Friends ....

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He really must be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.
As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and
my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles w ith th i s pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more d ates t ha n I had and all the girls loved him.
Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
"Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends.

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story"

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

There is no beginning or end..
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.

Perspective!

The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and gals. Near the window seated an old man with his 30 years old son.

As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside..

“See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful"

This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son. “This guy seems to be a crack...” newly married Anup whispered to his wife.

Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son, filled with joy "See dad, how beautiful the rain is ..."

Anup's wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.

Anup, "Can’t you see its raining, you old man, if your son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum and don’t disturb public henceforth"

The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied " we are on the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning , he was a blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.. Please forgive us for the inconvenience caused..."

The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh action.

--Got this via Mail from a friend of mine

Played Cricket in Dallas

Today (23rd Feb, 2008) my Manager in DFW, Venket introduced me to the cricket team in which he is playing here. Based on their request, I played for them today as a Wicket keeper.

Its been one year since I played Cricket! Jan'07 was the last I played Cricket for my company in Chennai. I was actually bit nervous in the beginning to play for them as:

1. They play 40 overs match a side (I was used to playing max 25 to 30 overs) match only in Chennai. I was not sure whether I would have stamina to keep wickets for 40 overs.

2. It was windy and pretty chill in the morning :)

3. I don't have my guard :)

4. Since I have a ligament tear in my left knee I used to play only with my 'Knee caps' on. That too I haven't brought it here.

I decided to take my chances and played the match. Overall I was happy on the way I played today after a break of more than 1 year. I got decent appreciation from the team mates here on the way I kept. They have asked me to come to practice and play with them during this summer league! Let's see how far this goes :)

Though playing cricket after a long break was really interesting I felt that the bowling attack of our team in Chennai was better. In VDSI, Chennai team, Sebastian, Karunanidhi and Saravanan were pretty good in the bowling department. Seba and Karuna swings the ball very effectively and I really enjoy keeping for them :) Saravanan is a kind of person who is unstoppable once he gets the start going on his way. Seba used to be very consistent in the line in which he bowls. We would be really excited to see how Karuna bowls his first over. If he gets the swing in his first over then he would end up getting atleast 3 wickets in his spell. He is really unplayable when he swings the ball. Overall a pretty good bowling attack to have in a team. Offlate, I miss the VDSI cricket team, In this one year I am not sure how much these 3 guys have changed!

But as far as Speed is concerned there was a guy named Manoj in my previous company (Agenda Net marketing alias 3rd Agenda) who used to bowl at express speed. He was terrific and is a strike bowler. Within his first 3 overs he used to surely take a wicket. The best part is he used to maintain the same speed for his complete spell. He moved to HCL but now I don't have contacts with him.

Needless to say, I am very tired now and hope to sleep for extra hours tomorow to give my body some rest.

It's 2 weeks since i came to DFW

As of today only 2 weeks have passed by. I am really missing Sai. Hoping next 3 months will pass by real quick :(

Travel to DFW

I came down to Dallas, Texas for the second time on Feb 11th, 2008. Last time (Feb 21 - May 21, 2007) I was staying in 'HomeStead suites' and this time I am staying in 'Extended Stay deluxe, Las Colinas'.

The journey wasn't that pleasant :) From Chennai to Frankfurt I got a seat near the emergency exit. I wasn't able to pushback the seat :( On informing the air hostess I came to know that the row in which I am sitting doesn't have the facility as behind me there were fixed seats allocated for air hostess. So those 9 hrs journey was very tiring. Actually I was thinking why doesn't Lufthansa give some discounts for those sitting in those kinds of rows?

The flight from Frankfurt to Dallas was delayed by an hour. Moreover they were changing the terminals all of a sudden for couple of times :) Atlast the flight tookoff @ 10.15 AM (local time at Frankfurt) and the pilot announced that the flying time is 10 hrs 45 mins!! Damn last time I remember travelling for around 9 or 9 hrs 30mins only :( It was really tiring.

My collegue was waiting for me in the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) airport. He drove me to the hotel and also gave me a delicious home food.

Risk!

Only those who risk going far can possibly find out how far one can go! - T.S. Eliot

Who is Colored??

When I born, I black
When I grow up, I black
When I go in Sun, I black
When I scared, I black
When I sick, I black
And when I die, I still black

And you white fellow
When you born, you pink
When you grow up, you white
When you go in sun, you red
When you cold, you blue
When you scared, you yellow
When you sick, you green
And when you die, you gray
And you calling me colored??

--I got it via mail last year :). It was claimed to be nominated by UN as the best poem of 2006, Written by an African Kid. Though the quality of the poem is really great I didn't find any solid proof on this has been choosen by UN. If at all this claim is true and you have any proof respond back here.

Quote on when and how to be Happy!

The time to be happy is NOW!
&
the place to be happy is HERE!!!

--My cousin's GMail status was this

Quote on 'What to ask GOD'?

Always ask God to give you what you deserve...
Not what you desire...
Your desires may be a few,
But you deserve a lot!!

--One of my friend was having this saying has his signature

Value of time ...

You can't buy back Yesterday -- This wordings which I read in a clinic seems to be very thoughtfully written.

Drop of ink ....

A drop of ink may make a million think. - Mark Twain

Too much rest ....

I read the below quote in an E.N.T clinic in T.Nagar about 'Rest'.

Too much Rest is Rust