Its after 5 years that I am back, living in the city which has been my home since birth. Mumbai the city of dreams for many, is just home for me...Nothing more or less...
However the familiar faces which were a constant fixture in my childhood and teens are slowly but surely fading away. In the past 2 years, the faces which adorned my childhood and were a constant distraction then, have perished to the wishes of Yama (Death-God in Indian Mythology).
As a kid, I was always apprehensive of growing older. As time went by and I progressed from being a school kid to a teenager and then a engineering student and then a professional, and till date, I have this notion in my head that all of this is a dream and sooner or later I'll wake up from it and find myself playing cricket in school with my friends...wishful thinking right...
However at the same time when I was growing into a not so mature adult, my mom n dad, relatives, uncles n aunts etc were aging too... I am not sure if anyone has noticed this but we tend to disregard the ageing of people closest to us while we are growing.
I used to think that my mom n dad would never age and my dad will be the superman he was 12-15 years back...(not that he isn't now at 72...)
But with reality sinking in now, and the constant reminder of the near and dear ones losing their battles with life, it frightens me to even think of the future.
However it is destiny and when the time comes a person has to embrace it no matter what. I just wish all the souls who have left for a better place, a peaceful abode....
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Chennai Likes n Dislikes
Last weekend i.e from 1st Oct'10 to 6th Oct'10, I paid a short visit to my friends Sambit, Rajdeep, KK, Saumya, Amrita and Sid Das in Chennai... It was a fun weekend alright but I was actually smitten by Chennai and its greenery.
Here is my list of like n dislike for the city of Chennai...
Well the dislikes first...Actually not that many but still Chennai ain't perfect...(Sorry Chai but that's the fact)
1.] Lack of ice- a place which is known for its sweaty and humid conditions does not provide one of the basic commodities in its grocery shops. We roamed around the whole of Velachery to find ice but to no avail. Its definitely a business plan waiting to be explored...(Chai are u listening)
2.] Lack of quality and economical booze- The place where we were staying had only one liquor store in its vicinity and it provided only signature whiskey as a premium whiskey. Man Signature sucks especially without ice.
3.] Lack of eye candy- One criteria where Chennai lacks in comparison to other metros is in the paucity of good looking opposite sex. I didn't find a single good looking girl in my whole Chennai trip...Sorry for being a sexist here.
Now to the good part and there are many.
1.] Awesome roads- The roads is Chennai are 100 times better than what we have here in Mumbai. Traffic or no traffic at least the roads are ridable.
2.] Perfect setting for House party- The houses in which my friends were staying in Chennai were not only huge but well furnished too with Rajdeep's in particular a very wonderful place with a joint personal terrace. With the paucity of high rises in Chennai as of now the view is spectacular and the place can accommodate 20 people very easily. (Next to impossible thinking of having a house party for 20 in a house in Mumbai).
3.] Greenery- May be because I was staying away from the main city, that I felt that way about Chennai but it is still 100 times more greener than Mumbai. Plus the city also has its cover of greenery which is a rarity in Mumbai.
4.] Spacious trains and no crowd what so ever- The train which I caught from Velachery to Light house was actually bound to the Beach which was its last stop. No only were the trains spacious and clean but unlike Mumbai locals they were not at all crowded (according to Mumbai standards). The 23 minute trip from Velachery to Light house was a blissful journey where I saw the different colours of Chennai. (I was told later that that was one end of Chennai; so there is lot more to see and explore).
5,] Cheap South Indian food- Just like Mumbai is known for its sev puris, pani puris etc it was heaven to have dosas, medu wadas and Mysore filter coffee. A cheap and a wonderful cuisine.
6.] Long beautiful, clean and secluded beaches- Well the credit for showing me the beach in Chennai goes to Gokul (Kumi's engineering batchmate). The beach he took up to at 3 am in the night was not only beautiful, but it was pristine clean. We even found a dude you offered us a joint. What else could you ask for?
Here are a few pictures which for me symbolizes Chennai the way I like it...:)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Manila ---> Mumbai...Transition
It's been close to 2 weeks since I have got back to Mumbai after completing my MBA from AIM. In those 2 weeks I have rarely missed AIM as much as a few of my batch mates. They still can't believe that the honeymoon period is over and we are back in reality. May be since I am enjoying a short holiday before I start work again, my feeling differ from my peers. I am in a way now happy to be back in Mumbai, and be with my parents after a gap of 5 years.
However the memories of AIM, and Philippines will endure in conscience for years to come. It has been a life changing experience for me. An opportunity to learn in a new country, embrace a new culture and make new friends.
I guess when I look back in hindsight, there was so much more which I could have done and achieved in Manila & The Philippines. There were so many more places which I could have visited, so many more friends I could have made etc.
Now back to reality, in the busy city of Mumbai, and I am starting to find my feet all over again in the city which has been my home for 25 odd years. Its difficult to get used to life here in Mumbai after having had lived such a carefree life in Manila.
The last few days in Manila went off in a blur, without me having an idea whether it was night or day even though during the last week alcohol consumption was still very low by our own set standards.
The last pool party was worth remembering and thanks to Megha, the last of the cohort 4 junta can remember & savor the last pool party of batch 4 at AIM by watching it on VLC...
It has been a memorable experience...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Heart Break End to a Great Finale...
I had put my money on Netherlands at the start of the world cup itself and seeing them progress to the finals without losing a game was a wonderful and majestic feeling.
Holland have been one of the most exciting teams in Europe for years now, but due to the infighting in the team they have never been able to reach the lofty heights of success on the world stage.
On the other side of the equation were the "Golden Generation" of Spanish footballers who in the past 2-3 years had squashed every side in their path to the Euro-2008 championship.
The World Cup finals was as enthralling as any I have seen till date. It was more exciting since there were only 2 to 3 Dutch supporters in school against an army of Spanish renegades.
While viewing the finals in our small SSR t.v room, it seems like I was in a war zone, with the enemy waiting to slaughter me. Every action on the tele was accompanied by oohs and aahs from all around.
The game in itself was highly entertaining, with each team showcasing their strengths on the field. The Dutch midfield was resilient and organized and contained the Spanish mid field much better than the Germans.
The first half was punctuated with couple of easy scoring chances which were missed by Sergio Ramos, with 2 easy header.
The Dutch resorted to touch tackling and fouls in order to slow down the Spanish armada. They were successful to a large extend but had to offset the success with having more than half their team booked by the end of the 90 mins.
Robben and Sneider were the star performers for the Dutch in attack and the defence was well handled by Heintinga and Van De Weir.
The Spanish armada rolled as then had all through the tournament with Villa getting close to score on more than one occasion. the mid filed duo of Iniesta and Xavi kept creating sublime football in the middle of the park but the Dutch defence was at their their supreme best.
The 3 defining moments in the match for me were
1.] When Robben missed a simple chance to score in the 2nd half and his shot was well saved by Casillas. The ball by Sneider from mid field deserved a goal and Robben will be kicking himself for the rest of his life for the poor effort in front of goal.
2.] The save from Stekelenburg to keep out a Fabregas shot in the 2nd half of extra time was again a piece of brilliant keeping.
