Mesmerized !

Mumbaikar to ab kidhar? ( Hindi for now where?)

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:19:00 +0000

It isn't easy to get on a 18 hour plane,concise your belongings into 60 odd kilos and resettle for the next 5 years of your life. The enthusiasts in me ,however, said "I will be fine, It will all be alright". It was probably this enthusiasm that came back to bite me.

I hated it when I got there. The country, the people, the clean roads, the not so clean mentality. My insides shut down. I stopped thinking, that is the only way I survived. I had to stop judging. That turned out to be good and bad.

Good because as I started to shut my thinking cell, I started observing. Making no judgement about what I saw and the links my brains made. I shut down my brain and let my eyes and ears do all the work.

The shut down of my brain and mind had its draw backs. They got lazy. They now, refuse to get back to the pace they once functioned on. Worse, they have started questioning their own capabilities.

Stuck between the person I was, the person I am and the person I know I can be is eating into present me. Confusion, as I always say is a good thing. It makes you think, reconsider. This confusion in my life, however, cost me a part time job, a relationship with me a dear one and an academic hiccup.

Rebuilding is never easy. It requires picking the pieces up, having the heart to get rid of them, facing the truth of the mistakes made and taking it from there. It is difficult but it is life.

For in an easy situation many can rise. In a difficult situation only a few arise.

A tribute to my closest and dearest girl friends

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:36:00 +0000

In the (suppossed ) land of dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:36:00 +0000

I landed in Newark, New Jersey on august 4th 2008. The 1st week or so was a blaze. Almost touristy. The cherry on the cake was added my best friend who flew down from San Jose just to ease me into a country he had learned to live in but not love.

Its almost 6 months now and I have never been so confused an uncertain about life. Confusion as I always say is a good thing. Why? Well personally it makes me think beyond the realm of what I would usually think. It makes me explore new avenues that I probably would have never ventured out into.

The confusion and disparity are a direct result of a lot of what is happening externally as well as personally. Ill spare you the personal crap. Externally Im in a country that has finally realized that it has screwed up and how. Forget looking at it as a country, Im looking at it as a person. A person who lived in a disillusion world, having no fear or consciousness of what was happening. A person who believes that everything can be made to look ( perception) just perfect. So it doesnt matter if you are wearing a 30,000 $ dress if underneath you are bleeding from wounds you carved upon yourself.

What I have realized as a consequence is - I followed the crowd to the land of dreams ( and how ). By no means do I regret my Masters program , it has been so much more than I ever imagined it to be. But the questions I ask my self now is - could I have gained equal/more knowledge if I continued to work back home? Only time can answer that.

At this point I ( and I believe a million Indian students like me) are trying to strike a balance. A balance between the world they see crumbling around them to the Internal dreams and expectations they had from a country they are alien too.

What I have learned is something I will cherish all my life. Something I didnt opt for, but glad it came along. I cant say - it cant get worse cause it can. These walls of pretense that we build around ourselves are swiftly falling. That is good. A new order of thoughts is much required. I am struggling striking a balance but at the same time I am glad.

Its amazing how to realize the obvious you have to venture through unknown spaces. At the end of the day there wouldn't be a story if there wasn't a journey.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I promise to blog more often about life here. Ask me specifics of what you want to know and I will try and tend to it. It feels good to blog

My colaba - No More

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Sleep has been a direct by product of exhaustion in the past few days. Im sitting here in a cozy apartment in Jersey city, scared, outraged and disgusted at the state of thing at my home place: Bombay. A few men who were armed with weapons, passion and more importantly a mission made Bombay a bombed bay. Stripped of our so called spirit we were emotionally raped. For every man who lost his wife and for every child who cried - today after 3 days I cry with you.

I shed tears today not because its a sad thing to happen to a country but because unknowingly we have brought this upon ourself. I shed a tear today because when I went for any cricket match and heard anti pakistani slogans - I smiled. I shed a tear today because I believed bribing a cop was not a law broken. I shed a tear today because somewhere in my life I too have discriminated against caste, race, creed and color. I shed a tear today because I have blatantly abused probably the same cop that died rescuing some one from my city. I cry today because when I had a chance to vote - I didnt. I cry today because I accused a journalist of being stupid- while she bravely put her self in front of the action - updating me on my Bombay. I cry today because my home has changed forever.

