PAA... Amitabh to Auro

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Black Friday... Cyber Monday

So.... my Indian readers (& some others) might be wondering what is Black Friday?? My Indian friends might relate it as bad day with bad memories of Black Friday of Bombay Bombing. Black Friday is the American big sale day. It has huge discounts because of Christmas shopping start & on that day people just crazy. I bought a WD 500 gb Passport drive for just $69 & some other stuff. I have this problem with shopping, I can't resist huge discounts. I mean how can you say no to 50-90% discount. An item which is usually priced at 50 & being sold for 5-10 dollars, how won't you buy it, even if you need it or not. I buy it... I have so much stuff I have bought which I never use. The next awesome day is Cyber Monday where similar kind of craziness starts for tech stuff. And then the craziness lasts till Christmas or even New Year at times. Honestly, you don't need a special day for best deals, if you keep an eye then you can find great deals round the year. Like I bought this awesome Acer laptop for just $350 last month. Deals2buy is my place which I check almost everyday, they have some great deals on there. Well friends, Happy Shopping.... and send me some gifts maybe, if you find some great discounts/deals!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING/HOLIDAYS!!!

If you guys are wondering what I did this Thanksgiving... I didn't do anything. Except the fact that I had to work, but I didn't; I worked next day though. My best Thanksgiving meal was in LA I would say; & then I went to Las Vegas too. It was 2 years back & it was really fun, I spent more than $3000 in 3 days, YEAH!!! I guess Vegas is always festive & fun, round the year. And really, you do not need a day to be thankful or to celebrate. Everyday with friends & family could be Thanksgiving. But it's good to take an opportunity to thank the people whom you should. Me... I am honestly not feeling thankful to anyone at the the moment right now, except YOU who is reading this. So some fun facts & trivia about Thanksgiving for you...

1. The first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621 lasted for three days, it included not only food, but also games. Furthermore, the Pilgrims gave thanks for the bountiful harvest with the Wampanoag Indians.
2. Pulling the "wishbone" is an ageless tradition at Thanksgiving (and Christmas). Two people pull the turkey's breastbone apart, only the person who has the larger piece of bone is allowed to make a wish.
3. A full-grown turkey has over 3,000 feathers.
4. Firkee is the Native American name for this tasty bird. Firkee sounds a bit like turkey.
5. When a Tom turkey [male turkey] gobbles, it can be heard from as far away as a mile. In fact, only the Tom turkeys gobble, female turkeys make a clucking or clicking sound.
6. Puritans from the Mayflower used to drink beer. This was probably weak 'boy's beer' and safer to drink than transporting water on a ship.
7. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.
8. Benjamin Franklin, proposed that the turkey should become the official bird of the United States. Turkeys now look jealously at the protected rights given to the Bald Eagle when they won the Official USA Bird status.
9. 87% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving according to the National Turkey Federation. During a year the average American eats 17 pounds of turkey, that's the weight of a decent sized bird.
10. Sorry to burst the bubble, but the Pilgrims on the first thanksgiving ate deer and not turkey.

T ... Turkeys, table-spreads, being together
H ... Happiness and homes to protect us from all weather
A ... Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall
N ... Nieces and nephews, family members all
K ... Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner
S ... Surely you'll have fun, but you won't get thinner
G... Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide
I ... Indians and Pilgrims we remember with pride
V ... Very special times-there could even be snow
I ... Imagine what it was like at Plymouth long ago
N... Never forget how the settlers led the way
G... Giving thanks and blessing this special day

My meeting with Amrtya Sen...

So I finally met Amartya Sen today. Who Amartya Sen??? C'mon.... well I do not know all the nobel prize winners of this world (neither do I care much); but Amartya!! He's the only alive Indian Nobel prize winner (I know that we don't care about Nobel Prize much since some President won it for doing nothing but just trying!!) & also is Bharat Ratna. He's also father of Nandna Sen (she's really pretty, sweet &...), if you care!! The meeting was short & sweet; he's a very busy guy ofcourse. I went with my dad for the meeting at his office in Harvard University. He asked me about my career & life and talked nicely about all other stuff. You know, he loves mangoes, that's one secret I found out!! Honestly, I don't care about seeing celebrities much (seriously I don't, I guess.. unless I get to see them!!). I never run behind them to get an autograph or get a photograph taken. I mean what good does a autograph do or what memory is a mere photo (unless you get to sell them & make good money... can you imagine, people are dumb enough to pay for that!!). I would always like to meet such great people though, where I can spend some time with them & talk to them & learn from them & appreciate & admire them (yeah, like thats all they have been waiting for... my appreciation & admiration!!). This was one such meeting & I really enjoyed it. Great wishes from all of us, for all you have done... Thanks Amartya!!

