Last night I shed my first tears seeing my little baby on webcam. I longed to take him in my hands. To hold him, play with him, talk to him, just see him play, hear him make weird sounds, walk around with him, console him when he cries, clean his nappies, put him to sleep - I'm missing all that and more. Everything seems incomplete now. Meaningless.
I'm not sure what changes parenthood has brought to me. One minute I was just another guy with not too many responsibilities, and the next, I'm a dad with all the responsibilities. It's crazy.
A lot of things change upon becoming a parent. But I'd say, the first and foremost change comes to the relationship between the couple. Simply put, it brings them closer. Nine months is a long time. And it can be a difficult and intriguing time for a women. With all kinds of physical, mental, hormonal, psychological changes, it teaches you just one lesson: this women is undergoing all that just to give birth to your baby. Many say that it is a defining moment in a women's life. That could be quite true. And it's not just the nine months and giving birth part but continues through post-birth phase as well. All in all, a really challenging time for a women. It is quite unbelievable in the end when you hold your baby for the first time and think: Did this really come out of there? Just incredible.
Holding my bundle of joy for the first time will always remain my most cherished moment. My wife, with all that she went through over the last 10 months is the greatest thing I have ever seen.
There couldn't be a more appropriate time to let her know how much I respect her for being the women she is and - a caring wife, a supportive friend, a trusted companion, a passionate lover, a smart critique and an ideal life partner. And now, a super-mom! Hats off to you, love.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Travails for a passport
Getting a passport made in India is the easiest possible thing. Really! And for a new born, even more simple. After all, no police check, no address proof, nothing. All you need is a birth certificate. That's all, right?
Wrong.
My son's passport application is in the works. In order to just complete the application, they require a NOC from me in the form of a sworn affidavit attested by the Indian Embassy in Dubai. In order the apply for the NOC, I needed a bunch of stuff, one of which was that my wife's name has to be attested on my passport. In order to get my wife's name attested on my passport, I needed my marriage certificate to be attested by the Home Department of Maharashtra.
See what I mean!
Anyways, the home department jig is done. Right now, my passport is gone for it's drill. Expecting that on Saturday. Once that is done, then will I finally get my hands on that 'coveted' NOC.
20 days they say for the passport to get delivered. Honestly, I don't trust that number one bit.
Oh, and after the passport is ready, I need to apply for my son's residence visa. But that does not take too long. Couple of days tops.
Guess it is another 4-6 weeks before my wife and son can join me. Alas, the wait continues.
p.s. Did I mention it took 1 month for the birth certificate to be issued? Well, that's another story.
Edited to add:
17-Mar-09: Got my passport yesterday with the endorsement. And this morning, I finally got the sworn affidavit issued by the Indian embassy. Hopefully, the passport application should be submitted today. Fingers 'still' crossed.
Wrong.
My son's passport application is in the works. In order to just complete the application, they require a NOC from me in the form of a sworn affidavit attested by the Indian Embassy in Dubai. In order the apply for the NOC, I needed a bunch of stuff, one of which was that my wife's name has to be attested on my passport. In order to get my wife's name attested on my passport, I needed my marriage certificate to be attested by the Home Department of Maharashtra.
See what I mean!
Anyways, the home department jig is done. Right now, my passport is gone for it's drill. Expecting that on Saturday. Once that is done, then will I finally get my hands on that 'coveted' NOC.
20 days they say for the passport to get delivered. Honestly, I don't trust that number one bit.
Oh, and after the passport is ready, I need to apply for my son's residence visa. But that does not take too long. Couple of days tops.
Guess it is another 4-6 weeks before my wife and son can join me. Alas, the wait continues.
p.s. Did I mention it took 1 month for the birth certificate to be issued? Well, that's another story.
