Like Duck to Water, thats how I have taken to life :). This blog is the saga of love and adventures of a small duck in a large water body called LIFE....

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Monday, January 01, 2007

End of an era :(


I have always been "lucky". Things have usually worked out my way. It probably started way ago in primary school. I was able to join the high school I wanted, later the P.U college I wanted and still later the engineering college I wanted. Though when it came to campus recruitment, I badly wanted to get into Infosys, but didn't and was a bit disappointed then. But again, I got into a pretty good company. Again when I joined, I was to be posted to another city. But it again worked out and I was able to continue to work in Bangalore.

When I got married and later Sri was put into a project here in US, I really thought I would have to resign, but again things worked out (as I wrote in my "Ok now the real deal :)" post) and I was given a transfer. I have been telecommuting here since 1.5 years without any problems. And I have been grateful for the way things were going.

But good times, they say, don't last. Though my L1 work permit/visa is valid till June 2008, each 6 months an extension of my international assignment happens internally in my company. This particular thing has to be approved by a series of managers from my manager to the vice-president of the company (don't ask me why, thats the policy). Till now I thought this would be a mere formality. Maybe I had gotten used to working from home. Maybe I had gotten totally lazy. Maybe I had become complacent. So much that I didn't even bother trying for a job outside though I am being paid in India and my salary is nothing compared to what people get here. I liked working from home at my pace. It was a freedom that I had gotten used to.

Sadly one of the higher managers refused to approve the extension this time. Well, what were my options? Go back to India and work. Since that was not very feasible, what with Sri working here, the only thing to do was to resign. Which I did a couple of days ago. My last day of work will be in the first week of January 2007. What a way for the new year to start eh!!

I admit I was very disappointed. There were times when I was even bitter. But there is nothing I can do about it. There's no way I'll be away from Sri. And its a miracle this whole thing worked out for the past 1.5 years. Atleast I have been working and it has obviously increased my "work experience" factor. So I am grateful for that. My only woe is that had I just been given a hint about this some time back, I would probably have tried for something. But, whats done is done..

Meanwhile, I'm actively looking for jobs. But to do a job in US means acquiring a H1 which is a whole new story altogether (I'll be writing on it some other time). Another plan is to study either MS or MBA. Both require TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores and while MS requires a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score, MBA requires GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score. And man, are these exams costly :-p. So I wouldn't like to attempt them before I'm well prepared. Which is why I have a plan in place. First want to finish TOEFL and then decide whether to do GRE or GMAT :-D.

I'm not giving up. My major worry is that I'll become redundant and that sitting idle at home will make me kind of useless (I know I can never be that, still I am afraid I will). I remember when I graduated, it was recession time and we were not sure whether the company that had selected us in Campus recruitment would even take us or not. Many companies had absolutely refused to do so. A single walk-in/test from a company meant 1000s of students gathering in the place to attend. My company had postponed the joining date. I remember being very depressed. Because there was literally no hope then. But I joined music classes, visited relatives I hadn't visited for years (due to my studies) and when my company actually made us join, I remember actually being glad for having the break :). Hopefully this will turn out to be the same way.

Somebody (I don't know who) said:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

There are many funny versions of this, the latest ones being:

When life gives you lemons, find someone who has vodka and throw a party!

When life gives you lemons, sell them on ebay!

Hehehehe :-D. Anyways I am digressing. My only resolution for the new year, is not to let myself get into negativity. Though I may feel down from time to time, I am going to make myself get back on track and work on achieving a few things I have always wanted to (I have always wanted to do my Masters). Maybe this is for the good. Maybe this is going to make me get up, look around and strive hard to get what I want. Maybe this is going to make things better than they already are. As my dad always says "This is not the end of the world" and it certainly is not :).

Quoting Lee Ann Womack's song "I hope you dance", which is my motto as of now ;-)...

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances, But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake , But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance..


Thats my advice to anybody who's reading this post. I hope you dance, people :). Meanwhile wish you a very happy and a prosperous new year :).




17 Comments:


Archana retorted...

Happy New Year :-D!

Man - that's a bummer :-(. Good luck with your future plans! Not to worry, am sure something will work out soon!

'I hope you dance' is one of my fav songs - so much so I bought it on itunes though it plays fairly regularly on radio too :-))!


Thanu retorted...

trust me it will all work out.

Good luck for exam preps and take a little break and enjoy all the things ard..


Deeps retorted...

Archana, thanks :). I'm sure I'll make something work out :).

Thanu, thanks for the encouraging words :).


Chitra retorted...

Well written. Your spirit is obvious. I am sure you will do well in whatever you choose to do. Keep us posted. :)


Enigma retorted...

what ever happens happens for good :) so enjoy the break and think outside the box (java terminology :P

Have wondreful year ahead


Deeps retorted...

Chitra, I hope my spirit keeps up when things go bad :-\. Thanks for the kind words :).

Ash, thanks kane. Your words and wishes mean a lot :).


Unknown retorted...

Kudos to your attitude. It is a bummer, but you are taking it head-on. I am no one to predict if it'll all go smoothly, but attitude counts. Take it as a break, and I am sure you will find a way to keep yourself busy. I read you off and on but don't comment that much. This post made me comment.
all the best, deepthi! :)


By Deepa and Supriya retorted...

Hello,
Now it does not seem like a good way to start the New Year but in time maybe you will feel it was the best thing that happened to you and like all your friends have advised, jut take a breather, clear your head and focus on what you want..and this is still the land of ooportunities, so just make sure you are prepared when ur opportunity comes knocking on your door!


Deeps retorted...

TGFI, thanks. I am trying to keep my attitude the way it is now. I only hope when I feel a bit down, the attitude doesn't go flying out the window ;-).

Orchid, thanks for the encouragement :). Thats exactly what I want to do and hopefully will go about it in the right way :).


mommyof2 retorted...

Happy New year:-)

Those exams are not that hard for us;-)You will do great.. Good Luck.


Madhooo retorted...

Wish you a very happy 2007. I am sure you will realise later that the break has come as a blessing.:) So don't give up.:)


Deeps retorted...

mommyof2, hehehe, I'm counting on the "exams not hard" part :-D.

Madhoo, thank you :). All these comments have certainly helped in keeping my spirits up :).


mommyof2 retorted...

incase u have question about ur exams or visa, email me.. Hubby is expert:-)


Harish Suryanarayana retorted...

What a brilliant post !
Its sad that you lost your job . But I believe everything happens for a reason .Dont lose heart . I really loved the I hope you dance thingy .. very neat .

Wishing you a Sri a Happy New Year !


Usha retorted...

Hey deeps, when one door closes another opens up - just keep looking for it thats all. There is a purpose in all this which as you pointed out, you will realise in hindsight.
Meantime enjoy the break and use the time to do all that you didnt have time for when you had a busy schedule.


Deeps retorted...

mommyof2, thanks a lot for the offer :).

Harish, I also believe all that happend happens for the good. But I don't know what the "good" is here :(.

Usha, I am waiting for the other door to open and fast losing my patience ;-(.


Sumana retorted...

Hello Deepthi,
I share this moment with you. My new year is going to be sad too in a way job wise, we will be returning to Indioa for good and hence will resign my job. Definitely not the end of the world. And the baby will get you all luck and joy.
Take care