Hey there!


A student at Anna University doing my postgraduate integrated course in Media Science. I recently attended a semester abroad programme in Birmingham City University(BCU), UK on Media and Communication under a full scholarship.

As a part of my college project, I have been doing quite a lot of works in media platform and this blog is an initiative of me to put my thoughts together and pitch my voice.

As a student, I have interest and passion for learning anything new! Apart from academics, I also love to Blog.I like to learn everything in a practical way and so I am happy to be doing a course related to media to project my talents. In three words, a Student, Blogger and a nature admirer!

We heart it! (♥Best apps for android♥)

So have been in my holidays for literally 10 days now and yeah so soon its going to end. (Did I mention it ends day after tomorrow). After my submissions I literally had a few days to breath in the fresh air at last. Nevertheless all my efforts paid of in getting good grades, my highest in the row of all my exams. 


As I have been awake all through the night for my exams, even though they were over I had some sleepless nights as my wake cycle is literally messed up. We love it, an app that I downloaded from the playstore has given me an amazing company along the lines of sleepless nights. This app is mostly like an instagram(yet! not really) because this consists of mostly pictures, photos and quotes based on the social trends. ( check it out you might actually like it ♥). This app is a lifesaver in putting me to sleep along with Wattpad which is a community for reading and sharing stories. Recently I read Elenor Candler's secret twin and The baby project. (Can guess, I am not a big reader of epics and novels, rather I prefer shorter scripts!) 

Talking about apps, I rediscovered one of my favourite photo editing app Pixlr express which I had already tried a year back, but never kind of liked it. Now I can see there have been so many updates in the app since then which looks a lot efficient and comes in handy. It has a lot of functionalities, editing filters that do not require any downloads, and also a great pick of free bokeh effects. 


Here is the list of some of the must have apps for photo editing! 

5) Aviary

Favourite story app: Wattpad
Favourite Quote app: We heart it
Favourite listing app: Wunderlist
Favourite launcher and lockscreen: Go launcher
Favourite theme: Seasons Zen HD

Next post is going to be on the pros and Cons of the facebook graph search app. Something is never really a useless one. For the statuses that said its useless and threatens privacy, here is how it can help! :) (not to sound a stalker but yeah!) ♥ 

Long time, No update!

Atlast completed this semester, It was one of the best though stressful. Oh! I have had so much thoughts to update this blog lately, but just now I have had time to actually sit and write for the blog. If you ask me what did you do a whole month?, exams is the word out of my mouth. Rather, In my mind I would say I never was able to manage a lot of things at once. Even though I tried to follow up everything as planned,(yeah! I do have an obsession with planning) but none of things went right, but believe me it was an amazing learning process for me to understand what works and what doesn't. Though I know this post is short will update more this week. 

A car ride to remember...


Recently I have been undergoing a great confusion on whether what means of communication we use in our day to day life is good or is it some sort of a mirage to not facing people directly. Yes, I am talking about the technology boom that is taking place. Eventhough I am a Tech-savvy who never really blames technology for what's happening, I now take some me hours to just wait a minute and think about what really I am doing and what I really want to do. 

So, coming back to the story, yesterday I was travelling back to my home with my parents in a taxi. It was an hour and half ride, so my dad decided to talk to the driver. (and yes, the story already started!).The way he was talking seemed like he was very arrogant towards technology, (not really, but the way how people use this technology). So, he starts with the first incident that nowadays when I talk to my grandson about anything, the first thing he is takes his mobile phone out, starts scrolling and never looks at the person who is talking to him. And near him, his dad asks, (13*6 ennapa? which literally translates to what is 13*6?) . 
Son: 1 min dad! (quickly unlocks his mobile and you already know what would have happened, okay, we all have done that atleast once! :P, this is what we are mirroring today!) 

The second instance that he gave was about a person whom he left on the Chennai airport from siruseri (A place in chennai). So apparently the person had to catch the flight at 8:45 in the evening. (So he was in the car by 8:00). The person said to the driver, 

"So I have to reach airport by 8:30 and from siruseri to airport it is 45kms and the car travels in 60km/s so can't we easily reach the airport in 30 mins"

And there the driver stuns up and says,

 "But you forgot the 10 signals that we have to cross and easily that takes 20 mins of our time"

So yeah! eventhough this is funny, this is the state that v now live in.. :(

Okay, too much instances spoils the whole story, saving the other few for next time..

