Despite being an admirer of Jennifer Lawrence's acting, I postponed watching this movie a lot of times. I wonder why. Bradley Cooper as Pat, has a restraining order and is hopeful to get back to his wife Nikki. He runs into Tiffany and the story begins.
Jennifer, as ever, was at her best. Loved her acting. Would love to watch it again for JL
Things I hear from others whenever I mention word, 'Poetry'
"I don't get poetry. For poetry, I think you need to have a calm mood and simple times."
"I need mountains, blue sky and then I can read some poetry."
Everyone have their way of liking something. Many atimes, people want to make sense out of poetry. We may not make a sense out of poetry, but, we can always use our five senses and sense it. Listen to a poem only as sounds. Close your eyes and let a reader read out a poem to you. See a poem and look how the shape of words flow.
There are many ways to sense a poem rather than making sense out of it.
It's difficult to find writer friends, poet friends. If you have them, keep them close. I'm grateful to have a few who always help me grow in life.
There are a few tiny things I look forward on a thursday. Book haul enroute La Farce and the orange juice at Lidl. This time, I got three books even though I was planning to treat me a lot as birthday gifts but, couldn't get good titles. The culture map by Erin Meyer. The Secret History by Donna Tart & A Class of Their Own by Matt Knot. Will pick to read one of these in near time.
During La Farce haul, I found one person reading a book with a bright wide smile on her face. So happy to see someone getting lost in the act of reading.
I saw you enjoying the book thoroughly, I siad, 'What are you readng?'
"Elegance of HedgeHog" she shared the book with a smile. Another title to look out for.
I had a fresh soft waffle at LaFarce. Loved it. Thanks La Farce team for the yummy waffle and croissant.
Good day.
Many a times, I do not speak what I little know of.
About writing, poetry, education, language. I'm sure I do not know a lot about these but I've begun to learn a little bit about all of these. I was glad I could be of help when a few old friends reached out to me to know a bit about these. I should start myself to share if it's gonna help anyone, anywhere, in anyplace.
https://sadhanablog.blogspot.com/2019/04/as-you-live-life-stories-happen.html
I feel immensely joyful to read this story. Lovely journey of a book, 11 year old daughter who turned designer and a mother who sow seeds of love and in return is only filled with love, love and only love.
All of us always have choices. Choosing Love over anything is the best thing that we do to ourselves as well as the world. Love drives compassion, kindness, empathy and all that brings peace in life. Choosing love is tough but, that's the right thing to do.
Over several lunches and dinners, I managed to finish watching this movie as I found this movie too overwhelming to watch it in one go. I got introduced to this movie by Jeet Bhai. In one of the educational courses, Jeet bhai uses this clip on the role of a teacher. What does teacher need to do? If teacher's job is to tell what's in the books then, what value a teacher is adding.
The movie is exactly about this. How does Miss Katherine Watson makes her students think! Think about art, life, and everything that pushes themselves to be a better self. I cried at the end looking how a teacher can touch many lives and got reminded of teachers who taught me to think and shaped me the person I'm.
To name a few teachers who impacted my life in one way or the other Jyothi mam, George Prakash sir, Masood sir, Kiranmayi mam, Anil sir, Satyanarayana sir, Sunita mam, Bala sir, Sister Anitha, Ajith sir, Mani sir, Vijay sir, Ratnamala mam, Padmaja mam, Radha krishna sir, Devender, Prof PSP, Shivraj, Subhanand rao, Kiranmayi, D.N.Rao, Harry, Kiran Chakravarthula sir, Kanchana mam, Satvir, Bade Bhaiya, Dyu, Hitesh, Arddhendu, Sunil Bisht, Navneet Bedar, Krishna, Anagh, Shubha, Sameeksha,
Every week, as I walk along Augustins, I stop at the Bibliotheque to check out the English books. As it's cloudy they locked all the book boxes. Nevertheless, I went across to ask if there are any books. Everytime, whoever is along with me, accompany me to the store. This time, Jyot accompanied me. She picked D.H.Lawrence Lady Chatterly's Lover and another book on Irish jokes.
