Mind Frame

Perfectly done.

2021-04-01T15:13:00.000+05:30

One often feels what it would be like to walk the talk to perfection. On most days its convenience over passion. Its feasibility over ideals. It's what would delight others but keep you satisfied.

Not on the day you are getting married though. There you want to be elated & not just happy. You want to be delighted & not just satiated.

So when one decided to tie the knot, kiss the bride & ride into the sunset it was pretty clear that there would be no ropes to be tied down with or veils to hide under nor any dust to cloud the sun that simmers the horizon. No if's & maybes. Just what you want & how you want it to be and that we did.

So our wedding* defied norms and also broke away from tradition & the as expected way of doing things was put aside. I wish I could spare use of the word norm and use culture instead-but dogma & faith are so closely wrapped with respect and honour given to people and things that culture takes a back seat so far away that one can't even see it in the rearview mirror. What did we do? Here goes.

Women le(a)d the way:

We had two lady priestesses from Jnana Prabodhini (the more one speaks about them the less it is) who conducted the ceremony. They translated every word & involved everyone at the wedding to bless us with verses and prose that incorporated our vows & wishes. More on that here.
We had Nupur who shot and filmed us at every step. No props, no quirks and absolutely no drama or difficulty that could have come with the opposite sex (smirk). The wife & haven't leaned onto each other so much or smiled effortlessly in a long time. Our wedding images give you glimpses that look like a behind the scenes, fly on the wall - the third party point of view. We couldn't be happier.
My pastry chef sister - Neha did the wedding cake & it was just what we wanted. Simple, loaded with emotions & loved by all (almost sounds like the wedding). Her ability to put together a wedding cake while in a lehnga is unbelievable. Not forgetting the fact that she managed the decor & added her own touches to things.

Some customs were given a Bidaai:

We got married when we wanted to. There wasn't any muhurat. In fact, we wanted to get married in time for dinner. Blame the Punjabi genes & dire need to be on time all the time.
The mangalsutra, kanya daan & bidaai did not find the way into the itinerary. Its 2021 folks! Kudos to the priestesses & parents for being on board with us.
We blended Kashmiri & Punjabi rituals and traditions we wanted. None that were regressive or old school. Our decor too incorporated aspects of our culture that we wanted to retain, share and show off.
We had music that was curated off our tastes. Kudos for those annoying Spotify ads - they worked. We did shift to premium and also a laptop that some ladies in the party played the music from. We were our own DJ barring one night where we wanted everyone to be happy, high and irresponsible.

We wanted it to be easy on the environment:

The outlandish decor was parted ways with. We wanted a wedding that was minimum on cash & trash. Our decor had fairy lights & cloth that would be reused later. We even went out to look for food donors for excess catering if any. COVID played spoilsport sadly.
We sourced and designed the table decor for the wedding as well as the other functions that had photographs, cultural items and also the ring presentation. All of this came from home and went back home too.
We had digital invites for all guests. A physical card was replaced with a WhatsApp version instead. Family Whatsapp groups were buzzing. Luckily with joy. It is indeed 2021 folks!

COVID ensured we could not have everyone we loved. Friends and relatives, grandparents and siblings - many could not make it. As much as we mull over that, it ensured everyone at our wedding knew everyone else by the end of it. So we took that as a blessing.

*way before a celebrity posted about her wedding that defied societal norms and the media made it almost like it was a first.

Moving past & forward.

2021-03-24T11:42:00.001+05:30

A year ago if someone said that I would be married in a proper sit-down ceremony, I would have baulked.

A sit-down wedding has several memories & moods to it. Much of it is a mess or is at an ungodly hour with numerous loud people, kids high on sugar & the list is endless. If none of these tick any of your boxes then there is the arduous task of keeping someone in the bloodline happy by sitting in a cross-legged position for a ceremony that is not only commercialized but also incomprehensible & at times regressive. Not to forget the numbness in the legs that makes you feel like you are floating while you actually were completely grounded for almost 3 hours prior.

