Hello 2019!

*Morning* The cool air felt so good on my face. Reminds me of a fresh start again.
We all live with so many wishes and dreams. This year let’s have the constant aim and effort and achieve them with a strong will power. Let us all stay blessed this year. Happy New Year folks!

Coming to the blog, it was silent for the most part of December. Though I planned 2 more posts for it, I didn’t work on it.

This is the first post that is published this year. And, yes, I am so much delighted to post this. For almost a year and a half, I was posting monthly gratitude journals. I loved the journey and the time spent composing the post. It reminded me of the moments well-spent and the journey made me feel so much better throughout. In 2019, I am making another change. I am going to post my weekly gratitude this year.

For one, this will be the only year I can spend with my daughter fully before she joins school next year. So, I have made peace with the fact that I can only write short posts. I understood this last month. Though I planned the year in review like I had done in 2017, I really wanted to do it for 2018. However, the last month brought so much troubles than the whole year that I couldn’t sit down and write. I am glad I had my little one, she needed audience and I needed entertainment. It worked well.

I found the idea of a weekly gratitude journal so comfortable. I saw it at Sanch’s. I enjoyed reading her posts and felt there is always something to be thankful for. 

How about a sneak peak into the first week of the New Year.

I managed to wind up by 11, but I wasn’t able to sleep for a long time. I contemplated on a lot of things when the New Year unwrapped itself. I did not attend calls or see social media. I was busy watching the ceiling when they started bursting crackers and the little one wondered if it’s Diwali again and then smiled at me saying Pattas. Well, that’s how we started our New Year.

The husband enjoyed the show at London Bridge and sent me the videos and photos which baby girl and I saw on New Year Morning. We were lucky to wish him before he slept again.

I have chosen Calm as my Word of the Year for 2019. It could be calm down, keep calm, Calm it bud, anything, because I am boiling so quick that I am in shock. I really need CALM. That’s my bullet journal entry for this year. You guys know I am no artist, but I love to scribble stuffs like this. Oh, sure, it calms me.

I took my time with the phone and responded slowly to friends and family.

My New Year started with a bit of cleaning and I was happy that I managed it and felt better.

I am participating in the Write Tribe Reading Challenge 2019 and have planned a post for revealing my choices.

My #365HappyDays project of writing a Haiku a day is going good. I am enjoying it thoroughly. Follow my journey on Instagram.

Ilakkiya’s new obsession is watching Vaayadi petha pulla song from Kanaa. She loves watching it and tries to sing along. We do it together.

Baby girl is growing up fast and I see her with so much admiration when she sleeps. Well, at other times I am amazed, yet the anger part is a work in progress.

I am slowly writing about my goals for this year and I am working on my Vision board. I hope to put up a post for my word and the vision board along with it.

Heard about the demise of a family friend and I am in shock. Death in 40 is becoming common and scary. May his soul rest in peace. After all, health is the only thing that we must focus on irrespective of our situation.

Ilakkiya

Just like many previous months, I started this October at Mom’s. Baby girl had a vaccine early this month. She had a mild fever, but after the vaccine she didn’t talk with the doctor. She had another little companion and spent her waiting time playing with her. It was lovely to see them playing together. I love it when my daughter is not fussy about toys and plays along with other children. 

As much as I wanted to take her on all days of Navrathri, I couldn’t do it this time. I enjoyed watching her eat puffed rice straight out of the banana leaf. She joined me in my venture to a temple near home and loved walking inside it. She always wanted to sit down a bit by the end of the rounds and then she kneels down and bows before the God. That’s adorable and I just watch her do it with so much sincerity. I would just want to pick her and kiss her. 

Family

I am blessed and I can never do without them. I was a very reserved person with family during my school and college days. I am glad I opened up to them later and happy for the situations that made me so. Though I regret some of my early life decisions, I am truly happy to have such supportive parents and a darling sister. They have been my shoulder to cry in my toughest times. As much as they have shared their thoughts about my mistakes, they have also encouraged me to move forward and be ME all over again.

I am also learning to make peace with many mistakes of mine and others. So, this is a new phase where I am in a position to understand that everyone makes mistakes. It is important to convey our disappointments as suggestions and with respect so that it helps make the relationship better. I am learning to put myself in their situation, even though I know I wouldn’t do something like that. It breaks my ego and helps me find a solution which I otherwise worry about and complaint.

