WRAPPING UP-2021

While thinking about how I should start this new year, I went back to my last year celebration and with that I could mesmerize the whole year which I wished to pen down. Indeed, this year was a blessing!

I started this year joining a new organization with tons of responsibility coming in hand. Slowly things were tarnishing my mental peace, but I could find my way out and came up with n number of options to select my choice and priority and entered a place that gave me everything I wished for, peace, skills, money, and grade. This taught me, everything that happens, happens for good.

Also, with God’s grace starting this year we could buy a piece of land on earth where going forward I might build my dream home. 😊

As I joined this blissful organization, after 2 months I came to know of something which I was not prepared and felt perplexed about the fact that I was 2 months pregnant. It was difficult to accept the fact but gradually when I heard heartbeat of the child during ultrasound session, I was way more protective for the child I was bearing and happy about the fact that my husband always wanted this, and I could give him this happiness.

Though I was pretty much scared about being pregnant but the journey till now is smooth and adventurous at the same time. Why I say it adventurous is I have been travelling like anything, went to my grandfather’s village after 6 long years, celebrated my birthday over there, some to and froes to my mothers and in-law’s place. Spend some great time by Goa side beaches along with my sister and brother-in-law. Hopefully next year I will be promoted to “Mother”.

People say you go through much of mood swings but what I realized during my phase of pregnancy it made me more fearless and way stronger for anything and everything in my life. I could be bolder to take risks now and more powerful to take stand for things I want in life.

I have seen people announcing their pregnancy in some or the other way to the world, mostly by some lovely maternity shoots. I wanted to announce the same but not the way to showcase skills of others rather though the skill I have of my own, my writing skills.

Every blessing in life come with its own challenges and struggles behind, so do I have of my own but at the end they are worth hustling for.

With world facing many challenges starting this year with corona, I feel blessed and thank god for keeping my family safe and secure throughout.

May this year come with tons of blessings and love for all.

Happy New year.

 It is difficult, yes it is! But if everyone starts thinking this particular way then who will marry these guys.

This was my exact statement when my sister asked why I wanted to marry an army officer.

We have been married for past 1.5 years. People have long distance relationships but yes I have long distance marriage.

When I see couples living together, waling together in parks, all those instant moments I miss him. I have the option to quit my job, pack my bags and run towards him.

Probably I will do this sometime down the lane knowing my true self, but not now.

I love working, and yes I want to continue working. I have always believed in embracing what I truly desire and love.

And yes I am lucky. Lucky in true sense. I know he will always support me and my decisions. Marriage is not easy. Especially when you don't live together. But we learn each day. With all our experiences, differences, fights, adventures we learn how to be supportive and just love each other irrespective of the geographical distance.

I married an Indian Army officer. I agreed for all the sacrifices. I just love him.

My dream Company!!

What’s your dream company, never thought about until I joined the corporate world and had people , seniors around me discussing the same. I kept thinking about the same what would be mine and never got answer for myself. What could it be!!

 I kept hearing about other’s dream company and though maybe I should also say the same company name when someone asks me, at least I should have an answer. A thought came to my mind, how people decide their dream company, by perks, by pay package or the work culture or any other thing I might even know. Never got courage to discuss same with any of my seniors thinking they would judge me.

Talking to myself I said: After I could not peruse my dream career, I always dreamt of earning money by any means, corporate was never dream, I was in corporate because that was the only path shown while growing up and when in college teachers also prepared us for that and made us available some companies where you can enter and earn bucks for survival after college life ends.

Money can’t be bar of dream as how much you earn is always less and hence no company gives you dream money .Gradually I realized I do not have dream company because I am not in my dream profession or maybe I am working for money sake .It’s just like I need money to buy achieve some materialistic things in life. Whosoever or any profession that fulfills my dream of a luxurious life is my dream company: D

Many would think this post such vague but I feel many would relate too. Manyof us working in corporate for survival and get answers to such questions by copying others.

Though  I am earning but still struggling to do what I wanted to and earn good money out of it(May be dreams and money doesn’t go hand in hand). May be some day I achieve that J

Anyways what is your dream company??

Settle for less ?

 

In India where still having only girl child is a matter of concern for parents and society , I was born lucky to take birth in family where my parents were happy with two girl child and did not attempt the third one for the sake of boy. I never realized how fortunate I was until I became adult and entered the society full of narrow thoughts of how bearing a boy is such big deal.

My parents never made me settle for less just because I was a girl and my security should be concerns as I see many families do. My parents always allowed me for all the school trips, later on college trips and later on independent trips with my friends .I were always given full freedom in my life though I never took that freedom for granted and did not break their trust.

As a parents of girl child, what they do for their daughters is complete selfless. Because of the the typical mindset of society they still lead their life with no expectations of getting back from the girl child especially once they get her married and so do my parents. They made my sis and I educated, we got into well settled and decent jobs and got us married to the boys of our choice. There also they fully supported us.

Once I got married I understood why society need “a boy child” so much , because their so called norms doesn’t give girls the same freedom a boy has to take care for their parents even though her parents did no less for her. When every parents wait for their child to come home on Diwali , they don’t expect that also since Indian society says a girl should celebrate festivals with in laws.

