ASP.NET Error

After ages I am doing a Technical post on my blog. I usually put them here for future reference because when we fix a problem and face the problem again its easy to refer back else you have to think again, how had I fixed it last time, what was wrong. To save time this post.

I got the Famous Yellow page with message:
"Failed to enable constraints. One or more rows contain values violating non-null, unique, or foreign-key constraints."

I was reading data from my Typed Dataset and I knew there was no such constraints that would fail in the result set. SO before I started thinking Complex, I thought there has to be something simple. As I knew my Data sources. The problem was caused by a discrepancy between the defined max size of a data column in my Typed Dataset and the size returned from the database. Simple wasn't it.

Going PeaNuts!

I have a problem whenever I see peanuts I cant resist them, I have to buy and eat them. Buy and Eat, not Steal And Eat. So that's something normal and allowed. Anyways usually in Kuwait I find Egyptian Peanuts, they are much bigger in size and different in taste compared to the Indian peanuts. They are Huge compared to the Indian peanuts, like egyptian people ;) But that size does not matter, because they dont taste as good as the indian peanuts. But still beggars are not choosers, so I have to manage with Egyptian Peanuts out here. I am sure some store must be having Indian Peanuts... Gotta search.

Anyways when I got the peanuts yesterday and was having them, my memory went into a flashback mode and I could see my past when I was a kid. My Dad used to come back from work in the evening and he used to have two afternoon newspapers viz. "Afternoon" and "Mid-Day" and used to have a pack of peanuts. So it was a daily routine to wait for him to come to check out those newspapers and have some peanuts. I guess my love from peanuts must have started from there. Even in our localities back in India you can find hawkers with Roasted groundnuts. That is also what I used to love to buy and eat. And one of my sister's used to love them boiled. So whenever she used to visit us, we would get those groundnuts and boil them and eat it all together.

Looking back, there were such small things that used to keep people so closely bound together. That small pouch of peanuts might have cost hardly anything but meant soo much. Heard somewhere, What you Give is not Important, Giving is Important. In today's world we are so afraid of giving that the gift has to be expensive, branded etc.. etc.. Ok gotta end this post here...

The Iqaama thingy

Today morning, I had planned to get my daughters Iqaama (Residence visa) stamped on her passport. As per my understanding, I had done the Insurance and was under the impression that Medical is not needed for Infants so i went straight to the Jawaazat(Ministry of Interior) and realized, I had to do Medical test for my Infant daughter. Not a problem, I drove back home from there to pick her up to go for the medical test. Luckily, the Fahaheel hospital is next door from my house. So All the way I tried to ring my wife, but unfortunately her phone was in silent mode.

I went to the typing center, got the form typed then went home picked my wife and daughter and went to the hospital. Now the best part was, as soon as we went there, there was rush as usual. I handed the documents to a guy who was there willing to assist and I sat on the waiting chairs with my wife. I think we were the only family there, rest seemed to be working ladies or men. Now as we were sitting, The KUWAITI gentleman who seemed to be like the boss/head out there came out, telling people to move out and stand in queue etc. He saw us and asked me where are your papers. I said they are inside. He went back in, seems he could not find it. Came back to me and asked me What Nationality and name of Baby. I said Indian, Haajra Khatib. He went back In, finished my papers came to me and directed me the next step. and in the next few minutes I was out with the Medical Test report. May Allaah bless this Gentleman for the kindness he showed. This is why I like Kuwait and Kuwaiti's, nice People!!!

Dropped family back home, ran back to Jawazat, finished the papers and went running to office.

Why this post? Because I dont want to forget the kindness shown by this gentleman.

Girls love to Shop!

Its less than a week since Haajar came to Kuwait and she has been to City Center, Lulu HyperMart, and many Arabic Souk's (markets) in Fahaheel, Mangaf already. I think she likes shopping, after all she is a girl also. For a fact, all girls love shopping!!! When my wife was alone I used to keep shopping only on the weekend. But with Haajar here, I am more than willing to go out even daily. I think my wife must be the most happy person with this change. As she gets to do all the shopping, since Haajar is too young to shop.

Are You enjoying Being Dad?

One of my friends asked me this question, when probably my Baby was only a month old and I had just come back from india. When I was alone here since we were waiting for my Baby's passport and other formalities before she came to Kuwait. SO I told definitely I am enjoying being Dad, Alhamdulillaah!! And I will give you more on it once my Bint (daughter) comes to Kuwait.

Yes, everyone was scaring me, that once she comes to Kuwait, you will not get to sleep! Enjoy your freedom for the last few days etc. etc. But Alhamdulillaah, she is here in Kuwait and I m enjoying the company. Now as soon the clock strikes 3, I want to leave office and go home. When its evening I am willing to go out with my daughter, put her in the stroller and move around in the markets. Its much more fun! I m a Family Man, Now!!! Got only one wife and one daughter!! ;)

Life moves so fast, was a kid, then went to school, college, than started working, got married and now I am a father also. Some of friends said, you should not have a kid soo soon!! You should wait for couple of years etc. etc. But I remember hearing it from some senior people, I know this gentleman in my office, who told me once, Awwab you should have kids when you are young, He said he had his first kid when he was quite old. So he was advicing me, he said one reason is raising children needs patience. When you are young and have a kid, you have the strength to play with them and be like them as they grow up. And the second reason is by the time you get old, your children are on their feet and ready to take care of you! Sound Advice, Indeed!!

