Most recent blog entries

Easy-to-Use Handbook for American College Admissions for Indians

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Helping prospective students and parents thinking or preparing for a move abroad to America for studies is daunting for any family. This handbook covers college admissions and college life in America comprehensively. This handbook doubles as not only an 'admissions manual' but a coaching tool to help students and parents uncover the many hidden talents and interests of their children that can be nurtured in the multidisciplinary environment of many American college campuses!

Blog Bling March 2010

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Wonderful insights by Africa Expats Wives Club, Ayurvedic Home Remiedies, Cassie Strom, Clark, Copyblogger, Delhi Bound, Great Expectations, Hindu Blog, India: My Final Obsession, Riyaz, Brijesh, Expat's Woman Guide to Living in Thailand, The Hindu, and Tickled by Life! Thanks, all, for your inspiration!

Krishna's Klicks for February

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Not left out, we in Rochester, New York also had our own share of snow. Maybe not as much as places like Washington D.C. and others, but enough for us this year, thank you very much.

The photos taken by Krishna taken the last month showcase some of this frozen, white splendor- that now make me long so much for the warmer days hopefully soon on the horizon.

Flashback Friday: Pennsylvania Pursuits

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In the midst of winter, and today being a snow 'storm' in my town, many think of the warmer days. Today I am thinking of our wonderful tirps to Pennsylvania: riding bikes on Pine Creek, stargazing with our friends, camping by the rambling brooks, riding on amazing, restored trains, exploring 'rim rocks' and dams surrounded by wonderful, mysterious and magical hills. All such activities done in the summer. Amazing that in summer, not many dream of winter-ludes, huh?

Let's dream of a few summer-ludes and enjoy some videos and snaps from warmer days to come again.

Photo, right:

India and America Interfaith and Secular Holiday Calendar March 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Holi, Ugadi, St. Patrick's Day, Ramanavami, Passover and more are celebrated this month. Click in to see more!

Holi in a Different Hue: Exploring Connections to Holi in Kerala

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Waching Kerala news on Kairali TV in America a few years ago during Holi season, I saw a news piece that attracted my attention. The celebrations looked kind of like a Holi celebration, but it couldn't be as Holi is not really famously celebrated in South India, in Kerala. After some research and translations of the Malayalam newscast, I formed some opinions of my own on the connection between this mysterious regional Kerala holiday, Porramkuli, and North Indian Holi.

Intersted to know your thoughts or experiences regarding these festivals.

Thank you for spending your time on my blog!

Culture Shock vs. Natural...Life...Changes

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

So many of us become 'foreigners' or 'expats', 'international students' or 'global citizens'. Most of us, regardless of country of origin know someone who has lived in or is living in 'a foreign country'. There is obvious life changes that one experiences while moving abroad or even to another city- but don't we experience life transitions and even, culture shock, through role transitions as we journey through our everyday life- even if we never move?

I share some of my thoughts on this in a 4 minute podcast slideshow.

Insider Insight To "Being Indian"

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"Being Indian" means different things to different people- while there are, of course, certain criteria that many Indians may agree upon that identify one as being from India, being Indian or 'desi.'

Though I am not 'desi' by birth, I lived in Chennai for two years some years ago, with the intent that I would integrate what I could of the culture into my life even after returning to US. In this post, I share two audio diaries on cross-cultural integration and some feedback I have received from others.

I am eager to hear your cross cultural experiences!

Cultural Tip: Going Out To Lunch with American Coworkers

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Are you new to navigating American cultural etiquette? Are you facing culture shock moving to the US, or moving back to the US? Maybe you just started a job and wanted to know how to respond when your coworkers ask you to lunch. Rather than sit in your cube and wonder what to do, and eat alone, join in next time with these helpful tips! (audio and video presentation inside)

Alaivani Newsletter February 2010

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Thank you to Srivalli, My Facebook Friends, Indians Abroad, and Indian Student Association (OASIS) at Rochester Institute of Technology for the inspiration on some of the posts this month!

American Party Invitation Etiquette

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Have you received an invitation to a party given by your American friends but aren't sure if you can make it? Wondering how to handle the invitation?

Listen to a few tips on managing invitation from your American friends to build trusting friendships with your cross-cultural friends.

