Bits and Bytes from my Life

After 2 weeks of keeping us on our toes, our boyz arrived on 2^nd Feb around 4:40pm. Abhi, Arni and Swati are doing great. Arni is currently in NICU and will be there for some time but he is doing fine. Abhi has already moved in with us.

Names:

1. Arnav(Arni): 4.3 pounds, birth time – 4:40pm on 2^nd Feb 2010

a. Arnav means Ocean in Sanskrit.

b. Arni is of Hebrew origin and means “high”

2. Abhinav(Abhi): 5.4 pounds, birth time- 4:41pm on 2^nd Feb 2010

a. Abhinav means Young; innovative.

b. Abhi means fearless in Sanskrit

Few Snaps:

1. Abhi with Mom and Dad

2. Abhi with Mom

3. Arni with Dad

This song from this weeks American Idol is awesome. No it is Beyond Awesome!!!

Happy New Year or I should say Happy new Decade. What a decade it was. Personally it was huge for me with tons of changes. I moved to US in 2001, Got married in Dec 2002 and had an amazing time since then.

2009 was special for us we had an amazing vacation in Italy which was dream come true for Swati. I have been too busy to blog regularly especially since September. With tons for travel for office around the world including Hong Kong, Berlin, LA, Kansas City, NY, Louisville etc. Work is hectic as usual. But main reason for my being busy and not having enough time for blogging or other similar activities is next transition in our life…

YES WE ARE EXPECTING… That too TWINS. Due date is anytime from now to mid Feb. Later the better for us and keeping our fingers crossed. Pregnancy is tough on Swati especially with Twins but it is also fun. It is amazing how technology has advanced. You can really see both babies very early on in Ultrasound and then track there progress. It is an awesome experience. Now we have 2 doc appointments every week.

2010 will be huge with we going from 2 to 4. Happy new year to everyone and will try to be in touch with y’all through this blog.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!!!

Author: Michael Lewis

I had heard about this book a while back but after last years Wall Street Crash it was right time to read it. It took me a while to read it. It is not a very easy read. But I am glad I read it though.

Michael Lewis has shard story of Soloman Brothers and their collapse. Lewis illustrates how economic decisions made at the national level changed securities markets and made bonds the most lucrative game on the Street. His description of the firm’s personalities and of the events from 1984 through the crash of October 1987 are vivid and memorable.

It is a very good book to learn how Wall Street actually runs, what goes in mind of people at Wall Street. How investment backs make money etc…

It is fascinating to see how history repeats itself. You will read this book and think as if it was written after last years crash. This book is from 80’s.

It is a great read for anyone who wants to learn how mortgage securities market took off and how credit swaps came in play. Great book.

Seattle it the most beautiful city in summer. The weather is awesome, there is farmers market in every neighborhood. We love to head out to Pike Place market and enjoy the weather.

One such day we came across this band Slimpickins. Everyone of the members is really talented but Annie is beyond awesome. I have become a fan. You should look at her when she plays her Violin, She puts her heart into it. Really awesome. I will recommend them for any occasion.

Just watch 1 minute into this video and you will know what I mean.

Slimpickins website: http://www.myspace.com/jakeandannie

Photo from Pike Place:

This year Microsoft’s World Wide Partner conference was held at New Orleans from July 13th-16th. We had never been to New Orleans and we did not want to loose the opportunity to visit the place. It was busy week at New Orleans but we were able to find some time on weekend to go out in the city.

I just have to say there is not place like New Orleans for food. Have Jambalaya & Gumbo and top that with Beignet and a cup of coffee from Cafe Du Monte, that is heaven. Music was in every corner of the city. You can spend hours on Bourbon street with non stop music and fun.

Check out the photos at:

I know it has been more than 3 months since I updated the blog. Too much work and lot of things happening in life. But this blog is an important of life, so today my goal is to update everything for last 3 months.

Enjoy…

One of my favorite blogger has written an amazing post on cars and men.. It is really awesome stuff must read.:) Check it out.

Buying a car is like finding a husband. Now potential husbands should take this with a pinch of salt, especially if they are potential car sellers too. You see, the process begins with visual estimation. You go to car selling websites and put a certain number of search criteria you are looking for- make, model, mileage, and price. The same happens in a matrimonial website, or in any potential mate hunting arena- bars, friend’s birthday party, dandiya celebrations, anywhere you can find a reasonable number of men showcased to take a look. You are still looking at the same parameters- make, model, mileage and price, be it a car or a man.

sunshine: Some deep perspectives on cars and men

Author: Chip & Dan Heath

This is an awesome book. I was looking for book on storytelling this is an ideal book on that.

Made to Stick focuses on telling your story/message in a way that it sticks with the audience. Author focuses on very common themes like Simplicity, Unexpectedness, Concreteness, Credibility, Emotions, Stories to make the stories stick.

Book also has some good punch line which are good. The one I liked and remembered was “Avoid burying the lead. Don’t start with something interesting but irrelevant in hopes of entertaining the audience. Instead, work to make the core message itself more interesting.”

Other Good quotes:

• "And that’s the great thing about the world of ideas — any of us, with the right insight and the right message, can make an idea stick."
• "Becoming an expert in something means that we become more and more fascinated by nuance and complexity."
• "Abstraction is the luxury of the expert. If you’ve got to teach an idea to a room full of people, and you aren’t certain what they know, concreteness is the only safe language."

It is really great book to read. I will try to take authors class if I get a chance it is that good. Enjoy.

This weekend we went on another one of our road trips. We headed south to Oregon and drove on US 101. US 101 is one of the best scenic byways you ca drive on. You have ocean on one side of the highway.

First night we stayed in Tillamook and then headed to Gold beach on day 2. The drive was beautiful. Gold beach was a bit of disappointment, hotel we booked was not good so we just took off 1 day early and next headed to Woodburn company stores. Of course had to shop in Oregon(no sales tax. ). We spend day 3 in Portland. Visited Multinomah falls, Chinese garden, Powells book shop. Next returned back home.

It is good to spend most on Monday at home and prepare for office tomorrow.

Again highligh was drive on 101. Nothing can beat a beautiful drive.