The good, the bad and the beautiful

the Good: I got 2 freakin' co-op job offers from BIG BIG companies!! And maybe more to come? (although I don't think it wise to disclose their names... well, hell... maybe someday when I'm comfortable with the whole internet-spy-thing... and I don't want ppl from work googling the name of the company and finding this blog and find me bitching about them lol just kiddin')

the Bad: Exams... like I said to a friend earlier, I'm a part of the biggest congregation of the best last-minute bullshitters in the world. Sigh.

the Beautiful: My new Creative Zen M mp3 player :D beautiful, people... its b-e-a-uuutiful... Happy sigh.

Bearcats Knock No. 7 Rutgers From the Unbeaten Ranks, 30-11

LOL we storm our field after we beat Rutgers, the No.7 in the nation from its unbeatable ranks. GO BEARCATS! I was only there until half-time, but it never struck me we could defeat 'em! But I guess we did :D

Dress to Impress

So how far would you go to dress to literally impress? I'd say a lot, considering you're applying for a job in big shot companies. Today I bought the most expensive suit EVER in my life... a $90 (after discount even) business suit. 90 freaking dollars!!! For ONE suit!!! In which, I have to admit, I looked quite nice and all CEO material, haha. The career fair's coming up, my resumes are sent out tomorrow and interviews should start around the end of next week and go up to November. That means a busier life than usual. I'll keep this place posted on how I did on particular interviews and the hilarity that shouldn't (under normal circumstances) be associated with it. Starting January, I hope to get a co-op to my liking. So starts the lengthy preparation to it. And I still have to buy shoes and a skirt! Its fun and lovely to dress up and stuff... I'm liking it so far. Except the $$ part.

I'm so 19

Did I have a birthday post last year? I think I did... damn, I was hoping this would be a first. I personally do not put up posts about my birthday, but I think this one had to be done -- this being my last teen birthday and all!

So I'm 19. And proud of it? It means freedom to me. Freedom to do what I want, freedom to choose and freedom to be free (?). Its the year of my Zahir. The year when I'm totally consumed by turning older, better (as a person) and being someone who I always wanted to be. I guess I always was the person I wanted to be... but only on the inside. Now, I see it being reflected in who I am to the world. No longer is my inner voice and thought my "message". I am my message. I can be who I want to be. I can change how I want.

That's the freedom that is my Zahir. I revel in it. I encourage it in others and make them see it and realize how important it is. Few have seen it, few choose to ignore it. But I think thats what makes the world around us interesting and prevents our lives from being mundane. (What's Zahir? I've been reading the book by Coelho... so it might seem as though its goen to my head haha).

Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to give me a semi-surprise party on the first day of my 3-day long weekend birthday. And also to my friends who gave me the pleasure of having their lovely company the second day and friends from India, Canada and the UK, who called and spent their SIM cards for me, hehe. Thank you! ALSO, a thankkk you to the ppl who kept checking on my blog :-)

Flattered

"You're now in my top 3 fav photographers..."

-SM, a message left on my photoblog

Thank you for making my day/night! I'm truely humbled.

Dog Days

Summer's finally here people.

My break started with the fortunate onset of the FIFA World Cup and most football fans can imagine the life I've had since then. With no concrete plans, I don't know how my supposedly last non-academic summer break is going to go. But I do know for sure this will not be anything like the past one (where I was home-alone for a bloody long time) or the one before that (where I was flying from one city to another getting paperowork done for a new school and a new life... all over again). I want stability, I want to experience what it feels when people say these are the dog days. Though the possibility of is bleak, I'll keep y'all updated of my mucho interesting life in the da Nati and hopefully, somewhere else too through my new blog Dog Days, which is dedicated for the summer only. I didn't feel like changing the template of Eeperz to a more summer-y theme, so I got another blog to do that. Talk about convinience haha. I haven't blogged on it yet... my blogging-slack doesn't seem to cease o.O So I'll be around and have a greeeat summer !

Until then.

Summer Plans

So what's everyone up to this summer?

(upcoming post : Reasons Why One-Liner Blogposts Should Be Brought Back Into Fashion)

Music Hosting

A couple of friends caught on with a music hosting website (Castpost) I use for "podcasting", i.e. just embed music into your blog for others to listen. Miles had a few technical issues with it the other day as the player caught up a lot and prevented him from listening to the Holy Pussycat Dolls.

