And so it starts.... again.

Ah.... my university has finally reopened for my final year! And though I was a little nervous about getting back to the course, things aren't thaaaat bad. And I will have people know that my idea of 'not thaaaat bad' is actually 'thaaaat bad'!!

If any of those reading this are searching for the long lost cousin of the Grinch, I'll be more than happy to point out his current location. He now dwells in my Department in the University, masquerading as my HOD (Head Of the Department).

Since my classes start at eight thirty and since my university was a good one and a half hour away from my house, I had to get up pretty early! But the bus drivers and ticket issuers (also called conductors here) aren't that bothered about the fact that I could get killed by the Grinc-I mean, my HOD. And so, I ended up a good half an hour behind schedule. But I seriously think I got up the right side of my bed today (And I don't remember which side that is! T__T) because the classes apparently start only at ten thirty on the first day. But not even five minutes had passed when the said HOD stomped into our room.

He then took all of us who were there on a tour around the department. He wanted to show off whatever squandering he'd done with the funds those gullible suckers from the DST-FIST Program so easily handed over. And this includes a state of the art seminar hall that stinks like crazy of some chemical that we don't know the name of, of a dozen apparatuses that nobody in the department know how to work and new projection screens for the classrooms that will probably never see the light of day (or night... or whatever!).

And later on, he managed to give us the heebie jeebies by proclaiming how he was going to skin us alive if we ever dared disobey his orders. Yep... and we're all twenty-somethings who'll most probably be getting into research or teaching after this course is over. Now that's what I call good 'ol professionalism people! ;D

Anyway... it seems like we need to complete a mini-project of sorts this semester and I'm paired with two people who'd rather jump into the raging seas than work with me (and that feeling is entirely mutual!) This is what the wise ones of ancient times called Being caught in between the Devil and the Sea! Something tells me this semester is going to be extremely hilarious!

And now that I remember, I must be at my class by eight tomorrow. This sucketh... like the biggest suckery the world has ever witnessed!

Ai Elbereth! God help us all!

Pssssst... I almost forgot! I found news about a new Manga series called Yotsuba to! It seems like quite the interesting read. And there's one character who got my attention. Please put your hands together for dearest Danbo!

Image by craigmdennis

Isn't he just adorable? I'm sure if you Google for Danbo, you'll get a lot of such cute images! Be sure to enjoy them all! =D

Vacation ends today!

My vacations are finally over and I shall be starting my final year tomorrow. Am I nervous? Am I feeling queer? Do I want to kill someone to steady my shaking hands? YES!!!

I know there's nothing to be afraid of... that the professors are the same people who'd been with me during my freshman year. That the classmates are going to treat me with the same indifference like last year(And I couldn't care less!) But somehow... it almost feels like I'm on the threshold of something... looking at another phase of my life. One that I shall begin tomorrow!

Wish me luck minna!

Trip to the Snake temple

I'm finally back from my week long travels or 'Kshethraadanam' as I like to call it. We (Mom, Dad and I) boarded the Alleppey Express on Tuesday evening and reached Alleppey the next morning. The transition from the sweltering heat and gold of Chennai to the cool and green of Kerala was in itself quite the experience. And Alleppey was having the monsoon spell when we landed there! Did I mention that I love rain? =D

Our destination was Haripad. Actually, our true destination was a temple that went by the name Mannarshala. Now, I'm not sure how many people out there actually know this place. But in Mannarshala is a temple that's truly one of a kind!

There, the main deity is not some God or Goddess who's well known in the Hindu Pantheon. There, the sanctum sanctorum houses the King of snakes - Nagaraja. Set in the midst of lush greenery, the temple is like a gateway into an erstwhile world where humans are the minority. There are snakes all over the place but they harm no one and the humans there also seem to have almost no fear for these magnificent creatures!

For those who're interested in reading the legend behind the temple and the various unique traditions followed there, all you need to do is Google for it. So, I shalln't waste time in going about with the stories which I'm sure, people have done in better ways before me!

And then there were trips to other temples around the place like the Shanmuga temple in Haripad. It was quite late when we went there, and the entire town turns in at seven in the evening (quaint little place that it is!) and so, it wasn't surprising when we found the temple a little empty at six forty-five! And it was raining. The complex is really HUGE! So, it takes a normal person (read lazy clumsy people like me) a good five minutes to actually circumambulate the temple once. And in the middle of this, I hear something whine. For a moment I thought it was a stray puppy. But it actually ended being a very lonely and bored elephant! And now I know elephants actually do whine!

