Looking back at 2005....

2005 has been a roller coaster year for me. I did not meet the goals that I had put forth. There were a lot of downs..but the few positive things made it a break even.

January:

Spent the new year working in Las Vegas. Its always been a great pleasure to be in Vegas. Made the 3.5 hrs trip by road to Los Angeles every weekend. Caught up with some very old friends. Was in good company. Enjoyed my weekend hauls at the casinos and week days at work. Vegas has been the best!

February:

Shifted to New Jersey. First impression- Sick and Dirty. Stayed with CSP at Princeton. We had good fun..and dude, I did my share of improving coverage in your city :-) Enjoyed Dosa Grill, esp the nei podi dosa. Ofcourse, I won't forget the Da Vinci Episode!

March:

Shifted to good'ol Dallas. My base for 5 years now. I love Dallas..and I still miss it a lot. Work got hectic but I stole timeout to have prime time fun with lost long roomies, Mooks, Nair and JC. Met a very interesting person.

April:

Most gruelling time of the year. I started to work close to 24/7 and it was getting on my nerves. My boss was pathetic in managing the project. At times, I thought of killing him myself. Shifted out to a brand new 2 bedroom apt with a colleague.

May:

By far the most productive month in terms of work. Client was happy and impressed. Needed a long time vacation. Booked tickets to NY for a big re union, but missed the flight because of last minute work. Drank with JC and brooded over the fact that work's always been a pain in the ass.

June:

Started to think out of the box in terms of work! Did I have any other social activities other than work? Started clubbing with roomies. Had a great time, infact a ball of a time. I still remember the good'ol purgatory days.

July:

Had a spat with my colleague. I never used to come back to my apt. Stayed all while long in my roomies apt. They understood the situation and took good care of me. Had great time with friends. Missed a couple of opportunities, but got over it.

August:

JC's sudden decision to leave to Boston shocked all of us. He wanted to shift jobs. All of us had a very good feeling that we would end up together in Dallas. His departure was just the beginning. Mooks parents came from India. Had a great time esp with the food.

September:

Work is just sane, not challenging. My seniors are very happy with the work.

October:

I realize that what I'm looking for is just close to reach. But it doesn't end up in fruition. I get very frustrated and depressed. There were 2 instances of these. These make me depressed even more. Mooks ready to shift to Houston. We feel we have come to the end of the road. It all started with JC..now Mooks..next me. Nair's happy to be in Dallas. We envy him.

November:

I'm all set to goto Boston. I hate Boston. I had been here last year and it sucked. I reach Boston, but in couple of days..work shoots of and I find out I don't have time to have dinner too. Meet up with JC and we talk about good'ol times we have had. This 2007, I would have known JC and Mooks for 10 years. That quite a time. Skip Thanksgiving for work.

December:

Work gets even more hectic. Boston market stands last. Some how we pull off a miracle and the market is launched. Buy ticket to Madras. I'm going after 3 years. All excited and almost done with shopping. Looking forward to meet people I have missed over the years.

I just hope 2006 would be a better year both careerwise and personally. Wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Great 2006. Let Peace reign in the souls of the depressed and confidence in the minds of the down trodden.

My parents have been a great source of inspiration all through my life. Be it when I was young and troubled or old and confused! I still remember the days when I was young, I used to flunk in every possible subject..big time. My Dad used to cane me and my Mom used the belt. I used to flare up and create a big commotion in the house. I never knew why they were hitting me. Were they trying to put forward a point? I used to steal petty things when I was young. My Dad used to cane me..and my Mom used to belt me. What were they trying to gain out of hitting their own child? Sometimes, I used to throw things that were in the reach of my hand at them. What was I gaining doing something like that? But, when I scored very well in my exams, they poured their happiness on me...they showered me with things that I had dreamt of...when I got a job after undergrad, they were thrilled. When I got my visa, they were overjoyed...and when I landed a job here..they were on cloud nine.

I was a spoilt brat right from my teens to my undergrad college days. I just used to blow out every single penny that my Dad had saved. I never used to think..how is that parents just keep on giving whatever you need and never ask for anything in return? When I finished up my undergrad and was ready to leave India to the United States, I was overjoyed...one with the fact that I was going to pursue a dream that I never thought of accomplishing. Secondly, I was a free bird in an alien country with no one to check on me at any given point of time.

The first few days were enjoyable..getting to know new people...but as time passed by, within a few days, I was left with a void surrounding me. I did not have anyone whom I could share my sorrow and happiness. All these years, I had shared it with my parents, but now...we were so far apart that this void was becoming very difficult to bridge. Even a phone call takes a long time to connect...most of the times giving busy tones.

Days pass by and I keep sitting and brooding over the same old fact, when I then realize how difficult it is to be away from Parents. The reason why they hit you when you fail in an exam is to make you understand the importance of education. The reason why they hit you when you steal is to mould you into a good person and not a thief. They know what is best for their child..and I was wrong all the way. Parents are parents and children need to learn a lot from them.

Papa and Mummy, I miss you all a lot. I am sorry for being a very bad child all this time. I do not know how I am going to repay all of what you have given me. I love you and here's wishing you a very Happy Wedding Anniversary.

Snow gives me a break!

Finally, I've found time out of work. The snows still hitting down hard and has probably accumulated to upto 5''. They had to close the building. ummm...I'm so happy. I skid all along the parking lot and lost all of the traction that was left. Its time to change the car. I am really looking forward to the weekend. A glass of scotch with a friend to talk helps a lot on this day.

I deleted the previous post! It has brought about great confusion among people! I am sorry but I never intended to hurt anyone with that post.