Adventures in US:

The time came to deal with my US Phobia.

1st January,2010, at 10:30 PM Me, Chandan & Srivatsa went to Bangalore International Airport for my 3:30 flight. Awwwwwww, I didn't feel like leaving India. I was definitely going miss everyone here. We reached the Airport and then we went to CCD. To my Surprise, Srivatsa gave me a perfect gift of the 3 famous Dan Brown books which were going to be my companion all the time in US. I was so emotional but was not able to express it out that openly to him that day. We were talking in the Airport till around 12:45.

I went inside the Airport and first we were suppose to go through some immigration check . I waited for my turn on counter no 7. They person on the counter doing the checking gave me a doubtful look. Once he was done with the immigration check of the German lady, He called me for my turn. I went and smiled at him. Such sadist he gave me a serious look. He took my passport and asked me where was I working and where I am going . I answered him briefly but instead of send me through the gate he asked me to go to the last counter. I was so happy. I started giving him all my good wishes, thinking that they will not allow me to fly. Alas, the next counter guy asked me the same questions and asked me to proceed for security check. Flight was delayed by 5 mins which according to Indian standards is right time. :)

Now here I enter Luftansa Airbus and I find hardly 10 Indians in the flight.Luckily my seat was placed beside Indian Uncle. I chatted with him for some time then we got dinner. My go the flight food is awful. The flight food made me realize how wonderful I cook. :) Then again I started talking with that uncle and he seemed amused by my blabbering. After exhausting all my energy in talking I dozed of. When I woke up in the morning , "Kaminey" was getting screened.

I watched that having breakfast and after the movie was over we were 30 mins away from landing to Frankfurt. I dozed of till we were about to land. The plane landed and we reached Frankfurt. It was chilling cold and my legs were freezing as I didn't had brains to wear some socks. It was a 5 hr halt in Frankfurt Airport. I found Supreet who was travelling with me till Frankfurt and we thought we will look around in the airport. We went to the Restaurant and ordered :French Fries" & Cappuccino & passed about 2hours. Then we did window shopping in all custom free shops.

I went to board my next plane to Denever. In this flight, I was allocated the first row seat with 2 ABCD(American Born Confused Desi) as my neighbours. I didn't talk to them in the whole journey. This journey was a boring compared to the previous flight. Can you believe I didn't talk at all for about 9 hours except for choosing my juices and food.

I landed in the Denver Airport and was suppose to go through my immigration check in. I kept all the documents ready. I was just re-checking my documents and thought of reading my "Port Of Entry" letter once. And there came a shock, in my Port of Entry letter it was written that I am visiting my client "South-West Airlines" in Dallas, TX. My eyes almost popped out. I had already filled the "Reachable Address in US" of my California Hotel. And I didn't knew any valid address of Texas also to fill in the form. I stood 2nd last in the queue to buy sometime to think what to say when asked about this. Finally, I decided not to hand "Port of Entry" letter till they ask and once they find it out i will tell then the truth that it was a printing mistake. It took about 1.5 hours ion the line and finally when my turn cam all the counters were closing except the one for me and one for the guy behind me. I went to the officer when he called and handed over my passport and the filled form. He said that I filled a wrong form,I was suppose to fill the white form as I had the Visa already. He handed a white form and asked me to fill. The second last counter also closed when i was filling the form. The officer of my counter was in hurry to leave, so he took my form and passport and asked me how long do I plan to stay. I answered less than 90 days. Then I started feeling nervous thinking that he will now ask for "Port of Entry" letter.Then he told me that "You look very tired. Take some rest if possible and Have a good day." And I smiled at him and told "You too have a good day." He smiled back and I was so relieved. Then I had a next flight to catch and my same seat was allocated to some Chinese girl too. The whole flight was full as per the announcement. We both went to the Air-hostess and told her the problem and she called at the flight counter and they gave me another seat and I slept of in the whole flight till San Fransisco. I took a Taxi to San hose and that driver was a chatter box and started to peep in my personal life. I kept my answers short and avoided him. Finally I reached hotel and unpacked my stuff. I slept off in the bed like a "Dead Meat'.

In my next post, I will write about my first week in US.

Lesson 1: Smile

A lonnnng time since I wrote last. Since couple of days I am doing introspection of what has changed in me and whether it is right or wrong, what am I suppose to do and things like that.And I reallly have no direction after spending so much time in this activity.

Today being sunday, I was looking forward to spend my day in much relaxing manner both mentally and physically, but it seems it had to have a bad start. A "tring tring" in the morning spoiled the whole mood of the day.

