The Mystical Unicorn

The do's and don't's of surviving homesickness: first of all and most importantly, do not allow yourself self-pity do keep your mind occupied at all times. In the shower, when you get time to "reflect," count the seconds or sing very, very loudly. Just before going to sleep, cuddle a soft toy and list all the things you're going to do the next day. During meals, just as your eyes lose focus and your mind sinks into deep thought, snap out of it! Count the number of grains of rice if you must. Watch anime, T.V. or even read a textbook. do not allow yourself the time to think stay busy, if you can't man up and suck it in - go shopping, visit friends, solve puzzles watch pointless sitcoms, visit family, sleep through it, obsessively unpack, arrange, rearrange and clean your room... do keep hydrated and well-fed do not eat your emotions do draw, paint, craft, sculpt, play an instrument, go to the gym, lose yourself in instagram, Facebook, Vine, Wattpad

My Moving-Out-and-Into-Hostel list of bare and not-so-bare necessities for college and hostel. In order of proximity: 1.       Laptop, mouse, pen drive, dongle, bag 2.      At least  2 bed sheet + pillowcase + blanket sets 3.       Multiple rough books 4.       Purse with zipper 5.       Cell phone and paraphernalia 6.      Soft toys 7.       Multiple water bottles (I quote my mother, “Just take it! Don't ask me why. I'll tell you why: because I say so.” 8.       Mug + bowl + small plate + big plate set 9.       Body soap 10.    Tooth paste 11.    Dental floss 12.    Tooth brush 13.    Hold-all or (queen of jugaad) vertical box 14.    DIY  tiara 15.    Key chains 16.    Face wash 17.    Stapler + pins 18.    Punching machine 19.    Geometry box 20.    Box of pencils 21.    I nk pens 22.    Ink bottle 23.    Ruler 24.    Box of erasers, sharpeners 25.    A pair of scissors 26.    Envelopes 27.    Index cards 28.    Chewing gum 29.    Tic-tac 30.

This summer has been riddled with visits from cousins, visits to cousins, visits with cousins to other cousins.. and I actually enjoyed it! For the past twelve years I have been under the impression that all my cousins are total dweebs, save for one, who I thought a dweeb as well, but not to the extent of the rest. It is somewhat true, but when and how did I ever get the idea that I  am not one, as well? In retrospect, it seems I have actually been a jerk! I have been surprised multiple times in the past two months, by the coolness of the people around me, and my lack thereof, in dealing with them. For instance, someone I thought was a frenemy is in fact a wonderful, gracious person, and a sincere friend. My cousin who made an ass of himself years back, is a skilled artist, and fun person. Another cousin broke out of his shell, subsequently breaking mine, and we bonded over a family dinner. My little cousin sister reminded me of the importance of guardian angels in our lives, a s

A quick disclaimer before I begin: I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID TO DO THIS Now. In my family, a sizeable chunk of conversation revolves around the book(s) each one of us is reading. For instance, my father hooked us onto The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande a few months back. (http://atulgawande.com/book/the-checklist-manifesto/) It's amazing! For instance, Dr. Gawande draws similarities between ER surgeons and rock stars based on their all-important time-saving resource-saving practical and all-encompassing checklists. It grips you from the first page. Dr. Gawande narrates a real-life ER incidence when a Halloween party gone woefully wrong reulted in a youth being stabbed in the stomach. the doctors fixed him up, or so they thought, until complicatins arose. so they wondered what went wrong, when they realized nobody asked the patient what he got stabbed with. A simple human error - easily prevented by the use of a checklist. Hence my List. (http://themysticalunicorn.blogspot.in

1. Sundresses 2. Big floppy hats 3. Clear skin 4. Reduced appetite 5. So much free time 6. POPSICLES!!!!!! 7. Beach vacations 8. Family time (like it or not, you can't escape them ;) ) 9. Frozen yogurt 10. T.V.

Chemistry is jinxed, said i To indifferent heavens above And exited the exam hall Ready to die, but not cry Wasted tears over my fall From grace.  A subject i used to love, But now hate Haunts my dreams Each sleepless night. I'm unraveling at the seams Incapable of a fight "Chemistry is jinxed," said I; Well, shame on me For was it not I That failed to see The consequences of neglect And lethargy?

The knowledge that I am an innocent, unassuming and naive young girl in a country that doesn't give a shit whether or not i bleed to death chills me to the bones. I am not safe; i am terribly outnumbered and vulnerable, just as all the girls i know, are. No cellphone, pocketknife, pepperspray or even a healthy pair of lungs could aid me. In such a situation, should I fight or run? Should I live an anxious, paranoid terrified life in this moral graveyard of a country or should i flee - to America, the land of the free and the home of the brave - my country...

