Day - 2. Where would you like to be in 10 years

Where would I like to be in 10 years. Tough question actually.

There was a time I actually had answers to questions like the one I have to blog on for the Day-2 Blog challenge.

This was probably a decade back. The learning's I've had over the past few years has taught me, life changes and HOW!

So, my honest answer to this one would be, I'd like to be at peace and be happy with whatever I am doing. I'm not sure where I'll be or what I may be doing, but one thing I want to be is 'Content.

If I can really think of any other thing I can try and acheive, that would be to wish to have covered atleast 10% of the World. [I stand at 4% covered today, thanks to TripAdvisor's calculation! :D] See places, learn and Live. That is one goal I need to be dependent on myself, so it's easier to aim that.

For the rest, even I'll wait to see where the years take me.

Day 1 - My current relationship. If Single discuss being Single

So my relationship status is single...and am [still!] unsure whether to mingle or not.

How is it being single?

Being single feels like an abstract painting... which is beautiful and represents completeness in its own right- IF you understand it; but can also be given definite understandable form by adding a few strokes where required. But this can either enhance the painting...or maybe ruin it.

That's a risk only to be discovered after taking it. 

And I haven't found anyone whom I'm comfortable to hand over the brush of my life's canvas.

Being single is fine most of the times as I have learnt to depend on myself for most things. But ofcourse, who does not like to feel special? There are times you do miss a partner. 

And that is somethng I know for a fact, that happens in every situation when the grass definitely looks greener on the other side. 

If I find someone whom I can trust enough, I'd be more than happy to change status - Trust being the catch word. Else I don't see the need of a forced compromise. 

At the end of the day, single or mingled, one has to be at peace with the self. Isin't it?

Prelude to the 15 day Blog Challenge

So my currently dull mind wants to get back to blogging. While I was thinking on what to start off with, I seemed to remember quite a few bloggers whom I used to follow, doing month long Blog marathons. [Yea.. quite a jump from One topic to Thirty topics!] While the idea seemed dismissive the moment it came.. the self-challenger that I am, I got pulled to it and the dare to take up the challenge seemed more tempting.

After all, I am sure going to benefit from it!

So here I am, taking the first step in the 15 day long endeavor. Lets see how it goes. Me also thinks, this will help me discipline self.. as my discipline with self has also been in the decline lately.. and I'm pretty certain to prod this path to win!

Found on the web an interesting image with Blog topics for 30 days, which is attached; from which I'm going to attempt any 15. Will not skip the first one.. :P  .. but choose from the rest to what gets my mind ticking immediately.

I shall update daily blogs here, so that they're easier to reach.

For now, wishing self luck and itching to kick off!

Day 1: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.in/2014/01/day-1-my-current-relationship-if-single.html'
Day 2: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-2-where-would-you-like-to-be-in-10.html'
Day 3: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-3-top-5-pet-peeves_17.html'
Day 4: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-4-your-views-on-religion.html
Day 5: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-5-my-zodiac-sign-and-if-i-think-it.html
Day 6: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/putting-my-ipod-on-shuffle-and-noting.html
Day 7: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-7-how-important-i-think-education-is_23.html
Day 8: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-8-if-i-had-1000000-to-spend-how.html
Day 9: 'http://biraj3vedi.blogspot.com/2014/01/day-9-post-5-pictures-of-famous-people.html'

Best 9 Travel Imprints of 2013

Last year I really travelled. I can say it was my best travel year till date. And I collected a whole lot of experiences along the way. There were many moments.. but there were few very impressionable moments, I wanted to jot down. Here's the top 9 Travel moments of last years travels:

• Leaving Visa documents in the luggage on entering Srilanka. As we got off the flight, I realised I had left the Visa documents in the luggage and we could not collect luggage without clearing immigration. At 2:30 AM, you really are not in the most aware senses. Thankfully, I don't let panic take control of me and I found a way out to deal with this situation. The lesson is going to stay with me.
• SriLanka again. For some reason I thought our departure was at 11:00 AM and had set my alarm to wake up in accordance. Again for some reason after I woke up, I checked the tickets and to my horrerest horror, my flight was at 9:00 AM! I almost lost balance...not only because it was already 6:30 and I was in the danger zone of missing my flight.. but because I was travelling with Mom and this was our first holiday together. I Definitely did'nt want any these kind of adventures with her. Only I know how we made it to the airport!!
• When I started for my Himachal tour, I decided I would catch the airport shuttle. I left for the shuttle point only to find out the shuttle stop has been moved from there! There on, the auto I took to the airport and literally making a run for checking in before I was late, was just a preview to what was coming ahead!
• MF Hussain day. Reached Chandigarh only to realise I forgot my lens. Went shopping for the same and tore my footwear in the way. I had to spend most of the day without footwear...till I could locate a place to buy new ones. I learnt I was pretty Ok after the initial 10-15 minutes. One thing I sure  learnt from it was the more you give importance to something, the more it bothers you. Not once did I get any kind of weird looks for being barefoot. Guess hardly anyone noticed too!
• The Ambala-Kalka confusion! I was to catch the Shimla train from Kalka and I ended up at Ambala at 5:40 in the morning due to some horrible confusion. How I made it to Kalka is an adventure memory! :D The driver to my cab was heaven-sent! 
• The walk that I took from Naddi to Mcloedganj on a mistaken bus route from Dharamsala. A 2 kms walk, it was a very quiet one. I was a lone walker for quite a few patches. Time was still and so was my heart. I felt one with nature...one with that fleeting elusive inner calm that dawns on us very rarely... and also felt very minuscule when I realised how tiny we really are in this Huge world.
• Dalhousie - I was strolling away at my pace enjoying the quite evening Sun again and taking pics of the beautiful sceneries a little outside the main town. [I was walking back to my hotel from the adventure sports place] .. till I was scared by a cab driver to rush to my hotel as there was a chance of meeting a Bear. I literally Ran for my life..almost for 1.5 kms on that Ghat road. My mind has 'Beared' this up forever! 
• The first time I paid extra luggage for a flight. :( I didn't want to carry any luggage in the cabin.. so packed everything and went for clearing. At Chandigarh airport strangely, they asked me to pay for the extra 5 kgs.. even though I wasn't carrying any in the cabin. And I could'nt carry that particular bag in the cabin as it had stuff like pocket scissors etc..which obviously isin't allowed in the cabin. Paid quite a bit of extra luggage...
• The last to note memorable memory would be from the weekend trip to Jog falls. The Jeep ride from Kodachadri to Base. The trek itself was very memorable.. but the Jeep ride down was something else. The Jeep driver, how he drove on those (non) roads.. in the rain soaked wet paths in the jungle was a heart in the mouth yet -thrill-to-bits experience!

