In the present world where parents are constantly teaching their kids to be independent in life, how can someone even think of being dependent on someone????.Its true, the world seems to be full of independent people, but amongst which, there exists a small group of dependents.To be more precise, its Indian ladies residing in the United states of America on a H4 visa.
Being one among this elite group, I have had my own experiences and my own learning curve in the process of keeping myself occupied and busy. I'am sure every girl who comes as a dependent comes with a dream of getting some working experience in the US. As most of us know, getting a work permit is not at all an easy task. It wasn't easy for me either. Hope, faith, wait and what not went when i applied for a H1 lottery in the spring-summer time of 2013. It took no time for me to know that luck wasn't on my side and my application was not picked( i would prefer not picked instead of rejected just to please myself). Then was the time i felt i had no options left but to wait for the next year lottery. I was almost at the rim of my emotional outburst, when i realized, if i have to wait, why waste the wait.
Life gives you umpteen reasons to get bored, but he who manages to kill boredom with something interesting will strive long. After that heart breaking news i started sympathizing myself and would try every other option to console myself. One day at the city library, where i used to drop in every now n then, i came across a leaflet which said " Seminar on how to think positive". To my good luck the seminar was being held at the library and i could attend it as i had all the time available in the world.
I was taught from my childhood that if you help at least one individual to learn something, that means you have added one more count to the list of good deeds. I was the only one who was sitting among ladies aged 50 plus. I was discouraged at the beginning, but, it took no time for me to get involved in the discussion. What was discussed is what even i don't remember till date but the outcome is one thing which i would cherish the rest of my life. I was enlightened and my mind was thrown open to a whole new world. As an outcome of the seminar, i happen to know more about volunteering, and within a span of 30 minutes i was introduced to the head of the Job help center(JHC) of the city library. It hardly took me 5 minutes to fill in the volunteer form and i was now known as a Volunteer at the JHC. I knew i would be out of the monetary affairs and would not be paid, but the thought of being employed and helping someone learn was so overwhelming that i felt it was one of the happiest days of my life. For a girl who used to kill time at home watching Indian daily soaps and do nothing, this was a big U turn. I was happy to be a part of such a warm and welcoming staff of the JHC, who in all ways made me feel comfortable. Work wise i was happy and contended even if i had to repeatedly teach patrons on how to attach a file in Gmail? how to reply to e-mails? how to open a yahoo or a Gmail account? or how to build a simple resume. The smile and the satisfaction on the faces of patrons was a big stress buster. Days went on and i made lots of friends ( patrons at the library who were double my age) who would always surprise me with their enthusiasm to learn.
All of these experiences taught me to value the time to learn new things. I'am sure if my H1 application had gone through successfully i would not even have thought of volunteering. I'am a strong believer in the saying that" whatever happens happens for the best". I'am so thankful to everyone who directly or indirectly helped in the process. Time flies and one has to move on in life. After about a year , I had to relocate. I had absolutely no regrets and was happy to be a part of the library. As i bid a bye bye to the city and the library i carried a bag full of memories, courage to take life as it comes, and never get discouraged by anything. Here I'am in a new state and a new city and whole lots of new avenues for volunteering.
I have had corporate experience before in India and I'am also aware of the stress that one has to go through everyday. Then,I always used to regret for not having time for my hobbies ( photography, cooking and music), family and friends. Now when i see, i know, God is super impressed by me and has entitled me to be dependent and enjoy life to the fullest and take up my hobby seriously. I take inspiration from the flower in the image which says "one has to bloom and bring out the best before its the time to whither away".
Being one among this elite group, I have had my own experiences and my own learning curve in the process of keeping myself occupied and busy. I'am sure every girl who comes as a dependent comes with a dream of getting some working experience in the US. As most of us know, getting a work permit is not at all an easy task. It wasn't easy for me either. Hope, faith, wait and what not went when i applied for a H1 lottery in the spring-summer time of 2013. It took no time for me to know that luck wasn't on my side and my application was not picked( i would prefer not picked instead of rejected just to please myself). Then was the time i felt i had no options left but to wait for the next year lottery. I was almost at the rim of my emotional outburst, when i realized, if i have to wait, why waste the wait.
Life gives you umpteen reasons to get bored, but he who manages to kill boredom with something interesting will strive long. After that heart breaking news i started sympathizing myself and would try every other option to console myself. One day at the city library, where i used to drop in every now n then, i came across a leaflet which said " Seminar on how to think positive". To my good luck the seminar was being held at the library and i could attend it as i had all the time available in the world.
I was taught from my childhood that if you help at least one individual to learn something, that means you have added one more count to the list of good deeds. I was the only one who was sitting among ladies aged 50 plus. I was discouraged at the beginning, but, it took no time for me to get involved in the discussion. What was discussed is what even i don't remember till date but the outcome is one thing which i would cherish the rest of my life. I was enlightened and my mind was thrown open to a whole new world. As an outcome of the seminar, i happen to know more about volunteering, and within a span of 30 minutes i was introduced to the head of the Job help center(JHC) of the city library. It hardly took me 5 minutes to fill in the volunteer form and i was now known as a Volunteer at the JHC. I knew i would be out of the monetary affairs and would not be paid, but the thought of being employed and helping someone learn was so overwhelming that i felt it was one of the happiest days of my life. For a girl who used to kill time at home watching Indian daily soaps and do nothing, this was a big U turn. I was happy to be a part of such a warm and welcoming staff of the JHC, who in all ways made me feel comfortable. Work wise i was happy and contended even if i had to repeatedly teach patrons on how to attach a file in Gmail? how to reply to e-mails? how to open a yahoo or a Gmail account? or how to build a simple resume. The smile and the satisfaction on the faces of patrons was a big stress buster. Days went on and i made lots of friends ( patrons at the library who were double my age) who would always surprise me with their enthusiasm to learn.
All of these experiences taught me to value the time to learn new things. I'am sure if my H1 application had gone through successfully i would not even have thought of volunteering. I'am a strong believer in the saying that" whatever happens happens for the best". I'am so thankful to everyone who directly or indirectly helped in the process. Time flies and one has to move on in life. After about a year , I had to relocate. I had absolutely no regrets and was happy to be a part of the library. As i bid a bye bye to the city and the library i carried a bag full of memories, courage to take life as it comes, and never get discouraged by anything. Here I'am in a new state and a new city and whole lots of new avenues for volunteering.I have had corporate experience before in India and I'am also aware of the stress that one has to go through everyday. Then,I always used to regret for not having time for my hobbies ( photography, cooking and music), family and friends. Now when i see, i know, God is super impressed by me and has entitled me to be dependent and enjoy life to the fullest and take up my hobby seriously. I take inspiration from the flower in the image which says "one has to bloom and bring out the best before its the time to whither away".
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