Glorious Weekend

This is it!

The end of NaBloPoMo!

The 30th of November.

And I've done it! Posted every single day. Despite being so busy this month. Kinda like Murphy's law --- when you decide to post every single day, that is the month you will be extra, extra busy!

I am glad that I'm not going to be blogging every single day any more. I will still blog but I first need to catch up on responding to comments. Thanks everyone for your support and patience --- and thanks for reading and commenting on the posts. Even the most irrelevant ones.

I'd just like to share some pics from the weekend when I went in to the beach on Friday after work and the city on Saturday.

Cronulla beach

View from a rockpool

Another view from the rockpool

Clear, clear waters

And now...you know Christmas is here...

The Xmas tree at Martin Place which was set up earlier in the week. A view of it in the evening

And a view of the same tree at night

Now, while I find Christmas trees pretty and everything, I am not really looking forward to the festive season. A bit of a kill joy I suppose but I find it all too commercialised. And I miss my routine.

Hope you all had a good weekend and here's to a great week ahead!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Paranoid

People always looking
At me
Rather suspicously
As I look over my shoulder
No one is out there
Oh! What if they're out to get me as
In this lifetime they want me
Dead?

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Bookshelf 2009

This week's challenge on BlogThis is as follows:

Tell us about your most memorable or favourite book you've read this year so far. Why? Would you recommend it? Was there one that you just can't finish or even find? Or you can tell us about the book you've been wanting to read but haven't got around to it...Or is it magazine or newspaper you've discovered this year? Tell us about it!

This is one challenge that is going to be hard despite the fact that it interests me no end. And that's because I love books. Over the last couple of years in particular, I have been reading a lot more (having finished uni and all...)

In this past year, I've read a number of books --- The Time Traveller's Wife, The God of Small Things, A Suitable Boy, A Fraction of the whole, The White Tiger, Handle With Care among others. I enjoyed some while disliked others.

But one book stood out for me this year. Even though I read it sometime in February, I can still remember it.

The book is: We need to talk about Kevin

It is about a high-school massacre. Committed by Kevin, a 15 year old boy. I'm sure it sounds familiar. Except, it's not the same old story. The book is written in the form of letters from a wife (Eva) to her absent husband. Their son, Kevin, is in jail for killing 7 classmates, a teacher and a canteen worker. Eva is writing the letters as a form of catharsis...and to try and figure out what went wrong. It's her point of view right from the time of Kevin's birth till the shooting.  Kevin was never bullied at school unlike most high-school shooting stories. Nor was he jilted by a girl.

It makes you question a number of things:

Was it because Eva never wanted to have Kevin in the first place?

Or was he just born evil?

Or did he manage to learn how to be so evil?

Or was it all just to get Eva's attention?

Is every woman cut out to be a mother? Maybe some of us just don't have it in us...

It makes you question what is required of parents...

It makes you wonder whether Eva's point of view is in fact, the actual truth...

It makes you think about the nature v/s nurture debate...and question which one it could be

Kevin is a dark and unlikeable character for most parts. I was however, able to empathise with Eva despite not having children of my own. Maybe that's because I could understand what it could be like to be forced into having a child when you don't want one. And I still haven't been able to make up my mind on nature v/s nurture though personally I'm leaning towards the theory that he was born evil.

The book leaves you with an empty feeling. A void inside.

But it is well written and gripping. But, I would still caution others to be prepared for a somewhat depressing, yet enthralling read.

If you want to check out what's on other bloggers' bookshelves, you can find it here.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

You...

I was excited when I heard that you were coming into this world. I wanted you to be a girl. I was delighted the day you were born. As a young girl of 5, I remember coming to meet you at the hospital. I was amazed at how small you were. I will remember that day even more clearly because mama (uncle) and I left the keys in the car in our hurry to meet you.

You were tiny. It amazed me. But soon I was jealous. After 5 years of having everyone's attention, I didn't like how they focused on you. I remember how I told everyone that your tears were "crocodile tears" because when you cried, there were no tears! I found it funny how you never kept your food in. What went in always came out. Just the wrong way.

Given that our birthdays were a month apart, you always had to compromise and celebrate it together. Until I turned 9 that is. I also remember how you stayed with me when I had chicken pox when I was 7 and wasn't allowed visitors. I thanked you for that by deserting you for a birthday party when you got it next. I remember how I taunted you and said for years how it would have been better to have an older brother than to be stuck with you. I hated how you seemed to get special treatment just because you were younger. You were always everyone's favourite.

As we grew older though, you and I began getting along a lot better. Yes we had our fights. But they were not as bad as before. We played games --- scrabble, chess, snakes and ladders, card games. I beat you most of the time but you got better as the years went on. I slowly learnt to trust you with secrets. You and I had our inside jokes. I fondly remember the times when you and I would giggle over the smallest of things --- things that no one else could understand. You were the one I'd turn to regarding what clothes suited me. You were the one I'd wake every morning before work asking if the clothes looked 'formal enough'. You were the one I'd come home to and talk about my day --- from start to finish without leaving out a single detail. You were the one I enjoyed going to the gym with.

And then, I moved. Miles away. But I still kept you updated. I still trusted you with secrets. And you and I still had our giggles, albeit over the phone. I apparently did not hug you the first time I left. (I still don't remember shaking hands as you claim!) 4 years away from you I have realised that you have changed. Not just in terms of your taste in music. But you have grown. I am still amazed.

After almost 21 years together, I want you to know: I am glad I never had that older brother. And I would never trade you for any older brother in the world.          

Thank you sis!

For being there for me.

For being supportive.

For being funny.

For being you. 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

All in a day...

It's been a busy week. I don't really know what to blog about but I have to keep going to continue with NaBloPoMo. I think come December, there may be a few days of me taking a break. A break to read others' blogs and to reply to comments on my own. With trying to blog every single day, I realise I am lagging behind in reading all the other blogs and in responding to comments. Please bear with me.

