What does the blog suggest?? My first time what?? Getting ideas?? Keep them to yourself. Today, with nothing better to write, I plan to let you have a peek into this leaf of my life, which is probably the reason why I am here writing this in the first place. Today, I'll introduce you to my first attempt at writing.
It was way back in class five, when I came to Harvard Public School. All students were asked to submit their entries for the annual magazine. As was my daily routine, I told my parents of the events taking place in school. I told them about the annual magazine. My parents, as usual, asked me to write up something and see if that makes it to the magazine (they didn't know that almost every entry made it to the magazine :)). The only problem was, I had never attempted at writing a work of fiction or anything apart from academics up until that time.
I shrugged it off saying it is not my cup of tea. I was more of a talker then, than the page-filler. Then it all changed on afternoon, not very long after the above mentioned talk with my folks.
My aunt was the principal at this school and she was taking her students to some inter-school competition. I had a holiday that day and I accompanied her to the competitions. I found the topic for the essay writing competition very interesting. So me, a non-participant, getting totally bored...what did I do?? I imagined a story in my head. I was good at it back then. My aunt, knowing fully well that I was bored, gave me a paper and pen, and asked me to attempt writing what I had in mind. I took the pen and paper, very hesitantly of course.
What was the essay topic??
"THE DAY I MET MARTIANS".
Why did I suddenly remember this??
I found that very same paper I wrote the story on that day, while cleaning out old stuff from the numerous shelves.
I remember showing the paper to my aunt that day and she had been very encouraging. She told me my story was cute but the language needed a bit tweaking. She asked me to start reading more books and start writing more, coz she thought I could do better than that. I thought she was trying to please me then. Nevertheless, I modified that story several times and gave it as my entry for the magazine. And yeah, of course it made it there.
Even though I knew that almost all entries were accepted, mine was nothing special, but to see something that I had written, in a book, printed and bound, something that will be read by hundreds of children and their parents. That gave me a real boost. A sense of pride I had never felt before. And I've loved writing (even if it is nonsense mostly) ever since.
I lost the copy of that magazine... but I can still remember my story with my picture and my name on that page. I can still remember the smile on my parent's and grandma and aunt's face when they saw the very same thing. Its something I guess I will never lose. That was my first attempt and writing... which has continued ever since... and I still continue to bore you with it. :P
Peace!!
P.S: Me and my sister were laughing our heads off reading that story now. I will scan and put it up for you guys ASAP!! :)
Blast from the Past...AGAIN!!
Divya finally finished with her fun tag and brought up something very interesting. Something that was so casual that I didn't think it was necessary to lock in my memory...at least concsiously.
In the fun tag, there was a question "WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ME". Divya gave a very unexpected answer. She thought I may be upset or something looking at the answer, but I started laughing instead. Her answer to that question was, "A girl with Zabardast Pocket Money". I met her at Harvard Public School (Now Howard instead of Harvard), in 1995 when I joined after finishing my primary education under the montessori system. If you aren't aware, a montessori school is usually until class 4 only. AND WE NEVER HAD UNIFORMS UNTIL THEN!!!
It was a new thing for me. A new school, the pressure of making new friends, wearing a uniform for the first time in my life, and having to put a plait/braid for the first time....worst of all, applying oil to the hair. :( It was just toooooo much for a little girl to take. Life seemed so rosy before it all happened.
People didn't talk to me much then. Just casual talk. I wasn't talking much either. So where does the whole pocket money thing come in?? When I told mom on the first day that there was a small canteen in school, she gave me Rs.20 the next day to buy whatever I wanted in the break time. I usually was a loner at the breaks. Just hung around the canteen till the bell rang.
Mom never asked me what I did with the money. She just kept giving me Rs 20 everyday. That may not seem a lot now but in 1995, I did not know the value of Rs.20. For me it was just a few bucks that my mom gave me everyday (partly coz I came home whining everyday saying, "I hate this school"). She wanted to keep me happy, she thought that was the way. Soon it was known around my class that I had 20 bucks a day.
I don't remember how, but all of a sudden a few girls started befriending me (I am not in touch with any of them but I would still not like to give out names here...though I remember very well). They accompanied during lunch breaks to the canteen, made me buy stuff for them. I was naive back then. I just thought at that time, that I've suddenly become popular. But I was never so stupid to not realise the main cause of this popularity. I knew I had the bucks. I found out that at such an age, kids don't get that kind of pocket money. I learnt a new lesson...though it took me a little time to learn it.
That was one of the first times that I realised that money is a powerful thing in this world. Fortunately, I found friends who saw beyond my pocket money (Divya being one among them). I found friends who appreciated me for me and not for the perks I got along with me. I learnt that there are things more important in life than money. The most important lesson--Money will only buy you temporary happiness. I saw that temporary happiness. Then I found the more lasting one.
Today me and Divya were cracking up each other on the phone, talking about our school life and the times we had fun. It was a good chat, as usual. Looking back, I think I needed that pocket money phase very badly. Coz that made me realise some very important facts of life. I continued to get pocket money for a very long time. But by then, I was a wiser person. I would know by then that my worth is not measurable in terms of money!!!
