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.

Shetty's Goa Experience

Out in Goa! "THE" place for drugs and alcohol during my addiction... But I am having great fun, having a blast and man I am clean. It's unbelievable watching the sunset, doing yoga & meeting new friends. Been to AA and NA meetings sharing my experience... listening to their experience. New experiences & different ways of being harassed and affected by drugs & alcohol like i had been. Eating Goan food & other styles, but today savor it for what it only is & not for what it feels like with my substance. I went shopping with a lot of money near & around the place for grocery items and cleaning items. I was close to bars & drug pushers, but i don't need to goto them. I am having great fun anyways without it. Thats only pleasure for sometime & then a completely messed up head & guaranteed misery all over again & I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Elrich's Goa Experience

So from CAIM in Bangalore I had a visit to my home house. I stayed there for 15 days with my pals Ami and Vikhram Shetty. The weather was good, much more easier to handle life and sobriety. We all went to NA/AA meetings and shared all our secrets and emotions. It was pleasant, it was peaceful, because in the meetings everyone is so kind everyone feels free to talk for a long time so its nice to hear them speak. Jai also shares a lot, he is 25 years sober. Then at home we cook our own food like omelet and pulao or fish, curry rice. We make our own tea. This is secondary treatment given to us, for those who are very much improving and firm with their sobriety. Also we get counseling from counselors from the UK, who take a one hour class and then also a one to one counseling for those who need it. After that we go roaming with Jai in his car around Goa and return back home and clean up the house and wash clothes. Theres a lot of freedom in secondary treatment as well as love, togetherness and care. Thanks a lot for allowing me to share.

Back in Bangalore

We are back to Bangalore, and I am discussing my life with my family. Looks like the next step for me is a half-way h0use. Hope all that was discussed with Carol and Tom will reflect on a positive outcome. I am trying to be positive about my life and be headed in line with my goals and dreams of life. Vikhram and Elrich are also back and are learning new skills, along with myself I am learning cooking. Hope to see things bright with Vijay and my father.

Goa Recovery

We have been having good sessions here in recovery in Goa. We have had some counselling from UK based counsellors which has been great. I have been able to express my feelings honestly with someone who is impartial of the treatment centre which has been a great relief. Also my counsellor feels I am ready to start intergrating into society which is a great relief. Since I would not like to be in primary rehab for such a long time as I have been in the past. I would like to see myself working and coming back to the treatment centre in the nights, which i hope will happen soon. All in all it has been great inteacting with people who have a different perspective of NA/AA fellowship from the UK.

GOD

God to me means Good Orderly Direction, Group of Drunks, Group of Disfunctionals, basically my understanding of GOD is doing the Good things in life, and a higher power will protect you and look over you guiding you in the proper direction. I know once I started acting positive, positive people came into my life.

Goa Monday

Had a good day today, met someone new from Denmark yesterday, we met her early this morning and she came over to the house and taught us Yoga. We also picked up a patient from Bangalore who had escaped the other day and was just arriving in Goa. All in all was a good day relaxed and cooked some food for everyone. Went for a swim and looking forward to a nice dinner this evening. My emotions were very much under control and was in the postive for the day.