The school year is almost coming to an end (Yay!!!) Another couple of weeks to go and it's done. But it also means a lot of work in these two weeks. For some reason, everyone realises now is a good time to have some students assessed. Why, I ask you! So not only am I assessing students rapidly, I'm doing observations and writing lengthy reports...at home, might I add. I have decided though...come 2010, I am not bringing work home. That is going to be a new year's resolution. I'm going to try and be up-to-date by the end of this year so that I don't bring work home. And instead, I am going to look at other activities to do in the evenings.

On a different note, I have been interviewed again. I know many bloggers have been interviewed by these folks but it's still a nice feeling. :) I must say, I really liked the title of the interview - A Cup of Coffee with Psych Babbler. Has a nice ring to it.

And finally, today is one year since the terrorist attack in Bombay. I'm currently watching a doco on ABC called 'Surviving Mumbai' where they are talking to the survivors of 26/11. It still seems so surreal watching places I visited every day for 5 years such as VT station have people lying in pools and pools of blood. I must say one thing --- people are resilient out there. When I visited Bombay earlier this year, I was very nervous about possible terror attacks (as reported by the wonderful media) but people went on with their lives as normally as possible. Which is incredible.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

White Ribbon Day

Today is White Ribbon Day - the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Here in Australia, the aim is to try and get men and boys to take action to eliminate abuse of women with an offshoot at http://www.myoath.com.au/. It's a great step which involves a lot of high profile men including our PM and an iconic rugby league player among others. Targetting men and boys in this positive manner is great because research shows that violence tends to occur when men think it is acceptable or that they are entitled to dominate their family or that this is the only way to solve problems.

It is definitely more important to catch them young and to educate them. Violence is unacceptable. Towards your partner or your child. I remember attending a forum a month ago as part of work where one of the speakers stated that something like 6 out of 10 young men under the age of 16 think it is okay to be abusive towards women if they don't behave in an 'acceptable' manner or if they change their minds about having sex at the last minute. That statistic really scared me.

Where do these young boys get such ideas?  (Rugby league perhaps???)
And that's why a day such as today is so important.

It's important to educate these young boys that violence of any form is not acceptable.

That women have a right to say no.

That they can stand up to their mates who are abusive towards their partners.

Even if we can start with a few, hopefully in the coming years, we will see a lot more change. And hopefully, the young boys in the future will have better role models in their fathers and other high profile males.

So wear a white ribbon today and show your support.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

HELP

Okay...something's wrong...I have lost most of my comments!! I don't understand what happened.

All that I can think of is VIRUS or HACKERS.

Any ideas???

I had 2000 odd comments till this arvo and then tonight it's down to 120! The one thing I noticed though was when I had to moderate a few comments, there were about 6-8 previously published comments in that section. I clicked on them to reject them but got a message saying 'no comments selected' and I just figured it was a minor glitch with blogger and it would be resolved...

Anyone know how I could get back all my comments??

For the time being, I'm settling for a simple template. I have to figure this out!

Being Thankful...

This week's Top Sites Tuesday meme through BlogDumps is to write about three things that I am thankful for. This is going to be a hard one given that I am extremely thankful for so many things in and about my life (I gather some of you are shocked given my cynical whinges ever so often??)

If I had to narrow it down to 3 things it would have to be the following:

My parents: I am so thankful to have them. Yes, while growing up my sis and I thought they were horrible and awful (like each and every one of us does!) But they trusted us. They were never abusive like some parents out there. They provided us with the basics...and more. They encouraged us. They supported us on the paths we wanted to take. And they continue to do so... [My sis too is someone I am thankful for...and she has been extremely supportive too...]

Having a job: I know my work can be stressful and I've complained more than once. But I don't think I have ever mentioned how grateful I am to be working in a field I love. To have that job to pay my bills. To have that job that helps me keep a roof over my head. To have that job that puts food on my table. To have that job where I feel fulfilled. To be doing something I want to do. And to be able to make a difference in at least one child or adolescent's life...

My friends: I am not an extroverted person. But once I make friends, I aim to keep them for life. I am fortunate to have made some amazing friends through school, college and now here at uni. And they are still there. Yes, the distance in terms of kilometres has grown, but we still make an effort to keep in touch. I am so grateful to have friends that have stuck by me through good times and through the shitty times. Yes, I have had a fallout with a couple but others are still around.

So there you go...three things that I am truly thankful for.

What are you thankful for? Do share.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!



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Famous!

I'm 'Famous'!

Okay. That may be somewhat of an exaggeration.

But I'm up on the New Member Monday for BlogThis this week!

Thank you BlogThis! Appreciate the opportunity for increasing visits to my blog. I must say I love the site because it's introduced to me to a lot of Aussie bloggers (who previously, were few and far between on my blogroll)

So thanks again,

EDIT TO ADD: I forgot to mention this (and Matt kindly reminded me) I was featured on BlogDumps on Saturday.

It's been a good few days for blogging!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Memorable Memories

This is one meme that may take a while. Ever since I was tagged by Smita, I've been thinking about my childhood and trying to figure out which memories to write about. 25 years feels a long time (Those of you over 25, don't have a go at me...). I'm going to try and see how much I can remember...and how much I want to share...

All By Myself:
Until I was about 5 years, my family and I lived in this little place in Oman. Unfortunately, this place was so tiny, it didn't have a school. So I went to India to do my junior and senior kindergarten years. Mum and I would go to India and live with her parents while I attended school. Dad was still working in Oman. Anyway, the one thing I remember vividly is travelling by aeroplane all by myself when I was 3 years and some months. My mum joined my dad when I still had school and I was being looked after by my grandparents. Anyway, to cut a long story short, in the school holidays I was to rejoin my parents in Ibra and so my grandparents dropped me off at the airport under the care of this airhostess and I flew from Bombay to Oman by myself while my parents picked me up at the other end. I still remember all the attention I got from the air hostesses. I remember getting stuff to colour in, getting chocolates, having a window seat and basically being spoilt rotten. It pays to travel by yourself as a child! ;)

Halloween Horror:
I think it was when I was about 7 or 8. Three friends and I in Salalah decided to go trick or treating. I dressed up as a clown and we were to meet up at one of my friend's place. It was pretty dark and the four of us started walking towards the back of her house to take the short cut to the other houses. It was pretty dark and since it was a narrow path, we were walking in a line. The next thing I know, we hear this dog barking. Now, one thing you must know is that dogs were banned in Salalah and someone said this was a rabid dog. So we screamed and started running back towards her house. And then...I tripped. And I screamed because I thought the dog was going to maul me. But it didn't. I vaguely remember it coming close to us but my friend's mum came out and I think the light scared it off. Funnily enough, you would think I'd have been scarred by that incident but I still love dogs.

