Fall In Line...

Panoramic Shots

2008-10-30T09:18:00.000+04:00

After being inspired by Stained, I had a go at my very first panoramic shots of Sheikh Zayed Road.

Feel free to comment or criticise.

Holidays

2008-09-19T22:11:00.015+04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts but was away on holidays. Was in Singapore & Melbourne again! Spent some quality time with my friends in Singapore & Melbourne. Made heaps of new friends while there and carried back fond memories.

Singapore is a vibrant city. It literally breathes and has a life of its own I feel. I was being spoilt this year and did heaps of shopping but didn’t spend a lot. Quiet honestly when it comes to brands I feel Dubai has a lot more to offer and is more value for money. Most of my shopping in Singapore was at Bugis Junction. Bugis is a place where you can find non-branded items. It’s sort of like the polished Karama Souq of Dubai. It’s more like Karama Souq less the ‘Bling-Bling’ and better off fashion. Manage to get on the Singapore Flyer, which I must say is worth a try if you would like to take some good photographs of the skyline or the city. The ride lasts for about 30 minutes, which is good if you are taking pictures as its slow, specially for night shots.

While in Singapore you must be ready to experiment when it comes to food. It has a lot to offer especially seafood. You can spend a fortune or you can have a great meal for as low as Sing $ 6 or AED 14 (which includes main course and a drink). Something that I did notice while in Singapore is that their watermelon juice is not all that great. I think Dubai has the best juices to offer. Don’t know why it’s that way. While there you must try out the Bubble tea. I know, there is nothing special about them, its just that you cant find them that easily here. The only place that I know of is a restaurant at the Dragon Mart, International City.

Singapore airport (Changi International Airport) is absolutely fantastic, especially if you are flying from Terminal 2, depending where you are flying off to. It’s a huge structure with an excellent layout and clear directions.

While Singapore leaves you with a lasting impression of a lively city, Melbourne on the other hand is where you can find peace. Work hard & play hard is their motto. Majority of them live in the country side where I was too. All you can see for miles across is greenery, sheep’s and more greenery. It was the start of spring while I was there and their spring is colder then the winters in Dubai but loved it. I think I am more of a winter person; I can handle extreme cold but can’t take the heat at all. Strangely enough I still sleep with the doona cover on during summers!

The Melbourne city is simply spectacular! Having never been to a casino you can imagine my excitement when I saw the Crown Casino! Didn’t spend a lot but did play a few dollars just for the experience. Melbourne has some really good restaurant, bars and cafes. One must try them when there. The Aussie’s as I see it are pretty happy the way they are and are also very hard working. Of course I can’t generalise but that’s the vibe one gets when there. This time I did get the opportunity to visit a wildlife sanctuary –Healsville Wildlife Sanctuary. Met some amazing people and made some new friends. Captured as much as I could with my camera everywhere I went. The rest, well those are experiences I cannot forget.

Leaving you will some pictures taken by me while on the trip!

(Click on thumbnails to view image. All images were re sized for easy uploading. If you would like to have any of these images as a high resolution file, simply ask)

Camera

2008-07-17T15:13:00.008+04:00

Bought a new camera, the Sony H50. Here are a few pictures to start with.

Enjoy!

(Click on the thumbnails to view high resolution image)

Turn Around

2008-07-17T11:13:00.003+04:00

Finally decided to revamp the blog site and here you go a new layout and new blog name. Things have changed a lot since my graduation from University. A whole new perspective on life, Definitely a lot less aggressive. Sometimes I miss the aggressive side of me.

This blog will now cover less of daily issues and will look at life from a different front. I intend on including lots pictures & stories from Dubai and elsewhere.

Will leave you with this picture that I took recently.

(Click on the image to view high resolution image)

Keep visiting for more!

Aggression!

2008-01-13T22:34:00.000+04:00

This morning they announced that major roads in Dubai will be shut due to Mr. George Bush, President of the USA visiting Dubai. Personally, I feel a person becomes 'VIP' when the masses treat him/her like one. So tomorrow all public and private sector offices will be shut. ( Another holiday just after the three day weekend)

My college is holding a graduation ceremony, for which they are simply charging us AED 50 and transferring AED 300 from some monies that they owe us ( It was suppose to be refunded). Everyone seems to be attending mostly out of no choice because they want to make the most of the AED 300 as they are aware that if they don't they are going to miss out on it and the amount is not going to be refunded either.

