Until recently, all I knew about finances were credit and debit. Even that I use to confuse way too often. Yet, as a measure of re-inventing myself and being part of growing up in the corporate ladder, I decided to dig deep into the world of finances. So far, I am content with the progress that I’ve made.

In the recent budget, a new tax was introduced – Fringe benefit tax. Most of the firms went ahead to change the pay structure to incorporate this tax. Earlier, I use to ignore such changes and would take it as, ‘be content with whatever pay you get’. It wasn’t so this time. I took it upon myself to study about it, discuss with colleagues & my auditor and devised my pay structure accordingly. I along with another colleague, became a point of reference.

Such events may not be ‘big’ thing for business savvy or functional folks. But for me, a tech guy, it is.

I’ve a training between 9h30 and 13h30 about Metrics management system, a home-grown system for tracking project metrics. Then, I got to go for engagement of a close relative, for which Mom, Sister and Brother-in-law are here. Of all our relatives, we are close with two families and one of them is theirs. So all of us are expected. Dad couldn’t make it due to shortage of leave but he will attend the reception in Tuticorin.

After engagement, I got to go to office to clear up the day’s work. In my estimation, it is going to last until midnight. I’ll be glad, if it is over by then.

In the recent days, I’ve understood that it is one thing to realize a dream and it is entirely another matter to live the realized dreams. In the past month, I moved to a house near the beach, bought a new car and got a project manager post in an ERP division – three of my wishes for sometime now coming to pass. Once the initial vibes settled down, I see that living in the ‘promised land’ is not that easy: driving such a big car through Chennai traffic is a challenge on its own. Having learnt and driven in lane-based-driving, I find it extremely difficult to drive in a chaotic and unruly traffic. At office, being a new joinee, no project is allocated; only a PC without a net access is given – which is equivalent to having none. At home, due to recent rain, motor to pump the water got repaired and so the whole of yesterday passed without water and I had to continuously follow-up in getting it rectified. As of writing this entry, it is still not done; having a sick mother with me only increases the concern.

All of these do disturb me but I’ve decided to stay put and see it through. After all, isn’t these events that make life, an enjoyable ride?

After the end of seven year’s passion, it was time to fall in love again. I drove through the bustling Chennai traffic for the maiden day in the new firm. Well, what I saw was neither attractive nor exciting. When someone enters my earlier firm, they are overwhelmed by the magnificent campus, with trees and plants all around. Such a green campus is hard and pleasant to find in the otherwise dry Chennai. The interior in each project area, the massive dinning hall, plethora of cars – all display the richness of the firm. However, once they get past the glitter and perceives the essence, it is no different from most of the software firms – messy management and displeased employees. Ok! enough of past glory! Coming back to the new firm, it is a small building in the heart of the city, which of course gives the feeling that I am joining a much smaller firm. But I did see in the reception, ‘We welcome the new joinees in ERP section’ and my name appeared there along with three others. Not so bad to start with!

The firm is spread in multiple locations within the city and I had to go to another building to complete the joining formalities. I called up my brother-in-law to find out the route. (Now, these are the instances when I miss my map reading and guiding Belgian friend). I took the car out and there was ‘showers of blessings’. Hey! it is not suppose to rain this month. (For those unfamiliar with Chennai weather, we have only two seasons – perspiring hot summer and drenching rainy days). I thought to myself, ‘what the hell! I need to learn to drive here, so lets go’. As soon as I joined the main road, that boldness was turned into something like, ‘oh! boy, what have I decided to do’. Somehow, I managed to find the other building and finished up the joining formalities. Now back to the earlier building. Often times, we take decisions that we think are smart and later it turns out, they are not so smart – I am not talking about joining this firm, rather about getting my car to the parking lot through an exceptionally narrow entrance. While doing so, bang! one side of the car got scratched (later I found out that it would cost me Rs. 5000 to get it repaired). Man! that was not so good, especially on just-a-week old car. Anyway, I succeeded in getting the car into the parking lot. There were only 10 slots. Yes, you read it correct, there were only 10. What a parking lot,  for a software firm! With thoughts rolling back and forth, I climbed the stairs and met with HR folks. Obviously being the first day, that too so late in the day, there was nothing to do. So I took the car out, this time very carefully, and reached home – tired and sad.