Leaving New York City

It took me a while but I think I have finally come to terms with the fact that I have moved out of New York City and the United States altogether. It wasn't easy for obvious reasons; I've spent most of my adult life in New York and it is the place where I was most comfortable and energized yet most confused, anxious and restless. It has shaped me into the person I am today. In India, when people ask me where I came from I’d reply “Malaysia” but at the back of my mind I’d say “New York City”.

Sappiness aside, I had three months in the USA to pack up my things and play tourist in my “own” city. Here are some highlights of my last trip to NYC and the rest of USA.

Californian Horse Ranch

“A”’s uncle and his wife own this ranch that's about an hours drive from San Francisco. It was amazing observing these creatures. They were so huge, proud and intelligent. One of them unlatched the door using its massive teeth, so it can come nearer to me for some extra horse-y snacks I had in my palm.

(My first) Camping Trip in the Redwoods

Many, many thanks to Mr. + Mrs. Shadley who graciously drove us to the Redwoods and showed me everything I needed to know about camping - "modern" camping, that is. Needless to say, I was dirty by the end of the weekend, but I had a blast exploring the quiet forest surrounded by nothing but these giant ancient trees. Why would anyone put a hole in a 2400 year old tree?

An Indian Wedding in Kentucky

Congratulations Nisha & Rob!

Roadtrip from the Midwest to the East Coast

Here's the scenery from our drive in Charleston, West Virginia.

Washington, DC

The Washington Monument, standing so very proudly.

Half-day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Jassy


Cheese! She was so excited when "A" and I picked her up from her school, she couldn't stop bouncing. She wore her favorite tutu and the necklace and Indian bangles I gave her. We had a great time learning about mummies, pyramids and Christian art, thanks to Uncle A(l)mit.

September 11, Ten Years Later


Pretty mesmerizing. Brought back memories of what happened on the actual day.

Ice-skating at Wollman Rink, Central Park

This is how excited my sister got when she finally tore herself away from her clingy kids and skated for like five minutes.

Halloween - Kiddy Style

I haven’t been to anywhere else in the world where people celebrated Halloween as seriously as the New Yorkers do.

Thanksgiving Once More

Two full days of cooking with my sister and one of the best dinners we've made together. We were too exhausted to eat during dinner time, but it was worth every achy feet. Possibly my last one in the USA because it’ll be strange to celebrate Thanksgiving in India, no?

My Farewell Party

One of the many in the past few years. This one organized by a very good friend, N.

Saying goodbyes were never easy for me. If I had a choice, I’d give up goodbyes eternally. I recalled being surprisingly calm when I shut the door for the very last time to my little 100-year-old tenement apartment on Mott Street, which I’ve lived independently for more than 3 years.


The living room window which is often blocked by my 18" flatscreen TV. Right outside the window is a tired-looking fire escape, weakly attached to the building walls which has a signboard that says something along the line of “if you get caught standing here, you’ll be fined $5”.


My unforgettable kitchen, dining and bathroom.

When it was time to say goodbye, I recalled it being a bit tough to hug everyone while putting on a fake "I'm alright" smile and holding back sobs. I was told life goes on, and you just have to go with it. I’m looking forward to my new home (it should be ready any day now...) and a new chapter but needless to say, I’ll be missing New York, especially the people in it.

Jules, the latest edition to my family.

Thanksgiving

I know, at the rate I'm posting, it’d be Christmas but can I just say that it’s tough juggling a couple of start-ups, catching up with people and trying to spend time with my two little terrorists (also known as my nieces) before I leave NYC again.

Having been deprived of a whole year without Thanksgiving food (Thanksgiving in India), the menu this year was I think, the most extravagant it has ever been.

After many weeks of Food Network watching, my sister and I decided to ditch Ina and Martha and went with the New York Magazine Thanksgiving menu. All the recipes were written to feed 8 people and so we doubled the ingredient amount suggested. We had originally planned to cook for 18 people but 6 people flaked and did so just as the Fresh Direct man rings the doorbell with our Thanksgiving grocery delivery. We also added to the menu our all time favorite; green bean casserole.

