Gypsy of Rajasthan (my mom ancestry? perhaps!)

Gypsies of Rajasthan

Rajasthan Gypsy The Gypsies, Roma, the ethnic minority who brought to the West the spark

of a vibrant culture, left the Indian subcontinent about a thousand years ago embarking on a migration that scattered them all over the world. The culture they left behind remained

 unscathed throughout the centuries,isolated within the barriers of their hostile habitat: the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
Still nomadic, with their unique gift for artistic self-expression, these independent spirits roam freely throughout the desert today as their ancestors did at the time of the migrations. "Once the Gypsies" will attempt to capture the dramatic, colorful and personal story of the current nomadic tribes in the region, following the travels of carts and camel caravans on the open roads of the Thar Desert.

Brief History of the Gypsies
Before they left India, little is known about the culture which generated the Gypsies, except for their migrations, within and out of India. Linguistics and historians believe that the Gypsies were originally from North Central India. Their first known migration started around 300 BC, when they moved to North Western India. The Persian Book of Kings relates an incident corroborated by independent chronicles that took place in the fifth century, when the Indian King Shankal made a gift of 12.000 musicians to the Shah of Persia. It is assumed that those musicians were the ancestors of the Roma since after a year the Shah sent them away from Persia.

Why and when, then, the Roma left India is clouded in uncertainty, yet some scholars state that the Gypsies entered southeastern Europe in the last quarter of the 13th Century. Because they arrived in Europe from the East, they were thought by the first Europeans to be from Turkey, Nubia or Egypt, or any number of non-European places. They were called, among other things, Egyptians or 'Gyptians, which is where the word "Gypsy" comes from. All analysis seem to corroborate the fact that the Roma ancestors are linked to this common lineage in India. As well, the Roma have been known as entertainers and inspired musicians in every country they have traveled, as some of the nomadic groups present in the Thar Desert today.

Gypsies in Rajasthan

Bopa
In Rajasthan it is not uncommon to see people with green eyes. Among the lowest castes are the Bopa and Kalbeliya Gypsies. In spite of their low status, these beautiful people are proud of their roots. Both Kalbeliya and Bopa people make a living by performing songs and dances. In recent decades, the Maharajahs have gone and Indian and foreign tourists have replaced the royal audiences.

Kalbeliya
The Kalbeliya Gypsy people are known as the snake charmer caste. The women are skilled dancers and are accompanied by men playing percussion and wind instruments. The Kalbeliya were once hired to entertain great kings and maharajahs. Today they are sadly considered to be squatters and experience much discrimination. They struggle to preserve their culture and dances. They follow Indian fairs and festivals hoping to get hired to perform dances in hotels and private resorts.

The Kuna
The Kuna are known for their fierce pride and serious composure but they have a warm sense of humor in relaxed situations. This young woman is amused at the attention she receives from visitors. Perhaps she smiles because she knows she is about to be paid. The Kuna know the value of their faces as subjects for photos and expect compensation for each shot.

The Bhils - The Bow Men of Rajasthan
The Bhils form an important group, which inhabits mainly the southern districts of Rajasthan and the surrounding regions of Udaipur and Chittaurgarh. The generic term, which describes their tribe apparently, derives its name from bil, meaning bow, which describes their original talent and strength.

The Bhils practice endogamy, marrying with a narrow kinship. Their Gods like Pantha and Vina, hold a special sway over their minds.Their other deities honor the primeval needs of the pastoral society. Nandevro is worshipped as the presiding deity of corn, while Gwali is the goddess of milk. The god of agriculture is Heer Kulyo.

Timeline of Gypsies History 

c. 1000-1050: Groups of Rajputs begin migration out of northern India toward Persia and Armenia.

c. 1100: Roma recorded in the Byzantine Empire.

1300s : Roma already settled in Wallachia and Serbia, where they are perceived as aliens and enslaved.

1407: Roma recorded living in Germany—within ten years they are expelled.

1418: Roma recorded in France

1422: Roma recorded in Rome.

1425: Roma recorded in Spain.

1471: Anti-Gypsy laws passed in Switzerland.

1492: Spain passes anti-Gypsy laws and subjects Roma to the Inquisition as heretics.

1498: Roma settlement in the Americas begins, when four Gypsies accompany Christopher Columbus on his Third Voyage.

1502: Louis XII expels the Roma from France.

1526: Henry VIII expels the Roma from England. Roma caught entering England are to be punished with death.

1530: Egyptians Act 1530 passed in England.

1538: Portugal expels Roma to Brazil.

