Monday...the 365th.....

Cell screamed. As usual, I was too sleepy to shut its mouth and Vimal had to do the honors of putting off the alarm. But today, I somehow got up without much effort . The part of myself that always tries to pull me back to bed was missing today. Suddenly, it dawned upon me, today was my 365th day in Cisco. I congratulated myself and just tried to look behind an year. As I got ready for office, all the memories from my first ever flight journey on 4th Oct, 2009 to Arsenal's 0-2 defeat on 3rd Oct, 2010 flashed in my mind. I had a real good tour of the past year of my own life.

The day started with a birthday call to Pavan. It was after I ended the call, I realized how weird I had been on the phone. I wished him and then named whatever little I knew about him and wished him loads of success in each of them....does that make sense ??

It was 9:02 am. As usual, I was the second guy to enter the office. The first, of course, was my mentor. After the usual small career planning session with him and stealing some pomegranates from his breakfast, when I went to my laptop, it suddenly popped up a meeting for which I was already 9 min late. And it was the same old 'All hands'. I thought it was going to be the same managerial jargon and that will further discourage me from my MBA plans. Reluctantly, I started the meeting. But as the meeting proceeded, I found the speaker interesting. Honestly, I don't know who the person was (since I missed his intro). Among his loads of managerial jargon he said one sensible sentence that I will never forget - Getting stuck in a traffic is the best thing that can happen to one. It is the most productive time in one's life because one is forced to sit free at that time. And we can definitely use this time to not only think on some tech issue but also reconnect with some old friends - made sense, at least to me.

Then I 'dared' to try to do something unforgettable in someone's life. I don't know if I succeeded. And yeah, it definitely became unforgettable for me.

Later in the evening, as I was about to leave, it started raining heavily. As I was waiting for the rain to slow down, I somehow wished the heavy rain to continue and I continued to watch the falling water droplets and, at times, felt the childish happiness of getting them on my palms.

Finally, the rains slowed down after half an hour which I thoroughly enjoyed like a small kid. I was on my way back. In the Volvo back home, the gushing rain water along the road side caught my attention. It looked like the water was heading towards its dream enthusiastically the way I try to head towards mine. This profuse flow of the water was adding to the liveliness of a busy Monday evening in Bangalore. Another sight that caught my eye was near my colony. As the vehicles passed through the water logged area, their headlights gleamed in the rain water. The ripples on the water made the reflection of the lights ripple and it was such a beautiful sight. I never knew I could be this close to natural beauty on a hectic first day of the week in a busy concrete jungle.

Finally, I was back home. Wait a sec, not home, I was back till my door. Then I suddenly remembered what I had forgotten yesterday and trying to remember the whole of yesterday. I had forgotten to put the keys back in the bag from my jeans. Damn ! I thought. Water logging on all my study plans! Downstairs, waiting for Vimal, I met the watchman of my building. To his surprise, I had never seen him before. His name was "Premi". When I asked him who was the 'Prem' of his life, he replied "Giving respect and courtesy to others is the 'Prem' of my life" - one more thing to add to the list of the day's memorable thoughts.

Finally, Vimal, the 'key' man arrived and I got into my house and some clean dry clothes.

What a day!

It's just the right cord striking at the right time that makes a moment unforgettable. The 'traffic' philosophy, the 'dare' (don't ask me what), the sight of the gushing road side water, the sight of the rippling reflection, Premi's words are such moments....and all in a day's package.....

So many things in one day that I will never forget. I will never forget this Monday....

Learning to learn.....

They say, there's a world hidden in every moment of life. Don't know about life, but on the football field one can easily live a lifetime in the few seconds he has the ball in his feet. I, too, feel the same. The moment the ball comes to me, it's an altogether a transition. I forget myself, I forget the world behind me. The only thing I can see is the ball and the defender approaching me to end that moment.
I may be physically tired at the end of a hectic day. May be even mentally tired thinking of the defect fixes, the design comments and what not. But when that moment arrives, magically all the tiredness disappears. Suddenly there is energy to run, to shove and if required to push. Two thought processes start in the brain which run concurrently. One - a path finder from my current position to the goal and the other - passively listening for the approaching defender to attempt so that I can send him the wrong way.

The one who masters control over these thought threads is the true footballer. The only mistake I make is alongwith forgetting the world I even forget my team mates and their positions. This is what makes me give incorrect passes and break the attack.

Good learning so far. I have learned what I need to learn to be a footballer.

A Date with my Passion - every Tuesday and Thursday.

The usual start - back to my blog after ages....but this time I won't give the crappy reason of not getting time. Actually I didn't have the correct mix of emotions in me to write about what goes on within me. So honestly, didn't FEEL like blogging.

Today, with the rainy season ushering in and cooling the land and my mind, with the beautiful wet soil fragrance around and the earlier-than-usual darkening outside, I feel I have the correct mood to blog.

