Saturday, December 27, 2008

'tis the reason to be jolly

It is a wonder how the human mind finds innumerable reasons to celebrate. Take New Year's Eve for example. It is one time of the year when there is an excitement of something ending and something new beginning. Therein lies one of the oldest concepts that we so unabashedly use in our work. Particularly we mind you. The concept of a reset.

So here goes.

Every New Year’s Eve I look back in retrospection (because one does not have any choice in the matter having been bludgeoned into looking back, by the world in general and the media and idiot box in particular) at the year gone by. I peruse through the months spent in arduous work that includes the daily struggle to pull myself out of bed and the angry bickering and noise of the traffic that I swim through, getting rather bothered and dusty I might add, in the process of leading a life. I am struck with the absolute horror of monotony not realizing that monotony pays. And pays quite well too!

It is not that I do not find anything worth noting in the year gone by. I see that I've grown a few millimetres taller (I am 5feet and almost 6 inches tall now...YAY) and I see that I am not as "round" as I was last year...LOL!! Though I am no way near being slim, I am OK now!! I couldn't get into the best of the colleges in the country, but I made it to one of the best colleges in my state/city. If there is but one thing that I would have liked to interchange, it would probably be this. Then I take note of the people. All like me and each in his/her own way, trying to be different…like me. The new people I have met and the people I fell out with. The old friends and their new found joys in study, family or children. The family members, especially the little ones grown older and the older ones ageing fast.

I take note of the decisions made in the last year. Decisions in my opinion are underrated. Especially when taken in career and money matters. For one, there is nothing much to decide if one looks objectively. It is more a choice rather than a decision. I took a new job. I wanted to study journalism after my 12th grade. But in India, people give you murderous looks if you don't end up being engineers or doctors. So, I took up engineering (I am a person who is too afraid to dare, I think....It does not mean that I don't have the Gryffindor courage. Thank you very much. I am very brave but for making people around me happy, I took this up... I am plenty much of a journalist when I blog. And I can definitely interact with people through this medium) I took up this job...A job as a graduating student. Made a decision and then made a choice. Then of course, I moved into a new house (I am talking of my college. I believe its unlikely you'll understand or gain anything in a place you are not comfortable with) and spent a considerable amount of effort trying to make it into a home. There is still something missing, they tell me, one involving major decision taking and one I am happy to procrastinate about.

I take note of humanity. And the lack thereof. For, the monotony that pays very well also effectively draws the shutter on the evil beings we humans are. On one hand are a people encroached upon on the pretext of WMD (WMD stands for weapon of mass destruction), not found and probably will never be found. The mutually agreeable deals struck with the big guns, the effects of which will be seen much later, when we as a people will become signatory to the NPT (The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) On the other hand are the steps away from civilization with the great Hindutva movement and the Islamic Jehad and the alarming effects of the fight against terrorism and also, as always, terrorism itself.

Then I take note no more. Being much too tired to go on in retrospect. Just before 12 midnight, in the din of fireworks and the cries of exhalted and high spirited people (literally), I reach out for the reset button. I promise to break the monotony. I promise to make amends and I promise to eat less and work out to stay thin. I promise to try and make the world a better place.

A few days later, the entire world realizes that its reset has failed.

Disclaimer : I don't own anything related to Harry Potter apart from my copies of the books. I mentioned Gryffindor here. It belongs to JKR wholly, may be partly to Warner bros., bloomsburry, scholastic and raincoat books . I am not making any profit out of this word :)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happiness....What is it????

Hey friends!!!!

Have you people ever wondered what life and happiness is all about?? I am sure you have.... and I am also sure none of us have ever found any convincing answers....... well thats why life is the most mysterious thing ever created....

we see loads of people in our lives...experience a contrariety of emotions... undergo huge number of different experiences.... but at the end of the day what is it that seems to be most important for us?? what makes us feel most satisfied and happy??

Do you feel happy just because your english teacher praised your excellent expression or is it because you won the gold medal in table tennis ...or because nobody could beat you in that tough programming contest...or is it because that someone special said you looked great in blue??? well i do agree all these things make us feel great... but believe me friends none of them last..all these happiness are just momentary....

So what is it that gives us actual pleasure??? let me tell you what it is... All the real happiness and satisfaction depends on how true you have been to yourself all day... what is that small thing you have done to lighten up somebody else s pain..... to make a grieved soul laugh....

The happiness is not because your english teacher praised you.... its because you helped a friend who is poor in grammer and he got the highest marks in class..... it s not because you won a gold medal in the game...its because you had the character to step down from the game to take a sick freind to the doctor..... its not because you won or didnt win the programming contest.. its because you gave it your best shot.... its not because that someone special complimented you its because you complimented someone who is usually ridiculed.....

