At crossroads...

May be my “honeymoon” days at MCRC might be over (or might not) but I’m still on a high. It’s not a long story but let me take you through a quick flashback of my first “awesome” week at MCRC.

DAY 1- I was late to my first orientation class (maybe by a minute) and bang goes Mr. OS. Real kickass start up, I thought. After a series of introduction we had a break.
Fresh air, feels real good. Before I would get over the numbness, that I was feeling , break was over. We were shown a video on Media Convergence or that was the topic of discussion, I guess. Oh God, a desperate urge to yawn. But had to stifle my urge, with Mr. OS sitting right in front of me. Then we got to meet some renowned journalists from the industry.
Much to our relief it was over soon. But I was still feeling numb. There were some questions buzzing in my head.
“Have I taken the right step?”
“Is it going to stay this way for 2 years?”
May be I need some good long rest!

***

DAY 2- “Do I really need to go?”
“Maybe, because I had nowhere else to go.”
Made sure that I wasn’t late, reached a little before time. I recognized some classmates, but didn’t remember their names. There was this guy from “down south” and the girl from “up north”. Also a dude with Ronaldinho hairstyle, who wanted to be a Sports Journalist, the outspoken Automobile Guy, and the Frenchman with some odd accent.
That day again, we got to meet some well respected journalists, especially Sir Mark Tully. (I don’t know how he made up to the II floor, despite his age). We learnt about TV and Radio Journalism. Then in the second session we met Mr. Shashi Kumar, who burnt my dreams to ashes. His words still revolve around my head. “No one could teach you Journalism.” Oh really! Then I’m screwed.
The day was over but again conflicting questions were creeping in my head.
“Do I really want to be a Journalist?”
“Was leaving Biotechnology really a good idea?”
May be I need some good long rest.

***

DAY 3- All geared up to attend my first class while taking extra care not to be late. I entered the Lab with my right foot forward, just like a newlywed girl, although there was no Kalash of rice or Aarti.
Bismillah...
LAB? It’s quite different. Earlier it used to have snakes and albino mouse, but now it has wires and apple mouse.
Radio...Protools... Sounds fun...
And, it was actually fun. I had a great time mixing music tracks. I felt like a Radio Jockey. Then I got to know most of my classmates during the break. The day went by quite easily, with me and the automobile guy having lots of fun.
I didn’t feel numb that day. Neither did any questions disturb my mental tranquillity.

***

DAY 4- First theory class...Introduction...That numbness crept into me again.
The theory class was exhaustive. Every debate brought us to the same topic. ETHICS!
BREAK...What a relief. Felt great to find some guys, who want to smoke their lungs out. SMOKING KILLS... But then who wants t die old. (Please do come up with some sensible excuses.)
Next Session...Introduction...Again...
We were shown a documentary and time passed easily.
End of day. Once more my head was filled with questions.
“9:30 to 5:30. What is this? Is this Jamia, really?”
“Maybe, I’m in some different world- Alice in Blunderland.”
“Why do these guys speak so much?”

***

DAY 5- College Again...I miss my sleep...so much...
Class starts... Introduction...Again...I’m feeling numb...
Internet & History... Zzzzzzzz.....................
I got my first assignment. (Which I’m struggling to complete right now, and would be late to submit it). I was too exhausted. This is not what a “honeymoon” is like. Is it?
BREAK...I want to go home. But I have nowhere to go.
I don’t remember how the next session went. I was so sleepy.
End of day...Some questions occupied my little brain yet again.
“How am I supposed to bear such stress?”
“How would I complete my assignments?”
May be I need a good long rest.

***

DAY 6- I was late to the class. Reminder- “Don’t be late again.” (Mr. OS haunts me every time I’m late).
Introduction...Again... What? Introduction in a ppt? My feet feel like two balloons. May be I’m numb again.
We made our ppts and much to my relief, it was over rather quickly than I thought.
BREAK... My favourite time in college. May be because I don’t feel like a slave who is supposed to build a...may be... a Taj Mahal.
Next session was about Media & Research. And once again, we rounded up to ETHICS. (Is it ethical to treat us the way we are being treated? Why isn’t anyone asking this question?)
The day ends and I’m fighting the questions that are trying to overpower me. And the war goes on with no one winning. I’m exhausted.
May be I need a good long rest.

***

DAY 7- Wow... I’m about to finish my assignment.
I was up early. I wasn’t late...And...I was feeling COMFORTABLY NUMB.
The class was exhausting, but I tried to make the most out of it. I tried to feel good. And I guess, I was winning the battle. We had great fun in our break time. I think everyone compromised OR to put in my worlds- “They were winning the battle.”
We had a great second session, with plenty of positive energy vibrating out of us. I didn’t mind the Introduction. But I figured out one thing. In this past seven days my dreams of becoming a science journalist changed to photojournalist. I don’t know what may become of me. And I don’t give a damn.
Our times of rest are over. It is no HONEYMOON.
WE ARE AT WAR. DIE WITH YOUR BOOTS ON.