Trippinnn..

Just back from an awesome weekend getaway. What's surprising, is I am happy to be back home. In fact, I am even raring to go to my work place (strange eh??). As they say, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction!

My weekend trip to Hyderabad initially intended to be a "catching up with old friends (no pun intended!)", proved out to be much more than that! Last minute accommodation arrangement, early morning talks with long lost friends (and their husbands! Time has some grace after all!), "innocent" auto drivers conceding to my "negotiation skills" (Didn't you appreciate that Poosh??) and the super hot "cold wave" has been more than refreshing!

This was supposed to be my trip, as in MY TRIP, where I intended to carry my happening ass to all the places I wished without any human support! I must be God's favorite child, I had company ALL ALONG! (not that I am complaining!) I remember some one calling me anti-social (wait a minute.. that surely must be my alter ego! I rock with people around!). Having such fun people around me 24/7, I must be super cool!

What began on an auspicious note with a super yummy breakfast (once again, thanks auntie!!! Did I tell you, you rock???) ended on a jaw dropping event of announcement of an engagement. (not mine people, not mine) This probably would mean one more trip next week to a land I don't particularly like for a man I completely adore! (Hope I get my spa vouchers Poosh. Read my previous comment, I have EARNED it!)

Confused reading this post? Congrats! This attests your normalcy, although I would still say this ain't a good enough proof to hide your insanity! This post is more of a blabber post. I am just happy! (I just got back remember? Not been to work yet! I guess I have a good 3 hours between me and a (hopefully not) foul mood!!!)

For all those who think work sucks (yes, I am addressing the 99.99% of people reading this) take my word for it when I say, real life is outside work! Take a break (have a kit kat if you don't suffer from "weight issues!") One small trip, an encounter with people friends/strangers alike (believe you me, strangers can prove to be really S-T-R-A-N-G-EERRRSS!) a new place or an old place revisited is enough to keep you going till your next seizures! (remember the very frequent life-is-boring seizures??)

I am so kicked! I even called my yoga instructor and fixed up my "yoga plans" starting tomorrow! (Yes flab, you sure as hell are out of my body. New year seems to be bringing your end. *wicked laugh*)

Gotta scram now. Now, now, what do I do before I end a post? Say something (usually the first thing that hits my head!) and make it sound intelligent. (Yes, if you don't get what I mean you fall in negative IQ region! Now read and say.. ahhaaa epiphany!) I don't see any reason why this post should be any different! So here I go - Celebrate your time, for you know not what awaits for you tomorrow. (trust me you'll have a tomorrow. You most definitely will!! Else, when will you repent over lost time??)

Anyways people, here's wishing you a great week ahead! Will be back with my stories (hopefully more happening ones!) Till then, keep reading! C'est la vie!!!

Bon Voyage!

Travelling means different things to different people. For some it’s a passion, for some it’s a hobby, for some it’s a way of life and for some special people its life itself. Some travel to explore the world outside, while some travel to understand the world within. Some for developing a feeling “been there done that” while some for opening new avenues in life. 


As much as I talk about travelling, I haven’t done a lot of it myself. But I am hoping to, in the near future, which forms a big part of my new year resolutions! From whatever little travelling I’ve done, I know my actual reason behind wanting to travel. And it’s a lot more than just being photographed in front of a famous monument! I’ve always been intrigued by people and their culture. The best part being that it is almost an inexhaustible resource. Even if you have met a million people, learnt about a trillion cultures there is always more waiting to be discovered! This knowledge gives me a reason to go on my expedition with more vigor!
My first ever memorable trip to the Andaman’s was first in many ways. The first time I got to pick the location, first time I changed the itinerary, first time I met people who left me awestruck, for their passion for travelling was really overwhelming! ‘Backpacking’ is a very cool term. Really! Anyone who tells me “I went backpacking to XYZ place” gets me to applaud their attempt. I know what are the challenges people face when they wanna travel, most of which, prohibit them to do so. Money, society, blah blah forms a formidable barrier. So anyone who crosses this barrier manages to earn my respect!


