Mobility in Bangalore

On Monday night, we were assigned our car, “Peanut,” and our driver, Lokesh. Our car is a brand new Honda City (think smaller than a Civic) and nice, but we couldn’t help but make a quick comparison to Ricky, the beautiful Pathfinder that we’d just “sold” (given) back to the dealer on the 15^th. It’s great to have a car now, but is definitely going to be a change going from two cars to one that we can’t drive without help! (Wade did drive it around the block of our silent-street, gated community just to prove he could move it, but I don’ think this will help us outside these walls.) Driving in Bangalore is definitely different so even though it’s been done on every other blog I’ve seen, I’ll take a stab too.

First, I know you’re laughing mom that we would name our car even here, but hey, it’s tradition. And Peanut is a good name. Wade likes it because it gets good gas mileage and has a manual transmission. Lokesh took care of the traditional details on the India end, with a ritual called puja, a blessing typically done as soon as possible after a purchase (but only on auspicious days). We weren’t able to attend, but here is a photo of the car post-puja. Lokesh also installed a small Ganesha (god for good luck), and some air freshener. I’m glad for this attention to detail, because really, a little luck can’t hurt when you’re driving around here.

It really lives up to expectations. It’s crazy. The sheer volume of traffic isn’t even the start of it (although that is incredible). There really are no lanes, and the roads clearly aren’t just for cars. We’re one of the largest contraptions on the road in our Peanut. There are tons of motorcycles, auto-rickshaws (the three wheel motor carts), bicycles, pedestrians, cows, tractors, some buses, some trucks and an occasional policeman, directing/adding to the madness by trying to stop traffic, which results in pole-position stye jockeying for the front of the line. They do generally drive on the left, unless that is full, in which case the right is also an option. Lokesh keeps the mirrors folded in so that they don’t get hit, and tells me that if someone is coming, they will honk – no need for mirrors. The commute really does help one reflect on faith and physics.

Back to the honk, at night sometimes substituted by the bright light-flash…this is used (I think) to say hello, greetings fellow-traveler, move it *@^hole, I’m not stopping for you and occasionally just to fill in, for seemingly random effect. Honking and physics are also separate… clearly you can honk and run around a pedestrian or stray cyclist. But they won’t necessarily move, or acknowledge the honk, or laws of physics. Same for us on the other end, we travel past the airport fueling station. And we are not afraid to honk at the (presumably full) fuel tanker that looks to have been built and last serviced in 1962. I’m not sure what this is “saying” to the truck. I think it’s just a tribute to democracy. Or a really stupid game of chicken.

Actually by Indian standards, Lokesh is a very conservative driver. He occasionally stops for a pedestrian, uses his signals, and almost always slows down on the speed bumps or really rough roads. I will try to take some pictures of the “road” we use to drive to work. It’s indescribable – rough, off-road, should only be one lane but isn’t… it doesn’t tell you what a few pictures will. Our camera is out of battery though – hopefully our shipment will arrive soon. Many more pictures to come.

Updates from the work week

I cannot believe it’s Friday tomorrow. Where did the week go? If this is any sign, I’ll be home by Tuesday… or so it will feel. I make a mental note to remember to enjoy it… and keep this updated! :)

I went to work in fine time on Monday, riding in with Tracy to arrive by 10am. Off to orientation… Target orientation that is. I wanted to experience what our new team members will be experiencing (there will be a lot of them with our growth plan!), and wanted to learn a little more about what questions, etc. they would raise. It was a good decision… fascinating how something I TOTALLY take for granted (aka Target) would be foreign to them. I’m not talking about the finer points of our org structure or details of supply chain systems. For example, I mean the idea of modern retail – so many things under one roof, and people at times would actually go in and “sign-up” for the gifts they wanted (aka register), and guests at weddings would come and buy the things the happy couple had so graciously self-selected. (At this point, I made the chatter and sense of amazement in the room worse by pointing out that we also carry out this ritual in advance of babies.) Actually, I think I have to give them this one – it is a little weird. But orientation was interesting and it was a good first day.
Other observations on the office…

