Serene & Peaceful – Buxton & Marysville

May 29, 2021 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Hope, Jouney, Melbourne, Travelogue

Weekend Gateway Melbourne, Victoria

The year 2020 has been a desolate year for travellers. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, travelling seemed a distant dream. However, towards the end of 2020, Australia had managed to control the virus to a suitable extent and travel within the state of Victoria was allowed. As soon as this news was issued, everyone started planning day trips or weekend trips to various towns within Victoria and I was no exception. December is a summer month in this part of the world and considering the weather, we finalised a place called Buxton, 104 km North-East of Melbourne. We were four of us, my cousin’s family and I. In no time, we packed our bags and were all set for a nice 2 hrs drive from Melbourne city to Buxton for a weekend gateway.

The Journey

We started our drive after breakfast and soon left the city roads behind and saw the hills at the horizon and drove through curvy roads. The holiday feeling was slowly creeping into us! After an hour and a bit, we reached Healesville. It is a beautiful town on the way to Buxton where we decided to break for lunch. After having a nice Asian lunch, we explored the surrounding boutique shops, cafes and markets. We did our grocery here so that we can reach Buxton and relax for the rest of the day. We had plans to cook in our Airbnb homestay in Buxton.

The journey from Healesville to Buxton was picturesque, serene and through winding roads up the hill. The drive was beautiful with tall ferns and eucalyptus trees on both sides and mountains over the horizon. We crossed a beautiful lake while exiting Healesville and soon were amidst the rain forests. The roads turned through the hills and it started to drizzle. The wind, the rain, the roads and the sky together felt no less than an experience we have been craving all through the year. Someone as if had painted a scenery and we were driving through it! It was a blissful experience!

The lake as we exited Healesville towards Buxton

It took us little less than an hour to reach Buxton from Healesville. Buxton is a small countryside town with stretches of farmland and grazing animals, hills, cute little houses and narrow pathways across lush greenery. We left the main road and drove through a narrow pathway to reach our destination. It was a beautiful quaint house by the Steavenson river called “Rivers Edge”.

Our Stay

The hosts for our stay were beautiful cockatoos and colourful parrots. They greeted us with their loud and funny screams and didn’t hesitate to share a cuppa with us! The thin stream of the Steavenson river behind our stay and the sound of flowing water felt peaceful. There was a gated bridge as well on the river stream, it looked very picturesque. The house was cosy and soon we all took a nap to rejuvenate us for the evening.

Evenings fall sooner in the hills and it was dark really quick for a Summer day. We were cooking lamb curry for dinner and having philosophical conversations over a drink. The best part of holidays is the relaxation of the mind and the body so that it can self-heal. It’s very necessary to let our mind and body relax, so that when we are back to the grind, we can pick up the pace again. It’s imperative to slow down, breathe and let things be.

After a sumptuous dinner, we took a brisk stroll in our backyard and heard the river stream flow in its own rhythm…almost making its own music. It was surreal. The night was quiet, beautiful and the stars seemed to have formed a celestial net above us. The silence everywhere was intimidating for city dwellers like us, but at the same time it felt magical!

Marysville

Mornings are so beautiful in the countryside. After our morning cuppa with our beautiful host birds, we got ready and headed off to the Stevenson Falls in Marysville, which was a 20 mins scenic drive from Buxton. The tall fern trees and the stretches of farmland on both side of the road, made us all sit in the car silently as we were absorbed in the mystic creation of Nature. A blissful moment of joy!

Soon we reached the Steavenson falls. The falls is really whopping and picturesque. After we parked our car, it was a small hike up to the waterfalls and we could hear the gushing sound of water as we walked up. Whenever I visit any waterfall, I make sure I touch the water, even if it freezes my fingers and this one was no exception. The water was ice cold even in summer but was crystal clear and soothing. We clicked lot of pictures and even video-called our family back in India so that they can virtually share our experience and happiness!

I can still feel the freezing cold water!

