It all begins when you turn 14 or so. No I'm not saying that you're any less of a girl before that, but things like one's appearance and looks don't bother one till then. It didn't bother me so much at least. Up until I reached my turbulent teens, I was obsessed about other stuff. (Well, I've sort of forgotten what I was obsessed with then, but hell I know it wasn't about my hair or complexion!)
It's a turning point in a girl's life when she's too old to be attending good-for-nothing birthday parties and made to play lame games and yet is too young to be included in girlie gossip. It's the most awkward age to be.
Then comes the phase when you're introduced to everything feminine. From inner wear to make up. It comes at you Tsunami style and hits you in the face about being lady like. It's during ones early teens that one begins hearing of friends frequenting beauty parlours. And no, not just for a hair cut, at that.
The funny thing about how it turned out for me, is that I visited one (beauty parlour) for 'more' than just a hair cut at the ripe old age of 18. It was a torturous experience. Getting my eyebrows plucked and my limbs waxed. I swore never to go back there for as long as I could, and I managed for almost a year.
Of course, it didn't help that my Sindhi-Mallu background of healthy genes made my arms look like the the Sundarbans forest region in no time, but I wasn't going to back down.
Alas I lost my battle with it just before my sister's wedding. The thing about Weddings is that one's forced to spend one's time and money on things we don't want, for things we'll hardly wear, to show off in front of people we don't even like! But I digress!
Visiting the parlour after such a long hiatus gave me the creeps. It even made my hair stand on end. And coming to think of it, it probably made it easier for the lady wielding the hot wax to get rid of the Sundarbans.
With that out of the way, I only had to get my eyebrows plucked and upper lip done. The former's thickness would've put Kaalia's (from Sholay fame) eyebrows to shame and the latter's existence, Gabbar himself.
Getting deforestation done without your whole and soul consent is by far one of the most painful things. And that's saying something cause I've burnt, cut, nicked and poked myself during my entire lifetime.
I barely survived the eyebrow ordeal and I couldn't for the life of me let the evil lady with the thread do the same to the area above my upper lip. I tried in vain telling my sister that the true pride of a person lies in the strength of their mustache (or some rubbish along the same lines) but she was not amused. I had to go ahead with the thing and boy did I manage... halfway.
I'll spare you the torrid details, but I'll tell you this. When I posed for photographs later, at my sister's wedding, I had to do it at an angle.
Here's a tip for those who've not got their upper lip done completely. Tilt your head, chin up and smile. It doesn't matter if you have half your handlebar mustache to hide. You can just cover it up with a tilt, chin up and smile. Practice. Tilt, chin up and smile...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Love Aaj, no kal!
Statutory Warning : Not one of my humorous entries, so if you're looking for laughs, steer clear of this one!
Relationships. Aren't we all in one, at some point or the other? Some big, some small; some tiny, some huge; some with the opposite gender, some with the same (If your door swings both ways), some relationships that we don't even realise we've made, and some we realise only when its too late (Did the last part just rhyme?!)...
No I don't intend for this entry to be a sad, moppy one. Cause really, who wants to read about the dull stuff... I know I don't. Well today, I want to write about something that's been playing on my mind for the last coupe of days.
I read an article a few days ago about this generations' take on relationships. Yeah, 'Love aaj kal' in the literal sense. As cliched as it may sound, I recoiled at the in-your-face opinions that a lot of young people had given. Living-in, Getting bored of each other too soon, having flings, two timing, indulging in one night stands...
I don't mean to be all high and mighty or condescending when I say it... But I think its a whole pile of rot. I do not belong to the very old school of thought of being conservative and regressive, but I don't think its okay to change ones love interest every couple of months. [I also know that if somebody does, it's none of my business but I'll dish out my opinion anyway ;)]
And hang on, even if one manages to get themselves eye candy every now and then, how do they do that? (Not how they landed with pretty face, smarty!) What I mean is, does a switch just go off in their heads? Do they unplug something somewhere? Do they suddenly change modes? Do they get indifferent? Just like that? HOW?!
I've been through my share of crushes and have had them crushed too, so I know from experience it's not that simple. Doesn't work that way. Ever... Well, atleast for the likes of me!
The whole point of my writing this blog entry is to try and tell a small part of humanity out there... That not all 'young people' are in for instant gratification. Some of us are here for commitment. Some of us are here for having it long term. Some of us are here for sticking it out.... Or not having it at all.
