Finally, I’ve found some time to sit and reflect on the year that was 2009.
After a tumultuous 2008 spent fighting against the dramatic changes in my life, my main resolution for 2009 was to accept and commit to India as my home. This included packing up and selling off my belongings back in Australia, and making the most of my life here in India. No more complaining about the challenges, and no more threatening to leave.
Did I succeed? On the whole, I think I did.
I returned to Australia in March and sorted out the remainders of my life there. 2009 brought me some wonderful work related travel opportunities. I went on a yak safari in Spiti, drove an auto rickshaw across India, and moonlighted as a foreign model in Kerala. My husband and I were on the cover of a magazine, and my blog was recognised as one of the top expat blogs. I also started acquiring a number of Indian habits.
I often still felt stressed though. This was mainly because of my husband’s work situation and my living environment. My husband wasn’t feeling at all fulfilled in the family business, and wanted to return to the music industry. I was very uncomfortable living in a conservative Indian middle class neighbourhood, where it was rare to see another foreigner and I was a constant object of attention. I felt lonely and out of place. Overzealous and intrusive neighbours pushed my sanity to the edge.
I didn’t know how the situation could change for the better in the near future. But, I decided it was bearable. Rather shamefully, I often pretended I wasn’t at home when I craved privacy. I found a beautiful garden to relax in, and came to terms with our landlord’s unannounced visits that caught me in my nightwear. And, I completely focused my attention on my work (probably to an unhealthy extent).
Then, just as I’d accepted my situation, everything changed. A perfect surprise job offer for my husband, and a perfect new home that met our needs. All I can think is that a higher power must have deemed us worthy and orchestrated it, because it’s not something my husband or I could have planned so well. Maybe, we attracted it through our thoughts. But a higher power definitely turned it into reality.
My goals for 2010 are quite simple and significant — to have a child and write a book. These goals aren’t ones that can be easily achieved in tandem with each other, so we’ll have to wait and see which actually happens first!
Related Posts:
- Finally Finding My Feet in Mumbai?
- Fear Over Moving to Mumbai
- My New Year’s Resolutions 2009
- I’m Still Scared of My Inlaws
- Adjusting to Having a Maid
- I Don’t Have Any Home Help. Am I Mad?
- Mumbai Meri Jaan, I’m Back!
- Minding my Manners in India
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Dr Luv, thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment. I put quite a bit of thought into trying to make my blog well organised (trackable and understandable), so I’m really glad to know I’ve succeeded. Thanks for reading, and a very happy new year to you! Wishing you a prosperous and fulfilling one.
Wish I could join you on that spoonful of Vegemite, Evil Cathy!
I was having it on toast every day while I was back home.
Hi Ashleigh, you’re so right it’s not easy to “bloom where you’re planted”, especially when the soil is a little hard!!
Thanks for the good wishes.
Wishing you the best for 2010 too Eddy and Hilde!
Would love to meet up some time. I’m finding it sooo difficult to get a productive routine happening since I’ve been back though. I’m getting stressed because I’ve been neglecting my work. Once it’s under control, I’ll have more time to socialise!
Hey Sharell,
Happy New Year!
Well.. I am commenting after long. But yours is one blog I check everyday..
Becoming a mommie sounds like a fantastic idea!
What do you intend to write in the book? Is it going to be about relationships? or you have something else in mind?
Good luck with both your plans. Hope they conceptualise at the same time!
Cheers
Hi Nidhi, thank you so much!
The title I have in mind for the book is something like “From Oz to Om” — so it will be about how I left Australia and reinvented my life in India. (Basically, the story before the start of this blog). It will be an inspirational kind of book. A publisher actually contacted me last year regarding writing this kind of book (based on my blog), and then put me in touch with a friend of hers who is an agent. I have to finish putting the proposal together though. I really need to get to work!!! 
Hmmm……i am sure i will get a free copy signed by the author herself…lols
I’ll buy this book if its 1000 rupees. More than that baba, I am on a tight budget. I am thinking of writing a book. My topic is ancient history. The book will be finished when I am 80 years old.
@Indian American
I’ll buy this book if its 1000 rupees.
Well, with 1000 rupees……u can buy almost any book in India.
. My topic is ancient history.
Cool. Just do it.
Oh, and I remembered more optimistic stuff on babies…when my second one was a baby, she would sleep for so long that I would wish she would wake up. And would lie there quietly in her pram when out playing or looking and then just drift off to sleep when it suited her. She was more like a cuddly toy that needed feeding than anything demanding. I am sure you can have one of the same
Ronny, you’ll have to wait another 60 years for my book to be done. If you can wait that long I’d appreciate it. The book will be named, “Voices of an Ancient Civilization”
@Indian American says…
“you’ll have to wait another 60 years for my book to be done.”
“The book will be named, “Voices of an Ancient Civilization”
Hahahaha…..yeah and the book will be written by an Ancient Man…….60 years is a long way to go.
Happy new year, and may all your wishes come true in 2010 !
Happy New Year Sharrell
This blog is one of the most interesting on the web. I enjoy reading almost every one of your posts!
Happy New Year Sharell!
I am happy that things turn out great for you two! Enjoy 2010 and I wish joy and happiness to both the baby and the book plan!
I hope,wish & pray dat both ur wishes come true before da year ends!
Ur writing skills r excellent!Thanks 2 dem,I’ve bcum addicted 2 ur blog!Ur book will deifinitely b super successful!
Glad to hear dat u r planning 2 have a child!I’m confident dat u’ll make a wonderful mother!Motherhood is the biggest responsibility God has given 2 a woman.It is the most fulfilling & enriching experience as well.Da presence of a child in life not only increases ones duties but it also gives unparallel joy to the mother.I had tears in my eyes wen my daughter had first said ‘mum’.Although later she started addressing every1 around wid dat word,I was really happy dat she had first said it to me!
Although pregnancy,labour pains,all the difficulties associated wid giving birth to a child may scare u now,wen u’ll first see ur child,u’ll forget all of dis dat very moment!
Here’s wishing u good luck!May ur blog reach greater heights of success dis yr!May God Bless u & guide u towards a bright future & may he fulfill both ur wishes in dis year!
Naah…I asked you about the Maggi stuff coz I was recently reading a post by Gori Girl where she said that she coudnt get it easily in America…..And that she enjoyed it very much.
Evil Cathy, I beg to differ with you on the Maggi front…..Maggi not only smells yum but also tastes good…I just love it. Mayve you should try out one of the new varieties.
So hows the new year turning out for you folks? Not so good for me
Hmm Doctor Death for the sake of agreement (because I am so very agreeable to those who may one day be able to give me vitamin injections or a medical certificate) I will suggest that maybe Indian Maggi is much nicer than that I have found in Australia or Malaysia. And swear I will try some next time I am there.
@ IA, I’m waiting for the book for sure dude! It must be a comedy best seller.
And I want the first copy signed by you!
Cathy, I’m cooking Maggi for you next time you’re in Delhi. Then let’s see if you find it repulsive.
Hmmm, if Cathy is coming in November, well then maybe I will come in May, and you sure cannot do it by then Sharell!
Jokes apart, all the best and hope things turn right for you without any stress.
Oi Ramit, what is the logic of you coming in November if I am in May?
You can try cooking Maggi…we will see…but I want to be all demanding and make you cook me all my favourites.
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