A Long-ish Greeting

How do I confess?
'Tis too numerous to detail
The memories still hold sway
The choicest now to regale:

To the Soul that captivated
Ere the voice could enthrall
L' Amour was the beginning
Your testimony had us all

Days, weeks, months went on
And not a word
For how could I know
Of greater things yet to be heard?

Masterful indeed
You were in your field
Wide eyed in wonder
My reservation I did yield

An acquaintance you were
Ere God could reveal
That through Signature would grow our friendship
Not a smile would HE conceal

Your insistence to listen
To Vocal Point's rendition
Of 'O Danny Boy' at Nationals
In a windy yet peaceful condition

Sparked a new interest
In you, I should say
Nothing short of momentous
The whole journey I did pray

That God bless me more
Of lessons from you
And as time went on
The camaraderie, it grew

I thought not of it then
But as I pause to reflect
Grateful am I
That your presence did deflect

All worry, fear and doubt
From my mind
That you took all circumstances
In every stride

For your accompaniment to 'Our Father'
At Woodrock and L' Amour
Deeply honored am I
That you played, skillful and sure

Not having thanked you then
I so painfully regret
Your passion for harmony
I can never forget

CCD moments
And along came J.A.K
Times spent bunking classes
So that we could stack

On Ideas and the brainwave
The Writer's Tongue, it conceived
One look and with ease did you form
The tunes that now echo the words, "I Believe"

How came you into my life?
Not a thought nor a splash did your entrance make
But amazed am I at how God had it all planned
That our paths should cross
Trailing anecdotes at its wake

"What is the purpose of life?!"
I fondly hear you say
Your dream vacation to Switzerland
You'll have to wait for that day

I wish you all happiness
And blessings from above
That YESHUA HA-MASHIACH
Shower you with HIS Love

My thanks to you
Never will they end
For I know that you are
A True Friend!

Tears In My Avocado Milkshake

Every now and then, nostalgia hits me like a cannon ball aimed at my gut, and I unsuccessfully remind myself to get a grip before I am consumed by tears.

This happened quite often last year. A lot of things changed in my life, but it seemed that my 'life' wasn't going anywhere. People changed, situations changed, but I felt stranded, rooted to one spot as I helplessly watched everything and everyone else carry on, while I barely managed to cling on to a hope that things would get better.

One thing good about change in circumstance, you gain experience. And man, did I experience a lot in the past year! That's probably the reason why I haven't been blogging much. So to the readers who kept regular tabs on Wandering Nomad, I do apologise for not being punctual.

With so much changing, I am truly grateful for the few constants in my life. And this post is dedicated to one special 'constant', for being a mighty pillar of support in my weakest and darkest times. Knowing you were there, helped me through. And I can't thank God enough for placing you in my life!

Now you, reader, may ask, "What's with the funny title? Avocado milkshake, what's that about?" I'll explain. It does involve a real avocado milkshake. Go figure.

The Avocado, also known as  Alligator Pear or 'Butter Fruit', in the common vernacular where I stay, is a large berry (yeah, berry! I'm surprised too!) that contains a single seed. It's green-skinned. The fleshy body may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped or spherical. It's rich in Vitamins B and K, as well as C, E and potassium. Consumption of avocados have proven to lower blood cholesterol. I could care less about its health benefits. I just copied that information off of Wikipedia just to add another paragraph to this post.

Eaten raw, the most common use of avocado is as the base for guacamole. However, I love my avocados in the form of a milkshake.

One very memorable night, last year, I was sipping on a deliciously refreshing avocado milkshake, while trying to cram as much information as I could for an exam the very next day. Why was the night memorable? Well, who doesn't get excited the night before ones birthday?! However, my excitement quickly turned to anxiety and panic at the prospect of a looming exam just few hours away. Suddenly hit with a sense of deprivation and melancholy, my brain processed this bizarre blend of negative emotions as losing and never again seeing this constant. And if you follow my train of thought, yes, down poured the tears into my avocado milkshake. At this point, I didn't care about its potentially altered taste. I focused on making sure my constant was real and never going away.

Here, you may think, "Man, you seem like a needy person! What's wrong with you?" Maybe I was that night, but cut me some slack, I'm spilling my guts out here! Fortunately, my constant was a lot more understanding and calmed me down with a few simple words.