Photos of EARTH by Sunita Williams???

Check out this SlideShare Presentation of mine, I am not sure if its true or what but people seem to care a alot & have had tons of comments & arguments. I like the pics on there though...

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HAPPY DIWALI!!!

Hey friends, wish you a heartiest Happy Diwali!! Another Diwlai in US is like no Diwali atall; inspite of US President wishing Diwali (Below is a message from Nobel Prize winner US President Barrack Obama). Diwali is a real celebration in India, there is so much that happens here. That's why it was always the first pick when we had to write essay in school on something, or Holi .Not much thinking but just writing the obvious stuff, added with whatever we have crammed up (Just start with Diwali is festival of lights or Holi is the festival of colours.). Diwali was the day to really celebrate; celebrate with new clothes (3 times a year your parents had to buy you new clothes, Diwali, Holi & Happy B'day!!), shopping, gifts, lights, crackers (I was always anti-cracker, not because I was scared but I was environment conscious... I guess!!!) and ofcourse tons of sweets. It was always a wait to see what the other person has brought you as gift; mostly sweets & snacks, but alway fun to get free gifts (remember.. that uncle gave such cheap sweet as gift, the other one brought such nice thing, lolzzz). Lots of cleaning was supposed to be done before Diwali which used to go on till last day. And then decorate it with all those fancy lights (now all cheap chinese lights, if they work they are best or your luck with chinese), shiny paper designers & all that crazy awesome stuff. Mom used to start preparing the best sweets (rasgullas & yummy gujhiya) & there was sleepless nights of such work for one night of fun & party. Ahhh... all that happens here is fake desi parties at most (like the one I went to @ Mantra in Boston, it was terrible without any real Indian music, sweets & the true spirit of Diwali). Well, all I can say is... Shubh Deepawali!!!

Happy B'day Dear Daddy!!

I wrote this poem for My Dad's B'day...

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Obama got Nobel Prize.... Really?? Seriously??

So... the news is that Mr Barrack Hussein Obama got the Nobel Prize for Peace (or watever). I mean... really?? seriously?? You know, I was kinda excited & happy when he became the President of USA, the 1st non-white (or African American) to be US President. Why was I happy?? I seriously have no idea. I mean... how does it affects me? I am not an American (not yet, lol!!), I am not of African descent, I am not even related to him in any way (except that I am non-white too or I would like to be a President too someday, that would be coooool!!). I had even added him on my myspace page, even before he became president. Even when I had no right to vote in USA, I was promoting him. I think we all have that humane side to us, the side of guilty conscious which makes us do many things we don't understand. I mean... it's always exciting to see an underdog go & win; to see a poor making money in a game show; or see a handicapped person dancing or competing in sports. I know... none of this is related to Obama because he was actually never unfortunate or anything I guess. But something different (or as they call it, historical) was happening & we were witness to that. & many of us appreciated it & liked it & enjoyed it!!

So finally he became president... & what has he done? 1st thing, how long has he been president? (wait, let me check wikipedia... yeah, less than 9 months). What could he do in such short time? Nothing significant I think. Well, I think he hasn't done anything significant anyways. Or maybe I missed something? Did he bring a lawful publicly elected government in Iraq or Afghanistan? Did he catch Obama & eliminated Terrorism? Did he resolve the international economic crisis & recession? Or did he discover life on another planet in universe? Whatever he did... I didn't hear any of it. Except lots of criticism on Daily Show & Colbert Report (yeah, that's where all my news comes from!!). But he has been awarded Nobel price for Peace (is it seriously PEACE or is it PIECE or PEES maybe). I am happy too... why?? Hmmm, it means that you really do not have to do much to get a nobel prize (which eventually increase my chances of winning a nobel prize so much!! Or else, the value of nobel prize would be so diminished that I wouldn't care about wining one!!).

