What do you do? - Nothing!
Niki and I were sitting in a bar in Kaua'i (will write more on the trip in a separate entry). There was a couple from Houston, Texas who were on their 7th anniversary in Kaua'i. So we got talking to the couple. The girl asked us - So where are you guys from? - Niki replied "Orange County, California". Then she asked "What do you guys do?". Niki and I both looked at each other, smiled for a bit and blankly replied almost ending in a laughter "Nothing!". The girl was a bit taken aback. How could a couple be doing nothing and still be vacationing in Hawai'i.
Then we explained to her what I have been meaning to write on my blog for quite some time. Did you hear it already? If not, here it is: We are moving back to India for good. Seriously, no kidding!
We always wanted to go back to India. For Niki it was a strong thought ever since she entered the US. Though she would always say that her experience in US in terms of professional and personal development have been really good, she wanted our kids (whenever we plan to have them) to be brought up in India.
For me, the thought was running in the back of my mind. But never too strong. I always looked at it this way. India is poised for a major breakthrough. India is on the path of development. Agreed, there is a lack of infrastructure, there is inflation, peoples' attitude is still the same, everything agreed. But still there's something happening in India which is catching the world's eye. And everyone seems to be talking about it.
Any Indian (especially mid 20's) you meet in the US, you would find him/her talking that maybe one day they would want to go back to India. I realised this more so when I started calling up people and telling them about the move that I am making. I would get the common reply from most of them : "Wow, that's a bold decision! I wish even I could make that decision. You are lucky! Maybe, one day I will go back to India too."
I was always doing my homework on applying for positions in India. I have also kept the option open of joining family business (that's a whole different story - if I remember to, I will write about my experience in my dad/brother's office for a couple weeks). So when I went to India this December, I talked to some people, met them and got myself an offer that I eventually decided to take up.
It wasn't until we started selling our belongings here in US that the feeling struck us. We're actually moving back to India!!! Niki and I would have long discussions among ourselves. We would have discussions with our families back home. Apprehension and fear and uncertainty were all showing up both from our side and from our folks back home.
These are the folks who had been telling us again and again to come back to India. Once the decision was made, they started questioning "Are you sure you want to do this?" I could understand their apprehension. Till today I am trying to convince them in different ways possible that it is in the best interest of everyone that we're moving back.
So then we started selling our furniture in February soon after the decision was made. Each evening Niki would come back from work and inspect the house for any piece of furniture that would be missing. We were so heart broken when our dining table was gone. But slowly and steadily our house kept getting more and more empty making us think that all the stuff that we had collected over the years. The things that we got so attached to - how can we ever imagine living without those things? We knew we would eventually get over these feelings, but at that moment, it is difficult to bring your mind to peace.
We had farewells, we had parties, we planned 2 vacations, we resigned from our jobs, and now here we are - living at a friend's place out of a suitcase. We just returned from our first vacation - by the way, we had a splendid time there and are looking forward to our second vacation.
If you ask me, aren't you looking forward to going back to India? If I have to be very frank with you, the answer would be "I don't know." There have been so many discussions on how things would be when we go back that I prefer not to think about it too much and just take it as it comes. I mean there have been so many talks about how we will beat the heat with sweat in Mumbai and so many little things like that - that I would rather go there, start working with complete dedication and make the most out of being close to my family.
I will let you know how it goes once I get there. Till then if you are 20 something Indian in the US, spend sometime thinking that maybe, one day even you might go back. If you are not, then PEACE!
Then we explained to her what I have been meaning to write on my blog for quite some time. Did you hear it already? If not, here it is: We are moving back to India for good. Seriously, no kidding!
We always wanted to go back to India. For Niki it was a strong thought ever since she entered the US. Though she would always say that her experience in US in terms of professional and personal development have been really good, she wanted our kids (whenever we plan to have them) to be brought up in India.
For me, the thought was running in the back of my mind. But never too strong. I always looked at it this way. India is poised for a major breakthrough. India is on the path of development. Agreed, there is a lack of infrastructure, there is inflation, peoples' attitude is still the same, everything agreed. But still there's something happening in India which is catching the world's eye. And everyone seems to be talking about it.
Any Indian (especially mid 20's) you meet in the US, you would find him/her talking that maybe one day they would want to go back to India. I realised this more so when I started calling up people and telling them about the move that I am making. I would get the common reply from most of them : "Wow, that's a bold decision! I wish even I could make that decision. You are lucky! Maybe, one day I will go back to India too."
I was always doing my homework on applying for positions in India. I have also kept the option open of joining family business (that's a whole different story - if I remember to, I will write about my experience in my dad/brother's office for a couple weeks). So when I went to India this December, I talked to some people, met them and got myself an offer that I eventually decided to take up.
It wasn't until we started selling our belongings here in US that the feeling struck us. We're actually moving back to India!!! Niki and I would have long discussions among ourselves. We would have discussions with our families back home. Apprehension and fear and uncertainty were all showing up both from our side and from our folks back home.
These are the folks who had been telling us again and again to come back to India. Once the decision was made, they started questioning "Are you sure you want to do this?" I could understand their apprehension. Till today I am trying to convince them in different ways possible that it is in the best interest of everyone that we're moving back.
So then we started selling our furniture in February soon after the decision was made. Each evening Niki would come back from work and inspect the house for any piece of furniture that would be missing. We were so heart broken when our dining table was gone. But slowly and steadily our house kept getting more and more empty making us think that all the stuff that we had collected over the years. The things that we got so attached to - how can we ever imagine living without those things? We knew we would eventually get over these feelings, but at that moment, it is difficult to bring your mind to peace.
We had farewells, we had parties, we planned 2 vacations, we resigned from our jobs, and now here we are - living at a friend's place out of a suitcase. We just returned from our first vacation - by the way, we had a splendid time there and are looking forward to our second vacation.
If you ask me, aren't you looking forward to going back to India? If I have to be very frank with you, the answer would be "I don't know." There have been so many discussions on how things would be when we go back that I prefer not to think about it too much and just take it as it comes. I mean there have been so many talks about how we will beat the heat with sweat in Mumbai and so many little things like that - that I would rather go there, start working with complete dedication and make the most out of being close to my family.
I will let you know how it goes once I get there. Till then if you are 20 something Indian in the US, spend sometime thinking that maybe, one day even you might go back. If you are not, then PEACE!
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