My Life My Way....

Failures

2011-10-24T15:24:00.001-07:00

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. [...] Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. - Steve Jobs

Everything happens for a reason.

Hope

2011-10-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

You have not lost until you have hope. Not yet :).

Marriage - Found on the net

2011-10-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Loved this, could not stop myself from re-sharing it.
You might have already read it and re-read it. But every time I read it, it reminds me that Life is made up of small things, happiness lies in small moments of life and we miss these moments looking for a bigger achievements which are far lesser in frequency.

Married or not… you should read this.

“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

I saw this on the internet.. I thought I would share this on tumblr to my followers and randoms.

(Source: nathanpersuasion)

Today Jul 15 2011

2011-07-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know why without any reason, life is becoming so complicated. Evenings have become so lonely and I really yearn for a good friend's company to talk and do chit chat. I have heard about this lot of times actually in fact lot more than that =). That your happiness should not be dependent on others. You are your own inner source of happiness. You will be happy if your inner is at peace.

Yesterday I was searching new wallpapers for the iphone and I saw this wallpaper with a quote

"When I get sad I Stop being sad and be awesome instead"

I liked it so I have decided no more low feelings and I am going to find inner peace and happiness I know its sounds very cliche. But let's see how it goes.

If you have better views on how to tackle depression and get happiness do leave a comment =). Mean while I will try these things and will surly update when I found one.

P.S. - Not thinking about preaching or becoming a guru :D

4th of July at Washington DC

2011-07-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

This was a long weekend and did not go as I planned :(. But still had fun on 4th of July at Washington DC.

We reached there with our friends at about 5:45pm in our own car and were really scared that it will be an uphill task to find parking at decent place. Luckily we found parking near Marina market. We were roaming around and when a person waved at us for him guiding us to the parking :). Perplexed, we followed him and he took out his car giving us a place. I could not thank him there, but I wanted to say now "Thank You!" :).

The weather was bit better by the evening but still very hot. Looking at the crowd in National Mall, I was really overwhelmed. Everyone having fun in traditional 4th of July way. Smell of barbecues, picnic baskets everywhere. And icing on the cake was the Air Force music concert that was going on.

And after some time it started to drizzle now and then. Which cooled down the heat a bit.

And the day ended with an amazing show of fireworks orchestrated to perfection with music in the background. I just had one word to say "WOW" (notice the capital letters :D ). I just loved it. Will be uploading the pictures soon, when ever I get a chance to copy them from my camera.

Happy 4th of July everyone. Have fun!

Moving forward

2011-07-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while that I updated this section. But today I felt like doing it for myself.

I stumbled across one article today on huffingtonPost. (Just a background, AOL has acquired huffpo few months back and now I am working as part of HPMG or HuffPo Media Group.) So I stumbled upon this link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/06/google-marissa-mayer-women-in-tech_n_891167.html

This is an interview with Marissa Mayer, the first female engineer at Google and how she decided to join Google.

For me, I loved to be called nerd/geek. And I love doing technical work. Coding is my passion.

Her goes her lines, which I need to remember when I am looking out ;)

She advises people pursuing careers in the high-tech industry, whether at startups or Fortune 500 firms, to consider four things when choosing between jobs: "Work with the smartest people you can find, do something you're not ready to do, find an environment in which you're very comfortable so you can find your voice, and work for someone who believes in you -- because when they believe in you, they'll invest in you."

Aquarium Update

2011-05-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

Finally my Aquarium is up and running for almost 4 months now :).

Right now, I have

1 Mystery Snail
Unknown number of ghost Shrimps (I could only locate 4 at a time, but I know they are more)
5 Rasboras
5 Cardinal tetras

And few plants including java moss, anarchis, money wort, anubias, cryptas etc. They all are good but growing very slowly. (I am wishing I should have bought a proper light aquarium than LED light.) But It could be due to lesser soil ingredients also.

Now, I want to add few rare and colorful species to my tank. Planning to add

3-4 AngelFish
1-2 German Ram
2-3 some nice bottom dwellers
2-3 livebearers (endlers')

Last month I added 4 guppies and a betta fish. But Guppies brought some kind of disease with them and betta became sick :(. I took all five fishes to my LFS guy. He asked me to leave them at the store and he will take care of them.

New Aquarium

2011-02-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Finally, after convincing my husband 100,000 and even more times. I got my first tank.
I bought Marineland LED aquarium kit which has everything included that's required for a tank setup. It has a heater, bio-wheel filter, thermometer, sample water conditioner, sample fish food etc etc.

