Archive for November, 2009
Last year this time around I was obsessed with interior designing. I looked up internet (obviously), local books shops, anything I could lay my hands on for scraps on info on how to create a harmonious, functional and beautiful looking room.
We purchased our house in 2005. An apartment on the ground floor in Ghaziabad, U.P that was just right. If you look at it from outside it’s a nondescript, yet-another three storey building. But inside the ground floor apartment is my personal heaven. (Or at least I wanted it to be 
)
Between paying off home loan and stuff we kept the plan for renovation-beautification on hold until last year, when we managed to put some cash away for this purpose. That’s when I decided to pursue my dream. In the course of searching for proper guidance I discovered the site called Universal Class and found that they have online courses, rich with content and well within the budget. I ended up taking their course on Interior Decorating and also managed to get a certificate of outstanding performance through the assignments I submitted. (Yeah, modesty is my middle name 
)
Armed with all this info I created a floor plan and a mood board for my house.
We did get major pieces of furniture created (mostly wall mounted so as to save floor area), painting for all the rooms, added wall art pieces and other accessories.
How’s that?
If we use the internet in a constructive way, there are millions of learning, growing opportunities out there. In today’s world knowledge is really at your finger-tips, may it be from any field, any area.
I used the site “Universal Class” for interior decoration stuff, but that’s not all that they do. They have 100’s of courses in various areas (from Entrepreneurship to Medicine related, from Mathematics to Crafts) which people with less time and resources can avail of.
So, what are you waiting for? Head out to your favorite learning place on the net and start working on your dream today.., And yes, don’t forget to share with us and rest of our readers if you know of any such learning centers / courses which they can benefit from 
Francis Bacon said in The Quotable Book Lover, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some are to be chewed and digested.” I feel the same can be said about movies, too. I recently watched (read was-carried-away-by) the movie , “Into The Wild”. I was so drawn to the story that it was impossible to hold back tears in the end. Based on a true story, ‘Into The Wild’ left me asking myself unanswerable questions.
The story is about a young guy, aged only 24, Christopher McCandless who is fed up of the social facade and complicated relationship with his parents. He leaves for Alaska, in search of happiness and peace within himself. He abandons all his belongings, donates his money and changes his name, so as to disappear from public scrutiny. He embarks his journey, steps away from civilization and its necessary (un)pleasantries, and walks alone , into the wild……
On his journey to Alaska via Mexico, he meets a lot of influential people from whom he learns the lessons of life and ways to happiness. On reaching Alaska, he stumbles upon, what he calls – the Magic bus. For over 40 days, he braves all the hardships, hunts animals for food, maintains his journal and reads his favorites.
However, after thus struggling through a solitary existence, McCandless begins to soften and acknowledges the possibility that human relationships were more of a necessity than he had originally thought. He, then decides to return to the civilization he had come from, only to find his route blocked by a melted river.
Although McCandless’s behaviour, may seem reckless and drastic and even evoke anger and irritation in some, it teaches a lot to us. We, as humans, need to realize that we need to strike a balance between peace-searching isolation and being a part of society. To quote McCandless “Happiness is real only when shared’”. You can be living in society and still be yourself, not succumbing to the social pressures or obligations.
Forced to live longer in isolation, what does the young spirited guy go through? Does he retreat back into his peaceful solitude? Does he face natural calamities? Is he rescued? Does he seek help? Meet help? Watch / read “Into The Wild” to find out for yourself…
Dear Diary, Today was a very special (?) day.
My birthday dawned upon me just like it had in the last few years. A tiny butterfly rolling in my tummy with anticipation and dread. Anticipation – may be someone will remember and wish me, send me flowers and stuff. Dread – well, one more year gone, I am closer to the "middle age" by another 365 days.
Well, I was born in a large family some 3 (or 4?) decades ago in Indonesia. After some smiles and some tears, finally I am here. In India. Working for a Software Company – from my Mom’s crowded kitchen to the plush ambience of this office, the journey was not always smooth. But all that is history. Which no one remembers, but me. So no point boring you with the details.
0900 Hrs: With the anticipation and dread I mentioned above, I sit in the Cafetaria. A group of co-workers passes by. I am all ears (and eyes too). But alas, no one notices me. "No probs. Don’t worry, the day has just started. Someone will remember. May be they are planning a surprise for me… " I console myself.
1100 Hrs: I sit in the Cafe’. Still waiting. slowly turning into 
.
1300 Hrs: All the people come down to have lunch. I look up expectantly at each face, trying hard not to be too obvious. Doesn’t work. No wishes.
1530 Hrs: Scene: Cafe’. My co-workers, whom I thought to be my friends, come in many groups. Chattering happily (it’s a Friday, you see), giggling, cursing the strict project timelines or company policies – all sorts of conversations. Then she comes. Oh, did she make an attempt to look extra gorgeous today? For me? My heart races to match the speed of a Formula-1 car. She comes near me. Casually touches her hand on my face. I turn tomato orange or a similar shade of pink. Just about to faint. Still no wishes.
1700 Hrs: I sit in the Cafe’ and doze off. I see a large party, a huge cake, she puts it all over my face and laughs like pearls falling on marble. Some utensil crashes in the adjacent kitchen. I wake up. No wishes.
1900 Hrs: The day ends just like any other – with everyone leaving for their home. No one wished me today. All my dreams are shattered. A tiny sob escapes my mouth. But alas, there’s no one around to notice, to see a poor, honest, sincere employee weeping on his birthday.
2200 Hrs: "Never mind", I tell myself, "Never you mind. …" and I weep myself to sleep. (;_;)
Yours truly,
~The Coffee table nearest to snack bar,
ABC Inc., India.
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