3.] The defining moment of the match was the red card to Dutch defender John Heitinga in the middle of the 2nd half of extra time which reduced Holland to 10 men.
Spain got the breathing place they wanted and as it seemed that the match would be heading for a repeat of World cup-2006 with the climax ending with penalties, in comes Iniesta with a goal in the 117th min of extra time. The man with the defining and all important cross being none other than "Fernando Torres" who till then had been a peripheral figure in the Spanish side in this WC.
It was a heart break to see Iniesta to score a goal so late in the game and the mad rush in the t.v room didn't help at all as all the Spanish supporters got together to hug each other as well as show their apathy towards the handful of Dutch supporters who were stunned to silence.
It was sheer joy to watch the final of the world cup with so many people and replicated the experience I had in 2006. However at that time I knew only a handful of the people around whereas this time, everyone present was known.
I still cannot believe that the Dutch lost the game and I can just imagine if I was feeling so bad after the game, how would the Dutch nations as well as the Dutch players feeling themselves.
I have been in the same situation myself when I was in engineering and lost the semis twice on penalties, but then I know that the experience just made me stronger. I guess the same goes with the Dutch squad.
I was the only one left in the T.V room after the final whistle and the presentation were done and I saw the last few minutes of the most magnificent world cup to date all on my own. The disappointment of defeat was balanced by a sumptuous breakfast at McDonald at 6 am in the morning and though I had class at 9.30 am, I chose to bury myself in the comfort of my bed.
Well for all my Spanish supporter friends...Congratulations...
You put your money on the right team...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
South Africa 2010-You Beauty!!
South Africa-2010 was the greatest spectacle on Earth till date. Agreed the quality of football on display as well as the drama quotient was at a level lower than what we experienced in Germany-2006; however South Africa as a host nation;TAKE A BOW...
The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football and as such the tournament offers fans the unique experience of seeing so many stars performing at the highest level.
What an extravaganza!!! Everything about the tournament was perfect, right from the stadiums, to the organizers, to the crowd. The action on the pitch could have been better but still the tournament saw it's glimpses of extraordinary skill and supernatural performers with the likes of Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneider, David Villa, Meuller, Messi lighting up the stage at every given opportunity.
The stadiums for the tournament were indeed a piece of art as far as infrastructure is concerned. Not only were they state of art but the buzz around each stadium was an experience to cherish. South Africa came alive in all its colour and splendor; especially because of its people who were instrumental in making the tourney a huge success...
The Soccer World Cup provided South Africa the opportunity to show case to the world that they are no longer a third world country and are more than ready to step into the limelight.
The World Cup in itself was a wonderful sporting spectacle capturing audiences world wide. The action on the pitch was wavering in terms of quality and drama. However the strong showing of countries like Ghana, Paraguay and Uruguay brought the element of uncertainty to the fore.
However countries like England, Brazil, Argentina,France & Italy failed to live up to the pre-tournament hype.
The World Cup however did throw up some new soccer powerhouses who were traditionally known to be big tournament chokers. Spain and Netherlands did their reputation no harm and showcased their pedigree all through the duration of the tournament, establishing themselves as best 2 teams in the tournament.
In it's 80th year since the inception of the tournament in 1930; World Cup-2010 bought forth a new holder of the trophy in the form of Spain. Spain became the 8th nation to have won the most prestigious tournament in the world.
To conclude, as I said earlier, World Cup 2010 will be etched in my memory for a long time to come. The month long extravaganza has been one of the most memorable event in my 26 years of existence.
The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of international football and as such the tournament offers fans the unique experience of seeing so many stars performing at the highest level.
What an extravaganza!!! Everything about the tournament was perfect, right from the stadiums, to the organizers, to the crowd. The action on the pitch could have been better but still the tournament saw it's glimpses of extraordinary skill and supernatural performers with the likes of Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneider, David Villa, Meuller, Messi lighting up the stage at every given opportunity.
The stadiums for the tournament were indeed a piece of art as far as infrastructure is concerned. Not only were they state of art but the buzz around each stadium was an experience to cherish. South Africa came alive in all its colour and splendor; especially because of its people who were instrumental in making the tourney a huge success...
The Soccer World Cup provided South Africa the opportunity to show case to the world that they are no longer a third world country and are more than ready to step into the limelight.
The World Cup in itself was a wonderful sporting spectacle capturing audiences world wide. The action on the pitch was wavering in terms of quality and drama. However the strong showing of countries like Ghana, Paraguay and Uruguay brought the element of uncertainty to the fore.
However countries like England, Brazil, Argentina,France & Italy failed to live up to the pre-tournament hype.
The World Cup however did throw up some new soccer powerhouses who were traditionally known to be big tournament chokers. Spain and Netherlands did their reputation no harm and showcased their pedigree all through the duration of the tournament, establishing themselves as best 2 teams in the tournament.
In it's 80th year since the inception of the tournament in 1930; World Cup-2010 bought forth a new holder of the trophy in the form of Spain. Spain became the 8th nation to have won the most prestigious tournament in the world.
To conclude, as I said earlier, World Cup 2010 will be etched in my memory for a long time to come. The month long extravaganza has been one of the most memorable event in my 26 years of existence.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Cartoon Anyone...
In today's BEM class (BEM: - Brand Equity Management for the uninitiated), we were discussing about how brands are formed.
The discussion ranged from what are the do's & don't for brand formation, to the attributes and values which a brand name should symbolize.
During the class, we also discussed about the origins of some the world's most famous brands such as Rolex, McDonald's, Nike etc.
The most insightful learning from the session was the reason behind why cartoon characters have large heads with respect to their body size. any ideas why????
Well the logic behind the whole thing as stated by our prof was that since cartoon characters were catering to the target segment of children above 3 to 12, the characters had larger heads since the children also had larger heads w.r.t to their body size when they are young.
Hence the cartoon characters were replicating the physical form of their target segment...i.e children between age 3-12...Funny isn't it...
So next time you find yourself watching mickey mouse or tom & jerry on cartoon network, sit back and think for a minute about how much thought and strategy has gone into making the characters of your beloved cartoon shows.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Test of Patience...
Monday, 17th May 2010 will have to go down as one of the most frustrating days of my life yet. The last month and a half has been nothing but useless in terms of work experience, or any experience for that matter. I started my summers at HUL on 5th April'2010 thinking that in the next 8 weeks I'll learn a lot, execute a lot and achieve a lot in terms of my individual development.
Well the only thing which I have learnt over the course of my internship has been the art of being "patient".
On Monday I arrived at office and my desk at exactly 9.30 am hopeing to meet up with my bosses and to discuss the status of my project which appears to be in tatters. I waited the whole day for my divisional head in order to brief him. The wait ended at 21.30 in the evening when my brand manager informed me that the meeting looked bleak for today and I should try my luck again tomorrow.
Can you believe that? Waiting 12 hours in office doing nothing but waiting for your boss in order to just meet him for 5-10 mins. Utter nonsense I say...
I have no respect for those who don't have respect for other people's time.
