Things I do instead of studying

After two whole months of enjoyment, it’s exam season. I’m on study leave right now. But, I just can’t get myself to study!! Why exams? ugh. I hate studying; everything else gets interesting when I have to study.

I’ve listed down a few things I do instead of studying :

1.     Aimlessly scroll through facebook/ instagram.

2.     Rest on my bed, suddenly realising how comfortable and cosy it is.

3.     Think of how I’m going to spend my vacations.

4.     Watch all my favourite series.

5.     Discover new hairstyles.

6.     Cleaning my room finally becomes my top priority.

7.     I suddenly find the need to learn new things. Thank you, YouTube.

8.     Try beating my high score in every game ever.

9.     Re-pin every possible thing on Pinterest. Also, try it out.

10.   Online Shop.

11.   Sleeeeep.

12.   Eat.

13.   Think of my life, my past, my future and all that I want to do. Yes, except study.

14.   Say to myself. “okay, now I’m going to study”. *Makes Coffee*

So, that’s what I do during my study leave or while I’m studying. I regret doing it, but shamelessly repeat it. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. Haha. So, let me know what y’all do too.

Anyway, Exams in two days. I better start studying now. For Real

Have a nice day.

Take Care

Xoxo
Alisha

Goodbye 2013 :)

2013 has been one of the best years of my life. It taught me so much. I made lifelong friendships and ended some that weren't healthy. Realised that nothing lasts forever, may it be Joys or Sorrows. I have felt the most extreme joy but was also slumped into sadness for a few months time or maybe a couple of weeks. But in my lowest lows I always learn my greatest lessons. I have learned to care less about what people think of me. Their judgements are between them and God. I have learned that I cannot control people's gossip or lies but can only be who I am and prove them wrong. I have learned how to hold my tongue when all I want to do is say ugly things. And I have learned that forgiveness is the key to happiness. There's a reason people hate change and that's because it's completely unknown. I have never walked more blindly in my life but I appreciate the faith that comes with it. There are things I will never know or understand but one thing I do...my quality of life depends on my ability to be vulnerable, forgive, and love. And I have never regretted loving someone. Be kind 2014. I'm looking forward to you.

Here is my year in pictures:

Goodbye 2013,

You shall be missed. :)

I'd like to thank all of you for making my life so beautiful.

Take Care.

And have a Happy New Year !!! 

Wearing a saree ...

The idea of a saree fascinates me. It’s beautiful, One single cloth that can be draped in 217 different ways. When I rewind and go back to take a walk down the saree wear memory lane, it takes me through some interesting and memorable moments. The first time I wore a saree was for my school farewell, I still remember driving my mother crazy in a hunt for a saree. I remember how exciting it was when i finally found a saree i liked, searched for matching accessories, shoes and then pleaded my neighbour to drape it for me. Our school farewell marked the end of our school days. I still remember that bitter sweet feeling. Those tears we shed, we knew that hardly any of us would meet often. We were not wrong.

Anyway, leaving that nostalgia aside, I feel that a saree is the best outfit a woman can wear. It’s elegant, an excellent attention grabber, adapts to your figure – I know that most of us are very conscious about our attire matching or suiting our figures. Well, I have learnt that the Saree is just the right thing for such a purpose. One can adjust one’s style of draping a Saree to one’s figure. Tall and slim? Wrap it closely with an unpleated, long pallu. It will enhance your height without making you look too thin or bony. For a stout figure on the other hand, wear it a little loosely with a well pleated and pinned pallu so that it doesn’t make you look bulky and gives you a touch of elegance. Then again, you can play around with the prints and patterns and styles of blouses and couple them with the right accessories. There are permutations and combinations to suit everyone. You can’t deny that it’s a sexy outfit and can make anybody look amazing.

But all said and done, It was now my turn to wear a saree for a day called the ‘Tie and Saree Day’ in college. As much as I Love the Saree, I had this strong feeling that i wouldn’t be able to carry it off and more than that, I live nowhere close to college, so travelling in something like that would lead to nothing but disappointment. ( What if it falls off and all :P ) At the same time, I did not want to play spoilt-sport so I hesitantly went on a saree hunt. As i looked out for Sarees, My enthusiasm suddenly built up and I was all excited about wearing it. After a long search, I finally found a saree I really liked, I picked up a simple, but really classy saree. For the blouse, since it was too late to stitch one, I wore my black sleeveless crop top which luckily went amazingly well with the saree.