I picked four books and I'm happy with my haul. This time, I was gifted a tote bag by the Librarian. I feel so abundant by the way people are willing to give me generously. What a way to start the day.
I began my run despite the drizzle and the wet roads. Listening to music, podcasts while running has became distraction now. I'm more keen to hear my breathe and feel the rhythm of it. Also, the soundscape of the places I visit are very interesting. I went across the chapel and thought of taking a long turn to sunflower field. To make it a long path, I turned left, instead of right and headed to a place where I found this powerful statue that marks the revolution of Hungary 1956. It's a statue of woman who's unshackling herself and flying above. Very powerful. I stopped for a while to spend time at the statue. The human figure has a lot of dynamics and the woman looks below looking how she's transforming herself.
A very much needed of work to believe in transformation and change in life. Will revisit sometime. I continued my run and spotted some sheep, right infront of a corporate building. The sheep stood still staring into the void (atleast that's what I assume)
Ran across the dying leaves and wondered where does these leaves be moved, transformed, and bloom into another beings. I could think of the thought, 'every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow.'
Running across the streets, I went a round about and began my run towards the sunflower field. This time, again I ran into dog-Snow and the dog owner, walking along with a friend carrying colourful umbrellas.
What an experience to walk along the fields and share conversations, I thought and ran to the other field. There I found an old couple enjoying the breath taking sight.
It's nice when people spend time together and enjoy their walks. I tried to begin a conversation with them. At first, with signal we tried communicating but, I couldn't understand it. The elderly person opened the phone and spoke in chinese. And the translated text was, "Sorry I don't understand french because I speak Chinese."
The elderly lady held her pink umbrella and looked at both of us, trying to be part of the communication we're having.
I was amazed by the way we were communicating. I nodded my head and smile profusely while he spoke a few more sentences into phone. "Myself and my wife are 76. We're too old to learn it now." He showed it with a pleasant face. I love the way they're enjoying their day.
It's surprising how I'm waking up from sleep with poems calling out to me get written down. I grabbed the book and penned down the words.
Scribbled this piece and I'm marveled by how this words are very precious to me at the same time, I'm not the author of these words. Through dreams, I've just written them down.
Flowing through places
I stayed in the question of empty spaces
I walked through fields
I walked through waters
I walked through lakes
I walked through rivers
I met a sunflower
who smiled like a sunshine
All or nothing she said
to live a life
Through hardships, heartbreaks,
crisis and conundrum
The Sun flower stood
sometimes smiling
sometimes straight
sometimes through stories
sometimes through silences
In a rhapsody of tranquility
she flowed
Always floating on a stable ship
shearing waters
Lying down at night
waking up with the hope
Hope that hauls sun
even through cloudy weather
Flowing through spaces
filling emptiness by her presence.
She's not the flower
but the river that flows mystically
Mayanadhi flowing through empty spaces
A gush of energy to share this poem across to the world. With a few poems, few stories, you are driven to put them out in the world. Soon after I started my day, I was mailing my profs requesting for a timeslot so that I could recite this poem and share about my exhibition.
These days, I'm very laid back in pushing my work across. A few art works and people behind it inspire me to put myself out and grow in this world. "Empty it out and stay open."
I dressed in my signature black Kurta and walked into my exhibition. I'm so happy to be out there.
The teaser got played on the big screen. I was breathing very deeply, exhilirated to see it on the big screen. I enjoyed each and every moment of it. I walked
After classes, Rachel M Bon, visiting prof, acclaimed film maker of Je suis Noire, shared interest to check out my exhibition.
Along with her, other friends walked into my exhibtion. Sandra was the one who encouraged them to check out the exhibition. Thanks Sandra for spreading the word.
Puru walked in and was curious to check out my exhibiton. He asked me if I had a particular reason to put out the crumbled and cut paper poetry. Along with them, Astonia and her friend shared how they checked out my art in absence and had a lot of questions and comments.
