Start of October'16

October has always been a memorable month for me. I consider it as the festive month of India and it is even more memorable for me personally as my own brother was born in this month. The month when I came to know that I am no longer a single child and I needed to take care of this another human when I myself not yet done discovering about me. Being the older kid in the house has its own perks and burdens. For me I don’t remember much perks but the burdens are unforgettable. I am grateful that he gave me company to play with, to gossip with and all but sometimes I wonder how life would have been if I was a single kid or a kid with a sister. I guess we will never know.

This year’s October has been memorable for the stuff I have never done before in my life. I had attended and worked for the conference conducted by my department. I wrote two articles which got published in the department magazine and got circulated during the conference to the delegates. It’s amusing how life can turn out to be. Even though I did some amazing things, as a human I did mistakes too. I am having holidays for Dussehra which is celebrated for 10 days for the Hindu goddess Durga. I was told to come to college to collect my hall ticket on 13^th (Thursday) and I kept my alarm to ring on Wednesday. It turns out to be 12^th (Wednesday) and a holiday due to Muharram.

You can guess how funny my morning would have been today. I woke sincerely to the alarm, saw the clock and thought to myself I still have some time to get ready and wasn’t prepared enough to part my way from the comfort of the bed.  I had horrible internet connection but needed some reason to stay where I am. I read some random book about scientology and dianetics. I got drowsy because of the complicated terms the author wrote in 1951. Then, I rubbed my palms together and kept them on my face to wake myself from its warmth. I got ready and left home to catch my bus. Something felt odd today; I thought maybe it is because I left home by 8 AM instead of the usual time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as genius as my intuition and didn’t realise what was going on.

I was walking to reach my bus stop. I saw bunch of cows in the street. They were splurging on the vegetables kept in the hotel bench and few people were shooing them. What would you expect them to do when we lay cement on the place where their food grows? In another street, I saw a goat sleeping with great serenity and looking at it makes my day during the walk. I stood near the traffic signal pole, waited for it to display green light and then crossed the road. Something suspicious of this traffic signal it makes any common individual to cross the road with exemplary speed. Then I passed by another street, where the houses looks luxurious and the place is too calm to be normal. I saw a pug and made a funny face at it. It just stared back at me out of boredom I guess. That precious stare never makes me to frown. I reached the bus stop and was waiting for the bus to come. There is another dog kept as a pet in a house opposite to the bus stop I was waiting at. It kept tilting its head both sides and was adorable to look at.

The bus arrives and I got squashed by the plethora of commuters. While standing in a crowded bus you need to be expert in precise stillness and I consider it as utmost requirement for a safe journey. Also you need the patience to tolerate people, sweat, weather, sudden brakes and much more. So, after the feat of travelling in that bus, I reach my destination. I walk towards my college to be stopped by the watchmen. He says the college is not working today and I am arguing with him to prove my point that my faculty has informed my class to pick their hall tickets today. I call my teacher to prove my point but turns out I made a mistake of coming to college 24 hours earlier. I said sorry for annoying or disturbing the watchmen. I call my mom and she started yelling at me and I also added more fuel to it by arguing (justifying) with her. If I checked calendar today all this wouldn’t have happened. So, my advice to whomever reading this, even though you hate calendars or just pure lazy to give a glance at it; please check it out at least once a day. It can save you from lots of troubles.

I took a bus to reach home. Luckily my mom got tired and didn’t spoke much about what happened. I went to bed and started doing a random watercolour painting as I didn't had internet and nothing interesting to watch in the television.

I thought of drawing a dragonfly in shades of black but it looked more like a corpse of an insect. Then, I drew a simple flower nearby the dragonfly.

The dragonfly (corpse) and the flower.

Then I tried to draw blue eyes, in the process I changed my mind to convert it into blue beads, then I thought of making it into a fish pond. I showed it to my dad and he said “Awesome, is it a sky?” I started with something, ended up with something and it is viewed as totally something else. I guess my paintings are more useful for stuff like Rorschach ink blot test than artistic purpose.

The fish pond 

After doing the so-called painting, I slept for a long time and it is the Best therapy in the world. 

Later, I went out to water the plants and spotted a gorgeous black butterfly with white spots in its wings. I failed to literally catch it but was able to capture its beauty as a picture. 

The black and white spotted butterfly.

Remember, Life goes on! It is our choice to make the most out of it. Even if it gives the sweetest happiness or bitter sadness.

Happy Dussehra, Muharram and an Optimistic October!!

Kitty Surprise!

