Looking back 10 years...

Every decade brings us new memories in our lives. 

Famous life coach and motivational speaker, Tony Robbins believes - "Most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!"

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When I look back at the last 10 years, it feels like a blur. Not because I have forgotten the moments in those years, but because as always life has been fast paced and leaping towards it's destination at breakneck speed. 

By far, my twenties have been the most fun-filled years (I have 2 months to go before I enter the thirties). It's also been very fulfilling personally. 

Here are 10 important events that took place in my life (in chronological order) in the last 10 years  - 

1. Completion of my Graduation 

2. My first job 

3. Moving to the UK for work 

4. Loss of my maternal grandfather 

5. Visiting Singapore as a danseuse 

6. Entering matrimony 

7. Completion of my Post-Graduation 

8. Purchasing our home 

9. Moving to USA for work 

10. Birth of my baby girl 

Tell me, what are the 10 most important events that have happened in your life in the past decade ? :)

Yours' truly,


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

10 things I love about blogging...

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1. Writing to my hearts' content about my interests, opinions, likes, dislikes, experiences and favorite moments makes me feel on top of this world.

2. I get a wonderful opportunity to improve myself and my writing constantly. 

3. I am grateful for the wonderful network of virtual friends that blogging has given me. I have made more friends in 3 years of blogging life than I would have befriended in real life otherwise. :)

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4. I am grateful that blogging gave me a small platform of my own where I could nurture my inner voice. All that I couldn't have said vocally has been written in this small space of mine.

5. I am able to share my views and thoughts on a common topic (like a social issue, health problem, personal experience etc.).

6. I get to read awesome posts by new / old / experienced / professional bloggers every day / minute / second.

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7. I love this opportunity to connect with fellow bloggers every day.

8. I get to know my virtual friends better through their blogs. By reading their words, I get an insight into their inner worlds.

9. I look forward to the feedback from readers.

10. Last but the not the least, blogging inspires me to live each day so that I can create a memory to write in this blog. 

Tell me 10 things you love about blogging. 

You don't have to tell me in the comments. 

Go on, blog about it and leave the link to your blog post in the comments below. :)

Yours' truly,

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

I can't live without...

We all have things that we can't live without. Don't we? I'd be surprised if you didn't. 

Really? Cross your heart? Ok, I believe you. :)

Talking about technology addiction, what makes us vulnerable enough that we can't seem to continue our existence void of certain gadgets? When did we change our old selves to fully depend on these products? We didn't have these "facilities" right from birth. We didn't spend our lives - right through childhood to adulthood - with these gadgets and yet, here we are today, looking lost and depressed if we lose our dependable partners for even a minute.

Don't worry. Not everything on this list needs to be a bad addiction. It could be a dear possession, a good habit, a special someone? :)

So let's share the 3 things that we can't live without? Ok? Done. 

I decided to write about the first 3 things that come to my mind so here goes - 

1. My iPhone - Yes, I must admit it. I am addicted. But life has been a lot easier too. Communication, news, camera, music, blogging, video recording, online reading, alarm clock and the likes. Life did exist even before the iPhone happened but with each passing day I am amazed by the product at how simple and easy it is to use for any age group. 

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2. Books - eBook or paperback, I need to have either one in my bag at all times. This year has by far been the best in terms of my reading. It's not a lot of books but even then I find myself looking for a book to read over watching mindless programs on TV or just whiling my time away. :) I've decided to continue the reading even if it's only for a few pages every single day.

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3. Sleep - I don't need to snooze all day long to feel refreshed. It takes a 6 hour sleep (at nights) and a power nap of 30 mins (on some afternoons) to keep me going during the day. With the baby around, I can't be assured of a continuous slumber but even a non-stop 3 hours interval works for me. 

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Name 3 things you can't do without. :)

Yours' truly,


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

Wordless Wednesdays - 3

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Yours' truly,


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

I am grateful ...

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1. For having my parents near me today. Here. At this moment. Your blessings and optimism always seem to move mountains for me.
2. For being around my baby bro. I treasure the time I spend with him - fighting, laughing, gossiping, watching old movies, singing.
3. For the wonderful friends I have. Your love, concern and best wishes keep me going.
4. For being able to spend lots of time in India with my loved ones - a chance I didn't get before 2013 thanks to studies, work and a hundred other commitments.
5. To my hubby. He agreed to continue working and staying alone in US - away from us, away from the baby for so long - just so that our families get to see her in her prime year. Honey, I can't imagine how strong you have been to let us go on this extended vacation.
6. For having a shelter. The rains are the worst season to be homeless in India. The winters are the most gruesome to be living on the streets in the US. It's relaxing to watch the heavy rains from my terrace but there's a part of me which is lost in the down-trodden shabby areas of the city wondering and praying for the homeless.
7. For being alive.
8. For being able to read and write. For me, this is the biggest gift I have been blessed with.
9. For being fortunate enough to spend this initial phase of motherhood taking care of my little girl and not get bogged down with work, deadlines or any stress that's not related to her.
10. For the excitement and anticipation that builds up before coming to India. If there's no place like home, then equally there's no place like India. The warmth of family, the monsoons, the festivals, places, the exquisite cuisine.... I could keep going. Nothing in this world can replace that.

 What are the things that you are grateful for?

Yours' truly,


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

Zest Up Your Life

After a long day of work, we all tire up. Our bodies scream for rest from the excessive travel, our minds plead for freedom from all the brain activity and our souls look for immediate rejuvenation to escape the monotony of life. Some people prefer doing nothing after their busy day at work, while others prefer to nudge their inner selves irrespective of a hard day of work to completely destress. 

