Uncertainity...

Many things in life are unpredictable. Rather most things are.
Yet, we human, take this factor in our strides and continue moving on...and how?! Seen those huge schedulers and the calendar appointments through the year?
Yes, we plan. For the future. Daily planner / Weekly Planner/ Monthly planner and so on...
A mundane day in office, or so it seemed, turned out to be a nightmare for so many of my ex-colleagues/friends.
Getting laid off is not easy. It hurts. (Ouch). And it leaves you so unprepared for the future.
It is like "a surprise test" that we had in schools and colleges...or may be worse?
It has been only a few months since I took up this new job, and my previous colleagues are being asked to leave since the company is "down sizing"
One call from the HR; one visit to the boardroom, and it is the "end"
They do not count the number of hours you have put in - the years you have toiled - nothing matters.
Is it not completely unethical for companies to fire people like this?
Yes, they have provided a three month severance package, but what about the mental chaos?
Some say this is an opportunity for them to move forward...but really, why don't you show me the picture that I am going to move forward -- rather than being pushed forward!?
I am blessed / lucky to have not been in the company at this moment, but my heart goes out for those who were...
They all had dreams/ financial responsibilite/ new births in the family/ marriages around the corner...now what happens to all those?
Yes, they will move on...and begin a new phase of life...but it hurts a lot to being pushed in the valley without a warning.
They all must have planned for Saturday and Sunday...without realizing  that this Friday would never be forgotten! :(

Being Loved...

Is there a feeling comparable to this one?

Being loved...

Being admired...

Being happy because of being loved...

I had a wonderful day today.

I cracked the presentation at work - was showered with praises. None of them seemed fake cos it came from people I don't know. And chances are I won't be communicating with them further. Then, a girl from my team tells me - how come I have no airs for the knowledge that I have. I laughed (loud) at her face but realized may be it's the ease with which I interact with people or with which I make people around me feel easy that makes things good for me. Even if I have not spent a lot of time at my new office, I have developed the required warmth around me.

Then, I go to my old office. People hug and greet me so affectionately. A girl had tears in her eyes. I am in touch with many of my ex-colleagues. May be it's the fact that I am so easily available or cos I show a 'cool' attitude; there is that aura. You know - that exudes energy and happiness. And I am glad (touchwood) that I carry it.

Then, I meet an ex-ex-colleague while on my way home...and it was an amazing feeling. I was so happy to see her; she was the shy girl sitting at the corner of the office  - not everybody talked to her. But I did. Made a talkative girl out of her. And today, out of nowhere we meet, crack open the old stories, gossips and what not. We departed with a promise to meet again and she leaves saying that it's very rare that one meets genuine people like me.

Whatta Wednesday :)

Not often do I like to shower praises on self. Not often do I accept what I am or where I stand. But at times like these, when this "being loved" feeling is reeking out, you cannot help but smile. Look above the sky and tell the stars, yes somewhere along the line, you did do something right!

I might have been bothered by several roadblocks in life; be it personal, physical, or emotional. But I do like to believe that I have emerged out stronger out of it. I have not lost my ability or capacity to love, be loved, and to spread happiness. And at the end of the day, abled or disabled, that is what matters.

A new job.

Better and brighter prospects.

Promise of a good career ahead.

Yet, there are times when I wonder where am I heading? Is being 'set' in all ways of life that essential?

Not a number?

You know you are getting old when...

- You see the watch a number of times post 11 pm when out for dinner on a weekday!
- You are counting the number of drinks going down in your friends, while you are sober...
- You invariably wake up at time, without an alarm...
- And when you reach work, you are AS alert as ever...

Ah...growing old!! 

Workplace woes

I believe, no, I strongly believe that I do all the work of my team at my workplace.

We are media people; we have a fast-paced environment, and people who know me can vouch for the fact that how bloody good I am under these kinds of circumstances. A good multi-tasker who is also an excellent team player, is vibrant, enthusiastic, adheres to deadlines with quality work..is how I would describe myself.

But it gets way too much when I am not able to control these emerging bouts of doing more than I should put on the platter. Yes, it does not hurt me. Yes, I am giving my 100 per cent and a little more. Yes, I might be appreciated after all for what I am putting in. But it hurts so much to see your immediate senior not doing a thing of what is assigned to him/her and you playing a jack-of-all role and dragging on! Then why do I put in more; or even my full.

