The Catcher in the Rye

At the casual reccomendation of a friend Pelkyi, I dived in to get "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D Salinger.
Stricken with a serious stomach abnormality, i was bed-ridden for a whole day, and that was when I cruised through the pages of the book. Wasnt that much sure, at the beginning, as why the book is so acclaimed, but I went on with greater intellecutal curiosity and reading it critically. What seemed to be ordinary story of a teenager's rebellious nature, alienation and angst for belonging has a surprising and profound lesson and revealation only when you get to the two third of the book. After you turned the last pages of 277 long pages , then I realize, the book is truly a gem, a master piece!!!.

The book is about a" madman stuff  that happened to him during last Christmas:"

Holden is depressed, because he sees everything so phony and pretentious to his eyes. He is flunked in many of the subjects including Oral Expression course and schools give him the ax (expulsion). As a teenagers, there is a conflict of raging hormone in him and the relationship issues with his peers.

The book has good sense of humour with  very sutble philosophical message.  The title of the book is derived from a song, and the author revealed the title of the book in a monologue in a response to what he is good at doing.  His family ridiculed him for good at nothing, for not interested or liking for any thing. and here comes his exposition: that also revealed the title of the book.

“Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be.”

The book highlights the importance of reading; and I really feel like the author has that quality of what he himself has described it:

“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though.”

yes, it happens to me, I feel like the book is not only entertaining, it is  the gospel  for tons of teenagers, who have a run-down of the things.  Who feel at a loss, and directionless in life. This book in nonpreaching way helps them to realize the reality of life, and how to think thins through...

Here are the lines that he offered to those crumby loosy youngsters, some well meanted  advice is offered to him, and those who are flunking subjects  who keeping failing in schools:

 "once you have a fair idea of where you want to go, your first move will be to apply yourself in school. You will have to . You're a student---whethere the idea appeals to you or not. You're in love with knowledge.....
Once you get past all the Mr. Vinsons Oral compossion, you are going to start getting closer and closer-that is , if you want to, and if you look for it and wait for it- to the kind of information that will be very ,very dear to your heart..Among other things , you will find that  you are not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behaviour. You are by no means alone on that score, you will be excited and stimulated to know.   Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. you will learn from them --- if you want to". Just some day, if you something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And itsnt education. it is history. it is poetry." p 246


Mr. Antolini ,who Holden looks up to as a  smart and intelligent,keeps on sharing more on the virtues of acamdeic education :

"Something else an academic education will do for you. If you go along with it any considerable distance, it will begin to give you an idea what size mind you have. What it will fit and maybe, what it wont. After a while, you will have an idea what kind of thoughts your particular size mind should be wearing. For one thing, it may save you an extraondirary amount of time trying on ideas that dont suit you, arent becoming to you. You will begin to know your true measurements and dress your mind accordingly."(p.247)

As Holden, who couldnt withand and want to do something crazy, like running away and with suicidal thoughts. For that Mr. Antolini, fittly quated
psychoanayst Wilelm Stekel said

" The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."p.244


Action speaks louder than words. All the adult's advise, and lecturing, seems to be doing little to him.  Holden is saved by his little sister Old Phoebe by her unpretentious love, and genuine love for him. Her uncomprosing attitude to run away with him  melt him, that killed him. And the story has a happy ending with the the main character finally have a tremendous sense of joy welled up in him.

 " I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I dont know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around..."

Tears of Joy

Saturday, Dec.06. around 10:30pm my family and relatives have gathered in our house in Washingtong D.C, excitedly waiting to video chat  with my mother and elder sister on other end of the world , in Lhasa Tibet.. This is unforgetable moment in my life,  that I earnestly wished for a long time giving my present circumstance. Being able to see my mother in real time after two decades is such a incredible feeling.

A camera is set up in our sitting room to catch the moment unfold . We have done all the technological manipulation to maximize the video conversation.There is a quiet and serene sense of apprehension. I was very excited and elated and yet also a tinge of sadness to realize that this mediated communication of face to face with my Mother is only the option open to us. 

As the signal of Voice Video reflected in our screen, we immediately accepted . It took a while to connect, then in the next moment, there I saw my mother's bewilderd and beaming face for the first time in two decades.  The image of my mother in my teenager year's  recollection is no longer the same that the face I am seeing on the screen.

Wrinkled face, grey hairs, and stoop posture are signs of age catching up my dearest mother in all these turbulent years!

over two decades, my mother had passed through tumultuous period of family tragedy, +personal hardship and the death of my father and uncle. She had whethered the harsh storms of our early existence of impermances and unfortunate life incidents with fortitude and unwavering determinaton.

I could not love my mother more, knowing that she has a great sense of  resilence and still very strong and determined at heart, and above all, she is so full of wisdom and wit and compassionate at the core of her heart.

Amazed at the ability of seeing us face to face on the screen, my mother and sister broke down uncontrobly. Admist tears of joy, mother wished and prayed for us and admonished us, with some profound thoughts and wisdom, that will guide me in my times of test and trail.

