2023 – Highlights of my year

2023 has been such a roller coaster!! So many lovely memories to cherish about. And also things where I still need to improve a lot. But that’s what makes life exciting , isn’t it?

As much as it is wonderful to watch my son grow (he is in mid-teens now), a fair portion of the year I reflected on how am I going to cope with empty-nester syndrome. There doesn’t seem to be an easy solution for it except to embrace the fact that this is inevitable.

As always, Saikat is always there to support and encourage my thoughts and so also my mother-in-law. This year, I actually watched several movies with my maa, at home and at the theaters as well.

There have been many personal moments in 2023 that I am going to cherish for a lifetime and so many learnings as well.

As I grow a year older, wiser and full with life experiences, here’s my take on the key highlights of my year in 2023.

1) Riju graduated to 11th Standard with flying colors.

Yes, I was overthinking about his studies at one point. But he did well in his final exams and I am so happy and proud about it. He has been enrolled in a Science course and guess what! He is loving this institute’s environment more than his last 10 years of school. Maybe, because it has more college-like atmosphere.😊

He has developed a knack for Physics (just like his father) and is liking the course, although it is vast and complex!

All the best to him as he treads this path!

2) Riju attended concert of an International artist he is a fan of!

Recently Steve Vai performed in a concert in Bangalore. Riju is a big time fan of his and heavily inspired by his music. It was a dream come true for him to attend his concert.

As in Riju’s own words ‘This was the best day of my life’!

So happy, he could attend the concert. It was also his first concert of an international artist.

3) Saikat 😊

If somebody asks me what is it that I absolutely love about Saikat?

It is his mind.

He is always there rock-solid, supporting, encouraging (and also course-correcting when required) me at every point in life.

I used to take pride in organizing events but he has surpassed me in every possible way. He can organize things so seamlessly! He is the Annual Sports Coordinator for our apartment complex and this year he pulled off a 500+ participant Sports event so nicely.

During our college days, he used to coach students in Physics for Joint Entrance Exams. In fact , he had quiet a big student base and many of them did extremely well in the entrance exams.

Today, despite his busy schedule, he takes out time to teach Physics and Maths to Riju. I am surprised that he remembers the subjects so well, because I can’t recollect a single word from those days!

He is in Research and Development field and on professional front, another of his patents got approved by U.S Patents Office. Another feather in his cap.

So much to talk about! But I will keep it low-key just like Saikat himself.

4) My most cherished experience – meeting my friend Aliviya in Singapore

Some of the best things in life happen unplanned.

It was just a general chit chat on Whatsapp with Aliviya and I decided to go to her place in Singapore!

Aliviya and I have studied together from 5th to 12th Standard in school and we were best friends! We were actually quite famous in school and our friends’ circle still associate us together! 😊

After 12th, I moved on with Engineering course and she took up Medicals; she always wanted to be a doctor.

Believe, this was the best decision of my life to visit her!

I can’t thank her enough to be such a wonderful host. I stayed at her place and explored Singapore together. She created the itinerary and we had the best time.

(I will be writing about my Singapore experience on this blog quite soon!)

The comfort and warmth of childhood friendship is so invaluable. I remember, we were on the topmost terrace of Supertree Observatory and was half-lying on the floor gazing at the sky! We talked and reflected about how far we have come in life. Our personal and professional experience. It was bliss!

Aliviya introduced me to all her favorite foods in Singapore, from Kaya Toast and Tea combination to Bubble Tea to the Biryani place she absolutely loves. And guess what! I loved them too!

A Big Thanks to her husband Raja as well for planning the finest dinner experiences in Singapore on all the four days!

Singapore will always remain very special to me! Thank You Aliviya for everything. I will remember this experience forever and ever!

5) My parents, friends and relatives in Kolkata

Kolkata! My soul city is slowly moving far away from me.

But, I managed to visit the city before Durga Puja this year and immersed myself in pre-pujo festivities.

I took my parents to a resort in Diamond Harbour where my father used to take us during my school days. It was like re-living old memories. It was a wonderful break away from the hustle bustle of the city. It is a small river town with mighty Ganges flowing along. We visited a few places on a Toto and settled down to heartwarming food served at the resort.

I also met my school friends at one of the roof-top bars in Kolkata and what a fun evening it was!

Priyanka, Soma, Sarani, Gargi, Senjuti – Thank You for making time for the meet-up. From appreciating Priyanka‘s fashion sense (in love with her dresses), to discussing diet tips with Gargi (I am consulting her prescribed dietician), immersing in Sarani‘s amazing sense of humor, getting to know about how exceptional Soma has been in her personal life embracing two young kids, and meeting the lovely Senjuti after sooo many years – it was a very special evening. You know I look forward to these few hours every year! You just make them so special. Thank You dearies for being there always.

Sreyoshi was not able to make to the meet-up this time, but she made my Pujo special with all the lovely sarees from her boutique! Loved all of them!

I planned a day out with my sister-in-laws (Moushumi and Didibhai) in South City Mall and had a blast with them! And also went out with my aunt (Buan Pishi) for a nice day together. You all made my day so special and memorable. Looking forward to more such day-outs in future.

All these added to the happiness of Durga Pujo festivities. I celebrated Durga Puja in Bangalore with my family.

Rupaparna and Sudakshina (my college friends) came over during Nabomi and I had a wonderful time with them. This year, we went for a pre-pujo dress shopping in Bangalore International Center and rounded it up with a wonderful lunch and hours of chatting with Sudakshina there after. Memorable!

6) And that’s a wrap!

Quiet a wonderful year 2023 has been, Thank you for everything and looking forward to 2024!