Filling up Facebook Updates Page :)

Hi everyone,

1. All those people who are constantly bombarded by facebook showing updates I made, I'm sorry.
2. All those people who go to their facebook and see the whole news feed page filled up by me, I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry folks, please accept my humble apology.

I'm in the phase of taking baby steps back to facebook, social networking and my netlife as I call it.

Stay warm this winter.

Oh and new year resolutions almost done :).

Taking Baby Steps

As I said in my last post, I'm taking this week to plan for this year. I have also been reminded that not only should I plan for this year but also form a broader vision for at least the next 5 years.

The 5 year plan vision initially was hazy, but is now becoming clear. It helps to put in small amounts of energy in it everyday rather a big burst of energy for 2 days and then recovering from that energy loss for 1 week. That takes me to my first resolution:

Sustainable Energy levels - at least till I can maintain my Mach 3 speed, I will be flying at lesser than Mach 1.

More later....

Happy New Year !!!

New year is about new beginnings and I'm trying to make some too. One I had already made in the middle of this year - Marriage :).

Currently, on a break from everything and enjoying marital life. Learning process is on, just about a different subject. Anyways back to the topic....

A new year has begun yesterday and with it I have also decided to make new beginnings....

1. Would like to see myself more on the blogosphere.
2. Would like to see myself more in touch with the techie world (and I mean not just programming).
3. Would like to see myself pursuing my other interests.
4. Would like to see myself as a much fitter person.
5. Would like to see myself living a lifestyle I had always dreamt of since I have the resources for it (the active lifestyle, I had always thought of).

Now, can we call them new year resolutions, I don't think so. I would think of them as categories and sub-categories. New Year resolutions, as I understand, are like goals and they should be SMART (Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely). I believe, the 5 points above would help me make my new year resolutions. Haven't yet made them.

I'll be using the first week of January to assess last year and make my resolution. To keep myself on track, also planning to make a road map and a rough planner, so as to track the year and evaluate my progress thorought the year.

So, wish me luck as I wish all of you luck with forming your new year resolutions.

Wish all of you and your families a very happy and prosperous new year :) :)

Haleem Zindabad!!!

This just in on cnn ibn....Haleem is about to become a state asset of Andhra Pradesh.

For those who don't know what it is, its a Ramzaan month special mutton delicacy, think of it as a mutton upma if you will with wheat and spices along with mutton. The dish has become so popular that it has now broken its seasonal bounds.

Traditionally, Haleem was found in Hyderabad only during Ramzaan. Since, its popularity has grown exponentially and reached foreign shores, a lot of places offer Haleem round the year now. So, next time you are in Hyderabad be sure to get your box of Haleem and enjoy the heavenly preparation :).

Back from Vacation with a changed name

As I was getting ready to write this post I didn't remember when was the last time I wrote on cyberspace blogspace. This is maybe because of the chain of events took place after that. I always catch up with the latest on Bhai's Blog but haven't gotten a chance to write on my own. So, here I start again.

My last post was on my perspective on article I read in the paper which said that young Indian men think defense life lacks a sort of glamour. And I know what my last post said because before I started writing, I clicked on the View Blog link. Recieved interesting comments on it. The article was written in October, 2009. I haven't written anything after that because I got busy, lame excuse...you say. I say not this time.

I am genuinely late this time because from October to January, I was busy wrapping up end of year work and life stuff, meticulously putting all pieces together that made sense and discarding the worn out of pieces......because a new year was round the corner. And then with the new year came ground breaking news and lots of happiness.

In the new year, parents introduced us, and soon we decided to get married and now 8 months since I met him....I'm about 3 months married to my Prince Charming. And this is why I was busy and away from cyberspace. Now, as we settle into a normal routine (that's what he calls it, I call it married life), I'm back.

The 10 month vacation away from internet was very rejuvinating. Did stuff, met new people, made new friends, drove in Delhi, learning to manage staff, learning to be a wife and a student of life and GATE coaching. Lets see how I fair.

Hope life and world has treated all of you well.

Glamourous Life in the Indian Defense Forces

Disclaimer: As an ex-IAF officer's daughter, I'm bound to be biased about this subject. I've actively tried to keep the bias at bay. Please feel free to leave me a comment, if you find my post preachy in any manner.

I don't claim to be a gyan guru, but I would just like to explore what a glamourous life is made up of and understand how it contrasts with the defense life. I agree that just like any other profession, the Defense profession has some pitfalls and a big factor of work place hazard. If one overcomes these situations, there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - a life of valour, pride and all round personal & professional development. The other day, I read an article in Times of India that a lot of young Indians don't want to apply to the Indian Defense Forces as they don't find it as glamourous as an IT career.