Another visitor walked into the exhibition, asking out what this is about. As I shared the story behind empty spaces and maya nadhi, she observed the art and laughed looking at the last piece.
"You're an artist, who lives in your own mind." she shared having a intermittent laugh. Thanks for the compliment madam.
She further wrote her response and maya nadhi in her home language and walked out of the space.
After the a little hustle, Sandra joined me and shared a conversation. Tanya walked in and appreciated the work and encouraged me to spread the word. She clicked some visuals and video and pushed me to be out there and spread it. At the end of the day, we walked out discussing art, stories.
I decided to celebrate whole week and I went to Salsa class to dance around and celebrate. I met many new people. A lot of them mentioned about the art exhibition and promised me to check it out and respond soon. Glad that people are interested in art and taking some time to share a space with me. Grateful. Another great day.
Cloudy weather and I seek solace in the empty fields. The fields which give me a sense of hope and comfort. I ran towards the fields and spent some time. While returning, I met a dog named, Snow. Like it's name, it's white and full of curl fur. It's owner has a smiling face and is enjoying his walk. I wondered How does one come up with a name and continued my run. I'm glad I meet new dog every day.
I wish I placed the GoPro to capture the hustle around my exhibition.
Miantsa walked in with me to the exhibition and patiently checked out my exhibition. She shared how her mother is artist and also her sister, pursuing art studies. Glad to know many people who are interested in art.
I stayed there for a while and at the same time, Sruthi walked in and stayed curious with my empty spaces. She observed all the human figures in the paintings and tried guessing who it'd could be. "The girl with a bun. Who's this person?" she asked. A familiar question I don't answer to.
She responded to the concept of Empty Spaces by writing and sketching for a while. Thanks Sruthi for dropping by and sharing a conversation.
The best moment of the day was when my art prof walked towards and said, "Hi, I checked the art exhibition of yours. I like your use of colours." I was so touched by her appreciation. It means alot. "I'm not a big art critic but, I enjoyed it. They are really nice." she continued.
Another friend walked in and said, I attended your exhibition. I enjoyed it. My sister was in town, I brought her to the exhibition. Thanks dear friend for spending time at the exhibition and also sharing the word with me.
Grateful for all the responses. Looking forward to see how the week spans out.
Sandra suggested me to listen to this song. On a cloudy day, this soothing melody made my day. Thanks Sandra for the suggestion. Looking more about the artist, I found the spotify bio of the artist interesting. Glad she picked up the music her parents put her in.
"Here to show you that the sangeetham class that your parents put you in can change your entire life."
Measuring distances in making conversation
Walking out in path
You're at distance afraid to not mislead
I'm at distance not to discomfort you
Will we always measure distance and make friendship?
You're there
I'm here
Will we ever be those friends again?
Losing a friend is a haunting melancholy. I was scared to host this exhibition. If you ask why, I do not have reason. It's irrational fear. I was not ready for the day and I was wondering if I should mail my team that I can't make it up to the exhibition.
I was nervous. I was overwhelmed with this exhibition. I'm scared by what evokes me with these events after I got surprised by myself at Colourless Bangalore Book launch. A few messages by dear friends, I gathered strength to move forward irrespective of my fears.
Tamara and Marina were supportive and dropped me mail briefing all the basics. As I rushed to the institute to set up the exhibition, I could see the exhibition poster, neatly placed at the entrance. I was bit hesitant to do any publicity. The Fab did it all for me. From designing the posters to publishing them at places with a lot of care. I love it.
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| Thanks Fab for brilliant work |
Marina helped me out with lights and space and as I began to set up the post cards racing against time, Ann walked in along with her friend to check out my exhibition. I dragged them to help me. They were glad to help me out in any possible way. Ann and Celia were cutting the plaster and handing it out while I was selecting the post cards. Without them, I wouldn't have set it up in time. Asking time every 2 minutes, we were almost there finishing it up and at 10.12 all of us ran to our classes leaving the exhibition open.