As for accommodation, we stayed in the only hotel in the whole of that town. And it wasn't that bad.... at least, it could've been worse for all I know! And if any of you are planning on making a trip down there anytime soon, please remember to carry your own repellent. My ankles are all pink and swollen thanks to the numerous bites from creatures unknown! (At least there weren't any snakes!)

I should say all those were minor inconveniences when compared to what we saw at the temple. I should say I plan on visiting the temple again next year! And I'm glad I got to go there this time. Suddenly, I'm seeing snakes in a whole new light... almost like both the snakes and us humans have misunderstood each other. Now to get that Boa constrictor I've always wanted! =P

Psssst: I wasn't allowed a camera inside the temple so, I managed to pick the photos above from the Interwebs! And now that I think of it.... how the hell did these buggers manage to get permission?! NOT FAIR!

STPIP 2009... a thing of the past!

Hello there! The Summer training program in Physics is finally over... and well, I'm a little sad seeing all those people leave back for their hometowns. We converged as strangers, wondering how we were ever going to get to know each other and study together for what little time we had. But now, we feel like we were all from one class... and so we were, at least for a while.

I hope each and everyone of those who were part of the STPIP 2009 program have the most marvelous future ahead!

I'm leaving for Kerala in a week and I can hardly wait to start! We'll be temple hopping for most of the trip and hope I can get some really nice shots while we're at it! Ah... now I need to go and pack my stuff! >__<#

Twin Spica

Ah... to actually get back to something that's been a part of one's pleasant past memories!! And this time, I want to mention one such memory of mine.

I recently managed to get hold of the Manga version of a Japanese Anime that I adored that goes by the name Twin Spica.

It's a heart warming story of a little girl Azumi Kamogawa whose desire is to go to space as an astronaut and the trials and triumphs she faces and achieves along her way towards the dream. The story is interlaced with numerous other characters that lend such a lovable sheen to the series! Especially, Lion-san...

I must say, I cried the first time I saw the episode that dealt with the past of Lion-san. It was so sad yet... there was a distinct tinge of hope that shimmered through all the bereavement associated with it! And for some reason, I'm very proud of myself for being capable of feeling these myriad emotions when I see that episode!

I'll tell everyone reading this blog to give that manga or anime (or preferably both! =D) a chance. It's not exactly the 'boy and girl falling into love' kind of story. It's different... unique... bittersweet.... full of hope... and so many other things that I wish I could express as words!

Though the anime can get a little draggy in the middle, I'll advice you to stick to the end. You will NOT regret it!

So, while I drown myself in this series and cry a river thinking of time gone by and the flowers that have wilted, make sure to get yourself a copy of this Manga or Anime as soon as you can!

Introspections of an Ingrate

How many times have you faced a blank wall in people whom you thought were your best friends? How many times have you been called an ingrate when all you wanted was for your loved ones to be happy?

Well... If you've been though these tough times, let me tell you something... those who won't understand don't matter and those who matter will understand.

With this, I bid adieu to that obsessive compulsive thing in me to actually do something for all those people who took not less than a moment to ditch me and be merrily on their way. And I should say I'm grateful to them... they showed me the kind of people I would avoid in the times to come.

Sayonara, suckers!

P.S. I don't know if the people mentioned above actually read this blog. But I sure hope they do! And I hope they've a wonderful life.... the bakas!

Updates... updates!

Hello there dearies!
I know it's been long but well... I've hardly had enough time to get through the mundane activities of my life and just so the few people who actually read my blog know, I'm sorry for not updating much, ne!

Anyway... the post for the day is going to be about the Summer training I'm taking up in Advanced Physics. Ah, the nerd in me roars with delight! =D

This course is being offered by Madras University and has about thirty very privileged students from all over the State taking part in a month long sojourn that involved lectures on the most 'happening' fields in Physics and also trips to some really advanced Research Labs in the vicinity!

Altogether, it's a really wonderful dream come true for me. And well... I can say my Quantum Mechanics is stronger than ever before and suddenly, I feel some sort of purpose in my life! Yay me!

It also gives me an opportunity to interact with so many students who have differing ideals about their futures and what they wish to pursue. It's a really wonderful experience, I should say.

Anyway... I'll be attending this course till the nineteenth of this month and they plan to take us to IGCAR next week! I can hardly wait! =D

And just when I was wondering if I should actually continue with a literary venture that i was pursuing, I am receiving a lot of wonderful and supportive comments from a lot of readers! Thank you folks! I love you all! =D

P.S. Stark from Bleach kicks ass! :P