I bow my head to all such families who took this stand in their life and gave society a new direction.

India has come long ways on changing the old norms but some things are still not changing.

I ask, when our parents could bring such change in society where girls are being independent and their parents are playing the key role, why settle for norms which asks their parents to settle for less? 

Where nature Prevails- SRILANKA

Well the trip planned for my birthday turned to be in July for some or the other reason.

I was happy and excited, it was my second trip beyond my own country. You find yourself in completely new place and amongst new people and I find that thrilling. (may be just for few days).

So we landed up in Columbo,Srilanka and started exploring way to Galle. People suggested a train route but instead we took a public transport bus which took around 4 hours to reach our destiny. Yes, we were exhausted. We booked a hostel along beach side which had a tree house room. So, it was not a luxurious hotel but a beach side room I have ever dreamt of living in.

Galle was around 3-4 kms away from the place where we stayed. We took a tuk tuk(auto in India) to reach Galle. Well tuk-tuk are quite expensive in Srilanka as for mere 1 km distance they charge min of 100 Lankan rupee (which is 200 Indian Rupees).

Galle is a city where one can witness Galle fort (which is being converted to place full of café and shops of tourist interest). Well it is one beautiful place in Galle city to roam around. Alongside fort there is international cricket stadium too.

After a day spent at Galle, we headed to Kandy (It was a train journey of around 6 hours. Galleyà Columbo -3hrs and Columboà Kandy -3hours). The best transport to use in Srilanka is trains, though they take much time but it the best way to enjoy the beauty of this place. Also, it is always better to check the trains schedule and take the tickets in advance.

During the way to Kandy we met a couple of my parents age who guided in the best way till Kandy regarding train schedule etc. During the journey with them I felt they are such kind and helpful with us but later I realized everyone in Srilanka are such wonderful human beings.

We entered Sevena city hotel, the hotel staff and service were super awesome, will recommend to anybody visiting Kandy. Kandy is one of the hill stations of Srilanka and is tremendously beautiful. There are lot of places to visit which includes Buddha tooth relic temple, the cultural club of Kandy where you can witness the Kandiyan dance by local civilians, artist with their beautiful wooden and steel carved work. Then there is a Kandy lake where localities roam around to have a good time, lovely street market and many attractive things to shop for.

There is a place called PINNAVALA elephant orphanage which is around 15kms away from Kandy (maybe you can hire a tuk tuk to visit the place), here you can see herd of elephants enjoying their baths, the scenic beauty is epic though. During the way there are tea factories, herbal and spice gardens where you can spend some quality time.

After Kandy we went next day to NUWARA ELIYA and I must tell you again the train route is such beautiful that it would take your breath away.it is a long 4 hours journey but it’s worth spending this long time in train and do not take a nap please, you will miss all beauty. Nuwara Eliya is a place where you can find Ashoka Vatika mentioned in Ramayana (called as Sita temple), they haven’t developed the temple due to Hindu minority. But it’s a good place to witness as we can relate the stories we have grown up hearing.

On the way to Kandy we witnessed Rambarya, one of the most beautiful Hanuman temple which has been built by Swami Chinmaya Nada mission(Luckily this is the mission I have got my schooling from),along with temple they also have built a marvelous campus of their own ,visiting the place just reminded me of my school days which I have loved most of my life.

Ok coming to the food I have mostly eaten in Srilanka (because that was the only choice I would say was Rice curry, idly and dosa.

Now the next day was our last day in Srilanka, since it takes long time to travel so we decided to spend the day shopping in Kandy and of course relaxing. We shopped for our homes, you get lot of attractive stuff to shop there but the prices are reasonably high. We had a great day and headed back to Columbo to catch our flight in night.

Once you visit Srilanka you will realize the country is around 10 years back as compared to India as they are not much technically advanced (less use of cell phones, laptops, trains running on coal) and the people there live such down to earth life. They are happy and satisfied with what they have, they are not running in their life as we have made ours and may be this is the reason they are able to preserve their nature. They have time for their family and loved ones, not selfish in attitude, filled with kindness and love and yes not corrupted. If somebody would ask me what was best in Srilanka, I would say a simple and happy life. I would always cherish the lovely place and would want to go back again.

Shaadi key right effects :D

I keep seeing mocks and mimicries about marriages over the internet and also people(mostly unmarried) around, sometimes I enjoy them but most of the time I think how come shadi becomes barbadi for all those bachelors around who haven't even experienced the same!

Well I stepped into this beautiful journey around a year before and as said …my life is changed, yes it got way better.But how??

May be flowers , candle light dinners , trips and so on.May be yes BUT definitely not!

