I have noticed, that after talking about the second year dawning in front of me, I haven't exactly mentioned it at all. Truth be told, there is nothing to mention in the first place. We haven't started with anything. In fact, because half of the batch hasn't even arrived in college yet, the rest of us aren't going. I hate to admit it, but I am a little nervous about having to endure the wrath of all those people in the Department of Surgery, when we eventually to go there.
But, since that day is at least three days away from now, I want to enjoy this extended holiday of sorts, and laze around at home, sleep for 10 hours a day, read the same books again and again, and watch some really dreadful movies on TV ( Zee Studio needs some refurnishing......and Star Movies should stop showing those Chinese and Japaneese movies in the evening....HBO is still manageable, but for goodness' sakes, stop showing Troy a hundred times!!!).
Well, it is actually a boring life, but compared to the pace that awaits me, I'd happily want time to stop right now.
So having fun, and wondering how I'm going to get back to college.....
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lavasa: An Experience of its Own Kind
I've been having quite a few road-trips ( you may call them that). But that really ends today ( so it is just two road-trips in three days).
This time we went to a place named Lavasa, near Dasve district. It is still in the process of development, and is said to be a future Indian-Paris. The people concerned with its infrastructure have really toiled to make it one of the most beautiful places I've been to yet ( and it isn't even complete). It is located at quite a height, so the rain pelted down with more force than it would in the city located much lower. The rain and the descending clouds completed a very pretty picture made by the green hills and the many large and small waterfalls we encountered, as we drove through this yet-to-dazzle county.
The cold air that blew the plants planted along the roads and hotels, and the ripples made in the waters in the fountains and the Lavasa reservoir ( although I wish that water hadn't been muddy.....but then, there is a certain beauty in the natural colour, and you can't expect clean snow-white water during the monsoons, especially in a lake that isn't completely artificial), enhanced the beauty.
I've always been a nature-person. For me, there is nothing more exciting and beautiful than Nature at its full bloom, the trees swaying to the rhythm of a fast wind, water flowing along that very rhythm, waterfalls streaming down in various directions and varying speeds, and , the icing in the cake, the clouds descending down to create an unearthly atmosphere. I got the very things I was looking for, right here, and I couldn't have had a more enjoyable trip.
Lavasa isn't complete, so I can't wait to get there again and be encaptured and enthralled by its Beauty. And they say, Amby Valley is much prettier than Lavasa. So, if that's true, I'll definitely be looking through dictionaries to find a hundred words powerful enough to portray my feeling at the end of that trip. But, till then, its Lavasa all the way!!
I wanted to have a Nature encounter before I went back to my schedule in college. I'm satisfied I've had one, even if it didn't exactly include trekking. I'm putting in some pictures I took. The ones with the waterfalls were taken through the comfort of a closed car, so there are quite a few rain drops diminishing the beauty of them all. But, then, Beauty lies in the Beholder's eyes, doesn't it?
The Temghar Dam, seen on our way to Lavasa. It is one of the major sources of water for our city.
Another view of the same Dam
The collection of water isn't yet complete. Courtesy late and bad rainfall. But we're getting there, and it will be filled to capacity before long.
A long-shot of the damI've selected the pics I liked most, out of the many I took. These waterfalls don't have names, yet they deserve to be raved about!
Courtyard of The Fortune Hotel, well-planned and very pretty during the monsoons. Monday, July 20, 2009
Mulshi Dam : A last-ditch attempt to enjoy my vacations
At times, the one thing ,you believe, is going to end it all, actually helps you get back on your feet. And yesterday's trip to Mulshi Dam proved to be just the ride, to help me out of my flu of the past week and a half.
We haven't had a real family outing in almost a year. So this trip on a sunday evening was even more special. Also, having both my uncles and their children ( tiny tots, with whom you can never have a boring day) helped make the trip more enjoyable. Add on, a light rain, the greenery it has helped grow, and small waterfalls to watch as we drove to the usual spot; I was reminded of my trek to Lohagad, last year. We had hot bhajis, in the windy hills, before driving back home.
I wanted to have an experience close to nature before heading back to college. And I'm glad I had it yesterday.
Of course, it made me not want to come back to college at all, but it doesn't matter much. I'm always looking for reasons at the end of holidays anyway.
My Dad, My Grandfather, My Uncles and Cousins and My Brother
My Grandmother, My Mom, My Aunts and Me
We haven't had a real family outing in almost a year. So this trip on a sunday evening was even more special. Also, having both my uncles and their children ( tiny tots, with whom you can never have a boring day) helped make the trip more enjoyable. Add on, a light rain, the greenery it has helped grow, and small waterfalls to watch as we drove to the usual spot; I was reminded of my trek to Lohagad, last year. We had hot bhajis, in the windy hills, before driving back home.