"...smile....it'll help you stop crying."

Looking back, I've never had an avocado milkshake since then, not because of what happened, but because the thought never occurred to me, to have another one.

I suppose we all spill tears into our avocado milkshakes (or strawberry, or banana... whatever you prefer to call it). I still spill tears into my own proverbial milkshake. The only difference is, they are now tears of joy and wonderment. How could I be so lucky? I don't know the answer to that question.

I do hope that you, reader, have a few constants of your own, who see you as you are, and love you for it, flaws and all. If you do, you are blessed. They are keepers!

My Sorry Attempt At A Fine Art

For want of having to do something different, I decided to make this a picture post. "Picture?", you ask. Why, yes of course! Well, to be honest, I had a couple of topics to blog about, but I couldn't get around to actually writing them. So, while I wait for inspiration to hit, allow me to share what else I've been dabbling in.

Calligraphy.

Let me just say that I am not great at this! Just started a couple months ago as a means to cope with various .... 'problems'. I love writing prose and poetry. But calligraphy is writing... in style. There's something soothing about watching ink flow in curves and waves on paper. Of course, you'll need proper calligraphy pens to achieve the desired effects, which I don't. Just regular sketch pens for now. 

(Oh! Shout out to the people who've encouraged me to keep blogging. Thanks for reminding me how lazy I've become! Just give me time, guys! Sheesh.... LOL)

Well, without further ado, the pictures! I could have scanned these sheets, but I don't have a scanner and I'm too cheap to pay for such. So these were just taken by a smartphone.

This one was a practice sheet...

Took it a couple of notches down...

Aaaand back to cluttering....

I was inspired to do this after listening to a wonderful cover sung by some very special people...

Oh, look. Colour.

Again, inspired by another brilliantly written song...

So there you have it. My sorry attempt at a fine art.

If you are interested to see some REAL calligraphy, I strongly recommend you to check out this dude :

https://www.instagram.com/seblester/

His work is phenomenal!!

Fare Thee Well...!

It's almost the ending of the academic year for students everywhere. And reminiscing about my time spent in college, I thought I'd share my old farewell speech, as the first post of 2016... after my sabbatical from blogging...

-------------------------------------------------

Earlier today, I was asked to speak on behalf of the seniors. I don't know why I was chosen; I can think of other people who are more suitable for the task. However, since I was asked, nay, begged, a second time, I shall try not to disappoint.

Being a foreign student, it has been the most interesting three years of college. As I look back on my first year, it was a new country, new environment and a new culture. I've had to learn to adapt and it was fun to experience different backgrounds and ethnicities. College is a melting pot of diversity, and I was glad that I wasn't the only proverbial 'fish out of water'. The people here are very relatable, albeit eccentric on many levels. College is usually seen as a center of learning and austerity.... but that is not the case! Folks here are inherently laid back and fun loving, even in stiff situations.

Now in the final days of college, I've learned a few things:

* We have become masters in the fine art of Procrastination. We have this twisted fascination of pushing deadlines for assignments, reports and projects (which is currently in motion).

* We are never prepared for exams. When conversing before tests, we always remark, "Chill maadi!". Our response to pop quiz, "Saar, gothilla!" (Sir, I don't know!)

* We love to share - food during lunch, clothes when our own haven't been washed, or assignments we suddenly realize are due in a few hours.

* Our motto for survival? COPY - PASTE - PRINT

Three years were indeed interesting. And although we can't wait to leave, part of it will always remain with us.

To our teachers, thank you for imparting your knowledge to us, for pushing us to do better, for helping us finish the race, even though you weren't obligated to go out of your way to do so. Thank you for being more than just lecturers. You were our confidants, attentive ears to our queries and our many many complaints. Even though we don't seem to show it, we do appreciate what you've done for us and you will always be remembered.

To my fellow batch-mates, thank you for all the crazy stunts you've pulled and doing everything possible to make classroom sessions interesting, from calling names, punching each other to continuously dropping stuff on the floor to ease the monotony of a boring lecture. If there's anything I've learned from you guys, it is to always find the joy even in the most humdrum of days. All the best for the future that lies ahead of you!

To my juniors, I bid you farewell and my very best of wishes for the remainder of your stay in college. No matter what you hear people say, enjoy these moments. Take everything in your stride because these are the days you'll never get back.

