India trip, 2 weddings and a funeral...

Its been a week that I got back from India now and feels like a month already... If you did not know as yet, the initial reason I made this quick trip was for my cousin sister (Dad's brother's daughter), Tiji's Engagement (Held on May 28, pics@ http://www.flickr.com/gp/49735604@N00/iGQ228) and her Wedding thereafter which was held on May 31, 2007 (pics@ http://www.flickr.com/gp/49735604@N00/T7SRLr).

Both the engagement and wedding went off very well. I had missed my elder cousin sisters Wedding back in Dec '04 (because I had just got to UK then, and could not make it back), so I was determined to go for this one. I reached Mumbai on May 26th, and left for Kerala the very next day. Midst busy schedules, we made it a point to do some house visiting too. To go meet relatives and especially to meet my great grandmother (pics@ http://www.flickr.com/gp/49735604@N00/Q0049d). The last time I visited her in Aug '06 she was not bright at all and was really down. I'm so glad that she was still doing well and was in all smiles this time, because so many of us went to visit her.

It's really sad that we all end up in distance lands, when family and friends are far away and we tend to miss important days... There were 3 other weddings of close friends (on May 4th, 12th & 13th), and I was trying my best to at least make it up for the ones on 12th and 13th. Put a lot of requests in to my Manager to give me an additional week off, or to permit me to work from India. Thing is that I had only 2 weeks of leave left and I needed 3 weeks to make it from 12th May to 31st May. But then it was all planned from above that my requests were turned down and that I went to India later. Thats why I said my initial or rather planned reason to go to India was the marriage, turned out to be something totally unexpected...


Because that is how I was able to be there with Diana-paati, my grandmother (mom's mom) during her last day. She was active till the very last day, that it made us all reflect upon her silent and calm passing. That day, we all gathered together for lunch and she had prepared a great meal as usual. She had made my favorite coconut sweets for me to get back. I still have 3-4 pieces left and I am relishing them slowly. Not going to get it ever again now! Not in this life atleast... She then complained of chest pain and slight left hand pain. We reckoned it was because of the severe vomiting she was having. If it were a heart attack she would not be able to move her left arm... At least that's what we thought. Our family doctor came over and checked her too, and said that everything was ok. But advised to take her to the Hospital if the pain continued. And that's what we did later in the evening. She was as usual not willing to go...

After seeing the ECG reports, the Cardio Doctors claimed that because she was diabetic, the pain was not known. And infact it was the 2nd attack she had in the afternoon. 1st one being a week ago. The 3rd attack was at midnight and she passed away silently then. Peacefully... It was God's grace that I was there at the time. How horrible it would have been if I had not made this trip or this happened after I returned back. She passed away on June 7, 2007, again on a lucky day... :) The funeral was done on the same day at Sewri cemetery (pics@ http://www.flickr.com/gp/49735604@N00/724zH4). I can't help but believe that the main reason for my visit this time was for her. You know, I had taken a camera for my Uncle... And his son, my cousin was trying it out. I never like standing in pictures, but I actually asked for my picture to be taken with paati. I'm still waiting to get that picture, shall post it when I get it...

You may ask why the cheesy subject line? Well, just to grab your attention maybe... And there was this other wedding too. Abbey & Sneha. Abbey is Tiji's first cousin (on her mom's side). This was held on June 2, 2007, again in Kerala. Was a grand wedding (pics@ http://www.flickr.com/gp/49735604@N00/vK497v) thanks to the high profile parents... :)

I do not know what would sound better, saying that the trip was a good one or a sad one. But I feel it was simply awesome that I was there at the time. Yes, it was great to attend the weddings with family and all around. But I am extremely glad I could be there with paati... She will be deeply missed by all, family, relatives and friends, but she has given us so many memories to cherish for life...

Back for good... well...

Atleast for 2 weeks...! Just can't wait to take some rest, sleep... Work is a killer... And considering the fact that half of the team has left, the rest of us are working twice as hard...! Reached office at 7am and back home at 9pm...! lol... And there was enough work to keep me there all night... But then again, its good stuff... Learning a lot... I guess the learning curve followed an exponential pattern for a while and then just blew past the upper limit...!

Anyhoo, I'm off to India on Friday night... Straight from work! Still got to pack my stuff and do loads of closing stuff at work! Just so that the other guys don't miss me too much...! Lets just hope I make it to the plane in time and get a comfortable seat and sleep for 11hrs straight!

As for the POA while in India... I reach 26th noontime, but I'll be off to Kerala on 27th morning itself. Then will be back to Mumbai by 4th evening. So actual time in Mumbai is going to be just 5 odd days! :( Lets hope I can meet up with most of you guys...! Please book a date soon...!

I'm signing off for now, please try and meet up, I know I'll be in rush - but do ping me... And lets meet...!

Lost the plot again...!

I guess blogging is just not for me... Can't seem to blog continuously, just does not happen! But then again work is a killer and considering the fact that I'm at office most of daylight hours, you just wanna eat something and crash when you get back...

Anyways, since the last post in Jan, a few things happened here and there... One important thing with the India trip, another trip to Brussels (sent from Office for some training), some programs in church, a sports event from office (went Go-Karting) and a barbecue at office.

