Visiting Bahrain after 20 years- Indian School, Water Garden, Adhari Park, Bab Al Bahrain, Zinj, Pepsi Cola Factory, Salmaniya, Segaya, Um Al Hasam, Tree of Life

Daniel in front of Bab Al Bahrain 2015

Visiting Bahrain after 20 years

It’s after 20 years that I finally came back to Bahrain. Though I’m an Indian from the state of Kerala, I was born and raised here. When I left Bahrain in 1995, I took along with me valuable and precious memories most of which I still remember today. However when I returned here in Feb 2015, I realised that a lot has changed in the last 20 years. The 1995 map that I had stored in my mind is no longer the one I saw now in front of my eyes. There have been so many changes. There are few things that still remain the same though. I was happy to see Sana building in Salmaniya. Then a few restaurants and cold stores too remain the same. Everything else has changed. I came here along with my family. I was meeting up with few of my old Indian School buddies, my relatives and old family friends. And yes we all had a fab time. Libu Babu George, our friend who passed away in 2014 was definitely missed.

Island of Bahrain now Kingdom of Bahrain

The last time I remember, Bahrain was called the Island of Bahrain and it was ruled by His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. There was a Pepsi Cola factory where I lived near Zinj and of course we had the famous Pearl Of Barhrain standing strong as a major landmark. Bahrain was popularily called the Island of Pearls. I remember Shoe Mart and 21^st Century Games near to Dairy Queen. On both Fridays I went to Marthoma Church service being held at National Evangelical Church (NEC) along with my relatives. I have so many wonderful memories of church, Sunday school, choir, prayer meetings and vbs at NEC.

Water Garden, Indian School, Adhari Park, Manama 2015

Shawarmas, Salmaniya & Indian School

Indian School, Dairy Queen, Water Garden, Manama 2015

Well, this trip was a return to the past in one major way- we had shawarmas, burgers, sun tops, menu, etc-. We also visited our old parks like Water Garden and Adhari Park. We had burgers from Dairy Queen. We visited Manama, Bab Al Bahrain, Amwaj Island, Salmaniya, Segaya, Um Al Hassam. We went to see Saudi Causeway but it was closed as they were building a new tower. We did visit Tree of Life. But the most memorable place we visited was our old school, Indian School at Isa Town. We met few of our old teachers and sirs. Mrs Sequeira, Mrs Usha Jayakumar, Mrs. Laila Punoose, Mrs. Sreelatha, Mr, Vishwambharan, Mr. Abdulla from the Office, Mr Haji our Band Sir, Mr Benny our Volleyball Sir, etc-. It’s really God’s grace that we got to meet these teachers after so long. Many teachers left the school and few passed away like Mrs. Leelama, Mr Vasudevan, Mrs. Shangunni, etc.

Time was really short this time and so we have decided to visit Bahrain once more and visit more friends who we were not able to meet this time and visit even more places. Overall we all had a great time and Bahrain is a great place to visit.

Some pics of our Bahrain visit.

With Volley Ball Coach Mr. Benny, Indian School 2015

Daniel at Adhari Park, 2015

Memories- Indian School, Bahrain...

Memories- Indian School, Bahrain...

I have got lots of memories during my childhood days back in Bahrain! There are so many things I just can't forget and neither will those meories leave me and go away! Because they are meant to stay forever!!! My stay in Bahrain revolved around my wonderful family, my superb and amazing friends (I can never forget them no matter how much I try... :p )... and my BEST SCHOOL- INDIAN SCHOOL!!!... I also have some great memories in our Marthoma Church and Sunday School (held at National Evangelical Church), VBS, prayer meetings and so on... But nothing ever compares to our School Days in Bahrain!!!