Colaba use to be a place where the rich stayed and they still bargained. It was the place where my mom let me wander around when I was just 10. It was a place that had mondy's Saturday night drunk karoke and SBX where I met my love. It was the same place that had a Goan, Parsi, South Indian, north Indian, Muslim, and Lebanon eating joint. It was a place where men tried getting sleazy with you only for you to slap them. Im not saying these places wont be there anymore. What wont be there will be there is the vibe. Yes! I am scared. Just the way every time I sat in a local train - the thought of a bomb last always loomed over head.

My house has been tarnished. Its like home to me where every wall has a memory. I remember so vividly when I went to gateway and had chai. How I sat in front of the Taj and was amazed by its beauty often telling people how its architect shouldn't have committed suicide. I walked past nariman house not knowing what it was. I sat in front of the trident and wondered how it would be to stay on its top floor and have the view of the queens necklace.

First tainted in blood by terrorist now these places are being robbed of their soul by politicians. No Mr PM, CM, FM - I do not care who you are. I care about Bombay - a place which is just another constituency for you. You can step down, fall down or just drown for all I care but spare me my home. Spare me the place that is embedded in every nerve of my body. I do not need you to assure me. I do not need you to read something your PR person wrote for you. I do not need to pay you so that only you can have security. Where is my security? Where is it?

Yes I have lost faith. No im not going to ride the way of the Mumbai Spirit. Do not tell me this will all be ok! I refuse to forget this incidence. It should not be forgotten because this is what the truth is. Im not going to pretend that the politicians did not fuck up and im not going to let them forget either.

So today from half a world away I still am grieving because after 3 days today it finally let me grieve. Today I realized My colaba will no more be my colaba because in my colaba this shit would have never happened. Period.

Maroon

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:58:00 +0000

once opened doors,
were proudly announced
now all of a sudden
you wish you were the conservative type

revelations made,
hearts broken,
still no answer to the email
she must be a special kind of an idiot

lets go back to back
where it all happened again
oopps! that the Siren
Major Shutdown begins once again

One brick at a time
the wall goes up again
no one is noticing
must be her lucky day

The drop of the flowing blood
she stares , she blink
once so maroon
now so black

They say love ........ I say crap

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:25:00 +0000

For all the crap
for all the long hours
its all bull shit
its all crap

too much need
too much want
no perfection
fuck the world, fucl the world

i like peace
i like calm
but this political crap
no life no more

all those plans
all that shit
sit with me and talk
oh wait thats forbidden . thats forbidden

so lets face the truth
a lie for a lie
fuck the world
fuck the world

no more are you warm
no more do i like your hold
i miss my self
comeback comeback

i want to love myself
just the way i love you
only that i know id reciprocate
id love back, id love back

so lets rewind
too the good old times
when we made practical decision
when life was simpler when life was love

i cant love no more
the hypocrisy kills me
stab stab
I can hear the pain , i can hear you laugh

lets fuck the world
and fuck people over
cause if not now
then its never

Solution : PR

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:07:00 +0000

Many Journalist do not like the fact that PR Professionals who represent a particular company are not always well equipped with information regarding that company. Fair enough - its part of our job's too be informed.

On the other hand lets look at individuality. I probably will be really really well equipped with information on the entertainment front, but on the financial front im still trying to figure out what GDP really means. If I join a PR company and am put on a financial account - there goes everything. Yes! Obviously Ill have to do a lot of reading, but still a few details, can either be not understood or misinterpreted.

Though Im a true believer in Try new things out, and also do firmly believe that Sachin Tendulkar will be a horrible doing a dance number. If you know what I mean.

Ok lets get to the point - Here is a solution I thought off.

So a particular company bags a particular account. Let say for example its a lifestyle account.

What if there was a procedure in which the employee of the company that bagged the account were sent out a note to apply for the account.