I bought 30lbs of gravel from my lfs guy. But after looking around forums and asking for expert's advice. I guess I paid too much for it :(. And worst its clouding my water since 3rd day of tank setup. I googled around and found out other people are facing the same problems with this particular brand and have returned the gravel to lfs.
So now I am also planning to return the gravel, since its a good time now with tank still undergoing cycling period and with no life in it.
But my husband, I think he is not very happy with the idea that I got a tank. He is pissed off with the filter sound and shouts at me now and then. He even hates idea of going to lfs for almost every 2nd week for next 3 months until my tank is setup. I wanted to do my aquarium DIY kind of way. Where I can go and explore near by river discover stuff and put it in my aquarium. But he does not like this idea at all.
Now I am feeling I have done a very big mistake for buying this aquarium :(.

But good thing is I have learnt how to drive now. So I hope next week will be li'l ok. Since he sleeps through out evening on Saturdays and Sundays. I can easily sneak out and look around what I want. But a company of friend would have been great.
So my list for next few days is:
#1 Buying a water reservoir which could hold my 30G of water, when I replace the gravel with the sand.
#2 Returning gravel to LFS guy.
#3 As suggested by some experts on forums, buying play sand from Home Depot.
#4 Look for some rocks and clean them for aquarium
#5 Driftwood, though I don't know where I can get it. The one with LFS is very costly. With snow all around, it will be very difficult to get it from near by river.
#6 Have posted on forums if I could buy plants on forums.
#7 Buying some hardy fishes

Let's see how it goes. My all time dream of keeping the aquarium seems to be turning into a nightmare :(.

Awesome #5

2011-02-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

A beautiful evening. Looking at the sun goes down with pink purple and all other colors dancing over the sky. Like some one has spilled over all the colors.
A famous saying "Its impossible to watch a sunset and not dream."
And when I see the sunset, I always feel looking at the gates of heaven in the sky.
Awesome!

My next item in the Awesome list - #4

2011-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

You had a long day at office. You had to finish lots of extra work and there's one more day to go to office before the weekend comes. You reach home in the evening and not in mood of cooking anything.

And then your hubby dear cooks for you, your favorite dish and all you do is watch tv.

That feeling of being cared is just awesome :).

Awesome #3

2011-01-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

You are going on a long trip. Feeling hungry, cold and grumpy. Those cranked and tired legs.

And suddenly you see some one sitting road side and selling your favorite hot food with a cup of coffee.
That smile on the face is just awesome :).

Awesome #2

2011-01-27T12:11:00.000-08:00

You have to go to a sudden trip alone. And all the time you been at that place just yearns to be with the one whom you love the most. Finally, the day has come when you catch the flight and come back home.

You are searching for the person miles before the airport exit doors.

Suddenly you get a glimpse of him watching through the doors, he is waiting for you at the airport with hand full of flowers. And his smile, make you feel that you are loved.

Awesome :).

My list of Awesome things #1

2011-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Looking at the snow for the first time. All who have never seen snowing in their life will agree with me :).

The cotton puff falling from the sky and you run to catch up a glimpse of the snow from all the windows. And then you get a hot cup of coffee to sip on while watching the falling snow. The feeling is just awesome.

Bangalore - My second home :)

2010-09-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

5 Years back, on today's date I reached Bangalore to join Infosys office from Pune.

It has been a roller coaster ride of love, fun, happiness, hard work, hope, friends, trips :). I have started liking this place so much that it has become my second home.

The time spent here in Bangalore I am gonna remember for my life time. This city has given me the belief that with hard work and good intentions you can achieve anything. And I am really thankful to this city for giving me opportunity to prove myself.

And most importantly It gave me friends of a life time, I have met so many people all across India and outside. Had been a very great experience.

Wanted to write so much about my stay in Bangalore. But no matter how much I write, this post will always be incomplete. As truly said, its very difficult to put feelings to the words. Some times unspoken feelings are much more stronger than words that are bounded by dictionary.

One night at Koromangla

2010-04-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, We went to China pearl for Chinese food. I find this place pretty decent not very costly and above all it has some coziness about it. Its different from other places as it gives the feel of privacy.
I love sitting at the first floor of the restaurant, which is much calmer.

It was all of sudden plan, so we left at 8pm around, prepared that We will have to wait for at least 20-30 mins, since it was Saturday eve and all the eating joints are normally full.

But luckily we got the table in 5 mins. After having a full meal, we left for home at 10pm around.

On the way back home, near Koromangla club. A biker came parallel to our car and started talking, Ashish slowed the car asking what he is trying to say and we were shocked when he said that we had hit him. Normally a small brush up with any vehicle, you come to know and hitting was too much. This road was not that running but still people were there. 1-2 Cars crossing every minute.

