Gujhiyas 
Paddus 
Holi this year 
Papa’s 41 year work anniversary 
Love for Bitmoji
THANK YOU, readers. Your prayers and wishes worked. Things got better in March and I am very grateful to you for keeping us in your thoughts. I want the upward trend to continue. I have been telling myself that our share of hard times is done for the year.
March started on a quiet note. While things seemed they would get better, it was also wait and watch time. As each day passed, I was grateful for it. One-day-at-a-time is a real thing and makes life simpler. As I type this, I am happy that I was able to make each of the 31 days count.
Without getting into this philosophical drift, let’s talk about the good things this month.
♥ I tried a new format of workout and I enjoyed it. It took me time to find the right slot but then Dance Fitness was fun. I want to keep experimenting and I am glad I tried. Thanks to SV for the recommendation.
♥ Can you believe this month 20 bloggers joined #ThursdayTreeLove? It is amazing to see what started as a tree picture here in Bangalore now brings me pictures and love from around the world. I am grateful to all you bloggers who join every other week. Trees are the best!
♥ You must have seen the summer blooms. I am grateful for that time and tea with MP. We had a good conversation and I left with ideas to share with you all.
♥ Papa completed 41 years of his job this month. Coming to think of it, I think of the many students he would have taught and the classes he would have taken in these 41 years. Life is what we make of it and Papa would have made careers and lives of his students. Hats off, Papa and I am so proud of you.
♥ Since this month also celebrated International Women’s Day, Wikipedia published a small write up. I am grateful that I am able to contribute to this online encyclopedia and my work is valued.
♥ Food has been the highlight this month. I tried to eat healthy but then when I craved for something unhealthy I went ahead and indulged too. Strawberry-banana smoothie, brocolli stir fry, Strawberry cheese cake, jalebi and icecream to name a few. Like I always say – I don’t have a sweet tooth. I have a full set.
♥ While on my way back home from work, one day I spotted a small but popular stall run by a Tamil speaking couple. They make some pakodas and paddus. While I am not a fan of pakodas, two plates of paddu have found their way to my home now. I am grateful that I get to eat the delicious snack with my evening cuppa.
♥ My brother C sent me two knitted tops that he brought from his work trip to Frankfurt. It was good to receive the stuff and then the messages from him on what kind of bottoms and shoes should I wear with them. I don’t style things perfectly but I also find it funny how he assumes I know nothing about dressing up. And mind you, he is my younger brother.
♥ A month in my new role and I am liking the change. I am always grateful to my job and that I get to learn in my role. Those who work full-time spend most part of their day working so I feel it better be something that we can look forward to.
♥ I celebrated Holi with friends and peers this month. Since things weren’t good at home, I had pushed the thought of celebrating but then as things showed up good, we had a lovely time with friends. I took half a day off to make gujiyas, an annual ritual and they turned out yum. They got over in a week and I am still wondering who finished them up?
♥ One of the Sundays, VT and I headed to the local gurudwara for darshan and seva. I chose to make chappatis and VT washed utensils. It is joy in serving people and we both feel that. We are planning to make it a regular affair.
♥ I watched Made In Heaven on Prime and liked the show. It is reality and depicted intelligently. I loved how the show addressed social issues but in a way that wasn’t very preachy.
♥ I worked out 19 days this month and also took breaks. I could have done better but instead of complaining I would like to keep up the rhythm. Mornings are my favorite time of the day and though I find it hard to leave bed at 5 am in the morning, 19 days a month is not as bad.
♥ I published 6 posts this month and I want to manage time better. I tried to schedule some and write some on the go. I promise I will show progress in April. Blogging makes me happy and I can’t let it go.
♥ Last week at the watercooler I met S. She told me she liked my travel posts and to my surprise I knew her by name but had never met her. Thanks to TB and S for reading and recommending my writing! Always grateful to you readers.
♥ At a lunch on the last Friday of March, I met some women in a different light. I know them all but this time we spoke of things that have shaped us into who we are. Thank you LN, AC and AB for sharing your stories. You all inspire me.
This month was a good one. Like a rock lifted up from the chest, I felt good and light. Laughs at work, a Game of Thrones recap, many compliments for gujhiyas, grocery run with VT and time with friends made me happy. I am grateful for life and every breath that we take in the world.
Life will have ups and downs. We need to stay put and celebrate the good days. When tough days come we need to hope for better days and never lose faith. That’s what life is made of and the sooner we realize this, the better.
Tell me that one thing you are grateful for this month.
Linking up with Vidya’s Gratitude Circle for March 2019 and with Corinne for MondayMusings.
happiness and food 
Celebrating the good days make us cherish the moments of life and wish you an amazing April filled with fulfilment. I loved Made in Heaven and your Dad is in a noble profession that made a difference to lives. Thanks him on my behalf. Dance Fitness sounds fun blending exercise and having fun altogether. Glad to get a peek in your March moments, Parul.
