Monday 30 September 2013

Mark my words

N&N posing in front of a funny mirror

The term exams got over last week.

[happy dance]

Now all of you can thank me one by one.

[N waits expectantly for outpouring of gratitude]

……

[All she gets in return is a yawning silence]

You didn’t notice???

[N put hands on hips and taps foot on ground impatiently]

Dammit, I take so much effort and u guys don’t even notice anything;-/.

I said the kids' Exams are OVER.

……

[N takes a deep breath & practices the little yoga Nikita taught her when she was in 3rd std]

“Didn’t u realise I didn’t bug you with any post on how fast the exams were approaching and how horrible they were going to be and how I was going crazy searching for text-books and notebooks which had mysteriously disappeared over the holidays and how the better-half was not helping and how my BP was going up and how the kids were least bothered and how….”

“Oh just forget it, I have a good mind not to tell you anything;-S”

……

……

[N imagines a crowd of bloggers pleading with her to forgive them]

Alright, alright I’ll tell you only if u answer my question truthfully???

And you ofcourse know very well that I can’t hide anything from you for long;-/.

So like I was telling u, the exams went off very well….

.....actually very badly:-(. 

Both Nikita and Naina came back home with expressions more morose than the other’s each day of the exams. I kept quiet as a mouse as they showed me all the questions they blundered on. Well it was not really their fault was it. Their exams were held immediately after school reopened after the holidays. And we as parents should have planned our holiday after taking their exams into consideration. No point talking about it after the episode:-(.

Anyways, while the better-half and I were still dilly-dallying about what is the best mode of action to take from now on, Nikita has decided for herself that it did not make sense to keep waiting for her parents to wake up from their apathy, instead she herself must be vigilant about these things. And the sweet kid that she is, she even worded it very carefully so as to not hurt our feelings in any way.

Atta girl
[N pats herself  in appreciation ]

Now I must find a way to get her to invoke the same feelings of motivation in Naina;-P

Seems like Naina took so much time over her Hindi paper that the boy next to her who had finished almost an hour before her asked very concerned “Naina, tera saboon slow hai kya???”*

;-D

Some of the questions in the GK Paper Naina attempted:

Q1. Who is Mukesh Ambani?  
A.   Mukesh Ambani is a very famous Fashion Designer.

Q2. Who is MS Subbulakshmi?
A. MS Subbulakshmi is a very famous person. He has won many awards and is very very famous.

Q3. Who wrote Malgudi Days? 
A.    RK Kipling

We just scraped through GK with minimum marks and are very grateful we passed.

On the other hand Nikita got 20/20 in GK….full marks only in GK but I’m still grinning like a fool;-D.

She too faced problems but of another kind. She is not the topper in her class but atleast she tries. So the kids who are sitting close to her during the exams are peeking into her paper to get the answers they don’t know. Seems like one kid was so unprepared that she copied 90% of Nikita’s answers. Nikita hates it but is not able to express her displeasure vocally. So she compensates by writing in a lousy handwriting.

There was one question which asked the name of the palace built by the Portuguese in Cochin?? And Nikita wrote the correct answer. 

After the exam the girl who copied everything from Nikita was like
“What a funny name for a palace???”
And Nikita was like “What so funny about it???”

The girl was hopping mad when she found out it was Mattencherry palace and not “Mutton Curry palace”;-D.

Last heard the girl is totally confused as to how Nikita got full marks while she got only 11/20 inspite of copying everything from Nikita’s paper;-).

And I haven’t forgotten the question I was going to ask even if you are going to pretend u have… 


Reflections Survey Sheet

Marks: 100
Attempt any one:


Q1. What kind of posts N writes is most irritating???    (10 marks)
a. the paranoid post before the exams
b. the neurotic post during the exams
c. the anxious post after the exams
d. All of the above and all the rest of her posts

OR

Q2. Given the hectic and busy life N leads, how often do u expect her to update her space???   (10 marks)
a. once a week
b. Bi-monthly
c. once in a month
d. whenever she feels like

Kindly post your answers in comment section with detailed explanation.                         (90 marks)

************************************************

*Lifebuoy ad

37 comments:

  1. Q1. Option e. None of the above.

    Q2. Once a week or whenever she feels like (whichever is more frequent)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry Anita but U get 20/100 bcoz u didnt give detailed explanation;-(

      Delete
  2. Here is the detailed explanation :
    Q1. Each and every single post of Reflections is a delight to read. Whether she is paranoid or stressed or anxious I dont care ..err I mean I do care, but it doesnt matter as the posts are still so engaging and fun. So I think it is best to have a fifth option, which is None of the above, to the ninety nine percent of her readers who think that all of her posts (including the ones which had just some pictures) were endearing.

