How does it feel when you suddenly find yourself drowsed with immense amount of spare time ready to squander. Feels like I went back about two years in time. I am sorry baby I do miss you but I am enjoying the company of this secret slacker inside me. My daily chores haven't changed, my office work still remains the same, still I could afford the luxury of settling down on the video chair and enjoying a movie for a straight 3 hours and to quote "watching TV" .. something that I never look forward to. My flower beds are in the best shape, my work outs have lengthened, well, simply I feel great...
I wake up my usual time still find myself at work 30 mins prior to the usual time... from where is all the free time pouring in, honestly I am baffled. Does marriage really steals time away from you, does being in commitment that time expensive? I call my friends more often than in the past few months, chat with friends all through day, its great I feel it. In other words feels awesome to be single again.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Glorification of a Sport
I have always wondered why has cricket become religion in India. I was a cricket fanatic just like millions of other indians like me. But what extent do we take a sport to. Recent incidents of how the Hockey players were shunned by the media is so shameful to an extent that it become ridicule. The players had to go on a hunger just to get the recognition that they very much deserved.
http://sports.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2404611.cms
http://sports.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2404611.cms
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
India Calling
With my "short story" half way down and my recent India trip beginning to become a much treasured memory, I miss my homeland more than ever.
During my past visits to India, Hyderabad airport seemed to me more beaten up one of the most ghetto areas we see in the US. Somehow, this time that feeling never surfaced, may be because it was 3 o'clock in the morning or may be because ours was the only flight coming into the airport that time. My home city Hyderabad was actually built to handle about 6-7 flights a day but now takes in more than 40 flights a day, Thanks to the increasing numbers of Hyderabadis migrating overseas. This much similar to the city which now is firing its way to be the software capital of the country, and providing shelter to many a software engineer in the nation. I knew this visit had to be something different but an idealogy metamorphism was unknown to me. Once in the line to the customs officer, I chatted with few ladies from Detroit, who were visiting a friend in the city. After few minutes of chat, I was faced with a question which never seemed to be that difficult before, she asked
"What do you miss the most in India other than your parents". I was dumbstruck for a while: what was wrong with me , I didn't have answer when someone asks me what I missed in my homeland. Sensing my discomfort she helped me with an answer that came in the form of a question.. "Has it been really long?". I nodded my head, five years in a land far far away did seem long enough at that moment.
Once near the baggage claim area, I saw people musing over the way no one was unsure which belt the bags from our flight were coming, "welcome home" I heard someone say. Somehow I was at much ease than ever before, neither was I ashamed at the lack of facilities nor was I amused when I saw an attendant stand on a pedestal and announce that our bags were coming on belt 2. I felt bad for the people around me who suddenly felt that there were in a never land.
Collected my bags and barged out to meet my parents and niece, my little niece was awake all night just to receive me in the airport, my mother; person whom I look up to , someone who was and is my idol all way through, and my dad; who sacrificed a lot in his personal life just to give us a better life. I hugged my mom who burst into tears, kept saying "I missed you". I wanted to tell her how much I missed her all of a sudden I felt short of words. Once home I sat with her till 8am in the morning talking gibberish, silly and unimportant things, I hoped she realised how much I missed her.
My stay in my home was like dream that I always wanted to realise. My niece and I had a wonderful time, I took her around to the most of the places that I used to take her when I was living in India. My eight year old niece has always been the apple of my eye. I missed her the most when I came to this country, I remember crying when she refused to talk to me as she was upset about me leaving India at that time. I spent a great deal of time with my parents unusual to my previous visits, as I always remained engrossed with my friends and trying to catch up others. I realized that my parents were no longer the same, they looked lonely and age was indeed catching up with them. My mother made futile attempts at providing me the best food ever, she sensed that I was trying to make myself a good cook, I kept telling her just me your signature fried chicken, that will make my day. Thanks to Lord she made me the best Fish curry on the last day of my vacation, I miss her so much. We went out shopping, movies, baked cakes, made Thai noodles it was such a wonderful feeling. My eldest sister and I arranged a small party for their 35th wedding anniversary, I was happy to see my dad and mom really happy. I always wanted them to feel proud of me, they thought that I will be their most successful daughter, I don't know how far have I come in that tangent.
