Ipsita Contemplates

Embracing the warmth of the infant sun, And holding on to the calm of the velvety night... Ethereal feelings some such and more, Defines life and experiences, that I live for. Copyright © 2018 Ipsita Contemplates. All Rights Reserved.

I was in Class III when I got introduced to the concept of abstract nouns. I was completely floored by that concept. Not that the other concepts were not good enough, but the concept of a noun that can denote an idea, or a state of being; something that does not have a physical existence, but just an existence in thoughts was as exciting as it could be. It is perhaps very difficult to explain the plethora of feelings I used to feel (and still do) whenever I came across an abstract noun. Happiness is one of my favorite abstract nouns. “An Abstract Noun is usually the name of a quality, action, or state considered apart from the object to which it belongs.” -Wren and Martin I wonder, can happiness (or any abstract noun, for that matter) be ever defined. How to define something that can never take any physical shape? How to define something which is dependent on an idea, a thought? Are not ideas and thoughts individual specific?! My thoughts are different than yours…and your id...

If I must classify the places I visited in my last trip, it would be two basic categories; one which was flocked by tourists, locals, and travelers alike, and the other which was not. In the first category places (the popular sightseeing places, shopping streets, malls, a few very famous museums (not many people visiting though), and the like), you could witness the visitors glued to their electronic gadgets. You would rarely find anybody who is “actually” there. It is such a situational irony. Why is it an irony, you may ask. That is because, most of these visitors might have planned their visit by probably looking it up in the net (virtual world). They probably found the place interesting enough to explore it in real. However, after getting to the “real place”, they got glued in to the virtual world. Let’s assume a situation, wherein a person gets interested in The Louvre by reading or listening about it. It might inspire the person to explore the place and see what it feels li...

I did not have a plan for that day. That is why I did not set up my morning alarm. However, I woke up a few minutes before 6 in the morning. That was strange, considering I was dead tired from the previous day and still I woke up refreshed. I was in Pondicherry and it was day 1! I sprang out of my bed and looked outside the window. Probably most would not call it a “perfect sunrise time”! Then again, perfection is just a state of mind. It was not late enough, and the view was still breathtaking. I moved out of my room to the beach (I just had to cross the road to reach the beach). The smell of the sea in the warmth of the infant sun can elevate anybody’s spirits. The serenity of the water dazzling in the golden sun was amazing! As the sun started its ascent on to the sky, I returned to my room, prepared myself for the day and moved out. It was around 7 in the morning. I decided to go to Baker’s street for breakfast and set on foot for that. The streets were calm and beau...

Ever since I could remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I have always loved sharing whatever knowledge I could possibly share. Having a sibling who was eager to learn, when we were young, made me dream more of this.  Reality is far more dramatic than dreams. I never truly realized how I would feel if I get to teach a “real class of students” someday. The day arrived sooner than I had imagined. It was a Monday. I was excited and anxious, but nothing beyond normal. I was prepared for my class, and I headed towards the classroom much ahead of schedule. The entire session went on smooth. While delivering the lecture, I realized I am learning more than ever. I am gaining new perspectives which I could have never imagined, perhaps. The session ended, and I moved out of the classroom. I could never do justice if I explain what exactly I was feeling. It was beyond exhilaration. That was altogether a different flavor of happiness, a very new and unique flavor indeed! ...

I have been often asked, after a trip, “How was the place?” or “Which all places you visited?”. Most often than not, I find myself capable of answering these questions, at least to my satisfaction. It was different this time. This time I visited Kashmir. I remember the day when my parents suggested the trip. It was unexpected. I never thought we will ever be going to Kashmir anytime soon. The primary reason for this being two factors: the weather and the political conditions. It's not that I never wished going there, for who would not! Especially if you are a dreamer. But it was more like one of those wishes that you just have, but you never worked on it to make it happen. It was raining when we landed in Srinagar. When we moved out of the arrival gate, the cab driver of our cottage hotel, and some other people (who just happened to take shelter there for the rain) started loading our luggage in the cab. I was apprehensive of the fact that some complete strangers are ju...