And it is Namma Bengaluru…

A lot has been written about Bangalore both good and bad. With the recent rape and murder cases, the safety of women is doubted in Bangalore. Anyways, I am not writing about it. Let me rewind the time to the year 2005-2006. The year 2005 is special for me as I completed my education and started working in the over crowded IT industry. When I joined TCS after a month of my training, I was asked for the work location choice. I had chosen: 1st preference - Bangalore, 2nd preference – Hyderabad and 3rd preference – Mumbai. I chose Bangalore for the only reason it was in Karnataka and hence no STD call charges! I was never keen on Bangalore in the first place. It was because of my parents and friends (most of them in the training opted for Bangalore) I had opted for Bangalore. But fate had the chosen Kochi for me. I wept my heart out that fateful day. All my friends who were posted there were equally upset. But somewhere I was happy that it is not Bangalore.

I never had a great liking towards Bangalore. The crowd, the lifestyle never seemed my cup of tea. Whenever I visited Bangalore, I disliked it all the more. After a year in December 2006, one fine weekend I came to Bangalore to visit my school friends. I went to the famous Forum mall, MG Road and few other places in Koramangala. Even then I didn’t like Bangalore (I still don’t know the reason). I felt I don’t fit in here. I stayed for a week and explored more of it. It was a nice time as it was year end and cold. I returned to Kochi and realized what is that I was missing. I started traveling to Bangalore more often. I finally moved to Bangalore. The first day of my office when I had to travel from Koramangala to ITPL, I was frustrated that I had to travel so far everyday. The crowd in the office was quite snobbish and people acted as if they could see through me. I started hanging out with freshers as they were in the same boat as me.

Gradually as I was getting used to the daily travel, the snobbish crowd, the lifestyle of Bangaloreans I realized I was becoming a part of it. I started liking the way I lived here because the crowd was damn cool. People at office hardly bothered what you were wearing or how you were dressed. What mattered was how you do your work. Girls could easily roam alone even at 9 or 10 in the night. Whenever I was lost or confused with the directions people were really helpful. Even though I could speak Kannada, I realized you can live here easily if you can speak English or Hindi. For the first time I started shopping alone. I was a person who hated to eat alone but after moving here I didn’t mind eating alone at all. I traveled most of the places in Bangalore in Volvo buses which are very comfortable and affordable. The shy and hesitant person in me started fading away. I started becoming bold and confident. There was definitely more to life in B’lore other than just a routine job.

The competition and demand brings out the best in you and it surely worked for me. I wanted to change my job as I didn’t want to travel for hours everyday. Within 5 months I got a better job in Koramangala. The opportunities here are plenty; you should know where you want to go. You don’t need anyone to be happy here. I have even watched a movie in the multiplex alone and it was fun. The climate is awesome. People around you inspire you to do more than your limits.

I know many people would talk about the traffic congestion, pollution, the over crowded malls, pathetic roads and most importantly the high cost of living. But even with all this, it is worth living here. I am in love with the city. After all it is NAMMA BENGALURU…

Is it ok to...???

After a long time I get a chance to sneak in my blog in my office :)

When things change, you think how did you survive before the change. I think this many a times. Have you ever felt the sudden loss of things. I don’t mean sudden loss of huge stuff like somebody in your life, loss of any asset. At these instances you are suppose to be sad and people are suppose to support you. How about situations when, you know you can handle them but you wished things were as you wanted.

Something like you cleared the exam in distinction but you missed the topper slot!
You crack an interview and see things going in the right direction but suddenly the firm keeps you on hold without reason (my own experience)

These are the times when you can neither cry aloud nor remain normal. They are too trivial to spend time cribbing on them. But the moment such things happen you feel the ground below your feet slipping. Getting older day by day rather getting matured day by day we are supposed to remain fine (at least act)! But what is the fun in acting what you are not?

