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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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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September 6, 2011 by Soma.

Repair the dry-wall

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

This morining one the local drywall repair/installer stopped by our house. We had called him earlier to fix a broken drywall at our place and he had scheduled the visit this morning. He surveyed the damages and told one needs simple patch work and other needs a replacement drywall piece.

We asked him to begin his work. He then proceeded to cut out a bigger rectangular area on the room where the damage was big. He then placed a rectangular new drywall smoothed out the corners and put on a gauze-type tape over it. For the second room he simply used the gauze-type tape all over the damaged area. Then he put on quick dry white cement on the top of both the areas and allowed to dry for about 15 minutes.

After it had dried he mixed some material that was white and resembled the dry masonary on our walls. He generously applied that white cover coat and used the mason’s trowel to smooth the area to match rest of the wall surface.

The job was completed about 1 1/2 hour and we were happy with the finished job. We paid him with a personal check.

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September 1, 2011 by Soma.

Work-out using Stationary Bike

LifeFitness CLSC Bike @ FSU Rec.

Thursday, September 01, 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 Life Fitness Club Series Stationary Bike machine that is available at our Recreation Center. This indoor bike gives me exercise mostly for the lower toros and legs.

Since the bikehas simple options, I set it either in interval or random mode. I usually bike between 10-12 minutes work-outs with 3 minutes walking to cool off. I also can follow the heart rate, Calories burned, distance biked at the display that is available on the monitor in front of me. This way, I can monitor my workout for lower body. Today I biked for about 14 minutes and burned close to 90 Calories and walked for about 3 minutes to cool-off.

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