'Cause Pigs can Fly

Today was a train day. The van driver went to Galle to buy a new van, so on a Monday (those who know me also know that Mondays are the busiest days for me), I had to take the train to office and then back home. During the evening ride, I had my (not rare anymore) moment of realization. I found my usual corner seat, so I wouldn’t be facing the sea but could turn around and see it, but I would still have the wind blowing through my hair. I took out Paper Towns and started reading. Then they got in. Now they were the people who I’m sure my friends and I were a few years ago. They made me realize 1) how ridiculous my friends and I may have sounded back then and 2) how much has changed since a few years ago. They were three or four possibly teenage girls. They were giggling nonstop and kept making jokes. When my friends and I were growing up (not that we are grown up now, but during our mid-teens), we would giggle and laugh and live in our own world. We were completely obliviou...

Published in Free (The Nation) on February 15 Pic by Chandana Wijesinghe (www.nation.lk) Love For Sale In January, the price of a single rose was 100 rupees. As soon as February took over, the price of these same roses doubled. Some storekeepers were apologetic, “it’s the season,” they explained. And that was enough explanation; we all knew which season he was referring to. If you flip through a newspaper published in February, you will be blinded by all the bright reds and the many offers on hotel reservations, gift items and jewelry. Nearly everything has been turned into a Valentine’s Day version. If we could buy tissue boxes with leaves or watermelon slices on the box a month ago, this month you could purchase a box with hearts or roses. Last month, phone cases were black or brown, this month they are red or pink. Pencils were yellow, black or red before, but now they have heart-shaped erasers. Cakes are red, pink and white, filled with strawberries and roses. Th...

Whenever I go for an event, I eventually find myself being forced to have conversations with people, and even though I love the people I meet, I sometimes just want to sit in a corner and pretend there’s no one around me. There are three types of events I go for. One: The kind I agree to go for, to meet friends (example: Say it with coke or TweetupSL) Two: Events I feel obliged to go to, or must go to because my presence is expected (example: lunch with the family or certain friends) Three: Assignments (example: press conferences) My thoughts about events depend on the type of event. So in hopes of making people realize why I’m awkward at events, I’ll put it down in writing. Why do I behave the way I do at events. One of the biggest complaints is that I don’t actually do anything. I don’t talk or socialize. I just stand or sit in one place and look lost and scared. This is because I’m busy with my thoughts and answering the questions put forth by my brain. (I’m ...

 Published in Free, The Nation on January 11 Some people seem to excel at manipulation and lying. They often make use of people for their personal gain, and have no respect for another’s feelings. People you thought were your friends have slammed the door shut right in your face. People you trusted have betrayed you and deceived you. Dealing with liars, traitors and the like seems like part of life now, much like crossing the road, doing your laundry or buying groceries. It has become something everyone must deal with. However, this does not make their behavior right. Just because everyone seems to be a liar, doesn’t mean you should tolerate it or turn a blind eye to their crimes. If you are the victim of their viciousness, you wouldn’t want to suffer. You would want to stand up to them and take control of the situation. This isn’t easy. People take advantage of us because they know we are easy targets. Maybe they know our weaknesses, or are aware of our flaws and thin...