Last weekend Lori and I went to the movie The Lunchbox, an excellent film that takes place in Mumbai, India. The story touches on the power of fate and connection of two people in very different situations, yet both going through a difficult time in their life. These characters connect through a mistake or rather as the director of the film puts it in a recent NPR interview, a miracle. A powerful line in the movie that stood out to me was "Sometimes even the wrong train can take you to the right destination." This concept can be difficult to accept in life, especially when we think we know what the outcome of something should be. But what a beautiful thought, what if we let go more and at times let fate take us to our destination?
Lori and I had a chance to re-visit India for the first time together last week since we have moved away from the country. It was an emotional return for the two of us. So many good friends and colleagues to see, many of which welcomed us back like family. People from work, old neighbors, I even saw my barber, all so excited to see us. I only hope we get a similar warm welcome when we return to Minneapolis! We were fortunate to be able to attend a good friends wedding in Chennai, seeing the beautiful Hindu ceremony and taking part in an important part of the local culture.
During the trip, I reflected on our move and life in India and how it was in fact the 'right destination' but a few events that led up to the opportunity may have felt like 'the wrong train'. Before being in my current role, I had applied for a job in another area of the company, interviewed through multiple rounds and ultimately was turned down in the final round, I was so disappointed at the time. Yet, I had an opportunity to interview for the area I currently work in and if I would have been offered the original role, there is little to no chance the India destination would have happened and an even lesser chance of the Hong Kong stop.
I really connected with this film because it was so well done, yet simple. I find myself reading a lot of content online after watching a movie that I enjoy. I appreciated a specific line in the NPR interview from the director (as this concept is something I am looking forward to, even many months before our return to the US). His comment was regarding the inspiration for making this film as he said "I grew up in Bombay, but I moved to the States when I was 18 to study. When I was growing up, my mom would send my dad a lunchbox, but I didn't think it was unique or special or interesting. When you leave and you go back, you see things that you didn't see before."
We are now in our third year abroad. I recently told my sister, year 1 was amazing, year 2 was similar with many things annualized and year 3 we have started to find ourselves a bit homesick. We are still greatly enjoying our time away, but also looking forward to our return. We have obviously been home several times since we moved, however we haven't been back for much more than a couple of weeks at a time. Upon our move back to Minneapolis, I'm interested in what I will see differently and the new destinations that lie ahead.
Lori and I had a chance to re-visit India for the first time together last week since we have moved away from the country. It was an emotional return for the two of us. So many good friends and colleagues to see, many of which welcomed us back like family. People from work, old neighbors, I even saw my barber, all so excited to see us. I only hope we get a similar warm welcome when we return to Minneapolis! We were fortunate to be able to attend a good friends wedding in Chennai, seeing the beautiful Hindu ceremony and taking part in an important part of the local culture.
During the trip, I reflected on our move and life in India and how it was in fact the 'right destination' but a few events that led up to the opportunity may have felt like 'the wrong train'. Before being in my current role, I had applied for a job in another area of the company, interviewed through multiple rounds and ultimately was turned down in the final round, I was so disappointed at the time. Yet, I had an opportunity to interview for the area I currently work in and if I would have been offered the original role, there is little to no chance the India destination would have happened and an even lesser chance of the Hong Kong stop.
I really connected with this film because it was so well done, yet simple. I find myself reading a lot of content online after watching a movie that I enjoy. I appreciated a specific line in the NPR interview from the director (as this concept is something I am looking forward to, even many months before our return to the US). His comment was regarding the inspiration for making this film as he said "I grew up in Bombay, but I moved to the States when I was 18 to study. When I was growing up, my mom would send my dad a lunchbox, but I didn't think it was unique or special or interesting. When you leave and you go back, you see things that you didn't see before."
We are now in our third year abroad. I recently told my sister, year 1 was amazing, year 2 was similar with many things annualized and year 3 we have started to find ourselves a bit homesick. We are still greatly enjoying our time away, but also looking forward to our return. We have obviously been home several times since we moved, however we haven't been back for much more than a couple of weeks at a time. Upon our move back to Minneapolis, I'm interested in what I will see differently and the new destinations that lie ahead.
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| Congratulations Rohit and Sandyha! |
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| Lori and I sporting our Indian attire. |
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| The Hong Kong skyline on a clear and sunny day. |
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| A small boat in a quiet harbor. |
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