We recently had our college reunion in Dubai with our local “Vivians” who attended from all batches.

Reunions are a form of time travel, when who we are now gets acquainted with who we were then.

It was a nostalgic evening which took us back to the carefree days filled with fun,tantrums and memories.

Everything about a college reunion is a reminder of privilege – of having a chance to attend it in the first place then explore and experiment.An opportunity to be foolish together and then periodically reunite to forgive and forget.

The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

It was a delight to watch couples who have stayed together since college,grown up together to become finer couples.

While conversing with a friend you discover that some advises you had given in the past to him\ her which you may have forgotten has turned out to be an unforgettable turning point for the person.

Sometimes it also happens that people who touched you most deeply have no memory of that chapter at all.

Hence Reunions are important as they help you rediscover yourself from an old lens.

And now about the evening –

We had an enthusiastic Reunion Organiser Sapna who along with couple of others planned,executed and ensured the evening gets etched in our memory and hearts for times to come.

We had a cool and enthusiastic EMCEE

Joe Mohan who had really done his homework well.He successfully kept us hooked together and engaged us all evening helping us reminisce our college days.

The nightingale of our college Saurabh Ail with his melodious voice uplifted the moods of each one present.His voice and choice of songs left us teary eyed.He touched our hearts the same way he did decades back.

We had a DJ to our disposal who maintained his smile throughout the evening catering to each one’s choice of songs on the dance floor.

How can I miss mentioning about the team games arranged by our Reunion organizing committee and of course the gifts that followed.

Parties are never complete without food and drinks.Lip smacking appetizers to unlimited booze and a huge variety of desserts.

Last but not the least each one was given a gift at the end of the event as a token of love and memory we carried as we walked out of the party hall.

There was a flow of mixed emotions towards the end and no one wanted to leave.The good byes lasted long,there were hugs and promises made to catch up soon again.

The party hall became home away from home for all of us.

Summer break holds a special place in children’s life.

It’s typically the longest school break of the academic year.

It is the time when children can relax and enjoy their free time.A time to catch up on anything that was kept on hold.Spending quality time with family and friends, and also the best time to explore new hobbies or interests.

Some choose to travel,the ones away from home country make plans to visit home and rest choose to relax in their own way.

This year becomes special – Many would be travelling home after 3 years as Covid\lockdown kept us away for long.

Its been a long awaited emotional holiday for many.

Make up for the lost time,catch up on all that you missed.

It could be from milestone birthdays to anniversaries or anything..

When you are with your family you can recreate the day and make up for all those lost moments.

Do not let go the chance as we really don’t know what the future holds for us.

Can’t wait to be home!

Happy Holidays to one and all 😊

Be safe and Keep adding memories 🤗

The stature given to it is “God of all subjects”.

Good enough to bring in the additional pressure.

Math is not everybody’s cup of tea and that should be perfectly alright.

Mathematics as a subject brings in anxiety to many.It’s strange but true,even before the topic is covered in school, anxiety creeps in making it’s debut in your minds.

Many feel extremely nervous in a situation where they are required to do basic math. For subjects like English, marks can come from a variety of factors like creativity, spelling, grammar, style, punctuation, and much more. With math, there are few opportunities to earn marks because an answer can only be right or wrong.

Numbers and formulas do not excite everyone. Maths is looked at as an abstract subject with irrelevant figures that are difficult to understand.

Being nervous is normal but having anxiety is different.The main trigger to anxiety is letting this feeling of ,”I am not good in maths” make room in your mind which later triggers and makes you believe,“I do not like the subject”.

Why is there so much peer pressure for this subject?

What I feel is,how math is taught decides the liking or non liking for it.The best teachers can make you fall in love with the subject.

Math to me is different, it’s not just another subject but an emotion.As a young child, I learned to love math. My love for math stems from learning math from my father.In our house it meant father-daughter bonding time and we surely created memories of a life time in a short while.

What I like about the subject most is you can either be right or wrong. There’s no grey area. I personally enjoy this objective approach and the certainty that it brings in.Also there is no scope for speculation as everything requires an evidence.

New concepts rely on the old which you would have learnt in the past making it more interesting and engaging.

The joy of solving a problem which you initially felt impossible is unparalleled.A math lover would vouch on that.It’s a different kick that you get by cracking sum.

It never gets monotonous,each day learning gets more interesting and you look forward to it.

Math also teaches that every problem has a solution.

I would like to say I love the subject probably because I had the best teacher- My father -I call him a Math Wiz.

So don’t feel bad or dejected it’s just that you are yet to come across the best teacher 😉

The mistakes that happen in our life cannot become the ultimate yardstick to define us.It’s unfair to judge someone by them.

Mistakes are like the initial drafts we prepare with trial and errors hence it becomes important to wait for the final version.

Your mistakes aren’t engraved on any stone that you don’t get a second chance.

There is always a second chance,look for it.It gives you more courage,patience and wisdom to right the wrong.

When life gives you the second chance be grateful don’t feel entitled.

Take it as an opportunity to work harder and make things right. It’s what you do with the second chance that counts.    

That’s why it’s said ,”Your comeback is stronger than your setback”.

If I had to simplify this whole thing – I would say,”if you have a tomorrow then that’s your second chance”.

I have many flaws,scars and imperfections.

I own them,accept them and they keep me grounded.

It’s not that I didn’t try to fix them or perfect them.

I also tried and pushed myself like most of you would have done.

In the process of doing so I realized I gave it too much attention than it deserved losing sight of all the good things happening around me.

This flawed feeling in your head robs your inner peace and happiness directly affecting your confidence.

This may sound philosophical to you but love is the easiest heal.

Love your flaws,accept it and you will feel liberated.

Once we accept ourself the biggest battle is won.

We always mistake it by asking ourself,

“Will I be accepted?”

