This day in history...
9 years ago, on this very day, a cute, silly stupid girl sat me down, held my hands, and told me that she likes me, and she wants to be my girlfriend. I of course said yes, I liked her too, but was too afraid of another bad relationship.. so never asked her myself.
What followed were almost 8 years of my life that I will never forget. All the highs, all the lows.. I always had someone special to share it with. BUt then again, like all good things, this also came to an end last year.
It was not easy for me, for her too I assume.. but that's life...I guess.
Since this morning I've been thinking, do I regret all this? Do I wish I had said no, 9 years ago, and saved us both from all this pain?
Well the short answer is no, I don't regret whatever happened, I will always remember each and every moment we spent together as the best times of my life.
There is one thing I regret.. the way we broke up, all the harsh words spoken, an 8 year friendship broken.. I wish we had done it in person, not over the phone. I wish I had got that last kiss.....
Today is when I'm sure that I have moved on, for all those memories now bring a smile on my face, not pain, not dissappointment.
wherever you are, whatever you do, I wish you, all the very best life has to offer.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
So what's Your Poison?
There's a saying that everyone has atleast one vice.. one bad habit, .. a desire to do something destructive.
Think about it, there must be something you do, that you know is not in your best interest, yet you continue to do it.
Some smoke, some drink, some sniff and some inject, knowing all too well that each time they do, a part of them dies. Hell why talk so extreme, some eat, some spend money, shopping, girls, sex, cars, bikes, mobiles, accessories, everyone finds something to indulge in.
So why do it? why do we intentioanaly do things that harm us? there has to be a reason...
For me, I do a little bit of everything, and then some. My favorite poison is work.. so I started thinking, why do I work so much? what is the reason i continue to do so knowing all too well that's it's harming me?
For me its very simple, its a getaway.. from things that really matter, from things that make you think and worry and measure everything around you.
Thats the reason why a boring guy turns into an interesting drunk after a few drinks, cause now he's let go of all the crap in his head... that's what happens to me when I work, there's nothing else to think, no worries no tensions...
Anything we do is insignificant in the bigger scheme of things, but to me, the bigger picture is too big for me to handle, I'm happy looking only as far as my next step at a time.
Ask yourself .. What's your poison?
There's a saying that everyone has atleast one vice.. one bad habit, .. a desire to do something destructive.
Think about it, there must be something you do, that you know is not in your best interest, yet you continue to do it.
Some smoke, some drink, some sniff and some inject, knowing all too well that each time they do, a part of them dies. Hell why talk so extreme, some eat, some spend money, shopping, girls, sex, cars, bikes, mobiles, accessories, everyone finds something to indulge in.
So why do it? why do we intentioanaly do things that harm us? there has to be a reason...
For me, I do a little bit of everything, and then some. My favorite poison is work.. so I started thinking, why do I work so much? what is the reason i continue to do so knowing all too well that's it's harming me?
For me its very simple, its a getaway.. from things that really matter, from things that make you think and worry and measure everything around you.
Thats the reason why a boring guy turns into an interesting drunk after a few drinks, cause now he's let go of all the crap in his head... that's what happens to me when I work, there's nothing else to think, no worries no tensions...
Anything we do is insignificant in the bigger scheme of things, but to me, the bigger picture is too big for me to handle, I'm happy looking only as far as my next step at a time.
Ask yourself .. What's your poison?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Back to Square One!
Well the ghost of wanting to setup my own business has decided to move out of my head… not that I like it this way. After months of trying, planning, going from pillar to post and endless arguments with my father.. realized it was not the right time for me to start something new.
I was always either Singhal’s son, or just some idiot who’s talking big. Had a tough time getting people double my age listen to my plans, and worse yet invest in my plans. The experience made me wiser of course, now I know who really believe in me, and who only claims so.
Living with my father was beginning to get incredibly difficult, as much as I respect him for all that he has done single handedly, I hate him for becoming so smug that he trusts no one else. It is impossible to work WITH my father, you either work FOR him or away from him, I chose to move out.
It is always very difficult to explain to people why I left such a “good life” in Goa to come back to wretched IT? But I know I had my reasons.
To be perfectly honest, this is the first time, as far as I can remember, I have done something intentionally selfish. I chose to leave my family at a tough time to live on my own, to run away from my responsibilities just so I can sleep at night.
It’s taken me a long time, but I’ve made peace with my decision. Its funny.. cause within a year I have gone from leaving my job to go back home to leaving home to get a job!
Full circle?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Boy! Am I glad to see the back of 2009 or what!!!
I mean was that year or a decade? Was it a bad horror flick or a never ending nightmare? I still don’t know.. I’m still reeling from the highs and lows…
I know it’s been a while since I posted anything here.. simply cause of my shear laziness.. well was planning to recall and post stuff chronologically.. but the thing is I realized it’s a lot more painful to relive those moments in my head!
So stay tuned…
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Well, It's no secret that I am single now. And since I am out of work too, it's difficult to meet any new people... So I was thinking about placing a classified ad in the newspaper.. thought I'd get your opinion first.
