The stories of renting out and looking for apartment are frustrating yet entertaining. So far


1) A girl looking at my posting online "bachelor apartment available for rent" comes to my place and exclaims, oh its a bachelor! I thought it would be a one bedroom.
Not impressed!

2) A man calls me to inquire about the bachelor apartment after looking at the posting online. The next day, he calls me again to ask if he can see some pics. I dutifully direct him to my posting. Then calls again to ask, how much is it renting for?
Haha, please read the posting

I am a CPA, CA

What an exhilarating process it has been!
With ups and downs, I have finally reached my destination. It may have taken me 4 years but I have been humbled upon with experiences and events that will always stick with me.

I almost gave up twice, but each time, my parents encouraged and motivated me to continue the journey even thoughI had lost confidence in myself. Where would I be without them.

Thank you Dolly, Sweta, Jwal and Giselle for always watching out for me.

 Finally it feels like its time to go home now....

Itni chote khake bhi hum samaj na paye,
phir bhi unse umeedien bandi hai
shayad yehi galti hai humari
buzdilo ki wafa mangi
kya gunha kar diya

The things that happen around are very interesting. I attended a Diwali event of this particular organization that I was proud to be a part of and now was a ex-officio. I met a professional who I had previously worked with, at this event. He was covering this event at no costs. When the time came to get the pepping hot food that was ready, he was leaving. I asked him to join us. Apparently, he was only there to cover the event but would not be eating. That was the deal that was signed between the executives and him.

I asked one of the executives to ask him to grab food, which she did, but it was understandable that he declined. I was very disappointed that something like this would happen, especially, when it was Diwali, the festival of happiness, sharing happiness.

I am now supporting this individual openly and letting everyone know that he does a great job

Dear G

I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through and I pray to God that things get better. You are such a fighter, truly fought your way and life took away that last bit of hope.

I am so sorry my dear cousin, May your struggles become easier and may you come out of this victorious, like you always have.


At this point in life, I am confused. We have always been told to pursue goals and ambitions and that has led me to constantly want things, but what is the point of these things when life has its own plans.

I feel terrible for wanting these things, when there is someone so close to me, wanting a simple thing, to live a normal life.

She told me today that she is jealous of me. Ah, only if she knew how I have reached to where I am right now.

We all fight daily battles, some are silent.

The importance of mundane activities

Some days, even mundane things seem important enough. While I try to hold on to whatever there is left, for that sense of familiarity is comforting.

Not everyone will understand that while you are staying away, you still try hard to be there, to be a part of the day to day life, a conversation here and there.

I would do anything to have those broken knees and a caring parent doting me than be where I am at right now. Hoping to be back home soon.

Theres always a choice

And then she asked me whether it hurts. To which I replied, yes, it does. But I have learnt to live with it, to embrace it. I could either destroy everything with this fire inside me or let it be the pilot for the fireplace to warm up my life.

DT driving

I have always been terrified of driving in downtown Toronto because of the craziness, the street cars, the sheer amount of traffic, one way routes and so many people. Thought I could never drive in downtown Toronto, but I did.

Its just a matter of pushing yourself and putting yourself out there. Some circumstances are challenging but bring out the best in you.

Travelling

The only way to truly appreciate a place is to know its history. For history tells us what battles were fought and won.
The Present merely calls it a monument

Home...

I wasnt too happy last few days because my landlord thought it was ok to enter my premises without my knowledge. Afterall, its just an apartment.

Its never your home until you buy one for yourself. 

Is it really happening? I am so thrilled, excited and relieved. Cant wait! 

Learning to spoil myself

You eventually learn to thrive and to earn. Still learning how to spend that and enjoy spending it on myself. 

Challenges

Life has been unpredictable and I have challenged myself yet again. Its unbelievable how much potential we have, but we dont realize until we are forced to be nothing but strong or when we actually push ourselves.

Pushing myself to this new adventure. A step at a time. 

Kaash ke hum na hote,
toh na hoti yeh tanhayian.
Na hoti yeh khamoshiyaa.
Aur na hoti yeh dooriyan.

Kaash ke kuch na hota,
toh na hoti yeh khamiya,
na hota koi afsos
aur na hoti yeh adhuriya

Kash ki yeh rahein mitt jaati,
toh na wapas jaa sakte aur na laut aa saktte.
Bas reh jati toh yeh ruhh
aur yeh andhkaar

Why does it take someone's misfortune to remind us that we are blessed? Sadist lives we lead. 

Fear and its consequences.

I have some new found respect for sportsmen and women, especially the ones that continue the sports after getting injured. I cant seem to get over my last injury, psychologically, I am scared of being hit again by the ball in my face. So, this season, I have been playing good, I freeze and watch the ball roll away.

I would really like to overcome this fear. Being hopeful. 

Attempts to talk to my life

Kuch sunne ruki
kuch bolne ruki
kuch bolo, kuch toh bolo

Looking at the stars

Looking at wonders of life was astonishing and exciting. The things I learnt in school, I finally saw last night. Saturn, its rings and its moons. Also saw a satellite sent by us to orbit the Earth, move like a star. So cool.

Life may not be what I had hoped for, but its been a constant teacher and a reminder to cherish moments and people. Things may not be in my control, but I d give my best regardless.

Layers after layers, we peel until there is nothing left and then, you are completely exposed.

I feel I was owed that layer, but, it is what it is.