By apply for the account - I mean contest (ill explain contest below) to be a part of the account.

What do you need to contest for the account - Simple You need Knowledge about the client, the industry it falls under and a bonus would always be a creative way of approaching the requirements of the client.

A Panel that should ideally consist of an employee of the PR agency and a Brand manager or the likes from the Clients company.

They could pick who would best represent the client and not only has ample knowledge but also has the passion for that sector of the industry.

What this does is 1) ensures the client it has one of the best/deserving people working on the account. 2) It would help effectively deliver information to journalist/blogger et all without the awkward "uh ummm ill get back to you on this". 3) brings about healthy competition. 4) Takes the client agency relationship up a notch. 5) Its almost like treating each individual like an consultant. It helps bring back the belief that the accounts you handle are directly in proportion with the your initiative to work for them.

The downside is that its a time consuming process , also how does the attrition rate in the PR industry let something like this grow? Would it be feasible for a small sized company to exercise this?

What do you think ? Do you like the idea - Do you think its a solution or is its not feasible?

Update: U.S.A

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:52:00 +0000

Well - so im still waiting for 3 other universities to reply.

So with Seton Hall University where I got my admission - I had also applied for a Graduate Assistant position. and well I didnt get it.

Does that make me sad - Yes sort of. It would have been great if I did get that position, but well i guess some better things are in store for me. I wish loads of luck to who ever got it though.

So im still waiting for replies - From NYU, BARUCH and SJSU.

Its Nerve recking all this waiting - But i guess its all worth the wait.

What about now ?

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:26:00 +0000

Uncertain

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:19:00 +0000

So Im smiling,
ear to ear,
staring into space,
a tear falls

the inside crumble,
a change they insist,
universe, the infinite,
lost, wandering what next?

Is there too much at stake,
too much of a change,
human nature,
for why must we succeed?

do I ask a lot?
where is the modesty,
too much internal turmoil,
I need a break.

a clutch, a support system,
now the knees crumble,
the ground gives way,
Baam Baam Baam - who is falling?

Chick's Connect

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:39:00 +0000

In college back in those BMM days, I met Tanima and Prashu almost everyday, we did the usual jazz eat at the sandwhich walla, sit in Mocha and have chai and all, bitch, fight, run around for projects, laugh and blah blah blah. Since we graduated and started working, we found it really really difficult to keep in touch, not that we dont meet every other day, but still something was always missing. So we invited something called the CHICK MAILS.

What are Chick Mails: They are basically mails that are cc'd to all your closest chick friends and where crazy gossip takes place. Its also an ideal way of communication when 1 or more chick friends have moved out of the country.

My Chick friends and me have been doing it for a while now. I can bet my bf would do anything to get his hands on my email password. But thats the thing with chick mails 1 and only rule - you cannot share/fwd the mails to anyone out side the chick circle.

What do we do ....Well!!

During the days when Orkut was Orkut - we'd send each other links of HOT guys we stumbled upon on Orkut.
Forwarding links of photos of other class mates that just makes you laugh
The usual gossip about who is dating who, who slept with who, and who is a total bitch.
Then the Forecast issue - where we try and use our sixth sense in guessing what the future holds for us according to what is currently happening.
Its the Ace platform to bitch about your BF.
It always brings a smile on your face when in the middle of a heavy work day, one of your chick friends sends out a chick mail

It by far is one of the best ways for me to keep in touch with my chick friends, and think will continue to be so even after I head off to the states. Do you connect in any special way with your friends tell me about it.

Help Manoj achieve his dream.

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:21:00 +0000

I have been doing on and off volunteer work for Shanesa - a volunteer Student organization that have been over the past 2 year informally educating the under privileged kids of Milan Subway.

One of their students Manoj Bawra is finally taking a step forward to pursue a formal education.

Manoj Bawra is a 17 year old from a village near Agra who came to Mumbai, the city of dreamers 4 years back. Like every other kid, he wanted to earn handsomely so he could send back to his parents. His father is an auto-rickshaw driver while his mother a homemaker.