Peace!!!
In the fun tag, there was a question "WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ME". Divya gave a very unexpected answer. She thought I may be upset or something looking at the answer, but I started laughing instead. Her answer to that question was, "A girl with Zabardast Pocket Money". I met her at Harvard Public School (Now Howard instead of Harvard), in 1995 when I joined after finishing my primary education under the montessori system. If you aren't aware, a montessori school is usually until class 4 only. AND WE NEVER HAD UNIFORMS UNTIL THEN!!!
It was a new thing for me. A new school, the pressure of making new friends, wearing a uniform for the first time in my life, and having to put a plait/braid for the first time....worst of all, applying oil to the hair. :( It was just toooooo much for a little girl to take. Life seemed so rosy before it all happened.
People didn't talk to me much then. Just casual talk. I wasn't talking much either. So where does the whole pocket money thing come in?? When I told mom on the first day that there was a small canteen in school, she gave me Rs.20 the next day to buy whatever I wanted in the break time. I usually was a loner at the breaks. Just hung around the canteen till the bell rang.
Mom never asked me what I did with the money. She just kept giving me Rs 20 everyday. That may not seem a lot now but in 1995, I did not know the value of Rs.20. For me it was just a few bucks that my mom gave me everyday (partly coz I came home whining everyday saying, "I hate this school"). She wanted to keep me happy, she thought that was the way. Soon it was known around my class that I had 20 bucks a day.
I don't remember how, but all of a sudden a few girls started befriending me (I am not in touch with any of them but I would still not like to give out names here...though I remember very well). They accompanied during lunch breaks to the canteen, made me buy stuff for them. I was naive back then. I just thought at that time, that I've suddenly become popular. But I was never so stupid to not realise the main cause of this popularity. I knew I had the bucks. I found out that at such an age, kids don't get that kind of pocket money. I learnt a new lesson...though it took me a little time to learn it.
That was one of the first times that I realised that money is a powerful thing in this world. Fortunately, I found friends who saw beyond my pocket money (Divya being one among them). I found friends who appreciated me for me and not for the perks I got along with me. I learnt that there are things more important in life than money. The most important lesson--Money will only buy you temporary happiness. I saw that temporary happiness. Then I found the more lasting one.
Today me and Divya were cracking up each other on the phone, talking about our school life and the times we had fun. It was a good chat, as usual. Looking back, I think I needed that pocket money phase very badly. Coz that made me realise some very important facts of life. I continued to get pocket money for a very long time. But by then, I was a wiser person. I would know by then that my worth is not measurable in terms of money!!!
Peace!!!
A Royal Experience....
No I haven't been made the Princess/Queen of some random ex-princely state in India or anywhere else in the world. If that's what you thought when you looked at the blog title.
I live in the cantonment area in Secunderabad (did I mention that before??). As you are aware that cantonment area is full of greenery, its a paradise for nature lovers. Its calm, peaceful and serene. My house is in a beautiful gated community at the end of this cantonment area. And it is a model community for greenery.
So this morning, I went for a very "late-morning-walk" inside the colony and as I was walking, a few leaves fell down on me. It felt nice... By the time I came for the second round on the same stretch, there were even more leaves. I am bad with seasons...especially in Hyderabad/Secunderabad where you have like Summer, Extreme Summer, negligible winter, Rains (If you can call them rains). Autumn, Spring...whatever...NEVER noticed them.
Here I am, on a morning walk and leaves falling on me every now and then. Finally by round four, it was a few petals of flowers that started falling with a sudden, unexpected gust of wind. And it just felt sooooo great!!
It was like how they show in the TV serials (Mahabharata, Ramayana to be more specific :P). Flowers being showered at royalty. I am no royalty, but the morning breeze coupled with the flowers falling...I couldn't help but stand there for a minute or so and bask in the unexpected thrill of feeling like a royal. Its was Fun!!
Had A real Good Morning today!! :) And Not a bad day either!!! :)
Peace!!!
I live in the cantonment area in Secunderabad (did I mention that before??). As you are aware that cantonment area is full of greenery, its a paradise for nature lovers. Its calm, peaceful and serene. My house is in a beautiful gated community at the end of this cantonment area. And it is a model community for greenery.
So this morning, I went for a very "late-morning-walk" inside the colony and as I was walking, a few leaves fell down on me. It felt nice... By the time I came for the second round on the same stretch, there were even more leaves. I am bad with seasons...especially in Hyderabad/Secunderabad where you have like Summer, Extreme Summer, negligible winter, Rains (If you can call them rains). Autumn, Spring...whatever...NEVER noticed them.
Here I am, on a morning walk and leaves falling on me every now and then. Finally by round four, it was a few petals of flowers that started falling with a sudden, unexpected gust of wind. And it just felt sooooo great!!
It was like how they show in the TV serials (Mahabharata, Ramayana to be more specific :P). Flowers being showered at royalty. I am no royalty, but the morning breeze coupled with the flowers falling...I couldn't help but stand there for a minute or so and bask in the unexpected thrill of feeling like a royal. Its was Fun!!
Had A real Good Morning today!! :) And Not a bad day either!!! :)
Peace!!!
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