When I talk about hostel life, I mean away from home, not necessarily a jailhouse. My hostel had one of the greatest astrologers who made predictions none could. Meet me. Ahem! Hello, my name is Thakurman...It looked a promising career to me first. I used to make the below prediction on a lot of kindred souls
Meet Nitin. He wants to know about his future partner, her name, and if it would be a love marriage… (Yawn, don’t we all?) I promise to give him the complete info for an astronomical sum of 100 bucks…I take a look at his hand and then calculate according to the number of lines on his palm. Then I ask him to pick a number. I make him search for his calculator... In between, I am thirsty. And after a cool drink at his expense, I am hungree too.… A lot of fuss, Hoo Hahs and him running around, with a tensed weary face looking at me eagerly. I blurt out his future wife’s name-Mrs.Nitin…
My two cents - People sometimes hate the truth. Take astrological predictions with a pinch of salt. They only tell you what you know. Set your own goals and you can change your future. There’s no substitute for hard work, smart work and of course a little buttering…. Leave the rest to Lady lick, er., Luck. (I had a li’il exercise in the noon after the above prediction…)
Forgotten your toothpaste and shaving cream? Relax, it’s the norm to forget. When you have neighbors, why buy a silly tube of paste? Sound economics! Unfortunately I was doing all the buying for a lot of neighbors- A guy walks in. I hardly know him. He goes over to the closet, squeezes the paste and leaves without as much as a look. Sigh! Some liberties are granted. (er., not undergarments)
My two cents – It can happen. But at least, smile, acknowledge.
Exams. My friend decided to toss the coin for two questions A or B. Every exam, it was either A or B. Well, it was A the coin selected. But the guy was a master in art too. He prepared chits. Boy! That was amazing! He could write the entire 100 marks on a sheet of paper 5 inch long. While we were all busy studying he took that same time in preparation of his artwork - he noted both A and B… Exam time, and it was B… Oops, all of us lost the 20 marks… Including the one who went for artwork… Actually the invigilator decided to sit on his bench as it was empty.
My two cents –Oversmartness doesn’t pay. Also don’t take any chances. If anything can go wrong, it definitely will. Be prepared for any eventuality. (Moore’s law.) The guy who had the backup had to eat his art (A surprise check). Talk about a (paper packed) lunch of ink!
As students we try to redefine a lot of definitions in our creative moods. We tend to think that we are the pioneers. Attaboy! That’s the spirit. Unfortunately not often is it pioneering. More like reinventing the wheel. Check out
The irony? Let’s define it - Spending an extra 8 years in college without learning anything useful.
Ironic… Exam time: You are awake musing on why the alarm has still not rung at 5:30 in your bed?
A few more pioneers on irony and ironic...
A love story-Girl: My architectural course is 5 years, 4 regular and 1 year for the thesis. I guess we’ll never see each other again.
(Comp Science)Boy : I can stretch mine to 5 years too!
The thrill of an adventure -Travelling 60 kms for a cup of chai at 2 in the night. One of my friends had a new bike. We celebrated it by taking 26 bikes 60 kms away for a cuppa. Talk about livin’ it up!
Two thesis/projects - I have heard of living in your work. But this one takes the cake. There was this final year architecture student who lived in his thesis. (A well designed place) Talk about living in your work literally! (The irony) Another guy did a thesis on Comfort traveling. He had his own coach with all the modern day amenities you could think off. These were what you call exceptionally stinking rich characters in an otherwise trepid hostel life.
Anyways my take on hostel life…
a. Recommended for all to build independent thinking, financial management, people management and oodles of creativity. Independent is actually wishful thinking. U probably end up being financially dependent. Got a fiver? More as though they were asking for a one time subsidy of loose change. The subsidies get repeated often and before you realize it, you actually spent more than the UN (subsidizing others lives.) Don’t get into the habit.
*b. As for people management, you probably are at your best when you meet the girls.(Aren’t we all? ;-) But be careful of the senior junior relationship. Avoid controversies and voice your opinion when alone. It can sometimes get messy. Ragging calls are less now, but still, try to whimper the first few months. (Unless extreme, of course) You got nothing to loose making an extra friend.
c. It’s good to have some quick cook foods like Maggie, bread, eggs handy. You never know when you might turn hungree.The hostel food itself is more a regular diet, so you might be bored of it after a week. Try to reduce oily foods at dhabas. They eventually spoil your appetite. *
d. Yella ok, Drugs yaake? (Uppi style)Translation – Say no to drugs! I have seen too many good people go down the drain due to it. Seems to be catching up at every college.
e. The sole purpose of you being there (in the hostel)- Education(not food or friends). There’s nothing wrong in clarifying your doubts from one er., mentally challenged individual. Finish it. Continue with your higher studies. Education can take a lifetime with you learning nothing. Remember life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you have to keep moving.
Finally, after a hearty meal and a movie, I am dozing off to sleep, when I hear a voice “Sir, Mujhe Pyaas lag raha hain, …“ I open my eyes and look at the door. Surprise! There’s no one there. I was a little scared if I had heard it right. I could see the entire corridor and there was not a soul in sight. Thinking it to be my mind at work, I tried sleeping again, when all of a sudden. “Sir, Mujhe Pyaas lag raha hain. Mereko Khoon chahiye” (transalation- I’m thirsty, I need blood). This time I heard it clearly. I woke up with a start. Go out to see if there was any zombie / vampire hiding in the corridor. Nobody. I check my room. None under the bed. I even checked the closet and the ceiling twice. By this time, I’m literally sweating… Wondering if I should sleep or go over to the movie/TV hall. I pick up the water bottle to have a drink of water when I see a hand reach across for the water from the window… My hair’s standing due to shock when I see this vampire fiend (er., missing R) grin from outside the window. Grrrr!
Diver’s friend? (Tenny, what say?)
My two cents – Heck! no I just remembered that one and thought I’d tell you. If you find any, let me know… ok, ok. I just found one now. Have fun! There. Is that better?
Hey it’s about hostel life, remember? N-joi the +ves.