Bliss.

Bliss.
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts

Monday, May 2, 2016

YOLO

There’s just so much going on lately that there’s been no time to sit down and blog it out  and yet the urge to pen down my thoughts only gets stronger.
I probably can’t provide a detailed account of everything that’s happened lately but here are the highlights:
  • Aynur scenes on Manjushri’s Gaadi with Abhi (all because we didn’t want to stay on campus on that particular evening). We went ahead by 13kms and then realized that we’d already crossed Aynur so we drove back and then made our way to Aynur Dam (which doesn’t exist. It’s a lake which was drying up) but nevertheless we had a good time racing on the highway until the gaadi became all wobbly!


 
  • Home scenes: I’ve been going home every 10 days or so and things are improving only very slightly. Bheemi is bored at home since Science camp is over, the 3 day outdoor camp is also over and there’s nothing to do other than bug the birds or Ma. I’m not sure where things are headed but I’ve got the knack of filtering out these worries from my brain and feeding new ones when I get back to college. I wish I could spend more time with her given how she doesn’t play with the neighbourhood kids or by herself. The comparisons with the present scenario and the seemingly idyllic childhood that I had only puts more pressure on everyone and I hope once school starts, the usual routine will put everyone back in gear.


  • Mama and his Toastmasters:
I haven’t spoken much about the famous Balu Mama (yep, he’s quite famous among my friends) here and this seems like a good time. So being the CFO of Fidelity, he is definitely a busy man but his dedication to his passion is noteworthy. Initially it was music and he made time for it and attended the classes in the midst of tiny tots and improved gradually. Today he sings well during Karaoke sessions at home with other fellow music lovers.
About 2 years ago, he took up Toastmasters to improve his public speaking skills given how he is required to speech to large gathering in his work capacity. I’ve been listening to his speeches and reading his scripts from his early days and I can only marvel at the improvement he has shown over time. The effort he puts in for every weekly speech is noteworthy given how he spends most of his time at office or in transit. These days he is participating in competitions and making waves in the Toastmaster circles. Given how he is now mastering the finer nuances of the art of oration, I can no longer provide any criticism to his speeches.

The other day we were at Cubbon for Di’s mountaineering class and Mama presented his speech. He describes how in his college days, cricket was his passion and in one such match, he was fielding and his arch rival was batting. While the ball came in his direction and he caught in the nick of time, not many knew that it had crossed the boundary line. While that remained within him and nagged him in spite of winning the match, it was only later in life did he face the bigger challenge.

While working in one of the international banks in his younger days, he was offered a senior position if he agreed to certain terms and conditions. On closer looks, he realized what they expected of him was unacceptable and would only land him in a soup later. It was a tough choice and the promise of luxury was inviting but the burden of guilt would be too much and nothing was worth the peace of mind he could have. Thus he left and began working is way up all over again in Fidelity.

Thus, we are often faced with tough decisions in life, sometimes the line between what is right and what is wrong is a thin one and not everyone might appreciate it but as long as you can see the line, you need to exert your will power and do the right thing.

I’m also thankful to him for making a huge difference in the light of recent events. Words cannot express how his timely intervention softened Pa’s stance. I only shudder to think of how things would have progressed if not for him. Whatever he said definitely had an impact and made Pa look at things slightly more broadly.
  • Demedcon 2016
So we attended the Neurology workshop and the quiz at Devraj Urs Medical College. BP, Govi and I had a good time.

  • Abhi and Avm were in Bangalore in the same week and we all (including BP and Govi) spent some time together. Di and I joined them later at BlueO and we spent time bowling, Di had some Gaadi scenes of her own and then headed home. Di did a lot of photography and turns out she was not half bad. The evening was memorable one but the evening didn’t go along expected lines but maybe hoping for it to was just my foolishness.
  • There are plenty of thoughts running in my mind but I don’t think they deserve the importance of me brooding over them. Nothing is constant. It’s all about priorities. Happiness is a choice, a conscious decision and once you make it, it's not about the circumstances you are in. It's about the way you choose to react to it. A wise frog once said, react to yourself and not for others. It's best to deal with your thoughts within your own cranium rather than expecting others to understand. 
  • I participated in the 5K Speakathon on May 1 which was to raise funds for the speech and hearing centre in Shimoga. A good number of people turned up and several of our professors were all set for a good jog on a Sunday morning. So Shobith was also participating in the event so he picked us (Akkamma, Varsha and I) and we registered and got our Tees. It wasn't all that tiring and we jogged/ brisk walked for the most part and got our certificates. After the mandatory photo session we all parted ways. It was a good start to the day and definitely a great initiative in Shimoga. I wish I was fit enough to participate in the 10k! Maybe next year :)
  • And the countdown begins! I’m thrilled to bits about the upcoming trip and can’t wait for this vacation. After all the uncertainty and confusion in the past 2 months, all I want to do is explore new territory and get lost in the midst of nature! I’m going to stay off the radar (hopefully) and do some much needed soul searching. Paediatric postings are at stake but then, you just can’t let go of some opportunities…. :P  
ENT internals are coming up over this weekend but all I can think of is what lies ahead. It’s about time I get back to Semicircular canals and turbinates.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Nocturnal Notes.

