Better late than never!!

One and a half months ago, Chettan had tagged me in his post Tagged :(. Thank you for tagging me, chetta.. Didn't show justice to the tag for so long.. 'Better late than never!!'. So, here it goes...

1. Last movie I saw in a theatre?

Annanthambi - starring Mammootty. Not up to the level of my expectations. May be because, that day I was not feeling so well.

2. What books am I reading?

- 'Varanasi' by M T Vasudevan Nair.
- 'India From Midnight To The Millenium And Beyond' by Shashi Tharoor. It seems a bit tough for me to complete it easily..:)

3. Favourite board game?

To be frank, no such favourite board games.. Can say, Snake and Ladder and Sudoku ;)

4. Favourite Magazine?

Don't have subscription of any magazines. Ready to read anyone.. None could be called as favourite one..

5. Favourite Smells?

The pleasing smell coming out from the kitchen when butter get melted in to ghee..

6. Favourite sounds?

Playing Violin or some other string instruments like Veena in the background... Then.... falling rain droplets on the leaves.

7. Worst feeling in the world?

Helplessness.
Anger arousing seeing the irresponsibilty of others, hmmm.... many more in the list :)

8. First thing I think when I wake?

'Oops!! Why didn't I get up earler??'
Most probably my next thought will be about the dream I had in the sleep :)

9. Favourite fast food place?

Not really in a habit of having food from fast food hotels.. And to answer the question, I would like to say 'Mayas Hotel' in my home town, Nellayi, owned by the parents of a friend of mine :). And at times, the afore mentioned friend gives a 'home delivery' here.. :)

10.Future child's name?

Don't want to disclose it here.

11.Complete:"If I had a lot of money I'd...?"

I wish to go for a world tour. Would like to travel by a Space craft :).. Then I wish to own a big house, constructed in a traditional style with 'Naalukettu' and all.

12.Do I drive fast?

Yes. I Do drive fast in *my Benz* - BSA Ladybird.:) But when it comes to four wheeler, I don't drive that fast. Prefer a medium level of speed.

13.Do I sleep with a stuffed animal?

Never ever!!

14.Storms - cool or scary?

Scary.

15.What was my first car?

Could it be called as 'my' first car? Anyway, first car at home was a Maruti - 800. And now we have an Esteem.

16.Favourite drink?

Bru Coffee.

17.Complete: "If I had the time I'd...?"

At present, no need of extra time for me. This is apt for me and I'm happy with it. Irrelevant question!!

18.Do you eat the stems of Brocoli?

No. I don't.

19.If I could dye my hair any color, what would be my choice?

Hmmm.. Not so interested in coloring hair. And if necessary, I would go for Burgundy.

20.Name all the different cities/towns I have lived in?

Nellayi(Thrissur).. Could it be called as a town/city!!! :P

21.Favorite sports to watch?

Cricket.

22.One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?

He has such a nice loving sister :)

23.What is under my bed?

Simply floor. Aaah..2-3 old mats, which have taken their place there years back.

24.Would I like to be born as myself again?

Yes, of course.

25.Morning person or night owl?

Till my 12th, I was a morning person. But now, I'm easily flexible.

26.Over easy, or sunny side up?

Not that over easy, even though I wish to be so.

27.Favourite place to relax?

Home..sweet home. And if asked in particular, beside amma.

28.Favourite pie?

Nothing.. Not used to have pie.

29.Favourite Ice cream flavour?

Vanila and Pista.

30.Of all the people I tag this to, who's most likely to respond first?

I'm tagging here everyone who reads this!! So, friends.. take it over, pass it over and have fun.
No guess.. who'll respond first.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

I'm back..

It has been soo.. long since I wrote my last entry. Really shameful..I think. Not because anything big or special happened these days. A lot of happenings did happen. Didn't feel like writing it anyway. Even today, I'm not in that mood to write anything interesting for you. But, have to show atleast a minimum justice to the blogger world...right??

As you know, from April 10th to 20th Chettan was at home. We all had a great Vishu this time. Celebrated it grandly with all my 'Changaathikoottam' friends here, having a lot of crackers and all. Not planning to write all the happenings passed during these days today itself :). Now I intend to scribble here only about a small trip I had on April 16th - Pooram day, with my friends from my place.

We set out for visiting Boothathaankettu, Idamalayar dam, Thattekaadu and Kodanadu in that pleasant morning. My brother too accompanied us. The trip was simply superb!! It was more like a trip from college, even with a gang of children ranging from 5 year old kid to 20 year old myself :). I didn't expect the trip to be this much 'adipoli'.

