America - this is you!

Being an out and out Chennai girl right from the time of birth, this life gives in a lot many new and remarkable experiences. Here, I begin to share my stint in America.

Atlanta is the name. The state of Georgia now (temporarily) replaces Tamil Nadu. Watching the beautiful city of Chennai from the skies, my journey to the west began.

With my hand baggage, I moved towards the waiting area saying goodbye to my people in Chennai. Waiting for 'Emirates' to flash on the screens I was sitting there watching people walk around. I realised the disadvantage of not being a bookaholic. My first travel across countries began in a couple of hours. Well I wouldn't say I felt bored, though I did not have a travel companion. Two movies, lot of disturbed sleep, food in between and plenty of fruit juices filled in my journey.

The Emirates airship brought me to Dubai international airport(a huuu....gge one) in no time. Killing one odd hour watching the airport crew, I boarded my flight to New York. Emirates again! And it took off!!! I remember viewing the email forwarded pictures of the 'Palm Jumeirah' in Dubai, long time back. I got myself a direct view of the same now.

Back with the view of white clouds. Nothing much to peep through the window. Never thought I would watch Academy award winning movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' on the clouds. Though I was not much interested in the movie, I kept wondering what made it at the Oscars. The journey between Dubai and New York being the longest, made me feel tiring about 'flight travels'. There was no proper sleep for me as the toddlers around kept weeping, their mommy's were fast asleep. Well, if me myself could not manage sitting idle for hours in the flight; imagine those tiny ones.

After a few hours here it comes. The view of United States of America, from the airbus. As a child I used to dream about this country. And now I am here! New York's John F Kennedy airport, though did not attract me as the one at Dubai, was my first place of landing in the USA. Having a Cappuccino, I made a couple of new friends(Indians from Tamil Nadu) who surprisingly had travelled with me for more than 20 hrs without my knowledge. And all of us, young women headed towards our flight to Atlanta. Well, my stay in New York was just for an hour; leaving behind a remarkable memory.

Boarded the Delta flight to Atlanta. This one took off 2 hours later than the regular schedule due to traffic on the runway. And I kept watching each flight take off, waiting for mine to take its turn. There were around 25 to 30 flights before mine. Someone next to me said, "Well, this is New York!"

Watching the New York city in the dark, I started thinking about my loved one who is waiting for me to arrive. Within an hour, I was in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport. There he was, with a red rose in his hand. The hug I missed for a few days welcomed me to this LAND OF THE FREE...

Status change!!!

In the third decade of my life, an all new phase has begun. Missing my 'Miss' status from the moment I said 'Yes, I do.....', I became his lawful wife. Knowing him for nearly half a decade, I did not have the feel of an 'all new' environment during the start. The 'Shift' from one home to the other left behind tears of joy as well as sorrow in the respective homes. Of course, this is the story of every girl in this planet!

The dear ones with whom I was with, right from the time of my birth, are now far far away from me. The tradition says, they belong to my secondary home from now on. And my primary home now includes my husband and my parents-in-law. Luckily or unluckily I don't hold a sister-in-law status for anyone!

Kitchen used to be a forbidden area before marriage. Now it is the laboratory for me to practice and experiment, though there are no viva-voce or practical examinations. My husband now is a rat( or should I say cat) here, on whom I experiment my inventions on. Poor fellow, never disheartens me!

Right or wrong, funny or not-so-funny, I have to keep smiling all the time; in my new home; especially when the brothers and sisters of my parents-in-law crack jokes (they call it a joke)! My facial expressions include a smiley curve all-time, at least for the first few months; as they call us 'newly wed'. And of course, now I don't know what 'anger' means. Once upon a time my mother used to be the victim of my anger. I miss being with my mom!

No more bed-coffees; no more late-evening bath on Sundays; no more depending on mom for fish-curry, or rather no more fish-curry at home. Before marriage, mom hardly praises me, she was my queen of criticisms. Now she hardly scolds me, though I miss being her victim. I see a lot of fear in her eyes - worrying every minute for her daughter's well-being.

I am one of the lucky daughters-in-law around the world, for whom breakfast gets ready even before waking up. Searching for wood to touch...