The Grand Plan!

There was a time while evaluating my life, I asked myself, “Am I enjoying the work? Where am I heading to in my career?” The answer to the first question was a definite YES and to the second one was Hmm..NO IDEA. That’s when I decided to sit back and analyse all the options I had. Taking GMAT, doing all the research required for admissions, meanwhile getting another year of experience and then applying to some good B-schools was my plan.

That was precisely the time when he came in my life. We started exchanging e-mails and then phone calls. I was very reluctant to commit to anything first as I thought it might divert my focus from the exam I had planned to take. But, we kept talking anyway and don’t know exactly when I let my guards off. I remember ditching my friends mid way while shopping to be able to be at home and have a good, long chat with him. I became aware of his sensitive side, his witty side and his ability to look at the funny aspect of a serious situation.

My exam was done and our phone bills kept soaring up. I started thinking of ‘our relationship’. I waited for a few weeks, but he seemed to be in no hurry. So, I decided to stir up his emotions, and in our next conversation, I told him that I was working on the list of B-schools I want to apply to. I said I plan to hurry up the process and asked if he had any schools in mind. He very coolly said that I should apply to ‘Harvard’ with my such a good score. And, he went on about how I should work on my application. Normally, I would be happy to hear it from someone, especially if that someone was the one I liked…but, not on that day. Logic was beyond me then, Yes, I was smitten!

After hanging up the phone, I kept thinking that why couldn't he say Melbourne Business School or any other school for that matter, closer to where he was? I thought either guys really don’t understand any hints or he is completely fine with my going to the other side of the world. Well, I was sad and annoyed at the same time. But, my thought process was interrupted by his call. As soon as I picked up the phone, he asked if I planned to start my MBA that year itself. I said, “Yes, why do you ask?” “Because,” he said, “I have a different plan…”

Well, today we enter the fourth year of that plan.

Happy Anniversary, Ritesh!

Water Water everywhere...

It has been disheartening these past few days with the floods in Queensland- also called 'Sunshine State' otherwise. 'Flash flooding' as occurred here is a kind of inland Tsunami. Water comes gushing in within a matter of a few hours and sometimes just a few minutes. When it began in South East Queensland, people were taken in by surprise, vehicles and houses washed away. In other places, people were prepared and evacuated in time, but when we are talking of water levels of 10s of meters, it is not possible to save the buildings or the belongings. I was in Gold-Coast, Queensland last month. The numerous waterways within the city can be viewed from the plane. The sight is beautiful. And then, there were these gorgeous villas on the banks of the river, with boats and ramps going into the river. I thought, they were ideal holiday homes as Australians love water so very much. I dare not think of what has become of those houses now.

Crisis situations like these, make heroes out of ordinary men. We hear stories of people bravely saving trapped neighbours, elderly, kids on radio all the time. And, I must say the media here is doing a good work. Sensationalizing tragedies for their benefit is so common these days that if a TV channel doesn't do it, I am surprised, even find it extraordinary. Here, whenever I switch on the TV, of course I see the unbelievable scenes of properties, roads drawn under water, but also tales of how the Queenslanders are helping each other in the mammoth cleaning process and how willing Australians across the states are to help the affected with food and essentials. And I must say, that not only the channels like ABC and SBS, but all the local channels too are spreading this positivity. I am happy to see that the media has not completely lost its conscience. They say Queenslanders are bred tough. Yes, their resilience reminds me of 'Spirit of Mumbai'.

Also, I have started admiring Anna Bligh, (the Queensland Premier), more with her every speech. If true leaders are not born in a crisis, they are certainly identified in one.

Changed times...

Not long ago, we talked about 'glass-ceiling' for women. The challenges faced by women in both professional and personal life made good interview questions for female candidates... I myself have dealt with many such questions during job and MBA entrance interviews.

What made me write this article is the current campaign, with the Australian National election just round the corner. The opposition leader- Tony Abbot is infamous among women due to his chauvinism and arrogance. With the election so close by, which leader would want to anger half of the electorate? So, he has decided to talk about women in his life- his wife, his mum, his sisters, his deputy & so on at every given chance to appease women (voters) who can change his life...

The best bit I found so far was he urging the voters (in the closing statement of today's leader's debate- with PM Julia Gillard) to cast their votes based on 'capability' and 'policies' of the leader, not the 'gender'! Whoa...Look, things have turned 180 degrees.

The East-West Divide

Australia...in spite of being so much to the east in the world, is called a Western country. Well, culturally it might be.

But, this FIFA world-cup, I do declare that it is a very eastern country...And that is why we are very much ahead of the world (in terms of sun time!). All the matches, telecasted live are shown late in the night. And, 4.30 am is late night for me, not early morning.

Missed the quarter finals... SOB :(

You know...

You have put on extra flab...
When in a perfectly romantic moment, hubby dear holds your waist & says…

Hey, look at this…I like your love handles!

Complexion complex!

I remember the time when fairness cremes started advertising full on in India. I was in my early teens then.
Once, my cousin and I bought one of those 'pink and white' tubes of promised fairness & loveliness. My mom was quite disapponted and angry on seeing that. Disappointed -because she thought I am kind of losing my innocence (and focus towards studies :)) by getting influenced by such adds and angry- because she knew the potential harm such cremes can cause, both to the skin and confidence. She explained that it may disturb the balance of melanine in the skin and one may end up with white spots!
With more and more cosmetic products flooding the Indian markets, I found that the 'fairness formula' was extended to moisturizers, hair-removing cremes and what not. I always tried to avoid such products.

Years later, in Australia when I went to buy a body-lotion for winters, I observed a reverse trend... Most of the facial & body lotions say- "Use regularly and enjoy a natural tan in days".
Oops, isn't it equally sad?

Last Weekend

...was a long one for us here too. 26th January is celebrated as Australia Day, hence a National holiday. This day is to commemorate the arrival of the 'first fleet' from England to Australia.

We went in the evening to attend the celebration near the 'Lake Burley Griffin'. There were some boat-races, surfing, rowing, some army-men landing on the lake...Here are some of the pics taken by a friend from his Nikon D50.

All this while music was going on. We sat just beside the lake on the lawn, munching on chips and sipping tea, enjoying the evening. The highlights were spectacular fire-works after dark. Some more pics...