Nobody needs to accept you -You need to accept yourself.

My body,My personality,My life and My circumstances – they are all mine then why do I seek Your opinion and why should Your view matter to me.

Be compassionate to yourself,love yourself -Love should be your antidote.

We are all created unique and special.

We are here for a bigger purpose and what we call a flaw is just a minute part of the masterpiece we are ❤️

I am a Imperfectly perfect mom.

Sometimes I expect too much of myself and forget to embrace who I actually am.

By trying to be perfect each time I succumb to the pressures of becoming an overachieving mother to an extent I lose my identity.

I do not need to strive to be a perfect mom,I can just be a good one.

There have been some difficult days and I have managed to pull it off.

Why do I not credit myself on that little achievement?

Why do I overthink calling it a mothers job?

Why do I get so hard on myself ,mistakes will happen as there is no script for me to follow.

Why do I measure myself by an impossible yardstick as that will only set me up for a certain failure.

Now I tell myself let the standards slide I am entitled to my feelings and happiness.

I have my own style and I don’t follow anyone and at the same time not expect anyone to follow me.

It takes time to get to that wisdom.It’s a journey where your child grows and you mature as a mother.

I do not want to be a super mom – I want to be just a mom who is part of the family photograph.Any extra attention given to me directly increases the pressure of being a mother.

Happy Mother’s Day to one and all mothers ❤️.

Just be a mother (no adjectives attached).

You are the best your child has.

Do you pack surprises in lunch boxes- for your spouse or children 😊

Surprise need not always be a special snack\dessert.

I pack small notes for them on their special days and also on days when they are unusually stressed.

These are not long letters but a few lines of funny and quirky lunch box notes that would bring a smile on their face.

It doesn’t take much time and my experience says it has an immediate effect and has a long lasting benefit.

We do live in the WhatsApp era but let me tell you hand written notes still hold a very special place in one’s heart.

Unexpectedly receiving something special can be very heart warming.

A simple way of brightening their day and practicing a simple way of teaching them how to find and give happiness.

Some days can be stressful at work and you can just make out reading their faces – why not sneak an old picture or a memory which breaks the chain of stress for few a minutes and rejuvenates their mind.

If there is an examination at school or a cricket match -I can’t always be physically present with them but these secret notes can travel in their bags – helps them to stay brave and gives them the confidence that no matter what happens I will be there for them.All they need to do is their best honestly.

Well these days I get surprised with “Thank you notes” and lots of hearts ❤️

One shouldn’t be disappointed or feel offended by the first reaction or emotion he receives.

You are the party communicating but the opposite party will take sometime to process it.Instant reaction need not always be in your favor.It can be driven by a library of beliefs, biases, and prejudices of an unconscious mind.Many a times we regret at our own first reactions.

Response is slower compared to reaction as it will be based on information,facts and a conscious mind.

Reaction and Response may look alike but are very different.

Response may not always be positive but it will be backed up by both your conscious and unconscious mind.

Follow the pause technique whenever you feel you are about to react.Take a deep breath and then gather yourself fully to respond.It helps you align your thoughts and rearrange your prejudices.

This only comes with practice and needs a constant effort.

Since the year 2020 we adapted to a different reality, turning living rooms into offices and bedrooms into classrooms. The morning commute for the working and children could be measured in metres not kilometers.

Handshakes and hugs were banished when we needed them the most.

2021,vaccinations were manufactured and a large population was successfully vaccinated.

For the past two years we have led a life following rules abiding social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. We started celebrating new year within the comfort of our homes.

When we just felt that things are getting better and there once again we see a surge of covid 19 cases everywhere. Countries have started taking steps to target the unvaccinated citizens and are also running programmes to vaccinate young children.

We should continue to act as sensible humans\citizens and follow rules.

Post vaccination symptoms may be mild for you but do follow the quarantine because you may be lucky not everyone is.

Now cast your worries a side in a few hours 2022 will knock at your doors.

Though celebrations are muted this year also as the pandemic continues to ride the Omicron wave.Restrictions have been put in place to slow the spread of the highly-infectious variant.

God had a reason,he got us all together two years back and reminded us the simple ways of life and gave us the belief that we will fight it as one.

Asking for good health,good food,sound sleep,true friends and peace. These are my wishes for you as we enter 2022.

Wishing one and all a very Happy NewYear!

The last two years of pandemic has undoubtedly been a testing time for those of us separated from their loved ones.Its the hardest part of being an expat and extremely challenging.

It threw everyone’s lives into disarray and has kept us apart for too long.

Due to travel restrictions and bans we couldn’t make our annual trips back home.It was inevitably beyond our control.

Some of us suffered a phase of terrible lows including me.Loneliness and anxiety kept playing games in my head.

For so many of us, life stood still. Holidays were spent on Zoom calls and waving at friends across the street.

There was always an anxiety after learning a family member or friend has got tested positive till they got better.Loss of lives and not being able to be physically present in the final journey took a toll on the mental health and well-being.

Every phone call from home would increase the heart beats (not my people God -is all that we prayed).

Checking the number of cases everyday to the number of deaths had become an unsaid ritual.

Mornings began by calling back home and ensuring all are safe and it continues.

Now we make time consciously.

Back home in India where my folks live there are always network issues and I could never have a video call with my mom.It used to sadden me a lot.Its been two years I haven’t seen her.The only respite was she is safe with all the complexities she already has.

Now finally the time has come when I will meet her and hug her tight.

Yes,she is coming home and my only prayer now is her safety.

These two years have been really long and now these last 24 hrs seems even longer😊.

I am right now that kid who is eagerly waiting for the first glimpse of her mother after a long wait.

Thanking my uncle and aunt for coming along with her.Anxiously waiting to get together and make up for the lost time.