Trip to Visakhapatnam & Araku Valley (23rd - 25th March' 2012)

Long time,no posts. Life is going so smoothly that nothing had stuck in my mind so far,which I would want to pen down. Somehow today,I am willing to share one of my travelling experiences, happened last week. The recent long weekend because of the Ugadi festival, celebrated as new year in South India .However, I am not sure what you can take from it, but this was one of the best travelling experiences I had, actually I rarely had any. :)

So it all started on the last day of Ora-Ovation 2012. Okay, here we need some background info. Ora-Ovations is a week long event , which is conducted every year for Oracle employees and sadly, from this year on wards it will be conducted biennially. After joining oracle the only negative impression which I was carrying about it's work culture was, lack of networking...the number of people you know...Honestly, working for a consulting firm can be blamed for this thinking of mine, but I don't regret about it :). I had rarely known 10-12 people informally in last 5 months, that too a few because of Go+ and a few because of Christmas's celebrations. 

But Ora-Ovations changed the entire scenario and I ended up making much more friends than I had expected in less than 2 weeks. Events like dancing and singing which I almost had left after school, became a medium for me to connect to a new set of people. And I somehow realized, I like this thing, making new friends. :) So back to the last day of Ora-Ovations : It was 3rd march and all of those who were part of step up dance had come for a last practice session early morning. The main event was going to take place on the same evening. Once the practice was over we were supposed to wait for our costumes. We were sitting behind the main stage, trying to escape from the sun rays. There,one of us said that this all is going to end this evening. Tired but aware of this fact, the other one said, that why don't we all go out somewhere to keep the fun on after the Ovations as well. All of us agreed :) but then post event forgot too :P. After such a tiresome event people were not having enough energy left with them , to think of any outing or something like that.

But as we say, some things just happens..and a set of few enthusiastic people dint let this thought die. We met, decided who all are interested, the place and the dates. We decided to go to Vizag and near by places. One guy collected the information and the money and booked 11 tickets in total.

After the tickets were booked, the next exciting thing I could see in my schedule was this trip. I personally was very excited because I first of all, had never seen any beach in real, so far my life and secondly my other set of friends had already been to that place, and I had assumed that I wont be ever going that place again, so this was like a perfect trip plan for me :D :P Sadly few people had to drop the plan because of some other engagements and the number dropped down to 10 and then finally 9.

22nd evening, around 4:30pm, we 7 people started from our campus, remaining 2 joined us at the MMTS station and we finally reached Yatri Nivas. The place from where we were supposed to get in, in the Andhra Pradesh Tourism bus. We had taken packaged tour to Vizag and Araku valley, to make sure that we visit all the must see places during the trip.We had little evening snacks at Yatri Nivas hotel, and then got into the bus.The journey began and we all started literally. Believe me we were non-stop fun throughout the journey. I, in fact heard one old uncle saying to his son, "Where are these people from, they have too much of energy." We took it as a compliment :D We all started with the game of Antakshree, the best way to start any journey.."songs"..and then followed by few games of playing-cards. Got to learn some new games, which lasted till the last time we were there in that bus. :) By 10 bus stopped at some hotel, and we stuffed ourselves with some more food since it was the last stoppage for the remaining journey for that night .Again Antakshree + cards.We were loud and full of enthu..At last, one couple, sitting behind us, asked us to lower down the volume level and we realized it was around 12:40 midnight and people wanted to sleep..unlike us :P. However, we continued talking and singing,  trying to keep our decibel levels low enough and I remember when last time I saw my watch, it was somewhere around 3:00 in the morning. :)

23rd March, first day of the trip, started with the Annavaram Temple!! Photo-session had started from the guest house itself. We had our breakfast at some lake side restaurant and then went to the temple.Few of my friends did the main pooja, which is the main attraction of the temple and few of us went in directly for darshan. This temple is famous for married couples, who usually comes post wedding to do poojas. That day because of Udagi celebrations there was lot of rush. It took us at least half hour, just to have darshan. Meanwhile our friends were doing pooja, we were busy clicking photographs :P and yeah, had some tasty prasad from the temple  :) Spend some time near one of the bhavans where marriages were going on, and rest here and there. Those were the longest hours we had to spend in this trip, for rest everything, we were running short of time :) Our friends and other people were back during lunch time, and then we all reached at the same place where we had our breakfast. Had lunch. Now the bad part, we had only rice in lunch, no rotis :O Still everyone managed to be stuffed, to stay strong enough to not skip any fun except 2 of  our friends. One (She ;)) is extremely energetic but eats nothing..some hidden source of energy..:) and may be the other one wasn't hungry enough then, but I don't think he skipped any other meals  later...:P

