Finally got a new desk after a very long time. The desk I was using was a small one that I had bought for Rs.3000 back in 2006 when I first moved to this apartment and bought a desktop computer. Since then I have bought 3 laptops, including the one I currently use but it was always the same desk for the past 18 years. Now, it was a small desk and it as also hard on the back because I didn’t have leg room to tuck my legs in due to the racks that it had. It was good for keeping my modem/routers and an extension plug for the various chargers for my devices but not for the legs. Which also affects your back.

So after an extensive online search for desks on both Amazon & Flipkart I had 4 to 5 desks that I was looking at as becoming my new one. I had selected this one, the ABOUT SPACE Computer Table with 3 Tier Bottom Storage & Keyboard Tray because I felt that it as the best not just that it looke really good but it also has three open rows for me to keep things an also have plugs and stuff easily accessible. It was Rs.5499 on Amazon and costlier on the manufacturer’s website. By the middle of November I was searching almost on a daily basis, hoping to find one that was cheaper and though I found a couple that I really like, none were as practical as this one. So I waited till he 28th of November before placing the order.

Shock of shocks I found that the item, which I put in my cart was now out of stock but I found another seller who was selling it with a Rs.400 discount on Amazon – if fact it was recommended to me as the other one was out of stock. All I had to do was now to select among the two options that they had – natural wood finish and the white one. I decided to go with the white because my plan was to get a desk mat any ways and the one I had in mind would go really well with white. The delivery was scheduled for Tuesday the 3rd of December and they would also arrange for someone to come on Wednesday for the installation.

So around 2 pm on Tuesday Amazon’s large items delivery came by and brought the box in. I asked them to keep it in my room propped up against the dvd shelf. On Wednesday the arrangement was for the guy to come and assemble the desk between 10 am and 2pm. Now I start my work at 12:30 pm and I had hoped that I could that he would come in before that but as that didn’t happen I quickly showered and shaved. By 2 pm as no one had come, I had my lunch and called customer care. They said that they would investigate but they would try and reschedule it.

I tried calling the number of the guy who was supposed to come using the contact information that they had shared but I saw that the messages had two different people. I called and spoke to one guy but he said that he didn’t see my details in his route and that he was in a different area of the city.  I couldn’t connect with the second guy and I had to get ready for a review with the clients by 3pm. The guy calls me back and says that he was delayed at two places and that he was on his way to my place. I quickly let him in and told him to start assembling but that I would be attending the meeting.

He promise me that he would take less than an hour and yes within 45 mins he was done. I slid the desk into my room, as he was doing the assembly in the living room of my apartment, and went back to work. When I took a break at 7pm, I took most of the things from my old desk and spread them out
on this new one. I got back to work in 30 minutes and post shutdown, I admired my new purchase. Ofcourse the laptop is now 5 years old and the speaker and Echo are not new but hey atleast it looks so much better.

I have 3 rows to store stuff; the bottom row is empty for now and the middle one has my modem/router and the extension chord for my chargers and stuff. The top row has all my external hard drives for personal data storage. And finally on my desktop I have my laptop, bluetooth speaker, Amazon Echo, US Mouse, a coaster, headphone stand and headphone and a bunch of earpods. I also bought a footall pitch design desk mat. Hope you like the pics!

So it is finally done – I ordered the new desk via Amazon on Friday morning and it was getting delivered today. The desk is question is the ABOUT SPACE Computer Table with 3 Tier Bottom Storage & Keyboard Tray – Modern Tabletop Office Desk for PC Laptop, Study, Writing, Gaming Open Bookshelf with Storage [L100 x B45 x H75 cm]White – Matte. It was a tough choice between the natural wood finish and the white. The wood finish really looks good but white won on in the end.

The delivery guys called me by 11:45 pm and asked me if I would be home and I told them the way to get to my apartment. They were just 1 km away from me so I was waiting at the lobby for them. The one guy came up to my apartment and I asked him to leave the box next to my dvd shelf. He then gave me some info about the assembly and answered a couple of my questions. I signed and he left.