My sister took us out for lunch to a place that excelled in our native place(Rayalaseema a region in Andhra Pradesh, where my parents belonged) food. The fiery taste of the food there had me in tears. The food there was simple but the being in the company of my family was a moment to treasure.
At my port of entry "Detroit" the immigration officer welcomes the US citizens with a broad smile and welcoming them to the New World. Come my turn he scrutinizes my face, checks the documents umpteen times, after countless futile attempts to invalidate my arrival into country he finally lets me in. I ask myself why am I here, when I am so unwanted.
Now, that I am back to life the routine stereotypical lifestyle that most of us in the US of the A lead. Work, work out, eat, party, save money and sleep, and so life goes on in a methodical and orderly way. We have few friends that we hang out with, talk to or laugh with, still by the end of the day we are back to the lonely lives. Life back home may be haphazard or disoriented, where people bump into each other , motorbike rams directly into your car and you hear your automobile screech, you shout at each other and move on. I know that going back will bring in its wake many problems, I know that my parents and friends will not stay with me forever, I know that there is no value for life, I know that the work culture will engulf one voiding them of family life. All these cons surface as such minuscule factors before a simple fact - happier life. I have known few people here who feel that they don't have enough opportunities just because of their race, they have no where to go because this is where they belong. I still ask myself and still search for an answer for "What I am doing here when I have a Land of my own".
During my past visits to India, Hyderabad airport seemed to me more beaten up one of the most ghetto areas we see in the US. Somehow, this time that feeling never surfaced, may be because it was 3 o'clock in the morning or may be because ours was the only flight coming into the airport that time. My home city Hyderabad was actually built to handle about 6-7 flights a day but now takes in more than 40 flights a day, Thanks to the increasing numbers of Hyderabadis migrating overseas. This much similar to the city which now is firing its way to be the software capital of the country, and providing shelter to many a software engineer in the nation. I knew this visit had to be something different but an idealogy metamorphism was unknown to me. Once in the line to the customs officer, I chatted with few ladies from Detroit, who were visiting a friend in the city. After few minutes of chat, I was faced with a question which never seemed to be that difficult before, she asked
"What do you miss the most in India other than your parents". I was dumbstruck for a while: what was wrong with me , I didn't have answer when someone asks me what I missed in my homeland. Sensing my discomfort she helped me with an answer that came in the form of a question.. "Has it been really long?". I nodded my head, five years in a land far far away did seem long enough at that moment.
Once near the baggage claim area, I saw people musing over the way no one was unsure which belt the bags from our flight were coming, "welcome home" I heard someone say. Somehow I was at much ease than ever before, neither was I ashamed at the lack of facilities nor was I amused when I saw an attendant stand on a pedestal and announce that our bags were coming on belt 2. I felt bad for the people around me who suddenly felt that there were in a never land.
Collected my bags and barged out to meet my parents and niece, my little niece was awake all night just to receive me in the airport, my mother; person whom I look up to , someone who was and is my idol all way through, and my dad; who sacrificed a lot in his personal life just to give us a better life. I hugged my mom who burst into tears, kept saying "I missed you". I wanted to tell her how much I missed her all of a sudden I felt short of words. Once home I sat with her till 8am in the morning talking gibberish, silly and unimportant things, I hoped she realised how much I missed her.
My stay in my home was like dream that I always wanted to realise. My niece and I had a wonderful time, I took her around to the most of the places that I used to take her when I was living in India. My eight year old niece has always been the apple of my eye. I missed her the most when I came to this country, I remember crying when she refused to talk to me as she was upset about me leaving India at that time. I spent a great deal of time with my parents unusual to my previous visits, as I always remained engrossed with my friends and trying to catch up others. I realized that my parents were no longer the same, they looked lonely and age was indeed catching up with them. My mother made futile attempts at providing me the best food ever, she sensed that I was trying to make myself a good cook, I kept telling her just me your signature fried chicken, that will make my day. Thanks to Lord she made me the best Fish curry on the last day of my vacation, I miss her so much. We went out shopping, movies, baked cakes, made Thai noodles it was such a wonderful feeling. My eldest sister and I arranged a small party for their 35th wedding anniversary, I was happy to see my dad and mom really happy. I always wanted them to feel proud of me, they thought that I will be their most successful daughter, I don't know how far have I come in that tangent.
