Appreciation!

'Appreciate', the dictionary meaning is synonymous to gratitude. I think that is the reason we interchangeably use gratitude and appreciation. You express your feelings to the person or object out of gratitude, you appreciate the person or object for their acts and influence on us. I feel showing gratitude is more connected to our personal feelings while we appreciate we even feel elevated and inspired. Appreciation adds value to the receiver as personal development tool, as it transforms the vibration. Of course, the one who receives appreciations that person’s energy can be lifted up and is not equal to mere enthusiastic words. Being appreciative is exactly what attracts you to the events you want to attend, conditions and circumstances that you desire, and the more you focus on them with appreciation, the more you will attract. Usually in April and May “appreciation week” is celebrated for teachers, nurses, employees, volunteers, engineers, doctors, and to any service personal groups. Teachers and nurses are commonly appreciated for their impact and care giving to the students and patients. 

Token of appreciation

Recently, I enjoyed attending an appreciation week especially as volunteer. My help to the organizations brought in a word of appreciation and a token of any appreciation means a lot to me. I am happy to share the picture of a few gifts that I got as a token of appreciation. A few words of appreciation works as a tonic of encouragement. At any time let us not forget to appreciate others around us for the job well done. Appreciative words to children boosts self confidence in them and to young adults help achieve their goals in life. Even if something is not totally right, we can find some positive things and appreciate. It is hard though at times. Appreciation is the fastest way to bring joy, happiness, prosperity and abundance into our lives.

A few appreciation weeks celebrated:

US national Volunteer Week April 10-16

Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6

Nurses Appreciation Week May 6-12

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing.  It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." 

-Voltaire

How did I earn my first job?

Many of us were thinking wishfully that after we grow up we earn a job so that we don't have to study or do homework. It would be just going to a job, earn money and spend as we like. When I was in high school, I did not have luxury to think like this as my family was traditional and my parents wanted me to get married as soon as I graduate. They were under the impression that if I graduate the groom should should be with a step higher in education.If I was employed what if the would be or in-laws did not agree me to continue with my job. It all looks weird for today's youngsters as traditions and beliefs have changed over the couple of decades. 
     Back to my story, it so happened that my elder brother earned a bank job writing competitive exams. My inspiration to apply for a job stemmed from my brother's success. He always used to advise me that taking competitive exams would be easy for me. As he noticed, I was very much interested in general knowledge and had reasoning skills with sharp memory. Though I liked the idea, I was hesitant to apply as I was very much shy and couldn't dare talk to strangers. Every time my brother visited home for vacation, he used to give motivational lectures to me and eventually convinced me and my dad that I should start applying. I still remember his words, “first apply take the test, pass and see if you get called for an interview. If you get the job, that is the time you can decide.”  
     Once I was 18, I became eligible to apply for a bank teller job. That was during my sophomore year. Finally I applied for the job and decided to take the exam. After a big huddle my dad volunteered to guide me through the preparation and helped me take the exam. I did well in the exam and as expected, I received a call letter for the interview. Since then I started feeling nervous, though I was preparing consciously for the interview. At last the day of interview came in my way. With fingers crossed I was waiting in the lounge to be called into the interview room. When my turn came, I hesitantly went into the interview room; three people interviewed me with common sense questions and some on current affairs. But for one or two questions the interview went on smoothly for me. With lighten heart, I thanked the interviewers and walked out of the hall. In excitement, I joined back my dad who was waiting for me outside. My dad enthusiastically inquired about the process and how I felt. I just said to him that I was relieved and everything went on well. 
     From the next day I was back to routine attending my college. My friends were so happy for me that I was one of the two students from our college who attended the interview. It took months to get the results published, meanwhile I completed my graduation. While I was arguing with my dad that I would take masters degree classes, then came the news that I was selected for the teller job. No bounds to my job hearing the news since it was unique success in my family as a girl. I was thinking to my self that I would be the first girl to go for a job and earn money. I was posted to a small town some 200 miles away from my parent’s house. Then another discussion started, whether to send or not send me alone to unknown far off place. All my friends and  my dad’s colleagues insisted that I should go for the job and impressed my dad with the same. Fortunately my request for change of location worked out well and I was then posted to a place where my aunt lived. That was when my parents agreed and blessed me to go for a job with heads high. I thanked my parents and brother for all the motivation and support in every possible way to earn my first job. My mom and I shopped for buying clothes and accessories. The day of real excitement came that is the first day of my job stepping into a nationalized bank.  

