Our prayers have taken shape in the form of you. Our love GIA. I hope you like the name when you grow up. Gia means Soul. In my heart I always talk to you and wonder how you would be when you grow up. How do i bring you up. How do I say what I say without ever sounding like I want to decide things for you my way.
I may not have answers for it right now but I do believe that both of us have one thing called Khushi. She is not only a very level headed person but also a very reasonable person all she needs is our support and love.
Well today you are 20 days old or rather you will complete 20 days. I must admit that you are such a darling to look at. Everyday no matter how stressful or tiring the day has been one glimpse of you and the expressions you make are just about enough to keep us smiling. I need to admit one thing your everyday routine is testing us on our patience. So in case you find the two of us cranky at times you can count it on these days. :) I am specially very cranky with our home nearing completion and small things pending its very hard to maintain peace of mind. The very fact that you and your mom are not getting the space and light needed freaks me. Anyways that me..
I need also tell you about our pact honey we have a club called the DD Club: Daddy Daughter club part of this club is reading stories to you, learning and exploring things together, putting my baby to sleep, having a DD Diary a book of our love and how we feel for each other....Well we can add things to our club as soon as you can start talking
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Key learnings in Office Politics
Its been eight years working and one thing that has troubled me constantly is my inability to understand office politics. This time I have and I didnt want to miss out on noting my learnings.
In all organisation there are issues and these issues are compounded by three or more people facing the same issue. There is no solution available with your peers and not all peers are there to resonate the feeling in a such a manner that it is heard. These sound bytes are often misdirected. Not that they are not genuine reasons but the issues have no resolution and certainly the people creating the noise are in no position to resolve the issue so the best weapon is to shake a leg with the crowd and get on with your work. Remember you were hired for the work and not the politics. Sometime opinions cost more than you can afford. If you cant be heard why waste your energy shouting.
The arrogance of your boss is not as a result of the years of experience in the field but because of the success he has found within the organisation selling himself. You have to respect his success. So it is yes boss show me the way and I will follow your foot steps. Do what you are hired for. No point complaining. There are no shortcuts to being successful in the organisation. You need to prove your credibility but following the discipline of the organisation and innovating with your prospect ever so silently. Noise is good when made with a rhythm and harmony it is music.
Its your way all the way. Someone has rightly said be prepared to loose many battles before you win the war. Work/business is not an emotional affair and hence an emotional response or an emotional decision is never a wise decision.
When faced with criticism laugh it out with the person raising the question with facts. Don't prove others are wrong but what you have done is right and honest. Please never forget that you are not working for anyone but for yourself. The salary you get is not the reward but the right to take it home. To be right you dont have to prove it. It will prove itself. Not sure if my learnings have come in too late in this organisation but it surely has come. I hope I do not make the same mistake again.
Golden Rules: Shut up and do your work. Sometime no opinion is much better than an opinion.
When in a conflict resolve it with the person directly. Remember talk between two is sorting, between three is arbitration and any more than that is politics. Choose wisely.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sarayu or S.....
Sara, we have been blessed with a child, I cannot tell you how I am feeling and how I feel that you are back with us. God has His Will. She is starting a new journey today and as has been the case you have been the guardian angel for us. Miss you dear. Thank you for being there.
As for my little daughter, I am not sure when you will read this but I am hoping that you read this soon. You were born on a beautiful night at 23.03 on the 7th of Jan 2011. This day marks the beginning of a journey. A journey called life. If anything I wish I can enable you to lead a life with confidence, dignity, truth & happiness. You are a God sent blessing first grandchild in the family. I cant tell you how emotional and excited I was to hold you for the first time. Even as I write this my eyes well up with the very sight of you flashing in front of me. Think I have grown older overnight.
You are one of the most unique child already and I hope I never burden you with my decisions and expectations. Grow as you will hopefully we are able to grow up being best friends and build a trusting relation. Love you a million my darling.
As for your mother, I cant even begin from what she is to me. A pillar of strength and character. An unbiased and superb advisor for everything. She is true, honest, loving & most caring person I could have asked for. I am really thankful to God for giving such an irritable and sometimes stupid person such a beautiful and loving wife.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Year that was 2010
2010 has definitely been one of the most significant years of my life. This year started with 20.01.2010 yeah a day in our life we will cherish most. It all started with mom and dad arriving after a lot of persuasion not satisfied but definitely giving respect to our choice. We didnt even get the chance to be with each other that day our moment of truth were just a few signatures and a quite lunch with both our parents. Yes we were married.
