Incredible

Incredible I love that word. It means something that is so out of the ordinary, that it cannot be believed, in fact, it is beyond credit, beyond credence. The meaning of the word, etymology is as follows:

incredible
early 15c., from L. incredibilis "that
cannot be believed," from in- "not" + credibilis "worthy of belief”

I first understood the magnitude, the enormity of this word when I was reading a book given by my father, “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis. It’s a particularly fascinating book as it gives the etymological (roots, origins, history of words, where they came from) references and discusses them as they are used today. For example, another word (and another of my favorites in the etymological area) is Disaster.

disaster

has its roots from Italian disastro "ill-starred," from dis- "away,
without" + astro "star, planet," from L. astrum, from Greek. Astron.

The word is derived and emphasized heavily in an astrological sense, of a calamity blamed on an unfavorable position of a planet. The word conveyed the idea that a catastrophe could be traced to the "evil influence of a star or planet".

We certainly do not mean to blame our stars these days, when we say disaster, but that’s where it was birthed from.

Anyway, without further digression from ‘Incredible’. We sure tend to use it in a very nondescript manner, using it as an objective for things like a great chocolate cake, or a match won. And we use it with great elan, as if we know exactly what we are talking about.

But recently I really, really did understand what actually feels to be in an incredible moment. My friend, post our lunch together, decided to show me something. A pic of someone. Who? Well, that was my question to him. After a bit of “ahem” and “uh”s he said, it was the photograph of the person (and he said person and not girl/ woman/ female), the person he was going to marry.

And he didn’t mean it in the “soulmate”, “the one” – for whom he had been waiting his entire life, person he was going to marry kinda way. Rather it was an awkward, she isn’t my girlfriend (its an arranged marriage), she isn’t my fiancée (the ‘ring ceremony’ or sagai is in March), she is the person my parents chose for me and whom I will marry way. I guess that’s why it took him a couple of breaths of uhs and ahems to spit it out, probably was doing this math in his pretty little big head.

Even after seeing the photo I was in a state of disbelief. Yes, here is where the incredibility comes in.

I will confess, I was a bit disappointed that the photo wasn’t mine and that this wasn’t one of the great romantic movie scenes where the hero confesses his love for the heroine in a corky yet loveable way. Because the “person I am going to marry” did seem to trigger off that kind of a feeling of a great drum roll sequence coming up where the officer and the gentleman would come in and carry me off to the sunset. I am not particularly fond of him in that manner, but the dialogue deserved a better ending. Sigh!

Anyway, even after the photograph confirmed it wasn’t me, and even after 10 minutes of straight shooting of question of who, how and where, I still couldn’t believe he was getting married! After office, I even messaged him, asking him to confirm the same, to which he didn’t reply. I am not surprised, my messages do tend to catch him in the worst of moments. Like when I messaged, “hey you didn’t take my call, I guess you must be driving the new car back home :D” only to discover the next morning that he didn’t get the car loan and the car purchasing and brining home bit never materialized. It was like a hit below the belt, that message. But hey! I didn’t know.

Anyway, it took me a good nights sleep to finally digest the fact, that yes everything was happening very fast and yes it is INCREDIBLY INCREDIBLE, but he is getting married. And soon!

I wonder how he is coping with this situation, for I am complete freaking out. Well one of us should. And by us I mean me, the groom and the bride, and the brides’ counterpart for me.
Sigh, anywho.. incredible. It is.

And that’s how, Meghna Singh really understood what Incredible means. Now only if I get to truly understand what disaster means. Hey, maybe my wedding will help me do that. :D

You were always on my mind- PART II

Sequels always work, right!! :D

Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died

Give me, give me one more chance

To keep you satisfied, satisfied…

(Would implore you to go read the first part, and then come to this blog. Esp the disclaimers and the “please bear with my imagination” bit)

So (btw that is my second fave way to start a blog, first being Well)… like I was saying, So..the “divorce” is definitely happening. And just like any good divorce or break up worth its salt, one party was completely oblivious to this fact. And yeah, that party was me. It wasn’t till the “replacements” started being interviewed that I realized that I was being politely asked to buzz off, and to leave my copy of the key behind!!

