World is Small

courses

2011-08-24T23:06:00.001+05:30

Two courses i may be interested in some later part of my life : TSC and CSP for the recruiting kind of jobs.

lazy days of cooking more

2011-08-18T23:44:00.000+05:30

Finally hubby's course got over and he has a break of a month. That means more of me-time. So i am cooking in the evenings more so, since i get time in the evenings while he takes the kid out to play. :) Love it, no more eating out during lunches or pizza delivery orders for the dinner. I wish things get smoother even after he joins back his studies by Oct again. After so long i made Gajar halwa, and for the first time tried to make Chenna poda which came out delicious. I wish to try out new receipes soon.

This time to Seattle

2011-08-04T07:04:00.000+05:30

After long I got a trip to myself, thanks to F5. My second trip to Seattle, first was for the interview so i came in on Thursday eve stayed overnight, gave my interview on Friday and 3:30 back to airport to SJC. This time i reached here on Sunday night after the camp night out on Sat (july 30) at Gilroy Gardens, and returning back today on Wednesday Aug 3. This all time to myself, had lot of walking in and around downtown, been to pike market place, piers along the coast, space needle, downtown macys shopping. Well had some time to myself, although with the boring 2days office training. I do wish to come here again, but with family. By myself is such a boring experience. I wish to travel with my Akshun and be happy and see him happy walking around. Its been a terrible thing to be not around him. Miss my baby. I will be home in another few hours and united with Akshun.

Campsite booking links

2011-07-09T12:51:00.001+05:30

These links are for my information only.. its not easy to find the link instantly for the things i need. hence pasting here 2links for the camp reservation sites : both tents and cabin..

www.recreation.gov
and
www.reserveamerica.com

I am looking for some more, once i bump across them, will update here.

My new job

2011-05-26T12:14:00.000+05:30

I have joined F5 Networks starting this Monday as Platform Test Engineer, and God! what a different era of technology I am in. I have now nothing much to deal with the protocol/automation. Now its more of CPLDs, FPGAs, firmware upgrade, Hardware test, FAVs, etc. All new mnemonics and whole new world. Yesterday been to Flextronics Facility which had a big factory making devices for F5, Palo Alto Networks, Dells and what not. I was wearing a suit (forgot what its called now) and the anti-static band with static check on my body with the band on. It was different to see how each component on a motherboard or board gets attached automatically, then soldered, then tested, then assembled. Hope I got to go there again to visit and see more.
Overall i am excited and looking forward to surprises now..

An Education - The movie

2011-02-27T16:34:00.001+05:30

Just watched the movie, an Education and felt delighted. Its never late to study.

Feels good movie.

Nice watch.

Move to new home

2010-11-04T00:27:00.000+05:30

Life got busier now. Since I started working, I am surprised I didn't put any words here. Things have changed a bit. Moved to our new house in Fremont area. Loving the house but not yet done with the settling down in the new house.
Did puja on 23rd Sept at 3pm or so. We all 3 were present and did the boiling milk thing for the gruhapravesh with breaking coconut at the enterance and shanti homma.

Moved to the new house on 3rd oct, Sunday and things are busy since then. Carpooling a little longer distances, and then arranging things, finding misplaced stuff, trying to find place where to stuff. trying to organise the house.. purchasing small and big things for big house. List goes on and on.

We went to Durga puja event and Diwali mela recently. Akshun enjoyed the nice typically and good rassogolla at the Durga puja in hayward.

Akshun had his school photograph taken and also went for halloween parade at Yahoo! He was a lion this season. Picked up his pumpkin at school. Enjoyed eating and collecting candies in the neighbourhood.

Wow he is grown big. He is 18months yesterday and saying quite a lot of words. He picks up some word that we are talking and repeats it. He still cannot pronounce "r", "l", "p", "s" properly. Haven't noticed much now. His new favorites are "no", "mama no", "bhai", "boy","sit down", "go", etc etc. He picks up both oriya and english works. "niya", "jauchi","jiba" etc. He favourited "mutuk" to "tutuk".
ha ha.. cant stop writing about him :)

Life is just moving faster - looking forward to the long weekend. Not sure if we will travel anywhere yet.

Update!!

2010-08-20T23:23:00.000+05:30

Now i fall back with my healthy schedule. Reasons can be provided like had interviews/studying/watching movie/simply being busy etc etc, but at the end the main point is - I didnt do it. I can feel the heat of not working out. Can feel a difference when i go and workout vs when i have been doing nothing.
Right now going thru some Perl book to update myself. Alongside what I want to do is update my English. I seriously need to prepare for 1. some certification to add to my resume and 2. prepare for MS here in US. I definitely need to go for higher studies, which i know isnt going to be easy owing to having a family and being always busy. Planning to start working back so don't know when will I have time to think about myself. Sometimes i just feel did I just wasted 15months of my career because I have my lovely son with me now. Or did I use it in a much better way with my baby shielding him and providing mamma's care.
But lets not waste any further time. :)

Trying to change my lifestyle for good

2010-08-03T04:02:00.000+05:30

Yep, started working out, eating healthy, maintaining good posture, not being lazy, jotting down things to do and see them towards completion, driving, studying .. and all good things that i should do to get back the hold of my own life. Bought a new nike shoes after wearing off my old Reebok for 2yrs. And started sending my son to day care :) Getting much better time to think about myself now. Akshun is growing up fast and he is able to listen and refer what I am trying to say to him. Life is becoming much better, interesting and busier. Hope to continue with the good deeds for long.

Travel with baby alone

2010-05-21T19:49:00.000+05:30

Well i travelled with my 12month old alone and what a charm my son is. He was so happy and better than any other kids on the long 16hr flight. He enjoyed his time and was so quite and helping. He was playing or sleeping or taking rest or watching tv or playing with remote all the time. He is a sweetheart. I travelled so peacefully on both my SFO-Dubai and Dubai-BLR flight. He enjoyed when i was carrying him on baby-bjorn too. He gets so happy when i m standing/walking with him on baby carrier.
We enjoyed our Bangalore trip too. But sorry, couldnt take any snaps outside in bangalore. Been to shoppers stop and Forum mall only. and yes met my old friends shaila, amit, darshan at home. nice bangalore have changed a lot in past 3yrs itself. And Bangalore is expanding in population and the urban space. i just wish Bangalore trees remain the same as it was few years before.

car driving in India

2010-05-21T19:44:00.000+05:30

Finally i drove our car in India alone. With US license and no Indian license. It was nice experience as it wasn't at all planned. Driving wasn't tough given that we have an automatic car. But yeah it was raining too. :) All coz its not easy nowadays to find a driver in our area and to get an auto costs same as booking a car with driver with travel agent. I was comfortable driving and I drove all places, busy roads, highway and small roads, with lots of intersection and pedestrian traffic without signals. Enjoyed my expedition today.

Received my new macbook pro today

2010-03-31T03:24:00.000+05:30

Wow, now I have my own MacBook Pro. Till now i was working loaning it from my hubby :). I know I need to be more productive now. he he he.. Yet to configure and setup everything for the mac. After three years I feel good about owning my own laptop. ha ha ha.. Will write more after I set it up and start working. Lets see how I use it now, for browsing, for movie or for studies. In fact, I wish to do the later.

Taking a baby to shopping

2010-03-28T14:17:00.000+05:30

I now may have to think twice while taking my baby out for shopping. He just want to play with the items in the shop arranged on different isle. He doesnt like to be strapped on his stroller or stay with us. He just wants to be left alone on ground and he wud go everywhere around the shop and play play n play. And he just screams (as he cannot talk) if his wishes aren't granted. Cute and clever kids. he he he..

