Its just hours to the new year. And I still can't come to terms that a year is over.
It seemed like only a few days ago that I last wrote my resolutions for 2008. How do I say goodbye to this wonderful year.
It began when I was still in Australia, and its ending when I am still in Chennai. I was supposed to go back to Singapore on the 28th of December. I didn't cos I still have some unfinished business in India.
This was the year I completed my Cisco certifications. Yes people! I have officially completed all exams required to be a CCVP [Cisco Certified Voice Professional] .I am now part of the “Human network” as the Cisco ad goes.
2008 gave me a new home, a new group of friends, new environment [Chennai]. I came to Chennai planned for just a 2 month trip, but stayed for more than 6 months for my certification as well as for the love of Chennai. Chennai is a big city , and amidst all the crowd I still managed to bump onto my blog friend Shalini. How cool is that?
It is this year that I graduated from my university.
It is 2008 that gave me the longest time I had ever spent with my grandmother. Though she died this year , I am satisfied, I got all I could ask for.
In 2008 that me and my brother finally spoke heart to heart. The brotherhood which was lost due to simple quarrels a few years back has been rekindled.
So how do I say good bye, to this wonderful year. Who ever wished me a happy new year last year, Please to it again, cos it worked and I hoped it worked out well again, in 2009
To my Friends, Readers, Strangers, family and all lonely soles. I Wish you a Happy New YEAR! May 2009 be the Year we remember for all the good reasons! May it be more prosperous and with overwhelming happiness to all.
God speed, Full Speed ahead to 2009. you better be a good year, or else I will complain to 2010!
I dedicate this song to all my readers.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
That 16 days...
I am so sorry for not posting for a long time. I had been busy with exams and prayers to attend in my native place for my grandmother. But during my absence online a lot of interesting things happened.
It was one of those days that I had to go to spencers plaza to get my routine fix for money at IOB bank. While I was there I bumped onto a blogging friend, Shalini. It was totally out of the blue. We have never really met and talked, if you don’t consider the bloggers meet organized by Indi blogger, in which we never spoke nor had eye contact. We were planning on meeting up before but our commitments would never let us. And I guess I was lucky.
But my luck didn’t stop there. In that week I had to clear 2 more of my exam for CCVP. I was literally studying at every minute I got. For the first time after a really long time I was studying diligently cos I have a deadline to meet. I will tell you more about the deadline later. As Cisco exams can be taken from any testing centers at any time any day. So my plan was to write 2 in 3days. I scored full marks for both exams!! Its multiple choice questions, but they were tough. I still don’t know how on earth I pulled that off.
Then I stated to wonder, what have I done to deserve this luck? I have not been praying to god nor visit temples as I am not allowed to for 16 days after the death of my grandmother. During these 16 days I have to be vegetarian. Is all the Sambar (a gravy made of vegetables and lentils) I eat almost 3 times a day. Is it the good nutrition that I have been getting these days giving me more memory power? Or is it my grandmother smiling at me from above? I seriously don’t know. During this time that I am vegetarian, I tended to get hungrier all the time. I had to keep my mouth munching on samosas and tidbits. I have this endless craving. By the time I reached the 10th day dogs in the street started to look like lamb shanks. I just could not wait for the 16th day to be over and I could feats on just meat. How to vegetarians control that desire? Do they tell themselves “killing is bad and cruel”? I take my hats off to them for such self control. To me the hardest thing is to walk pass KFC, smell then chicken and to leave without hunting the chicken inside.
Whatever that is these 16 days were memorable, hard, tested my control and gave me lots of rewards.
If it all it took was just to stay vegetarian, maybe I will start by taking baby steps. Maybe starting from next year I will take short vegetarian fast.
About the deadline, I have a return ticket to Singapore on the 28th December, if I didn’t had to attend a funeral, I would have comfortably finished my CCVP by this date and head back. Now it is close to a near impossible climb to finish the final 2 exams by that day.
It was one of those days that I had to go to spencers plaza to get my routine fix for money at IOB bank. While I was there I bumped onto a blogging friend, Shalini. It was totally out of the blue. We have never really met and talked, if you don’t consider the bloggers meet organized by Indi blogger, in which we never spoke nor had eye contact. We were planning on meeting up before but our commitments would never let us. And I guess I was lucky.
But my luck didn’t stop there. In that week I had to clear 2 more of my exam for CCVP. I was literally studying at every minute I got. For the first time after a really long time I was studying diligently cos I have a deadline to meet. I will tell you more about the deadline later. As Cisco exams can be taken from any testing centers at any time any day. So my plan was to write 2 in 3days. I scored full marks for both exams!! Its multiple choice questions, but they were tough. I still don’t know how on earth I pulled that off.
Then I stated to wonder, what have I done to deserve this luck? I have not been praying to god nor visit temples as I am not allowed to for 16 days after the death of my grandmother. During these 16 days I have to be vegetarian. Is all the Sambar (a gravy made of vegetables and lentils) I eat almost 3 times a day. Is it the good nutrition that I have been getting these days giving me more memory power? Or is it my grandmother smiling at me from above? I seriously don’t know. During this time that I am vegetarian, I tended to get hungrier all the time. I had to keep my mouth munching on samosas and tidbits. I have this endless craving. By the time I reached the 10th day dogs in the street started to look like lamb shanks. I just could not wait for the 16th day to be over and I could feats on just meat. How to vegetarians control that desire? Do they tell themselves “killing is bad and cruel”? I take my hats off to them for such self control. To me the hardest thing is to walk pass KFC, smell then chicken and to leave without hunting the chicken inside.
Whatever that is these 16 days were memorable, hard, tested my control and gave me lots of rewards.
If it all it took was just to stay vegetarian, maybe I will start by taking baby steps. Maybe starting from next year I will take short vegetarian fast.
About the deadline, I have a return ticket to Singapore on the 28th December, if I didn’t had to attend a funeral, I would have comfortably finished my CCVP by this date and head back. Now it is close to a near impossible climb to finish the final 2 exams by that day.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Rest In Peace Grandma
It has been a while since I last came posted anything; read any blogs or rather even come online. That is because I had taken a week off from my daily routines to see my grandmother in her last moments. She died peacefully on a Sunday night (30 of November).
(Readers please note: this was the period at which most of Tamil Nadu was flooded)
I received a call on Sunday morning from my uncle who was with her at the hospital at Pondicherry, since Sunday morning she had stopped talking and the only thing she could do is just lie and stare at the people around her. Just a day before she was cheerful, and talking and able to sit up and talk. Overnight her health took a plunge.
[1PM]
The doctors declared that her organs are failing one by one and she has only hours left. Her last wishes were to die in her home were her husband died. Uncle booked an ambulance and preparations to bring her back to her house and my native at Sirkali began.
[3PM]
Upon my uncles call I just packed quickly and set off for Sirkali. The only way I could now go to Sirkali is to catch up with the ambulance and my uncle’s car which would be bringing my cousins to Sirkali. Due to heavy floods on the paths to Sirkali buses were not available.
[7pm]
I was on the way to Pondicherry, when met with a problem. The locals in some town just 30 minutes before Pondicherry had blocked to roads in protest for the loss of electricity. The Tamil Nadu government has deliberately shut down the power supply to prevent accidents, due to the flood. The protestors’ demands were that they will not clear the roads if they didn’t receive their power supply.
[7.30 PM]
Still no change in my status. I was really stressed out, and decision was made that my cousins and the ambulance leave without me. Plan B was that another uncle will wait for me to arrive in Pondicherry and we would make our way by bike. The ambulance set off, with my grandmother breathing heavily. Fears were that I would not make it to see her alive again. The memory of her asking me to do her final rituals for her came repeating itself in my mind. My uncle in the ambulance had just set of for Sirkali; it will take him 3 hours at least. I could have caught the ambulance and followed my grandmother in the ambulance if not for the road blockage.
[8.30PM]
I arrived in Pondicherry, immediately me and my uncle speed off in the bike towards Sirkali. As we went pass Chidambaram (a city on the way to Sirkali) we experiences flooded roads. A water level was around knee level. The roads which were not flooded didn’t have proper roads; they were washed off by the flood waters leaving huge potholes on the roads. The roads and the water didn’t matter to us; all that mattered was us making it to our house in Sirkali. Every time the bike went pass a temple, I prayed.
[10.50PM]
I arrived at the house in Sirkali. My grandmother was still alive. But it is the scariest moments of my life. My grandmother was breathing very heavily. The sound of her breath filled the whole house. Her eyes were rolling about, but it didn’t seem like she was there. Her heart was breathing with whatever energy it had. All other bodily functions had shut down.
[11PM]
I held her hand and I prayed that she die with little pain. I held that hand gently in hope that she would feel I was there. Her breath became weaker, and 5 minutes later she let out her last breath, with me by her side.
She had died 15 minutes after I arrived. It seemed as if she was waiting for me to arrive. As tears filled my eyes, I taught, she must have loved me so much. I could have spent more time with her. I spent most of my life in Singapore, and I didn’t bother to make calls to her.
I wrote this post, to off load the burden in my heart.
(Readers please note: this was the period at which most of Tamil Nadu was flooded)
I received a call on Sunday morning from my uncle who was with her at the hospital at Pondicherry, since Sunday morning she had stopped talking and the only thing she could do is just lie and stare at the people around her. Just a day before she was cheerful, and talking and able to sit up and talk. Overnight her health took a plunge.
[1PM]
The doctors declared that her organs are failing one by one and she has only hours left. Her last wishes were to die in her home were her husband died. Uncle booked an ambulance and preparations to bring her back to her house and my native at Sirkali began.
[3PM]
Upon my uncles call I just packed quickly and set off for Sirkali. The only way I could now go to Sirkali is to catch up with the ambulance and my uncle’s car which would be bringing my cousins to Sirkali. Due to heavy floods on the paths to Sirkali buses were not available.
[7pm]
I was on the way to Pondicherry, when met with a problem. The locals in some town just 30 minutes before Pondicherry had blocked to roads in protest for the loss of electricity. The Tamil Nadu government has deliberately shut down the power supply to prevent accidents, due to the flood. The protestors’ demands were that they will not clear the roads if they didn’t receive their power supply.
[7.30 PM]
Still no change in my status. I was really stressed out, and decision was made that my cousins and the ambulance leave without me. Plan B was that another uncle will wait for me to arrive in Pondicherry and we would make our way by bike. The ambulance set off, with my grandmother breathing heavily. Fears were that I would not make it to see her alive again. The memory of her asking me to do her final rituals for her came repeating itself in my mind. My uncle in the ambulance had just set of for Sirkali; it will take him 3 hours at least. I could have caught the ambulance and followed my grandmother in the ambulance if not for the road blockage.
[8.30PM]
I arrived in Pondicherry, immediately me and my uncle speed off in the bike towards Sirkali. As we went pass Chidambaram (a city on the way to Sirkali) we experiences flooded roads. A water level was around knee level. The roads which were not flooded didn’t have proper roads; they were washed off by the flood waters leaving huge potholes on the roads. The roads and the water didn’t matter to us; all that mattered was us making it to our house in Sirkali. Every time the bike went pass a temple, I prayed.
[10.50PM]
I arrived at the house in Sirkali. My grandmother was still alive. But it is the scariest moments of my life. My grandmother was breathing very heavily. The sound of her breath filled the whole house. Her eyes were rolling about, but it didn’t seem like she was there. Her heart was breathing with whatever energy it had. All other bodily functions had shut down.
[11PM]
I held her hand and I prayed that she die with little pain. I held that hand gently in hope that she would feel I was there. Her breath became weaker, and 5 minutes later she let out her last breath, with me by her side.
