December 13, 2014 - or 12-13-14

Skipped exercise this morning, in a hurry to get to kids Saturday camp with Lifebuilders.  Enough of a workout.


Matthew chapter 1 - This is about Joseph taking Mary for his bride, even though he knew she was pregnant. It must have been reassuring for him to hear from an angel that she carried a child from God, from the Holy Spirit and also to get some help with the baby's name - Jesus.  That can be a hard decision.


On this day;
2008 - Typical before Christmas running around and a funeral.  On that evening the Bays invited me over for a Christmas party with a number of other people.  I was telling some people about how I select a city every month and then explore it's history, politics, culture and current events.  They said they all wanted to do that and so the "travelers" group was established.  That was 6 years ago and we still meet every month, tonight in fact.  We are in Gawlior India this month.


1577 - Five ships under the command of Sir Francis Drake left Plymouth, England, to embark on Drake's circumnavigation of the globe. The journey took almost three years. Now this was a lot of effort on their part to find out about the rest of the world.  They were a step in making what for us today is punching some keys and googling info!.


Parenting- Being a step parent is indeed a special calling in life.  Like Joseph the care you give and the responsibility you take is the same, but different.  The decisions for their life and health are typically not yours to make, but the joy in being in their life is certainly worth it.  I can't imagine Joseph's position, in Jesus's choices and direction, they were made on a much higher scale.

Economy of Gwalior[edit]

Gwalior Fair

Gwalior enjoys being at a very strategic position as being a main junction on New Delhi – Chennai railroad and being on NH-3 and NH-75. Gwalior is surrounded by 3 Industrial areas – Sitholi, Banmore and Malanpur. All three of these sectors are on NH 75, NH-3 and NH 92 respectively, with Malanpur being the largest. The city used to have big manufacturing industries, such as Gwalior Grasim and J.C. MILLS of Birlanagar, but now this sector is left with only one industry – J.B.Mangharam Ltd. But the other 3 sectors have many industries. The important are from dairy, chemical, manufacturing, textiles, and other industries. Handicraft and small industries are also found like Gwalior potteries. Gwalior is also an important historical and tourism sector of the country. Therefore, the tourism sector also puts an effect into the city's economy. Gwalior is part of NCR. The Gwalior Trade Fair is an annual trade fair showcasing the economy of Gwalior. There are some manufacturing set-ups of some companies like UFlex (Flex Industries Ltd), SRF, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Cadbury, J. K. Tyres, Surya Bulbs, SiyaRam and Railway spring factory Sitholi.' Most of the Local population is involved with trading firms or are self-employed. Many run OMEs and SMEs with Gwalior and Agra as the local market. The city is scattered with coaching institutes and Educational institutions which provide employment to a large section of city's population.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Beth!

December 12, 2014 Friday

AM Yoga - you know how much I love this.  So relaxing.


Psalm 91 - God is our safe harbor, he keeps us snug as a bug in a rug, the study writer says.  "The Lord is my Refuge".  His is the first name you think of when you are in extreme peril or pain.  You can take comfort in Him for all your sorrows.


On this day:
2007 - My ex-mother in law came up from Florida to see Aaron and Lisa and the new baby.  I went up and picked her up and took her out to dinner at Abuelo's.  We probably had more drinks then dinner, but I missed her after she moved south.  We were very close.  Some don't understand that when you divorce someone, you can lose that family as well.  I tried hard not to.


1901 - The first radio signal to cross the Atlantic was picked up near St. John's Newfoundland, by inventor Guglielmo Marconi.  Can you imagine this broadcast?  Hi this is Guglielmo Marconi broadcasting from Italy?   WHO?


Parenting - I guess some people can't understand how you can bond with people that aren't your flesh and blood.  I have always grown very close to my 2 husbands and various long term boyfriend's families.  Now, at Christmas time, I still have décor that Anne Michie gave me, my first mother in law, and the Russian stacking dolls from Tatjiana, Pete's mother and so much from Pat my "still" mother.  I refuse to give them up.  The décor and the mothers.


