When do we Un-Pause?

Ironically, my last post was in the thick of Covid-19, the pandemic that re-defined our new normal. And fast forward, 2.5 years later, my “un-pause” post is when I am sick with Covid-19… like actually ‘sick sick’ and not just ‘sick of Covid-19’

But my ‘sick sick’ is okay. Truly OKAY. Thanks to all medical advancements, staying current with vaccines, boosters, precautions and pampering family and friends, my sick-sick is actually Okay. Funny Even!

It will be a monumental task to recapture the last 2.5 years and there is NO way I will be able to do justice to it! So I will not attempt that (Plus it will be super boring)

What I will attempt is the top three things I remind myself often of now, like actually remind me not an afterthought

• Life is good, Truly. (I sound like unicorns and rainbows, and that’s AWESOME) 

• I am blessed, we are blessed, world is blessed (I sound like a religious preacher, but even if you know me 0.0001% I am FAR from it), But saying grateful for where we are just doesn’t cut it. 

• This: It’s been transformative (I sound like ME and I love it!)

  
  
  

So you tell me or think about it, dear faithful reader(s), the two that I still have, how have you hit un-pause on Life after-ish the Pandemic and what do you remind yourself often about?

Am I am back, don’t know. Hey, I have just hit Un-pause, so it takes time to fire up the engine! But it does feel good to write again, for myself as always!

A good Year 2019

If there are two words I can use to describe the year that went by it will be "Busy" and quite possibly "Satisfying"

2019 = Busy & Satisfying

The year started nice and easy, as always Chicago gets cold but good friends and chatty evenings make it  warm and cozy. Spring through fall, this year was a blur for me! We had family visiting from India for most of it which meant endless beach trips, shopping trips, foodie excursions and of course lots of laughter and endless laundry!

Work was equally busy to the point, I don’t remember having a single night off for 7 continuous months. (Read: Self Pity!) I remember tucking the girls in and then just logging on till the wee hours of the morning. Sumit and I were trading our long work nights so the other one could be with the kids.

But still very satisfying, since kids thoroughly enjoyed the pampering of the grand parents, I did enjoy the professional high and developed an increased gratitude for a simple life. It is a great feeling!

This year is dotted with great highlights: The girls are now finally in the same school which makes life, schedule and discussions so much easier. Touch wood, they both are thriving. The older one planned a Birthday Surprise for me which was completely out of the blue and really well thought of. It still makes me smile, my 11 year old coordinating and executing along with Sumit. And of course, how can i miss: Miss V got her phone (flip phone, much to her angst! But a phone none the less)

The girls got involved with a non-profit this year which they participated in, led and tracked the progress of the work. This was such a fulfilling experience for us a family and as we continue this into the coming years, the life's lessons will be unparalleled.

We continue our travels and adventures. A few weeks in summer across Europe. 8 countries travelled, traversed and ending at a friends wedding were brilliant. We managed a few quick weekend getaways to Lake Syracuse and then of course a much needed Mini Re-Union trip to NYC. Of course the end of the year is marked by 2 weeks uninterrupted time  with my family while enjoying everything Dubai!

Travelling as a family comes naturally to us. The kiddos are such amazing explorers and adventure seekers. Next year, I would like to get more national parks and some fun hikes under our belt!

As the years go by, I get more and more relaxed about my friendships, more secure in some relationships and definitely I am continuously working to reduce the FOMO. As a family, we met some wonderful people this year whom we look forward to get to know better. Friendships have deepened, which in my definition is showing up with a 10 min warning in PJ's and just chilling! Knowingly or Unknowingly I have not been able to keep up with some people and have realized "That's okay.  Life is busy and with kids, work, BAU and just simple silly things, I feel content." 

2019 was a Good Year. I am glad to hit the new decade with renewed energy, more smiles and above all more peace within myself. My belief of "If I am happy people around me will be happier" continues to deepen. I am grateful for a wonderful year and I look forward to the New Year and the New Decade!
And of course more jumping shots!

Hope you rung in your new decade with smiles and surrounded by family and friends and endless hugs and silliness!

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year

2018: Year in Review: The year of Self Revelations

Before I start with my year in review, I read the past few years summary and it makes me smile. It reminds me of how blessed I am, how life goes up and down but what counts is the good memories and the not so good ones which make me tougher and stronger.

