Wednesday, January 25, 2006
West Coast Trip Pics
Finally...!!!! Vegas and Grand Canyon trip pics are here
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Friendship
Avinash was on his way back to Hartford, Connecticut, back to his lovely wife Diyah and his cute as a button, daughter Nila. He was going back from an meeting with top management in CSFB, New York, on a multi-million dollar software services contract. He is more successful than he ever dreamed of. He has the perfect job, caring wife and an adorable daughter. "What else do I need?", he will ask himself smiling.
Three young adults 2 boys and a girl were seated in front of him in the train. They boarded with him in New York. They seemed to be in their late teens. Their fun-n-frolic manner indicated that they are thick friends. They were whispering and giggling all through the journey. Normally Avinash would have found it irritating to have noisy neighbors when he is traveling but this time he found the teens amusing for they reminded him of his college years.
It was Saturday evening, few days since the train ride. Avinash was sitting in his couch aimlessly staring outside through the window at the winter trees devoid of leaves. Sleepy eyed Nila, after her afternoon nap, holding her favorite teddy bear, came and sat on his lap. Avinash gently ran his hands through her hair and asked,"Honey! What did you do in school Yesterday?".
"I was coloring on a canvas with my friends", Nila replied.
"Oh! Yeah! Who are your friends?", he asked.
"Many! There is Derrick, Josh, Amritha, Jose and many more.I am going to Amritha's birthday party tomorrow. I am so excited! ", she replied, smiling.
That night Avinash was sitting in his bed. His mind wandering back and forth between the teens he saw in the train and the smile on Nila's face. He wondered how everyone, regardless of age, feel happy and light hearted when they are with their friends. The mere thought of them is enough to bring a smile and brighten their day. Then he reflected on himself. How he is so out of touch with his school and college buddies. He didn't mean to be like this. Its just that he was too busy concentrating on his career, money and family that he failed put necessary effort to keep in touch with his friends.
At work he has lot of acquaintances, his colleagues, his clients etc. They are good people who always shared a laugh with him, but they are not quite like friends. They are not the one who became his friends when he was just an another day-dreaming college student, who went out of their way to cheer him when he is down, who broke rotten eggs and drenched him with cola on his birthday, who would shout his name with that of a girl he knew to see him squirm in his seat, who gave him raucous farewell when left for US. His colleagues are friendly but not his friends.
He felt the urge to get back to his long lost friends, to see how time has changed them, to exchange the stories and gossips that are long due. He rummaged through his house for two days. He finally smiled laying his hands on a blue bounded diary. It was his college slam book.
Three young adults 2 boys and a girl were seated in front of him in the train. They boarded with him in New York. They seemed to be in their late teens. Their fun-n-frolic manner indicated that they are thick friends. They were whispering and giggling all through the journey. Normally Avinash would have found it irritating to have noisy neighbors when he is traveling but this time he found the teens amusing for they reminded him of his college years.
It was Saturday evening, few days since the train ride. Avinash was sitting in his couch aimlessly staring outside through the window at the winter trees devoid of leaves. Sleepy eyed Nila, after her afternoon nap, holding her favorite teddy bear, came and sat on his lap. Avinash gently ran his hands through her hair and asked,"Honey! What did you do in school Yesterday?".
"I was coloring on a canvas with my friends", Nila replied.
"Oh! Yeah! Who are your friends?", he asked.
"Many! There is Derrick, Josh, Amritha, Jose and many more.I am going to Amritha's birthday party tomorrow. I am so excited! ", she replied, smiling.
That night Avinash was sitting in his bed. His mind wandering back and forth between the teens he saw in the train and the smile on Nila's face. He wondered how everyone, regardless of age, feel happy and light hearted when they are with their friends. The mere thought of them is enough to bring a smile and brighten their day. Then he reflected on himself. How he is so out of touch with his school and college buddies. He didn't mean to be like this. Its just that he was too busy concentrating on his career, money and family that he failed put necessary effort to keep in touch with his friends.
At work he has lot of acquaintances, his colleagues, his clients etc. They are good people who always shared a laugh with him, but they are not quite like friends. They are not the one who became his friends when he was just an another day-dreaming college student, who went out of their way to cheer him when he is down, who broke rotten eggs and drenched him with cola on his birthday, who would shout his name with that of a girl he knew to see him squirm in his seat, who gave him raucous farewell when left for US. His colleagues are friendly but not his friends.
