Today was the first day of what is (hopefully?) my last term at IIM A. For most of us, this is the last leg of our academic careers. Fond memories, good friends and red bricks make for many nostalgic moments in the sixth term.
As Churchill once said, This is not the End. It is not even the Beginning of the End. It is perhaps, the End of the Beginning
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Love's Labour Lost
Gradually the threads dissolve, the strings come undone. We become footnotes in someone else's life, remembered fondly in the middle of drying dishes on a warm Wednesday night. In the end, this is all we're reduced to, this is what we're left with.
Glib laughter, and a very witty thing she once said. A song at the club that you used to dance to. A secret habit of wolfing down cocktail olives without ever ordering martinis. An old tee shirt and a mini collection of her scrunchies, accumulating in your car. A few things that last longer than the relationship was meant to.
Glib laughter, and a very witty thing she once said. A song at the club that you used to dance to. A secret habit of wolfing down cocktail olives without ever ordering martinis. An old tee shirt and a mini collection of her scrunchies, accumulating in your car. A few things that last longer than the relationship was meant to.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Older..! Wiser..?
When I was 8 years old, I had life all figured out. I knew how the planets revolved around the sun, I knew how to ride a bicycle and, from a reading of an abridged version of Swiss Family Robinson, was quite convinced I could survive on a desert island. I was convinced I was going to be an architect, and often built Lego houses with an elaborate bathtub in the drawing room.
By high school, this had changed to an engineer who was drawing pictures of the internal combustion engine and learning organic chemistry. I had a definite ten year plan - to finish college, do a postgraduate degree, get married, settle down, had decided what color my sofas should be and where we'd vacation for the summer.
As I turned 23 I realize that growing older doesn't necessarily mean I have all the answers.
Or any of them.
I haven't figured out a career, haven't settled down, Hell! I haven't figured out how to change a tyre. My best laid plans have often been turned upside down in 12.8 seconds and I have absolutely no idea where I'd be spending my next birthday. As I see dear friends around me get engaged and pick home furnishings, I realize I have a long way to go before I really 'find' myself.
If the past twenty three years have been anything to go by however, the journey is as exciting as any destination would be.
By high school, this had changed to an engineer who was drawing pictures of the internal combustion engine and learning organic chemistry. I had a definite ten year plan - to finish college, do a postgraduate degree, get married, settle down, had decided what color my sofas should be and where we'd vacation for the summer.
As I turned 23 I realize that growing older doesn't necessarily mean I have all the answers.
Or any of them.
I haven't figured out a career, haven't settled down, Hell! I haven't figured out how to change a tyre. My best laid plans have often been turned upside down in 12.8 seconds and I have absolutely no idea where I'd be spending my next birthday. As I see dear friends around me get engaged and pick home furnishings, I realize I have a long way to go before I really 'find' myself.
If the past twenty three years have been anything to go by however, the journey is as exciting as any destination would be.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Barefoot in Bombay
How exactly do you end up shoe-less in South Bombay on a slow Sunday evening? You could try being me for a few hours!
It all started when this modern day Cinders expressed a desire to see Bombay. (Do you also get the feeling that this is going to be a long story?)
Until about a year ago, my only memories of Bombay were of its airports. Our flight would land at Sahar International in the middle of the night. My mum and I would then spend several hours hunting down, variously :
* The uncle designated to fly down from Chennai to escort us back home
* A luggage trolley for our Delsey bags filled with Camay soap, Pistas and Charlie purses.
* The Airport Manager who, for some reason, was usually more well hidden than most guerrilla fighters are.
After moving to Ahmedabad, I now get to see Santa Cruz on a more regular basis. Alas! Many many things have changed since I was a kid. The city is called Mumbai now. Everything else is now named after Shivaji, including both airports, a train terminus, about three roads and several tea stalls.
To cut a long story to about medium length, after having seen nothing of Bombay except the airports and the consulate, I decided it was time to remedy the situation. Which is how I landed up in Bombay last weekend.
Fungus, who had kindly offered to show me around town picked me up at Andheri. Usually, when a gentleman says he will pick you up, it means he is bringing a car or a bike. In Bombay, it means he is going to meet you at the terminus and elbow his way through the crowd so that you can get first dibs on a much coveted seat in the local train.
We traveled from Andheri to Churchgate along the Harbour Line and then walked to Marine Drive. As a city, Bombay is very tourist friendly. Names of places and streets are largely self explanatory. Bandstand for example is apparently where the band used to, well, stand.
We sat for a while looking at the sea and the Bombay skyline. I got a little paranoid that I would lose my slippers in the weirdly shaped inter-locking rocks on the corniche, so I removed them and kept them to the side.
I regaled Fungus with stories of broken heels and how Sh. would chivalrously give me his slippers and walk barefoot. Our new age gentleman scoffed at the very idea!
By this point, dear reader, you’ve figured out how this story ends haven’t you? As we get up to leave a while later, I somehow managed to kick my carefully secured slipper over the edge.
In the 12.7 seconds it took to fall, several distinct memories flashed before my eyes. Forks that had flown to neighbouring tables at a 5 star restaurant, that were discreetly retrieved by Sh. Days when I decided to take the quickest route down the stairs at the theater, covering 24 steps in 4.8 seconds - face first. So perhaps, this wasn’t my most embarrassing memory in recent times!
This, then, is how I ended up shoe-less in South Bombay on a slow Sunday evening.
Fungus loaned me his slippers and led the way to the nearest mall. I braved withering looks to squeak out my shoe size to the condescending sales guy. After asking me twice is I was “really sure??” he proceeded to announce it to the entire store in an effort to find ladies’ slippers my size.
I made a witty remark about other leading ladies who’d misplaced glass slippers and still had happy endings. Granted, Cindy probably wore a size 4 while I tend to shop in the corner of shoe shops where they stock the super sized pairs, but those are mere details.
With much effort, we finally bought shoes, fortified ourselves with more coffee, and headed out again to see more of Bombay.
Much fun was had by all!
It all started when this modern day Cinders expressed a desire to see Bombay. (Do you also get the feeling that this is going to be a long story?)
Until about a year ago, my only memories of Bombay were of its airports. Our flight would land at Sahar International in the middle of the night. My mum and I would then spend several hours hunting down, variously :
* The uncle designated to fly down from Chennai to escort us back home
* A luggage trolley for our Delsey bags filled with Camay soap, Pistas and Charlie purses.
* The Airport Manager who, for some reason, was usually more well hidden than most guerrilla fighters are.
After moving to Ahmedabad, I now get to see Santa Cruz on a more regular basis. Alas! Many many things have changed since I was a kid. The city is called Mumbai now. Everything else is now named after Shivaji, including both airports, a train terminus, about three roads and several tea stalls.
To cut a long story to about medium length, after having seen nothing of Bombay except the airports and the consulate, I decided it was time to remedy the situation. Which is how I landed up in Bombay last weekend.
Fungus, who had kindly offered to show me around town picked me up at Andheri. Usually, when a gentleman says he will pick you up, it means he is bringing a car or a bike. In Bombay, it means he is going to meet you at the terminus and elbow his way through the crowd so that you can get first dibs on a much coveted seat in the local train.
We traveled from Andheri to Churchgate along the Harbour Line and then walked to Marine Drive. As a city, Bombay is very tourist friendly. Names of places and streets are largely self explanatory. Bandstand for example is apparently where the band used to, well, stand.
We sat for a while looking at the sea and the Bombay skyline. I got a little paranoid that I would lose my slippers in the weirdly shaped inter-locking rocks on the corniche, so I removed them and kept them to the side.
I regaled Fungus with stories of broken heels and how Sh. would chivalrously give me his slippers and walk barefoot. Our new age gentleman scoffed at the very idea!
By this point, dear reader, you’ve figured out how this story ends haven’t you? As we get up to leave a while later, I somehow managed to kick my carefully secured slipper over the edge.
In the 12.7 seconds it took to fall, several distinct memories flashed before my eyes. Forks that had flown to neighbouring tables at a 5 star restaurant, that were discreetly retrieved by Sh. Days when I decided to take the quickest route down the stairs at the theater, covering 24 steps in 4.8 seconds - face first. So perhaps, this wasn’t my most embarrassing memory in recent times!
This, then, is how I ended up shoe-less in South Bombay on a slow Sunday evening.
Fungus loaned me his slippers and led the way to the nearest mall. I braved withering looks to squeak out my shoe size to the condescending sales guy. After asking me twice is I was “really sure??” he proceeded to announce it to the entire store in an effort to find ladies’ slippers my size.