• It is Target, and looks like it. Same look and Target dog in the lobby. See picture.
• The lights really do go out frequently (several times each day, albeit briefly). The computers stay on though and minimal lighting and no one even slows down or pauses conversation.
• There is no Caribou and no Starbucks. There is a coffee machine in the service area, but it dispenses glasses of coffee in two-ounce shots and you aren’t allowed to remove it from a designated area just outside.
  We’ve eaten lunch in the cafeteria most days. The food is free and not bad – limited selection of vegetarian options and not too spicy. There is no diet coke. In fact, there’s no beverages at all. Not even a water fountain. Apparently, it’s not usual to drink with lunch. Anything.
• The lack of coffee, lunch options and soda will save a good deal of money – but the adage coming to mind… you get what you pay for.
• Office supplies really are at a premium, and I suppose that keeps waste down! Very little is printed which is good. The paper is slightly differently sized than back home (longer).
• Everyone is really, really nice. It’s definitely a new experience to stick out so much around the office, and crazy how much everyone is accommodating. I’m sure we’ll get more comfortable with each other soon, but right now it is a little awkward.
• I think I’ll work a lot. There is so much to do, and so fun to be a part of a “start-up” but it definitely leaves plenty to be done. I’ll have to push myself to keep sane and have a reasonable balance (even if it does go fast). I’m thinking of getting back to yoga once our stuff arrives.

So overall, it’s going well. I’m really excited about this job and what we can accomplish over the next year. I think it will be a great move for us personally, and also for me professionally. I am already really learning a lot, about the job and about myself. So wish me luck and we’ll see you soon!!

(More on the non-work updates soon!)

Pictures of the house, part 2

Ok, Wade laughed at me for taking this picture, but amidst the beautiful home, I feel inclined to point out that I have a "squatty potty" in my home. Really - right off the main entry living area. They tell me it's for the help, but I say they can use whatever potty they want to. I suppose it's sweet of the house to offer something for everyone!

Caden in his new bedroom - happy as can be, and he has a neat little patio off his bedroom (which we'll keep locked).
View from the front of the rooftop patio, which wraps around the top. A nice big space, where we're planning for some chairs and a grill. :)
Wade on the back side of the roof... by the clothes line.
View down the other side of the lane...
That's all the pictures I took of the house... I'll take some more soon of the neighborhood, and the office too. (I just didn't want to be that girl snapping photos at the office like I've never seen a cubicle before.. just yet!)

Have a good day/night everyone!
~Angela

Pictures of the House, part 1

The front of the house... Our front "yard" and view down the road...


Wade standing in the front foyer...so much natural light!! The guest bedroom... bring on the guests!!! (Not to worry, we're shopping for some furnishings.)From the front door looking in at the dining and kitchen...there's really beautiful tile through the house, especially in the kitchen.

Day 3: Recovery...

Wade has tirelessly done laundry most of the night while I sit on Caden’s four inch “mattress” trying to support him so he stays a little upright (remember no pillow supply). But Wade has also figured out the key to the shower and I decide to take one, just in case I missed a spot on the last, cold, round. I step in and turn it on as instructed only to scald my feet – literally. Safety standards are apparently different, so I wrestle with the nobs from outside and get it figured out to take a nice hot shower (at least for the first 3 minutes).
We had been planning to go out for brunch at 11am and had thus arranged a driver. I really want to go nowhere, but here is this guy at my door wanting to take my somewhere, and heck, I do need sheets. So Wade and I decided I should go “shopping” while he took a turn resting with Caden.