She had died 15 minutes after I arrived. It seemed as if she was waiting for me to arrive. As tears filled my eyes, I taught, she must have loved me so much. I could have spent more time with her. I spent most of my life in Singapore, and I didn’t bother to make calls to her.
I wrote this post, to off load the burden in my heart.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
a quote that caught my eye.
i came across this quote on TV and decided it should be shared.
“The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not disgrace to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for”
-Benjamin E. Mays
“The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not disgrace to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for”
-Benjamin E. Mays
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Vaaranam Aayiram Review
After a long time away from the internet I am back. I spent my last week with my family who are here in India to visit my ailing grandmother. My grandmother is feeling better, although it is not possible for her to be of full health, she and all of us have accepted the facts and the fate. Thanks to all who wished me for the good health of my grandmother and my exams. That prayers and wishes helped as I pass my first CCVP exam, with a score to be proud off too.
I managed to catch the movie I have been waiting for a long time. And this time the movie didn’t disappoint like the previous ones. Varanam Ariram is the movie. I am not going to give u any spoilers but just neutral comments, so carry on reading. I know how a spoiler changes the prospective one watch a movie. I enjoyed this movie and I want all others to enjoy it the same way.
Gautham Menon wrote and directed this movie. Like most Tamil movie it does not have a complicated storyline. The director kept it simple and paid attention to the details. The details made the movie long, but at the same time very interesting. I loved the avant garde approach and style to tell the story that Gautham used in this movie. There was some rumors that Gautham got inspirations from Forest Gump, but after watching the movie, I don’t think anything was copied from “Forest Gump” this movie is about a man’s growth to adulthood, his challenges and how his father was there for him in every part of his life.
In short it is a beautiful story; girls who dream of their prince in shining armor will love this movie. This is not an action film, although there are some fight sequences, they were not filmed in a manner to show how superhero the hero is; instead they were realistic and needed in the movie. No unbelievable stunts or graphics in these ones. I should say the fights were just sufficient, nothing more nothing less.
The second half was a little drag and as I heard from my friend who watched it the second time, he says some scenes were cut off. But still it didn’t affect the feel of the movie. But the Drag was also interesting, not like Kuruvi which was a pain.
My rating for the movie is 4 out of 5 stars. And on a personal front as a Surya fan I would have given 5 out of 5. This movie was not filmed to give actor Surya the “MASS” effect; it didn’t give that image either. Instead it brought out his acting talent showing the many faces of his acting. This fitness regime and muscles really sells Sarath Kumar to the butcher for free. It shows, he is the Salman khan of Tamil Cinema, undoubtedly.
So people go catch the movie in the cinemas, and be entertained and be content that the money and time spent was worthwhile.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Liver, The bad informer.
I just learnt that my grandmother has cancer, one who is staying in India. Doctors have informed us that she has cancer in her liver. Due to her old age she will not be strong to take any more surgeries, thus there is no more treatment for her. Just 6 months ago when I came to visit her, she was her healthy self, doing her daily chores herself and never expecting anyone to do anything for her. As we closed near to 2009 she health took a plummet and now she isn’t walking and the only thing she eats is liquid food, even that too.
Throughout my life this is the longest time I am in the same country as my paternal grandmother. 6 months. Although they existed circumstances kept us apart. And because of that the memories I have of my grandmother would be the time her health deteriorated. We found the cancer at a very late stage, it is told that is very little symptoms for liver cancer, and its symptoms are also the same symptoms for common illnesses. That’s why it was never found out earlier. Doctors have told she does not have a lot of time. The liver is a bad informer when it is not doing well, and it just stops function when it is unwell. The only way one can check is through CT scans and a biopsy to confirm it. A CT scan and a biopsy aren’t standard “Medical Checkup” stations right?
Living all alone in Chennai and doing my courses. I have an exam coming and I can’t find the concentration to study, cos every time my phone rings I get all shivers that it is the news I don’t want to hear. I saw myself loggin into facebook, Friendster, and more often and staring at friends’ profiles, commenting playing games, everything but to study. Tomorrow would be the first exam out of 5 required for my CCVP certification.
God save my grandmother, God safe my brother who is having his all important, o’level public examination and God safe my CCVP Exams.
After writing this post I somehow felt a spark to study, cos that exam does cost 150 US dollars. I will cya later guys, while I make a flame out of this spark.
Throughout my life this is the longest time I am in the same country as my paternal grandmother. 6 months. Although they existed circumstances kept us apart. And because of that the memories I have of my grandmother would be the time her health deteriorated. We found the cancer at a very late stage, it is told that is very little symptoms for liver cancer, and its symptoms are also the same symptoms for common illnesses. That’s why it was never found out earlier. Doctors have told she does not have a lot of time. The liver is a bad informer when it is not doing well, and it just stops function when it is unwell. The only way one can check is through CT scans and a biopsy to confirm it. A CT scan and a biopsy aren’t standard “Medical Checkup” stations right?
Living all alone in Chennai and doing my courses. I have an exam coming and I can’t find the concentration to study, cos every time my phone rings I get all shivers that it is the news I don’t want to hear. I saw myself loggin into facebook, Friendster, and more often and staring at friends’ profiles, commenting playing games, everything but to study. Tomorrow would be the first exam out of 5 required for my CCVP certification.
God save my grandmother, God safe my brother who is having his all important, o’level public examination and God safe my CCVP Exams.
After writing this post I somehow felt a spark to study, cos that exam does cost 150 US dollars. I will cya later guys, while I make a flame out of this spark.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Its tag time again!
RULE #1 People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs and replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves. RULE #2 Tag 6 people to do this quiz and those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by and cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by continue this game by sending it to other people.
Note: 8 is the one I introduced.
1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
OK, now we are even. (Just a creative answer)
2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?
To propose to my girlfriend underwater and going down on my knees and presenting her the engagement ring, better if it was along the Great Barrier Reef .
3. Why do you blog?
Fight my loneliness.
4. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
Yes, my girlfriend will become my best friend.
5. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
The one who is providing the love is more blessed.
6. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 3 hours, 2 minutes and 3 seconds, after that I am marrying the next Miss world, if she disagrees, I will restart.
7. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
Feel happy for that person, sincerely .Tell myself that it is a big pond.
8. What do you want to be known for when you die?
A good citizen, a revolutionary business man, a hard worker, a filial son, a cool brother, a Loving husband, a responsible father and a witty grandfather.
9. What takes you down the fastest?
My bed.
10. What resurrects you the fastest?
Good food.
11. What’s your fear?
The feeling of Fear.
12. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
m.Flower = a very creative artist
13. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?
Rich but with a poor look and Married but available.;P
14. Whats the purpose of such Tags?
To bring out the creative self.
15. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
Dicky Dicky Donkey
Father bought a Donkey
Donkey Died, Father cried
Dicky Dicky Donkey!
Viola!
16. Would you give all in a relationship?
Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Thus,I will share the love with all my relationships, parents, siblings and friend and most on my Girl.
17. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Yes. I only remember the good times.
18. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
Being in a single relationship.
19. Who/what inspired you to start blogging?
Loneliness.
20. Tag 6 people.
Arvind, Anju,Shalini,Lemonade , Lena and Sansmerci
Note: 8 is the one I introduced.
1. If your lover betrayed you, what will your reaction be?
OK, now we are even. (Just a creative answer)
2. If you can have a dream come true, what would it be?
To propose to my girlfriend underwater and going down on my knees and presenting her the engagement ring, better if it was along the Great Barrier Reef .
3. Why do you blog?
Fight my loneliness.
4. Will you fall in love with your best friend?
Yes, my girlfriend will become my best friend.
5. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by someone?
The one who is providing the love is more blessed.
6. How long do you intend to wait for someone you love?
3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 3 hours, 2 minutes and 3 seconds, after that I am marrying the next Miss world, if she disagrees, I will restart.
7. If the person you secretly like is attached, what will you do?
Feel happy for that person, sincerely .Tell myself that it is a big pond.
8. What do you want to be known for when you die?
A good citizen, a revolutionary business man, a hard worker, a filial son, a cool brother, a Loving husband, a responsible father and a witty grandfather.
9. What takes you down the fastest?
My bed.
10. What resurrects you the fastest?
Good food.
11. What’s your fear?
The feeling of Fear.
12. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
m.Flower = a very creative artist
13. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?
Rich but with a poor look and Married but available.;P
14. Whats the purpose of such Tags?
To bring out the creative self.
15. If you fall in love with two people simultaneously who will you pick?
Dicky Dicky Donkey
Father bought a Donkey
Donkey Died, Father cried
Dicky Dicky Donkey!
Viola!
16. Would you give all in a relationship?
Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Thus,I will share the love with all my relationships, parents, siblings and friend and most on my Girl.
17. Would you forgive and forget someone no matter how horrible a thing he has done?
Yes. I only remember the good times.
18. Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
Being in a single relationship.
19. Who/what inspired you to start blogging?
Loneliness.
20. Tag 6 people.
Arvind, Anju,Shalini,Lemonade , Lena and Sansmerci
Friday, October 24, 2008
Happy Deepavali!
Hi readers, from 25th till the 30th of October I will be going to my native to celebrate Deepavali. It would be a Deepavali that I had stored for 2 years. Last Deepavali was in Australia, this one with my grandmother. I would like to use this opportunity to wish, Arvind, Anju, lemonade, Shalini and all who celebrate Deepavali, “A very happy Deepavali! May this Deepavali be the best Deepavali to all of you?”
I will be offline till 30th so I will not be around to read your blogs, but keep posting and I will read them when I am back.
This is the Deepavali light up in Singapore. I took this picture when I was in Singapore for 2 weeks. All the streets in Little India have been lit up for this grand festival for the Hindu’s in Singapore!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Chance to be a hero is someone's life
first an formost i apolagise for the "wall-of -text", i urge you to carry on.
It is time for me to do a post as a responsible citizen of Singapore. Although I am not in Singapore at the moment I do keep myself updated with the news and happenings in Singapore. While reading a piece of news actually caught my attention. And I feel more people have to know about this and something as to be done.
It is about a leukemia patient Sebha Punnen, 34, who needs a bone marrow transplant. The chances of her getting a match are 1 in 8 trillion - that's 8 followed by 12 zeroes. From the local Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) and its international network, she found 3 matches, one from the US and one from Singapore itself and one from Germany. The ones from US and Singapore declined to donate. (We don’t know their reasons why so we shall not accuse them of anything). But luckily the match from Germany agreed to carry on with the transplant.
Madam Sebha, is also a senior staff nurse at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. For someone who dedicated her life to help others, she got her reward with the possible match.
The Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) was started in 1993 in Singapore, from then till now he registry only has 43,000 people on its registry, that is less than 1 per cent of Singapore’s population.
Of which, less than 1 percent come from the minority ethnic groups. There are only 3,500 Malay and Indian registered potential donors.
Shocking? Right.
From now on I am not going to bother making monetary donations to charitable organizations; instead I’ll donate my marrow and blood.
This is a chance for a common man to become a hero, to make a change in someone’s life. Sebha was lucky she found a match in Germany, but not many people are as lucky as her. Just 1 present for a first world country is embarrassing. We are all educated to understand the need and what need to be done. I think it is the failure of the health board in raising awareness for this illness. Now lots of media coverage for the kidney foundation and for blood donation drives, why not bone marrow? If we get our self tested and make ourselves available and make up the numbers, somewhere in another corner of the world we will create hope. For some who are waiting for a suitable donor, hope is all that is left in them, so let’s do our part. I am going to help out in this by making myself available once I go back to Singapore.
This is not only for Singapore but for the whole world. My readers take up this chance to be a hero in someone’s life. Many of you might not be Singaporeans, but you could also make a difference by contacting the medical authorities in your region.
