Day 15: For going Back to Normal Life

Today, I am thankful for…

1. Having my life go back to normal. For the past few days, there seemed to be a little tension and even though I could sense it, I couldn’t do anything about it. Somehow today, it all just disappeared and things came back to normal. I had a fun conversation (not that the past few conversations were not fun… it’s just that today’s conversation was a LOT of fun! :D) and I’m sure both of us are going to sleep over the awesomeness that the conversation was.
2. Being able to speak my mind. I have always tried to avoid conflict and in the process, I ended up not being able to put my point across. But I was able to overcome that, and I’m happy to say that this time, I was not just listening to someone go on and on and on. I said what I had to, and put an end to the discussion.
3. THIS… This is the amount of fun we had yesterday. I couldn’t upload a picture yesterday, but I have one now and here it is!!! :)

And here are the gifts she got from us!!!!

4. The sleep I got. I slept only for 5 hours the night before and was up for 21 hours after that. So even the 10 hour sleep I got was like a blessing, even if I had to wake up in 6 hrs to have a short phone call with him (which lasted 15-17 mins at least and was totally worth the break in the sleep) after which I went back to sleep and slept for another 4 hours straight!!!
5. Having a little project work to do. Will update about it when I’m done. But it feels good to have something creative to do. :) :)

Day 14: For the Girly Fun

Today, I am thankful for…

1. The two and a half hours of “studying” (and that is proper legitimate studying) that I did today. It was fulfilling!! :)
2. The awesome afternoon that I had with my girls. Oh! And yes, she liked all her presents very much (we got her a ‘Flower vase painting kit’ and ‘Ceramic painting book’ from Hobby Ideas; a “Happy Birthday” cup and ‘Twilight’ from Crosswords.) I would’ve uploaded a pic, but the pictures are all with her. It was great to see her smile with awe at every gift she opened. It was totally worth it!!!
3. Being able to meet Ashish after a long time today. I don’t remember when I saw him last; somewhere around September last year, maybe.
4. Having an awesome, awesome dance class. We revisited the Hip-Hop sequence (which I was surprised that I remembered!) and practiced Salsa as well. I can feel the energy run through my veins every time my body starts moving to the tunes of awesome music. And I’m getting closer to being fitter! But if after the entire course is over, I discover that I haven’t lost weight or got in shape or (God forbid!) both, I swear I’m asking for my money back!! Seriously! :P
5. (Damn I’m stuck again… maybe I should rename this blog to “4 Things I'm Thankful For Today” :P) Hmmm… I finally used Twitpic to Tweet a picture… Phew… Saved!!! ;)

Day 13: For the Occasions to Celebrate...

Today, I am thankful for…

1. The enthusiasm with which I have been reading books the past few weeks (of course that means that I’ve been studying less, but at least I’m not sitting idle and wondering what to do. There’s always something or the other that I’m up to!)
2. The time I spent with Malika today, getting some goodies for our dear friend (who I hope does not read this before tomorrow afternoon, ‘coz it may kill the surprise!) I’m not saying that she won’t be expecting anything; after all she has been after our lives for the last three months (or is it the last six years!!!) to get her something for her birthday. So this year, we went a little overboard, and we hope she’ll like it. We’ll find out tomorrow.
3. The little baby girl that Malika and I saw at the mall today, who was so friendly that she smiled at each and every person she saw. She responded to each and every ‘hi’ that came her way and was constantly running around the mall with those little shoes that squeak with every step. She was adorable!!!
4. The planning we were able to do for Kanchan’s B’day tomorrow; the thoughtful stuff that (I think) we bought for her and the smiles that we’re sure we’re going to see on her face throughout tomorrow. :) :)
5. (And a post on this blog cannot be complete without mentioning him!! So I’m thankful for…) The patience that he has for listening to (and putting up with) my nonsense. I’m not just thankful, I’m ever so grateful to have him as a part of my life. :) :)

Day 12: For the Friendships I Share

Today, I am thankful for…

1. The wedding invite that I received from a friend today. Well, it wasn’t the wedding invite that was special, but what he wrote in the e-mail that made me feel nice. Here’s how it went… 

“Dear Nikita

Card is attached. I know its difficult but please do try to come for the wedding, especially remembering the long friendship that we have shared ever since the days when you joined and I quit EY Mumbai and our common interest in not taking interest in Audit :)”