However, I still do not hate Obama or anything. He's a fine guy who's done a good job to become what he has become and is (hopefully) working hard to do more good things & a great job. It's not easy being US president. You either end up caught weird relationships with your female staff or you end up bombing & invading other countries. He's still doing okay, isn't he? Ohh.. it hasn't been long enough to tell. Well, the Nobel committee thinks that he has done good enough to win a Nobel. Are you even listening?? But yeah, I do not hate Obama & wish him Good Luck. I really hope that he lives up to people's expectations & even crosses them and does a great job.

Anyways... I have not been writing for a LONG time (I know you were waiting, as always...lol!!). There is a lot to catch up & I'll try to put up old entries of my New York trip, visiting Ha Comedy Club and story of getting a Canadian visitor visa. Thanks for visiting and keep reading & enjoying (and commenting, c'mon people!!). This is RAHUL saying, Good Bye & Good Luck!!

Trip to Marlborough/Westborough... Hopkinton State Park

So, it was my first trip outside the city since I came here and it was to Marlborough (& it's not where Marlboro cigarettes are made or not even remotely connected). Why was I there? There was a summer party/picnic from my work there at Hopkinton State Park. Remember those amazing picnics we used to have with family/friends as kids; all the fun & excitement of food, play & fun. can't do that now I guess!! So, I went a day in advance to be ready for the event. I took the commuter rail to go there from South Station (Boston) & reached Westborough station on Friday. Commuter rails are pretty cool, they are double storied and I traveled on the top floor to get the experience (reminded me of the double-decker bus we used to have in New Delhi when i was a kid, they are not there any more. It was like a bus on top of the bus, without a driver!!). You can buy the ticket at the station or you can even buy inside the train when the TT comes (without any fine... but make sure you buy it & don't think of going WT i.e without ticket plz). The ride was nice & the view outside the train was fine too. I reached my destination in evening & stayed with my friend for the night.

Saturday was the 1st day of Navratri so after waking up in morning I thought of going to temple. There's a temple nearby in Ashland called Laxmi Temple. It is a south Indian Temple (yeah, south Indian temples are different from North Indian Temples. They had a temporary made up Durga for navratri!!). So, I went to the temple... It's quite large in a nice place & it was good. Then I went to the park. As usual, weather was fooling & faking it. Yeah, here in US it's normal... It's so damn sunny outside but you step out & its chilly cold. Same was the scene there, it was very windy & chilly outside (& inspite of facing it so many times, I got fooled again & I was wearing just a T-shirt & left my jacket at home. it always happens here). Luckily it was better later in noon with sun kicking the heat up. It's a huge park with fake beach (it's normal in US to make fake beaches in these lovely parks. I could understand in Kansas which was thousands miles away from real beach but why here??), lovely greenery & nice grounds. Friends & people (well, everyone is not a friend) showed up in some time & they started with a game of cricket (now you get a bunch of Indian guys in a ground even in US, all they want to do is play cricket). We tried to get some American folks too to play with us (why am I saying we, I never played. I don't play cricket, or any outdoor game much for the fact!!) & taught them cricket & how similar or different it is from baseball. Suddenly they decided to quit cricket as its not fun & play soccer (yes dear, in US the football is what is played with hand & also known as American Football. & what the world calls football is known as soccer only). After some gaming the time came for food & the grills were on. The food was good & there was lots of stuff to eat, I had samosa burger (just stuff samosa inside a bun, easy-breezy. make sure you use lots of ketchup or sauce too!!) for 1st time which was actually nice. Then time came to play some team game with everyone & they decided to play rumal-dupatta (you don't know rumal-dupatta, c'mon!!) and my team won (& I did play this time & I played well!!). We also did kayaking in the lake there & I did pretty well there too. Kayaking is fun, but it needs skill too & it's real full upper-body workout. Overall it was a nice day of fun at the park... meeting new people, hanging out, eating good food & having lots of fun.

Then we drove back home & rested. In the night we went to dunkin donuts for dinner... I asked for there special toffee donut they had on display but turns out they didn't have it. Then I took a low fat blueberry muffin (I am really into low/no fat/sugar food these days. however the muffin was coated with sugar!!) & the guy offered free donut with that. I like this thing about American service industry, they always try to make sure that customers are happy & will do anything needed for that. You can't do that in India, can you?? We know how to take advantage of everything, I know people taking advantage of the return policies here (would get into more details some other time but many of you know what I mean). The mufin was actually nice & donut was okay too, then I went off to bed for the day. That's all I got for today, I know that Cambridge Carnival blog is till pending & would be coming soon. Until then guys & galz & friendz & foes... bye, take care & Jai Ho!!!