References:
http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,179661,00.html
want to know more about bone marrow donation, procedures and side effects go here:
http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/When_You_re_Asked_to_Donate_fo/Donation_FAQs/index.html
It is time for me to do a post as a responsible citizen of Singapore. Although I am not in Singapore at the moment I do keep myself updated with the news and happenings in Singapore. While reading a piece of news actually caught my attention. And I feel more people have to know about this and something as to be done.
It is about a leukemia patient Sebha Punnen, 34, who needs a bone marrow transplant. The chances of her getting a match are 1 in 8 trillion - that's 8 followed by 12 zeroes. From the local Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) and its international network, she found 3 matches, one from the US and one from Singapore itself and one from Germany. The ones from US and Singapore declined to donate. (We don’t know their reasons why so we shall not accuse them of anything). But luckily the match from Germany agreed to carry on with the transplant.
Madam Sebha, is also a senior staff nurse at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. For someone who dedicated her life to help others, she got her reward with the possible match.
The Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) was started in 1993 in Singapore, from then till now he registry only has 43,000 people on its registry, that is less than 1 per cent of Singapore’s population.
Of which, less than 1 percent come from the minority ethnic groups. There are only 3,500 Malay and Indian registered potential donors.
Shocking? Right.
From now on I am not going to bother making monetary donations to charitable organizations; instead I’ll donate my marrow and blood.
This is a chance for a common man to become a hero, to make a change in someone’s life. Sebha was lucky she found a match in Germany, but not many people are as lucky as her. Just 1 present for a first world country is embarrassing. We are all educated to understand the need and what need to be done. I think it is the failure of the health board in raising awareness for this illness. Now lots of media coverage for the kidney foundation and for blood donation drives, why not bone marrow? If we get our self tested and make ourselves available and make up the numbers, somewhere in another corner of the world we will create hope. For some who are waiting for a suitable donor, hope is all that is left in them, so let’s do our part. I am going to help out in this by making myself available once I go back to Singapore.
This is not only for Singapore but for the whole world. My readers take up this chance to be a hero in someone’s life. Many of you might not be Singaporeans, but you could also make a difference by contacting the medical authorities in your region.
References:
http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,179661,00.html
want to know more about bone marrow donation, procedures and side effects go here:
http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/When_You_re_Asked_to_Donate_fo/Donation_FAQs/index.html
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Tag time again
I got this tag from Shalini’s blog.
What have you realized recently?
i became a sithapa! my cousin just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!
Have you given your first kiss away?
Yeah I was Casanova from birth, I have kissed all the women in my family when I was just 1, and flew a few at you, if u haven caught one, I am willing to offer one with tongue , only if you are a female.
If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, who are the 11 blog buddies you would take?
I would bring:
Arvind – He will give me a lot of motivation and optimism
Bryan – Since I have experience being stranded in Thailand forest with him during my army days.
Shalini – she was the one who came up with this tag thingy, so she cannot be spared.
Lemonade- she is very creative and she could be of some help, for the escape plan.
Gunj- she is good with writing, so she can document my heroics.
Chinmayi- I want her to just sing for me.
Sansmerci - she seems to know a lot about food, so she is in for obvious reasons.
Since I have just 7 out of 11, I am allowing people at a first come first serve basis. And guys who are already in, NO you can’t sell your tickets.
With all these people I think I can govern and declare it my own country.
Where is the place you want to go the most?
Other states in India to fully know about my roots.
New Zealand – for my honeymoon
Australia – to dive the Great Barrier Reef
If you have one dream to come true, what would it be?
To be a Cisco Certified Voice Professional.
Do you believe in seeing the rainbow after the rain?
Yeah saw it often, and in rainbow beach in Australia, it is always there.
What are you afraid of losing the most now?
Quite frankly, the electricity, since Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu is experiencing power cuts.
If you win $1 million, what would you do?
Setup my own VOIP solutions company.
If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
confess?
No I will not confess all my secrets yet, I would propose first, and then I will confess.
List out 3 good points about the person who tagged you
She is an interesting blogger.
She is very motivated towards achieving her goals.
She cares for the people around her.
What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Since i am not handsome, i don't have a preference for her to be very beautiful.Someone whom I can have intellectual conversations with smart and a lot of respect for traditions. Someone who is good with money, I will give her my pay and let her manage the family finances; I don’t know how to save money.
What type of people do you hate the most?
Terrorist, who kill innocent lives.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My friends and family.
If you have faults, would you rather the people around you point out to you or would you rather they keep quiet?
Tell it straight to my face in whatever manner they like.
Are you a shopaholic or not?
Yes, very much.
Find a word to describe the person who tagged you
Inspired. (Monday morning inspirations)
If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
Procrastination
what’s the last shocking thing you’ve seen or heard?
150 People killed in a temple stampede in Rajasthan
Would you rather have love but no money or money but no love?
I want all the love in the world and no money. Money is the root of all evil.
I tag Arvind specifically and all others who read this post.
What have you realized recently?
i became a sithapa! my cousin just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!
Have you given your first kiss away?
Yeah I was Casanova from birth, I have kissed all the women in my family when I was just 1, and flew a few at you, if u haven caught one, I am willing to offer one with tongue , only if you are a female.
If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, who are the 11 blog buddies you would take?
I would bring:
Arvind – He will give me a lot of motivation and optimism
Bryan – Since I have experience being stranded in Thailand forest with him during my army days.
Shalini – she was the one who came up with this tag thingy, so she cannot be spared.
Lemonade- she is very creative and she could be of some help, for the escape plan.
Gunj- she is good with writing, so she can document my heroics.
Chinmayi- I want her to just sing for me.
Sansmerci - she seems to know a lot about food, so she is in for obvious reasons.
Since I have just 7 out of 11, I am allowing people at a first come first serve basis. And guys who are already in, NO you can’t sell your tickets.
With all these people I think I can govern and declare it my own country.
Where is the place you want to go the most?
Other states in India to fully know about my roots.
New Zealand – for my honeymoon
Australia – to dive the Great Barrier Reef
If you have one dream to come true, what would it be?
To be a Cisco Certified Voice Professional.
Do you believe in seeing the rainbow after the rain?
Yeah saw it often, and in rainbow beach in Australia, it is always there.
What are you afraid of losing the most now?
Quite frankly, the electricity, since Chennai and parts of Tamil Nadu is experiencing power cuts.
If you win $1 million, what would you do?
Setup my own VOIP solutions company.
If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
confess?
No I will not confess all my secrets yet, I would propose first, and then I will confess.
List out 3 good points about the person who tagged you
She is an interesting blogger.
She is very motivated towards achieving her goals.
She cares for the people around her.
What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Since i am not handsome, i don't have a preference for her to be very beautiful.Someone whom I can have intellectual conversations with smart and a lot of respect for traditions. Someone who is good with money, I will give her my pay and let her manage the family finances; I don’t know how to save money.
What type of people do you hate the most?
Terrorist, who kill innocent lives.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My friends and family.
If you have faults, would you rather the people around you point out to you or would you rather they keep quiet?
Tell it straight to my face in whatever manner they like.
Are you a shopaholic or not?
Yes, very much.
Find a word to describe the person who tagged you
Inspired. (Monday morning inspirations)
If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
Procrastination
what’s the last shocking thing you’ve seen or heard?
150 People killed in a temple stampede in Rajasthan
Would you rather have love but no money or money but no love?
I want all the love in the world and no money. Money is the root of all evil.
I tag Arvind specifically and all others who read this post.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A child’s mind
My favorite hobby is to just watch kids. I have quite fair share of babysitting experiences . Although I found it quite a mouthful, I never complained. I have spent more money on kids when I am babysitting then on a lousy date. If you watch closely, kids aren’t afraid to try new things; generally they don’t bother what others might say when they attempt something. Through experimenting they learn the hardest skills at their level, walking, talking ect.
My favorite hobby is to just watch kids play, watch the innocence in their faces and how they played. Quite recently I went to city center (in Chennai) with my friends; the food court was situated just next to the children’s play area. I immediately grabbed a seat closed to the play area and as I sipped on my kiwi juice I was fully entertained by the kids. I find it more entertaining than “Kuruvi” movie. Kids there were learning how to take turns, share and to be considerate to others.
It was amazing how much children were learning each day, as we grow older we have to admit that we are learning lesser stuff. Or at least the pace of our learning has slowed down. Studies show that an average human being only utilizes 10% of his brain. And Albert Einstein use 50% of his. I am pretty sure much of the 10% was achieved in our early years when were kids.
Sadly we life in a society in which not all kids get the same amount of privileges. As I walked out of city centre I was greeted by sight of kids who were living in the slums nearby. Such difference from happy kids in the play ground to kids who had to work, beg for food. Just minutes ago I was entertained by kids in the play area, now I was saddened by the living conditions of these kids.
With so much years of civilization behind us, we are still not able to safely say that every human kid on earth will have food to eat and a decent education.
My favorite hobby is to just watch kids play, watch the innocence in their faces and how they played. Quite recently I went to city center (in Chennai) with my friends; the food court was situated just next to the children’s play area. I immediately grabbed a seat closed to the play area and as I sipped on my kiwi juice I was fully entertained by the kids. I find it more entertaining than “Kuruvi” movie. Kids there were learning how to take turns, share and to be considerate to others.
It was amazing how much children were learning each day, as we grow older we have to admit that we are learning lesser stuff. Or at least the pace of our learning has slowed down. Studies show that an average human being only utilizes 10% of his brain. And Albert Einstein use 50% of his. I am pretty sure much of the 10% was achieved in our early years when were kids.
Sadly we life in a society in which not all kids get the same amount of privileges. As I walked out of city centre I was greeted by sight of kids who were living in the slums nearby. Such difference from happy kids in the play ground to kids who had to work, beg for food. Just minutes ago I was entertained by kids in the play area, now I was saddened by the living conditions of these kids.
With so much years of civilization behind us, we are still not able to safely say that every human kid on earth will have food to eat and a decent education.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wat – doing – Me – Singapore!
This is probably my last post before I head back to Chennai this Sunday. I had come back to attend my parent’s wedding anniversary as well as my brother’s commissioning as an artillery officer in the Singapore armed forces. It was my dream once to become an officer, but despite all my efforts I could only make it to be a specialist.
My brother and I didn’t quite get along we always had something to fight about. But when it was my brothers turn to enter the army I had only one advice for him, and surprisingly he listened. “you might not have the best scores in your studies, but what we have is our fitness, if you can channel all that into making in to OCS (officer cadet school) then you prove that it is not all just brawn but brains too.”
1 year on, he made it. And after rigorous training in Brunei and Thailand he is now an officer. Now during my reservist if I were to see him in uniform I have to salute him. (Yes I have to salute and greet my younger brother, cos when we are in uniform, we are not civilians.
More pictures in my picassa
I dedicate this post to my brother, and my proud parents and relatives. 2008 saw me graduate, my younger brother an officer and my last brother is taking is O’level exams (10th public exam) this year, as the papers will be sent to Cambridge university in the UK to be marked, results will only be known next year. Hopefully the three brothers can score a hat-trick.
Whole of Singapore is gearing up for the first eva night F1 Race. But I am not bothered. Maybe when I watch it on TV I might like it. Maybe because of the huge price tag for the tickets to watch it. $1000 for the seats and $300 to stand around the tracks.
My brother and I didn’t quite get along we always had something to fight about. But when it was my brothers turn to enter the army I had only one advice for him, and surprisingly he listened. “you might not have the best scores in your studies, but what we have is our fitness, if you can channel all that into making in to OCS (officer cadet school) then you prove that it is not all just brawn but brains too.”
