PC gets engaged.. (Feb 13th 2009)

We had our first long weekend for 2009 (Presidents Day, Feb 16), and it was lot of fun. Pavan (my best friend from high school) got engaged during the Valentine's day weekend -- and I had a bunch of friends visiting from San Diego. Hari, Mallika, Pande, Mrudula & Sridhar accompanied Pavan as the couple exchanged rings here in the bay area. Rupa works in Arizona and her siblings and mom live in SF bay area, so, we had a small get-together on Sunday, Feb 15, at Rupa's elder sister's place.

All of my friends were put up at my place, and they were practically my first guests (ignoring the fact that Pande & Mrudula stayed over at my place a bunch of times). Whole of 2008 was scattered with trips to San Diego (my project was still there), and during all those times, I stayed at Pavan's place and caught up with the rest of the gang. So, it was nice to finally host old friends at new place!

Sridhar (there, in the picture with the 'Victory' sign) and I indulged in a best-of-3 chess tournament. The prize was '2001 American Open' trophy that Sridhar lost to me long back in an arbitrary one-off match. He had won it in LA in 2001 and it decorated my closet for a good number of years. Sridhar, I let you go easily this time.. next time I am in San Diego, I will win my coveted possession back! Enjoy it while it lasts.. and have fun with the teaching.

Pande are Mrudula are connoisseurs of good food (all my San Diego friends are quite excited at the number of desi places around in the area.. and rightly so I believe - I felt the same when I moved.) So, whenever they are around, I take them to some new place they hadn't been to. We covered Dosa Place, Amber Cafe & Temptations this time around. It was fun.

It was funny how many Qualcommers we were bumping into -- more from San Diego than Santa Clara!!

Apart from just hanging out, watching movies and chilling at home when we weren't out eating, I went out shopping and discovered some new stores, thanks to Mallika's brother for that. I also found a track pant!! Can you believe that?! We had to pretty much check out all stores at Great Mall before we found one, just when the mall was closing.. and in the last place we were planning to look before giving up. There is hope.

Sridhar, Pavan, Hari & Mallika drove back on Monday while Pande & Mrudula flew ou Tuesday morning.