how external influence can influence one internally!!

It is not easy to change jobs and shift house. Doing both at the same time is like you digging your own grave and jumping into it.
I was so wrong. Getting interviewed, researching about company and making that tough decision of whether to join a new place or not was easy. The things that followed were really difficult. Let me explain:
(My tone may be a little frustrated one..but I’m going through something beyond that)
Bank Account: When I joined Oracle, I got HDFC account. By then I was very comfortable with ICICI and was forced to move to HDFC (life does not give too many choices is so true in my case). I’m ok with HDFC except the fact, their customer care really don’t care. For anything like change of address, I am supposed to be going to their bank and giving a letter in person. While they enroll me, they come to my office. While I want some service after that I have to go to their office. Don’t they even understand/realize how busy we are and they should come up with simple process for something as simple as change of address. However, when I joined my new company they asked me if I want to keep my old account and I curse myself for saying that.
As long as my money was coming to my account and I was able to withdraw it, I or the bank did not have any problems. One fine day, I ran out of cheque leaves. Till I was in Oracle, I had a personal banker who would call me occasionally and ask how their bank is treating me etc. Now that I stepped out, he is not there in the vicinity. Couple of my calls had only promises but did not get fulfilled. However, the bank is very clear that I need them and not the other way round because it is my salary that gets credited in their bank. I am at their mercy. I plan to go to bank tomorrow and resolve this issue before other issues around these crops up. I really can’t handle this.

More to come….
PS: I’m tired by reliving the memory 

I want to live like an animal....

I first saw this video some 15 years ago and instantly fell in love with all - the music, the singer, the actors, the junior artists etc. There is magic in music. The magic to make me feel nice when I'm not feeling so nice about everything, the magic to bring smile when its so difficult to do so, the magic to pep me up when all that is on my mind is to run away. :) This surely sounds like a confession because I don't easily admit I give up. Anyway, the song that I'm referring to is from Savage Garden - the Australian band that has my most favourite Darren Hayes in it. Like I said, I love everything about this song and this is one among the 100 favourite song list that I'm planning to compile. Let me save this for eternity. I dont want to forget that I loved this song at one point in time in my life.


Back then, I wanted to run to the jungle and live like an animal. But not now. I'm not missing much ;) They are all here around me. :)

I want to...

I dont know about others, but I want to do so many things. Sometime back my status was "1001 things on my plate all screaming I'm priority 1". I like it that way.

As of now, there are two things on my mind:

1. Work, work and more work around recruiting/sourcing/make some hires.
2. Play little TT, walk for an hour with some music around me (that's a wish), read something that will make me say "wow" :)
Actually there is a 3rd one too on my mind. Let me do the two and address them later. :)

BTW, I'll be going to TM and NHRD.

Discovering myself through my blog?

I happened to bump into this link through some other blog. :) Life is like that. If everybody likes reading something nice about themselves I'm not an exception here. I'm not sure if all that's mentioned here is true about me except one - "tend to take the worries of the world on their shoulders". Now I know why my left shoulder is hurting. I can talk about it later though.

And here's my analysis. (I liked the illustration)
ISFP - The Artists
The gentle and compassionate type. They are especially attuned their inner values and what other people need. They are not friends of many words and tend to take the worries of the world on their shoulders. They tend to follow the path of least resistance and have to look out not to be taken advantage of.

They often prefer working quietly, behind the scene as a part of a team. They tend to value their friends and family above what they do for a living.

Here's the link to know more about you through your blog.
http://www.typealyzer.com

I'm wondering how on earth somebody comes up with an idea like this and even materialises it. I'm awed!!!

all in the race

After really long time, I was behind the steering wheel. I was stuck in the traffic and I couldnt resist the temptation to get irritated because I was driving. But I tried not to. Like all, I too was racing for time. Despite starting well in advance, given my track history of keeping on time, I was behind the schedule. Near the traffic signal, in the nick of time where a lot of things happen. That too in split of a second. I've been told, taught and also its law to stop the moment red light is on. The amber light gives us a hint red is on its way. Still, some people ignore it and try to squeeze themselves and feel so good about it. While some promptly stop and wait for the green light to turn on.

I had this big question running on my mind for quite sometime. Which is, while some people live a life of values, truth and morals and others dont, in the end (according to me is the death) the one who has lived the life of truthfulness will score more and he is the winner in the race. As I grew up, when I saw people who despite not living a life in the right way (again right way is entirely how I perceived it as right) not having any problems did not fall in the 1st logic that evild gets punished. Yesterday, I was relating everybody else's commute itself to the journey of life, . While some stick to rules others dont. They may win momentarily but in the end, when they look back at their journey the person who has jumped signals know it, his journey was not the right one while the one who stopped at all and followed rules is the real winner. In the end, it just matters to the self and one is answerable to self alone. I got my answer.

My new teacher!!

Last Sunday we had been to Bannerghatta National park. This is the result of two weeks meticulous planning, which also involved 2 other families. I really don’t know how people go on vacation in groups that involve multiple families. Finally, we 3 were determined to go and another single friend joined us. (Really sweet of her – She is a joy to be with). This visit to National Park’s sole motive was to entertain our 2.5 years old Nemo who is familiarised with what’s there in the zoo with the help of books.

