I'm All Out of Whack!

First, thank you for all of the comments and emails. You guys are awesome! Please keep them coming.

I left you as I went to dinner on Sunday night. Dinner here is late, normally happens around 830pm. I was a bit early so I headed to the hotel bar for a breakfast drink. Amstel Light for breakfast? I guess anything goes when you're in India working US days and India nights. (Remember, even tho it's 6pm, it's when I'll start my work day, so it's sort of like breakfast). I'm sitting at the bar, having my one Amstel Light, listening, 'seeing and being seen.' There was a couple who noticed I was alone so they asked me to join them. Sure, why not. They were in town for the week and leaving that night. He, an executive with United Health Group, she works for Ceridian. They were familiar with Hewitt and she made sure to mention he was an exec a few times. I pretended not to know about Hewitt's relationship with UHC and Ceridian is a competitor of Hewitt. Who wants to talk about work at the bar anyway?

There are 2 restaurants at the hotel, one of them is a Brazilian restaurant (like Brazzaz) and the other is a buffet or menu order cafe. I opted for the Brazilian place since I figured I'd only spend a few actual nights at the hotel. It was great and I was surprised to see they served beef. I didn't like the lamb so much and I chose not to try the wild boar. It's 10pm by the time I end dinner, so I head up to get some work done. I wanted to stay up till 3 or 4am so I could get on my 'regular schedule.' I hit the hay around 4 and I can't fall asleep. 5, 6, 7, 8....still can't sleep. The gym opens at 9. "If I don't fall asleep by 9 I'm going to the gym." So I called my mom around 845am, 815pm for her, took a NyQuil and zonked out till 430. Maybe I'll go to the gym tomorrow.

In 36 hours I've eaten 2 bananas (one with my daily Malaria pills) and one meal. I'm all out of whack: So far I can't sleep and my internal clock hasn't adjusted yet. I don't know when I should be tired, be hungry, be sleepy or go to the gym. You'd think it wouldn't be so different, I mean, you'd think it would all fall into place. I haven't figured out how to work it out yet. So, I got ready for the day, ordered room service- a club sandwich for which I had to specify non-vegetarian style was ok. I received a call letting me know my driver had arrived and I let them know I'd be down in 10 minutes. He's supposed to be with me for the entire duration I'm here. Even on the weekends. It's a comfort knowing I have a dedicated chauffeur.

Driving around in India is like walking on Michigan. Ave. during the holiday season. There's no rhyme or reason- just somewhat of a flow. You better not slow down and you can't walk/drive fast. Sure there are suggested lanes, but you might have 1-4 cars trying to squeeze into the same places. Diagonal, merging, straight in the direction of traffic. Someone starts to drive too slow, so you go into the other lane to swerve around them- it's just normal. There are lots of motorcycles and bikes. Lots. And the horn is used to say, "hey, I'm here." Not "get out of my fricken way." Oh, and you might even share the lane with a cow. Yep, a cow. There was a white cow in the middle of the road crossing traffic all high and mighty. Kind of like geese do, oblivious to everything. We'll never see a cow crossing Addison in Cubs Game Day like traffic. And I hear if you hit a cow people will start chasing after you scolding not only the driver but the passengers, too. I'll try to get a picture.

I had my first day of work today. It was a normal day at work. Preparing for a training class for the following day. I needed the recoup day and I needed the one day prep day. I took a risk and tasted the free food in the cafeteria. It was like slop on rice- a few different options and all vegetarian. I really don't mind the vegetarian factor, but I don't think I'll have it on purpose again. Crossing my fingers I don't have regrets. So far so good.

Interesting Tid Bits
- The power goes out all the time. Every 2 hours or so and it's off for 2-15 seconds until the back up kicks in. The concept of not having back up power is unphathomable here.
- 2 times I had to call the duty manager for a second sheet. They only make the bed with the bottom sheet and then the comforter. Which is a duvet, so I supposed it's washed, but I want my second sheet! Here I am, in a 5 star hotel and I have to make my bed? Twice? Um, no. I left a written message for house keeping before I left for work requesting I have my 2 sheets. I checked when I got home and I do have my 2nd sheet. Sure, I can be high maintenance, demanding and requiring at times, but a 2nd sheet? That's necessary.
- I'll post more pictures tomorrow. My camera is out of juice. I'll show you pictures of the bathroom at work. We wipe, they wash.

On the Home Front
- My brother and his promise to become engaged get to leave the hospital with baby boy Murphy. Connor Michael Murphy. Born 1/9/08 at 4:25pm. 7lbs 13 oz. Alicia had an undescribable delivery and will spend 6-8 weeks recovering. Please keep her and the family in your thoughts and prayers. I'm a proud first-time-by-blood aunt.

Until Later, Nameste.