1560: In Sweden, the Lutheran Church forbids any dealings with Roma.

1563: Roma are denied entrance into the priesthood by the Council of Trent.

1589: Denmark imposes a death sentence on any Roma caught in the country.

1595: Ştefan Răzvan, son of a Romani immigrant from the Ottoman Empire, rules Moldavia for four months.

1619: Philip III of Spain orders all Roma to settle down and abandon their traditional lifestyle and culture. Failure to do so is punishable by death.

1936-1945: Nazis begin systematic persecution of Roma, culminating in Porajmos.

2006 January: The University of Manchester has completed its "[Romani] project", the first morphologic study aiming to collect all the dialects of Roma language throughout Europe and dealing with their coherency.[1]

2006 -: The first entirely Roma party has been founded in Hungary, called the "MCF Roma összefogás" (MCF Roma Union), although they reached only the 0,08% of total votes (from a total population registered for voting around 8 million people) at the parliementary elections held on April 9, 2006. [2]

*the gypsies still living in Northern India (Rajasthan) and migrate to other country after modern era.

Syam's words: My mom acestry came from Rajasthan, so i'm strongly believe that she may have some ancestry ralationship with gypsy

source from: http://www.rajasthan4u.com/index.htm

How to Ask a Girl Out

How to Ask a Girl Out?

This is probably the most nerve racking things every guy has to deal with at some point in his adult life. Men are totally in fear of rejection, particularly from a woman. Here are some great pointers that I've learned in the past when asking a girl out.

Step1
First and foremost you don't want to come off as the creepy weird guy. Women generally are keen to sniffing out creepy. If you want to ask her out start conversation about something that she obviously likes. If you know her that's easy. If you don't start off giving her a compliment about a neutral subject that doesn't set off red flags. I often give complements about hair as its something women spend a lot of time on but men generally don't notice.

Step2
Practice being witty and humorous. Most women enjoy men that are witty and can make them smile in a relatively short time. There are numerous ways you can make a woman smile one of them is as easy as letting them notice your checking them out by making eye contact, smiling and then winking. It lets them know your interested but the winking shows you've got a sense of humor about being caught red handed.

Step3
Women know a sales pitch when they hear one. Don't sound like a car salesmen. If your going to ask a girl out its always good to start off by introducing yourself by name and asking for her name. This is not easy as most people tend to screw it up with alcohol, however done right, you will feel like fine woven silk.

Step4
When asking a girl out don't ask her about wanting to hang out or going out. Really that sounds cheap in my book. Always invite her to an event just like you invite anyone to an event, that doesn't make her feel obligated to be there and she can't say no to a phone number. FYI you can give anyone an invitation and they will take it, does'nt mean they will RSVP

by:Sidhartha

Syam's words: Let's try!
source from: http://www.ehow.com/

How to fold a shirt in 2 seconds!

How to Fold a Shirt in 2 Seconds

Step 1:
Lay it flat
Lay the T-shirt so that it is completely flat and is side on to you

Step 2:
Pinch one
Draw an imaginary line with your finger across the middle of the T-shirt, stopping short of the edge. Pinch the T-shirt between your thumb and forefinger of your left hand at this point, making sure that you have gripped the front and back of the T-shirt fabric.

Step 3:
Pinch two
With your other draw a line directly up the T-shirt and pinch the T-shirt on the shoulder seam of the T-shirt directly above this point again making sure that you have gripped the front and back of the T-shirt fabric.

Step 4:
Pinch three
Bring Pinch 2 down behind your hand and pinch T-shirt at the bottom directly beneath the two pinches and pinch the bottom along with your original pinch, again making sure that you have gripped the front and back of the T-shirt fabric. You should now have the top and bottom of the shirt pinched between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand - your hands should be crossed

Step 5:
The flick
Keeping a firm pinch with both hands uncross your hands. Bring Pinch 1, in your left hand up and away. You should now have the T-shirt Hanging down from your two hands, shake out the creases.

Step 6:
The flop and fold
Lower the T-shirt, sleeve first back onto your flat surface, creating a fold on the T-shirt that is symmetrical with the line between your original two pinches, then bring the T-shirt down flat.

Syam's words: stop using your hanger! i got sumtin better for you!
source: http://www.videojug.com/

Your body is telling me that you like me..

Body Language in Love

If you are single and looking for love, here is a fact that might surprise you. Ninety percent of what you say to the people you meet is non-verbal. Very often we give clues and signals to those we are attracted to without even realizing it. In most cases, you are reading someone's signals and forming a negative or positive impression without knowing why you are doing so. Non-verbal signals, or what is known as body language, can have five times more of an effect on a person than the actual words you may speak.

