Monthly Update

I know I wrote a post this month, but it feels like long back. I don't know why. May be because a lot of things happened so fast this month. So, lets see what's interested me this month.

First, I am  very sad that Real didn't play well against Villarreal. It was promoted to top division this season and played very well, but I expected Real to win this match. Now, we are 2 points behind Barcelona and Athletico, although I am sure that we would overtake Athletico at some point, no matter how well they have been playing. Second, the moment of the UCL match day 1 is Ronaldo's third goal, a spectacular one. To be honest, I never thought Ronaldo could dance past three defenders all alone and put one in the goal post, but I was proved wrong and I am happy to be. Third, I am really glad to see Ozil shine at Arsenal. Whether they can win the league or not, is too early to tell, but I hope they win at least one silverware this year, be it Capital Cup or FA Cup.

Ozil to Arsenal, Kaka To Milan

Hello there...

Kaka left for Milan. I feel sad, even though I have never seen him play. When he was playing at his peaks, I didn't even start watching football. But, it feels sad, that a Ballon d'Or player is humbled because of injuries and loss of form. To be match fit and be in form for next year FIFA WC at home, he needs to play regularly and hence he moved to Milan. It's understandable and I wish him all the best.

So, the sensational news is Mesut Ozil moving to Arsenal. I am very disappointed at this unfortunate turn of events. Because after CR7, it is Ozil, whom I like most. It is surprising because, just weeks before he said, he was happy at Madrid and would like to stay at Madrid for a long time to come. Many fans are disappointed at Ozil leaving the club. Lets see why he had to leave...

Monthly update

So, let's talk about football. Actually I didn't think of writing any new post this week, but changed my mind after seeing the Super cup match between Bayern and Chelsea. Boy, What A Match. The time is 03.15AM, 31/08/2013.

First, let's see the background. The last time these two teams met, Bayern lost on their home ground to Chelsea. And this is not in just any other match. It's the Champions League FINAL. Bayern completely dominated the match, with 20+ shots on target, 20+ corner kicks, 70% possession but they managed to get only one past Cech. But Drogba with just 2 minutes left in the match equalized for Chelsea. Then in extra time, Bayern missed a penalty, blame Robben for his poor effort. And then the humiliating defeat at their own backyard to under par, bus-parking Chelsea was completed when Schweini missed from the spot-kick in the shoot-out. So, Bayern desperately want to avenge their defeat and claim the only major trophy that's missing from their trophy cabinet.

Real bt Chelsea

Yes, Real Madrid CF has beaten ex-Real manager Jose's Chelsea by three goals to one in the ICC Final. There was a lot of tension before the match. Mourinho said that Real was at this competetion because of his professionalism. Don't know if there was any pun intended or he was really mocking Real. Then he attacked Ronaldo, by claiming that he coached the original Ronaldo (R9), implication being CR7 isn't as good as R9. And lot of issues between Real's Spanish players and Mourinho. There was this one more thing, Carlo Ancelotti, the current Real manager was ex-Chelsea manager during their 2009 campaign. And with all this past history, it is not a coincidence that of all the players, the ones attacked by Mourinho put in a great performance. Ronaldo with 2 spectacular goals, Casillas with 2 fine saves, Pepe literally owning Lukaku and Ramos with a decent display.

CSP 2013 Results Out

Hello there,

So, finally UPSC released the prelims result. And Yes, I have cleared this first stage. Now, preparation for Mains in December. But first let me tell you that I was very tensed these last 2 months. After the results are out, I checked the key for the first time. I am getting around 244 marks, 86 in GS I and 158 in CSAT. Most institutions tell that the cut off may have been around 220. Any way I am very very happy clearing this first hurdle. It is some thing like an upper. I was very down these last two months, not knowing what to do, tensely waiting for results and most importantly not preparing much. So, this is kind of a relief and a morale booster and now I am full of energy and enthu to continue my preparation.

"At Bernabeu, against Real Madrid, you can never say it's over, until the final whistle". These are the words of Pep Guardiola, the famous manager of FC Barcelona under whom the club won 14 titles in 4yrs. What he was trying to tell is that at their home ground, Real can turn the tables even with just 1 minute left. Same goes for me :) Just like my favourite team, I will fight (read prepare) till the end. Even though I've wasted 2 precious months, I've got 4 more months. I am not giving up yet, and with this boost from the prelims result, I will give my best effort for Mains.