To continue the tradition of Year in Review: 2018: The year of self revelations

The year started with a planned surgery. This kind of set the pace ahead for me. My mum kept her life on pause and came to help me. My gosh, she just picked it up and ran with it. She managed everything in the house and Sumit managed all the other stuff. I was pampered, well cared for and above all the path to recovery was so much simpler! A few friends went over and above (as always) and saved me from "cabin fever". Getting a surprise Paint the Town Read, the night before the surgery was awesome.

Over the years, I think i have improved at figuring out my relationships, some are social, some are true, some are simple and some are complicated. The year just past makes me feel more and more at ease. Sometimes I did feel petty, but then common sense trickles in and I breather a huge sigh!

We had an intense discussion among dear friends recently and the moral of the conversation was "Go Deep not Wide" Now mind out of the gutter: The point was, friendships will always get wider, we meet new people, develop new relationships etc. However the depth in the relationship is what matters.

The other big self revelation was: "It's fun to be silly and being silly is fun"
Over a college reunion this summer, I felt like no time had passed in our friendships. We pushed each other in pools, we chatted till wee hours, we bitched, we laughed and on and on. And there was no judgement. It was just so simple.
I was recapping this to my older daughter, Miss V later. She said "Mum you and your friends are so silly and so cute". This made me smile.

As I see pictures of the year gone by, my favorite ones are the "silly ones" and not those pretty perfect ones! The new family mantra is "It's fun to be silly and being silly is fun"

A very dear friend of mine and I were talking at how "unexpected" life can be. I remind her often (by yelling at her sometimes). The unexpected makes us tougher and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to be patient. This year has reminded me Again: Life happens, resilience is helpful. And it will be OK.

Now to the travel of the year!
We soaked in the sunshine in Tampa with my parents, cousins and the kids got to enjoy the Harry Potter World. The girls got pampered by their grand parents over summer. Their 2 months of summer were split in India and Africa with cousins, loads of laughter, ice creams and lots of TV. What an experience! We traveled to New York, South Korea, Canada, India and ended the year with another "unplanned planned" trip to California.

My girls are becoming mini adults with full blown emotions, tantrums and laughter. As the year draws to a close, I feel eternally grateful to my parents, i wish I am half as self-less as they are. My
brother and sister in law, who are just a phone call away (though I barely call). They always pick up and I can just be the little girl of the house again. The friendships which have soared, deepened and above the support system here gets stronger. Of course, the partner in crime who continues to be the rock solid support.

2018 A year, filled with ups and downs and surprises, some good some just like a bad dream. A year with loud fights and even rowdier laughter. A lot of game nights and even more biking on the lake.What a year it was!
Looking forward to 2019 with dreams, successful recoveries, more laughter, more travel, more gatherings with crazy laughter and above all more simpler times!

STRESS

Stress is defined as "a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances."

This sums up a lot of our days. Stress creeps in for a multitude of reasons- be it work, personal life, constraints on which we have no control over, over commitment, under utilization of skills and on and on.

Over summer, Sumit and I spend 10 days at a "Nature Cure" place and among other things we learned, the one element that had a lot of emphasis on was "de-stress" After those ten days, i felt calmer, my skin had a glow and i was "happier" aka less stressed.
I learned and got reminded of- One thing that is the key is "Less Stress"

And the first few weeks of being back to normal life were good, really good. I was genuinely less stressed, less running in circles and above all just calmer. And then slowly but surely,it slid downwards. One step at a time in the wrong direction.

And I didn't realize it until earlier this week. Calendar at work and personal life are choc-o-block. We are going through the motions of all festive celebrations, school recitals, work commitments and its all a lot of fun. Don't get me wrong, I would not have it any other way.
But the one element that is missing is "Just Breathe". I am not taking the time to breathe, to read a book, to take a stroll aimlessly. It does not have to be big. Just 5 to 10 minutes to just be.

And in spirit of following the cliche of new years resolution. Here is my revised definition of Stress

S- Simply let it go
T- Try to develop a workaround
R- Relax, breathe and repeat
E- Evolve and then resolve
S- Stay silent, sometimes letting that moment pass helps
S- Stress: Haha! Sometimes we are stressed about being stressed

Half Yearly Report

School’s have ended, summer has almost started and kids have hit their ½ year mark, the grand parents pampering has begun… so as always… here you go.

Miss V, the decade old lady with the wisdom of a century old person and the sassisness of a 16 year old!!!

This past school year she switched schools. So though she is adjusting well academically, musically and sportingly.. it has taken time to adjust socially. She has a lot of friends around her new school, she laughs, she cannot get through the corridor without the hellos and good byes, but she misses the deep friendships. And that's where her wisdom kicks in, she knows it takes time. So the wise lady says... lets be patient!