It was lunch time, so we drove down to Marysville from the waterfalls and had fish and chips in the beautiful Marysville town. The Steavenson falls is just a 10mins drive from the Marysville town. The town had boutique shops and amazing cafes with the most delicious pies. There was a quaint little shop that attracted me. As I walked inside that shop, I realised it was actually a post office! The old lady at the counter was really nice and told us that the Steavenson falls is the tallest waterfalls in Victoria. She also mentioned how the Winter months in Marysville get really cold and often experience snow. We bought a beautiful scarf from the post office and bid adieu. I have always experienced very warm hospitality from the locals in the countryside. They are so graceful in their manners and welcoming in their spirits. There is nothing more engaging than knowing about a place from a local, no google can every tell you such stories!

The beautiful Marysville during Christmas

My First Fishing Experience

What’s travel without food! From Marysville, we went to the Buxton Trout and Salmon firm. It was a fishing farm with different sized fishponds full of Trouts and Salmons. The fishing gears are provided by the farm and whatever fish you catch, you can purchase that. The farm staff will clean and cut the fish for you and pack it nicely.

Considering this was my first fishing experience in Australia, I was very excited! The fishponds we full of fishes and every time I threw some fish food, all the fishes jumped up to grab them! I took some shots with my camera and then it was my turn to fish! After a few failed attempts, I did catch a trout and managed to get the jumping trout into a bucket. Within seconds, the trout started bleeding and the bucket was full of blood =( I wasn’t sure if this was my idea of fun and hence gave up on further attempts and resorted to my camera instead. My cousin and my nephew caught a big Salmon and we got it home for dinner. While I had fun capturing moments with my camera, I wasn’t sure if capturing an innocent fish with a sharp hook was fun…but either way, we had an exciting day and soon headed back to our holiday home. It started raining.

A Relaxing Evening

After a refreshing day of hike, listening to the gushing water from the falls, feeling the chill of the cold water and the thrill of fishing, we were back to our cosy abode with the birds! It had started raining and the nature looked more beautiful and greener than ever. I have heard people complaining about the rains when they are on a holiday, but I feel that the rain adds that extra bit of beauty. When it rains, it’s as if you can see the place in a different canvas, in a new form and also experience a flavour of the season. The bridge behind our stay looked more beautiful in the rain as we enjoyed our evening cuppa watching the rain.

We all had sneaked in a power nap and now were all excited to grill the Salmon which we so efficiently caught! Surprisingly, my young nephew turned out to be an expert chef and guided us with the cooking. We listened to some good music, heard the rains outside and enjoyed a family time while the Salmon looked delicious. We also grilled some veggies as side to compliment the pan-fried Salmon. We all sat together and had a very satiating dinner to treat the epicurean inside us. We kept reminiscing the beautiful moments and memories of the trip and felt happy and peaceful at heart. It is important that wherever you go, you should travel with all your heart! The trip then becomes memorable for a lifetime. We didn’t want the night to be over, however, we all were sleepy and hit the bed.

The next day, after breakfast we bid a fond goodbye to our quaint little abode in Buxton and of course our lovely hosts, the birds! The drive back home was quiet, we all were probably cherishing the moments and thinking of the next holiday destination!

The Experience

It had been a year since we were experiencing the pandemic and this gateway was much needed. The quietness and serenity of Buxton made our minds calm and gave us the hope that this too shall pass! Sometimes when we are far away from the city’s commotion and take a break from our daily regime, we have clearer thoughts and can experience the calmness within. Buxton was a perfect spot where nature had embraced us with its simplicity and charm!

Marysville on the other hand was quaint and picturesque which made us appreciate the things we have and the bonds we share. Personally, I love waterfalls, it makes me calm even though the water gushes down from the hills to the earth with so much pace, it teaches me to keep moving and not let anything stop me. Also, the warmth of the locals in Buxton and Marysville made our trip comforting and fuller. A simple smile can create wonders!

Thank you, Buxton and Marysville, for giving us hope and positivity and a heart full of memories to cherish, until next time!

You are all you have….

