What did I get to do today?

2012:
I went to shopping with mom and Kalpu to the Meyers outlet (potsandpans.com) as our annual visit! IT was pouring rain and I almost decided against going, but glad that I took them. It was fun getting out with them. I also got to do some testing at work, it has been very busy at work lately - grateful that I still got to get out for shopping!

2013:
Relaxed, worked on photobook for a little while, went to Greta's home to help her with her Paypal and Etsy account. Then, went to Costco and New India Bazaar for grocery shopping. Took Avni and Neil to Cafe Taaza for quick snacks since Avni was starving! Came home with frozen pizza for dinner - since we lost over an hour at Greta's... and Greta paid me $40 for helping her.

2018:
Made the vegetable powder from dehydrated corn, carrots and peas. I've been using for a while and Neil also took some to use in eggs and such. Today, I started dehydrating lemon peels. I want to see how that turns out! I'm excited about it. If it's not bitter from pith, I'm thinking of making lemon pepper from it. Made palak paneer for dinner.

What worries me?

2012:
Uncertain future more than anything else. JK is planning to put an offer on the house today and there is no way we can afford it right now. He might be coming up with some creative ideas and I am worried about history being repeated. :(

2013:
Not much. I've been immune to all worries.

2018:
Nothing really. I have worked hard to get where I am right now. Although it may not be where I would like to be, it's better than the alternate. I'm constantly working on making things better. Worrying isn't going to get me anywhere. So, I choose to work towards the problems.

Today, I had too much...

2012:
work! This is a good thing though. I had been sitting idle for so long, it really was getting tiring! So glad to get some interesting work like good old days!

2013:
free time considering it's Thanksgiving day! We did our dinner on Sunday, so there was nothing to do today. I scrapped 11 pages for photobook for gift, watched movie with kids, then went shopping at 9:30 at Target and Kohls.

2018:
too much grocery shopping done! I went to Business Costco with JK and I was like a kid in the candy store! Bought way too much! But I had plan for everything. Mix vegetables for dehydrate, sweet potates, green bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots for soup, Cheese to make marinated cheese!

My body is...

2012:
TIRED!!! I've been working for 15 hours straight today!

But other than that, my body is just about perfect! I love it just the way it is!

2013:
in better shape that it ever was. I'm getting stronger everyday!

2018:
Better than ever! Stronger and healthier!

Do I feel appreciated?

2012:
Depends on the person, situation. At work, yes, I definitely feel appreciated. At home, not so much. It all depends. Kids do appreciate my efforts, time and energy I invest for them.

2013:
Eh.. besides kids.. not so much.

2018:
Eh.. don't care much about it. I do what I do because I feel its the right thing to do, not in search for appreciation.

What sound do I hate hearing?

2018:
Chalk on the black board!!

Name the last three things I used today.

2012:
That would be my iMac, iPhone and iPad. :)

2013:
Jump rope. kettle ball, pull-up bands.

2018:
Kettle ball, wall ball, slam ball!

How do I know?

2012:
Just my gut instinct.

2013:
I wish I knew! :)

2018:
Just because!

How did I play today?

2012:
Humm... cooked all day, went to walk for over an hour, ate tons and shopped in Walmart for Black Friday sale. Very well played! :)

2013:
Got home at 1:30AM from watching Catching Fire on opening night. Skipped going to CrossFit. Not really happy about skipping, but I didn't think 3 hours sleep would be a good idea. Went to mom's for lunch.

2018:
Went to watch the movie Fantastic Beast with kids and JK last night after work, then Neil and I went to mom's home because Anuj had requested monkey bread for breakfast. Woke up and made monkey bread and Kalpu made biscuit and gravy casserole for breakfast and started off our Thanksgiving feast for rest of the day with lot of yummy food, including Neil's homemade pasta! After dinner, we went to Target for Black Friday sale, just for fun and I actually found a good pair of boots just for $15!!!

What did I give up on today?

2012:
Nothing so far. Maybe I'll give up on some sleep and finish learning about Aperture on Lynda.com.

2013:
After starting CrossFit, I've been giving up on my precious sleep in the early morning to get to the class by 7am!

2018:
Dinner! We had the potluck at work today for Thanksgiving. So I had too much food. We were going to the movie right after I got home, so I didn't have time to eat dinner. Perfect excuse to get nachos there. But I told the kids that I' NOT going to eat nachos because tomorrow is another day where I'll be eating all kind of food!

What impressions did I make on others today?

2012:
I hardly talked to anyone today. Yesterday, I shared Diwali pics with Tina and she said she was jealous of me and my family... happy, I'm so happy for you kind of jealous. I shared my gratitude journal with Kalpana and she thought I was so creative. I shared the journal with Pratibha and she loved it. I told her that I will ship her the punjabi gravy and she was very grateful about it.

2013:
None. Been anti-social and haven't talked to anyone.

2018:
I wen to visit Baba for my weekly visit. Kimi is always grateful for my time and effort to make her life easy. It's actually a win-win for both of us. IT gets me out of home and gives me purpose to do something good for others.

