Dawn

It’s been 210 days since my last blog, reason, nothing to write on? Well the exact opposite, so many things took place this year that it’s hard to know from where to begin or end. This year indeed has been amazing and filled with surprises to say the least. Something interesting came to mind, from the end to the beginning, the moment between that kind of like a twilight zone of sorts, so the search began, what is the opposite of twilight, dawn, something have to end for new things to begin, and that was what 2010 was all about, the dawn of many things, on January 03^rd, 2010, Job Babu Varghese ‎: keyword for 2010... discipline... something when I look back at makes more sense, I needed to discipline myself not to a particular thing, but rather, just have discipline, March 05^th, 2010, saw the end to something I held on to for a long time, friendship restored/altered/broken.

The keyword for 2011 is an addendum to Discipline, Wait! On the Lord, with a discipline heart, to obey no matter the consequences it will result with, to discipline myself in reading of the Word & practicing S.O.A.P, going to the Gym, try to learn a new language, hoping Italian, Spanish or French maybe Malayalam even, ha-ha.

And last but not least, to blog, if not every day, at the least once a week!

Something has to end for something new to begin. Dawn.

chrysalis

Have you ever wondered why people tend to be really nice? Are they being genuine, or putting up a facade?
Some use the latter as a defense mechanism, not to confront other people or be put in a situation where a guillotine would be a better choice than be confronted, but the ones I despise THE MOST, use it for their own manipulative abomination / vendetta / sadistic pleasure / since their A-hole wasn’t expanded ENOUGH during their last proctological visit and now extrusion is almost impossible from the normal orifice!
But, there is something far more horrendous than that… even more dreadful … incomprehensible of being even epitomized… but poignantly true… pseudologia fantastica… or in other words pathological lying.
Though the initial reason for not confessing the truth might be with intending no one’s harm, reminds me of a famous quote

"Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have you even seen a cocoon, the first thought which comes to your mind, a beautiful butterfly is going to sprout from it, well I took a course in the University of Life, Edumacation of Deception, I scored A+ on it too! Same as a butterfly a mosquito uses a cocoon too! So what if a mosquito uses it, no problem? Rite? NO!
Heard of the term Chikungunya? No it is not a new item on KFC! I lost a family member to it!
It’s hard to conceive that the outside looks breathtakingly splendid, their character is simply worth mimicking if not abiding by, but on the inside, what is being bred is appalling, a friend of mine quoted something provoking “You know the bitterness of a mango only when you reach the seed”, sadly its true, the more you find out about the person, the more their stories don’t add up, the more they resent to even talk to you, in my own naivety or bedazzlement I ventured out, didn’t listen to the small voices which were warning me, I’m not schizophrenic! But in the end discovered that I should have stuck to my better judgment, should have picked up on the first hint of lying and stuck to one of my motto “you lie to me, your dead to me!”.
But unfortunately, I don’t learn it the easy way, had to face a monumental disappointment which was instantaneously followed by remorse to the highest degree.
Hence I warn myself, it’s better to face the brutal truth, NO! Not the band , than to face the sultry of an impeding devastation.

trip to india 2005

something i wrote a long time ago...

Vacation in India '05


After a Long break of ten years I had the opportunity to visit my native country, India.

We booked our tickets in advance to Bangalore, six months to be precise, but we were pushed of to the 4th of July instead of the previous date of 30th June. Our flight on the 4th was advanced from 9.20 pm to 8.50 pm. We were supposed to have only a stop over at Muscat but due to the “advancement” of the flight we had to change the aircraft as well. Having to do this by one individual is hard enough, but having two more along with you is crazy.

4th of July Monday

The journey was to be for four and a half hours, but got delayed in Muscat and was supposed to reach India 6.10 am but reached there later.

