After a lot of efforts of US officials to keep me out of their country, I am finally able to sneak in (ofcourse legally!!). But now I understand that they wanted to keep me away only for my good, so ultimately I am here.. in Waukesha County.. "enjoying" in temperature aroud 0'... Hey!! don't get it wrong.. am talking here in Fahrenhites and not in Celsius.
No ppl on road, impossible to take even a 100 meter walk in this weather, No car to ride, living with 3 guys in a 1BHK, life in US would have been still good if I didnt find her 5 years back or I should say Life in US could have been great if she was with me...
But just like the song goes "Ain't no sunshine when she is gone", I am waiting some miracle to happen when my sunshine could be here on our terms..
Our Sad and Boring story apart, good or bad, am finally in US.. the United States of America!!!! Three weeks are about to be over.... and due to the lack of commutation means, I could only visit some Super Markets (on weekends when my roommate takes his car out for weekly grocery shopping), the Harley Davidson Museum (when my other roommate and I took a Car rental and some how managed to reach the museum) and the Only Casino in Milwaukee (when on the last weekend one of the colleague showed some pity and took us there)..
Nothing special about the weekend outing to the super markets.. but renting a car was really interesting... I got the International Driving Permit from India and just after 2 days in US when the weekend arrived we took a car on rent. Needless to mention the opposite driving conditions and dependability on GPS in US. Both my friend and I being new in US, he was managing the GPS and I was managing the Steering. We went on the freeway and were more often missing the exits then taking the right ones.
Nervousness was increasing and confusion was building when the GPS said "Take......" and the battery was gone.. and that was the moment when I understood the term "Cold Sweat" in the freezing temperature of Milwaukee. Fortunately, the charger was there in the cover.
Roaming here and there, losing our way most of the times, in the night when our trip was about to be over... I heard a cop siren and in the rear view mirror there were blinking lights of the Cop Van. Oh God!! Now what mistake did I Do!! I stopped the car aside and put my hands on the steering (thanks to all the american movies I have seen). The cop came in few minutes, asked for my ID and asked the reason for driving in high beam. God!! that could be the last reason of being caught!! I gave my IDP which he looked with a lot of suspicion and took that back in his VAN. After 5 minutes of waiting there, he came back, warned again and gave my ID back..
So finally, the announcement was done that Ayush Garg has arrived in US. Even the cops have my IDP number listed in their records :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, September 9, 2010
My Ordinary Life
Its always the same, just being very ordinary all the time. And thats why there is a new addition in my list of failures - promise to myself of blogging atleast once a month. Even when I remembered at times, I didn't write in August. Anyways being ordinary is like a coin with failure on one face and hope on other. So I hope "next year" I would make every month appear on my blog.
About life, I think the twist and turns of time are still going on with something or the other not letting us relax. Oh God! I reminisce the last year so much. Life was so cool and relaxed! And now its just the opposite, but I hope the tide will subside. And if not then there is no harm in hoping :)
With the waves of mind not meaning to stop, they took me to the comparison of different tensions and sufferings of different people. Last night before sleeping unfortunately I switched on the news, and there was a huge blow to my sleep with a ban on outsourcing in Ohio. And that was the biggest tension of the day. It made my morning a little off mood and I skipped the gym again.This is the great 'I', who cannot go to gym off mood!!
And today evening again on 'Headlines Today' there was a debate going on the same. Then flipping the channels, I saw Barkha Dutt holding a debate on the ongoing trouble in 'Jammu & Kashmir' which suddenly made me realize that this lady is holding a debate or an interview or a Group Discussion for this from many days. And every time i stumble on any such discussion I felt sad about the situation but never much concerned. And today, I dont know why but may be to divert myself from our situation, I ended up thinking a bit more about the place which was once called the heaven on earth. And from what I know I think the people there irrespective of their religion have suffered a lot. There unlike us the battle is not for a better earning but for a better and respectful living. There even the generation old natives have to roam with an ID card in hand. If you are a Muslim you fear of being a militant suspect and if you are a Hindu you fear of being militant target. There is no such thing called democracy and a lot more which we do not know or do not care to know.
You know what, thinking all this I am still not concerned but only relaxed. Because now I know I am having a good life!
The failure of understanding the gravity of situation and extracting hope out of it is my ordinary guy coin. Seriously being ordinary is such a nice excuse for everything!! Its a good night blog!!
