As the year comes to an end, it has become customary for us to take a look back at what we came through. And like in every year, I am sure the year just passed will also have its moments of glee and sorrow for everyone. To me personally, 2009 was a milestone year, the year in which I took the second step in my life and career and started a new phase of life. But now that I look back, there never was any ‘decision’ as such to make the move back to India. I would like think of it as something natural that just happened. People never ask you ‘When did you decide that you are going to US for studies or job? ” So why ask ‘When did you decide to come back? ” It should be like gravity, what goes up, should come down 
And that was exactly how it was for us, because we just felt it natural to come back to stay here for good. There probably won’t be many takers for this story, but it is what it is.
Other than the big trip home and the re-learning of management in India, 2009 was a pretty normal year for me. Here are some highlights that stand out as I look back. They are in no order whatsoever, I have enjoyed/suffered all these moments with the same intensity as the one next to it
- The three days in Cincinatti with Deepak, Johns, Shyam, Mani and Glen (livet and fiddich) certainly was a big highlight of the year. Too bad we dont remember much now about those days and our chats, would have been nice to have retained a bit in our memories. It was all Glen’s fault (again, Livet and Fiddich, both were equally bad!).
- The good bye night at the Halifax airport was a pretty bad scene and unfortunately, there was no Glen involved and I remember a lot of that, too bad. In fact, it was so bad that Vani and I haven’t even talked about what went through our minds at that point. A similar scene of a good bye from a Macdonald’s in Denver comes to mind. It was sad to leave Halifax and our friends. But thankfully, I do get to see some of my friends once in a while as they keep travelling to India.
- I did get to connect with a lot of friends this year. Spoke to Prem after at least 20 years ! Reconnected with a lot of friends from college and school, thanks to Facebook and Orkut. And again, being in India, it is easy to connect with the folks because they visit India at least once a year or so and chances of a coffee or even a phone chat are higher I also got some new friends this year – Ravi, Sameer, Sandeep, Manoj…..again, thanks goes to Deepak for introducing me to these wonderful folks. Looking forward to more interactions with you all in 2010 and beyond.
- Speaking of the new friends, the trip to Sabarimala this year was a totally different experience. I am still not sure what to make of that trip It was a great excursion. Period.
- Professionally, the year was a big step up from being a management consultant to managing a firm. But thanks to the support from Shibu and others, I believe I am doing the transition ok. We have big plans for Cabot in 2010 and it looks very promising at the starting line
- The misses this year were Thanksgiving in Eastern Shore, Christmas in Halifax and the much hyped trip to Wayanad. I am hoping that at least one of these would happen in 2010
Well, thats about it. There are few more hours left in 2009 here in India and like my friend Mujib says ‘Let me make it count’ To all of you, thank you for being a part of our lives in 2009 and we look forward to spending 2010 with you all !
Have a wonderful year ahead in 2010 ! May you find happiness in your journeys in the coming year and years to follow.
Venkatesh, Vani, Veda and Sruthi.