1 year on, he made it. And after rigorous training in Brunei and Thailand he is now an officer. Now during my reservist if I were to see him in uniform I have to salute him. (Yes I have to salute and greet my younger brother, cos when we are in uniform, we are not civilians.
More pictures in my picassa
I dedicate this post to my brother, and my proud parents and relatives. 2008 saw me graduate, my younger brother an officer and my last brother is taking is O’level exams (10th public exam) this year, as the papers will be sent to Cambridge university in the UK to be marked, results will only be known next year. Hopefully the three brothers can score a hat-trick.
Whole of Singapore is gearing up for the first eva night F1 Race. But I am not bothered. Maybe when I watch it on TV I might like it. Maybe because of the huge price tag for the tickets to watch it. $1000 for the seats and $300 to stand around the tracks.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Its Tag Time!
It has been quite a few serious posts of late. So its time to take the foot of the pedal a little.
I am back in Singapore by the way. I had taken time off from my course to attend my younger brother’s commissioning as an artillery officer in the Singapore armed forces. I have posted some pictures from the parade in my picassa. I will talk more about it in the next post.
This post is all about just fun. I take this tag from a blog I came across. And I would like to tag all those who are in my blog roll, and ones who like reading this post.
Answer the questions below and do a Google image search on your answer, pick a picture from the results on the first page, with minimal explanation.
1.) The age you will be in your next birthday: 26
2.) A place you’d like to travel to: The Great Barrier Reef
3.) Your Favorite place: bed
4.) Your favorite food/drink: tiramisu cake , pepsi
5.) Your Favorite pet : oriental red discus
6.) Your favorite color combination: Red and
7.) Your favorite piece of clothing: Adidas
8.) Your all time favorite song: You and Me –lifehouse
9.) Your favorite TV show: Prison break
10.) Full name of your significant other: Rachel Bilson
11.) The town in which you live in : Choa Chu Kang
12.) Your screen name/nickname: Villain
13.) Your First job: testing engineer – HP
14.) Your Dream job: Project Manager – Networking
15.) Bad Habit you have: procrastination
16.) Your worst fear: my friend’s fart.
17.) The one thing you’ll like to do before you die: Sky dive (I don’t mind if I die trying)
18.) The first thing you’ll buy if you get $1,000,000: Bugatti veyron
I am back in Singapore by the way. I had taken time off from my course to attend my younger brother’s commissioning as an artillery officer in the Singapore armed forces. I have posted some pictures from the parade in my picassa. I will talk more about it in the next post.
This post is all about just fun. I take this tag from a blog I came across. And I would like to tag all those who are in my blog roll, and ones who like reading this post.
Answer the questions below and do a Google image search on your answer, pick a picture from the results on the first page, with minimal explanation.
1.) The age you will be in your next birthday: 26
2.) A place you’d like to travel to: The Great Barrier Reef
3.) Your Favorite place: bed
4.) Your favorite food/drink: tiramisu cake , pepsi
5.) Your Favorite pet : oriental red discus
6.) Your favorite color combination: Red and
7.) Your favorite piece of clothing: Adidas
8.) Your all time favorite song: You and Me –lifehouse
9.) Your favorite TV show: Prison break
10.) Full name of your significant other: Rachel Bilson
11.) The town in which you live in : Choa Chu Kang
12.) Your screen name/nickname: Villain
13.) Your First job: testing engineer – HP
14.) Your Dream job: Project Manager – Networking
15.) Bad Habit you have: procrastination
16.) Your worst fear: my friend’s fart.
17.) The one thing you’ll like to do before you die: Sky dive (I don’t mind if I die trying)
18.) The first thing you’ll buy if you get $1,000,000: Bugatti veyron
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
It Pains me.
I have been staying in Chennai since mid May. I had plans that if a good job offer came my way in Chennai I would settle down in Chennai. Chennai looked very inviting when I came.
It is a fun place to live in. it is very high tech when technology and facilities are concerned.
But the reason why I can’t make Chennai my home is because; I am a person with a soft heart. I can’t bear to see children suffering. I have the urge to do something about it.
Last week I was drinking juice at an eatery near my institute, that’s when I came to see 2 kids, age around 4 and 7. They looked like brothers and they were sharing a meal of curd rice. The quantities of food look too little for them. They were not wearing any footwear, and their clothes seem to be very dirty and torn. It could be that they could only afford just one plate of curd rice. It was a morning and I think they should be at school, but instead they are out, probably working.
When I saw that I felt very sorry, but I still left. My mind was filled with memories of that scene. Then I regretted, I could have paid for their meal. But if I did that I would make them beggars.
Speaking of beggars, a few weeks back when I was coming back to Chennai after attending a funeral at my native place, the bus stopped at Chidambram. I saw little children ages from 4 up, were begging for money. I was seated in the bus watching the scene of the children saying “please donate; I have no money to eat”. Then one girl made her way up the bus and even touched my feet asking for donation. I could not resist and I donated her 10Rs, then a few others crowded around me and I had to spend about 100Rs total. Then as my bus started to leave I saw the first girl again, she was crying. When I looked around, there was her brother, he had beaten her and took the 10Rs from her. Could this be the same scene at their home when the parents would beat them and take the daily collection from them?
when i used to watch India from my cable TV channel prospective from Singapore, i see all the movie celebrities talking about hungry kids in Somalia. In India we need not look any further, just step in to some restaurants in Chennai, most table cleaners are these education deprived kids.
Lets clear the mess in our country before we show compassion towards the more under privileged.
I support actor Surya for his efforts with Agaram Foundation.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Dham Dhoom Review
Spoiler alert: People, who intend to watch Dham Dhoom, please don’t proceed.
Dham Doom was a movie with lots of hype with its movie trailer coming out long before it is officially released. The suspense was mounted so much that I decided to camp every night till the wee hours on the nights when rumors spread that Dham Dhoom was releasing. My homework paid off and I managed to get tickets to Dham Dhoom on the day it was being released and I did the booking at 3.30am about 4 days before it was released.
Dham Dhoom’s story was a masterpiece of Jeeva. Should he have been alive to finish the movie; the movie would have come up much better. Honestly I was disappointed with the movie. All the hype just turned out to be just hot air. During the first half of the movie a lot of build-up cues were given (this is probably Jeeva’s work”. In the second half not all the cues were answered. The movie somehow ended, and the ending was not very well supported and justified. And they all lived happily ever after. My verdict is, watch it for Jeeva and if you are a movie lover like I am you would understand the big master plan Jeeva had for the movie, he was a class above and the ones who took the job to finish the movie were not up to the mark. It isn’t their fault, they did their best. Every actor did their level best and it is not their fault that this movie didn’t score 10/10.
My verdict 7/10(all 7 points goes to Jeeva). The 3 was lost because of, 1 for the lack of some realism in the stuns and 2 for poor storyline in the second half.
This movie will tell us why the death if director Jeeva’s death is a loss to the Tamil movie industry, cos this movie showed great vision and master-class of telling a movie the second half will tell us why there can only be one Jeeva.
Dham Doom was a movie with lots of hype with its movie trailer coming out long before it is officially released. The suspense was mounted so much that I decided to camp every night till the wee hours on the nights when rumors spread that Dham Dhoom was releasing. My homework paid off and I managed to get tickets to Dham Dhoom on the day it was being released and I did the booking at 3.30am about 4 days before it was released.
Dham Dhoom’s story was a masterpiece of Jeeva. Should he have been alive to finish the movie; the movie would have come up much better. Honestly I was disappointed with the movie. All the hype just turned out to be just hot air. During the first half of the movie a lot of build-up cues were given (this is probably Jeeva’s work”. In the second half not all the cues were answered. The movie somehow ended, and the ending was not very well supported and justified. And they all lived happily ever after. My verdict is, watch it for Jeeva and if you are a movie lover like I am you would understand the big master plan Jeeva had for the movie, he was a class above and the ones who took the job to finish the movie were not up to the mark. It isn’t their fault, they did their best. Every actor did their level best and it is not their fault that this movie didn’t score 10/10.
My verdict 7/10(all 7 points goes to Jeeva). The 3 was lost because of, 1 for the lack of some realism in the stuns and 2 for poor storyline in the second half.
This movie will tell us why the death if director Jeeva’s death is a loss to the Tamil movie industry, cos this movie showed great vision and master-class of telling a movie the second half will tell us why there can only be one Jeeva.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Kiki please come back.
It was just a post before that I was congratulating Kiki (my friend Bryan’s pet parrot) for winning the third price in parrot trick competition. And I am very shocked to know that Kiki is now lost. Due to carelessness Kiki flew out of my friend’s 10th story flat. She would not have died in the fell cos she knows how to fly, but due to her clipped flight feathers she would not be able to fly high. It has been a week since she was lost. She does not know how to find food nor identify its predators. I keep my fingers crossed that she is no dead and pray that Kiki would be fine.
If you guys happen to follow up on all the tricks that Kiki has mastered you can feel how much effort and dedication Bryan must have put on his pet, and how dear, Kiki must be to him. No words can comprehend his lost and I can’t find the words to console him.
I felt similar sadness when my pet oriental red Discus died after 2 years being with me. But to me my fish never spoke no responded to my commands. I am sure many of my readers must have pets which they are very attached to, if you do please post your comments.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Happy Birthday Mother!
Today is Mother Theresa’s Birthday. If one could call a lady who was the mother to the world is Mother Theresa. Mother Theresa would be 98 years old if she had not died. But she lives in my heart and in the hearts of many. She was not known for her missionary work, but for her humanitarian work.
I am proud to have lived to know about her and after me I will make sure the generations after me would remember her. Angels do exist and she was one of such angels sent from god.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
i changed my template
I have changed my log template. It was not pre-planed, I just happen to fiddle with the template function and I lost my blog roll and the awards I got form my blogging friends.
Instead of just reverting back to the old template I have decided to change it. I didn’t make this new template though, cos I and designing are planets apart. I got my template from this site http://www.bloggerbuster.com. All credits to them.
I would also like to congratulate Bryan and his pet parakeet Kiki for winning the bronze medal in the “Best parrot trick” competition. I have been following up with the progress of kiki for a long time since he started keeping a parrot. I am glad his and Kiki’s efforts have been rewarded. Watch kiki in action @ Bryan’s Angels.
Instead of just reverting back to the old template I have decided to change it. I didn’t make this new template though, cos I and designing are planets apart. I got my template from this site http://www.bloggerbuster.com. All credits to them.
I would also like to congratulate Bryan and his pet parakeet Kiki for winning the bronze medal in the “Best parrot trick” competition. I have been following up with the progress of kiki for a long time since he started keeping a parrot. I am glad his and Kiki’s efforts have been rewarded. Watch kiki in action @ Bryan’s Angels.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I wish I was a fish in the sea.
When went to Australia, I planned to do one dare devil stunt. That was to do sky diving. Both my parents refused to let me do it, thus refused to fund me for it. My compromise was if I can’t sky dive, I must do scuba dive (even this my parents refused but I managed to convince my mother).
To scuba dive was just a compromise, but once I have done my PADI open water dive I realized that this was my calling. My initial fears was, what will happen if I were to drown in the sea. The sea, which I was so much afraid of, changed my fear into my passion with its mesmerizing beauty.
If there was one Quote that I can describe about the sea is this “LIFE GOES ON! “. This is how the fishes live their life:
When a big thing (Shark, whale, any predator) comes by, the ones who can hide will hide, the ones who can swim will swim, the ones are meant to be hunted will get hunted, and when the predator is gone, the fishes will all come back and continue with what they were doing. This happens just seconds after the tragedy that happened a while ago. The sea recovers faster than anything, and “LIFE GOES ON!”
