I FEEL BLITHE…

All of a sudden, a deep well of happiness has opened up… Not that it wasn’t present before. But we… for the past 8 months and 5 days, it has been there… open up sometimes, shutting tight at few rare moments… but now it has been opened forever and ever… I feel blithe…
Before you to think I sound like a living enigma, let me make it clear- I’m happy I am doing Architecture. Now how does that affect; or well matter to you at all?
It does in two ways. One- cos I’m going to share with you happiness and smiles- which is very contagious.
And two- cos you are here to read my blog and you better read this post too… : )
Well… It all started in 9 standard- the usual questions- WHAT NEXT???
From when I was a kid, computers have fascinated me; and as I went about with a snooty air, telling everyone I was to become a ‘software engineer’, when half of my friends did not even know how it is spelt, everyone thought that my choicee would be ‘COMPUTERS’.
But hell NO!!! I did not want to be stuck with emotionless machines, however super- advanced they might be! No no… I won’t and I can’t have a career which requires major interaction with machines alone… I need people…live, moving, interacting people… give them something… make them happy…
That’s when I got this really mind-blowing teacher who was a rare mixture of talent and friendliness. She took English for us and decided my career for me- “JOURNALISM it is! You’ll go places!” she said(NO EXAGGERATION!)
Tentatively I thought it was a great idea. Come on… I’ve toyed with a million professions in my mind- doctor, forensic expert, detective, teacher, etc. Now, why not journalism?
But somehow, something was not in place. I know that nothing could satisfy me more than writing. Money flow was not a problem. I love money but I have a passion for writing, which is more important. So even if I’m payed anything, it’s not really going to matter. But well, I could write ANY DAY… do journalism even later! Now that was the glitch! That did it. I began to look out for different careers…
Architecture- that’s when the word caught my eye! I always wanted to build a library, and still do! A personal library with no private lending… Now if I do this course, I can build it MYSELF! Every inch of its design would be handled by me… ah what pleasure… I could build dreams… mine, others… for the progeny to come and look at what their past once was-reflected in its buries landscapes and skylines- with stories written, not on leaves of paper- but on bricks and mortar!
I could leave a mark on this world- not only in the form of books I KNOW I’ll publish sometime in the future; but also in the form of footprints across the country or maybe the world- little buildings, big buildings, homes, offices, hotels, maybe castles…
Oh what joy! I DECIDED I wanted to be an architect. The world around me raised eyebrows. A GIRL? An ARCHITECT? I laughed, the feminist that I am-“Why NOT? Why NOT a GIRL? Why not ARCHITECTURE?” I challenged!
“You spend a lot during the course. After hat you earn less. Takes a lot of time to settle down and earn a name in the field…,” an architect relative gently pointed out.
“ I DON’T CARE. Recognition can come only if I do well. I can do well only if I’m passionate about my work. I am PASSIONATE about ARCHITECTURE…” I screamed. The fire was raging within me. Little rain drops couldn’t dream of quelling it.My family, which was not too supportive of journalism, now felt that was far better a choice.

I refused to listen…

“STUBBORN… ADAMANT…” I was crowned with these words from friends, teachers and family alike.

4 years passed…
Slowly my family got used to my idea. They were still worried that their girl would be trampled in a men’s world. I showed them the photos of girl university rank holders…
They feared I would die of hard work. I showed them I would enjoy hard work if it is work that I like… They were frightened their girl would regret her decision.
Now I scream loud- I DON’T!!! I NEVER CAN!
My mother supported me, comforted me and helped me convince the rest. They saw how passionate I was about adding the B.Arch degree after my name and they lent their support!
The Aptitude test came and went… I had gone for classes to hone my drawing skills. I did well. I secured a good rank, but missed the college I wanted by two ranks.
I looked above and felt like cursing God. Why me? Why did you support me all along and then let me down?
I picked a different college apprehensively.
Now… 8 months and 5 days into the course, with just the semester exams left for me to step into Year 2 of B.Arch, I declare that I’ve NEVER made a better decision in life…
Every second I draw a line with my T-Scale, every minute I discuss my designs of toilets and snack bars and residences, a deep sense of contentment wells within.
Yes, work is hectic and tiring… sleep is few hours only… keeping in touch with friends, relatives, blogging, music, movies etc is difficult, but somehow I’m managing… fevers, headaches, weakness are a regular now. But still I’m HAPPY!!!
Is that not what we want from life- contentment at what we do?
I LOVE LIFE and I LOVE MYSELF.
I LOVE ARCHITECTURE…
I Feel Blithe…