Okay, fine, will kill the drama. I have been shifted to a better profile, which is more academic and high exposure. And wouldn’t say I was offered this, but this was decided for me. Seeing that this is what I wanted and want, I am more than happy. Of course, with great power (or profile) comes great responsibility! But I am soooo up for it. So, how did it all happen.. well...

The decision of my move, was taken by the elders of the family (again, like any good marriage in India, the decisions is always taken by the elders of the tribe!!) and was only communicated to me after being asked of from the boss et al. fair enough.

But what I have been realizing now is that this move was always planned. I guess I never paid much attention to the subtle hints. Ah, poor oblivious me. I understood it only when the entire wall came crashing down onto me. Which was when my replacements were waiting outside for an interview and I was curious as to why they were here. And the answer was they are here for your job. Of course, true to my nature, I wanted to call dad crying that I have been fired!!
One haphazard discussion with my boss and HoD later, I was good to go to the next role.

Of course, typical to any divorce, breakup, my boss uttered the ultimate words which reminded me of the ever- green statement from your very recent ex “we will still be friends”, (he of course said, we will still be team members and work together!)

Well, I am happy to where I am going to. But also wary, lets see what the future brings. And like they say, first love shall always be your first love. I guess same goes for bosses. :)

Meghna

10.01.10

A Fairy Tale: Part II

So… part two haan? Here it is..

Enchanted in Jai Maharashtra!!

Part II

The princess and the squirrel landed in the far away land of possible evilness, with great hope. But before they could set foot onto this land of magic and manipulation, they were reminded of the tough task ahead of them.

The land of far away was made of many kingdoms, all reeking of the devil himself. The first district was ‘MAYHEM’, followed by ‘I-HIT-YOU ville’, not to forget ‘Parelysis’ and ‘Darkness’.
The land, of far away, was surrounded by water, high seas blue as can be. The king of the seas, was a good man, known for his fairness. His name was MAN-SEA. And in all fairness the fair Man-sea, gave the princess a warning:

Let it not be obvious, let it not be foretold, let your actions have no plans, and let your motives have no gains,
Let thyself be free, of opinion and dreams, of thoughts and worries, and you will win your love for ever more,

And the princess followed it. She made no plans to meet the prince, she tried not contacting him, for If she even thought of it the evil witch would have her foretellers gage it and poison the princes’ mind more. So she waited, hoping the wind would catch her scent and take it to the prince. And he would be reminded…

So she waited.. she waited for a full moon and another.. her friends, the squirrel and the bird saw her withering away. So they decided to take her to the bear, for a hug to rejuvenate her senses again. On the way to the place of rendezvous, they stopped to munch on a bite of appley sugary treats, at the tree of fortitude, in the forest of bangles.

There she got a scroll, wondering nothing, she opened it. Lo and behold, the scroll was a scribble from her love. He had sensed she was here, and so he asked her, if she was warm with happiness to be here… she sang as she read the scroll and her song reached the prince.

The prince in his castle awaited, his heart pounding so loud… and he understood not why. But as he heard her voice, he decided it was time. He must meet her. So he asked, if she would consider him worthy of her company that evening. She would ofcourse! Answered the princess elated.

But what they all forgot in that moment of sheer jubilation and euphoria, the simple advice the seas had given her. She planned! At that moment, as she uttered the words YES, the witch was already concocting her next spell onto the young white prince. His innocent eyes couldn’t see what was obvious to rest all. His eyes were blackened by this dark cloud of misery.

And so, when the princess showed at his door, her hair smelling like the first day of spring, and her loyal friends by her side, and Man-sea watching over her from far away, he did not know what to do. The spell made him want to put his sword through her heart right now, but somewhere the real prince’s heart fought these thoughts away. He knew if she stayed for dinner, he would do this unspeakable act.

He instead did what he thought was second best. He would make her go away, by using harsh words. He didnt know, it would have been better to pass his sword through her heart. Unaware of a lady's heart, he said;

“O fair lady, I know you came from far, and I know not why you travel the seven seas,
But leave me now, for I know not you, and I love not you, I shall not foster any such disease.”

The pricness was shocked, at the hatred she heard in his voice. The same mouth who used to smile at her everyday was badgering her. The same hands that used to hold the chariots door open, were pointing at her with indignity. She couldn’t take it no more, and returned crying to her forest.

