Comment posted on How India Helped Me Find My Purpose in Life by Auroracoda
Oh Sharell…how I loved this post!
As the day for my moving to India draws closer (October end), I am beginning to have fears of whether or not I can make it there. Will I be accepted, will I learn the language, will I regain my independent nature, so many thoughts criss-cross my brain.
I know I will be happy because I’ll be with Bear. I’m also very excited about my new home there and all the opportunities I will have to change. To be a different and better version of ‘me’. Will I be a writer, will I finish my ‘novel’, will I be a photographer, will I volunteer with women’s groups or a humane society…so many exciting opportunities!
But for a US girl who is a bit ‘spoiled’ by Indian standards, I am still nervous that I will fail in some way. Reading your blogs always helps me to know that I will be fine. That I will have you (and your Gori group) there to talk to and learn from.
Essentially, reading your blog eases my fears. Thank you so much. HUG
PS: I LOVE the pic of you and the poochie! I can’t wait to get there and talk Bear into taking me to the local shelters to find one of our own! hehe
Recent comments by Auroracoda
- All About the Holy Cow in India
Because I know you’ve been waiting for me to come and say it….“LOOK Sharell!!!! A COW!”
heheExcellent and informative post by the way and thanks for sharing!
- India Photo: An “Only in India” Moment
“Bear!!! LOOK!!! COW!!!!!!!!!”
He just loooooooooves it when I do that. I think it makes him happy that I constantly want to refer to every bovine looking creature with four legs that we see on the side of the road (or in our own parking structure area) as “COW”. - Adapting to and Retaining Indian Customs
Hi Sharell,I think we kind of got on this topic on “another” page a few days back, nah?
I’ve been meaning to come over and comment on this subject and then never got an opportunity before today.
Everyday, I wear the sindoor, the bindi, my manglasutra, my wedding band and my toe rings. Occasionally I will wear bangles, but after a while they get on my nerves and I take them off.
So why do I do it? For no other reason that it makes “mera ahoo” unbelievably happy to see me wearing so many representations of “him”. And I love my husband’s being happy and I adore to see him smile. So, I do these things for him. And for no one else. And because I also enjoy it. That’s it.
I do wear Indian attire when visiting with his family as it’s a sign of respect in their homes and presence. It is no different than me dressing up in a dress or a skirt, blouse and patent leather shoes for my Grandparents in US. They’ve never told me they expect this, I just know it would please them so I do it.
But I also do not think it’s right to force someone to wear something that they are uncomfortable with just because of your own personal belief. I have a friend in the US who is Muslim. She never, EVER wore a burqa. Her father had once told his soon to be wife, if you want to wear it then that is fine….but never let my family MAKE you. So she didn’t and he stood up for her right not to and therefore my friend also did not have to once she came of age. Now, no one in the entire family wears it, even my friends father’s mother. And the father no longer worries over it.
I’m wondering if whether more people gave OTHER people permission to be themselves and then fought beside them for that right, if things wouldn’t become better….
- My Experience with Repairmen in Mumbai
Hey Sharell!!!Long time no talk to! It’s be CRAAAZY busy here….and I haven’t had an opportunity to post ONE little blog on my site…but I take time to read other’s just to remain a little sane.
I have an idea for you….take some crazy glue (or whatever other industrial strength glue you can find) and glue some nails pointy side UP on top of the outside of your air conditioner unit.
Works like a chaaaaarm here for the outside units! Muahahahahhaha! - The Difficulty of Living So Far From Home
I’m so sorry for you loss Sharell.I agree that it can be difficult to be so far away from family, but this can be true even if you are living in the same country. Right now, I’m on the west coast and all my family is on the east coast. I would be able to go home in an emergency but it would be expensive and only about 10 hours shorter than an international flight.
The important thing is that you are there with them in spirit, you are remembering your grandmother with love and continuing to live your life the way she would want you to.
I think you are doing all of these things beautifully. Hugs to you >:D<
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Hi Sherrel jee,
Great blog. Very inspiring. I have been in California for over 10 years and surrounded by Redwood forests. I really enjoyed your postings which reminded me a lot of Bombay and brought me closer to home.
