Shift in the new house
Check
Buy Grocery
Check
Apply for cable and broadband connection
Check (it will take 2-3 weeks)
Take USB modem and stay connected
C-H-E-C-K!!!!! Yippie!!!

Adjusting in a new place

Adjusting into a new place is never easy, especially when one has spent a long time in one location. It gets all the more difficult when the new place is in another country!!!

I miss India. Like most of us, I have also often cribbed about the state of affairs in India and how people are forced to lead a life without decent infrastructure. Well, this new place has all the infrastructure but it still comes short on something......it is not India!!!

There are several things and people that I miss; some of the more prominent ones are (not in any order);

1. Autorickshaws: The same three legged creatures that used to make driving hell back in India are being missed over here. Its not that the place does not have cabs.....but for short distances, I am not pretty comfortable taking cabs.
2. Laundry Boy: I dont remember when was the last time that I ironed my shirt in India. Over here, I do not have any choice . I am definitely going to hire a maid to end my misery but till then.....
3. Ease of finding people/ things: In India, when you need a cobbler/barber/plumber/electrician....they are all available at the next corner. Over here, you need to call them, book an appointment etc etc.
4. Parents and Wife: Of course I miss them a lot. Things would have been very simple and easy with them around.
5. Ananya: I miss my daughter the most!!! I miss hugging her and watching her smile/sleep/stare at nothing/play etc. Her absence is making my life miserable. I wish that she comes here soon.

'Aicing' on the Cake!!!

Nepali Security Guard: आप इंडिया में कहाँ से हैं? (which part of India are you फ्रॉम?)

Me: मैं रांची से हूँ, यह झारखण्ड में है (I am from Ranchi, which is in Jharkhand)

Nepali Security Guard: ???? (Clueless)

Me: हम लोग वैसे तो बिहार से हैं, लेकिन अब झारखण्ड में रहते हैं ( I am from Bihar but now we are settled in Jharkhand)

Nepali Security Guard: ओ बिहार!!! बिहार मुझे पता है. यहाँ एक और है बिहार से....बिहार के लोग वैसे तो बहुत काले होते हैं....जैसे आप काला है.....लेकिन वोह गोरा है (Oh Bihar...I know Bihar. There is a guy from Bihar over here. People from Bihar are usually very dark...like you.....but he is fair)

Me: Smile!!! (Grrrrrrr!!!! %^$%^&&%&^$%&##^&%)

This was my conversation with the security guard of my guest house in Kuala Lumpur. His name is 'Aicing'. पता तो हमेशा से था, बुरा कल ही लगा!!!