2011 was a crazier roller coater ride than some recent years. Hence it does not bring up any evident emotions in me. Over the course of the year, I did learn a few things:
- I learnt that there (perhaps) some merit to being superficial and pretentious. I always believed (and in my heart still do) that the only way to be is, straight forward and genuine. But I realized that a large number of people dwell in pretentions. That's the only language they understand. Unfortunately I happen to have many such people around me, so I realized, in order to have any equation with them, I need to speak their language. A tough call for me, but I guess I need to learn a few tricks here.
- I realized I need to learn to keep an ultra straight face that revel no emotions. Again something very hard for me to do but needs to be learnt.
Highlights of the year were largely restricted to the professional sector:
- I got through a hugely inhibiting process of getting admission to study in a reputed university liked Oxford, Said business school. I never really thought I would get through it. A higher education has been on my list of to dos for many many years...
- I got to teach a design thinking class to students in the Hasso Plattner Institute - D school in Potsdam. It was a great experience to be there. Started to build a network with people I met there.
- Despite these highlights my role and position in my team got redefined almost on a daily basis. The team broke down suddenly and in an unpleasant manner. Was hard to keep the focus and rise above it all, to find motivation to continue to do a good job.
- On a another note, mid year my health got us off the hook - gave us all a scare. It really tested my faith and forced me to open my mind to some realities. November brought some relatively good news so we could breathe a sigh of relief.
- As we took off to India to spend time with our family, it did not end up being as desirable. A throat infection grounded me at home and I was not in a position to be upbeat and enjoy the time with my parents and friends in Bangalore.
- Family scenarios left a rather unpleasant taste in the mouth towards the end of the year :(
Our travels took us to:
- Hamburg, sylt via hannover
- Dresden and Sächsische Schweiz
- Southern france, along the coast to barcelona and back.
- Croatia
- Another failed attempt to see the northern lights. This time in Tromso, norway.
We entertained ourselves with the following concerts:
- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
- Roxette
- Robbie Williams (couldn't get to see him without the rest of the Take That boys, so saw him with em)
- Anoushka Shanker (enjoy jazz)
- Istanbul Sessions (enjoy jazz)
- Bon Jovi
- Rush
- Animals
- Sting and the philharmonic
- Bergen philharmonic
2012 begins with some big things on my hands. I look forward to it with anxiety.
