7 August

The feeling when you enter the airport, and suddenly realize your parents wont be in beyond this point..
When you want to linger at that gate just a moment longer to see the 2 most loving faces of your world..
You see your travel mates after you finally turn your back to the gate.. the smile when you see your friend with an air hostess, when you dint know she was his sister :)
The sms that you get from your mom, who learnt to sms the day you got your visa..

When you see your close friend's newly married sister and her husband at the airport, as they embark on their new life together..

When your cell phone runs out of battery from all "bye bye calls" and the airport in India supports only US type sockets!
The decision to switch off the phone, to conserve battery to call your parents..
Immediate switching on the cell, waiting waiting and waiting for one last phone call from a long lost friend..
When you pour out the last remaining indian water from your bottle..

Knowing that your cousin too will be starting her new life, and is somewhere just a few gates away from your plane's gate..

The feeling when your cabin luggage rolls from the airport carpet to the corrugated metal of what gets you inside the plane..the realization that you are completely on your own this point onwards..
The call from plane to your parents..
Seeing your travel mate teary eyed..
You wish to start your new life with cheer not tears.. There's excitement and joy for the experiences you are about to have, and for the rebirth..

Having marathi speaking guys receive you at the airport..
Having Indian Grad students association arrange for temporary accomodation..
Seeing the collage of your temp. host's friends' pics..and you feel completely at home..

2 am in the US, your 1st night in the US, alone in the room, and suddenly you can no longer hold up yourself..

When your temp. host's parents leave for NY, you stayed with them for 2 days..the feeling when the dad kisses your teary forehead..

After staying 2 days with 2 other temp. roomies, your temp. host and her parents..everyone just leaves, and you are alone in the apartment..

You are alone, down with fever, your friend offers to stay overnight..college senior gets you dinner..

When you return late and find your sleepy roommates in the same temp. accomodation :)

The friends, especially the guy who's played all roles- project guide, GRE study partner, univ. application mate, the euphoria when he tells you he will be in the same university, and eventually who becomes almost like your elder bro...

And when you no longer feel that the water tastes weird, have settled in your new apartment, have struck a chord with your roomy and your new friends..when you finally celebrate your REBIRTH..