Incentives :)

 

 

Why do we do what we do?

“We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do” James Farmer Sr. – “The Great Debaters”

(Note (Wiki link): The Great Debaters is a 2007 film about the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College in Texas who, in 1935, inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

Directed by Denzel Washington. Written by Robert Eisele. When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.)

If you haven’t seen that movie, please do. And another one called “Finding Forrester”

 Makes sense, I think, to a great extent. Sometimes, the what what we need and want become the same thing. That is joy. That is fruition of a hope, a dream. Sometimes, it is a miracle, especially in this jaded world.

I think of the endless times I’ve cursed where I’m at, especially career-wise, and I wonder what the heck I’m doing here in a world where nothing seems to go down well, from either side of the Teacher’s Table; when kids become aliens and colleagues are no different. Lest I sound defeated, I must assure you this here is just a vent, at the end of a long haul of paper correction combined with a challenging number of marklists to be prepared in the new CCE Format of the CBSE Board. Sibal’s 100 days wala brainchild. It’s good enough, but with the forbidding class strength and the norms to follow, it becomes a nightmare, especially towards the end of the year. It’s also this way because some wonderful workers like me have Procrastination for their worshipful deity.

So, back to my first question. Why am I doing what I do? Apart from the fact that I am ‘trained’ to, (doesn’t that bring that performing trick monkey to mind? ), and I ‘need’ to, for purely survival reasons, I find reasons. I find incentives, and once I’ve had them for a bit, I find it’s hard to give up this sort of thing. (Hrishi is the one who gave me this idea for the title ! Thanks Hrishikesh!)

Inspiration, pure and simple. That’s the first one. Whether it’s your usual sixth standard kid who persistently wants to know your birthday, or amazes you with a fully grammatical and awesomely sensible answer to a complicated question; or a tenth standard student who writes, in a composition ( a bio sketch about a teacher), details that you find are so YOU (:D – it was the ‘active on social networking’ and ‘has dogs’ amongst other details), whether it’s the naughtiest kid in class telling your own child, years later, after finishing school, that the only reason he reads is because I hounded him in class to do so… the way that living asset you deal with inspires you is like nothing else.

Affection. In the form of cards, at Christmas and New Year time (I found out that not every teacher got cards ), little notes at the end of the year, confidences shared, when they are about to leave school, there is so much. You sow very little, you think, till the rich harvest tells you how much you can be proud of… for how they grew themselves up!

And there comes along a child, someone you were so fond of, but tried hard not to be too obvious about so that the others did not pick on him/her and felt that you were partial – who comes up and gives you a note, nervously, on the last day of school, telling you that what she wanted to say was right there… You suddenly feel that ogre-ish is ok too Shrek has seen to that anyway!

At the end of 7th March, when it was officially the last working day for the kids, before they went in for their study holidays, S, from Class VIII came up to me with this letter, shyly

The Leo in me is flattered no end, and the head says this is just something to perhaps make me value her paper a bit generously. The cynic in me says that. But she’s anyway going to cream the paper, I know, being an outstanding student, and at the end of the year, there is no need to tell me anything at all … except good riddance… but this really touched me. Have been waiting to share this from that day. It IS inspiration, incentive and the needing and wanting overlapping, for me.(And yes, I did reply. With a Thank You Card, and a Bookmark Forgot to scan those!)

And that is how I know, the incentives hereabouts in the job profile in very very undefined and inarticulate ways are powerful. I know I’m where I want to be. For now that is enough.

31 March, 2013
Online (And thank you Hrishikesh )

“Discover Wildlife! Be a Teacher!”

… so goes a quote, anonymously posted, that I discovered in my casual stroll through the WWW yesterday! I was totally captivated by it, and immediately shared it where it would reach a wider audience, especially those who have the taste for the hatke. Obviously, Facebook

In the comments sections, produced herewith, with the help of a screen shot(click to enlarge pic ) is a telling reminder of how much fun it is (Leenuka ) and how we can even discover new species in our adventures (Abby!)

Ok So that may not show up clearly, but I so liked the responses from two wonderful people I know there- one of whom is an awesome teacher I look up to, and am a big big fan of! Abby (((Hugs)))

Doing a post for Teachers’ Day is also getting to be a tradition too for this blog This in 2010, and this one last year. What more can I add? I guess enough to make me want to write something.

From way back, in school, I’ve always loved Teachers’ Day The day when Teachers were not teachers, and the fun we had with student teachers! How, on that day, our Teachers were ever so charming, and approachable, and how we could take liberties with them that day…. Times have changed since then, of the perception of a teacher in class.