More Later...

Eid @ Mumbai

I went to Mumbai for Eid. I travelled only for 5 days, One of the benefits of working in Middle-East, you can travel frequently and for less number of days as tickets are cheap and travelling time is less. You can see your family often. So it was a short trip. I packed unpacked the day I reached and was packing again to travel back the next day. But it is always worth, as I find every moment spent with the family invaluable. The time u spend with your siblings and parents is worth millions, atleast to me.

The best part was on day of Eid, especially Eid-ul-Dhuha(Adha) when we have the goat slaughtering after the Eid prayers, when everyone in the building comes down to manage their Dhabiha slaughtering of the Animal. You get to meet all the kids and the elders, you get the chance to make fun and enjoy while slaughtering. Everyone works like a family, helping each other push their goats and hold them down while being slaughtered. The race between the butchers, to see whose is more professional and can skin the goat faster. So many things that you cannot enjoy living in foreign land. I am sure I have ignited the good memories of back home to all my friends and relatives who are staying abroad and could not make it to go back home for Eid.

May Allaah bless all of us with such Niyamah that we can go and see our families more and more often. Money will come and go, But You Live Life only Once! Try to plan your leave's accordingly, that you get a chance to get Eid @ home at least once in 2 years. It is easy to do so when you are single but more difficult when you are married as travelling with wive's sorry 1 wife only ;) and kids would not be easy. Where there is a will there is a way!!

Anyways! A belated Eid Mubarak to all! Make the most of whatever you have. I have seen some people try to make the most of Eid even in foreign lands, by doing Barbeque and all with friends@!! So Invite me if I am available and you doing Barbeque ;)

Stupidity vs. Smartness

I really like this example of comparing Stupidity with Smartness. To give you a brief background, we have a senior Consultant, He is an american with good sense of Humour and frank to give good advices. He is frank because he told me that he knows when he gives me work and tells me do it right now, I will completely ignore it and not care. So basically we work on the same project and have a good working relationship. Well most of the Americans I know have good sense of humour. Ok the funny thing that happened today was I was looking for my boss. Because I had seen a missed call on my phone from his office and I could not find his secretary to ask if he was looking for me. So I went around the office looking for him. I could not find him. This is 1 hour before the end of the day. Well to make it clear we have a big office and my boss moves around to meet people that he needs something from, he is a very energetic, down-to-earth, ambitious person. I dont like his personality, I love his Personality. Maybe I should steal some qualities also from him, the way I stole a plant from his office. No, I did not technically steal it. But thats what I say, when anyone asks. Because people wonder, Why am I the only one who has a huge plant in his office once we moved to this new office complex.
I like to keep writing when I blog, even going away from the topic, but then lets get back to the topic, because i want to go home early today as I will go on a vacation, I will fly back home to MUMBAI to spend EID with family, so this is my last working day.

As I was searching for my boss, i ran across the gentleman I mentioned above, the Consultant. I asked him have you seen Boss? He said I saw him 30 mins ago. I was like OK, Then he went ahead to tell me , Let me explain to you What is Stupidity? I said Ok. He said Stupidity is when You are Looking for your boss 1 hour before you go on vacation, To ask him, if he needs anything. I gave him a smile. Well I wasnt look for my boss for that reason, anyways I liked what he said. Then he said let me explain to you what Smartness is? I said Go ahead. Then he said Smarness is when you avoid your boss completely even 1 day before you go on vacation. That was a smart one.

Well 2 days back, one of my friend smsed me that he really liked reading my blog and he mentioned some of the previous posts. He smsed to say Thank You for reminding the past. actually sometimes even I like to read the old posts it helps to look in the past. What was I thinking when I wrote that. How my thoughts have changed over the period of Life.

Now that reminds me of another quote I just heard from another Consultant today. He said: Some big philosopher has said "The day you stop Learning is the Last Day of your life" That was a good one too!! we always keep learning. So keep learning and share what you have learnt, as i remember "Knowledge only Increases by Sharing"

Alrite next post will be once I reach home, Aapli MUMBAI!!! :)

Algeria vs. Egypt

I was watching this football/soccer match yesterday while having dinner in a Bakistani hotel "Khan Baba" in Fahaheel. And all the Desi's sitting there were laughing because the football match looked more like Kabaddi Match

It was so funny, reminded me of good old school days, when we used to play friendly matches or the Inter-School matches. I was part of the Inter-school team. If I try to recollect I was a good defender I think. But as far as I remember, we used to play to win or break the opponent. It was not professional matches. It was like having fun! Good Old days, we all had so much fun in School n College days! But in the match they were like pushing each other, making foul. kicking, doing what not. So in yesterday's match what we saw was the same thing. It was not professional football was more like fighting going on. Trying to show who is stronger.

Well No Hard feelings guys! This post was just for fun, but honestly I was laughing looking at the match.

Father and Kids photos

I just stumbled upon this on StumbleUpon and liked it:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#33c49b/www.dirjournal.com/info/oh-these-dads-photos-of-fathers-and-kids//

Brothers Alike

Me n "Bu Ibrahim" working in the same group get to attend a lot of events together and since he is my elder brother I try to stick close to him and people who don't know us always ask what's the relationship between us. We almost simultanesously reply "We are Brothers!" And since we look pretty much alike, although Bu Ibrahim is much smarter, as he has got his UK born Brought Up touch!!!! ;) But I am sure anyone will believe we r brothers when we say that. That is on the looks side but even in other areas the first person I consult on things when I need brotherly advice is Bu Ibrahim. There soo many things common between us, firstly Islaam Alhamdulillaah, secondly the Desi Connection, we can chat up things in Hindi! Thirdly he is a nice person. But than there are other very nice people around us in our group. So that makes up a good healthy working environment. We always treat each other as brothers.

