Well, I managed to get an ALL ROUNDER award in class 2 (I had no idea why they gave it or for what, but it was an award and I dint really feel really happy about it). But they presented it in some auditorium (I think Narada Gana Sabha) and I was happy that some of my relatives came to see me receive the prize. It was nice in that way. Anywayz, I managed to get into the E section, though I had a disliking to people being grouped according to their academics as I had to leave some of my friends, who went to other sections. 3E was an experience in itself. I was with the best academic students of my batch at that time. It made me get to know some more guys.
There was one Siva Shankari, and however much I tried, apart from in 1-2 subjects, I always used to end up second best. This made me fiercely competitive. Though I never really put in extra effort or slogged, I wanted to be the best. One more guy, M.Vikram was a good friend and we three used to fight out for the top slot. I lost out in the end and dint get the ALL ROUNDER prize for that year.
The thing I remember best about my third was the GK (General Knowledge) sessions. It was really interesting and I took a liking for facts then. I was amazed by the number of things out there in the world. I was also part of some competition groups (ofcourse headed by Siva Shankari) but I never really wanted to test how well I knew GK. All I wanted was to know some things. Also, that year, I had my first PCM exam, in which I got to the finals. Some things I never win in life, and this was one of them. Every year I took part in those exams, I used to get into the finals but never cross that final hurdle to win something. I think its due to the fact that I dont really wanna win in such things. I am glad that Im decent enough.
I remember one day when my rikshaw-man did not turn up in school and so I coaxed RamKumar to accompany me in walking/ running back to our house. It was some 4kms and it took us some 45 mins to reach home. Parents were anxious and the next day, we got quite a bit of 'treatment' from our rikshaw-man, but it was part of my adventurous spirit, and I quite liked it.
I also got my first certicate for full attendance in that year. I felt pretty happy with that.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Std 2
Shifted my residence to Rangarajapuram, which was pretty much an under-developed area then. I had a cat when I was in west mambalam, even though my father dint want me to. I dint know the reason why he hated cats. Later only I got to know that he loved cats and had kept a couple. But ever since one of them got stolen, he somehow got averse to cats. I used to feed it with milk n stuff. And it even used to sleep with me at night in the same bed. I used to love it a lot. I cried when we left that behind while shifting. I felt it was really unfair. I learnt later that the cat kept on roaming without food or water for 30 days purring and one fine day, was found dead. I felt really helpless and was not consolable. I learnt friendship n faithfulness.
I had to write an entrance exam for PSBB. I was told a lot of tell-tales about the new school, most of which were meant to scare me. One such story I remember is that one kid who got admission into PSBB but later was caught playing in the school playground was expelled from the school. Sounds ridiculous now, but even then I just listened to it and carried on. Never really thought anything about it. I remember it as I had a question mark about the 'incident'. The written test was comedy. I answered all questions but forgot the name of any flower. Then I asked the guy next to me to name a flower and he said jasmine. Dint know that guy will turn out to be my best friend in school. And then I dint know that that was copying! I was pretty bad at colors, so my parents were tensed about the interview. That was the first time I saw Mrs. Balambal, the revered headmistress of primary sections. She seemed friendly and offered me her hand which I promptly shook thinking why not the questions first. I heard that I got 12th rank among the 72 students who took up the exam. Mrs. Balambal said its good but I felt its bad and wanted to do better. Then I answered some names n stuff and finally the dreaded colors! When I saw the things, I was pretty happy, it was only the basic colors. She asked me only the colors but I told her the shapes also. She seemed pleased and admitted me. And thank god they dint have any green stuff then! Also, on that day, my father got me a silver chain, which I refused to wear. I never had a liking for jewellery. So then, he got me a black thread with a ganesh dollar. I wore it till the end of my 11th when I was coaxed to wear a silver chain.
I was in 2H and I remember that they grouped students according to their academics. So, E was the most sought after section. I was pleased to be elected the Class Leader on my first day in a new school. I was not shy of making new friends, and I am willing to take up responsibilities and I guess that helped. I dont remember the name of my class teacher, but I know she was my science teacher as well. I used to be pretty pro-active in class, though I was a bit silent in the week in which the parents used to sit in the class and observe. I never am my best when I am being watched. I remember a few guys from 2nd. To name a few, ramprasad who lived next street to mine and used to come in the same bus, Noor Mohammad - who was the rowdy of the class and somehow I managed to become friendly to him. And ofcourse sakthi kumar, though we dint really become close friends till secondary.
