And that's 2011!

Well, once again the year has come to an end. This time it is spelled as 2011. What a year it has been! A year full of changes. Real big changes; changes in emotions, feelings, people around, and a lot more.


To start off the year took off really well. Got a new job, got adjusted to it pretty quick. Also, got the work station of my choice. My work station is locked and loaded with pictures- friends, family, and the rest of the world. Was blessed with great bay mates - Ritu-G, Shailesh, Asha-G. Then, all of them quit and I got blessed with newer bay-mates, Romy a.k.a Punjabi Gaddafi, Sachin a.k.a Anger, Nitin a.k.a Sumdi, Komal a.k.a Lata-G, and not to forget Ram a.k.a Silent Killer. Till now, I have no complains with the great things happening at work including multiple deliverables and a thousand bugs on JIRA...(the TIS version of 12 days of Christmas!)

A long awaited wait for the ultimate bike was fulfilled- Bulletbaby a.k.a Maggie! It was indeed love at first sight when Suresh bhai decided to show me the baby for the deal. By the grace and mercy of GOD the deal was sealed with Rs 10,000/-. Baki amount delivery kay baad. With another round of 10K spend on paint and miscellaneous fixes, she was ready to roar as good as a new one, but not as good as the new Bullets. I'm glad it doesn't work that way. Maggie, you will always be loved. In return ho sakey tho petrol kam peena.

A major setback for me this year was the loss of my dearest, most precious, and loved brother Rohan. It kills me to decipher the fact that he is not around me anymore. He will always be missed and loved. Bro, wherever you are, we all love you; love you even more now and miss you. I humbly request all you readers to pray for his soul. Love you Joe forever and we will meet soon!

To end this year, GOD gave me the blessing of having a Jiju,Sunil as he and my eldest sister Vinola were bound together in Holy Matrimony. It was a good time to meet all my cousins and celebrate. The whole ceremony fell in place with the grace and mercy of JESUS. Great end to a year I must say!

So, good bye year 2011. Thank you for all the good and bad memories you gave me. 2012, the bar has been raised, so keep my happy.

Writer Blog...Block...Blod...Ahhhrgghhhh!

As the title suggests, I have been diagnosed with Writer's block. Can't pick the write, I mean right words, can't built, i mean build sentences, can't reed, I mean read. Wonder why this is happening? Now, since I'm wondering, I can list down the top 3 reasons for a writer's block. So, listed below are three reasons of a writer's block: [Yes, I'm in the eLearning domain. I'm sure the lead line suggests that...]

1. Correcting others
   Serious damage can be caused as the hunter becomes the pray, I mean prey. You go out to correct others, lekin Aila la! You forget your language basic. English language, you got me!
   



2. Start
   You know the destination. You know the journey's tough...but…*Sunny deal yell*… can someone tell me where to start. This has been a major crisis with myself's, myselves, I mean with me these days. Double-click the Chrome icon, type the google link, and now what? What do I google to get me fixed? Yeah kya ho raha hai...yeh kya ho raha hai...
   



3. Write, but no read
   Correct! Write, but no read. You content write, but book no read. Thinking you know all the words and sentences. But, ask me what's a noun and I will tell you the term Children fits in well. How can children be a noun? Isn't it a verb? Mai bhi naah kabhi kabhi. *goofy giggles*
   

There are many more reasons, but folks stop getting personal now. So, with just three reasons, you have reached the end of this blog post. This is an SOS and if anybody hears me, reads me, feels me…(ok..ok…) suggest methods to recover.

Adios!

Pak Gaya

Firstly, the title has no reference to Pakistan. Yes, it is another day of boredom at work. This is probably because of the review cycles and the client changes request. Kaheka request? Anyways, the client has been requesting /inverted quotes expression\ to include so many interracial graphics in the courses, it has impacted my blog graphics too. Image dekh, image.

To feed my learning hunger, I’ve decided to be an active twitter. Lol, yeah this statement did crack me up too. Trust me if you follow the right tweets, you learn folks. Further, I shall be downloading some cool apps *Ahhh! I feel cold, do you?*. See see, joke mara, joke mara.

P.S: Only good thing for today, gaon had rickshaw strike so I got to ride my BulletBaby! Oh! I’m turning into a rash rider these days. May be coz the roads were empty? We shall see…

Is GOD really there?

With so many hungry people around me...
Is GOD really there?
But, I was fed well.

With so many people homeless...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had a beautiful place called home.

With so many people who are lonely...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had the best of people as friends.

With so many addicts around me...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had received redemption.

With so many orphans around me...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had both mom and dad.

With so many people carrying heavy loads...
Is GOD really there?
But, my cross was light.

With so many unemployed and depressed youths around me...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had a satisfying job.

With many struggling in the storm of financial crisis...
Is GOD really there?
But, I had all my financial needs taken care of.

With so many people looking for good health…
Is GOD really there?
But, I was healthy.

With so many not knowing GOD...
Is GOD really there?
But, I have a responsibility to fulfill!

Amen!

We will smile again...together!