He felt the urge to get back to his long lost friends, to see how time has changed them, to exchange the stories and gossips that are long due. He rummaged through his house for two days. He finally smiled laying his hands on a blue bounded diary. It was his college slam book.
Nebraska Trip Pics
Click here to see the Nebraska Trip pictures
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Bored Bachelor
Saturday morning, got up late,
was hungry but too lazy to eat.
Turned on the TV, nothing to see,
checked my messenger, where my friends be?
Nothing more to read in CNN and NBC,
what do I care for trouble in the South China Sea?
Picked up my mobile to call my buddies,
who came to US to pursue their studies.
All I could talk to is an answering machine,
am getting tired of this daily routine.
It’s freezing outside, not inviting for a stroll;
wish I could put my life on cruise control.
Noticed my dumb bells and my slant board
did a few sets till my sweat poured.
Checked the time its barely noon,
what else can you do on a Saturday afternoon.
Its past lunch time, I haven't eaten an iota,
so I microwaved the frozen paneer masala and methi parota.
I ate infront of the TV, aimlessly switching channels,
wish I could uninstall boredom from my life's control panel.
Oh don't bother since I always crib,
and to complain I do with glib.
My life here is fun and full of color;
I still crib because I am a bored bachelor.
was hungry but too lazy to eat.
Turned on the TV, nothing to see,
checked my messenger, where my friends be?
Nothing more to read in CNN and NBC,
what do I care for trouble in the South China Sea?
Picked up my mobile to call my buddies,
who came to US to pursue their studies.
All I could talk to is an answering machine,
am getting tired of this daily routine.
It’s freezing outside, not inviting for a stroll;
wish I could put my life on cruise control.
Noticed my dumb bells and my slant board
did a few sets till my sweat poured.
Checked the time its barely noon,
what else can you do on a Saturday afternoon.
Its past lunch time, I haven't eaten an iota,
so I microwaved the frozen paneer masala and methi parota.
I ate infront of the TV, aimlessly switching channels,
wish I could uninstall boredom from my life's control panel.
Oh don't bother since I always crib,
and to complain I do with glib.
My life here is fun and full of color;
I still crib because I am a bored bachelor.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Atlast I did donate!
So long I wished to donate!
But so scared was I to initiate.
Today gathered my nerves to undertake.
The Lady in the drive tried to alleviate,
She promised the pain will soon dissipate.
Nervously I saw the needle perforate;
in the bag my blood did accumulate.
For 10 min the pain did pervade.
Hurray!! Atlast I did donate!
But so scared was I to initiate.
Today gathered my nerves to undertake.
The Lady in the drive tried to alleviate,
She promised the pain will soon dissipate.
Nervously I saw the needle perforate;
in the bag my blood did accumulate.
For 10 min the pain did pervade.
Hurray!! Atlast I did donate!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Charge Of the Paratrooper
Lt. Saurab Kalia woke up in his hospital bed still dizzy with morphine given to dull his pain. He is recovering from twin operations, one to reconstruct his shattered left ankle and the other to remove shrapnel from his spleen. He looked around to find his mother and his fiancé by his bed side. They were sad and happy, sad that he is injured and happy that he is still alive.
Saurab's mind went back to the scene of the battle. He can still hear the explosions, the screams of men killing and dying. He remembered his fellow paratroopers fighting to capture a bridge. "Bridge! The Bridge!! What happened to the bridge? Did we hold the bridge!! Did we hold the bridge!!?” Saurab started screaming in his stupor and started climbing out of his bed. The Nurse and the attendants held him down and tried to appease him. One of said, "Don't worry, Cease Fire has been declared. The enemy has surrendered. Your men held the bridge". Saurab was relieved and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes. His mind involuntarily went back to the events before the battle.
Capt. Vijayant Thapar, CO Charlie Company of the 9th Parachute Special Forces battalion, briefed his men on the upcoming mission. The will air dropped at 0600 hours tomorrow 30 miles behind enemy lines to secure a bridge head. The Army top brass has been given permission by the Prime Minister to open up a second front relieve the embattled elements of the Army up north. Things have turned for worse in the last 2 months since the unprovoked attack by the enemy. The United Nations couldn't do anything and an all-out war seems inevitable.