I made a witty remark about other leading ladies who’d misplaced glass slippers and still had happy endings. Granted, Cindy probably wore a size 4 while I tend to shop in the corner of shoe shops where they stock the super sized pairs, but those are mere details.
With much effort, we finally bought shoes, fortified ourselves with more coffee, and headed out again to see more of Bombay.
Much fun was had by all!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Here and Now..
How many windows do you have open right now, as you’re reading this? Are you also glancing at your messenger, is your phone nearby in case someone messages or calls you, is your email open - checking the server every 32 seconds for any new messages? We fill each day with much more than we ever could before. Technology allows us to be always connected, available, active. Always on. And this technology fights for space in your mind. Consistently and Constantly.
Every minute of the day, we straddle different worlds simultaneously. We could be at a play one evening, yet we are also simultaneously a phone call away from work. We’re out for dinner with a group of friends, but only an sms away from another friend who’s halfway around the world. Each evening we spend equal time with everyone who’s online on Gtalk or MSN in equally meaningless conversations. You ask a girlfriend how her life is, and before you hear her answer (or see it) you’re responding to a classmate’s query on tomorrow’s coursework.
I was out for coffee with a friend a few days ago. While I was talking rather animatedly about something, he was drawn away by a phone call from his friend. I was left mid-sentence with my hands waving in the air. Rather than wait while he finished his conversation, I picked up my phone and continued an sms conversation I’d been having with a girlfriend, who was still at work.
So this is where we are. An interconnected web of people who are each in multiple places at once through the miracle of technology. Everywhere but Here and Now. Because to be both here and now and available 100% would amount to being a total loser! In this day and age, how could you not have something better to do all the time?
This, then, is what we yearn for - something better. Which is why our phones are turned on and set to vibrate in our shirt pockets, so that we can be reachable 24/7 just in case Something happens. We leave our blackberries on in the theatre, our messengers on from the minute we step inside the house, and compulsively check our email ever so often.
The inherent message is, whatever I’m doing right now is too far beneath me for me to devote myself to it one hundred percent. I am merely here for the lack of anything better to do.
After all, we’d never want to spend time with anyone who’d want to spend time with us.
Technology helps us in this. It allows us to go to several places all at once and what’s more, get there very very fast.
We run to our fast cars ( the very latest model ) so that we can zip out the driveway just in time to sit idly for an hour while cursing the traffic. We yell at the person at the counter to “Hurry up already” so that we can grab lunch and head back to the office where we can stare persistently at the screen at the report, willing it to edit itself, all the while clicking ‘Send/Receive’ in Outlook roughly twice a minute.
We hustle and bustle through our lives, losing context in the search for speed and filling it instead with ‘buzz’. A meaningless, white, snow-like noise is taking over our lives until we’re too busy to think. Our collective attention span has dropped to new lows. If something takes longer than 30 seconds, too late!, we’ve already moved on.
After all, imagine, if you had a full thirty minutes to sit and think! What if, horror of horrors, you realized that you didn’t have anything of importance to say anyway?
Now imagine if you didn’t check your email for a day, or a week? What if (and this is what we secretly dread!) the world doesn’t fall apart. What would we do then?
Every minute of the day, we straddle different worlds simultaneously. We could be at a play one evening, yet we are also simultaneously a phone call away from work. We’re out for dinner with a group of friends, but only an sms away from another friend who’s halfway around the world. Each evening we spend equal time with everyone who’s online on Gtalk or MSN in equally meaningless conversations. You ask a girlfriend how her life is, and before you hear her answer (or see it) you’re responding to a classmate’s query on tomorrow’s coursework.
I was out for coffee with a friend a few days ago. While I was talking rather animatedly about something, he was drawn away by a phone call from his friend. I was left mid-sentence with my hands waving in the air. Rather than wait while he finished his conversation, I picked up my phone and continued an sms conversation I’d been having with a girlfriend, who was still at work.
So this is where we are. An interconnected web of people who are each in multiple places at once through the miracle of technology. Everywhere but Here and Now. Because to be both here and now and available 100% would amount to being a total loser! In this day and age, how could you not have something better to do all the time?
This, then, is what we yearn for - something better. Which is why our phones are turned on and set to vibrate in our shirt pockets, so that we can be reachable 24/7 just in case Something happens. We leave our blackberries on in the theatre, our messengers on from the minute we step inside the house, and compulsively check our email ever so often.
The inherent message is, whatever I’m doing right now is too far beneath me for me to devote myself to it one hundred percent. I am merely here for the lack of anything better to do.
After all, we’d never want to spend time with anyone who’d want to spend time with us.
Technology helps us in this. It allows us to go to several places all at once and what’s more, get there very very fast.
We run to our fast cars ( the very latest model ) so that we can zip out the driveway just in time to sit idly for an hour while cursing the traffic. We yell at the person at the counter to “Hurry up already” so that we can grab lunch and head back to the office where we can stare persistently at the screen at the report, willing it to edit itself, all the while clicking ‘Send/Receive’ in Outlook roughly twice a minute.
We hustle and bustle through our lives, losing context in the search for speed and filling it instead with ‘buzz’. A meaningless, white, snow-like noise is taking over our lives until we’re too busy to think. Our collective attention span has dropped to new lows. If something takes longer than 30 seconds, too late!, we’ve already moved on.
After all, imagine, if you had a full thirty minutes to sit and think! What if, horror of horrors, you realized that you didn’t have anything of importance to say anyway?
Now imagine if you didn’t check your email for a day, or a week? What if (and this is what we secretly dread!) the world doesn’t fall apart. What would we do then?
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
20 dry days..
This post is more out of a compulsion that this blog must not die a sad and lonely death simply because I am lazy and uninspired!
The 5th term has started. And unlike several of my peers who have classes only 3 days a week (leaving the other 4 free for travel, exploration etc) - I have courses all six days of the week.
I also have signed up for swimming and am trying (really really hard) to get in 20 lengths a day.
Navratri is around the corner and this year, we plan to do in style. So after much bargaining, I've got ghaghra cholis etc. Now can someone teach me the Garbaa?
The 5th term has started. And unlike several of my peers who have classes only 3 days a week (leaving the other 4 free for travel, exploration etc) - I have courses all six days of the week.
I also have signed up for swimming and am trying (really really hard) to get in 20 lengths a day.
Navratri is around the corner and this year, we plan to do in style. So after much bargaining, I've got ghaghra cholis etc. Now can someone teach me the Garbaa?
Friday, September 01, 2006
BlogCamp
What does your blog mean to you? Is it a way to get in touch or keep in touch with people? A non-judgemental audience for your thoughts on politics, philosphy and Prada? Or simply, a way to keep writing, sans editors and deadlines?
Whatever your blog means to you, the blog revolution has certainly gone mainstream. And, no.. That's not necessarily a Very Bad Thing.
Next weekend, Chennai plays host to what promises to be India's biggest Blog Unconference : Blog Camp
Whatever your blog means to you, the blog revolution has certainly gone mainstream. And, no.. That's not necessarily a Very Bad Thing.
Next weekend, Chennai plays host to what promises to be India's biggest Blog Unconference : Blog Camp
Sunday, August 20, 2006
A Letter
Tomorrow she starts college. My little girl has grown up so fast, I can't believe it. Was it 17 years ago that my parents told me, I was going to have a tiny playmate soon? When I first saw her, she looked like a porcelain doll. So white and fair in my sunburned, coffee colored hands. And so very tiny, I was scared she'll just float away.
It feels like yesterday when she started kindergarten. She agreed to get into the van, because I was on it too. When we stopped at her school, she insisted I accompany her to the class. One day she got hurt and was sitting in the class after school. The teacher asked me to come and get her. All big - sisterly I strode in and picked up her bag and water bottle. "Big girls don't cry", I said and my angel stopped immediately.
I remember all this now, some fifteen years later. She's all grown up and is done with school. No more uniforms and cycle tests. Our baby of the house is suddenly a big girl! And I feel, I should have so much to say.
My mum asked me today, "Do you remember your first day in college?". Yup, I do. The 8th of August 2001. I walked in and said Hi to D, and sat next to M. The three of inseparable for the next 4 years. The best friends I've made in life, I made in the first 10 minutes of college.
Enjoy these years! They're the best. Be sure to make mistakes. College is like an alternative universe where even the funniest gaffes are forgotten in a week. Get outside the classroom and learn a bit about the real world. The best things I did in college were outside the classroom - I think most people would agree with me on this one.
Burn up a Transistor. I think no one gets their engineering degree without burning up atleast a few transistors over the years. If you ever want to learn anything in college - let it be in the lab. For most of us, it's the last time in life that we ever need/have to bias a circuit. Make it count.
