Thursday, 24 July 2014

Interviews are not good experience ;)

Oh one again a call for interview from a prestigious organization where I always wanted to be, getting shortlisted for interview itself makes me so satisfied that I start feeling that I have already been selected and start blowing my triumph I got a call I got a call ...
This interview was after many years at least after 4-5 years, but I am feeling nothing has changed during the course of time I still feel lost and very angry at me that I couldn't answer simplest questions that a just fresh graduate could have answered. Does it mean I don't have knowledge or I didn't give it enough time, One thing is true this time I didn't had much time to dedicate to study about the interview as I was shifting and getting transferred to new office in a new city and fortunately the interview date also clashed in between the same. So my first challenge was to pone all the things and make sure that I can attend the interview for rest of the things I was sure I will be able boost whatever I did during these years at my work.
Finally I could reschedule all my plans and made to to reach for the interview. They asked us to report at 9 and all the 10 candidates out of whom only one was supposed to be selected was there on time. After a lot of paper work and official formalities they started at 10.30 I was the third candidate in the list and thought I will finish before after noon but they way they were grilling each candidate for around an hour I came to know I can't start before lunch time. I browsed some concepts on laptop until it got discharged and I was not carrying it's charger as well. So I had no other options but to doze for some time and then my fav friends whats app . Its lunch time one gentle man announced. Yes I was waitting for this as I didnt have my breakfast in hurry I just came out of the building and found excellent restaurants on both the side of the streets. Finally settled in one and realized next is mine so better I finish fast and reach back.
Surabhi Dwivedi next is you. Finally !! I went in with very confidence I was not at all nervous or afraid neither hungry I had my presentation ready which they were asked to take I started speaking about my work presenting each slide one by one in front of panel of 5 dignitaries including the chairman himself. For a moment it made me laugh when I saw the chairman dozing and almost closing his eyes I resisted myself and a thought triggered in the back of my mind I am presenting so boring contents but at the same time I was getting prepared to see other panel member writing something while I was saying some sentence. Finally the chairman was so bored that he said your time is up please finish your presentation fast. Generally I finish my presentations on time or before time as I am not a very garrulous person but I think I am good speaker and I communicate well whatever was the reason, I was asked to be seated.
Now it was time for grilling for the next half an hour the first gentleman started who was external expert as I gave little gyaan ability moving their data center to cloud and how it can be scalable and will help in data analytic, he denied what all I said by saying
I1- What are the property of cloud
I said elasticity, scalability and pay per use he said do you think it will be beneficial in this scenario, suppose if we go with you and implement your suggestion and go with cloud which cloud will you suggest I said Private cloud, I1 then you will end up paying more in that case our data center will be lesser costly reliable and cheaper I tried to interrupt but felt other members were more interested in talking and listening to him and I couldn't convince.
I1 was ready with another basic question tell me the simple thing what is the difference between a file and folder in linux me : you can have many files or folder within a folder but not in file but he wanted something else and kept revolving around then he got frustrated by my answers :D , then he asked about daemon process again I answered some unconvincing way ... After some other basic questions by others like how do you define a software architecture they wanted a exact definition and I was producing a practical answer the way we design, ultimately I dont remember what I read in software engineering . Half an hour was already past and I could sense they were not ready to let me go without me answered or convinced them now the last panelist started who seem to be a graphics expert he asked about what kind of displays are available 2D graphics etc I answered everything from my vague memory again in an unconvincing way ultimately he had to ask which book did you follow in your college time for graphics oh I don't remember I said but actually I remember it was a Pragati Prakashan book for UPTU students for a course of half credit i.e 50 marks  Oh gosh they grilled me for almost 50 mins and in the last started asking why do you want to join us, you are already in a good position and getting to work which you might not get here that answer I convincingly gave to them and finally they said good bye with a smile. Gosh let me rush back ...

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

BlissfulBali


A diversified, serene island Bali, I have never imagined that the aeroplane will land on a airstrips surrounded by beautiful scenic blue water of Indian ocean WOW!! was the first reaction just before the landing.


Arial View of Bali

 We got our visa etc cleared and then we met with our tour guide "Patra" from make my trip. I was just lost in the beautiful infrastructure of the airport and the nearby building and trying not to miss any chance to capture the beauty of neat, clean and organized city while our driver took us to the Hotel at Nasa Dua Benoa beach. After a long tiring journey which started at 10.30pm from IST and here it was 3 pm when we finally reached to the hotel we got refreshed and then in the evening just roamed around the place hunting near by.