WOMAN WANTED
A tall, well-built woman with good
sense of humor, who can cook frog
legs and who appreciates a good fuc
- schia garden, classic music and tal-
king without getting too serious.
But please only read lines 1,3 and 5.
WOMAN WANTED
A tall, well-built woman with good
sense of humor, who can cook frog
legs and who appreciates a good fuc
- schia garden, classic music and tal-
king without getting too serious.
But please only read lines 1,3 and 5.
HOW TO IMPRESS A WOMAN:
1.Compliment her, 2. cuddle her, 3. kiss her, 4. caress her, 5. love her, 6. stroke her, 7. tease her, 8. comfort her, 9. protect her, 10. hug her, 11. hold her, 12. spend money on her, 13. wine & dine her, 14. buy things for her,15. listen to her, 16. care for her, 17. stand by her, 18. support her, 19. go to the ends of the earth for her....
HOW TO IMPRESS A MAN:1.Show up naked. 2. Bring beer
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it was, and always will be yours.
If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.
If it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and never behaves as if you actually set it free in the first place . . . You married it.
If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with.
If it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and never behaves as if you actually set it free in the first place . . . You married it.
So what will it be? The Blue Pill or the Red Pill?
To me sometimes, it seems life is all about choices. You chose between the various options life presents you. These choices may be conscious ones, where you think and weigh all your options and then make an educated choice, or these choices may be subconscious ones, which you may call instinct, or even fate. But at the end of the day almost everything that happens to you is the outcome of a choice you made.
To me sometimes, it seems life is all about choices. You chose between the various options life presents you. These choices may be conscious ones, where you think and weigh all your options and then make an educated choice, or these choices may be subconscious ones, which you may call instinct, or even fate. But at the end of the day almost everything that happens to you is the outcome of a choice you made.
Whenever faced with a choice, we all would like to think we make an educated choice, based on the sum effect of knowledge gathered through life thus far. But with time, the way we think changes, it’s a part of life, as years tick by, our knowledge pool only grows, and what seemed a sensible choice years ago, may seem ridiculous and stupid now! You can either whine and grow bitter about the mistakes you have made, or learn and move further, a little hurt, but a lot wiser; this again is a choice you have to make. So it would be fair to say that not only is life a matter of choice, but also living with the choices you make.
When I look back at my life thus far, I can jot down a list of choices I made, some of which I am proud of, to this day, and some I regret deeply. Look back at your life and you will realize there are many such occasions in your life as well. Think about how you made these choices, and how you dealt with the outcome of these choices. I truly believe a person’s character is defined by the choices he/she makes, and more importantly how he/she deals with the consequences of the choice.
Seems pretty straight forward! Make the right choices, and live happily!.. err… not really, the catch is, there is no such thing as a correct or wrong choice, they are all guesses at best! Each day I get the thought, if I had done a few things differently, said a few words differently, my life could have been so different! Well these ifs, buts, could bes and wouldbes is what life is really all about! So I wish you all years of guessing your way through life!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Memoirs…
For the past seven months or so, I’ve worn quite a few different caps, one of which was that of a Bartender. Well it’s kind of obvious that a good bartender has to do more than just pour drinks and mix cocktails.. You’ve got to look the part and talk the part just as much. So whether it’s small talk to keep the guest engaged and interested or some discussion on the differences between Indian and foreign cultures or something else… Standing behind the bar for umpteen hours talking to guests from different parts of the world, I’ve definitely heard and seen so many things that I will never ever forget.
Thought it would be a good laugh to share a few of these experiences… noting some of the most common, weirdest questions and the most memorable things I have heard…
“Are there many gay men in India?” – Believe me or not.. this was one of the most common questions! Justification.. "Well we see a lot of Indian men walking on the beach holding hands, besides it’s quite common to see 3-4 men sleep in the same room, meant for 2 people!” – I don’t know if there is any correct answer to these, just hysterical laughter!
“Which restaurant would you recommend?” – What the fuck! You’re standing in my restaurant and asking me to recommend some other place where you can have a meal? You fucking idiot!
“What is the temperature of the water?” – Sorry I don’t know.. my thermometer broke! Dude relax, you’re in Goa! The water has only one temperature, Pleasant! Just jump in for God’s sake!
“Didn't we cuddle in bed last night?” – whoa… no we did not! “Yes we did, I remember!” – err.. No that never happened! I walked you to your room, you were a little pissed, that’s it! “You liar, you were in my bed, don’t lie, why are you lieing? I liked it! Alright, never mind.. how about tonight? You free?” – No please.. I have a girlfriend… “Oh c’mon she’ll never know.. okay how about a cuddle now.. can I come behind the bar?” – Damn this was most definitely the hardest any one has tried to pick me up! Made sure I didn’t see her for the rest of the week!!!!
“So, where's the party tonight? You want to go?” – This might be a bit of a surprise, but this is a vacation for you, work for me! Can’t afford to go out and get drunk!