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 by disguisemeforever, posted in Covid-19, Corona virus, diary, Gratitude, Hope, Jouney, Letter, Life, love, Melbourne, relationship

Today while cleaning my bookshelf I came across my old diary. I randomly opened a page where I read the below excerpt dated May, 2014…almost six years back…

“Melbourne, the city of music, food and culture. The city which has embraced the culture of the world in itself. The city knows how to enjoy life, how to sing fearlessly, dance frictionless and live endlessly! It’s been more than a year here and I have never even looked at it honestly. But today, when I smell Autumn, I feel I am still alive, somewhere inside.

What do I love most about the city? Oh, the maple leaves, just love them! Red, green, brown, yellow, so many coloured maple leaves, I just love them! They teach me life, they make the city colourful, they are just so Victorian!

Now it’s Autumn here, the city is all Red! The smell is fresh and wild. The weather is calling. When I walk alone and the strangers smile back, I feel less scared, I feel more like home now.

Do I love Melbourne? Why not! The city has changed my life in just a year. It has taken away everything but returned back my own self to me. I am knowing myself now and honestly am much better a person than many! I now love myself, take care of myself and don’t have to rely on anyone! I love this unconditional me. Everything is gonna be okay.

When I see people, street artists dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, so carefree, on the road, with all their passion, I feel strong. I feel I can make it…make it to live, to love and be loved.

Melbourne,

May 24^th, 2014”

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I couldn’t stop smiling and also had tears after I read this. The innocence in the writeup and gust of emotions hit me, but what amused me the most was my positivity!

Today we live in a strange time. COVID-19 has taught us many life lessons, shown us the reality of many friends and family and also made us value both things and people more. Life is never easy and you don’t need a virus to remind you that! But we have to sail through, we have to at least try…after all these years, whenever I see someone on the road, walking sadly, I smile at them because I know that once I was that sad person and how powerful a simple smile can be. The tiniest gesture of kindness can heal a soul, mend a broken heart and bring happiness to someone. We all are flawed, none are perfect, we make mistakes and learn and then make the same mistakes again. We all are fighting our own battles and hence kindness matters, more than before now. Treasure your loved ones but most importantly, treasure yourself, you are all you have! 🙂

The Human Touch!

October 22, 2018 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Hope, Jouney, Life, love, Melbourne, relationship

Last few weeks I have been feeling fervently quite low due to several reasons. Mood swings, unsolicited tears, drifting apart in solitude etc. Guess we all go through this phase once in a while in the journey of life. Not everyone is perfect or let’s say none of us are perfect!

When I have my lows, I feel that, the moment a dear one comforts me or even speaks to me in a kind way, I feel like I’ll break down and can’t control my tears. Even if someone just touches my shoulders in a comforting way, I feel like a kid and start crying. It’s probably an accumulation of my emotions which just comes out with the human touch. After the tears leave me, I feel so much better!

I have observed that the human touch work wonders to me. Holding the hand of a close friend while walking the known pathways, giving a good-bye hug, greeting someone with a peck and a hug and similar small gestures of being human is sometimes healing. Many of us stay by themselves and don’t have family nearby. There is understandably a feeling of loneliness and solitude. But when another human, who loves you, makes their presence felt, you feel happy, you feel there is someone who cares!

The world these days is delimited by definitions, it was not so when I was a kid. If two guys walk with their hands on each other’s shoulders, we blotch them as ‘gay’, similarly if two girls kiss, we say they might be ‘lesbians’, or if a guy and a girl hug each other, we say they might be dating! Things were not like this when we were kids, we used to happily walk hand in hand with our friends, be it a guy or a girl. We would kiss and hug each other without thinking even once! It’s so easy to show hatred, have fights, arguments, even kill each other, then why is it so hard to love each other just as humans without the discrimination of race, cast, creed or sex! When our parents love us, when our grand-parents hug or kiss us, when our friends cuddle up next to us, it’s all a very human touch! It makes us feel alive, feel a part of the world, feel human!

fullsizeoutput_6d94 — Make friends, not war!

The human touch is therapeutic to me when am feeling low. I used to cling on to my bestie all the time whenever we would travel, and she would always shrug me off from her and ask why I am ‘glued’ to her all the time =)! I would reply saying that we live in opposite hemispheres, when you are with me, I want to feel your presence! Well, each of us is different in our own ways and how we feel or how we heal. But I guess the small gestures of love which I call as the ‘human touch’ is necessary to signify the presence of love in this world without the precincts of demarcations!

