Aisa bhi hota hai...

Aisa bhi hota hai...

Yesterday, when I went to meet the advisor at the property agent office, he was busy texting on his mobile phone. Once he was done, he apologised about the busyness with mobile. I was having no shortage of time, and was in no hurry to jump onto discussion about property so, I began enquiring about how is he doing and blah blah. We discussed about his personal life for a few minutes and the outcome was -

His mom's in the hospital in some town in Wales, and is dying of cancer. He actually used these words "dying of cancer" in his first statement. Well! And that he tries to visit his mom twice a month over the weekend, but its too difficult for him. His mom is all by herself in the hospital fighting cancer, but cancer is having an upper hand, as its in the final stage. He has a sister who also lives in London, with her family. And this sister can't visit more than once a month.

Me being desi, and with my 'some' family values, still not able to get over the discussion even now. The thought of the old lady alone in hospital trying to fight cancer (or may be just trying to die) with her two grown up children just a couple of hundred kilometers away, but not able to spend time with her. I can't stop wondering, what she would be thinking all day, lying on her hospital bed. The weak body, the bald hair, and lonely eyes.

May be, that I am over-reacting (over-analysing) some situation, which I do not have complete understanding of, and its absolutely none of my business, but still can't help it.

Long weekend to North East England

So, finally I made the bookings for North East UK. Me being Aj, booked at the last moment with the travel cost itself making up for the travel + stay, had it been the more thoughtful and advance booking. Anyways.. I was super excited to meet Thakur (Sagar M) and Gatur (Rahul S). Ever since I moved to UK, Sagar and I have been talking in terms of Sholay. Ab aayega maja! :)

The journey started at 920 from my flat to the Victoria Coach Station, and befriending an African infant by making faces - the holiday started with a bang. The National Express Coach bus was scheduled to depart at 2330 and reach New castle at 6 am. The bus journey was good except for the fact that I could sleep only for an hour or so. Thanks to the comforts of non-pushback nature of the seats. How I miss the sleeper coaches of luxury buses or railways of India!

Day1 Begins. Called Sagar to say - "Tanga sahi samay par Ramgadh pahuch gaya. Tum humein lene aa jao." Thakur received us and we went to his flat after a good 30 mins walk thru the town centre. Angrez were good at creating nice town centres. The massiveness of the structures and the neatness of the streets make you feel organised and small. A nice English breakfast at Sagar's place, and we were off to Sunderland on the Metro. Reached Sunderland University by around noon. Rahul came to receive us at the station and his house is just a 4 mins walk from the station. Such a bliss. Day 1 was spent in relaxing at home, eating daal-baati for lunch, followed by a birth day party in the evening.

Day 2, we had decided to go to Durham and see the Durham Cathedral. This cathedral was being built for 40 years sometimes in 1000-1100 AD. Such an architectural beauty, with the Organ music playing in the background. Spent close to 2 hours at the cathedral. While seating alone at the bench, I couldn't get off the feeling that "somehow I am connected to history". This is the same feeling which I get while trekking the forts of Maharashtra or books/movies of the pre-independence era about north India. Ok. Ok. Okay. Arnav too had his high - enjoying the bunjee jumping, while Ojal was sad, not being allowed cause she is still under-3. The same old distraction technic was used to make her forget n smile again. All the ladies had a gala time visiting the shopping malls and later munching on the ice cream.

Day 3, we started our journey back to New Castle. Thakur came to receive us at the Monument- ate some pret-a-manger stuff and we off loaded our lugguage at his haveli. A walk around the city centre, a few mins talk at the museum lawns, followed by visits to the bridges. Those who lived in Pune (with so many bridges) would sure love this city for the bridges. Some dialoguebaazi again at the Millenium bridge (remember, Jay died at a bridge with a blast triggered with his revolver). It was so difficult to control the beer-urge. I distracted my mind with the thought that the standard English dictionary should now have this new word 'beerurge'. :P Back to his flat. It was time to let our feets relax. The food was nicely cooked - and I had the chance to eat 'the indian egg curry' after a long 12-14 months. Thanks to the amazing cooks. Lots of talks and discussions about problems in India (yeah yeah, the typical NRI thing).

Day 4, early breakfast and the journey backwards. I intentionally kept this journey to be in the day time, so that I get to see the roadside while on the bus. And me being the luckiest ass on earth, it was a bright n sunny day with good visibility. All I did during the entire journey was keep Oj occupied or sleeping, so that I get to see outside the window. The view outside of the window was good. How I wish it had the Sholay theme music in background (Jay's organ play) Nice British house roofs, green trees, green lawns, green fields with yellow flowers, horse farms, cow farms and what not. One advantage of a developed country is that, every inch of the land is owned and managed. But, my heart still beats for my very own Sahyadris...

Another challenge that lies ahead...

