Every attempt to improve my English!

I cannot carry anymore the feeling of being developed in a village background as a reason for not speaking better English. Having received my H1B and waiting to travel shortly i am revisiting my English-speaking skills and trying everything possible to improve it better and better. I am confident that i am string technically and sound in the process of learning things technically. But a poor English will be a give huge set-backs even to a technically sound guy. Earlier, when i was in my college, i attempted Cambridge University's BEC vantage exam and cleared it with a C grade. Really an achievement for me.

Since our offshore development center is located in south of the country and the people i interact with are mostly the local people, there is virtually no opportunity to explore your communication skills. Even if you come up talking in english, it would be strange and would not fit into the situation. With all these in mind, i am strongly implementing things to improve myself on this regard.

To speak better english one need confidence. I have it in abundance and i got it through 50 plus seminars i took voluntarily in College. Next area of improvement is the accent. Yes, as i know, you need not exactly imitate other's accent but i am sure i should not sound strange and funny. Hence i am rehearsing few words as the dictionary automated voice pronounces.

A very good move is when i started listening to CNN radio and for a while i believe this would aid you to fit in the environment very well as you are listening it continuously it grows in you without your knowledge. You can connect to CNN radio through this link http://edition.cnn.com/audio/radio/winmedia.html

Next step is to find certain topics like Food, Climate, Movies and talk about that. Now i have started listening to Pop music and started to listen to it after going through the lyrics. Hope i will get better and better as i practice things very hardly and consistently.

Cleared H1B Visa interview amidst the hymn of early morning birds

Enough of the words i heard from my non-IT friends and relatives, as 2 years have gone, being in a Software Company, why haven't i flew onsite?

Flashback

Sometime back, i too went to the verge of frustration after knowing that my H1 Visa application got missed in lot. Also there is no visible opportunity for non-US countries too. I took it very hard with myself and looked for a better job half-heartedly. There is a mixed of feelings going around and i corrected myself here and then. Believe me, to a guy who always tasted success most often, failed almost in all interview from small companies to Biggies. Having completed SCWCD, i was made to attempt a question, "Tell me 3 types of Session tracking mechanism?". To which i came up with 2 types (Cookies and URLRewriting) and expecting him to tell me the third. He mumbled as "HttpSession", i was taken aback and told, "No, Its an API, not a mechanism!". Game over and i am out with a sigh relief. Left all hope in getting a job and financial recession is now at its peak.

I must thank my mind as it handles me with care nowadays. Clearly, the onsite picture i got, is an illusion and it's noway going to help me grow. I concentrated more on the skills i want to acquire ranging from frameworks, design patterns, operating systems to behavioral competencies. Now i am well on my track and progressed slowly and steadily and i am watchful.

Time flew quickly and it was the day when i got the news that its a data mistake and my visa application got filed successfully. No excitement! i am watchful again. Then followed a series of tests and assignments which made me fatigue and think back 'Why i need this!', sigh.

On the eve of interview

Sorry, i had to tell all these stories but coming to the point, the day was arriving. I was given the appointment time as 7.00 AM, very early, i was also satisfied that i could get early to home and do some useful work (writing a blog like this etc.,).

Visa Photo

H1B Visa photo is different from ordinary passport version and guidelines strictly told that the photo should match the specifications, otherwise the re is a possibility of rejection. I am not confident about the photographer near to my home, i did a bit of surfing and found 'Foto India' at Nungambakkam High Road near Gemini Flyover is the best. I took 8 photos (only 2 was needed but 4 was advised) since 4P costs 75 bugs and 8P costs 100 bugs. Photo session took just 10 mins and i am back to home comfortably.

Nov 14, Visa Interview

All documents are set, took some photocopies as it was advised by the immigration team and i woke up very early by 4.30 in the morning. Had a good shave, pressed my shirts and polished my shoes. Had a 1 round of make-up, thanks to my brother and his cosmetics he bought. Well, i could see him with a deep snore and even the wild spray of scent dint woke him up. With a refreshing Mom's cofee, i was out by 6 and managed to catch an auto nearby. He charged me 100 bugs, without second thought i had to get in and directed him to VFS situated in Sadasivam salai. When i landed up there, no one was around and i astonished and pondered, "Is this a place where my interview is scheduled?". Actually it's a Stars and Stripes lounge which can accommodate people from outside Chennai. Now the clock is ticking 6.30 AM and i am on a safer side. I again caught an auto from there to reach Consulate. Its 50 bugs now. How stupid i am!

I was greeted by a crowd of decent looking guys waiting outside the consulate and managed to spot my friends. Then we were asked to stand in a queue and allowed to go inside. Two very important points to note down here is, you must not (strictly) carry any bags, sealed covers and well, cell phones. You will have to give your interview letter and passport at the entrance for verification. After that, i had my personal interview with ease and i am out with satisfaction.

I was again greeted by a bunch of nice hearted auto rickshaw guys giving all directions. One guy was holding a bill book and told that he will give a bill for what i pay. "Oh, My God!, i dint get the bills from previous auto", i even hadn't the idea of re-imbursement. Anyway, caught the auto and made my way back to home. Now sitting at ease and watching India-England ODI.

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my conscience for its going to speak here truly!!!
Welcome to the Blade to his Personal Diary !!!
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