Monday, November 17, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Aadhantari

A wonderful composition.... a soothing backdrop of music and a true to the heart voice!
A must-see video; especially for all Indian students in the US.
Hats off to the composer and the narrator! great job..
>>

Saturday, November 8, 2008

100 days in the US



So, what did we (me n my roomies) do to celebrate this occasion?. Well, we cooked some Pav Bhaji. As if that wasn't enough, we followed that up with ice-cream.

Its a fact that Life teaches u lessons. Indeed, Very important ones!
What I found interesting is... the observation that it can teach you *many* of them together; that too, in a very small amount of time. This is precisely what has happened with me in the first hundred days here. There have been some wonderful experiences as well as some harsh ones. But going through all that was.. and still is, surely worthwhile!
I have noticed one thing. We all live in some sort of a cocoon. That's where we set up our own world. That's where we feel safe and protected. That's where we think what we are! may-be good.. may-be bad. Many of our skills, our abilities, our behavior are determined by and confined to this cocoon. The real test is whether you are able to be "yourself" outside this cocoon.
Its a matter of time which will really tell you whether you were successful in being "yourself"; but for that.. you need to step out of your world - your self-created, and virtual (non-existent in reality) cocoon. This is really the essence of what I feel being here, as a student. Now whether I succeed being "myself" here or I don't - is a different story. But in just 100 days, I know myself better. Both in terms of my strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, I feel that taking this test is surely one of the best decisions I have made in life.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

"There are always three speeches, for every one u actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish u gave"-Dale Carnegie

Such a wonderful quote, I must say !
Time n again... i hv realized that speaking in front of a large group of people...and making presentations(technical/general)... giving a speech ...have never been easy.
Personally, I have seen myself evolve a lot in all the aforementioned categories.
As students or "just-in" professionals, we hardly get any opportunity to "speak-up" at places where ur voice matters. But out of the little opportunities I have had, I have miserably lost almost all of 'em. But there's a lot of change.
I have certainly realized that the fear of facing the world and making a speech in front of people emanates from the fact that you are not confident enough.
The confidence required is built over time. Its a long process. It requires in-depth knowledge about what you are trying to speak about OR the confidence that whatever little knowledge u have about the topic u are speaking about; is more than sufficient.
I vaguely remember, the last time I had such an opportunity was when I was explaining a group of under-grad students; the importance of the under-grad final year project. I completely messed up. I used some catchy-words toooo many times. To the point that the 2 minute talk sounded boring even to me.
The idea was good. Intent was pure. Approach was correct. But the means were wrong.
There was another instance when I was asked to introduce myself in front of a LOT of "good/great" people. I don't say I was that bad. I introduced myself properly. My voice was just a bit shaky though. But when it comes to communication, I would want to see myself to scale-up to perfection. Cause without effective communication, I don't think one can survive in this competitive world.
Now talking about the evolution: Last month I has a presentation in class. I had decided not to use those "catchy words" again. Keep it simple!
And... it went really well. I was satisfied that I had put forth my idea in an effective manner.
These little things give a lot of satisfaction. I have realized that I like technical presentations. I like to see people express their ideas and I like to do the same.
I wonder when I will get to speak next about something interesting in front of a large audience.
But what da heck.... m ready! & if I falter - I 'll try again. Bring it on.
:)

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