On Teaching - Why are all the Good Teachers Crazy !!

Dedicated and inspired by my school physics teacher Mr. A

Physics Test 1:  So our physics teacher Mr. A , started writing out the questions on the board , he was new in school , and the very 1^st test a teacher takes used to be our benchmark for rating his teaching skills as students. (Oh yes , the easier the question , the higher the rating) . We had great expectations from Mr. A – he was an influential speaker , with a unique style and all – something we had’nt really witnessed before. But at the end of the class , when the bell rang , we all were horrified – none of us were sure , what we had written . And then the results of our test converted our horror into a dark reality , etched into our minds with the steel grey liquid – only 2 students had passed , rest all FAIL .

Physics Test 2 : So now we had already rated Mr. A as a scary teacher –we knew there was no point . But then he surprised us , “It’s an open book test , students” , he said .. That changed it all . Dear Sir , you don’t really know , but we are good at ‘find , copy and paste’ (its actually the skill that landed most of us as Engineers.) Half way through the test , he smiled and said –“You can even go to the library if you want” . That was the signal – we realised even no H.C. Verma’s would be able to help us now. Result the same – only this time all FAILED .

Yes , we did’nt really like him in high-school , he was non-methodological  in his teaching ways – and we , well  we were used to the routine manner of text book teaching , of mugging up and scoring , too lazy to break the routine, to explore something which would’nt get us Marks- yes MARKS was all our school life revolved around.

But then , came junior college , and as our little minds matured a little ,we saw his ways. The respect for him started forming shape , and I assure you , it has always grown since then. He did his best  juggling between roles for us – a tutor , a friend , a mentor – he knew when to be what. We did take undue advantage of his sweet nature at times – bunking his lectures (ahh , it felt like new found freedom) , emptying the mercury of the lab thermometers (i still recall how much fun we had ) ,  it made him upset , but in the end he always forgave us – he cared of his students we knew. Our lives broke the cage of marks and we enjoyed the flavors of true learning, actually being capable of being passionate about a subject.

Why I am penning this down ? Because I feel  I owe it to him – his “crazy “ (apologize for the use of the word Sir - but crazy is what people understand ) ways of teaching formed my way of thinking – the attitude of “breaking the routine” is what does carries one a long way – be it college or work – and makes people respect you.  Dear Mr. A , you were indeed one teacher , I am proud to have had , your non-methodological style and attitude still inspires me to take those risks at work and in life, to be able to think differently  , and more importantly, It freed me of my fears and made me feel that I can make my own space in the world.

The Lazy Way to Success (Wally)

What Wally Inspires me about - that me being LAZY isn't a step away from success :) 

From the pages of Dilbert , a character which embarks true power to the Lazy Me!!

Lights , Camera , Action!!!

MY FIRST STINT AT ACTING :)

Okay, before you build up your expectations, it was a small shoot. I just had to speak for a minute or two. But the build up to it, was in every sense an experience to live.

Yes , there was a proper crew ; the art director , with his white cap on (seriously what’s with that , a thinking hat ? ) ;his assistant; the camera guy , with his long hair ; the make-up artist , who went on about how many TV cast he’s worked for; the group of guys with all the lights , and shades; etc, etc..

The night before the shoot was spent on deciding what to wear- thanks for my dear roomies for that. Seriously, its moment like these I am super glad to have them around – I don’t know what would I have done without their opinion!!

THE DAY :

Thankfully the shoot was in the morning , and I was spared an entire day of imagining what would happen .

They started with my make-up and after they were done, I was kind of aghast to see myself. Being a “keep-it-simple” girl  I felt I looked horrible with the oodles of make-up ; I was plastered with loads of it ;but it won’t show up in the video they said, it’s required . This being my first-hand experience, I guess I had no choice but to accept they knew what they were doing well.

Then , came the mike. They hid it well under my collar, so that it would’nt show at all. I kind of felt dumb , cause I never knew they would be using mikes at all for recording. I always imagined the camera would do all the job!!

