The magic of a phone call

After learning the steps in the decision making process in the subject principles of management,  it was the time to actually apply them.
The objective was identified. The alternatives were also explored, which confused me more. But I had to reach some conclusion. What should I do in such a situation? Stay calm and composed and think as a third person. Consider all the situations, and ultimately make a wise decision being practical and not the usual sentimental fool.
I knew all the steps. But I was not able to interpret my impulsive, random emotions. I was very nervous. I pretended to be calm but I was not able to achieve the balance yet.
And all of a sudden, my phone rang. Just looking at it, I had a big smile on my face. My parents kept on asking me about the phone call but I didn't tell them anything. I just went outside and started my conversation. I had told my feelings to my friend in two words and it was enough. My friend straight away called me from Canada. I just poured my heart infront of my friend. I did not keep anything in my mind. We just kept on talking and talking.
This is one of the persons, with whom I share the awesome bond. We can share anything and everything with each other, literally anything and everything.  ;-)
So finally I felt really awesome after the fourty five minute long conversation. We laughed like crazy, and I felt we are really together with each other. I just remembered the old crazy days. I just forgot about the decision making too. :-P
This again strengthened my belief. `Friendship` is the best relationship in this world. It can simplify the most complex of the situations. The warmth and depth of this relationship is very unique. Noone can give you the unconditional love, trust, respect and space that a friend gives without expecting anything in return. It feels great when a friend makes you a priority. A friend is a person who can advice you without being partial. Friendship is the only relationship without any expectation.
 So atleast now, I am able to reach the conclusion for this post if not in my decision making process. Just talk to a friend in the most complex of the situations and you will find the solution easily. This is what I call the magic of a phone call.

Debugging my own thoughts

Sometimes you become the slaves of your own thoughts. You are not able to understand the complexity of them. You do some unsuccessful efforts to sort them. You need to be calm and composed for this. You try to control your own emotions but then you fail. At least in my case, I am not able to control my emotions at this point of time.
Then I feel, what if I was able to debug my own thoughts. Life would be so easy. By putting some break points, and adding some watches, I will be able to have a complete control on my thoughts and emotions.
While writing or debugging a code, we atleast know the output. But then at this point of time, I don't know where my thoughts want me to go. I wish, I was able to comment some of my thoughts, like the lines of code and achieve the output I want. I wish I could use a continue, and skip some of the thoughts. 
I am trying my best to reduce the complexity of them and unable to find the best possible way. Hopefully I will be able to achieve what I want.

From MH 12 CW 2570 to MH12 KW 4618

It's a long journey from my scooty pep to wego. It's almost nine years.
I still remember the day, when my dad purchased a scooty pep for me after I passed my 12th standard exams. I was a very shy girl who was even afraid of riding a bicycle on crowded Pune streets. But then I decided. I was very determined. Dad helped me a lot during my learning process. Hats off to him for that. After having my license I just decided and took my scooty to the over crowded J.M. Road.  And I was the happiest person in this world. I liked the ride and I was a successful rider. I felt like l just won a big battle.
That was just the beginning of an era. My scooty has given me happiness of riding in the night. It irritated me sometimes with flat tires. But she was a great support system, during my college as well as office days. I will always adore her as my first ride and I am emotionally attached to her.
But then, as it is more than eight years old  it was time to move on. She was giving me much trouble but then I was not complaining. She was my first love afterall. ;-)
I started looking for options. Dad enquired about various options. After asking few of my friends, I decided to buy Tvs Wego. We went to the showroom. We finalised a black one. I got the delivery on friday and it was a different joy altogether. It was my first prized possession afterall. And then, I went for a ride,a long ride. I bought a cake for my friend`s birthday and enjoyed my ride in the night with cool breeze teasing me.
It was an awesome experience and it changed my mood totally. I was totally charged up for the coming week.

