learn the life lesson of how to distinguish between what is worth stressing over in life, and what is better left to the birds.
brilliant quote by no one, but so true..

percentile

I had a wrong assumption about the percentile calculation. Had always thought percentile gave you the idea how you fared with the toppers marks taken as cent. That made a lot of sense to me. The last AIMCAT made me wonder about the whole calculation. How does the number of people tell you how well you have done? Isn't the competition supposed to be with the people on th higher rung? With more people taking the test, the percentile will improve even with you being at the same level, assuming that the people joining the race are behind you. There should be an intelligent answer to this seemingly foolish calculation. I can only think of it this way, look at the rank when on top and the percentile when you want to make it to the top. :)

NEVER HIDE YOUR THOUGHTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO BE PERFECT! BUT SOMETIMES, ITS INEVITABLE.

Followed this link from TIME site and went on to read this piece by Baz Luhrmann- Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) So very true that we forget today, thinking about the future.


Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

Dio!!

I still remember the day when I was asked to choose between a vehicle and a gold chain for myself. It had sounded such a absurd thing to be asked, cos vehicle was the obvious choice. It is a different thing that dad gave me a chain too, later on. This was almost six years back. Then, selection of dio over an activa, for the points in the looks department and not looking like a scooter. Then, everywhere I went, I used to take the dio, thus reducing any exercise.:D But, that was one thing, I was attached to, at that point of time. Even the four years of college, dad wouldn't use it much, only enough to make it fall. But how I used to love it and miss it at college.
And then I had to leave it at home while coming to Bangalore. Had tears when I patted it last time before coming here. But cab strikes at Bangalore came as a savior and the subject for emotional advantage to get it to Bangalore. I forgot the anger and the helplessness of being lost, with it. Just love it.....
Now its come back from service with the front body replaced. Even the small hole in the front is gone now!!!!As good as new, I so like it........

happy writing :)

I had intended to write about this book I had read a few days back- All creatures, great and small by James Herriot. A very simple book but some kind of an implicit message in each story. I had started the book with a little apprehension, it being gifted and hoping to like it for the sake of the person who gave it. By Jove, I liked it and would have liked it even it was to be given by some arbit person down the road.

The small things in life, which gets one so much of happiness, which people search everywhere. The vet comes to this small village as an apprentice with a lot of questions in his mind. And by the last page of the book, he settles beautifully, married and as a partner at the same village. Along his journey, he meets some great people, very diverse in nature and culture from the people he has met before in the city. The simple lifestyle with the animals being a part of their families and the love they show towards an outsider reminds me of Mom, who will take care of some even the constable’s comfort who had come for election duty. The life at small places is so very uncomplicated. Each call in Herriot’s day brings a new experience. The house itself, not devoid of experiences, each day in the village bringing something to look forward to.

Now, not knowing how to review books or to pass comments on the writing style, I would just say that it gives a very simple pleasant reading.

Nothing matters

Just yesterday we were having this discussion on how nothing really matters. What you do in college, rather how much you fight for marks doesn't matter. Obviously there is the thought that maybe should have studied, a little atleast. But then, there is no point proceeding further in that direction. After a while, it is your abilities which will take you where you belong to.
In a better thinking process now. It did a lot of good. gave the intended visibility, the independence, learn a lot of new things etc. I don't think that kind of an environment will be provided again for a while now. I was here, responsible for whatever I wrote and no one else. The transition was to happen anyways. But the disheartening part is that you never would know how good or bad you were, so that you could improve. But you can't help such things sometimes.