I wanted to have an experience close to nature before heading back to college. And I'm glad I had it yesterday.
Of course, it made me not want to come back to college at all, but it doesn't matter much. I'm always looking for reasons at the end of holidays anyway.
Notable exception: My brother who's the photographer for this photo.
My Dad, My Grandfather, My Uncles and Cousins and My Brother
My Grandmother, My Mom, My Aunts and Me
Second Year
So, with the second year dawning in front of me, I thought, lets make a change. After all, I'm going to be changing into a more conscientious student myself ( I REALLY hope). So, a new name and a new layout should encourage me a little more than I want it to.
I have heard that our clinical postings start from tomorrow ( 20th July). Its a little disappointing, because I was really enjoying myself.....enjoying lazing around at home, without having to do anything, but a doctor's life is never lazy, is it? Well, I guess, it doesn't really matter. I'll rue the loss of vacation for the first two days, and then start enjoying it all ( I'm hoping to, at least).
We'll be going tomorrow to check out which units we've been allotted, and then it is serious business. Looking forward to a new start and a new year and, most importantly, a lot more FUN!!
I have heard that our clinical postings start from tomorrow ( 20th July). Its a little disappointing, because I was really enjoying myself.....enjoying lazing around at home, without having to do anything, but a doctor's life is never lazy, is it? Well, I guess, it doesn't really matter. I'll rue the loss of vacation for the first two days, and then start enjoying it all ( I'm hoping to, at least).
We'll be going tomorrow to check out which units we've been allotted, and then it is serious business. Looking forward to a new start and a new year and, most importantly, a lot more FUN!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
One year- Part II
One year back, we officially took admission into BJ Medical college and became students of the same, thus fulfilling the dreams that most of us have had for many years. For me, as I have often repeated even in my blog, it was a dream come true of the wildest kind, because I had never expected to get this college, in spite of studying as hard as I had. So, I'm just glad, happy and mostly feel very lucky and indebted to God for the opportunity that He gave me by admitting me into this college.
This year, the list of colleges allotted to students through the CET has been declared again. And there are many students who's dream have been fulfilled. Having experienced that myself last year, I just want to thank God for doing that for these students too. And, as a senior ( I hope, since the results are not out yet..anything can happen...and its me, we're talking about here), I would only want to hope for the best for the batch of to-be Doctors who enter BJ on 1st August.
This year, the list of colleges allotted to students through the CET has been declared again. And there are many students who's dream have been fulfilled. Having experienced that myself last year, I just want to thank God for doing that for these students too. And, as a senior ( I hope, since the results are not out yet..anything can happen...and its me, we're talking about here), I would only want to hope for the best for the batch of to-be Doctors who enter BJ on 1st August.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Examinations - The Chapter
I've tried my level best to try and describe Exam Time in a Medical College....And failed....MISERABLY. Mostly because I didn't have the time to write all that I felt. So I thought, I'd try right now....only a little differently. Through chunks out of my Diary which would describe what I went through them.
* Dates to remember:
26th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 1
27th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 2
29th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 1
30th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 2
1st June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 1
2nd June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 2
30th June, 2009 - Anatomy Practical
2nd July, 2009 - Physiology Practical
5th July, 2009 - Biochemistry Practical
Excerpts from my Diary:
8/5/2009:
" Well, things aren't going all that well. I just CAN'T seem to FINISH!! I was supposed to end a 1st revision on Sunday. And its just not happening! I'm gonna push to Tuesday and hope I can still manage 3 revisions. But, you know me, Jili. So it all looks a little bleak."
11/5/2009:
" Managed a fair bit of Central Nervous System ( Physiology) and I'm actually on top of the world!! Its funny, how small things just make me smile like anything!!! Things are a little tough, but I'm, well not enjoying, but keeping the humour intact. After all, ur spirits need to be up in the high sky to make it through all this, right?"
19/5/2009:
" Alright, I'm a little worked up here. I knew I'd said I'm not going to take tension, but, wen you are way behind a schedule you've had to change twice to make sure you manage stuff once at least, you are in murky waters there. And, can you believe it, its Physiology that's getting me worked up. Not 'coz, I haven't done it once. Its because, I haven't done it twice!! Anatomy, I have 5 days. I can move the heaven of Anat on earth if I have to. But Physio's getting unnerving here. Ok, girl, cool down. Deep breaths. Remember that weirdly dark sky that you have neen seeing at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning for the last few days. And smile. They're all there to sail you through. You are gonna pass. I promise."