Well, there is more to this dreadful day that this. I reached home by 10 pm completed exhauted & frustrated. However my day was just going from bad to worse. As soon as I reached home, my moom started with her usual banter which I had no inclination to hear at that moment. She just over did her bit and I completed lost it...Period...
I guess at the end of the day, I come out on the losing side as far as testing my patience was concerned.
Well the only thing which I have learnt over the course of my internship has been the art of being "patient".
On Monday I arrived at office and my desk at exactly 9.30 am hopeing to meet up with my bosses and to discuss the status of my project which appears to be in tatters. I waited the whole day for my divisional head in order to brief him. The wait ended at 21.30 in the evening when my brand manager informed me that the meeting looked bleak for today and I should try my luck again tomorrow.
Can you believe that? Waiting 12 hours in office doing nothing but waiting for your boss in order to just meet him for 5-10 mins. Utter nonsense I say...
I have no respect for those who don't have respect for other people's time.
Well, there is more to this dreadful day that this. I reached home by 10 pm completed exhauted & frustrated. However my day was just going from bad to worse. As soon as I reached home, my moom started with her usual banter which I had no inclination to hear at that moment. She just over did her bit and I completed lost it...Period...
I guess at the end of the day, I come out on the losing side as far as testing my patience was concerned.
Monday, May 3, 2010
How Ironic Part II
Well it seems it was a week of ironies for me. On Friday, at work as I was browsing through facebook (yeah that's a part of my J.D here at HUL), I came across a status message of one of my friend from engineering college.The guy has been in the U.S for the past 3 years and I hadn't communicated with him since then. I was very tempted to reply to his status message but decided against it in the end.
Well to my utter amazement I met the same guy, in the evening when I was on my way to Sambit's place to have a few rounds of beer.
The expression on my face said it all...It seemed as if I had seen a ghost...Well how ironic is that!!
Anyways this friend of mine is in Mumbai for a few months now & when I met him he was also on his way to grab a few drinks with his friends near Dadar...Hahaha...
Well isn't it funny that the status message which started this whole thing was the following: -
" Mixing drinks is never a good idea"...LoL
Well to my utter amazement I met the same guy, in the evening when I was on my way to Sambit's place to have a few rounds of beer.
The expression on my face said it all...It seemed as if I had seen a ghost...Well how ironic is that!!
Anyways this friend of mine is in Mumbai for a few months now & when I met him he was also on his way to grab a few drinks with his friends near Dadar...Hahaha...
Well isn't it funny that the status message which started this whole thing was the following: -
" Mixing drinks is never a good idea"...LoL
Friday, April 30, 2010
How Ironic!!
I was watching a movie on T.V till late last night. The movie in question was "Iron Man " an action thriller. I was just remembering the time when I had seen the movie in the theater a few years back. However during one of the commercial breaks in between the movie as I was channel surfing, I was thinking in my mind about a hindi song which I hadn't seen for 8-9 years. The song in question was " Zanam Samjaa Karo" from the movie of the same title. I think the movie released sometime in May 1999 and I hadn't heard the song or seen the movie on T.V since then...That's 11 years back. Well to my surprise as I was channel surfing, I chanced upon the movie on one of the hindi movie channels and that's not all; with in minutes the song in my mind was playing on the screen...Talk about wishful thinking coming true.
However, it's sometime nice when something which is very insignificant in the larger schemes of things comes true even though you could easily do without it.
Well of all my wishes in the wish list God decided to grant me this one. Thank you God...!! It was worth its weight in gold in the circumstances
However, it's sometime nice when something which is very insignificant in the larger schemes of things comes true even though you could easily do without it.
Well of all my wishes in the wish list God decided to grant me this one. Thank you God...!! It was worth its weight in gold in the circumstances
Thursday, April 15, 2010
First Week Back in Mumbai...
It feels so good to be back home…Back to my roots, back to my friends and family.
The last one week has gone in a blur. Everyday there is something or the other happening. So if one day I was busy getting my license at R.T.O, the same evening I found myself sitting at Sambit’s terrace having Chivas Regal. In between I have managed to play cricket & carom with my engineering friends too. The first venue was Sanket’s place where we tried our hand at both cricket and carom and then on the weekend it was Matka’s place.
It was fun catching the Man Utd and Chelsea match at a sports bar… (More details on the same in my previous blog entry)
In between all this I have also managed 3 trips in a span of 7 days to the now rechristened “Zeus Fanoos” to have hukka with friends. Reliving old times. Well it seems nothing has really changed here in Mumbai, but at the same time my life has changed a lot since I left the shores 11 months back.
The last week has also been good in terms of catching up with people who are back from the States for a while. I met up with Ruchi, Aditi and Aarti in the past 2 days too.
Well the only thing which I hadn’t been able to do yet in my first week was play squash at the club. I did manage a practise session with my coach but until yesterday I hadn’t played a game of squash for exactly 11 months now. Well my this wish was also fulfilled yesterday when I had the chance to lock horns with Mandar at the club yesterday. Though I was comprehensively beaten it was fun to be back at the court. We celebrated the game by having a couple of beers afterwards. Even Manpreet had come for a game after a long time. So it was kind of a reunion of sorts.
The first week of my short Mumbai trip has gone better than expected and as I enter my second week here; my internship at HUL is just about picking up steam. I guess from tomorrow all my time and effort will go into doing the project at HUL well in order to get a PPO. Anyways I am sure I’ll survive since the after work scenario now is much better and I have friends to catch up with every evening and play squash which is a welcome relief…
The last one week has gone in a blur. Everyday there is something or the other happening. So if one day I was busy getting my license at R.T.O, the same evening I found myself sitting at Sambit’s terrace having Chivas Regal. In between I have managed to play cricket & carom with my engineering friends too. The first venue was Sanket’s place where we tried our hand at both cricket and carom and then on the weekend it was Matka’s place.
It was fun catching the Man Utd and Chelsea match at a sports bar… (More details on the same in my previous blog entry)
In between all this I have also managed 3 trips in a span of 7 days to the now rechristened “Zeus Fanoos” to have hukka with friends. Reliving old times. Well it seems nothing has really changed here in Mumbai, but at the same time my life has changed a lot since I left the shores 11 months back.
The last week has also been good in terms of catching up with people who are back from the States for a while. I met up with Ruchi, Aditi and Aarti in the past 2 days too.
Well the only thing which I hadn’t been able to do yet in my first week was play squash at the club. I did manage a practise session with my coach but until yesterday I hadn’t played a game of squash for exactly 11 months now. Well my this wish was also fulfilled yesterday when I had the chance to lock horns with Mandar at the club yesterday. Though I was comprehensively beaten it was fun to be back at the court. We celebrated the game by having a couple of beers afterwards. Even Manpreet had come for a game after a long time. So it was kind of a reunion of sorts.
The first week of my short Mumbai trip has gone better than expected and as I enter my second week here; my internship at HUL is just about picking up steam. I guess from tomorrow all my time and effort will go into doing the project at HUL well in order to get a PPO. Anyways I am sure I’ll survive since the after work scenario now is much better and I have friends to catch up with every evening and play squash which is a welcome relief…
Sports Bar experience in Mumbai
Venue: - Gamley’s, Phoenix Mills (Lower Parel)
Occasion: - Manchester United vs. Chelsea (EPL)
The experience of watching a football match at a sports bar far outweighs the experience of watching the same sporting spectacle at home.
