Four years here

Today - July 26th 2005 marks the 4th anniversary of my stay in the US. I have learnt a lot of things (and am still learning) in my stay here. This post is a reflection of the past 4 years (just the highlights)- most of which were spent as a student. It could be a long post (I may be amused to read it after a few more years), so bear with me.

Defining moments (2001-2005):

1. Got an admission for MS in Arizona State University with no assistantship. No idea about courses.

2. Experienced a sinking feeling (in more than one sense) when the plane took off from Madras. Reached Frankfurt. Some guy was calling his parents in Madras. Gave him my home number to inform them through his parents. He did'nt even bother.

3. Reached Phoenix on the same day I started from India (!!). Senior had come to pick me up. Blast of hot air (dry heat!) hit me on the face outside the airport- Welcome To USA!.

4. Senior said he had some rice and buttermilk. Ate them hungrily. Crazy jet-lag. Did not know when I fell asleep. Rudely awoken by the song - "Mudhal kanave (majnu)" from the music system in full volume by senior's roomie. Realized that its every man for himself here.

5. Went to Comp. Science senior to ask him about what courses to take. Was planning on taking all courses that ended with NETWORKS (Computer Networks, Advanced Computer Networks, Wireless Networks, Broadband Networks, etc.), since most of us were planning to take it. He asked me to identify my area of interest. ???!!?

6. Several things to do: SSN office, apartment search, FEES, course registration, etc. etc. One of the guys who would be my roomie was feeling home-sick and wanted to go back to India!.

7. Another senior took me to a trekking trip nearby. Saw an original diamondback rattle snake on the trail.

8. Mistakes galore: misplaced my passport, BE transcripts, etc. in the registrar's office. Panicked for hours before I got them back. Registered for a horrible, horrible course (biggest mistake in my life, till now); at the same time, also registered for the course which would pave the life for me from then on. Little did I realize it then.

9. No assistanship; no hourly job yet; worst!. Took the TA test and passed it. Was included in the pile of applications. Got an hourly job as an usher/ticket collector in a NFL stadium. Sustainance was possible!. Learnt that no job is less; learnt to give respect to all. FIRST EYE OPENER.

10. September 11 - bang!. I was going to the lab of the god-forsaken course which I had taken. Saw some commotion with people watching TV. Thought it was a movie. Terrible day!!

11. Too many things happening at the same time. Got selected in the first round of a summer internship job. Had to go to Denver for the second round interview. Thought I did well. Came back and saw an email.. "Dear Mr., Although your qualifications.... ". I did'nt have to read it any more. Bulb!. FIRST MAJOR FAILURE. Devastated.

12. Somehow completed the final exams. Yet to find an area of interest. Yet to find an assistantship. Where is that "Land of Milk and Honey"?.

13. Out of the blue, there was an opening for an RA in Data Mining for a person with background in Image Processing and Analysis. Was asked by the professor to do some preliminary work for him to decide. Had never worked harder during that december, yet the prof. was killing my works. Like a rubber ball, was bounced again and again. This was it!. Finally, the prof. said, "I like your resilience.. you can join me". Oh, how happy was that day!.

14. Started learning things; realized that I had done a good thing choosing that course; identified my area of interest. 2 semesters go as a flash.

15. My first paper!.

16. Got introduced to a research lab in Phoenix through the University. They were requiring someone with my background.

17. India trip - after 1.5 years. Nice 30 days.

18. Back. Continued research work and courses. Revisited the Phoenix research lab who said they were willing to offer a summer internship.

19. After a few tense weeks, got the internship. Nice environment and ideal atmosphere for widening my works. More papers.

20. Expected the lab to take me in for full time; unfortunately a grant was cancelled. Bulb!. Another low point.

21. At the same time had to finish thesis. Applied for OPT (a.ka. time bomb!). Started applying for jobs side-by-side. Worst period for US economy.

22. Graduated at the end of 2003!. Felt so relieved!. My PG!!

23. Approached by a research lab in Florida since I had some experience working with biologists. Had to wait for 1 month to get things going. At last!, offerred a research assoc. post!

24. Leaving Arizona after 2.5 years. Different experience in Florida since I would living alone.

25. Applied for H1B, and got it in June. More papers.

26. Parents visited me in Dec. 2004.

26. Been almost 1.5 years after coming to Florida.

27. Going on.

Some unforgettable incidents:

Some exciting events during my stay here:

1. Encounter with a full grown alligator: Happened at the Everglades National Forest, FL. Had been canoeing with 2 other friends. Right after we started, the canoe went out of control and drifted towards the opposite bank - straight to a 12-foot alligator. I was at the front end. Thud!. Pure and raw fear; a certain slaughter in the making. People were shouting at us to get back!. Thats easier said than done. Somehow used our oars to come back a bit. But not for long!, went again and hit the guy again smack on the torso!. I thought I was finished already!. Luckily he was not impressed with us and ignored us!. Whewww!!. We were out barely for 50 feet from the renting station. Returned the canoe back and packed up. Great escape!.

2. Sky diving: In Florida; 12,000 feet tandem-jump. Jumped from the plane with the instructor; 60 seconds of free-fall at 120 Mph; then 6 minutes of parachuting. Awesome experience!.

3. Big Hurricane season 2004: Lots of storms; lots of wind power.

A big learning experience altogether. Lot of highs and lows. But on an average, it has been good. I don't know how long I would be staying here. No plans made; just taking life as it comes. Right from the course which I took in the first semester, till now, everything seems to be connected somehow. So, lets see how it goes from here.