No matter where we went. But, how happily we spent each and every second..that's the thing matters. In our bus, we around 30 childern were there.First we went to 'Kodanadu', training centre for elephants. Saw a lot of elephants there, watched 'aana kuli' too :). On the way, had a halt at Kalady 'Sree Sankara Sthoopam', where Sree Sankara's life is depicted on its walls.




Our second destination was Boothathaankettu. The cool of boating we had there was really nice. Following that, we went for a walk in the forest for 3-4 Kms, along the side of a stream running down calmly. The journey was really adventurous and thrilling. Saw Boothathaankettu dam too.
As next, we left there for visiting Idamalayar dam. Sooo.. a lovely place it is!!..hills covered with green grass and green tinted water in the lake looked like a silk blanket over the land. From there, we had our lunch.



By afternoon, sky got clouded over and started pouring tears, as if in a great grief that our trip was going to have a finish. On the way back, made a short visit to Thattekadu bird sanctuary, where we couldn't see even one bird :) Return journey was really excellent, dancing and enjoying. By the bye, saw a notice, diplayed in the bird sanctuary. Even though a bit (??) late, anyone who is keenly intersted can contact the officials there :)


Actually, my brother didn't have a plan to come with us. His plan was to go for Thrissur pooram. Only on that morning, he changed his decision and came with us. Anyway, I'm sure he enjoyed well and is satisfied enough with what he got with us, which is even more than the thrill he would have had attending the pooram. On the other hand, we too are happy, for he made our trip more exciting and jolly.

I didn't intend to have such a long write up about this 'one day trip'!!. It just happened this way. Anyway, I shall let you all know other 'happenings' too in the following days. So, bye for now.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: I promise you all that I'll be a bit more regular in blogger from today. Oooh.. who is badly in need my promise!!! :)

A storm is on the way!!

As per the information available now, a devastating storm is getting formed in Calicut university examination center and it is on its way to attack we all, innocent students. Can't predict anything about its nature. Sometimes may be sooo violent with thunder, lightning and rainfall. Can it be cool raindrops?? :) Chances are rare..

Who all are going to be the victims of this wild wind?? Who all are going to be affected soo badly?? Who all survive this worst severe weather?? There is a chance of the suspected area being unaffected also. For our luck, sometimes it may leave without causing much havoc and destructions... Its all our fate!!

Weather forecasting center says that the storm will be in its full swing by March 25th and it lasts till April 8th. After that, it is going to be a pleasant climate till our next exam series :)

Yes.. our third semester exams are going to have a start on March 25th and end on April 8th. A very pleasing climate follows it.. The first 10 days will be soooo more colourful for me.. I'm sure about that..

My brother is coming home for this Vishu. I'm really excited, you know. Knew this happy news only yesterday. Never expected this!! The only thing is, he'll be here only for 10 days starting from April 10th. Now I'm waiting just to finish off all my exams and be with chettan and enjoy.. 22 days more for his arrival!!

Actually, this is going to be a Vishu with we all 4 at home, after a long gap of 5 yrs..

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: An exam fever has started to storm me!! Anyway, all the best for my friends. Get prepared to face any adverse effects of the storm in the worst way.

It's time to start again..

Study leave for our third semester exams starts tomorrow onwards, eventhough the dates have not been yet declared by the University. The rumour we heard is that exams commence on March 25th. God only knows!!

You know, how much Calicut university lags behind the other universities in conducting exams and publishing results. Phew!!! In all other Universities, students of our same batch are now waiting for the declaration of S4 exams.. As far as I know, in MG and CUSAT it has already been declared. And here, we waiting for dates of S3 exams.

Our S3 classes closed in the last week of November '07 and S4 classes commenced on Dec 3rd. And now it's March.. Oh, a long gap of 3 months!! Our condition is really pitiable.. pathetic.. Is it so?

Anyway, time to start again.. No idea from where to start and how to start.. Seems like an ocean.. Has to start from the scratch :( Fully blank abt the topics for exams!! I guess, I've forgotten to study. And so, as commencement, firstly I've to study - 'how to study'. And then only start studying.. Hmm.. that'll be better.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: All the best for all my friends who all are in the same state of mine - complete blankness :)

????

"People need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and want''

Read this just now and it seemed interesting to be posted here.

Signing off,

Hailstone.

Cute little girl..