14.02.2010 we set off on a journey yet again blessed by our Uncle and his non-traditional but very respectful insight into life and the partnership we had got into. We re-read our vows, yes we were married again but this time with a handful of people and lots of good wishes. I take this opportunity to thank one and all who came for the wedding to bless us.
03.03.2010 I turned 30 now did I we celebrated it grand now in Macau on thrill rides. Checking Dolphins my most coveted desires to see them play. It was one of the most beautiful holidays we have had. Our honeymooon was in hong kong.
04.2010 we definitely were waiting for a good news and we did get one. Today we wait for it to be in our arms but boy this has been thrilling, nervous and exciting times.
29.05.2010 My love shared her first wedded birthday and I am not sure how she found this day.
06.2010 our trip to yercaud with friends and yes it was a much needed break for all of us. Boy I need it so much now when I think about it.
08.2010 my last few days with GIST. Thanks to everyone specially tarun, collin & parul for trusting my ability and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team. I hope that we continue to be good friends.
09.2010 joined a legacy company, I am still to decide whether I am proud of my decision or I have wasted it. I am questioning my ability here to take a decision. From a thankless job to a thankless boss whose only job is to find faults with everything that I do. Even if it an email to a customer drafted by the customer to going for a meeting with a customer to explore the possibility of working with each other. No definite goal, no definite direction, everywhere yet no where. I am just not me or was this me all the time. Need to really work on my interpersonal skills and assertiveness.
10.2010 Khushi and I had our first visit to Guwahati after marriage. A million question a lot of unseen faces. It was such a short but beautiful trip that definitely helped us bridge some of the gaps. Thanks mostly to my love.
11.2010 We finally took possession of our house and start the building of our dreams. Its so nice to see it take shape. I am waiting eagarly for it to complete.
12.2010 The grahya pravesh finally we did our puja and are now ready to move in. I am hoping that our child gets his/her house ready to move in by the time it understands its surroundings and begins to see the world. Can't wait for 2011 to start our family and build a temple of love, trust and family as it truly means.
Thanks to everyone who has to this day been with us in our prayers, in our aspiration, in our lifes. Wish you all a very happy new year.
14.02.2010 we set off on a journey yet again blessed by our Uncle and his non-traditional but very respectful insight into life and the partnership we had got into. We re-read our vows, yes we were married again but this time with a handful of people and lots of good wishes. I take this opportunity to thank one and all who came for the wedding to bless us.
03.03.2010 I turned 30 now did I we celebrated it grand now in Macau on thrill rides. Checking Dolphins my most coveted desires to see them play. It was one of the most beautiful holidays we have had. Our honeymooon was in hong kong.
04.2010 we definitely were waiting for a good news and we did get one. Today we wait for it to be in our arms but boy this has been thrilling, nervous and exciting times.
29.05.2010 My love shared her first wedded birthday and I am not sure how she found this day.
06.2010 our trip to yercaud with friends and yes it was a much needed break for all of us. Boy I need it so much now when I think about it.
08.2010 my last few days with GIST. Thanks to everyone specially tarun, collin & parul for trusting my ability and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team. I hope that we continue to be good friends.
09.2010 joined a legacy company, I am still to decide whether I am proud of my decision or I have wasted it. I am questioning my ability here to take a decision. From a thankless job to a thankless boss whose only job is to find faults with everything that I do. Even if it an email to a customer drafted by the customer to going for a meeting with a customer to explore the possibility of working with each other. No definite goal, no definite direction, everywhere yet no where. I am just not me or was this me all the time. Need to really work on my interpersonal skills and assertiveness.
10.2010 Khushi and I had our first visit to Guwahati after marriage. A million question a lot of unseen faces. It was such a short but beautiful trip that definitely helped us bridge some of the gaps. Thanks mostly to my love.
11.2010 We finally took possession of our house and start the building of our dreams. Its so nice to see it take shape. I am waiting eagarly for it to complete.
12.2010 The grahya pravesh finally we did our puja and are now ready to move in. I am hoping that our child gets his/her house ready to move in by the time it understands its surroundings and begins to see the world. Can't wait for 2011 to start our family and build a temple of love, trust and family as it truly means.
