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The Hunt

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I went to the Chennai book fair again - on the last day. This time, I was amazed to see people lining the sidewalk, with books spread out on tarps in front of them. There were books for just 30 rupees. I saw a few books that I remembered reading when I was little and was immediately drawn in. I couldn't resist picking up one of my favorites.  I then ventured inside. I went straight to the Scholastic book stall, where I practiced my storytelling skills. I beelined for the children's books. I picked one up and lost myself in the magic. I was so pleased to see multiple children around me pausing to listen to me reading. It showed me that what I was doing served its purpose. I was able to engage the children.  When I was done there, I went to a few second-hand book stalls, where a new author caught my eye - new to me. Sylvia Day. I found 4 of her first 5 books in the same place. There was an amazing deal at the stall, 6 books for 500 rupees. My friend and I started hunting for the...
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Crash

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Crash! Wait! Why is there a crash? What's going on?  Where am I? There's something on the ground Pain flashes over my arm Growing in intensity Unbearable Tears welling up Crash! Thud! Why is something banging? How did I get on my feet? Why is the world shaking? Why are my cheeks wet? Why am I hurting? Why can't I move my arm!? Where am I?  What just happened? 
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Indian Genius

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My most recent read is a book called "Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Americans in India" by Meenakshi Ahamed. This book was published by Harper Collins. I was instantly captivated by the introduction to this book.  As most of you know, I grew up in the US. I was pleased to see a lot of the differences I noticed between the Indian and American cultures and cities mentioned in the book. These are things I have seen for myself, which helped me visualize what the author was talking about.  The author picked 15 prominent Indian Americans to discuss in her book. She also included riveting exclusive interviews.  I enjoyed reading about each individual, but found the information overloading my brain. It felt like there was a lot in there that I couldn't remember. For example, where each individual was born and what their parents did for a living. I really liked reading, but this book had a lot of information. I persevered through the book and found certain parts that grabbed...
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The Chennai Book Fair

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Everyone knows how much I love books. I wanted to go to the book fair as soon as it started, but I just got the opportunity to go a few days ago.  It was - to start out - huge. I accidentally looked at the wrong building at first and it was underwhelming. I wasn't sure how 900 stalls could fit in that small space. It was only when I walked in that I realized that that building was for handicrafts and things like that. The book stalls were in a whole other place. My friend and I sped through it and hightailed it to the books.  I had an amazing time browsing each stall. I think I covered at least half of the stalls there, which is saying a lot. I especially liked the offers on the second-hand book stalls. They were selling 3 books for 300 rupees, which was a steal. The only problem for me was the quality of the books. I am someone who has very high standards. I treat my books very well and it physically hurts when I see a book all dirty and crumpled. The most popular books were ...
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I Just Wanna Be A Girl

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This is my 200th blog post. I am delighted to have been writing for that long. Today, I wanted to talk about my blogging journey. When I started blogging, I didn't think I would get this far. I just started as a response to my professor's challenge. It soon became something more. It became a means of expression. It helped me let go of things that were bothering me.  Looking at the title of this blog... I started writing at a time when I felt disconnected from my feminity. I lacked female companionship and I found myself yearning for that. I may not have written much about girlhood, but the title of this blog is a reminder that every woman has the inherent right to feel feminine. She needs to know that it's okay to let herself feel small and petite and femme. She might have other interests and she might enjoy things that aren't traditionally feminine, but in the end, she always reconnects to her womanhood. This blog is a reminder of that idea.  Apart from that, it let me...
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The Silent Cry

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Can you hear the scream? No How could you when I supress it  Refusing to let myself feel emotions My soul screams  With the pain of holding it all in  Nowhere to turn  My mind does not quiet down  Emotions fighting to break free I keep them to myself Fear of judgement  Rejection and abandonment Keep them in  Keep them in so they will love you Keep your screams quiet  Even as your soul shatters 
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Eternal Midnight

