Not Quite As Expected

I can’t get over the way people are over here! It’s so cute! I think I had gross misconceptions about the kind of people scientists are…
Let me tell you what I mean…

I went down to get something to eat for lunch today, and on the way up, there was this guy in the lift. The door opened on the 7th floor for someone else in the lift. There was this Chinese lady standing outside the lift, and she goes “Going up ah?” in a really strong Singaporean accent, and in reply he said “Yes…you don’t want to go up? Why not? Come up…and then go down again!” He sounded Bengali to me but I wasn’t sure…then we both got off on the 8th floor, and since I reached the door first, I scanned the card…and I waited for him, assuming he was going to go first. He just opened the door and went “After yoooooo”. You had to be there! I thought he was really funny. So bindaas!

Later, I went down to meet my guide (who, by the way, wasn’t there) and as I was walking back, this other guy walked out whistling and clicking his heels to “Fur Elise”!!! In this quiet, scientific, air-conditioned corridor, he was whistling loudly to his heart’s content!

Even my guide’s boss! If you saw him, you’d never think he was a scientist! Let alone someone who heads the place! He has curly hair, and wears very Indian khadi kind of clothes…and looks very contented with life all the time! He has a hilarious sense of humour…and somehow makes everyone seem very much at home! He is BRILLIANT, mind you. And SO much fun to listen to!

I love the way people are on their own trips! The way they dress, talk, EVERYTHING! But the Chinese people are all professional! Whatever…the people I’m around are absolutely awesome!

The building looks overwhelmingly professional, the receptionists are all professional and can-I-help-you, even the shop keepers are all good-morning-can-I-help-you and thank-you-have-a-nice-day! Everything is all pristine. But somehow, the people make all the difference! Being here has given an entire new meaning to the phrase “Things aren’t always what they seem”…

Red For Cold...Blue For Hot?

I’ve now officially been working for a week. I’m now beginning to feel a little bit of the strain…I haven’t been to well, and the working hours are hard to get used to! My friends will tell you, that I am NOT a morning person. But I have to be at work at 8:30! This wouldn’t be so bad, if the journey to work wouldn’t be 45 minutes long!! I’m up a little past dawn everyday! I’m lucky I haven’t fallen asleep on the MRT just yet. Though, this morning, the lady sitting next to me – who was practically falling on me while she was asleep – was doing enough sleeping for the both of us!

The most annoying thing though, is the weird temperature systems here!! It’s never warm when you want it to be, and never cold when you want it to be! We went to the Singapore Swimming Club on Sunday. It was SO hot outside, that we were looking forward to using the indoor pool. Ok, the water was warm. Apparently there are members who complain if the water is too cold. The Jacuzzi though, is HOT. I mean, the water was HOT! God…

Anyway, we took a dip in the Jacuzzi, and somehow after that, the pool felt pretty cold to us!! We had a blast. When we were getting out though – all wet and cold – we went to the changing rooms…which were…you guessed it – air conditioned. Oh my God I FROZE! And then of course we went home, and it was BOILING outside!

I am surviving in a very strange city…

Loony Laws

This isn't really an intelligent post. It doesn't even have much of a point! But some of these were SO funny; I had to put them up here! And to think that we wonder why laws are so hard to implement! Look at these ones!

A decree declares that anyone caught stealing soap must wash himself with it until it is all used up.

A Michigan law states that a wife's hair legally belongs to her husband.

A Blue Earth, Minnesota , law declares that no child under the age of twelve may talk over the telephone unless monitored by a parent.

A Chicago law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.

Barbers are forbidden by law from shaving a man's chest in Omaha , Nebraska.

What say you...??

And It Begins...

I started work today. I was so nervous! I don’t really know why…probably because I didn’t know what to expect!

