Love knows no boundaries

Hello dear friends! I think I should be awarded "The laziest blogger of the world" seeing how I manage to write mostly one blog per year. While I hate not updating my blog more often I guess I'll just let you all believe that I am very busy and hence can't find enough time to sit and write. Which is partly true. A lot has been happening at my end and I am not sure if its for good or bad but I am going along with the flow.

I moved to India last August and started living with my family again. Which by the way is good and bad. Good because I don't have to worry about running household errands like cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. And bad because now I have to live like a real human being! Other than that I also have a full time job here which keep me very busy and highly motivated all the time. Oh! and did I mention also highly entertained! I have been blessed to always work with fantastic people so far and I hope it continues. But amidst all the action going on, I really, truly miss New York. I miss my friends obviously, the life style, the food, but most importantly I miss the city itself. It's strange how one can fall in love with a city but I bet you if you are from New York or have ever lived there or even visited you will know what exactly I mean. The city has some vibrance and exuberance that no other city shows or well at least I haven't yet seen anywhere else (and I have traveled quite a bit.) I miss walking past Times Square, I miss walking past the bakery shops in Astoria, I miss Sunday brunch with my buddies, I miss going out and eating Korean food and walking around NYU, I miss hanging out with Miss. Woo, and most of all I miss my "my time." You know like sitting in a park and having lunch or reading a book, or just going for a run or just walking home from the subway every night after work. Now I know a lot of you might feel "big deal, you can do all this in India!" and my answer to you is yes I can, but I am not going to let you decide how and what I feel about missing a place I have called home! ;)

My other biggest challenge has been to cope with the change. Too much goes on within you when you move, you are leaving behind an entire life you have lived, the people, the place, the food, the work, it is difficult to say bye to all of it and walk a ahead. It is especially difficult when you are leaving behind the people you love, people who have become and integral part of your life. I have met the most wonderful people in New York who became my own little family there and the youngest member of my family is my friend SSR's dear daughter. When I was leaving she was 2 and a 1/2 years old and I was super worried that this child is soon going to forget me. It's strange how we feel about people, especially children in our life. Before leaving I had told SSR that I am going to feel extremely sad if her daughter forgot me after I was gone but SSR promised that she will not let that happen. (While her assurance comforted me I wasn't totally convinced that it would be possible. Like come on even adults forget people they don't see very often then how was I expecting a little child to remember someone she wasn't going to see at all for I don't know how long!

A year and a couple months have gone by since I came back and I am surprised each time I talk with my little angel. Not only does she remember me she also gives me the world's best "Hi." Just speaking with her makes me smile for days together. This little 3 and 1/2 year old has taught me that love knows no boundaries. You don't have to talk to the person you love everyday, neither do you have to meet that person often. When there is true love it just keeps the two people connected, you know that this person has touched your heart in a way that no one else can. It's funny to me how as we grow up we forget the true meaning of love, we forget that love is effortless and without expectations. Suddenly as we grow up love becomes this big larger than life thing where we feel pressured to do things and to keep the opposite person happy, and blah blah blah.

I am glad that from my love for New York city and my little darling I am reminded each day that if I want to love it has be like a child's love. A child's love for a toy, or a friend or for his/her parents or grandparents. Love cannot know boundaries, love cannot know practicality or convenience, you cannot think and love because when you love someone you simply, effortlessly do it. When you love you don't have to be with the person all the time, all you need to do is keep that warmth in you and know that come what may this person loves me unconditionally and without expectations.

I don't know when I will go back to New York or when I will see my little daring again, but I know that whenever that will happen a lot of things would be changed including me. However, I am assured that the special bond I share with New York and my little buddy will always be special and a reminder that being insecure leads us nowhere. Fond memories will always stay with me and make me smile.

Before I say bye, I want all my friends in New York to know that each one of you has touched my life in a very special way and even if we haven't spoken in a while now I do think of you and am greatful for all the time we spent together.

Hoping to see you all soon.

Love,
Subastar

Fan Club?