List of ToDos

2010-03-27T14:41:00.000+05:30

Why isn't it easy when u sit at home and become lazy that you even forget to make a to-do lists. And keep forgetting that you need to be more organized!! Huh!! Well i am out of it now. . I have so much to do and I need to figure out what needs to be done first and with priority. I just wish I can go to my pre-marriage life. So that I do things at my own pace. Well thats just an advantage of being a single. Now I need to be more responsible which I am not becoming. :)

Nowadays running after the kid, thinking of what to feed him and feeding him is the most time i spend in. I know that these responsibilities are new and will always be there, but now I want some break. It isn't that I want to leave all the responsibilities, but I want to become more organized so that I get time for myself, for my kid and be happy in the game.

Need a Change

2010-03-26T12:47:00.001+05:30

I am back to blogging again, more to keep myself alive with the good spirits. :) Been long that I haven't been in touch with friends. Its been long since i worked, and since I thought about myself. Thanks that it all was for the better. I had a sweet baby boy and he is now close to an year. I wish to plan something good and different for his first year party, so that he can join and enjoy too. Yeah, life is becoming hectic and dull being at home all the time. At times I wish I can come out of the cocoon and see the brightness outside. Though, being in cocoon, I am preparing my son to become a beautiful butterfly so that he comes out with flying colors. Well I am happy he is coming along well.
I now need to take time out for myself to do things that I enjoy or once enjoyed. Demands of baby are overwhelming sometimes but I wish to satisfy them all without being sacrificing my own.

Career is changed and better now

2009-01-20T02:40:00.003+05:30

So no more hectic Fridays I suppose - its been easier with my new job which i changed last year in Sept. I am more into the Server testing on the telecom side. But not entirely the core telecom networking job.

A typical Friday in Telecom QA

2008-03-11T02:11:00.002+05:30

With my experience in past, i have observed a quite busy Fridays especially near the time of the nightly builds or the releases coming in. The reason being, you will need to do some kinda big regressions over the weekend, some kinda performance test/soak test and what not. And for that you may need the whole set (again a problem of searching missing pieces in your setups). Then do the required environment setup, start the automation test/scripts/whatever the method. Wait for around 30min to see, nothing is broken.. And then go home peacefully.
If you have about even 40% of things ready you will take a whole 4hrs time on the weekend - given the build(nightly or release) is ready by 12noon which is rarely the case. Other times, you just get busy running here n there for some issues which gets solved by late evening. And thus our fridays become typical busy days!! Wow i love days other than Fridays ;) But, I still look forward to Friday for the next two days it invites (weekend or saturday and sunday).

Snacks for Office

2008-02-29T07:14:00.003+05:30

I wonder which is a good snack for the office. Don't have a full time cafeteria at office. And around 4-5pm I feel like munching on something. So whats the best food for that time, which isnt too heavy/fatty. Do not want to choose something from the vending machine, they are all oily, fried or junk stuff.
I keep granola bars at desk, just in case. But at times like today, when I am not that hungry but just want to munch on- what is the best next option? Fruits (needs to bring in morning from home), popcorn ( don't really know how to pop the packets in microwave), some nuts (needs to be really judicious about which is good and which is not), tea (how much and how many times allowable), coke (soda - wants to stay away from them), granola bars (any other option), some tic-tacs and wrigleys (dont like chewing gum at work). Hmm whats the best one to go for.. or just a mix of things? May be keeping a bag of carrots and Apple and other whole fruits is a best idea.

Lets see..

My new job

2008-02-28T03:58:00.003+05:30

Its good that I am enjoying my new and the first job in US. Its a small team, good ppl but busy ppl, so need to find out stuff myself. Need to put in a little more effort to learn things. The technology I will be working on is Video/MPEG etc etc which is really interesting (but i always wanted to keep distance). Wish to get a good grip soon and be on track of contributing things myself.

Oh yes, life is going on good. Not at least sitting back at home and do nothing/sleep/browse. Yes its true though that towards the end of each day, i feel exhausted. And this is just my 3rd day at work. I am yet to get my driving license. Good that my office is close by to where i stay, so that not a big trouble for getting a ride. Hope to put up some more info on my tech blog with the things i am studying right now. Wikipedia has really great write-ups on this technical area.

And for everything keeping my fingers crossed for the best for my career in US.

The Job Market

2008-02-20T07:24:00.002+05:30

At times, I am forced to believe that with the economy going down, the jobs in the software industry are also getting a setback. I have never imagined, it would take this long for me to find a job in the market with my expectation of job profile as well as salary. It isn't that my profile doesn't match, its just that, I see less number of job listing each day. Either there will be no new updates on the job sites, or there would be just a reposting of the older job description.
Its very easy to get bored of this job search and very irritating on how slow the market is, both in terms of the no. of openings an the payment options left. Hmm, nevermind coz searching for a job was never supposed to be easy but a sheer luck. If luck is eluding me right now, may be I will have a better luck next time. I am still very positive of getting a break soon.. :)

I am back Again!!!!

2008-02-19T10:57:00.003+05:30

When I see this blog abandoned I always used to think when am I going to enter a new entry into it, isn't this a very long a hibernation? And why is it that I stopped blogging? But right now while I am writing this, I should not try to reason out the things that happened and fall back into the same trap again.

My coming back to blogging is because of the inspiration that I got from my husband. He kept saying since he read thru my blog approx a year and more back that why I stopped writing and why should I be sitting idle than writing on something to keep me busy. Thank you hubby ji.

Life has changed in these 2years and certainly going for the better tomorrow. And I am thankful for everyone out there for me, wishing me good luck. Am currently on a foreign land trying to make new friends and trying to learn new things.

Hope!!!!!

2006-03-21T08:44:00.000+05:30

God only knows, why we keep hopes and expectation..
Today, I messed up with a good friend, just because, i was in a bad mood. Reason: I was just hoping something that i know, i shouldn't be doing and that i dont want to do it. But still i was thinking about the same thing. I tried to concentrate on my work, but unable to., Albeit, I tried not to think abt it, still was getting more and more depressed abt the same thing. I dont know why, i got such short tempered, for an hr or so. Very unlike me..

:(

Life became different Now

2006-03-18T08:16:00.000+05:30

Life, isn't just as easy ever. And now i think, i got something new for me to aim at. Something that i know was always there that i never realised and never worked for it.
I was never afraid of hard working or for even spending more time at office. But somehow, i was distracted for some reason, from my work. Now i realised that it was the wrong thing i was doing as I lost touch with so many more important aspects of work. Good that my friend, made me realised in the easiest way to work, and work till you are satisfied. And well, I am satisfied and not yet satisfied, with the amount of work. Now i want not to give just what i can do, but also something that i can do better. I just missed how important it can be for me for my future.
I guess, i will try to first bring me upto my expectations and then will try to excel in that. Just wish i have some more time to do. I now realise, that i can do more than what i always have been doing. Something extra, which can help me too.. And i want myself, to be strong enuf to do that and prove myself yet again. Work's struggle, doesn't get over after one WIN. We need to keep WINING, till we WIN our own heart, and never ever LOOSE it.

This came to me a little late, but as is said true " Better late than never".

Indian vegetarian Buffet

2006-03-15T05:39:00.000+05:30

:) Hmmmm, muh mein pani aa gaya. Buffet and that too, vegetarian, with lots of veg curries, gulab jamun, ice-cream, burfi, kheer, pakora, dahi bara, mango chutney, salad, and what not.. and all just for 9CAD.

Well, last weekend, have been to Toronto, for the second time, to just roam arnd and visit arnd the Toronto downtown. Had a nice time, with good and new friends, whom i know only for past 1month ;) And well, that was worth a week off, from all the tensions of work and home, and all the tensions of unnecessary things/feelings passing by.

