Smoking!!!! Nah Nah

Smoking is injurious to health. Everyone knows this fact. But still they do. Why? Most of the people say that smoking relieves tensions and stress. Is that?

Some days back I wrote an article in mouthshut.com regarding this. Just thot.. will post that in my blog too.

Here you go...

Let me start by telling the advantages of smoking if one has it:

1. No thief dares to enter smoker’s house to rob. Since he will be coughing all the night it may mislead him to think that someone is awake in the house
2. Worrying about your body and visiting so many health centers for weight reduction treatment. But still no use?? Don’t worry. Start smoking guys. Your weight can be reduced sooner as you will be losing your lungs.
3. These people don’t need to worry about malaria. No mosquito bites them, as they will be always surrounded by smoke net, which sounds like mosquito net.
4. These people will never become old. Feel like saying Wow…….. Wait. Before that know the reason. Because these people die very soon. Frightening!!!!

Most smokers believe they exhale the majority of smoke they inhale into their lungs. But, most of the smoke remains in the lungs. A very small percent actually comes out (about 10%). Also, remember that the smoker is not only going to smoke that one cigarette. He will prolly smoke another within a half-hour. Then another after that. In fact, he will probably smoke 20, 40, 60 or even more cigarettes by the end of the day. And tomorrow will be the same. Smokers enjoy a very small percentage of the cigarettes they smoke. In fact, they are really unaware of most of the cigarettes they smoke. Some smoke out of simple habit, but most smoke in order to alleviate withdrawal symptoms experienced by all smokers whose nicotine levels have fallen below minimal requirements. The cigarette may taste horrible, but the smoker has to smoke it. And because the majority of smokers are such addicts, they must smoke many such cigarettes every single day in order to maintain a constant blood nicotine level. Wondering what is this!!! When a person smokes then nicotine is directly injected into blood and after certain time that level goes down for which again he lights another cigar.

Once just to visualize the effects, scientists collected the tar from 2000 cigarettes and diluted it in a bottle. And the collected tar is painted on the skin of mice, 60% of the animals developed cancer of the skin within a year. Consider this when watching people smoking and exhaling only 10% of the tars they actually take in. Not only are these chemicals being painted into the lung, but smokers are also constantly painting them up on their lips, tongue, and larynx, swallowing some and thus painting it in the esophagus and throughout the digestive tract. Smokers have increased incidents of cancer in all of these exposed sites.

A normal lung will have black specks throughout indicative of carbon deposits from pollution. Just think of how the smoker’s lung will be blackened because of both pollution and the tars he paint into his lungs with every puff he take.

Now that you know what it looks like on a large scale and feels like, lets take a look at the microscopic level of things that happen in the lung from smoking. The most well known disease is emphysema. This is another one of those diseases that primarily happen to smokers. Over 90% of the cases are smoking induced. There are cases in some families where there does seem to be a genetic predisposition, where non-smokers get it too. This is from a rare condition, a lack of a blood enzyme called alpha1antitrypsin. This again is rare, but if you do have family members who never smoked a day in their life get emphysema there may be a genetic tendency. But again, over 90% of emphysema cases are simply caused by smoking. Eradicate smoking and you eradicate the risk of the disease.

To get a sense of what it feels like to breathe with emphysema take a deep breath and hold it. Without letting out any air, take another deep breath. Hold that one too. One more time, take one more breath. Okay let it all out. That second or third breath is what it feels like to breathe when you have advanced emphysema. Emphysema is a disease where you cannot exhale air. Everyone thinks that it is a disease where you cannot inhale but in fact it is the opposite. When you smoke you destroy the lungs elasticity by destroying the tissue that pulls your lung back together after using muscles that allow us to inhale air. So when it comes time to take your next breath it is that much more difficult, for your lungs could not get back to their original shape.

Imagine going through life having to struggle to breathe like those last two breaths I had you take. Unfortunately, millions of people don't have to imagine it, they live it daily. It is a miserable way to live and a slow painful way to die.

Do you know what makes people to cough?

Lungs will be having bronchus layer on which we find cilia. Cilia are helpful to sweep the mucous produced. But as people begin to smoke the functionality of cilia gets reduced as many chemicals in tobacco are toxic to cilia first slowing them down and soon paralyzing them all together and then destroying them. As the cilia actions being diminishes mucous starts to build up in the small airways making it harder for the smoker to breathe and causing the characteristic smokers cough in order to clear out the airways.