Post class, I strolled to the exhibition and I missed the paintings. It's funny that these are few works that I hold a lot of emotional value and was putting it out for exhibition.
Archit, Sandra walked in with a little flower and congratulated me for the exhibition. Along with them, Ann joined and all of us sat near the exhibition, chatting random things while everyone got busy with the work.
As people walked in, friends also managed to check out the art and spent some time to observe it and pointed out their favourites.
Again, we rushed to attend class to learn Probability. After 2 hours of probability, I invited professor Remi to walk into the exhibition. He was inquisitive about the medium, paintings and colours. Glad to strike a conversation and share few words. Other friends joined and began to fill the post its to the question, "What is mystic river in your home language?"
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Luana, Jyot, Arghadeep, Sanket, Pallavi, Harshita, Kushi and a few others joined the exhibition. Glad to share space with them.
It's interesting that the empty space is filled by many people. A few are catching up on the stories on their towns, colleges and a lot more. Others are trying to interact with art. Others are silent but their presence speaks more than their words.
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| Curious visitors |
I was overwhelmed by putting out the art that's very close to me. What it is to be vulnerable? What it is to share a space with others? What it is to be there and let the world respond to your art?
Teary eyed me couldn't stop myself from crying and stayed grateful to be there and see the most loved ones being there and checking out my art.
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Soon after the hustle, after another lecture, Shivam walked into the exhibition and spent good time observing my art. There are two pieces, he could relate very much with his life and shared how he look at those pieces.
I was touched by the way he responded to my art. Both of us walked into Pickwicks to join friends for Trivia night, also to celebrate the first day of the exhibition.
I'm grateful for all the time and love people have shared it with me.
I'm grateful that there are a lot of days that reminds me of various memories at the drop of hat. As I prepare for my next exhibition event, I could think of my first launch and exhibtion eve.
On August 18 2015, I had my first book launch. Anil covered the whole event and gave a lot of memorable pictures. Whole college was cheering for me and supporting me in this endeavour. I could feel everyone's support as everything fell in place even though I was clueless till the last minute about a lot of things. Kittu from ED cell got in, Kittu Jr came up with cover, Charishma assisted in handling the whole event, Shashank was there for every small thing. Grateful for everyone. Lastly but not the least, all my friends, loved ones showed up at the event, making it houseful. Good old memories.
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| So nice of the prof to read the excerpts and appreciate them. |
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| Without their support, I wouldn't have pushed myself to check my potential |
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| Dr.Kiran Mai- The one who took me under her wing taught me life lessons |
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| Harry a.k.a Harimohan Paruvu |
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| That's the first and last time I wore suit for any of my launches |
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| The launch picture |
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| This will remain my favorite picture. My first autograph on the day of event, I guess. |
http://harimohanparuvu.blogspot.com/2015/08/book-event-in-between-bridges-by.html
Feb.11.2016
Every year, I never plan to make my birthday special but, I'm always intuititve that the birthday goes special in the ways I don't even imagine.
From the last decade, I've been thoughtful in celebrating my birthdays. In the last 2-3 years, I asked people what I want for my birthdays. I always asked books and people have always showered with a lots of love and loads of books.
I was reflecting on whom I easily ask without a second thought, whom I remind about my birthday and whom I share my birthday with. This year, I've decided to celebrate my birthday through postcards.
I'd love to share post cards from Switzerland on the occasion of my birthday.
Due to shoe string student budget, I can afford to send 10 post cards world wide and 20-30 postcards within switzerland.
Dear reader, if you'd like to celebrate writing, stories, poetry, paintings and my birthday, drop a mail with your postal address at abhinayrenny@gmail.com. Would love to celebrate the moments through a postcard.
I remember asking my writer friend who works in Development sector to share some suggestions on writing."Renny do you really want to pursue writing?" he asked.
"Yes" I affirmed. "Let me tell you few things then," he explained, "to pursue writing is to pursue lonliness. Do you want to be lonely in life?" he asked.
