Not just any other December...

Just done with the December (2010) that was \m/.. Reminds me about the month of December 2009.. A time which I never saw coming, which gave me a completely different experience.. An experience people dont really look forward to..

It was approaching November end and also the end of the preparatory leave (PL) for our first semester exam of the final year. Having spent many of the starting days of the PL applying for US universities, I was struggling with my studies.. And 3 days before my exam, I was down with high fever that refused to calm down.. A day before, went to take the dengue test. And as if it were a shot hit bang on target, the morning of the exam, the tests came positive..

I remember hardly reading 2-2.5 units for the Info Sec exam and this friend trying to make up for it by telling summaries of the remaining chapters half an hour before the exam.. Completely energy soaked, i hardly could write 2-3 sections and I couldnt go on any further.. Went straight to the hospital after the exam where I spent the next 5-6 days.. And those will be the days, I cant ever forget.

Cannot forget what all my parents and my sister did for me and what they went thru.. They really mean the world for me. Cant forget the friend who came to make me feel better and concluded that nothing was wrong.. the letter that came to reassure me that all will be fine soon.. the time taken by a friend out of his birthday celebrations to come and see me..the calls from all others who were giving exams and were told, not to come visit me while the exams are on.. and inspite of this, the apples that came along with one caring friend just to see whether I am fine or not.. All of these just made me realize how lucky I am to have all these people around.. This post is not to say a 'thank-you' but to tell you all, just be with me.. I am what I am only coz of you all..

On a lighter note, it was good that I missed those papers in a way ( coz they were too tough :P ) The reason wasnt good though.. It was really a weird feeling to lie down in that hospital bed as your friends were giving the exam and asking them how the paper was without having any answer on your side. Also, I got to watch Sehwag's test inning of 293 then :)

It felt good to be back to give the last paper though. I didnt really get a feeling then that some big exam was over.. Coz I really hadnt given a majority of it.. A big exam was rather facing me for the next semester.. Luckily I somehow had passed the first paper with the borderline score of 40 (who knows how.. hail Pune univ paper checkers). So it was 8 subjects for the next semester. Contrary to what I expected, the next semester was full of fun too coz of the BE project and the awesome times we spent together doing that.. I cant really describe the feeling I had after completing the 8th paper.. And never have I waited for a result with so much anticipation.. I did get a good score in the remaining subjects.. and I really owe it to people who were there with me again..

The way that took me 'high'...

PICT (my undergrad college) was an awesome experience.. Whatever chance I had to come to college, I used to pack my bag and be on my way.. And that way was part of the Mumbai Bangalore highway for most of the 10km journey from my place to PICT.. It was a ride which I always used to look forward to.. The best thing (which I proudly used to tell) was that no signals and free flow traffic, it hardly used to take any time to cover the 10km..

Right through all these 4 years, I have experienced all its moods and seasons.. And the highway too has seen me in all moods, in all times and has been a witness to my emotions during these happening years of my life. And these words are not just to make the highway memories seem rosy, I really mean them..

I remember the initial first year days.. Rain, used to create a havoc literally.. There was hardly any use of raincoat for keeping me dry, as with the speeding vehicles and big trucks, it was more of a protection from muddy water.. And then there was this specific place where a mini lake used to get created and I daily had to take my feet up from the foot rest. People who came by the highway must be visualizing this spot as they are reading now. And this situation in the rainy season (obviously) never changed in these 4 years.. The Sinhagad road bridge was another headache with potholes galore.. Thankfully, they repaired it during the 3rd year..

Another peculiar characteristic was a point on the highway beyond which there used to be a sudden weather change.. This was evident many a times, especially during rainy season and at nights. The road used to completely wet on one side and dry on the other. At nights, the temperature used to drop considerably as I used to cross that area..

Nights and very early mornings has been a time that I have been on the highway many a times. I llllloooooved driving during these times.. And I got ample opportunities, be it the Purushottam play practice, the robotics preparation late nights, the 'marlelya nights' during PL's, the Amdocs project nights.. Used to be all still and silent, chilly cool.. Shivering yet enjoying. Remember myself singing at the top of my voice at 5am or 12.30-1am sometimes as I went back home..

This also has been the way who has witnessed the long chats and drives with my close friends.. Be it the daily college gossip while going to college daily.. talking loudly so that the person behind gets to hear you in the speedy wind.. sharing problems and happiness.. some lovely moments in the awesome weather that used to be there.. the last minute prep talk before going to exams.. this list can go on.. numerous memories flood my mind as I write now..

It has also witnessed the minor accidents that we had.. some might be lucky to have a clean sheet in this respect.. The sights of cars who have had accidents used to be really bad sometimes.. Saw a very bad accident myself too.. Used to keep our speeds in check..

Now here at Irvine, the freeway behind our apartment complex always reminds me of the highway.. Not that the size or traffic is any comparable. The highway back home with all the memories, is and always will be very special......