Thank you and God bless us all!

Of Smiles and Inside Jokes

"Why me? Why this life?" 

These are questions I often ask myself. As long as I am mortally bound to this planet, these questions shall plague my thoughts. I am at this point in my life where nothing seems to make sense, where every action I take has the opposite effect to what I planned them to be. The dreams I had as a child have slowly begun to fade into oblivion that it seems futile to even expect something from life. 

A very close friend of mine recently told me, and I paraphrase, "Don't try to have high expectations. Everything will fall into place, in the end. Trust me." He had a zen-like calm about him when he said that, which surprised me, considering that he always seemed to lack any enthusiasm about his current situation. I countered his statement, but deep down I knew he was right. We've reached that bridge of disappointment, where the torrents of life rapidly flow by and we just can't help but stop and comment on how lethargic we have become due to decisions that were taken which were not our own.

Yet, despite my seemingly humdrum existence, I have moments of peace and laughter. Along with others who profess to have similar circumstances, we find the time to come together and revel in our small 'victories'. To see their smiles and hear them laugh, it's what I live for these days. To bask in their happiness, or anyone else's for that matter.

Someone else said, "When you see someone without a smile, give them yours."  I vow that's exactly what I'll do. 

I've had a string of rotten days where I question my purpose in life.
---------
(I just remembered, the close friend I paraphrased at the beginning of this post would often reiterate in apathy and anguish, "What is the purpose of life?!" It was the way he always said it that made me smile. Just wanted to share that.)
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But my guilt would immediately overwhelm me when someone else would be bogged down because of my rotten mood. So, even if I'm depressed, the least I can do is Smile. Be it to my friends, family, the security guard, heck, even to complete strangers. If I can get them to smile back at me, that would be my reward. And that in turn would make me happy.

Smiles are infectious to most. And in my quest, I've witnessed numerous smiles of shapes and sizes:

#1 The thin straight line across the face that doesn't quite reach the eyes, usually given by passers-by along my walks around town or the cashier whenever I buy groceries. 

#2 The half-smiles of people who want others to know that they are going through hell, but try to seem brave about it. 

#3 The slightly crooked and cocky smile of the receptionist or the woman at the office in college, who just can't wait to be rid of her duties of attending to disgruntled students, issuing their certificates and collecting their fees.

#4 The all-knowing and couldn't-care-less smile of acquaintances who've already been wished by a gazillion people on their birthdays.  

#5 The warm and generous smile of the cook when I compliment and appreciate his cooking. (The dishes he prepares are phenomenal, by the way!)

#6 The 100-watt smiles of family and friends who are genuinely happy to see me. These are accompanied by twinkling eyes and a slightly elevated pitch in their voices. While I love to see these smiles, there is another kind that trumps them all.

#7 The I-Know-What-You-Are-Thinking-And-Laughing-With-You smile. At first it wouldn't seem much. But you know what is when you look across the table and your friend catches your eye, and at that instant, both of your brainwaves are in total sync. It's like you've mentally passed a secret message that nobody else in the same breathing space noticed. You exchange a small and quick mischievous smile. And then BOOM! You each burst out laughing. Others around you sigh in confusion and exasperation as to how they are ever friends with two silly psychos.

It's rare to find such people. But when you do, you are blessed. I know I am. Even more so because I have more than just one as my dear and close friends. It's come to the point where I have to see them everyday. Even if it seems that life has been sucked out of our very core, I'm instantly happy when I see them at the end of the day. And when I do, there is an endless supply of smiles and laughter.

The View from a Window of a Moving Train

The mist that swirls between the trees

Its playful form guided by the breeze

The trees that dot and line the fields

Its numbers wavering as time reveals

The fields that team with colours a bright

All decked with gold and auburn sights

The waters that flow in the babbling brook

Glistening from every sunlit nook

The birds that soar the open sky

Their flocks adorn the heavens on high

The sky that spans beyond what I see

All knit by The God of Majesty

A Cry of Faith

When life brings me down
and I can't seem to smile
And memories of old seem to haunt me,
I fall on my knees
And know all the while
That God, You were right there beside me.

Through every trial
And every endeavor
Your Hand of guidance sustained me.
Though I stumble and fall
I know that Your favor
Is the light that shines upon me.

