Thank God Its Friday

Finally…its FRIDAY.

Had been working non-stop for past 2 weeks. Oh yeah, had to go to work last weekend to try to sort out things. Partially successful.

But anyways, no work only play this weekend. J

Will play lawn tennis, spiderman movie, relax , read Imran Khan autobiography…. Wow…suddenly life seems so good.

Well, nothing going right in terms of work this month in office but still got appreciated for the hard work I had put in over the last one year, with a “Rookie Champ” award – kinda fresher of the year award.

Strangely, I had always wanted this award but didn’t feel good getting it now. May be because of last recall factor, I myself am not getting feel of being good in job these days, so an award for being the best fresher kind of feels lucky. But anyways, overall in last one year I have been decent. J

Looking forward to having a good break during weekend and waiting for next 30 days to pass peacefully and then I will be in Delhi for 4 days J.

P.S. As expected my blog has become a kind of diary entry these days, which am sure I will cherish reading later in life. J

There is always TIME

One thing that I understood recently is that I never had an issue of time. 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week,  8760 hours in a year are more than sufficient for me to do what I want to do, work, pursue my hobbies, go on holidays and even after all this have time to just sit on my bean bag , have pepsi with chips and watch big bang theory. J

But still I complained about time. If a long lost friend asked me “Whats up , where r u lost , not in touch”. I used to reply “Sorry yaar, just caught up in work”. I think I LIED.

Whenever anyone asked me, “So you playing football or any other  sports these days ? “ , I replied “ kaha yaar, don’t have time to pursue that”. I think I gave more importance to relaxing than playing.

So whenever anyone asked me, “ What you reading these days” ? I used to reply “ Nothing much “. I guess I wasted time just sitting online rather than spending time with books.

I think I learnt a lesson. There is always TIME. Anyone and everyone who complains about lack of time, think again. We have time, and we can do anything and everything we want to if we manage our time properly.

I am happy that I understood this. This month despite my busy office schedule , I have been able  to go and play Lawn tennis and also have started reading Imran Khan autobiography “ Pakistan”. I wanted to do these two things for long time, but I was lying to myself everyday by saying “ I don’t have time”. :D

Small fish in a big pond – Part IV

And this too shall pass or Everything good must come to an end

Never imagined, my first week of second year in Chennai would be like that. Anything and everything I did in office went wrong. I don’t know why it went wrong, my concentration level was high and I was totally committed to work. But first time in the office I felt helpless. Tried my level best, spent a lot of time in office, but failed to put my thoughts in excel and report.

Today was supposed to be the D-day. I had put in lot of hard work in last 4 days. I was super-excited in morning, had prepared my pitch. But then everything went wrong. One mistake in my assumption and the whole report and excel was no more a value add, was just a load of crap. The end result, I got scolded, thrashed and even warned.

Not a good way to end the Friday. But thank god its friday. :)

I can feel tough times ahead in the office. I have started to get a kind of negative energy around me in office. I sense some eyes watching my performance closely. If I try to think from a positive side, it means that the level of expectation people have from me are really high, but then it somehow puts extra pressure on me. Makes me cautious, add to it sometimes little nervous too.

I don’t know how to deal with this situation. I cant be vocal about this in office. I don’t want to take a step back from the level of responsibilities shouldered on me. I guess the best way is to take it as a fresh challenge and give my best shot. Oh dear Chennai, all of sudden you are not the biggest worry in my life, I got bigger worries now. 

The Circle getting smaller and smaller

I said it before and I repeat it today also with same conviction, there is no substitute of time. It holds out for each and everything in life, from friendship to love to pain to happiness.

Taking the point of friends forward, I talked about how important time is for me to actually realize who a friend is (http://unknownrahul.blogspot.in/2011/03/friends.html).  Somewhere I guess I am being proved right in this strange phase of life where everyone around me is either getting engaged or married or busy in figuring out his/her relationship status.

The circle of friends is getting smaller as quite a significant number has entered into the above said phase. They have moved on to a new journey in life with a new companion and thus don’t have much time for the old friends. I guess quite justified also.

But then there are very few friends who despite having entered into the new phase in life are still very much in touch, they still ensure that despite their busy lives – they make a point to talk to me , they still are the same.

Well, very much clear to me who are those friends; those are the friends for life. Those are the friends who will be there with me in all my sorrow and happiness and who expect me to be there in their sorrow and happiness.

Am not saddened by losing contact with some of the friends, but yes somewhere disappointed with a few in last few months. Then again, no complaints and I wish them all the very best for their new phase in life.  Well it’s a learning and hopefully I will not disappoint those who expect the same level of friendship and commitment from me. J

Chennai Talkies

13^th June 2011, I left my home for an alien city known as Chennai (http://unknownrahul.blogspot.in/2011/06/until-we-meet-again.html).  Oh yeah, am about to complete a whole year in Chennai.  I know it will sound little unbelievable to people who know me for more than 3 years, given the history. Frankly, even I find it little hard to believe.

I guess the difference this time was in approach. I came to Chennai with an open mind  despite hearing so much negative about the city (http://unknownrahul.blogspot.in/2011/06/sab-kuch-alag-hai-sab-kuch-nayaa-hai.html).

I agree that somewhere this city is not for people from North India. It’s a little tough out here, narrow roads, not that great food, difficult to communicate with local people and hot/hotter/hottest weather seasons. When I look back at past one year, I can definitely say I would not have stayed here for this long if I was not happy with my job.  Because, think about it , what is the point of living away from family for a job which you are not happy with. You lose both in your professional and personal life.

One of the toughest moments in Chennai was the first time I went to dine alone. Frankly I never ever thought in my life that a day like this would come. But there is always a first time (http://unknownrahul.blogspot.in/2011/11/battle-city.html). Now am used to it. I guess it is one of the many sacrifices which everyone makes living in an alien city. Other than that, there have been moments when I felt like leaving the city & job and head back home. What stopped me?? Ironically the happenings 3 years back, it gives me strength to fight. My biggest failure acts as strength now.

The good things, my house here (can’t call it a home). I enjoy living in duplex: so spacious, though I do feel little scared also. Everytime I take the stairs to my room, the scene from Bhoot comes to my mind.

Its strange that whenever I refer to Infosys, I still refer to it as my company. I guess a special bonding developed during that time. But am sure never ever I will refer to Chennai , as my city.

Small fish in big pond – Part III

You see someone , and think that someday you want to be like him. Be at a level he is, be successful like he is. You follow him, try to incorporate the same ethics and culture in your daily work life.

But then you are never sure that if you have it in you to be like him. The gap is too big to fill. The path seems to be too tough , in addition you are not sure about the directions either. You keep on wondering if you can ever achieve it. 

And then one day he comes and says that you remind him of himself when he started his career. He sees the same level of enthusiasm and ethics that he displayed at the beginning of his career. He says he admires your keenness to learn and thinks that you can be successful if you continue this level of motivation.

The feeling is really great, it gives you that push you need in your life to carry on the momentum. It shows that you are moving in the right direction. It shows that the sacrifices are not waste. Above all it instills the confidence that yes you can be the ONE.