2012 - Year of Bliss!!!

As we are pushed to an end of 2012, just a couple of months to finish a dragon year too. Well, it was dramatic and a fun filled year throughout. For me, it’s very special, met many new people, acquaintances became close associates, inspired with many thoughts, aspired for new philosophy from every corner of my world, bringing on many social events and parties one after another. It was totally a learning period, which taught me what is life and how to deal with it! I’ve been changing myself, my quality and attitude towards an every issue and every other who creates an issue. Sometimes it was boring, but other times it was very exciting enough to make me elevated and kept me at cloud nine. Reason for being happy was countless, how do you feel and express those feelings in words, if someone says you are good at your work, appreciate and value it. On top of it, I am attracted and pulled! Many happenings were like a lightning hit, came very fast and went very fast too before being realized. Each of the social gatherings were unforgettable, left a cherishing memoirs behind it. Be it a company’s anniversary meet or any other private meet, I am sure that I’ve a lot of good things to treasure and value for and so for all my friends who were in the party. This year was very significant for being more fruitful in financial as well as emotional front. Huge sum of debt has been cleared, which was used for my higher studies and left with little. It was the year I travelled a lot and been to home thrice. Twice for my best friends (three buddies on different dates!) big day’s and last one for Diwali festival. Affluence of food, fun with friends and family were memorable. I acknowledged a lot of good will, respect and blessings in the festive seasons. Abundant temple trips, on which the last visit to Thirupathi was great, the divinity and sanctification was phenomenal. Every time you visit there, you will manage to see a new beginning into your life. I am not an exception, it did for me too. Life had and even now has so many things to offer, it’s purely my choice to accept it. Not very long ago, I was so sluggish and inactive to make a change of myself, but not anymore, now bringing a new level into my life. It’s really cool and refreshing. This one full year has been a mixture of more ups & little down. But I was so resilient to take myself back from the downs and keep my head on the shoulder. Also wary about the environs and happenings, which I cannot take control of. The final quarter of the year, brought me series of merry-makings and B day bashes on and off the board. One such particular things to mention here were my F1 after race party, Year-end retreat at work and Christmas BBQ party so far, and still five more days left for this year 2012, looking for some more shindigs on cards. Let me hope the year advancing also relatively well for me and so to my friends! To finish with an exultant note, Wishing you all a Happy and flourishing New Year!!!

Diwali 2012!!!