Then the usual day's routine started and after all rituals went to have a lunch. Seeing the welcoming smile on the face of the counter uncle, I felt somewhat good. Then chitchatting with my roomie improved it even more. After having lunch we were leaving and then the uncle at Upahara Sagar stoped us to do some chit chat(somehow he finds me and my roomie amusing and always waits for an opportunity to talk with us :P). That was adding flavours to my mood. We decided to take a small walk and in that course there was one aunty carrying her daugther who was smiling at me and it made me feel even more good. Before reaching home we made a stop at the ironing uncle, as my roomie had to collect her 2 clothes given for ironing and he gave a very bright smile. Suddenly, I realized I was back to my normal mood.

I was just thinking of what actually changed in 2 hours which changed my mood so much?And, it turned out that each smile that passed across my way in that 2 hours of time collectively deserved the credit.

The problem is still unchanged which spoiled my mood in the morning but somehow i feel much better right now than in the morning. I still have to figure-out certain answers to certain questions but it feels more relaxing now than in the morning.

Hence, I decided that my next immediate effort is to keep a smiling face when you are with people, which will either help them in elevating their mood or at least won't spoil their mood.I will also somewhat help me too.

Don't know, how successful I would be at this as it is difficult for me to hide my expressions. But let me give it a try.

And I am planning to write similar things on this blog which would help in making one's life cheerful. Couple of years ago, I used to observe all these things and wondered how these small things really help. But then I stopped an reasons are unknown.

So, somehow I realized that I find some kind of satisfaction and joy for these kind of things. Now I plan to compose couple of posts on these topics.

I wish myself luck with this. :)

Home work: Keep smiling.Smile really helps you and others. ;)

I was asked to write this tag by Chandan. After the release of that song “Emosional Aatyachar”, people have started practicing it religiously. :P

Well, then here goes “who wants to become millionaire?” Q&A :D

1)What is your occupation?

Boring Software Engineering. :(

2)What colour are your socks now?
I am not wearing any socks right now, but my all socks are in white color.

3)What are you listening to now?
In literal now terms “nothing” but now a days
a) “Mahi Mahi” - RAAZ
b) “Soniyo” - RAAZ
c) “Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye” – Old song
d) Few of my friends and other people always opposing me. ;)

4)What was the last thing you ate?
JUNK FOOD called snacks in general terms. ;)

5)Can you drive a stick shift?
Have never tried so can’t answer “CAN” part, but may be yes

6)Last person you spoke to on phone?
Airtel Customer Care Executive. :P

7)Do you like the person who sent you this?
No Comments because it’s not my personality to dishearten people.. ;)

8)How old are you today?
It’s is a bad etiquette to ask about “girl’s age” but my age is 24 YRS in common terms but maturity is of may be 18-19 YR girl :P

9)What is your favourite sport to watch on TV?
Tom & Jerry’s “who win’s” SPORT. ;) (I LOVE IT :P)

10)What are your favourite drinks?
Nice Strong TEA. (I partly survive on that :P)

11)Have you ever dyed your hair ?
Nah. :D

12)Favourite food?
a) Home-made.
b) Mexican
c) Gujarati dishes
d) Bisi belle bath, Rava Idli, Dosa
e) Chocolates & Ice-creams
f) Itallian
g) Punjabi
h) Chinese
m) Continental
n) Chats & Pani Puri
Basically, I love any food that tastes yummy (only filter is, it should be veg)

13)Last movie watched?
Raaz

14)Favourite day of the year?
Today :)

15)How do you vent out your anger?
a) Talking it out to close people
b) Staying with myself for sometime.
c) The best way which I love is to start cursing (using abusive language) when I discuss with krupa (my partner in Rhyme and crime)

16)Favourite toy as a child?
GUN :D

17)Favourite season?
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Season – 8) :)
Ohh!! I realized that this was a question regarding natural seasons.
Well I love winters. :)

18)Do you want your friends to email you?
Yes. Of course, else I would kill them if they stop it. :P

19)When was the last time you cried?
a) When I had read Rahul’s Post of “Final Good Bye”.
b) Before that when I saw “Sorry Bhai”
c) And before that when I saw “GAJINI”

20)What is on the floor of your closet?
A well arranged set of empty boxes of different items, a bag pack wrapped in the polyethylene and a small suitcase which has my winter clothes.

21)Who is the friend you have had the longest?
Krupa. :D and will stay forever :P

22)What did you do last night?
a) chatting
b) talking
c) reading
d) listening music
e) sleeping :)

23)What are you most afraid of?
a) DOGS and GHOSTS :(
b) Fear of creating the distance among me and my close ones :(

24)Plain, cheese or spicy hamburger?
None

25)Favourite dog breed?
I hope by now you might have realized that I can’t answer this question as it is very contradicting to my one of the opinions.

26)Favorite day of the week?
Saturday (I can enjoy it as a holiday as well as I don’t have to worry that I have to go to office next day) :D

27)How many states have you lived in?
All ;)

28)Diamond or pearl?
Diamond = TRUE
Pearl = TRUE
Diamond OR Pearl => TRUE OR TRUE => TRUE => BOTH :D

29)What is your wish for this new year?
a) I should learn patient
b) I should learn Salsa
c) Work towards working out :)
d) Be less stiff
e) To do something extra other than office work.