The atmosphere in a sports bar is electrifying and watching the action as it unfolds on the big screen surrounded by fellow lovers of the game is just not the same as watching the game all by yourself in the comfort of your living room.
Well my first experience of watching a football match in India with friends at a sports bar, sadly fell a bit below expectations.
One of the reasons could be that I was comparing the experience at “Bowling Co” Phoenix Mills to the experiences I have had at “Heckles & Jeckles” in Manila.
Let’s dissect my experience piece by piece in order to fill up the puzzle.
First the good stuff…
The décor of the place was good and fitted the image of a sports bar quite well.
The cover charge for the game was Rs 700 per head (i.e. min expenditure of Rs. 700 per person was mandatory) which was quite acceptable given that the match being screened was between Manchester United & Chelsea (End of the season top 2 clash).
The menu was had enough varieties for both veggies and non veggies to keep the stomach happy.
The bar also provided with free tit bits during the entire duration of the match. Hence we had something to nib into all through the match.
The bad stuff…
The most depressing part of the place was the lack of understanding & homework on the part of the bar owners. They started showing the match just a few seconds before kick off. Hence the pre match reports and team news was missed in the process. By doing this the owners missed a trick since by getting the patrons involved early in to the game by broadcasting the pre match show would not only have increased the consumption of beer and food but also made the patrons more comfortable & involved. Since they started showing the game just before kick off, the anxiety and irritation was very much visible amongst the sports enthusiast who had come to watch the football match. I guess the saving grace for the owners was that the IPL match between CSK & RR was already showing on the numerous small screens.
Next, the picture quality and the sound quality of the big screening had much to be desired. I spent watching most of the match on the smaller LCD screen since it was much brighter and clearer.
The sitting was a bit to cramp to my liking but it is the case in most sports bar when you are watching a highly anticipated clash between table toppers.
The service was also not that great (May be I am influenced by the service provided by “Heckles & Jeckles” which is an all woman workforce compared to CO’s which had only male workforce). Well on a serious note the whole experience could have been better if the crew at the place was well informed. For e.g. During a pivotal moment of the match when there was a penalty appeal by Park for Manchester United, the waiter comes right in front of me and starts pouring beer and in the process I missed the part on the big screen. He did get a firing and we asked him to keep the beer pitcher and go.
All in all the experience was good even though the team I was supporting suffered a disappointing loss. As a marketer I see a lot of potential and improvement in this aspect of sports entertainment.
The dearth of good sports bar in the city is a wonderful opportunity worth exploring. Given that India is on a growth spree both in terms of economical growth as well as population the prospects of having sports bar though a costly affair is one worth venturing into.
My rating for Gamley’s on a scale of 1 to 5 would be 2.5… The ambience and location scored good points but the service and the overall experience was missing something.
Occasion: - Manchester United vs. Chelsea (EPL)
The experience of watching a football match at a sports bar far outweighs the experience of watching the same sporting spectacle at home.
The atmosphere in a sports bar is electrifying and watching the action as it unfolds on the big screen surrounded by fellow lovers of the game is just not the same as watching the game all by yourself in the comfort of your living room.
Well my first experience of watching a football match in India with friends at a sports bar, sadly fell a bit below expectations.
One of the reasons could be that I was comparing the experience at “Bowling Co” Phoenix Mills to the experiences I have had at “Heckles & Jeckles” in Manila.
Let’s dissect my experience piece by piece in order to fill up the puzzle.
First the good stuff…
The décor of the place was good and fitted the image of a sports bar quite well.
The cover charge for the game was Rs 700 per head (i.e. min expenditure of Rs. 700 per person was mandatory) which was quite acceptable given that the match being screened was between Manchester United & Chelsea (End of the season top 2 clash).
The menu was had enough varieties for both veggies and non veggies to keep the stomach happy.
The bar also provided with free tit bits during the entire duration of the match. Hence we had something to nib into all through the match.
The bad stuff…
The most depressing part of the place was the lack of understanding & homework on the part of the bar owners. They started showing the match just a few seconds before kick off. Hence the pre match reports and team news was missed in the process. By doing this the owners missed a trick since by getting the patrons involved early in to the game by broadcasting the pre match show would not only have increased the consumption of beer and food but also made the patrons more comfortable & involved. Since they started showing the game just before kick off, the anxiety and irritation was very much visible amongst the sports enthusiast who had come to watch the football match. I guess the saving grace for the owners was that the IPL match between CSK & RR was already showing on the numerous small screens.
Next, the picture quality and the sound quality of the big screening had much to be desired. I spent watching most of the match on the smaller LCD screen since it was much brighter and clearer.
The sitting was a bit to cramp to my liking but it is the case in most sports bar when you are watching a highly anticipated clash between table toppers.
The service was also not that great (May be I am influenced by the service provided by “Heckles & Jeckles” which is an all woman workforce compared to CO’s which had only male workforce). Well on a serious note the whole experience could have been better if the crew at the place was well informed. For e.g. During a pivotal moment of the match when there was a penalty appeal by Park for Manchester United, the waiter comes right in front of me and starts pouring beer and in the process I missed the part on the big screen. He did get a firing and we asked him to keep the beer pitcher and go.
All in all the experience was good even though the team I was supporting suffered a disappointing loss. As a marketer I see a lot of potential and improvement in this aspect of sports entertainment.
The dearth of good sports bar in the city is a wonderful opportunity worth exploring. Given that India is on a growth spree both in terms of economical growth as well as population the prospects of having sports bar though a costly affair is one worth venturing into.
My rating for Gamley’s on a scale of 1 to 5 would be 2.5… The ambience and location scored good points but the service and the overall experience was missing something.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Mumbai Calling!
In less than 24 hours I'll be embarking on my trip back to India and aamchi Mumbai!! 11 months since I left the shores of India to come to the Philippines and start a new chapter of my life...Well in the truest terms it has been a new beginning.
Pursuing an MBA had been a long cherished dream which is seeing the light of the day.Along the way in the last 11 months I have made some wonderful friends, taken some harsh but really required decisions and partied like crazy...
I have fallen in my own eyes in more than one occasion but the past 11 months have taught me some really important lessons which I would do well to remember in life.
It has been a wonderful 11 months which has taught me more about life than the 26 years which I have spent on the face of this earth.
I just can't wait to get back to Mumbai and indulge myself to the simple things in life such as a vada pao by the road side stall, or a walk through Lokandwala or just roam around school all by myself.
Well here's to Mumbai...Mumbai here I come...
Pursuing an MBA had been a long cherished dream which is seeing the light of the day.Along the way in the last 11 months I have made some wonderful friends, taken some harsh but really required decisions and partied like crazy...
I have fallen in my own eyes in more than one occasion but the past 11 months have taught me some really important lessons which I would do well to remember in life.
- Life is ever changing.Don't fight it.
- Time is the most precious.You will never know when you will run out of time.So enjoy it.
- Respect the feeling of others.
