Sambar boys - Easter weekend cycling trip

I would like to mention our team name before I start this Blog.

Team: Sambar boys

On behalf of our wembley vetties [http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community.aspx?rl=cpn&cmm=34300818] community, our guys have travelled across different parts of the world [USA, UK & India). Most of our guys always had a well-planned trip. Few of us did not have any plans until Friday the 3rd April 2009 afternoon and our friends decided that these guys (ie Sambar boys) will spend time in preparing Murugakkai
sambar for their entire Easter long weekend. This thought might be influenced due to my presence in the team :-)However the bondage was broken by our team members with their considerable amount of team work.
The trip was executed in the same manner as a software project life cycle, starting from collecting use case, requirement gathering, planning (assigning / dividing the work assignments to individuals), implementing, testing and also bug fixing (of course, we fixed most of our bugs which were similar to fixing bugs in our SDLC. We found the root cause, but fixed it in a completely different place than the original defect - one of our cycles had problem and we decided to debug the issue. We thought the problem was with the brake of the back wheel. We used the tool kits, repaired the brake and fixed it perfectly(thought so). Even after the fix, the cycle was not moving!!!??? Later we realized the problem was not due to the brake, it was Jagg who twisted the front handle bar :-)

Want to tell one more thing about Jagg, Jaggu was simply superb, more enthusiastic. Whenever and wherever we stopped for refreshment and photo sessions, he used to complete the sessions quickly and was heading towards the destination. All of us were amazed by his enthusiasm and eagerness towards the goal. (Though he had to receive trashing from all of us, in the next few minutes :-) Just kidding without his extensive support we should
not have succeeded ... :-)

We also want to thank IT giant, our major sponsor C*S UK Technologies Limited for their extensive financial and moral support.

The travel plan and maps were made ready before we started on Saturday 11th April 2009 morning. Fortunately or unfortunately we did not progress the way we initially planned and everything went with dynamic decisions.

We started from 18 crown walk Wembley to London Victoria by Cycle. We managed to reach train station at 9 AM (early morning :-)) and also managed to get the discounted group tickets to Canterbury including return ticket.

We reached Canterbury and explored few **** and the town centre as usual and headed towards Dover.

Luckily we got the guidance from our sponsor IT companies client employee at
Canterbury for Dover cycle way. We were thrilled, excited and also tired
travelling on the cycle way to Dover.

Though we were extremely tired and thought of taking the train to go to
London, we did not give up. Instead, decided to cycle from Folkstone to
Canterbury by cycle.

Guess who's leg and Head towards me ??? (Masala !!!!????)

Village roads, Military camp site, Tennis courts, Horses and farm houses were simply superb in the country side and we really enjoyed each and every
moment.

On the way to Canterbury (4 miles to reach Canterbury) I saw a pub and My
"Lakshmi" sorry my cycle did not allow me to move further!!!

We had a very good time with "Bar assistances" and also with some of the Belgium trekking guys. They recognized us with "Slumdog millionaire". But what to do, we donated our Bombay mixture to the slum trekkers sorry Belgium trekkers.

On the way back home we were searching the "Lamp" sorry Lion sorry Yes "Deer"

We did not plan this round trip initially but after come back from trip we searched internet and realised that it was a best cycle round trip option
[http://www.sustrans.org.uk/webfiles/leaflets/canterbury%20.pdf]

Yes Finally we did it.

Best moments in my life

Shortly ...............

Stepping Stones ....

Dedicated to all my friends who made this Electrical engineer to become efficient(;-'()) software engineer ...

I do not deserve my success ... But I could, just because of my valuable friends. I am proud and happy that I have good friend circle. I would like to specifically mention few, who made IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.

I still remember and cherish my journey with Ness Technologies, Bangalore. My two and half years with Ness was really awesome.

We used to bunk the office like a college and used to go for movies. Every Restaurant in and around koramangala, Bangalore will praise us for their profits. The dance program that we participated in our Holi celebration was the top hit. Our team outings in Ness were amazing (Ooty, Yargad, Resorts & cinemas) than any other things even of my overseas outings(UK, Swizz & Austria)

Okokokk enough of bugging I am coming to the point

Sasikumar, We both joined same day in Ness. But he joined as a Lead and I joined as a SSE. Of course he is more senior than me. But until today I never consider his age or experience. May be he still scold me for calling him "dai". I got his guidance, comfort, confidence everything. He is one of my stepping stone. He has been the instrumental to my success. He is my mentor even today.

Nandini (a) Nandi, She speaks more but she is good hearted .. I used to always pull her leg.
But she is someone who is special and value my friendship more than anything.. I am happy to get her as my best friend ...