I laughed out loud and said, "by no choice, I'm already lonely. I'd pursue what I love and stay lonely rather than do nothing and stay lonely." Both of us laughed and continued our conversation.
With 13 years of experience in writing, I'd agree with him that writing is a lonely task and lonliness is not bad thing. We need it to create that work. Tomorrow, I've my exhibition Empty Spaces-Maya Nadhi. Events are usually filled with conversations, meeting different people and listening to them.
I cherish this moment to reflect on all the lonely times I spent to create this piece of work, empty spaces maya nadhi. People who crossed paths in life. Places that have inspired me through this journey, have not been visited from long time. Even now, on the eve of exhibtion, I'm staring at my pieces all by myself, having a different sense of energy, being grateful about the whole journey.
Till this moment, these pieces had a very limited audience. After this evening, they are no more mine. It's open to public, it's open to opinions, it's open to praise and it's open to any form of response.
I celebrate this moment. I know it's gonna be lonely after this whole celebration.
Hoping to walk with some travelers, cross paths and keep walking in life.
Epsa, Adhira, Anjali gathered to cook their dinner. Their daily dinners consists of impulsive cravings and major missings of Delhi, the Sun, the cold, the flowers, the food, the desserts, the pollution and anything that reminds them of home.
We gathered in a small cozy community kitchen. Listening to their curated playlist, I enjoyed the company, the rain, the lighting. These are the moments, I'd cherish over the years in the future. Loved the time.
Adhira suddenly wished to eat honey chilly potatoes after being disappointed with her own fried rice. We had to wait until it gets done while Epsa was busy eating dal rice from her own black cooker, reminscing how she spent 15 years of her life, eating Banana and drinking milk every evening.
Two hours into preparation, we finally had food. This gang reminds me of Azhar who offers chai at 9 PM and starts cooking at 11PM. These lovely people don't intend to get it late but somehow they end up spending more time in thinking about food rather than making it.
I'm so happy to have their company. Now it's time to hit the tables and enjoy fried rice and honey chilly potateos.
M as we know her. My friend's mother. Today is her birthday.
We know her as a mother who'd call out her daughter early in the morning, to send her to school. "T get up. It's time to go to school." We know her as a student who cleared medicine entrance exam, ambitious to contribute to the world by her presence and her service. We know her as eldest daughter who put her family before her ambitions. We know her as a person who has immense interest in music. Passionate enought to pick up a new language soley through music lyrics and the cassette labels.
We know her as a person who's interested in movies and catch up on all the oscar nominated movies.
She's a passionate individual who's takes interest in life and all that brings us into life. She survived COVID, Cancer and her innate fears. We know her as a mother who raised a daughter who reflects kindness, empathy through her.
It's her birthday and I take a moment to wish her the best in life and this world deserves her presence and her presence makes a difference to many. God bless her.
It's been a long time since I watched a movie that shook me up to the core. Adam Sandler as a Jeweller gets hold of a precious gem which he wishes to make money from and get out of all the problems he has in life.
Exchanging it with several hands and handling the money lenders in his own way, he wishes to get rid of all the problems with one gem. He raises his stakes to get out of the whirpool he set himself in.
Along side, he terribly fails to keep up with the marraige and family but still holds onto the roots, a superficial act of being in the community.
I could look into the life of a businessman where there's greed and ambition.
I remember my conversation in college, with Ismail on what drives business people. At first, I thought, it's money but he mentioned, "it's ideas, power, passion to serve in their own way." I did indeed know couple of my friends who got into business just to make their mark in particular industry and bring change. There are several ups and downs and with the grit they've withstood is commendable.
Now, I think of how values drive humans and how humans float and drown in the values, trying to make a life.
Movie worth watching.
After a two week break, I began to run again. It's interesting to listen to your body. Sometimes we gotta listen to it and rest rather than push ourselves and hurt it. Does body know better than me? Am I different from my body? I don't know.
I began to run in cold weather, covering my ears with radium colorful ear plugs. I ran past my favourite car parking place. The black mercedes replaced the vintage red car. Sad to see the change but, change seems to be inevitable.