What inspires me?

2012:
Hearing/reading other people's story inspires me.

2013:
Hanging out with those who are already where I want to be.

2018:
Reading/listening other people's stories about how they made it up from zero with hard work and persistence.

What is bothering me?

2012:
Uncertainty of the future. Not knowing if we'll ever move out of this place, for how long am I going to have to be the bread-winner, what Pooja's going to do for her school, my job security...

2013:
Nothing. Have learned to accept the things as they are.

2018:
Nothing really. There are things that I wish were better, but it is what it is.

What's my guilty pleasure?

2012:
TV - Desparate Housewives
Food - Nachos
Activities - Sleeping in

2013:
Humm... haven't watched Desparate Housewives for a long time! Maybe over a year! Can't remember the last time I had nachoes. Haven't slept in much ever since I started CrossFit. Got too used to waking up early.
As far as this year's guilty pleasure, I would say checking Facebook? I check updates way more than I should. Also, I love playing Sudoku.

2018:
Food: Ratlami Sev. Although I haven't had it in a while, I still grab a bag every chance I get!
TV: Don't watch anything other than Outlander.
Activity: I haven't been sleeping in anymore, but I definitely welcome the naps!
Games: Tsum Tsum. I play every chance I get from the time I wake up to I go to sleep.

Other than my clothes, what was with me majority of the day?

2012:
My purse along with my iPod, iPad and iPhone?

2013:
My iDevices.

2018:
My phone.

What is my greatest strength?

2012:
I would say problem solving.

2013:
Staying calm. Not react to the situation right away. I've learned to not jump the gun when I'm furious or upset over something. Just give it few hours and it's not all that bad or even matters by then.

2018:
Perseverance.

What do you want to tell yourself in one year?

2012:
Congratulations on finishing 2nd year of Question of the Day!!!! Every little entry counts towards the memory keeping!

2013:
Way to go on continuing with Project Life! Preserving memories of little precious moments is priceless!

2018:
Way to go on keeping your dream alive and work on it and not giving up! You really made that blog work and filled it with lots of useful content!

What do I have too much of?

2012:
Distractions. Any time, I start working on something, distractions comes in my way and I end up procrastinate on agenda at hand.

2013:
I have lots of inspiration to continue with my Project Life this year. I've almost completed working on this year and it's been the most I've ever scrapped! Besides 2013 book, I've got Yosemite book, Urbanathlon book, calendars, beginning of Priyank's wedding book. I better keep moving along while the motivation is there!

2018:
Long list of books that I want to read! Each day, the list keeps getting longer and longer! Same with the list of recipes I want to try out!

What is my favorite cuisine?

2012:
Of course, Indian.. but after that, Mexican!

2013:
Thai!

2018:
There are so many dishes in Indian cuisine that I Still haven't had a chance to try, I'm going to go with Indian cuisine. We just have so much variety!

What was the last lie I told?

2012:
Not really sure. Usually, I prefer not saying anything at all rather than having to lie. Only thing I can think of is... 3 days ago, JK told me that he got text from Ron that he didn't get rent check and what should he reply about that. I realized that I forgot to send check, so I immediately set it up online, but told JK that it's his problem.. answer whatever he feels like.

2013:
Can't think of any.

2018:
None that I can think of.

What shocked me?

2012:
The craziness of the new outlet mall! Ok, so it's the first designer outlet mall that opened up in N. CA since 2001.. but still! People are going crazy over it! These are high scale stores. And people complain about the recession? Traffic is backed up on both sides of highway for over 5 miles!

2013:
At work, I was working on a spreadsheet and had file saved on the server. I went to the server to open the  file to start working on it and it was GONE!!! My work of last 2-3 months was totally gone and now I have to start all over again! There was no backup to be found. :(

2018:
I can't think of anything really shocking. Actually, two months ago, when in-laws came back from their Europe trip and Ba showed off her brand new Rado watch and told me that she got it at a great deal and only paid something like $2300 for it, my mouth just hung open!!! I could NOT believe what I just heard!

What gadgets did I use today?

2012:
Cell phone, laptop, iMac.

2013:
Cell phone, camera, BlendTec, iMac.

2018:
Instant Pot. I just love that thing!

What are the achievements that I'm most proud of?

2012:
First of all.. I'm very proud of my kids! I'm also proud of the way I have endure the struggles and came out even stronger.

2013:
I've been going to CrossFit training for last 4 months. I'm very happy that I got out of my comfort zone and jumped into it. It's been an amazing experience so far!

2018:
I'm proud how kids and I came around in our most difficult times. Oh I just remember! My hike to Mt. Everest Base Camp! How can I forget that!!! That was the most awesome thing I did this year!

List 5 things I wish I had with me today.

2012:
I wish I still had my old home today. By now, it would've been paid for already.
I wish I had some local friends that I can hang out with, invite over for evenings.