About life, I think the twist and turns of time are still going on with something or the other not letting us relax. Oh God! I reminisce the last year so much. Life was so cool and relaxed! And now its just the opposite, but I hope the tide will subside. And if not then there is no harm in hoping :)
With the waves of mind not meaning to stop, they took me to the comparison of different tensions and sufferings of different people. Last night before sleeping unfortunately I switched on the news, and there was a huge blow to my sleep with a ban on outsourcing in Ohio. And that was the biggest tension of the day. It made my morning a little off mood and I skipped the gym again.This is the great 'I', who cannot go to gym off mood!!
And today evening again on 'Headlines Today' there was a debate going on the same. Then flipping the channels, I saw Barkha Dutt holding a debate on the ongoing trouble in 'Jammu & Kashmir' which suddenly made me realize that this lady is holding a debate or an interview or a Group Discussion for this from many days. And every time i stumble on any such discussion I felt sad about the situation but never much concerned. And today, I dont know why but may be to divert myself from our situation, I ended up thinking a bit more about the place which was once called the heaven on earth. And from what I know I think the people there irrespective of their religion have suffered a lot. There unlike us the battle is not for a better earning but for a better and respectful living. There even the generation old natives have to roam with an ID card in hand. If you are a Muslim you fear of being a militant suspect and if you are a Hindu you fear of being militant target. There is no such thing called democracy and a lot more which we do not know or do not care to know.
You know what, thinking all this I am still not concerned but only relaxed. Because now I know I am having a good life!
The failure of understanding the gravity of situation and extracting hope out of it is my ordinary guy coin. Seriously being ordinary is such a nice excuse for everything!! Its a good night blog!!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Namma Bengaluru..
Its 7'o clock in the morning and I have just got up. When its mid of the July and the country is panting in the simmering heat of the dreadful summer, It took me 5 minutes to leave the warmth of my blanket. Looking out of the window, I found that bangalore is wet in the sweet morning drizzle.
What a City!!! Climate, People and the city in itself is special! Five Years in this city and I am loving and living every part of it.The City where the temperature is always pleasant that on most of the days you can go for a walk at 2:00 pm, Where you grow a friend circle so cosmo that you get to know the customs of people all across India. The place full of gardens and lakes that can make your evenings special. And more over it has so many weekend gateways near by that you can always make a plan at the last moment and have a memorable weekend.
At some point of time I might have to leave this city but I or I should say We (She and I) always intend to be a Bangalorean. :-)
What a City!!! Climate, People and the city in itself is special! Five Years in this city and I am loving and living every part of it.The City where the temperature is always pleasant that on most of the days you can go for a walk at 2:00 pm, Where you grow a friend circle so cosmo that you get to know the customs of people all across India. The place full of gardens and lakes that can make your evenings special. And more over it has so many weekend gateways near by that you can always make a plan at the last moment and have a memorable weekend.
At some point of time I might have to leave this city but I or I should say We (She and I) always intend to be a Bangalorean. :-)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
For the sake of blogging!
While writing the first blog of this year I thought I will write atleast one blog per month. Though the series of unexpected and undesired events taking place in my life from the past one month has not left any desire in me to blog rite now, I write this blog just for the sake of blogging for the month. :)
Not that I am going through the worst of times but some decisions have certainly gone wrong with a topping of some family emergencies. And in the effort to set things right and back to normal, I dont tend to concentrate on anything else.
I wonder whether to accredit this phase to my fate or my decision or to both. Whatever it is, but with all the tension and exertion I enjoy it too. I just hope to fix all of this before my mixed emotions turn to complete frustration!
Not that I am going through the worst of times but some decisions have certainly gone wrong with a topping of some family emergencies. And in the effort to set things right and back to normal, I dont tend to concentrate on anything else.
I wonder whether to accredit this phase to my fate or my decision or to both. Whatever it is, but with all the tension and exertion I enjoy it too. I just hope to fix all of this before my mixed emotions turn to complete frustration!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
How we got duped....
Sitting in Office in my notice period, I dont have anything to do. So I thought I will write my experience of taking a Holiday Resort membership -> the tale of being conned which has a happy ending.
So One day, a few months before our marriage, she got a call from the holiday resort named "Highland Holiday Homes" claiming that she had won a very good gift. She won it in a lucky draw done by the resort for some of the chosen mobile numbers but the condition was that she had to come with her family/spouse. Excited on the prospect of getting a gift that can be utilized by us after our marriage and which can cut our expense of buying atleast one item, she called me and told about the call. I had already heard of these kinda calls from different resorts which call people telling that they have won some gifts and persuade them hard in buying the membership of their resort.
