First Solo Trip Out

Last Sunday, I made my first solo trip out to the local mall, In Orbit. I walked around for a bit, checked out the Christmas decor and window shopped mostly since the crowds and lines were INSANE. I ate an early dinner at Chilli's (They serve veg food at the locations here in India!!! The US locations need to get on board with this), grabbed some groceries from Hypercity- India's version of Target and then headed home. It wasn't a big trip but I was proud that I made my first solo trip going anywhere in India.

 This was the Westin's version of a Shuttle... Fear not, they take me to work in a proper car, but I still enjoyed the short trip to the mall in this rickshaw! 

 First Solo Trip!

 Xmas Decor- I think this is suppose to be Santa's house, but don't ask me why it is made of ice cream sundaes

 Kids Beware! This tree is not lickable!! 

Indian Santa likes his sweets!

 Many name brand shops at this Mall

 Deepak- I found a place for you to hangout at while you are here! :) Same goes for all my other friends that choose to visit me!

 Not going to lie, I kind of wanted to get on

 Spinach Dip at Chilli's - very weird and different texture compared to dips from home. I didn't eat much of this.

 Veggie mushroom and swiss burger with a side of fries - it was ok, but nothing amazing 

 These next couple pics are for all my girls out there... I found this awesome shop with the coolest home decoration items and room layouts. Feel free to be inspired by these pictures. I found so many pieces I loved here but I am not sure how they will hold up if I try to pack them and bring them home with me. Still tempted to try though. 

 I spent alot of time in this store!! I will probably be going back every weekend!!

Another thing I did last weekend was take my 3-month belly pics... here is a selfie for those who asked for it... 

 Merry Belated Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! I am missing all of you dearly through these holidays. Next post will be about my xmas outing. 

Week 1 & Dhoom 3

This week went by pretty fast. This was my first week working with my new team here in Hyderabad. Its going well, so far! I also had a chance to meet with a new friend that Preethi put me in touch with. Sandeep and I met up at a local mall and grabbed dinner together. In getting to know each other, we realized how small the world really is... not only did we grow up in neighboring towns and went to local schools, we also went to the same college around the same time and have alot of common friends yet we have never met before. Go figure that out of all the places we could have met before, we meet for the first time, half way across the world!

Saturday, my friends from the FP&A team took me out for some fun. We went to watch Dhoom 3, which was entertaining, but a very slow paced movie. I think the film came with a lot of hype as Amir was acting in the film but that was one of the reasons why I enjoyed it! Sadly, my friends here in India didn't agree with my opinion. It seems like the film has been a huge disappointment to everyone that has told me they watched it here. I was also on a happy high from having popcorn and soda (Sprite-for those that must know), my comfort foods from home, so I may have let that sway my opinion as well.

Bhanu (or Bseva as he is called by many) and I, on our way to the movies! 

So HAPPY to have my POPCORN & POP

Bhanu doesn't like popcorn... can you tell?

with Mahesh & Sankit

Second snack time with Karthik, Bhanu & Sankit

Dhoom 3!!!!

After the movie, we all went to lunch at Paradise. It is a famous chain here in Hyderabad and I was told by a few people to go check it out while here. I actually picked up Egg Biriyani and Baby Corn Manchurian from their location in Hitech City earlier in the week, so I decided to stick to Punjabi this time. Although Paradise is known for its Biriyani, the Palak Paneer they made was very tasty!!

Mahesh's cutie pie of a son, Siddu!

Siddu loves spoon fighting

Mahesh's gorgeous wife, Sweta. She is due with their second little one next month!

So I have been told that most guys in India don't take a active part in raising kids... Mahesh puts those Dads to shame. Dad of the day award goes to him! :)

While driving home we saw this... 

It worried and intrigued me all at the same time. This is a set of parents, with their baby sitting in the Mom's lap, riding around town on a motorcycle!!! Although this is very common in India, and I know that even my parents rode around with me on a scooter when I was that little, it still gave me a mini heart attack!! You can call me closed minded, but this is when I am thankful for the strict child safety laws in the US!

Fun day overall!! I came back to my room to catch up on calls with the parents and enjoy a Bones marathon on my laptop before heading to bed. 

Saturday Sickness

Saturday morning I woke up with a heavy head and my sinuses blocked. I figured I caught a bug from all the lack of sleep and pollution I have been exposed to in the last couple days not to mention the change in weather and environment. Although I had plans to go explore the local area this weekend, I decided it was probably best to ditch those plans for some rest as I wanted to be in good shape for my first day at my "new job" on Monday. I did get a little stir crazy in the room and took a walk around the hotel grounds. I also took my camera with me as I figured this would be a good opportunity for me to practice my photog skills.

I will have to get a picture of these hanging things at night when they are lit up. They look gorgeous!

Bharat- you would be proud, I shot most of these on the manuel setting

The pool is pretty. It just sucks that if your swimming in it, you can been seen by all the people in the huge office building in the background. 

The garden/party plot is right next to the pool as well... once again, you have more people that can watch you while you swim :(

View of the hotel from the pool chairs

Lots of greenery around the hotel

Looking up from the lobby

I was surprised by all the Christmas decor. I love it!

Cute gingerbread homes but where is the candy?!?!

Looking for a wedding cake?

Other then this, I spent the rest of my day sleeping and watching movies. Hopefully this bug passes soon, I really would like to get out of this room!!