One Week In

So ends my first week in India and I am even more impressed with this beautiful country than when I first arrived.  So much is different and yet the same.  Posted you will find some of the typical photos and some not so typical.  We visited the Birla Mandir Temple, and while it was lovely, the moment I remember best is the young boy flying his kite on a nearby rooftop.  There was no great expanse of park, only a small rooftop from which to perform his kite tricks.  He gave me a small heartache when he lost his string and launched himself partially off the rooftop to catch it before the kite was lost. 
I move into my home next Saturday and have already met some of my neighbors.  It was my good luck that one of them is an officer of the local expat association.  Friday, I attended their weekly BBQ and met several wonderful couples from around the world.  The association is heavily into volunteer work and Page should be able to find great opportunities to keep herself busy while here.

This week begins the real work.  Ani and I will be outlining our travel schedule between the various vendor sites and establishing our ongoing meeting schedule.  In December, we will attend CSC's 2011 Technology and Business Solutions Conference.  All the vendor's have been most gracious and we look forward to our future interactions with them.

A Time for Firsts

Today begins a journey of so many "firsts".  My first cab ride; it was really quite placid as it was so late at night, though I did have a few glimpses of what to expect.  My first taste of Indian hospitality, so gracious, inquisitive and helpful.  My first viewing of Indian television, an interesting combination of US and Indian shows.  My first Indian breakfast, fresh figs and other fruits, adai (crispy lentil and rice pancake) with amazing dips, watermelon juice, and sweet lassi (yum).  I ponder to think how my taste buds will adjust to heat of Hyderabad cooking as breakfast caused me to break into a sweat. 
This week is just the start of experiencing India and all that is unique to its culture.  I can't even guess how my view of this world will be changed at end of my time here, but I look forward to every moment as this journey unfolds.

A Farewell of Gratitude

How could I have ever imagined my strongest emotion the day before I leave for India is one of gratitude.  There were so many others I would have guessed previously in thinking about this day.  But you, my family, my friends and my coworkers have made this a day where thoughts center on how amazing each of you are, how you have brought so much color and depth to my life, and how truly special you have made me feel.  While leaving you is not easy, I think about the many new friends I will find in India and wonder how we will learn and grow from each other.

So enough of being sappy, since you all know how much I hate to cry.  Onto a huge "thank you" for all of the send off gifts, luncheons, dinners, and drinks.  I would like to go on record that last night at the Moon was a stellar evening for me.  And since I am trying to maintain a "clean" site, none of you need worry about me telling any of your secrets from the get together.   And.....I would just like to go on record that for once, I did not seem to suffer any major type of calamity as is my usual mode of operation.  It was truly a night for the record books.  Mark it on the calendar, hon, it will probably be another 26 years before you get off so easy again.

Here's to my next post being overseas.  Cheers!

T - 3 and counting

Just 3 full days now before I leave Nebraska and my family behind. My luggage is out, but nothing is packed. It's almost as if I don't pack I won't have to leave them behind. And yet I want to go, it's one of my fondest dreams to travel. There is a new world, a new job, and many grand adventures awaiting me.....how could I not want to see what's behind the curtain? Dorothy and Toto are near and dear to my heart, now I will join them in Oz. I thank my family for their willingness to help me along in my journeys.

How do you pack for 6 months in a different country?

As I sit here watching Killer Mountain and am T -6 days to India, I ask myself.....what have I gotten myself in to? How awesome is it to live the dream you have had since forever? Am I as strong as I think I am? And....just how am I supposed to pack for 6 months of living in a country and culture I have never experienced. I won't even pretend to have all of the answers, but I am optimistic that even if I don't pack perfectly, I will take care of the essentials. Just hope my suitcases are big enough because my heart and curiosity are. Thank you Kiewit for giving me this opportunity. This little girl (and I don't mean that in a bad way) from Kansas, who now lives in Nebraska, is on her way to India and my life will never be the same again. India, my heart and mind are yours for the next 6 months.