Had a huge argument with the University authorities for changing policies without giving us options and not communicating to us. For months I have been holding back my aggressive nature. But today, it just burst out. I was angry as a mad dog, I yelled, insulted and fought till my last breath.

I know I can't change the world, but I shall not die in peace If not even able to say "I tried". Not a lot of people will fight or stand while the rest remain quiet, but I'm not one of them. Thanks to my friends for giving me an honest opinion of what they thought of the whole situation. Thanks for the closure. I know I get really aggressive at times, but thats how I reached to be what I am today. Hadn't it been for my aggressive nature, I wouldn't have supported myself financially through 4 years of my college education. Hadn't it been for my aggressive nature, I wouldn't have held the position I hold today. Hadn't it been for my aggressive nature, some of my friends wouldn't have been as motivated by me as they are today. I think one of the important qualities that differentiate the commons from the leaders is the charisma they derive from their aggressiveness. They believe in themselves, right or wrong, they stand for themselves and battle their way through. Thats what counts!

Shifting Sands

2008-01-11T01:07:00.002+04:00

That last half of 2007 was a turning point in my life. I graduated, got a new job and….. moved out of my parents place. Things have changed a lot over the past few years, not only for me, but for my friends too. Some getting married already, some migrating to other countries, some getting in to relationships and some moving on in life. No matter what the changes are, I feel they are always for good. Besides life would be so boring if things didn’t change at all.

I have learnt something from all this, no matter how much things change for everyone true friends will always be friends no matter what. They will always stand up for you and vouch for your qualities. For true friends will not only love you when you are on good terms, they will love you even when they are hating you. These are the type of friends that I have right now and I am so proud of them. Some of these friends are away, some met years ago and then moved on, some I met recently and some I haven’t met yet but know them and want to know them better. If it wasn’t for thinking about them or seeing them often, life would have been really stressed.

Happy New Year! Have a great year ahead.

Life takes the 'Unbeaten Path' for me.

2007-11-22T23:44:00.000+04:00

Its quiet a long time since I have written a post. I think when I was in University, I was bit more aggressive with certain things then I am now. Things like, updating my blog and taking pictures, etc. But now I think I am more aiming towards living a peaceful life. Where I have come to understand the chemistry of life.

Never did I imagine that few months after I would graduate I would be a Manager and would be leading a team of six. ( To be honest, never did I imaging I would ever graduate in the first place ).

Life has turned and now I follow the unbeaten path. I am not sure where its leading, but I’m sure its for the best. At this point I think I value my friends more then I have ever. I feel the need for them to be around and to get to know them ever better. My faith in god has never been stronger. Also, there are few new faces in life that I still have to get to know them. Some who I have met randomly through this blog, others at work,etc.

I have realised that managing people is the most difficult form of management ever. My 4 years of hardcore British degree is finally paying off. I do find my self standing out from the crowd. My opinions unique and acceptable. I feel that I’m becoming more mature now. Although there is a teenage side of me, which you can see during the weekends!

One of my closest friends was in Dubai recently and shared some lovely moments with her. I wish she never chose to travel abroad for good. I know I am being selfish but there are some friends that you would never want them to go away.

Now the one thing that I am really looking forward to is, my next holiday. There are some special people that I am really looking forward to meet on the next trip. Will keep you all updated.

Eid Mubarak

2007-10-14T15:04:00.000+04:00

Photograph by: Gautam J
(http://gautamjgoesplaces.blogspot.com)
Photoshop done by: Gautam J

Eid Mubarak To You All..!!!!

We spent day 1 of Eid holidays at a friends beach house in Khor Fakkan. Below are some images. The red circle shows the house that we stayed at. The last image shows Dubai and Khor Fakkan on the map of United Arab Emirates. It was a lovely day and the beach was just beautiful.

Guess What..???

2007-09-06T23:33:00.000+04:00

Hello Friends,

I'm so excited..!!!! I have finally nailed a job...big time..!!! I now hold a Jr. Managerial position with a fashion retail name ..!! As one of the conditions of the contract I cant disclose the name yet...but will be able to do so 3 months later ..after my training is completed..!!

I am so happy & excited..!!! Its too good to be true...!!!!! This blog will be soon updated with more happening from my life.!!!

Thanks going out to some of my friends & blog readers..as their wishes and kind words is what kept my hopes high for the past few months..!!!

Thanks!

Gautam

TAGGED

2007-07-31T10:58:00.000+04:00

I’ve been tagged.