Teachers are not just approachable now, but I guess more vulnerable too You don’t really know what’s coming at you… either child or parent or the Administration! That is only the tip of the freaking iceberg that keeps growing, global warming in the teaching community notwithstanding! (And I am not even going to go into the fiscal aspect at ALL ). And still, no matter what, I love what I do. That is enough for me

This is not going to be an organized and neatly compartmentalized post, let me warn you, before you get too deep in here. This one is a lark, a happy lark, singing to itself, a paean to itself

This is a tribute to the teachers who shaped me, and made me look at myself as a being with potential. I know for sure that what I am is because of them! It is not for nothing that Henry Adams wrote of teachers:

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. “

I know I still do things today because of something or other that has influenced me, in my own days as a student in college, or in school We all do, I think! More so, when we rebel!

Yesterday, during that stroll through various quotes available on the net, I did discover a few that I do want to share today

A teacher’s job is to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well grounded” ~ D Martin 

Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself

Teachers touch the future.

There are three good reasons to be a teacher – June, July, and August.  ~Author Unknown
(in this case let me make it April, May, and 10 days each during August-September, and December!!)

********

This particular post as I have already mentioned is a dedication to my own teachers from school, and from college, and one particular awesome teacher from College – Dr Shoba Venkatesh Gosh (She used to be Ms Shoba Venkatesh in college ). Early this year, when I came across a search term, with her name on the dashboard of my blog, I made an effort to google and find out more about her! Was very very elated to make contact through an organization called SPARROW, to discover she is now a Professor of English at Mumbai University! Woah. Made my day, entirely… Went back to being the adoring kid in her class, and wrote out an email, an adoring email, of course to her… a part of which I have shared below! Well so much for being a teacher I’d rather be her student any day!

I quote from the my email (dated March 7, 2012) to her: “The other day, while writing in another of my rambles on my wordpress blog, I mentioned your name, as someone who has been an all time inspiration in life. And today, while going through search terms on my blog, I saw your name, and immediately decided that this had to be the day I would delve deep into the virtual world for traces of that memory, and see if I could find you, however virtually. 

 

So I googled Shobha Venkatesh Ghosh ( I remembered that part too!); and was shown many links, all referring to Dr.Shobha Venkatesh Gosh. Had to be you, of course And you still look awesome, the self same tall, lissome and attractive lecturer I used to look forward to listening to in class, in JNC! (saw a few pictures on SPARROW’s webpage) ( Do you still do theatre?)

 

I do realize you would not be able to place me, neither would you remember what I looked like, for I was that eager beaver average ordinary (all said in one breath! ) girl who hung upon your words in class. A sure case of adoration, one I still  have to get over! Sorry to come on so strong!! After all these years

 

Coincidentally, I am a teacher. A school teacher. English. (which I took , after doing Science in PUC, because of a sure and defining influence of a certain lecturer!). And each time a student who has finished school comes back with kind words I think of you, and even otherwise. I’ve quoted your name n number of times when asked randomly what inspired me; first and foremost it has been you Glad that I can, at least now, let you know all of this Your rendition (if I could call it that! It was a class act!) of Pontius Pilate still lingers, and though I have lost the words, thinking of your performance always brings a smile!

 

I shall not embarrass you anymore. I’m glad I could get in touch (provided of course you do get to read this schoolgirlish mail, from an almost 49 year old who refused to grow beyond 12 – that’s a private joke my son and I share ). 

 

I hope too, to be able to mail you again, on occasion, if you would not mind. It’s great to know that I have been able to at least make a one sided contact.( Dear me! Provided, of course, that you are the same Shobha Ma’am.)” Unquote

What pleased me more, made me more overjoyed that words can tell, is her reply, and the fact that somewhere she did have a fuzzy memory What does one say to such “thrilled to bits” feelings that well up?

*********

To wrap up, here’s the song (lyrics in the description area) from the film “To Sir, With Love”, iconic as far as inspiration for teachers go ; sung by Lulu, years after she first performed it for the film itself, in which she acted, as one of the students. Evergreen inspiration!

Happy Teachers’ Day to all those who, each day, knowingly and unknowingly are part of the teaching process… so that is ALL of you

4 Spetember 2012, on the verge of 5 September, 2012
Teachers’ Day

I Know You’ll Dance…

(Lee Ann Womack’s beautiful song ”I hope You’ll Dance”  is the inspiration for this title The video is embedded at the end of this post, dedicated entirely to an awesome dancer, in the family! The one who never sat out a single dance in the course of his life. My second born. Ashwin.

