Half of last year, I was preparing for the GMAT. I wanted to do my part time MBA. Around september/october of last year, I realized that part time MBA would be very expensive and totally inflexible. At the same time, my hubby was preparing for his GMAT too. I did a U turn. I checked out other degrees offered at UT Austin and realized that MS in Statistics was not a bad choice. I can study this course part time while still keeping my full time job,can take just one course per semester and can take a break if I get pregnant in the next couple of years.
Around November, I decided I will prepare for my GRE. I had always hated that exam. So many words to read. My husband was the one who told me about high frequency words. I got a couple of high freq word lists from the web and started studying. I got 2 word lists online. One from Happy Schools Blog and the other from somebody's blog. Through out the christmas break, I just studied the words when ever I could. I did spend a few hours on the Barrons and ETS GRE book for Quants. I still need to spend a few more hours on that.
I just finished the 515 words (Combined Barrons and Kaplan high freq word list) yesterday. I also just finished making flash cards for these high freq words.For the next one week, its going to be revision of these words.
I also took one GRE prep exam last night. I thought I did horrible in Quants and ended up with 790 on that. I just made 430 in Verbal. Got lots of Verbal studying to do. I am not aiming for a very high score. Just a decent Vbl score of 500+. I think I can get 700+ in Quants. That should put me in the 1200+ range.
I wish I had known about these high freq word list when I was preparing for my GRE the first time. I am sure I could have scored more. Instead, I tried to read the 3000 words from Barrons and never got to 'Z'!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A new year... a new beginning
Its 2010 already. Who knew the last decade would be so different than the previous ones. I vividly remember the last day of the 20th century. Y2k was supposed to hit an it turned out to be a huge bust.
The beginning of this century was not the best time of my life. I was in college and hated my entire 4 years there. Could there be a place more depressing than that place? At that time I was preparing for my GRE and come 2010, I am preparing for my GRE. sometimes I wonder if I advanced at all in the past decade. I came to the US. Probably the best decision I made in my life. I learnt how to eb independent, learnt about the relationships, value of friendships, how to live with a bunch of strangers, how some of those strangers can take you for a ride. I also found out how one can find true love. You just have to realise it.
It was probably the most different decade ever. The first decade, I don't really remember much. I remember my grand ma, our joint family, walks with my cousin back from school, where we stayed in mandavelli (adanjan mudali st) and my father buuying our current apartment. The decade wa sboth horrible and great. i was in Vidya Mandir. Probably the best time I spent ever. Ofcourse, thinsg went down hill in my family with financial trouble and other problems. I remember wanting that time to end soon. By the end of that decade, my mom had her accident. Good and bad things came out of it. I left school and joined MGR.
The first 3 years of the last decade was just spent in cribbing. I hated the people in college, didnt really like much. Made a few friends. SO much politics. Never knew people could be so mean. It was a shock coming from a wonderful school. So much gossiping, teasing. Why do people change when they leave school? I am sure they must have been nice when they were in school. Well.. what ever. I am not going back to that stage ever in my life.
Then I came here, met my future hubby. I remember meeting him for the first time. This brahmin boy with curls in his hair. In 6 months after knowing him I knew I wanted to spend the rest of ym life with him. 6 and half years forward - we got married last year.
I didn't know better when I was doing my masters. Wish I had somebody to mentor me. My cousin did all she could. I just wish somebody could have told me about CPT and OPT crap.
Anyways, almost 5 years after graduation, here I am in a decent job.
Ofcourse, 2009 wasn't the best either. We went into a lot of financial troubles. Still are. Hope 2010 will make our lives better.
I lost my dear dear friend. She was my best friend. I still miss her. She was the one person I used to meet when ever I went back home to Chennai. Now I just feel that my trips are going to be empty. We became close only during the last few years of her life. Wish I had spent more time with her. Let her be at peace. I just wish the whole of last year was just a bad dream (barring my wedding ofcourse). Losing her definitely put things in perspective for me. There are lot more things to life than just money or clothes. Our troubles are always small when compared to millions of others around the world.
2010 beginning was probably the worst. My uncle went into ICU cause of liver failure. He had a liver transplant yesterday. The doctors did their magic on him. The surgery went fine, but he is still in critical condition. We wont know if the surgery was a success or not only after 5 more days. Such things make us forget all the petinness, anger, fights. I could only remember the itme when my uncle baby sat me before his wedding. This was long long ago.. when I was 1 or 2 years old. I suddenly remembered that and ofcourse all the instances with him during my life. We are hoping this is a miracle and he will get through this.