I had SITUATIONS... Bathroom Overflow vs Metro Jam

Yeah... I had two situations within less than 24 hrs!! And by situation I mean BAD incidents, or atleast not good ones. Yesterday my bathroom sink got blocked somehow (none of my fault really, i seriously did nothing... NOTHING!!) & also the knob to control water inlet was not working, so water kept flowing & then overflowing. The bathroom was filled with water & I was just not able to do anything, I mean what are we supposed to do in such situations but to panic... So i just panicked. The first thought at such moments is, why me?? & why now?? (imagine what people affected with real floods or calamities think.... but at this hour this is the bigest calamity for you). I just threw some towels on the door to block the water from entering the room. (How smart is that?? or stupid?? Definitely smart if I did it) .And in bathroom floor, they didnt have a water-hole to let the water out. I mean, it's a bathroom so it could happen anytime, right!! The good thing of living in hotel is I called the housekeeping to take care of it, what would I have done if I was in an apartment or something to alone take care of it. I am glad I could get this housekeeping guy to help me, he came with his magic machine & cleaned the blockage (I was like.. yeah, if I had this then this would never have happened). Water was all spilled & even had wet some of the carpet (that's the bad part in this situation here in US, all's carpeted, in India it's just flor so that's ll you can wet except people sleeping on floor or babies playing on floor or...). Next day they put some blowers/dryers to dry it & it's fine now. But it was terrible yesterday & i was so pissed/scared/ or something like that......
And today... I came back from work & got ready to go to Isckcon Temple (yep, I am religious & spiritual guy & it has nothing to do with wednesady prasaadam i.e. free food!!). As usual I was planing to take the "T" (metro train is called T in Boston, what kinda stupid name is that). I went to the Kendal/MIT Metro station to take the Red Line towards downtown & there was a train standing there since last 10 mins & not moving. The whole metro is stopped & shutdown!! Thers was this guy cursing metro & US too, dunno why... & another guy was pissed that this guy was cursing US (well, many people in world do that, get used to it). It turns out that there was some incident at the South Station and all the trains have stopped. They asked us to move out & said a shuttle would come to take us, we waited 15-20 mins outside but nothing. How frustrating it is when you have made all your plans to be somewhere using the public transport and it suddenly jams, or a late flight/train... what to do? who to blame? At those hours, the poor employees or representative of the train/flight/bus who are somehow stuck there too, have to suffer the questions, anger & curses of public; even when it's not there fault. Anyways, I decided to come back home because it was very cold outside (yeah, it's already getting damn cold in Boston). So home sweet home was the rescue & I wrote this blog. One more blog has to come about my last sunday trip to Cambridge Carnival. Until then, bye & take care!!!

999...

That's the date today, sound's cool.. doesnt it... I always thought I'll do something special on these triple dates (& all special I do is I write this blog, this is special.. you know!!). We are the lucky ones who had chance to see 9 of these till now (starting form 1/1/1 & we still have three left). 999 means a lot of things if you know, click here. FYI... Nothing more to say now, so read my birthday blog here if you missed it..........

FYI: I went to this awesome restaurant called Border Cafe in Harvard Square. The best food I have had in Boston, & on of the best Mexican food. People were waiting outside but I managed to get a seat in just a min (I dont know how & why, I guess they knew I am super cool & awesome and a future celebrity.. you cant hide the truth!!) The server was very nice & she suggested me this black nice dish (can't tell teh name here) which was just AWESOME. Also I had food in Tanjore earlier & it was nice too, Indian food restaurant in Harvard Square. There sambar tasted better than many restaurnats in India & they had some really awesome dishes there too. Really... Harvard Square is a nice place as I had said & Border Cafe rocks!!

Men's RULES, Very IMPORTANT!!!

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Happy Birthday Dear Rahul!!!

