More Peregrinations

They say you grow picky as you grow older. Right on. As I stretch myself thin, unable to decide among the various obtained and potential job offers and where I wish to end up next, I find myself criss-crossing the country for interviews.

The whole process, along with bringing exhausting travel schedules, so far has brought quite a few short friend-visits and very fun ones at that.

Bay area:
After two successful day-long interviews with the startups, I got to the long-awaited weekend. I did squeeze in an evening visit to Mangu's before that though. What a delight it was to see his brand new baby! A wonderful Friday night dinner in Palo Alto downtown with Sunil and Gagan brought back so many old memories. Then...mmmm....off to our favorite gelato place. Gagan still has that same esoteric taste in ice creams. This time it was ginger and green tea! We recalled many a good times that Vibha, her and I had enjoyed during the Stanford days. I decided to abandon my hotel room and spend the night at Gagan's watching 'Becoming Jane'. Could it get any more girlie than that?

Next day had been reserved to be spent with Pete's family. After my usual sleeping in and a late, delicious 'aloo parantha' breakfast at Gagan's, I barely made it to Pete's house in the afternoon. Pete's is a beautiful home in Palo Alto not even ten minutes from Stanford. It was great seeing Per and Linnea. And of course, the cat, Neesha. The action-packed rest of the day began with a couple of hours of chit chat and a trip to the movies. Pete and I ended up watching a very well-made, intense French movie while Linnea and Per enjoyed an animated movie of Per's choice. I got to take advantage of Pete's culinary skills and relished the delightful pasta at dinner. A bluegrass concert at the local church waited for us right after dinner. The sound system was great and so was the band. Perfect way to end the day.

All in all, a fantastic trip!

New York city:
It is always fun to see my dearest friend Vivek...and his latest girl (jk) ;-) I enjoyed meeting Eustina and also got to see Kucki and her new husband who was visiting from India while on a project.
An Indian fast food frenzy at Sukhadia followed by an extremely refreshing, energetic, colorful, lighthearted, talent-filled and highly entertaining Broadway show marked the evening. Mamma Mia it was! And there had to be the mandatory drinking and bar-hopping soon after. Thanks for everything, Viv!

Another trip to NYC followed right after!

Austin:
Although a very quick trip, seeing my favorite cousin is always worth all the travel hassle. Boy, do I love all the pampering or what!

Phew...I don't know how people travel for a living! It feels like I have been traveling endlessly since the Bahamas trip last October and it is starting to get to me. Oh but wait, I am not done yet! Need I mention that a vacation trip to the Smoky mountains is right around the corner and I have two days to prepare for it?

Excitement never ends...