Whats App, One Of Facebook’s Biggest Acquisitions

Whats App is one of the most popular applications in use today, but you would be surprised to know that 50% people using this app are not aware of the fact that Whats App application is owned by Facebook.

According to a recent survey, over half of US citizens are unaware that the popular mobile messaging platform is owned by Facebook. Majority of people using Whats App have been using the platform without realizing that all their information including travel time, routes, messages, location and photos, are all privy to Facebook.

Although the companies like Google and Facebook can definitely lean on the products they have picked up to stay ahead in the competition, but even the big fishes in the ocean suffer blowback from privacy crises.

A Sneak Peak At Facebook’s History & Its Acquisitions

Facebook Inc. is one of the most thriving social networking website started by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. In the year 2010, it became a profitable business and then in 2012, the company sold over 388 million shares for about $38 per share prior to its initial public offering and raised nearly $15 billion for the company founders.

As on today, the company has a market cap of over $460 billion and since its inception, Facebook has purchased many different companies like Instagram and Whats App. To stay innovative and continue developing products that their customers need, the company has acquired many new technologies and companies.

Companies like Karma and Face.com were taken over by Facebook to improve its social networking service. In 2007, it acquired FriendFeed and borrowed new technologies like newsfeed or “like” button. Later, it acquired Nextstop, Drop.io, and Hot Potato and improved its social recommendations, file exchange service and “check-in” option to a place or event.  

In 2012, Facebook paid an astounding amount of $1 billion to acquire Instagram and then it bought over, Whats App for $19 billion in 2014. Today the multi-billion company has completely engrained in our society and our everyday lives.

The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, Fisher Space Pen

Designed five decades ago by Paul C Fisher, “The Fisher Space Pen” is a retractable, pressurized pen that worked flawlessly in zero gravity during the first manned Apollo Mission in 1968. Today the Fisher Space Pen Company has not only earned NASA as a customer for the revolutionary pen, famously known as Anti-Gravity 7 or #AG7, but the company has also been handcrafting pens that can write under water, over grease, at any angle, in extreme temperatures and have three times longer life than an average pen.

History

During World War II, Paul C. Fisher worked with ball bearings in an airplane propeller factory and after a few years, he started working in pen factory. This is when he established himself as an innovator and opened his own pen company. His idea behind the innovation was to create a pen that would not leak. So, he experimented, invested one million dollars and made his first zero gravity pen, which he patented in 1966.

The innovation in the pen was the pressurized ink cartridge and gel ink that deployed reliably, irrespective of orientation or the presence of gravity. Later, he sent the pen to NASA and his innovation was really appreciated. Russians started using the #AG7 shortly afterwards.

The Limited Edition Pen

Lately, a 50^th anniversary edition pen has been released for all those who love gold stuff. The limited edition pen is priced at $500, is made of gold titanium nitride plated brass and comes with a case.

The beautiful zero-gravity pen has definitely been pop culture for half a century.

Weekend in Chikmagalur At The Taj Gateway Hotel – Experience Luxury

On a lovely September day, we headed for The Taj Gateway Hotel, which is one of the best establishments in Chikmagalur, encircled amidst the lush green forests. Situated on the peaceful K M Road, the location of this hotel is a huge asset, however, it is a little away from the main city center. This time of the year, the hotel remains very touristy.

But The Taj Gateway Hotel was definitely a perfect pied-a-terre for me, in a lush place like Chikmagalur.

It is impossible not to fall for this calm, peaceful and luxury stay. The imposing façade, huge balconies, pathways adorned with flowers and beautifully decorated lobbies, talk a lot about its history. The colonial architecture compliments the overall beauty of this hotel and I am quite sure, you will immediately fall under the spell of the beauty and the character of the premises.

While, the numerous reminders of Krishna Leela in the form of stunning paintings decorate the walls, the contemporary amenities cater to the taste of modern travelers. 

There are many rooms and suites with king size and queen size beds, but we opted for a cottage with a twin bed, for our little one to cuddle comfortably by my side. The cottage was a perfect combination of elegance, antique style and modern comfort.

In the evening, we made our way to the restaurant, where both international and national cuisines are served. The chef here prepares mouth watering gastronomies that are sure to delight every palate. During our stay, the food and beverages department was headed by Mr. Prasad Nawale and he made every effort to make our stay the most comfortable and memorable. I was really touched with the hospitality and care.

