Amreeka , the Superbowl and all that goes with it...

Really haven't written anything in a long time. Partly down to the fact that 800 odd bucks for an apartment doesn't guarantee you an internet connection - especially not in Manhattan; or rather to the fact that I'm too much of a lazy ass to actually go out and get one. Or the truth - I'm too lazy to just write one.

As usual, I dreamed up a convenient series of "articles" for me to write. An American Diary can keep me occupied for days - of course, once a week and I've still got ample "material". Just didn't end up getting down to it. So, apologies in advance, this is probably the prelude and the archetypal "first month" article rolled into one.

Here's the cliches I'll try to avoid - I'm not promising though - 1.) A paragraph about how excited I was/am; 2.) A second one about how "new"/"improved" everything is, at first , atleast 3.) A third about "missing" everything at home. 4.) Concluding that home IS where the heart is. OK, yesterday, when I was REALLY homesick - the article might have turned out that exact way; oh well, guess I haven't completely gotten over being homesick. Sorry for the soppy mess that'll probably follow.

It's been three weeks here. And a crazy mixed up experience. Not smooth sailing by any stretch of the imagination. Jet lag ( which surprisingly wasn't that bad, I'd say the pills worked, but waking up at 2.30 for the 1st two nights might prove evidence against that). Falling sick, again. I'm probably the only guy to go to the States and fall sick with a cold - pollution be damned right? The snow was great, but it lasted a day. Everyone's telling me that the fact that this has been the warmest winter in a while is a good thing for me, but hey, I gotta have my snow. Having said that - probably jinxing me to a dreary February - I'll still take my chances. Though, if you do find me complaining of its excess a month later, you're free to let me know.

Are those the only "bad" things I can think of? Hell no. But then, I'm not one to complain.

To be honest,this has been a totally "new" experience. (I told you I couldn't promise things) Three weeks, and I've done things I'd never thought I'd do. Ok, things Aai-Baba never thought I'd do. Live by myself. Travel by myself. Cook for myself. Do my own laundry. Do the dishes. Unclog a toilet. Actively go out and try and make new contacts. Yes, I've am an overprotected, 23 year old baby. But things can change. Saying that I won't is obviously stupid. Yes, I won't let myself get totally "americanized" ( Although if you find me talking with an accent when I get back, I shall conveniently remind you that I always had one.

Where does the Superbowl fit into this? In terms of trying out new things and promising to never change others, I actually ended doing something I could never have a few months before. Watching a NFL game and skipping( shock...gasp...curse) actually skipping a United game the same day. I'll give my always ready excuse - the TV wasn't showing Football ( yes, this is still Football, not Soccer) and that the Superbowl is obviously so hyped to eternity that it'd be crazy to miss it just for the sake of doing so. But, I did watch it. And for once, let myself watch it without the usual prejudices. Also, I probably liked my cousins too much to start arguing how Football is so obviously superior to a bunch of juiced-up jocks with no skill to speak off save the excellent ability to run into and through walls. And how stupid it is to call the winners "World champs" despite having no people outside the States care, or acknowledge the fact that they won. Or the fact that it seemed more people were actually interested in the adverts than the actual game.


But, and there always is a but isn't there, I watched it without prejudice. And I had fun. After all, sport is sport. And guys will be guys. ( There's another cliche I thought I'd never use - see, change...) So, I was destined to be one of the 114 million who watched it on TV, halftime show and all - and do as the Yanks usually do.Eat junk food. Chill with a drink( lemonade for anyone who knows my parents). Comment on every advert that aired. Actually looking forward to the next one. And having an opinion about every play that went on.

Yes, the Giants were lucky,three spills that they recovered. Yes, Welker dropped that cup. yes, tom Brady is probably an arrogant toe-rag, even Giselle by his side doesn't change that. yes, Eli Manning led another 4th quarter comeback. Yes, Eli Manning is the king of 3rd down conversions/plays. What a move by Mario Manningham. WTF was Ahmed Bradshaw thinking? No way even Tom Brady could rescue that with a minute to go. And yes, I didn't look away as he tried that Hail Mary pass that failed.

Moral of the story - there probably isn't one readymade. Do I think I'd ever like NFL more than Football. Hell no. But did I ever think I'd actually enjoy it that much? Hell no there too. Did I ever think I'd go to the States by myself? Did I ever think that i could actually live alone and make it work, for the most part? Did I ever think I could go through an entire article without mentioning my internship/medicine? ....Watch this space...(classic cliche, right?)