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I'm trapped No escape I need a miracle  Someone hear my pleas It's eternally midnight here Everywhere I look...  Darkness surrounds  I long for light It's a new moon day Not even the moon  Wants to bear witness To my despair The stars have hidden  Themselves from my view Is my despair that horrid I need a witness Someone to bear the brunt of my emotion Some other soul or being In this Eternal Midnight
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Katha Utsav @MCC

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On the 28th and 29th of December, Katha Publishers conducted a workshop in the MRF Innovation Park at MCC. As soon as I knew this workshop was coming up, I knew I wanted to go. My professor told me how prestigious this workshop was. I didn't totally believe him until I saw the crowds that arrived at MCC.  This workshop was intended for schoolchildren, but we MCCians had a special session since we were hosting it. I was also a volunteer for the workshop. My Saturday morning started pretty early. I rushed to campus by 7:30 and sprung into action. The day started out with decorating the venue. Soon after, parents and their children started arriving. There were people from out of state. They had come just for the workshop. I sprung into action with the rest of the team, guiding children and their parents around the building.  Once everyone was settled, it was time for our session. I loved the sessions. I compared my writing to what the mentor taught us and I was pleased to find th...
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Blueberry Cupcake

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"Look where we are now. When we met, did you ever imagine we'd be in a place like this?" Afrid said, looking at Annalise.  All around them, battle raged. A bomb had just dropped in the middle of the city and people were trembling with fear, worried about the enemy's next move. The cries of the wounded echo in their ears, promising to haunt them forever.  "Blueberry cupcake!" The store owner announced, "it's ready. Come and get it!" Two little children immediately perked up at the mention of their favourite treat. Their heads turned in unison to face the shopkeeper  The children bolted up from their seats and started running to the counter. The little girl, Annalise, slipped on a patch of water that an irresponsible customer spilled. The little boy, Afrid, was raised to be a gentleman. He immediately stopped in his tracks to help the little girl to her feet. As soon as she was on her feet, Afrid darted off to the counter again. Little did he kno...
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2024 is Ending

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Wow... where has the year gone? I can't believe it's already gone. This year has just been wonderful. In January, I'd never have imagined I'd be where I am now. I started the year unsure of how to put my talents to use. I didn't know how to develop my passion for writing.  Now... look at where I am. I'm an author and a regular blogger. This was only possible because of my drive. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I worked for it. I did everything I could. I explored every possible venture.  I think that's what matters. That is what I want to share with everyone reading my blog. First of all, thank you for reading constantly. It's been a hell of a ride. Second, you can do it! I believe in each one of you! Everyone has potential. All you need is the drive to do it. Research your area of interest. Look for people who can help you get started. The most important thing is that you don't give up. You need to believe in yourself. You will make it to the...
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Anbe Nee Illamal

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This is a short film directed by Ms. Gayathri, an alumnus of Madras Christian College. My professor suggested reviewing this film on my blog, here it goes.  Anbe Nee Illamal deals with a typical problem that couples face every day. Their parents don't agree with their relationship. Now, most of the short films or movies we see with that problem ends happily. The couple goes to hell and back to convince their parents to let them continue in their relationship. This film, however, is different. The couple parts ways. The most surprising part is how the hero reacted to the heroine's confession about her parents' disapproval. He was such a gentleman. He totally understood that there was only so much she could do. He didn't get angry or throw acid on her face or any of the other things we see in other movies. He was so kind and genuine and reminded her that he still loved her. Then, he respected her decision and left her in peace.  Now, there is the guy the heroine's par...
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Nonexistent Applause

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I'm like the Giving Tree No complaints from me "My blood?" you ask "Here you go," I say After all, this is what I was meant to be I wonder if you truly see me I've offered you all I am All I have is yours for the taking My fingers crumbled My dreams destroyed What more do I have to give I'm sure there is still more you desire After this has passed What would happen to me Raise me up on a platform So the crowds can see what I've given There will be silence No one will know all I've done You wouldn't show them what I gave you "It's between you and me," you justify What about me? All I'll have are scars  The memory of what I once was And the silence Nonexistent applause
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Under the Light of the Moon