For a fish its playground is bigger than its imagination, because in its lifetime it will never swim finish the ocean. There is always something there to explore. Every day is special. Tomorrow or the day after it might die, but it lives its life happily with no regrets, no thoughts about the future. The sea provides everything, entertainment, food, sanitation and relationships.
As a fish you can choose to live a life in a big school of sardines, or a Rambo like the great white, or be a gang of desperados like the whales, a gang of fun friends like dolphins, fighting with sharks for fun and saving distressed human divers. Or you could choose to sit there like an oyster for years getting irritated all your life to produce a discharge called Perl which the female human specimen will crave for.
Whatever choice you make the sea has something for you. Too bad I am human, but I can’t resist the sea’s calling. This is my future plan
I will involve my life partner into diving, and when every possible we will explore the various seas in the world together. I am not interested in the 7 or the 8 wonders, just she and I in the sea floating weightlessly with no cares of tomorrow.(but with care for the amount of air left in my tank for the next minute!)
Wouldn’t it been easier if I god has put me in the fish basket and not the human basket?
Friday, August 8, 2008
Celebrating the Singapore Spirit
On the 9th August 6, 2008 my motherland Singapore celebrates her 43rd birthday. Singapore is a first world country right now. And during these 43 years of its growth there is mastermind behind its growth, the genius is none other than minister mentor Lee Kwan yew. From a fishing village to a first world country Singapore’s growth is phenomenal .Today I thank that man to have given me the proud feeling that I get when I tell someone that I am a Singaporean.
When I was in primary school (elementary school) the school’s annual sports day and the national day would be on the same day. Every child in Singapore will receive a gift from the education minister. It would be a stationary set, a bag or something very useful. I used to look forward to that day because whether or not I win something in the games, I would still go home with a prize.
Sadly as I am in Chennai I would be missing the celebrations. Although I might be in India, my heart is in Singapore. I feel proud to be a Singaporean.
With great respect, pride and camaraderie I recite my nation’s pledge for my Singapore:
We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.
Here is a link to a song that describes the growth of Singapore.
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=piF_2PQSkBM&feature=related
One People, One Nation, One Singapore
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Batman is back…
I managed to catch “The Dark Knight” at satyam today. Don’t worry guys no spoilers here, only promos. Initially I did not want to watch it because I didn’t like the previous installment of the movie, thinking that it would be boring just like the previous one I decided to give it a pass. But after reading Arvind’s post about the movie I decided to give it a chance. And I am glad I did. The action sequences in the movie were mind blowing.
I would compare it with a James bond movie. Christian bale should replace Daniel Craig as the next James bond. His acting was charismatic and he fit the role beautifully. I might even watch the movie again.
Truly the batman series have evolved, and being a kid who grew up watching batman on TV with the fight sequences described with “pow!” and “bang!” captions flashed on the screen, I can tell this move has done justice for the superhero I once idolized.
This movie brought back memories of me and my brother playing batman and robin when I was young. I was batman and he was Robin, my bed was the bat-mobile and all our toy guns were arranged on the bed. We were the dynamic duo for just 30 minutes, after which we will end up fighting over a toy and some furniture will break in the house. Mum will show up and take his side, since he is younger I should let him win and all those standard crap.
Readers: Please treat yourself to this movie and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. You might want to treat me to a fancy dinner, for making your watch it. I am waiting….
I would compare it with a James bond movie. Christian bale should replace Daniel Craig as the next James bond. His acting was charismatic and he fit the role beautifully. I might even watch the movie again.
Truly the batman series have evolved, and being a kid who grew up watching batman on TV with the fight sequences described with “pow!” and “bang!” captions flashed on the screen, I can tell this move has done justice for the superhero I once idolized.
This movie brought back memories of me and my brother playing batman and robin when I was young. I was batman and he was Robin, my bed was the bat-mobile and all our toy guns were arranged on the bed. We were the dynamic duo for just 30 minutes, after which we will end up fighting over a toy and some furniture will break in the house. Mum will show up and take his side, since he is younger I should let him win and all those standard crap.
Readers: Please treat yourself to this movie and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. You might want to treat me to a fancy dinner, for making your watch it. I am waiting….
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Happy Friendship Day
I would like to dedicate this poem to all my blogging friends. I read this poem when I was still in high school and thanks to another friend “Google” I found it. I am not a poet, nor am I good with words so I am using someone else’s poem to wish you guys “Happy friendship Day”
When trouble come your soul to try
You love the friend who just "stands by."
Perhaps there's nothing he can do-
The thing is strictly up to you;
For there are troubles all your own,
And paths the soul must tread alone;
Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load,
Bust just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end,
Whose sympathy through all endures,
Whose warm handclasp is always yours-
It helps, someday, to pull you through,
Although there's nothing he can do,
And so with fervent heart you cry,
"God bless the friend who just 'stands by' !"
B. Y. WILLIAMS
Dedicated specially to : Arvind, Anju , Bryan Xie , Gunj , Lena , Lemonade , Shalini , Ponnarasi Kothandaraman and many more readers.
When trouble come your soul to try
You love the friend who just "stands by."
Perhaps there's nothing he can do-
The thing is strictly up to you;
For there are troubles all your own,
And paths the soul must tread alone;
Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load,
Bust just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end,
Whose sympathy through all endures,
Whose warm handclasp is always yours-
It helps, someday, to pull you through,
Although there's nothing he can do,
And so with fervent heart you cry,
"God bless the friend who just 'stands by' !"
B. Y. WILLIAMS
Dedicated specially to : Arvind, Anju , Bryan Xie , Gunj , Lena , Lemonade , Shalini , Ponnarasi Kothandaraman and many more readers.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My witty Grandfather
I recall my late grandfather today. Somehow I have been flooded by his memory in recent days. And I would like to share with you guys, one of many memories I have of him,a trick my grandfather played on me.
This happened when I was 4 years old.
It was one morning when my grandfather was getting ready to go to the bank. He didn’t want to go alone and asked me if I wanted to come along.( His plan was to give my grandmother a break from all the mess I make at home. ) I initially refused, but grandpa managed to buy me over by suggesting that he would buy me KFC fried chicken, if I came with him. For that friend chicken, I was sold.
It seemed like a good idea cos if I came late I can miss school which is at noon. My plan was to delay the trip so that I can miss school as well. Two birds with one stone.
So we went to the bank. I went with lots of hope. As our turn arrived at the bank, my grandfather made transactions. Has he was getting finished I reminded my grandfather that he has to buy me that friend chicken to uphold his end of the bargain.
My grandfather told me “there is no more chicken! If you don’t belief me ask this aunty”, as he pointed to the very puzzled bank teller. He asked the teller “do you have chicken?” and the lady replied with a “no! “. (An Obvious answer, since banks don’t sell chicken and poor Little Vas didn’t know where those KFC chickens were sold.)
My grandfather knew it and tricked me into believing that banks also sold chicken. Since there was no stock for the chicken I returned home. When I returned home, grandmother was waiting for me with my ironed set of uniform, that very moment it struck me that it was time for school and I have failed my mission to miss school and feast on that KFC chicken.
My readers: You must have similar tricked that had been played by your parents on you. Please recall and share it with me, I am sure it will being a chuckle and bring back nice memories.
This happened when I was 4 years old.
It was one morning when my grandfather was getting ready to go to the bank. He didn’t want to go alone and asked me if I wanted to come along.( His plan was to give my grandmother a break from all the mess I make at home. ) I initially refused, but grandpa managed to buy me over by suggesting that he would buy me KFC fried chicken, if I came with him. For that friend chicken, I was sold.
It seemed like a good idea cos if I came late I can miss school which is at noon. My plan was to delay the trip so that I can miss school as well. Two birds with one stone.
So we went to the bank. I went with lots of hope. As our turn arrived at the bank, my grandfather made transactions. Has he was getting finished I reminded my grandfather that he has to buy me that friend chicken to uphold his end of the bargain.
My grandfather told me “there is no more chicken! If you don’t belief me ask this aunty”, as he pointed to the very puzzled bank teller. He asked the teller “do you have chicken?” and the lady replied with a “no! “. (An Obvious answer, since banks don’t sell chicken and poor Little Vas didn’t know where those KFC chickens were sold.)
My grandfather knew it and tricked me into believing that banks also sold chicken. Since there was no stock for the chicken I returned home. When I returned home, grandmother was waiting for me with my ironed set of uniform, that very moment it struck me that it was time for school and I have failed my mission to miss school and feast on that KFC chicken.
My readers: You must have similar tricked that had been played by your parents on you. Please recall and share it with me, I am sure it will being a chuckle and bring back nice memories.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
My silver jubilee
I was my 25th birthday yesterday, this is the second time in a row I am not celebrating my birthday with my family. Year was in Brisbane, and this year in Chennai. I would like to thank all my friends who appreciated my invitation to celebrate my birthday with me at Casa Piccola. Although I sent a lot of invitations due to circumstances only 6 did show up, but nonetheless the day was one of the best birthdays I had cos. everything went on as planned.
Birthday started at 10.30 Indian-time when it was midnight in Singapore. My buddy Rafeek surprised me with a call and wished me. I didn’t know he remembered my birthday; it’s during these times that I understand how much my friends cherish my company and my existence.
Then it was Indian time 12 and my friends, relatives started calling and wished me. I must say this birthday was the one I felt like a movie star cos, my phone kept on ringing from calls from Australia, Singapore and India.
My day began with a trip to the temple as per my mother’s wishes. Every year with or without me around my mother would visit a Vinayak Temple and pray for me. This year I made it a point to pray for her instead.
In the afternoon, I booked movie tickets for myself and 3 other friends to watch “Subramaniyapuram”. It had nice avant garde storyline with little of the customary Indian movie style which I liked. If u haven watched it yet, just catch it in the cinemas before it’s gone.
After the movie I still had time to kill before my dinner treat in the evening so, I gathered some more people who are” vetti “at that time to go play pool at Anna Nagar. Due to my birthday luck I had made some spectacular shots on the table, the balls just went in against my initial plan.
At 6 all who had promised to come showed up at Casa Piccola, a restaurant that served decent Italian cuisine Nungambakkam, Chennai. I had picked the restaurant because of its pleasant ambiance. It had 2 floors. Level one with a standard restaurant look, and the open top floor was open roof with weak lighting, which made the ambiance perfect. We had our Italian dinner on the first floor and went upstairs for the cake cutting and trash-talking. After 50% of my company had started yawning, we called it a day and headed home.
It turned out to be a perfect birthday and I couldn’t have wished for anything better, thanks to all who wished me and the ones who help make my day a best one.
It is from now on that I stop counting my birthdays.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
You are a Tamilian Only if .......
i got this from a forwarded mail that my sister sent me:
i think many of my readers can relate to it. and the non indians, just enjoy it.
1- You arrive one hour late to a party and find
out you are the first one to arrive.
2- You think it's perfectly normal to call someone who's 30 years younger than you 'anna' just because he's behind a counter.
3- You wear a suit to a wedding... and you are
only 3 years old.
(most of my childhood pictures are like this!)
4- The wedding takes an hour and the group
pictures take five hours.
5- Your mom and sister together own more
jewelery than a Chinese jewelery store.
(my mom alone can take care of this)
6- Your parents' idea of a vacation is to
go down to the temples in India .
(yep my father asked me to visit some, but i have only gone to my neighbourhood Vinayanagar temple)
7- You talk for an hour at the front door when
leaving someone's house.
8-The second your guests leave the house, your
parents start talking about them.
9- You rent a cassette from the grocery store,
it's been dubbed 6 times... & you return it 3
months later.