Wow, two weeks away from Singapore was much tiring and yet too good & memorable. Had a significant time spent with family and friends back home. An incentive of this trip was celebrating Deepavali at home after four long years away. My trip started on November 2, 2012 from Changi International Terminal 3, Singapore, halted in Chennai for few days. Okay, sticking on to my readers request, I am pushing myself not to reveal any of my friends real identity, rather calling them by their initial. Met my friend-sister (Dr.T), who got married in the recent past, which I couldn't attend, so cannot make excuse but to stay at their place on the day of my arrival. Next morning, a casual catch up with my friends (Miss. M, Miss. M & Miss. G) at EA, sharing greetings and gifts, had a long talk before parting our ways. Later been to a movie with another friend, which was little scary and a good thriller regional one. I knew there were high number of movie buffs and movie goers in Chennai, but then amazed at the advancement of online ticket booking only when we managed to get tickets on our fourth cinema hall. Again thanks to e-booking, technology developed so much! but only in this regard, not on any other productive use! Left to Trichy later that night, spent a good Sunday at home relaxing and taking medicines for the heavy cold, my body showed a good sign of recovery soon. So decided to take only Ayurveda medicine, not allopathy anymore for cold! As the first week of my vacation starts, and so my recreation, traveling to the hill top Yercaud, to visit my Grand ma, Uncle, Aunts and Cousins. From there to Karur, Dindugal, Ayyalur to my Sisters place (my nephews wont spare me, if I go without chocolates!) spent the whole week traveling in and around the state and came back to Chennai for a Doctor's appointment. This time met another friend from Oxford (Miss. S) for her birth day party, had a blast at her home and came to meet (Miss. S) to whom I have spoken my mind out after a long time. That night was Deepavali week end, so every corner of the capital city was flooded with people heading back to their home. Luckily I managed to book tickets for my trip and my bus official reporting time was Quarter to midnight at Perungalathur. So I was relaxed and left my sisters place by 10.15 pm which was not so far from my boarding place. But to my luck, I crossed Tambaram in ten minutes from Chrompet, and it took literally 55 mins to reach Perungalathur in the heavy traffic. Almost at the end of GST bridge, I jumped out of the local bus and started running towards the bus point, got scared that I might miss my bus for the hometown. All the vehicles were moving inch by inch. I reached the place well before on time and showed my tickets to that person in the travels. I was so pissed off to hear it from him that my bus will only come around half twelve. Later he has to call it for his day and asked me to wait for the bus drivers call. To add an oil to my agony, bus came around Quarter past one. No option except to curse myself got into the AC semi sleeper coach and started my journey towards home. Next few days were enjoyable, except the power cut almost 12 hours per day. On the Diwali eve, almost all my school friends came for my word. Shall thank Senthil, Mithun, Ariff, Shagul, Siva, Sundar, Subramani, Santhosh, Janakiraman, Suresh, Bala, Naveen and Bala Ganesh. It was a whole evening we were chatting, fighting, pulling each others leg, cherishing old memoirs of our school etc... we all were greatly shocked by the recent wedding of another friend Somu and missing Deepak & Jaya. Finally the meet and greet was so memorable and enjoyable with the school buddies. Next day Deepavali, celebrated with family, firing crackers, eating sweets and savories, watching special TV programs and thanks to TN govt to have a courtesy for not making a power cut at least on a festival day. Planned for a movie, but could not make it because of too crowd. As planned before, been to Thirupathi and had divine blessing from Lord Venky. It was worth the wait of 8 hours. Then somehow managed to catch up the Diwali latest release Thuppakki, and accidentally the picture was good for Vijay, no bad critic. With little shopping to do, getting ready and started packing my stuffs to fly back.  Great festive season after a long time, meeting good old friends, spent a vacation celebrating festival at home with family, What else one could ask for? With lots of nice new memoirs, left home and came back to resume my work after two long weeks :) :) :)

Other side of Singapore!!!

I cannot resist myself to say, what a day it was? Just awesome... I've been in Singapore for 371 days, till yesterday! But it took me these long days to see the other side of Singapore and with another friend from Scotland, who is just less than a month spent in Singapore. Yesterday was a very long, tiring yet memorable day, as we started our day with lunch at Thai Express, City hall. Later were wandering into each and every shop in City hall. Just a window shopping (Very female stuff!!!), because she had already made up her mind to shop only in Ion Orchard. So after these aimless roaming, headed towards Ion Orchard. First, we jumped into Zara, clothing section. Though I just took 10 mins to pick a shirt, it was she who spent almost another 45 minutes to get a trendy lacy modern party wear. In the mean time I was going around few other shops in the same level and waited outside Zara only without carrying a board saying "Shoplifters will be Prosecuted". Damn they should have been paid me for the free service! Leave it, then she got into Muji, Mac, Fossil etc.. Sorry cannot type all the shops here, better you can visit yourself. Then I thought of getting a iPhone 5 contract, for which we have crossed Wisma Atria to reach Takashimaya. On the way, saw the Body shop and one another beauty shop, so I dropped her there and gone to Epicentre, an authorized apple seller, where I got few things clarified for my primitive apple hand phone 3. From there I level down to Star hub store for iPhone 5, but the long queue resembled me the one in Trimala Triupathi. So with no patience, I detoured to next door Singtel, where there were not much people around and looked very much free. I never dreamt or foreseen such a great shock before entering the shop. Their mobile plans looked attractive, traffic was also fine as I would get a corporate discount, but the only one thing i.e I had to pay Sing $900 as deposit apart from $200 for 24 month contract. Better I would get a Pay-As-You-Go rather being held up in a contract again. Never get into contract mobile was my first lesson in London. So to avoid doing the same mistake again, I started to devise other plans for getting iPhone 5 instead of whining about it. Meanwhile she finished her body shop purchase, our next stop at Harrods &  lush, getting a glimpse of London with all souvenirs and picture frames. Later we entered into a mid autumn moon cake festival, honestly we din't count how many different flavors of moon-cakes we tried. Not restricting only to moon-cakes, we also tried some Japanese stuff salads & snacks, Baumkuchen, German ring cake with Japanese improvisation, jaw dropped on seeing the making process, to finish with, tasted few Chocoelf dark almond chocolate. By this time, we both were exhausted and desperately needed a drink or plain water to keep ourselves spirited. So had a tender coconut in the basement food hall, there comes a magical idea, decided to head back to Raffles city, just to listen the F1 race. Within a split second planning, we made a move and reached there in 10 mins or less. The place is full of excitement, energy and exuberance for Formula 1. Though we had not purchased a ticket, we enjoyed listening to those race sound and luckily had a glimpse of race through an untied curtain around the track. It was really a lucky coup d'oeil moment for life. Without letting down the F1 fervor, we reached Farrer Park for authentic Indian dinner. So without a choice, gone into Anjappar to sate our stomach and planned for tonight's most sought party of the year 2012 (after F1 party night of Singapore!!!). That was the place I felt my toe's were hurt & sore; and cannot move even after the bill has been paid. Called Dhanvanth, to make a choice for ipod classic or nano! I greeted him over the phone, in turn he said dude you still have few more hours to roam for the day. Almost fainted after hearing that, I passed the phone to my friend, then she settled for ipod classic, we parted our ways to respective home, as we both are staying in two different ends of Singapore. As the day ends with tasting the other bits and started liking Singapore even more now :) :) :)

