7 Years and Going Strong…..

Little did I know when I attended an interview straight out of a 10 hours night shift that it would land me in a job that lasted for close to 7 years! The job was for the position of a Technical Support Engineer for Hewlett Packard Desktop. The interview was certainly not hard to crack since I was already supporting similar and couple of more product line of HP in the org I was working for in Chennai.
With the Offer letter and a cabin bag of clothes for one week I landed in Bangalore exactly 7 years ago.
One glance at me and the first thing you’d notice is the serious look on my face and my spectacles only added to it. Although many of my friends later said it was more of a “ Don’t you dare try messing around” kinda look… yeh yeh whatever…
I stayed at my uncles place at Domlur and commuted to office at Electronics City , traffic was a killer then. Once the induction and training was complete, I was part of the first team to take calls. By then I had moved to a Paying Guest accommodation in Indira Nagar. I guess that was my first exposure to the external world. To think of it.. I learnt more at the Paying guest accommodation than in my job.
Day 1 – I moved to the PG on a late Sunday evening, my first night shift was scheduled starting that night. The room was roughly about 8*10 Sq Ft.. Exactly enough space for 2 single cot, wardrobe and a small table. It was a garage converted to a room with attached bathroom. It was termed as twin sharing. For the records that was the biggest room in the PG .
As I walked into my room I noticed my soon to be roommate munching guava.. I introduced myself … “ Hi! , I am Renu. I guess your new roommate” she munching harder responded “ Hi… I am Chitra” .. I looked around and slowly began unpacking my bag and arranging my clothes in the ward robe. Chitra had few questions for me, like if I knew Kannada and what was my educational background. The most obvious of all them was her reaction to the fact that I was working for a Call Center. Back then, it was considered as the last option if you had not cleared the Aptitude Test conducted by Software Companies from the Lala Company to biggies like Infy, Wipro, TCS. Chitra was a software programmer for a reputed firm, there was absolute pride when she mentioned that. It did not quite matter to me, since Software Industry never interested me. So after a series of information exchange, which was more of information overload to me, I started reading a novel. Although one part of me was reading the book another part of me was already making a list of things, I need to buy, to begin with source of music – the silence was killing me. I took a short nap before getting set for work.. One major disadvantage of night shift – I would feel sleepy all the time – any amount of sleep could not eradicate the constant soporific effect.
As I was getting ready, I heard my cab driver hit the horn. It was time to hussle. On hearing the honk again, I was on the lookout for my comb.. Guess What.. I couldn’t find it.. Murphy’s Law was ringing on my head – you never find what you are looking for , when you need it the most…the honk went again. I couldn’t help but now search for my roommate’s comb. That is when I realized she had locked the wardrobe and I had no clue where the key was. On hearing my cab driver’s honk , Chitra with a mild irritation asked “ Is that honk for you?” I felt so relieved on hearing her and I responded yes and quickly asked, if I could borrow her comb… In the next nano second she responded “NO” so loudly …I for a moment was wondering, if she heard what I asked for…until she continued “ I don’t lend my comb to anybody plus you might have dandruff “
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, I was like how could somebody be so rude but due to paucity of time, I was explaining how I would wash the comb and return it. To which she responded “ It is ok.. in the night who is gonna see you plus call center only na” My jaw dropped on hearing this , controlling my tears I ran to board the cab. The fact that I hadn’t combed my hair vanished now I had a bigger problem ” How am I gonna put up with a roommate so generous and for how long? “
On reaching work I called one of my friend and shot “ Guess what?” he responds in a jiffy.. “ hmmm…Let me guess –you forgot to brush and you need a gum – no problem babe.. come over”. Yeh these are some of the critical day to day activities you probably forget in night shifts especially when it is the beginning of a week coz the weekend throws you out of rhythm. To which I fumed and responded “ No I need a comb”.
Although I combed and was all prim and proper, that night at work I felt so jinxed!
I learnt my first lesson - Never seek permission…only information (which is also optional) especially if it is critical..
I started travelling to Chennai every weekend. Until after about three months I realized I was only sleeping in Chennai and was awake when my family was asleep. Also considering my budgetary constraints, slowly and steadily my weekend trips to Chennai diminished. I began to socialize with my PG mates during the weekend. It was interesting how everybody had a story to tell and their varied age group and personalities was a big WOWW to me… since seldom do we come across people of different age group and work culture to get friendly with .. In school and in college it is more or less similar mindset group…Guess that is what made life so simple in school and college.
The PG had accommodation for 16 women and I remember the occupancy was 100% at all times.
I learnt my second lesson on how you can actually be “just friendly” but not too friendly. Thanks to my Customer Service job! Chitra by then was a conquered territory (No- sharing still existed but only during her business hours;)) and none of the other PG mates could stand her sight – no surprises there!
The most talked about topic in the PG was always food. Discussions on what we had – while one PG mate would state it was Khichdi / the other would debate that it was Pongal and final verdict by aunty(PG owner) always won – It was Rice bath! (This was the place I often thought of my mom and the numerous complaints I had on her culinary skills during school and college days) ..Dining room was the only place where the entire PG House had access to Television.. The public demand won the broadcast rights – it was either M TV or Channel V most of the time.
Lesson number three –Hunger definitely supersedes taste and nutritious content! Availability certainly supersedes Quality!
Six months into the job and no weekend travel to Chennai, I was left with time to think what next?!
I certainly knew that this job was not for keeps especially the night shifts was not sustainable and I was not learning anything new any more. It had become mundane. I quickly took stock of the options and filtered down to do an MBA from ICFAI. This means weekend classes 10am – 6pm and thu/ fri evening classes 6 – 9.. for the next three years + fees 15K for three months while my take home was 9800 per month. On route to one step at a time, I sent the application. In about 15 days, I received a call from the college around 2 pm confirming for an interview with the Dean at 4.. I promptly asked if it was 4 am or pm.. the lady at the other end paused for a moment and responded 4 pm.. That was indeed Occupational Hazard!
On clearing the interview, I took the plunge thinking worst case I’l quit if I am not able to either pay the fees or cope with college and work. To attend classes in the evening , I had to take up the shift 2:30 am to 11:30 am on a permanent basis.. to begin with I requested for about 3 months and my manager readily agreed considering my performance and the shift I had chosen was mostly denied by other employees.
About 8 months into the PG, chitra moved out and I got a new roommate – Tina. She was certainly a breath of fresh air, she spoke very little English and conversed mostly in hindi and I used to respond in English since I am not fluent in Hindi. She was such a wonderful person, an affirmation that there was still hope for having a roommate you would like being around. In a 8*10 Sq ft area small gestures make a huge difference, especially when two people of different work timings shared the room. In about 4 months, she left too, and bang next day I have a new roommate - Manju was her name, she was a fresher straight out of college looking for a job. We hardly spoke to each other owing to very different work timings which was extremes and during weekends all that I did was sleep. Nevertheless you tend to create a certain bond with your roommate. We vibed well. I can no longer call her my roommate – Yo! She is my friend and we stay together today.. 
Three years later I completed my PG degree, it was definitely a struggle - totally worth it.. My class mates in B-School were such professionals and with such vast experiences. We learnt a lot from each other’s experiences more than the curriculum itself.. The little extra time I had, was spent in case study / college library, I guess I never had the time to miss anything else. All thanks to my support system, predominantly comprising of well-wishers and friends who would emerge from nowhere as guardian angels.
Biggest lesson – Be unconditional in wishing good and helping others it will certainly come back to you in multiples when you least expect it …
During these years, I was promoted from Technical Support Engineer to Project Manager in Hp. Certainly a journey I will cherish all my life – from job to career.I made few very precious friends. Another logical progression was to move out of the Paying guest Accommodation onto a small Flat closer to college (That was an experience in itself – may be food for thought for my next blog!)
Owing to growth in a different field I opted to move out to a different MNC bringing the 6 year and 10 month stint to an end…
Jan 27th 2010, I complete 7 years in Bangalore, emerging stronger…
I guess today it is ok to say “I was born and brought up in Chennai and nurtured (or shud I say spoilt!) in Bangalore...:)

