- Amara is 8 months old and has found her voice. She screeches like a pterodactyl when she "talks" to us, or to anyone else within at least two hundred yards. Just another one of the myriad discoveries of fatherhood. The best (and often most difficult) things about being a father are all of the little things that no one tells you about. Consider screeching like a pterodactyl to be near the top of the list so far. Number one one list has got to be the first time you come home from work and she smiles broadly because she recognizes you (although I have already cheated - Suj did tell me about that one. Thanks, Suj).
- Dr. Mike is still in the ICU. The posts from Caitlin are encouraging. We are all thinking of him and hoping that today is the day he comes off the ventilator. Kat has kept a continuous candlelight vigil since we got the news. She is very worried. When this is all over and Mike is back home with the family, I look forward to visiting and taking him to Hot Lips Pizza for a slice and a pint of Microbrew. He mentioned to me at Thanksgiving that it was his favorite pizza place.
- Ma and Dad Bakshi are in India right now. Having completed Asthi-Visarjana (scattering of ashes) after my grandfather's passing, they have moved on to visit a medical clinic outside Ahmedabad. Emails come in from Ma almost every day, and she sounds transformed by what she is experiencing. I have not been to India since I was 13 or 14, and after reading her emails I really want to go back. When Amara is a little older, of course.
- The job is going well. Almost one full year in Regulatory Affairs and learning a heckuva lot at work (not to mention learning through the one-night-a-week-for-a-couple-years night class). Never thought that I would have a job like this, and I definitely didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do. All that and I don't have to take the freeway to get to the office. Next thing I know, it'll start raining gumdrops. Cover your head!
- First backpacking trip in over a year happening this weekend. Kat and Amara will be going to Houston to see Madrina and family. Should be a nice week - a change of scenery and different routine for all of us. It's supposed to rain this weekend, and I couldn't care less. Can't wait to get out there and walk in the woods for a while. It's an excellent recharge for me every time.
I think that's not too bad for my first post. I'll share more news when there's, well, more news.
