A picture of poignant beauty
a woman of stolid strength;
music her forte is,
art her choice of words.
A shy Rapunzel
a haven that once was;
suave her subtle ways
charm her weapon in guise.
A deep sensibility
a seldom cracking smile;
amidst dark days of life
effervescent her warm light.
A cosy nest of lilies
a love and life in bloom;
curious minds she potted
to set their wings loose.
An unwritten hero
a strength in my life;
this day was born
my mother I now recognize.
Happy Birthday MOM!!! As much as I never listen to you, I still love you :-) :)
15th Dec, 2008 IST
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book. Show all posts
Fiction Writing Assignment 4: Dialogues in a short story
Teachers without Borders 4
Tim felt weary with pain in his chest as he got out of bed. He took the liberty of a long shower to release his blues. I have one last chance to tell her, Tim thought as he felt the hot water bring his body to life. After ages, he took the time to get dressed yet ended up arriving early at Sheena’s doorstep.
“Aloha!” Tim watched Sheena with awe as she opened the door smiling.
“Hi Sunshine. You ready?” he responded cheerfully.
“Um, how should we do this – take my luggage or grab lunch and come back for it?” she said.
He was keenly admiring her cherubic face, natural brown hair, beady earrings, peppy clothes and her mood, which always a part of her appearance. Does she ever catch me glancing, Tim wished she did.
“We have plenty of time, lets chow first; we’ll come back for your stuff,” he managed to say. Maybe we won’t need to come back, he thought to himself
“You pick,” she said.
“Hey, I am not the one going to
He saw her sense his feelings. Was she taken aback? They had been coworkers and friends for a little over 6 months now. Did she think he was taking a blow as she left the continent?
“Oh dear, what’ve I done? Has the most confident and cool teacher I know turned in to an emotional friend for one day?” she quipped.
Friend, the word rang in his ears. I have to tell her before we head to the airport so she has time to consider.
Tim opened the car door for Sheena bowing gracefully as if he were a butler. “Guilty as charged!” he said.
In the car, a soothing James Blunt CD was playing. Tim was taking in large puffs of air to feel stronger. It’s now or never; if I let her go…
He stole a couple of fleeting peeks at Sheena; she was fiddling with her right earring looking away from him.
…she will never know! She is probably nervous about her trip and the enormity of change in her life.
He didn’t know that Sheena was at war on the inside at that moment.
“What will he say or think if I tell him I am crazily in love – with him?” she deliberated. She flinched as she ripped off her index nail. He’ll act aloof. Probably laugh if I told him that I fell for him on day one.
They were both quiet in the car.
“You know pal, I will really miss you,” Tim said awkwardly breaking the silence game.
“So where are we finally going?” she asked, completely missing what Tim just said.
Tim didn’t answer and fiddled with the radio. Kelly Clarkson was singing in a high pitch. Since you been gone….
Fiction Writing Assignment 3: Conflicts in a short story
Teachers without Borders 3
Tonight it was Sheena’s turn to pick a restaurant for Foodie Fridays; Tim and Sister Rosa had assigned a code name to their weekly dinner together. Food was important to both of them. Most Fridays, they went to one their favorite Asian restaurants and enjoyed food over school politics. Sheena wanted things to be different today; she planned to seek advice on her foundation idea from both her comrades. So she chose an upscale Italian restaurant with spotty service and large booths.
They arrived separately. Sister Rosa and Tim were a little amused as they walked to their cozy dark leather booth. This was totally not their usual hangout place. “Wonder what is going on in Sheena’s crazy mind!” exclaimed Tim.
“I smell some news, may be she found someone” said Sister Rosa.
Tim pondered for a second - “Nah, I would know. She can’t hide anything on that face of hers. We shall see.
With this fancy place, I bet its good news!”
Sheena walked in 10 minutes late grinning, her arm loaded with her huge jute handbag swung like a pendulum. She took a spot opposite Tim, piled her things next to Sister Rosa and immediately belted out “I have something to tell you guys. But what do you think about this place, it’s nice huh.”
The server came by Sheena’s side and politely asked – “Have you all had a chance to look at the menu? I will be happy to talk about our specials or any of our dishes.”
Tim chuckled.
Sister Rosa abruptly said “I think we will need 5 minutes or more to decide.”
