Jyoti Cook’s gossip and gupshup

Click the picture above to visit the Cengraving.com website.

I have been procrastinating for a couple of months about plunking down $35 on the English Standard Version (ESV) bible. The price factor has been the main deterrent in purchasing the ESV bible. However, I find difficulty in comprehending the King James Version (KVJ) bible (which is considered the most authentic translation of the biblical scriptures). What can I can say - I am an E2 (English as a second language) reader - that’s my excuse and I am sticking to it!

I have decided to buy the ESV bible to further my understanding of Christianity. Knowledge is power. Tolerance and love is God.

Many fans are upset with Sara Jane Dias’ disastrous performance at the Miss World 2007 pageant. Sara Jane is Miss India-World 2007. Sara’s inclusion into the top 10 delegates at the Miss India pageant earlier this year took many by surprise. Despite severely lacking in physical fitness, Sara Jane won the Miss India-World title by her superior oratory skills. Rumors of corruption and favoritism reeked through the pageant circles. However, ardent fans held out hope that Sara would make a sincere effort in readying herself for the Miss World pageant.

Sara’s representation of India was sub par with International pageant standards. Sara’s pathetic performance at the Miss World pageant only supports the notion that she won her national title due to her “Z-list” celebrity status. Femina did not invest the required effort in molding a viable delegate to represent India.

It is understandable why fans are so upset. Sara’s blatant misuse of the Miss India platform is a dismal reflection of her character, unfairness towards fellow contestants, and disrespect towards fans of the national pageant. Anyway, Miss World 2007 is a done deal! Fans can continue rejoice in the laurels of Puja Gupta (Miss-India Universe and Semi-finalist at Miss Universe) and Pooja Chitgopekar (Miss India-Earth and First runner-up at Miss Earth). In a few months when the new Miss India 2008 is crowned, Sara will be nothing but a non-entity…to most of us anyway.

Marrying Jeremy was one of the most irrational and best decisions of my life. There was no “honeymoon” period in our marriage. We worked in unison (despite disagreements on dogma) through tumultuous times and challenges.

Faith in God is the guiding force and foundation of our marriage. In non-spiritual lingo, it translates to sharing household chores and tolerance of behaviors that are testosterone-driven (Jeremy’s X-Box 360, garage full of tools, and geeky board games) and estrogen-laden (improvising Jeremy’s “completed chores” to my specification). There are many other spiritually enriching aspects that bind us. However, I will reserve that talk for an “emotional day.”

Warning: This post is dedicated to ranting. Please do not read if whining annoys you.

Four weeks ago, I had surgery to fuse two levels of my spinal discs. I had severe disc herniation with an 80% chance of spinal cord injury. The surgery was a success!

My recovery is another story all together. It is slow and agonizing. I am suffering from acute and chronic pain in my shoulders, arms, and neck. Not a single day goes by that I do not feel like I have just been run over by Britney Spears’ Mercedes. I am tired of both the unceasing pain and Britney news. I find difficulty doing even the most mundane household chores. Do you find folding laundry painful (and I am talking about physical stress here). Heck, even the car rides in the passenger seat for medical visits take a toll on me.

If you have read this far, I feel the need to justify that I am truly grateful for Microsoft’s insurance, quality medical care, and prescription drugs. I am also indebted to the church folks for their support and kindness. Last but not least, I must sing praises of my husband, Jeremy, who continues to be “Army strong” through the entire process. I am really proud of him.

- JC

Hi folks,

The domain name - OurCookFamily - was registered in September (gosh…has it been more two months already?). Procrastination, laziness, and surgery (for fusion of my spinal discs), and other reasons that I cannot recollect contributed to the delay in instating this website. During the Thanksgiving holidays, I did my homework (my favorite thing to do!) anent the processes and technicalities involved. At last, OurCookFamily.com is “live!”

Thank you for visiting our homepage today.

Love,

JC