Showdown to 2007 and curtain raiser to 2008!!

Three days to go for beckoning another new year "2008" filled as usual with surprises and joyful moments!! But as i rewind the spools of memory threads in my brain searching for the answer to how good the year 2007 was?

The onset of 2007 happened in the Ashiana Garden apartments at a small village in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. A bunch of friends cracking PJ's, dancing to "Daler Mahendi - Dhinak-Dhinak...." tunes and of course neat vodka to beat the chilly winters of North. Little did i know what the rest of the year had in store for me...Quote unqoute "Life is like a box of chocolates, u never know what you gonna get!!"

The first few months was mundane work and i was recuperating from the 4 month hard pressed study period for my GMAT which i gave in Sept, 2006. Darn...i cud not score well, so concentrated on my work related stuff! I had been working for a MNC for nearly 3 years and was quite vexed at the prospect of not enjoying life when its to be done!! I was quite bored with the job as well and badly needed a shift from the dull, placid village to someplace that bustled with action. But i had these nagging emotions which i could not put to rest:

(View of Ashiana Garden,Source:Ashiana Housing )

Plainly said..i am a workaholic and would slug for hours together no matter what!! Have worked like 28 hours at a stretch, slept for like 4 hours and then up the next day in the shop floor manning activities. All done, but i was totally frustrated due to the lack of good food..after all thats why u earn for...Due to my late working hours i end up hitting my sheets with a glass of water and a rumbling stomach. Nobody to open my can of miseries that i found comfort in my quest to solitude. Strangely, i found myself more composed in such states and finally made my decision to move away as i realized my cheese was moved to a place some 2,700 kms away!!

The major change in the first half was bought by my cousin who introduced me to Orkut! and there i met one of pre-school mates after nearly 14 years!! I got him to refer into the company he worked for and after a number of interviews, finally got selected!! My joy knew no bounds as i was going back to my home after nearly in-and-out visits for eight years. I bid goodbye to sub-zero winters, harsh summers, hot roti's, blemishless white curd, friends made for life, easy available spirit of vodka and many a things to enter a whole new life.

My flight landed late night at Chennai airport...i was welcome by the standard humid hot winds and thats when i knew i was not dreaming for heavens sake!! The next few days went of in packing and catching up with old friends. May 7th, 2007 was a new leaf turned in the pages of my life where i joined a new organization. The clock needles circled at rapid speed taking me by a storm and life started to roll at breakneck speed. I was introduced to this sport of "Ultimate Frisbee" and i was totally taken away by the sheer love i developed for the game...

So, the entire CUF (Chennai Ultimate Frisbee) is an eclectic mix of working professionals and entreprenuers who gather in the wee hours of the morning at Beasant Nagar beach to play a lung burning game of ultimate. A special thanks to one of my friends who introduced this game to me.....More new friends and i got to learn many a valuable things from them. Its been a rock 'N' roll ride and a consistent learning experience in life. There are a zillion things i like about the group which plays the game, but the one thing that stands out is the "superwiz" bonding that happens in quite an instant. Some might argue it takes a lifetime to understand another person...but come here and u will witness good comradeship within a few days...Maybe blame it on like-mindedness of chasing a single frisbee :)

Joyous moments were overshadowed when my Grandpa passed away in the month of August, 2007. He was such a great person and was at the helm of our family business from the days of Burma, Ceylon to Chennai. His personality exudes a charm that many would yearn for at a mighty age of 74. A very commanding voice and unpretentious behavior won many a hearts in his splendid life. He was also one of the main reasons for my shift to Chennai as i realize now that, he wanted me to be by his side. I am fortunate to share two pronged effects of name and blood with my Grandpa and i am repenting at not doing much for him during his stay on Mother Earth.

Shifting weights around, we all work day in and out to earn and lead a respectable life, but we tend to forget the joy of love with parents, relatives and friends. One of my friends used to say: "Is there a life after work?" I argue with him saying, "Yes there is, only if you realise it" There is a lot to do apart from the circle of work....So, step out of that tight circle to sense true life in your taste buds.

"You and only you hold the wand to create a spell that would shower joy in your life"

My first car, freedom from wearing uniformed clothes (Damn..i have been wearing muted shades for the past eight years, Movies, Dining on fabulous food (Yum!), my first steps of salsa, lotsa new friends and so the list goes on!! Truly, the days are longer in Chennai with nights becoming shorter by the count. I don't remember sleeping like 10 hours at a stretch after shifting bases here. More to come during my trip to Kodai :))