Football Fanatic:
Some of my memorable childhood days in Salalah were spent riding my bike, swimming, going to the beach and most importantly, playing football (or soccer as most of you may know it as). I started playing socially with some of the bigger boys where we lived. I think that was because my friend's older brother was one of those boys. Two incidents stand out vividly of my football prowess. One was when I was goalie. Picture this: tiny 6 year old girl. (And yes, I was tiny...I'm 5 feet now, so you can imagine what I was like at 6!). And then there's this boy who is 11 or 12 and on the bigger side...he runs..he shoots the ball towards the goal...and me (trying to be heroic) I jump up to stop it...and I do. But...it hits me wham right on my tummy. And I cry. But only for a bit because everyone reminded me of my awesome save! The other incident was the tiny me tackling the ball and managing to steal it from a much bigger guy...wait for it...but running under his legs. Yes...he was very tall. And the other boys didn't let him forget that incident easily. How a little 6 year old girl managed to steal the ball from him.

Riding Adventures:
I loved my bike. And more importantly, loved riding with my friends. I still remember how we would all wake up around 6 in the morning during the summer holidays in India and then ride around our suburb. We would try out different routes to 'explore' the area. Sometimes during the extremely hot days, we would bring 2 rupees and buy one of those ice lollies. My bike was a big part of my life...until I was around 14. And then, for some reason, I just stopped. I regret it now. And I would love to buy me a bike now to ride around and explore.

Bollywood obsession:
I was obsessed with Shahrukh Khan. Especially after Kabhi Haan, Kabhi Naa and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. A close friend and I were so obsessed we would repeat the dialogues from the movies and try and enact it too. When I think back now all I can say is: What the fuck was I thinking???! Luckily this obsession ended around age 12 when cricket took over.

Cricket Crazy:
My journey with cricket is a huge part of my adolescence. I still remember in the 1996 world cup telling my dad I didn't understand this "stupid game" and that nothing would possess me to watch it. Following that, and seeing the Aussies (Steve and Mark Waugh being my first favourites), I probably followed cricket even more than my dad. And annoyed the rest of the family with it of course. My love for cricket translated into playing with friends in the evenings as well as playing socially at school. There were no teams for girls and so I never did play the game as 'professionally' as I would have liked to. But I continued to play until coming here to Australia. Yes. Until I was 21. I was fanatical about following matches as well. While at school, some of us would constantly try and get score updates (I can't remember how though, given that we didn't have mobile phones!) 1999 was great because I watched every single game of the World Cup since my Year 10 exams were finished. Unfortunately, it's due to that I also put on oodles of weight. Watching cricket, eating chips and not doing anything active leads one to become fat. Wish I'd known that back then!

Scrabbling along:
My sister and I had some great moments together despite our fights early on. During adolescence, we got closer and Scrabble was one of the games we absolutely loved. I initially loved it because she was easy to beat. She is after all, 5 years younger than me! But as she improved, we still continued to enjoy the game and the giggles that came along with it. There were a lot of other board games too and I still remember how we'd play on a hot Sunday arvo or during the summer holidays in the arvo when mum was taking a nap. Ah, those were the days.  

City Life:
After the Year 10 exams (age 15), my friends and I went to the city (South Bombay) by ourselves for the very first time to watch 'You've got mail'. The movie was my idea and it was a huge thing for us travelling all the way by ourselves. And I for one was nervous. Not because of the travel. But because I worried about them liking the movie! I still remember not being able to relax until the intermission because I kept thinking "What if they hate the movie...it will be my fault". And yes, I know I take on a lot of responsibility for things I don't need to! It's funny to think though, that that was my first time into the city and some weeks after that I joined a college in South Bombay resulting in me travelling a whole hour each way from my suburb to the city for 5 years. It became a part of my life...

And that's about it. It's not that I don't have other memories. I have several. Some good. Some not-so-good. At this time though, this is how much I feel like sharing. It's my life. And I'm satisfied with it.

I would like to tag the following people to share their childhood memories:
Titaxy
Legal Alien
Matt Parker
Nu
Richa
Miss Carly
Tash
Joel
G

And of course, any one else that would like to share...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Happily Ever After

I don't know how many of you heard this news which is a bit old now. The BBC decided to change the end of the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty to 'made Humpty happy again' instead of 'Couldn't put Humpty together again'. They also changed Little Miss Muffet's ending to her and the spider becoming friends. (I'm surprised they didn't change 'Jack and Jill' as well)

The reason: The original endings are too harsh and horrific for children.

What the fuck?!

I don't remember any of us being traumatised by listening to these nursery rhymes or for that matter, even reading fairy tales that had wicked step mothers and big bad wolves. And why does everything need to have a 'happily ever after'? And aren't kids being cotton-woolled (I think I just made up that word) enough? Not only do they not go out and play, get dirty and get hurt, but now they won't be reading nursery rhymes that will upset them.

Are we going to let kids grow up thinking eveyrthing in the world is hunky-dory?

Or are we going to teach them to be friends with spiders (which in Australia is so not advisable!)

Or, better yet, are we telling them that even if they sit on a high wall, they are never going to fall and get hurt? (Because that cotton-wool we are wrapping them up with is going to do it's job!)

Getting hurt is part of life. Physically and emotionally.

And they need to know that.

Kids need to know that shit happens. But you can deal with it.