And then came the moment , I had been having goose bumps thinking about. My lines (just 4 to be true) were well rehearsed, but the moment they put me infront of camera for rehearsal , I went blank!!! Yes completely blank. I felt dumb – what’s wrong with my brain I can’t even recall 4 simple lines , I wrote myself..

Anyhow, I somehow managed to utter the lines. The director (a really sweet guy) , said I was putting too much effort in speaking the lines , that my face was missing all the expressions. Dear Mr. Director , I am software –developer ,  the only screen I am used to is the computer’s . Well the camera screen is new to me, give me some time..

Anyways , after 3-4 retakes (they actually use the words “action” , “rolling” , it felt kind of funny!! ) I managed to get it right .But then as soon as finished my lines , my eyes automatically looked up to the camera guy , as if to seek his approval ,”Did I do alright ?” . You are supposed to continue looking into the camera for few seconds they explained, over and over again. But come on , it was my first shot , I could’nt help if my eyes instinctively followed my brain’s desire to seek that approval. And then the camera guy put everyone in laughter with his “ Lady, I am not that handsome , that you immediately need to look at me”  remark. Another whiff of embarrassment and that did the job- My eyes did’nt move at all to seek that approval anymore .

Finally, after 3-4 more shots, it got over. The crew were a bunch of lovely people , who kept encouraging , and giving nice comments – never getting irritated – after all they were professionals!!

Did I enjoy it – yes every bit of it.However short it was ,it might be my only stint at acting , and every experience counts. And how did I actually do – well that I’ll only know when the video’s out!! Till then, I have found an interesting experience I can brag about at coffee!! 

I believe in PINK!!

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” 

And yes, I am one of those who believe in pink. My dear friends who label “pink” as being “too girly”   are just not too bold enough to sport the color.  For I believe, pink to be the true mix of red and white. It is the passion and power of red softened with the purity, openness and completeness of white. If that symbolizes feminism , then yes PINK is girly..


And I own a whole bunch of things which are pink, though most of them are gifted , quiet a few have been bought by me.. If I look around me , few pink things which I own  :
A pair of scissors,
My comb
MP3 player
A t-shirt (couple of them actually)
Nailpaint
Stuff toy”s
, ..... 


So , yes I love Pink and all things pink. For , just because I love PINK , does'nt mean I am not strong!! 

Rock As If Nothing Matters

The Fallback Plan

Well, I highly recommend “The Fallback Plan” by Leigh Stein to all my twenty –something friends , who have felt a little lost and a lot confused after college .
 
To sum up, the book’s protagonist Esther Kohler is a twenty-something recent college graduate, unemployed and living with her parents. Unable to decide what to do with herself, she spends her days aimlessly, hanging out with her high school friends and her old crush , drinking a lot. Determined to help her through a tough time (or just to get her off her back, really) Esther’s mom finds her a babysitting job and not having anything better to do with her time, Esther takes that up. Sorting through other people’s problems helps Esther realize that she must face her own issues and find a compromise between her dreams and real life, and maybe even build some self-esteem in the process.

At the end of the day, the book put me into a reflective mode again, as to what was my fallback plan..
All of friends are either
Getting Married : and while I am happy from heart for them , every “engaged” status on facebook gives me Goosebumps.
Or
Pursuing higher studies : And every such news makes me wonder am I the only fool sticking in IT . That I would be the only one left out without a PG . 

And all the while my mind is busy in conjuring answers to: 

To My Parents: Reasons to convince them as to why I do not want to get married for another 2 years atleast.

• I am yet to achieve a lot of things before I am settled. Like what my parents ask, and I have no great answers 
• I hav’nt met the man of my dreams .This My parents don’t buy , they just think my expectations are too high
• There is so much I want to see in the world . My mom : You can explore the world better if you have a life partner with you !!

To My Friends: Reasons why I am lying low on going for further studies

• I love my job (atleast I think I do).Except for the occasional low moments when I hate it ,and get the feeling of thrashing my machine from the highest floor. , but that phase would occur in any job I guess.
• I don’t know yet what course I want to do , and I am in no rush to jump in the guns till I know for sure.
• The economy is bad!! well , when is'nt it.

