In the meanwhile!!!

We all go through ups & downs in life... life is all about that.. sometimes you feel like you are ruling the world & sometimes you feel you are being ruled over or even been run over but that huge machine that is used to lay roads... the one with the iron wheels!!!

It is funny... that in that case we are like the cartoons... even after we have been flattened by that huge monster we tend to get up & puff ourselves back to our original shape & get ready to rule again...

When you are ruling you don't really have a lot of time left after taking care of all the affairs of your kingdom... but the time is in abundance when you are being ruled... you get to think about how unfair your ruler is & how you have to put up with his crap & so on & so forth and you feel very very low! 

At this stage you hear a whole load of people trying to cheer you up... you mostly hear things like... "Oh, its just a phase"... "this too will pass" ... "don't worry way too much about it" ... "cheer up" ... "blah"... "blah"... "blah"...  all with good intentions of course! Now this is the part where I have some doubts... 

What does one do during this low phase... apart from carrying out the 'so called' mean orders from the ruler... The question is "what do I do till the damn phase passes???" 

Some might say "Wait for it to pass"... Good idea... but you are already waiting!!! So what next??? I have also  realised thats when you are waiting your mind rents out its space to a someone called 'devil' and you land up doing things that you regret!!! And after you become the ruler again you wouldn't want have those regrets, would you?

So, WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEANWHILE????

Do post in your thoughts so it might help a lot of people going through "the phase"!!!

A Real Fairy Tale

I have been hitting my head hard on how to start this... this should not be difficult... it is the most simple topic... its almost like an open book exam!!! Or maybe, that’s’ the problem... I know way too much that I don't know where to start!

A smile and a soft voice that woke me every morning and when I did not get up it was his hand yero (going up) plane & yenrego (going down) plane that would tickle me out of the bed either ways I woke up with a smile. The most adorable people... the two people who are responsible for the existence of my bro & me... My Amma and Appa...

When they looked into each others eyes one could feel the love that they had... it was like 'love was in the air' around them. There was so much of it with them that they showered it on everyone they knew and that is what made them so special. We are really happy to get the share of love from them (a big share!) Even in the most difficult situations they would smile & make us smile with them. I hardly remember a time when I asked for something and it was not given... except when I wanted to go out & play during my exams & I was not allowed to!!!

Amma, she was this person who could transform to whatever age she wants... everyone could relate to her & she could relate to everyone. Her cooking was just as amazing as she was! She would play with us... tell us stories... teach us how to fight a bully... make us study... take care of every need that we ever had. She was one of the friendliest people, you could find.

She would ensure that all our demands… either spoken or unspoken were always met. Everything, especially food items would be there as soon as we asked for it… if we asked for it in the morning it would be on the table when we come back from school. She hated the fact that we had to visit our neighbor’s place to watch TV and made sure that there was a TV at our place soon.

Even now, I can faintly hear her recite 'narayaneeyam' every evening. She didn't have to make special efforts to make us feel special... it came naturally to her! A comforting smile and a warm hug from her made us feel so special.... I crave for that warmth sometimes! She was one of the friendliest and enterprising people I have ever known. In spite of her ill health & the bad financial condition at home she would face the world with a big broad smile and a courageous heart... She is my idol!

Appa, he was a gem... a person who would scold us and then later sit & explain why we got punished and what did we do wrong. He reasoned that if we knew what we did wrong we would do it again and, it worked! In spite of all the traveling & touring he would make sure that we are taken to the park or some place for us to enjoy... btw he was the same guy who took me for a picnic one day and once we finished the food in the basket… which was within 45 mins of reaching the park… we were back home!

He was and is my best friend... he knew everything possible about me... how... I told him... I never felt odd talking to him about anything... he had given us so much space and his efforts were always to make us more & more strong and independent! It was always his shoulder I used to cry my heart out... he would never ask me to stop crying but wait patiently stroking my head now & then indicating his presence & that was his way of consoling!

He had a logical explanation for everything and he would make sure that we know the reason why we are doing something. Starting from why we got punished at a particular situation to why we should do a particular ritual at a temple & so on! He was an ocean of knowledge... his ideas were always very novel and has pulled me out of issues at almost any situation be it at work or at play!

When I was 4 I used to think that my Appa knew everything and was the strongest man alive even better than Rajnikant or Amitabh Bachchan because he ate a lot of rasam sadam. But now, I have realised that it is not the rasam sadam but he is like that by nature! MY DADDY STRONGEST!!! I am my father's biggest fan!