By wrapping them up in cotton-wool, how long do we think we can keep them safe?

And how are they going to deal with the shit when it does happen?

Because it will.

And then what? (And don't say you'll send them to me to 'fix')

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Friday, beautiful Friday

Don't you just love Fridays?

Inspite of the fact that Friday always seems to be the 'crisis' day at work, I love the fact that it's the weekend. And with the heat in Sydney today, I was just so glad to be back home and get into my shorts. It was a stinking 39 degrees today (went up to 41 in some areas).

Anyway, it's been a busy week and I have been slack in responding to people's comments on my blog or perusing other blogs but I will catch up tonight and over the weekend. My Green Day tickets arrived this week and I am excited!!! I also found out that JET are going to be the support act and that's made me even happier (The only thing that could have bettered Jet would have been The Living End). Oh, and I have still been keeping up with NaBloPoMo...even though it's bloody hard! You don't realise how hard it is to have to post every day until you try this. I thought it'd be a piece of cake given I had 30 posts last month...but back there, I did skip a few days and had more than one post on others. And that's easier because there are some days where you just don't feel like going online! (Yes, I really said that!)

I am working tomorrow as well but somehow Saturday work doesn't compare to Mon-Fri work. My plans for the weekend: working Saturday and then just staying at home blogging, catching up on reading, watching telly...you know...the usual.

What are your plans?

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Dear Call-Centre Caller

Dear Call-Centre Caller,

There are a few things I would like you to know:

I know you are calling from India. I recognise the slip in your accent. You cannot fool me with that Americanised accent. Especially since you are speaking to Australians.

I would appreciate it if you did not call me at dinner time. Please check the time difference between India and Australia. While it may be 1:30 in the arvo for you, it is time for me to have some peace at home with my dinner.

I do not need insulation for my roof as I live in a unit. I would have thought you would know that from wherever you have the information on all of us. Also, I would have assumed you would have done your research and known what a unit is in Australia when I tell you that.

I do not want to change my mobile phone service. If I did, I would have done it without your phone call. And what is it that you don't understand about "I am perfectly happy with my Vodafone service". Since when does this mean you can still explain to me what Telstra has to offer??

On that note, I do not want to change my landline service either. Like I said, if I had wanted to, I would have done so without your prompting badgering.

I am not a rude person. But if you badger me and don't understand when I say I'm not interested in your offer, I will be fucking rude! I will be assertive.

I would prefer if you didn't call me, confirm you are speaking to me, and then ask me to state my date of birth to confirm my identity. You called me. I didn't call you. I will only give my date of birth when I contact agencies such as my bank or the telephone company or my mobile phone provider or electricity company. The point is, I make the calls in those situations.

I don't care for Foxtel at the moment. TV is crap and mind-numbing. So stop calling me to ask about that. And shouldn't you have it on your records that I said no the first time?

I am not interested in a free financial assessment. Why would I in my wildest dreams think of trusting someone calling me and offering me a free financial assessment. Do you really think I am that dumb to give you my financial details? And no, I don't care if you are making home visits and giving the street I live in this "special offer"

I don't particularly care for giving you my valuable time to answer some questions. I think I have a right to refuse and I do not appreciate you persisting me to answer those questions.

I hope you read these points. And are warned. Because if I hear back from you, rest assured I will not be my usual polite self.

Regards,

Inquiring Minds

Melissa passed on this meme to get to know some of us bloggers a bit better and I think it's a fantastic idea. Espcially because it doesn't have the question: What are you wearing!

1. What was your favourite subject at school?
English. It was my absolute favourite. I loved writing compositions (which were like creative writing for me) and it was the only subject I got great marks in during high school. I've always loved the intricacies of the language. My writings would just flow and it was probably the only exam where I didn't spend time thinking and searching my memory banks!

2. Did you have a favourite teacher? What was it about them that you liked?
Yes I did. My Maths teacher (from the 7th till the 10th) and my English teacher (in Years 9 and 10) I liked a couple of my teachers because of their faith and belief in me. I think they believed in me more than I believed in myself. Especially given that in high school, my self esteem was pretty much rock bottom. These two teachers pushed me on. I have even done a post (last year) on some of my favourite teachers. It can be found here.

3. What do you like most about yourself?
My stubborness and goal-oriented attitude. They kinda go together. If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't be a psychologist in Australia today. It's because I was stubborn I rebelled against society's views about what I should or shouldn't study. It's because I was stubborn I followed my head into the Arts field where I found psychology. It's because I was stubborn and goal-oriented, I followed my dreams to come to Australia. It was because I was stubborn I didn't listen to people who warned my parents about sending a girl all by herself to a foreign land. It's because I'm stubborn and goal-oriented, I'm proud of all I've achieved.

4. Why did you start blogging?
It was initially to keep in touch with family and friends back in Bombay (through Windows Live Spaces) but slowly became a platform to voice my opinions on things around me. So I then decided to switch to blogger and become anonymous and open up the blog to readers around the world. This way, I get to air my opinions and thoughts that are constantly festering in my head...and people out there actually read it! How amazing is that??

5. Can you show us your 5 favourite blog posts?
1. I learnt something today
2. In Remembrance
3. Racial Row
4. On being Normal
5. The English Language - used or abused

6. What do you love most about your partner?
Have none. Thanks for rubbing it in. :P

7. Next to your husband/partner/significant other/children, who do you speak to most often?
Again. No partner.
And no kids (thank god!)
It'd have to be a couple of friends and my sis, mum and dad.

8. What are your 5 favourite books?
Only 5??? Oh well...here goes
- Malory Towers series by Enid Blyton (I know...I've been naughty!)
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (I know...I've been naughty again!)
- My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

9. Do you have a favourite work of art?
There is this one that my sister made...portraits of my parents which she gifted them on their 25th wedding anniversary in 2005. (Oh and she made one of mine too and while it looks great, I don't like my photos/paintings)

10.If you could live for a year anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
In Adam Gilchrist's house in Perth with him and without his wife and kids. :) [No, I'm not a stalker] Seriously though, I think I have lived in the place where I wanted to...I always wanted to live in Australia and I have been living here for almost 5 years now.