...

A lot of other people have been having similar problems. Well, there isn't any specific solution, but I'd recommend you Refresh the page, or hit Pause and let the music file stream (this solves the problem for people living far apart).

I've tried a lot of hosting sites earlier. This one's proven to be the latest and the best so far. The thing is, Blogger isn't really built to embed music, create podcasts, etc. Wordpress, myspace and other blogging sites are more for that kind of thing. They have options of converting your blogs into podcasts or directly upload music. And of course, we won't give up on Blogger so soon eh. So if the tips above don't work, you can switch to another host. Filelodge was one of my first host sites (it's free). The admins keep upgrading it a lot... so there's a lot of "down-time". I'd recommended a podcast fanatic friend to use Bolt (the link takes you specifically to the audio webhosting site). It's free too. It allows mic options too, which is kinda cool. His podcast is "flourishing", so I can say Bolt could be better than Podcast! And if nothing works out... there's always YouTube (I think it uploads music too).

Click on the links below to listen to sound quality/upload speed for tracks I've put up. Have fun browsing! I'll update if something else comes along.

Long White Cross - Pluto (using Bolt - you don't have to embed it, click on the link instead)




(using Filelodge - this isn't really a music file but its hilarious)

Bush + Rice conversation
My December - Linkin Park

early morning blues

I guess everyone has one of those mornings when you feel p***ed off for no apparent reason. Well, there are a couple of reasons but they hardly have a connection and sound trivial after a day or two.

Right now, THIS INSTANT I'm irritated with the whole blogging scenario. Rewinding a few years, I remember creating this blog to post jokes, forwards and the other trivial stuff that takes up more space in the blogosphere. Then there are days when I write long ass entries and start having second thoughts about posting them on here because I think its way too personal and just makes me sound opinionated. Its like I want to post it, but something holds me back and I just kick a wall and save it as a draft. Anyway, moving on...

I don't understand why people have to be such stuck-ups and be all expressionless and shyt when you're with them, trying to joke and have a good time. It does your head in, spoils your mood and makes you wonder wtf are you even bothering to be with such a person, trying to lift their mood when its not worth it in the end. I mean seriously. It was going great with one person, then the SU (stuck-up) person comes along and you think, "Okay well, maybe I could use a change in company." Nah-uh! Baaaad decision. Two minutes into the conversation and you want to sock the person and tell them to take a break and act like they're trying to have a good time if it isn't too much trouble.

Are there statements people make, that you just can't tolerate? I can name a few right off my head because thats what I've been hearing this week. "I don't care." "It doesn't matter." "Whatever." wtf? You ask them nicely where they want to go, eat, hang out, grab a pop, anything!

And then the select friends on your list, whether it be Facebook, Hi5, that sit in the same room as you do and don't even bother to say Hi. Now this one really irritates the hell out of me. Earlier I used to say a Hi or whatever when they didn't but now I don't even make the effort. This "friend" came and sat next to me for a full 15-20 minutes while I was working on a project and didn't even bother to say anything. I didn't notice until she got up and left and I was like, "hey! that was so-and-so!" I'm very much tempted to strike her name and many others' off my friend list online, but that would just be childish huh.

And I won't even want to go into the way people you know behave on-campus when they see you. A "Hey! How are you?" and the person walks away even before you have a chance to open your mouth. I know you're in a hurry, but ffs. I found it really rude at first, but now I'm used to it. Now I just smile and walk-on by, and leave them hanging if they're waiting for an answer. Not with everyone of course. Just people like I mentioned above. A friend told me once we live in a critical, cold, selfish world and I refused to believe him. I always looked for the good in people. Its a shame I have to alter my ways towards certain people. It really is. Can't the world just be friendly and nice and easy to get along with? Can't people see the good in others too and understand people's feelings? I guess thats too much to ask.

With just a week left for the quarter to end, I'm down with a terrible cold that doesn't seem to go away and leads to feverish nights. I hate it. It prevents me from doing well on last-minute projects, quizzes, exams and ... its just terrible. Maybe thats the reason I'm having a bad start. I woke up late today and in the hurry to do a lot of things with 2 hands in 5 minutes, I forgot to take my medicine and a library book thats due soon. Now I'm sniffling all over the place like a maniac and hoping the due date magically gets extended.