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Beneath the moon's dull light In an undiscovered place Tensions soar Wanting and longing  A touch of fear What comes next? An open invitation Crystal clear As soft as a feather A touch that's there and then gone Gentle and strong at the same time You don't want it to go away It disappears and you long for more It comes back, harder and firmer Demanding a response from you Dominant and pleading Vulnerable and clueless You give in Letting your emotions take control You finally know who you were meant to be Under the light of the moon
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Destroyed Dreams

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What happens when your dreams disappear? When you just know that there's no way that you're ever going to be able to have them. I'm not talking about tangible things like publishing a book or getting the job you want. I'm talking about your hopes for the future - things you built your visions of. It's where you wanted to see yourself, but, you just can't have it. If you stick to your dreams or desires, you're going to lose something else - this thing is something you can't live without. You are sure of that, but... they are your dreams. They aren't something you can just let go of easily.  You are somewhere where you can't do anything but dream. Now, you know that your dreams will never ever come true. You didn't really ask for much, but it still is too much to ask for. You put everything into your dream. You hoped it would come true someday, so you worked for it every single day. Your every thought was for your dream. Now, you have nothing t...
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Please Don't Try to Save Me

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Leave me be I've been hurt before Nothing you say will help Something in me is just broken Whatever you say or do  Nothing will change  I can't be saved I have been broken My spirit has crumbled The fighter you once knew is gone I'm just a shell of who I once was That girl is dead She has been buried deep Broken, battered, and bleeding She can't be healed Don't waste your time Others have tried I believed them They left me worse than they found me I lost trust I lost hope I lost my dreams I lost my desires I am all I can count on It's a hard line to walk But I can't be revived I have no other choice But to live the life that's been laid out for me The girl I once was dreamt of love Unconditional and true She was naive And she has broken The woman I am now Lives off silence, in fear Her strength is gone Her soul burnt away Please don't try to save me again You've tried before And failed Look where I am now I am defeated I give up. 
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Give Me Back My Girlhood

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My girlhood was stolen! Have you seen it? It disappeared with the wind Before I even understood what it was I was once a carefree girl Playing under the lush green trees Rolling on the soft grass Dipping my toes into the flowing streams I didn't know what it meant to be a girl  The precautions I had to take The dangers in the world The eagle eyes I had to adopt I thought being a girl was easy I didn't know it was something to be feared I thought it was a boon to be born a girl I never knew I was a curse Suddenly, my innocence was stolen They pushed me into a corner  My body wasn't mine anymore No one heard my cries of "Stop"  "That is the burden of having a daughter," The world insisted No one helped me find myself  "You are a woman now,"  Give me back my girlhood! I cried in vain
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Playing the Year Back

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If I played the year back,  I would not imagined I'd be where I am now The twists and turns I hated  And struggled with All of it was to lead me here Where I am now January's pain and February's clarity March and April's joy The bliss that followed in May and June The strained relationships that grew In July and August When threads connected to create destiny In September  Sparks flew and flames raged  In October and November December brought peace and stability  A craving satiated at last Promises kept and truth unveiled Magic witnessed with joy and tears The path's we wandered led us to where we are Here at last Where we are meant to be
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Being A Source of Inspiration

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Wow... it is so humbling to hear that someone is inspired by you. A couple days ago, I was hanging out with a couple of my college juniors. One of them (again, protecting their privacy by not using their names), told me what my professor said about me in their class. He was using me as an example to drive his point. I was pretty honored to hear what he had to say. I'm not sure if I deserve it, but it felt really nice to hear what he had to say about me. (Thank you, sir!) He told them about the things I did and even what the principal said about me (I doubt that happened, but it was nice to hear.) "Akka, you are my role model..." she said.  "...You were already my role model in ethnic walk, now in literature also," she continued.  I was so moved. I've called so many people my role model or my inspiration, but I never thought I'd see the day when someone was inspired by me. I couldn't really speak for a minute. I wondered what I did to deserve that kin...
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How To Write in the Second Person Perspective

