The Last Day of the Month - Bye Bye January 2019

     

          January 31st - 2019, it's the last day of the month. At the end of every month, I will review how my month has gone by and here is the synopsis for this month,


1. Read 7 Books
2. Started work out from last week for 60 mins per day
3. Meditated 5 mins every single day
4. Have posted a blog every single day


So far, I have managed to stick to what I had decided at the beginning of the month and I have finished my first month successfully. I am going to be posting about all the books I have read this month tomorrow in my blog.  Stay tuned!

Now, let's see how the next month - February unfolds!

The Movie -Manikarnika

              Yesterday I watched Manikarnika. As I sat watching the movie, I was so involved and transported back in time that I felt like one of them in the movie. While watching the movie, a few points dawned on me,

1. Manikarnika is Rani Lakshmi Bai
2. Ranki Lakshmi Bai is Jhani Ki Rani
3. A Great thinker - A Voracious Reader
4. A warrior par excellence
5. Sword fighting skills were extremely noteworthy
6. A brave woman to whom the duties and responsibilities came first
7. Courageous 
8. Progressive thinker 
9. An inspiration
10. Led by example


As the movie progressed, it made me feel that Rani Lakshmi Bai was an extremely courageous woman. She sets the bar high and emerges victorious each time. A big salute to this woman who fought so courageously and dies while fighting for our motherland.

Khoob Ladi  Mardaani,
Woh Toh Jhansi Wali Rani thi!

Lastly, a loud shout out and applaud to Kangana for her spectacular performance. 

My Take on Book # 2

           This book review is on the recent book that I finished - The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Divakaruni Bannerjee.

This book is from the POV of Sita and I must say the author has done a fine job in churning out this book so well. It's not an easy task to write Sita's view and make this the pivotal of the book. But, she has done it fabulously. Every chapter deals with Sita and around Sita. From what I felt, Sita was a very fine woman of intelligence and vigor. A brave woman who serves as a role model to the womanhood. 
One may have read Ramayana, but this book is a definite recommendation to understand the story from Sita's view point. 
Her ability to think, ability to act, and ability to stay calm is commendable. With grace, finesse and dignity, Sitama undoubtedly is woman to look up to at all times in life. 

Recommendation - High ; Do Read

Yoga - For your Heart & Body, Mind & Soul!

            For a few days I have been thinking of joining a Yoga Class. I went about looking for Yoga teachers and finally after a long hunt, I found one very close to where I live. I promptly called and found out the details of the same. I was satisfied with all the details barring the first month fee. The first month fee is twice the amount and I thought this was not very feasible for me. So I set the class aside and thought will come back later and see how I can work it out. In the meantime, I had very proactively picked up a Yoga mat. 

I had scouted for some apps on my i store and had found an awesome app for Yoga. Today morning, I woke up with a grit to start Yoga on my own and save some money. I woke up, spread my Red Yoga Mat, opened my new App and sweated it out for a good 30 mins. Believe me when I say this, it was a far better experience on Day 1 to be doing it on your own. I felt so good after just 30 mins of Yoga. Gradually I plan to scale it up to 60 mins per day and do it for 5 days a week. 

For all of you wanting to start, the best way sometimes is to start on your own. Go ahead, pick up that mat and start your own session today!

Things I Enjoy Doing

                This blog is a brief about what I enjoy doing. Here is my list,

1. Reading - This is the most amazing thing that I love doing.
2. Writing - As much as I read, I try to write.
3. Painting/Sketching - I enjoy pencil sketches and Mandala to painting. But I do enjoy use colors once in a while.
4. Jewelry Making - A new hobby that I picked up a few years ago in which I make a few pieces and string it around my neck.
5. Yoga - A brand new interest which I picked as recent as summer of 2018, but has hooked me on big time.
6. Sports - I enjoy Badminton and have been playing in since my high school. Table Tennis is another interest that I picked up and have been playing fairly well.
7. Journaling - This has been my companion from the beginning of this year. Let's see how this goes.
8. Movies - I am absolute buff. I totally enjoy watching movies.
9. Music - I listen to music all the time.

A few that I do on a regular basis. Hope to add at least another interest that I pick up this year. 

Take those Walks

            After so many days, I walked about 5.5 Kms. I used to walk a lot, but off late my walking had reduced. But today when I took that walk, it felt so good. I wonder why I had stopped walking. What I feel about walks are,

1. It clears your mind
2. Creativity increases on walks
3. Helps you relax
4. Calms an over active mind
5. Some green soothing views

Now, I have decided I am going to take more frequent walks and will see how well my blocked creative juices flow from now on. 