- Freedom of expression is a must.
- Relationships are important but there is more to it in life.
- Anger management is the most important virtue I can ever develop.
It has been a wonderful 11 months which has taught me more about life than the 26 years which I have spent on the face of this earth.
I just can't wait to get back to Mumbai and indulge myself to the simple things in life such as a vada pao by the road side stall, or a walk through Lokandwala or just roam around school all by myself.
Well here's to Mumbai...Mumbai here I come...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Term 3 comes to an end...
What a whirlwind week I have had...This term just disappeared in front of my eyes. Can't believe that 10 weeks went by so quickly.I am almost done with my MBA.WOW!!!
The term started on 11th January'01 and though it was one of the shortest terms, I can't believe that it's all over.
I started this term completed rejuvenated from my trips to Banaue, Sagada and Boracay and was optimism personified as the term began.
All my personal problems seem to have been sorted and I was content with myself willing to take on the whole world.
One of the milestones which I set myself for this term was to try my very best to get into the so called "Deal List" for term 3. Hahaha....wishful thinking I say...
Well that plan fizzed out with in a week or so but I enjoyed every bit of the term and for once absorbed a lot of knowledge and wonderful take aways from the last 10 weeks.
I can actually be proud of the fact that in 2 of the electives I ended up with 100% attendance which is in itself a great achievement.
Also for the first time in my life I made a power point presentation all by myself making use of all the tit bits offered by office 2007.It sounds childish but I loved every moment of making it...
The term ended on a bitter/sweet note with the MR finals.A completely qualitative paper to decide whether I pass the subject or not.I had so much high hopes with the elective which actually stands for "Marketing Research" but it was taught by the worst professor that I have come across in my life as a student yet...
But the exam also bought back memories of engineering days where whenever we were not prepared for a exam or something we used to just write our name and leave.Well I took that practice on step further.Not only did I write gas on the whole paper but I actually started during the paper loudly and got the others to join me.Completely insane I tell you.Well I am sure to flunk that subject. Only God can help me get pass this one.
The end of the term was celebrated in true AIM fashion with a bash by the poolside and for once I saw all my classmates chilling and getting drunk together.What an experience.
It has been a good term overall...
Now MUMBAI... Here I come...
The term started on 11th January'01 and though it was one of the shortest terms, I can't believe that it's all over.
I started this term completed rejuvenated from my trips to Banaue, Sagada and Boracay and was optimism personified as the term began.
All my personal problems seem to have been sorted and I was content with myself willing to take on the whole world.
One of the milestones which I set myself for this term was to try my very best to get into the so called "Deal List" for term 3. Hahaha....wishful thinking I say...
Well that plan fizzed out with in a week or so but I enjoyed every bit of the term and for once absorbed a lot of knowledge and wonderful take aways from the last 10 weeks.
I can actually be proud of the fact that in 2 of the electives I ended up with 100% attendance which is in itself a great achievement.
Also for the first time in my life I made a power point presentation all by myself making use of all the tit bits offered by office 2007.It sounds childish but I loved every moment of making it...
The term ended on a bitter/sweet note with the MR finals.A completely qualitative paper to decide whether I pass the subject or not.I had so much high hopes with the elective which actually stands for "Marketing Research" but it was taught by the worst professor that I have come across in my life as a student yet...
But the exam also bought back memories of engineering days where whenever we were not prepared for a exam or something we used to just write our name and leave.Well I took that practice on step further.Not only did I write gas on the whole paper but I actually started during the paper loudly and got the others to join me.Completely insane I tell you.Well I am sure to flunk that subject. Only God can help me get pass this one.
The end of the term was celebrated in true AIM fashion with a bash by the poolside and for once I saw all my classmates chilling and getting drunk together.What an experience.
It has been a good term overall...
Now MUMBAI... Here I come...
Lateral Thinking...
I haven't cried since a long time but tonight I feel lonely.Not that I am alone but for once I feel like the whole world is against me.It has been a while since I felt like that n I thought I am strong enough to fight it but I was wrong. I really believe in what goes around comes around.
It has been since the start of the year that I have gone against norm and held my own against actual practice but tonight has triggered the worst in me.I don't care about anyone esle anymore.It has to be about me n my family from now.
I have had enough taking care of everyone.The end is here.It's now my choice and thought I have made my decision it doesn't matter anymore.
I have decided.Whatever I do I'll do for my own well being.I am done thinking about people.Ihave had enough on the back seat.It's my time and I am going to utilize it to my best advantage.
It's my life n I am gonna live it my way.
Mumbai here I come...
It has been since the start of the year that I have gone against norm and held my own against actual practice but tonight has triggered the worst in me.I don't care about anyone esle anymore.It has to be about me n my family from now.
I have had enough taking care of everyone.The end is here.It's now my choice and thought I have made my decision it doesn't matter anymore.
I have decided.Whatever I do I'll do for my own well being.I am done thinking about people.Ihave had enough on the back seat.It's my time and I am going to utilize it to my best advantage.
It's my life n I am gonna live it my way.
Mumbai here I come...
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
UCB exam...Term 3 (Once in a lifetime experience)
After having waited for 48 hours in order to appear for my final UCB round table discussion which was also the final examination for this elective, the mood before entering the discussion was one of tiredness and despair.
However, the experience of going through the rigor of the round table conference, was one of the best experience of test taking I have had in my life (Micro economics exam in term 1 was another).
Even though most of us were dumbfounded and had no idea how to approach or initiate the discussion, once we got going with the help of the professor who kept prompting us all along the way, the entire exercise became a very stimulating experience.
I learnt more about Consumer Belief & Behavior in those 1.5 hours of discussion as compared to 18 sessions of class room teaching.
Even though, personally I am not happy with my effort during the discussion, the whole exchange of ideas was actually very stimulating.
For once I understood the significance and the importance of class room discussion and case based style of learning.
The product stimuli which we chose as a group was "Nike: - Sports shoes" and as we got involved in the discussion, it became clearer in my mind about the rationale behind the marketing strategy of Nike and how each and every effort on their part to allure customers in to buying their product followed the concepts of Consumer Behavior to the tilt.
The dissection of their marketing plan in terms of consumer behavior was an eye opener, and a wonderful example of using a practical example in order to learn and understand concepts which book learning will never be able to offer.
To sum it all up, kudos to Prof. Chua...You really know your subject and it has been a wonderful learning experience.
Another plus for my experience at AIM...:)
However, the experience of going through the rigor of the round table conference, was one of the best experience of test taking I have had in my life (Micro economics exam in term 1 was another).
Even though most of us were dumbfounded and had no idea how to approach or initiate the discussion, once we got going with the help of the professor who kept prompting us all along the way, the entire exercise became a very stimulating experience.
I learnt more about Consumer Belief & Behavior in those 1.5 hours of discussion as compared to 18 sessions of class room teaching.
Even though, personally I am not happy with my effort during the discussion, the whole exchange of ideas was actually very stimulating.
For once I understood the significance and the importance of class room discussion and case based style of learning.
