A part of the world..yet a world apart !

Having lived in this part of the world for a few years now I' have a lots of thoughts to share. It takes a lot of time to really understand people, culture and appreciate it but it takes a very few seconds to form the first impression. So let's start with first impressions - this is a place with freedom in the true sense. I started as a student so it's fair to say you're free to choose what you study and how you do it. There is so much structural flexibility which is quite evident if I tell you that they have take-home exams and even open book exams :)

The part I've enjoyed most is the freedom to study wherever and whenever you like ! I've studied at every hour of the day and at every possible place in the campus - be it the bench in the park, the building stairs, the couch at starbucks or on top of the wall outside the lab. All you need is a laptop(if you're a fellow computer science geek) and a good wi-fi connection which existed every possible place on campus. It's not just the liberty that comes with amenities, there's no social pressure...no one judges you or at least does not bother you with their opinion unless asked for.

Too much freedom can hurt you sometimes but I'll not walk that tangent; lets focus on the brighter side for now. This reminds me of another great quality people around here have and that is the wonderful habit to always greet with a bright smile and exchange pleasantries. It's true that most of it is superficial but you know sometimes a "Hi ! Have a nice day :)" from a stranger can make your day ! They know how to talk - they really do. It's no surprise how they make the best sales and marketing people in the world.

And yes they have an amazing sense of humour.You'll be glad to know I've recently figured out what makes them so funny - they make fun of themselves and once they have won over the audience they crack a few on the listeners as well. For example: I was at an event recently where the speaker was talking about his career and these were his exact words "I change my team every 2 years before people know what a fraud I am !". Even politicians in this country make jokes on themselves...infact they have an official dinner every year where they invite a famous witty guy to make fun of everyone including the President who sits there and laughs along.

Lastly, unlike our perception they also care and spend time with their families. They might not know every distant relative but there is a close bond that exists within their immediate family. The ideologies and customs are sure different but that's a part of the culture. At the end of the day it is yet another way of life !

Count your blessings name them one by one :)

Life is like a sine wave with lots of ups and downs. There are times in life when you are on top of the curve and do not realize what you've got. You're happy with tons of achievements and success becomes the new normal. It is when you are on the lower end of the curve that you understand the value of the happier times.

I believe it is the balance of nature to bring you to the lows so that you can appreciate your accomplishments. Just envision yourself sitting at the bottom of a hill mesmerized with the beauty there must be at the peak. The thought of the breathtaking views at the summit can be almost dreamy and inspiration enough to keep going.

I can proudly say that I have been through a few periods of 2 pi of these curves (geeks can chuckle :P). My experience says that to make the best of the time when you are moving along the negative Y-axis is to look back and enjoy what you missed when you were busy winning the game of life. It is very important for you to savour the blessed days and stay motivated to go uphill again. Take this opportunity to thank those who have been by your side all along.

Back in school we used to sing a hymn in the morning prayers which now makes so much more sense.
"Count your blessings name them one by one....and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done"

When mother nature gets furious !

Last week has been quite eventful and silent at the same time. There were predictions about an enormous hurricane hitting the east coast of the country. News channels and authorities were beginning to send out cautionary messages and the word of the town was Sandy now. Sandy is what the hurricane was named this time - again a feminine one...don't we have women out there in weather stations to prevent such nomenclature ? Anyway, preparations were catching pace by saturday evening. Grocery stores soon had people lining up to stock food and water in case things do get bad.

Loud wind gusts striking against my room windows woke me up around dawn on Sunday morning. It sounded like those ghostly winds typical of horror movies. I somehow managed to shield myself with layers of blanket and pillows and went back to sleep unaware that this would be the sound I would've to sleep to for the next couple of days. Wind speeds only got worse by the end of the day and stories of what to expect were all over the place. Evacuations had begun on lower grounds and 'do not come to work' emails were floating around. Mayor, Governor and even the President addressed the public urging them to follow instructions and take it seriously. It was expected to be the most devastating storm of the century.

Monday morning was full of anxiety and excitement for the worst was yet to come. My eyes were glued to the rising water level in the river that runs by my apartment building. Weather channels were giving minute by minute update of the location and intensity of Sandy as it made its way towards us. The sky was dark and the rain and waters looked angry. Power outage and communication loss were being anticipated and feared.

The day was passing by real slow until we approached the dreaded hour. Winds were going insane and rain water swept along. Soon, the news flashed that Sandy had made landfall and whoosh cable and internet went off. I stood by the window and saw water gushing up from the river. Within the next few minutes it was atleast a foot above the ground. It was also a full moon night so soon the high tide came in as well. Water rose a few more feet and then I saw something I had thought only happens in movies. A rescue boat appeared from somewhere and suddenly it felt like Venice where it is common to see boats instead of cars on the road. The only difference was it was just not a normal sight. The increasing flooding sent shivers down my spine - lots of thoughts crossed my brain. Although I was way above the ground but humans have a strange thought process. The only bright side was that all of this lasted only a short while. The waters receded soon and the gusts eventually slowed down. Life came to a standstill and darkness spread all around. It felt calm after a day of too much action and apprehension.

