Of Conversations

My students go for drama class every Monday and Wednesday. The drama teachers are currently working on strengthening their (the kids') lungs. Today there was a flurry of excitement because they all got brightly coloured balloons to blow. Some of them were able to huff and puff and pump a lot of air in while the others tried relentlessly. One little boy after trying for a few minutes was on the brink of tears because his balloon just wouldn't swell up.

Me: Sweetheart, just try a little harder. I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

Little Boy: It's not happening! I'm going to take it home and try.

Me: That's probably a good idea. You must be tired right now.

Little Boy: No, Teacher. I have a vacuum cleaner at home. It will fill the balloon up!

Ah! The joy in working with kids! :)

Kids who greet you with their happy smiles, bright eyes and curious minds. A team which knows how to have fun seriously. A mentor who inspires you to be relentless. Constant learning. Explore, explore, explore.

Nothing's gonna change my world.

I like that blog I follow. It brightens up my mood no matter what. It makes me realize that there are things that I take for granted and yet it makes me smile because I know what the writer is talking about. Almost like a whack on the side of the head. A nice kind of a whack. Most importantly, I feel something stir inside for a brief moment everyday and if you were me you would understand why that takes centre stage in my life as of now. I hold onto that moment. I need it for my well being. Today's post talks about "Saying Thanks". Gratitude. The most beautiful thing about being thankful is that everyone is in a win-win situation... and the world just feels that much happier. And for all you cynics and pessimists out there, *tthhbbp*. I teach 4 year olds for a living. The first lesson we learn is to be happy within. It is only then that you can create without.

Starting here, I'm going to spread some cheer, love and thankfulness every single day. The mind is already buzzing with ideas.

Right now, a big shout out to two people who have become an indispensable part of my inner circle. First, my very understanding, smart, fun, mommy-like, unbelievably efficient mentor. You inspire me to reach out for the stars and make sure that I have a fab time while doing so. Thank you for the love, support, patience and pieces of banana pound cake :)

And Ms. DTQ, you're undoubtedly the most "sorted out" 21 year old I know. We both know that this relationship goes beyond the four walls of school. Be it our times at Peco's, our common love for music and art, post beer adventures or just the conversations on life and other things... I am grateful that you landed up one fine August morning.

Even gooey chocolate cake wouldn't make me feel this good inside :)

Art of Living.

Every picture has a story behind it. This one had the kids in the lead. They continue to be some kind of wonderful :)

All I Really Need to Know I Learnt in Kindergarten

* Share everything.

* Play fair.

* Don't hit people.

* Put things back where you found them.

* Clean up your own mess.

* Don't take things that aren't yours.

* Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

* Wash your hands before you eat.

* Flush.

* Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

* Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

* Take a nap every afternoon.

* When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
* Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

* Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

* And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

As we live a life of ease
Everyone of us has all we need
Sky of blue and sea of green
In our yellow submarine...

Theatre is always fun for them. They do handstands, run around, sing and finally settle down to listen to a story. Last Tuesday they heard what happened to Basava and the dots of fire. They were introduced to a Peepal leaf. After looking at it, touching it, smelling it, they gave it back and headed towards the sandpit.

I was hanging around when my eyes fell on a deep green, heart-shaped leaf. I pulled it out and said "Hey guys! remember this? We just saw it sometime ago. Remember what it's called?

The little girl ummmed. The little boy scratched his head. Suddenly his big, bright blue eyes lit up and he shrieked.

"I know this one. It's the HUMAN leaf!!!"

Peepal. People. Human.

Children really are some kind of wonderful :)

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost

I was always told that I had my fingers in too many pies. Logically, it should have worked for me because I had a plethora of options to choose from. All I knew was that whatever I did with my life, it had to involve people, lots of colour, madness and creativity.

This is the MBA generation. In most cases, money talks while satisfaction takes a back seat. So isn't that supposed to be the path I take?

I work the other way round. A fat salary at the end of every month didn't stop me from chucking everything to the side and chasing my dream. No matter how much it paid me, the levels of happiness would be unparalleled. At least I was sure of that. And I wasn't wrong.

After 2 years, I know that no high flying corporate career will ever be able to match up to the joy of teaching, giving, learning and loving. My first day at work and I know I can do this for the rest of my life. This is where I belong. This is passion!

The last time I gave my heart away like this was 7 years ago when I picked up a book that had "ECONOMICS for Class XII" written on the cover.

This time it's to a wonderful little place called Neev.