A Dinner Date

At my GCC course, I met a girl called K. In her, I saw what others may have once seen in me. Usually, I am the one who approaches people, makes them feel comfortable, and extends a hand of friendship. Over the years, though, I have grown wary and prefer to keep my circle tight. But K is like a warm ray of sunshine in the cloudy Glasgow weather. She’s kind, patient, funny, and always has a ready smile for everyone - like the manic pixie dream girl in movies.

Over the next few weeks, we became really good friends. Our prof at uni was a funny man, and his antics would set K off, making it impossible for me to stay serious. Soon enough, we would both be giggling. She made my classes so much more enjoyable. From sharing coursework and assignments to dreams and secrets, we have come a long way. It helped that K wasn’t part of my husband’s circle - it made me feel like I had a life of my own. When the course ended, we decided to stay in touch and meet often.

And that’s how we ended up in Bombay Blues last week. K is from France but loves Indian food. We ordered golgappa/pani puri for starters. She was delighted by the tangy taste and the whole way of eating it. Next, we tried garlic naan with Chettinad chicken. Chettinad chicken wasn't on the menu, but the staff generously offered to make it for us. The server waiting on our table was completely in awe of K and conveniently forgot about me - a fellow Indian, after all. But this fellow Indian could definitely tell the difference between the regular tomato-onion base gravy they served versus the spicy curry I expected. Still, K enjoyed the dish, and I couldn’t complain.

During the meal, I made K listen to a French song that was one of my recent favorites - Love Story by Indila. The app played the song with lyrics, and K asked if I could understand them. She knew I had been learning French on Duolingo. Little did I expect her to quiz me on it. With due credit to the app, I managed to translate most of the song, except for a few words and the implied meaning that is apparent only to native speakers. Since it’s Christmas time, our table had crackers for décor. And for the first time in my life, I pulled a cracker. Inside was a golden paper tiara, a lame joke, and a fun fact. Finally, we moved on to dessert. By then, I felt like a pro at explaining Indian dishes to foreigners. With my guidance, K ordered fried doughnuts in sweet syrup - gulab jamun! 

This dinner was special because, for the first time in two years, I felt independent and free. I chose K as my friend. I didn’t have to overthink my words or tone down my humour. I could open up to her without worrying about any repercussions. It felt so refreshing that I just had to write everything down and turn it into a core memory!

K gifted me these :)

Glasgow Code Learning

A couple of months back, I found out that Glasgow Clyde College offers free certification courses. This was actually on my 2025 to-do list, so the timing felt perfect. At that point, our visa status was still a bit unclear and job opportunities weren’t really in sight. So, I applied for the Glasgow Code Learning SCQF Level 5 course in Web Design. But the college got back to me saying I was eligible for the Level 7 Software Development course instead. It’s a 12-week program, and each student gets paired with a mentor from the industry. There might even be internship opportunities at the end. So, I enrolled for it.

Walking into the college on the very first day felt like a breath of fresh air. Young people everywhere, the whole place buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. I was nervous but also super excited. The classroom is set up like a computer lab, with each student having their own server to work on. I even got a loaner laptop for the duration of the course (more blog posts on the way). I made a couple of new friends - K and S. They’re both really sweet. One offered me her umbrella, the other her sunscreen. It honestly feels so good to have a girl gang again.

After months of staying at home with no real routine, my mind feels so much happier being engaged. The course itself isn’t too hard for me. I’m loving the social interaction and just the chance to get out of the house makes me jump for joy. The college is about 1.8 miles away, which is a bit of a stretch compared to my recent walks, but I am more than ready for the challenge. I’m also trying to figure out if my student card gets me any discounts (fingers crossed 🤞).

Oh, and I almost forgot the best part! The Glasgow Student Welfare Fund is awarding £150 to every student who completes the course! How amazing is that? Apparently, it was introduced this year. I am definitely God's favourite child.

Still yet moving ahead

I was on my regular evening walk. After a sudden stroke of humidity, the weather had calmed down. It was pleasantly sunny with gentle breezes playing along. I looked at the clear blue skies, the Victorian houses in the residential lanes, neatly kept gardens with blooming flowers. Waves of tranquility washed over me. It was an ordinary day but I felt blessed. 

Life has been hard in the past decade. My sister moved abroad, mom fell sick and passed away, I got married and divorced. COVID happened. Work became mundane. I quit my job, moved abroad and faced new challenges in unfamiliar territory. There were happier times too but the gloomy ones left a stronger impression on my soul. I became pessimistic and forlorn.

