25 Lessons I learnt while living alone in a new country

Having lived in Mumbai all my life, moving to the US was an experience.. These are some of lessons life taught me.

1. Develop a hobby. Preferably something you can do alone. (photography, running, swimming, sketching, yoga, etc)
2. Take on life’s ‘surprises’ with the attitude that there will be something positive for you in the whole experience. (either way you don’t have anyone to crib about it to!)
3. Invest in good underwear.
4. Learn to love your own self.
5. Stop being afraid of being alone. Learn to eat by yourself in restaurants and go to the movies alone. It’ll generally make you less dependent on others and also help you appreciate good company better.
6. Girls – always keep a fake story prepared in your head to fend off unwanted advances.
7. Its totally okay to cry. No one’s life is as perfect as seen on facebook or instagram.
8. Don’t be afraid to tell your family how much you love them and how much you miss them.
9. At the same time, don’t be afraid to share with them how much you enjoy the independence.
10. Wake up for the sun rise once in a while. Try to see the sun set sometime too.
11. Taking the public transport helps you understand the city and its people better.
12. Once in a while, read / write in your native language. It will touch a part of you that people in that place may not see often.
13. Not having a shower once a week is okay!
14. If you think you deserve something, ask for it. Tell the other party why you actually deserve it. Realize that you are most likely alone in your fight.
15. Take good care of your own health. There wouldn’t really be anyone to take time off for taking care of you.
16. Occasionally, go for long relaxing walks by yourself.
17. Make at least one real friend – one you can call in case of an emergency, a shoulder to cry on, someone you can trust.
18. Its okay to not be in love with someone. If and when it has to come, it will. Don’t let that affect the way you decide to live your life.
19. Indulge when you feel like you’ve earned it. That time, that moment, those feelings will never come back.
20. However, make sure you save money for a ‘rainy day’.
21. Stay in touch with your old friends. They know a big part of you and appreciate it too.
22. Learn to smile, say ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’ a lot more. It makes you come across as polite and courteous.
23. Once in a while, stay off electronics. Go to a park or the beach or for a hike.. and let go of all your electronics in the car. Play, run, get a tan (without a selfie on facebook!).. make a real connection!
24. Find a place in the city where you feel peaceful.
25. Be a tourist once and explore the city. That way, when someone visits you, you can actually give an opinion. Also, you would have then explored the city as a tourist and as a local.

Living alone and independent in a new country is challenging, rewarding and a life changing experience. Make it count well.

For the unhappy soul...

I took up the 100 Happy days challenge on facebook. I am on Day 57 and honestly, it feels fantastic.

This challenge showed me that no matter how irritating and frustrating life is sometimes, there are surely a few things in a day that can make you smile. Life isn't as tough and as complicated as we want to make it. Often, we are so overwhelmed by the problems that we cannot find strength to look for and implement the solutions. Sometimes, we fail to communicate, ask for help. There are times when we are just exhausted by the drama and the endless cycle of bullshit. It is definitely not the easiest time in the world.

That old phrase.. 'The grass is always greener on the other side'.. got me thinking once. If the other side feels that the grass on my side is green, then what in the world is stopping me from enjoying that! 

The philosophy kinda stuck. I decided to see what was green on my end. turns out.. quite a bit. 

Living in a beautiful city (Los Angeles - So much to see and explore).
Saving money for some excellent vacations. (East coast, Vegas, SF!)
Making new friends and learning so much about random things (Did you know that a chinese surname with 2 consonants implies that someone in their forefathers was like a celebrated genius!)
Learning that food is one of the best ways to know about a culture or a person.
Doing stuff alone, may be looked at weirdly sometimes.. but is oddly satisfying.
Realizing the importance of family and well, they understand your importance too
Understanding that boys, all over the world, are the same. Oblivious, Emotionally challenged.

So now, everyday is a choice for me. To brood on what I cannot control OR To accept it, not let it screw my head and show the damn world that I can handle my own shit very well.