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Now, this is a bit different from what I usually write but it's something I tried and it changed the way I think.  So, the point is pretty simple. It's just basic grammar. You need to look at the tense of the verbs. When you use the word 'you' in the sentence, or are talking about the reader/protagonist, the verb should be in simple present tense. When you are talking about another character in the story, for example, you are watching someone doing something, the verb should be in simple continuous tense.  For example: "You open your eyes and inhale deeply."                             "Night falls before the thief returns. 'Please, spare me,' he cries."  These are things that are different from when you write something in the first or the third person perspective. The next thing is that you have to put yourself in the character's shoes. You can't be separated and away from the actions an...
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Last Kiss Part 2

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I do remember the swing of your step The life of the party, you're showing off again And I'd roll my eyes and then you'd pull me in I'm not much for dancing, but for you, I did Because I love your handshake, meeting my father I love how you walk with your hands in your pockets How you'd kiss me when I was in the middle of saying something There's not a day I don't miss those rude interruptions I've listened to this song a million times, but today, there was something about this song that reminded me of insecurities and the worry of not being good enough. When the singer says that she's not really into dancing, but she does for him, it feels like a metaphor for changing herself and her ideals and likes and dislikes. Then, there's the reason behind the change.  There's this post on Instagram that shows how a relationship looks when a girl loves more and when a guy loves more. The lyrics (in my opinion) depict a relationship where the girl loves...
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A Lost Land of Magic - Anything is Possible

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"A Lost Land of Magic - Anything is Possible "  This is the title of my third book. It originally started as just a collection of stories in the second-person perspective, but it soon became more. Now, it is a story where the reader becomes the main character. Everything happens to the reader. They go through each of the "character's" minds in turn after being cursed to take on the visage of 14 others.  This way, I could still keep my basic idea while connecting all of these stories with a simple prologue - which I would love to share a few days later.  The stories can be read independently, as a literary experiment - which is what this was. I attempted this experiment after a challenge from one of my professors. It soon became something more and I enjoyed writing it.  Now, whatever I write, I automatically want to write it from a second-person perspective. (It happened during my basic writing skills exam. I was trying to write a story and in the middle, I almos...
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The Magic of Storytelling - A Society of Storytellers

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Yesterday morning, I had the honor of playing a key role in inaugurating my department's Service Learning Program. This was my brainchild, conceived years ago. I always wanted to spread the importance of reading and the effects it can have on children.  As someone who began listening to stories at a really young age, I know the impact it can have on someone. Books give us a huge amount of general knowledge - even if it's fantasy you choose to read. My preferred genre is fiction. These books have given me a vast vocabulary and impeccable grammar skills. These are things that you just acquire. I never had to put any work into this.  We all know how important English is in this world. This project will help children improve their language skills and will help them fall in love with reading. I hope they will know what it can give them and they will want to do it on their own.  This project was even presented before MCC's principal, Dr. Paul Wilson in a special ThinkTank meeti...
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Sonnet 130

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  Before you read this, take a minute to look at the poem, Sonnet 130 by Shakespeare. It's part of the sonnets addressed to the dark lady.  This sonnet pretty much ridicules the conventions of beauty. Throughout this poem, the poet describes his lover. Look at how he does that. He pretty much says that she doesn't meet any of the conventional standards of beauty.  Now, what exactly are the standards of beauty? Isn't beauty in the eyes of the beholder? That's how it's supposed to be. People have different tastes and they find different things beautiful. Now, Shakespeare didn't mean it this way, but when I read the poem, I felt like a woman has to have all these things to be considered beautiful. That's what we are told as we grow up. A woman has to look a certain way to be considered beautiful - and, let's face it, every woman wants to be called beautiful.  The thing is, these things are out of our control. She can't control the way she looks. The onl...
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The Selection Series