If it was not for the Big Guy who decided to call them back I could have learnt so much more from them and I could have used a little bit of advice from both of them. We have 3 mothers who have given us loads & loads love and the affection... and made sure that we have become strong individuals but…you know what… I could have used two more parents... We don’t really mind being more pampered!

In the mean while, I have another plan... so what if the Big Guy played his trick... I am going to get few people who were close to them to tell me more about them so that I can know them better from other's eyes... With their charming personality & loveable nature it is very difficult for people not to get influenced by them!

This write up is a prelude for the blog that my brother and I want to launch for our parents (all 5 of them) & our family. I would request all people reading this to help with ideas, thoughts, pictures (if any), incident, anything!!!

Thank you!

PAY TO GET ECO FRIENDLY

In this age where everyone is talking about being eco-friendly ideas and practices I experienced very strange banking process with Deutsche Bank (DB).

My brother living in Mumbai used to receive my statements & bills while I am away. Since he has moved out of the current location I wanted to make sure my statements do not land up with the leased owners. For this purpose I spoke to banks and other service providers to send me their statements & bills online which happened very quickly & in some cases they gave some percent off on the bill. But the cherry on the cake is DB.

If I need to get eco friendly & stop my paper correspondence with DB then I have to pay a price... ain't that interesting to note... to get them to spend less on you, you pay 100 odd bucks every month. What a thought??? And what responsibility!!!

I found it ridiculous & I am no more a privileged customer of DB. When there is so much of competition around and other banks who are willing to provide better services why should you get stuck up with such a service... its a different story of you don't have an option!!!

Jaago grahak jaago... my small contribution to the campaign!!!

Difficult Simplicity!!!

Simple living & High thinking... a quote I've heard so many times... I am not sure if I have seen anyone follow it!

Most want a simple life without any complications... I wonder if they really understand what 'simple' stands for? And when they themselves create all the complications I am not sure how a simple life can be achieved...

We play mind games... we wont go & ask what happened... we try to source out information... how simple is it to say sorry or thank you or to say a few kind words... but we don't do any of it... we play games and complaint that our life is so damn complicated!

There are people who say that why should we tell our family and our loved ones we love them... they already know... if we tell them will the love increase or decrease? hmmm... neither... but the person you tell it to will feel cared for and happy! So simple...

But a question of "Is there a need?" arises...

Need for what... need to make a person happy or expressing your love... in both the cases maybe there is no need... then probably there is no need for children to be told that you love them... why do you need to hug them or kiss them or get them gifts? Don't they know? There is no need for husband & wife to stay together... after marriage they should fall in love if there is no need for expression then what is the point in staying together... We all have 6th sense we all should know who loves us & who doesn't... isn't it? HuH!!!

There are certain things in life where actions speak louder than words... and some things in life don't have a reason. In fact, they don't need to have a reason... one should do it because one feels like it!

Smile... laugh... cry... hug... kiss... splurge... make others happy... express your love... shop... have an ice cream... get wet in the rain... fight with your sibling... crack stupid jokes & laugh endlessly on them... giggle... have a pastries & chocolates... buy flowers for yourself or gift it to others... cry on sad & stupid movies... dance... sing... fight with your partner... make up all fights... shout... run carelessly... in short enjoy... as simple as that!

Don't add complications by thinking what people might think... if you are approved some place you are disapproved in some... why add complications by thinking what some person might or might not think... for all you know no one disapproved... its just your thought!

In life everything boils down to contentment & satisfaction... But we never get them because we look at big things... investments... property... planning... retirement... education... in this whole thing the big picture hides the little joy giving moments... the love glances... the giggles & laughs... and many such countless moments are lost & missed in the process of achieving goal after goal... And in solving complicated self created questions!

It is so rightly said "it is so simple to be happy but so difficult to be simple"

Which School???

When someone asks a silly question which has a damn obvious answer or behave as if they have come from an alien planet the first question you wanna ask... where the hell did you get education... or more so... did you even get educated???

After moving to Sydney from the busy life of Mumbai I started noticing people and their behaviour! Soon realised that people here have a very narrow outlook... I've heard that Australia is a very friendly place.. ALL BULLSHIT!