Regards,
Anil from Arcata
( With Love from Far Northern California)
Thanks
Hi Anil ji, thanks so much for your wonderful feedback. It makes me really happy to know that my posts have meaning for you.
I know what it’s like to feel really far from home sometimes.
why would u be living in india? Most indians (like myself) leave India. Well, my parents did i mean.
I live in India because it suits me for now — I love my work, I don’t have to go to an office, my routine is flexible, I’m not caught up in the material rat race, and I’m learning about a new culture and having wonderful and interesting experiences. It’s natural enough to want to leave India and experience a “better” life in the west — but I’ve already had it. So, time for something else.
Really, it’s a shame that so many talented and able Indians leave India for something better. India needs these people here to help the country move forward!
Nothing better in life than finding your true passion and being able to pursue what you love.
You are a real trailblazer. Kudos!
discussion abt you
http://www.desichatter.com/forums/showthread.php?p=27455#post27455
Oh my!
I feel rather humble and honoured (and a little embarrassed). I think I’ll hide, and pretend I’m not getting discussed. 
Just googled
another Canadian forum discussing about you
http://www.canadiandesi.com/read.php?TID=27900
Seems like NRI’s very much interested in your true story..and now you become famous amongs NRI’s…congrats:)
Desichatter.com posted your picture/story on their front page.
Hi Sharell,
You truly inspire me.. Thank You.
Woow this was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L..
Thanks so much Sruthi!
G’day Sharrell, how you going?
Stumbled across your site today and must compliment you on everything about it. Admire you for choosing to live the way uncommon and blazing your own path.
I’m Indian by descent from Malaysia. Live in Can Bra now.
Having never been to India before, its kinda weird for me in a way to experience India vicariously through your eyes. Still, I enjoy the experience and really like your writing skill and style.
Keep up the great work! God bless..
Hi Drew, I’m good thanks mate.
You must be feeling a bit chilly there right now? I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement! It’s great to know that you find the blog interesting. Sometimes, I have trouble believing that it’s actually my life I’m writing about…. it’s turned out so different that what I expected. But it really feels like I’m on the right path. Wishing you the best. I hope “Can bra” is treating you well. 
Hi Sharell,
Chilly..oh bloody oath mate! Winter is Not My Favorite Season.
Canberra’s treating me well,thanks. The adjustments I had to make initially.. like walking into Coles and not finding Indian Foodstuff in the Asian Foodstuff aisle because Indians are not Asian. Apparently.
Learning what a Curry Muncher was.
Getting tired of explaining to people that I wasn’t Indian, but Malaysian until finally just admitting to being Indian, complete with the side to side head shake thing.
But on the whole, I love Australia. The Fair Go. The people. The way of life.
And no, I’ve never once been assaulted or treated with anything less than dignity because of my race; I’m convinced that the incidents of Indians being bashed in Sydney and Melbourne were simply opportunistic crimes against perceived softer targets.
@ Steven
I’m Indian and I wouldn’t mind living abroad but I think apart from places like Mumbai, the quality of life for anybody who is middle class or upper middle class is quite great. I’ve grown up with my father in the army and I’ve lived all over India. I can’t imagine living in Mumbai with those really small houses and crazy commute times. I live in Bangalore now which has its problems but is still a great place to live in. The ease with which you get domestic help of various kinds here is great. I mean labour is really cheap so when I hear stories of my relatives in Australia who have to do everything at home like dishes, clothes and all household chores I’d just like to live comfortably here. And because of the booming economy people of our generation have a plethora of jobs waiting for us. So, India is the place to be for many reasons now.
@ Sharell
“Really, it’s a shame that so many talented and able Indians leave India for something better. India needs these people here to help the country move forward!”
———————————————————————————————-
Bingo !!
You never loose a chance to be loved by me , when you echos my feeling exactly the way , I wanted to say.
I don’t think it’s a great idea to move to North America/Europe/Australia NOW. In the 90s, it was a good move. Not any longer, though.
India’s hot now and it’s really THE place to be (along with China, Brazil, Angola and Botswana) if a challenging, exciting career profile in an emerging market is what you’re looking for.
India Inc. is booming like never before and for talented people, there are tremendous opportunities to showcase their potentials and fully utilize their skills.
I’m stickin’ around.
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