Time goes really fast...One month flew away like a second...one of the best memorable moments which I had in Germany...All comes to an end...It wasn't certainly easy for me to come out of the situation with out her after having spent the golden times with her...well life has to go on...The moment when I last kissed on her face and said bye to her in the airport still resides in my eyes...Certainly couldn't control my emotions after that...Thanks to Indian couple who helped her in the airport to board the flight and make her reach safely in Chennai...I really thank god for making this dream happen in my life... :)
Out of all the Diwalis I celebrated in Germany, this Diwali was something special...mainly because of my mom's presence...had a great Indian evening with all my friends with special South Indian dishes...can you imagine...we prepared 12 different dishes...Idly, Dosai, Poori, Potato Subji, Kuruma, Chicken 65, boiled eggs, sambhar, cabbage poriyal, pakoda, fried rice, pachadi... great moments...amma asirvatham amma samayal....:) Took an off from the work and watched all special programmes in Sun TV, Vijay TV...I loved it...I hope to celebrate the coming Diwali's in the same fashion if I am lucky :D
A small narration: When I was a child, I used to travel to my father's native place Salem in Yercaud Express sitting next to WC because of the crowd...slowly it changed to travelling in 2nd class reservation compartment...after that it changed to Air Conditioning (AC) compartment...and then to British Airways travelling via London...and then slowly to 15 countries in Europe...and finally it came to a situation of my beloved mom coming to Germany for my MBA graduation ceremony :)
There are various moments which I cherished in my life to the core but nothing can be compared to this...my mom's presence in MBA graduation ceremony and it certainly healed lot of pains in my heart...
1. This moment healed my mom's thirst of me not being a doctor....mainly because of the fact I left the Medicine seat which I obtained...
2. This moment healed my pain of not studying in US...but the country with which I didn't expect anything gave me hell lot of things...Deutschland hat mir viel gegeben....:)
3. This moment healed the pain which I suffered when Prof. Killat who stripped my ass in the mid-term presentation of my Master Thesis...But thanks Prof...now I feel whats happiness :)
4. This moment healed the pain which I suffered when I was hunting for jobs in Germany and the rejections which I got mainly because of the strict visa regulations and language constraints....
5. This moment healed the pain of loneliness, depression and the disappointments which I suffered during my tough times in Germany....the sacrifice which I made in Food, Entertainment, Friends, Cricket, Movies, Indian girls ;)
My friends always say that I am always an unsatisfied guy but now I should say to the mirror that, "I am satisfied with what God has given me :)". I love you amma !!
Any Indian who has stayed in Germany for a considerable amount of time shouldn't miss Ham Amman temple in North Rhein Westfallen state and the case holds good for my beloved mom..She was thrilled, excited, happy when she entered the praharam...This temple has been sort of important spot for all the desis in Germany...Whats special about this temple is the Gopuram and the ambience it presents in a foreign soil...Thanks to Sri Lankan tamils for their strenous efforts to build this shrine...
Got delayed because of the connecting train...was searching for some accomodation in the 11th hour finally my good friends Vijay Anand and Karthick turned in to the show...The kind of hospitality shown by Karthick to my mom....my goodness...No words to describe...Thanks Karthick...A day to remember!!
Followed by a German evening on Saturday, was a typical Indian evening on Sunday in Bhagavan uncle's house...Special thanks to Sudha aunt who prepared delicious Indian food - Thayir Vadai, Sambhar Vada, Fried Rice, Apple pickle... Had a chance to meet another Indian family with their kids...followed by a funny discussion of marrying a German or an Indian...finally the argument settled for marrying an Indian girl...:D Mom felt very homely....One more day to remember!! Thanks once again to Bhagavan uncle and Sudha aunt...
Recently my colleague Mark Rueter invited me and my mom to a typical village festival in his place Wetzen....Initially I was skeptical about bringing mom to this fest, but Mark forcibly took my mom to this fest in his car....Drunk a big bottle of beer next to mom along with Mark ;) I did shooting for the first time and I correctly targetted the nucleus and won a prize.....the prize was none other than 3 Kgs of chicken ;) followed by wonderful music and food...Mom danced along with other German ladies....it was a great opportunity for her to see how Germans celebrate their special evening...Thanks once again to Mark for the invitation... A day to remember!!
