The Soul's Windows

As the title must've let on, this post is on our perception centers - the eyes.

Being a student of Biology, I spent a good deal of last evening learning about the structure of the eye, with terms such as rhodopsin, macula lutea, fovea centralis and scotopic floating about my head.
But there's always more to something, isn't there?

Something one of my close friends said to me comes to mind.
It was a year or so back, we were in class and I was engaged in a conversation with her.
It was then that she randomly said, "Your eyes are like those of a polar bear."
Fascinating part to me was that she knew what a polar bear's eyes looked like.Upon further inquisition, I found out she said it because even though I was smiling, my eyes showed 'a deep sadness'.
Given the height of global warming, though, the polar bears must be sad.

I don't remember much after that, but it does show that you can walk about with a smile as big as a Cheshire cat's, but your eyes will eventually sell you out. Unintentionally, I suppose.

Doing my fair share of reading, I found out that emotions are truly expressed by these little orbs. Happiness dilates our pupils and our sub-consciousness actually picks that up in other people. Seems like just looking at a person's smile isn't the only thing that makes it unbearably infectious.
The eyes betray our innermost thoughts, even liars have a hard time hiding things.

So the next time you think someone may be hiding something from you, try concentrating on their eyes.
I wouldn't recommend trying that on me, though. Staring contest, anyone?

This post was inspired by a painting I had the immense pleasure of viewing the day before.
Whoever said that a good painting couldn't capture the intensity of the eye must've been a Philistine.

♪ - Passion of the Dance [David Lowe's Dreamcatcher]

KSV Elocution

Last week, Wednesday to be more precise, I attended the K.S Varkey Elocution Competition as a volunteer.
Best Decision Ever.
The pieces rendered at the Elocution were well picked, my favourites including a piece by Bikram Vohra, a piece on Mahatma Gandhi, one on a mother and one narrated by a little girl of 6.
All the pieces were equally thought provoking. Some pulled on the 'heart strings' while others brought a wide grin to my face. I even laughed while listening to Bikram Vohra's piece.
[I must admit, I do enjoy his articles in the Friday magazine.]

But quite honestly, the greatest take away from the evening was a short speech by Dr. Anand Menon, one of our judges. The speech as well as the witty anecdote was so brilliantly presented that even the students responded with an unexpected enthusiasm.
[Trust me, when you're a student, speeches are the last thing you want to hear]

Speaking of which, our judges were people who were most experienced in the field of eloquence and literature.

Lastly, driving back home from the campus at 9:45, I have to say that the skyline was exceptionally beautiful at the time. Lit up and picturesque as if taken from a picture postcard :)

Lost

I just finished my weekly guitar session, today I practiced 'Science & Faith' by The Script.
The song may or may not be familiar to some, but what I am sure about is that it is one beautiful song.
The chorus is probably one of the best I've heard, pulling in a topic that is of age old debate - A man of science and one of faith.

Talking about that, however, instantly brings up something to mind - The TV series 'Lost'.
I love the series, not just for its entertainment value, but for the voluminous amount of thought processes that have culminated not into just one but six seasons of a gripping, addictive and intriguing storyline. The science references are nothing that seems too far fetched to be possible.
Most people zone out while watching television. Unfortunately, that won't do you any good when it comes to Lost. You either pay attention or just switch off the television and walk away, because nothing will make sense in that case.
Coming down to the topic of science and faith, the whole series challenges your perception of the two. Where the characters need to be analytical but still believe in miracles.
The characters that epitomise these are Dr. Jack Shephard and John Locke.
But then again, what's a good series without its twists?

I am on season six as of now.
And the twists, turns and confusion just keep growing.
There have been full afternoons where my Father and I have sat and discussed the logic and possibilities of the series.

If you have any free time - 42 minutes to be precise - then I suggest you give the series a shot :)

Personal Failure

Well, personally this week has been a tumultuous emotional roller coaster.
As many of you may or may not know, my Semester 1 results weren't the best and they certainly weren't what I'd expected.
I felt so strongly on the subject that I wrote a poem:

"I've tumbled down the proverbial rabbit hole
Rife with confusion, unable to see any more
The darkness and panic eats into my soul
I feel it seep into every pore.
I taste the unpredicted bitter of personal failure
My mind cringes with fear
My expression turns to one that is demure
As my cheek feels the roll of a tear.
The tepid waters of shock subside from me
Only to return as fierce waves of misery
Submerging me into the depths where I rather not be
Cold, confused, full of regret and angry.
Realisation swiftly rides its steed in
Pulls me out of the deep recesses of my mind
I cough, gasp and take the cold air in
My consciousness making sense of what it could find.
The clouds slowly part, the sun is seen again
I feel its impeccable warmth upon my skin
It readily evaporates my pain
And instills happiness and strength within."

But I'm back from the deep, and I've learnt some lessons and taken some measures.
Hopefully the Semester 2 results will see the line taking a turn for the positive quadrant.