Enjoyed my trip, and had nice paper masala dosa, and indian buffet food, in Gerrad Street. It was just like an Indian street, with ppl roaming on the roads, near the shops, panipuri, on the footpath. Loud music from the shops, all indian dresses hanging, all jewellery shops, indian kind.
Well it was a place, worth seeing a little India, in a foreign land.
If you are staying in or around Toronto, do not miss Gerrand street.

Unexpected Behavior

2006-03-11T04:05:00.000+05:30

I could never explain, why i behave so differently sometimes. I would myself be surprised, the kind of feeling i get. A kind of feeling, so lonely, so desparate for something i dont know of, so unimportant. I feel sometimes, i am not worth of anything, a kinda feeling that wont let me do anything ahead. That wont let me think ahead. Something that forces me to be stagnant and stationary. Everypart of my body, especially the way i think will be unlike me. Will be so untrue.

And whenever i try to judge it, i get more depressed and tensed. Whenever i try to indulge myself in more engrossed activities, like studies, work, etc i will end up over-stressing myself. I will end up burning myself. And such times, just doesnt pass away, without creating a negative effect on the close by friends, nearby relatives. And i dont know how to run away from this kinda situation...

:( Kash bhagwan ne mujhe bhi "perfect to handle any situation" banaya hota :(

Childhood memories

2006-02-23T05:59:00.000+05:30

I dont know, how it generally feels, to find a childhood friend, and talk to them, after say, 15years.
Well, i found my 5th class school friends, Tanuj aka tinku, Yashwant aka mithu and Archit (who refused to remember me).
Yashwant was the one, with whom i used to go to school and play when we were small. We again re-covered old memories lost. It was nice talking to him after so long. God only knows, how was it possible, but in fact i have lost hopes, to meet/get in touch with him again. It was really nice.
Tanuj, was the one who kinda looking for me on net, and kinda still remember me. Well thanks Tanuj for making me feel, i m not lost yet, in this world. And someone from my memories, still looking for me.
Archit, i m sort of a little angry, but i expected that, so i m not dissappointed. We were never in too much contact with each other, but i accept, i still remember you. And other toppers of our class, till 5th. I sort of always have compared my grades with my other friends, inCEERI. Esp, those who were in top 5.
Tanuj, me and mithu, we shared a few of our recent photos, to know, how we look like and how different we are from 15yrs back.

God thank you, for bringing back my old friends. I just wish, this contact shouldnt be lost anytime and that, i could meet all of them in person, either today or later.
Well Mithu, archit and Tanju do put ur comments on this blog, whenever u come across this writing.

Whats the News!!

2006-02-03T23:03:00.000+05:30

I was also wondering the same, whats the news right now?? Why I havent written my blog page from so long..
Anyway whatever, it may be, i am back now, and i wont write again, that i will continue to write continously. Coz, its very difficult to keep secrets.

Life is going on fantastic and happily.

History of Boxing Day!!!

2005-12-26T08:47:00.000+05:30

Boxing Day, popular term applied to December 26 in England, Wales, parts of Canada, and in some other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. Traditionally, on that day the gentry would give presents, generally of money, to servants, tradespeople, and others of humble life. These presents came to be known as Christmas boxes. Boxing Day is a legal bank holiday.

I found some good explaination on Boxing Day on this link. Facts of Boxing Day

Evening in Ottawa, 24rth Dec just befor Christmas

2005-12-25T09:46:00.000+05:30

Lots of shopping and shopping to do during Christmas, lots of gifts exchanges that happens,and the shopping mall in front of my appt, was always full, from last 2 days till 11pm. Unbeliveable !!
Today, although, everything closed by 5pm, and will re-open before 8 am for Boxing Day celebration !!!!!
I too did a little bit of shopping and got tired today, didn't shopped around much, just went at 2pm and came back by 5pm until, the mall closed. After had a nice snacks of Bread and Omlette at my friends place. Came back home, and was just taking rest, that i got an offer to watch some movie in the hall. Nice, watched the movie " Fun with Dick and Jane". Nice comedy and fun filled movie, somewhere u may wish to compare it with our Hindi movie " Bunty Aur Bubli" but still this one got its own story, and theme.
After that had a nice "Bisibelle Bath" at my friends house, with Banana milkshake to wind up my before Cristmas eve dinner :)

Anyway day was good, but was expensive, as i too picked up some good stuff for gifting at the mall..

Photos

2005-12-22T09:50:00.000+05:30

Just a little photos from my trip to Chicago, may be I will upload sometime later.. More will follow. I am just getting busier nowadays. Lots of work, and not much time to blog and write.. Still i will try to update as far as possible.

Michigan Avenue, Night during Christmas Season

2005-12-22T09:44:00.000+05:30

Chicago Michigan Lake near the Planetarium

2005-12-22T09:43:00.000+05:30

Nice Morning View in cold Dec, Ottawa

2005-12-22T09:41:00.000+05:30

Nice view, from the balcony of my home, one morning when i got up and was ready for office. I can't resist taking a click.

My New Treasure - Inspiron 9300

2005-12-20T06:34:00.000+05:30

I finally am a proud owner of Inspiron 9300, and happy to have it (I should now give it a name :) ). Lots of discoveries yet to be made on this new treasure, but still i loved it. Its the feeling of a laptop of my own now.
My trip to Chicago was satisfactorily, except that i went in Dec Winters, when it was windy and cold, and also, that i just had a weekend to spend in Chicago and no more days to explore the place. I went to "Devon Street" near Loyalla, which was just a place out of the place in US. On both sides of roads, were Indian and Pakistani shops, with all those thick, and glass covered stickers on the shops, that may confuse one which one is actual gate.
Then me and my brother had good Dosa and some snacks ( samosa, kutlet, chilli bhajji, alloo chup, bara) and it was good. But we end up spending more than expected.
Stayed in the Downtown, just nearby the Art Institute and Museum. And walked a lot on the Michigan Ave, also known as " Magnificient Mile". Travelled on Red, and Blue lines over there.
Overall it was a good trip, and also, the flight out from Ottawa, was 2.5hrs late :-)

Today is a day to Remember!!

2005-12-16T20:16:00.000+05:30

I guess, today is the day for me to remember. To add a new immemorable entry.

First of all, morning snow is very nice to see. Temperature, hasn't dropped as much (-6degree Celcius), but the snow deposit is already about 5inches and theres going to be more today approx 25cm snow cap, i.e 10inches or so, by end of today. Hopefully i will get some photos and upload soon.

Next important thing, thats gonna happen is my first visit to US. Esp to the "Wind City" Chicago in this cold Winter. I don't know, whats the kinda experience i will get, but i know, i will remember this trip.

So rest all after my return from US, may be on Monday.

So much of work all of a sudden

2005-12-14T09:37:00.000+05:30

Hey, how will one feel, when one gets so much of work all of a sudden!! Although not out of the blue.. But still its difficult to prepare mentally with the load of the work coming ahead, without being alert about it, and that too with the final dates, which may be so near.
Anyway I think i can still do it.. it will take just few hours to prepare oneself, for the work scheduled ahead..

Well i am very much awaiting my weekend in Chicago, US. :-)

Global Warming!!!

2005-12-13T09:59:00.000+05:30

I was very much eager to read the latest novel by "Dan Brown" the "Deception Point" and i was expecting to read something abt paris again and about some heritage and architecture.. But never expected the novel to be based on global warming and also to link to NASA and politics.. The novel was good, but just not as exciting as the earlier ones. May be i was expecting more.
Before that i finished " State of fear" by Michael Chrichton. That was also on "Global Warming" and a serious novel. Liked the content of the book.
Not sure, which book is going to be the next!!! No more global warming at least for a week or two..

