.... 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....

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.

I got Books, Boo yeah!

• Emerging Mind by Vilayanur.S.Ramachandran
• The Man who mistook his wife for a hat by Dr.Oliver Sacks
• Sherlock Holmes
• Feluda by Satyajit Ray
• Story of my Life by Hellen Keller
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
• Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

Yes, A totally wide range! Something different from what I normally read. :)

Note: I'm currently reading Emerging Mind and it's fabulous! Prospognosia, synesthesia, neglect, phantom limbs. WOW.

A Thousand Words.

The End of An Experience.

So today I finished the SAT 1.
How was It? More or less as expected. Initially I had a problem with time (?) but I soon recovered.

Preparing for SAT was interesting and gave me a chance to improve my vocabulary. Its actually hard to believe, in hindsight, that I'm actually *done* with it.

Whether this will open new vistas in my life or whether it signifies the end of the road for me, will be decided on Judgement Day.

But it was a wonderful experience: preparing and taking the SAT, I mean. :)

So I guess I should get on to more fruitful pursuits (other than blogging a vote of thanks to SAT! )
Like Physics.

ಹದಿನೇಳು

So I'm 17.
This year's going to be interesting, fun and challenging.
I hope I learn new things, meet new people and see some exotic places.
:)


*Heights of Formal Speech*

Why the Brouhaha?

22-Jan-2012

We all have 'idiosyncrasies'. Some many, some few. Who doesn't? Does anybody exist in the world who conforms to every single social norm? I honestly doubt it. 'Social Norms' are basically what the society follows in general, not what everyone in society follows. So, the lack of any idiosyncrasy can also amount to lack of originality and individuality.

~I know what you did in San Francisco~

~I keep on forgetting to forget about you~

~So much for my happy ending~

24-Jan--2012

Its 3:00 AM. Caffeine has rendered me insomniac.

A few days back, we (C section bio students) went to NCBS, The research institute in the GKVK Campus in Hebbal. True, we spent more time commuting than inside the Instt, but it gave an insight into a typical 'research environment' which is pretty fascinating, but surprisingly informal. :) So we visited 2 labs. one was researching on Drosophila and its mutated forms while the other was not a wet lab, but was concerned with 'the evolutionary aspect in the koel laying eggs in crow's nest' and other such projects.

Umbo and some Mumbo Jumbo.

28 DEC 2011

I tossed and turned uneasily. I wriggled out of the bedspread whilst my stomach gave an ominous rumble.  I couldn’t stand it any longer. I clambered out of bed and walked to my dad’s room in a daze. I hesitated for a second; he hadn’t been sleeping well for the past few days thanks to his sore throat. But then, courtesy be damned, I was dying (I was convinced) I barged in and shouted hoarsely and heard a startled response. Suddenly I couldn’t see anymore. Although he’d switched on the light, my sight was dimming. I yelled something and collapsed and fell on the bed. Dad forced sugar down my throat and slowly, very slowly I sensed my surroundings and I was conscious again.

1-Jan-12

HELLO!

It’s a New Year! So 364 fresh days ahead. Ah, I feel all optimistic about the year ahead..

Listening to Tee Amo, I’m reminded of Delhi and the awesome time I had.

Every song I hear is associated with some memory, some recollection of the past.

Eg: Jalwa. I’m reminded of Rachana. Because she happened to tell me the plot of Fashion. And ‘Rachana’ reminds me of Mar Jawa, because at one point, it was her favourite song.

Here’s another: Saathiya. Travelling to Coorg when I was in 3^rd or 4^th. That’s when I first heard the song; as we made our way through hairpin bends and rain, to enter the coffee county…

And another: JeeyeinKyun: Deeksha. Specifically those rainy days when It would drizzle for most part of the 14-km drive to college.

Yet another: 7 things: 8^th standard, when I believed (foolishly, no doubt) I could relate to the basic point of the song, while In reality, I was just disappointed over nothing.

And the last: YehjoDesh from Swades: You can laugh, but this song brings tears to my  eyes. I just don’t get why! Every time I hear this one, something in Shankar Mahadevan’s voice, accentuated with soothing background music leaves me in tears.

4-Jan-2012

Physics, in my opinion, is very mechanical (but to many, Mechanics is an attractive aspect). Why can’t we have more Chem and Math along with Bio. It’s so full of life and basically so practical! I mean, it’s all happening in either a micro or macro scale and isn’t that more alluring than finding out the product of velocity and mass of some particle you set in motion. Take atomic structure, it’s way better. And Bio, of course, is all *nice* (but that doesn’t mean I can remember everything.)

8-Jan-2012

I'm doing Organic and I'm lovin' it! Only I know nothing about the resonance structures and aromaticity (yet). The other day I went to Sapna looking for OP Tandon (Bible for Organic) but came back with Resnick and Halliday (as yet another attempt to fall in lou with Physics)

Last 3-4 days have been Terrible. I'm been sleeping way too much. Damn, its the cold mornings and at night I fall asleep over the books in spite of Strong Coffee!!! Bad. I shall change that tonight.

*In case you were wondering, Umbo is the raised part of the head of a freshwater mussel. (Bio Lab)

SATegorically speaking.

Sara's vituperative speech which castigated her peers and seniors alike, was a callous one and it was only after she was indicted from her position as the Head of the Committee did she reveal that Mr.Ben had insinuated her to impugn the other members; a fact whose veracity was substantiated with evidence from Old Tom who revealed, not without bombastic ebullience, that Ben was a "vindictive toerag" and this lead to reconciliation only to some extent- for some affronted members were intransigent to the idea of exonerating her for her ignominy.

The obsequious sycophant that Tanya was, it was also the cheap chicanery behind the sanctimonious facade that led her peers to conclude that she was no better than Jennifer, who was the epitome of duplicitous dealings and supercilious belligerence.