After the briefing, Capt. Vijayant sat with his lieutenants Lt.Saurab Kalia, Lt.Manoj Pandey, Lt. Vikram Batra for a private chat. Saurab started, 'How dare they attack us. We are not in 1962 anymore. This time we will kick their butt'. Manoj added, 'You are right Saurab, today Indian Army is at its strongest, we are more experienced in using combined arms of artillery, infantry and mechanized forces.' Vikram said, 'We have blunt their blow and licked our wounds, now its time to return the favor'.
Vijayant said, 'Ok chaps, good to know that you are in high spirits. Now let’s concentrate on the mission at hand. Manoj, what's your take on this'. Manoj replied, 'The 9th Para specializes in capturing vital road links and bridges. I don't foresee any problem'. Vikram added ‘‘It’s not that easy as you think, Manoj. It’s a complex mission and there are lot of unknowns like, what's the enemy troop strength in our drop zone'. Saurab lamented, 'I don't understand, 0600 is almost day, why didn't we go earlier in the cover of darkness? If the enemy sees our air drop, he will blast us to pieces before our feet touches ground'. The mood turned to Sullen after Saurab's reply.
Vijayant looking for ways to cheer up his chaps quoted,
'theirs not to reason why,
theirs but to do and die: '
He added, 'Its from the poem Charge The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Tennyson. It memorializes the suicidal charge of a British cavalry brigade in the Crimean war. A Light brigade of 600 men charged a position defended by machine guns on three sides. They were practically mowed down. Tomorrow, our charge is going to be like that. We will take that bridge and provide a passage for the tanks to advance. We will do it no matter how many casualties we suffer. We will do it not for honor or glory, we will do it because it our duty. Tell this to your men. Tomorrow this time either we will be sitting on that bridge or will be dead'.
Saurab heard a commotion and opened his eyes. He saw his battalion commander Col.Vijayaragavan standing next to his bed. The colonel said, 'The Paratroopers fought like hell!. This victory wouldn't be possible if we hadn't taken that bridge. We paid a heavy price for that. Vijayant, Vikram and Manoj and scores of other ranks made supreme sacrifice to achieve this. They have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. If its of any consolation You are awarded Maha Vir Chakra'. The colonel pinned the medal to his pillow and left.
There is jubilation around Saurab for the medal. Saurab didn't care. He didn't fight for a medal. His mind went back to the lines 'theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die:'
My tribute to the Kargil Heroes and everyone who died for his country doesn't matter which nationality.
Saurab's mind went back to the scene of the battle. He can still hear the explosions, the screams of men killing and dying. He remembered his fellow paratroopers fighting to capture a bridge. "Bridge! The Bridge!! What happened to the bridge? Did we hold the bridge!! Did we hold the bridge!!?” Saurab started screaming in his stupor and started climbing out of his bed. The Nurse and the attendants held him down and tried to appease him. One of said, "Don't worry, Cease Fire has been declared. The enemy has surrendered. Your men held the bridge". Saurab was relieved and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes. His mind involuntarily went back to the events before the battle.
Capt. Vijayant Thapar, CO Charlie Company of the 9th Parachute Special Forces battalion, briefed his men on the upcoming mission. The will air dropped at 0600 hours tomorrow 30 miles behind enemy lines to secure a bridge head. The Army top brass has been given permission by the Prime Minister to open up a second front relieve the embattled elements of the Army up north. Things have turned for worse in the last 2 months since the unprovoked attack by the enemy. The United Nations couldn't do anything and an all-out war seems inevitable.
After the briefing, Capt. Vijayant sat with his lieutenants Lt.Saurab Kalia, Lt.Manoj Pandey, Lt. Vikram Batra for a private chat. Saurab started, 'How dare they attack us. We are not in 1962 anymore. This time we will kick their butt'. Manoj added, 'You are right Saurab, today Indian Army is at its strongest, we are more experienced in using combined arms of artillery, infantry and mechanized forces.' Vikram said, 'We have blunt their blow and licked our wounds, now its time to return the favor'.
Vijayant said, 'Ok chaps, good to know that you are in high spirits. Now let’s concentrate on the mission at hand. Manoj, what's your take on this'. Manoj replied, 'The 9th Para specializes in capturing vital road links and bridges. I don't foresee any problem'. Vikram added ‘‘It’s not that easy as you think, Manoj. It’s a complex mission and there are lot of unknowns like, what's the enemy troop strength in our drop zone'. Saurab lamented, 'I don't understand, 0600 is almost day, why didn't we go earlier in the cover of darkness? If the enemy sees our air drop, he will blast us to pieces before our feet touches ground'. The mood turned to Sullen after Saurab's reply.