So, here are some drawings of mine and my friends during our 8th standard and 9th standard (1992,93,94,95...).  I also got a page each from my old sticker book collection and my old autograph/slam book. Funny things!!! Some drawings were mostly during class hours while the teacher was teaching while some were during free periods or Art and Craft classes and the rest was done at home! The drawings were all for fun and drawn during our young and innocent days and no drawings were done to offend anyone in anyway.  Of course all Indian School students are cool guys so Im pretty sure everyone'e going to enjoy this memory lane down to the best INDIAN SCHOOL BAHRAIN!!!

Enjoy guys.... :)

Pictures:

School Combat- Indian School Bahrain

Some of my favourite chocolates: Snickers, Kinder, Quality Street, Hersheys Kisses, Kit Kat, Lion Bar, Galaxy, Twix, Swiss

Some of my favourite chocolates

Chocolates may be fattening but the pleasure you get from it is unimaginable! Most of my favourite chocolates are the ones I have eaten during my childhood days in Bahrain, Arabian Gulf. So yes, chocolates is one of the many things that form my Bahrain memories.  Now, I don't die for chocs as I used to earlier. May be for fun sake I may gorge on them while with my friends or in the company of kids. But my old die-hard craving for them has gone away. Few of them still remain in my heart though. I still love Kinder Surprise egg chocolate! Initially I used to love it for the toys that comes inside it, just like every other normal toy loving kid. But over the years the chocolate also has become a special pleasure for me (in addition to the toys which I still love)! I also enjoy Kinder Joy chocolate but not as much as the egg choc though.

Some of my FAVOURITES are:

1. Snickers

2. Kinder

3. Quality Street

4. Kit Kat
5. Dairy Milk
6. Nutella

7. Toblerone
8. Twix
9. Galaxy

10. Hersheys Kisses

11. Lion Bar

12. Bar One

13. Few other Swiss chocs (don't remember the names) and many more...

First Wedding Anniversary on Valentine's Day 14th Feb- "God not only heals your wounds but also your relationships!

1st Wedding Anniversary

“He who finds a true wife finds what is good, a treasure, and receives favor from the LORD”
(Proverbs 18:22)

Heh...Praise God! It’s been a year since we got married and time certainly did fly very very fast. By God’s grace our life has been a blessed journey. Yup, it took time for us to adjust in many areas. And we know we still need more time to adjust in many more areas of our lives. We are still happy and at peace even though we know we may not be an ideal couple. And as long as we are trying to adjust with each other, take time to listen to each other, admit our faults, help each other, forgive each other, support, understand and love each other even more, and most importantly pray together, we realise we are the happiest couple! We also pray for wisdom and guidance and counsel of Holy Spirit, not just for living our daily lives, but also to be living stones and faithful stewards for the Lord’s service. God has once again favoured us because we are going to be proud parents of a blessed child very soon. Of course we love to have many more blessed children but the point is that God, Who is our Creator and Heavenly Father, is the Source for everyone’s blessings in this world. And the greatest gift He has ever given for anyone is salvation through His Son Jesus Christ by the blood that He shed for us on the Cross! Jesus Christ is risen and seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father and advocates for us.

Husband and Wife... Prayer on Wedding Anniversary... :) Remember, God can heal, not only your wounds, but also your relationships!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
(James 1:17)

14th February is celebrated as Valentine’s Day. Today we are not celebrating V Day but we pray and thank God that He has kept us safe, sound and healthy as Husband and Wife for the past one year. We are grateful that we are able to love each other, no matter what circumstance we are in, because the love which He has put in us in the name of Jesus, is increasingly manifesting in our lives every day. And so we celebrate our bond of love every day. And may He continue in showering His mercies and blessings upon our lives and teach us the way we should walk in Godly love, humility and cheerfulness. We also pray for everyone who are celebrating their Wedding Anniversaries that God blesses you and showers you with His love and mercy. May God bless you with love, peace, wisdom, healing, family, children, breakthroughs in your financial struggles, your areas of sin, ministries, in your area of studies, jobs and relationships. May your lives and minds be renewed by His love. We ask all this in Jesus’ name, amen. Remember, God can heal, not only your wounds, but also your relationships! So believe and pray this over your life and God will work wonders in your lives! God bless you :)

(Bible verses source: Proverbs 18:22 & James 1:17- New International Version, Amplified Bible, New Living Translation)

GOOGLE BUZZ Live Demo- 10 things you can do with GOOGLE BUZZ!