Next we reached Rama Krishna beach..The main attraction of the whole trip. :) I enjoyed that evening fully..Sea side, waves coming one after the other, generating a musical sound, you would love to hear. Though when the first time,  I was drowned into that water, I was freaked because of it's taste and also as I don't know swimming I was scared a little. But later I could manage to jump whenever waves hit, and at times tried to hit them back. :) It was all fun..What all I had expected..It might sound kiddish but I did write my name on the sand, wiping off due to coming waves.Made those little sand-houses, saw them falling with the force of waves.Walked on the beach side, and turned to see my footsteps..excited with what I was seeing... All I had wanted to do :) A great evening it was. Moreover, the people, with whom I was there made it more special. :)

Next to this, even though we were all wet and feeling cold inside that AC bus, we convinced our tour guide, YSR..no no..not the CM :P haha..to go to the Submarine Museum, the one and only submarine museum in whole Asia. The guide tells you the history of the submarine, interesting facts and information, while walking through it's start to the end. It was worthy, knowing that it belonged to the history. One funny thing happened there. Since the height of the submarine was very short I asked that guide, that how navy people used to manage, assuming that they all are tall. That guide, without any change of expressions said.."Madam, ek din sar pe lagega...dusare din lagega, teesare din apne aap jhuk jaenge.." My whole group burst into laughter. Even that guide smiled a little, giving us company. May be, for him, it was a regular question, but for us it was an unusual answer. :) Next to this we reached another guest house, better than the previous one. Freshened up, because you have lots of sand everywhere after you have been to the beach.. Gathered for dinner, had a little walk for tea+coffee at some place near by and then to one of the rooms. Fun begins again...we started playing Dumb Charades..calling it Dumb C.. In the beginning it was strange for me to see, how few of them could enact anything so easily but I was no less, :P I followed and started developing my Dumb-C skills ;) The first movie I got was "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay", and I somehow want to remember it..It was fun trying to enact it :) Later we had lots of funny moments, I will just name those movies so that the people involved could get the level of fun I am talking about...as I can't describe it with just words..the movies were "The Adjustment Bureau" & "Jurassic Park" ....:D :D it was late night, around post 2:00 in the morning and I had to be at the beach by 5am to see the sunrise..The second attraction for me in the trip. I slept and rest of them continued to play, thinking that sleep will lower their energy levels so better be awake. :) 

24th March, I did reach the beach side by 5 in the morning, but unluckily could not see the sun-rise..:-| as we were supposed to be back by 5:30 to start for second day places. Never mind, I saw it from the bus though :P Hahahaha...and yeah, got severe cold too :-/
We were in the bus again, few sleeping, or say taking power nap ;) and few of us playing Antakshree again..We reached at the vizag railway station had tea+coffee and got into 6:50am train to Araku valley. We had our breakfast inside the train itself, and then all set to enjoy the joy ride. This journey was meant to be in train because this train line passes through 84 bridges and 58 tunnels. Doesn't it sound exciting..?? It did..:) All of us enjoyed, singing(I told you, we were non-stop :D) ,screaming loudly duing tunnels and those photo-sessions by one of our photography-maniac friend :) Reached Araku velly, and post lunch everyone was so tired that we decided to take some rest to recharge ourselves. When woke up, we came to know that we were going to some garden..yes, "Padmapuram Gardens" followed by Araku Tribal Museum which showcases culture, tradition, handicrafts and fine arts of the ancient tribes of India. Few of us tried archery, 3 shots for just rupee 5/- ;) :P  Went to a coffee house there. By that time my cold was on it's peak..Hot chocolate helped me a little. :) We had bicycle rides then, took one round of the resort area, and finally on the roof top. Some chit-chats, masti and of course photo-sessions :D Went back to one of the rooms and then back to cards. No body was willing to sleep, though tired, we wanted to do something or the other. Finally played Dumb-C and the fun continued. I could not control taking little naps in between, as I was feeling too sleepy at times, but one of our friends..(everyone knows :P) was as if destined to make everyone burst into huge laughter, with his acting skills :P and I kept waking up with the those sounds again and again :) This continued till early morning, we went to our respective rooms, slept a little and then the last days began. Back to our buses, ready to leave by 8:30. 

It was 25th March, and since because of some political issues we could not visit Borra caves the other day, our bus went straight to the caves, residing in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley. Borra caves are one of the largest caves in India, found by William King George.Apart from beautiful side scenes, coffee gardens, small-small monkeys, a few bats and trekking inside the cave, had one of the best coconut water over there, and yeah of course photo-session- fever never died a bit :D 

After this, as we had very little time left for the day to cover remaining places. We quickly went to visit Kailshgiri Park, situated on hill top having panoramic sea-view.We also managed to see Shiva Parvati's huge statue, Titanic View Point and yeah had that awesome and my first rope-way round trip, small but exciting..:) Post this, we had lunch at Anantgiri resort, and continued to the next destination which was Simhachalam Temple.This time when we got into the bus, YSR, our guide, had to indirectly request us to keep quite and not sing songs anymore.. :P We had dinner post temple and we all started reviving and talking about what all good and bad things we faced during this trip. Though while writing this blog ,none of the bad things crossed my mind..may be because all is well, if end is well...and this time if the company(people) is well :D 