Out into the city again is still a feast for the senses, and if not always pleasant, still really enthralling. And the drive does force one to contemplate the value of life. It’s refreshing even as my eyes and throat sting with the pollution. I have instructed my driver to take my somewhere they sell sheets and that I don’t care where (yes, I know the sensibility of this trust). He has selected a small shop some 45 minutes from home, but gives me a mini-tour of Bangalore the whole way. It was actually really nice. The shop I can’t help but think “catered to tourists”, but it was fun, and chock full of handicrafts and treasures of every sort. I find a sheet for $80 and barter it down to $42. Still ridiculously expensive I’m sure, but heck, it’s my first time shopping. It’s blue and had elephants on it for Caden’s room. I won’t be buying the sets for all three rooms here, but I feel a sense of accomplishment. The sales lady offers to show my around the shop, including several statues of Ganesh. She assures me this is something every home needs, for luck. I flash back to the hotel, and the large Ganesh statue and fountain in front. I decide I agree, and surely this will make my house a home, with better luck for our second night.
We stop at a grocery store on the way home, where I find some staples and a couple other ex-pats shopping (one with a Target visa) – welcome validation, friendly conversation and knowing smiles. I decide I like this place, and the adventure and variety of experience. I can do this.

I head home, to find Caden and Wade playing on the playground, no visible illness and happy smiles. We spent the afternoon in the beautiful sun out on the playground while Wade went back for a much-deserved nap. Then we took a walk through the palm tree-lined neighborhood, stopping at the shops up front for a few more staples (Caden finds they have plain, Barilla penne noodles, and for only $6 we can make him SO happy). We can’t get the stove to work though (still struggling apparently with the nob combination issues). And we don’t have a pot yet anyhow. We make Caden a grilled cheese for instant gratification and order a pizza from Pizza Hut for us. It arrives speedily, and with extra seasoning that I decide is actually a really good substitute for my familiar parmesan. We got settled for bed then watched Diego and I’m writing this. So, all in all, it was a good day. I’m off to bed, as tomorrow is my first day of my new job. And I need to be there by 10am. :)

Day 2: On to the rollercoaster

A stray picture from the plane...

Many of the expats I've talked to describe it as being on a roller-coaster....

Saturday started out a great day. Caden slept until almost 4 (hey, that’s improvement). We put on a movie for him in the room, throughout which he had many questions: Caden: “Mom…MOM…MOM!!...(pause)...what was that?”
Mom (through closed eyes): “I think it was an elephant”
Caden (incredulously): “Noooooo.”
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Oh well, we got up and got the hotel room packed back up into the 12 pieces of baggage of which we’d somehow managed to use all of them. Then down to breakfast, where I decided that I will probably not lose any weight in India, as intended. Again the most fantastic buffet of food ever seen. Juices of every kind, fruit, cereal, made-to-order omelets and waffles, meats, potatoes, and on an on. Far from struggling to eat, Caden had two eggs, a waffle, juice, fruit and hash browns. I also ate well, and again opted for the beef tenderloin (just on principle). Oh, and they had great coffee. Black. Liars everyone that told me no good coffee (at least for now). I do have to add that this is not the affordable way to dine in India, but it’s good to know there are options.

Saravanan (Tracy’s driver) picked us up from the hotel and took us to the birthday party at Palm Meadows. It was great – quite a party and Caden had a lot of fun, as did we. There were so many kids there, and face painting and pottery and games. Really fun. And a view from the open air party room in our neighborhood that was great – surrounded by warm, sunny palm trees. Some things I learned…the cake cutting is a big deal (think wedding), they don't open the presents there, and usually the food is last up at an Indian party (you party, then eat and leave) versus the US style, eat immediately upon arrival, then party… leaving time is ambiguous. Apparently most parties are clear within a half hour after the food. Interesting and I kind of like it.

Then we got to move into our new house. It felt good to be “home” (with the suitcase full of furnishings anyway) and I’ll attach the string of pictures right after this, with commentary. We had dinner (steak BBQ – see previous note about not losing weight) with Tracy’s family and her visiting parents. It was a lot of fun to have a good BBQ at the neighbors right away and the kids seemed to get along really well.