101 Movies to watch before you die!!

12 Angry Men (1957)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The 400 Blows (1959)

8 ½ (1963)

A Hard Day’s Night (1964)

The African Queen (1952)

Alien (1979)

All About Eve (1950)

Annie Hall (1977)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

The Battle of Algiers (1967)

The Bicycle Thief (1948)

Blade Runner (1982)

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Blow Up (1966)

Blue Velvet (1986)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Breathless (1960)

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Casablanca (1942)

Chinatown (1974)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Die Hard (1988)

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Double Indemnity (1944)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Duck Soup (1933)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Enter the Dragon (1973)

The Exorcist (1973)

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

The French Connection (1971)

The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather, Part II (1974)

Goldfinger (1964)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1968)

Goodfellas (1990)

The Graduate (1967)

Grand Illusion (1938)

Groundhog Day (1993)

In the Mood For Love (2001)

It Happened One Night (1934)

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Jaws (1975)

King Kong (1933)

The Lady Eve (1941)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The Lord of the Rings (2001,2002,2003)

M (1931)

M*A*S*H (1970)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Matrix (1999)

Modern Times (1936)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

Network (1976)

Nosferatu (1922)

On the Waterfront (1954)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Paths of Glory (1958)

Princess Mononoke (1999)

Psycho (1960)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Raging Bull (1980)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Raise the Red Lantern (1992)

Rashomon (1951)

Rear Window (1954)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Rocky (1976)

