Newfound love

I love the Redwood City public library. One of the first things I did after moving here was to sign up for a library card. Over the last couple of months, it has become my second favorite place in the city (the first, of course, is home). It has kept me company during all those lonely hours when the husband was at work. It has introduced me to new pleasures and new things to learn. The vast collection of books on every imaginable topic is, of course, a given. Whether it is my regular dose of fiction, or learning resources to improve my painting skills or a learn-woodworking book that piqued the hubby's interest. When I wanted to learn Spanish, where did I go look for resources? Or that one time when we maxed out our broadband limit and couldn't use Netflix anymore, so I went and discovered the movie collection at the library. As a newbie in this city, when I wanted to meet new people and make friends, I went volunteering for Project Read at the library. The library has been there for me for everything I needed, and I am glad we live only a block away. Three cheers for the library!

Resolutions

Its the first of Jan, so there had to be the mandatory post on resolutions ;) I have never really been into "new years resolutions" - I dont see any particular reason why my resolutions have to be made on a Dec 31st/ Jan 1st and forgotten by Jan 15th. I could choose to make resolutions on a May 20th and forget them by the June 5th! Jokes apart, I did make some course-correction resolutions over a year ago. I thought I might as well take stock of those resolutions, given that I am not making any new ones right now. Also given that this blog is the direct outcome of those resolutions.

About a year ago, I realized my life was completely centered around work with "no time to stand and stare", or really do anything else. During my college days, I used to be this "enthu-cutlet" girl who was always ready to sign up for every extra-curric activity, in college and outside. Not that I didnt want to be that girl anymore, I still wanted to do loads of things - I just got a little lost in my work-study-work cycle. So I decided I was going to take out time for all the things I ever wanted to do - mostly involving books, art, travel and writing. I think I have stuck to it quite fine for now. For instance, in the last one year I have:

• read more books than I did in the previous 4 years put together. 
• checked off one item which had been on my to-do list for a long time - learnt how to and made a Tanjore painting.
• signed up for oil painting classes and already made one "frame worthy" painting. 
• managed to squeeze in time for a few mini artsy-craftsy projects - a glass painting project here and a pencil sketch there.
• started exercising more frequently and believe am in better shape today than I was a year ago. 
• put a few (very few, not enough!) non-work trips. Of all the things on my list, I guess this has been the least attended to. Hopefully, will be remedying that soon.
• started blogging here. I figured its a good way for me to keep track of all the yummy stuff I have started doing. Also, it might just inspire me to start that short story series I have been planning in my head for so long.

On the whole, I think I have done well with my resolutions and do deserve a pat on the back! As a bonus, I have won back my hard earned reputation as the "enthu-cutlet" girl who is always ready to sign up for any extra-curric activities :)