Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

Check out the mindboggling Tina Fey impression before Palin herself makes an entry

What's your mental age?

We've heard many people use this term... sometimes in a derogatory manner. But the other day VR and I were discussing how we pretty much considered ourselves to be the age we were when we set foot on Cincinnati to begin our Masters degree. And it's been 4 years since then. And because of that, all of a sudden when my real age dawns on me, I feel disproportionately old. And it's unsettling. I think the reason behind this is that leaving India (or one's own country) and going to the US for a degree all by oneself was a big deal. And that was the last life-altering change that took place in our lives. Even including marriage. The responsibilities multiplied when we first had to live alone, cook alone and manage bills, accounts, shopping and what not alone all amongst trying to keep the grades high and those all-nighters for assignments, midterms and finals. And we each mastered our individualities, developed our personalities and the metamorphosis from dependent child to independent adult was fast completed. Which is why even after something as huge as a wedding, I still feel the same age as I was when I first went to the US. And all of a sudden, we're reading about these actresses and models, who are 1986 born and even later. And for one fleeting second, the thought crosses the mind - is it legal for them to work, even? And suddenly you realize it's 2008 and they're 22 and yes that's legal. And that time's going faster than you've accounted for. Hell... practically everyone you know is married or on the verge of even including the boys (men is more appropriate) of your age. Many of your classmates are having kids and it's obvious that we're all very very grown up. I guess it helps everyone to be at that comfortable age that they can relate to. For me, it's 23. What's yours?

India Shining

It seems to be a good period for India in a couple of unrelated fields at least. India blasted off her first space mission to the moon. Read all about the ISRO's accomplishments here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7679818.stm . This is a milestone (or moon stone, if you will) on any grand scheme of things and this mission is being monitored all over the world. Go India!

And on an unrelated, yet very Indian topic, the Indian cricket team thrashed the Aussies in the second test at Mohali for their most convincing test victory against the 'unassailables'. Read all about that here - http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/indvaus2008/content/story/374802.html . And add to that Sachin tendulkar now holds the record for having made the most test runs ever and for being the first batsman to cross the 12,000 run mark ever. Want more stats? Read here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachin_Tendulkar

India - Rock on!

Eiffel again

Some things, you just can't help taking pictures of.... This is one of those occasions. The day was brilliant and the angle of the light playing on the tower was perfect. The result - a postcard from Paris.

Alarmed..

I don't know if this is true of many people... but it is of me, which is why I am writing about it in the first place. I hate the sound of the alarm in the morning. I bet all of you are thinking - Well, duh... who doesn't? But no, I guess what I mean to say here is that I hate the sound of the alarm sooo much that I rise almost exactly a minute before it's due to ring and turn it off. That happen to anyone? I know there are many people out there with the most famous claim of all, in this aspect that is - "I don't even need an alarm to get up." And then there is something about the biological clock here. Yes of course I've gotten up without an alarm too... but usually it's about 9:30am by then if it's not an afternoon nap. Or it's the time I wake up to switch off the alarm before it's irritating noise fills my head. And I've realized that no matter how soothing the ringtone you set (if it's the cell phone), when it turns out to be the alarm it has the deadly potential to irritate. Talk about morning blues.

Beauty and the geek

Remember that show that used to come on US television? For a while there, I was quite the regular watcher. But that's not what I'm talking about here. It's the fact that it's 15°C outside ... beautiful sunshine... fabulous fall colors (yes, there are a few barren trees... even still), empty park benches barely a few feet outside my office and here I am... cooped in, researching electrodeposition, sputtering and other mundane MEMS processes.
Verdict-
Beauty - Outside. Geek - Me.

But yes, the weekend promises to be exciting... S&I have family visiting!

The 26 year old student

France is a country with many provisions for students/people of the lower income group, etc. But I was really sad to discover that most student benefits end the day you turn 26. It's almost as if they think you shouldn't study past the age of 25 or that if you wish to study past this hideous age, you are on your own and the government doesn't plan to help you. One of the main places this affects me is the railway/metro pass. It costs a steep 90€ a month with a huge variety of places you can go to. Even then! I discovered that students under 26 can get a 50% discount on that. And students above 26? A measly 2%. I wonder why that's even there! And then for most working people, 50% is compensated by their companies in their allowance. Not for us... because you are supposed to be able to get the transport system offered discount. I am a wee bit disgruntled ever since I found out. Hmph. Also in tourist spots... students under 26 can get tickets also for upto 50% off with their IDs. Not if you're over 26. I think it's a national rule that once you cross 25, you'd better be contributing to the household income... or go jump.

Sadly, this affects the highest educated bracket, like us doctorates, or the latecomers who decide to go back to school. Hell, at least the second category had their fair share of bucks before return to academia... I think this is just one of those days, when you can find fault with almost anything. But something tells me I am a wee bit reasonable here.