First-time skiing (@ Sierra) - feb16

Went to Tahoe with Pande & Mrudula -- we took the bay area ski bus, so, it was a pretty jampacked day. I spent the night playing casual chess with PC & Sridhar, and had to be at the pickup area by 4am. After boarding, I was 'out' in no time -- missed the breakfast and all the goodies on the bus, but when I opened my eyes.. it was like I came to a just a whole new different world!! I think that was the best part of the trip - realizing where you are. I hadn't seen so much snow in my life, it was a treat and so beautiful. Soon, it started snowing as well.

I heard horror stories from some of my friends, and when I bought expensive ski gear as part of last-minute shopping I had my own misgivings. I heard that one either loves it or hates it. For me though it was more of love. I had experience skating and ice-skating before, so, I was hoping I would be okay skiing. Hey, at least the shoes were comfortable -- much more than the ones you get at skating rinks. M&P took me first time on the lift -- it was quite difficult to stay still. :) Pande gave me the first lessons on how to stop - Pizza slice (have the ski blades like a pizza slice, tapering in the front) and knees inward. What this basically does is it reduces the area of the ski blade exposed to snow and hence you won't zoom forward. That was my first lesson -- but I guess it was the foundation.

I took the rental + lift + lesson package and after coming down the first slope (very slowly), I went and joined the lesson. I think the toughest part of that lesson was walking uphill (it was very very low incline, but still) sideways and trying not to slide down. It totally sapped me!! :)

The lesson was very useful - learnt about the equipment (jacket, boots, skis, etc.), correct skiing posture (all the weight is basically supported by the boot and the shin), how to fall properly, how to get up after a fall, walking with the skis, hopping with the skis, balance, and when we got on to the snow -- how to turn and how to slow. The lesson did not teach us how to stop, but without that initial lesson from Pande I think I would be dead scared :) -- not knowing how to stop. I also learnt how to get off the chair.

I fell lifting off the chair every time for the first 3-4 times and learnt how to get up correctly from the instructor. I also took down Mrudula once (she was the most accomplished skier of the three of us). The lesson was 2.5hr long and as the day wore on I realized its worth. It was totally worth it, and the next time I will take a lesson as well (intermediate this time). You learn so much faster with a lesson. Pande & Mrudula had gone on this big trail when I was at the lesson, but post-lunch.. we were all together at the same trail. What I liked best about my time on the slopes was my fall. Sure, I learnt how to fall in the lesson, but I felt I was mastering it on the slopes ;). The snow was so fresh that it probably felt nice falling - it definitely did not hurt.

As I started negotiating turns initially, I always used to end up in a pizza. As I saw Mrudula do her turns, I started imitating her a bit and my turns got better. I was still not able to control my speed though. I could still control myself and come to a stop, but I could not slow down while coming down. I was taking the flattest portion of the hill as much as possible and doing my 'S'es for as long as I could without gaining speed. I was too afraid to start out on the steepest part of the slope. Only in the last couple of lifts, I attempted and finally negotiated the steepest part. Much more to learn.. but it was a fun experience. Adventurous! Each time I trust others (on the planning part), I enjoy an adventure. :)

Overall, the experience was awesome. We got back to bay area only at 1030pm but the trip was total paisa vasool!

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.

So-long 2008!

Didn't know how the last 3 quarters of 2008 went by -- they just flew, and I am happy to put them behind. It was quite hectic and I am relieved to have some spare time.

Went to India in December for a long break, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I landed in a new house in a quiet location away from the center of the city, had Mom & Dad's shashtipoorti celebrations over there couple of weeks after landing and met most of my relatives. It was a nice break! (I still need to upload the pics.)

2009 was a great beginning.. met a friend at Arun's birthday party & through him I found a basketball crowd, and surprisingly they play just a few blocks from my place. Basketball was dearly missed in the 6 months since we moved to our new office campus in Santa Clara (we were deprived of a basketball court). And I found a good balance for the local Scrabble tournaments as well -- I play once a month. 6 hrs/month, that's it. I think that works out well. So.. like that.. activities are all set.

And that's how 2009 started.. and brimming with a bunch of resolutions as well!

Spring Run 2008 (TeamAsha event)

Here is the culmination of the first Asha (TeamAsha) fundraiser for 2008.

'Never Say Die' Sirivennela

One of the greatest Telugu lyricists.. Telugu literature will forever be indebted to his contributions and his poems. Revolutionary songs!! He touched my heart with his Maaradu Lokam in Gaayam.. watch this if you are unfamiliar with Sirivennala Sitarama Sastri to judge the tone of his songs. Fantastic!!

Here is one of his other gems.. I thought it would be just just, if I translated this for the non-Telugu folks.



Eppudoo.. oppukovaddu ra otamiii.. Never accept defeat!!
Eppudoo.. odulukovaddu ra orimiii.. Never give up patience!!

Visraminchavaddu e kshanammm.. Never laze for a second,
Vismarinchavaddu nirnayammm.. Don't forget the decision,
Appudee nee jayam nischayam ra.aa.. Only then your victory is certain.
Eppudoo.. oppukovaddu ra otamiii.. Never accept defeat!!

Ningi enta peddadaina Regardless of how big the sky is,
rivvumanna guvva pilla it is small to the wings of a
rekka mundu takkuvenu raa.a.. (2) determined fledgling pigeon!
Sandramenta goppadaina Regardless of how great the sea is,
eedutunna chepa pilla it is little to the fins of a
moppa mundu chinnadenu raa.a.. fingerling fish!