One of the most common types of body language is the smile. The smile is a universal sign of acceptance and happiness. A smile that reaches the eyes is a genuine smile that says you are welcome to come closer.
Something else to look for is eye contact. Sometimes you can almost feel someone looking at you, or you catch it from the corner of your eye. If someone you may find interesting is looking at you, turn towards him or her and lock eyes, but for only a few seconds. A direct stare lasting more than a few moments can be considered aggressive or hostile. Hold the contact for a few moments and then look down. Don't forget to smile.

If you can see someone looking at you from across the room look for other signs of interest. A person may gaze at you, look away, and then return their gaze to you again. They will probably have a slight smile on their face. If you turn and catch the gaze, and they smile or even blush and look down, you have caught their interest.

When you are talking with someone for the first time there are quite a few signals they can give you as to their willingness to continue the conversation. Subtle non-verbal signs are given off that can say "I like you" or "I am interested".

One thing that is hard to catch is pupil dilation. When a person is looking at something they are interested in, whether it is a person or an item, their pupils will dilate. Smart salespersons can catch this with a prospective client and know they are close to a sale.

Something else to look for is body position. A person who is interested will often standing with their body facing you directly. If they can't directly face you, they will angle their body in your direction the best they can. Open and upright palms are a good sign; this means the person is open to you. Sometimes preening can occur. This is normally a subconscious thing that most people don't even realize they are doing. Women will most often play with their hair, swirl it around their finger, or toss it over their shoulder. Men tend to stand straighter, play with their ties or shirt buttons, or wipe away imaginary lint. This signals an attempt to look their best for the person they are engaged with in conversation.

When the person you are talking with is sitting, here are a few things to consider. A person who is sitting with legs slightly apart and knees pointed in your direction is open to you. If they have their legs crossed, they may not be interested. However, legs crossed loosely with a foot or leg pointed at you is that person subconsciously pointing at what they want, and that is you! Arms crossed over the chest or a person's hands stuffed into their pockets are signs that they are closed off and don't feel comfortable opening up to your attention. This can be a tricky sign though, because it can also be a sign that they are slightly uncomfortable with themselves, not a signal for you to back off.



Women, and sometimes men, will lick their lips briefly or bite their lower lip. This is a good sign. They may touch you briefly in a safe area, such as your back or your arm. This will usually be quick and innocent, but conveys a sense that they want to touch you more.
One big sign of interest is mirroring. You may notice that the other person is mimicking your movements or gestures. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this is a good example of that. You may also notice that the person will tilt their head to the side while listening to you speak. This is another sign of attraction and interest.

Remember that it may take some time to really read people in this way. Also remember that as you are looking for signs of attraction to be aware of the signals that you are sending out as well. Keep in mind that this is not an exact science. The general idea is to look for many signs together to give you a clearer picture of a person's interest or intentions. Don't be so intent on body language that you don't hear what they are saying, and don't forget to smile.



p/s: The Lingua Franca is inside your soul!
source from:http://www.essortment.com/

Happy Thanksgiving (November 27th 2008)

How to celebrate Thankgiving outside of USA

Last year, I celebrated my first Thanksgiving after moving overseas. It almost didn't occur to me until a week or so before the holiday festivities that my English neighbors would probably not be celebrating, too. When that did finally sink in, I found myself almost feeling a little bit of seasonal depression. Could we still celebrate Thanksgiving overseas and make things feel "just right" if turkeys and cornucopias weren't on display in shops and I couldn't find the marshmallows for sweet potatoes? Thankfully, the answer is yes. After a semi-successful attempt at making it right my first year, I now know the secrets to celebrating Thanksgiving while overseas.

Plan Your Menu Ahead of Time.

If you live in an area with butchers or smaller shops, start looking for a turkey early. If you have a small freezer, or none at all, be sure to reserve your turkey and potentially ask them to hold it for you until the day before Thanksgiving. In addition, plan out your whole Thanksgiving menu at least two weeks before the holiday, and ask for help locating those difficult to find products. In England, it was hard to find marshmallows until closer to Christmas, and you should have seen the looks on faces when I suggested that I planned to put them on top of sweet potatoes! To make your Thanksgiving dinner successful, plan ahead.Decorate the House and the Table.I've never been one to put out Thanksgiving decorations, but in fact, many foreign countries do decorate for the harvest once autumn arrives. So, putting out a cornucopia on the table and pumpkins in your front window might not even seem that weird to your local neighbors and friends. In addition, it might help the season seem more in line with your family traditions.


