Jul 01 2008
Announcing the announcement
!! We are moving to Bangalore, India !!
The reason for all this drama in the previous posts? Let’s just say I am a drama queen. Or that I wanted to wait till the tickets were at the least blocked if not booked.
Why Why Why?
That’s the million dollar question. In my close to 10 year tenure here, I have come across many immigrants who wish to go back at some point or the other for one reason or the other. Sampling the thoughts, the common denomination factor invariably seems to be the extended family and aging parents.
I love this country with all my heart. This is my home. This is the life I know. I came here in my twenties with 2 suitcases, 500$ in hand, a visa stamped passport, a job and loads of determination. Though the initial intent was to work here for just a year, go back to unite with my then fiancé, who had no intentions of migrating out of Bombay. Life chose a different path for us. Circumstances forced him to make a business trip to California, Cupertino to be precise. A die hard fan of Steve Jobs gets lodged behind the Apple company, and rest is history.
This country is amazing. Living in the silicon valley, the technology hub, is like heaven for techno nerds and geeks[Read the LH]. The opportunities it gives, the thought process it provokes, the space it provides for creative thinking. Constantly surrounded by highly innovative, crazily creative and passionate people. Where else in the world would one find the headquarters of Google, Apple, Ebay, Yahoo, Oracle, IBM, top tier VC firms, all in the proximity of few miles. Oh, I can go on and on.
If not for being a resident of this place, the confidence it induces, we wouldn’t be running a business today. A business that has provided for 15 odd people in Bangalore for the past 3 years. With a salary I could not even have imagined when I worked in India in late 90’s.
Yet, there is an emptiness. Even at the end of a good productive day, when kids are asleep, the mind if free from racing thoughts, there is a longing to know what the aging parents are doing back home. Technology does bridge the distance, they are one phone/skype call away. Yet, there is a constant angst. What if there is an emergency? What if?
It’s important to put feelings in perspective. Living within India may not mean being physically present 24 x 7 or being available when the moment of need arises. Who has seen what future holds. In spite of this planning, who knows how things will pan out? But, self employment and the nature of our business is giving us this flexibility to take this decision without much impact, in terms of work.
The move is not permanent. We like to plan our life in 5 year chunks. We live in a global world, there is no denying there. A 5 year plan just seems more practical and realistic approach in this global economy. Our business in US will continue as usual. I am fully aware of my duties towards the country. To abide by the law, to be loyal, to pay taxes and to vote. At the same time, I cannot disown my birth country, neither can I disown my family that decided to stay back.
I will miss..
My brother, sister and family.
Friends, friends, friends. A small group of friends in the Bay area who are like extended family. The friends who took turns to provide food for 3 days when I was to be at bed rest. Those friends who took time off from work to stop by and lend a listening ear just because I was feeling low. Those friends whom I could call anytime of the day or night, don’t have to think twice before asking for any sort of help. Those friends whom I could chit chat while cooking and laugh over silly things. Thank you for being there, you will be missed.
I will most definitely miss the people, the general junta. Americans, Chinese, Mexicans.. There is some kind of positiveness in people here. Any passer by would almost always smile, say a hello, sometimes even take a minute to say how lovely the dress I am wearing is. Or that my daughter has a cute smile.
I will miss the non-interfering life style. I do what I wish, no one questions why.
I will miss Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s. Don’t ask me why, but yes, that comes this high in my will-miss list.
I will miss drinking milk directly from the carton, drinking water from the tap. I will miss the dry hot plates that comes out of the dishwasher.
Looking forward to..
I am so looking forward to this move.
To spend time with parents and parent-in-laws. It’s my turn to take care of them, love them and feel loved. To be with extended family, something my daughters have not experienced. This will bring its own set of issues, I am very well aware of that. Yet that experience I want to go through. I want my daughters to know what it is like to live with cousins, aunts and uncles. To spend a winter or summer vacation with them instead of home or a summer camp.
I am so looking forward to the energy India has. We did a dry run of 5 months in Bangalore about 2 years back. I will probably do a separate post on this, but the city in spite of its infrastructure issues has its charm. It’s vibrant, full of energy and enthusiasm.
I am so looking forward to having a cook and a cleaner. My house can once again be sparkling clean every minute of the day. I can be greeted with a glass of water the minute I enter the house. I can wake up to the gingery smell of chai served right to my bed. When the cook entertains D alongside preparing breakfast, I can get a little extra dose of sleep.
I am so looking forward to the sun dried crisp clothes. Oh, that smell! To exchange smiles with neighbors.
I am so looking forward to the change. The chaotic yet organized life style that amazingly works.
So, here we come Bangalore. Welcome us, will ya!
Disclaimer: This post is solely based on my personal experience and my personal opinion.
Wow! What a piece of news!! (See I kept my promise! :P)
I’m sure i will take you no time to adjust in a new city. Coz after all a home is where the heart is! nahi?
Ooooooooo what a great announcement!
How I envy all you Bengalurians
Gives me a reason to make a trip there asap!
Welcome back, DDMom!
* waiting with a red carpet
Hi,
Great news!
