Wednesday, April 13, 2011

End of Dog Days

So three more weeks..three more weeks and this experiment, this mad,awesome journey of studying in a new country will come to an end. To tell you the truth, it hasn't quite hit me yet. More so because for the next three weeks atleast I'll continue seeing those familiar faces, I will go to dinner with these familiar faces, will argue with said familiar faces and rinse, repeat.

I still can't get over how my life has changed as a result of coming here. Can you wholly transform in two years? yes you can. But there is still time to reflect. Still time to write the nostalgic post. Meanwhile, there's a student life to be lived in these three weeks:

1.Dinner invites are being sent faster than the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and thats saying a lot. This bodes well because it fits in perfectly with my plans to finish my baking supplies, and make cupcakes to these potlucks. I had bought tons of baking supplies to bake cupcakes for the Durham Public Library when I was feeling particularly altruistic. However, the DPL punctured my gesture by telling me to shove it as they did not want to be liable for allergy reactions. Such is the world! so my fellow MBAs are lucky beneficiaries of my baking pursuits

2. Team meetings to attend: Fortunately both my teams this term are KICK ASS. We are mowing down work like a crazy efficient mad machine, team meetings are down to an hour and most importantly, nobody is harbouring murderous feelings against each other. Atleast that I know of!

3. Also being chased by several clubs and associations to part with my money. I get an email reminder and a phone call reminder everyday. So much so that, I've had to come up with elaborate evading manouvers that would impress a fighter pilot training for a dog fight. Yes I'm awesome like that.

4.Theme parties galore are also fighting with the above entities for my money.My stand has always been that where there is vodka, there goes my money. So you know, which team I'm batting for. Its also wonderfully gratifying to see EVERY club embrace the route of theme parties to raise funds and fleece me.

5. Dampening spirits like a wet blanket on a wet day are perpetual emails about graduation. With questions like "have you picked up parking passes" "have you picked up cap and gown" "have you picked up yourself" etc etc. Nooooooooo. I'm not ready to graduate. Yet! don't utter that bloody word!

6.Emails about graduations are followed by emails by professors on forthcoming exams and what we need to submit to graduate. Like a 24 page treatise on odd behaviour of people or on decision making and sex.Thats when it hits you. You are DONE writing Exams. You are ready to graduate!

7. All these emails makes you realize that IT is going to happen and the folks are going to come and accommodation needs to be readied. aaaaaaaaargh! so many things to do!

8.Then you look at yourself in the mirror and realize that serious weight needs to be lost and that the graduation pic is going to stay with you a long time and one really CANNOT be retaining water at the time. Exercise is in order but not diet.

9.Which me brings me back to all the dinner invites....

Its mad, its crazy..its like approaching the last 360 degree loop on a roller coaster before the ride ends.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

mark as unread

When the letter you wrote me
fell unexpectedly out of a book,
I re-experienced that sensation of dread again.
How you told me you had to end it because
you had to leave and go
to another country,
to live another life,
to breathe another air
to meet other people.
our laughter wasn't enough.
our embrace wasn't all encompassing.
Its been 15 years since,
I hope it was worth it.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Good things

Today was a good evening. real good. Witnessed an outstanding Jazz concert, performed by the Watts Project featuring Jeff "Tain" Watts, Nicholas Payton, Christian Mcbride and Ravi Coltrane. made me realize that good music is more than just music, its about being ensconced in a wave of feeling. I can't quite explain it. Its like...

...watching rain fall

...subtle flavours exploding in your mouth

...mint tea and a good book

...Hot shower on a cold day

...a dress that fits well and also shows of the curves

...a love note

....petting the furry belly of a beloved pet

....a mild jog on a breezy afternoon

....a raucous dinner with friends

....Mama's hug

....a spur-of-the-moment, celebratory jig

....a nice, long, pensive drive

....freshly sharpened pencils

....feeling at home

....sepia toned photographs

....snuggling inside a warm blanket

....singing along (out of tune) to a favourite song

....being in love with the world