Tag Archives: friendship

Happy Feet Valentine’s Day Ball

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The hall shimmered with the colors of red and black, glitter, lights, and excitement as the attendees of the First Happy Feet Valentine’s Day Ball slowly entered for an unforgettable night.  As families walked into the hall, they were checked in and men were handed a red rose to be given to their ladies with words of love.  Ladies, gentlemen, and kids were dressed in elegant colors of pink, blue, black and red.  Ties, long dresses, glimmering jewels, and perfectly set hair helped set the mood for the evening.  Photographer Rajesh Nayak, took professional Valentine’s themed pictures for all the attendees, who eagerly stood in line so they could get one of a kind pictures.

Queens Namitha and Lakshmy reined over the evening, as appetizers of freshly made chat from Chataka Masti were enjoyed by everyone.  Kids then watched an exciting magic show, while adults chatted and took pictures. Selfies were rampant as the Happy Feet ladies took pictures galore so that they wouldn’t forget the memorable evening.

Then everyone sat down to watch the unbelievable  Happy Feet models walk the red carpet runway.  Archana, Vimi, Ritu, Garima, Radhika, Shweta, Sree, Rupa, Neelam, Ushasri, Jyothi, and Ramya all strutted down the runway to music of their choice in pairs and by themselves.  Beautiful videos showing the ladies’ collages and transformations played in the background.  Then the Nayak boys, Yash and Joesh introduced their mom, Namitha Nayak and the Ganesh boys, Vedanth and Advaith, introduced their mother, Lakshmy Ganesh.  All the boys gave heartfelt speeches that were full of pride for their mothers’ accomplishments.  Then Namitha and Lakshmy walked the runway accompanied by their supportive husbands, Rajesh Nayak and Balaji Ganesh.

After a delightful dinner of pav bhaji, palav and gulab jamuns, the DJ started the music and the Happy Feet ladies hit the floor. Swaying to the music and energizing each other, the ladies and their families enjoyed the night.  Daddy – daughter dances and mother – son dances, both brought sentimental feelings in everyone.  Then the Charged  and Ready group and the Up and Coming groups had a dance off,  with members coming out to dance and the crowds cheering for the winners.  Finally free dancing, with glow in the dark bracelets, fortune cookies, and surprise candy packs were handed out to everyone.  The evening winded down, and families slowly headed back home with feelings of joy,  love, and friendship.

Fun, Friendship, and Fitness was theme of the evening.   Happy Feet and  the Valentine’s Ball will stay in everyone’s memories for years to come!

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Nature’s Canvas

As I walked,
The prairie path today,
Nature’s canvas,
Just blew me away.

So many colors,
So many shades,
You could guess some,
And there still will be more.

Browns and greens of the grass,
That stands proud and tall,
Yellows and pinks of flowers,
That bloom big and small.

So many shades of the sky,
In the colour blue,
Dotted with white clouds,
Someday many, someday few.

Colours and patterns bountiful,
On butterflies floating by,
Orange stripes on a black snake,
That just slithered by.

The colours of the meadow,
So serene and beautiful,
Make my mind calm
And my soul peaceful.

#happyfeetwalkersclub,
Gave me a chance,
To appreciate on every walk,
Nature’s vividly painted canvas.

Friendship + Saturday Morning Walks = Healthy Women

There is a reason why Happy Feet has grown so quickly from just a handful of members to 75 women just in 3 months and that reason is simply Friendship.  Friendship and support is the glue that holds all of us together.  Actually studies have shown that women need friends to be healthy! “Scientists now suspect that hanging out with our friends can actually counteract the kind of stomach-quivering stress most of us experience on a daily basis. A landmark UCLA study suggests that women respond to stress with a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women.”

While all of us enjoy walking alone and with our families, I think the biggest boost in energy and spirit comes from our weekly Saturday morning walks.  These Saturday morning walks are a chance for us all to come together and simply enjoy each other’s company.  The laughter and joy that can be heard on Saturday mornings is not only loud but contagious! We need each other to keep the momentum going.  The next time you feel like skipping the Saturday morning walk – just remember that you are actually doing yourself a disservice.  While all of us would like to sleep, the benefits of walking with friends, far outweighs the negative aspects of waking up at 5:30am. This Saturday put on your shoes, your red Happy Feet shirt and head out of the door – your friends are waiting!