I was up at 6: 15 am (!!!) I can’t believe I managed to get up that early! Especially only on 4 hours of sleep! Anyway, I reached Biopolis at 8:30…taking a 45 minute train ride, and a bus! When I got there…I was given an orientation and a “confidentiality contract” that I had to sign! Then I found out I am actually getting paid!!!! I decided that it was highly unlikely that I would be paid…but it turns out I am getting $450 dollars a month! Awesome…

Then I was given a tour of the whole building. Shown the pantry, and the bathrooms (which are really fancy by the way…) and given passwords to the photocopy machines and stuff. Christine gave me my office stationary…and password to the official email ID (meghna@intern.bii-sg.org for those of you who want to know!) and took me to my …ahem… cubicle. I also got a temporary employee pass that I have to get scanned everytime I want to open a door!!! Oh my God, I felt so important!

Then I went and met Dr. Derek Smith who is going to be my guide. Oh my god, he is SO cool. He is this British scientist…who doesn’t look at all like one!! He is a marathon runner…and BRILLIANT! I actually understood every word he was explaining to me! I had lunch with him, and this lady who works there…Anita. It was really fun!

Right now, I am studying the subject. Finding out that protein structure is INCREADIBLY complicated! I can imagine Ms. Padma teaching us the same thing…somehow it’s cooler when I am figuring it out for myself! I have PyMol downloaded on my PC there…and I can observe 3D protein molecules in that…it is quite amazing!!

Apparently, by the end of this internship…I should be able to build a protein molecule on the computer by myself! Don’t have a CLUE how that is going to work…but we’ll see!! As of now, I AM HAVING A BLAST!

The Sacrifice

Rati said she liked this one...so I guess I'm posting it for her...! Kind of depressing, this one. I need to learn how to write funny. Let me know what you guys think!

THE SACRIFICE
- Meghna

"Happy Birthday to my favourite nephew" read the envelope right at the bottom of the pile of presents I had received on my 15th birthday. I had only one thing left to open - a small white envelope from my uncle. Glancing at him, I picked up the envelope. He looked apprehensive, as if he wasn't sure what to expect. Inside the envelope I found a note:

To my nephew on his birthday,
For the last 15 years of your life you have given me immense joy. You were the closest I have ever been to having a son. You have been more to me than you can even imagine. The idea of your turning 15 reminds me that you will not be a child forever and that I must enjoy you while I can. I wish you a happy life ahead of you with nothing but success and happiness.
I am going on a month long trip on my boat to Cape Corn this Saturday. I know that you have always been interested to learn more about my life at sea, but have never been considered old enough to accompany me on a journey. As a celebration of your completing 15 years of your life, I ask you to join me to Cape Corn as your first journey at sea. Will you come with me?

The sea had always fascinated me. Just the thought of something so large and so full of life was so exhilarating. There was so much to learn about the ocean. Most people didn't even realise how much there was that we didn't know about the world beneath the surface. But I knew. And I wanted to learn more. My uncle was a sailor, and my inspiration. The only thing that kept me from spending every waking hour with my uncle on his ship was my family. My mom and dad, with good reason I suppose, thought I was too young to travel across the seas…until now. It was supposed to take us two weeks to reach Africa and two weeks to come back, after spending a week there. The days before departure were tortuous for me! But after what felt like eternity we were finally on our way.

Being out at sea was the most amazing feeling I had ever felt. I felt like I never wanted to go back. While I experienced new things, I was learning so much! Every morning, I would wake up at dawn in the top bunk of a bed in a small room I shared with my uncle. I would help with everyday chores, cook breakfast, read, watch TV…everything I did back home. But doing those same old things on the ship felt so different. The slight rocking of the ship in the water, the light breeze, the sound of the birds flying overhead…it was all simply wonderful. I felt like we were the only ones in the world! Nothing could possibly go wrong.

But it did.