So that's it. That's a bit about me for all the inquiring minds out there. Please do take on this tag if you wish...so that way, my inquiring mind can get to know you a bit more.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Two Random Things

I'm going to share two totally random things about myself:

1. I sang on radio in 2002-03 and won a prize: a signed CD of Ronan Keating's album Destination.
How did I win? Not because I have an outstanding voice. The competition involved singing Ronan Keating's song "I love the way we do" in a different language. And I chose to sing in 'P' language. Yes, there is a language like that. A made-up language which a few people are aware of. It involves inserting the letter 'P' before a vowel. For example, Ronan Keating would become Rponpan Kpeatping. :) So yeah, I sang the song in 'P' language and because it was the most unique language, I won!

2. I have fallen asleep in the classroom. And have been caught for it.
It was in Year 6 during English. I was seated in the last bench. And we were reading from the text. Everyone was getting a turn to read a certain section. Anyway, I think I was really tired and my head was rested on my arm...and I fell asleep. Predictably, my turn came up and guess what? I was asleep and the entire class and the teacher found out and had a good laugh. At me. Having said that, that English teacher was atrocious. My English even back then was better than hers.

So there you go. Two totally random things about me. Why did I post this? It's part of BlogDumps Top Sites Tuesday meme.

Come Join Top Sites Tuesday and be #1 on BlogDumps!

The purpose of this Meme is to encourage

Networking between bloggers to have fun while doing it!

Make sure to visit all the other participants and leave comments.

View More Top Sites Tuesday Participants on Technorati here.

See who Tweeted this Post!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Queen Bee

I can say you're fat

Or make fun if you're skinny

I can call you a nerd

Or tell you that you're dumb

I can call you a slut

Or say that you're a dork

I can tell others you're mean

Or tell them you're a wuss

I can ridicule your religion

Or make fun that you're an atheist

I can laugh that you're pale

Or make fun that you're dark

I can say you sleep around

Or tell others that you're gay

I can make fun that you can play sport

Or laugh and say you're like a boy

I can treat you well today

Or ignore you tomorrow

I can be your best friend

Or can tell others you're shallow

I can tell you to trust me

And then divulge your secrets

I can ask you to confide in me

And then stab you in the back

I can put you down

I can cut you bad

I can say whatever I want

I don't care for consequences

And your feelings don't matter

You have to be with me to truant

I want to be popular

And that's all I care

I will do whatever

It takes to be up there

I am after all, the one they all fear

I am after all, the Queen Bee of our year

As you can probably tell, I am frustrated. With teenage girls. This is what I am dealing with and feel like I'm not making any difference whatsoever. Thanks to the Queen Bee. It's no joke but girls really do this to one another. And it's fucked up.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Hope exists

I've been losing faith in the inherent goodness of people.

Blame that on a year of dealing with selfish adolescents whose only aim appears to be how much they can hurt another adolescent. How low they can go. How they don't care about consequences. How they can pit one friend against the other. How they can get people to fight over them.

And I had started losing faith in people.

I had started thinking that this was it. This is what people are going to be like in the future.

Selfish.

Entitled.

Narcissistic.

Without a care for other human beings

Without a care about consequences.

But I was proven wrong this week.

And I am glad for that.

In one situation, I noticed one student help another having learning difficulties during a maths class. In another situation, I had a girl come to me out of concern for a friend. In yet another situation, I saw a teenage girl hang out with a friend because the friend was being ignored by the rest of the group. There was yet another instance of two girls sticking up for a girl in their year. And yet another where a group of girls opened their arms to another girl being left out of her group.

There is goodness out there.

It's probably less than before. But it's there.

And it gives me hope.

Hope that despite the number of little shits that are out there, there are others who are inherently good. Who will help out those in need. Who will look out for others.

There is hope for niceness and kindness.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Happy Birthday Gilly!!

It's Adam Gilchrist's 38th birthday today.

For those that don't know, I absolutely love the guy! I have followed his career on the international scene from beginning till end. During his career, I have even baked a cake and celebrated on his birthday. (Okay, so mum baked the cake and I cut it). Yes, I was that fanatical.

When I was 19 (year 2003), I wrote this poem for him which I would like to share today (as corny as it might be) Keep in mind, I was 19.

The poem was titled: Dear Gilly

Gilly, you are a sweetie,

Gilly, you are the best,

And I love you Gilly,

Way above the rest!

It’s lovely to see you smiling

After keeping on a long hard day,

And then to come out batting

And blowing the opposition away!

I truly admire your honesty,

And your spirit for the game,

The gentlemanly behaviour you show

Will surely bring you much more fame!

 

You are one of the greatest batsmen

And a keeper whom none can match today;

I love your cuts and pulls with the bat

And about your antics with the gloves, there’s a lot that I can say!!

You broke the record for the fastest double hundred

And might do the same in one - dayers too

For it’s highly unlikely that

It could be someone other than you!

You are my greatest idol

And although you’ll never know,

It’s by seeing your actions on and off the field,

That I’ve begun to grow.

One day I’ll surely meet you

And be happier than I’ve ever been

For I would have finally met the person

I see constantly on TV and in my dreams!

And in case you haven't followed my blog in 2008, I did meet Gilly. And he truly is as he appears in his interviews and on telly.

An amazing bloke.

I think I'm single because I want my 'ideal' guy to be a lot like Gilly. With the added education though. And guys like him are few and far between.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Old is Gold...

This week's BlogThis Challenge is

Photograph anything old. People, your old teddy, buildings, antique nick-nacks, books whatever you like - what you think about it, if it does or doesn't inspire you - what makes it interesting or special?

And here's my photograph:

This is my teddy. My koala to be precise.

 

I got him when I was just a year old and he is still around today when I’m almost 26. Unfortunately, he is currently not with me and this picture was taken when I visited Bombay earlier this year after a span of 4 years. The only reason I didn’t get him with me was because he wouldn’t fit in my suitcase. Both times.

