I Love You

"Mamma! I wanna a dog!" I remember screeching as a seven-year-old. It's pretty obvious that I'm gaga over anything that moves on fours! Well, I started early. I found a fellow animal enthusiast in my grandfather. When I was a little kid we used to conspire on smuggling a dog into the house ( my mom had firmly put her foot down and said 'it's either you or the dog' Well, you can hardly argue with that can you? ). I remember sitting in the balcony with him in the evenings, clapping my hands and shrieking with laughter as he mused on which dog we would get. He would go along just to humor me, but for me it was a fantasy! I could hardly wait to get home from school and continue our discussions. And for three months I ate, slept, and breathed dogs until I finally convinced my granddad to actually get a dog.

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When we shifted to Hyderabad a month later, I had my first glimpse of the dog. My dog. I remember getting down from the car and watching with wide eyes. She was just a puppy then. He'd chained her to keep her from  running to us. We were strangers then, hardly having met. She yapped and growled, feisty little lady, until my granddad had convinced her we were of no threat. I named her Dome ( pronounced Domee ). Today she's a 40 kg, brownish black, German shepherd. To me she's God's greatest gift. It's been 10 years since we first met yet every time I see her I fall in love with her all over again! I love having a pet! I feel its something every child should experience. Dogs are much like children themselves, innocent and  charged with energy!

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There's a reason behind why dogs are called man's best friend. They are so much more than just animals, they are sentient beings who live and feel the same way we do. Its so much more uncomplicated with them you know . . . . I guess that's why people grow and evolve as a person after having a pet. They are able to tune in much more quickly to human emotions versus a person who's life has been untouched by such silent companions. There's a reason behind why children yearn for pets . . . they cater to your emotional needs on such a basic level, falling in love with them is an invariable factor . . . it just happens. Ever wondered why people did not have a tough time communing with something that can't respond back through words? Well when you're dealing with something with which you don't have the bluster of words to hide behind your true intentions come to life. That's why animals, dogs in particular make such excellent judges of character.
My dog is sort of an emotional anchor for me. I can vent out my heart to her, tell her about my whole day or just blabber to her in general and I know by the way she cocks her head and pricks up her years that she understands what I'm saying. When I speak her undivided attention is on ME. Tell me how many people can give you that time of day? One? Two? Yeah the worlds a fast place, there's no time anymore. Plus with a dog you can be yourself. They don't care if your fat or thin, ugly or beautiful, rich or poor, they just love you for who you are and that is a great feat by any standard.

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The utter faithfulness of a dog is commendable, the other day I was watching Hachiko and was literally in tears cause what I saw was a wonderful portrayal of the truth. It does not apply to that dog in particular rather to their whole kind, once a dog gives you his heart he invariably gives you his life too. He will die trying to protect you, you will be the thing that matters most. I doubt anyone in today's world would be so liberal! And for what? They are so free in giving their love, the street dog next to my wags her tail and makes these cute whinny noises whenever I go near just because I put out water for her during the summers along with stale bread or biscuits every evening! But the girl at school won't even smile back at me just cause I'm more popular than her! Honestly what an extraordinary waste of time! Why hate when you can love? The world's seriously a weird place to live in people . . . !!

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A touch says so much.
A pat on my dog's head tells her 'I care for you'
A kiss on her snout tells her 'I love you'
A loving caress says 'You matter to me'
A big hug tells her ' My life is incomplete without you'
Probing fingers when she's hurt tell her 'I'm concerned'
A nudge with my leg tells her 'Oi! Get outof my way!'
Its the small things which matter with her. Literally! She doesn't need to understand the words I'm saying, she gets what she needs to know through my tone. She doesn't care if I buy her chew toys or balls, she cares about me joining her in playing with those things. She doesn't need for me to cook her a heavy three-course meal, plain old Parle-G will do as long as its fed to her with the utmost love.

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I wish all relationships in life could be as uncomplicated as that. There's a single rule you have to follow while dealing with animals in general. You give love, you get love back. And that's why I loathe people who torture animals for the sake of it, they are capable of so much love and understanding but are chased around streets and are beaten mercilessly just because they have no human mouth to scream with? Just because the same emotions of pain and fear look different when portrayed on a face that's not human? Well that's just sick. I wrote this today in an attempt to make people around me understand my fascination for the subject and the world in general to know what they're missing out on!
All the best people in the world have pets! Its a proven fact!