Right now, my hubby & I are concentrating on our graduate exams. My hubby is going to take the GMAT and I am going to take the GRE next week on wednesday Jan 13. Hopefully that goes well. I should have done it long ago. I would have atleast finished my degree half way through!
Well, time for me to stop rambling and get back to studying.
The beginning of this century was not the best time of my life. I was in college and hated my entire 4 years there. Could there be a place more depressing than that place? At that time I was preparing for my GRE and come 2010, I am preparing for my GRE. sometimes I wonder if I advanced at all in the past decade. I came to the US. Probably the best decision I made in my life. I learnt how to eb independent, learnt about the relationships, value of friendships, how to live with a bunch of strangers, how some of those strangers can take you for a ride. I also found out how one can find true love. You just have to realise it.
It was probably the most different decade ever. The first decade, I don't really remember much. I remember my grand ma, our joint family, walks with my cousin back from school, where we stayed in mandavelli (adanjan mudali st) and my father buuying our current apartment. The decade wa sboth horrible and great. i was in Vidya Mandir. Probably the best time I spent ever. Ofcourse, thinsg went down hill in my family with financial trouble and other problems. I remember wanting that time to end soon. By the end of that decade, my mom had her accident. Good and bad things came out of it. I left school and joined MGR.
The first 3 years of the last decade was just spent in cribbing. I hated the people in college, didnt really like much. Made a few friends. SO much politics. Never knew people could be so mean. It was a shock coming from a wonderful school. So much gossiping, teasing. Why do people change when they leave school? I am sure they must have been nice when they were in school. Well.. what ever. I am not going back to that stage ever in my life.
Then I came here, met my future hubby. I remember meeting him for the first time. This brahmin boy with curls in his hair. In 6 months after knowing him I knew I wanted to spend the rest of ym life with him. 6 and half years forward - we got married last year.
I didn't know better when I was doing my masters. Wish I had somebody to mentor me. My cousin did all she could. I just wish somebody could have told me about CPT and OPT crap.
Anyways, almost 5 years after graduation, here I am in a decent job.
Ofcourse, 2009 wasn't the best either. We went into a lot of financial troubles. Still are. Hope 2010 will make our lives better.
I lost my dear dear friend. She was my best friend. I still miss her. She was the one person I used to meet when ever I went back home to Chennai. Now I just feel that my trips are going to be empty. We became close only during the last few years of her life. Wish I had spent more time with her. Let her be at peace. I just wish the whole of last year was just a bad dream (barring my wedding ofcourse). Losing her definitely put things in perspective for me. There are lot more things to life than just money or clothes. Our troubles are always small when compared to millions of others around the world.
2010 beginning was probably the worst. My uncle went into ICU cause of liver failure. He had a liver transplant yesterday. The doctors did their magic on him. The surgery went fine, but he is still in critical condition. We wont know if the surgery was a success or not only after 5 more days. Such things make us forget all the petinness, anger, fights. I could only remember the itme when my uncle baby sat me before his wedding. This was long long ago.. when I was 1 or 2 years old. I suddenly remembered that and ofcourse all the instances with him during my life. We are hoping this is a miracle and he will get through this.
Right now, my hubby & I are concentrating on our graduate exams. My hubby is going to take the GMAT and I am going to take the GRE next week on wednesday Jan 13. Hopefully that goes well. I should have done it long ago. I would have atleast finished my degree half way through!
Well, time for me to stop rambling and get back to studying.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Miss you girl.
Its been a month since I knew you were no more. Hard to believe girl. We grew up together. How can you leave so soon.
I still keep hoping your google ID will suddenly show up as "Available". I still send you emails in the hope of getting a reply from you.
We have too many memories. I can recollect so many of them so vividly.
Out walks after school on Royapettah high road. I would continue to my home and you will turn near Hanuman temple. You think I can walk past that temple again without thinking about you.
Our back bench gossips. I still remember all the crap we talked about. So many silly and stupid things.
Our Sanskrit classes. The ink fights in Sanskrit classes. Our special classes on saturdays in 10th standard. We used to make fun of the sanskrit teacher too! Did I even imagine that you would be gone so soon? Did you know? That was the most carefree times of our entire life. We thought as a teenager we had so much problems. We did not even know the meaning of the word 'problems'.