So, all day up and up – what an awesome place. Ah, but all rollercoaster start with up...it was a rough night (see disclaimer now). Caden had fallen asleep before we left, so we carried him home and slipped him into bed. Then collapsed into our bed – ouch. It is about four inches thick with the give of a wooden table. The sheets we brought had enough fabric but the shape didn’t work out well, so the “top” sheet was on the bottom, and we were trying to use the “bottom” sheet on top. Our pillows went air freight, so we were using towels as impromptu pillows. We are apparently directly under a flight path that is traveled all night long. Rough night sleep (on a bright note, I expect this will be rectified soon as I packed foam mattress toppers thanks to several heads-ups on this one, and the pillows and additional sheets will also be found soon; and one easily grows accustomed to noises).
Still, tossed a lot, and Caden woke up at 4am again and wanted into our room. This seemed reasonable. He wanted water – again, good idea. I clamor downstairs through the ceramic house to get bottled water. Caden drinks it all and wants more. No problem, again through the house I go and sink, no gently place myself, back in bed. Caden curls right up onto my chest and says “my belly hurts…” BARF – not to get graphic, but something like four gallons of water-volumized vomit all over, mainly, me. Mmmm. Ok, this is not good. Let’s get cleaned up. We go into the bathroom and flip every switch and valve to try to figure out the combination that might get the contraption in the bathroom to yield hot water. No luck after five minutes standing covered in puke. Ok Caden, let’s get brave and take the most icy frigid shower imaginable to rinse the barf off (they don’t serve beverages this cold so where they get this water from I don’t know). Of course, we only have one set of sheets. I get Caden back into bed – me and him and a spider man sleeping bag. He barfs again – twice. I’m now sure I am the worst mother possible and have recklessly endangered his life and am being punished his first night in our new house. He’s also riddled with mosquito bites and Wade is sure it’s malaria. We review the travel clinics’ folder of information and WHO printouts. Malaria takes at least 8 days to incubate. Caden barfs again. He looks up at me limply and says: “I had four garfers, I must be really sick.” (How are they so cute, even with barf on their chins?) We decide to give Caden the Cipro now. Wade starts laundry in our new pint-sized washing machine so we can hang dry the sheets in time for tomorrow afternoon. I lay in bed with Caden, contemplating modern medicine and food safety… the power goes out.

A DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ

Ok, before I go any further, just want to point out a few things:

• I have been in India less than three days, and will likely at no point be an expert or even fluent in culture or customs. The following are just my impressions, which will sometimes be expressed as sweeping generalizations and will sometimes be patently inaccurate.
• I am spoiled and sheltered, and highly accustomed to my pampered existence in lovely (if cold) Minnesota. Clearly this will color my worldview, and the tone of some of the above impressions.
• The express purpose of this blog is personal – a way to communicate efficiently with my family and friends and chronicle our stay in Bangalore so that I can print and scrapbook it after we return.
• I do understand I’ve chosen to post this “personal diary” on the internet. Hence, the perceived need for the above disclaimer.

Please read all that follows with the above in mind.

The first edition!!

As promised, more of what you all wanted to know. What’s it like?!?

Our final departure prep went well – it sure was a lot more pre-flight work than usual. We got up and had to wash all the linens and towels, most to pack with us and some to store. Not exactly like throwing your toothbrush in but it all came together in six massive suitcases as closely weighted to 50lbs as possible, two laptop bags, two carry-ons, one car seat and one Nemo suitcase. So there we were, and loaded up just before lunch at Chianti Grill with my parents and Katie and Eric. It was a nice send-off, and the spinach and marinara memory will linger (ok, the Cabernet too).