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Masterpiece

I did not go to school today. I was feeling tired and decided to stay back at home for a day of rest. I woke up at my normal time of 6:00 and drilled into my brother the instructions he had to relay to my classmates in my absence. After assuring me that he wouldn't screw things up he left leaving me alone to my thoughts. It was crisp and cool outside, the sun just starting to rise. I pulled on a jacket and headed up to my terrace to feel the morning breeze in my face. I breathed in the dew laden, cool air of the morning and felt for once utterly disassociated from my hectic schedule and was content with just standing there and watching the sun rise slowly into the sky. That is the effect of Nature.

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To me there is no other greater artist than God, its proof is right there in the world. What human technology can create the rolling hills? The lush green fields? The majestic trees? The sky is a breathing, ever changing masterpiece. I doubt people would take the time out to notice, but do so and you'll be shocked! The clouds fluffed to perfection, suspended in a rich blue that's irreplicable by any human . . . . need I say more? Being an artist myself the canvas is my second home. The minute my fingers touch paper, they develop a life of their own, drawing, painting, etching my thoughts onto the paper. I view the world through an artists eye, its only but natural. Bright hues and colours jump out at me everyday, I find perfection in an oddly shaped leaf, in the eyes of an old dog, the tired smile of a mother, the knots in the trunk of a gnarled tree.

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Its hardly surprising that most artists find their inspiration in nature. Its a living masterpiece! I love the shape of my dogs broad head, the amber glint in her eyes, the rich mahogany of her fur, she's beauty in herself. I love the way the sunlight filters through the air, highlighting minute dust particles which are otherwise invisible to us. I love watching my caramel skin turn golden under its rays and I love the way it picks up the brown streaks in my hair, highlighting each curl. Trees which people don't give a second glance to enrapture me. I love running my hand through freshly mowed grass, feeling the dew drops on my fingertips. Baby green plants that grow along with tender white flowers in my gardenare a sight to behold. The curve in the petal of rose is spectacular and the transparency of a single water drop is celestial.

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The sight of the sea is a breath taking one. I've visited it only two times so far yet its magnificance is etched into my mind. I was in Chennai, visiting my uncle and he's taken us to a little beach quite close by. Little for him, I was blown away by the spectacle before me. I couldn't tear my eyes of the emerald waves rolling in from the sea, I could taste the salt in the air and I could feel my feet sinking into the warm golden brown sand. Ofcourse I was slightly disgusted by the sea weed washing up and tangling around my legs through the waves, but I was more than a little annoyed by the plastic coke bottles and chips packets that bobbed in the water. They were not enought to steal the glory away from the vista but were an ugly blotch which I could do nothing about.

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Life is all about living in the moment, finding beauty in places where you least expect it. To me, nature is a balm for a day gone wrong, that along with Daughtry's - September (a song) playing in the background I'm more than relieved to slip into oblivion.

A tribute to Her . . . .

This is probably one of my most overdue posts. I've blogged about almost everything and anything under the sun. This one goes out to the special women in my life. My candles of hope, my unconditional givers of love, my TEACHERS. Teachers are one of the most influential people in a child's life. That is an understatement. They have the power to make or break you. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been blessed with such an elite team of individuals. It's no wonder I remember every single teacher who's ever taught me. Let's start from Grade I.

I remember bawling my eyes out one June morning, I clung to my grandfather as he unsuccessfully tried to deposit me on of the benches in the room. My to-be classmates stared at me with an amused air, I swear I heard a few chuckles or two. Now who could blame them? They probably thought I was the next best thing to Shin Shan! I mean which I'st Grade student cries her way into the school building and into the first academic session? Apparently it is I. It was a new school and I was no more than a pudgy toddler. It was then I had my first taste of the power that is TEACHER.
She swept in with an air of calm, her cool fingers wiped away my tears, her lilting voice soothed me enough for me to release my stranglehold on my grandfather. She was Lekha ma'am my first ever class teacher and I was smitten by her!

I shifted to Hyderabad in class IV. I was determined to make things work this time. So my chin stuck up in the air, lips a-quivering I marched into my new school ready to face a whole new world. I settled into the rhythm of my new life quick. I was shy, incredibly so (those who know me today will ask you to get your brain checked if you tell them this). But life moved on, I was the type of girl who would sit in the front row, spectacles pushed up on my nose, hand already in the air to answer the question that had hardly left the teachers mouth. But my padaku attitude did me good. I was soon the topper of my class. I was always my teacher's chamchi which invariably made me a favourite in their eyes. But it wasn't till class VII that I actually discovered just how much the bond is worth.

