There is always a first time. Just too many to recall and relate. And as you grow older, the
first times and the other times that follow, make these the experiences one
falls back on.
The first time I started teaching, I was very nervous. I asked my father, who had begun his career
as a lecturer, for some tips. He
said “Remember, you definitely know
more than the student sitting in front of you, but that does not mean you can
fool them”. “Go prepared and if you are
unable to answer any of the questions, do not try to dodge the query or even
pull a fast one”. “There is no harm
admitting that you do not know. But go
back the next day, with the answer. A
student will respect you for that”.
That advice held me in good stead in both teaching and non-teaching life
Getting on in years, some tasks are no longer done with ease. Can be more trying than the first time. I was rather pleased the other day, when I threaded a slender silk thread through a very fine eye of the needle in dim light.
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Perhaps it was the
new pair of glasses! But to me it did
feel like an achievement of sorts.
Like a first time without depending on others.
There will continue to be some firsts. Like the first time I made a snowman with my
daughter a couple of months ago.
So
very enjoyable. All those Enid Blyton
books, the Dennis the Menace and Archie comics that we read as kids conjuring
different images all took life on a cold bleak wintry day. And then coming back to a hot cup of tea
with some cupcakes. I was a ten year
old all over again.
PS - This was for the SRA group - the subject being - The First Time
Nice memories! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, there are so many firsts in our lives. And the smallest things can be the most memorable firsts- funny isn't it?
So you used to teach? Nice to find out things I didn't know about my blogging friends through their blogposts. :)
Manju : You are right, each time we learn something new about our blogger friends. Sometimes, I think I know some of them rather well !!
DeleteEnjoyed reading this......esp the part about becoming a 10 year old again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jayashree. I even had a snowball fight. It was fun!
DeleteSo, you were a teacher? That is the reason your writing is so good, Radha!
ReplyDeleteYes, the 'first time' never seizes! My first time flying experience was to California! 24 hours' flight! But our trip to Munnar will stay in my mind always, because of the greenery everywhere...we stayed in a tea estate! I had never seen so much greenery before!
Keep writing often, Radha! The whole blogworld knows about me in and out, via my posts!
Sandhya - Thank you. And yes I do feel I know you personally because of your posts. I will try and post more often. I shall have more time now.
DeleteYour dad gave you sound advice, it's something I try and follow in my life too. Making that snow man would've been such fun :-)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it so much. I giggled all the time. And my daughter just let me be ! Only regret was that we rushed off in a hurry the minute her baby (my little grand-daughter ) was a little calm, and I forgot to take a carrot along to make the nose !
ReplyDelete