I ran past the sunflower field. Within a few months, a new crop would be sown at the field but, for me, this ground will always be a sunflower field. Touched down another field where I saw couple of sunflower plants in the past. Now, the ground is clear, all set to grow a new crop.
Enjoyed the sights and returned home running.
I love community kitchens for a few reasons.
1) You get to meet people & have conversations
2) You get to learn how to cook
I walked into the kitchen trying to cook chicken after burning the whole chicken in the previous day. Cooking chicken and taking simple suggestions from the next door neighbour, I succesfully cooked yummy chicken.
Along with it, we discussed books, the importance of reading fiction books and the need to be open to books.
La Farce is distributing winter wear as the temperatures have just begun to drop. I pushed myself hard to get out of my residence and was ready to quickly get in and get out of LaFarce finishing the work. I ran into Vibha and walked along with her. Slowly, I joined Jyot, along with her friend Anand, discussing life in Geneva and the possibilities of Jyot getting a jacket with some cartoons. Anand is pursuing a course in Mathematics and computer science. He was sharing his Geneva journey.
One hour into waiting, Ann joined the line. As I entered the arcade, I picked up a scarf, a trouser, two shorts, a jacket, a few accessories(mostly for painting purposes) and a pair of boots. I'm so happy to find what I found. Ann got a classy jacket and army green shirt. The next La Farce distribution is around 9 December. At the end, with a heavy bag of the haul, walked out thanking La Farce team.
Malavika has suggested me to visit her friend Karishma D Souza's exhibition- I can't see Forest at Xippas Gallery, Geneva. Malavika and Karishma are from same batch. Glad to know about this and I attended the gallery today. Cirque will remain my favourite place in the town. A few metres away from Cirque, Xippas presented the most intricate and colourful water colour paintings of Karishma.
A little introduction about the exhibition.
I can't see the Forest is about artist's view on how rapidly her town, Goa is changing. With the change of landscape changes traditions and livelihoods. A narrative on how her place is being affected by the current changes. I found Karishma's work very intricate and each line seemed to be a fragment of a memory. Her work is presented in two galleries of Xippas. I enjoyed the works which are present in Rue du Vieux-Billard 7
I'm grateful for all the food I get to eat. Especially, in the past two days, I've been offered food by many people. Syliva walked in and offered me a big piece of brownie and suggested to heat it for 10 seconds and have it. I'm a brownie person and I savoured the whole brownie without a morsel of guilt. Soon after that, Sandra invited me for dinner and offered me Chicken, pulao, Rajma, Raita and Tiramisu. Today, again, S offered me Chicken Biryani. I feel so abundant in having so many amazing people, offering me food. Grateful for all the food I'm having here.
Lately, I've been under grey weather and I was pushing myself to function and attend everything I'm supposed to. I could feel the acute need of attending what exactly my emotions are. Running here and there doesn't work, being in the crowd doesn't work. At the end, it develops more fatigue and fatigue. I need to be attentive, acknowledge and experience those emotions. A few are strikingly painful, a few are blows that will not let you get up. The only thought that's keeping me look forward is, "It's a blessing to live in a body."
The nights have passed
The days have arrived
We could see ourselves melting into this space in black and brown
with our drooping heads down
Until the buzzing machines walked, stamped, and razed us.
Cut away. Carried away. Splitted. Trampled and transported.
Sustainability, Eco-friendly stickers glazed at us in our colours- Yellow and brown
The nights have passed
The Days have arrived
We're moved.
The field is empty without us
Or
Is it?
The Nights have passed
The Days have arrived
We're there
Not there
In this world.
CERN is world's largest nuclear research centre. It's located both in Swiss and French land. It's so interesting to explore the place and listen to their waste management practicies. As IHIED is member of 2050 Today, we got a chance to be part of the initiative and attend the meeting to discuss waste management practices of various organisations such as ILO, WIPO, United Nations, Eco Life, Canton, and many more.