I sometimes think that he is a sign that I was meant to settle down in Australia. He represents my love for Australia. Getting a koala at age 1 inspired me subconsciously to come to Australia. And make it home.

I know he is missing an eye. I can't remember how he lost it. But I do remember being upset. We had stuck it on with superglue. But apparently, superglue isn’t that super either! Who would have thought?

I realise I never really gave him a name. At least not one I can remember. But I did have him in bed with me for years. I would talk to him (more so during the pre-Gilly days) when things got difficult and when I was stressed. He has seen my tears, my happiness, my anger.

And he's patiently been through it all.

I do miss him and wish he was here with me to share Sydney.

If you want to check out other blogger's old photographs, please look here for more.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Time of Death: Would you want to know?

As I was driving to work the other day, there was a discussion on the radio about this TV show Flash Forward. Now I haven't seen the show but apparently the whole world blacks out for a certain period of time and everyone sees a glimpse of their future. One person sees nothing. And it turns out that's because he is going to die. And he finds out that he will be murdered.

So anyway, the discussion on the radio turned to wondering whether or not you would like to know when and how you were going to die. And it made me wonder: Would I like to know how and when I'm going to die?

Knowing might be good because
- It could help me plan what to do for the next few years or months or days
- It could help me avoid death if it was too close. E.g. If I was going to die in a plane crash, I'd avoid planes (get the drift?)
- It might even make me lighten up a bit and just relax and enjoy life more
- It might encourage me to take risks because I'd probably be thinking there's not much to lose
- I'd probably try and be healthier than I am
- I would definitely do things to make a difference in people's life

However,
- Being the anxious individual I am, it is more likely to make me anxious and avoidant
- Being the perfectionist I am, it is more likely to make me achieve more goals prior to conking it which means I might get more stressed and conk it sooner :P
- Being the melancholic individual I can be, it is more likely I will get depressed
- Being anxious, I might not focus much on work. I might lose interest in it totally. And I really doubt I will be fun knowing how and when I'm going to die

I guess, to sum it up, I'd rather not know how I am going to die. Even if I could change or beat it.

What about you?

Would you like to know how and when you are going to die?

And if so, would you prepare for it or try and evade it?

Do share.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Brownie Binge

Look what I made last night...

Okay...so that probably doesn't look very appetising! But I made brownies from scratch last night. And they took only 45 minutes --- preparation and baking together.

This is what the picture in the recipe book looks like

And this was what mine looked like after it cooled down a bit and was cut into pieces

It tastes amazing if I may say so myself. Melts in your mouth. Unfortunately, I do not have someone else to taste it (roomie is vegan and I used butter and chocolate)

Oh...and in other news, I have lost one kilo since I started my weight-watching. I have been following a healthy diet (with the occassional naughty meals like last night!) and have been exercising although not consistently. I'll get there though...
Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Set for School. But when?

In my line of work I have sometimes had parents enquire about child readiness for starting school. Or I have been told by some parents that their kids are behaving badly because they started school early (four years and 6 months or 5 years old). Or I have teachers thinking some kids are naughty because they started school too early. I have heard some individuals say that it’s okay to star girls early but not boys while others have said the opposite. Now recently, a study by Cambridge university has recommended that children should start school only around the age of 6 and prior to that should attend play-based schooling (aka preschool here). In NSW, children can start school around 4 years and 6 months and definitely have to be at school by the age of 6.

Now, I haven't yet understood the whole hue and cry around the age of starting school. I will admit I have not read any research articles on this but what I remember from my studies is that the age or cognitive ability of a child is not as important as their social and emotional maturity. Fair enough. But based on that, wouldn't each child differ? Who is to say a 4 year old is not socially and emotionally mature enough to cope with school. Most of the other research says that children who are enrolled at a later age are academically at a disadvantage.

I started school when I was 3 years and 6 months old. Yes, I did.

In India, the schooling system has two kindergartens. There is a lower kindergarten and an upper kindergarten where we have to wear a uniform, follow rules, attend assembly, sit in a classroom, copy from the blackboard...pretty much all you do at school. We learn to read and write and count. I remember craving to attend school. I would play 'school' at home where I was the teacher (but of course) and my grandparents, parents and uncle were my students. I was excited when I attended school and according to my mum, I didn't cry unlike every other kid. And then, a few days later after seeing everyone get attention for crying, I did so too. But just for a day. I had to sit for tests and exams since Year 1. I was the youngest in my class but that's because I'm a January baby. And unlike what the guys at Cambridge are saying, I wasn't fucked up. They reckon pushing a child to learn at an early age will be a disadvantage and that's why prior to age 6, a child's life should involve a lot more play.

I disagree.

I think children should have a balance. The problem today is all work once they begin school and most of the 'play' is on the computer or in front of the telly. Also, by attending school, children learn to follow rules and structure. They learn to share and develop their social skills further. They learn patience. They learn that not everything goes their way. How are they going to learn all this at home (especially if they are an only child)? The longer they remain at home interacting with only a few other children, the longer they are likely to take to adjust to school. Again, I understand there are individual differences and when I am talking, I'm sort of taking a generalistic viewpoint (Pretty much like how the researchers do...which probably doesn't help my case!)

I guess though, to cut a long rant short, why do we need a specific 'age' to have to send kids to school? When a child seems ready to learn, send them to school. Period. And then see that there is a good balance between work and play. Get them into sport or music or dance (without pressurising them!) Get them outdoors. Don't put them for extra Maths and English tuitions in Year 1. That will fuck them up!    

What do you think?

I know there's many parents out there --- what did you do or what do you plan to do with regards to your kids? Is age important?

What about others...when did you start school?

And if anyone can share any other research, please do. (I will try to go to the uni library soon and look this up! It's not purely for blogging...will help me professionally as well)

So do share. I am curious.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Go the Green and Gold!

We Won! With a half-strength side.  An entire series.

Who would have thought it could happen?? (I certainly didn't despite being a die-hard supporter)

But now I can gloat. 