Another birthday spent alone, really alone this time.... I didn't even get any Happy Birthday call except my family, my dear dad, mom & sis .You know how phone keeps ringing form 12 midnight on your birthday (if you don't know it, it means you are really alone dear). I don't understand why people are obsessed with calling at 12 midnight on birthday, most of us were not even born at 12 midnight, Or being the first to call (I a the one who cares about you most & first, or I have nothing better to do but to just call you). This was 3rd birthday in a row when I was away from my family, I should be getting used to it; & honestly it's not that bad. Birthday is just another day, just that it comes once in a year (like many other days, unless you are born on Feb 29th & it comes once in 4 year.. how cool is that, you turn 4, 8, 16, 20 & wow!!). What's so special about birthdays, nothing honestly. You just realise that you have lost another year of your life (or gained a year of experience to be optimistic/positive, knowledge & all that... but does it really happens?). Birthdays are overrated I guess... or you get to say that when yours are not that cooooooool, lol!!

What did I do?? I went to Mohegan Sun, the 2nd largest casino of the world (click here to know more). I took a Chinatown Bus for just $15 return ticket, with $15 food coupon & $20 to play a bet in casino. That's the best part of going to casino that bus fare is very cheap & you get complimentary stuff. Like the hotels in Vegas are so awesome but still cheap. All they want you to come there & stay there, then you spend all your money for them & they ENJOY (& you feel that you are enjoying!!). Chinatown buses are cheap anyways though, like from DC to New York it used to be $25 return ticket & from Boston its almost the same. & those guys drive like crazy (I got from DC to new York in 3 hours once, I was glad I reached alive), it may not be most awesome ride but for a short trip of 3-4 hours its really not bad. So, I took the night bus & reached there at 11 in night & at 12 midnight I was on the slot machine playing lucky 7. I don't really gamble so I just played a little for fun thinking I'll go out & do something later in the day. But there's nothing to do there, nothing at all!! It's not like Atlantic City (with beach & shows & so much else) & not at all Las Vegas ofcourse. I didn't sleep all night though, just wandering around, gambling, seeing places, falling asleep on couch. Honestly, the casino is not even that big... I must have walked the whole place 10 times (I alway smake over statements, called atishayokti alankaar in hindi). I did some shopping too (less than Vegas though, I was down by couple of thousands there), like chocolates & souvenirs. And also the buffet was just awesome, real good food. You know how you feel at buffets... You can eat as much as you want so you want to eat as much as you want. But wanting & being actually able is not the same. I could hardly pick up 25% of food available & gulp down just 50% of it (it's always like that in Buffets, eat some, throw some.. huh!!). I had more than 40-50 desserts & cakes in front of my eyes & i picked 5 somehow to be able to manage to finish just 3 of them. That was really awesome bu except that all you have is that one casino & nothing else. I wonder how good/bad Foxwoods would be (largest casino in world, click here).

Overall, it was not bad.. it was kinda fun!! I was damn tired by the time I came back with no sleep for 2 days & walking & eating & do whatever else I did. The pics are here... You are not allowed to take pics in casino though (specially playing area), I am told. I was caught by security taking pictures & they called there supervisor but she luckily let me go a I not super cute & awesome!!). I don't know what's the problem with taking pics. It's not like you take pics & you sell them or make more money bcoz you can remember how the machine looks. But a night at casino is never bad, on b'day too. Let's see how it goes next year... it's different every year now. Waiting for the awesome one, special one... or the one!! just...

Happy B'day to ME!!!!

It's my B'Day tomorrow....

Happy Janmashtmi... Happy Independence Day!!!!

Now yesterday was Janmashtmi, atleast for many of us it was. However, Iskcon in Boston celebrated it on 13th itself (where as Iskcon India did on 14th only) but I still went to the temple. My 1st visit to a temple in Boston & US this time was good. Do not expect this Iskcon to be huge & fancy like the ones you have seen in India, it's made in an apartment I guess. Doesn't even looks like a temple from outside except a small board. I went there and they had just started there evening aarti, a white guy was on harmonium & another white guy was playing dholak too... and they were singing some bhajan or something in weird American accent. I was surprised that they were not doing "om jai jagdeesh hare" but "hare krishna hare rama"; it really seemed boring initially. However in some time I got into groove & started enjoying it (except the american accent) and it felt nice. I am not a super religious, blindfaithed & highly conservative, strict Hindu fanatic guy but I love god... as I am sure those white guys did enjoy too (or they could be Hindu fanatics too, they seemed like it, the way they were dancing & all). It's nice to be at a temple or church or gurudwara or mosque too. I believe in god in all its forms and there message of love & peace, that's what all the religions say. & I love Sri Krishna... I mean he's one of the coolest gods... had so many gopis, was wicked & cunning when needed, was highly intelligent, smart & told about Gita (I am starting to read gita). And if you didn't know I was fasting yesterday for Janmashtmi, ain't am cool.......