It's tough taking a stand like that sometimes... Especially if there are attractive deals out there. But the decision is final. I'd rather have the heart ache of unrequited love, than go on a rebound from one to another to another to another. I rest my case.
Relationships. Aren't we all in one, at some point or the other? Some big, some small; some tiny, some huge; some with the opposite gender, some with the same (If your door swings both ways), some relationships that we don't even realise we've made, and some we realise only when its too late (Did the last part just rhyme?!)...
No I don't intend for this entry to be a sad, moppy one. Cause really, who wants to read about the dull stuff... I know I don't. Well today, I want to write about something that's been playing on my mind for the last coupe of days.
I read an article a few days ago about this generations' take on relationships. Yeah, 'Love aaj kal' in the literal sense. As cliched as it may sound, I recoiled at the in-your-face opinions that a lot of young people had given. Living-in, Getting bored of each other too soon, having flings, two timing, indulging in one night stands...
I don't mean to be all high and mighty or condescending when I say it... But I think its a whole pile of rot. I do not belong to the very old school of thought of being conservative and regressive, but I don't think its okay to change ones love interest every couple of months. [I also know that if somebody does, it's none of my business but I'll dish out my opinion anyway ;)]
And hang on, even if one manages to get themselves eye candy every now and then, how do they do that? (Not how they landed with pretty face, smarty!) What I mean is, does a switch just go off in their heads? Do they unplug something somewhere? Do they suddenly change modes? Do they get indifferent? Just like that? HOW?!
I've been through my share of crushes and have had them crushed too, so I know from experience it's not that simple. Doesn't work that way. Ever... Well, atleast for the likes of me!
The whole point of my writing this blog entry is to try and tell a small part of humanity out there... That not all 'young people' are in for instant gratification. Some of us are here for commitment. Some of us are here for having it long term. Some of us are here for sticking it out.... Or not having it at all.
It's tough taking a stand like that sometimes... Especially if there are attractive deals out there. But the decision is final. I'd rather have the heart ache of unrequited love, than go on a rebound from one to another to another to another. I rest my case.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
It took me 21 years to get this...!
1. Don't play with sauce squeeze bottles.
2. Don't buy footwear that only looks pretty.
3. Don't wear white when you're going out to lunch.
4. Don't be in a rush to fall in love.
5. Have good phone manners.
6. Don't shake anybody awake.
7. Do not try to befriend a dog that's barking.
8. When you say you'll get back to someone, get back.
9. REMEMBER birthdays.
10. Have a healthy self esteem.
11. Fairness creams do not work! Deal with it.
12. Listen.
13. Read the instructions before making popcorn.
14. Be nice.
15. Chew, swallow, then talk.
16. When in doubt, shut up. Read about it and get back later.
17. Love your folks. They're the best people ever.
18. Maintain a personal diary.
19. Stay in touch with your close friends. Always.
20. Don't wear a skirt if you have to ride the two-wheeler.
21. Frame some sentences in your head first. You'll know how stupid they sound when you say them.
2. Don't buy footwear that only looks pretty.
3. Don't wear white when you're going out to lunch.
4. Don't be in a rush to fall in love.
5. Have good phone manners.
6. Don't shake anybody awake.
7. Do not try to befriend a dog that's barking.
8. When you say you'll get back to someone, get back.
9. REMEMBER birthdays.
10. Have a healthy self esteem.
11. Fairness creams do not work! Deal with it.
12. Listen.
13. Read the instructions before making popcorn.
14. Be nice.
15. Chew, swallow, then talk.
16. When in doubt, shut up. Read about it and get back later.
17. Love your folks. They're the best people ever.
18. Maintain a personal diary.
19. Stay in touch with your close friends. Always.
20. Don't wear a skirt if you have to ride the two-wheeler.
21. Frame some sentences in your head first. You'll know how stupid they sound when you say them.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Things that I Love! :)
Fast cars and
cool summer breeze,
Cold coffee and Vanilla,
to go with that please!
Clear blue skies,
lazy Saturday afternoons,
'Me time' and bike rides,
or just watching cartoons!
Cute movies and popcorn,
The smell of wet earth,
Reading a good book
in a train's top berth!
Laughter and merriment;
A moonlit night.
