Its been 3 months since I moved to Minneapolis on a 2 years assignment. If I close my eyes, I can still recollect my dreams, thoughts that I had built as I had accepted this assignment.
Yes, Srikanth and I had to make lot of sacrifices to make this happen - to me - moving away from my parents, sister, brother and my extended family, To srikanth - sacrificing his job to enable this move - were the hardest of the decisions we took.
I so very much wanted to have time on my hand so I could spend it with my kids. The last year had been terrible from a work-life balance perspective. I was working late every day and that made it such a challenge for me to spend time with my kids - even to help them with their school work. Though I would come home around 4.30 ish, I had to get into calls and would stay put with my cell phone until 9-9.30. Earlier, my kids and I used to have dinner together. We would watch the same episode of Chota Bheem or Tom and Jerry and laugh over it - They just loved this time I spent with them doing the same thing they loved to do. I would pamper them and also make them laugh.
But moving into a new group changed it all. I was no longer at their dinner table :( They did not like it. After 1 year working in this manner, I decided enough was enough. I had to change something to ensure my avaialbility and time to my kids.
Moving to MPLS was a great option. It provided an opportunity for me to continue work while providing ample time in the evening to bond with my kids. To this tune, it has come true. My kids have been exposed to a new continent, new culture, food, people - it has helped them grow. They just love it here and want to stay here for ever and ever :) (wait until my office folks hear about this!!!)
Personally, it has never been better - I have time to go for walks, to take my kids to the play ground, to watch movies with them, to see them swim - what can be more fun than this?
Yes, Srikanth and I had to make lot of sacrifices to make this happen - to me - moving away from my parents, sister, brother and my extended family, To srikanth - sacrificing his job to enable this move - were the hardest of the decisions we took.
I so very much wanted to have time on my hand so I could spend it with my kids. The last year had been terrible from a work-life balance perspective. I was working late every day and that made it such a challenge for me to spend time with my kids - even to help them with their school work. Though I would come home around 4.30 ish, I had to get into calls and would stay put with my cell phone until 9-9.30. Earlier, my kids and I used to have dinner together. We would watch the same episode of Chota Bheem or Tom and Jerry and laugh over it - They just loved this time I spent with them doing the same thing they loved to do. I would pamper them and also make them laugh.
But moving into a new group changed it all. I was no longer at their dinner table :( They did not like it. After 1 year working in this manner, I decided enough was enough. I had to change something to ensure my avaialbility and time to my kids.
Moving to MPLS was a great option. It provided an opportunity for me to continue work while providing ample time in the evening to bond with my kids. To this tune, it has come true. My kids have been exposed to a new continent, new culture, food, people - it has helped them grow. They just love it here and want to stay here for ever and ever :) (wait until my office folks hear about this!!!)
Personally, it has never been better - I have time to go for walks, to take my kids to the play ground, to watch movies with them, to see them swim - what can be more fun than this?
