Another year has come and gone. Initially, I thought I wasn't going to do resolutions this year, but I guess it's nice to have some things down in writing. Here are some for the list.
2024 checkbox items: 1. A singular pullup, I swear I got it this year 2. Travel to 3 new places on the west coast 3. Learn one new skill 4. Read 10 books 5. Incorporate 3 new sustainable habits into daily life habits: 1. 10,000 steps/day on average for the year. I was at ~9,100 steps this year and would like to keep that up 2. Volunteer 3 times a month 3. Prioritize movement every day - gym, yoga, long walks, dance, etc. 4. Reduce social media time to 1 hour a day ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking back at last years resolutions: Some checkbox/bucket list items 1. Go skiing - tried it...realized that maybe it wasn't the sport for me.. 2. Get my first pullup - gotta carry this one over 3. Drive down the California coast - done! and the Oregon coast :) 4. Visit Zion National Park - check! hit it during that camper van trip through Utah 5. Make an oil painting on a canvas - success, lady in red sari, a few posts ago 6. Read 6 books - finally literate again, hit 11 books in 2023 Some habits 1. Continue to work out ~4 times a week - general success, pretty consistently going this frequently 2. Start to journal - nah.. 3. Continue to volunteer once a week - slacked on this one, need to carry it over as well 4. Start a better skincare routine and take care of my hair - finally making progress 5. Learn one new skill - slowly working on getting more financially literate, still a ways to go Resolution wise, I think this past year was a decent one. I prioritized health, hobbies, and experiences. I have been able to get close to the friends I've made in Seattle. I would like to have travelled home more often, but I guess that's what I get for living on the other corner of the country. Here's to another good year :) In other notes, we had a new years party at the Marar's
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i'm turning 25 tomorrow. it would be 10 years since i've been capturing milestones (and pebble steps) on this blog.
This time last year I was worried that I hit a quarter life crisis, and maybe I did. but this year I feel more content. Sure, I'm still navigating through adulthoods decisions and might not know exactly what the future holds, but for now, i think im doing ok. its a mixed feeling of gratitude, mindfulness and some (a lot of) anticipation. I am grateful to have spent another healthy year around the sun. I am grateful to have made the friends that I have in Seattle. I am grateful to have a job that challenges me but still allows and encourages the flexibility to pursue hobbies and to travel. I hope this year treats me the same way. I really don't know what my goals are for 25, but I think I'll set some up at the turn of the year. Hoping to finish the year strong, and spend some good time at home, and eat some chicken :) Here is a little dump from the last few months: (3 to be specific) Writing a few months later to document the packed summer. I've always known Seattle isn't going to be forever and I think my brain wants me to do everything I can before I end up leaving. I definitely feel like I haven't sat still for a while, but that's what the winter is for, right? A summer of hikes - 3 days of hiking in utah - Twin Falls with my work team - Camping + hiking at Yosemite with Sapna Chitta and fam - Lake 22 and Ranier with friends - Oregon coast A summer of company - Ammamma and mum were my first guests, back in June. No itinerary, just vibes and homemade food - and, for some reason, an antique car show. - Next came Matt and Brittany, who we celebrated Fourth of July with. Was great to catch up and have them in the city. And a few weeks after they left, they got engaged! Congrats! - Then was dev, always a fun time. I don't have many high school friends on the west coast but so it's really nice to catch up with the ones who are here. - Then Niyati and fam, haven't seen any of them in a long time so it was great seeing her. A DC trip is long overdue. - Speaking of HS friends on the west coast, Vaishu spent the summer in Cali and I was able to book her for one whole weekend. Between a bollywood night, liming around the city, dosas at a farmer's market and an overhyped lava cake, it was a great time. - Now that I finally have more family on this side of the country, mera farz tho banta hai to visit them. Knowing the travelers they are, I didn't expect to stay home too long. Some highlights:
- Oregon Coast trip, with old friends and new. Some more highlights
A summer of food need i say more A summer of hobbies - Finally started to read again, I'm literate once more! - Joined an oil painting class. The teacher is a sweet old man who is passionate about his work. He has a small tremor in his dominant hand so has to use his other hand to keep the brush steady :,) - Did not work out consistently. tried my best tho - Cooked a bunch, finally getting motivation again - Been dancing a lot lately. The minutes before I have to lug myself to go to the class are always weighty, but then I remember how fun it is to actually dance, regardless of the style. Classical, kuthuhop, bhangra, hip hop, line dancing! - Embroidered with Aisha! Fun but too painstaking for what it ends up being. Would not recommend this coast is kinda nice huh Recently stepped out of the comfort of the city for a true granola adventure.
Vivi, Mahima, Yasmina and I went on a camper van (his name was Striker) tour through Utah, hitting 3 national parks across almost 1000 miles. Experienced the grand structures of Zion, the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, and the red rocks of Arches. Here are some highlights: - Only slept in (or above) the van - the nights were cold but the company was warm :) - Woke up to the sunrise over a different mountain range every day - Tried to take a timelapse of those sunrises each morning but didn't even get one successful take :( - Learned about the concept of BLM land and how it comprises of 60% of Utah - Fought some bugs - Hikes many-a-miles. Was definitely a challenge but also worth the views. The camera just cannot capture even a fraction of the beauty. - Got pelted by hail at the tail end of the Bryce Canyon hike which ended up creating mini mudslides - very scary experience! - Hiked 3 miles on a trail that was shared by horses. Saw 0 horses but saw ALL of their remnants.. - Saw a rattlesnake about 20 feet away - Did an (almost) sunrise hike to the Delicate Arch - best part of the trip :) - My bladder cooperated for once in my life and I didn't need to pee outside - Saw some fluffy deer - Played card games with a headlamp - Had the most rewarding showers at each park - Figured that I was not quite a granola gal, but rather a cereal gal - good on the trail but enjoyed more with refrigerated milk Overall, I had a wonderful time and made some great memories. Hikes like this are so rewarding and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I guess the west coast has really got their geography down pat ;) After three years, I finally made my way back to India for a super short 2.5 week trip.
