The decade that went by
It was probably the most significant decade of my life - 2000 - 2009. I entered the decade newly married … starting out a new life with one of the nicest guys I know. We set up home, hit the road often, traveled a lot and had a fun, happy time. I know I will remember the earlier half of this decade fondly all my life.
I became a mom - we have 2 lovely children now. Parenting has been the most challenging thing I have ever done - I take it seriously, try and do my best as a mom, am always around for them and they are my number 1 priority. I doubt if anything will change that ever. I am glad I know my priorities when it comes to the basics. However, I may be pretty lost when it comes to prioritizing things that lie on the fringe. Oh well!
The kids
Dad was diagnosed of cancer. All of us struggled a lot through that. The last years of this decade will probably signify that the most. He passed away a year ago - leaving behind sadness beyond measure in me. I didnt realise how shattering it could be losing somebody close. Losing him has changed me a lot - unknowingly I think of him way too much and feel terrible at our loss of his unconditional love. I feel especially bad when I think of what my children have lost. Some things are so irreplaceable.
Discovered blogosphere - I have always enjoyed writing, and found the medium of blogging to instantly publish myself very satisfying. The ease with which I could interact with other people helped a lot - I am glad the r2blore blog is of use to many others moving back to India after having lived abroad. I have worked as a writer in the US and continue to keep at it in spite of choosing to stay at home with the kids. I published my writings in the Deccan Herald and citizenmatters.in .
Founded and run a website - zeeksha.com . It acts especially as a forum for parents looking up school info for some of the cities in India. I realised how much parents are keen to research and do ground work before deciding on a school because of all the school talk on my blog. Zeeksha has picked up enough momentum and has reviews and feedback flowing in from many a parents and this has come to be a valuable resource for school and education info.
Marriage is a little more than a decade old now. Sure feels strange - I dont remember it being that old, but then … it is. We have stood by each other through all of it. I am happy with the choice I made of marrying whom I did.
It was also in this decade that I found one of the most satisfying things to do - photography. While I have always enjoyed it and knew it since my teens, I didnt really pursue it in any sense of the word. But now, things are different. I know I enjoy it, I know I find it satisfying, I now also know that I enjoy doing it professionally. I did natural candid portrait shoots for families, did photoshoots for couples - again natural, not posed, did weddings too - again staying away from the posed cheesy kind of shots but shooting people and events to capture the moment. I have shoots lined up for the new year, weddings included.
My work was published in Better Photography (India) magazine. I have also been narrowed down as one of the finalists for the ‘Emerging Photographer of the Year’ on photofocus.com - See here.
2009 was a good year - I started taking up photoshoots, did writing assignments, and saw myself growing. Hopefully, 2010 will be more satisfying. I have a facebook page for my photography - and currently am using that as a professional front for my work. I continue to upload on my flickr stream, which is where I started sharing my work initially.
So that’s how the decade has been for me. How has it been for you? Here’s wishing you all a very happy and prosperous 2010.
Break on through to the other side …
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