We first time took long sleep during this trip.The next morning, woke up and found out that the bus is gonna be late by 3-4 hours. Who cared, we played cards again :D. This time we had one more thing to explore, and iPad of one of our friend, and everyone started playing some or the other game from it, one by one. Few of my friends watched one horror movie, while I took a small nap, so that going back to office wont become difficult. But somehow it had to be..Not just me, but everyone had hangover of last few days and the fun we had..

I made very good friends during 2 weeks of Ovations and this trip...have collected  lots of memories to cherish.Lucky to have been part of it. :)

And yeah, in the end we named everyone w.r.t their special qualities, 

Kranthi - Photoshetty - Thanks a ton for the amazing pics :)

Bharath - Adjustment Borrows - Thanks a ton for entertaining us :P

Tony - Phonu :D

Subbu - Sotu - Whenever you turn to him, he is sleeping :P

Mukesh - SICK-tu..No no, he isn't Sick..but he might make you feel Sick :P LOL

Deeksha - Sistu ;) - You dint let me sleep at all...truly Sister-like..haha :D

Ishita - Dumbtu - Dumb C Godess ;)

Payal - Payaliya..ho ho ho ho...I know you don't like it..who likes it :P

Dishi - Ohhh, I planned not to mention here..but some people threatened to kill me if I don't, so here I go...Baniyan Harishchandrika Bistu.. :O

Note ** - Don't try to interpret anything from anyone's name..and I apologize if I have hurt anyone's sentiments..!! Please accept the apology :)

At last, thanks everyone for not letting me feel like a newbie in your group, for the lyrics of the song..."Sir Osthara" :) , for bearing my "Aaanchhhuuu" sound and little but scary (for few :P) impulses I had..Had so much fun :)

The GANG!!

Happy-Happy,
Dishi

Karke Dekho - Achha Lagta Hai :)

It was a usual start of the day. I reached office at around 11AM and started going through the emails in my official mail box, the first thing ought to be done every morning :) .The top most email which was about a blood donation camp for Thalassemia patients caught my very attention,but at last. Since a long time I wanted to donate blood, wanted to help someone, wanted to be a part of those, who take such responsibilities and do good for the people for no reasons but self satisfaction. I had tried once in my school and once in my college but because of me being underweight I always got disqualified. So today morning I  went through the email, and  there was this line,


“Bring Back Smile to Someone’s Life, Roll Up Your Sleeves.. Register here" 


I decided, I will again try this time, as I had put on some significant weight during past few months.. :)
So I registered myself. During the lunch break the volunteering group had put one presentation to inspire people for being part of this event. The presentation was getting repeated continuously, during which one small video was played again and again.Initially because of the noise in the cafeteria, I could not hear the audio and understand the intend behind it, but then I happen to notice the subtitles and which again caught my attention for the second time for the same reason. Here is the link,

I truly agree with the caption given to the post saying, 
'Such simple words but coming from an innocent stranger, can change the way you think.'


I asked my friends and they were also going to be a part of it, it felt good. So right after the lunch we went down to the basement where the camp was arranged. Everyone had to fill up one form and then had to see a doctor for casual check-up. Checking my nerves, my eyes and after asking some formal questions, she said I am fit for it. She noticed my smile and asked, "Is it your first time?" and I said "Yes" continuing the smile. I was excited, because for the first time I was going to do something like this,  also I had the effect of that small girl which was making me feel better and better about myself, as I was going to help someone like her..:)


But doing good also is not always so simple. I had to undergo one more test regarding Hemoglobin 
check-up. The person in-charge there, took out one fresh needle and took my finger to prick it for blood, I tightly closed my eyes before he started, while  he said don't worry you won't feel anything. But I continued my facial expressions.It was over in a few seconds,and as he had said, I just felt like a small pinch, like when an ant (red one :)) bites you..that's it.. :) A guy standing by me said, "Hey, you dint scream at all, girls do that usually...nice !!" And I replied nicely saying, if I was afraid, I wouldn't have come at all..:) But, to ruin my feelings and excitement, sadly my HB count wasn't up to the requirement. The person shared this news with sad face, saying it's a bit less than the expected and we can't allow you in that case. I again asked him, that what if I still want to donate, he asked me to consult with the doctor. I went to the same doctor with some hope but she said you might feel sick after that and I won't advice you to do that now, as you have to join office post this, you can try next time. For that moment, I felt the same thing, as that guy in the above video, possibly might have felt,  'Why couldn't I??'  I was upset. I went straight to my cubicle and kept "rejected :( :(" as my Gtalk status..!! 

