Move in, Move out

Moving to a new place is often an emotional experience. There's sadness about who and what you're leaving behind. There's some apprehension as to how things will work out: will you be able to make good friends? What will your lifestyle be like? etc. And then, there's hope. Hope that you can do better this time with the clean slate you've been offered. Hope that you won't repeat your past mistakes (and not make whole new ones either!).

It was with the enthusiasm, brashness and optimism of youth that I went to the US and returned much mellowed, much more sober, much more a realist. This includes the time I moved to a single bedroom apartment there from the 3-bedroom I shared with many guys: I set up my new place so well you wouldn't believe it was I who did it. I put up photos and even art on the walls. I equipped my kitchen with everything from toaster, blender type stuff to chappathi-making equipment. I kept the place clean, tidy and orderly. I had cable tv and high speed internet. I had some decent furniture. I bought a car (a Honda Accord, at that!). I think overall I spent a small fortune, in terms of money, time and love. And then my health problems returned to plague me, and I suddenly had to leave, dropping everything, and I mean everything. I sold the car and gave away (or threw away) everything else. It was heartbreaking.

So you will understand when I tell you how apprehensive I am about moving this time. I have just joined a job in Bangalore, and am on the apartment hunt again. When I move in completely, what will happen? Will my life be as rich and enjoyable as it was at IITM? Or will it be "move in, move out" all over again, for whatever reason?

I take a deep breath. I plunge, and I hope. I pray. I dream. I dare.

Cheers,
Prashanth.