This 'Hall of residence' term very much belongs to IITK. Our hostels are called by this name. The reason for this naming was told to us 4 years back during our orientation. I don't remember it clearly but the underlying reason was that it gives to its residents, a sense of belonging. Though I am sure that any hosteller would have as much attachment to his hostel as we have. But I really like the intentions. It sounds better. It feels better. Hall of residence.
So today we shifted from hall 1 to hall 9 and the whole day was consumed in this activity. Right from packing all the stuffs to transferring it to hall 9 in a cycle rikshaw to arranging things again in a new place. This hall is quite far from the academic area. A cycle has become a necessity now.
I used to own a cycle. It was 7-8 years old. I purchased it in class 8th or 9th and brought it with me when I came here. But my first hall (hall 2) and then hall 1 were so close to the academic area that I never felt the necessity of using it. And when I shifted to hall 1, I didn't even bring it with me. I abandoned it just like that.
I still remember the excitement with which I bought it. I had cycled from the shop to my home in the afternoon. It was 7-8 km. But my association with it ended just because I didn't care to bring it over a distance of 200m. Quite ironic. Actually even now I didn't go to see it. I think that by now it must have been confiscated and auctioned.
I really liked hall 1, the oldest hostel of IITK. It is about 45-50 years old. It is the residence of the 4th yearites. It is dreaded by the 1st yearites but revered by the rest. I still remember the initial days when our seniors used to threat us to take us to hall 1. At that time, it looked to us like a great bastion resided by the all mighty 4th yearites and from which escape was next to impossible.
There was so much of glory attached to it. All those years we caved to go to hall 1. We had to wait for 3 long years. But the wait was worth it. Probably that is what makes it Hall 1.
The dual degree program really sucks. I had liked to graduate from the hall 1 itself. Its nice to retire in your highs.
But hall 9 isn't that bad. Its quite new so there are not many trees around, something of which we are very used to. But all the grass makes up for it to some extent. And since it is a bit far from the main area, its quite airy. The sky also looks much clear.
It would take me some time to get adjusted in this new place. I don't like changes. At least not initially. But then I get used to them. And then I start liking them and then I don't want some other changes and the cycle goes on. This time I just hope that this change brings me some good luck and good sense. I need both of them desperately.
Showing posts with label summer 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer 2009. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Confused, puzzled, undecided !!
Once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator.
This statement comes from one of the greatest self - acclaimed procrastinator and that is me. After having wasted nearly whole of the summer semester, I have started feeling guilty now. It feels as if I am cheating myself. I had planned many things for these summers but I just kept on delaying things. I could not find any motivation to do anything and that is because I just don't know what I'd like to do in the future.
The luckiest person on the earth is that who knows what he wants to do and also gets to do it.
Life was pretty straight forward till class 12th. I knew what I had to do. I had set an aim for myself. But right now, everything seems hazy and unclear. Earlier, there was a desperation. A desperation to clear JEE. But after having cleared it, I have become complacent. In fact many IITians do. You start to think that your future is secured only to discover later that it was just a start of the journey.
I really miss the desperation. Desperation just energises you. There is nothing to lose. You give your heart and soul to your work. I seriously want to be restored to that class 12th phase. But unfortunately, like computers, we don't have any resotre points in life.
Do what you like and like what you do.
This really is the mantra for achieving success in the life and I am really glad that I have realized that. Earlier, phrases like 'job satisfaction' used to look so pompous. But off late, I have really realized its importance. After having spent last four years studying (or rather not studying) computer science, I know I will not be happy doing something which I can't even tolerate for a semester. Or so I think I can't tolerate. But in any case, I need to figure out something immediately and for that it is important to explore the options.
The question that I had kept on deferring since the last four years now lingers in front of my face and the answer needs to be found.
This statement comes from one of the greatest self - acclaimed procrastinator and that is me. After having wasted nearly whole of the summer semester, I have started feeling guilty now. It feels as if I am cheating myself. I had planned many things for these summers but I just kept on delaying things. I could not find any motivation to do anything and that is because I just don't know what I'd like to do in the future.
