There is so much to be happy about

I have never been so happy in my life as much as I am now.

It’s not like I am partying all day, found my perfect love or getting really awesome marks. It’s just that I see my goal, like I never have before.

People around me are crying due to breakups but all I think about is when will I go to the gym next. I find it extremely funny that at this age, in a very short span of time, how can one get attached to someone so badly? How can you really be happy when you see your happiness in others and not yourself?  

Your life doesn't have to perfect. Your attitude towards it should be. Because no matter what you do, there will always be 2 people who will love you more than you can love yourself. And you will always have 3 people you can call friends.  And you will always have yourself.

I just started college. After literally spending 3 years in a boarding school which was like a jail, this kind of freedom was very unusual for me. The maths of the HSC board is crazy difficult, just bounces above my head. I barely get time to go to the gym, which has lately been the love of my life. But I still don't want to complain. 

I meet new people every day. I work hard every day and my passion for working out only increases. There is nothing more satisfying than discovering your passion. 

After my board exams I got an eight months vacation. Sometimes I look back and regret because in all that time, I didn't do anything concrete. But sometimes I don't. 

I feel like Buddha who achieved enlightenment. Nothing much really matters to me except being happy and satisfied. I have got all the 'answers'. I have got all I wanted.

Many of you won't be able to relate to me. Or think I am such a philosophical fool.  

I got this random fit to write all of this down!

From Farm To Fridge

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

The Happiest Moment

Even though I always whined and complained about boarding school, I kind of miss it terribly now. The teachers, wardens and friends had become a part of my three exclusive years after all!

Soon after I came back home to be a permanent resident, I found an advertisement in the newspaper regarding The United Wold College admission. I don’t know why, but I smiled for a second and showed it to my mother and she said that it would be a dream come true if I got in. After that I really wanted to give it my best shot, to start my life in the finest way and what could be better than studying in The UWC? 

It was November 25^th, 2013, the day I downloaded the application form enthusiastically wanting to complete it the very same day. But when I looked at it I was stunned by the rather unconventional set of questions.  I braced myself for the challenge to answer them to the best of my abilities. It made me introspect and find out so much about myself, my opinions, and my perspective. I felt as though I was discovering myself. Filling up an application form could be such a stimulating experience! 

These were some of the questions in the application form: 

What distinguishes you from other students in your class?

Identify a specific problem within your community. After explaining why it is a problem, justify what you, as a member of the community, could do in the next six months to address it.

Your art teacher tells the class that each student is to paint a picture of their best friend in the class. One student points out to the teacher that some kids will have lots of kids painting them, and other kids won’t be chosen at all. The teacher insists that this is what the students should do. What would you do?

Which meaningful conversation can you recall and with whom? This should be with one other than family.

I enjoyed every bit of the time I spent typing the answers to these engaging questions. I dedicated a lot of my time reading to build up my vocabulary and express myself in the most effective manner. I got stuck a lot, but every time I overcame that I had new knowledge about things. When I was stuck about the question asking us to state a specific problem in our community and what can I do in the next six months to address it, I felt so lost.

I was not a selfish person but I mostly thought about MY family, MY happiness, MY friends. But as I started to volunteer for community service I understood the joy of giving and that’s when I decided that the problem I will choose will be the reluctance of people to donate their organs after death. Again I was caught in a dilemma on how should I address it? I am just a 15 year old. My parents convinced me that if a cause really touched me, I should make a beginning however small it might be. They suggested to me that I could use my blog as a medium to raise awareness about organ donation, and so I did.

I feel that every step I took to fill my form has helped me to connect with myself and my community and made me a better person.

24^th January, 2014, one of the scariest day of my life- my board results. I will not announce it here because my result was nothing to boast about.  Being an average student in academics I received average grades. I was highly disappointed by the grade I received in one particular subject because I considered it to be one of my favourite and scoring subjects. Life is full of surprises, good and bad of course. 

Since my results were out, and parents declaration, school declaration, 9^th grade mark sheet were in place, I gave the final touch ups to my application form and on 13^th February (a day before the dead line) I mailed it. I MAILED IT!