“The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.”

- Oscar Wilde

Lovely Thoughts About Life

The moment I read this email, I thought of sharing. 

 

 Lovely Thoughts About Life

A short walk is so difficult, 

when no one walks with you. 

But a long journey is just like few steps,

when you walk with someone,

who loves and cares for you.

We always look and care for the person

whom we love the most. 

But we fail to look back at those 

who love us the most. 

Death's not the greatest loss in life….. 

The greatest loss is when 

relationships die inside us while 

we are still alive... 

         

Life is not about the people 

who act true on your face.. 

It’s about the people who 

remain true behind your back.. 

Time decides whom you meet in life

Your heart decides whom you want in life.. 

but your behaviors’ decides 

who will stay in your life... 

You can win life by all means.. 

Yes….. 

If you simply avoid two things... 

1. Comparing - with others 

2. Expecting - from others 

Life will be more beautiful!!

Happy Earth Day!

We all know that Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970. From the start, Senator Gaylord Nelson started this day, envisioned the day as a "teach-in" to teach about environmental awareness. Earth day is now observed over in 180 countries. Do we have to be reminded that we have to protect mother Earth. We keep hearing all the time that we should keep our Earth clean and the importance of recycling. I am amazed about some of the fun facts I collected on the web. How many times have we given a thought when we do or not doing these things? Take a look.

• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to watch a TV for three hours - it's equivalent to half a gallon of gasoline.
• It takes 90% less energy to recycle aluminum cans than to make new ones
• 5 billion aluminum cans are used each year
• Never underestimate the importance of recycling: if every newspaper was recycled, we could save about 250,000,000 trees each year. Unfortunately only 27% of all American newspapers are recycled.
• More than 80,000,000 Hershey's Kisses are wrapped each day, using 133 square miles of tinfoil. All that foil is recyclable, but not many people realize it.
• One bus carries as many people as 40 cars!
• More than 1/3 of all energy is used by people at home
• Most families throw away about 88 pounds of plastic every year
• Each gallon of fuel releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air.
• Approximately 5 million tons of oil produced in the world each year ends up in the ocean.
• The energy we save when we recycle one glass bottle is enough to light a traditional light bulb for four hours
• For every 2000 pounds of paper (1 ton) recycled, we save 7,000 gallons of water free from chemicals.
• Recycled paper requires 64% less energy than making paper from virgin wood pulp, and can save many trees
• Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees
• The amount of wood and paper we throw away is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years.
• Earth is 2/3 water, but all the fresh water streams only represent one hundredth of one percent.
• 14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the ocean every year
• 84 percent of all household waste can be recycled.
• Computers pose an environmental threat because much of the material that makes them up is hazardous. A typical monitor contains 4-5 pounds of lead.
• Each year billions of used batteries are thrown away in the United States. This constitutes 88% of the mercury and 54% of the cadmium deposited into our landfills
• Approximately only 10 percent of every landfill can be cleaned up.
• One gallon of motor oil can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of water, so dispose of properly!
• Here is an example of the water we use every day:
• *3-7 gallons for toilet, 25-30 gallons for tub,
  50-70 gallons for a 10 minute shower,
  1 washing machine load uses 25-40 gallons,
  1 dishwasher load uses 9-12 gallons
• The garbage in a landfill stays for a for about 30 years. 
• Each person throws away approximately four pounds of garbage every day.
• Here is an example of how long it takes some things take to break down:
• *plastics take 500 years,
  aluminum cans take 500 years,
  organic materials, take 6 months,
  cotton, rags, paper take 6 months.

