Voices from Within

Oh well..

My summer is going well. Hope things are fine with you guys too.

Its been a busy summer so far

• A math course to dig out the forgotten probability theory
• Auditing a Neuroscience/Psychology course on  Cognitive development. Fascinating.
• Teaching Assistant for a basic prog course. My students adore me, obviously.
• Swimming - fish in the see, I know how you feel....
• Salsa dancing - Never knew dancing could be fun. I'm getting pretty good at it too.
• Biking - started biking to school
• Research is going well too. Started a Fun project to generate puns/jokes automatically. Will kill you guys with my auto PJs sometime.

Now, coming back to the title,
There are days when I struggle.. in such pressure.. when I need some support, some pillar to lean on. Times when I long for a good friend, to share and discuss.

I had such a bad week a while ago and was really looking for a break...

And then, on a friday, I got an email from a friend, inviting me to a AOL satsang for Guru Poornima.
Like any other invitation, I didn't RSVP.

Then, later in the same afternoon I landed on a random webpage, with a PDF - DiaryofaDisciple, an everyday journal of a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. It was a eazy, light, happy read and he went on and on about how a Guru knows his followers and gives them what they want. He says, one needn't even ask. Just wanting is enough!

Then, it struck. I realized the Calling!!!

I had to change plans for the evening and made sure I was there. Helpful friends gave me a ride to the place far far away. And well.... I got my questions answered. (kinda)

I have this knack of meeting some really amazing people in the most unusual circumstances. The good evening, turned greater awesome when a gentleman, offered a ride home. Ah, the simple things that we discussed in the car.. well, some things are better left unsaid.

Life has its own way of sorting things out!!

love,
-Vinodh

Oh well,

Long time indeed. How are you all doing?

From my end...
The crazy semester finally ended. Getting back to academia after 5 long years was not as eazy as I thought.  The Industry had 'spoilt' me. But, I shouldn't complain. I had my share of fun in Bangalore. I should have expected this and made room for the initial ramp-up. Once I got into the groove, things started rolling. At the end, things got better and sem went Ok. And one of my papers got accepted to an IEEE conf (this will be my 2nd pub).

The good news is - there is a big tamil gang in UT and the bad news is most of them are like 4 yrs younger. It took a while to stop them from calling me - 'vaanga-ponga'. But still fun gang.


Summer break now. No big plans. Will be on campus doing stuff and taking a minor course in psychology.


And btw, I've registered for Art of Living course this week and looking forward to it.. all excited.


as always, be your super-self

-Vinodh

Hello folks,

Greetings from Austin!!

I've reached Austin and settling in well. Moved in to an apt close to the campus, got a Phone, bought an old bike for commute, registered for courses... and the classes start tomorrow.

2011 has been awesome so far. On new year's day, I got a complimentary upgrade to business class, thanks to BA. :)
Austin has been very kind. - Apt hunting was ok. not tough; Weather is cold, but not severe.

Life is good in general - Making new friends, learning new things, cooking new stuff.

All is well here, except that I miss my morning Filter coffee and Masala dosa.

Until nexttime,
Be awesome,
--Vinodh