We almost missed a last minute planned trip to Galway!!

We almost missed a last minute planned trip to Galway!!


Last minute call

Our crafty' friend in Baltinglass went to visit a common 'tall and soft spoken' friend who lives in Galway. He calls up the second night and tells us to reach there next morning as they have planned a few days visit to some locations in and out of Galway.


Baltinglass to Galway bus journey

Now, Galway is around four to five hours journey by bus from Baltinglass. Sheesh, a few days visit and we have no time to think, complete the house chores, select our dress, take cash from the ATM, finish the food we still have in our fridge and those which would expire in those few days time!!!

Now the plan was to book online tickets for the 12pm City Links bus from Dublin. And to reach Dublin, we have to get into the 10am Bus Eireann from Baltinglass so that we could reach Dublin by 11:45am.


Online booking service- We missed the bus!!

And guess what?- We started off the day by mising the 10 am bus! Why the delay?- Because the online booking took more time than we expected, which we did in the morning just before leaving the house as we were so much into packing the previous night that we forgot all about our online task!

Anyway, we went to Castledermot instead (as the next bus from Balto- short name for Baltingalss, was only at 12pm), and got into the 11:15 am J.J. Kavanagh bus which would reach Dublin Eden Quay (EQ is one of the the bus stations near the Dublin Bridge) at 12:45pm. Before boarding the bus at Castledermot we bought a sandwich for my wife (Bacon, lettuce and tomato) from the cafe called 'Mad Hatter Cafe' located centrally at Castledermot Town near the traffic light- opposite Londis Supermarket and in front of the bus stop. A really convenient location because we can have a quick snack or coffee and then just cross the road to the bus stop without having to rush at all- God bless them!!

Divine Reminders in life!!

But- as I was about to order the 2nd sandwich, for me, with only 5 minutes before the bus arrived, you know those last minute kind of intuitions or revelations that strike you at certain crucial stages in your life, well...that something struck me and I asked the lady at the counter if they accept card payment (we didn't have time to take cash from the ATM). This lady was really nice and all smiles :)

"Sorry, we accept only cash and no card payment!"

O boy! Here we go again... we ransacked whatever pockets we had including the luggage pockets and were glad to find extra change just more than our bus fare and only enough to pay for one sandwich!......I was thinking as to what would have happened had the lady prepared two sandwiches and I give her the Laser Card...Thank God for timely reminders!! :) The kind lady suggested going to the ATM which was few minutes walk from the town, but that was too far away for that moment. She even said that we can ask for a cash back from the Supermarket outside the cafe, but again, there was no time for it.

Good Customer Service... :)

So we bought the sandwich and said bye to the lady who kept on apologising because they dont accept card payments. What an Angel! There really was no need to apologise and so we kept on thanking her for all her kind help and quickly went to the bus stop. Oh, and just as we were about to leave the cafe, I noticed a small card on the cash counter with some small words printed on it. I looked more closely just to make sure. It read...

'We do not accept cards. Sorry for the inconvenience!!!'

Hmmmmm......


Travel and Food- Tamil Style!!...Yummmmy.....mmmmm!!!

Anyway, we reached Galway safely and happily by God's grace. We stayed there for a few days. The stay was real fun!! We visited a couple of places in and out of Galway. There is a famous song called 'The Galway Girl' by Steve Earle and Sharon Shannon with a cover version by Mundy and Shannon. Though about a Galway girl, the song expresses Irish lifestyle and Irish music. Not only was this tour memorable but I also have some mouth watering memories- These two Tamilians (...the Balto dude from Coimbatore and the Galway guy from Vellore... ) are excellent Tamil Nadu cooks I have to tell you! Really, they made some exquisite dishes just for us! Delicious!! Chicken Biriyani, Vada, chutney, Tamil Nadu dishes like Lemon Rice and Thairu Saadam (Curd Rice), Egg Salad, Chicken Masala curry, Barbecue Chicken, Payar thoren (Green Gram stir fry), Gulab Jamun....mmmm....But I shall tell you more about their menu later on in the blog though. Gotta get on with Galway first...