I try to recycle most of the things first by reusing and later placing them into proper recycling bins, for which my family thinks I am crazy. After reading the fun facts, I am sure you would join and reduce waste by reusing and restore by recycling. We need to try to protect the nature, if not, do not destroy it. Earth can be without human beings, but we human beings cannot survive without Earth we are dependent on it. Nature knows how to take care of it if you can’t. Mother Earth rules!
http://www.planetpals.com/fastfacts.html

http://www.yumsugar.com/Earth-Day-Fun-Facts-219708

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” 

-Cree Indian Proverb

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” 

-Native American Proverb

Living with the gadgets!

Yes, technology is taking us far beyond what we can imagine. We human beings are so dependent on gadgets that we cannot spend a moment without them. Our ancestors lived with the nature, and shared their emotions with people around. Now we see everyone is busy using a gadget or hooked on to it no time for a neighbor. It has become easy to talk to a machine, spend time with gadgets rather than talk to a person next to us. In hall ways, waiting for a ride or in the train station, we see people busy in their own world either on cell phone, texting or checking mail, enjoying their music on iPod, or reading articles or even books on iPad. Everybody is so busy, no time to say “hi or hello” or enjoy the nature or people around. Are we living with humans or the gadgets? We are living with humans with the help of gadgets. During my recent east coast trip I happened to see almost each and every one of them either with some gadget or the other. I felt like, we are dominated by the man made gadgets allover. We may not even know about some gadgets, unless you come across to see them or read about them or someone talks about them or use it. We feel tempted to own it for personal use, or for hobbies or by peer pressure. Depending on your personal or professional interests we tend to master in that particular gadgets. For example photographers would like to know about varieties of cameras, music lovers about MP3 players, ipods etc. We wake up to the morning alarm to check messages on our phones as the first thing and without that our day does not even start. It is true that we have fun with some gadgets and of course some others simplify our life. 

Long ago, I read in USA Today that gadgets usage is based on geographic areas. Ipads are significantly high in use in NY, Amazon kindle in Massachusetts, cameras in Michigan, laptops in Colorado etc. I felt funny to read the statistics. The gadgets we are using today will be become history in less than a decade. Then the environmental question comes up as the landfill is filled with all these electronic gadgets. Recycle is an option but how many would do it. Never mind the new gadgets will be produced with new inventions and with extraordinary usage year after year, putting behind what we would do with the existing ones.

“A new gadget that lasts only five minutes is worth more than an immortal work that bores everyone.”

- Francis Picabia

How do we listen?

When I was talking to someone today, I realized for a while they were not paying attention to my words. Of course, even I might have done the same thing sometimes. This reminded me of a story I read in a magazine, about three disciples and a great master. After imparting the required knowledge to the young disciples the master wanted to test their knowledge. He brought three skulls and asked which one of the skull belonged to a great saint. The first disciple looked at the skulls, took them in hand and then he pointed at the one which weighed the most. The second disciple came and showed the one which was shining as that of the saint. The third disciple took a long thin grass stem and put in one ear of a skull and it came out of the other ear. He interpreted that the skull belongs to an ordinary man, because whatever he heard through one ear, he let it out through other ear. We see in our daily life many people that do not respond and we keep saying to them, "did you listen to one ear and let it out through the other ear?" Now, on to the second skull, he put the same thin grass through the ear it came out through the mouth of the skull. For this he explained that whatever the person heard through the ear he could not hold it for himself and had comfort only after telling someone. I am sure we commonly do this; I wonder if this is how the word ‘gossip’ came into existence! Back to the story, the same way, he put the thin grass into the ear of the third skull, this time the stem passed through one ear and went down the neck. The disciple was quick to explain that this skull belongs to the saint because whatever he heard took everything into his heart and understood well. Now we know what it takes to become a saint. Looking at the understanding and great explanation of this disciple, the master bestowed his wishes on the disciple and suggested him that she should carry on his journey in the real world. We hear so many things everyday from many sources. Honestly, how many times have we paid attention while hearing to somebody? Don't we choose to spread the words before understanding? I wonder how our skulls would shape up!

“Listening looks easy, but it's not simple. Every head is a world."

