A Special Sunday

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Kalesh, an old friend of mine, entered into the confluence of marriage yesterday, in what I can surely expect, a wonderful ceremony. I could not attend it, as I had to be present at another important appointment. I wish my dear friend, Kalesh, a very happy and fulfilling married life. I had met Kalesh for the first time during my days at the Polytechnic. I recount a story from my days at the polytechnic, in Wall of Colours.

September 1 hasn’t ceased to surprise me yet. As you would too, be surprised to learn that another old friend of mine, Jisha’s marriage too was on the same day, at another place, in the same city. She is marrying her classmate from college days.

Kannur is a small city, when you think about what it lacks. However, when one thinks in terms of distances, this city separates places with obstacles one cannot imagine coming across in a city. An instance of which, I will recount here. Before that though, I would like to wish my friend Jisha, a very happy and prosperous marriage.

As I was busy on the Sunday, September 1, I took it to visit Kalesh and Jisha on day before. On the Saturday afternoon, as planned, I reached Kalesh’s house. However, what would have been a half hour bus drive, took me more than one hour. A grumpy traffic jam made me feel like I was riding a snail. I do not own a car; otherwise, I would have spent the whole day there, trying to figure out where to pick my way out. The bus driver was a skilled man. This is how the city becomes a sorcerer, who shows things that aren’t expected.  

After spending some time at his house, I took another bus to Kannur and went straight to Jisha’s house. It was after a long time that I had met her. A deluge of memories flowed out within my mind. We studied in the same class from fifth standard to tenth. We used to be rivals in studies. Every exam result was awaited with a mix of anxiety and eagerness.

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Although the city separated people and places miles apart, the memories that flooded in brought old times together. I did not long for the past though. It was already proved that my past was no better and glistening than my present. I prefer my present, over past, because the present has you in it, dear reader. In the past, I was just a scared and silent soul who always kept his safe distance from talking aloud and standing up for what he believed as truth.

Currently, I am reading the book titled, Quiet; The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Somehow, this deluge of memories I had, about my childhood days had a very close connection with the theme of this book. Quiet deals with introverts. It positions the introvert as a social outcast and at the same time validates a space for this personality style. Expressing my introvert nature was a constant disturbance I always lived with, during my childhood. I was blamed of being an introvert, and coaxed to become an extrovert, as if the latter is in some way a better state of being. I am very excited to be reading Quiet;The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. A book review of Quiet; The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking will follow soon.

Often I get into situations, which tell me that I was in the right place and at the right time. This one was very much the like. Once again, I wish best for my friends.

The book review is sponsored by Mysmartprice.com.

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Year One: The Movie

Warning: This movie is outrageously anti-gay and anti-Biblical, at the same time.

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WhatIf someone puts a couple of twenty-first century nerds in the Neolithic Age, how would it all turn out to be? The answer is Year One. It is a movie about two Stone Age men, Zed (Jack Black), who is a hunter, and Oh (Michael Cera), who is a gatherer. The story is set in close proximity with the post-paradise life of the chosen ones.

Zed and Oh are exiled from their tribe and in their quest to find another tribe, they meet Cain and Abel. From this moment onwards, the story takes place through some of the major Biblical events and portrays some of its powerful characters with a different approach.

Humour is the main tool Year One has utilized to deal with the Biblical tales. Imagine Christopher Mintz-Plasse (the nerd in Superbad, and Rolemodels) as Isaac, the son of Abraham. What else can you expect other than hilarious riots of laughter. Although in Year One, Christopher’s role is not so predominant, he still leaves his mark and there is no question of his talent. Some Christians as well as Jews might as well take offence with the way the movie portrays circumcision and related events. Abraham chases down Isaac with a butcher’s knife in his hand to circumcise his son.  

Eventually, Zed and Oh reaches Sodom, the twin city that was cursed by God. Sodomy is ridiculed and is proclaimed as unthinkable. Of course, in a religious ethics, it is. However, in terms of the thoughts proclaimed by the gay rights activists, I do not think this part would be acceptable. Religion too, is mocked and ridiculed. This is how Year One becomes anti-gay and anti-Biblical, at the same time.

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Oops! Did I mention? Zed had eaten the forbidden fruit, in the beginning. This is the reason why he was outcast from his tribe. But then, he burnt someone’s hut too. It’s a big problem when your destiny is to be the ‘Chosen One’, and all you can think about is living like a non-existent in your village.

Year One is a comedy directed by Harold Ramis, and produced by Judd Apatow. Released in 2009, this movie does follow much of the same comic elements one might find in Role Models and Superbad. Unlike these two movies mentioned, the two women characters Maya (June Diane Raphael) and Eema (Juno Temple) in Year One do not add much spice to the story.

After eating the forbidden fruit, Zed realizes that something is imminent. He does not know what, yet. He will see, and so do you. 

This is Saturday Flick. Go HERE for more.

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Pea for English

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On29 August 2013, I crossed a milestone in my teaching career. I planted a pea plant in the English class, literally. The idea behind this method that might seem an exaggeration is that the growth of the pea plant mirrors, somewhat closely, the steps involved in second-language acquisition. Preparing the soil [identifying the proper aptitude for language learning], Planting the seed [equipping the language learner with the basic laws of the second language], watering [reading on a daily basis, materials written in the language that is being learnt].

It was a challenging experience, just to set up the garden pot with a layer of rock at the bottom, then some soil, then some smooth sand, and then a mix of soil and cow dung. In order to give all the students in the class, a feel of how holding soil in one’s hand would be like, and prepare the space for planting the seed, I asked each one to take a fistful of soil and spread it in the pot.

Once, this task was done, I inferred some information about the attitudes of the students. Some of them were extremely careless about how they put the soil in the pot. They just threw the soil inside, and did not attempt to spread the soil and sand carefully. Some others, on the other hand, took the soil and spread it neatly inside the pot.

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Once everything was fixed, the principal was invited. She came in and inaugurated “Pea for English”, English coaching class. “As you sow, so shall you reap.” She mentioned in the conclusion of her address.

You might ask me why I chose to plant a Kerala pea-plant inside the classroom. Well, firstly, I always wanted to plant something in a classroom. Thankfully, it turned out to be a pea plant. Secondly, planting a seed is an archetype. Jungian archetypes are sure to connect among human minds, even if words spoken aloud, or written do not make sense. The unconscious self will pick up the sense in the teaching process, through its association with fertility and agriculture. This will enable language learning smoother, deeper, and effective. 
 

I am planning to take English language teaching to a new level, with the “Pea for English” classes. I may need some additional confidence and support, occasionally. So, please be there.   

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