If it’s easy to show your hatred, trust me it’s easier to show your love! Just hold your friend’s hand while you walk, give your mom a hug when she is angry on you, tell your sister how much you love her and care for her and that you are always there, call your father more often, smile at the passer-by on the road. We all have our pains, all have our own battles to fight, the small gestures of love keep us going. Life is all about the small things, cherish them and smile! xoxo

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Noosa – Sea, Sand and Sunshine

April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Hope, Journey, Life, Melbourne, Travel, Travelogue

The place

My friends and I decided to travel to Noosa this year January. Noosa is located on the southern end of Queensland, an Australian state and is in the Sunshine coast. Noosa Heads, a town and suburb of the Shire of Noosa is located approximately 136 kilometres north of Brisbane, the state’s capital and is in the main hub.

We flew to the Sunshine coast airport from Melbourne and then rented a car from the airport and drove down to the Peregian beach where we had booked our accommodation. It’s a scenic 24km (approx) drive along the coast with the sea in sight now and then. We had booked our stay through Airbnb and must admit that it was one of best houses we ever stayed!

On the way to the Peregian beach we stopped for lunch and had some wonderful Thai food. The weather in January was hot and a bit humid too. However, the sunshine was welcoming and the beautiful beaches stole our heart.

The beach was even more mesmerizing in the night! The starlit night, the lashing of the waves, the quietness and the companionship made us cherish every moment and feel at peace.

A Day well spent

The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, we decided to explore Noosa by ferry. We boarded the ferry from the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club and there begun a wonderful journey in the Noosa river waters. It was a beautiful sunny day, the sky and the river water was clear blue and the weather was impeccable for a river cruise. We disembarked at the Sofitel Noosa Heads and gallivanted in the Hastings Street famous for its boutique shops and restaurants.

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fullsizeoutput_c3b — Noosa River journey

We had a wonderful Indian lunch at Kali Gourmet Indian restaurant . The restaurant had delicious Indian food and warm and welcoming staff. We then explored the beach at the Noosa Heads and the colourful boutique shops in the Hastings street.

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fullsizeoutput_c1f — Beach in Noosa Heads

We took the return ferry in the afternoon and then decided to view the Sunset from the Laguna Lookout in the Noosa National Park. It was a spellbinding sunset. We were captivated by the landscape and life felt good!

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fullsizeoutput_c03 — Sunset at Laguna Lookout

Fraser Island – Adventure reloaded

The next day we had planned a day trip to the famous Fraser Island. The Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island stretching over 120km. We got picked up by the tour providers at 6am and then headed off to our first stop where we boarded a four wheel drive tour bus. We crossed the Noosa river in the cable barge and stopped at the Rainbow beach for morning tea. It was a scenic journey so far and the rainbow beach was true to its name.

Next, we had a rocky ride inside the forest area to the crystal clear freshwater Lake McKenzie. It was an absolutely beautiful lake with tropical turquoise water, fine white sand and surrounded by forest. After our rocky ride, the lake was welcoming and we immediately jumped onto the water. We spend time in the lake exfoliating ourselves with the white sand and splashing water on each other. It felt like we voyaged back to our childhood! Soon we felt hungry and were served delicious “Aussie style” bush barbecue with a varied assortment of fresh salad and drinks. We stuffed ourselves and soon it was time to head back to the mainstream.

On the way back, we dropped by the magnificent Rainforests. We walked inside the cold, dark pathways of the forest. It was thrilling and we praised nature at every step. The luxuriant canopy of palms and vines made each moment memorable.

We returned back by evening, tired yet rejuvenated!