“Do you guys do Happy Hour?” – Every hour is a happy hour, drink up! The “Happy Hour” is the oldest trick in the book to make the guest feel he’s getting a bargain, when he is not! Charge double the rate for a cocktail, and then throw in one more for “free”.
“Full power…… 24 hour….. no shower!” – Let’s just leave this as it is…
“God made whisky man made vodka, God made grass man made Cocaine, You have beautiful legs, I deserve you!!!” – Needless to say this was a laughing riot.. a drunk American oogling at a Russian girl.. and yes she did have beautiful legs, among other things…..
“Kakushka, Pakushka, bushka, aka paka da da da davai davai!!!” – The Russians are coming! Damn man, they believe everyone around the world knows Russian! My favorite reaction if someone speaks in Russian to me, I reply in Hindi! Simple!
“Are you good in bed?” , “I can tell you are!”, “Is Dominatrix common in India?”– An Irish women, who was out on her hen night, kept talking about Indian men, and their habits in bed… at 3 AM, needless to say it was weird!!!
“Cheers!!!” – What the fuck? The most overused word by any English person. I mean come on.. there should be a limit to how many times you can say Cheers in a sentence!
For the past seven months or so, I’ve worn quite a few different caps, one of which was that of a Bartender. Well it’s kind of obvious that a good bartender has to do more than just pour drinks and mix cocktails.. You’ve got to look the part and talk the part just as much. So whether it’s small talk to keep the guest engaged and interested or some discussion on the differences between Indian and foreign cultures or something else… Standing behind the bar for umpteen hours talking to guests from different parts of the world, I’ve definitely heard and seen so many things that I will never ever forget.
Thought it would be a good laugh to share a few of these experiences… noting some of the most common, weirdest questions and the most memorable things I have heard…
“Are there many gay men in India?” – Believe me or not.. this was one of the most common questions! Justification.. "Well we see a lot of Indian men walking on the beach holding hands, besides it’s quite common to see 3-4 men sleep in the same room, meant for 2 people!” – I don’t know if there is any correct answer to these, just hysterical laughter!
“Which restaurant would you recommend?” – What the fuck! You’re standing in my restaurant and asking me to recommend some other place where you can have a meal? You fucking idiot!
“What is the temperature of the water?” – Sorry I don’t know.. my thermometer broke! Dude relax, you’re in Goa! The water has only one temperature, Pleasant! Just jump in for God’s sake!
“Didn't we cuddle in bed last night?” – whoa… no we did not! “Yes we did, I remember!” – err.. No that never happened! I walked you to your room, you were a little pissed, that’s it! “You liar, you were in my bed, don’t lie, why are you lieing? I liked it! Alright, never mind.. how about tonight? You free?” – No please.. I have a girlfriend… “Oh c’mon she’ll never know.. okay how about a cuddle now.. can I come behind the bar?” – Damn this was most definitely the hardest any one has tried to pick me up! Made sure I didn’t see her for the rest of the week!!!!
“So, where's the party tonight? You want to go?” – This might be a bit of a surprise, but this is a vacation for you, work for me! Can’t afford to go out and get drunk!
“Do you guys do Happy Hour?” – Every hour is a happy hour, drink up! The “Happy Hour” is the oldest trick in the book to make the guest feel he’s getting a bargain, when he is not! Charge double the rate for a cocktail, and then throw in one more for “free”.
“Full power…… 24 hour….. no shower!” – Let’s just leave this as it is…
“God made whisky man made vodka, God made grass man made Cocaine, You have beautiful legs, I deserve you!!!” – Needless to say this was a laughing riot.. a drunk American oogling at a Russian girl.. and yes she did have beautiful legs, among other things…..
“Kakushka, Pakushka, bushka, aka paka da da da davai davai!!!” – The Russians are coming! Damn man, they believe everyone around the world knows Russian! My favorite reaction if someone speaks in Russian to me, I reply in Hindi! Simple!
“Are you good in bed?” , “I can tell you are!”, “Is Dominatrix common in India?”– An Irish women, who was out on her hen night, kept talking about Indian men, and their habits in bed… at 3 AM, needless to say it was weird!!!
“Cheers!!!” – What the fuck? The most overused word by any English person. I mean come on.. there should be a limit to how many times you can say Cheers in a sentence!
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Life and It's Phases...
Some may say it's a little immature or even premature for a 24 year old to talk about "life", well to me it's never too early to retrospect and reflect..
If I were to note my life's achievements, crowning glories, defeats and loses, it would be a long list of disappointments, dotted with a few genuine victories.
I have always hated whenever someone tells me 'this is just a phase it will pass', but unfortunately that's the only hope I have. For if things don't improve soon, I think I'll go mad.. like seriously clinically mad! This is most definitely the saddest I have felt for as long as I can remember. I hope, like the global economy, this is as bad as it's gonna get.
