Life's Aims?

Just last week, after a lot of time, I found another comment on one of the posts here. Princess was back and here to stay, I hope! Anyway, it made me realise that I had not posted here for a really long time. Well, not much has happened since then, anyway. My first year has ended and I am currently sitting in a sterile air-conditioned environment in a top IT firm in Pune, doing my summer internship. Out here, the work isn't very hectic – at least, not right now. That leaves me with a lot of time to think aimlessly.

Well, today, I was doing just that when I suddenly asked myself if I really wanted to do this. This being working as a consultant in an IT company, earning what would hopefully be big bucks. The self-posed question intrigued me and I tried to delve deeper to find an answer. I decided that I liked working with technology and trying to make it fit the needs of a business. I liked juggling different things at a time and finding the optimal mix of time and effort to perform all tasks. My job is giving me all these things. Then, why did I ask myself this question in the first place?

More introspection resulted. What did I always want to do, LOVE to do? The answer was instantaneous – drive. I am always eager to drive, whatever the situation, however tired I may be. I am always able to drive at full alertness. Yeah, it is wholly probable that I may slump at the wheel the moment I reach my destination…but then, that's a story for another day. Unfortunately, they don't have job which lets me drive for pleasure – well, not one that I am aware of, anyway!

I also love to write. Put my thoughts down, so to speak. There is something about being able to read about what I was thinking a couple of years ago, as this blog now allows me to do. It just helps me understand myself better. Too bad the bug bites me only once in a while!

I love to take pictures. Pictures of nature at its pristine best, pictures of people doing weird things, the more spontaneous the better. Pictures that will make people shake their fists at me, yet grudgingly admit that this man can click! Unfortunately, I am too lazy to get down and dirty, as the professionals like to put it!

I love to be in Bombay. I know my opinion is biased, but as far as I am concerned, there is no better city anywhere else. I love the anonymity it provides me with, the ability to go places without being recognised. I love the fast pace at which it moves, yet it gives me the ability to just stand at Marine Drive, or sit on the wall at Bandra fort and simply stare at the sea. Unfortunately, my chosen line of work allows for a very slim chance to be in Bombay for the near future!

I love all these things. I hope I will continue to do so. But, what I love the most is being able to go back. Go back where there is someone waiting for you. Now, it's my parents, tomorrow it may be someone else. At the end of the day, I just love to go back…home!!!

I understand...

There are many things that I can't be told, as I am too 'young'.

I don't like it, but I understand.

I need to drive with a running commentary run by my 'well-wishers' in the back seat.

I don't like it, but I understand.

I need to study 'hard' for results.

I don't like it, but I understand.

'She' is happy with someone else.

I don't like it, but I understand.

People fail to see beyond the 'loud' me.

I don't like it, but I understand.

All my 'friends' are slowly moving away.

I don't like it, but I understand.

My best mate is hardly available when I need him the most.

I hate that I understand it, but I understand.

Treasures

Well, the hellish week of lectures has ended and I am temporarily back home. As I lounged about in my favourite chair, reading fanfiction in front of my beloved old Presario while Mum fretted about the packing arrangements, I began to wonder what would I like to take with me on the trip. That led to a whole new chain of thoughts, which finally led me to ask myself, "What are my most prized possessions?"

The very first one that comes to mind is a life size car that my grandfather gifted me when I was two. When I say life size, I mean life size for a two-year old! I used to sit in it and drive it around the house for ages, generally driving the people around me stir crazy! I still have it at home, although it is now used for stacking a lot of junk stuff on it, so that it can be moved around easily (the advantage of the wheel and all, you know!).

The next one came quite a few years later when I passed my Std. X exams. This time my grandfather gave me a Titan watch that I had been mooning over for months. I still wear that watch everyday. Then came the very tool that I am using to write this - my Presario. This was during Std. XI or XII (I can't remember which), when my grandfather asked me what I would like to have for my birthday. I jocularly mentioned a computer and lo behold! He gave me a cheque of the appropriate amount and asked me to go get one for myself! There have been precious few times when I have been completely flabbergasted, both mentally and verbally. This was one of those times. Now, I know most people will be seeing a pattern here, what with my grandfather being the well, "gifter", for lack of a better word. Well, up until this point, it was like he was my very own Santa Claus, and I loved him for it! I know it sounds really materialistic on my part, buy hey...I was a teenage kid, cut me some slack! Well, back to the topic on hand, the Presario was the last of my treasured gifts from him, simply because of his unfortunate death when I was in FE.

