I translate spring season as ...

Spring means a fresh breath, fresh start

Time to get rid of all the heavy coats and thick sweaters
I think of spring as a perfect transition season
I love seeing that green grass, lush flowers and color everywhere
The days are warm and much longer
There is happiness all around with birds chirping and flowers in bloom everywhere
I am so ready to dress up in fun prints and vibrant colors
Time to wear those sunglasses and flip flops
It feels so liberating and rejuvenating
Spring brings back creativity and motivation
I am so looking forward to this spring
I  absolutely love spring
I cannot wait to spring in action

What about you ? What does spring season mean to you ?

3 Simple Steps to Declutter Your Closet

Needless to say I am a shopaholic. I have accumulated so much stuff over years. I never realized how much I had until I had to move recently. Packing and unpacking was a big task. So I decided to sort through my stuff as I was unpacking in my new apartment. It was hard to begin with. The decluttering journey was painful.  But gradually I was ok with letting things go. I know I have a long way to go still. But I am proud that I made huge progress. I was able to donate numerous boxes of stuff to a nearby goodwill store. I actually felt better about this whole process in the end.

The hardest phase was when I had to part with clothes.  Yes I am emotionally attached to my clothes. Also all the clothes were expensive, good brands and  rarely worn. The ones I had worn were also well maintained making it harder to let go. As I started sorting clothes I was astonished by the amount of clothes I had bought . But in the end my closet looked so much spacious and well organized.

So here are three simple steps I came up with  to declutter a closet -

1. Step by step approach

I first decided to get all my clothes out of my closet. But there was no way I could go through every piece of clothing in a day. I  had way too many clothes. So I started to scan one part of my closet and then another and then another. It took me few hours a day on consecutive days. But I was able to accomplish my goal in the end. Also it was not too tiring.  I was able to fill the donation bags slowly and steadily, one at a time. As I made progress I realized donation bags were being filled faster.

2. The 3 Box method

I had set up various bins that had following labels-
    "must keep"
                        "toss"
                                  "never worn"
In the end I realized I had almost the same amount of clothes in toss and never worn. I had a made a conscious decision to not have  a bin labelled - "may be". I knew I would never be able to sort through that  " may be " set of clothes later. So I decided to go with either "keep " or "toss ". It was very hard initially to put anything in the "toss" bin. But I had made up my mind.  In the end I sorted size wise through the "never worn" section. I actually now have new set of clothes to wear which I did not know even existed in my closet. Also I have some brand new clothes that I can use to give gifts and thereby save some money. And finally I feel good about donating brand new clothes. And through all this my mom was there who encouraged and helped me tremendously.

3. Act Quickly

I had a hard time sleeping the first night after I started this process. I kept thinking all night long about the "toss " bin. I was tempted to sort it again and transfer some clothes to "must keep".  I did grab one piece too. But then I stopped myself.  I was cheating. I was not staying true to my myself and my motive. So I decided to put it back in the "toss " bin. And with that experience I drove to the donation store that very day. I dropped off the bags full of clothes. I felt happy. I think getting rid of the donations the very next day helped me tremendously to overcome the temptation of holding on to stuff.

 These 3 strategies helped me remove unneeded clothes.  I challenged myself to get rid of as much as I can.  I was able to see my closet in a new light. There was a  fresh breath after the clutter was gone. I learnt so much from this experience.

I hope these 3 steps will help you declutter. But no matter how you decide to start this process it needs motivation, efforts and time. Trust me! nothing happens magically.  You have to take the leap.

My Hospital Gift Shop Experience

My training and profession imply that I am in the hospital numerous hours a day. While in residency I walked through and across the whole hospital, visiting different floors. I took care of patients admitted in various units. Sometimes I had to run to the other end of the hospital in need of some caffeine ( to visit Starbucks ). I passed by the hospital gift shop numerous times but never visited the store.

Years ago I was shocked  when I spotted a gift shop in a hospital for the first time. I had a hard time seeing the necessity of having a gift shop in a hospital. But after my niece was born, the gift shop suddenly seemed a perfect idea. We were able to buy balloons as soon as she was born. We also had some visitors who brought flowers from the shop as they visited my newborn niece. And now years later I have completely embraced the idea of having a gift store in a hospital. These stores usually have everything. May be the selection is limited but they have everything. And by everything I mean balloons and cards, fresh flowers and pottery, candies and chocolates, books and magazines, stuffed animals and baby clothes. An exhausting list indeed.