I walked around the streets of Mumbai today.. well for only about an hour, and this city and it's people never cease to amaze me. Everyone seems to be going somewhere, on their way to doing something. Everyone, right from the slum dwellers to the corporates, are motivated to doing something.. The human spirit of "Never Say Die" is alive and kicking. Seeing all this I cannot help but think, my state of mind represents the weak section of human kind, the section that's given up on everything, waiting for things to happen... rather than getting things done. This is a very incoherent state of mind, total chaos and random thoughts, much like this post!
If Darwin's law of natural selection was extended to include current times, it would be fair to say I represent the species that should not see the light of day again. The strong survive and live on, while the weak simply die out. But unfortunately our desire to multiply has been instilled in our minds so deeply, one cannot imagine a case of someone not being fit to procreate, based only on merit.
I firmly believe one should not have "a desire to settle down and have a family" as one of the quintessential goals of life. I think each one of us must make a distinction between a relationship based on love and a relationship based on convenience. Allow me to explain the two....
A relationship based on love, is a marriage of two people by choice, by their choice alone. Not based on creed, caste, financial status or religion. In short, a non-arranged marriage. These relationships are the closest to my heart. 'Cause I believe this is what God would want (if there is such an entity). I feel this is the purest form of evolution. Only the two individuals who deserve to procreate should get and opportunity. The rest should die out to make the gene pool healthier.
A relationship of convenience is not just an arranged marriage, it is also a relationship based on well .. convenience, it is a well thought of, calculated relationship. After matching qualities, religion, money, physical appearance etc... This to me is most common, and most upsetting one for me. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend just cause you're getting old, and need to find someone to marry is wrong. The justification of such a relationship is the fear of being alone, which I think is a pessimistic way of thinking. And something as pure as a marriage of two people should not be motivated by a pessimistic thought!
But then again, this is just my opinion, as of now, who knows maybe this is just a phase and I'll grow to understand, like and indulge in a relationship of convenience myself....... I doubt it though!!!
Some may say it's a little immature or even premature for a 24 year old to talk about "life", well to me it's never too early to retrospect and reflect..
If I were to note my life's achievements, crowning glories, defeats and loses, it would be a long list of disappointments, dotted with a few genuine victories.
I have always hated whenever someone tells me 'this is just a phase it will pass', but unfortunately that's the only hope I have. For if things don't improve soon, I think I'll go mad.. like seriously clinically mad! This is most definitely the saddest I have felt for as long as I can remember. I hope, like the global economy, this is as bad as it's gonna get.
I walked around the streets of Mumbai today.. well for only about an hour, and this city and it's people never cease to amaze me. Everyone seems to be going somewhere, on their way to doing something. Everyone, right from the slum dwellers to the corporates, are motivated to doing something.. The human spirit of "Never Say Die" is alive and kicking. Seeing all this I cannot help but think, my state of mind represents the weak section of human kind, the section that's given up on everything, waiting for things to happen... rather than getting things done. This is a very incoherent state of mind, total chaos and random thoughts, much like this post!
If Darwin's law of natural selection was extended to include current times, it would be fair to say I represent the species that should not see the light of day again. The strong survive and live on, while the weak simply die out. But unfortunately our desire to multiply has been instilled in our minds so deeply, one cannot imagine a case of someone not being fit to procreate, based only on merit.
I firmly believe one should not have "a desire to settle down and have a family" as one of the quintessential goals of life. I think each one of us must make a distinction between a relationship based on love and a relationship based on convenience. Allow me to explain the two....
A relationship based on love, is a marriage of two people by choice, by their choice alone. Not based on creed, caste, financial status or religion. In short, a non-arranged marriage. These relationships are the closest to my heart. 'Cause I believe this is what God would want (if there is such an entity). I feel this is the purest form of evolution. Only the two individuals who deserve to procreate should get and opportunity. The rest should die out to make the gene pool healthier.
A relationship of convenience is not just an arranged marriage, it is also a relationship based on well .. convenience, it is a well thought of, calculated relationship. After matching qualities, religion, money, physical appearance etc... This to me is most common, and most upsetting one for me. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend just cause you're getting old, and need to find someone to marry is wrong. The justification of such a relationship is the fear of being alone, which I think is a pessimistic way of thinking. And something as pure as a marriage of two people should not be motivated by a pessimistic thought!
But then again, this is just my opinion, as of now, who knows maybe this is just a phase and I'll grow to understand, like and indulge in a relationship of convenience myself....... I doubt it though!!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Cliches no more..
No matter what you do, no matter where you are, on any given day you will here a few phrases a few one liners, that you may brush aside as mere cliches..
Well now I have begun to think there is more to it. My recent break up has left me a little wiser.. at least I think so!; Case in point :
Long walks on the beach.. sounds corny but it's nice, it feels good!
A lil chivalry goes a long way.. It works, try it, hold the door open for your loved ones at the next opportunity.
A boy likes a girl for who she is, a girl likes a guy for who he can be... true very true... and by extension.. A boy will never change, a girl always will...
If a girl ever asks you if you like what she is wearing, if you like her hair,the answer better be YES, and you better sound excited, and you have to mean it!!!
Remember it's always your fault, it's always you who forgot!