Vijayant looking for ways to cheer up his chaps quoted,
'theirs not to reason why,
theirs but to do and die: '
He added, 'Its from the poem Charge The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Tennyson. It memorializes the suicidal charge of a British cavalry brigade in the Crimean war. A Light brigade of 600 men charged a position defended by machine guns on three sides. They were practically mowed down. Tomorrow, our charge is going to be like that. We will take that bridge and provide a passage for the tanks to advance. We will do it no matter how many casualties we suffer. We will do it not for honor or glory, we will do it because it our duty. Tell this to your men. Tomorrow this time either we will be sitting on that bridge or will be dead'.
Saurab heard a commotion and opened his eyes. He saw his battalion commander Col.Vijayaragavan standing next to his bed. The colonel said, 'The Paratroopers fought like hell!. This victory wouldn't be possible if we hadn't taken that bridge. We paid a heavy price for that. Vijayant, Vikram and Manoj and scores of other ranks made supreme sacrifice to achieve this. They have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. If its of any consolation You are awarded Maha Vir Chakra'. The colonel pinned the medal to his pillow and left.
There is jubilation around Saurab for the medal. Saurab didn't care. He didn't fight for a medal. His mind went back to the lines 'theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die:'
My tribute to the Kargil Heroes and everyone who died for his country doesn't matter which nationality.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Thank You
You taught me Hard work by Working Hard,
You taught me to listen by being a listener,
You taught me to be frugal by being simple,
You taught me to love by caring for us,
You taught me everything by being you,
I didn't appreciate you enough, its my bad,
Its never late to say Thank you Dad!
You taught me to listen by being a listener,
You taught me to be frugal by being simple,
You taught me to love by caring for us,
You taught me everything by being you,
I didn't appreciate you enough, its my bad,
Its never late to say Thank you Dad!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Trip to Nebraska
Dec 28, Wed
Its 10 pm. We (me, aunt padma, cousin ahila) are to leave for Lincoln,Nebraska at 6 am tomorrow. Didn't do any packing yet, started ironing my clothes, then decided 'Oh! Screw it! I will do it later'. Dumped all the clothes into my carry-on, packed Atlas Shrugged and Malgudi Days to keep me company on the plane.
Dec 29, Thur
Got up to the sound of the Alarm at 3:30 am, contemplated for a while whether to shower or sneak in little more sleep, then realized that I skipped shower yesterday, so can't skip it today. Then the events followed in this order, Drove to airport, took the connecting flight to Chicago, hoped on the flight to Lincoln. We reached Lincoln at 10 am , my cousin Meera and her husband Alan picked us. Lincoln has a tiny airport for a state capital, It has only 4 gates versus 60 (approx) in Cleveland airport.
We drove to the hotel through the downtown. It was small with no tall buildings. Since the land is cheap around here, the city tends to develope wide that tall. I was surprised to learn that its has 3 Indian Diners. Man! We haven't left a single city in US untouched. No matter which city to go to in US, you are only minutes away from an Indian restaurant. The weather for around 40s Deg Fahrenheit, very nice for Nebraska's standards.
In the evening We met the bride Jane ,Groom Wes and their family(Scarrows and Hansmeyers respectively) for the first time at the dinner. They were all very nice, asking me about my job, my family in India etc., I was replying with one liners. Only then I realized how woefully bad my social etiquette skills are. Got to work on it!!.
Dec 30, Fri
The Day of the wedding. We spent the day shopping in the Westfield Mall. No matter where you go, the Malls look the same with the same stores and its always full. Its amazing to see how much Americans shop. They usually buy things if they are on sale no matter if they need it.
In the evening I put on my suit, the one I bought for interviews but used only for marriages. We drove to the church. This was my first church wedding. It was short and sweet with the bride walking down the isle, sermon by the priest, a song, wedding vows and that's it. I especially like the part where they exchange vows, its so nice to see the bride and groom facing each other and take the vow of support and loyalty for each other. Why don't we do something similar in Hindu weddings.
Then off to a country club for buffet dinner, beers and dancing. My dance is nothing but skip, jump, shake hip and flail arms. Oh! Well!! Its time to add dancing to my 'wish I Learnt it properly' List.
Dec 31, Sat
New Years eve!!. During the day we went out to eat with uncles, aunts and cousins and did some shopping(what else is new!). We had a party at the newly wed's new house in the evening. The party was full to food, fun and booze. The Nebraska gang was singing and making merry. We had champagne at the stoke of 12 and exchanged new years wishes. I had a swell time.