Next morning brought in newer challenges - no power and no connectivity days were ahead of us. Almost a week has gone by and there are still people who are living in the dark and those who have suffered property losses. A few unfortunate have even lost their loved ones. Millions of lives get affected by nature's single act of fury. I'm not sure if it is just how the universe works but this experience would not be forgotten in this lifetime. 

Words of wisdom :)

Here are a few quotes I wrote in the last couple of years:

• "You realize how wrong you were about life only when you start living your dreams" - GV (06/12/2010)

• "There's never an ideal or right way of living life. It all lies in your definition of happiness" - GV (06/13/2010)

• "The only thing predictable about life is that it's unpredictable" - GV (01/21/2012)

• "It is not lack of interesting things which makes life boring, it is the lack of passion" - GV (04/01/2012)

• "Wisdom does not come with age - it's learnt through our own foolish acts. The irony is that we act as fools more often as we grow old" - GV (07/08/2012)

And here are some that have inspired me through the years:

• "It is better to prepare and prevent rather than repair and repent" - Ezra Taft Benson

• "Do as well as you can do today and perhaps tomorrow you may be able to do better" - Anonymous

• “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein

• "Flattery is like Eau de Cologne - to be smelt but not swallowed" -  Josh Billings

• "Work, work, work till the brain begins to swim, Work, work, work till the eyes are heavy and dim" - Thomas Hood

And I'm back....after a long hiatus

Numerous thoughts and unlimited themes come to my mind. I could start writing and not stop for hours or even days together. It is one of those times when my brain just wants to pour itself out. The tougher part is where do I begin. School has long been over and I have moved to a different phase of life - the one which I dreamed of as a kid. That very idea of getting up in the morning, dressing into some formal attire and walking into a workplace has always fascinated me. Though the truth is that having done that for almost a year now I feel how people manage to do it over and over again for decades - it is tough to sustain in the monotony of life.

It's been rightly said - "Grass is always greener on the other side". You always want to have what you don't and do things ahead of time. There was a time when coding was my passion. I enjoyed doing it more than any of my peers. When everybody around me was busy studying Physics, Chemistry and Math - I was occupied in designing my own world of websites and softwares. Now that I get to do that each day I'm back to looking for something more exciting. That something which wouldn't let me sleep. Somewhere deep down I feel I know what it is but I ask myself how long will this last ?

When I was in high school my mother attempted to get me interested in the more girly task of cooking but I was a complete rebel. It felt as if she wanted me to do something I am not born to do. And now the joy that I derive after coming out of the kitchen with a plate full of a spicy appetizer or a sweet delicious dessert  is probably inexplicable. I surprise myself with this new found love for cooking and I'm sure my long wish list of things I want to learn and excel at will keep me amazed.

On that note I should make my way to the kitchen where lots of ingredients await to be baked into a delightful chocolate cake :)

They say....But...I don't !!!

Well here comes an off-hand piece of writing....Just began typing and this is what I ended up with !

They say I'm a geek..
But haven't they ever seen me dancing ?

They say I'm modest..
But doesn't that just suit me well ?

They say I'm secretive..
But how would they know if that's a secret ?

They say I'm diplomatic..
But doesn't that save them from my brutal words ?

They say I'm good to all..
But would they even know me if I was not so ?

They say I don't speak..
But doesn't that give them more space to talk ?

They say I'm a good listener..
Now that's what lets them say so much :D

The Magic of “Tere Bin”

For all the Hindi music lovers out there, I have something for you to ponder upon and some tracks to add-on to your playlists.

Surprisingly, for ages the phrase ‘Tere Bin’ has been an integral part of most of the melodious and hit songs. Let me take you back to the late 70s when the “Tere bina jiya jaaye na….. ” from the movie Ghar made the buzz.For those who can’t recollect, just read through the lines below :

“Tere bina jiya jaaye na….Tere bina jiya jaaye na
Bin tere tere bin saajana… Saans mein saans aaye na…”

Well, that is just an example, there have been many ‘Tere Bin’ numbers that followed. In the recent times, it has caught ground and take my word if you tune on the radio for a couple of hours you are sure to be humming along one of the many ‘Tere Bin’ songs. I’d list down some recent ones that have apparently made me realize the repetitive phrasal occurrence.

Starting from the mesmerizing “Tere Bina tere bina lagta nahi mera jiya….from Kal Kissne Dekha” to the good old Atif Aslam’s “Tere Bin main yoon kaise jiya, kaise jiya tere bin……..from Bas Ek Pal”, all have definitely topped the chartbusters. I guess the following listing would surely remind you about one of your all-time-favorites :

--> Tere bina beswadi beswadi ratiiyaa O sajnaaa….from Guru

-->Tere Bin Sanu Soneya, Koi Hor Naiyo Labna….by Rabbi Shergill

-->Tere bin nahi lagta dil mera dholna….by the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

For the Himesh Reshammiya fans :

-->Tere bin tere bin dil naiyo lagda……from Aap ka suroor

-->Tere bin chaen na aave……………from Karzzz

Also, if I take a few variants, the list could include :

--> Bin tere kya hai jeena……from Who Lamhe

--> Ke Bin tere jeena nahi, haan bin tere jeena nahi……from Aggar

…….n many more…..

Let the Magic of “Tere Bin” prevail !!!!!!