These were the best imprints of 2013.
2014, I await your travel imprints on me! :)

Resolutions 2014!

Its that time of the year I make resolutions. And I've been religiously making them from a while now. Yes, I'm from those few people who believe in making them AND following up with them.
Hence, there would be visible changes every year in them.

This year when I re-evaluated Resolutions 2013 at the end of the year, I learnt I had come a long way this year emotionally and physically too. I never thought I could pull off a solo 14 day trip. And That was something! I pulled myself up on that one a Lot. Definitely a task for me as I don't really move much when I'm back at base. It was carking at times if in case I fell sick anywhere.. Thankfully I passed my own quest.
Emotionally, I finally have started to learn to come to terms with my loss. Still a long way to go....but I started.
After the evaluating and thinking how I want my 2014 to shape, here's the list of the year.

1. Continuing with the topmost resolution of last year, will continue to strive to let go of pain of loss. 
2. Something that I implemented consciously last year - start following up on dreams. I did a few small/big things which I was reluctant about earlier but started just going for them and ticking them off my wish list. Feels Good! 
3. Will start cooking atleast one proper meal a month and gradually in a couple of months, progress to cooking four proper meals a month. :P
4. Reading. Somehow this was not on as much par as much I had wished for last year. Sure, I read. Lots. But the quality reading that has gone down, has to come up this year.
5. Start accepting a few things of myself which I had complaints about. I have learnt these traits make me the person I am. So, if I'm known as a no-nonsense person, try as I might I cannot become a sugar coated person. And everytime I try, a LOT of effort goes into it.. and yet I'm unsure if I was good. Not worth it. 
6. Not be 'perfect weight' obsessed but will concentrate on being fit. My extra-self & me aren't friends... nor do I want to actively befriend her.. but I don't hate her either, like I earlier did.
7. Spend less. I definitely followed up on last year's resolve not to get addicted to online shopping and its on a leash now. But savings help. :)
8. Follow my heart - Follow my heart! [Oh Mind, I SO know you don't agree! ]
9. Start something meaningful which adds value to me as a person.. and finally,
10. Travel!! Travel and travel! See places, experience life - LIVE!

Wishing everybody has a Blessed year!

The Year Gone By

This year was an impactful year.

Helped me grow as a person in a way I had'nt given a thought.

Though the first half was uneventful.. the seond I'd say was tangy! Tangy coz I did things I'd planned very well.. but there were something missing at times which took the tizz away.....
Just coz it's been an unforgettable year, I wanted to list down all the things I learnt, did which was new to me.

In the first half, to begin with I finally took Ma on her first international trip. Even though it was only Sri-Lanka, It's a start. It was such a bonding experience, that I'll cherish forever.
Then got a chance to the Western ghats with friends for a exciting trek over a weekend. Even though just a weekend, thouroughly enjoyed it.

Was feeling experimental one fine day & went and got my hair straightened. Such a wrong decision!! I already had decently straight hair, this over straightening decision worked bad. Would never recommend it atleast to people with already straight hair!

Entering the second half of the year, another high point was the visit to Pondicherry with half the family for another weekend. Family bonding was in prominence.

In personal wishlist, fulfilled a long time wish - got my first tattoo! Pretty glad about it till now. :)
Then went on a Great trip to the Himalayas. Two Super weeks! Though it wasn't just as what I'd hoped.. it still was GREAT! I'm Totally in love, awe, humbled, mesmerised, spellbound and magnetised with the Himalayas! I'm gonna keep visiting!!

The came Diwali and with it came a long awaited gift. It was the best weekend of the year!
Had a lovely start to my New years and didn't realise when the festive weekend was over already!

December came and I had another thing lined up for the year and today as I write this,  got it done today morning. I got my nose pierced. :D
Though was apprehensive how it would look, I wanted to since long.. so went ahead before the year got over. I think it looks nice! :)

Then on the personal front, broke off with some relations whom I thought I was emotionally dependent on and that had me crippled. One was located on a high pedestal. A conscious decision   which I was already late in taking.

A year of impressionable moments, a year of momentous memory making, a year of certain very important realisations.

2013, you shall be remembered for the lasting impact you made!