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It’s Summer in the UK, weather is beautiful, longer days, occasional rainfall and greenery all over is what we witness around us. Khyati has been in the UK for over a month and has adjusted well. My work is going great, learning a lot of new stuff and dealing with European clients. We have toured London, Oxford and Leicester so far and visited few friends from these places. Also, going to Lake District in the 1st week of Sept – check out more info at Lake District

Please see our pictures from our recent Oxford and Leicester visit – Oxford Pics

We miss you all and remember you guys a lot, excited to see everybody during Nimit bhai’ wedding.

We have booked tickets and are arriving on 25th Dec 2011 and leaving on 21st Jan 2012.

Here are our contact details in the UK:

here is a picture of Khyati and I doing indoor rock climbing in Milton Keynes, Khyati is on the left and I am on the right and we are climbing our way to the top on this rock and in life.

much love,
khyati & paras

Greetings from UK to everyone,

How are you all? I am doing very well and settling in Milton Keynes. Work has started in full swing, I am enjoying it. I live in a shared accommodation with an Indian family close to work. I take the bus every day and recently purchased a bicycle which I hope to use for my commute once the weather soothes down a little bit.

Few notable differences between life here and in CA:

• I wear formals everyday to work
• Public transportation here is very good, Milton Keynes and other cities around here are very commuter friendly. There is a separate bike path which connects the entire city and is really well maintained.
• People use the word “Please” for almost everything and I am getting used to it.
• I thought that I might have trouble understanding the English accent here but it’s not that bad.
• People use the word “Cheers” at the end of each conversation.
• I see comparatively smaller cars than in the US.
• Driving in UK is similar to India and opposite to the way in US
• Weather change is huge, I haven’t seen snow so far but it gets close to freezing, I am fine with the coats, ear muffs and the gloves.

Overall, a great place, clean city, friendly people and I seem to like it here. I am excited about my wedding in May this year and I hope to see you all, can’t wait to celebrate and enjoy with all of you…

I have a cell phone now – +44 7517 622 837 , will stay in touch.

Attached are few pictures,

Me biking in Milton Keynes

Suited up for a client meeting

Touring the town of Oxford

Streets in Oxford, UK

Khyati and me at Mumbai airport

regards – paras

As I make my journey to London today, I am remembering the great times spent with all of you these past 5 years, time flies but memories will be etched in my heart forever. No matter where I will be on the face of this planet, You can always bank on me to be a listening ear, a helping hand and someone who is just a phone call away.

I will miss you all,
Paras

P.S. Here is a short video compiled by Ashish of my recent adventures on this trip:

I have recently been very curious to find out what does my body weight translates to? like, what is my body fat, how much muscle do I have and what is my Metabolism rate and what should be my calorie intake?

Not that I am pursuing any fitness regime seriously but I try to do light exercise and play a sport 3 – 4 times a week.

Here are my results:
Weight: 158 pounds / 71 kg
Height: 5’10”
Age: 26
Body Fat: 18.5%
Body Water: 55.9%
Muscle: 122.4
BMR (Metabolism Rate): 1726
BMI (Body Mass Index): 22.7

Looking at my results, I am an average built with no medical problems, I aim to build fitness over the next 6 months and get my body fat to 15% and increase my muscle strength…

All you fitness freaks out there, any tips and suggestions are welcome. I want to join the fitness bandwagon.

Hi Medavo Family!

Thanks so much for your sweet birthday wishes. What a great welcome to the family!

I’ve been thinking about what to write for my very first post. Lots of pressure! Perhaps I’ll begin with the fact that I just made sambar and nearly smoked out my entire apartment after burning oil in the pan. (Cooking tip: do not burn oil in the pan.) Thankfully the sambar was salvaged and the fire alarm did not go off.

But in the Christmas interest of giving, I thought I’d share a recipe that I tried recently and that DID go well–Butternut Squash Lasagna. Here’s the link, which is pretty close to the one I followed. Don’t be deceived by the long recipe. If I can cook it, you can probably cook it in your sleep!

http://www.recipezaar.com/butternut-squash-swiss-chard-lasagne-with-bechamel-sauce-361916

love
Tania

Hansraj C. Maru Receives Fuel Cell Award

The 2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition recognizes Dr. Hansraj C. Maru for his leadership in promoting overall advancement of fuel cells. Dr. Maru joined FuelCell Energy, Inc., Danbury, CT in 1977 and retired in 2006 as Chief Technical Officer (CTO). He continues to serve the company as a consultant.
FuelCell Energy is the world leader in the development and production of stationary fuel cells for commercial, industrial, municipal and utility customers. FuelCell Energy’s ultra-clean and high efficiency carbonate Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) fuel cells are generating power at over 55 locations worldwide. The company’s power plants have generated over 340 million kWh of power using a variety of fuels including renewable wastewater gas, biogas, as well as natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels. FuelCell Energy has partnerships with major power plant developers and power companies around the world. The company also received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and other government agencies for the development of leading edge technologies based on the DFC and solid oxide fuel cell technologies.
Dr. Maru has been an integral part of FCE’s immense growth, holding a number of technical and management positions in the 29 years with the company. Over the years, he has served as vice president of research and development, executive vice president, and chief technology officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. He is best known for his pioneering contributions in developing and commercially introducing ultra-clean, high-efficiency, stationary DFC power plants that create virtually no air pollution. Dr. Maru has overseen the growth of these power plants, which are currently installed in many countries.
Dr. Maru holds 13 U.S. and numerous foreign patents, and he has authored over 170 publications. He has edited four symposia volumes and contributed chapters in two books. His work was recognized with the 2004 F.T. Bacon Medal Award, which is given to those exhibiting leadership and accomplishment in fuel cell technology. He was also honored with the 2003 Mass High Tech All Star Award for his contributions to fuel cell technology. Dr. Maru was awarded the Illinois Institute of Technology Alumni Professional Achievement Award in 2008. Recently, he was awarded the Electrochemical Society’s New Electrochemical Technology (NET) Award.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Dr. Maru earned both his masters degree (’70) and his Ph.D. (’75) in chemical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology. Dr. Maru and his wife Usha have two sons, one daughter, and twin grandsons.