Its really brave on your part to come back inspite of living there for so many years. But I had come back with the same reasons you had stated and believe me, if these are the reasons you come back for, you will definitely be happy. Your kids will definitely be happy over here though the initial phase may be quite tough. And the emptiness you are talking about over there is quite true. Even I used to have the same feeling inspite of having all good things around me. Here you might not get everything, but at the end of the day there is some kind of satisfaction and I don’t know what. Being close to our own people makes a lot of difference. That is really one big advantage over here and that is also the only dis-advantage abroad.
Anyway I wish you all the best ! And you definitely know there is a whole bunch of people waiting in Bangalore to help you out if there is any need
All the best!
I though it was a move! Question was where!!!
welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am so excited already!!
loved the post!! kinda gets you teary eyed! loved your perspective and fact that you arent being judgemental even before starting!! the open mind you are coming here with!
so when does the move happen?!
c ya soon!!
hugs
abha
I am happy that you are moving and I am sad that you are moving. You understand what I mean right? Anyhoo, I am sure you will be happy, since it was a decision that you guys made. I am sure, you will come visiting and when you do that, please do make a stop here in Seattle.
:). I would give anything to swap places with you right now. I could totally relate to what you said- there is some kind of pull and charm about Bangalore that makes you yearn to move back. There are definitely challenges, but in a not-able-to-put-my-finger-on-it way, at the end of the day, there is a sense of fulfillment- thats so glaringly absent anywhere else.
Good luck and oodles of heartfelt wishes for the move. Hopefully, see you on the other side of the globe.
-altoid
Bit of Obama’ish touch there.
Can’t disown this as much as I can disown that..
Nice post.
CONGRATULATIONS on the move dear!!! And what a fabulous post ..amazingly balanced attitude!! Loved the ‘we think in 5 years chunks’ ! We plan to move too pretty soon and could totally relate to each and every single thing u have written ..very well written! I am happy for you and your family
~nm, you did keep up your promise. Good girl
I am sure I’ll adjust, I just have to tune out from few things that I have taken for granted here. Like 24 hours electricity, temperature controlled environment etc.,
:) Come come, we’ll have a blast.
It’s like having a baby. There is no perfect timings. You just got to take a plunge when your gut says its the right time. But I am sure I’ll enjoy.
August is the happening month..
WIAN, Thanks for the red carpet welcome
aargee: aww.. I am not sure about the brave part
Abha: Now you know
Shobana: I know what you mean. All the more reason to write often? Thanks for the wishes.
Altoid: Welcome welcome. Hope to see you around often. You are so right about Bangalore. Someone asked why Bangalore? I had no particular answer, both our family live in remote areas, so any city would be new to us. Bangalore kind of made most sense. Something there, the energy and enthu I think. Oh, and the climate.
YoMama: Lookie look who’s here commenting. Yup, yup, I so know who you are. Wordpress/statcounter is there to my rescue, what da ya think?
Neera: aww.. Neera. Thanks for the wishes. In todays face paced life, things change at the speed of light. There is no point planning so far ahead and sweating on it. Might as well plan for near future and enjoy
Wow ! You are right, there’s no way of knowing if it will work out or not but i like your way of thinking in 5yr chunks…
Wishing you all the best for your move. When is it happening ??
Welcome back..I so much want to meet you and the kids. Esp the kids
Lovely post DDmom
Welcome back
That post was so balanced and unbiased - you have helped me to put some of my issues in persepective. Great decision and Congratulations. I’m sure you and your lovely family will be enriched by this new experience.
Here is wishing you the very best !
Hope the transition from Silicon Valley of US to Silicon valley of India is going to be smooth ….
2Bs mommy: Yup, that’s the hope. Thanks for the wishes. Moving in August.
Thanks for the wishes.
Thanks for the wishes.
Swati, Cofs: Me too, Me too.. wanna meet.. wanna meet..
MM: aww.. Glad the post could bring some perspective
CA: Yes yes, from SV of US to SV of India
Read this post a while ago, but had to collect my thoughts before commenting - still feel like a “Bidaai” situation. Soo happy for you, but there is that heartfelt twinge that you might not be a drive away.
Are you planning to be in B’lore or going to move someplace else?
oh my this was a surprise.. have a fun move.. I am sure you will love Bangalore.. after all that is said and done about loyalty.. home is where the heart is!!
What a beautiful post. Through all the things said, and unsaid, your raw emotions were palpable.
I am glad you have reached a place of big change. Big change also brings big adventure.
I hope you get to experience in full all that you yearn for and it only leaves you with an unshakeable faith in the human spirit. Good luck to you and the lovely family.
I cannot say that I will miss you, because that is just not valid anymore.
-T!
What?! You too? OMG OMG OMG - I have not been reading blogs frequently…and this! Sheesh every one is moving back!
I have to pause and digest this news!
But I am not happy to read this post - let me say!
K3: You girls are so sweet. It feels so very nice to know that I’ll be missed. You’ll truly make my day.
:) I will still blog from there. Nothing changes in that front. In fact I might blog more 
Would be outsourcing cooking and cleaning you see!
Preethi:
Tharini: Thanks for all the good wishes T. It means a lot. I hope and pray the underlying emotions stay put when faced with hardships, if any. Only time will tell.
Noon:
[...] I am super excited and looking forward to the move, to the new beginning. But still, there is a hidden angst to let go. It’s that feeling of realness, the sense of no turning back. It’s happening! [...]