The luckiest person on the earth is that who knows what he wants to do and also gets to do it.
Life was pretty straight forward till class 12th. I knew what I had to do. I had set an aim for myself. But right now, everything seems hazy and unclear. Earlier, there was a desperation. A desperation to clear JEE. But after having cleared it, I have become complacent. In fact many IITians do. You start to think that your future is secured only to discover later that it was just a start of the journey.
I really miss the desperation. Desperation just energises you. There is nothing to lose. You give your heart and soul to your work. I seriously want to be restored to that class 12th phase. But unfortunately, like computers, we don't have any resotre points in life.
Do what you like and like what you do.
This really is the mantra for achieving success in the life and I am really glad that I have realized that. Earlier, phrases like 'job satisfaction' used to look so pompous. But off late, I have really realized its importance. After having spent last four years studying (or rather not studying) computer science, I know I will not be happy doing something which I can't even tolerate for a semester. Or so I think I can't tolerate. But in any case, I need to figure out something immediately and for that it is important to explore the options.
The question that I had kept on deferring since the last four years now lingers in front of my face and the answer needs to be found.
Monday, June 29, 2009
And finally it rained..
For a change, it was not a hot wave of wind that woke me up in the morning. It was a cool moist breeze. And few minutes later, it was raining. The much needed respite finally came. For the past few days, this was the main topic of conversation, whether in mess or with friends. There were heavy drops for few minutes and then there was a light drizzle. But it was sufficient enough to bring down the temperature. For most part of the day afterwards, it was cloudy and humid and I was feeling more comfortable outdoors than indoors.
Rest of the day was same. Though in the afternoon, I was a bit worried that all this period in idleness could destroy the remaining grey cells of my brain. So I started solving some puzzles from techinterview for the placements. And it really felt nice to exercise the mind after that long time. I have always felt that the reason I loved preparing for JEE was that it was challenging and one really had to strain his mind to reach at the solutions. All those questions of mechanics, probability, integrals were like puzzles. There was no one principle to solve all the questions. One really had to work out. And this is one thing that I hate about IIT education. Many a times, you don't even have to understand things to reach at the solution. You have a formula and you even have a calculator. And sometimes, you can't even find relation in theory and practice. I really feel that in the past 4 years, my mind has rusted.
It seems that team India is back to its old ways. The eight wicket defeat was really embarrasing. Though it could have been worst had Dhoni and RP not forged that ninth wicket partnership. Except for Dinesh Karthik, all other top order batsmen fell playing some loose shots. Jadeja again never looked good enough for the highest level. Though I still think that it would be too early to make any judgments and that he should be given few more chances. But the best part of the Indian innings was the way Dhoni batted. He was not looking fit for a T20 match, but in the ODI, his style of batting is really looking handy. It was really nice to see mails from his supporters on Cricinfo.
And after a brief haitus due to 'A passage to India', I have again started reading. This time, I am reading 'Lucky Jim'. The novel is pretty light and comic and is also listed in the Time magazine's list of 100 best novels from 1923-2005('A passage to India' was listed too but I really found that book quite boring). I am hoping to finish it in the next few days.
Thats it for today. Bye.
Rest of the day was same. Though in the afternoon, I was a bit worried that all this period in idleness could destroy the remaining grey cells of my brain. So I started solving some puzzles from techinterview for the placements. And it really felt nice to exercise the mind after that long time. I have always felt that the reason I loved preparing for JEE was that it was challenging and one really had to strain his mind to reach at the solutions. All those questions of mechanics, probability, integrals were like puzzles. There was no one principle to solve all the questions. One really had to work out. And this is one thing that I hate about IIT education. Many a times, you don't even have to understand things to reach at the solution. You have a formula and you even have a calculator. And sometimes, you can't even find relation in theory and practice. I really feel that in the past 4 years, my mind has rusted.