The Experience

My friends and I have a busy life in Melbourne like many others. We planned this trip to Noosa with an agenda of relaxation and holiday. On the last day of our trip, we had checked the boxes! Noosa is not only one of the most beautiful places we had visited but it felt like the sea, sand and sunshine have hitched to make Noosa magical! If you love beaches, Noosa is where you should be! Every moment we spent here was full of awe! Australia has many beaches and I have visited many of them, yet Noosa had its own appeal and will make me come back again when I want to liberate and revive myself! Noosa, you stole our hearts with your charm, see you again someday! Till then, keep travelling!

fullsizeoutput_ba3 — Sunrise on the last day at Noosa 🙂

Bendigo..a quaint Victorian city!

April 5, 2018April 5, 2018 by disguisemeforever, posted in Jouney, Life, Melbourne, Travel, Travelogue

The Journey

It was the Easter weekend and my friends and I had decided the weekend away to Bendigo which is around the centre of the state of Victoria and approx.150km north west of Melbourne, Australia. The best way to travel together was to go in the V/Line train which departs from the Southern Cross station at regular intervals and reaches Bendigo in approximately 2hrs.

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After having a delightful train ride with picturesque view on both sides, we reached Bendigo. The weather was perfect and the sun was shining bright. We walked our way to our accommodation at the Old Crown hotel which was around 10mins walk from the V/Line train station. The city was well organised with small unique shops and cafes. There was zebra-crossings at every place for ease of the pedestrians and the people around seemed warm and friendly. We placed our bags in our hotel and then headed off to explore the scenic city.

Central Deborah Gold Mine – a thrilling experience!

We had pre-booked our tickets at the Central Deborah Gold mine which boasts of Bendigo’s golden heritage and was a “must-visit” in our list! An old gentleman greeted us at the gold mine and guided us towards the mine tour guide Natt. Natt welcomed us with a big smile which spoke heaps of how passionate he was of his job and presented the safety instructions in his soft yet firm voice. We went down the gold mine in an antediluvian lift where we were equipped with safety gears like helmets with lights on them. It was all very fascinating to us and we could already feel the thrill of the underground mine trip. The temperature was quite less underneath and the pathways were wet and sometimes a bit muddy. Natt took us through trails inside the mine and stopped at designated stops and shared us the history of the place and also made us aware of the life of a miner, the equipment they used and the hardships they faced operating in mines!

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We were both fascinated by the facts and sad envisaging the challenging life of a miner. The trip ended in around an hour and we came out in the bright sunlight with a bagful of memories and cognizance. We also visited the Gold Mine museum, attended the gold-digging workshop and had some fun finding precious gold and gemstones!

The Vintage “talking” Trams – time travel to History!

After the Gold mine tour, we grabbed some food near the Pall Mall and decided to do the Vintage tram tour! We could see frequent trams plying in the city and jumped onto one of them. An old tram conductor approached us and gave us the tickets. He also obliged us by posing with us in one of the photographs inside the tram, for our memory! He was such a kind, wonderful gentleman. He told us that he is a volunteer and that two-third of the members of the Bendigo tramways are volunteers. When we asked why he was volunteering for this fascinating profession, he said he is trying to conserve the endangered species called ‘tram-conductors’!

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The tram took us to multiple stops including the Bendigo Tram Depot, Central Deborah Gold mine, Lake Weeroona and Joss House Temple. There were two or three different trams which were painted artistically and looked distinctive.

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Bendigo City – quaint and contemporary!

We visited the major sightseeing spots at Bendigo in the Tram and we got down from the tram near the Pall Mall. The city was full of vibrant colours of autumn, busy cafes & restaurants and happy faces. Some astounding vintage cars zoomed across the city and made us awestruck! There was also a Vintage car exhibition and Easter carnival which attracted tourists from far and near considering it was the Easter weekend.

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Another remarkable spot in Bendigo city is the famous Shamrock Hotel which is known for its historic and architectural significance. The hotel was built in 1854 as the Exchange Hotel and then rebuild and rebranded several times. The hotel was the accommodation of choice of visiting dignitaries in Bendigo during the gold rush time! The hotel not only boasts of the history of Bendigo but also is one of the best accommodations in the heart of the city and a suitable eatery.

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The Bendigo Information Center is also worth a visit with the friendly staff, an exquisite collection of souvenirs and heaps of information on Bendigo and the places to visit.