So now I wait till the next day for the guys to come in and assemble it for me. I hope they come by 10 am tomorrow.

Would you rather travel to 5 cities in 10 days, or stay at 1 city for 10 days??

So I am not a travel guy and I have never been one. If I do go to someplace new, I would like to explore it and check out their major points of interest and try out the local restaurant and cafes and even their bars. This takes times and I do not think that I could do any justice in just 1 or 2 days.

So not 5 cities in 10 days but I would love to go stay in a hotel in a city for 10 days, take my time and explore at leisure. Plan everything so that I leave the hotel after breakfast and spend the day out till late evening. In between I would have a long lunch at a cafe and people watch. Visit 2 or more tourist or recommended spots and come back to the hotel by 6 pm.

Then it’s a shower and get refreshed order a coffee and later on dinner. Eat it on the hotel room bed as I watch tv and then then go to bed and sleep for a few hours. I believe that this is the only way to enjoy a new city truly.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com

If you had an extra room in your house, what would you turn it into?

So I live in a 3 bedroom apartment and my parents have 1 bedroom and 1 have another. Opposite my room is the 3rd bedroom. It is a common room for us – iron board, a cupboard for storage, built in shelves for books etc and more storage that is built in and a desk that my dad uses for reading and he has some documents and stuff in the drawers.

If I had another room in my apartment, I would make it my home office. I’d have a nice desk and chair in it for work and I’d have some shelves for DVDs and Blurays. It will be a nice room but I wouldn’t have my bed in it as I’d want to separate my work from my sleep and relaxation.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com

Now that I am ordering a new desk I am thinking about getting a desk mat as well. I have never use a desk mat before and I am intrigued by it.

Desk mats can be used to protect your desk surface from spills and cracks. It is also the best option for eliminating and preventing mechanical damage. It also provides a smooth surface so that your hands are comfortable when you work for a long time. It covers your entire workspace, so you can keep all necessary items there to protect them from damage. It can be seen as a bigger version of a mouse pad since it helps cover your desk’s entire surface.

One major advantage of using a desk pad is that it helps to improve and simplify your workstation. It does this by increasing customer productivity as it is comfortable and keeps a neat surface. You can put anything on your desk mats, such as a keyboard, a computer, a mouse, and stationaries. Not only is a desk mat functional, but it is also an aesthetically pleasing addition. It improves the overall appearance of your desk by adding various colors and patterns. Desk mats come in various styles, sizes, and materials which will be explored below.

What is your favourite and least favourite part of a typical day in your life?

Hmmm, that is a good question. I had to think about that one. I would say that probably the thing that is my favourite part of the day is the first cup of coffee in the morning. On a typical day I wake up at 7 am and after getting out of bed, going to the washroom and then post doing my business and brushing my teeth and then washing my face, I go to get my first coffee of the day.

Once it is made and I bring it back to my room and sit down to drink it, it feels so good. The coffee and a perfectly selected song for that time of the morning can make it feel like a sensational feeling. And now to the leas favourite part of the typical day in my life. What could it be? Ah, yes when I have to get into calls for work.

Sometimes I feel that it could have been an email. Daily calls where they are not needed isn’t the nicest thing in the world. Also, I typically have 3 to 4 calls in a day and that is just overkill. We need more time to complete the actual work.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com

Ever since I can remember I have kept a bottle of water next to my bed. I say ever since I can remember but I’d say that before my teenage years it as probably a glass of water and probably when I was 13 or 14 it became a bottle. It continued for the rest of the years since. I always have either a plastic bottle or something filled with water.

I have always felt thirsty in the middle of the night hence the bottle. By the time I hit my 20s and then my 30s it became a nightly ritual to go and fill a bottle and keep it next to me. Nowadays I have this rather nice bottle, which I fill with water by around 11pm and then I keep it on my computer chair, which is next to my bed. If I feel thirsty in the middle of the night, I can just reach over and take a drink.

