2012: From My Eye

Now that 2012 is here

Of human existence is that I fear

Will we live? How can I trust?

Console a moment, by next a volcano burst.

For few second the nature howls

Takes with no mercy, millions of souls

20-12 "the end", that all say

Alike Tsunami will hit the coast and bay

Ambiguous question that has all make us think

It might not be a lie, but do we really live or die?

Orbit will collapse, meteorite will hit

In black hole or galactic center is where the earth will fit

(Image via Google Images)

Of all our rudeness that nature tolerates

One gloomy morning, earthquake perforates

Screams of Katrina still unforgotten, Haiti wakes on cry

Even in the monsoon of east, the land stays dry

Is 2012 just a date?

Is it a fear or human fate?

Whatever is predicted or have been told

Hope, prayer and togetherness is to hold.

BY: Aava Sharma

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A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

We all know that Jonathan Swift is one of the legendary authors who is capable of making his stories stick in his reader's head. Swift not only masters the skill of story-telling, but he also uses his literary power to evoke the political, social and economic situation of the society. “A Modest Proposal” is one of the most famous satires in the English literature that speaks the voice of the poor parents and street children of Ireland. He evokes the perception of the rich towards the poor and begging children of the street. Swift indirectly extends his satires towards colonization and demoralization of Irish by the English Men. Rich people always want the poor to remain under their shoes and never want the poor to rise above their poverty.

Swift uses his statistical information to support his modest proposal to improve the economy and social life style of the nation of Ireland. His proposal is to decrease the number of the poor population and use those poor and begging children of the street to build the economy of nation. He wants to implement his proposal of buying and selling of the meat of one year children to the market. His statistical support beyond the point that one baby could be sold for eight shillings in the market is astounding. To feed the same children for the whole year will cost two shillings where a mother could save six shillings from one child.

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He enhances his proposal by indicating that the meat of one year child is nutritious, delicious, and tasty where the wealthy can refine their dish with new recipe. He includes that the flesh of young boy is very tasty than that of beef. It not only creates new recipe for the wealthy people’s dish, it will decrease the population of the poor and street beggars; mainly, it will enhance the economy of the community. The number of the thieves and drugs involvement will be decreased as well.

Swift imposes his idea not to support his proposal, but to provoke the irresponsibility of the nation towards its people to save the identity of various religious and economically impaired groups. He provokes the idea with disagreement towards the nation’s rules and policy to create several eyes to look after the single nation’s people living together. Although the whole proposal sounds disgusting and unusual, it protests the suppression and aristocracy of ruler of the nation. Swift clearly indicates that poor and economically impaired people are also human beings and they should not be treated different from wealthy people.       

Click here to read "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift.

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Death of Love (Sonnet 61, Michael Drayton)

Humans are emotional beings; they need their supporters during good times and bad times while they shed tears when they are not able to cope with the pain caused by a circumstance. Similarly, when it comes to love, there is no exception; they need their beloved to be with them in ups and downs of their lives. Similarly, Michael Drayton in his “Sonnet 61” unveils the emotions of a distraught lover whose dreams of being with his lover forever have shattered. He talks about his painful emotions after parting with his loved one, as the parting caused turbulence in his sentiments. Drayton successfully depicts the rambling sentiments of a lover who seeks to rationalize his decision of departing with the love of his life. 

Here, the lover exhibits a tendency of justifying his decisions and acts, where he seeks approval of their decisions within himself by explaining that he didn’t have a choice. Subsequently, Drayton opens his sonnet with the lover’s first step towards justifying his departure with his lover. He has decided to end his relationship with his lover, and he is asking his lover to help him end it amiably with a kiss as they have no other choice when he says, “Since there’s no help…part” (Drayton, line1). 

Subsequently, he tells himself that he made the right decision, since he was bounded by the relationship and he was the only one giving in the relationship. He feels that his relationship drained him, instead of making him happy; thus, getting rid of this binding thread was the right act as they both can pick their ways and seek their happiness somewhere else. He further elaborates that he is pleased with this parting, and he couldn’t have been happier since he is finally free when he quotes, “That thus so cleanly…free” (Drayton, line4).