Cut to the chase, when we decided to marry we wanted to skip this entirely in exchange for a court marriage. There was no way we could have simplified or modified the wedding. Also, what about the ceremony being understood & enjoyed? There were strict rules & stereotypes that are to be followed & there is no other way out (or is it?).

Introducing: Jnana Prabodhini. A powerhouse of an organization that works for all things that you dreamed of but did not know about. Their work in modernizing religious ceremonies was refreshing & what surprised me immensely was that I had attended ceremonies conducted by them in the past as well (blame my lack of memory). To top it off, they had women, priestesses! Once we had heard (had my memory refreshed!) of them we picked up the phone. The rest was a dream.

We jointly proceeded to curate the ceremony blending together suggestions & recommendations. To start, the ceremony commences with a mutual understanding between the couple. As per the priestesses, once married (to quote) "one must observe together all the duties & sacrifices enjoined by the scriptures in the spirit of 'do good for all (well being for the world)". This positive beginning to the ceremony was in line with what we were doing even before we were married. We were getting wed with minimal wastage, optimal use of resources, no monetary exchanges & an assembly of those who love us & have seen us grow. This made us feel good right at the beginning as it was aligned with our beliefs.

In terms of promises & oaths, we did not want anything melodramatic but wanted some of our views and beliefs to be centric to what we say and do. Gender being of no consequence in household responsibility & women being equal to the man in society is what both of us believe in. We wanted this to echo in the hymns & verses being spoken. Equality hence was important for us as we were in fact living it ourselves. This is what we had wanted for our vows too. The lady priests proposed that the wedding vows essentially had us "promise to take care of, support & lead each other... in all manners that are equal". With this the core part of the hyms that we wanted as per our wishes were put in place.

We then proceeded to voice our objections to kanya-daan, mangal sutra & bidai rituals. They happily agreed to our point of view & mentioned that everything that we desired or not could be made part of or excluded from the wedding. They even incorporated some aspects of the Kashmiri wedding routine that we wanted to as we saw our union as an assimilation of cultures.

Flash forward, our wedding lasted an hour and 5 minutes with everyone participating in the rituals. Hymns were translated to plain speak, well wishers also chanted them as they were dictated by the priestesses and everyone felt involved in the ceremony.

What more could one want to feel blessed. : )

PS: The Sanskrit term for a wife is grhini, which means the owner of the house, whereas the term for husband, grhastha, means a mere resident of the house : )

2020. Gratitude.

2021-01-09T19:41:00.000+05:30

While the year had so much riding on it and it failed to deliver in many ways, one can think of few successes & a lot to be indebted for.

Life and health was retained, lived through and also scraped by for some people in the family.

So, looking over the shoulder one has the following to be thankful for health and stable ground beneath the feet. The following are my reasons:

Survived 9 tropical storms and typhoons in the Philippines (wait there is more) in all of 2020.
Survived a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed Manila in Ash for over 3 days and 2 days of WFH in Feb (the absolute anxiety of the volcano staying on grade 3/5 and its past notorious history being unimaginable).
Survived 3 major quakes that are close to anything that can imagine as near certain death.
Survived COVID (so far) home quarantine, social distancing and the lack of high fives and hugs.
Survived a 7 hour sweeper flight of Air India taking me (after numerous calls and form filling with the Indian embassy in Ph) and 200 others home (60% discarded their PPE's and face shields barely an hr. into the flight) in July.
A family trip to Doha, Qatar in Dec-Jan 2020 started the year well and I guess kept the tanks loaded for all that was to come. Annual family vacations are a must.

Don't think anything can match this year for experiences lived and the survival mindset that pushed through.

Jashn

2019-02-16T19:43:00.001+05:30

Nothing beats the joy of shared experiences such as living a rare moment together with those you love the most. That I guess is the biggest gift that one can receive from life or give to oneself.

(Landing home for the holidays and taking all by surprise; Dec 2019)

Kahaani ka saar

2018-12-21T17:10:00.004+05:30

It's over a year since I wrote something here and maybe because there wasn't much time to ponder over things or things to ponder over.

