From Anna Intl To Philly Airport

The title of the post reminds of movie names !! :-D And yes... this blog too is the collection of my experiences of my travel from Chennai to Philadelphia Airport ..!

February 23rd '08 , 12.30 AM

Here was I, in the Anna International airport ... A couple of hours and I would be flying thousand of miles away from this soil on which I grew, the family I always cherished, and friends whom I met. With a mixed emotions of leaving behind all this and with an excitement of leading a family life I was standing in the Immigration queue .. I saw everyone crying as I was leaving the country.. from Vidya. my dear sister.. to priya my bestest friend and my Janu..!! And I was looking at myself.. why didn't I cry .? I was heavy hearted.. but I also knew crying wouldn't help much , I had to accept things as they are..!!

With all the formalities over, we ( My hubby and I) were in the waiting lounge .. Watching around my surrounding.. and wondering what the mission of the people in the US.. Aunts, young women, guys, Uncles.. G-pa and G-ma's .Would my parents too be waiting here to see me in the US !! Karpanai -O -Karpanai ..! ;-D !! Well..!! I was semi-sleepy.. It was 3.30 AM and my BA flight was at 4.00 AM ..! Awful timing..! Finally made my way to the BA airline.. My first Bon voyage overseas..!! It was a sensitive moment when the wheels took off from the land..A mixture of family sentiments and patriotism were running inside my head.

9 hrs of travel.. We landed in Heathrew Airport. Walking in the airport and watching ,I was wondering if I was really in London..! Blonde hair women, 6 foot men, English speaking people , Starbucks coffee shops.. Was this real..! yup, it is:-P! Cherishing the Indian tea { close to Indian tea :-) } at Starbucks and chatting, we heard the last call for PA airline..! It began from there and we were literally running for more than a Km { Should I say miles ;-) } to reach our gate .We made it through to the flight and sat there with a sense of accomplishment. Another 7 hours of journey to reach Philly ..! I was counting my hours and bit restless.With excitement I slept off. When I woke up , I could see the flight moving over the Atlantic!! I kept watching the map to check the miles yet to reach our destination.! Few hours .. and here I was in " Philadelphia Airport " .There wasn't any "Saravana Stores", or Jeyachandran Textiles" ads going on. People were around and each having their own business and purpose..!
I could see parents hugging their children and welcoming them. People pass by and wish "Hi's " and "Hello's" with an Smile, never mind if u haven't met them in your life earlier, disciplined traffic regulations,the snow { the first ever :-) }...and with a beautiful evening drive,we drove to our home, Ahem..Our Home!!

Stepping in my home, I was watching the wonderful scenery and calm surrounding. With the cooking done and sending off my husband to work..I was reeling back my life ..


.........I was like those 90% fresher who wanted to pursue MS post graduation in the US..! With a GRE score card in my final year and still confused whether to pursue a degree ahead in a moderate University or to re-appear to GRE for a better score [ My dream universities were Carnegie Mellon, MIT ...], I made my way to Bangalore with a post of Software Engineer in a start-up company with project on the HOT-cake , .Net platform. Believe me, I was one who knew nothing other than C, C++ and Linux .. :-P . With a decent salary and a life on my own, I would'nt dare to leave this for a MS degree with educational loans, part-time work,calling cards..Wuak..! I was too tempted sometimes to take a bold venture into it...! But looking at current life and the way I was too contented at it, I abandoned all the thoughts of MS. I was very much happy to see my debit card,the pay-checks,my projects and the 'lead' act in it, my weekend visits to sisters house, my 'Rayil Payanangal' to Madras{ I was one of those loyal revenue providers to Southern Railways :-) }, my shopping to Life style and Landmark...U know, u really feel nice to get your stuff in just a swipe of your card. :-D, blindly sponsoring for my Y.sister's shopping{ I know you miss that much :-p } .
Some times I really used to ponder.. was this really "THE" life I was looking for.. There was a lack of purpose and focus, I mean, it was kinda getting monotonous . And so I was planning for some charity works and the related with my friend but it stopped with planning itself.

A loyal employee , I was offered a H1B , which I politely rejected.. My Manager was surprised at this and even gave me some more time to think on my decision..! I was one of those stubborn decision makers.. never changed my mind on going to US..! I was too happy to earn my Indian bread.I wondered at my own self, I was one of those crazy graduate who desperately felt the necessity to fly to US and now I was the same 'Me' who had rejected an onsite invites.And finally,even prospective US proposals were rejected { Exception, my husband's }.. There were lot of "Cupid Callings" in his I suppose ;-).

And now I am sitting on my couch,in my home in the US .. enjoying my cup of coffee in the way it meant to be..! Somethings in life are really meant for good :-)

~ ~ ~ ........... TAGGGED

Am back to blog.. guess the first blog for the new year ..!!
Read Shara's blog on "Tagged" ..Seems interesting . So here we go ..!!

Name 20 people off the top of your head.

1.Kumaresh
2. Sharanya
3. Vidya
4.Priya
5.Sreedevi
6.Prabhu
7.Taarika
8.Prabhu Karthikeyan
9.Padma
10.Tushar
11.Mahima
12.Sowmya
13.Shruthi
14.Uma
15.Adithya
16.Akila Niranjan
17.Sowmya G
18.Pradeepa
19.Bhuvanesh
20.Trisha

How did you meet 14

I wouldn't be here bloggin if not for her..! She was one who carried me for 9 months; yep she is my mother..!!


What would you do if you have never met 1?

Kumaresh--- my husband ;) well!! I would have missed meeting my love without knowing that I missed him !!

What would you do if 20 and 9 dated?

Trisha is my niece and Padma ma friend..! WEIRD !! . as trisha is jus 6 yrs old..! Mission Impossible..

Did you ever like 19 ?

Bhuvanesh -- , my friends fiance!! yep..Admired his modesty and the way he respects people.

Would 6 and 17 make a good couple ?

Prabhu , my BIL and Sowmya (my sis frnd) ..! One is committed.. ;-) and other is yet to !! Well i guess they could make one if destiny made them meet a little earlier in their life !

Describe 3 ?

Vidya -- Amazing woman..!! Creative, she is absolutely the best home maker, Best mom, best sis !!

Do you think 8 is attractive ??

Prabhu, my good friend..! Though he isnt on the first look ( Sorry da :-) ); the guy is absolute honest man..! Which is attractive !

Tell me something about 7

Taarila- my niece..!! My baby.. very cute, naughty and her battery is always charged to the max .. jabbering and active gal.,asking too many questions .!! Lowes her barbie !!

Do you know any of 12's family ?

Sowmya- my close pal..! Know her parents and bro.. Yet to meet her guy :-)

Whats 18th's favorite ?

Pradeepa.. Bowling..! Esp at Amoeba, Bangalore

What's 11's specialty?

Mahima -- she herself is special ! Its her Boldness.

Who is 9 going out with?

Padma ..Going ard with Rajesh... well! thats her hubby..!

How old is 16 now?

Ssshhhhhh .... Never let out a womans age ;-)

When was the last time you talked to 13?

we are colleagues and good friends.. Spoke to her couple of months back..!

Who's 2's favourite band/singer?

My wonderful younger sis.. She has too many.. but her latest craze is SONU .. SONU .. SONU..!!


Would you date 4?

No luck :-p She is already too busy and dating with 19..!!

Would you date 7?

Taarika..!! Gosh ! Would love that.. and our favo spot would be Marina beach merry-go round or going on slides in the parks of Bangalore :-)

Is 15 single?

Yep.. he would need another 15 yrs to make that decision ..!!

What's 10's last name?

He is Tushar Anand..

Would you ever be in a serious relationship with 13?

Would turn out to sound something else..LOL Well!! what do u think Shrs ;-P

Which school does 3 go to?

She doesnt; but her daughter goes :-)

Where does 6 live?

He lives with 7 and 3 and they are in bangalore

What's your favourite thing about 5?

My good friend .. like everything about her, Smile, caring, modesty, honesty,helpful..:-)


uff..!! Am done..!

This one is indeed a good activity..! Try it out ppl..! :-)

~G

PS :

Shara kutty .. I have finally tagged ... !

Cant Help listening to the song over and over again..

One of the best Love song I have heard.. Simple words, deeper meanings.!! Awesome !!

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help
Fallin' in love with you

Shall I stay Or would it be a sin
For I can't help
Fallin' in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darlin' so it goes
Something's are meant to be

Take my hand
And take my whole life too
For I can't help
Fallin' in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darlin' so it goes
Something's were meant to be

Wise men say
That only fools rush in
But I can't help
Falling in love with you
O no
That I can't help
Falling in love with you
fallin' in love with you ...with you ....