One whole week, I kept telling her we are going to National Park on Sunday and prepared her for the upcoming big event. Finally the Sunday arrived and we were excited too. All of us got into the car and were welcomed by the huge traffic on Bannerghatta Road which drove my better half crazy. Nevertheless, Nemo’s spirits and mine were not dampened. As we reached the park, we were welcomed again by the long queues for ticketing followed by jungle safari queue.

While we were standing in the line, Nemo enjoyed the crowd, the other kids and the monkeys that were jumping from one tree to the other. As we got into the matador and were taken into the jungle the first thing that we spotted was some animal, which was not there in Nemo’s book. She dint care. Next was the Bear. Nemo knew the Bear. She dint care this time too. Instead she was happy to be sitting between her mom and dad. Next we saw Tiger. After much persuasion from us, she looked as if she is interested.

All of us got some hint then and there that our madam is not too excited about watching these animals. After our safari we entered the Zoo. The zoo has a little park that has a swing, sliding stone and a merry go round. The moment Nemo saw that it was as if she found her treasure. She ran to the swing and kept playing there. She dint want to leave that place for anything else. While we were trying to explain her why we have come to the Zoo and how she may like the other things in the Zoo, she was not the one to listen. She just wanted to swing in the swing. Though we let her play a thought immediately crossed my mind.

What I thought she might like is not what she likes. This tiny doll – all of 2.5 years has a mind of her own and wants to exercise her wish. It doesn’t matter to her what other things are around her. Her focus is what she is familiar with and what gives her joy. She knew that she was firm in her decision. I only assumed she likes something and presented to her but couldn’t impose it on her.

Nemo is my teacher these days. Instead of imposing things on her, she wants us to collaboratively help her grow and bloom the way she wants. I’ll have to learn to abide by this.

Dream lived!!!

Oracle had intrigued me even before I joined this massive organisation. Way back in 2000 and 2001 I had couple of very good friends who were in Oracle. I used to pay frequent visits to OTP office and had more reasons to be impressed. The Oraclites with the red tag around their neck did stand out in the crowd. Be it their professional approach right from the secuity check to the reception, they had it in them. And my dear good friends who were all the toppers in their respective college were the brand ambassadors for me.

May be it was then the seed of desire was planted in me and I too started to nourish it. Sometime in 2002, I got to know there was an opportunity to be part of Oracle in HR – Operations. My experience then was HR and administration. I thought I’m the perfect fit and plunged to take up the interview. I arrived at Oracle office, this time as an interviewee. Filled up the form at the entrance and I had to meet up with the Recruitment Manager.

I was escorted to his office. We had a talk that went on for 30 minutes and he parted with a note that somebody from his office will revert to me. I got home with all dreams and anticipation that I’ll soon have that red tag around my neck and how that will make me beam with pride. All that I wanted was to be part of Oracle. I thought I was watering the sapling of desire, which needed some additional nourishment.

One day passed, 2 days, 3 days followed by 1 week. I did not get any call. I was first disappointed. Secondly, devastated. Thirdly determined. Determined to convert this failure into success. It’s very true that failure teaches a lot more than success does. I got the message, which was unsaid, I was not scaling up to what Oracle wanted. I wanted to know what does it take for me to be there. Surely there must be something and I should get there was the only thought.

Having friends already in Oracle did help me. I talked to my friend Nalini, who told me most of the HR’s in Oracle are MBA’s. That striked me, I don’t have one.

I went ahead and enrolled into MBA course with a specialisation in HR and Operations. Worked in the day and studied in the night. Did my assignments diligently. Semester after semester I ensured I got good grades. Simultaneously, I started preparing myself for the job role.

There were times when I used to take my bike and wander near the office and visualise myself working there, my gaining a free entry into the ofice premises, dangling the red tag around my neck and my email id would be my first name.last name @ oracle.com. I dreamed hard. I kept affirming I’d be there soon.

It was in 2006 Feb, my other friend Nanditha who was going places in Oracle Recruitment team told me about an opportunity that exists in Oracle in their team to work with Guna – the recruitment manager. The discussions followed.

My first round a telephonic interview was scheduled. I prepared for this, as I knew I can’t take chances and this is in a way taking me to my goal closer. The call landed on my mobile phone and the interview went on for close to 45 minutes. Then I was invited for a face 2 face or the personal round.

That interview was scheduled on a Saturday in Café Coffee Day close to my home. I reached the venue and was eager to meet Guna of whom I had heard a lot from my other friends working with him.

A casually dressed gentleman arrived and shook hands with me and I knew that it was Guna. It’s his demeanor to put people at ease – I realised that in my first meeting itself. We started the discussion. Before meeting, on the cal we had an understanding that the meeting is for 30 minutes. Our discussion went on for 2 hours - understanding the various BU’s of Oracle, my role, a glance at his role, my career plan and all. Guna came across as a very gentle, understanding and friendly manager. Again, we parted after a long discussion with a note I will get a cal from his office.

1 day passed, 2 days passed followed by 3 days. 4th day, when I cross checked with my friend Nanditha and was awaiting her response; Guna called me and asks me “havent you received the offer letter?”

The rest as they call it is all history. Its 3.5 years now and my bond with Oracle is growing strong.