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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April 23, 2012 by Soma.

Get the yard cleaned

Monday, April 23, 2012

Tallahassee, FL 32317

This morning with a help from a gardener we were able to get our yard cleaned. The stubborn grass were rooted out and all the old pine straws were removed. We then put black colored tree mulch. We used about 8 bags of 2 cubic feet of mulch but we may need four more bags.

That is for another day.

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April 10, 2012 by Soma.

VTS gets a medal

Lincoln High School

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Tallahassee, FL

Today evening we attended a function at Lincoln High School where more than 100 kids were given medals, letters, prizes, and citations for their academic achievements. VTS received one academic achievement medal. He felt he could have gotten one more but was close not enough to get the second one.

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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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December 25, 2011 by Soma.

Celebrate dad and mom’s birthdays

Sunday, Dec 25, 2011

JCK Nagar, Chengalpattu, India

Everyone of my siblings (except our family) and their partners along with their children descended on Chengalpattu on this day morning for a surprise birthday party for my dad and mom. Even my brother didn’t know what was happening (of course, his wife knew since they needed to decorate my brother’s house while he was working).

Based on what my sisters told middle BIL arrived early that morning and my little sister’s family arrived in the morning as well. My middle sis and bro were already there. My old sis and her family arrived around noon. While everyone was talking tom mom and dad they decorated my brother’s house. They had ordered a cake and that too arrived soon.

Then they presented with new set of clothes for my dad and mom who were surprised and asked the reason. They didn’t get a good answer. Then finally my brother drove mom and dad to his house where they realized what was going on.

Mom gave everyone some cake and they all had a good time. Even though this day was NOT their birthdays (they are in Dec and Jan, respectively) dad and mom were able to enjoy the day since everyone was there to celebrate.

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November 23, 2011 by Soma.

Used 2003 Lexus GS 300

Wednesday, Nov 23, 2011

4:30 PM | Leon County

We bought an used 2003 Lexus GS 300 this afternoon from a single owner. We needed an used car since my old trusted Toyota Avalon XLS has been showing its age. The engine and acceleation are good but the platic and rubber parts were wearing thin.

The couple drove the car to and fro for  short distances for several years and therefore the total mileage was very low. Since it was a single owner car we were happy to see that it was well kept (dealer maintained and repaired).

Since it was a private sale the price we paid was a good deal both for us and the seller. Since it was day before the Thanksgiving Holidays, only the TJMaxx complex Leon County Tax Office was open. So it took at least 45 minutes to process the paper work.

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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

Posted in Hindu, Asia, Events, Tamil, Community, India, Family | Print | No Comments »

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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