The flights were mostly uneventful, on time departures and cozy, big seats. Caden slept nearly the entire way from Chicago to Frankfurt (yeah, ok, I drugged him a little, but still). He was really pretty good through the whole thing, carrying his little Nemo suitcase behind him on every moving walkway we could find. Cheap thrills, but never lost its effectiveness.

So, after the long plane rides (s), and geared up for the Bangalore airport experience, we deplaned quickly, waited in a line of about four people to clear immigration no problem (the United ticket agent in Minneapolis gave us more trouble for leaving on a one-way ticket), walked unimpeded through the security check, picked up our bags inside 10 minutes with the help of two guys (with a few more tag-ons later) with carts, met the driver from the hotel immediately outside customs and were on our way in under half hour. I understand this experience is not typical.

Oh, and one wrinkle, self-inflicted – after getting to the hotel (in two cars given our volume of stuff), Wade (who had insisted this was the case all along), pointed out that we did not have all 12 pieces of baggage. Yep, I’d said we had it all (god it looked like all) but we didn’t. Wade went back to the airport and collected the last bag (with all the toiletries - and Wade's ever-important malaria pills -in it) uneventfully. No worries. To reiterate the last post, thanks Wade.

And one story, first thing Caden says off the plane is “Elephants!!!” upon seeing the poster with the same in the immigration lobby. So far so good. As we headed to the hotel, he asked “why they have cars in India?” Apparently, we emphasized the elephants too much in our prep and neglected to mention the 6.1million people… with cars.

So, at this point, it’s about 2am, and we shower up and head to bed. Except that Caden is NOT TIRED. AT ALL. REALLY. Wade was. I sure could have slept. But, when Caden is NOT TIRED, and sleeping in your same bed, you’re not sleeping either. So, at about 3am, I got up with him and went down to the lobby to “play”. We hung out with the hotel staff, whose only concern with a 3-year-old in the lobby at 4am seemed to be how to entertain him – magic tricks, silly putty figures, chatting. One woman offered to look after him if I wanted to “go upstairs to rest”. I’d be lying to say I didn’t think about it. But instead we took her up on an offer of popcorn and a movie. After selecting Hanuman, an Indian cartoon off the English “menu”, we took it upstairs to watch it just outside the room. It turned out to be in Hindi, with English subtitles. Somehow, Caden did not seem to mind. It was a lot of singing and music, with the occasional narration from me and he watched the whole thing with rapt attention. Go figure. We went to bed at 5:30 am and slept until 11am. We then went to lunch at the hotel buffet. It was great food (and so far so good on any side effects). :) Great juices and fruits and a huge spread. I would recommend the beef tenderloin, cooked to perfection. Turns out they do have beef in India. And not just on the streets (no disrespect intended, but it’s true about the cows everywhere).

I headed to the office after that, while Wade and Caden went exploring. Caden enjoyed watching “construction” of the hotel pool (which was closed despite my promising him for a month that we could swim at the hotel – what do I know anyhow?). The construction consisted of three men, one of whom was walking back and forth about 20 feet with baskets of dirt on his head, filling it, then dumping it into the bottom of the swimming pool. It wasn’t long before Caden inquired – “is that guy done yet”?

I went to the office then, and met everyone. It was great to be there and I felt like I was on my first day of school – giddy. I am really looking forward to the job. Also, I met the women who made arrangements for our house. We sent for Wade and Caden and then met up with them to drive to Palm Meadows. Somehow we ended up in Tracy’s car and made our way to the house. It is a beautiful neighborhood. Just like the pictures everyone (and I’ll put more up tomorrow I promise). We met the neighbors and Tons of kids. It seems like a great place. I hazard to say it looks better than the place we left, no offense to Burnsville. (So far, no rats sighted.) It’s three bedrooms on two levels, with a rooftop terrace (currently holding only the clothes line to dry the clothes, but Wade has plans for a grill). Caden picked out “his” bedroom happily and it was great. We will move in tomorrow afternoon.

