The count is 5..

Only by late evening today, I started to feel that I'm undertaking a trip... That is when I started packing my first suitcase.... But even then, the mood is 'just for a few months' type...

Its like 'I'd spend a few mths (maybe a few years) and then I'd be back - after all, what would I do in that place filled with strangers' and 'let me take some things that would make my stay easier - stuff I cant buy there and stuff I wont need to buy there' and 'I'm still an Indian earning an Indian salary (well, not from next month!)' and ...... Anyways, I had been to the US on two short trips earlier(3-4 weeks each) and I guess 'been there.. done that'!!

But then, at the same time, I am preparing for a long haul... saying good bye to people I know but not well enough to come back and say hi again... saying good bye to people I know well enough and wondering if I would get to meet them again... saying good bye to my own people and still wondering if I would get to meet them again... and so on...

Getting send-offs from friends... one who arranged an inpromptu (thats what she would want me believe ;-) party/get-together [thats so very sweet of her; and she would want me believe she is so by birth!!]... another who was the guest of honor and initiated my shopping binge.... parties with cousins [one at the Windsor Manor with Champagne and all... that should be a separate post!]

So, here I am with 5 days to go and unsure if I would come back... "To Bangalore and all the lovely folks I shared this place with!"
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"To you sweetie and D apple of ma eye!"
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One big task done... finalized on the suitor to my Ford Fiesta.. He seems a nice guy and I think he would treat her well.. "To you my darling and to all the rides we have shared!"
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First suitcase... man... it seemed so empty, but it is already quite heavy... need to check the weight tomorrow...i'm filling the case with all kitchen related stuff... a small cooker.. utensils.. some oil... sambar masala... rasam masala... custom-made masala/powders... ready to cook stuff... And I still need to decide what more to add based on the no. of kgs left...

Any tips??