"Sakuni-let the game begin" Power Play!!!

Hi all, before jump into the real story, let me first start with my day. Today, I had a plan to watch a live performance of a play called Sakuni with apt tag line let the game begin was scripted by my colleague Dr. Elavazhagan. You might wonder, is he a clinical doctor, who has got a rare hobby of script writing. Then you are wrong, he is a PhD scholar, got a dual passion towards Science and Drama. When the science and drama strike at a same point, you could very well expect a good narration with high performance. Coming from very Tamil family background, no surprise that, his script has been lauded by all the theatregoers. Previously he has penned down many plays, this was the first play I've seen in both English and Tamil version. Language and the live performance by the artists have completely gone hand in hand. Gotta see few Singaporean local television stars performing lively. First, the show in English with my other colleagues Rayne and Deepa. When I said Rayne that I am in for the next Tamil show also, she exclaimed that Ela would thank and love you more! Of course yes, he has no other choice, does he?!?! Rayne was the only non-indian viewer in the theatre. Though, she has got the synopsis of the play from Ela a day before, its a highly daunting task to sit and watch a show, which is completely Greek and Latin for her. Kudos and much appreciation for her time and patience. Later the show was over, there was a feedback session in the foyer. Meanwhile, we were waiting for another friend-couple, Champa and Krishna. Warm hug and pleasantries were shared by three female folks whilst, me and Krishna greeted each other. Few more minutes were spent there and as the time for next show ticked in the clock, we gave a short adieu to Rayne and Deepa. Now the Sakuni, the game begins in Tamil. Completely convinced by the story plot and acting, critically analysed the Sakuni's point of view, who was portrayed as a prime baddie in the epic. The victory of the show lies when the light illuminates the other shades of Sakuni, justifying his own act and turning the whole plot and mistakes towards the others, which you might not even dare to think off. He was first accused by Paanjali, Kanthari, Karna for misleading Dhuriyodhana while he was in search for his peace of mind and soul. Later the way he defends himself and rationalise others on their act which were the major cause for losing the Kurushetra battle. Novel perception, no answers from any of the accusers! Other than giving Sakuni what he has wanted at last, the peace of mind. If you think, Sakuni would have accepted the salvation given by Droupathi, then you are again wrong at jumping into the conclusion soon. That's where our script writer has got a twist in the plot. He says, every one has got their own excuses for their deeds done in the past and the peace of mind is within ourselves indeed! I was wondering what if Christopher Nolan would have scripted this play? He must have loved to call Sakuni as a necessary evil, rather than a pure evil as accused by all other characters (I would expect a complimentary tickets from Ela for the next play - #my dream voice lol). After the back to back shows (spent $50 before Friday night, had I become a scatter-good now a days, definitely not, cos, this play worth an every single penny!!!), I felt Tamil version has got more powerful dialogue delivery, which was demanded by the script. English verse is no lesser, still got more impressed with the Tamil, may be the fact its my mother tongue (I would like to mention here that I am neither a racist bum nor a language extremist!!!). Most of all the comments and suggestions were taken by the director and script writer, appreciations for the whole team was on the air, when we congratulate Ela and left the play theatre. I am also afraid that, my compliments and critics may lower your expectations, so better catch the full show at Drama Centre Black box, National Library Building before it ends. You are now down with only 4 more shows, today and tomorrow in total, tickets are selling like a hot baked cakes (true marketing words!!!) rush now to hold yours. Now to stand with the great Tamil sage, Thiruvalluvar (செவுக்குண வில்லாத போழ்து சிறிது வயிற்றுக்கும் ஈயப்படும்.