People here are totally racists... there have been few occasions within a year... we encountered a set of kids at a place called Lithgow who yelled at us, called us Niggers and spit looking at us... apparently at school we learn tolerance & good behaviour... I am not sure where it goes!?!?!?!?

Some guys at a mall suddenly decided to have a problem with us and started taunting on our behaviour... sharp comments... they have learnt English but I am not very sure if they are educated! There is this strange thing that I have noticed... when you walk into a very "white" suburb, they look at you as if you are a strange amusing thing & they have some comment or the other to make about you... I am not sure what they say but I am sure I would want to know... it would be amusing... its kinda like what people might say when you die!

Once while walking back home from a mall nearby some school white kids started dancing when they looked at me walking on a road... they must have did it to embarrass me... unfortunately for them it backfired & I started laughing as they looked really funny... They were like a set of circus monkeys doing a dancing act... they got embarrassed instead! Well, sometimes it boomerangs!

All this maybe because they all have a superiority complex due to skin colour or whatever but not being hypocritical I have also seen Indians with a major attitude problem... within the country maybe because of their financial or educational status and outside the country... I am not sure why!!!

Outside your country I've heard people tend to be more helpful and stuff... most are!!! The others tend to show an attitude that seems very uninviting & very rude. I tend to think that they also are a set of people who think that they belong to a higher class... probably they carry this attitude from their high status in their country... who knows?

Since I gave few Oz examples to be fair I should give some of these as well... we visited a set of acquaintances for a spiritual get together... we found few of them who don't even wanna bother talking to someone new or someone who doesn't fit their bill (according to them!). They'll look at you as if we've come here to get something done from them... its almost like the attitude of a full licensed driver towards a learner... The best part it they have also gone through it but have suddenly forgotten all about it!

The best set are the ones who keep talking about themselves & their work & their achievements... even if the topic is no where close to that in a very intersting way it comes to them... must say... a very very intersing skill!

And then there were these set of people who were making some holiday plans without even having a common courtesy of realising that there are new people around... In normal circumstances you introduce what exactly they are talking about to the new person & ask them if they might be interested in being a part of it... in this case these people decided to ignore their existence & just when along with their plan making... there is a good possibility that they are not interested in inviting... which is totally cool... you would not want uninvited guests in your party.. and if that's the case DON'T TALK ABOUT IT! I would definitely rate this as an out right rude behaviour... wouldn't you?

Things like these make you feel... what is it with them... end of the day we are all humans & all we need roti, kapda, makan & a place to get burnt or buried... then what is the snobism all about? What goes around comes around & if you are gonna have an attitude when you need something the most all you'll get is snobism! Getting a little philosophical... but these are situations where you wanna ask... WHICH SCHOOL!!!

V for Victory!!!

That's how I say my name as people often hear it wrong... but this article is not about my name!!

It is about the whooping victory that INDIA had in Australia!

Leadership is about making right judgements even if it means taking risks and Dhoni proved this! His decisions were criticised by almost everyone but he sure did prove everyone wrong.

I used to hate cricket but a gripping game like this always a pleasure to watch especially after the controversies. The Australian team could have had a better face to show after the loss if they had not made those remarks about the players in particular and the team. But on the brighter side its those controversies that made the game more interesting!

THREE CHEERS TO THE INDIAN TEAM...

It just goes to prove that the Indian young blood has a will and the determination to prove to the world that they are going ahead and this is just the beginning and when they get going they will put up a tough fight!

I am proud of the Indian team... since the beginning of this series they have made sure they stand for their team... I loved it when the team decided to back out if Bhajji was penalised! Wrong usage of power... I THINK NOT! Like its said 'if you have it, flaunt it!'

I am sure all Indians including me are hoping that the leadership of a person like Dhoni continues and the Indian cricket carves out a new and better position for itself in world cricket.

There will be blood...

A movie that we decided to see on a Tuesday evening. After a lot of argument & looking up a website called rottentomatoes.com (my husband's favourite movie rating site) we decided to see "there will be blood"

The promos were exciting and the tomato meter rated it 91%. Good huh!!!

STORY

It is about this guy who dug up oil wells... he got greedy after a while and the greed got the better of him & he started losing himself. By the end of it he has a big mansion and loads of money but has lost everything else... his son leaves him!

The movie started out well and was gripping for the first half but after that it just went on & on for no reason... a movie that should have ideally been over in 1 and half hours took 2 and half hours... (ONE EXTRA HOUR!)

