My First Touch of Flight In My Lifestyle

I just don't know what is happening around me. Everything keeps happening so fast, So rapid and i even have no time to put this down in a piece of paper. Just got the ticket in my mailbox, took a print out, and rushed to airport.

Went closer, a little closer and more closer. Ah... what a incredible view. So big and mascular like a F16 fighter jet which we all see in movies. Just made my first touch with my finger.
And i thanked God and my Mom and Dad for giving me good education and made me a good human in this piece of heavenly rock. The flight steward attended me well and i sat in my seat. The flight is about to take off to its destination (Delhi). Yes... I am there to my way to Delhi to get my US visa stamped. (As there is no slot in Chennai, they sent me to Delhi to get stamped asap).

In the mid night i reached delhi, lost 500 bucks (I gave to book prepaid taxi - i suspect him. He bluffed that i received only 100 Rs note), snatched another 500 by Taxiwala and finally reached the TCS Travellers Quarters (TQ).

The next day, It was my Birthday (Dec 8th 2006) and my D'Day for my Visa stamping. Oh God.... I forgot to bring my Tie. I finally managed to borrow a tie from a neighbour rushed to ATM first as i got depleted of cash, and then reached the Visa cell. Stood in a queue. Thank God, I came a bit early and so the queue was not too long for me.

You know, I have turned from an unlucky person to the more lucky guy. They didn't ask me anything in my Visa PA (personal appearance) except my name and the company name. Hurray.... My Visa got approved and stamped. I got so happy, that things which were in a messy state got back to track in my life. I did buy some sweets from Delhi and returned to Chennai in a Sunday evening flight.

My First Exit from India and Entry to US

After I returned from coimbatore ( CRI Pumps - ERP Implementation project ), I was roaming in TCS in search of good project and role. Finally I got identified for the forth coming Experian Oracle Apps project (transfer of Oracle account from calcutta to chennai). Unfortunately the project didn't start and the team were disbanded. Now, again the search started. I got identified for the forth coming Bank of America project. The project materialized well, till that time we (myself, Gururaj, Bilesh and other friends) used to roam in TCS sholinganallur office. But Fortunately and voluntarily I stepped back from the project as they projected to client as a PL/SQL resource and not as Oracle Apps. (So they said my resume got rejected by client). Now what?? Yes.... Again back to hunting spree. Searching for project... It seems it never ends.

I wantedly tried to avoid contacting my Oracle Apps COE (Center of Excellence) as i know they will fit me into Motorolla project and that too i wont get onsite for atleast 1 year. So thought searching for and getting onsite assignment as early as possible. MATC forwarded my resume to a GL for a role in Canada. GL was impressed with my background. But still he didn't offer me onsite role, as i don't have 3+ years experience (may be the myth that 3+ will do better than 1+). I rejected the offshore offer and returned again to search mode. Searched....Searched....Searched.... and was about to loose hope and join Motorolla.

One fine morning ( I didn't go to office, was enjoying in home), I got a call from Oracle Apps COE. I realised from his words and tone that he was much worried that whether I will agree to his offer. Yes. He asked me whether i am in Oracle Apps Financials and i am unallocated. I replied, yes (and he knows this very well as i just met him last week and asked for onsite project). Then he opened,'I want you to go and meet Shanti in HDS (home depot supply) Digital zone. You need to travel to US immediately( It was Nov28th 2006 - expected to travel by mid of December). He asked whether i have US visa. I replied no. So he asked me to apply immediately and leave to US asap and it is a short term project (2 months). 'BINGO'..... Who cares about short term or long term.... I got an opportunity to get my US visa and go to US. Now even if i return from US after 2 months, I can demand for US assignment as I now have US Visa. Wow....

So... I rushed to meet Santhi. She was not in her desk. I didn't move an inch out of that place. Waited for her, met her, and started to apply for Visa and do all other formalities.... and thats how i landed in US. Now sitting in Orlando, Florida US, streched myself to a unbelievably great extent, to complete that 2months assignment successfully and we almost did it (still final sign-off from client is pending)