(So, I had to push myself out to a new feel factor, a fresh perspective something to detach from that of habitual emotional downtime to a more refreshing one for the day and what better way to look back at the magical memories and also check ✅ the pending task of Blogging about that memorable trip. And I am picking the one to The US which I would have never ever imagined will ever happen in my life and definately not thru my work but it happened! And I am still in that mode of disbelief that I could do it all by myself. And before I embark on another one, lineup again for this year.. sooner, I had to take this time to brush my heart and allow more grace and gratitude, after all life is not as hard as I feel at emotional levels...coz I feel too much :()
23rd Feb
@BLR Airport Internal lounge (BLR to SFO)
Business class access made a lot of difference via priority check-in. Shorter Ques, zero waiting time and easy breezy access was a soothing experience for a country like India.
Sitting under the lantana canopy I am reflecting on the feeling of how awesome it feels to be here in this Royal moments of life, bliss and ease.
Truly and deeply thank you to my current employer. Heartfelt gratitude.
Meeting flight attendant name "Don't be afraid" (Serbian Name : Nebojลกa) and that to me looked like a message from the universe.
At Dubai Business lounge saw Katrina Kaif.
DXB-SFO : the experience of lounge wear, vanity kit, and special attention (I was shying away from). Hot face towels are one of most favourite thing and was the best feeling up in the air and away from home...cozy and comforting.
๐ข Crying inconsolably on Flight after watching Nambi Narayanan. So much of flux of emotions....(Tragic! a 38 yr old crying like this ๐ and I think movie was that last prick to burst the emotional bubble I was holding from so long)
The surname reminded me of someone, the demeanour the courageous personality of Nambi Sir reminds me of my Sir..the grace of Mr.Nambi's wife inspires me to be one that strong (if at all..๐คท♀️)
Playlist - Rehman rewind Romance ("The Mozart of Madras"). Listening to AR Rehman, up in the air was a soulful event.. experiencing that heart touching soulful voice even though I do not understand a bit from those Tamil songs.
Fun part was also the meals I have been taking and what they consider exclusive for Biz class Vegetarian meals (my mom would give them a proper lecture and can teach them better cooking skills) and drinking so much water and passing loo. Strangely, I felt it takes more effort in washroom to pass loo ...may be the pressure above in the sky:P
After another round of heavy meal I dozed off. Had Baklawa and an amazing potato chips from Ireland, collected some chocolates for Reshma and her family :).
Wrapping up the 16 hrs flight with Ahista Ahista song by Punkaj udhas. Watched another amazing movie The inventor (Animated) and it had a beautiful message about life, soul ❤️.
With music in my ears...I am doing a self check-in as to how am I feeling and in what part of my body do I feel certain emotions....
Had landed on a Friday late noon and from the 1st driver to everyone I met, be it the front desk executives, some Indians I met in walkways or lift of my hotel, my ex-manager who suggested me to step out (do cruise & Muir Woods), the message was collectively poured on me and seeded in my brain that "the weather is so Good and you are lucky to have got few sunny days ahead of you so do not stay put! Step out."
And untill the coming Monday I wondered why people fuss so much about weather here :)
๐ชถ
24 -02- 2024 (see the Number..magic?)
MTV - SFO - MTV (My very first experience with Caltrain, Bay view cruise + 3 SFO attractions, China Town parade (Dragon Year), spanish speaking driver)
(These notes are abrupt and a very concise description of all that happened (or may be only highlights...not all. Coz US calls for a lot of walking...and at the end my body would get exhausted with all the planning, running around etc but thanks to someone (Vaishali) I met on one of my flight back from home, before this US trip and who guided me that I shouldn't be carrying any ๐ heels. The shocking thing for me was that I just needed that nudge from God ...as I wasn't mentally ready for my US trip but he put this girl right next to me to handhold me and how we started to interact was pure magic)
someone playing - "500 miles" song on Caltrain. The song made me feel home...I was so attentive and was trying hard to combat that feeling of 'similarity' a deep sense of belonging but I wasn't able to connect what and where ....more so because this was the first time I have ever heard this song...
Only to learn (after returning to India) that it was same music as " Jab koi baat Bigad jaae' ๐ How apt!! God seriously knows how to tease me and keep me busy!
My biggest achievements use to be savings! and why not?. Someone earning in INR made to spend in USD, that too with a hard wiring of humble beginnings. So I learned about different public transports and the best one was that of Bus in $3 (clipper card) - Indeed a new adventure.
Same time my over confidence almost killed me :(.. I walked from Pier 39 upto Union square for Chinese parade . Initially, with a lot of enthusiasm - pumped after a cup of hot chocolate which later turned to panic and shock mid way, seeing a wavy road that I have only seen in Tom & Jerry cartoon and my mind started to cook-up scary stories of tornadoes etc....but then the beautiful architecture, the bright shining sun thru the tall bushy trees took away my fear and I paused to soak it in my breath , that calmness and beauty.