Well, I really did have it coming to me. Especially since I couldn't move the heaven of Anat on earth in those last five days. But, I guess that happens to everyone. The papers were much better than I thought they might be. And considering that I was pretty much on the verge of puking and fainting just before my Anat papers, I'm glad, I came out with a smile saying " Its over!!" At that time, I knew I'd done well, because I wrote everything that I could remember. Looking back, I'm not so sure. But, its Medicine and this stuff does happen. Physiology and Biochemistry were good too, although the last paper ( Bchem II) was definitely the worst of the five. Point is, you can't expect to have six smashing papers. In fact, we'd been warned that either paper I or paper II is tough. So, since the paper Is went well, there was always the fear that the paper IIs would be disasterous. So, I'm happy that my worst paper was the last, and I didn't even have the energy to ponder much on it.
Excerpt from my entry on 3/6/2009:
" Exam's reduced all the weight I put on. It has worn me down; mentally, physically, inevery way possible. All those 2-3 o'clock nights the week preceeding and all the 40hour sleeps in the past week.... But, its over!! And for the pracs, its not going to be like this. So, I'm dead pleased."
Practicals was a whole different ball game, as I managed to realise, a triffle late if I may be permitted to say. It included our journals ( to be learnt cover to cover) and the ENTIRE portion for the grand viva. So, I got worried sick about Anatomy again. And it was pretty bad too. We had revision practicals and they were definitely better than I thought they might go. But, its me, and I always seem to believe that I am the worst BJ can get, at Anat. Its not true, but its something that has stuck on, despite having decent practicals. So, I'm just relieved that its all over, and praying hard that I don't have to do it again. Physiology and Biochemistry practicals were good too. Biochemistry actually qualified for " Good", in the real sense of the word. They were not exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Just simple, quiet practicals. It is another matter that we were all absolutely impatient to get over with it all and say " Finally, its OVER!"
So, I'm going to say: The last four months have been the toughest and I definitely do NOT want a re-run of them in the years to come. I've learnt my lesson and its time I start studying from day one....Not as seriously as " I've got exams tomorrow" , but serious enough to prevent blotchy entries in my diary saying " I've got exams tomorrow". We're told that first year is the toughest. I've just put a bit of it behind me. And wait for my results to make sure that all of it is behind me.
Till then, I've decided to catch up on sleep, books and 'time-pass' that I've sorely missed doing in the past few months. They have really shaped my life, and I find it hard to believe that I finally have free time!! So, I'm lazying around. And doing it well. Friends, family and books.....and a new " Learn to Drive A Car".....I've got almost nothing on my plate (compared to the past months)..... and am making the most out of it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Exams - The Chapter
I've tried my level best to try and describe Exam Time in a Medical College....And failed....MISERABLY. Mostly because I didn't have the time to write all that I felt. So I thought, I'd try right now....only a little differently. Through chunks out of my Diary which would describe what I went through them.
* Dates to remember:
26th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 1
27th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 2
29th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 1
30th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 2
1st June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 1
2nd June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 2
30th June, 2009 - Anatomy Practical
2nd July, 2009 - Physiology Practical
5th July, 2009 - Biochemistry Practical
Excerpts from my Diary:
8/5/2009:
" Well, things aren't going all that well. I just CAN'T seem to FINISH!! I was supposed to end a 1st revision on Sunday. And its just not happening! I'm gonna push to Tuesday and hope I can still manage 3 revisions. But, you know me, Jili. So it all looks a little bleak."
11/5/2009:
" Managed a fair bit of Central Nervous System ( Physiology) and I'm actually on top of the world!! Its funny, how small things just make me smile like anything!!!
Things are a little tough, but I'm, well not enjoying, but keeping the humour intact. After all, ur spirits need to be up in the high sky to make it through all this, right?"
19/5/2009:
" Alright, I'm a little worked up here. I knew I'd said I'm not going to take tension, but, wen you are way behind a schedule you've had to change twice to make sure you manage stuff once at least, you are in murky waters there. And, can you believe it, its Physiology that's getting me worked up. Not 'coz, I haven't done it once. Its because, I haven't done it twice!! Anatomy, I have 5 days. I can move the heaven of Anat on earth if I have to. But Physio's getting unnerving here. Ok, girl, cool down. Deep breaths. Remember that wierdly dark sky that you have neen seeing at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning for the last few days. And smile. They're all there to sail you through. You are gonna pass. I promise."
