In the beginning of 2011, I was in a totally new place,
among the tranquility of monks, the awkwardness of being a vegetarian and the
acceptance (and later the getting back) of a story that wouldn’t work out. I
know I am talking in codes and utter bullshit. But that was how 2011 started
for me – in complete mystery. But from that mystery arose a year, that shall
forever remain etched in my mind.
One of my major achievements that I conquered in the
previous year was coming to terms to being in love with Delhi. My post graduation here the past two
years, couldn’t make me love Delhi,
than the time I left for other places. I came running back as soon as I realized
it.
It is in 2011, that I became a post graduate, along with
some of the most awesomest friends I will ever make. And the greatest thing to
happen to your 20-odd classmates, is see them all be in really good positions
across the country. I am proud to say that the batch I was with is wickedly
talented and I hope to see them achieve more than what they ever dreamed to.
Also in 2011, was when I got my first, second and third job.
Well technically speaking, my third job is my first job. I was first offered a
job in Bangalore
(my loathing for Bengaluru is quite out there in the open), with a clause that
came into view only when I was in Mumbai. I didn’t take that up, after which
they did one of the most childish thing that a real firm would never do – go complain
to our institution director that I didn’t take up the job. Hilarious. Then I was
home, rummaging through media websites and what not, sending resumes in the
bulk to media and production houses alike. I got a call from a few, but in the
end decided to go for one in Chennai – the Deccan Chronicle. And it was not
good. The only big city I was not able to cope with till now is Chennai. I
headed there, with hopes of being closer to home and easier adjustments than in
Delhi, but it
was just the opposite. The one week I worked for Chennai Chronicle, the tabloid
piece that goes alongwith the main newspapers, made me realize, this was not
what I was cut out to do. I left the job within a week. I missed my Delhi. I reached Delhi, to find that my
old roommate was still there, but I had to move out of his place (read here). But in the two weeks he put up with me I was back to doing what I had
done back at home in Calicut
– send resumes by the dozen. But who would have known that it would be the
social networking site of Twitter that would finally save my life. My friend Manoj re-tweeted Venkat Ananth’s tweet about an opening in Sports Illustrated India. When I contacted Venkat, he gave me a mail id where I could send a
resume to. But the mail bounced back. But I didn’t back down. I searched the
net, found the correct email id and the rest as they say is history. I got in,
after a grilling session by the most awesomest boss I have had till now –
Kadambari ma’am. But it was not just Kadambari ma’am, the entire team at SI, is
absolutely fantastic. Each and every person is a character in themselves and
the past five months has been a revelation for me. Hope this doesn’t end soon.
This to me is a dream team to work with.
In 2011, I travelled. A lot. Starting off with Bylakuppe in
the new year, I actually came back to the place during the end of the year. In between
I was all around the place – Mumbai, Bangalore,
Chennai, Mysore, Kochi,
Kannur, Mahe, Calicut
and so many more. It has just made me realize that this is the love that I’ve
been looking for. Traveling makes me happy. It brings to me the variety of
culture and stories, that I would never get sitting on a chair staring in front
of the computer. I hope 2012 has more to offer.
In 2011, I understood the true love actually triumphs. It
started off with the wedding of my brother and bhabhi. I still am to know their
love story, because it obviously has to be a love story. Maybe in 2012, I will get
to know. Then there was the surprise package of Faris and Lanisa, college sweethearts,
who tied the knot in a ceremony that was attended by the most number of our
friends. Another love story of 8 years, came to fulfilment at the end of the
year, making me understand that perseverance is the key to achievement. Congos to Nahla
and Wasseem for that. Even after years of defiance and rejection, they held on
to each other, and finally the two families agreed. And then there is Fathima
Ali, one of my bestest buddies (who incidentally didn’t come to see off at the
station) got married this year to the most awesomest guy she could ever find
(no Basri, I ain’t gay). And to those who have best friends who are about to
get married – never piss the bride and groom off on their first night. But I hope 2012 brings more love stories to
life, and I wish this would be the year I could begin telling my kids 20 years
down the line, about ‘How I met their mother’ ;)
In 2011, I have realized that failures only makes one
tougher. I’ve had my share of failures. But each failure has taught me
something new, and a person who has never failed, has literally learned nothing
at all.
I guess to sum up 2011, would be a difficult deal, but it was beautiful while it lasted. Here’s
to wishing 2012 be much more than what 2011 ever was. Cheers and always keep smiling people!
