My Birthday

Its 3 days before my birthday...with some downtime at work and also life - today I went through my Facebook photos from the past 7 years.

There is so much joy - The people in my pictures, my smiles, the graduations, the parties, the achievements, the late nights at the library (trying to study pysch but actually focusing on learning french), the beautiful sarees, the wonderful friends as close as family, the weddings, the babies, the interviews, the jobs, the designations, the garba nights, the family trips, sister love, the "love/loves" of my life, my nieces, my nephews, the uncles, the aunts and soooooo many cities (Mumbai, Doha, Toronto, Male, Philadelphia, New York, Montreal, Chicago, Rochester, Tobomory, Geneva, Brussels, Orlando, Goa, Las Vegas, Dubai, Poconos, Cape May, Ocean City, Washington D.C,)

What an amazing life this has been. I couldn't be happier today, couldn't be more content with how far the last few years have taken me.

And here I was yesterday...crying for a stupid vacation, crying for a stupid break, crying for the next big steps...feeling insecure about my life

My birthday this year will be blast. It wont be perfect because you all (Cia, Amit, Aman, Nikhita, Raghav, Eric, Abinav, Valeska, Pooja, Sonal, Danish, Rishav, Aysha, Jiju, Alpa didi, Mohit, Rohit, Aly, Pavi Aunty, Valerie Aunty, Darsh, and above all Mom and Dad) will be missed -  However, I'll cherish the memories and move on to make new ones.

Highlight videos on my facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151595845678122&set=t.28131226&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=155974720493&set=t.28131226&type=3&theater

Need a fix

Sometimes you just have to trust that the wishes you don't ask for will still be granted someday...Looking back at the past week, I am a little embarassed at how much I ask for 

#stopcomplaining

#friends

Have an old friend and haven't reached out in a while? - NOW is the time.

Koi mujko yun mila hai...jaise banjare ko ghar...

Jise zindagi dhoondh rahi hai
Kya ye woh makaam mera hai
Yahaan chain se bas ruk jaaun
Kyun dil ye mujhe kehta hai
Jazbaat naye se mile hain
Jaane kya asar ye huaa hai
Ik aas mili phir mujhko
Jo qubool kisi ne kiya hai


Life is taking me to my next detination..NYC. I can't thank life enough for opportunities that knocked my door. Those that I waited for patiently. With a new place coming to me soon, I can't help but give myself a pat on my back...for my 3rd move and 4th city in 8 years.This has been a great decade. It has taken me to all those highs and lows one would want to appreciate in life. 

Jaise koi kinaara
Deta ho sahaara
Mujhe wo mila kisi mod par
Koi raat ka taara
Karta ho ujaala
Waise hi roshan kare woh shehar


Thinking about all my moves I also realized this - In my first move to Canada, I remember him going "give it a few more months and you will like it", at a time when life seem to be breaking and move to Toronto seemed so terrible. In my second move to Philly, I remember him telling I was going to miss my friends, but he would still make every day happy (and he did). As my third move to the city starts, he goes "I am so proud of you...go chase your dreams...its your time. "

At every stage in the last 8 years, he has been my constant. Quietly pushing me, showing to me that he is there for me. More importantly helping me believe in myself while protecting me against the heat and cold. 

Muskaata yeh chehra
Deta hai jo pehraa
Jaane chhupata kya dil ka samandar
Auron ko toh hardam saaya deta hai
Woh dhoop mein hai khada khud magar
Main parinda besabar
Tha uda jo darbadar
Koi mujhko yun mila hai
Jaise banjarey ko ghar
Naye mausam ki sehar
Yaa sard mein dopahar
Koi mujhko yun mila hai
Jaise banjarey ko ghar


Many times in Toronto, I asked myself...where would I ever feel home? When would it feel again like coming home like it did in Doha? When would I stop working at 7 because someone was waiting to surprise me with dinner at my dining table?

Thank you (though long overdue) for helping me find my first home in years...right here. In your arms.