"Having Said That : V":
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I HAVE LEARNED

In retrospect, combing through my past experiences, I have learned many valuable lessons of life. One wise man told me once “Life is like ocean waves, you never know how big they become”. Alright, I made that up. In any case, over the years, I have learned that wetting your bed when you are really, really young is not so embarrassing. I have done that many times when I was very little and not ashamed of saying so. When I used to discover the wetness the next morning and having the big fear about anyone else finding out about it, I often stayed on the patch until my body warmth evaporated the liquid out of the bed.

Not memorizing the multiples of 5 “one ja” like “water” , I learned, was not an end to the world. I could never get a good rhyme or reason in horning my skills to “water” this mathematical concept. Sure I was castigated for not doing that by my teacher with thick glasses who strongly believed that this was the most vital survival tool that there is in life. Later I found that there are Calculators everywhere.

I also learned that my Dad is not as gigantic as I had thought. His contour never got exaggerated when he was furious, I discovered later. As a matter of fact, he was not taller than me when I was 25. I learned the apprehension I had about my father punishing me for my misdeeds, was only amplified thousand times for no reason.

When I was a teenager, I learned that my Mom did not have the magic key to the golden vault where my Dad stored all his wealth. So my constant buttering up was worthless. And I learned that hundred Rupees can not buy a house.

I learned that there is no such thing as “falling in love blindly”. I had my eyes wide open when I fell in love. Had I been blind, I would have never fallen in love. I discovered that when I was in relationship, and when my folks did not approve of it, I could not have left house with my sweetheart and survived out in the street with nineteen Rupees I had in my pocket. Also realized that there is no point of doing so.

Coming to America was a big “Eye Opening” experience for me. The tough reality of life unveiled in the bitterest way possible. I soon discovered my survival was solely based on the technique of making other people happy and satisfied. Working in all different kinds of fast food restaurants that are out there, I learned the right way to mop floors, clean dishes and make fries crispy. Having employment opportunities in Convenient Stores like “Seven Eleven” taught me how to open a cash machine, pump gas and make coffee at the same time. I learned that America is far more complex and rough than what they show in Hollywood movies.

College was not piece of cake either. I floated on my semi real state in all of my eight o’ clock classes. Learned that Mountain dew has more Caffeine than Coffee. Also, realized that my grade has lot to do with my “buttering up” ability to please Professors than my hard work. In America, I found, louder and more vocal you are better you appear as far as intelligence is concerned.

After graduation I realized that finding a job was not as easy as I had thought. Moving to New York, I found, was like moving in a sea full of people of all colors and shape. “How you doing?” was not so much of a question, but rather way of acknowledging presence of another human being, I felt. 

Once I got the job of my interest, I realized that to survive I needed more “people skill” than technical knowledge that I had gained in School. At this point, I understood why it is not important to have perfect 4.0 grade point in school to succeed in life. I analyzed that partying in college and horning your “people skills” is probably more beneficial than burning midnight oil with Calculus that you will never use in real life.

Now, gradually I have been realizing that no matter what we say, United States is probably the least evil places on earth and that my dream of going to Nepal is just a thought which I entertain once in awhile when I am severely intoxicated with the “Corona”- the Mexican Beer.

Having said all that, such is the nature of life and nature dictates our destiny more than anything else. I realized that your home is where your income is and not where your heart is.