Either ways, there are always learnings and lessons and these are the ones that I have.

Focus on people and things that add positive energy. Discard those who sap it out and contribute only the negatives.
It's good to say no, I disagree or I cannot comply.
Work life balance is not an individual goal or possibility. It is a shared task and not a goal.
Focus on some or fail on all.
Always move forward.
Family comes first, friends come next. All else is the world or acquaintances as we call it and it - does not matter.
Focus on what you want. All else follows.
Happiness has a recipe.
Spare time is gold.
Financial planning is a great routine.
Gifting is therapeutic.
Airport arrivals are the happiest places on earth (almost as much as school gates at 3pm on a Friday).
Emails are warm blankets when written to or received from friends.
Work is endless, hours in a day arent.
Thank you and welcome are the best things you can say to strangers.

Fin.

36 questions

2017-10-02T07:08:00.003+05:30

My attempt to do a self-conversation using the Arthur Aron set of 36 questions.
Aren't we the most important person to ourselves?

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
My granddads. They left too soon. Outside family, it would be Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Prithviraj Chauhan, Sam Maneckshaw.

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
My humour would be stretching it. Anonymity is a gift I am told so, No.

3. Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you're going to say? Why?
Not for the ones I love.

4. What would constitute a perfect day for you?
Brunch by the sea, evening by a fire and a dinner under the stars.

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
Last week maybe. High on a new song.

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you choose?
The mind of a 30-year-old. The mind is a dangerous place.

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?
Not a clue but that thought always crosses my mind when I board an aircraft.

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.
Wine, food and vacations

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
Parents and Grandparents

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
Nothing

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.
Ok

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?
Letting go of work

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
Why can't people get along?

14. Is there something that you've dreamt of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?
Sending my parents on a world tour : )

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
My parents knowing they raised me right and I ensuring that the belief is never questioned.

16. What do you value most in a friendship?
Faith

17. What is your most treasured memory?
Childhood years with my sister especially Pathankot 1999-2000

18. What is your most terrible memory?
Losing my granddads

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?
Work on my health.

20. What does friendship mean to you?
Being there

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?
Massive. Mentoring, support, calling out the BS when needed.

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.
Ok

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's?
Very. Childhood was the best.

24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
Friend, guide. We switch roles without warning.

25. Make three true "we" statements each. For instance, "we are both in this room feeling..."
This exercise is one-sided.
This exercise is to reflect on the past and plan the future.
This exercise is to help

26. Complete this sentence "I wish I had someone with whom I could share..."
...an entire tub of Baskin Robbins chocolate+mint ice cream or biryani for that matter.

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.
Life history, important people, ideologies and points of view, brew type of coffee & tea.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them: be honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met.
NA

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.
Done. Also, way too many.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
No idea. Not a cry person.

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.
Done . Too many.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
Close friends and family. Sensitive points or times of their lives.

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?
Broken friendships. Nothing that is unsaid.

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
Photo frames.

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?
Grandparents, parents...Almost everyone.

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
Done.

Changes

2017-08-13T11:49:00.002+05:30

The things that have changed in life ever since I moved far east.

I am no longer Akshay but AK. At restaurant reservation desks, client meetings, emails and receipts as well.
Chopsticks are a part of kitchen cutlery and so is soy sauce a staple part of the diet.
Officially an NRI now and that warrants an NRI account to be opened soon. Hate the tag.
I have 700 unspent India rupees lying on the kitchen counter. Need to get rid of them before De-Moditisation takes toll on the 100s
The laptop and phone now keeps track of 5 times zones. DC, Melbourne, Qatar & home of course.
Mango pickle is a highly traded commodity.
Local Indian store is on uber and saved places on maps.
Shaving cream is on the endangered species list. Foam is challenger.
I only cross (well mostly) at zebra crossings.
Tagalog is getting added to a list of languages I know a smattering of.

Rear view records

2016-12-18T03:11:00.000+05:30

If I say a lot happened this year it will be quite the understatement of sorts.