In the end a priest also dies I am not sure why... I think its a good nominee for Oscar as you don't really understand the end... as one of my friend says 'the Hollywood ending!'

My suggestion... don't see it at least not on big screen... see it on a DVD when you can fast forward the slower parts. It becomes a documentary after a while and it stretched way too much!

Budday!!!!!!!!!!

"Hum bhi agar bachche hote,
Naam hamara hota babloo dabloo
Aur khane ko milta ladoo
Aur duniya kehti HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!"

Familiar lines???

what has changed from then to now... i'll tell you... we dont have time to organise a party & tab toh parents karte the... and most people are diet conscious... ladoo kaise kha sakte hai????

Hai na???

Anyway... I had few people telling me that everyday should be celebration & you shouldn't restrict it to one day or few days... and some people are of the opinion that birthdays are a day to be sad as you are growing older!

I need to ask these people something... You can be upset with you ageing if you had a bad health or people around are making your life hell... then you might be like why am I even here. But with good health, family & friends, job / business (covering health, wealth & happiness) I don't really get the reason to get upset.

Besides, you are aware that you are growing old everyday... its an universal truth! Well, unless you get a magic youth portion! Hence after knowing the universal truth & having a good life why shouldn't you celebrate!

For the people who talk about celebrating everyday... people... if you celebrate everyday then celebration becomes normal & normal becomes boring! You can't possibly celebrate everyday... I even asked my husband if he will get me a gift everyday & he said no... so if you have some celebration once in a while you get gifts ya... & not out of the blue on a specific date so that people know when to get you the gifts (lol!)

Jokes apart, we appreciate happiness & comfort when we've been through a patch of sadness & discomfort. Isn't it?

And therefore, ban jaao ek din babloo dabloo aur khaalo thode se ladoo... aur zore se bolo "Jai Mata Di!"

hehehhehe!!!

Jab We Met!

Sydney, Australia

It is said that every stranger is a friend you havent met!

We recently met a set of people who gave us a helping hand to pull us out of a pit...

My husband & I have found a new hobby... House Hunting... we are planning to get a house & every weekend we set out to find a house of our choice... Like always we set out for our hobby on a rainy saturday... since it was raining we couldnt make it to the open house time so we requested the agent to show us the place again. He agreed to our request & said he would be there in about 20 mins...

While we waited for him inside the car the rain god decided to empty his bucket all at one time... we were quite comfortable inside the car with the a/c & radio on & the hazard lights on for others to spot our car in the rain. Suddenly the radio stopped playing & we did not know what was happening. My huband tried starting the car & it wouldnt start... there began the panic attack... we were almost 25 kms aways from where we currently stay & we hardly know anyone in around...

For some reason I found the situation very funny... or probably it was just my way of letting out my fears... but I kept laughing for a while... then we called our relative & told them what happened... the 1st question put forth by them was if our headlights were on & they hit the target... it was on... they said that out battery would have drained & we should try & find a jumper lead to start out battery again... we also do not have a the NRMA (insurance) which would have helped... but aww well... who anticipated this would happen!

By this time the agent arrived... we saw the house with the worry that we might not reach home & asked the agent if he could help... unfortunately he did not have the equipment we needed but he let us use the house compound as a shelter from the rain for a while...

Suddenly, my husband noticed few people in the opposite block & they looked like Indians. He suggested that I should try making conversation with the lady outside... I waved out to her & she came out with an umbrella... The situation was explained & she called out her husband to help out.

While the men took care of the car, I was invited into their house... We got talking & she narrated het 10 year expeirnce living in that area... from what she said I guessed she loves the place... the station is close, school & shopping village is close by and a good & quiet locality (impressive!)

During our conversations I got to know that they are from Pakistan. It was very heart-warming to see her hospitality. They invited us for a cup of tea but we were almost out of fuel & we really wanted to go home so we requested to leave... When we were back in our car my huband was all praises about the husband who helped with the car... when I told him that they were from Pakistan he was pleasently surprised!

(BTW as soon as the car was fixed the rain stopped... Murphy's Law!!!)

When such instances happen you really wonder if the Indo - Pak story that is in the open is more a brain-child of the so called leaders.

Anyway... this is my Indo-Pak story...

Cool One-Liners

Your future depends on your dreams. So go to sleep.