Experiment. And not just in the lab. Try on different personalities until you find one that fits. College is an amazing time to "find" yourself. It's the last time that the world gives you that luxury. Try something new every few weeks. Do things that you're not comfortable with. The best actors, guitarists, playwrights and dancers were born out of an uncomfortable moment when will triumphed over nervousness.
Meet people. In school, everybody you knew had daddys who worked in software or were CAs, and everyone's mum drove a Santro or a Scooty. College has a more diverse set of folks. Get out and meet people. You'll never know who you'll end up bonding with over a shared love for Metallica or Calvin and Hobbes.
I know you hardly need any of this advice. Over the years, you've been the one who usually advises me. Calm and level headed to my tempests and drama. I'm proud of you baby, be good and remember to have a blast!
It feels like yesterday when she started kindergarten. She agreed to get into the van, because I was on it too. When we stopped at her school, she insisted I accompany her to the class. One day she got hurt and was sitting in the class after school. The teacher asked me to come and get her. All big - sisterly I strode in and picked up her bag and water bottle. "Big girls don't cry", I said and my angel stopped immediately.
I remember all this now, some fifteen years later. She's all grown up and is done with school. No more uniforms and cycle tests. Our baby of the house is suddenly a big girl! And I feel, I should have so much to say.
My mum asked me today, "Do you remember your first day in college?". Yup, I do. The 8th of August 2001. I walked in and said Hi to D, and sat next to M. The three of inseparable for the next 4 years. The best friends I've made in life, I made in the first 10 minutes of college.
Enjoy these years! They're the best. Be sure to make mistakes. College is like an alternative universe where even the funniest gaffes are forgotten in a week. Get outside the classroom and learn a bit about the real world. The best things I did in college were outside the classroom - I think most people would agree with me on this one.
Burn up a Transistor. I think no one gets their engineering degree without burning up atleast a few transistors over the years. If you ever want to learn anything in college - let it be in the lab. For most of us, it's the last time in life that we ever need/have to bias a circuit. Make it count.
Experiment. And not just in the lab. Try on different personalities until you find one that fits. College is an amazing time to "find" yourself. It's the last time that the world gives you that luxury. Try something new every few weeks. Do things that you're not comfortable with. The best actors, guitarists, playwrights and dancers were born out of an uncomfortable moment when will triumphed over nervousness.
Meet people. In school, everybody you knew had daddys who worked in software or were CAs, and everyone's mum drove a Santro or a Scooty. College has a more diverse set of folks. Get out and meet people. You'll never know who you'll end up bonding with over a shared love for Metallica or Calvin and Hobbes.
I know you hardly need any of this advice. Over the years, you've been the one who usually advises me. Calm and level headed to my tempests and drama. I'm proud of you baby, be good and remember to have a blast!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Dance Like a Man
"In a city like Chennai, every family has a dancer, or atleast knows one" - from the introduction to the script of Dance Like a Man
I think to be a child in Chennai, one must go through mandatory training in Bharatnatyam (if you are a girl), violin, mridangam (if you are a boy) and carnatic vocal music...
Even though I went through all the above phases, I never really learnt to dance. I performed once on stage, and then our one dance master moved away from Muscat - and That was That. This month, after about twelve years, I again wore ghungroos and practiced dance. What Fun!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Living by Lists
The past few weeks have, as usual, been crazy busy. First there were midterms. Even though I had only two, still had to study. And then there were not one, but two trips home - which are awesome fun but exhausting nonetheless.
T-nite soon followed. Apparently my juniors are pretty good at setting a stage on fire. Now I don't mean that literally of course. After my class's experience with diyas last year, all forms of fire are banned on stage. But between them, the Fachchas have a Michael Jackson, a Beyonce Knowles, a few drummers, and another Jackson called Janet. [She of the famous wadrobe malfunctions ;-)]
This Sunday, we put up our first play of the year - Dance Like a Man (written by Mahesh Dattani). If you're in Ahmedabad this weekend, do drop by!
And now, back to submissions and work. As I said, crazy busy. My desk is a veritable jungle of purple and yellow post-its with reminders of various kinds. Some are quite incomprehensible. It took me a good fifteen minutes to understand one particularly cryptic note scribbled to myself at 3.28 am.
"Pyal Play!!" - was apparently supposed to remind me to tell someone that we need ghungroos for the drama practice!
As an aside, don't believe everything you read in the papers. I can, for example, speak passable Hindi
T-nite soon followed. Apparently my juniors are pretty good at setting a stage on fire. Now I don't mean that literally of course. After my class's experience with diyas last year, all forms of fire are banned on stage. But between them, the Fachchas have a Michael Jackson, a Beyonce Knowles, a few drummers, and another Jackson called Janet. [She of the famous wadrobe malfunctions ;-)]
This Sunday, we put up our first play of the year - Dance Like a Man (written by Mahesh Dattani). If you're in Ahmedabad this weekend, do drop by!
And now, back to submissions and work. As I said, crazy busy. My desk is a veritable jungle of purple and yellow post-its with reminders of various kinds. Some are quite incomprehensible. It took me a good fifteen minutes to understand one particularly cryptic note scribbled to myself at 3.28 am.
"Pyal Play!!" - was apparently supposed to remind me to tell someone that we need ghungroos for the drama practice!
As an aside, don't believe everything you read in the papers. I can, for example, speak passable Hindi
Friday, July 07, 2006
7 1/2 Things you probably don't know about me for sure..
1. I don't get a daily newspaper. I'm sadly out of touch with the real world except for my hour at the gym where I watch the "Alert" headlines on a 24X7 News channel. And we all know how perfectly useless those are.
2. I don't get sleazy jokes in Hindi. I usually just nod along or pretend to be deep in conversation with someone else, but I just don't 'get' them. I don't know the words, I don't get the context, and when you don't bother to explain colloquialisms, its very difficult for a non-native speaker to understand.
3. I have stage fright. Ever since I was a eighth grade when I was handed a mike for the first time and it felt like it weighed a ton, I've been scared of being on stage. Scared of, I think, being the school joke for the next year.
4. I actually like some boyband songs. Some. Very Very Few. And NOT NSync.
5. I once spent five months living with my clothes in suitcases and my parents room because my cupboards were full of books.
6. I hate strawberries in all forms except fresh strawberries. I hate milkshakes, jam, preserves and shortcake. I love fresh strawberries. And I think its criminal to bury them in cream.
7. I cannot tell impasto from impressionism without google.com. I can however tell Pepsi from Coke. And I don't particularly enjoy Shakespeare. I also occasionally end sentences with prepositions. Not the biggest crime I can think of.
7.5. I have been awake for less than eleven hours in a highly unproductive day. This post is a desperate attempt to keep this blog from dying. I've rarely stuck to anything for this long. Ask my guitar instructor!
2. I don't get sleazy jokes in Hindi. I usually just nod along or pretend to be deep in conversation with someone else, but I just don't 'get' them. I don't know the words, I don't get the context, and when you don't bother to explain colloquialisms, its very difficult for a non-native speaker to understand.
3. I have stage fright. Ever since I was a eighth grade when I was handed a mike for the first time and it felt like it weighed a ton, I've been scared of being on stage. Scared of, I think, being the school joke for the next year.
4. I actually like some boyband songs. Some. Very Very Few. And NOT NSync.
5. I once spent five months living with my clothes in suitcases and my parents room because my cupboards were full of books.
6. I hate strawberries in all forms except fresh strawberries. I hate milkshakes, jam, preserves and shortcake. I love fresh strawberries. And I think its criminal to bury them in cream.
7. I cannot tell impasto from impressionism without google.com. I can however tell Pepsi from Coke. And I don't particularly enjoy Shakespeare. I also occasionally end sentences with prepositions. Not the biggest crime I can think of.
7.5. I have been awake for less than eleven hours in a highly unproductive day. This post is a desperate attempt to keep this blog from dying. I've rarely stuck to anything for this long. Ask my guitar instructor!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Begnadigen Sie mein Deutsche
It was a Tuesday, I distinctly remember. All the strange things in life usually happen on Tuesdays don't they? On this particular Tuesday, I was idly flipping through a course catalog trying to pick courses for this term.
Have you noticed how things sound a lot more profound in a foreign language? Well, I have. You can say "My dog is wet" and sound like you've solved the world's energy crisis. Especially when the listener does not speak aforementioned language.
Anyway, having narrowed my options down to German and French, I decided to give the problem more thought.
French, incidentally, is a great language. Their umbrellas are male while their windows are feminine. And you can tell someone to go to an undesirably warm place governed by a man with horns, and sound like you're asking him to water the begonias.