However, no matter how much he tries, the lover knows that it is not possible to completely forget his beloved, whom he once loved with all his heart. Although the lover talks about their friendly break-up, he knows that his heart will not give up loving her. He talks about not acting surprised or guilty when they meet as strangers in future; however, his actual emotions for his lover is revealed in line 9 where he says, “Now, at the last gasp…breath.” He discloses that he still loves her, and this breakup would only kill their innocent love giving the readers a hint that their separation is not voluntary. He reminds himself of the passion they shared and the trust they held for each other, the eagerness and yearning for each other that held them together. He knows that they will no longer exist as he decides to end their zealous relationship when he quotes, “When, his pulse failing…lies” (Drayton, line10). He grieves for the death of his affection; he feels bad for his love— that they are giving up on the love they shared and nurtured together. Nonetheless, even though he faintly hopes that they could somehow get back together, he does not want to fool his heart by giving it false hope. His dying thread of hope for his love is elaborated in his quote “From death to life thou…recover” (Drayton, line14).

Drayton unequivocally exhibits the lover’s emotion in his tragic words where he knows is giving up on his love he hoped would remain with him till death. He tries to vindicate his decision at the beginning of the poem and slowly realizes that he still loves his beloved and would hope to get back together someday. Drayton brilliantly pictures emotions of a wrecked man and his progressing thoughts in an undesirable situation where the lover seeks to reason his decision and not feel guilty about it. Nonetheless, he has to face his inevitable sentiments wandering everywhere, while he is confused whether or not he should have broken up with his lover despite being in a relationship full of love and passion. He realizes that no matter how much attempts to tell himself that he did the right thing, he knows that it is not easy to let go of the love of his life. 

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Start...Scratch?

Hmm, what a day- WHAT A DAY! I yelled from the top of my lungs kicking my car door. Well, I did curse everyone a bit in my head for being opportunists, for using me for their advantage, and not letting me live my life. I wish I’d said “You all suck!” while leaving my office gate. Oops, ex-office! Can I call it an ex? For now, let me call whatever names I want to. Yep, I’m fuming inside out, carrying my family pictures, stationery, and a few report files I was support to present on.  I was one of those who were let go from our jobs while I had my hopes up of getting promoted.

Just three weeks ago, my boss called me inside his office and asked me how I liked working for him. He stated that he was impressed with my work, and thus would like to see me growing in the company. I loved my work as a junior financial analyst; good salary, good benefits, compensation and health insurance- what more could I have asked for? Had been working there since last five years; well, sometimes, times were rough and me and my team had to work countless nights to keep our company going even in a rough economy. I had my job, that’s all I was thankful for- increasing stress, declining family time, and decreasing social life were all part of the job, and yet I didn't complain. I knew I was working my way to the top, and without hard-work, it would not be possible.

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I had earned the recognition twice as the employee of the month; I even heard it from the CEO “Employees like you are the pillars of our company!” What an achievement! Well, I was doing my part, and they were doing theirs. I had to make sure the company improves on my part, while they had to assure that they make their part of shares continually. While we worked endlessly to keep our jobs, they were working continuously to make sure they keep theirs- thus, the merger with an emerging company with completely different fundamentals. None of the frontline employees knew-not even those who were told that they will be promoted soon.

Three weeks later, I was told to collect all my belongings and exit the company’s gate. They said they regretted the decision and that they were bounded by the rough times. I was thanked for my performance and contribution with best wishes. Ha! I wish I could have said, “Thank you for rewarding me with betrayal!” Well, I couldn’t- I was still trying to register the news in my head. I wished it was easier to shed tears, but no- I was a freaking man! I was not supposed to exhibit my disappointment or sorrow, and my job had taught me to master that pretense.

I come home distressed and disappointed- Why me? Why? What had I done wrong? I asked all the questions on my mind. No answer. Aggravation! My fury rises when I see my messy house, unwashed dishes in the sink, scattered papers, highlighters, and pencils I used to prepare for my presentation, laundry waiting to be done, and most of all, hunger- I hadn’t eaten anything since morning. I dropped the box from my hand, and slid down to sit on the floor- the mess added to my disappointment in my ruined life. 35, single, and jobless- messed up with nothing to look forward to. What a life! I realized that I lost my youth trying to reach the top—left the girl that loved me, moved to a big city to seek better opportunities, and hadn’t seen my family in years. I worked days and nights, even holidays to keep myself on the top of the charts. What for? Everything was ruined, everything!