Life is like a grammar lesson. You find the past perfect and the present tense.

I'm on a seafood diet. Every time I see food, I eat it.

I talk to myself because I like dealing with a better class of people.

If a cluttered desk is characteristic of a cluttered mind, what does an empty desk mean?.

What does retired mean? Tired yesterday, tired again today

Diplomat tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.

Never try to drown your troubles... especially if she can swim.

Don't be so open-minded your brains fall out.

By the time a man realizes that his father was usually right, he has a son who thinks he's usually wrong.

If it weren't for marriage, men and women would have to fight with total strangers.

Teachers are those who help us in resolving problems which, without them, we wouldn't have.

There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

Marriages are made in heaven. But so again, are thunder and lightning.

Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.

An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have: The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.

You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.

Girls are like internet domain names... the ones I like are already taken.

Gravity can not be held responsible for people falling in love.

Quit smoking! Take air pollution straight.

Finally 21, and Legally Able to Do Everything I've Been Doing Since 15.

99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

THE BEST FOR THE LAST!!!

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're thinking.

Nine Words Women Use

1.) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F@!K YOU!

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.Then you RUN!

Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it's true.

SEEMS SO LOGICAL !!!

If your father is a poor man,it is your fate but, if your father-in-law is a poor man, It's your stupidity.
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I was born intelligent - education ruined me.
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Practice makes perfect..... But nobody's perfect...... so why practice?
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If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
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Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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How come 'abbreviated' is such a long word?
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Money is not everything. There's Mastercard & Visa.
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Behind every successful man, there is a woman And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.
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Every man should marry. After all, happiness is not the only thing in life.
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The wise never marry. and when they marry they become otherwise.
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Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can put off today.
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'Your future depends on your dreams' So go to sleep
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There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning
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'Hard work never killed anybody' But then why to take the risk????
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'Work fascinates me' I can look at it for hours....
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God made relatives; Thank God we can choose our friends.
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The more you learn, the more you know, The more you know, the more you forget The more you forget, the less you know So.. why learn.
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A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a workstation...

Some Male bashing!!!

Read this especially when you've had a fight with your man!!! It definitely cheers you up!!!

Time for some male bashing.....

Q: What is the difference between men and puppies?
A: Puppies grow up.

Q: Why do men always have a stupid look on their faces?
A: Because they are...

Q: What do men have in common with ceramic tiles?
A: Fix them properly once and you can walk all over them forever.

Q: If you drop a man and a brick out of a plane, which one would hit the ground first?
A: Who cares?????.. ...(both are equally dense!!)

Q: What did God say after he created man?
A: I can do better than this! And then he created woman!!!! (Yea)

Q: What's the difference between an intelligent man & a UFO?
A: I don't know, I've never seen either.

Q: What are two reasons why men don't mind their own business?
A: i) no mind ii) no business

Q: Why did Moses wander in the desert for 40 years?
A: Because even back then men wouldn't ask for directions ..LOL!!!

Q: What is the difference between men and pigs?
A: Pigs don't turn into men when they drink...

Q: What makes men chase women they have no intention of marrying?
A: The same urge that makes dogs chase vehicles they have no intention of driving.

Q: What do you do with a man who thinks he's God's gift?
A: Exchange him!!

Q: Why do men like smart women?
A: Opposites attract.

Pass this on to some women who need a laugh.. And to men who can handle it!

Hilarious!!!!

Got it as a fwd... reallly good! This doesn't really look like the work of 1st graders but its hilarious!!!

A 1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses until they stop running
2. Strike while the bug is close
3. It's always darkest before Daylight Saving Time
4. Never underestimate the power of termites
5. You can lead a horse to water but How?
6. Don't bite the hand that looks dirty
7. No news is impossible
8. A miss is as good as a Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll stink in the morning
11. Love all, trust Me
12. The pen is mightier than the pigs
13. An idle mind is the best way to relax
14. Where there's smoke there's pollution
15. Happy the bride who gets all the presents
16. A penny saved is not much
17. Two's company, three's the Musketeers
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what you put on to go to bed
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and You have to blow your nose
20. There are none so blind as Stevie Wonder
21. Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded
22. If at first you don't succeed get new batteries
23. You get out of something only what you See in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind get out of the way
25. A bird in the hand is going to poop on you

And the WINNER and last one!

26. Better late than Pregnant

ENJOY!!!!