First impressions.
Yes, this is the adventure I’ve longed for the last two years. Moving out, living by myself, and trying to make my own life. People over the world always look at Indians and either say that we’re lucky to be living at home till we graduate and/or get married, or they say that we’re wusses. I’m not sure which one is right, but right now I’d like to think we’re lucky. I’m lucky that I got bed tea every morning; that I was given everything I wanted for 22 years of my life without ever having asked for it; that I was given life as I knew it. But today, two days after I’ve moved out, not just from home, but from a country and a continent, it feels right. It feels that this was the right time to move out. It’s time I got more responsibilities to take care of, and it’s time I got more responsible.
Well, anyway, first impressions of the new place. I’m staying in a dorm for a week till I find an apartment, and it’s not bad! I’ve never had to use a central common bathroom anywhere I’ve been, but it’s different, and it’s nice. It isn’t the most comfortable place I’ve lived in. Let’s face it, there are no pillows or blankets, and I have to make do with what I got for now. But it’s cool: in a different way : ).
I’ve been behaving like a complete tourist. I don’t know anyone in this city. And I had to be oversmart and arrive earlier than the rest of the guys joining the university. I’ve been walking around with multiple maps, peering around at restaurants, figuring out what is what, who serves what, what is good, and what I can afford! I think I walked about 15 miles this morning, walking straight into any apartment I saw was available, talking to realtors, and moving on. Yes, this is the adventure I always wanted, and I’m so thankful I didn’t book an apartment before I got here, cuz it’s oh-so-much easier to decide where you want to live by actually being in the place.
And the university campus? It is amazing! It’s not big. In fact, it’s not big at all. But it has such an amazing mix of old classic architecture of the University Center and Hamerschlag Hall combined with the ultra-modern design of the Gates and Hillman Centers that it feels like I’m finally at a university: a real university. Pittsburgh, you beauty. I’d love to call you home.
a fez!!behave like a tourist its the best way to get to knw the city and its ppl..i read ur blog while m in training!and man hw i long to do smthng like dat!!!:)all the best bro..make the most of it!
ameya
August 2, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Haha, should I be proud or insulted that you read it while you’re too bored in training? :D
Thanks re!
Fez
August 3, 2010 at 4:04 am
Sounds awesome!
Support the penguins! They won’t ever disappoint you.
Mia
August 27, 2010 at 11:08 am
Nice to see you’re active again!
Yeah, I can’t wait to see an NHL game! Neither can I wait for it to become cold :D.
Fez
August 27, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hey good to read that you are having a nice time and quite a different life there. It all must be exciting..n I agree with the thing that the Indian culture(lifestyle) has got many appreciable aspects.I may not be the the right person yet,to sought some points on this subject of discussion..may be,cause I haven’t seen much of the other side.I surely feel an indifferent excitement about the independent life style overseas.
Well,Enjoy the new times! All the best
Aditi
September 1, 2010 at 5:28 am
hey!! yes …its always a thrill to be independent and alone for the first time,but its even better if this same spirit persists 2 years from now :) ..keep writing and best of luck !!!
Rujuta
September 8, 2010 at 5:16 am
@ Aditi:
There’s good and bad sides to the other side. I’ve been concentrating on enjoying the good ones so that the bad ones don’t bog me down! Where are you these days? Still in Pune?
@ Rujuta:
I doubt it will persist! :D Thanks a lot!
Fez
September 11, 2010 at 3:39 pm
came across your blog from Rohan’s…
sp, ur from (edited)??
Pranali
November 19, 2010 at 2:45 am
Hey Pranali! I’ve stumbled across your blog a few times too. You write well. Yep, I’m at (edited).
Fez
November 19, 2010 at 6:04 am
so, wats with the pseudo name?
I m not sure, but ur name is (edited) rite?
just a guess :)
Pranali
November 19, 2010 at 8:50 am
Guess?! I like blogging anonymously, so I’m going to delete this conversation to remove any personally identifiable information here :D Hope you don’t mind!
Fez
November 24, 2010 at 6:21 pm
that’s absolutely fine…
By the time I realized that I shouldn’t have posted a comment like that, I had already hit the ‘post’ button. Plus I didn’t find a way to delete the comment..
Appologies from my side…
Pranali
November 25, 2010 at 5:38 am
Oh that’s okay, no problem at all! :)
Fez
November 27, 2010 at 5:08 pm