May 17, 2012 by Soma.

Oak (Rat) Snake in front yard?

Tallahassee, Florida

Thursday, May 17, 2012

When I came home from my evening errand around 7:30 PM and try to park my car in the driveway, I noticed a long (3 1/2 feet, ~1 meter long) thin light brown (wheat colored) snake crawling across the garage door. It moved slowly and stopped. There was enough light as my house faces North and the Sun from the Western sky was falling right on my drive way.

I  went inside the house and grabbed two sticks and my camera and took some pictures and recorded a short video. I wanted to find out whether it was poisonous snake but no local snake experts were around. So I tried to grab it using the long stick. The snake quickly turned around and put out its tongue and didn’t strike or open its mouth. I then chased it around the house.

My friends said it is a Oak snake or rat snake. What do you think?

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May 8, 2012 by Soma.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Kick-off Event

FL Department of Health

Office of Minority Health Affairs | State-wide telecast

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 12:00 Noon to 1:30 PM

Today I gave a 30 minute presentation about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration at the Florida Department of Health’s Office Minority Health Affairs’ celebration of Asian Pacific American Health Initiative.

I was invited to give this talk as one of the four events the Florida Dept of Health’s Office of Minority Health Affairs will telecast state-wide to the benefit of various members. This was the first year this department included Asian Pacific Americans as one of their constituents who need to be included.

The staff did a wonderful job of preparing the webinar and telecast. My talk was about 35 minutes which was followed by a Q+A session and video broadcast of recent Asian American Heritage Month Celeberation at Montford Middle School in Tallahasssee.

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April 30, 2012 by Soma.

Add white bricks to the yard

Monday, April 30, 2012

Tallahassee, FL 32317

As I wrote about a week ago about cleaning the yard. This week we decided to complete that task and add white bricks to separate the mulched area and grass area. Yesterday we went to Lowes and bought 18 white straight bricks and 4 curved white bricks and 4 square red tiles.

This morning with a help from a garden hand we were able to get our yard cleaning and mulching completed. He then laid the bricks between the black mulched area and the grass. The stubborn grass were rooted out and all the old pine straws were removed. We then put black colored tree mulch. We added 4 more bags of 2 cubic feet of mulch.

Now the yard looks better than last week and much better than two weeks earlier. We also added two rose plants.

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March 10, 2012 by Soma.

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts Regional Tournament

At Lincoln High School Gymnasium

Tallahassee, FL 32311

Saturday, March 10, 2012, 10 AM to 6:30 PM

Today evening we participated in the Regional Tiger-Rock Martial Arts International’s Regional Tournament  held at the Lincoln High School Gymnasium in Tallahassee, FL. There were 360 participants coming from as far as away Naples, FL and Alabama. The competition included Junior and Adult categories with belt levels ranging from white to many levels of black.

The competition began in the morning and VTS’ level of third degree brown belt in adult category was scheduled for later in the evening of Saturday, March 10, 2012. We arrived there around 3:30 PM and met with other friends and fellow students from TallyTKD Academy. Even though, VTS level wast supposed to start at 4:30 PM it actually began at 5:45 PM.

VTS won a bronze medal in free sparring and silver medal in form.

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November 13, 2011 by Soma.

Tamil Sangam Diwali Party

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Tallahassee, FL

The Tallahassee Tamil Sangam celebrated the Diwali with a evening party on Saturday, November 12, 2011. About 50 families brought in pot-luck dinner items, snacks, party supplies, and fireworks to the party.

The program started at 6:00 PM at the Rec Hall in FSU Alumni Village. The snacks were served first and around 7 PM all the kids were invited to a short fireworks fun. Many parents brought their own fireworks (only those approved in the State of Florida). The adults watched over the fun in a basketball court (concrete floor).

Then at 7:45 the dinner was served and then the kids put on two dance items. Then the dessert was served. By 9:30 we completed the party and everyone pitched in to clean

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November 3, 2011 by Soma.

