elementary education means a lower median salary than an education degree (number 7).

1. Social work (starting annual salary: $33,400; mid-career annual salary: $41,600)
They say that crime doesn't pay. As this list seems to point out, neither does helping people. So it's a good thing that many college students seem to believe that helping others is its own reward--social workers are an indispensable safety net for people who've fallen on difficult times. And the BLS reports that the outlook for opportunities in this field are favorable--particularly for social workers who work in rural areas or with senior citizens.

(Source: PayScale salary survey. Methodology: Annual pay is for bachelor's graduates without higher degrees. Typical starting salaries are for graduates with two years of experience; mid-career salaries are for graduates with 15 years of experience. PayScale also provides salary information by college; for more information, check out PayScale's Best Colleges Report.)

March for Babies 2010!!!

March for Babies weekend! Good luck to all - from coast to coast - enjoy every moment! :-) Lets all join together and donate time and money, and lend a helping hand to support healthy babies! ♥ "I'm giving every baby a healthy start!" "One day all babies will be born healthy!" http://marchforbabies.org/ http://marchofdimes.com/

beautiful words of wisdom

Famous and heartwarming author Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back...'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

this is amazing! advances in health :-)

Full Face Transplant a success!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8639437.stm

:-)

this is GOOD! And finally!!!

Best line of this article:

"I kept saying it's not a gay right to hold someone's hand when they die, its a human right,"

Obama extends hospital visitation rights to same-sex partners of gays

By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 16, 2010; A01

President Obama mandated Thursday that nearly all hospitals extend visitation rights to the partners of gay men and lesbians and respect patients' choices about who may make critical health-care decisions for them, perhaps the most significant step so far in his efforts to expand the rights of gay Americans.

The president directed the Department of Health and Human Services to prohibit discrimination in hospital visitation in a memo that was e-mailed to reporters Thursday night while he was at a fundraiser in Miami.

Administration officials and gay activists, who have been quietly working together on the issue, said the new rule will affect any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding, a move that covers the vast majority of the nation's health-care institutions. Obama's order will start a rule-making process at HHS that could take several months, officials said.

Hospitals often bar visitors who are not related to an incapacitated patient by blood or marriage, and gay rights activists say many do not respect same-sex couples' efforts to designate a partner to make medical decisions for them if they are seriously ill or injured.

"Discrimination touches every facet of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including at times of crisis and illness, when we need our loved ones with us more than ever," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement praising the president's decision.

Read the full article here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505502.html?hpid=topnews

Easter and 2 years!

Happy Easter!

And Happy Anniversary to me, as I celebrate 2 years in NYC today!!!

:-)

History Made Today!

BY Kenneth R. Bazinet and Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - It's not just change to believe in - it's change that's real after the U.S. House of Representatives voted Sunday night for a sweeping overhaul of American health care.

Making the nation's medical system work better and cover Americans was the signature issue of President Obama's campaign. In his second year, he has won a historic reform that some rank with such milestone achievements as civil rights acts and the creation of Social Security.

"This is what change looks like," a triumphant Obama said from the White House, minutes before midnight.

"We proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things," the President said. "Tonight's vote answers the prayers of every American who has hoped deeply for something to be done about a health care system that works for insurance companies but not for ordinary people."

As the deciding vote was cast, an exuberant Obama high-fived White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Democrats roared in delight on the House floor as the main bill squeaked through 219 to 212, four months after it had passed the Senate. Republicans were unanimously opposed, joined by 34 Democrats. Fixes to the Senate bill were approved separately, 220 to 211.

The health care push has been as divisive for Obama as the Iraq War was for President George W. Bush. Angry mobs disrupted town hall meetings around the nation last summer. Even last night, protesters swarmed Capitol Hill, chanting, "Kill the bill!"

Republicans to the end called it a big-spending folly that would send the nation's health care into decline.

"Shame on each and every one of you who substitutes your will for the will of your countrymen," House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) thundered.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) responded by invoking the Declaration of Independence: "This legislation will lead to healthier lives, more liberty to pursue hopes and dreams and happiness for the American people."

The $940 billion bill marks the greatest overhaul of how Americans get medical care in two generations. The changes are not as radical as some liberals wanted, but they are profound.

In six months, people with pre-existing conditions will have better access to insurance. Kids can stay on parents' plans until age 27. Retroactive cancellations of policies will be illegal. And seniors on Medicare won't face a prescription drug "doughnut hole."