Earlier, I used to blog often and that helped me gain perspective of things. I was aware of what was going on and conscious of what needed to be done. These days, since I don't own a laptop, I stopped writing and in turn stopped contemplating too. But, in that blissful moment during my walk, I had a sort of enlightenment. 

I think my life has turned a corner. At times, I still cannot believe that am living in an English country that looks straight out of the pages of an Enid Blyton book. My investments are paying off and I have enough money to retire. I have settled in my new life and have a handle on most things. I now have friends here. Of course, there is always a chance for life to be better but do I really need more?

I know that I still don't have a purpose. Why am I so hard on myself though? What is the hurry? What is the need to be perfect all the time? It is ok to step back and relax for a bit. Spend time doing things I like. And in that one moment, the universe told me - it is alright to be still, indulge and savor every moment of life.

Update on the year

This year has been so amazing, it kinda makes me want to believe in manifestation!

When I scribbled down my “to-do” list in my diary, a lot of those things felt like a long shot. But I kicked off the year determined to tick off as many as I could. What I didn’t expect was to actually cross out so many of them 😃

First up, I explored Ashton Lane and De Courcy’s Arcade. While hunting for food, I randomly stumbled into the Botanical Gardens and ended up walking along the Kelvin Walkway. On the way back, I grabbed the most delicious churros from “Loop n Scoop.” The very next week, I toured the Glasgow City Chambers. Not only did I get a dose of history, but I also learned that Glasgow is celebrating its 850th birthday this year and that it’s hosting the Commonwealth Games next year. Super excited for that!

Valentine’s week was gift-shopping time. I took a little detour through Queen’s Park and dropped by the Gurudwara, which had a calming effect on me. Later, I scored the perfect gift for my foodie hubby - Biryani and Indian sweets (which, by the way, have now become a regular in our house). We also discovered cookie dough, apparently a big dessert thing here, and it’s our new obsession. Oh, and I dared myself to go on a solo day trip to Dundee. Honestly, I wish the city was a bit more exciting, but hey, baby steps.

Amidst all the sightseeing, I managed to sneak in some Jane Austen. It was easy to lose myself in the Regency era, with Scotland providing the perfect real-life backdrop. I also tried a bunch of new recipes. I like cooking but not the daily grind, so I’ve been experimenting with weekly set menus just so I can “sleep-cook” my way through dinner.

Finances are always buzzing in the back of my brain, so I decided to try my hand at trading. Started with equities and, with a friend’s nudge, jumped into futures and options. It’s nerve-wracking, but it makes me feel alive! I have also been playing 'Puppy Keep' on Shein. It takes forever, but once done, you get a free gift of your choice, which is kinda fun. I won a Dyson Airwrap dupe on it and it works just fine. Oh, and I landed two interview opportunities in my field. Although I didn't get the job (am I secretly happy?) but they helped me gauge where I stand.

And then there were the random things on my bingo card like eating pizza, learning chopsticks, visiting a spa - all checked off without me even trying. Don't you love it when life does that?

2025 - Oddly satisfying

We have already completed a quarter of the 21st century. 2025 is here and I seem to be in a whole new dimension. For the first time ever, I slept at 9:45 P.M. on New Year's Eve. Well, apart from that, everything else is the same. I have my hopes up and my resolutions ready.

For the past ten years or so, life seemed to be the same. Even though we got through a pandemic and some people were in and out of my life, nothing felt too drastic. Probably, because I always had my loved ones around me and my work felt like my security blanket. Having moved to Scotland, without any of these, I feel vulnerable. Life works in strange ways. I have somehow landed in what I may call a dream life. I have much to be grateful for.

Scotland is breathtaking. Surrounded by greenery, stillness, and an almost meditative quiet, it’s easy to feel at peace. The weather, though, can be temperamental with the rain and wind often arriving uninvited. But the warmth of the people more than makes up for it. Our home is conveniently located, with a library and train station just a short walk away. One striking difference here is the climate. One can walk for miles and not break a sweat.

My social scene has changed drastically. We know only a handful of people, and my husband isn’t exactly enthusiastic about traveling or sightseeing. I have managed to make a few friends and try to explore on my own when I can. The cost of living here is ridiculous and the UK prices make my Indian savings feel alarmingly small. The job market has been a tough nut to crack, with few roles aligning with my experience. So, I’m using this time to unwind and invest in skills and areas I couldn’t focus on before.

The last six months were especially challenging, but I have managed to navigate it. Today, I feel stronger, more grounded. I am in a much better frame of mind now. My only wish is to live my life intentionally and not merely exist.