Last night I filled the bottle but then kept it on the dining table in the main room. I came into my bedroom and then switched off the lights and started watching tv. I was falling asleep and switched the tv off. My mother went to bed and noticed that the bottle was outside and knocked on my door but I as too comfortable I didn’t want to get up from bed. So I ended up not getting the bottle of water and slept off. However I dreamed about drinking water and not getting enough to drink. When I woke up at 7 am my throat was parched and I just couldn’t wait to get a drink of water.

Lesson learned. Bottle will be in my room!

I’ve been meaning to buy a new computer desk/work desk for quite a while now. I have been using my desk for about 18 years now. I went to a couple of small business furniture stores near the Kerala High Court and asked around for a desk. It fact the two shops I went to were on opposite sides of each other and the one I got my desk from was on the opposite side of the High Court bus stop when you go towards Marine drive. Which is about 2 kms away from my home.

At that store I saw a couple of desks that were already made and I picked up, paid for it, went home and within an hour they brought it to my apartment. And on top went my then desktop and speakers. So I have been using it for so long and it has cracks on the sides and even the top of the desk. But it has lasted for a long time and it was cheap at just Rs. 3000. Heck of a bargain. But I have some issues with it and it’s time for a change.

I am looking at the above pictured desk from a seller on Amazon. Amazon will also assemble it for me, free of charge. The only thing I have to decide now is do I want it in this white colour or a natural wood finish. I am going to order by the end of the month and will still look at other models but so far this is my favourite.

Work from is very exciting if you do it right way . Below are few benefits which you will only experience working from home .

1. You save hell lot of money. – Yes you heard it right , you will save a lot of money which can be further utilesed to buy your desires. You save travelling money , your daily 3–4 cup coffee expense , you’re gonna save a lot.
2. Flexible timing – Its not like you’ll have to be in office till 9 am . You’ve to report at particular time ( Exceptions might be there ) but you can wake up at your own time. You can take breaks according to your convenience .
3. Productivity – when you’ve your own working space , which is apparently your home, you’re gonna work better which enhances your productivity. You decide your number of breaks, lunch time, coffe breaks & work time so you’re gonna increase your productivity
4. More family Time – I know , I know you will be working, but atleast you’re there. Work from home buys you more family time which improves your relations
5. Freedom of your own outfit.- You’ll get a Relieve from those uncomfortable formals. You can be in your boxers or pyjamas and work comfortably.
6. Custom environment -Set up your noise level according to your convience . Should be not quite as a temple, not too high like you’re standing in the front row of a Slayer concert.

There are many more benefits , it just needs a positive outlook from people .

What is a goal you accomplished this year that you are especially proud of?

Well, the main goal I had as to either move to a shift that ends at an earlier time than the 2:30 am or 3:30 am that I was usually doing, get work at home or join another company where the process as work from home. So instead I was given the option to move to another process, a new one that was just being setup in Kochi at the office an within 3 months I could move to a steady shift and work from home.

Mainly for health reasons as well as for financial reasons me going to the office was something I wanted to avoid. Also I enjoyed working from home and wanted to get back to it. Even if was something like I had to go once a week I would have loved it. That is because I do miss some of my colleagues at the office but given a choice of working from home vs always working from the office, guess what? I would always pick the work from home option.

Now I just need to find a new desk so I can easily work on and keep both my laptops on and still have space for two speakers and a few things like earbuds and mouse and a coffee cup next to my left.

Prompt from October Journal Prompts: Gratitude and Growth at Baronfig.com

Have you ever carved a pumpkin before? If yes, describe what you carved. If no, describe what you would carve as the face of a Jack-o’-lantern.

Since Halloween isn’t a big deal and not really celebrated where I live, I have never in my life carved a pumpkin before. Not once. Also I do think that the inside of the pumpkin can look really disgusting and feel disgusting too as you cut into it. However I do love seeing pumpkins in people’s decor outside or inside during the fall season and especially around Halloween.

But if I did have this practise in my neck of the woods then I would have one classic Jack-o-lantern design for sure. You can’t go wrong with it. Then ofcourse I will have some Star Trek themed ones. Some of the ones that I have seen on a quick Google search look awesome. Similarly some horror creatures as well, which will be thematically appropriate for the season. Ofcourse you can also have some general stuff like logos of your favourite sports theme or rock/metal band.