The product stimuli which we chose as a group was "Nike: - Sports shoes" and as we got involved in the discussion, it became clearer in my mind about the rationale behind the marketing strategy of Nike and how each and every effort on their part to allure customers in to buying their product followed the concepts of Consumer Behavior to the tilt.
The dissection of their marketing plan in terms of consumer behavior was an eye opener, and a wonderful example of using a practical example in order to learn and understand concepts which book learning will never be able to offer.
To sum it all up, kudos to Prof. Chua...You really know your subject and it has been a wonderful learning experience.
Another plus for my experience at AIM...:)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Economics of Friendship
2.5 months...That's all it takes.. 2.5 months for me to actually understand how friendship works in AIM... At least for me...
Well this is no bitter post criticizing my friends or anything but the way things have been going for the past few weeks in particular, it seems that people make up their mindset very easily and quickly here.Well that explains how from being a good company I have been relegated to no company for no fault of my own.
The worst of it isn't that but the fact that none of them have the bloody guts to come and confront me with the real issue.
Well I have this simple philosophy in life that don't ever run behind anything.Everything in this world has a reason and I guess in the end it all works out to be all good.
The mantra now is to stay clear of all the negative energy and concentrate on all the good things happening in my life.
It really doesn't matter what people around me do.
I guess as we get older it becomes that much more difficult to make friends for that simple reason: - friendship...There has to be an ulterior motive for every association we build.
Well I am just glad that this term is coming to an end in a weeks time and hopefully I'll be back with my friends and family in Mumbai away from the lugubriousness of AIM...
I guess its time to invest in new things, new people and to newer beginnings...
Well this is no bitter post criticizing my friends or anything but the way things have been going for the past few weeks in particular, it seems that people make up their mindset very easily and quickly here.Well that explains how from being a good company I have been relegated to no company for no fault of my own.
The worst of it isn't that but the fact that none of them have the bloody guts to come and confront me with the real issue.
Well I have this simple philosophy in life that don't ever run behind anything.Everything in this world has a reason and I guess in the end it all works out to be all good.
The mantra now is to stay clear of all the negative energy and concentrate on all the good things happening in my life.
It really doesn't matter what people around me do.
I guess as we get older it becomes that much more difficult to make friends for that simple reason: - friendship...There has to be an ulterior motive for every association we build.
Well I am just glad that this term is coming to an end in a weeks time and hopefully I'll be back with my friends and family in Mumbai away from the lugubriousness of AIM...
I guess its time to invest in new things, new people and to newer beginnings...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Mirror Image...
How does it feel when you have a person who is just like you in temperament as well as behaviour. In my case a loud mouth, with an in your face attitude, a noble to the core and a temper which when flares has no boundaries.
Well till date I thought I was the only one with this trait but after tonight the equations have altered. I used to feel angry at myself for letting loose which by the way always happens after a lot of instigation but after today I actually feel a bit sorry for myself as well as for my mirror image...Why you say? Well the reason being we both have the right idea and the right feeling about things just that we tend to show it is a different way for the other to gauge...
Too complicated...Well it is...Who said life was simple anyways...
Well till date I thought I was the only one with this trait but after tonight the equations have altered. I used to feel angry at myself for letting loose which by the way always happens after a lot of instigation but after today I actually feel a bit sorry for myself as well as for my mirror image...Why you say? Well the reason being we both have the right idea and the right feeling about things just that we tend to show it is a different way for the other to gauge...
Too complicated...Well it is...Who said life was simple anyways...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Oblivion...
It seems that I am in complete oblivion with myself. This feeling of helplessness as well as utter weakness isn't what I signed up for while taking my MBA... These last few weeks have been such a drab that it has taken the zest out of the MBA experience if there was any...
Well enough of cribbing now.I guess the worse thing I can do is to crib. It's time for some corrective action and the implementation requires to be swift and precise.
So what shall be my agenda for the next 1 month.Lets get down to making a list and see in a month's time what % of my listed work to do really gets done...
Wish me luck...
ps: - Following up on IPL, EPL and F 1 is not a chore to be considered. It is a full time job which I have to do never the less...:)
Well enough of cribbing now.I guess the worse thing I can do is to crib. It's time for some corrective action and the implementation requires to be swift and precise.
So what shall be my agenda for the next 1 month.Lets get down to making a list and see in a month's time what % of my listed work to do really gets done...
- Start up on the MR project in all earnest as well as try my best to salvage the 2 credits hanging in balance as of now.
- Start researching on the feasibility of having a sports marketing elective in the next term and prepare the ground work for the same.
- Start searching for internship in India & here in all earnestness given the paucity of time.
- Start on my CMDI paper on the Indian Financial Markets. (This would take the maximum time).
- Read at least 2 more books before the month deadline approaches.
- Travel at least twice in the next 2 weeks to some place else than Manila even if it's just for a day.
- Try going for bowling at least once a week preferably in the afternoon.
- Gym regularly.
- To keep my temper in check and not get bothered by other people or situations what so ever. (Most difficult of the lot).
- Talk to at least 1 friend from back home everyday. Either chat or call.
- Start reading up on MRR reports in the library whenever I can afford myself free time.
- Learn to use microsoft power point as a pro.
Wish me luck...
ps: - Following up on IPL, EPL and F 1 is not a chore to be considered. It is a full time job which I have to do never the less...:)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Time to kill
There is so much time in my hand now a days that it actually scares me...I have like 2 lectures a day and absolutely no paper work for the time being. So most of my time now a days goes into catching up on some precious sleep but now even that seems to have become a overdose of sorts.
I guess this golden period of lukkagiri will be last of the lot once I am done with this MBA...It actually pains me to spend so much of time with myself. I guess there are so many things to do but I am not able to motivate myself to do half those things. I believe a change of environment is the need of the hour. Lets see if I can cook up something for the next few weekends.
I never knew that term 3 would be such a farce...It's so slow that it's not funny. The subjects are well interesting but insightful to say the least and the pressure on us is non existent and knowing myself I'll never work until and unless I am pressurized to work.
I guess this honeymoon period ain't gonna last forever but I can't wait for it to end so that I can get back to being busy and not so frustrated with the time in hand.
The only good thing about having so much time on hand is that this has given an oppurtunity for me to search the net and read up on new and interesting topics.
In the last few days I have read about the World War II in detail, seen a few movies on Hitler, saw "n" number of vidoes on Sachin Tendulkar, saw Stanford videos on Vinod Khosla and got myself abrest with the U.S stock market thanks to the virtual stock game run by the Fin club of the school.so not that bad at all...
But what I am really missing is on some quantity and quality time playing sports. The only game I can try my hand out here at AIM is basketball and table tennis but I would give my right arm if I can get to play football or squash somehow here in the Philippines.
For the time being I am content reading people's blog and in finding new ways to kill time. I know I am gonna miss this time very soon when it will seem that the onus of the entire world has come on my shoulder and I have to bear thr brunt in full force.
However till then the best I can do is to stop complaining and start living with what I have in my hand. It could have been worse you know...:)
I guess this golden period of lukkagiri will be last of the lot once I am done with this MBA...It actually pains me to spend so much of time with myself. I guess there are so many things to do but I am not able to motivate myself to do half those things. I believe a change of environment is the need of the hour. Lets see if I can cook up something for the next few weekends.
