Hey li'l Angel...

It's me...
Um... you...

Um... us... Look... I'm you from a (many) years later, popping over to say hello. No, I won't tell you how old I am... or how it's done... or how to go back to fourteen and tell you to not send that mushy love letter to Sxxxxx...

Focus, will you...!

Okay, okay... I know you just got out of hospital, I know you went through red hell for two weeks... and I know you nearly died. I was there, remember? And I still carry the scars. But don't worry... your hair will grow back, and your skin will stop flaking at the slightest touch. You'll gain weight too... I know 34kg makes you look marasmic, but trust me, there'll come a time when you look back fondly at that number and talk about your "twiggy days".

The next few years are going to be good. You'll travel around a bit, visit 3 new countries, watch autumn leaves, walk on cobble-stoned roads, dream by babbling brooks and be drenched by the spray of massive waterfalls. Live every minute of it. You're not going to be able to go abroad for nearly a decade after that.

You are truly lucky to have Ammi and Thaththi and you'll realise that more and more as the years go by. I know you won't always agree with them, but when you roll your eyes in frustration, or lash out, please make sure that you do it when they can't see you and that a pillow is the only thing on the receiving end of your anger. Be nice to Malli... he's going to be one of the best friends you ever have. Old cliches are right, you know... blood is thicker than water.

Speaking of friends, girl - that's one area you'll never have any regrets. You are blessed with the best of friends now... and that "sisterhood" will prevail for years and years. University will bless you with another circle of love... and these friends will be your strength through the best of times and the worst of them.

Work on your anger issues... temper tantrums are very uncool. Re-read the paragraphs above... friends and family are important. Kicking your brother is not a healthy way to express annoyance. Do not slap friends who attempt to pour oil on troubled waters. Do not punch committee members who disagree with you. Do not throw cups of scalding hot tea at batchmates, even if they're mean to you.

Don't worry so much about your studies, you''ll never top your class, but you'll still be good. Try not to rely too much on short term memory ok? I know it works and it will continue to work, until you come to a point where you follow courses with huge content loads and, however good you are at speed reading, it will be humanly impossible to cover the entire syllabus in one night. And no, you won't develop super-human powers. While we're on the subject, think long and hard about your A'levels. Make sure what you want to do is really what you want to do. You're going to agonize endlessly (well, a fair bit past the last minute, anyway) between choosing "Science" and choosing "Arts". Choose carefully, and you'll save yourself your youth, a good bit of your sanity and a helluva lot of angst.

Keep dancing, but don't limit it to your bedroom. Learn to do it properly... go back to a bharatha natyam class, or learn to waltz or jive or do the cha-cha. Pick up that tennis racket and join K on the courts instead of giving up after three weeks. A few years down the line you're going to get a fever that will be accompanied by a crippling arthritis. You won't be able to get out of bed or climb stairs or even roll over without pain... and this will last for months, maybe years. And the more you work out, and the more flexible you are now, the easier it will be then.

Love your body. You have fairly good legs and a nice ass, but you'll never grow taller and will have the same bust size for a good long time. Love your body anyway. Guys like petite girls too... trust me on this one. Guys? There are going to be a few... there'll be more if you stop that goody two shoes act of yours. Stop being so "smarter than thou" in classes. Of course you are smarter than the guys, but you needn't flaunt it so much. When that cute guy in the library asks if he can buy you a coke, say yes instead of "I never drink cola drinks" (honestly, how lame can you get?) And when you end up alone in a room with a totally hot South American guy, stay in there a little bit longer, just for my sake, ok?

And don't forget, the sad process of overselling and under delivering does not apply only to goods and services. Guys will cause you heartbreak and anger and frustration. They will make you feel ugly, stupid and worthless. One will physically abuse you. And when that happens, be strong and walk away... please, please don't become another statistic. You are an attractive, sensitive, talented and more than everything, a strong and determined woman. I know that you will not let them bring you down.

Oh yes, and do get rid of those tacky plastic earrings! The retro period ended a couple of years after you were born. I don't mind people thinking you're a flirt, but I object to them thinking you have no taste!

I guess that's it... I seem to have covered my ass on all points. Of course, you do realise that if you listen to anything I've said here, I may not be there to say it in the first place? I'll leave you with that little bit of existential uncertainty then...

Take care, Li'l Angel...

Love,
Me.

_______________________

Thanks Scrumpy for the tag... and I tag in turn Knatolee, Chaar and Cerno... :)