A Day in the life of an average teen.

Yeah, I'm an average teen. Nothing very interesting that I am good at (maybe except creating embarrassing situations for myself every now and then- ya I'm EXCELLENT in doing that!!!) and nothing very appealing about my looks. Half the time I'm not sure what to do, what to say, when to say and stuff like that. You got it, I'm just another teenager.

Today was a day that couldn't have been less than a "jumble", with so many confused decisions, laughing and fighting at the same time, enjoying one moment, then being frustrated at the second!

It started with me finally getting up in the morning, after hitting the snooze button a thousand times, looking all flustered in the rush to reach in time for the second lecture (the first is missed... I forgot it was supposed to start early!).

Reach the metro station, ask the Security lady about a new route (we had planned to go to Dilli Haat near INA in the south for work for the college magazine--yes, I'm finally into it!) . The lady said a measley "yes" when I asked if the route's started yet and impatiently pushed me and gave me such a look as if I was planning to bomb the station in question!

Without saying 'Thank You' to her, I climbed the stairs to the platform (I NEVER use the lifts, it's for the old and physically challenged, not for fit people). The train rolled onto the platform, filled with people bursting near the doors, with no space even for a particle. I see more people struggling and wriggling to get in (don't they ever feel like breathing normally? What's the point of traveling like a herd of sheep, when you can't even stand straight, without leaning on other people?).
I miss two more similar overfull trains (I am already late, I'm still gonna make that stupid excuse and still gonna get that weird stare from the teacher), until I find the one where I think I could breathe and stand properly. Trying to stand away from aunties (who piss you off no matter what, by snatching your comfortable place or by giving you those annoying looks- you know what I mean!), I reverse count the number of stations left..
Get a text from my bestie - where have you reached??? I'm getting bored, pls do come fast. Yippee.... there's a soul in this world who misses me!

Happily text back- "4 stations left.. 20 mins..".

Finally reaching my station, I make a bargain with the rickshaw-wallah who decides to move slowly (to make me realize that I should pay him more, I guess).

Making a sorry face and claiming to be unwell, I enter the classroom with every other student sitting there(how do they manage????). I try to ignore the stares and move as silently as possible to the desk that's not been cleaned. No pen again! Borrow it from someone and listen to the teacher as if I'm getting in every word!

There's a talent hunt in college, so me and my bestie submit our names for "photography" (since we joined the society in the first year and got a little knowledge out of it).

We roam about, finding other friends, supposedly to start for our little day picnic (officially for the magazine work ;) ). 

We wanted to explore that part of the city on one side and stay at college to attend the Hunt on the other.

After about two hours of analyzing the situation (that's what we've studied commerce for!), we finally decide to go south. 

Boarding the Metro train easily (did I mention that traveling with friends is much easier than traveling alone?) we chatted and gossiped (what else could we do?) about people in college, in the metro, everywhere! Laughing, talking and asking for directions every now and then, we reached our destination. Grabbing a bite hurriedly, we bought tickets and entered. 

Ohhhh.. the place's so colorful! Beautiful handicrafts filled every stall. Artefacts bought down especially from the different states kept us transfixed! Clicking pictures of every other thing that stood for Cultural Diversity (which was the theme for the exhibition and we were there to take pictures), we window shopped (and actually shopped in some cases!), had snacks and drinks (among flies that loved our drinks as much as we did) and spent some pretty time in the vicinity.

We started back home in the late afternoon. I reached my place in the evening, where my Mom took a full report of where we went and what we did, chiding at the same time (I got a pair of very pretty bangles. Mom said I should've got more than just that!!!). 

The bell rang and there stood my neighborhood friend. Exchanging talks about our respective experiences that day, we took a small walk in the park, which soothed my senses instantly. The rest of the evening was spent with the telly and on Facebook (who can miss that???), with no trace of studies! (But I've got a valid excuse. Hey, it's Friday, meaning we've got two whole days off to grope with our textbooks, plus we've been doing magazine work since morning (yeah, right! ;) ).

I text chatted with my bestie before sleeping, plugged in the earphones, listened to my favorite tracks countless times and dozed off without even bothering to take them off! (No wonder I need to charge the cell phone every single morning!). Hehee. :))))

PS- I broke the strap of one of my slippers (yes-AGAIN!!!) on our way TOWARDS south. We didn't find any cobbler and I didn't like any pair at the shops we explored (plus I wouldn't spend my bucks on a measley slipper! In any case, I'm used to it!), so I  dragged it all along! ;)

Metro Diaries....!