Writing and Reading

I wrote two posts on the blog. Though I had planned 5 for the month, I only accomplished two. I am glad I wrote those two apart from my September Gratitude List. I must say I learn a lot while I write my posts. I also took a lovely break from Social Media last month. I will tell you why soon! I did a little bit of reading. Overall, my writing, reading and Social Media was very limited in October.

Since I was in Bangalore for a week, I had a lovely time reading Children of India by Ruskin Bond. I cherished what I read. Though I completed the book only during early November, I read those stories in the calmness of the room in Bangalore. Those sent me back to sweet memories of Bond’s early days.

View this post on Instagram

After a long break, back on Insta. Hello folks! ? Currently reading. Look at what I am reading today. ? I liked Ruskin Bond after I read his Funny Side Up, my first read from his entire collection. I loved it and couldn’t put the book down. Yet another book of his for the trip. ? A day late on the Bangalore trip, but I am glad to sit and relax today. ? While the little one is catching up on her lost sleep due to cold, cough and travel, I am excited to catch up on reading. ? #amreading #backinbangalore #bangaloredays #lovelytime #readinggoals #ruskinbond #childrenofindia #ruskinbondfan #ruskinbondbooks

A post shared by Jayanthy Govindarajan (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Oct 22, 2018 at 4:38am PDT

Parenting

With Ilakkiya growing day by day, it seems like I need deep reserves of Patience, quick paces and eyes on all sides. She is a curious little girl who wants to know everything and follows everything we do. The other day I was doing my breathing exercise with eyes closed while the little one was turning side to side. When I opened my eyes and looked at her, she was busy doing Pranayam herself! 🙂 So, as much as I am worried about her, I am also getting this awareness of what I say and what I do. It’s like someone is watching you all the time! Definitely my screen time is reduced a great deal and I am glad about it. I have finally realized that these are my moments to cherish with her and even though I get too bored when I spend a whole day with her, the next day is all new and I am happy to switch my routine in a better way.

Work

Slowly, I am working on small projects with care. I am not bothered about how many projects I have in hand. It is about how much effort I put into what I have and how to make it better. Slowly, I am understanding what it means to DO YOUR WORK.

Love

I couldn’t wait to type this. Still, I saved the best for the last. The Husband was here and we spent two weeks together! It is still like a dream. One week in Chennai and one week in Bangalore. Wow, it was like a dream come true. I planned so much for his birthday this year from the beginning, but he traveled right after our second anniversary and my plans never mattered to me after that. At last, to my surprise, we spent his birthday at an unbelievably calm place with good food and much longed family time. For this, I feel blessed.

Though, he had told me he would visit home soon, I did not believe it. New project and confusions go hand in hand. Project people decisions and decisions from the company ought to be similar for the travel to happen. After lots of workarounds, I am glad that travel resolved a couple of their issues. I couldn’t deny the fact that I missed him a lot. We spent time in Bangalore like we haven’t spent time in two years. I must agree this was such a nice time spent together. 

Travel and Friends

Bangalore Days!

So, once again I can say that October was such a lovely month that I can cherish the coming months just by its memories. You all must be deeply busy in November already, so let me catch up with your Octobers now.

Joining Vidya Sury’s Gratitude Circle.

A month that has changed a lot since last year. Last year this time, Ilakkiya was five months old and I was a new mother apprehensive about taking care of her all by myself. I am happy to share I got help from unexpected front and I feel grateful about that. Now, after a year, I am a calmer mother (okay, not a saint yet, I don’t think I will ever get there), improving my consistency towards daily life and I have taken the liberty to follow the 15 minute slot for most things I do. These are some of the best things this September.

This month has made me stronger than I thought possible. Life isn’t easy when you are staying away from your hubby. The only person who understands”why you do what you do” with an air of confidence. Also, I see that he has shielded me from so many daily nuisance. Some moments happen and it is like adding salt to a raw wound, but I am learning. I am really learning what it is like to be a woman and an opinionated one at that. I am learning when I must share my thoughts and when I must not. I am learning when I need to trust my decisions and when I need to open up and talk. I am thankful for friends who help me find my voice when I am filled with doubts.