I sat there hopelessly for hours staring at my parents’ picture. Suddenly, something struck me- a divine feeling that asked me to get my a** off the floor and start straightening the mess I had around me. I had everything scattered on the floor, with a broken frame of my certificate of appreciation from my work. I realized that nothing is over-it’s just a break, a bump that I am meant to pass. I had all my resources--it was all there surrounding me- pencil, highlighter, eraser and a paper. All these years I worked was not for them; it was for me, my growth and knowledge, and I was the one that learned the most from those experiences. All I had to do was put them to use with a new beginning. I rose up, cleared all the junks, organized my files and started staring at the clear paper. I had the best opportunity of my life- to begin something of my own. 

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Donate A Caption...

This picture was taken about a month ago. I watched the seagull fly towards its home after the day's work, and envied it throughout the evening. During the mesmerizing process, I lost my ability to justify an appropriate caption. Please donate your ideas to fill the caption below. 

(?)

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My Dream Story

“Good night, Susan.” “Good night, Jailor,” I replied.

The cell door closes and I hear jailor steps diminishing sounding goodnight. I take a couple of steps into space. I glance up at the window and think to myself, “this isn’t a life, it’s just an existence.”

Being in prison makes me feel as though I’m being buried alive. I am a puppet with people pulling strings so that I eat, sleep and wake when they want me to.

I lie on my bed as night falls and think the same thoughts over and over again. My head is full of the people I love: my parents, my sister, my fiancée, and my friends.

Every day I live the same routine and nothing changes except the people.Pesters depart for other prison facilities, or get released where others arrive. It’s a continually revolving door. As it’s duration of mandatory routine, every empty vessel is to be fraught.

Nonetheless, prison has changed me. When I committed my crimes, I was a lost young boy, but now I am found; I know the Susan within myself. And, jail has turned from a negative experience into a positive one. I have taken control of myself, and changed my ways. I really want to escape this timid fate.

(Courtesy: Google Images)

When I was first incarcerated, I was timid and full of young, reckless blood. Days were same, nights were storm. Shoving against the crowd, really left me messed up. I really wanted to have some faith. Sooner, the better.

Walking around the prison yard, I would notice my fellow prisoners reading books and writing letters to friends and family, and it upset me because I couldn’t do the same.

I chided the day when I was forced to take a step towards knowledge. But then,I decided not to waste my time inside and instead, take advantage of all the resources available in the jail. I started to learn and they were baby steps; but, I was determined to fulfill my goal. One day, I would read and write properly, and help other illiterates like me to learn.

Today, five years later, after a lot of persistence, scrabbles and hard work, I have achieved my goal. I’ve also just completed a course as a reading mentor and am helping others who were just like me to read and write. They are so grateful for my help, and I’m so grateful to be able to give something back.

Someone once told me that “knowledge is power and is no weight to carry around” and I now know that to be true.

My journey of 1000 miles started with one step. I am now enjoying every moment of my success. Learning to read and write at a higher level has given me the inner strength to present myself in a more positive manner. I am also able to have better conversations with my family and friends.

And the day I’ve dreamed about has come true: I now enjoy my cup of coffee with a book in my other hand. Learning to read and write has changed my life and this article is my first piece of “proper” writing, but it won’t be my last.

Writing has helped me express my feelings and I’m even writing poetry. This is “White as Snow:”

So many haters in one place

Trading war stories and pleading their case,

I sit here and try to be kind

People think I am out of my mind,

What I’m doing is changing my ways

Letting my thoughts be as white as snow,

It’s time from my life I can never get back

By the time I get out, people will think I’ve cracked

I know my “sorry” can never fix all the pain

But, I shall not cease to pray for the sunshine after rain,

Thinking for the prosperity of people

Like to shine as white as snow.

                                                                      By:Susan Timalsina

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Know About Cancer

Our body is formed with millions of cells, and each cells function is our bodily function. Chunk of cells form tissues, and groups of tissues form organs of the body. Each cell of the body means to grow, work, repress and die; this process continues throughout life to keep the human body functioning, safe, and healthy. However, the fact that cells can function as designed all the time is questionable. It might malfunction at times, resulting in abnormal growth. As several abnormal cells group for long time, it follows the same pattern of cell growth, this time creating a bulk of non-functioning or abnormal cells known as tumor.