It seems that team India is back to its old ways. The eight wicket defeat was really embarrasing. Though it could have been worst had Dhoni and RP not forged that ninth wicket partnership. Except for Dinesh Karthik, all other top order batsmen fell playing some loose shots. Jadeja again never looked good enough for the highest level. Though I still think that it would be too early to make any judgments and that he should be given few more chances. But the best part of the Indian innings was the way Dhoni batted. He was not looking fit for a T20 match, but in the ODI, his style of batting is really looking handy. It was really nice to see mails from his supporters on Cricinfo.
And after a brief haitus due to 'A passage to India', I have again started reading. This time, I am reading 'Lucky Jim'. The novel is pretty light and comic and is also listed in the Time magazine's list of 100 best novels from 1923-2005('A passage to India' was listed too but I really found that book quite boring). I am hoping to finish it in the next few days.
Thats it for today. Bye.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
More weather updates from Kanpur
Weather wise the situation didn't improve today. The afternoons are infernal. I had to go out today at 3 in the afternoon for some friend's work. And it was hot as hell. However, there were some trees along the way. So most of the time I was walking under their shade and then running when directly under the sun. Trees really are important. We had been studying this since eternity. I remember writing few essays during the school time about it. But we do tend to forget it every now and then. But today I got the reminder. I remember my childhood days. We used to go to our native place(Kuchaman city, Rajasthan) during the summer breaks. We have a huge neem tree at the backside of our house. Its even taller than our two story house. In the afternoons and in fact for most part of the day, there used to be no electricity. So we just used to sit under its shade. After coming into the college, I don't go there often now. Last time I went there 2 years back. But I still remember that tree clearly. We used to sleep on the roof at night. At the night time also it used to make us aware of its presence. If there was a breeze, then you could hear its leaves rustling. And if there was no breeze, we used to just lay there, battling with the mosquitoes, cursing the tree, wondering why it isn't blowing. The evening was humid today. So even a bath today didn't provide any relief. Its a very dangerous combo. Heat and humidity. I didn't even like the touch of my own body. I just sat there, ensuring that no part of my body touch other. I think that if it remains this much humid for a day or two, then we can expect some rain. For the time being, just praying to the rain gods.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Summers
Its just getting hotter and hotter in Kanpur. The afternoons are really getting unbearable. You feel hot with clothes. You feel hot without clothes. And with so much of hot air that it circulates, sometimes I feel like switching the fan. But there is this trade off between hot circulating air and sweaty body. So I let the hot air win. And as soon as you get outside the room you can just feel hot air gushing. All I feel like is drinking water and bathing. By the way, I have starting bathing 2-3 time a day daily. Courtesy, these summers.
We have a centrally cooled library, but I really don't like going there. First of all, you have to go there in that hot afternoon. Then you cant listen to music there which is kind of frustrating for me. Then you have to sit on a chair all the time. You just cant lie down there, something which I do every half an hour. And then there is that coming-out-of-library phase. The temperature difference feels so glaring that you start wondering why you went inside at the first place.
Its getting difficult to sleep for long duration at a time. Even the bed feels hot most of the time. Many a times, I just wake up due to sweat. I cant even sleep late in the morning nowadays. And I just cant sleep earlier at night. So you can see the problem there. Although this time, we are at least living on the ground floor. In our second year, we had to spend the whole summers on that top floor. And that was really dreadful. Although, there were many of my wing mates with me at that time. So it just used to be fun. This is something that I am missing this time round.
I am really looking forward to monsoon. I just love monsoons. The smell of the earth before the rain falling, all the guys coming outside their rooms to enjoy that shower, the light drizzle that you can feel on your face when you are under a shade, the raindrops hitting you like pebbles when you are under the sky. At home there used to be added attraction of Pakoda-Chatni. India really is an incredible place. We have food for every occasion. The only part which I hate about the monsoons though is the roads oozing out the heat after the shower. But that is really no big thing. I am just eager to get myself drenched in the rain. India also needs this monsoon real badly. Else we will see some serious crisis in this crisis-ridden land.
We have a centrally cooled library, but I really don't like going there. First of all, you have to go there in that hot afternoon. Then you cant listen to music there which is kind of frustrating for me. Then you have to sit on a chair all the time. You just cant lie down there, something which I do every half an hour. And then there is that coming-out-of-library phase. The temperature difference feels so glaring that you start wondering why you went inside at the first place.