The steel grey Gucci Suit Wala Dancer – Ashwin!

Royal in Blue Ashwin!

This one, sweetheart, is just for you. The song, I know, was written with you in mind. But wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. This is getting to be really enjoyable, the build up each year, to 3 August; and I know this is one tradition I will keep, for as long as words allow themselves to be charmed into this space, for you. Tradition. For this blog too! )

Right, before I go ga ga all over again, over my Lion Cub, I do want to share those “traditions” . It started in 2009, with “The Right Age”, the went on to “For My Little One” (incidentally he’s a few millimetres short of being 6 ft tall ), to when he flew the coop, in “When Nestlings Fly”, and Metamorphosis and settled in with “Pride”  in 2010 and 2011, last year. And here is where he tells me it’s no fun doing something unless your mom says NO. So it is 3 August again, and, as my kids in school say, “his happy birthday”!

What can I say, or wish him, that I already have not? Would you believe, I can (Ah! and you thought, here she is, quite having run out of more words, will allow us to listen to that song, and be done wishing him! But oh no…!) Oh yes, I can! *gleeful, evil grin on her face, and she anticipates the dammed words waiting to break and flow* … pun intended!

Boy oh Boy! Am I going to enjoy this! *lifts fingers from keyboard long enough to rub her hands in glee*

So here goes…

Years before, as a timid, tiny lion cub, you always made me wonder how you’d find your feet. I know, NOW, I needn’t have worried! Your feline sense of balance would help you land, feet firmly on ground, steady as ever.

Today, I want to extract each memory, as if from a pensieve, each shimmering thought strand, playing out a favourite scene of you, of how you used to be, of how we used to be… (I wish I had those photos too, to go with these threads , but could only manage these mobile pictures of photographs from the old albums )

Happy happy

Shmaille no, pleaaase?

You, Achukkutts…
… your grudging smile, reserved ONLY for family and Anu/Ani, the little girls from the ground floor of the barsati we lived in, in Delhi (Just look at you, above.. That is how you were most of time, till you turned about 2 and a half years old )

… of how you idolized your big brother, right from the beginning and how you fought so hard with him later; and how I’m accused even now ( ) of being partial

At NDA, for Arjun’s POP, Khadakwasla, Pune December, 2007! Love this picture

Awww… he would smile only for his family proof here!

Stolen from Malu’s collection The smiles were getting bigger and more uninhibited

Awww…

… of your reluctant, first, LATE baby step – so terrified of gravity – after having done EVERYTHING else in record time: turning over ALL by YOURSELF, in 2 months flat! IMAGINE!!! Never thought it would take you over a year to walk!

Achchante Kunjunni

… your charming smile; how everyone loved to see it; how hard they tried to make you, and how you just did NOT! Ask Chitta

… how once you discovered that smile, you showered it with so much joy on all and sundry, and how you still do… Padmaja Teacher (HOD, Social Science) refers to you even now as a “smiling baby”

… how you made friends slowly, and how they always were forever

Ashwin, second from right, along with Abey, Praveen and Hrithu

Ashwin Shining From an Onam Celebration picture at College. Ashwin in the Centre

Abey’s farewell treat? Or Hrithu’s? Standing: Govind, Hrithu; Sitting: Pious, Ashwin, Abey and Cezil

…how you make friends so darned fast, these days

… your Gita Chanting feats, and “Sherwood”, that memorable year, when you wowed me with your recitation! I still wonder at it!!!

… that proud moment, when you and Lakshmi became Vikramsila House Captains, and more so, the jubilant moment, when your house was Champion House!!! Those were days!!!
…how we pored over those Hotel Management courses, and that online test for MS Ramaiah! R.O.F.L.

… and how you went and became an engineer, with the huge rank you had , with a course you wanted, in a college you wanted! Oh yes! you had your guardian angel watching over you. Still do Achamma

…. and asking me if you could pierce your ears! High point.

…. and announcing you found your soulmate… boy! was I jealous !!! Not anymore, dont worry, N!!

Soulmates

…and growing wings, trying them out, and sailing out, smooth and fluent, and free….

I miss you. But I know you’ve gotta do what you gotta do, and be where you have to be Life’s quirky ways. We know, don’t we, that’s the way we are, and no matter what you’ll always be the baby in my arms,

That tiny head, of the baby swathed in a pink wrap is YOU ! At Viju’s wedding… all of 28 days

from twenty odd years ago, no matter you’re a hulking handsome young man now Hugs, big huge bear hugs, my dearest!

