Some little irrelevant things..

As I ended my vacation, where I only worked 50 hours/week [yes, thats what it was, it sucks], I headed back to my little rat-hole....back to my state, my workplace.

It is so different to go on a vacation at one place and use it to work at another place! guess thats what the pain of being an immigrant is all about! ;) But anyways, coming back to the main point, I was really looking forward to driving back from this little hibernation, not for the work, not for the people back there, but for the thrill of driving....it wasn't a long drive, about 4 hours, but I had been planning a lot for it. Got a new set of songs on my mp3 player, got some new air freshners in my car, a nice steering cover and a pair of sunglasses......To top it all, my little baby (car) had been troubling me past couple of weeks, so much so that till a few hours before the start of the drive, I wasnt sure if I was going to be able to drive it! But guess, everything turned out well. After spending a bit of fortune on it, I finally managed to get it on the road..relaxing...

The whole drive was serene, not much traffic, not many stupid drivers....I did almost come close to meeting with an accident. A person entering the highway did not slow down enough to let me pass and turned his car to my lane without indicating. It was a good thing I was alert, I immediately pulled over to the next lane and honked. As luck would have had it, there was a car in the very next lane, who had to further go to the other lane! My heart sank in my stomach, that was a close call, had he not changed his lane. I looked at him and he gave me a thumbs up. I never wish that a cop be around when I am driving, but this time I sure wished he was....He would have booked this idiot.

Anyways, I came back safe and sound without any further incidents. The drive was worth every minute. Its been a few days since I got back, but still at work, I keep thinking about the beautiful countryside I went past a few days ago.....

The world is truly beautiful.

another day

Pretty pleasing day today.
Got kudos, in fact, more than flattering comments from one of my senior colleagues regarding my work. Other than that, the day has been uneventful.

However, things keep getting worse back home with more and more w.o.m.d (weapons of mindless destruction as I prefer to call them) being discovered in various public places = someone wanted innocent people to die....I don't quite understand how that would be acceptable to anyone, how can someone wish to have some one dead? I don't think religion has anything to do with it. Its just an excuse to justify a mindless act. I also believe its highly unfortunate that this kind of fascism is based on useless justification (of these acts) based on religion. As I see it, all it has lead to, is misinterpretation of the very cause for what these people are fighting for and further, the entire sect has had to take part in the blame for it, quite unwillingly. I feel sad for these people who are misled and misinformed by what ever reasons which inspire them to chose this path. Everyone is free to a choice, but not to kill some one......none of these people chose to die. I don't see how some one can attain peace after such butchery.

Unlike some other people, I havent had any epiphanies or amazing incidents in my life over the past couple of days....Watched a couple of movies, chilled out with my friends, and read a bit.

Some terrible things have been happening back home (in my country), so kinda pissed about that. Other than that, life has been pretty much uneventful, a tad boring actually! Hope something happens, over the next few days, as I enter the last leg of my vacation :)

Respite from the routine?

I cant remember the last time I had myself write something on this blog, although I cherish the times I have done it. Laziness is the main reason for my inability to do so, and I am glad a dear friend coaxed me out of it just yesterday, so I hope I can keep up with it for sometime if not long....

Life has changed a lot since my last post. In fact, as I read my earlier posts, I am surprised by the changes that have happened with time....good or bad, time will tell.

Anyways, coming back to the point of writing this today, I thought it would be a good idea to get started on something....however senseless and pointless it may be :)

Its been a boring day today, with doing just the routine stuff that I do everyday, hence this...for a change!

My first day all alone in Philadelphia...

Man!!

When I look back at this day or the days I have gone though I cant help but feel brave about it!I did not know anyone in the country I was in...I did no know how I and wher I was going to stay after this stay of 7 days..I had no contact close enough than myself...And above it all,I had to find my center and take my exam!

