I Could Not Find An Apropriate Title for This One !!

I have been supplimenting my writing whimsies by blogging for about 7 years now. And then came the fever of SNS and updated technology. So of late I have been micro blogging on SNS.

But, in the age of internet, the peace of mind is reduced by the hour. So I am thinking of actively writing here and be done with SNS.

While growing up, I have been a very different child. I know it when I now look back and try and see it as an adult. I realize now, my best friend is not from my school/high school. I have no toys that I saved. I do not ever want to go back to being a child and never say, 'ah those days'..well guess I do not understand the meaning of those. Well even when in graduate school I did not make much friends.
Now many years later, when I am reconnecting with many of my school mates, it seems I was quit an item number. At times I do not remember those sending me friend requests but they kind of know me. Well, I am left with nothing but accept such request and try to play detective in my mind and figure out who is that person. In most cases, some how the pieces fall in place.

In the race of life, the poeple account seemed to be always blanced some how, for me. I add new friends, meet new people and for some reason lose some. The ones with whome I fall away, are mostly because of some silly words by useless poeple. It seems I feel really bad when this happens. I mean seriously, what's wrong with you guys?? I cherish people and friendship, but it seems increasingly difficult to do so. Why there is always a race for supiriority? Why does it have to be the case to win?

I have also realised, that I intimidate people. Irony is that I do not know how. So how do I manage to do it? I do not have any idea.

I lost a lot of friends to marriage. They were man !! This is the most tragic, funny and happy way of losing a friend! Tragic because I think they stopped being friends right after their wedding, just becasue their wives are insecure. Why? Have not found out yet. Where as I cosider myself  'a hopelessly in love with my husband' type of a woman.  Funny becasue some woman seem to consider me a threat. And happy because my friend seem to have a companion who fullfills his life completely.

So in the age of SNS, socializing is limited to internet. Good news is complimented by a 'like'. And I am still friends with those lost people on the SNS, but no human connection !!

This is in memory of eveing tea parties, 3 plate momos for six, late night dinners and drinking, sharing all news by a letter or a phone call....also to the days gone !!

Basic Qualification !!

What career to chose seems to be the most critical questiong in the growing up stage. There is this friend of mine, relatively new, is an engineer turned business man turned teacher cum professional blogger. In his blog there is this post where he has mentioned about the eassy in school we use to write about our goal in life. (Refer and find out if you can read Assamese www.pratibhudutta.blogspot.com). In indian context eassy marks = your capacily to mug up and re produce!!

So when I see those kids getting worried and confused about what to become and those who knows exactly what are the steps to reach point A, I thought of sharing my career journey.

In one of the TV series, I heard this dialogue "High School is the most difficult place for any one who is least bit different". In my case this seems to fit exactly bang on. I grew up with my sister who knew she wanted to be an architect in 8th standerd. A bit rare in our time, when people only knew and wanted to be either a doctor or an engineer. But she did know and she did become one. Right now she is well established in a different country. And there I was, I knew that I do not want to be a banker, engineer and doctor. But I did not know anything about alternative careers. So I was that kid, who wanted to leave my home town but to do what? No idea.

So, back to my story! After whatever I have done I have turned out to be considerably successful with my prfession. And I often face a question, '' by the way what is your basic qualification?'' In most cases I want to say either ''none of your business'' or  ''12th Pass''. I like the 12th pass answer personally because that seems to be basic because I felt forced to complete my studies till than. So after finishing my basic qualification I went on to persue a graduate degree and a post graduate degree in computers. Till than it was okay. Trouble started when I picked up my first job ! On my first technical job in 45 days I realised, I cannot be without sunlight for minimum 10 hours! I am no Dracula's ( thought I love this character) relative. So there ended my much sought after (then), shortest route to a foreign posting 'techy' career !!

What came next was another few months of unemployed and being supported by my father, did not like this condition, but made the ground for where I wanted to be. For me I made a few rules (write to me if you want those); and job hunting started.

