Yep... I finally did it...
I succumbed to all the peer pressure and finally did it....
It seemed like I was the only one that was not doing it.... People in our India bubble were doing it, people back home were doing it... I was truly was the last one holding out....
What finally drove me to do it was when I found out that my cousin in my hometown village of Madhapur was doing it!! If he was doing it... there was no reason for me to not do IT!!
SO are you curious as to what IT is????
facebook!! I finally bit the bullet and signed up!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
11 Months....
Almost a year.... WOW!!
Having been here for 11 months, in one respect it feels like we just got here, and in another, it feels like forever.
Living in our 'bubble' of a lifestyle (I will write another post just about the 'bubble'), we are really sheltered from 'true-India' living. So when we do venture out it still causes amazement (or frustration). Actually I think that 3 out of the 4 of us are less-amazed... we have come to accept it for what it is.... but Vim (the 1 out of the 4) on the other hand just tends to really get wound up.
Here are some of the things he gets wound up about:
Driving... the lack of 'process' or just the sheer madness
Driving... the people on the motor cycles that just randomly cut in where ever they can
Driving... the cars on the road that overloaded with people, kids in front seats on laps, people in the back doubled up
Driving... the family of 4 or 5 all riding on one scooter
Out and about... the lack of 'process' or 'purpose' for the things that are done - this can be the random security checks that serve zero purpose, or the traffic cop on the corner that is doing nothing to control the traffic
Out and about... the people walking on the street because there are no sidewalks
The list can go on and on...
I suppose being a foreigner in their country, we have two choices... accept it, or think that we are going to change it... personally I will take the path of least resistance here... because personally, I don't think that I can change a country of over a billion people that are truly content functioning they way they are... Vim on the other hand will try to change them, and get frustrated because they simply do not want to change.
Having been here for 11 months, in one respect it feels like we just got here, and in another, it feels like forever.
Living in our 'bubble' of a lifestyle (I will write another post just about the 'bubble'), we are really sheltered from 'true-India' living. So when we do venture out it still causes amazement (or frustration). Actually I think that 3 out of the 4 of us are less-amazed... we have come to accept it for what it is.... but Vim (the 1 out of the 4) on the other hand just tends to really get wound up.
Here are some of the things he gets wound up about:
Driving... the lack of 'process' or just the sheer madness
Driving... the people on the motor cycles that just randomly cut in where ever they can
Driving... the cars on the road that overloaded with people, kids in front seats on laps, people in the back doubled up
Driving... the family of 4 or 5 all riding on one scooter
Out and about... the lack of 'process' or 'purpose' for the things that are done - this can be the random security checks that serve zero purpose, or the traffic cop on the corner that is doing nothing to control the traffic
Out and about... the people walking on the street because there are no sidewalks
The list can go on and on...
I suppose being a foreigner in their country, we have two choices... accept it, or think that we are going to change it... personally I will take the path of least resistance here... because personally, I don't think that I can change a country of over a billion people that are truly content functioning they way they are... Vim on the other hand will try to change them, and get frustrated because they simply do not want to change.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Monsoon Rains
Yes, the monsoon rains have started. Now before we get into the details, the general comments regarding the 'rains in Bangalore' is that they are 'well behaved'. Well Behaved? What does that mean?? Really? Well, now that we have been here almost a year, I can tell, I know exactly what that means..... Rains are typically of short duration, and they occur late afternoon/evening. Simply put, there are no complete wash-out days where it rains all day. So that being said, I suppose 'well-behaved' is a fitting term.
Now on to Monsoons... Yes, the monsoon rains have started. I happened to catch a bit of a news clip on BBC the other day that went into some detail on the Monsoons. Essentially the monsoon rains are a result of the land temperature increasing and the ocean temps being cooler. The differential in the temps causes a high pressure system (or maybe it is a low pressure system - some meteorological savvy person can clarify...) which then becomes the onset of the rains. The rains typically start at the south east portion of India and work their way westward. Once they pass thru India, they then 'retreat' so in the retreat pattern, we will get another wave of rains. This is typically in Sept/Oct.
