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The other day a friend of mine, randomly says to me ‘isn’t one of your new year resolutions to drink more water’ ? I wasn’t quite sure where he got that from because other than penning down a set of resolutions back in 2010 – I hardly ever make New Year resolutions.  Then I realized, he might be referring to this really nice set of ‘thoughts’ I had come across and put up on my blog as Divas’ New Year Resolutions on 1st Jan 2012.  I’ve actually had that image as my desktop picture and I suppose in some ways a lot of those thoughts have worked for me.

 

Looking back at 2012 – and now connecting it with the ‘resolutions’ – I reckon I’ve done a pretty good job.  According to my business partner, I’ve ‘calmed down significantly’ after taking an extended break to get out of India.  The trip honestly has done wonders for me and I just feel like a brand new person.  That’s what I need.  I’ve also picked up the ‘this too shall pass’ attitude so I’m stressing less than I was before.  I actually feel like I have cut back on sugar … I do love my desserts, but if it doesn’t hit the spot then what’s the point of having it right ? (And this cannot be considered complaining!)

 

All of the above considered, I came across another really nice set of thoughts that caught my attention (who would think it’s so hard to find a nice set of resolutions that do not involve ‘lose weight’) which shall go alongside my existing desktop picture.

What do you think  ? Have you made any New Year Resolutions ? Do you actually manage to keep them ?

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Perhaps I won’t start off this post with the conventional New Year Greetings.  I’m pretty sure you’ve read enough of those all over blogosphere and various other social networks.  I don’t watch the news, but channels would be playing new year greetings galore !

Wow. It’s 1st January 2013.  Do you know what this means ?

Ok so not really a ‘new blog’ but my blog did get a bit of a make-over so it almost makes it a new looking blog right ?

 

This New Year, this lil’ Diva has taken the plunge and is getting ready to take on the Ultimate Blog Challenge for the 3rd time ! Unlike the last time I haven’t really given much thought to a theme that I may want to use for the course of this months’ challenge.  The first challenge in January 2012 was quite sporadic in terms of content; whilst the October 2012 challenge was more organized i.e. I used ‘quotes’ as the inspiration behind each of my posts.  Are you going to be taking part in the Challenge ? Have you got a theme behind your posts for the month ?

 

On that note, I’m going to wish you all a Very Happy & Prosperous 2013 … I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for me =)

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My brother just said to me ‘23 hours before we hit 2013’ ! The year has really flown by.  I think it may have felt a bit longer had I spent the whole year in India but in keeping with my 2010 resolutions, I spent exactly 143 days traveling out of India at one stretch ! 2012 has been an interesting year.  I’ve learned a lot about myself as a person, as an entrepreneur and as a blogger.

 

1.  Blogging Like a Diva.  I managed to hit the 500th and 600th blog post milestone in 2012.  I was hoping to cross 200 posts again this year, seeing that I wrote 205 posts in 2011, but alas I’ve fallen short.  I suppose that’s because I was micro-blogging throughout my extended working vacation.  Do you reckon those micro blogs count towards my actual blog posts ?  I managed to successfully complete not 1 but 3 different blogging challenges this year.  The Ultimate Blog Challenge in January; the A to Z Challenge in April and another Ultimate Blog Challenge in October.  That’s a lot of continuous writing on my part and I’m so glad that I took part in these.  I’m going to endeavour to write even more next year.  Not because I have to, but because I want to.  I’m an expressive person – although at times that may not appear to be the case; and blogging proves to be an ideal outlet for my very sporadic and sometimes dazed thoughts. 

 

2.  Just Because Someone Is In Your Life, Doesn’t Mean They Are A Part Of Your Life.   Some people like to call themselves our friends; but in reality they are not friends, they are just passing or casual acquaintances; almost like a character out of our storybook lives.  I realized that a few people I knew who always called upon me for guidance / assistance / general chit chat were not really my friends (despite claiming to be so).  I obviously never categorized them the same way I would my closest friends but I considered them important enough to give them my attention and time.  The expat / nomad life style will involve maintaining long distance friendships – but the true test of ones friendship lies when the two of you are in the same city together.  These LDF’s proved to be nothing more than an association of convenience.  It’s a mistake I won’t be repeating.  2012 taught me a valuable lesson.  If one can’t take the time for another; they have no right to be in that persons’ life. 

3.  People That Matter Will Always Make An Effort.  I’m grateful and blessed to have some amazing people in my life.  Friends who I have known for decades, and others who have recently entered my world and become an integral part of my being.  2012 will forever remain a memorable year for the simple reason that I got to meet up with my nearest and dearest after almost 5 and 10 years.  I got to  attend the wedding of ‘my beta’ – my high school tissue paper letter writing girlfriend who eventually became my flat mate in London.  I spent a month living with my university friend in Montreal and spending quality time with her (and her two cats and adorable boyfriend).  I managed to visit beautiful Bermuda and catch up with another girlfriend.  The late night shishas, desserts, never ending conversations and a long overdue girls weekend in Marbella with my bestie DA.  My darling Luci, who works so hard, found the time to always meet me during the month I was in Montreal – whether it was for breakfast, a coffee, dinner, late night drives, and even dropped me off to the airport.  The vicarious Vixen who met me for the longest Happy Hours and sifted through my PayPal issues.  My nutty Nomster who made me her make-up model just so that we could spend more time together. 

