20 Little Things I'm glad I Did Before I Turned 20

Hey folks!!

This will officially be the last post on this blog.

This blog has been where most of the crazy things I do today, started - and somewhere it has been an essential part of my process of growing from a teen (still in progress, by the way).

So with no frills or fancies, here are 20 things I am extremely glad to have been able to do, before I turned 20:

(In No Particular Order)

• Eating Icecream in the middle of the night when I have a cold

• Sitting in the middle of the road just to click a picture

• A solo trips. Enough said

• Green tea and cakes with just my pet

• Listening to the stories of people I've never met before then, or since

• Laughing until my sides hurt, a LOT, with people who mean or meant a lot

• Helping to serve or make something for those who aren't as privileged as we are

• Making a friend whose last name, Facebook or Social Media handles I don't know of - basically, our friendship exists only and between us. No, not even phone numbers

• A penpal

• Finding a LOT of things that piqued my interest - and followed them until I knew better or am still going

• Putting batter in the over to bake brownies and dancing all over the kitchen while they baked (they may or may not have been burnt)

• Taking myself out on meals, movies etc - and really enjoying my own company

• Making little rituals with my loved ones that only we know the significance of. Even something as simple as wishing each other a good day at the start of each day 

• Staying up all night and watching the night turn into day, while working on different projects

• Midnight snacks with a loved one and the conversation that followed

• Stargazing - for an entire night

• Speaking to a three year old and an eighty-three year old - about life and everything that's in it - on the same day

• Making or appreciating Art (of all kinds, shapes and sizes)

• Watching the sun rise from a scenic spot - Going about my day's business and then - Watching tbe sun set from the same spot

• Family Portraits and all the fiascos that they entail

• Meeting, finding, loving and losing - people, things, places and memories. Nothing compares to looking back and smiling as every year goes by 

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One last time,
Bidding you adieu,

TeenxAdventurer

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PS: An Ending Note

Very few people known to me in the past have known about this blog. Most posts I wrote were also protected and not listed for public viewing. There have been people who have loved and supported this blog from thw beginning; and to them, I always was and will always be grateful beyond what words can explain. To those who are here for the first time, feel free to snoop around and read some of my other work. But this blog shall have no further posts - as I am no longer a teen as I write this.

Thank you, my little corner of the internet, for allowing this teen help her voice be heard in a world where cacophony rules the lives of all.

Ave Atque Vale!

A Random Girl Stopped me on the Road - and I did!

Hello there! 

As you read in the title, this post is about the time a girl whom I have never seen before (or since) stopped me on the way back home from college - and the conversation that entailed. Don't worry - contrary to the popular notion that all my posts are longer than giraffe's tongues - this isn't going to be that long.... or that's what I'm hoping. So, here goes! 

I was walking home from a fest, a few months ago - and a few sleepless nights and endless lectures from people who care about me later, I had made it to the finals and it had gone rather well for me. In the competition that asked of contestants, an amalgamation of business acumen and sheer cheekiness in their approach to solving an array of problems or situations - elements of the finals included all the the competition stands for. Needless to say, the organisers had skilfully managed to combine a presidential debate and a rap battle for this - without each getting in the way of either. 

Feeling relieved at having finished what I had to, I was 75 meters into my 650 meter walk home from college, when a girl - clearly about my age but skinny to the extreme and timid looking, walked past me. Tired, my begrudging pace homeward had not taken me too far, when I felt a tap on my left shoulder, followed by an "Excuse me... You are Smriti - right?" 

Baffled, to say the least, I turned around and saw her smiling at me and all I could say was a confused "Yes?". Clearly a little perplexed and seeming to reconsider her decision to strike this conversation, she nervously asked in a South-Indian accent that was clearly South-Indian, but hard to place a finger on otherwise, "You were in the competition, just now, no?"

Not knowing what to say, I smiled and simply nodded - albeit internally a little upset about having to stand on a bumpy sidewalk and speak to a seemingly harmless stranger, when all I wanted to do was go home, eat something - and sleep for the next entire week. However, encouraged by my response, this girl said, "I know you must be tired... But I wanted to tell you that I was in the audience just now, okay?" 

