Junctions of Surprises

So many things have happened in the past few months that I had almost lost track of time. Since my lonely days from summer came to a conclusion as September came along, I had actually found new ways to write and finish incomplete poems, thoughts and actions from my past. These past few days have a been a little above average, a little MORE special and memorable indeed. Let's start with Friday, the day when I was eager that I had the chance to finally skip the entire afternoon from school to go and hang out with friends and shoot pool. Somehow, I ended up among the others in the school to watch the assembly which was screening a low budget film about one of the oldest problems of our society- racism. At first blush, it seemed unnecessary, redundant and almost boring until I went from just hearing the audio to listening to the true vibe of the narration. It was actually quite amazing. At the end, I got a chance to meet with the director, Mr. Paul Saltzman. He is an amazing artist who encapsulates an entire problem in our world, with today's time and circumstance and an original way to not only stop this but solve this. My first surprise was the realization that I was having the chance to talk to the mastermind of such a story. The second was to learn how simply he was able to talk about the solutions to the 'apparently' almost-impossible-to-solve kind of problems. My final surprise for that day was when he pulled out his business card and asked me to write for him because he found my interpretation of his message a little bit intriguing I guess. Was it really? I don't know.. But the gesture was enough to get me feeling important and a little more worthy too. The days that followed involved dancing, meeting friends, being sore and finishing up work. This was because it was one of the most hectic yet enjoyable weekends yet. It is 'navratri', the festival of the nine nights of dancing. So, I went to the temple in Richmond Hill with my family to celebrate the third official night but for me, the first night. I didn't actually expect to dance since I was feeling tired prior to walking in the temple but a couple of my friends caught a glimpse of me and insisted on me to dance along so it turned out to be another crazy night again. I didn't know when I would see them again so I decided to seize the moment.. I surprised myself there, that's not very much like me to as spontaneous as I was that day. I guess times have changed me. The next day was resting and working where I accidentally wrote an essay 4X longer than the requested word limit. The teacher was the one who was surprised at this though since she couldn't understand how I had so much to say about community service being a vital role in the educational system.. haha.. And then the Sunday brought the second october again, the Gandhi Jayanti. Incidentally, my cousin decided to invite us over for 'navratri' that night so we went over and joined in on the dancing at his house again since it was his first navratri after getting married earlier this year in July. As Monday came along, I thought the surprises would come to a conclusion but I guess I was just unstoppable since the calculus test surprised me that it actually was easier than I anticipated. I finished early AND got an extra twenty minutes to check over. So, that was a very convenient start to my Monday. But the biggest and most unexpected guest waited for me at home when I returned. I twist the metal key in the lock, twist the doorknob, and push the door and there it was.. on the coffee table! I quickly made my way there and found that the submission that I was complaining about (in my head) to which I thought was futile since I wanted to publish that piece in the publication that my English teacher at school suggested. SURPRISE! I actually got a letter from that online poetry contest and they said they considered my poem as a semi-finalist in the International Open Poetry Contest! I could barely believe what my eyes had just 'claimed' to read. It took me a minute to realize that they weren't deceiving me and it was the truth. So, now I have the shot at winning some prize in this 'World Poetry Movement' and I may have some work which gets published in the hard cover, leather bound publication of 'Stars In Our Hearts'! So, I hope this good luck, good fortune and surprises continue and find their ways from me to one and all as well.

Love,
Devarsh

The Breaking Dawn

I see a ray from the breaking dawn,
I'm no soldier, just a pawn,

Waiting for my way, to pay,
My tribute to the nation that lay,

In the true east, the land of the brave,
When the others feast, some lived only to crave,

The day when the light would disperse,
And a little patriotic voice whispers,

Whispers what our ancestors voiced,
To the flag that flies, the one we hoist,

And the next day when we see something wrong,
We walk on along thinking I'm not strong,

Thinking 'who am I' and 'main hoon kaun',
Without thinking that we are the rays of that breaking dawn,

We have the freedom to right these wrongs,
We are united and so we ARE strong,

And when one thought becomes a nation's goal,
We re-incarnate the flames from the coals,

And when the smoke clears, the pure air comes through,
And it is felt with sacrifices of a few,

Because even the fruits of a tree,
Only come from the barial of ONE seed and its creed,

To be alive and not a slave of our times,
So its time to speak and voice out the mimes,

Because beyond the silence and closed doors,
Lies the cold, hard truth and their inner roars,

And when the efforts are endless but we are gone,
Now, THEY see the rays of this breaking dawn,
I'm no soldier, just a pawn..

