Bliss.

Bliss.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Back To December.

So it's holiday season and I'm back in Bangalore. (implies time to go on a blogging spree!) I've been so eager to blog that the day before Physio exam, a considerable amount of time was spent pondering over the various subjects I will blog about when I get home.

Songs have been an integral part of my life. At each phase/ stage, I've been in love with different songs. Here's a glimpse of some of them:

  • Kaho Na Pyaar Hai: My first Bollywood movie. Hrithik Roshan was my "favourite hero". I still love the evergreen songs from this movie.
  • Made In India (Alisha Chinoy): Loved dancing to this as a kid. (This was before I realized I lacked the ability to dance gracefully!)
  • Dhola Re: Danced to this song in school when I was in 2nd standard and subsequently on so many occasions. Bengali attire, saree and exuberance. :)
  • Saathiya: Our first drive to Coorg. When we packed food from Dasaprakash, had lunch on the way and reached the Kodava land after crossing all the "Hairpin bends".
  • Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai: This was somebody else's favourite song and I slowly began to love it too..
  • Yeh Ishq Hai: Was madly in love with this song during 7th and 8th. The memories make me smile today. :P
  • Dus Bahaane: Singing this on the Karaoke with Nidhi, trying to dance to this silly song. Lol
  • Laari Choti (Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local): First heard it on MTV, nearly 5-6 years ago..
  • Paas Aaya Kyon: The song that puts me to sleep. Since the last few years.
  • Pehli Nazaar Mein: The most long standing favourite song of my life. :)
  • Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna: singing this in 6th, buying the cassette just for this song.
  • Pehli Baar (from Kaminey): during 9th and 10th..
  • Jeeyein Kyun, Te Amo: Dehli Shimla Tour song
  • Lehrein: The sad song for the sad days during PUC
  • Tu Hi Haqeeqat: The Deeksha era
  • Vele (Student of the Year), Piya O Re Piya, Jee Le Zara, In My City (PC): Hostel songs.
  • Tum Hi Ho, Sun Raha Hai Na Tu: The first few months of Medical. (I watched the movie for the first time with Suman on August 15th! :) )
  • Ishaqzaade: Current favourite.
Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
Ye Ishq Hai

                                                   

Lehrein: Aisha


So zooming ahead to December 2013, Internals have been the major event of the month hence that explains the depleting stores of milk and coffee pudi, the perennial brightness in our room (it was like a relay; one sleeps, the other gets up, studies for a while, wakes the 3rd one and goes back to sleep. Hence our room lights were on nearly all night.

The practical exams could have been better, especially Histology and that will hopefully be amended by the next exam. Theory exams were okayish, but frankly, I was saturated by then and couldn't wait for the exams to get over. It's a pity, actually. During the regular academic session, I "hyper-study" purely because I can and I like doing it, but by the time the exams arrive, when I really have to go on the Hyper Mode, I'll be too fatigued and caffeine intoxicated and hence my motivation levels dipped a bit this time. :[

On the friendship front, things are slowly getting better. I mean, I now have a few people I can call friends. Few. I've lost a few people too in the process and unfortunately there were some very disturbing moments, particularly during the internals time but luckily I've decided not to care too much and take things as it comes and NEVER EVER trust people in college. Trust me, I speak from experience. 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Music Is The Only Constant

In a world where people change, situations change and moods change, music is that blissful constant in our lives that brings back memories, gives a sense of warmth that pierces the thorax, lodges in the middle mediastenum where it penetrates through fibrous and serous pericardia and stimulates the baroreceptors of carotid sinus and aortic arch which stimulates the Vasodepressor Centre which causes a vagal tone and thus brings about bradycardia in a disturbed soul.

Flawed physiology aside, college is progressing as usual. Internals are nearing, panic ought to be setting in but so far it is only superficial and not deep. -_-

My perpetual fears of losing track seems to have amplified, friendships appear to have become strained, it appears impossible to entangle oneself from complications arising due to certain relations and the chill blanket that envelopes the college in the night does not make matters simple for the wannabe owl.

Nutella Addiction is an inexplicably pleasant phenomenon that causes chronic idiopathic shortlived happiness but the positive feedback mechanism that it causes can trigger pangs of craving for that elusive dabbi which cannot be found in all of Shimoga.

Ultimately it's best to be with the few good friends I have from school and college because implicit trust is bad for my own well being. Or am I being obnoxiously cautious to the point of having OCD?

I got a haircut. B-)

Friday, December 6, 2013

Caution.

I don't like it. I don't know what to do about it. I'm worried.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

And I thought I'll never stop blogging.

I can access Facebook on my tab but I can't blog, I concede. 

Colder days have arrived, nights are chill, mornings are misty and the daytime is getting sleepy.