It began with English and later, went ahead with a lot of french. After the meeting, got a chance to visit the CERN premises. Thanks Varun, Wangchuk for this visit.
Once lived three boxes....
They got stacked, parked, pushed, pulled, dragged, bragged, kicked, stamped, moved, cursed, criticised, observed, valued, undermined, over estimated, rectified, nullified, ridiculed, cajoled, loved, admired, adored, silenced, shattered, assigned,resigned, objectified,compared,calculated,paid, priced, numbered, centrered, studied, humiliated, identigied, ideated, exoticised, humanised
and
buried.
Recently, one of my prof had a two hour class where he listened to everyone who had an idea and opinions. Every five minutes, he'd assign numbers to people to share their thoughts in order. Even before the order is finished, he'd assign the numbers again. With a little bit of laughter and humour, we shared a 15 ideas, out of which we need only 3!
He listened to everyone, made everyone feel heard and at the end of the class, did what he wanted to do. Last 5 minutes of 2 hour class,he finalised the three topics, assigned members to the groups and shared it with the class.
I'm impressed by the way he was attentive, patient and managed to find a middle path. Actually, not so middle path but, he made everyone feel as apart of solving the situation. Cheers prof, looking forward to learn more from your class.
Usually, I run with my headphones on, minding my way on footpaths. Today, I managed to run without any music. Focussing mostly on the rhythm produced by my feet and the way I breathe, I could entertain myself. It's interesting how I decide to take paths without relying much on phones. In that manner, I discovered a lot of new places. Today, I walked across the park and found the trees very appeasing. Trees in different shapes and sizes are very alluring. I wish I spend more time watching the trees.
I graduated in mid 2016. The year in which a lot of life events happened in my life. I hardly remember celebrating the so called 'milestone' moments.
I was not ready to accept that things are ending even though they were ending on a very high note.
My first half of 2016 went in my getting 2nd book published, setting up TEDx community and being clueless about the future. |
| L to R- Meghana, Samhita, Amulya, Ravi Teja. |
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| The time when I discovered that 4 years of my education doesn't need to define my life. |
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| The view from my room. I never appreciated this enough for 4 years. |
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| My favourite game. I always insited the gang to play this after my return from Mysore. |
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| Samhita, Myself, Ravi Teja & Vineeth |
At Banglore, on the day, I wanted to meet Susmitha, I got down with chicken pox and couldn't meet her. The last time I met her was in 2010 and wanted to meet her again in 2016 but, couldn't catch up with her. Back then, my parents were in Raichur, Karnataka. I returned to them and spent most of my time in bed, resting recovering from chicken pox.
Year started on a high note but ended in a very normal, unexpected way.
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| Circa 2016 |
I woke up with Azhar's message mentioning the blog link and said, "Thanks for your writing. Helping me in many ways."
I wrote about our Mandvi trip, 3 years ago and was touched by the way it's helping my friend to walk back to the memory lane. After rereading my blog, I couldn't stop myself from revisiting the memories.
We have a lot of pictures, videos and also this blog from that trip. I do not plan to ponder on what medium is more etching and impactful. I wish to express in the mediums, i'm most comfortable with. I'm so grateful to continue the writing journey.
I had my doubts wondering if the blog writing is really worthy as it takes a lot of time. Recently, I stopped myself from writing blog, in fear of various irrational reasons but, with a dear friend's heartful message, I'm enthusiastic to show up at the desk and continue writing.
I take this time, to reflect on my blogging journey and share my gratitude.
Attended a sound gallery to listen to equinox music. They curated a playlist that welcomes autumn.
Listening to the music as a gathering as well as an individual experience without any distractions was calming and soothing.
A accompanied me, assuming it's a live event but, at the end of the show, she walked in and said, "Happy Equinox Renny," in a happy tone. I'm assuming, she's not disappointed with the music event. Later we walked out, shared a walk, music and some stories. Good day.
Epsa is one of the first few people I met on my first day at Geneva. I remember Epsa offering words of assurance to someone on the first day without an air of condescendence as well as sharing her concerns. A young graduate, out of her home to take a new journey, all together. Impressive.