To me it really means a lot in this foreign land!! A land that I came to and I knew None, I was a loner, I remember those days when I used to go and write some blog posts on my Communicator sitting alone by the sea. But today if i look around, I have people who are soo close and soo important to me although there's no blood relation between us not even the Desi connection. But still they say Awwab you are part of our family. And I feel the same way about them. May Allaah protect them all who mean a lot to me and bless them and their families!!!

What does that look like?

I just saw this picture of mine, while I was driving and was on the phone. Dont I look Good :) Mashaa Allaah Mashaa Allaah!!! I was so busy talking on the phone did not realize I was being clicked.

Looks like taking care of some serious business on the phone!!!

Indian Price

What is the Indian Price? Its a common term that my senior uses around, Will I get the Indian price? Whenever we discuss about anything. SO what is this Indian price referred to. I got the explanation today when he was explaining it to an egyptian in office. If you go to any market in Kuwait places like Hawally, Fahaheel etc. mostly shops either belong to Indians or the salesmen are Indians. So his point of view is that they give a cheaper rate to Indians, so if you can act like an Indian and ask for the price of a commodity, you will get it cheaper. For example if they sell an external hard Disk for 30KD to a Kuwaiti, they will offer it to an Indian for 25KD.

SO Thats the Indian Price!!Will I get the Indian Price?

My Baby's Passport

I learnt this lesson, after making the same mistake second time, not applying in Tatkaal"Out-of-turn"issue of passport scheme where you get the passport in 15 days. It had taken 5 months to get my wife's passport. And now for my daughter I applied on 8th August and everyone told me for Minor baby there is no police verification so you will get it in 15-20 days. And thats what I was hoping for. But unfortunately the status message on the passport site said "The passport will be dispatched on 13th October 2009 if all documents are in order". Which means after 35 days of applying it was expected to be dispatched. Still I was checking the passport status site every alternate day on an average, assuming that 35 days was a default message and since it was for minor child, they might complete and dispatch it earlier. Unfortunately it did not happen until 13th October. When I checked the status today on 17th October. I get a Good News and a Bad News. The message has been updated and now it says: "The passport has been Granted and will be despatched by 19th November 2009". The Good News was that the passport has been granted, so nothing was missing in paperwork Inshaa Allaah. But the bad news was that the dispatch date was after a month and when I was planning to get my daughter to Kuwait by 30th November. So it was a setback. But because I am praying for the passport more than for myself. I think it was a typing mistake, they typed in 19th November instead of 19th October. So Inshaa Allaah I am hoping to receive it by 21st October.

Lessons learnt: Always apply for a passport in TATKAAL scheme if in INDIA. The good part of being a Resident abroad is that if you apply it in INDIAN EMbassy, you get a brand new passport in 2-5 days.

Update: Passport has been despatched by post on 20-10-2009 vide postal Registration Number 571

Alhamdulillaah the passport status has changed with above today. SO should get my babys passport tomorrow. I love My INDIA

Touching Story

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."
SON: "Oh! (With his head down).
SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"
The father was furious.
DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $ 50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".
DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.
SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.

"Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $100 worth of your time with someone you love? If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Reference: http://ritemail.blogspot.com/2009/10/100-dollar-touching-story.html

Busy...Busy...Busy

As I get involved in more and more work at work, I get busier and busier and you know what's the best part of it. I am Enjoying It!!! As I will get to work on different aspects of business, I am excited about it and looking forward to giving my best to it Inshaa Allaah!!!

Reminds me of those old days in India when I used to work like round the clock. But now I dont want to work round the clock as I have a family to take care of being A FATHER of a cute little girl.

But I want to learn more and more, want to work in different aspects of business, want to be involved in everything that I can work on. I have friends who always tell me. Awwab you need to learn to say 'NO'. But I guess, I haven't learnt that yet and don't want to at this stage of my career. I am still young, energetic and on the learning curve... Have soo much more to learn, understand...and so far to go in life.... and you know what I learnt two more things today 1. About the circle of Influence vs. Circle of Concern and 2. About the Ladder example of Manager and Leader. That's why I like to work with this Gentleman, every time I sit with him, I learn something new that will help in all aspects of life be it work or personal!!!

About Oil Industry

I was seeking advice from a Senior Consultant in our office. He has ample amount of experience in the Oil Industry. It is an honour that he has been invited to give a talk in a Carbon Conference in China in which even Hillary Clinton is a speaker. SO imagine, how much experience he must be having. As I am getting more focussed towards how Oil works, was seeking his advice about the industry and what can benefit me to be valuable in Oil industry. He explained to me about the different areas like Exploration, Seismic 2D/3D/4D, Surface facilities, Dry Holes, Drilling and the business/economic aspect of Oil business. We discussed how advancement in technology was reducing the error factor. How GeoScience is soo important. It was a very good discussion. I found it very interesting...and I guess I am getting more and more focussed towards Oil industry. The baseline was you get more knowledge by working in the fields and attending conferences on different areas of Oil. It is a wide industry with lot of potential. So I was thinking of doing some masters but seems I will learn more by studying about all the different areas and speaking to people in the different groups in our company. Have to invest more time and effort to excel in learning the Oil business. He is such a gentleman likes to share his knowledge and help anyone who needs his help/advice.