There she decided, to take the next ship sailing to home.
But the land was evil. The witch was even more. They did want her to go, but forever and ever. So they thought to capture her and keep her locked away. As the princess walked to the ship, the ground began shaking and the distance between her and the ship began to grow. She ran, waving her hands in the air for the ship to not leave without her. She ran and ran and sprinted towards the slowly moving ship…

END OF PART II
Will the princess make it to the ship, or will she be swallowed by the witches’ spell?
Will there be a PART III??

You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn't treat you

Quite as good as I should have

Maybe I didn't love you

Quite as often as I could have

Little things I should have said and done

I just never took the time

But you were always on my mind

You were always on my mind

Listening to this old Elvis number, over and over again, and by different artists, (fave being Shakira’s rendition) I just cant but sit back and think about the new ‘relationship’ I am into.
Before all of you start calling me, and/or congratulating, this new relationship is that of mine and my supervisor. Again, hold on to your horses, and as I go on with this blog, I ask you to keep an open mind, esp one that is ready to pay heed to my imagination.

Its like this, this supervisor- subordinate relationship is like a marriage, an arranged marriage to be more apt and appropriate for my situation. Two months into the organization, I was presented with a boss, said to align myself to him, no one asked me if I would like to be his reportee, or would I fit. It was just decided, that this is how it will be.

But, like any relationship, this one had its lows and lower lows and some highs. Point blank, I didn’t accept him as my boss. I would rather rave and rant about how good my other project heads and bosses were. And that I didn’t think I belonged here, with him in his team. And that I was an MBA and way better off utilizing my skills somewhere else. I had a superiority complex, and I made sure people understood that. I made sure that he understood that. His patience by the way has definitely impressed me. For two months, he never screamed, never said “I am your boss, and you bloody well answer to me”. He gave me time and I guess that’s what makes relationships work.

And I did finally come along, it took me 2 months to accept my boss as my boss and to adapt to new guy was difficult . and the fact is that he is a good person, he is honest and straight forward, and protects me a lot. But I took a lot of time to understand him and what I had, that I didn’t have a boss who made sure my Sundays were spent working et al. I had to learn to adapt to his behavior, to understand what ticks him off and try to avoid it. What does the voice modulations mean, does him saying "yarrrrr" mean he is angry. I am still learning by the way. And the most important realization was that he had a right to ask questions and command / demand answers. And you had to be subservient to him. Not in slavery kind of a way, but again like you would be to your spouse at some level.

And during these 2 months there were so many times I wanted to bail, one night recently was spent crying in front of my dad, telling him I cant survive this job, organisation, *this* relationship. But they say 'tis the darkest before dawn'. And soon enough, in fact within a few days I did get a dawn, a new begining so as to say. His helping me out on what was my project, made me realize his intelligence, and respect his experience, however different they might be from what I am looking for myself. And I guess resistance faded away, and came in the stage of acceptance, and moving on.

Of course, I feel we still have issues. And I know now, cos he chooses to speak of them, am sure he wouldn’t have if I still were rebellious. And his suspicions are correct. I was looking to bail on him, and I understand he has trust issues with me, and that he doesn’t wish to include me in certain things or just doesn’t connect the two.

It’s funny, seems like things are getting better, and this might just as well end up in a “divorce” ie me moving internally in the organization to another role. And maybe after a while, even if I have moved on internally he would be one person I would always remain in awe of. And it should be an easy one, if it does come to that- I am trying everything in me to stop it- it will be easy for there isn’t much history, anger, fights within us. The communication gap was so high, that I didn’t even know whether my boss had come in to work today or not. And I didn’t care either.

What is most appealing to me in this little case study, is that is this going to be my behavior when I get married- real married not work married. Am I going to run on the first signs of trouble, wanting to bail? Or will I endure the rocky roads and strap myself in for the long ride. I guess the coming month should tell me that. If I can retain a boss, for shizzzles I can retain my husband!! Well at least all the “last bites” I have been having should help!!

Take care All,
Good night and Good luck!!

Meghna

22122009

A Fairy Tale

Okay children, huddle up near the fire, put your little feet into the quilt, Nana Meghna is going to tell you all a story. It’s a fairy tale..

Not so long ago, in a land not so far away, stayed a young princess. She pined for a lovely prince, bravest and truest of them all. And so, 24 years went by like a spring afternoon spent in the garden.

