Colour Pop

I saw this TED Talk recently and it delved on something that brings instant joy to people. Joy as in a momentary experience of positive emotion that makes us smile. Feeling good in that moment. 

Pops of colour as per the talk can do that ! Bring about feelings of joy ,, My experience too .. I have always been drawn to rainbows, pinwheels, patch work quits  with multiple colour patches , the madras plaid fabric , colourful tapestry, prayer flags , sprinkles , stained glass windows and anything that pops colour !

One such moment , when I saw this fuchsia pink lily , all abloom in the office fish pond .Joy.. there and then..

A working woman now

I read a short story years back in a magazine which went by the title " A working woman now "  and it has just stayed with me . It captured the excitement of a young woman starting work /All her plans and preparations , buying a bag and getting ready to join the workforce. My young impressionable mind was so enamored by this young woman's excitement of finding a job and getting ready to take it on. It also marked the first step of this woman at earning and financial freedom . A chance to become responsible for her own spending and build wealth for herself. 

After a few  years of free-lancing and doing this and that , I have accepted a accepted a full-time assignment that will need me working at an office .The  story of the young woman came to mind as I enter the full -time work force yet another time !! Good luck to me !

Bangalore Days

Travelling again.. to Bangalore  this time to hang out with my favourite peeps A and S. The agenda is to just be , talk  , eat, sleep and repeat . A is my own personal therapist and over the years and over many conversations , she has driven home much truths about myself...So its lovely being back in the couch with her .. of course we have to do the very fun things she has lined up.. eating out at soulful spaces , experiences only she can think of and set up and meeting more lovely people !

Then I go and hang out with S at her  newly redone-up  colorful home .. more conversation , more laughter and more good food and drinks ... and some retail therapy :). Her 13th floor home overlooks this amazing view of the skies .. offering breathtaking sun rises and a twinkly bright night sky line . 

and then there are the long walks we always end up going on , when ever we meet up .....

Much need restoring !

To the Hills

 An unexpected trip with the visiting S .. to Ooty no less !

S arriving was a happy happy in itself and we taking off on a road trip .. double nice ! almost 6 hours of driving we are at Ooty with a tight time frame .So get to business of ticking off Ootacamund  delights in double speed as it is S's first time here. Botanical gardens, Boat club and the lake  seen  we are huddled up at the Nahar Cafe for some steaming  hot chocolate and oven fresh garlic bread .  Then trudge off some more till we are at the  Rose gardens walking  up a eucalyptus trees lined avenue as the full moon comes up ! Mesmerizing ...

With a plan to catch the Sunrise , the next day on the Dottabetta peak , we start the  day early .. to discover it is not open to public at that hour . But we find a vantage and catch a breathtaking sunrise in the hills and drive down the tea gardens to a sumptuous brekkie.

I head off to the conference I am supposed to attend while S takes in local shopping. A happy event for me , the conference , as I land a writing job that will last a year !

Pleased as punch , we head home :)    

Celebration !

A milestone birthday celebration for all of us as Raghu Appa turned 80!

Grounded , meticulous , ever-active , ever-prayerful...someone with an  amazing memory and penchant for narrating stories with exquisite detail . Always thoughtful in his ways and ever ready to help. A bibliophile and a writer who continues to write copiously each day . Erudition as a way of life sustained by years of  study , research and writing on varied topics. Learning each day to keep abreast with the digital days as hand-written copies have given  way to digitally typed out content .Progressive  and ever supporting of causes that matter , you inspire us Appa with your presence .. unassuming , ready to listen and loving... 

Happy 80th Appa and many many more happy , healthy returns ...

Pray the Lord for all Ayur , Aroghya Saukhyams for you 

Good bye 2020

2020.. What a year it has been .. when the world stopped on its tracks! A year of pause and reset ...

I bid adieu to 2020 almost wistfully as it has been a defining year in many ways..  A year in which I deepened the connection with myself, went vegan , learnt new skills , lost weight and set some healthy routines for myself . Read some amazing books and saw beautiful stories unfold on the telly , thanks to D and her birthday gift!

They were some rewarding family milestones as well . Most importantly we stayed safe and well  

I  will miss my 2020 journal where I wrote copiously chronicling my year and the highs and lows of  navigating the year. 

I welcome 2021 , for all that it holds ....whatever that may be :)

Eye candy

An outing with S.. My local bestie and partner in all things fun !

She made an interesting observation about the pandemic.. "The town is full  of pot and pet shops, these days ', she said . The pandemic indeed had brought out the green thumb of folks along with a host of other hobbies. Pets to care for and be loved another growing pursuit .

And we went on a longish  drive to see to a  pots/plants store that had recently opened shop. S is more of a serious gardener while am  the passive one letting my greens grow as they wish !

The pretty store with an amazing variety of plants  and an array of pot options was serious eye candy . We  had made our picks for adding to the balcony and indoor spaces .