So is there a mantra to relax yourself? 

Absolutely not.

Does relaxation of body, mind and soul always need to come at an exorbitant price? 

Depends on your choice of relaxation so yes, it's true for some people.

What do I prefer to zest up my life? 

The simple things in life which are either economical or come totally free for life and in abundance.

• The company of family and friends 

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Having my loved ones around me makes me happy. It not only relieves me of the day's worries but also reminds me - no matter who am I or what I face in life, they will always be by my side. They are there to hear me out, to talk to me, to reprimand me, to appreciate me, to tease me and to celebrate with me. :) 

• Books

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Aren't books an individual's best friend? I recently blogged about 'My Happy Place' where I mentioned how a good book would help transporting me to another world. Add a steaming hot cup of tea/coffee and some peace and quiet; there would be my ideal definition of a complete day. :)

• A long drive in the rains

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The monsoons make me feel alive. The non-stop pouring of water, the plush greenery of nature and the scent of the wet, moist earth puts me in a trance. I miss this awesome weather when I am not around to relish it. :)

• A daily dose of music

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Time may heal everything but music definitely heals a weary mind. I usually prefer soulful Indian music (instrumental or vocal) to help me relax my mind. It helps to remove my fatigue and soothe my nerves. :)

• A quiet meal

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I don't ask for a fancy meal, I don't crave for a loud surrounding. Give me a healthy homemade meal with no distractions and allow me to indulge into the moment. 

How do you like to zest up your life? :)

This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest and BlogAdda.com

Yours' truly,


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

Blast from the Past: Favorite Posts {2}

Today's favorite is again from the year 2012. It was the second time I was writing for BlogAdda's Write-Over-the-Weekend initiative. For those of you who aren't aware, this is a weekly blogging initiative (on Fridays) where you get a prompt as inspiration for writing a blog post. 

The prompt for that particular week was - 

For a minute look around the things near you and then include them creatively in a story.

Back then, I was working for a project at Bloomington, Illinois, US. We were a team of 4 people who had newly joined. Through the week, all 4 of us would work together and work on our deadlines. Come weekends and we would crave the company of our respective families (Hubby was stationed at New York back then which was a good 2-flights away from me).

I remembered this prompt at work and decided to look around me in an attempt to observe things for a minute. What I found were voices inside each one of us, striving hard to emerge and fulfill our needs. A desire to be with family, a desire to always have them by our side, a desire to not feel bad while missing them.

I came back home with this thought and put my words into a blog post. Check it out here - 'Empty Voices'.

Yours' truly,


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

55 fiction : Eat right

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I can’t stand seeing another morsel of food.

Why is this “a big deal” anyways? Like I am about to die or something.

Why is everyone elated to see me stuffed?

“Remember, eating right is important for girls” – yes Grandma but not for girls who are about to be crucified at the altar of marriage.

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

Black - Color or fashion statement?

Mystery, Evil, Fear, Negativity, Grief and what not. Think of these emotions and the first thing that pops to our minds is "Black".

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We have countless representations for the color "Black". But the ones that attract me the most are - Passion, Elegance, Power, Strength and Perspective.

Others despised the hue, but I embraced it with love. It turned out to be an unfortunate color for some, nevertheless it brought out the best in me always. Surely it's been one of my favorite colors for an obvious reason.

A wishlist in black? Don't we all have that? No matter how many times you buy yourself a party outfit in blue, brown and grey, it's the one in black that always makes you look 'a class apart'. No matter what you own in your wardrobe, everyone craves for that compulsory black jeans, black suit, black top or black scarf. 

The obsession for black doesn't stop with only clothes. I have wanted that irresistible black bag for too many years. Whichever color of shades you gift me, the collection is never complete if there's not a single pair in complete black. With such a never-ending list, don't even get me started on shoes in black.

Sigh ! The list was and will always remain endless when it comes to black. Take a look at what I eye for in black right now ?

1. Black is "Bold" - Mention a swanky new black BMW convertible and you can kiss your old car good-bye. If and when I get a car for only my sake, black will be the chosen color. On more occasions than one, my regular dream has been to step out of this suave black beauty and pose with tons of attitude to the shutterbugs. 

   

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2. Black is "Lasting" - I have a fetish for rings. If a shimmering black stoned ring adorned my ring finger it would make me pose as a diva. Unique, fashionable and forever beautiful :)

   

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3. Black is "Absolute" - It's a universal rule - all materials wishlists need to have one item of technology listed in them. And I am no different :P Wanna gift me something for my birthday? Get me a Macbook. Everyone has a white one so mine has to be in black.

   

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4. Black is "Classic" - Black gown? No. Black suit? Maybe. What about a black Indian outfit? Yes, yes, yes a million times! Just look at that elegance. Need I say any more? :)

   

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5. Black is "Killer" - What's more appealing than owning a black stallion? I don't know what comes closer to that. It would totally make me feel on top of this world. 

   

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Tell me, is black your favorite color too ? What's on your wishlist ? :)

This post is a part of #WhatTheBlack activity at BlogAdda.com

Yours' truly,

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

55 fiction : A Pinch of Enthusiasm

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“This is it. A perfect chance to finally meet and spend time with my crush, on the Annual day of the organization. WOW!!! Hold on… Who is that man accompanying her?”

“Hi Rahul, meet my husband – Deepak.”

“This is your husband?”

“Yeah, I wanted to surprise all of you. We secretly got married last week.”

Yours' truly,

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