I never knew that term 3 would be such a farce...It's so slow that it's not funny. The subjects are well interesting but insightful to say the least and the pressure on us is non existent and knowing myself I'll never work until and unless I am pressurized to work.
I guess this honeymoon period ain't gonna last forever but I can't wait for it to end so that I can get back to being busy and not so frustrated with the time in hand.
The only good thing about having so much time on hand is that this has given an oppurtunity for me to search the net and read up on new and interesting topics.
In the last few days I have read about the World War II in detail, seen a few movies on Hitler, saw "n" number of vidoes on Sachin Tendulkar, saw Stanford videos on Vinod Khosla and got myself abrest with the U.S stock market thanks to the virtual stock game run by the Fin club of the school.so not that bad at all...
But what I am really missing is on some quantity and quality time playing sports. The only game I can try my hand out here at AIM is basketball and table tennis but I would give my right arm if I can get to play football or squash somehow here in the Philippines.
For the time being I am content reading people's blog and in finding new ways to kill time. I know I am gonna miss this time very soon when it will seem that the onus of the entire world has come on my shoulder and I have to bear thr brunt in full force.
However till then the best I can do is to stop complaining and start living with what I have in my hand. It could have been worse you know...:)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Note to Self
Not a good week at all...Bad news everywhere...I guess I need to shut off from the world & snuggle back into my sweet little world for a while.
The weekend should be good though...High hopes and fingers crossed...
By the way on the sporting front...Reliance planning to bid for Liverpool...Wow...India coming of age...
Indian hockey on a new low again...This time on the issue of captaincy...
A bad week for Indian Cricket...What will happen when the likes of SRT,RD and VVS eventually retire...Wow I am depressed already...
Manchester United: - back to their best fighting for the top summit...playing the attacking game.
Arsenal: - still playing the beautiful game without the desired results...
Chelsea: - take a bow...Playing the effective game...
Liverpool: - surviving by winning ugly...Never the less winning lately...
The weekend should be good though...High hopes and fingers crossed...
By the way on the sporting front...Reliance planning to bid for Liverpool...Wow...India coming of age...
Indian hockey on a new low again...This time on the issue of captaincy...
A bad week for Indian Cricket...What will happen when the likes of SRT,RD and VVS eventually retire...Wow I am depressed already...
Manchester United: - back to their best fighting for the top summit...playing the attacking game.
Arsenal: - still playing the beautiful game without the desired results...
Chelsea: - take a bow...Playing the effective game...
Liverpool: - surviving by winning ugly...Never the less winning lately...
Monday, February 8, 2010
Human Behavior
It's so apparent that when you do something for a person to make them feel special or go out of your way to care for them they completely adore you and think well of you.
Reverse the circumstances and if you by chance annoy they same set of persons or do something which they don't like and even though they have/have not done something similar to you, they act like complete strangers oblivious to the fact that you care and feel for them.
And as it is when I go through these random thoughts the few most important people in my life seem to be the ones acting that way.
I guess in the end you should just take a stand. Give as much as you are liable to receive...
And I have always believed that "Expectation" is the worst you can expect from anyone except yourself...
Reverse the circumstances and if you by chance annoy they same set of persons or do something which they don't like and even though they have/have not done something similar to you, they act like complete strangers oblivious to the fact that you care and feel for them.
And as it is when I go through these random thoughts the few most important people in my life seem to be the ones acting that way.
I guess in the end you should just take a stand. Give as much as you are liable to receive...
And I have always believed that "Expectation" is the worst you can expect from anyone except yourself...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Understanding Consumer Behaviour
Well that's one of the electives I have enrolled for in the 3rd semester. The subject sounds very interesting at first glance but as I dwell more into it, I can just find jargon galore and nothing else...
So don't be alarmed if you see me using words like semiotics, anthroposmiotic, triadic etc. in my future blogs...
Well my understanding of Consumer behaviour from the point of a marketing executive is "To Create Desire" in the hearts and minds of the consumer...
How you got about doing that is where Understanding the present/past consumer behaviour and marketing research comes in to the picture.
My biggest take away yet from this class has been how to segment a brand or a product based on the three important criteria's of Categorization, Prioritization & Placement with the aid of a tag line & a positioning statement for the consumer.
At the end of the day the best one can do is to place himself/herself in the shoes of the consumer and then drive home the point...Worse comes to worse...You will be wrong in your hypothesis...Well one anyways learn's from one's mistake.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Life and it's unexpected/unpredictable ways...
I wrote the title of this blog a few days back but since coming up with the title I just left the page blank...That's how unpredictable life has become.I plan to do something and end of doing something else & completed different from what was originally planned.. I work towards something and achieve something completely opposite. I strive for peace and end up with violent reactions.
Too many variables have been changing in my life now a days and I am not able to figure out what variable to keep constant and what variable to allow to float.
I guess in this complicated equation called life I need to let go of all the variables for a while and just rely on the simple addition and subtraction of my own experiences.
The way my life has mapped out so far has been so unpredictable that I cannot begin to fathom about it. The fact that I have already endured and seen my share of life and its pain that I sometimes treble with trepidation about my future.
But then on the other side the unexpected sweet returns which life seems to offer once in a while completed by surprise leads me to think and believe that life can't be that bad after all...
In the end it's I who decides what I want to do with my life and no one else...So the fear of not getting a good job after MBA is not going to govern how I lead my life...(Just an example).
Too many variables have been changing in my life now a days and I am not able to figure out what variable to keep constant and what variable to allow to float.
I guess in this complicated equation called life I need to let go of all the variables for a while and just rely on the simple addition and subtraction of my own experiences.
The way my life has mapped out so far has been so unpredictable that I cannot begin to fathom about it. The fact that I have already endured and seen my share of life and its pain that I sometimes treble with trepidation about my future.
But then on the other side the unexpected sweet returns which life seems to offer once in a while completed by surprise leads me to think and believe that life can't be that bad after all...
In the end it's I who decides what I want to do with my life and no one else...So the fear of not getting a good job after MBA is not going to govern how I lead my life...(Just an example).
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Term 3 @ AIM
As I reach the end of my first week of term 3 at AIM, I am compelled to glance at my time table for this term and shudder at the amount of free time I have been afforded by the curriculum.
After 8 months of hyper activity and packed daily schedule it seems an antithesis coming into term 3. On top of that it is such a far cry and a departure from the norm to be attending classes where there are only 12-13 students for a course.A month back we were a group of 45 strong...
Before I joined AIM, I was aware about the dichotomy of the first and the second year.My friends from engineering who were lucky or smart enough to get through to a B-School straight after engineering told me about their vellapan (absolute laziness and time wasting) in their second years in a B-School.
Well now that I am there in the same position and experiencing the same I can finally relate to what they meant.
Are my parents spending so much money so that I can blog in the middle of the day on a weekday instead of studying and attending classes...Well going by the look of things it seems so...
The school has seem to have lost it's buzz now a days...There seems to be a lack of activity around and even we guys are slacking a bit in our endeavor to liven up the atmosphere...
