A Weekend to Lonavala!!!

Another weekend flew by, and it's Monday again. But the weekend wasn't bad, it was a bit happeningnThough it didn't started the way I wanted to, but still everything fit into place very nicely.

The weekend happened to be long weekend only for me, as I was bedridden, because of some junk food which I had in my office canteen. I had my evening snacks on Thrusday and went home, but during my entire ride my stomach was grumbling. Even after that I went on to go and play badminton. That made me complete sick. It was planned that we would be going to Lonavala on Saturday, and I really didn't wanted to miss the trip. So, I did what I can do best, I didn't go to office on Friday and took a complete rest. Watched an old Malayalam movie in the morning, then went on to read 'Not without my Daughter' (it's an amazing biography about a woman and her daughter who are trying to escape from Iran). Meanwhile Gautam confirmed the timings for Saturday.

Saturday started of really well, though I had an upset stomach but it didn't dampened me. I was on time at the pick up spot, and we began our drive to Lonavala.


The scenic beauty was amazing, all the mountains were lush green, and covered by clouds and it was raining consistently to add on to the beauty of the weather. As we were heading towards the Tiger Waterfall, the fogs became more dense, with just about 5-10 meters visibility, and we were thoroughly enjoying, the music playing in the vehicle was adding some spice to the jovial mood we were in.



As were heading towards the waterfall, we could just hear the music which water was creating but were not able to see the waterfall because of the fog. The pressure was really good and to add on, the water was chilled. We got ourselves soaked in the water for more than hour or two.Then we moved on to the BhushiDam, but didn't enjoyed that place as it was very crowded as if a procession was in place. It was late noon, and we all were started to get hungry, thanks to all the 'masti' which we did.

Now to find a place for a good decent lunch for 14 guys and on a weekend in Lonavala, itself is a task. But we finally managed to find place in RamaKrishna. To the amazement KV paid for the lunch.

We all bought some Chikkis and left the place, I reached back home by 6:30, took some rest and again went to play badminton at night, and had a good game. Meanwhile, S called up regularly the whole day.

Sunday was a lazy one, exactly the way how I wanted to. Got up early, downloaded few songs, did some chatting with bhai, read the book, watched TV, then again chatted, TV, book etc..etc..

I am excited for the coming week, that's because I will be completing my 3 years in HSBC, so looking forward for the same.

Cheers,
Anup

School Days:- Yaadein Tazaa Ho Gayi

In my last post I did mentioned about the School reunion, yes, finally it happened on Sunday. Excitement was really gripping, as I would be seeing few of them after 9 years.
So, in this post I would be talking about those who made it on Sunday.

The funniest part over here is, we 15 people are very much in Pune, but never thought to meet in this last 9 years. People in small groups always used to meet up either in Pimpri or FC Road.
Latish had initially planned for this reunion almost a year back but it never happened, and now this happened exactly when he is not around here, he is in Dubai working in some Shipping company. He came to our class in 9th Standard. He was the most 'tapori' kind of a boy in our class. But he is very kind hearted. And moreover he looks like a typical South-Indian guy with nice mustache, leaving behind all the 'taproiness' which he had.

I will start with the people as and when I did meet them on Sunday.

Rakesh, he is one guy with whom I have spent my whole childhood, We have grown up together in the same locality. Now he did his Hotel Management and is working in a firm in Pune, which has to do something with the Sales stuff. We have always bee in touch.

Reema, I remember her from my first standard. She is a sweet, good looking and a big time chatter-box. She always used to compete with me in studies. She was (and is) the most active girl I have ever seen in my life. She did her MCoM and is now pursuing her MBA from Symbiosis.

Sandeep, or commonly called as Sandy. He is quite but gets very hyper when somebody provokes him. And Rakesh is really good at this. He has now opened is own frim which outsources work from some of his US clients, and his approach is really impressive. Hope his does really well.

Ripin, this guy came to our class in eighth standard. He did his hotel management and did his training in US if I am not wrong. Now he is back in Pune and don't know what is he doing, because he didn't waited for long as he had some work.

Ramya, now this news about her came as a shocker, Latish got engaged to her. Nobody from our group could believe it. She was the most silent and lovable girl in our class. And I am really happy for both of them.

Vaibhav, he was the Joker of our class. Complete fun loving boy, and would always try to make others laugh with his instant one liners. Now, he work with some firm and also have his own PC hardware shop.

Shailesh, the image which I carried for him before we met on Sunday was the same one when we were in school. But, he is the one who have changed the most. He looks like a definite politician and he is really trying to get into the same, with the help from his family members. Sounds impressive isn't it.

Bhasker, he was one of the most simple and innocent guy of our class. He would not even utter a word like 'kuthe' (Dog in Hindi). He is still the same and is working with one of the leading Mechanical Company.

Rita and Gita, these were the two girls who always used to hang out together. Rita was the steady performer in the class and the most reliable one when it come to home work and craft. Gita, would always try to match Rita's steps. Now, both of them work with an IT firm in Pune.