Translation: When 'tis no longer time the listening ear to feed;  With trifling dole of food supply the body's need. Explanation: When there is no food for the ear, give a little also to the stomach.), I am damn hungry and jumped into KFC Singapore with Champa and Krishna. Long wait and craving for KFC has come to an end tonight after a last visit in Oxford, almost an year and a half back! With a zinger meal I am done with my dinner and so Champa with cheese fries, Krishna with just Ice-Milo. Don't get any wrong ideas, that they are poor eaters. They have already filled their stomach before the show! We have parted our ways to home after filling the tummy with food at KFC and the heart with new message & good memoirs after the play! That's how the day has come to an end :) :) :)

Eat Out Memoirs!!!

What makes a person more happy, especially a gourmand - of course eating! But, today all the eat outs I saw brought those goody days of Oxford with good buddies. Yes, it happened at Great World City mall, Singapore. Yesterday was a bad day for me, because my card was retained in the atm machine. So, I was directed to the nearest bank for claiming a new card by the customer service assistant. That's the purpose of my visit to GWC today after work. Once, I finished my work in the bank, I started to wander aimlessly before something that catches my eyes and mind - that is a shop named Early Learning Center, a kiddo shop. That was the moment I felt very nostalgic, coz, the first place I have seen in Oxford was Early Learning Center at the city center. Coming next, I have seen Marks & Spencer. Followed by Dorothy Perkins, Swarovski, Movies at night (Snehal, Merrila, Sangeetha, Govind, Davin, Mahesh & Ravi) etc...  It doesn't end there. Then comes to the chain of food shops, BK, McD and Ben & Jerry all exclusive outlets. By seeing these all shops, I have skipped a couple of beats in heart. Because, each one of this shop had a different stories to remember at different occasions. At first place, BK and KFC, though KFC was not there, it was countless times we (myself, Hari, Saranya, Prajitha, & another friend ng) had a sumptuous meal at Queens lane outlet. Its been more than an year and a quarter, I had been to BK. Likewise McD, first shop in the city, very big one, out of almost 15 counters, at least 10 customer service assistants were my friends all the time when I was in Oxford. I hardly remember being paid for atleast one single meal at this particular shop. Thanks to Merrila, Sathish, Adithya, Gopi, Harsha, Lavanya, Mahesh for giving us a gratis meal every time. When I was having my food alone today, I was munching those witty chats and beautiful time with my friends. Numerous fights, verbal abuse, fight for fun on the streets, reconciliation again in a minute, all happened in any one of those shops. Most of the time, it would be with two girls (names concealed). And today, I found the Mediterranean foodie called hummus in UK, hommus in S'pore after an extensive search for more than 6 months. So all together cast my mind back to couple of years before and I cannot accept the fact that, time flies. But it does! I wish to be back there anytime in the future. Yet, recreating the same magic is very difficult as most of my friends are scattered and settled in different parts of the world. Sad though, still memories keep those days alive! Thanks for all friends who gave me a good memoirs to relish and relax without regret :) :) :)

Trip to India :)

