A Tribute to my Teacher: The Man Who Would Never Stop Encouraging

It's hard to imagine how just a few words could have such an influence on someone's life so much. So much that you tend to go back and play those memories in your mind and remain eternally grateful to that mortal being. 

Those were hard times. Life seemed like one of Robert Frost's poem. The only difference: the road I had taken didn't seem to be the right one. Pitifully for me, there was no way of going back. Pulling myself forward was equally worse. Trying to remain content with what I had often never last long. Everyone and everything around me only reminded me of the harsh reality of how my choices would have been different if I had taken the other road.

Over the years, I guess, I have grown a little wiser (maybe not). I have learnt to go with the flow. I have learnt how life is about living and not, necessarily, having things. I have learnt to enjoy life in my own terms. I learnt to define happiness and experience it to the fullest. I had learnt to let go of expectations that would leave me drained. I had stopped being competitive. Because you lose your confidence in yourself and those around you. Often, such a person is considered to be mediocre. But I still had the fire dormant within. My life was no worse. But I was made to feel worser and worser, every passing day.

And then came this man. He had been my teacher. He had influenced my life earlier too. I had met him after, maybe, 8 years. On seeing me, he recognised me. On hearing my life’s decisions, he was genuinely happy and proud of me. He told be that I would be one of the best in my field.

Sometimes, God sends out his chosen to find worthy people who’ve lost their fire in a cold cold world. Magically they appear and rekindle that little warmth within you, long after you’d forgotten it. They gently rub and polish you and put back that brilliant sheen back on you.

He visited me again on my wedding. He came up with a gift. He looked at my wife and said “You are indeed lucky, He was one of the best of my students”

As that humble human being walked away, I felt awe fill up my heart. This man never ceases to encourage me.

May you live longer! 

May every teacher out there who imparts knowledge & wisdom, who encourages and builds up character, who lights the part and leads the weary ones be blessed. 

I wish you all a happy teachers’ day.

World Photographers Day

Today, August 19 is the World Photographers' Day. Photographers make the world even more beautiful by their creativity. You may be an amateur, hobbyist photographer or a serious professional. Whoever you are, you deserve to know that your creativity makes the world more beautiful, changes perspectives, puts a smile on people and so much more...

Here are a few inspiring quotes on Photography:

You don’t take a photograph, you make it. – Ansel Adams

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs. – Ansel Adams

If your photos aren’t good enough, then you’re not close enough. – Robert Capa

It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter. – Alfred Eisenstaedt

I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them. – Bruce Gilden

Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. – Imogen Cunningham

In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality. – Alfred Stieglitz

Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase. – Percy W. Harris

I am not interested in rules or conventions. Photography is not a sport. — Bill Brandt

It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are. – Paul Caponigro

Of course it’s all luck. – Henri Cartier-Bresson

What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce. ― Karl Lagerfeld

A lot of photographers think that if they buy a better camera they’ll be able to take better photographs. A better camera won’t do a thing for you if you don’t have anything in your head or in your heart. – Arnold Newman

If you want to be a better photographer, stand in front of more interesting stuff. – Jim Richardson

It can be a trap of the photographer to think that his or her best pictures were the ones that were hardest to get. – Timothy Allen

Even though fixed in time, a photograph evokes as much feeling as that which comes from music or dance. Whatever the mode – from the snapshot to the decisive moment to multi-media montage – the intent and purpose of photography is to render in visual terms feelings and experiences that often elude the ability of words to describe. In any case, the eyes have it, and the imagination will always soar farther than was expected. – Ralph Gibson

The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years, regardless of the number of times they are viewed. — Anne Geddes

To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. – Elliott Erwitt

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”
― Ansel Adams

“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
― Marc Riboud

Wish you all the fun!

Do follow me @ My Photography Page, Flickr

Read more on Synaptic Sparks: Top 10 reasons Why You should Marry a Photographer

Moods on A Rainy Day

Here are some of the photos I captured on a rainy day and my perspectives on them.

