of Pride, Craziness and Sheila's Youth

Chicago is turning out to be quite fun. My quick impression of this city after a mere 3 weeks is that it is unassuming, fun and beautiful. It is now my favourite city in the US..ok well both Seattle and Chicago and most amazingly, I'll be shuttling between these two fabulous cities quite often thanks to work! totally jazzed!

Now on to the fun part - The craziness that was yesterday. Right, it all began when K & D my two favourite people in Chicago, invited me to their pre-pride party. When I saw that the event started at 10 am, my eyebrows shot up. Yes, I went to B-school where drinking was a norm, but at 10am?? So on sunday morning, I overslept as usual, waking up just in time to shower, wash the hair and dress up in an orange polka-dot dress. The thing is, you can't go to party hosted by queens unless you're quite fashionably dressed. So by the time I reached their house it was 11 am and I was famished.

and there it was, spread out, the "Breakfast of Champions" or what it should consist of - Vodka lemonade, pita chips and potato salad. K &D, both amazing hosts, immediately made sure I had a cup in hand and was quickly introduced to whole new bunch of people - met some fellows MBAs at Ross and some their friends from the city. I LOVE meeting new people and listening to their personal stories. It has all the anticipation that comes with the beginning of a new chapter.

After being sufficiently "wined" up, off we went to watch the parade. I repeat, our original plan was to find a good spot on the pavement and WATCH the parade. But somehow, we became PART of the parade. The Human Rights float was head of us and behind us were a bunch of hot looking guys in pink leotards, dancing to lady gaga. As soon we realized that we were in the parade, it was like our inner Diva was unleashed. We went around giving Hi-fives to random people in the crowd, hugging people and kissing puppies. And the most amazing part was the cheering from the crowd. It was most incredible - to see the acceptance, the tolerance and the love for the LGBT folks in this city. This parade was not just a spectacle but a celebration of accepting people for who they are! made me love chicago twice over!

The parade was crazy long and by this time, I was truly buzzed and had lost all inhibition. Not hard when there was alcohol and an adoring crowd involved. I kind of realized why rockstars act the way they do. The feeling is truly heedy! Somebody in my group dared me to kiss a cop after I mentioned that they, the law enforcement officers manning the parade, looked all tense and grumpy. You know you've lost all sense of reason, when you run up to a cop and give him a massive hug. The first one, smiled and didn't seem to mind it and so bolstered, I kissed the next one right in the face. And that boys and girls, will be my achievement of the year. Some people get married, some make babies, I show affection for law enforcement. That's how much of a fan I am.

Anyway, we got off the parade due to sheer exhaustion and came back to base camp. When we got back to K &D's house, K started playing bollywood numbers and both of us started dancing to the sheer amusement of the others present in the room. After showing them what an "item number" is (thanks to Sheila and her youth), I decided to head back, make that stumble back home. Infact I was walking so slowly, that a random dude who passed by me, asked me if I was ok. I smiled and told him that I had the best day ever!

*insert smiley here*

I'm usually never in a overtly happy mood. My happy moods are always tinged with circumspect-ness that has me channeling some past foreboding just to balance things out, but these days, it's plain old joy of a blithe existence. Joie de vivre and so forth.

First, there is new music in my life. Really nice, indie type music that my youngest cousin suggested to me via a sweetly composed text, listing all her favourite obscure bands in alphabetical order! I hadn't heard of any of the bands, and am now spending my time getting to know to them. So that's how I find myself addicted to Born Ruffians these days. Love em! Music also helped me bond with my lil cousin sis, although calling her "lil" would be a misnomer because she turned legit (21) a couple of weeks back, which officially makes me her older, yoda-channeling cousin. Apart from obscure music, she also likes myth busters and integration and I was like "ME TOO!"