From Waste to Wonder - Miniature modelling!♥

DIY

"Miniature modelling has always been one of my passion, I didn't even think of it as a form of art when I started, it was a secret hobby" says Sukeertha Tamilarasan, a media student. It is a genre of art that focusses on modelling objects that's much smaller than their usual sizes. From restaurant to Taj Mahal not leaving out their minuscule nuances, its a pleasure for me to watch those mini models. 

When I asked her about why exactly she wanted to create such tiny models, what was her inspiration, she says "I love to gift something that's hand-made, re-created and something that's close to my heart. My inspiration is just what strikes my mind about the person to whom I make them. Other than that it has always been a spark that just pops up at random times". 

What she uses to make these amazing models is the one that amuses me. "Match sticks, paper, water colours, ice cream sticks are some materials that I use for modelling. It usually takes about an hour or two to finish a complete model" says Sukeertha.

It's incredible to think about all of the details that went into the creation process from collecting the right materials that would highlight their art and that looks as close as possible to what they have visualises in their mind and the hard effort put into carving.When asked about the opportunities to showcase this talent she says "There is not much attention given currently to this form of art, but I am sure that in years to come there will be a welcoming response to this, It's a form of art that has been forgotten".  

Some famous miniature models by world renowned artists across the world!

Until I researched I never thought a society for these miniaturists existed knows as the World Federation for Miniaturists. It has been formed with the purpose of encouraging communication between miniature art societies of the world and introducing the public to this exquisite art form.

Why do I watch Vlogs?


Most often when I want to get refreshed and entertained, my go to choice is watching videos, specifically Vlogs. I watch personal vlogs, fashion, make-up and beauty vlogs. One can say I am little too addicted, but believe me this helps in reviving your thoughts. 
So, to give you an example from something that I watched today, I saw a vlog from bubz (a youtuber- fashion related), who has just got married and is on a trip. And you ask me how it matters! It does.. 
I haven't visited Bora-Bora, Raiatea or Taha'a of the French Polynesia Islands, but these vlogs help me to see the place, listen to the story behind it and who is telling all these to me?! My favourite youtuber, what more would you expect to entertain yourself. 

Donno why I got a passion for make-up and beauty over the past few years(maybe because of the overflow of makeup vids on youtube I guess :P). And one other good thing that I did last year, my project! (research on vlogs, to be more specific, 'How people perceive vlogs?) A Double thumbs up for this since I got a first for my work. (WOoHoO..). The list of youtubers I watch has extended to a list of 20-25 maybe (but whose every single vlog I closely watch) Watch out for my next post on the list of Youtubers I watch. 


That's a lot!
xxx♥Cya♥xxx


Golden Temple in Coorg – Tibetan heritage





Plated statues, elaborate frescoes, and expensive silk hangings are always the unique features of any Tibetian architecture. At around 6 kms from Kushalnagar admist the sandel wood forest towards Mysore is the Tibetan Golden temple fondly named ‘Namdroling Monastery’ that reflects the architectural heritage of Tibet.  This area of Coorg has the highest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet.      

The big sprawling hall with reflective flooring, sound absorbent walls, the three big deities with gold coating are undoubtedly the centre of attraction for the visitors. The temple is surrounded by and decorated with colorful paintings that depict gods and demons of Tibetan mythology. Geurazangpo, a Buddhism student says, ‘the paintings on the main wall of the temple portrays the kings destroying demons of all four directions (north,east, west, south). The other paintings that can be found on both sides of the statues depict the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche who attained high realizations through the practice of  Dzogchen Teachings.

‘After the Chinese took over Tibet, the refugees were settled here and this Buddhist Monastery was re-established in 1972.  The temple's main attraction is the 40ft tall Buddha statue made of pure gold. There are two other statues of Padmasumbhava and Amaitayus on either side’ says Tenzin, a monk .
When asked about the architectural works undergone, he says, 'The statues are made of copper, plated with gold. Inside the statues are scriptures, small clay mould stupas, relics of great beings and small statues, which symbolize the body, speech and mind of the Buddhas.'

             ‘The entrance of the temple underwent heavy engineering and architectural work processes. It is modeled after the Sera University of Tibet. This temple now houses more than 8000 monks and nuns. They are also the students of Buddhism.  The unique classic arts that adorn the walls are related to Buddha’s life and history. The outer walls are carved with motifs and painted in gold colors. The gold coated Buddhist statues mirror the traditional Tibetan culture and heritage. It is an area full of culture. It is also renowned as a centre for the pure upholding of the teaching of the Buddha’ he adds.


