How Was India? What's It Like to be Back?

How do you sum up 11 weeks? India was:

• Hot
• Crowded
• Absolutely opposite LA in every way
• Fascinating from a historical and cultural perspective. Also current events. This is a thriving old/new/developing country.
• Filled with gracious and beautiful people (opposite LA in most every way.)
• It was just like being at home until something typically Indian happens (house boy walks in, lights go out, hot water disappears in 3 minutes).

It was a great experience, I'm happy that I was there. I'm happy that I was there for 11 weeks so it could seem like being home. I'm happy that I'm home.

What's it like to be back?

This is weird. My job is gone. But not totally. We are in constant contact with the people in Bangalore. When they have a question, they instant message us. If it is urgent, they call us on the hot line. There are still 6 people in the office, but we will start leaving soon. It works out well. IBM is learning more every day so they won't need us as much.

I have time to work on projects, between instant messages, and see old friends. I never seemed to have time to walk around much when the phones were ringing constantly. We still have things to resolve for IBM and we have processes to put in place that will make things run smoother for both sides of the world. These are interesting. I can actually apply my whole brain to their solution. Imagine!

I had no problem with jet lag. I told Bill that I thought it was my hyper-slow metabolism. It will probably take a few weeks for it to realize I'm not in India anymore. I still have one more malaria pill to take. Do you think my body will realize I'm gone when it isn't filled with Malarone anymore?

I cooked a pork roast that we've been eating every day. Love pork and missed it in India. Adrian cooked fabulous salmon. Love salmon and missed Adrian's cooking. So the food cravings are out of the way. I don't eat much beef ever, so please don't ask if I missed it in India. I didn't. I even ate beef while there, but the beef and lamb both tasted a little off. I haven't eaten chicken and shrimp every day here like I did in India.

And so the blog changes

If you were just along for the India ride, I bid you adieu. Now you will be seeing pictures of my family, birthday party, trips across the US and miscellaneous thoughts about the future of the LA Times and Tribune Company. Thanks for joining me. It was fun to know that people all over the US were looking at our experiences in Bangalore. But I know that hearing about my personal journey to retirement won't interest anybody but me, really.

Bye, all.