Edited to add:
17-Mar-09: Got my passport yesterday with the endorsement. And this morning, I finally got the sworn affidavit issued by the Indian embassy. Hopefully, the passport application should be submitted today. Fingers 'still' crossed.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tag of 25
1. I think this is the most boring tag ever!
2. I was named after my late grand-father. Me born right after he expired.
3. I feel he is watching over me always.
4. Once got my head stuck behind the TV set. And even stapled my own thumb.
5. Always day-dreamt of being the greatest cricketer ever. Imagined hitting a double century in an ODI on debut against Australia in the finals of the world cup with India 5 wickets down for less than 10 runs and winning the game!
6. That never happened.
7. Love this number.
8. Excelled in Athletics though, all the way to the Nationals.
9. Will trade my right arm to meet Roger Federer.
10. Err...only hypothetically!
11. Did I ever do an MBA?
12. Or am I even an engineer?
13. Joined Oracle just because it sounds cool and was in Bangalore.
14. I still miss Bangalore
15. Miss my wife and 6 week old son.
16. Love my parents and family.
17. I drive a Benz E230. Want a Lexus IS300 or BMW X5 or both.
18. This tag is long.
19. I miss my best friend.
20. I totally, completely, absolutely, hate bhindi and baingan.
21. Money is not the root of all evil.
22. I love food.
23. I love movies.
24. I love perfumes.
25. Date on which I got married.
I'm not tagging anyone. Almost everyone I know has attempted this. So open invitation for whoever dares to attempt it. Just let me know once it is done. Cheers.
2. I was named after my late grand-father. Me born right after he expired.
3. I feel he is watching over me always.
4. Once got my head stuck behind the TV set. And even stapled my own thumb.
5. Always day-dreamt of being the greatest cricketer ever. Imagined hitting a double century in an ODI on debut against Australia in the finals of the world cup with India 5 wickets down for less than 10 runs and winning the game!
6. That never happened.
7. Love this number.
8. Excelled in Athletics though, all the way to the Nationals.
9. Will trade my right arm to meet Roger Federer.
10. Err...only hypothetically!
11. Did I ever do an MBA?
12. Or am I even an engineer?
13. Joined Oracle just because it sounds cool and was in Bangalore.
14. I still miss Bangalore
15. Miss my wife and 6 week old son.
16. Love my parents and family.
17. I drive a Benz E230. Want a Lexus IS300 or BMW X5 or both.
18. This tag is long.
19. I miss my best friend.
20. I totally, completely, absolutely, hate bhindi and baingan.
21. Money is not the root of all evil.
22. I love food.
23. I love movies.
24. I love perfumes.
25. Date on which I got married.
I'm not tagging anyone. Almost everyone I know has attempted this. So open invitation for whoever dares to attempt it. Just let me know once it is done. Cheers.
Friday, March 6, 2009
That moment....
At this lovely captured moment in my life I had wished I was a kid again....
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05-Mar-09, 9:22 PM
....seeing those kids jump down that air-filled slide!!!
What are those kids thinking of?
Project deadline? Targets? Performance appraisal? Traffic? Weight loss? Recession? Money? Investments? Family? Marriage? Heartbreaks? Moving houses? Rama Sena? Politics? Global warming?
Bet, at that instant, all they freakin cared off was to jump as hard and as fast as they possibly can down that slide! What a life! :)
I wish.... (sigh)
.jpg)
05-Mar-09, 9:22 PMWhat are those kids thinking of?
Project deadline? Targets? Performance appraisal? Traffic? Weight loss? Recession? Money? Investments? Family? Marriage? Heartbreaks? Moving houses? Rama Sena? Politics? Global warming?