Walking back to Caltrain at SFO at night with dead phone battery
--
I met Katheryn (51 yrs) on my northbound Caltrain and said 'hello' to her to verify if the tickets I collected from the automatic dispenser machine is correct for my destination....and how we became friends. I learned that she was traveling in train after a long time...and that too just because her husband was resting after his knee surgery. I somewhere felt this was a connection. Her first response to me was " Hi Sweety! How can i help?" (In my mind, I was like - what? really? am I some one so Softspoken or sweet? Definitely, she doesn't know me! And I was struggling to take that so call normal greetings๐ผ)
She checked my ticket and said that I have missed collecting ticket for zone 2 to zone 1 and can do so while returning as it was a day pass and was also late for me to act as we had boarded the train and to mark it exclusive (for me) - the train that day came on opposite platform from that of assigned one owing to some renovation work. She assured me that no one will check my ticket again and I can continue to travel till SFO in the same ticket (meant for zone 2) and not the complete journey :) .She too was traveling to SFO . (This was an eye opening experience where I learned that sometimes the 'chalta hai' attitude works in US too ๐
well, this note is a bit jumbled-up as I was drawing it from my memory, late at night and a day which was super exhausting but highly eventful.
At Pier 39, after my 90 mins cruise, I had to survive on the 'dink Ladoos', yoga Bar due to Limited vegetarian options around but I indulged happily with the Hot chocolate at Bischoff ๐ and live band at Pier. what a vibe!
As I got late from train station to Pier 39 this morning and I had to pay extra 5$ and take an upgraded cruise of 90 mins instead of 60 mins as was originally planned but I was more than happy !!
towards Chatting with driver in Spanish๐ thanks to Google translate
Ate great Indian meals at my accommodation suits.
๐ชถ
25 Feb 2024
"Scorpio" A love letter (book by Heidi Rose). bay view suites
Passion, personality and prompts. Loved that mini book of love , encouragement and power of depth of understanding self."
Evenings, I am back in my hotel, which was located amidst the centre of vast open grass fields, surrounded by mountain ranges spread far off till I could see and the room window faced a few ponds with swans in it. The view of these ponds from my window was so pristine and a blessing I can't get enough with.
The area was too remote, isolated and with the setting sun, cold will increase and it would make me feel more alone but then few things that kept me warm were the fact that this is all just passing moments and I should cherish them, plus, hot chocolate at the Micro kitchen and a warm cozy small library with many short-read books like "Scorpio".
Good night Love (Ruu).
(I would steal moments to take notes and it would start from where I had left the previous day, but by then the day would have turned into night or visa-versa. And all these Goodmornings or good night's are a result of that ๐คท♀️๐ )
With the cruise ticket that I had purchased online, I had additional 3 places I could visit and amongst those one that lured me was - Academy of Sciences, Woke-up with the thought to catch 7:40 am Caltrain to SFO, but after a lot of research on train timings and sight seeing places that are open for visitors, I decided to keep things minimal for myself and stay focused. That really helped me thru the day as I wasn't prepared for the trail walk that was coming my way at Muir woods.
New entrant Clipper card (savings!)
Boudin bakery
Pier 39
The feelings I felt for seeking charger at the bus depot (a bit aahamed, but it's ok I need to be kind to myself and know not everyone like sharing or think so for atleast mobile chargers)
The walk near boudin Bakery.
@Bus tour started....going around the lane, history, famous chocolate factory Ghirardelli, A school named after Basketball player, the beautiful homes and lanes and drainage systems and doors...
Sadly no people, no smiling people or very few.
A vibe full of fear.
Anyways I was on my way to fulfilling the most amazing bucket list of getting to do the Muir Woods :)...and that reassurance in Big Bold letter sending Love my way...and it appeared at a display board at Gas stations where Petrol prices all listed as 43.1, 4.31, 341 etc etc...love is all I could hear and feel in my heart and in the air around...one that is universal.
The charger saga, the amazing Driver and laughter we had in the trip and how 5 mins delay from me was too much that I was made to walk a few steps closer to the bus and then catch the bus :).
I took long healing walks in the Muir Woods, getting to chat with a volunteer at the entrance who explained about the age reading of trees via reading the circles, the new technology to learn that by only precision scooping or a radial circular piece and fixing them back with an ointment or makesure the tree is kept healthy and no damage happens.
How the Red wood trees have such different levels of leave growth and beauty that it is each diff. At three diff. Height segments of the length. the mesmerizing thing that they grown in family family circle. They grow another burb which is a mass like structure developing near the root or any other part of the whole Teunk of the tree, which is where another tree shoot would crop up but the trees doesn't want them to be cultivated by Humans or by external resources but want to be self sustaining. Such deep sense of resilience and confidence n revival. pure magic.