Suddenly he parked the bike in front of the car and forced us to stop. He came to us and told he is a police man and we have hit him and he is going to call the police. Luckily Ashish threw the car keys to the next seat and he could not grab the keys. That guy opened the car door and We were shocked. Ashish asked me to call the police immediately.

I called the police, and there was a lady on the other side. She talked very politely, we told her the place where we were standing and a police man harassing us. Mean while Ashish asked about his identity and he showed us a fake identity card which did not have his photo on it.

That guy insisted on getting Car's papers and Ashish's license, the lady in the control room asked to talk to that person. That guy is telling the lady he is standing in HSR layout, then Ashish snatched phone out of his hand. The guy was confident we have called some of our friend and not the police and kept on asking call your friends whom you have called on phone. Finally Ashish told him that we have called the police and let's settle the matter in front of police only. After hearing this, he got baffled and told us that he has noted down our vehicle number and going to police station. Saying this he quickly ran away from there.

He was calling some one on phone, may be his gang members. We followed him to note down the bike number and saw him standing in next lane talking to some one again.

With in 2 mins, we got a call from police telling they are standing near koromangla club, but by that time we left that place had reached Devi Eye Hospital. The police men asked us to file a complaint. Then we went to Koromangla police station and filed the complaint with the bike number.

The police men treated us very well. He told us there is no point having the bike number, since it would have been stolen or a forged number plate. He told that guy just wanted some money from us or may be if he had got hold of the keys, he would have shown a weapon and took the car or may be robbed us.

Thank god that guy did not have any weapon.

It was one scary evening.

The lessons learned from this incidence is:

1. Try going through busy roads, even if its just 10pm in the night.
2. If some one tries to stop like this, simply run. You will come to know who is police men by looking at their dress, having a wireless set, police bike etc.
3. Never gave into what other person say, verify his identity.
4. Call police call immediately.
5. Lock the doors of your car with windows, don't let the other person reach you anyway.
6. Don't come out of car.
7. If you are no bike, don't stop just run.

I heard this another incidence at Bellandur, outer ring road. Where a person was lying on road and his biker friend trying to stop the people for help. One poor guy stopped for their help. The moment he stopped, the other guy too woke up and robbed him of everything.

Some times I feel, what if a genuine person was lying on road for help. Would anyone will stop after hearing these incidences?

Solution to this problem is, if you really want to help the person, call Ambulance and police immediately giving all the address and exact location details.

This incidence I am going remember through my whole life.

Right to Education Act - A much needed reform

2010-04-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Finally, A right to education for each child. This was much needed reform for Indian society (in fact for any society). With population numbers in billions, this is one thing which will ensure that the children whose parents could not afford education for their kids can go to school now. Nobody knows if, one of these children will become top class scientist whose ideas will change the world.

As per the survey almost 10 million children will be benefited by this. RTE mandates and provides the education to every child between the age of 6-13 year old. The views of some top officials as given on some of the news sites:

Andre Bogui, Acting Director for International Labour Organization Sub-Regional Office for South Asia said that,

"The RTE brings forth the opportunity to reach the disadvantaged sections of the society such as child labourers. Although there is no such certified age for employment but the Act specifies the age limit for children to be at school during that period of their life, which means they are not supposed to work."

UNESCO New Delhi Director Armoogum Parsuramen said that,

"This Act bridges the dream of India to be a step closer to its goal of achieving national educational development, millennium development as well as education for all by improving each child’s accessibility to secondary and higher education."

"It is the mission of UNESCO to spread education to every nook and corner of the country and with this mission in mind, the RTE Act stands as the best accompany to its successful implementation."

It does not matter if some one lauded the congress government's efforts on bringing out RTE. But if it reaches the needy people, its gonna change the outlook of India. But the only thing that worries me is if some one does not have any food to eat, will they go and study in schools? A family in which each person's income matters a lot in day to day life will they be able to send their child to school?

I am hearing in news soon the Right to food act will also be formed which ensures food to every needy person. All the corruption eating in and out of India will it allow these kind of reforms to reach the bottom most?

It's only time which is gonna tell how things will move forward. Surely RTE is great step on the India's reformation.

Me and My work

2010-03-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

Everyday when I reach office, I thank god that he has fulfilled my dream. And this is a hard earned place, I will have to put my best into my work.

I still remember the day, when computers arrived in our school, I was in 8th standard then. We were only allowed to work on DOS command. Our computer teacher will tell, the student who will answer all the questions in the test will get to work 10 mins extra on computer. Since our class had 40 students and with just three computers on hand. It used to be great reward.

