The Year Past

Was 2009 any different than any of the other years ? I had a few blog posts like every other year. The first quarter was pretty unremarkable. Research work went on as usual, there was a bit of disappointment with rejection of paper at WWW. But it was not totally unexpected. I then had another submission to APPROX in April.

Then there was the shattering experience of Aba's cancer in April and subsequent passing away in May. Day after day in April I worried here far away, afraid to think of what might be happening at home. The journey home in May was especially painful since I came to know that Aba became serious ten minutes before I boarded the plane. Eventually it was a relief I got to meet him and chat with him for one last time. Those three days at home were crazy. But I guess every person has to go through this. At every moment I knew not what I should do next, not that I could do anything.

Luckily everyone was here to support Ajjee. I was already in Bangalore and luckily I had the support of Atul and Vaidehi with me. After a few days, I tried to successfully move past this setback and enjoy my second stint in Bangalore. It was good times with Atul and Vaidehi. Although it seemed that both of them really hated Bangalore - Vaidehi was bored all the time - and Atul was keen to get back to California. Yet I had a lot to learn from my second stint in Bangalore.