She is my neighbour, who is one and a half years old now. A daily visitor at my home. Her charming little face, wide open eyes, plumpy cheeks, and innocent smile make her the star of this locality.. A child with intolerably cute mannerisms.. So... energetic and lovely always.

She is so naughty and don't like to be there inside her home for a long. She just wants to loiter around .. And so, her grandpa is having really a hard time, taking her here and there. She has just started walking slowly. Daily from 5 to 7, she goes for an evening walk with grandpa..

Their first destination is 'Nellayi junction'. Goes there, watches and closely observes everything and everyone she could see there. On the way back, have chit-chats(?? - in an unknown language) with everyone who passes by. Next destination is the temple..


............................................."Miles and miles to go before I sleep".....................................

In the return journey passing infront of my home, she pulls her grandpa, directing him to my home. So, the next halting terminal is here. That old man is happy, since he could take rest, for a little time.. And the girl is much more happy.. That shrill voice created from her shoe signals us that she is coming. You know, what she does.. Goes around all the rooms, rambling in search of me calling 'akka'(chechi). Often I hide somewhere and make sounds to play with her and for making her running with great joy towards me..

She has started talking.. That too some words, not complete sentences. We know that she's saying something. But usually, we don't understand anything. Get a feeling of hearing some unfamiliar language. She's so font of making a mess everwhere. And so, pulls down everything she get in her hand, like books, paper, table cloth etc.. Makes attempt to climb over all the chairs, tables etc.. Soooo naughty she is!!! Somebody should be with her always.. otherwise..:)

Her favourite place in my home....


Whatever we do, she tries to imitate us. Keep on shrieking, informing others that 'I'm here'. Getting bored, she takes her shoe, sits near me and shows some actions ordering me to help her in putting it. After that, starts walking, pulling her grandpa's hands again calling out 'ttaa ttaa' with a naive smile on her face.

It's really so nice to watch her deeds. I love playing with her.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: Her name is Kavya.

I sympathise!!

It's so desparate that many parents are having over expectations regarding the future of their children. This might disturb the easy going life of many students. It's true that parents' expectations have powerful effects on children's academic performance. I agree with that. But some of them are pressurizing their children with over burden.

Today, what triggered me to write this, is the conversation, I had in the morning with my music teacher. She's so much worried about her son's future. The boy is now studying in 10th standard. It's a fact that he is not so bright in his acads, but not that bad, I guess.

That boy is a very good violinist and a good singer too, who has done many violin concerts on many stages. He participated in State Youth festival. The parents' main intention was to make him get an A-Grade in any one of the items, so that he'll be getting 30 marks additional in Board exam. And he managed to fulfill their dream.

That mother always tells him - 'study, study and study' and complains others about his studies, that too infront of him. How much he would get pricked!!! Another funny thing is that she asks me to advice him to study :)

Just now one more related instance came to my mind. It's about one among my cousin sisters, who is now studying in 9th standard. She was an energetic girl, who has now became a dispirited, calm and quiet girl.

Her parents are injecting her with those stuffs containing in quiz books and GK books. She's winning prizes too. It's some kind of spoonfeeding. Taking her to leadership development courses, abc quiz, xyz quiz, I dont know what kind of pleasure they are getting!!

She doesn't know how to mingle with others, totally in a socially inept condition. Always sitting inside the home, reading, studying or watching TV. I pity her. No... I pity her parents and feel sympathy for her. She doesn't know what she is missing/loosing. She's happy with her life inside that 4 walls. Parents have succeeded in convincing her - the whole student life is like 'this'

Many parents are like this. The whole happiness lies in their kid getting good marks and becoming school/class topper. And nothing more than that. It's good, I agree. But should try to find happiness in other matters too. They are not trying to know the potential of their children. They're not bothered about the strain taken by their dear ones. I agree that they're giving enough input. But it's something like pouring water in to a bottle, not knowing it's capacity, atleast in a few cases.

They are ready to do anything for the academical progress of their son/daughter. Not at all bothered about the growth of mind. Unknowingly, they are spoiling children's most enjoyable season of life, during which they should get enough freedom to play and run around like butterflies. And thus spoiling their future in one way or other.

Attention from parents' side is good, provided they realise children's abilities and potential . But beyond a limit, it wont do good.

I know, this is not a case with many families. Just thought of it and felt like writing.

Anyway, Thank God for giving me and my brother such wonderful parents.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS.1: Sorry, that I made you read a little lenghty post (meant for only those who read completely).
PS.2: No hard feelings.. Didn't want to criticise/blame anyone.