Xmas, Shopping malls, Grafix, Radio Calicut, India the superpower n the Tsunami

Whew, where do i start. Do I write about my new year, christmas celebns, the start of dis sem. Theres lots to speak about. Thats what happens when one doesnt stick to a bloggin sched.
Christmas was really fundoo. Pity Hello isnt connecting thru the proxy, otherwise I'd have posted some pics. The food as usual awesome. Maa had some oven problems so cake baking was deffered to new year. But whos complaining, we bought some plum cake. The update on my Mbai eatin pilgrimage could take a seperate post so lets just say dat i ate almost everythin good to eat in Mbai. I had to miss Nachos at Flags, but thats OK, Ill make up next brk.
One of the new fads in Mbai are bargain malls. These are huge shoppin malls where you get almost everythin you can imagine and cheap with a good ambience. Its really fun to visit these places. The only prob is the extra large shopping carts, which can be pretty stubborn. I'd never say dat women are poor drivers since most of my female friends drive better than me, but shopping cart manevouring isnt their forte. Its more like bumper carts in there. My mother never has such a problem, she assigns the cart to me or dad and we have to follow her through the mall (sometimes multiple rounds) till her shoppings over. The fringe benefit is putting into the cart things that u know she'll never allow you to buy otherwise.
I must mention dat this New Year was spent at home watching TV with family. Maybe its the time away from home but surprisngly I enjoyed it. We had pastries at midnite n wished each other. The coolest parties could never make up for this experience. I also got a new phone courtesy Maa n sis. Maybe I shud change my PEST theory to the BEST older sibling theory. Thnx to them I dont need to roam with a charger in my bag (a lil exaggrn).
I also had the opportunity to accompany a placecom member to a company. These guys are pretty cool. Even though they are placed, they work hard to place the others and a lot of what they spend doesnt even get refunded and still they receive lots of flak. The usual question at the company was about our rankings. I dont know wether its a sensible enough idea for a young institute like ours to stay out of the rankings. It does show some spine, but y dont we be a little proactive. Maybe join up with other good Bschools and some publications to come out with a proper methodology for ranking. That could really help us. BTW for all the talk of IIMA not participating in rankings their homepage tomtoms their top rankings. Its like coming first in a race u didnt even run in. cool naa. Lets hope were not left with a lolipop in hand and a board reading 'SUCKERS'.
My graphic skills seem to be making me popular among all the interest groups. They remember me when the websites being made if not later. If Arthanomics had a sophisticated look, backwaters has got a cool pastel look, thnx to a senior whos doing the designing. Maybe the next batch will have a proper web expert and i can go back to criticising the websites. Hee Hee. One thing at IIMK is dat we do all the web designing work ourselves. Wat kind of manager would outsource something that could be done equally well inhouse?
My subjects this trim includes Business Law. There goes my excuse of not being genetically inclined to a subject. With my Law grad parents, I should be really interested in Law. I must confess dat I do enjoy watching Practice once in a while but the fat law book's already psyching me out. The schedules not become hectic enough to freak me as yet. Me n the Bangy boys (adi n Prom) have been out jogging this week. Lets hope i can c some results soon.
Speaking of results. CAT results were out. Ive got a friend whos got a call from SPJain. He's pretty happy and considering his fiancees in Mumbai, its doubly good news. But the best news concerns one of my batchmates' brother who got calls from all 6 IIMs. Man Dats cool. Heres wishing them the very best of luck.
I also had the opportunity to be interviewed by AIR Kozhikode for a program called beach beach. The interviewer was very pleased to find the Bangy boyz, Pakao, Potter n me at the Calicut beach. Though Adi provided the most deep insights into women empowerment. Believe me, this guys a consultant in the making. It topped off an afternoon of laze just at the start of the sem.
The beach did, though refresh some images of the Tsunami and there's no way I couldnt write about it. Heres something that shocked all of us. Some more than the others. Man may build a hundred satellites in space, the tallest structures on earth but is forever humbled by Mother Nature. A batchmate of ours had a narrow escape; there are countless stories of brave men, women and children. People who survived the wrath of the Tsunami. Many of these people dont have anywhere to go, no means to survive. Thankfully our country has the resources today to recover from such a disaster. Contrast this with the Reliance story going around. Two brothers squabbling over money that is more than enough to feed our nation and on the other side countless human beings fighting a battle for survival. For food and drinking water. Things we seem to be taking for granted. Theres a lot to thank god for, not least the life that i live. Also Kudos to the SSG for collecting funds for the Tsunami victims. TRC said something about the money going to the Prime Ministers Relief fund (u can contribute online 2). Heres the very best to them in their endeavour
Ive just come back from a talk by Mr. Alan S. of M&M. He spoke about India being an economic superpower in a matter of years. I believe that will happen, its only up to us to make it happen ASAP. I just had to use dat acronym. I now understand the more acronyms u use, the better consultants u can bcom. Y we had a lecture on acronyms this week. Seriously.

The fury of nature,
humbles us once again.
Leaving behind a trail,
of sadness and pain.
hundreds homeless,
thousands dead.
their final restplace,
the all encompassing seabed.
Someone lost a relative,
Some their entire family,
Laughter stolen away,
now theres death and agony.
Will they ever live,
their lives as before.
or will there be the fear,
of death knocking at their door.
No one can tell,
least of all you and me,
Wether life will rid them,
of these days of misery.

Our trust is in the lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

May he refill their lives,

With happiness and mirth.

The rose may have withered,

the sun hidden by the gloom,
But together pray we shall ,
That it once again may bloom.

Luv,
P.R.