Clicked by Govind? Classic Hunk

Happy Birthday, Ashwin! You should be here, with me, considering this is the last bachelor party you’re going to have, for your birthday ! May you be just as sweet, just as strong, just as fair, and just as loving, as you have always been. May God bless you and keep you safe, always. May you ever be loved, and may you always find love, in each and every moment of each day… especially when you’re down May you always be in high spirits, and may the world take its cue from you, on how to be the best you can! I do love you so!

I do love you! Bear HUG

And here it is finally:

“I hope you dance” by Lee Ann Womack

And another one, so so beautiful, it made my cry

“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

I found them both at this place

From 31 July to…1 August 2012
For 3 August, 2012.
Scheduled post

And so…

I have officially welcomed a daughter into the family (And that has been the reason for the long long break from blogging ) My son Arjun married Pratibha on 29th June, 2012.

I’m blessed. We are, my son and I. And it has been a wedding that was entertaining, full of song and dance, filled with all the emotions, laughter, tears, and endless late nights of catching up on news, gossip, zimbly-at-all-chatting and never wanting to sleep and miss out on spending time with loved ones. Weddings, get togethers are like that, aren’t they? Especially if it is all about the two being from different states

Finally the excitement and energy that has been on high for so many days is quietening down. Winding down is not much fun. Getting back to a workplace after that orgy of emotion and fun, even less ! But we need that bread to sustain us, forget about the butter

There were a lot of interesting “comments” and remarks that got me writing this down! Some typical, like “Gosh! Now you’re mother-in-law! You are probably feeling the power of it all!” Gawd! Seriously?? I mean, what power, darn it? I’m still me, and I have a beautiful daughter to top it all! I feel the power of happiness, that is all!!!

“Oh my, one burden is lesser to carry around now, no?” (The other, presumably, is the younger son ) Burden? They are both my wondrous offspring, bits of me, lots of themselves, all entirely made of themselves, and filled with all kinds of everything that still amazes and fascinates me. They are lovely people, and I’ve never never thought of them as burdens! I’m entirely fed up of innumerable remarks which, worded differently, say the same thing! “Responsibilities”, “duties”… what have you! If anything, I have one more person to love, to cherish, to coddle to death ! And no way can that be a burden, responsibility or whateva!!!

“We actually thought you’d look mother-in-law-ish” LOL! Do that category have a “look”??? I wonder what that could be! If anything I feel no different, and dress no different, and do things just the same! With more care and concern certainly that my daughter ( in law) should have a smooth passage into her life with her partner, my son.

And yes, I shall say daughter, though I have read somewhere that one cannot really say that; for she will always be her mother’s daughter, and a mother in law can never take that place. I certainly agree with the notion, but I do believe that it is possible to be that mother, and be that daughter too, even if it took a marriage to make it so More so, with the cross cultural wedding this turned out to be!

To put it plain and simple: I’m still me, Parukutty , my daughter is still her, and so is Arjun, my son And we are all really happy being what we are to each other! *Fingers crossed* that we may all be as blessed with the love we share with each other! May God Bless them, too, to be as loved and loving always!

A Haiku, for them

Wedded

Merging my soul in

Yours, I’m lost: only to find

Completeness in us.

15 July, 2012

Exuberance – Haiku

Bubbling over with

Sudden sparkles of frothy

Effervescent joy!

18 March, 2012

(Entirely instigated by misplaced exuberance of young girls of my class who indulged in a bit of graffiti in school, and were apprehended, red-handed . They wrote “Exuberantz” supposedly a “gang” name. Horrors! Yes, I did my thingy of ogre-ishness, and then wondered: How I love that word!
Hence. Because. And So. )

More Haiku, here. 

Picture, Google Images.

Moving Memories, Melt-your-heart-moments!

I’ve been ranting a lot of late, and finding negativity in most things around me. Luckily I have things which keep me sane, and friends who understand that this crazy woman is just moulting, and will soon be back to her normal self ! Blessed to have kids too, who just want to know who to bash up or send an obscene mail to . Yes!! *fist pumping, elbow bent, pushing down* You know, the kind that kids do, all the time, especially when you tell them, Listen, we’ll have the dictation tomorrow !