All about GOOGLE BUZZ

What happens when Google mixes Facebook, Orkut, Twitter and Gmail? Presto!- You have GOOGLE BUZZ! GOOGLE BUZZ is the latest online revolution from Google and is inbuilt in your GMAIL account. As their caption suggests Google Buzz indeed goes 'beyond status messages!' You can share updates, conversations, photos, videos, and even more. You have the liberty to follow and unfollow those contacts that you choose, just as in Twitter. However, your text is definitely limited to more than 140. The Buzz option is in your Gmail Inbox right under 'Inbox'. When you click on Buzz you enter the page where you have a text box with every option to insert photos, videos or links. Well, I haven’t used this much but I did post three links to test it. Who knows, Google Buzz might just try and be a major threat to Facebook and Twitter.

Here are 10 things you can do with GOOGLE BUZZ:

1. Already inbuilt: You are automatically connected with your contacts having Gmail account and can choose whom to follow or unfollow.

2. Publishing privacy: You can share your status and discussions to the whole world or just to your selected followers.

3. Comments: Conversations are easy to continue as every comment reaches your inbox.

4. Photo sharing: You can share your favourite photos without having to attach them as you would do with an email. You can also browse full-screen photos from popular sites.

5. Video sharing: Videos can also be shared as the link is accessible right where you click.

6. Thumbnails: Each photo and video has a thumbnail which you can choose.

7. Site networking: Whenever you update something in Twitter, Picasa, Flickr and Google Reader, it is buzzed to your Google Buzz contacts.

8. Refresh no more: Directly view your inbox. No need to refresh for new comments as all updates are buzzed instantly.

9. Good recommendations: Buzz recommends comments which you can keep or reject.

10. Phone Buzz: Can you spot Jedward or Julia Roberts in your street? Capture them on your phone and buzz it!

GOOGLE BUZZ LIVE DEMO- VIDEO

Demo video source: www.google.com/buzz

AN INTERESTING FACT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FEBRUARY 2010 - ‘FEBRUARY SPECIAL 4’ !!!!

‘FEBRUARY SPECIAL 4’ !!!!

Today is 1st February 2010! My friend forwarded me an email about February 2010. I got it yesterday and it’s a really interesting email. The email highlights an interesting fact about Feb 2010. I know we all have a look at the calendar and plan our meetings, trips, parties and other important functions while some of us even look at the current date and wander away to yesteryears memories. But how many of us would have thought of calculating and analysing the numbers on the calendar?....Maybe a few of us would do that but not the majority, like me. Anyway, here is the interesting fact that you didn’t know about February, the 2nd month of this year 2010:

1. 4 Mondays
2. 4 Tuesdays
3. 4 Wednesdays
4. 4 Thursdays
5. 4 Fridays
6. 4 Saturdays
7. 4 Sundays

This ‘February Special 4’ will repeat only once every 11 years...Heh, How many of you didn't know this???

“I thank God for Another Blessed Year!!!” :)

“I thank God for another beautiful year!!!” :)

I Praise God for another new year!!! :)

Happy New Year! I thank God for another beautiful year that has passed by and for an even more beautiful year 2010! Yes, I have gone through my sad and bad moments but that doesn’t mean 2009 was all that bad. I also had my moments of joy and victories. But whether it was good or bad, I still thank God for all His Mercies and Blessings that He has showered upon everyone in this world. Jesus Christ as Personal Saviour & Living Redeemer, and Holy Spirit as Wonderful Counsellor are always the strongest of all Companions! I Praise God for another new year!!! :)

My Heavenly Father, My Pillar of Support and Comfort!!! :)

"But I thank God again for helping me to smile even when I didn’t win in anything and smile more gladly even whenever I lost something!!!"