Second, my new found love is Chicago. Each passing day has me falling more in love with this city. It's brilliant in the summer with soo much to do and explore. I feel like a newborn, taking in new sights and neighbourhoods. This city has great food, artsy stores and superb architecture that has me (embarrassingly) gawking at buildings. and then there is the lake!! (which I can partially see from my apartment.) I've also discovered the running track along the lake and when the weather is great, my run is nothing short of exquisite. It's also a "walker" friendly city. I can walk, for hours on end and not get bored! Chicago in summer also has a plethora of street fairs and music concerts. An amazing city and I feel awesome to live in it. My only hope is that it doesn't go apeshit cold on me in the winter. *Fingers crossed*

Third, fixing my apartment is keeping me occupied. I'm doing endless research on the kind of "look" I want for each room and the whole process is TONS of fun. I was soo meant to play "house-house." I'm going furniture shopping in the coming week and hopefully can get my hands on the furniture I've been eyeing. So far, I'm veering towards a kitchy art-decor theme but design projects have their own weird evolution, especially MY design projects, so I can't wait to see how my apartment turns out. But I hope it has a warm, hang-outey feel to it..you know, where I can lounge and have friends come over and play scrabble over chai...That's definitely the dream, so far none of my friends like scrabble although they do like chai.

Fourth, speaking of friends, I'm also meeting many new people and getting to know them. Having wonderful conversations that leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy. Right now, for me there is nothing more exciting than adding new chicago contacts to my phone. Each new contact makes me feel like I'm moving ahead, learning new things and opening the door to new experiences..

so yeah, overall, Happy.

A foody ode to Durham

Oddly enough, you realise that a city is "Home" to you when you start missing its food. That odd hour craving that develops suddenly and that which cannot be met because, sadly, you're not in the city anymore. That's when you realize that you'll always share a bond, that only gastric juices can enhance.

I agree, that "city" is indeed a bold word to describe Durham with. For most people it's a quaint old college town, somewhat dwarfed by the state school (who I'll not name to maintain the purity of this blog) down the road. For me, it will always be my first home in the US. A place with a swirl of quirkiness and warmth hovering over it. A place where Starbucks people actually give you complimentary coffee for graduating or acing an exam (true and true). A place where taxi drivers drive back to return your wallet, a place where a hair salon brews its own beer and you actually get tipsy while getting a hair cut and finally, a place where a traffic cop will let you go with just a warning and not a ticket (OK I'll admit that last incident might be a one off because I've gotten my share of speeding tickets as well)

I've always believed you can fathom the content of a town's character by its food. I'll always associate Durham with warm, soul enriching food. No hoity-toity, stiff upper lippy food with complicated names but simple, down to earth goodness, that can rouse the very best in mortals if needed. So while I sit here in my Chicago's apartment, I miss not sitting in my favourite cafe, I miss fried food and I miss the southern drawl, which usually fronts for friendliness and warmth. So,methinks it would be grave if I didn't document all my favourite haunts. Even at the risk of rousing my food craving and not being able to fulfill it sadly.

1. Saladelia Cafe: I'll always consider Saladelia my secret abode. This was the first cafe I stumbled into after landing in Durham. Though, initially I went there for the Free Wi-Fi, later on I began going there more for the food and the soothing Jazz music. It was my place to ponder from, wonder about and watch the world at work. It was also a place that encouraged musicians and there'd hardly be a weekend where a Jazz band did not play. I'll always remember those sun drenched Saturdays, watching a Jazz quartet play and just reveling in the insouciance of the moment. I'll also remember it for Fida, the owner of Saladelia. She gave me the tightest hug anybody ever gave me, every time she saw me. She'd always be there to listen to my experiences in a new country, while sharing with me her own, as a Lebanese student in the 90s. But then there was the Food. The best hummus you ever ate, or a Gyro or a wrap. I'll miss sauntering into Saladelia on a Saturday afternoon and eating a great brunch, while planning the rest of the glorious weekend, with jazz music as background score to my existence.

