The 5 types of people in my bus

1. The first and most common are those who fall under the “Sleeper class” category. These people enter their slumber land, the moment they get a seat and you wouldn’t deny if I say that they find utmost comfort ONLY when sleeping on YOUR shoulders!! I could forgive even this..but what about waking them when their stop comes? That is one Herculean task I tell you. It is quite envious to see a person sleeping so peacefully amidst the blaring horns, the barking drivers and these incessant + loud phone lovers.

2. These are the people who are suffering from a deadly disease called the “phone-o-mania”. One would always find these people having a phone stuck to their ear. I really wonder who pays their bills! But these people are easily better than the ones which have a Bluetooth headset clinging to their ears, a bunch of hair hiding this tiniest of equipments and fooling the silly ones like me sitting next to them. Happy to get a company for the 1 hour travel, people like me get carried away so easily and would probably be sitting and answering them for the never-intended questions. We most often stop only if we get a glare or two from the maniacs.
AND, stop sympathizing at us, even WE have friends. Just that they don’t feel like calling us when we are traveling by bus, for reasons unknown. Oh No please don’t mistake this for a self-consolation.

3. The “book-worms”. This is the most intelligent category or so they pose. These usually sport the geeky looks and would generally be avoided or feared by the usual, ordinary, so-so people. The curious-me always wants to ask them, “How do you read with SO much of concentration when the bus moves a little while it shakes!?! :O”
P.S. If you haven’t smiled a little for the last sentence, please read it again. If you still haven’t smiled, well that’s not my problem any more.

4. These people would always be lost in their own world. I could conveniently call them the “day-dreamers”.  This is the set which would either be looking out of the window smiling to themselves or would be blindly staring at something or even someone, usually with a long face. I don’t have much to tell about this category because they are the most un-interesting people of the bus. When I stare at them for too long, I usually end up feeling sorry for them for no reason at all.

5. “Silent-observers”. These are people who sit back and enjoy the whole journey looking at everyone around and thinking if this could make up the next post for their miserably-abandoned blog.

A love that knows no bounds..

‘She’, the world’s best mom is turning 45 today. This..is a small gift to her, an ode to the eternal love, a tribute to the tenderness, a salute to the strength, a thanks-giving to the patience and lots more that mere words can’t even attempt to explain.

Her magical touch that sets everything right, her mellow words that soothes every heart, her effortless encouragement whenever I feel lost and not to forget..those incessant advices that she keeps giving me now and then..I’ve always awed at all of this! If only there was a way to repay all that she has done to me!!

I sometimes feel that there can never be a better teacher than her..When I was 2, I fell every time I stood and she taught me how to walk. When I was 5, I cried for silly things and she taught me happiness. When I was 8, I lied to her and bunked school and she taught me honesty. When I was 14 I screamed at her for no fault of hers and she taught me patience. When I was 18, I spent all her money for my happiness and she taught me frugality. Now when I am 22, she teaches me life! And I know that, this is neither the end for her teaching nor the end for my learning.  

And yes we aren’t always sweet to each other. We fight like kids, we argue for stupid things, we yell at each other..yet we know, no one can love us any better.

She is the first person I came to know in this big world and ever since, I’ve cherished her and always will!!

A tickle to the kid in her, a big hi5 to the friend in her and a sweet kiss to the mother in her.

Happy b’day my dear mom..hope u have a long, healthy and happy life.

 Love u ma!

Gone are those days

There IS a reason behind the long break between the last post and this one. And frankly speaking it’s because I didn’t know what to write about. Now, while just sitting before my comp and reading some really interesting blogs, I got this sudden spree to write about ‘something’. Something that is a real come-back..but would it really be one? Well, who cares!

After pondering for more than 10 whole minutes, I decided to write about what has been happening in my life (Ah no! it IS NOT an auto biography. I would never do that!!)

And what has been happening in my life? -- Change! Like everyone says, it is change..the only constant in life.

