Loss of my foster child! Bid Adieu Munni ....

Life sometimes seems to be too cruel beyond comprehension.   After all the initial challenges, loss of my mom,  recovering from the aftermath of her death, I embarked on my CSC journey.   Midway through after 2 weeks of so much of intense work and fun, travels and friends in Halifax, God sent me a jerk of my life.

The frantic call from my daughter informing of the most tragic accident of her best friend, soul-sister, my foster daughter Sai Manasa  threw me to an ocean of tears.   This child came into my life when she was probably around 12-13, a fragile delicate little girl, full of fun and dreams, lot of hopes and aspirations of a future,  very adamant at times, and still finding everything that she wants a mother to be in me.   The first time Aishu brought her home, we gelled like we knew each other for life.  We used to have so much of fun, cook and eat together, go on errands,  travels, spend nights watching some random stuff on TV or laptop,  teasing me, wearing my sarees and messing the room and on me shouting, they just used to clean up the place in flash seconds.

Never imagined that our lives will change in split seconds because of her one decision to go on a bike ride in mid of the night with her professor having no one around and ending up on a tragic road accident that took her life in minutes and derailed our lives, devastating my daughter totally as they studied together for 6 years, spent most of their weekend and holidays together and stood by each other so much and went to the same college as they wanted to be together.   Me being on the other side of the planet, far away from one child who lost her life and other child trying to hold strong and do what best she can do is totally devastating.  

The child I fostered so much, who was so much part of my family,  everything that a friend can be to my daughter is suddenly gone.   Leaving us in shock.   Tears that don't seem to stop.   We are no where near to celebrate her young 19 year old life that was snatched away.   No words to console each other, no guts to deep dive into reality and no one and everyone to be blamed in this tragedy.

She leaves behind an absolutely shell-shocked father, a helpless broken mother and sisters, amazing group of friends who are not able to even believe this yet.

Thanks to the amazing courage and composure my husband showed in this moment of utmost grief, holding ground for everyone,  standing by my daughter,  driving down 200  kms to Villipuram to the accident site, following up with the legal formalities and hospital and bring the child in ambulance and handing over her to relatives who were clueless.   My daughter showed an extreme sense of understanding of the situation,  holding tightly and answering people and still trying to fight back her own pressures of the situation.   

I only wished I was there to hold my daughter Aishwarya tightly when she needed me and have one last glimpse of my foster child Manasa. 

with my foster child Manasa...

I desperately wish this was just a bad dream and nothing happened.   Time only can heal us

Miss you Munni.....Love you so much little angel. 

#CSCCAN1 - How Design Thinking is changing the way people think?

As we decided to deep dive into the Project Goals and Objectives,  delve more into the outcomes that matter,  wear the strong thinking hats,  think both deeper inside and broader outside the box, not focusing on a single outcome but even to come out with the most weirdest of the idea that actually may become a strong business solution, we find Decision Thinking as the most fruitful tool in analysis and identifying the problem statement based on the user persona and also get ideas that generate from various participants.

We have put our design thinking knowledge into practice, made our stakeholders participate and went ahead to extend the thought process that in turn turned out to be a very fruitful mechanism in identifying the right requirements, understand the need and benefits and work towards our Project Objectives

Design thinking refers to a process from which design concepts (proposals for new products) emerge. Design thinking encompasses cognitive and practical activities including problem-finding, decision-making, creativity, sketching, prototyping and evaluating.

Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation

Design Thinking is a systematic process of thinking which empowers even the most traditional thinker to develop new, innovative solutions to the problem at hand. Everybody can be creative by following this process – it's human-centred creativity with purpose.

Design Thinking is a methodology used by designers to solve complex problems, and find desirable solutions for clients. A design mindset is not problem-focused, it's solution focused and action oriented towards creating a preferred future. Design Thinking is a method designers use in ideation and development, that also has applications elsewhere. The method describes a human-centered, iterative design process consisting of 5 steps—Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test.

#CSCCAN1 - Celtic Colours International Festival 2018 - Square Dancing

Celtic Colours is an experience like no other. For nine days in October, Cape Breton Island is alive with music, energy and excitement as people come from far and wide to celebrate its rich culture. From concerts to dances and workshops to community suppers, they offer a full range of events against a gorgeous backdrop of autumn colours.

We had the great experience driving down to Glencoe Mills  and join their Square Dancing (first time I heard about it)  and to be part of the amazing night of music, dance and adventure.  

Dance Inspired By Music - Music Inspired By Dance

"The music comes from the fiddler's heart, through his strings and straight into your heart" -
Father John Angus Rankin. 
 

A cultural treasure of the area is step dancing, a highly energetic, percussive form of dance inspired by fiddle music.  Dive into the culture, joining on the dance floor, listen and letting  the music take hold  and guide you.

 

We infact messed up their patterns and dance, however, the locals were very warm and understood that we are there to enjoy the evening and have no clue on how to go about the dance steps.  They helped us sway to the moves,  tried teaching us the steps and patterns and encouraged us to dance.    

 

When in Cape Breton, do as the Capers do, right? Here was our chance at a slice of life experience by jumping in on the action at a square dance

 

 

 

Glencoe Mills Family Square Dances

Thursday nights from 9:00pm - 12:00am through July & August.

Open to all ages at Glencoe Mills Hall, 628 Upper Glencoe Road. 15km from village. 

Admission $8.00, under 12 free. Canteen available
For more information contact 945-2213.

 

 

 

 

#CSCCAN1 - Cape Breton - Cabot Trail, a step closer to Mother Nature with its amazing fall colors! Thanks Giving & The Celtic Colors Music Festival Weekend!

Alive with vibrant culture and bound by its rugged coastline, Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island calls out to be explored.    #1 Island in Canada in Travel and Leisure's 2018 World’s Best!

Rich in natural beauty, a deep sense of culture, and known for its hospitality,  Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island is a storied land with more tales to be written.

Cape Breton Island is located on the north-eastern tip of Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. Joined to the mainland by a rock-filled causeway, Cape Breton Island has proven itself to be one of the top scenic and touring destinations in the world.

Visitors may explore the Island’s regions and trails, alive with Gaelic, Aboriginal and Acadian cultures, awe-inspiring land and seascapes, exciting outdoor adventure and rich history. Roadways hug the coastline and the world’s largest inland sea, the Bras d’Or Lake.

Source:  https://www.cbisland.com/