Monday, May 25, 2015

Abroad Lessons

It's been a long time since my last blog. A year and a month plus 25 days have passed. And there have been several changes in my life. I was wishing for a life like this for the past two years and yet this isn't exactly what I was looking for.

I'm in the States. I completed my Honey Moon period in the foreign land successfully. I have never been this far away from my home in all my 26 years. Right now, I'm in my room, alone, bored to death and not knowing what to do. That’s when I came across my domain which was untouched for a while. And then a sudden urge to blog.

I have been gaining a lot in the past 7 months. The instantly noticeable gain is my weight. I have gained more than 10kgs. Na..na..na.. No more Kgs anymore. It’s 22.04 lbs. This is the first lesson I learned as soon as I got down at the airport. And when I got into a cab from the airport, all I was looking at was the Speedometer. No. Not again. It’s the odometer. Everything was in miles there. Miles, Miles per Hr mph and Miles per gallon mpg.   At home it was in Fahrenheit we set the temperature.  Seriously, I had a tough time with these units. Don’t know which is high and which and low. Except the miles the others are higher than the Indian units.

The second lesson would be my driving lessons.  Got my state driving lessons after a couple of months training and a couple of attempts.  Got a new car, got into an accident, went for a long drive, drove an SUV, drove in the rains, drove on the snow. All that I never thought of an year ago. Now, I think of riding a motorcycle.

The third lesson would be to check the weather report each day. Good for me, that my smartphone keeps me posted of any warnings. Am I prepared? “Pass”

Did you know? There are 9 different time zones in US. I never knew this before.

There are more this country taught me and still teaches me. At first I thought it was crazy with the names of certain common things, but later I got along with the tide.  The first time I went to buy groceries, it was really too much for me to handle. Brinjal is called as Egg plant. Ladys Finger is called as Okra. Oranges were called tangerine. That was when I learnt, tangerine differs from Orange. I never thought there were different types of apple before I came here. It never took me long to find my favourite type. It’s the big red apple. I tried the green apple once And I’m never gonna buy it again. Damn, it was sour. Or I didn’t know how to have it. And there is a lot out there that I have never ever tried once.

And there are a couple of things for which any lesson isn’t enough for me. First being my finances and my cooking skills. I’m really good at being bad in these two things. And that explains my weight gain as well. Less cooking and spending more at restaurants. I’m working and working and working on it. And now I gotta work on my health too. L

I will stop with this for now. Thanks for reading.


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Life Happened

I often wonder if Life has got some grudge against me, or is it because of the choice I make. Where did the things go wrong? Or Am I on the right track its just that I still can't figure it out.?

Am I lost or Am I supposed to be at the right place? I don't know. Life just happened.

I have been living a life not on my own terms. It has never been like that. Just like a paper boat carried away by the water current, I feel my life being swayed. Somewhere, down the line, I get excited, feel happy about the things around me and I see Life smiling at me. And then, I try to take a hold of everything. Trying to control things, control people, and start feeling good about myself. Not so long, life gives a blow and shows a middle finger.

Some way or the other we feel that we find ourselves tethered to our commitments. We wish something to happen and we don't have any control over it. There are two possible outcomes of any situation, one is favorable and the other is non-favorable. It is well known. We would always want the favorable outcome. Wise people prepare themselves for the non-favorable one as well.

From the first day, the start of the situation until the result day, life is a hell. While we are still focused to the goal, we still face a question, Is it worth it?

For how long we answer an Yes to this question, determines the possibilities of the favorable outcome. Until then we are left to with two things, patience and belief.


Saturday, November 3, 2012

THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS THE SAME WHAT WE PERCEIVE THEM TO BE

P-E-R-C-E-P-T-I-O-N.  Perception.

Fellow1: I think I have heard this word. (A normal guy)
Fellow2: Somewhere in my Engineering. (Had been a studious student once)
Fellow3: Yaara..! We have studied in our Engineering Graphics paper yaar… First Sem… Remember? (Always Studious. Nothing more to say.)