- Cuban Proverb

Sharing experiences

Our success is measured based on education we receive, grades and jobs we earn followed with lifestyle we adopt. Each one of us would like to have the best of these. What if we shared our success and failures with anyone struggling to come up in life? Would this help? Yes, it would. It depends on what the giver likes to share with the receiver. Often we share knowledge in our day to day life. The receiver may think, “I already know this”. Having knowledge is only one part and we are not certain how it applies to us from time to time. More so, sharing real life experiences along with abstract knowledge encourages transformation and builds confidence in others. One may think that somebody has gone through a similar situation and “I am not alone”. We try to explain logically to help the receivers understand. Usually either they can’t understand or even if they understand they don’t want to accept it. If we start sharing anecdotes along with the knowledge, they may slowly think to change gradually. In addition to sharing knowledge, showing grace, love, and affection will immensely help come out of the struggle successfully. By sharing openly and meaningfully with others around us, we can enrich their lives and progress ourselves in the process.

“We can teach from our experience, but we cannot teach experience.”

 -Sasha Azevedo

National Library Week April 10-16

Boston Public Library

Traditional library carried books, manuscripts, anything in print form. It is difficult to own all the books, either to read or to refer. In the modern age we see libraries in schools colleges and city libraries. I remember my first visit to my college library in a town in India. I was amazed at the varied collection. Since then, I would say, I was hooked on visiting library to get reference material for the class or just browse magazines, which otherwise, I am sure; I would not have been exposed to. Back then library was the first source to find reference. Public libraries play an important role in today’s society. They provide access to books and materials that might otherwise be unavailable, and they offer an inexpensive source of information and entertainment. From fiction to biographies, references materials to daily magazines and newspapers, books on tape to DVDs, there is something in the library that will interest nearly everyone. In the internet age too, libraries play an important role, they help with the access to computers and internet, provide conference rooms free of charge for public welfare programs conducted there, have quiet rooms for small groups or individuals to study. Summer reading programs are very popular for children of all ages. They even conduct story time to toddlers, teen club activities, adult small talk groups, added to these they even conduct special computer classes to the seniors. 

 According to the Public Library Association website, there are more than 16,000 libraries in the United States and also report a 23 percent increase in use from 2006 through 2009. The concept of library is not new; Romans had some collections but were not for lending purposes. During the 9^th century some of the European countries had the facility for the rich and common people could not afford to make use of it. In USA, Benjamin Franklin started a lending library with a few like-minded people. In 1848, Boston opened its first large public library; today’s location was built in 1895. During the National Library week I happened to visit the library, I was surprised to see such a huge library; it does not look like a mere library with books looks more like a palace with galleries filled with murals and architecture. The hall way, the staircase, the galleries, decorated ceilings have charmed me; I easily lost track of the time I was in the building. According the Boston library website they have more than 6.1 million books and 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts for research purpose.

It is easy to find a library today in any city, and is easier to get a library card, and borrow the books for free. In the digital age, libraries not only provide with print books, they lend digital books meaning download books. Public libraries select library materials based on their patron’s request, they have collection for people of diverse backgrounds and with a variety of interests. With the inter-library loan system, even if your library does not have a particular book your local librarian will find a library that will lend the book, it’s that easy.

       Today’s recession is causing major federal funding cuts to public libraries. Hope our government considers the importance of vast education the libraries provide. The resources in libraries are useful and help everyone regardless of age, gender, and race or income level. In most cases, books offer in-depth knowledge that is not available online. April 10-16 is National Library week, but that does not mean we should not celebrate libraries all year. Let us all support our libraries; I can’t think what it would be like to be without them. Can’t we all be united for the love of books and reading?

“Everything you need for better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library.”

- Henri Frederic Amiel (Swiss writer 1821-1881)

"Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container."
- Unknown

Worry not........