2. The wonderful Sunday meal at home (I realize that I’m mentioning food everyday. But you can’t be thankful enough when you get to eat a delicious meal every single day. If I don’t mention it, it’s just not fair to my mother you know!)
3. ‘Telephone’… Yes, I’m thankful that the telephone was invented (Delayed gratification but it still counts) If it weren’t for the telephone, how would we communicate??? How would we be in touch with loved ones, and have conversations that fill in the gaps that staying away create?? Just how??
4. The support that I have from people around me; knowing that they will stick with me when they know I need them. Love you guys! (Jyothi and Madhu especially… Conversations with you guys make me feel special… really!) :)
5. This outlet that I have that makes my day brighter than it already is, on good days; and shines some light on days that made me start this blog in the first place. It has worked so far, and I’m sure it will even as days pass…

Day 11: For the Peace Within

Today, I am thankful for…

1. The great start to the day that I had. It always lifts my spirits to listen to good music in the morning. And then the spirits just stay that high! It’s a gift really… And when the day starts with that one phone call, what else do you need??? It was the phone call that woke me up actually... I would’ve slept for a good three more hours at least otherwise… :P
2. The awesome food Amma made today. I tend to over eat when Amma makes certain daals and sabzis. If after all the workouts in the dance class, I happen to gain weight (forget about maintaining it… and losing weight seems like a distant possibility when I gorge on food like this) I would blame my mother… the food she makes; to be more precise. I just can’t help stop eating even after I’m full.
3. The visit to the Balaji Temple after almost two and a half months. For the last two months, I planned every week to go to the temple, but somehow I wasn’t able to. Today I decided that I would go there come what may. I usually like visiting the temple during mid-morning/ early afternoon or late evening when there are very few people around, so the temple is peaceful except for the Vaadyaars (Pundits) chanting hymns which add to the serenity of the temple’s environment; and after I’m done with offering my prayers to all the deities in the temple, I spend about fifteen minutes in front of the main deity just sitting there and trying to meditate. When I visited the temple today, I swear I could see the Balaji deity smile broader than usual. I feel that every time I go there after a long gap between visits. It’s as if He’s happy to see me there. I felt peaceful! :)
4. The Maggi recipe that I got from Tanuruh’s place (the addition of garlic and pepper to the normal tastemaker masala.) Since the time I tasted Maggi made that way, I haven’t been able to relish its taste when cooked in the old fashioned way. So when I was hungry in the evening, I had an entire packet, cooked with extra spices (I amended the recipe a little to my advantage by adding and altering a few ingredients) and I loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
5. The alone time I was able to spend at home this evening. Apart from devouring on the delicious Maggi, I spent the evening reading and listening to music, which again made me feel peaceful!!!! It was a good day indeed!!  

Day 10: For Spreading the Joy

Today, I am thankful for...

1. Knowing that my list of ‘5 Good Things Today’ has inspired one of my closest friends (Malika) to make a list of her own everyday. Before going to sleep, she mentally lists five things about the day that made her day better and goes to sleep happy and smiling. I helped someone be happier! :) 
2. Finally being able to start studying today. I barely read four pages, but it’s still a start. And Auditing is quite a dull read compared to the other book I’m reading; which brings me to my next point.
3. The fact that I’ve started reading my fourth book for the year. I’ve already reached half of my reading score for last year, so I’m in a much better place (‘novel-reading’ wise). I finished reading ‘Twilight’ about 2 nights ago and started ‘New Moon’ and I’m loving it. Not that I don’t have a damn good one already (who’s just as dreamy and awesome... you can add dimples to that!!!), but I wouldn’t mind a Vampire boyfriend if he’s as sweet and sensitive as Edward Cullen. I’m just saying.
4. The early morning conversations that I’ve been having when I’m not sure of half the things I’m saying; but I’m having fun nonetheless. When I was fully awake and I recollected what I had said in half consciousness, I ended up laughing really hard. I remembered describing what I’d been dreaming just before I answered the call, and I described it in great detail (as if there was any doubt about THAT!)
5. (I always get stuck here. Somehow the first four points each day come very easily. But I have to put a little bit of thought and effort to actually fish out a fifth one!) Aaahh... I’m just happy. Nothing went wrong, no one screamed or yelled, I wasn’t late for class, I didn’t fall, trip or break anything... So let’s just leave it at, ‘it-was-a-good-day’ and I’m happy!!!! :)

Day 9: For the Beautiful Words

Today, I am thankful for...

