independence day

Here goes tradition -

Freedom from unnecessary and useless worry. From falling out of the bright side and missing the moment. From lost love, indifference, and settling for mediocrity. Freedom from second guessing, people who say one thing but mean another, stressing too much on weight gain. Freedom from missed chances, rollercoaster emotions, and expensive airline tickets for a weekend at home. That's Independence Day for Popi.

wins

Today was a day of answered prayers. Major progress at work, interesting conversations, free meals, catching the last train. Big wins or small wins - let's say thanks and celebrate these moments :)

first/last

This may be my most personal entry just yet. It won't be the last, but it will be the last about you. It's such a liberating feeling, and I am grateful for the strength to go through it all. The past few weeks have been about rediscovering. It's overwhelming and exciting - exploring new things, revisiting those forgotten. Forming new memories, creating new experiences in places that I can call my own. Moving in new circles, freeing myself from anything and everything that reminds me of you, of us. For a time there, I knew it was real. I felt your sincerity and I know you tried. But we can't choose the people we love so I won't hate you for it, if you never really got there. I'm not fuming mad, just partly broken. I think that's a good thing, because it gives me a chance to see the world with fresh eyes, as I try to move on and put that part of myself back together. People were surprised that I'm not devastated, moping and lifeless. Probably because I lost it already, and indifference started to take over. But I feel better now, and I haven't felt this way in a long time. You pushed me to the limit, and I tried to defy as much as I could. I am also to blame because I allowed you to do this to me, but in hindsight, it was something I had to go through, perhaps to realize what I am capable of. I guess I should even say thank you, because I know better now. This whole experience has taught me a lot, but most importantly, it made realize that I should always leave some for myself.

2014

Positano, you are my new Santorini.

==

"We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel next, to find ourselves."

- Pico Iyer

step out, self.

Good weekend spent at the beach, doing mostly nothing.

Great advice received - the people we care about have their own lives too.

==

"A little less than before."

- Broken Strings, James Morrison/Nelly Furtado

walk on.

Thinking and rethinking. What to do.

==

"You can only take so much, walk on."

- Walk On,U2

eternal optimism

Had very interesting conversations the past couple of days. Optimism spells all the difference. Someday, it'll be Paris.

==

"Optimism. It's not just a mindset, it is behavior."

- Larry Elder

diptyque

My boss, Wak, and I have been obsessing a lot about French culture lately. It started when she lent me this book called Bonjour, Happiness! and we found out we both had a similar fascination with the French. Two weeks ago, during our morning catch up, she couldn't contain her excitement about a new French find - diptyque scented candles. I was a bit skeptical and told her that there was no way I would pay that much for a small block of wax. She was insisting that it was well worth it since the scent wasn't anything ordinary and it lingered for days in her unit.

When I got to work this morning, I found a small big Rustan's bag on my desk with a note "Pouvoir chaque lumiere amene vous aime, la paix et succes. Joyeux anniversaire" (told you we were obsessed) i opened it and there it was, my very own diptyque candle in baies (berries) which is a perfect combination of roses and blackcurrent leaves. I feel so French now, and so does my apartment!

Merci beaucoup mademoiselle l'entraineur!

==

"A scent can trigger spiritual, emotional, or physical peace and stimulate healing and wellness."

- Donna Karan

step back/forward

It's such a privilege to have your birthday fall on a Saturday. You have one full day for anything and everything, and another day after to recover.

I had a pre-birthday dinner with my amazing friends and we waited till 12, had brunch with my siblings, squeezed in a short afternoon nap, gorged on unlimited cake and coffee matched with unlimited laughter, watched the sunset from an observatory and set off a sky lantern with a big wish, thanked God for the wonderful year that was at my neighborhood chapel, then capped the day with some comfort food dinner with K.

I wonder what 26 has in store for me. 25 started with change and ended with challenge. 25 taught me how to make better judgment calls. 25 constantly reminded me that I needed to speak up. 25 saw me grow significantly more than the past 2 years combined. 25 was an abundance of blessings. 25 is indeed one for the books.

Moving on to 26. More books to read, more stories to write, more things to explore, more lessons to learn. Time starts now.

==

"Do not want to see the road ahead. Go just one step at a time."

-God Calling

joie de vivre

Back on track. On a high, thank You. Joie de vivre.

==

"Drive slow, till we run out of road."

-Fearless, Taylor Swift