2 months ago, I was sad, lonely, in a foreign country, struggling with personal and professional stuff.
I needed something to keep me going everyday. The challenge was just the beginning. I will recommend it to anyone who feels that they simply need something to look forward to everyday. 
It made me realize that I need to be brave and selfish for my own happiness. I am capable of that. And that, it is not a bad thing.

Grey Area

I stand confused and bewildered

All day long I sat and wondered

How it all began is a story

How it will unfold now is a mystery

You are more special than someone else

You seem what I prayed for at wishing wells

Transcending on to an all new level

From earth to sky to a paradise heaven

My heart and my head seem still unconvinced

My 100% to you has a tiny wince

We’re not just friends, I know that too

This grey area gives me no clues

I want to buy more time and age

To check if its an oasis or mirage

To know you more and give this a chance

To look in your eyes without a second glance

I am sure of your friendship and affection

But the love is wandering in random directions

I wish the future I could see

Friendship or love, what are you worthy…

Friends Worth A Lifetime (4) : Pooja

Some of the most memorable times with Pooja :)

Me and Pooja have been friends for the past several years... I dont even remember exactly when did we actually become friends.. but we became close friends in std 10th.. Mahesh Tutorials.. Part of the gang of girls who hated Prasanna sir!! Niyati and Sana completed the scenario... Life moved on.. college came along. But our friendship stayed.. It helped that her parents loved me and my parents adored her. It was like both sets of parents have 2 daughters. Yess.. She was more than just a friend.. a sister.. a guide.. a companion.. a friend.. a mirror.. a pillar of strength.. a shoulder to rely upon.. always there.. smiling..

There is no particular thing that I love the most.. The whole package is simply awesome!!
She's patient and always lends a ear to anything I have to say anytime. She can anytime manage to make me smile. We share the same values and thoughts in so many different things that its difficult to keep track of. We have cried with each other, we have cried for each other, we have laughed like crazy, we have done crazy things and always been glad that the other one was in it too.

Some relationships in life cant be expressed with just words.. Given any day, I know that I'll definitely have one person to fall back on whether i need a hug or convince my parents about my choices in life. Luv you Pooja for being that one person. Have a great bday!! (yeah.. its her bday today!)

The Celebrations in Words!!

The amazing stuff that has been written about Team India!!

Anhoni ko honi karde, honi ko anhoni;

Ek jagah jab jama ho teeno, Ghajni, Rajni aur Dhoni…

-          Singing in the streets last night

Rajnikant has watched India win in his dream last night, Today, he’s just watching the highlights!

-          Anonymous tweet

All the politicians @ Wankhede please note, that’s what a leader looks like # Dhoni.

-          Anonymous tweet

Saturday belongs to Lord Hanuman, and this clearly is his emphatic victory over Lanka.

-          Swapnil Parab, Lalbaug, Mumbai

After Sehwag and Sachin’s wicket fell:

No more fall of wickets, Rajnikant paddling up!

-          Anonymous guy in the crowd

Before the India- Pakistan encounter:

Dear Pakistan, we come from the land of KAMASUTRA, and have 277 ways to fuck, so just wait and watch!!

-          SMS courtesy Vishal Thakkar

Semi Final Teams:

Group A- Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka.

Group B- India

Jhundh mein toh kutte aate hain, Sher akela aata hai!

-          SMS courtesy Sandeep Rathi.

Pehle maari goron ki,

Phir haram khoro ki,

Phir baari aayi sita ke choro ki!

Bolo Jai Shri Ram!!

-          Anonymous SMS

A 23-year old drought that began in 1987 and kept ending fruitlessly every four years, finally gave India- a country of 1.21 billion people- its moment of glory. It all happened at the historic Wankhede Stadium here.

-          TOI

Asked for revenge for Dada's pain..and you gave it..

Asked for revenge for the nightmare of the burning Eden and you gave it..

Asked for a lifetime desire to see the World Cup in the hands of the person, who has been playing since the day I was born...and you gave it..

Asked for the chance to turn back and say: "Yes, Dhoni & Co"..for every "Yes, Kapil & Co" that I heard...and you gave it..