In the kingdom where she lived, was a great big messenger service. So, our princess forlorn, decided to join the “Royal Kings Messenger Service”, and became a “good news giving messenger”. Her task was to travel door to door, window to window, and even dungeons to dungeons, giving the people good messages, from loved ones and the like. Her work took her to exotic lands, but none of these lands could provide what the princess truly desired. Then one fine day, the chariot the princess used for delivering the messages “The good messenger chariot” had a beautiful new member. He was the most handsomest prince she had laid eyes on. So bright with courage, and unforeseen chivalry, a disarming smile and the earnestest of desires, it wasn’t long before the princess fell head over heels for her “Prince charming”. He too returned her favors, but only thru his eyes, for he was a nobleman, and a noble prince would never take advantage of a lady. And for she was a lady, she could never confide in him the feeling she so possessed for him. And so, while they were in the chariot, they never took their eyes off each other, but never spoke either.

One day, finally the prince spoke. He said that he was going to a land far far away, ne’er to come back. The princess was astounded, but still managed to have the prince reveal where he was going and when was his ship sailing. She had a weeks time to convince the prince otherwise.
Crying and despondent, the princess went to her best friends, a hyper little girl squirrel names Hammie, a beautiful singing bird name V, and her favorite jungle creature and the best hug giver of all lands, a bear, called Kare Bear. They told the princess, to tell him, and urged her to. She couldn’t “say” those words to him, she had hardly known him. So they suggested, “why doesn’t the princess use the very service she gives. Send the boy a messenger message. Why lord knows, Cupid might himself deliver the message”. She chuckled. And so V was asked to fly up to the prince and give the message,

If thou feel-eth, what my heart feels, if thous’ heart beat-eth, like a jumping frog be,
Then meet me O great knight, in the garden of serenity, before befalls the night.

He agreed, to meet her. As the princess was about to leave from her castle, she was stuck by something so evil, so heinous that only the lords could save her soul now. A spell was cast on her, chaining her to her house, till the prince doesn’t leave. She didn’t know she was under a spell and hence sent one message out, for her friends groveled for it. She sent it to her love, asking him to go and not wait for her.

After the prince left, the evil wicked witch laughed, and came to the princess and said, “do you really think I would let you have the prince? He is mine now, for after marrying him I shall become more powerful than other mere witch or wizard in this world”. She now fully understood what was happening. The prince was under a spell. That compelled him to go to the far away land, in search for the witch.

The princess knew what she had to do. She had to save the prince… but how? It was then her old uncles old friend, old wise Wisdom Tree, whispered,

My dear, if your love be true,
Save your Prince don’t be blue,
Give him a kiss so true,
And let that be your only clue.

Now, she was set to sail the seven seas, find her prince, and bestow upon him the kiss of true love, to uplift the evil spell. She would need a lot of help in that, she would befriend new people in the far away land.. and she would set her prince free, and his free will would be to love her too.. OR WILL IT??

..... To be continued ...... Coming to you ...... Post Christmas ...... PART DEUX!!! ......

<3

Meghna

03122009

Ode to Mistry

Okay, here is my first JV on the song writing front.. Thanks to my dearie JMCite and IMIite...TUTU.. those who know us, me and her, would know whom I am talking about... and would know that the best plans, creations, etc happen when she and I join hands (i mean my hands and her paws.. :D) Exhibit one was SAPMAN.. now for Exhibit two!!!

(Prelude: tutu made me and i mean MADE me appreciate this young innoventor (meaning inventor+innovator) of sorts... and I being very Bridget Jones, thot immediately to court him. Ergo, the idea to be-frand him on Facebook and the like... Here is what my/ our FRANDSHIP request to Mr. Mystery ( i know, cheeeeeky) would read liek... )
OUR ODE TO (INTELLIGENT SINGLE YOUNG) MISTRY

Me: saw u in TV
and now u lives in my heart
Tutu: hhahahhaha!!!
and occassionally comes out in my fart!
Me: pls let me living ur heart too... and also USA
haha
Tutu: so now i think it's time for us to start!
chuck microsoft ..let's go to walmart!
Me: hey come on, u mite like science, bt love is an art
Tutu: and when we are happy, we'll both wheel-cart
Me: let u be the board and my love the dart
Tutu: becoze u, oh u .. deary ..u re my only sweetheart!
Me: and i dont want us to ever part
Tutu: in am ur cream and u are the tart
hey ... no wonder i can take a pest like u ... coz u can come up with stuff like this!!


