Ok, it’s not like I hate Spanish. It’s a pretty fun language, and I would love to learn more of it, but that teacher! AAAAAAHHHH!!!! :((
Mrs. Bernal’s really nice at heart; I don’t have anything bad to say about her as a person – HONEST! But her teaching style GHOSH!! I am there to learn the foreign language; this does not mean I understand what she’s going on and on and on about in that anjani boli. She stands up there, blabbing something for 5 minutes, ends with the word “comprender” and her work is done. Then she gets busy with whatever. As soon as she is out we start looking around and the entire classroom fills with – “What did she say? What does she want us to do?” and not a single person knows what our task for the particular day is!!
So we just do something (mostly engage in “mature, academic” talks) and when she asks for the work (hahah.. here comes the fun part), our response usually is, “you never gave us an assignment.” Then, she tells us what to do. This time, finally, in Ingles!
Then we start working on that 15 MINUTE assignment; don’t do anything else for the next 2-3 DAYS!! :D …now, this is what I mean by saying – “Learning Spanish from Bernal” Am loving every bit of it! ;)
Hasta La Vista!
May 25, 2004
Skipping School -- I prefer the term "BUNK MARNA"
Turns out I won’t be going to the graduation. When I think about it, it’s kinda good. One of the things I believe in is ...BETTER SOONER THAN LATER... so, it’s ok, it’s good, it’s marvelous. If anybody asks me, I’ll say that May 24th was the last day I encountered HIM at school. And… I’ll try to minimize my thoughts about this flattered dude.
Today is the 25th and I didn’t even wish mom “Happy Birthday!” I think it's also Swati Yadav's b'day or Tanvi Jain's. Can't remember whose. But, if I'm correct then Swati's is on the 30th and Tanvi's is today. :-?
I am home alone, skipping school actually. The thing is, we hardly review in those classes. Either we are talking, watching videos, surfing the net, or just goofing around. What’s the point of wasting my time there, when I can study at home? And I NEED to study!! “Review” as much as possible.
You don’t know what happened this morning. I had to PLEAD my mom to let me stay at home, she just wouldn’t let me!! I’m like, I know how I waste my time at school, and how I can utilize it if I skip (by the way, I like the term “bunk marna” it reminds me of those days gone by). Had to shed some tears!! And then she agreed. So, it’s 8:41am, and I’m already here blogging - this is NOT my idea of utilizing the time (just to let u know). But I must say, this blogging thing is fun… an ongoing online journal. Even if you don’t have anything to write about just do it for the heck of it. Plus, on the long run when I come back I’ll be surprised, hairan, pareshan, and then after a while SMILING :D
Ok blog ji… Khuda Hafiz!
Today is the 25th and I didn’t even wish mom “Happy Birthday!” I think it's also Swati Yadav's b'day or Tanvi Jain's. Can't remember whose. But, if I'm correct then Swati's is on the 30th and Tanvi's is today. :-?
I am home alone, skipping school actually. The thing is, we hardly review in those classes. Either we are talking, watching videos, surfing the net, or just goofing around. What’s the point of wasting my time there, when I can study at home? And I NEED to study!! “Review” as much as possible.
You don’t know what happened this morning. I had to PLEAD my mom to let me stay at home, she just wouldn’t let me!! I’m like, I know how I waste my time at school, and how I can utilize it if I skip (by the way, I like the term “bunk marna” it reminds me of those days gone by). Had to shed some tears!! And then she agreed. So, it’s 8:41am, and I’m already here blogging - this is NOT my idea of utilizing the time (just to let u know). But I must say, this blogging thing is fun… an ongoing online journal. Even if you don’t have anything to write about just do it for the heck of it. Plus, on the long run when I come back I’ll be surprised, hairan, pareshan, and then after a while SMILING :D
Ok blog ji… Khuda Hafiz!
May 24, 2004
Exams..Chemistry..Kirk..School..HIM !!
Got exams this week - wed, thur, fri. English (4 essay q's in 2 hours) and Mathematics on Wednesday. US history (got a review sheet) and Spanish (am planning on cheating) on Thursday. and finally Business Communications (should be easy) and Chemistry (the HARDEST one!! was just studying as a matter of fact) on Friday.
Honestly, I have no clue how I'm going to do good on these exams... coz I hardly paid attention in class this semester! As I'm reviewing for Chem, I see it's easy. But remembering everything and knowing how to solve problems at the same time is a tough task. STOICHIOMETRY, SOLUTION CHEMISTRY, GASES, THERMOCHEMISTRY, CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM, and ACIDS/BASES. We had 6 test this semester... did well on TWO! JUST TWO!! ONLY TWO!!!
