Rewind 2008

I should admit I am not really sentimental about New year and stuff. But, 2008 was an extraordinary year for me and so couldn't help myself from not writing this one. 

I spent most of the first 4 months in a state of desperation. I wanted to get back home and spend some time with my parents and sister. My manager finally agreed that I can go back home (I was in UK, btw). Booked my tickets for 5th May and year 2008 was such a roller coaster from there on.

In general, it has been an exasperating year in both personal and professional life. As I mentioned earlier, had to spend most of my time convincing (euphemism for "fight") my manager, for a release from the project. If that is not exasperating enough, the later half of 2008 had loads of health troubles in store for family and friends (closest ones).  I also failed terribly attempting to switch my career.

Amongst all these, there were moments that I cannot forget. The best of the lot:

Moment of triumph:

I cleared the driving test in UK, and in first attempt. People say to get a driving licence in UK is one of the toughest things. But there were things tougher than that - training yourself for the driving test. My instructor Alan said, "My clients say that taking a driving test in UK is a lot easier than driving with me". How true! It was such a relief that I would not have to drive under the supervision of Alan again!

Lake District trip

It was a trip for a lifetime. 2 Cars, 8 of us and loads of fun. First time I felt the freedom of driving in Motorways after getting the licence. That was the smallest part of the fun. We stayed in a beautiful cottage with amazing facilities. The places we visited were just so amazing and the frequency match among 8 guys was incredible.

From Lake District

The moment of horror!

I should not have taken our crippled Rover (it had a head-gasket issue) out that day. I was about to travel back home the next day, and it was a big risk taking out a dying car out on road without insurance (which I had cancelled). The car stopped in the middle of London road and there was heavy traffic. Me and Stephen (my friend) were pushing the car up the slope for around 20-25 minutes and holding up traffic. How lucky we were that the police did not come (1) It was a crime to drive without Insurance, (2) If I was held up in UK, my VISA was about to expire in another 5 days!!

That was the biggest risk of my lifetime. We then had to scrap the car

Happiest moment

I landed in Chennai and reached home. First thing I did after refreshing myself was to take my bike and visit my Sister. That was the first time I was seeing her after her marriage and it had been an year since. I realized how much I had missed her.

Will I see that girl again?

When you take your handkerchief out of your pocket, your keys can fall quite often. But not quite often you hear a "excuse me" to find a beautiful girl running towards you from behind and hand the keys over to you. I am not speaking about a dream I had; it was all real. And only in movies, after such a sequence a hero gets to see a heroine again.  

Cricket retires

Can still remember how sad I felt when Anil Kumble retired. More on my earlier post:

http://unintelligiblescribblings.blogspot.com/2008/11/why-cricket-is-life.html

These are the ones that comes to my mind immediately when I think of 2008.

Tough times I spoke about earlier came to an end early in December 2008. And, I decided on a few things to-do that I have always wanted to do. These are not my new year resolutions, new year is just a coincidence! Next post on my to-dos

Smiles,

Vinayak