And To Myself  :

• Like a reckless soul, fidgeting around to find what hobby/liking of mine is actually a passion , and not just a phase.
• Where do I want to see myself 10 years from now, etc , etc..

Alright, I know I might just be delaying the decision as to what I want to do. I dread of having to make wrong choices. Life was easier when parents made all our decisions.
But for all I know, I am living in the moment. Maybe it ain’t too bad, I am enjoying the small things , exploring my realms.

And that’s what the book makes me feel good about, accepting the reality. In Esther’s words

“In another twenty years I would still be depressed and apathetic. I would still be waiting for that turning point, the one that comes in books and plays, where the hero has to step up and risk it all. Apparently, in life, there is no such thing.”

So to sum up what I learnt ,  I’ll  just go home with the fact that that growing up is an act of stumbling forward, and holding on to innocence can sometimes be more painful than letting go of it.

On Mehangai : Views of a Gujju uncle

   Despite what people would have to say about the various nuances of the Indian Rails, I have always loved travelling by the “chuk-chuk gadi” and preferred it over all other forms of transport.The part which I fancy the most is the interesting conversations you build up with the people in your coach, it is diversity at its best, and people spare no efforts to spill out all the gyan they have .

   Just recently , on a trip home on my regular train,August Kranti , I ended up being dragged into an interesting conversation on our woes of the times “ Mehangai”  aka Inflation. 

   The conversation started on a regular note, with Aunties crying out how their hearts weep while cooking  food , what with the ever increasing process of sabji , pulses , and cooking oil. Of the sky-rocketing prices of petrol , and how it affects us all. And then there emerged this Gujju uncle , who with his sassy way of communication ,changed the direction of the conversation .What views he held , were incredibly delightful and different to hear.

   Our dear Gujju uncle , questioned us in an obvious manner , that how is inflation causing us troubles. According to him , India is becoming rich , what could be bought for Rs. 10 around 5 years back ,can be bought for  Rs. 100 now , and that’s indicative of how our spending power has increased, that we can now afford to spend a 100 bucks for what we would do in a tenner. What he said made us all ponder , it’s true the average standard of living in India has increased. Pizza hut, Dominoes’ is no longer a rich man’s joint , malls are increasingly being visited by the middle class. 

   And then Uncle continued his explanation :  For us, born of early 80’s and before things have become expensive , but not for today’s generation .We oldies still calculate the value of rupee as per previous days , in our minds we still feel , ahhh Rs. 100!!! that used to be enough to survive a month. But for the newer generation, the story is different . It’s not expensive – it’s the rate of their age, it’s the prices they have grown up in.  Brands to them are more affordable now.  The whole standard of living has increased !!!

   In the end it left me with a happy feeling, it felt as if I was enlightened with a new thought. Our Gujju uncle , made me realize how creative a man could be , how his thought process could conjure reasons to feel  happy about everything in life , to find that silver lining in the cloud !!

   What made the conversation stick to mind ,was the hilarious way in which our dear Gujju uncle and his son were steering it forward.  To quote: 

When will I find my Hobbes!!

Bill Watterson’s classic ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ has always been one of my favorite scripts. His profound views on the daily nuances of life, makes your head go ‘drip-a-drip’.  It always amazed me how well did Watterson represent the harsh realities of life in such a comical-fashion, of how he could make you laugh-out-your-wits and put you into deep ponder of things that are at the same time. 

But what lasts in my mind the most whenever I flip through the classic 4-column script, is the affectionate character that is Hobbes. Our dear stripped-orange creature, casts a jaundiced view over the manifold failings of humanity, at the same time maintains a faith in the very human.

In every sense, Hobbes fulfills Calvin’s yearning for conformity.

And that’s what makes me jealous of Calvin, and my heart yearns for my very own Hobbes.

One might argue I am a weak soul to say that I long for conformity, that the greatest of writers and revolutionary minds , always quoted conformity to be the “jailer of freedom” and “enemy of growth”.
I don’t say I am opposed to that view, but any human does need an approval of his state of affairs. 

And that’s where Hobbes come in, no matter how crazy Calvin’s ideas where, how ‘off-society’  his actions where , the orange fellow was always there to make him believe he’s sane. Now you can’t call this stifling. It’s as free as a man could be.

