The search is on!!!

Yes its true that the 'bride search' process, which is an integral part of many Indian weddings, has been activated at my home too. Until now no one seemed serious but it looks like, as I get 1 more year older in a few days, my days of 'bachelorhood' would be gone too.

It looks like finding a bride these days is becoming a lengthy and time consuming process. Those who know me will agree to the fact that I have only two filter conditions for my bride. She should be a Malayalai (one who is from Kerala) and she should be a Christian. Simple right??

I created my profile on all the famous matrimonial websites. My profile reads, "I am a simple and god fearing person looking for a simple and god fearing bride". That's me. But when I looked at some profiles on these websites, people have written paragraphs and paragraphs about themselves which puts my one liner to shame. Yeah you should know how to market yourselves. This is the quality I lack.

The other day my father asked me, "If you are already committed to some girl let us know". I wish I was committed to some beautiful girl already. This would have saved me a great deal of time in profile searching, shortlisting, getting rejected and hence getting disappointed etc. My 'bride search criteria' from my early teenage days until now has remained the same. She should be a Malayali and she should be a Christian. This has probably filtered out some prospective alliances at college and at workplace but past is past.

It would have been a different ball game if I had already committed to someone. If she was from a different cast or religion, all my efforts would have been directed towards convincing my parents and probably her parents. Then it would have been a lonely battle and the results would have been unpredictable. If it would have ended in a heartbreak then things would have been more difficult. But now I have my parents with me who are involved in the 'search' with zeal and zest. I can always rely on them to find me a good life partner. It would require a lot of patience I agree but it should probably worth the wait. I believe that whatever happens in life, happens for good. So lets wait and watch.

Time for me to go back and run through some more profiles to find that life partner I am looking for!!!

My Thanksgivings!!!

Another Thanksgiving is around the corner. Another Black Friday is just a few days away. Turkey, Mashed potatoes, cranberry, pumpkin pie... yummy. Its going to be a treat for the eyes and jubilation for the tongue and probably some more hours at the fitness center for many.

As I think about my Thanksgiving this year, I go back three years when I heard about Thanksgiving. It all started in 2005 when I came to US. I had no clue what Thanksgiving was. The first Thanksgiving night was spent on bagging the Black Friday deals at various consumer electronic shops. We fought the chilling cold to stand in line at these stores and we were pretty happy that we could get some good deals.

The next year I decided not to go for any shopping in the cold but tried some online deals. I had some friends come over and we celebrated our simple Thanksgiving.

I enjoyed a real Thanksgiving meal in 2007 when one of my family friends invited me over for a Thanksgiving dinner. It was just awesome. I tasted home made Turkey for the first time and I kind of liked it. It was a gathering of friends and families which is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

As we prepare to celebrate this Thanksgiving, I decided to put some thinking about the things that I should be thankful for. 

First and foremost I am thankful to God for the career opportunities that I got this year. Its been rough times and I am thankful that I still have a good job amidst these difficult circumstances. 

I am thankful for being was able to visit India (especially Kerala) this year. It was a wonderful visit. Being with my near and dear ones is the thing I am always thankful for. 

The rupee is almost Rs. 50 to a dollar. This was a thing that seemed impossible until a few years back. I am thankful that many of the software professionals will get a good exchange rate for the dollars they send home.

Gas prices are tumbling down. I am sure everyone will be thankful for that. Its one of those few things that still brings a smile to our faces in this bleak atmosphere.

Last but not the least Thanksgiving 2008 coincides with my birthday and hence I am thankful to the Lord for all His mercy towards me throughout this year and throughout my life so far.

What would you give thanks for???