Pete (Great Circle - Australia) asks me to answer the following question:

What, in your opinion, are the most amazing, unusual, strange or just plain weird things about where you live?

Amazing

FOOD

Its cheap, its yummy and its international. I think you can find almost any cuisine from around the world here. Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Japanese, Pilipino, Mexican, Italian…..the list goes on.

PEOPLE

Enter a bar or a club and you will find not less then 5-8 nationalities. It’s amazing!! Every time you meet someone new, he/she will be of a different nationality. I love the cultural mix, it’s just great.

PETROL

All I can say, its way cheaper then it is in Australia. AED 50 ( US$ 13.69 / AUS$ 16.67) for a normal car and your tanks full. It will last for 4-6 days if you keep driving around.

Unusual

PIGEONS

There are just so many of them and they poop everywhere..!!!

SKI RESORT

We live in a desert and they have an indoor ski resort. You can see people skiing while its almost 50’C outside.

Strange

BREAD

Bread here expires within a day or two.

CRUMPETS

No crumpets available here.

CAMEL’S MILK

Camel’s milk is considered a natural Viagra.

Pictures

SKI DUBAI

Its real snow..!!!!

No kidding..!!!

Burj Dubai - Worlds Tallest Building ( Under Construction)

Camel's Milk - Natural Viagra.

All pictures are taken by Gautam.
If you would like to have a high resolution copy, just ask for it.

I tag:

Harsha
Ramy
Drue

APPLY APPLY – NO REPLY

2007-07-19T13:24:00.000+04:00

APPLY APPLY - NO REPLY..!!!! That’s the situation with my job hunt at the moment. It’s been a month and half now. I have had several interviews and gone through several tests. The outcome..?? No reply…!! They call me for interviews and they just never get back to me…!!! That is so annoying..!!!

The other day I was in for an interview, I was so frustrated with the situation and so tired of telling every other interviewer about what I have been doing for the past few years…that when the interviewer asked me “ Tell me about yourself..?”….I explained to her everything that I have been doing and where my focus has been and at the end I said “..So..what I am trying to say is - I’m the best..!!!” . She had a blank look on her face for a while and then she giggled..!!

I really don’t know how long this situation is going to last…buts its been the same for quiet some time now..!!! Job hunt is really testing my patience..!!!!

Hopefully my next post will be titled – ‘MY NEW JOB.’

It was right there in front of my eyes…had to see it all go away…!!!

2007-06-20T16:43:00.000+04:00

As you all must have read in my previous posts I was working on my job hunt. I was being interviewed by an investments firm in Dubai. I loved the position they were offering and the pay scheme was excellent. It was everything I’ve always dreamed of. I was interviewed several times and just today I got a final call from them and they said they can’t have me. The reason they gave me was that I was young and that they did not know how their clients (Investors) would take that.

The job description for the position was something that I always wanted to do and for the past 4 years I was working towards getting there. I was very confident that I had nailed the job. But I guess it doesn’t matter what I think…what matters most is what they think. When I got a call this morning, I cried my heart out after I hung up. I saw my dreams fall apart right in front of me. But that made me take a decision. I am now going to aim for even higher. I am going to be stronger and even more successful in what ever I do. Here is a note to my next employer, who ever it maybe….I’m going to polish myself so good…that you will want me….want me real bad…!!!!

Have anyone of you ever been in such a position….where you have had a dream…got really close to it…thought you almost had it…but then seen it all go away…like it was never meant for you….but when you thought it was meant only for you..??

Sharjah: Random Pictures

2007-06-14T22:13:00.001+04:00

High resolution images available upon request.

Images: © Gautam – http://gautamjgoesplaces.blogspot.com

Amazing Lamps, Chandeliers and Interiors at the Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai.

2007-06-09T00:36:00.000+04:00

High resolution images available upon request.

Images: © Gautam – http://gautamjgoesplaces.blogspot.com

Exams are over....Crumpets are here..!!!

2007-06-04T17:26:00.000+04:00

Finally all my ‘Final Exams’ for the ‘Final Year’ are over. Summer vacations are on at the moment, not traveling anywhere this year; instead friend from Melbourne is here. My job hunting is on at the moment. My friend got me this from Melbourne.

CRUMPETS

People of Dubai..this is like the best god damn thing I had on my trip to Melbourne last year….!!!!!! More pictures of places around Dubai coming up soon. That & my job hunt are going to be pretty much the agenda for my blog for the next few weeks.

