Ahoy Columbia!

This is my first week at work in the US. I am thoroughly enjoying Columbia, SC. Currently put up at a small acco near Fort Jackson, my workplace is some 15 miles from there, on the I-77. And truly, now I know what I had been missing all this while - working at the headquarters of my company, working with the bunch who get the bacon home.

Ah well, South Carolina is a pretty state It has its share of history and has contributed to the world of music - James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie come from South Carolina. Living is expensive though - from living and commuting standpoint. An apartment in the Irving/Austin area costs $500-$600 pm while here, its $600 plus. Also, like in most of America's smaller towns, there is no public transport...but that is fine..after all, its an experience working here and a rather good one.

I would now start writing about specific experiences of my life at Columbia, and hopefully add pics too....

kreative -ity

If there ever was a contest in our clan on who is the most creative of the lot, it will be Pallav. Please draw, scan and upload your "Coconut Man" cartoons.

Coconut man with his distinct head has major scope, brilliant work sir!

How to survive 4 years in a comfort zone...

Whew...hard to believe that I have completed four years with my current company, having had worked in 4 organizations in my first 4 years as a professional. To think that I started off my innings here with no focus whatsoever, today I am blissfully wedded for more than 4 years, leading a fairly comfortable life in a small provincial town, working in a global organization that is growing exponentially across India as a manager with responsibilities and lots of expectations..one doesn't quite realize how difficult it gets to get out of such complacence until one is made to leave the city or the way of life..for now, such an unsettling moment seems to be dawning on our lives as we prepare to leave for US for sometime. Suddenly, one is filled with anxiety and excitement - of life without the comfort of a spacious house, servants, short distances to office, "desi" lifestyle - to a more organized and faster life, of living almost 12 hours behind your usual timezone..more so when you are taking your loved one along and have to think of her life too in a strange land..reminds me of The Namesake (the movie more than the book)..I think its gotta be a good experience. I guess I would like to consider this as an auspicious moment to resume blogging...