I love the fact that I spend the last week of most months at Mom’s. This helps me rejuvenate and also write the gratitude post in peace. I am thankful for my family, even though we are a crazy bunch, I love them. 

With a working mother who keeps us on our toes, 

A retired father who thinks we are still 5 year old, 

A Martial Arts trainer sister who wants us to wake up everyday at 5 so she can train us to connect with our chakras, 

A stern aunt who shares very little in common with us, 

A funny uncle whose dry wit about my mother (his sister) cracks us,

And the craziest grandmother who is still a teen at heart, 

Ilakkiya is enjoying her ride on this fun train. 

Oh, I must share about her two fur friends. After all, she bosses over them. She asks them to come near her and when they do, she runs and hugs her grandpa! Well, she loves to feed all her goodies to both of them, yes, only if she doesn’t find them tasty, that is!

She just completed her 16th month. She has started to run faster. She is in the other room before I could turn around and ask her something. She is still contemplating whether she can climb down the stairs or not. Those are my scariest moments. She loves to climb up, however, she holds me when she finds one or two difficult. She has her own brushing kit now. I used to brush her teeth without a baby toothpaste before, because trust me, I was really worried about her swallowing it all. Baby toothpastes indicate it is okay for them to swallow. I am still not getting myself around it, but I am trying to make it minimal. Some vaccine months are complicated due to a rise in temperature. This is one of them, I need to see how it goes. Ilakkiya is enjoying her new book from the library. It has bright colors and figures for her to touch and feel it. And my baby girl is curious about everything. She loves to wander and find things from most corners of the house.

I enjoyed writing posts this September. I was happy to participate in #MyFriendAlexa with Team Blog Chatter. I planned the month ahead and I enjoyed writing down my schedule in a notebook. This is the first time I planned an entire month ahead. It felt peaceful. I was able to write and post them per schedule. I felt amazed at how much I could achieve. However, I completed 6 posts instead of 8. Somehow I felt this is what I could do this month and I stopped. I wasn’t very convinced with the campaign midway and felt a little disoriented about the approach. Anyway, I am happy that I participated and learnt my lessons. I am thankful because I needed that push before a month, and I saw a huge change in my Alexa Rankings. I am glad it is over now.

I read so many blogs this September. I found so many interesting bloggers whom I might have missed otherwise. I read so much on parenting and travel that I am okay to venture into the unknown now. I loved the reading list sent by the team, but managed to continue my very own reading list without any hindrance. I am glad for that. I learnt so much from so many blogs. I am excited about blogging and I will follow some of the new blogs I found through the campaign.

I am currently reading two books. Sheryl Sandberg’s, Lean In for Graduates – my ideal read every morning and night. She inspires me and makes my day productive. She has helped me gain so much insight about career choices that women make. I am rethinking my own options. For the slow afternoons and 5 minute breaks, I am reading The Listerdale Mystery by Agatha Christie. I am glad to have this shift to Christie. I haven’t read much of her works before, I wonder why! 

Finally, I made peace with baby girl’s weight issues. Ilakkiya enjoys eating and burning down those calories. When she happens to annoy me with something, I just tell my mother how irritating it is. My mother, grandmother, and my father laugh it out and say, whose daughter she is! I decided not to complaint to these people. They make me the laughing stock. Anyway, I enjoy every activity she does, even if it is utterly annoying. She loves to wipe the floor with water and kiss her hands right after that. Trust me, I don’t do anything of that sort, in case you are thinking maybe she follows it from us! When I explain little one’s bossiness to some, people just say, after all she is your daughter! Well, I need to think twice before saying a word again! 😉

I have taken a step back when it comes to Work this month. I haven’t come out from the fraudster pranks from last month. I decided to keep it slow. I am in the process of learning and I am sure I will. Some great bloggers shared their thoughts about it last month in my gratitude post about online work. I am glad to find them positive and focus on improving my skills.

I am excited about the Gratitude Pie App by Upasna. It is an interesting app where we can list our daily gratitude and it forms a lovely pie. I have been a part of Upasna’s gratitude pie circle and I am so happy to see that her dream has come true through this app. You can download it from Play Store for Android. I am bad at drawing circles, this app makes things simple.

How did your September go?  I would love to know about it.

