Happy New Year 2009 (a recall)

      The year 2008 passed pretty fast. For a while, when i liedown on bed and close my eyes, i see an year raced faster than i thought it would have. After a long one week shutdown at adobe in dec 2007 last  week, we get to see most collegues returning from their home places meeting on Jan 2, everywhere you get to hear "happy new year"... Early 2008 had seen me rushing myself to accumulate money for the yearly tax savings. I didnt had major to do though as my PF Contribution, LIC and my housing loan has filled it up. I didnt had to rush behind the best mutual funds for a 3 year ELSS as i did in year 2007 beginning just to fill up my 1Lakh  bracket. March had been lucky for me. After a 4 month wait, i got my passport stamped. Filed my taxes on time. Things at home started to look a little better with some extra money flowed in that was used for our construction of new house. Most of the building was constructed (but as usual, it never ends). We still had a lot of stuff to be done. Having determined to move to US on a work visa, i laid back a bit on my deliverables, though i had a lot to be done in terms of knowledge transfer and other stuff. Had to put back the offer from Adobe US for undue reasons and resigned Adobe on 31st May 08. It was the day i had to leave bangalore after staying there for about 3 years. I packed all my bags, sold my bike on the last day. Had two big suitcases. Thanks to Anniah, Subba [old buddy whom i met after about 4 years] and Srinath, who gave me a see-off in anniah's brand new car to majestic with some greetings card n gifts. I had my flight on 14th June 2008 to US (never been there before). I spent my 11 days gap at home, going to construction site in the morning at 9am and returning home at 8:30pm. I was working at my construction place like any other labor worker, monitoring the electricity work going on at the construction. For what i had been, sitting all these last few years in A/C rooms infront of computers, for once i was jobless sweating in hot sun, standing most of the day looking at what is going on at construction and getting tired at the end of the day was tough for me. But it was a memory for what i am, what i was, i was doing for myself. uncertain of where i am heading in life, many had reasons why not to move.

     For, i didnt get in touch with many of my good buddies, wingies or some good old friends / juniors from college staying in US. Getting a job wasnt a deal for me but waiting for other formalities here was a pain. A hectic project with a lot of pressure, i tried my best and got it all up and running now, working for about 12-14 hours a day. Today, I completed my 6 months on my first assignment here. It was a relief to clear of some of the bank dues and the borrowings we have done to unlock our minds to relax and concentrate on other things. Having heard from different people on hectic-ness, and after a lot of confusions on how to get, i got it all here in Maryland. Getting Drivers license and the road test was a moment to remember for me. BWI to CLT and vice versa, i have become a loyal regular US Airways customer and also a loyal Lake Norman Shuttle customer.... I Didnt miss much here as i cook my regular indian dishes well and thanks to a lot of indian stores around. Minerva had been my favorite, for the chicken curry and the biryani they serve - It just feels like @ secunderabad.

     I moved to a 2-Bed Room appartment on the long weekend of Dec 25th. Having my mini-quick-home setup with Nice closets, New bedding, Dining Table sets, TV with stand, HD Media player and Kitchen furnishing - I feel @ home when i get back from office daily. A car is definitely required here but for what i am, i'll take some more time to roll-out my construction dues before i wake-up to start to move-on. Hope this year 2009 goes smooth and nice....