What could be the best place to make my mom happy in Europe... Switzerland, Paris, London..No!! Then what else....Yes... Celebrating Navarathri festival in Hindu temple... She felt really happy to see Navarathri celebrations in foreign land...the festival was marked with traditional slokas and mantras and followed by arathi...The most important event in this Navarathri festival is DANDIA...played it for the first time and I cherished playing it like gilli ;)....More importantly mom enjoyed to the core... :)
When I say to my friends in other parts of the world that I live in Germany...the next question what they will be asking is "Have you been to Octoberfest ?".. Having stayed in Germany for three years, I didn't find the right time to go to Octoberfest...finally the time has arrived to go to this wonderful fest in Germany...The highlighting feature of Octoberfest is the typical Bavarian dress and the beer...with thousands and thousands of crazy drunkards roaming in the streets and babes exposing their assets ;)
First we went to BMW museum...a must see museum for all the Automobile nerds...this place is highly picturesque with small hill top...lush green grass near the lake...feast to the eyes..I didn't drink much in this fest mainly because of the fact that I need to pick my mom next day from Frankfurt...otherwise the story would have been different....:D Anybody who has spent some time in Europe...never miss Octoberfest!!
If at all one weekend which will reside in my memory forever, it will be none other than Sep 26, 27 and 28th.....after stressful hours of programming in the office on friday had a wonderful memorable party with my MBA classmates in the evening...this party was special because it was a kind of get together for everybody...the party was amazing with wonderful lighting arrangements and most importantly the drinks... ;) After partying to the core, slept at around 4 and got up at 6 on saturday morning to catch the train to Munich for the Octoberfest....
Just 2 hours of sleep...took enough rest in the ICE from Hamburg to Munich....Once I reached Munich, I got the sprits back...the city was bubbling around with lot of tourists marching towards the Octoberfest...a must see fest in Germany...with thousands of people...in typical Bavarian dress..the Brat wurst and the Beer...with some amazing rides and games...no words to describe...I enjoyed this fest with my school friend Parthi and his colleagues...took some snaps with some beautiful babes passing by ;) ... went along with Parthi to Stuttgart by car..again just slept for two hours and was excited about mom's arrival in Germany.... :)
Started from Stuttgart in the early morning on sunday and reached Frankfurt airport by 7.30 in the morning....Waited on and on in front of the visitors place...Finally the door opened and could see amma coming out of the door....Rest...No need to explain :) Travelled along with mom from Frankfurt to Hamburg... Certainly a weekend which will reside in my memory forever !!
Life goes on and on...the clock ticks...the time goes fast...and when I got up in the morning the calendar says I am 26 years old....there are many birthdays which I celebrated but nothing can be compared to this 26th one...a sense of satisfaction which I felt in my stomach....got up early in the morning...ate Dosai with Sambhar...got the blessings of my mom and she wavering her hands when I left to office...my goodness...followed by warm greetings with my colleagues and PLs...the moments which I waited for many many years in my life...
The day was well remembered for our cuisine which me and my mom prepared...Gulam Jamun, South Indian Murukku, Poli, Milk Sweets, Vadai, Bhajji, Sambhar, Rasam....all my Indian friends cherished it but the Germans felt really spicy....cutting of cakes and offering it to mom....Thanks god for giving such a wonderful moments and thanks to all my friends who made the evening a memorable one in my life....
The moment which I waited for many years in my life, mom's presence in the land where I cherished, cried, enjoyed to the core...atlast she is here....I was always skeptical about her journey because she was travelling alone and for the first time in the flight...many speculations, many questions, many aprrehensions...but I always believed in courage and encouraging words which can do wonders...gave all the motivation to her to gear up to face all possible situations which she will encounter during her journey...I was worried about two important things one is immigration check and the other baggage claim....
She managed the immigration check with the letter which I sent and for the baggage I should thank a person named Gowri Shanker whom we never met in our life, who helped mom to come out of the Immigration check and made sure that she meets me....having taken in to consideration of the fact that he has a connecting flight...Ayiram kumbidukal Gowri Shanker ku :) I should thank all my friends Praveen who helped mom to get visa, Palani Swamy doing all the paper works, Sridhar helping her in Meenambakkam airport, Parthiban for the wonderful support in Stuttgart before I left to pick my mom, Veera for connecting the call between me and India...Wonderful....Friends are forever !! There are various moments in my life which I cherished to the core and definitely the moment when I saw her in the airport will heal all the pain which I suffered in this span of three years in Germany... Life is all ups and downs :)
Recently I had a chance to go for a Karting with my colleague to celebrate his 29th birthday at Bispingen, Niedersachsen, Germany. This Karting was owned by Ralf Schumacher, the brother of Michael Schumacher...there are other sports in the arena with Bowling and Skiing as well...it was a great experience to do Karting in Germany with some BMW power in the Kart...it was actually a kind of race and with no doubt I finished last but one... ;) Thanks to Martin for suggesting this place to celebrate his birthday....and a day to remember !!
