What's making me happy right now...

Giving a shortcut route to the driver. 30 degrees everyday! Sitting at Flora Fountain on the phone with Amy and it feeling completely normal. Knowing that THIS is where I'm meant to be. iTunes TV show library. Skype (with video). Having two favorite flats to choose from. Realizing that Bombay boys are pretty cute. Making a plan. Finally sleeping through the night. Magnet Hypermarket. Notes from friends from home. Refering to NY as home.

Settling in

Sundays in Bandra are perfect. Half the shops are closed, the street aren't full, less honking, no screaming, just being. Except for Linking Road, it's still chaos, but that is to be expected.

I moved to Bandra yesterday afternoon. Went for lunch, went and bought sheets and towels, milk and toilet paper. The latter two all by myself. I still feel a sense of pride each time I do something on my own here, get in an auto and get out at the right place, buy something from a small shop, order take away, just about anything.

I'm alot less uptight in Bombay. I don't know why or how. Maybe its because I accept that I have little control over my environment and allow myself to just live. Maybe because its all still new and the uptightness will grow over time. I hope not, I like this version of Asha

Final Countdown

Last night on the skype webcam with Mom and Dad.

Mom: "So I'm going to be 59 this year and I think that it would be great if you can get married before I turn 60"
Me: "Mom" (said strongly)
Mom: "But I'm getting old, I should be a grandmother by now"
Me: "Talk to your son about that" (said jokingly)
Mom: "Why not! It takes time for these things to happen and you insist on finding someone on your own, so it'll take longer. If you were doing arranged it would be quicker"
Me: "Mo-om" (said even more strongly)
Me: "Daddy! Mom is saying she wants me to get married before she turns 60, talk to her" (said loudly so that dad will hear me from the other room)
Dad: "You're a grown up now, you can make your own decisions"
Me: "I love you Daddy!" (said lovingly)
Mom: "I just want to be able to dance at your wedding, I should be able to be happy at your wedding and not be too old"
Me: "I promise you'll be happy whenever it happens, but before you are 60 means this summer, its not going to happen" (said honestly)
Dad: "Just try and get married before I turn 70, ok beta?"
Me: "Ok Daddy, I'll try" (said resignedly)

The countdown has started, I have 4 years.

I'm here

Everytime I arrive in India it feels less chaotic. This time I there was no whiff of Bombay air when I exited the airport. I don't stare out the window from the taxi anymore. I'm just here. I wish I could share this with the people back home just for a day, just so they can really understand how similar my life here is (will be) to my other lives.

I'm looking forward to being part of a community here, making friends and living life. I'm even now looking forward to starting again, once again reinventing myself into whoever I want to be. Even if its all just temporary.

One thing I know is that I love Bombay, its magic still entrances me. Now I just need to stop being so scared everytime I get in an auto.

I move into my temporary flat on Thursday, then I'll really be here.

Tally = 7

Q: What country Ma'am?
A: USA (or Canada, depending on my mood)

Q: But your face, it looks Indian (gestures to the face)
A: (smiles) My grandparents were from India

Q: Oh okay very nice (smiles and nods head)
A: (smiles some more)

I have repeated this same conversation with drivers, housekeeping, room service, waiters, the mobile phone store employees, front desk staff and more.

So far its happened 7 times. My money is on having this conversation 300 times this year. I'll keep y'all posted.

Thank you Candice

Found a card with these words written inside. Its 5 years later but the message is what I needed to hear today.

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime
(repeat)