In Havelock islands, I happened to bump into a passionate traveler from Holland. It took me a while to register what she meant when she said, “I sold my house and every single thing in it before I started globetrotting.”Once it did register I could hear my head reeling. WHAT??? My heart was in my mouth when I learnt that she had bid goodbye to her husband only coz she wanted to travel all around the world. With no security and no one to bank upon, she had set off on a journey, probably to find herself. Being used to my comfort zone, I thought that what she did was completely opposite to everything I ever believed in. You need your comforts, you need your people, you need somewhere to get back to, you need someone to get back too. But there was a part of me who kind of understood her. Most of you reading this would think this an act of sheer stupidity. Think again.


That was the first time it hit me, one can have all the materialistic things and worldly pleasures. But these cannot buy inner peace or help you find your true self. As I continued my conversation with this enigmatic woman, I discovered how uncomplicated her life was. Her entire life was in her backpack. A small “bathroom kit” with an even smaller mirror, few clothes which would soon find their way out to make place for the new ones, a book ,just about enough money and lots of memories. She believed in never having to repent. She danced with the locals under the moon light; she clicked pictures on her i-phone; she found a place on the ship deck without any complaints, when she saw that her seat had already been occupied; she travelled with no expectations; she travelled to live and lived to travel.


I may not remember her face, but I can never forget her spirit. 


May this serve as an inspiration to aspiring travelers. May this give you strength to jump the formidable walls and explore the world outside. May this lead you to the road of self discovery. Bon voyage!

2012

As the sound of firecrackers fill my ears, I have a very happy feeling seeping through ever pore of my body. A feeling, that assures me this year is gonna witness realization of dreams while new ones are being spun. A feeling that compels me to eagerly look ahead and live life queen style. A feeling that would reinforce my belief in miracles. A feeling, that can't be given a name, for it could scar its sanctity.

Every new year brings with it a lot of hope. We believe that bygones will be bygones and look forward to a new life which would heal our wounds, bring us relief.The hope that spurs up in my heart, which brings a smile of my face, which gives me the confidence to face the unknown, is the same hope that inspires a writer to write her next novel, an athlete to run a race of his lifetime, an actor to portray life on screen and a painter to capture colors of this universe on a canvas.  Every 1st of Jan marks the commencement of hoards of resolutions, most of which die a silent death in less than a week! But the same people make the same resolutions every year, without giving up!

It's said that what one does on Jan 1st, marks pretty much all he/she would do throughout the year. So, I decided to start my new year with something, that has, in the past few months become an avenue of expressing myself - writing. I won't say it completes me, but without it I surely am incomplete.There a lot of things I would like to do - Explore the world, Work for WWE/ National Geographic, Meet Edge (if I hear any of you laugh, I swear I am gonna have to take you to task!!!) and finally have a nice BIG ring on my finger!!!  But most importantly, I realize what shaping ones character means. So I decided to be the best person I can today, hoping this would rub on for as long as this year would last and a lot more! As for my wishlist, here's hoping I get to check all of them by end of this year!

2011 passed by at a break neck pace. I can't point my finger at one particular thing that made it rocking or boring! The most important lesson learnt has been about people. I had the good fortune of meeting few really genuine beings. Some in office, some outside and some online! A big thanks to all of you for reinforcing my faith in goodness. You guys have been like zephyr. Looking at your loved ones moving away is never easy.  All my friends in different continents, you guys are the most happening thing in my life!  But distance only brings you closer and closer we most definitely are. Then there were relations I almost lost, but were saved in the nick of time. I sincerely apologize for my follies. Can't promise that I won't repeat them, but will cherish you with all my life and not let go ever again. And that is my word. Finally, the ones who are around me, who have always been the closest to my heart, who give meaning to my life, here's praying this is just one of the many many happy new years we celebrate together!

I personally thank the super power for giving me one more Jan 1st to live and cherish with my loved ones. All my problems diminish when I see celebration of life all around me. Here's hoping the celebrations are here to stay! Happy new year to one and all. Make the best of this day, for you are fortunate to have it.