11th to 20th Dec-huhh

This is the shortest time interval in which I am writing blog since I think after 2nd week of insti, i.e around 6 months back. Last 9 days have been actually on better side. Mostly grammar in school, integrating with PMC teacher, Aniket's observation on 13th was decent. He asked me to work on Investment of kids, ate dinner at Iyer's. It was good, chutney and sambhar were pretty concentrated. Wednesday was start of almost a change in my life. The experience of Urban ashram was phenomenal. I remembered my comfort on Saturdays. Awesome. Well Friday after the school went bad but on Saturday I went convinced that it will be good and taught loads of maths and it was almost. Sunday was conference. Hmm. I will call a below average overall. I felt the sessions could have been better planned. The hopping around in Pune with Abhimanyu and Karthik was good. Monday also I spent on maths. Tuesday on Unit test of maths and then PT and games.

November till mid December

I came back to Pune confused, disheartened not sure if anything had changed. The journey before vacation had taken away full energy. Sunday I came, train late around 5 hours. Tensed completely what would happen. Got to know only a few days back that Monday is not school. Sunday evening went in just arranging the house slightly and  slept. Monday went in checking mails and replying. Work of Unit plan 4 had just started. I went school on Tuesday to find that only 5 kids had come. So on Tuesday we just played, miscellaneous ways. GK and some more time pass stuff. Vineela hadn’t come back so had her kids also. Wednesday the number just increased to 7 but that also meant no serious study. Thursday was a holiday for some crap. So I went on Wednesday to Ramneet’s home. Stayed there, talked about all sort of random stuff. It was a good time. Defense people get so much luxury, ya I agree their work is also very hard and it is well deserved. Ramneet’s sister and brother in law are both pass outs from AFMC that means both are in army and are working as Major. At night we talked about how profitable is the BPO sector. You just need the right contacts, but isn’t all jobs about having to do right kind of work. Just work to find the needy, finding provider is easy or else you can create also and lead it. Thursday morning, Ramneet didn’t wake up but I could not sleep more. At around 9 I got a call from Divesh saying that holiday is cancelled and I should come. Then I called kids and informed that vacation has ended and forcible called Pinku to school for some study. I meanwhile arranged the cupboard. Friday the attendance increased a little and Saturday a little more but still it was less than 15 only. On Friday it was birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and teachers called me to speak on him, I hadn’t prepared anything but just gave a random speech with the little knowledge I had. Weekend just got over in more planning stuff. From next week the attendance of kids increased, Kalpesh had got seriously ill and Hruthvik shifted to village. I was sad, chatted with Sandeep and he consoled me. I had started reading Teach like a champion. I met Sivaram a couple of times, it helped me a lot. The PDPM debrief was more a formality. The conference was good, some good sessions. On 1^st December, there was co-observation with Sandeep and Aniket. I was so nervous that I slept late, woke up early. Phonics went good, grammar not so good. I got confused in explaining “But”. Sandeep left a quite positive note. Meet with Aniket also went good. He said it was the my best lesson he has observed. Then I met Sivaram, it was good, I felt very good, learning so so much from his experiences. Then meet with Siddharth- It was better than I expected, as should be with a city director. He gave a book Swift, which is about how change happens. Next day in phone check-in I told Aniket what all I need. I realized that I have full technical support but what I need is emotional support. I told him this completely, but he didn’t quite understand it. Ok. I let it out from my side. The week went overall good. Tuesday again a holiday for Muharram. I went to Anwesha’s place. It was such a good day. May be the best after I came back from home. Good food, good conversations, all in all an amazing day. In phone check-in I asked Aniket about many doubts related to TAL which I read on Sunday. On Wednesday, meet with all new teachers and my co-teacher didn’t attend. By the way she stopped coming to my class from that day because few teachers were absent. Well Thursday and Friday were normal routine stuff. On Friday I had a wish to do exercise, so exercised for around 2 hours. On Saturday I went to Upper Otta met all kids, got to know to Raghwan’s home also. I was very happy to see Chaitrali studying and also only planning to study whole day.

Mid Sept to Nov

Well September went only in trying to get class in decent position. Initial work of "What will I do about it" started. It was a nice experience working with Ashwin, Seema, Swati and Sunny- all of them among leaders both in classroom and clearly in coming years. First meet in Barista in which I got late. Second in TFI office, where I was late again. Uhh.. I had stopped being late since last 2 years. Pune traffic is jam in evening. I didn't expect that having a smooth experience before this. And in 2nd meet, guilty of being late I was standing out of office when Chaitali spotted me and asked me to come in. Next few meetings were in Seema and Swati's home. Well they have a beautiful home and also had Dabeli for snacks. Abhimanyu and Anwesha remained a constant support of pillar all throughout. Jagriti also became a friend in the meantime. There were some One team events where we got a chance to meet different people. One in East street where the organisers were also late, then in MG road park for Joy of Giving where the junta was quite less, may be also due to the rain that day. Well I also went through a time or may be a week of ill health. Bad time but at least got some help from Divesh when needed. Also went through a rough time with Hruthvik, to the extent that I went to his home before vacation to teach him mother phonics. I gave holiday homework to all kids and a photocopy of history book to all.