Living, like a paying guest in a slum near Milan Subway, he use to do odd jobs as an electrician’s assistant and would give a certain percent to the people who provide him food and shelter here.

Today, he is taking a first step towards achieving his dream. He is taking up a vocational training course to study two wheeler mechanics which will give him a well paid job. Manoj Bawra, a 17 year old from a village near Agra came to Mumbai, the city of dreamers 4 years back. Like every other kid, he wanted to earn handsomely so he could send back to his parents. His father is an auto-rickshaw driver while his mother a homemaker.

I am supporting his dream. I am giving him some rice and oil, this Manoj will use as compensation payable to the family who he is currently living with. Help me support his dream. Give him some rice or oil or essential food items.

You can call Ninand @ +91 9820144800 or email Pankti for more details

When I walk past Bandra station every day,
draped in black, they sit doped and dazed away,
My heart begins to melt, but what can I do,
No matter how hard the path, your choices will make or break you

From the station, i reach my office,
My mail box opens, and I begin to skim through,
from facebook request, to loads of work pending,
The plea to help Manoj stands out and answer's "what can I do"

So just take about 30 minutes of you day today,
and be grateful for the things you have,
No matter how hard His situation,
With Hope, Manoj is still pulling through every day,

Here his plea,
and help him out,
just some rice and oil,
and you can rest - for you helped a boy achieve his dream.

Why I want my own "Company"

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:18:00 +0000

When I go around telling people my end goal in life is to have my own company - they either laugh or think im overtly ambitious or are pleasantly surprised. Honestly - Im ok with any reaction because I know no matter what before 2018 I will have my own company.

So why do i Want my own company , well because :-

I have like a trizzlion ideas in my head everyday, some way ahead of their time, some plain stupid and un realistic and some simply brilliant.

The point being, I need to have a outlet for these Idea's - I may work for a company - but would they approve of the idea? May be May be not.

Even if they did approve of the idea would its be pursued with the interest of bringing about change or would the essence of an idea die withe office politics and ego clashes? I donno.

My own company would mean absolute independence to pursue my idea's with its core essence, to find people who add value and nourish the idea.

Ive been able to identify 2 such people. One is Tanima - She is hard working, diligent and little to darn precise (almost nerve recking precise) but its required. My company would initially be a Communication house - its event branch id love for tanima to handle. She alone can handle an event, besides that an event is not just an even for her. Its the art of looking at a barren land and transforming it into a bubble that helps not only the client, but the clients public to interact. Its about innovation, and synergy for Tanima. No matter how much I stress on Social Media PR, the online conversation must go offline, and that platform Tanima would be able to handle the best.

How would my company be different , very briefly ill tell you why ( these points would later be transformed into proper post)

I will be picky about the people i work with. The brands i work with, must have utmost regard for PR in all its form be it conventional or Social Media.
I will not work with brands who want publicity for the fact that their CEO FARTED . Next ...
Pr = Publicity, if thats what you believe ----> there is the door.
Brands that dont trust in the company or visa versa - should find other trustworthy Communication Partnerships.
Innovation will be the key drive for the company - The Same formula may not always be the best for another brand. Can you live with that ?

You probably think Im arrogant. For me its just focus - I don't know if its good or bad ( it surely feels good) to have a few strong opinions and believes that drive you. For me communication is so much more that a press release that made it through to Prime Time 9 O clock News.

What do you say ??? WOuld you Hire my company ??

U.S.A

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:23:00 +0000

If you have been reading my blog regularly, you would know that I'm hoping to fly to the states to continue to extend my learning curve.

The update as of now-

Admit got - 1 University

Regets - 2 universities

Awaiting Reply - 3 Universities

So According to numbers - I have done fairly well. But 2 regrets - has taken a lot out of me emotionally. Life has been on shaky ground recently.

For no good reason have I found my self lost, and have been questioning my actions. I dont consider it a bad thing. Why? Because I think it is good to be confused, or lost because in that case you are actively looking for the best path to journey upon. But the process of looking for the best path when all sort of dark clouds are blocking you way can be very taxing.

