Fridays....

Friday is the day....

that usually starts with a brain storming lab meeting at nine followed by breakfast of donuts and coffee

that progresses into a seminar which ends in an extended gossip session followed by free Pizza lunch and a chattering bunch of us clearing them away

when there as a late afternoon discussion with the "big name" scientist - thouroughly refreshing and reinstalling our faith and fantasies in research

when Frank swings by to give in greenhouse news and more interestingly a few quick treats from the field

when I feel I have more time in the world to think about work, take breaks, read a book, walk around the lake and take the liberty to slip out of back door into the lawn to be on the phone

when an international movie is screened in studcenter

when Rec center is brimming with badminton players;so we vettis wait around for our turn to play squatted on the ground discussing - mostly people

when the evening air is filled with barbecue smoke from the latin american students

when geetha and I definitely watch a late night lousy movie with olive oil,fried food and a homemade shake

Fridays are definitely my favourite in Carbondale and today was special, being the last one here. Its almost three years since I moved into Carbondale. This place has seen my loneliness, joy, heart-breaks and success. I made my worst enemies and hand picked my friends. Its also the first time I got over my fear of water and learnt to swim, learnt to cook, learnt to bike uphill and learnt to handle stress(i think). Its by far the most beautiful place I have ever lived in with twilight falling through tall coniferous trees, huge lakes, deep dark woods and plenty of sunshine in spring and summer. Its the first time I have lived and enjoyed the four seasons. It is also the first time I survived without a television, for that matter with no means of entertainment inside the house. Here is where I learnt to let go of small things and hold on to bigger things. For the first time, had my own space, my very own home. For the first time learnt to appreciate myself, to be in peace with myself. I am going to miss everything about this place.