Guys are always possesive, girls are just concerned!! It's okay for her to ask where you are what you are doing and who you are with, but Do not ask her the same questions, 'cause then you will be labelled possesive, and it's a hard tag to get rid off!!
No matter what you do, no matter where you are, on any given day you will here a few phrases a few one liners, that you may brush aside as mere cliches..
Well now I have begun to think there is more to it. My recent break up has left me a little wiser.. at least I think so!; Case in point :
Long walks on the beach.. sounds corny but it's nice, it feels good!
A lil chivalry goes a long way.. It works, try it, hold the door open for your loved ones at the next opportunity.
A boy likes a girl for who she is, a girl likes a guy for who he can be... true very true... and by extension.. A boy will never change, a girl always will...
If a girl ever asks you if you like what she is wearing, if you like her hair,the answer better be YES, and you better sound excited, and you have to mean it!!!
Remember it's always your fault, it's always you who forgot!
Guys are always possesive, girls are just concerned!! It's okay for her to ask where you are what you are doing and who you are with, but Do not ask her the same questions, 'cause then you will be labelled possesive, and it's a hard tag to get rid off!!
To love or not to Love is the question...
Well it's finally happened, it always seemed too good to be true.. i guess it was.
My girlfriend of 8 years and I have split, for good. People who've known me for a while, always wondered how a girl in her right mind could put up with me... well their amazement was justified.
I am not one to kiss and tell, so won't rant about what happened or who's fault it was, but just wanted to share with whoever is listening my opinion of how it feels to have loved and lost.
This whole business of being in love is crazy, its an addiction, a sickness, an illness, a disease, a cancer, it makes you mad, screws up your mind, makes you do stupid things, it's besides logic and common sense.. but at the end of it all, it's the best thing that can happen to you. It's a roller coaster that few get the opportunity to get on, some manage to stay on for longer than others, I couldn't take it, I barfed and was asked to get off...
I've had the time of my life, never thought I could've been this happy. Never thought I deserved her. Though there is one regret that I have, I took her too seriously, I took us to seriously, didn't realize that I wasn't giving her the space that she deserved. In a funny sadistic way, I feel like she's found her freedom now. I think now she's happier than I could've ever made her.
As for me, well, I am me.. I am my only friend and biggest enemy, most awful things that have happened to me have been my doing! I didn't lose just my girlfriend, I lost my only friend, that's what I have deal with now.. its not easy.....
Few years ago some friends asked me how it feels to be in love and I could answer.. now I think I can, It's the best feeling in the whole damn world. .. but up until you break up, then it's the worst thing in hell.
So my 2 cents on love; do it, fall in love, head over heels, but always remember, if you can fall in love, you can fall out of it too.
Well it's finally happened, it always seemed too good to be true.. i guess it was.
My girlfriend of 8 years and I have split, for good. People who've known me for a while, always wondered how a girl in her right mind could put up with me... well their amazement was justified.
I am not one to kiss and tell, so won't rant about what happened or who's fault it was, but just wanted to share with whoever is listening my opinion of how it feels to have loved and lost.
This whole business of being in love is crazy, its an addiction, a sickness, an illness, a disease, a cancer, it makes you mad, screws up your mind, makes you do stupid things, it's besides logic and common sense.. but at the end of it all, it's the best thing that can happen to you. It's a roller coaster that few get the opportunity to get on, some manage to stay on for longer than others, I couldn't take it, I barfed and was asked to get off...
I've had the time of my life, never thought I could've been this happy. Never thought I deserved her. Though there is one regret that I have, I took her too seriously, I took us to seriously, didn't realize that I wasn't giving her the space that she deserved. In a funny sadistic way, I feel like she's found her freedom now. I think now she's happier than I could've ever made her.
As for me, well, I am me.. I am my only friend and biggest enemy, most awful things that have happened to me have been my doing! I didn't lose just my girlfriend, I lost my only friend, that's what I have deal with now.. its not easy.....
Few years ago some friends asked me how it feels to be in love and I could answer.. now I think I can, It's the best feeling in the whole damn world. .. but up until you break up, then it's the worst thing in hell.
So my 2 cents on love; do it, fall in love, head over heels, but always remember, if you can fall in love, you can fall out of it too.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Knowing you've destroyed your own life is an ugly feeling....
Knowing you've destroyed someone elses life is devastating.
Tonight I find myself sitting at the beach, with tears in my eyes.. I am sorry.
For the first time in my life, I wana go back in time and live my life over, and do it differently.
For the first time in my life, I am ashamed of what I am
Knowing you've destroyed someone elses life is devastating.
Tonight I find myself sitting at the beach, with tears in my eyes.. I am sorry.
For the first time in my life, I wana go back in time and live my life over, and do it differently.
For the first time in my life, I am ashamed of what I am
Saturday, September 13, 2008
So long Pune… So long IT… so long 143643!
Exactly two years after I joined the Software Services giant Cognizant, I walked into the infamous H2 office in Hinjewadi, to finish up my separation formalities. It’s ironic that although I spent almost all my time in Cognizant at the ICC office, I had to come to the Hinjewadi office on the last day! I didn’t like meeting with a certain Mukund Dighe (he’s on the list of people I’d never want to meet out of office!).
