Area Visual Merchandiser Assessment... 24th & 25th Jan 08

It was 3 PM on 25th Jan 08, we had slogged our guts out for 2 whole days and it was time for them to announce the results... Seven of us competed for the position, only four wer to be chosen they said.
One by one they called people in, Surbhi went she conquered, Soma went and she conquered again, Next they called in Sheetal and Sunita who unfortunately didn't make it... Shilpi was called in 5th and she was made an AVM too...
Two candidates... one position... I was not sure what to think, I was given to believe by all my friends and colleagues that I wud clear for sure, but I knew deep within that I had been too nervous during the interview. My heart beat like never b4. Githi was called in next and when she came out with a smile I was sure I hadn't cleared. The only question in my heart was why the hell did they keep me in the last if I hadn't cleared the assessment? They could have ended my misery sooner...
It was 5 P.M., I had had the most intense two hours of waiting (the closest similie is like a husband waiting for his wife's delivery!). I walked in and Vikram(one of the assessors) was sitting on the seat. He told me I had not cleared the assessment and I said "I know". I thought I would handle it well (No emotions and all!) but when he went into where i had messed up and started giving me feedback, I suddenly had tears in my eyes. Area Visual Merchandiser had been a dream forever, I suddenly felt really small!
And then came the announcement. "Hey you've cleared and done well, I was just pulling your leg. Ain't I a gr8 actor?" It took 2 mins for me to let the news sink in. He smiled and said "Yes you have become the Area Visual Merchandiser, congratulations!"
I walked out of the office all numb, didn't know how to feel...? I had gone through such exageratingly opposite emotions in less than 5 mins my heart was not sure what it was feeling... My emotions wer askew. I walked to my colleagues and they all screamed "Congratulations". I was like how did you guys know? and they said they blackmailed the HR to tell them.
I was still numb, went into the rest room for 5 mins and realised just how close I had been to not getting the promotion. Malik (God) had been kind yet again. It was just his mercy that made me get the promotion.
And rest as they say is history... I immediately called Umang, Alakh, Papa, Shikha, My in-laws, Kiran and congratulations and wishes has been pouring since...!! It was as if doors of heaven have opened and decided to shine upon me...

Anyway this is Astuti Bajaj Bhatnagar, Area Visual Merchandiser, signing off... :P

Chennai Aha...!

Ther's no place like home and Chennai is and will always be home! Man do I lurve the city... The smell of the wet earth ('coz it's raining or shud I say pouring), the socialising that happens over morning walks, or simply the family catching up over freshly brewed filter coffee and Newspaper- these are things that a Chennaite swears by everyday. I love the simple living that is so much a character of the city! You donno what you're missing if you haven't gone simple! Ther's simply no complications in bein simple.

Oh and I found the conservatism of the city endearing this time (though I swear while I lived ther I hated it!) People turn to look at you just because you wear leggings with a sleeveless 'T'. Any woman who's short of attention shud just manage to bare a little in Chennai and man-oh-man will all your attention-needs just flyby!

So what did I do in Chennai huh? Went for my final year exams in Mass Communication. Had four papers that I had not done an iota of studyin for... So will I pass these tests? The last one didn't go well, walked out half way and all! But as for the other three I sure hope so.

I caught up with my near and dear ones and loved every moment of it! Like I said b4 ther really is no place I lurve more... Chennai Aha!!!

Kasuali- Diwali Vacation... :)

Ok! Ok!! I know it's been like forever since my last post... Am not goin 2 give any xcuses! :) Lots of thing happened since then but if anyone asks me "What's up?"my standard anyswer is "nothing much!" lol...
So what are these thing that have been happening huh? For starters I went to Kasauli for my diwali holidays with my hubby (ofcourse!) and some of our cousins... It was gr8 fun! Some lovely photographs and lovelier memories prove it... For those of u who are wondering wer exactly this is... it's a hill station very near Shimla. A completely beautiful place quite untouched by tourism. We stayed in a beautiful guest house that belongs to American Express. (No i haven't changed my job...my cuz works ther) It was freakin cold and this was even b4 the dilli ki sardi, meaning winters was here, so u could just imagine! But we had loads of fun neverthless.

Apart from that I have been part of opening of two other stores... Shoppers Stop @ Saket and Homestop. I am becomin quite a pro at it (though i say it moiself).

I have watched zillions of movies... well not that many actually... but the ones that stand out are Jab we Met and Aaja Nachle... For those who haven't seen either yet, "What are you doin reading this, It's gud... Go watch it!"

More recently i have been busy with Xmas setup in the store and I want to scream and tell "Ahoy everybody... it's is fabulous! go see it!" (Gawd aint i becoming dictorial?) But seriously, a lot of us have done a lot of work and it's time u guys out ther appreciate the work that's been put into it! Any appreciation whatsoever... can i start hearing some? :P

So what next u might ask? Going to chennai next week for my exams... It's goin 2 be a two week holiday. Will be ther for new years... lookin forward to another break (aint I always?)... Nothing much more...:) Will update next wen more things happen... Until then have fun! :)