Wishful thinking !!!

U Turn !!

2009-01-07T07:34:00.004Z

Phew !!!. . . after the roller coaster ride . . i'm finally feeling a sense of relief . . life isn't that bad to anyone after all. . . :)
Good News First:
I'm back in Bangalore . . back to my old Job. . in a better role . . on a better pay package !! :) and enjoying every bit of it. . I feel like a grown up finding all his childhood toys. . . the feeling is priceless. . .
If you're wondering why & when all this happened? it just did . . UK was not what I thought of it to be . . . have had a few painful experiences and it definitely didn't offer what I was looking for. . .So, Here I am

The Bad News:
I got the timing all wrong this time and perhaps I wasn't fully prepared to take what I took. I had to put my Overseas dream behind me and accept that I had failed to accomplish.

They say History Repeats because Man never learns . . well, in my case History did repeat cause I learnt :)

What do I say?

2008-10-28T15:41:00.003Z

There are times, when you really don wanna wake up in the morning...n times u felt u never slept....what happens when you're stuck in between??.....I'm going through one of those days.....not one but many, for those who're wondering why I'm sounding depressing when im supposed to be living a dream??....the title's for you

On my mark . . .

2008-10-12T00:12:00.003+01:00

Just about a step away from starting my first job here....was busy with all the shifting. Luckily got myself a decent place to stay and an easy 15 min walk to my office.

I see a drastic difference in the lifestyle of people here in Nottingham as against the " I'm busy ", " dont bother me mister" tags written over the foreheads of the people in London.

Seems like life has changed overnight.

I can still remember, just a couple of weeks back, I was sulking in bed uncertain about my future and wondering if all this made sense, it definitely does now :)

I have even started cooking officially :) ....after all the fuss, I got my hands dirty!!...and it was not a bad start at all, atleast i didnt blow up the house. . .

Thankfully my jobless days are over :)...

Made it !!

2008-10-03T01:23:00.005+01:00

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

Phew !!....was hanging on to the rope for quite sometime now. .and just when I thought I was gonna lose the strength to hold on anymore. . . :(
*Surprise!!* *Surprise !!*
I got hired in a company in Nottingham.... :)
I'm starting work on the 13th of October, 2008.
Life's never been this crazy, in the last couple of months have gone through a whole wacky range of mood swings....and most of them are ones that I would never wanna see again.
I'm all excited !! to know, how its gonna be working overseas. . . can't wait to start work.

Thanks to all those million prayers my folks, wife and friends did back home :). . guess the Almighty did a "Reply All" on all of 'em :)
Boy!!!! Just the feeling of knowing there are people out there wanting the best things for you is such a fulfilling feeling. . . makes life worthwhile. . . every micro second of it.

Cyber Birthday !!

2008-09-26T15:11:00.003+01:00

"Technology has come a looooooong way" is what my dad always says, given hez seen days when electricity was a luxury... and a Computer was a big huge machine used for making simple mathematical calculations...

As the title reads.....My amma had a cyber Bday today.... I was on cam from here and my lovely family online from home and we cut the cake just like one small Happy family :)....I'm so thankful to GOD for the lovely parents I have and a caring n crazily understanding wifey :P

Here are some pics ...

The Bday Girl "Amma"

Amma with wifey

Daughter-in-law getting her chance to impress her mother-in-law

Awesome twosome :)

It was a wonderful experience, one which brings a lotta mixed reactions. Feel very happy that we were all able to celebrate it together....but miss home a lot :(

funnily though, if I was in India, it probably wouldnt have been this exciting, we'll all remember this day for a long time....

Well....my day was worthwhile today...made my parents really happy and just waiting for my day to come, so that I can tell them something they would really be proud of and jump with joy.....hoping against hope :)

Talking to "You" . . .

2008-09-16T22:26:00.004+01:00

How often do we talk to ourselves?

I've been doing a lot of it off late. . . is it the luxury of time I have?? or Is it because I'm alone. . and in need of something to reassure myself that I'm doing things the right way?

In the chaotic world we live in, this is supposed to be a sure sign of mental illness. . .

