Slice of Life #13 2015

Nokia 2690

Unobtrusively efficient,

Phone,
Calendar,
Keypad -
to text
without looking(!)
Snuggled
in the palm 
of my hand;
Hiding 
in the smallest of pockets:
refusing to distract
at social occasions;
A student of
the school of hard knocks;
My PA...
seemingly for life.

Image: "Prodinvestz: August 2010." 2010. 13 Mar. 2015 <http://prodinvestz.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html>

Slice of Life #12 2015

Just yesterday, Mohamed and I were hanging out, chatting about all the things we would selfishly acquire should we ever have the good fortune of becoming wealthy in the not so distant future.

Mohamed wants to live on an airplane, spending his time watching movies on his personal in-flight entertainment console. To add to this, he'd have friendly sterwards serving him copious amounts of his favorite food so he would not have to interupt his favourite passtime.

Me? I've always known what I would selfishly acquire if I should ever find myself rolling in wealth. This dream of mine has not wavered in a very long time. 

First, I'd hire a chef who was an expert at creating the healthiest of food, but with lots of flavour. He would prepare my breakfasts, lunches, dinners, smoothies, snacks... anything I might fancy during the course of the day. Please note that I despise cooking and the kitchen is where I store my microwave oven and kettle. 

Next on my list of things to acquire would be a presonal trainer. Someone who comes to me every day to help me stay fit and healthy. This way, I can't make ANY excuses about the weather being bad, and feeling tired, and having a headache, and... - yes, I have the gift of talking myself out of exercise very easily. 

Last, but not least, I'd have to secure a personal shopper and errand person. I hate shopping and having to leave the peace of my home. Basically, he or she would do the shopping and run all my errands while I laze about on my ample daybed, reading, flipping through TV channels, and enjoying what my personal chef produces out of that room called a kitchen... where the microwave oven and kettle are stored. 

Image: "Too many cooks on small screen | Otago Daily Times Online ..." 12 Mar. 2015 <http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/television/154700/too-many-cooks-small-screen>

Slice of Life #11 2015

You always heard amma coming around the corner. The glass bangles on her right wrist would jingle-jangle as she strode purposefully, warning us of her imminent arrival. Any mischief was promptly filed away under 'KIV' and, if lady luck happened to side with us, we'd get away with it.

She smelled of sandalwood, her favorite soap brand being Mysore Sandal Soap. When puberty hit and hormones usurped all control, she prescribed sandalwood paste to soothe those eruptions akin to miniature volcanoes pebble-dashed upon what was once my face.

At home, she wore housecoats designed and stitched by her own hand, which remain her personal trademark till this day in the eyes of those who loved her. She had three of these at any one time. Should one tear, she'd patch it first before replacing it with another. There were maybe six saris to her name, all of which were printed silk. She was terribly partial to this soft, light, silken fabric that compared to a gentle breeze against your skin - and the fact that they dried in a matter of minutes when stretched across the clothes line. Indeed, she was a practical lady, my mom.

"Happiness is not in getting more, but in wanting less," was her personal mantra - and she stuck to it.

Image: "Mysore Sandal Soap : Bath & Body Review - Bois de Jasmin." 2014. 11 Mar. 2015 <http://boisdejasmin.com/2014/11/mysore-sandal-soap-bath-body-review.html>

Slice of Life #10 2015

Currently, I am...

Listening to Ms. Boswell being the superior educator she is,
Ruminating on 7th grade placements,
Drinking in the silence surrounding me as my students engage in quick writes,
Wearing the hat of EAL consultant and co-teacher,
Reading student writing from a recent assessment,
Feeling a little overwhelmed,
Wanting some medication to feel a little better
Needing to drink liters of water to soothe this sore throat,
Thinking about birds and how I've neglected one of my favourite pastimes,
Enjoying my students being proactive.

Image: Nadaraj, Geetha. Duck at Lymm, Cheshire. Digital image. 2013. 10 Mar. 2015.

Slice of Life #9 2015

Shopping Cart

A cavernous metal stomach

on four wheels

rolls down each aisle,

screaming, "Feed me! Feed me!"

Targeting

Chocolate Frosties,

organic quinoa, milk and veg,

tofu, eggs, 

Eggo waffles, 

yoghurt, cheese,

detergent, softener,

floor cleaner, dehumidifiers...

It eats.

Image: "Vehicles For > Half Full Grocery Cart - 2." 2015. 9 Mar. 2015 <http://motor-kid.com/half-full-grocery-cart.html>

Slice of Life #8 2015

My birthday cake was an attempt at replicating the Tardis, courtesy of my older sister who dabbles in baking and jewellery when she's not saving lives in the ER. A simple butter cake cloaked in Tardis blue (not quite Tardis blue, but close enough) that insisted on assuming the leaning stance of the Tower of Pisa. Hence, the reason for the finger 'scaffold' you see in the picture. The tasting of my edible Tardis revealed moist cake topped with creamy, blue icing. Mmmm... 

Image: Snapped with Dr. Vicky's smartphone.

Slice of Life #7 2015

I'm probably the luckiest person alive, thanks to the people in my life. I don't have many friends, but the ones that stick are simply wonderful because they get me. My team at school is the top reason why I experience job satisfaction. These unique individuals inspire curiosity, perseverence, passion, reflection, and a whole lot of laughter. Laughter. That's an important element in the ever so challenging industry called 'Teaching'. My BFFs outside the 'teacherie' world, all of two, keep me grounded by keeping things real. Honesty and real life keeps us connected, and our monthly meetings are typically accompanied by comfort food rich in transfats. 

This birthday, I'm thankful for the gift of friendship. 

Life is good.

Image: "10 Grown-Up Realizations About Friendship - KazzleDazz." 2015. 9 Mar. 2015