There is a small fitness center where I loved working up a sweat, cooling down and stretching myself. A small park area by the pool side and a games room were just perfect for my toddler to stay engaged, while I enjoyed the spa.

We visited Belur and Halebidu, the nearby towns which were once the seat of Hoysala empire; Veeranarayana temple and the breathtaking Hebbe falls. There are many other activities where one can indulge, like, exploring the coffee plantation, discovering how the favorite morning brew gets to the cup and challenging treks at Mullayanagiri and Baba Budan Giri. The fairly steep treks are known for their spectacular views. 

The Taj Gateway Hotel was definitely a new-age experience for me in the lap of nature.

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Parenting With Love & Raising Great Kids

Becoming mother of an amazing, adorable, annoying, hyperactive and a super hilarious daughter was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. There is not a single day that goes by, where me and my daughter don’t fight or love each other, but still I praise the heavens for blessing me with this unbelievable gift.

If you have ever gazed into the eyes of your daughter and wondered how you got so lucky, then you will definitely enjoy reading this post.

The Mommieeee Experience

I remember days with my daughter when I had no time to cover up my gray roots, no time to wash them, my dress and my shoes won’t match or my nail polish would have had chipped. That’s how I roll, these days.

I do dress up for the occasional night parties with my husband or my friends, but I’d much rather love wearing my favorite lousy pajamas, while being curled up on the not-so comfy bean bag watching Once Upon A Time series on Netflix, knowing that my little girl is tucked in the bed, snoring to the glory.

Though I am a little particular about keeping my house clean and at times I become a lazy housekeeper too, but I always make sure that my house is filled with love and laughter all the time.

I am not a great cook either, but I love cooking occasionally. I love cooking for my little girl, despite of she making faces for everything that she eats.

I am the official chauffer to my daughter. I am imperfect. I laugh at stuff I shouldn’t sometimes. I loose my cool and even use bad words at times. I would have watched hours of TV, ignoring my kid. Some days, I feel guilty of not giving her enough time and other days I just can’t wait to get away from her. I referee her arguments daily. Sometimes I secretly root for her, when someone else scolds her for doing things wrong. And most importantly, I need a time-out quite often. But that’s OK!!!

Some days I don’t like her, but I love her everyday, every second of every hour. She is my world.

There is nothing called a perfect parent and a perfect child. Parenting is futile. All of us keep trying to be perfect parents or raising the children perfectly. But, go back and think of the days when you were a kid and misbehaved or did bad stuff. How did your parents deal with it?

Perfect Parenting or Flexible Parenting – Making The Right Choice

Ideal father and mother who raised happy, well behaved, problem-free children is a myth. There is nothing called perfect parenting.

Every parent deals with behavioral problem, which takes up significant amount of parent’s time. You and me will also deal with such traits that would be at some point of time, difficult to deal with, like complying with simple requests, spending time watching TV, engaging in sibling fights, avoiding household chores or even difficulty finishing homework. But it is absolutely normal to feel worried, angry, overwhelmed or guilt, because we are parents and we always want the best for our kids.

All parents and all children make mistakes in communicating and dealing with one another. But, living for your children can sometimes put you in a very vulnerable position, which can leave you disappointed, frustrated and even resented.

The key to this problem is flexible parenting. The thumb rule is that you should not expect to receive fulfillment from your children or your parenting role. From your regular activities, you need to look for other sources of love and nurturing. And most importantly, you need to take a break from child and parenting responsibilities.

As a parent, you need to develop your own philosophy within a flexible and adaptable framework. You should take into account your expectations, parenting style and temperament and every attribute should fit your children. In case of secondary difficulties, when problems exceed your coping capabilities, you can always seek professional help.

Along the way, you must trust your instincts and keep your sense of humor up, as parenting will be the most challenging yet rewarding and enjoyable experiences of your life. You should take comfort in the fact that in most cases, children do turn out well.

I might sound cheesy, because I am a mother of a funny, messy, loud and whole lot of wonderful daughter, but I am worthy of being her mom. She reminds me to slow down, laugh and be silly again, despite of some challenging parenting days. It’s time to celebrate the gift of parenting.