The day dawned gloomy as usual, literally and figuratively. This, after a cool night, that followed a sweltering sultry day. Talk of moods, even the weather is like that. And then something wonderful happened. I tell you, it always takes a child to do that… time and time again, I have been uplifted because of a child, because of children

The Class XII came around to collect their hall tickets, some last minute wisdom, and the blessings of their teachers at school It was fun, hectic, and sentimental… the kind of knowing that suddenly comes, that you’re not going to wander about the campus in such a carefree manner again! So the kids came, some touching our feet, others shyly smiling, some awkward, some as usual bindaas, (when they come grabbing our feet, it’s sometimes amusing One person starts it, and the others just make a dive  - in Malayalam we call it “Kaalu vaaral”,pulling one’s legs,literally )

So it became afternoon, the day refused to end, and it was beginning to get a bit much. The heat turned up, no power, and then one of the Class XII students comes to class. She has an autograph book she wants me to write in. She too has been a favourite, down the years, having known her from Class II “C” Bhavana Viswanath A quiet girl, sweet natured, not one to talk or tell you much. And someone, who as a little girl, would smile only sparingly After II, I met her in class after the Primary, in Class VII/ Class VIII. Still quiet, earnest, sincere, but would smile a bit more I tell her I might take a bit of time, and she says she will wait. So I write, and write… a whole page ( the poor things, they are not even spared, in an autograph book; but then I have written on fun things, and nice things, please note )

She comes a while later to collect it. And I tell her I was sorely tempted to read the others’ entries, her classmates’, but I did not. Grinning widely at each other, we just look at each other for a moment. Then she says, Teacher, I have something to tell you, and she gets a bit nervous, her voice quivers, and I suddenly know, this is a “moment”. I ask her if we can step out into the corridor, and she just bursts out, so sweetly. So wonderfully. So earnestly. I can still see her in front of me, both of us leaning against the railing…

She says, Teacher I just wanted to tell you that you’ve been my inspiration, my role model, and I love you so much! Her eyes fill up, slowly and begin to create tiny parallel rivulets down her cheeks. She still speaks, I dont know how to tell you, but I’ve always looked up to you. I began to read books because of you, see English movies (Oh dear! I wonder what other parents would think I still keep saying this in class ); and each year, I would pray so hard to God, at the beginning of the year, that you should be our English Teacher. But we did not get you in Class IX and X. Still….

I was stunned, and so amazingly surprised… so pleasantly that here was a child, who I was so fond of, (I would say this to her mother ) and she too liked me! (Allow me to explain. I am a Leo. And quite the Tiger in class. I’m demanding, I can use my whiplash tone to great effect, and generally can silence a class with a look I’m an ogre. And nothing as cute as Shrek either. So, to have kids say they like me, well, it’s always confused me, but made me think there is hope for me after all It of course, is quite another matter, that I love them too ) I gave her a quick hug. (Well, by now you know me, I’m not given to being demonstrative, not in school ) gently wiped her tears, and told her how honoured and humbled I felt. This, I said, this, is enough. And I repeated myself, how much I loved her too The day grew brighter. I promised to keep in touch, and she had to go

Then came Oormila, another teacher’s daughter, who came to my class, first in Class V “C” – she told me- I thought it was Class VII, somehow . My grey cells She too (not ever so loquacious) came forward with lovely things to say, about how much she gained in confidence, and how she missed being in my class, especially with the digital classrooms we have now. (Her younger sister is in my class, in Class X, and shares all of our Classroom exploits with her ).

Doubly gratified. Not doubly, but infinitely so.

Because a while earlier, a lot of the firm favourites, formerly from X “D” , Saraswathy, Varsha, Meera, Shilpa,  Saishree, Sreedevi, Aishwarya, and others (do please excuse me for not remembering the names ) had come around, Kripa too, and Revathy, Soumya also; it made me realize all the more how much I thought of them. Yes this batch is special, as special as only some batches can get. Couldn’t stop smiling with all of wishing, and the talk of missing went along… and all those references to X-D (say that together in Malayalam, and you get a word that you should not be using – not nice people ) My kids, my own two ie, are proud to be ex X – D s too ( I know some of their friends, and foes still call them, by this Class name )

I must also mention a certain Raj ( does it not remind you of SRK? Well this young man is way more handsome, articulate, and well mannered – Raj, if you are reading this, you’ve got to give me a treat the next time you come down to school ), a dashing young man with huge potential, and amazing articulation and creativity. And Army brat (who was part of our school only these last two years), as he calls himself, very very sweet too. He offered his uniform shirt, a spare one, for us to write in our “messages” and blessings and wishes And he wanted me to someday tell him how it was that I could get words out of thin air ! All I had to do was tell him they’re there for the taking should you look…

And while I was thinking that I should write this for myself, to capture the infinitely lovely moments spent today with them and how my mood perked up, along comes Tito Varghese, with this awesome verse, urging bloggers  to write I had to. No matter that 54 papers of Class X await my attention with a red ink pen, no matter that I had set a deadline for tomorrow… Sigh. There goes a good intention! All for a good cause! Tito, me happy now ! thank you!

