In the bud

Day 1: August 23rd, 08

Finally, I reached Illinois safe, sound and in one piece (though I broke wheels and zippers of my suitcases, yeah 4 of them blah!). Don’t even ask me about packing. I had to pack my entire house in three freaking suitcases and that took me like... forever! Couldn’t even sleep Friday night for the same reason. I had to donate half of the stuff, half of the rest was trashed, and half of the left was distributed or just left in the house. So technically I have only quarter of what I owned. I don’t mind getting rid of clutter, but what sucked was to throw away some of my precious (had memories attached or were gifted, that is) possessions. Poor me!! But somehow, I managed to leave for the airport with my puffy sleep deprived eyes, wet hair and super stuffed suitcases. To my surprise, guess whom I met at the airport? Dang! That’s Dr. Verma and his wife. I love them. I got so excited, though it didn’t show in my behavior cz I was having a hard time keeping myself together. But it was a great start. What better can you ask for than good wishes right before a new start (especially when you know no one in the new place)?

So I paid a good amount of money to get all three bags checked in, and finally boarded the plane. It was the first time I was flying with Northwest. Don’t ask me if it was good or bad, somehow I find all the major players same, more or less. But yes, I reached Illinois and checked in to the hotel. Luckily, I met another intern at the airport. After loading our luggage in our respective rooms, we decided to go out and look for a place to eat at. I was literally starving! I wanted foooooooooood. I controlled my mood swing and tried to put up a smile and we both exited the hotel. And dang!! Right outside is the mall. Haha! So you cross the road and there is the mall. We headed straight to the mall, and got a big box of Chinese food packed (so that it lasts for two meals). My company was nice. I like her name, Marquita! Reminds me of margarita… finally I was hanging out with a girl.

Day 2: August 24th, 08

Felt like I had a jetlag!! Yeah moving from Oklahoma to Illinois, same time zone! It actually was just a messed up sleeping schedule. I was very excited, and was looking forward to the first day of work. Took a long shower, made sure I looked fresh and ready for the orientation day at work. And yes, I did.

Day 3: August 25th, 08

OMG! I was actually at Caterpillar Inc. All dressed up in formal attire. A day long orientation about n number of topics; ranging from safety, company policy, expectations, to sexual harassment. I liked the last topic the most for the reason that the orator was amazing. Honestly, they didn’t have to spend an hour and a half for that subject. But I loved the way the presenter spoke. He had that spark, that energy in his voice and expressions. I would love to be able to talk like him.

All in all it was fun. I loved the day and came home satisfied and liking my organization.

Day 4: August 26th, 08

Wow! It’s surprising how god knows exactly what I don’t like, and put me in the same situation again and again. Yeah right! I got my job description. And guess what!!! I will be working with CAT-Electronics, R&D Tech Center and I am supposed to develop a code for a dozer. It might be a dream job for any electrical engineer. And yes it does sound very impressive and interesting. Interesting, yes it is. But you know what, I don’t enjoy software (at least that’s a very polite way of saying it). And surprisingly, I always end up in a software development team. Phew! The memories of struggling with my research project are very fresh in my mind. Yes, they still haunt me. But of course not any longer. Cz I got one more nightmare to live. Boohoo!!

So of course, I will give it yet another shot. Hope I start disliking it a little less. My team is nice, and they are willing to help all the time. I would hate to disappoint them. so let’s see how far I go with this.

And the story begins…

New York, New York!

New York City is one of the most mesmeric cities in the world. Every metro bred’s dream city, New York, is a blend of the most contemporary and the historic. This deadly combination adds charm to the already-so-charming city. While walking through the crowded streets here, you will witness the most modern form of architecture and living. Roads are occupied by swamps of people rushing to their destinations, bright yellow cabs and they are surrounded by tall sky scrapers representing the new age. Be it the ride in the open bus; travel in a subway, view from atop the empire state, eating in an ethnic restaurant, shopping in a fashion store, morning by the statue of liberty or evening at time square… everything about this city is enticing.

The diversity that it has to offer to visitors is just wonderful. I mentioned the old-new contrast of the city, but didn’t put light on various other aspects. It happens to be the economic capital of the United States of America. For people like me, who love money in various forms, get a high by merely strolling at the Wall Street. Viewing the National Stock Exchange was like a shot of vodka for me :P The ground zero, was another cite that touched my heart. No one can feel the real intensity of the 9/11 event until they visit this. The ground is still being cleared. It’s like a hollow in a prospering, vertically growing borough.

