To Sum It all up....

Earlier this morning, I sat with my dad trying to solve a mental ability question. Yes, you read that right. I’m studying during the holidays. But the fact is that everyone else is, as well. They’re all going for ACE or BASE. I (foolishly) told my parents, resolutely, that I had no plans to go for such coaching institutions. So here I am sitting at home, while all my friends are off learning about complex topics involving math, chemistry, and physics. Great...>.<

Anyway, with all the coaxing and encouragement, topped with my own guilt, I started looking through the questions. Some (ok…most) problems were not that easy for me. So naturally, my dad started helping. He is, in short, my personal math tutor and physics guru (I just like that word). And then he started explaining somewhat tougher concepts to me. And then I saw it.... This one expression on his face, which was the inspiration for this whole article. It was a wild thrill of happiness, my dad’s face was glowing, and he was very excited. All of a sudden, we’d switched roles; he was the young student exploring the world for the first time and I was the wise sage (who lacked a beard). That’s when I knew, I knew it, that no matter whatever else he is, he is a teacher. It’s not just what he actually does; it’s what he wants to do. And it’s also perfect for him. Math and Physics are, no doubt, his strong points. And we've discovered that he’s got a teacher’s heart. A man – a natural instructor- teaching what he loves, what could possibly be better?

And to be very honest, I, at least, am in great need of my dad and his mathiness. Math has never been my strong point. OK, it’s more than that, some of my mistakes are so atrocious that they make him and my mom gag. My mom. Another math buff. I remember one day, she’d been combing my hair when she asked me suddenly, “Which school assignment makes you excited?” I answered pretty quickly, “Creative writing assignments. Especially the ones which start with a sentence and we have to carry on. Why? What about you?” My mom looked at me and smiled, “Then that’s your future, Priya. For me it’s a tough math problem.” Then she got all dreamy, and probably started going over some complex geometry problems in her head. Being an architect, geometry is definitely her strong suit, which is good, since I have so much trouble sometimes. But even that slowly started to change.

In seventh grade, I had trouble with math. In the Asset Tests, my math score was always the lowest; it was usually English which saved me. For me it was simple, me and numbers weren't meant to be. But my dad had different ideas. “Change your attitude” he said. It was incredible what a difference this made. I did change my outlook towards math. I opened my mind and started enjoying math, not all topics, but it was definitely a change, and a good one.

I will probably never give the love and attention I have for words to numbers, but it doesn't matter. Math is important, and well…fun. The story of math in my life is more than just about solving problems. There’s a lot more to the equation. In the end, it was about subtracting negative thoughts, and adding a positive interest.  Simple, but it made all the difference.