Well, I really did have it coming to me. Especially since I couldn't move the heaven of Anat on earth in those last five days. But, I guess that happens to everyone. The papers were much better thatn I thought they might be. And considering that I was pretty much on the verge of puking and fainting just before my Anat papers, I'm glad, I came out with a smile saying " Its over!!" At that time, I knew I'd done well, because I wrote everything that I could remember. Looking back, I'm not so sure. But, its Medicine and this stuff does happen.
Physiology and Biochemistry were good too, although the last paper ( Bchem II) was definitely the worst of the five. Point is, you can't expect to have six smashing papers. In fact, we'd been warned that either paper I or paper II is tough. So, since the paper Is went well, there was always the fear that the paper IIs would be disasterous. So, I'm happy that my worst paper was the last, and I didn't even have the energy to ponder much on it.
Excerpt from my entry on 3/6/2009:" Exam's reduced all the weight I put on. It has worn me down; mentally, physically, inevery way possible. All those 2-3 o'clock nights the week preceeding and all the 40hour sleeps in the past week....
But, its over!! And for the pracs, its not going to be like this. So, I'm dead pleased."
Practicals was a whole different ball game, as I managed to realise, a triffle late if I may be permitted to say. It included our journals ( to be learnt cover to cover) and the ENTIRE portion for the grand viva. So, I got worried sick about Anatomy again. And it was pretty bad too. We had revision practicals and they were definitely better than I thought they might go. But, its me, and I always seem to believe that I am the worst BJ can get, at Anat. Its not true, but its something that has stuck on, despite having decent practicals. So, I'm just relieved that its all over, and praying hard that I don't have to do it again.
Physiology and Biochemistry practicals were good too. Biochemistry actually qualified for " Good", in the real sense of the word. They were not exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Just simple, quiet practicals. It is another matter that we were all absolutely impatient to get over with it all and say " Finally, its OVER!"
So, I'm going to say: The last four months have been the toughest and I definitely do NOT want a re-run of them in the years to come. I've learnt my lesson and its time I start studying from day one....Not as seriously as " I've got exams tomorrow" , but serious enough to prevent blotchy entries in my diary saying " I've got exams tomorrow".
We're told that first year is the toughest. I've just put a bit of it behind me. And wait for my results to make sure that all of it is behind me. Till then, I've decided to catch up on sleep, books and 'time-pass' that I've sorely missed doing in the past few months. They have really shaped my life, and I find it hard to believe that I finally have free time!!
So, I'm lazying around. And doing it well. Friends, family and books.....and a new " Learn to Drive A Car".....I've got almost nothing on my plate (compared to the past months)..... and am making the most out of it.
* Dates to remember:
26th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 1
27th May, 2009 - Anatomy paper 2
29th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 1
30th May, 2009 - Physiology paper 2
1st June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 1
2nd June, 2009 - Biochemistry paper 2
30th June, 2009 - Anatomy Practical
2nd July, 2009 - Physiology Practical
5th July, 2009 - Biochemistry Practical
Excerpts from my Diary:
8/5/2009:
" Well, things aren't going all that well. I just CAN'T seem to FINISH!! I was supposed to end a 1st revision on Sunday. And its just not happening! I'm gonna push to Tuesday and hope I can still manage 3 revisions. But, you know me, Jili. So it all looks a little bleak."
11/5/2009:
" Managed a fair bit of Central Nervous System ( Physiology) and I'm actually on top of the world!! Its funny, how small things just make me smile like anything!!!
Things are a little tough, but I'm, well not enjoying, but keeping the humour intact. After all, ur spirits need to be up in the high sky to make it through all this, right?"
19/5/2009:
" Alright, I'm a little worked up here. I knew I'd said I'm not going to take tension, but, wen you are way behind a schedule you've had to change twice to make sure you manage stuff once at least, you are in murky waters there. And, can you believe it, its Physiology that's getting me worked up. Not 'coz, I haven't done it once. Its because, I haven't done it twice!! Anatomy, I have 5 days. I can move the heaven of Anat on earth if I have to. But Physio's getting unnerving here. Ok, girl, cool down. Deep breaths. Remember that wierdly dark sky that you have neen seeing at 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning for the last few days. And smile. They're all there to sail you through. You are gonna pass. I promise."
Well, I really did have it coming to me. Especially since I couldn't move the heaven of Anat on earth in those last five days. But, I guess that happens to everyone. The papers were much better thatn I thought they might be. And considering that I was pretty much on the verge of puking and fainting just before my Anat papers, I'm glad, I came out with a smile saying " Its over!!" At that time, I knew I'd done well, because I wrote everything that I could remember. Looking back, I'm not so sure. But, its Medicine and this stuff does happen.
