Personal

Everything was seeming to go well in my life and even last Saturday, when we went to Dakshina Chitra, we met a Palm Reader and when this person asked us to ask any question, we said, we have everything in life, we dont have anything to ask for. May be Gods overheard us and in the next two days dropped a bombshell in our lives with the intensity of the one that fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

My mom claimed that she finds some lump in her breast, after examining her breasts as per the instructions they gave on one of the TV channels. We did not want to take it easy, so we took her to our family Gynaecologist, Dr. Lakshmi in T.Nagar. There, she went through some routine tests and we were asked to take her for a CT Scan. The results of which revealed that she had 'Cancer', the lump which was found in her breasts suddenly came up in our throats also. Then some confirmatory tests were done and then we were asked to test her Bone Marrow, Liver, Lungs, etc. Fortunately all these organs seem to be clear, still was nto affected by Cancer. Then it was decided that we have to admit her in the hospital and a surgery has to be performed on her breast.

She was admitted to the hospital on 24 March 2008 and then when the Oncologist was checking her, identified two more nodes in her right breast and told us that we have to do a biopsy of those nodes and incase those nodes are also identified as cancer cells, he told us that Surgery will not be helpful. So today, we went ahead and did some more tests and waiting with our fingers crossed.

With the situation being grim, I probably did not have any other option than to read my mother the book on Lance Armstrong's life to prepare her for the lifelong battle she would have to wage from now on.

Looking back, what is the cause of the cancer? no answer. Glad when the doctor says that this probably is the initial stages of Cancer, but in my mother's case the identification was just a chance. She had no symptoms or whatsoever, there was not any uneasiness, she was not feeling sick and absolutely nothing that could even give us a hint that she has Cancer. Even when we came to the hospital, we all came with loud laughter and I am sure that she was not feeling sick at all. But I am sure that when she goes out of this hospital, she would be a sick person. But, I am sure my mom will survive this and will fight the battle without giving up.

So, I would want to place a request here, assuming that anyone can get Breast Cancer, just ensure that you are aware of it and incase you have it, please diagnose at the earliest. There are a lot of websites and Non Profit Organisations which would give you all the necessary information for you, So be aware of it. Please spread this message to all the women you know in your life and ensure that they are doing the monthly self diagnosis by themselves.

Follow this link for the 5 Step Breast Self Examination:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp

Vinod is my good friend, he is in our finance department. As I was talking to Vinod and Bala from IS, Vinod wanted to know how I post all these articles. Being a good friend of mine, I feel that he deserves an entry in my blog.

Thanks Vinod for being my friend.

Was in Bangalore in the last couple of days for a Steering Committee Meeting, everything went on well and our Customer was very happy with the way the relationship has been in the last one year. This also gave me an oppurtunity to meet my friends in Bangalore and spend some time with them.

Back home, my daughter was sick and is down with severe cold and which resulted in ear ache. Took care of her during the weekend and so not much happened during the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon my wife and daughter were sleeping and I woke up before them. Thought I can surprise my wife by preparing Tea, I have never been to the kitchen before, except to drop my used plates for washing. Did not exactly know what to do? Took the help of Internet to prepare of the same. With great difficulty boiled the milk and prepared tea. My wife woke up before i could finish because of the noise I made. But it tasted yucky, by being thoughtful, looks like I spoiled her evening tea. Anyway will try and perfect it next time.

Started the day very early as I had to catch the train to Bangalore, going there to attend the Steering Committee Meeting with my client. My train was scheduled to leave Chennai Central at 6:00 AM and as usual planned to wake up by 4:30 am and leave home by 5:00 am so I can be at the station well ahead of time.

'Man proposes, God disposes,' With great difficulty woke up at 4:50 am and found that there is now power due to the more than normal rain. In the darkness somehow managed to take bath and dressed up and boarded the cab at 5:10 am. As it is very early in the morning, the drive from would not take more than 30 minutes time and as I we crossed the Kathipara Junction, the driver stopped the vehicle and then I realised that one of the tyres have become flat. Thought I will take another auto, but the driver assured that we will still make it, so trusted him.

Then he changed the tyre and suddenly I had a feeling that I am in some F1 circuit, near Nandanam we nearly hit one two wheeler. Then told the driver that it is fine even if I miss the train, I can drive down to Bangalore as my meeting is only scheduled late in the evening. I had more suprises near Spencer's Plaza, as we saw vehicles being diverted to one side of the road, as a lorry had toppled on the other side. Meanwhile, I was supposed to check the tickets this morning for the time and the coach number, which I did not do because of the urgency. Then when we reached Simpson, the time was 5:50 am and I was wondering if I am supposed travel today, as I did not get a call from Suresh. Probably, this is what they call it as telepathy, he called me and asked me where I am? I told him that I will be there in 5 minutes time and got the Coach No and Platform number from him.