Vacation: I went home by the Azad Hind, had to pay 200 for Auto, then my ticket was not confirmed but RAC, the train also had a pathetic rush, so it didn't matter if I had confirmed ticket also, the bogey was full due to Diwali rush. Got to meet an IT proffessional while going to Kol. Reached around 4-5 hours late. Took bus only to home, to see Sanjay mamaji there. Next day I went for new home opening of Arun chachaji, and on the way back bought a 32'' TV. On small Diwali I went to nanibari. Met Madhu mami for first time.Well we could not talk much, maybe due to 2 reasons- I was a bit confused and secondly because it was late night. Diwali was not so special, just like any other day. Next day just went by. On Bhai dooj I got many good food to eat. I also went out with Prerna and Trisha. Good time spent in City Centre 2. Saturday my uncle and aunt came. Sunday we went to Science City. Good time. Then there was feast in nanibari. My father and Kitty both got ill that day. Monday was dull. Tuesday we went to South City(Pizza hut meal was good) and also to Natural Height.Wednesday they left. Thursday and Friday just went by like that and again Azad Hind express. There was a lady who had AC waitlisted e-ticket who had first experience of travelling without ticket. She started crying and I assured her that it would just cost some money nothing else. She was a teacher too. Another person in compartment was doing BeEd. Wow travelling with 2 teachers in same compartment. Another difference I noticed was this. Never did I see or may be 1 in 200 times did I find a girl in 20s travelling in sleeper during trip to Kanpur and back but in this trip I could spot many. :P

Mid July-August

Today is 26th November and am writing for July and August.Well I am writing this 2^nd time because last time’s writing got lost because Microsoft office crashed so everything in very short now:

Conference:

·       Lady helping in shifting and all young people relaxing

·       Bus’s clutch failed so got into last bus which was full of luggage too.

·       Rutika’s vomiting

·       Binu’s boyfriend, Aniket’s shave and Neha’s parents

·       Electric Diva and some performances

·       The chart written by everyone and visiting card

·       Final hugs.

·       Luggage left in bus

·       Meeting with Ishpreet in Divesh’s home

Other small things:

·       Recharge by Sumang and Archana’s sim

·       Talk with Anuj and Sanket

·       Rangoli welcome by kids and management going bizarre

·       Assurance by Divesh

·       Scholarship exam, Jyoti teacher’s nuisance and meet with Hitesh

·       Registration of house and being late in school

·       Splitting of class.

·       PM debriefs-phonics and grammar.

·       Independence day sound system

·       Amazing Sinhagad trip with Hitesh, Binu, Prashant and Nishant. The wind point, the tasty food, the pure fun.

Mom’s visit:

·       Mobile discharge and enquiry counter confusion

·       Cleaning spree and shopping.

·       Surat trip: Bus late, mall visits, shopping, the alchemist, taiji’s home food- chowmein and dosa, return back.

·       Heavy rain and coming back.

·       Late night drop at station.

Weekend before School

Friday night: Well we had planned for a surprise party for Madhukar. With the leadership forum ending of Jayashree we met in Tagore 2, called Jagriti who was not very happy with so late information from my side but still came cancelling the plan. Madhukar himself also wanted to go out and so he had already asked us to meet in parking lot but then came in Tagore 3 himself to call us up. Anwesha took her out so that we could make our arrangements but ended up doing a serious talk with him. Then when he came, we did the events as planned. Then we all went out to Tadka house again for the last time. All the tables were already booked so we took one room in the outside. Pritish and Prashant joined later. As usual we played games(ya the GAMES). We then had Truth and Dare. Never ever did I know that Truths can be something difficult too and more difficult than Dare. With the expected level of openness, the questions were simply more than what I imagined could be even uttered in front of girls, but now we are working proffessionals and anyways I was in a completely new world so had to adapt fast. Managed to keep myself calm and asked and answered questions. Well my answer as usual was very blunt and no further questions or responses evolved. :D
Neha, Sathya and I forgot the name of the 3rd person(I think saurav) were there in Tadka house. Me and Jagriti went to meet them many times. They were enjoying themselves a lot while relaxing. They came back even after us. Later I had to start packing. Well most of my apartment mates were towards end and I started. No problem. Since ultimately I also finished. 
Saturday:

Last week at institute.

