A few of my favorite things #1

I've been so cranky and moody lately. More than usual. I thought I'd take a couple of minutes to write down a few things that make me happy.

ENDLESS BLUE SKIES; DRIVING - WINDOWS DOWN AND THE MUSIC UP

(North Carolina to Virginia)

HOLDING HANDS

ARTI

BASKIN ROBBINS: PINK BUBBLE GUM ICE CREAM. MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP MILKSHAKES

Mom

Mummy is amazing. Where she gets the patience and kindness to handle all that comes her way baffles me. It has to be something inside of her because I lose it fairly quickly I feel.

With all that she is juggling (mostly alone) with family, work, and life humbles me. I am in awe. If I could be even half the woman she is inside and out would make me but more so everyone around me extremely lucky to have her.

As mother and child, I can be very moody and difficult, but she never fails to be a listening ear or a comforting hand. Even when its the most ridiculous thing ever!

Today, the way she took care of my little cousin Esha brought me to tears. I love love love my mommy. Esha has a hard time going to the bathroom - number two. She says it hurts but I think there are several factors that makes her hold it until it hurts. And then she still won't go! Mummy gently coaxed her and explained to her sweetly what she was feeling and how we were going to fix it. And then she worked her mommy magic while Esha cried.

Esha did feel better after awhile and thanked mummy for making her feel better. How she does things without flinching and at ease is incredible. I think I would have panicked! What to dooooo?! Would I have been so gentle? Or patient? I wouldn't have known what I was doing. But maybe now, having seen mummy do it, I too, will be ready when the time comes. I will always look up to my mom <3

Last day of the year

Today, everyone reflects on this past year and makes resolutions for the new. I'll just keep it simple - I'm thankful. I'm excited. Here's to another year!

At the house with family. My kiss at midnight - Esha :)

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." Kahlil Gibran

Christmas in the city

I spent the holidays this year with Pankaj and his friends in New York City. It's always a wonderful time - good friends, great food, meeting new people, a lovely city. I missed my Esha though. Crazy girl. Good to be home.

Now, it's back to job hunting and reality. I didn't think looking for a job was going to take so long. Hopefully I can find something within the next month or so. Kind of my fault for not having something lined up but I've really loved this time off. I guess it's the decision I've made.

It's nice having Mama, Mami, Ba, and Esha here. Esha is a cutie pie. She turns to me now and says "Shradha ben, I love you so so much". Then, she gets up and kisses me on the cheek. Random and sweet. I can tell she missed me while I was gone because within the last two hours I've received a lot of "I love you so so much", hugs, and kisses. She's just as emotional and needy as Arti and I! We have one mushy, mushy family <3

New York City

Being silly with Esha at home

When a man loves a woman

A girl wants to be loved with the same intensity as in the beginning. If that changes, so does she. If you can't keep it up, don't show it at all. We'll only think about what we're missing.

Okay, that was a bit dramatic, of course I don't agree with the "don't show it at all". But seriously, how about you show it once in awhile. That you still care. A loving touch, a kind word, listen to show that you're still interested. It's the little things. This goes both way.

Bapuji and Mummy gave a wedding speech this fall and Bapuji put it best when he said, (paraphrased) "Stop, take a moment to look at each other. Soak it all in. Look into each others eyes and remember how you feel on this day, at this moment. Now... now, try and recreate this moment everyday and what a love and life you will have."

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever."