The Comiccon Experience

Confession- I have never read a Marvel comic. Yes yes I can hear the gasps.

When you say comics, Tinkle and Archies are definitely the first ones that come to my mind. In terms of superheroes, Ironman is my favourite. Robert Downey Jr converted me into a fan. In fact I watched Avengers only because of him and Mark Ruffalo.

Being the kind of person that I am, I wouldn't say that going Comiccon was a natural decision. But well, things for a happen for a reason and my cousin had some extra tickets so I went. I had no idea of what it would be like or what to expect, but that's good right? No expectations means no disappointments. That's exactly how I felt when I came out. Not disappointed at all.

The one thing that struck me was the number of stalls selling quirky merchandise. I had heard of a few like Chumbak, but I was exposed to a whole bunch of new brands. Graphicurry was one place that completely caught my attention. They truly took graphics to a different level. Lots of new gifting options were there.

I expected to see a lot of people in costumes but there weren't as many as I expected. Maybe people aren't yet ready to shed their inhibitions and be someone else for a day. Not like I went in costume to comment on that.

Watching Big Bang Theory always made me wonder what the whole hungama over Comiccon was. I never thought it would be such a huge thing here. By 1.30pm the place was super crowded and like my friend commented, "if you weren't careful, you may lose an arm". Maybe it was crowded only because of the hype around it or maybe that many people are actually into comics. I don't know.

There were families with little kids, college kids, and lots of working people who were just chilling on a weekend. I guess Comiccon gave everyone something to do besides sit in a cafe or roam in a mall. I think it sucks that there is no place to go in Bangalore that doesn't involve food. As much as I love eating, some times I would like to just get out and chill some place, and not shell out hundreds of rupees every time I do. Anyone feel the same way??

It was interesting to see how graphic novels seem to be taking the centrestage these days. We had the opportunity to witness the release of yet another graphic novel. This was on the Kauravas and well I was lucky enough to win a copy. Thank god for reading the Mahabaratha, eh.

As I type this out I just realised that I didn't see anything on Garfield or Calvin and Hobbes. No stalls selling merchandise and I am pretty sure we left no stall un-viewed. I would have thought that they are simply the most popular comic strips of the yesteryears, and even today. Who hasn't read Calvin and Hobbes and chuckled at that kid!

Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I came away with a bunch of merchandise for the sister and friends and a badge for myself that says "Everybody lies". More importantly I came with tired legs, aching shoulders and the feeling of having had a really relaxing day. Sometimes it is nice to just find the fun person in you and squeal at the idea of taking a picture with a person in costume. After all it is not everyday you get to fight with light sabers or wear coloured wigs right?

Teacher's Day Special: 5 things I learnt as a teacher

The one thing that I have always believed in is that you learn something new every day. This does come with a clause, you have to be open to learning and willing to receive knowledge from any one and any thing. This is especially true when you are a teacher.
Teaching younger children usually reminds you of your childhood days and brings back memories of a time when every 'big deal' as forgotten in a few minutes. However teaching older children, on the brink of adulthood is a whole different ball game. Here is what I learnt teaching

As teachers more often than not we go to class with a certain mindset. This is a naughty class. This class never listens to anyone. This class asks the most silliest doubts. This class is just rude, loud and obnoxious.

Lesson 1: Never go with a preset notion. A bunch of rowdy 17 year olds can truly astonish you with their sensitivity. They can surprise you with their philosophies and thoughts if you give them the chance.

I had a teacher who had us labelled as "creatures", I was hell bent on NOT labelling my students. That's easier said than done. After a point your mind automatically says, 'I have a bunch of blondes. I might as well give up on trying to make them score better'. 

Lesson 2: Never give up! With patience and perseverance anything is possible. I have seen my students who have failed all through school exams but get a 1st class in the Boards. (I like to believe it is because I believed in them, though I never believed in my teaching ability)

I talk really fast. It is who I am. And so this often leads to the tendency to trip over my own words (I am also clumsy and so I trip over my own feet as well. You would think that a dancer would be more elegant and graceful). In my hurry to explain a concept before I forget it, I just blurt it out. It could be considered as a word vomit. This usually happens because I know if I slow down, I will forget what I want to say. It is usually at this point that I completely mess up the concept and teach something wrong. More than once I have had a student correct me. Humiliating? No. 

Lesson 3: Just because you are the teacher, doesn't mean you know everything. Being open to corrections and criticism is what has helped me grow as a person.
I am human, I err.

There was this boy in my class, definitely the smartest kid I had ever met, (I truly believe I will never meet anyone smarter than him ever again), but that wasn't why I was fond of him. Never once did I ever hear him say no when someone asked him to solve a problem. More importantly never once did I hear him brag about his marks. Never once did he look bored by what I taught in class, even though I know he knows more than me. 

Lesson 4: Humility. Not just as a teacher but even as a human being this is an essential quality. It makes a person outstanding. As a teacher it is all the more important to be humble. This kind of correlates to lesson 3 as well.

I know that I have teachers that I have loved and till today I am still in touch with them and I wish them for their birthday and Teacher's day. I am talking about a few teachers in school who have really made a huge impact on my life and even my friends lives. These are the few teachers who were the first to know when I got a job and also when I quit my job.
To have that feeling reciprocated by my students is something that words cannot do justice. They have truly surprised my with their love and affection. I am not talking about the birthday wishes or gifts. I am talking about their actions. Simple things like calling up out of the blue just because they wanted to tell me what was going on in their life and find out what was going on in mine. It is a feeling of belonging. 

Lesson 5: Unconditional love does exist. Every time you feel that you students hate you, they will turn around and do something totally unexpected to show you they don't. You've just got to be patient till they realise what you mean to them and make sure that you don't forget to show them what they mean to you.

Like I said in the start, you can learn something new every day, as long as you aren't a horse with blinkers.

krupa