The only post that is keeping this blog alive! Here are the links to previous years 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
1.What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Worked in my home country with a bunch of folks who are all younger than me, I turned into the old annoying pointy-headed lady at work. Met a Bollywood celebrity Ranbir Kapoor and Indian Tennis Ace Vijay Amritraj. Tasted crabmeat after being a pure vegetarian for 19 years. Started construction of our house in Pune.
2.Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Here's what I said last year: (1) Stay fit – a giant FAIL I could find a million different excuses why I didn’t go to the gym but it comes down to my annoying procrastination gene which I need to overcome yet again, sigh (2) Master the Surya Namaskar – yikes another FAIL, clearly fitness took a back seat in 2010 (3) Start our house construction in Pune - yup this is a CHECK. But really, it was more the husband’s effort and perseverance than mine so can’t take much credit for this one either. Argh, holywhatthehellohmygod, so much for keeping resolutions.
For 2011:
- Get back on the fitness track especially Yoga
- Resurrect this blog and start to write again
- Take more pictures. I broke my dad’s camera in 2009 and haven’t really got a good camera since. All the pictures I take now are with the lame BB and that’s just unacceptable.
- Read books. I have to shamefully admit further down this list that I've read just one book in 2010.
3.Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friends - Seema had a baby boy Roshan; Des had a boy too, Max.
4.Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, too many losses this year. My aunts Lalima and Shankri, uncle Vijaykaka and a close relative Jayanth who passes away way too young
5.What countries did you visit?
Singapore, USA . Also re-discovered some lovely places in India – Goa and Kovalam.
6.What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Discipline, I try and instill it in my girls but I’ve failed miserably at it.
7.What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
Dec 24, we had a huge family reunion. The first we’ve ever had. More than 60 relatives all in one place taking about the good times and sharing memories. Met my dad’s eldest brother Dorai and enjoyed listening to him talk and reminisce about my father and his sense of humor. I miss him so much, the pain never goes away does it?
8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
What does it say about me if I can’t seem to think of ANYTHING to say over here? 2010 was a good year but personally I just tagged along for the ride. Good times were had but I’m still lacking a je ne sais quoi.
9.What was your biggest failure?
Re-gaining all the weight I worked so hard to lose. I am back in my size 10’s and it sucks big time.
10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, I did not but my darling Nisha had thumb surgery. She was diagnosed with Congenital Trigger Thumb which none of us ever noticed, until Tara gave her a good kick and we realized Nisha was born with it. Sorry Tara for yelling at you initially for kicking her, you actually did the wisest thing. Nisha took the surgery like a true champ and her thumb is all better now.
11.What was the best thing you bought?
My mom turned 60 and I bought her a sparkly diamond necklace and equally gorgeous saree if I have to say so myself. I know fully well that I’ll get both at some point (Yeah, yeah - shrewd!)
12.Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My grandmother Buddu. She looks after the girls with so much love and has become their best buddy. She enthusiastically went on rides at universal Studios, the rest of us were whining.
13.Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The Indian politicians.
14.Where did most of your money go?
VACATIONS!! Also, on the house construction.
15.What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- Mom turning 60
- My first cousin Andrea getting married
- Cousin’s and brother visiting India
- My girls starting real school
- High school reunion in Chennai
- Building our own house
16.What song/album will always remind you of 2010?
Tu Janne Na – Atif Aslam. Yes, yes, it’s a Bollywood track and you can stop rolling your eyes. This is such a catchy song and every time I launch Itunes I wind-up playing this one on repeat. The true Indianization of self has commenced, tan-da-dah!
17.Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Sadder
thinner or fatter? Fatter (DAMNIT!!)
richer or poorer? Much Poorer
18.What do you wish you'd done more of?
Yoga
19.What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent less time commuting to work. It takes me a good 1-1.5hours each way to get to a building I don’t enjoy being in.
20.How will you be spending New Year's?
In Singapore watched the fireworks from our friend’s apartment in my PJ’s. Then went to a mamak stall and had roti canai with iced milo, cheapest and best New Year’s celebration in my books.
21.Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My daughters. I spent the first half of the year commuting between Pune and Bangalore, it was a testing time for all of us. I spent weekdays in B’lore at workplace and weekends in Pune. Couldn’t have managed this without the support of family but we got through it.
22.Did you fall in love in 2010?
I’m going remove this question from this year. I have to think of something clever to say so why bother.
23.What was your favourite TV programme?
MadMen, still.
24.Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, trying to be more accepting this year and reduce the hate.
25.What was the best book(s) you read?
The only book I read was In Defense of Food - M.Pollan . Good read and reaffirmed a lot of things I knew but tend to ignore when I spoon feed myself Nutella.
26.What was your greatest musical discovery?
Bah, again, zilch. The CD player at home continues playing children’s music.
27.What did you want and get?
Wanted to move to my hometown Bangalore and I made it happen. Everyone in my family had to re-adjust to a new city/job/school and they did it for me. A thank you to my husband who knew this move would make me a happier person and he changed jobs and relocated. I owe him one or maybe 3049403.
28.What did you want and not get?
My brother getting hitched. He seems to be enjoying himself way too much to ever thing about it.
29.What were your favourite films of this year?
Aaaand another Bollywood movie – Ishqiya. Saw it after much persuasion from my friend Mark on the NYC-BLR flight and I must say it got my attention. None of the typical Bollywood mumbo-jumbo and rather intriguing storyline.
30.What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37 and my Mom threw me a surprise party!
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If my new job was something I enjoyed. After the break I took in 2009, getting back to mission statements/timelines/milestones does not seem to motivate me anymore. My daughters want more and more of my time and I am in a constant struggle to either open the laptop or read them a book. An option which honestly shouldnot be an option!
32.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
“Expandables” have returned! Boo!
33.What kept you sane?
Emails/FB Posts from friends.
34.Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm, can’t think of anyone right off the bat. Maybe Michael C Hall for beating cancer and playing Dexter brilliantly.
35.What political issue stirred you the most?
The massive CWG scam in India.
36.Who did you miss?
My father
37.Who was the best new person you met?
A colleague at work, without who I’d be eating lunch in the corner of the cafeteria, ALONE.
38.Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Family matters over all perceived indifferences.
39.Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
I’ll go with a movie quote this time as it sums up being back in Bangalore after 15 years aptly:
It’s a funny thing about coming home, looks the same, smells the same, feels the same, you realized what's changed is you.- Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Happy New Year!
