Are you a goal oriented person? If yes, then New Year resolutions might be your thing! However you are not alone if you don't believe in resolutions. Goals can result in putting unnecessary pressure on us leading to frustration on their non fulfillment. However it is believed that people tend to perform better under pressure. I am not not talking about that kind of pressure but like on a moderate level to grow into a better version. Basically if you are self employed like me, with no Boss ( thankfully) then you may need motivation, push and deadlines from time to time; in order to not lag behind. But since New year resolutions have become far from difficult to achieve and continue, I have come up with a different set of 'intentions' for self improvement.

For some (read older generations especially+haughty people) may find posting on social media/ internet a form of narcissism. While I may not fully disagree (some people are on the platform just to boast about their wealth/flawless body etc), the internet is the biggest teacher. It is my daily source of inspiration and motivation and of course host of lessons everyday; from other people's lives. Since I am constantly drawing inspiration from other people's lives on a daily basis, my goal remains to do the same on my platform too; be it my Instagram or blog. Therefore this year I decided to set some intentions of self improvement for my birthday, which would help not only me but others too. Because I learn from others' lives every single day! 

While I could go on and on how I celebrated my 34th birthday, (after two lockdown celebrations) , I decided to do something else this year. I have been in a rut lately (two and half years tbh, anyone else relates?) and so thought of coming up with some resolutions that would ensure an improved life. Documenting these here will make me more accountable plus it might motivate many of you (mums especially).

Stop procastination. Just do it. A job well began is half done. I guess keeping this in mind constantly will help to a large extent. Once you start, the hardest part is over.

Eat a fruit everyday+drink plenty of water. Lockdown gave rise to obesity and other metabolic disorders. And why it would not. We just ate loads of junk without any physical activity (mopping sweeping don't count because we are under stress). So this is a good reminder to try to reverse those damages.

 Stretch regularly. Quiet time for at least half an hour in the balcony garden. Outside light and air does wonders. Again self employed people who work from home will relate more. But then the corporate people and medical professionals like my husband who are indoors under artificial lights 12 hours a day, this applies for them too. Don't forget to stretch and take outside breaks.

 Try not to yell at kids. Now this one is seemingly impossible. I mean how can we Indian mums fasten the harness of our kids without yelling? Sometimes I feel is it in our genes? But then, gentle parenting is the way to go. Let's reserve yelling and screaming only for emergency situations. Something that I need to keep in mind all the time.

No frowning or sulking. Put negative thoughts on paper instead of the face. For many of us, pandemic depression has taken a toll on our looks. Frown lines, double chins, hair loss, some to start with. Instead of showing it on our face, let's put those thoughts on paper and vent out.

 Change my attitude towards Life. Be grateful always. If you have a roof above your head, food on your plate and clean water to drink, you are fortunate. I should remember I have more than this. Hence gratitude. ALWAYS.

Go to bed early. Give more rest to the body. Weight gain and a decrease in immunity is largely associated with lack of sleep/erratic bedtime schedules. While we mums might consider burning the midnight oil 'me time', it's taking a toll on our health. Why not wake up earlier and enjoy that me time in the morning?

Make bed everyday. Keep surroundings uncluttered. Dispose regularly. Discipline and organisation goes a long way in self improvement and mood lift. It's often underrated. Most of the times I feel like working on my laptop out of my messy bed, have my coffees and meals in that very warm nook. While it may be too tempting and comfortable, it's too unhealthy; both for the mind and body. Get up, clean up, dress up (or even stratighten those pjs), make your bed and then start working. Blame it on motherhood and being the primary caregiver of a large family, my life has become more undisciplined than I would like to admit. Hence, straighten up!

Will let the pictures do the talking. Signing off, Tada! If this resolution list is able to help even one single person, my motto behind this post would get fulfilled! Stay happy folks! Grateful for another healthy year 

When you’re young, camping might seem like something that only old people do. You might think that as soon as you’re old enough to have your own house and a car big enough to take on a road trip, you won’t need to rough it in the great outdoors anymore. The truth is, though, that there are plenty of reasons why camping is best when you’re still young. If you find yourself thinking that camping is just not for the young, then read on to learn why you should reconsider! It doesn’t matter if you are living in a city or in the country; everyone needs some time under the open sky every so often. 

So if you have already been to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur to be precise) and have a stopover there again? PS this is mainly from an Indian point of view. Well it's a blessing in disguise! Firstly, KL is a beautiful and friendly city and you can never get bored of visiting it multiple times. Secondly, I am here to share an unexpected guide with you!

When we were booking our flights to Australia, we were planning for Air Asia flights. Tickets to Australia (Sydney/Melbourne from Delhi/Mumbai ) are really expensive and an economic way to travel is through Air Asia. Now every Air Asia flight has a stopover at Kuala Lumpur (the low budget airport terminal). But our connecting flight to Melbourne was quite late. So when we were brainstrorming options what to do in that transit period, we discovered an extremely fascinating fact. Malaysia offers free transit visa for upto 120 hours (that means 5 days) for passengers towards Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea (of course with the valid visas of those respective countries). However, the grant of that free transit visa is fully on the discretion of the KL Immigration Authority.