Recently I started going to college again for my PG course. Same old bus stop agonies, fresh start vibes, new colleagues, and a bunch of college events. After all this one fine day after college, I came to home with headache due to the hefty amount of thought processing happened in the classes. I rang the bell as usual for my family to unlock the gate. My brother came to the porch in a discreet manner as if their is some sort of monster hiding behind me. I gave him the tiredest look possible in the world. My mind was like "open the damn gate" I asked him why he is acting weird all of a sudden? Then he was like "there was a kitten that came to this place in the morning." Wow! A kitten. Last time when a kitten came to my house my mom said throw it out of this house and my dad hit the floor with a scale to get rid of the cat. The next morning I saw a skull of that cat with a drooling stray dog beside it. Well, Life can be horrifying at times.

So, I made it a pact not to make my parents to know about this kitten whom I have not acquainted with yet. My brother and I searched for a while. We heard meow sounds in irregular intervals. After while I gave up and started watering plants. Suddenly my brother finds the cat in it's hiding place. I saw a cute creature which was literally looking like a replica of fuzzy palm size fur ball. It was scared and was running with it's tiny paws as quick as possible from our sight. After a while we caught it and took pictures. It liked to get finger rubs below it's neck and somehow rolls over with it's tiny paws up. We played with it for a while until my mom saw us. Oh no! We told her everything about the kitten. She told us to take and put the cat far away from the house. But it looked so young, active and adorable - I didn't felt like letting it go and haven't got the permission to keep it. I hate this dilemma.

I let it go on the floor. The kitten meowed for a while and slept off, I kept a small bowl of water beside it. Then I went back to finish whatever work I had to do for the day. The kitten helped me to relieve my tension. Anyways, After a while at the night, I went outside to check the status of the kitten. It was awake and was roaming around the place. I guess it got used to us and came near to us. I sat on the floor with my index finger pointing on it's head and slowly stroking on it's fur. It started rubbing it's head and body against my hand which is suspended above it. I kept my index finger and middle finger on the floor and rest of the finger folded. I kept on moving these two fingers similar to walking. The kitten chased my hand whenever i did that. It also loved to bite my feet occasionally. I was not sure what to do with the kitten in the future. I just wanted it to live a better life.

The weird moment was when a fat white cat was sitting comfortably and watching us instead of taking the kitten with it. I wanted to bring the kitten towards this white cat but it escaped by the time i did it. The next morning my mom informs me my dad took it away from the house. This time he kept it in his shop. But after college ended I heard of the news it went missing. My parents said someone must have taken it to their home as a pet. I hope it is doing fine and having the life it wished for. I love the fact even though animals are less intelligent than humans they know how to calm our nerves. Life is all about the small surprises like this kitten.

Men's formal wear shopping!

My brother is currently writing his 12th public exam and I am also in my final year of my college which means double pressure on my parents to join us into a good college. As somewhat experienced into women's college environment for 3 years I knew what to expect and what not to expect from an educational institute. But my brother who is normally least bothered about anything in the world showed same attitude towards his studies. The choosing duty of his career path went to my parents who finalised it is computer engineering. My father with the help of his friend went to the engineering institution for admission where his son is studying. My brother also tagged along with them while I was at my college writing my final last semester exams.

It seems the college is very strict where they give an entry slip to go inside, complete security check, entry not allowed if the person is not wearing formals. Jeans, t-shirt and a list of things which are prohibited even for parents and visitors it seems. Whoa! Well colleges like that exist. So, my brother was not allowed to enter the campus as he was wearing jeans and waited in a room while my dad and his friend went inside the campus. They enquired about admission details, rules, regulations, and many more and ate chicken biryani while my brother the poor fellow who got stuck near the reception because of not wearing a formal wears. Again regarding admission for my brother my father planned to visit the campus tomorrow along with me, my mom and my brother to see the extravagant campus which treats people like refugees. Well hope it was not as horrible as my brother described it.

Today, we went for shopping to get formal wear for my brother. I was hesitant as I felt what I would do in a men's section while my brother is deciding which one to buy? But Indian parents are very talented and skilled at how to drag their children into things which are irrelevant. So, that's how I ended up at a tall building consisting seven floors at T.nagar for shopping. We went inside and saw too much crowd near the lift. So, we decided to climb the stairs. So many stairs and so little energy left in me; I got exhausted. Trust me Sunday evening at T.nagar for shopping that too in a store which offers low price rates means a pool of crowds. We went to men's section. As I said even if apocalypse occurs, my brother is least bothered. Likewise, he wasn't even bothered to know his garment preferences.