I am no career Guru, but this is what worked for me!

One very fine wednesday morning ( I know the day because the job suppliment of my newspaper comes that day) I saw a 'walk-in' advert, address of which was almost next door to my then residence. So about 10.30 in the morning I land up in this first floor house - yes it did not look or feel like an office from any angle. What I saw was about 50 odd 'job seekers', one kancha ( a nepali teenager) and no one !!! Found myself a chair and kept waiting for about 30 minutes. Just to mention, I have the worst patience in this case.

In those 30 minutes, I found out, the hall was attached to two additional rooms and had a toilet (dirty and stinky).  Behind one of those two closed doors was some one, who was trying to meet every one individually in the age of BPO, JAM and choice by elimination!!

So since I was almost pissed, and do not know on what impulse, I knocked, disturbed in between an interview and walked into that room. I did not realize any thing, but remember that I said "do you realize how many people you have waiting? Donn't you have a coordinator or something?'' The surprised and shocked reply came '' can you wait, right after I finish this I shall call you''. Sometimes later, I was called in. And I offered to sort the mess outside and coordinate and talk rest of my contract once it is cleared. I think that was 8th August 2003 !! And my journey to becoming an HR started.

My advise, if you do something so irratic, be ready for the consequesnces.

I am still friends with my first boss, though I practically ran away from that place!
About Colonel and his boots behind barracks, some other time!!

Shillong Diaries - Part II

Should Have Published Long Back..

Okay, here this goes again!
It's been almost half a year of my address being changed to a Meghalaya post code. But trust me, I have not yet managed to remember the same. Well me being me..radically changed. So here's what I learned from becoming a complete house wife.
First, I seem to have become the couch potato. Well I loved potatoes all along my life and my couch is definitely a brilliant one; but me and both of them thrown together? kinda a Russian Salad tossed over a super spicy Indian curry. Get it? No? Well I do not get it myself :-D !
I was a woman with a fat  pay cheque, and super busy life. Knew nothing about any serials on the TV and watched most movies in Theaters as an weekend treat.
Here, I cut each bean separately, and not as a bunch, I watch TV for 14 running hours and I sleep. That's all I do. Not much eh?
The silver line? My dear hubby. He comes home..on time..I tell you. Offers to take me out after his work. And seems to be actually giving into whatever whims I have. And he loves his work! So, I do not seem to be wanting more. And I am not bored because I do not have a job, surprised? Me too......

Happiness ???

So after my super enthusiastic Shillong tale, I did not return. Guess the place gave me touristy welcome and then over stayed guest treatment. No offense but a tourist spot is to remain a tourist spot and not home for visitors....lesson learnt.

Well.. after more then a year of trying to be happy and doing what not, I finally gave up and came back to my original place where I started my journey towards Shillong. Back to square one ??? Naaaahhhh. It was fun one year and people around me said not every one gets to do what I did. I guess I did. But now back with a lesson go-back-only-to-retire !

Now I moved here and able to see many things. Like the whole-wardrobe-to-myself phenomenon. Wake up in the morning and start the day with a movie phenomenon. I likey... But then there is this what-do-I-do-now situation. This also got me thinking, why having a child is important in many cases. Now my contemporaries seem to wonder what will I do when they all go out with children. Makes me sad to find people so judgmental. And ability and wish are two different things. Also I do not like the soothsayer who say you-do-not-know-what-are-you-missing. Well, knock knock... grass is greener on my side. I mean, people say grass is greener on the other side... but when you make the jump and cross over only then you realize how spectacular the view is !!! So pick whatever you like. And stop deciding on my behalf. For such people, do you realize that the dress on the mannequin most of the time does not look good on you.. simply because you do not have the shape. So just stop critisizing yourself and pick your take.... or for that matter I did pick mine !

And now for the time being, I am good. So let's just live in the present and not spoil it by worrying on the future...