I wished I could have Foxtel yesterday just so I could watch the last few overs. Unfortunately, I had to settle for the scorecard updates online. But it was still worth it. Because we won.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...Oi, Oi, Oi!!! 

I know for some people it still doesn't make up for the Ashes loss but for me, us playing India is equivalent to what most Aussies feel about us playing England. (In short, I'm okay with us losing to England but not to India) 

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Sculpture by the Sea

My friend and I decided to visit Bondi beach and walk to Tamarama for the Sculpture by the Sea event that occurs every year around this time. This is the very first time in my 5 years here that I have been to this.

Unfortunately, I didn't particularly choose the right day. Yes, it rained. When I left home it was overcast but I had hope. We had lunch first (yummy smoked salmon baguettes) and then took the bus from Bondi Junction to Bondi beach. Just as we got on the bus, it began to rain. It was a light rain but still enough to annoy you. We persisted with the walk despite not having an umbrella and it was worth it.

Here's why:

Click to enlarge

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Can't believe it's finished. Sigh.

Have a good week everyone!!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

If I were a baby again...

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 4; the fourth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Once upon a time there was a girl
A chubby little bub was she
She slept from dusk till morn
And was happy as could be

She was the first born
And the apple of her parent’s eye
Who showered her with love
And heaps of stuffed toys

Her first word was ‘daddy’
Which is a funny story
Because the word she later used
Was ‘uncle’ for her dad in reality

She didn’t cry much
Or at least that’s what her parents thought
Until on some long drives and trips
She wailed and howled non-stop

She was a chubby little thing
Oh so heavy to lift!
It was an amazing feat
For her mum to carry her whilst walking adrift

Most of her hours as a baby
Were spent being fast asleep
The only other important thing
Was eating her favourite foods and peas

25 years on
She wonders what it’d be like
To go back in time
And live that life again

When there was no care in the world
And all she could do was sleep
With people looking after her
And she having absolutely no responsibility

A time with no pressure
No stress, no worry
A time where the biggest thing
Was when to pee and go to the potty

Back to that time where
I was spoilt and loved
And if I wanted anything
I just had to cry for it to come

Life back then was
Nothing short of bliss
Mum, dad and grandparents
To see that nothing was amiss

If I could be a baby again
I’d just ask for one more thing
The ability to think and type
So I could continue blogging!

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Dumb...me?

I am currently on my second glass of red wine...it's Friday night after all. And it's been a day when I could willingly throw some teenagers off the building.

There is no way I can think of something to blog about so I'm going to go on and do a tag. A while back, I was tagged by Guria for a number of tags and I had previously attempted only one with the intention of using others whenever I suffered from blogger's block.

Although I am not currently suffering from blogger's block, I do have tipsy-wine-syndrome...

So here goes...

It's the HOW DUMB ARE YOU tag. (For the record, I consider myself very intelligent but more on that in another post...)

The more [x]’ s the “dumber” you are.

[x] Gum has fallen out of your mouth when you were talking

[ ] Gum has fallen out of your mouth when you were NOT talking

[x] You have run into a glass/screen door

[x] You have jumped out of a moving vehicle

[x] You have thought of something funny while walking by yourself

[x] Laughed, then watched people give you weird looks

So far: 5

[ ] You have run into a tree/bush.

[x] You know that it IS possible to lick your elbow

[ ] You have tried to lick your elbow… a few times

[ ] You never knew that the Alphabet and Twinkle Twinkle Little star have the same rhythm.

[ ] You just tried to sing them.

So far: 6

[ ] You have tripped on your shoelace and fallen.

[ ] You have choked on your own spit .

[ ] You have seen the Matrix and still don’t get it.

[x] You’ve never seen the Matrix.

[ ] You type only with two fingers.

So far: 7

[ ] You have accidentally caught something on fire

[ ] You tried to drink out of a straw, but it went into your nose/eyes.

[ ] You have caught yourself drooling.

[ ] You have fallen asleep in class and fell outta your chair

So far: 7

[ ] Sometimes you just stop thinking

[x] You are telling a story and forget what you were talking about

[ ] People often shake their heads and walk away from you

[ ] You are often told to use your “inside voice”.

[ ] You use your fingers to do simple math

So far: 8

[ ] You have eaten a bug

[ ] You are taking this test when you should be doing something more important

[x] You have put your clothes on backwards or inside out, and didn’t realize it

[ ] You’ve looked all over for something and realized it was in your hand

[x] You have ran around naked in your house. (What's so dumb about that?)

So far: 10

[ ] You repost bulletins because you are scared that what they say will happen to you if you don’t.

[ ] You break a lot of things.

[ ] Your friends know not to use big words around you.

[ ] You tilt your head when you’re confused

[ ] You have fallen out of your chair before

So far: 10

[ ] When you’re lying in bed, you try to find pictures in the texture of the ceiling or wall

[x] The word “ummmmm” is used many times a day. (No fair...I'm a psychologist...I have to listen to people and 'ummm' is quite common!)

Total: 11/37

I am 11/37 times 100 = 29.75% dumb.

In other words, I'm 70% smart. Good reframe, huh? (FYI, I think I'm more than 70% smart)

Feel free to take on the tag if you wish!

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

25 going on 30...or 35

That's me.

Age 25.

But feel think 30.

Ever heard of the phrase, you're on as old as you feel? Being the cognitive-behavioural proponent that I am, I'm going to adapt it to "you're as old as you think".

I don't feel 30. Not physically.

But my thinking is such that I definitely think I'm 30+. Let me explain.

I have always been mature for my age...or so I have been told. By family. By friends. The older I get, the more mature I become. I was never your stereotypical adolescent. I was pretty well-behaved and goal-directed. I was never into the whole partying mode. In fact, I visited a nightclub for the first time when I was 18 and hated it. I haven't been back to one since.