About Galway...a small info

Galway (Gaillimh in Irish) the largest county in Connacht is now considered as one of the fastest growing city in Ireland. Another name for Galway is 'City of Galway ('Cathair na Gaillimhe' in Irish). As Galway is located on the west coast of Ireland, it is from the River Corrib (Corrib: Gaillimh in Irish) that the city has got it's name. A Galwegian is a person from Galway. Famous for it's colorful and lively lifestyle along with it's reknowned and vibrant celebrations and festivals, Galway has now earned the nickname 'Ireland's Cultural Heart (Croí Cultúrtha na hÉireannin' in Irish)!

The places we visited were:

1. Galway Bay
2. Salthill, Galway- the Sea Front!
3. The Spanish Arch, Galway
4. Ashford Castle
5. Boating in Lake Lough Corrib
6. Island of Inchagoill- Inis an Ghaill Chraibhthigh (Irish)- 'Island of the Devout Foreigner' where the nephew of St'Patrick was buried.
7. The Burren
8. Aillwee Cave ( with the remains of a bear's bones dated 100's of years old...)
9. and finally the Cliffs of Moher.

Online English Sermon No.1- ‘God has not forsaken us!’:

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries- Free Online English Sermon for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

1. ‘God has not forsaken us!’:

If you think that you are now in a hopeless situation because God has deserted you, then have faith and start praying once again. Because it is God's promise that it is He Who has created you; He has written your name on His palms and He is never ever going to forsake you at any time!

Here is the link: http://joshuageneration.org/mediaplayer.php?id=54

“ But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me. Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. Your sons shall make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste shall go away from you. Lift up your eyes, look around and see; all these gather together and come to you. As I live,” says the LORD, “You shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament, and bind them on you as a bride does.” (Isaiah 49:14-18)


All scriptures from New King James Version!

Online Malayalm Sermon No.4- ‘Hei presevikathavale, nee santhoshikukka! (Rejoice Oh barren one!)’:

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries- Free Online Malayalam Sermon for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

4. ‘Hei presevikathavale, nee santhoshikukka! (Rejoice Oh barren one!)’:

These are very strong and anointed messages which will really revive us no matter what our situation is. Pastors are the preachers. Holy Spirit is the Counsellor. Jesus is the message. We are His witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit.


Here is the link: http://joshuageneration.org/mediaplayer.php?id=31

"..Rejoice, O barren, you who do not bear! Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband." (Galatians 4:27) "Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman," says the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:1)


All scriptures from New King James Version!

Online Malayalm Sermon No.3- ‘Nee endhanu anveshikkunnathu? (What are you looking for?)’:

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries- Free Online Malayalam Sermon for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

3. ‘Nee endhanu anveshikkunnathu? (What are you looking for?)’:

This message speaks about how Jesus is returning again for those who eagerly wait for Him. A reviving message and a reminder on how not to fall prey to the sins of the world.

Here is the link: http://joshuageneration.org/mediaplayer.php?id=69

“ Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” ( Hebrews 9:28)


All scriptures from New King James Version!

Online Malayalm Sermon No.2- ‘Yesuvum Samariya sthreeyum! (Jesus and the Samaritan woman!)’:

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries- Free Online Malayalam Sermon for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!


2. ‘Yesuvum Samariya sthreeyum! (Jesus and the Samaritan woman!)’:

These are very strong and anointed messages which will really revive us no matter what our situation is. Pastors are the preachers. Holy Spirit is the Counsellor. Jesus is the message. We are His witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit.

Here is the link: http://joshuageneration.org/mediaplayer.php?id=57

“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)


All scriptures from New King James Version!