So, what does this word mean? I can understand that, by now you are trying to say the meaning “The way each one of us sees a thing or a situation. It varies from person to person.” Well, then my next question is, “How do we see things? And why does it differ from person to person?”

I see a Red Color Fiat Punto Car and you also see the same thing. Can you disagree with me saying “Hey that’s not Fiat Punto.” or “That’s not a Red Color car. It’s a Blue one.” or “Can’t you see? That’s a bike not a car.”? If you disagree then either one of must have some psychological or a visual problem. :-)
Well, the point is that when we see a color or a thing we have the same idea about it. Why is it not the same case with perception? Where does the difference lie? Why do I conclude someway and you in the other? Please note that what we have is not a conclusion but a perception.

Imagine you are in front of a larger circular plate whose diameter is your height and color…? Any color of your choice.

What you see is just the plate. I can be either just a plate, or base of a cone, or base of a cylinder, or base of a hemisphere. That is not all. The cone, cylinder or hemisphere may either be perfect or truncated; it may either be solid or hollow. We shall see the possibilities now.
  1. Solid    Complete         Cone
  2. Solid    Complete         Cylinder
  3. Solid    Complete         Hemisphere
  4. Hollow Complete         Cone
  5. Hollow Complete         Cylinder
  6. Hollow Complete         Hemisphere
  7. Solid    Truncated        Cone
  8. Solid    Truncated        Cylinder
  9. Solid    Truncated        Hemisphere
  10. Hollow Truncated        Cone
  11. Hollow Truncated        Cylinder
  12. Hollow Truncated        Hemisphere
2 x 2 x 3 = 12

On top of it we have Circular disc which is again a possibility. So, we have 13 possibilities for the circular thing you see. You cannot come to a conclusion unless you move six feet either to your right or to your left and two steps forward and have a closer look.

Similarly, in life too we come across a lot of circular discs and we always don’t fail to have the perception that it is circular disc and move ahead without taking a closer look.

This is really not a big issue when it is just about lifeless things we perceive. What if there are people involved in situations and whose feelings are influenced by our perception about situations.

Many of us would have come across this. We hear people saying “Do you know? I have hell a lot of issues to be resolved.” As if we don’t have any problems in our life. For those who complain, there are problems in everyone’s life.

A fifty year man or a woman has a problem, a twenty five year old young lad or a lady has a problem, a fifteen year old boy or a girl has a problem and a five year old child has a problem.

Remember those days when you were a kid and would fear of showing the report card to your parents fearing that they might trash you for your low scores. Now when you see a similar kid you would assure them saying that there s no need to worry as it is no big deal and can score higher marks in next exam. Please tell this “This is not a big deal.” to yourself when you are in such a situation and don’t perceive that others don’t have problems.

It’s a good thing trying to help others come out of some bad situation. But please don’t ever try to worsen it with your wildest and weirdest perception. Please make an effort (move six feet either to your right or to your left and two steps forward and have a closer look.) to learn the situation first. If you’re unable to crack it better leave it to the person and give a suggestion if you have any.

I hope I have put in some clear thoughts in your minds and wonder how you are going to perceive this blog.

Sweets and smiles…. Thanks for reading…. 

Small Things Matter A Lot

On a fine rainy day morning, I woke up without having the slightest intention of going to my college. My parents won’t allow me to bunk college unnecessarily. So, did all my morning chores and was getting ready to college. The rain didn’t seem to stop. It was at its best. Swaying off the trees, washing off few houses and bursting out few transformers here and there.

With a heavy heart, I stepped out of the house with my umbrella, college bag, lunch bag, chart box and a drafter(During my First semester so had to carry those engineering drawing stuff more often).  The water seemed to flood the roads and hiding their pits so that it would be easy for anyone to topple or fall down and get bruises free of cost. Took my every step so carefully as it comes in some Indiana Jones and similar kind of movies.