Physiology and Biochemistry were good too, although the last paper ( Bchem II) was definitely the worst of the five. Point is, you can't expect to have six smashing papers. In fact, we'd been warned that either paper I or paper II is tough. So, since the paper Is went well, there was always the fear that the paper IIs would be disasterous. So, I'm happy that my worst paper was the last, and I didn't even have the energy to ponder much on it.
Excerpt from my entry on 3/6/2009:" Exam's reduced all the weight I put on. It has worn me down; mentally, physically, inevery way possible. All those 2-3 o'clock nights the week preceeding and all the 40hour sleeps in the past week....
But, its over!! And for the pracs, its not going to be like this. So, I'm dead pleased."
Practicals was a whole different ball game, as I managed to realise, a triffle late if I may be permitted to say. It included our journals ( to be learnt cover to cover) and the ENTIRE portion for the grand viva. So, I got worried sick about Anatomy again. And it was pretty bad too. We had revision practicals and they were definitely better than I thought they might go. But, its me, and I always seem to believe that I am the worst BJ can get, at Anat. Its not true, but its something that has stuck on, despite having decent practicals. So, I'm just relieved that its all over, and praying hard that I don't have to do it again.
Physiology and Biochemistry practicals were good too. Biochemistry actually qualified for " Good", in the real sense of the word. They were not exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Just simple, quiet practicals. It is another matter that we were all absolutely impatient to get over with it all and say " Finally, its OVER!"
So, I'm going to say: The last four months have been the toughest and I definitely do NOT want a re-run of them in the years to come. I've learnt my lesson and its time I start studying from day one....Not as seriously as " I've got exams tomorrow" , but serious enough to prevent blotchy entries in my diary saying " I've got exams tomorrow".
We're told that first year is the toughest. I've just put a bit of it behind me. And wait for my results to make sure that all of it is behind me. Till then, I've decided to catch up on sleep, books and 'time-pass' that I've sorely missed doing in the past few months. They have really shaped my life, and I find it hard to believe that I finally have free time!!
So, I'm lazying around. And doing it well. Friends, family and books.....and a new " Learn to Drive A Car".....I've got almost nothing on my plate (compared to the past months)..... and am making the most out of it.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
ONE YEAR
I am the kind of a person who believes in holding onto the goodness of the past. And, more so, certain special days. I look back at such days, read my diary entries and reflect. The happiness, the joy, the relief...whatever it might have been. I tend to feel those emotions again and simply live that day again.
I wonder why I do it. I've wondered a thousand times. I have never really been able to answer the question with anything apart from, " Because I am like that!" In many ways, I don't want to let go; don't want to really believe that the day no longer is as important as it was then. After all, do we do that with Birthdays? Or Anniversaries? Even Deaths are remembered. So why not the day when I got my Std. 10 result? Or the day I stepped into the real world? Or the day when Liverpool won the Champions' League? They are special to me. They are days I want to remember 50 years down the line. Because they mean something......and something special.
Thats hardly the introduction I would have wanted for this entry, but never mind. A long introduction always has its magic. Its June 14th, 2009. And today I celebrate the one year anniversary of my CET results. Its very strange calling this an 'anniversary'. So I guess I'm going to say, I celebrate one year since my results. One year since the day I realised that, all that sweat, and toil and ( using my favourite phrase, here) "working my ass off" had finally paid off. I was reserved a Government Medical College seat.....Something I had not thought, would happen to me, all during the time I was preparing for the entrance examination.
I can remember every moment of that morning. Contrary to my usual style, I got up half an hour later. At about 8:30am, instead of the normal 8:00am. Mom had just left for the hospital ( she had an early cataract to cater to). Dad was almost ready. And me? Well, I got up....sat for sometime thinking about the importance of the day, and then said " Chuck it..I don't really expect anything much!" and got out of bed. After all, not all morning dreams actually end up being real, do they?
We had been told that the results would be out by 11:00 am. So I took my time. Brushed my teeth, read the morning newspaper ( end to end, for a change) and decided to get dressed. All through, my dad continued like a stuck gramaphone record really, " Why don't you check your result? It must have come out by now. Come on....I know you want to do it yourself....Please!"
I have a routine. Everytime, I have to see any result, whether its an entrance test, or match score, I make sure I have nothing else left to do, before I sit to check it out. A bath, breakfast, getting my bed tidied up, getting my hair right, saying a small, "Please let it be what I want" to God, taking my Luck-pendant with me...everything.