It is OK to be a kid at times. There is a kid in all of us, why give it a premature death?
It is OK to cry aloud at times even when you don't have a reason!
It is OK to crave for chocolates and ice-creams even when you are 40 plus!
It is OK to get wet in the rain holding closed umbrella in one hand!
It is OK to bunk work when you want to sleep in your cozy mink blanket!
It is OK to watch cartoons when the prime time news is telecast-ed!
It is OK to recite rhymes when you need to know the share market status!
It is OK to skate in the office floor before entering a meeting!

No harm being childish or kiddish!!!
We live one life, live it with the kid :)...

People grow up...

I enter my new office building. All anxious and excited. This was my 4^th job. I entered the ODC after all the security formalities. My manager who was escorting me introduced to few people with whom I was supposed to be working.

First and foremost, I was introduced to a girl Sripriya (name changed for security reasons). Even she was a new employee. My manager showed me a particular desk and told to be seated there. After a few minutes, my new colleague Sripriya came to me.

Sripriya: Hi

Me: Hi

Sripriya: You are from which place?

Me: Hubli

Sripriya: How many years of experience you have

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: oh oh! I just joined, take a chill pill.

Sripriya: Which company??

Me: wep solutions

Then both of us decide to go for lunch as she was the only person I knew. At the table -

Sripriya: So you also working on web methods?

Me: No, I have joined here as a process consultant

Sripriya: You don’t know web methods at all?

Me: No

Sripriya: OHHHHH…. (looked as if it was never going to end)

Me: ya

Sripriya: What is your CTC?

Me: Sorry??? Do I need to answer that?

It was the end of our conversation…

After lunch my manager introduced me to another team member Kailash who was suppose to give me the knowledge transfer. He was to take me to the Facilities Department to get me an ID card etc. When we were walking towards the lift, he started the questions -

Kailash: Which company??

Me: wep solutions

Kailash: How many years of experience??

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: oh no.. Not again…

Kailash: From which place?

Me: Hubli

Kailash: Do you have experience on web methods?

Me: No

Kailash: what is your CTC?

Me: Sorry (as if I didn’t hear that and then I started talking on the phone to myself)

I had to put the fake smile to show I am all fine with whatever you asking. After some time again I am introduced to a girl – Keerti, who is suppose to help me out with system login etc.

Keerti: How many years of work experience??

Me: 4years and a few months.

Me to myself: God save me…

Keerti: Ohhhhh… I thought you were a fresher.

Me: A big smile (Is it a compliment? Which could possibly mean I look younger or do I look naïve & innocent?)

Keerti: From which place?

Me: Hubli (What difference does it make, anyways you will talk to me in English)

Keerti: Do you have experience on web methods?

Me: No (I am not from web methods, plz plz leave me…)

Keerti: How much hike you got?

Me: x%

I carried my fake smile and made an excuse that I got a call before she asked me more on my salary.

The worst thing happened when I was going to work in the company cab. I was the only person in the cab. And fortunately or unfortunately I know Kannada (I would always say fortunately but at times when you need to make the other person shut his mouth, its better you don’t know his language). The driver started talking about roads, government, elections etc etc. I thought poor guy, let him vent out his frustration. Then came the signal where we stopped and he turned to me and started his round of questions –

Driver – Since how many years are you working in this firm?

Me – I joined just 2 days back

Driver – Oh is it?? So how many years of experience you have?

Me – 4 years (I wish I could jump out of the car)

Driver – where were you working before?

Me – TCS ( I thought the driver would not have heard of wep solutions so told the name of my first employer)

Driver – How much salary they give you here?

Me – (This was the limit. What has he to do with my salary??) I don’t know, I am working as a trainee.

Driver – BE which branch?

Me – Not BE, MBA (Thank god, he paused here)

And before he turned towards me and opened his mouth, I put on my earphones pretending, I was listening to the radio.

Why have to people ask these questions first time they meet someone. It is like if you don’t meet whatever is in their resume, you belong to the alien community. People grow up…

My new Coffee Mug...