I believe that has something to do with the way I am. A sincere girl, or I would like to think so. I have always adhered to deadlines, reached classes on time, finished homework on time, never missed an exam or test; always produced or tried to produced the best of the contents possible. Basically, I do not take the shorter route; yes, I am lazy, but it does not come in the way of producing best results.

After spending some 3 years or more in corporate world, it sucks to get this feeling of doing more than required. I really do not mind it; but you know that gut-wrenching feeling of going and telling your boss and complaining about how some colleague is merely shoving his/her work on you just because they are busy Facebooking! Oh well, or because you have shown them how good you are and they are ready to pass on the work to you. Even if it is not a part of your job description!

Well, yes, that feeling surpasses me way too often these days. I know I should probably not care. But then, I want things to be fair. And that is something I truly truly believe in. Ha! Cutting the crap. Whom am I kidding? Can I just go and strangle the person I am mad at?!

Pray?

Dear Lord,
Times have changed. Recession is so here. There is a lean period everywhere. Monthly petrol costs more than car's EMI. Rupee is weakening day by day.
My favourite coffee has become super expensive from expensive. I cannot eat caramel popcorn and samosas and drink uncool stuff, along with watching movies all the time. I mean, I should not. The rate of cakes, pastries, pizzas and pav bhaji have horrendously increased everywhere. I cannot fly business economy class with these flying rates. Taxes on imported products have made me think twice before buying that imported watch or perfume. Clothes toh I now buy only Indian brand, which is expensive, but cheap when compared to that other foreign brands.
Oh, dear lord, I do not ask for much. Just shorten the time to appraisal please. This living expenses are getting too high man. Of course, I am also praying that you increase the pay a teeny weeny bit. Such that I can survive till the next price hike :-)

Lovingly yours
A common man

Happenings

So many things to do...so little time...
So, I wanna blog often and update the dear page regularly...but I ain't doing that.
Too much chaotic work days, a very very busy personal life, people coming in with long over due notices, people moving out with the blink of an eye!
I have been away for a while now, missed putting my points in perspective.
I celebrated my birthday in style, missed ranting about things that I missed out on and displaying the array of gifts I received.
Too much happening professionally; not the right time or place to rant about it.
Too little happening with too much of force personally; planning to rant about it soon :)
The sibling is here :) With her around I can't even imagine how life moves on without her around!!
I have been attending hour and day long talking sessions...(read: conferences); they amuse me for a few hours and then I get back to a blank state. But I love the few hours that it keeps me at the edge of my seat :) I can't even wait for the speaker to tell "Questions?!" I simply jump with joy :) I have always have had so many...though I do end up blushing and making a fool by asking some cheesey ones.
I ended my association with the library that I had joined :( Yes, I do not HAVE TIME to read. :( Only good thing is, this shall give me time to pick up the unread books lying at home. Cos technically, I can't keep self away from books for long. However, on an altogether different note, these books might be academic ones with some new developments :D

That's it for now.
I have been tweeting regularly now, and I just wonder why did I keep self away from there for so long. It is engaging. And fun. I missed it.

No, thank you!

You said you can gimme thousands or lakhs of rupees...and make me stay at home. Or even make me lose a bit of my freedom.

Tell you what, no thank you.

Nothing grabbing away my 9 to 5 corporate life in this life time. I need the work, I need the life, and I need my own money that gives me my independence! I may not tell you but I buy the brand, the label, the tag cos I can afford it. Not cos I got money transferred from somewhere, my dear!

You can take away everything from me, but not my attitude to react to certain things! Aint no putting away those laminated certis in my closet!

My workplace and I

I have got such boring colleagues. Its been four months now. I still do not talk, crack jokes, laugh, share, the way I did in my last company. I am not liking the whole idea. I am like working quietly, in my own sweet world. I might be reflecting self as one arrogant, moody, and 'do not disturb' me person.

No movies after work. No one to go out for luncheons and dinner with. Oh, the fruit eating times. The coffee breaks. The long chats. The orange candies.
There is so much to miss!

I have/had made some awesome friends at my previous workplace. I guess, its rare to find such wonderful people at work. Who are much more than colleagues.

Here, I just wish, someday I meet somebody, to whom I will so lovingly say the line I so wish to say since a long time.

"Where were you all this while???"