If a smoker quits before cancer actually starts, even if the cells are in a precancerous state, the process is highly reversible. Cilia regeneration starts in about 3 days and within 6 months the normal cilia function will be returned once smoking stops. But if a smoker waits too long and cancer starts, it may be too late to save his or her life. Unfortunately, if a smoker waits until a malignancy has started, the outlook is grim. The overall 5 year survival rate for lung cancer is only 14%. Lung cancer is a disease that while once uncommon, is now the leading cancer killer in both sexes.

For quitting smoking one had to have strong determination. Ex-smokers are often tempted when watching others smoke. Spending time with a specific friend and watching them smoke may be a trigger especially if it was the most time you had spend with the friend since you quit smoking. The natural tendency is for the ex-smoker to start to fantasize about how good a cigarette will be at that given moment and how good it must taste and make him feel. It is true he may be enjoying that particular cigarette, but the odds are he is not. Be far from those guys while they smoke until you feel confident.

Don't fantasize about cigarettes. Always keep a clear, objective perspective of what it would once again be like to be an addicted smoker. There is no doubt at all that if you relapse to smoking you will be under the control of a very powerful addiction. You will be spending hundreds of dollars a year for thousands of cigarettes. You will smell like cigarettes and be viewed as socially unacceptable in many circles. You will be inhaling thousands of poisons with every puff. These poisons will rob you of your endurance and your health. One day they may eventually rob you of your life.

Consider all these consequences of smoking. Then, when you watch a smoker you will feel pity for them, not envy. Consider the life he or she is living compared to the simpler, happier, and healthier life you have had since you broke free from your addiction. Hopefully when you breathe normally today you are not in pain and you are not on oxygen. If you don't smoke you will continue to give yourself the ability to breathe longer and feel better. Never lose sight of this fact. To keep your ability to breathe better for the rest of your life always remember to - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

Back to the Kitchen work:-(

After a long break, again back to the kitchen
work. All these days my granny was there with me and she used to do everything. You can see her in the pic. She was like after me and my bro to eat food on time. Just yesterday she left to my hometown. She might be coming back on april-10th or so. Till that time, somehow I need to manage this cooking part. I couldn’t spend much time on learning this cooking stuff. I am still a novice.

From tomorrow no one is there to give tea/coffee to us. I should be the one who should get up first and prepare tea, lunch, dinner etc. (Breakfast gets skipped as we wake up so early in the morning by 10:00 Am :-)). My bro will be sleeping in other room and wakes me up by irritating me with his missed calls. His ultimate goal is to get bed tea from me. So from tomorrow the fight starts.

Perfect weekly planning

My weekly planning worked well this time. Submitted Loan App as per schedule did many things as per planned and the most important thing, which I did, is meeting all my Hyd friends on Saturday. I have almost lost touch with them coz of my GMAT Prep, ISB Application process, Interview prep etc etc.. had a wonderful time with them.

After almost 2 years, yesterday I went to visit Buddha statue along with my friend. I was really thrilled to stay there near the statue for almost 45 min. Last time when we went (b4 2 years) we didn’t get down at the statue. Looks lot of renovation.




Here is some info about the Hussain Sagar lake and Buddha statue

Hussain Sagar Lake:
The most popular promenade Tank Bund dams the Hussain Sagar large lake that connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. In the middle of the lake is the 'Rock of Gibraltar', on which stands the statue of Buddha. The beautiful Necklace Road lies on one side of the lake.
Buddha Statue:
The 16 meter tall, 350-tone monolithic colossus rises high from the placid waters of the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake. It is made of white granite, finely sculptured and stands majestically amidst the shimmering waters of the lake.

Bond Breaking…....

Wondering what is this??? Yeah! I have signed the contract in my company for three years. Stupid me. Don’t know what will be the effect of that bond at that time. Bond gets over by July. I have CHOSEN myself to work in a startup company that time. Of course I don’t regret for choosing a startup company. But then, I was just thinking how foolish I am to sign a contract for three years. I didn’t even try to negotiate by asking for two years. Anyways past is past. However, I can change my future.

I have very good name in the company, good relations with the colleagues, topped the performance appraisal among everyone in the company, and took many responsibilities so sooner in my career. All thru my career, I got many appreciations from my superior authorities, though I didn’t earned much in monetary terms. In spite of all the effort I kept, just for 3.5 months, I will be paying 1 lakh to the company. Wowwww

I tried my best to negotiate with my superior management, but all that went in vain. When I mailed my superior management to consider me, I have got a big reply from them. Here is the reply I got from them. Am just pasting only half of the mail:

“I truly believe that you are a RAW DIAMOND waiting to be unlocked by ISB. I do believe that you will get great offers after your completion of ISB course. I was reading on Samachar that IIM-B graduate got 90 lakhs job offer …blah..blah... When someone is getting this amount of compensation, I think it is worth the loans and bond amounts. Our bond amount is very tiny compared to your tuition expense. “
blah..... blah....... blah.. ...
You are going to invest a lot of amount of money in ISB with bond amount and loans. This investment will make you concentrate more on studies and ..blah blah blah….. In fact, this one lakh would make you work hard and be great in the class!
Blah..blah ....blah
You are a diamond, smart, intelligent and hard working gal. Believe in yourself and fulfill your dreams!"