Cheers!

Gautam

Thought I would leave my job…so I could…download a few podcasts while at home..!!!!

2007-04-06T12:29:00.000+04:00

I quit my job last month because my final exams were around the corner. I decided I would focus only on my studies. But in reality that’s not how it turned out to be.

While I am at home, mum wants me to help her with the house chores….the internet which is one of my many addictions,distracts me every 2 hours and my latest craze…downloading podcasts of Australian radio shows mainly from Fox Fm and Triple M.

While I was working I thought doing many things at the same time can be stressful, but I was proved wrong. Just sticking your head in your text books all day long can be worse.

Weight Issues: All I do while at home is read my texts/notes and eat…and eat some more. I do try to go for my runs/walk very often but trust me it’s not helping much, need to do it more regularly.

Spending money in the wrong places: I thought after I quit my job, all the money I had saved would be enough to sustain my financial position for the 3 months that I would be unemployed, yet again i was proved wrong. Since I have time at my disposal now I keep spending money in the wrong places, mainly shopping and places like Johnny Rockets, ' Johnny Rockets - Leaves a hole in your pockets' - © Jessica. Curse that place for their stinky burgers which cost a fortune.

Things I miss at the moment: My friends in Melbourne, Alcohol (There is a sudden craving), one of my friends who recently moved to Brisbane and the food from Singapore.

My State of mind:

STRESSED OUT: Final exams in May.

CONFUSED:Thinking about the future. Where will it be finally, Singapore, Dubai or Melbourne..??

LOTS OF OTHER MIXED FEELINGS..!!!

It’s that time of the year again….

2007-03-06T12:25:00.000+04:00

Its time again…to take a long leave from work….stay at home…watch a lot of movies….eat lots and lots of crisps ….and occasionally STUDY..!!!

Soon I will be preparing for my final exams which are in May-June…..wish me luck people..!!!

At this point I am just thinking how it is going to be after I graduate. No more doing two things at the same time (work & study). Then it will be just work, work, work, vacations, parties, weekends, work, work, work and some more work.

Does that mean;

no more meeting friends in the evening and yapping away to glory,

no more bitching about other ‘friends’,

no more cracking silly jokes in class and cracking up,

no more hatred against any lecturer,

no more paying college fees,

no more traveling in a bug infested bus, no more debates about really controversial topics sitting at the edge of our seats in the bus while our driver zooms off at the speed of 160 kms/hour,

no more making plans about the weekends with our friends,

no more bitching about our boss’s and colleagues at work,

no more gossip from high school,

no more cracking silly double meaning perverted jokes that don’t make any sense at all and yet we crack up,

no more using the office stationary and resources for printing assignments and lecture notes,

…….ohh…..sheesh..I am going to really miss all that…but wait…it also means…

More of,

Trips to places like Kalba & Khor Fakkan,

Vacations with friends to India and elsewhere,

Money to spend on anything we like, because we don’t have to pay any huge college fees now,

Going for dinner to expensive restaurants and not being bothered as to how much individual share is going to be at the end of it all,

Celebrating friend’s birthday’s in a better way, rather then just Pizza hut and gift vouchers from Lamcy Plaza.

Traveling through out the world,

Being able to save huge sums of money,

Possibly relocating to another country,

And lots and lots more….

I think I am really looking forward to this new experience….it will be like a new life..!!! Ok! Before all that…have to pass my exams…!!!!

Dubai Transport…Indian Radio Stations..Traffic..Pathetic..Pathetic..!!!

2007-02-05T10:15:00.001+04:00

After a serious analysis of reckless drivers in Dubai ( Most of them being people I know), I conclude that drivers speed on the road not only because they are in a hurry but also a major contributor to this factor is the music they play on the radios. Believe me or not, but it does have a major affect on drivers. The most worst of all the radio stations are the radio stations that play Hindi music. Most of the Rj’s ( Especially on 101.6 City Fm) have the worst command of English ( Not that my English is perfect) but if they can't pronounce the right words why not just stick to Hindi, after all it is a Hindi radio station. All the Rj’s on that radio station blend Hindi and English and it sounds awful and couldn’t get any worse. Almost 75% of what they chat about on their shows is pure rubbish and nothing is informative at all. What the hell is wrong with them??? There is a show which is on between 5.00pm to 7.00pm and the Rj of that show – ‘AJ The RJ’ – he is so annoying trying to imitate a western-Punjabi’s accent.