Lovely, perfect!
Long story made longer, I'm taking German this term. (There's a very rational explanation for the above, but it probably won't make sense to you, so I'll just skip it shall I?)
German though, is not quite so bad. In German, you can say something perfectly useless, like "Once is No Time" and win the Jerusalem Prize
Most of my classmates in this course apparently know German. Like Socrates, I know nothing. Well, almost nothing. I can say Flughafen, Danke Schon and Guten Morgen. Though some would say "Good morning, Airport, Thank you" is enough German for one person.
If you were ever actually in Germany, it would get you right out!
Have you noticed how things sound a lot more profound in a foreign language? Well, I have. You can say "My dog is wet" and sound like you've solved the world's energy crisis. Especially when the listener does not speak aforementioned language.
Anyway, having narrowed my options down to German and French, I decided to give the problem more thought.
French, incidentally, is a great language. Their umbrellas are male while their windows are feminine. And you can tell someone to go to an undesirably warm place governed by a man with horns, and sound like you're asking him to water the begonias.
Lovely, perfect!
Long story made longer, I'm taking German this term. (There's a very rational explanation for the above, but it probably won't make sense to you, so I'll just skip it shall I?)
German though, is not quite so bad. In German, you can say something perfectly useless, like "Once is No Time" and win the Jerusalem Prize
Most of my classmates in this course apparently know German. Like Socrates, I know nothing. Well, almost nothing. I can say Flughafen, Danke Schon and Guten Morgen. Though some would say "Good morning, Airport, Thank you" is enough German for one person.
If you were ever actually in Germany, it would get you right out!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Homeward Bound
Did I just write a post about how much I hate packing? Let me reiterate - I detest it!
Anyway - Heading home for a week. Looking forward to Chennai. I think this is officially the longest I've been away from home!
Anyway - Heading home for a week. Looking forward to Chennai. I think this is officially the longest I've been away from home!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Reservations about Reservation
When you decide that 22.5% more seats should be reserved for special categories in higher educational institutions, several things could happen :
Magically, this could somehow improve the primary educational system to ensure that the quality of minority students entering equals or exceeds the quality of non-minority students entering the institute.
They could have access to jobs and rewards in the economic world to the same measure as 'mainstream' students without being subtly discriminated against, or side tracked like some of the other students who join institutes through non merit channels.
Until a few years ago, one could very clearly tell who had joined engineering college through the 'NRI - capitation' route, and who joined through the merit category. This stark difference could possibly not be replicated under Arjun Singh's scheme of things.
Better education opportunities could trickle down to reach those who really need it and government could at last stop with messy vote grabbing exercises and truly function 'for' the people.
Or, if you're a cynic like me, you'd worry instead that you could buy OBC certificates for Rs 1000.
I don't believe a reservation program should start in graduate school. The place for real reservation? In kindergarten. 50% of new schools set up by state government should be in areas that don't have access to primary education currently. Instead of perrenially doing what is easy or lucrative, the government should step up and reform education so that it is available to every child. Instead of playing state politics and planning long protests to bring back the mother tongue into schools and insist that all the gains we've made over the last 40 years by being educated in English - be wiped out, politicians should focus on getting textbooks, materials and teachers to those schools.
Instead of spending endless amount of the publics time on discussing whose version of history is right, politicians should implement policies that bring and keep children in school - so that they may avail of that education.
Having a reservation at AIIMS will not ensure that there are more dalit doctors, or that they are better treated. Equipping 30 Dalit children so that they are not denied the opportunity to become engineers or doctors or astronauts by giving them a good primary education, access to clean water and healthcare and the ability to get into AIIMS without needing reservations - now THAT will make a difference.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated :
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/devils-advocate-arjun-singh/11063-4-1.html
Do read this article. Is this articulate gentleman the person we want making decisions??
Magically, this could somehow improve the primary educational system to ensure that the quality of minority students entering equals or exceeds the quality of non-minority students entering the institute.
They could have access to jobs and rewards in the economic world to the same measure as 'mainstream' students without being subtly discriminated against, or side tracked like some of the other students who join institutes through non merit channels.
Until a few years ago, one could very clearly tell who had joined engineering college through the 'NRI - capitation' route, and who joined through the merit category. This stark difference could possibly not be replicated under Arjun Singh's scheme of things.
Better education opportunities could trickle down to reach those who really need it and government could at last stop with messy vote grabbing exercises and truly function 'for' the people.
Or, if you're a cynic like me, you'd worry instead that you could buy OBC certificates for Rs 1000.
I don't believe a reservation program should start in graduate school. The place for real reservation? In kindergarten. 50% of new schools set up by state government should be in areas that don't have access to primary education currently. Instead of perrenially doing what is easy or lucrative, the government should step up and reform education so that it is available to every child. Instead of playing state politics and planning long protests to bring back the mother tongue into schools and insist that all the gains we've made over the last 40 years by being educated in English - be wiped out, politicians should focus on getting textbooks, materials and teachers to those schools.
Instead of spending endless amount of the publics time on discussing whose version of history is right, politicians should implement policies that bring and keep children in school - so that they may avail of that education.
Having a reservation at AIIMS will not ensure that there are more dalit doctors, or that they are better treated. Equipping 30 Dalit children so that they are not denied the opportunity to become engineers or doctors or astronauts by giving them a good primary education, access to clean water and healthcare and the ability to get into AIIMS without needing reservations - now THAT will make a difference.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated :
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/devils-advocate-arjun-singh/11063-4-1.html
Do read this article. Is this articulate gentleman the person we want making decisions??
Friday, May 12, 2006
Five Ells..
The good is rightly thought to be that at which all things aim. That was Aristotle by the way, not me. But if I asked you what you were aiming at, what would you say? Happiness? Identity?
What defines happiness?
What defines you?
Or are they answers to the same question?
All of the above, as I found myself saying earlier today, is completely irrelevant and perfectly true.
I've seen many people lose hope because they didn't get what they want. But nothing compares to the bitter disillusionment of a person who got exactly what they wanted, and then didn't know what to do with it.
Are we searching for answers without knowing the question?
Life. Love. Loss. Loneliness. And Laughter.
What defines happiness?
What defines you?
Or are they answers to the same question?
All of the above, as I found myself saying earlier today, is completely irrelevant and perfectly true.
I've seen many people lose hope because they didn't get what they want. But nothing compares to the bitter disillusionment of a person who got exactly what they wanted, and then didn't know what to do with it.
Are we searching for answers without knowing the question?
Life. Love. Loss. Loneliness. And Laughter.
NY #5 : He's in Structured Credit..
If you meet 10 Indian investment bankers on Wall Street, chances are - 9.8 of them work in structured credit. What a wierd coincidence!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
NY #4 : Of Raw Fish and VBA
Today I learnt a new language. I built an Excel spreadsheet using VBA that does some nice nifty stuff at the click of a button. Yes, I'm proud of it - So?
I also had sushi for the first time ever. With chopsticks. And soya sauce and ginger. I never expected to like raw fish - but loved it! I don't know about plain raw fish or even the seaweed wraps - but sticky rice with crab meat and fish - I loved. We then caught a Broadway musical - Hairspray. It was nice and fun except for some reason the entire place was over run by teenagers.
Not kids. Kids are cute and lovable. Teenagers, especially in large numbers are overwhelming and scary. I don't remember the last time I felt as old as I did amongst those 15 year olds in my black suit and pencil heels.
I also had sushi for the first time ever. With chopsticks. And soya sauce and ginger. I never expected to like raw fish - but loved it! I don't know about plain raw fish or even the seaweed wraps - but sticky rice with crab meat and fish - I loved. We then caught a Broadway musical - Hairspray. It was nice and fun except for some reason the entire place was over run by teenagers.
Not kids. Kids are cute and lovable. Teenagers, especially in large numbers are overwhelming and scary. I don't remember the last time I felt as old as I did amongst those 15 year olds in my black suit and pencil heels.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
NY #3 : Why don't you go jump off a..
Finally, a Saturday with great weather. We rented a convertible and took a road trip to Delaware Water Gap. Gorgeous drives in an open car with the wind in our hair! We spent the better part of the day driving around and then in the evening, we went.. (pa pa ra rum pum...) Sky Diving.
Which is basically getting on a plane, flying to 13000 ft and then jumping off. Free fall lasts for a minute and then parachutes open and you float down to earth. It was amazing! Just Amazing - to just fall out of a plane and fly :)
It been an amazing day, and now I must sleep (@ 5 am).