It was about four 'o' clock in the morning when I was awoken by an ear-splitting noise of something coming crashing down. The seas had been rough the past few days, but we were not at all prepared for what was to come. I was told hurriedly by my uncle to stay where I was, before he ran out of the room. Those few seconds felt like they would never end. I sat in a corner of the room shivering as the ship roughly swayed from side to side, and prayed to God that everything was all right. But when my uncle ran in, his face pale, I knew that it wasn't. "Pack only what you need" he said to me. I had never heard him speak this way. Though I didn't want to, I noticed the urgency in his tone. I hurriedly picked up my bag with the precious note I had received from my uncle on my 15 th birthday, and followed my uncle, holding on to anything I could reach trying to keep myself from being thrown overboard into the rough waters. My uncle grabbed my arm and pulled me into a small boat that he had pushed overboard. I noticed him also carrying a small bag. The last thing I remember was hearing… "Abandon ship!"

How long we were out at sea, I will never know. But after that frightening night, the next thing I remember was waking up in a small wooden boat surrounded by sea. A few people had managed to get out of the ship in time and now were in the small boat with us. I prayed that others had been as lucky as we.

The storm had thrown us completely off course. My uncle had managed to grab food for the two of us. Though we were all on the same ship, the phrase "every man for himself" seemed to now be a matter of survival. There was no land in sight. None of us had any means of communication or navigation. It didn't seem to have occurred to anyone to pick up a compass or any sort of map. We were completely lost, and for the first time, my uncle couldn't say anything to make it right.

We were at sea for days. Food was growing short. There was no other means of food while shark-infested waters surrounded us. To make it all worse, land was still nowhere in sight. My uncle and I kept to ourselves in a corner of the little boat, and tried to comfort each other by assuring ourselves that we would all turn out fine. But in our heart of hearts, we both knew that our situation did not look good. Two days passed and our hope was running out. We had food left only to sustain one more person. There was no chance of my uncle and I both surviving this. But nothing could have prepared me for what my uncle did. He looked me straight in the eye with so much regret in his eyes that it shocked me. "Son," he said to me, "You have your whole life ahead of you. And even if it doesn't help much, I want you to have at least one more chance at surviving what I feel like was my fault. Please don't try and stop me from what I know I should do. I just want you to know that I love you. Always remember that. Whenever you are in trouble, think of me. And I will be there for you" At first I didn't understand what he was saying. But to my utmost shock he took out a pocketknife and cut his palm. For a second, we both watched as his wound bleed. I felt tears rush to my eyes and a lump form in my throat. I couldn't think of anything to say. All I did was lay a hand on his arm. He just looked at me, gave me a sad smile and said, "Be good." By now, the other three people on the boat were watching, speechless. My uncle smiled at me once more, before leaning backwards and intentionally falling into the ocean. The blood on his palm attracted the hunters of the sea faster than I had ever imagined. And in a minute…he was gone.

There are no words for the way I felt right then. My uncle had given up his life to give me a chance to carry on. I knew he had done this only to save me. And if I didn't survive, his death would have been in vain. My uncle was now but a memory. As tears fell down from my eyes, I took out my precious letter and ran my fingers over his small cursive handwriting. I wished that he had stayed just a while longer. At the time, I had nothing to say, and now, I felt like the only one I wanted to talk to was him. I wanted to bring him back. Even if it was for a while. The man on the other end of the boat interrupted my thoughts. Fifteen minutes after my uncle's sacrifice…

"Land Ahoy!"

What's happening??

Everything is happening too fast. For the first time ever...I find myself not completely looking forward to my trip to Singapore. 5 weeks seems a bit excessive to spend away from....well, everything. Lot's of little things are bothering me...

I am actually having to study before this internship. I mean, I knew I would have to. And I wasn't exactly complaining, since it is practically completely carbon chemistry, which (for those of you who don't know) I LOVE! But I hadn't expected to find it this HARD! How come there are SO many different kinds of proteins?! Why does each of them have a completely different structure?! And more importantly, how come people in the tenth grade in Singapore do Chemistry that I don't understand?!

