Yesterday I was watching this program called "One life to Love" which was very interesting and triggered some interesting questions in my mind... So though of sharing them with you all...

   You know the very name of the program is so meaningful. One life to Love. I was just wondering how many of us must have actually given time for ourselves? Everybody must be loveing themself like crazy, then why not spend sometime and think of what you really like. Think of what really makes you happy... what is it that you really want for your ownself... not your social responsibilites, but you... this rat race of life has made at least me forget of what really pleases me... or for that matter, what is real me... i never had spent even a minute thinking about what I really am, untill this thought struck me... and tell you honestly it gave me immense satisfaction. I just spent a minute, but that set a lot of things clear in front of me.

   That prepared me to align my priorities. and now i have decided to make that as a routine. i will spend at least one minute each day to think of what i had set to do & what i am doing, what i really like to do. i will try and be my actualself for at least a minute everyday... i will try and think of nothing but me for that minute... it has worked for me, for both days & more than anything it gave me a lot of happiness... Try it yourself and let me know if that helps in any way... even though it looks very simple, but it is a very difficult exercise, at times even difficult than board exams... you have to be extremely honest with yourself... it almost gave me a new and fresh life... try it yourself & be prepared to get reformed for better...

    On Thursday, the 13th of September 2001 at Paradeep, I signed on the Nobel ship E-Trader, - called by some in those days, E- Terror. I signed on as an Intern. "E-Trader" was a large bulk carrier of some 36,000 GRT.

    On Tuesday the 11th of September, after being fare welled by friends and relatives, I left for my ship! I had been kitted out with some overalls, and some 'civvie' clothes - which I intended to get into at the first opportunity!

    It's a bloody difficult life son. It was the final comment of our brief conversation with the warden. I really didn't know how to respond to such a cryptic, and to me, such a deflating statement, so I said nothing. He didn't say it with any bitterness, but his comment was enough to dampen much of the enthusiasm I had felt until then about what lay ahead for me. Years of training required me not to answer back, nor to express the disappointment I felt in the face of his prophecy. After all I told myself, what did he know of life at sea today? He was an old man, and if he had been to sea, he probably sailed in rust buckets. Things were much different these days weren't they? Life at sea can be hard, but so can life in general.

    Now I was in the plane, at the Mumbai Domestic airport finally! As the plane slowly made its move on the runway, I sat thinking of all the constraints that had governed my every move prior to today, making mental notes of how I imagined my new life would be. I further started imaging that I would have nice big cabin, a good cafe, even have a large ice cream or a cream cake in a cafe! At that moment, the sky was the limit; reality was yet to come!

    I finally arrived at the Bhuvaneshwar airport, where a certain Agent was waiting with a placard of my name. We went straight to the taxi. The taxi itself was a vivid experience. As we were passing through several textured roads, I could imagine the rolls of ship already! We were finally at the Paradeep port & were through with all custom works. Then agent introduced me to a port taxi driver, and left me with a cheery "Best of luck, soldier", a handshake, and he was gone!

    I was finally inside the Pradeep port!

    Sometimes I wonder how lucky I am to have so many great experiences. I have spent hours leaning over ship's railing to see the dancing & rolling sea, as if she has just been proposed. I still can hear the gushing sound of water as the ship cuts through. The calm moonlight pretends to be shy & the cool wind blowing as if trying to have a conversation with me. It's just the wind and me sometimes. I would close my eyes & have long & deep talks with her, nobody to bother us. Wind passing all over my body as if she can't get enough of me.

    Coastlines are my messengers who passed me the messages of my dear once just so many times. If I don't get sleep & start to linger on the bed; sea would create nice and big swells & wind would start to blow faster as if patting me a swing & singing a lullaby. How on earth anybody could experience this otherwise?

    How fortunate I am to be part of this great profession. I am blessed with the great treasure of the challenges & experiences I had on ship. How can I not remember that... The roaring deep blue sea, the wonderous sunset & wide open sky, you feel like a king on board.
    Its a different charm and grace in itself. From the curvacious forecastle to the stylish poop deck, ship is so beautiful... :) From the strong anchor to the monsterous main engine, nothing can beat this...!!! Its a different game in itself right SeaFolks...? When she cuts through & rides the wave she just doesnt stop for anybody... There are just so many things I can talk about, which are nothing but just imagination to people ashore...
Dont worry people I will try my best to make you all understand... Wait till I write my next blog, till then you all please take care... :)