Leaving the "American Dream" behind

It was way back in 2012. It all started with a whirlwind discussion. I was somehow not ready for it. But later I agreed. I went to Baroda for my TOEFL and the application procedure started. I was applying for MS in various universities in USA. I had to write SOP, visit my professors n number of times for the recommendation letters which I hated the most. I had to visit Pune university for the transcripts. The international courier service center at the prabhat road corner was like my second home. It was indeed a very long procedure involving lot of efforts and money. But doing it on my own was a different joy altogether.
It was all done. And then the worst part started, the waiting period.  I waited for almost a month. I used to keep on checking my login pages everyday for all the universities. And then, on 30 th
April 2012, finally I got an admit. It was a big relief after all. But alas, I didn't have my parents with me to share the joy. Then came another admit. I had applied for three and got two admits. I was the happiest person on this planet.
But the main part of the battle was yet to be won. I started communicating with my Graduate advisor and ordered my I 20 by express delivery. Kathleen or Candy, my Graduate advisor, is one of the warmest persons I have ever met. She always kept me motivated through her emails. In the mean time, the SJSU pune gang started meeting up for finalising various things. From sharing their VISA experiences to finalizing the roomies everything was done. We had gelled with each other and I made some real good friends like Sonia, Sagar, Shilpa,Anita, Akshay and Saurabh.
I booked my VISA appointment at Mumbai on 20 th June. I was scared by looking at the trend of rejecting the VISA for SJSU people. But then I still went ahead. I thoroughly prepared for all questions. My financial documents were strong. I had prepared by looking at all interview experiences I read on edulix. Everyone`s best wishes were with me and then the day arrived. I couldn't sleep the previous night. I went to BKC with my mum. It was raining. My mami had prepared some amazing breakfast for me.
After having it, I entered the consulate with my heart beating really fast. I had to sit for about half an hour. With small babies crying around and all the nervous atmosphere around I became more nervous. My token number was displayed and I was called for the interview. My interviewer was a black lady, she asked me few random questions and then gave me my passport back. With that was a slip saying that my Visa was rejected because I was not able to prove that I was a potential immigrant. I obviously had a heart break. But there were many people like me around.
It was a shock for my parents too. I immediately called few of my friends who had similar experiences and asked for their advice. I got a few advises and I finally decided to follow the most wise one. I booked my next appointment in Chennai. My parents decided to accompany me. We booked flight tickets and a hotel nearby the consulate. This time I was prepared for everything. I just went to consulate and sat waiting for my turn. It was amazingly hot in Chennai. This time my interviewer was a pretty american lady. She fired a round of questions and the result atlast was the same. I was much calmer than last time. I came out of the consulate and asked my parents to be calm. We visited Marina beach, did some shopping and flied back to Pune.
After reaching Pune and relaxing for some time, I decided something. I will quit this. Pursuing MS was indeed my dream but now I had decided to give up. Indeed, I was forced by my luck to give up my dream. But I always have a feeling that whatever happens, happens for a reason. I had better things in store for me. I joined MBA at SCIT and I am learning some amazing things there. I met some very good and genuine people here. And now I really feel that whatever happens, seriously happens for a reason.  :-)

Discovering myself..

The title of the post gives you brief idea of the thoughts going on in my mind at this time. What am I and what I want to do with my life? Being a 26 year old I am supposed to have the clarity of thoughts but sometimes I feel I am still confused..

Its more than a month, my beloved Aaji passed away and it just made me think about her journey. Being a selfless teacher for deaf and dumb people, her life is truly an inspiration for all of us. After meeting her students who are now able to communicate with all normal persons, who are earning a living on their own, I just realized the worth of her life. In a span of 88 years, she has changed so many lives.

Coming from a family where most people are in professions such as medical profession and teaching profession, I realize sometimes what do I give back to this society through my profession. As a software professional what do I do for others? Is this what I want to do in my life?

Right from wearing that professional attitude to talking in polished and fluent English to my manager in United States of America, these are not the things I really want to do. I also want to do work that will go beyond earning money and rising up in the career. And now I slowly feel that I really know what I want from my life and what I really want to do in my life.  I have really started discovering myself...

Are we becoming e-addicts?

Day before yesterday, I came across an article in Pune Mirror. It was about the Muktangan's program launched for de addiction of e addicts that is internet addicts. It just made me think a bit. Are we really getting addicted to the internet? Can we find about something without 'googling' it? I think our brain has stopped working because of google.Everybody is talking about social networking sites, blogging, emails and e shopping. In addition to that there is youtube, online games and what not?
But we should give a thought for this. Can't we really live without internet? let us live a day without internet per week at least. Our world is full of addictions like orkut, facebook, chatting and many more things. If there is any query, we just ask help from google. Is this really going to work everytime? Google also doesn't have answers to all questions. We spend 4-5 hours daily on internet. Can't we utilise this time properly? Worth giving a try. Isn't it?
One day one of my cousin's wedding discussion was going on. Everybody was trying their best to find suitable match for her. In the discussion my four year old niece was participating actively. She was very excited and said "if shaadi.com is there then why to worry?" We were shocked. This is all the effect of internet.
No doubt internet has brought a great revolution. Many things like online shopping , net banking are possible now. our efforts for the same are reduced considerably. But everything in moderation is always good. We don't have time for our loved ones because of this. Everyone wants to update their status on facebook. Each event in our lives is published on twitter. Is this publicity really necessary? Many bad things are happening because of internet.
last but not the least now, every coin has two sides. We must use internet to be in touch with our loved ones. Its a great source of information so we must take its advantage. S let us update our status form e addicts to moderate internet users. Lets tweet about this on the micro blogging site and be happy in this cyber life. :)

A poem by Sandeep Khare

आयुष्य म्हणजे कटकट..
जगण्यासाठी रोज कामाच्या ओझ्याखाली मराव लागतं
सुखाचा मोती मिळवायला दु:खाच्या सागरात बुडावं लागतं

आयुष्य म्हणजे वणवा....
इथे वेदनांना घेउन जळावं लागत
पोटाच्या आगीसाठी वणवण पळावं लागतं

आयुष्य म्हणजे अंधार...
इथे काळोखात बुडाव लागतं
परस्परांच्या बुद्धीप्रकाशाने इच्छित स्थळ शोधाव लागतं

आयुष्य म्हणजे पाऊस....
आप्तांची रखरखता पुसण्यासाठी मुक्तपणे कोसळाव लागतं
कष्टांच्या खाच खळग्यातुन वाहत सुखसागराला मिळाव लागतं

पण ...आयुष्य हे असेच का ?
मला वाटते .. आयुष्य म्हणजे तान्हुल्याचे हास्य
जिथे स्वत:ही मुक्त कंठाने हसता येत.
आपण अनुभवताना दुसर्‍यालाही सुख देता येतं.