I wanted to share these feelings with someone, some kind of failure,which I felt again. But somehow, it hardly took me some minutes to be back to where I was before lunch break, as I love doing my work, to be specific, coding,  but before starting, I told myself, "at least you tried :)", which amused me for the fact that I did get that needle pricked in my finger, for that very event only..:)

But suddenly, because of the Gtalk status,within few minutes, I started getting pings of my close, caring, few always in invisible mode ;)  friends asking - what happened? Even though I could hear the sound, I could not reply immediately to those pings, as my manager came over,and we started trying to resolve one Big-Big issue. So by the time I was back on my Windows machine from the Linux box, there were around 8-9 chat windows simultaneously open.. Before starting to reply, I read all of them,
Some thought I am distressed because of work, some thought I got rejected in some marriage proposal :O, some thought that I rejected someone (thanks for keeping me on the other side.. :P), and some directly asked what happened? (those who knew that all of the above options were not possible :) ) The best one was, "confusing, remark..." !! 


So after answering all of them one by one, and knowing what they were thinking of,  I kind of started laughing. Most of them were concerned, a few were happy knowing that I at least tried and a few started mentioning what all healthy food I should eat to get myself there successfully, "next time"..I was (more) better...:) 'Talking to near and dear once in misery' always works for me..:)
So in the evening while I was home, I went to my flat-mate asking for something. And meanwhile, she suddenly asked me, what is wrong with me, saying that someone was asking her, about me being upset onto my status...This was surprising but cheerful,  knowing people care in their own different ways.. :) I immediately logged in to change my status and to my surprise I got few more pings, right then...and hence I updated my status to,


"To be precise : W.R.T. my prev status "rejected", I got rejection from "Blood Donation Camp"..Nothing to worry..stop pinging dear friends...mein to ekdam bhali changi hoon..as usual..hahahaha..btw thanks a lot everyone...   "


Everything was normal then.. :)
Later, somehow I decided to blog this entire day, as I was wondering if people continue caring for each other so much, then naturally, everyone would be able to feel the power and happiness,  I was feeling, being inside that camp and while my friends were talking to me..Then to know more about such camps, I also read some statistics related to blood donation events and its requirement , and found out, that every second, there are people around the world, who need blood. There are small kids who die of anaemia every hour. There are number of women, dying due to lack of blood, during deliveries every minute. 


So in conclusion, firstly I want to say thanks to all my friends for being so prompt and caring, secondly even though I am not a part of any promotion campaign, I wish that those who can, should donate blood, and last but not the least,  I will follow all the advices I got today,  and wish I'd be a part of it some day,   
"Bringing back smile on some one's face, rolling up my sleeves...:) "


Dishi :)

Annoyance

I could not decide whether I should be posting this blog or not, but when I tried discussing some of the further mentioned things with few people, I could not get their interest either. This will be one more thoughtful blog, also debatable or say having difference in opinions but I am pretty sure that if no one, at least I will remember this, as I had some sort of devotion for my country while writing this, and would want to make it a part of my blog.

Every one's mind is running behind the answer of a common question, that where is my future heading towards? Which field, college, or university can avail me the best possible degree to start my career with? No offence, even I think the same.. The point is that, our minds are not thinking of something which should be currently the most sought after question.Which probably says, for how long these politicians are going to eat our nation's money based out of their fake government policies like this? For how long, India will be known as only a developing country but developed or perhaps not even that?

I was not fond of reading news papers much. For further matter, I have no shame saying that I was never interested in knowing that what is happening in my country, how does the govt. work, or in all how is it functioning? as far as I am doing good in my personal and professional life.But somehow for some or the other reasons, I started reading news papers daily.Initially I dint find it interesting as I had no clue what is written about, in most of the columns.But later when I started knowing how things work, small things like what is Marxism, what is Communism, how does parliament work, how does UPA differ from Congress,(honestly in fact I dint even know most of the names of the existing parties) I started developing interest towards it...I started following few editorials and columns daily and this made me observe this poor scenario laying in Indian democracy, which unfortunately have the stamina to not let it become a developed country ever, unless some miracle happens which converts thinking of all the Indians beyond any further edition forever.

Few months back, we were all kept flooded with news around CWG- Common Wealth Games related corruption scams.Thousands of crores of rupees were knocked off by politician and senior sport's administrators. A matter of shame for the country...!!!

Then comes this 2G spectrum scam, in which the honourable telecom minister himself was found involved incurring again ample of monetary losses to the country. Which again took the headlines of the news papers, revolving around so many other culprits belonging to the ministry of Indian government. One more occasion to feel shameful!!

