Bittersweet Longing

Bittersweet Longing

Bittersweet Longing Slideshow: Amit’s trip to Bangalore was created with TripAdvisor TripWow!

Greatest Romantic Reads

According to Wikipedia first in spring of 2005 a magazine called tango was published. Interesting thing was that this magazine doubled the circulation within one year. Tango Magazine was a national lifestyle magazine focusing on love and relationships. Until the magazine folded in 2007 Tango was published on a quarterly basis. Still the official website, YourTango.com is updated.

The New York Public Library shared their top 10 picks for the greatest romantic reads of all time with YourTango. They can soften your heart, make you laugh and leave you yearning for a handkerchief. Who can defy the most sought after romantic novels of all time? Whether you are looking for that special someone, or ecstatically in love, these eternal classics know just how to drag on those heartstrings.

I am hereby posting the list. So, leap under the cover, turn down the lights and go crazy.

1. Wuthering Heights: A total eclipse of the heart.

In one of the oldest heart-wrenching classics in the "lost love can turn a good man evil" scenario, Emily Brontë’s novel takes us back to 1802 at the Wuthering Heights estate. In this timeless love story, our leading man Heathcliff grows to become best friends with his adopted sister, Catherine, his life-long crush. But an offhand comment, overheard at the Heights, changes the course of both of their lives.

What’s what: The 1983 Bonnie Tyler power ballad "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was inspired by Wuthering Heights.

2. Anna Karenina: Love can be a train wreck.

Frequently a top author’s choice, this Tolstoy novel is a literary soap opera. Set in the highest circles of Russian society, Anna Karenina visits her brother Stiva in Moscow to help him save his marriage. While there, she falls in love with Count Vronsky. A married woman, Karenina fights off her desires until they overwhelm her and she leaves her husband, Alexei. Denied a divorce, Anna spends her life looking for acceptance in her relationship. When the strain of their love life becomes too much, Anna leaves Vronsky in a rage and well, if you haven’t read it, do! We won’t give away a heart-wrenching ending.

What’s what: Anna Karenina became a best-seller all over again in 2004 after Oprah put it on her list.

3. Romeo and Juliet: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

In one of William Shakespeare's most celebrated works, this tale of "star-crossed loves" has been told and interpreted time and time again (from film classic West Side Story to teen flick Romeo + Juliet). A story all lovers can relate to, Romeo and Juliet focuses on the tragedies that accompany the loss of true love. Lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, two of the most famed clans in literature, come from opposite sides of the Verona tracks and their family's disapproval of their love eventually leads to their demise.


What’s what: In the popular computer game The Sims 2, there is a neighborhood called Veronaville in which two characters named Romeo Monty and Juliette Capp fall in love.

4. Casablanca: Play it again, Sam.

Made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, this love story was originally a play by Murray Burnett. The play was turned into a script by writers (and brothers) Julius and Philip Epstein and their friend Howard Koch. In the story, American Rick Blaine is the owner of a gambling club "Rick's Cafe American" in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. Set during World War II, Rick is a bitter man having been scorned by ex-lover Ilsa Lund. When she walks back into his life suddenly, now married, with her husband in tow, Rick is forced to come face-to-face with well-aged heartache.

What’s what: In a 2005 poll by the American Film Institute, the Casablanca line "Here's looking at you, kid" was ranked the fifth most memorable line in cinema history. (Six other lines from the film are also in the top 100.)

5. Midsummer Night's Dream: Dream a little dream.

A romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, this play takes place in Athens as Duke Theseus plans a large festival around his marriage. During this time, Theseus' daughter, Hermia, is refusing to marry her fiancé. Due to a true-love-in-the-wing named Lysander. Against her father's wishes, she flees the nuptials for the woods. And guess who? While there, they befriend fairies who cause a bit of mischief. Cue a new love triangle and surprise ending!

What’s what: In the 1989 blockbuster film Dead Poets' Society, the character Neil Perry (played by Robert Sean Leonard), was cast as Puck in the a local production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

6. Doctor Zhivago: Boy meets girl meets girl.

This Noble Prize-winning Russian novel by Boris Pasternak is the ageless classic of one man torn between two women. Yuri Zhivago is a medical doctor and poet during the 1917 Russian Revolution. While married to aristocratic Tonya, he falls in love with nurse Lara. Set during a war time, Zhivago's love triangle falls prey to a twist of fate, and becomes a tale of protagonist versus an achy, breaking heart.