Determined to see the country in ways have I haven't experienced before, I initiated plans for a family tour of Kerala. It was a wonderful time with the rents and we got to truly see the beauty of the state. We had an entertaining driver who knew all the small pitstops and made sure to make the trip even more memorable. A detailed breakdown of the highlights: Kochi - Landed in Kochi in the morning and got to spend the day with Manoj chitan. - Bought a lot of jewelry from Goodwill - if only I had more occasions to wear them - Bought some sari gifts from Seemati, a big sari store in the city. Learned how to correctly pronounce banarasi - Explored Jew Town and the Synagogue - Ate a really, really good samosa (but everyone else said it was okay and I was just hungry. I don't agree.) - Toured Fort Kochi at sunset - Saw the Chinese fishing nets - Ate at the aesthetic Old Harbor Restaurant Munnar - Had great parambori and chai en route to Munnar - Went through a truly unique experience getting an ayurvedic massage - Saw the breathtaking view from Ragamaya at sunset - Pool + table tennis - mom is now a master pool player - Toured to the tea estates and had wonderful chai from the mountains - Saw a rock Katakali performance. Not what we were expecting but still entertaining Backwaters/Kumarakom - Explored the beautiful Coconut Lagoon resort - Had chai and snacks at from a local who was giving food from her small boat that she brought in through one of the channels of water - Sunset cruise with a live tabala player - Traditional Kuchipudi outdoor dance at the resort. Truly graceful dancer and a wonderful performance. Dancing to Bo Shambo was an added bonus. - Morning yoga - Experienced an open air bathroom at the resort - FantasTIC plantain coconut side for breakfast. I ate three bowls - Went on a subpar houseboat lunch tour where I had to work overtime to entertain the kids (aka parents). Had to eat sad sambaar while they ate fried fish. Wouldn't recommend for vegis. Trivandrum - Went to Kanyakumari Kanyakumari - Padmadamapura palace tour. Largest wooden palace in all of Asia, dating to almost 400 years ago and occupied by some of the first royal families of south India. Got an unexpected and very detailed tour from one of the security guards - Very scary and bumpy boat ride to the Vivekanandan rock memorial - Vivekanandan rock memorial - Saw Trivenisangam (only place in the world where three bodys of water meet - Indian Ocean, Arbian Sea, Bay of Bengal) at the southernmost part of the country - Had authentic filter coffee - Visited a very old temple on the way back to Triv, it had many detailed single stone carvings and hollowed stone musical pillars - En route back to the hotel, saw a parade of men hanging by hooks (religious reasons??) - Woke up early to get ready to go to the Padmanabhaswamy temple, known to be the Golden Temple due to having hidden vaults of gold totaling over $1 trillion. - I was told to cover up at said temple (for wearing a sleeveless sari blouse..) :( Bangalore - Surprise visit to Manoj Chitans place - Pet some cats Back to Bombay :) Here are my favorite pictures from the trip. There are a lot. Here are more: Mallu magal - Kerala 2023 - Google Photos Jan 1, 2023. Time to reset. Let's see what happens this year.
Some checkbox/bucket list items 1. Go skiing 2. Get my first pullup 3. Drive down the California coast 4. Visit Zion National Park 5. Make an oil painting on a canvas 6. Read 6 books Some habits 1. Continue to work out ~4 times a week 2. Start to journal 3. Continue to volunteer once a week 4. Start a better skincare routine and take care of my hair 5. Learn one new skill What a year.
Lot of memories from the last 12 months. Learned a lot about work, about this new city, and about myself. It was a year for real, forced, growth. Some positive highlights included:
There's been a lot to post over the last few months but seemingly very little time to do so. Let me try to make up for it now We'll start with Seattle. I can't say I'm used to this dreary weather yet. I'm writing this in the February: A very cute Valentine's day with the ladies April: Cherry blossom festival at the University of Washington And as always, food diaries
The week in Australia was nothing short from surreal. The wedding, the family, the weather - everything was perfect. Some captured moments below :) The beautiful wedding, starting off with easily one of the most magical pictures I've ever seen What a stunning couple, their kindness and love was ever exorbitant. I couldn't be happier for them <3 Now for some other less professional but still very memorable pictures Since we were only in Australia for a week, we had to make the most of it. Squeezed in between functions, the country brought out the touristy side of all of us. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some more pics: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NUp7Mf44CvYM7oDd7
I recently started to volunteer at a women's shelter on Saturday mornings. Although they are always seem to be a little short staffed, the interaction between the employees/volunteers and the women who seek refuge at the shelter is so beautiful. No judgement is ever passed. The guests are kind and respectful of the shelter rules and always say thank you. They are allowed to take as much food as they need. There are programs offered to get these women back on their feet. They set up parties and craft sessions for the guests to have events to look forward to. They have a weekly church service where a community pastor comes in an gives an inspiring talk. The few employees who have been there for longer know the guests by name, they know their stories. They know their responsibilities. One older women, who is partially blind, is not allowed to leave the shelter by herself, someone is always there to walk with her, until she is in someone else's care. The shelter gives all their extra food to a nearby non-profit hygiene center. It's a beautiful and inspiring environment. I've also never felt this kind of real responsibility to fulfill a role from any other job I've had. I hope to be able to continue this for the foreseeable future.
I also know that there's about 3 people who read this blog, but if you happen to read this post and would like to contribute, here is the link: www.marysplaceseattle.org/ways-to-give |
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November 2023
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