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I just finished reading a book series called 'The Selection Series,' by Kiera Cass. It's a dystopian series. Now, when I think of dystopian books, the first thing that comes to mind is survival stories, like the Hunger Games or the Divergent trilogy. I think about a lot of violence and chaos. These books aren't like that.  The setting of the series is a palace. This takes place after the fourth world war. The world is ruled by monarchies. It takes place in the United States of America, renamed Illea. (Yes, that is a beautiful name.) The plot revolves around Prince Maxon Schreave looking for a bride. There is this thing that happens to help the prince find a bride. It's called A Selection. Every eligible girl in the country is allowed to sign up for a chance to be the next queen. (This is kind of like the reaping in the Hunger Games.) Out of the millions of entries, 35 lucky women are chosen at random to go to the palace and compete for the prince's hand.  Now, w...
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Hidden Agendas @The Park Chennai

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  Wow... what a day I had yesterday. My professor gave a few of us the opportunity of a lifetime. We were sent to attend a prestigious book release at The Park Chennai. I haven't attended events like this before and this was quite an honour.  At first, it was pretty awkward. The four of us were the only young people there. We didn't know anyone. We gathered the courage to introduce ourselves to our host, Mr. Prem Menon. He was very welcoming and a pleasure to talk to. He introduced us to Mrs. Ramona Zachariah, whom we spent a few minutes with. She took us under her wing and was so sweet. She was talking to me about my books and I started sneezing uncontrollably. It was so embarrassing, but she didn't think anything of it. I loved that. Then we met Mrs. Sudha Lakshmi. She introduced us to a few other people there, including her sisters - one of whom was a film director.  After we socialized, the event began. It wasn't as long as I expected it to be. It was captivating. T...
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The End

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Hey guys, I know I haven't posted in a long time. I do have a reason I've been MIA which I hope to reveal to you all soon. Today, however, I wanted to talk about the ending.  When I say ending, I'm talking about ending a project. For example, when you are about to finish writing a book. You feel a sense of apprehension. You don't want it to end. You have grown attached to the characters and world you created. You have poured bits of your heart and soul into them. When the book ends, you feel like those pieces of you will be gone.  Endings are always bittersweet. But here's the thing, you can't start something new without ending another one. Endings open so many doors to so many new things. I am on the verge of an ending now. This morning I was thinking of what to do next. I was pretty confused. For the past few days, I've slowed down progress in my project for this very reason. I didn't know what to do next. I needed this to fill my days and give me some...
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Ray of Sunshine

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One of my close friends is my literal ray of sunshine. This post is a tribute to him. So, this guy (I'm not going to reveal his name just yet) is someone who I smile at as soon as I see him. His booming laugh is something adored by many. It's something that's just part of his identity. When someone hears that sound, they instantly crane their neck around looking for this guy.  He's not just my personal ray of sunshine, I'm sure everyone who knows him would say the same. It's just the relief that being in his presence brings. Whether he cracks a joke about you or in your presence, or he just sits next to you and says "Intha, saapduriya?" It's not about the things he does, it's just his presence. You know that when he's around, he's got your back. It's the reliability.  He knows I don't eat much. Whenever he gets something when I'm with him, it's something I like. Inevitably, I end up eating something. He shoots me a knowi...
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Those Eyes (Poetic Version)

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Chocolate brown eyes, looking in mine I want to call you mine These eyes have the power to break or mend me In their depths, I find my home and happiness  I find my peace I fell into the ocean of your eyes You hold me captive, a net of adoration All I could ever desire is looking back at me Everything else disappears, and the world fades away When I am ensnared by your gaze Every doubt vanishes Your eyes can lead me anywhere, and I will follow These eyes look right into my soul Stripping me bare Reading every secret and unsaid thought They read me and like what they see These eyes soften under my gaze, and all anger disappears I could spend forever there Playful and serious at the same time Mesmerizing me These are eyes I trust and know They are vulnerable and want my love The world is finally on its axis It's as easy as breathing There is a promise there "I loved the past version of you,  I love the present version of you  And I'll continue to love the future version of ...
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The Queen