As a major tourist attraction of Coorg, Karnataka the monastery has a tranquilizing atmosphere with its architecture engineered for meditation.  Like any other tourist spot, There are also several areas for shopping around the Golden temple. There was an exclusive selection of Tibetan style gift articles like the Vajradhaka, Wind chimes, Tara masks and other Buddist ritual items.

                                                                            Photo courtesy @ Premnath Thirumalaisamy 

Best themes for Android

Are you android user who loves to play around with different themes and colours, then this post is for you. Recently, I have been wanting to change over to a new theme everyday. Rain in Chennai for the past few days has favored me a lot in attempting to try most of the themes,launchers and wallpapers (yes! this is what I do when you give me so many random holidays.. Thanks to the Met dept :P)


Out of the launchers I have tried, Go launcher seems to steal the show. I did try the Nova and Apex launcher which has got great reviews from experts. If you ask me why GO launcher, I can justify it with two specs, It's high customization facilities and also is quite a safe one (lot less ads than any other launcher).

Okay... Go launcher fine, but themes? The best free themes of Go launcher are



This is a refreshing theme that is free to use. It has a fresh, earthly (if that's a word), nature loving feel to it. The UI and the transitions are so cool. Saving the best for the last, the icons are great



This is a theme that is on my device for a while now. I picked up on this theme very recently, but the one that would never go off style. This is the one if you are a minimalist. 



A creative and colorful theme according to me. The unique feature of these themes are the Effects added to them. Rainbows and colorful balloons - this is the one for you! ♥

These are the top three themes that I came across. The sad part is they drain battery quite easily. (But who cares! these are so creative and imaginative). Will talk abt best wallpapers and lock screens in my next post, until then good BYE! 

♥x------x♥
That's a lot, Cya!


Children too young to go to school?

A recent report by The Guardian talks about the demand made by educational specialists to call for an extension in the formal schooling age.When we look out for a similar situation like this in India, having seen the reality, where my cousins were force-fed with too much information at like 3 or 4 yrs with charts and books everywhere it would be a best option to start schooling between 6-7 years. And can't beat the education system where nothing is practical and from a very young age children are forced to get a first grade. (Where we tend to take into consideration the child's ability, have to blame the society though!)

The letter said,

The continued focus on an early start to formal learning is likely to cause profound damage to the self-image and learning dispositions of a generation of children’. 

It's not good to have too many responsibilities..



Okay, first off I like to take responsibilities since I get a chance to show that I am capable of doing that job. I used to do quite well in managing a few different things. But now, I understood that It's not good to have too many responsibilities.. There is a reason why I say this.The moment you take 2 or 3 responsibilities, that's where the problem starts, you don't get to perform even one of them efficiently. Sometimes, its good to say no to certain things. Just have a think before you take up too many responsibilities and finally suffer with it. But man, life is full of mysteries. The second you start a new responsibility we all tend to work towards making that happen. But for once, life can challenge you to do a few things that will tend to make you worked up, but at the same time it gives a great pleasure. So here I conclude my little rambling by saying its good to take responsibilities a few times, until you know you can successfully complete it. Or else, just deal with it, say no to certain things. 

1000 views! ♥


Just started to write random things, when I wished. Now this has become one that is more closely associated with me making memories everytime. The moment I just get a hint of what I want to write, I start typing. This acheives my motive of typing anything I wish. Okay, to start talking about the 1000 views that my blog hit yesterday it is pretty cool! I am very happy that my hobby is progressing to the next level rather than something I mark in my academics. This feel is amazing ♥. It gives me the energy to write more and more on just some simple random things. Now I know, people seem to like reading random bits. Okay, done with my little ramble.

---That's a lot---
Cya

Mobile photo editing apps that I use

app
Taking pictures of anything and everything is my favourite pass-time now. In recent years photography has gained a lot of attention from the general public and has even entered the social networking cycle. The power of it can now be explained with this simple line that my friend said to me yesterday, "You had a delicious cheese cake yesterday, You didn't instagram it right?!". So, clicking pictures and editing it has become one of my hobbies. ?In my android phone, the main photo-editing app are picsplay pro, instagram, photobooth.

These three are entirely different and I use these in a variety of circumstances. So, Picsplaypro is my favorite out of these. Its swift and a easy interface makes me say these. 


After you open your picture you wanted to edit, this is the screen that pops up. Each of these have a different set of editing options. As I already boasted about the simple user interface that this app possess, it makes this efficient. 



The other thing I am crazy about is the one click undo and redo option. Its easy to save a picture and share it on social networking sites. Overall to rate it on 5, this completely steals the show and gets a 5♥

Are likes hating on tweets? #Hashtag jumper

Twitter and Facebook- The Hare and the tortoise story has been out there for several years that it has now become outdated.