And so, with all these lovely moments that today has gifted me, I’m way more positive about life. Life That reminds me, a tag I have to do, but wait, I shall save it for a rainy day, Kamikaze  ,  I know I shall need for that blogger’s block rainy day post

Today belongs to these bright stars, of Class XII All of them, who had come around, and those who did not too… and most especially to some favourites. Even if you name is not here, dear dear ones, know for sure, it’s there in my heart

God Bless! And thank you, for being you

****

Edited to add: Forgot to add this bit, till Hrishikesh, through one of his comments (the First One!) reminded me of it :
On my FB wall, posted by a former student:
“Anjali Vishwanathan:
A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
Class 5, English Period.
I still say this before I go to sleep. Just got reminded of it all of a sudden in the middle of editing documents at work and as always, you’re awesome teacher! “

****

The note with it will follow in the comments section (That is why I have included it here )

22 February, 2012

And I Will Always …

Love You…

I Will Always, Love you.

Whitney Huston. I will.

For the beauty of your voice
Lingers in the tremulous beat
Of a lover’s heart…
For the songs you gave life to
For the way you inspired with
“The Greatest Love of All”

For how you and Kevin Kostner
Made “Bodyguard” magical for me…

For you. A wonderful singer.
And I do not know more about you
Other than how much I will miss
Hearing your voice again, shake down
The blues that hit, unprepared
And for just giving me sustenance
Singing, “When you believe” with Mariah Carey.

For the pleasure of your songs
For the richness and honesty of your voice.

Rest in Peace, Whitney Huston.

12 February, 2012

Go, chase a dream…

Today, the Class XII (Class of 2012) were formally bid farewell, by the Class XI students and their teachers. And of course, they bid us, “officially” too

To cut any kind of story short, it was a memorable occasion, for me. The outgoing students, of course would feel it so, and so also the organizers, the Class XI. But for me, ever since my second born passed out in 2006, six years ago, this had to be the best yet, in terms of emotion, cohesion, fun and frolic. Not to mention a few choked up moments, and poignant wet eyes, especially from the boys

It was a time when teachers, students, both the seniors and juniors shared their experiences of being there at school, recalled fun moments, teased some teachers, remembered all of them fondly, and were blessed abundantly by the faculty. I should also have spoken, I now realize Still, it’s never too late to articulate, here, in my space, what I would have.

It’s about dreams. Not the kind that a reverie is made up of, though, for starters it would do very well. The kind that niggle you, creep up on you, and dwell in your subconscious, pushing up now and then to the surface, reminding you, they are there.  Dreams to live in. Dreams to use as wings, and fly! Dreams to take along on mundane moments, knowing they are there, to draw you away to a life you know you’d one day, SOME DAY, have. For, as Langston Hughes, the poet put it:

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die
Life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly!

So this day, I’d urge these young ladies and gentlemen, arrayed out in splendour,  handsome and gorgeous young things, to find a dream and chase it, much in the way Rapunzel and Eugene, say, in “Tangled”. (Wasn’t that one lovely movie?). To find that thing that would most complete them, and them, THEM.

I’d have loved to share the story I read about a rich, successful and charitable horse trainer, Monty Roberts, a successful one, who, at a party, shared with the narrator of this story, the tale of an impoverished itinerant horse trainer and his young son, who travelled around, so that the young boy’s schooling was constantly interrupted. At his senior year, the boy was asked to submit an essay on what he wanted to be when he “grew up”. The boy pondered much over it, and finally submitted a beautifully drawn out plan and details of owning a horse ranch, down to finest detail of the house he would build.

When the teacher read it, he returned the paper, with an “F”, in red, and a note to meet him after class. The teacher explained that he had done so, since it was an impractical dream, as the boy’s background did not ensure that he would ever find resources for this dream. He assured the boy that if he were to re-do his paper more realistically, he would re-assign a better grade. The boy went home, read it through, and thought deeply.

The next day he went back to his teacher and told him, “Sir, you can keep the “F”, and I’ll keep my dream”! When the narrator asks Monty as to what became of the boy, Monty smiles, and says, “You’re talking to him”. When I read this story first, here, I was charmed no end, and knew this was something I would share with you all, if I were to get the chance.

And, as you dream, you need to remember a valid, necessary truth -

The greatest temptation in life is to confuse dreams with reality
But the greatest defeat in life is to confuse dreams with reality
James Michener

And if I’d one prayer for you today, it would be that you find your dream, cherish it, and keep it close, and when the time comes, let it fly and chase it all the way till it owns you as much as you do, it, for by then, you would be living it!