Now, onto some things that happened at home. Since I shifted to a new flat and there were lotsa ppl around my age, it was fun. We used to play together in the evenings. I used to finish my homeworks in the class itself so that I can come back from school and play with them. Boys and girls used to play together and we had quite a nice time. There was RamKumar, who just lived below me and my batch, though he was in hindi section. He was my closest friend for sometime.
I remember that I used to carry all my books and notebooks properly. My sister used to put all the covers for my notebooks and books the day before school opening for a small sum from my mother or a big favor from me. This carried on till the end of my secondary school. I was chided for being such a baby and doing such childish things like covering my notebooks and books, but I was never bothered. I used to be totally careless. Everyday I used to lose something or the other. So much that my mother used to keep track in a notebook about what items I carried to school and back. Even then, I used to lose so many things from pencil boxes to money to notebooks to jackets and umbrellas. My mother was instrumental in making me sincere in my studies. She always made me aware that the end of my primary was the deadline for me to become independent in studying. She used to assist me in all subjects except english in which I used to ask my doubts to my father, whom I thought had a strong command over the language.
I had to write an entrance exam for PSBB. I was told a lot of tell-tales about the new school, most of which were meant to scare me. One such story I remember is that one kid who got admission into PSBB but later was caught playing in the school playground was expelled from the school. Sounds ridiculous now, but even then I just listened to it and carried on. Never really thought anything about it. I remember it as I had a question mark about the 'incident'. The written test was comedy. I answered all questions but forgot the name of any flower. Then I asked the guy next to me to name a flower and he said jasmine. Dint know that guy will turn out to be my best friend in school. And then I dint know that that was copying! I was pretty bad at colors, so my parents were tensed about the interview. That was the first time I saw Mrs. Balambal, the revered headmistress of primary sections. She seemed friendly and offered me her hand which I promptly shook thinking why not the questions first. I heard that I got 12th rank among the 72 students who took up the exam. Mrs. Balambal said its good but I felt its bad and wanted to do better. Then I answered some names n stuff and finally the dreaded colors! When I saw the things, I was pretty happy, it was only the basic colors. She asked me only the colors but I told her the shapes also. She seemed pleased and admitted me. And thank god they dint have any green stuff then! Also, on that day, my father got me a silver chain, which I refused to wear. I never had a liking for jewellery. So then, he got me a black thread with a ganesh dollar. I wore it till the end of my 11th when I was coaxed to wear a silver chain.
I was in 2H and I remember that they grouped students according to their academics. So, E was the most sought after section. I was pleased to be elected the Class Leader on my first day in a new school. I was not shy of making new friends, and I am willing to take up responsibilities and I guess that helped. I dont remember the name of my class teacher, but I know she was my science teacher as well. I used to be pretty pro-active in class, though I was a bit silent in the week in which the parents used to sit in the class and observe. I never am my best when I am being watched. I remember a few guys from 2nd. To name a few, ramprasad who lived next street to mine and used to come in the same bus, Noor Mohammad - who was the rowdy of the class and somehow I managed to become friendly to him. And ofcourse sakthi kumar, though we dint really become close friends till secondary.
Now, onto some things that happened at home. Since I shifted to a new flat and there were lotsa ppl around my age, it was fun. We used to play together in the evenings. I used to finish my homeworks in the class itself so that I can come back from school and play with them. Boys and girls used to play together and we had quite a nice time. There was RamKumar, who just lived below me and my batch, though he was in hindi section. He was my closest friend for sometime.
I remember that I used to carry all my books and notebooks properly. My sister used to put all the covers for my notebooks and books the day before school opening for a small sum from my mother or a big favor from me. This carried on till the end of my secondary school. I was chided for being such a baby and doing such childish things like covering my notebooks and books, but I was never bothered. I used to be totally careless. Everyday I used to lose something or the other. So much that my mother used to keep track in a notebook about what items I carried to school and back. Even then, I used to lose so many things from pencil boxes to money to notebooks to jackets and umbrellas. My mother was instrumental in making me sincere in my studies. She always made me aware that the end of my primary was the deadline for me to become independent in studying. She used to assist me in all subjects except english in which I used to ask my doubts to my father, whom I thought had a strong command over the language.
