Little Gidding

Oh, 2012!

Neha — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:40:23 +0000

Twelve days of the new year have passed, and I feel that I have accomplished precious little. Besides a little bit of travel, a fair bit of socializing, and some shopping/returning. It is true that socializing has been to good end – I feel reconnected with this world, arguably home. That is good. But the world seems to be in such a state of disarray right now. Where has that productivity, that flow disappeared to, that I had in Bangalore in abundance? Now I am constantly in the midst of a struggle to focus my thoughts and attention, to find myself back on track with regards to work that needs doing. What am I waiting for? And here I have a supportive husband who encourages me to work too. But so much still needs to fall in place… my music lessons, the gym routine, moving to a new place, changing cars, paper-writing, grant applications… and in no time, it will be time to leave again. Dear God, find me that verve once again. Please.

Managing Email

Neha — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:57:07 +0000

I don’t know why it took me this long. But a moment of looking at someone else’s gmail inbox (and finding it almost empty) shook me up so much that I had to try and effect that change in my life. Well, doing it was easy. I couldn’t possibly get through 33K mails one by one, so in one swoop, I archived all mail and started with a clean slate. I resolved to keep this list short and sweet and have so far succeeded. Things get archived as soon as the ball’s out of my court, such that my gmail inbox is now also my to-do list. And keeping it clean brings so much satisfaction and organization into my life (and my head), that this is how (I pray) it will stay.

Google Calendar

Neha — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:25:50 +0000

And while I’m on the spree, let me add this very critical one as well. I resolve to regularly use Google calendar for all my meetings – work and social.

And one more…

Neha — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:58:41 +0000

Perhaps what I will remember 2011 best for is our wedding. In fact, that already seems to be the single milestone that sticks out a mile. So for 2012, one of my most important new year resolves is to do justice to the responsibilities that come with being a wife. For all the love, for all the support, for all the beautiful things that my husband gives to (and does for) me (they all mean a lot in many different ways), I felt a renewal of vows was necessary so that I could ensure I did my bit. Unfortunately, I realized that I don’t really remember any of the vows. What with all the chaos the priests generated, it turned out that Abhishek had more than his fair share of vows to speak and I had none! It takes very little, however, to realize what the vows should be, though it takes everything I’ve got to ensure that they are realized. So I promise – to be a patient, understanding, generous, loving, encouraging, and supportive wife. For this year, just this much is enough. One step at a time.

New Year Resolutions

Neha — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:30:34 +0000

I’ve been thinking about new year resolutions. Putting together a list seems like too organized a task for me to take on right now. I can only hope to do this in ad hoc fashion as and when thoughts arise. Right now, I have the goal of developing a more organized, efficient, less ‘noisy’ social media profile. These days I’ve come to feel more and more that we often just regurgitate what comes to mind at a moment’s notice. Somehow I now feel the responsibility of being more thoughtful before I share, so as to cut down on the noise I feel I’m adding to others’ feeds. While I do like to share, I’d like to be more considerate of what I share, and more cognizant of my audience when I do so.

While this is certainly not the most important resolution I’ve made, it will find several occasions to play itself out on any given day, so it is of some importance. My handful of readers, do remind me of this when I fail.

Impostor?

Neha — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:21:41 +0000

Meena just mentioned the impostor syndrome to me. If you haven’t heard of it before, here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome. I fear I have it. And the strange thing is that if you think you have it, you do! How is one to get rid of it?!

So many people…

Neha — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:20:28 +0000

As my stay in India draws to a close, the mind is overwhelmed by the number of people it wishes it had met, reconnected with, rebuilt a relationship with, before leaving. So many people. But time – it goes by in a flash. Not that the time spent was by any means lacking in quality, or that I didn’t use it in honor of relationships that were worthy of it. Just that there was so much more I would have liked to squeeze out of my time in Bangalore. And now it will remain a wistful dream.

This also brings to mind an overwhelming sense of gratitude – that life has given so much – in the past and now in this stay. So much to cherish and learn from. So much to grow from, and unexpectedly. I am just. so. grateful.

UB City

Neha — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:46:59 +0000

I’ve been living next to Vijay Mallya’s empire, aka UB City, for the last 11 weeks, but have been in only 3-4 times so far. It is quite the spectacle. You enter and are suddenly transported to a different space altogether. As you go up the escalators, if someone asked you where you were and you said Italy, they wouldn’t be surprised one bit. And this is not to give the mall any credit, really.

The food options, however, are worth a shot. My first meal there was at Rajdhani with Anne, on our return from Gandhi Bazaar one Friday evening – a long, long time ago. After that, I headed there only with Rahul and Shruti – to go to Khansama. Brilliant food, and quite affordable. Then on Sunday I went to Toscano’s with Akhil. And today was Fava’s turn, with the entire TEM team. Mmm, I would rank them in the order K-R-T-F. There is Tasty Tangles to try still, and Soul City. And maybe Cafe Noir for a coffee maybe.

It was lovely to sit with the whole team and chat about nothing. The dinner was filled with much laughter and sharing, and I had a lovely time. So lovely that I almost feel nostalgic already. The walk back was very pleasant, for there was a strong cool breeze that almost took my breath away. Too bad that we’re so close. But oh, thank God we are, ‘cos we were saved a lot of the pollutants.

Bangalore and you have treated me well, dear God. I have loved these 2.5 months in fair measure, or more than fair perhaps. The office, the gym routine, the food timings, the variety in the food, the staff at MSRI, the people in our group, my new desk, the Booze and Brains outings, the tea and coffee… everything.

Since this post is labeled UB City, I will refrain from writing some more about non-UB City related things. Thank you, for now, for this UB City experience alone!

A year ago…

Neha — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:56:17 +0000

I was in London, braving the cold and getting ready to head to India. For a wedding. I can’t believe it is almost a year since. What a lovely and memorable time that was… how entirely magical. Thank you, world, for giving us all that love and laughter, and these memories that will stay with us forever.

Home

Neha — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:06:58 +0000

Strange, strange life. All of a sudden, Whitefield is also home, UB City is also home, Kolkata is also home, as are, of course, Greater Noida, and San Francisco. Thank you, dear God, for this blessed life. Perhaps one day I can be at home wherever you are.