But overall the usual ones are more than enough for me with some skull heads or something like that since they lend that spookiness to the atmosphere.

Prompt from 30 Fun Halloween Writing Prompts & Ideas at HMHCo.com

Do you believe in ghosts or spirits? Why?

No, I do not believe in ghosts or goblins or any spirits – unless it’s rum, vodka, randy and others of their ilk. Does that mean that I do not get scared? Hell no. There are chances that I do and will get scared of things in the dark.

The power of imagination is so great that it can show you things that are not there. Charged by what you have seen in movies & tv shows and online. So you have these ideas of what the vampires are supposed to look like or zombies look like and other creatures of the night. So you look out into the night and the darkness and you imagine a zombie/vampire/ghost/creature.

Why I don’t believe in any of these creatures is because there is no proper evidence to do so. Nothing substantial enough to prove that they exist. Without proof it’s not wise to believe in anything, including ghosts and zombies or any spirits.

Prompt from Daily Journaling Prompts for October at The Krafty Planner

The simplest things are what I like to do on my days off. One I like spending time with my coffee, waking up at 7 am and drinking lots of coffee in the morning. And I like spending a chill time in my bedroom just idling away the morning with music and listening to podcasts or watching vlogs. There is nothing I like more than having a few hours in the morning to enjoy my internet stuff.

Ofcourse ordering in a treat like a frappe of iced latte is also a joy. Anyways, if I am not going out I would like to order one in by 11 am and enjoy it over the next hour. Lunch would be with my parents in our dining room and that would be followed by some fruit and I would like to lie in bed and watch a movie, if possible 2, depending on the duration. Evening 5pm would see another coffee and some snacks while I play music, checking on my parents to see if they have had tea and snacks.

I usually take a shower in the evenings and I do that and enjoy the rest of the evening at my desk. Dinner usually happens after 8:30 pm and then more relaxing, followed by either a movie or watching some tv show episodes before I go to sleep.

Prompt from Daily Journaling Prompts for October at The Krafty Planner

So with the changing in work environment I have changed my night time routine. Just a few days ago I shared about my current morning routine and now it’s the turn of the night time. Like I said my current process, which started in June of this year, has a fixed work shift of 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm. When we first moved to work at home, I was able to take a break for dinner by 8:30 pm for the first couple of weeks, but since then I usually wait till after my shift to have dinner.

And that’s because we’re more busier these days. We usually have a meeting at 9:15 pm, which usually lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. Once that is done, I will shut down my work system, put my headset and USB mouse that I use for work away in a plastic bag that the headset came in, and put all three into my laptop bag provided from work. That done, I go an have my dinner and talk with my parents. Once it is done, I will come back to my system and be online on my personal laptop for an hour. Then I will get some fruit, cut it up and eat it at my desk.

Once that is done, I take my meds, then usually visit the loo, come back to the bedroom and switch on the tv. I switch off the lights and watch tv shows for a little while before sleep catches up with me. So then I switch off the tv, kep my glasses away and go to sleep.

My current morning routine starts with me waking up sometime around 7:30 am. Even though I usually have my alarm set for 8 am, I end up waking up by 7:30 am; sometimes earlier but I try to go back to bed till 7:30. I stagger out of bed and then start my laptop. I know, I know – I can’t help it! I go to the washroom and then brush my teeth and wash my face.

I then check on my system and open both Firefox and Chrome and switch on the bluetooth speaker and then go to the kitchen to boil water, get the coffee and sugar and then the milk to make my first cup of coffee of the day. Coffee in hand I come back to my room and start watching Youtube videos, checking football scores etc. By 9 am I look to see what is for breakfast and then get my bowl or plate ready and eat it at my dining table.

Then it is back to my laptop until 10:30 am when I get another cup of coffee. Back to the laptop and by 11:45 am I will take a shower and sometimes a shave. As I dry myself, I come back into my bedroom and then boot up the work laptop. By 12:15 pm I would be logged in and checking my work emails and gearing up for the day’s work.