San Diego life!!

I know It was due since pretty long time. Now the writing bug has bitten me again and before it goes back to hibernation I wanna write about this.

San Diego. This city has lot to offer. Amazing weather, lined palm trees on the both sides of boulevards, plenty of beaches waiting to be explored and lots and lots of hot chicks! Yeah, this city has everything you can ask for.

Now let me go back to 16th August 2008. I was sitting in the back seat of Guli’s Toyota Prius and watching this beautiful city. For the first time, we opened the glasses of windows and I could feel that ever-flowing soothing breeze of San Diego. The weather was entirely different from highly erratic North Californian weather. We followed directions of Ms. Know-it-all aka GPS receiver’s directions towards 4981, Catoctin Drive. We reached and what I saw was a wonderful entrance of our apartment community Corinthian. Till, then I loved everything about San Diego. Now the twists have started to occur. We reached apartment # 20 and I swear that was one of the dirtiest places I had ever seen. I just don’t know what made my roomies stay in that deserted and dirty apartment. They could have surely looked for a better place. Anyways, I unloaded my luggage there and then started what I call a living hell life!!!

I started settling down in San Diego. I went to see SDSU on the same day and my all regrets went away. What a place it is! It’s surely gonna be among the list of my favorite places on earth forever. I absolutely loved it. I thought it’s worth compromising by staying in that apartment if I am getting this wonderful institute in return. We gradually moved to another apartment, which was in the same community but lot cleaner than the previous one.

Apartment life was something totally different. Those toilet cleaning sessions, those trips to Ralph’s , those cooking Khichdi or rice everyday, tea 5 times a day, those movies on Bhejafry, those g**nd me danda songs, watching those Gujju matrix and spiderman spoofs, sharing secrets while lying on the same mattress, those fights and those compromises, those innovative dishes, those *cough* breads and lot more..It was really tough but fun at the same time.

Lot more is coming soon in this section so please keep checking this space!!!

Decisions are never right or wrong! They have to be proved either ways!

So, now it’s done. I guess I am being so impulsive. I have kinda made the decision. I am going back to India. My home. My country. I have submitted my petition for complete withdrawal. University grad department is reviewing it. There are very slim chances that they may reject the petition. I am not sure my decision is right or wrong. All I know is, I am absolutey committed to prove it right.

Lot of things to write. I am getting bored, I will write laterz..

Wanna go home!!!

Enough. Enough of being so good. I think I am not capable of achieving this. I am missing home like hell. I am not enjoying studies at all. My health is getting worse day by day. And frankly speaking I am not interested in studies at all.

I don’t know what made me think that I was capable of study more. Couldn’t I notice my efforts in 7th semester. I should have better looked at the efforts instead of looking at results. I suck. I suck big time. Life has become hell. I am dying at every second.\

I have some questions in my mind!! If I don’t like something and I stop doin it, does that mean I am running away from it? I mean I juz don’t like it!! It’s like if I can’t play football so why should I even try it. Does it mean I am running away from it? I just don’t like studies here and I don’t think I will be able to sustain this boredom for 2 full years. I guess I am not that ambitious.

A dangerous game is about to begin!!!

Yep! Classes are starting tomorrow. I am excited. I am gonna attend Mary Roch’s first class of Advanced operating system. I love OS. I don’t know how is it gonna turn out for me. I wanted to prepare something before attending the first class but haven’t prepared anything yet!!

I have not been called for ISC web admin job. I am relying a lot on that. I guess I am suitable for the job! I hope they too think so! Life has changed drastically in last 20 days. I have started thinking a lot. I guess I used to do that when I was in India. I am thinking of classes, jobs, courses, grades and what not! San Diego State University is an awesome place. It is really an awesome place. Lots of amazing hot chicks, cool people and really really beautiful weather. Lot of students have returned to school. Parties, parties and parties everywhere!! I must say SDSU is HOT!!

First time flying experience, Reched USA

Ok first things first.. i dont wanna write about the feeling when I entered Ahmedabad Domestic Airport and what I am gonna miss now on. I guess I can write a whole book about that..