Follow or like 'word war', who wins the game?


While talking to one of my friends last week, this line that lingered in my mind for several minutes, "twitter looks and feels professional". When I pushed her to explain a little more about this thought she adds, "If people in twitter can express there thoughts in 140 characters, why to waste time with a round about, unprofessional format". Starting an argument with her, I said "Twitter is no fun, even though there is still a room for conversation, which is the primary ability of social networking, it lacks several aspects that Facebook scores on". She adds on "I get more professional contacts via twitter, when I want to lack in any personal sort of communication and people have got no time to read an entire essay from me". 

Venting into a debate, I said, "Facebook allows me to get to know about a person more quickly than what twitter does, it even acts as a ice-breaker at times".To add a bit of background to this argument, a person whom I know personally has about 18k follower and has no room for conversation on the twitter page. And the possible reply that I received, "Its not feasible to felicitate an argument or a conversation when your follower list exceeds a certain limit, no more it becomes a private conversation, it extends into a public debate". This reply seems legit, but breaks the point of social networking.

Facebook and its new hashtag got no meaning


A Facebook page this is not twitter. Hashtags don't work here says, "I don't mind seeing TOPICAL hashtags on Facebook. It's been pretty cool to see a variety of opinions on the political events that have happened in the US over the past few days".  


That's a lot! Cya!

-----♥x ♥-----

What I have been thinking about recently...


Life just looks normal and peaceful until reality bites. Last few months has thought me a lot of things, which if I had not faced the reality for once, would have never struck up in my mind.

1) When Life gives you lemon, make lemonades. 
This is the first and the best lesson I have acquired in the past few months. Okay, to speak for real, nobody in this world, except very few want you to achieve big things in life. I am not trying to brag about my possessions, well am trying to justify my point here. If you gain more power than anybody else, people will try to dumb you down. This is the hard truth of life we lead now. If you don't use your opportunity for once, then there is no point in being sorry about it later. (Oh! okay! this sounds a little preachy.., next will be better). 

2) Understood I am not the only one out there!
Is it good or bad?! (Depends on how you analyse it). I am not the only one who knows everything, I am not the only one who knows nothing. Either way, I am not alone. Speaking sense, We always except somebody to walk alongside us in all troubles or happiness that we face(Can't blame, we're just being human). I recently understood that its okay to be alone at times. That atleast solves my guilty pleasure of being me and getting things done all by myself. Not to debar that it has given me a lot of confidence to face many issues. (which I would rather solve alone...and learn)

3) Be yourself ♥
This is a phrase that we all have come across in a day to day life(I know, when someone says this to us... we are like ohhhh!... we have had enough of this) But recently I understood or maybe to put it in  smaller phrase, now I just don't care. (whoever, whatever, wherever, whenever) Why should I care about someone, who is not even having a similar thought as me. This is my key to develop individuality.(my mantra to success). You can very well see my media sciece peeking right there.(yeah! @individuality). Why do I want to become a person who is like incomparable to me.. Let's speak truth here, I have always wanted to be a person whom I think enjoys the most out of their life. That's how my society has shaped me into.(should I blame my parent's, tutors, or myself?!). This list might sound petty, but makes sense to me! I am happy that I have started posting things again!

Wanted to share this!


This is the song I am jamming this month! ♥ KAtie Sky - Only you ♥


My Favo Quote ♥ 


Sorry Dragon!

This is a picture I found very expressive. Its the anxiety, surprise, the new feel, and the Awe that this picture has which makes it special



That's a lot! Cya!

-------♥x♥x♥x♥-------



Uttarakhand floods - Helpful resources from google

Uttarakhand floods - Helpful resources from google
Google has added a value to this wide spread social networking sites. It feels like we have moved to a new social age where we can utilize the technological advancements available to help each other. This is an incredible effort by google that is really appreciable. Had never thought it would work this way. This app or a page helps in finding out the worst affected areas due to the floods, to present more active relief measures to the affected people. This also covers an interactive map consisting the list of rescued people, the stranded ones and also the cleared rescue zones. In addition to all these facilities, the main feature that it possesses is in finding out details about the person missing. To make these effective, there are rescue helplines attached too. This is being constantly updated, so that it makes sense on the timely efforts that are carried out. Hope this trend that has emerged stays positive through the rest of the years. 

To view the page click on this link.