-Devarsh Pandya

the coming days..

somewhere along my vacation, I had meandered too far into the unknown and now the time has passed but I am back to blog more.. the remaining prompts of the challenge will be coming up soon

Day 17: Something To Look Forward To

I am one of those that tries to be welcoming to the time that is to come and the challenges and events it presents to me in its foreign ways. But if there is something that I am very eagerly looking forward to, it would be my education. One word, ENGINEERING!

Devarsh

Day 16: Dream House

There's always some sort of characteristics that we would like with our 'ideal' car or 'ideal' house or 'ideal' lifestyle. Surprisingly, I have a vivid picture of the house of my dreams. It would definitely have many unique yet welcoming characteristics. The roof for one, would be circular and the house would have several skylights. The house would be located on an elevated piece of land, maybe a hill or cliff type setting. It would have many trees around it since I'd love to have the feeling of escaping from the cities of chaos. But if I were to pick one picture from the previous list that entails my ideal house. It may look very much like this..

Day 15: Bible Verse?

Let's start with a minor issue that I have here, I'm not a christian. Nor am I one to know the verses of the bible but I do know some from my hindu scripture. It is from the 'bhagvad gita', the translated version states 'Of sacrifices, that sacrifice performed according to duty and to scriptural rules, and with no expectation of reward, is of the nature of goodness.' The true meaning does hold the integrity to a certain level and as we live our lives, we learn what we truly mean by saying this, learning this and following this.

Devarsh

Day 14: A Picture From A Year Ago

This is what I was.. a year ago. Can't say too much.. its been much the same, not too much difference (i think).

Day 13: Goals

I set all sorts of varied goals for myself to build experiences and events in my life that will please me when I achieve them. Unlike most people, I don't put it down on a timeline but I have a mental framework of where I began, where I am and where I want to be by the end of the time interval. For example, I have a goal of staying fit and in a decent shape. This goal really doesn't have a time interval, it's a recurring goal and so I break it down to what my workout or training should be like and how often I should do it. I guess I HAVE to be specific in my goals or I don't feel motivated to do it because I don't quite see what or how it will help me in the future. I have a goal to become an Energy Systems Engineer and work for the government or a private company which works with the government too. Apart from educational/proffessional goals, I also want to travel with my friends. I have a goal to travel parts of the world with my friends and choose a dangerous sport or themed activity of our choice and the others HAVE to follow along!

I shall take your leave now, gotta work on these goals!
Devarsh

Day 12: Something I Dont Leave My House WIthout

There's always the usual.. wallet, keys, proper aesthetics and oh yeah clothes ;)
I guess the one important thing that I do not leave without is my 'survival and common sense'. The one thing that keeps me alive and going everyday, the one thing that is not very common, the 'common sense'. Oh and I guess I don`t leave without my driver`s license anymore either.. catch me on the streets ;D

Devarsh

Day 11: Favorite TV Shows

Some people that know me, KNOW that I'm not one who likes to watch soap operas or stories like such. I am not a very patient or dedicated viewer in that respect. Television has been a part of our lives since a very young age. We were the pioneers of the information age and the television was and IS a very prominent part of our media. When I was a young child, I watched the animated cartoon adventures of mickey mouse and the other pioneers of Disney. They taught us many things from behind that CRT tube.

However, when I do kick back now to watch some television, I try and find some reality TV shows. I know that some of them might be rigged and what not but at the end of the day, they entertain me enough to be able to walk away with a laugh or a smile. I also like to watch competition shows or quiz shows like I used to watch Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire when they were aired on. Today, the reality TV shows have changed with time and now some of my new favorites are Cash Cab, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, Wipeout and Minute To Win It!