Photo left: Sarah Parrott @flickr (creative commons)

Blog Bling February 2010

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Thank you this month to Clark, Culture Transition Coaching, Expatriate and Cross-Cultural Success (Global Coach Center), Hindu Blog, India Abroad, Naomi, neoindian.org, Remarkablogger Business Blog Coaching & Consulting, Sharell, Shyama, and Srivalli Jetti of Cooking 4 all Seasons for inspiring the wonderful collection of information I am sharing this month.

Cultural Tip- Sorting through Postal Mail in America

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Junk and spam mail is not only an e-phenomenon! It is also a physical phenomenon! It invades our mailboxes, in our homes daily in America!

In this five-minute audio tip, I share a few tips on 'junk postal mail'- what can be useful, and what to avoid.

Photo, right by Oran Viriyincy, used under creative commons.

2009 Memories and Flashbacks by Krishna

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Krishna has been working on uploading select, inspiring images from our travels together in the past few years across America and to India. Click into see some of the awesome and inspirational images.

Teach us about your Culture!

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Is there something that you would like others to know about your culture? Is there something that is little-known, or maybe it's a myth or stereotype? Have you experienced different cultures and want to share your experiences?

I have compiled a comprehensive list of questions that you can choose from to get your memories refreshed! I hope to learn about you and your culture to share with the world here on Alaivani- to increase understanding and break down barriers of misundertanding among us! Thank you for your consideration and participation!

Feeling at Home in a New Country or Culture

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Have you lived in a different city or country than where you were born and raised for a few months, a few years, a few decades? Do you know anyone else who has... and still feels homesick? I share some thoughts on why I think this occurs. I am happy to hear your thoughts, experiences and feedback!

Come To My House to Chill Out!

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

People in tropical or arid and sweltering hot climates may desire to experience and even live in climates where snow falls. Sometimes what we dream snow is, is not what we think it is!

India and America Interfaith and Secular Holiday Calendar February 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

All spiritual faiths highlighted in my calendar celebrate a holy-day this month! Click in to see more!

Adjusting to Different Cultures and Lifestyles Made Easy - Three Techniques You Can Use Today to Encourage Success in Life Transitions!

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Moving across the country or around the globe for work opportunities, educational enrichment or family commitments is common-place now-a-days. We not only encounter lifestyle and cultural transitions by moving- we can encounter them in our own homes through changing jobs, changing family relationships, retirement, marriage, divorce and many other types of transitions. Here, I recap in a slide show video three techniques you can use on-your-own to create success and ease in lifestyle changes.

Culture Shock Breakthroughs: Adapting New Habits to Create Success

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

When transitioning to a new lifestyle, be it in your own country, your own town, or around the world, new habits may be required to feel successful and comfortable. Refer to the three tier technique as narrated through my culture adjustment in India to help make habits unconscious to increase success and ease.

Learning about World Cultures .... Compliments .... YOU!

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Your culture is mesmerising. What do you find most interesting about your culture? Is there something you would like the world to know about your culture that is misunderstood?

I am starting a series of interviews to help encourage cross-cultural sharing and understanding! I hope you would like to participate! Tune in for more info....

Alleviating Culture Shock By Taking Inventory of Your Life!

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

By taking inventory of your strengths and challenges we can help you be successful in all areas of your life while facing transitions in life.

Experience Inspiring Cross-Cultural Relationships

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

There are many resources to learn and understand why people do and behave how they do- the best sourse is the insider source! Find a mentor of someone in the group you want to relate to! If not, then bounce ideas off a mentor, life coach like me! Slideshow video inside.

Fall In Love with Your Global Lifestyle

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Moving to a different city or country? Wondering how you will adjust to a new lifestyle and culture? Do you enjoy learning and integrating new ways of expressing life? I have created a five part video training series that explores tips and techniques you can use today to help with culture shock, lifestyle adjustment and fitting in as a newcomer!

Sankranti: A Karnataka Perspective

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Sankranti is a holiday celebrated in many parts of India under different names with variations on ritual, reason and revelry. Click in to experience this festival as celebrated by some in Karnataka, a central south Indian state.

Submitted by an anonymous Kannidiga friend. Thank you.