❀ ✿ ♥ Spring is finally here! Florals, daffodils, breezy winds! ❀ ✿ ♥


So finally, a windy warm temperature welcomed and woke me up this morning. I have been really missing going to beaches in chennai. Will surely go back and enjoy the sunny 30 degrees! Two months more for that. Apart from that the spring story is really fantastic in Brum. From now on, till the spring ens there is going to be spring series on my blog. Moving off from rambles and musings of me, I will start off to discuss more about the spring trends.


This is a picture I took in London! Talking here about Birmingham and a picture from London! Thought it was pretty cool and a spring picture! #SorryNotSorry

Want to see more of my London trip click here! Today I had my brunch outside, and when I came out of my house, I felt really blessed to have an amazing warm climate outside. Not to mention, before even I walked out of the hotel, it started drizzling. Yet again the gloomy, cloudy, rain and winds.#TypicalBritainClimate But seeing a double digit on the BBC weather page is really exciting though! It's quite funny that BBC one has changed its layout to all yellow awaiting spring. Take a look at that!


To experience this spring, me and my friend sat on our front yard for some time breathing in the fresh air and gazing through blissful sky! The colourful trend that spring has brought us to is also pretty exciting.

Don't forget to watch the rainbow nails tutorial by Cutepolish which is also a creative nail to carry on this spring. Pastels are also up for this spring!


Here there is a call for spring and sun. Soon waiting to have a proper spring experience here in Brum, for which most others in Birmingham are waiting for too!

Do watch this space for spring notes and trends!

❀ ✿ ♥❀ ✿ ♥ Spring perfect nails- Coming soooooon!❀ ✿ ♥❀ ✿ ♥

Dreams !?!! ZzZZZzzzz...



Dreams and Ghosts have always been an interesting topic to discuss about! Recently when I was scrolling down my facebook page I saw some interesting facts about dreaming on Creativity matters page. Not forget to mention that it has been one of my favourite pages to look up to. They always come up with some interesting posts like Dreams!

So not going to rave about Creativity matters page.So here I am back into the topic that I chose today. I really like dreams. I have had so many dreams but there is always a dream that stands distinct and sticks to your head. When you or your friends talk about the topic, that dream is the one that pops up in your mind.

One dream that I wake up to very often is this. It just starts like every other dream being in house, leisurely chatting and eating, then all of a sudden I am all alone in a dark (maybe it is something of a grayscale picture with a street light on one corner..if I could still remember it right). So, there I am standing in between two parallel walls and can't even see the other end, its more of a infinity lane. I run to find some people around and atlast end up meeting one person, maybe a women (Which is not quite clear though!) I stand and ask for help. So now this place is weird looking, it is also a black and white one with a wall in front of me, so instead of turning back, couldn't further move. So come back talking to the weird person whom I have not met in my life till now!

Having a strange feel all of a sudden, I see some of my family members around there and this dream just ends on a happy note even though it is very strange and tragic all through this process!

It's quite funny that I could even now while writing this have a complete picture of what I see always in that dream. On that note, will return back tomorrow with more exciting ideas like this!

What I like about Tiffany?!


Tiffany Alvord! If you have read my last post then its very obvious that I am in love with Tiffany's music. If you are a Tiffanatic!♥ Hola!! But others she is really good singer and one of the shining stars of Youtube. Eventhough I come from a place where we dont listen to most of the English Songs my favorite genre of music has always been melodies, and in a nutshell anything fun and creative! The things that I like about Tiffany's music is that not intimidated by the outside world she just brings out the  enchanting music. Apart from her original music videos she also does cover for some songs. You should really check her out! She is pretty cool though!

http://www.youtube.com/user/TiffanyAlvord


All Time Favorites!


#1 Favorite photograph To start off, this has a lot of interpretations hidden inside it. Maybe, if it sounds too philosophical, its just a pretty capture though. I have always liked this picture since it communicates so much, atleast to me. For me it denotes fresh thoughts, dreams, and purity! Have your go now! Think to yourself any three words that this picture denotes to you :) 

#2 This has always been one of my favorite Quotes. 


#3 My favorite list. Seriously this helps when you are bored! 



#4 Favorite photo that I took! I am a O.K. photographer though! ;)


#5 Favorite Junkiee! Now its getting weird!

#6 Favorite song! This song is by Tiffany Alvord, a famous singer who gained popularity through youtube! 



#7 Favourite app! This is the one app that i really love! I like reading books on this! Short and sweet♥




#8 Favourite Game


#9 Favourite Board game! Business \@-@/ Missing it! If this is your childhood favo too then ur
 childhood was AWESOME!


#10 Favorite passtime! A cheesy one it is though ! never mind! ♥BLOggINg♥ It's just a little too personal...:)


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