Well, it's been a long time, but I'm back in the US now, and settling back into my "normal" life. The funny thing is that what I used to think was normal no longer really seems that way. Everything from drinking water out of several plastic bottles a day, to going to Whole Foods, to filling up a gas tank seems slightly surreal. I feel like I've entered the land of the consumer in full force, and it's making me a bit uneasy. But, at the same time, I'm surrounded by loved ones, and every time I see someone for the first time again I get this amazing feeling of right-ness. So I guess it's an exercise in reconciliation. I have to reconcile myself to being back in this "normal" life.

This was our pre-New Years dinner, at the nicest hotel in Bombay, the Taj Mahal. They have a sushi restaurant there, Wasabi, that is phenomenal. Yeah, I know, sushi in India, a little risky perhaps, but not at this place. It's the Nobu of India. 

New Years was a blast with Ashwin, Neel and Brian. Look at those cheesy smiles! 

We were obviously having a good time. The one in the back with the jazz hands we lovingly termed, "Johnny Fever." 

Reg and me, sharing the love. 

We invented a new holiday in Hyderabad: Diwaloween. Halloween and Divali fell within a day of each other, and so we combined them. Brian is dressed as one of the best known beers in India, Kingfisher, and I am "The Personification of Disco." 

My boss is on the left, and one of my colleagues is on the right. I love working for a company where you're the weird one if you don't dress up for Halloween. 

Campbell, Roy's daughter, in heaven with some bubble wrap. Remember when all you needed for entertainment was some bubble wrap? I miss those days.

Kalpana and Raunak. Kalpana is a colleague and friend, and Raunak is her smart-as-a-whip son.  

Brian and Raunak playing the hand slap game. I think Raunak won... 

Scuba diving in Koh Tao. I want to live in the house that's behind me.  

Claire and I, preparing for a night dive off Koh Tao. Don't we look all sporty and professional in our wetsuits? Ok, just pretend we do then. 

Thailand is truly, truly beautiful. It just grabs and holds you breathless. 

So, after getting off my 14 hour flight, I decided to get on another plane. I know, I know, I'm crazy, but when the end point of my journey is Park City Utah and skiing, can you blame me? I mean, look at that view!