I am not sure what would be the right word for July. It was some where in between. Slightly disappointing yet manageable. Some things worked out and some did not.
Work was hectic and gave me enough hints to slow down. I reflected and realized that as I grow up in my career, I need to slow down to execute better. The messages came after I did a few things wrong but they taught me some good lessons. Health of parents on both sides kept me worried. I felt as if the cost of growing up is watching parents age. My phone is in repair and I spent two days without a spare one. I liked that these two days were distraction free but phones are more a necessity these days. I had no way to book a cab or call some one for help. And people at work wondered why my number was switched off.
Bangalore’s weather kept me happy all along. Clouds, rain and rainbows made me smile. Junie and books continued to be a delight. So, building on the happy momentum, below is my gratitude list for July:
♥ As my office consolidated to one location, I was upset about the increase in my travel time. It changed from 10 mins to over an hour. However, I am grateful that the journey to and fro work has been good. If you are in Bangalore or Kochi and you haven’t heard of QuickRide, please ping me. It’s been a savior for me. I have met a lot of good folks and I feel safe.
♥ Besan ladoo is topping the charts of my ‘craving list’. What is harder is trying to watch weight, working out regularly and having a hard time dealing with my sweet tooth. But for that 250 grams of happiness, I forgot everything and savored them.
♥ I met BC and MS for a tea catch up (yes, looking like I am aging too) one Friday after a long time and enjoyed our conversation. I am grateful that I have some good folks in life. We laughed and had a warm time together.
♥ My love for bella kaapi is growing. This filter coffee is sweetened with jaggery and I love it so much that recently at the Bangalore Airport while on a work trip, I walked all the way with my luggage to find a Hatti Kaapi counter. Happiness is a warm cuppa.
♥ I was able to make one weekend very productive this month. Writing a few wiki articles and scheduling blog posts for the week felt like a good accomplishment.
♥ Workouts, healthy meals and atleast 10 flights of steps a day have been going well on the fitness front. I want to attempt Oxfam in 2019 and it is important that I keep at the journey. Shhh.. let’s keep it tight for now. 100 kms is scary and will need a lot of hard work.
♥ VT’s father wasn’t well this month and that left us all worried. I am grateful that he was able to fight the infection and is now keeping well. Also that there were folks who stepped in to support.
♥ Our friend, MK met with an accident on his 2nd day of vacation and had to fly back. Still dealing with a lot of pain and a knee injury, I am grateful that he was at a place where he could get the medical attention. Accidents are bad and like my Baba used to say, some heavenly stars pitched in to save his life and keep things in control.
♥ We need each other and I have got a monthly list of people I want to pray for. Not as a ritual but just a list of people who I want to keep in my thoughts. Sometimes I wonder if we all do this for each other, there won’t be any pain in the world. Won’t you agree?
I missed clicking pictures, Instagramming and doing a lot of other things I love to do when I have my phone. But books have kept me good company. We went for a quick basic health check and I am grateful that both VT and I are fine.
I booked tickets for Diwali and this time I will spend a few additional days at home. I am already looking forward to all things food and some happy time with Mum and Papa. If C agrees, we may do Benaras darshan one day and I will get to wriggle some photography muscles.
What were you grateful for in July?
happiness and food 
This is an awesome list. I’m so glad you’re doing well on the fitness front. I think that filter coffee would be great for me too. Too bad it probably isn’t available here in the Netherlands.
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250 g if besan laddoo ? That’s quite a whopper Parul. But I’m glad that you had some sweet things in your life to iron out the not so sweet moments. Chin up girl! You’ll reach all your targets yet!!!
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Nice to read your gratitude list, can’t imagine life without a phone:) I have become so dependent on it as its also an important connect with my students at the counseling center… I ensure that it is fit and fine:) I can relate with the besan laddoo .. I too struggle with craving for sweet after meals… I am missing the pictures in your post and I loved your expression of gratitude, thank you for sharing parul.
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Sounds like a lot to be grateful for even with some of the difficulties. It’s tough watching parents age. I don’t see mine as often and whenever I do, it strikes me how that they are no longer as young as when I left home. Good work on the working out and eating healthy! The sweet treats are okay as life is all about moderation! 🙂 Hope August is a good month for you!
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I am always grateful for being alive and healthy. I know it sounds basic but everything else pales in comparison. 🙂
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I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for stopping by!
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Sweet and a spicy gratitude list. Wishing you a lot of happiness in the next month.
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Thank you Shilpa!
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Benaras Darshan looks cool and hope uncle getting better. Seems to be quite an interesting month for you with filter coffee, Quick Ride and catching up with friends. My July was pretty routine and same usual stuffs but August seem to be promising work wise! Have a lovely August.
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Aren’t these the essentials in life? To keep praying for one another and be grateful for everything you have mentioned here about July. Some of my July decisions have lead to failures too, and I am working on with some more. August will show me the results of my effort.
When it comes to health of parents, it worries me too much. Though my parents are in the transitioning phase to the 60’s, my husband’s parents are already there. 50’s and 60’s have become the 80’s and 90’s of yesteryears. At 83, I feel better about my grandma’s health(touchwood) than my parents. Sending you prayers and hugs.
I am glad you have a good option to travel to work. From 10 minutes to over an hour is totally an overload on travel. Right from my college to work, I have travelled for over an hour. That’s like 11 years in total. Too much time in travel, but those carefree days seem far away now. Now , I cannot think of spending so much time in travel. All the best with yours.
Happy happy August, Parul.
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Life is a mixed bag! Ladoo is necessary, it shows us the sweeter side of life. Makes life worth living. Haati Kaapi ? When I landed at Blr airport this time at midnight, I was delighted to see filter coffee at Haati kaapi. The aroma was tempting. Unfortunately, the long queue meant I had to let it go. Next time, I guess!
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Reading your list was a warm reminder of all things to be grateful for. I wish for you a peaceful and memorable August with more pictures than July 🙂 Hope your new office is as welcoming and cheerful as the old one.
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Oh dear, I know exactly how you feel. Watching our parents grow old is hard. But I guess that is the circle of life. As much as we might want to, we cannot avoid it.
I am glad your health reports came out great. I wish your parents’ on both sides speedy recovery and better health.
Here’s to a great August!
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I hope and pray that parents on both the sides stay healthy. It is really tough watching them grow old. You have penned down a beautiful list of things to be grateful for.
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What a beautiful list of gratitude. I pray for your family’s health and hope your new workplace gives you many achievements and growth, which will surely make up for the travel time.
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Praying for each other! What a divine and wonderful thought. I am going to bring this into practice for sure. Thanks for such a wonderful idea.
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An eventful July for you!! I love praying for others, I believe that’s the least I can do. Besan ladooos…. this reminds that it’s been ages since I had one. Must ask mom to make, she makes the bestest besan ladoos. I can sense your excitement for Diwali vacations and meeting parents. And hope you get to visit Benaras and click awesome pictures too. Wishing you a wonderful August, Parul!
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