2024 - New Horizons

Every year, when I sit down to write my dreams and desires for the new year, I am clueless about how the year will turn out to be. Not this time. It's mid-Feb and I have already made some major life decisions.

I am going to quit my job. A job I have been doing for almost 14 years of my life. I have forgotten how it feels not having to wake up to official work. But I think I am ready for it. The other anticipated change is moving to Scotland for the rest of the year. So far, all I know is that I will be going there. For how many months is still a question. I am good at what I do, I had ample money coming in, a supportive team, and great friends along with the fact that I get to stay in the place I love the most - Bangalore! Then why did I make the premature decision to resign from such a cushy job?

Life may seem perfect from the outside but everybody has their inner demons. I think I was in a rut. I badly needed to shake up things to stop me from dwelling in the past. I love my home, the one I bought and set up with so much pride. However, this house also reminds me of my mom who passed away barely months after moving in. My sister moved to the US and my dad to Mangalore. I feel incredibly lonely at times in this house full of memories of people I love and miss. My husband is in Scotland and having a long-distance relationship is not easy. I want to be with him and have a family of my own even if it is just the two of us.

Wow! That was tough. Moving on to lighter stuff, I completed my A2 course in French on Duolingo!! I have graduated to the B1 level. That's some serious commitment. Now that I have more time on my hands, I want to practice material from other sources apart from Duolingo to make myself much more proficient. One more constant through the years has been my Goodreads Reading Challenge. I have set my target low this year - 15 books. I may read more than that but I don't want to pressurize myself considering everything else that is happening. I also plan to catch up on a lot of sitcoms and movies coz that's what unemployed folks do, right?

I was looking at my blog and, sadly, there are hardly any posts in between the year. It seems more of a to-do list than a bucket of memories. I have several incomplete drafts begging to be posted. I want to be more consistent with my writing. I also want to capture more memories. I have realized that if we make a constant effort to romanticize life, we can manifest it. Fake it till you make it. Of course, it is important to be in touch with reality but there's no harm in creating the life you wish to see. 

I am amused whenever I look at my 2021 Bucket List. It's been 3 years now and it is still not complete. I seem to have added everything under the sun. Surprisingly, an item gets ticked off now and then and ends up making me double happy! I know I have an even bigger list that is ironically named Small Dreams :D And the numerous other challenges that I have taken up. I am happy to let them be. I know I will keep clearing them and coming up with new ones. That's life. There's always something to look forward to. I also intend to focus on my health and appearance. I am not worried about them, I would rather say I am conscious about them. 

It almost feels surreal to think of the future. After three and a half decades of living life a certain way, it truly feels like entering a different era. I want to be hopeful and expectant without any negative connotations weighing me down. Ah, the age of innocence, wish you could come back :) 

2023 - A year to remember

A quick recap of 2023. The year started with a visit to 'Prani' the pet sanctuary. I got to meet several icky reptiles and rodents :P Next came the Enchanta Premier League in which I enrolled myself for Throwball. Our team was the underdog but with sheer grit and hard work, we emerged out the winners!! I have probably not won anything in sports and hence it was a memorable event for me. Meanwhile, at work, some women were coming together to form a Diversity and Inclusion initiative. I was recruited as well. We conducted many activities for which I had to design posters, talk to people and host events. It was the perfect creative outlet for me.

Back in 2022, Ikea opened a store in Bangalore. Somehow I hadn't been able to go there at all. When the bed in my room started making noises resembling ghosts, it led to my first Ikea purchase. I have to admit the new bed is not very sturdy but goes really well with my room's aesthetic. It was Dad's 70th birthday this year. Me and Sis planned a surprise birthday party for him. I invited all his friends and close family. He looked so pleased like a kid. I have been socializing a lot more than usual this year. Met up with friends for lunch, had a team dinner with colleagues I have known for more than a decade, and went to Mangalore plenty of times for baby showers, naming ceremonies and weddings. Also, hosted a cocktail party for the newlyweds like a pro. It was last minute with no prep but I managed to pull it off.

There were three major events this year. The first was a vacation in Europe with my cousins and the second was a vacation with my friends in Malaysia. Both of them were girls only and, needless to say, we had a lot of fun and fantastic memories! I made sure to take as many pictures as possible. The third highlight of the year is that I got married <3 It seems as if R was written in my fate and it was just a matter of time before we got together. We are so perfect for each other. I am currently basking in marital bliss, enjoying the sunshine and hoping it will last forever!

I also tried new air fryer recipes, had some amazing French toast, joined a dance class for a while and welcomed the new year with my favorite people - my Sis and nephew. Overall, it's been a great 2023. And I truly believe, there are only good things to come :)