And English. Man, students who stayed after for "extra credit" only have to answer 3 q's... they automatically get a 100 for the 4th one. and you know what... 5th period doesn't even have to answer any but ONE! Apparently, they brought green (Mr. Kirk's fav color) t-shirts, which said, "Mr. Kirk is my HERO!" Kirk's so generous that he is thinking about eliminating THREE q's for the "scholarly" students of 5th period. Well, good for them!
You know how the last days of school go. ppl signing yearbooks, taking pics, hugging, kissing, already starting to miss each other :)... yeah! I’m also gonna miss that one guy. not a big deal though... "to meet and to part is the way of life... to part and to meet is the hope of life" and i'm hoping for the best (just like addi). Graduation's on Friday... and I'm definitly going. It's the last day yaar... how can I miss out on that... after this, I may or may not see him again. ANYWAYS!
Himali was soo excited today. Seriously, she looked so happy!! I could see it in her eyes. I wish her GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES (just like nem).
Oh, btw.. I ws thinkin' about nem's message. And I came up with this...
1) Salutation - Hey Geetali,
2) Honesty - Although I don't know you all that well
3) Opinion - from what i have seen
4) Feeling - you are a great person.
5) Fact - Even though you have a bit till you graduate,
6) Experience - it'll come quick.
7) Advice - So, enjoy the time you have.
8) Friendliness - Good Luck and Best Wishes
9) My Life - <~his signature!~>
You don't need to know what I’m talking about, as long as I know what these 9 things mean - memories, melodies, fragrance!
...NOTHING HAPPENED, YET SO MUCH DID!...
That’s it for today... Adiós!
Honestly, I have no clue how I'm going to do good on these exams... coz I hardly paid attention in class this semester! As I'm reviewing for Chem, I see it's easy. But remembering everything and knowing how to solve problems at the same time is a tough task. STOICHIOMETRY, SOLUTION CHEMISTRY, GASES, THERMOCHEMISTRY, CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM, and ACIDS/BASES. We had 6 test this semester... did well on TWO! JUST TWO!! ONLY TWO!!!
And English. Man, students who stayed after for "extra credit" only have to answer 3 q's... they automatically get a 100 for the 4th one. and you know what... 5th period doesn't even have to answer any but ONE! Apparently, they brought green (Mr. Kirk's fav color) t-shirts, which said, "Mr. Kirk is my HERO!" Kirk's so generous that he is thinking about eliminating THREE q's for the "scholarly" students of 5th period. Well, good for them!
You know how the last days of school go. ppl signing yearbooks, taking pics, hugging, kissing, already starting to miss each other :)... yeah! I’m also gonna miss that one guy. not a big deal though... "to meet and to part is the way of life... to part and to meet is the hope of life" and i'm hoping for the best (just like addi). Graduation's on Friday... and I'm definitly going. It's the last day yaar... how can I miss out on that... after this, I may or may not see him again. ANYWAYS!
Himali was soo excited today. Seriously, she looked so happy!! I could see it in her eyes. I wish her GOOD LUCK and BEST WISHES (just like nem).
Oh, btw.. I ws thinkin' about nem's message. And I came up with this...
1) Salutation - Hey Geetali,
2) Honesty - Although I don't know you all that well
3) Opinion - from what i have seen
4) Feeling - you are a great person.
5) Fact - Even though you have a bit till you graduate,
6) Experience - it'll come quick.
7) Advice - So, enjoy the time you have.
8) Friendliness - Good Luck and Best Wishes
9) My Life - <~his signature!~>
You don't need to know what I’m talking about, as long as I know what these 9 things mean - memories, melodies, fragrance!
...NOTHING HAPPENED, YET SO MUCH DID!...
That’s it for today... Adiós!
May 23, 2004
"The more things change, the more they stay the same!" --NPP
It is a universal truth that change is a part of life. Seeing how far along we have come in life and looking back at our kindergarten, elementary and middle school years often brings a childlike smile to our faces. Reflecting back to the days that are long gone and thinking about all the crazy things that we did is always a time worth spent.
The first day of kindergarten is a big leap for a child. Escaping the familiar surroundings of the house and stepping into a world which is new and where everybody present is basically a stranger is a huge change in one’s life. The new atmosphere gives the child some space to grow in, to experience new things and start becoming his own person. It also gives that little kid an understanding of what people are like and how different they are from him and all those he had came in contact with in the past.