You know some things, as in 'Theories' or known facts, but you don't have the "knowledge" unless you experience that 'some thing' on your own. Well, I am talking about a very sensitive aspect of my life at this moment (finally, I think, I have something going on in my life, which is 'sensible' :P). It's got to do with me as a parent. I am realising, that I can't be a kid, and be a parent at the same time. However, the most beautiful option could be - be a kid, and grow up with my daughter, but then, there's another problem here, that she would grow faster and smarter, and I would be left behind, again causing a generation gap :D

It gives all the parents immense pleasures, when the kids start using new words. One such incidence being - at a shopping mall Goldie asking me to buy something, but the word and the sentence she used as - "Papa, aap ke liye kuch T-shirt WAGERE lena kya". Well, WAGERE is such a routine word in Hindi, but it has an importance and a mention here, because it was used for the first time by 2.5 yr old Goldie when we were least expecting it.

Me being a bolly movie n song freak, I have introduced Goldie to all the actors as - Shammi Kapoor Uncle or Aamir Khan uncle or Sharmila Aunty or Kareena Aunty. Just for the fun out of it. But its been over 6 months this way, and its kinda protocol for her. She was in a bad mood yesterday after being broken off her afternoon nap. In a bid to pacify her, I asked her which song/rhyme/bhajan she wants to listen to, she was constantly crying. I named a few of them, which she all declined, finally asking me - 'Sheila aunty ka song sun na hai'. It was me who introduced the 'Sheila ki Jawaani' song to her as 'Sheila aunty ka song'.

One such incidence goes like this. Me being me, have started mentioning Anushka Sharma as 'Sharmaji ki beti' (She being my latest bolly crush ;) ). I don't remember, when did Goldie heard me mentioning this. Last eve, when I was discussing which song to play, Goldie made her suggestion while playing with her color crayons - "Sharmaji ki beti ka song lagao".

It might feel cute at this moment, but I think, its yet another challenge for me to watch my language and phrases very closely and to use proper words with correct judgement.

I don't like it here....

Yeah. Really. I am not liking it here. Here in UK. In London. At work. Around my home. Agreed, lots of people like it here, and are really happy. Happy to the extent that they do not even think of going back to India. I fail to understand the reason behind their happiness. Am simply being an idiot. Trust me.

Years back, I used to be so excited talking about moving to UK. I was so excited when I took this bold step. I was super happy, when things were falling in place for flying to UK. I was on cloud nine, when I was rejecting job offers here. Finally, agreed for the current job. Wellwishers were more than happy to congratulate me, and were falling short of words to praise this bold step.(Khud ki tareef). Those jealous of me, had to keep mum (fir se). But, why doesn't my excitement/happiness/cheer last longer? I know, the architecture of the system on which I am working is kinda similar to what I have worked on, so after a few months, I will not have drastically new things to learn. But, there's less chaos and less politics(it seems) and less management involved in the daily work. So, what I have to really concentrate is only the technical aspect of work. Was't this the thing I was looking for?

Apart from finding work and starting to work, there are lots of other challenges life is offering as a good/bad side effect of moving to a new city. And yeah, it keeps me occupied most of the eves/weekends. I am doing my risk calculations, thanks to the uncertainty here. I know, I am missing the adventure/fun I used to have in Chennai/Pune. Loads of good friends, lots of good times with kids in the society, frequent visits to native town, lots of phone calls with friends (and incoming calls for credit cards, personal loan and what not), biking on the new Avenger, visits to temples, beaches, malls. Life will definitely take a new shape over here. People here are quite busy(or atleast they are expert in pretending to be busy). Even if the city is said as cosmopolitan and welcoming, I have contradictory experiences. People here smile at strangers, but they like to maintain a blank-expression-face for those they already know. I was so tempted to ask one of my colleagues at work - 'Hey A$$&^&^, do you know me' when he crossed by me in the staircase with the most expressionless face I have ever seen.

Well, enough is enough. I think, this is too early for me to judge. It's just a cross-over phase and it would too pass. I would also be comfortable with this new city and environment. So I better be prepared to make most of it, rather than lamenting.

Friendly guest house :)

It was 3-4 long years that I was planning to move to UK for career. Sometimes, it was me who was not strong enough to take the step, when certain things in life were not on track. And sometimes, it was external forces which were playing spoilsport. But yes, finally, external forces were in my favour, and it all happened quite fast. I was all set for a new and exciting challenge. Add to the silver lining, I was moving back to the city, where I had amazing times. Add more to the silver lining, Anand-Ashwini were happy to host me in their 1 bed house. Yeah, it was their own 'kulhaadi'(axe) and it was their own 'payr' (leg).