The times we walked, the times we laughed,
The times now make me sad; they give me grief.

The times you cared, the times you loved,
Repaid? No I say, may be I never knew the little time you had.

You etched my heart with joy, you filled love,
As you leave, it grieves with pain.

I realized ever curve on my face in your presence,
Now I realized ever tear that runs down my face.

The tuff times you faced; the troubles you hid,
The times you called, but I never heard.

The times you made me smile; you made me laugh,
I search for you brother; I search for you friend.

You will be missed, every single day,
You will be missed, with every heart beat I take.

May be the time hasn't come, but it will come,
With JESUS we will be reunited and we will smile again...together!

In memory of my dearest, best, and most loved cousin brother Rohan Thomas Valder.
8 April 1991 | 28 July 2011

Widow!

It was a long day at work. Mabel was really stressed. She had clocked 12 hours at work and wanted to get back home. Remembering her three year old daughter, Natalie, she got into the car. Although in a crowded city like New York, Mabel was alone. Inside she was fading. Natalie was going to be four in another six months. Questions were many, but the reason was just one, Brayan.

Brayan and Mabel were high school sweethearts. She remembered how they ate pizza and cola at Pizzaz!. The coffee on a rainy day; the walk on the beach in summer. Time has taken its tide. On their 10th anniversary, as a couple, Brayan did extra hours at work just to ensure he had enough dollars to buy Mabel a diamond ring. He did it and she still wore it. But, her life had worn out! On Mabel's 30th birthday, Brayan proposed Mabel. Mabel with joy beyond limits, burst into tears. Today the radio played a U2 track, and she cried again, although the tears were different.

She parked her car and rushed inside. Natalie was already asleep. Mabel got fresh and hurried to bed. As she held the ring in her hand, tears rolled again. With Natalie on her side, and Brayan in her heart, she could not overcome the emptiness. Mabel closed her eyes, just to wake up to another battle tomorrow.

Disclaimer: The characters used in the post are fictitious, but their resemblance may be real!

The Stairs!

Eyes opened as the sunrises,
Hit back to reality.

Walk the path of faith,
Walk the path of truth.

Struck down, pushed around,
Yet some breath left in him.

He gets back on his feet,
To just get knocked down again.

Attempt after attempt,
He finally begins to walk.

Bruised and hurt he treads ahead,
The battle within him yet to settle.

With much agony and pain,
He thinks the worst has passed.

Reality faces him again,
At the foot he stands, the start of the stairs…

The Smile Returns...

It hurts to see you going by…
Just to see you saying the last good bye.

The journey was all smiles,
The smiles remain, but how the tears flow!

Just like the fall of night,
Just like the end of a shiny day.

Life is simple baby,
Guess, I’m the one who is complicated.

Hurts to see you cry,
Hurts even more to let you go.

I know time will heal me,
But, patience fades faster.

Seen you in another’s faithful arms,
The tears have dried up now,

I guess I knew it all the way,
And so this time, just the smile returns.

Just...

8:00am | Quilt
Damn! I’m late. I virtually start everyday reminding myself as I open my eyes and then quickly calculate the train which I may get- virtually. Today I managed to separate my virtual calculations and came back to real life calculations and trust me I suck at math. So, I missed my virtually calculated train and waited for a body smashing train at Bhayandar station. With extreme jealously and the thought to be lady just to get into the empty ladies special stalled on the adjacent platform I seen my train rushing towards the platform. Hold your breath boys, I said to myself as if I was on a Spartan battle. Well, isn’t it almost the same. After a bit of idhar dhakka-udhar dhakka, I managed to settle down in the train. Ironically, I was also listening to a track from a band called Train. It goes like- Hey, Soul Sisters with a sweet guitar strum.

9:30 am | Andheri station
Platform par aaney wali…, that’s all I heard and quickly got my hands-free plugged back into my ears. Armin kept playing Going Wrong in my ears, but my head was curious for the BST bus line. Last morning was a challenge to travel by the bus. By the mercy of GOD, I managed to get a seat, but the traffic dragging the bus was not quite a ride to remember. Today was no different. Not in terms of traffic, but in terms of the bus waiting line. It could challenge the length of the 12-coach train I just stepped out from. As Josilia’s dad says- Bus no 11, it was time to take the same- Walk. The walk though not an experience I was desperate for, but it made me feel lucky that I was gifted with the ability to walk to my work place.

12:20 pm | Awaiting work
After a good walk and some Misal bread [Pav katam ho gaya tha] I’m now listening to some good bangla and Planetshakers and waiting for a document from review. So, I thought to post today’s day on my blog. Why? Well, just! 

When HE spoke...

I met the LORD the other day, I didn’t know what to say,
HE said, “Peace be with you.” [John 20:21]

I said, “LORD I pray every time, but YOU never answer.”
HE said, “You of little faith why did you doubt?” [Matthew 14:30]

I said, “LORD there are so many things I’ve to do in life, I’m so burdened.”
HE said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” [Matthew 11:28]

I said, “LORD I try hard to achieve things and sometimes even skip my meals, but I never succeed.”
HE said, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” [Matthew 6:33]

I said, “LORD take me with YOU, there are so many troubles in this world.”
HE said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” [John 16:33]

I said, “LORD I’m a sinner, I do not deserve YOU.”
HE said, “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” [Matthew 9:12]

I said, “LORD, I feel better and much light now.”
I didn’t see HIM around now, but I knew- By HIS stripes we are healed. [Isaiah 53:5]

But, love hurts!

