Skip to main content

Posts

Year 2020

Now playing in Seattle, WA. I needed help to heal my grieving heart. I needed someone with whom I could be absolutely honest about how I was feeling and dealing with the miscarriage. I was also coming to the conclusion that my marriage is slowly dimming out. I wanted to lean on someone, unburden myself, and I found support in a very good therapist. She helped me normalize the pain. I could share my angst when I saw a colleague's baby shower, my random breakdowns, my need to appear calm and composed at work when every ounce of my body was shattering. She helped me by listening in a non-judgmental way, helped me stay balanced at a time when I could have very easily sunk into the despair of self misery. She made it OK for me to just be. Never underestimate the power of a good therapist. They are worth the time and money. I underwent a fundamental shift in three transformative ways (a) I made my health a number one priority (b) I accepted and gradually unmasked my true self (c) I am le
Recent posts

Year 2019

The year stepped in calmly. We are living in separate states, him in Washington and me in South Carolina. Career is a priority, and I am striving every day to be a better leader. I am learning from peers, reading books like Radical Candor, and Hard Things About Hard Things. Most of my time is spent on building the function (team, processes, and culture) from the ground up. He is balancing his work and also shuttling between the two states. It is overwhelming at times, and by March we felt the need to take some time off. We drove down to a serene island, Kiawah Island in South Carolina and spend few days tucked away in a luxurious resort, enjoying the calmness and privacy of a private island. Then, sometime around March-end, the year started its topsy turvy-ness. At work, unexpectedly, the leadership changed and everything I had achieved in the last couple of months became less important. Politics, scapegoating, reduction in my role started. Stressed, I started oscillating between

Year 2018

Lived: numerous hotels across suburbs of Illinois, and South Carolina This year will go down as a season of tornados; that uprooted everything, created chaos, and once again taught me how to pick up and put back the pieces, and to move on. The year started with dewdrops of happiness. My youngest brother in law got married and we visited India for his wedding. Across three weddings in the family, this was the one I enjoyed the most. There was a lightness about everything. From the smallest ceremonies to the wedding itself, the days were filled with happiness. I also took a few days out to visit my nanihal, Allahabad.  After Ashu, there will always be an element of sadness in the lives of everyone he left behind, a shadow that will forever mask some aspect of lives barring happiness to completely touch it. While back in Mumbai, I spent time with my two little hurricanes, my nieces. They make me realize how simple it is to be happy, how important it is to care, and there is nothing

Year 2017

Year 2017  Lived in: Illinois, US Laying down the roots, however temporary they may be- The year started with us making our new house our home. Much time was spent picking furniture and art work. The house has its quirks and sometimes maintaining it can be quite exhausting, but for the most part, we are enjoying being home owners. We have moved a lot in the last 8 years, so being tethered to someplace is a welcome change. Celebrating relationships- As we settle in the new place we are slowly building our new social circle. We hosted our first "Holi Party" and it was wonderful. I have grown to appreciate the importance of maintaining one's culture in a foreign land. My parents, who live in India visited us for the first time and it was lovely having them over. We celebrated mother's day, and few birthdays (papa's, husband's, and mine). We travelled to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and across Chicagoland. I and husband have been to those places before, but

Year 2016

Year 2016- Lived in: Illinois, US New city, new job, and new beginnings- I packed my life in boxes, layered everything in the backseat of my car and bid adieu to an old city to journey onwards. Farewell Knoxville and Hello Chicago! I have always felt a certain affinity with Chicago, its a city that literally rose from the ashes, something that both I and her have in common. The husband moved from New Jersey and we arrived in Chicago, right in the midst of chilling winter. On our first day, it was about -3C and someone informed me that the city is having a relatively mild winter. Small mercies. I hung a big orange and white T-flag in my cube. My colleagues think its an indication of my zealous support for our football team, and I smile and pretend it is. But the Tennessee flag means much more to me. Going back to school helped me fight depression, gave me a new purpose, opened new opportunities, and in many ways saved my life and for that I will forever be grateful to UT.

Year 2015

Highlights of 2015- Lived in :Tennessee (67%), New Jersey (8%) and Illinois (25%), US For the first time, I lived with a room mate Lived in new cities, New Jersey and Chicago Skydived over Wisconsin farmlands. The most exhilarating couple secs of my life, suspended between gush of high blowing wind, and soaking in the peace of floating in the air. It makes you an addict. Saw five back to back movies, starting with first show in the morning 11am until evening 10ish. This was one of the bucket list things Stumbled across the works of Edgar Degas at MET, and immediately fell in love with his art. As part of our internship experience, we decided to march in the pride parade at Chicago. The experience was amazing.I realized that validation matters, and so does getting the free stuff. Alcohol is not allowed, and one gets high on the love, support, and energy. It was electric. Traveled to France and Switzerland. The laid back nature of the French and the undescribable beauty of S

On the other side: MBA school update

Couple days ago I finished first year in the MBA program. Before starting the B-school, I was nervous and afraid that I won't be able to cope being a full time student. Voices in my head screamed that I am just setting myself for failure. Self doubt roared that I am being a fool, going back to school after a gap of ten years. Being out of job for a year and dealing with my medical situation, I started school with an overwhelming sense that I will never survive. But, as the course progressed, I discovered myself. I found strength and self-belief. Perhaps, things are different this time compare to undergrad, because this time, I am truly interested in learning. I finished the first year with a personal best GPA, an internship in my area of interest, and few real friends. From my experience, I would like to share that it is never too late to have new dreams, aspirations, and to crave out new paths. Venturing out in the unknown can be scary, but you will emerge a different pe