Over the next four years, new exchanges will be created through which individuals and small businesses will be able to buy insurance at group rates, and there will be subsidies and tax breaks to help.

Yay women!

Happy International Women's Day! (so ironic after Kathryn Bigelow's Best Directing Oscar last night!) YES!!!! I have been waiting for this day!!!!!! History has finally been made!!!! A first time female Best Director Oscar for Kathryn Bigelow!!! Most deserving Academy Award!!! And what a surprise for Best Picture as well!!!! Woohoo!!! SO happy :-)

Oscar Sunday!

Watching the red carpet and the Oscars :-) Even though my favorite George Clooney is nominated, I am most excited for the possibility that a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, may be the first woman in history tonight to win an Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker! As a female filmmaker and director myself, I have wanted to see this day since I started making movies at 16 :-)

more snow! beautiful!

Stay warm and safe! :-)

OMG I want this doggie!!!

See him animated here:
http://www.cesar.com/default.aspx

so cute!

My Valentines Day gift for my 2 year old nephew Liam :-)

snowstorm in NYC!

Surviving my MBA without coffee! :-)

And today is HUGE snowstorm in NY! Craziness! Transit closed. Schools closed. Power outages. And they are saying the worst is yet to come! Eeee!!!!But the snow is pretty also :-)

Terrified

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A76ujYlHiaY&feature=related

You by the light
Is the greatest find
In a world full wrong you're the thing that's right

I finally made it through the lonely to the other side

You said it again my heart's in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
I'm at the edge of my emotions
Watching the shadows burning in the dark,
And I'm in love and I'm terrified.
For the first time in the last time
In my only life.

This could be good
It's already better than last

I only said it cause I mean it
I only mean cause it's true
So don't you doubt what I've been dreaming
Cause it fills me up and holds me close
Whenever I'm without you

You said it again my hearts in motion
Every word feels like a shooting star
Watching the shadows burning in the dark
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time in the last time
In my only life

snow today! :-)

I am an aunt again!

Happy Birthday to my BFF Priya and Happy Birthday to my newborn nephew Aarush! 8 lbs, healthy and beautiful baby boy :-) Congratulations Mommy Gunjan and Daddy Amit! ♥

cold in NY!

This is me today when I got to work - after walking 12 minutes in the icy winds hahhahahahah
:-p

this is beautiful!!!

Boy, 7, raises $240,000 for Haiti appeal

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/01/25/uk.boy.charity.haiti/index.html?hpt=T2

London, England -- He's no Wyclef Jean or George Clooney, but that hasn't stopped seven-year-old Charlie Simpson from raising more than £150,000 ($240,000) for the Haiti earthquake.
Simpson from Fulham, west London had hoped to raise just £500 for UNICEF's earthquake appeal by cycling eight kilometers (five miles)around a local park.
"My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives," said Simpson on his JustGiving page, a fundraising site which launched his efforts.
"I want to make some money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti," he said.
Donate to Charlie Simpson's Haiti fundraising page: http://www.justgiving.com/CharlieSimpson-HAITI
And with that simple call, messages of support flooded the site.
"Such a big heart for a young boy, you're a little star!" wrote one supporter. "Well done Charlie. A real celebrity," said another.
More donations began pouring in after the story caught the attention of the British media -- with many cheering Simpson past the £100,000 mark.
Even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is spreading the message. His "Downing Street" Twitter alias said: "Amazed by response to the great fundraising efforts of 7 yr old Charlie Simpson for the people of Haiti."
David Bull, UNICEF's UK executive director described Simpson's efforts as "very bold and innovative."
"It shows he connects with and not only understands what children his own age must be going through in Haiti," Bull said in a press statement.
"The little seed -- his idea -- that he has planted has grown rapidly and his is a place well deserved in the humanitarian world.
"On behalf of the many children in Haiti, I thank Charlie for his effort."
Money raised by Simpson will go towards UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal which will provide water, sanitation, education, nutrition as well as support child protection.

wow what a miracle!

Man Pulled Alive From Haiti Rubble 14 Days After Quake

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584013,00.html?test=latestnews

A crowd of Haitian looters called for help from U.S. soldiers on Tuesday after finding a man buried in the rubble of a building that had been repeatedly scavenged since the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince two weeks ago.

