Buda and Pest

I think it has been positively so long since I have come here. Reasons might be many, but the essence is neglect and not adhering to a routine. I guess I have been pulled in so many directions that my core has been lying neglected, just like this space which I had created. And I had created this place with a lot of love and focus on many things. Some of those things changed over time, and many new ones in fact came and wandered off too. But, the space has been me, and it has seen my transformation through all these years. And, I think that is the singular reason for me to stand by and move ahead.

I think this year I will remember by the one trip which I took which has been different on numerous grounds. But, more than the trip, I think I came back a different person.

I was recharged, and somehow the will to work towards what I want was all the more clear.

I was more accepting and I think the change in scenario took a good turn for me overall.

I had the much needed time to think, unwind and bring my life into focus.

I realized that,

Life rolls on and you need to grab those things which you want and they might just really come from anywhere.

Truly, anywhere!

I leave you with some of what I saw... and what awed me! 

Khazakhistan Mountains

Courtyard views

Very Europe

Quaint entrances

Squares

 

Off to study

Studies have a wonderful feel.

 

Doing a course has its charm. 

 

 I never thought I would want to go back to college, but this time I hope to do this 'studying' bit on my terms. And then I came to this, where online was the way to go with continuing education.

When you have to do them through an online medium, I believe some of the charm has just vanished. There are so many options to study and work towards getting yourself more aware but the prospect of learning these things through the new age means somehow seems to put me on the fence.

And why am I here? 

I am trying to reinvent myself and in the process of figuring out what is it that drives me. I believe in the power of getting a message across to people, but when it comes to delivering that effectively, is where I tend to falter. We can infer many things, but the one thing that consistently has been coming back to me is the need to learn in a sit down manner, than in the usual on the go manner which I am used to. And a classroom has a sense of seriousness which I need to focus, getting my mind away from the usual havoc of house and kids.

How?

When I think of the big question, I am always a at a loss.
B has been ever supportive of getting things done and moving one... so here too he has been pushing me to get out and achieve. And I think that is one thing I am so happy with the freedom to do what I want. I do not appreciate him for it, but I feel it every night when I fall asleep.

These questions and answers will take a while, but the focus should be on growing. And in that spirit, to work towards getting over my qualms of online education, I am taking up a course on Growth Marketing!

A Speed Post story

Today, I witnessed something which made me realize how important a good public education system is and how much that very system is lacking in India.

I had gone to the Post Office to send out a Speed Post package, and I was in queue waiting for my turn. Ahead of me, was a office errand boy holding two envelopes and some cash. He also had an office ID card with a company monogrammed neck strap; it said Social Alpha. Just before his turn, he checked with the counter whether he needs to write 'Speed Post' on the envelope and he was informed 'Yes'.

Now, he was visibly uncomfortable and slowly took out a pen from his pocket and proceeded to write on the envelope. He slowly put down SEEBD. And then he looked at it again and put the pen back. In a second, he again took out his pen and wrote a P.

So, now it was PSEED.

All this while I was standing right behind him and watching, waiting for my turn. When I saw PSEED, it just triggered a thought in my mind. This is what T would do when she misses a letter in her word. But, she usually puts the letter above or below the word at the right position. And here was a man of 25-26, who was doing pretty much the same thing. She was just going to start Class 1, and she has been trying to get words together, and read stuff and write them too, at times.

This incident just made me realize, the problem is pretty much at the start of the education system, for all those who are with the public system in this country. This person has not been given the right guidance from such a young age, and how can we expect them to work towards any professional degree where language is treated as a given. But, I was happy to note that he could get himself to spell, and correct his mistake too.

Yet, I don't know what hope lies for the people of India if a basic education is not even a given.

Changing or maybe not.

I guess I come here only when I need to speak out without thinking. Maybe that is the very reason I created this blog. A space for me to speak, exactly the way my mind speaks. I do not need to filter it as per social norms or any approved word lists. There are so many instances I speak to myself just looking at the mirror. This again gives me that freedom to speak my mind and not worry about repercussions.  Maybe you would be doing so too, at least I wish to believe so, in my last attempt to appear sane.

I even have a label here on the blog for all these ramblings which my mind throws out... it is quite a few. Better here than bottled up.

How different people become over the years, and when those people are close then it affects the equations which you once shared with them. Its sad that human beings keep changing and what your feelings and emotions are today, won't be the same after a few hours even if the surrounding picture is unchanged.

Then it makes one wonder whether if it is just you changing that you seem to perceive the changes in others, changes which might actually never be there.

I am unsure which is the truth, maybe it is a bit of both. I strongly do believe that its difficult to not change through time. What say?