PPL borrow dvds from me and they NEVER return.
10- You go to a Tamil Cultural program only to
find one barathanatyam and six hip hop shows.
11- You are somehow related to every new friend
you meet.
12- Your remote control is still in its plastic
packet.
( In my new apartment the landlord kept it this way.)
13-You get a 95% on a test and your parents ask
What happened to the other 5%?!'
(This never happened for me. cos i have never scored 95%)
14-You stare at Tamil people when they walk by.
(in Australia, yes! because its quite rare to find one in Brisbane)
15-You see married couples kissing on TV but
have never your Mom & Dad get within 3 feet of each another.
16-Your parents never address each other by
name.
(My dad does. i Don't care, my wife should call me by name)
17- When you get your first part-time job, your
parents expect you to give them half.
(They took full)
18- Your mother has a minor dispute with her
sister-in law and doesn't talk to her for 10 years.
(My mom left the country!)
19- Your parents say Swiss instead of
Switzerland, Germany is German and England is London.
20- you go to a party and your aunt comments on
how your skin color has changed.
(Yes , and they ask why i go out in the sun that much)
21- You watch a Tamil wedding tape and all the
songs from Roja are dubbed in it.
22- When the teacher took attendance and there
was a sudden pause, you put your hand up and said
'here.'
(Vaa...saann ten...yes i am here! Australia was the worst! i cursed my grandparents for giving me that name. My name is Vas now.)
23-You shortened your name to make it sound Anglo.
(:[ as above...)
24-You have dinner at 10pm.
(nope in singapore its at 11pm and supper at 3am. breakfast at 12noon, earliest)
25- When your parents say 'BBC' they
don't mean the news station but your uncle Nathan or
aunty Kamala.
26-It's normal for all the relatives to
bathe the groom on his wedding day.
27-You KNOW that your promiscuous second cousin
on your father's side is pregnant even before she does.
i am sure what they meant was rumors that is being spread. Not something i did.
28- Your aunties tease you about a particularly
eligible cousin... & you like it!!!
yeah makes me feel like an alpha male. but Not gonna happen. I don't let then choose my clothes, a bride?? not in this life.
29- You serve all your guests tea with milk and
5 spoons of sugar.
30- You only stop putting more rice on your
guest's dinner plate 7 times after they tell you to
stop.
(Its fun to see them beg you to stop!)
31- Anytime you speak back to your parents, you
get: 'I toiled my life for you, and this is how you
repay me?!' - 'Naanga eppadi khasta pattathukku nee
ithuvum solluvae ithukku melayum solluvae!'
i am sure both my parent's ears and mine are numb to these emotional blackmail.
32- If you are a girl, you are expected to come
home before dark - however if it's a son, 'OK rasa,
jaakirathaa poitu vaa...'
(they don't give me the green signal, they just give me the customary nag in the morning, its just my alarm clock.)
33-Halfway through your shower you realize that
your Head and Shoulders shampoo is gone and has been
replaced by Siyakkai shampoo.
(Never, i only use herbal essences shampoo and i get it myself.)
34-You walk in to another Tamil family's
house and they have the same furniture and dining set as
yours.
(i blame dad for his tacky ideas.)
i think many of my readers can relate to it. and the non indians, just enjoy it.
1- You arrive one hour late to a party and find
out you are the first one to arrive.
2- You think it's perfectly normal to call someone who's 30 years younger than you 'anna' just because he's behind a counter.
3- You wear a suit to a wedding... and you are
only 3 years old.
(most of my childhood pictures are like this!)
4- The wedding takes an hour and the group
pictures take five hours.
5- Your mom and sister together own more
jewelery than a Chinese jewelery store.
(my mom alone can take care of this)
6- Your parents' idea of a vacation is to
go down to the temples in India .
(yep my father asked me to visit some, but i have only gone to my neighbourhood Vinayanagar temple)
7- You talk for an hour at the front door when
leaving someone's house.
8-The second your guests leave the house, your
parents start talking about them.
9- You rent a cassette from the grocery store,
it's been dubbed 6 times... & you return it 3
months later.
PPL borrow dvds from me and they NEVER return.
10- You go to a Tamil Cultural program only to
find one barathanatyam and six hip hop shows.
11- You are somehow related to every new friend
you meet.
12- Your remote control is still in its plastic
packet.
( In my new apartment the landlord kept it this way.)
13-You get a 95% on a test and your parents ask
What happened to the other 5%?!'
(This never happened for me. cos i have never scored 95%)
14-You stare at Tamil people when they walk by.
(in Australia, yes! because its quite rare to find one in Brisbane)
15-You see married couples kissing on TV but
have never your Mom & Dad get within 3 feet of each another.
16-Your parents never address each other by
name.
(My dad does. i Don't care, my wife should call me by name)
17- When you get your first part-time job, your
parents expect you to give them half.
(They took full)
18- Your mother has a minor dispute with her
sister-in law and doesn't talk to her for 10 years.
(My mom left the country!)
19- Your parents say Swiss instead of
Switzerland, Germany is German and England is London.
20- you go to a party and your aunt comments on
how your skin color has changed.
(Yes , and they ask why i go out in the sun that much)
21- You watch a Tamil wedding tape and all the
songs from Roja are dubbed in it.
22- When the teacher took attendance and there
was a sudden pause, you put your hand up and said
'here.'
(Vaa...saann ten...yes i am here! Australia was the worst! i cursed my grandparents for giving me that name. My name is Vas now.)
23-You shortened your name to make it sound Anglo.
(:[ as above...)
24-You have dinner at 10pm.
(nope in singapore its at 11pm and supper at 3am. breakfast at 12noon, earliest)
25- When your parents say 'BBC' they
don't mean the news station but your uncle Nathan or
aunty Kamala.
26-It's normal for all the relatives to
bathe the groom on his wedding day.
27-You KNOW that your promiscuous second cousin
on your father's side is pregnant even before she does.
i am sure what they meant was rumors that is being spread. Not something i did.
28- Your aunties tease you about a particularly
eligible cousin... & you like it!!!
yeah makes me feel like an alpha male. but Not gonna happen. I don't let then choose my clothes, a bride?? not in this life.
29- You serve all your guests tea with milk and
5 spoons of sugar.
30- You only stop putting more rice on your
guest's dinner plate 7 times after they tell you to
stop.
(Its fun to see them beg you to stop!)
31- Anytime you speak back to your parents, you
get: 'I toiled my life for you, and this is how you
repay me?!' - 'Naanga eppadi khasta pattathukku nee
ithuvum solluvae ithukku melayum solluvae!'
i am sure both my parent's ears and mine are numb to these emotional blackmail.
32- If you are a girl, you are expected to come
home before dark - however if it's a son, 'OK rasa,
jaakirathaa poitu vaa...'
(they don't give me the green signal, they just give me the customary nag in the morning, its just my alarm clock.)
33-Halfway through your shower you realize that
your Head and Shoulders shampoo is gone and has been
replaced by Siyakkai shampoo.
(Never, i only use herbal essences shampoo and i get it myself.)
34-You walk in to another Tamil family's
house and they have the same furniture and dining set as
yours.
(i blame dad for his tacky ideas.)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Back to the village!
Last week I got week off from my daily routine in the institute. One week break to go visit my grandmother and my cousin sisters in a village very close to Sirkali. I must say it was a break that I needed badly. I was starting to be in a rut with my daily routine.
In the village everything was pretty much primitive, but my life was like a king. I no longer had to go and find lunch and dinner, but my aunt brought everything to me. I was served like a king. They cooked whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted. Don’t get me wrong that I took them for granted but that’s the way they treated me. My cousin sister had never used the internet before and so I introduced them to the internet. But with the data card that I had I could only access the internet from the top floor open balcony of the house. Thanks to me grandfather for building the tallest building in the area and I got a clear line of sight to the towers.
Life in the village had a lot of difference to the life in Chennai. Life did go very slowly in the village and it was more peaceful. But in Chennai, the life and the pace is pretty similar to the life I had in Singapore, hectic, fast, crowded and tiring.
Basically my whole trip back was just about eating and sleeping. Just like in a holiday resort, minus the cost.
During my trip in Sirkali, I had to attend a Valaikapu (bangle ceremony at my neighbor’s house). I took special interest to attend the function because a lot of people whom I used to know attended that function. I have seen them when I was like 4-5 years old. So many people came to me and asked “do you remember me?” seriously I was clueless, but trying my best to not offend them, I was apologetic and told them that I am a suffering from “ghajini” fever, they laughed and understood.
After the ceremony I helped in serving the food for the guest, when I was the joke of the eating area, cos apparently there is a code on where each food item has to be placed. I put where every on the banana leave that I found space. It was lot of fun forcing people with more food and their reaction.
All these years I have missed this cheap fun by staying in Singapore all these while.
I miss Singapore, but I am loving every minute of India at the moment.
In the village everything was pretty much primitive, but my life was like a king. I no longer had to go and find lunch and dinner, but my aunt brought everything to me. I was served like a king. They cooked whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted. Don’t get me wrong that I took them for granted but that’s the way they treated me. My cousin sister had never used the internet before and so I introduced them to the internet. But with the data card that I had I could only access the internet from the top floor open balcony of the house. Thanks to me grandfather for building the tallest building in the area and I got a clear line of sight to the towers.
Life in the village had a lot of difference to the life in Chennai. Life did go very slowly in the village and it was more peaceful. But in Chennai, the life and the pace is pretty similar to the life I had in Singapore, hectic, fast, crowded and tiring.
Basically my whole trip back was just about eating and sleeping. Just like in a holiday resort, minus the cost.
During my trip in Sirkali, I had to attend a Valaikapu (bangle ceremony at my neighbor’s house). I took special interest to attend the function because a lot of people whom I used to know attended that function. I have seen them when I was like 4-5 years old. So many people came to me and asked “do you remember me?” seriously I was clueless, but trying my best to not offend them, I was apologetic and told them that I am a suffering from “ghajini” fever, they laughed and understood.
After the ceremony I helped in serving the food for the guest, when I was the joke of the eating area, cos apparently there is a code on where each food item has to be placed. I put where every on the banana leave that I found space. It was lot of fun forcing people with more food and their reaction.
All these years I have missed this cheap fun by staying in Singapore all these while.
I miss Singapore, but I am loving every minute of India at the moment.
Its TAG time!!
I have been tagged by Shalini, and here i am with my version and my turn to tag someone else
The rules are:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.
The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your user name?
And i would like to tag Arvind, Bryan and gunj and any blogger that sees this post.
I am sorry for the late post. i have been busy preparing for my CCNA exam which was on the 10th of July, which i have have passed with a 960/1000 score. My handwork paid its dividends. Thanks Arvind for wishing me in your blog.
The rules are:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.
The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your user name?
And i would like to tag Arvind, Bryan and gunj and any blogger that sees this post.
I am sorry for the late post. i have been busy preparing for my CCNA exam which was on the 10th of July, which i have have passed with a 960/1000 score. My handwork paid its dividends. Thanks Arvind for wishing me in your blog.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Readers i need your help
Singaporeans readers gather and vote for my friend for Best Designed blog. This is a very close friend of mine and I am doing my best to get him to win this.
Bryan’s Angels http://bryansangels.ohitsuji.com/
This is my friend’s blog and it has been nominated for best design. His blog is about his 2 pet parrots which he teaches tricks and the videos of those tricks are updated in this blog
Please vote for him here : http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/finalists/?blogCat=design
But sadly the voting is only for Singaporeans as it will require your IC number (identification card number). But in any case please visit Bryan’s blog.
