It would be safe to say now that I am glad September is over. The month was not a good one. News of deaths, not-so-good things with folks back home and that overall feeling of something not right took over on most days. I tried my best to stay positive but on some days, I got emotional too.
As much as I felt that the month could have been better, the month also brought me closer to life and reality. It reminded me that good times don’t last and everything comes to an end one day. I am also trying to declutter my mind and ignore things and people who don’t matter. I am honest with my feelings but I don’t need to be honest with people. At least with those who don’t matter.
Enough of rant but I needed to be open with you all. So, let’s change the gear and talk about what went well this month. Quite a few things and not in the order you see below. I am grateful for some good people around me who keep me focused and positive.
♥ We had a fun team lunch and outing this month. I loved the lunch at Tim Tai and that tree. What stole the show for me was the red velvet cup cake. I don’t have a sweet tooth but a full set.
♥ I met Soumya this month for lunch after the bigger plans went for a toss. It was fun catching up and talking to her always makes me feel connected to blogging. She is one of the very few friends blogging gave me and I am grateful for that.
♥ The quick getaway to Gandikota was fantastic and better than what we had expected. We drove to this little town in Andhra Pradesh and did not regret the decision. Plans like these make me think that not all things need to be planned.
♥ It was VT’s birthday this month and little I’s too. While we couldn’t visit I on her special day, I am grateful to have friends who understood the need for space. Three days later, we met for VT’s birthday and it was lovely coming together. Did I mention that the cake was yum? Thank you RL for an awesome pineapple upside down cake.
♥ I am loving my work outs. Building strength was a highlight for me. Though I could go only on 16 days this month, I wasn’t as tired after functional training or Zumba. The change from yoga is going well. I am now splitting time between a variety of workouts and I think it should help me.
♥ A good sleep is important and while I don’t get it on all days of the week due to my schedules, on some days I was able to get good hours. Also the afternoon siesta on weekends felt like a bliss.
♥ Our friend MK is doing well now and on one of the trips to his place, his mum showered us with some amazing food. Sambhar, ghee rice, chutney, chicken and nariyal ke ladoo. I even asked GK to pack some for me. Always grateful to have friends with who I can be myself.
♥ I met BC this month for lunch. It was an impromptu plan and I am glad we were able to get away from work for an hour. Conversations on life in general brought things back to perspective. That simple Chinese lunch that we shared was also better because of the company.
♥ Doing nothing is a joy. As much as I wanted to accomplish things, there were weekends when I did nothing. Zilch. It was relaxing and I plan to have such days in October too.
♥ Some random things that made me happy this month include a hair cut, evening tea, sarson ka saag and makke ki roti, binge watching Jack Ryan and Fauda and a lot of kesari bath. Did I mention I made Panjeeri too that both VT and I couldn’t stop eating? Thank you Rachna for the recipe.
I am grateful for life. Like I mentioned before, the deaths these months shook me. I am never comfortable in such situations but this time it was destined that I attend last rites. One reduces to nothing after the many decades we put into this celebration called life. Though the moments made me weak, I accepted them better.
I am looking forward to October and time with my parents. The first three weeks will be busy but then I would be home soon. Can’t believe that this year is almost over. Where did it go?
How was your September?
This is a monthly gratitude post on my blog and I am linking up with Vidya’s gratitude blog hop.
happiness and food 
I met a student who literally came back from the dead- emergency surgery for cancer. I felt happy for him, and his family.
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So good to know. These positive stories make me feel grateful. Thanks for sharing!
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So sorry to hear about the deaths, Parul. It is sobering and really shakes our confidence. For me September was a mixed bag. More good than bad I guess but the challenges in my life continue. Only one way to face them, just tackle them headon instead of falling into worry and despair that I somehow tend to do.
Glad that you liked the recipe. So happy. 🙂 It works so well as a nutritious snack. My kids love panjiri. Here’s wishing you a fantastic October.
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Thank you Rachna! I agree that the only way to deal with challenges is to face them. Appreciate that thought and reminder.
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Sorry to hear about the deaths. Death is an interesting thing, isn’t it? I have been pondering about it lately…it is something that is going to happen to all of us and in the end, you have to wonder whether anything really matters given once we die, we really won’t be dwelling on any of this stuff. I’m sorry September wasn’t great but it’s still nice you can find silver linings. What new workouts are you doing? Mixing it up is great. I hope October is a better month for you. And yes, where has this year gone?!