Watching a puppy trotting,
an adorable sight!
Humming a favorite song;
Smelling scented candles,
Trying out a new pair
of funky fitting sandals!
Spending time with a friend,
just one to one;
How the best kinda bonding
I believe is done.
The things that I've mentioned
are only just a few;
I'll come out with a sequel,
longer and brand new!
If you've liked my poem,
you've got great taste in art;
Alright I'm kidding (!)
But the poem's from the heart!
cool summer breeze,
Cold coffee and Vanilla,
to go with that please!
Clear blue skies,
lazy Saturday afternoons,
'Me time' and bike rides,
or just watching cartoons!
Cute movies and popcorn,
The smell of wet earth,
Reading a good book
in a train's top berth!
Laughter and merriment;
A moonlit night.
Watching a puppy trotting,
an adorable sight!
Humming a favorite song;
Smelling scented candles,
Trying out a new pair
of funky fitting sandals!
Spending time with a friend,
just one to one;
How the best kinda bonding
I believe is done.
The things that I've mentioned
are only just a few;
I'll come out with a sequel,
longer and brand new!
If you've liked my poem,
you've got great taste in art;
Alright I'm kidding (!)
But the poem's from the heart!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Night the Bed fell...on my Foot!!
Right, so I gave it away in the title. But it doesn't matter, what's truly amusing is how things led to it... I won't be presumptuous in saying I'll do a good job of narrating the incident ( cause I'm still in some pain from the tetanus on my tender behind) but I'll do my best anyway.
So the story begins from when the bed fell the first time round (Yes, there was a first).
You see, I have this bad habit of pacing around the room when I'm on the phone with my friends. And if we happen to be discussing something of utmost importance, (gossip, in most cases) I fling myself on the nearest piece of furniture for dramatic effect. And that day's conversation warranted it, really.
Now I'm not saying I'm a drama queen, but it's true I can get a little carried away sometimes. So obviously, when I heard the wicked rumour that I liked, about someone I didn't, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to be theatrical at all.
Off I went to fling myself in filmy style on the center of my wobbly bed. Not one of the smartest things to do when you weigh...very much. Anyhow, it's quite embarrassing to cause the bed to cave in, single handedly....It's not like it isn't mortifying to break it with company or anything, (cause I've done that as well) but it's just having to take complete blame that gets annoying.
I was alone in the room when it'd happened, but the sound of the crash brought my mom and dog there pretty quick. The former's scandalized expression and the latter's head tilt did little to help the bruised ego. Worse still, my friend was very much on the line. It's at times like these one wishes the phone companies didn't do their job so well. Taking their silly tag line like 'Kahin bhi, kabhi bhi' a little too seriously, I thought while attempting to get out of the wreckage with as much dignity I had left. Anyway, with a hurried 'I broke the bed. Will call you back later', I hung up and climbed out of the ruins.
Obviously, I didn't hear the end of it from mom after the episode. I'll spare you the details of the monologue followed by the soliloquy my mother delivered about where she went wrong in bringing me up.
So moving on, we called for the welding guy to sort the wrought iron bed. He came and worked on it with great flourish and made a great show of how sturdy he'd made it. But the only one who really paid attention was my dog I think. You'll know why, later... And coming to think of it, I should've paid more attention too. I would've known where to keep my feet then, in case of another such disaster...
Fast forward eight months. The bed bore the combined weight of my sister and me (and sometimes the dog too) and we all lived happily ever after. And then one day, my best friend and me decided to have a sleepover.
Everything worked out great and we were looking forward to a nice tete-a-tete after long... In retrospect, I think I should've said something about the bed to the poor sap. Caught totally unawares, she was in for a shock when what happened, did happen.
Now this is what took place. First she got on the bed and sat to a corner. Then the dog did and in my rush to make him get off, I followed suit but half-way. All this in quick succession was too much for the old welded guy. He gave way. Right on to my foot.
There was a collective yell and a yelp from us and the dog respectively, but I can vouch for being the loudest. That's cause I had their weight on my leg en masse. Nothing can make you wish you fed your dog a little less or that your bestie skipped some meals now then, than when you have your foot under them.
To a cut a long story short, I'll say I can give Himesh Reshammiya a run for his money if I practice my high pitched, long drawn yell often enough...