I am one of like 4 people who are staying back in NAFL…two of which I don’t seem to get along with too well. I am going to have a class of 25 new students! And I thought the new term is supposed to be uncomfortable for NEW students! Geez…

Actually, what it bothering me the most is what (or rather who) is not going to be there. She’s been there nine years, and for the first time, we won’t walk into school on the first day together…laughing at the ridiculous thought that someone new in OUR school might be cute. For the first time, I am going to be alone on the bus. I feel stupid really, since I seem to be the only one who is this bothered. She’s right - it’s not like we are moving to separate planets! We’ll still see each other. But I can’t help feeling like I’m leaving for Singapore on Monday, but I’m actually going away. They have each other…and I am constantly thinking about what I am missing out on. Stupid view to life I’m taking on actually. I guess the point of this whole para was this: I’m going to miss her. I got upset when I thought she was moving to Bombay…I guess it didn’t hit me that we were going to have to go our separate ways one time or another.

God, what am I doing?! I’m wallowing?! This is so unlike me!! This is not for sympathy though…just frustration that I can’t seem to understand simple carbon chemistry…and a wee bit of sadness. Just because it’s harder to let go than I thought it would be.

Finding myself

This friend of mine told me to post this...Don't know how good it is, but I thought I may as well look for people's opinions. And when this friend posted her story, I figured, what the heck!

FINDING MYSELF

- Meghna

Almond eyes...round face...peach like skin - me. I was already beginning to notice the glances I attracted from people. It was my 10 birthday. I came from a poor family, my father was a farmer, and I wasn’t expecting much. But judging from the hushed whispers that came late at night from my parent’s room, I knew that they must have been planning something. I only didn’t understand why my mother would cry and my father looked so serious. But on the evening of my 10th birthday, it all made sense. My desperate parent...were going to sell me.

After living at home for 10 years...they wanted to send me away to an o-chaya. My parents wanted me to become a geisha. Only rigorous and hard training could make one a geisha. It involved exclusive training for many long years. I had a lot to give up. If I became a geisha, there would be no room in my life for a family or to pursue any career. It was a big decision. Not that my parents allowed me to make it.

At first, all I felt was fear surge through me. But I didn’t have a choice. If they wanted to send me away, there was really nothing I could do about it. After all, I wasn’t that much of a child anymore. And by my doing this I was helping my family through hard times. I had to. Even if I didn’t want to.

I spent the next five years in the preliminary training stages, and on my 15th birthday, I was made a maiko. This was an honor. A famous geisha agreed to be my older sister. I followed her to all her appointments to get to know the customers. I followed them from place to place in my long sleeved kimonos and wooden shoes, smiled charmingly at our guests and engaged them in conversation. Initially, I felt fear that the o-chaya too, like my parents, would let me down. They would turn their backs on me too and send me away to an unknown far off place. But slowly, this feeling went away, and the maikos and older geishas became my new family.

I spent the next five years training in social skills, helping with household chores, learning music and Japanese dance. And after 5 hard years I had the chance to become a geisha. I could quit if I wanted to. And I seriously considered quitting. But I had spent 7 years in the o-chaya. I had become accustomed to living governed by rules and regulations. The maikos and the geishas had become like my family. After all, I had given up my education to be a geisha and there was no scope for doing anything else. I really had no place to go. So instead of stepping into the deep abyss of the unknown world, I clung to the familiar and took the next step. I became a geisha.

The next few years were exactly as I had imagined them to be. I did the same things everyday. There is really nothing to tell. But one incident at the Teahouse changed my life forever.

I was working late one night at the Teahouse in Kyoto serving some government officials. As usual, I engaged them in charming conversation, and the maikos and I entertained them by performing for them. As we served them their meal, they began to talk about politics. They were completely comfortable in our presence, as they knew that all geishas take it as their pride to never reveal what they hear at a Teahouse.

