In retrospect

Cliched it shall be, but its difficult to let this year go by without savouring a chosen few moments gone by. After all, this was the year when more things happened than in any other year of my life; maybe.

There were were some happy moments. Placements had almost got over by January and thankfully most of my wingmates were placed. So the first quarter of the year was spent in treats, more so because it was our final semester at IIT and for many in Chennai too, but most importantly because it was the last few months with friends who were as integral a part of my life as my family before I came to IIT-M. Saarang was also a good time, especially with no classes (not that there were much in the final semester anyway). Then there was Holi and like every year, we tore each other's clothes.

I got an MS admit and an RAship too within a few days and this was one of the biggest events of my life since I got through JEE. Surprisingly, I wasn't that elated even though studying abroad was one of my childhood dreams. My first flight was no letdown nor were the first few days in US. A new country, new culture, new people and a completely independent life were nothing short of a thrill to my dreamy mind.

However, the enormous change that this year has witnessed, it also left behind some ugly scars. Leaving IIT was one of the most difficult events in my life. I was one of the last one's to leave (fact that my girlfriend was interning in Chennai might have had something to do with it) and to see the hostel become empty like a deserted banquet hall after a party did bring a lump to my throat more than once.

My cousin got married and it was a happy occasion for our family but I wasn't there. Ocaasions like these when all family members come together are rare and I hate to miss those.

The aggravating economy had many victims and some of my friends were also among those. Then the numerous bombings and attacks all over India also scared me to my wits. I did not lose any friend or relative, but the banality of such attacks does paint an eerie picture.

With a lot to look forward to in the coming year, I am ready to move on, carrying these memories with me to relish them once in a while.
Photos: Sunrise at Besant Nagar beach, cricket with wingmates and Holi.

cricket

2003 world cup was the last time I enjoyed cricket. Back then I was as devout a fan as any other Indian. My 12th board exams were on, but I wouldn't have missed a match for the world!

But it was back then, long long ago. Somehow all my enthusiasm for the sport has just fizzled out during my college years. Match fixing, the long hours for a single match; I myself don't know what exactly was the catalyst, but the sport doesn't interest me anymore.

This is precisely why I was amused when I had a lump in my throat on hearing about Kumble's retirement. I have my heroes, and they were never dictated by the player's performance, records, style, or any other logical parameter. Dravid, Kumble, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Agarkar and Srinath are the only players I adore and it took just one match in each case to develop a liking for each of them. Jadeja too was once part of this list.

I rejoiced at their successes and my subconcious mind always found a plausible and forgivable reason for their failure. The 300+ partnership between Ganguly and Dravid is still one of my most enjoyable moments related to cricket. I had watched that match with "all" my cousins during my uncle's marriage.

Cricket was the perfect bond for most students back at school and many a lunch break was spent discussing a previous day match. Though soccer was my forte, I preferred playing cricket simply because most of my friends did.

With just two of them remaining it may not be long before I completely forget such a game existed.

Interesting

You know continuum mechanics is getting into your head when names of a couple like Mohan Pandey & Rajni Mohan conjure up visions of tensorial notation Aij Bki!

Life in a new country is like beginning a new one altogether. Almost every experience seems a novelty. So many interesting things to tell but sadly so less time.

Worth mentioning are the thanksgiving celebrations with an American Family. UN International Festival, the trips downtown, first snowfall etc. But more on these later.

I got my first camera yesterday and here are some pictures of my desk, and a view from the window of my lab.