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Another year ends. As many would say and so would I, it passed too quickly. It is as if last month that I was worrying over my thesis and timely graduation after coming from my brother's marriage in Jan end and things have since flown by. I finished, probably my last, academic degree related to engineering, and ventured into the category of 'full-time' worker class. I lost some friends from the university (lost as in moved away from) and made some new ones in Citi. I miss those who have gone far and am thankful for those who are nearer now.

I rediscovered some lost passions and did travel more than ever before. The new job was never too blase', I entered the markets at one of the worse times when sub-prime hit the banks. I witnessed the losses, firing of management, resignation of CEO, billion dollars write-downs, appointment of a CEO with Indian origin, cost-cutting and layoffs anticipated. For the first time, I understood something about stock markets. I saw the excitement behind trading. I witnessed the falling of dollar, weakening of US economy and many Indians considering returning back to their motherland forever.

I became (hopefully) more mature and commonsensical. I felt I've grown, and that too not only in age. But not everything went on well, I failed and I suffered...I lost and I mourned too. But in all of it, I learnt. And with this learning and realization in place, I am focused on 2008. I know, more than ever before, what I want. I have high hopes, now, on this coming new year and I have a lot to look forward to. I am expecting a new nephew/niece in my family and the new life will surely bring us all closer and happier.

So, this is to the year that has gone by. This is to the victories and this is to dampeners. This is to the friends who are no more near by to share a joke and this is to the friends I have come back to. This is to the tears that love costed and this is to the laughter that it brought. This is to the distances that separated me from the dear ones and this is to the will that overcame all those distances. This is to thank the Almighty, for listening to my prayers and giving me what I deserved, this is to again thank the Almighty, for not fulfilling every wish of mine and making me understand what I can and cannot change.

Let the dawn of new year bring upon us love, peace and hope.