Dubai Transport – YOU SUCK!!!

It’s not happened once, twice but now like almost 6-7 times that I book a taxi at night for around 8.30am in the morning to get to work sometimes and the taxi never shows up. If you try calling them again in the morning you are never going to get through. So you end up waiting for the taxi anyways. But wait there is more to it, If you booked a taxi the previous day from either Jumeira, Al Barsha, or Sheikh Zayed Raod..they will be on time…for some reason or the other they never turn up in Bur Dubai, Karama or Satwa…and this I say with confidence because I have been testing them.

ARRRRRRRRR..!!!!!

Issues ….Issues….and ‘CURRY BOY’!

2007-01-18T23:21:00.000+04:00

The last few days we have had problems with the internet connection in the office. No MSN messenger, Google Talk or browsing the internet. I some how managed to check my email using the browser on my phone. Hopefully when I return on Sunday everything will be all right.

The last few days I have been thinking about a few things that make my life more difficult. One of them being an Indian child (boy) who has merely put his teenage years behind him. I don’t know about the Indian-girls or the other Indian boys in my situation. But trust me its not easy being the ‘Curry Boy’.

As an Indian child you are expected to be good at studies especially with Math. No matter how much time you spent in high school studying other subjects your Indian parents will always force you to spend more time on solving your Math problems and it’s never enough. If you fail in Science or History its all right, “ You should learn from your mistakes” is what your parents will tell you. But if you fail in your Math exam, even the neighbors give you the disgusted look, if they find out that is.

As an Indian boy you are not suppose to be interested in history, philosophy or art. You are aim in life should be to get a degree which involves Math, science or any thing that is remotely related to Computers, either that or your become a lawyer, trust me you will be treated like the king of the jungle then.

After graduating form high school when I told my parents that I was interested in History and Psychology. The look that I got from them was like they were going to disown me the very minute they heard this.

As an Indian boy you are suppose to make yourself independent of your parents. Independent in terms of financial matters and education to a certain extent. But when it comes to choosing a university, life partner or the organization you wanted to work for you can’t decide that on your own.

If you told your parents that you wanted to move out of their house, you have committed the master of all sins or the greatest taboo already. Moving out of parents does not mean that we are ending our relationship with them. After you tell you parents that you are moving out, their reply will be immediate and it has to be – ‘ Move out if you want to, but never return and if you move out you will get nothing out of your share of inheritance’.

As an Indian guy you are suppose to call all your relatives ‘Uncles’ & ‘Aunts’ even if you don’t know them or have never in your life seen them before.

When you graduate form University you are expected to first send your résumé to all the banks and other financial institutions because obviously you are good at math so banks should be your first priority. If you try to take a decision on your own, then the conversation is going to be something like that:

Parents: “ You are not going to become one of those kids from the west and do what you like, ‘Angreez ka baccha samjhta hai apney aap ko ( Thinks of himself as if he is a son of a pasty ‘)”

Curry Boy: “But I want to do some thing that I like and hold interest in”

Parents: “Then you can leave the house and do as you like”

Curry Boy: “Ok! I will move out as soon as I start earning” ß TABOO

Parents: “No! Leave now if you want to do what you have decided, consider yourself out of out inheritance will”

Curry Boy: “But I don’t have any money!”

Parents: “Then do as we say!”

Curry Boy: After lot of thinking and grumbling …. “Ok! But can I stay out till late at night...?”

The Indian boy is hoping that he will be all right after he finds a job and makes some money to move and then he will break the news to his parents that he is moving out and will just move out then. But that’s not what happens. He does not save any money.

While staying with his parents his parents expect him to pay for his share of the rent and pay for the other household expenses. So he ends up spending the same amount that he would if he was staying out on his own.

Indian boys have to always beat their cousins and other really distant relatives in Grade 10 and Grade 12 exams or else they are going to be titled ‘losers’ forever. All the while that you are studying you are expected to be the brightest of the lot, after you have completed your education you are expected to be earning at least twice as much as your cousins and way less than your elder brother ( if any). Now it no longer matters whether you are holding a degree or not, its just the pay that matters. Even if you didn’t go to University, at 24 you are expected to earn at least 7000-15,000.

Your ‘Uncles’ and ‘Aunts’ have a major influence on your parents and then your lives in turn. Sample of conversation between the parents and relatives:

Relative: ‘Oh! Bhabi Ji (Sister-in-law), how is your son...?’

