Oh The Places You’ll Go…

I really do need to do a better job of updating – I’ll try to stay on top of it. But there are some good reasons – I promise. :)

Now that I am pretty much fully out of training, the variety and amount of work that I have to do has really picked up quite a bit. I officially released a new userAdmin application (into development mode) on Friday. It’s going to be full-fledged into production by the end of the year. In addition to this, we have an internal conference (SysCon) coming up in just a few weeks, and I will be giving some presentations, so I have been preparing those. As soon as the conference is over, I will post the slides up here- the app that we will be using for demos and classrooms is the userAdmin app, so I am really excited about that. Another project for the year is turning our main dashbaord into a web application.

Also at work, I am the Vice Lead for an organization called UPTies- it’s basically an organization for people who are new to the company. I also have an audition on Monday to join the UPChoir… I am debating joining the professional Omaha music group here too – it will give me an opportunity to get back into piano and maybe an opportunity to sing some duets or solos!

I am also thoroughly enjoying having a TV! I have been keeping up with LOST, 24, and American Idol. Has anybody seen Anoop Desai – he is some seriously hott stuff (great singer, great performer, and he’s good-looking)! :) Anyway, it’s quite nice being able to come home from work and relax- I still can’t get over the great feeling of having no homework. :)

Now that the weather has gotten nicer, I am also trying to see about joining a tennis league here. In addition to this, there is a group of Telugus that get together and play beach volleyball, go biking, and just do a bunch of fun outdoor activities. :) So I’m excited to get invovled with that.

All in all, it’s been quite busy but fun. Anyway, I guess that’s all the news for now. :)

I know it’s been ages since I’ve written a proper post, but I just had to share that I am going to be going a Nickelback concert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D I’m so excited that I get to go to a concert. The next 2 weeks are quite busy, but after that, it seems like I might have some time again to re-start my learning-Hindi initiative and to finish up the re-design of my website!

So, until then… ciao y hasta luego!

So, for all people who are truly CS majors and IT lovers at heart, here are 2 funny things that have come across my way… I hope they will make you laugh too!

1) I went home last weekend, and on the way back from the airport, I was talking to my parents about my flights (they were canceled and delayed and everything else you don’t want to happen to you) and I meant to say:

“… catch a connection…”

and I totally said (completely by accident): “… catch an exception…”

That one cracked up my dad for a while. :)

2) My aunt (from India) sent me this:

Someone in the IT industry gave birth to a set of twins. Guess what they named them? See the photo below!

Laughter truly is the best medicine!

Just wishing everybody a very Happy Valentine’s Day! Although it is a day when 2 people usually celebrate the love between them (and Wal-Mart makes lots of money), I have always just thought of it almost as another Christmas- a day of giving unconditional love.

This Valentine’s Day, I am the luckiest girl in the world because:

• I get to share this special holiday with my family (mom, dad, and sister)
• In just the short period of 1 month and 2 days, I have been able to adjust into my new job and found some amazing new friends- and in Omaha, women get treated like Princesses (at least, that is what it seems like)
• My friends (from all over the world- Atlanta, NH, Europe) have been nothing but supportive through tough times

I hope everybody had an amazing Valentine’s Day, whether it was with their SO or with friends or just enjoying it by themselves- it truly is a unique holiday. :)

It’s quite fitting that the title of this post is just that- fitting. After all of these days in Omaha, today was the first day that I really felt like I fit in here. Don’t get me wrong- I have met wonderful people and have some of the most amazing friends in the world here. I totally love the fact that 2 of my closest friends here are married and they have done so much for me. However, they are married, and there are different interests sometimes. Today, though, I felt like I finally found my groove.

First and foremost, I really got a feel for how my workday will be, once I get settled in and learn more about the 330+ applications that we (yes- our 4-person team) handle. In the midst of working on my project, I definitely got a lot of breaks to work on some other items that came up. And guess what? I totally loved it. I love to code, but staring at code 8 hours/day is really not a job that suits me. I need variety- a dynamic work day, and that is exactly what I have in this job. Around 11:20, we had a team lunch (Fridays are apparently team lunch days) at a Mexican place. During this 1-hour break, I not only finally got to know one of my team members better (he was pretty quiet with me up until then, and after that, the entire afternoon we were practically communicating freely, so that felt super-awesome), but I found out a ton of things about Omaha that I hadn’t heard up until now. I can’t wait to check out the zoo- it’s supposed to be traditional (and the best in the world), so I am really excited for more warm weather!

I spent the afternoon working on my project, so it was good to have a few hours of non-interrupted time to get all of that set. And then, around 5PM, I planned to go to a UPTies “Happy Hour” networking event. UPTies is an organization for people who are new to the company (within the last 5 years)- and the average age is pretty young, so it’s easier to chat with some of the people here. Anyway, right before I left, I ended up re-connecting with one of my friends from training, and him, another mutual friend, and myself headed to the event together. We had a blast- each spending some together, but also totally connecting with different people, as well. I also got invited to chill out with some co-workers the next time they all decide to just “chillax” on a Friday- this is usually headed up by the group of young guys that work in the next row over from me.

Anyway, in the midst of everything, I found out about tennis clubs here in Omaha, in addition to meeting some wonderful ladies and amazing guys. I also found the perfect committee for me to take part of (as part of UPTies). After all of these days in Omaha, today was the first day that I truly felt that I belonged here and that I was finally settling in. It is a really good feeling, and I am going to try to ride this wave of happiness for as long as possible. :)

Oh, and the other awesome thing: the weather was about 60 degrees today. This is also the temperature for the weekend, so some friends and I are all thinking of heading to a lake here- I am super-excited and can’t wait to go. So, yay for more fun… what a fitting end to the week!

So I have my first apartment! Talk about super-exciting. The place is called Hillsborough Pointe, and I TOTALLY LOVE IT! Also, I have the best family in the world… we all took a 3-4 day vacation to Omaha over the break, and they helped me settle in. I love my parents for helping me set up the house, and I love my sister for tagging along, even though I know she was probably bored to death. But anyway, here’s a little slideshow, and check out the awesome walk-in closet and kitchen! The whole apartment is 906 square feet (yes, I know, it’s huge), but the cost is really cheap. So, since I have tons of space, I encourage people to come and visit (just let me know in advance first).

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2009 bring you lots of peace, joy, happiness, and love!! :) Happy Holidays!

Remember how I really wanted this Blackberry Curve? Well, my parents gave it to me as a graduation/Christmas gift. Of course, I’ll be paying the phone bills, but let me tell you, I am one happy girl! ^_^ I have a job, *and* I pulled an A in networking!!!!!!!! :D

More details to come soon about graduation, job, and many other things, including pictures!

One last note: The comments are back! There was some issue with them, but I think I fixed them, and now, they are allll back!

Do you know why “Black Friday” is called Black Friday? I didn’t know, until my dad told me this morning, and it’s really very interesting.

It turns out that stores are usually losing money throughout the year until they hit the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday). So, up until this point in the year, they are in the “red” period. However, starting on Black Friday, up until Christmas time, stores finally start to make profit on the year, and when they start making profits, they are in the “black” period. So, that’s how Black Friday gets it name.

So, we went and roamed the mall yesterday to get into the Christimas spirit, and it became very clear that, at least back here at home, Black Friday wasn’t going to be so black on this particular day. But, on a time where red seems to be the color of everything, I saw this gorgeous Blackberry Curve 8310. In addition to all of this, check out the specifications. Super-cool, right? I really want one, so as soon as I get a job and settle down, this will be near top of my list. :)

Just wishing everybody a very Happy Thanksgiving! ^_^