11 more days to go....
The other day I realized this has been the longest period that I have ever stayed here in US. The first time I visited it was just a year and 3 months and then I went back every year. But the last time I visited it was in Feb '07. Its now 1 year and 8 months! phew! plus I guess the fact that I have not been well for the last few weeks makes it even worse. Especially the sick days - when mama used to cook just the right food to get you back on track ASAP. Having to cook myself with no appetite is like frying peanuts and no teeth to eat! I was telling myself that this is a kind of wake up call. When everything was going well, you have a speed breaker to make you realize where you are and what you are doing. Although my intention still is to head back by next year end (provided mom dad visit me in the spring'09), life's not so easily plannable when you start commiting yourself to a lot of things. I have to say this lifestyle gives anyone ample opportunity to fulfil their dreams. I can't imagine doing all these: entrepreneurial ventures, running, reading, watching movies, attending concerts, learning guitar, stress free work, travel, enjoying good health and more in India without difficulty. As for what I have understood from my friends' views, life's a lot more challenging back home than here. Especially work-life balance is a lot harder back home in the current situation. What I miss here is friends, just walking in the neighborhood, running into someone, visiting temple, eat outs, good home cooked food, festivals, delicacies. If one can get adjusted to the food habbits here then its a little better. But with me turning to complete vegetarian food - my choices are limited to tasteless indian restaurants, italian pizza, mexican tacos, american veggie burger, pasta or salad. Go a full circle and you will come back to saying whatever I cook is better than everything else and when you get bored, you have the above to choose from.
So is it going to be sacrifice what I miss in India for the benefits here? or just don't think too much and head back? Well not everything is rosy in India either but again.. no place is perfect .. you just have to see what you desire more? Add to all this, I got a bad news that my colleague's (Indian) father died over the weekend. He was sick and my friend was to leave to India on Saturday. Poor guy - I don't think he made it in time.
I don't know if things would have been different had my parents visited me this year - probably I would have been looking for job openings right now. With the job cuts globally, I am not even sure if I will find a decent job back home. Well its another thing that I want one (would love to start something on my own and slog at it rather than have financial security and no satisfaction). But that can delay any wedding/settling plans quite a bit - again depends..
My 3 week trip is going to feel so short since my first week is already booked with domestic trips. I am planning another domestic trip 1st week of Nov which is essentially the end of my trip. Before long its going to be Christmas and another year gone and I am going to be back to the daily grind to begin accumulating holidays for the next vacation!
Hopefully, I can brainstorm this vacation to see if I find my calling to some project in India...
The Countdown begins tomorrow!