Talking about New York City, and not talking about food? Unfair!! The city houses thousands of restaurants. I heard from someone that if you stay in NYC and eat at a different restaurant each day, it will take you 37 years to try all of them out. It has eating places ranging from a road side vendor to 7 stars. Millions of options, thousands of places, hundreds of cuisines… Some places are frequently visited by celebrities. NYC is also an artist’s paradise. It has numerous art galleries, museums, and theaters. If you are a fashion fanatic, you need to come to NYC several times in your life. This city has an unmatchable style statement in every facet. Truly, even the night life livers and the party animals would love it too. There is no single minute when this place goes dead. It has something for everyone.

My trip was a short trip on the 4th of July weekend. Two days are not even enough to even scratch the land. Technically I couldn’t see much of it, only visited the major attractions. But I am glad I got the chance to get on top of Empire state building to see the city, a glance. It has a romance attached to it. I am already in love with the place. It seems like it’s calling me back. I must visit again, and for a longer duration.

The more I try to describe this place, the less it seems to me. My attempt to describe it in words would be injustice to the profundity of this divine place. So my recommendation: Do go visit! Feel it! And I assure you that you won’t be disappointed.

TIP FOR TRAVELERS: Don’t step out in your sexy heels or cute flip flops, Sneakers or Tennis Shoes would be the best bet! I decided to wear my new flip flops thinking it would be comfortable. But trust me it was not a good decision, cz as a result I got a severe foot ache and back ache.

The Scooter Quiz!

Waah Suneel Babu, naya scooter? Let’s see if you can ride it the Indian way…

I came across this interesting article about traffic in India. We Indians of course know how good or bad it is. So, think you can ride a scooter like an Indian? Take this simple test and find out!

1. If you were an Indian and you drove a scooter to work, where would you park it?

(a) In the parking lot

(b) In the most inconvenient place you could find to create an impediment for pedestrians

(c) In your office


2. If you were an Indian and you bought a new scooter and your friend asked you about the size of the bike, “size” in this instance refers to?

(a) The power of the engine

(b) How many people can fit on it


3. If you were an Indian riding your scooter in peak hour, what part of the road would you most likely need to ride on?

(a) The footpath

(b) The side of the road with the oncoming traffic


4. If you were an Indian riding your scooter into the oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road and someone in a 4WD who formed part of the oncoming traffic beeped at you to get out of the way, would you?

(a) Move as quickly as possible to avoid injury or death

(b) Give them a baffled look

(c) Curse them


5. If you were an Indian riding your scooter and you encountered a red traffic light, would you?

(a) Stop and wait for it to turn green

(b) Ignore it – traffic lights disturb the ride, they are for suckers and foreigners


6. If rest of the traffic is stopping at the signal, and you have no choice but to stop, what will you do?

(a) Stop behind the last vehicle at the signal

(b) Honk at the vehicles stopped for the signal, what fools

(c) Stay calm, and implement your balancing skills to make way though the rest of the traffic and reach the front of the traffic so that you can zoom-vroom when its green


7. If you were an Indian and you had precious cargo on your scooter, like say, your entire family, helmets would be worn:

(a) Always

(b) Never, you can fit more people on the bike that way


8. If you are an Indian driving a scooter, what will you do when you see pedestrians on the road?

(a) Wait for them to cross the road

(b) Give them a stare, honk at them and keep going-after all you are the one who has THE scooter.


9. If you are an Indian, what will you do while changing lanes?

(a) Indicate and change lanes swiftly without disturbing traffic

(b) Indicate? What’s that? Just drive where ever there is empty space on the road. I am the king on the road


10. On a right or left turn, what will you do?

(a) Stop, indicate and wait for it to be cleared, and then go

(b) If you stop once, you will have to stop for an hour. Go make your own way!


Answers:

1 (b); 2 (b); 3 (a) and (b); 4 (b) and (c); 5 (b); 6 (b) or (c); 7 (b); 8 (b); 9 (b); 10 (b)

If your answers match, CONGRATULATIONS!! You are eligible to take your scooter on the road. If the answers don’t match, go ahead anyway. You can always bribe the cop. Please note, be a good citizen. If you love your family, take care of your own life!!

(Disclaimer: This is only a fun quiz! No offense to the country or the country men)

Chronicle of my lost possession

I have this habit of wanting to do stuff which is unusual for a person in my position. I am professionally an electronics and communications engineer, pursuing my master degree in telecommunications from University of Oklahoma. How does it sound? Geeky! But I have very non-geeky interests; sketching, traveling, writing, talking, public speaking, reading, dancing, exploring new places/activities, trying out new cuisines, shopping, and some more shopping. All in all I think I am a fun loving person. Not quite easily found in such a profession.