Its getting difficult to sleep for long duration at a time. Even the bed feels hot most of the time. Many a times, I just wake up due to sweat. I cant even sleep late in the morning nowadays. And I just cant sleep earlier at night. So you can see the problem there. Although this time, we are at least living on the ground floor. In our second year, we had to spend the whole summers on that top floor. And that was really dreadful. Although, there were many of my wing mates with me at that time. So it just used to be fun. This is something that I am missing this time round.
I am really looking forward to monsoon. I just love monsoons. The smell of the earth before the rain falling, all the guys coming outside their rooms to enjoy that shower, the light drizzle that you can feel on your face when you are under a shade, the raindrops hitting you like pebbles when you are under the sky. At home there used to be added attraction of Pakoda-Chatni. India really is an incredible place. We have food for every occasion. The only part which I hate about the monsoons though is the roads oozing out the heat after the shower. But that is really no big thing. I am just eager to get myself drenched in the rain. India also needs this monsoon real badly. Else we will see some serious crisis in this crisis-ridden land.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Empty Mind - A Devil's Workshop
Its high time I need to do something constructive. Sleeping, preparing myself for sleeping, gaming, roaming and movies are not turning out to be sufficient enough to pass 24 hours of a day. It leaves me with a hell lot of time. I have begun to think over things that I have never thought upon till now. Thoughts that are totally unrelated. And in these thoughts I am constructing an alternate universe. A universe in which I am perfect and everything is well and fine. May be I should start organizing these thoughts. Who knows that one day I may come up with my version of Alice in Wonderland.
Thesis work is long due but I am still not feeling like working on it. I have also delayed the CAT and placement preparation. I have realized that my locus of control lies outside me. I really need someone else to control my action. At home, it used to be Mummy. Now, there is no one. But I am looking for that someone.
These summers are turning out to be one of the most boring phase of my life. I am looking for some good books to read. I am also thinking of writing that short story that I have been meaning to write since eternity. I also feel like writing the next poem. I am also thinking of penning down my experiences of the past 4 years. Damn it! I am again confused. I need to direct my energy in one direction. But where to direct it ? I think, I'll decide that later. Till then, all I have is Avril and Clint Eastwood.
Thesis work is long due but I am still not feeling like working on it. I have also delayed the CAT and placement preparation. I have realized that my locus of control lies outside me. I really need someone else to control my action. At home, it used to be Mummy. Now, there is no one. But I am looking for that someone.
These summers are turning out to be one of the most boring phase of my life. I am looking for some good books to read. I am also thinking of writing that short story that I have been meaning to write since eternity. I also feel like writing the next poem. I am also thinking of penning down my experiences of the past 4 years. Damn it! I am again confused. I need to direct my energy in one direction. But where to direct it ? I think, I'll decide that later. Till then, all I have is Avril and Clint Eastwood.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi...
"Which movie to watch yaar?" .
"We are planning to see The Day the Earth Stood Still".
We then looked at the trailer of the movie. Another one of that hollywood Sci - Fi s. Wanting for something new, I suggested Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (Yes, I confess, it was me who suggested the movie). The trailer looked nice. SRK with new look, a seedha-sadha worker of Punjab Power. Then suddenly appears the much recognized and common version of him. We read the plot, we read some reviws. One of the post had compared this movie with DDLJ(I really felt like killing that SOB while watching the movie). It looked all okay and hence we gambled to watch this movie.