Recently on my away rotation I finally visited the hospital gift shop. I had reached work 15 minutes before time. I never run late ( don't judge me !) but I never arrive before the scheduled time either. To conclude  I am always on time!  So to utilize those 15 minutes wisely I decided to visit the hospital gift shop before my shift began. As I glanced through the shop this is what caught my eye.

How aptly a simple mug was able to convey how I felt. I thought it was more than coincidence. I decided to buy it.  But as I made up my mind to purchase the mug I spotted this one ( below ) on the other side of the display pillar.

Now I was so confused. But this yellow smiley mug brought an instant cheer. It made me smile. It served as a boost to uplift my mood. I was suddenly better. I felt energetic. So I decided to buy the yellow mug instead of the green one. 

But when I walked to the register there were three people in line for checkout. I had only couple of minutes left before the shift started. Since I didn't want to be late I decided to not buy the mug . As I left the shop I was actually happy. My spirits were elevated and I had saved some bucks by skipping a purchase. Not a single penny spent but so much gained.   A win win situation for me indeed ! 

Fear of Being Judged and 3 Ways to Overcome it

We all fear about being judged at some point in our lives. Don't we? I sure do.

I also am aware that sometimes I do form opinions about others too suddenly. Without knowing a person and all the real facts I judge people too. I realize that people will be judgemental. I have no control over that. 

But I find it hard to get over it. I wish I could live in a world where we should not justify ourselves. I don't mind being honest about myself and voicing what I feel. But I think no one should judge me for that. In fact people should respect my opinions/thoughts.

This is however too good to be true. All of this is too realistic, idealistic. 

I started thinking as to how to overcome all this. So I came up with these three mental exercises. I will try to practice these three things gradually and daily.

1. Believe in yourself

I want to be strong mentally and have complete faith in myself. I have decided to never doubt myself and my abilities. But having said that I will be open to constructive criticism. 

2. Maintain positive energy

I plan to consciously avoid negative thoughts. I easily keep playing the same scenario in my mind again and again. That disturbs me and makes me angry. This negative energy affects not only me but also people around me. Hence maintaining a positive attitude will help nourish a good environment in my mind and around me. 

3. Forgive others

Despite of all the above there will be people who will question my integrity, directly or indirectly. Through actions or words people with limited vision will disapprove sometimes. But to be kind, forgive others and see above all this is the ultimate goal.

Life as a Teacher - 3 lessons learnt

I was reflecting on my past three years of  residency training. I was thinking of the tough times I went through. There were varying degrees of hardships and experiences ranging from sudden death of a co-worker, loss of loved ones to unexpected health problems .

These experiences were life changing. At times I was fragile but then learnt to stand strong and emerged as a confident person. I grew stronger personally and developed a  deep respect for life. I learnt to be mindful and developed gratitude.

Today I want to share some lessons that I learnt along the way -

1. Take a step back

At times you feel it is the end of the world. It is easy to think that way. But once you step back and give it sometime things becomes less hazy. May be you won't find the solution immediately but you start seeing hope.

2. Let it go

I am a person who liked to keep things in control. The things that I did not have a control over made me nervous and anxious. But I have realized that letting it go makes life so simple and easy. Sometimes we tend to complicate a situation when letting it go actually resolves it on its own.
( I am sure you all have heard the song" Let it go, let it go " from the movie Frozen )

3. Ask for help

I always try to be a superwoman. I am tough and strive to be tougher. There is nothing wrong in it. But  people called "friends" exist for a reason. Friends are always just a phone call away. Yes! Even if they live across the globe in another continent( Asia in my case ).The web of friendship that you have built over years will never let you down. Sometimes opening up about a problem to your beloved ones gives you the strength.

                                       
                                 " Life isn't waiting for the storm to pass,
                                    it's about learning to dance in the rain " - Vivian Greene

Bye Bye Macon

It is always hard to say good bye. Today as I leave you Macon I take a bit of you with me, in me. You have been my home during my residency, my karma bhoomi. I have lived here for 3 years. The city where I lived the longest during my stay in USA so far.