 

4.  One Must Chase Their Dreams To Achieve Them.  Simple, and so true.  Ask yourself ‘are you living your dream ?’ If the answer is No, then ask yourself if you aren’t going to build your dream who else will ? Anything is possible – it’s just a matter of perseverance.  I spent a months out of India – which is my company base and yet, over the course of a few months, I was able to generate new business leads, conduct meetings overseas with potential clients and even seal a few deals with them.  I’ve always wanted my business to have a significant international exposure – and that wish became a reality because I have done everything I can possibly do over the last few years to ensure that my business is where it is today.  And this, is just the beginning of bigger and better milestones for my company.

 

If it wasn’t for bloggers and readers like yourself, my blog wouldn’t exist, so I’d like to Thank You for taking the time to stop by here today (and every other day that you hop over).  I’d like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and hope that 2013 brings you whatever your heart desires. 

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I have decided to throw out the past (Not going to miss that); Packing the present (deciding who & what to keep in my life); & damn, I AM READY for an Exciting New Future !

Good Bye 2010 .. BRING IT ON 2011

A mate of mine had the above as his FB status and I thought it was worth sharing with you all.  I definitely agree with the above !  As I write this post, I look back at my thoughts from when I said adios to 2008; this time last year as 2009 came to an end; and I can’t help but reflect on my learning's of 2010.

Throwing Out The Past

We all have a past – a past that can sometimes come with baggage .. and it’s human nature to want to hold on to some of that baggage (good and/or bad) … I know I’m guilty of having done that every now and then .. but when I realize it – I tend to get to rid of it … so for the new year it’s time to throw out all the extra baggage that finds a way to sneak into my personal and professional space …. it’s good riddance to bad rubbish !

And that applies to people as well … there are some individuals who tend to hold one back; others who are just out to get you when you least expect it; and some who just have a negative effect on your life without you even realizing it … No one wants to admit that the people they consider part of their social circle could really just be draining all the positivity from them … It’s time to wake up and brush away the negativity !

Packing the Present

How do you know ‘who’ should be a part of your life ? It’s a gut instinct kinda thing right ?  If the person around you can be considered a positive influencer, someone you can learn from, someone you can be yourself around – then that’s the person who should be a part of your present.

The key to ‘what’ should be a part of your life varies … for some it could be a driving force that motivates them to reach out for the ‘what’; for others it could be attaining a connection within themselves by way of an activity such as yoga, horse riding, belly dancing  or even kick boxing ! Figure out something that ‘you want to do’ this year, decide on it, and just go and DO IT !

Without a doubt, I have to give a big shout out to my boys – especially since I got to meet 3 of the 4 of them this year and really spent some quality time with them !  Then there are my girls – but these just aren’t any girls – they actually ‘get me’ .. Dee (who came to visit me for 2 weeks earlier this year), Madam Lust Nat (she just started with her blog; and she was my partner in crime when we went to Thailand to celebrate her b’day and indulged in a fishy spa !); Vixen (who is long over due another visit) & EGoh! who despite drowning her self in work will always be there for me no matter what happens.  These are my past that will always be a part of my present and my future.

In Bombay I’d have to give a big shout to my cousin & business partner NC for all the crazy work hours that we’ve put in without biting each other’s heads’ off ! NB for all the dessert breaks of 2010 and adventurous drives; and Nomiswaaami – even though she’s abandoned me and run off to MY home city !

2011 An Exciting New Year

Whatever happened in 2010 – was something of the past – whether it was good, bad or even plain ugly ! Did you learn something from those experiences ? Put that to use and decide how YOU want 2011 to shape out for you ! If your energies are focused on something – the universe has a way of making it work for you.

A fabulous blogger friend Cole on her blog PreMiddleAge, has summed up in her post ‘What’s Your View’ a fab perspective of making 2011 your year.  And if don’t already know The Fab Bitch – her bitch fab new year wishes will get you hooked to her writing !

My company AKA : A Klass Apart has been operational for just over a year now; and it’s been a roller coaster ride !  3 weddings including a destination event in Mauritius; the launch of 3 brands including conceptualization, design & execution; with lots more in the pipeline.

We’ve even started getting enquiries from Spain and Hong Kong to look after events.  The last few days have been exceptionally exciting; my partner NC and I are looking forward to taking the bull by its horns and having a wild ride over the next 12 months.

I’d like to wish all of you a very very Happy New Year.  From the bottom of my heart, I  hope 2011 brings you whatever you wish for =) Don’t forget to share your new year resolutions if you have made any !