Mun often complains that we (mun and me) don't have a good photograph together. I think we finally have a chance to have a few, if these are any proof to go by.Jul 10, 2009
The Budding Photographer
One of June's favorite pastime at home is to take my mobile phone and click photos. Some of them are funny to look at. Some of them are pretty interesting. These are three photos that June clicked (completely unaided and undirected) during our trip to Goa. I have not edited them in any form.
Mun often complains that we (mun and me) don't have a good photograph together. I think we finally have a chance to have a few, if these are any proof to go by.
Mun often complains that we (mun and me) don't have a good photograph together. I think we finally have a chance to have a few, if these are any proof to go by.
Jul 8, 2009
A Short and Sweet Trip
I had to pack my bags and leave within 48 hours. Destination? Boston.
I was excited. Boston was my enunciation to world history. I remember reading about the Boston Tea Party and also remembered that it had nothing to do with a party. But the rest was all hazy.
My first trip outside India in 2006 was full of apprehension. Piling up with 4 other married bachelors, indulging in currency conversion day and night, and being unsure about every step that I took and every word I heard.
However, Scandinavia will be forever etched in my memory as possibly the most refined part of the world. Unfortunately, I misused my 17 country visa and did'nt utilize the opportunity to travel around. As I realize now, there is no second chance.
The second trip in 2007-08 was different again. A luxurious apartment, a sexy project, a gorgeous city and first taste of independant living. However, I was still the rank outsider, the tourist.
I was still trying to get a hang of things, trying to make do with public transport and taking Amtrak to travel around. But I made sure I explored San Francisco inside out and some other parts in California as well.
This trip was a very different one though. I think I got the feel of the real US. It helped that I was paying taxes, and had a social security number. That brought in a diffidence. A diffidence that finally lead me to hire a car and drive around.
I traveled around the road quite a bit. So while I am ready to depart, while I sit at Boston Airport waiting for my flight, I feel good that I came to this part of US.
I walked the Freedom Trail, got splashed by the waters of Niagara, waved at the Statue of Liberty, warmed the red lit stairs of Times Square, kayaked the Charles river and cogged to the top of Mount Washington on the world's oldest cog railway.
I would think I made as much as I could of the short trip both personally and professionally. Life has come a full circle since my last trip outside India. The wheel looks round again. And I intend to circle on.
P.S. - I was sitting at Boston airport with no Internet connectivity. I publish this post four days later while I enjoy one of the perks of my current job.
I was excited. Boston was my enunciation to world history. I remember reading about the Boston Tea Party and also remembered that it had nothing to do with a party. But the rest was all hazy.
My first trip outside India in 2006 was full of apprehension. Piling up with 4 other married bachelors, indulging in currency conversion day and night, and being unsure about every step that I took and every word I heard.
However, Scandinavia will be forever etched in my memory as possibly the most refined part of the world. Unfortunately, I misused my 17 country visa and did'nt utilize the opportunity to travel around. As I realize now, there is no second chance.
The second trip in 2007-08 was different again. A luxurious apartment, a sexy project, a gorgeous city and first taste of independant living. However, I was still the rank outsider, the tourist.
I was still trying to get a hang of things, trying to make do with public transport and taking Amtrak to travel around. But I made sure I explored San Francisco inside out and some other parts in California as well.
This trip was a very different one though. I think I got the feel of the real US. It helped that I was paying taxes, and had a social security number. That brought in a diffidence. A diffidence that finally lead me to hire a car and drive around.
I traveled around the road quite a bit. So while I am ready to depart, while I sit at Boston Airport waiting for my flight, I feel good that I came to this part of US.
I walked the Freedom Trail, got splashed by the waters of Niagara, waved at the Statue of Liberty, warmed the red lit stairs of Times Square, kayaked the Charles river and cogged to the top of Mount Washington on the world's oldest cog railway.
I would think I made as much as I could of the short trip both personally and professionally. Life has come a full circle since my last trip outside India. The wheel looks round again. And I intend to circle on.
P.S. - I was sitting at Boston airport with no Internet connectivity. I publish this post four days later while I enjoy one of the perks of my current job.
Jun 27, 2009
Michael Jackson Withers Away
This one is a big news.
Every news channel in US had it as their breaking news. I am hearing all the interesting views and counterviews about the man, his legacy, his music and his misdemeanours. I would not go into that.
The only thing I would disagree is with the headlines that read "Michael Jackson Dies". Whenever, I have looked at Michael Jackson's photographs recently and read any news story about him, I always felt he truely crossed over from being a human being.
My fear was, like the fairy tale step mother, he would never die but would just wither away to dust in full public view, when the spell would finally be gone.
