2008 – A Review

2008 was one of the most eventful years in my life. Although the turn of events in my life proved far from good, the year, indeed, was one worth remembering. I faced a plethora of jaw-dropping challenges all through: mind-boggling problems attacked me one by one. I tackled some of them spectacularly, scraped through many with the grace of God, but most of them pinned me to the ground devastating every inch of my persona at times.

Yet, in retrospect, I feel an odd-sense of satisfaction. I sense a subtle ray of hope, accentuated by what I’d like to call obnoxious optimism. The proverbial silver lining always loomed large all through last year, offering me respite. The experiences transformed me, perhaps, for the better. In the process of my metamorphosis, I met lots of people, made loads of friends; some of whom have now become the best of buddies.
I shall do some classification here, about the turn of events last year:

First up, the events that made me happy:

• I became a regular blogger! This blog (and of course, ALL your comments) was oxygen to my soul, easing my pain. Good books and better blogs ensconced themselves into my psyche, this year. I found a new meaning in life… 😀
• I lost my stage fright! Yeah, right! Thanks to my participation in events organized by UNI-Y, IEEE, CSI and other forums at college, I found numerous opportunities to speak in public and found the process effortless. Compeering before a 2000-strong crowd in Aagneya ’08, Prizes at paper presentation competitions and televised debates were again shots in the arm. 🙂
• I did my television debut! Regular readers of this blog will know better. 😛
• I joined UNI-Y (short form of University YMCA – a speakers forum and lot more for the youth), after quite a lot of deliberation. Though I could attend only three sessions (of which two of them were my intros – where I was quite literally ripped into smithereens) and could not attend the famed Model Parliament, it was an experience in itself. And, I intend to continue!
• I made loads of friends in 2008! On a rough count, at least sixty of ’em! 😛 Some of them are the best of my buddies now. Some of them did break my heart, but yeah, no one’s perfect. Guys and gals, love ye all!
• I was afflicted by the spirituality bug. Religion and God are my pet topics now.
• I was christened a FOSS-GNU/Linux fanatic. Now I’m a self-proclaimed evangelizer with at least 20 ‘conversions’ to my credit. Pratheesh Ettan, (undoubtedly, the greatest of guys I got to know last year!!), continues to be my guru.

Things that have depressed/continue to depress me:

• My academics have sunk to an all-time low! Must pick up! 😐
• I’ve totally lost focus about my long-term goals. And I’m slacking like never before!! Must turn over a new leaf asap.
• Relations with parents are strained to breaking-point. Perhaps, it’s due to this much-talked-about teen-angst, but hey, I ceased to be a teen two months back!
• Had a failed relationship. Something I’m still trying to erase from my mind.
• Got messed up, inadvertently, in a legal rigmarole. Though the issue was too nuanced and minor in its own right and got solved in a couple of week’s time, I lost two of my best buddies to it! And got kicked out of the start-up in which I too was a part. Talk about shattered dreams. (True, I made up later, but lost the old camaraderie!) 🙁
• Gadgets seemed to be jinxed for me this year too! Messed up my Camera (which was my LIFE) and my mobile!! 😐

Like last time, I’m greeting the New Year with exams for which I’m not fully prepared. I’ve lots of dreams for the coming year, which will prove the most challenging one in my life. I’ll be facing the CAT exams, which is my sole escape route. It’s high time I started preparing, but I’m still at square one.

I’m not making any worthless New-Year resolutions this time, but I’ve a firm resolve focus all my efforts on CAT and get through the hallowed portals of IIMs (however overvalued they are!) Yes, I know it’s super-tough to compete with three hundred thousand of the best brains in the country. I’m going to need immense will power and quite a lot of divine intervention.

I really hope to make it.

On that note, let me sign off. Here’s wishing a Happy and Prosperous new year to all my dear readers! May the New Year prove fruitful and worthwhile! May all your dreams come true this year! My prayers are always with you…

Adios!
Hari