I got up early in the morning...donot remember why though!I guess it must be the "Tummy-Lord"!!!I dont think anybody cant resent the Tummy Lord!As far as my memory goes,I definitely couldnt!So I got up and looked in the refrigerator hoping to find something to satisy the lord...Naah!My bad day....there was nothing in the fridge!Disappointed,I sat back in the chair and then after a while as if I was enlightened,I realised slowly this is not the closed and secure confines of my sweet little home in my home town where all I had to do was get up and hog!

Suddenly,I felt like a loser who did nothing at home as I ddnt know how to make anything beyond a simple tea!I started looking with great awe towards my mother and felt the urge to call up and tell her how much I wanted to thank her for all those meals and goodies which went stupidly unnoticed and unrecognised..and she took all that with a lovely smile on her face...I miss you Mom!But then,that wasnt going to be enough to fill my tummy.

I did get some theplas (these are methi rotis which can last for a long time),so quickly opened my bag and took them out.Then what do I do?I couldnt find a heating pan....How do I heat them?I had no idea..Then in one corner of the room,there was a small thing peeping at me from a cloth cover..I lifted it up and wolaa!!A microwave!!I had forgotten about that!But now with me so close to making it finally through this morning ordeal,another lesso had to be learnt!I had never used a microwave before...

Strange as it may sound,way back in my country,in my house,we never use these things...if we needed soemthing to eat,mom would make it fresh for us...so never got a chance on this stupid appliances!This is a price this country and now my country too,slowly is paying in the name of technology...people are breaking away from families,they are searching for their own individuality,forgetting that in the process of finding nothing,they are losing evrything!The invention of the microwave though may seem trivial at this juncture and in modern life but it is an extension of the same process...not in the name of comfort...in the guise of supporting oneself without any liabilities...If cooking was a pleasure,why did it get invented in the first place!Anyways,I understand this is not a very valid argument here,but my heart does bleed for families broken up and technology supporting the individuals individually...if you know you couldnt live alone,you wouldnt break from ur family too..I know that is a different way to think of the problem,but if you look at it from a rational point of view,it would make some sense...Technology should have made mans life easier but where ever it has infiltrated,everything has been scattered.It has brought the world coser they say,but who the hell is closer?Every person here is left to live on his own...fuck his own life and ruin a lot of others.Thats because there is no one to tell this idiot that he his doing wrong!I feel glad that in my home country,we are still cohesive when we come to families.And believe me,though I was struggling there in terms of needs,I was content...that may not be the case here i feel..

Anyways,I do tend to wander off to these issues at times....never mind..but hey then,what the hell?This is my blog after all!! ;)

So,then after a few tries and burning a couple of y precious theplas and also playing with the buttons for a while,I finally had my first morsel in the US....mmmmm...deliciousss....sss....but whats this?....it still tastes like the same home food,eh? (pun intended)

I had a hearty meal and then got fresh...

Then was the big time,I had to go to find out all alone in this very big and beautiful city where my center was,where I was to take my exam...My friend had given me some preliminary directions but u can imagine how u feel when you are lost in a maze...Or the feeling of you falling in trouble for no reason...a bit of fear,a bit of pride...Its hard to put it in words what exactly I felt but I did have a rush of emotions as I walked passed the beautiful streets of Philadelphia.I donot know about the other places but I really fell in love with this city!

Home Sweet Home...

It was a beautiful experience for me.........the drive from the airport.A feeling which would never come again.I wished I could hold on it for a long long time!But by then,the law of averages or the passage of time,whatever you may call caught up with me and I had to resign to the thought of releasing myself from the feelings I was trying to cling on..'cos I wasnt able to appreciate or acknowledge the things that you would associate with the USA.I was seeing the tall buidings,the beautiful roads,the clean air,the high quality of life but what I was missing or probably my mind was blocking was the fact that every two minutes I had a police patrol car hauling someone up,fire-brigades branding their horns all the while as if its a state of war!I did feel a bit uneasy with so many officials around but then somewhere it does give a sense of security too I guess!

