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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

ONE YEAR

I dropped off Santhosh after the movie and asked him to lock behind my bike, the helmet he was holding all the way. As he was getting the key right, I happened to witness a strand of clouds passing through the dark purple-blue sky. The beauty of the night electrified my senses instantly. I was in an environment that barely qualified to be street. It was a foul-smelling gully, with lots of people sleeping on the road. It was simply a typical slum movie setup. Yet, the passing clouds were one of the best sights ever. A realization hit upon me - Amidst all the dirty things, those passing moments make Life so Beautiful.

So, its been a year now. 365 days. If I look back, I can't even recall most of the days that passed by. It seems like yesterday when I spent my first night in Chennai, lying down with my face on the pillow, tilted ably to look at my cellphone as if one beep is going to make a big difference in my life. It did not beep until morning and when it did, it made sure that I started off to my first day at work with a smile. Smile - the curve that could be bent either way by the person who puts it there, in first place.

Its just been a roller coaster ride all the way, till today. I look back and see the many trips to Coimbatore, some yearned and some dreaded, the many Friends I made, the fun moments @ work and family, the new arrivals into the family, Appraisal and other events @ work, the loss of loved ones and the lessons learnt. All along, I have been making promises to myself and taking up tasks involving responsibility and commitment. The good thing about last year is that I completed SUCCESSFULLY few of those tasks and was sincere to all those promises. I also take pride in keeping up to the trust of most of the people in my life.

Thank God, things @ work have been smooth. I had a pretty good appraisal (not money-vise). I was astounded by some of those comments. Well, I always keep my expectations less, maybe thats the reason. The best part involves the many people that boarded the bus of my life. I got to know better, few people I barely knew before and made some good, witty, funny and sincere Friends. I pray to have a seamless work year again.

I've had people (someone or the other) around me as always. Masakali from Dilli-6 has been replaced by Beera Beera from Raavan. Breakfast @ Balaji Bhavan has become Breakfast @ Udipi Mess. Shifting from Madurai to Coimbatore has changed to shifting from Coimbatore to Chennai. Deccan Chargers were followed by Chennai Super Kings. These changes will repeat year after year.

But, there have been other changes as well; those that will have an impact forever. Those changes that play a key role in transforming a person to what he is gonna be, those that create misery to look back later and smile and those that create joy to look back later and shed a tear. Responding to these changes is the key.

Expectations grow exponentially. Last year's benchmarks have worn out. New goals are visible. The mistakes list has been freshly updated and against each of them is written a new learning. New friends are waiting to board the bus. And the list goes on.

To that day, I look back.
Withered leaves flying away,
Tight clutches being forced open.
Truth feeding on anxiety.
The apples of my eye.

To this day, I acknowledge,
The growing greenery,
Claws awaiting the rust.
A fresh batch of anxiety building.
The plucked apples in safest hands.

Looking forward to next year....

PS:
1) A big sorry to all those people whose calls I have not returned, whose scraps I've not replied, whose presence I've not acknowledged. 2010 has been really hectic and I'm slowing down gradually. Thanks a lot for understanding.
2) Cheers to all those who made it to Swathi's wedding. I look at the photos and I'm so happy that My Friends were the majority! I feel so important! :) :) THANKS A LOT PEOPLE!!!!

13 Expressions:

Charan said...

A well orchestrated summation mate...!!!

Cheers

Vibushan L Narayan said...

No man.. No.. I cannot forgive you for the calls not returned. I'm gonna hold that grudge against you forever :P

Chiju said...

@Charan
Thanks Dude! :)
@Vibushan
I write a whole big post for my one year @ work and u comment on my PS! You Gemini!

VJ said...

How you hide so much behind your words! I love the subtle hints.

And thanks for the invitation to Swathi's wedding. I really did enjoy myself.

A year has really gone by.. A year ago today, I would not have expected that in 3 days I'd be quiting HW! :(

I was thinking about it yesterday,... I am never going to completely get over this year. It has been the most eventful. And you have been a part of it too..

And you really are a very practical, determined fellow! Admirable!

Arvind Thinagarajan said...

awesome post chiju...i felt your PS sounded more reasonable tho :P

Panto(a)phobe said...

Nice post ... Ur posts are more and more becoming "read between the lines" posts ... I can see some situations where u relate to ... Nice ,. really nice ...

vass said...

gud one gud.....

Chiju said...

@VJ
:)
@Arvind
Yeah you will find it so! :P
@Navneeth R
Thanks man! Happy atleast someone noticed this! :P
@vass
Thanks for visiting. Keep Visiting! :)

Janith said...

2 good (if it wasnt for my undying urge to pull ur leg .. i wud have also said things like "wowwe man..loved ur blog...the way u spoke soo much with soo less" .... and things like that)...

$ph!nX said...

:D A year of Ups and Downs, trials and tribulations.. I've loved it... And hated it.. Thanks a ton.. For what? Being an awesome punch bag :P

Chiju said...

@Janith
If it wasn't my undying urge to crush you, i'd also have said thank you! :P :P
@Aneesh
Don't put ideas in others' head! :P

Kanz said...

Congrats macha.. still rem the time wen u called me n told that u cleared the interview.. Happy for u dude... and yes, one yr jus flew.. ;)

Chiju said...

@Kanz
:)

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