"Give me some sunshine,
Give me some rain,
Give me another chance-
I want to grow up all again!"
This lovely song reminds me of how fast life gushes past you- and before you know it- you are touching 30!- the age you once thought was for only aunties and uncles! I can't believe how all those years have just gone like a flash.
I can still vividly remember coming home one summer morning, with my class 2 progress report in hand. The term was over. I proudly announced to everyone at home that I was soon going to be in class 3, which then, for me was a step towards being a grown -up!. Its amazing how we go through life always wanting to be a grown-up, and now when we are there, how we keep wishing the years never went by so fast!.
Life was full of fun and games as a child. Life was simple- just our regular street games with peers from the locality- no talk about "Playstation" or "Wii"!. Television was restricted to the national brand- "Doordarshan"- an occasional "Surabhi" or "Chitrahaar"- never a 24X7X100 channel- hours of entertainment. Clothes were modest- mostly hand picked by Mom or meticulously sewn by Grand Ma- fashion was never dictated by "current trends" or seasonal flavour- and best of all- one was never under pressure to "look the times"!.
College was even better- a wonderful gang of friends, always there to provide the laughs at regular intervals. College was a laid-back study period- when exams came and went by slowly, and the fun never seemed to stop ever!. The maddening birthday treats, the silly games, the evening round-ups in front of the library.
Thirty was the age, we as kids and even in our youthful days, perceived as the time when all the fun in life stops, and when the drudgery of everyday routine overcomes you. When kids, career and money become the prime focus of your life. In a way, thats probably true- I don't think I can drive down to the nearest dhabha for lunch on a split second decision anymore or spend a hour each with 3 different guys on the phone discussing their issues with other women! (I have done these and more!).
I don't live on impulse and instinct anymore. But i still feel very young at heart- I feel no different than when i was 21 or 25. I have the same zeal for fun. Its a pity that you are physically young and free for just about a decade in your life. Either the biological clock is ticking or the career bandwagon is waiting for you to climb on quick!. I wish I had another 5 years before the "real 30s" came calling.
