2014, AD.

2008 and 2010. Two significant years in my life. The former was fueled by my interest in Science and laid the path for my education in the same. The latter was the year I completed my schooling and secured admission into one of India’s best engineering colleges. Life changing events, for sure.

But why am I talking about this now? This is a post to remember 2014, not one to revel in yesteryear nostalgia! So, what did happen this year?
— — —

Just like the beginning of all my other year-end posts (2011, 2012, 2013 for those interested), this one too started off with my Birthday. And quite wonderfully, unlike any other b’day that I’ve had while in college, this time things were different. My awesome friends gave me a surprise party, bought me pizza  and one baked a cake for me and which was really sweet (no pun intended!). It was the last semester for my college group of friends and it was a birthday to remember 😀

And yes, that was followed by Saarang. This edition, the 4th for us, was more emotional than previous years, for the reason that it would be the last one with the whole gang. We didn’t participate in anything, we just absorbed the atmosphere (I still have one more Saarang to go, for which I am the head of Design on Jan 7th-11th 2014. Yes, that was publicity.)
All shows were attended, dances were done, laughs were had and hugs all around 🙂

Academically, the year was actually pretty decent, shockingly. 8th was extremely hectic but went by without being damaged. The highlight though, was the 9th semester. Why? One word: Placements.
And what an experience that was! All the pre-placement talks, all the nights spent reading math, mugging code that I don’t like or care about, enjoying word puzzles, soaking up data analytics and finance basics.. the stress was continuous and mounting. All we could and did hear, see and think throughout those 4 months were related to this. Quite mind-boggling when you think about it.

All that gave way to the great December, 2014. Placements began on the 1st and well, it was def one hell of a ride.
So many interviews, the panic, the very stupid lack of cell coverage, the eventual toughening up. so many lol moments (in hindsight!), the one lucky day, the one lucky interview, THAT one job and that re-leaf (had to be done, those who will understand, will understand).
And this was why the very first para was written on this post. 2014 is another hallmark year, the year of my first job 🙂

December did not end there though. On Christmas, 3 of my friends and I went to Mumbai and what a wonderful city it was! The food, the people, the places and the sheer size of the place, the perfect end to the year. I am looking forward to living and working there in 2015. 😀

— — —
Personally too, th eyear was a lot more stable. The year saw very very good friendships mature and flaky ones flaking away. I am really glad for having the support and love of my family and friends 😀

2015 will be a fresh start. The last year of my time here at IIT and the first at a new city. The future seems intimidating, frightening even. But as always, it is also always exciting.

Onwards we march and I wish everyone happiness and awesomeness. Here’s to our future 🙂

Happy New Year, folks! 🙂

2013, AD.

With another blink of an eye, the year comes to a close. And just like every other year you can’t help but wonder, “Man, this year just went faster than the last!”

As is tradition, just like 2011 and 2012, I was asked to write up the year-end post for 2013. And I sat and wondered, “What only did I do this year?!”
— — —

Well, the year started off, just like all others, with my Birthday, which after a very long time was not during school/college days.  So instead of the usual b’day bumps, the day was spent at Mahabs. What better way to spend your birthday than to be at the beach? 😀

Then came Saarang, the second highlight of January. Unlike last year, I didn’t go to too many fests this year. Not too sure why. Saarang was as it always was, fun with people you know and love. Highlights would be winning 2nd (again!) in the Treasure Hunt, the Sunburn EDM Night which was introduced last year and beginning of various conversation topics that would continue all through the year.

That gave way to a week of the sniffles. Why is that relevant? Because I passed out due to an epic allergic reaction to an antibiotic given. No, not a pretty way to end the most racy month of the year, but hey, it’s an experience! 😀

Summer was spent at the ever-awesome, super cool Dubai. Back to the homeland, back home. 2 months there was filled with fun, food and well, work. The 6 week internship at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank was quite an eye-opener, quite a lot loved and learnt. And many friends as well. Which opened the way for me writing as a tech columnist for MindThis, an e-magazine.
And along the way, the gang stumbled into a love for psychology and the MBTI and ever since, we have not had any discussion without people’s personality types coming into the discussion. Which also brings into focus the very active WhatsApp groups that keep talking various topics, sometimes even plotting and scheming. Perfect summer! 😀
2 weeks of winter was spent at Bahrain, which in comparison was very tame. Still, another new place added to the list, which is always a plus.

On the writing front, mainly one short story was written and the response was generally in the positive. Read a lot more than last year and in all probability, 2014 will see the completion of the umpteen unfinished works in the Google Drive.

