Dubai..the journey so far

I'll pen the journey so far from Ahmedabad to Dubai.
Feb 28, 2008- I leave Pune. My training in CTS gets over. Cleared all papers. Ofcourse the credit goes to my colleagues and not me! I am officially on bench in CTS. Bench in CTS doesn't require one to attend the office regularly as you dont report to anyone. So I take the first train to A'bad. Of course A'bad to me is jannat on this earth. That particular journey- I wouldnt forget lifelong; it had some of the most embarrasing incidents with me. I and other room mate of mine were traveling together. And idiots we- we didnt check the bogie number!!..boarded the different bogie, TC comes, asks us to change the bogie. And girls we, how can we travel light! 2 big bags with us each :)..yes we changed the bogie internally..AS1(AC 3 tier) to bich mein A2(AC 2 tier) to AS2(AC 3 tier) :D!!..yes made 2 rounds each!!..gosh my shoulder were paining badly. Reach A'bad safely.

Had not taken the return ticket for Pune, coz had no clue for the length of my bench! Dad tells that he has applied for my visas here. I get my visas soon. Tickets to Dubai booked for March 14, 2008!

Now what about my Pune ka saaman???? Yes I had to wind up my bellongings in Pune. Sunday, March 2, 2008- I and my bhabhi take the bus to Pune in the noon. We reached the other day early morn, pack my belongings, my activa and take the return bus to A'bad on that same day..yes the same day!!..man i was so tired, drained that day..2 bus journeys each 13 hrs and that too a with 3 movies(Jodha Akbar-rewatch, Welcome- twice, A'bad-Pune and again Pune-A'bad)..I was down with fever while I was packing, but hats off to my dearest bhabhi :)

Ofcourse, I hadnt expected that I'll leave Pune this way. Made some of the really goooood friends in that place. The place from where I started leaving independently. Though I disliked a lot abt that place..lots of bitter sweet memories associated with that place..I couldnt tell a good bye to my friends..yes i couldnt :(..My landing in Dubai came as a surprise to many..many rebuked for not even dropping a call..but it all happend sudden and I didnt want to reveal abt this to many-mainly coz I hadnt resigned in Cognizant. When i was leaving, I could just spend 10 minsutes with my dearest and bestest friend - my roomamate. She told- Zeal ab tu gayi, ab tu nahi vapas ayegi;I smilled, ignorant what to say. It left me with a cold void. But I said I have to go ahead. When I left Pune, so many thoughts were fleeting across my mind. I am leaving my job(though not resigned) and going to a complete new land to find new oppurtunities. I was scared as well as confident. I told bhabhi about this in the bus..and she smiled :). I was an EMPLOYED JOBLESS!

About 10 days in A'bad- Packing and stuffs. Going to relatives place.
March 14, 2008. I take EK 538(Emirates flight to Dubai). A'bad na international airport karta toh ST bus station disciplined! Again the same sort of thoughts- Leaving my city, my country, my home and no clue when I'd return and what I'd do there. Absolute CLUELESS! Loved the sight of A'bad when flight took off. I yearn to get to that place so much now..

The same morning I land in DUBAI. The first sight, the first step on this land made me felt that this place is welcoming :) Had a positive feel :) Felt like landed in a faster and cleaner(10-12 times than) Mumbai. Immigration was smoothely finishe. Meet mom dad after a 1 month and a week. Felt their warmth :)

The next day, I got up started checking newspapers for classifieds, making applications. Mom -dad said wait for some time..i said i need to work fast..cant wait..any time a mail from CTS could pop and i have to report..and i didnt want to get to that place again..1. didnt like the place 2. didnt like the job.

Next 4 weeks tak i made applications via emails, made phone calls, gave some interviews..but no luck..was really disheartend some days..the prvious post Rythm is an outcome of that disheartendness. Meanwhile i applied to IMT Dubai. The admission was confirmed. I opted for the evening batch. So that i could work full time. While i was giving interviews, it was clear that the experience-the GCC experience mattered the most. Whatever exp one has back home became nil if he hadnt a GCC exp! so definitely wanted to take the experience and hence opted for the evening batch. But the biggest qts-when do i get the job????? I was still clueless :( making applications. Ppl wanted ppl with experience! Kahan se lau experience???? This side CTS- still bench. Though i did miss a mail for the call of project. But CTS management is cool, doesnt care much!..good for me :)..but i was tensed a lot those days..

Miracles do happen and I beleive in them :) April 10, 2008, around 5 in the eve.. i get a call.. a call on my mobile,unknown number..thought could be a call for an interview. Well that was the call from my immediate boss. He briefly described the opening. They want someone(Jr. level) who knows SCADA, who knows basic networking, and who is willing to work on developing/promoting/learning SCADA security. I said yes! I was waiting for his formal mail. The next day was Fri. no mail :( was again a little disheartened. Then sat..again disheartened..went for a walk..moodless..i returned home. mom dad went to take some maggie packets. As usual, opened the inbox..and yipeee!! the mail. The job description was like perfect..what i wanted..and when u dont have anything, everything is a bonus :) but this one is indeed. Replied him the next day. Made a call..but..as usual my boss who keeps travelling a lot said he is travelling and will get back the next week. The Wait

The next week, Sun i give a call, no reply. Mon i give a call, he said he'll get back..wait again..finally in the noon i get the call..called for an interview the next day. When i first stepped in DIC for the first time i didnt feel the the little guilt of leaving CTS. And i got the gut that this opening will strike :) I had made a case study on SCADA in my 4th sem ka vacation. I dont know why i carried its report in my resume file. But while i was collecting my copies of resume, i saw it and took it. My boss was really glad to see the report. Coincidemce or miracle or uppar wala ne khabr hati??!! Then the next meeting happen with the CEO in next week. A cheerful interview. Was happy, delighted :) Partied that evenig with some friends.. pizzas and then a long drive..but still the wait isnt over! the HR lady is on leave :( so the offer letter is yet to arrive. What abt CTS??? I am still an employee with CTS. Waise toh i need to sign some papers and make the resination in presentia in CTS. But i didnt want to leave, i wanted to join first. And travelling would unnecessary dig a hole in my pocket. ofc, it could have been reimbursed later. But i thought chalse. I gave my resignation in absentia, asking a friend to co-ordinate from my side there. ofc, the HR in CTS allowed. this side, offer letter still doesnt arrive, its over 1 week..i call up my boss and as usual he is on a tour :( but finally arrives. I give a joining date. But then again a delay, coz the boss is again on tour and he said induction wouldnt be proper..

Finally May 17. I join! Yes! Enjoying the work. ofc, sometimes it becomes tricky to handle certain issues. But learnt the first corporate lesson- KEEP PATIENCE..
Almost a month plus 10 days..This has been my journey so far..a bitter sweet..
But the most i miss here are
1. Mara Amdavad na pyara rickshawwala,
2. Maru Amdavad
3. My dearest college pals..ohh my gosh..i miss them so much :(
3. Maru Activa

The next post is 'Triple A'..coming soon ;)