So dear friends .... you see what makes you actually happy???? Its not about what the world gives to us... its about what you give to the world without any desire for returns...

Monday, December 8, 2008

Just another random thought by a random

Firstly, I don't know how much sense this blog is going to make but I am gonna give it a shot anyways :)

I can trace the origin of one of my "current most haunting" thoughts to a nice lil sentence I read a few days back which goes something like this.

“Really great people make you feel that you too, can become great.”

Mr Mark Twain must have told this on one of his exceptionally intelligent days :) .

I have this really odd habit of analyzing conversations, meetings, mails, chats and the like with people long after they are done and forgotten. It gives me special pleasure in doing so because every analysis gives me a new chain of thought, something that i had totally missed when the actual interaction was happening.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some really interesting/wonderful people. Intellectuals, so called "philosophers" :), teachers, managers :P , technical people, bankers, farmers, artists, musicians, etc etc I have met them all. Though they may not have been the "really famous" ones, they have been remarkable people by themselves. Some of them have been true and honest, some kind and understanding, some proud but very capable, some proud but seriously stupid and the rest plain hypocrites.

Regardless of what profession they have been in, regardless of their origin/place/birth, there are some things that are so insultingly common in all of them/us that it makes me wonder at times about the striking simplicity that exists amidst the seemingly complex human behavior. One of them, I have made an attempt to describe in this blog. This is just a personal observation done over a period of time :).

Let us imagine a situation where we have had the chance to have a conversation/interaction with someone who is considered "good" at something. Has the conversation made you marvel at the beauty and the elegance of the job they do or has its complexity amazed you? For me, it has almost always(with a few exceptions) been the latter. I always have wondered at that point, how any mortal could do something like that within such short time and the like :). There have been exceptions where the conversation has been successful in making me understand the job/work and realize the simple but profound logic in it :).

And time and again, life has proved to me that such people who make you feel their job is the easiest on earth and you can be as good as he/she is, are the ones who really know what they are talking about :)

When I say simple, I don't mean they have done it by down playing their job or work. They have done it by stating stuff in simple, straight clear terms what the job is all about and what it takes to get there. No fancy words, no frills, nothing.

Maybe we all do it at some point.. exaggerate everything a lil more than what it actually is. Use stupid jargon and confuse others. Make it sound really nice and wonderful. The really great just don't do it.. they don't need to. And such people will always have all my respect and admiration :). Explaining something the way it is(not the way they want it to be), so that the other person understands the elegance in it is an art.. which unfortunately most people don't want to learn. Decorating something that should not be decorated might make it look nice momentarily but in turn makes it lose its central meaning, and its beauty.

Maybe we should all contribute by example to form a space devoid of hypocrites and big and empty talkers. Rather, look towards creating an environment of honesty and truth.. Looking at things as they are and telling them as they should be.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

My diary...My guru....My best friend...My support system...The sidekick in MY story...lol