2. Fosters/Parker & Otis: Brunch reminds me of all the great conversations I've had with people at both these places. If Saladelia was my solitary haunt, Fosters and P&O, was where I socialized and revelled in the opinion of the other. Both places had a typical southern-house ambiance and decor. Both were cluttered with candy, pots & pans, cook books, preserves and every odd kitchen nick-knack one could possibly think of. Oddly, the very clutter made it more welcoming and homely. I loved entering these two places and being lost in the aroma and the noise at once. But transformational conversations is what I'll treasure it for the most. Whether it was talking about startups and business plans or love life and boys, I always left feeling smarter than when I entered. It's like these places fostered discussion. The food mainly consisted of sandwiches, salads and wraps but good, ole fashioned talk was what made it special.

3. Dains: One of my biggest achievements in B-school was not getting a job but winning the Dain's Trivia. Dain's is the official college bar of Duke and every Wednesday, they also have Trivia which is pretty tough to win, given that a lot of teams compete in it and so, thats why it is one of the hallmark of my B-school experience. Dain's also has the best veggie burger in town.

4. Bull City Burger & Beverages: speaking of burgers, I would duel anybody who didn't think these guys had the best burger in the town. I still wildly crave the "Green Monster" with Duck fat fries. Oh mother-o-gawd. The burgers here make me wish I were pregnant and a carte blanche to eat how much ever I wanted. sigh.They are THAT GOOD!

5. Guglhupf Cafe: More than brunch, I loved coming here for their dinner specials. Their food had a lot of European (though mainly German) influence. I loved their schnitzel, beef short ribs and pan roasted salmon the best. Their desserts were out of this world! My thrill of the evening would be to choose MY dessert from the dessert tray laden with pretty,eye-popping desserts. Sigh, loved it!

6. Broad Street Cafe: Great for beer, pizza and random live band on a Friday Night. Actually, the best kept secret was their Chocolate chess pie, which a good friend once told me about. We often went there just for that particular dessert.

7. Local Yogurt: My favourite yogurt place. They have the best tasting frozen yogurt in the country methinks. So natural and tart. Always a great spot for catching up with friends during the week or to chase the mid week blues away.

8. Vimala's Curry Blossom Cafe: Though technically not in Durham, I'll add this to the list because I can't help but crave for their fried plantains. Great, home cooked Indian food with none of the usually greasy dishes that you expect from Indian restaurants in the US. This place is special also because, when the owner felt like it, she made a pretty awesome fish curry that just drenched your soul in satisfaction.

Lot of other awesome places that I'll miss : Vin Rouge (French), Dane's Indian Lunch house, Tyler's Tap Room, Thai Cafe, Twisted Noodles, Chubby's Tacos (Mexican), Queen of Sheeba (Ethiopian) , Mediterranean Grill (Greek/Turkish) and many more.

Oh Durham, I'll miss your food sooo much but darn, all that food talk has made me SEVERELY hungry now!

Ok, Now What?

So here I am, in an empty apartment in a chicago highrise. I just got here today with 3 bags. The rest of my stuff is on its way here. I realize I have moved every year for the past 6 years and so I've become adept at packing even though I'm still not immune to the whole process yet. I wish I was though. Its pretty hard, uprooting your life every 12 months and starting anew. So, it is with packing fatigue that I write this. If not for it, I would be very excited about the future. About the thought of working in my DREAM job, something I'm sooo excited about, that I can't wait to start already! I would also be very excited about the city I'm living in and bought my new neighbourhood. I say I would, more so because of my sadness at the ending of school.

The month of may was awesome to say the least. Celebrating the culmination of a hard-earned, transformational journey. I met amazing people from all over the world and saying goodbye was tough but I know I have a place to stay in in virtually 70 countries in the world. That in itself was one of the best gifts of this process. My parents and brother were also here to see me graduate. I'm glad they got to see my school and meet my friends and be part of the graduation ceremony. We also went all over the country after that. NY, Vegas, Grand Canyon and SF. They got to see this great country and the things that make it incredible. It felt weird to say goodbye to them at SF and come back to Durham to pack though. Wish we had more time together.

On the bright side though, I'm incredibly grateful for such an amazing experience and for the opportunity to, atleast in this moment, look in to the future with excitement and wonder about the things to come :)