Wade, Angela & Caden: Farewell Parties

A notable feature of our experience was always the parties - India certainly knows how to throw a party! Our departure in fact, seemed like a series of parties and farewells for about a month! I couldn't even begin to do it justice to describe the hospitality displayed in honor of our departure. It was a whole lot different than the typical farewell happy hour or party in the US where people show up if they can... the effort and sentiment were truly touching.
For my part, I did a terrible job of capturing these moments in pictures, although we will remember and treasure them forever!
Some of the highlights...
Thank you to Ashish, Shailaja and Ansh for the great time, wonderful hospitality, fantastic meal and vase - things we will treasure and we truly hope to see you for our tour of the US!

This photo is from Gerald's bday party - I was too busy crying to get a good picture of our final good-byes with the Fuch's. One of the coolest and best families in the world - I know our paths will cross again one day (and I'd love it to be in Bavaria)! And I will remember my farewell tour on Gerald's motorcycle forever - it was so fun.

Somehow I missed all the other pictures from our final visit and brunch at Taj West end - a fantastic farewell with the expat crowd - Murphy's, Hegde's, Fischer's - great times to be sure. Caden did his final photo in the golf cart with a full belly...

At work my last week, a formal attire day and photo was arranged - my last opportunity to be tied in sari. Of course, I opted for the very trendy alternative tie rather than the traditional South Indian for my last time (courtesy of Ms. Pinto and a thousand safety pins). On the way, I picked up my carpool buddy for the last commute...

Mark, my replacement was handed the torch is regal fashion...

And is this a sharp team or what? It was a privilege to work with you all, and I learned so much and grew so much from the opportunity to know you better.

After work, there is nothing to compete with unwinding at the Murphy's - and Tom was ready!

As were the kids... Kay, Bill, Jim, Caden and Roshan.

Caden certainly misses his friends, Bill, Kay, Cody Webb and Jim...

The official farewell party, hosted by the Murphy's with assistance from my team and with flowers from Gerald and Petra, was AMAZING! I could not have asked for anything better.
Lokesh served as bartender that night, and did a great job - it's tough to describe this one... He made me crazy with his lack of time and driving and he challenged all my thoughts on fairness and rank and justice in the world and he was so sweet and loyal that I wondered how I could not be more generous and giving. And, he loved my son...

The efforts from the team to make my departure special started with a special outing for lunch and bowling (no pictures from that, but it was super fun) and gifts, including a great framed photo from our ethnic formal shot. Along the way, Rohini helped with negotiating the price of a special marble elephant (likely made in her home state of Rajastan) for my mom. Not only did the team show up in full force, but brought along arranged DJ and video along with another round of very special gifts.
Alkesh, Harsh, Jamie and Carol...

Gaurav in front of the party...

Navneet (my boss for most of my time in India) made an appearance along with Lalit (our President), (VP) and Arundhati (my current boss and VP)...quite an honor.

The crowd gathered to watch the video...a really moving 15 minute video with clips from my fellow team members across the office, followed by a hysterical tribute to my vain attempt to find a haircut I'd like in India (a 3 minute series of mug shots with fake hair-dos, set to music).

There was also a poster board with pictures from the full year and great special moments. And a book full of profiles and thoughts from the team.

It was a fantastic party and really meant a lot to me - thank you to Tracy, Tom, my team and everyone who attended and made this a great capstone to a great year!!

And with all that (and more I'm sure I didn't capture in film or words), it was time for the final pack-up and departure. Murphy's, Ms. Pinto and Ambika were all there for the very final good-byes -- and it was really something to think of how much we were settled into our life. And once again, 15 short and lifetime months later, we were headed into another adventure and unknown - moving back to the US.

For Caden's part, as we pulled up to our first stoplight, Wade asked Caden if he knew where we were going - to Caden replied: "nowhere, we're just sitting here." Then Caden turned to me and said, "Dad's not too smart, huh?"