Journey to rejuvenation

Sandeep, take a break. It has been almost 24 months since I'd been home and pampered. Besides, I had a lot more reasons from starting to use my vacation days to meet friends n family and rejuvenate myself before beginning of 2006. The time flew like a wink of an eye and I had a splendid 4 weeks vacation filled with joy and pleasure.

Holidays included a few-day trips to Baroda, Pune and Shirdi.

Interestingly, I was worried about spending time alone while heading to India which was taken care of after bumping across Payal at the boarding area who apparently graduated from BU too. As a matter of fact, we met in Baroda again and I enjoyed her glorious company.

A lot of things were straightened out in this trip. Dimpy got assistance with her Math while Kumar was put on track towards GRE prep. It was also great to see my sisters being so much matured and enjoying their college life. In fact, Bhavna is about to start her career with Infosys unless a top MBA school absorbs her. Chandni on the other hand is still working on her 12th and figuring out on what to do next. Whatever line she picks, I am sure that will be a righteous decision.

Finally, my homage to Hiren and Priya who started a new life together and their party ,'Sangeet and Dandiya', I had attended before departure which was the first that made me feel I am getting close - eh. Hiren, I wish I had days left to make it for the final reception but nevertheless, we will have a huge celebration in San Diego.

Though this trip was supposedly greening, I already feel a bit home-sick. Time for a toast!

Quality Time

Blessed with such wonderful parents and even more amazing sisters, I thank Him for everything he has given me so far.

Pune trip

I spent my first 2 weeks of vacation ghettoing around in Mumbai meeting friends and relatives, eating home-made food and chilling out. After completing the VISA formalities and getting the last needle out from my back, my plans for travelling was lined up. First comes Pune.

Supposed to reach Pune early Thursday to avoid the cribbing from Penny, I still made it during the day (latter part ofcourse). The travel was sickening and I was already getting headaches after the bumpy ride in one of those fake German luxurious Volvo buses. We immediately left for a quick stroll to enjoy the developments happening in Pune - I am talking about girls and bitches. Spending one hour around FC and drinking Cool Ice at CCD, it was time to meet the KPG group based in Pune.

Inspite of Indians not having a good image for punctuality, Saurabh was waiting outside McDonalds at sharp 7 as decided when I arrived. Ek haath mein Helmet aur doosre haath jeans ke pocket mein daale apne Gune bilkul Style movie ka Saahil Khan lag raha tha. I was told by Bobby that Saurabh has put on a lot of weight and you will be surprised to see the changes in his looks and bla bla - I think he is still the same from all angles.

So after waiting for prospective attendees :-(, we still remained a headcount of three. We first hit Khyber - a restaurant across the street...shared our job experiences as well as the culture differences. That was followed by our second pitstop in E-Square...great mall. Udhar thoda bahut aur khaaya peeya aur baatein continued. Aisi cheez bhi dekhi jo US mein nahin mile. We got a sketch made by the computer which i will shortly scan and post it online. Gune Bhai ne phir lagaaya Bobby aur Nishant ko phone - unse bhi thodi chat hui. Bobby was lazying around in Kolkata after a laborous day whereas Nishant was still working past 10 onsite. Kudos Dudha!!! Pata nahin - keh raha tha ki client site pe hoon but considering his past image .... I really wouldn't comment. (Changes do happen for good Nishant).

The next day, Penny took me for lunch in Rajwada - excellent food but no drinks. Caught up with Ek Ajnabee in the evening followed by hookah till 1 in the morning. Oh man, I still think that girl was giving us line. Tujhe McDonals mein thode der baithna chahiye tha yaar. Interestingly, two of us decided to explore Koregaon park and find the directions as how one would typically do it in Mumbai. We succeeded - horray! A stop at Pan ki Tapri and that was it...a bulls-eye. This was one of the best nights I had in this vacation. Two of us and we spoke about everything - sharing our experiences with work to our girlfriends so far....all over hookah.

Detained and Delayed

The computer systems at the Kennedy airport did not show up my graduation and still considered me as a student. On showing my H1B at the immigrations, there was an alert and was escorted to the Dept. of Homeland Security. Sitting there for almost 3 hours and finally clearing up the matter, I got home late totally exhausted and irritated. Whatever - cannot blame the school officials either except that I need to ask them to update my record now. Decided I must be happy now - guess not. Read my next blog.

I hope there arent any more suprises.

Christmas Gift

I got home late night last night after a month-long vacation (blog coming up later about the trip). Things were quiet around and peaceful - everyone probably winding up after the Christmas celebrations, I felt happy to be back.

Suffering from jet lag, I was up early this morning and decided to do some groceries and unpack. After walking around the entire block again and again, I could not see my car around. After digging out details, I found out that I owe a heavy amount to the Auto Tow-ers on Crown Street. That was my Christmas gift - what was yours?

Birth of a new blogger

She was recently introduced to the concept of blogging. Keep it up!

Thirteen days to go

I had been planning this trip since last year and it has already been postponed from summer to this winter. For all those who saw the ball missing your head, I am going back home to India for 3+ week long vacation.

Inspite of heavy planning, there are still a few minor threads to straighten out. Packing has started and so has shopping. Lets see - I have already made 2 trips to the mall pick up clothes for my sisters (thanks to Falguni) -whats next? Mom wants a dinnerware and a toy for the family. Probably a digital camera. Well, I must say - there is no other place in the world other than your own sweet little home with your family. I am so excited.

All the readers who havent been home for quite a while and are studying/working away from your family - I pity you !!!

My First Halloween

Life is about experiencing different cultures and traditions. After trying out rock climbing, fishing, golf, and shooting real guns, Halloween was next. I have been in US for already 3 years and the time had come for me to attend Jason's 4th Annual Halloween Party at his place. Ok - I thought of options - gangster, Rick James, evil Jason or a hippie. Hippie somehow sounded a little different and much entertaining to me. So here I am.


With Elvis Presley.



Evil Jason - IT/satan specialist.



Aias was the local Gangster while Kate was a gypsy



Another gangster

New York City with Sumit

One way or another, I always found an excuse going to New York City. Last time I made a promise to myself that this will not happen again on a regular basis but deep down my heart, I knew that I might not keep it. Even after doing this kind of 100 miles travel in a bad weather with heavy rain, we were there again but this time with new faces and new motivation. Sumit made plans on staying back at my crib after his business trip to NYC. So I showed him the city that never sleeps.



Outside Time Square



Dum Laga Kar - Haiya. (Size does not matter)

As you see, he decided to take a peek on whats going on there.






Kpgites finally.

Paintball? Really?

..was what I kept on telling myself if this sport is worth risking whips and blisters. We were eleven at HogansAlley celebrating Aias's birthday.



What is the strategy?

Our carefully engineered plan designed for taking the opponents out took a dip when I was first shot thrice in the head by Aias. Look below where he sneaks without my knowledge.



Kasmir is ours. Har Har Mahadev.



Done doing mix n match with teams as well as fields, everyone is tired.



Getting drinks and discussing moments in the game.



Revealing his Greek culture.



Aias turned 24 and I turned black n blue. Not really.