My next prized possession came when I (in combination with a couple of friends) threw a party for our birthdays, which happened to be pretty close to each other. All the three of us were recipients of gifts. I happened to receive a porcelain mug with 'Happy Birthday' written on the side. It is ironic that I had told Mum that I needed a mug just a few days before this. I still drink tea/coffee ONLY from that mug whenever I am at home. In fact, my Mum is the only one who is allowed to touch it apart from me!

Speaking about Mum, brings me to my next possession. On successful completion of my engineering, she gifted me a Parker Vector. Pretty simple and straightforward gift, really. But, I really don't know why I still treat that pen with fondness. Signatures are the only thing I allow myself to scrawl with that pen.

Finally, we come to my last treasured possession so far - my baby...well, my bike for the uninitiated. She is special to me simply because she is well and truly mine. I have earned every penny spent on her purchase and to this day, I zealously maintain her in good tune. Hopefully, we will have many more rides into the sunset together!

So, what do you own that you treasure the most?

The XIMB Chronicles - V

Long time! The second term has ended since. I have been home and wolfed down hapless crustaceans from the Arabian, and added to the pollution in the atmosphere via Scarlette and the good ol' Maharaja! I have caught a 'flu bug, celebrated the New Year high on paracetamol and anti-histamine and spent the first 4 days of the New Year languishing in bed.

Today, after a long time, I find myself feeling somewhat normal (well, as normal as I can be!). And I am already sick of the subjects in this term! Currently I am sitting for a lecture of Business Law, which is one of the 'icky' subjects I was talking about. Never did I think that actually studying law would be a 1000 times worse then listening to my mother go on about the subject endlessly! 

On a different note, eating 5 pieces of Mango Barfi a la Chitale in one go IS NOT beneficial to the colon!

The XIMB Chronicles - IV

It's been a week since my midterms ended and never have I had such an exhausting week so far. No no, physically, it was all fine. But, mentally, it was certainly another story altogether! And to top it all, the end seems nowhere in sight! Things were made even worse by the insane attack on Bombay in my own backyard!!! Maybe I will write more about that when I have calmed down enough to put down more than a few words before I start spewing out expletives worse than a sailor! 

Anyway, we decided to eat out for the weekend to dissolve our sorrows in yummy molten mozzarella cheese and well ground spicy bhaji. Err...for those who have not yet heard me go off on a tangent about food, I was talking about Pizza and Pav Bhaji, the former of which happens to be the favourite dish of my Economics professor, who can't stop explaining India's GDP in terms of pizzas sold! But enough about that! So, after running up a bill of a whopping Rs. 390 per head at Pizza Hut yesterday (yes, when you are a student, anything greater than Rs. 150 is 'whopping'!), we decided to spare our pockets and minds the heartache and go in for some cheap Pav Bhaji. Now, a plate of Pav Bhaji is a wonderful way of sharing gossip about your batchmates and also to catch up with each other's lives outside of campus. One such similar discussion was going on, when someone recommended that I watch a movie 'A Walk to Remember'. I have not mentioned the name of this someone coz I am not really sure if he/she would want to be named here.

Anyway, back to story! So deep was my frustration with academics that I conveniently forgot that tomorrow was a working day and sat down to watch the movie. Now, some 110 minutes later, as I am writing this, I am so happy that the someone had the bright idea of recommending the movie to me! What a brilliant movie! I suppose a person like say SSV (male/female) or S may be able to tell what my exact reaction was! But, it is still worth watching and "someone" has my deepest gratitude for recommending it to me.

Tag 20???

Looks like the tagging season has come round again. This time, it's a list of 20 questions. Well, here goes!!! 

1. If your lover betrayed you, what would your reaction be?

Well, I have not had a lover yet, so it's difficult to say. However, I like to believe that I wouldn't be pretty chuffed about it!!! ;-)

2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?

Well, I am hopefully on my way to achieving my boring, run-of-the-mill dreams. But, the one I would REALLY love to fulfil immediately is that of driving a BEST double-decker!

3. Whose butt would you like to kick?

Hmm...I guess all those people who had the temerity to question my actions without attempting to find out the rationale behind them.

4. What would you like to do with a billion dollars?

Set up a permanent holiday home in the Andamans and the Swiss Alps.

5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?