A few reviews :
review-deception-point

State of Fear Review

cold and snow

2005-12-05T10:47:00.000+05:30

The very next day when i landed up in Ottawa, it was snowing,and since there was a TV in my room, i was very much closely watching the weather news and weather report.
I will generally get up early in the morning and watch the news channel.. getting up early coz of jetlag, i guess.

Then it has snowed almost all the weeks, for a day or two. Second week, it snowed so heavy that all the snow was deposited (3-4 inches) for 3-4days. And again, it snowed today, since the morning, never stopping. I walked in the snow today, and enjoyedc my walk. It was dark alreaddy when i started from my house. It wasnt that cold.. just -3 degrees celcius.Me and a friend walked approx 1-1.5km. It was amazing. soft snow flakes, gt depositied on my cap and on my shoes and on my jacket. Sometimes it will come to my eyes, and it was gun. Specially the snow touching my face, the shadow of snow on the snow.. everything looked very amazing. Some people dont like, cols and snow at all.. But i really do like it. Becasue fo the scen. Its white all over. All the trees covered with white.. everywhere it was white..

Yep, caution, it gets very slippery coz of snow here, one cannot just simply walk or run coz of the slip, they may get. Even lots of road accidents coz of the tyres not ready for snow and braking not proper. Most ppl at the time of snow, prefer to take the public transport instead of druving themseves, coz of all these accidnts..
But surely, i do like the snow and the snowfall.. Its really amazing.

My Lebanese food experience

2005-12-05T10:34:00.000+05:30

I just wonder, how I went alone that day to that new restaurant to try out a new cuisine? I was staying in the motel, for the first week, after arriving to ottawa, and then there was a sunday, a vry cold and snowy sunday. My friends were staying a little far from where i stay and they were preoccupied, so i had to go alone for lunch that day. And mind it it was very cold day, coz of the snowfall before ..

So i thought i will go to the Indian restaturant nearby the motel, but found it closed, and i didnt have any patience to go and have coffee and muffins, or bagels in TIM Horton's. So i enquired and came to know, of a Lebanese restaurant nearby, Shwarma Shack. I went there, a few families with children have also arrived. and i made myself a mess of everything. I got absent minded. I just took the plate without the tray. And i forgot to take the juice, that i intend to take, and the cashier lady had to tell me, where it was kept. Then while sitting, i dropped my fork and had to go again to get one .. may be first time i went to a new restaturant and became over-cautious. and thats why all these. And i dont know for sure, if i have missed something or not, but i found everyone with a tortilla roti, which i havent taken and no one asked me too for it..
Anyway the food.. well most of the vegetables were fried ones, and I really odont like much of the fried things. And when i finishe i could finish only half my plate and i was really feeling very heavy with what i ate..
Well I was alone, and probably was not able to enjoy my plate,it was a vegetable platter. May be I will or I should try it out once more.. Let me see, but i m not sure of it..

But the Lebanese food, for the first time, I can never forget..

Hope its not too late for my comeback

2005-12-02T03:32:00.000+05:30

I was just messed up with something that i dont know, and just couldnt show up timely. Still I feel, its never late to write few lines.
After the Flood-like situation in Bangalore, i went for a week vacation to my native place, Bhubaneswar, and got ill too. :-) Affect of not staying in my home from very long. Well, Diwali went good and happening, lots of shopping too.
After coming back, just a short break of a week and 2days. My parents and sister arrived on MOnday and then i need to leave on Tuesday for Ottawa, Canada again.

This time the trip/journey from Blr to Ottawa was a memorable one. First thing, i almost missed my flight from Blr to Mumbai. Reason, initially flight was delayed, and it was showing up some time, 9:45, and i have accepted that time. Did check-in and everything in time. But then since there was almost more than 2hrs left, me and my sister thought of going to Siva temple nearby to the airport. OK, we came out of the temple at correct time. Then, we thought ok, we can as well have a nice dinner together, and thus went into the hotel, where we spent approx 30min. and thats where i got late, and well i was surprised/happy to know that i was the last person to board the flight, and the whole flight, its crew members and other passengers were waiting for the last passenger, thats me.. Huhu..

Well from Mumbai, i catched the flight to Paris. I was travelling alone, and more than 5hrs of waiting in Paris, before boarding Montreal flight. My God, i got ill. My stomach started giving problems. Anyway somehow i managed, but then i got fever. After boarding the Montreal flight, and having the lunch-cum-dinner, i finally asked flight attendant, to give me some fever tablet.. and he gave me paracetamol tablets which he asked me to gulp 2 at once and obediently i did too,...And Wow, and by the time i reached MOntreal, i was ok. no fever, no stomach cramps.

First time to Montreal, did my custom checking and then came out to find the bus for Ottawa. Gosh!!!! It was so cold outside.. and it was raining at a temperature of 0 degrees. I was llike, ok, good, i dont have to walk for very long before boarding the bus. And finally with roaming arnd a bit with my luggage I was able to find the bus and then I started for Ottawa. And after 2 hrs i finally got down at Ottawa, Greyhound bus top, and took the cab. Bringing all the luggage in such a cold weather was really tough. Well directly i came to the hotel, where my room was booked.

Phew!! i took rest, and had a nice Indian food at a nearby Indian restaurant.
That was my day and my flight from Bangalore to Ottawa.

Report from Times of India, 24 Oct 2005

2005-10-24T23:03:00.000+05:30

BANGALORE: Saturday night's rainfall of 121 mm was a strange leveller — the pavement dweller and the Ford commuter battled it out.
Walls crashed on swish apartments and in low-lying areas, important arterial roads were inundated with four-feet water, citizens in as many as 40 areas stayed home, mopping the watery mess, simply because they could not possibly step out.
The most important roads in the city have been blocked — Mysore Road, Hosur Road, Magadi Road. Hosur Road, a national highway connecting important cities, the lifeline from East coast to west coast, buzzing with techies, is in limbo.
The 121 mm of rain has battered any signs of technology from the area. To start with, 7,500 phone lines with numbers starting 2573, have snapped. BSNL officials reckon it would take at least four days to restore order.
As for Bommanahalli, Begur Road, Sarjapur Road, Whitefield were all flooded. There was one confirmed death: the body of Sohail, a five-year-old boy, was found in a dug-up trench at Kalasipalya police limits.
Lakes in the peripheral areas of Bangalore (Nagawara, Puttenahalli, Begur) have overflown dangerously and gushed into homes at Nagawara, Hebbal, J P Nagar, Jakkur. Nagawara Lake was overflowing like a waterfall, according to residents.
The BCC control room on Saturday night received some 100 calls, with reports of flooding at Jogupalya, Promenade Road, Indiranagar, Cambridge Layout, Domlur, drain blockage at Vijaynagar pipeline, Madivala, Banaswadi.
Electric pumps to draw out water were the order of the night and subsequently, day, as cellars and basements in different parts of the city were inundated rendering citizens stranded in their houses and offices.
The compound wall ensconcing Shanti Park apartments crumbled and some nine cars were reduced to smithereens.
No damp squib this :
October is a few millimetres away from overpowering rain statistics and records. The highest-ever annual rainfall recorded in Bangalore stands at 1432 mm in 1998. Cut to now, as of Oct. 23, 2005, the rainfall has clocked 1401 mm already, as against the normal of 970 mm. There’s more — the highest ever recorded for October was 522 mm in 1956.
"We are very close to these statistics right now, another spell of 50 mm rainfall and it would be a historic rainfall,” declares Met department director A L Koppar. For, October has already seen 474 mm rainfall.