And want to know the best part of the story? When I was narrating the incident to my brother, here's what he said "I've heard of people falling off their beds, but its a first that the bed 'fell off' on them!" Rubbing salt on my wound you think? But it doesn't end there. He continued, "I've heard of people breaking their leg falling off a cot... but here the bed fell on your leg and the poor bed broke!".... Just shows you what a loving family I come from!
So the story begins from when the bed fell the first time round (Yes, there was a first).
You see, I have this bad habit of pacing around the room when I'm on the phone with my friends. And if we happen to be discussing something of utmost importance, (gossip, in most cases) I fling myself on the nearest piece of furniture for dramatic effect. And that day's conversation warranted it, really.
Now I'm not saying I'm a drama queen, but it's true I can get a little carried away sometimes. So obviously, when I heard the wicked rumour that I liked, about someone I didn't, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to be theatrical at all.
Off I went to fling myself in filmy style on the center of my wobbly bed. Not one of the smartest things to do when you weigh...very much. Anyhow, it's quite embarrassing to cause the bed to cave in, single handedly....It's not like it isn't mortifying to break it with company or anything, (cause I've done that as well) but it's just having to take complete blame that gets annoying.
I was alone in the room when it'd happened, but the sound of the crash brought my mom and dog there pretty quick. The former's scandalized expression and the latter's head tilt did little to help the bruised ego. Worse still, my friend was very much on the line. It's at times like these one wishes the phone companies didn't do their job so well. Taking their silly tag line like 'Kahin bhi, kabhi bhi' a little too seriously, I thought while attempting to get out of the wreckage with as much dignity I had left. Anyway, with a hurried 'I broke the bed. Will call you back later', I hung up and climbed out of the ruins.
Obviously, I didn't hear the end of it from mom after the episode. I'll spare you the details of the monologue followed by the soliloquy my mother delivered about where she went wrong in bringing me up.
So moving on, we called for the welding guy to sort the wrought iron bed. He came and worked on it with great flourish and made a great show of how sturdy he'd made it. But the only one who really paid attention was my dog I think. You'll know why, later... And coming to think of it, I should've paid more attention too. I would've known where to keep my feet then, in case of another such disaster...
Fast forward eight months. The bed bore the combined weight of my sister and me (and sometimes the dog too) and we all lived happily ever after. And then one day, my best friend and me decided to have a sleepover.
Everything worked out great and we were looking forward to a nice tete-a-tete after long... In retrospect, I think I should've said something about the bed to the poor sap. Caught totally unawares, she was in for a shock when what happened, did happen.
Now this is what took place. First she got on the bed and sat to a corner. Then the dog did and in my rush to make him get off, I followed suit but half-way. All this in quick succession was too much for the old welded guy. He gave way. Right on to my foot.
There was a collective yell and a yelp from us and the dog respectively, but I can vouch for being the loudest. That's cause I had their weight on my leg en masse. Nothing can make you wish you fed your dog a little less or that your bestie skipped some meals now then, than when you have your foot under them.
To a cut a long story short, I'll say I can give Himesh Reshammiya a run for his money if I practice my high pitched, long drawn yell often enough...
And want to know the best part of the story? When I was narrating the incident to my brother, here's what he said "I've heard of people falling off their beds, but its a first that the bed 'fell off' on them!" Rubbing salt on my wound you think? But it doesn't end there. He continued, "I've heard of people breaking their leg falling off a cot... but here the bed fell on your leg and the poor bed broke!".... Just shows you what a loving family I come from!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Drops of Faith :)
How wrapped up are we in our lives, today? Do we take time out to stare out of an open window at leisure? Do we actually enjoy a quiet meal with our loved ones? Do we unwind after a long day of work with a good book or with a silent prayer before turning in?....
Of course we do! I'm convinced that all of us have, at some point or the other done one or all of the above mentioned things. But that's not the point. Its not about enjoying the little joys in life once a fortnight or month. Its about doing those small things often enough to make life matter. If I sound too preachy or annoying, forgive me but I'm in a very contemplative mood today. One of those things that happen to a person now and then. Its a 'then' right now, in my case.
