Manila, Accounting and Black Swan

Manila is a different experience for me. Its more like an international school, where you have people from different countries and different cultures. Its quite fun talking to them and understanding their views.

I will be here for another 5 weeks, and will be covering 5 more subjects. Week 2 was quite boring as far as studies are concerned, and we had to deal to numerous balance sheets and income statements. It was quite frustrating we well, doing same analysis again and again, and giving the same comments at the end of it.

I have started reading novels again. Finished with 'The curious incident of the dog in the night-time'. It was a different kind of novel, very similar to 'The Little Prince'. Very simple and very sweet, making fun of human beings and their irrationalities in a subtle manner. Am now reading the 'Black Swan', and its absolutely awesome. Not exactly an easy reading book, but very different and simply mind-blowing. Going by the start, it might change the way I think, much like what the course of 'Game Theory' did. Its not another book, but another way of thinking, and a different take on the world.

Hopefully would be finishing it by next weekend.

MAGIC Program

First week in Manila was a mixed bag. Was very unhappy when we came, had great fun for the first few of days, and then finally went back into my 'hate-everything' mode for the second time in the last 3 months. I had some issues with the HR, and it was taking a lot of mind-space. Thankfully everything has been sorted out.

We went to Old Manila on the weekend with a large group of MAGIC-mates. There are people from all parts of Asia - Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Korea, Japan, China, etc. Its great fun being in the same class as all these people. They are much better than me in presentation skills and hard work. Would need to catch up on that.

Here are my first pictures from Manila.

Bombay Dreams

My company sent me on a week's trip to Mumbai. This was my first visit to the city, and it was an amazing experience. I met with a lot of bankers and brokers during the trip, and had lunches/dinner with them. Suddenly realized that life was changing for me pretty fast, and I have actually joined a job. I realized where I belong, and what world I shall be living in. Back in HK, life had been different with us rotating across different desks. Workload is there, but the feeling of MY JOB was missing. In India, I felt like it was my job, and these would be the people I would be staying with for a long time.

Met some of the big names in the market, and heard of their stories. Everyone working in the market has lots of stories to be told. Saw some of the most amazing trading floors, and saw the adrenaline rush at market opening. It was simply awesome.

Had some beautiful memories from the trip as well. Went around quite a few places in Mumbai, ate almost everything I could within a week, and had the time of my life.

~ random shopping is fun :)

Prisoner of Dreams

We are all prisoner of our dreams. Sitting at a park's bench, the fence separated us from the Ocean. We are happy sitting on this side, happy to keep away from the waves and face the music.

"It all started a few years back, when the aircraft pilot died. In fact, a lot of pilots die at a very young age. Even before they are eligible for a two-wheeler's driving license. Then there was the architect who wanted to design a new city. He died rather late, at an age of fifteen. The fear of blood killed the doctor at almost the same time. And now, a year later, the cricketer joined them in the heaven. The increasing burden of academics were taking its toll on my dreams and the board exams were now only a couple of months away. The matter was worsened by the team paceman, Raju, whose full pitched ball hit me on my right foot and barred me from playing for a few weeks. I never knew that was the end of it all. The cricketer died though the game lived on inside me."

Khawahishen Kaisi Kaisi

Today was a lazy day for me. Got up very late in the morning, after a long night. Went to a friend's house yesterday to have a long night chat session, cut short by circumstances. Returned back, only to feel like going out again. And then I was at the nearby ground, at 4 AM in the morning, getting drenched in the rain. It was simply awesome.

Went to the ground again in the afternoon today. The playgrounds make me wish I were good at sports. The scene of the empty stadium, with its flood lights on, and me standing in the middle, still come in my dreams. I would learn one outdoor sport someday. Mostly on my return to India, would try my hand at tennis.