Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Title is Chinese version of Happy Lunar New year .Its Chinese new year , celebrated for winning good over evil , similar to Indian Diwali. My neighbor is a Chinese and very nice person. He and his family always maintain eye contact with smile always, exchange few words occasionally. They invited us repeatedly for a new year lunch with his family, also gave us some fruits which is traditional thing for this new year Attached is the photo of lunch, all raw non veg items, rice and a boiler in front of us. One lady described few non veg items as happiness, wealth and longevity and she asked us to cook and eat all of them completely. I wish I would have been Chinese to enjoy that lunch fully, they were so hospitable, we boiled most of them and managed to eat little. Raj had the most unforgettable time there. I should give some gift them tomorrow as its my turn now to show affection.

It’s a 4 days long weekend in Singapore, Friday evening played tennis at Andrews place, after tennis went to Andrew home, Andrew in his late 40’s , most eligible bachelor. Apart from his technical skills & his own business, he is a great professional photographer. Few days back mentioned that he shoot for 3 to 4 hours and deliver 2 or 3 photos, when he showed photos all my doubts were very clear, he photographed most beautiful models across the globe, 8 countries best models are his clients, he told me so may secrets of this fashion world. I will share his photos link after Andrew’s permissions. At Titanic times, hero drawing Kate’s pose was not an acceptable thing to my mind but I should believe now after seeing professionalism in Andrew’s photography. I can’t speak more than that , he gave me different view of professionalism today. My respect towards him doubled. I will request him to teach photography (Of course for free, I can’t afford his price).

Saturday morning few hours badminton, I invited my colleague Mukundan for badminton, unfortunately his leg injured seriously while playing, I felt very bad as it was me who requested him many times to join me, I hope Mukundan will come to office on Wednesday with full recovery. Tennis again in the evening, it was good going for me in tennis , I can able to serve which is quite a good achievement for a first time player. I should aim to give tough competition for Andrew. Swimming in the night, Raj taught me some tips of swimming, badminton again on Sunday morning, quick lunch, back to back tamil and hindi movies with Raj till 5 AM in the morning.

Cycling for some time, and then chatting with Swapnil. Swapnil was my practice head or similar role when I was with Mindtree , he mentioned about my blog and asked me with concern to take proper rest and not to spend nights awake on blogs n work, to the contrary my wife scolding me over phone for sleeping like anything as she only know the truth. It’s Monday late night now and I should catch up some sleep now.

Life's twists

I have one younger sweet brother Ramesh , one of the most honest, very helpful , modest …so on….., all of my villagers including my dad used to like him a lot in my childhood for so many good reasons, he is in good books of almost all my villagers. On the other hand me, hardly people likes me for my different character which was unable to be digested by many villagers.

We were the poorest family in my village in our community. Reasons for having so many fans for my brother are, we being poor he always helps to all those relatively rich people in doing their works, he is there when ever they need him, he bows his head in front of them,. On the other hand, I always have thoughts of conquering whole world. I think it pains a lot if anyone growing or try to grow in and around our surroundings (how many people dare to accept this fact), this pain is directly proportional to growth, more the growth more the pain..that pain is even more in villages, we always tend to think that a sub ordinate should remain at that position throughout the life. So no one even listen to what ever I say. I didn’t remember any good words from my villagers for me , where as lots of praising to my brother, when ever I do something different which obviously looks like a stupid thing to others, everyone came together and gave me a big lecture to be like my brother. I like my brother a lot because of his honesty, his helping nature, he simple life style, ect..etc.. I learned many things unknowingly from him, applied all those on my thoughts to be where I am today.

My brother had the best of childhood life with lot of attention and praising from everyone, stopped his studies due to my family financial conditions, started again as I promised to my dad that I will take care of his educational expenses once I start work, so many twists in his life, he enjoyed what ever the path he chooses always or what ever comes in his away. My parents were too much worried about my career, but they were sure that my brother will earn his food with his good nature and hard working capabilities. All that my parents were expecting is both of their sons to settle down in village or nearby places with some decent life style. In 10 years life changed a lot. Me who is almost useless stupid worst fellow achieved larger than life with my village standards( it might looks like exaggerated statement, one should be in my life to experience that life), my brother where everyone never expected him to be educated completed his graduation and enjoying his time to pass further studies now.

Reason for writing this blog is my brother is studying his CA now (For me this feeling itself is awesome), he failed 7 times so far, the same villagers who used to praise him are showing me as inspiration to my brother which is obvious to their standards of thinking. He is still having faith in him that he will complete his CA, he is not feeling bad as he is always trying his best. When I called home my mom, she is too much worried about my brother career, I explained to my mom that go back to 10 years of your thoughts, then you will enjoy for his achievement of where he is today rather than worrying about present results.

My parents forcefully joined him into MCA after he failed twice in CA, when I realized that his heart is not there I gave him the freedom to choose where ever his heart lies. He is back in his CA, and constantly putting his best. I have seen quite a few people who is dead though they are living as they were never given chance to choose what they want, where as in my brother case its different, he is doing what he wants to do, he is putting his best but still the results are adverse. For me his energy and enthusiasm is inspiring a lot, if he would have passed in his first attempt he also would have been in this rat race of jobs and salaries, at least he is enjoying his time the way he wants. I am more keen on seeing how he is going to take his life forward despite of these failures. I am sure it is going to be inspiring for me.

Hi Raa Ramesh, I know that you will read this blog, I do have so many memories with you, the days you worried about my career, days you cried for me when I was lying in hospital bed, love and affection you are showing on me since childhood.. I will never forget all these things, we achieved something which others even can’t dreamt of in our village with our financial condition and support. You remained as my inspiration in many ways since childhood, I am there for you always no matter what happens in life, my unconditional support will continue to shower on you, these exams failures are nothing before you and your character, you are one of the finest human, you just decide what you want in life and continue to enjoy that.

Life gives so many twists and surprises, either we may convert those twists as opportunities or we can blame the same to satisfy our alter ego.