I was reluctant to go but she insisted and i thought "Am i so gullible?? I cant be so easily duped so why am i afraid to go??". Thinking this we decided to go there on the date we were invited. That day wasn't eventless. My bike was towed away in front of me, we walked atleast 3 kms in search of the traffic police station, shelled out 300 Rs as fine and towing charge and after all these hiccups we finally reached to the "Highland Holiday Homes" office.
There was a receptionist who directed us to a mezzannine floor where they had some counter like structure. Some 6 counters were there and there were executives impeccably dressed on each of them. One of them greeted us and pulled out chairs for us. And then he told us about the gift which was a voucher to visit one of their resort for some 5 days at a reduced cost. Before he started the next sentence I am sure that the Item which was deleted from her buying list was added again :).
After that he showed us the brochure which was full of beautiful pictures of some 5 star or 7 star resorts. At each "No" of mine for buying their membership that guy told me one more benefit of taking the membership.. and then there was a moment when the benefits told were so high in number that my firmness of not taking the membership diluted. At that moment I saw into her eyes and there was no firmness left, as like me, she also started seeing the dreams of going to such great resorts and enjoying. May be we could go to one of these resorts for our honeymoon. And the next moment they took my credit card and before i knew it was swiped for 25k.
Coming out of their office my heart felt that that was not the right decision and something is wrong. But i kept consoling myself thinking the benefits told by that guy. In a day or two, she searched on internet about this resort and the blogs full of complaints and bad experiences were returned first than the site of "Highland Holiday Homes". And then we certainly knew that we were duped of 25 k.
After thinking a lot we decided to go to consumer court through a lawyer. In the beginning thinking about going to court seemed to be full of complexities and hassles but then we thought that the case is gonna cost us some 2 to 3 k and where we have lost 25 k then let it be 28 k but lets give a try. And there is nothing much to write about the experience of this part as the lawyer was good and there wasnt much effort involved. Finally after a wait of 4 months the court ordered "Highland Holiday Homes" to return our money!!
I still keep reading about ppls blogs and comments about their experience but all of them ask what to do... or they use some dirty words to satisfy themselves but only a few try to take a next step. I think being duped was not our fault as there were professionals sitting to con us but if we hadnt gone to the court it would have been a big mistake.
So One day, a few months before our marriage, she got a call from the holiday resort named "Highland Holiday Homes" claiming that she had won a very good gift. She won it in a lucky draw done by the resort for some of the chosen mobile numbers but the condition was that she had to come with her family/spouse. Excited on the prospect of getting a gift that can be utilized by us after our marriage and which can cut our expense of buying atleast one item, she called me and told about the call. I had already heard of these kinda calls from different resorts which call people telling that they have won some gifts and persuade them hard in buying the membership of their resort.
I was reluctant to go but she insisted and i thought "Am i so gullible?? I cant be so easily duped so why am i afraid to go??". Thinking this we decided to go there on the date we were invited. That day wasn't eventless. My bike was towed away in front of me, we walked atleast 3 kms in search of the traffic police station, shelled out 300 Rs as fine and towing charge and after all these hiccups we finally reached to the "Highland Holiday Homes" office.
There was a receptionist who directed us to a mezzannine floor where they had some counter like structure. Some 6 counters were there and there were executives impeccably dressed on each of them. One of them greeted us and pulled out chairs for us. And then he told us about the gift which was a voucher to visit one of their resort for some 5 days at a reduced cost. Before he started the next sentence I am sure that the Item which was deleted from her buying list was added again :).
After that he showed us the brochure which was full of beautiful pictures of some 5 star or 7 star resorts. At each "No" of mine for buying their membership that guy told me one more benefit of taking the membership.. and then there was a moment when the benefits told were so high in number that my firmness of not taking the membership diluted. At that moment I saw into her eyes and there was no firmness left, as like me, she also started seeing the dreams of going to such great resorts and enjoying. May be we could go to one of these resorts for our honeymoon. And the next moment they took my credit card and before i knew it was swiped for 25k.
Coming out of their office my heart felt that that was not the right decision and something is wrong. But i kept consoling myself thinking the benefits told by that guy. In a day or two, she searched on internet about this resort and the blogs full of complaints and bad experiences were returned first than the site of "Highland Holiday Homes". And then we certainly knew that we were duped of 25 k.
After thinking a lot we decided to go to consumer court through a lawyer. In the beginning thinking about going to court seemed to be full of complexities and hassles but then we thought that the case is gonna cost us some 2 to 3 k and where we have lost 25 k then let it be 28 k but lets give a try. And there is nothing much to write about the experience of this part as the lawyer was good and there wasnt much effort involved. Finally after a wait of 4 months the court ordered "Highland Holiday Homes" to return our money!!