Online Malayalm Sermon No.1- ‘Thirichuveran sadhyamanu! ( Possible to come back!)’:

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries- Free Online Malayalam Sermon for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

1. ‘Thirichuveran sadhyamanu! ( Possible to come back!)’ :

The Word is preached at Cornerstone Church in Cochin. It’s more than a man’s speech. These are very strong and anointed messages which will really revive us no matter what our situation is. Pastors are the preachers. Holy Spirit is the Counsellor. Jesus is the message. We are His witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit. We can hear Holy Spirit led sermons which are available online in the Church website at www.joshuageneration.org. Of course the sermons are uploaded only for free download to share with friends and relatives the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not for any other unauthorised usage. The media players in the site are Real Player and Windows Media Player.

Here is the link: http://joshuageneration.org/mediaplayer.php?id=63

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." (Hebrews 6:4-6)

“..Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26)



All scriptures from New King James Version!

English and Malayalam Online Sermons from Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries, Cochin

Cornerstone Church, Joshua Generation Ministries

The Word is preached at Cornerstone Church in Cochin. It’s more than a man’s speech. These are very strong and anointed messages which will really revive us no matter what our situation is. Pastors are the preachers. Holy Spirit is the Counsellor. Jesus is the message. We are His witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit.

“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

“...Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free..."

(Romans 10:17; John 8:32)

Online Sermons

We can hear Holy Spirit led sermons which are available online in the Church website at www.joshuageneration.org. Of course the sermons are uploaded for free download only to share with friends and relatives the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not for any other unauthorised usage. The media players in the site are Real Player and Windows Media Player.


Here are a few Malayalam sermons:


1. ‘Thirichuveran sadhyamanu! ( Possible to come back!)’: (Hebrews 6:4-6; Mathew 19:26)

2. ‘Yesuvum Samariya sthreeyum! (Jesus and the Samaritan woman!)’: (John 4:10

3. ‘Nee endhanu anveshikkunnathu? (What are you looking for?)’: ( Hebrews 9:28)

4. ‘Hei presevikathavale, nee santhoshikukka! (Rejoice Oh barren one!)’: (Galatians 4:27; Isaiah 54:1)



And, here are a few English sermons:

1. ‘God has not forsaken us!’ (Isaiah 49:14-18)

That Special Leaf- It's the Autumn Fall in Ireland!

That Special Leaf- It's the Autumn Fall in Ireland!

You know, it's October now. My wife and I went to Carlow yesterday. Carlow is a county in Ireland and it's a bigger town from where we live, Baltinglass which is in Co. Wicklow. My wife was driving (as I'm only still learning to drive...) and while returning from the half an hour journey, she told me to look at the leaves of the trees on either side of the road.

I looked...

..."Yea, so what about it?"

My wife replied:

" See how the colour of the leaves are turning red and are slowly falling from the trees. It's the beginning of Autumn".

Yellow, Red and Brown- The Autumn Fall

The Autumn fall! Yes folks, for those of you who haven't noticed, you can see it now right outside your window, on the streets and in your garden. I didn't notice it because I'm new to this Season. I have been in Ireland for 6 months now. Previously I was in Kerala, India where it's rain, rain and even more rain accompanied by humidity and sweaty memories. The place is good mind you. Kerala is my hometown and there's really no place in the world to which it can be compared to. Anyway, back here now, I have been seeing these trees for the past 6 months but I really didn't wonder about the recent changes until she asked me to notice them. And I thank God I have now experienced the Fall season. So if you are a student or if you are also someone who is new to the 'Yellow, Red and Brown' season, then don't keep wondering what is happening around you because this is the Autumn season- one of the four seasons of the year- Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I'm now wondering....isn't it wonderful how God has made these seasons in an exact order and timeline...wow!........

"The heavens declare the glory of God; The skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)

O! That Special Leaf...