So, Being a first time flier I was quite nervous and totally confused.. I didn’t know.. I think they should appoint some people only to help first time fliers. Anyways, As I entered the terminal I had to go to Jet Airways Counter. I went to take my boarding pass. They weighed my luggage and gave me a pass. Luggage was a bit excessive but they allowed that. Then they gave me some tags and I was totally oblivious about the use of that. I then went for security check. They checked my hand baggage and they let me in. I waited in the lounge and waited for departure call. They took me to the aircraft by bus. Aircraft was really good. I found the seats quite spacious. Still I didn’t know how to interpret some signs and I couldn’t hear properly inside the flight. I really enjoyed that thrust. We were afloat in a moment. Luckily I got a window seat so I couldn’t stop myself to see my city from Aircraft. It was lovely, truly awesome.

Breakfast on domestic flight was kinda delicious.. Upma and all.. Reached Mumbai in just 40 to 45 minutes. It was raining cats and dogs in Mumbai. I didn’t have to step out at all and I was transfered to terminal in a bus. I got my coach ticket and then waited in waiting lounge. Finally I got coach at 9:45. They made me reach there at 10:15 or something. Then they checked some immigration thing and then I had to go to gate no 16 and it was very very far. My jeans was too loose and my T-Shirt was kinda short, so I was feeling quite embarrassing while walking. I had to rush to gate 16, where they checked my passport and boarding pass. I boarded the international aircraft. First, what I saw was business class seats. I though they were mine but they were not. When I finally found 31K, it was the same routine seats with pathetic legroom. Now the boring part starts. I was goddamn tired and I was like a bit confused about everything going around me. They gave lunch, and that was tasteless. I tried to sleep after lunch but of no use. I tried to listen to some songs but again I got bored. Actually I was quite stressed out so I was not liking anything around. We reached Shanghai at 6:30 PM, Indian time. Shanghai waiting area was cool. I was observing people, I was trying to find someone to talk to, but I didn’t find any interesting looking person. I just sat back and relaxed.

We left Shanghai after an hour or so. I returned to my seat. Actually my hand luggage was damn heavy so I was pretty annoyed with that. Now I badly wanted to sleep. My fasttreak Neon Disk was showing 8:30 IST. So, I was mentally prepared for sleeping. I was watching some idiotic movies and some other programs on screen in-front of me. Finally they brought dinner. I ate some of it and I was like partially satisfied with that. Then I slept and slept like anything. I slept until the aunty besides me woke me up for breakfast. It was 6 AM IST. I was pretty fresh by then with most of my annoyance gone. It was a sound sleep. So, i opened my window cover and I saw beautiful blue sky and yes, we were hovering over America. Loved it at first sight. And they brought breakfast. It was as good as it was on domestic flight. I ate a lot. We landed at SFO half an hour late than scheduled time.

So, I stepped USA for the first time and I was thrilled about that. Now Americans left nothing for me to get confused. Everything properly marked and I could find my way to immigration officers. So, I went to the chinese looking officer. He was cool. He was pretty vivacious and quite helpful. He asked me to show my I-94 which was given to me on board. Then he asked routine questions. He asked me about the mascot of SDSU. I was taken aback but i guessed it was Aztecs and It actually was. He said I was absolutely right about that. He then wished me luck and asked me to study as hard as I could. My immigration was done and it was nothing but cakewalk. I then moved to conveyor belt. I was waiting for my luggage. All three bags reached pretty earlier then I anticipated. Another good experience. I went to custom checking. I must say officers were pretty good. There was an Indian officer standing there and he asked me where was I from. I replied and he came with “Jeeru chhe”? I didn’t understand so he again asked an I said no. I didn’t know whether I had jeera or not. He also asked me about Pickle and fresh fruits and all but I replied negatively. So after getting x-rays they said they had to open my one bag and handbag. I was scared now as I had pickle in that. But the chinese officer didn’t recognize Pickle and he found Jeera. Still he told me with the smile that he had to check that Jeera. I said OK. He came and said My Jeera was ok and I could carry that on. I was really relieved.

I moved to arrivals lobby and I was pleased to see my cousin (Pritesh) and Darshak (my bro-in-law) waiting for me. I couldn’t have received a warmer welcome. I was pretty pleased. We parked our luggage into my cousin’s car and now we were running on the streets of California. Awesome. I must say It was awesome. We drove through Silicon Valley, We drove on awesome bridges and finally we reached his home. When I came out of car I was greeted by Rishi. My cute, lil nephew. He was so cute and his precious smile removed my stress if any of it was remaining. Then Guli and Shailee (my bhabhi) were waiting for me. I was really pleased to see them and It was really great to have someone my own, so far from my home. My cousin’s home was really good. Very lavish. They offered me lotsa things to eat but as I had breakfast I just ate a bit of kheechu. Rishi was making everyone laugh. Then we all went upstairs and I just took a bath and finally moved to a room and sat on computer and wrote half of this post. Again I went to sleep, and woke up at 6 o clock. Ya, it was kinda cold in Fremont. Now, everyone else is sleeping and I am writing this..