Thank you Macon for accepting me to the Med center as a resident

Thank you for making me strong and confident as I lived by myself

Thank you for my beautiful home( in the woods as I like to say) that was so comforting after those exhausting long hours at work

Thank you for Tobesofkee lake where I enjoyed some post call days 

Thank you for green beans, fried okras  and of course the blueberry cobbler  

Thank you for the warm Southern hospitality that I experienced living here

Thank you for being big enough for my needs but still with the small town feel

Thank you for everything

I will miss Y'all, like real

I ain't lying Y'all

        City life is millions of people being lonesome together- Henry David Thoreau

Journey in Medicine

After all these years "that day " has arrived. Graduation day -- end of my current training period. The day that I was looking forward to so eagerly and so desperately. It feels surreal. Yes I have achieved my dream. I always wanted to be a physician, since I was kid. I still remember the day when my grandmother gave a doctor play set as a birthday gift. 

I do not want to sound pompous. But as I look back I remember all the years of hard work and dedication. I know what "burning the midnight oil" means. I remember the sleepless nights before the exams and the relaxation after they were done. I remember the anxiety before the day of results and the excitement after moving on to the next year of medical school. I remember living in the dorms, away from my family. And I remember the last day of medical school, the good byes with a heavy heart.

Since I started medical school I felt I was climbing a mountain. I believed reaching the top of the mountain was my goal. Today I feel something different. I realize that the real goal is to survive at the top. A new journey  begins when I step into the "real world ".

During my encounters with patients I have learnt so much from my patients. I have grown not only as a doctor but matured as a human being. Patients and families have seen me through my learning years, stood by me and had faith in me. I have laughed with my patients and giggled with them. I have smiled with them and cried with them. My friends and co workers have seen me in the best moments of my life. They have also seen me struggle through some tough times. They have seen me healthy and fit, weak and sick. They have seen it all.

Hundreds and thousands of doctors have been on this path before. Thousands will be on this path in the future. It is not static. It is an ongoing journey. The same journey but different people, different paths, different experiences. But somehow woven together in the field of medicine.

Today I Thank God and my family and friends, my teachers and co workers for being so supportive and helping me achieve my dream. Completing my current training successfully makes me feel like a free bird. But a free bird who has new horizons to explore and soar higher and higher.

Class of 2014

Concrete Words - My iPhone Dilemma

This post is part of a series where I choose and write about a particular "Concrete Word "

Concrete words are terms that identify things and events that can be measured and observed. Concrete words are tangible in some way. So I decided to write about such "concrete words ".

I came across the concept " concrete words" on the Internet. So I decided to choose a concrete word and write about it. I was excited about this but then could not decide on one particular concrete word. The door, the staircase, the car, the parking lot. Nothing appealed to me. I pondered over it for days but nothing seemed to inspire me for a blog post. And then suddenly I found one . It was sitting right in front of me,staring at me. It is always with me. It is in my purse, in my white coat pocket, in the car. It is besides me always when I sleep. Sounds like a riddle?  The answer is my iPhone.

My iPhone is certainly a huge part of my daily life. As I mentioned above it is just inseparable. But then I thought ...well I always complain about being technologically illiterate or may be being a 1st grader in that sense( no more a secret I guess ). Do I really need an iPhone?

In iPhone's defense I can check emails instantly which is so convenient. I can quickly glance at social media updates like Facebook statuses and twitter posts. I can chat with friends on what's app anytime I want. I certainly can use google maps for directions. At work I can check medicine dosages, drug interactions and pill pictures on apps. Many times I use the fancy calculator apps ( eg. osmolality or midparental height). I have numerous different apps to help me stay  fit, track my calories and log my exercise . I can google anything I want. I can take pictures and share them instantly with friends .The iPhone helps me wake up in the morning to whatever tune I like( or dislike ) and get going to start a new day. I can make numerous to do lists and edit them constantly. Last and most important I can text and call my husband and my family back home in India.  So all in all an exhausting list of most important, some not so important things in life that I use my iPhone for. 

However when I think of my pre- iPhone era which is not too long ago( 2 years to be precise ) I was doing all of the above back then. I used a GPS while driving around. I never had any trouble reaching the destinations that I went to. I had two cameras both of which took excellent pictures. I used a pediatric handbook to help me with my basics. I used desktops at work to access Uptodate, Lexicomp  and Epocrates. I did and still do own a laptop . I did and can use it for all the above listed things.