Bet, at that instant, all they freakin cared off was to jump as hard and as fast as they possibly can down that slide! What a life! :)
I wish.... (sigh)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
On failing driving tests in UAE
To the person who got here with this query:
"i failed my driving test in uae"
I feel sorry for this guy/girl. Really really really know how it feels. And I can tell you it's not good. Anyone who stays in UAE will know how important it is to own a car here. Public transport system is appalling. Taxis charge a bomb. Metro is far from over. Car lifts are not allowed. Walking is out of the question due to the long distances between places. So what are the options? Frankly, not many. And thus owning a car is almost your only resort And with so much traffic on roads these days, licenses are not being issued generously. RTA thinks that's the way to reduce traffic problems! And appearing for driving tests is by no means cheap. Digs a BIG hole in your pocket. But it's gotta be done! It's a necessary evil.
So hang in there, Mr./Ms. I know it is tough but surely possible. Good luck for your next test. Cheers.
"i failed my driving test in uae"
I feel sorry for this guy/girl. Really really really know how it feels. And I can tell you it's not good. Anyone who stays in UAE will know how important it is to own a car here. Public transport system is appalling. Taxis charge a bomb. Metro is far from over. Car lifts are not allowed. Walking is out of the question due to the long distances between places. So what are the options? Frankly, not many. And thus owning a car is almost your only resort And with so much traffic on roads these days, licenses are not being issued generously. RTA thinks that's the way to reduce traffic problems! And appearing for driving tests is by no means cheap. Digs a BIG hole in your pocket. But it's gotta be done! It's a necessary evil.
So hang in there, Mr./Ms. I know it is tough but surely possible. Good luck for your next test. Cheers.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Of Dogs, Century and Work times
While driving back home last evening:
Me: Hey, guess what? I saw a dog today!!!! Ain't that something?!?
Bro: I saw two the other day!
Me: Whhaaat??!!??
Bro: Yeah, can you believe it?!
Me: Noooohhh! Lucky you. The blessed one.
Bro: I beat you at it.
Me: Don't rub it in.
Bro: (After a few seconds) What are you thinking?!
Me: About my next blog post (smiling wryly)
....which also happens to be my 100th post. That's 100 posts in 1 year and 4 months of blogging. That's 1 post every 4.87 days. I never blog on weekends. So that's one post every work week. Not a pretty bad average I guess. Work reminds me....
Last Tuesday I had the most optimized work day. The expected in-time at my work is 9.30 am with 15 min grace so effectively that's 9.45! Expected out-time is 6 pm. On Tuesday my entry-exit log read:
In-time: 09:44:38 AM and Out-time: 18:01:12 PM
I've had several 9.45 ins and several 6pm outs. But never on the same day! I always thought the best possible combination is to get in 1 min before time and out 1 min after time. And coincidentally last Tuesday was the first time that happened. Which takes me to another point....
I think no one should work beyond their stipulated work hours. At my last job, leaving on time was almost like a CLM (Career Limiting Move). It was a taboo. Colleagues spoke about it behind your back. Managers gave sarcastic comments. Even the cab drivers stared at you. You almost wished to be invisible. Leaving work on time would require maneuvering. (Guys, I'm going to take a bio break (or smoke break or a quick snack). Anyone coming?). And you walk towards the rest room (or the balcony or the pantry) and then quietly slip out.
But it was my first job; full of energy; all guns blazing; out to prove to the corporate world that the next big thing has arrived. So it hardly ever mattered. I've stayed back at work even upto 7-8 hours. Overtime was not part of the package. So never got paid for it.
Thankfully, my current job has no such 'culture'. People come on time and leave on time. Period. And so do I. Work never requires me to stay 15 min more than my time. Guess I learnt a bit of time management as well. And I almost never work from home. Have 8.5 hrs to do my job and I make sure my job gets done in that time. Work should be at work. It should never take up your personal time.
Ofcourse if you get paid to work late, that's a different thing! Go, dog...err...Tiger!
(p.s.: For the record, you never see a stray dog in UAE)
Me: Hey, guess what? I saw a dog today!!!! Ain't that something?!?
Bro: I saw two the other day!
Me: Whhaaat??!!??
Bro: Yeah, can you believe it?!
Me: Noooohhh! Lucky you. The blessed one.
Bro: I beat you at it.
