The little childhood joy....

The air whipped my face, making the stubborn locks of hair fly away, towards the back. As I went soaring backwards and up again, exhilaration I hadn’t experienced since a long time came rushing back, filling me up with warmth and bringing that lost smile, along with the memories. I swung back and forth on one of the two still-in-place swings, watching the stars overhead and feeling that childhood gush of happiness. My slightly less adventurous and cautious brother tried to persuade me to swing low, saying, “Don’t swing so high! Slow down please! You remember how you flew- downwards, when you were swinging this high, at the age of ten?”

That made me smile. : ) Not only because I always love the concern in his voice, but because his comment made me revisit my life as it was many years ago. The time when I just loved going the highest, when on a swing, not giving a thought to minor possible hazards such as a fall straight on the gravel (which came true a couple of painful times! :P). Nevertheless it was one of the prominent joys I looked forward to, every evening. And now I was experiencing the same joy, after so many monotonous years.

The park’s a few metres away from my place and I mostly use it to get across to the lone daily supplies shop in the block. Or to photograph the plants, flowers and colourful birds on good days, but hardly ever to get on the swings and fly high, with my brother on the adjacent swing, swinging slowly and trying to keep me from falling off! This was the first time, when our parents suggested we go ‘get some fresh air’ and we ended up on the empty swings (since it was night time). That moment, when the air filled my lungs and I again felt that sense of delight I used to experience almost daily, I thought of what my life has come to be, hollow, looking for pleasure in temporary fixes, in Facebook and the stupid, virtual world. That’s when I finally realized that typing a silly ‘LOL’ doesn’t actually make me laugh, but just makes me consume harmful rays (or whatever it is that laptops and PCs emit) and waste a hell lot of energy. While a stroll in the park brings so much happiness that it cannot be even expressed in a whole paragraph!

My aunts (bhuas) on the swings in our park! :)

The World all over is observing ‘Earth Hour’ at 8.30pm IST, today. I urge you to follow it too. You just need to switch off the lights, fans and basically other appliances that can be switched off without causing any problems (like your beloved laptop) and try to save energy. Believe me, it’s the least we can do to contribute something worthwhile from our side to this planet we call our home. And while you’re at it, don’t get online through your phones, but get outside, meet neighbours, walk in the park, watch kids playing, enjoy the breeze and if possible, be the child you were many years ago and do what you loved. Play cricket, get on top of swings or any other physical activity you like. It may seem funny if I suggest you start swinging, even if you're officially an adult, but really, it isn’t funny at all. People would secretly admire your nerves and you might just convince them to do the same! Try it! (See the pictures for inspiration. These are my two wonderful aunts, who do what they enjoy. :))

After all, true joy lies in living life like a child. It’s up to you to believe it or not.

PS- I really didn't want to include spoilers, but I might get curses if I don’t warn you beforehand. Just make sure you haven’t had your dinner before you get on the swings! You might end up feeling nauseated for a full hour after the initial exhilaration! :P  

              

R-E-C-A-P-I-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N !!!

Even though I had something new to post (which I'm going to save for a better time), I'm not going to post anything new. Wait, this post is a new post, even if it doesn't essentially have anything new! See, THIS is called exams-are-looming-over-your-head-and-you-haven't-started-studying-yet syndrome! :P

Thanks to my awesome habit of leaving everything for the last two weeks, I'll have to use every single minute starting today (which should actually have started yesterday :P), till the 18th of March, when my exams get over and I'll be able to blog about it guilt-free!

But I just couldn't disappear from the blogosphere awein, just-like-that, no? I've already given reasons for the next two non-posting weeks, and I'm going to leave you with my past posts! That's what I sometimes like to do, read what I had blogged about almost two years ago! Some posts seem just like a yesterday thing, and some feel ages old. 

This was my first post ever! Getting Late!

I don't even remember what made me create a blog in the first place, and when I had finally made it, the first thing I posted was about being late everyday? :P LOL! No wonder it's acted like some kind of jinx and I haven't been on time, especially since then! (and whoa! No capital letters, no formatting. Idiot me.)

This was the first time I posted about seeing an act of child labor that had me agitated. Quite the Irony. I can see capital letters, but needs formatting. :P (I was really moved by the picture, 'One child's rhyme, other child's destiny').

This is hilarious! When I learned driving, this was what I felt! Crazy Rides! And this post contains the first comment this blog ever received by a senior in college, who inspired me with his own blog. (Check it out- Thinking Cap).

This was also the first instance I talked about in Metropolitan Diary in HT City!

Keep Your Cool was a random post, where I gave my silly tips to deal with even sillier situations! :P

A World Apart is one of my favorites, since it talks about the world of dreams- something I hold on to dearly. I just LOVE the weird unidentifiable connection with dreams and the conscious mind. I would recommend you to read it for sure. :)

Howw can I not mention my first ever Metro Diaries!! Just something that's so much a part of my life. Metro Diaries #2 followed suit pretty soon.

