#AtoZChallenge : Anything but Ordinary
I feel that I’m on top of the world. The dazzling lights, the beautiful floral arrangements, the stage and not to forget the large number of people who are here today. They are all here for me. I hear my name being called out and I stand up to walk towards the stage. I’m wearing a beautiful designer dress. A diamond necklace and matching earrings to add to my elegant look. As I begin to walk towards the stage, I hear some annoying noise. It troubles me for a while but I snap my fingers and it stops. Phew!
But it stops only for a second! It begins to ring again. But I decide to walk towards the stage anyway. When I try to take a step, I land on the floor with a thud- all rolled up in my blanket! I blink rapidly and realize that it is morning!
It is my alarm that is ringing- the hideous sound that I hate the most in the world. I feel like switching it off and going back to sleep and hope that the dream continues. But sadly that is not to be. The alarm is followed by mom’s lecture on how I must be responsible and wake up on time and do things that I’m supposed to!
Ah! Do things that I’m supposed to do! That sounds so boring isn’t it? “Behave like a girl”, “Behave like a boy”, “You can’t play because you have exams even if you have finished studying”, “You must do engineering” and the list goes on!
When you are a kid you have to go to school – you are supposed to learn the same old things- more like mug up a zillion things most of which you will never use for the rest of your life. When school is over, college is no different. You must take the course that everyone is taking because it has good scope. It doesn’t really matter if you have the aptitude for that course or not! Then follows the job that everyone is doing. Even being a twenty something, an adult doesn’t help. You must do what others are doing is the mantra that you must follow.
But I’m so tired of all this! Doing things that I am supposed to do- how I hate it! It is boring to be ordinary. I like to do things differently and make my life extraordinary. But I’m living an ordinary life- a life that is not different from the other people of my age. I feel like I’m stuck in this whirlpool of ordinariness!
When I was a little girl, I was told to be different but when it came to making choices that were different from the rest, it wasn’t appreciated. I’ve already done things that I’m supposed to all these years. But can I change? I don’t know!
Oh before you try to figure out who I am, let me introduce myself. I’m Alana. An ordinary 20 something who hopes to live an extraordinary life. I dream of a life full of adventure but all that I end up with are little mishaps which don’t make my life extraordinary but they do bring a little spice into my otherwise boring life. I don’t know if I’ll ever have that adventurous life.
Oh but wait! The dream! I was going to the stage for something and all the people there were there for me. Don’t they say the dreams that you dream about in the morning come true? Yes, I’ll finally be something extraordinary! That is what I want my twneties to be- extraordinary! I smile and I hope that day arrives soon.
Oops! I’m getting late now! I got to go back to my ordinary life- of running late every single morning and doing everything in a hurry. But I wish, I really wish my life was anything but ordinary.
Avril Lavigne’s song “Anything but ordinary” has to be my anthem I say!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upO6xtVi54E&w=600&h=360 ]
Have you also always craved for a life that is anything but ordinary? Tell me more about it!
I’m participating in the A to Z Challenge and all through April I’ll be writing about the Life and Times of a Twenty something! What are you best memories or expectations from your twenties? Let me know in the comments.
Nice post! Good start for the challenge
Thank you Josly 🙂
Good start…alThough I must admit, I was and am content with an ordinary life as long as it’s meaningful
That realization dawns only midway through our twenties I think! Before that we just want to conquer the world! Thank you Sanch
You took me back to my 20s. Memories full of do’s and don’ts! Your theme is going to be fun this time 🙂
Thank you so much Vinodini
Sometimes, I really think that an ordinary life is somewhat cool. I mean I have friends who are satisfied with it. They earn, they spend,m they eat, they sleep. There’s nothing more, but they are happy. However, writers are not meant for that and so, that thought exists only for a few seconds and then, my creative juices start flowing coz maybe someday, I’ll achieve a life that is anything but ordinary.
all the best for the challenge 🙂
Yeah, we writers are a weird lot! Thank you Anmol
Ah! Following the crowd, making the same choices they do, does make us feel ordinary! Dare to be different..
Yes we must dare to be different! Thanks for dropping by
It was nice to meet Alana and I do share her thoughts some times. I wish life was anything but ordinary!!
