The Life of Me

Or is it picking up where I left? Anyway...


Let me start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year. As milestones go, changing years are as good as any to take stock of what has happened and to prepare for what is to come. So here's wishing that you all had a nice time in 2005 and got out of it some valuable lessons to make life less ordinary in the coming year. Here's wishing that all your hopes and dreams come true and that everyone finds more meaning in your lives in the year that will be. And here this wish stops.

In my case, I don't know how well that wish would come true. Looking back at 2005, I really can't remember any specific event much. Strange, isn't it? There are a few thoughts left over in my mind from the year that was. Some are those that need to be mulled over in private, some that need to be worked on with friends (which I am doing in my own laidback way, I hope), and some that can be voiced in public, for what they are worth. Continuing with revisiting 2005, I have only one thing to say work-wise. I've never been so busy doing work in all my life. And the funny thing, to the surprise of many people, is that I think I like Mechanical Engineering well enough now. A few of my friends and acquaintances from IIT were really shocked with responses like "WTF? You, and PhD?!". But well, I guess the part that I learnt about - on my own and from people interested enough to teach it to others - is great, and I don't really mind doing a PhD in this area. Yes, despite all the show of being lazy and indifferent to what I am doing, I admit it. There are some really cool things about engineering that I never paid attention to while at the best damn engineering college in India. One of life's little ironies perhaps...

What else? Bear with me here, for this is going to be a long-ish post. I think I am more than justified now in writing a long post, what with many people asking me to update my blog more often than I was doing it. So relax, pull out that comfortable chair of your's (everyone has one), make a little coffee (or whatever drink you like) if you want, and go on, read this part-rambling, part-musing of mine.

Been to India, after an year and about four months of being in these United States of America. My life here has been OK. Not much to boast about, nothing much to crib about either. Or maybe I am just one of those people who can find something worse that can happen and so don't mind their present station (Yes, this post may involve some unnecessary soul-searching comments from me; bear with me once again). Aswathi wrote that one does not realize what something is unless one misses it. I agree with her in part. But I think you realize how important something is more so when you get back to it after a period of absence. So it was with my India trip. Nostalgia was the least of the feelings I had. Family, friends, and everything that was familiar, all hit me at once. Showing me at once how much I changed, and how much the same person I was. Some of you can understand exactly what I mean, and some may still be wondering what I am going on about. Don't worry, you'll be there someday too.

A lot can be said of my trip home. But I won't say it. A lot can be said of the few days that I have been back here, catching up with friends that were here. Again, not much out of me. A few things though, in no particular order -

Need to get back to India for good. I dont think I can live here for too long. That place is too much a part of me for me to live very happily here.

It is entirely different keeping in touch with someone, and actually meeting them from time to time. And I don't just mean this about really good friends and family, but with some "casual" friends as well.

Well, so, maybe not a "few" things. Just a couple, and there they are - above.

But before I sign off, a few thanks, and just hi's. For those not on the list here, sorry. But these names are here now because I have recent reasons to name them. Love you all, but sorry can't name you all everytime I make such lists. No offence. :)

A - thanks for being there and being you. All the best dude, with all that you have going on your life - from the startup to your own more important personal venture. Oh yeah, and have fun now. No point spending life in hindsight.


P - love you. It's been great knowing you too. Am still sorry that we couldn't meet up at all.

A - didn't really expect us to bond as well as we did when we finally met. You've been great to talk with. All the best with your Conn. experience.

Well, I didn't name anyone, did I? Anyway, you know who you are. :)

Once again, HNY y'all.