Since, it was the first day, we decided to go a bit early so as to book the ticket(Now, that was Kush's advice; not my fault there). There were 4 of us. Me, Kush, Lava and Guruji. We reached there by 7:30 and the show was to begin at 9:45. We had two hours to pass. We decided to go to some shops first. Guruji had to purchase some deo for himself. We went to Big Bazaar. Lava, like usual days started chatting on the telephone. We three strolled for some time but ended up empty handed without buying anything. After sometime, all four of us were back in the entrance hall, without knowing what to do. We still had hour and a half to waste, but no avenues for that. We then sat on the stone benches, "innocently" watching the passerbyes. This is the time when I hate being in Kanpur most. The mall full of people but still looking barren. Now and then, we sometime got to see some silver linings in this dark cloud but it was mostly boring. After sometime, we decided to to ate some food. We went to the food court, made our orders and then sat. This was all we could do. The court was again barren. We sat, we ate, we strolled, we chatted and somehow time passed. The show was about to begin. We headed towards the theatre. And suddenly, we found more interesting crowd. Apparently, the movie ticket had turned out to be a filter. All I would like to say is that the average feminine beauty on this side was more than the other. We went inside the hall but little did we know what fate had in store for us that evening.
The movie started. Everything was going fine. SRK was not his usual self and Anushka was looking fabulous. Now what more could we have asked for. But then, like something inevitable the movie took the natural course that all SRK movies(especially in the recent years) are destined to take. SRK back with funky T-Shirts, horrible colours. As the time was passing, Guruji who was to my right was becoming more and more restless. Poor soul, I pity him. One of the most vehement critic of the hindi movies was there with us, watching SRK movie. At this point of time, the only consolation that we had wasa Anushka. I know I have said this earlier but I 'll again say, that she was looking so gorgeous. Then came a string of songs, as always inserted without necessity. And there were we, four of us, sitting side by side, looking at each other. There were times when we were laughing, sometime because of the movie and most of the time, at the movie. It was then that I realize, why India sees highest number of movies being released every year. Apparently, the essential plot of all the movies remains the same. Only work done is that of finding a suitable screenplay, a suitable setting and some picturesque locations. Even the dialogues remain the same. After some time, one can even predict the course of the movie. Full care is being taken so as not to stress the mind of the audience with some thrilling plots or a novel story. Sometimes in between the movie, SRK cried and the crowd was crying with him. But there we were, four of us, sitting side by side, looking at each other, laughing hysterically at the movie and not by the movie. Ankur was fully frustrated. The poor chap was sitting at the rightmost seat in the beginning. The seat to the right of him was empty and remained so for quite a long time. And he was highly optimistic(I will personally call it unrealistic) about having a feminine companion while watching supposedly romantic SRK movies. He eventually ended up having a group of guys sitting beside him. The frustration inside him was rising, sometimes venting out in form of some swear words for Kush(He thought that Kush was the one who suggested the movie and I was more than happy with him thinking that).
I was actually enjoying everything. Not always you have all your friends sitting together making fun of something. The dis-staisfaction was a glue which bound us together. But then came the moment which really pushed us to our limit. There was SRK fightig a sumo wrestler, wanting to impress his wife. Needless to say, who will win the fight when its between SRK and a sumo wrestler. Then was when I started thinking what better use could I have made with the money that I had spent at the movie. I was just wondering, how four intelligent, rational and level headed guys(Yeah, its my blog and I'll take full liberty in choosing suitable adjectives) could end up watching the SRK movie and that too on the first day. It was in fact the only SRK movie for which I had pad after Dil To Pagal Hai.
But then, somehow, after what I felt like an eternity, the movie ended(obviously with a happy ending). We were the first one to get out of theatre. We had to wait sometime for the auto but finally we were there inside our dear campus. Howsoever, I may complain or fret about the movie, I actually had a nice time with my friends.
Lesson that I learnt. 1) Dont watch SRK movies on day 1. (2) Dont watch SRK movies at all. Anushka is looking real good in the movie, but if you take my advice, its still not worth watching the complete movie.
"We are planning to see The Day the Earth Stood Still".
We then looked at the trailer of the movie. Another one of that hollywood Sci - Fi s. Wanting for something new, I suggested Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (Yes, I confess, it was me who suggested the movie). The trailer looked nice. SRK with new look, a seedha-sadha worker of Punjab Power. Then suddenly appears the much recognized and common version of him. We read the plot, we read some reviws. One of the post had compared this movie with DDLJ(I really felt like killing that SOB while watching the movie). It looked all okay and hence we gambled to watch this movie.