The two semesters went in contrasting fashions so I’d say a neutral end to an academic year, which is not as bad as it seems. The year was filled with a few treats to places more ‘exotic’ than the usual Ascendas and the now closed down Basera.
The 4th year was the beginning of the end of a long saga.  The odd semester was majorly filled with all the final years’ tensed about the all important placements. Everywhere, the discussion was how to tackle interviews, which company is better, what they want to do, what they don’t want to do, whether to wear the lucky yellow tie or that coat for a profession feel.
And I’m glad everyone finally did get a good job after all those sleepless nights. 2014 will see quite a few of my friends moving on towards their future. Bleddy they are going to WORK ! Seems too funny to be true. These guys, with all the eccentricities are going to be working men. Time, off it flies! And I’ll be doing all this next year.
— — —

2014 will be a huge year. Just like 2009, a year to prepare for a transition. Many decisions to make, many more things to learn, many more people to get to know and perhaps a few to bid adieu to.
“So what only did I do this year?” Well, if not in quantity, it was a quality year. And that is quite enough for me.
2013 ends with the beat in the up and here’s to a kickass 2014.

Happy New Year, folks! 🙂

2012, AD.

End of the year. Actually feels like just yesterday I had written the end-of-year post for 2011!
To be frank, event wise, 2012 was pretty much just like ’11.

The year began horrendously, with me getting food poisoning on Jan 1st. That subsided and the 4th semester began.

Birthday:
In complete contrast to the year before, 2012’s birthday was surprisingly tame. The night was spent with college mates; paying cards on Alakananda hostel’s terrace, reminiscing all the memories of the past year, mocking each other and their stupidity, taking random pictures and attending a dozen phone calls.
Yes there were the bumps, but I was able to sit the next day!
A good birthday with close friends. Guess that’s all you really need 🙂
And yes, the treat was put at Ascendas by Sanky, Suji, Gopa and I (I guess there were more. I really lost count of the people who came actually 😛 )

Fests:
Saarang, Kurukshetra, Techofes, Orbitce and JIF.
Attendance were put in all these fests and sorry folks, but Saarang trumped them all bigtime. While K! tried to match upto the awesomeness of Shaastra (or maybe even Pragyan), Techofes was a bag of hot air. They even had Saarang’s logo in one of their stands 😀
Orbitce was chumma timepass visit. So was JIF. Time well spent though, I’d say. 😀
Saarang was the highlight. As one friend rightly said, “Dude Saarang! Candy for the heart, mind, soul, tongue and eyes :D”
The Iduppu Dance Troupe (us :P) moved to the fast beats of Vishal-Shekhar and DSP. Choreo wasn’t as eventful as last year. Met many people, old and new. Won 2nd in Treasure Hunt and my team won the paintball battle.
True, not as fiery as 2011. Oh well.

Holidays:
First was in March. A trip to Bangalore, Mysore and Madikeri with Sanky, Arithy, Arun and Nawin. Orey the gujaals only. B’lore was mainly spent with mall roaming and window shopping, mostly ‘cos we had only about half a day and ‘cos we basically had no cash. 😛
Madikeri is a quaint hill station, right before Coorg. Trekking, boating, rafting.. all the usuals were done.
Mysore Zoo was visited. And return to Chennai was put off.
Fast-track to July and the Long trip to North India happened. Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Shimla and Manali. FANTABULOUS only. Highlight was white-water rafting in the rapid waters of the Satluj. 😀
December saw me temple-hopping across Kerala and relaxing in Kanyakumari. It’d say good end to the year.
Oh yes. There was this Tirupati trip that happened after North India. Horrible experience. Plus they made me shave off my hair. -_-

— — —
Doomsday happened. Well, nothing happened really. The Mayans must be chortling their heads off looking at the stupidity of their descendants.
Dravid retired from Intl’ cricket and Sachin retired from ODIs. Ponting and Hussey retire from Intl’ cricket. Sad year for the 90s fans. 😦
Man. City manages to defeat QPR 3-2 and wins the PL championship after 44 years.
12/12/12 and Rajni’s B’day. The tribute was put.
The year will end with the ongoing protests regd.  #DelhiGangRape which became viral and caused the nation’s citizens to fight hard for the rights of women.
Satyamev Jayate, and all that.