I used to suck at math! It was a subject summoned from my personal hell just to torment me! I guess my problem was that I lacked a proper understanding of the subject, all my math teachers up till then somehow never managed to exactly get through to me, whatever the case I vehemently despised the subject. I remember getting my first and last 'D' in the subject in class VI, and I have never gotten a 'C' ever in my life! So when then the new academic session started my misery knew no bounds.

The first math class my teacher Shamini ma'am called on me to demonstrate a sum regarding Integers on the board. My hand was shaking as I gripped the chalk but something in her expression kept me going and I finished confidently. Her one nod of approval and the warmth in her eyes tingled me till my toes. Maybe this year won't be so bad! I thought. Boy was I even close!

My class VII teachers were my best ever. I enjoyed a wonderful rapport with them as well as my friends. A sense of family enveloped me whenever I stepped into the school. Life could get no better! We had a tightly knit group of about 6 or 7 girls. We were notorious for making mischief, yet also the apple of our teachers eyes who swore their hair would grey up before they got us to tone down! We loved them too. They were so caring, informal, their classes lively and entertaining. But towards the end of the year I was facing problems with some of the group members. I was depressed for a few days but forced myself to keep going at the problem until it was solved. But that's not the issue. Every year we have a Hobby darshan at the end of the academic session where children display their skills.

This year my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole lot of them decided to accompany us to the school. Somewhere amidst the noise and confusion I remember Shamini ma'am coming up to me and drawing me aside. By then we had established a lovely relationship. She had turned around the subject math for me. Admitted I was not the sharpest tool in the shed but the proud look on her face when she handed me back my answer sheets always drove me to perform better. I loved my math teacher which invariably resulted in my loving her subject too. Anyways back to her pulling me aside. Her eyes were full of concern. She had noticed that I looked put out the last few days and had wanted to know if something was wrong! My mind was reeling! Never had any teacher shown so much love and care for me! I just wanted to hug her then. Her compassionate expression drew the secrets out of me and pretty soon I'd poured my heart out to her.

Shamini ma'am encouraged me promising me that I would definitely do well and that I was one of her best students so far.
And life moved on. I still see her every spare minute I can, rushing to her class whenever I have a free period. She always drops whatever she's doing then and makes time for me. She makes me feel special, blessed and for that I cannot thank her enough. I came to class VIII a whole new batch of teachers to impress. But I managed none the less. I took a liking to my Hindi teacher Sangeetha ma'am. She is the BEST Hindi teacher I've had so far. She is filled with a motherly love for her students and my heart turns to putty whenever I'm with her. She believed in me and made me look for things I never knew I had in me. And when I won the elections for the Asst. Head Girl she beamed with pride touching my heart with her simple gesture. But the most best thing that has happened to me since I entered the senior block is my principal Simi ma'am.

She is the epitome of efficiency. She shoulders so many responsibilities yet always has a smile for you at the end of the day. It's pretty obvious why she's the principal. They don't make women like that anymore. Back of steel, heart full of love, she had me in raptures the first time I spoke to her. She oozes confidence and the first time she spoke to me remembering my name I felt I had accomplished something great! Even today, a year from when I met her I can't help but be awed with the way she carries herself. She's a wonder on stage and she is the first 'Role Model' I've ever had.
Apart from her I also have my English teachers Aanchal ma'am and Sudha ma'am. All the credit goes to Aanchal ma'am for making me the writer I am today. I remember she'd urged me to go for an inter school essay writing competition in class VII and I'd won the first prize. There was no looking back from there. Sudha ma'am she's my English teacher this year and it's amazing the amount of work she puts in for her students. Sheila ma'am my physics teachers too is very observant and has a lovely aura about her which immediately relaxes the students.

All in all I would like to give big muah! to all my teachers cause I can't stop thanking them enough for making me who I am today. I know they will always remain a part of me forever, you can't erase something that had been engraved into your heart! And that is an understatement.

Tick Tock!