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Her eyes can make the boldest man bow Her voice echoes around the world She takes on many roles A daughter, sister, lover, friend A deadly foe She wears short skirts or Tshirts Strutting around in high heels or sneakers Her laughter, fierce and free Inspires others and paves the way She rules through love  The world is hers  Her path is hers, bold and true She stands her ground, tall and firm She carries her throne  She seizes the crown  There's courage on the shoulder  Where obedience used to be  And it's calling her the queen  Her nerve is her weapon  And she IS the Queen  (In class this morning, we were asked to write a poem about the modern woman. This is what I ended up with. Am I becoming a poet???)
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I Googled Myself And...

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So, I googled myself today. I didn't have a specific reason to do so. I was just curious. When I hit the search bar, my published books came up. So did my LinkedIn profile.  The most surprising thing I saw was that my books were listed on the Barnes and Noble page! So, Barnes and Noble is a bookstore in the United States. They have retail outlets all over the country. I pretty much grew up in there. I loved visiting. My little sister had regular storytime sessions there. When she was occupied by the instructor, I would browse the shelves. I would take books off the shelves and find a cozy corner to curl up and read in. There was nothing weird about that. No one would look at me funny. I always loved reading. Bookstores and libraries were heaven to me.  Now, this might seem like something pretty trivial. But, this was somewhere I grew up. And to see my work displayed there. It makes me want to go back to visit, just to see my book in one of the places I loved. It makes me feel ...
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Dress

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  Flashback when you met me Your buzzcut and my hair bleached Even in my worst times You could see the best of me Flashback to my mistakes My rebounds, my earthquakes Even in my worst lies You saw the truth in me And I woke up just in time When I hear these lyrics, I feel like... there's someone out there who really understands me. The way the singer says this with such certainty makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It's someone who can see past the drama I cause and my meltdowns. It's someone who can weather my storms with me. The singer talks about how this person could always look beyond things in her past and see her. They saw the true her. They loved her for being herself.  This is a dream of mine. To have someone like this. Someone who knows I have off days and is willing to bear with them. Someone who just wants me to be with them. Just my presence. Someone who cares about what I have to say and wants to listen to the trivial things I want to talk about. Someone who ...
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A Poem on Gratitude

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I was asked to write a poem on the depth of gratitude in my exam this morning. Here's what I ended up with.  Note: It was written when I was on the clock. I wrote this out in ten minutes. I tried to make it kinda visually appealing as well.  Here it is.  Thank you for showing me the world,                       for teaching me to fly,              and for letting me learn. Thank you for your patience,                       for your attention,               and for your affection. Thank you for showing me what love is,                      for letting me know I'm worth loving,              and for teaching me to love myself. Thank you for your trust in me,   ...
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How Much Do I Love Thee?

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So, my professor was teaching us the poem 'How Do I Love Thee,' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (sonnet 43) in class. It was just so magnificent that I was inspired to write my own poem. I'm not really a poet, I'm more of a prose writer, but this poem inspired me. I sat down 2 hours later and tried to write. This is what I ended up with. (I'm sure there are some lines that are similar to the original piece. It's my first work of poetry, bear with me.) It's called "How Much Do I Love Thee?" How much do I love thee? I love thee in silence and peace. I love thee through chaos and violence.  I love thee with the intensity of my grief. I love thee with purity.  In thy eyes I find peace,  In thy arms, lies my home.  To the ends of the earth and beyond. With everything I have and will have.  I love thee when you are out of sight and in my arms.  I love thee with my heart and soul, I am thine.  Now and forever more.
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Nyx, Queen of Night Herself

