???

I feel strange. I wrote the last paper of my MA today.
I am supposed to feel happy that I’ve finished all my exams, feel thrilled because I’ve accomplished a certain purpose, feel thankful because I’ve a job to look forward to. Instead, I feel none of this. I feel sad and empty inside.
Sad that I will soon have to leave this place which has been more than home to me for the last two years, disappointed that I may not be studying French for quite a while from now.
It really is funny how life takes its turns and twists.

The eternal dilemma

It has been a whole week since I began my third semester at CIEFL (now EFLU or TEFLU, suit yourelf) and I have not been able to decide on my choice of subject for my "dissertation". Well, dissertation may seem like a big word but the daunting task of deciding between Literature and Translation remains unsettled.

I have been weighing the pros and cons of the issue for a really long time now, without any success. If I were to take up Translation, I would certainly enjoy myself beyond doubt but I need a target language which unfortuately cannot be English(which is technically my mother tongue) but is not recognized by the pundits as a language fit enought to be called mother tongue by an Indian. On the other hand, if I were to do Literature, I would slog and slog and love the slogging yet I do not wish to pursue my further work in the domain. Thus, am quite literally left in the lurch, wondering how to make the choice. The only comforting fact being that either way, the medium used will be French...!!!!....

Then again, I do not wish to work on translation because it comes rather naturally to me. I would prefer to work on an area where I actually do some serious work as regard research and writing goes. Literature, I am passionate about but can be awfully unpredictable because a good lit day or a bad lit day for me depends enitrely on my mood!

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. For after I have decided on my area, I have to choose my guide / supervisor (which would in all probability be a bigger dilemma), following which comes the biggest of the problems, my topic of interest. This or that or this....let me think...this or that... I don't know.... I need time to think...... this or that..... I wonder how long this is going to last.

CIEFL blues...

The Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, the country’s temple for English pundits and language freaks. Enter via Gate No.2 on Sitaphal Mandi Road (GateNo.1 which is easier to access is meant solely for the use of the Vice-Chancellor). The Entrance Plaza: Impressive. To the right, is the Foreign Language Building, which houses the Departments of French, Arabic, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese. Painted a hideous blue, it could put off the most enthusiastic of Foreign language aspirants. Not to mention the cobwebs, lights that do not function and fans that barely struggle to turn around. Despite the odds, yours truly and co. are doing a Masters course in French, of which a year is déjà over.
What is it like to be a CIEFLite? In one word, total masti (the Hyderabadi way). You live life at your own pace, in this haven, oblivious to what is happening in the world outside. The most happening place on campus is LH (until eleven p.m that is, after which all activity is concentrated in the MH.) Now, LH stands for Ladies Hostel and MH – Men’s Hostel. The distance between the two is approximately 450 m, but you can always stop over at Sagar Stores(which is exactly half way between LH and MH) for a cup of coffee and a quick bite. This happens to be one of the very few hostels in the country where the Ladies’ Hostel does not have a warden and men are allowed to enter the same until eleven pm(technically speaking). After which night amma comes on her rounds with a latti in her hand. Thud.. Thuddd… thud… and then she’s fast asleep in the TV lounge.

Coming back to Sagar Stores : one stop for all your needs. Sagar stocks everything under the sun to make your life… ahem…. More comfortable… Nothing beats Sagar’s lemon tea…. Addict that I am…. Another favoutirte hang out of mine is the Ramesh Mohan Library ( no kidding!!!). Perfect place for a snooze between classes when I feel too lazy to walk back to my room. The ambience is awesome here; lovely cushioned couches, comfy reclining chairs and an air conditioner at full blast. Do you need anything else to sleep well, especially if your head is reeling after translation class??? And if you do feel like getting some exercise, you can always stroll around, and leaf through the books… And if you are bored after all that, just get back to the room and sleep and sleep and sleep… But do get up in time for lunch, or fifteen minutes earlier would be better coz you’ve got to stand in queue…and the dining hall(MESS!!!!) is a good five minute walk from the LH. The best part of lunch is the dahi. Nothing else deserves mention. They do serve chawal, dhal, sabji to make a wholesome meal. And yes not to forget powdery rotis.
Head straight to the TV lounge to catch up with news. (no, not NDTV, CIEFL), MTV, and repeat shows on Star World(doesn’t really matter if you watched the same episode, last night).Here, we adhere to CIEFL Standard Time (India’s new time zone). What’s next? Sleep more… Back to your room and snore….
Go to Sai Xerox (the official photocopying shop) and get pick up your notes. Don’t bother to look through them coz tis Monday and you might need these notes only on Thursday or Friday. Until then, chuck them on your shelf and go play badminton. C’mon sweat it out. How long are you gonna sleep???
Another interesting aspect of campus life are the dogs… Yes, the official ones are Sundari (LH,Labrador) and Brownie (for MH)… Incidentally, Sundari hates all men except those who live on campus. She’s the LH bodyguard and will rip to bits anyone who tries to barge in (this includes the poor paper wala who’s been bitten n no. of times and the internet guy). As for Brownie, she doesn’t do anything much except laze around and chew on chicken bones.....
It has been a whole year since I shifted base to Hyderabad, and as I am on the verge of getting back there after three months of lazing around like dear Brownie in good ol’ Chennai, I write this thinking of the sights and sounds and the life that this campus has to offer. To more of these great times !