5th of July Tuesday

At the airport I met my Dad and brother after an absence of almost two months. It was an emotional get together. We went to a house of our relative. That’s when my brother and dad related the story of how we even got to stay in that place. Previously both of them were staying with a cousin of my dad’s, which was a really small place. Both my dad and brother tried endlessly to search a better place for us before we came, i.e.; myself, my mom and sister. All the places they found were either too expensive or too bad. In midst of all of this my dad made a call to his elder sister in the US and told her of our situation and to God’s mercy she relates that we have some far of relative in Bangalore, she requested them and they agreed to let us stay in their place, since the house was only occupied by a granny who was at that point of time in the US, the place was practically for us, only with one extra occupant whose name is “Job”, the coincidence huh. I met the neighbors that day; they too have a same family format as us, two older brothers and one younger sister. I met with the younger brother, Anish who studies in the same college as my brother, Kristu Jayanthi College. We took a walk in that place, almost two kilometer. There I saw the Air force complex. The name of the place where I stayed for my visit is called Jalahalli, near Gangamma Circle bus-stop.




6th of July Wednesday

I got up quite early that day, we were to go to this place called the brigade road, were my mom had to go for some classes. We caught the bus from the Gangamma Circle bus stop no. 271; it took us nearly an hour in the bus to reach to another place called Shivaji Nagar Bus Station, from there we caught an auto rickshaw to brigade road. The place was awesome it had some of the best brand of clothes wear and footwear along with other items in Bangalore. There when I was walking down the street we encountered the “thing” (chakka in local language), it came running towards us in a gesture to hug, I literally jumped of my feet and gave way.

After that we went to Café Coffee Day, they have over 200 branches all over the country, we went back home after some time. I had a short nap. When I got up my brother told me that they were going for a youth meeting in the compound. I went along with him. They have similar beliefs to us and the praise and worship was really nice. And today was also one of my dearest friend’s birthday, who I couldn’t reach as I didn’t have any sim card.

7th July Thursday

As the previous day I woke up quite early and headed of to brigade road to meet a friend of mine, Rony. I met him at brigade and went to have lunch with him, he took me to an awesome place for ice cream called corner house. There they had an ice cream called DBC (Death By Chocolate). It was really a killer. He told me of a job offer at his place OCWEN. I decided to go to Chennai the next day. Reached home after a long bus journey. My folks agreed to my departure to Chennai. Alone!

8th July Friday

Got up early to catch the bus to Chennai, for that I had to go to another bus station called Majestic. Went to the reservation counter called the K.S.R.T.C and booked a ticket to Chennai. The bus was to depart at 10 am. We started our journey dot on the time. The journey took almost eight hours, stopping in between for breakfast & lunch and collecting other passenger. Tom received me at the bus station. The name of the bus station is Koymbadu. The largest bus station in Asia, so they claim. We headed of to his place. I was introduced to all of his room mates. I already knew two of them. That night we went to a resort, which one of our friends had a membership to. We had lots of fun there, swimming and then trying to drown one another. The urge of hunger could never have hit us any stronger after the pool. So we all decided to have dinner at a buffet place. The food sucked! While going home we had an incident with a drunken auto rickshaw driver, but nothing serious took place.

9th July Saturday

We all got up late the next day. Me and one of tom’s rooms mate Prashant went to play basketball, there I met Naveen, Lenin and Manish also Lenin’s girl friend Suriya.
We returned home. That night it was previously decided to be booze night. What happened that day shall be remembered by me and will not be entered into this journal.

10th July Sunday

This day happened to be the day everyone was supposed to go to church. Me, Tom and Noel headed of to The Vineyard in Chennai. It was an awesome experience. The music was really nice, but no one planned on staying for the message. That afternoon I went and booked my return bus ticket to Bangalore. We had a match of basketball again and then headed back home. I spent some time with Noel and then went of to bed.

11th July Monday

I headed back home to Bangalore, which took the same time as before, eight hours. On this journey I met with a person for the first time, Harish. We had a nice time together on our journey back to Bangalore. I caught a local bus after reaching majestic and then went to my place and dropped dead on the bed. By this time my brother had joined college.

12th July Tuesday

The next day I went to brigade road to meet with a couple of friends. Met Andrew, later I was to meet up with Rony which I did. We discussed about the job and parted ways. I got all prepared for the next day. The “Interview”.

13th July Wednesday

I headed of early that day to the place of my interview. Koramangala. After a long search I found the place. I had to appear for an aptitude test. The position I was looking for was that of associate call voice or locally known as a call center job. I passed the aptitude but didn’t land the job since I wasn’t a graduate. That really got me down; I went to Andrew’s place to spend the night over.