Thanks to everyone who has to this day been with us in our prayers, in our aspiration, in our lifes. Wish you all a very happy new year.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Dubai- Journey into the Arab World
Now I am a perfect Mallu Son-in-Law, I am a dubai return Indian now. Well I am sure that there will be more criteria for that category but this one is certain one of the most important one.
Well the journey was planned at a very short notice a week. I wasn't even sure if I was to travel till one day before the journey as the Visa was not done. Well I had my nervous moments even after getting the Visa as instead of 30 Day business visa I got only a 96 hrs visa. My calculations indicated that I had to return on the 5th day.
Fortunately all straighten out and then began my journey into the Arab World. My first Arab country. I should say it sure was the best place to start an Arabian journey. It was an early start to a Tuesday for me. I was to be at the airport at 8 AM for a 11 AM flight which meant I leave early. At the airport was a very kind and jovial Mrs. Vijaya unusually at the customs department. I hope that there are more people like her at the Customs or airports.
Well time seemed to run out pretty fast as I soon boarded the flight ready to take off for Dubai. My mallu interactions started the moment I took seat. Guess who i sat next to; a very kind Mrs. Sreesha (a mallu ofcourse) flying through dubai to Frankfurt. That was how the journey to mallu land which was earlier perceived to be an Arab world. You heard it right it was thought to be an Arab journey but apart from the fact that we dont have the citizenship to that country we definitely own the length and breadth of the Arab Country. From managing stores to Constructing Bruj-Al-Khalifa Mallus have for years dominated the way. You can easily go around the place if you know Malayalam. Literally everyone speaks or knows the language. I heard stories of Paki or Pathans who have lived in Dubai for years can speak fluent Malayalam. This is definitely not new and certainly well known but it was a revelation none the less. The reality was pretty awesome I am in total awe.
My first view of Dubai started from 35,000 feet above the sea level. The View down below was like big chunks of chocolate cakes dug with hands. The turquoise blue sea below was a stark contrast to the warm air blowing across. Suddenly out of nowhere you come across a grid of roads and road networks that looked like butterflies to me at every intersection. As we drew closer to the airport the fast cars seemed more and more prominent it was such a site.
We finally landed to a very beautiful airport shapped like a centipede with glass all around. The airport was brimming with life. The waterfalls, the Maybach, the ferrai, the lamborgini, etc were all waiting to be won in a lottery of life for spending on endless list of shopping options on the airport.
I checked in to a hotel called the Arabian courtyard, situated in Bur dubai, right opposite Joyallukyas...oops Dubai Museum. The hotel presented a good arabic themed room which to me seemed very similar to Rajasthani structures and palaces. The Swiming pools and spa presented very similarly as we do in India. The roads were broad, the yachts lined at the creek and the shops looking amagingly beautiful and inviting. The options are endless. I resisted my need to venture out and explore the dubai world and headed straight to GITEX. The conference I was attending for the next three days. I have already submitted a detailed report on that to the management so the less I mention it here the better I reckon.
The air outside the conference hall is hot and humid. Everytime you walk out of the hall into the open you face the intense heat and just run for the freezing Cab. As I traveled across I understood why the cabs were maintained to almost freezing temperatures. It almost made sense what to me was unbearably hot was actually start of the Arabian winters. The first day after the conference I explored the neighborhood and explored the grocery stores, the local eat outs. I feel that these are places you actually get to see the truth of the place. I live in Bangalore which is like may be a few hours from kerela and have never come across a Malayalam paper in grocery stores but here I find it in literally all grocery stores. The food seemed very familiar and smelled almost irresistible. The dubai coffee, the Milk dry fruit Shakes are must haves. I was surprised at the number of Vegeterian options available just like in India in almost all stores. I could go to a Burger King and find a Veg burger but yes it does serve Camel burger as well for those of you who want to try that fantastic meat.
Dubai, a mall City and did get sometime to visit the Dubai mall, a fantasy land for Shoppers with numerous options.
This was a maddening world with more than 500k of shopping area from GUCCI to New yorker, Samsung to LG, it had literally everything that one could imagine. I loved the Dubai Fountain, very similar to the Bellagio, Vegas but set in a background of Bruj Al Khalifa. This fountain has to face a giant and in that respect the fountain is second to none. An awesome show of light, fountains and music. The Khalifa was an humbling experience. Very very imposing and what a building. It looks fantastic.
