Hello 2012, You came soon!

Marriage. A child. The end of one fascinating,fulfilling career, the beginning of two others. Move to 2 different countries. Setting up home-twice. Routine. Learning. Never thought it would happen so soon, still can't believe it has, but its been (exactly) 11 months married and if this is what marriage is like I'd recommend it to everyone. I left Mumbai and 6 years of living a dream this Jan knowing that this was the right decision and that sometimes timing is everything. Thank god I was right. Id be lying if I said I didn't miss acting- I do. But in the same breath, this aspect of life was equally important to me if not more. Besides Jackie,Ang and Wong (Chan, Lee and Kar Wai respectively)  might just bump into me, who knows!

Singapore first, now Hongkong...I set up home for the first time without any help from mama. Never thought I'd manage, didn't know what my tastes were in colours and designs until I was in those stores buying things and I realized a pattern in what instantly got my attention and what definitely didn't. Another thing I never dreamt happening was me being out shopping and returning with things for the house instead of myself! Imagine that!!!

I'd never been a big fan of cooking everyday, when living alone, its no fun cooking for one. But with Akhil around, his vast knowledge of knowing what goes well with what and his abundant patience with my kitchen disasters, its been a pleasure. He definitely is the better cook(albeit very rare) but he's never once complained, instead has always had only words of encouragement and praise when completely undeserved too. Proceed with caution if I ever cook for you as I've been given to understand everything I make is Michelin standards ;)

Waking up early and having a daily routine, hasn't happened since college, hence was very welcome. I started teaching in Hongkong a week after we got here, something I've always thought I'd be good at, turns out I was right! However my 'soft gentle' voice working through the day decided to pack up after 5 months! And so teaching was not to be.

Not that I have a bucket list but if ever I did,this would top the list. I remember my highly educated, super successful, self made, 85 year old grandfather's reaction to my mentioning wanting to be a hairdresser about a decade ago,"What you want to be a barber?" He'll be happy to know I finally started on that lil dream, and for all those close to me who've willingly and under no duress trusted me with their hair thus far- Thank You! Once I'm done here you get free hair services for life!

Its my first ever regular "job" where I have to ask for annual leave every year (how fancy is that), have timings and can't just take off for a holiday when I feel like- having said that what a job it is! I go to work each morning on a ferry with the view attached. Spent 45 mins in the hairdressers chair yesterday with some hairdo being experimented on my head, have mirrors all around me (in Anaitha land,that's bliss!), get to dress up to work everyday, watch the best people in the business make magic with hair and all this while I learn and train to do something I've always wanted to do. Oh and did I mention unlimited free cuts and colours:)  As if every film I did wasn't messing enough with my hair, I now have temptation that will be the death of me.

And now for the child! Yes we had a new addition to our family-  just not born to us, but to Aashil and Komal. Something tells me I'm going to probably love this boy a lot more than I will my own child when it happens, simply because he's born to a brother I love and adore and so his baby is as good as mine, and he is and always will be the first.

And so 2011 comes to a close with not much fanfare and celebration but with happiness packaged in a form I've never experienced it in before.

To all those back home I miss you dearly, to all those I'm yet to meet here in Hkg, I can't wait!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love Anaitha
8:26 am, HongKong.