A Few New Interests

Apart from my existing hobbies, I have developed a few new ones. It's just the beginning and I have enjoyed them so far. 
Let me name a few,

1. Listen to YouTube Channels - Intend to start a channel sometime in the future.
2. Yoga - New fitness goals
3. Maintaining a Planner - Being more productive everyday

So far, I have loved doing all the 3. I never thought I would like Yoga, but am pleasantly surprised to maintain my liking and interest towards this new found hobby. To top it, I have to add that I have a new Yoga Mat and yes it is in the color - RED!

A Planner - New way 2019

                  


               This year I have maintained a planner. This s my Archetype Believe in Magic 2019 planner. From Jan 1st , I have started to plan my day in this pretty planner and so far, I have done it every single day. At the end of the day, I tick off the checklist. I have a small corner of Notes section and I mention tasks that I intend to finish for the week. So far, it has made me realize that I get to plan my day well in advance and manage time well.
I hope to continue this task every single day. Take one day at a time and you will be able to tick off 365 days. 

Cheers to good planning days!

Band Wagon - Minimalism

             Off late I have been listening to a lot of people talk about Minimalism and it got me thinking. Not sure how much I am going to succeed, but I have my list ready as well,

1. Buy less footwear
2. Buy less handbags
3. Keep less wallets
4. Do not buy a lot of cosmetics to store away
5. Don't buy too many attires and keep it in the wardrobe.

So far, I have managed to be on track with all the above 5 points. Let's see how the rest of the 11 months pass by.

Once a'while - Pamper Yourself

            Today I decided to pamper myself a wee bit, and what better way than to get a Pedicure done. It has been a while since I got myself a Pedi, and today was finally the day for it. 
As I stepped into the Salon and made my way onto the Pedi chair, I began to relax. Soaked my feet in hot water for about 10 mins, before she started the routine. Pepped my feet, trimmed my nails, cleaned them, removed the dead skin and cuticles. After a nice clean up, she massaged with come cream and patted it dry. My feet had never felt so good in a long time. 
After that it was time for my fav activity, applying nail paint. This time I chose Golden and Pink. Yes, I love letting my second toe stick out. So it was red this time. After about 1.5 hours, we were done. 

Happy Feet, Happy Me!!

Tips on Writing

Here are a few tips on writing,

1. Never stop writing
2. Try to write everyday 
3. Don't give up
4. Maintain a journal everyday
5. Join a writer's group
6. Have a writing partner
7. Try to maintain a blog account
8. No writing attempt is bad 
9. Keep churning ideas to write
10. Just keep writing

The Beauty of a Flower

       Today we went to the Flower Show. I try catching up with the flower show which happens twice a year. The theme is flowered around Gandhiji this time and I must say it is as beautiful as it can get. Sabarmati Ashram is the main attraction and is made from white and red roses. It's a sight to devour. So beautifully made that my words fall short to describe this epic flowery built. There are varieties of flowers that you get to see as you go around. From orchids to petunias, every flower is a beauty in itself. Dandi March, Ba and Bapu, Gandhiji ke teen bandar are a few other non-flower attractions inside. 
An evening so well spent. All I can is I had a flowery evening.

An Enchanted Day

        The first time I read Chitra Divakaruni Bannerjee was at work. One of my colleagues introduced me to this author's books and from that day there was no turning back. I got hooked on to her writing so much so that I have read every single book she has written till her latest - The Forest of Enchantments. 

Today, she happened to be in Bangalore for the book signing and I wouldn't miss this chance of meeting her for anything. So I asked my constant companion - my mother and she was more than happy to oblige. So both of was went to the book store. I asked at the first store and they told me she had left. But that guy was so sweet to tell me which store she went into. I followed her into the next bookstore and lo, behold, she was sitting there with the warmest smile. I was so elated to see her that I walked up to her and introduced myself and had a lovely brief conversation. I asked her for a photograph and she very kindly agreed. I picked up her book, which was signed personally from her and walked out with the biggest smile.
A day spent so well and enchanted!

Now, its time to embark upon the journey with Sita in her latest novel!

