Aman's Blog….ANYTHING goes here!

Working, Traveling And Being So Tensed…. June 30, 2016

I couldn’t write anything since the last post. If you have been a regular here, you must be aware that from the last few days, I am just not in a good mood. It would be better to say that I am really really upset. I won’t mention the reasons here but it’s suffice to say that my head is hurting so much from thinking about many many things. And in between all this, there was a conference that I had to organize and ensure that it would go fine and then there was work for this week, which also I had to ensure that it must go fine. Sounds easy? No, it’s not easy at all. by any means.

And when things are going bad, just everything goes bad and that’s pretty much that I have been experiencing since last week.

It started from my flight. I was flying by Indigo airline, which has earned a very good name about being the most punctual airline of India. But just as I mentioned about bad times, on that day when I needed it to be on time, it got delayed and not just by few minutes but by 2.5 hours. I had thought that I shall reach Delhi and since the conference that I had to be at , was at Chandigarh, I should be able to get some 2 hours of sleep. But now the flight was delayed and with its delay, everything got messed up. I was supposed to reach Delhi at 11pm but instead , I reached at 1am. I had my cab already waiting for me. I thought, it’s still not so bad. I shall say to the cab driver that I want to sleep for some time and I shall sleep when he would be driving. But I came to know that the cab driver is not feeling well and now, I have to change the cab. The next cab that I got was a better one but there was a known person sitting already in it and now, I couldn’t say that I am going to bed cos he was there and I had to talk to him for some time. That’s another thing that despite sitting in the front seat, he fell asleep. Anyways, I was still not ready to lose hope. But then something happened and I realized that the whole plan of me sleeping and taking any rest is going to get screwed up, badly.

Just when we got out of Delhi and touched the national highway, my driver got call from another driver that there is some accident that has happened and due to that, there is a massive traffic jam. It was so massive that the other driver got out of it only after about 4 hours. We thought it would be cleared by the time we would reach to that point. But no, that wasn’t going to happen. When we reached there, we witnessed that there was no way this jab was going to be cleared even till next morning. After waiting for a while, we decided to go via a village which was adjoining the national highway.  None of us knew about the route but we thought that this village can’t have just one entry to it. It was like going through a zigzaw puzzle. We had GPS on and were taking its help and also were watching carefully the other cars which were moving ahead of us. After driving for so long through those narrow roads, we were finally back on the highway and were away from that traffic jam. It was really good to be back on the highway but we had lost a very significant amount of time. And now, there wasn’t any possibility of me getting any rest whatsoever when I shall reach at Chandigarh. And that’s exactly what happened. I reached at about 6am at the hotel Bella Vista. I took a shower, changed clothes and after a quick breakfast and coffee, I was now supposed to leave for the conference. Good thing was that the venue of the conference was about 10 minutes away from the hotel.

The conferene was going to be a full day event.  My team had done everything but still, there is tons of pressure when you organize such events. The event started off well and the delegates did appreciate all the hard work that had gone behind all the arrangements. At about 5pm, we got done with the conference. Good thing was that I was not presenting but was an organizer so I didn’t need to be worried about the arrangements AND my own session. But by 5pm, I was just so much tired. Exhausted would be a better word I believe. All I wanted now was to lay down on my bed and sleep. So I got the cab(which I had booked already) and left for home. I reached home in about an hour. As much as I wanted to have a good rest, I had to get ready for the next week’s travel(to the place where I am sitting right now). So I had just few hours before I would be leaving. Not really something that I wanted but there wasn’t anything that I could about either.

Next morning, I started my travel to this place. I am not sure why but I didn’t have a very good feeling. And that’s what I had felt the entire time since I am here. May be it’s the thoughts, tensions from the last few days or may be something else, I am not too sure. But the feeling is not good and all I want to do is to get out of here as soon as possible. I shall be winding up my work from here in next few minutes and I hope it’s going to be concluded on a good note. I have concerns for that as well. If that won’t happen, that would be the disaster. I just hope and wish that nothing of this sort would happen.