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Thank you Vishal. Appreciate your kind wishes. Means a lot.
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This sounds like a much better month for you, Parul. I am so glad. You know I also started making paddus at home recently and am really enjoying them. The workouts are on track for me and were for me as well in March. I liked the seva you did at gurudwara. I would love to do the same too, some day soon. I enjoyed Made in Heaven as well. I thought it may be shallow but it turned out to be so well made. Here’s to a wonderful April for you and family.
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I would love the recipe Rachna. Since I’m liking paddus, I wouldn’t mind the made at home. I went for langar yesterday. Did not do seva as there were a lot of people already. But it is very fulfilling. Thanks for your wishes, Rachna. Means a lot.
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Enjoyed reading your gratitude list parul:) glad to know so many good things, love the way you adapt and change your perspectives and count your blessings, thanks for sharing your post:)
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Thanks Angela!
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Hope for many more better months ahead .
I know u are a strong girl and can adjust in any situation .
God bless u .
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Love you! ❤️
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I am glad to read that you had a better month, Parul. Reading your positive filled gratitude post made me smile and thank you for that. ❤ One thing I am grateful for March is getting up at 5 am and practicing yoga and studying, though some days I couldn't as the little one cried for me. But I persisted. I am planning to continue to wake up at 5 and not complain when I can't get to my work.The effort I am putting is actually making me happy and I love it when I am happy. 😀
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Thanks Vinitha! I’m so glad to know about your health regime. I’m slacking a bit in April and telling myself that I need to get back. Soon enough.
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I am glad the not so good days went behind you in March and you had a peaceful month. I love to see people linking up with Thursday Tree Love from around the world and Bangalore leading the race of spring. Thursday Tree Love is your baby and it feels happy to see your baby grow up to be 60 posts old 🙂 Congratulations to your father for completing 41 years of teaching and building lives. 41 years is a long time. I can identify with your younger brother’s contribution to your style statement since I am a disaster and my mother and brother are forever after me. 6 posts in one month is a good thing, isn’t it? And, did you mention you made gujiyas and they were tasty? Now I am feeling left out and lonely in this arena too with all the reluctant cooks to whom I belonged in the last couple of years are all trying their hand at making delicacies and I am miles of distacet away even when it comes to the intention. Kaash kitaabon main se aur computer ke screen se gujiya nikal sakti!
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Thank you Anamika! Yes, I feel great about Thursday Tree Love. And thank you for your support when ever possible. You have been around since the start and that helped a lot.
I told you Gujhiya story. So I can’t take compliments. 😛
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I’m really glad things got better this month Parul. Also congrats on the new role! Change is always exciting and challenging. I’m glad you spent time with friends too and had a lot to be grateful for. I hope the joy continues in April. Take care xx
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Thank you Sanch! I hope that too.
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Reading through your list, it sounds like you had a terrific month! I aspire to have a list this long for April – and to take note, so that I don’t forget a minute of it.
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I make a not of things and 30 days is good enough to give many happy moments. thank you, Holly!
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LOL @ full set of sweet teeth! 😀 😀 😀
Good to come back to blogging and meet you all once again! I didn’t realize it before, but gosh! I missed you all when I was away! Missed all these little stories from everyone’s lives, their different perspectives on things!
On a totally different note, what exactly are Paddus?
Well, I’ve signed up for the AtoZ this time, just to force myself into blogging again. I see you aren’t participating, but if you feel like, drop over to my blog sometime and read any posts that catch your eye. I am not doing a theme.
Cheers! And stay happy!
🙂
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Thanks Chicky! I also missed reading you. I will head to your blog.
Paddu is a south indian snack – healthy and yum. The batter is like that of dosa but thicker and shaped into small balls 🙂
See you around.
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Glad to see the list Parul. Happy to see so many accomplishments. I wish you continue the spike of happiness for the rest of the months in the year. Congrats to your dad and to your TTL posts. Have a great April.
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Thank you, Shilpa!
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I’m so so happy that the difficult days of the previous months have passed, Parul. Dance workouts! Wow! I would never dare to try them. But then you’re so much more of an intrepid soul than I ever will be.
I enjoyed Made In Heaven too. I found it quite real at many levels.
Wish your Dad well for me – 41 years is no mean feat! Wishing your parents well.
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Thank you, Corinne. I am not intrepid I guess. But long long ago, I read a quote in my Papa’s notebook. “As soon as you feel too old to do something, do it.” I took the quote to heart and try everything possible unless it is a roller coaster ride 😉
I appreciate your wishes. They mean a lot. Things have been hard and I am glad they are better now.
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Such a heartwarming post. I live this idea of penning a gratitude post. We realise we have so much to be thankful for. Good to know things are looking up for you and why wouldn’t they when you are so full of positivity. Congratulations to your dad.. Many more such milestones to him.
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Thank you Meha! Appreciate your kind words.
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