Even though I keep reinforcing the positives in my self, the fear that something may go wrong is always hovering over my head.

I know im going to be a little lost , but what I know as a 100% sure is, the path that I choose to journey upon, after battling the dark clouds to form a clear path will be worth all the anxiety in my life right now. Amen to that!

My freelance work

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:56:00 +0000

Yes I know I have updated my blog in a long while but i have rather been busy with my full time job, plus my freelance writing stuff, plus im trying to materialize a few ideas that i have in my head. So i may not be physically busy but mentally im running full throttle right now.

So here are a few of the articles that I have been writing.

Social Media in India: Is it worth it?

Yahoo! rejects Microsoft; but what if?

Being a woman in 21^st century India

The Icon of Oprah

Do let me know what you people think about the articles . Cheers!

AMY Winehouse steals the grammy with 5 Grammys

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:37:00 +0000

British singer Amy Winehouse won 5 out of her 6 nominations including, record of the year, best new artist, song of the year, pop vocal album and female pop vocal performance. I truly like her song Rehab, and was super glad it won. Here is the video for the same.

I saw a man almost Die Today

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:28:00 +0000

I love traveling by train. I like seeing the world pass by, as I travel in what I state the fastest means of transport in Mumbai today. It sort of transforms me in this void, where my brain accelerates and most of my work thought takes place in 30 minutes of traveling.

I almost also get a little petrified while im at the station trying to get into the platform where my train is to arrive. When I catch my train from Churchgate in the morning, the way people are rushing to get out is one sight. If they were given an axe, or sword in their hand it would surely look like war was on, and people were charging towards you. By the time i reach Bandra, it is much more calm.

Today i was climbing down the bridge that leads to platform no 1. I was busy on the phone then, when i saw a man walking towards the end of the platform, i assumed he would climb up the bridge, some how he didnt, and tried to get down next to the tracks to cross. Before he knew it he lost balance and fell close to a moving train. I was shocked. So much so that I almost balnked out. People coming under a train or in a car accidents are one of my biggest fears.

I literally felt everything become mute, i was only wondering if the man was okie and alive. I dared to look ( my biggest mistake) for what I saw will stay with me for a very long time. The train still continued to move, and parts of the train kept hitting the man, tossing his body around. By gods grace his head didnt come right under the train. the train passed, the man didnt move an inch.

He was unconscious, i was delirious, i could hardly breathe thinking i just saw a man die. The situation had totally taken over ever sensible bone in my body. Two brave women, jumped off the platform and begin to see if he was breathing. He was. But what could two young women do, they together hardly weighted 80 kilos.

I distinctly still remember this one lady was screaming for help, asking men to help her pick the body off the tracks before another train came. No one helped, these were men in their 40's who just stood there , as if it was a serial. Then young boys, the youth of India jumped off and picked the man up bringing him to the platform. As real as in reel life, the railway authorizes arrived only after the drama was over.

I salute those 2 women, they jumped to help the situation 1st. I still dont think im over the situation and i hope it doesn't haunt me tonight. Im surely never ever crossing rail tracks ever again. I pray to god the man is alive.

An Open Letter to Aamir Khan!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:07:00 +0000

Im not much of a movie buff, or should I say I wouldn’t put in extra effort to go watch a movie, id rather catch up with friends over a cup of tea. I caught up with Taare Zameen Par on Saturday, and was I very very glad that I did.

There have been very few movies that have moved me emotionally, and there is only one movie that has moved me from being a passive watcher to an active appreciator, hence I write this post to the true Human behind one of the best movies ever churned out by Indian Cinema.

The movie visually was a treat, the perfect blend of animation and real reel. The songs, unlike many Indian Movies played a crucial role in transforming the story ahead. I was baffled behind how meaningful the song, ‘Meeri Ma’ was to the entire story.

The story behind the movie, the motive, the reason was what won my heart. The way in which you portrait our ignorant society, that as you rightly said ‘wants to give birth to either an top Ranker or an engineer’ has forgotten to be human. They have forgotten that even Super Human’s have hurdles and these Super Humans if at all need your support, not money, or not a Merc, or fancy class A school.