Then comes this Jan Lokpal Bill. An anti corruption draft drawn by civil society activists, which is yet stuck in the procedure of being adopted by our so called governing body of India, falling behind because of the never ending clashes between the insatiable demands of the two parties. Everyone is aware of those fasts-unto-death dramas for getting public support in favour.

These out of control incidents like cabinet re-shuffles, price inflation, whether food or petrol, Telangana related issues and last but not the least TERROR ATTACKS are grabbing the headlines everyday making it difficult for me or may be most of us to imagine a future of India as a developed country, with no corruption, no inflation and no poverty.

Few hours back, there were 3 bomb blasts in Mumbai, causing severe injuries to people and loss of many lives. I was watching to a news channel, where all the politicians were commenting about this inhuman attack. The worst statement I came across was from our honourable PM sahib, which was stated as "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asks CM of Maharashtra, to keep him posted." I suddenly felt this urge of calling him and saying, you just keep quite as usually and you need not put even this much of effort to know what is happening.If our PM can be the person, "who" is least bothered to get himself updated on his own that what is happening in his country, then what else can you expect from other central level or state level ministers. Imagine what can be the major consequences of a government running under people like him .It also reflected the ignorance level of the head of the country. Not only in this incidence but it is reflecting in all the illegitimate affairs taking place day by day.

As far as I can recall, last time when India won world cup was the biggest good news which consistently appeared in news paper headlines.

However, I am not saying that the news papers do not know that how to compile the news and present, but I am not happy to know that everyday I wake up, I am reading some or the other undesirable and regretful things occurring in my country. I am not a very big patriotic or say someone who is interested in political matters, waiting in the wings to change India's condition, but it does create a regret that I cannot inculcate these qualities in myself and somehow I am one of those, who are only complaining about it, not taking any action to bring any change.

After a while, I will probably forget about all of these things, the rage which is there at some corner of my mind about the current state of affairs. May be I will have a guilty feeling every morning, whenever I see the front page of the news paper, reading one more unacceptable news, or may be I will not.But my biggest fear is that, the pace with which these petty things are inflicting our nation and then becoming bigger and bigger in size, are going to be the reason to bring down not only the economy, prestige and capabilities of the country but also the hope that India can be among one of the developed countries in the world.

I wish Indians soon see, some ray of hope!!
God bless INDIA!!

"Wear Sunscreen"

One of my very good friend shared this video with me. Though I have been through many such videos before, it's every word captured my attention..
So here it is, as much as yours as mine :)



If I could offer you only one tip for the future, "sunscreen" would be it.

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice NOW!

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

Oh, never mind.

You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.

But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future.
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind,

The kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.

The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive.

Forget the insults.

If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters.

Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees.

You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.
Maybe you'll divorce at 40.

Maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much,

or berate yourself either.

Your choices are half chance.

So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body.
Use it every way you can.

Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.

It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance

Even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines.

They will only make you feel ugly.

"Brother and sister together we'll make it through,
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know that you're hurting but I've been waiting there for you
and I'll be there just helping you out
whenever I can..."

Get to know your parents.

You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings.

They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,

but with a precious few you should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get,

the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in "New York City" once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in "Northern California" once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel

Accept certain inalienable truths:
Prices will rise.

Politicians will philander.

You, too, will get old.

And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young,

prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you.

Maybe you have a trust fund.

Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse.

But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy,

but be patient with those who supply it.

Advice is a form of nostalgia.

Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal,

wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

"Brother and sister together we'll make it through,
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know that you're hurting but I've been waiting there for you
and I'll be there just helping you out
whenever I can..."

Everybody's Free, Everybody's Free

To Feel Good!

Can't Stop It Or Don't Know Why To??

Hello Everyone..This blog is all about what I feel regarding our commonly used everyone's possibly most visited web site named "Facebook".Facebook is a social networking site launched in 2004, and as per the number of users on it…only China and India has a greater population than Facebook! I guess that's all to expound how popular it is..

Till I came to Hyderabad I wasn't much fond of using Facebook but then seeing everyone,looking at it's popularity as one of the best site for creating friends and then keeping in touch with them, and all such sort of stuffs, I started this facebook thing. As far as I can recall, in the begining I was very much busy selecting the best profile pic, looking for some kind of incident which I can share, adding other users as friends (whom I had rarely known), and exchanging messages, waiting for those automatic notifications whenever someone did something...whether it is about liking some pic/status of mine, or commenting on it, or commenting in a thread where I have commented earlier, or some friend request...blah..blah..too many of them...!!

Before this Facebook thing started, the only possible way of knowing what my near dear once were doing was either messages or phone calls. Few people might hate sticking to a mobile phone for knowing how is their close friend's and relative's lives are turning up, but I feel now that, this one small box used to bring answers to all ifs, whys, hows at a time, right then and with so much of no more existing privacy.Honestly when you can hear the voice of the other person, you can very well make out what is it that he/she is liking or not, to talk about or to listen to..hence you come to know that person in a better way.

