In dodo's head

Picture was taken in December, edited it for fun today. A quote to live by, difficult though.. 

So as I near the end of yet another chapter, the insides of my brain are working full time, churning and scrambling, putting together gigabytes of knowledge, trying to make sense of what it is that SOAS has taught me as part of its 'Development Studies' masters. The whole term flew by so past, and now all we have left are two essays, exams and a chunky dissertation to write. It is only natural, being the distracted soul that I am, that I choose to reflect on what I have learned so far, than to actually get to writing my essays due very soon now (very very soon).. I have a theory. Hypothesis really. That school is really the only time you learn something new, the consequent degrees or whatever are just certificates to adorn the walls of your room. And work? I am still yet to fully discern how I am to make a direct linkage between what I have studied so far and which (un)lucky workplace's cubicle I am going to fill with my mess. If you are not sensing the vibe already,...

I took this picture in Imphal, April 2011

And at the end of the day, when we look at ourselves in the mirror, are we proud of what we see? Are we happy with the choices we have made and the baggage we left behind? Are we satisfied with the things we have ended up with? Or do we want to go back and make changes? Isn't that what life is about? Choices and decisions. I think back, Life takes me on museum trips, I see the people I have chosen to surround my life with, I look at the times I stuck by their side, And the times I snuck out at their darkest hour, I have done things I am not proud of. Conscience comes in its white robe, Haunting me, nagging me to press 'Undo'.. And yet I ignore it, We are all human, Good and bad decisions are as predictable, As the flipping of a coin, Probability is 50-50, But when does one really know which is which..

“ But don’t forget who you really are. And I’m not talking about your so-called real name. All names are made up by someone else, even the one your parents gave you. You know who you really are. When you’re alone at night, looking up at the stars, or maybe lying in your bed in total darkness, you know that nameless person inside you… Your muscles will toughen. So will your heart & soul. That’s necessary for survival. But don’t lose touch with that person deep inside you, or else you won’t really have survived at all. 
 ” — - Louis Sachar

Home again- Kwanuko Soothing music..

(picture was taken in Oxford 2012)

Tell me to be the best version of myself, Tell me you will never compare me to any, Never make me feel so insecure, Never make me bitter. I do not want to be those things. All I ask is for you to love and accept me as I am. Encourage me to pull myself up from every pitfall, But don't push me onto sky high mountains, Expecting me to scale each one. Be patient with me. I might be taking baby steps, But surely I am getting somewhere. Don't make me doubt that. Don't spell out the goals you would like me to achieve, That only makes me want to be defiant. Instead be proud of whatever little I achieve myself, I know it's not a lot, and sometimes you want more. But I am only little me, still discovering myself. Respect me enough to give me some space, Don't choke me in my golden cage, Allow me to writhe and fly free, I will come back to you. Bigger, stronger, wiser.

such a beautifully written song.. tugs the heart strings.. :)

picture from the internet what does it take, to not look at people from the tinted glasses of hate, to not judge so quickly, and brush off their pluses, and focus on their negatives. we all have our insecurities, we all like to keep them masked. why then do we choose, to attack people and lash out,  poking at the wrongs, and making them feel miserable. what joy is there to be had, in putting someone down. if at all, two or more words is to be spent, spend it on praise and encouragement, love and support. can we say it enough, life’s too short to live in hate. instead chose love.. focus on the ones you love. don’t indulge in hate. else someday your conscience will wake, now or later, surely it will,

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become  vain or bitter;  for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disen...

interesting article i found in the Hindu about parenting.. ( http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article2932763.ece ) Ensure that your child gets the best out of life; understand that each child is different and celebrate that difference; foster their individuality; nurture their talent; tell them it's okay to make mistakes; teach them to learn from their mistakes. I was recently invited to give a presentation at a seminar, organised by a school in Coimbatore, about parenting in the digital age. I am not a qualified child psychologist. Neither can I claim expertise in guiding parents. My having three children is enough to raise eyebrows. I became a parent when I was 19! That is the age most teenagers today rack their brains, studying for engineering exams, preparing for CAT or dreaming of a master's degree abroad. Whatever the age one chooses to become a parent, the fact remains that raising a child can never be taught. It is a process that one learns along t...

Two worlds apart, My Moo and I. Barter and trade stories, our lives, Two worlds apart. Peek into our sides, Do right the wrongs. So far away, And yet make things work. My moo and I. Moo works too hard. I too little. Moo has big ambitions, Juggles work with GMATs and French, I while away time. And I don't even know what dreams are. Through glimpses into each other's lives, we learn.. Too much work and no play ain't no fun. Too much play and no work leads nowhere. And so my Moo and I, We sit together, Too worlds apart. And make wrongs right.

Last weekend, I, with two of my close friends attended the Oxford Forum on International Development, a conference for students to sit and listen, and even interact with renowned people in the development field.  The trip started off in its usual characteristic chaotic way. We reached Oxford with fifteen minutes to spare (blame the London traffic!!). People around the bus stop did not know where the Said Business School was, we ended up using Sri's 'reliable' I-phone map which told us that our destination was 40 minutes of walking away. We were a little taken back having been told the bus stop was around the school.  Nevertheless not having much of an option we began our walk across the town of Oxford. After what it seemed like miles of walking, we asked another passer by for directions, only to be told that we were in fact going the opposite way. Circles around Oxford ensued, and we found ourselves finally in front of the School a whole hour late. The Confere...

 It's the weekend.. 'Man of contemplation' vs 'Man of action'.. " In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated. Our world prizes extroverts -- but Susan Cain makes a case for the quiet and contemplative. "                            http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html

Oxford, February 2012 The bus paused at another step, and a river of people flooded into the aisles of the bus- adding more specimens for me to observe from my corner. People fascinate me in their entirety. Complexities of each individual- and how they all form communities of what at a superficial level function seem like minded individuals but are really in themselves individual in character.. We walk past hoards of people each day, they bump into us on crowded pavements, they amble alongside us on our way to class.. We analyse each, immediately categorizing them into 'safe' and 'dangerous'. Atleast I do. The dangerous ones are the shabbily dressed, scruffy or suspicious looking individuals you immediately want to cross the road and avoid. The others well, are safe.. We observe their mannerisms, and these in turn lets us delve into our own interpretations of what it could be that led them to be how they are today.

(Took the picture in Lake District May 2011)