happiness and food

There are two more months remaining in 2015 but I already feel October has been the best month ever. With all the things that happened, it feels that such a time may not come back again in life. Life experiences, love, joy, traveling and those little materialistic pleasures too made it a well-rounded happy month.

As I type this Gratitude List from Hong Kong, I am grateful for a lot of things this month and I am hopeful for even better days ahead. So, here is my gratitude list for October in no particular order:

• Clearing the test: The first Saturday of the month was marked for my driving test at the RTO. I was to report at the driving school and then once the documents were verified, the plan was to head to RTO for a test. VT had already left for HK so I was on my own. I was taken for a surprise when the driving school suggested that I should drive to RTO in my car for a quicker procedure and a stress free test. I know how to drive now but pulling out the car alone without VT and driving all the way to one of the busiest roads on a Saturday gave me a good scare. I am grateful for a friend D who accompanied me for moral support while I zipped across the traffic, parked and honked at those who were not following the traffic rules. Knowing that the guy sitting with you doesn’t drive was a responsibility booster! I am grateful for a day that went well without hassles and I passed the test. Learning to drive – check! Phew!

• Blog and writing: This month I bid goodbye to my free WordPress blog and the one you are reading is a self hosted one. Migrating gave me many anxious moments and scares. Posts, Stats, followers, comments – all done. Thank you Sid once again for all your help. This wasn’t possible without your support.

• Fan Mail: It’s an amazing feeling reading a fan mail. More so, when it is the first ever. Some one who writes to tell you that they love what you write and encourages in the sweetest way possible. Thank you ST, I am grateful to have a reader like you.

• Travel: Travelling to Hong Kong was my first international journey alone and though I wasn’t worried I wanted everything to sail smooth. Luckily, I met some awesome co-passengers and they kept me company. The flights, immigration, journey, food – all went better than I had expected. I even published a Monday Microblog from the airport and it was fun. I am grateful for a first wonderful experience.

• Food: In a foreign land, there are many opportunities to experiment and taste another cuisine but when it comes to three square meals for over 100 days, you cannot eat restaurant food each day. I am grateful VT has found a tiffin guy here who delivers good home-made north Indian meal. Having tasted that, I am sure VT’s days here won’t be as hard as I had imagined. Not just that – the complimentary breakfast and snacks throughout the day at the apartment are a relief. With muffins, quiches, tarts and yogurt – snacking is taken care of!

• The only thing that’s changed is everything: Isn’t that enough to say what I got this month? VT and I had been talking about it but to turn this into action was unexpected and faster than I had imagined. In less than a month of the launch and even before in India, I had this beauty in my hands. Well, this surprise was a shock as always but looking at it, clicking pictures, creating time lapses, the 3D touch and of course the color – I can’t stop smiling. I am grateful to the thought that sometimes it’s okay to indulge and not think of anything.

• Exploring Hong Kong: VT is here for work and I am grateful my organization supported me and was flexible with my work arrangements. With that covered, VT and I had a good time stepping out on the two weekends we were together. From cable cars to sea excursion – we tried it all. Hong Kong is a recommend for all those who want to see natural beauty, are interested in history and culture and want to experience the strong infrastructure of a developed nation. I loved our walks to the water front, the sky scrapers, first experience of taking a ferry to commute, visiting the Victoria Peak and of course living in the heart of Hong Kong. My morning walks provided me good opportunities to see the Wet Market and one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. Shopping – yes! Pictures – yes! Hong Kong, I will be back!

• Technology: Far away from parents, I am grateful there is technology that keeps us connected. I kept in touch with my Mum over whatsapp and Papa over mails, with VT’s parents – we were skyping and that was good. No long conversations on phone but still knowing that things are well is a relief.

Then that’s not all. I loved the terrace on the 4oth floor here. Once I day, what ever time – I was on the roof looking around the buildings, the clouds and the sea. Sometimes, seeing a lone eagle soar high reminded me that somethings are the same everywhere. Birds and their flights high in the sky. That light drizzle on some days kept the weather here pleasant. The housekeeping staff ensured that we stayed comfortably. The safe to walk city at any time of the day and the stores that filled up for our daily needs. The Pakistani guy who we met over the Wine and Dine Festival and many others who helped us around. As I pack my bags for my flight to Bangalore tomorrow night, I feel I lived these twenty days to the full and I will always be grateful for these days in my life.

With that I call it a wrap and now it’s your turn to share what’s on your list this month?

Linking this post at the Gratitude Circle and Alphabet Salad’s October link up.