How do you know when a calling calls?

Today I had an other-worldly experience. I spoke almost non-stop for 2 hours. I was teaching a class for the first time in my life and the students happened to be fellow students of mine. It was the greatest fun I have had in a long time and I was very touched that they clapped in the end. It was so cute ! I always knew that I wanted to be some kind of a teacher, but I now truly wonder whether this is what I want to do all my life. If the thought of doing something makes our heart pound with excitement and the exhilaration of having done well makes your day, then is that what they call as a calling?

Same old Same Gold

What a great day ! An amazing snow storm has left us looking for cover. While at the same time the remarkable blanket of white beauty outside calls for digital cameras to snap out of bags that they have been long buried in since the fall of Fall. Personally after a late night's work yesterday and a dreamily relaxed day today, the snow has been the best thing on the horizon. A perfect Valentine's day for everyone in the Mid-west. Perhaps not so much for the yankees who are shovelling themselves out through the roof tops. While waiting for the slow melt-down I thought it worth kicking back for a moment with an ever-reliable cup of tea and soft Eagles filling the corners of my studio.
The lesson learnt was that there is a calm after every storm too. Not to mention the fact that soy milk boils very fast...
Alright its time to get back to work before global warming brings the glaciers and squeaking seals to our doors as we speak.

Nothing is missing...

That title was a rough English translation of the first line of what is possibly the most wonderful song of all times in South Indian Classical music history...."Kurai Ondrum Illai". To me this is a personal favourite because of three reasons. It was written by the most respected freedom fighter in my eyes, Rajaji. It was sung by the most admirable woman in my eyes, MS Subbulakshmi. The third reason is that I first heard it sung by a cousin of mine a few days after his mother had died. The impossibility of saying "There is nothing missing" when there was something so obviously missing from his life struck me even at the age of 14.
The simplicity of this song, it's composition, it's meaning and the unassuming way of life of the people involved in this song makes it beautiful for me. (Isn't it ironical that it was first sung at the United Nations where so much is missing today? ) That is why I cannot hear it sung by anyone else. It simply doesn't fit. Its amazing how it can appeal to me even though I cannot bring myself to believe in anything "super-powerful". The only thing that is super-powerful to me is such inspired pieces of work that can touch people's lives years after being created.

My favorite lines from this song: "Ethum thara nirkum karunai kadal annai
endrum irundida edu kurai enakku".

Translation: (Refers to the goddess as 'mother') When she, an ocean of mercy, is there always to give me anything, what could be missing from my life?

I can only think of my mom for these lines. What can be missing from a day that began with this song ?