Une expédition à Pegasus

The 22nd November 2007 !! The most awaited day as this is my first team outing from Thomson. We, the QA department had had an opportunity to undergo OB programs conducted by Pegasus Institute For Excellence.They conduct outwards-bound training on team work, building self confidence ,help members to realise the importance of taking initiative. It was not an usual class room program but involved majorily outward activities.No wonder , my friend and I had big time plans to enjoy ourselves to the max and we choosed this day that was convinient for both of us.It was a two day trip that required us to have an over night stay there.Some of my team people who had been there in previous slot informed us never to miss on this as it was lot of fun ! So planning went on what to wear, what to be carried !! We were so excited about this trip ! It was thrilling experience for us..! We would be staying together for a day which is the first time..! But just with 5 days for the trip, I wasnt keeping well!! I was sure I wouldnt be able to make it...!! Thank God I was back to normal on Wednesday and was a big releif ! We left office at 6.15 by bus. We were 34 of us from various QA departments .We hardly knew many of them though some were from the same building as I was ! Riding along the slow moving traffic was too boring ! But after Jagguar the traffic wasnt much and we were having a fine drive..!!

It was 8 Pm and we were already hungry ! We planned for so many things for the travel except food..!! We havent even carried water bottles..!! We chatted and forgot that we were hungry !! Add to it , started the fun ride..!! One neednt go to any Disney lands and Fun lands! All fun can be enjoyed in Dodaballapur Road !! The roads were so bumpy ..Lots of pot·holes .!! There was no roads absolutely..!! And we were sitting right in front seat of the van and for me it was like watching a horror movie..!!After a diversion from the main road, we thought the roads would get better but it was worser as we drove towards our destination.!! There was absolutely no human soul around.. completely dark and it was a wonderful scene to watch the moon and the stars so very clear !! And I did enjoy the fun ride..!! There were some close cutting curves that made me jump off my seat inspite of me holding the handle..!! And shree would help me to put myself back to seat !! And it was so much fun whenever the mission team sees any bumps all of us start screaming AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!! More of laughther than actual fear !! Any light object we see ; we assume that we have reached our place..!! And finally it wouldnt be that place at all !! Ahh !! Finally we reached Pegasus at 9.30 Pm..There was a nice welcome from the people of the institute.We were shown our tents.!! I was so thrilled staying at tent houses as I have never been !! 8 people need to occupy a tent..! Ours was an big nice tent that accomodated windows and doors.!!After a quick refreshment we went to have dinner! And speaking about the weather, it was too cold and I could feel the dew showering on my head! The dinning area was an open space !! It was so good to have a dinner with the beautiful moon up in the sky and the silence of the night! The food was well cooked and good to see they used natural sources for steaming and cooking of the food. Meanwhile the camp fire was also lit and we had took warmth from the fire.And after dinner I started off clicking photos.My long time desire to click the fire with its intense rage and finally achieved it!! And I felt proud when many people liked and appreciated the snap of the fire .!! Back to tent, we were so tired and went into a deep sleep...with the silence of night, the sound of the dew showering the tent..The sound of insects !! Wonderful ! Not to mention, the weather was so cold , I wore my jacket and 2 blankets! We planned to get up early the next day, at 5.30 as we wanted to take a early morning walk.

As planned we woke up 5.30 and stepped out of our tent!! Ahha haaa It was so chill out there..!! Just couldnt bear the cold .. but it was wonderful to wake up in a cold morning , hearing the chirping of the birds!! We refreshed and got ready for the walk..! It was 6.00 am by then, coffee was served (!) and rusks too . After the nice cup of coffee, we set out for the walk in the fields !! The place was amazingly too good..! Nice to watch the foggy mountains and the plants that were wet with dew! And my photo experiments started here. Clicked every possible scene that was captivating my eyes..!! Moving further we got to see some beautiful lavendar flowers . We came across the outward activity area with pendulum tyre swings and hurdles.. We posed with crazy ( !! ) actions..It was absolute fun..!! It was like finding an oasis in desserts .!! :-D . It was great fun to do such things..and top it all the crazy poses ! And then we came across a farm that nutured Gooseberry ,Sapodilla and Gauva's.!! The gooseberry tasted awesome and so nice to eat them with the dew on the fruit..!! Very pure and Heavenly ..!! Well , I did pluck some Gauva's.. :-D, which we arent supposed to...!! After a good walk around, we came across an open farm.. with mountains and the sun slowly rising and battling to show its rays through the foggy atmosphere..!! It was wonderful scenary I witnessed and photographed it .!!

