Hablo Ingles!!

If there is one thing that is very prominent in the South Texas (other than Cowboys and Armadillos of course!), it has got to be the Spanish language. I nick named this part of the country as "Spanish Country Texas"! It does not matter which part of the state - urban or country - you are in, there is no easy escape from Espanol! Everything from billboards to the announcements in Supermarkets are often said exclusively en espanol .



Because of the Spanish influence, the spellings of places have often stumped me. Like this one time, I got a phone call from a person from a place that was pronounced "Far". Turned out they spell it Pharr. The name of the county in which San Antonio is ? Bexar. It is pronounced "Bear"! Oh well, I can go on with many other examples.

Often times, people considered me as a Hispanic! Huh, it is a strange experience to hear somebody yap in Spanish straight to you asking for help/directions/whatever! I kind of gathered a few words during my internship in California. That sure helps in warding off the Spanish speakers by saying "hablo ingles" (I speak English).

Last week, I went with a colleague of mine to a car dealership to help him pick a car. The salesman (of course a Spanish speaker) was prompt to ask me - "which country are you from? You e-speak gudd ingles !" . Yup. Yes, Sir! I kind of do. It took a while to explain him that we speak "Ingles" in India! That sort of gave idea for my next blog: English in India...Stay tuned! I got some fun stuff for you ...be sure to check it when it get online!

Until the next blog...
Au Revoir!

Moving Up North, Y'all !

Howdy! I'm lettin' y'all know that I'm movin' up North. Yes, after my four month stint at my current job at the Texas Transportation Institute, I am moving on and moving ahead. I got a job with the University of Maryland's Department of Geography (Check out the "Featured Department Projects", there are really, really exciting research projects). I will be working on some real exciting, cutting-edge Web-based GIS research projects.

Initially, I saw this job opening and thought long and hard whether or not to apply. The sheer scope of advancement in research (GIS research, that's what I like), combined with a chance to work with one of the best academic institutions in the US made me apply for this job. Of course, the excitement to be back in a university environment with lots of activities around is just too much to resist!

Also, last week I got offered a job with BNSF - the railroad company in Dallas. This job is also a neat one, however I had to go through a "consultancy" that places me and pays me! I am not particularly interested in going though a consultancy. First off, you are not quite sure how much you are "actually" getting paid. All you know is how much the consultancy is paying you. Second, the benefits are not that great. Most of them don't even provide dental and vision insurances! (my current job and my next job are "state" jobs, meaning its a government-paid job. So, there's a FULL suite of benefits that covers everything from life insurance to retirement). Third, I just CAN NOT feel secure to go through those so-called consultancies. You never know when you'll go "out of projects" or when you should relocate.

Its a great feeling to get this job and heck yeah, I am moving up there in a hurry. The 3rd of October will be my first day of work there! The wrap-up phase of my current job is already in progress.

Huh, I will surely miss Texas - a state that is very fondly called as the "Republic of Texas", a state where everything from a pack of beer to pickup trucks are specially tailor-made for Texans, a state where even the Official memos start with a very informal "Howdy", a state where people assume that there are just two states in the US (one is Texas, the second is "whatever")...and the list can go on and on!

Im certainly excited about my next job. And of course, moving to a new place and that too to a university means lot more exciting news and lot more stuff to write about. I will keep "y'all" posted.

Until the next Blog,
Au Revoir!

Pictures from Iowa Trip

These are some of the pictures from my Iowa trip (Ames and Des Moines). Check out the rest thru Flickr.



















Until the next Blog,
Au Revoir!