8.20 AM : Reaching the Station puffing and panting, dragging my overfull bag, struggling to keep hold on my cell phone that never stops ringing or beeping, going through the security check (that I find useless), habitually looking at the train time schedule (just looking, mind you.. it takes more time to workout the time left than it takes to actually reach the platform, and I prefer the latter).. 

That's how my frantic day starts and this post is just devoted to my daily metro travels..:)

Background: Class scheduled to start at 8.30, teacher always on time, 90% of students always on time (hey! I'm not the only exception ok? There are the rest lousy 10% for my company), wake up call by best friend in the morning, I take the call, look at the comfy bed, lie down only to wake up startled at the time, blaming family for not waking me up (who DO make an effort, but I'm not going to let them know this!)., end up looking hassled and matching pink with red! (OMG), I rush to the station cursing all slow people on the way..

8.25 AM: Board the metro. Text my Bestie to message back when class starts (that's to have an idea of the degree of impatience the teacher might show when I enter) and shuffle in to find a place to stand (getting a seat is unimaginable, almost impossible). I choose a place near the corner seats adjoining the door. That way you're near the exit and still have a 0.0000001% chance of getting a seat!

[Eight stations to go ... I reverse count the number of stations as we pass them, getting a breath only when I reach 4 at least. This doesn't include the uncomfortable sensation in my heart as time ticks by].

The lady sitting on the seat in front of me (which says 'for old and physically challenged' and she doesn't look either of that ) keeps throwing covert looks at me, sometimes even staring shamelessly! Alright, I might be looking weird to you lady, but that's what I call my Style!

Making way for someone or the other at each stop, I desperately try to shift the focus of my mind from my present condition to some pleasant moments spent with friends or hoping to spend during the day, but those interfering aunties hardly make it possible. Aunties are the biggest problem for teens I tell you! They give every kid such a look as if we're all spoilt brats and have no mannerisms at all. Block an auntie's way and listen to the steady stream of complaints she'll  shower on you! (Standing in the way, have no sense, these kids never listen, what have they learnt from parents...where parents come in I don't know.... etc etc..). I encounter aunties like these every so often, I've mastered the art of ignoring them. They'll most cleverly snatch your comfortable place, and if by a streak of Golden luck, you spot someone going to empty the seat, she'll be there in a flash and take the seat even before you make your mind to sit!

8.35 : Bestie's message- class started.. where are you???

Guiltily replying- Just three more to go.. 10 minutes.:(

The crowd at next station is far more than usual and you're transported to a place a metre away from where you stood, even without moving your feet! Finding myself amidst people (no offense, seriously, but just one question-Why can't people bother to spray a bit of deodorant before leaving for work? I'm already prone to breathlessness and stay wary of crowds!) well, no-deo users is common, so I take special care to spray extra bits of my favorite perfume (now I remember, I'm running short of it!!!) . But the sad thing is that I can hardly get its fragrance then.

8.40 : Pushing my way near the doors. Just one to go! Yippee.. already anticipating the gush of fresh wind that I'll delightfully accept as soon as I step out. The doors open (thankfully), I start towards the stairs.. Uh Oh!! 

Slow my movements.. that weirdo belongs to my class! ( What if (s)he spotted me and asked me for company? I'm one of those kinds who really need to learn the art of saying "NO")..

See the person disappear, move super fast, take a rickshaw, bargaining at the same time and requesting the rickshaw wallah to move fast..

To my dismay, he moves super slowly! Reach college gates at 8.45!!!

Running like mad, climbing the awful stairs (what happened to our classroom on the ground floor???), panting and straightening my clothes, hair, bag. Pause outside the door, take a deep breath AND OPEN IT!!!
The teacher turns round, looks at me, everyone looks up from their books......

The outcomes vary differently everyday. I leave it upto you to decide the outcome of your choice, but please don't be too harsh! I'm a teen after all.. not any criminal! ;)

Keep Your Cool!!!

Inspired by the column, 'A Calmer You' in HT City on Sundays (that I make a point to read no matter what) I thought of some really silly stuff that makes our heart swirl with that uneasy feeling when we could be rather at peace!!!

Problem #1 : Looking at pictures of other people's family visits to exotic places while you spent your vacations at home, trying to fix all that stuff you couldn't during the working days.

What to do??? : Obviously you can't book a vacation just by getting those envious pangs(maybe yes, if you've got the bucks in sacks underground!).. So, just think of things , fun things you did at home! You forgot, your Dad took a week off and you had a blast playing games and joking and what not! Compare it with a vision of the 'exotic' family at their resort, with the dad scolding the kids for smashing the delicate windows while playing in the garden!!! Feeling good already? There's more...

