"Life is pleasent, Death is peaceful...its the transition thats troublesome!!" - Isaac Aminov

I have a feeling this is going to be a long post.

It’s been 3 months since I moved to Boston. Three months doesn’t seem much do they…may be if you consider it as 1/4^th of a year….yup that makes a difference….

Yes it has been that long…. I think first couple of weeks just passed by trying to see everything …everything seemed so new, so different from the world I came from. I remember my head bobbing both ways trying to catch the street name, the malls, and the eating joints…like a hyper active kid. Then was the quite contemplation ….. how life has changed… I don’t think I dwelled much on what I had left behind, but for may be the fact that I was unemployed now. I told myself this was my much needed break and I wouldn’t analyze it unnecessarily…. But what is it with us…when we work we wish everyday to be a Sunday…wish the boss would be out and wouldn’t give too much work…we would wish for no more review meeting…and then when u get your hearts desire you start pining for the old life. I missed my friends terribly too. None of my best friends were in Mumbai when I was living there, but it helped knowing you could call them at any time of the day not trying to figure out the time difference. I miss them a lot. I miss my famous bus ride to work, my colleagues, the gossip sessions, just the craziness that was office.

Fortunately these days have been few…I am sure I can count them on my fingers. For most part I think it doesn’t bother me because of my awesome husband. He is a true companion, checking on me, driving to and fro n number of times just to see I was doing fine, taking me out in the evening, watching shows that I love. I know it is a pain for him and I also know the days I sit and sulk he feels guilty. Just want to tell him how much I appreciate everything.

So 3 months into this place what have I learnt.

1. Americans are no different from Indians. Stuff like they don’t appreciate marriage and family and hence the high divorce rates is bull shit. I think I admire them coz they know what they want to be happy or may be they know what they don’t want to be happy. Either ways good for them.
2. Indian restaurants here suck big time. I am sure the same chef in India would cook better food. If we are on food… I need to talk about my new found love for Chinese…just love it.
3. In average Americans are either fat or lanky. There is no grey area. I don’t know how they manage to do that.
4. You need to know how to drive or you are screwed.
5. Summer means beach and barbecue and in my husbands case cricket…(gosh anything to get this season done with)
6. If you are an Indian who has moved recently…you better stop the dollar to rupees conversion. Yes it does sharpen your mathematics prowess but it can drive you crazy.
7. The internet speed is a life saver. I still cant help marveling over it and feeling bad for the days when every download would say 1 hr 20 min left.
8. Libraries here are awesome. If you are a book lover, there is no dearth of reading material and it would take a life time to get done with all the books.
9. Oh Indian aunties…I mean the 30 something’s who have been married for sometime and have been fortunate enough to come live here before you…. They will just go on and on with there advices. “Go to this store…buy fish from here…blah blah….” I know all good intentioned, but please spare me….
10. In Indian parties women sit around on the sofa’s and discuss recipe for mango chutney ( or something as absurd as that) or how there genius kids are doing at pre school . Men hang around the porch, drink and talk about cricket. ( I guess this change comes with marriage)
11. Kids here are spoilt rotten. I think every kid needs to be spanked. We turned out alright dint we…
12. All your Indian relatives and friends want to know what time it is over here when they are talking to you.
13. Chicken is chickeny and fish is fishy and rest of the food is just cheesy.
14. Oh Americans….they would greet you on the road with “ hi, how r u?” and wont even wait for your answer. I think they r conditioned robots.
15. Americans love reality shows. They have almost 10 channels which cater to this need. No Saas bahu saga for them. A pity really…..

There are so many more I had thought of…eludes me now…..may be next blog.

I have realized writing makes me happy!!! J