Std 1
Std 1: I had become a bully of sorts by then. Used to have paper fights with the 'rogue of the class' and so became quite famous among the quiet and soft guys. I remember that I took part in a dance competition as krishna, with one girl as radha. I forgot her name, but I clearly remember the torture I had to go through that day. I was painted from head to toe with blue paint, given one flute only at the last minute and I was sweating cos of all that. Anywayz, I somehow got to dance and we ended up with some prize, I am not sure if it was first prize. I have a photo of that.
Then comes the sports day. I sure got everything very early in life. That includes knowing my weaknesses too. I was always a very slow eater. Thats one thing I have never been able to master in the first 22 years of my life (dont think its gonna change much hence :P ) Anywayz, we had a running race in the sports day. I got selected for that cos I was a decent runner. But the problem was that on the sports day, we had to run for some distance, eat one banana, drink a glass of milk and then run the remaining distance. I was the first to reach the banana by quite some distance, then took my time to sincerely finish the banana. By the time I looked up, I could find only all the parents in sight giggling at me. Then I heard my mother say, its ok just run the remaining distance. I asked her what about the milk, and everyone else started laughing. So, I just ran the distance and finished obviously first...from the last...
My birthday that year was special. All my uncles attended it and I cut the cake at the stroke of 10am, when I was born. It was something nice. I had got 2 extra packets of chocolates, which me and my cousin deepa alone finished entirely sitting on the roof. And when I came down, I was hating eclairs!
The day my maternal grandfather died is etched in my memory forever. I have never seen my paternal grandparents. Even my sis only vaguely remembers them. All I know about my grandfather was that he used to get me "balpams" whenever I wanted. I used to scribble a lot with those, and I liked them as they are long and like a pencil. He had paralysis for some 3-4 years before. He had a heart attack and was admitted in a serious condition. When the doctors said that he will have only a few hours left, my grandmother opted to bring him home. All this, ofcourse, I was unaware. On the day of my social studies exam, my mother made a routine call in the morning on the way to drop me to school. She told me that her father was in a serious condition, I had a choice either to miss the exam and come with her or to go to school. I asked her whether my cousins will be there. She told me yes and all I was thinking was playing with them and said I wanted to join her. It feels bad thinking about it, but all I did that day was play with all the kids. They called me up to say the final words to him and he blessed me (and somehow only me), though I had forgot what he said. I always feel a bit flustered to be "special". Maybe thats why I am humble. Anywayz, after he died, my sis cried like mad. It was shocking as it was the first time I have seen my bossy sister emotional and crying. I was also there when they took out his eyes to donate, though I could never catch a glimpse of how they actually did it. I thought then that I should also donate my eyes once I am dead, though now, its pretty weak and dont think its worth donating.
Then comes the sports day. I sure got everything very early in life. That includes knowing my weaknesses too. I was always a very slow eater. Thats one thing I have never been able to master in the first 22 years of my life (dont think its gonna change much hence :P ) Anywayz, we had a running race in the sports day. I got selected for that cos I was a decent runner. But the problem was that on the sports day, we had to run for some distance, eat one banana, drink a glass of milk and then run the remaining distance. I was the first to reach the banana by quite some distance, then took my time to sincerely finish the banana. By the time I looked up, I could find only all the parents in sight giggling at me. Then I heard my mother say, its ok just run the remaining distance. I asked her what about the milk, and everyone else started laughing. So, I just ran the distance and finished obviously first...from the last...
My birthday that year was special. All my uncles attended it and I cut the cake at the stroke of 10am, when I was born. It was something nice. I had got 2 extra packets of chocolates, which me and my cousin deepa alone finished entirely sitting on the roof. And when I came down, I was hating eclairs!