Anyways, I went ahead and submitted my access and ID card to the admin, and got my first doze of dealing with life without a tag! I walked straight from admin to a door and started looking for my access card to open the door! Not a nice feeling!Met with HR and collected the coveted Service letters, two letters simply stating that I worked with Cognizant for two years, that’s what all those work hours count for!
The last few days in Pune were stranger than I expected. First off I was not used to spending time at home during working hours.. I made only special appearances in office.. 2-3 hours a day, on alternate days! I had been planning this move for a long time, so I never felt like I was going away or was going to miss anything specific. I didn’t know how to answer questions like “so how does it feel knowing you are leaving soon?” “what are you gona miss the most?” etc etc…I am touched and will forever remember the love and affection my friends showed me especially in the last few days. It was amazing… couldn’t believe I had made so many friends in Pune. I’m the first one to admit and realize that I have not been a good friend to many that have been good to me, but still to hear so many compliments and best wishes from so many people was really amazing!
I got nostalgic in the last week, and started missing people that I had not met in the last few months, friends who had left the company for further studies, gone onsite or simply parted ways. I was missing them all, for the very first time!Had a good meal with some friends before I left, Sandy also came down from Mumbai. But almost all highs in life are followed by downs… (at least my life!) got fever as I was leaving from Pune which qualified to Typhoid and then Pneumonia in the next few days.
Spent the first 10 days in Goa in bed, still a little weak, but much better.Settled back into my room, just beginning to start helping my dad and bro in their work. Cant help but feel I made an emotional decision again, and it might bite me in the ass .. again!
Exactly two years after I joined the Software Services giant Cognizant, I walked into the infamous H2 office in Hinjewadi, to finish up my separation formalities. It’s ironic that although I spent almost all my time in Cognizant at the ICC office, I had to come to the Hinjewadi office on the last day! I didn’t like meeting with a certain Mukund Dighe (he’s on the list of people I’d never want to meet out of office!).
Anyways, I went ahead and submitted my access and ID card to the admin, and got my first doze of dealing with life without a tag! I walked straight from admin to a door and started looking for my access card to open the door! Not a nice feeling!Met with HR and collected the coveted Service letters, two letters simply stating that I worked with Cognizant for two years, that’s what all those work hours count for!
The last few days in Pune were stranger than I expected. First off I was not used to spending time at home during working hours.. I made only special appearances in office.. 2-3 hours a day, on alternate days! I had been planning this move for a long time, so I never felt like I was going away or was going to miss anything specific. I didn’t know how to answer questions like “so how does it feel knowing you are leaving soon?” “what are you gona miss the most?” etc etc…I am touched and will forever remember the love and affection my friends showed me especially in the last few days. It was amazing… couldn’t believe I had made so many friends in Pune. I’m the first one to admit and realize that I have not been a good friend to many that have been good to me, but still to hear so many compliments and best wishes from so many people was really amazing!
I got nostalgic in the last week, and started missing people that I had not met in the last few months, friends who had left the company for further studies, gone onsite or simply parted ways. I was missing them all, for the very first time!Had a good meal with some friends before I left, Sandy also came down from Mumbai. But almost all highs in life are followed by downs… (at least my life!) got fever as I was leaving from Pune which qualified to Typhoid and then Pneumonia in the next few days.
Spent the first 10 days in Goa in bed, still a little weak, but much better.Settled back into my room, just beginning to start helping my dad and bro in their work. Cant help but feel I made an emotional decision again, and it might bite me in the ass .. again!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A new beginning……
It’s been a long time since I dabbled anything on this space …. A lot has changed since my last post.
For those who I have lost contact with.. here’s a short recap of what I’ve been upto the last two years…I joined a US based IT services company back in 2006, fresh out of college.. with nothing more than confidence in my “skill set”! With no idea of what Software Engineering is, I joined the mob of fresh graduates heading for a huge ominous looking glass walled building, with a tag hanging around my neck.
Everyone had their reasons, be it money, experience or simply because this was the only opportunity we had!Make no mistakes, I am not saying this was a bad decision, or a move that I regret… the two years I spent here have been immensely productive for me, there’s a huge list of things I’ve learnt here. From what IT means, to how to live and adapt in a new city.
But as the old cliché says, every beginning has an end… my stint with the Company and Pune had to come to an end. I am pleased that this end is not because of frustration or any external pressures, it’s ending on my terms and my wishes.
As some will know, I am moving on from Pune and shifting back to where I came from, Goa. Starting September, I will be in Goa, work with my Dad and Bro. This was a decision which was difficult to take, and yet in many ways it was a no brainer! A little older and wiser, I’ll be putting any knowledge I have into helping my bro in running his shacks at Palolem, and eventually starting my own business in Goa. This could very well be the worst decision I have taken in my life thus far, but it’s something I really had to do. For my own mental peace more than anything else.
