Last week

So last week I took some time off to visit my parents, who were visiting relatives in India. It was a nice break from having to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day in a dress shirt and pants. I was glad to see my parents again, it was a nice peice of home that I haven't gotten the chance to experience in a while. I also visited my relatives with my parents so we did a lot of traveling within Gujurat (the state that my family is from in India).

I haven't seen my relatives here in about 2 or 3 years, some I haven't seen since 10 years ago. So it was nice to see them again and catch up. It's much easier to catch up and talk to the relatives that are my age, it's a lot easier to relate to them even though they've grown up in India. All in all it was a great trip. My parents did take me to "see a girl" once though. It's a pretty funny story now but at the moment it was the most awkward point of my life so far.

We were driving to Ahemedabad and my parents told me we were going to these people's house. I asked them how we knew them and why and they said they were family friends and we were just going to stop by since we were in town. So we get there and we were all sitting in the living room. They served us tea and snacks, a standard Indian hospitality move. The girl (I dunno her name) came and sat down in the living room as well. I thought she was just being polite because guests were over so I didn't pay her much attention. Then after a while her mom says "So does he want to ask her any questions?" It took me a minute or two to realize why she would be asking me that question. And then I just looked at the ground and sat there feeling super awkward. The only thing I could think about after that was when we were going to leave. My parents idea is that if we see girls now I may be interested in one and we could get to know eachother and when we're both ready we could get married. I don't even want to think about that stuff at this point in my life much less go to see a possible bride?? That just sounds strange.

I told my parents they should've at least told me, I think they understood why I would be upset with that. Sometimes it does feel like I try to understand my roots and where I come from, but my parents, along with most of my other uncles and aunts in America, don't really understand the culture that I was brought up in. And not just me, all first generation Indians that grew up in America. I can't completely be American because that's not who I am and I can't completely be Indian because I've been brought up in America. I guess it's hard for the older generation to understand that because they didn't have to experience it. Oh well, I guess the most I can do is keep trying to explain to them how it is for me at least. My parents do understand that I dont' plan on getting married for a while, I think they were just trying to be good Indian parents.

On another note, work is starting pick up but only slightly. Tomorrow Andrew, the other American guy that came to Chennai with me, is going on a trip to the Himalays with some other guys from the American class. So I'll be here by myself for a week or so. I think i'll take that time to travel around the city. It's a lot easier to travel here when you're Indian and you don't have a group of white guys with you for people to harass and try to sell stuff to. Although that can be a different type of fun in it's own regard.

Yesterday my newest sister-in-law, Archana, called me. She married my cousin Harpal back in April. My cousin has been brought up in America too and he had an arranged marriage with this girl. She's still in India, she'll probably be in the US by december. I'm glad she called me while she was in India, she hasn't been tainted by the family drama that usually ensues back in the states. She seems like a pretty cool person, I can't wait to meet her in person.

Time for me to go to the gym and stuff, it's all I have to do around here right now haha.

P.S. they finally opened a store near the gym where they sell juice and cookies and stuff like that, pretty exciting times. That means I don't have to get a cab into town just to buy some juice.

P.P.S Listen to Jay-Z's Minority Report from his latest album if you haven't already.