14th July Thursday

I went back home and just slept through out the whole day, got up in between and took a walk. Then back to bed again.

15th July Friday

I went to stay over at Andrew’s place. We had a nice time together. I also met his brother Luke. We went for the movie Fantastic Four in Symphony Theater, which was quite nice.

16th July Saturday

On this day we had a youth meeting at Andrew’s place, where Benny Prasad came to minister and perform. Later on that night we went gaming from 9pm to 6am. In between the cops came and stopped us and told everyone to disperse, but after a couple of minutes we resumed our games.

17th July Sunday

I decided not to sleep from the previous day so as to go to church with one of Andrew’s friend Catherine. I went over to her place and from there we headed of to church. The Bethel A.G Church. The service was all together awesome. I met my folks then went back home and had a very long sleep

18th July Monday

On this day we went to my brother’s college to drop of some stuff. We spent the remaining of the day with him. It was a hilarious experience, some of the seniors thought I was a junior and wanted to rag me. But when I told them some of theirs seniors who were my juniors they backed off with fright.

19th July Tuesday

On this day I went to the airport to make my booking to go to Mumbai. When in Bahrain we had received a free ticket to Mumbai from Bangalore and back. I confirmed my ticket to fly on the 22nd of July Friday. Went back home and well as usual slept through out the day.



20th July Wednesday

On this day I woke up quite late. Later on in the evening I went to the youth meeting in our compound.

21st July Thursday

The whole family except my brother went to Brigade road. The purpose of this visit was to take my mom to the IELTS class. I was spending my time mostly at the internet café or at café coffee day. Headed back home to get prepared for my flight the next day.

22nd July Friday

I headed of early the next day to the domestic airport in Bangalore. Reached the Airport two hours before my departure, spent some time and money at the airport. Then it was time to leave. I reached Mumbai after an hour and a half. I met with my friend from Bahrain, Fab. She took me to her place to rest for a while then we headed of to some hotels. She works for an international company in Mumbai and had some corporate tie ups to be done. Our first stop was Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. It was an awesome place. I have never seen anything like that in Bahrain. We met with one of the managers of the place and he offered us a courtesy drink. I had my favorite, cappuccino. I later saw that the drink I had was RS. 450. It was quite expensive, but was free for us. We spent some time in the hotel and then later on went out roaming. We went to Bandra bandstand. That’s where almost all the Bollywood stars resided. She then took me to a local chatt house and I had Pani Puri. It was delicious. We went back home to be treated to traditional home food.

23rd July Saturday

I got up as usual, early. I was standing near their French window and saw down there was a stretcher. At first I couldn’t believe my eyes but later saw them taking out a dead body. The man had past away early hours of the morning. He was that compound’s secretary (Hazeline Society). Fab made plans for me and another friend of mine to go to Lonavala. It is a hill station outside Mumbai and takes around two hours of car ride to reach there. We made a pit stop at Mac Donalds. We reached Lonavala after an hour time. The beauty of the place took my breath away. It was simply too beautiful to be described. It was an awesome experience all together. We were in the car most of the time due to the fact it was pouring heavily outside. We went all the way to the top, where we could see the famous stars place of lodging. Each bungalow cost was between 3 – 4 crore. For lunch we went to a resort nearby. I had Dum briyani. After that we started making our way back to Mumbai. Fab dropped us then off near a train station. We made tracks to church gate. There I saw for the first time in my life The Gate way of India. It was colossal. After roaming around for an hour there made a move back home. We caught the train back home. The ride itself was an experience. Back when I reached fab’s home I slept like a baby.

24th July Sunday

Sunday being the weekend we went to church. The New Life Church. The praise and worship and the message reminded me of my home church in Bahrain. The Good News Church. We had lunch at Fab’s place. I as usual wanted to see the city and went with my friend gallivanting. We had a nice time together. I saw her hostel, later we went to mocas and finally headed back home.