Jan 1, Sun
:-( Time to get back to Cleveland. We had an evening flight to catch. But the fun is not yet over.
We went to see Wes's (the groom) Dad's (Mr.Hansmeyer) farm 30 min from Lincoln. He has a 2000 acre farm which he manages with his son, Chris. He has a house built in the middle of the farm. They have to drive 10 miles to get to the nearby town. The folks who live there have so much space for themselves. Its like a different world altogether from Princeton or Cleveland or Chennai for that matter. It was a great experience to meet those folks and get a glimpse of their life style. Mr. Hansmeyer took us around and showed his farm and his gigantic form equipments(especially the combine with tires taller than me).
Around 5 pm we left the farm and drove to the airport. It was the end of a memorable trip. Memorable!, not just because of the new things I saw and experienced but because I did with my family and friends.
Its 10 pm. We (me, aunt padma, cousin ahila) are to leave for Lincoln,Nebraska at 6 am tomorrow. Didn't do any packing yet, started ironing my clothes, then decided 'Oh! Screw it! I will do it later'. Dumped all the clothes into my carry-on, packed Atlas Shrugged and Malgudi Days to keep me company on the plane.
Dec 29, Thur
Got up to the sound of the Alarm at 3:30 am, contemplated for a while whether to shower or sneak in little more sleep, then realized that I skipped shower yesterday, so can't skip it today. Then the events followed in this order, Drove to airport, took the connecting flight to Chicago, hoped on the flight to Lincoln. We reached Lincoln at 10 am , my cousin Meera and her husband Alan picked us. Lincoln has a tiny airport for a state capital, It has only 4 gates versus 60 (approx) in Cleveland airport.
We drove to the hotel through the downtown. It was small with no tall buildings. Since the land is cheap around here, the city tends to develope wide that tall. I was surprised to learn that its has 3 Indian Diners. Man! We haven't left a single city in US untouched. No matter which city to go to in US, you are only minutes away from an Indian restaurant. The weather for around 40s Deg Fahrenheit, very nice for Nebraska's standards.
In the evening We met the bride Jane ,Groom Wes and their family(Scarrows and Hansmeyers respectively) for the first time at the dinner. They were all very nice, asking me about my job, my family in India etc., I was replying with one liners. Only then I realized how woefully bad my social etiquette skills are. Got to work on it!!.
Dec 30, Fri
The Day of the wedding. We spent the day shopping in the Westfield Mall. No matter where you go, the Malls look the same with the same stores and its always full. Its amazing to see how much Americans shop. They usually buy things if they are on sale no matter if they need it.
In the evening I put on my suit, the one I bought for interviews but used only for marriages. We drove to the church. This was my first church wedding. It was short and sweet with the bride walking down the isle, sermon by the priest, a song, wedding vows and that's it. I especially like the part where they exchange vows, its so nice to see the bride and groom facing each other and take the vow of support and loyalty for each other. Why don't we do something similar in Hindu weddings.
Then off to a country club for buffet dinner, beers and dancing. My dance is nothing but skip, jump, shake hip and flail arms. Oh! Well!! Its time to add dancing to my 'wish I Learnt it properly' List.
Dec 31, Sat
New Years eve!!. During the day we went out to eat with uncles, aunts and cousins and did some shopping(what else is new!). We had a party at the newly wed's new house in the evening. The party was full to food, fun and booze. The Nebraska gang was singing and making merry. We had champagne at the stoke of 12 and exchanged new years wishes. I had a swell time.
Jan 1, Sun
:-( Time to get back to Cleveland. We had an evening flight to catch. But the fun is not yet over.
We went to see Wes's (the groom) Dad's (Mr.Hansmeyer) farm 30 min from Lincoln. He has a 2000 acre farm which he manages with his son, Chris. He has a house built in the middle of the farm. They have to drive 10 miles to get to the nearby town. The folks who live there have so much space for themselves. Its like a different world altogether from Princeton or Cleveland or Chennai for that matter. It was a great experience to meet those folks and get a glimpse of their life style. Mr. Hansmeyer took us around and showed his farm and his gigantic form equipments(especially the combine with tires taller than me).
Around 5 pm we left the farm and drove to the airport. It was the end of a memorable trip. Memorable!, not just because of the new things I saw and experienced but because I did with my family and friends.
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