Some movies are destined to make a big impact long after the last frames vanish and “Happy Days” is one such awesome movie (I would have watched it 50 times or more). The Tamil remake “Inidhu Inidhu” is a sweet remake of the blockbuster but lacks the charm of the original version. But these movies remind me of something I have been less unfortunate with – “gangs of friends”. Apart from my high school and TCS training and Job, where I had the privilege of great gangs of friends, I have only been able to find individual great friends who have made my life memorable.
Over the last few years, my best friends have showered care and affection upon this humble soul. Whether it’s the awesome chats with the Reddy Don or the long night walks with Parvez bhai or the absolutely amazing Dallas trip with my best friend Deepak, these and many more people have changed my life for the better and have always kept me smiling.
I just wish that happiness envelopes all the conversations that I have with all the people whom I meet in future. For life is always Inidhu Inidhu, ain’t it? :)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Life's Little Instruction Manual..
Its been ages since I have written on my own blog. I guess I am spending too much time on my short story blog these days. :) I found this beautiful piece of life's intsructions' on my friend Fahad's blog. So I borrowed it from him. Hope you guys like this. I have italicized my favorite parts.
Have a firm handshake.
Look people in the eye.
Sing in the shower.
Own a great stereo system.
If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
Keep secrets.
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
Always accept an outstretched hand.
Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Whistle.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Lend only those books you never care to see again.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
When playing games with children, let them win .
Give people a second chance, but not a third.
Be romantic.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's.
Be a good loser.
Be a good winner.
Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
Keep it simple.
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
Once in a while, take the scenic route.
Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
Become someone's hero.
Marry only for love.
Count your blessings.
Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
Don't expect life to be fair. (This is the ultimate one)
Have a firm handshake.
Look people in the eye.
Sing in the shower.
Own a great stereo system.
If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
Keep secrets.
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
Always accept an outstretched hand.
Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Whistle.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Lend only those books you never care to see again.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
When playing games with children, let them win .
Give people a second chance, but not a third.
Be romantic.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's.
Be a good loser.
Be a good winner.
Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
Keep it simple.
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
Once in a while, take the scenic route.
Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
Become someone's hero.
Marry only for love.
Count your blessings.
Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
Don't expect life to be fair. (This is the ultimate one)
Monday, October 12, 2009
I Miss Mehico…
The one thing that I have really liked about my MBA course has been the summer internship program. I had the wonderful opportunity to work in Mexico. I should thank the MBA management for providing me that opportunity. We were a team of 3 MBAs and 1 graduate student. We worked with a scientific organization called CICY in the beautiful sea-side town of Merida which is very near to the famous tourist destination of Cancun Islands. Merida is a super green place with so many trees and bushes growing all over the place.
We worked with some great scientists who had made great innovations. We developed our feasibility study for their innovations and presented it to them which they liked it very much. This 3 month experience is very close to my heart as I found Mexico very similar to India. I have listed down some places in Merida which will always be dear to me.
1. Botanical Garden @ CICY – CICY had a beautiful 4 hectare botanical garden which hosted many different types of insects reptiles and birds. I always took a walk after my lunch into this piece of heaven. And whenever I walk inside the heavenly abode, I am reminded so much of my mother. She would have really liked place and its greenery.
2. Downtown CENTRO – Merida had a beautiful downtown Centro. On all Sundays and Mondays, the streets would be blocked off and people would dance there wearing their traditional dress. It was a pleasure watching even small kids dance. There were lots of shops in that place with lots of things to buy.
3. Progresso – This beautiful beach lay 20 miles off the north coast of Merida. I was absolutely stunned to see a pure white sand beach and the greenish blue sea. This is a must go destination for any person visiting this city. The big fish lunch at any one of the local restaurants is also not be missed. ;)
4. Uxmal – This is a beautiful pyramid built by Mayans 1000 years ago. It’s a marvelous piece of architecture and it resembled so much like the various temples that we have in India.
5. 500 – This was a karaoke club. I had great fun singing up there. ;)
I would also want to thank all the scientist and Gaby(PA to the Director general) who helped us a lot. Also I would like to mention the super efforts our Mexican team member, GINA, who took so much effort in helping us communicate with the scientist (as most of them spoke Spanish only). On the whole, it was one of my best experiences and I would cherish this for a long time to come.
