Graduation Day!

I graduated on 13th of May with Master of Science in Computer Science here at The University of Alabama. Step ahead towards aspiration to make big in life. The best thing was that all of Gang was there, making it outstanding event. Here is the snapshot of my graduation day –
12:01 am – Lying around comfortably in our Gang’s Den (V’s and Trush’ place)
12:30 am – We (Gang - Ranjan) go on The Quad to hang around
2:00 am – We return back to Gang’s Den
2:30 am – I drop Mau and return back home. I flashback few years and then race forward few years. The sweet memories of past of back home and the memories of Denny Chimes, The Quad, Bryant Denny Stadium and The Football Mania that I would cherish for rest of my life.
4:45 am – I go to bed
9:30 am – Alarm rings and I snooze several times before waking up at 10:00
11:30 am – V call’s and offers me a ride. I enter Coleman Coliseum, the venue for Convocation Ceremony at 12:03 pm
12:30 pm – I call up home and describe all the regale going around me
1:00 pm – Start of ceremony and then I start feeling the goose and bumps, the feeling of being graduated
2:10 pm – I am awarded with the degree and I shake hands with UA President
3:30 pm – Convocation ends and I am rounded up by the Gang for pictures and compliments
3:46 pm – We go shooting all around campus. And as usual V was all enthusiastic and well equipped to take best of the shots. We had hell of a time with all the laughs and fun going around.
5:30 pm- We go to Waffle House and then to Bower’s park for FIAT’s picnic
8:00 pm – We start driving towards BHM as some of V’s photography equipment was mistakenly carried by other friend
11:30 pm – We are back to T-town and Den. A call to Papa John’s for 2 large pizzas and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ to end the day @ 11:45 pm
11:59 pm – I call up punnu to wish him B’day but he won’t opt
12:45 am – Pizza at door. I and Mau go through V’s and Trush’s awesome pictures shoot out for the day while V and trush are already dozing off
2:oo am – End of the day; I drop Mau and off to bed
It was fantastic day and the fact that everyone (except Ranjan who is in India) was present from start to end made it even more enjoyable. It was a great day and was celebrated in style. This day goes on to top-10 of the days I will never forget. Cheers!

ONE

The Campaign to make poverty history!

Can you believe the fact that there are still 800 million people in world who go hungry everyday? I can’t still believe my eyes to have read that figure. Instead of dealing with this impounding task at hand, people are at wars for paltry issues. And not to mention how militancy, corruption, invasion and illiteracy are amassing this issue.

How much wonder can it bring if all the nations in the world cut loose 10% of soaring defense budget towards this cause? I think it should suffice at least half of the hungry population, if not all. In India, people will generously donate hundreds of thousands of rupee in the name of god, but when it comes to poor peoples cause, you will see everyone fume. Even if 50% of Indian population starts donating this ‘godly’ money towards this cause it will make all of the India’s poor population sate their hunger. As a matter of fact worldwide there are at least 100 million children who are out of school. Poverty and illiteracy suffice on each other forming a loop, thus making education a vital element. Only education can help in breaking this never ending cycle. Let’s work to put more children in school.

So what is ONE?

ONE aims to help Americans raise their voice as ONE against the emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty, so that decision makers will do more to save millions of lives in the poorest countries.

How can you help?

In more than one way, please visit the official ONE website - http://www.one.org/ for more information.

I would like to thank Victim Of Desire for making me aware about ONE.

Just another lucky guy

I received untimely but rather expected 'OIRA' style graduation treat today. To make it clear, OIRA stands for Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, where I have been working to earn my bread and butter for last 2 and 1/2 years now. One's favorite cake (Black Forest in my case) and 2 flavors of ice cream make OIRA style party. And of course something special for this party was a graduation memorabilia. Another seven days and I will bid adieu to OIRA as well.

It seems to be just yesterday when a shy, nervous, unexperienced and amateur brown guy discovers this opportunity waiting around unexploited in the unseen corner of the campus. I can still remember that day little vaguely, wearing a tee with inappropriate message I entered the lobby of the office. Since it was lunch time and everyone from office was in the break room, I was asked to meet the director in break room itself. The idea of facing every staff member at once, made me stumble a bit. When I entered and gave a brief introduction about myself, there were questions darting around from every nook and corner of the room and to my surprise I handled all of them rather unexpectedly well. And yes, some questions were indeed about the message printed on my tee. Leaving the office on high note of confidence, I was wondering if this tee did ruin my chances or did it made day for that bunch of gleeful Americans.

And within a span of 3 days I get the offer from OIRA. I still wonder if it was that tee shirt or my apt answers that made me providential. To make the events even more extravagant, I was having 3 opportunities to choose from on that day. But this one being 0.5 FTE there was essentially no option. From that day to today, everything worked out seamlessly without any sorts of hassle. I could not have asked more than having assistantship with such a considerate boss. I would always be thankful to everyone at OIRA staff and especially to my boss Mike, all my life for their support and consideration. Cheers!