12.23 am. Neeraj is asleep, what am I still doing up??? 
Our lives just hit another level. It has hit a level of busyness that I think I have never felt before. Do you know how many things are going through my head right now? I would like to write by priority but dang it, its past midnight and I should go to sleep, I have an 8.30 am meeting that I need to reach the office on time for tomorrow. 
Visitor Visa
This is a beast. 
To make it even more interesting, Mitu Didi’s (Badi Masi’s daughter) mother-in-law (M-I-L for short) went for her US Visitor Visa interview three days ago at the US Consulate in Mumbai, and her visa was rejected due to having insufficient funds to survive in US. This has caused a bit of a scare to Manoj Bhaiya (Mitu Didi’s big bro) as he has already paid the fees for himself, Bhabhi, their daughter Aayat, his mom (my Badi Masi), and his dad (my Mausajii). That would be a whopping Rs. 25,000 for fees, and anyone who has paid that much $$ wants to make sure the investment is worthwhile. So the past two days Neeraj, my parents, and I have been dissecting piece-by-piece the interview that went on with the MIL to understand what might have been the issue for insufficient funds. The story is too long to write about now, but we have come to the conclusion that you shouldn’t hide anything during the visa interview, and you should make sure that your sponsor’s papers match exactly with the visa application form. 
This visa stuff is never easy and really time consuming. 
It will be worth it when I see Manoj Bhaiya and all of their smiling faces @ my house though. 
So we are not only sponsoring Manoj Bhaiya and family, but also Lata Didi/Kishore Jijaji, and then Neeraj’s parents. So we are going to know the process in/out by the end of this. 
Anybody else going through this, you should check out this and that websites for solid information.
GMAT/MBA
Today we have spent a good solid evening studying for GMAT. Neeraj took the full exam, and I studied from the book. We are both learning where we need to improve so that is good. We are going to take the exam in mid Feb. Since today, we have also started looking at the process for MBA applications to colleges in our area. With the reimbursement we receive from our company, we want to work it out that we wouldn’t have to pay any extra cash or get any student loans and still be able to complete it in three years. 
Its going to involve some probability/option finding……I am tired just thinking about it.
Shopping
We haven’t even had time to go to the grocery store….:lookaround: I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day at times!
Gym/Lose Weight
I am doing really well with this. Neeraj and I have been diligent with our time to make sure that we go to the gym every single day. On top of that,I am watching what I am eating, and I have lost a few pounds. I am having about this, and I am working hard to lose more. Soon I will share the story of “the lady” who has been haunting Neeraj in the billiards room. 
Router/2nd PC Setup
We brought a router that we weren’t using from Morton to use here, but I have been having an issue setting it up with my current DSL setup. The reason I want to setup the router so that we can use the second PC in our bedroom where we will use Linux O/S so that Neeraj and I can brush up on our skills. Don’t know when this will happen…………sitting on the backburner now.
Transfer India Visa from Old Passport to New
Requires a trip to Chicago….let’s hope that it gets done properly in one day. Then again, you are dealing with the Indian Embassy – you can’t say what you will get. 
Packing
There is such a thing…..that I hardly want to think about now…but soon will become a reality.
Now its 12.43 am. One or two more things I want to add.
Sore Throat
Also put on the backburner with the 2nd PC – taking medicine but the throat is now driving me nuts. Let’s hope I am back to normal soon.
Eye Checkup Needed
I haven’t worn my contacts in over two months because of an irritation with the new set of disposables I have gotten. With the new job, I was waiting on my Vision Care Insurance Card which I received this week – now I will have to go and get that done.
Haircut
Need to get it down to my shoulders — its looking so bad. 
Office??????
Definitely stays on my mind, but its shoved allllll the way in the back after 5pm that I can never retrieve that folder. 
Boy, I needed a laugh.
12.51 am – now I am going to bed. 
Alvida. Jai Mata Di.
Poonamji looks like you have a lot of stuff on your mind! I do this when I have SUCH a long list..take a deep breath…prioritize it..do the first three and leave the rest to god:rotfl: no seriously..i prioritize so I always get the stuff done that would give me more tension in the end first! making it easy
I hate studying for standardized tests! studying for DAT was never my fav..hopefully I will never have to take it again. Just got my eye checkup :-D NEED to go to the gym too..
chalo lets hope eveyrthing gets done soon for ya..just relax:yes:
Hi,Poonamji..nice to see the blog going strong as always.I’ve been a bit busy,settling down at the new job in Dubai,so,not been too regular in surfing. Interesting to see that visa problems still abound, where the US of A is concerned.Also,nice to read about the gym-ming.:)I’ve been on a strict diet and walks schedule myself,and,lost around 8 kgs so far,in two months.Not bad,na?heh heh..and,will wait to read the story about ‘the lady’ haunting Neeraj..cheers and have a nice weekend.
hmmm… seems like you are a little stressed Poonam. :) When you start losing your sleep, that’s a pretty good hint. Remember to take a few deep breaths any time you feel overwhelmed. :)
I have been pretty regular with the gym. I make it a point to go to bed at 9:30 PM every night (except for Fridays and Saturdays), and am up by 5:30 AM. I then go to the gym first thing in the morning. I have a sweet tooth, so for the past two weeks, I have been very good with not eating chocolates or Mithai. I have lost a few pounds, but definitely need to lose more.
Gosh … there are so many things happening yah … hope you will have times to take a rest physically and also your brain
Sometimes my brain can’t stop thinking either even I sleep when so many things happening …
my memory is getting weak hahaha
I am really happy for you. Although I think you are beautiful already as you are now 
Ahhh Visa things are never easy, I really hate it but we can’t avoid it, can we?
That’s really cool that you and Neeraj are planning to study MBA, that’s really cool !!! Wish you the best for GMAT Exams, honestly, I can’t see myself study anymore
Congratulations !!! You have lose some weight ! I know how hard it is and you must really focus and commit yourself to do exercise regularly. I went through these things last time, it’s not easy in the beginning but when you feel the results, you will be very happy
Hope your throat will get well soon !
Too much seems to be going on at your end. Well, just relax and take one thing at a time….you’ll do fine.
And hey, good luck with the GMAT preps. Let me know if you need any help. Its been a while since I took mine, but I still remember a lot that went into the preparation.
Visitor VISA
… Kaash there was no immunity for Embassy staff from legal proceedings ;)
I did registered at Path2USA.com when i was trying for mine!
Good Luck for GMAT
Prioritizing is key Kaush dear. You are absolutely right, and I am taken your advice.
Thanks, I needed the reminder!
Good to see your comment Amit.:smile: Yes going to the gym is definitely important, its good that you are keeping up in good health too.
Wow you too Joy going to the gym??
That’s really great!! Yes, definitely I will just have to take a step back and relax when getting overwhelmed. 
Thanks!
Very sweet of you to say Mona dear, but really I do need to lose weight.
My body mass index is over than what is considered normal for my age and height, and hence I am a bit overweight. I know this, and really I want to do much as possible to get to my ideal weight, and definitely improvements have been made. 
Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks Manu, any tips for GMAT you have will definitely be accepted with deep appreciation.
It is a major headache Ankur, I wish it was easier than it really is.
You should have become an immigration lawyer! 
I done think there is much scope for Immigration lawyer here, never heard of any immigration lawyer in India. There are only private persons who are providing consultancy in this field.
Cyber Lawyer is good enough