 Reached my bus stand. Crowd seemed to be lesser than the other days. The straight bus to my college (Those who have read my ‘OMG Missed the bus’ blog would know how it is.) as usual, was not on time. So, I got into another bus thinking to get another bus to college or an auto. There were many people standing and many seats were empty and wet. Only a few managed to wipe it off and sat down. I was being one among them.

By now I was partially wet, below my thighs. I kept cursing the college management for not announcing a holiday on such rainy day. After that, I felt comfortable and looked out of the window. Water… water… everywhere. By then, I got some news about holiday for schools and some colleges. I wondered why it wasn’t for us. (Cursed ones.)

I got down at a bus stop with no shelter and which is about 5 kms from my college. Also came to know from people around there that the buses won’t be available for half a day there. So, “NATARAJA” service was the best option available. I laughed at myself carrying a lot of things as if vacating a room or something. The rain hadn’t stopped. My umbrella was my only hope.

Hardly, I walked about a km when my bag(overloaded) fell down from my shoulders. While taking it, my umbrella was carried by the wind letting me to drench almost. Second bath for the day, done. Somehow, managed to get hold of it. I absolutely awesome then. Two bags, a drafter and a chart box on one hand and Umbrella on the other. Perfect. The wind and the rain won’t spare me although I was almost drenched. The umbrella had its dancing well in the wind. My hands were very paining.

There were no vehicles on the road to get a lift. Even if there were I was not in a condition to stretch out my hands and ask for a lift. With great difficulties I managed to ask lifts but their reactions were negative. Left with no choice continued my walking. I started cursing everything and everyone. The rain for its splendid job done to me, college management for building the college in an remote area, parents who gave me the idea of joining this college, the MTC bus, the vehicles that didn’t stop etc… etc…

I could have prevented this situation if I would have done something very small. I knew about the condition of bag few days before and expected it would tear one or the other day. Had I got it repaired for some Rs. 5 or Rs. 10, I would not have faced such a bad day. This is what they call, “A stitch in time saves Nine.” Really, small things matter a lot.

Many aren’t lucky

Taking you back to 22 years, the year 1990, a day around the month of December.  It was around 7 am in the morning when that little boy had woke up.  Soon his mom made an entry in the bedroom, pulled him out of the bed, dragged him into the bathroom, took the brush, applied the pasted, brushed his teeth, splashed water on his face, wiped him dry, changed his dress, made him sit in the hall, brought some milk, kept it in front of him and went out as she had her next appointment with the wash clothes.

This little boy with the sleepiness still hovering in the eyes touched the glass of milk. Instantly, he pulled back his hands. Ouch!! Its too hot…  His mind started working. What do mom and dad do when something is hot?  They blow into it or they may press the white thing on the board there (looking a switch board on the wall.) and the other thing with three hands on top of my head (fan) starts rotating giving enough air for the milk to become lukewarm.  

He thinks, "Now I have to press the white thing. I can’t reach it. Hmm… I’ll get on the bed, stand over the edge and try." He climbed onto the bed and was able to reach for the switch. He switched on the fan and started playing with the switches."What is this white thing for? It has got five holes beside it. The top is bigger. Let me check what is in the hole." So thinking he switched on the switch and inserts his tiny finger in all the electric poles. He got through the neutral poles and the Earth pole only two were remaining both being the phase poles. He inserts his finger in the first phase pole nothing happened. Then, he leaned to the wall out of curiosity and inserts his finger in the next phase pole.

 A voltage of 220V struck the kid, threw him away to the opposite wall. He laid unconscious on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital immediately. His life was saved but he remained unconscious for three days after which he recovered.  

Many aren’t lucky at these kinds of incidents. It is up to the parents to have a secured place for kids. The kids tend to copy what elders do, so we should handle things carefully, though they are kids we should start telling them about the things around and cautioning them.

Monday, August 16, 2010

22K To TN07 BF 0883

Have you seen the video “The Secret”?

If your answer is “Yes”, then have you ever tried few things mentioned in the video?

Again, if your answer is “Yes”, then could you say how many things happened in real?