In the free time, all other kids used to play in the ground. I will come to my computer teacher for extra lessons. She told me If I am so crazy about computers I should get admission into Computer Engineering. & That day I made up my mind that what I am gonna be.
I always loved studying science. Chemistry being my favorite subject and Maths keep me running on me knees.

So finally the day arrived, when I took admission in to Science stream in the neighboring city. It was not an easy ride. I belonged to a conservative family where sending girls out for studies was a big thing. But my parents always supported me. My mother always wanted me to be the most successful person on the earth.

In the 12th standard, when everyone was preparing for getting into good engineering colleges. I used to leave my house 4am in the morning at -2 degree temperature, my father used to drop me at bus stop, where I would catch a bus and reach Jalandhar by 5am around. My first tution in the morning was Chemistry. Still I remember those days, there used to be no Auto/rikshaw would be there. I would just keep praying in my heart that I will reach my tution on time.

Directly from tution, I used to go to HMV College Jalandhar where I spent the two most crucial years of my life. On the way I would have my breakfast packed by my mom.

After I hectic day at college, I used to leave for next tution of Mathematics at 3pm. Like other schools where 12th students used to be relieved at 12:30 pm so that they can prepare for competition exams. My college used to have strict timings and gate would not open before 2 pm in the noon.

My last tution used to be of Physics and by the time I would reach back bus stop for catching a bus back to my city, it will be 8 pm in the evening. Only handful of people there at bus stop. I used to be very scared deep in my heart and will keep on murmuring prayers that I reach home safely. I have always known Just one incidence and all of my studies will be wasted and I will not be allowed to go to any tutions. That time having a cell phone was a luxury and I did not have one until my graduation. So in case of any emergency, there will not be any one who will help me out.

By the time I would reach my city Kapurthala, a rickshaw will be waiting for me at bus stop. This guy I have seen since I took admission into Eleventh standard and continued to meet him till my degree ended. So for almost for 6 years, when ever I saw him on bus stop. He will never ask me where I want to go or whether I want to go or not. Just looking at me from far end of the bus stop he will take out his rickshaw. I saw this guy from looking very young in the beginning and suddenly age taking is toll on him for may be due to the labour he has to do all day or may be due to family tensions. I never talked to this person ever in my life. But when I will get out of the bus and would sit on his rickshaw I always felt the home is not far away now.

Due to hectic schedule and college assignments, I used to study till 12 in the night and next morning again ready by 4 am. In the last two months when exams started nearing. The preparations became more firer. And my health started deteriorating. My mother used to be very much worried for me and all my relatives started forcing me to drop out and take Arts. As anyways girls are supposed to do house hold chores and even If I got admission, I will never get a job.

It was really hard to concentrate on my studies, but still I made it and got admission into DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology. I was getting admissions into other good government colleges in Punjab but then I would have to stay in a hostel which my father was strictly against. This was the newly opened college in Jalandhar. Finally I gave up and took admission with all of my friends getting admissions in the renowned colleges. Still in my heart I knew, If I do hard work and keep on putting my best, God will never fail me.

The college days were really awesome. Those 4 years are best days of my life. During which I met my best friend who eventually became my future husband.

Finally the college was over, and all the friends moved on to their own path. It was just the half battle won. Now comes the real situation, with I was only allowed to stay in Punjab, I would have to find job in Punjab only. I was lucky that my parents allowed me to work otherwise the degree would have just added to my matrimonial value. With all the relatives sitting on my parents head to get me married as soon as possible. I was twenty years old at that age and All I wanted was two years from my father so that I can work.

I used to go to Chandigarh searching for a job. First thing I was a fresher and that too from a college whose first batch has just come out basically with no reputation at all. Every where the same answers, you are a fresher and we never heard about your college. Because of the first batch none of the companies came to campus placements also. And today our college is amongst the Top 50 colleges of India. Its a great thing since Punjab only has around 40 engineering colleges.

I had lost all my hopes. I tried to convince every one that give me a chance and you will never regret hiring me bit none would pay a heed. I got four jobs, three in Chandigarh and one in Ludhiana with a salary of 4k per month. The work was related to data entry. But I wanted to do some real coding, with heavy heart I returned home.

One day, I got a call from my friend that he has got an interview call from Infosys and I should to froward my resume. I did the same and by God's grace I got interview call.