I said to Dad, I'd do it at 11:00am, and well, I had to do everything else before it. I could sense the desperation and frustration and absolute irritation, in his eyes..... For all the times in the world when I had to stick to my 'routine'!!!
Finally, giving into his incessant nudging ( nagging, really), I decided to check it out at 10:00am. I said it wouldn't even be up on the net yet. The scheduled time was 11:00am. Well, as fate would have it, the result was there. Pretty much what I expected. I had expected a 176 out of 200. I got a 177 out of 200. What I didn't expect, was a rank as high as 545. It made me wonder for a bit. A score as low as 177 and a rank like 545!! Something is a little wrong here.
And, well, Mom came home and things cleared up. It had been a low-scoring test, unlike the previous year, and with 545, I was sure of a Government Medical seat. The rest of the day went by in a blur. Meeting my teachers, distributing laddoos, and smiling!! I had fallen in love with BJ Medical College, the first ever time I saw it. I always put that down to the fact that I was never going to get in there, anyway. But, now I actually had a chance!! I've always thought I have the tendency to perform much beyond my expectations. This was one of them. In a way.
Of course, I wasn't sure of the college I would be getting into, but I guess, celebrating a seat was enough. And we know the story now, don't we? I did get into BJ, and I have never been happier!!!!
So, to June 14th: the day that pretty much changed my life. I had, literally, trained myself to believe I wanted to get into an engineering college, till this day when I saw that 545. Just want to remember how wonderful the world started looking after that one look at the computer screen :-)))
I wonder why I do it. I've wondered a thousand times. I have never really been able to answer the question with anything apart from, " Because I am like that!" In many ways, I don't want to let go; don't want to really believe that the day no longer is as important as it was then. After all, do we do that with Birthdays? Or Anniversaries? Even Deaths are remembered. So why not the day when I got my Std. 10 result? Or the day I stepped into the real world? Or the day when Liverpool won the Champions' League? They are special to me. They are days I want to remember 50 years down the line. Because they mean something......and something special.
Thats hardly the introduction I would have wanted for this entry, but never mind. A long introduction always has its magic. Its June 14th, 2009. And today I celebrate the one year anniversary of my CET results. Its very strange calling this an 'anniversary'. So I guess I'm going to say, I celebrate one year since my results. One year since the day I realised that, all that sweat, and toil and ( using my favourite phrase, here) "working my ass off" had finally paid off. I was reserved a Government Medical College seat.....Something I had not thought, would happen to me, all during the time I was preparing for the entrance examination.
I can remember every moment of that morning. Contrary to my usual style, I got up half an hour later. At about 8:30am, instead of the normal 8:00am. Mom had just left for the hospital ( she had an early cataract to cater to). Dad was almost ready. And me? Well, I got up....sat for sometime thinking about the importance of the day, and then said " Chuck it..I don't really expect anything much!" and got out of bed. After all, not all morning dreams actually end up being real, do they?
We had been told that the results would be out by 11:00 am. So I took my time. Brushed my teeth, read the morning newspaper ( end to end, for a change) and decided to get dressed. All through, my dad continued like a stuck gramaphone record really, " Why don't you check your result? It must have come out by now. Come on....I know you want to do it yourself....Please!"
I have a routine. Everytime, I have to see any result, whether its an entrance test, or match score, I make sure I have nothing else left to do, before I sit to check it out. A bath, breakfast, getting my bed tidied up, getting my hair right, saying a small, "Please let it be what I want" to God, taking my Luck-pendant with me...everything.
I said to Dad, I'd do it at 11:00am, and well, I had to do everything else before it. I could sense the desperation and frustration and absolute irritation, in his eyes..... For all the times in the world when I had to stick to my 'routine'!!!
Finally, giving into his incessant nudging ( nagging, really), I decided to check it out at 10:00am. I said it wouldn't even be up on the net yet. The scheduled time was 11:00am. Well, as fate would have it, the result was there. Pretty much what I expected. I had expected a 176 out of 200. I got a 177 out of 200. What I didn't expect, was a rank as high as 545. It made me wonder for a bit. A score as low as 177 and a rank like 545!! Something is a little wrong here.
And, well, Mom came home and things cleared up. It had been a low-scoring test, unlike the previous year, and with 545, I was sure of a Government Medical seat. The rest of the day went by in a blur. Meeting my teachers, distributing laddoos, and smiling!! I had fallen in love with BJ Medical College, the first ever time I saw it. I always put that down to the fact that I was never going to get in there, anyway. But, now I actually had a chance!! I've always thought I have the tendency to perform much beyond my expectations. This was one of them. In a way.