I remember learning about the 4 seasons in school but this is the first time I'm experiencing it. In fact while we went out walking with a friend of ours, who hails from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, he picked up a red leaf which had fallen to the ground, admired it's look which really had some artistic patterns designed in the various shades of red, and said that he's gonna keep it in a book and preserve it. Amazing! What power the fallen Autumn leaf has produced! Of course our friend is a person who is talented in making excellent crafts, so he may use the leaf in any of his crafts like a Christmas card or a Collage or something like that. But whatever it is, that particular leaf certainly had it's worth! While this month celebrates the Halloween festival in these parts of the world, here is one ordinary little leaf who lost his green shine, fallen sick with yellow, turned heel with red and finally left his partner tree and swayed right on to the ground where we humans trod upon, the vehicles zoom past by and the wind storms away it's victims, only to be picked up and feathered with joy, warmth and honur. O! That special leaf...The fallen Autumn Leaf!

Winter- the Unavoidable Guest!!

Well, last month you could see that the leaves had turned yellow. This month it's turning red and is slowly falling off the trees. Next month is Autumn at it's best. By December, the leaves would all desert their friends who supported them the entire year- the trees themselves, thus making the entry for Autumn's successor, a new season called 'Winter'- the unavoidable guest who just won't resist tempation and freeze you with his ice cold breath and the chilly shivers that he sends down your spine.

English Composition 5. Moral Instructions in School

English Composition 5. (written during school days...)


dddddddddddddddddddddMoral Instructions in School

School is a place where a child goes to learn subjects as well as learn to be disciplined. It is also the second place after home where the child learns what is good and what is bad. But, just as there are some instructions laid out in the house to discipline the child, in the same way, there are certain moral instructions prescribed in the school which the child must follow to improve his character.

In the school, there are rules and regulations in respect of studies. For a student to pass in a subject in the examination (marks: out of 100), he should atleast get a minimum of 33% in that particular subject. In the same way, there are rules laid down to discipline the character of the students. The students should respect the teachers by wishing them in the morning, at noon and even before leaving school. The student must have a haircut if it grows too long. He must complete the work assigned to him and must submit it in time to the respective teacher.

While leaving the class or before entering a classroom, the students must form a queue and move in absolute silence. Whatever work is assigned to him, he must do it neatly. While seated in the classroom, they should not make any noise. They must come in full uniform to the school. All these instructions are and must be prescribed in the school. And if the students, along with the guidance of the teachers follow these moral instructions, the students will be disciplined as well as their character improved.

English Composition 4. Drug Addiction

English Composition 4. (written during school days...)


dddddddddddddddddddddddDrug Addiction


Gone are the days when the younger generation used to be in their house alongwith their family and loved ones and enjoy the four- time meals happily and leisurely without any problem or arguments from either sides i.e. both the parents and their children. But nowadays, the present younger generation has it all changed with their involvement in dangerous gangs who hang around the neighbourhood during school hours and take pleasure in robbing houses and shops for money.

Or sometimes, they just take away all the things present there and sell them to various junk dealers. And with the cash they get, naturally they use it to buy more weapons and stuffs they find handy while having gang fights. But most of the amount goes out for buying drugs. Yes, a major population from the present generation, world- over have made their ives in danger- at stake, by taking drugs. At first, they get it for free while they hang out with their friends or they even get into the habit of smoking and drinking during parties. Anyway, at first, the person who offers it, forces the victim with a smile and tells him all the pleasures he can enjoy once he just takes it in. Or if the person is still reluctant to receive it. the offeror may add the stuff in a cool drink or anything else and gives it to the victim who innocently and unknowingly takes the drink along with the stuff that will bring him misery from then on.

And henceforth, when the victim approaches the supplier for his second dose, when he can no longer bear the feeling, that is when the supplier starts his game. By putting the innocent chap in danger by offering him drugs. Drug addiction is the main reason why many people, mostly youngsters get involved in accidents, break- in's and murders. All these just for getting the money to satisfy themselves with drugs!