Doodles..

Tribute to Paresh Karsandas Panchal

26th July 2008. 20 blasts rattled the city of Ahmedabad but not the spirit of Amdavadis. At 6:45 PM every news channel came with their breaking news!! I came home and saw the news on TV. I was a little worried and I just decided to go out. I just thought that this was the time to act when your city or the country needs you. I just thought but someone actually acted!! Someone rushed to Civil Hospital and offered any possible help to the victims, oblivious of the fact that he would be one of the victims soon. After hearing the news Paresh Panchal, an Amdavadi, Whom can any Amdavadi be proud of, rushed to Civil hospital. He wanted to help, he wanted to give back to nation. But those brainwashed, blood-sucking terrorists didn’t even leave the trauma center. That was the most pathetic act. Even at the times of war, they leave the place with red cross. Paresh, who wanted to help got badly hurt by the blast at civil hospital and lost his life.

I really salute him and his parents who had brought such a brave man to our city. Paresh, Amdavad is proud of you. May god bless his family and provide enough power to endure this tregedy. May his soul rest in peace.

My visa experience – go get it!!!!

So, finally a long-awaited post!!

We left for Mumbai on Wednesday morning. Journey was quite comfortable and I killed my time reading a novel called The Kite Runner. I am surely gonna post a more elaborate review about that book when I finish it. Still 30 pages to go.. We reached Dadar at 5 o clock or so. We reached that Swaminarayan temple where we booked the room.. It was okay.. room was good, on 9th floor.. and kool.. Went to SiddhiVinayak Temple in the evening.. and i came to know about the spirit and faith about it.. truly awesome.. I had a sound sleep of 9 hours on the eve of my visa interview.. We all went to Mahalakshmi temple and then came back to VFS. We were taken inside at 9:45 or so.. After an hour so I was taken to consulate. They gave me token no 191, took my finger prints and then asked me to sit. I was sitting. That wait seemed endless. The silence was defening. The announcements for token numbers were hardly audible. It was a stressful hour. I could see the tension and agony on people’s faces. Some lady was waiting for approval to meet her husband and some child was waiting for approval to meet his daughter. Everyone had a little sign of tension on his face. Then announcement came.. token no 191, 193, and some others, please come to window no 14. We almost kinda rushed there.. There was sitting a white, young guy and looked quite decent from his first appearence. We were standing in a queue. I was third. The first one went in and he immediately came out with his passport in his hand. We were shocked. The second guy went in.  He talked to him for a while and finally came out with smiling face. Then it was me. I went in. I felt quite relaxed. He started with why USA? I answered him. Then why computer science? That was an easy ride till this. Now he asked why do you want to go to Northridge? I was like what? I replied that I didn’t want to go to to Northridge. I am going to SDSU. He said that I could not change the university there. I said I wasn’t changing it there i already had put note on my application regarding that. And he was like okay okay! Then he asked why did i have to change the school. I told him about the problem. He asked why did you write Northridge if I didn’t wanna go to Northridge. I replied I wanted to go to Northridge but when I received I20 from San Diego I changed my mind as SDSU is a better school. “Okay”, he said. Then he asked how was I gonna pay the fees. I said my family had enough finances for paying the fees as if I had millions in my bank account. ROFL!! He said who, in your family? I replied. He asked about my dad’s Job and all. And finally the words came out “I am issuing you a visa”!!!

I thanked him and I asked him about a piece of wood i was given by security that what i was supposed to with it. He almost laughed and said it was for security purpose!!

More on Mumbai trip, laterz…

Confused!! I am!!!

Ok first some news to share!! I have been admitted to SDSU. Yeah it’s San Diego, noobs!!! Ok, I haven’t got I20 yet but my status of admission has been updated on portal. So now what to do? SDSU is a bit costlier than CSUN.

San Diego is an awesome city to live. University is also good. There are some catches as well…

I don’t know anyone in whole San Diego region. The fees are a bit more. My parents want me to go to SJSU. I just can’t understand how to make them convince for SDSU.

