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...

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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.
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(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!