My first ukulele lesson!

Today was the "BEST" day ever since I came to the United States - the land of opportunities. Like any other ordinary person from one of those developing countries, I too wanted to make it to this land - to see what it is all about - to see what it feels like to be in one of those G8 nations - to see what makes the difference! I landed here on Sep 3rd, 2006. I didnt like the place very much at first sight. Was thinking about my mother, my home, my love, my people, my place.. Oh God! There was a whole lot of "MY"s I feared that I'd miss in this new place.

Today it was Jenny's bday week Potluck party. Never known what a potluck party was before. I asked my dad what a potluck is and he said that people make whatever they want to and bring it along and make a party. No two dishes are a combination, and if you are "lucky", you get what you like from the "pot"! Sounded nice to me.. :)

As I was chatting away online with appa, amma and Annu in my room, I heard music coming from Jenny's den. I went and said a "hi" to a big bunch of people whom I've never seen before.I have heard that the local people are really nice. Today was my first meeting with some of them.

A person in his late 50's called John was telling us, "Never decide what you want to do in the future. Because even before you get there, it would have gone. Just learn as much as possible now, never worry about the future. Your only concern should be that when you walk out of a course, you should definitely know more than the professor. Thats the sole purpose of education." He said, "Life is a treadmill - you keep walking and the world walks to. You never know where you are heading because the world is moving ahead too. We just have to make sure that we keep up the pace and never lose out."

A little while later people started playing the ukulele. I've always wanted to play some instrument - like a guitar or a piano or a veena. But ended up playing only my "tantrums" He he..! I was lost in the music and the way they were singing together. The first song I heard::

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE


You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away

The other nite, dear,
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, dear,
I was mistaken
And I hung my head and cried.

I'll always love you
And make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me
To love another
You'll regret it all some day;

You told me once, dear
You really loved me
And no one else could come between
But now you've left me
And love another
You have shattered all my dreams;

You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

The song filled my heart. I wanted to sing it. I was enjoying them singing it. Then a person came upto me and asked me if I wanted to play the instrument. I said "SURE! :)" He taught me how to told it and run my fingers along it. He taught me a "C", "F" and "G7". Oh and a "G" too..

Then he opened the book and taught me this song. I was singing along with him and playing the ukulele (Psst.. badly :D)
Today is the first day, I laid my hands on an instrument infront of so many people. I was at ease with the instrument and singing away happily.

I wish I learn to play the uke really well before I leave this land. I would like to have music over-powering me. I must learn something I like to do. We are here for a higher purpose. Not limited by the ephemeral things of earth.. We have to look beyond.. Perceive things that are not visible to the normal human eye.. Fall in love and get lost in it.. Live life to the fullest.. There's love everywhere.. You'll find it.. It will find you, if you deserve it.. Truly..

I am really looking forward to a great life here in the United States..

My first blog entry.. Not bad i guess.. :) N more importantly - Yeh! I made it!! :)

he he.. :D