Am I CRAZY?

Well, this is what I found:

The act of talking to ourselves, is actually a sign that we are self-aware and that we seek insight into our own actions.
Talking to ourselves mentally is actually a hallmark of being human and proof that we are a higher species.
In a sense, we can measure our degree of psychological confusion by checking out our self-talk.
It's not whether we do it, it's what we say to ourselves that matters.

Most people talk to themselves quite regularly, even when walking down the street; but, it is primarily done silently so it's not evident to onlookers. Whether or not we talk out loud, or silently, when we talk to ourselves, we are processing our thoughts, solving our problems, or just deciding what we will eat for lunch that day. . . :)

Final Verdict : I'm not C R A Z Y , just trying to make sense of my own actions and make the right choices in life :)

The Mayor's Thames Festival !!!

2008-09-16T11:32:00.011+01:00

The Thames Festival marks the end of Summer. . .
This is a spectacular, free celebration of London and its river. It usually takes place over the middle weekend in September (13th n 14th this time) between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge(London Bridge).

The festival brings Londoners together in the very heart of the capital to dance, make sculptures, listen to music, watch movies, drink, eat, enjoy performances, sing, play on the beach, sail on the Thames and party in the streets. . . There was so much color n vibrancy. . it all ended with some brilliant display of fireworks. . which was worth the wait, cause I had my camera with me n loads of time :). . all in all, a wonderful evening spent. .

Just felt like. . .

2008-09-10T21:57:00.003+01:00

yup, just felt like writing something up before I hit the bed. The day started pretty late today, woke up at 10, then lazed around in bed checking my inbox anxiously and then was on gtalk for a while before I realized I needed to get my butt outta bed and start the day. Applied for a few jobs, this is kinda become so much a routine for me, I'll probably involuntarily apply for a job even after I get one :P

Got a few calls yesterday, hoping I get an opportunity for an interview. . . fingers crossed.

I went to the local temple here in East Ham. A cozy place for a temple and the decoration is grand. Felt good to have a couple of minutes of silence and recharge myself with some hope and blessings. . .

Google Chrome !!...simple simplicity

2008-09-07T15:29:00.000+01:00

Google has announced their entry into the browser wars with the beta release of Google Chrome, a browser that promises to revolutionize the way we operate on the web. The good people at Google even published a little comic book explaining the browser and what they aim to accomplish with it here.

One of the nice things about this browser is that it features it's own task manager:

Chrome features a process management utility called the Task Manager which will allow the user to "see what sites are using the most memory, downloading the most bytes and abusing (their) CPU" (as well as the plugins which run in separate processes) and terminate them.

I know that I'll be using this as a supplement to my Firefox usage until it becomes more stable, but as of now it seems to be having some Java compatibility issues. And of course, here is the link to download and try out Google Chrome for yourself. Happy surfing!

A job to keep me going . . .

2008-09-07T10:30:00.005+01:00

Started a part time job 2 days back, will probably work for 3 days a week, and manage to pool in around 75 bucks. . . good enough for my accommodation. That's what keepin me busy for now and considering the job's not impossible.
This reminds me of a speech by Steve jobs in Stanford, its about 'connecting the dots'.
He believes that everything we do, every job we take up, will make sense at some point in the future. . well, it really does. I used to do promotional events back in college and used to wonder . . would all this help? It turned out to be priceless, cause I do a similar kinda part time job here. .
Please take time out and , truly inspiring.

I'm trusting that the dots will connect in the future for me :)

Rock On !! - living it up

2008-09-02T12:45:00.004+01:00

A good movie, with a decent script, decent performances, lovely songs and a lot to take away. .
These should be good enough reasons why one should watch this movie. . . I did yesterday :)
Throughout the movie, I could feel a "Dil chahta hai" flavor. .therez something about this movie which reminds one of DCH, the character sketches are a little vague, felt the lines blurring a couple of times with Farhan's role. Arjun Rampal has a lot to offer in terms of looks and acting. Purab's and Luke's performances are refreshing. .

All in all a good movie to sit back n enjoy ur ride back memory lane(If u were part of a band) :)

TGIF !!

