2.5 years in USA

It has been 2.5 years since I came to USA and 2 years since I blogged. After spending 2 years in Virginia, I am now in Washington State. What has changed? A lot has!

Of Tamil Nadu:
One of the changes wrought by this sojourn in USA is a change in my accent. With this statement you may think that I have acquired some silly, affected American accent, which is not the case. I have succeeded in acquiring a South Indian accent; at least my parents and my sisters think so. I think it may be true, since I have had mostly South Indian friends in USA! I listen to Tamil songs, eat Tamil food and even speak English like how they do in Tamil Nadu! I learnt a lot about the culture and history of Tamil Nadu because of my friends, who are so patriotic (jingoistic?) about their culture and rich heritage, primarily influenced by moustached 50 something men romancing 20 somethings and performing gravity defying acts in their movies. Their ‘patriotism’ is so remarkable that any derisive word uttered against these 50 somethings brings out their incensed best. In a historic clash of the cultures, my Tamil roommate had remarked that ‘Sivaji – the BOSS (Bachelor of Social Service)’ is in fact greater than Shivaji, the Maratha warrior. I don’t know about other cultures, but I feel this manic jingoism … oops fanaticism … oops patriotism is lacking, at least amongst Maharashtrians.

Of Roommates:
When I first came in USA, I was so excited to stay with roommates because of my notion that every night with roomies will be an all girls pajama party. To say the least, it did not quite end up as I had thought. The disagreements were about issues petty and not so petty. My pet peeves were waking up to find a house full of my roommates friends whom I don’t know, who are unwilling to speak in a language that I understand and later I had to end up washing the plates left by all of them. I am sure my roommates will have some pet grievances about me. Anyways, it was a growing up experience for all of us, and all of us went through a lot together. Though they are not my best friends, I wish them well.

Of Movies:
I was quite a movie buff even before I came to US. But in US, watching movies is a habit for lack of anything better to do. Some of the best times I have had with my friends and roomies was while watching movies. I remember being mesmerized after seeing Fight Club and Memento and later having hour long discussions about the movies. I also remember being bored to death in movies such as Zodiac and Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. Some movies are simply ‘special’ such as Oceans 13 and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Of MS:
Doing MS in Virginia Tech was an amazing experience. I started out with my mind filled with frivolities and at the end I ended up with a thesis and much more seriousness with respect to my career. I was amazed and intimidated by the superior level of all my peers but later learnt that the only person with whom I have to compete with is I. It was a difficult battle of survival with a tough advisor and myriad courses. The trials were many and the triumphs few, but at the end it was worth it.