Which is basically getting on a plane, flying to 13000 ft and then jumping off. Free fall lasts for a minute and then parachutes open and you float down to earth. It was amazing! Just Amazing - to just fall out of a plane and fly :)
It been an amazing day, and now I must sleep (@ 5 am).
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Take the A train
Today, I left work and took the A train downtown to Fulton Street. I then took another train to Lexington avenue and walked along 23rd St until I found a grocery store. I came home and cooked Rava Upma and Mango pickle. My first proper Indian meal since getting here weeks ago. What drove me crazy was not just the endless parade of cold meat, bread and cold salad. It was the hyper expensive Indian meal I ordered of Biryani, which turned out to be plain rice with a sidebowl of an oily meat curry. (I think the idea was to mix the two together to create biryani!)
Eeeyuck!
But now I'm finally happy and full! Yay!
Ps : The title is one of the first jazz songs I heard. Got hooked onto the Duke since then.
Eeeyuck!
But now I'm finally happy and full! Yay!
Ps : The title is one of the first jazz songs I heard. Got hooked onto the Duke since then.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
The ABC of Choices
This is inspired by a few people discussing which b-school to pick or whether to pick b-school at all. I went through something similar last year. And here's what I think :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eventually, before you decide which school to go to - take five minutes and think about Why.
Why did you write the CAT/GMAT
Why did you want to go to business school
If you don't know what you're looking for in graduate school, you damn well won't find it.
It could be a higher paying job, challenging acquaintances, knowledge, fun, a chance to get away from it all for two years, or just some
additional letters after your name.
However, if you don't have some semblance of clarity as to why you are doing this, more often than not you're likely to be disappointed. If you want b-school to make you smarter, brighter, polish you, give you a large friends network and a job in Europe.. trading bonds - wake up and smell reality. B-school simply gives you a shot at all of these. Eventually what you make of it is just that.. what YOU make of it.
That said, I've been asked to rank A against B, C, X, Stern, Rutgers, Blah blah. I won't. Simply because I am not an educationist. I don't know anything about schools abroad and very little about Indian schools too.
I do know some things however :
I am not the type of person who chooses a place of study because it has nice weather, free flowing alcohol or is closer to home. I'm sure there are people who do make those choices, however i can't shed any light on the subject. Remember of course that to compensate for Ahmedabad's fiery summers, our classrooms and library are airconditioned. And where there is a will, there is a way. (I'm talking about going home.. what did you think? ;) )
Think about the worst thing that can happen after you leave IIMA, and see if you can live with that. More often than not, you usually can. And remember, life here is tough. So's life at Harvard, Wharton or Stanford.
BSchool is not really a place to relax and 'chill'. Anyone who tells you that, has probably learned to 'play' the system or has given up (I have too on occasion) - But school itself is designed to be tough. Atleast in the first year. So?
Really, what makes it tough is not the program alone. Its the peers with a keen competitive edge, your personal goals that push you to achieve something, all the movies you watch, the things you do, the partying, the sports, the hanging out with friends. (yes we do have lives!).
The years you spend at B-School will be hard. Atleast the first year at a good b-school will challenge you, and push you to some extent. It won't kill you however, and in the long run, you're unlikely to regret two years invested here. It won't be a cakewalk, but its not insurmountable horror either.
Before I picked A for example I was told I wouldn't have a life, I'd become a geek, I'd be sidelined and overwhelmed in a school filled with IIT 'studs' and I'd be too far away from home.
I've done two plays, gotten up on stage more than I did in four years of college, taken 6 trips back home, seen more movies than I probably did in the previous two years, made great friends, and far from being sidelined - have learnt a lot from both the IIT 'studs' and my peers from a variety of different backgrounds.
In the end, make the choice - and think about how you would describe your choice. Are you going to spend your life defining yourself as someone who went to school X? Or as someone who went to Y, followed by a few short sentences on why you picked Y even though you got X?
And eventually, whatever choice you make, b-school is a passport to something - a better life, a better job, a better career or simply a different one. But as with any other traveller, you have to book your own tickets.
Good luck!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eventually, before you decide which school to go to - take five minutes and think about Why.
Why did you write the CAT/GMAT
Why did you want to go to business school
If you don't know what you're looking for in graduate school, you damn well won't find it.
It could be a higher paying job, challenging acquaintances, knowledge, fun, a chance to get away from it all for two years, or just some
additional letters after your name.
However, if you don't have some semblance of clarity as to why you are doing this, more often than not you're likely to be disappointed. If you want b-school to make you smarter, brighter, polish you, give you a large friends network and a job in Europe.. trading bonds - wake up and smell reality. B-school simply gives you a shot at all of these. Eventually what you make of it is just that.. what YOU make of it.
That said, I've been asked to rank A against B, C, X, Stern, Rutgers, Blah blah. I won't. Simply because I am not an educationist. I don't know anything about schools abroad and very little about Indian schools too.
I do know some things however :
I am not the type of person who chooses a place of study because it has nice weather, free flowing alcohol or is closer to home. I'm sure there are people who do make those choices, however i can't shed any light on the subject. Remember of course that to compensate for Ahmedabad's fiery summers, our classrooms and library are airconditioned. And where there is a will, there is a way. (I'm talking about going home.. what did you think? ;) )
Think about the worst thing that can happen after you leave IIMA, and see if you can live with that. More often than not, you usually can. And remember, life here is tough. So's life at Harvard, Wharton or Stanford.
BSchool is not really a place to relax and 'chill'. Anyone who tells you that, has probably learned to 'play' the system or has given up (I have too on occasion) - But school itself is designed to be tough. Atleast in the first year. So?
Really, what makes it tough is not the program alone. Its the peers with a keen competitive edge, your personal goals that push you to achieve something, all the movies you watch, the things you do, the partying, the sports, the hanging out with friends. (yes we do have lives!).
The years you spend at B-School will be hard. Atleast the first year at a good b-school will challenge you, and push you to some extent. It won't kill you however, and in the long run, you're unlikely to regret two years invested here. It won't be a cakewalk, but its not insurmountable horror either.
Before I picked A for example I was told I wouldn't have a life, I'd become a geek, I'd be sidelined and overwhelmed in a school filled with IIT 'studs' and I'd be too far away from home.
I've done two plays, gotten up on stage more than I did in four years of college, taken 6 trips back home, seen more movies than I probably did in the previous two years, made great friends, and far from being sidelined - have learnt a lot from both the IIT 'studs' and my peers from a variety of different backgrounds.
In the end, make the choice - and think about how you would describe your choice. Are you going to spend your life defining yourself as someone who went to school X? Or as someone who went to Y, followed by a few short sentences on why you picked Y even though you got X?
And eventually, whatever choice you make, b-school is a passport to something - a better life, a better job, a better career or simply a different one. But as with any other traveller, you have to book your own tickets.
Good luck!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Earlier Today
Me : What's the point of that kind of charade? I know I'm lying, they know I'm lying, I know they know I'm lying.. you get the idea..
Friend : That sounds exactly like an HR interview..
;)
-------------------------------------------------------
Update : Maybe the above post required a little context. I and a friend were discussing parents and how its pointless to lie to them.
Interviews may be typically classified into two types (If you've ever tried getting into a b-school or a job, you'd know) - Technical and HR.
The technical interview is a rude awakening for both you and the interviewer. You realize that you in fact know nothing. Unfortunately so does the interviewer.
In a HR interview, your attitude and softer skills are tested. Here you eagerly convince b-school G (for want of a better letter) that even though you have calls from IIM A B C you're still seriously considering G and want v badly to get in there. (This is usually done to hedge, just in case you have non-HR interviews at A B C and don't make it through)
So there we go, this became a nice long post now :)
Friend : That sounds exactly like an HR interview..
;)
-------------------------------------------------------
Update : Maybe the above post required a little context. I and a friend were discussing parents and how its pointless to lie to them.
Interviews may be typically classified into two types (If you've ever tried getting into a b-school or a job, you'd know) - Technical and HR.
The technical interview is a rude awakening for both you and the interviewer. You realize that you in fact know nothing. Unfortunately so does the interviewer.
In a HR interview, your attitude and softer skills are tested. Here you eagerly convince b-school G (for want of a better letter) that even though you have calls from IIM A B C you're still seriously considering G and want v badly to get in there. (This is usually done to hedge, just in case you have non-HR interviews at A B C and don't make it through)
So there we go, this became a nice long post now :)
Sunday, April 09, 2006
And Two
This blog is now two years old. Through two cities and two schools, this space has been a neat companion and chronicle.
Here's to my dear blog! Hic! Hic! Hurrah!
