The writing Circle is going back in time this month. The topic was chosen by Seema and she asked us to write a letter to our 20 year old self. So here it goes.
Dear 20 yr old me,
I hope you are doing well. I am trying to think what you must be doing now, but I am struggling here. Gosh! Has it really been that long or in other words, am I so old now?
Anyway, after much brain racking I now remember that you must be in the middle of your Engineering course, still coming to terms with the endless assignments, journal writing, practicals, lectures, results etc. If you think the tension and stress of the studies is too much, let me tell you that in future you will have various moments where you would wish for those days to come back. So enjoy this phase while it lasts, I know it will seem endless but it is not. These days will end and the next phase will start before you even realise it.
Oh and I have to remember not to make this letter a very long one. I know you will be quite busy with your friends. Have you had your daily mandatory 30 min call to each of the friends (from school, Junior college and Engg college) yet? Now that I think about it, I am amazed how you get the time to do that, after such a hectic day at the college.
But I have to take this opportunity and thank you for all the great friends you made. In fact this is probably one aspect where I dont have any advice for you at all, you have done very well here! I am especially thankful that you got over a prejudice made a life long friend in S, you know who I am talking about. Yes, that anecdote about you two being bitchy about each other and then turning into best friends is still going strong. I take every chance to narrate it and always get the same expected reaction of awe from people!
Now, let me talk about the things you have done so far and what you will do in future. You have been a good daughter so far, except for some minor incidents where you argue and don't listen to your parents just like any other teenage girl. You have been quite a good sister, in fact a friend, to a great brother you have. Keep it up, I would say, but there will be some moments when you will be forced to think if you have done enough for them. Well, all I can say about it, is that nothing can ever be enough, just hang in there and do your best.
Although things may be looking quite tough right now on the education front, you will manage to complete your engineering and look back fondly, at the days spent in the college or "Shantiniketan" as you guys are calling it now! The wait for the bus to Vashi station which seems irritating and tiring right now, would come back to you as one of the most enjoyable times of your college life. And dont forget the coffee, Wada Pav and the dosas at the station (both Vashi and Nerul), you would really end up craving for them in future. Even writing about them is making my tummy rumble right now!
You will not only land a very decent job doing what you like and love, in your chosen field of Telecommunication, but also make some great friends while working too. You do realise that you have a knack of making good friends and you have your parents to thank for those genes, think of all the great friends they have.
In fact you will have the best friend you can have, for life, and who will be with you always, supporting you all they way. I am talking about your future Hubby. He doesn't own a Silver/Black Mitsubishi Lancer as is your criteria at the moment but believe me, you will never miss the Lancer! And who knows, I may very well influence him so that he buys one any way! You will have an adorable daughter who will give you sleepless nights and make you run for life, almost literally, but it will all be more than worth it.
This reminds me, do pay more attention to what Amma says, you will end up repeating the same things to your daughter. You might be resenting all the things you have to hear now, including " you will understand when you are a mother yourself" but trust me, that is how things will be.
Keep up with your cooking, that will be something which will keep you sane when things seem to be going totally out your hands. Would you believe me if I told you that you take up baking too, in a big way? And that you would write a food blog, enjoy it and be proud of it too? I should really resume it actively now.
Speaking of food, you should have really kept off the junk food a bit and may be got into the habit of going to the gym or at least have some form of exercise everyday. And however you may justify to Pappa, doing Pranayam for 15 minutes and then devouring a plate of Sev Batata Puri does not help you at all. Stop fooling yourself there!
On second thoughts, forget whatever I asked you to do. Go on, continue to eat the way you want, plonk yourself in front of the TV and watch all those Salman Khan movies as much as you want, continue to 'pester' amma by pretending that you dont listen to her. After all you have your future life to contemplate on all those things. For now, enjoy yourself . I just hope that if and when we come across each other, we can laugh at all those things and agree with each other about the choices we made in life.
Would love to hear from you too!
Yours,
Me.
PS: I still have loads to write about but as I have promised, I wont make this a very long one. And as you can see you will maintain your habit of writing PS after every letter/email, whether it is really needed or not!
