Bliss.

Bliss.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

.... My SAT Essay.


I believe, and with conviction, that one can achieve more when they work in their way. 'To each his own' is a popular adage and I strongly adhere to the same. Every human has innate talents and unique capabilities coupled with an ingenious way to learn, to work and succeed. There is no 'The method' or fixed path to success.

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists the world will ever know, worked in what purists may term a 'haphazard and unprofessional' manner. Yet, this man has delved into the depths of science and uncovered its mysteries, much more than any other individual. Einstein was a simple, absent-minded man with a quirky thought process, which made him what he is. He didn't exactly go by the rule book, he didn't stick to the norm, and that I aver, made all the difference to the world.

In the Hindi movie, Taare Zameen Par, the protagonist, who suffers from dyslexia is ostracized from his schoolmates due to his inability to perceive, grasp and learn from his surroundings. He did not do well in the conventional education system. Later, under the guidance of a caring teacher, he regains his confidence and is shown to become a successful artist.

History is rife with examples of scientists who made epoch-making discoveries but did not take the conventional path, but did things their own way. These were the rule breakers, the change makers. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are fine examples of people who did things in their own arcane way and made a mark.

There is no definite route to achieve our goals. I realized this when I went trekking in the hills of South India. Our guide, a trained trekker, apprised us on the modus operandi of trekking and rock climbing. Despite his guidance and assistance from my father, I found the climb steep and unconquerable. The guide even dictated where I should place my foot to balance myself. I stopped for a moment and thought, "Surely,I know how to balance myself! I just have to listen to myself". And then, I began with renewed vigour, and succeeded. I scaled the heights of the hill with ease; all because I know where my footing is. No one knows better than that!

Those were the days.

Ah! I'm feeling unnaturally elated. No particular reason. So Pre-Boards over. Today we had bio. Hmm.

You know, it's been pretty long since I blogged normally. In the sense, something other than some story or a list of what books I'm currently reading. It's back to the old days :)

Of late, everything in life has become a routine. This is how my day goes:
  • Get up (usually between 6:00 and 6:45) and scramble around
  • Gobble something and rush to the stop. Only to realize I'm early (This ALWAYS happens. I've missed the bus only once. I had to hitch an auto ride.. And another day I saw the bus and I R.A.N (Me running is a sight by itself and no words can explain the ludicrous phenomenon))
  • Sit in the bus. Go to college. Prayer and everything else (Oh that reminds me: I won't be speaking this year after all. :P)
  • Class. Now seating arrangement is indeed a very big deal and anybody in the first 2 benches will concur. Varsha, Raji and I have affinity particular positions during the Ravis' classes. So we often sit in various combinations depending on the period.
  • Lunch. EAT. TALK. LAUGH.
  • 2 more classes.
  • Sit in the bus. Go home.
  • ~Time Flies~ and I either do an all-nighter after getting high on coffee or hit the sack early to make up for some lost sleep.
I love Music. For the past week or so, I've had an inexplicable urge to sing. Yes, Ms.Froggy Voice wants to sing! 
The truth is, Carnatic music has always been a part of my life. For about a decade, I used to sing regularly. Love it or loathe it, it was a part of my life. The raagas, the Shruthi, the Bhaavageethes were all a part of my life. An important part of music is to feel what you're singing. It's not just getting the lyrics and the tune right. It's also about singing from you're heart; reflecting the true feelings of the poet. And for that, one should involve deeper into the song, beyond mere lyrics, into something more soulful; more divine. 

But the truth is, I rarely felt such insights. They were there; but rare. I mostly didn't mind singing. I liked Bhaavageethes better than devotional ones. But today, I know I'm missing something. I WANT to restart my music classes!! 
Also Carnatic music is anyday better for me than Linkin Park or Eminem. I don't know why though; it's like a part of my DNA.


Coming home early reminds me of Summers of the past. When I was in elementary grades, Carmel used to give us these big timetables with the timetables printed on the back. I used to fret over that and Ma used to make me study (LOL! ONLY in 1st and 2nd!). Exams were 'half day' so I'd come home and read a book or bug Chitti (Chitti's this lady who worked in our house for several years). During those years, I had a curious fascination for mixing random stuff. I vividly remember emptying a gems container, putting a few leaves, some ink, some left over medicine and any other liquid I could get my hands on; all just to see the colour of the mixture in the end!

And Summer camps! In 3rd grade I went to one at Suchitra Film Society and that was pretty good. I heard the song 'One Love' for the first time back then. (The second was when Sonika and I were listening to songs on her Ipod!) :)

But otherwise, I never really attended summer camps. Reason being Ma conducted camps every year and I had great fun helping around! Usually after the art and craft session we reserved the last hour or so for games like Housie, some magnetic fishing game, singing sessions and what not! 


Also Summer meant getting the cycles out, going all the way to Ram-Mandira to get some air into the wheels and then zooming around on the streets on a cycle way to small for me. After I got a bigger one, I had problems maneuvering the big thing, but I loved it nevertheless..

Summer meant making random new friends on a new street, getting random people home (and convincing Amma that they were my friends), bugging Pinki, falling down after being chased by villainous dogs, making our own Shiva temple out of mud and flowers, making clubs like FON and magazines like Sparkle, looking for a blushing JB (HAHAHAHA), jumping terraces while playing hide-n-seek, having parties in the park with Betty and Noni (my dolls), endless cups of ice-cream, swinging higher and higher on a swing until I realized it was to good to be true....


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

5 Minute Philosophy

Ways to overcome chocolate addiction:
  • Throw away all chocolates in your vicinity.
  • If you're diet conscious, don't look at them as sinful delights, but as Big Bad Calories
  • Eat anything else, a fruit or cookie perhaps
  • Develop your will power and stay away from the refrigerator
  • Raid the Fridge and finish the full supply of chocolates until: you're sick and tired (literally and figuratively) of the sight of those brown horrors. 
Just Saying. :P
Oh, by the way, I was glancing through my old blogposts and:
  • I think I've forgotten to mention that I've had the Privilege of shaking hands with Narayan Murthy (at Swagat Inox when I'd been there with Ma and Pa to watch 'We are a Family)
  • It's interesting to see how my blog posts have changed over the years. 
  • I should spend more time on quizzing.
Ok That's It.