Can't say that I have been in this position before, but I guess I am not opposed to the idea.

6. Which is more blessed: loving someone, or being loved by someone?

I must say it's the latter because it makes ME feel special.

7. How long would you wait for someone you loved?

I guess a pretty long time, but it wouldn't be endless! 

8. If the person you secretly like is attached, what would you do?

Well, considering that I currently find myself in this situation, I would do what I am doing now. Be happy because she is happy, and HATE the ruddy plonker's guts!!! :-D

9. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?

Well, I have to say it's imparting education about road safety. I have witnessed far too many accidents on the road just because someone wasn't paying attention, or someone was in too much of a hurry.

10. What takes you down the fastest?

Self-doubt.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

This is a standard question in interviews and I despise it! Well, I am not exactly clairvoyant so I cannot predict something 10 years down the line, but yeah, I would like to be in a position where I can feel free to say 'no'!

12. What is your fear?

I would have to say my biggest fear is being left all alone.

13. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?

Hmm...smart, role-model, sarcastic, good conversationalist.

14. Would you rather be single and rich, or married and poor?

I haven't experienced the latter so I will root for that, as of now.

15. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Try to tell myself that it won't be long before I get to sleep again!

16. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, who would you pick?

Well, I generally find it difficult to fall in love with one person, let alone two! So, given this unlikely situation, I will go for the one who reciprocates my feelings.

17. Would you give all in a relationship?

Generally, it takes me a rather long time to completely trust anyone. So, it would take ages but yeah, I would give all eventually.

18. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing that person has done?

No, I don't think so. I may eventually forgive the person, but I don't think I can ever forget.

19. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?

Well, I am already single so I suppose it's time to see how green the grass is on the other side.

20. List of  people to tag.

Normally tagging has not worked for me before, so I doubt it will this time round. Still, it's always worth a try. So, I nominate Riaan, Uday, Richa, Gaurav and keep two slots open!!! :-D

A to-do list?

Just recently, I saw the movie Dasvidaniya and I was really moved by it. A very simple concept of a cancer-afflicted person is portrayed brilliantly by Vinay Pathak. You actually feel like laughing or crying with him. Rajat Kapoor also does an excellent job.

Immediately after watching this one, I had to leave for IIM Calcutta, for participation in BT Acumen. We didn't manage to qualify for the final quizzing round, but I certainly managed to get in another good movie - If Only. As luck would have it, this one too was about death and how one should live life fully.

All this got me thinking - what would I like to do if I was told that I had a very short time left before I copped it? I know SB must be smirking at me from the US - after all, he is the one who takes pleasure in reminding me that I would most likely die much before anyone else in our friend circle! Anyway, getting back to the point - my wish list?

• Well, when I actually bite the dust, I would want to be remembered by the people I love with a smile on their faces, not a frown.
• I would like to experience love. I think the ending of the previous post would be a good start.
• As I have mentioned on this blog before, I would love to drive a BEST double-decker.
• I would like to reach a level where I never have to say 'no' to any legitimate need of the ones dependent on me.
• I would love to hold a little tyke who would stare back at me with the same green eyes with hazel flecks.
• Finally, I would love to have a day's warning so that I could really live it up kingsize!!!

The story of a smile

She has a ready smile for everyone. When she smiles, it's like bright sunshine, like the sun glistening off the top of the waves in the deep blue sea off Havelock. She loves to play with her hair. She has gorgeous shiny black hair that looks so lustrous that it makes me want to run my hand through those lovely tresses. She has a lovely voice that sounds so feminine and sweet. I could listen to it for hours...well, maybe not hours, but let's just say a long time!

But then, her smile becomes special when 'he' is around. It simply lights up her face as if she couldn't be happier. I sigh...at least I get to see her joy. Maybe someday, someone will smile like that for me, just...for me.

J K Rowling's Commencement Address at the 2008 Harvard Alumni Meet

A very nice speech...chk it out!!!

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

What is it about home?

• What is it about home, that I always miss it whenever I am away?
• What is it about home, that I cannot imagine life without it?
• What is it about home, that can make a simple dish taste like a gourmet one?
• What is it about home, that a mere thought about it can bring about a smile upon my face in the worst of circumstances?
• What is it about home, that I can never take a dispassionate decision about it?
• What is it about home, that makes me want to come back the day after getting back to campus?
• What is it about home, that makes me remember that I have a life outside of campus?

• What is it about home, that makes it...'home'?