India to USA-Part 1

Just wanted to put down all the things that i remember from my trip here (Not over yet thou)and The few days before i got here. Surely, this is not gonna be one post and things that are not meant to be public wont be put in:).

Before coming here

Sept 11 07 - Finally my delivery manager decided that i had worked in India for long and felt that i could handle the pressure of being in a "Tough Project" and client facing. She told me "Shriram visa date book maddu" (Easy i guess "Book your visa date"). I had too much work that day so really could not book on that day.

Sept 12 07 - I went to the visa cell, told them that i had to go for a stamping. The Q&A went on for a while, then the question came "Is this the 2nd time" (My visa got rejected the first time). I said "Yes". Then came the bad news (Good i mean :) ). She said "You need to go for your stamping by 18th" to add more she said "Tomorrow is the only day you can go ;)".. Oh man!! I was puzzled, didnt know what to do :). Went back to my Delivery manager. She said "Hoon hogu" (Yes go!!). I was shocked!! i took my bag and left office. Didnt have cloths, no photos, no tickets, no reservations :(... That was the only day i felt when things have to happen they do. Everything worked out just fine, i got a nice sleeper Volvo (Sleepers with bed, first time i saw something like that :) )

Sept 13th (Still in 07, will let you know when i jump to 08) :) - Went for getting stamped (Felt that way as it was the second time and didnt think i would get it ;) ). Stood in the queue for a while. Wearning a bage color pant and a white shirt with a red tie (A few of my friends liked me wearing that ;) ). my visa stamping happened at 11:20 (Thatz quick right!! considering that i reached at 10). Hmm, i got my visa... Full kush. Sat in an auto and went back to the hotel. Then decided i would go back to bangalore (without having food.) mid way to the railways station i realised that i left all my documents in the Visa consulate (Oh man, i looked like an Ass to myself, Documents are life in India, you can never get them back :) ).. Told the auto driver to get back to Visa consulate. Thank god got all my docs back.

Went back home realising 3 things

1)I would never have to go back to Chennai ;)
2)That i would miss my lovely bangalore, my parents and my lovely and pretty friends (Guys are lovely, girls pretty ;) )
3)Oh man!! i didnt tell anyone about this, i am really gonna get screwed when i tell them that i am going to the US :)

Sat in the train, unreserved compartment and chennai, wow what a combination ;)... supposed to reach b'lore at 10:30, it reached KR Puram (a station in blore) at 9:30... It was pouring Cats and Dogs (Literally, i caught a few ;) ) and i made a decision to catch an auto.

10 PM i got to Airport inner ring road and man!! the auto stopped and the driver said i cant take you any further then this :(. I said ok.. Decided to walk.. Well right decision as the roads were filled with sailing cars (Sailing is correct :) ).. I walked 200 feet my right slipper got washed away, another 500 feet 2nd slipper gone too :). Walked bare foot for a while and then decided to wear my shoes. Walked and found a few guys like me (Worse actually) pushing their bikes, one was a HR in a company had just come from toronto and the other guy was working in IBM... Good fun, 3 guys who didnt know each other at all walking and talking like they knew each other from long time, making jokes.. That was a nice experience.

Weel need to prepare food now.. Coming up in my next post, my meeting with Bharath, Nikki, Praveen, Sathish, Chetan, Soma, Santu, Ravi, Sanjana, Mythili, Swappy, Rashmi, (Not my sister, she will come into the pic in a while). Not meeting a few close friends.. Sujatha, partha, afgi. Wait on for that. Take care. Have a wonder day :)

Snow snow everywhere

I was always been a great fan of snow. I guess one bad experience has not changed that in any sort. I still love snow, still want to play in the snow exactly like the 2 kids i saw down the street.