So we decided to take a chance, we booked a flight in which the stopover time was around 20 hours. That is, we were landing in Kuala Lumpur early in the morning and the connecting flight to Melbourne was at around 4 in the morning. I had been to Kuala Lumpur twice before, so there was no point in exploring the friendly city again. However KL's twin city, Putrajaya was unexplored. I had heard so much about that place and was just 25 kms from KL. So the plan was sealed. We were to explore Putrajaya in those 10 to 12 hours. Only a slight uncertainty: our transit visa was at the mercy of the Malaysian immigrant officials.

After we landed and proceeded towards the immigration, the officer looked at our tickets and passport for quite some time. He asked what we are going to do in these hours. We divulged our plan and there came the stamp of approval. Yay!

We took the metro to reach Putrajaya. It was already morning. We crossed numerous palm plantations and they all look so pretty. Then we deboarded at Putajaya station. Mind you, this was going to be an entire walking tour! I know, we are crazy!

For the starters, Putrajaya is the administrative capital of Malaysia. It has been developed as a garden city, during 1999, to decongest the highly populated capital city of Kuala Lumpur. As we started walking, we could see the Putra Bridge, our first stop. It was an architectural marvel and we took pictures and sat on the grass to catch our breath. We had not slept the whole night mind you :D

Our next stop was the main attraction of the city, the Putra Mosque or Masjid Putra; famously known as the Pink Mosque. However, the rest of the attractions which we tend to visit were on the way to the mosque.

We walked by (read encircled) the serene Putrajaya lake, one of the most beautiful lakes of the country. It's a huge artificial lake, to maintain the temperature of the city. At one side of the lake is a huge botanical garden. There are luxurious penthouses bordering the lake, each with a private pool. Those penthouses were so tempting that I felt like shifting there right now! The Pink mosque could be seen far from the lake. We gradually walked towards that magnificent structure.

What we did not do is visit the Prime Minister residence. It was beyond our scope of walking and would take time too. We wanted to pay a visit to the Petronas Twin Towers before boarding the flight to Melbourne.

This walking tour is one of the best utilization of time in our lives so far. The city of Putrajaya is extremely pretty as it's fully planned; with marvelous architecture and greenery all around. In all we walked around 15 kms that day, that too without any sleep, after a red eye flight, all prepped for another red eye to Melbourne. But it was so worth it!

We took the metro to the capital and bade goodbye to this pretty city, with our hearts full.

 So I have become a pro in procastination. But a job well started is half done, right? My first born's birthday falls in the first half of March, we celebrate usually during the last weekend (since the final exams fall during her actual birthday.) And the first week of July is over too. I earlier thought of documenting her birthday for the ocassion of Mother's Day, as it's her who made me one! But seems I missed that deadline too. So here we are, in the middle of July, trying to hurriedly document one of the most precious days of the year.

So this post is a continuation of what I wrote in January, regarding the third birthday of my little one; that 'The child is the father of the man'. 

Relationship lessons from my three year old

If you are a parent, or even have nieces and nephews, you very well can understand what I mean here. Children teach us something all the freaking time and we should always keep our eyes and ears open and try and imbibe these unprovoked, genuine lessons. Ever since I became a mom in 2014, my daughter has been teaching me something or the other. So are the 8 most valuable lessons that she has taught me over these 8 years.

1. Being non judgmental: I feel that this is the foremost quality which we adults need to imbibe. We all judge. If you are an SATC fan, then this would ring with you more (Stanley to Carrie). However kids are absolutely non judgmental. They just don't care whether the bed is made or not, the dress is flashy or not, gift is expensive or not or the person talking to you is haughty and vain! 

Scrolling all the time makes me judge (just a little bit) but I have really been trying to become 100% non judgmental like my daughter.

2. Keen observer: Well when you are a medico, you need to be a keen observer. That's one basic pre requisite for this profession. The moment a patient walks into your chamber, you should be able the diagnose the ailment. While I am a pretty good observer myself, my first born is on another level!

Her tendency to note minute details often throws me off but also is a good reminder that I need to be more present, in order to be a better professional.

3. Forever Forgiving: This is kind of an extension of the first virtue because when you are non judgmental, you won't commit. Being forgiving is damn important; not for the other person but for the sake of your own self. Over the years I have held grudge for a few people in my life but my daughter is a forever reminder that I need to let it go. 

No matter how rudely I behave with her (I know, I am ashamed of myself but kids sometimes need scolding and yelling for discipline and studies), she is loving like before after a few minutes! She has never held a grudge against me all through these years. I should not take this for granted but again, we all should learn to forgive.