Some memories aren't meant to Change

         After a very long time, I tagged my mum to M.g.Road. It's one of my most favorite haunts from school. Just walking down M.G or Brigade is always nostalgic. And today was no different. Hawkers with their goods, shopkeepers beckoning you to check out items, the memories remain the same.
While I was walking on the road, I happened to stop by a pick up a pair of ear rings. Yellow and red combination with a hoop. Then happened to walk into Soch store and pick up a sari. My mum picked up a sari too. We had a burger at Mc.'D and then walked to Commercial store. 
Overall, it was a day well spent and some memories aren't meant to change ever.

Movie Buff For Life

         I simply love movies. I have always been a movie buff. I watch movies in five languages - Hindi, English, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Recently I watched - Simmba. Ranveer's acting was so energetic and entertaining. I always wonder who much effort, time, money and energy is invested in making a movie. One Friday release at the box office declares it a Hit or a Miss. 
But Simmba was so entertaining that there never was a dull moment in the movie. My favorite is the remake song - Ankh Marey! The whole time we sat in the theater, I didn't feel the need to look at my watch even once. The in-between Marathi dialogues was so good that I fondly remembered and missed having my Marathi friend next to me to translate the dialogues. 

So for all you movie enthusiasts, if you have missed watching this movie- Go Watch and have a Hearty Laugh!

Start the Year Right - A Few Tips!

A few tips for the New Year,


1. Take each day as the only day.
2. Utilize the hours very well.
3. Maintain a planner.
4. Keep a to-do list everyday.
5. Try to plan the day productively.
6. Read everyday and have reading goals and challenges.
7. Pursue a hobby.
8. Think of a new skill.
9. Stop procrastinating.
10. Maintain what you start for the whole year.

I hope these tips do some tricks and here's wishing all of you a Stupendous 2019!

My Take - On Book # 1

As promised, I am starting 'My Take' on every book I read. Let's begin with my first book for the year 2019 - HEADS YOU WIN!

Heads You Win is by Jeffrey Archer. 

This author spins the most amazing tales that takes you on the most enchanting journey. This book makes you fall in love with the Character - Alexander Karpenko. The book takes us through two parallel journeys of Alexander's life. One in U.K and the other in the U.S. When one is at the crossroads of life and a choice has to be made,we choose one and leave the other. But we never get to know how our lives would turn out to be had we chosen the other path. With this book, Jeffrey Archer shows us how both the choices would have worked out. When one choice is made, how would the other choice have been. So, embark upon this parallel journey, for this book is an absolute delight to the readers. 

My Take: Absolutely Amazing Read- High Recommendation!

My Reads So Far - Mid Month - Jan

So this year, I have decided to start a Reading Challenge for myself and my goal is 50 books for the year. So here is the list I have read so far,

1. Heads You Win
2. Relation 
3. Emotionships
4. Don't Tell the Governor

I am reading my 5th book - The SeaGull. 

My bucket List of Books for 2019

So far I have made a list of books that I want to read in 2019 and thought will share it. Here is the my list,

1. The Invisible Gorilla
2. The Forest of Enchantments
3. When Breath becomes Air
4. I will not die and Unlived Life
5. Persepolis
6. The 5AM Club
7. Becoming
8. Mrs. Hemingway
9. The 3 Secret Cities
10. Kohinoor

I hope to finish my list and keep adding to it as and when I come across a good book .

A Spiritual Awakening - Part 2

               In continuation to yesterday's blog, here are a few more eye openers from the book,

1. There are 114 major Chakras in the system.
2. 2 out of 114, are outside the physical body 
3. Out of 112, only 108 can be actually worked upon.
4. The remaining 4 just flower as a consequence.
5. 108 is manifested in the human system, because it is manifested in the making of the solar system.
6. The ratio of the diameter of the sun and the distance between the earth and the sun is 108 times.
7. The ratio of the diameter of the moon and the distance between the earth and the moon is 108 times.
8. The ratio of the diameter of the earth and the sun is 108 times.
9. Hence, the Rudraksh has 108 beads.

A Spiritual Awakening - Part 1

      Recently I finished reading Sadhguru's book - Emotion and Relationships. I found something written in that book so fascinating that I decided to post it here.

Its titled Cosmic Connect and the brief is below,
1. The word Yoga means Union.
2. Yoga revolves around 3 dimensions: Mastering the energy from the sun, the moon and being in tune with earth. 
3. We unknowingly spin with the planet and the calculation is,
Earth's equator is divided into 360 degrees. Each degree is further divided into minutes. There are 60 minutes in every degree. One minute for one nautical mile, so the circumference of the earth at the equator is 21,600 nautical miles. We take 15 breaths per minute, 900 breaths per hour, 21,600 breaths in a day.