It was very difficult to convince my father that I want to go to Delhi for my exam. Finally my aunt came to rescue who stayed in Delhi and said its a good thing that ways I will get to spend my vacations at her home and she will take me for exam. This was the first time in my life when I traveled so far all alone. I got call just 2 days before the exam and I left for Delhi very next day in general compartment. With all weird sort of people around me, after 9 long hours I finally reached Delhi. I was so scared at Delhi railway station with every one out there to eat you that was the feeling I was getting and till day I am scared to travel alone to Delhi.

When I met my aunt I had tears in my eyes and she hugged me it was such a relief. Next day I went for my exam in the morning. There were thousands of people came to sit for the first round which was an exam having puzzles, technical questions, questions related to engineering. I met half of my college friends there. And finally the exam was over. I knew this was my last chance, I did not have the courage to wait so I left.

In the evening, one of my friend called me and told that I have cleared the exam. I just could not believe that. The next round was F2F interview. Infosys is known for its formal culture so I wore Indian suit and left for the interview. On the way, my dress accidentally got torn off. I came back home and had to wear a jeans and go to interview. I was already late for the interview and driver was not able to find the location of the interview.

Finally at sharp 2:30pm I reached the interview venue. The expression on the face of interviewer after looking at my attire. Oh my god! I thought in my heart that I lost my last chance. But the interview went well. They told they will inform me via email.

Then I stayed at my aunt's place for 2 more days and came back. With no replies from them in next two weeks and other people getting rejection letters, I thought may be it was so bad that I will not even get a reply.

I had lost all of my hopes and suddenly one day the same friend called me and told that he has been selected and got a reply. I congratulated him and as soon as I put down the phone. I cried my heart out. I knew if not know it will be never in my life. And by God's grace I too got selected and was called to join in Pune.

You think things are sorted out, nah not yet. I had to convince my family to send me to Pune from Punjab.

But finally, I joined Infosys Pune in August, 2005. That day was the best day of my life. And I promised myself from now on what ever I work I do I will be honest with my work and will put my 100% into it.

And till date I am proud of myself that I am doing that and will continue doing that. Every day when I reach office I thank God for being with me my anchor.

Do what you love (no excuses)!

2010-03-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

I always feel that why people do something everyday say their job, business or studies etc. and still they crib about it every single day of their life. Its really sad to see how many people are trapped into the so called routine which they never wanted to do.

We have just one life to live and that too with every day its getting over, like sand slips out of the hands. Its high time guys, start doing what you love, what you always wanted to do. It's now or never kind of situation.

Once you start doing the things that you love to do, it will automatically grow because its one thing you are passionate about. And the biggest thing never stop beiliveing. My life's mantra is "To believe is to happen."

If you don't have faith in your self that you will make it happen it's never gonna happen. All the famous people have gone through their tough times but they are successful because they never stopped beliveing.

There is a famous quote which says

"Winners are never quitters and Quitters are never winners."

I saw this one video on TED, whose punch line was "Do what you love (no excuses)!" http://www.ted.com/talks/gary_vaynerchuk_do_what_you_love_no_excuses.html

I am few of the lucky ones who can say that they are into profession which they love :). I love my job, love the challenges its like puzzles everyday unfolding in front of you. I always keep on looking for the things which I can do to make my work perfect. I really want to thank god for all his blessings on me. One wish, I want to fulfill is I want to work in R & D environment where I can do good for other people which will be useful for them.

Lunch with the CEO - 11 Mar, 2010

2010-03-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

This day would be marked as a big day in my life :) when I got a chance to have lunch with the CEO of AOL. It was a great experience of course very motivational and brings one closer to the company.

Beside that, the changes this guy has brought into the company are worth mentioning that too in such a short period of time.

Before going to the lunch, I was very nervous and was getting jitters. But once in the room, the environment was very friendly.
The few point that I felt should be taken care while going on such kind of meetings:
1. Use only 1% of your total knowledge when trying to talk to CEO’s, use 100% of questioning
techniques and listen carefully understanding what he says. The quality and clarity of questions will
have a direct affect on the answers that you get. The person who asks questions is in control of a
discussion by allowing others to freely give answers. If you feel uncomfortable with the Executive
Assistant or the CEO then ask a quality question. This will take the heat off you. Always let the CEO
or EA complete their sentences and thoughts.
2. Do not hi jack the meeting if there are other employees available on the lunch. The point is to ask valid questions and just questions. Asking irrelevant questions or questions whose solutions might already be available or questions which are getting addressed on other forums will do much more damage than building up your repo.
3. Enjoy this opportunity :).

My First post

2010-03-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to express my views through writing. So finally got a chance to have a say about everything I like and other things that I don't like :).
This blog contains my personal views about things happening around me.