The pic above is my new coffee mug gifted(on request) from my friend. I like the wordings - "Nobody notices what I do, TILL I DON'T DO IT!" It was chosen by my friend. There are times when you shamelessly do crazy things, and this was one of them. I got this mug on 25th Feb 2010. The crazy thing we girls planned for that day was watching back to back movies on 2 consecutive days. I had seen the movie 'My name is Khan' which my friend wanted to see and we booked the tickets on 25th. The very next day 'Karthik calling Karthik' was releasing which both of us had not seen. So we also booked the ticket for the next day's movie.
The previous day i.e on 24th I was watching my favorite TV show Friends. All of the characters were in the coffee shop 'Central Park' with their coffee mugs. I loved the coffee mugs and I wished I had one. It was not much with the coffee or tea that you drink but it was with the mug. I desperately wanted one. The next day, we were sitting in the movie hall and movie was about to begin when I asked my friend 'Can you do me a favor?'. She agreed saying if it was feasible for her. I shamelessly told her ' I want you to gift me a coffee mug. I thought I will buy one but somehow I feel it is nice if someone gifts me the mug.' She agreed instantly and after the movie we went to Archies and bought this mug. I made the shopkeeper gift wrap the mug so that I could open the gift at home. Of course, it sounds crazy and desperate but this is what I am!!!!

I, U n V

Love as defined by Oxford Dictionary -

• noun -
1. an intense feeling of deep affection.
2. a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone.
3. a great interest and pleasure in something.
4. a person or thing that one loves.
5. (in tennis, squash, etc.) a score of zero. apparently from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).

• verb -
1. feel love for.
2. like very much.
3. loving showing love or great care.

I don't know how true does the meaning stand in real life but definitely can relate a lot to it. I feel love is far beyond the meanings as given above. It definitely includes the above mentioned elements but yes, lots more to add.
Love is probably growing old together. Growing with each other everyday despite of all hurdles makes the relation work. The gradual transformation from being the 'ME' to 'US' is the best part. You start thinking about ways to make the other person feel happy and special. Being with the loved one makes you feel special. Who can be this special person?

Someone who will wait for you late night, just to see your reaction for the dal he made
Someone who will accompany you to the hospital coz you are scared of injections
Someone who will make tea for you after you return home from a tiring day
Someone who will take you for dinner coz you are bored of cooking
Someone who fights with you for all possible reasons and makes you cry
Someone who loves to see you crying coz as per him you look cute when you cry
Someone who will listen to your endless stories coz he has no option :)
Someone who will yell at you when you miss your gym sessions
Someone who will accompany you to a pastry shop despite you being overweight just coz you love the chocolate pastry
Someone who will advice you on how to spend money
Someone who will suggest you to try a new drink in the pub

Someone who is uncomfortable with your friends but still wears a big smile

Someone who is happy when you sleep coz he is saved from a chatterbox
Someone who will try helping you clean the house and eventually make it messier
Someone who will never fold the blanket, despite being told hundred times coz he knows you will do it for him
Someone who will call you at work just to ask where is his black polo neck T-shirt
Someone who takes you for granted yet respects your independence and space
Someone who will come to temple on a festival coz you wanted to go
Someone who laughs at your every mistake but is the first one to correct you
Someone who criticizes your cooking but still wants you to cook
Someone who would switch off the TV and asks for laptop while you are working on it, just to fight with you
Someone who speaks your mind in your tone and accent, in front of you to tease you
Someone who finds all flaws in you and loves you but never ever says - You are the BEST

There are lots more to add on the list above. Affection, liking, attraction, care, interest, attachment are all subsets of love. Everyday is a day of love that should be celebrated.

My new poem

The night is dark and lonely
Seems there is no sunrise tomorrow
The night is silent and endless
Like there is no end to this sorrow...

I waited all day for the night
to see sparkling stars and moon
Little did I realize
This night is with the monsoon...

I am waiting for the dawn
Hope it brings the sun
I pray there are no clouds along
And sunrise brings back all the fun...

I am tired of hoping against the odds
Waiting for things to happen my way
Done with turning each stone
And stopping things from going away...

But something within me says – Fight
Life has a long way, don’t just leave
When nothing is with you, trust yourself
Be a fighter and fight to achieve...

I shall listen to the voice within me
Would return firm and strong
Even if everything is against me
Would struggle courageously lifelong!!!