This visit is specifically to help, my Viju, in her delivery of first baby, and also to tide over the first
few months. Unlike our last visit in 2009, outings have been few, mainly on account of the date of delivery nearing. My last posting was on 2 Sept. 2010, and today it is 3 Nov. 2010, just more than 2 months. Lot has happened in the intervening period. The most joyous occasion was advent of my 2nd grand daughter in to this world. I loathe to call it beautiful and other adjectives as is wont by most humans. We are destroying this world slowly step by step, and the future generations will be poorer for it. We humans are greedy, and would like to enjoy everything, without giving any thought to the coming generations. She, as per the practice in US, already named Sara, came into this world at 5.57pm, CST, on 13 Sept. 2010, 3 days ahead of schedule given by the doctors, in an hospital near the Pensacola Airport. The hospital, as is everything over here, is very clean and neat and well maintained, with excellent care being taken of the new arrival as also the mother. Myself and Revathi could hold the tiny baby by around 6.10 pm. The baby at birth was only 6.4 lbs, but with lots of jet black hair. All in the hospital were astounded by the hair she was born with, since babies in US are normally not born with so much hair. Her fingers and limbs appeared to be quite long, since she was very tiny and bony. She reached her home to be just after 48 hours, and is now a permanent feature of our lives. She has now completed 7 weeks on this earth, and is into her eighth week. She has already seen Navratri, will be part of her father Sagar's birthday tomorrow, and Deepavali immediately thereafter on 5th. However, US being what it is, she will not be witness to the festivities as in India. She is now a US citizen, with her pass port, and Social security no. She has for the past week or so started recognising and seeing things and people around, and also showing her emotions more openly, by crying, making faces, smiling etc. She is keeping every one of us busy here. I dread the day we will be leaving for India.
Baby Sara's stay here in Gulf Breeze, just adjacent to the bay, will also be short. Sagar is being relocated to Houston, and they will all be leaving mostly by end of Jan 2011, immediately after we leave for India. Houston, is reported to be third largest city in US, and hence will also be heavily populated with resultant chaos. Comparatively this is a very thinly populated and peaceful city, though it is vast in area. I am not sure whether I will be visiting Houston, since the programme of children is uncertain, and no one knows how long they will continue to be in US. I should thank my Viju for giving us this opportunity to visit the US two years running.
Even with Sara's coming, we have not let off on our eating out, two meals in a Vietnamese Rest. called Tu Du, Mexican in Mellow Mushroom, etc. The best is variety of food, various Asian cusine which we never had the opportunity in India to taste.
Internet has facilitated the communication to such an extent that we see Ria, our first grand daughter in Pune quite regularly and talk to her over video/audio call. I could talk and see my mother and also brother in Ghatkopar. I got in touch with an old friend, referred more as German Subbu, after his visit to Germany, courtesy RBI some two decades ago, again through net, and also had a talk.
The county library system in US is a big boon to book lovers like me. I have been reading many books, some fiction and also others. Three books that has in this trip attracted me are one on Cleopatra, another on Sugar Ray Robinson famous boxer of 50s and 60s, and the last one was on Abraham Lincoln, who is portrayed by the author as a Vampire hunter and slayer, till almost the date of his election as President of USA. Another of the books I liked was an account of two friends, who get together after more than 3 decades to traverse the 400 mile Connecticut river on a canoe, spending time with strangers every night without staying in tents or cooking their own meals. The book has an unexpected ending with one of the protagonist committing suicide a few months after completion of the adventure. TCM, (Turner Classic Movie) channel also keeps me occupied with movies of yesteryear's dating to 3os, till 60s. The movies which we may not again get to see in theaters are now easily viewed. Alas, we do not have any such exclusive channel in India, to show case old Indian classics, though some of the channels do show old movies off and on.
Another news is about my first son-in-law Rajesh changing course in mid stream so to say. He has decided to leave his cushy and secured job and income, and take a plunge into an uncertain world of independent venture. He has decided to open in Pune, Baner a restaurant, which will serve mainly continental dishes and also deserts normally not available outside five stars. We wish him all the success in this venture of his. What with the new found prosperity in and around Pune, and all techies abound, there is little doubt this will be a profitable venture with lady luck smiling on the venture, and dedication and hard work. The joint is expected to commence operation in December, and will keep all updated on the opening date.
The net has also been helpful in my watching the cricket matches, sometimes getting up at mid night or early morning. My walks continue, and the two months over here has also helped me recover my health to a certain extent after my trip to Kailas mansarover in June, just before coming over to US.
Today, for the first time in my two visits, I got drenched while returning from my walk, and I really enjoyed it. I am used to getting fully wet in India regularly every rain, what with my unwillingness to carry a burden of an umbrella. The cold is setting in, and it is expected to be in 30s from Friday.
As in India, we prepared deepavali bakshanam over here, with available things. A small celebrations will be there, being the first one for Sara. A small get together of friends is being arranged by some of the Indians over here, and we expect to participate on Friday evening.
This has been a big and long blog. See you all till the next one.
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