School times recalled... pre-school (part-1) :)

School holds a very very special place in my life,in my heart , in my existence ... "school" is one of those episodes of my life with which I gladly associate my happiness,confidence and even pride too.Going long back along the memory trail,I can still see fresh the images of when I had my first encounter with school..come with me to watch a virtual movie of all those times..A little girl walking alongwith her mom to a school for pre-admission interview..she's not scared and there're no butterflies fluttering in her stomach..know why?? Not coz she's loaded with confidence or anything of that sort,rather just 'coz her innocent mind is yet to learn the terms like "expectations ","pressure to perform","career","self-esteem" etc etc and sooo... though she's walking upto an interview, she hardly knows about it :)
She walks into a big room, all the time holding tightly to her mom's hand.. there around a desk, sit 3-4 men and women with varied expressions on their faces.. After some initial formalities, she's asked to sit down too and one after the other,she's asked questions ranging from rhyme recitations to story-telling to numerical abilities and all.. she happily answers everything ... her mom has always taught her that when you are asked such questions, answer all to the best of your ability,then only you will be called a good girl & can have chocolates too...And this little girl loves both those things- admiration and chocolates ..soo,she goes on doing her job in the best way known to her.. The interview is over,the interviewers seem quite impressed, mom looks happy too and the little girl..?? She stares at everyone's faces with a smile and an unspoken question "I am good na??" She finally gets her answer when while returning back to home, her mom buys her a big chocolate bar .. :)

My first cup of coffee

2nd Jan 2010- It'a chilly night and I felt this sudden urge to write..but what topic to write upon?? How about "a cup of coffee"?? -I am sure this topic should be apt for the moment given the cold winds blowing now.A cup of coffee is something that can be a too usual day to day stuff at times,but at times,it can be something too special with lots of feelings attached to it.Going back the time-line to my first cup,I was a school girl then in third standard.I had been to my English teacher's home with my mom for a visit; there I was offered a cup of cold coffee.Back then,coffee was not a regular stuff in my home, so this simple offer of coffee out there was nothing less than a real treat for me.I wanted to say "Yeah,I would love to have some coffee" but was scared apprehending that Mom might not approve, given tea and coffee were kinda restricted to mostly adults in our household those days.I was really confused as to what to say and what not to;so,as always,I resorted to my all-time diplomacy-all I did was -I just smiled.Aunty popped up a new question this time - " Have you ever had coffee? " Now,at least,I had an answer,and prompt came my reply "no"."Do you like chocolates?" Oh!! One more question and that too a simple one .. I happily replied "Oh yeah,I love chocolates" Now,Aunty seemed to be satisfied with the question-answer round and said "Okay then, have a cup of coffee today.I am hopeful that you would like it" I smiled again and looked at Mom...and lo !! she was smiling too.I felt as if I was on seventh heaven and I must say I heard my heart saying "yippeeeee!!" . My first sip of coffee that day would always remain too special for me and I just loved the taste.Thereafter, I used to have coffee almost every-time I went to their house and to this date too,my English teacher of that day still remains one of my most favourite people and coffee remains as one of my most favourite drinks.Now that was about my first date with coffee.Later, as I grew up,coffee entered into my daily routine and spread its warmth.Before I write bout my other coffee stories,I gonna make some coffee for me now..would get back with the coffee :)

My winter mornings when I was a kid

Curled up cosily inside warm blankets,the little girl sleeps soundly.None of the worries of the world touch her.She dwells in her own fantasy land dreaming of her beautiful palace,handsome prince,sprawling rose gardens and all these and more in a world where only happiness resides,where nobody has any troubles to worry for,where no one is hungry,where no one resorts to crimes,where everything is good,innocent,smiling and happy."Mama..wake up..it's 8 O'clock..common wake up fast and get ready for school"...Oh !!! Now,what's that??It's the view OUTSIDE her dreamland.She doesn't want to wake up,she doesn't want to leave her dreamland,her prince holds on to her hands, her maids want her to stay on.. her new pink gown is lying on her bed to be tried on..what'd she do now?? Her smile vanishes from her lips..her mom's words ring in her ears instead of the songs of the birds of her rose-garden..her palm gently slides off her prince's palms..and she....she wipes away a silent tear and utters "just two more minutes,Momma"And there on her bed,she lies wondering why can't she be in her dreamland forever...why does she have to come back to this world every morning.."Mama..you haven't woke up yet !!!" Oops !!! The little girl sits up on her bed and sweetly mutters.."Gooooood morningggg,mommaa" "I am awake"..Momma comes up to her,plants a gentle kiss on her forehead and ..."Get ready,fasssssst.""You're getting late for the school bus" "Hurry" And the little creature says a prayer to God and rushes to the wash-basin..her toothbrush in her hands,she sees her face on the mirror and blushes"Mmm..I am a princess indeed".."Mama,you are yet not done with your brushing!!! Hurry up."The brushing is hurriedly finished,she takes a bath,and gets into her school-dress, brushes her hair leaving some bangs to fall upon her face and sits down to eat her breakfast..a rice preparation with cauliflower,capscicum and beans-her favourite dish..her happiness knows no bounds then.."Momma,thank youuuu..it's too yummmy..Can you pack some of this for tiffin ,I want to share with my friends too" "Yes dear,your tiffin is packed already with this" "Thanks,Momma" The smile is back on her lips and her eyes are twinkling again... She finishes her food, and cuddles up to Momma , kisses her on her cheeks and gets ready with her school-bag finally..just as she's about to leave,her Mom slips into her hands a bar of DairyMilk chocolate and says "Now,hurry to the bus-stop,fasst" She smiles and waves and runs to the stop to find the bus-driver sounding the horn for her..She gets in, waves at her friend and sits near her , excitedly telling her about her Dairy Milk chocolate and her yummy tiffin for the day..The bus moves on and amidst the hustle-bustle of the city roads,the excited banter of the little girls gradually gets indistinct.. but the glow on their faces says their happy tale to all around ... Back in the dreamland, the prince sighs " I wish I could join her in her earthly dreamland ..I wish I could also share her tiffin and her chocolates ...I wish..." The little girl is a princess,indeed,both inside as well as outside her dreams..