You have yearly, produced some of the most thought provoking movies, but TPZ by far has been your best. You have truly taken the medium of cinema and with its potential to reach the masses, put across a message that will at the least make the masses aware of those special children, with wonderful abilities that are not understood, only because they are not possessed by us.

I stand in accolade of you, a human being that has struggled trough life, made a mark and now is making sure there is change through your work, which you have embraced with excellence. TPZ has made me want to appreciate, respect and learn from these kids, who posses the power of a different perception, hoping I can learn to look differently at the world that is held in stereo types. For this I ask your help – I am very sure that many people have been moved by the movie and probably been moved to such an extent that they would want to help spread awareness – but wouldn’t know how too.

I too want to help, and believe that if there was an initiation from your side, it would not only attract more people but would truly give meaning to the true motive behind the movie. If this interests you, I would be eagerly waiting for a positive reply from you, and would love to help out in the initiation.

Once again, I think you are doing a great job, not only with your movies but with your blog. You honestly ROCK with a difference.

Some Link Love

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:09:00 +0000

So I really havent had the time to Blog, there is an explanation for all. Even though i dont blog so much, i cant not read blogs.

So here are a few links that you must read if you like communcations, PR or social media.

Why is it important to LINK - The love of being selfless.

The social whirl driving the development of search

7 Powerful Steps to Overcoming Resistance and Actually Getting Stuff Done

Lost

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:40:00 +0000

Standing in a room,
staring endlessly,
for a lot has been lost,
and the instinct is killing again.

For the once sought Pillars,
pullout when most needed,
the image in the mirror
is my only consolation.

Caged and enraged,
the endless misunderstanding,
the empty head,
and the endless emotions.

Once again I take a dip,
ice cold,
its chilly again,
goosebumps et all,

embracing the wind
One step at a time,
hud 2 3 4 ,
its a journey once again.

Be Hungry , Be Foolish

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:50:00 +0000

I remember reading this speech, was surfing youtube today and came across it.

It is truly inspirational!

Statement of Purpose. Why I wanna do, what I wanna do.

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:21:00 +0000

It has never ceased to surprise me how simple words can make or break situations. U2’s concert in New York, post 9/11, was euphoric for so many who found strength in the lyrics of the song “New York, New York”, While a single word in a Bollywood movie song recently caused nationwide unrest throughout India. To speak, to sing, to signal is to communicate. The challenge to use different forms of communication, to put across a notion, a message, an attitude entices and excites me, just as it would have for Robert Langdon to find the ‘Holy Grail’ in Da Vinci Code. As a school-going girl, I vividly remember how I enjoyed writing essays, for they were the first source of outlet for me, a way to communicate my imagination, my skepticism and adoration for everything around me.

I do believe in the saying “You need to lose some to gain some.” After finishing my secondary school, I taught myself to believe that Information Technology (IT) would be the field for me, owing my influence to the IT Boom in India then and idolizing my elder sister, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Computer Science. As much as I excelled in my communication subjects, Technology and I had locked horns to make sure we neither understood each other. I finally decided to finish my Higher Secondary education in the field of commerce after which I headed to get my undergraduate degree in Mass Media.

This phase in my life helped turn my steely determination to pursue communication as a career, to Titanium. As part of our undergraduate programme, our projects never seemed as huge task for me. I was rather thrilled to stay up and read what Kotler has to say about marketing and how I could adapt it to the Indian markets. The subsequent breaks during the course of the degree helped me gain practical knowledge in the field of Public Relations. I was also given the opportunity to attend a short media and communication course in Deakin University, Australia. There I learned a lot about Australian Media and gained firsthand experience of producing, presenting, editing and shooting a News bulletin. The experience was as exuberant as it was nerve-wracking, but I still found myself communicating with the help of a camera lens, unable to view my audience’s reaction.