This post is about my personal diary!! Usually people buy diarys when they are old enough to understand its importance, I am an exception. God made my diary. That too 7 years before my birth. Insidentally I share my birthday with my diary. My diary was born on 20 september, 1984 while I was born on 20 september 1991 (hehe...I couldn't resist mentioning that). My diary has got a name (well many names). You can call it Surya, Kiran, Baccha, Keediya, Sweety, Babu, Orey Kiran Babu and what not!! But for me he is ANNA!! My anna!! I am there because of him...I owe him my existence. What would I do without him?? I am really lucky to have him. I know I have this bad habit of taking him for granted, but I can't help it, coz he pampers me like hell. We have excellent compatibilty...apart from the pillow fights (I think thats the case with all siblings ;)) But this does not mean we are alike. We have hell lot of difference...Physically, Emotionally, Intellectually and in everyway!! He is very smart, but he loves his dumb sister like crazy, trust me!! He would never accept this though :)
Even as I write this, my mind has countless thoughts. For once, I want to write about something, or to be more precise, about someone. It is so weird you know, all my previous posts have a common factor : I never had any thoughts in mind when i set out writing. Thoughts just kept coming and I kept on keying them in. But today, it's different. I know what I want to write about. I have so many thoughts in my mind. Yet here I am, totally confused!! Irony is that the person I want to write about many times said "I don't want a confused girl for a sister" and I assured hin I am no way anywhere near being confused. Now, look at me!! Life is so funny, really!That's what happens when you are very very happy I guess. That you fall short of words. I have always believed in one thing: things that are more precious to you, you should never attempt to describe them or what they mean to you. Because describing them will limit their meaning to that description while, in reality, it is actually far more than what words can explain. Because that preciousness is felt by us after all; and there is reason why they call it "feeling"! Something that can only be "felt". Something that is not in grasp of words, so that they could be explained by individuals!!My brother had called me up this morning. Fine, I was very excited. I know it isn't the first time I am speaking to him or anything (secretly I love his voice, though I'll never accept this in front of him). I revealed my mid-sem marks to instantly notice a HUGE smile break up at the other end of the receiver! Trust me, I could feel it in his voice what a huge smile it was! I spoke to him.. For not more than 2 minutes maybe.. And he told he'll call me later. And the "later" came at 4 in the evening :) Boy, wasn't I waiting!! My friends keep asking me if they'll get any chance to meet my brother...though never in front of him, I praise him a lot, you see!! I ask them to search all around to see who looks like michael schumacher :) Well, he is a very bad match for his look alike, but they have to do with him (he is about F1!! I gave a thought to it...poor kid!! he should be appreciated once a while...F1 is not a bad idea...lol) When I was born, it was like "instant chemistry"! We came, we saw, we became best friends! That's the magic of the special relation we share.
People! Kiran redefines "coolness"..frankly he's THE wierd material (like me) and thats the new "cool"..I tell him absolutely anything n everything. Well.. he is social yet tangled within his own reserved n complicated world, he has a photographic memory of each n every moment yet can be unexpectedly n unimaginably forgetful. Hez stubborn yet adaptable, rude yet breathtakingly funny, hes brutally honest yet an optimist, he can be sarcastic yet bubbly, he agrees with watever u say but his values are absolutely unshakeable, he can be loyal yet rebellious, its all this unique n magnetic personality n his contradictory nature that attract you and make you wonder "what the hell is in his mind". When hes talking you would seriously lose track of time but when hes not its like the silence is literally deafening you. whatever I have learnt from him has made me a better person n a better BEST FRIEND n a better SISTER (may be)..I hope he never changes...Though I can do with a little more respect...haha...
But like I said, I dont want to attempt to describe how wonderful a human being he is.. All I can say is he is a 10 on 10 when it comes to his compatibility with me ;) Life seems sweeter than dreams when he is around... And I want this to never ever come to an end!

Monday, November 3, 2008

I am head over heels for this guy :P

I know him for the past 2 and half years. Initially it was nothing special. We saw each other about once a fortnight- depending on how busy my academics were. Back then, he was not the type who would sweep me off my feet. He looked really boring. He wasnt matured enough. He didnt have much to offer me. The smartness in me which makes guest appearances every now and then woke up and told me, "Dont let go of him, he has potential". I listened to my inner voice. Things started brightening up. I slowly started seeing potential. He started looking more interesting. He was getting matured by the day. His expressions looked more inviting. My satisfaction index went up north. Within no time, he became important in every aspect of my life. I must admit, I got addicted to him. Like every other love story - we graduated from being strangers to acquaintances to friends to best friends - at an amazing pace!. Today, I am in complete love of him. I have to see him, the moment I come home. He gets along so well with my friends and family. Just the way - I want him to be. He amazes me with all that he can offer me and I know he has loads more to offer. He has had a great impact on my education and my career. He has helped me in every step of my life ever since I have known him. Its hard to imagine my life without him. What would I do without him?! I would be so lost and lonely. I know that I often take him for granted. So, here I express my heartfelt gratitude for all that you have done to me! Thank you very much Internet - my special friend.
I bet most of you were taking it to be a guy for whom this 17 year old has fallen!! But, the internet is my guy, boyfriend, love interest as of now!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The sleeping poet (I am no beauty anyway)...Awaken unexpectedly at school...not by a prince :(

Hello readers (if anyone is reading this bull-shit...Oops I am so sorry about the language....I never meant it...Actually, it was a publicity gimmick...I have learnt a lot from the page 3 and bollywood hotties....A proof....Try this...Speak something bad...You'll be in the limelight)
Here I paste the earliest of my literary works :P
I know I am a horrible writer…Don’t sue me if someone hangs himself unable to read this rubbish! People are asked to read AT THEIR OWN RISK!!!! Oh yeah!
Anyways…Getting back to the point…Lemme tell you about this poem…This is where all it started..We had CCA periods…One fine day there was this open to all competition which was compulsory for one and all…It was a poetry competition…It was an on the spot kinda thing….The topic given was “An unforgettable moment in your life” (I was 10 then…and I had seen a hell lot of life :P) My mind immediately located the unfortunate Mumbai adieu …And then all I did was just pick a pen…The pen did all the work by itself…I finished in about 10 minutes….I read, re-read, re-re-read the poem…And all of a sudden I had butterflies in my stomach...lol....It was impressive…seeing through the eyes of a ten year old…I then copied it out and showed it to my mum….She adored it…To my surprise and horror, the results were declared the following week and I won the first prize!!! YAY!!!!
So here comes the poem (Remember…This poem is the PRIVATE property of the 10 year old Sindhu Saripella… )
The Day I Was Leaving!!!
The day I was leaving,
I was really weeping,
My mother gave me my favourite dish bread-roll,
Yet I was unable to control,
I had to leave my best friends,
With a heavy heart and my heart bent,
This was the unforgettable moment of my life,
When I wished to cut my head with knife,
The moment of adieu,
The mist of tears completely blocked my view,
My friends were giving me one last hugs,
And then came this plump little bug,
It said, “Don’t you cry! My sweet angel,
We’ll find a way through this battle”.
With a twinkle in my eyes I tried to smile,
Which spread a whole mile!