Roman Holiday (1953)

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Schindler’s List (1993)

The Searchers (1956)

Seven Samurai (1954)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Some Like It Hot (1959)

The Sound of Music (1965)

Star Wars (1977)

Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

The Third Man (1949)

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Titanic (1997)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Toy Story (1995)

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Vertigo (1958)

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

Wild Strawberries (1957)

Wings of Desire (1988)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

The World of Apu (1959) Zorba the Greek PS: I also found an interesting list at http://the-lone-writer.blogspot.com/2006/06/101-movies-to-watch-before-you-die.html

My First Drive

I bought my first, new car couple of days back.. It is a Santro Xing – Silky Beige color.
I did not have to do alot of research, it was pretty straight forward. It was either Maruti or Hyundai . I chose Hyundai over Maruti for various reasons, to begin with I got a good deal and it was an apt first car, plus my gut feel (I believe a lot in my instinct!).
On the day of the car delivery 9th Jan '10. I was such a nervous wreck. I am not sure if it was the idea of a long awaited dream come true thing or the jitters of driving or the decision of getting a car itself.
The last couple of days I have been driving during off-peak hours, mostly late night (After 10pm) . I pulled in a friend to join me for moral support. It sure helps to keep the nervous breakdown intact. After a lot of introspection and gathering some courage (Thanks to an evil friend!) early this morning I went on a drive all by myself… To begin with.. I was shit scared… and quite nervous.. but yeh… Once I got over the initial jitters, I was doing quite decent, I should say… At one point.. I felt so wowww.. listening to music and off on my wheels .. It was a nice feeling… I hope to get better soon with my driving skills ..cant wait to take off on Long drives…
Cheers!

Census survey – Whatever!

Just this morning, while I was watching Television, the door bell rang.
At the door was this guy in formals with a writing pad. The first thing he says on seeing me“ Census survey Mam“ He then looks at his writing pad and continues “ You, your husband, children, how many?”
To begin with I was absolutely flabbergasted by his speed and English ofcourse! Conveniently ignoring his question, I interrupted and asked “ Can I see your id ?”. He gave me a shocked look which made it quite obvious that he never expected this question!! This time I wanted to repeat “ Dick head, I asked for your id” , but yeh the polite side of me, silenced the first two words..
As he was searching for his id, I looked around only to realize that there were three other gentlemen from the same Census Jazz ransacking my entire neighbourhood of all their details effortlessly, just by saying two words “ Census Survey”.
Voila! Our man found his id card.. In a glimpse I found 6 lines of Kannada on both the sides of the card in red with no photograph! Giving him the benefit of doubt I scanned through more seriously this time looking for any traces of English or hindi.. he shoots back.. “Mam, Husband, children – edhara?”
While I could feel my Blood pressure slightly raising I replied “ I do not understand Kannada – so I don’t know what is in your id card!” He replies brilliantly.. “Mam this is by Karnataka Government so onnnnly (intonation intended!) Kannada”
By then my super helpful neighbor not understanding the context, barges in! “ Don’t worry Renu.. I ‘l talk to him in Kannada and give your information “ For a moment I wished I had supernatural powers..that I could punch his nose just from where I was ..” I replied courteously to him, “No Thank you” ( I hated the courteous side in me!)
Our Dude (Son of a Gun!)not wanting to give up.. and this time louder.. yells in Kannada “ Karnataka Governmentge idu ishta agalla…”
I responded.. “ kewl.. Please go get the police , I am not giving any information without your photo id”..
May be they were from the Census Dept.. infact I hope they were from the dept they claimed to be from.. considering they have all the info abt my neighborhood… Yeh Whtever!
At the end of this entire episode.. my neighborhood stood staring at me.. like I was some kind of an outcast and terror. I know I wasn’t unreasonable…But yeh.. I was pissed this morning for the cold stares and nobody to support my cause.. Thank God to my Gym session.. helped me to dissipate this episode!

Life .... a series of Moments

Life a series of Moments…
Life is beautiful… there could be nothing simpler than that,
Life is noticing the subtle things the butterfly fluttering, the cuckoo singing, the raindrops falling, the flower blossoming;
Life is a rainbow that harnesses are dreams within the bounty of its colors…
Each second, each minute, each hour and each day is a little Life, to be cherished as the most precious thing, Life is acknowledging the supreme being, Life is the enthusiasm that envelops us all…
Life is being proud of our nation, its progress, its achievements, life is to be lived, to be enjoyed and to be laughed with, Life is sharing of the sorrows, about finding pleasures in the pain,
Life is about Love, thoughts, feelings, empathies… a series of moments…
… That’s Life… it’s we who make it beautiful… as someone rightly said… beauty is in the eyes of the Beholder… Life is Beautiful
Wish you all a 2010 filled with a series of beautiful moments… !!