I shall be getting ready to wrap things up here now. Hope I shall get some relief. I shall update the post once I get to know how things ended here.

A Good Day Amidst In A Bad Week…. June 24, 2016

At times, some sayings or acronyms which you don’t really bother about otherwise, make perfect sense. That’s just the same I am feeling about today-Friday. TGIF. It’s been a terrible week , not from the professional side but from the personal aspect. Since Monday, I have been so much upset and lost in the thoughts thanks to the various reasons. I am still not sure if the ordeal is over or would continue further too but at this moment, my mind is just so tired and exhausted. In this mind-exhaustion, work played a big part too cos the module that I am handling right now, is extremely tough and requires a lot of effort to pull it through. It’s the last day today for the session and I shall come to know today how did I perform. Some time, everything hits you just at the same time and that’s the same what is happening with me too.

But among all this, I can be happy about one(and one thing only so far) which happened yesterday and it really did make me feel so good and uplifted my mood.

The city where I am right now, my manager sits in the same also. We don’t meet for very long times. The last I met him was in 2015 some time. But it’s always so good to meet him as not only he is one of the very best technologists but even more, he is very very good person.  Extremely down to earth, jovial and fun loving and when you are with him, you can’t imagine that you are with a person who is on such a senior level and is so knowledgeable. So he messaged me and asked since you are here in the city, how about we go for lunch? Needless to mention, I said sure. Being so good as he is, he came to pick me up since we both were at two different locations. We went to a small but very nice place which serves Gujarati food. Yes, you heard it right- we went to a Gujarati food place which is situated in the heart of  one of the most prominent South Indian cities of India. No, my manager is NOT from Gujarat too. But he had discovered that place and now, wanted to take over there. The place was small but clean and nice. We got a fixed meal which had three veges, rice and butter-milk. He also ordered for me sweet which was made from mangoes and was so good. We had a talk in between the meal and once finished, he dropped me back at the venue too.

It was very well spent time of 45 minutes and that’s what I learn from great people-they are so senior, so knowledgeable but are so humble, down to earth and most importantly, a very good human being. There are no words that I have to define how overwhelmed I feel seeing him driving all the way to my location, dropping me back and on top of that, being so thoughtful about choosing the place knowing that I would like the food. Thanks so very much G sir!

Despite all the things that have happened in this week and has done nothing but made me so upset-this was one small incident which came as a ray of sunshine among the dark clouds of thoughts which has engulfed my mind right now. Hope next week take away these clouds.

It’s 9.20am and time to get back to work which would start in about 15 minutes from now.

It’s Traveling Time, Again…. June 19, 2016

After spending a day(yep, just a day) , I am back at the airport. If you are a regular here, you must be knowing that I had finished work at Pune and had Saturday free with me. So I decided to go to home cos though it would be a very short trip but any time spent at home is completely worth it.

Flight from Pune to Delhi was a usual one. I had done my web-checkin already(something which I do always whenever it’s possible) so after dropping the luggage, there wasn’t much to do. I had a cup of coffee which wasn’t good at all and was waiting for my flight. The flight was okay but two co-passengers of mine, brought tears to my eyes. The person sitting next to my seat was having difficulty in wearing the seat belt. It happens when the person hasn’t traveled before. I helped him and he was very happy. He asked me where I am going-Delhi or somewhere else. I replied that I am going to Delhi-how about him? So he told that he and his wife are traveling to Chicago, to meet their son who lives in the USA. They were traveling for the first time and of course, were just so much happy. Their happiness was so clearly visible. I congratulated them and when we landed, helped them to get to the transfer counter so that they could get to their international flight easily. I was so happy for them but one thing that did hurt me all the while and even now is that this is something that I won’t be able to see happening. I won’t ever see my dad and mom traveling with me in a flight. No, I am not being negative in my thoughts. I know the reality and doesn’t matter what I say or shout about, it won’t change. May God bless to all those sons and daughters who are able to make their parents fly in  a flight, make them see the places around and the world and may their parents have a very long, healthy life always and their blessings and they are going to be with their childrens till eternity.