I am hardly 22 and there have been so many changes. Changes that I couldn’t digest, changes that I badly needed and some changes that changed nothing at all.

I really wonder how it has all easily and rapidly changed from play school to school..from school to college and now, from college to the so-called professional life!Changing four different schools, moving from school to college, making new friends each time, adjusting to new environments, new teachers, new rules.. None of this affected me. Everything seemed so simple and easy.

But now! This ever-serious work place, this small team of ten people with a huge set of most contradicting ideas, THE manager (Well..I don’t feel like giving any adjectives there!!) , those special rules that are never said but should be followed and.. the most difficult maturity that I am still trying to gain. All of it is so difficult and makes me say “Gone are those beautiful days and Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up!”         

The bitter taste of un-civilization

 

I am 21 years old and my parents still treat me like a chicken (Oh ya I know!..Its the most common single child syndrome). But one fine day, things did change and I was asked to go to the post office for a not-so-important work to be done.

This not-so-important work was to get an envelope weighed, and get a stamp for it. Simple as it seems..but then..it was the first and worst (I guess, I should also say it would be the last) feat of mine in a post office.

Though I didn’t know much about the timings, I did figure out that most govt. offices close by 5. So, I made plans and left home around 4 in the evening. But little did I know I would meet a friend on the way. This friend whose name is not let out due to silly reasons (*winks at the friend*) is the one I hadn’t met for months and she is as loquacious as me. Oh ya..needless to say, we kept talking till I realized it was 4:40. Half-heartedly concluding the chat, I left to the post office (Thankfully, it is jus a street away from my place).

There was a lady around 45 yrs old, sitting in front of a computer, posing as if she was coding something which was a combo of  Java,VB,.Net and what not (well..she did look THAT serious!!). Since I’d a work at hand, I just chucked the instant mockery that popped inside my mind. This poor lady, who looked as though she had a project to submit tomorrow, didn’t even notice my presence. And, that’s when it all started.

Me: Excuse me.

Lady: No reaction.

A solid 10 seconds later.

Me: Excuse me?

She is still not looking away from the goddamn computer. But for once I didn’t lose my patience.

’The most polite me’: Excuuuse meee?

She turned towards me and gave me what I totally didn’t expect!

“ENNA MA?? CHUMMA..APO LENTHU..ENNA VENUM UNAKU???..INGA ONNUM KADAYATHU PO!!!!”

Gosh!! I was so taken aback. That was the only time in my life I was so shocked, that I’d no words. I didn’t know if I was shooed, insulted, humiliated or kidded. All that I knew was, she was the most un-civilized person I’ve ever come across and wasn’t worth talking to.

I’d just one thought when I left that place without saying a word – she didn’t even budge to listen to me, but what if I’d come to tell her that her loved one had met with an accident?

No! I’m not being brutal. It is just the outburst of my fury for being insulted for no reason at all!

Interrogate yourself

 There are few questions we really need to ask ourselves, but we don’t.. Either because we dread to know the truth or because we aren’t really bothered. Well, why don’t you spend a ten minutes on this post and give it a thought?!? ..Am sure it would make you know yourself better than before(at least a little!)
C’mon..just start off!

1.Whom do I love, and what am I doing about it?
All of us love someone in this world..but most of us don’t express it in the right way or in the right time! If you aren’t spending time with the people you love, change that. If you are holding a grudge against a family member, let it go and reconcile. If you’ve done something to hurt a loved one, ask for forgiveness. Drop the pride, and make up. If you haven’t seen someone in awhile, call them right away.
C’mon! Just go tell your mom you love her. I tell you..nothing really feels better than that.

2.Am I pursuing my dream, or is fear stopping me?
What have you always wanted to do? Maybe something you dreamed of as a child but have given up as unrealistic? Maybe something you still want to do but are afraid of failing? What fears are stopping you? What would be the worst that could happen if you overcame those fears and pursued your dream? Ask these questions and don’t ever give up on those dreams..We’ve JUST one life.
But, if you’re already pursuing your dream, pat yourself on the back. You’re doing just awesome!

