2008 - Time to Reflect...

2008 has been a great year for me...

It did have alot of ups and downs but this time I was prepared to handle it. I can't recall any time when I was sad over anything other than a movie :) I do tend to get very involved with books and movies and everyone close to me know about this. However, they never ever comment on this odd habit of mine. :)

January:
My year started with a new job... Its sort of stress free and I like it. Good thing is that I'm not on call 24 hours a day. And I am not covered in cement dust!!!! Only thing is that I have to follow all rules that of a Food Industry...

February:
Nearly lost Mum. Scared the living daylights out of us but finally found out what was wrong with her and the reason why she was sick so much all the time... she is allergic to salicylic acid which is found in alot of vegetables as well as in asprin... after eliminating certain food produce I have seen a remarkable improvement. She hasn't had any attack so far!!!

April:
Dad had become very very sick. Doctor had sort of given up. The problem with my dad is that he is not interested in food. He will only eat when he is forced to eat... (How I wish I had inherited this trait.... I just love my food which I think is a curse at times.... :( ) So got Dad to listen to me. Sat him down and spoke to him about how I want him to live for us now... And so far he is doing great.

September:
I started contruction of my house. My dream house for my parents. The house is designed by Mum and its a thank you gift for my parents. Hopefully everything will be completed in February 2009 and we'll be able to move in March.

October:
I had a short business trip cum vacation in NZ. Beautiful place and beautiful people. 5 days was just too short a time to tour the place. I am defintely planning a return trip for sometime in the near future.

November / December:
Got rid of alot of excess baggage that I was carrying. I should have done this a long time ago but I don't know why I didn't. Maybe I wasn't ready then. Whatever the reason... I am relieved and happy now.

I am so excited about the New Year - 2009. By March I would have accomplished everything and fulfilled every promise that I had ever made to my parents. These promises were silent promises which were only made in my heart and never uttered to the people concerned. Promises which have taken 20 years in fulfilling... So right now I am the only one who knows what next year will mean to me. And this is one reason why I'm eagerly looking forward to March.

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Business Trip- cont'd

My trip to N.Z is only for 4 days!!! :( sob!sob!sob!

So I can't plan much... I don't think I'll even get time to do shopping :( And THAT is really disappointing...

I do plan on going for a vacation either later in the year or first half of next year... I just have to choose a destination. Anyway I now have more time for extra planning...

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Settlements!!

Settlements... Such a weird word... Infact right now I do not have any other way of describing it... I wonder at times that why do people choose this particular word any way ....

Well just to back track a bit here. BTW "settlements" mean "marriage".

And no.... I am not being touchy here. Its just that I'm wondering at the reasoning...

Why is "settlements" synonymous with marriage? Any particular reason??? Those people who are not married... are they not settled? Is with marriage only a person deemed well and truly settled? Those of us who are still single - are we balloons floating around?? Waiting to be settled???

This term is archaic and should be used only with extreme care. Well around me anyway. Nowadays people tend to get settled before marriage. Most like to be well and truly secure both financially and professionally before tying the knot. And it makes sense as well...

Anyways these are my thoughts... So till later!!!

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Business Trip

Guess what!!! I'm going Auckland in 3 weeks time :)

Its only a short business trip and I'm going to attend a Trade Show on Food Tech and Packaging Technology. I'm specifically going for Packaging Technology but while there we might even go to some Beverage Industries... actually alcoholic beverages :) Too bad I don't drink... But I'm excited nevertheless. :)

More details can be obtained at

http://www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/

I wish that I had more time there coz I really want to visit/ tour South Island. I love nature and greenery and would love to visit the National Parks. From the footage shown in movies its spectacular!!!

Anyways I don't know how long I'll be in N.Z but will definitely try to make some plans...

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On Top

I had a really exciting day today :) We went up a hill to inspect Weather Station and the view was breathtaking. Attaching some pictures which were taken by my colleague....

View of the Ocean over the Hills and Mountains

You can see me here :)

The Winding River (Mango Trees are dotting the banks)

The Winding River

A long shot of where I work!!!

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08-08-08

I almost missed it.... Its happening alot lately. When I leave home I have a list of things to do but when I get home in the evening I didn't do half of it.... coz I either forgot all about it or I just didn't get around to it.

Today being 08-08-08 is very very special for me. Reasons :

• I will not see another 08-08-08 in my lifetime - once in a lifetime thing.
  
• Olympics - officially starts today :)
• Its my friend - Niraj's Birthday today.... He will be 29 today :) Hope he celebrates the day with his Fiancee in India. They will be tying the knot or taking the plunge or getting married at the end of the year....

