Just last year , I moved to the US to begin a PhD.I was apprehensive...I had lived at home most of my life...and here I was moving all the way across many oceans to live by myself.Apprehension mixed with excitement can be quite a heady cocktail...and such was I ..when I set off ....to sail (soar) the seas...
West Lafayette is a small town..very reminiscent of home.So 'check mark' in front of place I guess!..What made me love this place..what made me cry when I left..was the friends I made there.I was quickly adopted into this family..and home seemed to have moved to West Lafayette.The things I remember now, exam stress alleviated by 4 am jaunt to I-hop!! , rainy weekends made cheery with food and drink at the best hosts I have ever known! My drinking buddy and his wife...set up an inviting living room..only to have us over- worked Grad students crash it everyday!I remember the small things..Of Nyquil being driven over to me when I went off with the Flu! Of long walks home , with a Mop -haired friend walking with me.Naturally grumbling that I walked too fast! Of exams , and my best teacher.The one guy I know who knows more than most professors...in any subject...And one I ran to whenever a presentation raised its ugly head.Of a fun loving couple ...who loved us...and never judged us.And took me to drinks my first birthday away from home.She , of above mentioned couple, taught me to make Chicken Marsala , just because I said I wanted to learn to make something with chicken and Wine!!! Ahhh demanding me..And him of said couple...Who helped sort out some confusion in my fuzzy brain.Perhaps me and the husband owe him one!! Of always having a friend to talk to...even when the chips were down.Of having the roommate from heaven!..Illness translated to hot bowls of soup...and plenty of TLC!...Having someone always ask when I would be back when I left the house..And a girl who cared for me , perhaps more than she cared for herself.Of hours spent decoding the esoteric mysteries of the world...to whipping up exotic dishes in a meager kitchen! To know that there were people who shared my life...as I lived it.And who didn't judge me..only supported me.
I write for them!
This year meant leaving that plush,cozy nook...and moving to Africa.I didn't think I would survive it...But having just gotten off the phone after a long chat with them.I smile..Nothing has changed! I will always be a part of the family....
Plasticity of viral genomes and new receptors
4 months ago
8 comments:
Hey in my defense I wasnt mop-haired then...well not much! u'll always be part of family iyeru...and everyone is waiting for u to get back...but god-help-me I do appreciate the new found silence in these parts of the world!
well..u had the promise of mop hair then...I tried to stamp it out...but Alas!! naah..I think its kewl..but for dreadlox..this is the place axn!!Awwww thnks axn...Im glad to be part of it!!
Hehe..I know I miss all ( even you) of you guys tons!!! grrr..wht silence u talking bout??? Bet uve found a phone friend to end tht silence!
you know the crazy thing about family? they always hold your hand. Even family that is adopted.
It's just distance love and in a connected world how hard can it be?
writing senti blogs is so not you!
Though I should say that the usage of NyQuill has gone down to the extent that I am sure it feels quite lonely! same for cough drops :)
wherever we are scattered in years to come, home it will always be.
miss you in little things that I do or don't do anymore.
I miss our bathroom chat sessions! I can't remember why in a 900+sq ft apt, we chose the restroom to catch up!
i miss you guys too... but we will all meet in africa... on safari... action man... waiting for more photos on flickr... shalini - i knew there was a reason why girls go to restrooms in groups!
sorry shilpa, hijacked your comment space to write to your buddes.
heyyy Shalini!..thnks for the comment!I know senti blogs aren't me...but just couldn't help it that day!..Yeah I agree with you.No matter how far we all are...there are sooo many ways to stay in touch.And this distance is for this year.Next year..it will be alot more manageable!..I know...I miss you in all the small things too.Hhee..and I definitely miss the restroom chats..those profound moments!! haha..well it stimulated thought for some odd reason!!!
haha...Mosi..reminisce on your own blog!!! haha..naah I don't mind.Let me hijack your comments by urging the guys to come visit!!!!
Its nice to see comments from you Oh writing Guru!
I know this is a personal blog... But I couldn't refrain myself from admiring the beauty of the words used and the writing style...so I had to comment here!!!
Touched a chord!!!!
Nostalgia is a boon and a curse at the same time.. isn't it????
I'll keep visiting...
Hey Diva...thanks a ton for your comment!!The blog is open to all..So feel free to visit..and leave me your comments!
Great to hear from you..and thanks for the encouragement!
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