Wanderlust..Forever

Have you ever felt that you belong somewhere when you visit that place? Does your whole existence become a big question to you? Do you struggle to settle back in your mundane life? If yes, then join the club. This recently happened to me and I started questioning every thing in my life - my life till now, my job etc. etc. As Seth Godin said,  "If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try"  So I decided to take the risk.

Recently I went on a solo trip to Leh- Ladakh and was bitten by the travel bug - big time. I am now suffering from a deadly disease called WANDERLUST. I mean really, what was I doing for so long! I always loved travelling and have almost covered most of the North region of my country, but that was different. I never felt the way I am feeling now. Maybe because I went with my family and was not allowed to explore things my way. But this time, I don't know what but something happened for sure to me. Not able to put a finger on it but I am sure Kuch to hua hai...kuch ho gaya hai. 

I was in need for a break from this running around and was in dire need to find myself. I was feeling so lost and caught up in this materialistic world. I wanted to run away from every thing and never come back. I know it sounds very selfish, but this time I just wanted to think about myself. I wanted to do something for me. I was tired of pleasing everyone and trying to make them happy. I am a very optimistic and positive person, so it is very tough to bring me down. But my last relationship took away the energy from my body and soul and left me gasping. So yes I was hurt and I cried till there was no energy left to even do that. I felt like a drapetomaniac; all I wanted to do was run away and never come back. And it was always in my head - that if I have to run and go some place, where no one can reach me or contact me, it had to be Leh. And that was it. I had promised myself as a New Year resolution that no matter what, I would travel. Even if I have to die hungry. And also, I wanted to explore Leh on my own (before I get married to some chomu).

So I just made up my mind, found out a travel agent and finalised my plan. Packed my rucksack and lied a little to my parents (had to). My mum would have freaked out if she knew that her daughter, who is in the age to bore children but still a child for her, is going all the way to Leh, all ALONE. Sometimes one's got to do what one's got to do. Yeah, so I left my comfort zone, with loads of ideas about travelling alone in my little head and took a leap of faith. And I am glad I did it. If you get to experience something as serene and calm and beautiful and amazing and I don't know what else (falling short of words) as Leh, then I would do this always.

I think I had forgotten who was I. In the process of making  everyone happy, I had lost myself and my happiness. I had forgotten to smile meaninglessly. I had forgotten to love myself while I was trying to find love and love others. I had forgotten that I needed ME time more than anything else in the world. But now I know that girl is still there in me; I just had to bring her out from isolation. I shed all my inhibitions and did what I never thought I could do. Met so many people, made new friends, travelled alone, asked for lift from a total stranger and lived freely, without any tension.

I promise myself that for nothing else in the world I would ever let this girl get lost again. I would only get lost being a wanderer, exploring new destinations, meeting new people and living my life. I cross my heart and hope to die and I promise to be a wanderer forever. "Travel not to find yourself, but to remember who you have been all along" 

My College Life (first ever)...

It's been really long since I have written something. It's been really busy time for me and every time I thought that I would write about something, my new love just didn't allow me to do so. And before any one of you start guessing in a different direction all together, let me tell you that my new found love is nobody else but my college- Xavier's. It was love at first sight for me. The moment I entered the college, I knew I belong here. And even when I was planning to do my Post Grad, I had made up my mind that - if I would ever go to college, it has to be Xavier's and nowhere else.

I was disappointed when I was unable to clear the entrance exams the first time, but I did't give up.  And I could not have been more elated. But it was not easy to get Xavier's in my life. I had to go through tests, group discussions and then finally personal interview. But my patience paid off. And Xavier's said "yes" to my proposal and accepted me with open arms, and I happily went along. 

I still remember my first day. It was full of questions. Who all will I meet? How will my classmates be? Will they accept me the same way Xavier's did? And many more, as I have never been to a college. And I stepped into a world totally unknown to me. But I was not disappointed. I finally met my awesome classmates and every single day, every faculty used to make us go through the procedure of introducing ourselves, but it was fun and we got to know each other a bit more. 

The first initial days were rosy for all of us. I was exploring the campus (trust me its beautiful and humongous) and I am not complaining. The canteen has a buffet set for us, and me being a hard core foodie, it's a heaven for me, and yes I have gained weight. Then came the day when we faced the moment of truth - assignments. We were bombarded with it. Every faculty gave us some assignment and a deadline to submit it. It was fun, as we were working in groups, but hectic too. But I am not complaining. We all came even more close to each other. But between all this madness, we found a method to have fun. We were holding our own fresher's night, and every one in the class had a blast. We danced the night away. 

Then more assignments! But we were determined not to fall flat. We kept on crossing every hurdle and kept enjoying ourselves. Even our faculties were having equal fun with us. A cool dude teacher, Mr. Nitin Das Rai came and won our hearts by performing on "Oppa Ganagam Style" exclusively for us, and it was total worth and priceless moment captured in all our cellphones, or rather smart phones.

Recently we all went to Sula and Bhadhardhara on a class trip (organised by Pallvi Karnatak, my awesome classmate, and I) and we had so much fun. We never wanted this trip to end. But we had to face reality. We came back with lots of priceless memories and moments, and yes of course lots and lots of pictures (because we are a photo crazy class, and we never get tired of posing at any given point of time and place). Here are few examples-

I even got famous!!! One day my H.O.D called and informed me that I am the face of XIC's new programme and I was not able to believe it. Then he told me that he has sent me a link of the college website and also the picture featuring me. And this is what it looked like-

I was super happy to see myself on the website. Our internships happened in December and we were so excited to have that experience in life. And then came the convocation day, the day when we feel proud of our achievements and make our parents proud. My dad was in tears when he saw me featuring in the college video, and that was the time I knew the hardwork was worth it. 

