Postcards From J

It's less than two hours to a brand new year. 2018! Gosh, isn't that something? Why did I decide to sit in front of a laptop and type this? I don't know. And no, I didn't even have some major breakthrough to talk about either.  Has it been a great year? Ummm... in bits and pieces. Like most of my recent years. What defines a "great year" anyway? 365 days of being happy? Can anyone ever claim to be happy or fulfilled every day of the year? Okay, I'm rambling now. Before I sign out, here are some highlights of 2017: - I grew up. Yes, I lived alone for the most part and I learned what 'adulting' really was. I have lived alone for a while now, but this year was really the test. During 2015-16, there was a lot going on. I travelled to a few countries on work and also for holidays in 2015 and the next year, the family was down as my niece was born here and that was the major focus for everyone at home. And then September 2016, the family vani...

Damn, the year has flown by! Now where have I heard those words before? Yeah, that's pretty much what we say EVERY December as the end of the year approaches. But it felt a bit different this year for me. I was busy in phases, and the last three months were incredibly slow - at least it felt like that. So do I hate 2016? Umm... not completely. For starters, it brought about the birth of my niece (and godchild) - a tiny miracle that left me weeping when I first laid eyes on her. She has turned our world upside down and changed us as humans. How can someone so little have so much power over the rest of us? Even though she's far away in another country now, just a glimpse of her on video calls or her photos brightens the dullest days. A blessing like no other! I lived all by myself in patches during the year. And it was fine for the most part. But after the niece and the rest of the family left, I had a tough time by myself. I went back to being an insomniac - and this time...

This 2014, here's my wish for you... ...and me! :) I have decided to make a conscious effort on one facet of my life: HEALTH! Starting January 1st, I'm giving up aerated drinks. Will add a few more things-to-do in the coming weeks related to this. Tons to do at work, so need to keep myself healthy and fit. And I'm praying healthy habits will last me at least a year. As Oprah Winfrey's optimistic greeting says: "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." Hope to blog regularly too. Best, ~j~

Hi there! Happy New Year! I know I am three days late with the wishing, but you see I had to travel on an urgent work assignment at very short notice. In fact, I returned on 31st December from a whirlwind 4-day trip of Mangalore - two of which were spent in the train to and fro - and flew out for the assignment on New Year's Day. While I can't disclose where I am at the moment, here's a picture postcard for you. :) This is a little moment I captured for myself today. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration. December 2012 vanished in a blur for me thanks to all the weddings I had to attend. I am feeling a bit jaded and am currently battling a sore throat. Hope to be alright soon and also to get back to blogging about a couple of exciting experiences.  Catch you later, ~j~ PS: I quite like the place I am staying in right now. More importantly, I am enjoying this living-out-of-a-suitcase business. Let's see for how long though. ...

No, that's not a typo in the title.  Last year was not the best by any stretch of the imagination. Except for the Indian cricket team winning the World Cup (which didn't really excite me), most of the time we were plagued by rising inflation, rude rickshaw drivers, and an apathetic government. On the personal front, I've had a tough year too - coming to terms with a new role, taking on a crazy project, learning and unlearning so much, an injured ankle (which bothers me even now), still dealing with questions of age and marriage while everyone around is getting hitched and making babies. (But I'm more grateful for the tough times. Those are the experiences that enrich me.) Sadly, we also lost many notable legends who made immense contributions in their respective fields. The names that spring to mind: MF Hussain, Shammi Kapoor, Jagjit Singh, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Dev Anand, Jehangir Sabavala, Bhupen Hazarika, Mario Miranda, and internationally, Peter Roebuc...

About 4-5 days ago, on January 20th to be precise, I accomplished a milestone of sorts: seven years of work experience. And on January 8th, I had completed three years at my current workplace which has been my single longest tenure anywhere.* I'm not a job-hopper, mind you. First job: 1 year, 8 months. Second: 2 years, 3 months, 23 days... That's not so bad, right? But as I completed my third year at Company no. 3, I heard a little voice inside that's asking me to get out and do something. Something new, different, creative, wild even. No, that didn't include looking for another job. But more on the lines of a "sabbatical." Our parents' generation would shudder at the idea of one after "only" seven years of working. They probably don't even know the "s" word exists in the dictionary considering their long-serving stints working at one and the same place. So, am I taking a longggggg break? Hell, no! Not at this stage at least. ...

 Time to reflect on a year gone by and time to welcome a brand new year! Here's wishing you life's best... May 2010 bring you all that you dream of. Love and light to all! PS: Picture taken at the very pretty Candies, Bandra. Batti Bandh was being observed one evening!