The moving drama continued yesterday, with Phase Two now complete. For all those who don't remember, I had moved in with friends temporarily for 10 days, while my new apartment became available for moving in. It did, yesterday, and I moved in.
I was helped by my friends, who (I have to shamefully admit) carried more stuff than I did to the new apartment, Chaparosa. One of them had a car, luckily, so multiple trips under the sun weren't realized. They all helped me carry almost everything I owned into the new apartment, and now I'm all settled in. In a manner of speaking.
I still have everything to unpack. I was too lazy to do it yesterday, and am planning to go shopping for groceries now, so I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. I have to unpack my clothes (which shouldn't take long, since there aren't too many of them) and books (now that's the one I'm scared about -- there's waaaaay too many of them).
I like my apartment though. I like the stairs the best. Ever since I was little, I've always wanted a house with stairs in it. I spent half the day yesterday skipping upstairs and downstairs, and reveling in it, though my legs were starting to ache slightly toward the end of the day! I spent part of the day curled up in a little corner underneath the staircase, listening to Bob Marley, and just drifting away, almost imagining I was in Jamaica....until I looked outside the window, and saw a Capital Metro UT Shuttle ramble past!
It's been nice moving in. I guess I should get back to unpacking now.......
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Home sweet office!
Wow, it's been a while since I wrote!! I've been at training. Out team is undergoing training for WCF -- Windows Communication Foundation -- and I've been tagging along with them. It's not that the instructor is bad -- even I can see that he's excellent -- but most of the stuff has been going over my head. Initially I tried to pay attention (telling myself severely that I needed to do that anyway in a little over three weeks), but eventually my eyes started to glaze over. I was reminded of my incredibly boring Communication Networks classes at UT, where I was infamous for disturbing the class through some antic or the other -- usually crinkling candy wrappers loudly, or asking for cricket scores loud enough to be heard even by the professor. I am amazed at the patience of the professor, that he didn't haul me out on my ear! I probably deserved it.
But anyway, as I was saying, the training started to remind me of that. In the classes, it wasn't that I didn't understand the material being taught -- I did, if I paid close enough attention -- but the professor was plain boring. In the training, it was the other way round. The instructor was really good, and when I strained my head hard enough, I could actually follow him, but it mostly went way over my head. I looked helplessly at everyone furiously typing into their computers during the lab session, while I searched through Google to make sense of what was being taught, and tried to look halfway intelligent.
Today's session was much better. The instructor taught security, which is my chosen research area, so I could follow everything he taught, besides which it was fun because he implemented a sort of chat window, so that all the students (!) could send each other chat messages. That was fun! Unfortunately, I had to leave after that, and get back to the office.
When I got back to the office, it was like walking into a comfortable, familiar place. I felt a sense of peace. It's a shame that I'll have to leave in a few days -- just two, as a matter of fact. It's really become a second home for me now! I had an incredible, incredible time working here at Dell, with the most fantastic people ever. I'll cherish this time forever.
On a different note, today's Wednesday -- I hope I can get the keys to my new apartment today. I've had fun living with the friends I've been living with -- but I guess I can't harass them forever, besides which, I need to set up the new place! Especially the books! Even during the 10 days I've not been in my own house, I've bought a bunch of new books -- the manga, Cantarella Vol 3, by You Higuri; the August issue of Wired magazine; and Dick Francis' latest offering, Under Orders.
Cantarella is a compelling manga. I had started it some time ago, but gave up halfway through the first volume, finding the story too dark and depressing. But I took it up again, and while I'd never call the story light-hearted and cheery (Higuri's manga tend to be a bit on the heavier side, actually), it's really interesting. It's the mangaka's take on the infamous Borgias of Renaissance-age Italy, circa 1500, and the hero of the piece (also the villian?) is Cesare Borgia. Very interesting indeed, since it is at least partially based on true events. I wonder how many more volumes there are?
Dick Francis is an author I've liked for quite some time. His books can get a little depressing at time, with the hero wallowing in sorrow and misery for days on end; but they always seem to have an underlying sense of humor that takes away some of the darkness from the story. Besides which, he can come up with a fantastic, compelling tale. I really like Dick Francis novels -- if I can talk even halfway sensibly about horses, it is all thanks to Mr Francis.
Ah, I think I'm rambling now. I think I should get back to that documentation I was making for my intern project -- and iron out the creepy JavaScript errors that pop up suddenly like unwanted zombies, and give me a heart attack, like it did during the presentation yesterday. The expression on my face was surely a study in horror. Luckily, I don't think anyone noticed it. Yes, I should do that instead of telling the world that I should do it, and procrastinate even more. Till later...adios!