Invite Friends and Neighbors Over to Celebrate.
Of course, if you know Americans living near you, inviting them over to celebrate may seem like the obvious choice. However, it may not occur to you to invite neighbors that aren't Americans over, too. This opportunity to share your own culture and traditions with your local friends should not be missed. After all, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks. I know I am thankful for my friends and neighbors overseas, regardless of their nationality. They make this "home" for me.

Do Something Local on Thanksgiving Day.

One final suggestion is to appreciate where you are living on Thanksgiving. If you are lucky enough to have the day off or are able to take the day off, you will find that many local attractions and sites will be empty, as this isn't a national holiday in a foreign country. We walked around nearby Fountains Abbey last year, and really appreciated and were thankful for this opportunity to live abroad.If you have been blessed with the opportunity to live overseas, don't feel that you're no longer able to keep your American traditions. Celebrating Thanksgiving overseas can and should be done. With a little planning, it can be the best one you've ever had.

Syam's words: Thank God for give me time to appreciate my family and friends!

by, Kelly Herdrich

source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/

Wanna be loved, ready to be bitten!

L0vebite and Hickey

Everybody always talks about hickeys in junior high and high school, but how do these mysterious red welts on peoples necks appear?

What Is a Hickey?
A hickey is actually broken blood vessels beneath the skin. It's sort of like a bruise, if you got hit with a baseball and the impact broke the blood vessels. But instead of being caused by a foul ball, it's caused by the other person's mouth.

How Do You Give a Hickey?
What you do is put your mouth against the side of their neck, in a kissing shape. You leave your mouth slightly open in the middle, like you're saying the letter "O". Now you suck in! You suck the skin into your mouth, in essence hurting it, and causing the blood vessels to break. This turns that circular area bright red. It doesn't take long, maybe 30 seconds. If you really aren't good at suction, you can nibble with your teeth. But that is really a last resort, because now you're not giving them a hickey. Now you're just gnawing their skin to make it red. Yes, giving a hickey hurts the person you're doing it to. You're breaking their blood vessels! But to some, a hickey is a temporary mark of love. Sort of like a red tattoo that fades naturally after a few days. It says "This girl (or guy) trusted me enough to let me damage their throat, one of the most sensitive parts of the human body".
Who Gives a hickey, the Boy or the Girl?That's like asking who kisses who! Hickeys aren't a male or female thing. They're an "I was Here!" thing, sort of like a mark of pride. So either the girl or the guy can give it to each other. It's sort of a primitive way of saying "This boy is mine!" or "This girl belongs to me!"


Where does the Hickey Go?
Hickeys are marks of possession, so most people put them on the neck where they're nice and visible. Also, a hickey is caused by lips breaking blood vessels and that's easy to do on the sensitive neck. It's less easy to do, say, on the sole of someone's foot. Plus, nobody would see it there. Sure, you could put a hickey on someone's upper inner thigh, but unless they were wearing a swimsuit, nobody would see it. You might as well draw a smily face with magic marker :)

How Long does a Hickey Last?
A hickey is a bruise. Just like any other bruise you get on your body, it will fade when your body heals. There's no set rate. Some people heal quickly, some people heal slowly. It all depends on your own body. You must have been bruised before in your life! So you know how long bruises tend to last ...

How do I Hide my Hickey?
A hickey is put there to show up! It's a mark of I-Was-Here. Why else did you get a hickey on your neck? But let's assume that some wild hickey attacker got to you and now you have to hide the evidence. Again, it's a bruise. It won't just vanish with warm water or cold water or lukewarm water. You can get make-up concealer and try that, to cover it while it fades away naturally. Wear turtlenecks or scarves. If you tend to be a really slow healer, take vitamins and eat healthy food so your body has half a chance of healing up well. Stand in dark corners :)
It will NOT work to put water, ice, eye drops, or aspirin on your hickey. This is a bruise. Blood vessels are broken, they need to mend.

What if I Don't Want a Hickey on Me / Don't Want to Give a Hickey?
In fact I know MANY people who hate hickeys and would never want to give or receive one. To them, it is deliberately causing a partner pain and anguish, and physically harming them. Why would you ever want to do that to someone you cared about? It's just as bad as hitting them with your open palm and then admiring the welt you left. If you personally do NOT want to give or receive a hickey, that is your right. Never let anybody pressure you into doing something you feel uncomfortable with. A true partner would always value your feelings, and would not try to push you into something you didn't want to do.



Syam's words: don't do it on children... hahaha
source from:http://www.romanceclass.com/