Since when this Facebook thing started, for even knowing that my younger brother has his exams I have to login, I have some notifications and along with them some updates from people from my friend's list and scrolling down the page somewhere I read my brother's status message and then I happen to realize that I should call him now for wishng him "All the Best". Or if it is my close friend's Birthday then also I am least bothered about it, as facebook is there to keep track of it, and I am anyways wishing everyone who's birthday is there since facebook charges you no money for writing on anyone's wall and half the times I hardly share anything apart from a birthday message round the year with them. It bothers me so much at times. I feel as if one doesn't belong to this, where things are so much artificial, and one just do it because it's a part of current culture and since others did it to you, you need to be polite enough to do that to them.

Earlier whenever I used to have free time, I used to watch anything which is there on television, swapping through various channels and finding the one which might interest me for few hours and sticking to that, Or I used to read some good stuff in paper, novel or used to cook something special or new, Or I would go to my grand father's place and sit with him, listening to his old day's stories and grabbing the knowledge he has about politics, world, wars etc.Believe me, at this age (75 years) he knows far more than anyone I have ever met on this earth till now. He is my 10 pointer in History, the subject which I never liked.I still had other options like I would draw some sketches of things around, or would write in my diary, or else I would end up listening to some good songs.Nowadays I feel so pathetic realizing that if I am at my home and I am having spare time, I tend to login in facebook in the first place and if there is nothing interesting, no games, no updates, no new pics, no new gossips then only I would think of other options. This is so insane, it is as if facebook has become my priority over all the things I used to do.I have not flipped my diary's pages since ages. Earlier, way back in 8th standard, around 11 years before, when I started writing my personal diary, inspired from my Hindi teacher,I used to keep track of every small thing since early morning to the time I go to bed. Later after reading it, once my mother said that it's not the way you do it, you only write the things which you want to remember forever. Though it was a personal diary I let her read, for some honest feedback, and it happened never again...I guess I was in 9th standard then. So then I changed my habit and started writing only the things which I wanted to keep safely as memories.I continued this habit till my college days. With few ups and downs, where sometimes I dint used to like writing I have details of almost every beautiful day I have spent since then.

After being in this professional life, for first few weeks I almost forgot that I used to have a diary even. Knowing my habit of writing, every year my father used to gift me one diary of that respective year.So before coming here,I had this new diary, which was empty initially and later it had MOMs, minutes of the meetings :-( I almost stopped writing, and even though I will write, it will be no more in those pages, it will be in my laptop..and which I have suddenly started hating as I can edit it anytime realizing that this thing was not meant in this way, or I can erase it completely...And here it takes away the complete pleasure of writing a diary. Though it helps me feel I am going green, I want that habit of writing in those pages, which used to leave an impression if you edit any memories.

Earlier whenever I used to talk to someone, I will try calling him/her or drop a message. But now the first thing any one will do is, check whether that person is online or not!!!! Or else you end up writing on his/her wall letting everyone know that you were thinking of that person.Even I do that, but sometimes I feel like deleting every post which was about me and my friends.Whenever I am out with my friends for fun or food :P , everyone including me, is posing for pics not just for keeping memories, the bigger part of the interest is in, "Which one will be the best one as my profile pic? , what comments, and from whom all are expected when I will upload these pics?, what affect this pic might have on someone(this one is specially for committed people... :P), or how many people are going to like it ?" Can't believe that it's not about just pics,but about all possible consequences which might occur of what different sets of people might think about you,your status, your choice, or your lavish life when you update anything on your wall?? It sounds disappointing. And it fulfills the definition of Facebook as,

I seriously feel freaked out at times thinking why everyone has to comment and the worst part is that why do I have to be curious to check it..Why can't be every detail remain just a detail which I need not know as what everyone is thinking of me, in spite of it being a comment on my Facebook wall, below which all sorts of conversations would take place, which sometimes make me laugh, and at times leaves me with a blank expression!! I even have one of my cousin brother who never accepts my friend requests, making me doubt on him that what wrong is he doing in his life. Why is it affecting so much??

Recently one of my senior, started using facebook and she is updating every single update of what is going on in her personal life.I remember her saying once that "What do you guys do all the time on a Facebook page? This is a time waste, doesn't make any sense to me." And now the scenario has totally changed.Upon asking about her latest interest in facebook, she said that since she is so much free nowadays, she is enjoying it. Wowwww...you end up being one more facebook buff when you have nothing else to do!!!!

I don't disagree with the fact that this trend of using social bookmarking sites currently like twitter, reddit, facbook etc makes you approachable, reachable to masses through a common platform.They make you a people's person and they are of too much interest and use for someone who has the benefit of knowing more number of people, or for them who likes to update their knowledge through other's experiences. But sometimes you feel that it has taken away that pleasure of being only you, it has taken away the peace of our minds for not letting you live without it. It's good if people uses them not because they are addicted to it, but because they are being benefited from it. I'd rather check reddit page than my own facebook wall full of only Me and Me and only Me..I get too much obsessed at times :P !!And this complete thing is yet debatable and not 100% correct from any single person's point of view.

