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