My mobile phone just rang before I sat down to write this. A dear friend Prakash called to inform me that he had a stroke a few days ago. This was not quite the intro I had in mind to start this memoir to bade adieu to a roller-coaster year. Prakash had been a friend that came into my life two years ago. He, like many others, family members, are blessings that somehow were given to me without asking. Like him, there were many others that have been there for me during the darkest hours and days. Human beings that helped me without asking for anything in return. Among the highlights this year would be the emergence (or reunion!) of true friends from my past. Boy, how I neglected you over the years, chasing glory at work and that so called career ladder. I've always had the view that friendships were like marriages - they are for better, or for worse - we will never ever know how long it lasts. However, nothing is forever as they say. But those that are there to listen, car