I love my INDIA !!!

I was at MUMBAI airport this time coming back to Kuwait, the flight timing is early morning Yaani U have to pray Fajar at the airport. Until last time Yaani June 2009, U had to pray in some corner near the seating place. The issue that comes with that is to identify the Qiblah direction. And thats what I was trying to do this time also at the airport when the shopkeeper whom I asked told me that there was a Prayer room made near Gate 8. And Yes I went there and it was a Prayer/Meditation room and once I went Inside, there was Qiblah direction marked for people to pray. Mashaa Allaah! I Love My India!!!

Also reminds me of some of my previous bosses whom I might have asked for a place to pray in Office, they would so happily provide a solution/permission to pray. This is how much support you get when you want to follow your religion in India even after being Minority!

So next time you are at Mumbai Airport and want to pray just look for Gate No. 8

Eid Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak to all my brothers, sisters and friends back home (Kuwait) and to all those in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi, Bahrain, UK and all the places where its Eid tomorrow on Sunday!!!

Its going to be Eid Inshaa Allaah on Monday in INDIA Al-Hind, the land that is mentioned in Hadith also!!

8 DAYS TO GO

All praise be to Allaah, I came on a vacation for a month, and now I realize I just have 8 more days to go. The countdown has begun and there are still items in my To Do List pending to do. I haven't even thought of shopping, which usually is the first thing I do when here. It was Ramadan and my first daughter that kept me soo busy. I was trying to complete the paperwork for her, like her passport etc. So it will be Eid and off will I fly after Eid! Seems this time I will not be able to do any shopping for myself or friends. Although I am not liking it! Lets see, its just so different in Ramadan, you dont feel like going and spending time in the markets. I was not able to catch up with most of my friends. I have not seen many of my close relatives like Khaala(Maternal Aunt) yet. So it seems I will be doing Fire-fighting after Eid, I already understand from Day 1 I am here I should be Proactive and schedule and complete these things already, but we are soo human and everyone else is soo busy with their own schedules. Because it is just me who is on Vacation everyone else here is working.  

But with Ramadan, everyone keeps so busy with their own stuff, its not easy to be socializing or going around, travelling etc. any ways even 8 days is a lot if I really plan and execute these things in my To Do List. Have to identify the Action items and work on them. Yallaa Awwab Get Going!!! 

Yallaa Again, reminds me how used to I m to using my kuwaiti lugaa in speaking. Today, i was at the Municipalality (Baladiya) office to give some application, I had to borrow a pen from the security guy, because I did not carry mine and I asked it from him in Marathi (Regional language of my state) and I speak Marathi whenever I am doing any official papers, it becomes easier. as every person in this world likes it when you speak to him in his mother tongue. Me being born and brought up in Maharashtra have good skills with Marathi. Anyways, so when I asked for the pen, he said what if I need it, so I told him I will write the Application Hini(Here in Arabic) but since I also used sign language, he understand I was going to write on his table itself although I said it in a mixture of Marathi and Arabic. Same happened when I was speaking with a friend in the evening. I told him "Inta Entrepreneur Yaa Habibi"  and he did not understand a single word from what I said! So even after being here for around 25 days, I have my arabic words on the top of my tongue. And you know what, I like it!!! I wish I can speak Arabic completely, One day Inshaa Allaah! 

 

Hajra or Hajar??

I wanted to blog since the day I came to Mumbai. But then I kept so busy to find out a topic to blog about. I was requested to blog about Life After Marriage but I have not done that yet. I thought of blogging about fatherhood but than I thought its too early. But yes its a great feeling to be DAD. But I dont know If I can dedicate a post to it at this stage or should wait for some more months being Dad. 

Well if not any of these, then what should I blog about. Nothing! Wow Nothing is also a good topic! Isn't it! Well lets talk about what am i doing in Mumbai. Its Ramadan and I was planning to come for 2 weeks to see my first Baby, who is called Hajar(Hajra) Binte Awwab. Since it was Ramadan and last 3 Ramadan I was in Kuwait. I felt like, lets spend this whole Ramadan in Mumbai with my MOM and siblings. I requested and got my leave approved. And its 22nd nite, today. So Ramadan is almost in its last week. Subhanallaah Time flies!

Now I had a tough time selecting my daughters name. One of the reasons I selected this name was because its my grandmother's name. Now there is a confusion with it. In India if You ask anyone who was Umm Ismail, wife of prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)?? They will say Hajra, and this was the name of my grandmother and is the name of my daughter now. But when I tell my Arab friends my daughters name is Hajra, they say what does that mean. DO you mean HAJAR?? I say Na'am (YES) 

The question is what is the real name according to Arabic Language for mother of prophet Ismail, wife of prophet Abraham!?? Although I think it is an Abrahani name not Arabic, according to my sister. Who know much more about Arabic than me.  Most of the places where i found Islamic literature in english it said Hajar. 

So I think my daughter will be known by two names, Hajra in India and Hajar in Kuwait. SO I m Bu Hajra in India and Bu Hajar in Kuwait!!! Unless I find a solution out! And I do not know how to pronounce Hajar??? :( 

From Upset to Motivated!! Thank U!

