Let the holidays begin

The best part of starting something new and exciting is waiting for it to begin. It was similar when I had got admission for my masters and I had half a year to dream about it (which ofcourse never included nightmares of post course trauma). And now before I start swimming in the tension of being in a big new place, I can revel in the happy anticipation.

Since I started working, everything else has suddenly become easier and I have ten times more energy in general. I didn't realize earlier how much both B and I were caught up in my job search tension. Finally, the notice period is nearly over and this is my last week at the current place. True to tradition (of my leaving a place) my last week is filled with work angst of completing projects. But its not too much worry, three more days and B & I head off for a long weekend. Its been a-g-e-s since both of us went on a relaxed holiday or even on a holiday just by ourselves. Definitely more than a year! Which is why we have not chosen some super activity filled location but a much more laid back place in north-west England. There's not likely to be much to do and I am looking forward to the relaxed weekend of long walks, stay in a small cute B&B and cable TV (with no TV at home, I get crazily hooked to TV's in hotels!).

With more time and another person earning there's suddenly a lot of activity on the holiday planning front. The pipeline for the rest of the year is fast filling up. This Easter we are going with some friends to Egypt for ten days. I am really excited about it. This will also be the longest holiday I have been on which did not involve going home. So, ofcourse, there's a trip home being planned for later in the year .. and going to Cotswold or Scotland with friends who visiting us in summer. You can expect to be flooded with pictures, but till then, am happily off to dream about them.

Different perspectives

My place of work is a ten minute walk from the tube station. On the way there is a person who sells the Big Issue. I have started buying it from him regularly and recently started chatting with him each time I buy the issue. Today I hesitantly asked him if he would be ok with me giving him some old shirts (B has some shirts in really good condition, which he no longer wears to work because people here seem to wear only blue, white and grey.. oh and pink!). He said he wouldn't take it because he doesn't wear shirts. He used to wear shirts long back but after a while, he realized that buttons pop off with time and then its a problem because he had no spare buttons or the luxury of a sewing box with thread and needle. So now he only wears t-shirts and jumpers.

It seems so logical, and something we take so much for granted that I never thought of this problem. Once again it made me think of how narrow my perspectives are ... and how much we take things for granted.

And the fairy godmother granted her wish

Finally a new beginning with the new year. I did not expect the wish to be granted to soon .. but indeed it has. Now I have an offer for a job which is better is many respects and most importantly, one I am very happy about. Suddenly all the angst of last year has faded far far away.

I can't believe now how depressed I have been through much of last year. There were times when I didn't like going out much and facing the same questions about where I was on my 'job search'. I felt so low I wished to be swallowed by the earth and other such morbid thoughts. Thankfully saner times prevailed and I felt I should have a broader perspective and not be so hung about a job .. it was after all a job .. people have to face up to far worse.

Now suddenly days are looking brighter .. everything seems more relaxed. Life is going to be much tougher after I start at the new place. Its a very big place and work will be challenging. Its likely to be more competitive and I'll have to work very hard to prove myself. Commute is going to be hell.. and jeans have to be traded in for a suit. But at the moment, all that hardly seems a worry.

And just for perspective of how slowly things move. I had started talking about this role last November and finally the paper work got over this week. Totally amazes me! But I should not start cribbing just yet.. I'll leave that for later.. for today ..I'll just float in the clouds.

Something I liked

And so true in some sense. Here are the lyrics - quite funny.

And snow it did

With all the anticipation of snow, I hardly slept a wink on Wednesday night. I kept waking up every few hours and running up expectantly to then window. And finally at 5:00am I was rewarded! This time I didn't feel the surge of excitement as last time, maybe because I was expecting it .. or it was no longer the first time.

As planned we head out early to take pictures. We walked around and with some of the snow turning to ice, progress was very slow. B smartly hadn't carried his gloves .. so you can imagine the state he was in an hour later. I generously offered my gloves to him as he headed to office and I went on to take more pictures. After 15 minutes I was kicking myself since he must have been in a warm tube and now I was freezing!! More excitement as it started snowing pretty heavily and I madly kept clicking. The fun soon gave way to misery of frozen hands, getting lost and snow (turning to water) on the camera lens through which I managed some watery, hazy looking pictures. Well, I did find my way to a tube station and get to office not too late. And though I wanted to be home to some hot tea and dry clothes I had to trade it for wet sneakers and semi wet clothes and a long day at work. But it was a lot of fun and though I don't think next time it snows I'll go as crazy, I enjoyed the morning this time. Finally, some pictures of the 'heavy snow' (which btw created a lot of chaos!)

Everything looking so pristine. This is the approach to Regents Park

There were lots of others out with their camera's and people making their way to work. Can you make out the snow falling?

A cute little snowman near my office. I can't believe someone actually stopped to make this on the way to work. Which is likely to be the case as there are practically no residential houses in the area - actually none that I know of.

Maybe .. just maybe

... the weather forecast for tomorrow is correct.

'Heavy snow' is predicted.. that's about 6 inches of snow. I know all of you in the cold zones of US and elsewhere are going to laugh at this heavy snow. But people here expect everything to practically come to a halt if it really snows that much.

I am of course hoping it does now. It was -3 deg Celsius today and I froze on my way to work. .one one measly overcoat felt like nothing! It can't get much colder.. but can definitely get a lot prettier!I have told my boss that I'll be late if it snows since I plan to take the camera and go picture taking..to make up for all my missed photo opportunities last time. Don't think the alarm clock will have much trouble waking me up tomorrow.. now just hoping all this excitement is not wasted!

And finally

The long overdue 'Meme of three' tag from Nee

Three things that scare me:
1. Horror Movies
2. Fear of a loved one dying
3. Walking alone on lonely dark roads - thanks to all my years in Delhi!

Three people who make me laugh:
1. My moms mails
2. Characters of F.R.I.E.N.D.S
3. Tom and Jerry - ok so not people ..but whatever

Three things I love:
1. Reading
2. Music
3. Chatting with B

Three things I hate:
1. Living alone
2. Cable TV
3. My current job

Three things I don't understand:
1. How big brother is such a hit
2. How people fight in the name of religion
3. How some people do calculations so quickly

Three things on my desk:
1. My Our computer
2. A winnie the pooh pen stand - my favourite!
3. A small potted plant

Three things I'm doing right now:
1. Having dinner
2. Finally doing this tag
3. Searching for flights options for Easter

Three things I want to do before I die:
1. Climb Kilimanjaro - doubt that’s going to happen
2. Be in a business magazine issue on the top women in business - even less chance!
3. Visit Antarctica - as doubtful as above

Three things I can do:
1. Make the house look tidy in half an hour (doesn't matter that the cupboards might reach breaking point)
2. Multitask
3. Put my foot in my mouth, always! - figuratively, not literally

Three things you should listen to:
1. Live music
2. Your instincts
3. Good advice

Three things you should never listen to:
1. People fighting
2. Discouragement
3. Alarm clocks - rather wish you could never have to listen to them

Three things I'd like to learn:
1. Patience
2. A new lanuage
3. To play the piano

Three favourite foods:
1. Pad Thai
2. Dumplings
3. Nearly anything with paneer

Three beverages I drink regularly:
1. Coffee
2. Wine
3. Diet Coke

Three TV shows/Books I watched/read as a kid:
1. Lots of Enid Blyton
2. Tom&Jerry
3. Johnny Sokko and his flying robot

Three people I would like to tag:
1. Sunrayz
2. John
3. Chai

Thanks for the link.. loved the site. .. and here's something about me.

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