Has it also occurred to those reading this, that we get so many chances in our everyday life to be happy and thankful for all that we have? Thankful for being blessed with such wonderful families, caring friends, plenty of constructive things to be occupied with and a happy life in general :)
Yet, we're forever brooding about the stuff that isn't right about life. A pathetic job for instance, an annoying boss, squabbles with one's friends, a failed love life... The list is endless. Noticed how these thoughts tend to have a snowball effect in one's mind? A single thought is all it takes to set us off... And sometimes, its easy being a despondent. But that's not how things should be. That's not how Life's meant to be.
I don't claim to be a shrink or someone who has a lot of expertise in preaching the 'word of the Lord', or anything that dramatic. I just know, that for things to work out in life and for it to be more livable, all one really needs sometimes... are Tiny drops of faith :)
I'll illustrate that with an example. A couple of months ago, on a not so fine day I was having a horrid time. Things at the preschool (where I work) were getting out of hand. The kids were driving me crazy, my boss was being testy, I'd had a blazing row with my mom, so I was truly at the end of my tether by evening. For want of something to do, (to curb the murderous feelings I began having) I decided to go out with a friend for a spin on her bike.
To clear my head a little, get things into perspective, not blow things out of proportion in my tiny brain, were the things I had in mind....
All of a sudden, I felt it (Not the faith silly! :P). When the first one hit me, I thought I'd been imagining it. Then another one came. And another.
Rain drops were coming down hard and fast and there was no where to run for cover. For those of you who don't know, I'm not a person who loves rain. In fact, its just the opposite. I'd rather do without it, if you ask me.
Therefore, those merry drops (that bring delight to a lot of people) only got me further ticked off. 'That's it! Last straw!' I thought. 'Of all days, God chose today to make it rain! And I PRAY to Him!'... Riding in the rain with the stinging drops in my eyes, it wasn't long before I'd started with water works of my own.
And then it happened. Almost as abruptly as it began, it stopped raining. Completely. I looked up from riding, and then I saw it. The clouds parting to make way for a glorious sun and beautiful blue sky. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. Like God really thought he should make it up to little kiddo....
For my patient readers who came this far and who're about to roll their eyes at this seemingly childish ending... Let me tell you, its not. Life's not about living and getting it over with. Its about much more. Its about enjoying it. Its about being happy with it... And of course, using those tiny drops of faith to get by sometimes... :)
Of course we do! I'm convinced that all of us have, at some point or the other done one or all of the above mentioned things. But that's not the point. Its not about enjoying the little joys in life once a fortnight or month. Its about doing those small things often enough to make life matter. If I sound too preachy or annoying, forgive me but I'm in a very contemplative mood today. One of those things that happen to a person now and then. Its a 'then' right now, in my case.
Has it also occurred to those reading this, that we get so many chances in our everyday life to be happy and thankful for all that we have? Thankful for being blessed with such wonderful families, caring friends, plenty of constructive things to be occupied with and a happy life in general :)
Yet, we're forever brooding about the stuff that isn't right about life. A pathetic job for instance, an annoying boss, squabbles with one's friends, a failed love life... The list is endless. Noticed how these thoughts tend to have a snowball effect in one's mind? A single thought is all it takes to set us off... And sometimes, its easy being a despondent. But that's not how things should be. That's not how Life's meant to be.
I don't claim to be a shrink or someone who has a lot of expertise in preaching the 'word of the Lord', or anything that dramatic. I just know, that for things to work out in life and for it to be more livable, all one really needs sometimes... are Tiny drops of faith :)
I'll illustrate that with an example. A couple of months ago, on a not so fine day I was having a horrid time. Things at the preschool (where I work) were getting out of hand. The kids were driving me crazy, my boss was being testy, I'd had a blazing row with my mom, so I was truly at the end of my tether by evening. For want of something to do, (to curb the murderous feelings I began having) I decided to go out with a friend for a spin on her bike.
To clear my head a little, get things into perspective, not blow things out of proportion in my tiny brain, were the things I had in mind....
All of a sudden, I felt it (Not the faith silly! :P). When the first one hit me, I thought I'd been imagining it. Then another one came. And another.
Rain drops were coming down hard and fast and there was no where to run for cover. For those of you who don't know, I'm not a person who loves rain. In fact, its just the opposite. I'd rather do without it, if you ask me.
Therefore, those merry drops (that bring delight to a lot of people) only got me further ticked off. 'That's it! Last straw!' I thought. 'Of all days, God chose today to make it rain! And I PRAY to Him!'... Riding in the rain with the stinging drops in my eyes, it wasn't long before I'd started with water works of my own.