The other day we had a cultural event in the college (and we all grabbed the rare opportunity to dress up *HAHAHAHA*) and the programs were interesting (to say the least)

In the end, one of the surgeons of the college (who also teaches General Surgery to the 2nd years) and I found his speech very relevant. Basically, he stressed that one must not get bogged down by the profession and turn into an "Automaton". This is possible in case of medical practice because there is very little scope for creativity and most of it adheres to standard procedures. Hence it is vital that one does not lose their creativity, originality and other interests in the course of this profession.

Looking back at the last 2 years, I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry. (Okay, I'm doing neither, I'm just considering it as a phase and an experience.)


I mean I got my passport renewed, wrote the SATs, I spent HOURS over essays (even in March and April), I ran a marathon and attended a MUN, I went around looking for Teacher Recommendations, made Financial Aid Applications, filled the CSS Profile, posted photos of UChicago in my hostel room, tore them up, received a FedEX mail from Atlanta, prepared a music video for scholarship, googled a zillion goddam things for my Colorado essay and the Waldo essay.

And now I'm here.

I sometimes wonder, maybe that is the closest I will get to going there? All the glimpses, all the hopes and all the effort..

But I enjoyed every minute of it, I put in my heart and soul and wrote every essay with painstaking effort, prepared with great fervor for the SATs and yes, I suppose I did everything I could do.

Obviously, I don't think of this phase of my life if I can help it, but then it is true that this phase existed. Hence it seems appropriate to document it.

Contrary to public perception, I wasn't really such an angelic kid who made no mischief. Unfortunately, I made the kind of mischief that mostly went undetected. I've had my share of squabbles with friends, tantrums and short tempered outbursts. It's just that it happened a long time ago, so people have conveniently forgotten it.

So I gave my second seminar today (On Cerebral Circulation) and I was told that it came out well. The topic is actually extensive and I merely grazed the tip of the iceberg (Papa sent me a PPT with 94 slides. WUT)

I suppose I've got to go now.
Seeya soon :)


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Of Popliteal Fossa and Parties in the Night. And Solitude.

Holidays were great. Home was mostly great and I'm missing Divya more than ever. It's true, she's hyper goose but I guess that attribute runs in the family :-P
Day 1: Atthe Mama Nidhi
Day 2: PESIT: Manasa, Medha and the others. Evening: Vidha3
Day 3: Rajath, Avaneesh and Vikas and also people from Subbaiah!
Day 6: PINKI
Day 7: Sanjana of Deeksha and the X A2 reunion..
Fastforwarding to the present tense, I'm back at college and life is a chaotic, messy, hectic existence as usual.
Lack of invigorating music in my life could be a probable cause of so much pseudo-misery in my life.
Everybody in college appears to be in a sudden HyperStudy mode and the intensity is a little surprising. But nevertheless it isn't unwarranted considering the speed at which we're progressing. (Or rather, expected to progress)
My latest theory is that staying alone during 2nd PUC made me more of an independent person and hence that could explain the state of my social life.
But maybe things will work out over time.
*Addicted to Ishaqzaade*
So the other day I was looking at the conundrum called the hip bone, trying to figure out the anatomical position and its features (thankfully, I feel less blind now after our teacher taught us REALLY well!), when the aunties who clean our rooms saw me holding it and were super curious to see, to touch and to learn all about it. So I tried telling them about the bone, where its located and how it articulates with the head of femur and so on (that too in my primitive Kannada). It was actually interesting and I remembered Appa saying that if I've truly understood a concept, I should be able to explain it to just about anybody..
I make notes. Here's a sneak peek
:
Popliteal fossa.

The only awesome thing in the last several days is that I spoke to Suman!! (At SNMC, Bagalkot) and yes, today I spoke to Pringles.
Yesterday was Saniya's birthday and wow, it sure was a well organized party with a really cake that was mostly wasted on people's faces. XD
The silver lining in my life currently is that I have a few episodes of Grey's Anatomy in my tab.
Maybe it's true,
I can't live without you.
*I go Back to December all the time.*
Going to make myself a cup of coffee and figure out what's going on in my heart (Literally and figuratively :-P )
The Hip Bone
Popliteal Fossa :P

Friday, November 1, 2013

Nooo.

Just when I thought, maybe, life would be okay again, a bolt from the blue.

I cannot survive another Apocalypse. That is certain.
Neither can I watch anybody struggling through it. That too is certain.

I'm scared of what's going to happen when I'm not around.
I CAN'T deal with all the turmoil again.
I've seen ENOUGH for a lifetime.
It's like a Chamber of Secrets and you're always in the fear of when it will 'Unleash the Horrors within'.

How can ANYBODY Live with it?! 

Is this some kind of sick joke? 
So are we meant to take this on a regular basis?!
Wicked Game, this Life.
I've never wanted to hit 'End Game' more.

The moment, the very moment I lower my guard and begin to trust, I'm betrayed. And brutally.

I'm counting the reasons to be a part of this sadistic life.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Where To Begin?!