Because in the midday we have a birthday party to attend. My boss’ son turns five tomorrow, and he’s having a party in Palm Meadows. On the way back to the hotel, Tracy’s driver Saravan helped us stop at a toy store and pick out a present so we are all set. The social calendar sure does seem to be filling in quickly!

This evening we just had room service. I had hoped to try out the Chinese restaurant in the hotel, but Wade insisted (probably correctly) that Caden was just not up for it. It has been a long and filled day, and we were all tired. In fact, Caden is peacefully to sleep next to me. So, off to bed, and I promise I’ll write more and put up some pictures tomorrow. This is already more detail maybe than you all were hoping for?? With the time difference, it’s just hard to call…. We can work out this balance later.

Love,
Angela

Some thoughts from the plane ride(s)

I had a lot of time to reflect on the plane… so bear with me, I want to get through some not enough emphasized thank-you’s. Then I’ll give an update right after (we did make it here).

• First big thank-you to my parents – I could go on and on. Starting with the unfailing love, guidance and support (from childhood), and winding up with the likely unending pile of junk mail and administrative hassle that will come from looking after our “stuff”. And yes, mom, for letting us take your only grandchild out of the country. :)
• To my sister – for telling me she’s proud of me as she bawled her way to the car. Katie, you are the example of family support that shows there’s no place like home. And I’m proud of you too!
• To my husband and son – for coming with me on this crazy adventure and reminding me of why I’m here.
• To all my family, for being the example that contradicts the prevailing impression of American families. I love you guys and will cherish my memories from the send-offs (four of them), my bracelet and my book on Minnesota and will think of you every Sunday dinner.
• To all my friends, at work and not – you guys are awesome and yet another reason my heart will call Minnesota home.
• To my boss (work people, if any, can stop reading now) – but I wouldn’t be here without his support, and he’s been a great boss. And on a job like this, it’s true that your immediate boss is a defining factor of your company.
• To my now boss – how can you complain about a new boss that doesn’t know you, but takes the time to personally find you a house and makes sure you’re settled. I obviously haven’t worked here yet, but I can’t fault the personal attention!
• To my new team, for being excited to see me. It’s been great knowing I’m joining such a great team and I’m really looking forward to the next year (although I hope you’re not reading this, as you’ll learn more about my quirks soon enough).
• To the other expat here with family – you have been a tremendous resource in this and have made us all more comfortable with it in a way I can’t even express. It was great hearing from someone on the ground, and you went out of your way to help make us comfortable (more on this in the next edition).
• To everyone else at Target too that had a role in getting me here, getting me set up and just generally, taking care of me. I know there are a lot of you.
• And to Capital Grill, for buying my “last lunch” with Grandpa on Tuesday. Katie tells me I’ve come in for 42 reservations…not counting all the times someone else made a reservation, they let me walk in, call my sister on the way. I knew I liked that place. I will not come home a vegetarian because of you guys.
• Finally to all the flight crew that got us here safely… especially the attendant that brought Caden some hot dogs on flight 3, at hour 17. You rock.

Ok, I know, that was long and not eloquent, and probably not altogether in the right order, and my profuse apologies for the very important people I’m sure I omitted or forgot, friends, mentors and others. I just had some pent-up gratitude from my contemplations on the flight and wanted to get some out there. I am so lucky to be here, and so thankful for all the people behind that. It was no small endeavor, and I am humbled by the task ahead – to make it worth it. :)

WOW!