My sister took us out for lunch to a place that excelled in our native place(Rayalaseema a region in Andhra Pradesh, where my parents belonged) food. The fiery taste of the food there had me in tears. The food there was simple but the being in the company of my family was a moment to treasure.
At my port of entry "Detroit" the immigration officer welcomes the US citizens with a broad smile and welcoming them to the New World. Come my turn he scrutinizes my face, checks the documents umpteen times, after countless futile attempts to invalidate my arrival into country he finally lets me in. I ask myself why am I here, when I am so unwanted.
Now, that I am back to life the routine stereotypical lifestyle that most of us in the US of the A lead. Work, work out, eat, party, save money and sleep, and so life goes on in a methodical and orderly way. We have few friends that we hang out with, talk to or laugh with, still by the end of the day we are back to the lonely lives. Life back home may be haphazard or disoriented, where people bump into each other , motorbike rams directly into your car and you hear your automobile screech, you shout at each other and move on. I know that going back will bring in its wake many problems, I know that my parents and friends will not stay with me forever, I know that there is no value for life, I know that the work culture will engulf one voiding them of family life. All these cons surface as such minuscule factors before a simple fact - happier life. I have known few people here who feel that they don't have enough opportunities just because of their race, they have no where to go because this is where they belong. I still ask myself and still search for an answer for "What I am doing here when I have a Land of my own".
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
My Wait : A Short story
It was around 6.30am , sun was half risen from his abode. People were already on the roads trying to make their commute to work.On the other side of the city Gautami had hit the snooze button thrice already. It was usual thing for her to set her alarm 30 minutes earlier than her actual wake up time.
Around 7 am, Gautami was staring into the boredom of the day, same old desk, same old boss, usual lunch break and usual way back home. Life was catching up with a stereotypical lifestyle: sedentary and void of any excitement.
Today she had a special sparkle in her eye, it was not a usual day for her; she had been waiting for this day for the past few weeks. She will meet Shekar today.
It was unusually pleasant in Florida, having lived here for over 10 years she was used to the piercing heat and the humid air, it was very pleasant cold breeze that was blowing towards her. It was as jubilant and vibrant as her thoughts that morning. She jogged towards her car and let the fresh air brush against her cheeks, she was bouncing like a bird. Her parents had bought her that car when she had decided to move out after she graduated , I will always keep this car , no matter what she always said to herself.
Time was around 8.45am , she was late to work. People at her work usually came in around 8 am everyday and everyday who comes after that is looked at like a Pariah, she hated to be late but today was not like every other day. She was smiling at life. She has been waiting to get out of this work place, she was waiting for Shekar to commit on a date for the wedding. She would always tell herself just few more months.
Usual day at work people are busy scuffling through the papers, it was the month end and a usual busy day for accounting. As she sat at her desk , she had around 5 voice messages waiting for her. Day was unusually slow and she had work on few more balance sheets. Around 1pm Gautami was biting into her panini sandwich which she hoped to rejuvenate her appetite. Four more hours she said to herself.
To be continued....
Around 7 am, Gautami was staring into the boredom of the day, same old desk, same old boss, usual lunch break and usual way back home. Life was catching up with a stereotypical lifestyle: sedentary and void of any excitement.
Today she had a special sparkle in her eye, it was not a usual day for her; she had been waiting for this day for the past few weeks. She will meet Shekar today.
It was unusually pleasant in Florida, having lived here for over 10 years she was used to the piercing heat and the humid air, it was very pleasant cold breeze that was blowing towards her. It was as jubilant and vibrant as her thoughts that morning. She jogged towards her car and let the fresh air brush against her cheeks, she was bouncing like a bird. Her parents had bought her that car when she had decided to move out after she graduated , I will always keep this car , no matter what she always said to herself.
