“Why does an emoticon for blooming peonies not exist?"
I pondered upon what I’d like to write about in my newsletter, but I couldn’t come up with any particular topic. So this newsletter is a list of random things, thoughts, musings and mini-episodes from recent weeks. Rest assured they are random and are in no chronological or relevant order. They just are - random.
I recently saw a red-flowering Champa tree. It looked exquisite! I didn’t know such a tree existed.
Once a week, me and my friend go for (an unnecessary) cup of kulhaad chai right after our workout at the corner chai kiosk. We skim through the menu card only to order the same thing every single time.
Last month, I saw a shooting star for the first time. I was fascinated and excited like a five-year-old. Of course, I wished upon it. How could I not? I called the youngest in the house after to share my excitement, who only rolled his eyes at me. Peak Gen Z behaviour
I held the plank position for two full minutes (Can you believe it!). And when I got off the mat to pat myself on the back, my trainer looked at me and said, “Next time 2 minutes 5 seconds!” and I rolled my eyes out loud.
For every minor and (slightly) major inconvenience in life, I have now started loudly grumbling Bhagwaan Yaar! much to my family’s amusement.
Every time I read a work email that aggravates me, I switch tabs and watch clumsy Panda videos on YouTube. Try it, it works every single time!
I miss the friend who has gone to her ancestral village to oversee the construction of her family’s gorgeous villa that she has designed. She also acts as a Shah Family substitute sibling in the absence of my brothers.
Another friend shared (for the first time) a touristy picture of himself at Tower Bridge, London. It made me happy and also made me scroll through my gallery back to the winter of 2019-2020.
This classical rendition of Sign of Times from Bridgerton, Season 2 is absolutely stunning! (Chef's kiss)
I binge-watched Bridgerton Season 2 without having watched Season 1 much to my friend’s horror! I know she will haunt me even today, after reading it here. In my defence, life is too short to follow all the rules. Do what your heart pleases (Unless you are Putin, then please don’t!)
This particular photograph of a couple admiring a Monet painting warms my heart.
My NRI cousin is staying with us for a few weeks. She has now occupied much of my vanity cupboard and hijacked my entire wardrobe. If that wasn’t enough, her jet-lagged soul snuggles up to me and wakes me up at 6.30 AM so we can catch up! Why are my cousins like this? Bhagwaan yaar!
Meanwhile, I have borrowed a few Oversized T-shirts from my youngest cousin's wardrobe. I get reprimanded every single video call when he spots me wearing one of them, an accusation I deny every single time.
I terribly miss my childhood friend, who is now quite literally across the globe. I miss her more on days when I use the chopsticks that she gifted me a decade ago.
I have a google notes document titled – Why so pissed off? A document where I rant freely every time someone or something pisses me off! Some of my friends would vouch for how entertaining such a document gets.
I (passionately) love working from home! :’)
Why does an emoticon for blooming peonies not exist?
Lastly and most importantly, here’s a quote that I recently read by Maya Angelou, which is a beautiful mantra for life –
Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.
Love definitely you must, but also friendships, also forgiving others, forgiving when hurt, forgiving even if it doesn’t make sense, most importantly forgiving yourself. Always one more time! That’s it. I hope this newsletter made you think – Well, this was random! ;)
As always a song recommendation – Deewana hai dekho from Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham! Please do hear it and get nostalgic! This song holds a special place in my heart as my childhood friends and I had performed on it at a friend’s Sangeet ceremony and we had spent hours and hours, after work on the terrace - practising, laughing and enjoying ourselves! Missing my girls and their far too fabulous dance skills.
That’s it for this one!
Thank you for reading and indulging me and my words. I am truly grateful!
Until next time,
Sending love, a warm hug and a warmer cup of chai (or a chilled mango milkshake),
Krupa