But my candy bar and flip phones( not so smart phones ? ) gave me much more than just sending texts and talking to people. I always had some ME time. As I would wait in line at Starbucks for an order I used to enjoy the wait. I use to love the aroma of fresh coffee beans being crushed. I was mindful of the efforts the barista put into making that perfect chai tea latte to my taste as I savored my chai . Now I just sip it without noticing any of the above. Why? Because I am busy checking facebook updates and twitter feeds. At home when I sat across the table for a Friday night dinner with my husband I loved his company. I felt his presence. We used to initiate a random conversation, laugh and giggle or fight and argue over a topic. Now we both are physically present at the dinner table . But we are engrossed in checking social media updates on iPhone. Ironically we are interested in what our friends are doing right now in different parts of the world while we hardly acknowledge the person sitting next to us. On weekends when we went on road trips I loved looking at the beautiful nature peeking out the car window and even feel the fresh air kissing my cheeks. With an iPhone now on our road trips I am bound to google outfit ideas. I don't realize that this should have( and can be ) done prior to our trip or later for another trip.

So why do I need an iPhone? Is it a fad? Is it peer pressure ? Is it that I don't want to be the only one at work without a smart phone ? Is it embracing the changing world and scientific advancements? Is it convenience and saving time ? The answer is YES to every single question listed above. But I believe that the most important question to be asked  is - can I still do all that I do without an iPhone?  The answer is indeed YES to this question too.

But let me be honest with you. At this point it is hard for me to let go of my iPhone entirely. I find it just impossible to switch back to a candy bar/flip phone.There might be somebody who can but I personally am not ready to make that change. However I can make a conscious decision. I am going to be mindful of the moment. Being obsessed with and addicted to iPhone I am loosing on these precious experiences. Experiences which once meant so much to me. These experiences which will create good memories for a lifetime looking back at which will make me smile. Years later I will remember the breath taking views on our drive up to the mountains. I will remember the picturesque fall colors. I will not remember that twitter feed from our trip to Smokey mountains. None of  the hundreds of facebook statuses I looked at sitting in the log cabin will mean anything. I will cherish the quality time spent with my husband. I will remember our dinner dates that made us feel like newly weds so much in love. I will admire the smile on his face and his witty remarks during our conversation that I fell for. The moments and experiences which are so magical and precious, rejuvenating and refreshing.

So it is up to me to make a choice. I can choose to be dumb by using the smart phone or I can be smarter and not let the Iphone ruin MY life. 

My Starbucks War

Most of us at work walk into the hospital with coffee in our hands. I said MOST. I tend to have either Starbucks chai tea latte or homemade Indian style tea ( in a Starbucks coffee mug ). Apparently few people at work have noticed it. One of them said '' You always have Starbucks when you come to work. Starbucks is so overrated.'' In my defence I immediately replied ''Starbucks may be over priced but it is not overrated, not at all "

The discussion ended there. We got back to work. I am a Starbucks fan and that conversation lingered in my mind. It made me uncomfortable. So I asked myself a question ''Why do I go to Starbucks ?''

Here are the answers I came up with-

1. Caffeine helps me to wake up (no brainer ).So I need a morning dose of caffeine to start my day well.

2. Starbucks coffee shop is on my way to work. I do not have to take detours. Convenience is very important in life ( it matters a lot when you are an intern/resident )

3. Starbucks shops are omnipresent. They are easy to access and drive through makes your life so much better.

4. There is consistency as far as taste is concerned( my personal experience with smaller local coffee shops has been exactly the opposite )

5. Lastly knowing there are people(other than me ) who are at work so early makes me feel good. I am being honest and I admit I feel this way. (P.S. I am not mean ). Being a resident I am at work early, as early as 5.30 am at times. ( exception to this schedule is called elective rotation ).


Starbucks has never failed to cheer me. And I must say I love Starbucks even though they spell my name wrong . (Just in case you are  thinking I own stocks in Starbucks let me tell you that I don't ).