Then reached my coach just in time and told Suresh about the encounters I had on my way and he smiled and probably that smile told me that he did not beleive me. I would not blame him, as he has reasons to smile, last time when we travelled together, I was late to the station, because the cab I travelled met with a minor accident. I dont know may be I am jinxed when travelling with him.

 I'll be your dream
 I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
 I'll be your hope I'll be your love
 Be everything that you need.
 I'll love you more with every breath
 Truly, madly, deeply do
 I will be strong I will be faithful
 'cause I'm counting on
 
 A new beginning
 A reason for living
 A deeper meaning
 
 I wanna stand with you on a mountain
 I wanna bathe with you in the sea
 I wanna lay like this forever
 Until the sky falls down on me
 
 And when the stars is shining brightly in the velvet sky,
 I'll make a wish and lead to heaven and make you want to cry
 The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty
 That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
 
 The highest powers
 In lonely hours
 And the tears devour you
 
 I want to stand with you on a mountain
 I want to bathe with you in the sea
 I want to lay like it is forever
 Until the sky falls down on me
 
 Oh can't you see it baby?
 You don't have to close your eyes
 'Cause it's standing right before you
 All that you need will surely come
 
 I'll be your dream I'll be your wish
 I'll be your fantasy
 I'll be your hope I'll be your love
 Be everything that you need
 I'll love you more with every breath
 Truly, madly, deeply do
 
 I wanna stand with you on a mountain
 I wanna bathe with you in the sea
 I want to lay like this forever
 Until the sky falls down on me
 
 I wanna stand with you on a mountain
 I wanna bathe with you in the sea
 I want to live like this forever
 until the sky falls down on me

I just love this song very much and also this is my current caller tune.

            

Crescendo 2007, this was an event conducted in my company in the last six months. Our office was divided into three teams based on DNA Imagination, Action & Joy. The events comprised of Quiz, Antakshari, Dumb Charades, Creative Writing, Debates, etc. and Sporting events including Volleyball, Throwball, Badminton, Table Tennis, Football, Gilli, Goli, Bambaram, Cracket ( a modified version of cricket ). This event came to an end of 29 February 2008 with a grand finale. The main event in Finale was an event which we named it as 'Two 2 Tango', in which some 12 pairs performed a variety of programs which included Skits, Dances and Songs.

Though we had teams practicing for the main event since October 2007, this event had to be postponed for various reasons and finally when we decided to conduct this event, the original teams was not in a position to practice and perform. Thats when we started thinking how to successfully do this event, we conceptualised 'Two 2 Tango'. It worked out very well and everyone enjoyed this event, a very special thanks should go to the bunch of Interns who showed their talent, enjoyed the event and made others enjoy.  Shown below are some pics from the event, I also got some prizes and medals in this event

Crescendo'07, atlast came to an end on 29 February 2008, no, I am not going to talk about what it is all about. Its an experience and i just lived through it in the last Six months.

After the event was over, Vish, Priscilla, Pallavi, Rakesh and I went to Andhra's Bhavan, a restaurant in Besant Nagar to spend the time together. Then I dropped everyone and was returning back and thinking over everything. Vishwanath (Vish) was one of the key person behind this event, I admire him a lot. The talent he possesses, versatility and the amount of energy he has and the way he spreads it across, these are few qualities I admire in him.

Looking back, my admiration for him started from the time I saw him on the Graduation day on 13 Dec 2006 in MindTree. The way he danced for Main Aisa kyun hoon from Lakshya and to the wonderful talk he gave that day. The confidence I saw in him when he was doing both these activity made me his fan, the only thing I knew about him at that time was that his name is Vishwanath. I was thinking what an asset t

his guy would be in the team that he would be in and wished if I could get him on my team.

Then when I got transferred to Chennai, to my surprise I found him in Chennai too and unfortunately he happened to be R&D, so I knew that I would not be able to work with him on projects. But Rainbow and now Crescendo did give me a lot of oppurtunity to work with him. On that day when I was taking a video I saw him mentoring another Campus Mind, so my thought became more important as i see how he has grown from Campus Mind to a Senior mind.

Keep up the good work Vish, I admire you a lot.                   

Vish singing in Two 2 Tango in Crescendo

Again, I am giving an excuse for not writing for a long time. Pretty busy with my relocation and the new projects and responsbilities. The challenge has now extended more with the 3 hour commute everyday to and from work. No complaints, life is interesting as it has always been with its twists, turns and dead ends.

Lot of things to share, 3 months of continuos working, Cricketing endeavours, Corporate Tournaments, My new interest - Badminton, my US Trip, my Promotion....

Will ensure that I take time and keep filling up the pages on this website.