From all the incidents that I went through which were not favourable for me, I once again understood that God has taught me some very very valuable lessons from them all. I lost in many areas, I cried when I was in pain, I didn’t have any earthly or heavenly help at certain times, I depended on people who I thought were appointed for guiding and advising but they never attempted to lend a helping hand or ear, and of course I smiled whenever I won. But I thank God again for helping me to smile even when I didn’t win in anything and smile more gladly even whenever I lost something. I thank God so much for giving me strength to endure during my painful moments and I love Him for being my Pillar of Support and Comfort while in my tears! And I will always cherish my Heavenly Father’s Blessings at all times!

Jesus speaks to you by the Power of the Holy Spirit!!!

"And you’ll surely know when He speaks to you, especially when He uses that small whisper inside you, the voice which you know is warm, still, quiet, peaceful and stands out on it’s own above all those doubtful thoughts inside you!"

When Jesus speaks to you, it is by the Power of the Holy Spirit that His Word is manifested in your life! And you’ll surely know when He speaks to you, especially when He uses that small whisper inside you, the voice which you know is warm, still, quiet, peaceful and stands out on it’s own above all those doubtful thoughts inside you! I still remember the Word that touched me way back in 2001. I always thank God for blessing me with His Anointed Servant. But it is Jesus, the Word Who is more important than Pastor or any Preacher of the Gospel- The Good News! The Pastor must have preached, but it was the Holy Spirit conveying to me what my Heavenly Father wanted to say to me. Pastor is only a Servant of God whom God anoints and uses to declare His Word to the people of the world either by word or by signs and wonders. It is not Pastor who saves or changes someone. It is the Love of Jesus Christ by His sacrificial blood on the Cross that has opened the way for Salvation to enter in our lives! However, we should also be humble and obedient to God by respecting, loving, helping and praying for all the Servants of God especially those whom God directly uses to touch us in our daily lives!

The Word that I still remember because God spoke to me to my heart!!

“ It is not your circumstances that determine your relationship with God, but it is your heart that determines your relationship with God!!!”
One part of the powerful Word that I still remember is this:

“...you ask your dad to buy you a bike and he says ‘No!’.... will you hate your dad because he refused to buy you a bike? Will you love your father only if he buys you a bike? Whether he buys you a bike or not, he is still your dad and you should always love your dad.....It is the same with your Heavenly Father....will you love God only if he gives you what you pray for? Whether He answers your prayers or not, you should always love God.....Just bcos you asked for something and He doesn’t give it to you, it doesn’t mean He doesn’t love you...it’s bcos He’s got something better for you....Will you love your Husband only if he gifts you a diamond ring everyday???.....Even if you feel you haven’t received any blessings you should still love God, because He is your God and your love for Him should not be based on blessings, it should come directly from your heart!.... It is not your circumstances that determine your relationship with God, but it is your heart that determines your relationship with God!!!...”

“HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!” :)

"You can also pray quietly in your heart whether you’re alone in your room, or in your office, while among your friends, while having your food and in fact you can pray at all times whether or not you have your eyes closed and hands joined!"

I pray that God blesses you and your family. May He bless your health, career, ministry, and every other area of your lives! Remember to pray before you do anything. To pray doesn’t mean you can only pray if you are in a loud prayer meeting, or alone in a room where you cry out loud, or seated in a church, or kneeling before an image or crying before a lighted candle. You can also pray quietly in your heart whether you’re alone in your room, or in your office, while among your friends, while having your food and in fact you can pray at all times whether or not you have your eyes closed and hands joined. God will hear your prayer in any circumstance as long as it’s from your heart! So be happy, be cheerful in all situations, ask God to bless your plans and to guide you in all your ways. Keep your heart opened for the Lord and He will save you and bless you. It’s His Word! You can trust Him because He alone is Trustworthy...Have a Blessed New Year!! God bless you all!

Here is God’s promise for Your Life this New Year:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths."

(Proverbs 3:5-6; Bible, New King James Version)