With friends in the IT industry and I working in the financial industry, one thing I can definitely vouch for is that my father's life when he was serving in the IAF was of much higher quality than what I have. Whenever, he talks about the early phase of his career, I start contrasting it to mine, and I always think that I wish I had that luxury. I don't know about the people who took the survey or people in general, but personally I've always felt that life in the forces is of much higher quality which to me is the glamour quotient of the Indian Defense Forces.

When one talks about a glamourous life, especially middle class Indians like me and you, we would say that the celebrities and the likes of Shoba De and Vijaya Mallaya live a glamourous life. The fact is that we can also live a glamours life, we can also get to do horse riding, flying a micro-light, para sailing, taking out time to play a sport without worrying about a client deliverable and visit exotic locales. What I've just stated are things you would find on the recruitment page in the perks sections of the IAF, Indian Army or Indian Navy career website. As an insider, I can tell you that's all true. Just like the HR and Corporate leadership tell us that you have to show the enthusiasm and we'll make way for you, the same is true for the forces too. Coming back to glamourous life, I would list the following as characteristics for saying that though I'm a middle class Indian, I live a glamourous life:

1. Quality of life - A good balance of work and co-curricular activities.
2. Family Time - Getting to spend time with family and not working most of the waking hours of the day.
3. Conducive Environ - for personal and professional development for self and family.
4. Perks

Here, I would like to take a moment and remember the dialogue from the movie Vijeta, where Om Puri explains to Shashi Kapoor's son that Indian Defense Forces can also be viewed as a career option and not just with a patriotic fervour. Aren't the points listed above what we want from our careers? I don't know about you guys out there, I definitely dream of such a profession. Some place, where we are able to pursue our other interests, in addition to our professional demands. Money is important, but not at the cost of health and eating up family time. Though, there is also a second side of the coin.

When one enters the academy, the occupational hazard aspect starts and it only grows as you get commissioned and stationed at various stations. This occupational hazard includes anything from physical injury to death. As stated in the Heroes, another hindi movie that recently came out - that death is the death of martyr and its for pride and honour.

Honour to me is most important in life, and the defense life ensures that. The patriotism is inherent. You have to be a die-hard fan of India to survive the training and the profession there after.

All in all, to me a glamourous life is one which gives us the freedom to not only pursue our career but also pursue our interests and hobbies and a life of honour & pride. I would like to end by borrowing a part of Rabindranath Tagore's poetry that the training and career in defense force prepares you for a life "where the mind is without fear and the head held high."

Jai Hind.

My long hiatus

Not too many people read my blog, but I'm always thankful to those who do. I get good pointers on improving my work. And I know all of you have reminded me many a times that its been long since I wrote anything.

Well, to all of you and those who are reading for the first time, I would like to say that I was on a long hiatus from one my loves...writing. I was cleaning my room the other day and I realised how long its been since I started writing.

Now, I'm no big poet or author, but yes coming from family that has always encouraged fine arts for both female and male children I picked up finer arts quiet early with the exception of painting and drawing. Dancing, writing and sports - 3 of the most important things for our family and me personally. Sadly, I've kept away from all those three for the longest time. No excuses, this time.

I'm done rationalising and agreeing that because of circumstances I kept away from them. No, that's not true...its all my karma and my choices. I'm happy, I made those "wrong choices", so that I could learn early what wrong choices result in. And my long hiatus taught me the following lessons:

1. Complacency doesn't help.
2. Dreams will materialise if dreamt from the heart.
3. You love someone. Then, no matter how much you fight or even wage a war with them - love conquers all.
4. Listen to everyone's advice, but make your own priorities and follow them with full faith and heart.
5. Never lose faith in the almighty. Religion does have the power to be a candle flame in the darkest hour.
6. Always listen to your heart - it never lies or manipulates.
7. Apologise immediately after the realisation that a mistake was committed.
8. Don't let stress get the better of you, it doesn't help at all.
9. Work isn't life, its a part of it.
10. Things happen, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Learn from the not so good experiences and enjoy the happy moments while they last.
11. Love is eternal and most soothing and biggest motivator. I'll save this one for another day.

All I can say, that I'm back after my long hiatus much wiser and ever more strong willed to fulfill my dreams. Its funny, just the other day, someone told me that I'm sentimental fool because I don't quantify everything that I don't give a number to everything.

He was quiet older to me, so I didn't want to argue with them. Moreover, he was just an acquaitence. Had he been family, I wouldn't have thought twice about stating my opinion. Coming back to the point - I have never quantified things for myself. This is because, I don't want to live life with parameters. God has given us all enough natural resources to lead a good healthy lifestyle, we only need to open our eyes and realise it.

Anyways, main point, I'm back on blogospher. I might be not as frequent on chats, orkut, facebook; but I promise to be regular here.