:-)
Here's to my dear blog! Hic! Hic! Hurrah!
:-)
Saturday, April 08, 2006
NY #2 : You could always talk about the weather
Unfortunately, its been raining all morning. So I've been snoozing on the couch. Here's hoping the weather clears up.
NY #1 : At midnight in the Village, there are no hardware stores open..
What is open though, is Cafe Wha?. 115 MacDougal St is the home to many a musical/comedy talent in NYC. Heavyweights like Bill Cosby and Jimi Hendrix started their careers here.
We went there on a Friday night to listen to the live band belt out rock, soul, 80s hits and Beatle's numbers. New York so far, is mindblowing.
We went there on a Friday night to listen to the live band belt out rock, soul, 80s hits and Beatle's numbers. New York so far, is mindblowing.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Lists and Lipgloss
Packing is an exercise in optimism which eventually, ends in futility.
You never really pack.
You get boxes and tape and make lists and start to pack.
And then you start to pray.
Eventually, you get a big plastic bag for all the little stuff that couldn't be categorized and you can't bring yourself to throw away because 'what if you need it at 3 am on a tuesday' and you rue this moment when you chucked it out.
Lipgloss that a relative brought from abroad that I saved for special occasions, and has now turned rancid, old nailpolish that is perfectly preserved but totally not my color, a magazine I wanted to read last fall that is still lying under my bed are the latest casualties in my war against 'stuff'.
You never really pack.
You get boxes and tape and make lists and start to pack.
And then you start to pray.
Eventually, you get a big plastic bag for all the little stuff that couldn't be categorized and you can't bring yourself to throw away because 'what if you need it at 3 am on a tuesday' and you rue this moment when you chucked it out.
Lipgloss that a relative brought from abroad that I saved for special occasions, and has now turned rancid, old nailpolish that is perfectly preserved but totally not my color, a magazine I wanted to read last fall that is still lying under my bed are the latest casualties in my war against 'stuff'.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Then, and Now
Then, she was two years old. You were 26. Travelling abroad, alone for the first time. Her father had a thousand instructions, “Keep your eyes on the bags - Bombay airport is dangerous.. Hold on to her, she’s a kid - she’ll just wander off with a stranger..”
Knowing him, I’m sure he sent you a drawing of Sahar Airport in a blue colored aerogramme. Drawn to scale in blue ink.
You’d tell her, ".. must hold on to mummy's mundhani and not let go.. ok?.. Ever!" She'd bob her head vigorously, wide eyed with excitement. She was bustling about the house on the last few days. Running upstairs and downstairs while you were trying to get the packing done. She would tell Thatha that she was going to a new city where the roads were lined with Gems and all cars were Toyotas. And she would bring back one for each relative who came to see you off.
She held onto your pallu tightly throughout the trip. At the noisy airport where you couldn't find a trolley for the bags, when you were checking in, at the security check when she saw the metal detector for the first time. All the way till baggage claim at Seeb International when she saw her father waiting outside. She ran to him with a shriek. Customs officials and Immigration counters be damned.
Today, she insists you carry a cellphone and calls three times before you board the flight. "Have you taken your tickets? Keep the boarding pass safe okay? Shall I get you some coffee? A sandwich?". She asks you to message as soon as you land in Bombay, and again when you get home. "Don't carry the bags okay Ma, just ask someone standing nearby to get it off the conveyer belt for you.."
She sounds exactly like her father, you think to yourself..
For my mom, For an awesome weekend and For 22 years
------------------
*Mundhani(aka Pallu) : the part of the saree draped over the shoulder
*Thatha : grandfather
Knowing him, I’m sure he sent you a drawing of Sahar Airport in a blue colored aerogramme. Drawn to scale in blue ink.
You’d tell her, ".. must hold on to mummy's mundhani and not let go.. ok?.. Ever!" She'd bob her head vigorously, wide eyed with excitement. She was bustling about the house on the last few days. Running upstairs and downstairs while you were trying to get the packing done. She would tell Thatha that she was going to a new city where the roads were lined with Gems and all cars were Toyotas. And she would bring back one for each relative who came to see you off.
She held onto your pallu tightly throughout the trip. At the noisy airport where you couldn't find a trolley for the bags, when you were checking in, at the security check when she saw the metal detector for the first time. All the way till baggage claim at Seeb International when she saw her father waiting outside. She ran to him with a shriek. Customs officials and Immigration counters be damned.
Today, she insists you carry a cellphone and calls three times before you board the flight. "Have you taken your tickets? Keep the boarding pass safe okay? Shall I get you some coffee? A sandwich?". She asks you to message as soon as you land in Bombay, and again when you get home. "Don't carry the bags okay Ma, just ask someone standing nearby to get it off the conveyer belt for you.."
She sounds exactly like her father, you think to yourself..
For my mom, For an awesome weekend and For 22 years
------------------
*Mundhani(aka Pallu) : the part of the saree draped over the shoulder
*Thatha : grandfather
Sunday, March 19, 2006
A Very Warm Day
It was a very warm day. Too early for summer. She dreaded what summer would be like. Already the cooler was running, the fan was on 5 and she felt hot and uncomfortable. The room smelled of dust. Dust everywhere. In the crevices of the keyboard, on top of everything. It felt like living in a desert.
She wanted to clean again. Almost three times a day she tidied and yet the dust it got in everywhere - in her nostrils, in her windpipe, till she felt herself choking on it.
She kept dreaming about the rain. Of travelling on a wide road with greenery all around and the wind lashing the rain onto her face. Her hair bundled tightly under a scarf, and a smile on her face. You could never make a sad face when the wind was blowing on you. You simply had to smile.
Thinking about those memories, she smiled to herself. She remembered interminable afternoons when she was stuck in school. Too hot to even concentrate on what the teacher was saying. And then a sticky ride back home jostling for space amongst twenty other kids in a tiny van. Showering with cold water from the fridge just to get rid of the heat.
Afternoons so close to the equator are meant only for sleeping. Swatting away flies with a piece of plastic doubling up as a fan and lying on the cold mosaic floor. Drinking elaneer* and eating grandmom’s set curd by the cup. Ladies woke up early in the evening and showered again. They dusted themselves with talcum powder at 4 only to turn into squidgy soft white masses by tiffin** time. The heat got to everyone. It crept into the dark shadows of rooms, on the floor, in the air. She drank water by the bottle and when that wasn’t enough, ate ice.
She remembered sitting by the table fan and devouring books, one after another. The childhood association remained and even today on warm afternoons, she wanted to lie in bed with a book and a bottle of cold juice by her side.
She thought about all those summers of long ago and sighed. It was early March still.
Waiting for November.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Coconut Water
** Early evening meal
She wanted to clean again. Almost three times a day she tidied and yet the dust it got in everywhere - in her nostrils, in her windpipe, till she felt herself choking on it.
She kept dreaming about the rain. Of travelling on a wide road with greenery all around and the wind lashing the rain onto her face. Her hair bundled tightly under a scarf, and a smile on her face. You could never make a sad face when the wind was blowing on you. You simply had to smile.
Thinking about those memories, she smiled to herself. She remembered interminable afternoons when she was stuck in school. Too hot to even concentrate on what the teacher was saying. And then a sticky ride back home jostling for space amongst twenty other kids in a tiny van. Showering with cold water from the fridge just to get rid of the heat.
Afternoons so close to the equator are meant only for sleeping. Swatting away flies with a piece of plastic doubling up as a fan and lying on the cold mosaic floor. Drinking elaneer* and eating grandmom’s set curd by the cup. Ladies woke up early in the evening and showered again. They dusted themselves with talcum powder at 4 only to turn into squidgy soft white masses by tiffin** time. The heat got to everyone. It crept into the dark shadows of rooms, on the floor, in the air. She drank water by the bottle and when that wasn’t enough, ate ice.
She remembered sitting by the table fan and devouring books, one after another. The childhood association remained and even today on warm afternoons, she wanted to lie in bed with a book and a bottle of cold juice by her side.
She thought about all those summers of long ago and sighed. It was early March still.
Waiting for November.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Coconut Water
** Early evening meal
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
A Walk to Remember
Last night, I went for a walk. Bought a coffee with chocolate sauce and took a long walk past LKP, RJM etc. For those who don't know - these are the beautiful lawns near our academic blocks and the auditorium respectively.
The great thing about living on campus is that you can see the stars. Unlike the city where stars are drowned out by streetlights and buildings, you can look up and see the clear night sky studded with stars. When I was a kid, my dad used to take us up to the terrace and point out stars to us. I learned to recognize the Hunter, Orion (the Hunter's belt), Sirius etc. Occasionally we would see Venus, and once even Saturn.