Huh! Decided not to ask any more. Mail shows that they are toooooo narrowed in their thoughts. I always believe that it’s the passion, which drives us for tomorrow, definitely not the pain or emotions.

HOLI without colors

Though today is HOLI, I didn’t celebrate even an iota of it. When I was passing on the road I have seen many people with colors (especially pink: -P) on their faces. Felt very jealous of them. But that’s okay! Next year I will celebrate even this year’s holy. That’s how life moves on.

Hmmm. Exactly one month to go to join roller coaster ride. But am sure for the pressure we face for the whole year, one-year just flews on. My current posts and posts after a year will tell me what value addition MBA will bring in my life. Time will answer many Questions. Wait and watch.

Work..Work..Work

After nice weekend, awesome match (SA V’s Australia), hectic weekday started. Day started by reaching the office by 9AM and ended by reaching home by 11 PM. As we have the checkpoint review for CMMI, loads of work to do. Half of the day is wasted with those things. Very critical and high priority tasks in hand. Not getting any clue to resolve the issues? But anyways these kind of tasks are not new for us. Need to do some brainstorming with my other team leads.

As per my weekly planning, am supposed to complete the loan app by today. Not yet completed. Half the way. Now I will finish the other half and then go to sleep. Procrastination is sin.

Small gathering

Today, we had a small gathering with Hyderabad ISB admits at Angeethi hotel, which is in Banjara hills road no 1. I reached there by 12:45 PM. The designer dhaba has such a great ambience and of course delicious food. Around 9 people including me gathered, had some introductions, discussion about ISB, loans, laptops, placements, etc. Spent together for 2:30 hours approximately. While coming home, one of them dropped me in his car. I always get confused in saying which is right and which is left. Before some curve comes in the road, first I will see myself, which is my right hand, and then I will say right or left. Hope he didn’t find out my confusion. :-). Hope every one of us had a great time. I think we had to see so many get togethers of this sort from here on.

Wowwwww. What a people around me

My ISB seat even helped me to see the actual attitudes of many people. Whom I used to think GREAT are really people with two tongues. Never I expected that I am gonna see them in such a way. I have all the answers with me to justify my decision. But why should I? After some days, just their introspection will tell them who is wrong and who is who. God bless them with good souls and good health. That’s okay. Forget it. It is a real test case for me before getting into ISB. But one thing is for sure. I have to show all these people, that I took a proper decision. I AM going to show. God is Great. Let the FORCE be with me for the roller coaster ride.

Finally deposited my Acceptance amount today. Yet to get the access to micro site. Many pending things to finish. First I should finish my weekly planning for this week. This is the real best thing that I learnt from seven habits of highly effective people seminar.

My First Resignation

Today I have mailed my resignation letter formally. Infact this is my first resignation. I don’t know why, I felt very very sad when I was typing my resignation letter. May be I am so attached to my company. We really have a great team. I wish my team and my company continued success. I think I will be relieved from my company by April-8th.

Till now I didn’t start loan process. Yet to pay the acceptance amount too. Hopefully I will get the amount by tomorrow. I will get the DD for 1.5 lakhs and will go to ISB and pay in person. Just took the printouts of SBI loan application and other related documents. Now I will start filling the application.

Just seen the news that ‘An IIM-A grad bags a dollar job deal’. Here is some more info about that.

“By around 9 pm, there was a buzz on the campus that a student had bagged a record-breaking $185,000 package from Barclays for an overseas job. Another student had bagged a domestic offer “that would be difficult to break” in the near future. An I-Bank had offered a package of more than Rs 16 lakh, which was higher than last year’s highest salary of Rs 14.5 lakh. But the highest domestic offer was still bigger.

A total 16 firms were present at the Vastrapur campus today to recruit from among the best of India’s talent. On the first day, called ‘Day Zero’, it’s usually the big investment firms that get a chance. “It was no different this year,” said Rajeev Subramanian, student placement co-ordinator. The big names included Bain & Co, Barclays, ABN Amro Singapore, Barings Bank, Boston Consulting Group, Booz Allen Hamilton, BP Singapore, Citigroup, Credit Suisse Boston, Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, McKinsey and Co, USB Warburg Pincus and AT Kearney.”