English Composition 3. Co- Educational System in Schools

English Composition 3. (written during school days...)

ddddddddddddddddddddCo- Educational System in Schools


School is a place where children go to learn and gather knowledge. But is that the only thing they learn ? No- In fact, school is the second institution which teaches a child discipline, improves his character and most of all to learn to co- operate with his fellow beings and feel the importance of each other. One way in which a school can bring about this means is through co- educational system. Today, a majority number of schools having co- educational system is seen in different parts of the world. The schools have realised that boys and girls studying together not only helps in understanding each other better, but also learns to co- operate and makes them more smart.

English Composition 2. My Favourite Hero

English Composition 2. (written during school days...)


dddddddddddddddddddddddddMy Favourite Hero


Everyone as a child, has sworn to be like Superman, Spiderman, Michael Jackson or Arnold Schwarzenegger when they grow up. These are the persons they had seen on television and had a special place in their hearts as children. When they see Superman flying about, Michael Jackson doing his Moonwalk, Arnold lifting weights and the Undertaker slamming Yokozuna on the arena, they at once decide to be like them. When I was young, I too had many heroes. And year after year, my heroes would also change.

At first it was Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Popeye for me. I just loved it when he would squeeze open his Spinach can, and as soon as he gulped the Spinach, he would start kicking Brutus as though he was kicking a football. Then came super heroes like Spiderman, Superman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk and Conan the Barbarian. Since I liked these guys so much, I used to draw them in my books, especially Archie and Jughead. After these guys, it was the 'TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES' for me. My favourite turtle is Michaelangelo. He's the coolest of all and I even have his toy with me. Then came Tin Tin. And another favourite of mine was 'The Simpsons' of which I never even missed one episode. I can never forget Bart Simpson.

Mr. Bean is also one of my favourite. At one time, my favourite guy was Michael Jackson. I used to watch 'Smooth Criminal' from his video- 'MOONWALKER' everytime. It's just awesome the way he dances. My favourite action heroes are Arnold, Bruce Lee, Van Damme and Steven Seagal. River Phoenix and Tom Hanks are also cool. Arnold's body is the best. His performance in 'Terminator II' and 'True Lies' is just great. 'Bloodsport', 'Kickboxer' and 'A.W.O.L' are the movies I like of Van Damme. The guy is just great. And Steven Seagal's stunts in blockbusters like 'Undersiege', 'Hard to Kill' are also fascinating. Finally, it's Bruce Lee's moovies that makes me jump up and down. His movie ' Enter the Dragon' was a box-0ffice hit. Even his 'jeet Kune Do' style of martial arts in ' Return of the Dragon' also thrills me. He even acts like a comedian sometimes. My Hindi film fave's are Salman, Saif, Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan. Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan are my two best favourites. My other favourites are Julia Roberts, Linda Hamilton and Sharon Stone. I just sit and enjoy their movies.

So, it's really hard for me to decide on who's my favourite hero because I consider all these guys who I've mentioned as my favourite heroes.

English Composition 1. Health and Hygiene

English Composition 1. (written during school days...)


ddddddddddddddddddHealth and Hygiene


" Only in a healthy body, there exists a healthy mind!"

Not many people, today are aware of this saying. Today, the increasing number of industries, factories, automobiles, etc:- are causing pollution which are harmful to both, the evironment and human beings. Even, our own carelessness, leads us with serious complications.

Our house is the first place we can start living a hygiene life. Eating proper and healthy food also is necessary. The clothes we wear should be washed continuously after wearing. The utensils we use should be washed after every meal. Food should be thoroughly cooked before serving to eat. Fruits should be washed before eating it. Drinking water should always be boiled before drinking.

