The journey begins!!!

The counseling finally took place. Contrary to expectations, I couldn't make it to MEC. And I was disappointed. I scraped through to MACE, as there were just 3 seats left in general merit at that time in CS. Gave MEC and TKM as higher option and left Trivandrum.

The disappointment was soon forgotten and I was getting all excited about my college education, which was finally here - after a long, long wait. And also there was a fear of all the ragging that was in store for me, being a fresher in college.

It was on a Friday that the admission formalities took place. To be exact, the 24th of September, 2004. The first time I entered the MACE campus. Had a quick look at the campus. Don't know how I felt about it. There were big playgrounds, good buildings, greenery all around. I had gone with my dad and mom. We were directed to the graphics hall in the main block, where we had to fill-up some forms. And then, an elaborate process unfolded. By the time the formalities were over, it was quite late. I met Jyothis and Gino the same day(I already knew Jyo from our entrance-coaching centre). When I look back now, I find it interesting that i had met my "project mates" on my first day at MACE!!! ;-)

We were told that classes would start on Monday, the 27th of September. Filled with excitement, I entered the MACE campus for the first time, as a student, on Monday morning. After a small function in main auditorium, we were shown around the campus in general and our department in particular. There weren't any classes on that day.

We then had to find 'suitable' accommodation for me. We checked out the Chakravarthy Hostel first. But it was already full. So, we decided on the Mayura Hostel. The room was fine, but the rent was on the higher side at 2600/- pm. Gino was in the neighboring room and my room-mate was........ wait...... I ll make another post describing how me and 'he' chose to be room-mates.

After lunch, my parents left and I was left on my own. In a strange world. At a place which would become as important as home to me within the next 4 years. :)

The rest of the day went in getting to know my hostel-mates. There were guys from all parts of the state and u could hear different slang's of the Malayalam language. It was amusing to say the least.

Right on day one, the seniors did make their presence felt. We had assignments to do for them. I got picked out by a group of seniors just outside the hotel. I was let-off after a round of "question-answer" session.

So that was how our 'first day in Klm' went. It was a day I met some of the people who were going to be important for the rest of my life. Moreover, I was no longer a "school-boy". Had grown-up into a college-student. :D

The journey had begun!!!!!!! And I couldn't wait to find out more....:)

Before the four year saga unfolded!!!

Let us go back to 2004. I had done with my 12th standard board exams and all the entrance tests. And then, there was a long, long gap. A time pretty similar to what I am going through now. When I was left with nothing to do; a long period of sitting idle. Freshly out of school. It was difficult for me to leave school. But nothing in comparison to what I would feel four years down the line, when i was to leave college. Here, more than the pain, I was excited about all that was in store for me; having heard that college life is the best years of any person's life.

The results came. I had ended up with a descent entrance rank, after all the slogging that I had to do for 2 years. Then, some decisions were to be made. Which college to join, which branch to choose, etc... The opinion at home was to send me to Model Engineering College. The college had a good reputation and was very close to home. So I could stay at home during my engineering. Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted at that time. And I agreed to this proposal. I had wanted the CS branch and when the last years records were checked, it was found I could comfortably make it to MEC for CSE. So that was decided.

As we all would remember, the counseling got very much delayed that year. The student's federation SFI didn't approve to the so called "vidyabhasa kachavadam" of the UDF government. A lot of chaos ensued and we were all kept waiting that much longer.

Around this time, I was going to my dad's native place(which is Kattapana, Idukki district). Normally we go through another route(Thodupuzha-Moolamattam). But not this time. I passed through Aluva, then Perumbavoor and then a place called Kothamangalam. I remembered having read somewhere that there was a well-known engineering college here. I saw a big board at a place (which ,now i know, is Thangalam) which said Mar Athanasius College Of Engineering and an arrow which pointed into a very narrow road which looked devoid of any civilization and filled with pot-holes. I wondered how such a reputed college could be located at this little place. And thought "Ho!!!! Ivide okke padikunnonde oru avastha!!!!"

Ha ha!!! I didn't have the remotest of idea at that time that I would end-up at this very college located in this tiny, 'uncivilized' place and thoroughly enjoy my time here. Life, sometimnes, is strange!!!! Plays tricks with you!!!

The Journey-Confused teenagers to (hopefully)Successfull Professionals

For all u guys who are gonna miss ur college, college life and ur college buddies.
The fact that we can never go back in time hurts! Wish life was a tape... So that we could turn it back and play it again and again. May be, one day, science will advance to such a level. That we can travel in time. If ever this happens, ther's only one destination for us. It's the period 2004-2008. Those four years. The best times of our lives.
U could call it nostalgia,reminescence,melancholy. If ur heart is filled with it ull be a regular visitor here. It is a kind of sweet sadness.

REMEMBER - the present ,as the clock ticks right now is going to be NOSTALGIA soon,enjoy it to the fullest. Feel today like there's no tommorow. This is a lesson that could be learned.
Now, since we can't re-do our college days, we are going to do the next best thing. We will re-live those days. What started out as another one of Shefeek's "magnaninmous plans" is going to be a reality.Thanx to my diary-writing habits, I have most of our college days in black and white. And now, we are going to share it all to the world. Well, not the whole thing. The censor board will play it's role for sure. But, we'll try to make it as enjoyable for you as possible. If u guys have half the fun reading it compared to what we had living it - this blog would be a success story.
OK people. Lean back on your chairs and be prepared for a roller-coaster of a journey!!!!!

Introduction

Hi Friends....This is an attempt to re-live our college days,the most wonderful days in our life. And one more thing guys. I dont want to write this blog all by myself. To make it complete, every one's views are needed..So, as a begining, PC(Dileep) is gonna start writing..... :)

With loads of luv
Shefeek Jinnah