It's been exactly one year since the US Paycheck stopped
depositing itself in the BofA account. Yes, one year has passed since I packed
up and moved back to India .
The initial few months were a blur as I was just trying to get adjusted to
reality and not just a "vacation" period of 20 odd days that an H1B visa holder gets while having the time of his/her life catching up with family and
friends.
Let's see, I will summarize the last 12 months into
something significant that has happened (or not).
May 2012: The
Anantharamans landed in Mumbai and first week was spent trying to figure out
what exactly was wrong with Amma. That the diagnosis did not reveal anything
that would make the heart skip a beat was extremely satisfying and
....relieving. That my aunt would be admitted to a hospital almost immediately
upon our return for a relatively simple knee procedure and then getting herself
into the ICU, with no signs of life and then making it back from the Other Side
are what we call a Miracle. It was that day when all hopes had faded and today,
God willing, she is alright and completely recovered.
June 2012: My India
work-life began at Wipro and I spent the month shuttling between Pune and
Mumbai. I had to convince my team that the work I do for the client was doable
from home and Thankfully, my team agreed and I didn't have to go back to Pune
until later in the year. No mean feat considering quite of few of the team
there were not from Pune.
July 2012: The
arrival of K. Enough said!! PMP preparations begin.
August 2012: The
spending begins with big purchases and Senior Anantharamans moving out to their
own home (one even questioned if K and I had thrown them out in their old age).
September 2012:
The renovations begin and money leaves hands faster than I have ever imagined
(all for a good cause). K and I work from home in a little room cramped with
all the material possessions from other rooms due to the ongoing carpentry
work. Hell froze over. I resign from Wipro. Started driving in Indian
conditions after 11 years.
October 2012: The
house gets transformed into Our Home. A few imperfections thrown inadvertently
to make it Perfect! The house-warming get-together is a grand success. Happy
days!!
November 2012: Happy
Diwali with my move to Cognizant in Mumbai. Good times. K is well settled into
her WFH gig and disappointed at US Salary stoppage and India Salary commencement.
Good Bye W2, Hello Form 16!!! Important sequence of events taking shape.
Friends come in for a get-together that was as pleasant as I had expected it to
be.
December 2012: Eager
to close out 2012 on a positive note. Rajesh Anantharaman, PMP (lots of
practice due to lean time at work, put to good productive use). Ironically, the
month leading up to 31st Dec was pretty light, and then BAM, both K and I work
the night of 31st to bring in 2013. What a start!!
January 2013: A disappointing and faith-altering month
that eventually will lead us to the promised land. Work is steady but no
projects at Cognizant. Old friends from Hospira say Hello!! I get some business
for Cognizant but I am on the outside looking in.
February 2013: Finally,
hope. I start a project but the beginnings are slow. But hey, I am finally
billable (where I work, revenue is all that matters). A relaxed month for K.
March 2013: Moving
on. Tax season (uneventful, very).
April 2013: Probably,
the most important month in my lifetime (so far). This is what we came to India for and
it worked!! Those who know, know. Those who don't, time will tell. The Tamasha called Indian Premier League
(IPL) begins and I am hooked.
May 2013: My mom
turned 60 and we celebrated that in grand style at our place. A scrapbook was
presented to her (it wasn't a surprise for her - she was in it all along).
Details of her life from her parents, from siblings, from friends, from hubby,
from sons from family, and from GRAND DAUGHTER. My buddy gets married and I
attend the only one (the last one) from my group (missed three others because
of travel restrictions). What a relief and a sense of joy! My first full IPL
season in 6 years comes to a rather difficult ending and unfortunately, I loved
it. Loved it for all the wrong reasons and hated the Finals because of the Spot
Fixing cloud it was played under and because of the non-governance of the BCCI.
All through the year, K wanted to take a break and go for a
short holiday. Unfortunately, it has not materialized yet as something or the
other always put a WAIT sign in front of her/us. A Goa
trip (almost) with my closest buddy was a typical case of so near, yet, so far.
Life is about to change 360 degrees so that wait will be a bit longer. Changes
are coming in droves, I better prep myself for that.
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