Good News

Yesterday got a surprising call from my Mum in Canada who said she was on the next flight out tomorrow to come to India. It came to me as a big surprise since I had not been expecting it. So I am keeping positive that I will be heading home with her also or least to get my belongings to relocate myself and establish my life. So the arrival date will be sometime on the 9th, hope she has a safe flight and we have a joyous meeting. Last night was quite disturbed as I couldn't get proper sleep being eaten alive by millions of mosquitoes since we didn't get any mosquito coil. So i think all of us have been affected last night whoever was in the room, we all look groggy today.

Neil's Scary Experience

yesterday was a really scary experience for me as i had got a panic attack. it was the first time it happened to me so i was very scared in the rehab. the people here immediately rushed me to the hospital and the doctors put me on drips. i was discharged after some time and came back to the rehab centre. i got really scared and thought that i was going to pop it,die.i am happy to be back .

Back from Chennai

Yesterday we left early in the morning to pick up someone from Chennai. Some real mad protesters along the way as trucks blocked up the road we were taking to prove some kind of point supporting their communist party regime. Finally arrived into town and had a hard time meeting up with the family as we did not know directions in the new city. But finally we managed to get ourselves organized and surprise the patient by just coming in the house and dragging him out. Funny as the guy said he is relieved that he is coming in for treatment as he did not know how to stop his drinking. Had a good chat with the chap on the way back to Bangalore and found out he is a software engineer who had worked in Sana Clara, California. So we had plenty to talk about on the way back. We took a new route back to avoid the striking truck drivers, and got back in record time. Over all was a good day and quite nice seeing the scenic country side. Also great seeing the SEZ zones set up for industries where big companies are now employing Indians. The infrastructure is great in Chennai, where you can see the new rail system almost ready to be used and traffic is 10times easier to flow in than Bangalore.

Cooking

So we have been cooking breakfast today and made nice porridge which was thick and sweet. Hope everyone likes it! We are planning to make a nice Dal for lunch with beetroot sabji and rice. So for the next few days all the meals will be cooked by us new amateurs as we shall be experimenting in the kitchen. We are all learning a lot about different spices and preparation techniques. So over all we are enjoying spending time at the back and in the office as well.

Cooking

Today I cooked Lemon Rice for everyone this morning, and it turned out great. I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen learning to cook and prepare items. I would like to learn how to make roti's which i hope to learn soon. Ultimately I would like to learn Punjabi cooking which I hope to do so soon if I have the proper ingredients. Things have been really positive and I have been helping others post their comments online.

Neil's Art

Well i'm back in Bangalore at CAIM doing my recovery, and trying to implement the program to the best of my ability. This is my second treatment and this time i think i have acquired a spiritual awakening. I feel quite different now since i have come here if i may add. This place has taught me a lot of things,i know where i stand today and have also accepted myself as an addict and have accepted powerlessness. Day by day i have been feeling more motivated to know more about the program and i am receiving help from a lot of people who are older than me and also from the people who are my age. Everybody is very helpful , friendly and cooperative here.

The picture which you can see has been drawn by me. Well for the first time i have drawn on the computer. Not so good i know but i tried. I am basically a fine art student and i like to sing and rap and i also play the guitar and like to act and socialize with people. I love listening to music.

Recovery Hope

We have been giving hope to people here in Bangalore, that AA/NA meetings are great on the outside and you meet awesome people. We are also encouraging people to be positive that they will also get a chance to stay in Goa. It is disturbing to see people in such depression of being locked up for such a long time and not seeing the outside world. But I am confident that I can give them positivity and hope about their future if they choose to stay clean on the outside. Have been learning alot about spices and cooking techniques for Indian cooking which will help me in the future. I have been reading alot and keeping my mind active and positive.