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"I am Nyx, the queen of night herself, the primordial force from which all darkness flows. Before the dawn, before the stars, I was. From the abyss I rise, my shadows veiling the world in silence and fear... When all light fades, all must return to me."  So, I'm sure you are confused by now. I went to a cosplay event at Ethiraj college where I played Nyx. My teammates were all dressed as Greek Gods. The work we had chosen to portray was Theogony by Hesiod.  For the past few weeks, I had put all my energy and effort into this event. I worked on the music, the formations, the dialogues, costumes, and everything in between. Finally, it was time to get on stage. I had spent all morning getting ready. When they called for my team, there was no time to be nervous. We got on stage and I checked out the stage dimensions. I instructed my teammates where they should stand and I signalled for the music to start.  That was it. The gods descended from Olympus. Zeus and Poseidon entere...
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Kindness

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When I was driving to college the other day, I witnessed a couple genuine acts of kindness. They were so pure they filled me with happiness.  As I was driving, I ended up behind a car that had stopped in the middle of the road. I was trying to overtake it but vehicles kept passing me. I sighed and decided to wait until the car moved. That was when a minivan stopped beside me, with a little space for me to squeeze by. The other vehicles in that lane stopped behind the minivan. I looked up at the driver, wondering if he stopped for me or for something else. He nodded at me to go ahead. I smiled to myself and continued. Later that same day, a car asked me to move in front of him. There was a bus standing behind me. The car driver had left space for me to stand in front of him. "Po ma," he said. Another day, there was a black jeep that drove behind me all the way to college. (Now, I'm not someone who squeezes through gaps in traffic. I prefer driving calmly and safely. Usuall...
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The Power of A Name

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I say name, but I don't mean a legal name that's on documents. I'm talking about someone's nickname, or name that they like to be called. This name isn't something that everyone knows. It's something very personal and it probably has a story attached to it.  The feeling you get when someone entrusts you with something as personal as their name is beyond compare. This just happened to me and I am high.  For starters, the name in question is adorable. I had so much fun when I tried saying it aloud. It sounded so perfect for the person. I could visualize myself using that name on them a lot. I could see how it was perfect for them.  Then, there's the way that the name makes that person feel. It probably makes them feel loved and adored. It takes them back to good times. It makes them feel safe and comfortable with you. That kind of emotional bond is special in any relationship. That kind of safety and security is essential to ensure that the relationship is str...
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Promise Me This Is Forever

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Wow, the rain today was just magnificent. It reminded me of one of the most beautiful scenes from The Vampire Diaries.  It's Damon and Elena. They are supposed to be camping and watching the shooting stars. It suddenly starts pouring. Elena wants to stay where they are. She really believes that the storm will clear up. Damon laughs, even though he doesn't really believe the same thing. They look at each other and smile. It's just so beautiful. They kiss under the pouring rain. When they pull away, Elena looks at Damon and asks, "Promise me this is forever?" I see such love in her eyes when she asks him that. It's pure trust. It's unconditional. It's all-consuming. It's the hope that this is forever. Elena looks at him expectantly and he doesn't fail to set the bar high. He smiles down at her and says "I promise." The scene is so beautiful and you can really see the love between the characters. You can see passion. To me, it feels like...
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Sympathy

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When I was on my way home last night, I was at the Tambaram railway station. It was after 9 o'clock. There was a girl - probably a year or two older than me - who was limping. She was holding her heeled sandals in her hand and was having a lot of trouble walking. My friend and I saw blood on her foot. My heart instantly went out to her. I knew that her shoes had probably hurt her. It has happened to me countless times. I know how much it hurts. You literally can't walk. My mom says 'the shoe bit you.' In my opinion, it does hurt as much as a bit would.  This girl was bleeding. I called her and asked her if she needed tissues to clean up. I happened to have some on me. She told me that she had already used some water to clean it. To me, it didn't look clean. Bright red blood was still glistening on her foot. She told me that if she used a tissue, it would burn her. I totally understood that. I asked her if she needed any help. She told me that her brother was going t...
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Vivid Description?