CSUN is also good university with reasonable costs. I know lot of people in LA as well. One of my classmates is also going to CSUN this fall. I just can’t decide. San Diego is awesome. Uni is good too. Let’s see what’s in store!! Yeah my Visa date is on 10th July. I need to receive I20 as soon as possible.

Damn you, America!!!

hey don’t let the title mislead you.. i haven’t dropped my uncle sam plans or neither they have rejected my visa. I am just mad at some of the totally absurd American effects on India.

Ok one has to believe that Americans are the best best brand builders in the world. They have projected brand America such that everyone believes that it is the most influential nation at the global foyer. Fine, It is. But does that mean they are entitled to invade any country with their products and culture?

I am not at all in mood of repeating those western culture is wine and our culture is divine stories. They have their culture and we do have ours and we live our lives. That leads to another question and kind of dilemma that what makes culture? There were times when products were made in order to fit them in culture. Now this dragon of marketing has become so f**kin strong that it has started to temper with culture. Now they wanna mold the culture so brands designed for their culture can be fit in other countries as well. Ok I think I sound confused, right? Lemme get into more details.

i have lods of examples but i don’t know which one is the most convincing or lets say convincing enough. Anyways, let’s have a look at this hip-hop music. Initially i thought of writing about retail but that dint lead to the central idea. Ok we all know that every product needs to make new and stronger customer base if they wanna survive. Children and adolescents are the softest target of all. Now what the fuck is hip-hop music? Can it be called music at first place? I am not gonna criticize hip-hop here some may like it as well. Their choice. But I bet hardly 5% of Indian know what the hell is Hip-Hop. But look at the way these losers are marketing hip-hop music. Try asking a teenager of some metro about being cool.. You would know the effect of this shit.. What is hip-hop? A totally mutant product developed (?) by some afro-american people residing mostly in NYC. That has done wonders in US. But ghettos are birthplace of hip-hop. Indirectly, hip-hop promotes the ghetto culture and ghetto culture has lods of products associated with it. And look at the way these losers have tried to capture children’s tests. Have u played GTA games? Their main protagonist hails from ghettos and they have made him look cool and all that. Again I am not against ghettos and all but why do we need to adapt the ghetto life styles when we really can afford to live in a way more civilized way. Anyways, that’s stern marketing.

This was just one of the example of menace of marketing. Lot more to write but right now getting bored. Will add more to this topic. Keep watching this space….

Some random stuff…

I haven’t published anything since a long time. .yeah i m doing good these days.. life’s kewl.. today i watched Jab we met and lemme tell you i m madly in luv wid dat movie.. i juz don have words for it.. it was truely, actually, really awesome..

Season of rain is at doorstaps.. i luv it.. it gives a soothing relief from prickly heats of Ahmedabad… While writing this I think will it be my last monsoon in Ahmedabad? Oh Jeez.. y m i thinkin of that? what shud i say? I share a strong bond with plenty of things in this city? Am i gonna leave all that? Ok right now i wanna spare myself from all those thoughts!!

What’s fu**in success? I m trying to fathom that but i just cant define it.. may be just because i havent tasted it yet? Anyways, I think it’s the toughest thing to achieve. I mean what the hell makes one successful. lots of money and fame? not to me at least. Ok, i m not being bloody spiritual type and saying “paiso to hath no mel chhe and all that”.. but still success doesnt lie in money or fame.

yaar i think now i need a gf.. I m tired of being single (any takers?).. ok i hope i dont sound too despo here.. i m not despo yaar.. but i think that makes life beautiful.. i mean now i need someone for whom I can simply do anything.. okay i m not sure i seriously want it or is it JAB WE MET effect? Lolz.. I sound totally idiot right? but that’s how I am…

I think I m gonna schedule my visa call on 15th July. I know its late compared to my counterparts but i m just like that.. big deal.. I don’t know what’s in store for me? North ridge, San Diego or apna Ahmedabad? I just don’t know whether I am taking right decision or not? But i wanna explore!! I wanna see the world.. I know I will have to leave plenty of stuff here but that’s okay. I mean the option of coming back is always there..

I just don’t know what has happened to my writing skills? I am writing like a ten year old.. what am i writing? I need to work hell hard on it.. I am gonna come back with more meaningful and nicely written post.. keep watching this space.. and don’t forget to comment if u have an opinion..

peace..