Sunday, September 20, 2009

Eid Mubarak.

It is that time of the year when ones heart has mixed feelings. One of joy looking ahead to the feast and one of slight emotion thinking of the fasting. For me it is slightly different this time. I am recovering from the high fever I had till yesterday. In the process I could not fast for three days.

This Ramadan was a very challenging one as some of the most difficult work situations came and went causing minimum harm. My US visa is still stuck with the consulate in Chennai. They want to review my background till perhaps till the client has blowed the wistle on the project or maybe till I no longer want to visit their lovely country. There are more important events happening in my life in the near future. Anyway, Uncle Sam always commands and we all are expected to listen.

Tomorrow is gonna be a reward for the fasting and worship done through the holy month and the celebrations should get life back on track. A new routine after that. Whether I visit Uncle Sam or not, I have to start to work hard on my fitness and there is lots of shopping left for the big day in December. I have to hurry with that big time.

Lots to plan and do in time to come but as far as tomorrow is concerned, only thing I have on my mind is eat, celebrate and wish everybody "Eid Mubarak".

Friday, September 11, 2009

Topsy turvy

This ramadan has truly been the most eventful one of my life. It began with a buzz that I have to visit Uncle Sam for a knowledge transition. I had to reschedule my visa interview date because the client invite was unavailable. When the client invite was available, I got busy solving a major bug. Luckily, everything so far has got through but...

Yesterday, I was in Chennai to attend the visa interview in the USA consulate. It was a good journey. I landed in Chennai just around the sehri time and met Zafar. I was pleasantly surprised to see how organised his appartment was. A very rare organized bachelor appartment. He took me to the consulate. The consulate experience was just like the one I had two years back. Some questions were asked and I was told "Sir, we need to process your case further. You can check the website for the latest".

However, one difference this time is that they have taken my passport. There is hope that the visa will be through. Question is, "WHEN?". The whole plan is a very topsy turvy one as I need to visit Uncle Sam early to be back in time for my wedding this December. The journey back to Bangalore was also good as I was just again back in time for sehri. The best part this ramadan has been that the busy schedule has not disturbed my ramadan plans.

If the visa is through by next week, there could be another interesting case that I might not get the Eid-ul-Fitr after fasting through the holy month. In the USA Eid is scheduled on Sunday and in India on Monday. If I fly out of Bangalore on Sunday, I'll miss the festivities in both the countries. I had plans of joining my cousins in Detroit to celebrate eid. This one has truly been a very funny situation.

Everything said and done, I hope and pray things fall in place and above all next few months are fun. There is lots of work, but also an opportunity to learn and enjoy. I am hoping for the best but I'm prepared for anything that the Almighty has planned for me.