As usual, I get my hands on the Laptop and I'm lost on FB or Gmail or a news portal. And a new entrant to the list is scouring for the latest songs. (No radio -_-)

My apologies for the last post which was anything but complete and basically very atypical of me.

So I'm done with my exams and I'm in Bangalore for a few days. And my calender is already lined up with appointments with people I need to meet! Excited to meet Vidha3, Manasa tomorrow and I'm taking part in a quiz at BMC on Tuesday with Rajath :D (Although my GK has plummeted to rock bottom levels)

Di has grown (intellectually and physically) and I'm super glad to spend some time with her. Only, I sometimes wonder if it's me she wants or my Tab. Lol.

The thing is, the Jain Hostel was anything but 'True Hostel Life', the food was great, I had my own room, I had my privacy and I had no reason to complain! So my point is, it wasn't like living in a hostel, in the true sense. I didn't socialize much (a conscious decision, that) and Pa kept visiting me very often :)

The sad thing is I've packed more books than clothes in my suitcase. -_- Ok, not sad in that sense, but I've left all the good clothes in the dusty cupboard back in Shimoga.

So these hols are a true blessing for me to re-look at the way my life's heading, the way I am and the road ahead.
College is very much hectic and the annoying/sad/depressing/frustrating thing is that I'm not relaxing in the 'right' way.

Right includes:

  • Baddie! 
  • Novels
  • Singing
  • Blogging
Right does not include:
  • Lazing on Whatsapp
  • Blinking at FB
So I've got to do something about that, because we have SO damn much to do, that I'll burnout by the time the actual exams approach (which is nearly always the Story of my Life.)

Adaptation is a key to survival, I know. "Survival of the Fittest" and all that jazz, sure. But what about Individuality? Why should I change who I am in order to 'belong'? True, I can either adapt or else live in solitude. This isn't a serious issue currently unless and I sit and ponder about it.

On a serious note, my social life is a lot different from earlier and I'm not sure if this is what I want. Or if this is in my best interest, given my nature. True, I'm in a medical college and things change, (or so I've heard from my Engg friends who are having quite an active social life) but this isn't an active social life either!
I'm slightly confused and I can't wait to go and bleat all my issues to Pinki. (Babi. xD) But it's about time I sort it out myself and listen to that Inner voice (however faint it maybe) I tend to over-think, trust people blindly and then get hurt badly. And at every juncture I question myself if I'm doing the right thing (so much so, that it feels like OCD :P )
I'm not comfortable with a lot of things going on, but I haven't been assertive enough about it, I suppose.

*Listening to Yeh Ishq Hai* (Brings back memories of me singing this in class 7 on my Birthday. Lol)

Another thing that I've been occasionally wondering about is, we are all born without any blemish and essentially we are 'Pure Souls' and somewhere down the road, something changes right? Innocence is the attribute of a child and with age, it probably diminishes.
But maybe that's not what I mean, I'm wondering if I've become more self centered in the past few months.. (which is ironically another self centered thought! :P ) I can probably brush it off as a phase, given that I was in the 'Settling in' Phase for a while. But I think I was a bit (if not a lot) different in some aspects. 

So that's about it for now.. (Damn, I'm sleeping late again!)
Seeya soon. 

(Another thing I forgot to mention is that I love to see Comments when I blog. Sounds lame/dumb/stupid, I am aware, but after taking the time and effort (lol) to blog, it feels nice to occasionally hear someone say something, anything. *Hint Hint* JK. :) ) 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Its The Way I'm Feeling, I Just Can't Deny.

So it appears that I have become an infrequent blogger despite having internet, a suitable device and a sane mind.
But Time is scarce and fatigue is inevitable for the sleepless soul. Hence, my apologies.
Three weeks ago, I met dad, mom and Di and we had a short break at Bananki Homestay near Thirthahalli.
Last week I met atthe, mama and Nidhi and we vacationed in the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
Right now, a lot of things are swimming in my head.
Corocoid Process.
Conoid Tubercle
Coronoid Process.
Subscapular Artery
Subscapularis
Suprascapular Vessels
Supraclavicular
Supraspinatus
Subclavius
Flexor pollicis longus
Flexor pollicis brevis
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Palmaris longus
Palmaris brevis
Tocopherol
Cholecalciferol
Retinol
Stercobilinogen
Bilirubin
Lumirubin
Protoporphyrin
Porphobilinogen
Coproporphyrinogen
Myesthenia gravis
Achalasia cardia
Chronaxie
Rheobase
Desmosomes
Peroxisomes
Microsomes
Centrosomes
Tubulin
Actin
Myosin
Troponin
Tropomyosin
Suresh sir, our Anatomy professor at Subbaiah Med, was working abroad until a few months back and he has been involved in several research projects during his time in the US as well as in Manipal.
One of these includes the study of the creases of the digits of the hand to establish a pattern between the occurrence of the crease pattern and incidences of schizophrenia.
Another one is the study of effect of radiation on the hippocampus which was carried out on both mice and humans. (Pregnancy?)
And today in Physiology, our class was basically Shit. :-P
Bye.
I'm coming home, I'm coming home.
Let the rain wash away, all the pain of yesterday.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Clarity. #2

Tender drops of rain descend on the grassy pavement,
The breeze brings a gust of freshness,
Sparrows chirp with gay abandon,
Somewhere afar, the trees sway to the rhythm of Nature,
The glistening drops shine with pure radiance.


