Break time is UP!

July 9th 2013..

Visiting the same place for the second time, I was a bit skeptical on how much do I have to spend, also thinking if I should really do it. But the very fact that, the park has one of the world’s best roller coasters’, I kind off pushed myself and also, I have been wanting to go for it from a while then. So, finally on the national holiday, Fourth of July, 2013, Independence Day, We set out to Cedar Point, One of my favorites in Cleveland. When I told my supervisor about the plan, all he said was the thought is no less American and that’s a good thing to do on such a day!

Ravi had second thoughts about going to movie the previous night, for it was going to be a long 4th of July. Cedar point was open for fourteen hours and Ravi wanted to spend all the hours at the park. I dint foresee what I was up against. Yet, we went to go see White House Down, after a firm assurance from me that we were going to be okay the following day. As I’m on a pact to say no bad things to anyone, but seriously, that was one bad movie. Last half hour of the movie, I felt so restless, yet I kept watching, asking myself really?

July 4th 2013..

No proper sleep, but good breakfast and a nice morning ‘Starbucks coffee’, accompanied by a new Birthday shirt from my friends, we set out to Cedar point. Excitement grew in my heart, taking a look at the rides. All the memories from the August 2011 visit flew by. Never knew how valuable a fast lane pass would be, but as we experienced the royalties, it proved its worth. Of all the 13 and a half hours spent at the park, we got on to 22-25 rides. Oh my God, for the last ride at midnight 12, I literally dragged myself to GateKeeper(a new ride this season), it made me Dizzy! :D

I logged into my blog almost after two months. My last post was in March, almost 3 and a half months ago. The duration quite surprised me. Too many things happened in that time. Major changes occurred in the lives of so many of my friends. Yeshwanth graduated, Siddhu walked at the commencement, Mani has a new job and so does Srikanth, Hari Krishna closer to finishing his second semester and lot many things.

But, I missed out on the most important thing . I dint write a post for my Birthday. Can you beat that? It did happen though. Birthday celebrations were pleasant enough. Yeshwanth, surprised me by showing up at the last minute. As much I told him that it was kind of expected, how can you be not there for your best friend’s birthday? It would have surprised me if you weren’t in Cleveland. Thanks a lot though, you presence meant a lot to me man! Sowjanya, Divya, Bindu, Mouni, Chaitu, Ravi, Sreenu and Sharath that was a nice surprise at 12. Not to forget Yeshwanth was with them. Mani, was virtually present too on facetime :D, although I missed you! Missed you more on your birthday, which happens to be the following day. Nevertheless, pact has already been made that next year we are going to celebrate our birthdays’ together no matter what.

Enthused at too much of sports off late, months of May/June brought the end of 2012/13 season of football. Nadal did dominate his clay court season, winning his record 8th French Open title. But, the Wimbledon was a shocker to many fans around the world. The disappointment came first day, with Nadal sent off home by an unceeded player, only followed by the tournament favorite Federer’s exit. Since my main stream players are out of the tourney, it was time to hope for the person I dint want to win. However, Final was an epic. Crowd was so brilliant, holding their hearts out to their local favorite, up against a gutsy, athletic built monster, who is wiping out my two favorite players from a couple of years, as I was silently hoping him to lose the final, only leading me to support Britain’s Murray.

July 7th..

Tired from the last night’s heavy duty work of moving things from one apartment to another, I found a new friend who joined me to watch the final on a Sunday morning, Venkat Ram, who was supporting Djoker and Me Murray. I was invited over to warm their new apartment and for a quick morning Bru Coffee. :D

Meanwhile, as the things were moving at a fast pace, something grabbed my eye on Bill Gates, which lead me to dig deeper, only to discover many new things. Mr. Gates, was eventually joined to a list of ‘Persons I admire the most’, for everything he is doing. Trying to make the world, a polio-free place and their foundation is almost successful in doing so. India, is one such country, which will soon be declared as a polio-free nation. The thought of ending world hunger, how infants can be saved, how malnutrition is being a culprit and it goes on. To me, he is a leader for sure. I wouldn’t say, Mr. Gates is the perfect person, as I’m yet to research a lot, but with the findings so far, he is my Hero. A child in a remote corner of the planet needs to be addressed and having the established ‘Gates & Melinda foundation’ take care of it, itself is brave enough if I am asked so.

As I got to learn more about Mr. Gates, I was struck with a thought, well actually a Hope. It gave me a Hope, that there are still nice ‘Billionaires’ on the planet, who do not just mint money but also care for the place they live in. I don’t deny that there are no body else doing that as I really don’t know, but Gates is certainly in the list.

Concluding lines, victories in life’s tough battles are always sweet, wiping out all the bitter memories. I’ve had one recently. I did learn many lessons in the process. Time taught me never to lose faith, at least in yourself. Support from family gives you enormous strength. It certainly did to me. I would like to thank everyone associated with my journey, especially My Bro-in-Law, Sister and Brother and all my friends. I still remember those long calls, everyone supporting me and I kept myself pushing until I finally completed the assigned task.

Everyone says, everything happens for a reason. And more importantly people say everything happens for Good. I was literally questioning Him, is it true, as I couldn’t see any good. Well, I have seen a lot in the last three days, can not wait to write it soon. Until then, keep listening to Rahman’s new Albums Maryan and Ranjhana. That’s it from this one after a 4 month break.

Stay Healthy. Keep Smiling. Just Breathe.

Vasu Dev.