The sales person took a measuring tape and said a particular size while my dad was looking at himself in the mirror and blabbering to himself that he is becoming fat. Then, suddenly my dad added two more inches to the size mentioned by the salesman and laughed that my brother will also become fat like him in future. Well if it was me I would be showing embarrassed look up to the extent where I would have picked random some dress, purchased it and left the venue. But it was my brother he was cool as a cucumber. My dad suddenly got too excited and asked us to look into the shirt sizes he directed us to look upon. He also made it mandatory for us to select 2 shirts for my brother. I was already getting awkward vibes being in the men's garment section. To top the weirdness my parents were battling to prove that their selected shirt was the best. And me stuck there forced to pick 2 shirts of my own choice which I won't be wearing. Later, my brother picked three shirts from the provided options from us.

Whew! Finally can go home and enjoy my Sunday! Nope fate had another plan. My dad was like "Now let's go get your brother some pants." Hell! Selecting pants are pure hell! The formal pants section basically had the colour palette of black and white movies. And here I am stuck again forced to pick two pants which has no usage to me. I gave up and waited. My brother went to trial room and showed up the fitting of the pant to my dad while I was stuck up with my mom in men's pants section. My mom was explaining (criticizing) about the way our new tenants behaving, dad's financial loss, Chennai floods, politics, and many more topics which I dreaded hard not to know about. Yet who does our parent can talk to other than their beloved children.

Finally, the selection of formal wear got over and we purchased it. Now, they got remembered about buying a belt. (Face palm) They must have realized how I felt or I must have looked like a zombie they asked me to wait in a corner while they search and buy a perfect belt for my brother. I sat in a chair while they got vanished into the crowd who are on a shopping spree. A toddler was sitting beside me. The kid was too active she drooled, ran in circles and kept on hitting her head towards her mother's knee. It was kind of hilarious to watch. I missed the kid in me. The kid who used to be crazy, who cooked using torn newspaper pieces, who took a chalk piece and felt like Picasso, who took mom's dupatta and felt like a elite woman, who took a notepad and felt like supervisor, who took two drumsticks and felt like a musician, who thought the backdoor of the house was a secret pathway to spies, who was innocent, curious and enthusiastic in the name of passing time. After a while my dad said "Boo!" and I got a sudden stimuli. They arrived and at last we reached home. That's how my shopping experience for the day ended.

Weekend headaches!

My college conducts an annual intercollegiate event called "Jhankar". This year jhankar theme was comic-on. This is the only moment my college looks like co-ed. So, there will be lots of events, competitions, music, stalls, advertisements, gossips, etc. Unfortunately, I did not have the freedom to choose the event I want to attend. My department made my class people to sit for a classical music event yesterday and said it was "compulsory attendance" So, I reached college with disinterest, music was banging through the speakers, girls outside the college waiting or checking their phones furiously and I was searching for my classmates to ensure whether I am the only soul who ended up sincerely to the event. Then, I gave my attendance to my faculty and walked to fifth floor using stairs. The stairs are normal, simple, and easy to use. But when it comes to reach 5th floor using stairs it is like a task which I would trade for anything. 

I was tired as hell after reaching fifth floor. There is this tiny auditorium into which I entered. I sat in the last bench where my classmates were seated behind my faculty members. Even though my faculty sat on the last corner of the auditorium, they made us to shift to the front. And I ended up sitting in the front middle side where there will be constant eye contact from contestants on the stage. Then they took some roll call of the contestants who were present. To my surprise there were only 6 contestants who participated. I am neither a fan nor enemy of carnatic music. So, I don’t hate or have interest to listen to them singing.

All of them brought a shruthi dabba (Music box), adjusted the microphone, some did mike testing and then sang. One contestant sang a Telugu carnatic song in which a phrase had this word "Bro" in it. This word was so funny; I and my friend could not control our laughter. I tried to bite my tongue, close my mouth with hands, close my eyes, etc nothing worked we were smiling like idiots throughout her song. Then the judges came and announced the winners. Hearing Brahmin slang of Tamil after long time is divine. Later, I went down to ground floor by stairs. Going down the stairs is the easy part unless you get slipped and get hurt. Then, my friend gave me a ride back home. 

I was so happy that the session I wanted to miss ended soon and I reached home to take lots of rest. My Karma had another plans. My aunt from U.S. came to India after a long time to see her sister (My mom). Suddenly, I had to be adhering to etiquette and all. My mom and aunt decided to go somewhere outside. They discussed for a while and thought of going to Besant nagar beach. Guess who ended up going along with them? "Me!" My dad was busy with his shop, my brother had tuition and I had nothing to do. So, we all walked till the bus stop and took "5E" (Bus number). I had a distant memory that this bus goes to Besant nagar beach. I took three tickets to Besant nagar and waited for a free seat to sit. Then, we reached the church area of the Besant nagar. We walked towards the beach, ate panniyaram/puluntalu/ Fried fermented rice batter with coconut and tomato chutney. They both gossiped for a while. We walked in the sand and came across fish stalls. We ordered a plate of Nethili (Fried spicy fish). 