30)New year resolutions?
a) Stop eating out (in-short learn cooking ;))
b) Not to be rude
c) Be patient
d) Expense maintenance sheet
e) Manage my finance in optimal way
f) Not to tease on not straight stuff
g) Start to be up-to date with the latest technologies like I was, in college.

I have answered all honestly except quest no: 7 & 16 :P

Life-Partner

I know a wierd post for my character right? well, this has been a troubling topic for me also since 2-3 months. As my all friends are geting engaged and married one-by-one, I have kind of no chance to escape at all. I feel this is one of the biggest gamble one plays in their whole life.

Now, when i have started to give a thought for this a little bit(oops not little bit but lots) i am in a dilema.

I don't know what kind of a guy i would want as my life partner . I feel scared of marriage. What if my choice turns out to be a total disaster? What if my first mistake would be repeated? what if someone is just pretending at first and he turns out to be a big surprising character? Or what if it turns out to be incompatible match? What if What if ....................?

Ahhhhhhhhh So many what if's............ This is actually a big problem in the arrange marriages. And love marriage is out of my reach as I don't think that after 1 mistake I should take the risk for another.

If any body can help me out in this matter then your suggestions are very much appreciated.

WORK-LIFE

Oh my GOD!!! It has been like an year since I have blogged. I used to do it frequently when I was in college. Since I started my work-life, I have left many of my good habbits. When I was in my college, I used to have so varied kind of activities. I used to regularly read newspapers, some or the other book other then academics, emails to relatives and friends, long walk at night, sitting at my college pond and enjoy the natural beauty, discussing intresting topics with friends, movies, blogging, playing pranks etc... I used to be one of the most naughty girl of my class. I was so talkative. I was actually nick-named as 'Khapat" by my friends for talking with so many people for so long. I was always happy. Life was so light, just like I had nothing to worry except my study part which I, as usual used to do it a last day(more precise moment). Things seemed so nice and on place. Had every thing which I could ever ask for. Never was aware of the life's tough part. I always used to think that every moment with a smile can take away all the difficulties one have. I used to think that good education, dedication and job can solve all the difficult portions of life. That is why I made sure that I put enough effort to have them so that I can live a happy life.



All were fantasies, WORK-LIFE is what I now want to come out of. It gave me money, good oppotunity for my career, lifestyle etc. But I feel so lonely at this point of time. I have money to travel home and visit my parents but no leave approvals. I have all facilities to cook good food and eat but always lack of time and energy drives me back to have that outside food which I personally dont like. I don't get time and state of mind to write such posts which gives me internal satisfaction. I don't follow any news. I used to be a person who used to be least bothered about deadlines and used to advice others that life is for enjoying, "Do your best and never think of deadlines", but now I worry so much about deadlines. I always used to be bindaas but now i am totally opposite of it. I used to laugh a lot and was not able to keep mum for a second but now I keep silence for a long time. I used to be a very confident girl but now I feel helpless. I used to be the first one to plan group outings and now I step back whenever outing word comes.

I hope that i will be able rediscover myself in this so very demanding corporate.

Quater-Life Crisis ( feelings in when you are in your early 20's of your life) :

Yesterday, I was going thourgh my e-mails and came across one of the intresting e-mail which I recieved from my friend with whom it had been like month that we had talked. It was a forward but found it very true for me.

Here is what I recieved:


" Its really hard...They call it the 'Quarter-Life Crisis.'

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.


You start realizing that people are selfish and that maybe, those friends that you thought were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean, or insincere but that they are as confused as you.


You look at your job...and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you. Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't.

One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure.

You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lay in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person.

You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, and the future and making a life for yourself...and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it.

We are in our best of times and worst of times, trying as hard as we can
to figure this whole thing out."


This turned out to be true for me upto quite an extent. But the last lines are encouraging to move on in life.

Show me the way:

Today I was looking at the Black sky,
Felt like moon had became a spy,
Reading my mind and smiling at my thoughts.

Days back there was a girl,
with high aim and firm vision,
confident about her plans to reach her goals.

Every step towards the destination,
Perfectly organized effort,
In right amount and direction were her work associations.

Sincere effort reduced the distance,
Bringing energy and surety,
that she can definitely make through all odds.

Today she is getting skeptic,
Not about her ability,
but about making headway to destination.

People convinced her,
That destination will be achieved,
But with leaving her there alone losing precious valuable moments of life.

Oh! Lord show the way,
Your child is so confused,
and trusts you blindly for her good destiny that you have written.

Give her some hints,
make her clear,
what should she do?
Oh! Lord what shall I do?