Yesterday, I was very upset and sitting with my friend and my friend started quizzing me, Y was I upset, why was I different than before. Where was that energetic Awwab, who was motivated, who used to smile. Who was so Optimistic. I tried to explain why I was sad or upset. And she negated my points and as I was trying to explain more to convey I had a reason to be upset, internally I knew I did not have a valid case. Then she reminded me how I was so energetic and motivated just two weeks ago.

Then we tried to think what had changed in the last 2 weeks. Couple of things:

1. I was sitting with people who were worrying themselves and trying to tell me I should have a backup plan, we may have some issues after around 4 months. I know they advice me this way only bcos they care for me.
2. I was getting upset with so many other things in the environment which were wrong. etc..

Ultimate result, we had an Upset Awwab :(

We were together able to identify the reason for it, U know when you know your weakness, you can work to get over it. So luckily in this conversation my friend showed me the mirror and how ugly I looked when I was upset. So I realized the points that had made me such and resolved right then, that I am not getting into any conversation about this matter nor am I going to worry about things that do not concern me. It was such a relief.

The result of the conversation: Today morning I was in office before 7 a.m. and I left office around 3:45. I devoted all my time to pending items finishing things that I was putting in the pending list as I thought they were not urgent. I scheduled a meeting for some task with my Strategy guru whom I was benefiting from 2 weeks ago and had some blog posts about him earlier. We discussed work and in the end he taught me one more new thing today. he explained to me the quadrants of Urgent vs. Important and how to handle tasks based on these quadrants, it was lovely learning. Now I can identify anything that I am doing whether it is worth or not, whether I am being proactive or reactive. I am enjoying it, so I know when I am sitting on my computer and doing something Not Important and Not Urgent while missing other things which are Important and Urgent, how I am putting my self into a situation where I will have to be reactive later. Amazing, I love talking and learning from this brother. Makes things so simple. I wish I can work more with him. As what he teaches applies to work as well as personal life.

So thanks to my friend firstly for gettin me back on track and then my Strategy Guru to give me the motivational boost... And Thanks to Allaah for keeping me around such great people. Niyaamah! U really have to be lucky to have good people around u.

Yes, this is a different Awwab, the one thats full of Energy and motivated to conquer the world with a smile :)

Family away from Family

This is my small family that I have built out here in Q8, the friends who r soo close to me, who treat me like one of their families. Who advice me when I am going in a wrong direction, who support me when I am feeling low, who are always there for me. Who make me feel soo good with the confidence they have me. Who make me feel so good, with the trust they have in me. Who keep me running by motivating me, by giving me inspiration, by teaching me... They dont get tired Listening to me. They dont get tired when I talk to them about the uncertainties, they just advice me with patience and remind me of being Optimistic and it works wonders... They have not given up on me yet!!!

They mean a lotttttttt to meeeee!!!!! Saj!!!

Destiny

Recently I heard on an Audio listening, the person speaking was quoting someone. The person quoted mentioned that I believe in GOD as I see him controlling me. I make a plan to do something, but then I am unable to achieve it, but something else happens. This shows there is someone who has power over all my affairs. That is soo True. We plan so many things, we think, I will do this, than I will do that and this way I will reach there. I believe in Planning. But then still there is the Factor called Destiny. We plan in our limits based on what we see. But then our Destiny takes over and places us in a different position, that is good for us. And it being part of our Faith to believe in Destiny, we are satisfied with what comes down our way. Alhamdulillaah, Islam is such a complete religion, it covers everything that you need to Live a Happy life.

I think I have blogged earlier about it: Everyone was shocked when I left my job with a company that stamped my H1B and wanted to send me to USA, and I told them No I want to work in MUMBAI itself. And the second company did my B1B2 so that I travel for couple of months on projects, I was Ok with this idea. My tickets were booked. We were waiting for approval from the upper Management when we got the news that they had decided to close down the Mumbai office, since they had a bigger office in hyderabad. See, How I who was about to go to USA on a project, left the company and got an offer and came to Kuwait in weeks. That was my Destiny and Alhamdulillaah, I am so happy for what I got. Lucky that I did not get into that Cycle of H1-Green Card-Citizenship. by the time you get it these days you are 40 years old spent all your youth away from your loved ones, just working hard, thinking every day if you will have a job the next week or not. Worrying about how will recession affect, how much higher is the cost of living going to be. I mean we all deserve some peace of mind also. We are humans only. Last week I was speaking to my friend who is in the USA now for couple of years, we realised that the amount of Savings was almost the same. To me that is the reason why I left my Home country, to make and save some money. So I was teasing him, how lucky we are that we can reach back home in 3 hours on the cheapest of tickets and How they cannot think of coming to India atleast for 2 years because of the short 2 week vacation they get and the cost of Tickets.

Wallaahi Niyamah to be close to home. I am loving it. I mean if you can get to see your Mom often, to me it is a Niyamah. I feel so bad for my brother who loves all of us so much and we love him so much but we dont get to see him often, maybe once in 2 years on a 2 week vacation. I wish he moves down to the middle-east or India so that we can see him often! Yaa Rabb!

Any ways everyone has their personal choices and have their own Destiny. I know my friends who tell me everytime I speak to them, come back to India you can do great here also. But at this moment I like to be in Kuwait and visit my Mom and family often atleast once a year. Kuwait - I am Loving It!!!

The way you look at it! Orca Vs. Seal

One of my friends at work sent me this Video Link without any comments. I want you to see this video and then note what comes to your mind from it before reading what is below it.