6th Aug 2010 : 7pm : I landed at Heathrow. Anand was at the airport to receive me. Straight to the picadilly line tube, then bus 144 from Turnpike Lane, and finally to NRV. Ashwini came down to the building gate with a smile. Stella was waiting upstairs (Stella Artois). We had so much to catch up. Little did we realise that it was 2 am and our talks still not ending. But, it was time to be flat.

The weekend gone just like that : taking rest - eating out - finishing some formalities. We were having a gala time - recalling so many things of the good old days. Anand was happy because he got some company for drinks, and to experiment the adventure of new and better wines and beers. Ashwini was happy because, she got a new animal to try her cooked dishes - hehehe. Well, she passed in all of her trials with flying colors. But, 'ras malai' is still pending. And I was super happy - coz I get to be the kabab me haddi of this lovely couple. But, it was too early for them to realise the meaning of 'Apne payro par khud kulhaadi maarna'.

I must say, I got some very good memories from staying with Anand-Ashwini. Some of them really happy, when we laughed our stomaches out. Few of them being - the 'Newyorker sizzlers' prank calls with Rahul-Dhiraj-Dhaval, listening to marathi and hindi and angrezi prank calls on youtube, 3 idiots watching 3 idiots together :P, and yeah, how can I forget to mention the alignement game 'Jenga' we played after having a couple of drinks. For those who dont know - Jenga (as u guessed it right) is a indoor south african originated game. We had some tough times too, when there used to be 'smashaan ki shaantata' in the house - sometimes, coz I got some unexpected rejections at interviews, sometimes work issues of Anand. But yeah, let me mention here - some of the silences were when this so-much-in-love couple used to fight. Hehehohohaha. Your fights are no more a secret, buddies.

But all in all, whether its the kissa of my 'Room Temperature' issues, or whether its Ashwini's domination in kitchen, not allowing me to help her with anything, or whether its Anand's fascination to his again-new-found-love-in-midlife - his iPhone, the time spent at this house is something I will cherish lifelong. And I know, Anand-Ashwini will think number of times before inviting any guest to their house.

Life so far...

Well, here I am. Once again, a long long gap. This time, because life is way too happening. Lots n lots of them. On the career front - right from passport hassles for renewing my expired passport at Chennai Regional passport office, to applying for UK visa, getting stamped, applying for Goldie's passport, and then requesting for urgent treatment, Anjali's health issues, completely packing our rented house in Chennai, selling the bikes (yeah - I have sold my babe - my brand new Bajaj Avenger), finally landing in London, relaxing, dakhalandajofying Anand-Ashwini's life, tasting new and better wines, beers, visiting London pubs and so many things. O M G - life have been happening. The best happening so far being - no cockroach terror. Those ugly - red-brown - huge - flying cockroaches - they had literally made me not-so-carefree. Yuck! Why the hell am I writing about cockroaches here. Puke!!!

And yeah - I did study a lot, a lot really. Secured few offers. Declined few of them - but finally agreed to commit for this Amadeus one. After 2 months of relaxation, its gonna be too tough for me to confine my bum to one chair for entire day (read work hours). I am really not sure, if I am excited about this position, but I look forward to another long duration of unsettled life. I look forward to the uncertainty that this new career path brings, this is gonna keep me on my toes, and I really get to live my life on the edge for the next few years for the least. I look forward to the financial risk it brings. I look forward to the constant stress, and I look forward to the distraction from negativities of life.

On the personal front, I look forward to the playtime with Goldie in parks. Letting her sit on my shoulder, and roam around on streets (while she snatches my hairs :) ). I look forward to see her learn angrezi, and this accent. I look forward to us talking to her in angrezi, which at this moment looks like a huge task for me. I am so much desi at heart, how do I get to connect with her, if angrezi is the language. I look forward to this. Another class of life. Another few teachers and another few subjects. Another few lessons!

Nothing has changed.. nothing's gonna change!

Yeah. Really. Nothing has changed. Contrary to what I initially thought, core properties of people do not change with age, geography, current affiars or anything else. Yeah - experienced it. But, no one apart from those who are closely connected to myself, Anand, Rahulya, Dhirya and Dhavalya would understand.

I am till today, the same casual guy. Not serious about career or life. Bhanda still walks with gheesofying his footwear. Rahulya still gets angry the same way he used to in those good old days. Dhiru is same old dhandrat. Dhaval is still slow by default. Though, each one of us (me inclusive) have got abilties to behave on top of these core properties, but 'Hey world, you leave us alone, and we still are
unchanged".

After spending all these days with Anand-Ashvini, as an 'athithi' in their house, a few long duration phone calls together with others (Dhiraj - Dhaval - Rahul), I still bet, we want to retain our core properties forever. Whether its Bhanda saying 'chalo' without even meaning it, or I pakaofying; whether its Dhiraj's professional attitude or its Dhaval's slow paced delivery of words, rahul will never ever clean his moustache. Hehehe!!!