Perhaps these shows trigger somethings in my unconscious where I think and wonder, how would I deal with situations or circumstances such as these? How would I celebrate if I won that amount of money? What would I do with that money and wealth and opportunities? When I think about it.. it feels like life is short and if I cant experience all of these 'what if's, I can at least pursue that ONE thing that I love and make the most of what I have.. today!

We'll be back tomorrow, same time, same channel, with your host ;D
Devarsh

Day 10: A Fear

I'd love to end this post with one simple phrase 'I don't live with any fears'. But I know what it feels like to say that, it feels like you're living a lie. I am afraid of only one wretched sin. Stealing. I have learned about what this sin really is about and I live in a world where I am afraid that almost everyone is a part of it in one way or another (including myself). Stealing is not as materialistic as you may think. When one lies, it is stealing. When one kills, it is stealing. And so on..

When one lies, they are stealing the truth from the others. They are stealing their right to the truth. Similarly, when one kills, they steal a person from another. An unbounded list of relations can be mentioned here; a mother to a son, a son to a father, a grand child to a grandparent and so many other roles that people portray in their lives and that sin steals all that one could have ever meant to the people that knew him or her. But this is also a part of life, we live with it. We accept some parts of it, and wish for the betterment of everyone while we live through these events. And fortunately, life is a process (NOT an event). This allows for points in time when we learn from failures and experience some points in time when we feel as if we've been through this once and THAT is the second chance that you've wished for.

So, even though I live with this fear of a sin. I live by it to accept the reality and learn from the events in life that shape me and help me realize my potential bit by bit. Even though, we learn and think that we have an approximation of our potential every now and then but just when we try our luck, we find that our potential is unbounded.. unfortunately, until we bound ourselves. So, I pray that we live with a carefree and persistent attitude which will fuel every event that you have ever wished for.

Salutations,
Devarsh

Day 9: A Favorite Picture Of My Best Friend

I have to apologize for today's post, I am a little late due to some exciting things that went through today. Anyway, back to the topic.



Those two words 'best friend' bring many names and faces that fit the very definition. But if I'm told to choose one, I would never be able to pick only one because life has taught me that time will bring us closer to some people in some times and far from some at another time. It's a natural way of things where we find new interests and hobbies and meet others who enjoy them with us and then we find other responsibilities and THAT brings us closer to some others. In any case, there are always people that will be by your side. To help you, guide you, comfort you and sometimes if you are as blessed as I have been, they'll believe in you! For me, these are the true messengers of the almighty. When one person in your life is blinded to see what you see, another is by your side to stand by. I have met many people over the course of these seventeen years and though I haven't been able to learn TOO much, I do know that expressing the feelings in one's hearts that you feel IN that moment, that present, is vital! It is much easier said than done so I use whatever skill I have in writing poetry to convey that and almost every person that I've come across that has become an endeared part of my memories has become my inspiration and motivation to explore my imaginary world and wind new phrases like streamers and that strung with diction like jewels on it. And when I read it out to the person that it is meant for and when they accept it, that gratitude I feel breathes the life into it and then it lives forevermore. So, this goes out to all the amazing people that have accepted me in their lives and allowed me to introduce them in my reality as well. Thank you.

Yours,
Devarsh

Day 8: A Place I've Traveled To

Today's prompt is quite an amusing one for me. I love travelling and have had the privilege to travel a little in my life so far. I used to live in a city called Mumbai in India and grew up there till grade four. I had the chance to take a vacation to the united states from there for a month and who knew that THAT would be the start of something beautiful in my life?

The Air India A870 flight took off from Sahara Airport and I remember my grinning face's reflection against the window. I had never sat in anything this big, not even a roller-coaster that resembled it. I thought of all the other trips I had taken in India as the pilots and the crew got prepared for the flight and as the videos for fastening seat belts looped over and over again on the screen in front of my eyes. All the other trips involved a jeep and me sitting beside a window seat or a seat near the back of the jeep. As I recalled, it was almost always dark when we travelled and I had started to believe that it was some sort of custom, but I enjoyed travelling in the dark. So, there I was, lost in memories until I saw the outside of brightly-lit Mumbai started to move around me. The airplane moved slowly but surely, turned and then sped up like an angry leopard! I had never experienced such speed, such an exhiliration in my life, the entire aircraft was at an incline before I knew it and I was watching the city like a little bird. The incandescent lights looked like beads of gold making up an enormous necklace and then there were the special reds, greens and blue lights around the city as well.. by themselves.