After the conference the day would usually end at a mall or a garden looking at Burj Al Arab. And finally winded up late in the night after a few drinks at the bar listening to karoke. The Dubai dark side includes its pubs, disc spralling with pros to entice you in a sin. In glam and glitz of Dubai there are these lebanese, philipines, Irani, pakistani, Indian women..they are definitely worth the glance. It can be a great treat to the eye.
Well before I returned there was just one thing to do and that thanks to my wonderful friends Jeev and Christie was more than a memorable one. Jeev and I went around shopping and visiting various locals in Dubai before returning to his house in Abu Dhabhi. What a ride across the desert 135 KMs in less than an hour (thankfully no traffic).
Fantastic roads, I got to see some very beautiful beaches and palaces that were awesome. I did manage to see the world's biggest Mosque and it was a sight. Awesome...........I can not thank him and his family enough who made me feel like the most important member who have ever visited their house. Its amaging the kind of heart both of them had. Inspite of the distance and trouble and the shopping till 2 AM we still made it back to the airport in time to leave back home. This trip was a remarkable experience giving me a great opportunity to see a part of the world I had only heard and seen on TV. I can also say that this is certainly not the last of that place for me. I sure would be traveling to that place soon enough. Hopefully this time with my wife and kid (waiting).
Jeev & Christie..thanks for everything you guys rock. Jason,buddy if I have a daughter I will certainly consider you as a son-in-law but you better be handsome and smart.
Well the journey was planned at a very short notice a week. I wasn't even sure if I was to travel till one day before the journey as the Visa was not done. Well I had my nervous moments even after getting the Visa as instead of 30 Day business visa I got only a 96 hrs visa. My calculations indicated that I had to return on the 5th day.
Fortunately all straighten out and then began my journey into the Arab World. My first Arab country. I should say it sure was the best place to start an Arabian journey. It was an early start to a Tuesday for me. I was to be at the airport at 8 AM for a 11 AM flight which meant I leave early. At the airport was a very kind and jovial Mrs. Vijaya unusually at the customs department. I hope that there are more people like her at the Customs or airports.
Well time seemed to run out pretty fast as I soon boarded the flight ready to take off for Dubai. My mallu interactions started the moment I took seat. Guess who i sat next to; a very kind Mrs. Sreesha (a mallu ofcourse) flying through dubai to Frankfurt. That was how the journey to mallu land which was earlier perceived to be an Arab world. You heard it right it was thought to be an Arab journey but apart from the fact that we dont have the citizenship to that country we definitely own the length and breadth of the Arab Country. From managing stores to Constructing Bruj-Al-Khalifa Mallus have for years dominated the way. You can easily go around the place if you know Malayalam. Literally everyone speaks or knows the language. I heard stories of Paki or Pathans who have lived in Dubai for years can speak fluent Malayalam. This is definitely not new and certainly well known but it was a revelation none the less. The reality was pretty awesome I am in total awe.
My first view of Dubai started from 35,000 feet above the sea level. The View down below was like big chunks of chocolate cakes dug with hands. The turquoise blue sea below was a stark contrast to the warm air blowing across. Suddenly out of nowhere you come across a grid of roads and road networks that looked like butterflies to me at every intersection. As we drew closer to the airport the fast cars seemed more and more prominent it was such a site.
We finally landed to a very beautiful airport shapped like a centipede with glass all around. The airport was brimming with life. The waterfalls, the Maybach, the ferrai, the lamborgini, etc were all waiting to be won in a lottery of life for spending on endless list of shopping options on the airport.
I checked in to a hotel called the Arabian courtyard, situated in Bur dubai, right opposite Joyallukyas...oops Dubai Museum. The hotel presented a good arabic themed room which to me seemed very similar to Rajasthani structures and palaces. The Swiming pools and spa presented very similarly as we do in India. The roads were broad, the yachts lined at the creek and the shops looking amagingly beautiful and inviting. The options are endless. I resisted my need to venture out and explore the dubai world and headed straight to GITEX. The conference I was attending for the next three days. I have already submitted a detailed report on that to the management so the less I mention it here the better I reckon.