Paschimaana ponchi undi Camping in the west &
ravini mingu asura sandhya swallowing the sun at night,
okka naadu neggaledu raa.a.. the evil twilight has never won!
Gutaka padani aggi unda The unswallowable ball of fire
saagaraalaneedukuntu will swim across the seas
toorupinta telutundi raa... and rise again in the east.

Vishaavilaasam enta sepu ra.aa.. ? How long is the denial?!
Ushodayaanni evvadaapu ra.aa.. ? C'mon, who can stop the sunrise?!
Ragulutunna gunde kooda Raging heart is also
surya goda vatideenuraaa.. like the wall of sun.
Eppudoo.. oppukovaddu ra otamiii.. Never accept defeat!!

Noppileni nimishamedi Where is a moment without pain?
jananamaina maranamaina either at birth or ar death,
jeevitaana adugu aduguna.aa.. (2) life's pain at every step.
Neerasinchi nilisipote If you tire and stay in the moment,
nimishamaina needi kaadu even that moment is not yours.
bratuku ante nitya gharshana.aa.. Life means an endless struggle!!

Dehamundi pranamundi There is body, there is life,
netturundi sattu vundi there is blood & there is strength,
intakanna sainyamunduna.aa.. (2) can there be a bigger army?
aasha neeku astramauna Hope will become your armory,
swaasha neeku sastramaunu Breath will become your weapon &
aashayammu saaradhaunu ra.aa.. Aspiration will become your chariot!

nirantaram prayatnamunnada.aa.. ? When there is a non-stop effort?
niraasha kee niraasha puttada.aa.. ? (2) Won't the despair itself be despaired?
aayuvantu unnavaraku Until there is life
chaavu kooda neggaleka Even death can't win
shavamu paine gelupu chaatu ra.. and proclaims victory only on dead body!!

Eppudoo.. oppukovaddu ra otamiii.. Never accept defeat!!!

NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT!!!

p.s.: the translation is there just to provide the essence, it will not have the same effect. please feel free to correct me on anything there.

Long time... Long Long time..

Whew!! It took me soo long to get to this, unbelievably long time. I had so much fun in the holidays that work got piled up! ouch..

So, what have I been doing lately? Not much.. the last I played Scrabble was in October. The last I played golf was probably a couple of months back. Asha involvement was not a whole lot. I enrolled in a course at Stanford and dropped it. Purchased a digital SLR, haven't yet really used it! Yeah yeah.. things got a little hectic and went out of control and things at work were getting really busy. One of those times!

And all this while, I was putting off writing down what I had done before I got so busy. :) Better late than never, here it goes.

Christmas time is lot of fun. I like being here (rather than in India) and enjoying the festive atmosphere, looking at the christmas lights and decorations, and so forth. This time (well, I had done it last year too, but without much company) I decided to celebrate Christmas just like Americans do. Boy, it was fun!

The decorating season actually started with Diwali lights. And bay area is a good place to be to experience both. (Even though the Diwali is nothing compared how it is back in India, you still get to see some diyas here and there.) And so it continued till Christmas. (Actually, I need to get rid of the Christmas tree, it's high time.)

The Christmas shopping, gift shopping, decorating the tree, oh, it was all so much fun. In the spirit of Christmas, the time was well spent. And I had one of my best times at my birthday bash + Christmas potluck. And it was lot of fun distributing gifts as Santa Claus. Sorry all folks who couldn't make it (or were not invited :P).

mm.. and the food.. Lovely (my cousin) is just fabulous when it comes to cooking, and especially for potlucks. She made yummy veg puffs. The food was great, ranging from a nice Middle Eastern salad to manchurian to baigan bharta and yummy mango lassi!! Of course, there was so much food, that I had eat the main items for a few days.. and the chips are still going on. :) (down to the last packet)

What was even better was the surprise I got.. Shraddha came up with this idea (only she can!!) of collecting video birthday greetings from my friends. That was touching, to say the least. She is always up to something or the other on my birthdays. :) In addition to the surprise, I got some bday gifts myself too.. a Scrabble clock (to time my games) - this will be inaugrated in a couple of weeks, remote helicopter - this is fun and it is actually my first remote toy! :) and a sweater for the season. Damn it was very cold here at that time.

The pictures are here; the video here (concept - Shraddha - it is missing in the credits section of the vid):


For the rest of the hols, Arun & Neeraja were in town and they bought a new family car. So, we had a good ride and a good trip to Big Sur / Monterey. That place rocks. We had a good time - some nice historic commentary from KP, ocean side restaurants, and the water was stunningly gorgeous!!

And spent the New Year's Eve quietly at home.. like back in India! watch TV, play cards.

Taare Zameen Par

It has been such a long time I watched a wonderful Indian movie. The movie was exceptionally made, and the performance of the cast was excellent. TZP sure is a one to touch your heart, commendable Aamir!

It is not the usual entertainer, as has been the norm. Aamir brings out the sensitivities very well in his effort. The movie surely pushes all of us to our childhod memories and makes us nostalgic. It is a movie that every kid, every parent can relate to. Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy doeesn't leave any complaints. And the screenplay was excellent.

I can not rave enough about the movie. It's a movie that can be watched any number of times. I felt so after watching back-to-back movies. Aja Nachle, followed by Taare Zameen Par. And no regrets for the decision. Two Thumbs Up to Taare Zameen Par!!

And yea, we all were up in standing ovation!!!

In contrast, Aja Nachle wasn't as entertaining as Shahrukh's Om Shanti Om, but the dances by Madhuri and the last musical drama were more than paisa vasool!! Storyline is a typical drama, but the dance is what the movie is about. The rest of the plot is not important.