THANK YOU TEAM INDIA!!

-          Facebook status, Pramit Pratim Ghosh

For the last 21 years, he has shouldered the burden of the team. It is time we carried him on our shoulders.

-          Virat Kohli, Member of the ICC World Cup 2011 winning team

Sorry to disappoint you all. This is not for my girlfriend. It is for Sachin Tendulkar.

-          Yuvraj Singh, Member of the ICC World Cup 2011 winning team.

Emotions were running high. As soon as I hit the six, I was almost half way down the pitch and I thought I would grab the stumps at the non-striker’s end as souvenirs. But then I saw Yuvraj standing there and I was afraid he will grab that stump. I then told myself, forget hugging Yuvraj, let me grab a stump first. That confusion made me stand still in the middle of the pitch.

-          M S Dhoni, Captain, Indian Cricket Team, World Champions 2011.

As a kid, I always wanted to lift that World Cup trophy. All my cricket has been for that. On the way, several things have happened, several records and some achievements that have given me happiness. But this is the ultimate. The most proud moment of my career This world cup is for the entire nation. I am happy I could bring a smile to a billion people.

-          Sachin Tendulkar.

“Are there tears, in your eyes?” Tendulkar’s former Mumbai teammate Sanjay Majrekar, now a commentator, asked him. Tendulkar almost shied away, laughing. “I want to thank the team that made it possible. The support staff and particularly Mike Horn,” he said.

Dhoni, Zaheer, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Virat – they all lined up next to him pointing fingers at Tendulkar to tell who they got inspired to win it for. Tendulkar just smiled.

-          At the post match celebrations, Wankhede stadium, Mumbai, 2nd April 2011.

Losing a friend for love

Today I cry at the loss of a friend

What is now the beginning of an end

At first there were no feelings you say

Life was sunshine and plenty of hay

Plans were made to stay together

Friends Forever... Friends Forever…

Then came and hit a realization

Is this some sort of infatuation?!

Nah, Its not serious, you kid yourself

And silently watch them with someone else

But something seems definitely amiss

Something disturbing a perfect bliss

Your heart is unhappy, pinching you

Forces you to believe in something new

This is more than being just friends

You want more, is the signal you send

Confusing is the equation for all involved

Needs an ‘intervention’ to be solved

However there is a heart that beats

This is true love is what it repeats

You fall for it and screw great things

You hope for brand new beginnings

Some get lucky and last the distance

You believe you are one of them

The journey begins like any other

Few things to worry or bother

But it was friendship that was meant to be

Destiny will settle scores with thee

Things change when friends fall in love

You lose a friend when you gain love

This heart is very fragile you see

When love breaks it, a friend is what you need

You regret having changed the equation

You badly want to mend the situation

But cracks are inevitable in a broken mirror

Do think twice before changing gears

Friends are few and forever there

Value them, cherish them and take care

Love will tempt you and make you prey

And force you to lose focus and stray

Phases in friendship come and go

Do not disturb this relationship’s flow

Cuz awesome friends are rare and few

Don’t let love screw them for you!

Highlights of a brilliant night

The following awesome things happened within the span of 4 hours! :)

• PG A vs PG B … Who is the coolest?! (as if it needs to be discussed!) War of the classes!
• Filmy style meeting with Kaushik Mgr ;)
• Clicking pics in the taxi :)
• Hit the club looking awesome ;)
• 1^st cheers with my love of SIMSR :-*
• 2^nd hit with VT \m/
• Dancing with Saji, Jaju and Govind. B-)
• Emotional Goodbyes to Sukhmani and Risha :)
• Fundoo Freaky Dance with Vikash!! :-O
• Unstoppable bak-bak with Saji :p
• 3^rd one with Jaju and Saji \m/ \m/ \m/
• Getting Krishna to Dance (Yippee!!)
• Delhi vs Mumbai … Which is more Awesome?! Wars!! (Ofc Mumbai wins hands down!)
• Amazing friends who will not think twice before embarrassing you, to do something you actually want to do! (But are too chicken to do it!)