Rajeev/Sameer, now these guys were not from our class, they were from the other division. But I know Sameer very well, he was with us in our tuitions in 10th, but, with Rajeev, its only Hi-Bye kind of a relationship. We never had an actual conversation in school and I am pretty OK with it and that's because I never appreciated the attitude which he carried.

Vicky, now he was the one who arrived late among the boys, and he is the one who got married first among our boys. Yes, he lost his bachelor hood. He is doing good and is also working with an IT-security firm, if I am not wrong.

This is all about the 14 people who made it on Sunday. We all had a great time together, recollecting many of the mischievous we all did and were still doing some pranks in the hotel.
At times it felt we all are still the same. But as we say, 'Everything does not change, but, somethings do'.

I wish we have more of such kind of reunions in the near future.

To Adi Sir

Days are flying by, and here comes another weekend, and as usual I don't have much to do except that we some 15 people from our School (that is the 2000 batch pass-out) are planned to meet, but will have to wait and see how many are going to come. So, rest of the time I will do my best by just lazing around in the house.

This weekend started by reading a blog of Aditya Sir, where he have narrated his past 5 years by Walking down the rain. And it really feels good to know that people don't forget you despite being just met twice or thrice.
He was my savior during the last year of my engineering, where me and my group were struggling to complete the project work. It's because of his effort we managed to submit my project on time along with a sponsorship certificate and scored good healthy marks.

I just met him twice or thrice during that, and that was it and it's been three years now.
I used to thank him occasionally for all the help he have done, but I am not thanking him now, as I know he won't like it. I remember the exacts word he said to me while we were chatting 'If you want to thank me, then help somebody when they need it the most'. I still remember those, and the same he has narrated in his blog.

But if I won't thank him here, it would be just not fair enough from my part and thats the only smallest thing which I can do. So Aditya Sir, I sincerely want to give you a BIG THANK YOU for everything, and also for still remembering me, and including me as a chapter of your life.

-Anup

Think about Something

This is what I have been telling to myself since last few weeks, and guess what I have not been able to think about anything new. Here, to think about something , means, to just wander the thoughts freely and it should come up with something new and you can build up a story on that thought, or just about some fantasies. My fantasies are weird, sometimes I think, how good it would have been if I had the power to become invisible, or if I could fly around, then even I would have been a friend of Wolverine and joined his community :-)

Many of my fantasies are inspired by movies or tele-serials.By watching the movies, it feels what if I had the moves of Hrithik, physic of Salman and style of the ever green Rajni. Girls would be really dying for me if I have those stuff. It would have been so wonderful.

I have not been able to think about anything in these last few weeks, and thats because, I have been drained out completely mentally and physically, and also I didn't had enough time to do anything else.
Last week started with one of my brothers marriage, as my brother is not around, so I had to attend that, then the next day I could not go to office because of the palkhi, they had jammed the road, but fortunately S came to my place that day, and we had loads of fun. Then next day, I had to go to Panvel to receive my Mom and again on the next day there was some people protesting on the Highway disrupting the whole traffic. So, I took a 4 day off last week.
And this week started with celebration in the office, with the whole Europe team having a 'Mauj Mela' organised for two days, and being a part of the decoration team, had to spend the weekend in the office decorating the cubicles and on the weekdays decorating the game stalls, which went on to collect the highest revenue.

And to the worst part, it hadn't rained here the whole June, which is very depressing. I hope it pours down heavily in the coming week and I would like to come up with something good by next week.
So meantime, I would like to relax and have decided to read a new book which I had bought almost 2 months back and will update on the story once I finishes the book.
Cheers,
Anup

Flag Hoisting

We have been always seeing the flag been hoisted on two main occasions, it may be either the Independence day or the Republic Day. As a school going kid, I remember going to school early morning for the Flag Hoisting and then doing the parade in the school ground. Other thing which I used to like is, the Republic Day parade which happens near the Red Fort. The full display of the artillary and the Soilders marching their way to glory, its a spectacular view. The other ocassions where I saw the Tri color being hoisted were at the Olympic Games.

Now, I am writing about this because, few days back I was just going through my pictures, which were clicked during last visit to London during 2007. During my stay there I visited many places, but this one place was special. Every Indian must be aware of this place, its the Mecca of Cricket, yes The Lord's Stadium.
The ground was small to what I have imagined, but the field was lush Green, resembling a green carpet being layed down there. The stand where Ganguly removed his Shirt imitating Flintoff. Its really amazing to be there in the stands, looking over to the pitch.It was a guided tour and as we were going towards the Media Centre, there were flags of all the cricket playing countries being hoisted. I was looking for the Tricolor, but couldn't find it anywhere, it was then I saw that our Flag was lying down and I guess it was the knot which wasn't strong enough to withstand the blowing wind.

That was the first time I hoisted the flag, and that too at The Lord's, it was a proud feelingfor me, I had goosebumps all over me and couldn't beleive myself that I was actually hoisting our Tricolor. I really felt proud of myself with the oppurtunity I got, because how many of us have actually hoisted the flag, there would be hardly anyone except the politicians, mostly who do it without the proudness in them, others are the school Principal's, which I am not sure how they must be feeling and few includes the armed force personals who hoist it with proudness. And I was proud of myself and thank god for granting me the chance, which may be once a life time.

