2010 - Another milestone

This year marked a major milestone in our lives. We returned home from our 16 year US stay. Our families are in two minds - happy that we returned; and worried we chose Machilipatnam over Hyderabad or other Metros to try and settle down. We have been facing some funny and uncomfortable questions from people we meet. 'You lost your job?' 'Is your project done?' 'You ran out of H-1 and did not get Greencard?' 'Did you make a fortune and came retired?' to list a few. Obviously some of these are uncomfortable. Some are funny. And some others are downright ridiculous.

Anyway - this is all part of the game, we feel. We can't answer all. But as long as we can answer to ourselves for all the questions/issues we face, we can live in peace. Coming to that word - one thing we felt recently is this. Ever since we went to the US, one thought at the back of our minds was - when/how do we go back to India? However, since we returned to India, we realized we are not haunted by the thought - when/how do we return to the US? That in itself gives us a semblance of inner peace.

After being in India for 3 months now, we haven't met some of the milestones we looked forward to. We are still a week away from moving into our own abode (rental, of course). Usha joined a dental clinic in November after a couple of clinics tried to get her to join them. She went and treated some cases (and made some money, of course) - but couldn't continue as the kids haven't fallen into a routine, which required both of us. She will resume later in the new year we hope. Moving into our own home should help.

The going has been slow, slower than our generous allowances. Nevertheless, we look forward to the New Year with renewed optimism and commitment. We are relearning the ropes of Indian life and confident of greater success in the coming months.

We wish you all the same - a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. 1-1-11 should ring in the positive change.

Swasti!!

The Carmax Experience

Before we left for India - one of the big items was disposing off the vehicles. Advertisements on the bulletin boards (online and offline) in the places of work resulted in many enquiries but no buyers. Craigslist helped a lot in getting serious enquiries and the car - a 2001 Altima - sold off quickly. Within 4 days of being listed, to be precise.

However, it's the minivan - a 2004 Odyssey - that attracted many more serious enquiries and a couple of finalists who wanted to buy. With the first come, first drive policy - the first person who confirmed the intent to buy got the lucky vehicle. He got it inspected at a service station of his choice - and was satisfied to learn the vehicle was in top condition. Of course, a detail service done on it helped project it in good light as well.

With the departure date closing in on us, we tried to close the formalities and he (let's call him Mr. Gandhi) waited for the loan to be approved by the financial institution. Gandhi got it done and went to pick up the check the day before we left. He was on time for the appointment, sat down to sign the papers, and upon being asked to produce the verification documents - he produced them including his driving license and the auto insurance approval papers. There started the trouble.

Gandhi had an international driving license - and the loan disbursal officer objected to it. Gandhi was asked to get a U.S. driving license before the loan amount can be handed out. He was in distress and called me for advise. We tried various options, and even the drastic option of me leaving the vehicle with him and he paying me once he gets the loan amount sanctioned. He was surprised at this last option and considered it for a while. He was in need of a big vehicle, since his family came from India and he's tired of shelling out money to the rental car companies. His severe back problem also made him look for a bigger. He seemed to be a very honest fellow - and hence my offer to him.

He called me late in the night to express his thanks and inability to accept the offer for various reasons. I already turned down two other serious buyers and didn't have time to put it on sale again. I didn't want to leave the burden of selling this vehicle for me, on friends/family. So on the day of departure, we changed our planned route to the JFK airport. We packed our suitcases in the van, started a couple of hours early, and went to Hartford, CT to sell the van in Carmax. I read about it that it takes about 30-40 minutes for the vehicle to be assessed and a quote given to us. Once we decide to sell the vehicle to them, they will finish the formalities in another hour and give us a check.

So, we drove there and offered it up for sale to them. They gave us a quote and albeit our negotiations, they didn't budge higher from their quote. It's like - take it or leave it. I had no other option. I was not sure (or may be I was) if unloading all the suitcases in a corner of their parking lot gave it away to them that I was desperate to sell it and had no time. Whatever be the case, I gave it to them, and they gave me a check.