Unheard Wish is the first attempt at a sentimental poem thingy. That was about it, though. I haven't attempted another one since! :P

Being Naughty would tell you how I think of devilish ideas for those who're just annoying! ;)

Exams??? No problem was a humor-filled straight from the heart post about my suggestions for doing well in exams! It's exam time for most of us, you might just benefit from it! :P 

While you're at it, see why I find exams Unfair!

The Ride was a pitiable attempt at Fiction, supposed to be a scary account, but ended up leaving readers (my brother, parents, friends) in giggles.! *sigh*

The Transition talks about feelings I experienced at the beginning of the final year in college (the feeling's not changed a teeny weeny bit!)

What Real HP fans don't like- This was the result of a harrowing experience at the theater, when I had gone for the Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows movie, and got my enthusiasm punctured by morons everywhere!! 

The Indian Way of Life- Something all Indians can identify with. ;). The little and the not-so-little things we do!

The Greater Creatures is an account of my experience when I saw what drives people to extend a kind hand towards other creatures, and why some people don't. (In other words, the time when I saved a dog! :P)

The last post for 2011 and the one that talks about fun and fulfilling things I really want to do! A New Year, New Living: Beyond Everyday was inspired by a HUGE (read 14 pages long) cover story in Mint Lounge, that I found too good to resist!

I've realized I've posted so many of my previous post links, so many that no one's even going to read it! But so what, I've got to at least do something before I disappear, hence this post (which doesn't have anything new! Haha!). I'll still be on the lookout for lovely comments from lovely readers, so don't hesitate! I'll surely reply back! :)

And hey! No one's congratulated me on my new blog, which is all about Books! :D

If you're a book lover, please go through it and let me know what you think! I would love to interact with like-minded people and the really smart ones who loouveee Fiction (or books in general!). 

'<'Journal of a Bookworm'>

Have a Happy week! (or two weeks! :P) 

Tea for Two Tuesdays # last!

When Preeti Shenoy said this is going to be the last prompt, I never thought I would feel this sad. After all, the last three weeks I've only posted here thanks to her creative prompts, or the blog would've been February-2012-empty! So before I start I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Preeti, because of whom I've come across some amazing people with equally amazing blogs! Thanks a million and I hope we'll get to participate in some other kind of prompts sometime later. :)

This time there are questions to answer, the kind of questions that tell what kind of a person we are. I guess I'll have to answer seriously; I don't want to be taken as a self-criticizing-lunatic who's always talking about her clumsiness. :P

Question# 1. If you had Rs.50,000 to just blow up (you have to spend it on YOURSELF. Giving to Charity or buying gifts for others not allowed), what would you spend it on and why?

 My Answer: My plan of travelling solo here won't do because one, I'm still too young (:P) and two, budget constraints ;). Sooo, I'll work towards my other mission- to have a huge room with wall to wall bookshelves, filled with all the books I've ever read (including the kiddie ones) and all those I want to read. I guess I'll spend around Rs. 30,000 on this or add another 5000. That would give me approximately 175 books (if the average's Rs. 200). Not bad, I could live a couple of years easily with such a haul! For the rest of the amount, I'll buy a Kindle. Probably Amazon. Even though I'm kind of opposed to the idea of e-books (but that's only because I'm kind of 'traditional', loving all things old and ancient), I think I ought to have one, just for the sake of it! :P

Question# 2. Name three of your closest friends (not family or spouse) and say why you love them.

My Answer: That's a tricky question. There are many people I love, but two are really close and those I'll choose over the rest in a situation that demands it, like this one.

Apoorva: For being kind enough to let me stay with her during the first day in college, when I didn't know anyone (she was with her Mom, but I was totally alone), for staying through with me all these three years, having fun, providing help and guidance and being a face I could turn to during all kinds of situations- happy or sad, and who's always the first to know whatever's happening with me. :)

Kanika: For being the person who gestured to me to sit with her in Class X when we were shuffling seats and I couldn't find any free bench, for being the only person I've sat with since that day till the end of school, for bearing with the snob that I used to be (don't believe it, I'm only exaggerating), for bringing along friends, ready to celebrate the birthdays, for telling me about stuff not related to books! :)

Since I'm not actually cruel (just try to forget the last prompt post. Please!), and I would feel terrible if I left anyone out, I'm categorizing the third person as a group (sorry!). Shivani, Shruti, Sunmeet- for being the buddies I've had the fun of my life with, Aneesha and Richa- for making our group studies the fun it ought to be, Rachit- for hearing out my ramblings and helping with all things technical. :) :P

Question# 3. Name three books which have profoundly affected you and which you would recommend to everyone to read.

My Answer: Tricky question again! I love 99% of the books I've read, but the three that have had a profound effect on me would be:

1. The Harry Potter series: Though I've always loved reading, my real mania with novels began with Harry Potter. It isn't just a magical story. There's a strong message on the power of "love" behind it, which I feel has been expressed in a subtle, yet strong manner. If you haven't read all the books yet, I would ask you to read it.

2. The Secret Garden by F.H. Burnett: It's the kind of classic I can read over and over again. Wonderful descriptions about everything- the war, the ruins, the new towns, the feelings and emotions the little girl protagonist goes through- all of it left a deep impact and kept me thinking about how lonely life could be for some people, why we need to appreciate our life the way it is, for it could be a lot worse. 