Reservations are a very controversial topic, hence I'll stick to the basics and be unequivocal.

Here in medical school, I see people from all parts of the social and economic spectrum. Rural people from Kannada medium background, students hailing from an agriculturist family, students with inadequate financial resources, students from various states and cultural diversity.

So what really surprised me during my initial week in college was the sheer grit and determination of these students.


My classmate hails from a small town several kilometres from Chamarajanagar. With barely any facilities and accessibility to resources, she managed to get a medical seat here. Her parents are unlettered workers and it was only due to the encouragement and support from a high school teacher that she could complete the formalities and participate in the online counselling.
Another student of our class comes from a small town in Koppal. Due to lack of medical facilities in his village, he lost his parents and that has motivated him to pursue medicine and go back to practise in his own village.

What I've realized is, everybody, every single person I've met so far, has something worthy of emulation, be it their will and determination to succeed, their methodical approach or their confidence.

Last weekend I had been to Bangalore for the festival and I was reminded of how much I love the city. Hogged on pizza, spend some quality time with the Family and made the customary visit to Vasanthnagar. The journey was interesting (bus and train) and fun too!
Reaching Shimoga at 4:45 in the morning, hiring an auto back to College, catching some shut eye and rushing to class at 8:00 seems otherworldly but true! :-D

The only thing left to elucidate upon is the people here. My roommates are still awesome (though is strongly considering SNMC), the rest are different to say the least, but some are very nice. Some are clearly not. 

I'm down with a cold and headache, going to make Pazzta now, so Tada!!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

New Beginnings.

Its been a while and a lot has happened since the last time I blogged. After several blissful days in Vasanthnagar, I returned home and thereafter, embarked on a short but eventful experience in PESIT.

The initial day or two were interesting but soon the truth hit in that I did not belong here and once I realised that, I could only hope and pray for better times to come. But nevertheless, at PESIT, I had a wonderful time on campus and made a few really good friends, one of whom I am sorely missing! (Manasaaa :'( ) But all said and done, it was good for a short experience.

And on 13th August, the allotment results arrived and I was alloted SIMSRC (Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences). I was thrilled to bits mainly because I had never imagined I would get this college. I had expected that if I do get a college, it would be KBNIMS in Gulbarga, NMC Raichur or AAMC Bijapur. Yes, this IS a relatively new college but the upside is we arent the first batch and the infrastructure and facilities are very good. But yes, this also means that I've got to work harder to make sure I'm not losing out on anything important.

So as soon as we found about my seat, it was a mad rush as we got documents filled, attested, packed bags and started off to Shimoga. The next day (14th) we finished with my admissions and I moved into the hostel. My roommates are from Belgaum and Bangalore (Carmel only :-D ) and we get along well. The rooms are spacious and furnished with cupboards, fridge and TV. The bathrooms are thankfully attached and the food is so far, good.

So on 15th August, Mom, Dad and Dee left and I symbolically began my true independence. I really will miss them a lot, but considering how badly I wanted a seat Anywhere in Karnataka, I guess I was prepared.

The first day of college was a radical experience; huge classrooms, cadavers down in the dissection hall, lunching in the mess, lectures filled with new terminologies and a library full of interesting books!

Overall, I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my life, learning and acquiring knowledge and being a better person by benefiting several lives.
I'm going to blog again very soon!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Art Attack! #2

What began two years ago as a way to spend time when I was disinclined to study or read a book, culminated in a completed piece finally!
This is my second work with Anchor Stitch Kit. The previous one was a small scenery and I have another (bigger) landscape waiting to be started. :)

This one has a lot of memories attached; when I've been upset, irritated, tired or bored, this was my refuge. I stitched for a diversion, a distraction and I'm really glad I channelized my anger/ restlessness/ boredom into something productive.

And it is fitting that I presented it to someone who has been there through storm and sunshine. 

On another note, this is Shakuntala and her deer and I gifted it to Anasuya, the trusted friend of Shakuntala. (Point observed by Sanjana :P )

Anchor Stitch Kit Artwork (Gifted to P~)

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Hope Can Be Deadly.

"O poor, unthinking human heart! Error will not go away, logic and reason are slow to penetrate.We cling with both arms to false hope, refusing to believe in the weightiest proofs against it, embracing it with all our strength. In the end it escapes, ripping our veins and draining our heart's blood; until, regaining consciousness, we rush to fall into snares of delusion all over again." -Postmaster (Tagore)

Hope can inspire confidence. Hope can help tide over dark times. But hope can also lead to disappointment. To have hopes and watch them crash down can be devastating. But being hope-less is not the answer either. Indifference? To success and failure alike?


