Looking back.

Everywhere I look, hear, read, people are looking back and wrapping up on 2010 - which has compelled me do the same. One last post for this year reminiscencing 2010, in my post starved blog -

Half-Marathon: Served 2 purpose - a much needed challenge for my body and mind to feel good about myself, and also served to learn a bit more about the non-profit organization ASHA. I haven't been able to involve much with ASHA after I finished by run, as I intended to, but I would consider this a good start. I have to also admit that I haven't run once, ever since I finished my half-marathon in June. No regrets though, I did good when I had a purpose and a goal.

Bharatanatyam: Atlast I have found an activity outside of family and work that I enjoy and look forward to every week.

Travel:

Visited our friends in Texas in Spring. A trip that was not centered around sight-seeing but one to visit friends who had a new baby. I wanted to do such a trip to NJ this year which we couldn't make it happen. That is definitely in my plans for next summer.

Summer 2010 was fun with parents visiting and well planned trips. We did couple of road trips this summer within Washington, which has made me appreciate WA's varied landscape more - 1. Cascade loop with stay in Lake Chelan and 2. Cherry picking in Yakima with Palouse Falls visit.

Camping trip in California with my parents, brother's family and the extended family there, during Labour Day weekend was the first camping experience with our little one and we did great. Loads of food and good times with the whole family together, which filled in for a vacation in India for me this year.

Kept the tradition of getting away with my friend. This time it was Vegas. A much needed girl’s vacation out in the sin city!

Books: I am an avid kindle user now, but I think I haven't finished one book completely to the end, this year. Sigh! I bought a dozen though. Jared Diamond's 'Third Chimpanzee' is my book of the year. A very interesting, well-written, easy to read book that has opened up new trails of thought process in me.

Movies: The movie I enjoyed the best this year in the theatre is 'Inception'. And the best movie watching experience was 'Endhiran' with all the hoopla.

Festivities: This year I have tried as much as possible to make my kid experience/learn seasonal activities/festivals from Pongal, cherry picking, strawberry picking to fall fair, pumpkin picking festival, Halloween and Deepavali.

I have tried to balance work, family time, social life and activities but have not mastered it yet. I don't think anyone really can be a master at that. It all boils down to priorities - to do things that needs to be done and letting go till you find time to focus on the rest.

 Here's to another year of exciting travel, good times with family/friends, challenges, learning and fun!

Happy 2011 to all!