'Tie and Sari Day' of Yesteryear

No, it’s not the usual Tie day for boys and Sari Day for girls that is been conducted in colleges. Actually it’s not even a Tie and the Sari Day but a Tie and Sari WEEK! What I’m talking about is a workshop that we had at the B-school that required all students to be in formal wear.

It was the second week of us joining the B-school. We had just begun mingling with each other and knowing each other; that we had this one week workshop!

Girls found it difficult to handle the saris, walking upstairs and downstairs the college (most of the times, the elevator didn’t work!). Boys didn’t have any issue, (I suppose) in handling their ties. The only issue they had that most of them didn’t know how to tie a tie! (Even today, some of them don’t know. Sigh!).

We were made to deliver speeches, write essays, novel review, observe etiquettes, conduct mock interviews etc. None of us left a stone unturned. Each of us put in best of our efforts to please the professor (in fact to be less humiliated in front of the entire batch of students).

It came as a surprise to us that while we deliver the speech or conduct an interview, our actions were been recorded on a video cam which was been telecast before rest of the students (Oh my god!).

‘To deliver a speech without a paper in hand is next to impossible’ is what we thought. But the challenge or fear whatever you call it, brought the confidence in us. (This deserves a pat on the back!)

We thought that acting as an interviewer was an easy task but it wasn’t. I’m sure many would agree with me. Having an objective of selecting a right candidate out of many is definitely not an easy task.

What was difficult was to submit a summary of how we performed by having a look at the videos. The comments that we received from the professor after every session sounded cynical. But as days passed by, we took it in the right spirit. We enjoyed the sessions that we had later during the year.

Some found the sessions to be humiliating while some found it hilarious.We have been mimicking the professor – the way he spoke and also mimicking some of our batch mates – the way they sounded foolish in front of the class.

Each of us has had an experience that hasn’t been left unspoken. We grumbled a lot but I’m sure each one of us still remembers and cherishes those moments. Even today, each of us has a hearty laugh when remembering those days! I’m sure we still have those FUNNY VIDEOS with us!

Deception

Wikipedia says,” An emoticon is a textual expression representing the face of a writer's mood or facial expression.”

Isn’t that true?

There was a time when I didn’t know what emoticons are. I only knew about one emoticon “smiley” which I didn’t use very often.

One of my friends used emoticons in every email and sms that she sent. Every message of hers would make me smile because of the use of different emoticons. That was the reason I became addicted to emoticons.

In Every sms, every email (to friends), every online chat, I use emoticons. After every sentence, I put an emoticon instead of “full stop”. It’s almost impossible for me to stop using emoticons. It’s like one of the punctuation marks without which a sentence seems incomplete; infact a message seems incomplete.

Without emoticons, the conversation doesn’t convey the writer’s feelings to the reader.

But at times, aren’t these false faces? Isn’t it like wearing a mask? Hiding your true emotions?

There are times when I am sad but I don’t want to convey the same to the reader, so I use a smiley icon instead of the sad one. A person could possibly hide his true feelings by using emoticons.

Isn’t it deceptive?

Or maybe it’s just a kind of non-verbal communication that adds glitter to the message and richness of meaning that cannot be communicated verbally.

It’s just the way one feels when words alone just aren't enough.

You say it best …When you say Nothing at all ;) <3 ;)

For My Valentine

A short poem For My Valentine (though I don't have any . Anyways its for all those who have one.)

Without you around , time passes so slowly
Lost into your thoughts, I never feel lonely...

I find you in the cool breeze,
And In the patter of the rain

That reminds me of your love
Ever so infinite and true....