A witness told Reuters the man, covered in dust and wearing only underwear, was rescued by soldiers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division at a ruined building on Rue de Miracle in downtown Port-au-Prince.

The Americans treated Rico Dibrivell, 35, for a broken leg and severe dehydration. Dibrivell said he had been trapped under the building since the Jan. 12 quake.

The military provided no details about how he managed to survive, saying only in a statement late Tuesday that Dibrivell's family said he had been missing for two weeks.

"He got sent to the hospital. He’s going to make it," Specialist Andrew Pourak, one of the rescuers, said.

I love loving you

Watch the Video :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHsyevb3lC0

I love the way you are, what I'm not,
I love the way we fit together,
I love the end of every day with you,
For worse, or for better,
Oh, I love you,
Oh, I love you,
I love, loving you.
I love, loving you.

Hope for Haiti Now

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630214/20100122/story.jhtml

Jan 22 2010 8:50 AM EST
'Hope For Haiti Now' Telethon Airs Tonight At 8 P.M.
George Clooney, Wyclef Jean and Hollywood's biggest names help raise money for earthquake relief.

On Friday (January 22) at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT), MTV's "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" will air across a number of networks, including MTV. Hollywood A-listers will join forces with some of music's biggest names to raise funds for Haiti after the devastating earthquake hit the nation last Tuesday.
Brad Pitt, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jon Stewart, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks and Will Smith are among the many participants joining George Clooney (in Los Angeles), Wyclef Jean (in New York) and CNN's Anderson Cooper (reporting from Haiti) for the event.

"You got about 130 to 140 actors, athletes, singers and television hosts, and they're all coming up not to be on TV, but simply to answer the phones," Clooney told MTV News on Thursday. He added that the telethon's main goal is to "raise money, period. That's it. ... Just first and foremost that we can raise a lot of money. If I thought that we could all pick up shovels and go in there and not be in the way, I think a lot of people would do that."

The musical performances will include ones by pop legend Madonna (in New York) and Haitian artist Emeline Michel (in Los Angeles) as well as Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Sting in New York. In L.A., Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift will take the stage, plus there will be a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. London will feature Beyoncé, Coldplay and a collaboration between Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna.

"It's gonna be historic," Jean said about his performance at the show. "I have my sister with me, Melky, my cousin with me, Jerry. I have [producer/musician] Papa Jube; he's in charge of those traditional horns that you see. It's definitely a family vibe you'll see tomorrow."

Beginning Friday, iTunes customers will be able to exclusively pre-order the "Hope for Haiti Now" full-performance album ($7.99) and the full two-hour video telecast ($1.99). Pre-orders will be delivered in the days following the telethon. Individual audio performances will also be available for purchase and download for 99 cents each in the days following the telethon. Apple, the record labels and the artists will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief funds managed by "Hope for Haiti Now" charities, including the Red Cross and Wyclef's Yele Haiti foundation. Performances will also be available for purchase in the days following the event through Amazon's MP3 service and Rhapsody, through distribution provided by INgrooves.

Clooney thinks the opportunity to purchase the music afterward will help to extend the shelf life of the relief efforts beyond the one-night broadcast. "We're gonna have 18 songs, and you're gonna get to hear Jennifer Hudson sing a song you never heard her sing before," he said. "John Legend is singing 'Motherless Child'; it's just great. We're gonna have some amazing performances, and I think that's gonna make it last a little longer than just a telethon."

"Hope for Haiti Now" will begin accepting donations at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on Friday. "Hope for Haiti Now" will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, Yele Haiti Foundation and the newly formed Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation. Proceeds from the telethon will be split among each organization's individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief. With the exception of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, each partner organization was selected for its history of operation and collaboration within the NGO community in Haiti.

"Hope for Haiti Now" will air across ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, CMT, PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, CNN en Español, HBO Latino and Canadian networks, including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television and MuchMusic. The event will be live streamed online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and Rhapsody, and on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and FloTV. "Hope for Haiti Now" will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International, which is available in 640 million homes worldwide. "Hope for Haiti Now" will be available non-exclusively to all terrestrial radio stations around the globe and SIRIUS XM Radio as a one-time-only radio broadcast via the MTV Radio Network and Westwood One.

"Hope for Haiti Now" is produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Join George Clooney and Wyclef Jean for MTV's "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, airing commercial-free Friday, January 22, at 8 p.m. ET, and visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.