I never did drugs nor smoked. I drink but not just to get drunk as I know some people do, including a few friends (It doesn't mean I haven't gotten drunk...I have)

I have always been the youngest of all my friends but rarely thought that way. Currently here, majority of my friends are aged 26 to 29 years. And yet, I find that I think of them as being younger than me. Part of it probably has to do with the fact that most of them live at home with their parents and the two that don't are married. I sometimes feel that my friends just don't get me...get where I'm coming from intellectually.

Maybe it's all the responsibilities. Living by myself. Managing my own finances. Not depending on my parents. Needing to pay back my parents. Trying to achieve my next goal. And the next and the next.

Maybe it's the kind of work I do. Helping young people, some aged 21-22, who have had a shitty and fucked up life. Listening to horror stories. Assisting parents in managing their children. Dealing with young people who may be suicidal or at risk of harm. Being the person teachers come to when they are struggling with a particular kid thinking I might have all the answers (even though they have way more experience!)

Maybe it's the people I work with. I'm the youngest at my workplaces. But I get along well with colleagues despite the fact that I have no kids and almost all of them do. In fact, they forget I am the youngest unless we are celebrating someone's birthday.

Maybe it's just me. My temperament. My personality.

I was going through one of my low phases some weeks ago and one of my thoughts was "I'm going to be alone the rest of my life" (dwelling on my singledom staus...which I'm generally quite content with) only to be reminded by someone close to me that I am only 25 and the "rest of my life" is quite a long way away. Yes, only 25. But because I think I'm 30+ in my head, I tend to forget how young I actually am! Of course, the few strands of grey hair don't help! :P

On the note of singledom by the way, I find that I am not attracted to guys my age and think of most of them as immature or irresponsible (I know there probably are contradictions out there...). Just as an example...while growing up, I've always found the older cricketers attractive. And Adam Gilchrist has only grown more attractive in my eyes the older he has become! 

I'm not worried about aging in case that's what you think this is about. I just wonder...is it because I am so mature...so responsible...so bloody level-headed that I think I'm older than 25? Is that why I chose the kind of career I did? The kind of path I have? Or have I become more mature because of the career path?

I just wonder about it.

So yes, I'm 25 going on 30...or 35. And I may forget my age and respond 30 in a year or two.

Do any of you go through this?

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

In a Word

This tag was passed on to me by Nu. Basically every answer has to be just one word.

1.Where is your mobile phone? Bedroom

2.Your hair? Long

3.Your mother? Inspiration

4.Your father? Mentor

 5.Your favorite food? Indian

6.Your dream last night? Strange

7.Your favorite drink? Coffee

8.Your dream/goal? Contentment

9.What room are you in? Lounge

10.Your hobby? Blogging

11.Your fear? Loss

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years? CAMHS

13.Where were you last night? Fitness

14.Something that you aren’t? Arrogant

15.Muffins? Chocolate!

16.Wish list item? $Million$

17.Where did you grow up? Salalah-n-Bombay

18.Last thing you did? Ate

19.What are you wearing? Nothing (Yes, I'm sick of this question and figured I could be scandalous!)

20.Your TV? HDTV

21.Your pets? Mr.Fishy

22.Friends? Anchors

23.Your life? Awesome

24.Your mood? Inquisitive 

25.Missing someone? Yes

26.Vehicle? Toyota

27.Something you’re not wearing? Everything

28.Your favourite store? Borders

29.Your favorite color? Black

29.When was the last time you laughed? Today

30.Last time you cried? Sunday

31.Your best friend? Sis

32.One place that you go to over and over? Newtown

33.One person who emails me regularly? More

34.Favorite place to eat? Tamanas

Feel free to take on the tag if you wish...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!

Dream on --- home sweet home

The BlogThis Challenge for the week is as follows:

If time/location/money/the rest of the world didn't matter, where would you live? What would your house look like? Find pictures ofyour dream home. What would the rooms look like? How would you furnish them? is it a beach house? Mountainside? Huge backyard, or small courtyard? Farm or suburbia? Apartment overlooking the Eiffel tower or rustic farmhouse in Tuscany. Is there a tree with a swing on it? Do you have a fireplace, mantle covered in photos? Is it a morroccan themed home/asian? Minimalist/shabby chic? Design your perfect home for us. Find pictures online and dream away.

So I get to design my own home!

Location - I have always been a city girl and love it. So my home would be located in Sydney somewhere down in the Sutherland shire area with water views. Water views are very important. It doesn't have to be a beach but a riverside view would do too.

Image Courtesy: Sally

The House - I grew up in an apartment and was perfectly happy with it. I have no problems with apartments except it's difficult to keep dogs as pets. Hence, my dream home would be a house. I'd prefer a single level house made of red brick. I am a sucker for the red-brick look. It is an amazing and even elegant look if I may say so. Maybe something like this

Image Courtesy: Planetware

The Interior - I am not too fussed about desginer stuff. It would be minimalistic in that I am not into flowery stuff or fluff. My house will have 3 bedrooms one with an ensuite, a living room, a dining room, a fabulous kitchen, a laundry, a patio at the back and one bathroom. One of the bedrooms will be my study/library. It will have my psychology books as well as my books on fiction and non-fiction. My furniture will be teak (or imitation teak) and the house will have floorboards.

Here's the kitchen courtesy Spaced

Image Courtesy: Buildings UK

I love the space and the open plan of this living room. I would however change the furniture around to something in teak. And of course, would have a TV.

Images Courtesy: Spaced

The bathroom will be a mix of the two pictures here. I love the black coloured tiles but want both a shower and a bathtub.

Image Courtesy: Spaced

This is what the master bedroom will look like and will also have mirrored built-in robes and an ensuite.

Image courtesy: Jerrod

This room will be my haven...books from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. A study desk in the middle. All mine :)

The Backyard - I hate gardening. So my backyard will have just a small veggie patch and will instead be paved with seating and enough space to hold a barbie. Oh, and enough space for my mini foxie to roam around in.

Image Courtesy: Vrbo

So this is my dream house all for myself and for friends and family when they visit. What do you reckon? To check out other dreams houses, visit BlogThis for more...

And what would your dream house be like?

Do share...

Until next time,

Cheers!!!