Each time I would look at him, I would fear his face would come-off, his hair would fall-off or his fingers would melt away. Like an unwell Mango, I would balk to look at this Man.
So, while the news and counterviews goes on, let's have the headlines changed.
Every news channel in US had it as their breaking news. I am hearing all the interesting views and counterviews about the man, his legacy, his music and his misdemeanours. I would not go into that.
The only thing I would disagree is with the headlines that read "Michael Jackson Dies". Whenever, I have looked at Michael Jackson's photographs recently and read any news story about him, I always felt he truely crossed over from being a human being.
My fear was, like the fairy tale step mother, he would never die but would just wither away to dust in full public view, when the spell would finally be gone.
Each time I would look at him, I would fear his face would come-off, his hair would fall-off or his fingers would melt away. Like an unwell Mango, I would balk to look at this Man.
So, while the news and counterviews goes on, let's have the headlines changed.
Two Bright Spots
I read the TOI, epaper, today. As much as I deride it, I still cannot live without it. It helps me keep in touch with home but rarely gives me a moment of despair from being away from home.
However, two news stories touched my heart today - Kapil Sibal and Nandan Nilekani.
Kapil Sibal's education reform agenda will finally put education at the center of our national agenda. It will also enable HRD ministry to move away from the being a political tool of social mobilization.
Sibal's proposals are bold. I do not claim to have the expertise to judge them, however, the single school board plan definitely makes a lot of common sense. Having faced the wrong side of the sword, I know how easy my life would have been if this was in place during my schooling.
The second news about Nilekani heading the Unique Identification (UID) project is even more exciting. I recently got exposed to the US Social Security concept. I am also in awe of how the Scandinavian countries walk the talk when they call themselves a welfare state.
I have a hunch (since I do not have much knowledge of the scope of the UID project) that, if implemented successfully, the UID project will go a long way in stabilizing immigration and plug the leak in our social spending.
I need more such news stories to uncover the gloom.
Jun 16, 2009
Happy Birthday June!
June turns five today. A milestone, which I will miss. It's a strange feeling to be away from her birthday celebrations. So I take the liberty of getting a bit emotional.
A lot has happened in five years. I have changed three jobs, been away from home three times, seen my income grow threefold and most importantly, my marriage evolving each day and meandering through the challenges of time.
All of these five years, however, I have enjoyed watching June in her moments of growth. Each of those instances have been my moments of truth. I feel a step closer, as I etch those moments in my mind.
From her blank expressions, to her first responses to light and sound. From her motionless throwing of her legs, to her first turns on the bed. From her complete disinterest in walking, to my frantic chase behind her so that I could prevent her from running away in a crowded place.
In the interim she has changed three schools, and we have changed four homes. Her refusal to talk has now given way to non-stop blabber.
I was skimming through all her photographs today. Her first shot, the eyebrows cringed, in the hospital. I compared it with the most recent photograph, where she is looking into the camera, with an expression of naughtiness, almost talking to the camera.
Each day I look at her, I thank Mun, for forcing me into parenthood. It has been five memorable years right from the first moment when I was unable to figure out if the baby in the nurse's arms was a he or a she.
At that moment, when I held her in my arms, I was filled up with a sense of ownership. A connection which is not umbilical but deep and without description.
I hope life continues as it has and we as a family can stay rooted, to each other and to reality. Happy birthday June! You remind me of the need to have faith in life.
June's first photograph
A lot has happened in five years. I have changed three jobs, been away from home three times, seen my income grow threefold and most importantly, my marriage evolving each day and meandering through the challenges of time.
All of these five years, however, I have enjoyed watching June in her moments of growth. Each of those instances have been my moments of truth. I feel a step closer, as I etch those moments in my mind.
From her blank expressions, to her first responses to light and sound. From her motionless throwing of her legs, to her first turns on the bed. From her complete disinterest in walking, to my frantic chase behind her so that I could prevent her from running away in a crowded place.
In the interim she has changed three schools, and we have changed four homes. Her refusal to talk has now given way to non-stop blabber.
I was skimming through all her photographs today. Her first shot, the eyebrows cringed, in the hospital. I compared it with the most recent photograph, where she is looking into the camera, with an expression of naughtiness, almost talking to the camera.
Each day I look at her, I thank Mun, for forcing me into parenthood. It has been five memorable years right from the first moment when I was unable to figure out if the baby in the nurse's arms was a he or a she.
At that moment, when I held her in my arms, I was filled up with a sense of ownership. A connection which is not umbilical but deep and without description.
I hope life continues as it has and we as a family can stay rooted, to each other and to reality. Happy birthday June! You remind me of the need to have faith in life.
June's first photograph