2008-08-29T23:04:00.002+01:00

This means another week to look forward to. . . The long weekend ruined my job search for the whole of last week; Looking for a fresh start the coming week. . hope its decisive and worth the wait.

huh!!...what day is it today?

2008-08-28T23:36:00.003+01:00

"What day is it today?" that's the question I woke up with. . n the answer at the end of the day was "Just another day, how does it matter?". I have become totally numb to the happenings around me, the day, date or time has no meaning what so ever. . . its a weird feeling.
Feels like my Solar system is in a state of void, waiting for the 'Big Bang' to happen and then life will begin, slowly but surely.

Yipee!! a bike. . .

2008-08-27T19:49:00.006+01:00

Finally made up my mind to pick up a bike, an effort to cut down on the Tube train bills & enjoy London by road. . . Looking forward to some bicycle diaries now. . . besides I have something to do during the day. . .

The Bike's a GT Brand and has 21 Shimano gears. Rode back home from the bike shop and it seems to be in a good condition n felt it was worth the money I paid.

Sleepless in London

2008-08-26T23:39:00.005+01:00

One of those nights when sleep seems so tough to come by. . .
I’m sittin here in the dark with my roommate snoring in the background and some lovely soothing music playin in my headphones....Guess, all one needs, to see the night through is good music, laptop and a bottle of wine. . . pretty much like what I’m doing now. . .

Testing times !!...

2008-08-26T21:40:00.002+01:00

Landed here on the 5th of july and not the happiest man.
Going through a rough patch, guess we've all been there...its been close to 2 months now and still no signs of that shooting star...still jobless and even worse bored out of my fuckin mind !!...
Jobless, strange places, stranger people, fear of failure….can it get any better??
A lot has happened over the past month or so, a lot of mixed reactions..some of hope and hopelessness...totally dominated by the latter.
I love being Alone …..but hate to be lonely…..
Just hanging on to hope and believe that if I can make it this far, I’ll complete the lap…its just a test for my patience and my will to be successful….it hurts at times…taking all this as a bitter medicine….but guess, the patient needs it.

Being a househusband :)

2008-06-10T11:39:00.000+01:00

Does this sound like fun?.....i suggest u think again....cause that's all i've been doing these few days....n hating it....it gets so boring sitting at home with nothing to do with no aim.....
Was kinda nice for 2 days....n then it all started fallin apart.
I'm, just waiting to fly away to the land of the Thames.....n get su there as soon as possible.

Had a bitter fight at home yesterday.....it was my mistake yet again.... :(....amma lost her cool n things got a bit messy. Thankfully....have cleared up the air of discomfort at home.....things are back to normal now... :)

Infact....that's what happens when one sits at home all day....thinking nothing constructive and just see Mr.Clock tick away all the time....hmm...need to get my mind on preparing for the ISTQB certification......

Its funny...sometimes....u feel u're an achiever 1 minute and a loser the next. I had an emotional breakdown last evening, when everything seemed so disturbed, felt like a loser ...felt hurt....guess it had to happen......i slept on it and feel much better today.....thanks be to GOD !!..

Finally the time to blog !!

2008-06-06T09:47:00.000+01:00

Finally the time has come where I really felt the need to start blogging all over again.. :) phew!!...cant believe its taken me over a year since my last post up here....but...well...here it is...
A lotta things have changed, just to list a few in chronological order:

1) Today is my last day in my current company(Bally Technologies)

2) Had a blast with colleagues at Galibore Fishing camp.

2) Picked up a new lens.

3) Got my HSMP done after a lotta hard work, but it was worth every drop of sweat...a lot depended on this....

4)Had a wonderful time working in Bally for 10 months....had a rocking team n it was loads of fun.

5) Finally quit Infosys for good.

Thats about the most significant things that happened.....
As for the future, Things that I have to do are:

1) Get relieved from my current job.
2) Finish my ISTQB.
3) Study a few automation courses.
4) Fly out on the 5th of July 2008.

Cant believe, its finally happenin....I had this crazy dream to work overseas....like any Techie and its finally gonna happen.