Problem #2 : Seeing someone dressed chic while you're in your most boring T Shirt and baggy jeans... You get to see such people only when you're not in a mood to dress and end up looking from someone in the nineties while that someone is following the uber cool latest trend!

What to do??? : Well, you shouldn't care actually. You are what you are.. You weren't put on this Earth to impress people, were you? Still, if you care being out shadowed, imagine that trend follower tripping or getting the dress messed up(you can only imagine, it's not going to happen anyways)... Those high heels must be looking gorgeous but she'll be soaking her feet in hot water later in the day, while you'll be curled up comfortably in your warm bed reading your favorite book or listening to that favorite track!

Problem #3 : YOU got that branded T Shirt, you loved it and are wearing it!! So HOW come that idiot's wearing the same thing???

What to do??? : Well, common problem. One thing that's NOT the solution is sitting in your classroom all day so that people don't see you're wearing the ditto thing! Why's that idiot roaming about confidently and you're sitting feeling stumpy when you should be feeling great! Do the reverse!! Go out and show yourself! The next thing you may know he/she maybe sitting in the room! (If not, well, just ignore!)..

Problem #4 : You're late as always, starting late reaching late, thinking of lame excuses.... scared of entering the class half an hour after it started.. scared even more to miss it!

What to do??? : I've a question- Why? Unless you're extra sincere than required, you'll not be so apprehensive about the outcome, right? Just think about that student who bunks more than necessary and still scores better than you. Take advantage of the remaining half hour and do something constructive like having the day's special in the canteen (you missed your breakfast, right?). Be cool, there are thirty more students, you'll get the notes from someone!!!


Problem #5 (This one's for girls) : You forgot to change your nail paint for the next day and end up with an orange outfit with purple, red, black , green whatever weird color on your nails. On top of that, your hair's gone all oily and you can't wash because your family's against hair washing and nail cutting on tuesdays and thursdays, saturdays even!

What to do??? : Well, why don't you try to be the trend setter for once? Don't hide your hands in pockets! Take them out and show confidently. Believe me, you might end up setting a whacky trend!!!
As for the bad hair day, give your hair a different look, style it differently, wear some outfit that goes with it so the attention is diverted from hair to clothes! No one will notice your oily hair! What's more, you might be able to grab a compliment or two! (It's a tried and tested technique, I got a few compliments when I styled my hair differently on one of the bad days!!!)

Situations like these surely make us lose our cool easily, for we're human beings and living in these times means there's very little patience, too much meanness and anxiety! The trick is to be smart and think positive! :)

Life's Lighter Moments......

Vacations over.. College reopens... No more sleeping late, waking up at noon and doing just about anything you wish to do, from watching the telly all day to invading other people's lives through Facebook! Sure, it's all possible on weekends, but it will come along with boring assignments to be marked by strict teachers.

In all this hustle bustle, we may find ourselves being lost, not knowing what to feel and thereby being miserable! Thinking of things that made us happy in the past or those that seem to be a laugh later seems to be the correct dose to find that much needed smile :).

For instance, I'm always bumping into things, tripping, stepping on people's toes or breaking something (this explains why my parents suddenly get important stuff out of my sight before I can have a look or pick them up!). Those moments may have been some of the most embarrassing, but when you think about it, it's the people around you that make it awkward. You would never feel bad about tripping if no one saw you! So, forget that there was anybody around (for we shouldn't give a thought to what they think. It doesn't matter.. they don't know you!) and laugh about it when you remember it the next time :D.

The second thing that makes your little heart swell is when you accidentally hear someone speaking good of you. It's a fabulous feeling, for in this smug world, people will definitely not want to praise someone unless they have been actually good and definitely won't do it in front of you. So Cheer Up!!!

My most favorite is finding money in my jeans pocket. I love this so much that I deliberately keep money in hidden pockets, hoping I would forget about it and would feel the excitement when I discover it next time, which also means a treat, for I always keep a part of 'found' money for a little treat!

Another instance is when you and your best friend are thinking along the same lines and you know the other is thinking the same thing even without speaking! (That's why I've joined a group on Facebook , 'Me and my best friend have the same mind, I swear!). This is most effective when you both know that the person babbling in front of you is lying! :)

Apart from all of these, the best feeling is derived out of helping somebody (and I don't mean helping some two faced sneak who'll never be grateful, though why anyone would help is a big question). Most effective is helping the needy. The next time you see a hungry street kid when you're buying yourself your favorite chips or chocolate, buy one for the kid as well and see the face light up! You'll feel blessed, believe me!

There's a lot more to it, but you'll have to discover your happiness points for yourself and if any one of them happen, it will make your day! Try it, just notice! Observe!!! :)