Hello Again !

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Hi there ! Remember me ? At this point, I am frantically hoping that you still haven’t forgotten me, thanks to my unplanned, unexplained hibernation phase I have been going through up until now, and if you have indeed forgotten me then I wish this post of mine penetrates deep into your mind, to dust-off & bring back all those wonderful thoughts that conspired in your mind every time you visited this space.

Now that’s what I call wishful thinking ! :D

Back to reality then. As you can see, there’s been a pretty wide gap between now and my last post. Between now & then, while the world had its share of New Year celebrations, V-day mushiness & a billion other global events keeping it busy, I had a sudden ‘Shockation’ (it’s a new word in my dictionary & I’ll be talking more about it soon in this post), I discovered a different meaning to my traditional New Year Eve celebration, some new experiences, some old heartbreaks and countless memories to last a lifetime. So join me & read on to find out more.

I have always looked at successful people & strongly believed that their everyday lives are results of meticulous planning. So as to survive better, we plan our activities for each passing day - carefully save & pick out destinations for our yearly vacations, diligently revamp our goals for every new decade of the millennium and consistently watch out for any unexpected curveballs that may deviate our journey in this life. Because that’s what people should do for a smooth & pleasant life and few others who prefer a balanced life with goals and milestones. Right? 

But what happens 

if we don’t overlook the curveballs 

& go about planning our lives as usual ? 

How do we wake up one fine day 

& re-adjust ourselves to face life 

with a new plan ?

Exactly 2 months ago, while one half of the world was busy enjoying the New Year bash and the other half was gearing up for the New Year to start, I was caught in between staring into oblivion. Conscious of my being but unaware of how life could change course within mere seconds to make new plans almost instantly. 

Originally having planned our family vacation for March 2016, we looked forward to 

• spending quality time with loved ones, 
• attending family events scheduled in that time frame, 
• completing few over-delayed responsibilities 
• and generally have fun in the Indian summer heat (ok, the last one wasn't true). :D

The morning of 31st Dec 2015 definitely ensured we throw out the afore-mentioned plan. Enter our ‘Shockation’. 

We were still vacationing at our friends’ place at Ohio (which is 12+ driving hours away from our home sweet home in New Jersey) when a shocking update from the hubby’s office came about saying that an unfortunate paperwork goof-up will require us to immediately pack our bags & leave for India to help sort it out. And this was just the beginning. So left with no other viable option than to travel, we drove back from our friend’s place overnight to save on precious time lugged by bag, baggage & toddler to at least get things rolling. 

Traditionally New Year Eve, for me, means to spend time with friends or family, watching movies, playing crazy games, feasting on delicious food & counting down to the New Year. But the New Year Eve of 2015 surely took the cake. We spent the initial moments of the New Year, at a gas station. Feasting on homemade quick bites. Remembered the mind blowing fun our friends were having at the same time. Sigh ! 

Aah ! Let’s do away with tradition I say ! :D

I still have no idea how the next 2 days flew by mainly because we had to pack 5 big suitcases (and hand baggage extra), coordinate with the office to book our tickets, shop for last minute gifts for family whilst remembering to jot down our pending tasks on paper so we wouldn’t forget the zillion things once back in India & also catch up on beauty sleep for the long journey ahead.

Before we knew it, we were on a plane to India, still reeling over how life could take sudden swift turns on a smooth road & throw you off-track. We definitely weren’t in the vacation mindset and I surely got a taste of that, thanks to my ‘Shockation’.

Since our trip was unplanned, we didn’t inform anyone in the family about our visit except my Baby Bro. It was a rather fun experience to casually walk into the household in front of my parents who opened the door with gaped mouths and were pretty freaked out seeing us there. They gave us an earful for hiding the surprise but the look on their faces is something I will treasure for the rest of my life. :)

The month whizzed by in a blink of an eye and we also made sure to return to the US with an ‘almost’ completed to-do list.

Once the ‘Shockation’ came to an end, it’s side-effects began to roll. You know the drill - fever, cold, cough, bad throat - the usual drama. At one point I was freaking out the people around me by all means thanks to my rustic, croaky voice. :D

We returned home early February & since then I have been reveling in the happy moments of the trip & feeling grateful because - 

• Sudden vacations are always good - Life has a funny way of telling you to stop working hard or even partying hard. Then it just forces you to enjoy & live for the moment. Truly said - “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”

• A dose of family & friends can fix everything - January saw us reconnecting with family, friends & everyone from our social circle living in different cities. It made me forget my worries & feel blissful in their company. After many years, Hubby dear got to spend his birthday in his home town amidst his family. Baby Girl, on the other hand, got to meet everyone in our families who were equally thrilled to see her & watch her antics. So never distance yourself from people who shower their unconditional love on you.