And then it happened. Almost as abruptly as it began, it stopped raining. Completely. I looked up from riding, and then I saw it. The clouds parting to make way for a glorious sun and beautiful blue sky. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. Like God really thought he should make it up to little kiddo....
For my patient readers who came this far and who're about to roll their eyes at this seemingly childish ending... Let me tell you, its not. Life's not about living and getting it over with. Its about much more. Its about enjoying it. Its about being happy with it... And of course, using those tiny drops of faith to get by sometimes... :)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Anything for you, baby! ;)
Whoever said dealing with lil children is an easy task, probably never dealt with them. Take my word for it. If you're under the impression that kids are sugar and spice and everything nice... well, they're not. At least that's not all that they are!
I began work as a pre school teacher 5 months ago, and back then I was under the same impression too. Until I became their hands on care taker (Praise the Lord!). I doubt one learns as much in 3 yrs of college than one does within the first 3 months at work. Honest.
Now would be a good time to tell you what (or rather whom) I have on my hands every morning for 4 hrs a day. In the alphabetic order, here goes.
First there's Amrith. He's 5 yrs and few months old, but doesn't think he's too young to be dating his class teacher. Very bright and intelligent, in his free time is found either running around class driving his make believe taxi (insisting on giving unwilling classmates a ride), or flexing his "muscles" and showing off his latest haircut to a very amused me.
Then there's Ananya. She's a cute lil dumpling who loves playing 'kitchen-kitchen' with anything she can lay her chubby hands on. We've all been treated to her veg corn soup and chicken tikka combo in varying articles such as a pencil box to empty chalk cartons!
Then there's Dhruv. Good God. He takes the cake and the entire pantry with it. If there's anyone out there who wants to learn anger management techniques or want to increase their patience levels, ditch AoL classes or anything else you have in mind and contact me! Dealing with him alone will make you reach nirvana. The repeated usage of God's name will get you there. You can count on it.
Enrique. The stud of our class. With his impish good looks and chic dressing style (credit attributed to his even more fashionable mom) he can make you want to give in to anything he wants. Such is his effect, that if he tells you he's burnt your house down, you'd want to give him some kerosene to burn your garage down too. Anything to please him! :P
Harshita. She's a doe eyed lil princess who loves chewing on her hair. Haven't figured why she likes doing it yet, am working on it.
Mihir. He's one kid who consistently has the same expression on his face. Whether he's jumping the trampoline or wrestling with one of his friends. The serene half smile!
Then there's Nitya. She's an angel. She comes to school, does her work, goes home, does her homework, then comes back to school, does more work, goes home, does more homework.... get my drift?
Pranav. Smart kid whose recently lost two of his front teeth, such that he has to repeat everything he says, twice. "I eat my brother" was meant to be "I hit my brother".... See why I make him repeat?!
Then there's Rahul. A born brain. Exceptionally fast with his worksheets and anything related to acads, I wouldn't be surprised to know if he makes it to one of the premier institutes of our country 12 yrs down the line.
Satakshi. Oh my gosh. This girl'll make it to the front page of a newspaper for one of these reasons. For someone's suicide (she can make me want to kill myself), homicide (make me want to kill whoever hired me), or infanticide (make me... not really!)... While teaching them the spelling of 'Blue', she broke into the title track of the movie with the same name, right down to the dance steps. While singing the National anthem she began doing a self choreographed tribal dance. While trying to explain the sea world food chain to her, I felt like a fish at the bottom of the food chain myself, when opening and closing my mouth helplessly. The exasperation!
Shreya. She's a doll. She can give one the warmest of hugs and sweetest of smiles that make one forget whatever's bothering 'em. Even if its me, when I'm in the midst of tearing apart two feuding Lords of our class.
Shrimanth. When Shakespeare said "You can smile, smile and smile and still be a villain" he must've thought of someone like this kid. All of 16 and a half kilos he can get someone whose 10 times his weight in major soup if he wants to. Careful around that one!