Eastside Branch Library Grand Opening

1583 Pedrick Road

Tallahassee, FL 32317

Thursday, Nov 3, 2011 4:00 PM

I had taken half day off and around 3:15 PM VTS and I drove to the newly constructed Eastside Branch Library. The Grand opening was planned for 4:00 PM but until 4:10 PM  it didn’t begin .Then it began with the welcome message  by Mr Vincent Long, Leon County Administrator.

The Chairman of Leon County Commission Mr Dailey delivered the opening remarks followed by Kristen Dozier, County Commissioner (Seat 5.

Then Cay Hohmeister, Leon County Library Director spoke about the East side Branch Library, introduced the staff of the library, explained the amenities and told about all the programs and projects. Then the Leon County Construction Manager and couple of contractors spoke about the unique LEED design of the building and mentioned that the building was constructed to mimic the local area (similar to Mission San Luis).

Then around 4:40 PM we entered the Eastside Branch Library. It was really nicely constructed with lots of space and quite areas.

There were some light refreshments and drinks. We met lots of friends in the library. We stayed until 5:45 PM and got home.

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October 31, 2011 by Soma.

Halloween Evening

Monday, October 31, 2011

Tallahassee, FL

Like last year, this time I put on the same mask that we had bought last year at Party City for $5 (New Orleans type mask) and like last year I borrowed VTS’ special coat that he had custom made in India (Akatsuki’s robe). The mask and the custom robe gave really goulish set-up for the Halloween. I also added a black hat this year and wore a black shirt.

It was a fun evening. VTS and MrPKB along with GBS went out for trick or treating in the neighborhood. I stayed home like last year and handed out candies. Since this year the Halloween came on the school and working day people started coming to my house around 6 PM and by 7:45 PM most of have finished their rounds including MrVTS.

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October 15, 2011 by Soma.

North Florida HISPANIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, Oct 15, 2011, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

St. Louis  Catholic Church
Corner of Fred George and Old Bainbridge Road
Tallahassee, FL

Today VTS and I went to 2011 North Florida Hispanic Festival held at Saint Louis Catholic Church on Old Bainbride Road. I wanted to go to this festival for few years but couldn’t make it since it clashed with Expericence Asia Festival.

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September 23, 2011 by Soma.

Work-out using Treadmill

Precor 966i @ FSU Rec.

Friday, September 23, 2011

As part of my daily work-out, I have been carrying out a rotating schedule of various techniques and various equipments for my 20-25 minute session. Today, for the first time, I used the Precor 966i Treadmill machine that is available at our Recreation Center. This treadmill gives me exercise mostly for the lower torso and legs.

Since the treadmill has simple options, I set it in normal (default) mode. I used treadmill for 15 minutes work-outs with 5 minutes cooling off. I also can follow the Calories burned, distance climbed, steps/minute and other details in the display that is available on the monitor in front of me. This way, I can monitor my workout for lower body. Today I climbed for about 16 minutes and burned close to 80 Calories and walked for about 3 minutes to cool-off.

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September 16, 2011 by Soma.

Work-out using Stepmill

Stairmaster Stepmill SM 916 @ FSU Rec.

Friday, September 16, 2011

As part of my daily work-out, I have been carrying out a rotating schedule of various techniques and various equipments for my 20-25 minute session. Today, like many other days, I used the Stairmaster Stepmill SM 916 step-climbing machine that is available at our Recreation Center. This stair cliber gives me exercise mostly for the lower toros and legs.

Since the climber has simple options, I set it in normal (default) mode. I usually use the climber between 15-20 minutes work-outs with 3 minutes walking to cool off. I also can follow the Calories burned, distance climbed, steps/minute and other details in the display that is available on the monitor in front of me. This way, I can monitor my workout for lower body. Today I climbed for about 16 minutes and burned close to 115 Calories and walked for about 3 minutes to cool-off.

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