O Canada!

Nearly four months ago what appeared to be a remote possibility is now a reality - Yup! I am here in Canada to work for Microsoft. Canada but you got an offer for USA? you would ask. Well, it's a result of H1B saga of 2007. I spent nearly 4 months in limbo waiting to hear an update on my H1B application. It was a painful (read horrible) experience but as they say what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. After my H1B application wasn't selected in the lottery, Microsoft offered me to work for them in Vancouver and now I am happily employed here. Anyways, all is well that ends well.

It's over a month since I have been here. I am currently staying in temporary accomodation which is in Richmond, Greater Vancouver area. I have so far liked the Richmond city - it's quiet, green and peaceful. The Vancouver downtown is just 20-30 mins drive from Richmond. Just like anyother downtown area, you could see the metro lifestyle prevailing all over - skyscrapers, shopping streets, malls, resturants etc. Oh and clubs, of course. Surrey is also 20 mins drive from Richmond. Surrey is a desi place with all the essential ingredients that make up a desi lifestyle - desi food, grocerry, halal resturants, cinemas etc. (by the way, did I mention I had a poori-halwa breakfast today in Surrey :) )

As for Microsoft - Although I am still in the ramping up phase but it's been a good experience so far. I am on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) team. Just in case you are wondering how this vancouver office setup looks like, here is a sneak preview.

What else ... and if the word hasn't reached you yet about my engagement then now you know that I jumped on the engagement bandwagon just before leaving Pakistan.

Going, Going, Gone

Okay, so this post comes straight from a transit hotel in Taipei, Taiwan where I am staying en route to Canada from Pakistan. What I am going to do in Canada is a discussion for another post. Right now, I just wanted to say goodbye to all my friends in Pakistan. Shortage of time meant that I could not call everyone to say goodbye - so, this is a goodbye post to all of you.

Good luck everyone! Take care and have a lot of fun!