Super Heroes and Super Powers - WOW #12

        Everyone dreams of having some super powers. And especially during our childhood, these dreams are firmly rooted in our minds either due to a particular story we heard or due to a fancy movie we saw! They do influence a great part of our imagination. And just like everyone else, I too had few dreams where I wanted to possess super powers; powers that would make me cool!

image source: www.bubblews.com

       It all started with the Potter craze! I was in class two I guess. I loved this game 'Dave' and was addicted to it. But I had to wait till my dad was free so that he could take me to his friend's home where I would play with his son (let me call him M) when they both chatted away happily. That was the first time I saw Harry Potter movie. M was totally crazy about HP and he made me watch the movie with him. That did it. I was glassy eyed all through the movie and signed in for life time potter fan club. We used to play potter games all the time. M set the rule saying he is HP and I can be Hermoine throughout the game, whenever we play it! That was cheating! I wanted to be HP! But he would take none of it! "I am the guy and I get to be HP" he said and that was final!

image source: www.forcesofgeek.com

       So that's how started my first dream of super powers. I wished I had powers like Harry; magical powers. I used to wait for postman hoping I would get acceptance letter from 'Hogwarts' where I could learn magic. I wished I could battle evil just like Harry did and help my friends, earning points for 'Gryffindor' I even had memorized all the spells and cast it on appropriate occasions using my wand (yes, I had prepared one for myself) Of course they never worked! I even wished I could play 'Quidditch' and was caught by M trying to kick the broom off the floor! It was hilarious sight for him and little embarrassing for me every time he talked about it in front of anyone!

       Then there was 'The Winx Club' which I saw on Cartoon Network. The girls looked ordinary and they went to school but it wasn't just a school. It was a school where they taught Magic. They grew wings when they were in trouble and fought with the evil. I wished I was that cool! Then came our very own Indian movie 'Koi Mil Gaya' where the alien granted super powers to Hrithik! How I wished it happened with me! One thing common in all my dreams was 'Magic' and I always wished I had it in me. I wanted to fight the evil and save the world. Of course I believed that 'With great power comes great responsibilities' and I was ready to take it.

       Those were the dreams I had as a kid. But as years passed, my dreams became more self centered. The novels I read influenced my idea of super powers a lot and I had a different perspective. I had read 'The Immortal Series' and I wanted to read minds like the female protagonist. She could memorize the whole book just in one glance! She could even pick thoughts from others' brain! How cool is that! Life would have been so much easier with no need to stress over studying for exams or worrying what the other person is thinking! I would know it all! I so wanted to have that power!

       Likewise the dreams kept changing all the time. Sometimes I wished I could see the future and prevent bad things from happening and some other times I wished I could be invisible according to my wish so that I can sneak on some people. Oh the dreams never ended and I never was able to decide which was that super power I wanted to have.

       Now if I think about it, the answer might probably vary! If some one would really grant me 'one' super power according to my wish, then I want that power to be 'Strength'! Strength to protect the ones I love, strength to persevere even when things get difficult and fulfill my dreams, strength to walk on the right path and strength to make the right decisions. After all, these are the things that really matter; at least for me, they do! So that is the super power I wish to have :)

PS: This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Until the next post,
Keep Smiling :)

Love,
Swathi :)

A Project Demo! - Bits and Bytes #1

       Recently I have been writing so much for prompts that I am writing either fiction stories or poem; free write completely forgotten until yesterday I was writing my dear diary and realized how much I missed it! So here is a new concept 'BITS AND BYTES' that I came up with the help of my dear friend Nibha Gupta, under which there will be a free write every week starting from today.

       It is the exam season and this week I had lab exams. I am so glad that I am done with it! Though it should have been easier than theory, it definitely is not and we despise these a lot! A major credit of this hatred goes to the Viva Voce that will be conducted during these exams. I swear these are the only times when I feel so helpless and oh yes, clueless too! Though this time we didn't have viva, we had an even more challenge! Demo!

        I had finished executing the program and I sit there waiting for my turn to be slaughtered. Finally the external calls me and my project partner and asks us to give a demo of the game we have designed. He sits there staring at the screen, his expression assures the already scared mind of ours that we are in for trouble. So we start with the demo. We aren't even halfway through when he decides to interfere. 

Examiner: "Stop! How does this work?"

I don't know why but during these times, my speaking ability goes weak and my inner voice becomes dominant! 

Inner Voice: You would have learnt it if you had paid attention to what I said till now! 

image source: marthabeck.com

       But of course I don't say it aloud. I explain him the concepts again. Once he nods his head indicating he understood, I resume with further explanations and he doesn't take long to interject! 