For days I was anticipated, just like anyone in want of something desperately would be. I was prepared for the worst and expecting the best. Soon, when waiting started to kill me, I called up the UWC office to inquire about the results. They told me it would come by the end of the following week if I was selected and if not the week after that. My forehead was sweating; I informed my parents and started praying. Remembering God is such a comfort when in times like these, it makes the entire burden go away instantly.

Days went on in waiting.

These days I have been much of a fitness freak. I go to the gym regularly, do intense cardiovascular exercises, swimming alternate days and eat healthy. Another ordinary day which turned in to the a miraculous one -11^th march, Tuesday day it was, I hopped out of the gym to fill my water bottle when I saw a missed call from mom. I called back and she said the mail came. WHATTTTTTTT?!

“Mumma, if you’re joking I swear I will never talk to you”

“I will never joke in matters like these”

“I am so happy! I can’t believe it”

“Come home fast, we will have a look at the mail and start the preparation”

“Yes, coming”

I was jumping, literally. I have never felt such kind of excitement before. I was proud that my hard work paid off,   I was extremely glad that my parents were happy me being the reason and I was so very grateful to the members of United World College for selecting for the person I am besides my academic weakness. They judged me on my present not past.

Soon I came home and the preparation started. I read Anne Frank all over again because she is someone I would definitely want to talk about, I started reading the newspaper carefully, I started watching other meaningful movies that were pending, I spent less time in unnecessary activities and I actually felt so bright. Just the thought of UWC rejuvenated me with high spirits; I wonder what enhancement will it bring in me if I were to get selected?

OH GOD HELP ME PERFORM MY BEST!

Live Even After Dying- Organ Donation

Do you know what my last wish would be? My last wish before dying would be to live even after death. Not by having my face on the Indian Rupee, not by having biographies written about me, not by having a holiday in my honour, BUT by donating my organs which can save lives of up to 7 people and enhance up to 50 lives. A PART OF ME WILL LIVE EVEN AFTER I DIE.

Religious biases and disconnect from society have prevented people from pledging their organs after death. But I feel that above all lack of awareness is responsible for 4000-5000 people waiting for heart transplant, 80,000-1, 00,000 people waiting for sight and thousands others waiting for other organs.

 “God helps those who help others” is one phrase I had heard several times but is it really true in practice? God wouldn’t want us to turn a blind eye to those in need, God wouldn’t want us to not help ,then why does a barrier of religious belief come up when contributing to a good cause?

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.

Statistics don’t interest me and words can’t do justice to a sensitive topic like this. It will be the tears of joy in the eyes of the patients who would receive the bliss and the satisfaction on the faces of the donor family that would make one’s life as well as death meaningful.

What really triggered me to write this was an article I read post watching ‘Ship of Theseus’.

Sunday Times of India, Mumbai. March 23, 2014

Like any other article regarding organ donation, this one too stated that the family of a brain dead person (a death caused due to accidents wherein only the brain dies while the other organs are still working) should voluntarily donate the organs. It also mentions that it is the best parting gift one could give: A better life!

Talking about Ship of Theseus, it is a fantastic movie not an entertaining one that children would like to watch to pass time but definitely the one children should see by making time. It illustrates life of three people undergoing a transplant: a blind girl, a monk with liver cirrhosis and a man with kidney failure. It shows how organ transplant made such a great impact on their lives. For a moment after the third story began I thought, “oh so a transplant can really change life is the purpose” until I discovered that the organs that were donated were from the body of the same man. One dead man made such major alteration in lives of people he didn’t even know!

What more could a blind want than sight?

Please spread this generous message to your near and dear ones and be in the blessings of many.

For more information regarding the same take a look the sites below:

http://giftalife.org/

http://donatelifeindia.org/

http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2013/04/6_important_things_to_know_abo.html

Also, http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/organ-donation/art-20047529 will tell you about the myths and facts about organ donation.

