The last couple of weeks have been quite taxing on me. The first round of quizzes, preparations for a couple of projects, brushing up some previously-learnt stuff, the usual academic classes, assignments and reports - lots of things have congested my routine in the recent days. But fortunately, I have had regular opportunities to break free from these mundane routines and rejoice in life. A fond remembrance of some of those moments...
Fete 2009
Fete is IITM's annual inter-hostel gaming competition, where each hostel has to choose a theme and present some games related to the theme amidst suitable ambience in their respective stalls. Our hostel's theme was "Mayan Adventures". We enjoyed the sevices of Vishnu, an expert at art-works, who, assisted by Arjun (aka IDK), another enthusiastic second-yearite, did some superb ambience work for us. I was supposed to be the Ambience-in-charge of our Fete activities, but with people like Vishnu, Arjun and some over-enthusiastic freshies around, I ended up just pushing everyone to work without doing anything myself!
On the day of Fete, we were the last hostel to be judged. Since we weren't allowing the general public to enter our stall until our judging was over, a lot many people didn't get an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful visual treat that our stall had to offer. For all such people and for all others, here is an image-tour of our stall...
A first prize would have been the perfect reward for the amazing performance by Vishnu (who has a scholarship from the San Francisco Art University). Nevertheless, we came second for our ambience...and we celebrated!
The Shaastra '08 WebOps Team Treat
When the average CGPA of the treat-goers is above 9 (validation required), the experience can't get any geekier! It started with Avinash cribbing about a Jhun's assignment on M8C PSoC and Vimal & Slinky offering him several suggestions. It ended with all the CS people (who formed half the team) running to a xerox shop to get photocopies of someone's notes so as to mug for some quiz.
But in between the start and the end, there were some truly memorable moments! Pido's 'head'-on tryst with colours [:)], Vimal's 'match-the-following' test, Bhargav's frequent PJs (sshh...did someone say 'Pinky Jersey'?), Suvinay's imitation of his DSP Prof. and Immanuel-the bikeman ensured smiles for everyone all the time. The Alai brothers affectionately recollected how I used to 'pain' them with tasks in the run-up to Shaastra. Sharan, Hareesh and others acknowledged that all the fight that they had put for Shaastra was worth the treat (afterall, the starters and desserts were so delicious and everything was available in infinite quantity!). In the end, it was 5 hours of colours (ask Pido), fun, smiles and some wonderful memories to cherish!
Dinner at Tangerine
The result of a promise that TMani was trapped into making some months back [;)], this dinner had one of the most diverse set of insti people on board. There were people from diverse branches (Elec, Mech, Chem, Meta, BT, Civil etc.), from diverse years (second yearites to fifth yearite; though mostly second-yearites), with diverse CGPAs (6 pointers to 9 pointers) and with diverse areas of interests (arts, sports, acads etc.)! Spending time with them all, listening to their views on various issues, hearing their perceptions of campus-life - it was a truly unique experience! Some memorable snaps:
FEx sessions
All my first round quizzes went well upto the F slot. With only the 'light' G slot to go, I believed this would be the very first time in 3 years when I would have fared well in all the subjects. But it was not to happen..and I screwed up my G slot! Murphy's law at work, isn't it?
This time, some of us tried out a new concept, FEx (Fundaes Exchange) sessions. All participants were supposed to read up the entire portion of a course before attending the respective FEx session for the course. Each one could then point out the topics that he's not comfortable with and anyone else, who understood those particular topics well, would put fundaes. It helped us reasonably well. In a bid to prevent last-night mugging, we're planning to have such sessions for Quiz 2 atleast half a week before start, so that we have some incentive to go through the entire syllabi well before the quiz begins and not leave anything till the end. Hope it works out successfully!Lots of other things have happened in the last couple of weeks. I have been auctioned off for a 'respectable' [:P] amount for GPL (Ganga Premier League), a noble football initiative in our hostel. Voting for hostel and institute elections has just got over. Parliamentary elections are coming. Grander than this, three Indians have won Oscars. I had never seen before a more aggressive on-stage performance by AR Rahman than the one at Kodak Theatre during the Oscar Night.
A lot of activities are lined up on my to-do list for the next few weeks as well; some pleasant ones, some strenuous ones. Way to go!
By the way, "Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukke!"