Seeing of comments, making more number of friends, keeping track of what your near dear once are doing or discussing with someone else, is that of too much of importance to us? Do we really feel like keeping an eye over the people we love and think of something negative just because of something which is of no importance than just a comment, or a friend request? I seriously don't understand that why do I feel like opening my facebook page every time I open my browser, I was happy seeing Google as my default page. This facebook thing was not meant to be like this, I hope. I seriously respect those who use this site just for the purpose of having it to be a part of a big community, but not ALWAYS for time pass. Because I had been doing it since last one year, and what I realized now says that my life was way too simpler and happier without this facebook thing. I was as much as close to my near dear once as I am now, it has neither added nor subtracted anything of their account.But at times the only difference I feel is, I am scared of losing my mind over some useless comments or wall posts which does not matter at all to me or someone else.

So I have actually deactivated my account, apparently for the 15th time in last one year to avoid being an addict of just a site nothing more than that.I wish I can break my own record of 3 or 4 days this time..And I know this is not the solution, I just need to not think of it too much, and need to have some other interesting things to enjoy the fun and the beauty of relationships, rather than just a website. As being told to me by one of my near dear one, that he has been through this stage about an year ago, and what so ever one does, one can't let this habit just go..But I believe nothing is impossible, so don't just be a slave of anything...at least better keep on giving it a try unless you have accepted the defeat..So..here I am trying one more time..."Screw It, Let's Do It" !!

Out Of Goodbyes

After leaving college, I had no clue that I am gonna enjoy my first job equally at Deloitte.Hundreds of freshers like me had come with lots of expectations & excitement of first job,first salary, first project, enthusiasm of being a professional in such a well established organization (Guys jate jate don't wanna say anything :P). The Hyderabad city, that company's lavish guest house, a whopping building having alluring infrastructure,scrumptious buffets and breakfasts at grand Novotel Hotel..and those proficient & skilled people in professional attires with pleasant & magnetizing business attitude.And among us everyone out there was trying to cope up with this transition from "Campus to Corporate".Few people were happy in their own group and mood, a few who were totally new to the city and unknown to anyone out there were trying to network with people and be a part of some group, skeptical of what should we talk about and what should not be said, avoiding their college lingo..!!Conversely some were still in their college mood, and some had started networking with people like directors, and managers of Deloitte..There were also some people sitting in a corner waiting for some invite, or the procedure to get started and a few were totally busy stuffing themselves with Novotel's delicious food..People were talking in either English or some South Indian language..There was hardly someone with whom you could talk in Hindi :( Even my roommate for those next 15 days hardly knew any Hindi.I hope she remembers what I taught her in those 15 days, though I hardly remember what she had taught me :)

Those 9am to 6pm training hours, those Parle ji biscuits, which used to get over as soon as that boy used to bring them, tea/coffee breaks, those early morning hassles for getting last bench to sit, and those visits to Deloitte's main office specially cafeteria, before leaving for the day. Arguing with Naushad Sir and be the reason for everyone to laugh, thinking how many new friends I have made today while going back home, collecting contact numbers from everyone and talking about where and with whom they are planning to stay after the guest house facility is over..Even after lots of effort,forgetting the name of the person the next morning, you were talking with the last day, and then hesitating to ask again..Those sleepless nights at guest house and hunting of food, rather say North Indian food and those essential trainings to be completed before deadlines.From buying a new SIM card to buying those first salary gifts, that first salary dinner at Chutneys, first visit to Hussain Sagar, first team outing, first treat,the "Ascend" and so and so on...the list is huge...

So,why suddenly all this??Actually there is a reason, or say there are reasons, due to which I am reminded of my initial days at Deloitte today.Even though the first day seemed to be very boring and I thought everyone would be so much professional ,while it is ending,I am realizing that I have created so many memories in Deloitte that something is pinching from inside, as everyone I came across in these last few months is going away every other day :( and even I have to go...

Yesterday 2 of my friends (don't wanna say colleagues :) ) gave their farewell treat. Similarly since last so many days every weekend I am having farewell treats..There was a time while we only used to be parts of Birthday treats, but now the season of "Farewell Treats" has come it seems..!!And with every treat the happiness of us being all together fades away, lacking that person's presence's importance..And it not only limits to my first project mates or so, it's like, every one I came across during boot-camp and initial days at Deloitte, has been an important part of my first company, Deloitte's memories..