I barely slept through that flight. The entire airplane seemed so BIG to me. I would walk around every so often. I even went upstairs to check out the second floor of seats. They looked a bit more cramped though. So, I went to the front of the airplane.. near the entrance and when I thought nobody was looking, I even peeked into the business class. It looked so much better! I couldn't believe it. I think I even asked my mom 'how come all the fat people get the better seats?!' haha.. Sometimes, I wonder where that child went.. I feel as if he might not be a part of me anymore.

Anyway, I reached Chicago's Airport and saw my dad after what seemed to be ages! We were seeing each other after two years. It was a perfectly bollywood, filmy scene.. my sister and I ran up to him and then he hugged us and then took the bags from my mom and hugged her too. And that day I learned, you dont value the things you have until you lose them! It was a beautiful moment, we had rented an apartment in front of a public school in Wisconsin. That was where my dad worked at the time. I would go out to the public school's park during recess and the teachers would let me play with their soccer balls and marbles and things. Even though the kids weren't as eager to play with me, I somehow learned a few things about them.. somehow. I remember the first day when I went out to 'explore' the school, the teachers saw me and called me over if I wanted something to play with.. I was too shy to ask but I stayed around on the swings. When the bell went off, I was making my way back to my apartment and they called out to me and then I told them that I wasn't even part of the school. They laughed and said I was welcome to come by anytime. As I was leaving again, I was waiting at a red light and a lady's car pulled up beside me and asked 'Don't you have school, young man?' I replied with the hardest Indian accent and whatever little English I knew at the time 'I am on vacation' I don't think she believed me but she left anyway.

During that month, my dad would come home every day and even though he would be tired from work. He would have a cup of tea and be ready to take us out since we had been at home for the entire day. He took us out to the waterpark called 'Noah's Ark' and the amusement park 'Six Flags' and many many other places. Over the time, I had started picking up on English and had started saying 'ya' instead of 'yes' quiet comfortably. The teachers in India didn't like that when I had returned. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to stay too long. I returned to Utah after in another year and explored the states again with my family and then we flew to New Jersey. We lived in Heightstown for a year and I did my grade 5 there. Then we flew to Canada =) But out of all these travels, I loved the one to Chicago and Wisconsin.. it will always put a smile on my face as I recall it and deep into the waves of nostalgia.

-Devarsh Pandya

Day 007: Favorite Movie

Movies are one of the modern alternatives of story telling. Stories teach us so many different things in life; things we may not learn from books but only by experiences. So, these experiences of characters wind up in situations that teach us the essentials for life. The reason I love the movies of today is because it shows us an image of OUR OWN true potential and when we see someone or something we are passionate about, we applaud it and call it a classic or simply amazing cinema.

Today, I'd like to share some of my favorites and they are usually action thrillers or sometimes comedies too. Some of my favorites are from both english and indian cinema. The Indian movies that I have come across are Sholay, Lakshya, Black, Jodhaa Akbar, and recently Guzaarish. Some of the english films that I've loved over the years are Titanic, The Star Wars Series, Transformers (Both.. I have yet to catch the third one), 007 Golden Eye and 007 Casino Royale, the Harry Potter series and the X-men Series and the Hangover. There must be so many more that I've liked but these are the ones that stay highlighted in my mind.

That's all folks,
-Devarsh Pandya

Day 6: Picture That Makes Me Happy

It's the fact that we accept that even when we conquer some facets of our lives, we will find new mountains to climb and in this journey where we aim to conquer ourselves!