Today's Independence Day... it's been 62 years since India got it's freedom from the hands of foreigners (to become free??? or to become captive to our own politicians, government, law, police & corruption too). But I still feel that those people did a great job & amazing work for all of us & our future generations. They sacrificed so much to give us all this & I am not sure if we are doing good enough... But some of us are trying or atleast want to try and as I always say, "We are the one's responsible for it, because we are the government, we are the politicians, we are the police, we are the law & we are the corruption... We the people of this country are the India and not the land & buildings or anything else. So we have to make the difference & we have to do it!!!". Anyways, 62 years is not a long time for a country so we can still be considered young (forgetting one of our oldest history & culture though), but we will do great.... we definitely will. But nothing happens in US, you cant even feel the festivals like Holi & Diwali so forget about Independence day. I remember it back in India & when we were in school it was col. The flag hosting in school & the sweets & ofcourse the holiday, lol!!

Rest is all okay. I have been busy so haven't got a chance to watch the other matches. I saw 'Love Aaaj Kal' & it was really cool... no I am lying; it was actually quite boring. The performances were okay or may be even good but the storyline sucked. And why did they have Saif playing that double role of sardar, why him again? He wasn't bad but what was the rationale in having a double role there? And what the hell was the whole story about, it kinda sucked. I had seen Transformer-2 too recently (i know I was late to see this one) & it was not too good either. Too techy & all animation with no story... just machines dancing around, even comedy was done by machine, babes were machine, WTF!! I am waiting to see "My Name's Khan" & District 9 too and maybe some other movies as well.

I also went to see Harvard University & MIT last weekend, it was nice. Harvard campus seemed very small for the huge name it has but was still nice to see it. I liked Harvard square & the places around though. MIT campus is huge & it is nice too (they have this huge beautiful cafeteria at center but the food sucks), its cool to have a campus next to river. Cambridge is a center of excellence in education, I should write a separate blog about my visit later. However, I am sure that all teh smart people are definitely not just in Harvard or MIT... see ME!!! (okay, maybe u too, lol)

More than enough for today. I gotta leave now. Till then... keep reading, commenting & enjoying. This is RAHUL saying Good Bye & Good Luck... Happy Independence Day & Jai Sri Krishna!!!!!

India vs USA... Women's Junior Hockey World Cup 2009

Most of you will not know, but there is Woman's Junior (under 21) Hockey World Cup 2009 going on in Boston (USA) these days; even I didn't know that. I went to my usual visits to MGH (Massachusetts General Hospital) this week & saw a young India girl sitting there in a sports dress which said Indian Hockey. It's always exciting to see Indians when you are living abroad, special when they don't seem to be ABCDs or the obnoxious types (trust me, many Indians become so obnoxious, mean & just crazy living in US... I guess we Indians love to hate other Indians). So just out of curiosity I asked her that what was she doing there; I thought they were here for some training or something form some school , but it turns out that she was here with Indian woman's hockey to play Junior World Cup 2009. I was surprised to know that there was a world cup happening in Boston/Cambridge & even India was playing in it. There are no hoardings or posters and not even any kind of promotion or advertisement around here for this. But anyways, the girls name was Vandana (from Lucknow) I& found out from her that one of there player Vaishali got injured in there match with Australia (they defeated them 3-2 & also defeated Belarus a day back with 6-0). Then I talked to there Physio Vikas & told them that I'll try to see there match with USA on Thursday (which was today).