Some people say that money is the most important thing in the world, others say happiness . . . . well I agree with neither. To me TIME is the most invaluable thing on the planet. I mean just look at the facts . . . . time embodies the unattainable. Once gone it never comes back. Every minute, every second is unique in itself. People I guess realized this a long time ago. Ta Da! The clock is invented. Time can only be measured, never stopped. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor you've no influence whatsoever on it.
Time adds value to an action. Takes it, shapes it, defines how it needs to be carried out. Nothing is of value if it isn't performed in the appropriate time window. That is the power of time.

Its funny how people lust after things that quite frankly aren't worth it. Yeah I know its wonderful to have a roof over your head, expensive shoes on your feet, a big car to drive around in but those things don't matter in the big picture. I firmly believe God created everyone with a purpose. I'd once read in Frozen Thoughts (Awesome magazine, you've got to check it out) that the 'Creator helps those who help the creation.' Simplified it states that people who taste success are those who rise above themselves and give their all to the world. Like Kangana Raunat said 'There's a world outside my world' How true! People (including me) are so obsessed with themselves. It gives them no satisfaction to step outside their comfort zones. That's probably why I want to become a veterinarian. I find a life lived for oneself a life not worth having lived. If you're not the reason for a smile on someones face, the subject of someones grateful words then consider yourself a big fat loser!

Those who have risen above themselves and embraced the world are those who have tasted immortality. 60 years ago Gandhi Ji could've just walked on turning a blind eye towards the atrocities of the British, Mother Teresa could've thought "Hey screw others! Why should I be bothered?" and Martin Luther King could've just continued with his life. But they did not. They made a difference in others lives which resulted in a huge difference in their lives! Their kind words and courageous actions catapulted them into glory which is more than what any Tom Dick and Harry has to boast of today.

Time teaches people to live in 'NOW'. Screw immortality! I personally would find it extremely boring to live forever.  All good things come to an end. That's the way the world functions.The shadow of death is in a way a good thing you know . . . . People feel the need to prove something, to the world, to themselves before their time is up. Where's the fun if you're not always on your toes? Flying from one task to another? Revelling in the feeling that is LIFE?! Live every moment with the realization that this second, this moment once gone will never return! It would be pretty pathetic to look back on your life and be unhappy with the way you've spent it. Yeah . .that would totally suck. So, this is me signing off, cause the clock on my wall is going tick tock . . . . tick tock . . . tick tock!

Infectious

I am grumpy, pissed off, annoyed, irritated whatever you can call it. Basically I'm not in the mood to be messed with. Long story short my day was nothing short of a disaster and I'm feeling totally grumped out with the whole world for no particular reason. Right now I feel like pulling the next person who approaches me and giving them a piece of my mind! God! It feels so nice to unload your frustration on someone like that, scream, kick, throw a tantrum! Basically do everything you know you're going to regret later! But that's not who I am. My parents have always taught me to carry my own baggage. I've always been taught to keep my emotions in check and behave towards others the way I would expect someone to behave with me.

And I completely agree with this policy. I mean, why should someone have to suffer for you being stupid? Believe me, I know people who feel the world revolves round them, their moods are directly proportional to all those around them. I firmly despise such people. A grumpy mood is like an infection, something that is passed on unconsciously. It starts out as something you are unhappy with but before you know it the whole room is grumped out thanks to your negative vibes. I know the elation of getting something off your chest yet I've also experienced the agony of a hasty decision. Riding the storm out is always better than succumbing to the waves. Pouring your troubles out to someone who sympathises is a different thing, forcing someone to endure your foul mood just because you aren't at the happiest moment of your life is plain torment. No person, especially your friends and family should be subjected to such stuff.

The way a person deals with a sticky situation speaks a lot about their character, the whole world is watching  and every move of your is checked. I stared at my sullen face in the mirror, a  sullen face stared back at me. Further goaded a scowl spread across my face, being mirrored by my reflection the next instant. I glared for a moment contemplating on whether my reflection deserved a punch or not. And then it struck me! Man, was I being childish or what!? I was receiving exactly what I was giving. The scowls and frowns on the mirror were produced by me. I laughed out loud at my stupidity and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw! My face lit up and was much more pleasant to the eyes.