Ok... sitting here for 10 minutes.. I can't think of anything else that I wish for.

2013:
Things.. humm... there is nothing that I can not live without.

2018:
It's Diwali today and I just wish I had all the kids at home with me today. Nothing else comes even close to the void I feel without them being with me.

If I could get rid of one of my habits, what would it be?

2012:
Getting distracted from the task on hand. I recognize that I have a major issue with it and I am consciously trying to focus more, but it's just hard most of the time. However, lately, I'm doing much better at avoiding the distractions and getting things done!

Today, I cleaned up over 10,000 orphan, duplicate items from iTune!!!!

2013:
Getting sidetracked! Still need to work on that one!

2018:
Other than being distracted, I would love to stop holding on to the grudges.

Do I love my job?

2012:
Well.. I do love my job.. as far as people I work with, environment at work, team work, flexibility... I couldn't have asked for a better place or person to work for. That is why I went back there again for second term of my contract.

However, lately, there is hardly any work and I'm in constant stress that they can cut my job at any given time. I have asked for more work repeatedly at the risk of making them aware that I've been sitting idle. There just isn't much work, no matter how you put it.

2013:
Things haven't changed about the lack of meaningful work. It's disheartening to say the least.

2018:
Depends. There are things that I can't stand. It all looks glorious from outside. Who wouldn't want to test drive Tesla as their job? But I tried it out for few hours and it just wasn't for me. I don't like the favoritism part that is so evident regardless of the management team. I've seen it on both teams that I've worked with. After switching the shift, I have been better. IT's not all too bad. I do miss some friends from other team, Still looking for something more meaning where I feel like my contribution has the value to the team.

What was the best conversation I had today?

2012:
At lunch time---
Neil - I can't wait to watch the movie after the lunch. I'm very excited to watch it!
JK - Which movie is it?
Neil - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
JK - What kind of movie is it? Drama, action, adventure?
Neil - You won't like it
JK - What is it about?
Neil - It's about retirement
Me - You're been a teenager for less than 2 months ago and you've already had it that you're going for retirement?
Neil - Silence...

2013:
I had a sudden change of heart about white bread and bought Iron Kids bread (since Pooja wants to donate blood and is low on iron).
Ba: We already had 2 loaf of bread. Why did you buy another one?
Avni: It must've been on sale.
Neil: Maybe it's expiring, so she got it for free.
Pooja: What's wrong with mom? Why did she buy white bread?
JK: Woohoo! White bread! Let's toast it and eat it for breakfast!

2018:
Me: Avni, do you want to join me for lunch at Panda Express?
Avni: I thought you were working today.
Me: I am! But I have one hour lunch today!
Avni: Panda isn't worth driving to Fremont. Sorry Mom!
Me: But Mom is, right?
Avni: Shut up! I saw you yesterday and I'm coming over today. You'll be fine!
Me: Did you just tell me to shut up?
Avni: Yea

What occupied my mind today?

2012:
Not something I really want to remember.. most of the time it was about the unfair treatment towards me. However, majority part of the day was also spent cooking with mom and that was the best part!

2013:
About the future... when we'll be able to move out from our cramped up home and in a better place.

2018:
CrossFit! Did 12 Girls (workouts) in 12 Hours! That was epic! Working out with 50+ athletes, hang out, eat, joke around, groan and moan together.. Entire day was so much fun! Even Avni came by and hung out for a while!

Share some good advise.

2012:
If it's too good to be true, it is.
Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.

2013:
How to react in any given situation is up to you. You can not give power to others to ruin your day.
If you hold the anger towards someone, it's only you that will be hurting (by holding hot coals of anger in your hand).

2018:
Do not let someone else's opinion affect you what/how you feel about yourself. Only your opinion counts in that matter!

Which decision am I glad I made?

2012:
On a deeper level, I'm not sure if bringing Pooja home and have her skip the semester is the good one or not, but then, there was not much of the choice. Only time will tell if this is right or wrong. On superficial level, I just bought my first iPhone(5) today and so happy with it so far! I love it already!

2013:
It turns out, bringing Pooja home was the best decision! There is huge turnaround in her attitude (not that it was bad to begin with), she has bonded with Avni and Neil so much more, she's back on track with her school, she's been so much happier than ever before.

Despite our current financial condition, I've signed up Avni for Spain trip from school and Neil for Philmont for Boy Scouts. I know they'll have great time. I can squeeze up the budget and make it happen. This kind of opportunities doesn't come often.

2018:
Wow! Exactly, 6 years later, I've bought iPhone XS! I went back and forth if I should upgrade the phone or not. My phone is the most outdated out of all of us, but I was happy with it. But I've wanted to take advantage of new/better camera. This one has dual camera and wide angle lens, perfect for my outdoor photos! Avni tried it out and now she wants it more than ever! lol

There have been multiple occasions where I've chose life over work and have been glad I did every single time. It takes a lot out of me to turn down overtime to do something fun with kids or friends and I've been choosing it more and more. No regrets there!