Your mercy beckons
My spirit awakens
From the slumber I've been in so long.
Jesus, Your blood
So Holy, has taken
My sins. In You I'm now strong.

I surrender my life
I give You my all
Come make Your dwelling within me.
To live in Your presence
May I never depart.
O Triune God, Your Love has changed me.

Forever and always, Your Love remains
From the depths of my heart I proclaim.
Freely given, I humbly receive
The price that You paid, I believe.

Love Goes On

(this song makes so much sense)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEZ_0HdAFms

Lyrics - David N. Phelps (2004)


A shooting star tumbles down
It's flame cannot endure
A scarlet rose withers brown
To lose it's fragrant lure
The moon illuminates the night
To vanish at the dawn
Oh but love, love goes on

Fortunes fail and disappear
Like castles in the sand
And power spoils and causes fear
But yields to stronger hands
Fame lasts for a moment
Then in a moment, it is gone
Oh but love, love goes on

Oh, beauty fades and passion wanes
And faces show their years
Oh, death steals a lover's touch away
But time dries up the tears
Tunes are soon forgotten
And singers lose their song
But love goes on

A baby boy, a starlit night
Kings on bended knee
Healing hands bringing sight
Then tortured on a tree
A woman sings, rejoicing
"He is risen, he is gone"
Because love, love goes on
Oh love, oh love goes on

The Forgotten Soul

She walked alone

And smiled with grace

Yet few who ventured

A look on her face

Could barley see

The strain in her gaze

Thoughts that tortured

And left her dazed

None could spot

The mist in her eyes

None could fathom

Her silent cries

For who could know

If time doth fly,

Or crawl towards

A bitter demise?

Anguish and pain

In every stride

Eyes rove in earnest

For someone to confide

Who could care

To be by her side?

Alone she walks

Until she dies

SIGNATURE

The legacy that became part of my history.

My college days would not be complete without this A Capella group that I have had the privileged of being part of. More than the vocals and harmonizing with them, they are a part of me, my life, my extended family away from home.

Every single one of them is amazing in their own way. And time spent with them individually has given me valuable insights into their lives and who they are. Aside from me, there are six of them: (for the purpose of keeping their identities hidden I shall refer to them by their initials...)
PJ - Beat-box & Bass
JK - Bass & Lead
JJ - Second Tenor & Lead
VW - First Tenor & Lead
SP - Alto
AP - The Manager

This is the craziest bunch of people I have ever come across. They can be all professional and serious  about making harmony in A Capella, and then suddenly, they can burst into silly comedy and surprisingly dirty humor for a christian vocal group. Each of them has a story to tell, a history to share. They're not perfect, rather far from it. But that's what makes them so special to me. Couple months into joining and already I considered them my very close friends, my family. Everyday I learn more from them and everyday spent with them is a happy day, a day of fun, laughter and good music. And that combination is very hard to come by.

PJ is kind of like the leader of the group. He grills us till we get the right notes. and when we don't, he'll sit us down  and give passionate speeches on the wonders of singing in harmony and at times gets technical about music theory, which I know nothing about. But when he picks up a mic and starts beat-boxing, he's insane. You just feel like dancing to the beats. And fun note, he's also a kick-ass drummer! What's interesting is that while he can be a bit driven during practice, he is in fact the funniest guy in the group. Once he starts off on a humorous line, he can belt out stories after stories that will make you cry with laughter.

The second joker of the group is JK. While PJ can get too stern during practice, "serious" is not in JK's dictionary. He'll split your sides just by smiling at you. He has a face that can brighten your day and you'll want to listen to him, even when he's sprouting nonsense. During my time with Signature, parts of his lingo have seeped into mine. Words like "beggar", "ditcher", "full-on" and adding "like" at the end of every expression to induce a silly atmosphere in a humdrum day. He has the most carefree and happy-go-lucky personality in the whole group, which may seem absurd for he almost always picks a fight with SP, but in a good way. They'll be calling each other names and make faces but that's fun to watch. Their constant banter is the norm when we all get together, and sometime we join in the fun.

SP is the only other girl in the group. She can be very sweet and loving and won't hesitate to support you in a difficult situation. She can also be very crazy and at times get on people's nerves. I cannot explain this phenomenon but cold weather makes her hyper. I have spent a few days with her to experience this. As stated before, she and JK share a special bond of playful banter and ridicule. The rest of us enjoy watching them torment each other.

