Return to Tennis - Session 1

As part of my New Year resolution which is more than half gone though, I decided to get back into Tennis. Now, a year and a half back I did start learning Tennis. I did the beginners course. Then took a break in winters. Started next with the Advanced Beginners course. Sprained my foot in that duration while playing with Dhruv. And then a year and a half later I again enrolled myself back into the Beginners class.

So now, not wanting to forget the basics I was taught I decided to write down what I learnt yesterday.

So here are the things I learnt from Session 1

• The session started with understanding the grip and the Tennis racquet. The face, butt, grip etc.

• To hit the ball, the steps are: Bounce, Step and Hit. Remember to take a step on the opposite side.

• Second, was the simple stroke forward facing. Don't twist the wrist. Make a swing and then fall over. 

• Third, was the backhand just using the left hand and with both hands together. Using just the left hand was quite difficult

• Fourth we learnt the Volley shot both Front hand and Back hand

• Lastly, how to pick the ball smartly :)

Overall I really had a fun time. 

1st Milestone Achieved - 5 Years

It's so hard to believe that it's been 5 years since we have been tied together in this relationship called "Marriage". It only feels like yesterday when we were still trying to make up our minds to lead the rest of our life together. So many things and so many memories. Hard to put it in a concise manner, but I'll give it a try.

Chapter 1 : The beginning

We both agreed to get married and the date was decided as 29 Apr 2011. After the ceremonies, we spent few hours together, while still wondering what had suddenly changed. Not much changed for us, as we moved to our respective work places. I traveled later to US to be close to you yet far. In a way it was nice, as we both were slowly discovering things about each other. This involved weekend travels and the excitement to see each other for those few hours. Did that mean we didn't argue? No you are absolutely wrong!! We did, in fact I do remember you of all the people actually cancelled your ticket because we had an argument and I was crying. By November we decided that I would move and join you and bring an end to these travels. It was a tough decision, but we had no other choice. So came my first stint of being a true home maker with no job. Few months went by, and we decided that we will try and move back to India. I got a job back in India and by March of 2012 I was set for another adventurous journey. Another day I cannot forget is when we both sat and cried while packing my stuff.

Chapter 2: Distance makes heart go fonder

We were now 8000+ of miles apart. It didn't feel right! But, we hoped that we'll be together again. I was back to the grind and so were you. We started leading forced bachelor days where it seemed we were dating each other. We talked hours and hours on the phone - Morning and Evening. We skyped with each other on the weekends. We were together on an altogether a different plane. It was tough as were trying all the time to keep the hopes high. We celebrated our 1st anniversary and your birthday away from each other, but still being in love. To remove all these woes was our Europe trip, planned around my birthday. It was an adventure by itself. You came from US while I from India. We roamed around the place completely in love. I with you and you with the place. Ha Ha! Just teasing. It was fun, just that.  This year I also did my e-karwa chauth. Few more months and we decided that I was to join you back in US as your moving to India was not working out.

Chapter 3:  Strength testing

We again celebrated our anniversary while I was in India and you in US. I joined you back in Columbus around May 2013. A few days later I got the news that my visa was denied and I was to be a full time homemaker. This was our true strength testing. You were the strong pillar. I cried, I lost confidence, I was sad, I was silent, I went into depression. But you were there for me all the time. You pushed me into doing things I would have never thought of doing. Looking back today, I am grateful to you for doing all the extra push. I have learnt so many new things, I connected with so many people, and I regained my lost confidence. This was also the year when my volunteering paid off. I got an employer ready to file my visa. You were there all along supporting me!

Chapter 4: Getting addicted

With each passing year, we were just getting addicted to each other. Like the old Vodafone ad, where ever you go  I follow. We just searched for instances to spend the time together. Trying new things and new adventure. Doing the 100 happy days together. You getting the chance to get back into polishing your hands on cartooning. And I getting all hand made cards from you.  Whatever short duration that happy days was, we did get to end the day in a happy note. Our venture into all book shops, buying books like crazy. Learning Tennis, going for Zumba, going for Yoga. A completely happening year. From October I started working regularly. It was a whole new adjustment. Going to office, coming back together. Sharing how our day went by. 

Chapter 5: Reaching a milestone

A busy year indeed, getting the Bangalore house, going through the treatment, working round the clock. Another testing year for us. We both were supporting each other through the hard time we were going through. Each failure, and each time pulling ourselves up to not loose hope. Time just went by. Slowly we started realizing that life was too lonely here. We started planning for 2016. With so many things going around, we planned our next big vacation to Peru, again close to my birthday. A lovely trip, and beautiful memories built around it. 

With those beautiful thoughts and memories, I can just say "I Love You". Thank you for being "You" and being there for me always!!

Happy 5th Anniversary

Resolutions!!

It's been some days into the New Year. But still it's never too late. Me and Dhruv decided to do New Year Resolutions. Both of us came up with 5 resolutions. I think, he came up with 4. He could not remember his 5th one. As the saying goes, it's good to put your resolutions up front, so that you see it everyday and work towards it. So we have done the same, but forget to see it everyday.

So here is my list of resolutions:

#1. Run 1/2 marathon. This has now been changed to 1/8 marathon because recently someone told me how many miles/ kms is 1/2 marathon. In addition, I was also told that it needs approximately a years training to reach there.

#2. Move back to India. When and how that happens, don't have an answer. But, want to be able to do that this year itself.

#3. Expand my hobbies/ skills. I want to learn one language - Spanish for now and be proficient in it. I also have this desire to learn pottery. Hopefully this year again. To add on also learn the courses I have bought for web development

#4. Bring in Active Lifestyle. Start walking/ gym/ run/ play. And till today zilch. It's too cold to even step out...So Laziness reigns here

#5. Read around 50 books. Till now just completed one and that is John Grisham's 'Chamber'. More on that would be coming in my next blog :D. If I ever get to write on it.

.. I can add some more, but let's just stick to these 5 for now. Will revisit is again to see where I am!