Delhi Belly ;)

 My dad was going to Delhi for five days to attend a book fair. Since I didn't really any plans for the week here at home I decided to accompany him, not for the book fair but to spend time with my relatives of course. The day we arrived we went to my Uncles house. I met my cousin sister who had become SO much taller than what she was, like she was always taller than me but she looked drastically more. I greeted everyone formally with a ‘Namaste’ and after all of that was done my father left for some office work.

  I quietly analyzed the house, looking at my Aunt cook and gazing my cousin who was stuck to her laptop smiling anonymously. As time passed I started to get jaded, so I reached for my pocket, removed my phone and was happy beyond measures to see the availability of Wi-Fi connection.  Actually the thing was that their original house was under renovation so for a couple of months they shifted few blocks away. I found ways to entertain myself when finally my aunt said those words, “why don’t you’ll do watch a movie”. I was overwhelmed, I really wanted to go for ‘Gunday’ which had released the following day itself but kept my feelings to myself in order to not sound demanding, but since the topic was out I animatedly smiled showing my approval for the plan. Next hour we were sitting in the theatre watching the film between the melancholy audiences, leaving no stone unturned to whistle at every entry Priyanka Chopra made on the screen.

 After the movie was over I went to my Nani’s house, ate the delicious food she made that I wish my mother too had inherited. I wrapped myself in two blankets and watched a programme on the T.V that I am too embarrassed to say. The chill of Delhi really made me sleep in no time. The next morning had lots of things in store.

 My two uncles, my father and I were going to visit our village. I have always wanted to live in a village; yeah I know it sounds crazy to even think of leaving behind a life with luxurious and wanting to go into one with no such perks. But what I gathered from my experience was that besides all the hard work and lack of facilities people were happy and satisfied. Happiness was playing pebbles, scarring away cows and just running around. Satisfaction was getting enough to eat and getting enough time to play. Whereas, I was getting so much more than what I deserved and yet I wasn't close to being content. Reaching in the mid area of the village I was totally awe-struck at what I saw. A dozen of puppies! I went running towards them and they came running towards me. Joking. They ran away. I quietly sat on the ground waiting for them. When they realised that I wasn't going to harm them like other kids did playing and squeezing them as if they were toys. They slowing came walking towards me sniffing around. Very soon I was surrounded by lots of puppies- White and shades of brown. Looking at them cuddling with each other made me feel so glad that I didn't deny this trip. I could watch them forever (Definitely for longer time than ‘Gunday’).

 The rest of the days followed, some being relaxing while some hectic but enjoyable.

 Time passed faster than it seemed to. My day of departure arrived. Adults gave me money, I refused, they insisted, I smiled, they forced and I took. It’s a tradition, right? To say no a couple of times to relatives and then finally take it.

 My dad and I then went to the railway station and boarded the train. It had been years that I last remember sitting in one. There were times when as a baby I would search the train enthusiastically in order to find a friend who would help me pass time in the long journey that would take me back to the lifestyle I hold .

Mahabharata? :S

 Forced by my father, I finally agreed to read Mahabharata. I had heard several small stories from it way too many times but I hadn't ever know the entire 'Mahabharata' and since it survived all the way till 2014 I couldn't find reasons why should I not give it a try. The book started beautifully about a king meeting a celestial woman who totally mesmerized him by her beauty and elegance. As I went ahead with the book there were so many births taking place with children having complicated, long names that I was completely perplexed. However, when the introduction was over and the story started take a shape with the happenings between the Padavas and Duryoghana my interest started to build up. Besides just the fierce jealousy one could have against his own cousin, I also realized the tenacity with which people stuck to their words. By that I mean, for instance in one part The Padavas return to their the home they were staying in for some years during their exile with a bride Arujana won during a Swayamvar to their mother- Kunti. Thinking it was a food item she casually said, "whatever it is, distribute it equally". What is said cannot be unsaid, that was the 'funda'. Thereafter, Draupadi (the bride) was the wife of all the five brothers. At this point I shut the book and thought to myself, what on earth was I reading? but besides having no faith in such a kind of system and in fact it rather absurd I was inclined to read it further. Some amount of curiosity in me kept me going and at the same an introduction to a new world which carried all sorts human emotions- love, joy, lust, jealousy webbed me with a weird kind of interest.As of this small story, was it just a moral trying to convey that one should stick to what they say or was it indicating that even after sharing a wife distrust and envy hadn't broken the bonds of love between these brothers?

