20 Months in Chicago

Today is Oct 17, 2010, 1.30 Am CST. I landed in US on Feb 07, 2009. I just wanna look back now and see what things have i experienced and where i have changed and log it here.

One special thing that happened is I drive a four wheeler now. No doubt, wouldnt have done it so early in India. Driving in US is the best i would say and i havent driven anywhere else :P. But it is indeed very simple and easy to purchase and drive here. Spent good money to driving classes and i dont regret. You just need to be in control and in concentration. So disciplined it is, indiscipline is an exception. My Long drive between LV and Grand Canyon was awesome. But, if i go home, i will atleast need a month to drive comfortably. Because India is a special country when it comes to driving :) i wanna do more long drives before i leave.

Got a DSLR and every day when i get to explore more features in it, i fall in love once again. Its a cool thing, the DSLR.

Netflix, my weekends are never complete without a movie. Havent visited other commercial streaming movie sites, but take my word, Netflix is the best! And Netflix should be given credit for me becoming a Fan of many great actors and directors around the world, especially Clint Eastwood, Shirley Temple, Akira Kurosawa....

Also enjoy the AMC a lot. once in every week atleast.

You know what....The Net. Yes, without which your world is empty here. you wouldnt need anything other than a car and the internet to live alone in US.

Have understood more about one's personal space in this country. More than understanding, have developed Respect for it. I see people here have lots of self discipline, i follow myself but not sure if i have transformed enough that i will follow the same back home.

Have learnt more about the American history, lots more left as well.

Visited most of the West - SFO, LA and LV. NY and Niagara in the East. Have taken long drives to Mackinac Island and St. Louis. Oh yes, I love travelling. Been to India twice for vacation.

Started giving importance to Brands. Abercrombie to which i have fallen in love. It fits me right and looks and feels great. My wallet, wrist watch and sun glass are all Fossil, it is affordable and trust worthy. Trust, comfort and pride are important factors to get inclined towards any brand.

Let me think on what more.....

Oh yes, Online shopping. you can buy most if not all through online. You have established and proven trust worthy sites here. Amazon, the number one. My personal experience as well is great with Amazon.

Not just online, even the store shopping is lovable. Whether it is Walmart or Target or other grocery stores. You can relax yourself doing store shopping.

Certain things are costly, especially food. But you are actually paid for it already, so no complaints.

How can i miss the seasons. In Chicago, i have all the special seasons, the summer, the fall and the winter. Every season is a lovely experience you shouldnt and cannot miss! The colors of fall and snow fall of winter.....wow. Summer is for you to explore other parts of US.

This is all i remember now. will post a sequel if needed....

In the streets of Chicago...

28 Mar 2009
I was in downtown chicago this time last week. It was the best day for me after reaching US. I felt literally nothing interesting after a couple of days in Hoffman Estates. I thought the excitement about US is over. But no, i was wrong, am in the wrong part of US. The real american life lives in Downtown!
The amazement starts with the tallest of buildings in the world all over...and it continues to excite you in the cleanliness, the people, the beggars, the street performers, the penetrated artificial beauty everywhere u look at, the cars, self discipline....I just couldnt believe that its all possible by just another human like me...i mean ofcourse the americans...You sure would yearn for such things in India.
In my day to day life, the most important and lovely thing i cherish is the drive, the drive to anywhere in US. If you know driving, you can go anywhere in US from North to South or East to West, thanks to the google map and GPS. With sign boards all over and with enough gas in your car, if you drive consciously you can literally drive any part of US. Was surprised to see that no one Honks unless something wierd happens...The toll booths at many places are unmanned, if u miss them , either u pay them online or you will get your fine back home in days, you are watched all over. You should not violate any sign if you dont want to pay that large sum in fine. Dont even think of hitting anyone not even an animal. You will kill yourself to relieve from paying the fine for that. though its a bit harsh, it had actually helped the humans here a peaceful transport (includes walking and cycling as well) atleast 95% of the time. People really are polite , watchful and respect the space and turn for others while driving. Its all so beautiful to see. I do not see just the traffic rules in these things. its about the tolerance level and patience on taking things.
It really is another index of their mind!
You will pity yourself if you do not have a car for you as i do it for me now....i wish i learn driving and buy my Subaru or Audi...

1, 2, 3...in US

Feb 12, 09

There are certain things which are to be done mandatorily as soon as reaching US. Just give a thought and what would you think are important ? an accomodation, a phone, a bank account ? But there are more things and the order of execution could matter too at times. Here goes the list below in the Order of importance.
1.) I -9 form - Employment verification form to be done and posted within 2 days starting work in US ideally. Form available in uscis website. (Am told that it can be done within a week :) and i posted it on 3rd day) . I posted it twice as i missed to post it along with the copy of I-94, Visa and Passport. So remember the copies to be attached.
2.)SSN - social security number, an equivalent of ID card in US, though it is of the second highest priority you have to wait for two weeks to apply for one, only then you will find your profile updated to get it. so am yet to apply for it.
3.)Bank Account - On a personal front, the most important for our surviving, you would need to have one and get your employer informed so that your salary gets credited. To my knowledge with inputs from many friends in US, Bank of America (BoFA) is good to have one. you can have easy internet transactions. though you would be dependent on a third party (like sbi or moneytoindia...) to transfer money to your indian accounts, any bank for that matter would depend on a third party. Hey, you need SSN to open a bank account, but dont worry you can initially open it with just your passport and later update the SSN as soon as you get it.
4.)Phone - mm, the fuel for any one living away from his home. to get a connection on contract from any service provider which gives you great phones like black berry or iphone for free, you need your SSN. so one option is to wait till you get your SSN and the other option if its urgent for you, go for prepaid as i have done and you can change it to a contract or even change the service provider without changing the number later getting the SSN. T- mobile is giving better options in "prepaid" than AT & T with a free phone along with the connection. i got a prepaid with basic Nokia phone for around $21. Remember, the minimum contract period is 2yrs and there is high cancellation charges if you break the contract in between. $175 in case of AT& T, but in T-mobile, if the reason is genuine like leaving the country, the cancellation charges are waived.
5.)Accomodation - Though it is of highest need to get one as you step into the country, i assume you would get one easily through your friends for initial days atleast until u get one for you...so in that case you can get this done easily. You would need the SSN here as well to go for the lease agreement, Agreement breaking charges are applicable, but most of the cases, you would have people coming in and going out so that the agreement can be managed. i guess so. You have lots of websites to tell you the available acco (like sulekha...).
6.) Car - To make your life a comfortable one in US, you need this. A car is a very basic necessity in US and i regret that i dint learn driving in India. It is very tough to live without a car especially in suburbs as you will not have any public transportation unlike downtown. You can manage only by being dependent on your friends as i am now. :)

With great help from colleagues here am done with most of the things except items 2 (SSN) and 5 (Acco) and 6 (car) Ofcourse i need to wait for another week to apply for SSN. Have spoken to a colleague from north for taking a single BHK ($885 to be shared). might get that by next week. Until i learn driving i cant think of item 6 :(

Above said things are subject to my limited knowledge and experience. Could vary person to person. Please take them at your own risk ;)

And remember, every one is helping here in US, but you have to ask for!

Note: This post is continued in Mar 13th blog as well....