I know I am being emotional..but this is something which might be going in everyone's mind...
So now before that I keep on writing every sentimental thought popping up in my mind, I want to wind up this one, saying thanks to everyone who has contributed in making my life at Deloitte so beautiful and memorable...I know I am still here for one more month, but this whole thing is like a constant buzz on my mind and I had to blog it...Anyways I am definitely gonna write my Farewell email soon, but this one is especially for those, who will no longer be there to be in my "TO:" list..

So here I go..I am trying to put up everybody's name who has made it special, and hence holding me back....I know one has to move on, and every one does, but still somethings always remain indescribable, when one doesn't want to, even then he/she has to, for something better..!!
& I hope we all do achieve better and better :D

(Order doesn't matter...you all are precious to me...Also pardon me if I have mistakenly missed you..You are entitled to complain about it :))

Akanksha, Momo, Chirag, Devesh, Himanshu, Durga, Vastu, Malay, Ankush, Sundar, Abhimanyu, Arpit, Yashwant, Ayushi, Anand, Nishant, Ritesh, Siddharth, Aditya, DS, Sharma ji, Anusha Konchada , Anusha Dundu (Just to make sure you both don't get confused :) ), Pallavi, Gokul, Amulya, Ravi..Opppsss...Raj (@Ritesh: Hi-Fi for this one ;) )....and those who are going to complain... :)!!

Thanks & All the very Best to all of you.. :)
Please be in touch...
Phir milenge chalate chalate..:)

C'mon Gals..Fetch your dreams

Something happened which made me write this blog..and this one is all about what I feel after looking at the girls being earning and self dependent and the girls who are getting married..So boys can avoid investing their crucial time :P
Also my mom inspired me to blog it, because like every mother she thinks what I think is right.. :)

Few months back one of my school mate got married,so just after finishing her college she was among a different category.I am avoiding naming it..being diplomatic ;)!! And today again I get engagement news of one of my closest friend...The moment I heard, I was really happy and still I am, but that moment made me realize few differences between me and them or say might be among our thinking..

When I was in school, I was very shy kind of girl, just like my other friends in my group were!!!!But that never made me feel that I was loosing anything. I can definitely say that I have enjoyed my school life fully. Right from taking part in some image building and mind eating competitions to dancing on stage and singing songs I have done it all.I've also created few humorous accidents on stage like forgetting the rhythm of the song while singing and just uttering the lyrics to falling down on stage while dancing...hahaha..btw that wasn't my fault..a silly wire did it..And of all I am glad enough that I din't miss anything during those school days.
When I was in college,initially I was again a shy kind of girl but down the line after few years had passed and I had few really good friends with me, I had started opening up and mixing up with people, which I know my school mates did far before I did..Why am I mentioning this is because every time we used to meet, I had always been told that you are as it is, no change..hah!!As if not talking to people was a crime. But later I realized that, that was the first thing I ever missed doing on time. :D ;-)

So,after hearing to those marriage newses today I felt that, was I wrong telling my parents not forcing me to get married?? Or was I wrong making them worried about me while my school mates are getting married and I am not..As they want me to get married soon.. :( Thinking all these sort of questions I went to do some shopping that too walking all the way..Since I love walking while I am thinking something really serious...And during that time I saw a couple of girls doing the same thing..I could feel their freedom in a way, I was able to relate what I was doing to what they were doing.. :)

I am not against marriage, but I believe that being a part of today's generation one(girls are target here) should give oneself sufficient amount of time to,

Grow up completely,
Build your professional/social image,
Use the power of 'independence'
Bring up the abilities of improvising/collaborating/learning,
Identify one's talents,
Take responsibilities for self,
Look for possibilities,
Explore oneself...etc..

Try something different, and you will surely realize that growth is happening..and you will begin to enjoy the new stage..Just think from the growth paradigm, and then go ahead to develop new perspectives...

I am trying all this, and I'm loving it.. :)
I am earning and I am on my own which makes me feel great. I can spend enough time with my friends. I can take my own decisions, I can buy my stuff, and I can take care of myself. And this feeling gives me supreme satisfaction at this point of time..

And since marriage comes under ones 'long-term' goals, obviously one day I have to marry, but why to hurry...why not to EXPLORE life before COMMITMENT stage comes ;-)

And I have read somewhere that,
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them... Whether you find satisfaction in life depends not on your tale of years, but on your will...

So hurry and use it fully before it's too late...!! I am doing it for my Mom, as she always wanted me to be an independent girl, as she thinks, she can make up for the things she has missed in her life through me..I can feel her satisfaction in her smiles, in her everyday talks, in her sighs.Personally I believe a lot more effort is still needed..but for her, I am everything..I am the best daughter. :)

This one is for you Mumma, I love you..and you are the sweetest gift to me ever..I owe you for being with me always, in all my decisions and persuading Papa for me :) :)
I wish I can fulfill all your wishes..
Happy Mother's Day :) :)