The Year That Was...
As we move to the first week of January in the year 2KV, I can't help but be bothered by "what was" last year, and what will be in the years to come. As an individual, the new year did not start off well, professionally and personally, and I did have my share of good and bad times. But well, so does every year. Or was it that this year was particularly hard on me? C'mon, you would hear me saying this every year.
But then, I can't complain too much. I passed my qualifiers (second time lucky), started my PhD., albeit with a roller coaster ride and a flip flopping mind on whether to continue or ditch it. And at the start of another year, the flip flops have diminished, but have not yet died down. And every impulsive moment has taken it's toll on me, at a great price. Inspite of all these, I still retained my paycheck as the GRA. Inspite of all these, I still am thought of as a valuable student. Yes, I can't complain too much about that.
And then, my family and quite a few of my friends did make some strides and progress. My friends had travelled far and wide, my friends had conquered their theses, and were approaching defenses, my friends were making better researchers, submitting papers, getting accepted into the research fraternities. I was happy for all them, but then, like Racheal and Phoebe, who were 80-20 with the happiness-jealousness thing when Monica and Chandler got married, I was slightly green too. And not to forget the fact that during all these, couple of my friends got married too. And my love life was close to DOA (Dead On Arrival for the Un-Friends-ly). Hah, did I just end up complaining !!!
But well, I must thank God for helping me survive those moments of doubt, misgivings, apprehensions, anxieties, sadness, sorrows, failures. And Hurricanes. And Tsunamis. But then should I really thank God??
Four Hurricanes in Florida in one season, that left a trail of fallen trees and poles, shattered homes and dreams, along it's path. And as if Nature realised it was only the west that was hurt, it made it up for the orient by unleashing the wave of destruction. 150,000 + and counting. Thats just the death count. The lives destroyed... countless. It was a devastation with a lot of effects. And side effects. For me, as an individual, it was a reminder. Of how transient the life was. How transient happiness is. And how powerful a moment is. I share the feelings of all those who lost something in the tsunami. If I was powerful, I would have asked God to let me share the grief of all those who had lost. But I am not that powerful. And may be I wouldn't have survived through the grief. So I guess I would now try to do the next best thing. Play my part in giving something back to them. And thank God for International Federation for Red Cross, AID, UNICEF, our very own Sangam at UCF., and a host of other agencies dedicated to provide relief and rehabilitation to the destroyed lives.