Examiner: "Where did you get inspiration to work on this?"

Inner Voice: Inspiration? Please! I was forced to do this. If not for the syllabus, I would never have done this. So the question of inspiration is a moot point! 

Me:"We used to play this game online and when we were presented with an opportunity to design one, we knew it had to be this!"

Examiner: "So how did you like working in OpenGL platform?"

Inner Voice: I definitely would ban it from syllabus if I could! What's the use of struggling with something which isn't of much use for us!

Me:"It was an awesome experience sir! We got to learn so much about graphics and the concept of designing a game"

Inner Voice: aah! How I hated the whole lame process!

Examiner: "So why did you stop? Continue with your explanations"

Inner Voice: I would have finished it by now had you not thought it necessary to interject at every point!

Me: Sorry sir! I will complete it now.

       So I and my partner finished explaining the whole thing and he did look intrigued. He asked us questions about how it worked again and once he got it, he turned scornful!

Examiner: "So what's special about this? I think its pretty simple and I am sure I can finish it for the first time only"

       And he starts playing. And he lost :D Oh how I loved it! 

Examiner: "Well that was because I was a little confused and I didn't know it right. I will do it this time"

Inner Voice: That is what first time is all about! If you are well trained at it, then it wouldn't be called your first time!

       We didn't speak a word and just watched his attempts at figuring out the game, which he did eventually and with a smug expression he continued.

Examiner: "See. It was as simple as that! I don't understand what was so special in that. Tell me why do you think I will accept this?"

       Though he looked intrigued by it few minutes back, now he was calling it simple! And was threatening us about the validity of it! We didn't know what to answer and over time we have learnt that, the more you answer, the more questions follow! So we just kept fidgeting in our seats waiting for the punch line, which soon followed.

Examiner: "I will give you some modifications. If you can incorporate those in your game, I will accept it. What say?"

Inner Voice: Have you left us an option to say no! 

Me: "Definitely Sir. We will do it"

       He was having fun, more than he should! He gave us some changes to do and left to see the demo of another group whom we watched with pity! We could hear the same conversation continuing there. After half an hour of efforts, we finally figured it out. Phew! He came to check it further and his reaction was incredulous!

Examiner: "Hmmm... This is what you did! I see! Oh well that's fine I guess. Okay I will think about your project!"

       He definitely was teasing us now enjoying every bit of it. He didn't talk any further and just said we could leave! We were waiting for it and escaped from there without as much sparing a glance in his direction, for we feared he would start all over again! We heaved a sigh of relief once we were out of lab. That was one such experience.

       Phew! Thank God it ended! At least I can breathe freely for next six months before another such encounter! That was my experience. Did you have any similar experience? Do share them here.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

My Role Model

       I often hear in news about female foeticide and abandoning of the new born baby if it turns out to be a girl! There still are many places in India where this act happens but thankfully I live in a slightly developed town where these things occur less. Even so, I have been told that when I was born, there was certain disappointment among some people; they were expecting a boy, who would take ahead the glory of family to new heights. As if a girl couldn't do it!

      And there even were some people who pitied and blamed my maternal grandfather for his luck! He had 4 daughters and no son and I have heard my mom telling me stories of her childhood; how they were bullied by their cousins and how people would look down on him and pity him. Some even said that he might have committed some sin in his previous birth for which he was being punished now! Nonsense!! But he never paid heed to them; not then and certainly not now! He was happy and indeed counted us as blessings.

       I was his first and only granddaughter, the rest being grandsons; so I obviously was pampered a lot. I remember awaiting summer holidays so that I could visit him. He has inspired me in several ways ever since then. He is a man of divine patience and he believes in finding good in everything and everyone. He had a provision store until few years back and that was pretty famous in the whole town. He is respected by everyone and I feel proud saying I am his granddaughter. From narrating stories to me amidst his busy schedule to teaching me coping up with different situations, he did it all.

       I clearly remember an incident from my childhood. When I had been to Bhadravati (his place), I badly wanted to buy a sweet from the shop in front of our home. But I was sure that would earn me a little lecture about how that shop is not good and how he would get me something good later! No, I didn't want something good but I wanted the same thing I was eyeing, the white sweet which promised delight! So I slowly sneaked into my grandpa’s shop and took a rupee from the cash counter slowly. Right then he turned! I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw his eyes narrowing; there were a lot of people and I was becoming red in face thinking of the scene that would continue. But within a fraction of second, the smile returned and I was let go. I had rejoiced that I was successful in fooling him but I was wrong. Later that night I was chided for stealth. He had seen it but he had let me go for he didn't want to put me to shame in front of everyone.