"Oh!" I said, pleasantly surprised, while she continued. "You were amazing on stage there. I never thought a girl could speak like that - or even rap. The way you answered the questions of the judges also - It was just awesome," she said, beaming. Clearly having overcome her initial awkwardness, here was a person who was telling me her appreciation of what I had done in the competition. Thanking her, I told her that I was so glad she thought so and that's when she continued. "You know, I am generally very shy, okay? But when I saw you on stage today, I felt like it was one of my friends only, there. Usually people are very strange - but what you said and how you said it, was a real inspiration to me. It made me think - oh! Even I can do these things." 

Humbled a dumbfounded, I continued chatting with her for a few more minutes, in the middle of the road - before she admitted to running late to an appointment after which, we went our separate ways. I know this is not a big deal for most people - but the multiple trophies and prizes in both cash and kind - I was carrying home with me that day, paled in comparison to the words of a stranger that made all the hard work, worth it. 

After all, no wonder the Beegees said in their song:

"It's only words; And words are all I have,

....... to take your heart away!"

That's it for today folks! Hope you like this account of mine from a few months ago. Here's to a wonderful day for you - whenever applicable. 

Are there stories that have coached you too? I'd Love to know about them. 

Let me know in the comments below, or hit me up. 

Leave me a like, share and vote - as they make me feel happier than a mug of green tea on a rainy afternoon. 

Until next time, Folks!

xx

TeenxAdventurer :)

#buh-bye

5 Quotes that got me thinking

Yo :D

So I woke up the other Sunday, after sleeping for an eternity (AKA 9 hours) and walking into the kitchen where my grandmother was in the midst of doing something, said, "Amma - I was thinking...."

With an utter sense of nonchalance and grace that I'm assuming, comes with age, she cuts me, saying, "Oh - you do that too?" :P

Well, while this was just a quick glance into our ever-transcending banter (all in good nature, kids!), this specific instance got me thinking further... surprise, surprise!

And as a lot of what we think about and how our thought processes tend to function can be attributed to the literary and non literary content that we are exposed to - especially in the immediate few years preceding the point of time under consideration, I found the topic for my post.

Quotes and Lines that have contributed to me being.... well, me.

Now some people might also like to term this as "My Favourite Quotes and Lines" - but since I promised myself I will try to sound nice here if I can help it (regardless of the number of times I may fail), we shall go with the former. :)

Having given you enough backstory to make George R R Martin a headache, I shall now proceed to share my actual post with you.

Read on!

1. "To have someone help you, does not mean that you've failed. It means, you're not in it alone."

- Messer to Holly, Life As We Know it

Does being my favourite movie of all time mean that it has a by default  mention here? It Absolutely does. If you haven't watched this movie, speed read through the rest of my post, do the needful as instructed in the end and then go WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!

Plus, Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhammel aren't a bad pair at all!

2. "Since I was young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can't escape that damage.

But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. 

We mend each other."

- Tobias Eaton (Four), Allegiant, Veronica Roth

Life. Lesson. Learnt. Enough said. (Brownie points to this quote because Four, is one of the most well sketched characters I have ever read of, in a dystopian series.)

Having been the punching bag for a lot of people - while never really letting them get the better of you in the larger scheme of things - when teenagers exposed to unparalleled grief and loss, deep thoughts, sensitive insight and lots of unseeming but thought-provoking quotes come as no surprise. 

Welcome to the Divergent Series.

3. "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

- Concluding line of The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

What could F Scott Fitzgerald, a classic, a phenomenal ending and the workings of a literary genius have in common? This line. 

In what I like to consider a highly accurate and satirical portrayal of human tendency to linger on the past and its incidents for longer than necessary, often causing the creation of unnecessary obstacles in the present and the future, Fitzgerald takes the readers away with this line, all in a matter of fourteen words. 

If you don't know why I say that, investing time into reading this book, would be a wise thing to do. 

4. "If perfect's what you're searching for, then just say the same!"

- A line from Just The Way You Are, Bruno Mars.

Admit it. We have ALL had that Bruno Mars phase. Even if we don't talk about things like that. It's ok. 