Like a crazed slinky, Time is pitching forward and surging back. Just eight days now, for my last paper, but eight long, long days until my birthday. Based on the perspective you adopt, Time is either flying away, faster than the speed of thought, or crawling along, inching slowly, so slowly, at the pace of the dust that gathers in an old, abandoned house. Father Time has either lost his mind, or is doing drugs. Every morning, though, the calendar tells me that the Earth is rotating just as it is supposed to, that the Universe is alright, and that today is a brand new day to be productive. However, that is not reassuring, because it means it must be me - I  must have lost my mind, and during my Boards  at that.

A magnificent striped predator Walks silently, head held high Its quick tail twitches. Surrender Dear deer, it is your time to die Hail to the Lord of the Sunderbans Hail to the Pride of India Hail to the endangered one King of Bengal Executioner of all Hail to the proud tiger Hail to the mighty tiger Hail. All hail to the dying tiger

Nature is not a work of art Nature is art itself The beautiful golden sunset The vast blue sky The coal black fur on my pet The wings of a butterfly Cloudy skies at dusk Silver rippling water The sheen of an ivory tusk The beauty of a child’s laughter A clear, starry night The bright white moon A hummingbird in flight A rose in full bloom Beauty doesn’t reach you because Ignorance acts like a boulder All of the world’s beauty Is in the eyes of the beholder

I miss when our teachers held our hands and led the way When they showed us what to do and had good things to say Instead of the disappointment now that they can’t even express And their pain and anger and apathy and distress Thanks to our thick skins and thick skulls and indolence Is it too late? Have we crossed a line? Is there a way to fix it, to somehow make it fine? It IS only just July, we still have time We can still get our act together and make them proud When the results are out, we can all shout out loud WE DID IT WE FREAKIN’ DID IT!!

Not many people know about this, because, well, I've been embarrassed to admit the ambition of some of the things on this List. Yes, List. not list, because it's important to me. But I was told, "Shame is a wasted emotion," so here goes. My List, for the whole world to see and judge me by: 1. Make moleskine notebooks 2. Farewell gifts for friends 3. The Project Airship: sky-high study centre cum readery 4. Flash mob at Prozone in shorts  invalid 5. Sleepovers 6. Blog 7. Youtube channel (URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/projectcctv) 8. Help people of Padali 9. Get back in shape - strong is the new skinny 10. Comic bottles, bookmarks 11. Design graphic tees 12. Sell fashion collection 13. Make Aurangabad skirt-safe 14. "Gift your baby girl a toy car" campaign 15. Break gender stereotypes: ride a motorcycle, wear guy clothes, no more tight pants!! 16. "Have a baby, plant a tree" campaign 17. Picnic in a tree 18. End the Barbie, cel

The Board exams in India are a rite of passage. They are long-drawn pseudo-ceremonial processes of initiation; as much a personal or even family affair as a community affair. The board exams are the “Ah…” moments at get-togethers; mention of a family member or friend’s imminent Boards are effective ice-breakers. First, there is a thorough discussion of the pattern, portion and latest news about the government’s latest rules and regulations about it. Thence follows the barrage of unsolicited advice, the war stories, the glorious successes... The shameful failures remain unspoken, and to fill the awkward silence that ensues, the topic of stress, pressure, trauma etc are touched upon. But that is not all. At re-reunions, there is yet more left to be discussed about the Boards. The student in the host family is subject to intense humiliation at the hands of his/her own parents (Et tu, Brute?) and stands there, hands in ever-shrinking pant-pockets, head hung low with shame and unspo

I know I'm totally rambling right now, but "Hey guys" is like my catchphrase. It's the first think i say in every one of my videos, the first thing i type in my conversational posts, and i am starting to get sick of it, just a tiny bit. In other news, I have had a generally productive week-after-exams: March 21   my birthday. FUN! March 22   road trip. Bought 22 books!!! March 23   mom's birthday. Ate out, watched a movie.. also fun! March 24   Finished Anna Karenina, Let It Snow, started this blog March 25   Started Youtube channel (Project CCTV), found hidden books, started writing! So far, I am sort of happy with my progress.. That's it until tonight. Cheers!

