After having the time of my life with Shlok & Nidhi, it was time to rewind back, relax, and enjoy some family time with my cricket buddies.
During this point in my life, I had already
– graduated from UConn
– secured my job at Ford
– took care of my stay at Michigan
– applied for my EAD card
– was living with my roommates/cricket buddies/other friends
Safe to say, I was living a life of a nomad during this time in my life. I couldn’t have done that without my friends in Hartford. Everyone were so supportive and helpful with my living situation. The only thing I was waiting for was my EAD card.
In the US, you can’t work for an employer without an EAD card. As USCIS takes at least 90 days to issue one, I had to wait for quite some time before I could join Ford in Michigan. My point of contact was very supportive with my situation and made sure I was comfortable during our weekly check-ins.
Anyway, it was time for me to let loose and enjoy some free time before I move to Michigan and get into my daily job.
This time, we decided to explore the beach in a local state park – Rocky Neck State Park. This was the first state park I was going to visit in the US, and back then, I didn’t know that I would end up visiting so many state, metro, and national parks during my stay in the US. My friend, Subhav, after playing a game of cricket on a Sunday afternoon asked me if I was free after the game. I didn’t have any plans, so mentioned that I was free and he invited me to join him and others at Rocky Neck State Park.
Not aware about what to expect while going to a park, I asked what are we going to do there and what’s the plan. Good that I asked him that question, as I got change of clothes.
The drive to the park was nice and a short one. The state park wasn’t too far from our place in Hartford, so I don’t think we spent more than an hour reaching this place.
The state park was amazing. I didn’t know what to expect, but when I found out that the parking had the direct access to the beach, I was sold. The beach was full of people. We tried to find a spot and once we were settled, it was time to get in the water.
The weather that day (I still remember) was sunny and extremely pleasant. Coupling this pleasant weather with the blue water elevated the experience to the next level.
I took some time to take off my T-shirt as I was slightly overweight during this time in my life. After hesitating for a few minutes, I overcame my hesitation, and finally let loose. The first dive that I took in water, I felt so cold, I wanted to get out of it. But, as the time passed, I got comfortable inside and carried on like that.
I didn’t know how to swim back then, so didn’t go too much deep in the water. Asmita Bhabhi and Vibhuti Bhabhi joined me in the water after some time. I was (as you must have guessed) given the job to click as many photos as I could, which I did and most of them came nice.
After I got out of water, it was time to have some home cooked food and stretch my legs a little bit. Scenes outside the water were same. I ended up clicking many pictures and got to play with my favorite Miththu.
I was too tired on the way back and ended up having dinner at Asmita bhabhi’s place. It was a good day, well spent with the family.
Do check out the pictures.
Next stop is Michigan – my next home.
stochasticity 