Time was around 8.45am , she was late to work. People at her work usually came in around 8 am everyday and everyday who comes after that is looked at like a Pariah, she hated to be late but today was not like every other day. She was smiling at life. She has been waiting to get out of this work place, she was waiting for Shekar to commit on a date for the wedding. She would always tell herself just few more months.
Usual day at work people are busy scuffling through the papers, it was the month end and a usual busy day for accounting. As she sat at her desk , she had around 5 voice messages waiting for her. Day was unusually slow and she had work on few more balance sheets. Around 1pm Gautami was biting into her panini sandwich which she hoped to rejuvenate her appetite. Four more hours she said to herself.
To be continued....
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Labor day, insect bites and a short story
We came back from our camping trip to the Fort Myers area, probably for the last time this year.
Camping in Florida this time of the was really a bad experience, but for my friends and hubby. I still have my Las Vegas blog pending but will go ahead and start this one, as I am still all sore from the insect bites in the camp ground.. eeew it itches and all red boo hoo.Anyway , while stacking our car with all the camping supplies I got a call from Hari asking me to wait in the store until he gets there, I ofcourse said yes and while hanging up I said to myself, I can wait all my life just for you to come. There it occured to me let me start a short story around the same angle. This is sure an old concept with many movies like 'Kuda Gawah" , "English Patient" etc.
While on the trip we decided the names of my characters, I am quite excited as this will boost my ego of having good command over the language and put my free time to some good use.
Camping in Florida this time of the was really a bad experience, but for my friends and hubby. I still have my Las Vegas blog pending but will go ahead and start this one, as I am still all sore from the insect bites in the camp ground.. eeew it itches and all red boo hoo.Anyway , while stacking our car with all the camping supplies I got a call from Hari asking me to wait in the store until he gets there, I ofcourse said yes and while hanging up I said to myself, I can wait all my life just for you to come. There it occured to me let me start a short story around the same angle. This is sure an old concept with many movies like 'Kuda Gawah" , "English Patient" etc.
While on the trip we decided the names of my characters, I am quite excited as this will boost my ego of having good command over the language and put my free time to some good use.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Leaves me to ponder...
I have been pointed to really unique website by one of my friends; ted.com. The content of this site so intriguing that I spend at least one hour a day listen to the ideas and research of other people. People come here to share their knowledge and research and show everyone how it can be used for the betterment of human world. Technology should be used in a way that helps lead a better life and the form this technology should come to ordinary people should be as simple as it can be.There was scientist from MIT whose talk influenced me the most. According to her research millions of children and women die everyday because of the smoke from cooking fires. So, they are out on a mission to help people use use charcoal instead of the traditional cooking fuel used like cow dung in India.They created innovate ways to create Charcoal from sugarcane, corn etc. While I watched her speak I was wondering how wonderful an idea was that use your knowledge to help others.During her speech she pointed that to help a Farmer is not to stop him from farming but help him do better in his profession.
In everyday life we work towards our personal goals , show our knowledge to work towards promotions , increase of billing rate. How often do we think of helping someone, share knowledge, create tools that help in the betterment of our society.
In everyday life we work towards our personal goals , show our knowledge to work towards promotions , increase of billing rate. How often do we think of helping someone, share knowledge, create tools that help in the betterment of our society.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Birthday Baby!!!
June 11th... "Happy Birthday Dear"... just received an ecard from my mother and few other friends wishing me on my err.. Birthday. As I kid I eagerly looked forward for my birthday and ever felt the sense of excitement revolving around my birthday. Today I feel a certain void may be because I am pushing towards thirty or may be I haven't reached my career goals or may I am just being my usual moody self. My husband tried hard to convince me that I am better off than most people on professional and personal stands but there is something that is resonating in my mind. Cake cutting and celebration seem kinda absurd now. I feel a birthday should gauge how close a person has got to his goals. I know I am too young for this talk but as always I like to wear my heart on my sleeve.
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