Recently I had a summer fest in my office..it was a nice evening with all the colleagues coming with their family members and kids...the function started with some blah blahs from Executive board followed by the most important thing BBQ and Bierfest...:) couple of games for the children in which I was not allowed to participate... ;) the weather stayed decent enough for a wonderful evening...
Out of three summers which I spent in Germany....this summer was the most memorable one...its mainly because of our cricket in the weekends...its been long time since I played cricket...the last time I played vigorously was in 12th standard holidays...its a great experience to play in lush green grass and temperature just around 15 to 20 °C.... its a great entertainment for all us since there are not much activities here in abroad...great time pass....initially we started to play for fun and as the days went on, it became very competitive...but in the end a lovely summer to remember!!
Recently I had a chance to see Cruise day in Hamburg port with my colleague....it was a lovely evening with lot of fireworks across the elbe river and huge picturesque ships cruising along the banks of Landungsbrucken....was definitely a lovely sight....Normally three important fireworks take place in Hamburg 1. Hafensgeburtstag (Harbour Birthday) 2. Cruise Day 3. New year eve. Hamburg is definitely a great city in Germany and has lot of things to offer for its inhabitants...I am quite lucky to live in Hamburg and definitely its my second home town.... :)
Recently I had a chance to see super star's recent kollywood film "Kuselan" in Hamburg. The movie was a total time pass with Rajini's heroics, Vadivel's comedy, Pasupathi's sentiment and Nayanthara's sexy hips :D The movie clearly had a message of valuing friendship at all times...nice picturesque shots in the western ghats...Now comes my real review...Rajini fans please avert from reading further on ;) Super star made everybody cry in the theatre except for non-Rajini fans....:D too much boasting about our super star which can happen only in tamil movies....but on the other hand ...kudos to our super star even at this age he looks so young and can dance with a heroine who is of her daughter's age...heheheee I somehow feel our super star has the magic of winning the heart of so many people with all his armery....for sure he is gifted in that aspect....only RAJINI MAGIC NO LOGIC :)
"You never know whats in store in life..." Yes, I never thought when I was in school that after ten years, two of my school friends would come for my M.S graduation ceremony in Germany....and they did...celebrated our joy and happiness in the North Eastern Baltic coastline, Rügen islands...In my opinion must see place in Germany...
Königstuhl:
First we went to Königstuhl, the word König means King and Stuhl is Chair...so in ancient times the one who climbed the cliff first gets the status of King...amazing top cliff which gives panaromic view of the baltic sea...lush green flora...and near to that Baltic sea..feast to the eyes...the weather wasn't good but still the place was amazing...could imagine how it would have been when sun was shining...Unfortunately we had to miss the colorful bikis ;) There is one national park named Jasmund....one of the naturally preserved areas...
Ostseebad, Binz:
Then we went to Ostseebad, Binz...great baltic coastline with small cliffs along the shore...reminds me of Goa beaches...thank god sun was shining here...had a relaxed time in the beach...All in all it was a great weekend with my school friends...laughed a lot after a very long time...cherished each and every moments...Thanks Naresh and Parthi for turning up for the occasion and making this trip memorable...
Master of Science in a foreign University was always my life-time dream and thanks to God for fulfilling this dream. It all started with the GRE, TOEFL, Statement of Purpose, Visa Interviews, Bank balance to reach Technical University Hamburg Harburg (TUHH), Germany to satiate my dream…to be honest and frank…I wasn’t satisfied with my technical learning which I obtained during my Master of Science due to many reasons but I am quite happy with the other important things which I have acquired during this span of two and half years and I thought I can list them down here…
1. Relationship, Love & Affection:
I realized the importance of relationship, love and affection with parents, friends and well-wishers which can never be compared with anything…by staying away from home 10,000 miles away it made me to recollect what these people back home have offered me in my life for 23 years…I really miss you amma…
2. Loneliness:
If at all one greatest challenge which I tackled in Germany, it is none other than loneliness…loneliness brings self-realization but it sucks big time…there were times when I got up in the morning no body to see…went and work…came back …no body to see...cooked something ate something…went to bed…was frustrated to the core but taught me many valuable things…
3. Attitude towards life, Globe trotting:
Thanks to my experiences here in Germany which has changed my overall attitude towards life…not getting bogged down with too many stupid superstitious, religious beliefs…I totally learned from westerners how to approach and lead a life especially with globe trotting and live for the present…. I am not a person who gets happiness by looking at my bank account and savings but gets happiness by exploring some different parts of the globe…Thanks to my fellow classmates who taught me this Vedanta…
4. Independence:
Right from the time you get up in the morning till you go to bed…it’s all your decision…nobody can have any influence apart from few non-senses ;)…I always felt one has to be independent in his/her decision making and my stay here has offered me the world of Independence to do what I love to do..