1. Refreshing

 2. A Sign of Hope

3. Purity

 

4. Desolation

5. Safe & Secure

6. Precarious 

7. Togetherness 

8. Lonely but still happy

My photography Page: https://www.facebook.com/Abialbonpaul.photos

The Warmth of Tender Love

The 9th August, 2013. Today. I would consider it one of the luckiest days of my life. It's Ramazan, a festive of our Muslim friends and I happen to be at home today. It's been raining continuously since yesterday evening. Morning, I woke up early and was wandering around through the garden that surrounds my house on all sides. My dad was already there and he had spotted something. It was a cute little living thing, drenched completely in rain and very cold. It couldn't move. As my father lifted it in his hands, it showed no signs of resistance. My sister saw the cute little bird and wanted it in her hands...

Initially she was a bit unhappy with us meddling with her. However, as we held her in our warm soft hands, she seemed to enjoy our company. My sister stroked it lovingly.

Then I took her in my hands and put some of my photography skills to use. 

You can view my photography page here.

Then we dried her as gently as possible, gently stroking her and blowing warm air over her. She was thoroughly comfortable with it. We warped her with a warm casing and she slept off in the warmth of it.

She's asleep now as I write this. When she's warm and ready, she'll fly off out of the window and she will be gone for ever. I hope she'll always remember the warmth of our love. 

Perfect timing !

Perfect timing ?? Optical illusion ?? or a double headed crow ?? :-) 

Happiness is My Ambition: End of 2k12 post!

Well, this year, 2012, has had both joyful moments and not-so-joyful moments. To be honest, there were many-a-times tearful moments that tested my heart's capacity to hope. Indeed, life is made beautiful with all these emotions giving colour to our mundane lives and building up our character and strength.

But happiness is a choice ! And it is up to us to CHOOSE it ! 
No matter what life brings our way, we need to understand that our evanescent lives are not to be wasted sitting around a corner and eating our grief. We need to rise up, create our own happiness and even better share it.

Here are some of what I found would help me create happiness !

1. Happiness is found in company of friends

Sometimes you may have to search for solitude and reflect upon your lives. But largely, being in a company of good friends puts a spirit of happiness in your heart, makes you feel loved and accepted.

2. Happiness is found in helping a fellow soul

Giving is more blessed than receiving. By helping others, we create in ourselves a sense of joy and security. It builds up faith and hope in humanity.

3. Happiness is found on becoming a child again

Chasing bubbles, playing with pets dogs and cats, running around with laughter, a sweet smile of innocence...

4. Happiness is found in communicating with your loved ones

Nothing can be more sweet !

5. Happiness is found in love

And love is found everywhere, if you've got the eyes to see it. Brotherly love, sisterly love, parental love, love for our friends. LOVE makes this world go round. And it still does, even after Dec 21, 2012.


6. Happiness is found in the work you love

Now that's me :-p


7. Happiness if found in your achievements

However great or small, your achievements make you fell good, build your self esteem, and earn respect.

8. Happiness if found in relaxing & reflecting

Take a break and care for yourself too.

9. Happiness is found in nature

A sunrise/ A sunset can make the your day !

10. Happiness is found in fighting the despair

Everyday you won't return home from work with a feeling of achievement. Everyday won't trun out to be the best of days. Certain days turn out to be bad, some worse. Fighting the odds of life and staying firm in hope put back happiness.

Wish you a very happy & productive new year, 2013. 
Thank you.

Comments welcome !

Happiness is what we choose...what we create ! 

Bokeh Creations !

The Magical Glass Pot !
The concept is quite old. But I did give a good try at it. It took so much time for me to arrange this setup to get this shot. The background is nothing but Christmas Tree serial lights which are out of focus ! 