Once upon a time there was a fisherman sitting on the bank of a river. It was still dark and so was waiting for sunrise to start fishing. He put his legs in the water and was just sitting there. His foot felt some soft cloth like thing, he was not sure what it was and so picked up and in the dim light it appeared like a bag. He opened the bag and found some pebbles. As it was twilight he did not see what exactly they were. While he was waiting for the sunrise, he started throwing one pebble after the other into the river. He threw 24 pebbles, and was about to throw the 25^th pebble. In that dim light he was able to see a spark emanating from the pebble. Lo and behold, it was a shining gem stone. He was astonished to see the gem stone in his hand. Soon he was depressed that he could not hold all the 25 of them for himself and never enjoyed the one in hand. We with all our ignorance thrive for what we don't have but never be happy with what we already have. Human form is a unique creation of GOD that has judgment power to differentiate good from bad, right from wrong and happiness from sorrow. After hearing this story, I felt that we are so lucky to be born as human that we can enjoy all the luxuries on this earth. Surprising though, we always feel for what we miss or we do not have enough in our lives. As a well known saying in Ramayana, a Hindu epic states, " A small light of happiness can remove entire darkness of sorrow."

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Zip Zip!

Everyone of us zip the zipper almost everyday. Zipper is a funny technological advance and we cannot compare this simple innovation with big breakthroughs like steam engines, electricity or airplanes. Nobody would have imagined the zipper would remake the world. To create a new thing we need imagination, skill, and faith that it works. Having said this, whoever comes in contact with that novel product has to try it, accept it and find used and other ways to use it. Very soon the zipper transformed into a necessity even before anyone could talk about the challenges in re-creating it for the present day’s use. Now zipper has become an integral part of daily life and it is used naturally in many ways. There are different shapes and forms of zips from coil, metallic, one sided to open ended to close ended. In 1930s zip or slide fastener found its right place in the clothing industry replacing buttons.  We all easily agree that zipper is the first machine we learnt to operate in childhood and mastered upon. Sure, this promotes self-reliance in young children giving them a feeling that they can dress by themselves. Though zipper is less expensive if failed to work the expensive piece would have no value. Zipper can sometimes cause minor inconveniences. Colloquially the word zip is used in many connotations. We often read or hear many anecdotes, satires and jokes around zipper usage. Today zipper is fastened to any material and is everywhere in clothing, luggage and all unimaginable other objects. Not only that, in computer industry we have zip drives that can carry digital media, data and back up any valuable information.

"Of all the things that tax our patience, there is nothing to compare with a stuck zipper."

-Unknown

Young forever!

Being young is joyful and exciting to all of us. Considering yourself old is not a welcome sign while the world is dominated by culture of youth. It’s often believed that youth are too young to appreciate what they have got. When young, we feel we can rule the world and we also think why the older generation can’t get the point of view. Sure, every one of us is young at least once in a life time. Any young person would not be a good listener of elderly advice, because he/she can’t think that far to understand consequences. No doubt, only youth can be creative and innovative. Is this some sort of classic generation gap? 

The youthful energies should be directed in proper channel, to not only achieve and accomplish something in life but also judge the situations and act up on them. Proper guidance and adequate education can help a young person choose to plan his or her future in the present itself.  Perseverance is key to success, which doesn’t go into minds of youth easily. As we grow we think we are getting old, which I am sure none of us would agree upon. You always try to hide the child inside you, that real “you”. Shining adolescent skin may wrinkle, hair may gradually gray out. Though the gait may not suit you, you are matured to think wise and act upon. I was always confused between being young and growing old. Well it’s not in my control as time flies. Like everyone I have been through the “classic generation gap”. True, I accomplished quite a bit in my younger days, first lady in the family to get a college degree and employed ever etc. Of course, I am young again for having strength and courage to face the music of everyday challenges.  

"The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy."

-Oscar Wilde

Happy Ugadi!

Wish you a happy Ugadi with love, peace, hope and joy for the year ahead.

On this Ugadi, let the bitter taste of neem remind us of the struggles in life and the sweet taste of jaggery the progress that results from the struggle.

Xanthan gum vs. Guar gum

Xanthan gum or guar gum the common food additives known for its excellent binding properties, is not used in our daily cooking. Packaged and processed foods are common in many families throughout the day. They are convenient, portable and they stay fresh for a long time. Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound made by mixing aged (fermented) sugars with a certain kind of bacteria. Its properties are not affected to the color and flavor of the food by heat, and also act as a wheat gluten substitute. It is a food and medical addtitive with bulk forming qualities.It is commonly used in bread, cake, baked products and pasta. Xanthan gum plays important role in smoothing texture to ice creams, helps prevent formation of ice crystals in ice creams. It acts as stabilizing agent in sauces, used for thickening of soups and commercially used as egg substitute. I was surprise to read that mixture of xanthan gum with water and other natural ingredients is used for acne, assuring the risks of side effect to minimal. Side effects of xanthan gum include excessive gas production and bloating.