Of course, I wasn't sure of the college I would be getting into, but I guess, celebrating a seat was enough. And we know the story now, don't we? I did get into BJ, and I have never been happier!!!!
So, to June 14th: the day that pretty much changed my life. I had, literally, trained myself to believe I wanted to get into an engineering college, till this day when I saw that 545. Just want to remember how wonderful the world started looking after that one look at the computer screen :-)))
Thursday, April 23, 2009
PLs Begin!!
It has been months since I last wrote. Surprisingly, I had so much on my mind, I hardly ever sat down to enter it here. I have about an hour right now, so I thought I'd rectify the mistake of not being able to write.
February was just spent in getting ready for one of the biggest events of the year - " Convocation Ceremony - Batch 2003". It was the first of its kind to be held in BJ, as I have mentioned in my last entry, so we wanted to make it extra special. Having done nothing of this kind before, I can't describe how incredibly satisfying it was , to work on it all. Almost all the first-years, in the Organising committee, were a part of the Anchoring Committee. So we actually didn't have much to do to start off with. The matter to be spoken was one of the last things required, so we got involved into designing of the invitation cards and handing them over to the Guests of Honour, posting them to guests invited from outside the city and meeting the Chief Guests.
As a person, I have managed to learn a lot through it all. Not just team-work and doing all that you can for the greater good, but also evolving as a person. We had to talk to doctors, to their PRs, to a hundred people we didn't know, and would probably never see again. It was enlightening an experience, and I am looking forward to being a part of it all again next year.
The actual convocation ceremony was a Big hit. The interns loved it all, and we, the organising committee, enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, also knowing that it was our blood and sweat that had gone into making this such a grand and fine event. Add to that, the fact that I managed to wear a sari and manage it myself for about 5 hrs, is a success in itself.
The person incharge of it all, Charandeep Singh had told us that with the efforts we took, when we finally saw the output, the satisfaction we'd get would be equal to nothing like anything we had ever experienced before. And that was so true! Now a month down the line, when I look back, I know I did the right thing by being a part of it, and the feeling of completeness that I feel gooing through each and every moment of that evening can't be put into words.
Moving away from the Ceremony, we also had our Cultural week in college. We had a rose-day, a chocolate-day, a twin-day, the traditional day and a gang-day followed by a peace-day. College finally seemed like college then. It was definitely fun and frolic all through out that week. The pictures will definitely show.
February was just spent in getting ready for one of the biggest events of the year - " Convocation Ceremony - Batch 2003". It was the first of its kind to be held in BJ, as I have mentioned in my last entry, so we wanted to make it extra special. Having done nothing of this kind before, I can't describe how incredibly satisfying it was , to work on it all. Almost all the first-years, in the Organising committee, were a part of the Anchoring Committee. So we actually didn't have much to do to start off with. The matter to be spoken was one of the last things required, so we got involved into designing of the invitation cards and handing them over to the Guests of Honour, posting them to guests invited from outside the city and meeting the Chief Guests.
As a person, I have managed to learn a lot through it all. Not just team-work and doing all that you can for the greater good, but also evolving as a person. We had to talk to doctors, to their PRs, to a hundred people we didn't know, and would probably never see again. It was enlightening an experience, and I am looking forward to being a part of it all again next year.
The actual convocation ceremony was a Big hit. The interns loved it all, and we, the organising committee, enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, also knowing that it was our blood and sweat that had gone into making this such a grand and fine event. Add to that, the fact that I managed to wear a sari and manage it myself for about 5 hrs, is a success in itself.
The person incharge of it all, Charandeep Singh had told us that with the efforts we took, when we finally saw the output, the satisfaction we'd get would be equal to nothing like anything we had ever experienced before. And that was so true! Now a month down the line, when I look back, I know I did the right thing by being a part of it, and the feeling of completeness that I feel gooing through each and every moment of that evening can't be put into words.
Moving away from the Ceremony, we also had our Cultural week in college. We had a rose-day, a chocolate-day, a twin-day, the traditional day and a gang-day followed by a peace-day. College finally seemed like college then. It was definitely fun and frolic all through out that week. The pictures will definitely show.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
An Interesting Week
I haven't been able to get a lot of time all week, to write about all the stuff that has been happening around college. So I'll start right away.