 

Source: http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/gender/tendfend.html

Overcast or shine… 6 mi your mine

One day as I was lacing my shoes to walk,
Doubts were running in my mind amok,
Will I be able to make the everyday walk,
Or everything I did was just talk?

As I turned on my app and stepped outside,
I was greeted by overcast and dull skies,
A step ahead and it started to rain,
“Go back inside” it seemed to claim.

I took shelter under a tree,
“Let’s walk a mile and then see”
I convinced my mind to keep going,
Though against me were elements divine.

The moment I stepped on the daily path,
Mile one came up soon and fast,
“Another mile won’t do any harm”
I was feeling uplifted and calm.

By miles two and three,
The clouds cleared and sun shone on me,
There was a coolness in the air,
And my feet walked faster there.

As I covered miles four and five,
My confidence rose and stride was back,
My phone was clicking pictures galore,
I was looking forward to the collage score.

My #happyfeetwalkersclub friends,
As I saw the familiar door,
The motivation was so sublime,
Overcast or shine.. 6 mi your mine.

Change around the corner

My clothes fit me better,
There is a glow on my face,
My back stands a bit straighter,
There is a shine in my eyes,
More compliments flow my way,
The hubby smiles at me more,
Friends look super amused,
‘What next is in store?’
There is a restlessness in me,
To walk more miles everyday,
I want to break my own records,
Walk 10k steps all the way,
Girls, you have spoilt me,
#happyfeetwalkersclub, hooray!!!

Venetian Blinds

I grew up in India. Needless to say I spent most of my time outdoors. My father’s profession took us to different states and cities every 3 years. One would think that a child would get depressed at the thought of leaving friends behind. But surprisingly with me it was the opposite. I would look forward to the move. Each move meant new places to see, new schools to attend, new friends to make and sometimes a new language to learn.

The old ones were never left behind,always a letter or a photo in the mail kept us connected. In recent years facebook has come to the rescue.

A common question for all kids growing up in India by anyone who you meet for the first time: “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

My answer for the longest time , after the “I want to be a teacher ” phase was “a place where my office has Venetian Blinds!!”

I still can’t really fathom what it was about the Venetian Blinds that attracted me to it, perhaps the allure of the unknown ? A sense of affluence ?

Now that Venetian Blinds are commonplace, I look back and smile to myself, all I want now is a taste of the outdoors. A walk in the woods with my friends, family or pets.

A new variation to a common quote: “Life is more alluring on the other side of the Venetian Blinds!!”

A walk with my daughters

She skips ahead a few steps,
And then runs back to me,
Holds my hand, swings along,
She is busy like a bee.

My older one is trying to learn,
She wants to practice with me,
Shlokas of the Hanuman Chalisa,
“What’s next, mummy?”

Then they start competing,
And fight for my attention,
My one eye is on them,
And one on the road condition.

We look like a mother duck
And her ducklings in fray,
I keep pulling them on track,
And they keep going astray.

The park beckons them,
And chores beckon me,
I have to make a compromise,
And off they run with glee.

Every moment is such a delight,
A walk with my daughters be,
#happyfeetwalkersclub
All thanks to thee.

Have you ever…

Have you ever wondered?
What’s around that corner?
Is there a mountain, steep and high?
Is there a valley deep under?

Have you ever been at crossroads?
With two roads to make a choice,
One that has been travelled oft before,
One with new beginnings and surprise.

Have you ever walked alone?
With only your thoughts for company,
Watching the the world as you pass by,
Roads one or too many.

Have you ever walked in a group?
Sharing fun, fitness and friendship,
Inspiring one another each day,
Meeting goals to accomplish.

Have you ever thought all this?
And wondered how it could be?
Then come join #happyfeetwalkersclub
Its perfect for thee…

Take the first step

Not a step behind you,
Not a step ahead of you,
All we wish for is
To take every step with you.

There is a long road ahead,
Twists and turns, hills and vales
Lets journey together,
Lets join the trail.

Bring along your fun,
Trade in some fitness,
Friendship is a bonus,
Shoo away the laziness!!!!

The ladies in red,
With their claps and smiles,
We will walk together
Devouring countless miles.

I have taken the first step,
Ready to take yours??
Join the #happyfeetwalkersclub,
And lets make it ours.