3. The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson: Among the first books that threatened to make tears spill out. I read this a long time ago, but I find myself going back to it often. I love it for its descriptions of the beautiful city of Vienna, for the wonderful story line and the way it's been told, for giving out the message of innocence and love and how pure relations needn't be only blood relations. :)

Question# 4. If you know for certain that you can never ever fail, what would you attempt to do?

My Answer: Well, there are a lot of things I want to do and if it's given I'll be successful in that, I would attempt to:

- Go Scuba diving. I would anyway do that, I never thought about failure! I've always wanted to do this, ever since I learnt its full form in school. A funny kind of inspiration, but that's true! (By the way, SCUBA stands for 'Self-Contained-Underwater-Breathing-Apparatus' ;))

- Ditto Paragliding and all adventure sports.

- Write as many books as possible!

Question# 5. What is THE ONE THING that you want very very badly?

My Answer: That's harder than I thought it would be! I'm grateful for whatever I have, but the thing I want real bad is- freedom. Freedom to do all things I've always wanted to, most of which I haven't still done thanks to this city that's gradually turning into a crime city. With news channels blaring with horrendous news, parents feel pressed not to let their kids out on their own, and this has stopped me along with many other kids, from living the carefree life our parents lived. (I'm still grateful though, when I see kids these days. It's even harder for them!).

Judging by the length of the post, it seems I tried to put in the most, from among the things I wanted to. Dismayed as I am with the end of the Tuesday prompts, I'm hopeful for more new features I can participate in and there's always Preeti Shenoy's lovely blog! :)

After all, 'the end is the beginning of something even more beautiful.'

PS- Don't forget to grab this best-selling author's latest book, 'Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake'!

Confessions of thyself...

Anndd it’s Tuesday! Meaning author Preeti Shenoy’s Tuesday meme, which for this week is: “Write a sentence about yourself, first sentence starting with T, second with E and third with A (as it spells TEA). If you want to write more, write four more sentences, but they have to start with C, A, K and E respectively. (CAKE).”

Though I’m going to bend the rule a little and write a little more than a single sentence (I admit, I have a problem with anything ‘short’, clothes included.), I hope I’ll be able to pass it off and readers wouldn’t want to kill me. (You wouldn't be able to anyway, I’ve hidden my contact details! Ha!)

Considering how I’m always told that people love the ‘honest’ side of me, I decided to completely overwhelm them and write nothing but pure facts. After all, people matter in life, right? 

Sooo, brace yourselves guys! Here goes:

T- Totally a Thinker. I’m one of those rare species who really appreciates God’s greatest invention- the ability to talk to yourself in your mind! I might look aloof on the surface, but there are a million thoughts about you zooming around in my head! (Hey, you! Your cap’s a little lopsided. Check the mirror, will you? :P)

E- Enviousness is a trait all Scorpios have (technically, it’s called jealousy, but I like to keep myself in a positive light). Especially with all things branded and cute, and stuff related with my personal interests. Anyone’s spoiling it for me, or if they’re not being grateful for the stuff I could kill for, I've developed a strong dislike for them. And it’s very tough to change it. Very. (Jeez, I sound so......dangerous. :P)

A- An over-sentimental who would look for meanings in all words you utter (or not utter), pauses included! (Why did you pause? Was that followed by a lie? I can’t believe you!!!). Yeah, I know that’s too much. But that’s it, as well. I dunno why my sibling calls me a Drama Queen! Huh!

Since I already mentioned how I don't like anything short, I'll type down 'sentences' for CAKE as well. :)

C- Cruella-de-Vil’s long lost step sister! Yes, I’m very cruel, especially towards my younger brother. Sentence over, now I’m Rs. 500 richer! Before you stop reading further because it’s not making sense, I asked my family to describe me with these alphabets. That’s what my dear brother said- “Cruel”. And challenged me to write it for all to read (the poor guy has no clue how meagre the readership for this blog is!) and said I’ll get 500 bucks for this! (Yeea, now you know how much I’m cruel ;))

A- Attentive to everything weird. ‘Normalcy’ doesn’t excite me much, so I’m always on the lookout for stuff that’s out-of-place and get so involved in it that the real, ‘serious’ world lies ignored, on the side. No wonder I get funny looks if I compare some evil person to a parsimonious pixie!

K- Klutziness is my domain. I really believe I could do a P.hd in the subject and excel worldwide! Breaking fragile stuff, tripping over practically flat pieces of land, speaking when I know I shouldn’t, taking the wrong turns- these are everyday things for me. :)

E- Exclusive. Everybody wants to go boating, I want to go Scuba diving (though that hasn't happened in reality, yet. Just an example). I would find something interesting, and then a whole group of people would find that interesting too, then it wouldn’t be long before I opt out of it. Sad, really, but it can’t be helped.

So, that sums up things, about me, stated very clearly, that some would already know and some would find so amusing they wouldn’t even believe. *Sigh*, nobody even takes me serious! 

PS- Sunday, World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan, Delhi. I’ve got an interesting event in the morning I would like to participate in, but I’ll try my very best to arrive at the WBF by 2.00pm and meet Preeti Shenoy herself! :D