But if you are here on the internet, reading my little blog and the 573964738 things I have to say, but Do Not know who Bruno Mars is - as in, haven't heard him or heard of him, you are a sore liar or a sore loser. And I do not know which is worse. 

(Hello - If you are Genuinely unaware of what I'm talking about, here you go: Bruno Mars is a Singer - and a good one, at that. Just The Way You Are - is his song. It's niiiice. Now be a dear and go give it a listen? Thank you!)

5. "Flectere si nequeo superos, acheronta movebo."

- The essence of the Mortal Instruments Series, Cassandra Clare.

Translation - If I Cannot Move Heaven, I Will Raise Hell

Basically, my motto. This series, has made me cry, laugh, bite my nails in anticipation, gotten me in trouble for many a missed meal times, made me read through the night on more than one occasion, taught me what most school-books never did and most of all, made me believe that 'The Stories Are True.'

If you are even remotely fond of reading, for the Love of Books, Please read this series, if you haven't already. If you have, and want to engage in some serious fangirling, hit me up!!!

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So..... tired? Long post, I know. But I couldn't not write about these. 

Of course, there are a LOT more, where these came from :D but if there are any personal favourites that you have, please let me know - because collecting quotes is... uhm.. sorta my thing, I guess..? 

Also, before you forget, Like, Share, Comment and Vote... because, you're a nice person and I know so! 

Okie then! So long, matey!

xx

TeenxAdventurer 

#adios  

Beginning of a Series, Once More

Hey there!

Since you're here, you're most likely to have found this link on my Facebook wall and without frill or folly, here goes my blogging story.

As many of you know, I began writing blogs towards the end of 2014. What started as "Hey - I've got to give this a shot" turned out to be the first steps in what I'd like to believe has been one of my best endeavours so far.

When I began blogging, back in 2014 - I was a slightly confused, yet enthusiastic 17 year old, who Loved to write and three years hence, I am now a (still confused) near-adult and I have just a month more to celebrate being a teenager. That, and a running Fashion Blog and Poetry Account and a few free-lancing projects here and there... well you get the idea.

Up until now, I always insisted on being anonymously discreet in what I was putting up - letting my blog be stumbled upon by strangers and loved ones alike; never really telling people about it. My reason? I wanted my content to be largely independent of who the creator was and so far, I've been happy with it.

For the reasons of independence of my writing from the writer, I had gone to great lengths in ensuring that my work remained the way I wanted it to. {Hence, I took up the pen (ermm... keyboard?) name of TeenxAdventurer and somehow, I don't regret it.}

However, my decision to finally share with my connections, my content - is simply because in what seems like no time, I will no longer be a teen (on paper; though I am mentally yet to pass my infancy, Thank you!). And hence, over the next few weeks I hope to share with you some of the things that I have seen, heard, learnt or experienced, over the past 6 odd years and basis the response I get, we'll see about whether or not I continue this blog!

If you enjoyed this read, do let me know in the comments; leave me a like and share this with someone who could use it (or you want to irritate - either one works, by the way).

And until I get back with another post,
Ciao Adios, I'm done!

xx

TeenxAdventurer

(PS - If you're one of the people who has seen the old posts on this blog, do note that I revamped all the contents and left behind ONLY the very best of my work, or the ones people appreciated the most. Thanks for wondering, though!!)

(PPS - Since you've made it this far reading, here's a candy for you 🍭)

You and Me

HEYA THERE!!!

Now, I know it hasn't been too long and that's SOME improvement from my end; but I was reunited with two very good foods recently and their company guided me on the path of writing a poem after a long, long time - out of nowhere. 

So here goes, and hope you like it! :)

And long before me, doth this lie;

My way ahead - thus I ponder,

At the many bustling around me so, 

And this fills me with sonder. 

I know not what their lives might be,

I know not of their plights,

I know not of what makes them smile,

Or the destination of their flights!

And yet I want to judge them so,

I can’t help but evaluate,

That the man reading in a quiet corner,

Is not someone illiterate.

Or the young girl with a baby, there;

I wonder what story has she!

While she must be aged just over a score,

To four kids, she is “Mommy”.

