It's been a long time since I have landed in America. What have I done so far? How do I feel? How am I? How is my work? How is life? There are so many things that people ask... After a hindi and marathi attack, here I am posting again... Sorry for being away for long folks. I will try to answer each one of these as carefully as I can. You know what? Its been evident to me lately, that I often speak more than is necessary, and so is true in writing. I remember an english professor once telling me, that what is written only counts if it conveys the meaning regardless of how much's written.... I will try to follow that from now on.... speak less, concise and clear.
Its been almost 7 weeks since I have landed here... America has been a home away from home for me, mostly because, I have an opportunity to discover myself, which I didn't get back home. That doesn't mean I want to be away forever. Well, after a long long flight to new york, I almost felt like giving up... and had decided well in my mind that I would never come here again! and that terrible night in new york (I missed my flight because the domestic Airline overbooked!!) I was given a star accomodation in one of the new york city hotels for next day flights..., when I had missed my flight, it made me feel as if, I was lost! Though i truly wasn't.Still during all this stress, I was awestruck by the courtsey of the people, professionalism, the ease with which technology was being used, and the ease with which america seemed so advanced, and developed. I was too surprised by number of ethnicities in New York the very first day I came here, I came with a british, spoke to an airline staff who was african, went through security, the officers seemed spanish, went into the hotel where I had to stay for the night, and met with a french lady to attend me, and show me my room, and finally had a dinner with a pakistani old woman! We call India diverse, but this nation is truly cosmopolitan... The ease with which all these people were integrated into american culture was truly representative of how the modern world is fast moving towards, migratory societies, and civilizations. And I knew finally, that I was too one of these people! Coming back to buffalo, was a slightly better experience, I had all the time when the flight borded, and landed safely in buffalo,
Could smell fresh air... And chill.... as soon as I got out of a relatively small aircraft. I got my bags, and was searching for an exit outside the airport... Finally managed to call one of the colleagues, and he obliged to show up after a long wait, I was already tired, and had spent an aweful lot of money in NYC where I had a 25$ dinner, as I had no other option but to buy it, and the airline food (Emirates) wasn't good enough for me... Thereafter the payphones, water, and everything was a big waste... Finally I was glad to see a friend, who had got a friends car ( I was really impressed to see this spanky new Malibu ) The surprises started here! Right from the way the seatbelts started the alarms if they were not put, to the enormous amount of road network that was around the airport, which was I should probably say very beatiful indeed. I was taken aback by driving speeds (which almost made me motion sick ) and was glad that I was given to make a phonecall back home. Finally landed at the place where I was supposed to stay. I was quite surprised with the apartment, facilities that it had to offer, and the food I had (considering I was in the US) after long 51 Hours travel, I cought some sleep... and felt much better, but had to go to office the next day... 8am - 5pm.. the office routine with anytime calls and production problems has become a routine now. And I have gotten used to many things... Like The opposite direction of everything that you can think of. Right from Screwing unscrewing a nut bolt, to lock-keys, electric switches, driving so on and so forth... I was not so impressed when I saw the TV channels, they were pretty boring, I mean they still are... You will find loads of weight reduction programs, and M Tv reality dating shows, and small comedy serials, which are at least better to watch, and some channels which broadcast the same movies over and over again! One more thing... It was cold... 2-3 degrees at night... and about 10 during the day... Farenheit temperatures.. Everything was so weird. I got used to it finally, but I confess I am better off with indian metrics (SI) than this Mile, pound, and gallon metrics... Finally grippling during the first week, I managed to settle down, started cooking food for myself, got a mobile phone from the office, and was able to speak home, and elsewhere, didnt have to worry much about money as I had found that there were ways you could make cheaper phone calls ! :) and also good food at home... and even if you dine out, I knew I didnt have to shell out 25$!!! So finally I was all set! ( Being 'All set' is an extremely irritating american phrase which you will find right when you step out of the plane which has landed in the United States. ) a few more things that you might get irritated with could include, the how are you's and I am doing fine's and whatsups... and a lot of these american jargons which will make you feel sick at the end of the day... one more includes 'hmm hmm' when you want to nodd in assertion of something.. it bothers... bt who cares anyway... So at the end of the first week, I was all set!!
Later got settled in office as well, though everywhere you have to be ready to face politics, ego issues, and other things not to be discussed on blog, I knew i was apt for it. First good thing that I have done is I had rented a car, and drove it myself around 90 miles total for a trip to niagara falls US. It was a wonderful experience to drive here, and equally tense, but I think driving here is more of a pleasure. Clicking so many photos was a waste... after sometime you may start feeling its the camera whos come to watch and not you! so sick i have become now a days!! Anyway, also had a chance to go on a long weekend to new york city, the pictures and all the fun can be seen on http://picasaweb.google.com/abhinandan.shah
One more thing, so far the places I have been, I have seen a HUGE lot of indians. There is something that irritates me about it... The prevalence of indians everywhere, is just too annoying sometimes, I dont seem to figure out why... and everything (well almost) everything that you will see in the US, right from electric bulbs, to electrical appliances is made in some different country, mostly CHINA! So you go to clothing store only to find out that 30% items over there are made in India!! Anyway.... But its beautiful.. The lifestyle is simply amazing, and uncomparable, no wonder so many desi's have come here, and settled, and america despite so many visa restrictions seems to have a room for all of them. But the weather here though picture perfect right now ( summer) isn't good at all all round the year with snow cover almost for 5 months! people dont usually get out of their homes, and are obese!
Food! Lots of different veggies, unfamiliar ones, familiar ones, frozen paratha's and roti's have become a way of life now, frozen food seems to be a part of american culture!! I cant believe that I drink milk from the same can of milk for straight 15 days! That is simply ridiculous. But believe me, you can still trust the food, though I smell it 5 times before I have it... :)
The american passion for work is also amazing... Nothing is considered bad or good here, there are very little / none ego issues while working here. You will find a techy guy doing the same work for straight 25 years, and not complaining a word about NOT being a manger... Jobs are very valued as well, the people are more courteous in smaller towns and cities, and almost rude in major cities (like NYC).. well NYC is a different story all together... But I loved that city as well. Could well be a choice for my MBA! Going up and down, I come back to MBA... Don't I? Oh well... forget about it as of now. :)
Though everything seems hunky dory, somewhere at the back of my mind, I feel pretty helpless for many things related to me, my personal life, and family. There are certain things that you just dont understand, and they continue to trouble you like I would say forever.... and when it is not taking you anywhere, you feel like there is something grose which is missing from your life....
Though there are ways you cant even think about them by keeping yourself busy, doing online shopping, spending time on the laptop, making food, and for some other people who dont abide themselves by any restrictions, it means enjoying.. meaning getting it all in the form of liquor, non-veg food (yuks...) , spiced up stories, watching movies, commenting, and finally having a 'good time'...!
Well I kinda feel odd about everything at the present, and dont know what future holds in store for me, as of yet, I feel I really need to take care of my clothes, as they are really messed up for going to office tomorrow!!
cya folks,untill next time
Abhi..
