Asta Labista 2014

Few days remained and the New year will come. Everything will be new, new scope, new day, new new new. But will be there a new YOU or ME? Thats up to us.

May be we can live the same, may be we can change a little, may be we can change a lot. It all depends on the situations, circumstances around us and our choices at that time. Nothing is good nor bad, its a choice that's it. So don't worry if you are still the same, everyone is same. No one is going to change. All is well. 

Remember one thing everyday is a new day, whatever has happened, it has happened, it cant be changed. But now you have a clean slate in your hand, a complete new day. You can change it mould it the way you like. Don't let yesterdays disappointments destroy your today. Start a new day with new life, consider everyday as a new life given by the Lord. One more chance to prove yourself worthy of him, one more day to achieve what you want to achieve. I am attaching a gist video of 2014, you may like.

Happy New Year.

Silver Lining

I am living in a nation of 50 United states; let’s see that even half of them can cheer me up for each year of my life on 25^th year. After covering these many years of life, I just want to stop for a minute. I want to see how things are going, how life is going, where it is going? More and more questions come in my mind, lesser and lesser answers. But is it right to Q ourselves is itself a difficult Q to answer. If we are questioning, we are not confident or maybe we are cautious, depends.

This day, I wanna thank God for helping me in all the good and bad happenings of life. He has helped me to survive even the wildest situations. He has made me physically, mentally, emotionally strong. I have been blessed with friends, relatives, colleagues who have been ready to extend their hands. Thank you all. Without you this journey wasn’t possible.

Why 25th is important?

We dont get quarter of a century old every day, do we. Hell, yeah its important.

Sooo wats the big plaan for the Big day?

Mostly people will have big plans for the silver jubilee, but me I have not made any plans-as of now. I’ll make sure to go to Gods House other than that, I do not have any expectations of any surprises/celebrations in this foreign land, so I am going to surprise and celebrate myself. I am going to celebrate it with the one whom I can trust 100%- my instincts. Let’s see what’s in the store for me and my instincts. 

Culture Shock

It does not matter from where you are travelling to US; it’s always a culture shock for anyone who comes here. Most of the things are different here starting from the way you walk, eat or do anything. It’s a left hand drive here, while in India its right hand. Even while walking, you have to be on right side. Different licenses for each states-this one is too much. To switch on a tube light, you have to move the switch up, these are just examples many more are there, so get your gear up.

My hall

Houses:

Houses are made up of wood to keep it warm in winter season, you have to be careful, follow lots of etiquettes while living here. For example if you are living in upper floors make sure you are walking slowly, else the person living below will have issues. Same goes for water, water should not be spilled anywhere, else it may squeeze downstairs.

Shopping Store

Shopping markets/Sales:

It’s a completely different scenario in shopping malls. The funniest time is sale time; you have to be ready to run in order grab the sale deal. People will shop as if it’s the last day and in black Friday is the first and last day of sale.

Big Shock for Veggies

Culture Shock:

Now you must have understood that there is a lot to learn, you have to acclimatize according to US culture. The best way to integrate is to understand and accept the difference as soon as you can. Stop complaining and start accepting. Faster you accept, faster you feel comfortable.

Be in contact:

No matter where you are, how much time you have been, always have a regular touch base with your families, friends. This will make you feel connected, make you among them, you will still know what is going on. Your families will feel confident about you. Now-a-days technology is so advanced that you can be in touch/see each other daily, you wont feel any distance at least geographically.

History:

US is everything about history and its not US History. It’s our history. If you are looking for a loan or a credit card/shopping card, they will check your history and then provide you a card. If history is good, you will get less interest rate. Even while selling/buying a car/house/anything its history will be checked and depending on history its rate will be calculated. So if you are planning to take a loan make sure that you apply for a credit card in your bank and build a good history. There are many ways to build a good history, you gotta learn that. Before all of this, first apply for SSN (Social Security No.)- In the United States, a SSN is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. It’s a mandate if you are staying in US. This card will be required everywhere such as while calculating your salary, leasing a house, buying car or anything related to money which is everything.

