I'am Lucky

Well, I have to admit this. I am actually lucky, god has given me strength to come out of my miseries. It was my Bday on 28th Mar, Well i turned 26. I thought it would be a lousy bday, but it was wonderful. Loved that day. Felt i was with my family. It seriously was. A girl named Neha prepared a wonderful cake for which she was awake till 1AM. I guess she would be a sister in my previous jyanma ;). My roomie was very nice (he has always been). The land lord is a great lady (you need to see her to believe). Well, like to explain the whole sequence.

That night i got a little cream on my face. The day i got to take blessings of the landlords MIL (it was special). I went to office. Came back at around 5:00 PM. My roomie came at around 7 PM. Then.. They called me down. Light were off. A long alley, all dark and a candle (will the light at the end of the tunnel ;) ) a cake and a candle with a '?' ;). People told me to cut the cake. I did light came on, It was wonderful. **** the other things, i am lucky, lucky it was just my hand, lucky to have been able to take care of myself, lucky to be around with great people, lucky to have got friends like Prasad, Vamsy, Kris, Vijay, Sreekar... Its been a good trip so far, i hope my fortune changes with the climate. Finally, i got another family a bro, 2 sisters (lets make it 3).

Where is the stupid light (I am close to the end of the tunnel ;) )

Hey.. Hope you guys are doing much better than me. Well, i decided to come out of the shackles and write something nice. The past few days have been a bit of a tragedy for me. In one corner of my mind i fell that my hand will heal, in the other i think what if....? Anyway, whatever be the case i will face it and will face it with a Smile :) (Thatz the real me).

Sometimes takes time to realize that this is not that much pressure and i can get through. I am currently thinking abt the worst case scenario.

Physically (this is priority), i will have another 3 weeks of torture. I will miss my parents, my friends, people i like, people i hate. But then i had that experience previously... Means i should be able to handle it better this time around.

Mentally, i will loose a few more dollar's (Lost 4,600$ last time around), might loose a little more this time and may not be able to take anything back with me (Not to forget the tough brain). That i would say is Ok. I still have a long way to go. The experience has been stunning.

I always thought i would be very happy after coming out of physiotherapy on the day i left that place i realized i would miss Erin (Physiotherapist) who spoke to me well, pepped me up all the time. Frankly, she was very impressive.

I am right now telling myself it time to move on (its gonna be difficult, but i guess i can pull myself through this difficult times). Signing off. Take care

Horrible Day

I had a bad day today. Having a bad season i guess. Days are a mixed baggage, feel sometimes that things are going to get better. However, today was one day where i felt everything went horribly wrong. I had an appointment with the doctor today (for my broken arm which underwent a surgery), everything was so positive.. My hand looked great i could do almost anything with it. The doctor was happy with the progress too (he said "We are getting rid of you today").

Then he said, ok i guess its time for an x ray lets see how things are. Went for an X Ray and came back. The doctor started looking at my X Ray. I over heard him talking to his recorder. Where in he repeatedly said "Bone not healing, bone not healing, if things go bad its going to be a plate failure" (One of the plates). He called me and said. "I have bad news for you" (Oh man!!! not again). He showed my X Ray and said that one of the screw was coming out of the plate and the bone underneath was not developing.

Don't feel like writing anything more

Racial Discrimination, Are we the targer or Source

I just wanted to come off my emotional posts. I guess this would open a slight debate. We always felt that there is racial discrimination in US/Europe. But you'd be surprised if i say there is more racial discrimination between us (Indians) then we getting discriminated elsewhere. Still following?

Being in Bangalore i used to observe a whole lot of things, North Indians (Observe, the discrimination.. What does North or South have to do... But we still do address each other as North and South Indians ;) ) lot of whom were my friends (Some really close) kinda got favored by North Indians (And i dare say a little ill treated by south indians.. Well obvious, not directly). Now that i am in the US, feel that people here are really cordial (All American/Europeans are, Indians not that much. Looks like they are scared of something) and the Indians here are Indians not South, not North. I share a room with a guy from Punjab. I would put him in one of the best friends that ever met. We work as a team, obviously having friends from Punjab helped me a little. But i am sure i would have been good anyway.

In here at times you would see Kids (Indians) telling "Abey Edison kyun janna waha pe bahut sari South Indians hai" (Edison is a place in NJ. Majority of people are Indians, Well South Indians) (Brought to my notice by Munjal, my big boss in here.. Was bad to hear that). Should we do this to ourselves? Should we separate our country to North, South, East and West? Should we have Muslim, Christian Hindu, Sikh, Jain? Does it make a difference as to who works for the country?

PS: Oh man!!! All the posts that come are serious ones. Hope next one will be a little funnier

Good weekend. Cheers

Love old songs, tastes as good as old wine ;)

This would be kinda adhoc post. Was just listening to all the songs that i heard being a kid. Its my memories of the past (History thara ;), when i was 5... Say 20 years back ). My dad was really found of songs from Mukesh, Mannadey, Lata Mangeshkar, etc etc. We liked these songs a lot too, things that you grow up with always have a special value. Would be that way for ever (Like a friend, a crush, a lovely song, a cheerful place were you grew up.. You can never forget them).