Life took all kinds of turns around bends that could give anyone a heart attack and also had its share of astronomical highs that one had never anticipated. If you saw a number 9 of the Indian cricket team score a ton in a test last week, my life felt the same too. Although, the speed at which it came was akin to a ton in a T20.

Never been the one to complain but this year seemed to be one of the toughest in terms of a million things such as the health of loved ones. However, it was one of the best years of my life too when you see all that the universe conspired to throw at me.

Not one to trust in religion, I have consistently believed that life's zeniths are not far behind from its dreariest lows. It reminds me of an old post that I wrote on up being the only way to go when you are at the bottom is up. That has been followed to tee and I am proud to say so.

- Personal life lifted off like a shuttle from Cape Canaveral and soon flatlined like a SpaceX rocket on its first attempt at landing. Thank god for that. Looking back I am gracious.

- The year began with a holiday to Hong Kong and Macau and what a terrific start to the year it was. Especially when the last time I travelled overseas (a debut trip) was almost 12 months ago and that was Amsterdam. I had no idea of what was to come.

- Dad registered his firm and that feels great.

- Grandmom was back in the hospital again. 4 months of trauma and heartache for all of us with little to hold onto. Emotional roller coaster.

- Got selected to represent India at Cannes. This meant 7 days in France and the cote de azure.

- 7 days of Cannes were extended with a backpacking trip with the boys. Italy was added to the trip too for a 10 day period. I have a Schengen visa for a year now as a bonus from that trip. Always, gets me thinking.

- I swam in the Mediterranean off the French riviera. Who would have thought of that at the start of this year?

- I managed to watch a live screening of the French play soccer at the Euro amongst the Parisians. What a vibe and an experience.

- Spoke to strangers using nothing but only Google translate.

- Rode the TGV to Paris from Nice. I can't wait for the bullet trains to come to India. Well (raised eyebrows).

- Managed to ride in the famed F1 circuits of Monaco's chicane.

- Saw the Mona Lisa & St Peter's basilica for real. The latter had me stunned while the former had me wondering why. We also sampled Rose from across the Louvre and the Notre Dame.

- Getting to see the Eiffel tower glitter at night and breath in France, it couture and cuisine was another moment I am sure I will and keep going back to.

- We toured the Amalfi coast via boat past Positano, Sorrento and Capri.

- Managed to savour some home brewed wine in Sorrento and mind you there is little you want to ask for when the wine is served straight from the barrel.

- Stood on the oldest slopes of the Palatine hill in Rome which are one of the oldest documented landmarks of human history. Mind numbing. Ate Gelato from a shop over 160 years in business gazing at the Pantheon in Rome.

- Got selected for an international exchange at work to go back to Italy (Milan) again!

- Lived through the fashion swirl of Milan fashion week. I wore a suit to work by the way. Nothing comes close to representing your country anywhere on the globe.

- Cooked an Indian meal for my Italian colleagues - Butter chicken. Sourced masalas from a neighbouring Sri Lankan store.

- The sister got engaged. I love her to bits. Glad she gets the attention for these things and I get to use her as a human shield when asked about such events in my life : )

- Work life changed gears with a new movement that warrants a goodbye Mumbai post. I had noted the landmark move to Mumbai with this one.

- Close friends turned distant earlier in the year but my travels overseas got me to make new friends this year. Haiti, Argentina, Italy just to name a few have extended families for me now. The universe keeps a balance.

- I cooked a fair bit this year. For family and for special friends and I think nothing serves love better than a hot meal.

- I am about to turn 30 but have never felt conscious about age or the number.

- This year was the poorest in terms of posts here but I clicked a tonne of images that I am proud of and the passport might need new pages soon.

- The next year will begin (well almost) on foreign shores and that has me thinking that this year was almost spent on foreign shores entirely. I spent 45 days in Europe and China when I think of it.

(Coffees getting cold)

Jaay

2016-09-12T22:07:00.000+05:30

Ek jagah hogi, jo jahaan hoga.
Dhoondha na jaane kise, kahaan-kahaan hoga.

