Twenty Twenty Four, I LOVE YOU!

Ha ha ha! What a way to name a year end post, but honestly, I absolutely loved 2024. Can't be grateful enough for all that I managed to do this year! It's been a year of experiences, meeting new folks, reconnecting with old ones and balancing the relationships with the existing crowd.

First and foremost, the year started on a foreign land - I was out on a vacation to Srilanka with my articleship gang. It was my first trip with them, and there too many firsts in that trip - my first longest vacation without V & Athi (8 days), first casino experience, first pagoda visit. Srilanka, nature at it’s best, is a beautiful country filled with lush greens and waterbodies all over. The Madu River mangrove boating in the rains was one surreal experience. The snorkelling in Bentota beach, the majestic Ravana Falls, the picturesque Nuwara Elliya with its oldest Post Office, from where we sent out post cards to our dear ones. The train ride from Ella to Kandy, through the myriad mountains and innumerable waterfalls. The Sigriya rockfort - gosh, the kings here really did live their lives king size. The Minneriya National Park elephant safari where we spotted more than 4 dozen elephants. And lastly, the Lotus Tower, Colombo. Such an eventful trip it was.

The next couple of months flew by with the whole family moving into the RPG community. I have always yearned to live in gated communities (thanks to movies like Ramana, the VijayTV famous Shakalaka Boom Boom serial). It still feels a bit surreal that I’m actually living in one now. Foremost thanks to Ranju for finding this gem of a place, and introducing us to this. If there’s one song that could describe this phase of my life, it’s Thirumana Malargal Tharuvaya from Poovellam Unvaasam. 

This year gave me a lot of travel with different groups of people - the Master Nationals in April at Goa was an extended into a vacation with V’s cousins and Bullu tagging along with us. It was quite laid back, and the girls and I bonded really well over movie nights, cooking our meals and random chit-chats. Next was kutti weekend trip to Yearcaud with my GMCS gangmates, the first ever with them, but one that I’d remember for a long time - so much catching up happened in that trip, for it had been more than 4-5 years since we even spoke leisurely. Another international trip came my way in September - this time it was Australia. Man, what a beautiful country, I was floored. Would definitely love to be there again. Next one was the Kudremukh trek, with an office colleague as a part of trekking company. Perfect timing, right after the monsoon. Quite a luxurious trip, if you ask me, who even gives you hot water, beds and blankets on a trek? Nevertheless, the trek and the views were awesome, and the visit to Chennakesava temple (an architectural marvel) on the way back home, came as a pleasant surprise. Lastly, the JHU at Jawadhu Hills, a dream of a trip, where each one of us had our own best times, ever. CTC is always joy. 

Oh, a lot of breaking the self constructed barriers also happened this year. I’m always very conscious and shy of dancing in public - be it on a DJ floor or a practiced sangeet performance, but this year, I went all out. Shunned out all the inhibitions and danced my heart out both on the DJ floor and sangeet performances. It was so much fun with the girls. Definitely looking forward to more in the coming years. I think a tiny portion of the credit needs to be attributed to the Cult Dance Sessions, they have been so much fun and joy. 

Book reading. I think I can say this year has been super good in terms of reading books. I have ventured across different genres and enjoyed reading everything. I haven’t really maintained a proper log of how many books I have read, but I guess I could have surpassed the goal of 12 books a year. The bookclub group at work has also had its influence, and I loved the sessions that were hosted as a part of it. 

Lastly, I’m glad I continued journaling this year and that really helped me be grateful for everything in my life. Looking forward to an amazing year ahead with more people, travel, joy and whatnot! 

Happiest New Year 2025!!