We worked with some great scientists who had made great innovations. We developed our feasibility study for their innovations and presented it to them which they liked it very much. This 3 month experience is very close to my heart as I found Mexico very similar to India. I have listed down some places in Merida which will always be dear to me.
1. Botanical Garden @ CICY – CICY had a beautiful 4 hectare botanical garden which hosted many different types of insects reptiles and birds. I always took a walk after my lunch into this piece of heaven. And whenever I walk inside the heavenly abode, I am reminded so much of my mother. She would have really liked place and its greenery.
2. Downtown CENTRO – Merida had a beautiful downtown Centro. On all Sundays and Mondays, the streets would be blocked off and people would dance there wearing their traditional dress. It was a pleasure watching even small kids dance. There were lots of shops in that place with lots of things to buy.
3. Progresso – This beautiful beach lay 20 miles off the north coast of Merida. I was absolutely stunned to see a pure white sand beach and the greenish blue sea. This is a must go destination for any person visiting this city. The big fish lunch at any one of the local restaurants is also not be missed. ;)
4. Uxmal – This is a beautiful pyramid built by Mayans 1000 years ago. It’s a marvelous piece of architecture and it resembled so much like the various temples that we have in India.
5. 500 – This was a karaoke club. I had great fun singing up there. ;)
I would also want to thank all the scientist and Gaby(PA to the Director general) who helped us a lot. Also I would like to mention the super efforts our Mexican team member, GINA, who took so much effort in helping us communicate with the scientist (as most of them spoke Spanish only). On the whole, it was one of my best experiences and I would cherish this for a long time to come.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Blonde Cut..
There have always been some differences between life in India and US of A. I am going through a process of getting used to this wonderful place though memories of India always linger with me all the time. But there are certain things that I have seen in US that I never could have imagined to happen to me in India and I experienced one of that quite recently.
I had gone a barber shop to get a hair-cut last week. The hair cut experience has always horrified me.. by just looking at the different styles of hair-cut my friends have here. I have heard of many stories where the barbers ask their customers 1, 2 or 3 and then style their hair accordingly which sometimes look like a well shaven tree. But the last week’s experience was a very good one! :)
I had a hair cut from a blonde gal!!! I could have never imagined that in my entire life that I could have had this experience ;) She did her job really well. It amazes me to see how many opportunities women have here compared to India. I hope one day I get my hair cut in India from a woman barber and that would only be the perfect way of having 33% proper reservation.
I had gone a barber shop to get a hair-cut last week. The hair cut experience has always horrified me.. by just looking at the different styles of hair-cut my friends have here. I have heard of many stories where the barbers ask their customers 1, 2 or 3 and then style their hair accordingly which sometimes look like a well shaven tree. But the last week’s experience was a very good one! :)
I had a hair cut from a blonde gal!!! I could have never imagined that in my entire life that I could have had this experience ;) She did her job really well. It amazes me to see how many opportunities women have here compared to India. I hope one day I get my hair cut in India from a woman barber and that would only be the perfect way of having 33% proper reservation.
Friday, August 7, 2009
My Love.. My Life.. My Mother.. :)
It is said that god cannot be with every person (impossible considering 6 billion people ;) ), so he created mother in his form for every person on this planet.. but to me my MOM is above god.. ;) For me my mom is my first teacher and most importantly my BEST friend. She listens to all my problems patiently, understands me and offers me thoughtful solutions. The days when I just have walked with her to the nearby temples.. has provided me so much peace and joy which can hardly be described in words. :)
Shez protected me all her life.. I still remember the time when she broke her little finger protecting my head when we tumbled down the stairs at our ancestral home :( She took me running to the doc when I had bouts of never ending flus in delhi.. Even now, when I speak with her, the first question she asks me is..” chellam, epiddi irukae” ;) Mom.. I MISS U A LOT!!