4. Full of energy: Kids are definitely an excellent example of endless energy. How come they never get exhausted? They can play in the park all the morning and then spend the entire evening dancing at a party. Even if she can transfer 1% of her bottomless energy, I can rule the world!

5. Innocence: A person who is purely non judgmental and fully forgiving, is the epitome of innocence. While we adults have sinned way too much to be innocent, we can at least free our minds and hearts of malice and wrath and grudges.

6. Eternal Optimism: Kids always have the best dreams and think about all things sweet because they have not seen the uglier side of this world. While their lives are fully protected inside this bubble (it's our responsibility to maintain that bubble), they view everything with a positive attitude.

While being practical is a necessity, this is often taken over by pessimism. There are bad people out there who can harm you, true, but we adults need to remind ourselves that the world is a beautiful place to live in nonetheless.

7. Gullibility: For us seasoned adults, this trait maybe looked upon as a negative, but believe me, it's good to be gullible. Of course I am not talking in a malicious world where you are surrounded by corrupt people because then, you are doomed. But when it's your own circle, it's nice to think and believe that what the others are saying it is for your good.

Kids can be convinced in the easiest manner because their hearts are pure and innocent. Otherwise how much tougher would our lives have been?

8. Generosity: Kids are known to keep their belonging to themselves, reluctant to share. However they are also generous. Basically it's the gullibility trait that makes them so. You say a few nice words, they are convinced and ready to listen to you and ready to part with their most precious possession. We adults, tend to evaluate the pros and cons in everything and that makes everything so complicated. 

How about we ditch all the complexities and try to lead a fuss free life, like that of a child? It would so relaxing on our souls, ain't it?

Also read : What seven years of motherhood taught me

The days are long but the years are short. We moms and Dads know this. But if you are thinking of becoming one, remember, no day is easy. However at the end of all those gruelling hours, you will be immensely proud and satisfied. Eight years passed in a jiffy. I have struggled from the beginning and trying everyday. But I am amazed looking at this 'not so tiny anymore' human everyday. A Frozen themed birthday party for my Elsa. I know I am usually very strict on you, but I love you from the bottom of my heart, my dear Mohi.

If you are a 90's kid, then you must have fond memories of computer games. Those days when the Joystick of the television had been taken over by the mouse and keyboard. Ain't it? My father gifted me a Compaq computer which was installed with Windows 98. And it came preloaded with four games: Solitaire, Freecell, Hearts and Minesweeper. So three out of four were card games and that's how my obsession with card games began. I started with Solitaire (found it the easiest; I was really young) and then moved over to Free cell and Hearts gradually. With time, I mastered the game of Hearts and started beating good opponents (online games) but it was Solitaire which still remained my comfort game. Whether feeling low or high, bored or simply blah, I used to play Solitaire for hours. This is way before I got into medical college and career and life took over my passions of pastime.

Fast forward, there are millions of games available today; especially online. Believe me, I don't at all feel the temptation to play them. Most of them require downloading the app, and if you are anyone like me, you will refrain from overloading your phone further. Also, if I play online, too many ADs bombard the page, rendering you confused and irritated. Hence, I could not find what I was looking for. Clean online games like good old times; before I came across solitaire.org

What attracted me was its name. I clicked it planning to play my favourite good old Solitaire, but it turned out to be more than that! And the best part? It's free! From various Card games to Logic games, Word games to hidden object ones, you are spoilt for choice. What tempted me as a Solitaire game, turned out to be a Pandora's box for me.

Even the Solitaire game has varieties like Classic, Klondlike, Spider, Freecell, Pyramid etc. Among the various Card games, some are Blackjack, Jim Rummy, Hearts, Crazy Eights, Spite and Malice, etc. It means, if you are more in to the addictive types, this site has you covered. Remember Tetris? Did you like it? You can play Tetra games here !

However it were the intellectual games that got me hooked. Of course, you can take the person out of the academy but can you take out the academician out of the person? I guess nope!

I started with Crossword puzzles. There is one puzzle daily which is printable. Of course, I have become rusty (don't remember the last time I solved one on a newspaper or magazine) that's why time was running by. And PS, I didn't cheat. With google the very next page, I could have easily typed my way into victory, but I did not!

Next what got me going was Worduku. Yes. it's dear Sudoku's cousin! The Word games are my jam. From Word Scramble to Letter Logic, Word Search to Crossword, I love them all.

Well there are so many other logic games like dear old Chess, Sudoku, Tetra Blocks, Sokoban, Battleships etc While if you want to jump into the fantasy land, then games like Candy Fiesta, Candy House, Treasure Atlantis, etc are for you. The graphics of these games as well as the background scores are top notch. 

So guys, if you slightly relate with me (using computers to play, likes free games, no app download, etc) then what are you waiting for? Go visit Solitaire.org and thank me later. PS let me know your favourite game in the comments section!