Graduation Weekend @ CMU

It was exciting to be back in Pittsburgh for the commencement weekend. Pittsburgh, the lovely place that seemed to remind us of small yet beautiful hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal etc.

I had booked tickets pretty late and hence had to settle for the cheapest deal available(which too, was expensive by normal standards). My journey to Pittsburgh was on AirTran and I would strongly warn people who are going to travel in future never ever use this Air Carrier . It was pathetic and even K.S.R.T.C buses are better. Even a worm would struggle and squirm with the available leg space in the air craft. I had a stop over at Atlanta. I had been up at 4 : 30 in the morning through out the week, thanks to OWB training. I was feeling extremely sleepy and as soon as I got into the flight (at about 9: A.M Eastern Time) , I fell asleep, asking the air hostess to wake me up only when we were going to land in Pittsburgh. The flight was supposed to reach Pittsburgh at 10:30 in the morning. I was sleeping like a log and was completely unaware of the announcements that were being made. The air hostess woke me up and said we were going to land. I checked the time and it was just 10 o clock. “Wow !, this pilot must be a genius, landing half an hour early”. They asked us to de-plane and wait for instructions at the gate. I found this a little strange and when I met the officials, they asked me to go to another gate. I was still surprised and when I asked them why, they told me that the flight to Pittsburgh would leave at 11:00 ! I was astounded and then they explained to me that they had made an emergency landing at Atlanta again as the flight had developed a mechanical snag ! What a novel way to ruin the start of a long awaited weekend !

The officials announced that we would get a 50$ discount on our next Air Tran flight (aah ! who would want it anyway ;D ) . Finally, I reached Pittsburgh at around 1: 30 in the afternoon. I took the Airport Flier(28 X) ride back home, and it seemed like someone had painted Pitt all over again. She was dull, white and gloomy when I left in February and she was in full bloom now ;green, warm and inviting ! After a quick shower, we headed straight to the S.V. temple, along with a couple of friends from the next batch who had just arrived in Pitt. It was so blissful visiting the S.V temple after a long time. We came back and spent some time at the ISR. We returned home at around midnight.

The next day, we collected our graduation robes and got ready after a quick snack. We started meeting our friends one by one. After clicking some pictures, it was time for the commencement walk. We started from the Gates-Hillman Center and proceeded towards the Gesling stadium. Me and Vignesh were walking together;we have been the best of friends for seven years now, and destiny has really been kind to us. We were class mates in U.G for four years, worked for the same company for a year, got admits to the the same course, stayed together as room mates during our stay at CMU and, very soon will be room mates again at S.F.O once Vignesh starts working for Yahoo ! Now, that is a record that will take some beating ! We entered the footsteps of Gesling stadium to loud music,wild cheers and incessant clapping from the audience. As we walked forward, me and Vignesh stopped conversing in order to absorb the moment. We felt like kings entering the Colosseum. I looked back at the journey we had to endure. Staying away from the comforts of home that was 40,000 miles away, managing all things by yourself,cooking, washing, cleaning, managing groceries, classes, projects, exams, presentations, struggling at times for even one proper meal a day, falling sick and not informing home lest they get tense, enduring dark days during placement, managing to stay focused in spite of the mess happening around; it was emotionally satisfying. Life does not give you whatever you ask for, but it is best to enjoy whatever you get to the fullest We took our seats in the stadium and after a speech in which the speaker tried her maximum to put everyone to sleep, we headed towards the music hall for our department convocation.

We were seated in chronological order of last names, and though I had given the phonetics, Dr Garlan still got it absolutely wrong when he called out my name. The people of Vellore will never forgive him for that. One by one, we walked out to receive the degree certificates. I could not help missing my family at that time. How I wish, my grandfather was alive. He had passed away in 2004, and he was my best friend, guide, first cricket coach, sloka instructor and many more. I wish my Dad was there in Pittsburgh to witness the moment. He had never been to a professional college, and built his life from scratch without any assistance, but when it came to his kids, he made sure we got all that we necessarily wanted. I wish my Sister and her family was there; she worked more than me at times for my admits, and my brother in law has always given me crisp yet valuable advice when it came to decision making. I am not sure if Paddu would have realised what was happening, but she would have been happy for her “Hari Mama”. Most importantly, how I wish my Mom was there to see this in person. She was the one who taught me to dream big and I was just living her dream. This one was for you Mom, you are the best

After a few more photographs, we took a small break for a quick shower and were back again as a gang for another fun filled outing. Sai generously treated us at “Star of India” and we visited the Cathedral at night. It was a beautiful sight. We went upto the 36th floor but the doors were locked beyond that. To my surprise, shock, horror, I am just struggling for words here, I saw a guy, with only his i pod and laptop for company, seated all alone, on the thirty fifth floor of the Cathedral, at 10:30 on a Sunday night. What the hell is wrong with him ? I can understand people loving solitude but this was beyond limits ! The Cathedral is a perfectly spooky place on Sunday evenings, and would make a great spot for a horror movie setting or a villain chasing a heroine.

I had to leave at 3:30 the next morning, as I had to report to work on Monday. I was so sleepy early in the morning, and it was time for embarrassment. The conversation between me and the Air Tran official.
Air Tran official :Morning, can i have your last name ?
Me : Ramani
Air Tran Official : Sorry, I can’t find a match. Can you spell it for me ?
Me : Oh , yeah, I think I gave it as Vellore Ramani. You know I have been having this problem all the time; this middle name last name confusion, I had a problem with the EAD card even. So from then on…( and I keep mouthing nonsense, suffering from verbal diarrhea)
Air Tran Official : Sorry, no luck again. Can i see your confirmation print out ?
Me : Sure , here it is
Air Tran Official : Sorry , you have been booked on a United Airlines flight and not Air Tran flight !
Me : (Sheepishly) Oh, ya, I get it now, you know it can happen to anyone at 4:30 in the morning !

She was giggling uncontrollably. She must have thought that either this guy was yet to recover from a hang over or was drunk early in the morning. To make matters worse, she was good looking too..

The return flight on United Airlines was much more comfortable. I saw a movie “Invictus”. It was watchable. I headed straight from the airport to the office at noon, wishing the weekend end would never end.

God willing, the next big thing and another occasion for celebration is just round the corner