Well, its kind of a shocker that i don't want to take that risk until my hand is alright. I am all ready for the snow this year end. I have a to do: list

1)Run on snow (Fall on a snow bed, hope this time it will be a soft landing ;) )
2)Make a ball and hit each other, not sure who is gonna come with me. Oh, boy thats gonna be so much fun ;)
3)Go to New Hampshire (Its a place here close to Canada). Oh man what a lovely place (BTW, thats where i fell ;) )
4)Ski on the black slopes
5)Make a snowman (Oh ya, carrot is must)

Probably this time, i will be safe and fly back to India (in one piece and without any bandages)... :).. Want to do that as the last activity here. I guess i will sign-up now.

On an offshore call currently, looks like i am in trouble :). Wow, this is gonna be so much fun :).

Middle class, Good or Bad?

Hey there,

Most of us are from the middle class of families. I am one of them too. I am really happy about it. Now the real discussion is about up to what level you want to consider yourself "Middle Class"?

My parents always told me "Studies is the most important thing in life. You study well you will earn money, if you don't you are a failure". Even though i was not great in studies my parents always encouraged me. Finally, out of difficulty i became an engineer. Joined a job too, now i feel i shouldn't be 'Middle class' anymore. Middle class in the way i think, in the way i dream.

Usually we are stuck with what our parents pushed, get a job -> get married -> don't take too many risks -> you will live a decent life.

I have big dreams (I cant think of small dreams, i guess i am worth more). Big dreams -> Bigger Risks. I want to go solo (Not so solo too), want to open a coffee shop. Want to serve people, want to have a concept of my own. Want to kick the IT bucket.

My middle class thinking wont allow me to "Invest" 40 L Rs on something that is really very risky (not very profitable too). Lets see if i can break the shackles. So badly want to :).

Should i kick IT run behind my dream, my passion?

Views welcome ;). I am not a great writer (What a way to plead for compliments ;) ), hope you guys can understand what i write :).

FAQ's :)

I met with a accident on 30th Dec. This post is for all those who want to know how i am. Wow, what a reason to create a blog ;). Anyway these are the set of question that i usually need to answer. Well guys, thanks for all those who like me so much :) Its a wonderful feeling, wished i was there with all you guys :)......

1)When did it happen?
A:You are not looking at the post ;) 30th Dec 2007

2)That should have been real terrible (Two days before new year's)?
A:Oh Yes!! its a torture, when you can't move your hand :(

3)How did it happen? Which hand?
A:I was out with my brother in law and his friend for skiing. We had actually gone to New Hampshire (What a wonderful place, man i missed it :( ). Had a breakfast break in Mac Donald's, while getting back i didn't notice the ice on the pavement. So... The rest is history. Right hand

4)Did your brother in law take you to the hospital?
A:No, called 911 the paramedics gave me a ride in their ambulance. The ride cost me 945 $, out of which i have to pay 100$

5)Was it so bad?
A:Oh yes, i never knew there were 2 bones in the hand. What more, i found out that both had broken into 4 pieces.

6)How did they fix it?
A:I underwent an operation, have 2 steel plates and 11 screws.

7)Why operation?
A:That was the only option, i had to get it done there itself as the doctor there scared us telling the bone might come out of the skin

8)How long was the operation?
A:90 mins of torture

9)Was it fine post operation?
A:It was a nightmare for 1 week, my sister and BIL took good care of me. But the pain was too much, well everything was mad.

10)Who took care of you after a week?
A:I have a great roomie, he prepared food for a week for me and packed lunch too.

11)Did the bandage come out?
A:Yes, after 2 weeks

12)What did the doctor say?
A:He said "This is the worse anyone can do to their hand, would take 4 months to recover. Don't expect it to be as it was previously" ( :(( ). You can join physiotherapy.

13)How has the recovery been
A:Pretty good, my right hand is 40% strength of my left hand.

14)How much do you have to spend?
A: LOTS :)

15)Has it effected your work?
A:Oh yes, i guess i am not doing much. Not happy about it but, don't have a choice.

16)Did you tell your parents?
A:I actually didn't want to, but a friend of mine told me to and i did, they were shocked. Well, Happens

Guys this is one of the toughest phase of my life, just hope i come through :). Thanks guys :)