Saturday, January 14, 2006

Aftermath

They say that the idle mind’s a devil’s workshop. In that case, the devil’s been cashing in on his frequent flier miles to visit me. We’ve become good friends – the Devil & I. Not that I’ve had a lot of time to burn this past week. More like I’ve managed to spend a lot of “quality” time with the most important person in my life...Myself.

Interesting what a lot of time alone with oneself can do for you.

With placements around the corner, we’re being prepped up with gyan sessions and mock interviews. I was going through the FAQ list for interviewers, and was trying to answer some of the questions. This one struck me…

Q. What has been one of the most difficult times in your life? And how did you handle it?

First of all…I hate these situational questions. Not that I can’t talk, but for some reason the right situation never pops into the mind when needed.

Anyway, on my way home this evening, I started thinking about the question. This 'situation' struck me. I won’t call it a difficult time...it was more like a soul crunching time. It happened last semester…when we got to Dubai. Two weeks into our arrival, we were asked to go for the mandatory HIV test. Ironically enough, in this country; every foreigner who applies for residential visa has to go through it. Any person who is HIV positive is deported immediately.

Although it was mentioned to us in passing before admissions, I let it go – not giving it much thought. Before I knew it, I was in Dubai – and walking into the clinic for my test.
I’m not much of a religious person, but at that moment - I prayed.

No, I’ve not been a promiscuous sex kitten. But I’ve done other things like played with children suffering from AIDS, donated blood, shared a razor, and other mundane things that did not mean much at the time, but came back to hit me like a slap on the face.

Most of us live in a world where AIDS is just a word. It does not haunt our lives. I had a friend in the US, who once told me she was raped and had to go for an HIV test. She said those were the longest 3 weeks of her life. I sympathized, but never really comprehended what she had gone through.

But walking into the clinic that afternoon; every incident crashed before my eyes. I called my mom and confessed my fears. And with a deep breath; I walked in – to my Judgment Day.

And still…

*Whirr* *Whirr* …the Devil continues spinning his web on me…

PS: My brush with AIDS was very small yet traumatic. There are billions of people suffering. Please extend your support to them.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

I want...

A Sense of fulfillment
Clarity
A hug from mom
Bungee Jump in Australia
Eat Chinese food in China
Go for a cooking class
Have breakfast in bed
Be a teacher
Color my hair red
Sunbathe in Greece
Find Mr. Right
A job
An everlasting friendship
A child

...There are somethings money can't buy...This is a short list of those things

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

On My Birthday...

Another year passes
Yet time stands still
As I look back over the years
Have I had my fill?
So much to do
Places to go
Do I have the time?
Or am I too slow?
I look back; and I look ahead
So much to be done; so much to be said
My time has not ended
It has just begun...