It is winter in this city and winter in my heart As gusty winds of despair wail through its cracks I try, with frigid futility, to stoke the fires Of rage and passion, but my heart is frozen over No happy ember of enthusiasm Nor warm embrace of empathy Could melt the glaciers of gloom trickling slowly through my veins Chilling my bones and I drag my feet One step ahead of the last Failing miserably to get anywhere But they say the least I can do is try Try to move, try to see Beyond this fog of lethargy Before it swallows me whole And while my extremities thaw I will have melted into the mediocrity And insignificance of oblivion Rescue me o happy innocence of childhood Turn to molten chocolate the blades of ice that threaten to pierce my heart Keep me young and strong And foolish and productive Keep me going Help me fight my battle against my own inactivity Before it is too late And my life ends before it had even begun

Castles in air are made of glass Mine are plummeting to the earth Minutes away from A tragic but beautiful explosion Of light and shards of broken dreams Burning holes in the eyes Of those who chose to watch Ripping to shreds the hearts Of those who could not Punishing them for their misplaced faith In time and effort And me It is too late now I cannot prevent the descent of my dreams Nor alleviate the pain of those who care If my own heart aches far worse than I can bear The walls of ice in my heart are cracking Under pressure from a river of tears Crushed under the weight of sorrow And miserable, stupid regret No; I cannot stop my castles Constructed by hours of careful calculation From falling, but perhaps I could cushion the impact With sincerity of effort so that When my life finally comes to shambles There will be no pain – mine, or That of those so foolishly benevolent That they tried to help me

The weather is so gay This wonderful sunny day Its warmth and gentle breeze Rustling the leaves Of old, tired, dusty trees Hope and happiness Replacing the woes of winter From their dry, tired barks And our sad, weary hearts Isn't  it lovely? To have no worry To sit outside and enjoy Listening to the stories Of the Traveler’s joy

This is no time to rest To cool off you heels at dusk Or play cards with friends No, this is no time to be at ease This is that time when You must fight with your last breath Against yourself and your friends And against fatigue and lethargy This is that time when You must refuse compassion Or empathy Or offers to get out Because one hundred million others Are working all day Into the night Until daybreak Tirelessly Because one hundred million others Can not Will not Take it easy

Rome burns to the ground While we rest our able minds And agile bodies “Waiting” “Preparing,” we say For the next battle More dangerous than this one And inevitable if we go on this way Do you hear yourselves, men? Rise, my comrades And fight, today So we may rest forever more Fight today, one last time To avert a terrible war

If I have halted – Pressed down on my brakes It is because I am gathering momentum Revving my engines before I run my race Full speed Flying an inch off the ground Irreproachable Unstoppable Victorious Just you wait and watch

Death rains down upon Nature Leaves fall out of the sky Falling in clusters Falling as branches Falling as trees - once so high Felled by man Stupid, short-sighted disgrace Blind to the consequences of his actions Running an impossible race The birds are gone, the bees are gone The squirrels have fled Death drove them away as it descended Their home - their tree - is dead But what argument have I? It is the glory of money And all it can buy Versus an inconvenient tree A man has crippled my muse And I can say nor do a thing For it wasn't mine to defend Nor his to endure And if I kept quiet about death I should keep quiet about this Now he has a little more space to breathe And I must think of a crippled tree Its beauty destroyed, my art tainted With the burden of silence and hypocrisy

November approaches, too close for comfort And as I see autumn leaves falling off Leaving their trees bare, settling into the dirt A breeze blows by, shaking more off And bees and birds, startled, fly off, unhurt And I wonder, is this what they feel Our parents and teachers,  When they watch us growing up,  Helpless onlookers in our struggles Trying to catch up Because we've grown up too fast And are getting ready to leave the nest at last? If only I could jump over the roofs And ask that old tree to pause for a while Don't let them go so soon, I'd say Let your branches stay green for just another day Why do I feel this impending doom? Why is May rushing at me so soon? Let me stay for a little while more Let me study just a little bit more Let me get this right Let me put up a good fight Against myself and the past And do my best Before I leave the nest

A thousand tiny clusters Of fresh, happy green Growing through the summers Dazzling with their sheen Growing to protect Growing to provide Rewarded with neglect And misplaced pride In our ability to plunder To pillage, to use Nature in its wonder It is time now, to choose To preserve and to save Our savior, the tree Fight now, be brave You owe it to the tree With the smell of sweet flowers And the rustle of copper leaves One beholds the tree that towers And its thousand brazen sieves Tell tales of a better tomorrow No hunger and no sorrow Mighty, this tree, stands Powerless at our hands But should it be?

Cheating, although repeatedly discouraged in assemblies at my school, has become an inescapable evil.  The cheaters practice their unfair means covertly as well as openly: verbally exchanging answers, showing solutions by lifting answer-sheets, peeking, opening windows in freezing cold weather and multiple elusive and well-camouflaged sign languages are so expertly used that the victims of these thefts do not realize when and how their answers are being stolen and reproduced, as rapidly and as repulsively as the breeding of rabbits. Cheating is not limited to tests or exams - excruciatingly boring assignments, project reports and homework are also tainted by the menace of plagiarism.  Cheating and plagiarism are an easy way out. They are addictive, destructive forms of escapism, as tragic as drug abuse; as difficult to quit, until it is too late and the damage has been done. They cripple students, making them rely on the benevolence of their hard-working peers. They allow