Mana

2016-06-12T21:31:00.000+05:30

Some puzzles are so beautiful, one wonders how they are a perfect reflection of you.

Imagination

2016-01-31T22:44:00.000+05:30

If we could drink what we write, imagination would be the cheapest drug on the street,

Feels

2016-01-26T12:18:00.000+05:30

Patriotism for me was best depicted when SRK (in Swades) looks out of his window seconds before he is to set foot in India. Nothing describes detachment better than the wheels of a plane seconds after take off. This was exactly the opposite - done brilliantly.

Meanwhile, AR Rahman used only 5 notes of the shehnai for SRK & the audiences to feel homesick repeatedly in the film. Even those who were in India felt homesick/guilty.

The first film in a long time that did not show patriotism in the light of violence, hatred and turbulent times and still struck a chord with the audiences.

Wonder where the wiser filmmakers are hiding now or are the scripts.

PS: This was also a rare time when an SRK films made sense to me. (I know this comment will draw flack for me)

8 Insane (But True) Things About Weddings

2016-01-10T21:42:00.000+05:30

Claimer: This series of published facts are based on true events and a nights of a horrid experience. Resemblance to most weddings is, was and will stand true for all weddings that are yet to happen too.

Weddings in India are almost like an airport battling a backlash of passengers of 20 delayed flights.
30 year old's are arguing at the bar (for free food coupons at the airline counter) with spirit akin to Kejriwal before he came to power, teenagers are strewn across the floor/halls (mostly around charging points) & the seniors are lying in flat beds (occupying as many as possible and blocking some for an unaccounted passenger too).
Mothers and wives of the 30 year old are eyeballing stewards for larger helpings of the 'daal makhni or butter chicken' (airports only serve bone dry sandwiches and tea that is flatter than gujrati thepla though)
Air hostesses and ground support staff resembling over dressed chirpy friends/cousins and college friends of the bride who find themselves with nothing to do in those times of a sudden god sent break time.
When you stand in line to greet the couple you feel like you just might be asked for a boarding pass before you climb atop the stage. Needless to say it feels like you are crossing over from Gurgaon to Delhi back in the day when the freeway had a toll.
When you finally get to giving gifts you feel like you are surrendering baggage at the check in (you could not be happier to get rid of it it & lugging it around).
Those who have eaten at the wedding are in such an amazing rush to leave, its almost like the plane has landed & people have risen from their seats even before being asked to. Some actually leave their plates where they were just standing seconds ago.
"Thank you for flying with us" - Mandatory exit speech by random uncle/bhateeji of the families of the groom or the bride is something that hits you in the face like the hot humid smell of Bombay just as you exit the plane. Always 'on time'.

I hate pompous, large scale weddings that sometimes put IPL opening ceremonies to shame.

Over & Out

2016-01-01T06:30:00.000+05:30

So 2015 was quite uneventful & drab but even then it has its share of personal achievements that I can think of. Clicking pictures and writing took a back seat, I chose to soak it all in rather than look through the viewfinder that often.

I traveled and how. A personal decision became a mission and one that was well achieved. Where all did I go? Amsterdam, Delhi (Thrice), Chennai (Twice), Goa, Srinagar - Gulmarg, Pondicherry. Can't wait to better this in 2016.
Cooked to save a life and more. Chicken curries and rice and a tad bit more. I want to move onto making cocktails now.
Traveled with my sibling. While I have traveled with friends, family & cousins I have never traveled with her alone.
Went to Kashmir. The place was home once - as my grand mom tells me & exactly how she described it from memory.
Two of my closest friends got married. One after over 12 years of courtship. True love exists.
Attend a Telugu wedding - check.
Aced all my tests - blood tests of some 8 types. Don't remember the last time I got them.
Traveled by a plane, bus, tram, cycle, car & a boat - all on a single vacation itself.
Tried Marijuana : ) No wait - 'did' marijuana
Took a holiday with a friend. Had never done so - strongly advise it.