Joining Vidya Sury’s #GratitudeCircle 

Every family has its share of troubles. What’s important is what we take to the next level? Most times it’s that one good deed at the most unexpected time that can change your opinion about a person. Be thankful for every moment. 

1. Never ever try to change anyone! 
2. Comparison can be deadly. It can ruin the present happiness and build a frustrated mind before you know it.
3. Accept what could be done and also accept what cannot be done at this moment.

All along, I had writing to help me move forward. I took up the Write Tribe October Pro-blogger challenge and wrote bravely for all the prompts. A 9 post challenge which I enjoyed thoroughly with my sub-tribe. Thankful to Corinne and all my friends in the tribe. They had been very supportive during my fever and throughout the blogging challenge.

Planned a nice evening dinner for Hubby’s birthday, but eventually that was the day my mother-in-law got her fever. We just had a good chat and actually that felt better. 

#happybirthdaysweetheart #hubbybirthday #thatguy????

A post shared by Jayanthy G (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Oct 26, 2017 at 6:33am PDT

If I am thankful for one thing this month, it’s the fever. I realized many things during the full rest period. Sometimes it is breaks like these that shows what life is like.

On the whole, October is the birthday month of my loved one and one gift I can truly give him back is a thankful smile for giving me a nice family.



You can read my Gratitude post for September here!

Together we complete 3 months! #25thAugust2017 #happymommy #cherishinglifemoments #blessed #mybaby #mylove #momentswithher❤️

A post shared by Jayanthy G (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Aug 31, 2017 at 12:50am PDT

Ammama love!  I love calling her kollu  ammama, but affectionately and humorously kollu kezhuvi. ☺ Three generations of love passed to the little one!! #greatgrandparents #familylove❤

A post shared by Jayanthy G (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Jun 13, 2017 at 10:20pm PDT

Finally, with my first love. Slowly getting back to reading. This is the book I had postponed for years. I feel I am now ready for it!! Bought this @  #InfyBangalore  Looking back to that day now. #Thefountainhead #lovereading #booklover #finallymakingtime #aynrand #centennialedition

A post shared by Jayanthy G (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Sep 2, 2017 at 10:14am PDT

I am currently reading “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand. I bought this centennial edition at Infosys Bangalore in 2014. When I read the foreword by the author, I wasn’t really sure if this book would excite me. I am not excited by this book instead I am impressed by a whole new level. Every page I read so far has intricate details in it that I am taken to a different world with all the characters popping up in my head without much effort. I am so glad for the little time I get to read. That is what is letting me get absorbed into this book without rushing through it!

Mothers become kids once again because of our newborns. That little-hidden shyness has left me now and I am not worried about public display of affection with my little one. Ilakkiya, my sister and I share that common interest for silly shouts and crazy bouts of laughter. We are having so much fun each day. I made up a new lullaby and she sleeps only to that song. The lines are downright silly, but all babies make their moms feel like Janaki or Susheela! 

My Kungfu Queen

Thank You September, You have been kind to me! 

A special moment I shared with my family!

I was waiting to lay my hands on those wonderful jars! The moment it came, I couldn’t resist. I left it to chill for a while. When I took it out to eat, my uncle had come. He is not a fan of cakes, so I approached him ? He said, he will give it a try! What do you think happened next? He did not just eat it, he relished every bite of this #chocolatetrufflejarcake. I tasted a little from it. Yes, I  hid my jar in the refrigerator! ? Cold and mildly sweet, this is all I wished in this cake! This #perfectbaker just read my mind! My family enjoyed this treat! Thanks @tabasum18 from @the_cakes_town for making such delights! You did not just make my day awesome, you made me cherish my cake! As a side note, it also cured my headache that troubled me for the last two days. Chocolate surely does wonders! I sure know where to order next time! Sending you loads of love!  #thecakestown #bakeparty #loveforjars #chocolatetrufflejars #chocotruffle #myfriendisbaking #loveherskills #chocolatelovers #cakelover #amazingbakers #orderfromher

A post shared by Jayanthy G (@jayanthygovindarajan) on Sep 25, 2017 at 3:59am PDT

P.S: My little one just rolled back to front for the first time today! Yay, we are about to celebrate it by making modhaks for Lord Ganesha! 

Gratitude Circle Post for Vidya Sury