Gawlior India -

Education[edit]

IITTM Gwalior

During last few years,Gwalior has been developed into significant centre of education.It host many prominent government as well as private universities/institutions.Numerous colleges and universities are located in Gwalior including IIITM Gwalior, IITTM Gwalior, Jiwaji University, Raja ManSingh Tomar Music University,Scindia School, and J.C.Mill's School, Birlanagar.

List of Universities in Gwalior[edit]

University	Type	Location
Jiwaji University	Government	University road, City Centre
Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (RVSKVV)	Government	Racecourse Road
Raja Mansingh Tomar Music & Arts University	Government	Achaleshwar Road
Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education.	Government	Racecourse Road
Amity University	Private	Airport Road, Maharajpura
ITM University	Private	NH-75, Sitholi

Prominent Institutes in Gwalior[edit]  We should know by how many Indian Doctors and students we have here how big they are on education

Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Olivia!

December 11, 2014 Thursday

Pilates for Weightloss is the title of this CD.  With Suzanne.  It is a nice different type of workout.  I like it, again - laying on the floor on your back. 


Isaiah  chapter 11 - The Branch from Jesse.  That branch is Jesus the Christ.  Eventually the lion and the lamb will lay down together.  We aren't there yet are we? Not even close.


On this day;
2006 - Good to remember these days now that I am retired and watching every penny.  "The boss was in a mean mood and I cried all day."  I always felt sorry for him, he was so miserable, even though he brought it on himself.  The Christmas season coming up, did nothing to improve his disposition.  Hope he is better now but that's not what I hear.


1930 - The Bank of the United States in New York failed.  What a nightmare.


Parenting - When do you start teaching your children financial responsibility?  Does anyone do that anymore?  I remember a very OLD tv show, I think the title was I Remember Momma.  The Dad came home from work on payday and the entire family - parents and kids sat around the kitchen table and discussed what each one had need of money for - shoes, school supplies, groceries or whatever.  The dad would then dispense what ever money could be shared and also to Momma who had a saving place (sugar bowl) for emergencies.  That has always stuck in my mind.  I am not a good saver, my bowl was mostly empty.  How do you teach your children something you never knew?


Gawlior India -

Media and communication[edit]

• Print media: Here are a number of newspapers, magazines, local TV stations and four FM Radio stations.

SouLSteer Magazine a bi-monthly lifestyle and automotive magazine in Gwalior that is popular among every age group.
Patrika is the leading Newspaper and Dainik Bhaskar is one of the oldest and most widely read newspapers. Swadesh and Naidunia are among well established newspapers.
Other popular newspapers published in Gwalior are BPN Times, Raj Express, Dainik Madhya Raj, Nav Bharat,Youth Engine, Dainik Jagran, People's Samachar, Dainik Adityaz.
Evening newspapers : Sandhya Samachaar,Gwalior Sandesh, Sudarshan.

• Electronic media: The radio industry has expanded with a number of private FM channels being introduced. The FM radio channels that broadcast in the city include

Big FM (92.7 MHz), Chaska FM (95 MHz), My FM (94.3 MHz), and Lemon (91.9 MHz) State-owned company, Doordarshan, transmits two terrestrial television channels. The city has local TV stations from various companies. Major local channels include Hathway Win, Harsh Networks, KMJ Communications, and DEN networks.

• Communication services : Gwalior is covered by a large network of optical fibre cables. There are three fixed telephone line operators in the city: BSNL, Reliance and Airtel. There are eight mobile phone companies in which GSM players include BSNL, Reliance, Vodafone, Idea, Airtel, Tata DoCoMo, Aircel, Videocon; CDMA services offered by BSNL, Virgin Mobile, Tata Indicom and Reliance.

• Entertainment : Gwalior has three shopping malls, DD City Mall with Fun Cinemas multiplex, Maya-Gitanjali Mall with Gold Digital Multiplex and the Central Mall. Salasar Mall City Centre, similarly to DD City Mall, also contains a multiplex. There are several gaming zones, three Discothèques (DnD, Barcode, and Spectrum), and a water park in Gwalior. "Sun City Amusement Park" is a family entertainment center in Gwalior. There is also a water park close to Oxford Public School on Jhansi Road. The SouLSteer Club is an exclusive car-owners club in Gwalior.  Well informed and connected!
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• Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable! 