At home, the day was completely packed. There was so much to do. All I know is that before I could realize, morning of today had arrived and I had to leave.

It’s going to be two hours before my flight would fly. I am not feeling hungry so I shall get a cup of coffee and listen to a song that I have been sent by a friend. I don’t know how I skipped listening it but it should be good. Yes, it’s a sad song from Babbal Rai. If it’s going to be really that good, I shall be sharing it here along with the translation of it. So check back in a day or two. For now, have a good Sunday and a Happy Monday!

Bye Bye Pune…. June 17, 2016

I have just reached at the airport after concluding the session here at Pune. There is going to be a delay in the flight I believe and I have nearly about an hour to wait before anything would happen.

The week was very hectic. And it wasn’t just for me but for the delegates as well. This particular module is one of the most tough ones to deliver in my opinion. Since I have been delivering it from a long time, it’s still somewhat okay for me but for the delegates, there is a LOT that they have to consume within a very short span of time. And to be honest, it’s not easy at all. I am always amazed looking at the delegates that despite the module is so tough and contains many many things to understand, they are able to grasp, most if not all, of the content. I really feel that if it has to be, I won’t be able to remember a single thing . Hats off to all of them!

As I mentioned in the last post, this session was for a group for whom I had delivered already few sessions. So it was great to be back and meet them. Besides being really smart and knowledgeable, the entire group had so much of positive vibes and all were really nice and amazing people. There were few with whom I had lots of conversations over lunch and in the tea breaks on many non-oracle topics too. We all had a great laugh and that made those “cutting chai” breaks even more fun. We developed a practice of not having tea which was arranged for us at the venue but to have it at a nearby shop. Before we would have tea, we would feast upon world famous snack of Maharashtra- Vada-Pav (from a nearby vendor who would make it fresh almost all the time). I haven’t much of Vada-Pav in the past whenever I happened to be at Mumbai but I believe, now I have had it to my heart’s content. One of the delegates J, brought for me today, before I had to leave , two packs of local delicacies. Such a great gesture. So thankful to you J!

Though we had a great time but the sole reason we were together in this week was work, the session that I was delivering and the delegates were attending. So it was of paramount importance that I could deliver it okay and make the time spent by all useful. And it was great to see that the feat was achieved. Before leaving all were having a smile on their faces and did mention that they did find the session useful and it would help them for sure in their work. That’s what I work so hard to hear. I am glad that I could share whatever little I know with them and did say a thing or two that woulld help them. A big thanks to all!  It was great being with you all- especially with few folks (you know who you are, J, R, G and the rest) . I sincerely hope that we meet soon in some other training session or conference. 

I am extremely tired but I don’t think that I shall be getting much rest as I shall be traveling again very soon. But I don’t want to think about that right now. I have a day(hopefully) to unwind at home and that’s what I am looking forward to. I shall grab a coffee and shall listen to music. Hope the check-in starts soon. Most of the people believe that traveling is so much fun. Yes it is but the part that happens in between going from place A to place B i.e. waiting at the airports, in the cabs, flights, that’s so not exciting. Hope travel gods would be kind on me and there won’t be any more delays. Let’s see!

Hey Coffee , where are you?

Hello Pune…. June 13, 2016

I have reached Pune. The journey did start in the morning and it wasn’t really very eventful. I arrived at the airport about 4 hours before the scheduled departure. When I was about to get-in, the security staff at the airport gate suggested that I should grab something to eat before I go inside for two reasons. One, once you have come inside the airport, you can’t come out. And I was quite early for my flight. Mostly people would get bore and are willing to go out after some time they enter the check-in terminals. I know this very well but I being me, I don’t feel impatient and can wait pretty much for whatever time required without making any complaints. But before I did consider his suggestion, his 2nd point made more sense. He mentioned that I can have something to eat from outside cos it would be one, cheaper than inside the airport and two, there are better varities. Since I just had a cup of coffee when I left the hotel, I thought that’s a better thing to do that I shall have something. So I had a Hara Bhara Sub and for a change, Masala tea from Chai Point.

After having a nice breakfast, finally I stepped inside the check-in terminal.

