20 years ago, I was a teenager #WordsMatter

Ok, I reveal that I am a middle aged woman now through this post. But, that's ok. I am enjoying my middle age more than my teenage :-)

20 years ago, I was a teenager. As expected, I was a rebel, more confident or Over-confident and was a dreamer. I was studious, had a specific goal unlike other teenagers though. 

Academics :

I think, in those days my focus was only on studies. Not on friends or fun. I regret those days now. I wasted my precious teenage years by only studying. How bad is that?

I was studious and got good marks always. Had been among the top 5 performers in the class but, you know the Indian Education system, right? It won't prepare you well enough for any job. I might have worked smarter than harder.

Books :

In the middle of my studies, after completing my 10th standard, I got more free time before joining Intermediate. That's when I started reading the Sherlock Holmes Series suggested by a friend. Till then, I didn't read any novel in my life except the English subject books.

Sherlock Holmes' stories were like a portal for me to an another world. I enjoyed thoroughly and tried searching for similar thrillers after that. 

Anyways, I joined my college by that time and again my book reading hobby went to the background. But, I remember that year as the foundation to my love for books. 

Rebellion :

I used to respect my Parents and always followed their instructions. But, something changed in teenage. 

I rebelled for the first time against the period taboos and traditions. I used to face severe cramps every month and my frustration used to double when I was not allowed to sleep on mattress or not allowed to touch anything at our home as per the custom.Here is my opinion on the taboo about period talk.

I felt, I needed luxury and comfort especially during that time which was not possible due to some traditions followed at home.

Those were a few memories 20 years ago. For many, teenage years are precious and they want to relive them if possible. But, for me, present is more beautiful than past.

I neither hate my past nor wish to relive it. Past is a foundation of whatever we are now. Every lesson, every failure in the past is contributed to our current success, right? What do you think?

Until next time,

This post is written as part of #WordsMatter blog hop hosted by Corinne, Parul and Shalini.

I received this tag from Holly Jahangiri at https://jahangiri.us/2017/. It’s my pleasure to pass on this tag to Shalz at https://www.shalzmojo.in/. There are 29  of us on this Blog Hop and it will be spread over 3 days – 1st, 2nd and 3rd November  2019. Do follow the #WordsMatter Blog Hop and prepare to be surprised! 

Shimla camp - childhood memories

I will be performing classical dance tomorrow after a break of around 4 years. Iam very excited about it and you know.. my brain is getting flooded with childhood memories of my dance performances, different places we visited for  performances, different people we met etc.,


There was one children camp conducted by Junior red cross in Taradevi, Shimla. We were around 10 pupil selected from our school for the camp. This was the first trip for me outside Andhra pradesh, so i was very excited. I could say we learnt a lot from the camp. There were sessions conducted on health care, first aid techniques, preparing for disasters, voluntary service etc., Competitions were conducted on different areas like dance, music, painting, dairy reading etc.,(i received first prize in dance and second in dairy reading). Motto of JRC being HELP, SERVICE and FRIENDSHIP, all sessions or contests or activities were aligned to encourage humanity and voluntary service in children. 


They organized trekking to Tara devi temple from our accommodation which is nearer to 'Tara devi' station. It might be around 4 to 5 kms distance and it was raining heavily from morning. Nothing could dampen our excitement and it was fun to see all students wearing rain coats, carrying umbrellas walking on very narrow muddy roads in the forest. Since the road was also slippery, it was not an easy job. After reaching the hill, it was just fantastic scenery you could ever imagine with clouds below your feet. The view of Taradevi temple and landscape from hillock gives breathtaking experience. This temple is dedicated to goddess Tara devi one of the ten personifications of Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva. The next day, we went to Shimla town and have done some shopping in 'The Mall'. Green apples were dead cheap and very delicious. Train journey from Kalka to Shimla was unforgettable as train crawls through many tunnels and around valleys. We can view Himachal pradesh apple juice factory on the way. 


Trip was for around 10 days and we missed our train while returning to Kalka from Shimla. Since there were no trains to Kalka from Taradevi station, we decided to walk through the tunnel between 'Taradevi' station and Shimla railway station to catch the next train to Kalka. It was a bit scary, but  fantastic experience to walk through rails in the darkness. 


This trip is very much close to my heart and closest encounter with the beauty of nature. Iam indebted to 'Radhamani' teacher who selected me for this trip and organized the trip very well and made it memorable in our lives.

Image courtesy: Google