So, do we mind the rains? No, since they are 'well behaved'. And more importantly, they really cool things off. The mornings after a nice rain are so cool and breezy and the air is so fresh!!
Now on to Monsoons... Yes, the monsoon rains have started. I happened to catch a bit of a news clip on BBC the other day that went into some detail on the Monsoons. Essentially the monsoon rains are a result of the land temperature increasing and the ocean temps being cooler. The differential in the temps causes a high pressure system (or maybe it is a low pressure system - some meteorological savvy person can clarify...) which then becomes the onset of the rains. The rains typically start at the south east portion of India and work their way westward. Once they pass thru India, they then 'retreat' so in the retreat pattern, we will get another wave of rains. This is typically in Sept/Oct.
So, do we mind the rains? No, since they are 'well behaved'. And more importantly, they really cool things off. The mornings after a nice rain are so cool and breezy and the air is so fresh!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Milan was under the weather.....
Milan was home sick for the past few days. This allowed for some father/son bonding....
Vim shares below some of the thoughts that they shared.......
The past two days Milan has been sick - High Temp & Sickness. In such a state one does get concerned, but the lighter side of this passing ill-time was his random discussions which are very enlightening.
Upon watching a scene from Tom and Jerry, where one of these characters was acting like a doctor, Milan re-iterated his desire to be a Doctor. He explained if he was a doctor he would never get ill. If he did he would know what medicine to take to get better. After some time, he stated "look at Tino mama and Hasmukh Dada - they never get ill - They fix ill people". How cute.
We watched more cartoons and I had to ask him why he wants to be a doctor. His explanation was simple. He wants 5 houses and a Zoom-Zoom car. He truly has a role model! He continued and mapped out Mira's future - "Mira will be a dentist like Umang kaka" and I need to buy a shop when we go back to Michigan like Nayan kaka, and sell lots of pixie stix and candy, and 'Mommy manager' will wear a GM ID Badge and run GM!
Vim shares below some of the thoughts that they shared.......
The past two days Milan has been sick - High Temp & Sickness. In such a state one does get concerned, but the lighter side of this passing ill-time was his random discussions which are very enlightening.
Upon watching a scene from Tom and Jerry, where one of these characters was acting like a doctor, Milan re-iterated his desire to be a Doctor. He explained if he was a doctor he would never get ill. If he did he would know what medicine to take to get better. After some time, he stated "look at Tino mama and Hasmukh Dada - they never get ill - They fix ill people". How cute.
We watched more cartoons and I had to ask him why he wants to be a doctor. His explanation was simple. He wants 5 houses and a Zoom-Zoom car. He truly has a role model! He continued and mapped out Mira's future - "Mira will be a dentist like Umang kaka" and I need to buy a shop when we go back to Michigan like Nayan kaka, and sell lots of pixie stix and candy, and 'Mommy manager' will wear a GM ID Badge and run GM!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Posting Frequency....
I realize that lately I have been slacking on my blog postings......
I don't think that there a real good reason.... I will chalk it up as pure laziness...
There have been many things to post about... Come on, this is India... There is always something to post about!!
I trust that you will keep me on the straight and narrow... if you see me slacking... Give me a hard time for it!!
I don't think that there a real good reason.... I will chalk it up as pure laziness...
There have been many things to post about... Come on, this is India... There is always something to post about!!
I trust that you will keep me on the straight and narrow... if you see me slacking... Give me a hard time for it!!
Deep Thoughts by Mira and Milan
Here is a post from Vim on some deep converstations that he had with Mira and Milan
11 months on and I find myself having discussion of higher level with Mira and Milan. Sometimes I want to switch off, but these are the opportunities one has to grasp, sit and listen to the kids.
India has made an impact. I'm happy these two will not be labeled 'ABCD'. (In short American Born Confused Desi - "Desi is short for Indian). If any of us were to pack up, lock stock and barrel, move to another country you would surely have a new 'take' not on oneself awareness and understanding but a true appreciation of what is out there in perspective to what you have normally thought to believe.
