Today we celebrated 2014 Deepavali (தீபாவளி) in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. In the morning we all got up had showers and did a small prayer (pooja; பூசை). Since today was a working day in the US, VtS and I went to Florida State University and Bhanu went to work.
However, we all wore Indian clothing to mark the happy occasion. This was also first Deepavali after my mom and dad’s first year death anniversary.
Meet with Governor Bob Graham and Ms Gwen Graham
Monday, October 13, 2014
Tallahassee, FL, USA
Today VtS and I along with several others had an opportunity to meet with former Governor and Senator Bob Graham and his daughter Gwen Graham.
We spoke with them briefly before a dinner. The reception was very nice.
WFSU TV Dimensions Program
Tallahassee PBS
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
Aurora and I have been interviewed by the WFSU-TV’s Dimension program’s host Julz Graham about our upcoming Tenth Annual Experience Asia Festival 2014 and the Pre Event. Here is the link to the interview (~ 5 min long).
Book Club Meeting
ESL Meeting Room
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Today Bhanu coordinated the Book Club Meeting at ESL Meeting Room. The book the club considered was written by Rohinton Mistry titled “A Fine Balance”. This novel is in Bombay (currently called Mumbai) India during the period of 1975 and 1984, part of the time when India was under Emergency Rule declared by then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi.
I was invited to be present at the book club meeting since I was a college student from South India during that period. There were some questions about the Emergency Rule in India but most of the questions were about the characters in the novel and its impact on the people living through out the world.
Trip to Chipola College
Marianna, FL
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Bhanu (and I) drove to Chipola College, Marianna, Florida today to check out the location of this year’s 2014 Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute. This year’s program will be held at Chipola College starting from October 2014 through July 2015. We drove mostly via the state highways and occasionally taking the Interstate as and when needed. The total drive varied from 1 1/2 h or 1 1/4 h depending upon the route and traffic and delays.
Akka’s Sixty
Monday, September 15, 2014
East Tambaram, Chennai
Members of my family and my cousin’s family all landed in my akka’s house around 11 AM today in E Tambaram to wish her on she crossing a milestone. Neither my akka nor athan had any clues that people are coming to their home to wish her well. Akka was completely unprepared since her own child didn’t tell her they were all coming to visit her even the child was part of the event planning.
One cousin had just returned from the US that morning, three other cousins had completed a function in their hometown of Vedaraniam and traveled overnight. All my siblings traveled the previous day and wished well from Chengal Pattu. But my sister didn’t realize they are NOT in their homes but were wishing her only miles from her house.
Then on the morning they landed and cut the cake took the blessing from the elders. Then they all went to lunch. My sisters stayed back and traveled the next day to their homes.
Two views on same day
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Bamboo House
VtS and I went to eat at our regular Chinese restaurant this afternoon. During and soon after the lunch my views on several subjects changed. It was a very interesting lunch, to say the least. But I think it had nothing to do with the restaurant or the food. It was something more organic.
VtS at HSA Table
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Oglesby Union, Tallahassee, FL 32306
Today VtS helped out little bit by working with HSA organizers in maintaining and taking-down the table at the central square. Hopefully, if his schedule permits he will do it again in the next weeks.
HSA is a new Registered Student Organization at FSU. I have been asked to be the Faculty Advisor and I have accepted the position. I hope to learn from this experience and contribute as much as I can to fulfill the mission of the organization.
Saturday, Aug 16, 2014, 12:30 PM
Today we went to the Eastside Branch Library of the Leon County Public Library system and cast our ballots for the 2014 Florida/Federal Primary election.
I attended the first Florida Core Network Event at University of Florida, Gainesville. The Event was hosted by UF’s Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research (ICBR).
The Event that started at 10 AM at CGRC Room 113 with the speed dating style (2 min) introduction of Core Facility Managers/Directors to each other. That was followed by an Opening Remarks by the organizers and was followed by 5-min Lightning Rounds of presentation about each facility.
Following lunch the Lightning Round continued until 3:30 PM. During the afternoon session I gave a 5-slide presentation about FSU IMB Core Facilities.
Following the presentation we went around ICBR visiting various Cores. Then at 6 PM we had a poster presentation.