5. Face the challenges:
Right from the day I arrived here its all about dealing with many situations…different people, different language, different culture, different food habits, different climate, study cum work, home sick, there were times when all my friends were earning huge dollars and I was sitting in the research institute doing some scientific experiments facing the cranky Professor and I wasn’t sure what I was about to do next in my life...job hunting with so many rejections not because of nullification but because of language issues and strict visa regulations.. Life out here has taught me to deal with uncertainties, disappointments and face the worst..
6. International Exposure:
Had I continued working in Indian Software Industry, I should have traveled abroad, earned money everything fine…but I am sure I wouldn’t have got any international friends…my studies here gave a great chance to rub shoulders with different countrymen…. got to know the different cultures, their way of living, their attitude…gave me a great insight that world is not just our culture and there are different ways of leading a life…definitely made the frog to come out of the well…
7. Patriotism:
I hardly had any patriotism when I was in India except on Independence day when I used to carry the tricolor flag during the march past in schools…once I missed my home soil to the core ( the movies, the friends, the entertainment, the cricket, the Indian girls ;) then I became more patriotic…in fact this patriotism helped me to do well in my studies and other things…
8. Cooking:
Whether I become Master of Science or not, I have become Master of Cook…tried all possible dishes ultimately ended in me eating that and not others…;) Cooking is an art, a great hobby and I am sure I am gonna cook along with my wife…if she isn’t lazy…;)
9. Drinking Beer:
One great art which I learned from Germans, its none other than handling alcohol and beer…I truly cherished all my moments with them…it’s a special feeling to be in a state of half-drunk and I hardly go to a full state…Thanks to my 90 Kg fat body…;)
10. Importance of Vitamin “M”oney:
I hardly knew the value of Money when I was in India…I realized the significance of each and every penny which I spent here…. Thank God…I managed my entire stay and all my European Voyage by the part time programming and accommodation scholarship…
All in all, Germany gave me more than what I expected…I totally had a different opinion about Germans when I was in India but what I experienced with them here is simply amazing…What the world thinks about Germany is different and what I experienced here is different… I love Germans, I love Germany…Germany is neither hell nor heaven… J
The much awaited block buster kollywood movie from "ula nayagan" Kamal Haasan was released atlast...thanks to Ayangaran distributors who relased the movie in Hamburg, Germany...to say in one word the movie definitely didn't meet the great expectations which was portrayed before...but credit should go to the genius who acted in ten different roles...the screenplay was awesome, amazing graphic work..songs didn't turn out really great...but I always liked Kamal Haasan's movies who tries to give some message in each film....I get a feeling since he had to concentrate on ten different characters there wasn't a real punch in the story....
The story definitely touched different aspects of caste division in Indian society....first between Iyers and Iyengars...then between higher and lower caste....finally questions us....is god existing...I loved Kamal's last remark..."I never say god is not there....but I say it will be nice if he is there"... :) No doubt Kamal Haasan is a great revolutionary in the present times....no revolutionaries got recognition when they were living but the world recognized their thoughts when they weren't there...classical examples Subash Chandra Bose, Bharathiyar, Periyar and the list goes on....I really dream when a situation will come in India when we don't have a separate column for the caste in educational forms...well I don't see atleast for the next 100 years.... :(
Recently we had a class trip to Cuxhaven situated in the North Western coastline of Germany...the place Cuxhaven is unique for one thing, the North Sea recedes away completely around 20 kms..no water spread at a circumeference of 20 km for six hours and then completely filled with water for the next phase of the day....nature's wonder....it was nice walking with my classmates in the swampy ocean land with out any water...the weather stayed amazing...had a great barbeque..played beach volleyball, cricket, football along the shore...wonderful moments...A trip to remember!!
Time goes really fast...One month flew away like a second...one of the best memorable moments which I had in Germany...All comes to an end...It wasn't certainly easy for me to come out of the situation with out her after having spent the golden times with her...well life has to go on...The moment when I last kissed on her face and said bye to her in the airport still resides in my eyes...Certainly couldn't control my emotions after that...Thanks to Indian couple who helped her in the airport to board the flight and make her reach safely in Chennai...I really thank god for making this dream happen in my life... :)