Seeing my mother and sister on the screen is so powerful a feeling that for a moment, I am at a loss of words.  I am overwhelmed with emotion and for a time, unable to express much of what I wished to say. She truly entreated that that I would visit her at the earlist possible.

My mother and sister is overjoyed to see us in good shape. She couldnt believe her own eyes that the distance that kept us apart is instantly closed up with the marvel of technology, by enabling us to see face to face simultanenously  from thousands of miles away. Mother said she have never thougth that such an encouter would be possible.

my mother is overjoyed as the image of my two beatiful daughters is shown and seen us all together.

My mother is very articulate and truly a women of wisdom and compassion. No matter what circumstance, she is always considerate of other people. She was delighted that one of our family friends, paid her visit, gave gift and asked if she would need any help. And she asked me that this person Tsegay is very kind and shouldnt forget to repay his kindness.

My mother who carries  me for 9 months in her womb and brought me to this world, and brought me up with love, care and compassion had some life changing admonishments for me. I as man will should live up to her aspiration , hope and wishes.

I would leave no stone unturned to pay a visit to her in the next year or so at the earlist. That her advice for us all brothers and sister to be one and the same as forever, and cling to each other. My mother made feel so proud and good that I have accomplished much in my life and at the same time, she would urge me to continue looking after  them with my attention and care, irrespect of the challenges and any obstacles that could come across.

My mother asked us to live harmoously and happily by being kind and compassionate to each other. That a true happy family would be one that take care of others. My mother doesnt know much about the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism, but she has an indepth of  understanding human nature and full faith in the goodness of human heart.

In speaking to Dhargyal, she has spelled out some practicle life changing guidance and if he takes it to heart that Dhargyal would never regret.  Even though, it seems that her advice for us seem to be the normal dos and donts of life, but they are so pround and so true. As she is speaking from a years of experience and encounter in life. I can see that my mother is truly a strong character and women of great courage and wisdom.

After two decades of separation, no love is lost between mother and son. They are yearning for each other, and they deeply cherish and respect what they stand for.

I am grateful for my mother, she is the rock of our family. I owe to my mother for her unflinching love and care for me, that  make me what i am today.  I am committed for ever  and with great conviction in my mothers  words of  wisdom.   Be patience, by broadminded, by persistence, and be compassionate.

Black Friday

Today is  Thanksgiving Day, my family has already decided on going to watch a movie in the cinema theatre. To honour their like, I have give up my other pending works and joined them to watch the movie.

After the breakfast, we are ready to head to the threatre in Tyson mall. Our little one give some trouble before loading up in the car , and Mom was up upset. But they are just kids and what do they really know.  I don't think we are lagging behind in disciplining them. We need to remind ourselves to be an example to them at all time. Be patient is a virtue. Kids' irritant behavior doesn't last long. So we had to go with the wind in handling them.

I recall this is our second time  for the family together to watch the movie. The movie about the Penguins is not as fun and exciting as the last time we watched. Last time, the movie is about dragon rearing  and it was action packed, and thriller.  But this time, it was not too bad. Except Karma gives little trouble in the amidst of movie, everything else went pretty smoothly. The kids also get to play a while at the Kids place, and then we had a nice lunch.  A day well spent with family on Thanksgiving.

After returning home, Choekyi urged me to shop for that Thanksgiving. She saw  some of the stores are opening earlier on Thursday night. I rose to the occasion by taking down the list of things to shop, I drove to Marcy and then to  other several stores. I got almost all the items in our list. But lining up or doing the round all the stores is so tiring for me. It is not fun for me to rummage through all the things in the stores, and   Largely, shopping is not at all my favorites pastime. 
Of the items purchased on some deal are, an expensive Vaccum, DVD player and scooter for Kunsal. A fruit blender. So on. The shopping took me hours and finally when I returned home, all they have gone to sleep. So it made me to come to xsport and do workout.

As the saying goes, when you are in Rome, do as the romans do. Allowing my kids to feel and celebrate the American culture and Christmas day is important. As they are growing up in American, they get to immerse in its culture, and be part of everything that goes in the society. I don't want them to be left out and marginalized. 

This Thanksgiving is truly memorable in another aspect, that my wife bought me some good quality dress, including several jackets, suits and T-shirt, we can pick up only on December 03.
Now I feel dousy, and need to stop here....






 

My Thanksgiving Gift

As Thanksgiving come closer, I chosen to give myself a gift. A gift that will change my over all well being.

 On November 25,2014, coinciding the Xsport membership Appreciation Day, I have purchased one year membership at 530$, plus one year free membership and plus one guest pass. That means I have two year memberships with two year  guest pass. I have taken this deal keeping in mind of Choekyi's need for physical exercise as well as my own.