Stop and think over it. It makes so much sense.

The next bit will be for tomorrow's blog!

My Take - On Books

I have always read books, ever since I was a kid. Finally, I have decided that I am going to give my take on every book that I read from now on. It is going to be titled as My Take  - On Book # and that way I will also know how many books I have read for the month and year eventually. 
In my next post I will give my take on the 4 books that I have read this year. Stay Tuned!!

Skills - For Life

       I enjoy watching YouTube videos and follow a lot of them. A few that I like had mentioned about learning a new skill for the year. This got me thinking. Hence, listed out a few that I feel should focus on,

1. A new Software language
2. Paper Quilling

Embarking upon a new skill journey with a lot of determination and excitement. If you have decided to start a acquire a new skill, now is the time.

Grow a Green Thumb

      When I was a kid, I used to see my grandmother have a lovely garden. She loved plants and trees. From flowering plants to fruit bearing trees, she used to be very fond of it. I used to go with my granny to the garden and learn gardening. For the longest time I used to enjoy digging up the soil, sowing the seeds, watering them and watch them grow beautifully. 
As I grew, gardening took a back seat. But, the last few years, I have gone back to gardening and trying to re-grow my green thumb.
Today, one of my aunt's closest friend had invited us home for lunch. At her place, I saw a lovely garden. So many varieties of plants and all so well maintained. To top it. she had a splendid terrace vegetable garden with chilies, coriander, okra, brinjal, curry leaves, tomatoes, french beans, peas, drumstick and carrots. She was showing us her garden with so much love and affection, it brought back fond memories with my grandmother. Just standing there on her terrace, I came up with an added resolution that this summer of 2019, I am going to have a small vegetable garden of my own and try my bit of luck at it. 
Good luck to my Green Thumb!

This Way or That Way!

        A few days back I was having a discussion with my best friend. We have a conversation every single day and we never run out of topics. So one such topic was the difference between LET IT GO and LET IT BE. 

LET IT GO - Is something we just let go off without trying to hold it back. 
LET IT BE - Is something we don't post mortem and dwell deep.

Now, it is up to us to choose in life. Different situations arise where different solutions are developed. If we ponder deep, we will know whether to Let it Go or Let it Be. Now when I face situations, I take a step back and decide what needs to be done. I do not believe in hasty decisions.
So Choose Wisely!

Finding Friends!

           It's a notion that we all think - Friendships and close friends are all made in school and college. As we grow older in life, we feel we just cannot make great friends. But it is not always, or should I say at least in my case. I do have my closest friends from years and I can proudly say we have survived the test of times very well. Practically grown together, all of us are extremely close and attached. But that is not what this blog is about. 
A few years back, I went to a gym which was close to my work place. The idea being I could come straight from work and exercise and I would clock in five days a week. So I joined and started coming straight from work. Well, I was the only one who used to go that far to the gym and most of them their were from the same vicinity. But that didn't deter my spirit. Since I used to hit the gym straight from work, I would have my make up on - which primarily consisted of only Kohl and Lipstick - to be precise Pink Lipstick. One evening as I was running on the treadmill, I saw another girl at the gym with the exact lipstick as mine. To say I was immensely pleased is an understatement. We both looked at each other and smiled. I got off my treadmill and walked up to her and started chatting. It was the most amazing connection and we knew right then that we would be friends for life. Not only did I strike a lovely friendship, but found beautiful company as well to gym together. To top it, we had the same trainer who for reason thought we were sisters- could be because of the lipstick. 
It's been almost five years and we share the same amazing friendship. So whoever said friends don't happen later in life are absolutely mistaken. We find and make friends in the most unexpected places, like how I found a great friend in the gym. 

Some Friendships Remain the Same

            This year I have decided that I will make it a point to meet all my friends more often. Social apps are helpful, but nothing like having a face to face meaningful conversation. It reflects a connection that nothing else can bring out. 
So with this ethos, I caught up with two of my dearest friends today. One I hadn't met in over two years and the other in over three years. Time indeed flies. But when we met, those years we hadn't caught up, didn't matter at all. The connection remains the same and the bond has only gotten stronger. It is so easy to pick up from where we had left off, effortlessly. The threads of conversations seamlessly form its own pattern without jumbling.  Unbiased, unperturbed and most definitely unique in its own way, some friendships are formed and meant to last a lifetime. 
I recently happen to come across an apt quote which said, " A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversations or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends are never apart."