Arts of Different Form
Yeah right? Anything but ordinary Thank you Swathi
Good start, Reema 🙂 As Sanch mentions above though, I always enjoyed each phase of my life: Teens, 20s, 30s and soon-to-be-40s. But I totally get the angst that can come with being in your early 20s and not being able to do what you want. Depends on a lot of things, I suppose 🙂
Yes Shailaja! Lot of things to be considered. But yes as time passes by we learn to see the extraordinary in the ordinary! Thank you
In the medical field, I tend to be considered ‘anything but ordinary’ because I invest time in blogging and short story writing as well. It comes with its advantages and disadvantages but I’ve made my peace with it, I think 🙂
Here’s the thing though… I don’t know if 20 year old me would have ever dreamed this future for himself. That guy was so prim and proper.
You are anything but ordinary Doc! Super human being that you are! Well we never no what the future has in store for us, do we? Thank you so much for dropping by
Oh well we all are surrounded by things that are nothung but ordinary in life. Sometimes i think its a matter of perspective. It depends how we see things. Why not look at the ordinary things to be extraordinary?
That is true! But it does take time for us to realize the extraordinary in the ordinary!
Alana. The name itself brings good vibes! Great start, I must say! Can’t wait to follow up!
-Madhu
From Purrfectgirl
Thank you Madhu
Brilliant start! You have us hooked with a 20 something’s life 🙂
Thank you Prateek
I am an almost-40 Indian female, still single… and planning to adopt a baby. That already makes me anything but ordinary, doesn’t it?
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Yes you are extraordinary 🙂 The world needs more people like you 🙂
Great start to the challenge, Reema! Your post reminded me of my 20s, when I was so torn between multiple things!
Ah! All of us have gone through this, I am sure 🙂 I love that song as well. Great start to the challenge, Reema.
Thailand Travel Stories at Kohl Eyed Me
26 Indian Dishes at Something’s Cooking
Thank you Shalini 🙂
Love your theme Reema and this post was a fantastic way to kick off the series. Exciting times ahead. I can sense a lot of fun in the offing!
Thank you so much Kala 🙂
Agree with Alana. Many people dream of being away from the herd! As for me, I dont want to different, I want to be myself 😀
Finding yourself in the herd is what makes the journey worthwhile isn’t it? Thanks for dropping by
I can understand Alana’s desire to lead a extraordinary life. Many people dont want to be a part of the herd. As for me, I dont want to be different, I want to be myself 😀
Being ordinary is a challenge. Believe it or not, but the extra ordinary thing I wanted to do was to be a spy!
That sounds interesting! Thanks for dropping by!
sometimes what is ordinary and what is extraordinary can blur, and look the same from the outside
That is true!
And this post was anything but ordinary! I am myself, I don’t care where the herd is what am I expected to behave like. I’m just me, so let me be 🙂
Great start Reema, looking forward to more awesome writing.
Yes that is how we must be! Thank you so much Soumya
Great first post for the challenge!
I’m not sure i’ve ever done anything that was expected of me… well, maybe I have because I guess everyone always knew I was a bit odd and would probably go against the grain. So maybe everyone expected me to do silly things…
I studied art at college (a useless course many would say!), and then I went on to study at art school for a degree in it too (a pointless, expensive degree says everyone!).
Now I’m a Librarian (A dying field! A job with no future! they cry) and trying to become an author!
I’m sure you most definitely will become something extraordinary! I can tell 🙂
Believe In Fairy Stories – Theme – Folklore & Fairy Tales
Thank you so much! And I am sure being a little different from the rest is What makes life more interesting!
Every ordinary life is cool as long as you are leading it in your own terms. Good start to the challenge Reema.
Thank you Tina
We all have dreams and we should pursue them. However, we also have responsibilities and we can’t cast those all aside because people depend on us and without the security of friendship and family, the road to some more, something greater, can be all the harder. Great first post in this A-to-Z Challenge — All the best, Paul … http://www.theironpact.com
Thank you 🙂
An ordinary write up conveyed in an extraordinary way!
Thank you Deepthi 🙂
Awesome penned.
Thank you 🙂
How annoying to be snapped out of such an amazing dream by the alarm. Lovely post. Cheers.
Thank you so much 🙂
Oh God! 20s…the time of so many life changing and destructing decisions. Loving and hating these 20s. Beautiful Start. All the best. 🙂
Thank you Sheethal 🙂
Ah! the 20’s ! Time to dream, time to achieve and at times create disruptive stories. Yes, don’t accept anything ordinary and you will have a adventure called life!