The server shrugged “What would you like to drink?”
Sheena pitched in “Water with ice for all please. Can I also see the wine menu?”
Once they were alone in the booth, Sister Rosa nudged Sheena’s arm and motioned her hand and face questioningly. Tim had his right elbow on the table, face resting on his palm and his gaze fixed on Sheena. Sensing they were both ready to be shocked Sheena let it out “I have been exploring new opportunities in the educational non-profit arena and I think I might have found my next thing – this foundation called Skill, which is opening a new school a month in African countries. They want me to try something in
The server was back with three glasses of chilled water and a wine list. His keen judgment told him there was a serious discussion ongoing and he left them as fast as he had intruded.
Lowering her tone Sheena said earnestly - “I really want your honest opinions both as friends and academics.”
Sister Rosa’s face was snow white, as if blood had disappeared from her veins. She was plainly in shock and could not bring herself to say anything.
Tim said “Sheena this is great! I always knew you were thinking bigger and deeper but this is fantastic. I think you will be very effective in building new programs and spawning new schools. I have to say Mt Mary’s High School will miss your spirit dearly. Your students might be a little distracted for a few months, but I can read them your inspirational African letters.”
Sister Rosa fiddled with her knife and fork; she seemed to be looking for a dark spot or a half moon in her beautiful plate. Just then the server was back to take their order. Suddenly Sheena wasn’t sure if dinner at this cost was such a good idea.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/conflict.htmlFiction Writing Assignment 2: Characters in a short story
Teachers without Borders 2
{For background read part 1 under Beginnings}
Sheena stared at the big old clock on the grey side-wall of the room; it was about 10:05 am, still no sign of Tim. Right then, Tim walked in to the meeting room with a bowl of cheerios in one hand and his worn-out journal in the other. He had his cozy smile, ragged blue jeans and a starched white shirt on. To Sheena, it appeared that he had come in high air, standing tall at 6 feet with all his convictions in tow. Sheena loved his confidence but hated such situations all at once. For a wicked second, she wondered if today she would be the winner.
“Morning, sorry I’m late” said Tim earnestly.
Sheena jumped back “Hey! I guess I should bring along a test or something to read while I wait for you”.
Tim responded with a stretched instantaneous smile on his lips: “May be you should; you say it every time. Do you forget or were you running late too? In fact, after your class finished at 9:50, if you went to the teachers lounge to pick up a few tests you would bump in to me pouring cereal in the break room and we could walk to this very room together starting this meeting en-route!”
Sheena wanted to shake the shit out of Tim for his nonchalance but he was right. Why did she let him get to her? It drove Sheena nuts that he was witty and smart; it felt like she lost her whiz status when she was with him.
By now, Tim was amused and making a funny face -“Hello Ms Day Dreamer ! Should we begin? We’ve already lost 10 minutes. So where were we on Tuesday?”
Before Sheena could respond, Tim answered his own question “Ah, found my notes! We finalized the budget and the committee members on the annual project. Today we should focus on a cause - possibly social and then talk to student volunteers who might be interested. Once we have a good project plan we can pitch it to Sister Rosa.”
Tim eyed Sheena to scan her reactions. She was in one of her dark days – black cotton shirt, jet black slacks and black leather boots. The only thing non-nerve wracking or even delightful in her appearance was the way her petite black earrings made her small face stand out amidst waves of short, cropped hair. Had he not seen Sheena in her colorful, cool and casual clothes over the last 6 months, Tim would have thought she belonged to some gothic band or cult.
“Look Tim - I totally respect and appreciate your passion for this project and yes WE need to decide on a cause. But what makes you think it has to be one of social significance? I would much rather lobby for an annual project within the school that helps our students and strengthens Mt Mary High School’s community – that could be the social impact you so desire in everything. You know charity begins at home!” Sheena blurted out.
Her style did not appeal to Tim - she was aggressive, rational but over-the-to-top dramatic. He decided to ignore the Hollywood style effects and focus on her message and think of an appropriate response. At this very moment, Sheena was biting her tongue and fuming internally. Once again, she had let her emotions dominate her calm, collected professional self, which she had developed after years of critical self-analysis and practice.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/character.html
{For background read part 1 under Beginnings}
Sheena stared at the big old clock on the grey side-wall of the room; it was about 10:05 am, still no sign of Tim. Right then, Tim walked in to the meeting room with a bowl of cheerios in one hand and his worn-out journal in the other. He had his cozy smile, ragged blue jeans and a starched white shirt on. To Sheena, it appeared that he had come in high air, standing tall at 6 feet with all his convictions in tow. Sheena loved his confidence but hated such situations all at once. For a wicked second, she wondered if today she would be the winner.
