Happy Days of CBIT

Last night I watched "Happy Days" Telugu movie and I felt that I lived my college life for another 3 hours. Every role, story, character that was showed in the movie, I could relate to something that happened in my college life.

With movie being shot in CBIT, it was nostalgic to see and cheer for alma mater.

Whether it was house wiring and filling labs scene, chemistry lab, bike stand or the buses, every scene of it reminded me of all the happy days of college life.
Whether it was Shruti event, Araku trip, Holi or campus recruiting there was something which we had too.
Whether it was bus ride, exams preparation and results, ragging or freshers parties our life at college was filled with all those too.
Whether it was first day at college with all parents around, or the cricket match or the farewell scene I relived every moment.
Whether it was computer science dept building, library or canteen every place made me think of what we did all those 4 years.

All I can say, I remembered all those good moments and all my college friends. I hope everybody who saw the movie felt the same and took a break from their purposeful days to remember their happy days.

5 years in US

Its been 5 years now that I am in US. It was Jul 26, 2002 when I landed in Kansas City airport at 10:30pm - first time stepping out of home, many questions, many goals and sense of fear on how it will go.

I still remember the 130 miles drive in the shuttle from Kansas City airport to Manhattan, KS and a cab drive to seniors apartment on a Friday night - college students on Aggivele street, coming out of pubs, shouting and having fun. The experience was much more different than what I heard about US. The excitement of being in US and missing the friends and family at same time, was a complex feeling.

I had promised my parents that I will be moving back to India after 2 years of MS and 2 years of job, so that I can pay off all my loans. Obviously I did not keep that promise, but will I move back in coming years? Only time will answer that.

For now I am just cherishing the feeling of an amazing 5 yrs journey. And on top of that for first time, we four family members in US are meeting today.

JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge

I took part into JP Morgan Chase's 3.5 miles run and completed in 35ish minutes. Results are at Link

Master's get together

Last May, my masters friends visited me and we had some good time. One of my friend has blogged it at http://madhavis.blogspot.com/2007/05/back-from-boston.html
We went to Acadia, Decordova Museam, Jillians and many other places. Some of the pictures are at

363Knights - Boston - 2007

And Guess what! we are meeting again. I am going to Manhattan, KS to my alma mater to meet my friends and to walk through all good old memories.

Inda losing to Bangladesh - depressing

I used to watch lot of cricket during my teens, but after match-fixing and India started doing terribly, I almost lost interest in cricket.

But after long time, I started gaining interest esp with world cup going on. Hershelle Gibbs six 6's in an over made me feel the world cup fever.

For last 5 hours I am watching India-Bangladesh match and its been terrible performance from India. Not only batsmen scored very low, but bowlers did not perform to their levels. Its just depressing to watch cricket again. And on the other side Pakistan is on verge of elimination. Like me, many would have dreamed of India-Pakistan watch, which may not happen.

More bad news from cricket while am writing this. The worst umpire decision of history - Irish batsmen A. Botha was given catch out with ball missing the bat by 6 inches!

Hope we beat Sri Lanka terribly to make it to super 8.

Buying your first car?

If you are buying your first car, you would need

• License: You need license. 
• • In Georgia (GA) if you want to buy car either you shd have GA license or the Car shd be registered in GA.
  • Check dmv.org to find what rules exist.
• Money: If you are get a private party car you need to do down payment..
• • Credit cards - they sometime give money at 1.9%. call customer service and ask the cheque in favor of your name.
  • • Word of caution - make the card to 0$, i.e. pay off all your credits, before you lend.
  • DCU.com - they are giving at 5.25% and they can sanction 120% of car value.
  • • They would need a copy of your paycheck!
    • and if private party they will need intent to sell form filled by seller.
  • Dealers- they can directly get you money from their associated banks - expect like 7-9% apr
• Tax - Check state tax rate
• • Some states like GA dont ask for tax if you buy from private party. so look for such rules in dmv.org...as you can save some.
• Car search:
• • search for local news paper...and search classifieds
  • search programmed car sales like hertz,avis...they start at 8-9000.
  • carmax - if u find one - they also start at about 9000.
  • search websites: autotrader.com/edmunds.com,cars.com,
  • search craigslist
• What to check while searching consider cars
• • which dont smell cigarette
  • power window, lock
  • keyless would be a plus
  • dual air bags - as it reduces your insurance
  • cd/mp3/bluetooth player - i hate to say that i dont have one.
  • Timing belt – if car needs a timing belt…it would cost you 500 – 800$.
  • Fuel economy – gas price is soaring…need to consider it.
  • Try to search model in google to see if it had any problems…like ford Taurus 91 had 1000’s of problem….
• Car value:
• • get the car value at kbb.com and edmunds.com
• Car history:
• • carfax.com they charge 25$ for unlimited enquires for a month.
  • you will need VIN# to check this.
• Car check: if you are not buying at carmax/hertz...its advised to go for a car check.
• • firestone does 20 point check for 19.99$
  • if you want complete engine check they charge about 127$
  • midas/grease monkeys/good years also offer something simillar
• papers: 
• • while buying, the seller will sign title on your name.
  • apart from it you would need bill of sale form to be signed.
• Deal time: when you are taking the car make sure you get
• • both car keys
  • manual
  • remote if equipped to player
  • car spare tire and jack
  • any service records they have
• Warranty: If you buy through dealer, he will generally offer you warranty. It would cost something like this
• • 2 years/24000miles – 1000$
  • 3yrs/36000miles – 1250$
  • If you buy thru private party you can get warranty’s at dealers/AAA.
• insurance:
• • try esurance.com, amica, costco
  • If you already have insurance then you can save. So, try to add your name to a friends insurance.
• lease:
• Leasing is another option. Sometimes it's a wiser option than buying. 

Wishing you a fast,reliable,economical,hassle free  car deal.

2007 - What's in the box for me

The moment it struck 2007, there were many thoughts in my mind. What am I about to achieve in this year? Will it be a simple and casual year like last 2 years - just do job, do some investing and keep thinking using my thought less brain [:)].

Well I think it will be different than usual and will be a crucial year on what all I am planning for my life. I am pretty sure that I will not be tying the knot in 2007 but probably is the last such year. I also want to do big trip to one of the unvisited continent.

Leaving me and my plans, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year!
Happy New Year!

'Loss' Vegas

I was at Vegas during Christmas time and visited Hoover dam and Grand Canyon too. I might have hopped at least 30 casino's. It is fun to visit all the casino's not just to gamble but to see their grandeur and their unique theme. I was most impressed by Venetian, Aladdin, Bellagio. And shows at all these casino's make them must to visit places. Apart from many free shows I went to Second City comedy show and Jubilee dance show.

Vegas

Grand Canyon is just a playground for photography lovers and nature lovers. And during sun set I felt it absolute splendid.

Hoover Dam is one of the architectural marvel, not only because it was tallest when it was built, and has big volume, but also that it was built during great depression period and was built before scheduled time. Quite impressive for such a large project.

And here are my latest lines.

Suraj naraaz hain shab se
Chand khafa hain din se
Unhe jo dur karta hain
Aapki nazroon se