January
I wrote ‘Guardians of the past’; a poem I believe is my best ever. Sadly I haven’t written any more after that.
Celebrated my 28th birthday with some new but great friends. The whole day was wonderful what with a treasure hunt organized by my fiancé JJ and my whole house being done up with flowers and candles by my mom, and my best friends Chandani and Inderjit.
My dear friends Manan and Namrata got married. Now that was a blast. 10 days of nonstop celebrations. Wore a halter top for the first time in my life, for his cocktail. To my relief and surprise it stayed in place the whole evening.
February
The movie Black was released. I went to see it with friends. It has to be one the most outstanding movies I have seen being made in this country. Most people cried in the movie, I on the other hand found it very uplifting.
Went to Delhi to witness an awards ceremony where a close friend Rahul Sehgal was being given an award for his work with animals. It was a very proud moment for me. I am lucky to have such friends.
Came back from Delhi and finally went to a doctor to talk about severe chest pains I had been having. He said they were most likely muscular, but he did stress the need for me to quit smoking and lose weight. I of course am still trying to do this.
Got my hair colored, something I have been wanting for a few years. Colored them red, orange and 2 shades of brown. My stylist did a fantastic job. I couldn’t believe how good my hair looked.
March
Helped conceptualize and put together what would be the first of many theme parties for friend’s birthdays. This time it was for Amit and the theme was Hawaiian. He was truly surprised and the party was a hit.
Finally started my blog. I went on to discover that I really enjoyed writing and seemed to have a flair for it. I chalk this up as being the best event of the year for me.
April
Was invited to join an online blogging community called ‘Dud Sea Scrawls’. It was wonderful to read the stuff that the bloggers here wrote. It was also very exhilarating to be welcomed there so warmly and to read the wonderful comments they posted on my work.
Made my first ad hoc meal. I have always wanted to cook and enjoy it thoroughly. I could never cook without recipes and lots of pre-planning. Then one evening I had no choice and made a meal from what I had handy. It turned out really well and since then my confidence has grown immensely.
June
JJ got a job in Dubai and quit the army. This change was a nerve racking experience for him. I did my best to be there for him, including accompanying him to Delhi where he put in his papers. Thinking back I think he is happy with the decision.
Got news that one of my oldest friends Viral and his wife Vaishalli were expecting their first child. Technically they were the first to be married in all the friends. It was wonderful to hear this development.
J. K. Rowling released the 6th Harry Potter book; ‘The Half–blood Prince’. I am an avid follower of the child wizard’s tale. I think this was her darkest, most intense book and clearly the best of the lot.
Saw the movie ‘Parineeta’. What a splendid movie, with a soundtrack to match. The actors were perfect, as were the sets and costumes. Everything about the flick left a nice smile on your face.
Bought myself a 40 GB Ipod. I was waiting till a time when I could afford one and that day finally came. I can’t even begin to describe the incredible pleasure I got from this and am still getting. My music collection is up to 10 GB already.
July
The second theme party happened for Chirag’s birthday. The theme was Arabic and we did all we could to get the right props, décor, music, ambiance, the works. Dressing up was the best part.
JJ left for Dubai to start his new job. I didn’t know when I would see him next. I really wish I could have gone with him to offer whatever moral support I could. I heard the excitement in his voice and it made me very happy. Life had just taken a big leap in another direction for both of us.
August
My blog ‘A View at Friendship’ was published at Serene Light. I still find it amazing that they found the article nice enough to publish in an international online magazine. It was a great honor for me, especially since this was my first article being published.
The third theme party was held at my place for Inderjit’s birthday. This time it was all about the Italian mob in America during the 50’s and 60’s. Everyone dressed up so well, it was a visual treat.
A long over due trip to Sasan Gir, a lion sanctuary in Gujarat materialized at last. Sadly it was mating season so we didn’t get to see any lions, but we did hear one roar loudly and walk past our car. It can’t have been more that 5 feet from us, hidden by the bushes.
My parents and I shifted out of our house of 19 years. It was a heartbreaking experience for me. To leave all the memories behind, the familiar walls, the safety of home. Packing all our belongings and watching the house get stripped was even worse.
September
Traveled to Agra for the first ever AIESEC Alumni Conference. Spent 3 days with a 150 alumni and had a blast. It was so good to be back in the AIESEC world. I also managed to see the Taj Mahal; and that too at sunrise. The way it changed colors and picked up the light was spectacular.
‘Salaam Namaste’ was released. What a great movie. Full of laughter and madness and so correctly representative of what young urban Indians are like now. The last movie I saw that was like this was ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
October
Read the first 4 books of Ashok Banker’s version of the ‘Ramayan’. It took 8 days to read them all (average of 500 pages each). He writes very well and has made an old epic into a warm and human story. I can’t wait to read the remaining parts.
November
Over the Diwali holidays, I invited my friends over for an inaugural party at my new place. The house was far from ready and actually a mess. But I don’t think anyone minded one bit. I was very happy to share this evening with these particular friends. It meant a lot to me to have them all there that night.
8 of us made a trip to a quaint little place called ‘Sayla’. We were there for one night only. But what a lot of fun we had. I don’ think any of us are going to forget this trip for a long time. Many people enjoyed reading my travelogue about it as well.
‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ hit the cinemas mid-November. I went to see it twice in that first week itself. I loved the movie. The special effects in this one beat all the rest. I wouldn’t mind watching it all over again.
Got news that Manan and Namrata were expecting their first child. Stunning news, that came as a shock to them as well. But it was great. Now there were 2 babies on their way in the gang.
December
My best friend Inderjit got married to Tanvi in Madras. I was so happy for him, but he is mad at me for missing the wedding. I tried to make up by helping him put together a party here in town. I am sure it will take a lot more though before they forgive me.
At last we shifted into our new place; B 103 Goyal Terrace. We still haven’t settled in and the house still needs bits and pieces of work done. But it’s getting there. After a 5 month struggle, the result is outstanding. You have to see it to believe it.
Went for a family holiday with my parents, uncle, aunt and grandmother to Goa. It was the first time our family vacationed together. The weather was perfect. We ate great food and took advantage of the beach and sun.
And that brings me to today. I will end the year with a few friends over a barbeque. And tomorrow will start a brand new story.
Till then,
Happy New Year!!!
Have a rocking 2006!!!