I was traveling with Air Asia and since I was very early, there was no rush at the check-in counters. It took no time to get the check-in done. I opt for the premium options for seating(not business class) normally to save time and get my luggage quickly and there is such option available with AirAsia. It took almost about 2 minutes to get everything done there at the check-in counter but the entire time saved there, was lost at the security check-in. It seemed like the entire city was traveling as there was just so much of rush and long queues. After a long time, I got done with it. I picked up a Strawberry shake and now was waiting for my flight. The flight was on-time and finally, we were aboard.

Now, I don’t like AirAsia. But I had to travel by it cos that’s the only one which was available at the time that I had chosen for my travel. Anyways, being the budget airline, the only thing that’s given free by them is water. But today, the airline was celebrating it’s 2nd anniversary being in India and on this occasion, they did distribute chocolates to the passengers. It was a small chocolate but still, it’s good to fly on these special occassions with airlines. The flight was otherwise smooth except at the time of landing, due to really strong winds, there was so much (and scary) turbelence. But since you are reading this post, so it does mean that I have survived and in one piece.

After collecting my luggage(and the premium seat did help as luggage did come quickly), I got the pre-paid cab to the hotel. At hotel, I met familiar front-desk staff and my check-in was completed immediately. They are always very happy to see me and it’s a very nice feeling to step in a hotel when you know the staff of that hotel. I am fortunate that many hotels where I do go, are very kind to me. Anyways, so I was in my room finally and had a nap. About an hour ago, I got a call from the restaurant for dinner buffet. So finally, I woke up , had dinner and now, shall be getting some preparations done for work that’s starting from tomorrow. Let’s see how it goes!

Some Time, It’s Too Much…. June 12, 2016

I haven’t been able to update the blog from some time. In fact, it’s been 6 months as I was told yesterday. Though there have been many thing that I did plan to write about e.g. how my team and I had been able pull through a very successful Oracle event at Gurgaon, about the tidbits of the travels and many more such things. But lately, more precisely, this year, I have been much more busy than how much normally I am. At this moment, I am writing this post sitting at the lounge at the airport.

I have concluded a session for a senior group of people last week at Chennai. Though the session was very rigrous but the entire group of people made it very interesting with their interactions, discussiosns and most importantly, with their positivity. We spent  a great deal of time discussing a LOT about Oracle database and in-between, there were small informal talks as well about the place, about floods,  about how Chennai was so cool this time(it was much pleasant weather this time there) and about food. The delegates were so kind and mentioned so many kind words about me at the end of the session. Two of them did figure about my books etc. and have asked me to send a copy with my signature on it. I have promised to do so once I shall be back at home. Most importantly, every one was very happy and a smile on their face—something which is a clear sign for me that I was able to do my work properly.

From Chennai, now I shall be heading to Pune. This would be a session that I am going to conduct for the folks for whom I have conducted already two sessions. Let’s see how the session goes. In this year, I have been to Pune couple of times and though I have still not seen the real Pune city, I have been staying at Vits Hotel. It’s not always that I am happy with the stay at a hotel and it’s even more rare that the hotel staff impresses me in any ways. But this place is different. Not only the hotel is very nice(it’s a 4-star), the food is excellent but most importantly, the staff is amazing. I have rarely found hotel staff being so friendly and helpful. I was told that they find me very friendly and are always very happy to have me as a guest with them. But I believe, the staff is really very good. Yep, I am going to the same hotel this time as well and looking forward to meet the excellent people one more time. Other than that, I am so much tired and exhausted. The only thing that I am looking forward to do is to have a long nap once I reach.

It’s about time for my flight so I shall go now and get a cup of coffee. And speaking about coffee (and yet another thing that I did plan to share but couldn’t ), I have been Starbucks Gold Card holder from quite some time now. Not that’s like owning an American Express Black Card but still, I haven’t seen anyone so far carrying a Gold Card at any Starbucks where I have been to. And I am sure, there won’t be too many crazy people like me who have so much of coffee, right?

It’s time now. I shall be going now. Hopefully, I shall not be posting another post after another 6 months.