So…How was it? Liked it? You have to…There is no choice...You have to :D
Author's personal note :
The last two lines were inspired from the following quote :
“Smile a while, while you smile, your smile spreads mile to mile” :D

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I am a Mumbaikar...Are you?

You know you are a Mumbaikar when...
1. You travel with 100 people in a small area (local train) and you think you are lucky to be there.
2. If any stranger talks to you, you wonder what’s wrong with them and what they want and start looking after your stuff as if they want to steal it.
3. You are shocked if anyone wants to do a favour to you and you wonder what they want.
4. You address everyone as ‘tu’, and no one seems to mind. (except non-Mumbaikars)
5. You have your own unique lingo consisting of words like ‘fati hai’, ‘vaat hai’, ‘baji hai’, ‘apun’, ‘lukha’ which people elsewhere find hilarious and soooooo grammatically wrong.
6. You are always in a hurry.
7. You love eating vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, sev puri, gola by the roadside and surprisingly never fall ill.
8. If a TV actor or a small time film actor passes by, you won’t even look twice, it’s against your prestige.
9. You have more malls than parks in your neighbourhood.
10. Your small 3 room house costs more than bungalows elsewhere in the country.
11. You have a never say die attitude and are not worried of anything despite terrorists, bomb blasts and everything else the city has faced.
12. You love the city and think its the best place in the world.

This is all about ME!!!

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.”- ( The Count Of Monte Cristo)
I have seen people say "no randoms allowed" on orkut!!!..Let me be honest I AM RANDOM.. but in a decent and a respectful way ..thankyou very much..I can be very random because sometimes I actually DO say what is on my mind...a person full of purposeI AM quiet from outside (when it comes to feelings)...INSIDE its a mad world..very noisy..haha love humour..my signature style is RANDOMNESS..yeah you see this style is very risky to pursue and master because you can get a bruised face or a sore shoulder or a broken toe nail in returntalk about taking risks.. I can either be a very cautious person or unimaginably risky...I have been tagged "eccentric" quite a number of times because of having a passion for collecting rings and earrings that apparently look like spiders or ice-cream cones..I invent words and tend to forget them...I love Harry Potter series…it indeed completes my life..Rings drive me crazy..especially massive ones with some "out-of-the-world" funky looking ornamentation..I put glue on my hands just to have a memorable time peeling it off..Love bubble paper...yeah.Another reason why people give me weird looks is coz I love burnt olives...I am obsessed with the left side of my body...I have an irrational fear of insects...I find it hard to breathe in front of them...too scared to mention which ones in particular...I tend to be flexible outside but actually hardheaded inside... my mind oscillates between the maturity of a 5 year old and a 30 year old depending on the situaton..I guess thats the thing with any teenager?! I dream a lot and most of my dreams have intricate details...WELL that reminds me ..I am a person obsessed with intricacy, intimacy, intensity, individuality, ingenuity and intellectualitythe kind of a person who has an allergic reaction to injustice, inanity, inconsiderate / insensitive (people) , indecency, indecisiveness- although I myself have sometimes violated these rules n morals..I tend to follow them more...I am a right brained person..which probably explains my unusual connection with the left side of myself..Extrovert you might call me..but I am a dangerous one because when i burst its like a water pipe burst..yeahhh..music is my religion...instrumental music or music with minimum lyrics holds deeper meaning according to me...I usually dont find anything weird...in life its either something is morally wrong or right...simplest gestures of gentleness can make me really happy...best friends and good books are important to me...I fear big fights and violence..i am a "hydrophillic" creature..exception- cold rains...Winter person, nocturnal..dry flowers are absolutely gorgeous...I love colours black, sea-blue, sea-green and white, and all shades of brown.i believe in wearing the same comfortable clothes than wearing something that you are not really comfortable with but looks suggestive n impressive...I like soccer because of its unique spirit, skill, strategy and the style also not to mention the massive green grounds which make me really crazystrong believer of the power of our subconscious mind.. highly ambitious..friends out there...I am basically on a high today because writing about me is not on my list of the things that I usually do...so I shall stop here
P.S My best friends are true gems...they make me stronger