By starting out school, not only did that kid come in contact with the world but also saw his own family from a different point of view. Do you remember that guy or girl you used to play with during recess? The one who was just like the other kids but became known as your boyfriend or girlfriend? Yeah, that one! So you must also remember how your older siblings and parents used to laugh at that silly joke, often making your cheeks go red. Yes, now it sounds silly, but back then didn’t you get conscious and acted in the most foolish manner possible. Right then and there we got a taste of what life was going to be like in the future. The same type of thing happens in high school also.
The change that I described above was just a little piece of the pie. Many people go through huge changes in their lives. These rotate their world upsides down. Sometimes, changing their view towards life.
When we look around, within our school, we see a diverse group. A good percentage of students in our school are of different ethnic backgrounds. A large number of these people are FOBs, Fresh Off The Boat, meaning they recently entered the nation and are not exactly used to the customs here. That, my friends, is a massive change in an individual’s life.
Leaving one’s homeland, the place of their birth, is really hard. What is even harder is entering a place where every face is a new one. Where you are just born, but where others had been living since forever. Christina Baldwin once said, “Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.”
Fitting in is a big issue amongst American teenagers. FOBs get a complete new view towards life the day they enter their new school. Many people are friendly but there are also large majorities that ignore the new students. If you know what I am talking about you must have seen two groups of people around at school and your community – FOBs and ABs (American Born). People, having the same backgrounds, choose to be with different people because they do not want to get “embarrassed.” They do not even talk to each other!
The results are that many people grow up not caring about others, doing only what is good for them. In the past they may have been the social guy or gal of the town, but they changed. In other cases, people become more mature and open-minded. Looking at the same problem from different points of view, while understanding all the viewpoints.
Although, sometimes change can ruin a person’s life, it is often for good. A number of times people find out their strengths and weaknesses. Getting to know oneself is always good. This way we can come over our weak points and polish our plus points.
So, whenever you see something happening in your life, which may lead to a change, try to accept it with a smile. The change will occur, no matter what. So, why not enter the new age with an open heart rather than a closed mind with thoughts in the past.
The first day of kindergarten is a big leap for a child. Escaping the familiar surroundings of the house and stepping into a world which is new and where everybody present is basically a stranger is a huge change in one’s life. The new atmosphere gives the child some space to grow in, to experience new things and start becoming his own person. It also gives that little kid an understanding of what people are like and how different they are from him and all those he had came in contact with in the past.
By starting out school, not only did that kid come in contact with the world but also saw his own family from a different point of view. Do you remember that guy or girl you used to play with during recess? The one who was just like the other kids but became known as your boyfriend or girlfriend? Yeah, that one! So you must also remember how your older siblings and parents used to laugh at that silly joke, often making your cheeks go red. Yes, now it sounds silly, but back then didn’t you get conscious and acted in the most foolish manner possible. Right then and there we got a taste of what life was going to be like in the future. The same type of thing happens in high school also.
The change that I described above was just a little piece of the pie. Many people go through huge changes in their lives. These rotate their world upsides down. Sometimes, changing their view towards life.
When we look around, within our school, we see a diverse group. A good percentage of students in our school are of different ethnic backgrounds. A large number of these people are FOBs, Fresh Off The Boat, meaning they recently entered the nation and are not exactly used to the customs here. That, my friends, is a massive change in an individual’s life.
Leaving one’s homeland, the place of their birth, is really hard. What is even harder is entering a place where every face is a new one. Where you are just born, but where others had been living since forever. Christina Baldwin once said, “Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix.”
Fitting in is a big issue amongst American teenagers. FOBs get a complete new view towards life the day they enter their new school. Many people are friendly but there are also large majorities that ignore the new students. If you know what I am talking about you must have seen two groups of people around at school and your community – FOBs and ABs (American Born). People, having the same backgrounds, choose to be with different people because they do not want to get “embarrassed.” They do not even talk to each other!
The results are that many people grow up not caring about others, doing only what is good for them. In the past they may have been the social guy or gal of the town, but they changed. In other cases, people become more mature and open-minded. Looking at the same problem from different points of view, while understanding all the viewpoints.
Although, sometimes change can ruin a person’s life, it is often for good. A number of times people find out their strengths and weaknesses. Getting to know oneself is always good. This way we can come over our weak points and polish our plus points.
So, whenever you see something happening in your life, which may lead to a change, try to accept it with a smile. The change will occur, no matter what. So, why not enter the new age with an open heart rather than a closed mind with thoughts in the past.
First few months in United States...
Compared to all those I know, I am fairly young. Sometimes that makes me think that I do not know much about life and have a lot to learn. No matter how old I get or how much I experience the world there will always be space to absorb more. Usually at my age people do not get to experience different colors of the world. I am sure if I had still been in India, the nation where I was born and lived for fourteen beautiful years, I would have been nothing like what I am today. After moving to the United States I have not only changed in appearance but also have become more mature.