A type of tumor-Benign tumor is not life threatening, as it stays at one place of the body and not spread around; however, it is not sure if it remains at the same part if its origination. It might invade other tissues of the body and spread to the other part, which results in another form of tumor known as malignant tumor. Malignant tumor, once starts dispersing, is known as cancer; this transfer of the tumor cells to the other part of the body is called metastases. The initial symptom of the malignant tumor is the swelling of the nearby lymph node. Research has not yet found out whether it remains at the same place, or if it can invade any other part of the body. When the cancer starts to transfer from one part to another, it is very tough to get rid of it completely till the date, with the present medication procedures.   

(Courtesy: http://www.learn-free-medical-transcription.blogspot.com)

There are hundreds and thousands of definitions of cancer that we could come across. Evidences lack to accurately spot about where and how the fatal disease started. Many researchers claim their own theories about its origination and gradual impact to the human body. Nonetheless, not a single explanation could break the ice, or put the pieces of the puzzle together to fit any of the claims. Many vast and complicated research and trials have been conducted since decades; however, none of them proved to be effective to cure the disease as well as provide enough care to the patients. Several procedure and methods have been proposed and practiced that can elongate the expectancy of life for several years without removal of disease. From high doses medication to very powerful radiation therapies are being used just to avoid the cancer cell to spread around the body. These therapies seem to be working to avoid the spread, but severe impact left by such aggressive radiation and drug doses have been sidelined.  The following treatment methods are currently in use, as approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration):

• ·         Surgery                                                              
• ·         Chemotherapy                                
• ·          Radiation Therapy
• ·         Anti neo-peptone (Approved by FDA, but not popular; claims to have drastically lesser side-effects than other treatments)
• ·          Targeted Therapy                         
• ·         Immunotherapy                              
• ·          Hyperthermia
• ·          Bone marrow and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
• ·          Photodynamic Therapy                               
• ·          Laser in Cancer Treatment         
• ·          Blood Product Donation and Transfusion                            
• ·          Hormone Placement Therapy  

These are the most common treatment procedures currently in use for cancer treatment. Each treatment depends on the nature of the tumor, and the infection caused to the body. These medications are created under high dosed drugs and highly sensitive radiations such as beta radiation which are extremely dangerous to the human body. Each therapy has at least two or more extremely painful side effects. Most common side effects are loss of hair, infertility, loss of hearing, reduced responsiveness, nausea and vomiting, and several other sensitive effects. These medications should be followed for several months to years in routinely. After starting these therapies, a cancer patient may or may not be able to resume his/her normal life, as these therapies only aim to elongate the survival days. We still lack the complete cure to cancer.


By: Bisho Banjara

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Not This Time

I asked you

To hold on to the thread

Of hope,

 Though I knew darkness hovered everywhere.

Like every other time, I would have

Crossed my fingers and closed my eyes,

Hoping this storm would go away;

But for a strange reason, I did not.

Not this time.

I would have waited, certainly

On the river bank and on the pavement;

By the side of the shore or into the deep woods,

Praying to the highest powers to let me,

Be with you and endure the pain of your disloyalty;

Unquestionably, I would have forgiven you

For hurting my trust and innocence; I would

Rather have lived believing the sweet lie. But, somehow

Tolerance parted its way from my soul and

 Forgiving divinity condensed;

I would have believed you all my life,

Just, not this time.

Sure, I am bewildered and perplexed

About how the love of my life could just let go,

Of the love I relied on, the bond that we built

And detailed meticulously;

The beat of the heart I believed was for me,

Never knew me at all.

Oh, well! the castle of my dreams just collapsed,

And yet I have not panicked

The feeling of betrayal is gushing throughout my veins,

Yet I have not fallen down;

A corner of my heart is still yelling at me,

Asking me to give up this weak feeling of not accepting you

And standing still- of collecting the shattered pieces of hopes,

And building a new vision for life- something worthwhile.

Any other time, I would have listened to thee-

Oh my sentimental heart!

Excuse me, just not this time.

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