The lane I entered in was a beautiful one with lots of close trees both sides of the road,imparting a heavenly shade all the while and the sound of the birds chirping with the squirrles running everywhere made me feel as if I am in the middle of some country side town!Then I got the keys,and walked into the apartment on the third floor.By the way,in my country the ground level is called the first level here and so on...what that meant for me was that I landed up on the fourth level here assuming it was the third one as my morms way back home!And where did I land up?I landed up at the terrace!

Anyways,I reached my new home.I was to stay at an apartment which was given to me by a lady who happened to be fortunately going out of town for the exact days I was supposed to stay..guess what?I had never seen her,and neither had she!But thats a price and the trust u place in ur fellow countrymen in the audacities of unknown places and the like...And it was for free!

I entered the corridor wih my luggage and the silence of the corridir hit me.My room was at the end of the corridor and walking as I was with my baggage,the only thing I could hear were the sounds of me pulling my baggage and the creaking sounds of the wooden flooring.No one came out to check n unlike in my country when everyone comes to see you if you are new to place to help you settle in and help with the process of moving in.But nothing of that sort happened here and I got the feeling that it would not happen either!

I entered my apartment.It was a very clean one and fully furnished...everything neat and in place,fully A/C,a nice cosy bed,a microwave,a four lite stove,a fridge,wooded flooring,a TV which did not work that well,a big sofa and nice closet.The best part was the bathroom...neat and clean with a huge bath tub! I felt like surrendering myself to a nice bubble bath but I had things to do first.. ;-)

I did not eat anything at all that day as my excitement just filled me so much!In a sense,I was feeling so many emotions at the same time-happiness for coming here,sad for having left everything I had behind,a bit anxious as I did not know anybody close enough,a bit unsure if I was doing the right thing for my future and deep down there a burning desire to carry on the fight that I have been carrying on even if my efforts did not exactly bear the fruits I had expected them to..And a feeling of being responsible,accountable and answerable to myself and those who cared for me...Then I thought,I was all alone in this fight and struggle and people will come only when I make a name for myself.Thats what I have come here for...

I never have and never will give up....

I sleep off..

From The Airport..

I landed at the Airport with a certain sense of elation,a sense of over-zealessness...I was becoming excited for no real reason!But I did not want to hold on this feeling inside myself and cover it up with a mature face that everyone puts up now-a-days!So,I was smiling for no reason all the while...

I was one of the first to get off the plane hoping to get an inch of extra space in my memory!But when I took ground,I said to myself,The air we breathe is the same,the people are the same,then why the hell do we keep fighting for gaining supremacy for no reason when everyone is going to need just the same 7 ft by 2 feet space when they die?I shall look for these answers but havent come to any still!

Anyways,I dont want to dampen my excitement with my philosophical satire...
I went to the immigration counter and it was absolute chaos in there.There were around 30 counters and everybody lined up there for their check-ins.Even though I was one of the first to check in there,I ended up almost last due to some mis-communications.Then,I went to the luggage retrieval counter.I had heard so many stories about luggage being lost and things like that,but I was so pleased when I saw mine!! :)

I had a lot of luggage,around 90 -100 lbs (including hand bags).I was in a mess pulling all of them together.Imagine 4 bags and having to pull it all alone!Sweating and panting,I saw my savior....A trolley!!I went and pulled the trolley out,but it refused to budge!I tried to push it gently,coax it,pull it and whatever I could do!But, I could not move it..Then I looked up towards the sky and thought,why me?Thats when,the light shone and I looked at the placard atop the trolley counter - 4 dollars only!!!I thought,my country is much better,I get trolleys for free..But then I realised,this is USA...nothing is for free...

I was coming with a lot of baggage and responsibility from my family and under really painful financial circumstances.I did not want to start spending on this...suddenly,the trolley felt like a luxury to have..I abadoned the idea and started on foot,making a sorry picture to everyone around.But,no one offered to help..I did not care.I was quite obvious and conscpicous and hence was hauled up a couple of times asked some routine questions.They were very polite and welcomed me to USA.Due to all this,I took a long time to come out and then my heart really went out to the fact that how would it be to come here for the first time and no one is at the airport to see you...:( Its a real bad feeling 'cos you dont know anyone.Fortunately for me,I had my friend's colleague to pick me up.I had never seen him or knew him,neither did he.But,I guess thats the way things work when u land up in a foreign country.You still root for ur own origins atleast when u have to start off.And I believe thats the case with all the people.