Day 5: Song To Match Mood

akon one more time mp3 | lyrics

free music downloads | music videos | pictures

This song's lyrics speak my mind at the time. It's putting me in a good mood while I'm at this stage where I'm relaxing on a starry summer night :D

-Devarsh Pandya

Delayed Day 4: Parents

If anyone ever asks me if I have seen gods, I would definitely say yes! The two people that have created my universe are the very definition of gods and goddesses. It may sound very strange to hear such things about one's parents at an age interval that I am in. However, I've noticed that sometimes people take too long to express their affection and love for another. This may lead to some misunderstandings but more importantly, there is NO reason to hesitate. Because if we don't live in the present, we can never be grateful enough for what we have and never be in a state to be eager for the tomorrow that is to approach.

Since 1993, my parents have been looking after my brown behind and today I get to thank them for a lot of what they've done through the means of this post. It's obvious that no matter how much I thank them, it'll never be enough. It's like lighting a lamp in front of the Sun! It may sound like an ideal parent to child relationship, and when I sit back and watch the stills of life flip through in my mind.. it IS! When you remember the details, there are arguments, disagreements and some difference of opinions. It's like watching an artist start to paint, when you see the strokes, it may be strange and foreign but when you watch it in the end, its all one piece of beauty.

My parents have come from very interesting backgrounds and have lived a phenomenal life till date. My mother comes from a very rich family and her great grandfather lived beside my father's house when he was a child. They knew each other since they were children but never really talked or interacted. My father came from a family of farmers and a very economically unstable background. His father (my grandfather) had started the revolution in the family by becoming a teacher and his wife joined him as well in the same profession. My father continued the revolution and left for university at an age of 14 years. He lived in a hostel in Bombay and lived off of a couple of bread slices and a cup of tea for food during the weekends when the hostel didn't serve food.

He lived through by tutoring students younger than him and studying for his own exams at the same time. His life wasn't as smooth as mine and he never took any money from his parents after he had moved out. He says, 'it was all a big learning experience'. He got married, finished his education and then got a job to start off the family. My mother is also an amazing personality, I've never met such a tremendous women who can fit the roles of a wife, mother and many more for the society that we live in. She was from a family of rich people in western India but never complained about the economic conditions she faced in the earlier years of their marriage. She always ensured that she respected every elder, every guest and basically every person that came to our house and greeted them with whatever we had to offer.

After living these years in India, the states and Canada, I've learned a lot about different people and their relationships. If there is one thing that my parents do an excellent job in, its complimenting each other. I don't mean the praises and empty 'love you's but its what they demonstrate. If my mother sits back, my father would lead and then my mother would back him up by helping him make the decision. Along with the other morals like respect and humility, they show that a relationship is supposed to be complimentary and so the man and the woman aren't equal in the same respects at all because they are completely different. So, they aren't supposed to compete but instead overlap their strengths and weaknesses in a way where if one is weak, the other will step up and protect both of them and so when they are together, they are one powerful character!

And I've been a witness of this for the seventeen years that I've lived and who wouldn't want to have a god and goddess as their parents, their mentors, their role models?!

-Jr.Pandya

Day 3: First Love

I'm a believer of two beautiful words: 'one love'. I've been told that life cant be THAT ideal and sometimes you may just have to get in some relationships before you finally know that 'she's the one'. However, I think a little differently because I have always believed that our heart will recognize the person and then the moments will unfold slowly from there. People have said that 'love' is something you can never be prepared for in any way because you will probably find it where you least expect it.

I've never really paid attention to these relationships because I never saw any need for them but if I felt the need for some serious relationship, I would follow something I have read from a book of Deepak Chopra. There is a story of a man who wants to live a very happy and prosperous life. He goes to his spiritual master and asks him for advice. The master tells him that there are two goddesses that reside within every human and the human is immensely in love with both of them. One is the goddess of wealth, 'Lakshmi' and the goddess of knowledge, 'Saraswati'. The master tells him to pay all of his attention to the goddess of knowledge because if he has knowledge, he will have power to live the abundant life that he seeks. He says that if you pray and devote yourself to Saraswati, Lakshmi will then be jealous and follow you around to gain more of your attention. The moral of the story was to say that knowledge is power but what I took away from the story was a little bit more than that. I saw that the person that I will admire and genuinely love will be the embodiment of the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. So, with this master plan haha.. we shall achieve our first and last love. In two simple words, 'one love'!

