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!!

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!

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~)

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. :)

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.

Road Trip 2

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Stone is Stunning.

The Beauty of Heritage.

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

Monsoon Diary

Shringeri Mutt

The misty route to Mangalore

Suratkal Beach

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

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.

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! :)

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)