One interesting fact I have learned this competition site is that there are 7 bloggers for every 10 internet users in Singapore.
PS: I am not doing for the treat he promised if he wins. But because voters also stand to win travel packages to Bangkok, Vietnam and luxurious resort accommodation package in Puket. it is a win- win so please vote
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Dasavatharam!
This is not a spoiler and if you had not watched the movie you can still go ahead and read. It is my trailer about the movie.
The movie lived up to all the hype it created. The performance exceeded the expectations. I now know why Kamal uses KS Ravikumar to direct the movies that he has attempted something special eg. avai Shanmugi. The screen play was more than perfect and I enjoyed the camera angles that were used. I would say it was the kind even Steven Spielberg would have been proud of.
All actors in the movie did their roles with no over-acting everything was perfect.
The graphics effects were the kind would expect in a Hollywood film.
And the universal hero Kamal gave an Oscar deserving performance. I have no other words to express his performance, simply the greatest actor in the Indian movie industry.
My rating for the movie: 11/10
The movie lived up to all the hype it created. The performance exceeded the expectations. I now know why Kamal uses KS Ravikumar to direct the movies that he has attempted something special eg. avai Shanmugi. The screen play was more than perfect and I enjoyed the camera angles that were used. I would say it was the kind even Steven Spielberg would have been proud of.
All actors in the movie did their roles with no over-acting everything was perfect.
The graphics effects were the kind would expect in a Hollywood film.
And the universal hero Kamal gave an Oscar deserving performance. I have no other words to express his performance, simply the greatest actor in the Indian movie industry.
My rating for the movie: 11/10
Saturday, June 14, 2008
My good and bad luck – thank god, I am alive.
Since young I always taught that my death is on the roads. Today I went very close to that.
After our lesson at our institute my classmates and I decided to go to Spencer’s for dinner. We were 4 people and we had 2 bikes. So the plan was to go there by bike. All of us were not wearing helmets, I know it is a hazard but I didn’t make a big fuss about it.
Soon the bikes set off with me sitting in the back seat of one of the bikes. With one bike trailing another we set off to Spencer’s which was not to far away. As we approached Spencer’s there was a group of police rallied on the road catching road offenders. Having seen that the bike in front knew that he was not wearing a helmet and going is a prohibited speed. With little consideration for the bike behind the front rider made a quick deceleration. Caught by surprise my friend,bonny, did his level best to come to a quick stop but it was not enough.
As a result our bike skied out of control and throwing both of us backwards. Wearing a haversack with my laptop I was unable to roll and break the fall. I fell face first but used my arms and looked up to prevent any injury to my face. During my fall I somehow found the confidence that I will not be badly injured and tried my best to hamper my fall with my hands. With my face looking up my chin graze on the road.
Soon I came to a stop and got up by myself. My initial taught was about bonny, had a big scratch on his arm and knee. Soon the police rushed to the scene. Both bonny and the police man gave me a bloodshot stare. Suddenly I came to my senses that I was bleeding profusely from my chin. The police called for an auto and asked to be rushed to the nearest hospital. My head was spinning. All that was in my mind was bonny and how he was. He was not in the auto, he was coming in his bike. As I went to the hospital I was sent to the emergency ward.
My first question was, please give me a mirror I want to see if I have disfigured my face. Thankfully nothing on my face but an awfully big cut on the underside of my chin. It took a number of stitches and I was done. The scratches on my legs and arm were superficial. Just as I ws done with the stitches bonny showed up. He gave me an assurance that he was alright and that gave me a peace of mind, thankfully he was not badly injured.
Although this was a tragedy, I thank bonny for his presence of mind to do what was right and prevented, what could have been a far worst unthinkable tragedy. Thank fully for us there was no speeding vehicles behind us, if not we would have been on the news.
I know my mother does not read my blogs, and bro if u are reading this please keep it away from mom, dad and most importantly grandmother.
Just as I am finishing this post my Anastasia is running out and I the pain is kicking in please god give me the strength.
After our lesson at our institute my classmates and I decided to go to Spencer’s for dinner. We were 4 people and we had 2 bikes. So the plan was to go there by bike. All of us were not wearing helmets, I know it is a hazard but I didn’t make a big fuss about it.
Soon the bikes set off with me sitting in the back seat of one of the bikes. With one bike trailing another we set off to Spencer’s which was not to far away. As we approached Spencer’s there was a group of police rallied on the road catching road offenders. Having seen that the bike in front knew that he was not wearing a helmet and going is a prohibited speed. With little consideration for the bike behind the front rider made a quick deceleration. Caught by surprise my friend,bonny, did his level best to come to a quick stop but it was not enough.
As a result our bike skied out of control and throwing both of us backwards. Wearing a haversack with my laptop I was unable to roll and break the fall. I fell face first but used my arms and looked up to prevent any injury to my face. During my fall I somehow found the confidence that I will not be badly injured and tried my best to hamper my fall with my hands. With my face looking up my chin graze on the road.
Soon I came to a stop and got up by myself. My initial taught was about bonny, had a big scratch on his arm and knee. Soon the police rushed to the scene. Both bonny and the police man gave me a bloodshot stare. Suddenly I came to my senses that I was bleeding profusely from my chin. The police called for an auto and asked to be rushed to the nearest hospital. My head was spinning. All that was in my mind was bonny and how he was. He was not in the auto, he was coming in his bike. As I went to the hospital I was sent to the emergency ward.
My first question was, please give me a mirror I want to see if I have disfigured my face. Thankfully nothing on my face but an awfully big cut on the underside of my chin. It took a number of stitches and I was done. The scratches on my legs and arm were superficial. Just as I ws done with the stitches bonny showed up. He gave me an assurance that he was alright and that gave me a peace of mind, thankfully he was not badly injured.
Although this was a tragedy, I thank bonny for his presence of mind to do what was right and prevented, what could have been a far worst unthinkable tragedy. Thank fully for us there was no speeding vehicles behind us, if not we would have been on the news.
I know my mother does not read my blogs, and bro if u are reading this please keep it away from mom, dad and most importantly grandmother.
Just as I am finishing this post my Anastasia is running out and I the pain is kicking in please god give me the strength.
Bloggers meet
Firstly, I am very sorry for the late post. The bloggers meet was last week and it was my first. I must say it is something that I will remember for a long time. It was a fun experience seeing so many people gathered to make new friends and finally meet the owners of those interesting post.
There was only a few who I could recognize, they were namely Anju and Shalini. All thanks to indiblogger team to organize such an event which went on entertainingly from the beginning till the end.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Chennai climate
When I first arrived at Chennai on the first of May it was the beginning of the “agni Nathchatiram” aka heat wave. Officially the heat wave ended a week ago but there was not a distinctive change the Chennai heat. Each afternoon when I come out of my institute for lunch I would be greeted by gusts of hot air coming from streets. But I didn’t experience this heat in my uncle’s place in Pondicherry and Sirkali, even during the heat wave the other parts of India was relatively cooler then Chennai (just my observation.)
Why is Chennai so hot?
Based on my observation, I would say it is the lack of trees. In the village areas there are more trees then houses. Every house has a few mango trees and some other trees to provide shade. But in Chennai were the price of land is very high, it is more economical for the landlords to rent out the little piece of land they had to tea stalls rather than to plant a tree which would pay no rent. The buildings get heated and they themselves radiate heat. The wind that flows through the buildings is converted to waves of heat.
Due to the busy life in Chennai no one got the time to plant trees and maintain them. The government cannot just stop at instructing their people to plant trees, they should take the matter in their own hands. First they should convert the little bush they have on the road dividers to trees. How much difference is the little bush gonna make in beautifying the roads?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my blogging friend Shalini for aiding me with information about Chennai. Your advice came at the time when I was in the verge of abandoning my Chennai trip. Thanks. Thanks to all my friends in HBFites (my institute) , for making me feel more at home and showing me around Chennai.
Minus the heat, Chennai is a fun place to live in. I will be attending the IndiBlogger bloggers meet in Chennai later and hope to make more friends. If you are attending please don’t feel shy to say hi to me!
Why is Chennai so hot?
Based on my observation, I would say it is the lack of trees. In the village areas there are more trees then houses. Every house has a few mango trees and some other trees to provide shade. But in Chennai were the price of land is very high, it is more economical for the landlords to rent out the little piece of land they had to tea stalls rather than to plant a tree which would pay no rent. The buildings get heated and they themselves radiate heat. The wind that flows through the buildings is converted to waves of heat.
Due to the busy life in Chennai no one got the time to plant trees and maintain them. The government cannot just stop at instructing their people to plant trees, they should take the matter in their own hands. First they should convert the little bush they have on the road dividers to trees. How much difference is the little bush gonna make in beautifying the roads?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my blogging friend Shalini for aiding me with information about Chennai. Your advice came at the time when I was in the verge of abandoning my Chennai trip. Thanks. Thanks to all my friends in HBFites (my institute) , for making me feel more at home and showing me around Chennai.
Minus the heat, Chennai is a fun place to live in. I will be attending the IndiBlogger bloggers meet in Chennai later and hope to make more friends. If you are attending please don’t feel shy to say hi to me!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Marina beach
Last week I went to Marina beach. I went there in the evening when the summer sun would not be so scorching. I was really surprised to see so many people there. The place was buzzing with mobile nuts stall and ginger coffee stalls and little toy stalls. In Singapore I have drank “Teh Aliah” which is milk tea with ginger. But coffee with ginger I have hot tried before. I am not a huge fan of coffee but this one was remarkably good. I loved the atmosphere and the coffee. One game stall that attracted me was the air gun shooting stalls. The balloons were so closely packed and the shooting distance was so short. How hard can it be to shoot a balloon? I guess they have to make provisions for the range of the air guns. But in any case I am sure it will entertain the kids.
As of now I have not been bargaining with the auto drivers. Whatever they ask I pay. How should I bargain? Reduce 10Rs? 20Rs? In Thailand 50% works but here I have no clue!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
First post from Chennai
Although I arrived in sunny India on May first it took me 20 days to get my internet service up. Please don’t ask why the hold up, I don’t want to start off with a sour note.
I have moved into my home and started my course. Things are smooth. I live in a guest house which is situated just behind my landlord’s house. I have my bathroom and toilet. Luckily my room is fully furnished with a TV and importantly Air conditioning.
As for food there are plenty of restaurants in royapettah. Plenty of cinemas nearby and the streets are always buzzing with people, unlike Brisbane where even the city becomes a ghost town after 5.
I was told that satyam theatre is the best in Chennai by my classmates. So yesterday I went there to catch “Kuruvi”. Being a Vijay (actor) fan I was raring to watch the movie. Sadly the movie didn’t live up to the expectations. The first half was ok but the second half was a pain to watch. But the cinema was very posh and comfortable and the sound systems were comparable to cinemas in Singapore.
Chennai has taken me with open arms, I don’t get the stares and I feel that I fit in with the Chennai people. Tomorrow I am going to the much talked about “Marina beach”!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
What I have been doing
I arrived from Brisbane on 31 January. From then till April 31 is has been 3 months. To look at these 3 months productively, I have done nothing. I did was to meet up and catch up with all the friends that I missed. But still I haven met all of them. A lot of appointments were made but little were kept.
Repairing computer for friends and relatives has been my hobby , and upon my arrival a lot of computer repair projects came up. All my relatives who have a computer at their homes were build by my. Thus I am the life-time warranty. I don treat it as a chore but something I enjoy. And of course I do it for free. Many of my friends in the IT field would tell me, to earn some buck from this service. I just can’t take money from my friends and family, its just not me.
