One Year Completed...

It's been exactly a year since I and Arnu set foot in the US. I still remember all the details of my journey vividly.It is indeed unforgetable and incredible journey of mine.I was completely tired with change of flights, countries, and time and above all I had to look after my baby.. The Mumbai-London flight was quite peaceful.Arnav and me enjoyed it a lot.. After a hearty meal-final meal of homeland , Arnav had fallen into a deep sleep..gotup very early morning had fruit frozen banana pulp and finally landed with me at Heathrow where we were surrounded by a group of Indians...We had jolly good time in our first flight as my co-passenger was helpful and was from kokan...he was telling us different stories of kokan so also how routinely he used to travel to london....he helped me alot in finding my way to second flight as i was having baby with me so also language spoken by guides on airport was confusing to me...

Here I had entire 4 hrs break so also no formalities to be completed..no collection of baggage so My husband had told me to explore the airport, but I sat at the gate as I didn't want to be lost anywhere...and also there was no stroller to roam about....here I met with one lady from TCS who was also with kid little older than arnold and was travelling to SFO...we had pretty good time together sharing few job related stories...finally we departed as we were having different destinations...arnu enjoyed his ceralac..watched the planes boarding and taking off...and finally when one hour was left for the flight gate number was announced which needed journey by train...but we enjoyed metro journey of UK

The London-Chicago flight was a different story. Never in my life have I been so bored. There was some problem in the entertainment system which meant no TV, music, no flight information was displayed in the entire 9 hour flight.I got bassinet here for arnav but he too was so very irritated with flight journey that he didnt wanted to sleep in it...he was crying continuously in flight and wanted to crawl down for which air hostress were denying...I tried my level best to feed him with his favourite cerelac and played him with his toys...but all my efforts were in vain...and My co-passenger also was so boring that he didnt even bothered to see or ask why arnu was crying or anything like that...

From the time flight was preparing to take off he started his movie using his personal laptop and till flight lands up he was busy watching it...he would hardly blink his eyes and look besides him...husssshhh he was too boring...Arnav just didnt want to sit in flight...I  was unable to read anything for fear that arnav with tear it to pieces...no TV and no entertainment...he was so very bored and angry with flight people that he used to throw paper glasses on them...I was suffering badly from headache... I had an aisle seat in front of the toilet, which meant that everytime anyone went to answer nature's call, they would collide with my arm....arnu didnt allowed me to take lunch nor breakfast...we both were totally hungry and frustrated....after crying a lot arnu felt asleep in my lap only...I was praying god to take us soon to destination...meanwhile I filled in our immigration and custom duty forms when finally arnu had his sweet nap after crying a lot..

On my very left were seated two ladies who did not speak/understand English, and I had no idea what language they were speaking. I did nothing else but stare here and there for the entire journey.There was not even a single Indian in flight except for me and arnav..Just when I was bored enough to jump out of the flight, the pilot announced that we had 5 hrs before landing. Urggggggggggghhhhhhhhh..I wanted to scream in frustration.

Finally, we landed at Chicago and after the Immigration and other formalities, I went and sat at the gate.Here we got our luggage and stroller which was checked in.. in India...Arnu didnt wanted to sit in stroller...I was so very irritated to check in my luggage once again and bored to catch another flight to louisville but we didnt had any other option but to board a plane.. Here I had only 1hr to kill...I was delibretely waiting to see my husband's face sooner as had not seen him for last entire month... The Chicago-Louisville flight was short and sweet....Also plane was short and small so also arnu was fast asleep and was totally tired of journey and  I was smiling to myself at the prospect of meeting my husband after 40 long days....most happy moment....

This past year has been pretty good. I have learnt and seen so much after coming here... I was feel like writing more about my experiences and life in the US. Somehow, never find the motivation to write may be due to my recent bad health and conditions...Hopefully, after this one year completion article, I will write more about life in the US. Over and out!

30 sep 2012 - Day of our return to India

I am feeling so sad at this very moment that the only thing that would calm me would be venting out my feelings....so finally I decided to write an article on this.... If all had gone according to the original plan, we would have been in air now – midway between chicago and london. Today’s date was so important for me – 30th sep 2012..... After spending one year in the US, we were supposed to catch a return flight to India. This date was itched in my parent’s memory and all my near and dear ones. I have been playing a mind game since yesterday. At this time we would have been packing bags, at this time we would be leaving the apartment, reaching the airport, catching the flight, and so on. I guess my parents will be playing a similar mind game tomorrow. They would be thinking about getting ready to go to the airport and receiving us.

Well, our plans did change. So, I guess it will be a whole 6 more months before I will be visiting India. I was looking forward to so many things after reaching home. I had promised my dear sis that I would be attending her wedding. And yes, I had taken a promise from my husband of buying me a lot of new dresses to add to my excessive wardrobe. We have missed most of the important festivals of india that I would celebrate with my dear parents. We had promised our parents that we will celebrate all festivals in 2013. We will be missing those too now.

It’s funny to think what all you can miss when you are in a foreign land. I miss my home, the lanes near my home, the trees in my backyard, the shops I used to visit, the restaurants, theatres, and so much more... I miss the scent, smell, and crowd of pune and traffic,railways of Mumbai. I miss traveling in the over packed buses and trains. I loved buying earrings in the trains. I miss fighting over the meter with a rickshaw walla.I miss fighting in train for fourth seat. I miss the weather and the heat of mumbai. And I miss haggling over the vegetable prices with the sellers. How can I forget the Mumbai food – the pavbhaji, chat, and vada-pav? Being a total junkie, I miss all the food stalls that I used to frequent. I remember Juhu beach, Shivaji Park, and all the Mumbai malls.Also I badly miss FC road,Deccan ki dabeli,Tapri ki pav-bhaji....

Anyways, I have decided not to miss anything too much. If I think too much, then I will be sad all the time. My best wishes will always be with my dear sis on her wedding day. Also I had already gifted her with precious gift - wedding letter...and after all she is going to meet me here in US as after marriage she will be relocating to New-York... My parents know that they are always in my thoughts though I am physically far away. Sometimes, I wish that there would be a remote that could take you to any place of your choice at the click of a button. Till then, memories would have to suffice.