I wasn't feeling very well today & had lot of work to do as well so was not sure if I'll be able to go or not. But I was able to wrap-up my work by 6.15pm & I decided to go & see the match (afterall India was playing yaar!!). The matches are being played in Harvard University grounds which is around half an hour away from my place (click here for directions) & I had asked few people but no one else seemed interested to go. It was my first time to Harvard (which is a very nice place & I really liked it) and I managed to reach the grounds. My only introduction with hockey before today was through Chak De India (many of you might know hockey stick as a weapon too though) & because of which I knew that the match is played for 70 mins (remember the motivational speech Shahrukh Khan gives to girl saying "sattar minute"). I was not actually even watching the match but just talking on phone initially. Then I started looking in the ground to identify the girl I met at MGH & maybe take some pictures too. The Indian team was trying to make a goal at that time & the ball was being dribbled amazingly between those hockey sticks by our Indian girls. I suddenly realized that it's not a movie & it's not sure that this will turn into a goal... & it did not. & I was so damn disappointed, really I was. And then I totally forgot about searching for that girl or taking any picture; I was so engrossed in the match. My heart was pounding & breath running as the ball was running on that field (I was literally gonna pass out I felt). I was one of the very few Indians there & the stadium was filled with all Americans cheering fro US team. But I didn't feel lonely, I felt proud.

In the break (there are 2 rounds of 35 mins each) I saw few more Indians there but it really wasn't enough. No cheering, no banners... nothing. We need to do better for our country & our girls. In the first round India was down by 2-1 & after the second round we lost the match by 4-2. I was not really disappointed though, it was nice to see India playing (and we are already into the next round by wining 2 matches) also there was lots of foul play & cheating by the umpires (they didn't give us 2 penalty corners & turned one goal into a foul). It was really sad to see see our Indian girls who looked so malnourished though, US girls looked like body bulders. We need to take care of there fitness, but they still are doing a great job. I met the coach Mr MK Kaushik & he said to me, "sorry, we disappointed you. we couldn't win this. But we will do it in next time & further". I was really touched, really!! I congratulated him on the earlier wins & told him that I am waiting to see them in finals & then winning the world cup too. I also told him that I'll try to bring more friends & fans next time. The next match is on Saturday with England & I'll try to go. You tan check the whole schedule by clicking here. I really hope there are more Indians cheering for our team next time onwards. I know that hockey even being a national sport is not much in India; & on top of its woman's team. I read in an article that when this same team won Challenger's cup, only one of our top 5 newspapers even cared to report it. We really need to recognise the great talent in our country in each & every field & give them due respect. Anyways, leaving the politics apart I really hope that India wins this or atleast performs great & we have a good turnout from us Indians. BTW, you know which song was being played when India made a goal.... ofcourse "Chak de India".

As for rest of stuff, all's okay. My back pain is improving & I am getting better. haven't been out in Boston much yet but I do not have many great things to say about Boston yet. I'll try to keep you posted with the world cup updates & my life too. Till then... keep reading, commenting & enjoying. This is RAHUL saying Good Bye & Good Luck... JAI HO!!!!!

10 days in Boston...

So I haven't written for quite long & many of you must have been waiting (or my be happy that I am shut up!!). I have been in Boston for 10 days & it has been good & bad. I have been in pain ofcourse because of my back injury & have visited doctors @ MGH twice. They tell me I have no fractures & I'll get better, but will take some time to heal totally. The Percocet I got last time was weird though, made me sicker so I am off it & on to strong dose of Ibuprofen & Cyclobenzaprine. Then medicines keep me dizzy/drowsy but the pain is improving. I hate medicines & I really hope I get fine soon.

I am staying in http://www.marriott.com/BOSCM here which are really nice, way better than those Extended Stays of Virginia or Kansas. They have large LCD TV with cable, full fledged kitchen with all amenities & utilities, attached bathroom, full furnisihing & everything, No need to worry about housekeeping, cleaning or even paying bills. Also they have daily nice American breakfast (bread, scrambled eggs, juice, oatmeal, bagels, donuts etc) & evening snacks (brownies, Doritos, salad, cookies, soda etc) too. I am liking it!! The hotel is close to Kendall Metro station of MBTA which we use for daily commuting to office & usual traveling. We don't get to rent cars here because we don't need it because of metro & parking is very expensive everywhere in Boston. And yeah, Boston is damn expensive man. The cigarettes cost here $10 a pack (& that doesn't says I smoke, i might have just found out)!!