December 10, 2014 Wednesday

Weight workout, keep up my strength for Christmas.  As often as I lift weights I still feel it when I'm done.  Step up a little if you are using 1 lb go to 3 lb, if using 3lb go to 5 lb.  Challenge yourself.


Job chapter 38 - Where God is questioning Job about what he knows about creation.  I like the study writers insight as to our hearts having the same sound as the waves of the ocean hitting the beach.  I guess in the huge complexity of nature, that only God has full awareness of, there must be duplications. Do you think so?  Questioning Job was a way of keeping us aware of how humble we should be in the face of such awesome creative ability.


On this day;
2000 - Nicole, Jan and I went to the Macomb Mall and got our group picture taken with Santa.  Over the year we have gone with random people to get our picture taken together.  It's a fun thing to do.  I wish I had kept it up, anyone want to meet me at the Santa somewhere?


1520 - Martin Luther publicly burned the papal edict. The papacy demanded that he recant or face excommunication. Luther refused and was formally expelled from the church in January 1521. As a Lutheran I find this interesting.


Parenting - Middle school girls hold the top award for drama, issues, attitude and silliness.  I had a great time doing  Christmas cookies with my friend Sue and 6 or 7 girls at Lifebuilders in Detroit last night.  I so enjoy watching full tough attitude melt on their faces into lets be silly and decorate cookies.  All but one cracked, I wonder and pray that her life gives her an opportunity to use her abilities to better herself.  Even defiance can be an asset if used properly.


Gawlior India -

Main festivals[edit]

All national festivals, Holi, Diwali, Mahashivratri, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Ramnavami, Makara Sankranti, Eid-ul-Fitr, Christmas, Rakshabandhan, Mahavir jayanti, Hanuman jayanti, Buddha Poornima,Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sant Ravidas and Ghasiram Jayanti and other local ones such as Nag-Panchmi, Shreenath Mahadji Maharaj Punyatithi, Gangaur, Teej, Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year), Navratri, Durga Puja are celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Last decade has seen a rise in the celebration of events.
Gwalior also celebrates Rang Panchami quite differently. This festival is celebrated five days after Dulendi or Holi. This is also celebrated like Dulendi, but colours are mixed with water and then either sprinkled or poured on others.

Durga Puja[edit]

A Glimpse of Bengal can be seen in the City of Gwalior, as the Birlanagar Durga Puja committee celebrate the Durga Puja every year . They will be celebrating the 59th year of Durga Puja in 2014. This puja is hosted by Bengali Cultural Association and School,Kalibadi, Birla Nagar, Gwalior. During the Durga puja celebrations several cultural events are organized and is celebrated on a large scale. Thousands of people daily visits the puja pandal which is located at JC Mill's School Compound Birlanagar, to get the blessings of Goddess Durga.
Image of Durga Idol at Gwalior Goddess Durga Idol in Gwalior Durga Puja
Makar Sankranti is a 'Kite Festival' on 14 January each year, where people fly kites and compete to cut each other's kites in the sky.  Sounds like a great mission field to me.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy anniversary to Rox and Bill!!

December 9, 2014 Tuesday

Jillian beat me up this morning.  I get through 3 sets with her but after Christmas decorating, I feel like I have been working out all week. What used to be easy now takes its toll.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger has turned out to be my catch phrase.


Deuteronomy - Chapter 6  Love the Lord your God.   He loves you and like any good parent has set guidelines to follow, the ten commandments.  You can find them here.


On this day;
1998 - Nicole and I went to her Athletics award night at the middle school.  She loved basketball and got top honors for playing that year.  Just the beginning of her athletic school career. 


1994 - U.S. President Clinton fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders after learning that she had told a conference that masturbation should be discussed in school as a part of human sexuality.  There is a lot of topics for conversation here, with him.  lol


Parenting - Two things today.  I think extra curricular opportunities are so important to schools.  Whether it is sports, music, art or cheer, they give those youths that are not just hooked on education an  opportunity to express and involve themselves through other choices.  The other point is sex ed.  This is something that parents and their children should be allowed to set time lines on.  Some kids are ready for it in 6th grade, others are not.  It shouldn't be forced on kids that aren't prepared.  I do feel that by 9th grade they should be ready and need to hear the facts.


