This post has been a long time coming. No, we are not breaking up with India. In fact, we are apologizing and starting a fresh relationship.
See, the truth is, while India has definitely been an adjustment, the problem isn't the country or the people. I, legs, have realized that there are other factors about my job that have really affected our morale at post. Recognizing that the organizational culture might or might not fit our family's needs has been very hard--particularly because of how much time and effort I put in to get here. It doesn't mean that we want to leave, it just means that we are finding our selves particularly introspective trying to identify what is important to us right now and how we can get our needs met while pursuing this career. Either way, in the end, it's not you, India, it's me and I'm sorry.
India is different but it is truly incredible. Once you find your place in Hyderabad the city becomes that much more familiar. I drive just about anywhere now and that freedom has been huge for us. Yesterday, we ran errands all over the city and it was *almost* like any other weekend in the States. I posted a while back about our relationship with our driver and yesterday he invited us to spend a very special holiday with his joint family in their home. It was that much more special for us after really starting over with India. Again, we are reminded why we wanted to live this life despite the challenges. The only question in the next few years is whether or not the culture of the agency is a good fit for us. But isn't that the question everywhere we work?
See, the truth is, while India has definitely been an adjustment, the problem isn't the country or the people. I, legs, have realized that there are other factors about my job that have really affected our morale at post. Recognizing that the organizational culture might or might not fit our family's needs has been very hard--particularly because of how much time and effort I put in to get here. It doesn't mean that we want to leave, it just means that we are finding our selves particularly introspective trying to identify what is important to us right now and how we can get our needs met while pursuing this career. Either way, in the end, it's not you, India, it's me and I'm sorry.
India is different but it is truly incredible. Once you find your place in Hyderabad the city becomes that much more familiar. I drive just about anywhere now and that freedom has been huge for us. Yesterday, we ran errands all over the city and it was *almost* like any other weekend in the States. I posted a while back about our relationship with our driver and yesterday he invited us to spend a very special holiday with his joint family in their home. It was that much more special for us after really starting over with India. Again, we are reminded why we wanted to live this life despite the challenges. The only question in the next few years is whether or not the culture of the agency is a good fit for us. But isn't that the question everywhere we work?
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| Mehindi done at the Eid festival by our friend's nieces...I was surrounded by women, all of us sitting on the floor in saris or kurtas, little kids watching intently as the girls did both of my hands...lots of giggling...amazing. |
