Goodbye

This is my last week in the USA. I leave this Sunday after spending a decade. The major phases of my life happened here. Getting married, my son being born, an excellent career among a lot of other things.

Looking back on the time I spent here brings me happiness and glad that I did make this move 10 years back.

The amount of junk that we acquire over time still amazes me. I have been throwing out bag after bag of stuff which at some point I thought I needed. I am sure the trash company is going to start charging me extra seeing the number of trash bags in the driveway.

A little sad but it helps that the family has already made the move. The anticipation of joining them helps me not dwell too much on the final move. Arpan loves it back in India and that certainly helps me in believing this will work out.

To a new beginning in Bangalore :-)

Sushi

I have never been a big fan of sushi. When friends would gush about how good a sushi place is, I would be thinking "what can be so good about eating raw fish wrapped with rice and other stuff".

Turns out I was very ignorant.

Like any kind of food sushi is an acquired taste. It takes a few trials before you develop the taste for it. Once you do have it, sushi and sashimi are very enjoyable. Thanks to my consulting life, I do not have to worry about where I eat my dinner and am able to try out different things.

I remember the first few years in the US, I would never eat cheeseburgers because I had it in my mind I do not like them. It took Arpan to show me how much I would enjoy them when he made me buy them at an apple farm where they did not have anything else to eat other than grilled burgers.

Tonight we tried out a new sushi place here in Pheonix and turned out to be the best sushi I had in a while. Now that I am full, I can hardly type.

Good night!!! and off to another busy day at work tomorrow!!!!!

Grand Canyon

I never got around to visit this amazing place in all my years in the USA. Not sure why, but it never happened. This client work gave me the opportunity to spend a weekend there and I have to say it is an amazing place.

Sitting on the rim, watching the sun rise or set, with quietness around you is the most wonderful feeling you can have.

For those who have not been, I highly recommend the experience. I would also recommend staying at the lodge in the village and just taking the time to explore at your own pace.

For all those amateur photographers out there, it is a virtual paradise of images. If you have a few days, Sedona (few hrs to the south) is another picture perfect place.

I cannot wait to go back and hike the trail down to the river.

Choices

Why do you always have to make choices?

Any time you want to do something or find something - you have to select. For a person who finds it hard to make the smallest decision, this is absolutely tiring.
Go to a restaurant - You need to figure out what to eat. But even before you get there, you need to figure out where to go.

This rant started because I need to make a choice of my next project. I have 2 to choose from, both have their pros and cons.

Darn - Here goes my weekend over endless analysis and come Monday - I still will not have a decision. :(

Lonely

I always wanted to have a few days alone away from family. I even had a whole slew of things planned out for me to do. No interference from wife or kid. Unfortunately my wish has been granted true and I am finding out that the thoughts I had are not making me happy.

I have been alone for a month now and pretty much have done nothing that I had planned for. I just want them to be back so that my self enforced bachelor hood is over.

PS : I know two weeks after they are back I will start making "my alone" plans.