Adios 2013!

The very fact that I came over my Lazy block to write this summary and posted it in this dead wood blog tells me that I have had a wonderful 2013.

The amazing thing about this year has been change. I changed my group at work and I myself took the initiative. I was filled with fear and doubts. But as I look back, I am proud that I choose to change in a small way and it is making a lot of difference. I will not downplay the long awaited promotion this year at work. It did bring me relief if not happiness.

This year has also been filled with Learning. I cracked the PMP. Damn it. Not having written a single serious exam since my college, PMI material had been making a good pillow for months before I decided to write the exam. I promptly gave the books away, the minute I finished the exam. I am now buying a new pillow for 2014. But I will only worry about it when I write this summary next year. Incidentally my work has been quite different from what I have been doing the last nine years which assures lot of learning and challenge. Oh Well I wrote a beta version of my resume, a first in last 10 years.

Also first time in my life I got over the so called American driving and convinced myself to use both legs while driving. I came over the confusing ,  “you clutch and brake while stopping” , “You half clutch and half accelerate and hold hand brake while in slope” , “ You have to hear the engine cry and intuitively know when to change gears” and all this while you are trying to wade through the incessant traffic and the hyderabadi hindi Gaali. I managed to dent an Auto , break the headlights and hit a bike in reverse. After all the morning 6AM driving classes, owning this License to rule the road is definitely a big moment for me if not for all the drivers in the road.

 

And thanks to my remotely located office I have been reading tons of books. First time since my Sidney Sheldon days I have read about 20 books in a year and I have been strangely feeling disappointed when I don’t carry a book.  My favorite book has been “Second Coming of Jobs”. This book started as a boring  one and soon grew into me. When I finished the book I felt a door has opened within me and that feeling was worth every minute spent reading this book.

My creative side exploded this year. I never thought I had one in first place. So anything in that direction has been ‘ flaunt worthy’. I was truly inspired by Zenpencils.com but my economic zone salary could not afford their paper prints. So I decided to make my own and it really brought the child in me back.

 

 “Rangoli” – I have run only in the opposite direction when I heard this word until this year I looked back and actually tried my hand. Irrespective of the results it was a proud moment for me.

 

I have reconnected with some of my long last friends. I got to share some heartwarming moments and reconnect with them the same way I had several years ago. I am surprised how some of my funny friends (who dint know P of Philosophy and S of Serious) are able to talk philosophy and take life with more maturity. I only wish I can take on life like that without losing the child in me.

I also made 2 new friends who will be in my wonderful people list for life. I was truly touched when that friend called me and said “I am in labor and will be giving birth in sometime”. Think of moments to share. I have also changed my perspective about some people and realized that 2 minutes of ego free conversation can open up great bonds.

I also now know something that is permanent and is mine. That is my health. I have been trying a lot of home remedies and some of it has amazing results. Thanks to friends and strangers who have encouraged me with kind words like “You look radiant” etc . Finally I have stuck to a routine and I am looking forward for more in 2014.

I have not trekked Himalayas or been to a buddhist monastery in Nepal. But have visited some of the places I thought I would never go. Be it getting cheated in the Calcutta temple or walking through Mysore brindavan gardens or taking the most exotic and amazing 14 Km girivalam, It’s all worth it

 Thanks to online shopping. I have spent about 15000 Rs in dresses and shoes. Therapeutic.

This 2013 has been wonderful and I have no regrets that it is ending, Because it can only get better from here. I am winding down this year with a wonderful home made coffee scrub and a thankyou note to the wonderful person who forced me to write this summary.

 I have started focusing on my motto for 2014

“Success has less to do with hard work and more to do with massive focus on your few best opportunities.”