A cute ceramic girl ! I'd used it from my shot as well. In my perspective, she's a lonely girl waiting to meet her Prince Charming !

If you like my pics, do visit my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/aboalbonpaul.photos

and leave a Like or a Comment ! Thank you !

Five pics with a point !

  

" When one withers away, there's always one ready to replace "... 

And so life goes on & on...

on this Earth !

Well, all you might need is to change your way of looking at things. It will make you problems look smaller and the solution will appear more clear.  

 You are not the unfortunate one ! Everyone has been given his/her own burden to carry. Carry it with a smile and in style.

Stop running around and hug your loved ones !

I am not lazy. 

I am not sleeping.

I am just waiting for my day !

A Ray of Hope !

This is the first photo taken by me with my old point & shoot camera which actually stimulated me to take up Photography as a hobby. Nothing great about this photo but somewhere in it, I saw, 
A Ray of Hope.

If you like my photos and would like to have a look at them, use the following links
Facebook page :https://www.facebook.com/Abialbonpaul.photos
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abialbon

Not professional. Passionate.

To take this picture I had to travel for long on the highway in my bike. I stopped at one place and kept waiting for this fleeting moment. I like this photograph very much.

With A Little Wit & Wisdom !

Here are some of my (original) Facebook status updates. I hope you'll find them having a little wit & a little wisdom ;)) :-p

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True Love is like a tumor that arises in your heart and permeates 
your soul until you lose yourself selflessly for the other.

__________^_^__________

I'm stuck here in a hard shell...pressure from all sides, life getting harder and harder......
But deep down here, I'm metamorphosing....silently and patiently...slowly and steadily...
When I fly out I'll be something beautiful :)
I'm in OG Postings :(

__________^_^__________

I'm not single. I'm HALF :-)
I'll be whole when I'm married :-)

__________^_^__________

Whatever I've learnt in medical school are in grey areas (of my brain:) 
#Literally. #Medico language

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to forgive: (v) a selective self induced amnesia of the offending event.

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Tsunami, tsunami go away,
Come never again on this bay,
Little Abi wants to play,
Tsunami, tsunami go away.... :-(
(when there's was a tsunami alert in Pondicherry. I'd put this update and Tsunami didn't dare to come)

__________^_^__________

Heights of frustration ;-P
You spend all ur 5 SMS explaining some vague medical concept to some boy.
After you've sent the 5th msg, a girl messages you "Hi" :))
(When the 5 SMS/day rule was announced)

__________^_^__________

Some one just told me, "Some of your photos look very good. That's because you've got a good camera"
I told him, "Yeah! And give me Sachin Tendulkar's bat and I'll score 100 centuries."
#problem??
__________^_^__________

I know life is not easy. I've not asked GOD for an easy life. 
But I've asked for someone to share it with :))

__________^_^__________

Whenever i'm posted in any department in INTERNSHIP, I do 3 things:-
1. Feel that the previous department was far better
2. Count the days for the current posting to end
3. Look forward for an easy life in the next posting :-P:-P

__________^_^__________

These are just a few....I hope you like them. Thanks for the support for my blog. Thanks for the inspiration. Feel feel to comment or share. Thank you :)

Saw what I never saw !

7th Sept, Friday 7:45 am: Didn't have my morning dose of caffeine! My mother reports that she has run out of coffee powder. I get a little irritated with her for not maintaining stock but then I realize that I too have an equal responsibility as I've grown up now. Today I'll be on night duty. 8pm - 8am next day. So I've today's morning free to take rest and get prepared for burning the midnight oil.