Our cooking game plan/oven schedule, courtesy of Joe Kon


Ingredients used for Green Bean Casserole


The 20lbs turkey


Temperature of turkey *must* be 155 degrees


Sausage and Mushroom Stuffing


Joe preparing orange ham


The Thanksgiving banquet


Carve away Alf!

I wish I could say I was stuffed but after cooking (and smelling) food for two days, I didn’t have much appetite during dinner. In fact, I was so tired that I didn’t even bother carving the turkey, which to me, is like making the first cut on a perfect birthday cake. My favorite dish of the day is Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes.

To most Americans, Thanksgiving is about gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation. To us, Thanksgiving has always been about getting together to eat. As I grow older, I realize my ability to eat great amounts of food has declined and Thanksgiving is no longer about how much I can eat but about how much fun I have cooking with my posse.

Change of plans

I’ve been very productive with social events and being a tourist in the United States of America. If you haven’t heard, I’m back in NYC. How does it feel like being back? At first, it felt like I was in a dream, very surreal and wasn’t sure if it was due to jetlag or utter happiness. After about 2 days, it felt as though I’ve never left NYC.

I moved back into my little Chinatown apartment after being away for 15 months. Parts of Chinatown still smells like rotten seafood and the subway stations, despite the fare increase, still have a strong scent of urine. The mayor of Mott Street asked “You still doing computers?” My facialist tried to sell me another facial package; 15 facials for the price of 10, when I still have four more facials left from two years ago. My nieces Big J and Lil’ J are still the cutest little peoples in spite of the recently adopted princess-y attitude. I heart NYC.

A lot of people said I should update my blog name because I just turned 31, I finally came “home” to New York City and in the midst of my adventures in the past year I miraculously found a man (I call him my boyfriend, also-known-as “A”).

It was a tough decision but after much contemplation, I decided to maintain this blog as well as my current immigration status (B1/B2 Visitor Visa). This simply means I am not going to try to get a full-time, 9 to 5 (more like 9 to 9) job that sponsors, be in the mercy of Corporate America and have my ankle chained to the leg of an office desk for the next few years.

What will you do, you ask?

Here’s what I’ve been up to since I got back.

An Oregon Wedding


An NYC Wedding


A Berkeley Wedding


“A” visits NYC

Intrepid Museum


Times Square


Phoenix Concert @ Central Park

Po visits the West Coast (like twice)

The scenic drive in Oregon


Calatrava's Turtle Bay Sundial Bridge, California


San Francisco Bay bridge

And last but not least, www.ifluidmedia.com

Leaving Comfort Zone

The not so comfortable.
I hate to sound so negative on my first post but I foresee a lot of adjustments to come. I got placed in this corporate apartment through an outsourced company who's helping me relocate to Bangalore. The apartment seemed nice from the outside and the manager greeted me with "Welcome to your home, away from your home". When I stepped into my apartment, it's nothing like what I would call "home" but I won't complain here. Instead, I will tell you about my bathing experience.


My bathroom is supposed to have hot water from the shower but the solar power that creates energy to heat the water is broken, so I have to bath from these buckets of hot water from some bathrooms downstairs. How could I possibly rinse out all the shampoo and conditioner from my hair with this??

So, how's Bangalore? One word: Overwhelming. Bangalore traffic, sounds like Hanoi and smells like Jogjakarta.


Oh and of course, the one that thing that everyone has been warning me about: the water. I will tell you now that since I arrived, I have been brushing my teeth with bottled water and yet I went to the toilet at least 6 times on my first day.

Ok, breathe and think of the Comfort Zone...
Of course there are way more than just these two little terrorists but they would have the most changes while I'm away. And yes, I miss you too.


Jassy with her comb and spilling chocolate milk on her pretty dress.


Juju and I were waiting for Funn to get delicious Italian.