But anyway, as I was saying, the training started to remind me of that. In the classes, it wasn't that I didn't understand the material being taught -- I did, if I paid close enough attention -- but the professor was plain boring. In the training, it was the other way round. The instructor was really good, and when I strained my head hard enough, I could actually follow him, but it mostly went way over my head. I looked helplessly at everyone furiously typing into their computers during the lab session, while I searched through Google to make sense of what was being taught, and tried to look halfway intelligent.
Today's session was much better. The instructor taught security, which is my chosen research area, so I could follow everything he taught, besides which it was fun because he implemented a sort of chat window, so that all the students (!) could send each other chat messages. That was fun! Unfortunately, I had to leave after that, and get back to the office.
When I got back to the office, it was like walking into a comfortable, familiar place. I felt a sense of peace. It's a shame that I'll have to leave in a few days -- just two, as a matter of fact. It's really become a second home for me now! I had an incredible, incredible time working here at Dell, with the most fantastic people ever. I'll cherish this time forever.
On a different note, today's Wednesday -- I hope I can get the keys to my new apartment today. I've had fun living with the friends I've been living with -- but I guess I can't harass them forever, besides which, I need to set up the new place! Especially the books! Even during the 10 days I've not been in my own house, I've bought a bunch of new books -- the manga, Cantarella Vol 3, by You Higuri; the August issue of Wired magazine; and Dick Francis' latest offering, Under Orders.
Cantarella is a compelling manga. I had started it some time ago, but gave up halfway through the first volume, finding the story too dark and depressing. But I took it up again, and while I'd never call the story light-hearted and cheery (Higuri's manga tend to be a bit on the heavier side, actually), it's really interesting. It's the mangaka's take on the infamous Borgias of Renaissance-age Italy, circa 1500, and the hero of the piece (also the villian?) is Cesare Borgia. Very interesting indeed, since it is at least partially based on true events. I wonder how many more volumes there are?
Dick Francis is an author I've liked for quite some time. His books can get a little depressing at time, with the hero wallowing in sorrow and misery for days on end; but they always seem to have an underlying sense of humor that takes away some of the darkness from the story. Besides which, he can come up with a fantastic, compelling tale. I really like Dick Francis novels -- if I can talk even halfway sensibly about horses, it is all thanks to Mr Francis.
Ah, I think I'm rambling now. I think I should get back to that documentation I was making for my intern project -- and iron out the creepy JavaScript errors that pop up suddenly like unwanted zombies, and give me a heart attack, like it did during the presentation yesterday. The expression on my face was surely a study in horror. Luckily, I don't think anyone noticed it. Yes, I should do that instead of telling the world that I should do it, and procrastinate even more. Till later...adios!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Billy and the kid
Billy is the name of a fellow bus passenger. He usually gets up and off at the North Lamar Transit Center. He's in his fifties, and has wispy gray hair that's on its last legs. He wears enormous glasses reminiscent of the '50s, and rides a small bright red mountain bike that he said he spent his week's pay on. The last time I met him, he was alone, and insisted on talking endlessly to me. He popped up today as well.
I actually didn't notice him at first. I was listening to songs on my iPod as usual, humming along to the tune of Numb by Linkin Park, when I noticed a couple of young boys, one riding a bicycle, and one carrying along a scooter, the type that small kids ride. They were around my age, maybe a couple of years younger. I stopped humming, and just listened to the song, when I heard someone call out, "Mandy!"
I turned. It was Billy. I tried hard to keep the annoyance from showing on my face -- I was listening to the songs, dammit -- and smiled at him, yanking the headphones out of my ears. "Billy," I said, politely. "How's it going?"
"Doin' good!" he seemed to be in high spirits. He pointed to one of the young men. "This here is my son, Michael." I took another look at the boy. He was about my height, wearing a white T-shirt and loose, baggy shorts, a cap worn backward over his head. He had stringy blond hair, green eyes, and a face covered liberally with pimples. He gave me a big grin, showing startlingly awkward teeth. My smile froze on my face at the sight of his teeth, but I forced myself not to let the smile slip. I tried to remember what Billy had told me about him from our last conversation. 21 years old, he'd said. The boy looked younger than someone just a year younger than me; but then, some people do mistake me for a high schooler, so I guess I can't complain.
"She works at Dell," Billy explained to his son, and Michael nodded sagely.
Billy then pointed to the other boy. "This is my other son," he said, and I couldn't resist staring this time. The other boy was black, whereas Billy was very much white. I wasn't sure how to react. "Uhhh....."
"From another wife," said Billy, and cackled with laughter. I have no idea whether that was a joke or not. I gave an uncertain smile, and began looking anxiously at the horizon for the bus to arrive.