Love ;D
Devarsh

Day 2: the meaning behind the name of the blog

'My Life & Times', a perfect title for a place that I call home. A
place where everything is in perspective. A place that isn't bound by
people but by timeless thoughts that surface to my mind. This is the
meaning behind my blog and so let it be said and let it be done, the
official re-opening of my blog with a formal welcome to everyone.

The 30 Day Challenge!

I'm not the type of person that gets intimidated by challenges so when I came across the 30 day blog challenge, I knew in my mind that I WAS going to do it. Thanks to that person, I will be blogging more often now and hopefully be hooked to blogging for a long stretch before school officially starts again.

So, here we go:
Day 1: I am about to introduce myself formally and present a recent picture of myself along with 15 interesting facts.



This is probably one of the most recent pictures as I looked 'presentable' for the occasion here haha.. I am a 17 year old Canadian who plans to pursue a career in Energy Systems Engineering (one line description.. amazing!)

NUMERO UNO: I am an Indian by origin and birth. However, I do have a dual citizenship of both India and Canada so I am a proud Indo-Canadian haha

2. I am a Hindu by religion and part of a family of 'brahmins'; these group of individuals were part of the highest respect in the social hierarchy back in the day. Obviously, I am against any such discrimination but this entails that I have a certain role in the society and it used to be that I would be the successors of the priests and spiritual leaders of the society. However, the world has grown and now allows for opportunities to many more people to do many more things that they please. BUT, there is one thing that I follow as a brahmin, and it is to pray, and commit myself as a vegetarian and one that will never drink any form of alcohol to intoxicate this body temple that has been granted to us.

3. I love to travel. I have lived in two cities of India and three cities of the United States before coming to Canada and I feel like I'm just getting started because there are so many wonderful places and people to discover.

4. I love to listen to 'bhangra' music, it is played by traditional punjabi artists and has an intense drum beat and a dance that goes along with it. That being said, I also enjoy many different forms of music that I have come across as I have traveled. I have listened to classical music of Chopin to country music of Mr. Brad Paisley to my recent introduction to the many Korean music artists.

5. I do not like taking pictures. It's one weird fact but its the truth. I believe in taking pictures with the mind's eyes.

6. I love to write poetry and I'd love to try and get one of my pieces published someday.

7. I mentioned earlier that I am a Hindu by religion but if there is anything else that I believe in, it is potential of one's thoughts and how we have it within us to bring about the change that we seek.

8. When it comes to learning, I am an audio-visual learner. I can learn things very quickly if someone tells me or shows me how its done and maybe that's why I love to try to sing and dance whenever people try to teach me (they end up leaving after the first attempt to teach me haha)

9. I am a fashion disaster. This is why I look to find artistic people around me to shop with so they can suggest clothes for me so I don't look like a clown on the street.

10. I have learned some Tae-Kwon-Do when I was back in India but I'd love to continue learning karate and judo someday. While I'm at home, I try and make sure that I don't loose whatever shape I have haha..

11. I want to have a car, motorcycle, airplane, boat and a gun license.. someday!

12. I love to play sports. Some of my favorites are: Cricket, Basketball, Badminton and Tennis. Someday, I want to play all the others that I have yet to prance upon.

13. I choose friends that fill up the wide and varied spectrum of the 'type' of people I have met and learned about. So, I like to meet new people and learn from one and all so I can be a well rounded individual.

14. This one is very important.. in this day and age! I love women!!

15. This one is the one that keeps me going for every day, 'Whatever I do, I do it with the best of my ability'. 'I will never do anything for which I have to hide'. This last one is the one that I have understood very recently, 'there are no such things as failures, because these occurrences are the ones that hold the seeds of success'. This moral is helping me create affluence and abundance in my life everyday to live and look ahead beyond this materialism to the truth that beats inside everyone's hearts; to be happy.. and THAT is the goal in life.