The air outside the conference hall is hot and humid. Everytime you walk out of the hall into the open you face the intense heat and just run for the freezing Cab. As I traveled across I understood why the cabs were maintained to almost freezing temperatures. It almost made sense what to me was unbearably hot was actually start of the Arabian winters. The first day after the conference I explored the neighborhood and explored the grocery stores, the local eat outs. I feel that these are places you actually get to see the truth of the place. I live in Bangalore which is like may be a few hours from kerela and have never come across a Malayalam paper in grocery stores but here I find it in literally all grocery stores. The food seemed very familiar and smelled almost irresistible. The dubai coffee, the Milk dry fruit Shakes are must haves. I was surprised at the number of Vegeterian options available just like in India in almost all stores. I could go to a Burger King and find a Veg burger but yes it does serve Camel burger as well for those of you who want to try that fantastic meat.
Dubai, a mall City and did get sometime to visit the Dubai mall, a fantasy land for Shoppers with numerous options.
This was a maddening world with more than 500k of shopping area from GUCCI to New yorker, Samsung to LG, it had literally everything that one could imagine. I loved the Dubai Fountain, very similar to the Bellagio, Vegas but set in a background of Bruj Al Khalifa. This fountain has to face a giant and in that respect the fountain is second to none. An awesome show of light, fountains and music. The Khalifa was an humbling experience. Very very imposing and what a building. It looks fantastic.
After the conference the day would usually end at a mall or a garden looking at Burj Al Arab. And finally winded up late in the night after a few drinks at the bar listening to karoke. The Dubai dark side includes its pubs, disc spralling with pros to entice you in a sin. In glam and glitz of Dubai there are these lebanese, philipines, Irani, pakistani, Indian women..they are definitely worth the glance. It can be a great treat to the eye.
Well before I returned there was just one thing to do and that thanks to my wonderful friends Jeev and Christie was more than a memorable one. Jeev and I went around shopping and visiting various locals in Dubai before returning to his house in Abu Dhabhi. What a ride across the desert 135 KMs in less than an hour (thankfully no traffic).
Fantastic roads, I got to see some very beautiful beaches and palaces that were awesome. I did manage to see the world's biggest Mosque and it was a sight. Awesome...........I can not thank him and his family enough who made me feel like the most important member who have ever visited their house. Its amaging the kind of heart both of them had. Inspite of the distance and trouble and the shopping till 2 AM we still made it back to the airport in time to leave back home. This trip was a remarkable experience giving me a great opportunity to see a part of the world I had only heard and seen on TV. I can also say that this is certainly not the last of that place for me. I sure would be traveling to that place soon enough. Hopefully this time with my wife and kid (waiting).
Jeev & Christie..thanks for everything you guys rock. Jason,buddy if I have a daughter I will certainly consider you as a son-in-law but you better be handsome and smart.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Managing emotions after quiting
Well finally I am at the moment when I will no longer be a part of an organisation. But the challenge has been really to keep the emotions in check. Things that were seemingly easier to get by is now getting tougher and frustrating to tolerate. I guess this is the way the companies get back to you when you quit and decide to take your own route. Why cant farewell's be nice. Well No one is willing to let go of the other. I am amazingly restless so many days I was fighting with the thought of quiting the job now I am fighting with the feeling of having not to express my opinion and how I am feeling. What better way then this to vent it out. All I hope and pray is that no ropes are burnt no relations are lost. We all should be able to get together and have a good laugh at old times is all I wish for. The experience in my current role has been very satisfying meeting Abdul Kalam, Surendar Pal, some well known CEO's awesome feeling and great learning.
Need to learn a little bit of politics and crab fight as well guess without it, its impossible to survive. Yeah not to forget ass licking thats a must...damn how people fall from their graces. This is not what I started working for. Yet everyone told me people appreciate hard, intelligent and smart work.
I know one thing no one is indespensible in an org. But people do play an important role in shaping the way people outside it percieve of it. Org is bigger than an individual or role but a good org ensures that its magnanimity is shown in its attitude and not arrogance.
Need to learn a little bit of politics and crab fight as well guess without it, its impossible to survive. Yeah not to forget ass licking thats a must...damn how people fall from their graces. This is not what I started working for. Yet everyone told me people appreciate hard, intelligent and smart work.
I know one thing no one is indespensible in an org. But people do play an important role in shaping the way people outside it percieve of it. Org is bigger than an individual or role but a good org ensures that its magnanimity is shown in its attitude and not arrogance.
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