I walk out of my bed. I quickly cleanse my mouth. I open my cupboard. I take out my camera. :-) I've been taking photos in and around my house for the past one month. I feel I've exhausted all possibilities. I feel whatever I shoot would only be a repetition. 

click on pic to enlarge

As I keep moving, I come across a plant with many pale-ugly-red coloured flowers on it. We have this plant for a long time now. And I never found the flowers attractive and I've never captured them in a photograph. Today since there're no birds chirping on tree tops, no dogs wagging their tails and following me nor any rose in full bloom, I decide to take a picture of the pale-ugly-red-coloured flower.

click on pic to enlarge

But what I see in the viewfinder of my camera amazes me. For the first time ever, I see something beautiful on this plant. There is an yellow star inside the not-so-very-good looking flower. And around that yellow star, the petal bends formed a beautiful pentagon with yellowish white spot at the corners.




Never in my life have I stopped to notice this. Never. If not today, I would have never ever!

This kept me thinking for a while. **Synaptic sparks **
I just saw a beautiful yellow star within something which I considered insignificant!

So what have I learn't from today morning's photo session?

There will be people around you whom you consider irritating, annoying or even bad. But those impressions might be a result of judgement based on a blurred view. By focusing on their positives, your interpersonal relationship with them improves and this further brings out the best in them.

My Internship FB Updates: Top 10

Below are some of my status updates in Facebook when I was an intern.

Little things I've realised as an INTERN: Part 1
Patient oriented:
1. The morning prick we make when we take blood sometimes keeps paining till evening. So the needle bore, site of puncture should be carefully chosen and done.
2. If patients are informed about why the test has to be done, they are much relieved.
3. Spending 1 min explaining the route to a certain lab/place in the hospital saves their 1 hour of roaming around.
4. I give kids the chest piece of my steth. They themselves keep it on their chest. Less panic :)

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Things I've realised as an INTERN: Part 2
Self Oriented:
1. Many may try to belittle you..from consultants to nurses, wardboys and even patients cos you are just an INTERN. Never lose self-esteem. Be humble. Cos your heart knows what you are becoming...
2. At the end of the day, the  positive influences you'd had on others' lives make you happier than the knowledge gained. But of course, knowledge and skills are needed to bring the best in you for patient care.

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I'd successfully put an IV line for a 10 day old baby on the very FIRST attempt :-):-)    

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Please don't SCARE little children saying "I'll take you to the doctor n he'll give you an injection if you don't...." Children start yelling in fear just as they see me with my steth!! I feel miserable... 

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I'm stuck here in a hard shell...pressure from all sides, life getting harder and harder......But deep down here, I'm metamorphosing....silently and patiently...slowly and steadily.....when I fly out I'll be something beautiful :)

I'm in OG Postings :(

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Whenever I'm posted in any dept. in INTERNSHIP, I do 3 things:-)
1. Feel that the previous dept. was far better
2. Count the days for the current posting to end
3. Look forward for an easy life in the next posting :-P:-P

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I'm Dumbstruck!!
Unfortunately Actinomycin D, a chemotherapeutic drug, is currently not available in JIPMER. A 25 yr old lady, admitted in ward 16, JIPMER, is on chemo regime containing Actinomycin D. She has to buy the drug herself n single dose costs Rs.439.00
She got the first dose with her money. She later confessed to the doctors that she had no money to get other dose.
A group of Junior Residents, OG Unit 2, Jipmer have put their pocket money for her second dose..I was one of them who contributed. :)

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Best moments of life: 
Me & my co-intern were involved in the treatment of a lady diagnosed with PRES (Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome) due to severe hypertension. Her BP was very high and her brain was affected. She was disoriented and possibly going into coma. Every 15 min we gave her drugs to bring her BP under control. After around 5-6 hours of aggressive BP control, I'd gone to check in on her. She woke up and spoke to me, "Doctor, can I drink a cup of coffee?"
I had goosebumps !!

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"BUSE for all, BUSE for all
BUSE for all d JR said.."
Not tho' the INTERN knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of ignorance
Rode the budding medico.

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MBBS: when it started, it appeared as a very long and tiring road....
now 5 & a half yrs gone, when it's about to end,
I wish to travel that road again with my friends....
It was fun & frolic all the way.....

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