"what can i get u baby,""why are u calling everybody baby,""because i am the bartender darling, i take care of people.""alright one jack daniels on the rocks mommy."
so varun now has a new job and he was decent enough to pay for the drinks and dinner. We started off with two tequila shots, and varun stopped it there. he had to drive back home, i had no such funda around me for a change and so it went from one drink to another.
on the near by stool, the lady was sleeping peacefully, face down on the bar. she had the widest smile in the whole damned world.
the jukebox was playing something and there was another women shaking herself to the music, she was the only one doing it.
There were guys too, one of them had a laptop and was checking out what an I phone would have cost if it was made in 1975. The bartender did laugh, but she had to bother how much she made today.
And then i spilled my drink, honey dont worry it happens all the times, the baby girl came out and cleaned it.
Before this we were at hooters, i asked for some whiskey and the bartender was like " umm whiskey yeah , i like whiskey , i want whiskey too.. " That explains why they dint have any. Just cheap ol' beer and beer thats for kids, i want my whiskey and i want it neat.
Before this a week back bins is looking at me with a beer in her hand, anant not even a sip,... just a drop ... with a smile that kills me..i have 6 hours for driving to do, and that was in new orleans. and thats six hours away from houston. and that is in america, 24 hours from india. and i am 30 days away from home. You might have to drive around a bit but eventually everybody does get back home.

Back where i belong.

Some realisations, some revelations and i am going back to India. There are two projects in the pipeline, boss wants to extend stay, iam enjoying US, theres money, theres respect, there are a lot of cute blondes. In short things are dandy on the outside.

There are moments when everything comes like a flash. The pieces join themselves. The story comes alive and the character 'I' takes centre stage. And you realize the one thing thats holding you back, you. Holding you back from fine challenges and fine victories. Holding you back from the seeker that you were meant to be. Holding you back from the joy that can only come when the odds are stacked against you.

Life was never meant to be comfortable. It was never meant to be easy. And then who would want an easy life. If you were not to fall what meaning would height have. If there was no failure what could success be. As the Harley ad went the song is not born to be status quo.

So you have to seek new challenges after every new victory. The warrior inside seeks relentlessly, the only way he can die is by stopping. And that is a risk you cant take.

new in the usa

You finally have the visa in hand and are all set to go to the land of dreams and hopes. So what are the things you will need in the US. How do u survive the first few months. Which documents should you get processed first and why. What are the documents in the first place. What are the other services like bank accounts, cards you will need. Hell you have come to the right place. read on a step by step guide on what first and why, AFTER you land in the US.

Week 1&2. SSN-This basic number establishes your identity in the US. Memorize it, its like a last name. You need this for Driving license, income tax, credit card. Get it first. If you have to stay in the US for anything more than three months do not waste time go to the SSN office ( check it on the net ) with your passport, I 94 and Visa and fill up the forms. You will have the social security number in two weeks. Take the reciept with you, it might come in handy.

2. Bank AccountYou cant do anything much in the first week, if you are smart enough to go for the SSN. Attack the Bank account, get yourself a check in and a savings account. This is not so tough. You will get a temporary card and within a month a permanent card. You can now draw a US salary, deposit and withdraw from the ATM. Pay for your cellphone, pay for online transactions. You dont have to carry cash and can now issue checks. WOW, you are not feeling like an infant anymore. Check the walmarts and the targets for all they are worth. Go out and spend some money, you are in the US and you are young and you have money ( hopefully!)

Week 3 &4
Credit CardCongratulations! you just got your SSN. You have an identity now. Go straight to the bank and apply for a credit card with your passport and SSN. Bank of America is a decent option there are many others, choose what is convenient. This is going to take a week or more. But a credit card is extremely important when in the US. Your credit history determines the dollars you pay for insurance, and its needed for stuff like internet connections. Point of the matter, before i spread myself thin, u need to have a good credit history if u are there in the US for anything more than a year. Even if it is less than, its better to be with one rather than without. After all you are the new age guy and you want to explore and learn new things. Go back packing or other such things which everybody considers kinda cool and exclusive and so everybody ends up doing them.

Driving License Driving licence is the next thing, you need it to rent out cars and stuff. You can survive on a International driving license or an indian license but lets get this one.First find the nearest DPS and with your passport and ssn you make a grand entry and get on with the first step towards a DL. Alright before you go to the office read up the driving license handbook. ( mostly available for download from the Department of public safety website). That ways you can apply for the instructional permit, take the written test and get the instructional permit in one visit. Next step, take some driving classes and then take the driving test. Best of luck, you are about to get your licencse to freedom. America is about freedom, individuality and cars, get that licence to drive bond!

Week 5
Are you feeling like king or what. You have done it, you can do anything ( legal ) now. shop online, go to the market, rent a car, take a house, take a internet connection. Live the american dream. All you now need is a blonde with a convertible. ( sorry cant help here ). Picture yourself riding in the sunset with the top down with her hair in the wind. .. now ride that plane and get ready to go to the SSN office.

P.S: A lot of people can survive without all the above things, but you are not a survivor, you are the intellectual guy with his feet on the ground, you want to really experience the country, ride the local buses, wait for the bus with the afro americans and the mexicans, walk the streets, go to public offices, experience the friendly americans. Its a lovely country and you wont do much good by sitting at home and waiting for the assignement to get over. So go and get it. There are a lot of other forms too, but they are more professional in nature and hopefully your employer will take care of it, do have a look at the insurance policy though, thats important.