Remember too, “Be careful, what you wish for, for it may come true”

And I’d go on and end on this note of energy and upliftment, with the story on a poster, on the wall of the Vice Principal’s Office About the African Jungle. It goes like this:

Each morning, in the African jungle, the deer wake up, knowing that they must run faster than the lion, to be able to end the day happy. Each morning, the Lion knows he must run faster than the weakest deer, so that he can live So, no matter whether you are a deer or a lion, start running, at the break of day

God Bless you Always!

*******************

And while I thought these thoughts, and ran them over as you young people went on stage, performed songs, played games, spoke earnestly sharing of your beautiful selves, I was filled with nostalgia, already. I was missing you already. And I was so not ready for the goodbye part. As one smart young man said, Sreejith, I think, “I’m not sad to be saying goodbye to school, for I’m only leaving the building. In my heart, I’ll carry my friends with me!” Wisdom

And Jayalakshmi sang a song from about 14 years ago, from Indira (tamil) “Nila kaagiradhu /neram thegiradhu / yaarum rasikavillaye” – so beautifully, so poignantly, she had me there Having never spoken to her before, I felt compelled to stop her, as she returned to her place, to thank her, and tell her it was beautiful. Later at the end of the function, on our way out she came up to me and said, she wished she had known me and had been in my class. Now, that is perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can be given, and I am blessed to have heard that this day, from a child, a young lady I was speaking to, for the first time Thank you, Jayalakshmi!

And then was the ensemble of Class XII students who enthralled us with a medley of songs in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil. The compering was awesome, Avinash, and the musicians beyond compare Sujith, Reghunath, Aditya, Prasad, … The singers, Ramanand, Rohit, Raj, Ambareesh … and others. The girls, Kavitha, Aishwarya, Saraswathy, Gayathri, Oormila, Varsha and others… The notes were played upon the strings of hearts, with strumming of emotions!!! Applause!

That was the cherry on the icing of the sumptuous fare. And though it ended way beyond the scheduled time, I, for one, was glad to have lingered till the last child was taken home, and be the last of the teachers out of school, at about 7 30 pm. I still have those songs, that performance fresh in my memory.

And that is all the more reason for me to want you to have your dreams chased down, and lived in. Do, please That is all this teacher would want from you

24 January, 2012
#93 (And Yayyyy… I didn’t have to wait for a Sunday )

Perspectives

Yesterday, we had Class Parent Teacher Meeting in school. We’ve had numerous PTA Meetings, where attendance is usually limited to parents who want to make an noise and bring in complaints (never, till date, have I ever seen a meeting here, where something positive, either about Student/Teacher is expressed!), and some grouped meetings, that Parents of some classes grouped together are asked to attend to discuss common matters pertaining to that class. Usually to do with syllabus or general developmental issues (of Children ie).

In the newly patterened meeting, the Parents of one Class, the same division of the class, met together with the Class Teacher and their children, in a full group, had a general session followed by individual one on one meeting for those parents who wanted to have more to say/ask. From nine in the morning to twelve noon the room was fully populated Well I have 52 students, most of whose parents did attend .

A lot of common issues were taken up first, else what usually happens is that the same question gets asked innumerable times. Eg. My son/daughter does not read. How can I get him/her to do so? Or He/She just does not open her text books! What can we do.
(Mind you, this same question would have been asked by the same parent, on all the previous occasions we would have met Do you get the exasperated feeling I sometimes have? )  So these were addressed early, in the whole group, thinking that it would not get repeated later. Boy! Was I wrong! Now I know I shall have even more patience with their kids!

A few pointers were also given. Asking parents to be aware of what their child does on the internet, their use of FB, who calls, what is discussed And also the fact that most times notes are copied over the phone, instead of being completed in class, where they are given time to

The moment I indicated that the general session was over, my table was surrounded. Fighting panic, I suggested the parents join a line that had already formed, to my right, where there was more space. I must admit that they complied. Perhaps because I did not listen to anyone’s remarks/questions/ suggestions, but only smiled, broadly and insisted, patiently that they do. The smile I am sure did not reach my eyes! And, well, they probably knew what their kids had told them about the ogre I could be

While most parents were kind and inquired after my health, and expressed they were glad to see my (typo, do excuse me ) me back, one particular irritable parent came with his stubborn looking son, and his long suffering wife. (This child had, in the previous year, been caught for being part of a group of boys who supplied/exchanged/ shared pornographic films – they’re known more familiarly here as “Blue Films” – in school. Sigh. Please believe this to be entirely true. ) The child in question, let’s call him A, was all ready for a verbal lashing from the teacher (me) to his father, who was adept at it, and who looked belligerently, daring the teacher to say anything kind about him. I mean, here was a child, who has never had much positive said about him, either at home, or at school (an only child).