1. The above average day that I had (which is anytime better than a below average or a bad day...)
2. The new songs that I listened to today (from the movie ’Ishqia’) that seemed to have a calming effect over me. I would love to listen to those songs over and over again!!!
3. The wonderful dance class that I knew I was going to have. Learnt a little bit more of salsa and also found out that we’d be performing this style of dance on stage!!! Yay!!!! Plus, I also wore a skirt to class today (since skirts enhance this style of dancing) and salsa shoes with heels to get the perfect feel of the style and it’s movements.
4. The beautiful words in which he described me today. He said I was a ‘Pole Star’ that shines ever so brightly and is distinct from every other star in the sky!!! :D :D :D THAT actually made my entire week. I’ve totally forgotten that I was mad at him yesterday!! :P
5. Being able to meet him today after a gap of eleven days (yes!!! eleven whole days). Sometimes it’s hard to believe that we both live in the same city! Or do we??? ;)

Day 8: For the Joys that Books bring

Today, I am thankful for...

1. The patience that I have that enabled me to not over-react, and thereby avert a fight that could have turned ugly if not handled properly.
2. The joy that making up after a fight brings. Unfortunately it had to be done over the phone. I would have loved to make up in person. ;)
3. Reading (‘Twilight’; that I will finish by tonight) that made me travel to another world and momentarily forget the troubles that I have in my own, and rejoice in the joys of others. I forgot where I was, or what I was going through; and was completely and totally involved in Bella and Edward’s lives. (Very helpful when all you want to do is not think about something that’s constantly at the back of your mind.)
4. The new class that I taught today. Since today was my first day with them, I couldn’t assess how bright and intelligent they were. But for a new teacher, they were very interactive and they responded; which helped a lot.
5. The anticipation of tomorrow. It’s the ’waiting’, the ’not knowing what’s going to happen’ that makes the unknown future all the more exciting. Mostly, I’m looking forward to my dance class (and maybe getting to dance with my cute instructor again... just maybe... I’m just saying!) :D

Day 7: For the Nostalgia

Today, I am thankful for...

1. The Nostalgia that brought back happy memories. After her birthday was officially over yesterday (i.e., past midnight) my mother asked Natasha if she had enjoyed herself. When she said yes, my mother asked her if it was the best birthday she ever had. She gave it a bit of thought and said, “It was one of the best ones that I’ve had so far. The other one was in 5th standard when Nikita and Meha had organized the party.” I didn’t even remember which one it was. And then I recollected her birthday of that year. It was awesome indeed!!! :)
2. The excitement that dancing brought. I always feel liberated while dancing. Until the last class, we were learning Hip-Hop and I had to put a little bit of an effort to actually enjoy it to the extent I usually enjoy dancing. But today, we started with Salsa, and yes; I love it. The spicy dance (as my instructor puts it;) the hip movements and the foot-tapping Latino music... just exciting!!
3. Being able to dance with my instructor (who by the way is very cute..) He needed to demonstrate the couples’ movements and the other instructor was also a guy and; I quote; there was no way he was dancing with another guy. So he called me to demonstrate the movements! :) :)
4. Getting to know that someone who is far far away from all of us (all the way in USA) felt happy when I buzzed him over chat; especially when he was missing all of us!!! 
5. Knowing that tomorrow is going to be special!!! I just know it, and I am thankful for it in advance! :P

Day 6: For the Music and Conversations

Today, I am thankful for...

1. The fact that I looked normal in Jyothi’s mirror. (The mirrors in Jyothi’s house make anyone look a little fatter than they are. So it’s a little disheartening to see yourself looking a little bloated if you aren’t; or a little more bloated than you’re used to seeing yourself in your own mirror. And the fact that I looked "normal" in her mirror, definitely meant that I’ve lost weight! Yay!) Okay, this happened yesterday night after I published the previous post. As I missed it yesterday, I’m going to make it count today...It’s a very silly thing I know, but hey, it made me happy! :)
2. The Live Acoustic Music that we had in our house on account of Natasha’s b’day. We played the guitar, sang along and had fun!!!
3. The awesome Aaloo Tikki’s amma made!! Yum!
4. The the short, but beautiful conversations in the middle of a busy working day!!
5. ‘Twilight’... it just seems to get better with every page I turn....