Hmm, I actually feel better now. I think I'll make it through Physics without sleeping, then I'll treat myself to my favorite Skeller cheese sticks, get my project done, enjoy my 3-day weekend and have fun. Yeah... that sounds nice. I like blogging. This is good... real good.

or maybe not. Vote for Taylor Hicks!

Vote for Catherine McPhee ! 'cuz I'm too lazy.

here's to good friends...

Thank you.

It is rare indeed to have friends who care and stand by even after knowing all the shades of greys and blacks in you. I consider myself lucky to have such friends - even if they're few, miles apart and I get to see/talk with them once in a few months. I love you guys and you know who y'all are... All I can come up with are these 2 simple words at this moment. I'd dedicate a million songs to you, but who needs songs and poems when all that I feel is right there for you to see. And who would understand better :)

God... I miss talking to my friends online. Its been so long since I've logged onto MSN and "chilled", "been random" and replied to a "Hey! sup?" with a "Heeey back :-) nm, u?" Of course we all love the chat lingo now eh.


PEACE. haha... or rather lmfao

This was actually fun...

Tagged by a friend who doesn't wanna be named on here because "he's too cool for this". Who cares... I got tagged - twice, in a week. w00t? Atleast you don't get to hear about my same ol' shyt. Meme's are way more... entertaining.

Seven things I plan to do before I die:
1. Own a jetplane
2. Fly it
3. Pick up my hawt ex from his rooftop Angelina Jolie style
4. Flip bottles 'n glasses like a bartender
5. Bungee jump
6. Forget to hand my ex his parachute
7. Never stop doing whatever I wanna do (?)

Seven things I can do:
1. Cover my feelings prettttty well
2. Play rugby
3. Forget and forgive, not necessarily together
4. Slack endlessly
5. Take risks for "fun"
6. Never do it alone
7. Lie impulsively

Seven things I cannot do:
1. Say "no" to a person in need
2. Stay angry with someone for more than 5 minutes
3. Get along with people who "don't give a shyt" about others
4. Work with any calculator
5. Sing
6. Leave my house without my cellphone
7. NOT wear my heart on my sleeve

Seven things that I find really attractive about the opposite sex:
1. Laugh/Smile
2. Hands
3. Jealousy AND accepting it
4. No bling
5. Takes out time for people he cares about
6. Striped shirts, loosened ties and shirts unbutto... uhm, you know...
7. A little shyness is appreciated

Seven things that I find really attractive about the same sex:
1. Doesn't tell you she has "guy-friends" for God's sake...
2. Sarcasm
3. Does not talk about "others" when we're hanging out
4. Knows how to have fun and yet stay sober
5. Sings at the kareoke
6. Dignity
7. Is nothing like me

Seven things I say the most:
1. "Oh shyt!"
2. "Really?"
3. "Duuuude..."
4. "I don't know"
5. "Excuse me?"
6. "HAHAHAHAH"
7. more "HAHAHAHAHA"

Seven books I love:
1. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho
(my favorite read when I was in boarding school)
2. The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth
(the first book where I couldn't get enough of the last chapter)
3. Learning Italian for Dummies
(because I like learning new languages)
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
(I like the entire series actually, but this one was exceptionally well-written)
5. Princess Di's Biography by some man...
(because I like to know more about people I admire)
6. Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
(I had to give this book some credit for making me tear up... a LOT)
7. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
(because her book made me think architecture was my dream career for a good 5 years)

Seven people I would like to see take this quiz:
1. You
2. RISHABH! heh
3. My neighbor
4. Prez Bush YEAH!
5. Engineers
6. Jolie
7. Myself, after a year

whatever tag

Tagged by Rishabh... and here I was, thinking meme's and all this was a thing of the past. I wouldn't do it, but he actually mentioned me first haha, so yeah. I'm bored. After so long. I need this (shyt).

1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line
"Several methods are available for identifying objects, but no single one is always the best approach" (Data Abstraction and Problem Solving with C++). Aye, I'm the nerd you envy.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can
Have a cast :-( don't ask...