Originally I am from New Delhi, India. New Delhi was the only city in India where I had ever lived. St. Xavier’s was the only school that I ever attended and Kanika Saboo had been my best friend since the first day of school. There are so many events and usual days that I still remember from my past that still make me smile.
Kanika and I used to play together all the time. She taught me how to tie shoelaces and how to play badminton. I always corrected her if she mispronounced a word. The one thing that we were the best at was bicycling. Whenever I was at her house and we had lunch or dinner together, both of us ate from the same plate. Kanika was my very first friend who understood me well and whom I understood the same way.
Later came Srishti, whom I called Chhichhi. She was a sweet and innocent girl. After talking to her for I while people got the impression she did not know much about the world, which made her even cuter. We used to dance and sing together, specially on Shahrukh Khan songs. I teased her all the time, often making her cry. Although, both of us had fun, I could never take her tears. So, I always ended up saying sorry, cracking a few jokes and finally making her smile. After accomplishing my task of making Srishti happy, I went back to teasing her. Oh! I miss those great days.
The only best guy friend I have so far is Aditya Singh. We first met in sixth grade. At the beginning we did not know each other at all, but soon we ended up playing, fighting and splashing water at each other. While in India, almost everybody in our class had an impression that Aditya was a type of person who did not care about others. His actions said that. He did not always get A’s on tests, but as time passed he became more inclined towards his goal of becoming a cardiac surgeon. Now, he is doing great in studies and also has won a number of hearts.
I was living a beautiful life in India. There was nothing else that I needed to make my life better. Although, America is said to be the land of opportunity, the news of moving her flipped my world upside down. I suppose I should have been really excited but both, my brother and I, did not want to leave India. I did not protest about it and simply came here. America, which turned out to be the land of misery, changed me. I never knew change could be so hard to get used to. I knew the language, so that was not the problem at all. It is just that I was not ready and that people were not as friendly as I thought they would be.
I still remember the first day of school. It was August 13, 2001, I was wearing khaki’s with girlish designs on the side of the pants and a green top with my black and white sports shoes. My hair were really, really short and I was wearing the same earrings that I am wearing today. A school bus came in and the students sitting at the back saw me and started laughing. I looked at the scene and could not make out what was happening. Then I walked towards my class, which was trailer 31, Ms. Durden’s English-I class. As I entered the room I saw students sitting, standing and talking. I shifted my eyes to the board, looked for my name and went at the back to sit on my assigned seat. I sat there, with my right hand on the table and the left hand on top of it. My eyes went from one person to another, observing what was happening. The bell rang and everybody took their seats. The announcements came on and everybody, including me, stood up to say the pledge of allegiance. I did not know the words, so I just listened to what everybody else said with my right hand on the left side of my chest.
Days went by and I started getting used to the accent, understanding what the words coming out of someone’s mouth meant. I did not know a single person, so my only goal was to make friends. Although I tried my best, everybody looked occupied. It seemed as if there was no more space for another person. I looked for some Indians to become friends with, thinking that they would love to have a friend who is new. So, I always smiled whenever I saw an Indian face, never getting a smile in return. In the past I never found a reason to cry, but now I often found tears coming out of my eyes, the reason being loneliness. During lunch, I sat at a table all alone, eating whatever I had in my lunch bag. A number of times, while eating, I faded out in my dreams often making my eyes watery and lips smile. To wipe away my tears, I looked down and pretended that something went into my eye.
One day I met Iqra Khan during lunch. As always I was sitting on an empty table. She came and sat in front of me, introduced herself and asked me the usual questions – what is your name, where are you from, where do you live, etc. etc. Well, the day I talked to her, I felt at least there is someone in this world who cares. She invited me to sit with her friends and herself during lunch. At last I had someone with whom I could sit and talk. We did not talk much in the beginning, but as time has gone by we have become good friends. I hate her at times, but that is what friends often do. Iqra was the very first person, in the United States, who made me feel that I did exist and that people did notice me.
Now, after more than two years of living in the United States I can say that life is not always what we think it is. I have stopped taking life for granted. No one knows what is going to happen the next second, so how can I think that I will be fine where ever I go. One thing that I do is – always smile. Trying to make the stranger, the new comer, or a shy person more comfortable. I have learned that life is all about giving, who cares if I get anything in return or not. If I do get something then it would be great, but if not then that is not a problem either, because I would not be taking anything with me when I die. I came with absolutely nothing in my hands and will definitely go empty handed. All that I can give and get from the people is a little happiness and a few smiles.