Dizzy Row, Day Won, Date U?
In other news, placements just got over with most previous records being beaten hollow. For detailed stats, just turn to the front page of any pink paper :) But this post is not about the salaries, offers, numbers, figures or inevitable comparisons with D/E/F. It can't be!
Its about the people behind all these dollar dreams. In a few days they'll be gone and these corridors will feel more empty. Until a new batch comes pouring in that is.
But before they go, here's a toast to the class of 2006. Here's to the investment bankers who're making headlines. To the consultants, marketers and future managers of India Inc. Here's to the intrepid few who are taking the roads less travelled.
May the journey be as exciting as the final destination!
The great thing about living on campus is that you can see the stars. Unlike the city where stars are drowned out by streetlights and buildings, you can look up and see the clear night sky studded with stars. When I was a kid, my dad used to take us up to the terrace and point out stars to us. I learned to recognize the Hunter, Orion (the Hunter's belt), Sirius etc. Occasionally we would see Venus, and once even Saturn.
Dizzy Row, Day Won, Date U?
In other news, placements just got over with most previous records being beaten hollow. For detailed stats, just turn to the front page of any pink paper :) But this post is not about the salaries, offers, numbers, figures or inevitable comparisons with D/E/F. It can't be!
Its about the people behind all these dollar dreams. In a few days they'll be gone and these corridors will feel more empty. Until a new batch comes pouring in that is.
But before they go, here's a toast to the class of 2006. Here's to the investment bankers who're making headlines. To the consultants, marketers and future managers of India Inc. Here's to the intrepid few who are taking the roads less travelled.
May the journey be as exciting as the final destination!
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Down Memory Lane
This is a Tag that was left in the comments to an earlier post. As you can see its 4 am and I don't have much to do. So here goes!
What were you doing..
Eleven Years Ago
It was 1995. I was 12 years old. I had spent my winter break in London and Paris and was over the moon about it. I'd spent months reading about everything in both cities what to find in Madame Tussauds and what to order at Berthillons.
I was in the 7th standard and used to play tennis on weekends. I was averaging I think two to three books per week and used to devour science fiction (mostly Asimov). I was living in a huge apartment complex with a large bunch of friends and we used to go rollerskating, cycling, swimming and play tennis/cricket.
I twisted my wrist the first time I tried to catch a ball. I realized that cricket was not my sport. I had got a chemistry set as a gift and I and Divya tried to make soap in my balcony while our parents worried that we'd burn the building down.
I was listening to Backstreet Boys (!$#%) and was an earnest Girl Guide. I had really long hair (Think waist length) and used to wear it in two pigtails with white ribbons. I was class monitor, and truly - quite a geek!
Five Years Ago
It was 2001. I was writing my 12th board exams. Was nervous about getting into a good engineering college after school. I look at my sister and cousins these days and realize that I was quite clueless back then. I somehow coasted along and got into a good college and had four awesome years there!
Last Year
Was going to Banglore every second week to attend interviews. Agonized over which institute to pick etc. Was busy preparing for GD/PIs and getting a lot of gyaan from seniors :-)
Yesterday
Had a 4000 word submission for my WAC (Written Analysis and Communication)course. Worked on it all night and all morning. Finally finished and submitted with ten minutes to spare. Slept all evening and missed 2 meetings. Had a 'ramp' in the night and danced for hours. Saw Munich and didn't like it as much as I expected to.
If you read this tag and smiled, or thought about what you were doing 11/6/1 year ago, leave a comment or blog about it on yours. And leave a link.
Cheers and Happy Reminiscing!
What were you doing..
Eleven Years Ago
It was 1995. I was 12 years old. I had spent my winter break in London and Paris and was over the moon about it. I'd spent months reading about everything in both cities what to find in Madame Tussauds and what to order at Berthillons.
I was in the 7th standard and used to play tennis on weekends. I was averaging I think two to three books per week and used to devour science fiction (mostly Asimov). I was living in a huge apartment complex with a large bunch of friends and we used to go rollerskating, cycling, swimming and play tennis/cricket.
I twisted my wrist the first time I tried to catch a ball. I realized that cricket was not my sport. I had got a chemistry set as a gift and I and Divya tried to make soap in my balcony while our parents worried that we'd burn the building down.
I was listening to Backstreet Boys (!$#%) and was an earnest Girl Guide. I had really long hair (Think waist length) and used to wear it in two pigtails with white ribbons. I was class monitor, and truly - quite a geek!
Five Years Ago
It was 2001. I was writing my 12th board exams. Was nervous about getting into a good engineering college after school. I look at my sister and cousins these days and realize that I was quite clueless back then. I somehow coasted along and got into a good college and had four awesome years there!
Last Year
Was going to Banglore every second week to attend interviews. Agonized over which institute to pick etc. Was busy preparing for GD/PIs and getting a lot of gyaan from seniors :-)
Yesterday
Had a 4000 word submission for my WAC (Written Analysis and Communication)course. Worked on it all night and all morning. Finally finished and submitted with ten minutes to spare. Slept all evening and missed 2 meetings. Had a 'ramp' in the night and danced for hours. Saw Munich and didn't like it as much as I expected to.
If you read this tag and smiled, or thought about what you were doing 11/6/1 year ago, leave a comment or blog about it on yours. And leave a link.
Cheers and Happy Reminiscing!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Joka's Dirty Laundry vs Vastrapur Luncheons
When a group of students from different institutes meet :
A guy/girl from IIT will say he's from IIT. S/he'll briefly make fun of Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati or whichever IIT s/he is NOT from and then move on to bond with them over the price of onions, the lack of academic research or the school systems in California and costs of private tuition.
A guy/girl from IIM A/B/C will immediately launch into the finer nuances of the differences between IIM A/B/C on topics ranging from architecture to the quality of friday night mess food, the alcohol laws of Gujarat, Banglore's infrastructure and the latest b-school rankings.
Just a thought in response to Ms Bansal's frivolous comments on Joka's infrastructure. (No i will not post a link)
A guy/girl from IIT will say he's from IIT. S/he'll briefly make fun of Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati or whichever IIT s/he is NOT from and then move on to bond with them over the price of onions, the lack of academic research or the school systems in California and costs of private tuition.
A guy/girl from IIM A/B/C will immediately launch into the finer nuances of the differences between IIM A/B/C on topics ranging from architecture to the quality of friday night mess food, the alcohol laws of Gujarat, Banglore's infrastructure and the latest b-school rankings.
Just a thought in response to Ms Bansal's frivolous comments on Joka's infrastructure. (No i will not post a link)
Friday, February 24, 2006
Men vs Animal
Q : Whats the difference between a human being and an animal in India
A : If you shoot an animal, you go to jail even if you're a famous actor
If you shoot a human being and papa's in power in a North Indian state, you go scot free
Funny?
I didn't think so..
There are about 50 black bucks in the deer park in Punjab
There was only one Jessica Lall
A : If you shoot an animal, you go to jail even if you're a famous actor
If you shoot a human being and papa's in power in a North Indian state, you go scot free
Funny?
I didn't think so..
There are about 50 black bucks in the deer park in Punjab
There was only one Jessica Lall
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Baker's Dozen
When I was in college, I used to cook quite often. Garlic mushroom tapas, Penne with tomato sauce, killer ommelettes and the king of conundrums - a vegetarian biryani..
But my favorite was dessert. I used to churn out light chocolate mousses, cakes and pastries. I learnt to make my mom's famous apple crumble, gooey brownies etc. My special creation was a chocolate sponge layered with chocolate mousse, covered with icing and studded with chocolate chips.
This weekend, after months away from the kitchen, I finally got to cook again.
But my favorite was dessert. I used to churn out light chocolate mousses, cakes and pastries. I learnt to make my mom's famous apple crumble, gooey brownies etc. My special creation was a chocolate sponge layered with chocolate mousse, covered with icing and studded with chocolate chips.
This weekend, after months away from the kitchen, I finally got to cook again.
Three chefs (My mom, sister and me)..
..started from scratch..
..to create..
.. the perfect cake!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Update : The recipe
The recipe calls for equal amounts of egg, sugar, flour and butter - making it one of the simplest recipes. 200 grams of each would make a small cake that'll serve about six as dessert.
Combine 200g of slightly melted butter and sugar in a large bowl and whisk together with a wooden spoon. Keep whisking until mixture forms peaks when lifted with a spoon.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together 200 gm of eggs (this should be about 3 eggs if you're cooking in India). Whisk well until mixture has a lot of air in it. Once this is well whisked, add to the bowl containing sugar-butter mixture.