Also, enjoyed the quite time thanking the universe that bought me to witness thesw magical Woods and thanks to Mayank Talati (My ex manager who suggested me go and checkout those).
Then the Sausalito bonus trip as ainhad loved the name and place in the first look I saw on a online booking tool and how I requested God to help me finalize n secure a group tour which is well in my time reach (balancing commute from MTV to San Francisco to Pier 39/ Big Bus depot)...and it happened...just a decision away.
Sometimes the compactness of life makes us willing to open up to new adventures and get out of comfort n expand that horizon of comfortness.
Enjoyed staring at beautiful high-end cars and icecream (later resulted in stomach cramps). Somehow I made it back to MTV after 1.5 hours of train journey and 30mins cab without throwing up or passing out or pooping in pants...(God's grace๐)
I had great chat with reception folks and also learning about the picnic basket she bought from a local fair.
Had great idlis ordered for dinner and a deep relaxing sleep after a bath.
I did started to get the feeling of missing home and returning back but I braced my up by telling to focus on little milestones...one day at a time .
Over all the day was
blissful . Thank God and love.
26 Feb
Wohooo! Started my day at 8.30 after snoozing my alarm for the third time. As the day unfolded I got busy with balancing IST meeting request from managers and others plus changing schedules on my own calendar.
The biggest surprise came when I learnt that Google in Mountain view is not just one building, but it's a whole village and has many many buildings and that was a Burma created a panic but at the same time fun as I was thinking about it and how my mind was working at was very innocent.
Soundarya introduced me to the short trip app I headed to meet her for lunch. Had a greater lunch. Learned a lot about her life style. After moving to States then met Megan , walked back and found a new way from MTV to bay view.
Met Jenny and chut chatted about many things our work, career, family, tough times etc. all at an amazing location and over a chai.
It was so amazing to get me people of one and one learn about many things and share my knowledge.
Had a great evening meeting Marcia for dinner.
Long career discussions and the challanges and navigating them etc etc. over all the Tesla ride and chitchat while she was at BVS to drop me helped me clear my mind out and carve a way out for my upcoming meetings.
I was wondering what was something that I still remember effortlessly about my day and that was: the little gift I got for all of them :)
Few incense sticks and crochet bookmarks ๐. They loved it and it leaves back a memory or me with them :)
Happiness and grace. Also the long group call with family chat group helps me feel connected and stay sane. And offcourse a simple blurting call with SIF helps me be me. Wishing wellbeing for all. Sabka Mangal ho. I do miss him in bouts and long for... at days, moments, air or listening to songs.
Still I know it's in best intrest of all and M on my path of duty over desire and my heart is at peace ๐️.
Thank you.
Experienced the third weather after so called bright n Sunnyv days .... Rains, cloudy n rainy๐
27 Feb
Ladoos
Bookmarks
Incense sticks
Charger
Pp and purse+ scan receipts
Water bottle check
Book luggage and chekin at UA
Headed to MTV office, met johaana had great 1:1 and recollecting the path we have had and the learnings.
Then ride my Google bike ๐ฒ to 2001. Met Megan, Amy, Met folks had lunch with Faizal. Met Yooly, Yumi, Kathy, laughter with Jamie over the ergets and poop n how they build nest n that lane is closed. Chennelle, kathy, Brittany and how I kept eating while she was chattin.
best dinner with Bobbie at Spice Craft Indian hotel exploring Indian Street cuisine cutumized or localized with form factor eg .Pani Puri in test tubes with chutney in injections. bite sized pav (bun ๐) with potato Fondue and not Vada for Vada pao. :p ๐. Clicked loads of pics except Claire and I. Every day or most days call with Family and then rearranging stuff at room, clothes and s
hoes etc.
28th Feb
The main summit Day. had slept late at night, woke up sleepyhead and then clair messaged to check if we can do a pic together. I commited 9am to her but got lost on my way figuring 1220 office whole riding my cycle.
Then the birthday girl, Meagan had to find me across road and take me along :p. Had a day long wonderful session learning about eachother via ice-breaker, PgM stuff, culture best practices, challanges, emotional intelligence..DSPA e/ABP mi lunch together getting to see all others around, plus the rich hot chocolate shorts at work and then dinner at DishDash.
Enjoyed great conversations at dinner with everyone else.
Had a wonderful time chit-chatting and discussing things with Brittany and Amy while enroute to DishDash resturant for dinner and getting to know how things are diff in India and elsewhere;).
Back at Bay View Suites, I loved my hot water adjustable shower in spick and span bathroom, aromatic shower and bath gells and then just jumping into my well made bed after changing and applying the castor oil on my legs and joints. And slowly, the warmth envelopes me into sleeping ๐ด.