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
That Red Eye movie, on Monday I think.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is?
11pm

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
10.51pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you
hear?
Ridin' Dirty by Chamillionaire *grins*

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing ?
This morn for university.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Porn. Free, if I may add.

9. What are you wearing?
Whatever it is, it's not doing a good job at blocking the chill.

10. Did you dream last night?
Running away from a train while my lab partner calculated the Doppler effect shyt or something.

11. When did you last laugh?
My physics exam was terrible... so I guess at 12:59pm when the-guy-who's-name-I-always-forget tried to joke about something-I-don't-remember before an exam I-don't-give-a-shyt-about-no-more.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Uncle Sam pointing at ya and saying, "I WANT YOU! TO SPEAK ENGLISH".

13. Seen anything weird lately?
yeaaaaah... I can lick my elbow.

14. What do you think of this quiz?
"Same old shyt" - Rishabh

15. What is the last film you saw?
Red Eye

16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
The US porn database.

17. Tell me something about you that I dunno.
I'm obsessed with myself. I don't give a shyt about pr0n.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Regardless of politics and guilt? Dude... I'm going to say free college education for all of us.

19. Do you like to dance?
Yup. But now I entertain private groups and get money offa it.

20. George Bush.
Who? What?

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
L-C-T-ara

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Ruben...

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Uh huh. I can't stick to one place/country for long anyway.

24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"For Christ's sake... we don't take hell rejects."

25. 5 people who must also do this in their blog.
1. Rishabh (kidding)
2. Him
3. Her
4. Them
5. You

in a state of shock

I literally was in a state of shock, when I accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake as I was parking and ran over the crosswalk and into the bricks near my neighbor's house... trying to still my shaky self, I somehow gathered myself to get out of the car and see the damage to my car. Thankfully (!) there wasn't any damage except a few displaced bricks which I couldn't put back in place because they were heavy and my shaking hands didn't help either :-\ Thankfully (as my mom pointed out), this wasn't any traffic light and there was no car infront of me... shyt.

Having said that and revealing the consequences of my (sometimes) "wandering" mind, drive safe this weekend everyone. It definitely feels much better to turn off the ignition and smile in relief at the thought of being home - safe and sound.

A song to calm your nerves - Fast Car by Tracy Chapman and The One You Love by Rufus Wainwright (listen to the songs on the right)