Originally I am from New Delhi, India. New Delhi was the only city in India where I had ever lived. St. Xavier’s was the only school that I ever attended and Kanika Saboo had been my best friend since the first day of school. There are so many events and usual days that I still remember from my past that still make me smile.
Kanika and I used to play together all the time. She taught me how to tie shoelaces and how to play badminton. I always corrected her if she mispronounced a word. The one thing that we were the best at was bicycling. Whenever I was at her house and we had lunch or dinner together, both of us ate from the same plate. Kanika was my very first friend who understood me well and whom I understood the same way.
Later came Srishti, whom I called Chhichhi. She was a sweet and innocent girl. After talking to her for I while people got the impression she did not know much about the world, which made her even cuter. We used to dance and sing together, specially on Shahrukh Khan songs. I teased her all the time, often making her cry. Although, both of us had fun, I could never take her tears. So, I always ended up saying sorry, cracking a few jokes and finally making her smile. After accomplishing my task of making Srishti happy, I went back to teasing her. Oh! I miss those great days.
The only best guy friend I have so far is Aditya Singh. We first met in sixth grade. At the beginning we did not know each other at all, but soon we ended up playing, fighting and splashing water at each other. While in India, almost everybody in our class had an impression that Aditya was a type of person who did not care about others. His actions said that. He did not always get A’s on tests, but as time passed he became more inclined towards his goal of becoming a cardiac surgeon. Now, he is doing great in studies and also has won a number of hearts.
I was living a beautiful life in India. There was nothing else that I needed to make my life better. Although, America is said to be the land of opportunity, the news of moving her flipped my world upside down. I suppose I should have been really excited but both, my brother and I, did not want to leave India. I did not protest about it and simply came here. America, which turned out to be the land of misery, changed me. I never knew change could be so hard to get used to. I knew the language, so that was not the problem at all. It is just that I was not ready and that people were not as friendly as I thought they would be.
I still remember the first day of school. It was August 13, 2001, I was wearing khaki’s with girlish designs on the side of the pants and a green top with my black and white sports shoes. My hair were really, really short and I was wearing the same earrings that I am wearing today. A school bus came in and the students sitting at the back saw me and started laughing. I looked at the scene and could not make out what was happening. Then I walked towards my class, which was trailer 31, Ms. Durden’s English-I class. As I entered the room I saw students sitting, standing and talking. I shifted my eyes to the board, looked for my name and went at the back to sit on my assigned seat. I sat there, with my right hand on the table and the left hand on top of it. My eyes went from one person to another, observing what was happening. The bell rang and everybody took their seats. The announcements came on and everybody, including me, stood up to say the pledge of allegiance. I did not know the words, so I just listened to what everybody else said with my right hand on the left side of my chest.
Days went by and I started getting used to the accent, understanding what the words coming out of someone’s mouth meant. I did not know a single person, so my only goal was to make friends. Although I tried my best, everybody looked occupied. It seemed as if there was no more space for another person. I looked for some Indians to become friends with, thinking that they would love to have a friend who is new. So, I always smiled whenever I saw an Indian face, never getting a smile in return. In the past I never found a reason to cry, but now I often found tears coming out of my eyes, the reason being loneliness. During lunch, I sat at a table all alone, eating whatever I had in my lunch bag. A number of times, while eating, I faded out in my dreams often making my eyes watery and lips smile. To wipe away my tears, I looked down and pretended that something went into my eye.
One day I met Iqra Khan during lunch. As always I was sitting on an empty table. She came and sat in front of me, introduced herself and asked me the usual questions – what is your name, where are you from, where do you live, etc. etc. Well, the day I talked to her, I felt at least there is someone in this world who cares. She invited me to sit with her friends and herself during lunch. At last I had someone with whom I could sit and talk. We did not talk much in the beginning, but as time has gone by we have become good friends. I hate her at times, but that is what friends often do. Iqra was the very first person, in the United States, who made me feel that I did exist and that people did notice me.
Now, after more than two years of living in the United States I can say that life is not always what we think it is. I have stopped taking life for granted. No one knows what is going to happen the next second, so how can I think that I will be fine where ever I go. One thing that I do is – always smile. Trying to make the stranger, the new comer, or a shy person more comfortable. I have learned that life is all about giving, who cares if I get anything in return or not. If I do get something then it would be great, but if not then that is not a problem either, because I would not be taking anything with me when I die. I came with absolutely nothing in my hands and will definitely go empty handed. All that I can give and get from the people is a little happiness and a few smiles.
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