The 4 questions, I had mentioned in my earlier posts, I got all of them right. Pretty Good, isn't it? Actually, the last three days of the prelims exam I wasn't really sure I would clear the prelims and sort of gave up preparing. But then, I recalled to myself that we shouldn't give up till the final whistle and decided to prepare. Because, I felt bored of studying anything new, I thought I'll revise my notes. So, these 4 questions are from some of the stuff I happened to read those last 3 days and I am really sure that I wouldn't have gotten all of them right, had I not revised them in the last minute. So, it's proved, not that last minute preparation matters, but don't give up till the final whistle. It's all about character.

Anyway, I've to tell you that I stopped reading Argumentative Indian some days back. I wanted to have some break from this prelims tension and this book with it's discursive nature is certainly not helping. That's when I started reading 'Yes, Minister'. Oh my God, I can't tell you how good this book is. I am not that good at English, but even I find it funny. I meant to say that I understand the sarcasm, humour, witty remarks everything. Anyway, the book is about a minister and his secretary, a civil servant and how they cope with govt administration. I have downloaded the sitcom also, but I am just reading the novel from this ebook thing. I prefer to read this book than to watch the serial. All civil service aspirants out there, must surely read this book. Its funny and informative.

I know I've said, I would write some sort of suggestions list and all, but I feel like it's already out there. Many institutes, experts, seniors have said it all. I feel like I don't have anything new to say. May be, if I find something important, I'll mention. But one thing that I already know, and personally experienced is 'It's not over until the final whistle'. Really, I believe those 4 questions I've revised at the last minute helped me. Later...

Monthly Update

Hello there....

Lets see what's happened this month.

I am still not fully into preparation mode and just passing time by watching TV, playing on laptop, visiting friends... May be once prelims results are out, then I will start taking things more seriously. By the way, prelims results are expected on 27th July. Then I am still reading this book 'The Argumentative Indian'. I must tell you that this is one difficult book to finish. It is not some story or some fiction that one can keep reading. It is a book about writings on Indian Culture, History and Identity. So, I hope you get the idea of how difficult it is finish such a book which warrants 100% attention every word and every page.

Then, Real Madrid's new summer signings. We signed Isco, Illarramendi, Carvajal. Then promised more first team opportunities to Morata, Nacho, Jese Rodrigez. This is clearly in contrast with our club's past transfer policies. Signing players on their reputation and marketing potential or Galactico Policy gave way to signing young promising players. It is said that Zidane, the new assistant coach was behind this new transfer policy. Anyway, it looks very promising. And what's the matter with ESPN, Star Sports and all other sports channels. Don't they telecast anything other than cricket. Its always Jai Ho or T20 Dhamaka or some other cricket junk. Please, for God's sake, spare us from this cricket mania. We have lot of other sports too, football for example. If not 2hrs a day, just telecast even 1hr a day some sport other than cricket. Anyway I can't wait any more for this summer break to get over and 2013-14 football season to kick off...

Then, I have said that I will write some tips for civil service aspirants out there, but I am still working on it. Trying to give those suggestions a shape. In case I don't qualify prelims, the list will be put on hold till the time I clear i.e. may be next year July...... Later

Monthly update

So, it is nearly a month since I have written any post.

And it is one year one month since I have started civils preparation after quitting my job. Now, what I have done in this last 13 months. Do I look back this entire year with satisfaction knowing that I have improved myself or do I need to do better? What about my preparation, my approach?

First, I can say, I have improved. Our sir told us that this preparation phase would change you. He was right, I couldn't exactly put down how I have changed, but I have changed. I am not talking about the maturity that one attains during the course of an year. Its about the changes in one's perceptions and understandings of his own country. He said one starts to appreciates things better. It really happened with me. Earlier, just like any youth, I was impatient. But now, even though I am not entirely okay with the country's progress or our state of affairs, conditions of poor, I wasn't going crazy about it. Its just knowing how the system works and accepting it, if it couldn't be made any better. Actually, its very difficult to pen down how my thinking or perceptions changed, but I can feel that. Having empathy for people's troubles now, whereas earlier I couldn't care less. Relating to every new development that I read in the newspaper, which in turn gives some feeling of knowing something about everything. You can only feel that feeling, when you know about something, people commenting passionately on the issue, you can involve in, tell your opinions.....Perhaps, it's very difficult to distinguish these subtle but significant differences in one's own personality and it is much more difficult to write them down without sounding like a phony.