But there IS a tipping point. A point beyond which there does not seem to be any light at the of the tunnel, a point beyond which disappointment weighs heavily and the stench of failure remains within. To have any hope at this point is a risky option, given that the odds are against you. But it is human nature, an innate response within us, to expect miracles. A miracle that would change everything. Wishful thinking to hope that we live 'Happily Ever After'. But the reality is that we create our own miracles. We can only thank ourselves or blame ourselves for what we make of our life.


At the end of the day, I want to be happy. Doing what I've always wanted. And t's not possible to fall in love with anything else as a substitute.


Here's what I've been upto when I'm not lamenting:

  • Watched Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani, Raanjhana and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Good cinema.
  • Met my friends. :D
  • Got my JustBooks membership and read:
    • Tintin and the Picaros (Yeah, Tintin! :D)
    • Robin Cook : Death Benefit.
    • Feluda!
    • Phantoms in the Brain (VS Ramachandran!)
  • Read my first Grisham (Racketeer)
  • Watching Grey's A (*Yay*)
  • Having fun with Atthe, Nidhi and Mama. :)

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Never Mind I'll Find Someone Like You.

#Warning: This post is written in haste and reflects my current state of mind. I don't rule out the possibility of reading this again in the near future and having a good laugh. Or Not.

Why is it that the people who matter a lot hurt you the most? 

True, I'm silly enough to trust people; trust people that they don't suddenly disappear into oblivion. I'm silly enough to form attachments, so its clearly my own mistake.

Take the case of my Hodo. -_-

Feeling Freakishly *Beep*ish.

Now You're Just Somebody That I Used To Know.

The One That Got Away.

Teardrops On My Guitar.

I Knew You Were Trouble.





Saturday, June 29, 2013

Road Trip 2

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi


Stone is Stunning.


The Beauty of Heritage.

Ma :)
All I wanted was a photo like this.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Monsoon Diary

Shringeri Mutt

The misty route to Mangalore

Suratkal Beach
I haven't been on a vacation, mind you.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

In Limbo #2

Two years ago, when I'd finished my Board exams, I was nervous, uncertain and also excited to join Deeksha for the my PUC. But at least, at the very least, I knew that I would be studying in Deeksha. I'd interacted with students, I'd seen the campus and I knew what to expect.

But This is NOTHING like that. I repeat, NOTHING.

I've written the exams, the results are coming in trickles and it really doesn't guarantee anything. Not for me atleast. Not to mention that off late, all I do is S.U.L.K. (For several seemingly legit reasons.)

And now is a long, long wait where I can only hope that everything works out fine and right now, my life is more like a dull grey cloud that drizzles ever so often.

So basically, it should be  medical college in Karnataka. That's all I can say. How to be positive? Tell me, somebody! When I'm enveloped in a fog of self-created pessimism. -_-

But there are some really good things that have happened recently. :)

Photowalk with Vidhathri! 

So we met at Megamart around 7.20 and then travelled to GB where we began with the fresh flowers, neatly stacked fruits and veggies and the occasional confounded cow in the middle of the street. After this, we had a truly oily breakfast at Vidhyarthi Bhavan. It's famous for it's masala dosa but honestly it was drenched and dripping with Oyl. After this we walked to MN Krishna Rao Park and played baddie for a while. It was fun but I was tired too soon and we began clicking pictures of everything around us and we realized we had to take pictures of each other, so we did in great earnest. :) So we returned after making plans for meeting up again soon for another such photowalk.
So I realized a lot of things:

  • That it's possible to rekindle old friendships. :)
  • That Vidha3 is still awesome in photography.
  • That her SLR is nearly equally awesome.
  • That my Camera is begging for retirement.
  • That we will keep in touch and meet very soon. :D






Yesterday I met my homies, Sanjana and Medha. Obviously it was insane and I had a tiramisu and yet felt pretty drunk. :O Everybody's headed to different parts of the country/ world. Am I feeling overwhelmed or obscure in this melee? 



I'm currently reading Blind Slate by Steven Pinker (not much headway) as well as I've got your number by Sophie Kinsella. 

Seeya! :)


^I'd like to see what an 'In Limbo #3' would be like! When I'd have graduated with a degree and probably gunning for post-grad. Gosh.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Clarity.

^. I Love the song ( By Zedd) and need the same in my life.

The sad truth is, to blog coherently, I need to be unconscious of the fact that people will read my blog.

So June 2nd was JSS Entrance Exam  and since then I've been obliged to do nothing whatsoever!