Nothing else really  happened this year, personally.
2 sems went by. One meh and next pretty decent.
One internship at Ashok-Leyland was put.
More TV shows were downloaded and seen, as usual at epic episode rates.
Short films were taken, none as major as the one that was released in Jan (NNUA).
The blog is going well, this would be my 64th post once published.
A year when I wrote a more stories and poems than before. A year when I made friends with some awesome bloggers and writers from across India.
Ties with friends were re-knotted. Some made tighter, some loosened up while a couple of them snapped hard. Yes, as usual, the lows of the year would be that.
— — —

A good friend asked me few days back. “How was 2012 for you?” I replied saying that it was a mixed year, just like any other year. I was asked if I learnt something this year. “I haven’t thought about it” I said.
Now what did I learn? “Nothing is permanent”. Sooner we realize that, the awesomer we become. 🙂

Onwards to 2013. 🙂
— — —

Quick fact: 2013 is the first year since 1987 to have different digits. Yes, 26 years.
PS: No, I do not make resolutions. Ask me that, you get the standard reply. “Yes. My resolution is 1080p”.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Reminiscence

Nostalgia

Rring…Rring! There goes the alarm,
Eyes open…blink…gasp!
Seems like the time has now come…
I wander by a lake, seeking serenity in action,
gaze at my reflection, one that does quiver.
Is this it; is it all gonna break?
As I stare, the more fainter it gets;
my image overhauled by glimpses,
of the past years of glory!

Although I was just, an active observer,
It’s still too hard to let go, to set loose!
Brought together by the winds of fate.
Our friendship built up at a brisk rate!
We’ve laughed; we’ve screamed;
we’ve tortured; we’ve teased;
we’ve ‘sighted’ and got our hands greased;
we’ve put Mokkais…AND WE DREAMED!

Oh! What joy those days were!
Will it be the same out there?
Just like our meeting, one so grand;
The sands of time transports us each, to a diff. land.
Will I see you again?

There’s a steady depression unraveling inside me,
The once steady downpour is fizzing out you see!
We’ve enjoyed a lot, in this rain,
survived the downs, without much strain!
Now see whats left;
A murky sky; a multitude of puddles…
Is it time to say Goodbye’ to the ‘Hi-5’s and the huddles?
No. These puddles are remnants revered,
of our friendship, that shall not be severed!

I dawdle along the beach,
Wishing these times were not no more,
I hope I’ve too left, my footprints on your shore…
Holding hands, we’ve moved on, from dusk to dawn,
clutching hard, those moments forlorn..
A core felt thanks to all of you out there!

*Je vous manque toujours…et, je ne vous oublierai jamais!!

I always have a lot to say…!
Guess its time, to heed destiny’s way.
Thus, I reminisce,
History repeats itself, they say;
Its been a while, my hairs gone grey…
Oh look! A little boy runs towards me,
clenched in his fist, an old photograph.

Filled with curiosity, he asks,
“Granpa, Granpa! Who are these boisterous boys!?”
My eyes well up, rapid flash back!
I wipe them off and reply,
“Dear, they are my friends…Friends Forever!!”
and he listens to our story, without a shiver.
Off he goes, enthused with ecstasy,
He goes on, to continue, Our Legacy!!

~Sreedeep Sreekanth

30/1/2010
8.45pm

*I’ll always miss you…and, I’ll never forget you! (Fr-En)

— — —

This poem was written during the last few moments in 12th grade. I even remember that the following day was when the NTU (or NUS, some Singapore college!) people had come to canvas their campus as the world’s best, asking us to apply there.

It’s been two whole years since my school life ended, and with it, the end of one of the most glorious stages in my life. And perhaps, I could safely say, those of quite a few of my friends too.

The epic batch of 2010.

Somethings in life will never come back, once the time has passed. All we are left with are poignant memories of an epic past. Memories that, for most, would be treasured, till the grave and perhaps beyond.

This is a sli tribute to all those who made the last  years of my school life terror awesome. Thank you 🙂

Cheers and Love,
Sreedeep.
— — —

@sreesquared
https://www.facebook.com/DoWMblog

4/10. Just another Sem.

Anyone?

Yet another sem has washed out.
Yet another sem that was 4 months long.
Yet another sem, filled with late night movies and tv shows.|
Yet another sem discussing everything from the big bang theory to how i met your mother.
Yet another sem spent cursing profs.
Yet another sem cussing the subjects.
Yet another sem with sleep-outs in class.
Yet another sem with endless nightouts.
Yet another sem with regrets about not studying earlier.
Yet another sem spent writing nonsense on papers.
Yet another sem with a viral song in Youtube.
Yet another sem filled with whining about the lack of quality females in the institute.
Yet another sem I blogged. A lot.
Yet another sem which has ended with ‘Parava ila machi, next sem pathukalam’ (It’s ok, we’ll see next sem)

Yet another sem which was just awesome, inspite of all that.