Even the place we live must be vaccumed and tidied every day. The polluted air and smoke coming from chimneys of factories and automobiles affect our lungs. This results in medication and another damage done to our body. Smoking is another main cause that affects human bodies. The smoke inhaled from cigarettes into the lungs damages it and causes lung cancer and other complications in the body. Proper diet and daily exercise is advised to all persons who want to live a healthy and hygiene life.

Beautiful memories of English Compositions written in School days

Hi!

As a student I always enojoyed my Language classes ( English, French, Malayalam and Hindi) more than Subjects (Maths, Science, Social Studies). Ha! In fact I used to love Language and hate Subjects. Probably that's why my report card also reflected those kind of marks as well. And I also had friends who were just like me.

You remember how we used to write English Compositions in school? I love that! It was so encouraging to sit in English classes. Of course there were times when it was boring but most of the time it was more of a relaxation period for me. I gave more importance to Language rather than be a good learner in other subjects. And writing an English Composition was always an exciting task for me. These essays which I wrote were either original or sometimes had some lines pulled from the newspapers or magazines. But that was done only at the last minute if the topic was a real boring one and I didn't have any idea what to write about.

Anyway, if you now read those things that you wrote during school days, you can actually see how childish you were. It also shows our innocence on certain matters as well. But most of all, it would really show us that there were some special topics or lines we wrote from our heart. These special things were about our favourite toy, or family member, or cartoon, or hobby or something like that. But even though we now read it and say out that "Oh, I wrote it when I was a kid. How childish isn't it!", we realise that deep down we still have a small craze for that particular toy, or person or memorable moment. We may not admit it because we are now "mature and grown up" but still we know that those things are special for us and we know we just can't throw it away or forget about it even if we try to. Because what has made us happy and struck our heart at childhood will always remain there as wonderful memories.

Well, just thought of sharing few compositions I wrote in school:

English Compositions:

1. Health and Hygiene
2. My Favourite Hero
3. Co- Educational System in Schools
4. Drug Addiction
5. Moral Instructions in School

Poem about PEACE

Don't ask me how but even today when we think about this we laugh and enjoy the memories. Haha...really, to write a poem when your Head of the Department (HOD) requests you to do it for the Inter House competitions in College is absolutely somthing else. And we were in no position to say No because after all, he is our HOD whom we really respect a lot. So we took part and this is my poem which I wrote. The topic is 'Peace'. I actually thought mine was hilarious but after we all discussed our poems after the event, I realised there were others which were even worse. Really don't know how or from where we got it. On the bright side though, we were happy because this event literally brought out the poetic side of us. It was a big surprise as we understood how a pressure situation introduced our in born poetic talent to us. Anyway when the results were announced, we learnt that few of us had crossed the limit for the maximum number of lines and so were not counted at all. Heh heh as though that would have made a lot of difference!! The memories are still there. The way we were all sitting in the hall looking at the ceiling then showing facial expressions at each other saying "sheesh man, what are we doing here...!!" and the mutual laughter which we were trying to control the entire time. It was fun! :) Here goes...

"Peace"

Wherefore that promised solace
The world has since yearned for
Hunts man for peace always
The peace of God to every dear...

What doth man longeth for
The murky skies upon the oceans
Looking but for that door;
Yet pushing onto strains and pains

Knoweth not yet a single soul
To look deep most into his heart
Oh! That most sought goal
Alas! Much he pains to part!

Trustworthy is he all the time
His power, money and authority
Closeth his eyes verily upon
Closeth his ears verily onto

The cry of the hungry
The shame of the naked
Lest the talk of the power
Lest the show of the proud

Change never doth cometh his way
To share is nought his cup of tea
His feet he loves to lay
Upon blue. grass and sea

Thus lonely remaineth the man
In grief, sorrow and pain
Look! The speed of his run
Oh1 But in such great vain!

So weeps the man most often
Wise in thought; fool at heart
No matter the circle he plays
Touches not that acclaimed peace...

Wherefore that promised solace
The world has since yearned for
Hunts man for peace always
The peace of God to every dear...