Entry for February 16, 2008 - Day #1

Vegas Baby

We reached Vegas by 10.30(PST) and it was 13.30(EST). It was a 6 hrs nonstop flight and felt like 9 hrs. We both were dead tired, but according to the schedule we had to rush to see the sunset and sunrise at The Grand Canyons which was another 250 miles (approx.) by road. We reached the rental car complex and then after some confusion we get into the SUV and started for The Grand Canyons. The best part I liked about Vegas is that gambling starts from the airport itself. In fact every person there started speculating their luck even before entering the city. One of the gentleman said he got his luggage first, so is that a luck charm this time ;-). As we hit the roads, they were all deserted, don’t know where all the people go in the day. It was almost looking like am back to my state, Rajasthan. The road to Canyons was only 2 lanes, in fact after some time I started feeling sleepy, as there were almost 0 cars on the roads, and am in the habit of racing with the cars on our famous I-95 (one of the busiest highway which connects all the states from Maine to Florida.) Well we reached the National Park at the Grand Canyon well before the sunset. And we had a chance to catch the glimpse of the famous sunset. More over I forgot to tell that there was snow on the road to Canyons which made us feel at home i.e. Boston. After the sunset, there was pretty much nothing to be done there in the resort, especially when we were dead tired. We had dinner and as soon as we touched (yes literally touched) the bed I was sleeping and snoring. It was the flight time and then the driving part with a 3 hr 1/ 2 hr extended day. Also, we had to get up in the morning before sunrise (@ 7.15).

Skiing - the first experience

After so many postponements due to weather or wife at last went to ski this Saturday.

We went to a ski area close to our place called The Blue Hills Ski Area. It was said to be good for the beginners and also was cheap. We thought what can be best time to learn ski, with great weather and cheap rates.

It was around noon when we reached there with only ski pants in hands. Went in front of the rental desk and standing, staring at her, as if she has to start. Well actually she did. She asked - "First time?". I said yes and then she explained all to us. Total was $228 including tax for 3 people for Entry, boots, skis and lessons. We were given boots made of iron. Was wondering what if these were used for wars. If you hit the enemy with this, he would never be able to stand again. Anyway, wearing boots was the toughest part and taking off was even tougher. I almost pressured so much as if I am about to deliver a baby.

At last wore the boots and headed for the locker, and bang, I hit the opened locker door's corner. Boy, couldn’t be worse than this. As we all say "soney pe suhaga". Well it took another 30 minutes to see the Doc and he doing some paperwork (Yes, US also has that paperwork culture) That paperwork, for which he did nothing :(.

Ski area, the first snow fall experience. The lesson started and we were all excited and Manu was a lot scared. Learnt few steps for climbing uphill, wearing and taking off skis and stopping in downhill. Fun part started, we started with the skiing and down on bums, Rohit fell down on his bums in the attempt to save himself to fall on his face.

We were trying with the small kids, who were actually doing far better than us. It was called the Magic Carpet, specially for beginners. With the least of slope, still we were unable to walk. Well, it was all fun. The trainer was for an hour, and then we practiced on our own. Took a break of 30 minutes and then another session and this time on the steeper mountain. Well going up was easy, coz its the lift, but even a little sight was scary. We slid half way and rolled rest half :-).

It was getting dark and colder by 5PM and every body part was hurting, so we decided to leave and have some rest.

When to become a dad?

I am in an unsure position right now. I am happily married to my wonderful wife for 2 years now.

My wife has reached a point of now wanting children. She is 28 and about to turn 29 (I am of the same age as hers) and also feels it is important for her to have a child soon, partly due to her wish to do so and partly due to body clock.

However, for about 6 months now I’ve been saying I am not ready and putting it off. I have stated truthfully so that I do feel I am getting closer. But I have now reached a point where I am unsure but also wonder if I will ever be sure.

I would like a child, but I’m not really much of a kid person or at least I don’t think so (My wife thinks I get on really well with kids!!).

I think my biggest worries are partly financial (On my wage alone I couldn’t support us, as a joint wage we could).

But I also have a nagging feeling in my mind that when I have kids my life may be over. Don’t get me wrong I know I’ll love my child but I feel any ambitions and hobbies I currently enjoy may go out the window. I work a regular 9 to 5 job, am in a band for which I like to indulge some of my spare time and would like to try and make it more with that. I also enjoy exercising regularly. But by the same token I also enjoy spending a lot of time with my wife.

The question I guess I am asking is when someone knows they are ready to be a dad. Given what i've said above, do lots of people feel like this. And can anyone help with any advice.

1st Grade in India or 2nd Grade In America

So this debate with one of my cousins started with an email forward.

The contents of the email contained Police Cars from various countries specifying the so called "qualities" of the car. And the end of the email had old time India's Mahindra Jeep whose Max Speed is not disclosed due to Security Reasons (http://timepass.onlyfanpics.com/?policecarsaroundtheworld).

Well this seems to be a funny email to many people, but now since am here in US and staying in US has provoked my inner consciousness. It’s not any more. The image in the email shown was may be just after the independence or may be closer then that.

So I replied that email by another attachment of Delhi Police’s Vigilance Vehicle, with the message asking him to respect his country. It has given all of us a lot....

But that was wrong choice. He again replied with all sorts of myth.

Don’t try to teach me. If you really respect your country & if you feel that your country has given you a lot then there is no leave the country & work in the US. Your country needs you more than the US. Leaving the country for better prospects only means that better financial opportunities take priority over patriotism & progress of your own country. You can work in India& contribute to the growth of India. It is better to be a 1st class citizen in your own country than be a 2nd or 3rd class citizen in another country. We are proud to live & work here in India& contribute to the progress & prosperity of India& not that of the US.

I expect all my cousins & brother in law’s to support my stand. Let this end here. I do not expect a reply to this.

His reply sounded to me as if he is trying to hide something and in that effort he ended up showing up more. Don’t know what was his idea behind it?

Then in reply to his email one my other cousins replied saying “I have so many of this discussions now and it always seem that people in India strongly believe that just by staying in India, you help make India strong. Not understanding the fact that money flowing from outside of India also helps in the strength and development of India. The goodwill generated by Indian outside India is one of the big reasons that business flows to India. But most of the Indian living in India conveniently forgets this aspect of an Indian's life outside India. So, don't worry. Let's do our jobs and make sure that we help India in ways possible for us and let him do his job in making India strong.”

Katori Chat

So after asking few friends and keeping in the tradition of english food every friday, Manu decided to make 'Soup in Bread Bowl'. Dunno wats the original for it. but as usual M devoted her full friday evening in preparing for the same.

It turned out to be a good soup, minus bad bread.

Yes, the picture above shows the same (with my Canon Rebel XT DSLR Camera).