Things are happening so quickly, I am unable to get a chance to document it!

I spent weekend before last in San Diego and then the week in Seattle and last weekend in New York City.

Quick Recap or SD:

1. We took the option of getting 400 bucks each and traveled from Seattle to Salt Lake to Orange County and then being driven on PCH to San Diego. SD airport was really nice, the whole drive on PCH was amazing.



PCH baby!

2. We stayed at Kona Kai resort, which is right next to the airport on Shelter Island Drive. Had a really nice view of the water.

Kona Kai

3. Second day we hung out at the beach with Ted and Elia and their kids, a wonderful mix of Russian and Chinese, almost mongolian like... This was in Del Mar. Next we headed to the outlet mall which was fun. Dinner at Soup Plantation which was exactly the same as Sweet Tomatoes in ATL that we go to all the time.






4. Sunday we drove up PCH and walked on the beach at Oceanside, Carlsbad and then lunch in Del Mar at Jake's. San Diego looks so fake, its like a set out of truman show, the palm trees are planted at exact distances apart, the cars are all waxed and shiny, the weather is perfect and the people look like perfect little familes with dogs. Its unreal. People are very superfically friendly (SEA seems so much more real), everyone cant be so happy all the time! Later that night we headed out to check out Gaslamp District, the Hard Rock and rest of the nightlife around there. Nothing unusual from the rest of the countries little pubs,bars, restaurant scene. We saw a piano duel, which was kinda unique.

driving up PCH to Oceanside and back

Gaslamp quarters



Equally Spaced Palm Trees

5. Spent Monday morning in the hot tub jacuzzi in 60 degree weather, it was really relaxing. Then headed to a very upscale good dim sum restaurant. Ate too much and then we were off to the airport. Trip back was slightly annoying because united and alaskan was not on the same terminal, but we got back in one piece at the right time. Bags didnt come in till the next day but we survived somehow.

So excited about being in Hawaii the past 4 days for an interview here...! Free Trip !!!

Some of the Highlights.. learning experiences:

1. Milk costs 8 dollars/gallon no matter where you shop. They have weekly specials for 6 bucks but you have to look for those. I went all the way to Ewa beach and it was still that expensive.

2. There is no rent control, the rent can be super cheap at about 1100/month for a 1 bedroom townhouse to about 2800/month for a 1 bedroom condo.

3. Traffic is like a parking lot, rush hour runs from 5.30 am to 9.30 am and then 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Its only between exists 10-25 on H1 but its really terrible for a small island like this. Bad traffic management, if there is an accident then they will shut the road for a day... they just dont believe in fixing things and moving on.



4. Tan Hello Kitty is only available in Hawaii. Its a collectors edition and its very special for the hello kitty fans!



5. There is always a party on Waikiki, last weekend it was the pro-bowl party on the streets.

6. Pupu means food (hahaha)


7. Roaches are a big problem, I saw one in Ala Moana mall, one of the best malls I have ever seen.


8. More than half the population is asian, with maximum number of Japaneses. There is a japanese menu in all the restaurants, including Bombay Restaurant!

9.Parking is not that bad a problem if you are ready to pay. Street parking is also ample, for such a concentrated place... parking is not an issue yet. But driving is very very slow.

10. Aloha culture is vibrant. These are the nicest city people I have ever met. They always smile and say Aloha ... and mean it. Very Very Nice people...

11. Pineapples are no longer grown in HAwaii, they are all imported. For pineapple state, that is kinda sad !

12. The jobs pay comparable to mainland but not to NYC. Pretty much everyone works 2 jobs to make ends meet. There are a lot of poor people but very little crime. People are just happy the way they are.

I spent last weekend at V's in Dallas... that was a lot of fun. We went to the Nature and Science Museum where we saw Aliens in the Deep Imax show. Walked around Arbor Nature PReserve. Went for a nice Indian meal at Clay pit and an interesting Indian Film: Sunday. Last day we also went to a very cute Gelato place. Other than that, we hung out wtih two dogs which were very cute the whole time..




"Aliens of the Deep" from filmmaker James Cameron.


Arbor Presev

Its been over 10 days since I got back from India.. let me write down some quick highlights:

1. Ponk Party in Ganpatpura, trip to baroda to meet Rosh, Utarayan in Ahemdabad. Spending time with grandparents and all the family on this trip.
2. Pav Vada by Mithibai, Bengali movie with bad hindi dubbing of Rahul Bose at PVR, Amar Pav Bhaji and hanging out with Gala and Neetij
3. Cotton World with Yojna
4. Just around the Corner with Ratu
5. Juhu Club China Garden with mom-dad, Umesh kaka-Kaki and Chiku Miku
6. Lands End with Maulikbhai, Kunal and Vishu
7. Satyanarayan Katha at Kaki's
8. Watching Marathon, Modi and Muharram with Mom-Dad at Siddhivinayak
9. Hanging out with Rosh on Marine Drive and Sea Lounge at Taj - Gateway of India
10. Chilling at Home with Mom-Dad