Snowfall

It was awesome.

It was an usual day, I winded up my work at office at around 6:00 & headed towards home. At the gate, security officer warned me to be careful on my way back. I was surprised. When I came out, I saw the whole path, trees & enerything is covered with white snow and it is still falling from sky - soft, white snow. It was too beautiful. I had seen it first time. I got too excited. Took as little steps as I can, to the bus stop, so tat i can walk more on tat snow fall [:)]. When I entered my community, I saw small kids playing in snow, wanna to join them, but don't know why dismissed the idea. My balcony is alo covered with snow. I also enjoyed snowfall there. Tat was soo fundoo, wanted to be thr forever, but tat was cold also, so have to come back to my room. But, I had full glass pane from where I could see snowfall, trees & rooftops covered with snow. I has tea & pakoda (pure indian style) & enjoyed the snowfall from room [:)].

Diwali in Seattle

October 21, 2006

It was just a day I came from India and Diwali came. I was all alone in the apartment, so feeling lonely. But diwali gave me enthu. I got up early in the morning i.e. 8:00am. First task was to find an Indian store from where I can buy ghee, milk, salt etc. Around 10:00am I got down of my apartment and meet an Indian girl. She not only told me the directions of nearest Indian store, but also took me there in her car, told me about different types of milk, gave some fundae about the city. Really so sweet of her.


In the evening, iitb friends (who also joined with me) came to my place. I cooked vegetable (which burnt) and simple daal & rice. We lighted candles, did pooja and then had experimental food (good people ate without complaining [:)]). After two days in Redmond, there r people to talk to. They also gave me some fundae about place, some do's and don't, showed how to use dishwasher. It was nice evening, not feeling lonely anymore.

From Seattle Airport to my apartment

October 19, 2006


This is the part of which I was afraid most in my journey. The task was simple, I had to pick a taxi from Seattle airport to timberlawn apartment, Redmond from where I had to collect the key of my temp. apartment which was also supposed to be at timberlawn. But for me, a girl from small town, it was a big task to take a cab to the apartment, in a completely new country with different people where I didn't kew anyone. I can travel alone at 12:00pm in mumbai, but tat time traveling alone at 5:00 seemed to be tough. My recruiter and relocation specialist assured me tat it is a nice city and its really safe and it may also happen tat I may got a sardar taxi driver. But still I was afraid.


After reaching airport, I tried to call friends here, but both were busy and no reply. Then, I took a taxi to timberlawn, Redmond. The taxi driver was a muslim from philistine. He was talkitive, talking continuously whole way, asking questions about me, which increased my tension. The reason may be I m not talkitive and friendly. Anyways, I had driving directions with me, but could not follow it properly. If I found some signs which were mentioned in direction, i felt relaxed. Finally we entered 40th street and reached timberlawn apartment. I felt relieved. The taxi driver was nice person, he asked me check the keys first but I paid him and told him tat its fine, i will do tat. I picked the keys and ready to find the apartment.


But, this is not the end, a new bigger problem was waiting for me. My temporary apartment had been changed from timberlawn to trails of redmond. I was completely lost again, it was above 7:00 pm, timberlawn office had been closed, and its dark outside. I had contact number of friends, whom I may call if i would lost, but there wasn't any coin box. The taxi had gone. I cursed myself for not checking the key before leaving taxi.


I found a guy there whom I asked the direction, bu he also didn't knew it. I checked key packed again and thankfully found a map. Trails of Redmond is near timberlawn at the same 40th street. I started walking towards my destination with 2 trolley bags in my hands, one shoulder bag and a handbag.


It was dark with no one on roads, just few cars running. Unlike India, apartmenst r at distant, no one walking on road, no one standing outside their apartment. It was really a lifetime experience for me. After walking enough, I could not found trails of redmond. I got too many thoughts in a couple of second. Wat if I could not found it ? There wasn't any phone or shop from where I could call anyone. While thinking all these, I was walking alone towards my destination. I crossed two microsoft campus entrance, but no one there also.


After walking few more minutes, I saw the board of trails of redmond at other side of the road. I was too happy & relieved. My apartmenst was near entrance. After entering in my apartment I got life again. Feeling safe and happy. No more afraid of new place.


I forgot to buy calling card from Airport, so called friend here to inform my parents. Cooked noodles and coffee and slept. But, it was a nice adventure for me [:)].

Flying from Mumbai to Seattle

October 19, 2006

After completing my masters in Mumbai, I got placed in MSN search, Redmond. The student life was the easiest part of my life. My actual journey has started on Oct 19, 2006 12:59 am (Mumbai time). I had flight from Mumbai to Seattle with one stop at Amsterdam.

Due to exertion before travel or tension (no one except mm knew tat i was bit afraid), headache (my true companion, always with me in all my problems) started on my way to airport. Dadiji, taiji, buagi, papa, sourabh and my 3 niece came to say goodbye at airport. But could not talk to anyone of them properly due to headache. It increased my tension, but i was telling papa to not to worry [:)]. Finally goodbyes and got in the NW airlines flight.

As I hadn't slept well from last 2 days, I slept as soon as settled on my seat and woke up only when plane landed at Amsterdam. There was 5 hr halt at Amsterdam. It was 7:16 in the morning and weather was lovely. I saw morning after long time (I used to wokeup at 11:00 at home). I roam around at airport all alone, window shopping at duty free shops, watching flights coming & going, watching people from different countries, had mathis (packed by taiji) and coffee. The flight to Seaatle was delayed by 3 hrs, so I took short nap [:)].

As, I slept alot in first half, second half of journey from Amsterdam to Seattle was gud. It was day time and I had window seat. While take off, seen Amsterdam, it was beautiful, green city with parallel roads on which cars were running in a row. After some time we were flying over clouds. Clouds over blue atlantic ocean seemed like a dream. Then we were above Denmark(Greenland). The view was awesome, brown mountains covered with white snow. It recalled me of neela's satellite images. At all other time, only white clouds can be seen, so saw garfield and had meal. But, veg. mean was some leafs and vegetables with cream and sauce, couldn't eat [:(]. But, had ice cream at the end [:)]. Landed at Seattle at 4:00 pm (Seattle time).

New journey of life

My journey of life started on 19th Oct. A new phase of life, in a completely new place, all alone. Having mixed feeling, excited, scared, uncertain. But strange thing is i m not tat enthu.