I guess now that most of my friends are back from India after a well deserved breather, we guys can go back to our old ways of enjoying by the poolside or at the beer garden chatting and drinking by the night to glory...
Also as much as term 3 affords so much spare time for me, it is also one of the more important semesters in terms of learning and honing up my skill sets...Also since the class size has shrunk to such a small number ranging from 11 to 32 in a class, I guess it's time I put my best foot forward academically too...
Here's to another eventful and memorable term at AIM...Hope it turns out to be the best of the lot...
Cheers...
After 8 months of hyper activity and packed daily schedule it seems an antithesis coming into term 3. On top of that it is such a far cry and a departure from the norm to be attending classes where there are only 12-13 students for a course.A month back we were a group of 45 strong...
Before I joined AIM, I was aware about the dichotomy of the first and the second year.My friends from engineering who were lucky or smart enough to get through to a B-School straight after engineering told me about their vellapan (absolute laziness and time wasting) in their second years in a B-School.
Well now that I am there in the same position and experiencing the same I can finally relate to what they meant.
Are my parents spending so much money so that I can blog in the middle of the day on a weekday instead of studying and attending classes...Well going by the look of things it seems so...
The school has seem to have lost it's buzz now a days...There seems to be a lack of activity around and even we guys are slacking a bit in our endeavor to liven up the atmosphere...
I guess now that most of my friends are back from India after a well deserved breather, we guys can go back to our old ways of enjoying by the poolside or at the beer garden chatting and drinking by the night to glory...
Also as much as term 3 affords so much spare time for me, it is also one of the more important semesters in terms of learning and honing up my skill sets...Also since the class size has shrunk to such a small number ranging from 11 to 32 in a class, I guess it's time I put my best foot forward academically too...
Here's to another eventful and memorable term at AIM...Hope it turns out to be the best of the lot...
Cheers...
Old Ties...
It feels so good when you talk to a school friend or someone whom you have known since school after a long hiatus. You don't need to explain them about your actions nor give them clarifications.
Also it so important to have friends from school since they are the one who actually know you when you were completely unspoiled and uncorrupted.
I am lucky to have at least a few friends from my school days with whom I can confide and actually discuss whatever is on my mind.
It feels so nice to relive those younger days even if through memory, but truly school days were really the "Wonder Years" of my life...
Chatted with Sambit today after a long while and as we discussed each others life, we could easily relate to what the other was trying to say.It was as if we didn't need to say anything to one another.I was understood...:)
Well now that's what I call friendship...
Also it so important to have friends from school since they are the one who actually know you when you were completely unspoiled and uncorrupted.
I am lucky to have at least a few friends from my school days with whom I can confide and actually discuss whatever is on my mind.
It feels so nice to relive those younger days even if through memory, but truly school days were really the "Wonder Years" of my life...
Chatted with Sambit today after a long while and as we discussed each others life, we could easily relate to what the other was trying to say.It was as if we didn't need to say anything to one another.I was understood...:)
Well now that's what I call friendship...
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2010...
The run up to the 31st of Dec 2009 was nothing but awesome. I spent the last 4 days of 2009 with awesome company at a beautiful beach. The venue been "Boracay"...Party capital of Philippines...
The place is beautiful and is filled with foreign tourist looking to have a good time. Now I know why most of my Filipino classmates don't like Boracay that mush.You'll find more foreigners there than localites.
Well coming back to my trip...Well the beach is beautiful but commercialized beyond scope. The sea water is clear blue and green mixture and the best part is you can go deep into the waters and still keep standing...It was the farthest I have been into sea water in my life.
The mornings were spent on the beach swimming,soaking up the sun and enjoying the views around and the evening were spent having a good time by the beach. The food was exquisite though expensive and the company I had was awesome.
The whole trip we just traveled a single length of road from our resort to the beach and back. Funny because I spend 5k for a to and fro trip and in the end managed to travel a patch of road to a beach.
Surprisingly this time the amount of alcohol intake was very less by my standards even though the alcohol prices were very reasonable considering the new year period.
The place itself was oozing with party atmosphere and where ever you looked people were genuinely happy...
Funny enough it was my first new years away from Mumbai and family and friends.I guess life has come a full circle with this year. It was the first time in 9 years that I celebrated a new year without even one of my D.J batch mates. Well I guess all good things in life come to and end sometime or the other.
The year 2009 has been a mixed bag with first having to deal with leaving Infosys, the football team and then Pune one by one.
Then came the best part of the year when I finally embarked on my long cherished dream of doing a MBA that too in a foreign country...
The time spent here in AIM has been one of the best in my life and will be forever a cherished memory.
My break up was ugly and I felt sorry for the whole thing to date but now I have realized people have their own ways of handling life and one can't be stuck up with the past or the future. I guess in 2010 I should leave behind all the bitter memories and just live life the way I know "care free" and be my own man.
The last 2 months of the year have been special and awesome thanks to my friends and Meg...
The trip to Baguio and then Boracay have been special to say the least and as the new semester approaches I look forward to giving my best in everything...
I guess the way to look is forward and not backwards...
So let 2010 be the year where what ever I do I'll do without either regret or guilt...
May this year bring all the happiness and success for one and all...
The place is beautiful and is filled with foreign tourist looking to have a good time. Now I know why most of my Filipino classmates don't like Boracay that mush.You'll find more foreigners there than localites.
Well coming back to my trip...Well the beach is beautiful but commercialized beyond scope. The sea water is clear blue and green mixture and the best part is you can go deep into the waters and still keep standing...It was the farthest I have been into sea water in my life.
The mornings were spent on the beach swimming,soaking up the sun and enjoying the views around and the evening were spent having a good time by the beach. The food was exquisite though expensive and the company I had was awesome.
The whole trip we just traveled a single length of road from our resort to the beach and back. Funny because I spend 5k for a to and fro trip and in the end managed to travel a patch of road to a beach.
Surprisingly this time the amount of alcohol intake was very less by my standards even though the alcohol prices were very reasonable considering the new year period.
The place itself was oozing with party atmosphere and where ever you looked people were genuinely happy...
Funny enough it was my first new years away from Mumbai and family and friends.I guess life has come a full circle with this year. It was the first time in 9 years that I celebrated a new year without even one of my D.J batch mates. Well I guess all good things in life come to and end sometime or the other.
The year 2009 has been a mixed bag with first having to deal with leaving Infosys, the football team and then Pune one by one.
Then came the best part of the year when I finally embarked on my long cherished dream of doing a MBA that too in a foreign country...
The time spent here in AIM has been one of the best in my life and will be forever a cherished memory.
My break up was ugly and I felt sorry for the whole thing to date but now I have realized people have their own ways of handling life and one can't be stuck up with the past or the future. I guess in 2010 I should leave behind all the bitter memories and just live life the way I know "care free" and be my own man.
The last 2 months of the year have been special and awesome thanks to my friends and Meg...
The trip to Baguio and then Boracay have been special to say the least and as the new semester approaches I look forward to giving my best in everything...
I guess the way to look is forward and not backwards...
So let 2010 be the year where what ever I do I'll do without either regret or guilt...
May this year bring all the happiness and success for one and all...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)