The day my maternal grandfather died is etched in my memory forever. I have never seen my paternal grandparents. Even my sis only vaguely remembers them. All I know about my grandfather was that he used to get me "balpams" whenever I wanted. I used to scribble a lot with those, and I liked them as they are long and like a pencil. He had paralysis for some 3-4 years before. He had a heart attack and was admitted in a serious condition. When the doctors said that he will have only a few hours left, my grandmother opted to bring him home. All this, ofcourse, I was unaware. On the day of my social studies exam, my mother made a routine call in the morning on the way to drop me to school. She told me that her father was in a serious condition, I had a choice either to miss the exam and come with her or to go to school. I asked her whether my cousins will be there. She told me yes and all I was thinking was playing with them and said I wanted to join her. It feels bad thinking about it, but all I did that day was play with all the kids. They called me up to say the final words to him and he blessed me (and somehow only me), though I had forgot what he said. I always feel a bit flustered to be "special". Maybe thats why I am humble. Anywayz, after he died, my sis cried like mad. It was shocking as it was the first time I have seen my bossy sister emotional and crying. I was also there when they took out his eyes to donate, though I could never catch a glimpse of how they actually did it. I thought then that I should also donate my eyes once I am dead, though now, its pretty weak and dont think its worth donating.
Kindergarden
LKG : I remember clearly my first day in school. My mother and father prepared me well for the first day long before I stepped into school. But I realise now that they were really anxious. I went into the class filled with kids screaming n crying. I went and sat in some empty desk and was curious as to why the next guy was crying. I remember my mother just sneaking a glance through the window to check on me, and smiled on seeing that I was doing ok. After school, I ran to the gate where my father was the first one standing, and that continued right till the end of my school days!
One more thing I remember about LKG was my birthday. My father had purchased me cadbury's chocolate nuts. I went around distributing to everyone. I offered one to all the aayahs' there and they blessed me saying 'nice kid'. And I always was a nice kid, thanks to their wishes in part.
My routine was that my father picked me up from the school and after coming back home and having lunch, he used to make me liw down with him. But once he slept off, I used to get up and play something or just do something or the other out of curiosity. I learnt to lie also pretty early to cover up my mistakes, but there wasnt one thing that wasnt found out.
I also used to vividly watch the street cricket from the balcony of my house. Except for one coconut tree, I could watch much of the action. I even remember some of the names of the guys who used to play cricket, but I used to think all of them were good in one way or the other. I used to finish my homework in the afternoon when I was supposed to be sleeping so that I can watch the cricket in the evening. If they dint play, I would be really disappointed. My passion for cricket started then. I dint wanna make it big and all that, but I just loved the game.
UKG: I dont remember much apart from the day when we were given some prizes for the previous year. I dint know then that I received the prize from Mr. C. Subramaniam, the former minister for industries, who was a key person in the industrial revolution of India in the 60s. Anywayz, I got my first prize (3 little pigs story book). I remember thinking that the auditorium side entrances to the stage was really cramped cos of all the performers and the list of students to get awards.
One more thing I remember about LKG was my birthday. My father had purchased me cadbury's chocolate nuts. I went around distributing to everyone. I offered one to all the aayahs' there and they blessed me saying 'nice kid'. And I always was a nice kid, thanks to their wishes in part.
My routine was that my father picked me up from the school and after coming back home and having lunch, he used to make me liw down with him. But once he slept off, I used to get up and play something or just do something or the other out of curiosity. I learnt to lie also pretty early to cover up my mistakes, but there wasnt one thing that wasnt found out.
I also used to vividly watch the street cricket from the balcony of my house. Except for one coconut tree, I could watch much of the action. I even remember some of the names of the guys who used to play cricket, but I used to think all of them were good in one way or the other. I used to finish my homework in the afternoon when I was supposed to be sleeping so that I can watch the cricket in the evening. If they dint play, I would be really disappointed. My passion for cricket started then. I dint wanna make it big and all that, but I just loved the game.
UKG: I dont remember much apart from the day when we were given some prizes for the previous year. I dint know then that I received the prize from Mr. C. Subramaniam, the former minister for industries, who was a key person in the industrial revolution of India in the 60s. Anywayz, I got my first prize (3 little pigs story book). I remember thinking that the auditorium side entrances to the stage was really cramped cos of all the performers and the list of students to get awards.
