Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014

Writing end of the year memories has become common trait, but I think it provides a great chance to retrospect and introspect the year that has been.  It's no secret that life has its ebbs and flows, and more often than not, they are way beyond your control.  You reflect and wonder if you could have done things differently.  If yes, you add it to the lessons learnt notes and move on to the next.  It's not always that simple.  The truth is, there are so many things in life that can tear you to pieces.  It is up to you to pick the broken pieces, put them back in order and move on as though life can only scar you so much.

It was a landmark year for India, as Narendra Modi was elected as the Prime Minister of the country with a stunning majority.  You could sense the excitement with the Indian diaspora even here.  Such is the magic of the man who rode the anti-incumbency wave of the Congress to clinch the polls in spectacular fashion.  The full use of social media by Modi was there for all to see.  2014 was certainly a landmark year for Indian politics.

Of course, as to be expected, India lost yet another overseas series during the English summer.  Honestly, it wasn't even disappointing.

The mysterious disappearance of the Malaysian airlines was one of the low points of the year.  Many a time, I have been concerned that Google and Apple know my whereabouts every second of my life.  In this day and age, it is hard to accept that something as large as an aeroplane could escape everyone's radar and disappear into oblivion.  It was deathly frightening, and in a strange way, I felt secure that my location could be tracked at all times.

Terrorism showed its ugly face this year with a number of deathly, chilling incidents.  I hope the world will be a better place next year.  What happened in Peshawar last month sends a chill down my spine.  Unimaginable and super scary!

As far as technology is concerned, there was nothing revolutionary this year.  It's kind of strange how consumer electronics is moving at a slow pace.  Everyone is releasing new phones, but I am yet to see the magic of 2007.   Revolutionary product lines have been replaced with minor evolutionary ones.  I am excited to see what 2015 will serve us.

On a personal level, my blog posts ground to a halt by the end of September.  Once you face a downtime of a couple of months, it becomes difficult to come up with a new post.  But, for the year that has been, it would have been unfair if I did not have a concluding post on a year that I will look back several years from now with gloating satisfaction.

At the beginning of the year, I had written

In Breaking Bad (Full Measure - Season Finale of the third season), Walter and Skyler White are house hunting and when Walter feels that his wife is apprehensive of their financial position in their choice of a good house, he says,

"We've got nowhere to go but up"

That quote best summarizes how I feel about 2014.

2014 has been all that I could ask for and maybe even more.  We were looking at 2014 with a lot of optimism, and it couldn't have started anyway better than a trip to New Zealand and Bora Bora.  The breathtaking locales and exciting uncertainties in figuring out new places are what make travel a worthwhile experience.

The Kawarau Bungy, South Island (Milford Sound in particular), Te Anau, Wanaka, Queenstown, Hobbiton and swimming with the sharks and exploring the coral gardens at Bora Bora are something that'll be some of the biggest takeaways of the year.  New Zealand is a fantastic place and any amount of description will only be less.  The pristine clear waters of Bora Bora is something to be experienced.  There was not even a flutter in the calm waters.  Breathtaking!

Overcoming several personal challenges from the pitfall of 2013 to an overwhelming 2014, personal experience has shown what a difference a year can make.

When there is a new addition in the family, it enriches life.  There is so much to look forward to with the new generation.  A new way of life, new challenges, exciting times and above all, new found hope and optimism.

It's fascinating how every year exposes some new personality traits in you.  It's exciting to think what the future beckons. Let us move towards 2015 with profound optimism and hope.   Still, there are several peaks to be conquered and pinnacles to be attained.  I am sure everything is possible.

But for now, I'll say this.  Several years from now, when I look back on my life and unwind the years, 2014 will occupy a special place in my heart.  It felt right from the first second on Jan 1, 2014 at 12:00:01 AM.

I am sure 2015 will only be better.

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous 2015.  As a community, let us attain greater heights.