Review meeting :
After the damage, the meeting. CM Dharam Singh has called for a review meeting of city MLAs, MPs, civic heads, on Monday. On Sunday, the CM instructed mayor Narayanswamy to submit a comprehensive report and said extra funds would be released, if need be.
12-HR DOWNPOUR : Bangalore, Mandya, Mysore Chamarajnagar dists pounded
RECORD DELUGE : Bangalore sees 121 mm, the highest rainfall this calendar
GREAT DISCONNECT: Over 7,500 phones dead, power off, highways blocked

To add to this.. a few photos..

Bommanhalli flooded!!

Wipro M2 Office, Hosur Road

Cubbon Park

Silk Board junction near flyover

my Mysore trip on Dussehera day

2005-10-23T01:23:00.000+05:30

Life, cant be just as silent as this blog and i believe that lots have happened since i last blogged. I just can't remember why and for what reason, i just stopped blogging, but i have always wanted to write something, but cudnt have that feeling of actually doing it.
So i returned from Canada, and landed up in Bangalore on exact the same date after a month, when i started for canada. Canada trip was very good. No regrets so far, from there. Then again started my office going, that hectic Hosur Rd, traffic and the very very dull days, of difficult travel. Office has been quite ok, not much as work as otherwise this time. So enjoying at office too.
On Dusshera, 13th Oct, i went to Mysore for the first time and the trip was good. Myself and 3 other friends. We went to Shivasamudram, which was a quite pleasing place with such a good waterfall. I never have imgained I had such a good waterfall near my place. I enjoyed being over that place. Then we went to Chamundi temple (saw the view of whole of Mysore from the Chamundi hills), Mysore Palace, which was closed due to the Dussehera festival, and later on to Brindavan gardens. Due to holiday and festical, everyone was out on the street and enjoying. We really found it difficult to walk through the Brindavan garden to see the light and music show of the fountains there. Lateron, also went to see the night city on the eve of Dussehera, and the view was marvellous. The Mysore was practically been lighted, yes the whole of Mysore, esp near to the Palace. Every street was lighted, and every tree too was bright at night.

I will be going home again, yes to my home town and it will be again a short visit of a week. I am just looking forward to my holidays again. Its nice to be at home eating home-food. Bangalore has been too tuff nowaday, with the bad road, lots of traffic jam and rain each evening. Not just as pleasant as it was before a few years.

Hope with this blog i will continue to blog at quite frequent intervals.

2005-09-27T00:24:00.000+05:30

CN tower, Toronto, by Car..

My Last or 4th Week in Canada

2005-09-27T00:22:00.000+05:30

My last weekend, in Canada, consists of a trip to Montreal, which was not as successful, includes waking up late morning on Sunday, having nice khichdi for lunch and some shopping.
Yep, Montreal was really a memorable one, one which i will never forget. It was something unusual. We had to make wise use of my last weekend. So we booked the car. After lots of discussion, we decided to go to Montreal, other plan wud have been the Algonquin Park, which was also 2 hrs drive, but exhaustive. Anyway we searched on the internet for the places to visit in Montreal. All was well set. Except for the driving routes, we although had the driving directions. And then it was raining on Saturday. Raining throught the day and we started early morning to Airport, picked up our car and all set thru. After that almost half of the day we were in the car, searching for the correct road, as all the roads were written in French.. Anyway we ended up having a nice home lunch and just roaming arnd in Montreal in car in rain..

Next day, i did some shopping in Bayshore shopping mall, and bought some magnet soft toys and just blah blah, little items..

I just hope i land up there again very soon...

2005-09-26T23:58:00.000+05:30

Both the US and Canadian side falls together

2005-09-26T23:57:00.000+05:30

Canada, US bridge at Niagara.

2005-09-26T23:55:00.000+05:30

Shadow of CN tower, Toronto, from top.

2005-09-26T23:53:00.000+05:30

Niagara Falls at Canadian Side. Its marvellous.

2005-09-26T23:52:00.000+05:30

Niagara Falls at night time.

2005-09-26T23:51:00.001+05:30

Free fall at Marineland..

2005-09-26T23:51:00.000+05:30

Dolphin show at Marineland in Niagara

2005-09-26T23:38:00.000+05:30

Would you like to go for Bungee Jumping??

2005-09-26T23:36:00.000+05:30

Hope you will love this place

2005-09-26T23:32:00.000+05:30

Another picturesque from top point in Gatineau park

2005-09-26T23:31:00.000+05:30

Gatineu park Pink Lake

2005-09-26T23:30:00.000+05:30

Another bright and good one

2005-09-26T23:28:00.000+05:30

Another photo from Parliament light and sound show.

2005-09-26T23:24:00.000+05:30

Ottawa Parliament Show

2005-09-26T23:20:00.000+05:30

One of the islands in 1000 Islands cruise.

My Third Weeend in Canada

2005-09-16T06:42:00.000+05:30

That weekend, was not as exciting as others. My collegues went to Office on Saturday, and so it was a bore long day at home, i got up late on Sat, had a nice tub bath and had a supple brunch. Went to Govind's house, since his wife too was alone, and then it was a bore day. Later in the evening after everyone came back, we decided to go to Dow's lake, in Carlington, in Ottawa. After reaching there, it was already dark, and we took the local train for the first time, in Canada.
The lake looked very good, and we went for padding boat in 2 boats. And i peddled a lot, after so long. It was nice excercise after very long. We didnt have much time, so we went for just 40min of boating and came back. They made us wear, those life jackets which were too heavy to wear, but i wore for the sake of safety as i dont know swimming :-)
Well we came back, couldnt have patience to cook, so went to an Indian restaurant and had a nice vegetable biriyani after long with paneer curry and mixed veg.

On Sunday, we wanted to start early to shopping, but as always it got late and we started by 2:30pm after taking our nice go0d, and heavy lunch. After that we went to downtown for some shopping for myself and for Shanta, for her winter apparels. And our dear friend, wanted the best from the sale and finally we spend the rest 3hrs till the shop closing time i.e. 6pm in one single shop only. Anyways, after that since we had an invitation from a friend for his marriage party, we remembered late of a gift idea, and got disppointed as all the shops got closed by that time. Still some way, we thought of giving a photo album, with their photo, and ended up into the search of a photo shop with instant photo facility from the digicam. And that was the day of long long walk of abt 4km or more, and lots of searching, since it was Sunday, all the busses were also rare and etc etc etc. Finally found the correct shop and returned back with the photo successfully.
It was a good experience of long walk - not deliberate- but to gift Govind & his wife with surprise and yes, we all succeded in giving him a surprise.

My second weekend in Canada - Niagara Falls & CN tower

2005-09-15T01:08:00.000+05:30

My second weekend in Canada, started from Friday evening approx 4:00pm, when we rented the car, went to recieve Govind's wife(who was coming from India alone) in Greyhound bus stop.. and got disappointed when Govind and wife didnt arrive in time. Came back to home without them , waited at home. And finally when they arrived at around 9:00pm, had a supple dinner, and went to sleep late. Got up early in morning, 4:30am, got ready for the travel. Of course, Govind's wife joined too.. and thanks to them.
Didnt get diverted frm the main route, passed Torronto, went straight to Niagara, checked into the hotel, and then started again after some time for Marineland. Lunch was in Marineland only. There was good "Dolphin and Seal" show to steal ur heart. But i liked Seal show much. Then was the "Free Fall and the Roller Coaster rides" which I took with pleasure. And a lot roaming aroung the park etc. After that started back to Hotel, took some rest and again started to see the night view of Niagara Falls. It was marvellous. Initially it looked like some other fountain only, but later, when we reached near the canadian side of the Falls, could know the force and the pressure and the natures gift to this Fall. Anyway were successfull in taking few good night photos in our digital cameras.
After that, had a good dinner in an Indian restaurant, " The GURU". After that walked back the parking lot, took the car and started back to the hotel.