So I watched YJHD with Makshi on Monday. Well, the movie is longer than it should be and  it's formulaic to a large extent but it makes for a good one time watch. I got a few books from her too! :)

The next day, after a quick visit to Deeksha, I met my Lunch gang! (Minus Priyanka, Sonika and Lavanya :-/ ) As always, it was a lot of fun and we went bowling at Amoeba. 


Us @ Amoeba. :)

So I read Rozabal Line by Ashwin Sanghi and it made for a good read. Ashwin Sanghi is dubbed as the 'Indian Dan Brown' and reading his book, one feels that this title is well deserved. However, the huge number of unnecessary characters/elements/locations tend to bog you down mainly because they do not contribute significantly. Furthermore, halfway through the book, the plot fizzles out. Yet, It makes for an interesting read (probably because I'm partial towards Indian authors or because the author has done an extensive research for the book). Basically, the book explores the popular myth that Jesus Christ was buried in Kashmir. It involves a fair amount of terrorism and religious beliefs. 

Room on the Roof was typical Ruskin Bond and it was a pleasant read but nothing noteworthy. (I've read most of his books, so I guess it was a bit repetitive.)

Anyway, I'm currently reading Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The blurb of the book reads:


When The Fountainhead was first published, Ayn Rand's daringly original literary vision and her groundbreaking philosophy, Objectivism, won immediate worldwide interest and acclaim. This instant classic is the story of an intransigent young architect, his violent battle against conventional standards, and his explosive love affair with a beautiful woman who struggles to defeat him. This edition contains a special afterword by Rand’s literary executor, Leonard Peikoff, which includes excerpts from Ayn Rand’s own notes on the making of The Fountainhead. As fresh today as it was then, here is a novel about a hero—and about those who try to destroy him.

I'm disappointed to inform that I'm STILL not done with it. Initially the book seemed to be 'promising' and I was eager to know more about 'Objectivism'. However, halfway through the book, I lost interest (Something that doesn't happen often) mainly because of the authors treatment of the female characters. Not to mention the abysmally long commentaries on mundane matters. The book has a fair amount of philosophy (which I detest) so I must be fair. I should refrain from denouncing the book any further. (I'll do that after I finish the book).

So you've heard about the mantis shrimp? Doesn't matter. Head here for the Cutest way to know about it: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp . I found this when I stumbled upon the UChicago essay topics for this year. :)

So long! :)


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Questions Kids Ask

Divya is at that age where she finds it obligatory to question everything around her. While I try my best to patiently answer them to the best of my ability, I can't help but marvel at the questions she's asking.

What I like is, she doesn't stop with an answer, she'll process what you've just said, think it over and come up with a volley of new questions. 

Here's how a questionnaire usually goes:

En route to an exam.

Me: Divya, I have an exam today. I'll come back in the afternoon.
Di: Why are you writing an exam?
Me: To study in another college.
Di: If you don't write the exam?
Me: I won't get into a college.
Di: What will you do in the college?
Me: Study, to become a doctor.
Di: So you''ll treat people who aren't feeling well?
Me: Uhm.. Yes.
Di: If they're feeling well?
Me: I won't have to treat them.
Di: What if they're scared of the injections and everything?
Me: I'll be nice to them.
Di: Hmm. Can I be a sister (nurse)?
Me: Yes, but you can also be a doctor.
Di: But I want to be a sister.
Me: Ok, whatever you want. I'll go write my exam now, Bye. :)

On a rainy day with thunder and lightning.

Di: Why is there lightning?
Me: Clouds are dashing each other.
Di: Why?
Me: Uh.. They're not friends, they're both opposites.
Di: And what's that loud sound?
Me: It's the sound when clouds dash against each other.
Di: Why did I hear it later?
Me: The sound is slower.
Di: Why?
Me: Uhh.. Its different from lightning. Lightning can be very fast.

Next day

Di: Why is there no thunder now?
Me: The clouds aren't bumping into each other.
Di: Why not? They did it yesterday.


There are many more questions I've been bombarded with and I'll put them up if my memory would be kind enough. :)


On her first day of School. :)
A month or two ago, I read an article in the newspaper about children asking questions. Here are the excerpts:
The sorts of questions mums tend to get asked varies greatly, but the most difficult include 'why is water wet?' and 'what are shadows made of?'.

The research found the amount of questions asked by children differs with age and gender, four year old girls being the most inquisitive. (OMG!)
Other, more awkward, queries include 'why do we have to go to school?' and 'why are you so old?'.
The five toughest questions:
1) Why is water wet? (35 per cent)
2) Where does the sky end? (34 per cent)
3) What are shadows made of? (33 per cent)
4) Why is the sky blue? (20 per cent)
5) How do fish breathe under water? (18 per cent)

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Happiness

Nothing can be compared to the happiness of being with a family, being with loved ones, who care for you no matter what.

Here's hoping for better days ahead!

At Ooty, 2011

Monday, May 20, 2013

MIT discovers the location of memories: Individual neurons

This is an old (March 2012) I found here.