“Morning, sorry I’m late” said Tim earnestly.
Sheena jumped back “Hey! I guess I should bring along a test or something to read while I wait for you”.
Tim responded with a stretched instantaneous smile on his lips: “May be you should; you say it every time. Do you forget or were you running late too? In fact, after your class finished at 9:50, if you went to the teachers lounge to pick up a few tests you would bump in to me pouring cereal in the break room and we could walk to this very room together starting this meeting en-route!”
Sheena wanted to shake the shit out of Tim for his nonchalance but he was right. Why did she let him get to her? It drove Sheena nuts that he was witty and smart; it felt like she lost her whiz status when she was with him.
By now, Tim was amused and making a funny face -“Hello Ms Day Dreamer ! Should we begin? We’ve already lost 10 minutes. So where were we on Tuesday?”
Before Sheena could respond, Tim answered his own question “Ah, found my notes! We finalized the budget and the committee members on the annual project. Today we should focus on a cause - possibly social and then talk to student volunteers who might be interested. Once we have a good project plan we can pitch it to Sister Rosa.”
Tim eyed Sheena to scan her reactions. She was in one of her dark days – black cotton shirt, jet black slacks and black leather boots. The only thing non-nerve wracking or even delightful in her appearance was the way her petite black earrings made her small face stand out amidst waves of short, cropped hair. Had he not seen Sheena in her colorful, cool and casual clothes over the last 6 months, Tim would have thought she belonged to some gothic band or cult.
“Look Tim - I totally respect and appreciate your passion for this project and yes WE need to decide on a cause. But what makes you think it has to be one of social significance? I would much rather lobby for an annual project within the school that helps our students and strengthens Mt Mary High School’s community – that could be the social impact you so desire in everything. You know charity begins at home!” Sheena blurted out.
Her style did not appeal to Tim - she was aggressive, rational but over-the-to-top dramatic. He decided to ignore the Hollywood style effects and focus on her message and think of an appropriate response. At this very moment, Sheena was biting her tongue and fuming internally. Once again, she had let her emotions dominate her calm, collected professional self, which she had developed after years of critical self-analysis and practice.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/character.html
Fiction Writing Assignment 1: Beginnings in a short story
Teachers without Borders 1
The dazzling
During lunch breaks, Sheena avoided the teachers' lounge, she ate either with her class or under a shady oak tree in the yard. Quite the social bee, she knew all her colleagues in and out. She had all of them figured out in her first month: Mrs. Tyler liked to knit, her colorful yarn was strewn on the beige coffee table in the lounge; Mr. Bing was a coffee enthusiast and a computer geek - he lived for them; Mrs. Edwards was the only grapevine - if it were not for her there would be no personal details floating in the school.
Unlike her colleagues, whom Sheena thought of as the "Brady bunch", her students were an interesting challenge. It took her a good 6 months to understand the context in which they lived and how it affected their performance. By the end of the school year, Sheena knew what normal behavior was for every student in her class, which helped her identify anything different almost immediately. Sheena worked hard at constantly improving the quality of education in class while influencing students to raise the bar of expectation that they set for themselves. Most evenings she was the last teacher to leave the school - busy creating an exciting science project, assessing students' silly mistakes on their tests with critical scrutiny, tutoring a student who needed special help or writing notes to parents.
The heat was relenting as the sun went down, Sheena was a just mile from her exit but her mind was a collage of images - of Tim! Earlier today, Sister Rosa had introduced Tim as the new Math instructor at the staff meeting. Her body tightened as she felt seasick in her stomach, something she rarely felt. Sheena parked her truck in the garage, planned her evening for a minute – jog, cook, TV, handbag stuff, read, Tim!? By now she was struggling, what was so special about Tim, why was she flustered? Was it that he seemed passionate about his work, was it his charismatic speech or was it just a crush - she hadn’t had one of those in ages!
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/beginnings.html
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