Career is a baggage?

I am feeling lonely and down today and it is not the best of the times to write a blog about the last two weeks. But deadline is approaching. There is no choice but keep on writing.

I know I have done a remarkable job on professional front during first week of May; my four bylines have been published in WSJ in one week which, according to Randy, is a record. It is peak of my career. According to one of my friend it is a miracle that a person from a small village of Pakistan who started learning English alphabets at the age of 14 has got four bylines published in WSJ in one week. Yes, it is incredible but, I am not happy; at least at the moment. I am missing my family, friends and country.

I belong to a big family. It is exhausting to live alone in a small room. There are many options available to make one busy but they don’t work all the time. I can’t spend the whole time watching TV, surfing internet or reading a books and newspaper.

I can’t live without talking to people. But here, it is the toughest job to find somebody to talk about. I have also tried to make some friends in the neighboring apartments but most of them are not interested in an ‘alien.’ The evenings and weekends are the worst time. Talking to friends on phones and family for hours and hours and wandering on the streets are the only alternatives.

During last two weeks, I also have many problems on the health front; first there was a problem with my wisdom tooth followed by sore throat, stiff neck and fever. It seems my body is not happy with my decision of coming here and has decided to give me a tough time.

May 7 is my birthday. I was away from family on the day for the first time in my life. It was tough but my friends at office especially Judy Dixon made it memorable for me. Thank you all.

I can't forget this birthday the whole life. My wife has given me the most precious gift on the day. Yes, she is pregnant. She knew it even before I came to America but did not inform me because she did not want me to miss the opportunity of availing the fellowship.

Sometimes, it feels that career is a baggage.