I remember a story I read somewhere which really inspired me. A guy 'A' had gone to an optical centre to get his glasses fixed. He was accompanied by his friend - guy 'B'. They both got their frames repaired, but while guy 'A' was happy with his glasses, his friend was highly annoyed with his and promptly threw them in the trash can on the way out.. A third guy who observed all this commented about it to the sales clerk behind the desk. The clerk smiled and replied that it was no fault of guy 'B' and his actions were justified as his lenses were tinted red due to some manufacturing mistake and the world world appeared dyed in red to him. The same way, lenses are the way through which we view life, some have a clear view while others are prejudiced. If your lenses are tinted red, do what guy 'B' did - trash them. Life will get that much more uncomplicated.  

I'm not saying we are always meant to be the epitome of patience and are meant to be polite and courteous all the time. It feels fun to let go sometimes! Being grumpy is fine as long as the person in question is only you. Like the saying goes 'Your freedom ends at the tip of the other person's nose!' your mood too stays with you.Being tolerant is always the safer bet in life as things have an uncanny way of coming back to us in the end!

Dosti Ke Naam Pe!

I was irritated, kind of bemused actually. Could my classmates really be so childish? I was staring at the scene out of any ordinary friendship day, flashes of colour highlighting every one's wrists, people laughing, hugging. All that was quite fine but I being the sour puss as usual thought "I don't need a particular day to tell my friends that they're special to me! Honestly, what a waste of time!"

I really don't see the meaning behind days like Mothers day or Fathers day . . . . . It's an accepted fact in my mind that they are meant to be loved and cherished at all times, not just one puny day in a year! This attitude firmly stuck in my head, I marched into school, smirking quietly as I watched people rushing around and in my opinion 'making fools of themselves.' 

Nevertheless, I did not fail to take bands along for my friends as quite a few of them were literally bouncing off the walls with excitement on the day! As I entered school, something changed. The tenderness, love and affection I saw on the faces of my friends quite literally melted my heart! My indifferent feelings were turned to putty as I laughed along with them and reveled in the feeling of being wanted and cared for. The strip of colour on my wrist ceased to be just that, it now stood for more. I was (for the first time) quite happy on being proved wrong. Maybe I hadn't understood the central purpose of dedicating a day to friendship.

My friends are an integral part of my life, the sun rises and sets with them! They stand with me through all phases of life and make the experience all the more sweeter. I always make it a point to let them know how much they mean to me, but its not always possible all the time! After all these years I finally understand what makes my friends rocket off the walls! It gave me a deep sense of satisfaction to profess my love for them and receive the same so freely! I still firmly believe in the need to make my friends happy on a daily basis, this is just another feather to the hat!

Friendship is something that is earned, not granted is what I've come to learn over the past years. I've made friends, good, bad and OK. Some have moved away and some have moved on but today I am left with people who are worth their weight in gold! Thank you Smruthi, Ayush, Janani, Mukundh and all the other wonderful people whose names I have not mentioned here. Life is so much easier with you guys around! I know I'm not the easiest person to be friends with, so thank you for sticking with me through times, good and bad! This one goes out to all of you! Thankyou and love you! 

I Am

"What am I supposed to do yaar?" cried Smruthi, indignantly. Smruthi is my best friend. She and I have been inseparable since class 5 when we first met. Our friendship has thrived through the years and now in class 9 we are still going strong. Anyway back to Smruthi wailing. This particular outburst was a result of a problem she was sharing with me. We often play shrink to each other and I am amazed each time we get off the phone. How could the weight from my shoulders disappear so miraculously once I narrated my problem to her? How were her words so soothing that they calmed my frayed nerves? How was her advice the godsend to me at the time?

Anyway she was moaning to me about how her colony friends were pigs and always got into gossiping rather than just playing in the evenings. I was nodding and offering suggestions when she burst out,  " They don't seem to accept me for who I am!" I nodded and plunged into how she could tone down herself a bit and mind her manners a bit. You see, Smruthi is the type of girl who always speaks her mind, no matter what. She can be boisterous and fun - loving, calm and caring, funny and irritating all at the same time. She doesn't care what anyone thinks of her as long as the people who matter to her really know who she is. And I love this quality of hers, she takes all types of criticism positively and doesn't seem to mind being ridiculed.

She always stands up for what she feels is right and doesn't tolerate anyone badmouthing her friends. So anyways when I was going through my speech, she interrupted me and said something that shocked me beyond words, she said, "Listen, this is who I am, and if they don't like what they see, well its their loss! There will be people out there who like me just the way I am and I'll know that they are the right one's for me" The power of her words struck me to my core. How right she was! Why should we compromise ourselves just to be liked? Is social acceptance that necessary? It's not like I'm a sucker for peer pressure but I have seen a few friends of mine change the basic foundations of their character just to be liked.