Lets see, I'll try and post more information about the stuff I just mentioned, just hope I can find the time. At present, studying for another exam, CIPT (1 of the 5 papers for CCVP). I've finished 2 papers, this is the 3rd and if I get through this one, then 2 more to go...!

Oh yeah, I'll be heading off to India... yeah, AGAIN...! Guess I've been blessed from above... lol... Going for just 2 weeks, I know it'll fly away like 2 days, but lets hope time crawls... ;) Going for my cousin sisters wedding, so will spend 1 week in Kerala... And I'll hope to meet up with all my friends in the other week... Do a little shopping and spend time with mom-dad too...!

I'm not gonna say, watch this space, 'cause honestly I don't trust myself to blog often... But I'll definitely try...

Kickass Prawn Curry!

Now I wish I had taken a photograph, 'cause you're not gonna believe that 'I' made it... :) Yep, was my first time, but no worries - it turned out great. Obviously, I was following instructions from my roomie (Sunit), but I did it all, from cleaning the damn slimy prawns, to the tadka, to the masala making, to everything...!!! Well, Sunit cut the onions and tomatoes... lol...! But come on, I know to cut onions and I would have used tinned tomatoes, hehe...

But all in all it was great. Was good for a change, as normally I only make my infamous jeera-corn-rice and Sunit does some curry. Especially since it was his B'day today! Now for those who really don't believe this, please find the proof below...

-----Original Message-----
From: sunit mistry
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 21:35
To: jeson
Subject: Kick ass curry

Thanks for making the Curry Jeson.... it was a memorable b'day meal!

Cheers :D

Sunit

Hope you're happy now... Btw, we're just in opposite rooms, but when we have the www for communication, why bother stressing our voice...!

The only yucky part though was cleaning the prawns. Yucks, felt so funny touching it in the first place. I don't know how I got myself to do it. I'm normally the one who only eats the cooked product, hehe... I have done a lot of purchasing of fish, chicken, mutton, etc... But boy I hate touching them; unless of course its nice and sizzling - all cooked and ready to be stuffed into my tummy! But then again, there is always a first time.

And its the 007 year folks... Its just the beginning... Loads more new stuff to be done! So keep watching this space...

I'm improving... in the 007 year!

Considering my 2nd post came after almost a month, and the 3rd one after 20 days... I'm back again with post no. 4 in just about 10-12 days time. ;) Pretty good eh...!

Well, nothing major happening at my end. Oh actually, I've started studying again! For CCVP now. Thats Cisco Certified Voice Professional. Ok ok, I won't start another long post with the certification stuff, just thought I'd let ya know. There are 5 papers to get the CCVP btw, and I've done one already. The CVoice paper, back in November... Ok ok, no more!

So how is the new year going on? I started the new year on a positive note thanks to fact I achieved the CCNP. And I had been for the London fireworks, on Thames! Right in front of the London eye... Take a look at video (not mine, I only got a side view shot!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8lq-4UDFHg&mode=related&search=

Take a look at the picture alongside. Obviously, I got this marvelous shot of London Eye! As you might notice, we were bang in front of the eye. But this was at around 8:30pm now, and the fireworks was going to start at 12 midnight obviously! Since I was hungry and did not have the patience to stand there in one place and do nothing, we decided to get outside the viewing area and grab a bite. And that was our mistake! lol...

We did get out ok, found a McDonalds that was open, over crowded because it was one of the only places open for food! I managed to get us some food and my friends caught a table by then. Legs were hurting already, real bad, so we decided to eat in slow motion! ;) But then how long could I take to eat a little burger! Somehow stuck there for around 30-45 mins and then had to leave seeing the people around, waiting for the table! We then roamed around the place, around Trafalgar square, Picadilly circus, etc etc... and then finally decided it was time to head back to see the fireworks as it was around 10:45pm now. So we started to walk back to get to Westminster Bridge viewing area.

Now when we finally got there, they had closed entry! Shucks... Then after asking the cops for directions and info on other viewing areas, we started to walk towards the next possible place. Oh btw, there were cops all over the place! The embankment entrance also got closed, so we had to keep walking and walking to see if we could get onto the Waterloo Bridge... We finally got there, and the entry was open, but it was like entering a crowded Virar fast train! We pushed and pushed and pushed some more... And finally somehow made it to the center of the bridge and were relieved and happy that we got there in time and could see the fireworks! But boy oh boy, we were so tired!

Anyhoo, finally the countdown began and it was a great 10 minutes. Although because we walked so much and got onto the other side of the viewing area (on Waterloo Bridge), we only got the side view of London Eye ;) But the fireworks was not all that bad, was a good 10 minutes. But I must say the experience was horrible. Firstly the long wait, the crowds and all the pushing! And then to top it all, after the fireworks, it took like 50 mins to make a 3mins journey to Waterloo Tube station!!! There were so many people, all rushing out, and in the end it was a tight bottle neck!!! We were moving only because we were being pushed/helped along by the people behind us! Totally horrible!

I know they say it one of the best fireworks in the world and stuff. But I'm never gonna go there again! If I ever do wanna see it again, I'll stay home and catch it on the tele... lol...

PS: For those who are on flickr, I've posted the snaps there. For those who wanna see my video, ping me and I'll send you an invite...