When I was about to post this blog, I googled some more and understood, I am not alone. Read below articles.

http://www.realclear.com/travel/2014/04/21/5_little_culture_shocks_that_asians_encounter_in_america__5992.html

http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/13-moments-of-culture-shock-for-the-first-time-american-traveler/

http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/culture_shock.asp

In the end: 

When you have this option

Dont be like this

A new Beginning: Moving on

This is the 2^nd part of a new beginning, please read the first part first before coming here to understand better.

When you are relocating to a new location for a long time (at least a year), you have to think about lot of things like you have to move many things, now what to move, which to leave that becomes a big Q. This blog will help you in understanding it. Remember the more stuff you have accumulated where you are staying, more time will be spend to deal with it. When you are moving to a new location, you have to actually move on, leave a lot behind.

Some helpful steps:

1.       Throw out useless materials, junk, things which are going to be useless in few days.

2.       No Electronics

3.       Less utensils

4.       Pack and pack it tightly.

In detail:

1. Throw out junk

While relocating, you have to keep in mind volume as well as weight, so try to keep things as less as possible, there is a thumb rule for it. If you have not used something in last year, then you do not really use it ever, better throw it. Throw all the things which have started wearing and tearing, you will not use them in US.

2. No Electronics

You have to make sure that you are bringing only the electronics which works in US 110V and with that converters to connect them. For example India uses circular plugs while US has rectangular ones that too without switch. A good point with US is the consumer electronics is cheaper, you can buy whatever you need from here.

3. Less Utensils

You can get all the utensils that you need at a comparative prices here, so pack only the essential ones and leave the rest.

4. Pack and pack it tightly

In case you are bringing any liquids with you, make sure you are packing everything airtight. Liquids may come out of the boxes because of the air pressure in planes, so make sure all is tight.

Stay tuned for Culture Shock

A New Beginning

Office Pic

Place: Hopkins, Minnesota (USA)

Local Time: Central Time 4:56 P.M., Dec 1 2014

Bible: Genesis 12:1, 4-5

The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you."

Dear friends,

It has been a long time, I have written something. I was just waiting for the right opportunity, right time, and perfect situation to write my exploration of a new continent-North America. Yes friends, that is true, although for some of you it might be a surprise but I have relocated to a new place known as United States of America (U.S.A.). A well-known fact about US-It is one of the most powerful nations in the world. It consists of a total of 50 states among which I am staying in a state known as “Land of 10,000 Lakes” otherwise Minnesota.

Think, think and think more.

Before relocating, I had series of discussions, thought exchange and lot more with myself and circle around me. Travelling to a new country is not a kids play, you have to think a lot, make your mind clear what your aspirations are, what do you want in life, is it really worth it? Whatever your reason of relocating, keep in mind that you have already started beginning of the end of your old life, now you are going to start a new beginning, a new life. You are going to start your life from 0 with a new clean slate. It’s going to be a fresh start, obviously you have to face lots of challenges, learn new customs, rules, guidelines and what not. It’s gonna be a whole new goddamn identity that you are going to set up, so if you are relocating, think, think and think more.

How?

The first question that may come to your mind is how I relocated to USA. I was working for a IT giant in Chennai for last 2 years in a US based project. I nominated myself for any onsite opportunity that may arrive; all the managers checked my scores and work then confirmed me as a suitable candidate for the job. Then there were hell lot of levels through which my VISA petition passed starting from local company branch to US Immigration. My visa petition was filed in 2014 Jan and it took a complete year for it to get processed. Finally with the Gods grace, parent’s blessings and my well-wisher friends I was selected in lottery. I was supposed to travel in Oct but due to lot of applications, it was slowly processed and I came here in mid Nov.

Keep reading… Next I’ll let you know, what is the meaning of relocation? Tips and tricks while moving to US etc.