Gawlior India -

Music[edit]

Tansen, born in Behat, trained in music at Vrindavan, served Raja Ramchandra Waghela of Bandhawgarh, then went to Agra under the patronage of Akbar. After the death of Tansen in Fatehpur Sikri and cremation in Agra, his ashes were buried in Gwalior. Tansen Samaroh is held every year in Gwalior.
Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is also from the royal city of Gwalior. His grandfather, Ghulam Ali Khan Bangash, became a court musician in Gwalior.

Tomb of Tansen

Gwalior holds an unparalleled reputation in Sangeet. Baijnath Prasad (alias Baiju Bawra) was a classical singer (Dhrupadiya) who lived in Gwalior for his whole life under the patronage of Man Singh. Baiju was born in Chanderi and was cremated there. He received his musical training in Brindaban under Swami Guru Haridas Ji. He was the court musician of Gwalior along with Nayak Charju, Bakshu, and others.

Amjad Ali Khan, who was born at Gwalior

Gwalior Gharana[edit]

Main article: Gwalior Gharana

The Gwalior Gharana is one of the oldest Khayal Gharanas and one to which most classical Indian musicians can trace the origin of their style. The rise of the Gwalior Gharana started with the reign of the great Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605). The favourite singers of this patron of the arts, such as Miyan Tansen, first amongst the vocalists at the court, came from the town of Gwalior. Gwalior has an important role in the journey of music in India, so much that every year, the Tansen Festival is celebrated at the tomb of Tansen in Gwalior.

Dhrupad[edit]

Main article: Drupad

Dhrupad (Hindi: ध्रुपद) is a vocal genre in Hindustani classical music, said to be the oldest still in use in that musical tradition. Its name is derived from the words "dhruva" (fixed) and "pada" (words). The term may denote both the verse form of the poetry and the style in which it is sung. Raja Man Singh Tomar, the King of Gwalior between 1486–1516 AD, was a patron of Dhrupad.

Tansen Sangeet Samaroh[edit]

Main article: Tansen Samaroh

The famous Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, or the Tansen Music Festival, is celebrated every year on the Tansen Tomb in Gwalior. Tansen Samaroh is a platform where artists from all over India gather and participate to deliver vocal and instrumental performances. Gwalior's environment during the festival turns mystical with melodious music echoing. Music lovers from far and wide make it a point to be a part of this event at any cost, as it is a memorable experience for them.
The Tansen Sangeet Samaroh is organised by the government of MP, in association with the Academy of the department of culture in MP.
During the festival, music lovers and artists from all over the world gather to offer their bit of tribute to the all-time music Maestro Tansen.
To date, this festival has the honour of being the only musical show in Gwalior that takes place on multiple days and nights. The academy offers honours to senior celebrities and junior artists by including them in the Samaroh through their music of performance.
Tansen was a singer of Akbar’s mughal court. An exponent of the Hindustani classical music's dhrupad style, he was counted among the Nine Jewels of the Royal Court.
In remembrance of this artist there is a tomb constructed in Gwalior called the Tansen Tomb. This is where the Tansen Music Festival or the Tansen Samaroh is organised every year. This annual music festival started in the 1930s. At present, artists from all over the country come to perform. The venue Gwalior has retained Indian traditions and the wealth of music intact over the years.
The Tansen Music Festival, or Tansen Samaroh, is held every year in the month of December.
Wow!  In time for the festival, what an opportunity!  Download some Indian music.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Kim!

December 8, 2014 Monday

Stretches, planking and yoga moves.  Nice start to the week.


