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.