I wish I can turn back time and go back to that age - just to have you back alive.
Our lunches together were unforgettable. Our combined studies sessions! I used to come to your place and we used to talk about school and teachers. How much we have scolded 'atha'!
You were always the artistic girl. You drew and painted so well. You danced amazing. You played sports. You were so healthy.
you taught how to make quick and easy paneer. You cooked so well. You made rotis and sabjis in no time.
The last time we spoke, we decided to go to Besant nagar beach the next time I come to India. You wanted us to spend one whole day together. I am so sorry it will not happen. The only picture I have with you is the one I took during my wedding. I am so angry that we didn't take enough pictures together.
Life's not the same without you. You were my best friend. Now, I just dont have a best friend. I spend so many days tossing and turning thinking about you.
May you rest in peace girl. I pray that the Gods will take good care of you. I only hope your mom and brother find peace too and learn to move on without you.
It was all so sudden. Still cannot believe you are no more.
Always loved you..Will always love you Sony!!!
I still keep hoping your google ID will suddenly show up as "Available". I still send you emails in the hope of getting a reply from you.
We have too many memories. I can recollect so many of them so vividly.
Out walks after school on Royapettah high road. I would continue to my home and you will turn near Hanuman temple. You think I can walk past that temple again without thinking about you.
Our back bench gossips. I still remember all the crap we talked about. So many silly and stupid things.
Our Sanskrit classes. The ink fights in Sanskrit classes. Our special classes on saturdays in 10th standard. We used to make fun of the sanskrit teacher too! Did I even imagine that you would be gone so soon? Did you know? That was the most carefree times of our entire life. We thought as a teenager we had so much problems. We did not even know the meaning of the word 'problems'.
I wish I can turn back time and go back to that age - just to have you back alive.
Our lunches together were unforgettable. Our combined studies sessions! I used to come to your place and we used to talk about school and teachers. How much we have scolded 'atha'!
You were always the artistic girl. You drew and painted so well. You danced amazing. You played sports. You were so healthy.
you taught how to make quick and easy paneer. You cooked so well. You made rotis and sabjis in no time.
The last time we spoke, we decided to go to Besant nagar beach the next time I come to India. You wanted us to spend one whole day together. I am so sorry it will not happen. The only picture I have with you is the one I took during my wedding. I am so angry that we didn't take enough pictures together.
Life's not the same without you. You were my best friend. Now, I just dont have a best friend. I spend so many days tossing and turning thinking about you.
May you rest in peace girl. I pray that the Gods will take good care of you. I only hope your mom and brother find peace too and learn to move on without you.
It was all so sudden. Still cannot believe you are no more.
Always loved you..Will always love you Sony!!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
My best friend is with the angels now...
I just found that my best friend of 17 years passed away a month ago. I cannot believe it at all.
She had such a huge impact on me. She was the most faithful friend I had. She knew how to have fun as well as manage her studies. She was a part of my childhood - the best part of my life. We grew up together.
I am hoping the angels are taking care of her now. I cannot imaging how this must have been for her family.
I hope she reads this mail.
Hi girl,
I will always miss you. You were and will always be my best friend. I can still hear you talk. I will never forget your voice.
I am so sorry and sad this happened.
I was this nerdy girl and you decided to be friends with me. I haven't found any other friend as faithful as you have been.
Wish you could have seen my kids..
I keep hoping Santosh has played this mean trick on people.
Take care of your family. I can see that he misses you. Today was rakhshabandhan and he def missed you.
I will always love you girl..
- Mithra.
She had such a huge impact on me. She was the most faithful friend I had. She knew how to have fun as well as manage her studies. She was a part of my childhood - the best part of my life. We grew up together.
I am hoping the angels are taking care of her now. I cannot imaging how this must have been for her family.
I hope she reads this mail.
Hi girl,
I will always miss you. You were and will always be my best friend. I can still hear you talk. I will never forget your voice.
I am so sorry and sad this happened.
I was this nerdy girl and you decided to be friends with me. I haven't found any other friend as faithful as you have been.
Wish you could have seen my kids..
I keep hoping Santosh has played this mean trick on people.
Take care of your family. I can see that he misses you. Today was rakhshabandhan and he def missed you.
I will always love you girl..
- Mithra.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Only time...
I just remembered this song b Enya. I love her voice and the way she sings.. I think she is one of the best singers of this era.