It finally did, and in there was the cute guy I've noticed since I began interning. I think he's a student, maybe at ACC, maybe at UT, I don't know. He's around my age, tall and skinny, with dark wavy hair and large hazel eyes. I usually steal glances at him, too shy to attempt any kind of conversation. I think he's pretty shy too, for once our eyes met, and we both turned away, blushing. The fact that he blushed too amused me, and made me less self-conscious about him. But except for a brief smile of recognition when I board the bus, we've never exchanged any communication.
The bus driver is a funky guy. He wears sunglasses -- even today, when it was dark and overcast. He greets everyone enthusiastically. "Well, hello there!" he joyously said when I entered the bus. At first his enthusiasm had startled me, but I'm used to it now. "Hello," I said, smiling. "You came just in time," pointing at the water droplets splattering against the windshield. "I know!" he said, with a large grin. I grinned back, the grin freezing as I saw the cute guy.
The rest of the bus ride was spent looking out of the bus, reading a few pages of Anthony Horowitz's Evil Star, and generally thinking about how to solve the JavaScript problem I'd encountered during the day. By the bus got to Hampton and 26th, I wished the driver goodbye, and walked back home.
Interesting ride, with interesting companions!!!
I actually didn't notice him at first. I was listening to songs on my iPod as usual, humming along to the tune of Numb by Linkin Park, when I noticed a couple of young boys, one riding a bicycle, and one carrying along a scooter, the type that small kids ride. They were around my age, maybe a couple of years younger. I stopped humming, and just listened to the song, when I heard someone call out, "Mandy!"
I turned. It was Billy. I tried hard to keep the annoyance from showing on my face -- I was listening to the songs, dammit -- and smiled at him, yanking the headphones out of my ears. "Billy," I said, politely. "How's it going?"
"Doin' good!" he seemed to be in high spirits. He pointed to one of the young men. "This here is my son, Michael." I took another look at the boy. He was about my height, wearing a white T-shirt and loose, baggy shorts, a cap worn backward over his head. He had stringy blond hair, green eyes, and a face covered liberally with pimples. He gave me a big grin, showing startlingly awkward teeth. My smile froze on my face at the sight of his teeth, but I forced myself not to let the smile slip. I tried to remember what Billy had told me about him from our last conversation. 21 years old, he'd said. The boy looked younger than someone just a year younger than me; but then, some people do mistake me for a high schooler, so I guess I can't complain.
"She works at Dell," Billy explained to his son, and Michael nodded sagely.
Billy then pointed to the other boy. "This is my other son," he said, and I couldn't resist staring this time. The other boy was black, whereas Billy was very much white. I wasn't sure how to react. "Uhhh....."
"From another wife," said Billy, and cackled with laughter. I have no idea whether that was a joke or not. I gave an uncertain smile, and began looking anxiously at the horizon for the bus to arrive.
It finally did, and in there was the cute guy I've noticed since I began interning. I think he's a student, maybe at ACC, maybe at UT, I don't know. He's around my age, tall and skinny, with dark wavy hair and large hazel eyes. I usually steal glances at him, too shy to attempt any kind of conversation. I think he's pretty shy too, for once our eyes met, and we both turned away, blushing. The fact that he blushed too amused me, and made me less self-conscious about him. But except for a brief smile of recognition when I board the bus, we've never exchanged any communication.
The bus driver is a funky guy. He wears sunglasses -- even today, when it was dark and overcast. He greets everyone enthusiastically. "Well, hello there!" he joyously said when I entered the bus. At first his enthusiasm had startled me, but I'm used to it now. "Hello," I said, smiling. "You came just in time," pointing at the water droplets splattering against the windshield. "I know!" he said, with a large grin. I grinned back, the grin freezing as I saw the cute guy.
The rest of the bus ride was spent looking out of the bus, reading a few pages of Anthony Horowitz's Evil Star, and generally thinking about how to solve the JavaScript problem I'd encountered during the day. By the bus got to Hampton and 26th, I wished the driver goodbye, and walked back home.
Interesting ride, with interesting companions!!!
My favorite drawing
I was recently looking through a bunch of my drawings (when I was cleaning up), and I was left thinking about which was my favorite. I don't usually have favorites, especially in my own work! But there's one drawing which is my favorite: this one.....I made it in 2004, just shortly before my twentieth birthday. I'd been working on a book, a book about a New Zealand schoolboy (I've forever wanted to go to New Zealand, so I decided to base my story there), and this was a scene from the book.
The book is about 12-year-old Brendon McCarthy, and his adventures in boarding school (how imaginative! :P), and his love for cricket (he's my creation -- he has to like what I like!!). In this scene, he and his best friend are sitting at home, bored, with nothing to do because it's raining, so they decide to go out and play soccer.