Curtains to 2015

2015-12-31T13:10:00.000+05:30

2015 was a let down of a year.

1. Passenger planes across the world crashed, were shot down or simply vanished.
2. Ebola died a slow death but took with it a many lives. Black lives.
3. Terror changed a new face in the form of ISIS & Boko Haram and their violent videos.
4. Nepal shook with the quake & shook the world.
5. Greece stumbled & tripped. Germany pointed an laughed.
6. Nigeria, Australia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Mali, India & now France faced terror attacks.
7. Obama talked the walk on Syria, Putin walked all over Syria.
8. LVG & Jose walked all over themselves.
9. The refugee crisis stung Europe & its larger parts. The biggest since WW-Two.
10. iPhone 6 made money.
11. After AIDS & racism, US battled 'Donald Trump' as its biggest cranial infection.
12. Indians let Prem Ratan Dhan Payo make 100 Cr & a handful few watched Masaan.
13. We lost Christopher Lee, Omar Sharif, APJ Abdul Kalam, James Horner & Leonard Nimoy.
14. Chennai sank.
15. India freed an actor who is a murderer & now frees a rapist after a fortnight as well.
16. Yahoo labeled the 'cow' as India's personality of the year. (Talk about global representation in a year that Make in India was represented by a Lion themed logo)

2015 was a let down of a year but we have a few positives to it too.

1. Aung San Suu Kyi won her parliamentary elections despite seats being reserved for the Junta.
2. The UN turned 70.
3. Kailash Stayarhi won the nobel peace prize.
4. Pope Francis continued to be a rock-star.
5. We got a closer look at a rock called Pluto & expanded our horizons from our 'pale blue dot'.
6. Bahubali showed how we must believe in Indian talent too.
7. Iran bowed to a nuclear deal. Hassan Rouhani signed the nuclear agreement.
8. John Stewart & Letterman said goodbye to TV - what legends.
9. Volkswagen crumbled. No one is above the law. Tata Motors & Maruti cleared tests that 'V' fudged.
10. Dr Roy apologized on national television for misinterpreting the Bihar election. 'Newsroom' scripts became a reality
11. Chennai showed why we must never rely on anyone but ourselves. People love won : )
12. We signed a major climate control deal.
13. We landed a rocket in exact position and order it took off. Mind boggling.

Let me know if I missed out on anything.
PS: We = Humans & Humanity

Kashur

2015-11-15T14:53:00.001+05:30

Its weirdly wonderful.

All my life I have grown up speaking the language at home. Not having heard it outside the 4 walls of my home or amidst a people I can count on my hands. So when we landed and we conversed with nearly each and every one around us in Kashur it was a feeling of familiarity and warmth. We were on a trip but at home.

“I dream of lost vocabularies that might express some of what we no longer can.” - Anon

Progress

2015-09-27T20:58:00.000+05:30

I think I am going to write a book.
Soon.

2015-07-14T21:42:00.003+05:30

A scatter of yellow mingled with the tinges of white as light sneaked in through the whiskey glass that rested in the palms of his hand flattening the creases that held his future. A few shades escaped in the trickle that slid as the glass tilted towards his parched lips. His lips curved to a smile as he looked at his future ahead.

All of three, she smiled back as well.

Hugs.

2015-06-29T23:02:00.000+05:30

Tight hugs work better than bandaids.

आगमन।

2015-06-12T17:47:00.000+05:30

चाशनी मोहब्बतों के लफ़्ज़ ,
मिले जो तेरी ज़ुबान से,
फ़िज़ा में गिरे रंग गुलाल से,
रोशन मेरी निगह कर गए ।

(When the sugary words of love met your lips, the wind red in hue brightened up my sight)

अब आगे

2015-05-24T10:57:00.002+05:30

कल तक आपने देखा, अब आगे ।

Guess life is all about moving on or else one would miss the views ahead.

Immerse yourself

2015-05-23T14:43:00.001+05:30

There is this strange familiarity water has.
When you are in it ensconced and alone you aren't really alone for its swallowed you whole within itself.
A lot like love.
Its all around you when you are in it.
You see though it and its still there - everywhere.