After a few seconds of baffled silence I nodded and moved on to another topic. I mean what could I say? Out of the two of us I consider myself the more 'mature' one, Smruthi is often childlike and innocent, another quality of hers which I adore. But many a time she has shown maturity that surpasses her age, which makes me rethink my presumption. My friend is like an orange both tangy yet sweet (Yeah, one hell of a comparison right? But it suits her) . She reminds me of my maternal grandfather, he too is like her in many ways. A hard exterior, a soft interior. She had taught me many things in life and I often feel privileged to have her as my friend.

I once voiced my doubts to her as to how long our friendship would last. She hmm-ed for a minute and then said, "At least until we both get married, I hope" I laughed at her, amazed. I had expected it to last only till we finished school. Call me a pessimist but I had seen friends drift away from me before. But Smruthi apparently believes in the strength of our friendship to see it stretch that far and her hope makes me want to believe as well. I know I'm not the easiest person to stay friends with but somehow she manages to read me like an open book and some times I feel she knows me better than I know myself! She is a tough nut, Smruthi and I'm sure she'll go many places being her extreme, adorable self.

Overrated

A few weeks ago my Mom had asked me to do a few chores for her. I agreed with her outwardly of course but when I went out back to the clothes line and saw the pile of clothes hanging there I was dismayed. My dismay turned to misery when I'd plucked them off the line and had dumped them on the floor to fold them. I sat down sulking but couldn't find a reason to not do the work. My parents are very loving people and they work day and night to make sure my brother and I have everything we need and want. So I sighed, reminding myself that I'd been the one to offer my help and began to fold the clothes one by one.

My mind started to wander and  soon before I knew it, the mountain which had previously towered over me was now reduced into a small neatly stacked pile of clothes. I stood up bemused, as I surveyed my handy work. Surely the pile wasn't supposed to look so small? I glanced around to see if I'd missed out on anything when a realization dawned upon me. I nodded in awe, admiring my logic. To my overexcited mind the pile of clothes had been an impossible task, huge, tangled and confusing. But when I'd mentally accepted that this was one chore that I simply had to do my mind too warmed to the task and helped me focus all my work on completing it. This made me wonder, are all life's problems slightly overrated? With the right attitude and the willingness to work hard can we overcome anything we set our hearts to?

But after a few times of trying unsuccessfully to implement this logic I've realized that it's no piece of cake. To achieve that kind of willpower is no joke. Believe me even with this knowledge in hand it's no easier being a better person. I'm still the girl who cries when things go wrong and shuts herself off from everybody when I'm mad. But nowadays I'm finding that it's easier to ignore my brother than fly at him when I'm angry, it's easier to just be done with my homework even after a tiring day. What I realized was that our minds are our greatest hurdles and greatest achievements. Hurdles when we need to implement will power and achievements when we assert ourselves and complete a task. I'm happy that I've realized this early in life because someday I know I'm going to need it.

Another thing I've noticed about life is that ignorance is bliss. Maybe that's why people adore babies so much. And maybe that's why I adore animals so much. Seriously, both have the same thing in common, both are pleasantly ignorant of our busy world and are content with simply living. The line 'All Izz Well' in 3 Idiots had always been just that to me: a line. A dialogue I'd never imaged would actually apply in life. I remember, just the other day I'd been having a bowl of grapes, my nose glued to the T.V screen. My hand would occasionally go down to pluck a grape from the bowl and pop it in my mouth, my eyes never wavering from the T.V. When my programme had gotten over I 'd glanced down at the grape in my hand and realized that it was slightly over ripe which had caused dark blotches to bloom over it in places. I chucked it away, revolted.

But that was the point, the grape would have tasted perfectly right if I had eaten it. There was nothing actually wrong with it and my throwing away of it had been a mistake. I knew that and had still chosen to waste the food morsel. Whereas when I'd been otherwise occupied I had eaten every grape in my hand irrespective of its ripeness. Looking down my mind had decided that the grape was not of my standard and I'd thrown it away. The same grape I would have eaten if I were blind to its appearance. My brain had invented a problem, where actually nothing had existed. I'm not saying that its best to remain ignorant all the while but sometimes I find its better to implement Rancho's logic in life than complicate situations uselessly. 

