In Google we trust

I have always been well known for my sense of direction....rather the lack thereof. Despite having lived in a couple of cities for more than 5 years, I still have no idea of their shape, which part lies north/south relative to the city center etc etc. The only way I have ever learnt how to go from place A to B is by making the journey on my own....generally on my two wheeler ( while I was in India that is...sigh). I'd get to know a route and stick to it like fevicol....never ever exploring places I didn't know and didn't absolutely have to go to. I can boast that I almost never get lost....but it comes at the cost of almost never having explored a  new place just for the heck of it.

Its not the greatest way to be, now that I'm in a new country sans my two wheeler and not many people to show me around. Whether it be for business or pleasure, necessity has me walking the length of the city alone, trying to find my destination. In all this, I've discovered a new best friend..... Introducing google maps!!!

Now I know, this is hardly a new concept... Using maps to get across a city. I've used it plenty of times even in India. But the true power of this app really comes through here. Right from the bus timings, alternative routes, and the directions for walking. I can plan my trip from my doorstep to the destination with absolute certainty. Every building, every subway mapped out in the finest detail so I know exactly where I am!!

Today was one of my first forays to Boston. On my own, to a city I've never been to, to see a show I dont know anybody at, with hours to spend and no clue what Boston has to offer!! Ordinarily, that would've been reason enough for me to put off going! But thanks to my new best friend, I managed to spend a very pleasant 5hours in the city with an air of confidence the whole time. Its allowed me to redefine my limits....knowing that I need not depend on anyone else to help me discover a new place. Of course, there is no denying that having company would be awesome. But not having company isn't the end of the world either. Its brought a nice sense of peace to my solitude....because I know I'm no longer trapped by it. So I guess I owe thanks to google for giving me another best friend.....ME!!! :)

While I'm in between....

Well the title is inspired from this age old Britney song (oh yes...I used to be a fan once upon a time!). A time when innocence was still in style and we had Britney singing about how she's not a girl but not yet a woman...somewhere "in between". Now obviously, considering my age, I cannot claim anything of that sort! But over the past few weeks, this feeling of being "in between" two phases, two places, two MEs has kinda been predominat. It's to be expected in a way. A move to a new country, a new job is always going to be a big change and adapting to it is but natural. Although, for me this move has meant something more.

I've been lucky to lead quite a sheltered life till now. Sure, there have been plenty of ups and downs, successes and failures too. But all this while, I've been comfortable in the knowledge of being close to home. Knowing my family and closest friends were always close at hand...whenever I needed them or they needed me. Even when I moved away to a different city (only an overnight journey away from home mind you), I was lucky enough to find friends that became like family. So much so, that it became my second home of sorts. It's a phase I absolutely loved...yet a phase that had to end some day!

Don't get me wrong, I have been looking forward to this move for a very long time. Even when I didn't know why, I knew I wanted to live in the US for some time. Maybe its cause of the way decades of watching english movies has "programmed" me or else the rosy picture of life here that the fb pics of countless friends have painted or maybe just the thrill of being in a foreign country and seeing new things, experiencing a culture. I just knew I wanted that experience come what may and I'm really happy I got a chance to fulfill that dream.

But this move has brought with it a lot of things that I have successfully avoided till date!! The foremost being.... cooking!!!Despite living in a hostel for 5.5yrs I was lucky to have a decent enough mess that I never even had to make a cup of tea for myself, let alone a meal! Sure, there were plenty of girls who had a proper kitchen going in the hostel room. But the magic combination of decent south indian food in mess, good restaurants nearby and my  massive laziness ensured that I never had a single plate and bowl in my room!! Now of course, I live in a new country, with limited vegetarian options and no mess at my disposal...so cook I must!

It's been a fun ride "experimenting" in the kitchen....biting my nails while using the cooker for the first time, wondering if it would work right or whether i'd end up blowing the roof off! The first chapati....which was surprisingly edible, though oddly triangular in shape. The first omlette i flipped without breaking and of course my first sheera at home. Cooking gives you a surprisingly and slightly disconcerting amount of clarity on the exact amount of oil, sugar etc in the food you've made. Makes it much harder to convince yourself you're eating healthy! But hey I continue to hold on tightly to the notion that no matter what, home food is better than outside food.

It's at times like this though, that I miss not having anyone here to share the experiences with. My colleagues here, though extremely sweet and welcoming, don't really get my frustrations or triumphs with chapatis. There's no one around to taste and compliment what I've cooked (well if not the taste then atleast the effort that went into it). Plus all the countless calls back and forth getting mom's recipes makes me wish I'd done this long ago and been the one to cook for her for a change. Makes me really look forward to the time I'll have my family visit. Won't that feel all grown up....my family in my new home with me taking care of them!! Sounds like a lot of work....man being grown up is tough!!! But it really does sound pretty wonderful right now. So yeah, even though I haven't been  a "girl" for a very very long time....I think i'm finally getting the hang of being a grown woman. Honestly....it's about time!!! :)