3. What am I doing to help others?
What have you done lately to help people out? Have you been compassionate? Have you been there for anyone? Listened? Volunteered for those in need? It isn’t all about living for yourself and only yourself. The joy of doing something for someone can be felt only if done, And most important—don’t ever expect anything in return.
Helping doesn’t always mean, its something to be done to someone you already know. So, Let this be a start for you to do something for the deprived ones. The smile in those new faces when you do something for them..its jus divine!

4. Am I as good a person as I want to be?
It’s not easy to be a good person, at least not all of the time. It’s so much easier to be selfish, greedy, jealous and what not (nothing to feel ashamed..its common). But is that how you want to be remembered? Is that how you want to live your life?
Every time we get a thought like THAT..lets tell ourselves how good we are..Am sure none of us want to shatter those expectations we have on ourselves.

5. Am I doing what I really want to do?
Well..this is one question most of us have a NO for. Just ask yourself if you are doing things for your happiness or for the sake of others. If it’s the latter, I guess its time to work upon it. Start listening to your heart.

6. What am I grateful for?
I would say this is the most important question that you need to ask yourself EVERYDAY. All of us might be grateful to different things and different people. But there is one person that we ought to be grateful to--GOD!
It wouldn’t take much of your time to thank him for this life of yours. Let us not pray only when we want something from him.

7. What’s missing in my life?
If there is something that is missing in your life and you feel incomplete without it, just go for it and make it fall in the right place. And suppose you don’t find it..just think it wasn’t worth you and move on with a smile.

8. What do I need to change about myself?
There is just one question that would give you a list of answers for this—‘ask yourself if you would be friends with yourself’.. Its just as simple as that! Honest and from-the-heart answers can really change a number of things in you.

9. Do I have fun?
What’s life without fun? Create time for yourself and do something that you think is fun. (I call it “My Time”). I promise, it makes you feel SO much better.

10. What am I most proud of?
There would be something that each of us is proud about ourselves. It could be some special talent, skill, our looks, our hair, our personality, our language, our parents, our siblings, our passion, our love, our friends..actually the list goes on and on and on. So think about it and love yourself for it.

11. Do I hold grudges?
Well, who doesn’t? But it isn’t something that we need to be proud of. Why can’t we take the first step to talk it out? A little difficult I know.. but still can be tried.

12. Do I smile more than I frown?
I have this friend, who used to ask me to go see the mirror whenever I get really angry and start screaming. You know, it really works! The next second you find yourself laughing on seeing your evil-twin on the mirror. Why don’t you give it a try?
It isn’t very hard to keep smiling always, in fact it has an additional advantage—you look so good when you do that!!

13. What do you want people to say about you after you are no longer living?
What is your legacy? Try answering this and you would start doing things that make others have a good opinion about you. It is really difficult to be in the good books of EVERYONE around you..not denied..but it is really easy to make your loved ones love you more.So kick off..and try having as many loved ones as u can!

14. What other questions do I have?
Have I really asked myself all that I want to? If your answer is NO..am happy that you are taking efforts..So, jot down your other questions and make your life a lot better as you answer them. And if your answer is yes..you are as lazy as I am. Well, nothing wrong..We always like it short and sweet right?

15. Have I wasted time reading this post?
Gosh! Please say your answer is NO. But even otherwise, nothing can be done. You are already through with the post (*winks*)

Guilty pleasures of life

Wikipedia defines a guilty pleasure as something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Often, the "guilt" involved is simply the fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes, rather than actual moral guilt. Fashion, music, and food (especially unhealthier foods high in sugar and/or fat) can be examples of guilty pleasures.
Guess what? I would say this is one of my few guilty pleasures!!
Despite anticipating and expecting few murmurs and curses from you people to give that big a definition about something that you already know..I enjoy giving it and imagining the way your faces go!!(Well well this is just the start!)
The truth is all of us have guilty pleasures and there are just a few innocent hearts like mine that admit it.

