30th October 2009

4th wedding anniversary - 24th october 2009

It seems like our wedding was last year. Its been 4 years since we tied the knot. Life has been well - life all these years. Let me also remind myself not to set a tone of any major accomplishment here. We still have a long way to go together and more challenges and happiness exists in future. The only thing I and Preeti can vouch for is God has been good and faithful to us. Let me list some major challenges and moments of happiness in our life so far.

1. When we got married in 2005 - October 24, I was barely 10 months into my first job in the US. There was much instability around finances for the wedding and some college debt. The story runs long on how everything came together but in the end we both were united here in the US after 2 years of long distance relationship. This was a time of happiness since we were together after a long time.

2. New country, new people, new culture and being the only child of doting parents made first few months of Preeti's stay here sometimes very tearful. This was also time we had fun exploring California nature , beaches, hiking and made new friends at church and Preeti got to know my friends here.

3. During the same time my Mom battled an early stage cancer and recovered. This was particularly challenging for me as I was totally unprepared to handle such a situation.

4. In September 2006 Preeti passed her california nursing license exams and in next few months of futile job search here in bay area she got a RN position in San Dimas in southern california. With the job came the opportunity to apply for a green card for both of us. We got into the nursing green card quota barely 12 days before the quota filled up and has never been reopened since. Preeti was excited over her first US job and we moved to southern california in early 2007. My company allowed me to work from San Dimas for 6 months till in July 2007 I had to move back up to the bay area. Southern california again was an exciting time and we enjoyed "india-like" summer and warm orange county beaches and made new friends there.

5. After July 2007, 3 months of long distance within US ensued. Every week me or Preeti had to make the trip ( drive/fly ) to each other. We both were proud that even though we lived 370 miles apart there was never a stretch of more than 5 days when we were not together.

6. We earnestly prayed for Preeti's move back up here. What followed astounded us. Not only Preeti got a job up here but the green card application stayed intact inspite of employer change. Preeti got salary about 25% more than what she earned in San Dimas. We were back together in November of 2007. Preeti initially was stressed handling to a new job environment but settled gradually.

7. During all these years we both were able to support a good cause back home which I wont write about here. The satisfaction we obtained from it always makes us happier.

8. We hosted my parents and sister in August 2008. It was wonderful for the family to be together for the first time in US. Later in November 2008 we surprised Preeti's parents and my parents by dropping in uninformed. We had a great time all along planning the surprise visit and hosting my folks.

9. In November 2008 there were layoffs in my company. I had to adjust to new management and increased responsibility and stress. Preeti had to adjust to these changes. Life become more stressful. The depressing economic environment added to the stress as we lost considerable stock value we owned. During this time we both were grateful for having jobs. It also halted our house search

10. To get away from this stress and disappointment of our failed house purchase attempt we took a 21 day europe tour in April 2009. We visited 7 countries and meticulously planned our trip. The trip planning and the actual trip was a fantastic experience. This is one of the best things we have experienced in our lives.

11. When we came back from Europe - God gave us the opportunity to start looking for a house again. After much disappointments and excitement we finalized a house 15 days back. Last 15 days have been an emotional roller coaster as we searched for a loan. On the last day of our contract expiration we got an approval and we finalized the contract yesterday.

So on the 4th anniversary of our wedding we look forward to a new house. Another thing we look forward to is a India trip January next year. This trip is special with several members of our church visiting our home town. A book we read in last few days has been specially helpful taking disappointments and happiness in life in correct stride. We are trying to learn to take one day at a time, worry less and enjoy the more important things in life.

Traditional - October 18 2009 ( at Swaroopa and Omkar Mate's party)

Rio Versus Chicago

So much contrast in how the real people of Rio and Chicago are thinking how the 2016 Olympics will affect their lives.

45 % people in Chicago oppose Olympics in their city ( wow ! ) in 2016. On the other hand overwhelming majority 95% + people in Rio want olympics to be held there. The 45 % in Chicago may have their reasons but just shows how the city which really wants the olympics may not get it but the city who doesn't want may actually get it ( thanks to O cube power... Oprah, Obama M , Obama B).

Several olympic games have been held in the US and 2016 will be the first ever in South America if awarded to Rio . So, I truly feel that the games should be given to Rio. With Olympic games comes economic prosperity and the pride of hosting the games is something to be treasured for a lifetime. So let the Chicago folks who dont want the games have it their way .... please.

what's up with australians?

Australians are known to be very laid back and friendly people. I grew up with several of my father's australian friends visiting us every year. I know them to be extraordinarily friendly and caring people.

Now, every day, I hear some Indian student or immigrant is beaten up in Australia which is at odds with the character of the Australian people. I can understand that there are always certain section of the demographic which are committed to stir up trouble. But the shear number of attacks on Indians and in spread out geography is very puzzling and none of the media reports seem to get to the bottom of the actual reasons of the hate crime.

Have Indians overstayed their welcome? Is it something they are doing ( like encroaching on jobs) thats causing the backlash? Is it shear hate due to racism ? What has ticked off the australian people and I have no way of knowing. I guess I should contact my father's friends and check what exactly the reason are but I am genuinely puzzled at this.

San Francisco Chinatown

Be courteous to people

As part of our house hunting we regularly park on a spot closest to the house so that we can quickly take a look and go to the next house. Today Preeti parked our car such that the car's rear was about 6 inches into the driveway of a neighboring house. The street was quiet with no soul to be seen around. Since the house was not in our desired location we determined that we would be back in not more than 5 minutes and so neglected finding a proper spot.

When we came back in about 7 minutes to our car a guy walked outside of the house in front of which we were parked and flashed a police badge. I immediately understood that he was not happy about the 6 inches of his driveway we blocked. He was in civil clothes and asked for driver's license. The house we had parked in front of - was a policeman's house :(

Now Preeti was driving but I decided to show him my license so she would not have to do the hassle of appearing in court etc ( I have appeared in court before for a speeding infarction and reduced my fine to 100 dollars from 300) so I am a little bit experienced plus parking tickets carry no points so did not matter who took the charge)

Anyway we showed him my license and he said its going to be 50 dollars fine. Ironically I had just received the renewed license in mail about an hour ago and my license expires day after tomorrow. We immediately apologized and asked to let us off with a warning.

Now legally we were in the wrong. The law requires we park park 5 feet from the driveway along side the curb.

The guy said we could apologize to judge and now said it would be a 100 dollar fine instead. I was saying to myself - Wow ! 100 dollars for 6 inches of his driveway ! We tried to explain that we were going to be back in 5 minutes and were in a hurry for other open houses. After about 5 minutes he decided to let us go with a warning.

He said from now on - be courteous to people. I said to myself you too. Also , not buying that house.