Again, we walked for a while saw the waves of the ocean. Then, we all returned to the bus stop. We waited for so long that we believed that we were on the wrong bus stop. My aunt and mom were so tired they even went to take an auto but the auto people charge too much amount. We waited and waited at last the bus arrived. People were cramming to get in and get out of the bus due to its delay. We got in and were wishing the bus moves soon. I was glad that my mom and aunt got seated. I wanted to get down of the bus as soon as possible. There was a drunken man seated in front of me, a guy shouting about his life blunders, etc. We got down thankfully without becoming retarded. 

Today, I had Interdepartmental event for Jhankar. I helped my friends who were participating in the Junk art. My department theme was superman. So, we were thinking ideas how to portray superman from junk. 

This was the one they presented in the "Junk art" competition

We saw the judges dancing for a song. The day went well. I took a bus and reached home to a view of intensely conversing sisters (my mom and aunt). Now, ended up with Headache due to lack of rest and change in my routine weekend life. Headaches can be normal or special or uninvited. But weekend headaches are the worst. Hope you guys had a nice weekend!

The Co"incidence!"

Recently at my college there was something called a finishing school happened to me. During the three days session of the finishing school, I and my classmates learnt/realised a whole new version of ourselves. At first we were all sceptical about the sessions because we thought they might be boring, illogical, time wasting, and money scavenging sessions. But it was nice to have a literate, sound minded person to handle us. 

She gave lots of activities, new horizons of thoughts and about life. We came to know about lots of psychological terms, tests, studies, self improvement techniques, conflicts, gratitude, anger management, etc. After the last day of the session she ended with a thought provoking thing for us to know about gratitude. She mentioned we all must be thankful to everyone who made it possible that we got everything we wish for. We must not take it for granted instead appreciate it. We must be thankful for getting tank full water at our houses where there is still women who buy water for 7 rupees per bucket. We must be thankful for having a roof above us where there are people who are unable to have 3 meals daily. She also said when we visit an orphanage or meet a disabled persons, our way of thinking about life can change. 

So, today I had to take a bus to go to college. I woke up early, brushed my teeth in cartoon motion, and changed my clothes. I was half-awake and half-sleepy like a sloth. My brother was sleeping happily. I had to bring a great amount of cheers like “You can do it!” “Come on!” “It’s only a walk towards the bus stop, catch a bus and walk again towards the college where you have to cross 3 roads. So, simple” Yet that much complicated it is. Then, it went on like “Okay first eat something and go! You don’t want to embarrass yourself by fainting on the road!” 

I stepped outside the house by 6:00 A.M. The weather was horribly cold. I was walking and noticed the sky was getting darker. “Oh My God. What if it rains today? I don’t even have an umbrella with me. You dumb brain why can’t you remind me about the umbrella like you reminded me the food” I was in such a state I was scolding myself for being dumb and forgetful. I was waiting for the bus for a long time. I even caught cold. I was thinking why I am suffering so much? Then finally I got a bus luckily less crowded. 

I took a ticket and sat on the only empty seat available on the bus. There were two passengers seated in front of me. At first I thought they were crazy then I recognised they were talking in sign language. Whoa! from weird actions to being curious to know what those hand movements meant. Well, what a coincidence within 24 hours of the session at college I met two deaf people who were really fascinating to watch the way they were conversing. Even I never had such a deep happiness and smile when I was talking with my dear ones. The way they were eagerly waiting and giving respect for each other’s reply was something we all need to learn. Even the deaf people are better at listening than some of us who can hear and knows how to respond properly. 

I don’t want to be mean, but in my life many people blabber but never felt the necessity to listen instead of blabbering so much. Maybe the person who is listening might also want to say something give them a chance to speak too. The lady at the session also mentioned that “Small minds talk about others, Average minds talk about events and Great minds talk about ideas” So, which one you belong to only you can know and maybe you can bring a change to yourself and become great minds. Even though I felt horrible about forgetting an umbrella I was totally immersed into the way the deaf people made me realise a point without even speaking but with their mere joyful actions.

Luckily it didn’t rain, too! Life is not 100% sad after all. We need to enjoy whatever life throws at us.