• How much patience do you have?
• Leftovers, roti and cheese
• Travelling with my man
• OCS stages Miller's play
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How much patience do you have?

Sometimes in the nights when I find it difficult to sleep I read. A few days ago I came across a quotation of Shakespeare's 'How poor are they that have not patience.' Thinking of the lack of patience people have, I thought how apt that quotation was. We appear to be in such a rush, we just don't seem to have the time to wait.  

Parents display that lack of patience by pressurizing their children to study, qualify in examinations and succeed. They do not have the patience for the child to grow, to enjoy the world around him, to play and be happy in the few childhood years he has. Instead they want him to instantaneously succeed in the world they have created for him. Even on the roads we see this lack of patience, drivers rush around to reach the next traffic light regardless of the rules and regulations.  

Don't you think, daughter, patience is needed for us to savour the many things life has to offer? Patience is so natural in the world of nature. No bud tries to burst out of its seams trying to bloom into a flower; it waits patiently for the time to come. If parents were a bit more patient they will understand that their rebellious teenager is just seeking a little more love and care. If youngsters were a bit more patient they will realize the worries parents have of their life patterns. Patience is needed to reach one's goals. I am sure if people cultivate a little bit more of patience there will be less biting of one's nails, tapping of impatient feet or rushing around in vehicles as if the 'seven devils were chasing them!' 

Don't you think daughter, we need patience to enjoy life? But I don't think you will ever become one of those tense impatient persons. The serenity of being at peace within yourself is yours if you have learnt to be patient.  

Ammi 

Leftovers, roti and cheese

By Wathsala Mendis

Movie  

At local level it's Dr. Lester James Peiris' trilogy 'Gamperaliya,' 'Kaliyugaya,' and 'Yuganthaya,' which are typically representative of this country's changes over the years. At international level it's Steven Spielberg's 'The Colour Purple' starring Whoopie Goldberg. I saw this when I was in Paris. It's a beautiful story about this woman who's being oppressed by her husband but somehow manages to come through. It was so moving that at the end of it everybody got up and applauded for about five minutes, even though it was a movie! 

Person 

My wife and my son. They're the two most important people in my life. 

Meal 

Again there are two extremes. I love roti, specially leftovers, with "miris hodi"- It's just great!- and French cheese. There are so many different varieties that General Charles de Gaulle used to say how difficult it is to govern a country which has more cheeses than the number of days per year! 

Time of day 

When I'm not sleeping. (Not surprising for a person who says, "Every day is a lesson. We learn till we die." He doesn't mind shuttling between programmes and loves babysitting his one-and-a-half-year-old son Rahul.) 

Place 

Up in the mountains. It's cool, calm, and quiet. You can even hear yourself breathing. You feel as if you're in a vacuum. And when you clap it goes around and comes back to you. It's just amazing. 

Song 

'Unchanged Melody' by Righteous Brothers. (Still unchanged?) It's beautiful, very romantic, and says a lot. (Aha!) 

Item of clothing 

Long shorts and collarless T shirts. When it's hot, they're really very comfortable. Or else, it's cloth and the kurta. I hate suit and tie. Thank God I don't have to wear a tie around here! 

Possession 

Education. No one can rob you of that. It's what's going to take you along in life. Whatever education I have, I don't claim to be supra-educated. 

Hideout 

'The Terrace' at Mount Lavinia Hotel. It's a very, very nice place. Especially on the 31st night you can see the fireworks along the bay. It's a beautiful sight. 

Pastime 

(With a loving smile) Playing with my son. 

TV programme 

News of every kind and the Discovery Channel. It opens a whole new world as it deals with a wide array of subjects. Very educative. 

Hobby 

Growing cacti. (Come again?) I need a hobby that doesn't take much time. They're easy to look after. You don't have to water them. I have four different varieties. 

Colour 

It used to be blue. Now, all the earth colours. 

Movie star 

Iranganie Serasinghe. A brilliant actress who can fit into any type of role. She's got a superb range. Unfortunately, nowadays she's being typecast as a mother. 

Memory 

I started learning French for my A/Ls at Wesley. I learnt so much about the country, the people, the culture...and when I first went to France, I saw all that I learnt from textbooks come to life. It was a wonderful experience. 

Fantasy 

I'd love to play the role of a Buddhist monk in a film or a teledrama. (Sounds familiar?) 

Journey 

Once in France, we went on this boat ride into the country. We went through forests, farmyards, villages...with trees everywhere and the leaves in changing autumn colours. It was such a beautiful scene. The whole journey took about nine hours. 

More Mirror Magazine * Travelling with my man A* OCS stages Miller's play