Monday: Again some lectures. After the lecture I talked with Sanket Patil, Divesh and the landowner Divesh introduced. Was thinking of going to meet him that day only but when I asked to Maureen she told me that attending the evening lecture is important and Tuesday's one is also important and allowed me to miss office hours on Wednesday. Then at summer school, we started the RF for EOI. Then Rutika was teaching and I was co teaching. I didn't see my class so quiet ever. Her GP was inspiring. She taught addition with many chits. The evening session was on Solving the Educational Puzzle. Nakul went up to share that he wanted to be a minister and called me also on stage. :) Well it was a nice feeling, because of him people started considering me also as a politician, Vineela shared that she wanted to be a part of UNICEF. In others I don't remember now. After the lecture the amazing "Secret Angel" Event started. It was a real fun event. Mine was Renu. Later that evening I went on walk with Sathya and Neha at midnight. I can't forget that walk.
Tuesday: Again some sessions and then I had to take the two classes today because I was the lead in co teaching and you know what I had to take the AIT class also as a class because Srilekha had gone home searching and we were lagging in our RF assessments. And that class which was my last class was my worst summer school class. I was tired, tried a new strategy which completely failed, Rutika came late to class to help in co-teaching and class was huhh. Then was the session on Communicaitons. Well the secret angel event could have started today also. I am not sure.
Wednesday: 1st lecture by Siddharth and I was late. I fell in the ditch behind our hostel. Had to go back to room and was sure to not come back but only because of Nishant's insistence I went to lecture. They were on our placements and how schools are selected and how to invest various stake holders. For a change some good content in presentations. Planned to go to see home. After taking Maths assessment for EOI I left for Bibvewadi. Reached in time to find that landowner whas not picking up phone. So had to stay at Divesh's home and met Sanket at dinner.
Thursday: Had an adventurous trip back to Flame. Miss the exact bus at Swargate because of some nuisance, then paid extra in bus, then took the 6 seater from correct place to wrong destination and coming back to Chandni chowk by lift from someone. Then Auto wala sucking money unnecessarily when 6 seater could have very cheaply dropped me there. Then walking uphill in rain and getting Flame bus when downhill was just about to start. Drenched in rain sat outside Tagore 2 chatting and making a card for Renu. Then went to Chanakya 2 to find a chart paper with everyone's name there. Wrote a full essay for Anwesha for the many help she did and wrote a lot for so many people. Enjoyed writing. Summer school went in remaining RF and taking remaining Maths assessments and preparing for EOI showcase. Came back clicking photos and all. Then the open forum by Sandeep. And my god, that was the day. Ok. Let me hype you all first and then explain. I have been brought up in a completely non female environment. I was in a boys school(till 12) and tutions also had boys only(till 11 somehow some girls were there in class 12 tutions). Then my college was in IIT Kanpur,again a boys(94%) college only. And here the session of Sandeep ended with the words, " And its time for FREE HUGS". Man what did he just say? I sat for like 20 seconds just thinking if I heard it correct. Then seeing other people hugging each other, I confirmed that I did not have hallucinogenic experience. I was literally afraid of hugging a girl, well not my fault, I had never hugged a girl before I came to TFI. I still can't forget it was Priyamwada who was the first girl who hugged me. It took me time then also to absorb the fact that it was normal. I know I am sounding like someone from I don't know which obscure location or time period but believe it will happen if you grow in such an environment. Ok lets come back to the evening, enough of blabbering. The time became highly senti, the background senti music also had an impact. I then went to the Mumbai group room also. :)
Friday: Last day of sessions. Tired enough to attend but just dragged myself to it. EOI showcase was good. Realised that in no case you should allow kids to hit iron benches even in a small game. The high they feel because of the sound is too much for us to control. Huhh. After the showcase we had a cake party. The way back I click photos like anything. Then we headed to Chanakya 2 where the Secret Angels were revealed. Mine was Nishant, whom I had said in the afternoon itself that whey were most of the gifts by my secret angel delivered through him only. And Renu has happy knowing me as hers. I tried being a good secret angel. Then a small(almost 2 hours) reflection session by Shaheen and an amazing Leaders Forum by Rajshree. She was simply inspiring which was clear not when she spoke on her own but when she replied to our questions with such fire. The fire in the answers clearly showed her committment.For later incidents read the next post. Well it deserves a post. :)

Sunday 10th July

Well today is 3rd August and tomorrow is Nag Panchmi and hence lower work load today and you know what instead of writing blog daily as expected I am writing for 10th July. You can understand how ill managed my time is now.

Day started with me waking late due to the last night fun and I reached mess eating the regular (but still very tasty) breakfast and clearly by chance I sat beside Prerna that day having breakfast and Prashant came and wished her breakfast. WHAT??? Ohh god. How was I expected to know that it was 10th July. I did not login in Facebook since midnight and hadn't checked the date that day and I didn't know and then. And then I could see the anger on her face for me not wishing her. So I decided to talk to her even after breakfast and found that actually VERY few people had wished her that day there. Well it was Sunday and people do wake up late on such a hectic training, so it was neither her nor other fellows's fault. Then I bid her good bye after some discussion and finished my weekly chores. And it was time for lunch again. Well I could feel how bad it feels when you are not made to feel special on your birthday so I made a card for her(hand made obviously) and got a choco fantasy ordered for her in the CCD and gave her a surprise. The smile on her face made up for all the effort. Well after that the day had some sessions and after 3 weeks I don't remember. actually.