Vaibhav. This kid can actually make you feel like Patrick Swayze from 'Ghost'. He won't look at you while you're talking to him. Won't reply. Won't do what you tell him to, and all this not in a rebellious manner. Just as though you don't exist. Am at my wits end with this one! :P
So the above's just a gist of what I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Yeah I have mad/bad days with my lil students but its all in a days work. Ask me to quit right now for a better paying job with saner people to deal with... and I'll pass. I can't think of not going to school tomorrow to meet my lil cherubs. To know what they did over the weekend, to watch them build tall buildings with blocks, to nurture a bruised knee maybe, and then to kiss the pain goodbye. Nope. I can't leave 'em. Not till they graduate from pre school.
I began work as a pre school teacher 5 months ago, and back then I was under the same impression too. Until I became their hands on care taker (Praise the Lord!). I doubt one learns as much in 3 yrs of college than one does within the first 3 months at work. Honest.
Now would be a good time to tell you what (or rather whom) I have on my hands every morning for 4 hrs a day. In the alphabetic order, here goes.
First there's Amrith. He's 5 yrs and few months old, but doesn't think he's too young to be dating his class teacher. Very bright and intelligent, in his free time is found either running around class driving his make believe taxi (insisting on giving unwilling classmates a ride), or flexing his "muscles" and showing off his latest haircut to a very amused me.
Then there's Ananya. She's a cute lil dumpling who loves playing 'kitchen-kitchen' with anything she can lay her chubby hands on. We've all been treated to her veg corn soup and chicken tikka combo in varying articles such as a pencil box to empty chalk cartons!
Then there's Dhruv. Good God. He takes the cake and the entire pantry with it. If there's anyone out there who wants to learn anger management techniques or want to increase their patience levels, ditch AoL classes or anything else you have in mind and contact me! Dealing with him alone will make you reach nirvana. The repeated usage of God's name will get you there. You can count on it.
Enrique. The stud of our class. With his impish good looks and chic dressing style (credit attributed to his even more fashionable mom) he can make you want to give in to anything he wants. Such is his effect, that if he tells you he's burnt your house down, you'd want to give him some kerosene to burn your garage down too. Anything to please him! :P
Harshita. She's a doe eyed lil princess who loves chewing on her hair. Haven't figured why she likes doing it yet, am working on it.
Mihir. He's one kid who consistently has the same expression on his face. Whether he's jumping the trampoline or wrestling with one of his friends. The serene half smile!
Then there's Nitya. She's an angel. She comes to school, does her work, goes home, does her homework, then comes back to school, does more work, goes home, does more homework.... get my drift?
Pranav. Smart kid whose recently lost two of his front teeth, such that he has to repeat everything he says, twice. "I eat my brother" was meant to be "I hit my brother".... See why I make him repeat?!
Then there's Rahul. A born brain. Exceptionally fast with his worksheets and anything related to acads, I wouldn't be surprised to know if he makes it to one of the premier institutes of our country 12 yrs down the line.
Satakshi. Oh my gosh. This girl'll make it to the front page of a newspaper for one of these reasons. For someone's suicide (she can make me want to kill myself), homicide (make me want to kill whoever hired me), or infanticide (make me... not really!)... While teaching them the spelling of 'Blue', she broke into the title track of the movie with the same name, right down to the dance steps. While singing the National anthem she began doing a self choreographed tribal dance. While trying to explain the sea world food chain to her, I felt like a fish at the bottom of the food chain myself, when opening and closing my mouth helplessly. The exasperation!
Shreya. She's a doll. She can give one the warmest of hugs and sweetest of smiles that make one forget whatever's bothering 'em. Even if its me, when I'm in the midst of tearing apart two feuding Lords of our class.
Shrimanth. When Shakespeare said "You can smile, smile and smile and still be a villain" he must've thought of someone like this kid. All of 16 and a half kilos he can get someone whose 10 times his weight in major soup if he wants to. Careful around that one!
Vaibhav. This kid can actually make you feel like Patrick Swayze from 'Ghost'. He won't look at you while you're talking to him. Won't reply. Won't do what you tell him to, and all this not in a rebellious manner. Just as though you don't exist. Am at my wits end with this one! :P
So the above's just a gist of what I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Yeah I have mad/bad days with my lil students but its all in a days work. Ask me to quit right now for a better paying job with saner people to deal with... and I'll pass. I can't think of not going to school tomorrow to meet my lil cherubs. To know what they did over the weekend, to watch them build tall buildings with blocks, to nurture a bruised knee maybe, and then to kiss the pain goodbye. Nope. I can't leave 'em. Not till they graduate from pre school.
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