So,I finally saw my friend and took off with him and then as I moved out from the Airport,my innocence was put to shame and I got one of the biggest shock of my life!!I was standing right in front of the Freeway and I saw cars zooming in at more than 100 miles per hour!!Though I was from a big city,I was not used to this kind of pace!Traffic there moved at snail's pace all the time with so many potholes and bad traffic rules.But here,everything seemed so fast..The only option if u met with an accident here would be death!!My friend said this is is the way we have to take!I was scared a bit but guess I had no choice....So we hopped on to a cab and took off to some place where I was going to stay...

I carry on... :)

At Last I Fly...!!!

Well,
I have been dreaming of setting foot on a plane since I was a child and I was thrilled at the thought of finally getting in one!
My visa was approved and all I could think of is flying and sitting in the seat overlooking the miniature lands and amidst skies!I could feel the jitters inside me whenever I thought about that...It was a great feeling similar to what maybe I must have felt when my dad promised me I would get a bicycle if I topped my school and then I did!So much that I forgot at times the main main purpose of me flying was something else and not the time I spend in the plane!! :)

I have always been an avid lover of travelling since childhood.I love to take the longest possible route by bus or train whenever I have gone anywhere far from my house.So U can imagine the excitement I must be having with regards to this trip! :)

I left India in a mess,as is common with all first time travellers I think!After an emotional send off by my family (which is a universal thing with all Indian Send-offs),I checked in the airport and after a long long wait I finally made it to the plane.I was disappointed at not having a chance to see the plane from outside as I had to walk directly into the plane plus it was a night flight.. :(

I was talking to my girlfriend in US all the time and we both were so happy that I was coming finally!Then,when I sat in the plane,I wasnt quite happy with the way everyone was seated as it looked like a fish market with everyone cramped up like a crowded bus!Nevertheless,my spirit did not get dampened!

The take-off was the worst part....an uneasy feeling running down to my tummy and then the moment I turned around anywhere,the feeling of dizzinesss.....I could not sleep at all in the flight though I could not see anything outside..so I kept calling in the air-hostess and eventually landed up talking to her for quite sometime!The first half was quite short as I landed up ayt Frankfurt Airport early morning.....for a long long long wait.....6 hours!

The airport was so crowded..I was pleasantly surprised too see so many people hanging around in the airport!The Mumbai Airport was deserted in comparision!I spent my time checking all the duty free shops,checking all the gizmos that i had only seen in big showrooms in my place...I found the people so warm and polite all the while...

My flight from Franfurt was delayed by around an hour so it got a bit more boring all the while...by this time,I knew the Frankfurt Airport in and out!
But I was bored..........................with having to wait so long!

Finally,I got in the flight from Frankfurt...A pretty long one...17 hours!My back started aching but I ddnt care much about that!There were a bunch of teenage girls giggling all the while so I had a good reason to keep awake and listen to them all the while!The only blemmish during the whole trip was when I dozed off for a while only to find out a sandwich on my table..I assumed that they must have kept it for everyone,so munched it on.The first bite and I realised.Man,somethings not good about this one....and it turned out that it was a beef sandwich..I called up the flight attendging and sked for a vegetarian sandwich..He said that may not be possible as I had already placed my order!I insisted I hadnt..but I did not think arguing would make any sense...I was very hungry.No breakfast,no lunch and now no sandwich too!As luck would have it,the attendant did get me a sandwich...I was so happy!

I had some red wine and some white wine too on the way.Really liked the white wine...

Wellthen we were denied entry to Philadelphia for sometime as there was air-traffic.I though gosh!!how much more do i have to wait!!I was getting restless!

Finally,I did land at Philadelphia Int'l Airport......

The joy was enormous....the feeling overwhelming...the satisfaction amazing...


Rest is on my next post :-)