A Perfect Post Call Day

No one likes to be on call. I mean we HAVE TO  take calls and there is no other option.  There are so many things that can go wrong on a call day. It can range anywhere from loosing your sign out sheet soon after sign out to a patient worsening just before shift change. You name it and I have had it all. However there is only one thing that can be right on a call day...no admissions, none at all ( dream big they say ). This never happens ,at least on my call days. (P.S. they call me am a black cloud when I am on call)

Anyways when on call I look forward to the post call day. All I care about post call is to go home and sleep, sleep and sleep.  My growling stomach is the only possible factor to wake me up. On a post call day I am immune to alarms, phone calls, text messages or even the sound of beeper going off for that matter ( tachyphylaxis ). My routine on a usual post call day is exactly like this ...As I leave the hospital I am yawning, sleepy , cranky and fussy ( I am in Peds you people ). I try to stay within the lane while driving ( I mean I try my best ). I have plans to eat on my way home but that rarely happens. As soon as I get home I change into my pajamas and I go to sleep. At times having no energy to walk past my living room to the bedroom I just crash on the sofa. I call it "living the dream on the couch ". I literally pass out till the hungry stomach wakes me up. At that point I am cursing myself for not stocking up my fridge. Or I am mad and angry at my husband for not being home when I am post call. 

This has been the scenario for most of my residency. However this past saturday (post call day ) was a totally different day, somewhat I mean. I took call overnight and was able to have interrupted couple hours of sleep (made me less cranky to begin with). It was 5 am when I thought -"Oh I can sleep for another hour " and pulled the covers over my face. It was barely 20-30 mins later that my intern called. She was in a total panic mode.  A patient was crashing. My heart skipped a beat. I jumped out of the bed and I ran to the patient's room(my only workout that weekend ). I need not tell you what followed. There was so much happening. Once everything was under control I looked at my watch. I had not realized that 2 hours had gone by. It was way past the signout time. I got the sign out list ready and left the hospital once hand offs to the day team were complete. 

As I was driving home I was WIDE awake. I did not struggle to stay within the lanes (yay!).Thanks to the couple hours of interrupted sleep overnight and the adrenaline rush from the early morning code blue. I was still in my grumpy post call mode when I reached home. As soon as I opened the door I noticed the lights were on. I realized that my parents were with me and I was not alone post call. I was overjoyed. As I changed into my pajamas, "adrakwali chai" was ready for me at the dining table. I drink tea everyday. But it is more like few sips here and there as I am getting ready to go to  work. Sometimes I get my first dose of caffeine while driving to work. But the cup of tea this post call day was a different one. It was the tea made by my mom, with love and affection. I was not just sipping the tea. I was enjoying it with my mom ( a tea lover and the best tea maker). I was able to relish the rich flavor. I was enjoying every bit of the moment, mindful of the cup of tea I was having. I could smell the aroma, savor the tea. I was soaked in the happiness of being surrounded by my parents on a post call day. A simple pleasure in life but worth a treasure. 

Should I mention that the tea was followed by hot sandwiches and then another cup of "adrakwali chai ". 
It was a perfect post call day. 

See the change, Be the change

My parents are currently visiting me from India. My parents are not thrilled at all being in USA and cannot wait to return back.  They enjoy  being with me, enjoy my company and that is the only reason they agreed to visit me. To stay healthy and fit ( real reason being to kill time as well ) they go on walks in the area around the place where I live. When I returned from work this past week all I  heard everyday was how clean the area is.  How well maintained the surroundings are.  How beautiful the neighborhood looks.  My mom whispered( loud enough that I heard it)" Kolhapur asa asta tar? '' Loose translation being - If Kolhapur ( my hometown ) was like this ?

Man is a social animal. We all have heard that million times. I remember reading this very sentence  in my history textbook while in primary school. I may have even used it in some essays I wrote in school years.  You must be wondering what is the context here? 

We all are social and live in a community. We are surrounded by people and we call it the community.( In this context  I want to refer to our apartment complexes and neighborhoods as "community").  We all have ideas and views about our community. We feel that people in the community should come together, share their views on what matters the most to them.  And then join hands together for betterment of this community. 

I think the same about my community, the area I live in.  Such thoughts always linger in my mind but are never translated into action.  I kept thinking  ideas are ideas and this rarely  happens in the real world until I came across this link....http://www.theuglyindian.com/

This changed the way I think.  I was amazed at what the coalition was able to accomplish.  These are  people from my motherland India. People just like me yet so different and unique I must say. People  from my ideal world who exist in reality. People who had the same thoughts, came together and took ownership to do their part.  People who work on a simple motto " Kaam chalu ,Mooh bandh " that is stop talking, start doing.