This may sound a little strange, but BJ does not have its own convocation ceremony. I didn't think much about it either, when I first heard about it. But the more I think about the amount of years and days we spend here, the amount of LIFE that we learn and live here, it does seem a poor way of celebrating an amazing 6 years of life, without a convocation ceremony. Mom and Dad said that, they didn't really think about all that when they finished with their course. It seems that there is a huge convocation ceremony at the MUHS, and the certificates are just handed over by post to students here.
Any way, the current batch of interns ( Batch of 2003) decided that they did want a convocation of their own, and wanted to do it all in a grand way. We had auditions for the organising committee, and I'm very happy that I made it into the committee. I'm in the Anchoring committee. For the moment we don't have anything to do as such, due to lack of information. So we're handling the invitation designing. Over all, I'm really excited about it all. This experience is different and , the output of it all, should be very satisfactory. We've had about 2 complete committee meetings, and two sub-committee meetings, and they have been learining experiences all the way. The convocation will be held on the 7th of March.
Apart from the convocation, the Firodiya is being talked about a lot. It is an inter-collegiate art competition. And by Art, I mean Art as in a play, songs, dance, music, fine arts, painting... the entire package. The guys are all deep into practice, and none of have seen a full-stretch of the play yet. We keep our fingers crossed any way.
BJ also won the first prize in an Inter-Collegiate Band Competition, held at Symbiosis day before. It is supposed to be of a good standard, this competition, and our band's lead singer was a first year batch-mate of ours. So obviously, we're a very proud batch, currently.
Yesterday, we finished with the Anatomy Seminar too. I didn't end up participating, but one of my really close friends did our poster. Prabhjot got a special mention for it, and we can't be more proud of her. She's given herself a hell of a nervous night, and the rest of us , some nervous days too. The seminar was more of a celebration of sorts. After finishing with the posters and presentations, we had a cultural program of a kind. It was refreshing to look at the Anatomy department dressed up and really happy for a change. All the participants did really well. Shreya and Mohini from my group of friends got the 3rd and consolation prizes respectively.
The week has been an interesting one, as the title of the entry suggests. I'm hoping that the next week is great too. Two weeks of continuous 6 days of college are pretty draining, so we're all looking forward to the second Saturday of this month, coming up next week. For students in BJ, this Saturday will be more important as a Holiday than anything else!!
This may sound a little strange, but BJ does not have its own convocation ceremony. I didn't think much about it either, when I first heard about it. But the more I think about the amount of years and days we spend here, the amount of LIFE that we learn and live here, it does seem a poor way of celebrating an amazing 6 years of life, without a convocation ceremony. Mom and Dad said that, they didn't really think about all that when they finished with their course. It seems that there is a huge convocation ceremony at the MUHS, and the certificates are just handed over by post to students here.
Any way, the current batch of interns ( Batch of 2003) decided that they did want a convocation of their own, and wanted to do it all in a grand way. We had auditions for the organising committee, and I'm very happy that I made it into the committee. I'm in the Anchoring committee. For the moment we don't have anything to do as such, due to lack of information. So we're handling the invitation designing. Over all, I'm really excited about it all. This experience is different and , the output of it all, should be very satisfactory. We've had about 2 complete committee meetings, and two sub-committee meetings, and they have been learining experiences all the way. The convocation will be held on the 7th of March.
Apart from the convocation, the Firodiya is being talked about a lot. It is an inter-collegiate art competition. And by Art, I mean Art as in a play, songs, dance, music, fine arts, painting... the entire package. The guys are all deep into practice, and none of have seen a full-stretch of the play yet. We keep our fingers crossed any way.
BJ also won the first prize in an Inter-Collegiate Band Competition, held at Symbiosis day before. It is supposed to be of a good standard, this competition, and our band's lead singer was a first year batch-mate of ours. So obviously, we're a very proud batch, currently.
Yesterday, we finished with the Anatomy Seminar too. I didn't end up participating, but one of my really close friends did our poster. Prabhjot got a special mention for it, and we can't be more proud of her. She's given herself a hell of a nervous night, and the rest of us , some nervous days too. The seminar was more of a celebration of sorts. After finishing with the posters and presentations, we had a cultural program of a kind. It was refreshing to look at the Anatomy department dressed up and really happy for a change. All the participants did really well. Shreya and Mohini from my group of friends got the 3rd and consolation prizes respectively.
The week has been an interesting one, as the title of the entry suggests. I'm hoping that the next week is great too. Two weeks of continuous 6 days of college are pretty draining, so we're all looking forward to the second Saturday of this month, coming up next week. For students in BJ, this Saturday will be more important as a Holiday than anything else!!
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