Mix well. Sieve the flour thrice with a tablespoon of baking powder. Add this flour to the egg-butter mix in small quantities. Mix with a metal spoon.
Preheat an oven to 180 degrees Centigrade. Grease a baking dish and pour this mixture into the dish. Bake for about 30-40 minutes. Check if it is done by inserting a fork into the center. If the fork comes out clean then the cake is done.
Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Icing can be made by mixing butter and icing sugar with a few drops of vanilla and chocolate powder. Ice cake. Add chocolate chips and vermicelli as desired.
Bon Appetit!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Be a Rebel..
When I walked out of the movie theatre last evening, I said I hated it. When I spent half the night replaying some of the beautiful scenes from the movie, I realized I only hated parts of it.
Rang De Basanti is not a movie you are going to skip anyway. Its got too much hype, too much political correctness going for it. And I enjoyed parts of it. The cinematogrpahy is mindblowing. The music is hauntingly good.
The script alone lets you down. The idea is great. But I felt the transition from delhi brats to patriots could have been handled much better. It was so mass marketingly crass - 'maar dalo'! I guess I just felt let down that these guys had such a great cast/crew, such a great audience, and they let it all go to waste in fantastic nonsense.
The juxtaposition of Bhagat Singh and modern life was interesting, but again, I felt, carried too far.
I also loved the pre-intermission part. Very DCH! The ending few minutes were also poignant. Yet, the whole transition was just not executed well. In a movie like Yuva - I can see the individual character and their change. Here, I guess due to the limitations of the canvas and the larger cast, this wasn't done to the same extent.
It is a painful exercise in stretching your imagination, but ignore the slightly wierd bits and its an interesting movie. And one of the most beautifully shot movies I have seen in ages. With amazing music! Totally amazing!
Would I see it again? Yep - But on DVD this time, so I can f/f the idiotic bits :)
Rang De Basanti is not a movie you are going to skip anyway. Its got too much hype, too much political correctness going for it. And I enjoyed parts of it. The cinematogrpahy is mindblowing. The music is hauntingly good.
The script alone lets you down. The idea is great. But I felt the transition from delhi brats to patriots could have been handled much better. It was so mass marketingly crass - 'maar dalo'! I guess I just felt let down that these guys had such a great cast/crew, such a great audience, and they let it all go to waste in fantastic nonsense.
The juxtaposition of Bhagat Singh and modern life was interesting, but again, I felt, carried too far.
I also loved the pre-intermission part. Very DCH! The ending few minutes were also poignant. Yet, the whole transition was just not executed well. In a movie like Yuva - I can see the individual character and their change. Here, I guess due to the limitations of the canvas and the larger cast, this wasn't done to the same extent.
It is a painful exercise in stretching your imagination, but ignore the slightly wierd bits and its an interesting movie. And one of the most beautifully shot movies I have seen in ages. With amazing music! Totally amazing!
Would I see it again? Yep - But on DVD this time, so I can f/f the idiotic bits :)
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Hand Tattoos and Head Scratching
I have this habit of writing down what I need to do on neat little lists. Somehow the act of making the list makes me feel I am in control, when more often than not - I am not. It also helps me feel that I'm doing something productive when more often than not, I am not.
So now I have a neat list of 200 odd Post its (with more soft copies on my desktop) and too much stuff to do. What I've learnt in two terms is that backlogs somehow never get cleared.
In a grand bid to save the earth, I've started writing these to do lists on the side of my hand. Combine this with my new resolve to conserve water, and my hand looks like a warzone. With QM assignments competing for skinspace with READ OM!! Do Laundry Today! and Submit MKT!
I know I haven't blogged in a while, but have been trying to read, writing a bit and pondering a lot on the meaning of life and why towels get dirty.
Saw Chapter Two last week in chennai. The play was great, with awesome performances. I especially loved Karuna's role. Perhaps it moved a tad slowly, but typical Neil Simon and hence forgiven.
Additionally I ran into a whole bunch of juniors from college, including one who slandered my good name post play. My sister pointed out last evening that this turned to libel when he posted about it too. Its a mighty small world after all.
So now I have a neat list of 200 odd Post its (with more soft copies on my desktop) and too much stuff to do. What I've learnt in two terms is that backlogs somehow never get cleared.
In a grand bid to save the earth, I've started writing these to do lists on the side of my hand. Combine this with my new resolve to conserve water, and my hand looks like a warzone. With QM assignments competing for skinspace with READ OM!! Do Laundry Today! and Submit MKT!
I know I haven't blogged in a while, but have been trying to read, writing a bit and pondering a lot on the meaning of life and why towels get dirty.
Saw Chapter Two last week in chennai. The play was great, with awesome performances. I especially loved Karuna's role. Perhaps it moved a tad slowly, but typical Neil Simon and hence forgiven.
Additionally I ran into a whole bunch of juniors from college, including one who slandered my good name post play. My sister pointed out last evening that this turned to libel when he posted about it too. Its a mighty small world after all.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Fight Club
Its strange that I hadn't seen this movie in all these years. Virtually every person I know quotes from it and has told me repeatedly to see it. This weekend, I was in bed with the flu and finally managed to catch this flick.
I loved that I didn't know the twist in the end until I saw it. In today's world of sms and instant messengers, a story's plot is often the first thing to get leaked out. All the movies last summer had no surprises for me. It was just three hours of drooling over a hero and waiting for someone to die.
This was different! and Thank God for all the people who didn't give away the plot :)
Totally blew my mind away and now I'm reading the book
I loved that I didn't know the twist in the end until I saw it. In today's world of sms and instant messengers, a story's plot is often the first thing to get leaked out. All the movies last summer had no surprises for me. It was just three hours of drooling over a hero and waiting for someone to die.
This was different! and Thank God for all the people who didn't give away the plot :)
Totally blew my mind away and now I'm reading the book
If you woke up at a different place, in a different time, could you wake up as a different person?
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Movie Mania
People react to 'To Do' lists in different ways. Some spend 3/4 th of the time alloted to a task simply making lists and then the remaining 1/4th panicking because they have no time to execute the perfect plan. Still others choose the proactive approach of Procrastinate Now! unlike lazy bums who just waste their time.
Me? I watch movies..
Movies I've seen recently :
The Butterfly Effect
Chasing Amy
A Fish Called Wanda
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human
Memento
Requiem for a dream
The Usual Suspects
Love Actually
Shopgirl
Hitch
The Firm
Ghajini
Kanda Naal Mudhal
Adhu Oru Kanakaalam
Kaadhal
Scrubs season 4
Monty Python's And now for something completely different
You can just imagine how much work I got done!!
Me? I watch movies..
Movies I've seen recently :
The Butterfly Effect
Chasing Amy
A Fish Called Wanda
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human
Memento
Requiem for a dream
The Usual Suspects
Love Actually
Shopgirl
Hitch
The Firm
Ghajini
Kanda Naal Mudhal
Adhu Oru Kanakaalam
Kaadhal
Scrubs season 4
Monty Python's And now for something completely different
You can just imagine how much work I got done!!
Monday, January 02, 2006
Kanda Naal Mudhal
Its been a little more than a month I think since this movie was released. I finally got to see it only a few days ago. Unlike your typical run of the mill masala movie, this one has no villain, no hero, no action scenes, no car chases, no songs in the rain, no item numbers and few tears. Its a simple story of a girl, two boys, an arranged marriage and some complications in between. If you haven't already caught this flick, do so! Its worth it.
Prasanna has cropped up in the recent past in some refreshingly nice movies. I enjoyed five star, and definitely enjoyed his performance in this move too. Laila is tolerable after the first five minutes. I only wish they could find actresses who could speak the language without sounding like they had a gun to their heads. Karthik plays the second male lead. For the second time, he is slotted into the urban NRI role, though this time we are spared the 'firang' accent (Unlike his earlier role in Alaipayuthe). His role is small but well portrayed.
The first half of the movie has all together too many songs. The war-scene song for example is totally avoidable. But on the whole, its a refreshing flick and well worth a watch.
Prasanna has cropped up in the recent past in some refreshingly nice movies. I enjoyed five star, and definitely enjoyed his performance in this move too. Laila is tolerable after the first five minutes. I only wish they could find actresses who could speak the language without sounding like they had a gun to their heads. Karthik plays the second male lead. For the second time, he is slotted into the urban NRI role, though this time we are spared the 'firang' accent (Unlike his earlier role in Alaipayuthe). His role is small but well portrayed.
The first half of the movie has all together too many songs. The war-scene song for example is totally avoidable. But on the whole, its a refreshing flick and well worth a watch.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
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