What’s what: Doctor Zhivago's first film version was a made-for-TV version produced in Brazil in 1959.

7. Sense and Sensibility: Sisters and soul mates.

Another Jane Austen classic from 1811, this love story focuses around the Dashwood sisters- Elinor and Marianne. When their father dies, they lose their family estate and are reduced to a life of poverty. The story follows the sisters as they move in with a distant relative, leading them to equal parts heartache and romance.

What’s what: In Ang Lee's 1995 remake of Sense and Sensibility, there are six actors who went on to play parts in the Harry Potter films: Emma Thompson (Sybil Trelawney), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Gemma Jones (Madam Pomfrey), Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge), Elizabeth Spriggs (The Fat Lady) and Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge).

8. Dangerous Liaisons: Les Liaisons dangereuses is a novel composed of letters.

The classic eighteenth-century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is the ultimate dark tale of lust, greed, deception and romance, featuring the Marquise de Merteuil, who requests that her partner, the Vicomte de Valmont, seduce the young daughter of her cousin. Meanwhile, young Cecile has the hots for her teacher, Chevalier Danceny. Love affairs, deception and lies aplenty unfold.

What’s what: The 1999 cult movie hit Cruel Intentions was a modern adaptation of the novel Dangerous Liaisons.

9. Pride and Prejudice: A literary game of cat and mouse, widely known as Jane Austen’s most famous novel.

Charles Bingley is new to town and has leased an estate with his sisters and close friend Fitzwilliam Darcy. Named a "catch" by all the single ladies in town (due to surprise . . . his looks and money), Darcy is also known as snob. Neighbor Elizabeth Bennet finds herself repulsed by Darcy’s ego. The resulting pas de deux between the feisty twosome makes for a quite a page-turner.

What’s what: Helen Fielding’s book Bridget Jones's Diary was inspired by Pride and Prejudice.

10. Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame: Oh Quasimodo!

Victor Hugo’s story, set in Paris in 1482, centers around Norte Dame Cathedral. In this "true love comes from within" story, Gypsy dancer Esmeralda is longed for by Quasimodo, Notre Dame's kind-hearted but deformed bell ringer. Upon order of Archdeacon Frollo, Quasimodo attempts to kidnap Esmeralda, but is caught. Standing trial, Quasimodo is humiliated by the public and his victim Esmeralda has pity on him. Soon after Esmeralda is blackmailed and sentenced to death for the murder of her crush Phoebus. On her sentencing day, Esmeralda is saved from death by her dear Quasimodo. But can true love overcome her distaste for his looks?

What’s what: Hunchback of Notre Dame has been adapted to the screen numerous times and cast two famous Anthony’s in the leading Quasimodo role - Anthony Quinn in 1956 and Anthony Hopkins in 1982.

Makes Me Think: MMT

There is an online site/community where people share their incidents/daily life stories which will make you think, cry and provoke the deep thoughts inside you. I have collected some of the stories here; hope u will like it.

1. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class.  When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, “Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.”  MMT

2. Today, my fiancé was in a head-on collision car accident.  He is currently in a coma.  And all I can think about is the argument we had this morning.  I screamed at him for screaming at me.  It was a petty argument.  But if he could scream now, I wouldn’t say a word.  I’d just listen to the sound of his voice.  MMT

3.  Today, I was walking home from work in the pouring rain without an umbrella.  I was walking just behind an elderly man who had an umbrella.  As we both passed under the overhang to an apartment building, he stopped, turned around and handed me the umbrella.  He said, “This is my stop and you look like you need an umbrella.  Pass it along someday when the opportunity arises.”  MMT

4. Today I found out that my high school friend I’d been meaning to get in touch with for the last year died last week.  MMT

5.  Today, I’m in Iraq on my third tour of duty fighting for a cause I no longer believe in.  And I want to go home.  But ever since I caught my wife having an affair 6 months ago, I’m not sure I know where home is anymore.  MMT

6.  Today, I stopped to chat with the office janitor like I do every Monday morning on my way into work.  And at the end of our conversation he grinned and said, “You know, you’re the only one who ever stops to talk to me around here, and you’re the President and CEO.”  MMT