MIT researchers have shown, for the first time ever, that memories are stored in specific brain cells. By triggering a small cluster of neurons, the researchers were able to force the subject to recall a specific memory. By removing these neurons, the subject would lose that memory.
As you can imagine, the trick here is activating individual neurons, which are incredibly small and not really the kind of thing you can attach electrodes to. To do this, the researchers used optogenetics, a bleeding edge sphere of science that involves the genetic manipulation of cells so that they’re sensitive to light. These modified cells are then triggered using lasers; you drill a hole through the subject’s skull and point the laser at a small cluster of neurons.

Now, just to temper your excitement, we should note that MIT’s subjects in this case aremice — but it’s very, very likely that the human brain functions in the same way. To perform this experiment, though, MIT had to breed genetically engineered mice with optogenetic neurons — and we’re a long, long way off breeding humans with optogenetic brains.


In the experiment, MIT gave mice an electric shock to create a fear memory in the hippocampus region of the brain (pictured above) — and then later, using laser light, activated the neurons where the memory was stored. The mice “quickly entered a defensive, immobile crouch,” strongly suggesting the fear memory was being recalled.

The main significance here is that we finally have proof that memories (engrams, in neuropsychology speak) are physical rather than conceptual. We now know that, as inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, specific memories could be erased. It also gives us further insight into degenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, which are mostly caused by the (faulty) interaction of neurons. “The more we know about the moving pieces that make up our brains,” says Steve Ramirez, co-author of the paper. “The better equipped we are to figure out what happens when brain pieces break down.”


Bear in mind, too, that this research follows on from MIT’s discovery last year of Npas4, the gene that controls the formation of memories; without Npas4, you cannot remember anything. MIT has successfully bred mice without the Npas4 gene.


The question now, though, is how memories are actually encoded — can we programmatically create new memories and thus learn entire subjects by inserting a laser into our brain? We know that a cluster of neurons firing can trigger the memory of your first kiss — but why? How can 100 (or 100,000) neurons, firing in a specific order, conjure up a beautifully detailed image of an elephant? We’ve already worked out how images are encoded by the optic nerve, so hopefully MIT isn’t too far away from finding out.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Love Thy Neighbour.

This is probably coming very late, but there couldn't be a better time to mention this.

Pakistan.


I'm bound to get a wide spectrum of reactions at the mention of this word. But I'll plough on.

I, for one, had no feeling whatsoever towards Pakistan. I'd harboured a curiosity regarding this nation that tends to bring out the passionate patriot in every Indian.

Last August at Harvard MUN, I found the unspoken answers to my questions. 

There were two delegations from Pakistan, one of them was from Karachi Grammar School. I won't deny that I was avidly curious to know about these 'exotic people from across the border'. 

During the course of the conference, I befriended Navaera Sulaiman, a veteran MUNer from Karachi. A warm and affectionate person, Navaera proved to be a wonderful ambassador to her country. 

Navaera and Me. Of course I look ugly. But that's beside the point.

At our committee, she was initially treated with animosity by a few members but she was prepared deal with them. At the end of the day, when her school was recognized for its wonderful team, she had silenced the rabble-rousers.

What I learnt was that they're people just like us. They read what we read, watch the same movies and have similar ambitions such as pursuing medicine or engineering. Of course, this doesn't speak for entire Pakistan. Karachi being a cosmopolitan city cannot be compared to the interiors of Swat Valley or the tribal regions where insurgents rule the roost. But neither did I generalize India. We have our own skeletons in the cupboard. So there's no harm in embracing that it's only a 'border' that divides two very similar nations.

I will refrain from taking names but I was surprised that many people were disappointed that this delegation outshone the other competitors and were unabashedly vocal.(and were at the receiving end of my ire)

My point is simple, its not everyday that you get an opportunity to know somebody from another country. Why be prejudiced? Go with an open mind, you will most certainly have a pleasant experience.

Why should we indulge in mudslinging and petty politics which, you and I know is beyond our realm? What is within our scope is to forge a friendship and spread the message.

Now this doesn't make me any less of a patriot. A true citizen will isn't fanatic. It's about building bonds and encouraging unity.





Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Monday, May 13, 2013

Well, well, well. Look who's here!

That seems like an appropriate title for SO many reasons!

So CET, COMEDK, JEE, Manipal over. NEET, St. Johns and JSS left.
I suppose I'm marginally improving with each exam but then I would've been happier if the exams were scheduled differently. I mean CET is OVER!

And I'm not even writing JIPMER, AIIMS and CMC. Yes, very disappointing for a medical aspirant. But atleast I should do better in the upcoming ones.

As it happens, the only 'non-academic' reading I'm doing these days is the newspaper. Endless perusal, no doubt.

Planning to do a lot of things in the upcoming holidays (including learning to ride a 2/4 wheeler [people half my age are zooming around] and not excluding a haircut, volunteering at an NGO and writing a good 'piece'!)

