Over the moon

I feel over the moon right now. Two reasons; first, I finally seem to have mastered the map of the world and second, one of my dear friends who had been busy studying Law at a faraway place wrote to me after a long time. It's the happiness from two good things that have happened to me today and I am just so overwhelmed. The geography of the world was really getting under my nerves. I had always been a good geography student during school and then also during architecture, when we would roam cities and distant places, with maps, without maps. I used to take pride in the fact that unlike the stereotyped notion of women having no sense of maps and directions, I could actually read them, understand and arrive on locations and could also direct people in need. But this world map was mocking me and teasing about having lost practice of locating places on maps. One of my favourite childhood games and even today, is naming countries and their capitals. I was obsessed with information about countries, cities, continents, rivers, geological data and the likes. I was also into archaeology and history during school so tracing ancient civilizations and human journey through different ages was like a cakewalk for me as a kid. Somehow, these things got pushed back although because of architecture I was still pretty much in contact with the history part. 

Now, my interest has renewed and I am always super-excited to quiz any kid that visits our house for countries and cities on the two huge maps I've put up in the drawing room. It is so much fun and informative and a great time buster for kids and their parents who talk in peace with my parents while I sort of, babysit their kids with geography. But it's fun, I admit it. By the time we have spent two hours or so on maps, the kids get so enthusiastic about any history or literature anecdote I bombard them with, that they willingly comply to everything their parents ask them to do. 

This is just when I take down the map and hang it from the bookshelf. It's easier this way to peer at all names clearly. This is a fun activity. I insist my cousins to adapt this method for their young kids. It helps a lot in formulating names and testing their memory. I remember watching a very cute video of a little girl named Lily identifying countries on maps that her parents verbally asked for. And her happy claps at the end of identifying each name was so adorable. 

My second happiness is a rather reticent person who keeps himself very busy with everything concerning law studies, dogs (pets actually), food and witty retorts. We had some great times together a few years ago when we collaborated on a social project in Mumbai. His brilliance and wit shone then and impressed everyone. It is wonderful that our bond of friendship transcends through boundaries of geography and cities. He is a wonderful and sensitive person who lights up everyone with his jovial witticisms and gets happy when others reciprocate the same light. Such people are truly a gift to embrace and treasure for life and who teach us to imbibe the same qualities that set them apart. Come to think of it, I have known some beautiful souls who have brought me happiness, made me aware of my strength and qualities, and enriched my life through their own kind and beautiful way of being. These probably don't seem like 'over the moon' reasons but they are so special and warm my heart's cockles every time I think of them. Life is all about spreading joy and kindness and love and who better than my friend to emphasise this beauty of life. Happy Birthday to you, Sriram!