Since, it was the first day, we decided to go a bit early so as to book the ticket(Now, that was Kush's advice; not my fault there). There were 4 of us. Me, Kush, Lava and Guruji. We reached there by 7:30 and the show was to begin at 9:45. We had two hours to pass. We decided to go to some shops first. Guruji had to purchase some deo for himself. We went to Big Bazaar. Lava, like usual days started chatting on the telephone. We three strolled for some time but ended up empty handed without buying anything. After sometime, all four of us were back in the entrance hall, without knowing what to do. We still had hour and a half to waste, but no avenues for that. We then sat on the stone benches, "innocently" watching the passerbyes. This is the time when I hate being in Kanpur most. The mall full of people but still looking barren. Now and then, we sometime got to see some silver linings in this dark cloud but it was mostly boring. After sometime, we decided to to ate some food. We went to the food court, made our orders and then sat. This was all we could do. The court was again barren. We sat, we ate, we strolled, we chatted and somehow time passed. The show was about to begin. We headed towards the theatre. And suddenly, we found more interesting crowd. Apparently, the movie ticket had turned out to be a filter. All I would like to say is that the average feminine beauty on this side was more than the other. We went inside the hall but little did we know what fate had in store for us that evening.
The movie started. Everything was going fine. SRK was not his usual self and Anushka was looking fabulous. Now what more could we have asked for. But then, like something inevitable the movie took the natural course that all SRK movies(especially in the recent years) are destined to take. SRK back with funky T-Shirts, horrible colours. As the time was passing, Guruji who was to my right was becoming more and more restless. Poor soul, I pity him. One of the most vehement critic of the hindi movies was there with us, watching SRK movie. At this point of time, the only consolation that we had wasa Anushka. I know I have said this earlier but I 'll again say, that she was looking so gorgeous. Then came a string of songs, as always inserted without necessity. And there were we, four of us, sitting side by side, looking at each other. There were times when we were laughing, sometime because of the movie and most of the time, at the movie. It was then that I realize, why India sees highest number of movies being released every year. Apparently, the essential plot of all the movies remains the same. Only work done is that of finding a suitable screenplay, a suitable setting and some picturesque locations. Even the dialogues remain the same. After some time, one can even predict the course of the movie. Full care is being taken so as not to stress the mind of the audience with some thrilling plots or a novel story. Sometimes in between the movie, SRK cried and the crowd was crying with him. But there we were, four of us, sitting side by side, looking at each other, laughing hysterically at the movie and not by the movie. Ankur was fully frustrated. The poor chap was sitting at the rightmost seat in the beginning. The seat to the right of him was empty and remained so for quite a long time. And he was highly optimistic(I will personally call it unrealistic) about having a feminine companion while watching supposedly romantic SRK movies. He eventually ended up having a group of guys sitting beside him. The frustration inside him was rising, sometimes venting out in form of some swear words for Kush(He thought that Kush was the one who suggested the movie and I was more than happy with him thinking that).
I was actually enjoying everything. Not always you have all your friends sitting together making fun of something. The dis-staisfaction was a glue which bound us together. But then came the moment which really pushed us to our limit. There was SRK fightig a sumo wrestler, wanting to impress his wife. Needless to say, who will win the fight when its between SRK and a sumo wrestler. Then was when I started thinking what better use could I have made with the money that I had spent at the movie. I was just wondering, how four intelligent, rational and level headed guys(Yeah, its my blog and I'll take full liberty in choosing suitable adjectives) could end up watching the SRK movie and that too on the first day. It was in fact the only SRK movie for which I had pad after Dil To Pagal Hai.
But then, somehow, after what I felt like an eternity, the movie ended(obviously with a happy ending). We were the first one to get out of theatre. We had to wait sometime for the auto but finally we were there inside our dear campus. Howsoever, I may complain or fret about the movie, I actually had a nice time with my friends.
Lesson that I learnt. 1) Dont watch SRK movies on day 1. (2) Dont watch SRK movies at all. Anushka is looking real good in the movie, but if you take my advice, its still not worth watching the complete movie.
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