I knew this was a special evening. Kyoto’s greatest businessman, Mr. Seki was coming to our Teahouse. He was sitting next to Mr. Yamaguchi, his closest friend. We all thought very highly of them.

As I waited in the corner in case anyone wanted anything, I overheard the conversation that would be the most important decision I would ever have to make.

Mr. Yamaguchi whispered to Mr. Seki. “Did you hear about the new automobile factory coming up?” Mr. Seki made sure that none was listening and then replied, “Yes, I have, and I have made the smartest move ever.” Mr. Yamaguchi’s eyes lit up with interest and widened as the man continued. “I have bought 500 acres of farmland in the area where the factory is planning to be built. The farmers sold it dirt-cheap. And no one else knows about the upcoming factory, so by the time they do, the industry will buy the land from me! Just think of the profits I will make!” I didn’t have much time to react since; just then, the man turned to me and said “Young lady, some more saki here please.”

I was shocked. I knew it was against geisha principles but I just had to tell someone didn’t I? These people were talking about rendering over 200 farmers and their families homeless! This kept me awake all night. There I was, a 21-year-old geisha, who was supposed to be trustworthy to everyone I served, and I was thinking about breaking age-old geisha tradition. My father was a farmer too. How could I allow such a thing to happen? I made my decision. I felt almost like my duty to those people was more important than my duty to maintain geisha tradition.

Even though the man was caught and the farmers were restored their land, I was expelled from the o-chaya. I had broken the rules of the home I belonged to and no longer had a place there. And yet, I felt happy that for the first time, I had made a decision by myself. For the first time, I had thought things out without being held back by rules or expectations.

Though I knew I should have been unhappy, even ashamed, I felt like I had been released after a long imprisonment. I realised that I had chosen to become a geisha from a maiko because I was afraid of the unknown. The name “geisha” had been more of a security blanket that I clung on to than a cage holding me back. And as I took my first step into the world as a woman, I realised that the world was mine for the taking. I had nothing holding me back. And with my determination and hard work, I could make it.

But first I had to find myself...

Ad-venture!

I would really love to get into the field of advertising! It seems like such an exciting field...! Some of the advertisements on TV nowadays leave alot to be desired these days, though don't they?

Have you watched any of those hair care product ads these days?? There are an incredilble number of shampoos, conditioners, gels and whatnot that are guaranteed to keep your hair straight, shiny and black for all eternity. But the ads all seem to hae the same theme - this person A has dandruff, or oily hair, or white hair, and a close friend B notices, and suggests the use of the product in question. A few days of use of this product by person A, and voila! Problem solved! This all very nice indeed. The only thing that don't get is the fact that person A's face is already on the container of the product in the commercial. Wouldn't it make more sense if person B's face were on the container?! After all, it is B swearing by the product!!

There are so many ads that are just plain silly...but some are realy fun to watch! Sometimes evem more so than whatever it is was that we were watching. The new "Oye Bubbly" campaign for Pepsi is so cute! It's nice to see one's favorite star on screen endorsing something one actually uses! One of my favourite new ads is the new India V2 ad - There is this guy sitting around with his friends. He claims that he was proposed to by Katrina Kaif. This boxing glove comes out of nowhere and punches him in the face. Same thing happens when he claims to wrestle man-eating tigers at a job interview. Ditto when he says he owns a aircraft. And the entire ad continue like that till he is in a suit in a car showroom talking about how wonderful the new Indica V2 is. After praising it to the skies, he looks around expectantly for the boxing glove, but none comes! Then we see the car, and hear a voice over saying "The Indica V2. More car per car"!
It is so cute! Love that ad.

Yes, there are more stupid ads than nice ones...but TV wouldn't be half as entertaining without the occasional giggle at Tendulkar's voice saying "Boost is the secret of my energy!" or the laughs at the loud Close-up "Kya aap Close-up karte hai-eee" ! I have my list of favourite ads on TV!! What are yours???