From Glasgow to Iona via Oban:Lost in his creation

The journey Glasgow to Oban is a four hour mixed genre movie titled 'Scenic Beauty' watched from the window of the scottish rail. Off the train in to the Craignure ferry - water surrounded by islands or islands surrounded by water - its not time to decide but to just get lost in nature! The bus waits for the ferry to drive us on a single lane road with C-Sections:) for the oncoming vehicles to wait.As the top of the hills kiss the clouds tears of joy flow as tiny water falls.


Though we see Iona from the other side its no time to swim but to wait for an other ten minute ferry to the Island The courteous hotel cab driver(owner of a restaurant) was waiting to pick us up to the Ardoran House! The Sacred Land with a population of one hundred and thirty five is full of spirit and isolated beauty. Scotland-The Land of scenic brilliance! 

నాలుగు గంటలు స్కాటిష్ రైల్ కిటికీలోంచి చూసే సినిమాలో ఆ దేవుని స్రుష్టి లోని అందాని జుర్రేసుకుంటూ ఒబాన్ చేరుకున్నం.

వో గంట ఫెర్రీ - నీళ్ళతో చుట్టబడిన నేలా, నేలతో బందించబడిన నీరా అని నిర్దారించుకొనే సమయం కాదు అది.జస్ట్ అలా చూస్తూ వుండి పోవడమే...

ప్రియుడి కోసం ప్రేయసి ఎదురు చూస్తున్నట్టు ఫెర్రి కోసం బస్సు ఎదురు చూస్తోంది.సింగిల్ లైన్ రోడ్డు మా వింజమూరు రూటు గుర్తు చేస్తుంటే అక్కడక్కడా సి సెక్షన్లలో ఎదురువచ్చే బండులు ఆగాయి.కొండంచున మబ్బుల తియ్యటి మొదటి ముద్దుకి పులకరిస్తూ ఆనంద బాష్పాలు చిన్న్ని చిన్ని జల పాతాలై పారాయి.

పది నిమిషాల మరో ఫెర్రి దిగగానే మాకోసమే ఎదురుచూస్తున్న క్యాబ్ డ్రైవరు అయోనా లో మరో రెస్టారెంటుకు ఏకైక వోనరు.నూటముప్పై అయిదు జనబాతో పురాతన కట్టడాలతో నెండిపొయిన అయోనా ద్వీపంలో రూము కిటికీలోంచి అలలు అలా చూస్తూ...

Finally not disappointing the last mode of transportation we flew from Glasgow for one last stop in London.


రైలు ,బస్సు,ఫెర్రి తో పాటు ఫ్లైటును నిరాశ పరచకుండా లాస్ట్ స్టాప్ లండంకు తిరుగు టప్పా కట్టేసాం.



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Edinburgh Scotland

Handing over the five pound tip to the cab driver we kick started our awesome trip with the smile on his face. On our way to the Manchester Piccadilly station he enlightened us that it is Edinborrow and not Edinburgh as its spelled. It’s a four hour UK rail trip to the historic city.

We bought the tickets for a evening train to Glasgow at the Edinburgh station and Hopped on to the double-decker Hop on and Off buses after a China Buffet. We took multiple trips getting down at different places each time .As the guides went on explaining the historic significance of the various kings and buildings in the old yet beautiful city where Graham Bell invented the telephone and JK Rowling came up with Harry Potter.

As we climbed up the hill to the Castle we took a break for a Scottish not Whisky but Coffee :) .Right next to the castle is the Weaving Mill where we dressed up as the Scottish (Kilt, Bagpipe etc) and got our pictures taken.

That beautiful day faded out against the night lights of Glasgow as we had our dinner at the Ashoka Restaurant right next to the Etap Hotel where we crashed.

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7 steps to go Onsite/Abroad on your job

1) The 'WHY' is important?

Either quick money or exploring the planet, there is a reason why you want to travel abroad and it is important to develop clarity on this WHY. Knowing WHY will help you set your goals and also choose your path to go abroad. Here is my article on choosing your path.

2) Know the two types of companies

Companies like Tata Consultancy Services will assure onsite opportunities with in a certain time period. Ask them clearly during the interview about their onsite rotation schedule and how long it will take for you to get there.

The second kind of companies have good enough workforce employed abroad and their offshore base is mainly to get the work done for cheaper. These companies send you abroad on short trips which can range from a couple of weeks to six months.

If your goal is to go abroad on lengthy trips then you should choose the former.

3) Make your Onsite goal time constricted

Talk to you manager and understand how things work at your organization. Set up your goals and deadlines by which your company should start processing your visa. Read my article on life space analysis and goal setting.

4) Learn and Share Something New Everyday

Work on your technical and interpersonal skills that will help you once you are onsite and also your career long term. Even when you are onsite make this a habit. While it is easy to get lost in your daily work schedule, it is important to stay up to date with the happenings outside. Sharing what you have learnt will not only give you instant feedback but also helps improve your presentation skills.