Great going B-school students.

My Project Group

Here is the recent snap which we took in the office when our CEO (marked in the photo) was in INDIA. We had a family get together last weekend in ramoji filmcity. More snaps to come in. Stay tuned guys.

Perseverance always pays

Finally after long fight with the circumstances, situations around me, am ready to take the call of ISB. But in this journey, Some people felt very sad and there were some bad exchange of words too.

Mr. P said "Girls can't do management. Its not that easy. If you are not able to perform well, you will be fired from the company"

Who is he to talk in this manner. Ofcourse he is related to me in someway, but then, this is not the way to deal things. I know my potential. I will definitely prove what I am. God bless him with good health.

I am so happy that I won over manythings and my dreams didn't get shattered. Now its purely in my hands to make my life happier.

Hmmm. yeah! I need to start loans process and all. Till now I didn't start anything about laptop or loans.

The 7 Habits of highly effective people

I am the follower of Stephen Covey's 7 habits of highly effective people. Recently our office staff had a 2 days seminar on this by one of the 7 habits certified professsional. Though am a voracious reader, when I started reading this book, I felt that the subject is very dry and I just skimmed thru the content. But when I have seen the presentations and all by covey, am pretty impressed. Our character is a composite of our habits. Changing habits is hard, but can be done by tremendous commitment.

HABIT 1: Be Proactive

Being proactive means taking initiative, not waiting for others to act first, and being responsible for what you do. Its all about a gap between stimulus and response. In that gap humans have a freedom to CHOOSE.

Gandhi said "They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them". Our response to what happened to us affects us more than what actually happened.10% of life is made up of what happens to us. 90% of life is decided by how we react.

Change starts from within and effective people make the decision to improve their lives through the things that they can influence rather than by simply reacting to external forces

HABIT 2: Begin with the End in Mind

Being a techie, I follow this for sure. Design Phase first and then coding phase. Ofcourse manythings comes in between. This habit is based on the principle that all things are created twice:
a mental or first creation
a physical or second creation.

In simpler words its a carpenter rule "measure twice, cut once". Everyone of us should have a principle-centered personal mission statement. We can extend the mission statement into long-term goals based on personal principles.

HABIT 3: Put First Things First

The Time Management Matrix
..................Urgent Not Urgent
Important.........Q1 .........Q2
Not important.... Q3 ........Q4

Every activity we do during the day can be put in one of four quadrants. Effective, proactive people spend most of their time in Quadrant II. We need to stay out of Quadrants III and IV. This can be done if we are able to organize our goals, prioritize and work towards it.

HABIT 4: Think Win/Win

Building a business is nothing but building relationships. We should seek agreements and relationships that are mutually beneficial. This habit is best suited in co-operative environment rather than competetive environment. Win/Win is not a personality technique. It's a total paradigm of human interaction.

HABIT 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be understood

This is the toughest habit of all. Stephen covey presents this habit as the most important principle of interpersonal relations. Effective listening is not simply echoing what the other person has said through the lens of one's own experience. Rather, it is putting oneself in the perspective of the other person, listening empathically for both feeling and meaning.

HABIT 6: Synergize

Its about the whole is greater than sum of its parts. Through mutual trust and understanding we can solve conflicts and can find a better solution. synergize doesn't mean compromise. Compromising is nothing but a win/lose situation, where as synergistic communication is the win/win situation and the highest level of communication.

HABIT 7: Sharpen the saw

Habit 7 is taking the time to sharpen the saw. By renewing the four dimensions of our nature - physical, spiritual, mental and social/emotional, we can work more quickly and effortlessly. To do this, we must be proactive. This is a Quadrant II (important, not urgent) activity that must be acted on. It's at the center of our Circle of Influence, so we must do it for ourselves.

I started inculcating this habits one by one slowly. Lemme see how well I can change myself.

My First Post

One more blogger here. I had the habit of writing diary, which actually helped me to introspect myself at the end of the day. Then what about Blog. Will it help us in any way? Absolutely. I personally feel one should have guts to get his/her diary in front. So where am I heading towards in my life? MBA or USA? Not yet decided. I have an ISB admit offer in hand and also an assignment for 2 years to work in USA. But am not crazy about US. Its not a big deal. Then what makes me to think about US offer still. Yeah! My family circumstances. But again, I don't want money ruling over me. Huh! I have 10 days in my hand to decide. My sixth sense says that I will be going to ISB coz am more passionate about doing my MBA at ISB. Lemme see where my fate land me up. Any takers?