    Q2. Even though N leads a hectic schedule, we are aware that both her kids go to school, and we expect her to scribble something during that time for the hungry readers. From the option 'whenever she feels like' we are given an illogical choice as the readers are not sure of that. If that option is more often than once a week, I would go for it, otherwise, it is once a week option for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a delightful comment!!! I'm lovin it;-D
      And Anita has scored 99/100 in this exam. She lost 1% only because she didn't comment on the post as such....ahem....*N waits expectantly*

      Delete
    2. I pinged hubby and told him about Mattanchery Palace - Mutton curry palace joke and had a laugh over the chat ! (He is a Cochi-kkaran) ..Great post as usual ! It always feels good to read your posts especially about the kids !

      Delete
    3. Anita....girl u are the best, thank u so much for being such a great blog-friend:-)).

      Delete
  3. Q1. What kind of posts N writes is most irritating??? (10 marks)

    I Give u zero marks for not putting the right answer here in the options. For me it was NONE OF THE THE ABOVE :p

    OR

    Q2. Given the hectic and busy life N leads, how often do u expect her to update her space??? (10 marks)
    a. once a week and may be more than once a week because I love reading your posts!!!

    and ROFL at who Mukesh Ambani is :D BTW once a guy copied from my answersheet and scored more than me. Go Figure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahem...may I remind u I'm the marker and u r the markee....and markees are supposed to write nice nothins[which u kinda did] about the marker so that markers give more marks and make markees go mellow and mice.

      Tongue-twister anyone;-P

      Delete
  4. Loved all the answers that Naina attempted inteh GK paper. LOL ing still about the Mutton Curry Palace.

    You just reminded me about the battles I had with these tests and exams when my son was going through school. I used to be overwhelmed / exasperated / tearful and what not. Today I realise it gave me so much time with my son, and he actually looked forward to my help. Last week, he had his model exams in college for his first semester - he was cloistered in his room with the laptop and books spread on the cot. I was so restless kept checking on him and he said "Ma, I can manage myself and anyway I dont think you can help me" :-( :-(.

    My humble advice as a senior mom - enjoy every moment of this. for sure, there are going to be moments when you will long for it ( like me!). Though, i do have brief spells of oh God all this is over. :-)

    Now over to your quiz.

    Q2. Option a. ( add an atleast before the option. I am sure thats a typo )

    Explanation :

    I truly wish you posted everyday and twice at that, but since you self proclaim that you are a busy homemaker and a busy mom, atleast once a week is the better option, though all of us who attempt this question paper would agree, that we all love your posts and would want more of it. I did not opt the first question, coz, prima facie, the options there are not complete. ( and i am sure you know what that option is!).

    Having said all this, continue the happy dance until the next term exam. I know how it feels. :-)

    Now I am anxiously waiting for my result :-) :-) :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hmmm...I'm in a dilemma here, if I had a panel of invigilators I'm sure we would have dedicated at least 2 hrs on your answer sheet......hmmmm.
    On the surface everything looks good, any other invigilator wd have given u 100 out of 100 but u must realise I'm not a ordinary one. I have eyes at the back of my head and that is how I noticed a mistake. An error I'm sure. U have written a wonderful comment with detailed explanation but where is the answer to question 1....where is it huh....huh...huh???? No, no, no ur explanation is not adequate...details are expected. Its an order....err request;-P

    Not the least, all advice from senior mommies are accepted very gratefully, thank U Vincy:-)).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erm Vincy...u r not going to believe this...but I forgot it was not compulsory to answer all questions and I'm racking my brains as to how I did tht. Finally after 10 mins of deliberation I have come to the conclusion that Anita is at fault[by answering both questions she sort of made it mandatory tht everybody answers both questions].

      I sound so logical eh;-D

      Delete
  6. Naina's answers had me laughing out loud literally :-)

    I won't answer Q1 since it doesn't have my desired option available ;)
    For Q2, i will take option a, unless option d translates to more frequent posts... It may sound selfish, but that's my honest answer :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't ask abt Naina's goof-ups....she learnt the wrong patra for Hindi and wrote it all down very carefully even though she knew it was wrong. And what do u knw...the teacher gave her 4 out of 5 for that;-D.
      Honest answers are all I'm looking for. I'm seriously thinking of giving up the blog. Somehow I feel its not going anywhere...and with the kids growing up I'm not sure how long I can keep it away from them. So I suppose I am just looking for assurance or something;-(

      Delete
  7. I just love the pictures--the girls look so sweet posing and love the pink blue combo with the white sandals.
    How can the school have exams immediately after re-opening. Poor kids and poor parents


    Reflections Survey Sheet


    Marks: 100
    Attempt any one:


    Q2. Given the hectic and busy life N leads, how often do u expect her to update her space??? (10 marks)
    a. once a week
    b. Bi-monthly
    c. once in a month
    d. whenever she feels like

    Answer: a
    Kindly post your answers in comment section with detailed explanation. (90 marks)

    Because her paranoid,neurotic and anxious posts are what keep me sane and give me a good wholesome laugh :)

    --Seema


    Read more: http://konnotation.blogspot.com/2013/09/mark-my-words.html#ixzz2gOGw4x5G

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The school has an inspection from the ministry happening in october so they had to get the exams out of the way....which is why exams were held soon after reopening of school.
      So once a week is good huh..its tough but somehow I made it thru September;-P. Thanks Seema for the support:-)).