So, THAT was day one of this tremendous challenge that I've taken on. I'll be back tomorrow with more..

My love to one and all,
-Devarsh Pandya

The Day Before Prom!

How much time do you need to encase a good dance and a party? How about six hours? My first and last prom will be six hours in length and I am going to attend it to celebrate. To celebrate not only the final year but the years of hard work that led up to it. Also, to celebrate with the people that I've worked with and cherished memories that reside and resonate close to our hearts. I asked a lot of people about their opinion on prom; should I go to prom? The first yes led to all the questions that prevailed..

With friends or date? Should I buy a suit or a tux? Should I wear a Windsor tie or a bow tie? Should I buy dress shoes or POINTY dress shoes? Should I wear my glasses or contacts? Should I wear a white dress shirt and risk looking like a waiter or wear a light pink dress shirt and risk matching with people I don't even know?

I stopped after a bit of this craziness and asked myself.. Was I picking the greater good? or the lesser of two evils?! Then again, I was asking myself yet ANOTHER question, wasn't I? The truth is, I have no idea what I am picking for myself. Not only for prom, but even for the time that is to come. I feel oblivious even after 12 grades of greatness, my mind still wonders, do I know enough to take on this world?
So then, there is one way to take a break here, to distract myself for a bit to prepare for prom as the subconscious thinks up an appropriate explanation and solution to this drowning dilemma.

A Reason To Rejoice, A Reality To Realize.

Today has been a very historic day of my life. I have come to a very strong realization. This time has also convinced me that in order to achieve true righteousness, and chase the world's vast boundaries to explore. You must understand the enormity of the fortunate lives we live today. And the fortunate nature of the people's nature and considerate courtesy. Let me try and lead you into this zone that I have been exploring in my mind.I understand that the past sometimes seems to have been so much different from what we live by in the present. I have been thinking deeply about this feeling and I've come to realize that the reality is actually closer to all these experiences than we have ever interpreted it to be. I have come by this same junction during my journey over the past few weeks. In this expedition of my life, I walk by different people, places and notice that most people feel a 'difference of love' if you will, for one person compared to another. Sometimes because one is 'related' to us in a form of our parents, or children, our siblings or cousins, our spouses and, our uncles or nephews, or aunts or nieces. The truth that I feel is that the relationship between you and that person is an infinite bond that always existed but has either been reinforced because you have recognized them yet again through a 'relation' in this realm of our reality OR is hidden under the dust of doubt and uncertainty. But genuinely, I now feel that I am just as 'related' to the lady that smiles at me when I walk by the bus stop, as I am related to my own mother! If the people of this world would believe this.. even as some sort of 'scientific proven constant', the world would be a completely different place. The love that you hold for one would be almost the same if not the same for another. THIS is my dream! To establish this belief in hearts that love human nature or humanity as a whole. Think it through and imagine it, and focus on the enormity of the change and revolution we will bring! The world we can live in.. for the love of the universe!

I walk through the building and feel the fatigue already. I didn't have any major assignment, lab or exam but I felt it coming. I felt like an animal getting ready for the insinuated change that was about to come from a natural calamity. So, here are the lines that run through my head today as I sit and study.

Its almost like its Friday, but I don't feel any better,
Like I'm stuck in a message, within a letter,
'Cause its crunch time, time to absorb and condense,
Like the water cycle except I'm stressed and tense,
Just waiting for the paper so I can slap it down,
everything BUT the nonsense,

And then I see a problem I don't understand,
I look at the time and watch the second hand,
Time escaping like never before,
And it feels so coveted because it determines,
my future, for evermore...

I wish I could end this entry but my brain is taking over and saying 'All systems are shutting down' so I'll take your leave today and return with new thoughts later.

26/2/11

In these days of overload and work, sometimes I find myself giving up on the small things in life. I kid myself that they aren't as important and that I'll have time for them at some other point in time. But today, I question myself? Will I have time tomorrow? Who knows what 'tomorrow' holds for us. It could be worse and it definitely could be better as well. Even among all the dilemmas, I keep one thing with me that I have learned from many of my friends, and family. That is to keep hope because hope is the willingness to want that hunger within oneself to strive for more. To commit to something impossible. To fight fears and live life to YOUR fullest because you deserve it! So, here are some lines that have summarized my mindframe at the time.