Well… Well… Well… Let me begin my experience. Before this, I would like to mention “The Thing” I saw and I followed from the video. This thing is shortly called “Faith”.

“This universe is just like a genie from the Alladdin’s lamp. If you wish for anything and let out positive vibes you’ll certainly get it. One illustration in the video was about an author who wished to make a huge profit by selling his books. At first he didn’t have any idea of how to achieve it. So what he did was, he took a dollar and wrote the figure(amount he wished to earn) on it. Everyday when he woke up he used to take a look at it first. A few days later, he happened to meet a person just after his presentation. While leaving she gave her card to him. When looked at the card he found that she was in a respectable designation in a famous Publishing Company. As you may guess, he got the way to publish his books and earn a profit. However, his profit was a few thousands left behind his target. Yet it was considered to be a huge profit. This is ‘The Thing’ I was mentioning about.”

Another illustration in the video was about a small boy who wished for a bike. He drew the pictures of the bike and had it. He also used to believe that he actually owned it. Few days later, he received it as a surprise gift. This impacted me a lot.

Now back to my story. I had no idea about bikes. Yet I desired to own one. All my friends bought their own bikes which kindled my desire again. To desire for one I should first deserve it at first. I hadn’t took my license. Somehow, I got my license last August. But still I was not fully ready to own a bike. Because, I didn’t choose one. So, I browsed on the net for bikes. I looked into all kinds of bikes, and arrived at Bajaj all time famous Pulsar model. In even had Honda Twister in mind which was a new arrival. But, I placed my card on the Pulsar. Bajaj Pulsar 180CC was cool man. I took the picture from the Bajaj Website and placed it as my desktop wallpaper.

Forgot to say. This is a blue colour Pulsar. I liked the black and blue one rather than a completely black one. It was in the month of November when one of my friend’s friend (Now he is a good friend of mine.) had a black Bajaj Pulsar 150CC. So, for the first time I tried to ride that bike. It was heavy first. Then it was bigger. I couldn’t even push it. Somehow, managed to ride it crookedly. I should have met with a collision that day, if it had been a bad day. He told me not to try again playing with his life or with his bike. This incident happened to decrease my confidence.

I was in a dilemma whether I would manage to own the bike or not. Some amount of faith was left over somewhere in the corner of my mind. I stopped not to continue thinking about the bike. By then December had come and also mail from Cognizant had come calling to join the organization on December 28th , 2009. Many know this Rajini’s Punch “Naan eppo varuven eppudi varuven yaarukkum theriyaadu aana vara vendiya nerathula correct ah vanduruven.” It was like that for me when I saw that mail. Slowly, I could sense that my desire is not so far. Yet, I am not completely ready.

I should train myself riding the bike. So, I convinced my friend’s friend to train me. I didn’t leave him for the next one month. I was able to drive well as a single rider. I was finding it difficult to ride when having a companion. By then, I had exposed my desire of owning a bike to my parents and tried to convince them. It wasn’t that hard for me to convince them. But my dad criticized me and suggested to buy Splendor which would give a better mileage. Just tell me, if you were given choices between the two bikes what would you decide?

For the first time in my life, I stood on my side with a lot of confidence. I told him that I could manage the bike well. They weren’t fully convinced. I have to earn their confidence first. So, I used to ride my friend’s bike to my home and sometimes from my home while they witnessed it. This made them believe that I could really manage. Well… On my part, what’s wrong in getting used to the thing rather than avoiding it?


So, the arrangements were done and I along with my mom went to the showroom on the last Sunday of January 2010 and booked a bike “Blue Color Bajaj Pulsar 150CC”. We planned to take the bike in installment. So, I asked them about the loan details. They told me to bring a three month bank statement and appointment letter. I thought the whole plan would drop at any stage because I joined just a month back. Later, we had a talk with the manager of the showroom and he agreed. Also, he said that the Blue bike was out of stock and a new stock is on its way to Chennai. Red and Black were readily available then. I preferred to wait for Blue one.

