“Year’s end is neither an end or the beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us” — Hal Borland

I started this blog last year just before the new year. I never made New Year’s resolutions but promised myself a few things I would want to try out during the twelve months. Places to see, arts and sports to learn and try out, people to meet, and most of all keep this blog going. I have to admit, I don’t think I have achieved all I wanted to do. But I’m not fazed or disappointed in myself. This just means I get a chance to try it again in the next twelve months!!

One of my proud moments of 2019 is to see how much my two have achieved and I’m so proud of both of them. It gives me pleasure to see how they are navigating through life with confidence and a positive outlook to the future in the face of so much strife and negativity in this world. Rima with her two very different talents and excelling in both. Pharmacy with all it’s demands and hurdles in today’s healthcare world has not unnerved her, in fact she has carved out a place with her knowledge and professionalism. Her second love – gaming has also given her something to do – totally different from her day job, a fun and fulfilling pastime which also helps to destress and enjoy at the same time.

Nikhil – a stickler for perfection and protocol had so many disappointments but stuck to his convictions and hard work rewarded him by the end of the year. I am always in awe of his talent for design and development, never thought he had inherited my Dad’s – their grandfather’s artistic gene like his sister. She is an amazing artist and his art manifests in the form of his designs. Amazing!!

2019 also gave me a chance to serve the community of Brechin in a totally different way. After working in the corporate and retail world for nearly two decades where helping the people in the town went hand in hand with targets and profit. Even though I did enjoy my job immensely, this new chapter of my life has presented me with a purpose to serve the community with group of amazingly dedicated people who have excelled in their professional lives and now have got together to fulfil a shared dream. It is my honour to be part of this hard working group.

2019 brought a new addition to our family. When we lost Fudge in 2017, I had made up my mind that I was not going to get another pet as losing him was one of the worst days of my life. So I had started volunteering at the Cats Protection shelter. So many cats came to the pens and some found forever homes. There was one little girl who came to the the shelter in August 2018 with her sister who was adopted within a few months but poor Sisko was left behind. She was overlooked by every person who was looking to adopt a cat. I took a liking to this very shy pretty tuxedo cat, and even though she would not jump in my arms, she was used to me and would let me cuddle her. I couldn’t let another August pass with this dear little cat still hiding in the pens, so she came home with me. Now she rules our house! With her antics, strange but adorable habit of sleeping on newspapers and running up and down the corridors at full speed, she has stolen all our hearts!

The past year was supposed to give me a chance to learn to play a new sport. Have to admit I was looking forward to it, but never really fully managed it. I have not given up and hopefully 2020 will give me that second chance. But it certainly was a good year for photography.

A trip to Bahrain, Seoul and Amsterdam gave many photo opportunities and chance to capture memories. Photography gives me a chance to view the world through the lens of my camera and interpret each image in a different way. The world around presents us with so many scenarios and to showcase how they appear to you is such a marvelous way to share with others.

This blog has helped me put my thoughts and ideas onto paper and share them with the world. Writing stuff down helps me evaluate my life in an unique way. I fully intend to continue doing that more often and share my observations and snapshots of my life.