Raising kids is challenging and very strenuous on physical and emotional level. But keeping ourselves fit is overarching any other interests and issues in our life.  A physical well being brings confidence and happiness to one self. It would relieve stress and helps to manage our daily life more efficiently. Over the pretense of looking after kids, Choekyi and I appear to have neglected our health. Looking at myself in the mirror, the person that looks back at me is not longer that young, slim and toned guy.  He is much heavier and plumper, with a bulging stomach. My annual wellness check had adequately warned me that I have get back to my normal routine of rigorous physical activities.  My body mass is way over than the normal, and there are  several other indicators of excess, that I have to deal with.   So signing up for two years gym membership is a great Thanksgiving gift for myself. Whether at work and at home, being physically fit is a   As now I have two sweet kids and I really need to in good health for now and in the long run, so that I can always be with them and be there for them. On top of that this gym membership will prevent me from indulging in bad habit.

This is my commitment that I will get out the best from the leadership  it in two years.

  As for Choekyi, I implore her to get into physical routine. And this opportunity of one guest pass is a perfect fit for her.  Choekyi too have a noticeable protruding belly, that she herself feels embarrassing. So I hope she will take Zuba class and any other that she likes. Daily work out will tremendously help her to reduce stress and anxiety, and frustration of dealing with kids all day.

This time I will be urging Choekyi to start a regular schedule for her routine exercise. Nothing should hold her back. Since Kunsal is attending class, and we can also bring the younger one here and we both can do exercises together. Partly what convinced to sign up one year membership is that it is not only me, I cared Choekyi's own well being. So the deal allows both of us to enjoy the facilities for two years. That is a really attractive package. We will get our money's worth provided that we use the membership more frequently  and consistently.

As I started workout today, for few hours and now sitting in front of the computer at the lounge is truly rewarding, for I could blog each time to my satisfaction and content. Let begins it from today, and let embrace to the change and be the change.

Ones a while, it is so crucial to have a sense of intimacy with Choekyi and companionship. I hope this opportunity will provide us that.  So this Thanksgiving membership sign up is a way of rewarding and be good to myself, which I have not been so good.

 

Book Review

"The Secret Lives of the Dalai Lama" by Alexander Norma is very engaging historical tale of the succession of Tibet's god-king. This book with a forward by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama revealed previously unknown information regarding the origin of the institution of the Dalai Lama. As a staunch devotee of the Dalai Lama, I felt honored to have read the book. Despite of all the diabolical  secret, bloodshed, scandal, and other controversy surrounding the lives of those previous Dalai Lama, getting to know the historical perspectives on it has further strengthened my conviction in the greatness-and historical legitimacy of this institution. I cannot cease to marvel at the ingenuity of this creation in the anal of Tibetan history and the whole hardheartedness of the Tibetan laity and clergy's acceptance.
 Sometime back during a conversation with a well educated Tibetan friend, he confessed to me to much of my surprise, that he does not believe the Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva  Cherezig. I heard he is a non-believer or atheist. But he accepts without doubt in the leadership of HH the Dalai Lama. No matter what his believes are , according to me, if there is  really a god, than who can be better manifestation of Him, than the Tibet's God- King, the Dalai Lama.  

Faith based on understanding and logic will remain unwavering. So the book on the Secret Lives of the Dalai Lama has not diminished my respect and faith in the Dalai Lama institution. It rather bolstered my understanding of its historical background, besides  the book  bequeathed on me the essential knowledge for  a more intellectual discourse  on this important topic in anytime in the future. 
Of all the previous successive  Dalai Lama, the lives of the 6th is heart-wrenching tale. In actually there appeared to be three 6th, and the one most believed by the Tibetan met with a mysterious ending, with no particular confirmation of death or alive. But they believe that the high beings have the liberty to choice when to reborn, to whom and where is soothing to my curious mind.
When the present Dalai Lama devolved all his political power to a elected leadership, I am awestruck that this is such a historically turning out in the institution of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama did what he has done keeping in mind for the best interest of the Tibetan people in the long run. Looking back in history, the rule of regency is rigged with controversy and corruptions , and powerful struggle, that sometimes lead to much bloodbath and to the consternation of the ordinary citizens.

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama is fully aware of the strength of the institution as well as its weakness. And  he is tackling head on to salvage the weakness of the institution by having a legitimate political leadership in the event of the Dalai Lama's demise that create a leadership vacuum.
Another earth - shattering news for Tibetans and Chinese government will be how the present the Dalai Lama decides on his reincarnation.
As a Tibetan reading this book gives me tremendous pride on our rich history and Buddhism culture and how strong and illustrations foundation and canons of literature with a scientific bases of understanding human mentality. Each Dalai Lama has demonstrated different personal characteristic, and the present one is perhaps the most popular within the Tibetan legion and internationally.
 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in his forwarding for the book stated "While I do not necessarily agree with every opinion the author has expressed, I very much appreciate the frankness he brings to bear in this analysis of these matters". So opinions are without factual basis, which could be true or false. But author has also done substantial research with pages of biographical notes at end of the book.
 This book maybe shelved as Tibet's historical reference, and must be in possession of all educated Tibetan. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama recommends it to all readers in his forward " I commend this book to anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of Tibetan history and culture. It contains insights which, I am sure, will be illuminating even to experts in the field".