Hot seat

Things have been happening since the term began. It's nearing the end of the year and also the term and for the first time in 7 years, I have a Christmas where I don't have to exchange my "please God, can I have X for Christmas"-prayer-coupon for "please God, let me get good marks in the exam after Christmas". Yes, I have an exam just before the holidays and hence a worry-free holiday. (Technically it's not a holiday since 3rd, 5th and 6th years have no holidays allocated - not even Jan 1! Yes, we got a mail saying that coming back on Jan 3 is acceptable.)

As for the rest of the time, I have been busy playing music, reading papers (yes, the news kind as well as the sciency kind -oooo), making plans for the summer, sharing camaraderie with friends from high school and so on. At the moment, I'm in a bit of a buzz because the last two are in my mind acting synergistically. If all goes according to plan, my grand scheme (picture the grinch in Home Alone) will make it the best summer yet.

I have been putting my detective skills to work (ah yes, Poirot will be proud of ze little grey cells, mon ami) in tracing people using various search engines. The results? Very interesting. I have found myself connected in various ways (through friends and family) to luminaries of the blogosphere. One aspect that appeals to me is my familiarity with the paths that they have chosen. Another attraction is that a few answer "what if" to choices I did not make.

Something else that I'm itching to do is volunteering, especially helping school kids. Teaching is something I enjoy - I've just discovered. What I've realised is that teachers form the bedrock of our society and certainly and fortunately, most of my teachers were able to distribute knowledge liberally and deliciously. The ones that made a difference were the ones that included wisdom and lessons of life. After leaving school from the 30:1 or 50:1 student:teacher ratio to 350:1 or 370:1 in uni, I've realised how I lucky I've been having the best and closest of friends and teachers.

I might as well include other random thoughts in this diasporadic post. I saw a picture of a 7-8y boy and his baby sister sitting next to each other - the similarity with a photo I shared with my brother was striking - not only the pose but also the faces. It brought back memories.

Anything else..hmm...may a bit later.... (cue muzak).