So much going on, and so much to say. Wow barely covers the range of emotion.
Last night I had by far the biggest happy hour I've had. It was the "official" going away from Target, and incredible the number of people who showed up. As someone who, well, ok, wasn't what you'd call popular, it was sure humbling to have that kind of turn out. From mentors to our VP to friends from teams I worked on years ago, and across all areas of Target from Finance to Six Sigma to Distribution to Travel, it was really a great testament to what an awesome team I work with/on at Target. And reinforces how many great people I'm going to miss while I'm gone.
I've had what seems like an endless string of good-byes over the past couple weeks, and as we now count off the "final" good-byes with friends and family, it is really hitting home that we are almost "gone." It's both a wonderful sign of the support and love that we are blessed to enjoy, and a bittersweet reminder of the good times we will miss while away on our adventure.
This weekend we tie up the final pack lists, separating out the pack with us / air freight / storage / send to mom's / dispose of piles. That's Saturday's mission. Sunday has the final good-bye with my extended family, followed by a gathering at a friend's. Monday the movers come and Monday night is our last gathering with our good friends the Coopers. We will really miss them, and it will be the first good-bye for Caden with one of his friends, their daughter Keriann. I am anxious to see how that goes. I'm not sure Caden really understands yet the "move" concept, and I'm nervous for the time it sinks in. We have been really open in talking about it, but I think even for us, it hasn't been quite "real" yet. Monday also boasts the final lunch at Capital Grille with my best friends at Target. Mmmm, I can almost taste that last juicy hamburger. And Tuesday is my last day... not much planned there yet. Wednesday we will wake up, wash and pack the bedding underneath us and the final details, then our "last" lunch at our favorite restaraunt, the Chianti Grill and off to the airport...
Wow.

Blogging is a great distraction

I should be doing my taxes. Or rather, I was, until I couldn't anymore. Besides, I have a whole week to finish if I'm going to make my goal of completing and filing before we leave.
So, on to the task Now at hand...
It's one week and counting down until our departure. Things are definitely starting to come together. Our house is available, the "old" house is sold, the cars are given away/almost sold (although this is posing serious logistical challenges as my dad will attest given that he is taking me to work tomorrow, just 40-odd miles out of his way, at 5:45am CST - thanks dad!), the TV no longer functions, the phone is being disconnected, the mail is forwarded, the will is updated, the power of attorney signed (sorry Mom), the visas back (hooray), the parties in process, the bags packed. Ok, not packed, but a plan to be packed...with the assistance of a bathroom scale (nerdy finance girl had to put numbers to the list I know), I even started weighing some things to make sure we will fit within our weight limit - no problem.
If anyone wants to check out our house, just google Adarsh Palm Meadows. It really looks beautiful, especially the palm trees now that it is completely frigid here. I think the Newsletter is funny if anyone wants to read - they've completed the capital improvements - picket fencing and razor wire. I swear those are in the same sentence. Too funny, I think. And really, we have an extra bedroom - visitors PLEASE!
Everyone keeps asking if I'm nervous. I don't think I am... not sure why, but I am just excited, ready to get it going. My mind scatters mainly about the little things (I wonder what the stars look like there, can you see them?) and the work things (how does one build team connectivity across an ocean?). At times I wax a bit poetic about the wonderful, amazing, and profound network of people I'm leaving - family, friends, coworkers, my mommy and me group, the Caribou barista.
But still, I'm not nervous so much as ready. To me, it reminds me of before Caden was born. Of course I was never so arrogant as to think I was "ready" to be a parent (still not). But, at nine months prego, it's game on. Let's just find out already if I can do this. Not over-romantisized about sleepless nights and countless diapers, but excited for the adventure. And so I sit today, one week from "delivery" of me and family in India, and I think game on. Not so arrogant as to say I'm ready, and not underestimating the sleepless nights and, er, "Dehli belly" I've heard is the polite term, that awaits us. But game on. Let's find out if I can do this.
It sure beats taxes anyway.

Hope everyone has a great night.
Love,
Angela

Move updates

I am really on a blogging roll tonight. I've been spending some time online with fun questions like:

• "How much freight can I personally schlep through the airport if I carry it?" - a lot, actually, and it doesn't count Caden's carseat.
  
