Friends

I was thinking of writing something but could not figure out what. But today I dreamt of Rins and Shaina. Hope they are fine. Rins had contacted me a couple of months back. She is happy with a family now. As for Shaina, I have no clue. Sure she is a mother now, but no contact after 2011 or something. Hope she is doing good.

Can not update Zenfone Laser ZE500KL?

For some reason I couldn't update my device because it threw me errors each time I tried both through OTA  and manually. The errors where mainly relating to mounting such as
E: failed to mount /asdf (Invalid argument)

So I went searching in XDA and found a workaround. Here it is:

 Thanks to malachiseelam in XDA
1. Enable USB debugging in your device and accept the PC signature prompt on your phone
2. Download ADB and Fastboot into a folder
3. Download the latest firmware and place it in the above folder. Rename it to update.zip for convenience.
4. Download and place the recovery.img of the Lollipop firmware (1531) into the same folder
5. Open cmd.exe in Windows and change the directory to the folder above by giving the command chdir "your folder location" and press enter. For example if mine is in desktop then the command would be chdir C:\Users\user\Desktop\Folder

6. Check if your device is recognized by typing adb devices. If it shows then all good.
7. Boot into Fastboot Mode by switching off and pressing volume up button with the power button (Release power button once you see the screen or after vibration)
8. Type adb fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
9. Boot into the now installed recovery by pressing volume down button and the power button.
10. Choose "Aply update through ADB", confirming by pressing the power button
11. The device will wait for instruction. Here just type adb sideload update.zip

12. The installation will start in your device.
Source : https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone-2-laser/help/fix-asus-zenfone-2-laser-ze550kl-t3579069
Good luck.

The art of sulking

Sometimes I wonder
To talk or not to talk
As what I say is all but blunder
It is true words cut deep within
Into flesh and bones therein
There it lies ever buried
Waiting to hurt the soul
And to consume me whole

Why not?

I had lots n lots of free time to post something here but I was lazy. But the thought of writing nagged me all the while.
I've got a job now by God's grace. I like it. As an IELTS trainer. Now that I got The Visa for going to New Zealand I was at first reluctant to apply. But for how long can you sit jobless. Besides an idle mind is the devil's playground.
In fact I told the institution that I will leave by May upfront. I got frowned upon by others because who else will say  like that in an interview. Who will give a job? What's the purpose of the interview in the first place?

Ah well... I just wanted to be honest. I don't want to leave them just like that one day.

Talking about the job, well I know it's hard for me to talk well but I thought why not. I like teaching. And this can only improve me.

And so life flows....

Why O why?

Ok, so Ron have gone to New Zealand for her higher studies...leaving me behind, in the hopes of me joining her soon.

Now, because others have deceived the New Zealand Immigration, it is natural for them to take caution. I appreciate that.

But... let me ask... why should the innocent be barred from going through the system?

I was rejected at my first application because they ( at Delhi)  didn't believe that I and she were married. Great!

Fine, I may not have submitted the required or necessary documents.(Had actually put marriage certificate, passport and wedding and post wedding photos) But please Immigration guys, please do a background check at least. Contact the Police and ask them to verify.. or something else. If what I say is not adding up... investigate. Only then decide.

Now this may take time and resources...but you should. Its your responsibility.

So, happily I applied the second time. They telephonically interviewed me as the protocol goes. Fine. But, I got nervous, said something gibberish, forgot the dates, names and numbers because of the adrenaline rush. (As If remembering numbers and names weren't hard for me to begin with)
I write this blog ,  I write my diary.. for what? Because I forget easily. For record.

Now the questions asked where all fine and good. But I felt pressured. The interviewee was typing all that I spoke. So, it created a sense of urgency, which added to my nervousness.
One question really still intrigues me "Why weren't invitation card printed from my side." I live in a village, not a city. Familial news and events are told by word of mouth. And since phone calls can do the job, why print?
The interviewee warned me that my answers were not convincing to which I honestly replied that I am nervous and that I find it hard to remember numbers and dates.

Finally she asked me to drop in my previous passports. Now that's a relief. Thank you.

So will be sending my passports which will travel around 2600 km and reach them for a decision to be made.

A year that was

As this year passes by, I'm thankful to God.  For giving me a good wife. For all the smiles I have received. The prayers that made me face the days. The friends who managed to keep in touch in this short busy life. The kindness from strangers. For everyone.

I'm beginning to understand the difficulties that arise from maintaining a really long-distant stable relationship now that Ronitta is in Wellington. Time conflicts are the least that's bothering me.

Have I become a tad wiser?  Maybe... Maybe not.  But life has to flow, and flowing it is.  Sometimes caught in little eddies... mostly smoothly though. And yet it gushes forth.

The Island of Crows (Kakkathuruthu)

My state Kerala is a beautiful one. It's lushy green all around. And I like it.
The very name means Land of Coconut Trees.
So you shouldn't be surprised to see coconut in amost all the dishes we make.
But the point is an island called Kakkathuruthu here has grabbed a spot in National Geographic's Around the world in 24 Hours photographic journey.

Now that's cool.  Kerala is so small that no one will blame you if you miss it in the Atlas.  But recognition such as these will definitely help maintain its pristine beauty.

I have lived my life in Europe and the Middle East but I still have to see a soil that's as fertile as here. We are blessed with both rain and good soil.  And that's what sprouts life here.

Sometimes I feel I'm blessed.