       That day I had learnt the biggest lesson of my life – "If you are praising someone, then do it in front of everyone and if you have to scold someone, make sure you do it alone!" I have seen so many people shouting at others but my grandpa was a man of patience. And more over, just a disapproving from him look was enough to make you realize your mistake; there was no need for him to raise his voice. Whenever I visited him, I used to sit in his shop all the time, so I got a pretty good chance of knowing him. People used to call him ‘Anna’ (meaning brother) fondly. They loved talking to him and he always used to give chocolates to their kids. Oh they adored him!  I had seen him giving away goods to some people on credits and when I voiced my thoughts about how it’s a bad idea, he had said “Trusting is my choice. Proving me right or wrong is in their hands. Moreover, what goes around comes around. If you were meant to lose something, you will lose it anyhow”

       Now that all his daughters are married, he and my grandmother stay by themselves. I often see my mom worrying about it and I am worried too but he just brushes off any pleas of coming down to stay with us saying it isn't a big deal! Even at the age of 75, he gets up early at 4, does yoga, walks for 6 kms, completes daily chores at home and then runs his shop! Yes, he runs a steel shop on his own. He never sits idle; he says sitting idle is the only thing he hates! We even at this young age complain about work load being too much or days going bad but seeing him, I feel inspired. He always is enthusiastic when it comes to learning new things and never thinks twice before helping some one in need. 

       He was there for me all along; right from my first cycle to my first mobile, he was the one bought them for me and the one who shared my joys. Some people give you free advice for every problem of yours without even knowing half of the things but he is a man of knowledge and he practices what he preaches. Whenever I used to complain about the unfairness of life when something bad happened, he used to assure me everything had a purpose and good and bad are indeed two faces of a coin! So many of my life’s lessons I have learnt from him and I still continue to look up to him whenever I need guidance. He truly is a role model for me. His patience, his ease with which he handles things and the kindness are something which I wish I can learn.

       I so wanted to take a selfie for this activity but couldn't as we live in different places! Still I didn't want to miss adding his photo here.

My lovely grandfather - Sheshgiri Bhat

PS: I am writing about #MyRoleModel as a part of the activity by Gillette India in association with BlogAdda.com.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Rains!

The heat of the summer,

Becoming unbearable everyday!

All the fun and laughter,

Seems to have evaporated as well!

The joy of watching the rain,

Sitting curled up near the window.

Or maybe going out for once

And enjoying the dance in the rain.

That lovely smell of mud,

And the hot cup of coffee.

The relief as the heat fades away,

Putting an end to our torment!

The beauty of mother earth

As she blossoms with joy!

It definitely is a sight to see,

Oh how I miss them all!

I look up at the sky longingly,

And wish it would rain soon.

Washing away the unbearable heat

And bringing smiles again.

image source: eofdreams.com

PS: Linking this poem to the Poetry Jam prompt and the word for this week is 'Rain'

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Magic! - WOW #11

        "But mumma just one more story please and I promise I will sleep like a good girl" chirped Rose, pleading her mom, eyes filled with enthusiasm. "Fine! Just one" sighed Jane who had been reading stories to her ten year old from past one hour, one after the other for Rose never got tired of listening to it. It had been difficult to cope up with Dave's death but Jane had been working hard keeping Rose oblivious to all the grim happenings.

       Rose was used to hearing fairy tales every night. She was fascinated by them. Snow white, Rapunzel, Fairies and Pixies, she wished they all existed. "Do they exist in real mumma?" she asked her eyes full of hope as her mom tucked her in bed. "They do, as long as you believe in them" said Jane kissing her good night and switching off the lights. Rose lay awake for a long time imagining life with friends. Children of her age didn't like to play with her. They laughed at her when she talked about prince and horses with horns. They thought she was mad. She sighed. Somewhere in between thoughts she fell asleep, wishing fairy tales were real!