I watched the whole video and replied saying, "What I learnt from it is that You should have a Strategy to achieve a goal and then a team that believes in that strategy and acts according to it to reach the goal". Now you know whats wrong with me. Maybe u just enjoyed the video, or just admired it or just took it casual. I have been recently reading stuff about Management, hearing from some Strategy Guru's about what a good Strategy should be what are its goals. What is Competitive Advantage. To be honest, I am enjoying it. I am trying to understand what goes on in the minds of leadership, what are they interested in, what is Important to them and how ignorant are the common men working on the floor in the organization about these stuff and how much powerful would be an organization which can get its people to believe in the Mission and Act on the Values and Behaviors set by the Leadership.

I wish I can work in this area full time. Maybe one day! So since I am going through this kind of stuff when I saw the video I related it to what was going on in my mind. And my friend replied with a Sad face, I like the Seal. I mean I never thought about the whole video that way at all. She was sad for the fate of the Seal. And I was impressed with the Intelligence and team work of the Orca. Anyways, she has to be sad, women have to be sentimental else this world would be a crazy place if even women were like Men. I told her that is good, thats how a girl is supposed to be, Emotional, Keep it Up!!!

So any girl who saw this video and did not feel sorry for the seal. I think u ladies need to go back to a girls school and learn how to be more Feminine. Your work environment has made you soo much like Man. Stop being just like a Man! The charm is when a Woman acts like one. Not when she acts like a Man!

Being Thankful

Today was an Off thanks to Kuwait in lieu of the Night of Ascension this Monday. Woke up late around 11:45, I had invited a friend to stay with me since my family is back in India. As we woke up we thought should we make some breakfast or eat out. Then we thought lets have some Aloo Paratha in an Authentic Pakistani restaurant. We knew we were late for breakfast in the restaurant but then thought Yalla. lets give it a try. Yalla.

Unfortunately we got no breakfast there, as we entered my friend met one of his ex-colleagues. He has been in Q8 for 31 years and working only as a Helper in a prominent company. 31 years in a single company. Gets to see his family only for a month every 1.5-2 years for a month. Yaani, he has been with his family on an average for only 24 months means 2 years of his with his family while he spent the rest working for them... And we complain we dont get enough vacation, shame on us. Reminds me of the Hadith which means Look at those who are below you not who are Above you. I try to think of the vacations I take and he has taken in his life. How thankful We should be to Almighty Allaah. And as my friend narrates he is not educated so he has been the same post of Helper for all these years. Hard work for 31 years, his age is 52 now. Means he must have come here at the age of 21 years. Well he was not fortunate to get education, so he worked so hard and made soo many sacrifices to give his family a good life.

He was mentioning his son would go into final year of secondary school and he gets good percentages in school around 85% . Mashaa allaah, he was mentioning he would like him to study and become an Engineer as he is getting good grades in school. He said I will work here for next 8 years until I retire at 60, so that my son can become something. May Allaah help him. We discussed and I adviced him to do Diploma than Degree if he is sure he wants to do Engineering. Explained the benefits of it, over Doing Higher Secondary and than Engineering Degree directly. He asked which field of engineering was better I mentioned Computers, Electronice& Telecom and Chemical. So we just had a casual discussion over a breakfast and we had met for the first time. he liked it so much, he was soo thankful while leaving. But I felt soo sorry. Yaani, there are poor people around the world facing Hardships and trying to educate their children to give them and a good life.

Now looking at this picture. We keep complaining, I need this, I need that, I dont have this, I dont have that. Wallaahi, I dont think I have any right to complain, I think I have everything.

Playing with the Cat

I was discussing with a senior consultant we have in our group, who is responsible for Planning for the group. And we were discussing about some new products we are planning to implement for Project Management. And we were both stating that we cannot succeed unless we get all users to buy in and use the tool. So we were thinking of the risks and issues tht could come up. Basically we were doing Project Management without a Tool... I was stating how we can improve the lives of users with all the different ideas we had already available in doing different things related to their business and make their lifes easy.

But as all Experienced and Mature people advice, he also adviced me the same thing. Awwab, you have to be Patient. We have to go slow with the users slowly slowly we make these part of their routine. He mentioned his Mom used to say "When you are trying to play with the cat, like run around to catch her, you should also give her some freedom" Means you should not corner her, she might get scared and in return hurt you. So you should give it some space to run around... Similarly you should give your users some freedom to accept the tools and new ways of doing things patiently. If you Push it on them, they might revolt back.

A very good way to teach something. I dont think I will ever forget the lesson he taught me because of the story of "Playing with the Cat" Human mind is such, it remembers things more easily when you store it like a picture, something that relates to something you already know. From my childhood I know playing with cats and I could relate what he was mentioning and picture it. And then we he relates the story to day to day Business. It surely will help remembering it all the time....

This is why I love talking and sitting with senior experienced people, I get to learn so much from them. Much better than talking to people your age... who havent seen the world more than u.

But on the other side I have some other people who think they will implement solutions and get users to use them by force from their bosses. To be honest, I believe only 50% that their Strategy would work. Because I always believe, even if you make the best system in the world it is th ease of Use, that predicts the Success or Failure of it. So any system that increases the work of end users usually goes towards the failure route.

Thats the 1st one towards achieveing my KPI...

KPI

KPIs = Key Performance Indicators?? Well nowadays everyone has KPIs unless you are not performing to be measured enough. And u know what my weekend KPI is. I have to write 6 posts over these 3 days. So I have to think and write about some good stuff...

