Finally I am bouncing back to scribing again...
Wow, there is so much to share, so many thoughts, experiences to fathom...I just need to figure out a way to start. If you still did not gather what I am talking about, its about our move from the beloved North East to the exciting South. As most of my friends and family know, we have moved from NJ to Austin TX.
I was in the comfort zone that I have basked in for the past 9 years when I was in NJ, I finally had to muster the energy and enthu to get out of it and make a move. For those who don't realize what it takes, for some, moving from one place to another is a piece of cake. Usually they just go with the flow. But, for people like me, who are quite very well noted for their inertia, it could take a lot and quite an ordeal.
The last time I did a major move, I was a student turning into a professional, living out of 2 suitcases. All I pretty much had was my music collection, clothes, and few books....this time around I had a deluge of things, a family and about 3000 days worth of very fond remembrances that I need to take along with me.
We lived in NJ, and what many don't realize is, its a lifetime experience by itself. Living under the shadow of the greatest City in the world, professionals in NJ have two things that keep them going every day, every morning. First, they always can look towards the Big Apple, when it comes to opportunities. That could be either to raise their income level, or to boost their morale. Second, NJ itself has a diverse range of jobs and opportunities, where people take pride in being different from NYC. For that intellectual, who lives in NJ, it usually is that subtle balance of juggling between the both.
That was just the perspective of jobs and opportunities. There is a whole different facade of cultural attraction that NJ has to offer. Of course, its a very well known fact that NJ accommodates the most dense population of Desi folklore. For the disconnected average reader, Desi(s) are the first and X Generation Indian/South Asian people. Apart from the Desi Junta, you will encounter a rich Russian and Italian population too. Of course every metro area imbibes people from all cultures and backgrounds, but these stand out for sure.
When we mix in all these ingridients that NJ has to offer, viz., Proximity to the magic lamp called NYC, A flying carpet of cultural heritages from people all around the world, The average Alladin can really go places and have a grand gala time !
What it really takes for someone to let go of these and make a choice to be elsewhere....hmm....a messed up economy, a corrupt political system, A self-annihilating and ever deteriorating cost of living, and a real-estate debacle.
Our biggest trade off when we moved out was, our social life. It goes without saying that we are missing KalyanK, PavanG, SureshC, PrashantPP, PrashantP, PrashanthL, SriniB, RajeevD, SasikM, RaviB, Chicka and many more. We had a lot more, and I am not even kidding, but this gang - a fun and enterprising bunch, along with their better halves, cousins and kids are the multi colored pieces of glass that completed our Kaleidoscope of social life in the past few years. We surely miss you all !
One thing I must confess, As the Quote goes..."Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker". Being in the NJ/NY area, one cant help but inculcate the true sophistication of the lifestyle, which we usually take it for granted when you are there. One will start to see the difference only once you get out of it.