Two weeks later, (by then first month salary was credited. It was 20K +2K. 2K for four days of the Previous month it seems.) the bike had come to the showroom. I went and paid the entire amount and signed a lot of papers. I hated to sign them and thought I should have bought the bike with the net amount. There were a lot of papers indeed.

There arose another problem, as who would ride the bike from showroom to home. My dad never wanted me to do this. He told me that his friends would bring the bike from showroom to home. I said “NO WAY. NOTHING DOING. It’s my bike, and I should be the one who should ride it first. I don’t care if I happened to fall down or to meet with an accident while riding for the first time. All I can do is I promise to ride it at a controllable speed and wear helmet.”

Somehow, he agreed half mindedly. I was to take the bike on Monday morning. So before coming to office I went to the showroom along with my friend in his bike. I waited for five minutes before looking the bike. Those five minutes were like five centuries to me. Then, we went to parking to find my bike there. One fellow was there cleaning it and to give instructions for us. I never took his single word into my head except for one. He said that there is only one litre of Petrol in the tank and told me to refill it on the way.

I took off the stand and sat on the bike. “Wow. What a feeling?” My desire has come true at last. I started the bike changed the gear and moved. Everything was so smooth. I loved it a lot. My dad told me to go to some temple nearby for a sentiment. I started to Office only. For me “WORK IS WORSHIP”. What do you say? :-)

My friend came along with me on his bike. We hardly covered half a kilometer when my bike got stuck and stopped. Just imagine how it would be to you, when you buy a bike take it from showroom and on just few meters away from showroom the bike stops.

We shook the bike to check for the fuel and hardly heard any sounds as there was heavy morning traffic on the OMR. We concluded that there isn’t enough fuel and he went and brought some Petrol in a water bottle. We emptied the bottled in the fuel tank and started the bike. Thank God. It started and I went to office safely. I was told not to cross above 40KMPH for first one month. It was really hard for me to drive this bike at 40KMPH. I drove at constant 60KMPH right from the first day. My first ride on bike was very thrilling despite the hot sun. And for one month I never allowed any one to touch my bike, and I didn’t fall off from it. Later had couple of falls, and nothing so serious except for scratches on my legs and my bike’s headlight. ;-)

Temple sentiments were done on the same day evening. I took my mom to temple on my bike. She was the first person to get on my bike other than me. She and dad both never used to sit properly on bike. They fear because it is tall for them.;-)

And that’s my bike’s registration number in the title. I started this by saying something from “The Secret” video. I’m not saying that I followed it and it has happened. I wanted to say that I tried it and nothing went wrong.

Finally, for those who may say, “You could have bought it with ready cash.” My reply is, “Even today I can see my first salary and I’ll see it for the days to come.”

Thanks for reading.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

OMG! Missed the Bus

As usual, I was ready for my college by 7:30am. I got into a bus at my stop and bought a ticket to Medavakkam.My college is at Ponmar. I hope most of you won’t know the location. It lies at the outskirts of Chennai yet the Postal Code is Chennai 600 048. :-) The only direct bus from my stop was 51 which is now M51V. This bus is almost a VIP which is rarely on time. So, I used to go to Medavakkam by Tambaram buses and from there I’ll go by Share auto.

I was lost in thoughts about the assignments and cycle tests in college. I was reading a local author book trying to glance some terms that can be used for my story formation in test paper. I had hardly covered two pages when the conductor said, “Medavakkam stop”.

Normally, it would take half an hour to go to Medavakkam from my stop. That day, I felt the bus came so early or may be because of the cycle test thoughts. I got down at Medavakkam. The bus proceeded from the bus stop.I ran behind the bus trying to board it again. The bus was actually M51V. I noticed it only after getting down. I laughed at myself and did share the same with a few of my friends. They commented that this was called…. “BULB”…

Hmmm… Some incidents may be embarrassing at times but later it becomes one of the sweet memories. I know that this not such a sweet memory but atleast it could help you relax your facial muscles by bringing a smile…

Now say CHEESE….