Seven years

Its been seven years since I left India, to this very day. I remember wearing a tie the first month that I was here and being intimidated by grad school. I remember the first few days living with disgustingly filthy roommates, with cockroaches crawling out of every corner. I was hopeful out of naivete back then, but now I think I am hopeful based on reason. These last few years have to be the fastest years yet in my life. Making research work and believeing that life will get where I want it to be has been demanding, irritating and painful and scary, but I think I will be proud of it when it is done.