happiness and food

It’s been long since we met. Not sure about you but I do feel that.

It’s a Sunday morning and 5:50AM. Feels like I am jet-lagged and I only travelled domestic to reach home last night. My tea is brewing and I feel like sharing with you what has happened this side.

Fresh on my mind is this trip I mentioned. If we were having chai together, I would tell you that I made an impromptu plan to go see my parents. They are now a flight away and inspite of some tough situation back here in Bangalore, I am so glad I flew to see them. Ten days around them were relaxing and gave me the breather I wanted. The joy on their faces when they saw me was sheer bliss. I don’t think anyone else can be as happy as parents when they realize they have been surprised.

If we were having chai together, I would tell you that it has started to rain in Bangalore. The temperature is finally manageable and the Sun is now behind clouds. This was the harshest Summer ever so I am relieved that this city is back to being the cool one. Know what I mean?

If we were having chai together, I would tell you to stay protected from mosquitos. They are a menace. Early this month, my father-in-law got sick. We took him to the hospital for right care and the seven days he was there were harrowing. He is recovering but this has left him weak and all us worried.

If we were having chai together, I would tell you that I indulged in some shopping recently. Over the last four years, I have a become a reluctant shopper. I think through need vs desire before I swipe the card. When I was around Mum helping her shop, I also bought a few things for myself. A good change I noticed is more and more brands having dresses for women with pockets.

If we were having chai together, I would tell you that along with a friend (UM) I have signed up for Hundred Days of Running. This is not running but walking for me but both of us have been going strong. The idea is to have 100 consecutive days of atleast a 2 kilometer walk or run. This started on April 27 and over the last 15 days, I have been able to clock 44 kms. I missed one day but other than that, consistency is good.

If we were having chai together, I would tell you that this time around the year I think of covid and how hard those years were. My loved ones survived the pandemic but the anxiety and fear it gave is something I wish no one including me has to ever face. I know I am a different person today than who I was before 2020.

If we were having chai together, what would you tell me?

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Conversations over chai is my take on sharing a bit of life, reflections, learnings and gratitude with you. By now, you all know that chai is my favorite beverage and I hope we get to have chai together one day.

So join me by sharing something that you can and let’s talk.