Tanah Lot Temple






Day1 was to have look at the near by places of Bali, blessed with spectacular mountains, green rice terraces, enchanting temples and a vibrant culture.
We started our journey for Tanah Lot temple, one of Bali’s most important and venerated sea temples, means "Land in the Middle of the sea" in Balinese language, the sea-draped temple of  rises out of the surf. Perched on a rocky outcrop amidst waves that crash along the dark temple walls, Tanah Lot is among Bali’s most picturesque temples. Temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.
The scene was picturesque but the sun was also showering scorching heat we had a look of the nearby local shops. The one important thing that we realized the moment we landed in Bali that we felt as a Milliniore as they were talking in terms of thousand rupiahs or in our terms 1 lac or 2 lacs rupiah, so sometimes it was confusing to count the exact amount.  

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue
We then proceeded towards GWK cultural park Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, it is said that thbye plan was to build a tallest statue of lord Vishnu. There are many statues representing the Hindu Gods.  


There is an exceptional view of the island and airport that gives a good orientation to how big the island is.  We got to see the Balinese dance performances and also got a chance to match with their tunes on the stage for few minutes. It was fun she was calling one by one from the audience to try balinese steps and then she called a tourist he was looking like someone from a European country . He tried to copy her step for a while and then switched to some hip-hop moves in the same way when I was called I tried for a while and then unknowingly switched to Bollywood moves.
Ulwattu Temple


Then we were advised by our driver to proceed towards ULWATTU temple before the sunset so that we can catch the glimpse of the beautiful sea temple. Built in the 11th century, it is one of nine directional temples meant to protect Bali from evil spirits. The temple rests majestically on the edge of a steep cliff that towers above the legendary surf breaks of southern Bali.
We have to buy a saffron scarf to wear on the waist as a symbol of respect to the God and were also warned from the monkeys, it was enough to scare me from their sight. No doubt it was one of the very beautiful evenig with sun prepared to rest in the lap of ocean leaving wll the heat behind and the sky absorbing all the fire left behind by the sun . 

Kecak Dance
We also got a chance to watch the spectacular Kecak dance held here during the sunset without any use of instruments, devotees chant along as costumed performers dance and act out the Ramayana. The most funny artist was in a form of Hanuman Ji and was jumping in the crowd and performing some funny moves. They depicted the story or Ramayna starting from Sita haran to the ravan- vadh.
Our first day of Bali was over with a beautiful experience and pleasant memories we proceeded towards Our hotel which was located at a nice place Nasa Dua across the sea beach.
NasaDua Beach

Next Day we thought of enjoying some of the water sports at Nasa Dua beach, the main problem for me was to calculate in terms of their currency as they had notes of 50 thousand and 1 lac rupiyah as well, so every time we used to calculate in terms of Indian currency, typical Indians you know. We went for snorkeling first, it was my first experience to see the world inside the sea the moment our guide pushed me in the sea I was so scared  as if I am sinking inside the water then my husband tried to convince me that I will be safe as I had life jacket then I peeped inside the sea water Oh My God it was amazingly beautiful with beautiful fishes swimming in amazing pattern, coral reefs, turtles flying in the water and various vibrant colours of fishes. AMAZING I have seen such sights in discovery channel or in some movies but I could see the real beauty that day. The best thing was the feeling of floating in between the beautiful blue Pacific ocean with sun getting mild just above your head. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience and after that we thought to do other water sports some other day and proceeded towards Kuta .





Kuta Beach
Kuta is the most happening place we found in Bali having a range of shops from a well known brands to local street shops. It has architectural beauty of shopiing malls, hotesl etc. Present a wonderful view to the street you can just roam on the streets.
View of the streets in Kuta
Kuta Beach is also one of the very beautiful beach famous for surfing activities as the sea waves were on their maximum heights and few tourist lying on the sand for sun bath. It was so sunny that scorching sun became unbearable for us.

We roam around the streets purchased few things for us and our dear ones. It was a nice experience to bargain in the local shops as they didn't understand english very much and we didn't understand their language.









So it was end of another adventurous tiring day. We were all set to start the next day for UBUD. 











Monkey Forest Ubud Bali
The heart of Bali’s culture definitely beats in Ubud. Perched on the gentle slopes leading to the central mountains, Ubud is the best place to become fully immersed in Balinese culture. The town is surrounded by most of the attractions that bring people to Bali—scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities and ancient temples.

The beautiful site of Lush-green and well-tended Balinese rice paddy sites was mesmerizing, it was difficult to believe that a small island is so diversified with a schorching heat at aone end and a cool and pleasent weather at the other. We got to see an extraordinary variety of ornamental woodwork and various carvings as well in the local shops, adorning the beauty of the site.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud






We came back to the hotel with a pleasant memory it was like one of the place I dreamt.
Last day again we enjoyed our heavy brunch at Ramada Benoa and were set to go back to Mumbai with bunch of sweet memories.