My BiL got a rental van from the Hartford airport and we packed the luggage in it. From there we proceeded to the airport. It was the most exciting day of the past 3-4 months, leading to our boarding the flight for R2I.

That's our Carmax experience - high on convenience, low on price - but even on satisfaction. One must see the signs of relief on our faces, while driving out of the Carmax parking lot. A job DONE - in the final seconds :)

Swasti!!

Frozen

It's been a month to this day, since we returned home to India. It's been vacation time so far for all of us - especially since Dasara is a family get together time every year. The kids are growing 'smarter' watching the TV programs here - ChoTha Bheem being their favorite. We zeroed in on a school for them - and will be joining them soon. Our shipment is due to arrive by the end of this week - and we will then have no excuses after that :)

One thing I realized is - even after our annual trips to India - we are frozen in our '1994 India' mindset in some aspects. One example is - whenever I meet or come across my teachers/Professors I am folding my palms together and wishing them Namaste; while they are extending their hands to shake mine :) Walking is a forgotten skill for many, I observe. More on the 'frozen' part later...

Datta today wrote part of the Telugu alphabet and impressed at his 'artwork', he offered the 'masterpiece' to his mom and asked her to sell it for big money. He then came over to me and asked me to take a digital picture of it, and sell copies of it - so I don't have to work any more. I wish it's as easy and simple as that :))

Chandra and Lakshmi are enjoying every bit of the Masula life - mosquito bites included :)

Swasti!!

The Point is to Return

That tag line from Sri D.V. Sridharan's http://www.pointreturn.org has been an inspiration for me for long -- well, for over 2 years now, since I learnt about his site and his wonderful work. The point is to return. What a wonderful line. Many of us going from one place to another always think of returning to the origin. That thought - some of us visualize and then realize. But very few probably really RETURN. I, for one, am not the same but brought back a lot of baggage with me (not everything physical).

After landing in HYD, I went to a couple of closeby places - which was enough to give me a glimpse of the changing landscape. In the two days since we landed in Bandar - I walked through many thoroughfares and side streets of the "lazy town". Well, for one thing, I realized it's not lazy any more. Agreed - there are no pubs (or are there, in the gullies I haven't been to, or may be hidden somewhere else under non-descript sign boards?!), not much of a night life other than the homeless and the live cattle taking center stage in the center of the town. Agreed - there are no Fun Parks, IMAX Multiplexes or even McDonalds and Pizza Huts.

But what I have seen thus far is that there are many small businesses that cropped up; many young entrepreneurs making a living with colorful themes and trying to make a mark, grabbing the opportunities. I am surprised to see many Computer Institutes touting "live projects" and offshore contracting work from mega corps. Of course, I am sure much of it is worthy of humor :) But still, people are trying it out - of all places, in Bandar. I see people taking their purses out and spending. I see people eating out more and more.

Not that I haven't been to Bandar in ages. I visit my native place almost every year (except 2009, when I made just a 5 day dash to Desh). But I guess my glasses are different now. I am not visiting any more... trying to live here. Makes all the difference eh?!

But above all, it's still a sweet town (no pun intended). One can go anywhere and get work done without having to see better part of their day relegated to history. Need I add you can do it in a healthy way too?! Yes - you can almost walk to any place, without much bother. Innovas and Civics are not new to the roads here - don't get me wrong. You can have them - but don't need them here. How sweet - eh?! Not to talk of Bandar laddu, badam milk, mashala etc - the delicacies of the main thoroughfare in town. Am yet to indulge in them - not in a hurry.

So any way... The point is to return. Still a long way to go. Haven't found a suitable house to make home. Yet to finalize a school - out of 3 shortlisted - for the boys. And that's only one half of the puzzle. I have to set shop and Usha has to put her skills to practice - almost like pulling teeth...er... not almost. That's what she does :)

Swasti!!