My ideas might not be as crazy as Calvin’s, but I know they are crazy enough to make any sane man say “Are you nuts? People will mock you!!”

So will I ever find my Hobbes – I guess I will have to make peace with the bunny tugged at the corner of my bed, to fulfill my yearning ,  Coz I know I cannot make other people conform to my own whims and fancies. Hell, I cannot make even my own body obey me.

And so I was Mumbai-nized...

Who am I ? Well, just another alien whom the ‘City of many ‘ – dear Mumbai has engulfed , and made her very own dweller.
Why Am I penning this down ? When you see the ‘this can NEVER happen’ becoming true , in a much shorter time span , you get the killing urge to let the world know , it happened , you transformed , and belong here.

How is this different from what other

Victims have to say ?  Not at all, you see ’ Mumbai-nization’ results in pretty much the same symptoms in all its targets !

Two years ago, when I landed in Mumbai, I hated the very air I was breathing in. Occasional calls to my dear friends and family, cribbing , sobbing , and using every curse word I knew on the city , didn’t quiet calm me down. But then, the city worked its magic like it does to every other soul who dares to step on it, embalming me with its golden potion , and converting me into a Mumbai-kar .
I cannot fixate the change to a “the Date” ; Mumbai’s embalming process is pretty gradual .But it happened my dear friends , in every sense of the word – it DID.
How did I know I was transformed ? It’s simple , there’s a checkilist , and you know you are trapped once you’ve tick-marked most of them .
Here’s my very own checklist, on you know you are a Mumbai-kar when :

 üYou start craving for Vada-pavs ::  What 4 years of Pune did’nt do to me, an year of Mumbai did

 üFall in love with local-trains. And actually prefer them over any other mode of transport.

 üYou’d rather use your legs and walk up , than use your mouth to curse the traffic : Believe me , you’d rather  get down from the auto few steps before and walk than wait for the lights to go green.

 üYou run your breath to catch that last local, and even though you trip and hurt yourself , you are proud of the fact that you actually made it ! And the 1st word that came out of my mouth was “YAY” , rather than “Ouch”

 üWhat , you are not a Mumbai-kar – how dare you curse my city !! - You’d crib about the nuances of the city , yet if any of your Non-Mumbai-kar friends start doing the same, you feel offended and would jump to the other side , and go all “ga ga” with praises .

 üSea-Side Bliss all for Free - You’d prefer travelling an hour to enjoy your weekends just sitting at Marine Drive , rather than going to a fancy restaurant just few min from your door.

 üLiving in the rains : You become impervious to rains-rather thunderstorms. You learn to jump a little, take a right and a left , over those puddles, which earlier used to feel like an entire lake in itself , on your way to office.

  üHaggler of the Day :You become an expert in haggling , and beam with Pride , when you are able to get the price down to half.

 üShop till you drop;but of course @Sasta  : Well , you buy , even if you don’t have the space to keep a pin in your wardrobe. Make memory notes of stuff you liked while walking thorugh Colaba, and get the same when you next go to Linking Road , and save yourselves those few extra bucks

 üParty abhi Baki hai :You start entering the clubs at 11:00 pm ,and Wooa the party starts!

 üGhode ki Neend : You can sleep soundly , even with the all traffic noise buzzing through the window. Even when you are cramped up in a local.

   üScared of an empty street : You are no more afraid of the multitudinous roads , and you get a terrible sense of a disaster in progress on seeing an empty street.

 üEat what you desire  : You’d rather wait an hour to get into the restaurant you decided for the night , rather than take a ‘no-wait’ entry into the one next to it. I actually travelled all the way to Bandra to reach the original Candies!! WTF , I didn’t even know there were two more of these , before I made a rendezvous trip on their discovery.

Well, there is much more to add, but the above made me sure that I was infected with the disease. I call it a disease because that’s what my friends call it – for me it’s actually become a way of life. It’s not an infection, it’s a habit which I am happy to have picked up, a boundless love and adoration for the city , the “City of Dreams “ .

All in all , I can finally say – PROUD TO BE A MUMBAI-KAR !!