I love her in Lord of the Rings (May it be...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY5SWRHGYU4&NR=1
I don't think ANYBODY could have given this song its life like she did.
I love her 'Only Time' too.
This one is one of her best songs - about 9/11.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCKvTtiPz38&feature=related
This song has beautiful lyrics.
Who can say where the road goes,
where the day flows.
Only time...
And who can say if your love grows,
as your heart chose.
Only time...
Dee dah dah dah
dee dah dah
dee dah dah ooh
Dee dah dah doh dah
dee dah dah dah
dah dah
Who can say why your heart sighs,
as your love flies.
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
when your love lies.
Only time...
Dee dah dah dah
dee dah dah
dee dah dah ooh
Dee dah dah doh dah
dee dah dah dah
dah dah
Who can say when the roads meet,
that love might be in your heart?
And who can say when the day sleeps,
if the night keeps all your heart.
Night keeps all your heart...
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Who can say if your love grows,
as your heart chose?
Only time...
And who can say where the road goes,
where the day flows.
Only time...
Who knows - only time.
Who knows - only time ...
dahhh......
I love her in Lord of the Rings (May it be...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY5SWRHGYU4&NR=1
I don't think ANYBODY could have given this song its life like she did.
I love her 'Only Time' too.
This one is one of her best songs - about 9/11.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCKvTtiPz38&feature=related
This song has beautiful lyrics.
Who can say where the road goes,
where the day flows.
Only time...
And who can say if your love grows,
as your heart chose.
Only time...
Dee dah dah dah
dee dah dah
dee dah dah ooh
Dee dah dah doh dah
dee dah dah dah
dah dah
Who can say why your heart sighs,
as your love flies.
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
when your love lies.
Only time...
Dee dah dah dah
dee dah dah
dee dah dah ooh
Dee dah dah doh dah
dee dah dah dah
dah dah
Who can say when the roads meet,
that love might be in your heart?
And who can say when the day sleeps,
if the night keeps all your heart.
Night keeps all your heart...
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Dee dah dah dah
Who can say if your love grows,
as your heart chose?
Only time...
And who can say where the road goes,
where the day flows.
Only time...
Who knows - only time.
Who knows - only time ...
dahhh......
Monday, July 20, 2009
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Review
Umm.. Where shall I start?
I am so upset that I can't even write about it.
Serious spoiler alerts. If you haven't watched the movie yet.. stop right here.
I think this is the worst HP ever. The previous on (Order of the phoenix) wasn't bad. Why did he have to spoil this one??? It was the most boring HP movie yet.
I am one of the billions who watched the movie. But If there is any way I can get my money back, I would like it.
The director never stuck to the book. Seriously, how hard is it when you already have the script written. You may be an awesome director; But the simple rule is, If you are making a book into a movie, STICK TO THE DAMN BOOK.
Why do you think Lord of the Rings worked? It seemed like the book just came alive. The same with previous Harry Potter movies. ( the first and the second HP movies were the best)
Here are the reasons why the movie didn't work for me.
1. Where the hell are everybody from Weasley family? Mr.Yates, did you not read about Bill and Fleur's engagement????
2. Remus and Tonks come only in one scene? Seriously?
3. Neville Longbottom is less than en extra in this movie. Did anybody even hear him talk?
4. Where is the ministry??? Didn't you read that the current minister Fudge is replaced by Scrimgeour. The new one dies in the next movie!!! How are you gonna show that??? He is gonna come and talk to Harry after Dumbledore's death. Is he just gonna come out of thin air.
5. What happened to the wonderful first kiss between Harry and Ginny after the Quiddich match. Instead you created one in the Room of requirement. (That did not happen at all !!!)
6. After Harry uses the 'Sectum Spectra' curse on Malfoy, Snape demands Harry to show his book and Harry shows off Weasley's.
7. Don't even start about Snape. He was more like an extra in this movie. He had no role.. except in the end when he kills Dumbledore. (Thats another whole thing)
8. There is no fight between the death eaters and the Hogwarts professors/students/the order.
9. Hence obviously no scene of Fenrir Grey back attacking Bill (Ofcourse this comes to the point.. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE WEASLEYS???)
10. The major major scene for me is the scene when Dumbledore's killed. Seriously, doesn't Mr.Yates understand English. If so, I would be happy to give him a lesson. Dumbledore does not freeze Harry under his invisibility cloak. Instead he sends Harry to one floor down and Harry looks from underneath and just stares when Snape kills him.
