2014

If ever a year deserved a round-up/wrap-up senti look-back type post, it was this one. 

And that's all I can say without falling into maudlin stereotypes that won't begin to do it justice. So I'll stop there, and wish us all a very happy new year. 

May 2015 bring you more luck, more laughs, and more opportunities to throw caution to the wind in the heady pursuit of real happiness :)

Where we're going next

A friend messaged me recently, "Didn't you go somewhere else also after Europe?"

I did. I went somewhere else before, as well. Sadly or otherwise, I don't intend to blog about it all, mainly because I don't think there's value-add from my writing about places where I haven't put in the research time. But the question did make me look back at all the holidays A & I have taken since we got married. I estimate we went to more than 7 places a year... and that's excluding repeat visits to the same places, solo vacays, and visits to what I call the 'home' cities of Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad & Tirupati. (How did we get any work done? It's a mystery. It's been a charmed life, that's for sure).

We're putting all the air miles we've collected over the years to good use with our next trip. They're going to be paying for us to see Vancouver, the Rockies & Newfoundland in Canada. And after that, we're going on another very special adventure - one where we don't anticipate any 'holiday time' for at least a couple of years. Unlike our usual vacation planning ("Hey, cheap fare. Want to go?"), this plan's been obsessed over, on & off, for as long as we've known each other, and even before that. *drumrolls* A's going to be starting his own company, while I continue taking the rest of this year off to write my book. 

It's a bit odd - we've lived together in Toronto for longer than we have back home! It's going to be interesting going back, especially since we'll be going to Bangalore, where neither of us has ever lived full-time. A new public transport system to figure out, new furniture to buy, new routines to settle into. But I'm thrilled to be in the same city as many members of my family & quite a few friends. It certainly tilts the scales nicely. I've no doubt it'll be well worth it... if only because there'll be no looking back and wondering 'What if?'

Call it irrational, but in between being terrified, I'm actually kind of excited! The next three years are likely going to be the polar opposite of the first three we've enjoyed, but I have no doubt they'll be just as fun in their own mad way.

PS: That picture was taken at the Toronto Harbourfront last summer. We're going to miss this gorgeous city.

New girl who just happens to be in Toronto

I don't feel like I'm new to Toronto any more. I don't bother wearing gloves unless it's below -10 C. The only time I'm rude is when I hiss, "Thank you," meaningfully at whoever who didn't bother saying so unprompted. And I wholeheartedly see the appeal of patio time now, and will be the first one barbecuing when (if) summer finally arrives.

I do feel like a new person though. Long after everyone's moved past the 'new year, whee!' phase, I'm still jumping up and down. There's something about turning 27 that makes you realize there's a time limit on the number of crazy risks you can get away with. You're old, sure, but it's also your last real chance to be young. So I quit my job a couple of weeks ago, and plan to spend this year writing and travelling. 

Put like that, it sounds so easy. Kumbaya, etc. If only. My easy-going exterior is a total facade. This decision was at least five years in the making. It took my insecure, money-loving, uptight self a great deal of effort to put down my papers and walk away from the Job. I also don't recall protesting when my manager asked me if I could stay on for an additional four months after that momentous decision (bit of an anticlimax, that).

So what happens now? Well. A lot less whining about wanting to quit but not being 'readyyy,' that's for sure. 

I'm going to use all that spare time to... write at least one full length book, and many other things besides (such as long letters to old friends!) Cook loads, eat every single meal every single day, and fatten up my husband. Attend a friend's wedding, with all the happiness that entails. Catch up with people back home, in person. Travel through Europe, hoping for more of the 'woah' moments that Spain inspired. Take a summer holiday with friends. Do lots of long weekend trips. And those are just the things I've already committed to!

This year's going to be about no excuses, no compromises, just doing whatever I think will make me happy. And then being happy. Isn't that what we all wanted to be when we grew up?

Life's good.*

*If this post gives you an unsettling sense of deja vu, it's because I liberally borrowed from my personal blog. I apologize for the cross-pollination of this, and a couple of other posts, over the next week or so.