A few days here and there, I run into her often and get to know the struggles of Economics graduate. Slowly, eventually, I began to hang out with the group of joyful, chirpy girls Gayatri, Adhira, Anjali and Epsa, I hear more of them and their journeys. 'Pata hai?' Epsa starts and share some stories. As quick as she share her part of story, she also withdraws from conversation, to play monopoly online, to check all the notifications, to browse 4+ apps, with a lot of diligence. Econometrics, matrices, math boot camps, flash runs on the opposite sides are some constants we have to deal with, when we have to deal with Epsa. Sweet, positive 21 year old girl is all set to celebrate her birth week, mentioning the time zones and how one can celebrate depending on the times of India, Geneve and what not. Good for her.
Adhira, Anjali & Gayatri managed to cook Kheer for her. Epsa's birthday special dish. Also they got a cake and surprised her. Sanket and Prathit joined the party and lit up the mood and momentum with nice groovy music. Happy birthday Epsa!
8 degrees Celsius, I was wondering how I should prep up for this run in cold weather. I put on a jacket and began to run. I could see my breath in cold. My hands needed much warmth. Without rushing, I took my own time to warm up and continued my run. Crossed the chapel, sunflower fields, stopped for a while to have the sight of spacious fields and went down across the fields. Following the narrow path, I reached fortaille, the stop where bus no. 20 and 59 stops. I crossed the road and began to run to the place where there are trees in dense. An old lady was waiting for her dog to walk but, the dog is busy sniffing around. I was checking for a path to move ahead but, couldn't find. The old lady raised her hand and pointed out to a direction, signalling that's the way. Merci I replied to the wordless help and found this path. This path took me to the trail where I could see little creeks and wooden stumps across. The temperature is down by 1 degree and as I moved more to the left, I could see huge machine working at the construction field and right across the forest is the railway track where trains are whizzing at crazy speeds.
I chose the middle path and began to run. From behind came a golden retriever running happily. For a moment I thought, it's chasing me but, I ran past me and looked behind for his Miss. The Miss is holding flowers in her hand and kept running. Again the dog runs forward and then backward towards miss. With these errands, I slowed down a bit to give the dog it's space.
What's his name? I asked. Chance. He's very excited, the lady with flowers replied. Good day for Chance. I continued my run and spotted two walkers in forest with three dogs sharing a conversation. Soon after I ran out of it, I could spot 3 old ladies with 4 dogs. Trying to focus on the breathe, I trudged uphill and reached home after a not so long run. Good day.
I dread to do any outdoor activity individually but, I'm trying to become regular at running here. The only motivation to run here is the nature. I get a chance to explore different places in Geneva. Through runs, I spotted a corn field, sunflower field, cemetry, forest trail, deserted roads, hill tops. Uphill runs are challenging yet fun. Everytime I run uphill, I push myself hard to move forward.
I did the contrary today. I decided to walk at my leisure rather than run or hustle. On an evening, while the sun is behind the mountains and tinged the cotton candy hues to the clouds, I walked out and enjoyed the calm roads. Hardly there are vehicles and the little traffic I notice, is on the footpath where two youngsters are running together, an old couple is walking together sharing a conversation.
Birds chirps became louder and consistent. I walked ahead and reached the sunflower field. On the east, there's Moon rise and at west, the orange hues. I continued my walk in chilly cold evening. I went to my place and took my time to enjoy the sights. What a blessing to stay close to nature. Further, I went along and returned humming my favourites. Got reminded of Uttarkashi clouds and I got scared for a moment that, my normal evening walk could be a treasure I should hold onto as, there's world with noise and chaos. 
I need to learn to appreciate both the worlds I guess.
On my return walk, I spent some time at the chapel and returned home with a lot of enthusiasm. Being outdoors definitely gave some boost to navigate through the day.
What a moment to celebrate this. Bala and Veda got engaged. November seems to be Bala's month. On November 25 2017, Retro got opened and...