On Jolie

Yup, I'm talking of none other than Angelina Jolie. Most of us know her as the hot, sultry woman in Tomb Raider, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, smoking up the screen with... everything she's got. I'll even admit she was one of the few actresses I looked at and had to do a double take just to get another look haha, I guess there's something about her. Something sensual? Exotic? Enchanting? Probably. I like to call it a strenght within that just radiates out of her. A confidence, a feeling that you could trust her and a mystery that doesn't send out sexual innuendos, no. But a mystery that makes her more human - like there is a reality in all that glamour. That isn't the point of this entry though. It's more of a growing admiration for a woman who is giving her all to people who need everything they can get. Currently, she's in Namibia, pregnant with Brad Pitt's child and doing what she loves in a place she loves, taking care of others, when she is the one who needs to be taken care of at the moment. I watched her latest interview with a reporter about her work there, her to-be-born child and her mission. Hearing her speak itself is amazing. She's passionate about what she's doing, modest and as down-to-earth about it as possible. I guess I relate more to what she's saying because I myself love doing what she's doing. And sort of watching her juggling her personal and professional life at the same time gives me hope that I too, will be able to do all that I want to do. My spring break in New Orleans was a breather from the regular, fast-paced life of an average college student and I hope I'll be able to keep doing similar things... really hope, as my major has nothing to do with helping people. Sure, probably create the next smallest nanochip or whatever, but polluting the environs in the process is some way or the other. Ironic huh. Jolie's an actress. Still is. She's still doing it all. It no doubt, makes you want to know more about her - to look past fan sites that portray her as every other "HOT HOLLYWOOD STAR!!!" and to recognize her efforts. In educating people. In helping out children, refugees. And you know what the sad part is... most people would still view her as Lara Croft, "can't get enough" of her pictures in leather and lace. Maybe appreciate her for one second, but forget about it all the next. Like a lot of people out there get motivated to do something for that second and snap! back to their own lives. Who wants to do all that when there's so much to do at home itself? Who wants to do all that when our bosses are constantly harping or making our lives a living hell? And who wants to do it when exams and quizzes won't give us a break? Truthfully speaking, no one should in that case... it's more spiritual or a matter of the heart, if you may call it, when you do such things. A peace, a happiness that consumes oneself after doing all that. It is true. There does exist such a thing. Opening our minds, educating ourselves if not others, is important. There is really so much to learn, so much to see, that we would need a lot more lifetimes to do it all. Being in New Orleans made me, made all of us down there feel so small. So helpless. It disheartened us at the thought of all the work that needed to be done. But only for a second. We thought, If not now, then when? If people kept getting discouraged, would all the dreams of all these people ever come true? Would we ever get a "peaceful" world? And by peaceful I don't mean a world with no wars or whatever non-violence leaders define it as. It's the peacefulness of the minds of other people. And it'll only come about when we realize it's about giving more than what you get. I'm not saying everyone should go to Africa, New Orleans or any other place that needs us, but we need to start thinking about it. Yes, hardly do we get time to think about anything other than our work, social outings, parties or getting that personal high to satisfy us for that one moment. And not thinking comes so easy to a few people it truely is incredible. Something that doesn't suit them, or doesn't comply with their regular lives is not to be given a thought eh. Neverthless we all have grey cells. Hightime we put it to use when our bodies are able and fit enough to do something. Think about it. Even if it is for a few minutes. Not everyone can become an activist or a social worker. But acting on your thoughts... take college students for example. Summer breaks, spring breaks - they are such good opportunities to travel, even if it is to Louisiana, Mexico, Chile, or some other city/country which isn't as developed or is struck by a natural disaster, and volunteer and help others. Even if it is only once. Money shouldn't be an issue as I've seen a lot of people out there ready to fund a good cause. And by a lot I really do mean a lot. People who work, have money, should fund a child's education, or make a child's dream come true (like Make A Wish foundation tries to do). It's great how certain scholarships require certain number of community hours to be renewed every year. All the hours make you feel differently - about your life, your friends, people who you interact with on a daily basis, your coursework. And definitely sets priorities straight - atleast for me it did... It made me realize a lot about my life in general, about my "friends", people who mattered to me and people who didn't really need all the attention I was giving to them and yeah, a craving to do more. In all, it defines you as a better human being if nothing else...

That being said, I guess I rambled off a little there. If given a chance I'd bore you with more of my thoughts, but this is it I guess for the night. Do take the time and watch Jolie's video. You'll love listening to her :) I especially liked all of her videos where she spoke of her work. If a person is passionate about something, it definitely sounds a whole lot better when they're doing the talking heh. And I know you will agree with her belief that there is a potential is everyone to do something. I'd love to create an aud blog right here, right now instead of having said all that... but inconviniences hold me back. Typing fatigue for one. Ohhh, do visit our Orleans website too. It was my idea basically... so I need to atleast advertize it somewhere. Ah, Angelina Jolie. Jolie... I guess this is how it feels when you have someone to look up to for the first time in your life. Almost like a role-model eh.

whusinaname

HAHA the funniest thing ever... so I'm taking English Research Composition classes right, and I submitted two papers in the last week with the professor's name as Katie Holmes-Timberlake. So my sister peers over another outline I was making for class tomorrow and laughs at the name. You know, Katie Holmes and all and I start laughing too... only to realize, "OH SHYT!!! I HOPE that's her name... lemme check..." I'm sure that was her name, I'd been writing that all along hadn't I? And how could I be so stupid and think up such a name. Sooo... I look it up and it's Kristen LOL and the Timberlake-Holmes switched. It was hilarious - my sister was laughing so hard and I was all "ughh... I'm doomed". Now I can only wait and see what remarks she has to put on those two papers...

F*ck.

note to self

Nothing lasts forever.

SCORE!

I got my first departmental warning tonight! And why it sucks and yet, kicks ass:

• It was sent over the e-mail
• I was the only freshman (I think) who received it, along with a lot of sophomores and juniors
• Dad laughed and laughed when he heard what we all did
• Mom - no reaction lol
• I discovered that I get my own e-mail back when I send one through the undergrad listserv
• Us engineers rock
• I'll post up the details soon. Stay tuned.