Early next morning, on Sunday, started at around 9:30 went straight to the Niagara Falls, took some day-view photos, and when satisfied with the beauty - which was much more beautiful in the morning with the clouds in the sky, took the "Maid of the Mist Ride" in the boat. And nearly went into the falls and that mist of water near the foot of the Falls, which was enough to wet us.
After that cruise, tried to get the "Behind the Falls" cruise too, but it was at a late hour, and we need to start soon. So didnt get the tickets for that and backtracked to Car and started for Torronto.
Torronto is a city of buildings as i saw and first understood. Very tall tall, very big buildings, with very long roads, curved many a times, around some few valleys etc. Anyway we went straight to the tallest tower , CN (Canada National) Tower, which is some 1800 feet from the ground. While we were travelling on the lift, it seemed to me, even more dangerous than the "free-fall" i have taken the previous day. Yes, initially it was like, heart-thorbbing but finally by God's Grace we reached safely on the floor on top. And it was really a nice view of Torronto. One side was the vast city all with rail tracks, roads, thousands of buildings and the other with serene sea, and a few houses built on the island near to the shore. It was great. and the descend from the lift was also memorable since we waiting for more time to come down(for lift) than to go up. :-)

Then started back to home, from there, had a pizza dinner in Pizza pizza en-route. And finally reached home by 00:30 am or so.

Next day, ie. Monday was also a holiday and a late morning day. Wasnt too late though. We went to the Gatineu Park near to Ottawa, and actually in Province of Quebec. And it was a nice park. We saw the pink lake, the lake which is not pink but was named Pink coz a family with surname Pink was staying there long back. The park was good to go through the trails in the forest/park and go out for a little walk. We, me, my room-mate Santha, and Shiladitya and Pratik, took the 2.5mile trail to a waterfall. Santha was the first-timer for such trails and got tired very soon. Anyway we continued and finally reached to the waterfall that is dried up totally. Sat there for some time and came back to the car. and went to other spots in the park too. Once we reached to the top of the mountain and found it so peaceful and nice to see the place. We were on the top, and we could see down lots of other mountains and valleys and rivers and it was like, someone has drawn that photo of our childhood with such an artistic hands. We started early from the park to go to the Bungee jumping, which Pratik was very eager to do. God!!! It was really scary and i dont know how he managed to do it finally.
We came back, had a lunch+dinner at Kings Burger and Tim Hortons in Downtown and went home. Me and santha did some cleaning and when we were abt to finish, we got a call and an offer to watch "Mangel Pandey - the Rising" in the theatre, which we gladly accepted. We got ready in 5min, reached to the place, took the tickets and went inside the theature, only to find that we were not going to watch a hindi movie, but an english movie.. the hall in which we entered was not the correct one ... ha ha ha .. We came out and went into the theature, dound our hall so empty and knew the same instant that its HINDI movie only. So our whole weekend ended late in the night arnd 12:15 and we were finally so tired that me and Santha, came back and straight away slept off...

1000 Islands Kingston, Canada

2005-09-15T01:00:00.000+05:30

I have visited 1000 islands in Kingston, Ontario, Canada during my first weekend in Canada. We were a group of 8batchelors and 1 family. And the trip was nice. We started early in the morning from 15, Woodridge Cresent, taking out 2 cars, one drove by Lakshmi,( now plannning to get residence of Canada) and another by Pratik, our collegue. We reached near the island cruise at 10:30 taking 2 short breaks, got freshed up, took some photos, had a nice lunch in a Thai restaurant - rice and some vegetable curry .. And then started off with our 3 hour cruise. Start was very good, but later got bored after 1 hr and 30 min. Came down from the deck, listened to the musical show, which went very good.. Started back to home at around 7:30 ..
Returned the car, got down in the downtown, and watched the Parliament night show. It was amazing, and it was so simple the technology and lots of information they have put on the slides. Really a good event. Canadian govt put these light and sound shows on the Parliament for a few months, and i was lucky to be here during the same time.

To add up some spice :- here are few 1000 Islands photos:

More info abt the place is thru the site :-
http://www.1000islandscruises.on.ca/

Having Fun with friends in Canada, Ottawa

2005-09-03T01:09:00.000+05:30

So Life, is more enjoyable now.. And an example of it is the Niagara Falls that I am going to visit tomorrow.. Canadian view.
Well last week has been fun too.. Having lots of time after office and till the daylight, and helping me and my roommate are the shops that opens till 9:00pm. Enough time to go arnd places and visit the shops and tell others abt the best sale option :-) And no weekend is without fun. Last week on Saturday, took a ship cruise to the 1000 Islands from Kingston. A 3hrs cruise to bore us, but then there was nice orchestra on the ship that kept us engaged. First time by car in Canada, driven by a collegue who doesnt yet have a canadian driving license.. But it was fun.. driving at a speed of say 100-140km/h. And it wont even feel like 60km/hr.
Nice highways with green fields both side.. Good management of the lane decipline and exit from highway system.. Well in a way I am liking the place.. Just waiting someone to ask me to stay here forever. The temperature presently is also good.. arnd 18-22 during the day and 14-16 during the night.. My room is just opposite to the Bayshore Mall and I can buy things when and whatever time i choose.. Its good..

A quick flashback

2005-08-30T01:40:00.000+05:30

I feel great and wonderful to find out the contacts of old friends and talk to them and chat with them. Finally my tryst with making a group of Vidyapeethians of 1997 batch, Pilani is successful.. and I am happy that my friends also bring in more ppl to join. I really feel like passing by those corridors thru the school, enjoying the dayscholar tiffins and boarder's canteen snacks.. those rushing for water during small breaks between classes and get stuck in the queues.. and coming back late and get some or other punishments.. Then walking thru those jamun trees.. and trying very hard to bunk the classes which we want to do eagerly but that time, due to so many factors couldnt do..
Those going to hostles, even when dayscholars are not allowed and always try to hide from the hostel wardens.. Those bringing in maggie to the hostel and enjoying their home made food , pickels, biscuites etc. The days were of fun and frolic and fear.. those days when we were so happy for the no-test days, so happy for a new dress, so happy for a 10/10 marks.. so happy to finish off the homework and attending the class.. so happy to answer questions which we knew we wouldn't have .. since we dont know..

And above all i feel happy to find the same group uniting again, the girls with which we shared all of the school time.. The memories from the lane of our school, that climate, that environment and everything..

Yes, I also remember those waiting in queues after NCC marching everyday (Thurdays and Fridays, if i m not wrong) for that "besan ki burfi" and/or some other sweet..Yes those days...

We cannot bring back those times again, But at least was successful in bringing back those ppl and those memories with whom we shared......

Landed in Ottawa on Wed 24th Aug. (local time)

2005-08-26T00:20:00.000+05:30

So I have landed up in Canada finally after, such a hurrying time in getting tickets finalised and all those horrible hurrying moments..

I it was an excitement in itself.. I left Bangalore by 7:50 flight to Delhi.. But I got all my tickets confirmed by 4:30 the same day, and it was only at 5pm that i decided that i will go the same day.. and so i have to rush to my home, pack up my luggage and then rush to Koramangala office to take the tickets and then go to the airport..
I started from EC at arnd 5:10 and i was from then on wishing that i should not miss this flight else, i will have to go alone all the way to canda. And well I am not that unlucky too.. So i made it upto the flight in time.. And yes, thanks to my friend and my sister to help me out in the last min hurrying packing, thanks to the taxi driver to take me to the airport from the way of lesser traffic.. and thanks to that Minister who was travelling with the same plane to Delhi, coz of which the plane was delayed for some time..

