Another pet project - Why not?

Fresh out of my GMAT exam, I chat with my roommate. Oh well, we're both sulking. He, cos he's in his mid-thirties and feel he hasn't gotten anywhere. I, cos I wanted way more in my exam!

So - I think - why not give him a shot in the arm? I know he has contacts in India for producing hand crafted ethnic Indian wear - real cheap. And I, with my tech background can help him turn this into a business for clients in the USA.

We get talking, and its exciting allright. The url deals2wear is available - it has a tangy sound and is easy to remember (for reasons I'd rather not state!).
"Ebay Stores is offering 30 days free premium accounts". $10 buys us the domain at bluehost.com. Email accounts at deals2wear are setup.
We decide to put in $100 each - that's a measly $200 in all! Get a professional photographer in India to take some snaps of Sarees (yeah - there are no measurement hassles as far as we know - hmm, but maybe the blouse would need some measurements... ah well). And we'll be ready to run a pilot.
The initial days in any idea are exciting and give an adrenaline rush - I feel great that my roommate will benefit from this, and I too can get some pocket money for further studies.

GMAT jitters to GMAT blues

Oh..kay. So I gave my GMAT Today.

Well all my recent mock tests seemed to promise a 750+ score- but the reality was a grim 710.

Yeah a 710 is not such a bad score. So they tell me.

But here's the low-down. the essays went well, in math I missed on some questions cos the proctor didn't allow me to take extra paper( sure enough I ran out of space), & she cut my break to 5 min cos I signed back before time.

I am surprised I never heard of either of these rules before.
Sigh.

So much of prep lost to a couple of weird rules.

Sometimes i wonder: does life have a launchpad waiting for you- or will it just make you jump around?

One nation controlled by the media...

As I came home from work last night, a friend mentioned that Georgia has been attacked by Russia.

I was shocked to hear that, and more so, since I had read the news earlier that day. must have just happened, I figured.

I flipped to CNN, Fox & some of the other news channels, & they were all providing detailed coverage of ... you got it- john edward's affair!
it was only bloomberg (of all the channels ) that had an interview with the Georgian Ambassador in progress.

it is disappointing how insular the news here tends to be. I suppose the media is more interested in showcasing provocative stories of lesser significance but more mass appeal rather than news events of global implications.

2nd Life Anyone

I was trying to figure what to do with my time... I'd already blogged earlier today... done my daily visits to Facebook and Gmail. Heck, I'd even had two baths.
(Add to that a great GMAT mock test score of 770)... seen an episode of Sopranos, had dinner and dessert... hmm... what next.
So I came across second life on the internet.
Yeah, I'd tried this out long back, but didn't give this site a fair chance.

I'm downloading SecondLife as I write... I'm thinking I'll take a little tour - especially since they say membership is free.

For those of you who don't know, second life is a virtual world where you can go, meet people, participate in activities etc of interest to you. I'm thinking this could be an interesting scape to go and meet other interesting people and widen ones' horizons... hmm!

Anyone out there who's used second life? How have you used it?

roomy dilemma

Last night- after guzzling a 6 pack of beer, my roommate started talking.

So he was married. has 2 little girls.
His ex-wife, he said, had a series of boyfriends ( reminds me of my own ex!) during their marriage. As he spoke about his life, I realized, he is depressed. He had hid it well - considering that we live under the same roof, and talk to each other every day.
In fact, I got a hint earlier that day itself - he had bagged a high paying job offer earlier that day; but there was no celebratory spirit. Instead there was just a wallowing in sorrow in the evening.

"I told her not to go once" he said. "but she said her boyfriend is waiting".
"I was drunk - she thought I won't even remember. But I know she was gone for 3 hours while I was alone at home."

Its the first time I heard my friend speak straight from the heart. Though this was heart rending to hear, I am happy he mentioned what was on his mind.

I believe that the first step to resolving depression is to talk to someone. This simple step is often the toughest one to take. I am glad my roomy started talking. Now I can understand him better and at least try to help.

GMAT jitters

GMAT next monday.

was doing well in mock gmats- but got a (what I consider) crappy 690 in my last exam.

so now I'm left wondering if I'm qoing to have the same poor performance in the finale!

oh well-strategy now is to look at weak spots. practice. look at weak spots, & practice some more!

anyone out there w/last week gmat advice?

The Nameless

Sometimes people without a name come out of nowhere and teach you an important lesson.
Even a lesson that can change your life.

Last week I woke up stressed. On a Sunday.
I felt overwhelmed with all that was going on in my life.

I decided a little nature might do me some good, and set off to Wanskuck Park - a mile from home.
Walking through the park was refreshing - with the breeze gently blowing, and soft greenery all around.
As I was walking through the park, trying to absorb the scene, I saw a man. Arguably, there wasn't much to say about him. He was in shorts taking a walk, a dog by his side. But his calm appearance impressed me. He was the very picture of relaxation.

I realized suddenly that in this moment, there was nothing to be stressed about. I can just take it easy, just relax. At that point in time, all the stresses were just in my mind. In that moment, there was nothing to really be worked up about.

Though I'd read this many times in books, the realization dawned on me at that moment.
And that realization has carried on since. The image of that person comes to mind often, when I see myself stressed, and I automatically tune into that relaxed state of mind.

So to you, the person with no name - While I cannot personally thank you for this lesson and may never see you again - you have changed a part of me. Thanks.