Where to?

Changing requirements, unrealistic deadlines, changing scope, where is quality? What about risks?

We need agility.

What's going on?

I haven't posted anything here for a long time. When you do not set any goals, there is no deadlines to beat. So am I being idle? Not quite. I think I should continue my learning process, and possibly write about it. I hope to - soon!

Path to PMP Completed!!!

I completed my PMP Certification today!! I have been postponing it for a long long time. Finally, I decided to take it. So today early morning, I was at Prometric to give a four hour exam. I cannot explain how happy I am for completing it successfully. School is starting for kids tomorrow. So perfect timing.. I don't want them to suffer because of all my studies, anymore :)

Welcome to the dark side

That's what my boss said, as he handed over my promotion papers to me. I am officially the manager of our team. This is effective first of the month. I hope to do a good job. God help me!

You've been invited to be in The National Dean's List again!

An email that I received two days back...

*******************************************************************************
Dear H...,

Some people get just one… And feel the positive impacts for a lifetime.

You're beyond that now – we're talking the 99^th percentile!

We're excited to share the great news… You've once again been nominated for The National Dean's List ^®. Congratulations on your exemplary accomplishment!

When you accept this invitation, you become a distinguished member of the Dean's List family, elevating you to membership in our "Honor Society". Now, take the next step and complete your Biographical Information Form, because we can't include you in the publication without it!

Beta Gamma Sigma

I received invitation to join Beta Gamma Sigma from my University. Beta Gamma Sigma membership is the highest recognition a business student can receive. The induction ceremony is on April 19th. I am proud to be part of Beta Gamma Sigma and also for being recognized in Chancellor's List.

Learning AJAX

Sang Shin who has been offering online courses in Java, j2ee etc have a similar online course for learning AJAX.

Check it out if interested. I am going to :)

New Year!

Welcome 2007! New Year, time for new resolutions(not for me)...to be kept for how long? Add to the list - PMP, ATM from Toastmasters, Being healthy.....

Here's to a great 2007!

Slowing down...

I keep rescheduling the test. Well, I don't have a choice but to, especially since I haven't prepared yet. I don't want to kill myself over the studies.. Will do it slowly, hopefully early next year. Until then, enjoy the holidays and relax!

Graduation

I graduated in August. I was just like any other day, nothing special, just the family accompanying me to the graduation ceremony. I felt proud walking along to receive the diploma, for the second time. There were about 8 or 9 Phd students. Probably one day in future, I too might be one among them, who knows...
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine coming to US, living here, graduating with double Masters....Well, sometimes things happen even if you don't dream about it. Now what? There are some dreams, some uncertainities, some hopes.. Not entirely sure what future holds, but I am happy with today!

Grades are out, school's done for now...

I got my final grades, still maintaining the 4.0! Great!! Hopefully by summer, I will be able to graduate. Summer session starts in two weeks, May 15th to be precise.. Until then it is time to relax!

Testing Game Theory

Here's
the video on the program. Not sure how long it will be there...

It is an interesting application of the nobel prize winning Game Theory.

Life the Game

Primetime ABC had a program yesterday night titled "Life the Game". An interesting look at applying game theory in life. It was a study done with Yale Professor, Barry Nalebuff. I remember my IT Strategy professor, mentioning NaleBuff's latest book. I actually got the audio book for "Coopetition", by Barry Nalebuff. I had never knew/been interested in Game Theory earlier. Listening to the audio book and seeing "Life the Game", makes me more interested in Game Theory.

A new year, a new you???

Another year has passed by. Whatever I had hoped for, as far as learning goes, did not seem to have happened. But then, I am pushing myself too hard. How much can I do ? I guess I need to start out fresh, with smaller hills to climb :)

A word a day,
A few pages of a book a day,
Something new during the weekends? Maybe. We'll see.

School's done for now...

Whew... Assignments, quizzes, presentations, group projects, exams..... All over for this semester! What a relief! Final exam was completed on Monday, grades were out on Wednesday. Glad that I "A"ced them all. Now it is time to get back to some learnng on my own, without any exams or quizzes. Let's see how it goes.

Learning...

I have been planning to learn quite a lot. But it does not seem to happen. I still have the final exams for two of my courses, Strategic Management & Cost Benefit Analysis of Technology Management. By end of the first week of Decemeber, I should be done with my courses. I will try to catch up with the learning part once I am done with the classess, hopefully !

Programming for kids

My son wants to learn programming. What's the best that he could start with? I am not sure. Any ideas?

Just in case you are wondering...

what NFJS is all about... checkout http://www.nofluffjuststuff.com

No Fluff

It was that time again, time again for No Fluff, Just Stuff. I was not as much as excited as I was last year, when I went to attend it for the first time.
A couple of reasons...
- Weekends are turning out to the best(read, only) time for quality family stuff..
- Who ever who registered my name got my email in right, so no reminders..
- I messed up the dates, I had a quiz to take this weekend, for which I was yet to prepare
- Checked out the sessions, saw some repeats, oh no, please don't..

But then, I went to attend the conference starting friday afternoon, Two sessions of Dave Thomas back to back ( racing sheeps.. & Ruby) and a keynote on "Art in programming", got me back to senses on why I am here during this weekend! Oh, now I know why they repeat the sessions.. Dave was here last year, with the same session, but guess what, I was listening to someone else during that time.. It was a very interesting talk. Thanks Dave!!

I am still not sure whether I will attend these sessions next year, (not because of anything about the conference, but mostly because it would mean, missing out on a weekend with family which is turing out to be very very much needed...) but I definitely would recommend this to anyone interested in learning something during a weekend!!

The truth is.....

Its been a long time... A lot of promises.. none fulfilled...

That's the way it has been for me off late. All these ideas, dreams of much much to do and look what happens! Absolutely nothing done!!!

Its easy to make excuses, and I hate making them. But you know the truth is...