Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Comeback...

Hello Readers (if there are still any reading this blog....),

I am not very proud of the fact that I have not been active on my own blog from almost one and half years now.  As I wrote in one of my previous posts that 2015 had been a year with ups and downs, I can say that 2016 has also taken me by surprise!!  This time, I am not going to make false promises of being regular at blogging or writing frequently, but, I will say one thing is that I will try my best to write one post a month and try to get back to blogging which I used to love and enjoy so much!!

Now, 8 months have passed by and 2016 also seem to  be coming to an end, but I am going to try and recall all the things that I can share with you (although, there haven't been that many either).  My 2016 kind of started out bumpy as I was laid off in March.  It wasn't something that I had expected but didn't come as a full shock either.  I had kind of sensed that a big round of lay offs is coming but just didn't realize that this one had my name in the list as well.  Initially when I heard it, the news struck me and I felt emotional but I took it very positively and left the place happily.  There is one thing that I have always felt strongly about and that is "whatever happens, happens for the right reason".  Over so many years of service, I had made new friends and met so many talented folks, learned so many things and new technology, shared numerous laughter and life experiences!! How can I be leaving the place sadly?  No way! I have great memories and amazing people to be thankful for!  The only thing that I miss the most is the PEOPLE that I had worked with.  Today, even after being away from that place for over 5 months, I try to keep in touch with them through one or the other social medium such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Well, good thing that I am writing this post after such a long time that you guys don't have to wait to hear the good news.  Within 2 months of my layoff, after filling out lots of applications, quite a few phone interviews, and handful of on-site interviews, I was hired by another company and started my work in May.  It's already been 3 months of working there and I am enjoying it.  The people are nice and the work is good and challenging at times...the only difference is the open work space which I was not used to but getting used to it now :).  I feel life throws so many challenges at you but it also gives you strength and patience to go through it...you just need to have faith!

I am also happy to have been very active this year in dancing.  I can't recall last time when I had performed on a stage or with friends, but thanks to a friend who invited me to perform in an Indian Dance Festival where she had to put together a group for the performance.  Our dance was a hit and to top it off, we were invited to perform in Gujarat Mahotsav, a huge event put together in Long Beach, CA, where artists from India came together and showcase what Gujarat is all about!!  This was a great achievement for the group as our performance went well and we got such a big platform to perform on!  Again, thanks to my friend who put her heart and soul into this dance and to make it a huge success! Thanks to her husband for not just being the backbone of her but the entire group and supporting all of us all the way!  And Many thanks to her two young kids, age 1 and half, and 4 who were running around with us everywhere whether it was practice or performance!  It was a trip of lifetime!  Just as we came back after performing in CA, we were invited to perform at the Dragon Boat Festival in Denver.  This was the 3rd performance for us within 5 months!  Just amazing experiences all the way :).  Through this dance, I made so many new friends for lifetime which I will never forget.

Phew...well that's about it for now.  If I recall anything else, I will surely come back and share it with you all.  But, as I said, I will not make false promises..I will try to write at least one post per month and get back to blogging....

Hope you all have wonderful day and thank you for visiting my blog and reading my posts!!