Our job life started and today we all are working in different organisations, and I hope that we all excel in our areas and companies, and make our parents, our faculties, our parents, and Xavier's even more proud of us. Hope we never stop being awesome. Will keep posting more stories. Till then, keep smiling..:)

My 'Jab We Met' Moment

"Maine ek sapna dekha, bada hi ajeeb tha. Badi bechani ho rahi thi, ais alag raha tha ki mano jaise koi train chuth rahi ho...aur main uske peeche bhaag rahi hoon..." When I saw Jab We Met, I loved every single moment of the movie. Be it Kareena running after Shahid or Shahid driving Kareena to the station so that she could catch the train, every single frame was amazing. But never in my wildest dream did I ever imagine that the same would be happening with me! The dialog which I mentioned in the beginning almost came true for me.

After I got a job in GBM (a Public Relations firm), I had to travel to Delhi for my job training in May. Everything was set - my tickets, my luggage etc. I was very excited and was making plans about what would I do when I reach Delhi, where would I go and eat an so on and so forth. I was not in Mumbai one week prior to my journey, but as everything was already set before hand, I was relaxed. The tension started after I was not able to get a ticket back to Mumbai from Gaya, Bihar. After that nothing was going right for me. Every single day my brother and I used to look for tickets, but only failure came to us. I had a train on 24th of May and till 20th I was in Gaya. I was spending sleepless nights. But finally, somehow my father got the tickets for 21st and I reached Mumbai on 22nd May. I was confident that nothing will go wrong as I had already reached Mumbai. All I had to do was to take my luggage and leave for Delhi. But life can not be so sweet to me.

I had to shift places, so my brother and I were busy shifting luggage from my place to my aunt's place. We could not do it in one day, so we decided we would come early and shift rest of the luggage the next day. And that was the day when I had to travel. We reached our place, got a cab, loaded the stuff and were on the move. As usual, something bad had to happen. We got a lot of traffic on the way and I was running short of time. My brother was yelling at me about how irresponsible I was about not leaving on time and all. I was on the verge of crying because my train was supposed to leave at 5pm and it was already 0445. We were 5 mins away from the station, but the traffic was not letting us move freely.

Somehow we managed to reach the station. I saw my train standing on the platform and it was about to leave. I passed on the luggage to 2 coolies and ran for my life. My whole life was coming infront of my eyes. The moment I stepped on the platform, the train started moving. I shouted at the driver and begged him to stop the train for just 2 mins. Just like Kareena in Jab We Met and Simran in DDLJ, I caught the train running. Behind me came the 2 coolies and they dumped my luggage infront of me. The train was in  motion. I had to pay a whooping price of Rs.500 just for 2 bags to the coolies, but I had no other option. The moment realisation hit me and before I could think or react, tears started flowing from my eyes. I called my brother, mother, cousin, friend and God knows who not possible, and informed them about the incident. and after that I started laughing. I searched for my colleague who was travelling with me and narrated the whole thing to her as well. She got worried first but after two minutes, even she was laughing on this.

This incident might sound filmy, but it will always be a nightmare for me. I could never forget that unfortunate day ever. But I guess whatever happens, happens for a reason. Nevertheless, I reached Delhi safely and as now I sit in my office writing and thinking about it, I smile.

Confused!!

Dear Life,
Why do you do this to us??I mean seriously WHY??When you know certain things are just not possible, why do you even try putting things in our heads??WHY? WHY? WHY? We might keep on looking for answers throughout our lives, but we know it very well that we won't be able to get any.
I have heard people saying all the time-"Life is so damn confusing and karma is the biggest bitch"...now I know why. It is very much true. But before we know the real meaning of the same, we are taken down by the virus...
But one thing i could never really understand in my life and this is the biggest question for now- "Why the hell are guys so damn confused in their life??" Why the hell they just cannot decide on somethings in life...
My friend once told me that sometimes in life you have to make choices...it might not be what you want at that point of time..but you have to choose...and yes my friend is a guy. But when it was time for him to decide or rather choose, he just couldn't...
So why give suggestions when you just CAN NOT follow it....why??? Stupid people i tell you..
Whatever it may be, i think guys know themselves best...so its best if we leave it upto them...anyways its a male dominated society...so who cares what a girl thinks(mark the sarcasm)....
Till the time guys figure themselves out...we party and enjoy being girls...yipeeeeeeee..:) :)

My Journey begins.......

Don't know since when,but i had the dream of writing..maybe a book someday. I always used to get different ideas and stories in my mind...but never knew how to put it down in words and whom to show...because until you show it to someone, its half..that's what i believe. So the dream always remained a dream...
But then few months back i was made familiar to the blogging world by a very dear person in my life who happen to be my very good friend as well..when he introduced me to this world, i thought "Boss! this is what i always wanted..right!!" It was my dream come true moment. I could finally write!!! WOW!! I can give a face, a firm base to my thoughts and my dreams and people will actually read it and comment on it..good- bad doesn't matter. But was i happy....you have no idea.

So my journey begins from here....and i really hope that there is no end to this journey. I just want to keep writing till i die and make myself happy...:)