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6 months since returning to Sri Lanka...

It's 6 months since returning to Sri Lanka.
In simple words "we are confused, but hopeful"

Though I spent 82% of my life in SL, it is not easy to adapt. Last 6 months have been tough for all 3 of us. Health & quality of life have been bad. It's not the country that we expected. While materistically country has gone ahead, sprit of the people has gone down. In a way can't blame people, I think they are confused too. Heat & humidity are not helping them either. However much I earn, it looks nothing. I just keep running from one thing to another to earn whatever I can. In a way, now I feel it was a big mistake not to earn something while in US after finishing PhD. All this running around not helping our family & parents either (one of the key reasons for returning). If friends in the US may wonder why we are so hard to get in touch, this is why. Given the current school system in the country & how it is messed up, we have to worry about son's future. While a couple of good private schools are available, that means 2 of us have run around even more. Already got a couple of advices to leave the country before it's too late. No time to stop & think or do research. Perhaps the only good thing is I'm teaching again, which I like. Even then, given the workload it is tough to retain quality & do a great job. I don't know whether the problem is in us or it's the system. I guess both.

We are hopeful about the next 6-12 months. Either we'll adapt or need to find another fit. One thing my PhD & US experience taught me is that try everything that you can imagine & find a way to do things no matter what. If it needs to be done, it must be done. So I'm not afraid to try. While some may see this as my foolishness, I'm hopeful some of those will work out. Anyway, need to stop running around & be more focused. Would love to spend more time with family. Health should not be skipped either. Of course need to do some research otherwise I won't get the research allowance next year. Which means even more running to cover up... Whatever it may be I want to be a producer not a consumer...

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