Looking forward to the day when these wounds wont hurt anymore

Rain and its effects

Droplets of rain falling on my dashboard,

touching, soothing and running down

A couple walking hand in hand with their dog,

Immersed, drenched and so in love.

Us playing a game under the rain,

the passion for the stick and the love to train.

Listening to the sound of the pour

Craving for the fried food made by mom

Rain is truly blissful

I wonder more often now whether my decision has been right to not invest my time and effort in things and relationships where I am putting in more than the other person. I sleep well at night and I dont have any regrets, so must be a good decision.

I do wonder though if things would have been different if I had continued status quo.

Ghar wali feeling ...feeling of being at home

Coming back to my safe haven after 2 months feels interesting.  My room is intact and stands just as I left it 2 months ago yet it feels weird as though I'm at my parents' place and not my own. It's going to take a while to get accustomed to this place I call home. 

Guess eventually we all have more than one place we call home.

These days, its all about texting and messaging. A personal email sent has its own charm though :) 

How to attract attention at work

Dressing up on a dress down day...priceless! 

When you are living on your own and still want to cook Indian food, it helps to simply buy ginger and garlic paste bottles. Very convenient!

So happy I could open these bottles this time rather than having to knock at the doors of my neighbours. Lol. 

When does wanting something so badly become almost desperately wanting it?

And what if, it is not what is planned for you by the higher orders of life? 

A few words..

True to each word, true to each soul.

Nothing is unreal, each moment is as is.

Nadaan ai dil, simat ja
Parwa na kar unki,
jaha teri kami mehsoos na ho
Tu aab laut aa, tu aab laut aa

Beigan ban beithe aab woh kaliya
Jinki khusbu ki kami tujhe sisakti hai
Iss musafir ke kadmo ki ahaat sunewala bhi na ho
Tu aab laut aa, tu aab laut aa

Waqt be waqt haqeeqat aa jaati hai samne
Apna le iss pal ko
Kyunki zindagi yaha bhi haseen hai
Tu aab laut aa, tu aab laut aa

Relationships

This touched my heart..so true.


"Leaving people behind is never easy — it never feels right to move on to the next chapter. But, as life continues onward, so do we, and just because we leave people, it does not mean we must forget the times we shared. It does not mean that all those things must be lost in some unknown abyss. 
All we can ask is to remember and that those whom we once loved remember us, too."

- ELYSSA CARR, Elightdaily.com

Many a times, we tend to have an effect on others that we may or may not realize.

I am finally back on getting some sleep, its weird how some people have that calming effect on you.
Thanks a ton. 

I am learning to say No to things that I dont agree with or that are not good for me. 

I have always thought of myself as being blunt but, when it comes to saying No, its tough.

Because, there is this fear of hurting someone's feelings. 

There is also this fear that since you are in disagreement with someone, maybe what you are thinking is not right. 

And so I said no to someone, who I know is not ideal for me. Hes a great guy, but just not for me. 

Some give you chances, some take it away.

Some you rekindle with, some let you fade by

I walk on this path only once, and each day, each time, I am ready to give and take a second chance because life is too short.

Qualm of living on your own # 9

Simple tasks of opening a jar is quite a mission. I wanted to eat pickles but I could not open the air tight jar.

I will have to hunt down someone who can open it for me!

The spicy sour pickles, you will have to wait till then! 

When I slept in my bed after 3 weeks, I realized how much I missed it.

I missed the smell and the feel of home.

Sometimes you end up giving up things that mean so much to you.

Coming back to an empty house..

Sheher ki masti dekhli, sheher ki chaka chaun dekhli
Logo se bhari hui galiya dekhli
Ameeri dekhli, gareebi dekhli

Thak kar jab aayi wapas
khali makaan aur meri ruh me kami dekhli 

Such is life

Being sick is no fun, being sick alone is even worse.

Missing my parents...

Its so weird to say it out loud, but I have missed the auditing world. Its good to be back.

How soon this comment will change in 3 months..

Gazzillion keys

I have a gazillion keys now in my key chain.

Its hard to believe that there are now so many things to manage. 

Checklist for 2014 (coz we all love them!)

I dont plan on making a new year resolution, but rather a list of things I d like to do this year

1) Toastmaster, with the hopes of getting better at public speaking

2) Sky diving, always wanted to do it, still cant believe I havent done it yet

3) Swimming, this is an ongoing project

4) Tattoo, hopefully this year! Need to decide on which one to get.

5) Meditate - need to work this into my schedule.

6) Travel more - say yes more often!

7) Dance more - zumba instructor maybe

8) Keep in touch with friends and relatives more often

9) Volunteer and get involved in London now that I have moved.

10) Try something new this year...like the RAD race, start biking (tried tobogganing and trampoline so they dont count)

Goodbye 2013

Past year took a lot from me and gave me a lot too. It took away my standing, it took away things I loved, things I thought I will always have.

And somewhere, I decided to not give up.
I challenged myself to become a leader and became the president of a great organization.
I got asked to be the master of ceremony for a 200 + guests event and I did it and faced my stage fear yet again.
I was on radio and spoke my mind.
Travelling came knowing on my door twice and I said yes both times.
And now, I am living my worst fear of being alone..

And all this would not have been possible if my family, my parents did not believe in me.

I am so thankful for the time I got in the past year with my parents, it brought me so close to them.

And so, as we have all bid 2013 a goodbye, lend a ear, a hand and a shoulder to someone, reach out to someone out of the blue, you never know, they might be waiting for it all along.

And put up a good fight with life, it will eventually give in.