I guess these memories are to stay, stay for really long... Good were those times, when life had more to offer. Before i sign-off. A real fact about life ;)

"Zindagi ...kaisi hai paheli, haaye
Kabhi to hansaaye kabhi ye rulaaye
Zindagi...

Kabhi dekho man nahi jaage peechhe peechhe sapno ke bhaage
Ek din sapno ka raahi chalaa jaaye sapno ke aage kaha
Zindagi...

Jinhone sajaaye yaha mele sukh-dukh sang-sang jhele
Wahi chunkar khaamoshi yu chali jaaye akele kaha
Zindagi..."

PS: I never knew i was so emotional ;)... Well thats just me, i change like the seasons.. Well the good times are round the corner. ;)

India to USA-Part 3

Hmm, now i was in the Airport. Bharath and Nikki dropped my luggage off at the airport and left (Wanted them to stay but felt that would get me weaker). My parents were there with me. I could see my mom was in the verge of crying, holding her tears, making sure that it doesn't affect me (Now that she was the one who told me that it was my work and it was nice for me to get off from the protection of home). That was when i had the strong feeling in my mind "Did i do the right thing? Is going to US really required?" (Oh GOSH!!! I still cant get that question of my mind). I spoke my parents off the broken window were my mom said ("Channagge nodkoo, time sariyagge oota maddu, gasthe acche thinnbedda") (Translation : Take care of yourself, have food at the right time, dont eat out too many times.) I said "Worry madkonbedda i will be great" (Am i? ;) ).

After talking for 15 mins, i told my parents to get back home and that i would call them. They said "Yes" and left the airport. I guess those were the worst 2hrs of my life so far. Was alone, roaming around the airport and trying to talk to each one of my friends. Mala (Its a guy, name is Malakondaiah), Rashmi, My parents, Ravi, Santhosh, Bharath, Sanjana.... The list goes on... Then found something interesting to do, overhearing 4 Scott's on the airport. Was wondering why i was not able to understand whatever they spoke (man that accent, didn't know my boss here would have the same accent ;), i can understand him though ;) (now) ). Then comes the announcement, i picked up my trolley bag and started moving towards the check in area. Was a little worried (first time on a flight and off course the bad tummy ;).). finally reached my seat, was hoping that an Indian would sit next to me, but it was not to be :). It was an American lady (She as actually from Porto Rico). She had come on a GE Project to Bangalore. She just and a "Hi" and slept :).

The flight started moving,I was thinking "Man if this flight stops here i am going to call for the crew and get back home ;)" ... But, it didn't. Saw Benguluru from the sky, it was a pretty sight. :). Saw it for the last time, thinking that i wouldn't see her again for an year (In India, everything pretty is her, unlike NY where you have Hudson River, etc). The flight was boring, spoke to the lady next to me. She was very reassuring she always told me "You will be great" :). I had a connecting flight to catch at Heath row Airport. The flight was at 2:45 PM (GMT, forgot to mention my Flight in B'lore was at 6:30AM) and i was still mid at 1:00 PM ;), Surprising!! I was that i was not tensed. :)... Well i went to heath row 1hr earlier, at 1:45.. Foreign land was nice (considering i had never gone above Goa, its a south Indian state ;), very south ;) ).

Then i remembered all the things that Mythili told me
1)Before getting down from the flight in Heathrow make sure you pick a bottle of water from the flight - Did that, took a bottle of water
2)Have the water with you, water is too costly in airports - Couldn't do this as there was a big board which read "No bottle allowed over this point, and the lady cop (incidentally a Desi) told me to chuck the bottle.

Roamed around heathrow, the airport looked like a mall ;). Ferraro Roche was the first thing that pulled my eye ;). Just realized that i can have any number of Ferraro Roche's i was getting to my chocolate partner (There is a competition here, 2 people Roopa (My pretty sister) and Priya (another sister, man, what would have i done without her, she was my weekend survival trick ;) )).

Finally!! The call from my next flight (After a delay of 1 hr), i boarded my next flight (Flight took off after another 45mins, no runway was free).. This time though it was an Indian next to me (He didn't talk a word ;) ). The flight was overfilled with American air hostesses. The food was awesomely awful ;). The lady in my previous flight suggested me to taste Cranberry Juice. So it was time for a few cranberry juices (Actually 8 cups of them ;) ). Now, i was stuck.. knew couldn't go back, hoped that things will work out fine for me (Hoped bad). Slept in that flight for around 5 hrs.. Reached Newark airport, got my immigration done without any problem, well almost, i didn't like being called an alien ;) (Well who cares now ;) ). Then had to pick my bags, thanks to people (who said British airways is bad with luggage) i didn't recognize one of my bag for 45 long mins (Even thou it ran over me 10 times ;) ). Finally decided to check the lonely bag.. guess what, it was the bag i was looking for. :))

Next on my blog me reaching America and what happened next (The sifting of 4 houses in a week was an experience (A bitter one, was made a little better by Priya and Prasad)). Will sign off now.