Dear 20 yr old me,
I hope you are doing well. I am trying to think what you must be doing now, but I am struggling here. Gosh! Has it really been that long or in other words, am I so old now?
Anyway, after much brain racking I now remember that you must be in the middle of your Engineering course, still coming to terms with the endless assignments, journal writing, practicals, lectures, results etc. If you think the tension and stress of the studies is too much, let me tell you that in future you will have various moments where you would wish for those days to come back. So enjoy this phase while it lasts, I know it will seem endless but it is not. These days will end and the next phase will start before you even realise it.
Oh and I have to remember not to make this letter a very long one. I know you will be quite busy with your friends. Have you had your daily mandatory 30 min call to each of the friends (from school, Junior college and Engg college) yet? Now that I think about it, I am amazed how you get the time to do that, after such a hectic day at the college.
But I have to take this opportunity and thank you for all the great friends you made. In fact this is probably one aspect where I dont have any advice for you at all, you have done very well here! I am especially thankful that you got over a prejudice made a life long friend in S, you know who I am talking about. Yes, that anecdote about you two being bitchy about each other and then turning into best friends is still going strong. I take every chance to narrate it and always get the same expected reaction of awe from people!
Now, let me talk about the things you have done so far and what you will do in future. You have been a good daughter so far, except for some minor incidents where you argue and don't listen to your parents just like any other teenage girl. You have been quite a good sister, in fact a friend, to a great brother you have. Keep it up, I would say, but there will be some moments when you will be forced to think if you have done enough for them. Well, all I can say about it, is that nothing can ever be enough, just hang in there and do your best.
Although things may be looking quite tough right now on the education front, you will manage to complete your engineering and look back fondly, at the days spent in the college or "Shantiniketan" as you guys are calling it now! The wait for the bus to Vashi station which seems irritating and tiring right now, would come back to you as one of the most enjoyable times of your college life. And dont forget the coffee, Wada Pav and the dosas at the station (both Vashi and Nerul), you would really end up craving for them in future. Even writing about them is making my tummy rumble right now!
You will not only land a very decent job doing what you like and love, in your chosen field of Telecommunication, but also make some great friends while working too. You do realise that you have a knack of making good friends and you have your parents to thank for those genes, think of all the great friends they have.
In fact you will have the best friend you can have, for life, and who will be with you always, supporting you all they way. I am talking about your future Hubby. He doesn't own a Silver/Black Mitsubishi Lancer as is your criteria at the moment but believe me, you will never miss the Lancer! And who knows, I may very well influence him so that he buys one any way! You will have an adorable daughter who will give you sleepless nights and make you run for life, almost literally, but it will all be more than worth it.
This reminds me, do pay more attention to what Amma says, you will end up repeating the same things to your daughter. You might be resenting all the things you have to hear now, including " you will understand when you are a mother yourself" but trust me, that is how things will be.
Keep up with your cooking, that will be something which will keep you sane when things seem to be going totally out your hands. Would you believe me if I told you that you take up baking too, in a big way? And that you would write a food blog, enjoy it and be proud of it too? I should really resume it actively now.
Speaking of food, you should have really kept off the junk food a bit and may be got into the habit of going to the gym or at least have some form of exercise everyday. And however you may justify to Pappa, doing Pranayam for 15 minutes and then devouring a plate of Sev Batata Puri does not help you at all. Stop fooling yourself there!
On second thoughts, forget whatever I asked you to do. Go on, continue to eat the way you want, plonk yourself in front of the TV and watch all those Salman Khan movies as much as you want, continue to 'pester' amma by pretending that you dont listen to her. After all you have your future life to contemplate on all those things. For now, enjoy yourself . I just hope that if and when we come across each other, we can laugh at all those things and agree with each other about the choices we made in life.
Would love to hear from you too!
Yours,
Me.
PS: I still have loads to write about but as I have promised, I wont make this a very long one. And as you can see you will maintain your habit of writing PS after every letter/email, whether it is really needed or not!