If you have such friends too, then please take some time out for them and have these real conversations.

Ponder in Wonder - One Beautiful Line!

           As You all know I am a bookworm. This year I am already half way with my third book. This book is Relationships & Emotion by Sadhguru, which came as a high recommendation from one of my closest friends who is a sporadic reader. Curiosity got the better out of me and I wanted to see what this book has to offer, especially since it came from someone who doesn't read much. Lest to say, I wasn't disappointed one bit. 

Emotion & Relationship are two books in one. As I was reading Emotion, I came across a point that really got me thinking. The point was about attachment to someone - It said once you are attached , try to get so attached that there is no differentiation from one another! This stirred a very unique emotion within me. If we all dwell deeper, isn't it true that we are attached, but never completely attached and that is the reason why when we try to detach ourselves, we are hurt. With attachment, I-Me-Myself will never arise. 

Since I finished this book at the beginning of the year, I am going to try and I mean try really hard to adhere to this point in any relationship - Be it family, spouse or my closest friends from years. Let's see how this gets me going - Only time will tell. But, definitely I will have a follow up post in my blog few months down the line. Till then all I can do is make a sincere start and stick to it like a resolution.

A New Plan - A New Journey !

       Three weeks ago I was sitting at my aunt's place fidgeting with my Phone. As I  was scrolling Instagram feeds, I saw one of my favorite actors had posted a few pictures. I stopped to check what her post said. She had posted her pictures with 2019 Planners. I absolutely love stationary and her feeds showed a few very pretty things. As the curiosity bug bite me, I opened one of her feeds and lo behold, she had a contest open. I couldn't miss this chance.
I took a few minutes to respond to the contest question and posted it. I got off my phone after that and went about spending time with my family. 

After a few days, just before Xmas, I saw a message in my Insta chat. I do have a few friends who ping me on Insta chat and I thought it was from one of them. As I opened the chat, I was pleasantly surprised to see the message. Yes, it was a message stating that I had won the contest and was one among 50 whose response had been chosen. To say I was elated was an understatement. To make it more beautiful I had won the same 2019 planner. I did a happy dance and sent my response to the chat. 

I received my beautiful planner and I am posting the picture of the same. Super excited to have received this. A Big Thank You for helping me start 2019 with this pretty gift. 
Indeed Believe in Magic!!

Nostalgia - We'll be Counting Stars!

December - The season of holidays. From Xmas time to ushering the New Year, it is the season to be merry and joyous. Since, I have decided that I will try my best to blog everyday, what better way than a post on nostalgia. 
When I was a kid, we used to have pretty long Xmas holidays. I used to be excited since all the cousins would get together. A few bookworms like me would have the reading list for holidays ready and would wait to chat endlessly about books and a dozen other little exciting things. Perks of being a child. 
Xmas holidays time meant gathering at my granny's place. All of us to camp in there and have a merry time. Out of all the things that I used to enjoy, one distinct memory stands out - Counting Xmas Stars. During Xmas season, houses hung Xmas stars outside. Almost all the houses in my granny's vicinity used to have stars outside their homes. I loved counting these stars. It had become such a ritual that year on year, I used to count all the stars that I used to come across. To make it more fun, my mum used to count them as well. We used to see who has counted maximum number of stars every time. 
Even today, when its Xmas round the corner and I see a star, subconsciously I begin to count. I look at my mum and give her a knowing smile. 
Guess somethings never change in life! December to Remember. 

New Year - New Beginnings

                                                     HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!!

As we bid adieu to the year 2018, we usher in a new year 2019. This year I have for the first time written down my resolutions in my new Archetype Planner and I intend to stick to my resolutions. What better way to start than make my resolutions be seen on the social platform - like a constant reminder, so here are a few of my noteworthy resolutions,

1. Read 4 books every month - A grand total of 48, rounded off to 50 books. I have made a reading wall this year to see if I am on track (Check Preeti Shenoy's blog for more on Reading Wall).

2. Try to blog every single day of the year - Another grand total of 365 blogs to my blog post.

3. To finish my writing - A set of short stories that I have started and not finished. Hopefully 2019 is the year for it. 


Well, these are my TOP 3 Resolutions for 2019 and I intend to stick to it this year. Good luck and best wishes to all!! May all your resolutions come true!