Liked this one :)

Hey all,

There is a friend of mine (Krishna) who is really great in singing. I guess you guys should look at it... Put in your comments in his web :)

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=537805

Cheers to Krishna

Love
Sri

India to USA-Part 2

Pre-requisite: India to USA-Part 2 (Its a continuation, i Promise there wont be dependency from next time ;) )

Now then i reached b'lore. The next few days were a little hard. People close to me didnt know that i went for a stamping and i couldnt explain to them that it happened so quickly that i couldnt tell anyone. Anyway, things came to normal (Some people telling themselves... whatever... I know of a few... I am sure you were one of them.. Gotcha ;) ).

Finally!! the shopping spree started, God know why people shop so much (Well that is something that i have not found an answer for :) ). With shopping another thing started as well the treat spree. I just had time for one.. It was with some of my closest friends (Literally Chadi dost, guys who i grew up with, guys who mean a lot to me :) ). Bharath, Nikki, Sumesh, Chethan, Sathish, Praveen, Soma, Ashwini (She is slightly new to the team, well i guess this circle is going to get big ;) in couple of years time). We went to Amar Court (Not sure on the spelling, Boy was it expensive ;) ). As per the tradition we started off with a few drink, i took on 2 Vodka's (60ML vodka, 200ML Sprite), well this was my second time, the company made me take 2 :)... Was fun. Never liked vodka since then (Its served too strong here ;) ). The bill was fat (so big that the hunters became the hunted, didnt understand, the people in the treat had to pay 2K Rs ;) ).

Back to shopping, I had to meet 2 (actually 3 one of whom was in Germany (Well his name is Giri, had to put it in.. Reader's Request ;) ) already) more guys who meant a lot to me. One who is partly responsible of me doing well in engineering (No, i didnt copy in the exam from him ;) ). First time i felt that if you are with a guy who studies hard you tend to study too (Atleast hardly ;) ). Met Ravi and Santhosh (Remember the 2 guys) in Garuda mall (We had become so close that we used to call each other each day for 3 months after getting off college. :) ). I had to buy a few things so all the 3 of us went to marathahalli, brought a Nike Slippers, a suitcase (Each time i did this i would update my shopping bills, i remember it was 17K already ). Then we went to MK Ahmed Bazaar. Santhosh is a pro in food stuff so he suggested a few ready to stuff from MTR (I had not prepared Rice ever so, this was a survival trick ;) ).

Never thought that would be last time that i would see them before getting to US. Thatz what happened though, miss them a lot now... Dont know why :(.. There were a fews guys that i couldnt meet too, that was much more disappointing.. Would have loved to hug everyone and say bah bye ;).

That week was one of the most hectic weeks of my life.. Getting tickets booked was the other part of the pain ;). Now i would fast forward a little and come to the last 2 days before i left ;).

Sept 27th : One day before i left, sitting in office getting ready with things, understanding the project, understanding the client.. Started wondering then "Iddu yella bekkagitha antha" (Whether i wanted all this ;) ). Well the answer then was "Yes, Givmme more" Now i say "Oh man!! what have i got myself into ;)". I remember that night... All that i could think of is "Oh man i cant sleep on this bed for a while now, how bad is that :(, to make it worse, i used to see my mom i> Worried Missing me (Already), but well that's life right, like the birds you cant stay in the nest for long..

Sept 28Th: A day when i met a few friends, one of whom was Sanjana, a best friend of mine (When it comes to girls :))someone who i could talk about anything serious. She presented me a nice blue kurta, which i wore for one of the office functions. Felt nice. Next met Swaroop, considering he was traveling too on the same day :) he was busy too, caught up with him after a struggle ;). Next came Mythili, another close friend of fine.. who knew exactly what to present me.. Fruit and Nut and a greeting card. Look at it each time i am a little down, feels nice. Cant forget that day, had a bad tummy, had to fly the next day, didn't get a min of sleep, couldn't think of anything except my home, my parents, my room, toilet (Oh man i am serious that was something that i was thinking about :) )... Sheesh!!!

Finally the day arrived. I had a 6:30 flight to catch. My bags were weighed 20 times at least :). Then comes in Bharath and Nikki... Help me pick my bags and i got a drive from my dad... It had been i while since i saw him drive. Mom and dad in front me at back, looking at the lovely streets of Bangalore, Inner ring road. Was remembering a Friend who liked this stretch of road a lot... I knew why ;).

Well, Time to say good bye for now.. Will be back soon with more. Flight happenings and arrival at USA next :)