So, on monday I went to my new WMC office (Wellington) dressed in full business formals. I bought 2 business suits before coming here just for this, one dark blue & other dark gray. I was wearing a tie for 1st time after school & it feels weird. I really don't understand who came up with this idea of wearing a long flat ropey clothe in neck which has to be tied in a particular fashion only. I haven't been able to learn to tie a tie still, my dad used to do it for me when I was in school & he did it again for me. He has tied the 3 ties I have got & I am wearing just those; not sure how will I manage once they are untied. Haven't worn a tie & business suit ever in my professional career of 4-5 years but they do look good. The office is okay too & I am getting adjusted...

I was feeling better this weekend so did some things. I went to a club called Middlesex near hotel in Cambridge area, it wasn't too good. Had to wait almost an hour to get in as I went around 12 & it was damn crowded & boring. Ofcourse I couldn't dance or drink as I am on medication (& that doesn't means I drink or I would have drunk if I was not on medication). Then today I went to Revere Beach too. It's not far & you could just take metro to get there. The beach kinda stinks but I like the sound of water & ocean. There were a lot of people there too & nice sand caricatures etc.

Anyways, its too much for today i guess. Please read out my previous 2 blogs about my travel to Boston from Delhi & the visit to Emergency Room in Boston. I would sign off for now & will try to come back soon. Till then... keep reading, commenting & enjoying. This is RAHUL saying Good Bye & Good Luck... JAI HO!!!!!

Emergency Room @ MGH... 1st thing I see in Boston!!!!

On 15th the day when I had to travel to India that night, I slipped down the wet stairs at my home. It started drizzling in the morning just to make me slip I guess, it stopped after that. I really hurt my back & was so scared that what may have happened. I took some medication & still decided to travel & managed to do so. But the pain was terrible!! I couldn't even rest in hotel or sit or stand, just nothing. I really couldn't take it anymore so decided to see the doctor.

Turns out the only option I had was to visit the Emergency Room @ Massachusetts General Hospital here. I went there & the doctors were good. American Emergency Room aren't that scary or ugly, actually the people didn't really seem much in emergency care need, but who knows. I got X-ray done & turns out there were no fractures which is great. But I got a shot & Percocet medication for pain. The pain is still bad & I ma not sure how will it turn out. But I have visited one of America's best hospital & doctors so hopefully I should be fine. Good Luck to me!!!!

I have reached US...

Hi America!!

Kal aa raha hai... Main jaa raha hun!!

That means "Tomorrow is coming, I am going" and that's right (I know the title was very cliche). I have my flight to Boston on July 16th at 12.40 am (i.e. Wednesday late midnight) by Air France (with a 7 hrs layover at Paris). I have heard they don't give you a transit visa there or let you go out of the Paris Airport (that's going to really boring unless I find some good company, i guess you know what I mean.. lol). At Singapore Airport, you can actually get a transit visa there itself if your layover is more than 4 hours; they even have bus tours there (which I couldnt use in my visit because I was there at night). Lets see how Air France & Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is (Why do they have to give such weird & non-memorable names for these International Airports? Just the City Name is not good enough??)... Preparations are full on, tons of shopping including clothes (I even bought formal suits as they are mandatory I have been told. & I dont know how to 'tie a tie') & groceries (i know cooking so I am supposed to buy full kitchen ration) for the foreign trip. Its really an ordeal to pack & on top of that, this shopping for/before packing. Trust me I am no good at packing (my reasons will ocnvince you & peopel who know me have seen how pathetic I am), on the other hand my Dad is an expert (I think because of Defence Services, they make you move & pack a lot!!); so he still takes care of all my packing when I am going outside India. At other places the pain is mine, but I have always got great help from my friends till now (but I still paid almost $200 while coming back to Inda because of my extra luggage)... Thanks Dad & Friends too!!

I am lil excited & lil tensed too, leaving home is never so easy. My parents, my sis, my friends & a lot of my people are here and they are already concerned for me & missing me (specallly my mom, I know she just loves me & get sreally upset over this). But you have to move as life moves, and world has anyways become a small place now. Daily chatting including voice & video (I use both skype & yahoo), occasional visits and it all seems just one place (my mom who didnt even used to touch computer has become an internet & chatting expert, even better than my dad & sis at times!!). Ofcourse the company of your people around you is special on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals etc & I do miss that too (remember I spent my 25th b'day alone). But a different experience for something better I would say. I am hoping things turn out just great & amazing, please hope & pray the same for me. Amen & Thanks a lot everyone... Goodbye India!!!!