Clarity

2015-05-09T18:59:00.000+05:30

One of those times when you were as clear in the head as you could be.

The Amsterdam harbor and the moon reflecting off it in patches and parts.

तू

2015-04-19T00:23:00.000+05:30

तेरी हर तस्वीर से वाकिफ हूँ मैं,
तेरी हर चाह से रूबरू,
तू आईना है मेरा,
तू चमके तो मैं चमकू

Looking back

2015-01-14T22:59:00.002+05:30

So a friend shared this list of a self-eval/look in the mirror of sort of a question list and it was something that I had to absolutely do. Plus making it the first post of the year and a look back makes it worth it.

So yeah, here is my shot at it.

2014 in review

1. Describe your 2014 in three words
# New
# Sudden
# Educative

2. What was your most common mental state this year?
Anxious & uneasy

3. What was the biggest event in your life this year?
December

4. What were your three happiest moments?
# December 2014
# Flying with Nani (her first time ever) Dec-Jan 2014
# Coming home in May

5. What new skills did you learn?
# Financial planning - a bit
# Loads of new stuff at work

6. What personal qualities or habits did you develop, cultivate, or strengthen?
# Started to think less and do more
# Write emails frequently to friends
# Shopped for my self

7. What new things did you discover about yourself?
I am doing okay. I need to go easy & focus on the personal front.

8. What little things did you most enjoy doing on a daily basis?
# The walk from home to work and back - loads of thinking time.
# Laundry & House work

9. What out-of-the-ordinary things did you do this year?
Shifted line of work back towards a personal challenge, decided to shift cities & do more serious photography.

10. What cool things did you create?
# A big deal at work - pretty proud of it.
# Some special connections - lifetime friends

11. What big things did you do that you had to get out of your comfort zone?
# Moved cities
# Took some career and personal calls
# Took on a parental role - of sorts

12. What achievements are you most proud of?
Living on my own.

13. What was the most memorable moment this year?
December.

14. What are you most thankful for?
Health of my loved ones.

15. Who are you most thankful for?
Dad & Mom.

16. How did you spend time with your family and how did the relationship evolve?
When away - Spoke less typed more - Whatsapp & Text.
When there - Dined together & talked more.

17. What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
My ex Boss - Sheetal & close friend Ranjeet

18. What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2014?
# Keep at it but move on - in time too.
# Value yourself.

19. If you could turn back time, what would you have done differently?
In the last one year? Nothing other than paying attention to health and maybe more dinners and long drives in Delhi. Rest everything has been clockwork.

20. What advice would you give to other people about what you have learned this year?
Take your chances, speak from the heart - no matter what. Be selfish. Live it up.

2015

21. What new things do you want to try in 2015?
# Discover the east.
# Skydiving.
# Finish that pending internship at Crocodile Bank Chennai.

22. What or where do you want to see, discover, and explore in 2015?
East India, Europe & Kashmir - although am sure the calendar wont allow that.

23. What do you want to achieve career-wise?
A balance for the personal life.

24. What new skills do you want to learn, improve, and master?
# A language (French).
# Dance like a normal man.
# Work on the wardrobe.

25. What personal qualities or habits do you want to develop, cultivate, or strengthen?
# Smile more - I have been told.
# Work out.

26. Who do you want to spend more time with?
The family. The brother & the sisters

27. What do you want to "feel" most of the time in 2015 (happy, content, excited, relaxed, busy, productive, creative)?
Happy - all else is withing the emotion itself I feel.

28. What do you want your day-to-day life to be like in 2015?
Satisfying work life, time for personal hobbies, hope work gets me to travel too, dinners with wine & maybe good whiskey.

29. What do you want to completely get rid of in your life and in 2015 you will make it happen?
Cant think of anything - but get more active outside work. Simply put - work less.

30. What is your number one goal in 2015 and how are you planning to achieve it?
Healthier lifestyle & family time.