When I made the drawing, it really was pouring outside. This drawing was made circa August 2004, when it's peak monsoon season in Mumbai. I looked at the rain pattering against the window, and the wind howling through the (I was going to say trees, but that'd be a lie. Okay, the tall buildings) tall buildings. I could almost imagine two boys playing out in the rain, getting soaked and covered in mud playing soccer. I think because it was raining the drawing turned out even more realistic than I'd hoped for -- Brendon's hair looks like it's plastered to his skull in the drawing, a feat I'd never been able to achieve before.
Hmm, so maybe that's the lesson for drawing well....try to experience what you're drawing, and it will turn out realistic, rather than trying to imagine it all! Hmmm.....does that mean, to make this drawing even more realistic....I need to visit New Zealand??!!! Whoohoo! :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Moving part II
The moving drama continued yesterday. It was crazy, hectic, chaotic. To quote a coworker of mine, I was "running around like a headless chicken". Only one of my roommates was left, and she and me cleaned up the whole house, dragged out the furniture and other baggage. It was crazy! Finally, at almost 10 pm, I took one last look at the place (to ensure nothing had been left behind, rather than out of any dubious emotional attachments), and locked the door for the final time, and turned the keys over to the management. Whew!! Phase One complete.
Of course, there's still a Phase Two to contend with: like I said, where I'm staying now is just temporary. I won't get to move into my new apartment till the 10th. Then comes a whole new set of headaches....moving all the furniture, not only across the apartment complex, but across the block; setting up house at the new place; settling in. Man! I'm not even going to think about it, for it is getting me all worked up.....10 days away from the day I actually need to move!
I found a lot of interesting things, though, while I was clearing up. There was an ancient stack of newspapers -- The Daily Texan -- from a year back. There was one of my paintbrushes under the desk, where it had rolled sometime during the year, and I'd been too preoccupied to notice it (or maybe it's a sign that I own more brushes than I need? I know I don't usually use more than 1 or 2 per session). There was an old bus pass, a day pass for Sept 4, 2006, crushed but still recognizable. There was an old recipe for making spicy broccoli that I'd lifted off the internet sometime, and had (of course) failed to ever try it out. Seeing that it was behind the gas stove, I can see why! There was the instruction booklet for the iPod (why would anyone need an instruction booklet for the iPod?? Four buttons, that's all there is to it!) There was a crumpled drawing (or rather, a cruel caricature) of one of my professors, when I'd been in a not-too-charitable mood toward him. There was a printout of my transcript from the Fall semester, which I threw away hurriedly. I didn't need reminding for the grades! There was also a printed schedule of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with neat notes in the corner (by me), about which team won which match, by what margin, and their points after each match, and even some kind of complicated formula to find out who needed to win which match by how many runs/wickets to ensure a place in the semi-finals! (If only I'd put in that kind of hard work and dedication into my studies! :P )
Yeah, there were lots of interesting things to pick out of the junk that was left behind after I cleaned out the apartment. Most of it was thrown away, but I kept some of the treasures with me. Maybe I need to clean my house more often.....!!
Of course, there's still a Phase Two to contend with: like I said, where I'm staying now is just temporary. I won't get to move into my new apartment till the 10th. Then comes a whole new set of headaches....moving all the furniture, not only across the apartment complex, but across the block; setting up house at the new place; settling in. Man! I'm not even going to think about it, for it is getting me all worked up.....10 days away from the day I actually need to move!
I found a lot of interesting things, though, while I was clearing up. There was an ancient stack of newspapers -- The Daily Texan -- from a year back. There was one of my paintbrushes under the desk, where it had rolled sometime during the year, and I'd been too preoccupied to notice it (or maybe it's a sign that I own more brushes than I need? I know I don't usually use more than 1 or 2 per session). There was an old bus pass, a day pass for Sept 4, 2006, crushed but still recognizable. There was an old recipe for making spicy broccoli that I'd lifted off the internet sometime, and had (of course) failed to ever try it out. Seeing that it was behind the gas stove, I can see why! There was the instruction booklet for the iPod (why would anyone need an instruction booklet for the iPod?? Four buttons, that's all there is to it!) There was a crumpled drawing (or rather, a cruel caricature) of one of my professors, when I'd been in a not-too-charitable mood toward him. There was a printout of my transcript from the Fall semester, which I threw away hurriedly. I didn't need reminding for the grades! There was also a printed schedule of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, with neat notes in the corner (by me), about which team won which match, by what margin, and their points after each match, and even some kind of complicated formula to find out who needed to win which match by how many runs/wickets to ensure a place in the semi-finals! (If only I'd put in that kind of hard work and dedication into my studies! :P )
Yeah, there were lots of interesting things to pick out of the junk that was left behind after I cleaned out the apartment. Most of it was thrown away, but I kept some of the treasures with me. Maybe I need to clean my house more often.....!!
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