She calls herself a "Ten-Ager" now and that's actually true. Times she is a baby and will snuggle and cozy up and deep meaningful conversations and then there are times she gets all sassy and unreasonable and says "shut up" and gets mean. The dichotomy!

At times she will sit with her little sister and help her with math and challenge her to speak backwards and contrastingly, they will fight over "which lollipop is more pink!"

Miss V a list maker, a planner and her toughest critique. Being your own critique makes very driven- she will keep at it until it’s done! She will also get equally frustrated at times in the process. She is now realizing that the world is not black and white and hates that!

With the world cup now on, there is only ONE discussion for my budding Soccer Superstar!

The Conquerer

Little Lady:

I wonder how I put this nick name for her, she is true for it- Little Lady. She is a charmer, a pleaser, head strong and amazingly caring personality. Her empathy often leaves me dumbfounded and awe stricken.

Her latest obsession is with hair- my hair specifically. She will patiently braid my hair, play with them, and comb them. On a school day, she demands different hair styles for school and has gotten "better" at eating vegetables since I told her- it’s good for the hair. But to be clear, she still is a VERY slow eater.

Can I brag a little? She has started reading Harry Potter- I am not sure she comprehends it all, but has started reading it with ease now! She was Dorothy in her school production of "Wizard of Oz". From the shy kid to her commanding the stage is so amazing.

Oh man, remember head strong, oh well, she is a cute head strong. She knows exactly what she wants and will bat her eyelids, throw in an extra hug and get her way and you won't know what hit you! Ohh- and she can bike now WITHOUT Training wheels

Little Lady

Summer is here now in Chicago and we have sort of compressed them- We have hit the beach, plucked strawberries, drenched in crown fountain, biked Lake Shore, shared picnic in the park and even BBQ'd!

Half year mark has been wonderful and I am excited for the next 6 months of these little wonders until I start the Birthday Planning Cycles.

I heard at a comedy show recently: "The only person who you can love unconditionally is your children" and that is so true.... no matter how annoying, messy, clumsy these girls get. To me, they are MY perfect little ladies!

Chicago Summer

Welcome 2018 & Good Bye 2017

No I will not say, "the year went by so fast!!!"

What I will say is, knock on wood and count our blessings and above all, be very very thankful. The year 2017 is now done and what a wonderful and "balanced" year for sure!

2017 for me was sprinkled with love, work satisfaction, lots of memorable vacations, lots of milestones and changes and the ups and downs of life in general. And I continue to see the world with rose tinted glasses.

We traveled, swam with the whale sharks in Philippines, jetskied in Lake Syracuse, biked on our very own Lake Shore Drive and ended the year a memorable full blown trip to China! We forged new friendships, deepened a few relationships. Above all we thrived. I thrived. Of course there were downs, some hurt, some sorrow, some WTF moments, and some stupidity but for me a year is marked always with the "feeling" and right about now, i have a feeling of contentment.

Kids are doing well, they are now 5 and almost 10. They are beautiful and strong girls and above all happy kids! My husband continues to be my biggest rock and I smile at the end of the day! 

Our parents love us, respect our choices and above all knock on wood, are happy to keep their lives on a pause to help us out when we need them the most. 

Our siblings only get closer as time progresses. I have friends who will come in and take charge, pick up my slack and help with the minutiae details and above all just be there for me. And I only wish, I can do the same for them!

Of course "Getting Fit" is not just about physical transformations; it is also about mental peace. This has been a health wise better year for me. Working out at 6 am to sticking to my goals and above all not letting injuries take over my spirit (most of the time).  This year I learned, albeit the hard way, the concept of fair-weather people. As Sumit would say, about time! Onwards and Upwards.

2017, thank you for a great year! A memorable year and definitely a milestone year!

2018, I welcome you. I know its going to be a BIG year and I am scared, nervous and yet full of hope for what it holds.

Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead. Remember to smile, breathe and hug!

2016: Wishing you a Happy Balanced Year Ahead

Of course it started with our crazy (bad) flight experience coming back from India via Turkish Airlines, getting stranded with the two girls on foreign soil in winter for 4 days is no fun for anyone!

That debacle aside, I was a bit nervous getting into this year..... I still believe what you do on the New Years Day(s) sets a pace for the rest of the year... and this was not a good pace.

For once, I was the one who asked Sumit, no fancy travelling this year, I really was shaken up!

But the year went off really well and kept improving.