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My professor gave us a pretty cool writing activity this morning. He was talking to us about vivid description and imagery and solidity of specification and a bunch of other stuff. He told us to write about the person on our right side.  I was instantly hooked. I love writing. I turned to my right to see my friend, VV (Vedhaviyaas). I scrutinized him for a moment, trying to figure out what I wanted to write. I turned and looked out the window, watching him out of the corner of my eye for a few moments before springing into action.  This is what I wrote...  As a cool breeze brushed past me, I turn to face it. I catch the breeze on my face. My professor is still giving us instructions, but I have been distracted. The sunlight glinting off his silver bangle as he jots down a scribble of notes. He rustles the pages of his notebook as he starts his activity. His pen runs across the page. The breeze ruffles his long hair. He lifts his hand to brush his hair back, out of his fac...
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D-Y-I-N-G

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Before I start talking about this... I just have to give you the bridge of this masterpiece (How Did It End). Say it once again with feeling How the death rattle breathing Silenced as the soul was leaving The deflation of our dreaming Leaving me bereft and reeling My beloved ghost and me Sitting in a tree D-Y-I-N-G These lyrics are just so poetic and formal, yet they don't feel right for what Taylor is trying to convey. They look like something that she would want to present publicly - like a speech or report. Even though these lyrics are filled with emotion, as always, they aren't in her usual demeanor. I love how the song sounds like a ballad to her lover while it's also an elegy to what she lost.  The lyrics barely make sense, but the part I love the most is "D-Y-I-N-G." It's like she's trying to draw attention to the fact that she's dying inside. (Here comes my own perspective now). This song was written after her break-up with Joe Alwyn. Here, she...
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Studio Apartment

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This is a very recent find of mine. The moment I heard it, it touched my heart. It was just magnificent and raw. It's written from the perspective of the girl who was left behind. I discovered the chorus of this song on an Instagram reel.  She gets the roses 'cause I picked the thorns She's got everything that I wanted and even more She gets your coffee that used to be me Now she's part of your every morning routine And you might share a big house with a garden But she never shared your studio apartment The narrator is telling us how she turned her lover into a man. She smoothened down the rough edges. She moulded her lover into the perfect guy. The perfect lover, partner, and husband. She tells us that this new girl might live in his new, big house now, but she wasn't with him when he was starting out. She tells us that she was the one who stayed with this guy all throughout his rough patches. She helped him through multiple crises.  She taught him all about romant...
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Those Eyes

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(This is kinda poetic but I'm not a poet. So, it's in prose.) Someone's eyes have the power to break you. Well, of course, it's not just anyone. It's someone really important. You see everything you could ever want or need in them. These eyes can persuade you to do anything.  These eyes stare right into your soul and the look in them tells you that you are worth it. These eyes soften under your gaze. They strip you bare and can read every thought that runs through your mind. They see all your vulnerabilities. When you look into them, you feel like you can spend forever there. They tease you into admitting what you want. They are playful and serious at the same time. They are eyes you trust.  Everything else flies out the window. Every doubt you have disappears. In those eyes, you feel like you belong. You're at home when you're lost in them. They notice every microscopic change in you and you can read the changes in them.  At that moment, everything just fee...
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Kavitha Mam

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So my professor told me to write a short story about one of our teachers. I decided to narrate an incident that happened when I was in the tenth grade. Let's go back to 2021.  She was always seen in a sari. She wore her hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. She always had 2 clips holding any stray hair back. She wore bangles on one hand and a watch on the other. wore a gold chain and had books in her hands at all times. We used to think she was scary - I'm sure people still do. (She was a very strict teacher whom we had known for 4 years. We were always very well-behaved in her class. It was only later that we all knew what a fun person she was. Of course, being a teacher, she had to be strict to maintain order in her class. We all loved her loads.) Kavitha Mam. One teacher I will never forget.  "Lekhaa," she called, walking into class one day, with another one of my teachers. It was March and it was tenth grade. Being part of the COVID batch, our board exams were ...
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