• The Universe is constantly conspiring to help us - If I learnt anything from my experiences in the past couple of months, it is that - ‘Everything is life has its own time.’ Sometimes the Universe plans for you & helps you achieve/complete it. When things don't happen our way, we begin to fret over the small stuff. On the contrary, something better is definitely on its way. So I have learnt to stop overthinking, worrying, trying so hard and let it naturally flow.

• Writing again - The past 3 months have been low on my writing part. At one point, I wanted to just keep away. Either because I had a feeling I had nothing to write about or at other times, I was bursting with so many ideas to share about. When I would finally sit at the laptop to write, I just couldn’t. Made me wonder - have others felt the same too. If yes, please do share. Reading Parul’s gratitude post on her blog - Happiness & Food, gave me that extra nudge & a little much-needed inspiration so as soon as I was done reading, I made myself a hot cup of coffee, sat down on the couch and promised myself not to budge until this post was ready.
• Now is the time - I am grateful for ‘this’ moment. I realized that with the vacation out-of-the-way, I can now focus on the other important stuff lined up for this year & I am all excited about it.

• A surprise V-Day celebration - We have actually never celebrated V-day in the true sense. However, this year was a first of firsts. Earlier this month, on probably the chilliest day of this month, hubby dear surprised me to a lovely brunch on a cruise along the New York waterfront. We were also one of the very few couples onboard who had a toddler in tow. ;)

A V-Day surprise !

• Last but not the least, your blog posts - Even though I have been away, on vacation or at home, I remembered to read my favorite bloggers before heading for bed every night. I realize I haven't been regular on the comments but I still do read all of you. :)

Do share ! What’s on your gratitude list ?

Linking with Vidya’s Gratitude Circle Blog hop for February 2016. 

Yours' truly,

One Journey... Many destinations...

My eyes scour the place for a seat. But let’s face it – it’s rush hour. Millions of people take up this journey in this city, with the hope of earning their bread. It doesn’t matter who hails from where. It doesn’t matter what the profession is. Here, all were alike. Pensive passengers lost in translation. There’s no difference once you board this train - the train of hopes and possibilities.

I finally spot a place to sit. Once I land on the seat, all the other eyes focus on me and scan me from head to toe. Just like how a new animal entering an old territory is examined. I ignore the gazes and adjust myself in my seat. Even though it’s a short journey, every passing minute seems precious.

The stranger eyes return to whatever it is that they were doing prior to my entry. I feel relaxed as the spotlight is now off me. But my gaze starts its search among the crowd looking for answers behind every face.

She holds close to herself and looks out of the train. She finds the passing scenery cool and relaxing and hence decides to snooze a little. The book on her lap lies open and dog-eared on a page. She seems to be a student studying hard to accomplish in her exam. Maybe these few moments of siesta will help her focus better. I wish her an ‘All the best’ in my heart and look on for another story.

She seems rock hard on the surface what with the stern face and carefree look. She opens her bag and takes out a paper. Once she is done reading it, she folds it half way through. The upside down words read out – ‘Time Table for Half Yearly Examinations’ and I quickly figure out her profession. She snorts a breath and packs the sheet. As the train approaches the next station, she grabs her bags and vacates the seat.

My eyes fall on a married woman next who seems petite and scared. She twitches the handkerchief between her fingers as she looks out of the window. The cool breeze and the rain drops from outside seem to keep her amused but her eyes recite a different story. She wells up and swallows a lump in her throat. But neither I nor the others in the train are capable of unraveling the mystery in her life or the tears in her eyes.

The last woman I notice is a lot older than the others. She rotates the rosary beads in her hands and I quickly glance at her face. Her poise and tranquility make me envious. How can a person seem so happy? And then my eyes fall on her lap which holds a brochure for an old age home. Happiness does rely on the perspective of the beholder. She happily alights from the train and walks to her destination – either to help others or to help herself from her entire family.

As for me, my station arrives and I am ready to leave this small mobile world where everyone has a different story to recite and a different day to live through.