So yeah.... its a special day and I can't believe it that I was so close to missing out on posting today....

So Niraj if you do read this.... "Many many Happy Returns of The Day!!!! " Have fun....

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Religious Weekend

The weekend was one big whirlpool of religious activities for us. Every year we have religious prayers at home. Its called "Sathya Narayan Katha" and last Saturday (2nd August) we had it at home.

Now even before we have this Pooja we have to do alot of other stuff as part of preparation.

First is spring cleaning (thoroughly cleaning the house and compound). This is what I call as preparation of the surrounding.

Next is becoming a Vegetarian for the duration. Preparation of self (spiritually)

Third is planning and preparing the menu for the day.

Fourth is confirming with the priest the time and date. (Here its ok if you have a family priest). They do not have problems with dates and timings.

Having the prayers, giving of alms and feeding the poor and needy is one way of finishing the days programme.


For me it was fun coz this is one of the activities that I can partake in with my family. Beautiful day.

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July - Updates

Updates for July 2008

• My cousin got "engaged" to his sweetheart. Marriage scheduled for November 23, 2008.

• My brothers certificates were validated using "Apostille" Seal after a lot of hassle.

• Got laid off for a day.
• Political Tensions and business practices came to a head on clash and on 23rd July 2008 we were told that we were going home with full pay till further notice... or till a solution was reached.
  

• Back to work after 1 day!!!
• After only a few hours I was told to get back to work. Situation resolved. Thank God I didn't make plans to go for a holiday.

• 25th July 2008

• My parents Wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately we just forgot about it for most of the day :(. Anyway I'll be making up for it this weekend.
  

• Got Insured.
• Finally took the plunge and got myself insured. Bought a Life Policy from LICI. (Money Tree Plan) Thats what its called. Every 5 years I'll get a lump sum payment termed as "survival benefits". Benefit for surviving... :)

• My best friend is getting married!!!!
• I just found out yesterday and I'm really really happy for him.
  

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My News

Don't know when I'll be able to post next... I'll be away indefinitely so I will post when I post...

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Changing Routine

Something has been bugging me for sometime now... And usually I comment on it here and there but I finally decided to do something about it.

Ever since I started my new job I have been doing ALOT of traveling. Traveling as in driving to and fro from work!!! (No overseas trips yet)... I'm averaging around 1000KM minimum a week and that is some serious mileage.... With the recent increases in fuel prices and not to mention the frequent maintenance required now.... my Paycheck has a very sizeable dent in it before it comes to me :( (escalating car expenses)... Not to mention just how unhealthy my life has become of late...

So I've decided that from next week Monday I'll just catch a bus... (Its been ages since I've traveled in a bus so I'm looking forward to this :) )

I've been doing my research on the bus timetables and have found some good results. Only problem is that there is no early morning (5.00 A.M) buses from my home to town!!!

I'll just have to persuade Dad to drop me in town in the mornings and I'm planning to walk home (from town) in the evenings...

The total time that I'll spend traveling will increase by 1-2 hours but I think my carbon footprint will decrease considerably...

Hope this goes without a glitch.... (Keeping my fingers crossed!!!)

Things to do:

• Buy a foldable umbrella
• Sort out my stuff so that it fits one bag instead of one car!!!
• Get plenty of loose change
• Keep a change of clothes at work.
• Have to give serious thought to my laptop.... leave it at work or bring it home!!!
  

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Lists

Of late I have started making a list of everything that I have to do.

* Budget list,

* Shopping List – Grocery, Misc., Clothes,

* To Do List

Till recently my family only knew about the shopping list and only found out about my To -Do List on Sunday morning. I had never thought that they would be interested in it. But before I could go into any lengthy explanation I was told of things that needed to go into my list – things that I had been postponing. And to top it all my Dad kept reminding me to do the things that I had listed throughout the course of the day!!! It was like having a personal secretary.

I’m not really sure whether I should continue with this To-Do List… I don’t think I’ll be able to get any rest or catch up on my sleep in the weekends!!!

But on the other hand things that are part of my resolution where I haven’t made any headway – I think I should make that part of a list and put it on a board. Then just maybe I’ll be motivated to work on it. Apparently putting the list on my blog isn’t doing any good. At least this way I’ll be daily reminded!!! :)

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Experiences!!!

I wanted to become a Doctor as in Doctor with an MBBS degree but I studied Chemical Engineering. Worked for a Chemical company in Research and Development, then started as a Process Engineer in the Cement Industry... became a Plant Engineer before moving on to Bottling Industry dealing with Water. Currently am working as a Projects Engineer in Bottling Industry focusing on Construction!!!!