Hi friends!I apologize for not blogging in a really long time. Its not that I haven't had any adventures in all these months, I have just been super lazy! And this should come as no surprise to those of you who know me :) But I promise you, from now on I will be more regular. I cannot keep all these stories to myself.

So before I start lets just go back in time a little bit. This is back in the day when I lived in horrible New Jersey. I was waiting at the Port Authority bus stop with a friend waiting to get on the bus to go home. The bus was late and for those of you who have taken the bus from Port Authority know that it is not new. We were about fifth or so in the line and soon there were about a million people behind us, all waiting for the bus. Suddenly a decent looking gentleman walks up to us

( Slightly paraphrased)

Man: Hey guys, sorry to bother you but I am an artist and here is my business card. It would be great if you can take a look at my website.

My friend and I exchanged looks and this guy obviously saw it.

Man: No, I am not selling any thing. I just want you to take a look at my website. Trust me I am not selling anything even on the website.

Well fair enough, we take the card and he leaves us alone and we get back to our conversation. The bus was about 15 mins late by now and it was making me very very angry. And guess what the "decent" looking gentleman come back.

Man: Hey, sorry to bother you guys again.

My friend and I: Please be!

Man: Actually I am a photographer. I go around the city and country and take pictures. I post these on my website, I will really appreciate if you can go and take a look at my work.

My friend and I : Oohkaay! Sure.

Man walks away.

Wow that was weird. But never mind New York city is full of weird people. We return to our conversation that was interrupted twice.

Its been about 25 minutes and no one knows where the bus is. NO ONE!

Now this "decent" man come to us for the third time. My friend and I were ready to punch him in the nuts this time!

Man: I am so sorry guys, actually this might sound really weird but, (pointing towards me) I think I have pictures of you on my website.

My friend and I are shocked!

Man: (continues) Last spring I was waiting for the bus to come into the city from Secaucus and well the bus was late as always. But then I saw you with a friend. (By which he meant Silks. She was visiting Di and me end of spring/ start of summer.) You were wearing a black top, black checks skirt and you had straight hair. We also rode the same bus that evening. I actually, took some pictures of you and have been looking for you since then. If you can please go home and take a look at those pictures and identify yourself I would really appreciate it. I also have my myspace and facebook pages linked to my website, so you can take a look at those too. My email and phone number are on my business card please call me if that is you. I would love to work with you professionally!! (What the hell does that mean?!)

Before I could say anything the bus finally arrived, we found a place close to the driver and sat down still in shock. Then my friend goes, " WOW, fan club!" We laughed and laughed and were pretty sure that this guy is some random person with free time and a camera who takes ugly pictures of people and puts them up on his website.

We deiced to get off one stop before my usual stop. We got to my apartment, turned on the laptop and typed in the web address. The website came up and I see a very bad side profile of me in the background. Never mind I said to my self lets find the picture in question here. So I look through all the folders/ links on the website and finally to my shock I find the worst picture of me ever taken under a folder titled "People I know." And if this was not enough there were three web links especially for me with about 3 or 4 pictures of me that he had taken. All weirdly cropped, some placed in a cathedral, some around the Brooklyn bridge. The link were called - She is the night, She is the dark of night and She owns the night!

Wait, wait, that's not it. He had posted those weird cropped pictures of me on his facebook and to top everything one could do, he actually had a slide show of those pictures running on his myspace page with a "beautiful" poem for me!

I was speechless! This is by far the creepiest thing happened to me ever! I immediately made an email account and sent him an email saying I appreciated his pictures but he should take them of his web pages asap and never put them up again. He gladly accepted my request and unfortunately none of you will ever be able to see those pics! However here is something I would like to leave you guys with...

Later folks,

Love

Subastar

In Pursuit of a Free TV

Just recently I had a farewell party for Bags and Niks at my apartment. Since I was in the city anyway we decided to take the bus ride from NYC to NJ together. So Bags, Niks, Kotka and I hopped on the 129.