 

The girls are growing to be very fine young women now... if I can say so myself. 

Little Lady (Now 4) is charming and is filled with sillyjokes and fun anecdotes. Her highlight is always skipping around the house. She is one 'Happy Soul' 

The Miss Chatterbox (Almost 9) is getting more mature, testing our boundaries a little but still her passion for learning is infections! She is now hooked to Harry Potter Series and is finishing up Book 4. She is definitely wise beyond her years

Sumit and I professionally have had a change of pace all in the right direction. It's gotten busier for us, more challenging and above all more satisfying for both of us. Which is always a really good thing.

A few key highlights, a WONDERFUL relaxing Spring Break trip to Florida and meeting cousins in Everglades. The kids enjoying their summer in India while we traveled up here- Yosemite, Montreal, Quebec and Pittsburgh. All this with a life altering trip to the wonderful 'Leh and Laddakh'. The serenity of that place still mesmerizes me. There were a few more quick getaways from the city, but all in all a nice pace of travel.

We are finishing off the year to a lovely road trip: Chicago-St. Louis-Memphis- New Orleans-Nashville-Chicago

What do I say, travelling and trips are more for memories and really spending time with the family to enjoy, relax and learn something new

This year health wise and 'Getting Fit' has been better than last 2 years for sure. I went for my annual check up and even my doctor commented, am glad you ending this year strong!

Life has been good to us in general, we have parents who dote us and inspire us even today. We have kids who remind us that tomorrow will be even more beautiful. We have each other giving support, holding when we fall and laughing as we go along. We have wonderful friends who are there for us when we need them and are there for us even when we dont know we need a shoulder. We are blessed and happy!

2016 was definitely a better balanced year, what I learned is a Power of No.

If you really think that place is not letting you achieve your potential, say NO and have the courage to walk out.

If you really think that relationship is getting heavier, then say NO and maintain the peace for yourself.

If you really think your family needs something else, then say NO and do what makes the core happy.

To a more balanced year ahead!

Wishing you and your Family a very Happy New Year

The year of extremes, the dramatic year

2104 will be that for sure: The dramatic year!

Thankfully nothing extremely bad, but enough to take stock of life and count your blessings. Thankfully everything good was very very good.

On one end we were hiking on Volcanoes, swimming with fishes, dancing at weddings, engagements, road tripping, chilling with family and on the other extreme: we had couple of ER visits, car accident, calendar blocked with just medical work, more medical work. I have had MRI, MRA, CT and all poking and prodding possible. There has been lots of work stress, stress related injuries and in general just one day high, other day low moments.

But its me, its me always trying to look through it all for some silver linings.

The kids stayed strong, they massaged my aching arms, and they kept chirping around, they made the stress disappear. And for those blessed evening and weekend hours we get with them, all was forgotten and smiles ruled.

We danced a lot, we sang a lot, played a lot of games, colored, ate, cooked. Bliss.

Sumit, my partner in crime stood by me. On one hand he was making ice water bath for me and on the other hand he entertained the girls. He took care of both girls un-interrupted, flew alone with them and made me feel completely at ease. I can't imagine anyone making me laugh away the pains the way he did. He encouraged me to take another sip of water with 104 fevers, he cheated me in another round of exercise for the arm.

I guess timing matters, through my worst illness, my mom was over for her 'just like that’ trip. And it was perfect, well the illness not as much. I fell ill 4 days after my mom arrived. So for those three weeks, I was clueless about everything around me. It was my mom and my husband doing everything for me, the kids and the house. Everything functioned well and I am thankful for them for being around.

My parents, brother and sis in law gave all the moral support I needed

I guess through the thick and thin, it made me take stock of some friendships & some relationships. Some I called sobbing to in the middle of the night, some I just could not even pick up the phone to. Some stood through my weak health moments and others made it a conversation point. I renewed some friendships, made some amazing new ones and some I am letting them slip by. It hurts, but it's fine. So all in all, I think facing the not so good helps to see you more clearly.

For all of our trips and vacations this year, I happy to say we had a lot. I am content. Yes, you read that right, I am content, there could be no more, no less vacations. It was amazing reconnecting with cousins, planning, meeting friends after years, some after days. We travelled a lot and it makes me smile.

It's our thing, travel, travel with the kids, make them have memories of a lifetime and above all, chill and enjoy the moment.

But the year of extremes: I am done. I want a simple event free healthy year. An average year would be just fine!

 I am happy for 2015 to come, I am happy for the new beginnings, I am happy to say adieu for a year dotted with drama and happy memories.