My flight was via London, so saw that bridge in London for some 4-5times in the morning, coz our plane was not getting place to land down.. as it was a busy morning.. then after abt 4 hrs or waiting took the flight to Torronto. This flight arrived in Torronto very late and i missed my connecting flight to Ottawa.. But then those flight ppl.. Air Canada - without asking much put me on the next available flight possible. And then i reached Ottawa at 7:15 or so in the evening local time.. So it was a good journey.. Not much problems anywhere.

Now I am already in Office, and given a doc to read and finish it off so that i can have some more for 2morrow.. Huh!!!!!

I am off-loaded now !!!

2005-08-18T16:55:00.000+05:30

I am happy that my major assgined task is over.. And i m enjoying my sort of lax days.. Wow what a relief.. i did spend a night at office.. but was delighted when all the effort spent came out well.. Already lots of shopping is over.. still have something left and i know it will remain till the end. Next is going to be house cleaning and packing.. And ironing clothes.. This will eat my hell lot of time too.. and then lots of things to note down.. But at least i have now time to spend time for myself.. otherwise, it would be very difficult to do packing and things like that..
I am still waiting for my visa and passport to come.. and then i will be in another country in another continent and its going to be definately another world too..

Again a movie in this busy schedule!!

2005-08-12T22:43:00.000+05:30

Time is just running out of hands.. Some things are going so slow and some very very fast.. Today filed for my visa, hopefully i will be able to travel next weekend.. and work at office is getting more pressurised with the target date approaching very fast.. Just wish i could finish up things in time and wash off my hands ...
In this busy schedule i thought better to take some time off, and enjoy another movie "DUS" . It wasn't after very long but still after a good time.. it was enjoyable and not just as bore.. lots of gun shots and what else..

Holiday Working Started Too - Buhuhu!!!!! :-(

2005-08-06T12:29:00.000+05:30

Its bad that i have started working on the weekends too.. not very fond of working off-office hours.. But have to meet some target till next week Friday, hope that I finish off my work by this week only. Next weekend is a 3day vacation, coz of Independence day coming on Monday..
Well i finished my book Dan Brown Angels and Demons, and have started "five point someone" by Chetan Baghat.. I had heard a lot abt the book..Lets see whats inside..

Working Late again

2005-08-05T01:14:00.000+05:30

Its sad to say, but i started working late again.. Again some important dates to be met and important target to achieve. Well i enjoy working late sometimes, but when it becomes kind of compelling and mandatory, its difficult to survive the pressure. But I know, i cannot leave the work.. Well during those late hours, my dinner as usual has been reduced to a Sandwitch and some juice.. hope i m not putting on much weight ;-)

Hobbies are back :-)

2005-08-03T14:10:00.000+05:30

Am back with my novels and with my other hobbies like sketching. At least I am starting doing it. Bought some good books from Shopper's Stop on Saturday and already finished novel by Sydney Sheldon and already went half through Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Dan Brown has made my interests come alive for reading, which i have forgotten already. Good and Nice activity.
Then got some sketch books, so that i can start my sketching again and keep myself busy with something other than TV and other un-useful things. Inspired myself to study ahead and prepare for management entrance. But not sure, how steady and how determined i will be in long run..
But yes, good things is happening to me and i m happy abt it..

Time Runs So fast

2005-08-03T12:20:00.000+05:30

Just yesterday I realised that its already August, and i haven't blogged anything. So strange.. If i look back.. its difficult to make out what i was busy with, if at all i was busy. No more new movies, except for few on TV. Not much of chatting on yahoo.. Yes done a bit of shopping and cleaning on weekends.. and the weekdays has passed by like air.. with no exciting movement. Well anyway July is gone..
And in the new month, August, i am happy to say, found contacts of 2 more school friends, Gunjan Sharma and R. Lavanya.. I am so amazed, what more is in store for me this year.. So many friends and within so small time. "Good keep up the spirit." - I always say myself..

Its Movie time...

2005-07-11T22:24:00.000+05:30

Watched a good movie yesterday - PARINEETA which i like very much. A good romantic moview from the good old days. Just after getting out of the cinema hall, my sister asked me to see it again.. It is a good movie indeed.
I am very much happy today, coz i have my dream fulfilled today.. I have cut my hair short, shoulder length, steps... hope it suits me.. i liked it.. and hope ppl who see me with plaits will like it too... just wish no scoldings from anyone...

Sarkar - a good movie of its time

2005-07-09T10:03:00.000+05:30

Sneaked out some time after office on Wednesday and went to watch the movie "SARKAR" by big B and his son. A good movie potraying todays world and ppl.. Shan't say much about the movie.. but its sometimes, too voilent and at times, good jokes included. All over the movie was good and catching. Well !! Well !!! Will not prefer to watch it again for the voilence in the movie..

My Holidays are Over

2005-07-06T16:52:00.000+05:30

My vacation was over on 2nd.. Quite a long leave from office, but very short for all the places and the people i visited. I was very very happy to meet all those ppl from my childhood again after a long gap of about 8yrs. All are the same, with the exception of me who has put on lots of weight.
Met Shiva after long time who was a little late after arrival of my train at New Delhi Railway Station. We went to Pilani. Stayed overnight and then started for Jaipur for Jyoti's marriage early morning. Jyoti's marriage went on great.. Attended for the first time a marriage from START to END except "vidayi". So many rituals and functions which are enjoying albeit a lot exhausting .. Stayed in Jaipur more time then have scheduled. Did some shopping for Bandhani Saree and salwar and a few amazing combination of different colours of bangles. Really those shopkeeper match any kind of dress with surprising and good combination of bangles.For a decent look different pair, for a party look different pair!!! Great people. People of Jaipur wear such bright dresses, i was wondering how it would look if even half those dresses, public start wearing in Bangalore :-)))))
Met Shiva's parents and brother. All such nice people. They really must have a heart of gold which is very difficult to find nowadays. Gave a visit to our dear Hindi teacher Dube m'a'm. I was happy that m'a'm recognised me and Shiva. She was very happy to find us there. And also to Chemistry sir, to whom i was going for tution.My stay was Pilani was very short and only 2 night time. One half day i got.. i wasted for sleep, but sleep too was really necessary for that time and situation. Still managed to at least go for a round on 2-wheeler around in BBVP, BITS, CEERI. Went to Sarswati temple, but sorry no pics, since started late in the evening and didn't get good photos.
Then a visit to Delhi, a short for such a large city - just half a day and 1 night. But nothing else can be done.. my holidays was restrictive and i couldn't get any extension. Visited Maulana Azad Medical College hostle. Good keeping. Then went to Lajpat Nagar for a bit of shopping .. Didn't get much for lesser cost. And was tired and had less time. Evening went to one of family friend's house.. Bhaiya and Bhabi and little golu to welcome me.. They were really nice and i was meeting them after about 10-12yrs. They left Pilani earlier than us.
They took me for a nice dinner in a Chinese restaurant, and then i visited India Gate on a night. It wasn't lighted the time i reached, since it was already cross 11:30. Had nice chocolate ice-cream there and enjoyed the after-dinner walk in front of India gate. The Amar Jyoti was still glowing. Its was nice.. Golu have slept by that time.
Next day caught the train back to Bangalore. And back to the daily routine of hurry, rush and tension. Back to office .... ..... ....

So soon completed Da Vince Code

2005-06-14T23:47:00.000+05:30

I wish the novel byDan Brown should contain much more volumes, its really a novel, of its own kind. After so long, i couldn't resist finishing of a novel before even reading 50pages of it. Its good novel, and reminded me very much of my visit to the Louvre meuseum, Sacré Coeur , Eiffel Tower etc. It reminded me of everything that i have seen in Paris. Hope i will find more of such kind of good novels to get me engaged in some kinda reading. I completed it in very much lesser time than i thought i will complete.

Some more friends.....