With the photography done, we walked to the breakfast hall .Waited for us were Hot Idlis, vada, Sambar and chutney.Also were sweet papayas and coffee/Tea/Milk.. Ate some idlis and vadas and a bowl full of papayas..!! Seems to be perfect breakfast.After the breakfast we were taken to the activity area ..! The place had a meduim sized thached room to accomadate all of us.! We were introduced to two trainers, both of them from the Defence background. They introduced themselves and about Pegasus and what they do to build up a good team.! Every activity they make us do, reflects a necessary quality of a good team.. -time management, Team Cooridnation, Good Communication ! After the talks started self introduction from all of us..!!

Later we started off with the first activity , "The Acid Lake" .The group was divided into 4 temas.The action invovles the team to exit from an acid factory after an acid leakage occurs. All we have is 3 drums and 2 wooden planks with us to exit .We need to cross over using the drums and planks.. A foot on the ground is not permissable, as the acid had been leaked. We the Team A came up with a strategy to exit the place..The distance to exit is about 5 feet. Successfully we did come out with the allotted time..! And after all teams finished the exit.. We again gathered and had a after-talk .What took a team to accomplish the task on time and what a team lacked when they couldnt finish on time. !! The process focus would be on understanding team dynamics.After a short break we started with yet another game..," Cross Over " A few bricks on the ground and the four teams had to cross over from one end to another with all team on the board at a time.. There were several specifications in crossing over..!! Inititally no team were able to cross over... Then .. planning for a while.. we were able to do it..!!The process focus was on strategising, sharing and optimisation of resource utilisation, coordination and collaboration. It all seemed too easy when we were given the instructions.. but with too people and options, I really got to know the difficulty in making a decision and sticking to it .! This was a really nice one..!!

By then it was past lunch , we went back to the dinning area.We had a good meal and some relaxation..!! Back again to the ground.. with a another acitivity... Some thing that refelects the time managemnt and communication...!! While this got over at 4.30 it was time for us to pack and leave to Bangalore..!! With the closing talks.. we left our activity area and went back to our tents.. packed .. clicked some snaps.. :-)) and prepared to leave !! On our way back... it was sunset time.. And it was a awesome moment to see the sunset... hiding behind the mountains ..spreading its rays.. Bright orange..!! Best moment..!! I desperately wanted to click it.. But as we were in a moving vechile I couldnt get the shots correctly..!! :-( ..!!

The return journey was nice...!! It was weird to get back to the hustle life... Traffic, Pollution...!!!!!!!! One whole day... I was away from mobiles .. TV..Pollution.. the busy life...!! It was a good break for me..!! I too desire a place like I had been for a days trip... The open feilds.. No TV.. freshness in the air.... mountains around.. Cattles around .. fresh fruits.. Watching the moon and counting the stars , breathing a dust free air !! Could be a crazy fantasy ..But nevertherles... The best we can do is to enjoy the nature... Admire them.. Protect and preserve the beauty of its being..!! Inside all of us is a desire to escape from all this... but somehow we are unable to move away from it..!! We have addicted to this way of life.. forget we like it or not..!! And its not so easy for ourselfes to be deprived of this monotonous luxury life ..a comfortable life, we assume we are leading..!!


~~ Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere. - Pascal


GALLERY :

The Fire place we had dinner...!!

Tent house I stayed

Sunrise ..!! Love this one..!!

Some more places ..

The dinning area....

A few of many organisations that have been trained here..

The splendid morning view of the lake nearby !

Cross-Over

Emotional Equation

This is one of the best emotional truth I had read. Very astonshing and true. Life will be simple if we are taken things in a positive manner. One can see how complicated things are just so simple when we see things in a postive manner. Here it goes....

When someone is doing something or about to do something, in a way I dont want it to be done - and i m not able to accept it - I become angry.
When someone is doing something or about to do something, in a way I dont want it to be done - and i m able to accept it - I remain tolerant.

When someone is having something or someone is able to produce the results which i m not able to produce - and I m not able to accept it - I become jealous.
When someone is having something or someone is able to produce the results which i m not able to produce - and i m able to accept it - I get inspired.

When i m encountering uncertainty or is about to encounter uncertainty, which i m not sure how i m going to handle - and i m not able to accept it - it causes fear in me.
When i m encountering uncertainty or is about to encounter uncertainty, which i m not sure how i m going to handle - and i m able to accept it - i feel adventurous about it.

When someone has done something that has emotionally hurt me and i m not able to accept it -
it develops hatred in me.
When someone has done something that has emotionally hurt me - and i m able to accept it -
it helps me forgive them.