And I know that
You'll always be there, always with me.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dido-Thank You Lyrics

My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why
I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window
and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey,
but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad,
it's not so bad

I drank too much last night, got bills to pay,
my head just feels in pain
I missed the bus and there'll be hell today,
I'm late for work again
And even if I'm there, they'll all imply
that I might not last the day
And then you call me and it's not so bad,
it's not so bad and

I want to thank you
for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you
is having the best day of my life

Push the door, I'm home at last
and I'm soaking through and through
Then you hand me a towel
and all I see is you
And even if my house falls down,
I wouldn't have a clue
Because you're near me and

I want to thank you
for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you
is having the best day of my life

I’m anxious …

When in school,
Felt that everyone treated me like a kid
And wanted to explore the world
So I was anxious to go to college

When in college,
Never felt independent
And wanted to earn my own money
And I was anxious to go for work

When at work,
Competition among peers crept in
More knowledge and more money was all I needed
So was anxious to go to a B-school

Now at B-school,
Lectures throughout the week
And the week doesn’t seem to end
To be with friends and family
Is just a dream

Now I understand
Life is a book of unsolved mysteries
I’m anxious to unravel them
But it seems to be very difficult.

Being Special

You always cared for me

But I always ignored you

You remembered my birthday every year

But I always forgot yours.

You sent me lovely and precious gifts

But I never appreciated them

You cried seeing me cry

But I always made fun of you

You helped me out through every difficulty

But I never thanked you

I wanted to tell you today

How SPECIAL you made me feel

Whenever you were with me!

But maybe now it’s too late

For now you’ve found someone else

Who makes you feel SPECIAL!

The Reason

I’ve felt the joy in sharing
I’ve felt the happiness in caring
I’ve felt the warmth of a smile
I’ve felt the innocence in a child

I’ve understood the meaning of sacrifice
I’ve understood the essence of forgiveness
I’ve understood the importance of being loved
I’ve understood the meaning of being kind

I’ve known how to be good
I’ve known how to be just
I’ve known how to spread happiness
I’ve known how to wipe away tears

I’ve learnt to help people in need
I’ve learnt to do everyday one good deed
I’ve learnt to win for no gain
I’ve learnt to laugh when in pain

And there’s only one reason for whatever I do
The Reason is YOU!

I wrote this poem after listening to the song “The Reason“by Hoobastank. I quote the following lines from this song; to all my friends

“And I just wanted you to know
Found out reason for me
To change the way I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is YOU!”

Jab we met

Last month I had gone to my best friend, Shilpa’s wedding in Pune. All of whom I knew at the wedding were Shilpa and her family. But they were quite busy in performing the puja. I was seated among the guests and was enjoying the music. But after an hour had passed, I was bored and was eagerly waiting for the wedding function to end.

Suddenly a guy came to me and sat next to me.
He said: “Hi. I’m Rahul. Naam toh suna hoga?
I thought: Oh! The same Bollywood dialogue. Is he talking to me or someone else?
Who is he? Why is he talking to me?
I wanted to shoo him off and gave him a rude reply.
I: “Yes. I’ve heard your name. My milkman’s name is Rahul. But you don’t look like him.”
He: “Hey! You’ve got a good sense of humour. You are Shilpa’s friend, Right? I am her cousin. “
I thought: So what? I am not interested in you.
He: “I was just making sure that all guests are being entertained but then you didn’t seem to be. Weddings are boring. Would you mind to come with me to the café for a cup of coffee?”
I said abruptly: “No thanks! I’d prefer to be alone than to spend time with a stranger. I don’t know you. And I don’t want to talk to strangers or be friendly with them.”
He said smilingly: “Strangers become friends only when you trust them. “

Saying this he walked away.
By then, the rituals were done. I had lunch and then gave the gift to Shilpa and her husband and wished them happy married life.

It was time to leave but it was raining very heavily. I had to be at Mumbai because the next day I had to attend a very important meet. But there was news that the trains from Pune to Mumbai have been cancelled. I was getting very panicky and wanted to reach Mumbai as soon as possible. Shilpa knew about this and was very worried. She then, walked towards me with a guy, and told him to drop me to Mumbai in his car. And guess who it was? Yes, it was Rahul….not my milkman…but that same stranger.
I wondered, ‘O my goodness, I won’t travel with him‘, but had no choice.

Throughout the journey from Pune to Mumbai, he was very nice to me and we became very friendly as if we knew each other for ages. He dropped me at my home and then we both departed with a smile saying, ‘Keep in touch’. From that day onwards, we became good friends.

I kept pondering over what he spoke to me at the wedding and then realized what he said was true. Truly, strangers become friends only when you have faith and trust in them.