Personally I do certain things that make me feel a little guilty, but are far too good not to indulge in once in a while. For your pleasure, let me share some very common ones.

1. A nice, long, deep slumber. Though there would be lots of things you should be doing with your day and also that sick, guilty feeling you get when you realize you are going to put on a few extra pounds by doing this, but you just can’t stop yourself..I bet!

2. Gossip blogs and Websites. It does make you feel better when you sneak a look at others’ lives and get to know about them without their knowledge..doesn’t it?

3. Junk food. I mean seriously, this is everyone's guilty pleasure! In spite of knowing the harms it might cause to you, can you ever stop hogging on it?

4. Knowing how much someone weighs and teasing them till they get the urge to kill you..it really feels like you know their secrets!!

5. Drawing on pictures in magazines (especially when it is not yours!!). Am sure there isn’t a single soul who hasn’t done this. Well I would just simply call it shameless and blameless fun!!

6. Ridiculous Reality Shows. Why are reality shows a guilty pleasure? Well, when you sacrifice productive time to watch a washed up celebrity trying to find their "love", it is definitely a guilty pleasure.

7. The last but not least. Stealing an idea like this from someone! It isn’t going to hurt any bit to ‘google’ article topics when you feel a little exhausted and lost due to a long day of work..!! There is nothing to ponder upon this fact for any longer.


Now, those aren't so bad..Not too scandalous..where they?
Hopefully judging other people harshly by the way they write their blog posts isn't a guilty pleasure for any of you, but if it is..I say try, and.. well, stop feeling guilty about it!!

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!!

After around a solid five minutes, there he was, moving towards everyone and staring at them to get a poor glimpse of their faces.

Understanding his problem, I quickly went towards him..
Me: Hi..umm..are you Lokesh?
Lokesh: Aaama..hmm..nee..ee..nngaa?
Me: Hi Lokesh, naan dhaan Akshaya..unga scribe..enna theriyudha?
Lokesh: Enaku epdinga akka therium..seri vaanga akka ulla polaam..

I felt a pang of guilt in my heart for having asked something like that. Ordering and cursing myself to think twice before uttering the next word, I followed him silently to the lecturer’s room.
We had a short talk with his lecturer, after which Lokesh had gone to have his lunch. I was just sitting and mentally scheduling my works and decided on having a stroll around the college. And that’s exactly when I got the urge to start this blog! In just 10 minutes of time, I had mixed emotions swirling inside me..and the reason behind all this was that I was seeing something that I couldn’t digest.

This place I was in, was the college which taught people about social working (MASTERS in social work it seems!!) and around me, were 100s of young students who were ‘able’ in every possible way, who had enough time to chit-chat their way to glory, who had enough money to waste a full bottle of coke for the sake of having fun.. But not a single soul out there had the heart to help this poor boy, who was longing for love, support, friendship and what not!
What is the big deal in just studying about social working, when you can’t help your classmate who is in dire need?(Heart of hearts, I was feeling proud of myself!!)
It was a rude shock to me, specially because I had come with this wrong notion that the college was for differently-abled people.

My deep, fervent thoughts were interrupted by Lokesh’s voice. Without giving it a second thought, I asked him if students in his class wouldn’t budge to help him. It was so sweet of him to maturely say that they don’t help him only because project works should be done individually (His project, for which I was trying to help him, was based on visually impaired people and their psycho-social problems..well..how apt!!!). I couldn’t stop myself from asking him “why? can’t they even help you in just mere reading or writing?” With a smile, he answered “vidunga ka..they might not have time”

If visually-impaired people are called differently-abled ..then what do we call people who are heartless??