Stacy Does India

I suppose I have been putting off my last blog post because I am sad that it has to come to an end. I've been home one week already! Here's the recap of my first week in the US:

Arrived on Monday afternoon in LA. Had dinner with Sean, Dan, and Carlene. Tuesday we got Sean's condo ready for the realtor to come over and take pictures. It's officially on the market now. Tuesday night we drove to Redondo and had dinner with Dina, Tara, and Michael! It was so good to see them! After dinner we drove to Lompoc. Wednesday we visited with Sean's families. I got to meet his niece Jenna and nephew Dylan. They are SO cute! Thursday morning we got up early and drove to Palo Alto! We spent all day Thursday unpacking my stuff and moving me back into my apartment! Friday we had dinner with my family in San Jose. Saturday I got a haircut from Jazzy, we car shopped til we dropped, then went out for dinner and drinks in Palo Alto with all of my friends! It was SO good to see them! Sunday, I slept in, had lunch at the coffee shop, then bought a car! Here it is:

I got a black Volvo S40 T5 (Turbo...vroom vroom). It's black with dark grey leather interior. I'm pretty much in love with it!

Thanks for reading my blog. This has been a great forum to keep in touch, and share my experiences. With this blog coming to an end, I guess you'll have to actually email me or call to hear updates on my life. Bummer, huh?

Take care, keep well, and stay in touch.

I still hasn't hit me that I am leaving India tomorrow, for good, and going back to California. I'll be having brunch with the expats at the Taj Krishna one last time tomorrow. I'll be sure to get a picture with my favorite Sri Lankan Folk Band, for old time's sake.

My bags are nearly packed. The past few days I've limited myself to 'small-stuff' shopping only, because I just don't have room for anything! I guess I've accumulated a lot of stuff in 6 months. That doesn't really surprise me.

I've decided this blog when not come to an end until I've arrived safely on US soil. Hopefully, by then, I will be able to find the right words to describe my 6 month stay here.

One last night in the bed the size of Texas, that is hard as a rock.

Monday night, my team and I went to dinner at Laguna a new Italian restaurant in Hyderabad. I wore the outfit they bought me as a going away gift -- they LOVED it. (I joked that it only took 6 months for me to finally dress like them!)

My team here is really, really fantastic. They are so open, so honest, incredibly welcoming and friendly. I've never met a group of people like them. They have all asked me at one point or another in the last few days, "Stacy, do you have to go back to Mountain View?" It's a really difficult question to answer because, while I don't have to go back, I do want to go back. I will never have an experience like this one again, and my 6 months in India will always be really special to me.

Now, get a good laugh on my behalf. Hot pink and lime green -- I think I pulled it off!

Mrinalika, Maria, Me, Varun, & Nandita

Me, Lime Green, & Hot Pink

Himani, Rashmi, Me, Ipshita, & Puja

Cathy, Mags, and I spent a long weekend in Kerala. Our journey began on Friday morning as we flew from Hyderabad to Cochin. From there we took a cab to Fort Cochin where we had brunch, shopped, and saw the sights.

Friday evening we drove nearly 4 hours inland, on windy mountain roads to get to Munnar, a beautiful small town known for its expansive tea plantations. Saturday morning we got up early to go hiking through the plantations. That morning, we stumbled across a one-room school house full of 3-5 year old students. The teacher, Uma, welcomed us into her classroom. The adorable children sang songs, recited their ABCs, and counted from 1-10 for us! They loved getting their pictures taken, and couldn't wait for us to show us the photo on our digital cameras. This little encounter at the school was probably the highlight of my trip to Kerala, and will be one of my fondest memories of India.

Saturday afternoon, we drove back to the coast this time to Allepy. There, we chose a houseboat, bought some beers, to set off to explore the backwaters. The houseboat was incredible with 2 bedrooms, 2 fully functional bathrooms, an upper deck, a kitchen, and more! Our boat came with a staff of three: a chef, a captain, and the captain's assistant. We spent Saturday night on the houseboat, and woke up early on Sunday to have tea and breakfast and enjoy the morning cruise through the backwaters.

Kerala was different than other parts of India. It seemed more laid back, and a lot less hectic. It was a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Hyderabad and its 6 million people. We arrived home on Sunday night, and I realized that I only have one week left in India. It feels a little strange because I am incredibly excited to go home, but really sad to leave India at the same time. I guess this experience is 'bittersweet'.

For my entire album of Kerala pics, click here.

So, I've been car 'shopping' the past few weeks and I think I've narrowed my search to the following three: Volvo S40, Saab 9-3, and the Lexus IS250. I am eager to drive all of them, crunch some numbers, and make a decision! This is the first time I have ever bought a car (thanks for the Altima, Mom and Dad!) so I'm a little nervous - but really, really excited! I've been saving for a car since I graduated from college -- now I finally get to buy one! Feel free to vote for the car you like!


Volvo S40

Exactly 2 weeks from today, I will leave India and fly back to the states. I cannot believe how quickly my 6 months here has gone by. I am eager and excited to come home, but am sad when I think about leaving my great team here. What an experience this has been. :)

On Tuesday, my team and I went to Pragati Resorts for our Q1 Team Offsite. At the end of the night, they surprised Amitabh and me with a cake, cards, and gifts! The card is great, they all had so many really nice things to say. My gift was a really pretty 'Indian' outfit: pink pants/leggings, a green embroidered kurta (top), and a pretty pink silk scarf. I'll definitely wear it sometime before I leave! We had a really nice time -- but, I'm starting to get sad thinking about leaving them! For more fun pics from our offsite, click here.