How it all began..
1.5 yrs: Everyday, from when I was 6 months old, my mother used to leave me in my grandmother's place while going to work and got me back from there while coming back. We were in west mambalam, had to walk to the bus stop for 10 mins, then take a bus and go to vadapalani and then walk to the house. On this particular day, I heard my mother saying that the milk man has not come and that she has to ask my uncle to get it from my grandmother's place. So, I wanted to be of help and started out on my venture, taking a brass pot to get milk. I had gone almost near to the bus stop. I had to go thru a small street and I sighted a bullock cart approaching. So, I was standing aside to allow it to pass. And then our milk maid came and lifted me and carried me to the house where everyone was damn anxious and relieved. My curiosity n adventurous nature goes a long way :)
2 yrs: I remember wearing my first safari suit and going for a photo shoot with all my uncles. It was an experience that I dont recall properly, but I got myself photographed in safari as well as pyjamas. I have only the pyjama photo now.
We had to go meet the principal of the school I was to go to. Already people told me so many times about the school that I knew the school name. Also, I was taught some prayers by my father and other things by my mother. I went met the principal. I dont remember her face, but she was nice and offered me a Marie biscuit, which I promptly declined and asked for a brittania. She laughed and gave me two and told my parents that she will admit me in.
2 yrs: I remember wearing my first safari suit and going for a photo shoot with all my uncles. It was an experience that I dont recall properly, but I got myself photographed in safari as well as pyjamas. I have only the pyjama photo now.
We had to go meet the principal of the school I was to go to. Already people told me so many times about the school that I knew the school name. Also, I was taught some prayers by my father and other things by my mother. I went met the principal. I dont remember her face, but she was nice and offered me a Marie biscuit, which I promptly declined and asked for a brittania. She laughed and gave me two and told my parents that she will admit me in.
Down memory lane...
It all feels so fresh in my memory that its hard to believe its been 22 yrs. If you wish to travel down memory lane with me, hold tight, cos its a long journey...
And for clarity and easy navigation, I thought maybe I should split it according to each year..
The chronology based on years is due to Ramprasad's site which I thot was quite convenient to follow.
And yeah, I miss being a kid!
And for clarity and easy navigation, I thought maybe I should split it according to each year..
The chronology based on years is due to Ramprasad's site which I thot was quite convenient to follow.
And yeah, I miss being a kid!
Finally...
If you donno me, im Random Access, aka (RA, Rara, Raja, Raj, Dilip, Rags, Sooper Crack, Sincere Sigamani, Bandage Pandian, Nanu). If you donno me still...just read or escapeets!
From my childhood, there is one thing I wanted to do and failed miserably at (no no, its not abt girls!). I always wanted to keep a dairy. Tried a lot of times, was punctual for a day or two, then wht the heck, god knows where I kept it. Finally managed to create a blog for myself. Nothing assured, but atleast I cant blame my laziness on paper which flew away in the wind or dairy that disappeared mysteriously from the cupboard or file accidentally deleted from the computer.
A couple of resolutions to start with:
1. Never let nothing stop you
2. Always stop at the signal
3. Once you get the green signal, let nothing stop you..
Erm...whatever!
I am sleepy, so forgive me for that. Btw, I got a primitive site at http://www.geocities.com/sooper_crack/ which you might want to check out. Will put something up here when I am saner.
Random Access
The search has just begun !!!
From my childhood, there is one thing I wanted to do and failed miserably at (no no, its not abt girls!). I always wanted to keep a dairy. Tried a lot of times, was punctual for a day or two, then wht the heck, god knows where I kept it. Finally managed to create a blog for myself. Nothing assured, but atleast I cant blame my laziness on paper which flew away in the wind or dairy that disappeared mysteriously from the cupboard or file accidentally deleted from the computer.
A couple of resolutions to start with:
1. Never let nothing stop you
2. Always stop at the signal
3. Once you get the green signal, let nothing stop you..
Erm...whatever!
I am sleepy, so forgive me for that. Btw, I got a primitive site at http://www.geocities.com/sooper_crack/ which you might want to check out. Will put something up here when I am saner.
Random Access
The search has just begun !!!
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