Chocolates; way to celebrate. Gifts; sharing love. Time Spending; make you feel high. Priority; to most special one's. Hug; best way to express care. Life demands many thing at once, its all about you to decide and prioritize. Last month trip to India was fun filled and more sentimental. I've seen three weddings in a row - to start with Jeeji, Saranya and Champa, all good friends of mine. I've met my best buddies and a special one too, had a great time out there in back home. Warm welcome and time spent together with my friends were great. Been to my sister's place, all my nephew's were well engaged with their final school exams. One thing I've been learning since 2010, A way to spend your money faster? You should be blessed with 4 nephew's and a niece. I was totally sick and tired of puzzles, card & board games, cars, brain trainers etc.. Even Toys R Us, was looking bit bored and less attractive. One thing I need to mention here, all toys shops in Singapore were more expensive than UK. After all much care, I bought a big barbie doll for my niece, later I noticed it was bigger than my travel luggage. Got to please the Air India staff for putting it as an extra luggage without paying an extra penny! Thinking about my childhood days, I was so unfortunate that I don't have any paternal or maternal uncle living or working in abroad to buy me these kind of toys. Though some hot issues were boiled in my family circle, I was not lending my ear to them. Since, I've no time to relax in a week's break time - strictly no time for me to worry too. Week later back in Singapore, it took more than a week for me to clear all the pending piled up works. Meanwhile, distributing the sweets and savories to friends, going out for a lunch etc... Our starhub cricket subscription was fully justified by one match. That was CSK Vs RCB, as usual RCB was dominating the Chennai wicket at first. To more worse, even at the second half, Chennai was ready to lose the match comfortably in front of the home crowd. That was just rewritten by Albie, slamming 28 runs in one slog over of Kohli. It was a very bad decision of RCB to give very part timer at the end. Still that made us win in the nerve wrecking match. Thanks to them. Then nothing much happened at my side other than same routine of work-home-work. But last Saturday was a day, I had full stomach of sumptuous lunch and also sated dinner at Krupa anna's place for Tamizh New Year. Whole day we were laughing our gut out, became a cine critic and didn't spare IPL also. I can proudly say I've been a part of an eminent group, because except me, rest are all PhD scholars, so called 'Doctorates'. Really it was an elite crowd. It was a beautiful day and memorable too :) :) :)

2011 Recap, 2012 foresee!!!

Dear friends, Wish you all very happy and fabulous year ahead! This note is just a recap of my previous year and foreseeing an upcoming year. Let me cast my mind back to an year before, i.e. 2011, it was like a roller coaster for me. Full of up's and down's, traveled a lot, from one pole to another pole of the Earth. I like travelling, but never expected that travelling will be on my cards to this extent. To give a fair guess, I would have traveled at least 10K miles by air. I can proudly say, I am an Explorer, next to DORA, my niece's favorite cartoon player. Yes, its been an wonderful year, especially, the second half of the year was so memorable in Chennai. Whilst, first half was in Oxford, ever favorite destination of mine, was roaming in the streets, seeking a good job but it didn't happen. Usually, I am person, who won't give up easily until I find a solution to an any issue. Whether, it'll be positive or negative, I used to fight till end. That's what keeps me going, I gave my best, hit hard and it was not in my control. Never mind! nothing to regret, at least I've tried my best till I decide to come back. Then flied back to home by the end of second quarter of the year. Got a new job, started my career with new hopes and blessings in Chennai. Spent my days there for 1/4th of the year. Met old friends & their family. It was very touchy, when they were opened their arms to embrace me as their own children. Its not fair if I miss to thank them for all their effort and blessing to get me here. And its a never ending list, if I start mentioning their names. Due to space restriction, I thank them (My parents too!) all for what I am today. Later, I got an another good offer from Singapore. Now, I'm here! Though I was travelling a lot in the late last year, I got a chance to meet very nice people, friends, in fact, few well wishers of mine. Last quarter of the year blessed me with good friends and their families to support me in this new alien land. This year would not have been so great and complete with out their support, love and kindness. Trust me, 2011, got me a very few special people, and I would say, 2011 is the best ever socialized year for me. I never used to move with an acquaintance this fast. But last year it was different, got friends in different ethnicity, different culture! So many beautiful memoirs, few good lessons, less hurt, definitely not any bitter opinions on any one particular. Exactly, July and August '11 were the most memorable part of my life. Realized what's real happiness in my home town. Spent happily with friends, who miss me a lot now, and so am I! Chennai beckons me sooner this year. Lets see whether my cards continue with same jaunting itinerary. Keeping my fingers crossed for 2012, may all this happiness continue to shower bliss, not only over me, but also for all my friends and their families too. Let 2012, brings all a new hope, new life, new career to be more successful in what ever we do! Lots of happiness shared, emotions went out, got courage to face the reality, found a new job and getting settled. I can't thank enough for all who had been very supportive for me throughout this roller coaster year and hope you all too enjoyed my company. What more I could have yearn for this upcoming year, other than to be close with my loved and dear ones!