I have tough boss, to assign me such KPIs.... more later!!!

Thats what friends are for!

Today as I reached office and the first question I got from my friend cum Advisor cum Counsellor cum Sister was, so what are the key points you have noted down. Yaani, she had already read my blog. I could not believe it. I dont think she has my blog in RSS feeds and I had not blogged since long, so wasn't expecting any of my friends checking it out for updates.

But it was really cool, that my friends still keep a tab on me thru my blog! Gives me the boost to keep blogging knowing friends are reading it. That is why first thing i did after reaching home today was start typing in this post...

Too sleepy..... gotta catch some sleep now! More later

Random Chants

It has been long I haven't blogged. No, I haven't quit blogging yet nor am I too busy to blog. It was just always I think of blogging, I try to think of a topic to blog about, and that thought would not give me a result so I wont be able to blog anything.. So today i thought lets just go on and speak nothing and maybe I will come up with something.

I had a very interesting conversation today with a very fine Gentleman, who has recently joined our organization. He is a Gold Medalist in USA, studied in the top universities. And as i usually like talking to mature people who have much more experience than me, because I get to learn from them. He was explaining to me about different types of people and what type of people rise up in life and how we should deal with conflicts and how to be devoted to any work that we have been entrusted to do. How to deal with Change. He has worked with organizations and with the leadership of organizations helping them plan their strategy and get it to work. So I had a very interesting 10 minute conversation in which I was an active listener and trying to Grab the most of it and memorize at the same time. I am sure I have to jot them down with Pen and Paper to not forget the important points... I know you must be wondering when will i bring down the points that he explained. Unfortunately I will have to disappoint u now. Since he explained to me this as a younger brother. So I am keeping his advice to myself and not making it public. Yes I will try to encourage him to blogging, so maybe if he decides to share his thoughts with the worlds, i shall definitely let you know ;)

It Indeed was a pleasant day Alhamdulillaah!! Let me do my homework before I lose any important point from that conversation.

Salaam MUMBAI

Aapli MUMBAI = Our Bombay!!!
Born, Brought Up and Spoilt in MUMBAI and then exported to Kuwait = Me!!!
Spending time with my family, its soo much fun!! I woke up today for the Dawn prayers on my Moms voice. Prayed and then sat there on my computer while she read quran and we speak about something or the other. The doorbell rings and I say is it Pauwala(The guy who brings the fresh morning bread) and I take the bread from him. and than in some time we have our morning tea. Me have tea with Brun Pau(A special type of bread that is available only in MUMBAI) and Maska(Butter) and than I watch as the kids get ready and run to catch their school bus to go to school! My nephews were waiting down for the school bus and they came running back home because it started to Rain, so they came for their Umbrella! The same old days, everything here is soo same, the way it always has been. U can hear the sound of the hen/chicken, I remember when we were kids we used to call it the Adhan of the Hen/chicken. And as the sun will rise further, u will be able to hear more cars and see more people walking around. Every1 will be focussing to reach his destination to complete his task for the day! U can still see the peopl who live on the streets in their huts and see them try to find some cover as it rained today! They seem to be soo settled in there! It does not seeem anything is out of place for them, their kids play between the vehicles that pass by on the street. Shay Ajeeb (Strange Thing) But now many people know what I am talking about, Thanks to Slumdog Millionaire!
I hear that although this people live in streets in MUMBAI, but back home in their villages they are rich people! God knows best! As I was writing this, doorbell rang and came my niece Rukaiyya and I had to leave the computer because she's soo cute. So I spent a good one hour with her having fun and than I came back to this blog post. Its soo much fine. But I can enjoy this only when I am here on a vacation. If I will take up a job in MUMBAi, maybe I will be soo busy that I wont have the time to enjoy this small things that give me so much joy. So I am trying to make the most of my vacation this time. trying to make sure I enjoy every moment. As my friends adviced me to enjoy the time with family and not worry of Office this time. And I think I will take their advice.

Watch your thoughts

I remember when I was a kid and visited one of the Departmental stores @ Breach Candy, Mumbai, I saw a desktop display item with a quote saying:

Watch your Thoughts they become Words,

Watch your Words they become Action,

Watch your Action they become Habits,

Watch your Habits they become Character,

Watch your Character for it becomes You

I still remember those lines and reflect upon them sometimes. Whoever said that surely had a lot of Wisdom. I always try to reflect upon those lines and observe how our thoughts turn into actions and then into habits and then into character and then to yourself.

Some people think, if you are not having enemies in office, means you are not working. Probably, they thought if you are working, everyone else around is sitting there to just steal credit for their work. And then they work in a defensive mode, trying to hide things and lie up until they really end up making a lot of enemies because of their behavior. So the culprit is nothing except the initial thought that becomes part of themselves. And to them their thought is soo accurate because now they have soo many enemies. Some people might not be enemies but still be frustrated with their crazy behaviour... Soo Watch your thoughts, please!! You will surely get what you give to this world is the principle. if you are good to people they will be good to you. And if you are mean and rude, you will get the same behaviour back.

I believe if you are working, you should keep yourself busy concentrating on your work more than what others are doing. In today's times there is no one who is soo stupid, that others will be able to steal credit for your work. Your bosses are definitely much more capable and that is why they are bosses. They know exactly who is capable of what.

Watch your Thoughts, before they Destroy you!