They are absolutely part of my beautiful wedding not the reason for a better life.These things are mere temporary happiness that comes and goes and of course you enjoy such things during bachelorhood(just the guy/girls you share flowers and candles keeps on changing :P)

I am mature, but my better half is life more sensible, smart and handsome(I could not take my eyes off when i saw him first , I was flattered).I always wondered how my life is going to  change as I would work the same way , live a life with a guy i knew for some time before ,the only aspect I did not know was his family which place a major role in any marriage.I was not that excited to explore them but wasn't even scared that how good I will be as I believe in staying the way I am , be it at work or in my personnel life.It works most of the time.(Though with some challenges).

So here comes the changes I feel my marriage bought to me :

Smiles and more smiles, one big reason I married Sandeep was when I met him first he made me laugh a lot (which surely I can’t do to anybody, I am too bad at humour).This gave me a thought may be this could complete me and those laughs are still on. :) and the second big reason will come  soon.

Everybody feels low at some point even though you become the strongest person on earth.I also go through some.There is always that one person around who still bring positivity ,makes my worst days happier ,makes me believe again in myself and brings me a constant encouragement but also  makes me cry while teaching some of the tough subjects which sometimes get bounce(he is a tough teacher.) :D

A freedom to travel my parents more often that earlier because now I am living closer and a company for my dad who can talk to him endlessly(me and my father speaks less may be because I am more comfortable with Mom).

It takes time to know your in laws in your early stages and so even I took my time and they took theirs ,yes we had minor conflicts but both of us kept it going by smiling faces and slowly all vanished.I was touched when my mother -in -law kissed me while i was recovering from my health issues.(Not all Saas -bahu do saajish) She is way different from my mother but she has her own ways of loving us which I am still exploring :).With this new addition came a younger brother and I was happy about it since for the first time I feel elder to somebody :D, 

The best part , I am bad  at cooking and so nobody even asks(though they hope someday I will learn :P).

When some of my friends asks me some marriage advice , I give them one “Marry a good guy, everthing else will fall into place” and then comes the other question how should I know that, I knew it by one of his small gesture, the gestures was not made for me but a kind gesture to the waiter who was serving us dinner. Everytime he was coming to our seat he made him laugh as if they were old school friends or something.I though I could never do that.

So some small things tells you all!

So this was the second big reason I married Sandeep.

Yes we flight and have a conflicts in opinion but now we know how to handle those too and even the worst flights never gives me second thought about my marriage.I still believe this was the best decision in my life I ever made. I evolved as a person and did things I never thought I could do.

And last but not the least let me tell you one big effect ,now you are least interested in love life of your friends as you are too much busy with yours :D

A human being comes with imperfections which exists in our own family too but we just need to find one strong reason to hold on forever and embrace his/her imperfections too and love unconditionally as we love our family.

Marriage is something which can’t be described in some words, I tried sharing a part of mine , may be later will share some :)

Life, Behind the camera

What lies in front of camera? Instagram , Facebook or may be snapchat and many more existing and yet to come.

High pace of growth in technology and more high pace of increasing richness in India(every 3^rd person now holds an iphone, am still poor ☹ )and so the best quality pictures.

N number of hashtags(please tell me from where on earth people gain the patience to write so many hangtags which is equal to the length of the photograph itself) , and who actually reads them , let me tell you no one because the other person is busy putting their own.

#office#Friday#lovemyfriends and the story behind the camera says something like this:

 #office#lotofwork#dyingtoreachhome#hate #collegue #sittingnexttome  (there are many reasons let me not dig deep into this :D ,forgive me if am wrong).This is one example from my everyday life , it keeps on changing from person to person.

The happy world which we see of people on social media is that so happy and peaceful. If yes , I am so glad and wonder why India is still lying so behind in list of happy countries and who are those youngsters committing suicide out of depression ? were they not aware of something like social media exist and life can be made always happy there. I wish they were.  If no I get answer to my above question. Icing to the cake was when every social media introduced it “stories”  ..wow now happiness can be seen live (we humans are explorers and when it turs to addiction we do not realize it.)

Life in front of camera not only have added to the tourism but a self-pressure to enjoy every weekend and yes #longweekend has also been created. May be the society won’t accept you or you won’t make lot of friends if don’t go out and party hard every friday night and if it’s a long weekend there must be some #weekndgateway made else you might be listed in the book of #boringpeople.I still feel the best days I enjoyed were with my school friends when no such things existed but every memory is still so fresh and the snaps we used to click that time are staying with me because I have their hardcopies) 

Social media started as a part of entertainment but now it has taken over one’s life to post pictures and look so called happy(am not saying you must be crying , but the #choclateshake#coolcafe which was actually #notsogoodintaste#badcafeservice, I never find such hashtags, may be the services and food all over world has improved themselves (one good outcome of social media )

Above all is the most ridiculous thing on YouTube getting viral, I mean I really want to ask that dhinchak pooja after doing such bullshit video what strategy gives her so many views and popularity (I upload a single song and merely 50 likes I get and yes, I sing far better than her). may be something is wrong with our generation or may be am too old fashioned who still love lag ja gale 😐

Most of us are trapped today in this so called happy go lucky world, thanks to hacker who hacked my insta account (though recovered) and I deleted it permanently and trying to control myself for posting my stories on WhatsApp because life is more beautiful behind the camera where emotions exits not just faces.