 Guar gum is a natural food thickener. Compared to cornstarch, very small amount of guar gum is required when used as a thickening agent. It is used in ice-creams, puddings, soups, etc. Guar gum is a very good binder and plasticizer that is used to produce various processed foods that have characteristic creamy textures. It was also used to produce diet pills that were meant to create a sense of fullness. Guar gum is obtained from guar seeds. Guar belongs to the group of important 'cash crops' of Pakistan and north India. Both these additives tend to lower blood sugar and cholesterol in diabetic patients, according to WebMD.com. Exposure to the powder may cause lung and breathing problems along with flu-like symptoms. It is also not recommended for patients with appendicitis, intestinal stenosis or blockage of the bowel. They act as a bulk laxative and requires additional water intake to prevent problems.

One of the differences between the two products is where they come from. Guar gum is made from a seed native to tropical Asia, while xanthan gum is made by bacteria that are fed a diet of corn or soy. Since it is unknown whether xanthan gum could cause a reaction in people severely allergic to corn and soy products, guar gum is normally used as a precaution for people with severe allergies to those foods. There are also important differences in using xanthan gum vs. guar gum. In general, guar gum is good for cold foods such as ice cream processed foods, or pastry fillings, while xanthan gum is better for baked goods. Xanthan gum is the right choice for yeast-used breads.

Though I don’t use these binding agents in my kitchen, I was fascinated to do some study on these additives as these are commonly found in the processed foods. 

The contents are for educational purpose, not a substitute for medical advice.

Words of Wisdom

Common notion, when somebody shares wise words verbally, we feel uneasy to hear through them. Sometimes the same words when read for ourselves can help encourage and motivate. Reading such words inspire, energize or just make me think. Personally, I feel reading a thought can change the way you think about something’s, hopefully it will have a positive impact or at the very least make me consider different opinion.  Long time back I received this in email and now just wanted to share with you all here. Even though we already read before, re-reading such words will make us wiser.

 Lessons from Geese

FACT: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.

LESSON: Those who share a common direction and sense of unity can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

FACT: Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

LESSON: If we are as smart as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give help to others.

FACT: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation, and another goose flies at the point position.

LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. People, like geese, are interdependent on each other.

FACT: The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed.

LESSON: We need to make sure the honking from behind is encouraging-and not something else.

FACT: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or try to catch up with the flock.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

"You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions."

- Naguib Mahfouz

April Fool's Day

Everybody thinks Aprils Fool’s Day began around 1582 in France, but the history is uncertain of the exact time period.  It is known that all this confusion started with the reform of changing the Gregorian calendar under French king, Charles IX.  New Year’s Day was moved from weeklong celebrations of March 25-April 1 to January 1. Those days communication traveled slowly, the news did not reach many people and so when some people continued to celebrate on the last day of the New Year week, i.e. April 1; such people were called “fools”. Such people were sent on “fool errands”, or sent invitations for nonexistent parties. 

 Over time, fooling people on April 1 has evolved into playing pranks. Slowly it was spread to different countries and has added their native flavor to it. In Scotland it is more of spoofs, in England more of jokes, in Portugal throwing flour at their friends. April Fool’s Day is celebrated for-fun-only. Today, practical jokes are played; pranks are played upon from simple to elaborate at offices, at schools and home.  It is so common that when somebody plays practical joke on you, you immediately say ha! Today is not April 1. When we are fooled we will be told that today is Fools Day sometimes we feel embarrassed. Keep the pranks mild, and see to it that it does not hurt others feelings. Recently my younger one filled empty toothpaste with water and kept ready for me to use. Unaware of it, I started to push the toothpaste on to the brush and water spilled all over; when I heard his laughing, I soon realized he played a prank on me. No matter where you happen to be in the world on April 1, don't be surprised if someone plays practical joke on you.

"April 1.  This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four."

-Mark Twain