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?

Ideas to reinvent your winter wear for spring

Spring is here. Finally!!!  At least the calendar says its April. But does it feel like spring? My answer is a big no. It is still cold where I stay. It may even  be winter like weather  in some parts of the world. So don't put away your winter wardrobe entirely yet. Just incorporate some transitional pieces into your current outfits to stay warm. Here are some ideas from my end to stay warm as we gradually head to some really hot days into summer.

1. Cardigan

A light cardigan instantly transforms your outfit. Not only it takes it a notch up but also is cozy and comfortable. You can pair a cardigan with a nice silk blouse with floral prints to incorporate some spring vibe into your outfit. On the other hand if you choose to wear a dress you can also layer the cardigan over a dress. Be sure to try polka dot print, a very popular trend now. 

2. Blazer

Blazer is such a fantastic way to add character to your outfit. Use blazers with prints and keep the basic pieces in neutrals. Just as cropped blazers were seen everywhere earlier now it's time to try on longline blazers. Longline blazers are appropriate for any body type, petite to tall. Longline blazers with a button front and with or without pocket detail will look great for Easter outfit. Pair one with a short skirt or skinny ankle length or may be even cropped tailored pants and up your glam quotient instantly.

3. Denim Jacket

Denim jacket has been a wardrobe staple for a long time. It not only keeps one warm but also adds the cool factor to an outfit. It sort of helps complete the look. One trend to try on is to wear a denim jacket with denim pants. Yes you heard it right...denim on denim. Just play with different shades of the same color or may be two different colors. Try jacket in one shade and the denim pants in lighter or darker  shade of the same hue. You can also pair a denim jacket with a leather skirt for a chic look. However you decide to keep it simple just try on a denim jacket when you wear a maxi dress next time.

So what are your ideas to stay warm this spring ?

Spring into spring

I like to think of April  as a transitional month. In India 31st March ("march end "as they call it marks the end of fiscal year). As April begins people at offices and banks , especially at CPA offices are a bit relaxed. Students look forward to mid April when their exams end and thus the academic year ends. I like April because it marks the arrival of spring. Finally it starts to get warmer. Being in Georgia now and coming from India you can clearly tell that I prefer warm weather  over the chilly winters.

The arrival of warm weather also means more outdoor activities, hikes and day trips and not to mention the shopping for summer essentials. Finally I can stop wearing jeans and sweater, jeans and sweater or maybe a sweater dress. 

Its time to come up with cute spring outfit ideas. I can actually wear some light, cotton fabric clothes. It also means I can wear more color, more prints and more patterns. I can add some springtime vibe to the wardrobe. This means  I get to wear some transitional pieces as well as give some chic finishing touches to the outfit. Spring fashion could be seen everywhere from street styles to runway trends. It can range anywhere from statement necklaces to wedges and heels, denim and camo jackets to printed pants and leggings, beachwear to sundresses. Don't  shy away to try these spring clothes on some temperamental weather days. Spring into action. 

Here is a list of my top 5 spring essentials-

1. Chambray or Oxford shirt ( will not hurt to have both )

2. Denim jacket

3. Floral print skirt or legging
4. Maxi dress

5. Blouses/ tops in bold colors

So Brighten up your wardrobe and say " Bye  cold weather . Hello spring ." What are your spring wardrobe essentials? 

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!