 To know more about this group, how you can contribute or be a part of this group, please visit their website.

Disclaimer---This post is not sponsored by theuglyindian group.  All opinions and editorial decisions are my own. 

My Easter Sunday

The resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated on Easter Sunday. I worked on Easter Sunday last year and was at work even this year. Yes, you read it right ! I was on call Good Friday and Easter Sunday ( P.S. story of my life on all holidays). At work I kept hearing conversations all about church and candy. So I started chit chatting with my co-workers about Easter . I asked them how they celebrate Easter ? What were their thoughts on being at work today? 

Starting with the most important people at my work...the kids. Unanimously they all complained ( and cried ) about missing the Easter egg hunt. They all wanted the chocolate bunny and chocolate egg( include me here). The kids kept me engaged by telling their experiences from previous years. Some told me about the giant candy filled egg they had found. Some told me about the empty eggs they had found. Some told me about the games and prizes they won while some spoke about the music and food. I got it! It was all about the Easter bunny, candies and Easter egg hunts.

Then I moved on to ask the family members about their thoughts. Every family had a different story. Some parents were relieved about not having to arrange an egg hunt this year in their own yard since their kid was in the hospital. Some families spoke about how grateful they were that their neighbors had joined forces to help with the Easter preparations while their kid was sick and being treated in the hospital. Moms kept talking about the entry way decors and fireplace decor, table decorations and wreaths. Parents told me how hard it was juggling spring cleaning, Easter preparations and spending time with their sick kid in the hospital,all at the same time. Neither of them had imagined ( or planned ) to spend the Easter weekend with us ( the hospital crew ) though they thanked us for taking care of their sick kids.

As this conversation was going on I noticed beautifully decorated Easter baskets and Easter bunnies in the patient rooms I was visiting. I found out that these baskets were sent from volunteers and organizations to the hospital. Some thoughtful generous people in the community who cared for those little souls took efforts to arrange all this. The baskets were filled with goodies and smile inspiring treats .The bunnies brought a big smile on those little faces. The tears rolling out of the tiny eyes seemed to sparkle now, those happy faces gleaming in joy. 

Check out my Easter pictures below .

Easter Egg Hunt at work-2013

Easter Bunnies we made at work -2014

Easter gifts sent from volunteers-2014

So did you have fun on Easter? How did you spend your Easter Sunday?

Premove or Promove !

It's mid April already and June is not far away. Like many other graduating students I am looking forward to June 2014. I look forward to June every year since its the month in which my birthday falls. But this year June is very special because I graduate from my pediatric residency. I finish 3 years of rigorous training and emerge as a pediatrician, ready to step into  " the real world " as my attendings call it.

June every year brings with it lots of surprises and some gifts. My parents send me a birthday gift every single year no matter what . This year my parents are visiting me in USA currently and I have already received my birthday gift... a beautiful necklace from India. Since the surprise element for June is over its time to have some action in June. I will be moving within Georgia, about a 100 miles to the northern part of the state from where I am currently . 

This means I have to pack , pack and pack my entire apartment and move it from one location to another. Like I said earlier I have received my birthday gift in advance and now I have decided to move few of my belongings in advance. Over the weekend I moved few big pieces of furniture, namely my sofa and mattress . Though it was " few" ( few = 3 ) pieces I knew I would have to pay the "big" price. Every single quote from local moving companies was way too expensive for just 3 pieces.  Finally I started looking up on Craigslist. I admit I was very skeptical and after talking to few of the people listed on Craigslist I had almost given up hope. However with the last phone call I decided to make I found one person to help me move ( lets call him  Mr.Z )

Mr.Z sounded ok on the phone and stated a low, unbeatable price. I decided to use his services still skeptical though. Now that it was less money I had doubts about it too. I was worried as to why is he charging so less? why did he not ask for a higher price and then negotiate to a lower one ?  On the day of the move he showed up a little over an hour late. My fear was intensified and doubts seem to just multiply. What if he runs away with the furniture? What if he just disappears on the interstate and never shows up at the final destination ? His truck seemed to be in not very good condition and I started taping the bottom of the truck and trailer with some plastic sheets so my furniture will stay clean. 

After all the loading we set on the journey . I drove ahead of him in my own car to reach my final destination beforehand and my husband decided to follow Mr .Z in another car. On my way I called my husband many times to check on him and also Mr.Z of course and our furniture. 