Parents: ‘He is fine, he works in Dubai Media City (10 years ago, Jebel Ali Free Zone that was the ‘IN’ thing), he works for a bank, ( INSERT A FAMOUS BANK NAME HERE)”

Relative: ‘How much does he earn..? ‘ < --- Shameless idiots don’t have any manners at all, not bothered what the guy does in the bank, they are only interested in the pay.

Parents: ‘He earns ( 7000 - 15,000 AED )!’ < ---Why the hell did you even answer that question?

Relatives: ‘Oh! That’s it, my son-in-law earns ( CURRY BOY SALARY TIMES 2 )’

Parents: ‘My son has just joined, hasn’t got much experience’

After they get home, curry boy is forced to write a letter to his boss to increase his pay.

Being an Indian boy is as difficult as being an Indian girl. Well I am glad at least they are equal in those terms.

Yipee it’s the weekend tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some things done that have been at the back of my mind for a long time. Meeting some friends, bit of shopping and yes heaps of chatting on MSN!

Adios people!

New Year…..

2007-01-02T10:30:00.000+04:00

Happy New Years to all the readers!

I think I got the best gift of the year. Meeting someone I knew years ago. Cairogal. The world really is a small place. We were both victims of ‘Daddy K’ (As S would like to call him :P ). I completely agree with her, as much as we hated the job we had our share of fun too.

I spent new years at a friend’s house cooking, watching movies chatting away till 5am. We cramped ourselves in a room and made ourselves comfortable and cracked numerous jokes and shared stories (Some of them were even spooky stories). We had a blast! It’s the first time that I have done something special on New Years Eve otherwise I just like spending time at home with family. The 4 days of off from work was really good, never wanted to return to work. Thanks to my friends Z & I for the absolutely fantastic New Years party ever.

Been reading other blogs and they all talk about New Year resolutions. For some reason I feel that I am not really good at resolutions. If I had set out a few resolutions I am sure they wouldn’t have lasted more than a week. So no resolutions for me this year (Just like the past years!).

Back to work today and I am still looking forward to the weekend!

Cheers!

Gautam

Merry Christmas

2006-12-22T20:08:00.000+04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, life kind of make’s sense around this time of the year. I think its either the magic of Christmas or something psychological, like people are really looking forward to put their past behind and begin all over in the new year. Hoping that the New Year would be different.

This Christmas, well its been full of surprises for me. My friend A who I thought was the regular college girl who was also working hard with a full time job, surprised me. She got a tattoo, a permanent one. Well there is nothing wrong with it but its just that I couldn’t match her personality with that of a one who would get a permanent tattoo. At first I felt that she shouldn’t have done that, but just a few hours later I realized that how proud she actually made me feel that I have a friend like that. She has shown that somewhere inside of her there is a rebel and that’s exactly what this world needs. I shouldn’t have felt strange in the first place because I am the sort of person too who would do all sorts of crazy things. If I can be a rebel then so can she. Getting a tattoo is just one of the many ways to show that you are not some one who would take life as it comes but someone who has control on his/her own life. I know you are reading this A and trust me you have really made my opinions change about you (for good). The world has had enough people who just can’t be a rebel or an outcast. It’s about time the world gets some people like us who have the courage to think out of the box and prove them wrong about what they think. Hope A doesn’t get too motivated after reading this because as much as I like her being a rebel I also like her being sane. I feel so honored to have a friend like you A.

I am happy for a friend of mine who finally managed to spend Christmas this year with her family. She wasn’t able to see her parents for the past 2 years or so and I really glad that this year she finally managed to get some time off and get on to that flight to see her parents and spend time with them.

My friends Jens & Janet, whose job is traveling around the world and entertaining people surprised me this afternoon when they called and said that they made my wish come true of spending Christmas in Dubai with me. Every time they are in Dubai we never get to meet because we are so busy with our lives. Especially when my University is on, it becomes rather impossible to meet them as I have to be at work and then at University at night. They are staying in Dubai until the 30^th of December what more can I ask for.

I have seen two movies in the past 10 days. The first one being ‘Casino Royale’ and the other ‘The Holiday’. The new Bond is superb. I have never liked Bond movies in the past but must say he is really good at being a Bond. ‘The Holiday’ is also an excellent movie and a must watch this season. (Must say its bit of a ‘Chick Flick’, but its still good).