**This is just a recount of my experience while traveling by train. The above is a streak of my imagination.**

Yours' truly,

            **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

Do "travelers" have a choice ?

Remember an earlier post where I talked about how LP and I had been to India for a quick vacation last December for a family marriage ? Well, I was reliving the memories of the trip today when I glanced through the countless pictures that we took. Vacations always fly by so fast. Sigh !

Just as I was looking through the snaps, I couldn't help reminisce the 1st day of the vacation. Boy, it never felt like vacation-time until the time we checked in our luggage at the starting airport.

I would love to share these highlights cum traveler-checklist-points with you. :) Hope they help you too.

1. Never attend work on the day when your vacation starts - I know what you are thinking. What kind of a person would plan on attending work even if its for a few hours on the day of the vacation ? The answer is - a person like me. But believe me I have sulked enough on this point. This was plain bad planning and circumstances too. So right till Friday of the earlier week, things were on track. Come Monday - the first day of vacation and everything starts falling apart. Or atleast seems so.
   
   (a) Firstly, one of the team members to whom I decide to handover my responsibilities during my vacation decides to take-off from the team without prior intimation.
   
   (b) Secondly, even when you plan your things so well and ahead of time, certain work situations will ensure you get a mini heart attack. ;-) Like being requested by the boss to fill in for an urgent 11 AM-12 PM meeting because no one else from the team can attend that day. Talk about everyone's conflicting meetings just when you thought you need to leave at 1 PM sharp.
   
   (c) And lastly, ensuring to send the minutes of the urgent meeting to the rest of the team before leaving office because no one else has the important updates from the meeting other than me ! I learnt many lessons that day. 
2. Never pack too much - Even though this point is listed as second, I feel it is the most important point of this checklist. So once I reached home after work, got dressed and reached the airport, LP and I waited patiently at the checking counter with our luggage. Just when we were ready to check-in, a family rushed through to the same counter. Looked like they were late for their check-in and had to move fast to not miss the boarding. We made way for them as they had 2 small kids as well. From what I observed they were 4 people - 2 parents with 2 kids in the age group 3-5 years. They had 2 check-in suitcases and 1 carry-on travel handbag. In comparison, we were just 2 adults but with 4 check-in suitcases, 2 carry-on trolleys, 2 laptop backpacks and last but not least my handbag. I rest my case. :-) 
   

   
3. Even if you need to pack a lot, never carry too much in hand baggage - Even after we checked-in our suitcases, we were still stuck with 5 pieces of hand baggage which can be quite daunting to carry when you need to travel in total 3 flights for over 24 hours till you drop dead at home. And obviously, it is quite tiring to run around with so many bags in airports during last minute surprises. Again bad planning and circumstances. We were visiting home after so long that we just couldn't stop gorging on the umpteen gifts for the near and dear ones. :-) Heart ruled over head, I guess. But during our return journey, once all of the gifts were out, we traveled so light that it was the best feeling in the world !

   

   Duty-free shopping :)

4. Always plan extra time with loved ones during vacations - Like I said earlier, since this trip came after a long time, the purpose being a family wedding, no matter how much ever time we spent with family, it was less. At the end of it all, it never felt like "good time spent with loved ones".
5. Try avoiding single long-haul flights - Well, this is more of a personal choice than a must-have. In our case, during our return journey, LP was sick by the time we landed in US after the 15-hour flight. So we decided to consider taking a couple of 8-hour flights the next time which gives us the chance to take a break at a stop-over location to stretch our legs. :-)

Well, these are just my experiences.

Do share if you have similar observations or completely different ones ?

It's vacation time ...

This trip was on the cards since a long time. And I had blogged about it here.

Preparations had started as early as August this year. Shopping, packing, weighing and again re-packing was all that LP and I did in the past 3 weeks.

After one and a half years, returning to India and my native town seemed like heaven... Photos and posts will follow soon once the family wedding is over and once I get some time to unwind.

Leaving you with some pictures of the greenery in my native... :)  

March Photo A Day 23 - "Moon" / Foto Fridays - Week 10

I am not very good at taking "moon" pictures. My hand always shakes while clicking the snap, the focus is not good enough and yet I managed to pull out this old picture of the moon.

LP and I were sent from Mumbai to conduct a recruitment drive at the local branch.This was taken in New Delhi 2010, outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

We love this trip as it turned out to a quick weekend getaway from work and a refreshing holiday ! :)