So like my many other not-so-nerdy interests, I developed another unusual one. It was to learn how to play a guitar. The urge was very strong this time. I tried looking for instructors, but by the time I made arrangements, it was time for me to leave my country. And then I landed in the US with an unfulfilled dream. But it kept poking me in the back of my head all this while.

Soon after I moved to Tulsa, I happened to meet John, a friend of my friends. And bingo! Our tastes in music matched exactly; songs, artists, lyrics etc. And to top that, he was an amazing guitarist. I appreciate talent, so was instantly impressed. I would always see him at Anand’s house, where he would either be talking about music, or playing his guitar. I enjoy live music to the core. So that used to be a great entertainment for me while having dinner. But that string strumming revoked my long hibernating wish of learning how to play guitar. The day I decided to ask John help me learn, I got to know that John was leaving. Lost one more chance. Disappointment!

The good thing that happened this time was that he agreed to leave his guitar with me and send me tutorials online. I was overjoyed! This was my first realistic step towards the guitar lessons. Very first! I took that guitar home and emptied a corner specially to seat it. Every morning my first sight used to be ‘my first guitar’ and the first thought used to arranging guitar lessons for myself. The excitement was like that of a girlfriend’s when she counts days to be able to meet her beloved. My tickets to India were booked and I had already arranged an instructor for myself. I was extremely thrilled.

I bought a guitar in India and my training begun. I loved everything about it. The instructor made it very interesting, and he made sure that I practice and learn regularly amidst my tight vacation schedule. But sooner than I realized, it was time for me to go back. But fortunately, my instructor had made me good with the basics. He also helped me online if I had problems. And my days, post India trip, were musical! Before going to school I used to play at least one song. And if I had time, I used to play more in the evenings.

It’s a great feeling to have had accomplished something that you always wanted to. I loved the sight of it, the thought of it… Finally I was playing it, was doing what I wanted to do from a very long time. It couldn’t have gotten better. It was just perfect!

But as we hear all the time, perfect it volatile. The end was approaching and I just couldn’t see it. Anand was hosting a friend from India, who also happens to be a good guitarist. He borrowed ‘my first guitar’ to play in leisure. Most generously, I agreed and he came to get it from my house. Heavy heartedly I handed it over to him, reassuring myself that I will get it back soon. The moment the case exchanged hands, I realized how much attached I was to that awesome sounding piece of hollow wood. It felt like sending my child away on a camp may be.

But of course, the practical side of mind made me believe that my baby will come back soon. Most of my summer was extremely busy, but there were many times when I felt the distance between me and my greatly loved possession of the moment. And when it was time for it to come back home, I saw it going away. In front of my eyes. How and where it went is a story in itself. But this literally blew my mind off. I was infuriated! In fact, that’s an understatement. I experienced a mixed rush of emotions, rage, distress, discomfort, and loneliness. I lived the whole day with this compound feeling profound heart.

But the end of the day, all I can remember is that... I lost my guitar!

I think I am losing it

Running behind something mysterious, without knowing what it is, has given me a better insight about what I have, and what I want to have. Struggling with my ever changing emotions, I have figured out that this vagueness in my mind is the child of my lost innocence. The meaning of growing up in this world is not limited to development of the body, brain and the ability to comprehend the situations better. It’s a lot more than that. It is (but not limited to) about manipulating the rest of the world and making your way through it.

Over the years, we set various goals for ourselves. And chase them for which we find our own different ways, good or bad. Like everybody else, I am finding my own too. But I fear that in the process of hunting my aims, I might end up losing my innocence. Which, I think I am already, worsening my own self. I miss my true self. It still exists, but it has hidden behind veils of pretence and diplomacy. And it’s commendable to see how pretence comes naturally to me now. I have learnt to fake a bright smile in public on a gloomy day (gloomier the day, brighter the smile). It’s easy for me as I any way have a smiling face, and I like to smile. There are true smiles too, often. But only the friends can tell the difference. Honestly, I love smiling but it irritates my wits when I have to fake one for the people I literally hate.

Sometimes, I reminisce and wonder where I have lost that time… Those innocent thoughts, those simple ways of living, those selfless emotions, those clear thoughts, those undiplomatic interactions, those blunt talks, fearless expressions of emotions, no worries about being judged. Gosh! I miss all that!! I wonder if some day my loved ones will mistake my love for deception. Behind the covers, there is an optimistic soul and a true heart. I am harmless. I might use tactful acts as means to righteous ends, but would never use them to hurt my kith and kin.

I am a believer and I know this is exactly how I was meant to be. It doesn’t upset me anymore. In fact, I feel successful as I see myself adapting to the various phases of life. I still hope to re-live those carefree days of my life. So here I surrender my lost innocence in hope of re-liberation of the sanctity.