      Delete
  8. Refuse to take the exam invoking the Fifth Amendment :)

    If N moans about exams anymore, shall conspire with N Jrs to set her a paper (a la Are you smarter than a Fifth Grader) and then when N flunks, shall loudly argue that if the great, wise, brilliant, charismatic, erudite, etc etc N can't pass, what chance do lesser mortals have :):)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew it...I just knew it...that u'll manage to tell me the truth and yet say it so nicely that I'll feel like u are complimenting me;-P. You my friend are exempted only because of the adjectives u used to describe moi.....yeah*deep sigh* I'm totally shallow that way;-D

      Delete
  9. You know what, I don't believe in education/marks. Literacy is required, but education? Back then, these things were so important, but when I realize that these things are not useful to me in any way now, I feel that my time could have been used more productively or at least in a more fun way.

    I know mothers with young kids have a very different opinion. But I wish ppl rethink on what kids learn and how they learn. Kids have a natural potential to learn a lot - they have a lot of inquisitiveness. But putting them into a school and making them listen to endless lectures might kill their natural abilities and creativity.

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dont fall off ur chair DI but I sort of agree with u...infact I tried convincing the H to put the kids in one of those Gurukul type of schools where classes were held under trees and children learnt carpentry and musical instruments before they learnt from text-books[my friends son goes to a school like tht]. But the H was not too sure. And anyways, Dubai doesnt have a concept like tht & even if they had I think I doubt we wd have been able to afford it;-P.

      Delete
  10. food, water, air, music, long walks, fresh OJ, new bags, N's posts... just to name a few necessities of life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww.....Snow, u've just floored me with that comment*sniff*.

      Delete
  11. with such a lovely picture at the start, I didnt want to read anything more...

    ReplyDelete
  12. cute littles happy dance.. look at their freedom feel after exam., little souls started enjoying unloading its burden.

    Q2 Ans: duty-dignity-diciplined blogging not required..when N feel to jump & reflect on this space, we love to jump along, when N need a jump from this space, we love see your bounce...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank U Venkat for ur thoughtful reply and happy to see u after a long time:-)).

      Delete
  13. I dont like exams so am not gona answer those questions :-|

    But that picture! SO CUTE, the way two of them are posing in abandon. I love candid pictures <3

    Hahaha...the GK answers were funny.

    P.S: i would like to answer a question you didnt ask :P

    What kind of posts N writes is most adorable?
    About her kids! their fights and tantrums and the goofy child that N is herself sometimes :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I already know tht abt u....I've noticed u totally enjoy the posts on the kids:-)).

      Delete
  14. Q1. this is is your space to be paranoid, neurotic, anxious and irritating. readers come here because they like it.

    Q2. whenever you feel like it is the best. don't feel like you have to post anything just because. you will find that you actually like the ability to come back here whenever you want to.

    liked the mutton curry palace:-) GK being a favorite subject in the good old days i loved reading about it again.... most of all, that picture is precious. they look so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes I fear I overdo it...the paranoid, da-da...u know;-P. I hate to post when I dont have anything to say but I also fear if I leave it like that I may not post at all. And then sometimes when I force myself to sit in front of a blank page I end up writing something and the best part of it will be that guys enjoyed it...atleast u say u did;-P

      Thanks Lan for the lovely and thoughtful comment:-)).

      Delete
  15. N is nevaa evaa irritating. She is the most awesome blogger in town (figuratively). So she can keep on posting on whatever.

    And she can post whenever :) Cos pressure should be pressure cooker only :P whaaaaaaaaat a pj :P so post when u head is about to explode with all the brilliant ideas :)

    ps. i will praise u to the high heaves :) Marks ache dena pleasssseeeeeeeeeeeeee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yeah u r absolutely right....pressure shd be pressure cooker only....heheheeeaawww....totally get u;-D.
      Koi marks-warks nahi, yonly thanks for the lovely comment Amrita:-))

      Delete
  16. And forgot to mention - ur kids are super cute! How old are they? They look like twins literally :)
    And good riddance to exam season :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This picture was taken 3-4 yrs bck...back then there was little height difference btn the 2 but now Nikita has shot up & is now almost my height;-(

      Delete
  17. OMG! I have no doubts whose kids those are!

    (Husband is giving me strange looks as I am rolling on the bed with tears streaming down my face, laughing of course!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. heheee....even I still grin whenever I thk about the mutton curry palace;-D

      Delete

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