Cant wait to live my dream... :)

making up for lost posts....

2007-05-08T09:40:00.000+01:00

Greetings fellowmen.....I have made it a point to update my posts cause the best things that happened to me between November 2006 to Feb 2007 have gone unaccounted.....
I have made it a point to post all the details in chronological order...so, watch out for the updates....

My "Last wish baby !!"

2007-05-07T09:56:00.000+01:00

Phew !!.....awesome n satisfyin.... it was worth every milli second....am talkin about the show I did on 4th May at Rangashankara.....It was Dramanon again...and the play "The original Last wish baby!!"....a total crowd cracker.....it set the audience roaring in laughs......its an amazing feeling to be on stage....n one that's very addictive...
The production wazza huge success....n all set for the cast party on 9th....waitin for it....

Vinoj, the highlight of the play n Dramanon is leavin to the US for good....bad for all of us here...wish we could keep him back here......

Good morning...with a better smile

2007-03-13T08:18:00.000Z

Thought I'll share a few of my good morning mails i've been sending to my near n dear ones of late.....I have a self designed Good morning icon and a copyright....here they are....write to me on itsmesuraj@gmail.com.....if you would want to be part of the mailing list....

Back and blogging....

2007-03-13T08:07:00.000Z

Phew !!!......its been a pretty long gap this time....the last time I wrote a post, I was single and now I'm a responsible married man ... :-p...well....its been an awesome time with my Wife....she loves to cook n I love to comment on her dish :-p...hope she isnt readin this....

I recently purchased my first DSLR camera....its a Canon 350D....one peice of funky gadgetry....clicks amazingly brilliant snaps.....and is gonna be my best buddy for years to come.....Am loving it already....waitin to drive out of town this weekend to some remote place to click to my heart's content....lets see....

24 down...a long way to go

2006-11-20T12:49:00.000Z

Amidst all the confusion, chaos, panic and disorder I managed to survive for 24 years on the surface of this ever changing planet....
Its come with its share of uncertainties and unexpected turns of luck and Fate.

As I celebrate my Silver Jubilee this month…I have a very warm feeling in my heart and a feeling of wanted ness brings a smile across my face.

The reason for all this…
- one person
- two lettered name
- three little words she told me …

A bundle of joy as I call her, she’s Su…..the girl I adore so much….and thank god over n over again for giving us each other….

I strongly believe that people come into our life for a reason and if you believe in our instincts …..you’ll know why they stepped into your life…

I have found the girl I wanna spend the rest of my life with and settle down with. Its been awesome knowing her and we’re planning to marry soon…..people who just read that last line will surely be invited to our marriage… :)

An interesting thing about an earlier post of mine… “Into the New Year” which I wrote on Jan 9^th had the following lines… "Never go in search of love....let love find you....and that’s why its called Falling in Love...you don’t know how....but you just fall "..........

Unbelievably…Jan 9^th happens to be the birthday of Su and when I wrote that post, we hadn’t met ….call it co-incidence or a divine sign of hope…well….I stick to the latter.

Every Life has a story...What's mine?

2006-10-16T04:59:00.000+01:00

Life's been good to me....Am planning to write a series of blogs with stuff that has happened to me over the past 24 years.....sounds scary?...nevertheless....I bet its an interesting one...cause my life's very different from any of the people I have met or known. What I am today is a dream of sorts....Not that I have achieved something humongous ...but its something I want the small circle of readers of my blog to know.....Will update this every weekend....I know its gonna take a lot out of you...but hang on :-)
Will start this this weekend....

The wait continues . . .

My morning mails....

2006-09-19T06:51:00.000+01:00

My latest craze is sending my own personal Morning mails for the people I know.....Off late, I realised ...people actually tend to like my photography skills....and this pushed me to do this with more interest.... I attach inspirational quotes or anything catchy and put it over a photo that I have clicked...and send it with a copyright symbol... :-) herez the sample...

A lot of people have told me its goooood...and they really love the idea....well....the point is how long am i gonna do this....considering I get bored doing the same stuff very easily....lets see...