Before....... And Yea... After...!!! :) :)

(A deep sigh).. Its finally here… My new post..

Back in November 2008.. Krishnan and I started our journey… Journey in pursuit of our Master’s plans.. All we know was.. We have to Study Master’s in USA..!! Who’d have ever knew I was gonna be here in the USA and I call up my friend Krishnan in India..!! Ofcourse.. I know how tough it was for my friend to give up his plans. But it was then, I first booked slot for my GRE exam which was in March 2009. That is when it all started.  Its almost 2 and a half years now.. And its all different now.!!!

Well, back to November 2008, I was in my 3^rd year 1^st semester (was about to step into 3-2), all we could dream off, was about USA! Well as a matter of fact, one of the things which I had in my mind was, I am the first one in my family to pursue Masters in ABROAD.!!  I was completely in that league, GRE, TOEFL, sending documents to the universities, Letter of Recommendations, Bank Documents, Affidavits… Oh boy..!! Don’t even ask about it.!! I don’t remember which semester it was.. probably 4-2 exams I think, I was worried about Letter of Reco’s rather than studying for the exam in the afternoon..!!

And the hurdles.. even in the last minute.. when TOEFL jacked me.. in the summer 2010 I thought I could never make it to USA.. but still.. I was like.. how could I give up on something which I had been planning from so long… 2 and a half years struggle going to trash.. and the dream of Master’s…!! I had to kind off re-start all over again.. applied to different universities again.. had to give IELTS..!! Boom.. I scored 7 out of 9 band.. U should’ve seen my happiness… I woke up Rohit Yadav.. and told my score.. And then getting the admits from universities is just the beginning.. and there is a huge monster hiding behind the admit thing… the VISA…!!! Boy o boy…!!! The documents for the one-min VISA interview, gathering them takes like million times the duration of the interview.. Damn..!

Happiness doubles on 13^th December 2010… :) :) Stamped the VISA for 5 years.. Thanks to my brother(he gave me a ride to the place).. :) And the words from my Bro-in-law.. A very good break at 21.. :) Still remember each and every moment of the last month spent in India.. December and about a week in January in Hyderabad..!! Miss so many people, places..!! The good-bye was the tough time.. If only one could measure the amount of my tears, they could easily reach the gallon mark.. :D :D or may be more.. ;)

And.. All-together a fresh beginning in a new place, thousands of miles away from family.!! Jan 12^th 2011.. The moment I stepped in Cleveland.. It was snowing like hell..!! :) Srikanth Chaganti whom I spoke first after reaching here.. Though he wanted to come pick me at airport.. I took a cab to 1801 East 12 St..  :) Still remember how painful were the days.. the first one week.. took many hasty(:D :D) decisions.. couldn’t let my family know how hard it was to be away from them.. Got adjusted to it.. Compromised to the living conditions.. the only thing which used run across my mind was.. how different was the life in India.. Luxuries.. Comforts.. Pocket Money.. Bike.. Friends.. Hangouts.. Movies.. Fun..!! felt like I was shattered in every possible way..!!

It was for Harsha Balam.. Ohh I forgot.. This guy.. the confidence boost the night before my VISA interview… Man.. It was Awesome..!! :) could never forget tat.. favor right when I needed.. the call on the previous night.. it was so provoking.. a perfect boost..!! all the while I was in line during the interview.. I could think of wat he told me to do.. and boom.. again he goes when I was lost in USA..!! Perfect advices.. and confidence boost again..!! :) (Asala ilanti idealu ela osthaay andi meeku… :D :D) But it was much needed..!! And there I go..!! :) Started my hunt for On-Campus job.. explored places(not many but.. ok ok types).. Tanu and I roamed around.. explored a lot..!! Then new friends.. and all..!!

If one has to know the life here.. It aint a piece of cake..!! Every one has to struggle.. Its nothing bad.. But yea.. the bad part is the luxuries in India.. Luxuries u have when u live wit parents..!!

Problem arises because people doesn’t want to be independent..! We, guys want easy stuff.. morning u wake up and u want breakfast/coffee/tea ready for you.. then u want your clothes ready “finely pressed ones”.. a lunch box.. and most importantly money and bike/car or wat ever..!! Oh I almost forgot the most important thing.. Mobile.. calls, texts.. wat-not.. :) And when you are here.. for such life style it’ll cost you which makes your heart-beat go DAAAMMM..!! :D :D. So, people take time to adjust..!! We struggle.. gotta work on personal things, assignments, projects, and job..!! :) Its gonna beat the shit outta you..!! I am no exception.. been through the same thing.. but I like this life style.. It is just because I am Independent..!!! :) I prepare my breakfast, I cook my food, I do my Laundry.. I work, and I go to school..!! I am so engaged.. and I totally love it.!! :) If only one is independent.. Life is so different.. One thing which is clear to me is.. When life gives u obstacles/hurdles.. we tend to get scared but slowly we are totally ready to deal with them.

Idhi ila unte.. India lo emo.. anthe ra USA vellipoyi marchi poyaav nannu.. when we call up.. people say.. Ohh.. now it reminds of me… People say u never call up.. God-damn..!!! I always wonder.. if one share such a good relation.. cant you find out the number and give a call, after-all it is just a call and nobody is asking you to spend flight ticket.. with so many networks has so many calling offers… and first of all.. there’s no question of no calling.. even if it is.. what the hell happened to your phone? People brag so much… and I feel like bashing them.. but.. huh..!! :( In other cases.. they take it other way round.. tat u feel like superior/high-headed goin abroad.. showing attitude and all… Guys.. tell them how our life here is…!! Attitude.. LOL..!! :) We literally keep running for our lives.. :) :)

Anyways, Certainly life has taught me a lot..!! :) Still I can see so many loop holes in me.. And obviously I need to learn a lot..!! :) Hari Krishna asked me to write about how is it life before goin to USA and how is it afterwards… Probably.. This is how it is..!!

A piece of advice from me for the ones who want to come to USA.. Come only if you are ready to face the life in a totally different view.. And only if one is ambitious about Masters..!! Rest all can be taken care of.. People lately have been saying.. they miss Hyderabad. They miss family… Wat I gotta say is.. yea.. tat is true.. but that is wat we chose when we first started our journey.. Staying away from family is painful.. yet it is giving you something different and good on the flipside..!! After all.. Kuch Paane Ke liye Kuch Khona Padthaa hain.. isn’t it true.. Yes it is..!! Tat is true in every walk of our life..!! :)

Battling against the life’s challenges makes you a REAL WINNER..!! (ayyabaabooi.. inni idealu ochesthunnay entoo… :D :D)

Anyways.. tat is it..!! Enough of my Baashaan..!!! Please don’t abuse me more.. I am stopping it rite here. :D

Thanks for reading..!! Comments appreciated..!!

Life is Beautiful..!! Dig deep.. and you’ll know how true it is..!! :)

Yours..

Dev..!! :)

[ No idea wat my next post is.. you gotta wait and see..]