Luke chapter 19 - Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King.  This is the Palm Sunday Story.  Always good to hear about his humble beginnings as a king laying in a manger in a stable in Bethlehem.  It isn't what you have that makes you a king apparently.  In this story he rides a small colt into Jerusalem with his disciples singing praises to him for his miracles. (see the Bible for all of his Miracles, especially the Good Friday one where he washed away all our sins forever)


On this day;
1996 - Sundays were always busy, how about you?  So much for that day of rest, huh?   Nicole had a friend from Sunday School after to play, Kim.  Then we went to Andy and Alice's for dinner and then on to Lindsey's Lutheran High School concert at Bethany church.  I hope that you make time for all the wonderful family events, to celebrate Christmas, rather then just shopping and decorating and baking.  Keep Christ in Christmas.


1854 - Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The theory holds that Mary, mother of Jesus, was free of original sin from the moment she was conceived Why of course why wouldn't she?  She was carrying the Savior that saved us all from our sins!  Is this your belief?


Parenting - I don't always mention him, but our neighbor boy, Joe, was always at our house, very often attending whatever we did or wherever we went.  He was a quiet kid that very often you forgot was even there.  He was 2 or 3 years older then Nicole, but he was great company for her.  Joe hung on every word from Aaron's mouth, he idolized him I think.  Joe lives in Florida now and stopped by this summer for a short visit.  I had to smile, although he is in his early 30's now, I can still see "little" Joey in his mannerisms.


Gawlior India -

Art and culture[edit]

Gwalior is a well acknowledged place of art, associated with historic as well as contemporary evidence. In August 2005 a mural created by Aasutosh Panigrahi and five other artists was acknowledged as the World's Largest Indoor Mural by Guinness World Records.
Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the conference on Marathi Literature were held once in Gwalior City. It was presided by President of the Conference writer Kusumavati Deshpande (and wife of Kavi Anil) in 1961. She was the first female president of the annual Sammelan since its inception in 1878.
Culturally Gwalior is the confluence of two rich cultures Bundeli and Braj. Bundelkhand covers Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Sagar, Shivpuri, Guna, Sheopur and adjoining areas.


Enjoy the Day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday to Melissa and Ty!

December 7, 2014 Sunday Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Going to church in a while with Mom


On this day;
1989 - Another Mom and I started a Daisy troop for our daughters.  That is a pre curser to Brownies.  We were making daisy chains when Nicole asked when we could do woodworking and go camping.  I have embraced Nicole's choices and let her make her own decisions, most of the time (not ice hockey of football).  We dropped daisies after that first year, it just wasn't her.  They wouldn't let her in boy scouts.  Has that changed?  Your children are who they are, best to encourage them to do their best and follow what they like for best results.


1989 - East Germany's Communist Party agreed to cooperate with the plan for free elections and a revised constitution.  In other places in the world on this day, also allowing for free choices.


Parenting - Women have to nurture.  It is basic nature to us.  I went to a jewelry party yesterday to support a woman that is raising money to adopt a child.  A lot of my friends have "fur" babies to care for.  We have to fulfill that desire or are left incomplete.


Gawlior India - Beautiful architecture here:

Transport and connectivity[edit]

Railways[edit]

see also The Maharaja Railways of India
Gwalior is a major railway junction in Northern central region. The Gwalior Junction (Station code: GWL) is the part of the Jhansi division of the North Central Railways. Gwalior is one of the few places where both narrow gauge and broad gauge railways tracks are still operational.Gwalior is the terminus for the Longest narrow gauge route operational in the world, covering a distance of 198 km from Gwalior Junction to Sheopur. Gwalior Junction is a five Railway Track intersection Point.Gwalior won the award of best and clean station of North central railway.The building of Station is historical and it look's like a palace.
1. Goes to Agra (AGC), 2. Goes to Jhansi (JHS), 3. Goes to Shivpuri (SVPI), 4. Goes to Bhind (BIX), 5. Goes to Sheopur Kalan (SOE) on Narrow Gauge Line.
Gwalior is one of the major commercial railway stations of the North Central Railway, whose zonal headquarters is centered in Allahabad. The station has won awards from Indian Railways for excellent clean infrastructure in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992. It is already in the Adrash Station Category of Indian Railways. The government has decided to build escalators at this station, and the construction has since started.
The Gwalior City Limits cover following railway stations: sound like a railroad day trip might be in order!


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!