Living in a Tamboo(Tent) in a desert

I was speaking to a close family friend who is presently in UK and a citizen now, couple of months ago and he was advising me which were good sites to stay in touch with friends. And I was like no I do not have Internet at home. He was like What??? U got no Internet at home. And he knows what an Internet addict I was while in India. So it was shocking to him, that I had no Internet at home in 2 years while in kuwait.   Neways he put it in a very funny way. 

OIC, you in Kuwait, so do u like stay in a Desert in a tent, hence No Internet available for u??

Well, I was avoiding taking Internet @ Home, because I knew then I will just stick to my Computer desk even while at home. 

Another incident, recently when I visited my brother and sister in UAE, I was at my brother's house and while sitting on his new PC, I asked you dont have internet. And he did not answer positive immediately and his wife was like Yes Yes, there is Dial up. And my sister and brother were like you should not tell him you have Internet. Now he will not get up from the PC. He is addicted to it. i was like am I that addicted and my sister was like we remember paying 5000 INR telephone bills because of your use of Internet !!! Eeks

And finally I got Internet @ Home in Kuwait now ;) So maybe I will be more often Blogging or seen on messengers!!!

First Kuwaiti Wedding

I started drafting this post as soon as I came  from my friends wedding. He is a Kuwaiti Mashaa Allaah! And it was my first Kuwaiti wedding that I attended. I was invited to one before of another very good friend which I still regret missing. I had done my homework well to learn the process, what I need to be doing there. I was very excited and looking forward to attend it! N I am sure I am not going to miss any Kuwaiti wedding again. Although there were people who were like you will feel odd man out there, because not many expatriates are there. etc. etc. Chidi, But I am did feel odd, i just got mingled among the guests. Maybe one reason could be because many faces were familiar since many people from our company attended.

The process:

1. At the entrance, there is a guy who applies perfume (Bukhoor), on the back of your palm

2. Then you enter and go to the place where the Groom, Groom’s father and Brides father are standing, you go and wish them say Mabrook, Kiss cheek to cheek the Kuwaiti style. (People who are not aware of Arab culture need to learn this) and move forward, probably there is a queue there.

3. You go take a seat like Deewaniya, Dates and Gaawa(Traditional Arabic coffee) are served, i dont like to call it coffee though, but dont know how to express it otherwise.

4. Than when Dinner is started, you are invited to start with Dinner. Its like buffet with all the Traditional Arabic dishes that you find in parties and this one also had Shawarma with Khubs Saaj, soo good and soooo many Deserts!!! Delicious, I should have fasted that day, had I known before.

5. Than you socialize with people you know. Meet everyone. Kiss Kuwaiti style if you know them well. One of my Ex bosses met me, said Come On, its a wedding party you have to kiss. It increases the appetite for kissing….

6. Before leaving you again go say Mabrook and leave.

7. The guy apply perfume again for you.

The experience was completely different I dont want to express my real feelings here, I enjoyed there soo much!!!

Kuwaiti Shabab Holoa (Youth Are good)

When I am sitting among my expatriate (Ajnabee) friends and they ever start saying things about Kuwaiti’s in a bad way. I get defensive and try to convince them that maybe the experience you had with some of them might be bad. But good and bad people are everywhere. You cannot generalize your feeling saying Kuwaitis are Arrogant (Magroor) or something like this etc. etc. They always tell me u feel so hurt as if u r one of them!

Now why shouldn’t I?? By the grace of GOD, I know some of the best amongst them and I don’t know any that I hate yet, maybe I haven’t come across the bad one yet, Thank God.

The other day, I went to the market in Fahaheel, I parked my car in the parking spot and went for some work. I come back after 15 minutes and find a nice CAMRY parked behind my car, now I cannot remove my car out. Luckily the car next to me left. But still my car was completed covered by the CAMRY so I could not remove it. There were some local Kuwaitis around, the ones who drive the Pickup’s between Fahaheel and Mangaf. I was with my wife and they felt bad that I was stuck now. As I was just standing out thinking what to do now. I could not go ahead and this car was behind me. The only way I thought was to physically lift my car and place in the next parking spot where the guy had just left than exit.
One of them asked me to sit and started giving me directions to move little further turn the wheels and then move little behind etc. We did this exercise for 5 minutes, than he realized I wasn’t doing a good job at that. He asked me to get off. Me and my wife got off and he took the driving seat, he might have taken 7 minutes moving the car front n behind, But since they are excellent drivers he finally managed to get my car out. With the cut’s that he did with my wheels. They have good judgement at driving. So without touching any of the cars, my car came out Alhamdulillaah! And not to forget, there some other genteleman in their old ages who were also trying to guide him from outside as he was moving front n back not to touch the cars around.
I was soo thankful to them. N hence I always say Kuwaiti’s are good people!!

Change in a Fat Way

There has been a long time since I blogged last. But probably I was trying to get adjusted to the new life. Married life. And maybe I was scared because I had realized my wife was reading my blogs... Didn't want her to know whats up with me ...Just kidding.

Was just being lazy. But now, I need to get active again. As one of my good friends commented to me, Awwab you have changed after marriage and I asked:
Have I changed in a Good way or a Bad way and the reply was: YOU HAVE CHANGED IN A FAT WAY!! Man I m putting on weight. Yeah but blogging might not be a great workout although it helps me throw out some of my thoughts. Maybe mental workout could help losing weight. But if it doesn't work than I have to hit the GYM!!!