Catching Up 
Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 11:59 AM
Posted by Administrator
I can literally feel the final 5 weeks of my assignment slipping away. The extreme hours have been difficult and last week was no exception. I flew to Delhi and stayed in a subdivision called Gurgoan. Delhi certainly has a different look and feel from Hyderabad. Delhi being the capital city has a lot more money being injected by west and the Indian government. Commercial buildings are prevalent with multiple western corporation names labeled across the fascia of every building. Delhi feels more like a westernized city than I imagined would exist in India. Unfortunately the demands on my time while on this assignment made no exception during the Delhi trip and regrettably, I didn’t have an opportunity to explore the capital city at all.

I, along with my two partners in crime here (Mike and Gulshan) had to create organizational level presentations in 2 days (Saturday & Sunday), fly to Delhi on Monday, deliver 5 presentations between Tuesday & Wednesday, fly back to Hyderabad, then deliver an additional and final presentation. On Friday, when it was all over we closed out the week with a video interview for the US on our International Delivery Lead roles and the part we individually play. I had pulled another 60 hour week when the accounting was done and this doesn‘t bring to light the lack of sleep these schedules leave us with.

As my time in India grows shorter, I’m reminded of the many things I stand to lose when I leave. Among the most important to me are friendships. Mike and I have been like brothers on this trip and have only ventured out of the hotel separately on only a hand full of occasions. I keep thinking that going back to the states marks a return to familiarity and a winding down of my stress level but the $100 question is, “Does it really”. Mike made a joke yesterday that when I leave, 1000 people will be at the airport to wish me well. I don’t think that’s true but I have built a fair number of relationships in India and to potentially walk away forever saddens me.

I have a significant feeling that what was familiar prior to August 2007, will be new again and what used to be comfortable will require a significant adjustment period. I think these two aspects of a short to long term international assignment are what have caught me most by surprise. I contemplated many challenges before my journey, cultural as well as professional and these never made it on my list.

Of great excitement to me is that my relationship with my wife will be new again. I truly look forward to this and have already planned some fun & spicy experiences like Ballroom dancing lessons. As I’ve mentioned before, my daughter cries every day without fail. Regaining her trust and strengthening the bond between her, my son and I will be a primary objective in the first weeks back.

I also plan to continue writing in this blog for the first month after my return to allow those interested to understand the challenges and excitement of re-entry into the US.



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