Pondit, Down Under
Well, the title is somewhat self-explanatory, but just to be clear: pending visa approval from Australia, packing up the house, tying up loose ends at work and other such fun stuff, this blogger is off to the Oz-land. Specifically, the move is to Brisbane, Queensland, for a period of one to two years, and will happen (fingers crossed) as early as in two to three weeks.
The move is work-related – not my own – but I have fortunately found an excellent post-doctoral position at the University of Queensland.
It has been in the works for about a month now, and in the midst of all the packing, job applications, finishing experiments, taking care of odds and ends, the thought that I am going to be settling into a new life halfway across the world is still sinking in. No doubt, it should be exciting. And the first thought after we got the news was that ‘I can now watch cricket…’ ! Live ! On TV, mobile or at the ‘Gabba !!
There is much I am looking forward to down under and stuff that I am going to miss here in the states: will write a detailed post on it later, maaay-te!
PS – Any Ozzies reading this and located near abouts Brisbane, nows the time to delurk and offer advice on life out there !
Recurring Decimals..... 
Awesome!!!To the land of the ‘roos!
So are you now going to cheer the Aussies.. loyalty and all that crap 😛
Sakshi
April 26, 2007 at 4:51 pm
@Sakshi: whether to support the Aussies is a question on the existential plane. Need more thought into it. Given my luck, they will probably start losing once I support them on their soil 😛
PS – I do always support the Aussies during the Ashes.
BongoP'o'ndit
April 26, 2007 at 5:55 pm
@BongoP’o’ndit: Congrats! I have not been to the USA, but Australia.. now that’s some place!
And yes, this is the beginning of the end for Australian cricket 😀
*evil, maniac laughter*
Vivek Kumar
April 27, 2007 at 3:47 am
Find a house with a guest room? (Or at least an extra couch)
Vaya con Dios.
J.A.P.
J. Alfred Prufrock
April 27, 2007 at 4:20 am
@Vivek: Thanks – everyone’s been telling me how great, and more importantly how laid back Aus is wrt to US.
@JAP: Gracias ! I assume there will be at least an extra couch – we already have a few people signed up on the visit Aus list. You are more than welcome, maay-te.
BongoP'o'ndit
April 27, 2007 at 6:51 am
Bongo,
Congratulations! I wish you and S a safe journey.
However, if you ever mention watching cricket live in Australia, you are dead!
By and by, take sakshi along She is crazy about the Aussies. 🙂
confused
April 27, 2007 at 1:48 pm
@Bongo and Confused -Yes Please!! Me wanna go.
I can do lab work for you on days Aussies don’t play either rugby or cricket.
I can threaten to sing or laugh each time India plays.. there are a lot of people who will pay up with either threat. And Confused can add the first buck 🙂
Sakshi
April 27, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Whoa! This is a big move. Congrats and all! Good…we have someone in Brisbane to host us when we are down there.
Patrix
April 27, 2007 at 8:05 pm
@Confused: Thanks. Sorry mate, that’s too much of a gloating opportunity !
@Sakshi: As they say, be careful of what you wish for 😉 !
Not so sure if I’d want to listen to your singing though.
@Patrix: Thanks …. Is the Bribane trip a speculation or are there actual plans ? Of course, will be more than happy to host you guys 🙂
BongoP'o'ndit
April 28, 2007 at 12:35 pm
@BongoP’o’ndit: You really have to stop saying “thanks” now. The first thing my cab driver taught me in Melbourne was that in Australia, you say “no worries, mate” in place of “thanks”.
I suppose you already have the pronunciation of “mate” under control. If not, try saying this several times:
“Eighty Eight for Eight in Eighty Eight Overs”
(yes, it would be a lousy team that has such a score, but its good Aussie-speak practice!)
Vivek Kumar
April 28, 2007 at 1:38 pm
@Vivek: Thanks…I mean no worries mate. And yeah, I am working on the pronunciation – that scorecard helps 🙂
BongoP'o'ndit
April 28, 2007 at 4:08 pm
[…] could finally surf around my frequently-visited blogs to avoid falling out of the loop 🙂 Bongo is defecting to Oz Land, Rohit is quoting and commenting, Piker is purportedly busy but not too busy to guest blog on two […]
Entertaining Mom
April 28, 2007 at 7:45 pm
If you come to Melbourne, pl. let me know ( I will be away in USA from May 16 to June 19). When we arrived here in 1988, we encountered some racism :’black dogs’, ‘go back to your country’ etc. It seems much better now (may be we avoid trouble spots) though I do not know how it is in Queensland. There is an economist there, John Quiggin, who seems to be quite good.
gaddeswarup
April 30, 2007 at 5:08 am
Congrats! That is really great news since everyone keeps telling me how wonderfully laid back life is in Australia. I’m sure you’ll have a great time there.
M (Tread Softly Upon)
May 1, 2007 at 10:30 am
[…] 9th, 2007 by BongoP’o’ndit With the date for the move inching closer, life is hectic. Therefore, less of my irrelevancies for the next few […]
Should I be called Bruce, Bruce, Bruce or Bruce? « Recurring Decimals…..
May 9, 2007 at 4:07 pm