I still keep reading about ppls blogs and comments about their experience but all of them ask what to do... or they use some dirty words to satisfy themselves but only a few try to take a next step. I think being duped was not our fault as there were professionals sitting to con us but if we hadnt gone to the court it would have been a big mistake.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Turning 27!!
Few hours and one more year will be added to aging me.. so many resolutions every birthday and none of them followed.. this year too i have many resolutions like Fighting less with my wife to get timely food, being regular to gym so that girls don't get to know my age, work harder, spend less etc etc... but the point is how many will i follow.. :) lets see...
Also this birthday is a bit different from the previous few, for this is my first birthday with her being my wife and I am changing my job too.. Whatever but birthday seems to be a very normal day to me. When I was a kid I used to be excited for my birthday before a week itself. Then at the end of it I used to feel very bad and sad as nothing special and different would have happened on this day. The Sun always rose from the east, the day always had 24 hrs in it, and it was always very hot on this day. Just that a small party was organized in which all the kids would come and hog on the yummy chole bhature, paav bhaji etc cooked by my mother and in which they used to bring gifts and ofcourse i was always happy to get them. But for what i used to wait was something different.. something so different and special that wont happen on any other day and that cant be done on any other day.. That would mark my birthday as 'MY' birthday.
Now I realize.. for a birthday to be special is not a natural thing but it has to be made. It has to be made special and remarkable by the achievements and the deeds. A person becomes special first followed by his birthday and when a day is remembered by a person's birthday and when people but not that person celebrates his birthday then the day becomes Special.
I have never done any such thing that people will remember the day as 'MY' birthday and I haven't done any great for my birthday to be celebrated by others. So I consider it as another normal day in my life although I celebrate it sometimes and accept gifts because firstly it brings me a little happiness and secondly i don't want to be seemed rude. I always expect it to end as a normal day so that at least people wont notice that I have grown older!!
Also this birthday is a bit different from the previous few, for this is my first birthday with her being my wife and I am changing my job too.. Whatever but birthday seems to be a very normal day to me. When I was a kid I used to be excited for my birthday before a week itself. Then at the end of it I used to feel very bad and sad as nothing special and different would have happened on this day. The Sun always rose from the east, the day always had 24 hrs in it, and it was always very hot on this day. Just that a small party was organized in which all the kids would come and hog on the yummy chole bhature, paav bhaji etc cooked by my mother and in which they used to bring gifts and ofcourse i was always happy to get them. But for what i used to wait was something different.. something so different and special that wont happen on any other day and that cant be done on any other day.. That would mark my birthday as 'MY' birthday.
Now I realize.. for a birthday to be special is not a natural thing but it has to be made. It has to be made special and remarkable by the achievements and the deeds. A person becomes special first followed by his birthday and when a day is remembered by a person's birthday and when people but not that person celebrates his birthday then the day becomes Special.
I have never done any such thing that people will remember the day as 'MY' birthday and I haven't done any great for my birthday to be celebrated by others. So I consider it as another normal day in my life although I celebrate it sometimes and accept gifts because firstly it brings me a little happiness and secondly i don't want to be seemed rude. I always expect it to end as a normal day so that at least people wont notice that I have grown older!!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
'Sir!', the day today word.
'Sir' I feel is used very often in our country. Go to the security staff of your apartment or office, they will start each sentence by Sir and end it by Sir. Call some agent or broker the salutation they always use is Sir. Got to meet any sales person, again their polite sentences will have lot of sirs in it. And above all of it, the respect they give to you (willingly or unwillingly) is independent of them being older or younger to you.
But till today, even after thinking and pondering a lot on my past achievements, i couldnt recall the 'ONE' great thing i have done to deserve such a respect. Over it the irony is, on one side we are taught to respect our elders and on the other side the 'Sir' culture makes us get the respect from our elders.
Fortunately in my profession, no one calls anyone as 'Sir', but I sometimes despise the thought of the day when I might have to respect a person much younger to me by calling him as 'Sir' (And that will be obviously an UNWILLING respect).
But till today, even after thinking and pondering a lot on my past achievements, i couldnt recall the 'ONE' great thing i have done to deserve such a respect. Over it the irony is, on one side we are taught to respect our elders and on the other side the 'Sir' culture makes us get the respect from our elders.
Fortunately in my profession, no one calls anyone as 'Sir', but I sometimes despise the thought of the day when I might have to respect a person much younger to me by calling him as 'Sir' (And that will be obviously an UNWILLING respect).
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