The bolded part was bolded cos it shows that she does infact LOWWWWW me..!!!
The basis of this poem, well.. we were bored..!! Perhaps her blog shall put forth the argument better..!!

She will claim otherwise ofc.. let her... :P

Take care Delhi, goodnite!!!

What IMI did right!

This is an article I wrote for the Alumni Mag 09 of IMI. Its quite straight from the heart, and my fear being it might end up on the chopping board (there goes path breaking journalism :D ). So here it is, trying to see the light of the day.

What IMI did right!

Why I think IMI groomed us well for the corporate world.

I think we are a very critical people. We tend to look and point and linger onto peoples’ shortcomings, nag them of their failures and remind them of their shortfalls. Which is exactly what we, I, did in the last few months of me being at IMI to the time I finally got recruited to my ‘Dream Company’!

“The placements weren’t handled well”
“We weren’t taught the right things”
“The exam system is a mockery”

Sounds familiar? Thought so. Doesn’t matter if you had passed out of IMI in 1987 or were born in 1987 and are now a part of IMI student community; you aren’t a true blood IMIite until you critique it and talk on the aforementioned terms.
Well, let me be the “Devils’ advocate” here. (Very loaded terminology, I am aware)

What IMI did right!!!

These views of course are personal, and are derived out of my understanding of what was the final product delivered to me by IMI vis-à-vis my learnings as derived from my Aircel experience so far.

» These things are the tasks IMI and its people (professors, staff, students- seniors and juniors) made us do. It is only now I realize the relevance of it.

» I also choose to elucidate my top three choices of what I think IMI did right. For more of my choices or to share your views, please feel free to email me.
Allow me, for the ease of reading, let me do a myth-reality kind of setup here.

What IMI did:
Why it was right:

I. What IMI did: Made us not beauty sleep for 10 hours a day and Lion sleep for 16 hours on weekends.

Why it was right: I think the answer is obvious. You really don’t get to sleep for more than 6 hours on average during the week (debarring the hectic weeks of budget planning, operating plans, XYZ calendar creation etc).
(It is 1 am as I speak.. or type rather. Have just finished my days work about half an hour ago, have to finish this article, catch a few Z’s and wake up at 7 am. You do the math.)

II. What IMI did: Made us check our mails (and be well connected always), every thirty seconds, especially the PlaceComm mailers requesting candidature at 1 am, and deadline being 15 minutes.

Why it was right: Day 3 at my job, my senior colleague, trying to drill in the importance of being connected and online said, “Meghna, you will have to on a regular basis, verrry regular basis, keep on checking your inbox. Every hour, every minute if possible I need you to check it.” I think she expected a look of utter despair and distraught to appear on my face depicting my ignorance of such matters. Alas, she was disappointed.

III. What IMI did: Being lassie faire in its overall approach.

Why it was right: I think it gave us a chance to safely test our abilities to plan and manage ourselves. It gave us a chance to learn to be our own managers. Because there will be times in your organization when you feel about as directionless as a headless grasshopper. I am still experimenting with this, and in my limited capacity, dealing with it. Hence not many derivations here, work still in progress!

Moving on => The point(s) I am trying to vehemently drive thru this little article/ exposé are:-

a. Your organization will be as good or bad as IMI (in terms of “hands on/off” approach; of being too laidback and uncaring or being too involved and nose poking; and in terms of the presence of red tapism.)

b. Your organization will be as good or bad as you perceive IMI to be (point being the organization can be a mirror, a Monalisa as they call it: it will show you what you are. If you think IMI isn’t proactive, ask yourself honestly “Have I done anything to be more observant and proactive myself?”. If the answer is yes, then Kudos. Chances are you don’t see IMI as pure evil).

My advice to the students still in IMI: - Use this time as your ultimate “Trail and Error” Period. Learn how to go around the obstacles, or go thru them, to find loopholes and optimize them: do whatever you want to/ have to do, to achieve your target. If IMI frustrates you, it will also teach you how to improve your process of dealing with it.

At the end of the day IMI is a pretty decent place to be in for 2 years. Professors, Sirs and Madams of IMI, thank you for all the on-the-job training.

Take Care!
<3
Meghna