Actually there was a problem with my St. Johns App. We'd written the wrong pincode and we panicked about it and sent a letter as well. But luckily, there was no hassle and I got my Hall ticket. What was surprising was when a letter addressed to me, containing the hall ticket of another student arrived a few days ago. So it's an applicant from Hooghly and we sent it back to her and hopefully it will reach her shortly!
But it also meant something more. It was a moment when it hit me that lakhs of students write these entrance exams to gain admission to a few prestigious colleges. It's a race. I wouldn't call it a rat race, but that's just being courteous.

Another interesting point is that a week or so ago, I re-established contact with an old friend. It turns out, not much has really changed. It maybe possible for friendship to stand the test of time. (some of my friendships have, some haven't. But they most certainly haven't failed for the lack of trying :) ) Maybe, people don't change. It is one of those rare times when we can pretend like that day never happened.

In a stark contrast to the this, I met an old 'acquaintance' (That's being polite. We were sworn enemies.) yesterday after COMED-K. Turns out that he's not as vile and insane as I'd known him earlier. (Possibly because the aforementioned qualities do not befit someone aspiring to be doctor) But honestly, it was a surprise that we could have a conversation without expletives. [Not Me. I don't Swear] 

So maybe, people change for the better sometimes? 

It is hard to let go of a dream. A dream perhaps built more in the air than in the firm foundations of reality. But a dream, nevertheless. A dream, for which I worked so that it maybe become true. A dream, which I still have, will always have. Adversity cannot quell a passion. One day, my dream will come true.




Sunday, April 28, 2013

We found Dove in a Soapless Place.

Gosh.

Why do I always desire things that are beyond my reach?
In this case, I mean beneath me? But perhaps above me?
It's no laughing matter. Bah.

The hazard of having a public blog is that you live with the fear that your carefully cloaked mysteries may be unlocked by someone.

I love pretty houses. (Now, what's wrong in that? The only person who could vaguely understand this allusion thankfully doesn't read my blog)

Idle, wishful thinking aside, I'm here because I don't want to be there.
Took Papers today and died.
RIP.

(Atleast I'm not the only one who thinks Ed Westwick and Robert Pattinson look alike)



^A hopeless parody of We Found Love. Very apt right now.


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Right To Blog Randomly (RTBR, 2013)

Haylo! 

Feeling happy today, so I thought I'll blog a bit and spend the night productively.

What is the single most unfair advantage one can have?
Needing less sleep.
(Quora)

Why did the other team even bother to play? The pointlessness of playing against the team with Gayle.
I've been watching cricket lately. I wonder if I've genuinely developed an interest or it serves as a convenient distraction O.o

I've been watching TV otherwise too. But if I steer clear of the big bad box during the first half of the day, the day goes well. After all, it's no sin to watch Sheldon Cooper. 
PS: Don't you think Leonard Hoffstader bears an uncanny resemblance to Saif Ali Khan?

I often wonder, why don't I blog the way I used to. It doesn't really make sense to expect that. These are just phases. Who knows, a year or two from now, I might resort to 120 character updates on my blog instead of being active on Twitter *shudders*

So what am I upto these days?

  • Sleeping. (Just can't get enough)
  • Hogging. (On all things remotely edible)
  • Surreptitiously watching CNN (Don't even ask)
  • Taking papers (CET, COMEDK), analyzing and panicking.
Here's what Biddi's upto these days:






Watering the plants!

Beer-lingamma. Di's BFF?! :)
If only Di could take a leaf out of her cool sister's book. -.-

Being sane in random moments that occur for  minute fractions of a second. 

Yayy! Look at what I found!! :P





Byeeee.

(The horrors of my forgotten posts continue to haunt me. Eep)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Keys. Quidditch. Empire State of Mind. :)

Hello.
One must often sit and wonder what they want from life.
It can leave you were you started, or more confused than ever or else there's that 'Eureka' moment (according to all famous people) when you find the road map to success in your life.

I spoke to Pri. (Based on the conversation, I assure you that she is still a Hodo. Aww) <3
As usual Medha is loony. (Girl claims to be able to focus after gorging on Burgers. -.- )

I'm watching Cricket these days! Nobody seems more surprised than myself. But honestly, some games seem too exciting to be natural. How legit is IPL really?
^Title: Alicia Keys- Empire State of Mind. (The Song) 
{Alicia Spinnet- Quidditch Player. Incidentally, Keys was born on 25th}

Bye.
(Kudlets is a funny word.)


Peeved about the Music Scholarship. But I guess it's because I know I don't deserve it.
In the state of 'Disturbia'. -.-

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Lessons In Life.


#1 It's an uphill ride.

#2 Don't worry and crib. Doesn't change anything.


#3 Stay Hopeful. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."


#4 Happiness is within. "It's the little things that make life great."


"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching."



#5 Don't forget to stop and smell the roses. Have memories to cherish.