The Apple of my 'i'

There was a time when I always wondered what a 'Macintosh' was. I knew from reading British books that a 'Macintosh' is a raincoat but since I was never really a computer whiz when I was a kid, I never really even explored. My use of the computer was just restricted to playing games and my brother was the one who would look in to the maintenance or the upgrades. Not surprisingly, I didn't even know what an operating system was. 

A decade ago, I saw the first i-Pod in my life. I didn't listen to a lot of music at that time, so it didn't excite me too much. I started listening to a lot of music a year later and a few years ago, I bought my first i-Pod and it has become an indispensable part of my life. I can't imagine doing any form of travelling without my i-Pod. I can't imagine going to a gym or exercising without my i-Pod. It is everything I ever wanted in a music player. Portability, ease of use, great storage, great sound and great battery life! My needs were fulfilled completely. 

Although I would have loved to buy every single model of the i-Phone, I could never afford it, so I never bought it. And still, years after its launch, the i-Phone still eludes me. But, this is more so my fault. I can't go back to a older version when there is a new version out. 

My father is one of the typical technologically challenged fathers in the world and he got his first i-Phone a couple of months ago, after my brother and I forced him to change his cellphone. Today, he is in love with his phone. He just loves the user-friendliness and capabilities which he is able to use, without wanting to break his phone or throw it out the window in frustration. 

It is a sad day today. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple computers has passed away. I salute that man and his genius that made all the i and the Mac products possible. More than the name of the company, it's the i and the Mac that are well-known. Many industry leaders and business tycoons have passed away, but till now, for none has the entire world displayed so much emotion & sorrow. Steve Jobs changed the way people used computers and simple products like a portable music player. Sony had invented the 'Walkman' and Steve Jobs had the ability to convert that great idea into another amazing one. 

He turned a small animation studio that he bought from George Lucas into PIXAR, which became a legend; giving us movies like Toy Story and Finding Nemo. 

He has revolutionized the world of computing and he has gone on to a better place where he will probably revolutionize many other things. 

There are few people in an era who capture the attention of the entire world and leave behind a legacy that goes on forever. Steve Jobs was one of those.

I pray that the legacy of Steve Jobs continues and becomes more and more glorious over the years. 

Cheers to the power of 'i'.

R.I.P. Steve Jobs

Le Premier Mois En France

It has been exactly a month today that I arrived in this beautiful city of Nice in the French Riviera. It has been a decent month and fortunately, there have not been any major problems till now. I hope it remains the same for the rest of my stay here. 

Several years ago, I had watched a documentary on 'The French Riviera' and I had decided then, that at some point in my life I would visit this beautiful place. Then a few years ago, I started skiing and then I decided that at some point in my life, I would ski in the Alps. And now, here I am, living in the French Riviera and at the most an hour and a half away from an Alpine Ski Resort. Also, I have always wanted to learn French and never got the opportunity to do so until last year and what could be a better way to improve my French than living in France? I am happy with the way things have turned out. Excellent!

I had heard of several stereotypes about the French people and some of them are true and some of them are not completely untrue. The service in the restaurants for example, is surprisingly non-existent. Everything goes at an extremely slow pace here. I don't know if it is only in the Riviera or if that is the case all over the country. It has been over three weeks that I have opened my bank account and I still haven't received my debit card or my cheque book. 

Another common stereotype is that the French don't speak English. That is not completely true. I have had people try to speak to me in English sensing that I don't know French. Funnily enough, a couple times, the other person was speaking to me in English as he thought that I didn't know French and I was speaking in French because I wanted to get into the habit of using the language. 

I am happy that the school I have chosen is good and the student body is very good as well. I was apprehensive about how it would be, but I have no apprehensions now; at least not about the school. It's just that it seems like whenever I graduate with a Masters degree, the world economy is on its way into the dumps. In 2008, I graduated with my MBA and the economy was horrible. Now, when I will graduate in 2012, the economy will probably be horrible again. So, I am just hoping against hope that there will be a job for me before I graduate.

One thing though that really irritates me about Nice is that almost everything is closed on Sundays. I am really not able to grasp how almost 90% of a city can remain closed on a Sunday. Even today, I went to a grocery store which was about half hour away because I had to buy something I could only buy there and guess what? It was closed! 

The city though makes up for it by offering an amazing promenade by the coast and the blue azure waters. Although, the beach is only a beach because it is by the sea, but to me, a beach needs to have sand on it and not pebbles, like it does here. Going for a jog on the Promenade des Anglais is a real pleasure. One has to actually do it to understand how delightful it is. 

The first month has been a myriad of experiences. Most of them extremely pleasant. I have been fortunate enough to meet some very nice people from different nationalities and make friends with them. The course is challenging and I am liking it.

I pray that the rest of my stay in France, however long it might be, be like this first month. And, when I leave France for whichever location that might be, I only leave with extremely fond memories. (I do wish though that if I leave France, it would be because I have an amazing job somewhere)

Ciao et Bonne Journee.