7. Today, for the four hours he was breathing, his father and I loved him for a lifetime.  MMT

8.   Today at the diner where I work, an elderly couple came in for the 4th time this week and requested my table.  I asked them what kept them coming back.  They told me that I reminded them of their granddaughter who passed away 6 years ago.  Then they told me her name.  She was my best friend at the time.  MMT

9.  Today, as soon as my 5-year-old baby brother came into my room, I yelled at him to get out without even looking up at him.  When he didn’t listen and I turned around to yell again, I noticed he had a bowl of cherries (my favorite) in his hands.  He said, “Sorry, I just wanted to share these with you.”  MMT

10.  Today at the Atlanta airport, as I walked off a plane dressed in my Army uniform, a little girl grabbed my hand and asked me if I would be going back overseas soon.  I told her I would be in 6 weeks.  She smiled and said, “Can you please tell my daddy that I love him.  My mommy told me he’s never coming home from over there.”  MMT

11. Today, my sister told me a student of hers turned eight years old on Friday.  When I realized he was born on September 11, 2001, I said, “How horrible for his family.”  My sister explained that his grandfather worked at the Pentagon and skipped work that day upon learning his daughter was in labor.  MMT

12. Today, I was stopped at a traffic light when a mid-aged homeless woman asked me for change.  I usually I don’t give out dollars to the homeless because I assume they are going to buy booze.  But I saw her 45 minutes later at 7/11 buying bread and peanut butter.  She was so happy to see me.  MMT

13. Today, my mother passed away after a long battle with cancer.  My best friend lives 2000 miles away and called to comfort me.  While on the phone, he asked, “What would you do if I showed up at your house and gave you the biggest hug in the world?”  “I would surely smile,” I replied.  And then he rang my doorbell.  MMT

14. Today, I swore to her that if she followed through with it, I’d do the same.  And she slowly pointed the gun away from her forehead and toward the floor.  Then she handed it to me and cried in my arms for almost three hours.  MMT

15.  Today, I met an amazing guy at a local diner during the breakfast rush.  He was sincere and handsome.  We agreed to meet back at the diner for lunch, but he never showed up.  I found out this evening from a mutual friend that he was in a fatal car accident on his lunch break two blocks away from the diner.  MMT

16. Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe.  He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy.  Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating.  The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”  MMT

17. Today, I interviewed a woman who is terminally ill.  “So,” I tried to delicately ask, “What is it like to wake up every morning and know that you are dying?”  “Well,” she responded, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?”  MMT

18. Today, my son and I were in a car accident.  I came out of it with just a cut over my eye, but my son fell into a coma.  The doctor said if he doesn’t wake up soon his chances of a full recovery greatly decreases.  An hour ago he opened his eyes and said a word I thought I’d never hear again, “Mommy.”  MMT

19. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed.  About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.  MMT

20. Today, I received a gigantic gift bag from one of my friends.  She said she appreciated me being there for her, and that I am one of her best friends.  She is mentally and physically handicapped, and I merely see her for half an hour once per week.  MMT

21. Today in downtown San Diego, I watched a blue collar Mexican man get harassed for being Mexican.  It was a blatant act of discrimination.  And the man actually began crying.  As he left the office building, he took off his jacket. His t-shirt underneath read, “I love the USA!”  MMT

22. Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died.  She simply said, “I feel so loved right now.  We should have gotten together like this more often.”  MMT

23. Today marks the ten year anniversary of the day when I slapped him and screamed at him remorselessly for not letting me in the bathroom after we ate breakfast.  That moment also marks the positive turning point in my battle with Bulimia.  I think he saved my life that day.  MMT

24. Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug.  When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her.  She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”  MMT

25. Today, at the age of 70, my grandfather graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in business studies.  He’s been a successful business owner most of his life, but he told me he earned his degree to fulfill a promise he made to his mother before she lost her battle with cancer 50 years ago.  MMT

When Someone Thinks about You!!

Sometimes I ask myself that I always think of someone, does that person think of me too?

Further I argue; is it true that when you're really thinking of someone and the times you spent with each other do they of you too? Why it is so hard to stop thinking about someone?

At the other time I make myself understand that when you connect with another person in a deep way, you are connecting with your souls. Most people don't comprehend how intuitive they really are…and yes!! people do think of you often because you do think of them… :P :P

When I experience that somebody has been thinking of me I discover that I have a small smile that comes to me....: P: :P. it’s not one I put on my face it just comes on. It’s a warm feeling of peace. I get a feeling; I strongly feel their presence with me.

