from new orleans..

hi guys,

as a part of series of my official posts for me service learning trip, i thought i'd practice by writing one in my personal blog..

today was intense.. it started with a trip to the new schools for new orleans.. where we got an introduction into the state of schools in new orleans, and what the "educationers" planned to do about it. following that, we went to one of the schools where we learned about educating kids with special needs, in this case, most of the kids where from poor, predominantly black, single parent backgrounds, with many living in trailors and/or living with relatives rather than parents. it was interesting to try and understand the kind of needs such kids might have and how much more a school needs to do, in order to create a conducive environment for these kids to learn.

Then, we had one of the most amazing experiences of our lifetime. We got a chance to listen the life story of a man who had committed a first degree murder as a juvenile (technically a manslaughter because he is a juvenile) and to a lady who had juggles with twins as a homeless fifteen year old. It was amazing to listen to their life stories and find out what sustained them, and what they see themselves as and what they want their life to mean.

Then, we got a chance to listen to two amazing people. One, a dominican nun who was running the hope house and told us her story of being the "winterkeeper" for a man sentenced to death row. And the second, was a man who had devoted his life to fighting for social justice in New Orleans... and his thoughts on segregation and obama's candidacy...

My internet time is running out and will write about the intricacies more later.. so far, what you have seen, is just the facts....
Hang in there!

levitating contemplations..

i am feeling so liberated.. like i am floating in the air.. nothing to keep me tied to the earth.. no obligations.. i just feel light... i want to feel this way always... irresponsible, light and yes, elated..

life suddenly no longer seems like racing towards a destination.. just a slow bubbling brook wandering aimlessly.. enjoying its own warm soliloquy... while laughing all the way through its unknown journey.. content in itself.. wow.. what relief.. what spontaneity.. and what joy..

let the sun shine, and the breeze blow.. let the trees sway, and the spring colors bloom.. for what elation it is to be free of the imaginary ties that chain down the spirit..

delete maalika.blogspot...

as you guys know probably, I have been struggling with the immense desire to delete my blog.. maybe if i delete this, i can get down to some serious writing, rather than just let all my creative instincts flow unheeded through this one medium.. also, i felt like my blog was no longer cheerful... its been mourning for the last 3 of five years that i have had it...

but then, as i was deciding whether i should pull the plug, being the cancerian i am that loves my past even more than the present, I read some of my old blogs written in the beginning of 2005 and lo... these posts have captured better than any photograph ever could, the essense of me in 2005.. every article gave rise to a million memories, feelings.. every word had a double meaning.. one for me and one for the world.. i realize that in time, i have mastered the art of private-public communication, where i express my most intimate thoughts, thoughts i would be scared to acknowledge to my best friend, in my blog...

my blog has truly become my sounding board, best beddy and all things i can expect a website to be ;-) and i realize that the kind soul that i am, i do not have the heart to delete my blog.. i have been very disloyal in my life.. to many people for many reasons.. mostly because i did not care enough about the others to take the trouble to handle certain delicate situations... i don't want to do the same to my blog, which has been so loyal to me.. which has only unerringly responded to my needs.. no matter what i have been going through or whether it is right or not...

they say that prayer is just what you say to yourself.. to reinforce your own thoughts.. to make things happen.. my blog is like my prayer... i think i will work towards changing its tone (that is works towards the way i feel in general).. and perhaps, it will be fun to read my blogs again some day.. till then,

life goes on.. good luck my friends..

sangeetha swarangal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmCi2HVQXr0

its a song I love.. you don't need to understand the lyrics.. its the age old concept presented with DD (doordarshan) as the backdrop. enjoy..

enjoy your spring breaks..

live music..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5vRLVnpF2j8

check out the link about... it's a song by signe tollefsen.. who i had this amazing opportunity to listen in a private party.. don't ask me the details of how i managed that.. you will truly madly deeply freak out.. and i like a little mystery around my activities ;D

but she was oh so awesome.. what charisma.. what voice.. not at all what she looks like in this video.. just amazing... i was transported to her world of sensual mysticism... and her soulful voice in that hushed room and the mournful guitar.. chiming in to fill the void created in our hearts by her lyrics...

and later i remembered how my own dreams of making a name through art has died a dignified death, before i even attempted at it.. its funny.. to notice that as you grow, your ambitions die down.. and thats why it's so important to not disillusion people.. who can achieve things before reality overtakes them..

and oh, i have news! i have chosen to become the official blogger of my new orleans study trip.. after reading a pop fiction and a historical romance on new orleans, and attending 10 business meetings about he situation there, i think i now have sufficient perspective on new orleans.. but it will be interesting.. since this will probably be my first semi-official role as a writer of any sort.. i am still not good enough to choose to write for our official magazine, but a blogger will do nicely for now..

but, life goes on.. and i need to make the most of every second...
have fun guys..