I don't usually do this!

What you ask? Well, you know - reminiscing and recounting the past year, making resolutions etc etc. All the "New Year" customary things that people do. I get too lazy around this time to do anything at all. But I do have this one superstition belief - Whatever happens on the first day of the year, whatever you are feeling that day, and however you deal with things - is what will happen the rest of the year. And sure enough, on the 365th day(like today for 2009) I don't remember a damn thing to actually confirm this. So I just move onto the next year without thinking much about the past and without really looking into the future, and just live in today. This year it won't be like this. I may not remember what Jan 1, 2009 was like but I do remember bits and pieces of this year and I want to document them. I am 25 and I already don't remember so many things that have happened in my life. I think it will be good to have notes about it!

This may seem like a deviation, but I promise it is related (remotely). So day before yesterday, I saw "Up in the air". George Clooney is like the messiah of anti-relations, anti-commitment, anti-family, and anti-love. Eventually he realises it doesn't work that way, and is talking to his bro-in-law-to-be (who's got cold feet), trying to convince him that love and marriage are the right thing to do. He asks him this - Remember the most important moments of your life? Were you alone? I won't tell you what really happens after this as that is not the point of this post. The point is - most important moments of life. So today I give you just that. Most important and memorable moments of my life (in 2009) -

• Second year of my Masters had just started and my grades were on the lowest level of the deepest pit on the least-distance-above-sea-level plain on the.....you get the point. I had to do something. I spent my entire time, resources and energy in working towards my grades. And I got straight A's. 
• I got an internship even before people had started applying.
• Befriended my friends (Sai & Sneha) again and started reconnecting with them.
• M got a job in the worst of economies.
• Lived through an entire summer of not-so-perfect internship. I learned to deal with difficult people and tried not to let them get to me. Also had some really interesting experiences - here, here and here.
  
• Also spent a great summer traveling and hanging out with friends and having fun!
  
• Went to India and saw my father as a retired person and realised it is so great to have him home. This could be the first time I spent so much time with him, and I loved it. Bonded with my mom, dad and told them how I met and fell in love with M.
• Met M's parents and his entire family, and loved them. I couldn't have asked for better in-laws-to-be.
  
• In the second semester of my Masters I started applying for jobs, with the economy still bleak. I spent hours, days and months just applying and mailing people. Let's just say - I am more than happy and satisfied with the outcome and I got more than I could ever imagine!
  
• Also did I tell you, straight A's in this semester too? (ok, so I took super-easy courses)
• Lost my only grandparent - my Aaji
  
• And lastly, but most importantly - grew up. I realized my responsibilities towards family, friends and boyfriend. I became comfortable with the way I look and accepted all my flaws. I became comfortable with who I am and tried to correct what could be.
  
• And finally, came to terms with life's realities like marriage and responsibilities and realized that if you have the right partner by your side, it is all not too big a deal. I am taking things one at a time and by this time next year I might be committed. (Can you believe it? I can't!!). We'll see.

It was a great year for me, I learned a lot about life, love and myself. I hope to be a better daughter, girlfriend and friend, but above all a better me. And that is my resolution.

Have a great year ahead all of you! Hope you find happiness and success in everything you seek!