JJ is the quiet one in the group. However, he can also be very mischievous and the best part is, you won't know it was him, for he is usually the sane one. JJ is our music master. When there's a new song to be learned, he provides the notes for all our parts. He is extremely talented on the keyboard and guitar. He and JK hang out together like brothers in crime and share the same sense of humor. While JK is a radical in comedy, JJ is more sweet in nature and the most amiable person I have had the pleasure of knowing. He just draws you in with his child-like charisma but can also be insightful and more often than not, surprisingly playful in casual conversations. I look up to him as my inspiration. From his life testimony, I learned not to let my difficulties hinder me from praising God.

VW has the same tastes in music as I. We both enjoy listening to David Phelps and Paul Wilbur. He'll even mimic my goofy expressions to pass time during practice. He has the highest full voice among the guys and can sustain the high notes for an impressive amount of time. I always love it when he covers a David Phelps song. I was overjoyed when I first learned that he and I share the same tastes in music. He can sing songs off the top of his head, inducing a sense of praise and worship for all around him. During my time with Signature, he has become a very good friend and brother in Christ.

And then there's AP. Although he doesn't sing with us, he is our manager. He sets up the dates for practice, communicates upcoming events where we have to perform or remind us of important updates; basically handling us so we just have to concentrate on our singing. Throughout my time with Signature, AP has been a mighty pillar of support, guidance and more often than not, the voice of reason in the group. He makes sure to keep us in check and brings us back on track when we deviate from practice. AP has an amazing vocal range. While I would love it if he joined us in song,he specializes in elocution, debate and stage theater. He has an excellent command of the English language and is extremely brilliant and witty. He is the one I can converse with on a more philosophical level.

The more I spend time with with these guys, the more I understand them and in turn, deeply care for them. A common passion for good music brought us together and in one year I've collected so many fond memories of this group that I shall indeed cherish forever!

The Farm

I may boast of having a wild imagination that can spin tales of colorful fables, outlandish Neverlands and completely unrealistic tropical islands where milk and honey actually flow. But all my daydreams combined can never compete with my 'perfect destination'.

The Kolar Gold Fields.

With a name like that you'd think I'm dreaming again. But I'm not. In KGF, there lies a comfortable track of land that has been in the family for generations. For a long time, it was left undeveloped, until recently, where a third of the land is devoted to farming. Wheat and ragi are grown in seasons. The monsoon showers are the land's blessings from above. Each droplet burrows into the rich soil, creating a network of tiny streams as their intensity increases. After the timely shower, the entire land is blanketed in a rich and fresh aroma, similar to that of  Lily of the Valley. The tilled soil, the monsoon rains, the fresh air....they are just a third of what this 'perfect destination' really is.

As time flows, green shoots appear and pretty soon they grow into rich and vibrant stalks. Seasons change and the emerald spray transforms into dazzling amber that glows under the noonday shine. The stalks are heavy with grain and the harvest begins. All pitch in to help. The reaping, the separating from the chaff, the drying and the pounding, while we all sing about the splendor of God's workmanship in His creation.

The rest of the land is left in its state of natural beauty. The lake, smooth and clear as glass, provides accommodations for animals ranging from the tiniest crustaceans to the most regal water fowls. The branches of the willows sway in the gentle breeze along the edges of the lake. You can hear the winds create a soothing symphony as they rustle among the leaves. Dragonflies race among the reeds, their wings glistening of brilliant green and blue.

Beyond the lake stand little hills of rock, moss, fern and a variety of cacti. If you look hard enough you can spot colorful geckos among the rocks and tiny beetles and snails burrowing in the soil. It is best to climb this hills at dawn where you can relish and appreciate the beautiful sunrise, the gradual warmth on your cheeks after a cool slumber. On these hills you can survey vast stretches of land where endless groves of mango orchards stand, the country road winding between fruited plains and amber waves of grain.

Behind theses hills are old abandoned quarries that were once used in extracting gold. Yes gold. Hence the name Kolar Gold Fields. It's pretty exciting to walk among the old ruins and rubble, thinking of bygone days when mining was the main income for the whole area. Although the quarries are now desolate of gold, life continues to thrive among the rubble.