To the well-dressed old man, sitting next to me,

I say, “Sir, how do you do?”

But he glares at me as if for some offence,

And replies, “Not talking to you.”

So thus do I sit in my corner, still;

Looking at the many bustling around,

I was getting lonely, but THAT is when,

I was startled by a sound.

“You’re each so different, yet, the Same,

How different can you be?”

Familiarity rang through my head, 

For my heart was talking to me!

“You see people they way you want to see ‘em,

You assume that’s how you’re seen;

But that’s the best part about humanity,

THAT’s how it has always been.

For many many aeons passed,

Despite all negativity,

Through bloodshed, hatred, wars, alas!

The truth, most fail to see.

The secret to happiness, does lie,

In brotherhood and harmony;

For no matter what the strife may seem,

I’m as much You, as You are Me!”

xoxo

- Teen Adventurer

Reunions

Hello there!

Welcome to my blog. I hope you like what you see and promise that if you write back to me, I promise to take note.

Today, I happened to chance upon a little reunion of my own and hence this post. Here goes!

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When was the last time you were reunited with someone or something you had lost along the way? When was the last time you saw something or someone after ages and went "Oh!" in pleasant surprise?
Well, mine was a few minutes before I (FINALLY) sat down to make a post, after SUCH a long time. And whom was I reunited with?


My Camera.

Yes, you read that right. My Camera.

My father had bought me this camera a long time ago when I was very serious about pursuing my passion for photography. However, in the many complications that come with the magnificent journey we call "High-School" and "Growing-Up", when I moved to a new city to attend college, the camera remained unpacked in its protective casing, for over an year and a half.

Today, however, out of the blue, I made up on something different - something I have been skeptical about for a long time. Sure enough, a camera is imperative to the success of this venture and well, 'What better than MY camera?' I thought.


Did I expect background music and slowly moving time when I unpacked the box? Not really, but maybe. But unpacking my camera from its box brought back the shivers from three years ago, when I had opened it for the first time.

So yes, my old companion is back with me and to be frank, I am no short of delighted. Now, I await the adventures that we are to embark on - My Camera and I.


Well, until I can tell you more about them, adios!

xoxox
Teen Adventurer

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Family makes a house a home

It is said, that home is where the heart is. I have often wondered at this, as a child, and until a few years ago, I wouldn't make much out of this statement, besides its spelling.

So, when I sat down to type out this post, at first I was a little dumbfounded. What was I really going to write in this? Sure, unlike other topics, a reflective topic such as this one is far less constricting, as far as its boundaries are concerned.

Finally coming around on how to go about my article, I recount a quote I'd heard a long time ago. It said, "Home is where the great are small and the small are great." While I admit that this quote by itself is intriguing enough to base a whole composition on, let us look at this antimetabole to understand the impact and importance of the concept of Families.

Originating from the Latin word Familia, we Homo sapiens have been in the habit of forming small units of our kind, since the ancient times. Over the aeons, families, as we know them today, have undergone a plethora of changes. But in essence, they have all shared one trait - a group of individuals who deeply care for each other.

The many stories handed down from one generation to another, however, often remind us of conflicts of varying degree that have risen within families and the dire consquences these have had on not just immediate family members, but also other innocent people who have often not had anything to do with those concerned. From the stories in mythology - be it Greek, Roman, Indian or even Norse - these have also shown us that the gravest of animosities often rise thanks to the contempt that comes out of the familiarity provided within a family. 

That said, there is more to this beautiful concept than those terrible tales of gore - more often than not, you and I come across certain people who are more than just friends or any such relation named by the norms of society. These are people who are bound to you by nothing but chance - initially, but later on, by the sheer will, goodness of faith and the bond that has grown between you, over time. In the true sense of the word, these people who are connected to you only by fate and heart, are the real family you have - the ones you choose over a lifetime. 

Here's to families of all types and sizes, everywhere.

Cheers!

-Teenxadventurer

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P.S.: This post was started by me a looooong time ago. I took an year long break and got back - and this was still not completed. What I intend to say is, the person who started off with this post is not the one who completed it. So yeah... hope you cut me some slack for that! XP :)