Mid-way I had a job interview to attend. I had plans to goto India but this job offer was just too good to refuse. I did well in the interview and had high hopes that I would get in, but the boss who was supposed to call me in a week didn't call. I took it as a rejection and confirmed on my India trip. Days later the company called me asking me for a second interview. With the tickets confirmed I had to refuse.
Then came another surprise, my ex colleague called me , and offered me another job. All paid trip and a 1 month project in Qatar. Again I had to refuse, all for the CCNA and CCNP course in Chennai.
This is one of the biggest decision I have made, that is to standby one decision no matter what. Now all I hope and pray for is that this was a right decision.
I recall a military advice given in my SISPEC [School of infantry Specialist] – a leader is one that makes quick and solid decision and sticks to it till the end. It is better to have a decision made than to have many ideas.( I know it is a little hard to understand)
Less than a week to Chennai…. No hesitation! Just Determination.
Repairing computer for friends and relatives has been my hobby , and upon my arrival a lot of computer repair projects came up. All my relatives who have a computer at their homes were build by my. Thus I am the life-time warranty. I don treat it as a chore but something I enjoy. And of course I do it for free. Many of my friends in the IT field would tell me, to earn some buck from this service. I just can’t take money from my friends and family, its just not me.
Mid-way I had a job interview to attend. I had plans to goto India but this job offer was just too good to refuse. I did well in the interview and had high hopes that I would get in, but the boss who was supposed to call me in a week didn't call. I took it as a rejection and confirmed on my India trip. Days later the company called me asking me for a second interview. With the tickets confirmed I had to refuse.
Then came another surprise, my ex colleague called me , and offered me another job. All paid trip and a 1 month project in Qatar. Again I had to refuse, all for the CCNA and CCNP course in Chennai.
This is one of the biggest decision I have made, that is to standby one decision no matter what. Now all I hope and pray for is that this was a right decision.
I recall a military advice given in my SISPEC [School of infantry Specialist] – a leader is one that makes quick and solid decision and sticks to it till the end. It is better to have a decision made than to have many ideas.( I know it is a little hard to understand)
Less than a week to Chennai…. No hesitation! Just Determination.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Good story
I read a similar story in Shalini's Monday Morning inspirations and got inspired to post this here. i would also like to give full credits to the author of this book , " Parents and children Key to sucess". The author is a buddist monk from Srilanka, Ven Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!Sunday, April 13, 2008
Graduation!
This week is a memorable week for me. Because I officially graduated and collected my certificate form the chief chancellor. Although I finished my degree last year, I had opted for my graduation ceremony to be held in Singapore where many of my relatives can attend.
Some of my friends did their ceremony in Australia, but to me it is more meaningful as my parents, grandmother and uncles and aunties can attend it in Singapore.
My educational path was not a smooth one. I was not the brightest boy in class. During my primary school days I was not staying with my parents, I was under my grandmother’s care and my uncles and aunts were the ones who supervised. I went to school just to meet my friends and play. I knew what was happening in class and I understood everything but didn’t apply. Somehow I would scrape through everything. When I was in primary four my parents took over, but still no improvement. I never tasted failure cos I would do just enough to clear.
I ran out of luck and I didn’t do well in my O’ levels, not enough to proceed to any course in polytechnic. That was the wake up call. My aunt called me up and gave me a good lecture so did my, but my parents didn’t scold me at all; all they said was “learn from your mistake and bounce back!”
I didn’t’ give up I went back to school and I repeated my O’levels with my juniors. Embarrassing….But I channeled my embarrassment into motivation to do well. My relatives have been the best support. I did well in my O’Levels and easily entered my dream course “ diploma in Information Technology”, then with the results I got accepted into Queensland university of technology to pursue my bachelor of IT.
Now I am a graduate. It would not have been possible if not for these guys.
With dedication nothing is impossible!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Chennai , here i come !!!
To my friends in India, my trip to Chennai has been finalized! If everything goes smoothly I would smell Chennai on the 1st of May. I cannot describe how excited I am to see Chennai.
This is my plan; I will spend the first week of May in Pondicherry or Sirkazhi where my uncles are. After which I will be in Chennai staying in a hotel for a week while I search for a suitable accommodation. I don’t have a awful lot of money to spent thus, I have to select the cheapest and best that suits my budget.
After which my CCNA course starts on 15th of May followed by CCNP. The institution is in mount road. I hope there is plenty to see and experience.
Special thanks to my blog friend Shalini for making this planning smoother by giving me lots of advice.
Since many of you bloggers from Chennai would have a frequent internet service. Could you guys suggest the best service?
Currently I am considering the Airtel unlimited surf plan, the one that uses the data-card and EDGE and EGPRS for internet connectivity. Do they have the plan in prepaid?
So far:
Flight to Chennai -Check
Indian visa – Check
Bank account – Check
Course enrollment – more or less done deal
Internet – Pending
Accom in Chennai – Pending
(I have helped many of my student friends get accommodation in Brisbane; I hope karma works well for me)
Thursday, March 27, 2008
National Service - Pleasure Serving you Singapore!
Just few years back, a distant aunt gave birth to a baby boy in Singapore. My aunt is Singaporean but her husband is an Indian national. But they have refused Singapore citizenship for their son. Their reason was that they did not want their son to serve national service.
[For the readers who do not know what national service: in Singapore Men at the age of 18 have to serve in the Singapore Armed forces (navy/army/air-force), Civil defense force (firemen) or the Police force. The Bulk of us would be sent to the army. ]
I guess their reason for them to refuse the citizenship for their son was probably because of the deaths of some servicemen during their service. Don’t get me wrong, death in national service is extremely rare. I unfortunately have seen a once platoon mate die. His death had nothing to do with the training; he just had a cardiac arrest and died. But since it was in camp premises he was given a military funeral.
Having gone through national service and seen death itself. I would still encourage my fellow Singaporean brothers that national service is not bad as some people have thought to be.
I have seen boys turn to men. We are force to behave like a gentleman, and taught how to make decisions under both physical and mental stress. We are taught how to lead and taught how to take punishments and pain head-on. I am sure many who have served National service would agree with me.
I am going to convince my aunt that national service is not too bad. My brother is currently serving his national service as an Officer Cadet. He is soon to be an Artillery officer.
I have truly benefited from national service, I urge my readers to explain the true experience of National service to the few ignorant Singaporeans.
“What we lack in size, we make up for in numbers.” ,Lee Kwan Yew (minister mentor) and whom I call “Father of Singapore”.
This post is dedicated to 3rd sergeant Perry, a true hero. Although we knew each other too little, enough to earn a permanent place in my heart.
To those who say National service is a waste of time, i tell you. Stop saying that cos, his death was not a waste.
[For the readers who do not know what national service: in Singapore Men at the age of 18 have to serve in the Singapore Armed forces (navy/army/air-force), Civil defense force (firemen) or the Police force. The Bulk of us would be sent to the army. ]
I guess their reason for them to refuse the citizenship for their son was probably because of the deaths of some servicemen during their service. Don’t get me wrong, death in national service is extremely rare. I unfortunately have seen a once platoon mate die. His death had nothing to do with the training; he just had a cardiac arrest and died. But since it was in camp premises he was given a military funeral.
Having gone through national service and seen death itself. I would still encourage my fellow Singaporean brothers that national service is not bad as some people have thought to be.
I have seen boys turn to men. We are force to behave like a gentleman, and taught how to make decisions under both physical and mental stress. We are taught how to lead and taught how to take punishments and pain head-on. I am sure many who have served National service would agree with me.
I am going to convince my aunt that national service is not too bad. My brother is currently serving his national service as an Officer Cadet. He is soon to be an Artillery officer.
I have truly benefited from national service, I urge my readers to explain the true experience of National service to the few ignorant Singaporeans.
“What we lack in size, we make up for in numbers.” ,Lee Kwan Yew (minister mentor) and whom I call “Father of Singapore”.
This post is dedicated to 3rd sergeant Perry, a true hero. Although we knew each other too little, enough to earn a permanent place in my heart.
To those who say National service is a waste of time, i tell you. Stop saying that cos, his death was not a waste.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Relationships and trust issues
It happened when I was in the army and it was one of those exercises which would require us to be in some hilltop in a forest. The exercise was planed for 5 days but then got extended indefinitely. We were supposed to go back home on Friday, but it was Saturday we were still on some hill on a rainy thunder storm night trying to establish radio communication. We have had to move about with our radio set with a huge antenna. We need radio communication before first light. It would be too rush to do it in the morning so I and my buddy had to do right there and then. We were on a hill top with an antenna which was like a lightning probe. We knew it was a hazard but we had to take the risk.
My buddy and I were specialist who had 2 other men under us. This job required just 2 people and here was no requirement for the rest to get wet. We made our men take shelter in our vehicle, while we establish radio communication. My buddy and I were totally drenched to make things worst, I slipped and fell into a mud pond. That’s when tragedy struck. (Don’t worry… Nothing serious)
My buddy’s girlfriend called! She was mad at him because he had not come to visit her that week end nor call her. His excuse to her was that there was no phone reception and we had very little of battery power on our phones that we had to conserve for emergency.
My buddy was going to cut the call and carry on with the communication with me, but I signaled to him to carry on with the call and I would carry on with the mission myself. Why I did that was because
Her argument was, “how can you pick up this call then? Why are you lying to me? You promised to see me this weekend and you didn’t inform me!” Basically she was shooting her machine gun at my defenseless buddy. The bombardment lasted for 2 hours, with my friend returning fire with “sorry…sorry…sorry”.
By then radio communications was established. That night my buddy told me with sincere heart. “Vas, don’t get a girlfriend man. Don’t suffer like me. I can't break off with her cos i am afraid she might do something silly. I still love her man.. but i am suffering” Not all Girlfriends are like this. Maybe not all the time.But why do women sometimes behave like this?
(You guys might be wondering why we were looking for communication when we could use our hand phones. That’s because military communications cannot me made using the GSM network. Security is first priority.)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
What should i do?
I hate making decisions in my life. How I wish everything would have been laid out for me?
As many of my readers would have known, I have just graduated from my bachelor degree from Australia and I am back in Singapore. It has been about 2 weeks, my fellow classmates and housemates are in full force job hunting. For me I just haven got the grove yet.
I used to work for a networking firm before I went to peruse my degree; I know for sure I can join back there for a higher position. But work there is hectic but challenging. I still have friends there who are tempting me to join with all their new projects.
I also have offers from my working friends to join their company and be part of their team, 2 in total.
I now have 3 job offers.
But the problem is not about where to work. It is weather or not I would like to start working right now.
I had planed to go to India (Chennai/ Hyderabad / Bangalore) to peruse my CCNP (Cisco certified network professional) certification. I could also do it in Singapore, but I want something different, like a challenge. Reading a lot from my bogging friends, the temptations are high.
So do I go to India or shall I stay and start working?
Ps god: can I take a peek at my fate please?
As many of my readers would have known, I have just graduated from my bachelor degree from Australia and I am back in Singapore. It has been about 2 weeks, my fellow classmates and housemates are in full force job hunting. For me I just haven got the grove yet.
I used to work for a networking firm before I went to peruse my degree; I know for sure I can join back there for a higher position. But work there is hectic but challenging. I still have friends there who are tempting me to join with all their new projects.
I also have offers from my working friends to join their company and be part of their team, 2 in total.
I now have 3 job offers.
But the problem is not about where to work. It is weather or not I would like to start working right now.
I had planed to go to India (Chennai/ Hyderabad / Bangalore) to peruse my CCNP (Cisco certified network professional) certification. I could also do it in Singapore, but I want something different, like a challenge. Reading a lot from my bogging friends, the temptations are high.
So do I go to India or shall I stay and start working?
Ps god: can I take a peek at my fate please?
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