A new life..

I'm writing now from Hillsboro, Oregon, a small city (?) about 25 miles west of Portland. Here is some random stuff about the place, my life here and I don't know what else:

1. This place is simply beautiful. The lush green landscape is punctuated by tall pines and on a clear day (which is quite rare by itself), you can also see majestic mountains in the distance. The views are breathtaking.

2. The green reminds me a lot of India! Its a refreshing change after the dull brown of Utah.

3. You can see wealth everywhere. Especially in the area where I stay, Intel's presence is clearly felt. The neighborhoods are all nice, everybody drives nice cars, there are good restaurants everywhere, you know how it is.

4. There are desis everywhere! As a result, there are Indian restaurants and stores everywhere. The masala dosa available here beats anything I've eaten in the one year I've been away from India!

5. It feels odd when the entire office clears out around 5 pm. Grad life gets you used to seeing people in their cubes at any time of the day or night!

6. I finally have some time on my hands and I realize I've forgotten what to do with it. I feel strangely guilty when I'm not doing something "useful" in the many hours I find I have between end of work and bedtime. (Yes, its pathetic, I know).

7. I found out I'm fit enough to do an 8-mile hike through the forest after a long day at work. I went to the Jones Creek Trailhead in the Tilamook forests about 40 miles from here two days ago. It feels great! Couple of things about the hike:

--> It is, of course, overwhelming to be 'inside' the lush green I was talking about earlier.

--> I was very surprised by the complete lack of (visible) wildlife. I didn't even spot a bug
or a spider or a bird or anything for that matter. There's just tonnes of oxalis and violets and ferns. And a LOT of moss (it feels great to touch it, its so soft!).

--> We came across a small patch that had been logged. Its such a shame, but then, timber
is one of the prime sources of income in Oregon. In fact, it supplies a majority of
Christmas trees in the United States.

--> It is pointless to try and capture the scope of these forests on camera. I didn't stop
trying, but I know that the only way to know what its like is to be there.

8. I badly miss having a library thats easily accessible. I need to read! Somebody, help!!

9. I can get used to this life, its time for a reality check!

Its amazing..

..how small things bring back a rush of memories. As I walked to the bus-stop this morning, I noticed that the road, sidewalk, buildings and trees were all wet. The sun was out, the snow had melted, things were green all around, birds were chirping, and in a flash, I was transported back to Goa! The familiar 'smell' of wetness was all around, if you know what I mean, and suddenly I wanted to be back in India! As always, the moment passed and I spent the rest of the beautiful day closeted in my little cubicle, which neither looks nor smells half as refreshing as what I experienced early in the morning!

Ski Update: I managed to conquer the green slope at Brighton without falling yesterday, twice in a row!!