A Year From Now

This time last year, I remember thinking "I wonder what I'll be doing a year from now." I tried to envision what types of things would have happened in the year ahead. I wondered, would I have changed jobs again? Would I have travelled to some place new and exciting? Would I be living in another country? Would I be in love? Oh my god, would I be marrying Benedict Cumberbatch? 

August 2013 was spent in going to and from a massive amount of weddings and other marriage functions. I remember being in the car (my beautiful, small amazing car which I sold earlier this year. Poor Fabio!) in my shalwar kameez and high heels (although I'd wear trainers for driving. Keeping it real yo) a lot. Half the time I didn't know whose wedding I was at, and whether we were invited from the groom or the bride's side. And oh, the amount of wedding food eaten last year was just unreal - I was eating butter chicken, mattar paneer (Indian cottage cheese with peas) and biryani on a weekly basis. Along with eating food, the other thing I was asked to do was take many pictures.. Of myself.. From different angles.. With different smiles plastered on my face. Yes, I'm talking about matrimonial photographs. Let me tell you, I learnt a few things about how to pose like a woman and also stand un-awkwardly next to various wall displays, trying not to look like a tower in my heels. The only highlight of the wedding season was that I got to realise that I actually enjoyed dressing up for a few hours. Even more than that, I loved the feeling of getting in to my pyjamas after a long evening of looking sophisticated. (I'm actually smiling at the thought of being in my pyjamas.. Whilst in my pyjamas).

The whole rishta (formal familial proposals that never went beyond the stage of me talking to a random man) stage of things started to really wind down after August for me. I decided to take a step back from it all because well, it was frankly not my cup of tea - at all. I let go of all those ideas that surrounded the topic of marriage, and I realised that I was so utterly put off by the idea of meeting any more men who claimed to be "well travelled, open minded and honest" that I couldn't read another email, have another awkward phone conversation or pretend to enjoy a cup of coffee with someone I felt so disconnected with. It was so difficult meeting so many new people so often, and having to talk about the same things over and over. It was inorganic and forced. And hence, one of the wisest decisions I made a year ago was to just let things be in this matter. I knew that when the time was right I would bump in to someone for the last time, and that was a comforting thought.

I also remember booking my tickets to Dubai as well in early August - thinking "I wonder what I'll do there, and who I'll meet".. I told a few close friends I was coming, and decided that I needed, more than ever, to just have some time off. I think booking that ticket was one of the best things I ever did. I didn't think I'd make it to Dubai, especially since the wedding I was going there for had been moved to London, and also the fact that I had splashed out going to Toronto earlier in the year. But, things just have a way of working out - I've found. And of course, it was one of the best times I've had. 

One of the most fascinating things I recognised was that in a year, you can lose and gain so many relationships. People who weren't that involved in your life, suddenly become those that you can't see yourself without. Whilst those you were very close to, have taken a back seat. I have to say, I'm totally happily surprised and eternally blessed to see who I have in my life now. I am definitely of the thought that the best types of relationships are those you never expected. I've always said that I was a fan of spontaneity! :D

Now of course you all know the types of adventures I've been on since August 2013. I have to say that this year has been very kind to me so far, and I think it'll only get warmer and more loving. I told you, 2014 is mine. So is 2015 by the way. I foresee many wonderful things unfolding for me in the coming months - in all shapes or forms. 

So now, I ask myself these vital questions - where will I be a year from now? Will I have taken a few leaps of faith? Will I be happier? Will I be a better person? And most importantly.. Will I have done everything with love?