The person most responsible for setting up the Thursday lunches and keeping them going is our new friend Meera Kohli. Meera is a bit of a local celebrity. She is a writer for various publications here in town - known for her restaurant reviews and other feature articles (probably why our Thursday group always gets such a warm welcome!
One of the next things she plans to publish will be an interview with Suzanne and me!! It's only for the TEA TIMES journal....but - still!! How fun!! We just finished the questionnaire. Here it is:
Full name Interviewee: Amy Suzzanne Brubaker
Full name Partner: (The Rev. Canon) Scott E. Kingsbury
When did you come to Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: We arrived around 2:00 A.M. on 3 June 2010
Answer Partner: (Same)
Where did you come from?
Answer Interviewee: Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Answer Partner: We actually live in Pasadena!
What brought you to Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: A great opportunity at my firm (Deloitte) and to be a part of a growing and vibrant tax practice here.
Answer Partner: To continue to be a part of a growing and vibrant marriage!!!
How long will you be here?
Answer Interviewee: At least 22 more months.
Answer Partner: If given the opportunity, I don’t think I’d ever leave!
Name of company/organisation you work for:
Answer Interviewee: Deloitte Tax Services
Answer Partner: Traditional Anglican Church of India
Title / role of job here:
Answer Interviewee: Director, Pacific Southwest Lead Tax Services Expatriate
Answer Partner: Non-parochial Priest in the Diocese of Nandyal (that means I don’t have a parish!)
How have you found working conditions in Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: Very similar to the L.A. office that I cam from.
Answer Partner: My main “job” is “Creating an atmosphere where Suzzanne can succeed.” That is a given, and does not change no matter where we are in the world!
How have you found living conditions in Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: Amazing!
Answer Partner: We love our house and living in the hustle and bustle of our Banjara Hills neighborhood. The place is just so alive!
How have you found life, in general, in Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: (Laughed) REALLY different than my life in L.A.!!
Answer Partner: I just love it. Hyderabad is a very big city, but it has a very small-town feel about it. Everybody seems to be friendly, and everybody seems to know everybody else in one way or another!
What you've liked about being here?
Answer Interviewee: It was a chance for my husband and I to break-free of the normal “go to work, come home, go to a horse-show” life we were living at home
Answer Partner: I like it all!
Amusing things that have happened whilst you've been here
Answer Interviewee: Doing an intense session of yoga (we are total beginners!) - and when I was finished, I just lay on my soaking-wet sticky-mat. I turned to Scott and said: “What the hell happened to my life??”
Answer Partner: N/A
A bit about your background / education / previous employment...?
Answer Interviewee: Born in Detroit, grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California, In Los Angeles I have spent 27-years as a professional CPA. B.A. and M.B.T. (Master of Business Taxation) from the University of Southern California
Answer Partner: Fourth-generation native “Angeleno“, B.A. from CSU, Northridge. Full-time ministry as a Parish and Missionary clergyman in the Southern California area since 1996
A bit about your family/children (if any) etc.
Answer Interviewee: No kids. Just our “daughter”, “Beloved” the Lhasa Apso who came along for the journey.
Answer Partner: N/A
What are your hobbies?
Answer Interviewee: Competitive equestrian / Show Jumping
Answer Partner: Golf
Have you been able to pursue them whilst here?
Answer Interviewee: Yes…and I like it! But if you come here with expectations of finding the Southern California horse scene here, you will find a world of difference. You have to be O.K. with that in order to fully enjoy the experience…and I’m really beginning to enjoy it!
Answer Partner: Oh, yes! You’ll find me at Boulder Hills CC at least twice a week!
Have you taken up new hobbies / pursuits since coming here?
Answer Interviewee: Yoga and travel
Answer Partner: Yoga and writing a blog to journal our adventures here
What do you miss the most from / about your home country?
Answer Interviewee: My horses!
Answer Partner: My friends. But I do a pretty good job staying in touch with people at home through my blog, Facebook, etc.
In what way has the experience of living in Hyderabad enriched your life (assuming it has!)
Answer Interviewee: I guess the biggest way has been reconnecting with my husband - and just knowing that I could even make such a drastic change and survive! Being here has also changed my perspective on life in general.
Answer Partner: Too many to list!! The spiritual nature of Indian life can be overwhelming! I remain open to all of it!
What advice would you give to new expats coming to live / work in Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: Come on!! Don’t hesitate for a moment! Having a spouse who is excited and engaged will make all the difference in the world in your success here!
Answer Partner: Embrace India! Don’t try to duplicate your life at home. Don’t try to change India…that won’t happen. Let India change you! Oh…and be prepared to stand in lines!
What has been most challenging?
Answer Interviewee: My new 5:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. shift at work is just brutal!!
Answer Partner: Not being able to drive!
Message for Hyderabadis...?
Answer Interviewee: Thank you for being so welcoming, kind and patient with us!
Answer Partner: N/A - same.
What you would like changed / begun in Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: Show jumping!!
Answer Partner: This is a beautiful city and people need to stop littering!
What you’ve disliked about being here?
Answer Interviewee: Living in fear that some day my husband will attempt to drive here!!
Answer Partner: Not being able to drive!
K! It's Edith! Hi! Loved the interview especially this:
ReplyDeleteWhat brought you to Hyderabad?
Answer Interviewee: A great opportunity at my firm (Deloitte) and to be a part of a growing and vibrant tax practice here.
"Answer Partner: To continue to be a part of a growing and vibrant marriage!!!"
so cute lol
This is most facinating, are the twoof you stillin Hyderabad. I have returned to Indianafter 20 yrs in the US and have many experiences to share about life on the other side. let me know.
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