This Christmas I would like to thank someone really special. His name was Mr. Alex Teeters, he was my manager at TPR (If you recall that place from my past entries). He gave me certain ideas and motivation and was the only reason why I guess I was still working there. He was a man of a kind heart, a professional and above all a great human being. Things happened so fast that before I knew he had already left Dubai and I had no contact for him. I searched a lot over the internet but couldn’t find any. He had a webpage which he also shut down for some reason soon after he left Dubai. For several years I have been searching for a contact of his but never succeeded. Alex, where ever you are and if you are reading this, thank you so much for whatever you did for me and the help and support you provided. You are a great manager and a great person. This Christmas one of my wish is to meet you some day again or at least be able to exchange an email. Hope you are happy wherever you are, will say a short prayer for you.

Everything around you might change but if you heart is true it will all come around, trust me it has for me.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, may all your wishes come true and have a wonderful New Year.

MORONS

2006-12-11T11:06:00.000+04:00

There are a couple of morons in the pick up service (van) that I use to work. They expect you to help them open the door and get out with ease and then, they just walk away. Freaking idiot…who the hell is going to close the door and whatever happened to courtesy of saying ‘ Thank you’. I will kick your ass one day.

Lunatic no.2 on the bus is a lady. The van is full of people and she likes the windows shut. Every time I open one of the windows just a bit because its so damn stuffy, she waits for a minute or so and then shuts it. Well sweet heart, the next time you do that I will stick your freaking head out the window while we are on Sheikh Zayed Road driving at 120kms/hour. Either that or I will just punch you, trust me I can do that because you are so totally pissing me off.

Hmm..blogging is such a stress buster. Now, Christmas is around the corner. I have sent out greeting cards to all my friends this time. There is something about Christmas. I am a Hindu but never have I been so involved in any Hindu festivals as much as I have been with Christmas. I religiously go to Christmas Mass every year and greet all my friends. This time of the year everything seems to come around and fall into places. For me its been really special because since the past few years during Christmas some of my major issues in life have been solved. My friend Chico and I were on the phone the other day and for both of us we were really looking forward to Christmas this year because life has just started to make sense.

I am seriously considering the offer that I got a few months ago, working for an NGO in Kenya and I am working towards it. I just have to convince my parents and that’s the most difficult bit. I have made a lot of new friends for which I am really happy. But I don’t want to loose some of my old friends, which I think I have lost them already. When I graduated from high school I lost many friends and some I lost because I wanted to. But this time it’s different, over the past year or so I have made some friends who I shared everything with, things I would have never shared with otherwise. But somehow it seems to be falling apart. Well I guess that’s life. But friends are meant to be for life. Wonder if what I am going through is just another one of those test’s of life.

So Sick!

2006-11-26T10:19:00.000+04:00

The last few days have been just work and UNI. Really getting sick of it now. My friend S should be in Dubai within a month or so, looking forward to that. Many bloggers have talked about their experiences on the roads here in Dubai. Let me share something too.

I have a pick up service from UNI to home every night. The guy who drives the mini van is a young Afghani / Pakistani (Around 21-23 years old, not much older then I am). While on Sheikh Zayed Road since the traffic is clear at around 10.00pm he drives at the speed of 120 Km/hour to 150 km/hour. Every time we ask him to slow down he just gives us a smile. In the past I have had one bad experience although it wasn’t really his fault then but accidents don’t happen only when it’s your fault. So we have to face this every night. Sometimes while we are in the van we also experience weightlessness. Trust me its true.

Last week I met with my lovely friend Chico. It’s always nice meeting her and she is really sweet. They taught me in Economics the law of ‘diminishing returns’. That’s exactly what’s happening to my relationship with my DVD seller in Karma. With every new DVD that I buy from him my satisfaction level drops. Moral of the story: Find another DVD seller!

Something really strange that I have to share with you all. While I was in Singapore I met this lady from Perth in an antique store. Her name was Betty. We chatted for a while and then had coffee together and then later lunch. While I was in Melbourne I met up with another such lady, her name was Patricia. We had dinner together and I met her and her daughter while they were in Dubai soon after I returned from Melbourne. Last weekend while I was in Karama souq I met up with another lady in an antique store and started chatting with her. This time though I didn’t get her name or end up having coffee/lunch or dinner with her. But for some reason I enjoy talking to strangers. The irony in all the past cases has been that, they have all been old Australian women. Please don’t misunderstand me. The last case I didn’t find out that she was Australian until the last 2 minutes of our conversation. However I found it easier to make friends in Singapore and Melbourne then in Dubai. SUCKER DUBAIN's..!!!

