Because bullet points are my new best friend, here is a quick round-up of the year we called 2013.
Discovery of the Year: Mascara. Hitherto discarded as something that made my lashes bump into my glasses, I got the waterproof version and Oh. My. Lord. My life will never be the same again. On some days, I even manage to wear it clump-free and not look like Helena Bonham Carter’s Kumbh Mela twin.
Realization of the Year: I am capable of single-minded devotion and razor-sharp prioritization when it comes to relationships. Exactly 7 people in this world truly matter. Everybody else is lovely but entirely peripheral.
New-found loves: Pilates and dancing. And the former had a lot to do with the latter.
First-time travel: Seattle (stunning), Leavenworth (so charming), Las Vegas (dazzling), Blue Lakes (serene), Russian River (picture-perfect), and Carmel (quaint).
Where I would have loved to go: The little Gujarat village I yearn to see.
People: 2 women who came into my life in the latter half of the year and have benefited me tremendously. An addition to the family! One relationship I am relieved is over. My inner circle as supportive and blessed as ever.
Cities: Bombay, still home, still the city of my heart. San Francisco, a new love interest I am casually dating because… *pause for effect*….I discovered the Mission. London, the soulmate I continue to miss, knowing it is out there but we must live apart.
Time well spent: In a hospital. As a caregiver. Night and day, for weeks on end. I have never felt more fulfilled.
Culinary Development: Baking from scratch! Butter sponge (perfect texture, not enough sugar) and French Apple cake (bellissima! Yes, I’ll share the recipe sometime).
Focus: Telling stories for non-profits I believe in. Meeting some incredibly inspiring people through my work. Discovering that the Valley is a generous, socially responsible place.
Connections: To some really smart, successful, and interesting people who are part of the Indian diaspora doing wonderful work for the motherland.
Most terrifying moment: Watching a loved one battling for their life. May you never have to witness it.
Rediscovered: Swimming. How I love the water!
Lost: A pant size.
Gained: Two jasmine plants, a newly-minted sister-in-law, and the perfect gold pump. *respectful silence*
Not lost: The ability to roll on the floor at potty jokes. The hope that 2014 will be bigger, better, brighter. I’m champing at the bit to get started!
~
Happy New Year to you, dear reader. 😀
Let’s wish each other’s dreams come true.
Wisdom Wears Neon Pyjamas 
I am a silent reader, but I so loved this post 🙂 Had to delurk 🙂 Wishing you a very Happy New year and I hope you do get to see that little village in Gujarat in 2014 🙂
” Exactly 7 people in this world truly matter. Everybody else is lovely but entirely peripheral.” How true. Happy 2014!
What a lovely post! Incidentally, I discovered mascara this year too. I had this unfounded ‘mascara gives me a headache’ phobia that went away, once I discovered how to apply it right! 🙂
Your perfect gold pumps gave me hope. And now I am looking forward to a US trip in 2014 with the primary goal of getting myself new, well- fitting shoes.
Happy new year, OJ. I hope 2014 is a beautiful year for you.
Happy new year OJ! I live in the Bay Area too. I hope I bump in to you some time!
So true about ‘people that matter’. And I hear ya about swimming. Happy 2014, OJ!
Happy New Year OJ! Here’s wishing you happiness all the way!I have been wanting to join pilates for the longest time.
Rounding up is hard to do
Commenting-on is difficult too
I have nothing to say
But respects must pay
To our OJ and say, “We love you!”!
Happy new year OJ 🙂
Mascara was the discovery of the year for me too. So was the welcoming of sis-in-law 🙂
Hapy New Year to you !!! Love your writing 🙂
Happy new year OJ
R’s Mom: Thank you for delurking! 🙂 You know, I very nearly did see the village, but in the end, decided against it. 😦
The Bride: Happy 2014!
R: Come! We’ll do it together.
Zarine: That would be lovely. 🙂
Pallavi: Hey girl, happy 2014!
revathi: Let me know how you find it when you join. 🙂 I visited our good old tailor recently, by the way.
Aunty G: It’s not so hard when life is glad
(Though there were moments that made me sad)
May the moments seen
In 2014
Be the best to be had!
Monkey Mind: Cool! 🙂 How do you like them so far?
annamma: Thank you. 🙂 Happy new year!
alice: Happy new year, Alice-girl. 🙂
Loved catching up on your blog and reading this post. A great “bilan” of the year – and a really cool exercise for everyone to do I think! Hugs and hope to see you soon.
Ceej: You Francophile you. 🙂 Hugs back, have so much fun in Bombay and Goa! xoxo