This will help you create opportunities for yourself in the worse of market situations.

5) Follow up with your Manager

Talk to your manager on a regular basis. Choose a good time to talk .Start of the week and early mornings are good.Know the current context of his life and work to determine a good time. Give him a hint thorough your email subject on what you want to talk about (going onsite etc).Forget about the bossy image and talk to him like you talk to any other human :)

6) Embrace the change and it will never embrace you

The respect at work, the praise from your manager, the technologies you work on only matter as long as you have inner peace and they help meet your short and long term goals. If they can not keep their word you should move on. To a different team or to a different company which can meet your goals as you meet theirs. The relationship between you and your company is not beyond a fifteen day or a months notice. Remember they will do the same when they can’t keep you anymore for business reasons.

Never get frustrated and learn from your experience to improvise at your new work place.

7) Leave on a good note

This is a small world and your manager today can be your CEO tomorrow or your lead today might work for your startup later. Yes there are politics, yes they play games but no you should never play the blame game and always leave them on a good note. If not, just leave.

To end it on a philosophical note - Live this moment happily, keep doing all that you can with determination, help others and you will discover the real magic. Things will happen!

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Use your EAD ASAP

When your priority date becomes current and when you file your I-485, you can and should file for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).With an EAD you can switch to a different employer from who filed your GC after 180 days from when your I -485 was filed. Your GC process will continue and you will get your green card depending on the processing times. In the mean time the EAD allows you to work for any employer by filing an AC21 every time you switch jobs. It’s merely letting USCIS know that you are switching to a new employer and your job duties at the new employer are the same as your current or those mentioned in your green card labor application.

Advantages of using your EAD:

1. More employment opportunities
2. You can also apply for an EAD for your dependents who are then authorized to work
3. Better Positions - I have seen companies offering senior positions for those on EAD.
4. No H1B visa stamping hassle

Once you use your EAD you no longer hold your visa status. You should apply for an Advance Parole (AP) document to travel out and come back to the US. You should renew your EAD once every two years and Travel Document every year. You or your employer/attorney can renew them online by paying the appropriate fee and send in the supporting documents. You will receive the EAD and AP documents by mail.

Dump all the assumptions and the fears that come with them , talk to your lawyer if you are in doubt and use your EAD As Soon As Possible.

Here is a good article on How to utilize AC21.

Read the following articles for further details:

1)Employer agreements for Visas and Green Cards

2)File Your Green Card on Day One

3)Start your company today

4)Tips to start your company

Insurances for your company

As soon as you hire your first employee you must buy the workers compensation insurance that covers them if they are accidentally injured at work. Once you partner with another company or vendor you should buy the liability insurance which will cover your corporation from third party losses.

If it’s mandated by the state, employers must provide workers’ compensation (WC) coverage for all of their employees, including seasonal and part-time workers. States like Pennsylvania audit companies for Workers Comp coverage on a regular basis. Never delay buying one to avoid penalties. The one exception from buying WC insurance is working for your own company. You can request the state for exemption by filing a UC-8 exempt form. Workers Comp insurance premiums are calculated on the basis of the employee’s salary. They have a fixed rate per every hundred dollars you pay in wages.

Liability insurance offers protection against third party insurance claims, i.e., if one of your vendors or clients suffer losses because of your employees. Most of the vendors require the certification of this coverage to start doing business with you.Your liability insurance premiums vary depending on the industry you are in.

I use Hartford, one of the leading insurance providers. Check their website for details and quotes http://www.thehartford.com/business/ .Also get quotes from other insurance providers like state farm to compare and decide. To start with one employee the total insurance premiums for these two insurances will be less than eight hundred dollars per year. And remember that these premiums are tax deductible and to renew them each year.

Port Of Entry:Talking to the Immigration Officer Etc

Spend the last one hour of your long and tiring flight journey to freshen up, double check the I-94, Customs Declaration forms you have filled.Along with the passport keep all the documents that you took to the visa interview handy.

There will be two lines at the port of entry. One for the US Citizens, Green card holders, and another for the Visa Holders. The Immigration officer looks at your passport, visa, and I-94 form,questions about the purpose of your visit, takes digital picture and digital finger prints, stamps your passport and provide a departure date on I-94.

In some cases you will be sent for a second interview. And if that happens do not panic.You are not alone and there are many visa holders who go through this process each day. Look at it as a double check on their part. As soon as you get in, the immigration officer will take your documents and will ask you to wait as they pull up your immigration information. No matter how long the wait is , stay focused and relaxed. And when it’s your turn, wish the officer with a smile.Answer to their questions slowly and confidently. Do not over talk, just answer to the point. All they want to know is how long you are going to stay in the US and why. No matter how many times and how many ways they ask you the same question reply patiently and provide the required documents/proof.

Despite your long stay in the US, anticipate and be prepared for this every time you fly out of the country and come back to the Port Of Entry on a Visa.