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September was a mixed bag for you. With the Universe making up for upsetting you everytime it did. Any news of Death is sobering, reminded us of our morality, so I know what you mean.
Glad you’re enjoying your workouts. I must try Rachna’s recipe for Panjiri too. And Tim Tai is one of my favourite restaurants in Bangalore too.
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I am sure you will have a better October. Sorry about the deaths.
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Thanks Balaka..
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I am shaken too this month when I heard someone close to me expired. It took me few days to come back to reality even though I haven’t met that guy in person. Life is so unpredictable nowadays. Good that you could find and make memories were ever possible even during your not so good days. Happy October.
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Hugs for the bad news Parul- hope you feel better soon! Someones passing away is always a sobering thought; it brings life on a pause and you wonder about its fragility and what is the point of living after all? I hope you are able to put it aside soonest!
Soumya is like a ray of sunshine and am so glad to be friends with her too; though its only online for the moment, I hope to make it more real in actual life someday! We must plan a meetup somehow 🙂
Your trip sounds fab and I loved the pic you had posted of the canyon – look forward to reading more about it soon on your blog!
Your mixing of workouts sounds so so sensible; I am unable to do any other workout due to health issues. So yoga it is for me and I am just loving that at the moment. I am just so glad to be part of this awesome gym company that really looks after their members interests!
Wishing you a wonderful october with happiness and bliss!!
Cheers
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News of death never comes easy and with close ones it gets even more tough. And then with time, we forget and get back to life. Such is the cycle of life. Belated Happy Birthday to VT. I know how much you enjoy spontaneous plans about visiting nearby places, close to Bangalore, and am glad your trip to Gandikota went well. For once, I get to know a lot of new names of travel worthy places from you. I can absolutely identify with the pleasure of cooking up something which is not regular and when it turns up good. Rachna’s recipie blog is one blessing to all the not-so-cooking-lovers like us.
Happy October!
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Oh Parul, I am worried too when it comes to death and health issues with aged ones. I am scared of that not so good things feelings, but like you said we must see it through. As scary as it is, life happens.
Unplanned trips are exciting and I am glad your trip went well. You said it right, Parul, we must be honest with our feelings, it is not necessary we need to be honest with people, especially with ones who can’t really take it.
Your moments of gratitude make me thank life for the way it presents itself. Unexpected and beautiful sometimes and hard and ugly at others.
Wishing you an awesome October, Parul.
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Ok I am jealous now… Wish I get to meet you guys in Bangalore sometime.
Death, not so good news… can understand how difficult these things are to face. They bog us down mentally and sometimes physically, But well, we need to be strong enough to face it at most times.
With VTs birthday and other fun things, aurely the month has been strewn with positivity. Hope this continues int he months to follow.
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Aww,, it’s always the little things that give us happiness. When will I be able to meet you girls, I wonder. Looking forward to that day 🙂 My September was an emotional rollercoaster ride. Was feeling a bit low because of blogging and SM. But then, I was happy since my little sister was getting married. Happens! Here’s to a happy October! 🙂
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Hey Parul! It is natural to feel low when we see that life is totally unstable. But glad to see those tiny happy moments you were able to find in the usual days. As you said, I’m grateful for this life. Time heals us better. Hope you have a wonderful October with more happy moments.
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I like your perspectives and despite having moments of sadness – you could still find so many things to be grateful for, thanks for being so open to talk about all that matters to you personally. I loved the idea of visiting Gandikota – I have not visited this place, thanks for giving me the idea to plan for one visit as its not very far from Hyderabad. Nice to know that you could have friends, food and conversations with people you love. I am inspired by way you explore ways to be healthy. Hopefully your October will bring joy and happiness, this is my wish for you:)
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Thank you Angela. There were people who visited the place from Hyderabad so you should try. Appreciate your kind words. Hugs.
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You are one of the best things blogging has given me and that includes my iPad and Kindle, so you know how much you mean to me. Meeting you made me feel so good and light! Thank you for listening without judging 🙂
Wishing you an awesome October, Parul.
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You are such a darling! Thanks for being around. ❤️ Wish you too a good holiday and fun filled October.
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