CAKES, not my cup of tea!

I woke up next to my friend after having a sleepless sleepover, overdosed with pizzas, coke, chocolate brownies and not to forget the chains for movies we saw. ‘Freaky Friday’ being one of them starring Lindsey Lohan. It was a hilarious movie steeped in laughter and fights between a mother and daughter. I couldn't help but laugh like a Hyena throughout the night. I started reminiscing the days I spent in the boarding with my roommate Zeniya watching movies hardly few days before our so called Board exams. Taking about my second roommate, she was a cartoon- Rasika. She could watch a movie hundred times, LITERALLY. While, I was submerged in my thoughts of the fantastic friends I made in the horrible hostel I didn't pay attention to the constant snoring of my friend who has caught a cold.

“You aren't sleeping, are you?”

“I got up at 8 man, I guess I will. It’s late anyway”

BUT how could I sleep at 4 when I got up the previous morning, or rather afternoon at 2! Within no time she was fast asleep and I switched to watching a Justin Bieber Documentary. Yeah! I am an EMIENEM girl but I don’t have to detest the rest, right?

It was a 7 on 10 I would say. Everyone wants to be famous .While watching the documentary so many times that thought flitted across my mind. “I so wanna be that” but well, *Aah*

As soon as it got over I too was very drowsy and managed to get a comfortable sleep in the cozy, warm blanket and soft pillows that were over flowing in the bed making me VERY comfortable. Grass truly is greener, softer, and warmer on the other side. Makes sense?

Unfortunately, morning had arrived and my dad had called me to come back home since he was leaving for office. I am in no mood for an argument in the morning, so I did exactly as I was instructed. I came back home, ate, snap chatted with my friends and did all those time-wasting things one could possibly  do when you have 4 months holiday in hand. *yeah*

The door bell rang, Oscar ran barking at the door and it was Mom. We exchanged smiles as she told me about the dinner we were going for at Taj Hotel with my family friends. I love dressing up and be it a dinner with family friends I AM STILL IN. My mom often gets headaches so I offered  to press her head and in no time she too was asleep like my friend that night, besides the snoring. Once again the door bell rang, and again my little pug barked like it was the end of the world. I was wearing my father’s long T-shirt which was tucked in from one angle in my tiny shorts. I had only kept it that way so that people don’t think that I am roaming around without any bottoms. I looked like a drugged child or maybe just a sleepy one.

But whom I saw on the door was the person who wouldn't judge me whatsoever I wore. It was my friend from the sleepover with a huge cake container “Is your oven working?”She asked. I smiled and opened the door. My diet plan NEVER works and I have accepted as true that it never will. As her container was so big, we decided to split the batter and make two cakes. We put the first half in the oven and waited patiently.

“Hey! Why don’t we start a cake business” I exclaimed

“Nice idea man. We could earn profits and all, it would be so cool”

“Yeah, we’ll put up posters and advertise on Facebook”

“And become famous!”

Our imagination had taken over us making us believe we could actually open a bakery. Chocolate had taken away our sanity but the tick of the oven brought our minds back to the kitchen. What we then saw broke our dreams like a glass fallen from the sky. With a cake like that even dogs would refuse to take it (Oscar is an exception, he can practically eat anything, ANYTHING)

“It’s our first try, the second one will definitely be better” ....was a lie told by her. The second one was a nightmare! It had not been more than a minute we left the kitchen alone and when we entered the cake inside the oven was on fire. MY KITCHEN WAS ON FIRE!

She was about to scream but I said, “Shh..Mom is sleeping, if she sees THIS she will kill us, for real”

My innocent friend went running to her house to call her maid while I threw water on that yuck substance. Of course, the fire didn't burn the whole house killing all of us leading to a tragedy but it did certainly dirtied the guts out of my kitchen and leave chocolate foot prints of Oscar all around the house.

One thing was clear; we cannot bake even at a gun point.

*relief*