Here are a few pictures :

( A candid picture clicked by Clayton )

                   

( Me, lost in random acts of foolishness )

(Thats Nikita, she always finds a quirky way out)

 ( And, This is Mr. Photographer )

At the end of this, I learnt that When a Saree is draped in the right manner and is pinned up in the required places, not only is it elegant, it is easy to handle (you DO NOT need to struggle with even one inch of the cloth; just let it comfortably BE on you.) Once you get used to the feel of it, you’ll realize that whoever that intelligent woman was who first draped it the way we do, took the idea of ‘leg space’ very seriously. There is a reason why there are so many pleats to a Saree. Not only does it look pretty but when you walk, the pleats provide enough cloth that flexes- accordion like- to make room for your legs!

So, step out of your comfort zone and do wear a saree at least once. Trust me, You’ll fall in Love with yourself. 

I did.

Your views ans suggestions are most welcomed. :)

Lots of Love,
Alisha.

Say Hello to College ...

It’s that time in June when, like every year, the admission process is complete and all of you are anxious about the first day of college. I remember just a short time ago, when I too was purchasing the last few items on my list and anxiously awaiting my first day of college. The college of my dreams. And so, here is a letter with a little advice and a lot of love for all those college freshman twiddling their thumbs and twirling their hair and wondering what’s in store.

Dearest FYJC Students,

Welcome. College, my friend, will be the most beautiful, amazing, and life-shaping experience that you have yet encountered.

On your move-in day, you’ll feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re going to a huge college, a tiny college, or an in-betweener. The campus will feel like you’re never going to learn your way around, the college culture will feel foreign, and the students will feel like strangers. Don’t lose your marbles.

You will know your campus like the back of your hand in a short time. The college’s culture will become as much a part of you as the fingers on your hands or the toes on your feet. And the people–the strangers–they’ll become your best friends. Not best friends like “oh, BFF,” but real best friends. Like laugh so hard you cry and cry so hard you laugh and turn to them with anything and everything all day or night best friends.

However, knowing the campus and the culture and the beautiful people doesn’t come without a price. You have to stretch yourself. I mean reallllly stretch yourself. You can’t just take a step outside of your comfort zone, you have to take a leap. A running leap. Like you’re competing in the long jump.

When I arrived on campus on the first day of college, I was ridiculously excited, but more than that I was insanely scared. So as a first year student, I decided that, I was going to make friends. And they were going to be fantastic friends who treated me well. And make friends I did. But it was not by accident, not all were.

I took part in every event organised by college, talked to people I never knew, maintained friendships ...  and the list goes on.

It was an amazing little life that I had created on my campus for myself. I was involved, really involved, in many different groups and organizations on campus. “Plugged in”. And I had friends, In my classes and in the clubs that I was a part of. And I was truly proud of myself. Because I didn't sit back and watch my first year go by and wonder what could’ve been.

I lived a life I loved by choice.

So to you I say–jump in! You’re not the child you were in school. You get to make decisions about friendships and activities based on the type of people you want to be around and what you care about. It’s no longer about doing things so “it’ll look good for college.” Choose to do what you love with people you love. And don’t settle for less.

You joined a club that you’re passionate about, but the people aren’t rocking your socks off? Join another one. Talk to the person next to you in class. Be the first to ask your classmate to lunch.

The friends you make in first year will stick around for life. At least mine did. It’s been four years now, I’m not even in the same college anymore. But we’re in touch. I Love them, and I know they love me.

                                         

And academics ??  Ya, I know that’s the “reason” you’re in college. To study and learn and get a degree. That’ll all come. You know what it takes to get the grade you want–do it. You know how long you need to study for your exams–so take time to study.

But above all, know that when you leave your college after two or maybe 5 swift years, it’s not going to be the campus or the classes that you really miss; it’s going to be the people. It’s all about the people. (And PS–you’ll learn much more from your relationships than your classes anyway. haha )

So throw yourself out there. Take a deep breath, exhale and stand tall. You’re meant to be exactly where you are. It’s up to you to make it the experience you want. Choose to live a life that you love.

No matter what crazy-difficult classes or heart-wrenching breakups you go through in your 5 years, it’s going to be the people who carry you through. 

I am so excited for you. I might not even know you. It doesn’t matter. I’m thrilled for you! Rock out your first year, because you’ll never get another one. And first year is the awesome dot com. Seriously, my favorite year of life to date.

Good luck and remember: This is only the beginning.