I don’t know what I’m doing,
But, is it me or is it you?

Want to see you smile forever,
But, I make you cry every time.

Sometimes I feel I don’t deserve you,
But, maybe I’m not strong.

Inside me I’ve lost you when I got you.
But, I wish I could hold you forever,

Time and again tears run your eyes,
But, I can never see you cry.

The borders we lie within feel safe,
But, these borders make us bleed again.

All the sorrow, all the pain,
But, I’m sorry for it once again.

Don’t want to be the one, who hurts you,
But, it’s me; probably that’s why they say love hurts!

Sunshine!

6 th January, 2011

My eyes barely open,
The window pane shines bright.

I think to myself,
It was not the same last night.

Just then I'm reminded its morning,
As I hear the birds flock together and sing.

Glad the night is over,
And I see the sunshine brighter than ever.

Thank you Lord, I say in my heart,
On the other hand I heard my mom say, Calvin please have bath.

Smiling to the light I'm off my bed,
My hair is all messed up and wierd looks my head.

Done with my morning chorus and to work I've moved,
Music playing in my ears and the sun making me feel loved.

The shunhine from the bright morning made me happy today,
Thank you GOD for the sunshine and make it shine the same way...everyday!

2010, Summarized!

Yes, another year down and this time it’s 2010. My resolution for this year was to be punctual. But, this post has appeared so late, I’m sure you must have noticed where the resolutions are headingJ.

Thou 2010 didn’t take off well, but it seemed to be a fabulous year. The year gone by has lived up to give me some of the most memorable moments. To start off, this year gave me an amazing breakthrough in the field of eLearning. I started to work in what I strongly believe is my passion, Instructional Designing. I was successful in getting hired at GOLS, one of the top-notch eLearning companies in India fuelling eLearning in India. I met some amazing talented people at GOLS. Guys, you all are awesome and continue each day to inspire me. Keep up the great work. Post GOLS, GOD was gracious and merciful to grant me a job at TATA Interactive Systems, which appears in one of my ‘Need to Work’ list. It been over a month out here and things are going pretty good. Made some good colleagues, a nice Christmas decorated bay, regular cups of lemon tea, what else could I ask for? PRAISE THE LORD!

On the academic front too this year was good. Thou it was much slow as compared to plans, but one the whole not a disappointing one. PGDID is almost done and plans are to drift towards some post graduation degree. Details are yet to be uncovered.

To top all the above, it was on the personal front I had most gains. This year made me feel really special when it came to my personal life. To start off, some of the proactive school members of my batch made all the efforts to have a school reunion and it was truly a delight to see all the guys you ate vada pav with and all the girls you couldn’t speak to back then. It was amazing party and I remember how I was telling myself that the dance for the day is over, but ended up dancing another good hour. Thanks Vinay and Carlton. Also, I made a wonderful friend who has successfully managed to hop through and come into the green pastures of Calvin’s Best Friend courtyard. She is none other than, Meghna Vashi. (No it’s not an award ceremony, just felt like writing it this way!) A great person at heart, not to forget her sense of humor and good looks which make say- KADAK! Meghna is so going to kill me for this cheap lingo xD~. And folks, please keep the controversies and conclusions aside. On the other hand my best-best friend Vinay Raghav has moved out of ghar-sansar colony and also Nerissa Dmello is in Canada. I know it’s not a happy moment to write about, but not to forget my friends moving into bigger things. If I keep myself off the selfish track, I’m so happy for my friends, but still Vinu, bird watching will never be the same in you absence. Ghar Aaja pardesi tera colony bulai re…How cheap! Hahaha.
As for you Ness, being cool is going to be tuff.
On the spiritual front GOD granted me the grace to visit Potta. It is one the most beautiful places I have ever been to not to forget to mention the spiritual experience out there was just amazing. It was 4 day retreat with regular bible sessions and preaching. Confessions, counseling, and a fabulous Inner Healing session. Also, I made some good friends at Potta- Henson, Jerry, Joel and Gary. Along with these guys praying was just brilliant. Loved the way we sang clapping our hands- One Way Jesus. I know I still stand as a sinner, but GOD has granted me the grace to visit such a place and experience HIS mighty works. PRAISE THE LORD!

Apart from this nothing excitement has happened in the year 2010. But, if it has and I haven’t included apologies to the people who made it happen, you folks know my memory. Adios to you 2010 and thanks for making me a year old and giving me great memories to smile and laugh about. And you Mr. 2011 give me some more memories and people to cherish and haan, help me get a bike! For those who wish to contribute to the Bike Raising Fund, call me. First ten donors get a free Taksun Wrist watch!