Sometimes I get the hiccups that too three times in a row, and then I remember my Grandmother who always tells “Someone is thinking of you " and I know she was right all the time.

There have been many incidents when I was thinking about someone and I got a call from same person at that exact moment. You may or may not be in a relationship with anyone, but that doesn't matter.  There are specific signs that you are/were on their mind and they are thinking about you. If anyone has started talking to you that means, they have had been thinking about your for a while. You haven't just popped up in their head….that was not sudden..

There are some of things I have experienced. You can find that someone thinks about u. also there are a few definite signs that someone is thinking about you.

One of this is that they call you or message/mail u unpredictably. If he or she calls you out of the blue, for no reason, then that means you were on their mind; especially if you don't talk that way very often to them. They were thinking about you, and they most likely took a long time to pick up the phone to call you. This thing I have experienced personally. These of course consist of casual texts, pokes, tweets, or any other form of communication.      

                                                                  

They approach you about things you are interested in - If they come up to you and start talking about your favorite color, actors or actresses, although you have never told them who your favorite actor/actress is, then chances are they found out from someone else and they have been thinking about using it for conversation, or to get your interest.

If this occurs more than once, then be assure that they are having a lot of thought into you and your interests. They ask about you or state your name to others. If your friend is telling you that someone is asking about you then that someone is also thinking about you. This is apparent right? They are trying to figure you out and they need some questions to be answered...I think I am right in this case; am I??....:P:P

Tune Jo Na kaha..Mai Wo Sunta Raha

Tune Jo Na Kaha is one of my most listened songs of all time. dis song is very close 2 my heart Mohit Chauhan has sung this song beautifully talking about building and crumbling dreams. This song has some hard hitting lines with really soft emotions.

You feel that the lines are about you and your silence in the eyes and your trembling lips. The lines are beautifully placed with each other. There is a line “Haal tera na hum sa hai… Iss khushi mein kyun gham sa hai“, which is my favorite in the song. This tells about how she has been unaffected by the separation and while you are happy that she was spared of the suffering, the thought only puts more pain in to your suffering. The other line ‘Aankho mein chubhta kal ka dhua’ talks in duality about the unexpected tears in your eyes and discomfort of having those tears.

Whenever I listen this song it bestows me a lot of things to think about. I generally finish up wondering what the writer was going through to have written these lines. Then I move on to the character on whom the song is based in the movie and I empathize with him.

Here are some lines from the song thought its worth to share with u all:

What u have never uttered, what I always heard

Don’t know how our lives got torn apart

This world of mine is no longer mine

Away from my love I kept walking away

For no reason I began to wave new dreams

Lyrics of the Song:

Ummm hmm umm hmm

Ummm hmm umm hmm

Tune jo na kaha

Mein woh sunta raha

Khamakha bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Tune jo na kaha

Mein woh sunta raha

Khamakha Bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Jaane kiski humein lag gayi hai nazar

Is Shehar mein Na apna tikana raha

Koi chaht se na ab apni chalta raha

Khamakha bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Dard phele se hai jyaaada

Khud se phir yeh vaada

Khamosh Nazrein Rahein Bezubaan

Abb Na pehli si baatein hai

Bolo to Lab thartharatein hai

Raaz yeh dil ka na ho baiyan

Hoga na ab asar humpe nahin

Hum safar mein to hai Humsafar hai nahi

Door jaata raha Paas aata raha

Khamakha bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Aaya woh phir Nazar aise

Baat chidne lagi phir se

Aankhon mein chubhta kal ka dhuan

Haal tera na humsa hai

Is khushi mein kyon gumsa hai

Basne laga kyon phir woh jahan

Woh jahan dur jis se gaye the nikal

Phir se aankhon mein karti hai jaise pehal

Lambha beeta hua ,Dil Dukhata raha

Khamakha bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Tune jo na kaha

Mein woh sunta raha

Khamakha bewajah Khwaab Bunta raha

Jaane kiski humein lag gayi hai nazar

Is Shehar mein Na apna tikana raha

Koi chahat se abb apni chalta raha

Bhuj gai Aag thi Daag Jalta raha...