I feel like a teardrop escaping an eye,
Leaving the world of worries, saying goodbye,
To all I endear, complaining why o why,
Can't I just keep it inside and cry,
Put a curtain on it and spit a lie,
But my heart keeps goin' without a sigh,
Its persistent, saying 'the least I can do is try',

To believe and dream for a ray of light,
Keep praying and build faith and might,
So I can get closer to myself and take the ideal flight,
Cuz I'm done with the wrongs, its my time to do it right,
I see my vision, my journey, myself as a kite,
Defiant against a sight at this height,
I soar the clouds but fear the plight,

But I meditate, and pray for a way to my will,
Cuz if I can't live, I don't want to kill,
Myself in this world of moving stills,
I want to climb that mountain, but I'm gonna stand on this hill,
Take a break, and skip pebbles through this rill,
I don't care, I'll face consequences, I'll pay the bills,
But I'm crushing my fear through the mills,
And re-focus, re-gain and redeem and fill,
My veins with elixirs of hope with these pills,

And then the lights shudder and haze,
I thought it was my end, my last phaze,
My days were over but I was dazed,
By my own presence and faith, when I raised,
From my dis-ease and found the keys,
To my fortune of having a future to seize,
To work until I can melt and freeze,
Till its time to shine, when we glide like the breeze.

-Devarsh Pandya

The Super Sammy!

Today is a day that belongs to a very special friend that I've met. She is one of the smartest and most entertaining friends that I've ever
had, this one's for you Ms. Lo.

When I first found out about you,
I could barely force myself to,
Realize that you're the young lady with the reach of an adult who,
Had the coherent linear thoughts with the twist of creativity,
The virtuous nature of a genuine personality,

I bid you an auspicious new beginning from here,
So mark this day and celebrate this new year,
'Cause these moments shall be memories,
So find a place to keep them and a place to bury,
The fears, the uncertainties and worry,

'Cause you'll always have us with you,
In different shapes, and forms, some unreal, some true,
But when its Friday, we'll hit Starbucks with you,
To brew another time, another mission with our crew,
But when the future comes,
I'm sure you'll be going places,
But I'll find you and your traces,
Maybe in L.A., maybe even miami!
But I'll come around to say 'Happy birthday Sammy!'

I hope you have an amazing day and I wish that my wishes be yours for today. Happy Birthday Sammy :D

My Golden Brown Buddy

He's been around for as long as I can remember throughout my high school career.
He has taught me much through these years and our relationship has grown closer and stronger from acquaintances to friends and now.. almost brothers?! Haha I would be more than fortunate to have a brother like him. So, to my just-turned-elder, Mr. Kenneth Kwok, I hope you had an awesome day and here are a few lines to shine some light on those memories we have cherished.

The circuit in his body is filled with just one code,
To keep workin' even with all the load,
He can take the pressure, its my anti-node,
He's ready to strike big, he's in his mode,

He says its time to do it right,
With all I have, all my might,
I gotta keep faith and patience,
Uniting to bring change in relation,

For the singer that makes rockband look like a game,
So I hum this poem cuz its fresh and not the same,

Its my track don't change the station,
Pump it up louder, gotta rock this nation,

Keep crackin' them jokes that are THAT lame,
I feel like I'm goin' wild and I'm losin' my tame,

Cuz he don't rise above until he's done thinkin'
He's the type of the guy that just keeps it in,
Let's his soul bleed on a secret parchment that,
Only he could be readin'
But now that we're happy, I'll be greetin',

All the people that smile for another beginnin',
They say that failures are just lessons in life,
Overlookin' experiences and cutting through strife,

Hopin' for hope and livin' to live,
Its your birthday, but you still have presents to give,
Teachin' me to live, forget and forgive,
I'm glad I have a brother to have around,
So on your day, I want you to live as the king that gets crowned!

-Devarsh