I have always believed my greatest ability is self belief and confidence, now it’s time to walk the talk!I will most definitely miss Pune, and my life here, apart from a steady paycheck; I’ll really miss the relationships I made here. I discovered friendships in people I only knew as acquaintances, and made a few new friends as well. I really hope these friendships last me a life time.
I will try my best to keep posting on this blog, will soon create a space for my brothers restaurants also. Will also try my best to start using Orkut finally!
So until next time… have a great one!
Regards,
Akshay Singhal
It’s been a long time since I dabbled anything on this space …. A lot has changed since my last post.
For those who I have lost contact with.. here’s a short recap of what I’ve been upto the last two years…I joined a US based IT services company back in 2006, fresh out of college.. with nothing more than confidence in my “skill set”! With no idea of what Software Engineering is, I joined the mob of fresh graduates heading for a huge ominous looking glass walled building, with a tag hanging around my neck.
Everyone had their reasons, be it money, experience or simply because this was the only opportunity we had!Make no mistakes, I am not saying this was a bad decision, or a move that I regret… the two years I spent here have been immensely productive for me, there’s a huge list of things I’ve learnt here. From what IT means, to how to live and adapt in a new city.
But as the old cliché says, every beginning has an end… my stint with the Company and Pune had to come to an end. I am pleased that this end is not because of frustration or any external pressures, it’s ending on my terms and my wishes.
As some will know, I am moving on from Pune and shifting back to where I came from, Goa. Starting September, I will be in Goa, work with my Dad and Bro. This was a decision which was difficult to take, and yet in many ways it was a no brainer! A little older and wiser, I’ll be putting any knowledge I have into helping my bro in running his shacks at Palolem, and eventually starting my own business in Goa. This could very well be the worst decision I have taken in my life thus far, but it’s something I really had to do. For my own mental peace more than anything else.
I have always believed my greatest ability is self belief and confidence, now it’s time to walk the talk!I will most definitely miss Pune, and my life here, apart from a steady paycheck; I’ll really miss the relationships I made here. I discovered friendships in people I only knew as acquaintances, and made a few new friends as well. I really hope these friendships last me a life time.
I will try my best to keep posting on this blog, will soon create a space for my brothers restaurants also. Will also try my best to start using Orkut finally!
So until next time… have a great one!
Regards,
Akshay Singhal
Friday, November 09, 2007
That was then, this is now ..... (Part 2 and final)
Ok the scene was set, the four of us were the first to depart.. (not disclosing names to prevent any controversies!). Got into a bus to Pune, the first of many such journeys. With abosolutely no clue of where we were gonna stay, or what we were gonna do in Pune, heck we werent even sure where we should get off the bus!!!
Helped by my roomies uncle we stumbled into a hotel room, washed up and left in search for shelter..
Somehow managed to trace down a hostel that the girls planned to lodge at, and then the hectic search for accomodation kicked off, we didnt know it then, but this is a sport of sorts in growing cities like pune!
Xeroxed the classifieds from TOI after flicking it from a salon, and started frantic calls to members of the holy guild of brokers! By evening the early enthu was begining to fade away, we sat waiting for callbacks at a place called Go Bananas, (quite appropriate in hindsight!) a simple place with pizzas and Baskin robbins, we bumped into the first soul that was not alien in Pune.
By some freak of nature we landed a modest place before the night fell, and within one day of coming to pune, clueless as can be, we all some sort of a roof on our head!
We set out to inhale as much of pune as we could in the next couple of days, very easy to do as so much of this city is full of hot air! (Read whatever you wish to in this.)
Cognizant! Next couple of months was a disorganised unbeleivable boot camp. I have very litle recollection of my thoughts at this period in time.. its like a dream which you know had, but just dont want to remmember. We were split into various technologies, and as usual i was away from anyone I knew...
Java beckoned, and i answered, trained, answered a few tests, and was introduced to projects in November.
From then to now, life as i could have ever imagined it has changed, i'm doing fine as far as work is concerned, its everything else that i worry of.
A year later and things are still the same, some characters have gone, leaving their mark forever. While some like me continue to be the ghost of the opera..(i know its Phantom of the Opera, but ghost is more appropriate).
I am more distant from my friends and family than i have ever been, more directionless then i have ever been. To look back and compare myself with the person i was a couple of years back, i feel i did something wrong somewhere....
I have met all the targets i set for myself, but lost out on a lot in the process, its time for me to rethink, or in some cases time for me to finally think! and look at where i am headed, and the path i'm taking.
Certainity and i were never good friends, and much like life, i think thats way it should be.
Things have changed, and changed a lot, some for the better, some for the worse. One thing is for sure Life as i knew it, will never be the same again.
Ok the scene was set, the four of us were the first to depart.. (not disclosing names to prevent any controversies!). Got into a bus to Pune, the first of many such journeys. With abosolutely no clue of where we were gonna stay, or what we were gonna do in Pune, heck we werent even sure where we should get off the bus!!!
Helped by my roomies uncle we stumbled into a hotel room, washed up and left in search for shelter..
