Monday, September 9, 2013

2013 - the year I didn't stop

2013 has been by far one of my best years yet. I know I say that about every single year that goes by, but yeah, 2013 could hands down be the one I've enjoyed the most.

Maybe it's because of the progress I've made with my Ashtanga Yoga practice (do click the link to read about it or else you won't understand the next few sentences). Sometime last year, I went to my first yoga class, and was so far away from touching my toes. I never could have ever imagined being able to be able to finish the primary sequence, let alone the intermediate sequence in this lifetime. But then I started practicing Morning Mysore daily as prescribed, and voila, my body's showing strength I never thought possible.

2013 also marks the year of non-stop traveling. My favoritest thing in the world. I love everything about it - the destinations, airports, hotels, airplane food, local food. I even love the scent of a freshly (sprayed) clean plane that greets you as you walk into the aircraft. And I love throwing open the doors to a hotel room to see if it was everything I imagined, or more. I love listing down all the must-eats of a destination, take a picture of the plates as they arrive, and tick them off my list as I savor each bite.

Maybe that's it. 2013's been a year when I found and actually got to LIVE my passions. Traveling almost every month, and practicing yoga every single day. 

In January, I headed to Luxembourg, where I was greeted by the snow, and gifted with Nike kicks that I promptly put on, and folded my legs into Padmasana.




Then in February, I headed to cold, cold, Paris. Which was a winter wonderland and so much more. I ate, loved, laughed, sang, ate and also went into Ustrasana (Camel Pose) at the Louvre.



March saw me at home in KK. Making a must-eat list for mummy and daddy to provide me with, while I spent my time buried in the neck of my beloved niece. Yoga was done sparingly because the stomach was full at all times.


I didn't go anywhere in April, but was lucky enough to have my baby bro visit me in Istanbul. We had SUCH an awesome time. I did lotsa yoga, but my fave pic is one that Bryan took of my back - I am so rocking my new yogini body! Leggings are of course from Blackmilk.



Ah, May was quiet. It was a month of extreme yoga activity but no photos.

Then June came. I went to London. You know what's better than traveling? Traveling with a bunch of people you love and can be totally comfortable with. For me, that's my family. And I got into Urdha Dhanurasana at the Tower Bridge.



In July, we went back to Hubby's hometown, Biarritz. The highlights, were of course yoga everywhere. On the beach. At the lake. At the house. And lots of food. And wine. Hic.



And I also went to Bilbao. And ate a lot of Pintxos. Drank a lot of wine. And mimic-ed the spider at the Guggenheim Museum.



Soon, I'll be headed to Barcelona. I plan to do the simple Padmasana at the Sagradia Familia if I can't get into Sirshasana (headstand).

And right now, I'm also fervently researching flights and Sydney hotels because I'm dying to do the Setu Bandha Sarvangasana with the Sydney Harbour bridge as a backdrop. 

2013 ain't over yet, and I plan for a list as long as this one to close the last four months of the year!



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Because it's my Daddy's Birthday

What better way to restart this blog than to celebrate the special day of one of my biggest fans? You see, this has always been a place where I could be as unabashedly mushy as I wanted openly to my beloveds. Not one to show overt physical public displays of affection, I always preferred the use of words and pictures. Superlatives I love, like 'love', 'awesome', 'best', 'super', 'wonderful' et all might sound cliched to some, but to me, they mean exactly what I feel. And these words I string together last forever, and you can read them over and over, because when distance makes hugs impossible, and time makes wonderful experiences just far-away memories, the written word and photos that captured a special moment shared can make you relive a time when everything was absolutely perfect.
So, today, because it's my super-est beloved-est awesome-st Daddy's birthday, we take a tour in the house of memories that we built together in 2012. And we relive how loved and lucky I felt every single time we were together. And we see this as an auspicious start to the foundation of more and more memories we will be building together in 2013.

Here's to us, daddy dearest.

My trip back home. This is our fave japanese restaurant. 
Our family doing what we love best. Eating. Together. 

You must be able to tell why I love this picture. Two of the most amazing people in the world, who I love soooooooooo much. Looking absolutely beautiful, contented and happy. In my hometown. 
This is bliss.

I write to show my love. Daddy cooks for us to show his. 
And his cooking is phenomenal. Lip smacking, thumb curling, yummy yummy, filled with love.

A prelude to one of the most beautiful holidays we've had together. And I love how we looked as we anticipated fun, but not realizing just how much joy we would have. 

 Ah. Here we are. Somewhere in between Turkey and Greece. My entire birthday week. With my most loved ones in the world. Me, lucky? Yes. Very.

Looking at this picture, I realize I don't remember us ever swimming together before. 
It's thankfully never too late, and I'm grateful that despite us 'knowing each other' for more than 33 years, we still get to experience plenty of firsts together.

 My birthday foot massage. On a boat in the Aegean sea. 
I couldn't have asked for a better present.


Meet Sophia. Our family's newest love. The new girl in Daddy's life. :D

Ahhhh. And here we are. All your kids and grandkid. In Hanoi. 
Reminiscent of yet another superbly awesome year-end family holiday together. 

 And this, is recently. And perfectly signifies what Daddy's always, always, always been like. He surprise-visited me when I was visiting Luxembourg. Taking almost 6 hour long train rides from Amsterdam for the first time in his life. For just one night.

Thank you daddy, for always being there when we need you. 
Thank you daddy, for loving us the way you do. 
Thank you daddy, for showing us, with your actions, what generosity and kindness of heart means. 
And thank you daddy, for letting us be who we are exactly. 

Happy birthday today, and decades to come.