What a life :)... Good diverse experiences!!!

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Update

Guess what!!!! One of my friends... M is getting married!!! Its so exciting... I came to know about it last Monday. The news wasn't really a surprise since I knew that his family was looking for a girl for him... And apparently they found her...

The girl, A, looks to be really nice. (We haven't been introduced yet but I saw the photos :) ). They make a good couple.

I'm really happy for M and A. Hope they have a wonderful married life...

Engagement most probably will be later this year and marriage is tentatively planned for next year!!!

Its so very exciting...

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Note to Myself

A sharp tongue can cut my own throat.

If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep.

Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.

The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.

The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.

The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge.

One thing I can give and still keep...is my word.

I lie the loudest when I lie to myself.

If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished.

One thing I can't recycle is wasted time.

Ideas won't work unless ' I ' do.

My mind is like a parachute…it functions only when open.

The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!

It is never too late to become what I might have been.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right... Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

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Peek-a-Boo

Remember Diego from Ice Age 1!!!

Esp. the scene where he was trying to play with the baby :)
(I couldn't get that exact picture... )



Check this out :)




Did I mention that I love Animated Movies, Cartoons etc etc :)

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Sick...

Weekend wasn't much of anything... I think I'm coming down with something coz I really had to spend alot of time trying to get better!!! Dad was really sick a few weeks ago and I think I'm getting whatever he had at the time... :(

So yeah... not a good weekend.

I hate being sick. I cannot recall the last time that I was really sick. So this forced bed rest was not my idea of fun :( And I really wasn't in any mood to argue with my parents. They never give me instructions or "orders" but when they do... I simply cannot refuse. So when I was ordered to bed rest I just had to obey. Though to be truthful I wasn't in any shape to resist. And even today I feel down.

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General Frustration!!!

How difficult can it be for someone to remember their Mother?

I guess I’m asking the wrong question here… How can anyone forget their Mom at any given time?

So really unless one are in the middle of antarctic and really cannot contact there Mom, there should not be any excuse for not even wishing her on

1. Birthday
2. Mothers Day

These days come around just ONCE every year. I mean if a country has a great looking pub it will surely have phones and maybe even internet!!! And if there is a will then there is a way - right!!!

And if one is going somewhere and will be out of communication zone the least one can do is leave an advance greeting!!!

Come-on how hard can that be???

I guess that shows what one thinks of the woman who devoted her entire life looking after that person...

I'm just frustrated by these things...

My thoughts are my own and this is not aimed or directed at anyone!!!

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Camera - Update!!!

I just wanted to add that I cancelled my order for my camera today!!! It has been a really upsetting experience and I had to just cancel it. Guess I'll have to look else where for it now....

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Correction!!!

A correction on my earlier mails...

Dad likes to tidy up after himself but he still doesn't like to eat!!!

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Dad and Cooking

Cont’d from yesterday

Dad has got into the mood now to do something special for Mothers Day. We are having our Father – Daughter meeting tonight to decide what exactly we’ll be doing. Though I have a fair idea that it’ll involve cooking!!! (I’ll come back to this later). My suggestion for Dad was to take Mom for a very long drive… you know the usual … take in a few sights, check out a few houses (designs that is) etc etc. His response on this was that Mom’s my Mom so I should do this while he’ll prepare food. Imagine this!!! Now if this is the case then I don’t know why they still insist on calling each other Mom and Dad. : )

I really do not want my Dad to cook.

One reason – he is too meticulous. If he is cutting carrots then all the carrots have to be of one size, onions have to be sliced to an exact thinness, the meat has to be lean meat and the list continues. This is only regarding the food not to mention that all the dishes that are available just have to be used. It’s like a cyclone has just passed though the kitchen!!! I don’t know if this is the case in any other household but it is true for my family… Now I wouldn’t mind any of this… I don’t mind the 3 hour preparation time for food that will be consumed in half an hour nor do I mind spending one hour washing dishes and cleaning up. Coz for some reason he absolutely hates cleaning up!!! What I do mind is that after all this activity he gets too tired and is so “full” that he doesn’t eat anything!!! And we are too guilty to eat anything!!! It’s like destroying an artist’s masterpiece.

Second reason – he is just recovering from a bad bout of influenza. He has been very sick of late and I would not want him to exert himself too much.

Big Reason – it’s not just Mothers Day. It’s their day so I would like to do the cooking without supervision!!!

So I guess the decision is very much made on who’ll be doing the cooking. :)

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