Srini ... We had real good time in NESS. Whenever we go for team outing, Dolphin will be my first enemy :-) .... He never allowed me for Sarakku ... Srini was always supportive and helpful ... I still cherish those thirutu thanni experiences .... He encouraged me in many situtions and made sure, I am traveling to UK. I never considered Srini as younger rather I always consider him as my best friend.

Dolphin , I do not need to mention about him. He is always in my side. He shaped me both in personal and professional life. As I mentioned in one of my other Blog, he is one of my role model.

My Three Role models

Hi Guys,

Do you think, Dr.Abdul Kalam Former President of India, as my role model because of his great vision & mission for India.

Or

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime minister of India who did not take political as his career, changed India to well recognize economical growing county in the world, because of his economical revolution in the year 1991.

or

A.R. Rahman, Asia's Mozart, who proves his excellence in all that he does ... and took over unbeaten musician Illayaraja in Tamil Nadu, of course not only in Tamil Nadu....

"Being good for everyone and in everything is not easy in this world" ...

My Dad,

He was 101% strict (Real enemy) until I finish my 12th standard. He became my counsellor when I started my college ... We became best friends when I entered in to my profession. He shares lot (everything) with me. I share everything with him including my flirt :-)

I did not hear any one complaining about him for anything, rather I always listen with people about his hospitality & excellence. I learned lot of concepts from him, of course harder to follow it in principle. But he deserves to be followed …

Dolphin,

Yes he is my God’s gift. There are lots to adapt from him everyday.

In fact, there is nothing common between us, there is no taste which coincidence between us ... he is not curious about film music & movie, flirt, Thanni, dhammu ... etc.... But still.... Most of my friends asked this question to me ... How are you guys are best-close friends??? Nothing matches ... Yes; of course I am lucky...

To be frank when I was in college I did not realize much about his friendship. Even sometime I went against his decisions. Most of you know about me, I was a big hang out… I used to be always with lot of friends during college. Once after leaving college, my life style got changed and I got to mingle with lot of new people in my life. I realized his value only after he came back to Ban galore in the year 2005. There are lots of things that I can’t scribble, but definitely I could feel the difference in me learning those high qualities from him.

I am not too sure about enduring my profession well enough if he could have not ignited!!!

I do not deserve to get a friend like him. But Yes, I am lucky enough J

My sister,

She has a good attitude and she is fabulous with everyone. Whoever moves close with her will realise how best she is.

She had come across financial crisis after she got married. On top of it, she had a kid and was struggled to mange the situations. She is blessed just simply for her trust in God and the high quality that she has in her.

I tried my best to follow these high qualities in my life. But never in my life achieved, hoping to be the best like them...

Turning point – My Testimony

I would like to steal your time for few seconds, please be with me. I had resigned my company in India on 23rd May 2007 and came to find a job in UK. I had reached London on 24th. I started attending interviews thinking that I will get through in all that I attend. Unfortunately I have got negative feedback from all that I have attended in the first week. My interviews were not arranged in the main city. My domain is in Embedded and most of the embedded companies are located outside the city. Travel expenses are quite high, I need to spend at least 12K minimum for only train ticket per interview.

My roommate had shared an incident that some of his friends are in UK and was not able to get a job as planned on time. He said, in few occasions they used to visit their friends houses for food. This made my confidence level void and increased more pressure. I did not get anyone to build my strength or increase my confidence level. I had some India appointment offers but the dates were already crossed to think about it. The situation was so decisive and I was almost distorted and puzzled.

Only person that I can talk to and trust to was my God. Yes I prayed to him and gave up completely to him about my feature. He gradually took control over me and started giving all that I needed at that point in time - comfort, console, guide and confidence. Friday 1st June was a memorable day in my life. I could experience his effort in building everything in me on Saturday and Sunday. I went for an interview with his full comfort on Monday.

I used to be sometimes deficient in one particular area in software interviews. This is even applicable in my India interviews. If someone asks to write a small code, with nervousness even if I know the logic already I may not finish the assignment as expected. The interviewers had asked me to write 3 different codes with competent logics. I could feel God’s guidance and anointment. I finished the assignments as anticipated. The interviewers said in the interview that we did not see any one performing like this and they said it was amazing performance. Yes, I know it was not by me but God who did this. He made impossible possible in a crucial pressure situation. He proved his Miracle and Grace in where I used to be deficient.

I have got the feedback from the consultant that the interview panel was highly impressed with my communication, personal and Technical skills. As most of you know that I was originally from Tamil medium, getting feedback from an English man for communication, proved how God has blessed everything in my life.

Snap shot - Consultant Feedback mail: “I am delighted that you got the offer. I have recruited for them for 6 years and I was also there working for them as their Recruitment Manager - they are difficult to recruit for as their standards for developers are one of the highest in the markets so well done Robinson!Kelli ”