When someone is present in my thoughts, but is not physically present - and i m not able to accept it - i say - i m missing u.
When someone is present in my thoughts, but is not physically present - and i m able to accept it - i say - i m thinkin of u.

Thus, Emotional Equation becomes:

Something + acceptance = positive emotion
Something + non-acceptance = negative emotion

So, it is not something or someone who is making me feel positive or negative, but its my acceptance or non-acceptance of something or someone, which impacts things.

Being human; we face bitter situtaons in our life,Someone hurts us, ignores us.
Instead of cribbing our whole life about it, its good to accept things they are.Its not easy but then it can save a whole of time :-)) and energy :-)) . On a serious note, its better to accept the worst 'coz there is'nt any point in cribbing about things. Remember LIFE IS ONCE.
Its just better to think that it was better to have happened that way which has lead us to the whole new strong,determined person we are today.

Have you ever really ever loved a woman

This is one of Bryan's beautiful song... !! Which I admire the lyrics a lot !

To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know it deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dreamN' give her wings - when she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell herthat she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her that it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really - really really ever loved a woman?

To really love a woman Let her hold you - til ya know how she needs to be touched
You've gotta breathe her - really taste her
Til you can feel her in your blood N' when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell her that she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell herthat you'll always be together
So tell me have you ever really - really really ever loved a woman?

You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin' good care of youYa really gotta love your woman...
Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell herthat she's really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she's the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell herthat it's gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really - really really ever loved a woman?
Just tell me have you ever really, really, really, ever loved a woman?
You got to tell me
Just tell me have you ever really,really, really, ever loved a woman?

Time ....

I havent heard the music of this song by Pink Floyd (I know its sounds wierd !!) but have come across the lyrics and its so nice.Its true to the lives that we are living now..


Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.


Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.


So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way
but you're older, Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.


Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time.
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
The time is gone, the song is over,
Thought I'd something more to say.

these are few of my favorite things !!!!!!!!

Adore the rains

Hogging Pani Poori in Spencer's

Visiting the exhibition at island grounds (madras) and going in the giant wheel rides.Having the big applam sprinkled with chilli powder.

having mixed fruit juice in a fruit shop near my palce (I jus love this,a huge glass for just 6 Rs)

Going to the beach and watchin the horizon

Wetting myself in the beach,river,lake,ponds..(Any water body)

Having masala kadalai,beach bajji and chocobar in marina beach and chatting till we get a call from r ppl to "kindly" return home

Going in the merry ground with Janu,Taarika,Priya,Vids,Mags

Driving my bike to the posh areas and imagining I would also build such a house one day and live there.

Love to paint and often imagine how I would be If I were Ravi Verma.

Eating bun-butter-Jam in verghease.

watching Mtv,V(once upon a time),now sun music.

travel alone in the train with books,music and a window seat.

Crazy about flat-chappals and hand bags.

Love to listen to Munbe Vaa song.. I heard it a million times.

Uncountable; but I still like to watch Singaravelan,Micheal Madana Kama Rajan,Minnale,Home Alone,Babys Day Out movies..Like to watch old movies in Ktv.

Love the swing.....(But I dnt have one at home :-(()

Roaming with Sowmya in our cycle ..

Love to eat the curd rice my mom preapares( I had a great demand for it when in College)

Love to pick up a fight with janu for very silly things (Like,who should sit before the comp and type)

Dressing up my niece andtaking pictures of her ; learning Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars,Jack Nd Jill rhymes from her.(Nd when I do that,I never felt my age).

Playing dark room ,Dayakathai,Snake And Ladder,Pandi ;

Playing Loud music.Reading books..

Love babies..Esp girl kids..Coz u can dress them up with so many unks,Pavadai,kamals,koolusu,krishar kondai..etc etc..

Going to T.Nagar to shop for junk stuff.

Going to Mylapore Thiruvilza and buying Choppu Saman(miniature version of the kitchen set which is used for playing)

The chat,debates,gossips,arguments,cries,laugther,frustration that Pri,Janu and I shared in our room.
The drives to ECR with Appa,Amma,Janu,Vids,Taaru,packing lunch and having them under the pine trees..

Playing shuttle cork and carrom with Vids.

The kutti kutti secrets that I write in my diary

Photographhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy............ Fantasise that 1 day snaps taken by me would become the "Picture of the year" ( i knw thats tooooo much of imagination :-D)