Things soon changed for me. After joining WATConsult, a web2.0 consulting and strategizing firm, I was introduced to web2.0 and social media. I was baffled by how social media was structured around the basic 2 way communication process. In my previous jobs as PR executive, it truly felt like the Hypodermic Needle theory where one injects and the mass intakes. My role at WATConsult helped me to have actual conversations with the Company’s customers. Our two-way communication would take place through various tools such as Twitter, Blogger, Pownce, Digg, and social networks such as Orkut and Facebook.

Communication for me is the essence of life itself. It’s the basis of existence, for it’s unimaginable to go through a day without communicating with another human being. My journey till now has only increased my interest in communication and has strengthened my resolve to understand the field better.

I Believe, ‘origin is the source of enlightenment’. The reason I wish to pursue my Masters in Public Relations/ Corporate Communication from the United States id because it would bring me closer not only to the birth place of Public Relations, but also the birth place of Social Media. Reading the blogs of Brain Solis (PR2.0), Robert Scoble (scoblizer), and Geoff Livinston (The Buzz Bin) have not only inspired and helped me understand the field of Public Relation/ Corporate communication, but also its subsequent evolution to Social media.

To end it all ive made this Video.

Happy Birthday George

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 11:22:00 +0000

Today is Georges Birthday. He was my host father in Australia, where i went to do my short course in Communication and Media. I miss them a whole lot. Maree my australian mom is throwing him a surprise party and asked her home stay kiddies to write in something for george . Here is what i wrote. i miss them way to much

With apprehension i arrived,
to your land far far away,
wondering, fretting,
what all may lie ahead.

A little late you'll arrived,
and immediately embraced me,
a home away from home,
was in the process of building.

I constantly prattled,
about anything from everything,
you eagerly listened,
a life long connection was being built

I remember you sitting,
on that dark huge chair,
A mug of coffee,
and the pool of newspapers lie-ing ahead.

Your overwhelming smile, and constant stirring,
your love for csi and all sorts of technology,
your ice frost windshield - a mug of hot water you carried,
all these memories - ill forever cherish.

With curlie hair and that pretty red gown,
we had loads of wine and chatted about,
you taught me about cats and Australian food,
oh! how i wish! I could relive those moments

All said and done,
dad you did stir my tail feathers,
and i miss you dearly,
Happy birthday you crazy cat fan!

Blitzkrieg 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:12:00 +0000

So my ex College BMM festival - BLITZKRIEG 07 is about to take off. The juniors have been working really hard for this one. I really like the promotional Video that was made so here it is.

Blitzkrieg 07 - Watch the top videos of the week here

Life is Back - ITS DECEMBER

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Shah) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:24:00 +0000

GRE is over ... How did i do? Did just about okie . Fell short of 50 points fro my cushion and 150 for my target. What the hell Lifes about all that and more surely not GRE and the howling around it.

Will i Get into the college i want to get into? Oh i dont know! I hope too. Im going to make a kickass video resume sorts . Will tell you a bit about that in a bit. So now the tedious work on application begins . I liked giving the GRE . I Hope i would have worked a wee bit harder. We greedy human being. Nothing is ever good enough :P Atleast i dont hate numbers now.

SO ITS DECEMBER - Yeahie my birthday month. SO SO SO Much to do . SO many more Birthdays and the grand NEW YEARS. SO much food even more drinks and even more puking. The vicious circle i say :P

I feel relieved, i now can catch up with all that i missed out on, or i simply delete my feeds and start reading from tomm. Im still contemplating. I have a lot of application work to do. amongst which im really excited about the Video.

Heres my basic objective of the Video - its not really going to be a video resume. I want to do a Masters in PR or Corporate Communication. Either all it all boils down to one thing - COMMUNICATION. Besides of what i have learnt in the classrooms, communication for me is what i see everyday, in the place i stay MUMBAI. So im going to take my Camera do come click-e-ti-click and use a graceful blend of words and pictures to explain what communication means to me and why PR / Corp Comm Interest me. SO its basically a visual SOP plus Resume sorts. What do you think of the idea??? Gimme FEEDBACK.

Ok Back to work then ( thats playing PAC MAN and listening to Bob Sinclair)