It was a beautiful evening and hence we decided to get down one stop before my actual stop. We had just walked a few steps ahead when my eyes fell on a HUGE Panasonic TELEVISION!!! Now if you have a TV which is about 15 inches if you measure generously you can imagine my happiness!!

The task was difficult but determination was strong!

Bags, Niks and I figured out a plan to take the TV home and decided to start with baby steps. We lifted the TV; Bags was at the back and Niks at the front. I was holding the cords. Kotka decided to be the cheer leader! (Girls you know!!)

We had just walked about 10 steps when we realized that I might never be able to get the TV home because it weighed about 5 times more than all four of us together. We stood on the sidewalk debating if it was even worth the trouble to take the TV. We were not sure if it is going to work. BUT, like we say in Hindi, "uumeed pe duniyan kaayam hai!"

Just then, a gentleman who was watering his plants saw us struggling and decided to give us his trolley. We loaded the giant TV on it and started with baby steps again. And, by we, I mean Bags, Niks and I... oh Kotka was still the "cheer leader." It was not so easy even now. There were moments when we were tempted to let go. We spoke of the pros and cons of having a big TV. But then I really wanted to give it a try and my friends willingly agreed. I mean not really willingly!

We finally reached the condo after about 20 minutes.

The main challenge was about to begin. Now if you have ever brought such a huge thing to your apartment or someone else’s you know what I mean. The STAIRS!!!!!! Just as we were deciding what would be the best strategy to take that giant to the second floor, my Mom looked out of the window and flipped out!!!!!! Oh yes, Maa was visiting me for my graduation ceremony.

She almost did not know how to react. It is a cultural difference. In India one would never ever bring something that they find on the roadside home. Seriously NEVER! And a TV! You gota be kidding me! You need something; you go to the store and buy it. Simple as it is.

Now, I had no time to explain it to Maa that it is acceptable in America to do this. People usually leave stuff that they do not want outside their house and if someone passing by wants it, they are free to take it! (Only make sure, that someone has really left out stuff that they don't need)

Kotka went upstairs and explained to Maa what was going on. Not that it helped! Bags, Niks and I tried a couple tricks and decided that the two men would complete the task of bringing the giant up the stairs. In the mean time Maa and I made place on the TV table, Maa still not able to digest what her daughter was doing!

Finally, the TV was in my apartment. I plugged it and prayed for a couple minutes before turning it on. OMG! Guess what? It worked!!! Hooray!!!!

It was Victory!!!!

But, wait. Not for too long. After about 10 days the TV died. Turns out that the TV tube was broken and this TV would never work again.

So, I am now back to my little, sweet 15 inch idiot box!

Welcome to New York Suba!

Day 1: New York City.

I had to attend the International Students orientation so Di and jiju planned it. Jjiju took the responsibility of being my guardian for the day. He googled and found out the best way to get to NYU from Stamford; take the MTA from Stamford to Grand Central. From Grand Central take the 6 subway Downtown to Bleecker Street and then walk a couple blocks to NYU’s Kimmel Center.

Grand Central Station!

Bleecker Street Station-My favourite ;)

Kimmel Center NYU

Well so now you are thinking; how difficult could that be! Right?

Guess what, you are right! It was not difficult at all.
As planned, we reached safely and I attended my orientation. After the orientation, I drailed along with some Indians I met there to get my NYU Id Card and to submit health documents at NYU's Health Center. They were walking like experts and I felt everything around me looked the same.It was as if I had spent million hours walking. I could not tell one building from the other.


Before leaving Jiju asked if I wanted him to stay back and take me home after the orientation. I was over confident and a little considerate, I felt it was not right to bother him from 7 in the morning to almost 5 in the evening, so I decided to find my way home.

The day was long, crazy and freezing! At about 7 PM I started from Kimmel Center to find my way to the 6 uptown train from bleecker street. It was mid January. It gets dark by almost 4 or 5 in the evening. I had never before in my life walked so much in a day. I was tired as I woke up early which was a very unusual phenomena. To add it up I was hungry and could not find a place to eat. Rather I did not know of a place where I could eat.

