Cocktail Thoughts!

What happens at the end of every year? We look at the past year and hope for a better year ahead. Some party, some spend quiet time with family / friends / self and some BLOG!

2012 has been an year of new friendships. Some friendships were formed and gone before I knew it, while some strengthened. This year saw the birth of my food blog and temple visits like never before. This year also helped form my band of girls, who I know will stand by me through anything. Here's to all my girls - Aarti, Avanthi, Jenny, KK, Tasneem Aunty, Tasneem Akbari, Yalini, Pree, Ramaa Iyer, Ranjini, Uma V, Uma J,  - for all that we have done together and for all that we will.

To some new friendships - Sathish Kumar, Sindhu Sathish Kumar, Bharani Shivakumar - you guys have been great and I will always cherish the dinner, not to forget the lectures and discussions ;-)

This year saw the wedding of 2 of my besties - D and S. I am proud to have been part of your wedding celebrations, to have gained 2 families while being part of this wedding.

This year gave me a lot of health issues and has also given me the strength to overcome them. This year saw me lose and gain weight like nobody's business. It's now time to stabilize.

This year saw me visit the Superstar's (yes yes - the one and only thalaivar Rajnikanth) house for Navrathri Golu. Thank you Tasneem Aunty for the privilege and honor.

This year saw me read more books than the last, eat more food and workout more.

This year put me to test, strengthened my belief in the Supreme and has made me stronger.

This year has witnessed the death of lot of people - artistes, directors, some cold blooded shootings, rapes and the likes, and here's a prayer for peace to all their families.

To all those amazing bakers from HBG and my fellow foodies from CFG, you are the reason for the weight gain mentioned earlier :D Happy New Year :)

Last but most important, this year saw many highs and lows that helped put things in perspective, and through it all, you stood by me. Thank you - I know I can always count on you! Thank you for picking out furniture, thank you for listening to me banter, crib, cry and in the end making me laugh until I tear up and thank you for the insane patience. Thank you for making me cry today, and not letting go until I laughed again. And congratulations and huggs because this year has been good for you too! :-) (You still have to make up for missing my birthday, next birthday will come soon) Here's to you for making everything special! Happy New Year!

What the next year brings - I don't know, but I do hope it brings cheer and happiness all around. Less tears, more smiles, less anger, more peace, less stress, more ease and finally, lots and lots of love!

Here's to all of you that have been and will be part of my life - A very happy new year and joy and sunshine all around!

This tree outside my house fell, but this picture will always remain in my heart, for it showed that no matter how troubled times are, there will always be a bloom some day that'll make you smile and hope!