25th July Monday

My last day in Mumbai. I got up quite early to see of Fab as she was leaving of for work and I wouldn’t be able to meet her later. I went with my friend to Bandra Bandstand; we spent around two hours there. I loved the sea side view. It was simply stunning. My friend had to go for her classes so we left my luggage at her hostel and then I went out roaming. Finally it was time to leave. I paid around 80 rupees to get to the airport. The Auto rickshaw person dropped us of at the wrong terminal. To find our way was hard. Another auto guy offered us to drop us of. After he brought us to our destination he charged us 50 Rupees. I got enraged and told him I was going to pay him only 20 rupees, he told that it was not reducible, well since I was leaving that day and had no other obligations I gave him only 20 rupees and went into the airport. To enter the airport if you are a visitor an entry fee of 22 rupees have to be paid. Innovative. I reached Bangalore; my dad was there to receive me (he was an hour late though). On reaching home I dropped dead on my bed.

26th July Tuesday

On this day I was supposed to meet up with some of my friends from Bahrain. I went to Forum mall, Koramangala. Then for the next three days it was a complete repeat of Bahrain fun, chaos and mad rampage.





27th July Wednesday

Having fun

28th July Thursday

Having more fun

29th July Friday

Dropped plans of going to Chennai. Having lots more fun

30th July Saturday

I went back home to spend time with my family.

31st July Sunday

We went to church on that day. The Bethel A.G. Church. It was really nice. That evening I went back to my friends in Koramangala and as you can imagine more fun.

Till 4th August Thursday.

5th August Friday

I got up early on this day to go back to Chennai, this time it was more of a relaxing trip. On my journey we came across a riot. It was crazy and a new experience all together. I reached Chennai and the mood there was one of sorrow as one of their roommates had left the previous day to the US. This night they had a small booze party.

6th August Saturday

I had only six more days left to leave India. I had to meet another friend of mine who also came down to Chennai. There were certain incidents which took place which made me to realize where my priorities should lie.

7th August Sunday

Noel woke me up early in the morning asking me whether I wanted to accompany him to church. At first I was too lazy to get up. But then later I went along with him. It was quite far off. But the Church I went to be happened to be the largest in Chennai. New life A.G. Church. Pastored by D. Mohan. We had to wait in a queue for almost 30 minutes to get into church. The service was wonderful both the praise & worship and the message were powerful. I later went with Tom in the evening to play billiards and to our luck the electricity went off at least thrice.

8th August Monday

Got up early to catch the first bus out of Chennai. It was an emotional parting as I doubt if I will ever meet them again. I reached home after a tiring journey and had a long sleep.

9th August Tuesday

The days began to grow closer of my departure and I was feeling a bit depressed. I was out in Jalahalli most of the time.

10th August Wednesday

The countdown had begun; I went to brigade road for the last time. I went for a movie with a new friend I made. Rajalakshmi. Funny the way I met her. In OCWEN we were supposed to have pens with us for the aptitude test. And yours truly didn’t. I saw a female and asked her if I could buy the pen of her. She replied no and with that started a conversation and later on our friendship. I later came to know that she was a lawyer. I thought she was 25 but to my surprise a decade older. But a real nice person.

11th August Thursday

My last day in India. We went to my brother’s college and I spent the whole day with him and of course impressing all his friends. But he is a natural. We arrived home and later had our dinner at the neighbor’s house. Who really helped us out a lot!

12th August Friday

Our Flight was at 0615am we left our house at around 0330 am it was an emotional parting, even now when I remember it, tears form in my eyes. We reached the airport and checked in, there was a problem, we had an excess baggage of 20 kg and had to pay of a huge amount. Due to this we were the last to get into the flight and as a result our seats were all scrambled. I sat next to a person on route to Dubai who had similar problems with excess baggage. He was an Iranian, who had played small roles in many Hindi films. We reached Bahrain safely and my journey couldn’t have been any better.

The End

thoughts...

how random we get, with things not related to us, like the other day, for a simple haircut the amount of attention and to an extent people's response, really...

"what happened?" making signs of hand circling above head... thoughts in the back of my head which were DYING TO BE VOICED!

"Glad you noticed it, what actually happened was the constellation of fu and cku were aligned in such a way that a particular point i stepped on triggered a rare phenomenon, the hair flew off my scalp!!!"

" I fell asleep, as i was tired trying to explain to him instructing how to chop chop, the barber didn't understand my english or hindi or uzbek or any of the complex sign language that I demonstrated "