Puppy Problems

On the 24th of January 2011 I received my first dog bite. I guess this is just the first of many more to come. I really hope not. But that's going to be a bit hard considering my to-be occupation. I am an animal fanatic. In class 7 I'd decided that I was going to become a veterinarian and nothing has changed till date. But moving on to the incident, it was one of the most shocking experiences of my life.

It was 7:45. I was on my way to school with my cousin Sanjana, a 1st grade student. There was exactly 15 minutes left to get to school. I was not unduly worried but I kept up a brisk pace. We as good citizens stuck to the sidewalk (or mud walk) of the busy road. Most of the shops were closed and the air was slightly chilly. As we walked I noticed a mother dog with her pup sitting near the entrance of a closed shop. I didn't mind them. I'd seen them a dozen times before while walking back from school.

Ignoring them I continued walking down the road, my hand in Sanjana's when suddenly as I passed them the pup jumped up a ran towards me (or rather,my basket)wagging his tail. Aware of the playful nature of puppies I kept walking. It was then I felt the teeth sink sharply into the back of my leg and connect with a 'snap'. The first emotion that came flooding through my body was shock. My eyes widened as my brain comprehended what had happened. The puppy had bitten me! The next emotion was disgust and annoyance.

Disgust because I'd actually felt the teeth in my body (i.e my calf muscle. Damn school uniforms for having a skirt!) and annoyance becuase I had no idea why the idiot had taken a bite of me in the first place! I swear I have no idea why! I would never go out of my way to harm a  living creature. Later, after the incident I came up with two theories.

1. As I was swinging my basket and walking, it might have clipped him (why him? I'm just guessing, he seemed too rude to be a female) on his nose and hence he retaliated. But I find this theory very unlikely as I don't remember anything of the sort happening.

2. He bit me for fun. Doesn't seem so far-fetched does it? Puppies, children (especially males) generally enjoy playing that way. So I'm guessing he mistook me for his chew toy sibling and took the liberty of sharpening his biting skills on me.I'm kind of certain that its this one as the way he bit me didn't exactly seem like an attack.

I'm not an idiot. I know animals are not always friendly-friendly types. I know when I have to stand my ground and protect myself. But this lacked the aggression of an attack, believe me if I'd felt at any moment that it was I would've brained the little guy with my basket. A stinging backside would've been the perfect reminder for him not to go nibbling others again. But he took me completely by surprise. And I didn't feel like bashing him up later again. After all he is a child.

Well anyways after he'd bitten me, I dropped my cousin off in her block and proceeded towards mine. I checked in at the office and informed the teacher there of what had happened. The bite wasn't too big but it was deep. There I met my class teacher and she was very sweet. She made me rinse the wound thoroughly with soap and water and instructed me to call my parents. I did as she said, and in no time even my parents were added to the list of 'people who are worried about my dog bite'. They got to the school as fast as they could and bundled me up into the car. I grinned at my friends on the way out, kind of liking the attention I was receiving.

The grin dissolved the minute I stepped in the car. My mom was furious. She was so worried and scared. She even made me promise that I wouldn't touch any other dog except mine again. My dad worried silently and occasionally shot me looks through the rear view mirror. We reached the hospital considerably fast and I was ushered  in almost faster than my legs could carry me. I loved the reaction of the duty doctor there. He was as cool as a cucumber and proceeded to make jokes as he checked out the severity of my injury. Finally, someone who reacted properly!

I was to recieve 5 injections all in all. Each costing Rs 500. I've already recieved 3 of them and have two more to go. The wound itself didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. The worst part was as I said the second after I'd realized that the dog had bit me, kind of like when you gag after you realize you've stepped in dog poop (charming example, I know). But all's well that ends well. My parents dropped me off at school on the way back and I spent the whole day being asked, "Lavanya you were bitten by a dog?" to which I replied " Yes"to which they replied "How?" to which i replied . . . . . well, you get the idea. 

This incident has as of such not changed my perspective towards animals. I still adore them beyond belief but I'm certainly more wary of them now. But I'm sure not going to give up on the whole lot of them just because one puppy bit me. No matter what anyone tells me, I will still love my animal friends till my last breath (I hope). I was,still am and will always be proud to remain a Nature Freak!