Things were not going as expected. In fact, as expected but not as I wished. I didn't convert any of my IIM calls. I was quite depressed. Also, we lost our football ground. Forget the IIM part, no IIM-MBA discussions till the next season begins (somewhere in July-Aug for me). Today, I want to write about the strange relationship I share with my passion - football.

Rewinding back in time......
VJTI Mumbai.
"All the football stars of the class are playing for the biggies. We need two more players. Anyone will do....anyone....as long as they are humans. Siddhesh...how about you. ??" And I used to reply "Me ? NO. Not interested. Have to study for the tuts tomorrow."

I knew I loved the game, but was too apprehensive to join in. Reason: I always gave importance to studies. After all, that's what I was there for.

But, sadly college days were over. There was no football freak in VJTI who liked football as much as I did but had stayed away from the game. Now, I realized what had I missed, what had I said "NO" to. Whom should I play with? Where should I play? I want to play. I want to learn.

Luck struck, a door opened. Pratik forwarded me the mail to join the football mailer in Cisco. Great....some hope....I thought.


Then I started playing occasionally. Playing ??..no....I just used to run here and there shouting for the ball. I had never played, I was a complete illiterate on that field. But I thought persistence would pay off one day. I made sure that I attended every time we played. Tuesdays and Thursdays were decided to be the regular days. But determination is not just being regular, it means to hit the end and move beyond the dead end.

All of a sudden one day a mail on the football mailer read "Ground no more.". My hopes were shattered. Hopes of learning the game...hopes of calling myself a footballer....n hopes of not just dreaming of good and expensive studs but having a need to buy them. More than a month past. No football. It seemed like one of the many one sided stories in my life I have been a part of. And that made me feel sad....really sad. Because none of those stories had a happy ending for me. I did not want football to be one of them.

But there was light at the end of the tunnel. I realized that this was not an end.....just a new beginning. I researched, used my contacts to find new grounds, posted them on the mailer and bingo....it paid off....we found a ground. All of my football friends were happy to wear their boots again. There was a new enthusiasm on the new field. And as far as I was concerned, I was back to life.

Going good so far....touch wood. I still don't know to play....honestly. On field I am only good at one thing....being at the correct position to give the finishing touch to score. That's all I know as of now. And yeah, I am good at shouting for the ball....:). Just like "Empty vessel makes the most noise.".

But yeah, I am learning. I am still not good enough to call myself a footballer, may be I will never be in this birth, but yeah I can say "I PLAY FOOTBALL.....EVERY TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS..". I hope one day I will fulfill my dream - the dream to have a jersey number of my own, the dream to call myself a FOOTBALLER and the dream to make myself worth my football boots.

"I cracked CAT"....I finally said that......

Back to my blog after ages. Since my last post I didn't get time for myself, hence couldn't come back with a new post. Today, sitting in my balcony on a Sunday evening with no interest in sports this weekend (Arsenal drew y'day and I was very disappointed and IPL anyway sucks), I feel like spending some time with myself. Last month was a happening one. All unexpected things unfolded one after the other. To start with, I cracked CAT......(was dying to write these three words together "I cracked CAT") and that too without studying. It was unexpected because after the last year's toil for this exam, I couldn't even garner a single call. But this year, the unexpected started unfolding on the day the CAT results were announced. I found my number in the shortlisted candidates for IIM-S. I was surprised but happy at the same time. I felt like my last year's diligence was paid off. I may or may not convert the call, I may or may not do MBA this year but atleast I can tell the world that "I cracked CAT".

A couple of days later, I found myself short listed in IIM-K and that added to the satisfaction. But the real shock came a few days later...........IIM-B............man, I was stunned.............getting a call from one of the three biggies was a dream come true for me. I don't know how well will I cash upon this opportunity, but "a call from IIM-B " was more of an achievement rather than opportunity.

I am writing this post after my essay and interview of IIM-B. I seriously cannot judge my performance in the interview. Neither did the interviewers give any sign nor was I in my senses to judge myself (I was toooooo nervous). I don't know what the future holds for me - IIM-B or an year ahead in Cisco. But so far, this "belling the CAT" journey which began in early 2008 has been interesting. Right now, it's time to halt for a month or two before the further travel plan is revealed.

Somewhere among a child, a friend and a host.

I would classify myself as one of those lazy bloggers who start blogging with a bang with their initial posts and then forget that they ever blogged. But trust me, I did come back to my blog within two days after my first post, wrote two posts but struck them off because I felt something was missing. After I logged in today, I realized what was missing. The reason for my first post was the self realization of my immaturity. The reason for this post is some new feelings which I encountered in the past week.

Everything was happening as expected. I was late by an hour. I was again testing Saurabh's patience. But the only difference was this time we were not meeting in a mall for dinner or movie with the other two cartoons (Tejas and Chintan). This time we were meeting in the city new to me but altogether an alien place for Saurabh. The three month old was supposed to guide the new born in an alien place.

I was completely blank. We took the luggage and started towards the Majestic exit. I hadn't even decided how were we going to go, by bus or by rick. The last couple of times I had come to Majestic was because I had complete faith in Vimal, Pratik and Akshat that they will take me home safely. But today, I had the responsibility of taking Saurabh home safely.

