Colors in my kitchen 
kaapi time 
Flowers from my balcony 
Lemon rice 
The deserted Bangalore roads 
Egg ghee roast
April was the first full month at home. Thirty days of staying indoors with four trips to get grocery and essentials. When our helps went on a paid leave, VT and I rolled up our sleeves and took charge. The first full month of doing all the house chores on our own.
The cases in India grew (are still growing) and there is comfort and safety at home. With every thing that’s happening around, there were also many things that brought a smile. As I look back to the month gone by and into my gratitude journal, I am grateful that I have a roof over my head. Simple and basic necessities that we take for granted are the ones we need the most.
With any further ado, here is my happy list of things and those that I am grateful for:
♥ Roof over my head, a place to sleep and food on our table. The more and more I read about the poor, the homeless and those who are stuck in other cities this one keeps coming back to me. I am grateful that I have a house to live. However small it is and that we don’t have any office space to work, this house is our shelter.
♥ Jobs. These are hard times. The economy is at its lowest and people are losing jobs or are on furloughs. People have been told that they won’t get raises this year. I am grateful that VT and I have jobs and that we are able to support family, pay people who work for us and put food on the table.
♥ Voice messages and video calls.Technology has become my way to connect with people. I send voice notes and get to connect with family and friends over video calls. Nothing can replace a face to face conversation but a video call comes close. Mum is also teaching via zoom calls now.
♥ Health and workouts. This is not the time to fall sick. VT and I are taking care of ourselves, staying indoors and safe. This month, I worked out on 23 days and I feel good that I did not let my workout routine fall off the radar. My goal is 20 and I am more regular than before. I am grateful for Cure.Fit live videos that let me choose between a variety of formats.
♥ Cooking. I was not sure of how I will manage the cooking part when our helps went on paid leave. The good thing is I enjoyed cooking for both of us. I tried recipes and on most days cooked up a decent meal. Soumya’s recipes were a hit and I am so grateful that she lovingly passed them on to me. RP from my team also shared many tricks and hacks to keep me going. For the whole month there was never a day that I was burdened with the chores. I sailed through and happily. Helping each other is the best way to show love and care.
♥ Blogging. I was able to manage time and ideas after many months. April saw me publishing ten blog posts. While five were photo posts, there was still a lot of action the blog that made me feel good. I am grateful to my readers and those who stop by to say a kind word or two.
♥ Groceries. With the lock down on, I am getting my supply of greens and vegetables. Grateful to Healthy Buddha whose team is doing a great job during these time. The orders are fresh and the delivery people follow all the rules. And hey, it’s also the season for Alphonsos.
♥ Pre-monsoon showers. Bangalore got some showers and the weather turned lovely. Winds, clouds and rains were the most we needed after some hot summer days. Also, the trees look happier now. Have you observed?
♥ Reading. I finished up 1Q84 and North of Dawn this month. I liked both the books but if you would like some historical fiction, then North of Dawn is a good one. 1Q84 gets to fantasy a bit and was also a decent book. Murakami weaves magic with words.
♥ My working corner. Like I mentioned, we don’t have an office space (read table or chair) at home. So I sit next to my balcony and hear the chirping of birds through the day. It’s lovely and makes me feel closer to nature.
Sometimes I wonder if now we have the full 24 hours to ourselves. We are at home and can choose to spend the time the way we want. On weekends, I take afternoon naps and read more. VT and I have been watching a lot of shows and this month we finished Tiger King, Band of Brothers and also watched 1917, a movie set on the backdrop of the first world war. We also started The Wire and these shows were a good entertainment.
I know I will be home longer. My work can be done from home so I am inclined to make my days productive. The weekends are now for writing, reading and house work. While the pandemic scares me, I want to keep taking care of myself and those I love. We can make the best of what ever situation we are in and I am going in to May with that attitude.
How was your April? What are you grateful for?
Linking up with Vidya’s gratitude circle for the month of April.
happiness and food 
Inspiring Parul, Lock down had given enough time to be flexible and make adjustments, and evolve a new schedule. Nice to read your post, I have been also doing a lot of cooking, trying out recipes, telecounseling, and whatever work allotted to do from home. Thanks for sharing.
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Nothing better than if someone is grateful during lock down also . And that you are . Hats off to you!! Generally people talk only about negative aspects and make me scare .
But fine we can’t change everyone.
I have also done some new things and will do some more good things after reading your this post .
Take care
Love you
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Stay safe, Parul
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Thank you, Arvind. Hope you are well too.
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How life forces us to change, no? 🙂
We’re finally getting used to the lock-down and have accepted it as the new normal. Cooking has been therapeutic for me during these times and I’m glad my recipes are helping you as well. Having a fresh, hot meal can cheer us up in any situation, I believe.
Lots of love, Parul. Hopefully with time, things gets better.
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I am exactly grateful for all the things that you mentioned in your post. I have now started to appreciate the small things. Stay safe dear.
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Love the positivity in the post. Stay safe!
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Thanks, D!
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So much to be grateful for, Parul! Never mind the economic mess and the rising number of cases, there will be enough reasons to smile for us at the end of the day! Thanks for sharing this positive post. I’ve been doing a lot of different things for my family and a few things for myself alongside that, so I’m deeply thankful to the Universe for letting me do just that. Hopes keep me positive. This too shall pass, one day!
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Your heart-warming post really lifted up the spirits during such tiring times! Seriously thank God for technology, it keeps us safe and engaged when we are unable to go out! And also it keeps us in touch with our friends and family! Wishing you all the best for the new month❤️
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Iam really grateful for the jobs right now and having a roof over head. The basics, which are so important. My April was good with a bit of health problems. Coping up with work from home.
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Full of optimism, it’s about making the most of thr situation. Glad to hear about thr consistency in your workouts way to go gal!
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Thanks Akshata!
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You know what Parul? Every day I think of your relatives who are in a hotel and wonder how they’re doing? When I think of them and all the others who are suffering, there’s not a single reason for me to grumble. I’m glad that you both are faring well and making optimum use of this time. Hugs!
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There’s such a sense of peace and contentment in your post Parul. That’s a wonder in these panic-stricken stressful times.
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Thanks Tulika! Some days I am anxious about the virus and the spread but the days I am not – I am okay and at peace.
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It’s lovely to read your post and I’m glad you’re doing well. I’m impressed by your ability to blog in April. Tiger King was such a train wreck, wasn’t it? I can’t believe I got sucked in to watching but then couldn’t look away. I don’t know how you guys manage not being able to go outdoors though – that would be the end of me. I think the biggest thing I’m grateful for here is that we still get to go outside for exercise – which means, yes, lots and lots of walks but I’d go stir crazy indoors. It’s hard enough missing my friends but it would be even harder if I just couldn’t go outside. I hope May is good for you guys x
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True, so many things to be grateful about in today’s world. The inconvenience we face is nothing in comparison to what the people below poverty line are facing.
I love your fitness updates. The app is great but unfortunately, the timings don’t work for me. I actually haven’t been able to watch anything on netflix in this period. Sometimes I wonder where all my time goes.
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Such a great Gratitude & positive post.
Yes we are all grateful to have roof, food, internet, blogging, supplies, creative thoughts and much more to be thankful for. Although my better half is stuck in another city and cant be with family but I never let my spirits go down and this post helps me stay inspired once again.
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