I still remember the time when I was young, when she used to bowl me out in a game of cricket. And after I insisted that I was not-out ;) she used to re-bowl slowly so that I cud hit for a SIX!! ;) I also remember how she used to rush back home if she had gone out anywhere.. lest I shud wake up alone and cry.. My sweet mom.. ;)
For me to do an MBA in US.. itself is a dream. But behind the dream, is the hard work of my mom who used to sit up endlessly teaching me. But she taught me more in life. Her stories of various great people, about her life and her views has made me the person I am today. She has sacrificed going to so many marriage receptions if they would fall next to my exam dates.. Thank you amma ;)
How can anybody forget mom’s fud ;) I would just eat ladies finger curry till my 12th grade and she had gladly obliged by making that curry so many many times ;) She cooks the most delicious fud.. My sis wud vouch for that ;) I guess shez got that from my grand-ma..
Shez been a stickler for cleanliness and discipline. To see a person so meticulous in cooking and keeping up the home is truly amazing. I guess even if I work at 5% efficiency of my mom, I would reach the high-paying jobs soon :)
When I was a kid.. I used to ask my mom how much she luved me.. She used to push her 2 hands outwards to the max and say this much.. I used to be so happy.. For perhaps, now I realize that she had meant that I was her world ;) I luv u so much AMMA.. I hopefully will see you soon ;) TAKE CARE..
Shez protected me all her life.. I still remember the time when she broke her little finger protecting my head when we tumbled down the stairs at our ancestral home :( She took me running to the doc when I had bouts of never ending flus in delhi.. Even now, when I speak with her, the first question she asks me is..” chellam, epiddi irukae” ;) Mom.. I MISS U A LOT!!
I still remember the time when I was young, when she used to bowl me out in a game of cricket. And after I insisted that I was not-out ;) she used to re-bowl slowly so that I cud hit for a SIX!! ;) I also remember how she used to rush back home if she had gone out anywhere.. lest I shud wake up alone and cry.. My sweet mom.. ;)
For me to do an MBA in US.. itself is a dream. But behind the dream, is the hard work of my mom who used to sit up endlessly teaching me. But she taught me more in life. Her stories of various great people, about her life and her views has made me the person I am today. She has sacrificed going to so many marriage receptions if they would fall next to my exam dates.. Thank you amma ;)
How can anybody forget mom’s fud ;) I would just eat ladies finger curry till my 12th grade and she had gladly obliged by making that curry so many many times ;) She cooks the most delicious fud.. My sis wud vouch for that ;) I guess shez got that from my grand-ma..
Shez been a stickler for cleanliness and discipline. To see a person so meticulous in cooking and keeping up the home is truly amazing. I guess even if I work at 5% efficiency of my mom, I would reach the high-paying jobs soon :)
When I was a kid.. I used to ask my mom how much she luved me.. She used to push her 2 hands outwards to the max and say this much.. I used to be so happy.. For perhaps, now I realize that she had meant that I was her world ;) I luv u so much AMMA.. I hopefully will see you soon ;) TAKE CARE..
Monday, July 27, 2009
An Year ON…
Exactly an year ago I started from my own singara Chennai to the land of wishes and dreams, the US. I never knew that my next one year of my life would be a roller-coaster of a ride. Though in my mind I felt that the journey would be very short and I would return home soon, I knew that I was setting sail to a new destination like Columbus ;) and things would be different that what I had imagined. The last year’s experiences outside home in a very challenging course have really molded me as a person. In this process I have also met many of my new friends and better understood life and people.