— — —

Yup, 4 out of 10 semesters over with. Just 60% more to go.

Cheers,
Deep – @sreesquared 

http://www.facebook.com/DoWMblog

Love makes the World go Around.

— — —
Love, wonderful and strange,
You warm one’s heart…
Its a matter of peace and pride.
It makes our thoughts glide.

It does heal; It does hurt;
But, what else compares to love’s satisfaction??
Passion, affection; Adoration, inspiration…
Bursts within one in love…True Love.

Yes! Once found,
Loves does make the world go around!!

Searching far and wide,
Like a sad, lonely hound…
Remains, without love; without life,
Mind always in strife.
No peace, ho harmony; he lay waste,
His life, ’tis just like paste…

We know, just by heraing its sound,
That love does make the world go around!!

Woe to the person whofails,
to understand and love real love!
It does hurt to be ignored,
to be left alone and scorned!

Till romance, he is bound.
Love does make the world go around!!

Love can rekindle, the soul of one,
dejected, lonely and sad…
It calms, enlightens and heals;
And surely, a bond for life seals!

Come what may, love will triumph.
Doesnt matter–Roses or Chocolates…
Love one, and love one true;
For sure, its like Spring’s hue.

Remember; remember always.
Love really does make the World go Around!!

-Sreedeep Sreekanth

— — —
Peace Out \/
Deep – (@sreesquared)
http://www.facebook.com/DoWMblog 

A Few Milestones.

Over the past year, the adventures through the blogosphere has been one helluva ride. I’ve got to know so many people; supreme bloggers who write with such flair on a variety of topics.

This month has always been one filled with a lot of anger for most college-goers in India, courtesy the end of semester examinations that take place at this time.

I’d take this opportunity to mention some milestones reached. For starters, the blog’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DoWMblog) has hit 100 likes. Being a cricket lover, a century is always a super feeling! And my twitter following has (finally!) crossed 150.

I’d like to thank you all for your continued readership and I hope to conjure more posts with the same zeal, throughout 🙂

Friendship.

My article on ‘Friendship’ at 9Lives.
Do have a read 🙂

– @sreesquared

Nine Lives

Friends and Friendship.
Two words, whose meaning has been inscribed in us, ever since the very first smile.
It’s fun to look back at the times when we were kids; when you’re first best friend was the guy who shared his poori when you had bland bread. Since then, you’d have made many more best friends, each because of a different reason.
But, the one’s that you have when you are in your late teens, are the ones that (in most circumstances, mine atleast!) stay in your memory far longer and more prominently.
Perhaps that’s because apart playing games and sharing food, stationary and the occasional fist-bump, you also share your deepest thoughts with them.
It’s at that phase of life we start saying things like, “Friends 4ever” and “Friends to the End”.
It’s a wonder that all it takes is a simple mistake, a tiny…

View original post 317 more words

It’s been a Year :)

1st B'day!

Hi all! 🙂

Birthdays and Anniversaries are some of the most special times in our lives. Today, the 4th of February is one very special day. For me.

It’s been exactly  one year since I wrote my very first blog post. 🙂

I’ve come a very long way since then (or so I hear!).  Scribbled a total of 36 posts now (incl. this one) and it’s been an enlightening and delightful experience.

There are so many people around who really have no idea what their interests are or are too chicken to do what they love to do.
They really do not realise  the sheer joy in doing what your heart wants. I knew that feeling last year when finally I started documenting my words!

Nee…Naa…Un Aalu. The Final Product

It took us a month, but yes, it’s finally out. Here you go, Nee..Naa…Un Aalu (You…Me…Your Lover). A Tamil Short Film with English subtitles.

Crew:
Directors: Kaushik and Sankar
DOP: Nawin
Creative and Editing: Sujidhar, Arithy, Nawin, G Hari
Casting: Sreedeep (Me :D)

Cast: Arun ‘SPAK’ Kishore, Sujidhar, Kalpana, Niranjan, Shankar, Sreedeep, Divya

We had earlier stated that we’d release it’d release by New Years, but then, dubbing issues and last minute editing and narrations changes slowed the release. But We’re very happy with the final outcome. First day response was great and as of date, we have 3000+ views on youtube in less than 1.5 days.  \m/

True Story Team’s youtube channel is: http://www.youtube.com/user/TrueStoryTeam. Subscribe to us 🙂

Please do share the video, if you like it. Sharing is at the heart of every successful video, no? 🙂
If you;d like to view the teaser and poster to the short film, go -> here 🙂

‘Nuff Said 🙂
Peace Out \/
@srdpsrknth