In the midst of all of that, I had attended Primavera classes (at CADD Center), which took around 5 or 6 days. It was slightly complex and I quite don't think I'll have any use for it. Sonu (a classmate, who was with me for the Primavera classes) and I teamed up to do the project. We made substantial progress and were close to completing it, which was when our teacher (I think she was Ms. Preethi) broke our hearts by asking us to redo the entire project in CAPS. That was no simple affair as there was a great deal to type out. We didn't lose heart. We agreed to pull this off. But just when we began our work, we were informed our CAD Lab classes would resume in college the next day. Since then we hadn't had the chance to complete our project.
Prior to the Primavera classes, I think this was also the time when Jones had gone to Doha for the break, I had gone to the VSSC library. You know, the visit to the VSSC in Veli isn't simple at all. This visit would help me to understand the formalities our project group will have to follow to use the library there. The guards at the main gate, not easy to get by; the procedures at the PR office just beside the inner gate, another hurdle; shuttling between rooms in the office, the calls to the library, the approval of a pass to enter, the photo-taking for the one-day-pass - exhausting. But all of that seemed to disappear on reaching the building that housed the library. It was an amazing view from there - the trees and the ocean extending to the horizon was just beautiful. There was some kind of an exhibition with a number of large photographs of many cities taken from satellites put up in the space outside the library.
Went to the front desk and spoke to the persons there about my visit - college student, project group, need for material from the library, issue of pass, available options, and the like. The response was promising, so I agreed to do the necessary (which included a lot of paperwork in college seeking Principal's approval and the like). I was then allowed to take a look at the books in the library. This library is certainly a big one. I moved through a number of long aisles and saw so many books, some that had academic significance to engineering students (yes, even to civil, computer science, and information technology), and some that were very interesting relating to the vast field of space science. There was another section that had news relating to developments in the field occurring in different parts of the world put up on bulletins. Another section had international magazines on advancements in space technologies. There were so many tables and chairs for sitting down and going through the books in peace. I saw few employees making use of the library. That was when I actually got exhausted. There were just a great deal of information in there. On my walk back to my bike, I realised that the library in my college was probably the equivalent of just a single aisle that I saw in this one. That was quite a trip for me.
ANSYS classes started in college. Pradeep sir was teaching us. Classes went well and then came the tough part. There was a lot to print for the record-work and little time. Those were days when my patience was tested several times. But it turned out to be alright.
It was also during that time that Vinoochan (my cousin), Reenummama and little Nikhita [his wife and daughter (then two-and-a-half years old)], were in town. Vinoochan had completed his MBA at the ISB, Hyderabad, in April and had appeared for a couple of interviews and was awaiting its results. It was totally fun to be with them and little Nikhita. She was such a joy to spend time with. I also remember the prayer meeting we had at Suamma's and when I was asked to take her inside upstairs. It was fun, we had a good time, and I was feeling that I couldn't do any better. That was when she started to get irritated and it seemed that I ran out of all the tricks to restore the happiness and joy. One thing led to another and the situation became irreversible. The subject had to be transferred to her grandfather, Kummochachan. Peace was restored. But it was totally cool!
My mother went to Bangalore to spend time with Resmi. They had a good time. My mother had adviced her on several matters, I'm sure. Amma's fondness for Bangalore, and the Bangalorean way of life grows.
Amma touches down Trivandrum! This was no ordinary trip. With Amma was a, no - THE LAPTOP!, and also a big TV. You know, even then I never had a need for either. I reasoned with myself that I did a fine three years without these (it seemed unbelievable to many, sometimes, even to me); would these bring disappointing times or good times ahead for me? But anyway, she was here. I was looking forward to the days ahead. Signed up for a digital Asianet connection. Then applied for a BSNL Broadband Unlimited connection. We had a good time together. Then came my happy birthday. We decided to call home all our nearest relatives for dinner. It was a good gathering. Babupapa even shared with us from the Word.
Things went well in June 2008. That marked the end of the first half of the year.