When I came to US, I desperately missed my sis and parents and the Chennai’s lifestyle. It seemed to me as if I had to live 20 kms away from Chengalpattu, in a remote village. Soon, I was way too engrossed in my MBA course that life went ahead so quickly. I had lots of moments to cheer about like the potluck dinner that we wud have and the trips to Mt.Lemmon and Grand Canyon. I really cherished my India trip last December, where in I felt that I had regained my life and soul back again. The walk through T.Nagar uplifted my ragged soul and soon I was enjoying my life again. The next few months in US were really nice and a couple of MIS course more relating to my previous work really got me going... :)
My internship in Mexico was the best thing to happen. When I got down from the airport, I felt a familiar hot and humid air breezing through me. Wow! I thought I had landed in Chennai!! ;) This Mexican town is so green that I really feel like I am living in a paradise. I am just enjoying my internship, though I wish to return to Tucson and then to India soon.. :)
An year down the line, I wish I would get a job in a city which is more crowded and where you wud get all the things that you want in a nearby annachi store like in Chennai ;) . Strange wish though.. ;) I guess NJ or any city in California would be a gud place to live.. And also I wish that my mom and dad would soon join me in US :).. Life is all about wishes.. Ain't it?? ;)
When I came to US, I desperately missed my sis and parents and the Chennai’s lifestyle. It seemed to me as if I had to live 20 kms away from Chengalpattu, in a remote village. Soon, I was way too engrossed in my MBA course that life went ahead so quickly. I had lots of moments to cheer about like the potluck dinner that we wud have and the trips to Mt.Lemmon and Grand Canyon. I really cherished my India trip last December, where in I felt that I had regained my life and soul back again. The walk through T.Nagar uplifted my ragged soul and soon I was enjoying my life again. The next few months in US were really nice and a couple of MIS course more relating to my previous work really got me going... :)
My internship in Mexico was the best thing to happen. When I got down from the airport, I felt a familiar hot and humid air breezing through me. Wow! I thought I had landed in Chennai!! ;) This Mexican town is so green that I really feel like I am living in a paradise. I am just enjoying my internship, though I wish to return to Tucson and then to India soon.. :)
An year down the line, I wish I would get a job in a city which is more crowded and where you wud get all the things that you want in a nearby annachi store like in Chennai ;) . Strange wish though.. ;) I guess NJ or any city in California would be a gud place to live.. And also I wish that my mom and dad would soon join me in US :).. Life is all about wishes.. Ain't it?? ;)
Monday, June 29, 2009
GRANDest of all CANYONs..
There have been so many places in this world where I have gone and wondered the marvel of god's creations, but this place just blew me off!! I would call it the grandest of all canyons. Our trip to grand canyon was a long six hour drive from my place. The road climbing up the mountain was picturesque and dotted with mountains on both sides of the road. It was about evening time, that we reached this place. When we reached the creek overlooking the canyon, I noticed a strange starry look on my friend’s face. I too had the same look after 5 secs when I reached there :)
It was most similar to MadhuBala’s reaction from the ROJA in the opening scene of pudhu vellai mazhai song (filmy tuch ;) ). What a beauty.. What a marvelous piece from the god’s architectural closet. The evening twilight added to the beauty of the canyon. The reddish pink color on the canyon gave it some real life. I bent deep to look how far down the gorge went down, I guess it would have been about 3000-4000 feet deep. I and my friends took some pics up there. Then,we headed to the I-Max theatre for a 30 min documentary of the grand canyon. The opening sequence when the camera scooped along the colarado river was awesome.
The next morning we headed right to the Bright Angel Trail. The trail had 3 sections and we decided to walk only the first part of it. The walk down the hill was the easiest part, the tough one was yet to cum... We eventually reached the end of the first part after walking down for about 45 minutes and then after some rest started our way back. The way up was more difficult but I guess it was a good trek. Next time we gonna hike there, we plan to camp down there for a nite..
We could not catch a helicopter or rafting ride(as it needed prior reservations) in there but all in all, I had the chance to visit one of the best god made wonders of this world and it’s definitely a must-go destination.
It was most similar to MadhuBala’s reaction from the ROJA in the opening scene of pudhu vellai mazhai song (filmy tuch ;) ). What a beauty.. What a marvelous piece from the god’s architectural closet. The evening twilight added to the beauty of the canyon. The reddish pink color on the canyon gave it some real life. I bent deep to look how far down the gorge went down, I guess it would have been about 3000-4000 feet deep. I and my friends took some pics up there. Then,we headed to the I-Max theatre for a 30 min documentary of the grand canyon. The opening sequence when the camera scooped along the colarado river was awesome.
The next morning we headed right to the Bright Angel Trail. The trail had 3 sections and we decided to walk only the first part of it. The walk down the hill was the easiest part, the tough one was yet to cum... We eventually reached the end of the first part after walking down for about 45 minutes and then after some rest started our way back. The way up was more difficult but I guess it was a good trek. Next time we gonna hike there, we plan to camp down there for a nite..
We could not catch a helicopter or rafting ride(as it needed prior reservations) in there but all in all, I had the chance to visit one of the best god made wonders of this world and it’s definitely a must-go destination.
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