We are fortunate to return to India, hence M&M have deeper conversations on many levels for their age, from science, worldly issues, points of kindness to faith. Our discussions are such that M&M are able to discuss with us many parallels to what they have been exposed to from the USA. One subject that has come up has been on Birth, Death & Reincarnation, which Hindu's believe in afterlife.
These kids talk as if they knew each other before they were born. So here is the discussion with Mira and Milan I had a few days ago. "According to M&M, they were both in heaven, just sitting around, playing games and all. As they got both bored, Mira approached Milan and asked if he wanted to be friends. So a friendship started, but suddenly it was short lived as Mira states she fell out of the sky. Milan was sad, but shouted "I hope I see you soon". Mira's theory is that babies are perfectly placed in all mommies tummies after someone else leaves earth. 3 years later after Mira was born, her friend Milan was born. Mira realizes that she always wanted a sister, but she was reunited with her old heavenly friend Milan".
However, both do not want anyone friends or family to die, but understand that life comes to an end, some day just like flowers in the garden. So here is another explanation from Mira. Mira explained clearly her understanding of reincarnation without any help or discussions from Dev or I. Her reasoning was that a recent passing in the family allowed her to have another cousin brother named Kiren. The parallel connection to this topic and relating it real life experiences is amazing. Milan on the other hand talks about the life he came from, now this is Milan we are talking about but he comes up with great explanations to things when he is trying to explain his point. When in trouble or not, but he knows how to make one melt regardless. 'Kids you gotta Love em.'
11 months on and I find myself having discussion of higher level with Mira and Milan. Sometimes I want to switch off, but these are the opportunities one has to grasp, sit and listen to the kids.
India has made an impact. I'm happy these two will not be labeled 'ABCD'. (In short American Born Confused Desi - "Desi is short for Indian). If any of us were to pack up, lock stock and barrel, move to another country you would surely have a new 'take' not on oneself awareness and understanding but a true appreciation of what is out there in perspective to what you have normally thought to believe.
We are fortunate to return to India, hence M&M have deeper conversations on many levels for their age, from science, worldly issues, points of kindness to faith. Our discussions are such that M&M are able to discuss with us many parallels to what they have been exposed to from the USA. One subject that has come up has been on Birth, Death & Reincarnation, which Hindu's believe in afterlife.
These kids talk as if they knew each other before they were born. So here is the discussion with Mira and Milan I had a few days ago. "According to M&M, they were both in heaven, just sitting around, playing games and all. As they got both bored, Mira approached Milan and asked if he wanted to be friends. So a friendship started, but suddenly it was short lived as Mira states she fell out of the sky. Milan was sad, but shouted "I hope I see you soon". Mira's theory is that babies are perfectly placed in all mommies tummies after someone else leaves earth. 3 years later after Mira was born, her friend Milan was born. Mira realizes that she always wanted a sister, but she was reunited with her old heavenly friend Milan".
However, both do not want anyone friends or family to die, but understand that life comes to an end, some day just like flowers in the garden. So here is another explanation from Mira. Mira explained clearly her understanding of reincarnation without any help or discussions from Dev or I. Her reasoning was that a recent passing in the family allowed her to have another cousin brother named Kiren. The parallel connection to this topic and relating it real life experiences is amazing. Milan on the other hand talks about the life he came from, now this is Milan we are talking about but he comes up with great explanations to things when he is trying to explain his point. When in trouble or not, but he knows how to make one melt regardless. 'Kids you gotta Love em.'
June 1
For those of you that have been reading the news over the last few weeks fully know that June 1 is a pivotal day for GM. And I am sure that the thought has crossed your mind, 'what about the Patel's in Bangalore'....
Rest assured, we have not been asked to pack our bags....
We just had a meeting with all the other 'expats' that are here with the senior leadership and they assured us that it is 'business as usual'.
So that being said, I will keep my nose to the grindstone and keep plugging away. And making the most of everyday and all the experiences that come with each passing day.
Rest assured, we have not been asked to pack our bags....
We just had a meeting with all the other 'expats' that are here with the senior leadership and they assured us that it is 'business as usual'.
So that being said, I will keep my nose to the grindstone and keep plugging away. And making the most of everyday and all the experiences that come with each passing day.
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