Me: Don't rub it in.
Bro: (After a few seconds) What are you thinking?!
Me: About my next blog post (smiling wryly)
....which also happens to be my 100th post. That's 100 posts in 1 year and 4 months of blogging. That's 1 post every 4.87 days. I never blog on weekends. So that's one post every work week. Not a pretty bad average I guess. Work reminds me....
Last Tuesday I had the most optimized work day. The expected in-time at my work is 9.30 am with 15 min grace so effectively that's 9.45! Expected out-time is 6 pm. On Tuesday my entry-exit log read:
In-time: 09:44:38 AM and Out-time: 18:01:12 PM
I've had several 9.45 ins and several 6pm outs. But never on the same day! I always thought the best possible combination is to get in 1 min before time and out 1 min after time. And coincidentally last Tuesday was the first time that happened. Which takes me to another point....
I think no one should work beyond their stipulated work hours. At my last job, leaving on time was almost like a CLM (Career Limiting Move). It was a taboo. Colleagues spoke about it behind your back. Managers gave sarcastic comments. Even the cab drivers stared at you. You almost wished to be invisible. Leaving work on time would require maneuvering. (Guys, I'm going to take a bio break (or smoke break or a quick snack). Anyone coming?). And you walk towards the rest room (or the balcony or the pantry) and then quietly slip out.
But it was my first job; full of energy; all guns blazing; out to prove to the corporate world that the next big thing has arrived. So it hardly ever mattered. I've stayed back at work even upto 7-8 hours. Overtime was not part of the package. So never got paid for it.
Thankfully, my current job has no such 'culture'. People come on time and leave on time. Period. And so do I. Work never requires me to stay 15 min more than my time. Guess I learnt a bit of time management as well. And I almost never work from home. Have 8.5 hrs to do my job and I make sure my job gets done in that time. Work should be at work. It should never take up your personal time.
Ofcourse if you get paid to work late, that's a different thing! Go, dog...err...Tiger!
(p.s.: For the record, you never see a stray dog in UAE)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Random rantings - 1
Ever get that feeling when you know you have it all yet you also know it's incomplete? Or like not having any reasons to complain but still feel like complaining.
Feeling something like that today.
I'm really tired. And sleepy. Have headache and that nagging backache due too long hours behind the wheel. Still haven't recovered from flu and my antibiotics are over. I am overweight. And I need to see a dentist! (Groan). Health has taken such a backseat in my life that someday I think I might just drop dead.
Work front is OK but I hate spending close to three hours commuting daily! Sucks
The wife and kiddo are OK but I hate being away from them for so long! Sucks
I start with Atkins tomorrow. That sucks too.
I stood up my friends today. Has happened for the first time ever. This after I had booked the movie tickets myself. BIG sucks.
Phone at my desk doesn't work. The watchman did not wash my car today. I want to change the curtains in my room. The kiddo's birth certificate (required for his passport which is in-turn required for his visa) is taking forever to come. I need to start working out or play some cricket or tennis.
Whoever said I had no reasons to complain?!?
Feeling something like that today.
I'm really tired. And sleepy. Have headache and that nagging backache due too long hours behind the wheel. Still haven't recovered from flu and my antibiotics are over. I am overweight. And I need to see a dentist! (Groan). Health has taken such a backseat in my life that someday I think I might just drop dead.
Work front is OK but I hate spending close to three hours commuting daily! Sucks
The wife and kiddo are OK but I hate being away from them for so long! Sucks
I start with Atkins tomorrow. That sucks too.
I stood up my friends today. Has happened for the first time ever. This after I had booked the movie tickets myself. BIG sucks.
Phone at my desk doesn't work. The watchman did not wash my car today. I want to change the curtains in my room. The kiddo's birth certificate (required for his passport which is in-turn required for his visa) is taking forever to come. I need to start working out or play some cricket or tennis.
Whoever said I had no reasons to complain?!?
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