2007 : A Year to Remember

Goodbye 2007. This has been one of the most important years of my life. A lot happened these 365 days in our country and around the world which will bear significant changes in the upcoming future. But for a moment, lets forget about all that and take a quick glance at how this became a pivotal year in my life.

• I turned 25.
• Completed my graduation. For one term at least, I could fight all my mental demons and writer's cramp and faired in the final term. I was finally able to climb the mountain of honors and graduated with exactly 3.75 CGPA.
  
• Appeared at only one interview and got selected. Started job after the very next day of the final exam in the last term. Sitting and blogging from the very same desk after 8 months.
  
• Quenched my thirst of traveling quite a bit. Went to Sundarbans with the whole cse batch. Those 3 days will always be one of the most memorable days in my life.
• Went to Sylhet with 2 very good friends. Learnt one of the greatest truths in my life. I am a coward and step back from danger not because I think of others but because I think of myself most of all.
• I had the great chance of appearing on stage and playing music twice. Had a significant part in arranging cseday'07 which gave me immense metal satisfaction.
• Enjoyed to the limit in graduation concert and SGHS 125 year concert.
• Had the chance to return to my alma-mater and received the same comfort and peace after years.
• Spent a lot in electronics, some wise some unwise. The most important of all the investments was my new laptop.
• Attended marriage ceremonies of a good number of my dear friends.
• I'm still successfully single and I'm happy about being so.

I thank The Almighty ALLAH for all the blessings HE bestowed upon me and made this a merry year for me. Standing at the eve of new year I can rightfully say this was an eventful and successful year for me. I don't know what will happen in the next year. I intend to continue my Masters, appear for GRE and apply for PhD in the upcoming year. Hope the new year will also bring more joys to my life and everybody else.

Goodbye 2007. Welcome 2008. Happy New Year to everyone.

CodeCrafters forever?

For more than 8 months I've been working on CodeCrafters along with my buet mates Adnan, Kajal, Imam, Nazim and Tanzil. After every second week we sit in the office in a meeting about leaving this job and join somewhere else. But so far none of us have done that. I guess the main reason behind this is not our salary or facilities but rather the pack of friendship we six have grown in the office.

A few days ago Adnan gave interview in Ericsson and got selected. He went there with a confused mind and hesitantly joined because of the pressure of their HRM manager. But finally he decided he cannot part from the pack and sent resignation to Ericsson. This is a completely revolting decision if anyone considers the job market of Bangladesh where Telecom is the most coveted industry to join for CSE/EEE grads and Ericsson being the cherry of the icing. I guess s/w junkies like me will be glad with his step but most of the people will scream and shout- WHY ADNAN? :-o

I guess Adnan is in love with his workplace and though he won't admit,to him it's- CodeCrafters forever.

Winter and Work

Many years ago we read in our Social Science curriculum that people living in cooler climate are more active than tropical people. As winter have set in quite well this time in Dhaka, I am finding this statement rather contrary to my present condition.

After quite a few months I found the good opportunity to enjoy some quality holiday time, due to Eid, Christmas and Victory day. But now I don't feel like getting up in the morning for office. Rather I enjoy long hours under warm blankets. Similarly, I don't want to study for my Masters course either. I am fighting hard to regain my typical form playing FIFA 08 in Semi-Pro difficulty and that takes up whatever time I get when I'm home.

Bottom line of this post: It doesn't matter whether the climate is cold or whether you live in the tropics. People like me are always idle :-p

St. Gregory's High School Celebrates 125 Years

Sometimes you feel you have fallen apart from somebody, keep his existence locked in a dark corner of your mind, you think may be you should go back and re-bond but never take the initiative to do so. Years later, when you finally come face-to-face you realize all the inhibition was on your part. There never was any untie of bonds. You kept yourself aloof all the time but still they welcome you with the warmest possible hug and within minutes you realized you're home.

Such was my feelings when I stepped through the wide gates of my alma-mater on Thursday, 13th Dec, 07. Saint Gregory's High School was celebrating her 125 years. I was a humble pilgrim of this temple from 1988-1999. After I had passed I barely went 3-4 times in my child-time second home. But this time I had the chance to spent 2 whole days (13-14) in my old place. I was suddenly seized back to the days I passed a decade ago. But it took me little time to come back to reality when a current student who was serving as volunteer said, "Uncle, please seat in that place instead of standing here". I felt sad realizing I am growing old.

I met lots of friends whom I see once in 2-3 months now-a-days. Specially I was elated to pass time with Niaz who has been friend with me for almost 20 years. Then there was Nadim, Abir, Pavel, Kalam, Imran, Nijhu, Emin and a whole bunch of good old buddies. The best few moments of the whole ceremony was a handshake with the greatest teacher of my life - Syed Sirajul Huq Sir and the same affectionate tap on the cheek by one my most favorite teacher of all times - Nilotpal Sarkar (Lanka) Sir.

The evening on 13th Dec saw the first official concert in SGHS's history - Lucky Akhand, Sunny Jubayer performed before the concert. Cherry on the icing was ex-President and Gregorian Prof. Dr. Badruddoza Chowdhury's song. But when LRB took the stage after a good-but-not-buet-like performance of Shironamhin, the crowd simply got frenzied. I don't remember dancing so wildly since our rag concert. Abir did a commendable job with his chair-top dance and I joined him for a couple of minutes too. When the concert finally ended near midnight, I didn't feel like coming home.

On Friday morning, I was scheduled to appear on a friendly debate. Reluctantly I woke up for bed and finally managed to take my beaten body to school. Niaz, Sushanta and I debated against some junior ex and current students of SGHS. The topic was- Past and Present of SGHS. I debated after almost 12 years but found myself at ease on stage. May be it's the effect that SGHS has on me.

After lunch at Imran's residence, we came to take part in cake auction. Azim uncle (Irfan's father) won the auction bidding 105k and gifted it to batch-99. We were simply overwhelmed. After that we had a grand photo-session on the steps of the new academic building. At a photo-session I realized what a strong batch we are as almost 60 people of our batch showed up after this 9 years. Enjoying the laser show and grand lighting I returned home humming the school theme song- "St. Gregory's boys and brothers are...."