I WANT TO SLEEP..!!!

2006-11-01T10:02:00.000+04:00

It’s been a while since I have posted anything. Well, I think I am suffering from Insomnia. It’s been a week since I have got any sleep. I have a doctor’s appointment this coming Saturday, let see how that goes. Work and university have been the same – STRESSFUL!!

Every day I look forward for the weekend. Those 2 days of the week seem worth a vacation. I have been thinking of traveling to Iran during the winter break. I have no particular reason as to why I want to travel to Iran though. Hopefully things will work out.

My friend S is going to be in Dubai soon. He is moving from Melbourne. I am really looking forward to it. He is amongst the very few friends of mine who are really close to me and feel good when they are around. Amongst the other friends there is Harsha, I am sure you all know her.

I have also been missing Melbourne. What I miss about Melbourne ..?? Hmm..lets see…

OPORTO

The Melbourne City (Picture below)

The Aussies – OF COURSE!! They are like the best people on this planet, no one can beat them.!!

My friends, and

My friend’s lovely mansion.

One of my friends pet – Krystal ( Picture below)

I am sure I am paying a visit again next year. Also considering moving there, but not in the near future.

Not much happening in my life except regular visits on Friday to Karama Souq hunting for some cheap DVD’s, downloading heaps of podcasts and listening Jack Johnson who happens to be mine and Nandita’s favorite singer. I wish he could come to Dubai to perform. I am sure Harsha has a lot to say about his songs because she really hates them.

Racism

2006-10-15T14:43:00.000+04:00

Racism - An Idea!

Something , somewhere , someday triggered this idea in me. I worked on it and I have come up with a pretty good explanation to the concept ‘Racism’.

So what is ‘Racism’?

As I do always, look it up on GOOGLE.

Racism is a belief in the moral or biological superiority of one race or ethnic group over another or others.[1] The term racism is also sometimes used to refer to preference for one's own ethnic group (ethnocentrism)[2], fear of difference (xenophobia), views or preferences against interbreeding of the races (miscegenation)[3], and nationalism[4], regardless of any explicit belief in superiority or inferiority fact. Related concepts include prejudice, discrimination and racialism.

Racism has been used to justify social discrimination, racial segregation and violence, including genocide.

The term racist, when used to describe someone who subscribes to racism, has been a pejorative term since at least the 1940s, and for this reason the identification of a group or person as racist is nearly always controversial.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

MY UNDERSTANDING:

Ever heard of the term ‘Stereotype’.

Stereotypes are ideas held by some individuals about members of particular groups, based solely on membership in that group. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype

Well according tome Racism is a sum of few stereotypes such as skin color, nationality,etc. Its like a MATSER STEREOTPYE which includes stereotypes which reflect prejudice.

From what I see Racism actually does not have anything to do with Skin color. There are various versions of Racism and in only a few versions does the skin color really matter. For the rest it’s what the skin color represents. For instance:

Brown Colored Skin: What comes to your mind first when you think of it?

Indians & Pakistani’s, Non-native English Speakers, Highly Family Oriented , People for whom nude beaches and pre-marital sex is a definite no – no.

Well you see, you are just relating the color skin to what it would represent. You are not actually differentiating a person based on its skin color, but what it represents.

MY DEFENITION OF RACISM: A game of psychological ideas where prejudice prevails on the basis of the representation on ideas on the basis of skin color in a society where stereotyping leaves no room for individual characteristics.

Racism has evolved just like everything else. Here is a diagram of Racism and how it shows that in the past racism was more based on the skin color rather than what it is today, which is the idea your skin color portrays.

As I said before there are different versions of racial discrimination and in certain cases only does the skin color really matter.

Version 1:

White skin having more opportunities than Brown Skin.

Racism based on skin color…??

Not really, but more based on the stereotype the employers have about the western world that they are more efficient and competent then the Asians and other non-western citizens. And it’s a fact that majority of the people from the west have lighter skin color. It’s the mentality of the employer to think that the assumptions he/she makes about a person’s qualifications or competency based on skin color is valid.

Version 2:

Standing in a cue to pay your bills along with a person whose skin color is lighter than yours. The person behind the counter approaches him/her first rather then.

Racism based on skin color..???

Purely! It does not really matter what the skin color portrays in this case because the person behind the counter is there to do a job which is to serve all regardless of what ideas, qualifications the customer holds.

Does it make any sense..?? Let me know what you all think!