Friday 23 November 2007

never ever wasted---Sunday Scribbling

Sunday Scribblings has a very interesting exercise this week. It asks us to write about our misspent youth.

In retrospect, I find I did not do too badly. I might not be what my dad wanted me to be. Nevertheless, I turned out ok, I suppose. As a kid, I was somewhat very clever. I always knew too much. Maybe that came out being around older super-intelligent brothers. What I did not know, I asked them. As I recall it, I demanded to learn what they knew. They were very happy to teach me. That was another reason, I did not like school. I already knew most of what my teachers taught.

My dad despaired for me, as I hated to write anything down. My memory served me well. However, in school you need to complete your assignments and do well in exams. That is, writing. I was slack in my assignments but did well in my exams. I tried to show off my knowledge way too much. I was considered a good student although that was not my intention. Possibly my results offset my behaviour. I was too good in sports. However, I could never sing. I still cannot.

Although, my dad wanted me to study engineering, he was not displeased when I chose Chemistry. After completing my studies, I took up teaching. Irony is, I troubled my teachers excessively and now my students trouble me. I am lovin’ it!

I know my kid self would like what I am doing now. My youth was not misspent. It prepared me for dealing with pupil like me!


**Update: Nowhere I have said, my dad wasn't proud of me. As a matter of fact, I was his favourite child!

27 comments:

  1. I laughed at the part where you said your youth had prepared you for dealing with pupils like you!

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  2. I think it is pretty cool to know that your kid you would approve of the grown up you!

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  3. I fink youse tund outs good!@

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  4. Thank you so much for your lovely comment at my site. I just learned about Diwali at an Indian event at work and I really enjoyed the celebration of that festival so, if the other festivals are anything like that one, they must be quite enjoyable.

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  5. I think it's a very fine thing indeed to be able to say that your younger you would approve of who you turned out to be, and for your older you to be equally pleased.

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  6. I think every choice we made to bring us to who we are today is validated when we are comfortable with where we sit.

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  7. I did o.k. as a kid, too. It was as an adult where it got strange. :)

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  8. It seems like you have done well and turned out pretty darn fine to me! Great post.

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  9. How Karmic!
    What an interesting character you are. You scaled the very mountain that you stared at as a young girl..
    knowing all too well that you would one day look back. Your sense of purpose and destiny is inspiring to me..
    your intuitive nature is such a gift..
    I really appreciate the you share that with me.

    Gautami, I know that I tease you quite often but I am delighted that to have met you and to have been given the opportunity to share a little bit of my life with you.

    I am enchanted by your formidable intellect and insatiable curiosity.

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  10. Gautami: Thanks for raising these thought provoking questions. One thing for sure: You are where you are in life and got there because of all you have ever been. The same may be said for each of us. And, the karmic cycle continues for all of us. That was the subject of my poem today. Take care.

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  11. i can relate to this
    (i often feel that my mis-spent youth is still under way) :)
    i was over thirty when i began teaching and had similar feelings to yours
    cheers

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  12. The last bit really made me chortle. Good post, Gautami.

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  13. You're not the first teacher to give that story...lol I often find we become the one thing that we tortured others with. You sound gifted to me. You describe my Hubby and youngest to a tee!

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  14. Enjoyed this post! Not being able to sing is not too bad...at all.

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  15. I'm sure your kid self would be very pleased with you :)

    Great post - your students are lucky to have you!

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  16. your last line was adorable, I'm sure your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.

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  17. I think it makes sense that a good teacher is someone that was trouble as a pupil - a great pupil, all responsible and everything won't prepare a teacher for pupils to come - you're right :)

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  18. A wonderful take on the prompt. I love your last lines.

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  19. dang!!!! your dad better not be less than ecstatic to have had you for a daughter... mine would do cartwheels for a kid like you!!!!!

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  20. You and I are so alike. It's amazing how much influence our fathers had in our lives.

    Thanks Guatami--great post!

    *smile*

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  21. oh well... i underachieved big time as a kid so i admire even more your achievements.

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  22. If you're not "troubling your teachers" you're doing something wrong. :)
    Mad Kane

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  23. you know what? I think everything we do in our youth is important and ALWAYS a lesson. You gave your teachers a hard time and that's taught you how to deal with your own students!
    great post!

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  24. Oh that's so wonderfully perfect, your parents would have been so proud, you have indeed chosen the right career. Thanks.

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