My only goal was to reach home. But before that I had to get to Bleeker Street Staion to get to Grand Central.

Now, all I could remember from what Jiju had told me was take a train from the same street station to get to Grand Central. I trusted my memory way too much, and did not write the directions!

So I tried to look around and started walking in some direction that I thought was right. I kept walking around, without a map! I walked for about 15 minutes and realised that I should be asking someone the direction.

I stoped by the Bursars Office and asked them how to get to bleeker street station. The security guy was kind enough to help but by the time I started walking again, I lost my way.

I was really frustrated and asked almost every person on the street but I was not asking the right thing. I was suppose to ask them "how do I get to the uptown 6 train station on Bleeker Street." One gentelman looked at me with a "leave me alone you homeless girl!" look. Another lady very kindly told me she did not understand what I was saying. Come'on now give me a break, its my first day in NYC I do not have an American accent.

I was tired, cold, lost and yeah I also did not have a cell phone!! There was no way I could call Di because I did not know how to use the pay phones.This is when I though how over confident I have always been about my road sense and I wish I had asked jiju to stay back. Finally when I was almost on the verge of crying and giving it up, I thought I could make one last try. I saw a young Indian gentleman(atleast he looked like one). I ran towards him and told him I was lost and needed help. I explained to him that I needed get to bleeker street station to go to Grand Central. He was a very very kind and handsome man ;) he walked me to the Uptown 6 train on bleeker street.

I got off at 42snd street Grand central and the rest of my journey was uneventful.

Horray!!! I finally reached home and almost was in tears on seeing Di and Jiju.
I was kinda amazed that I made it home safe!!!
Well but I did learn my lesson, I do not brag about my road sense after that day because in those two months I was almost lost everyday and the bleeker street station was the most dreadful part of my travel to school.

This is how far I was !!

Traveling East to West!!

After a crazy 24-hour flight from Bombay to Delhi to Brussels to New York, I was tired, jetlagged, and sick. Well yeah, I fell sick on the flight and that is actually how all the adventure begun. I was traveling Jet A and thanks to Gulaboo everything was taken care of. She is my best resource for airlines! Anyways, I fell sick on the flight and when I reached JFK Airport New York, they got me a wheel chair, as I was very very weak. The first aid guy started talking to me and told me that they were going to take me to the hospital, call the police and when I feel better and all the formalities are over I would be able to get my customs clearance and then go where ever I am suppose to. You will not believe it. In no time, I felt absolutely fine. I jumped out of the wheel chair and told him that I was feeling much better and did not need a doctor. Yeah I was lying, I was still feeling miserable, but after hearing hospital and police, I thought it was a great idea to feel better and go straight to Stamford Connecticut where I was going to be living with Di and Jiju until I would find my housing.

I asked this gentleman, to help me with my bags as I had three giant-sized bags and a hand bag! He let go of me because I really insisted and showed of some awesome acting skills. I struggled to drag myself to the customs area and while waiting on that line for about an hour, I was praying that I should not pass out because if I did I was scared they would not let me enter the country.

Finally, they checked my visa and passport and everything was in place. Now the next task was to get to Di’s house. I headed straight to the Ground Transportation desk told them where I wanted to go and after about 20 minutes a shuttle arrived which took me straight to Di’s apartment. I got there and Jiju helped me get my luggage home.

Yeah all this was my luggage!

I was so tired and sick that I could barely stand. I got changed and went off to sleep. I woke up next morning, I met Di that evening, as she was at work the day I got there, and by the time I woke up she was at work again! (Busy Lady)

Yeah, Di and Jiju

Irrespective of this tragic start, my spirit did not dampened and I was all set to make a new beginning in New York and at New York University!

The Saga begins

Its been ten months and a little over since I came to New York. A lot changed in these months, all mostly for good! I have had many adventures here and I could almost write a book on my life, but, I feel its a better idea to start with a blog. So, I will do my best to keep posting my adventures in NYC!
I hope you enjoy reading them.

I thank my friend Rev for being my inspiration to write again, and my boss Bob for the name Subs!