NehaTambe
Yes the adventure called life is always there with its surprises!
There’s a whole world of miracles in the “ordinary.” You have only to remember the humble origins of penicillin to realize that!
That is true! But we humans always want that extra in the ordinary!
Of course. But my point is that in searching for it, we often overlook or discount the truly, life-changingly extraordinary things that already surround us. Like…mold.
It’s an ordinary post with making extraordinary mark .. great start
Thank you!
Beautiful Reema! Enjoyed reading about the dream world. I look forward to the small joys in my otherwise ordinary life!
https://radhikasreflection.wordpress.com/2017/04/01/alphabet-a-apprehension/
Thank you Radhika 🙂
Nice write up. I’m sure all is want to do extra ordinary things to make our lives more interesting. So do and some don’t and crib about their lives being ordinary.
Thank you so much Atul 🙂
Loved it Reema
Thank you Pooja 🙂
I like your title ‘Anything but ordinary’. We all want to be different but mostly end up doing what others are doing. Very well written.
Thank you Geethica 🙂
You know when we spoke the other day, I thought you were going to write about your own life!
I can see where Alana is coming from; I hope she goes on to see that extraordinary life. Or at least an ordinary life lived extraordinarily, if that makes sense? 🙂
Surprise surprise 😉 Yes, yes it makes sense! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
that’s a great start to the challenge… I am waiting to know more about her mishaps 🙂
Thank you Raj 🙂
Great read Reena, look forward to reading more of your entries over the month. Hope you can find time to check out my effort too. Good luck.
Thank you Iain! Will drop by your blog soon 🙂
WHat a start to the challenge.. too good.
Atithi Devo Bhava – The Solitary Writer
It’s been said that life is what you make it, but of course, circumstances certainly play a big role, as well. Here’s hoping Alana’s dreams come true!
Debbie @ THE DOGLADY’S DEN
Latest post: Azzurro: Going AWOL in Switzerland
What a post!
And, to be honest I have been craving for anything but ordinary since the start!
Wonderful post Reema! Its the first time for me and I am putting in all effort to make it everything but ordinary!
This was a fun read, Reema! Looking forward to more extraordinary adventures with You via Alana!:)
I think in early 20s we all feel the same, even in my early 30s my thoughts are same 🙂
good luck with the challenge
Interesting read Reema. I loved the way you have explained life of a 20 something. Looking forward to knowmore about Alana. 🙂
It real feels sad to know that most of the things we studies in school days never come useful when we grow up. It makes me wonder whether Google should replace textbooks, so we can learn whatever we want, whenever we want to! 😀
Great first start, Reema! I loved the dream sequence in the beginning, and the way it neatly merged into the post 🙂
Hey Reema , I don’t like an Ordinary life either yet I find that I am making choices pushing me to the mundane and predictable just like Alana feels ..
But then Alana is in twenties and there’s so much in store for her so she can dream all night and turn those dream to reality after the rude shock of the alarm fades away..
PS : Are you going to be telling a story every day through the life of Alana ? Am curious.
Hi Reema! This is such a refreshing idea…a story told in chapters taken from the alphabet cues. Love the song attachments you leave for the readers to listen to. Keep writing! Here´s my Day 1- A for Authentic April and Me if you are interested – https://pensense.blogspot.in/2017/04/authentic-april-and-me.html
Great start to AtoZ Reema! Good Luck! Indeed, we all are living (struggling?) with ordinary lives, and wish for an extraordinary life – A life where we can just be everything we want to be. I find when I write – I feel a bit special 🙂 & that makes up my extraordinary moments in this ordinary life!
Oooh, not sure any of us have an ordinary life – i think the way to live is to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, and revel in that- an each of our lives is unique! ~liz
B is for Alice Guy-Blaché – Visionary and First Female Film Director #A-Z Challenge
i went into my twenties and thats a n amazing video by Avril!!!
AllThatsMom
Amen to that sister!
We all want to live in a fantasy world, because the real world is soooo boring! and Oh my God..how much do I relate to your growing up years. Those are true things.
Here’s to finding and creating and living our fantasies some day!!
Aspirations – Book Review by us.
Regards,
Pikakshi
Readers of the Night