Jay Hind.

Thirty Question to Dodge :-)

Really found this question very funny and interesting. I am picking this up from my brothers profile.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
==>Why am I so sleepyyyyyyy (yyaawwwnnnn)

2. How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?
==>200 Rs and 2 Pounds ;-)

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
==>more(the peacock), chhor (rice in malayalam) and floor thats it.......

4. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
==>Ghar

5. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
==>'Eye of the Tiger - Scorpions (Rocky 3)' - follow the Youtube Link for the song

6. What are you wearing right now?
==>Nike shorts and a T-shirt

7. Do you label yourself?
==>A BIG NOOO and would never like to.

8. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently own?
==>Nike, Reebok and Red-Tape

9.Bright or Dark Room?
==>Its weird but I prefer a Dark room

10. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
==>He is good, a bit idiot but afterall he's my brother.

11. What does your watch look like?
==>Got a Fossil, gifted by my brother.

12. What were you doing at midnight last night?
==>Watched Rohit Sharma smashing the ball all round the ground. (India Won by 9 wickets against Pakistan)

13. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
==>It was from Balaji and says 'Partner in Crime, very organised, helpful and truthful are the words that come to my mind when I think about you'

14. What's a word that you say a lot?
==>'arre yaar'

15. Who told you he/she loved you last?(please exclude spouse , family, children)
==>Cant think of anybody

16. Last furry thing you touched?
==>My new bean bag :-O

17. Favourite age you have been so far?
==>My Engg Days

18. What was the last thing you said to someone?
==>Good Night to my Dad

19.The last song you listened to?
==>Its a malayalam song 'Jalashayayil', its a very beautiful and soothing song.

20. Where did you live in 1987?
==>In Pune

21. Are you jealous of anyone?
==>Depends on my mood

22. Is anyone jealous of you?
==>There might be somebody

23. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
==>Wallet, Watch and Cell

24. What’s your favourite town/city?
==>Without any doubt Pune, but I have also started to like London.

25. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
==>It was to my Granny many years back, and guess what the letter was in Malayalam

26. Can you change the oil on a car?
==>I dont have a car, but bike yes.

27. Your first love/big crush: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
==>It has to be 'S', today but hung up the call quickly.

28. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
==>Yeah my whole body and its since last Sunday, and thats because, I Swimmed, played TT, badminton, Volley Ball and also started to go to Gym after say, 8 months.

29.What is your current desktop picture?
==>Rocky Balboa

30. Have you been burnt by love?
==>Not burnt, as was able to pull the plug quickly, so just felt the heat.

Trip To Back Home

The excitement wasn't gripping me last week. But as the date was approaching nearer and nearer I could feel that, the small rumble tumble in the stomach, whenever I used to think about my flight or about home.

I bid farewell by placing chocolates and some cookies at my desk to all the colleagues with whom I had worked for past 6 months.
Then after bidding good bye to all, I left for the day a bit early, as I haven't started packing my baggage, and thats because I knew it won't take me long to finish with my packing.

Then instead of packing I went to A's place, we were 4 guys there, made food watched the IPL and slept there.
The next day morning was fun, full of hurry and a bit tensed, I reached home at 8 then slept again for few more hours got up at 11 had my bath and started packing my bag.By around 2 in the noon I finished all the stuffs and was waiting for my Cab to arrive, which was suppossed to arrive at 3:30.

Now, imagine this, a Benz coming to pick you up. Yes my Cab was a Benz, amazing isn't it and it was the first time I sat in that car. That machine is truely beautiful. No wonder Germans are proud of themselves.
The ride back to the Airport was intresting, and, the intresting factor was in the form of the Taxi Driver, I didn't asked his name nor did he. But he introduced me saying that he comes from Karachi, Pakistan. I must say, that man talked so much and his topics were only ranging between problems happening around in London, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. And guess what, he even knew who the culprit was, discovery of the Great Columbus.

My flight was at 9:30 and before 5:30 I had by baggage checked in, so I had all the time in the world to roam around the so called Duty Free Shops. I did my shopping from there, and was almost fainted by the prices they charge at the airport. The shops say they are duty free but even a small pack of chocolate was costing 3 pounds more.

After the shopping I had still some 3 hours left for my flight, so I thought of reading a book 'Before I Die' by Jenny Downham, it was then R called me, and when I told him what I was doing he suggested me not to read books with that kind of topic when you are about to board a flight. Ohhh God, then that was it, I stopped that, and was wondering what to do, suddenly the man sitting next to me started a conversation with me. Now this man also belonged to Karachi, Pakistan and was a psychiatrist and guess what, this man was able to talk more than the previous one.
Shortly after, he left for his flight, and I was just killing time, looking here and there, to the people who belonged to different countries, different races, different religion, speaking different languagus. It felt so unique. I wont be able to find this in India again, this Cosmopolitan culture.

And the time arrived, as the clock was ticking to 9:30 the boarding announcement happened, and with that the rumbling tumbling was at its peak.
I could already feel like home. This feel became reality the next day when I had to face the burning Sun, yeah the Mercury was raised more than twice, which I faced a day before.
But it really feels great to be back home.