I miss many things and people around me and a lot. But it's all going good here so far and I feel more greatful to the universe and Google for this time and opportunity.
Best regards
Ruchika Jain
Ha ha ha..In my mind I am an ABP for life? I just signed my block like how I would do for an email response.
Thank you God, Univer
se. I love you๐๐
29th Feb
Sunnyvale 8.30 collect bottle. [done]
Get back to 1201 [done]
Google Merch store [Visited]
Checking in luggage [done 11.10pm]
Lunch [ salad and pizza slice]
Meetings [Done]
Head to SFO [Did]
Do academy of sciences [Been there done that]
Office visit [Postponed]
Get back to
LIVE a GREAT STORY!
My highlight was getting the most of all blessings of life. Made sure to collect my lost bottle from SVL. Prepared list of everything to do.
Catched caltrain running, with one stop slipped and payed from Palo Alto. Clipper card recharged
Direct bus to Academy of sciences California...walk...rain..chill...winds...all of it.
How it was all in my favour. Girl walking with her tiny baby in arms in rains.
Being able to attend planetoriam (free of charge) and sleep under the spherical screen. Recharge and get to the flower view of corpsy flower bloom. One that's awakens after a decade.
Butterfly.
Cab share that worked well.
Caltrain switch and me reaching a bit early.
Katheryn (the lady I made friends with on Caltrain) picking me up from station and dinner from sarvana bhavan + home grown camomile tea.
Such out of a dream world home...with so much love and life filled in it. So much to talk with her. Her beautiful love story and a promise to see the church where she got Married. She driving me back to bay view suites. The reception guys were thrilled to know that I made it to the academy of science. Me retiring for the day after packing the luggage, hot water shower and having my hot chocolate.
I also remembered that my day started with a status post on Taruna's no. That it is a time to take a leap. What did you do with this one extra day (29th Feb 2024 : Leap year)
And call with SIF.
1st March 2024 (@US MTV)
Up early.... Took shower n head bath as we planned to go to Stanford. Checked on Google and learned that church timings are 9-11am on that day.
Kathy suggested we start early go around the Sandford University sculptures and buildings that she loves and then at last which is also when church opens for the day, we visit that.
She was very kind and extremely generous to pick me up at 7.45 from my stay apartments and the universe sent a sign my way - the immerging rainbow๐ ... right infront of my eyes which also added a soothing backdrop for Kathy's car from where I was seeing it. After I hopped on her car, she gifted me the most precious gift - A Book she had written and published while she began her motherhood journey and captured the best of lessons or learnings that she had received during those days. And I felt as a piece of my heart was just left there with her... forever.๐ฅน
We started to the Stanford University. Spoke a lot about many things...love life, relationship, healing, reincarnation, her anniversary, intention setting etc. After reaching, we started University campus tour (only exteriors and sculpture installations and landscaping+ elevations of different departments) from bold and bright yellow 'YO' font installation which was also marked the entrance of Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
The tour to me, was more like a artistic story woven in Kathy's love story. My eyes was attentive to the ambience but subconciously my mind was tuned to the words coming from Kathy which also filled it all with passion and liveliness in every corner of the massive campus , it's architecture, huge statue installations and elevations of the buildings across. It was story woven into another.
As I am writing this what surfaces at top of my mind was the Bronze casted facial sculpture of Pierre de Wissant, Monumental. That day it was raining fircasted but at the campus it had started to recees and it had started to drizzle. We commenced from the giant statue of 'gates of heaven' and I took a look of the sculpture's description inscribed on a bronze plaque which also suggested that Rodin's sculptures expresses itself differently in sun and in rains; and there we were ...blessed with Rains!
Each of those Rodin's sculpture spoke loud about his gift, that he could bring alive depth and devotion in those masculine life sized figurines. I was awestruck when I turned to pieer's sculpture, Tiny droplets of rains were receding from the sculpted facial skin and was making the installation more immersive! almost as if it was screaming of it's agony in the loudest of voice - in silence.
I couldn't stop but encircled around the installation and with my bare eyes continuing to stare at it, feeling the emotion coming alive with evey step I take. The rains infused a charismatic aura and a sense of life to it and the experience was deeply itched in my being that I could feel it as I write this.
Huge marble balls of diff. Size and colors.
Neuroscience building
Meeting others visitors who too were waiting for Church to open.
And then we hold our breaths as we were let in the church where every tile speaks of the glory of the love. The interiors were very roman with highrised domestic and walls and glass painting and even pipe piano. I sat there trying to immerse myself into this massive beauty, the realisation that it is all True and I am in it and to collect my thoughts and feelings as so much has happened in the past few days that I never could have imagined.
And that was it! We drove back, chatted about the same newsletter (THE TUT) we both have enrolled to, Kathy then dropped me and we exchanged one final in-person greeting and I was struggling with my emotional out pour but I was deeply touched๐๐
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