Back home, another change of role was waiting for me. I was supposed to transform myself from the stupid lazy child to a responsible host. It was my responsibility, my duty to make my friend feel comfortable among my other friends. But again my three "big brothers" made it easy for me.

On Thursday morning came the big task. This time not for me but for Saurabh. He was to find a house in a city he had just entered and that too with a few or say no prior contacts. Seeing him end his attemps with "Ok, no problem, I will try somewhere else", I felt like I was being useless. I was not being a true friend. After all, all I could do on mid week morning at 10am was fill my mind with the previous day's non debugged codes, unanswered mails and some unimplemented designs and go to office. I was somewhere between a friend and a Cisco employee. All I could say was "This place is always there for you.....". But thinking of my landlord I ended it there. I couldn't decide which side to take. The more he said he will manage on his own, the more I felt guilty.

But Saurabh not only found a good house but did it on his own. 3 months back, if I was alone finding a place here, I would have ended up in Mumbai. But he had managed it all on his own. Hats off to him for that.

The struggle I experienced within myself being a friend, a host, a person responsible for someone and being the immature kid I am, was a first time experience. But I hope Saurabh enjoyed his stay at my place. I tried doing my part as a friend.

My first post.......for my room mates -- my friends,my big brothers.

Just got back from a birthday celebration. It's Pratik "Bada Aadmi" Shah's birthday today. I and Akshat got him a cake with "Happy Birth day Prik" wriiten on it(That wasn't intended ha, it was the shopkeeper's mistake). The first question Pratik asked after seeing the cake was the one I expected "Eggless hai na ?" Then came the laughter riot. Pratik couldn't read what was written on the cake and I read it aloud as "Dekh yeh hai H, A, P, P, Y............." Vimal went mad laughing, seeing my childishness.

But I realized my childishness long back when I stepped into the "Cisco" part of my life. Whether it is ironing clothes, shopping household goods, bargainig for house rent or playing FIFA. Everything just made me relaize how immature I was. I am a 22 year old who has forgotten to grow up.

Other than correcting misunderstanding about my growing up, this "Cisco" life or say "Bangalore" life has given me a number of memories.

I want to start with the initial days at our place. Lets' start with a weekend. A normal weekend in our home (303 Elegant Legacy, that's all I know in the address !! ) would start with the sun rays falling straight on my eyes. My bed is straight before the balcony in east so I am the first person sun greets every morning. I love it daily. That gives me some kind of enthu and makes me ready for the work. But on weekends, this "Wake up Sid" from sun is highly unappreciated. Then the day proceeds to taking bath. Bathroom is mine today because Vimal does not bath on weekends. (He's going to kill me for this one) sometimes. After the bath comes the dilemma of cooking breakfast. As soon as I step in the kitchen I pray Pratik isn't around. But from somewhere he drops in and then starts his kitchen C.I.D "Yeh yaha kyu hai, yeh andar nahi rakha, woh dhoya nahi, yeh saaf toh kiya kar.........." (Now Pratik is not going to allow me in kitchen) . But that is for everyone's good, I agree.

Then comes the real "Weekend" time i.e. the time to orkut, chat, fifa and google around for some Java articles and Arsenal/Football wallpapers. Vimal keeps smiling and giggling as he chats sitting right in front of me. God knows does he really chat with "friends " or some "khaas friend". Then suddenly Pratik shouts "Sidddheshhhhhhhhhhhh.......jaldi aa.......Kya goal mara f**k". And I run to see one more new strategy in fifa. Then the footballer (virtual) in me awakes and we start a arsenal vs liverpool (2 player on lan, me and Pratik). He keeps on making attacking moves and I keep defending. Finally, after the 90th minute his Torres scroes the first goal of the match and he wins 0-1.

After this, Akshat, the hard worker gets up. As soon as he remembers the fact that he is in Cisco working on some MPLS, he catches hold of Vimal or Pratik and starts discussing what he did last night. I am sure they are confused whether he is describing his work or his last night's dream. But the way Pratik maintains his expression that time is awesome. I have to compliment him as a "good listener".

Then comes Shyam Tiwari's tiffin. Weekend is generally the day of sweetdish. But I dont know what technology ST has that reads people's mind -- whenever we forget about the weekend sweet dish, he send it. But if, by mistake, we remember then there is no sweetdish.
Then comes the nap time and the tea time. The day continues with some more FIFA and googling after tea till twilight. Then is the time for Nilgiri's Chicken Puff. (I love it). I am alone for that. Vimal and Pratik being veg. and Aksht being too busy for that.

The day concludes with ST's dinner tiffin which is by then back to normal. Again discussions start for having a cook, cooking ourselves etc. and they are forgotten at the end of the dinner. We go back to our laptops and I get ready for a new week, some more knowledge, new sprint, new codes and new tests and a new strength to miss my family, friends and city.