Its amazing how, through the passage of time, the land transforms to suit the occupier. This is my little piece of heaven.

Triune Blessing

I serve a Triune God.
And while it may be sweet to gift one an exquisite delight or thoughtful, a practical tool, I find it best to write poems on birthdays. Here's one that's a prayer, a wish, a...

TRIUNE BLESSING

I pray The Father grant my prayer

To keep thee well and in His care

That thou may live in peace of mind

New hopes and joys this new year find

I pray The Son, His Blood to cover,

His mercies and grace abundantly shower

On thee this day and year anew

His promises are rich and true

I pray the Spirit that thou may seek

A Comfort when the times are bleak

Delight to know that thou art loved

By The Triune Majesty above

The Lie that is Equality

Racism, prejudice, social classes… they never go out of style. From the monarchs to the lowliest of peasants, from the aristocrats to the store clerks, from the archbishops to the gravediggers, from the bhramans to the untouchables, from the President to the homeless, from the CEO to the janitor...

Sure, the positions have changed over the centuries but the pattern remains the same. Social divisions, they distinguish undeniable truths -  the rich from the poor. Nowadays, the finger of blame points to the Capitalist. Those who can, those who have the resources, will grab at every opportunity to get that extra dime. But that doesn't mean Communism provided a utopia. Sure they say everyone is treated equally, but who makes the laws for others to live by? Do they get the same "rations" as everyone else?

Even airlines have divisions for crying out loud! People in First class get to have their own cubicle, 5 feet breathing space, feasting on caviar and champagne while folks in Economy have to be contented rubbing shoulders with unsavory passengers, eating out of plastic and tin foil. Who gives half a mind about flight comfort? A mere flatulence from the Economy class results in the Captain announcing, "Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts, we are experiencing a slight turbulence." But anyone from First class drives a sledge hammer through the fuselage, cabin crew reassures the passengers by stating, "That was just a cabin pressure check, part of our on flight procedure."

And lets not forget about concerts and seating arrangements. Performing artist, during the introduction, asks how everyone is, who all are in. Then he asks, "Any Methodists in here?" A small cheer from the balcony and he remarks, "Oh! Up in the cheap seats!" Sure that was meant as a joke but anyone with with half a sensitive ear and a slow sense of humor might take offence.

Why is there division? Why are people willing to be branded so?

In The Beginning...

To write,one must be inspired.

Seems simple enough. Complications, however, arise when grappling for inspiration. I've kept a journal ever since I was a kid, and in all that time, one theme was a reoccurring factor in my never ending search for inspiration. Turns out, it was the only reason that lead me to write in the first place.

Boredom.

In the good old days, a pen and paper were the only things that stood between me and insanity. Now, they are my tools to another dimension, one that mirrors the ordinary universe, only, that it's fitted with my very own custom made kaleidoscope. I still write out of boredom, only now, it's more enjoyable, and oddly enough, soothing to my over-stretched nerves.

If you're reading this because curiosity got the better of you, read on. Hopefully Wandering Nomad makes quite the impression. I find myself unable to put down roots anywhere I go. Coming from a severely over-sized and multiracial family, you'd be surprised how difficult it can be to fully connect with each side, even though it's easy to blend in at any given time. I'd like to pride myself on being a natural chameleon of sorts, but alas, that only adds to the sad fact that, although I have a place anywhere I go, I never truly belong.

There is, however, a wonderful feeling of being a mystery wrapped around an enigma. There is yet more to be discovered, a never-ending string of quirks that have lead people to display a double-take, a side-ways glance, or just a plain and long hard stare.

Yes, I find it most amusing when people realize that I'm not normal as one might think.The very fact that I used to have a python in my home as a pet puts people off. (Oh yes! more on my wonderfully weird choice of pets later.) And they still can't wrap their heads around the fact that I don't follow any of the religious customs and traditions as they do. Religion is man-made, and organised religion just adds to further division and social tension. Your religion won't take you to Heaven, my friend. It's your personal relationship with God that matters. Yeah, I'm a non-denominational Christian. That's my answer to those who still ask. Personally, I'd be a lot happier if they stop asking about the "what" and focus more on the "who". Like I said, there's a lot more to be discovered. And that I think is a lot to take for one entry.

Well, so much for boredom as inspiration.
 Until the next post, Shalom ya'll!