11. And where is the fricking funeral??
Well... the movie was a disaster. The movie makes money cause of HP fans trying to keep up with them. I am almost sure that the next 2 movies are not going to live up the standard either considering the same director is taking these movies too. I will def watch them, but will wait till they come in the dollar theater in my city.
If I have missed any thing, feel free to write about them.
Mr.Yates or the people at the Warner Brothers, If any of you are reading this, I would like a refund for my ticket.
I am so upset that I can't even write about it.
Serious spoiler alerts. If you haven't watched the movie yet.. stop right here.
I think this is the worst HP ever. The previous on (Order of the phoenix) wasn't bad. Why did he have to spoil this one??? It was the most boring HP movie yet.
I am one of the billions who watched the movie. But If there is any way I can get my money back, I would like it.
The director never stuck to the book. Seriously, how hard is it when you already have the script written. You may be an awesome director; But the simple rule is, If you are making a book into a movie, STICK TO THE DAMN BOOK.
Why do you think Lord of the Rings worked? It seemed like the book just came alive. The same with previous Harry Potter movies. ( the first and the second HP movies were the best)
Here are the reasons why the movie didn't work for me.
1. Where the hell are everybody from Weasley family? Mr.Yates, did you not read about Bill and Fleur's engagement????
2. Remus and Tonks come only in one scene? Seriously?
3. Neville Longbottom is less than en extra in this movie. Did anybody even hear him talk?
4. Where is the ministry??? Didn't you read that the current minister Fudge is replaced by Scrimgeour. The new one dies in the next movie!!! How are you gonna show that??? He is gonna come and talk to Harry after Dumbledore's death. Is he just gonna come out of thin air.
5. What happened to the wonderful first kiss between Harry and Ginny after the Quiddich match. Instead you created one in the Room of requirement. (That did not happen at all !!!)
6. After Harry uses the 'Sectum Spectra' curse on Malfoy, Snape demands Harry to show his book and Harry shows off Weasley's.
7. Don't even start about Snape. He was more like an extra in this movie. He had no role.. except in the end when he kills Dumbledore. (Thats another whole thing)
8. There is no fight between the death eaters and the Hogwarts professors/students/the order.
9. Hence obviously no scene of Fenrir Grey back attacking Bill (Ofcourse this comes to the point.. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE WEASLEYS???)
10. The major major scene for me is the scene when Dumbledore's killed. Seriously, doesn't Mr.Yates understand English. If so, I would be happy to give him a lesson. Dumbledore does not freeze Harry under his invisibility cloak. Instead he sends Harry to one floor down and Harry looks from underneath and just stares when Snape kills him.
11. And where is the fricking funeral??
Well... the movie was a disaster. The movie makes money cause of HP fans trying to keep up with them. I am almost sure that the next 2 movies are not going to live up the standard either considering the same director is taking these movies too. I will def watch them, but will wait till they come in the dollar theater in my city.
If I have missed any thing, feel free to write about them.
Mr.Yates or the people at the Warner Brothers, If any of you are reading this, I would like a refund for my ticket.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Whats happening?
Too many reports about terrorism and plane crashes. Did God really intend all of this? Are these his way of keeping "the population" in control. If so, this is a bad idea. A better idea would just be to strike all the horrible people dead. Seriously. All the terrorists, rapists, dictators, murderers, etc. I am sure the population would reduce to less than half. In "Miss congeniality", Sandra Bullock jokes about the pageant girls and mimics them when she says "All I want is world peace". I thought it was funny. But truly, All I want is world peace. Will an outer space alien attack bring all the human beings together? I am sure the aliens must have thought of attacking us, but then said.. hey lets wait for another year or so. They will attack each other and we will have less people to worry about!
Why can't humans appreciate another human life? All these years of slavery, colonialism, dictatorships have taught us not to.
I just want to go back to my childhood days when terrorism was not known. When life's major problem was how to pass in the next exam.
God.. if you are reading this.. Please stop all this craziness and help us live in peace.
Why can't humans appreciate another human life? All these years of slavery, colonialism, dictatorships have taught us not to.
I just want to go back to my childhood days when terrorism was not known. When life's major problem was how to pass in the next exam.
God.. if you are reading this.. Please stop all this craziness and help us live in peace.
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