Null Probe

Last week of 2009, and here I am, thinking what I gained and what I lost. Before I dive into my memories for some events, I would say all’s well that ends well. I will keep this post a mixture of personal and professional experiences for the year.

The year 2009, to begin with, was a little shaky due to the hangover of recession period and its aftermath. Professional goals dancing right on a ticking time bomb, which can anytime explode; friends sending emails with their nightmares of facing a pink slip, and chaos miming everywhere. Many small boats of startups were sinking, and big ships trying to anchor and hold at the barriers. My company even though a startup (5 yrs old), was doing much better comparative to market situation but yet the fear seldom sends the shivers in spine. Jan and Feb parted, and the clouds began to wither away, the floods started residing, and economies world wide showed a glimpse of recovery. Information Security with product base was not much affected for 2 reasons – Work Force is already low as compared to engineers in Service Based Companies + No matter economy plunges to dark holes, or rises to blue skies, the demand for security fluctuates but still maintains a threshold level as companies always need to protect their resources and renew their security product licenses, look for products which can give the maximum features in minimum deals. Our boat sailed well, and in May 2009 got acquired by a big ship with a hope that bigger life saving measures are in process, and now we are under a bigger roof – safer, and relaxed.

Personally, the first quarter went low but smooth with nothing much happening in my social life. Same routine but an addition of a better fitness regime which I joined at the year start. But, it somehow turned to be a soda pop, as months down the line, the fizz subsided and I was back on a *geek* track for late night works, nocturnal habits, sleep deprived time tables, and late attendance to office. I knew it was going wrong, but work schedules and bad routines were taking a lead over my will to make it better. After the professional turn, I decided to flip the coin, and willingly make things better in my favor. The transition was a little hard but glad I made it.

For June, the only memorable event I have was my B’Day party in Bangalore. Last year, the b’day was just another day, but this year I had already planned to invite all I know in Bangalore to have a good social meet. And, thanks to all that it went pretty good too. Though some people couldn’t turn up but I had a good time meeting all.

Among all these days and nights, I had a blast at SDIPA Summer Funk wherein we danced & enjoyed a lot. Another feather in the hat, this was my first performance after my academic years and all went smooth. With friendships to cherish, were the NRS who were close yet far for some stupid reasons boiling among them. As the excitement for the funk subsided, so did the froth of friendship. Another jolt of misunderstanding, where words were short, and distances afar. But, without any regrets, its always better to look ahead and move on. So, instead of making it affect the book of life, I preferred to turn the page! But still, I made great friends like Niyati, Puru, Nabha, Vasudha, Dheeraj and many others whom I will always love to be in touch with.

Third quarter of 2009 started to groom my personal self, changing everything in me. I joined a new frontier of learning a foreign language. French was the first choice, and since the day it started, to the very last day of Level One, it was an awesome journey. Special mention of Kay, our teacher and our friend. I felt so good every time I attend her class with the ways she used to teach. They were not the stereotypes, but ways which could give my heart a valid reason to wake up early morning on weekends too. There I had a good social circle of people like Candy, Ruby, Guddu, Thanu, Vs (Vinay & Vikram), Vidisha, Sumit etc. all adding their flavors to an amazing dish prepared and cooked by Chief Chef Kay. Three months passed by with memories to hold and cherish.

Then there is a person SJ, who I am not sure what to say about, a friend, a closed one, someone who understood parts of life in my ways. Even though we know each other for 7 years yet it was such a new friendship, which started just 5 months ago. Within months we got so close to understand each others’ feelings and yet keeping our lives independent. We were 2 souls living our separate ways, and dreaming if we can have the same destiny. No matter what, we had understood the fruit of friendship and have agreed to nurture it at any costs. We had a great time in September, a time we spent together to capture some moments in our separate lives to come.

Finally, the year 2009, brought close three people who slowly but surely were making their presence felt, deserving a worthy mention. The real life SRK. They were the ones, who matched my wavelength personally and professionally. Someone, with whom I am me & only me. They are mature, yet don’t bother to act childish, someone who are settled yet ready to take a new ride every time. Someone who enjoy trying new things, and believe in heart that they can’t change the world but still are always ready to reflect changes in their own lives. In a nutshell the ones who know how to read & write a book of life without tearing pages, without folding memories, but just flipping pages and living it large. There I found some new reasons to celebrate 2009, a little late but worth a million smiles. A group still a part of my life & in the times to come!

All these months professional side was going smooth, until some invites to conferences like Bangalore Cyber Security Summit, Pune Cyber Security Summit, eSurakshit 2009 boosted my professional presence. A boost much awaited for the ladder I may climb in the years to come, it would always be a pleasure if I be greeting some known faces on the way! All the conferences, press meets went well and I without being biased to any product favored the neutral cause of security business. Now being a part of a Trend Micro, I feel proud, I feel I have achieved much to the facts for which I was always committed to. Though there have been certain lags, but overall the journey seemed smooth.

December, the last month of this year gave me an opportunity to visit Trend Malaysian Office, and interact with colleagues nations & boundaries apart. A team coming from different parts of the world yet having something common – full of energy, committed, and  bursting with ideas to prove their presence or more importantly to prove their efforts for the company as a family, as part of our lives. I learnt so many things being with them, enjoyed in their styles and fashion. Met many new people, and the trip proved to be a success professionally and personally. I achieved what I wanted to and rejuvenated myself which I needed the most at the end of the year.

Now, here I am, a better human than last year, a healthier being, one more dedicated to the company! These key incidences defined my 2009, but thanks to many others who have continued to be with me in thick and thins of life – my family, my old friends, and everyone in touch with me in all these years. In case I missed someone worth a mention, am sorry but you are still a part of my life even though not a part of my blog. With less than a week to start a new year, I wish everyone in touch, or the ones drifted apart .. a very happy, successful and cherish-able times ahead.

God Bless! Cheers.