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(UN)LUCKY SEVEN

Exactly 7 months have passed since I reached India with a mind full of uncertainties, anger and a sense of desperation to get back to the US; just any part of the US would do. As luck would have it, I made it back to Chicago this past weekend for a long-term assignment with a client of ours. Lots of people would say I am darn *lucky* to make it back to the US to be with my wife, not realizing the heartbreak I have experienced in those 7 months that I have been away from her, *unlucky* to have my visa denied when things seemed hunky-dory.

I would gladly trade away my 3 trips to Bombay and 1 month in Europe to being in the US continuously without a break in between. But, at the same time, I am sort of clear in my head now, with my standing in my company and the exposure that I have received since being at the nerve center of the organization, Bangalore.

Equally importantly, being in Bangalore has given me the opportunity to look at the way my company operates and this India experience has certainly put me in close proximity with many top guys in Wipro, whom I would have never got a chance to talk to, let alone know their names had I been in the US all this while. Who knows when those contacts would be needed, but nevertheless, its worthwhile to be in their radar.

Being in this project also has provided me the opportunity of a lifetime to assume a senior position and continue my work-ex in the medical device industry. Although the real test of being in the outsourcing industry begins right now, with 24x7 access to people and work, the comforting thing is that at the end of the day, I get to come home to my wife, who has had to spend the same agonizing time away from me.

But as one Idiot would say, All Izz Well, it sure feels that way now that I am back where I am really comfortable and where I think, I belong.

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