• "If I put money in the bank, can I get it out?" - not really.
• "What's new on CNNfn?" - too much to get caught up on right now, but I love that stuff more than relocation details
• "What are other people blogging about?" - Fun stuff sometimes, a lot of politics (I picture Student Council runner-ups), and some interesting details
• "How about CNN?" - weather and bomb scares, same old.. back to my blog...

So here I am. We're in the home stretch with just two weeks from today until departure, but after working 12 hours today, I haven't got a lot of life in me for bank account research. Plus I have a status call with my boss at 10pm. (Remember that time difference nuance about the family interactions - same for work; started with a 6am meeting, ending with a 10pm-10:30). So anyhow, I'll share with you all (whoever that is - hi mom!), the latest in the move.

• Like I said, Valentine's Day is now the big departure date for all of us. We're leaving together now that the visa process is delaying my trip by at least a week. I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll get the visas in time, but we'll have to delay if not.
• Why do I hope not?
• I have a new house in Bangalore, in Whitefield, right by another Target expat with kids (including a grown up boy for Wade to play with). It sounds really nice, in a community called Palm Meadows. Candidly, I'm afraid of the rats I've heard they have really, but I'm bringing flash lights for the power outages, and they have a huge community sandbox and pool so Caden is happy from looking at the pictures. It looks pretty nice, has an extra bedroom (visitors please!), and sounds like a great community. It's partially furnished - big furniture but not linens, kitchenware or decorations. My boss negotiated it for us, and it's a huge relief to have it taken care of before we get there so we can pretty much just move in. It's actually available starting tomorrow, which just makes me want to go even more. NOW.
  
• Because we also sold our house here. Actually more quickly and with less work than expected and no cost concession. Go figure after all that talk about "the market." The closing is March 1st so mom, as attorney-in-fact will have to take care of it. I'm happy, but already starting to have a little remorse when Caden calls it "our old house."
• We're also unwinding all of our other commitments here. I can no longer watch TV (the satellite is canceled as of yesterday). We only have one car (can't remember how we used to do that for four years). The mail is starting to dwindle some (sorry mom for the volume of junk mail appearing there). And we have no food (mostly condiments and frozen veggies). And no wine. I might have to fix that. Two weeks is a long time...
• A week from Monday the movers come, and will take the air freight stuff (1,000 yet to be determined pounds of our most precious light-weight belongings) and the coffee maker. Then I will be crabby and outta here. How can one live without a coffee maker and make it to a 6am meeting? It's just not humane. That's why I will earn a 15% hardship premium next year I guess. I thought it was the rats, but I think I can live with those, given a cup of coffee in the morning, and a glass of wine at night. I'm a simple girl really.
  

Ok, I suppose time to get back at something else. Hope all is well with everyone. The adventure is about to begin. And I'll try to keep this updated then too... really.

Weekend good-byes

Last weekend started the official farewells...on Saturday, Mom, Katie and I spent the day at the salon, getting manicures and pedicures and dying gray hairs (KT got a massage)! That evening we met up with the guys and my grandparents and went out to dinner at Capital Grille for a celebratory dinner together. It was great - great food and a special tradition (I've taken my family out to dinner every time I've gotten a new job or gotten promoted in the last five years - luckily that's been three times!)
On Sunday, my mom hosted Sunday dinner. My grandma has hosted Sunday dinner nearly every Sunday... well, always. And much of my enormous family usually comes. This Sunday, mom and dad thought they would give it a try, as a farewell dinner for me in a closer location. So they whipped up a batch of homemade spaghetti and meatballs, etc. for 30 people. In true tradition, it was enough food to feed 75, but hey, who doesn't like leftovers? It was a great time - I have the best family, and so many of them!!!
On the related to India note, the weekend reminded me of how much I am going to miss everyone, and how much a part of my life they all are. It's crazy to think of us so far away and on a completely different schedule. BUT, we've got the video conference capability all set, and some great memories to take with us. Not to mention, looking forward to all the parties and reunions when we return!!

Pictures from Caden's trip