2005-06-14T23:36:00.000+05:30

Today has been a good day for me. Talked to one more friend, Arpita, after so long, and cannot believe that she hasn't changed a bit. Good that friends don't change much else, will be difficult to recognise them. Then today i had dinner at my friend's place, Leepsa, as her mother has come. Had nice "pithas" since today is a festival day for Oriya ppl, "Raja". Had a good and ample dinner. Then when i checked my mails.. got mail from a missed friend, Brahma, afterall not that difficult to find old friends.. Got contact of another school friend Pooja Dhand. Really i m liking internet more and more with each passing day.

Nice Saturday- watched Bunty & Bubly

2005-06-05T14:28:00.000+05:30

After so long, i watched another comedy movie in PVR, bangalore. It was a nice movie, although i reached half an hour late after it started and missed a lot of fun, still i liked the movie. Not that bad. Good humor and love filling life of two ppl who ran away from their home to find their own way, and get involved in theft and making others "bewakoof". Well its good to see such movies at times, when nothing else can keep you engaged.

Finished a Novel at Last !!!!!

2005-06-05T10:50:00.000+05:30

I at last was able to finish one novel. I used to read earlier, a single novel talking less than 4-8hrs. But nowadays, not even been able to start it and go with it. But finally, i finished " Prodigal Daughter" by Jeffery Archer. It was interesting and was binding till the end. It was really an interesting novel. To complete this novel itself took approx. a week for me with all the preoccupations and demand with the job. Now i m starting with "Da Vinci Code", the controversial novel by "Dan Brown" . Lets see how far can i go and how long will it take for me to finish this novel.

Heavy Traffic on 31st May 2005 in Bangalore

2005-06-01T09:45:00.000+05:30

It was another day of traffic for whole Bangalore city. Reason: Rain at approx. 5:30-6:30pm.
From Electronic city, whoever left after 6pm, they have to wait for 3hrs in the traffic. That was the highest waiting that i have experienced till now. People whose house, is just 25-30min away from Electronic city, it took 3hrs to reach home that day!!!!!!!

Driving in Bangalore

2005-05-28T11:51:00.000+05:30

People who drive in Bangalore, what an ordeal it is for them. Same for me. I am not new to driving, I have been driving two wheeler earlier also in my city, and thus, I bought my new scooty pep, thinking, it won't be difficult to drive here too. But after buying it, i have kept it like that for over a month, driving only for places very near to my house. Not even dared to take it to the main road.
At last, my fear vanished, when last Saturday, i took my sister to sit at the pillion, and drove through all those difficult lanes, and places, where i never dared to go. Now i m confident, that i can drive in bangalore too. Now friends will not make fun of me, that i m driving too slow, or i m not driving at all. Then i went to buy a helmet of my choice, looks nice.. :-) Great!!!!!!!!!
Will put up my photo driving on my scooty pep with my helmet, sometime later....

Waiting for the day of re-union

2005-05-27T00:09:00.000+05:30

I do not know, how many people have experienced re-union with old friends, the childhood friends, and ya, the true friends. I have planned a week for such a good cause, to meet my school friends after about 8years. I cannot wait any longer for that day to come. Friends have grown up so much, I cannot imagine one of them is getting married. The plan also includes attending her marriage, spending some time in the pink city of India, Jaipur, Rajasthan, which is another reason to celebrate. I will be back in same place, where i spent my childhood, all those, roads and those places, where i used to go, i have plans to go this time too. And no chances to take, surely will collect all my memories back and store in my camera. Yes, sure, those days will never come back, but yet, to feel that air, itself means too much.
I will visit my previous school, that eating place in BITS, etc. Just wish, i will get an entry in the school. I have so much to talk about, and so many people to talk to. God when is that day going to come. And after its come, i want that one week to stay till eternity, coz then everything will move on so fast, wont get a bit time for anything. I am looking forward for that day.. God, I pray you to make all the days before that go by very fast.........

Hails in Bangalore

2005-05-26T23:51:00.000+05:30

Nowadays, Bangalore has become so hot, that it started raining with hailstones here. Each evening since 4-5days its very windy and stormy, it do not give a hint that one is in Bangalore. Very unlikely of Bangalore.
Anyway on an evening of the first day when it started, i.e. Saturday, me and my sister, were travelling by bus. We were just abt a Km from home that rain started. And the bus has to stop about 25-30steps from home. When we got down from the bus, it was so rainy that to go to the nearby shed.. almost 5steps, itself has soaked both of us. So we decided that since we already are wet, we will move on, hardly have crossed a few steps, we couldnt move ahead, for the fear of hail stones coming down. Not very big, but at least 1/2 a inch size. Thus was forced to take shelter in the nearby house. And when the hail finally stopped, (but rain didn't ) we continued our way to home. And then another problemo, power cut.. and for 3 continous days, there was no power during evenings.. I had a nice time, since i need not cook those days, happy days..

What is important !!!!

2005-05-19T22:43:00.000+05:30

I sometimes wonder, what has gone wrong with today's working population in IT industry. Why so many shift of companies in their profile and whats more important for them - money or job satisfaction.
Yes, i won't deny that i am among one of them,fighting to get more perks. For me, i think the job satisfaction and the kind of work comes first and then goes the money factor. I find so many people, trying to change their company within a year of their joining or just after a year is over. And this scenario is there not only for a single company, but at present all the companies in this field.
Mostly MNCs plays a major role, and all other IT companies who know how to attract new candidates, but knows very less of how to retrain them. And thus, everyone is running after money, even though they may have to work for long hours through the night, making their personal life coming to end. Such people have instances of getting married more than once, and also cannot take the pressure for long.
Why is this happening. Is it good or bad. I do not know, nor do I have any answer for that. But I agree I am among one of the competitor searching in the IT industry and striving to get better in terms of everything.

I went google for last two days

2005-05-12T17:33:00.000+05:30

Last two days i spent browsing through so many webpages, all were really informative. All for the cause of making my blog look good and enhancing its features. But really still confused and require lots of more reading on how to change my page and how does this blog template takes it data from..
Ready Get Set GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visited Chennai after about an Year

2005-05-12T17:22:00.000+05:30

I visited Chennai April end, and to my surprise, was amazed to see rain there. It was rainy, but still it was so sultry. Sweating as always, a little change in weather but no affect on the humidity.
Overall the trip was ok, except for a bad news. Bhaskar's father, who used to live near my appartment in Kodambakkam, has passed away, suddenly of the heart-attack. He was so lively and jolly and mixes up with everyone, that its hard to digest that he is not anymore around. He was survived by his wife and his only son.
Stayed in Thiruvanmyur area, went to see the beach, bought some novels and had lots of mangoes. While returning by train, it was raining at least half way to bangalore.

Attended as the interview panelist

2005-04-27T21:49:00.000+05:30

I am a bit excited today, when i was sitting among the interview panelist for the candidate selection. This is a new start in my career, and i wish that i will also make a good entry in this field too. Not so easy to decide on the questions to be asked, to decide his confidence and bla, bla, bla.....
Tomorrow, will be interviewing more freshers, and a lots experience, a whole day event to tire off.

Found few more friends

2005-04-25T23:03:00.000+05:30

Today found one more school friend, Meera Sood, after 7years. She replied to my mail. What next, looking forward to hear more. And found contact with another senior from our Engg College. Now I really want to beleive and thanks internet and google and all those sites that help old friends get in touch.

2005-04-23T03:29:00.000+05:30

Myself during my brussels trip.

I entered into the exciting world

2005-04-23T02:26:00.000+05:30

It was really amazing to find a friend, Tulika Agrawal, on net, after a long long gap of several years. And thru her, i have now entered into another world where i can keep my friends updated of everything what i want to convey. I heartly want to thank God, and this internet world that made this happen possible.