       She was woken up in the middle of the night by some noise outside the window. She could see a light shining faintly in the distance. She was curious and tiptoed silently to the window. There she saw a brilliant silver, coming from behind the tree. She didn't know what it was coming from, for the source was hidden behind the tree near the lake but it was so beautiful that she couldn't stop herself. She tried climbing down the window and fell with a low thud. She had little scratches on her hand but she didn't care. She moved towards the tree with lithe steps. The light got brighter and brighter as she moved nearer. Her heart beat fast as she reached the lake. She held her breath as she turned to see the source and almost screamed in excitement and shock! It was a unicorn!!

image source: fromthedeskofmardrag.wordpress.com

     She couldn't believe her eyes. Standing there beside the lake was a beautiful unicorn. She had thought unicorns would be beautiful but how wrong she was! They weren't just beautiful, they were beyond beautiful! The sight was pure magic. She didn't know how long she stood there admiring the beauty of the creature. Suddenly she had an urge to touch it and she slowly started moving towards it. She held out her hand tentatively afraid of scaring away the creature but her fears were vain; the creature bent forward placing its muzzle in her palms. It was so soft that Rose wanted to keep caressing it. "I can take you for a ride if you want. Hop on my back" said the unicorn to a very startled Rose! She knew Unicorns were magical creatures but she hadn't expected them to talk! The night was filled with surprises!

       She climbed on the unicorn quickly, afraid it will vanish in thin air! She didn't want to miss this opportunity. She had dreamt of this all her life when she sat alone watching other kids play. She was excited to see where the magical creature would take her. She held on tight but it wasn't necessary. The creature glided smoothly on the river. If not for the changes in her surroundings, Rose couldn't have made out that she was moving. All the images she had picturized about the magical world started flashing before her eyes but the imaginations of a ten year old were far from reality. She had never made justice to the beautiful fairy world.

image source: ivany86.deviantart.com

       The land was sheer brilliance. Everything there screamed 'Magic'. Mountains stood high majestically as if kissing the sky. The valleys were deep, beyond her vision could see. It appeared as if the land was floating in the middle of no where! The lake was crystal clear, smooth like ice and as it flowed down the valley, it appeared as if milk. Trees stood like dancers welcoming to the land. Grass spread out covering the entire place and beautiful flowers bloomed everywhere. The castle stood amidst this magical land, from where Rose could envision prince charming walking out. She lost track of time. She didn't know how long she was there exploring the 'Magical Kingdom'. She had never been so happy in her entire life!

       Like all things come to an end, it was finally her time to leave. She wished she could live there forever. But she knew she had to leave, for her mom would be worried if she finds her missing. She looked around one last time trying to etch these in her mind, remembering every single thing and held on to those memories tightly on her way back. She reluctantly climbed down the unicorn in front of the lake where all this magic had begun. She caressed its muzzle again and planted a soft kiss on it as she thanked it. Everything around her went blank and Rose felt sleepy all of a sudden.

       "Rose wake up! It's late" She heard her mom say waking her up. She was confused as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. She wasn't sure how she came back; maybe she had dreamt about it all. "Mom I had a beautiful dream last night" said she in all her excitement. "A Unicorn came by and granted me a wish" she went on and on as her mom bathed her. "Oh dear! What happened to my princess's hand?" asked Jane seeing the scratches on her hand! Rose stopped her blabber, shocked for once! It wasn't a dream after all! She truly had seen the Unicorn and the 'Magical Kingdom' last night. Had she? Had the unicorn really granted her a wish? She couldn't believe it! "Mom do you think magic exists in real" asked she again. "It does darling. As long as you believe in it" came the reply. She said it not wanting to break her daughter's dream but little did she know what had happened!

PS: This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

He Wished He Knew!

copyright: erin leary

Standing in what was once their favorite spot of park brought back memories of the past.

He had avoided coming here all these years. He had tried pushing all the memories to the back of his mind but seeing her smiling face today had been too much.

He knew it was his mistake; he had never understood her love and had always taken her for granted.

He wished he knew then what he knew now. Then he wouldn't have had to see his love smiling jovially in the arms of someone else; a smile that should have been for him!

PS: Linking this post to Write Tribe's 100 Words on Saturday 2014 #14 and the photo prompt by Friday Fictioneers.

 

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)

Chain Awards!

       Few weeks back probably, I received a chain of awards from Sunday Visitor. I am extremely happy to be receiving this and I humbly accept it. Thank you :) But I couldn't write about it sooner as I was pretty busy in the past few days.

♥ The Versatile Blogger ♥

♥ The Most Creative Blogger ♥

♥ Reader Appreciation Award ♥

♥ Most Influential Blogger ♥

Here are few random facts about myself

• I love chocolates.
• I like to read novels of supernatural genre.
• Classical music attracts me more than rock!
• I hate being left out.
• I wish someday I get a chance to attend some art school.
• I love to cook delicious food.

Here are my nominees:

Prasanna

Red

Suzy

Sulekha

Carol

Ananya

I hope you people will accept the award :) Congratulations folks :) Happy blogging :) 

Until the next post,

Keep Smiling :)

Love,

Swathi :)