Back again rather early, am I? Pardon me but I wish to rant and rant I shall because what greater purpose does my blog serve?

Preparations for College Day is progressing well and the excitement is in the air despite a number of students trickling out of the campus owing to the extended weekend. Lighting arrangements are being made and one is reminded of our enthusiasm last year at seeing the decked up college lit up in the darkness. 

Sometimes you let go of your ego and try to build bridges but in the bargain you end up burning another set of bridges. Ultimately the key rests within us, the key to our happiness. We choose what we get affected by. You could say a zillion things and they can bounce away without leaving the tiniest dent. Or the smallest of carefully phrased remarks could leave a scar whose pain sears deep within. It's all in the mind. (Invictus ;) )

Nevertheless, it is important to remember that there will always be naysayers, critics and negativity. Look at the better aspects, accept them, improvise and eliminate the bullshit. Like I've said on earlier occasions, nobody can rob you of your happiness. It doesn't mean you surround yourself with sycophants, it means that you let your conscience decide. At such junctures, it is essential to remember that there are bigger and better things to deal with and it is better to focus the limited neuronal capacity that we've been allotted with on such aspects.

I realized that I've actually grown as an individual and it doesn't bother about what people assume about me. Of course, I haven't developed complete immunity but I guess I've got a strong vaccine against it for now. I can laugh it off because I've realized that it is virtually impossible to convince anybody of anything so I might as well stop trying and just continue with my work. You will begin to feel less hurt when you tie your happiness to goals rather than to people.

In the past 12 hours, I've watched a marathon session of movies that are each beyond comparison.

  • The Imitation Game
  • A Beautiful Mind (A tearful watch. A definite must-watch.)
  • Lincoln (2012) [in parts]
Currently reading:
  • The Writerly Life by RK Narayan
It's about time I restart reading the following books:
  • Robbins
  • KDT
  • Ananthnarayan
  • KSN
Ah, the bliss of the nocturnal rambler.

Bonded by a common goal, they were entwined as a single soul

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Sunday, May 27, 2012

I Did It!!!

There's Nothing Like Success.
Nothing like indulging in something outside your sphere and triumphing.
All you've got to do is believe. Believe that you can do it.

I completed the 10k! :) And in 1.5 hours (as I had expected)

Yeah Me. I couldn't stand below the 'I'm a Finisher' Slogan. Too bad. Nm.

At home, with my medal! and the thing on my T is the 'Running Bib'

I'd like to thank:
Mom and Dad (for believing that I can't do it? Reverse Psychology worked :))
Sanjana (:D)
Raksha (Victory Coin :))
Aneesh (for all the help :))
Pinki (for all the BS :))
Lokesh (How would I make it there?)
Anusha's mom (well, I considered her my competitor!)
And EVERYBODY else who motivated me and also for their contributions for my Fund Raising!


So I'm kinda tired. Fatigue or whatever. Bye

Friday, May 4, 2012

Run Maadi Run!

Yep I've been Running like there's no tomorrow! Cuz folks, I'm running the TCS World 10K! Yes, me. The couch potato, bookworm and seemingly indoor person! Its a challenge and I'm training for it. No mean feat, but it makes it all the more thrilling :)
As of yesterday, I've reached 5k. It's on May 27th, so I want to make a gradual and steady increase.

A few days back I was cleaning my room (long overdue) and guess what I found? A Birthday card from My Cousin Brothers!
Well, those who know me well, know that I've rarely mentioned their existence but that's not entirely without reason.
I realized then, that it was a pity that I didn't meet them all that often cause everything about that crooked basket of flowers and a fake Rs.500 note touched me. And apart from Di, nobody else has ever called me 'Akka' or so I thought until I looked inside and found a note addressed to 'Jayashree Akka'.

Another thing that touched me. Or rather, made me guilty. I was walking to my stop around 7 in the morning and at the road end, which is by default considered a garbage dump had an unusual visitor (the usual ones being a hungry cow or a stray dog). It was an old man scavenging for food or anything useful from the dump. His eyes darted around as if expecting to be admonished for his activity. He looked at me with eyes that contained fear and  defiance but his expression betrayed his vulnerability.

There is so much inequality. On one end of the spectrum, people starve without a morsel of food while on the other end, excess food is thrown away without an afterthought.
Where is the value? For money, for everything we have been blessed with?
None. It's always the demand for more. 


I had a sleepover at Priyanka's place! I visited Sanjana1 and I read Hunger Games... :)