Father: Teacher, what do you have to say about him? (Pointing to his son, whose expression was filled with daggers at his father)

A (his thoughts, probably): Dad, can’t you just shut up?!

Me: Oh, A? Yes, well, he’s improved vastly, and he pays attention in class. I must tell you that was one the few children in class who had completed his notes and had even done it neatly. I checked yesterday. Isn’t it, A? (A. nods, quickly looks at father, and the sullen expression is back when he sees no smile on his father’s face.)

Father: But, teacher, he does not speak in English at all!

Me: Oh he does, to me, in English class. And in most of the other classes!

Father: But to others in class, he does not. (all this is spoken in Malayalam )

Me: (Smiling through my teeth )You see, Sir, why does anyone use a language? To communicate. And if A can communicate in Malayalam, when there is no need for him to use it (read, no Teachers are around to check ) why would he? Would you? Language as I see it, is need based, and if they can get by in another language they will. Most kids I know, who can speak English fluently still use Malayalam to interact with each other. All classes. And if he were to continuously speak only in English, he would be laughed at, here. Peer pressure is a strong deterrent, so while I am sorry he does, not, and because we do not have “punishments” to check that, sometimes this happens. But , I assure you, he can speak, and well too.

Father: (more annoyed) But something has to be done! He does not read at all!

Me: Do you? (turning to his wife, who had a deadpan expression, and let her husband do all the talking; I’ve been told that neither her son, nor her husband value her words or opinions) Do you?

Father: Yes, I do. And I buy him books.

Me: Do you read, with him? I mean, during the same time, share things with him, etc?

Father: But he does not! (he hasn’t answered my question, but I’ve had it with him, and am beginning to feel sorry for the child! )

Me: Have you tried incentives? Do, please, and do remember that they’re at an age when it is difficult for them to cope with so much of stimuli around them. I assure you, A will do well, and he will be able to do all of this!

A. by now is looking rather astonished at this exchange, but quickly brings back the stubborn expression when noticed. The unhappy father, the long-suffering mother and their recalcitrant son are then gently signalled off, with a sweet “thank you, we’ll certainly work on this”, and the next parent invited to come up! Phew!  I almost wiped imaginary beads of sweat from my brow, theatrically

The next parent had been all ears, at this exchange and the moment she stepped up with her son B. , who is A.’s classmate, she said, Teacher, you don’t have to say anything more! I know what you’re trying to say, and yes, I did want to tell you all about B, being this way. But yes, the peer pressure is a factor we do need to take account of! Thank God for parents like this They give me back my faith in humanity

For three hours, I stood (as did my brethren at school ), smiled, talked, endlessly. But I must say that it was fruitful. We did not give out report cards, we simply shared what we knew of the children, discussed ways and means for their betterment, sometimes complained a little (both parents, and me ), ranted a bit (me ), and I do believe we have all taken away something positive from the interaction.

This meeting was something a lot of us were against saying that it would have been better had it been a bigger group, not small individual class groups, but I know I was wrong in thinking that. Tired, and rather exhausted though I was, I learnt a lot, and gained much by it. For once, I’m happy to be wrong

22 January, 2012
(I’m Keeping My Promise to myself (posting each Sunday), though I’ve decidedly become wordy again! Can’t help it )
#92

Loosing Apron Strings

Tiny chubby fingers uncurl
From older hands…

They move, wider, surer
They reach out, and grasp

That handful of opportunity
That beckons, tantalizingly

Always a measure beyond
Always seemingly unattainable.

And so, they move,
On belly, then on fours…

Raise themselves, at first tentative
But the steps get firmer, surer

Blindly stumbling, falling, rising
Walking, walking, suddenly racing…

All in no Time, while time stands still
They’re up, and running, gleefully,

Shouting, cheering, in wild abandon
Throwing the right number on the dice

That will take them a pace closer
To the rungs of the ladder on the board game of life

(And so you throw that number, except that it’s loaded
And I’m glad, for one, this game isn’t just one of chance.)

Oddly bereft, odder still, in relief…
I see the light, and though sad, I’m thankful:

The apron strings have loosened…

1045 hrs, 15 Jaunuary, 2012

Godspeed Ashwin! Keep flying high, and keep your cheerfulness up, ALWAYS! With all my love