The year that was

2007 - I love this year. It has seen me achieve a lot, seen me realise a few of my dreams from childhood. Here is a snap shot of the year that was.

1) I turned 25! A milestone of sorts in the Human life cycle. I have tried to explore various facets and passions and now I feel I am ready to settle down and make my choice of what I want to be. Atleast a rough feeling till I am 30. :-)
2) Career, since my Engineering days it had been big talk of protocol stack development. I had always wanted to work on a stack and I got a huge opportunity and 07 saw me analyse, design, code and test an entire stack. Today the entire stack is my babe, my brain child. I am extremely proud of this, for me a break this early to do so much and complete it with more than the assured quality is indeed a matter of pride.
3) Travel, I managed to see a bit of the outside world finally! My wish to see 5 countries by 25 came true. I love the exposure and I feel the growth it has given me is quite significant.
4) I finally saw a Pride march. In the country that was the first to be liberal and broad minded enough to make drugs, prostitution and same sex marriage all legal. It's a wonderful experience to see people being so open minded to accept differences and minorities and to take part in celebrating the diversity.
5) I did get a taste of love. For the first time I grew to love someone, in the way I define love. It is ambrosia. It was made sweeter since the other person responded to my feelings too. I don't know if '08 will see it through but I am glad for the experience. Makes my life fuller and merrier just to know that I have been there and done it. I hope we make it.
6) I managed to step into THE market. I have always found myself gaping at trying to understand finances, Income Tax and the stock market. I am still dazed but I have made a small start and I hope to learn over the months and years ahead.
7) I made 3 paintings that to me have a significant value. Each took me about a month or two of good dedicated effort and skill. They adorn the walls at home.
8) I saw a couple of really good movies, some good plays and read a couple of great books. Not as much as I would have loved to but it a number that I am fine with, to accept in a year's time.

There are a lot of small things also that have made my experience of '07 a "good year" in my books.

Some Favs in no particular order:
Movie: TareZaminPar, Apocalypto, A kannada movie the name I cannot recollect!
Book: To kill a mocking bird
Holiday: Amsterdam
Infrastructure: Munich
Song:
Food: Vadapav, sarso-ka-sang
Memories: Big Banyan Tree ride with M, First take off in a (BIG) Jet Plane, Days when I was woken up by M's pranks, Amsti Pride with R, Framing my first painting helped by Mom and C, Evening ride in lonavala, Driving in Mumbai late night
Wacky Moment: Forgetting my stuff outside and going through immigration at Munich, running back to fetch it 15 minutes before takeoff and almost missing the flight!