Observations...

Things I noticed in Dublin:
1. Strangers greet you! Doesn't matter who it is. I could be a traffic officer, biker, newspaper man, students, neighbours...absolutely anyone. If someone passes by, you get a quick smile, or a 'Morning' or a 'Hi' or a 'How ya doin?'.
2. Everyone is so apologetic! If, by chance, someone comes in your walking path, you hear an immediate 'Sorry' or 'Oops'. And that person makes way for you to pass. Even while getting onto a bus, no comes in the other person's way. Period.
3. Queues everywhere! People are ready to wait for how long it takes in queues. There isn't one person who even tries to jump the line.
4. Every bar is known as the '....... Temple Bar'. Good ambiance, great music, friendly people - worth every penny!

5. People are ready to chop off their right arm for 'the black stuff" or also known as Guinness.

'the black stuff'

Short story to narrate here: A bunch of us stepped into this bar after dinner called 'Fitzsimons' (yes, you guessed it - Fitzsimons temple bar!). Good place and while we were placing our order, a relatively drunk man walked up to my colleague, who was standing right next to an empty chair, and asked her "How much for that chair?". We all look up. And he asks the same question again. Startled, my colleague, Selma, replies "Take it, it's for free". Quickly the man replies, "Sorry to take the chair away from you dear. It is for this women, ya see, who I wanna have sex with tonight!" We all broke into a laughter. And the guy picks up the chair and walks off, also laughing!

So far, I've received extremely warm hospitality from folks in Dublin. I guess we all should learn a thing or two from the Irish!

Dub...Dub...Dublin!!!

Every new hire who joins Oracle Dubai is required to attend a 3 weeks (now 2 weeks!) foundation training in Dublin, Ireland. So, here I am, in Dublin! Got here at 5am today. It is raining, max temp 8 deg. with a min of 4 deg. The apartment is good, well equipped with all essentials (stove, microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, DVD player...even an iron!). All I need to get is foodstuff and I am good to go! The heating system is amazing - probably that's why I've not frozen to death....yet! But, best of all, it has wi-fi! :-) It's almost like home away from home!

That's the living roomFrom the couch in the living room - kitchen and dinning table

That's my bed room!

And what I love best about this apartment - the kitchen!

Training starts tomorrow morning at 9am. I don't have a flatmate yet but I am sure my luck is gonna run out soon. I have another colleague whose travelling with me. She's now my next door neighbour.

Looking forward to an interesting & 'cold' next couple of weeks!

Satisfied...

Yesterday, I experienced something so unique, fulfilling and satisfying that I couldn't help wonder why I hadn't done something like this before. I have been earning since May 2005. So I've had a stable income for quite some time now. But for the first time ever, I had a chance to hand over my entire monthly salary in the hands of my parents! Oh, and how do I describe the expressions on their faces!!! And how do I describe how I felt?!! I think words cannot do justice so I will quit trying. All I can say is that - It was the most satisfying feeling ever!!! :-)

I will be there

I'm not the sorts who needs a medium like this to express my feelings - specially for my friends. I'd rather go upto the person and blurt it out - good or bad! But I know one such person who I haven't really acknowledged as much, some one who has been in my life for close to 8 yrs now, and we still sparingly speak, meet up once in a while, update ourselves, but that one meeting is a time when I think I am totally myself.

This person's name is Khalid or more fondly known as 'kaddy'. I really don't know why I write about him but I just felt like taking out some time to collate my thoughts together for this guy. We met back in 1999 when I first landed in Aurangabad for my engineering. And to say that we immediately hit off would be the biggest understatement of the year! Here were 2 dudes who wanted exactly the same things in life - fun, food, films and females! And together, we set off on our mission! Every single day was an adventure and we, almost, did about everything possible! I will spare the details for an other day. But, more importantly, I felt I found someone who was my alter-ego! I'd only heard of such friends but I think I had found one!

And then, something happened. Things snapped between us. I still don't know the real reasons. Ego, change in priorities, attitude, maturity, misunderstandings - I think each had a factor to play. We drifted apart. We were still friends, only not the best of friends! But I remember the time I spent with him and how I enjoyed every minute of that time. I remember how his presence had made it easier for me to start a new life in a new city after living 17 yrs abroad. I remember everything!

He is married now and, very soon, his wife will be joining him in Dubai. He starts a new life, amidst tensions and pressures in his personal and professional life, both of which are really stretching him. He has done well for himself to come this far. And I am sure he has a long way to go. I am sure he is not going to be pulled down by all this.

And, God forbid, if he does loose his footing, I will be there!

Honeymoon

Finally, I found something that I can do for the wedding that is of my interest - searching for honeymoon packages!! Where to go? for how long? when? how much moolah? etc etc. My first option is Italy. It has always been my dream destination. The remarkable history associated with that country, the absolutely breath-taking scenic beauty, the castles, mountains, museums, rivers, islands, fashion, pasta, Ferrari! - just the very thought of it completely spins my mind. Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Milan, Bologna...the list is endless. I always wondered what makes a honeymoon special? I don't have any prior experience (:p) but I am guessing its gota be something like this. So, that's that! Decided - Italy it is!
I am tempted to look for other backup options but that would take my mind off Italy. So, for now, I'm gona spend all my time figuring out a good Italian honeymoon package for myself. Cheers!