Somehow managed to trace down a hostel that the girls planned to lodge at, and then the hectic search for accomodation kicked off, we didnt know it then, but this is a sport of sorts in growing cities like pune!
Xeroxed the classifieds from TOI after flicking it from a salon, and started frantic calls to members of the holy guild of brokers! By evening the early enthu was begining to fade away, we sat waiting for callbacks at a place called Go Bananas, (quite appropriate in hindsight!) a simple place with pizzas and Baskin robbins, we bumped into the first soul that was not alien in Pune.
By some freak of nature we landed a modest place before the night fell, and within one day of coming to pune, clueless as can be, we all some sort of a roof on our head!
We set out to inhale as much of pune as we could in the next couple of days, very easy to do as so much of this city is full of hot air! (Read whatever you wish to in this.)
Cognizant! Next couple of months was a disorganised unbeleivable boot camp. I have very litle recollection of my thoughts at this period in time.. its like a dream which you know had, but just dont want to remmember. We were split into various technologies, and as usual i was away from anyone I knew...
Java beckoned, and i answered, trained, answered a few tests, and was introduced to projects in November.
From then to now, life as i could have ever imagined it has changed, i'm doing fine as far as work is concerned, its everything else that i worry of.
A year later and things are still the same, some characters have gone, leaving their mark forever. While some like me continue to be the ghost of the opera..(i know its Phantom of the Opera, but ghost is more appropriate).
I am more distant from my friends and family than i have ever been, more directionless then i have ever been. To look back and compare myself with the person i was a couple of years back, i feel i did something wrong somewhere....
I have met all the targets i set for myself, but lost out on a lot in the process, its time for me to rethink, or in some cases time for me to finally think! and look at where i am headed, and the path i'm taking.
Certainity and i were never good friends, and much like life, i think thats way it should be.
Things have changed, and changed a lot, some for the better, some for the worse. One thing is for sure Life as i knew it, will never be the same again.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
That was then, this is now.. (Part1)
Last time around i was an Engineering Student balancing what i thought was a hectic life.. (yeah right!)
College, exams, project!! (need i remind you of PACARD?? or as it was later called CARA??), my brother's restaurant, pop's business, a few interests of my own, photography and stuff, and of course my sweet girlfriend.. and not to mention, a bunch of good friends and the sweet sunshine of
But of course it all had to change one day, end of Vivas, and it was pack your bags time, slowly old friends parted ways, some stayed back in
For me it all started a lil too soon, soon after the exams it was off to
The time we spent there was really helpful, in terms of the knowledge we gained and the bonds that developed.. it was a like a big happy extended family..
Lots of things to learn and lots to explore in Abad. Walking kilometers at a time seemed like a regular thing to do… so did renting hotel rooms to watch the world cup! I still cant believe Zidane did that!, and not to mention how Shakira’s hips don’t lie.. actually im not to sure about that, wasn’t really hearing anything!
Some good football and a few jogs, and soon the Classroom training was over. Had a nice lil farewell party, where it was time to say bye to the lecturers who organized all this, Amol, Nerkar, Joshi ( Mother/Father of Kiran Bedi who was particularly fond of popo and santiman! ).. and for some us it was also a last chance to make a move!!.. (Viraj poor guy) some bye byes to few friends ,.. (Rajbir,
We stayed back a couple of days to really absorb the sights and sounds of Abad,
That’s it then, came home and spent a few days with friends and family and soon came the time to pack your bags again.. this time for a much longer trip!!!..
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Never say Never.....
Its been so long, yet it seems like yesterday.. when i last posted on this blog.
Life as i knew it has changed so bloody much, its difficult to phrase...
Life threw a few more curve balls, and a couple of beamers, i still stand, ,.. albeit shaken from the horrors i witness...
A new lease on life, a new excuse to live, and so much more.....
I don't know what the heck i just typed! get the jist of it.. The blogging bug has bit me .. again! so keep coming back .. maybe you'll read something interesting. (or atleast something to laugh at!)!!!
PS:
In case you happened to navigate this page without knowing just who the heck i am, You are having a bad day. I feel sorry for you.
In case you are someone i know, and you still came back to this page, after all this time, I LOVE YOU.
Got loads to talk about, got loads to get off my chest.. stay tuned.
Cheers,
Akshay S
Its been so long, yet it seems like yesterday.. when i last posted on this blog.
Life as i knew it has changed so bloody much, its difficult to phrase...
Life threw a few more curve balls, and a couple of beamers, i still stand, ,.. albeit shaken from the horrors i witness...
A new lease on life, a new excuse to live, and so much more.....
I don't know what the heck i just typed! get the jist of it.. The blogging bug has bit me .. again! so keep coming back .. maybe you'll read something interesting. (or atleast something to laugh at!)!!!
PS:
In case you happened to navigate this page without knowing just who the heck i am, You are having a bad day. I feel sorry for you.
In case you are someone i know, and you still came back to this page, after all this time, I LOVE YOU.
Got loads to talk about, got loads to get off my chest.. stay tuned.
Cheers,
Akshay S
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