The moving went well. The furniture was at our new apartment in immaculate condition, no damage, no scratches. Mr.Z and his helper moved the heavy furniture in the scorching heat.They were sweating and panting every time they climbed up and down three flight of stairs with or without the furniture. My husband paid Mr.Z  his asking price and a generous tip for which he thanked us over and over again.

I was relieved. I was happy that everything went so smoothly. My furniture was in pristine condition and seemed to fit perfectly in my new living room. A little later while I was rejoicing about how things went well I heard a knock on the door. When I saw Mr.Z  at the doorstep I was thinking " Now what? Why is he back? Does he want more money?'" Just as my mind was flooded with worries Mr. Z handed back all the plastic sheets I had put in his truck and trailer. He also apologized for not bringing them upstairs with the furniture and left.

I stood there with the plastic sheets in my hand. I was ashamed. I had made assumptions, all wrong. I had judged Mr.Z all this time, right from when I first spoke to him over the phone till the time he loaded and unloaded the furniture from one destination to another. I had judged his clothes, his looks and his manners. However I had judged him wrong. I had overlooked his hard work and his honesty. I had overlooked his diligence and commitment to the work. I felt guilty and ashamed.


                              " Be curious, not judgemental " - Walt Whitman

                                       

My packing saga ...what I learnt (?) so far.

I cannot believe that I am writing this. I usually am a person when it comes to choosing outfits is like may be this one or that or this just in case. And this scenario is when I go to the shop, while I am packing for a trip or getting ready to go to a restaurant. Don't get me wrong here. I am an organized person overall. But I have a hard time sticking to my list ( which I always make no matter what ) when it comes to shopping clothes or packing clothes. Clearly here we will omit budget and finances all together. That is a discussion for some other day.

I am getting better at traveling light with each trip but I surely have so much more to accomplish. I am going to Turkey next month ( yes Turkey...yeah the country Turkey... I mean Istanbul,Turkey ) well you all got it I am excited about the trip. So my goal is to travel light , travel with as little luggage as possible. 

To help me with my goal I have started a board on Pinterest to gather ideas about the same. I am reading various articles over the Internet. I am trying to compile here what I learnt so far( or should I say what I need to stick to in the future) .

Questions to ask before packing---

1. How long am I going for?

Very important since that helps me decide the size of my bag ... Cabin bag or check in  bag or backpack or all the above( the answer is jam packed all the above when I head to India every single time )

2 . Where am I traveling to and for what purpose ? 

This helps me decide the type of clothes I need to carry. Is it for a conference or just leisure or a wedding . 

3. Where will I be staying?

If I stay at my parents house or at a close acquaintance where I can use the laundry , then the number of clothing items needed should ( in my case never ) be less since I can wash and use some items again. If I am staying in a hotel I will  rather not use the laundry then I need more clothing items. 

So after all these questions are answered I proceed with planning outfits. I start

laying clothes either on the bed or put them together while on a hanger on the door knob of my closet. I pick clothing items that can be used in more than one way. I usually select two outfits each day. However if I have special events like a conference with alumni meet I keep an extra outfit for that day. I always carry one T shirt extra overall in the whole luggage..you know just in case.

Once done with picking and finalizing clothes I choose my shoes. When it comes to shoes comfort is the most important factor. I pick shoes such that even if I end up walking the whole day they will not hurt my feet. (P.S. next time you see me in DSW walking up and down the aisle you know why ). The shoes have to scream comfort and only then I will buy them.

After all this brainstorming (sometimes I feel it is easier to wrote an abstract for a conference than to pack my luggage ) I rarely have energy and time to co-ordinate  my accessories and the outfit. I just pack up a couple of pearl earrings and wear them with all outfits. I guess I need to work on accessorizing better.

Thus this is my packing saga. What is your strategy while packing for a trip?

Why I want to blog

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” —William Wordsworth

I came across this while surfing the Internet. It was the defining moment when I decided to start blogging. I am a talker. I love to talk , talk and talk. I thought may be if I decide to pen down my thoughts I possibly can reach out to many people. Otherwise at home usually my husband is always the audience, whether by choice or not. To put  it in another way he is the audience by MY choice since he has no other option . This is my first attempt ever at blogging. But writing improves with practice they say. So lets see...

I write my posts from here!