The experience

In short, the overall experience in Bendigo was very peaceful and relaxing. The city has its own history & culture, some nice eatery, beautiful scenic views and warm & friendly people. Would highly recommend if you want to experience the small-town-life of Victoria and the one of the best weekend gateway from Melbourne. Easy to access and nice to visit. Leaves a smile on your face all day and you return feeling fresh and rejuvenated! See you again Bendigo and thanks for your hospitality!

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A New Horizon!

June 2, 2017 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Hope, Jouney, Life, Melbourne, Poetry, Soliloquy

Sometimes when I walk on the road, I suddenly look back, as if some known one is looking at me. But then I find no one. Sometimes someone crosses me in the crowd and I sense a known smell, but then I can’t find anyone. I question myself, what am I looking for? Whom am I looking for? But I don’t get an answer.

One day, while I was in a deep colloquy with myself, I realised that I must be waiting for someone, someone from the past. While I should enjoy my present, am still living in the past. I tell myself that while I walk on the road, instead of looking back, what if I bump onto someone interesting at the next turn! That person might be a new friend and much more interesting than the unknown person am waiting for! This thought makes me feel happy for the moment.

Life is like an ice cream, the more you have, the more you crave for. We don’t acknowledge the things we have, we don’t treasure the people we have, instead we all are running for the mysterious happiness hidden in some horizon. There is no end and we always shape up a new horizon. Why does some things and some people leave such an unfathomable mark? Sometimes a good memory and sometimes a bad one but then the word memory itself is a past tense! What we have now is a moment, a precious moment. The search of happiness in the past or in that unknown horizon is much more painful than even the worst present day.

Have you had a meal? Do you have a family? Do you have shelter? Are you grateful for you are living the day? I keep asking all these questions. The answer comes, “Yes”. Then what am I looking for if I have everything. Why can’t I be happy? Maybe I am looking for happiness in wrong places, in wrong people, in mistaken memories. Happiness is when I wake up every morning and realise that all the people I love are with me and are healthy and alive. Happiness is believing that I can spend the rest of my life with myself.

I need to stop waiting, stop looking back at that stranger who doesn’t exist and realise that more than one person can smell the same! I need to look forward, make new friends, talk to strangers who smile back at me, search for happiness inside my soul than in someone else’s life. That horizon, that known smell, that someone looking at me…does not exist. We all wait for that sunrise when the sky would look the best, but we forget that even in the cloudy days, the sun rises as usual but is just shadowed by the clouds. The sun doesn’t leave us, just hide sometimes and shines bright again. Is it that challenging to acknowledge the moment and live a content life? I don’t have the answer, but I would continue to walk till I bump onto the more interesting ‘someone’! 🙂 Keep walking and soon the sun will shine brighter! 🙂

Hey its another new year!

January 10, 2017January 10, 2017 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Jouney, Kolkata, Life, love, Melbourne, Travel

I am late and no excuses but I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2017. This New Year started on a very good note, bit of family time and of course travel. When I try to recall how my last year went and what I want to do this year, everything sort of comes down to one word, ‘people’.

Everyday there are so many people we interact with; some we know and some are strangers. Our life is all about the people we pick. It’s a choice, a known decision of who we want to be with. Then I think deeper and find that ‘choice’, ‘decision’ these words are plural and not singular, it’s a mutual thing else its unrequited. Sometimes I have realised that it’s much easier for me to communicate with a stranger than a person I have known for years. The good thing is, the stranger does not know you and hence won’t judge you. You can speak your heart out and feel lighter. Hence this year, I would like to focus more on strangers I come across and make new friends, however the ones I already have in life remain precious.

My last year was a big one from every perspective, be it relationship, love, family or friends. I learned a lot last year from every sphere of life. The main thing I learnt is to depend on myself than relying on others. I am all I have. Every person is a package in themselves, they just need to self-explore. But then, it’s much easier to preach than to follow but worth a try. So, this year, the person to focus is Me 🙂 ! You must have heard in flights, that ‘when there is an emergency, please place oxygen masks on your face and place masks on yourself first before helping others.’ When I was flying to India early this year and heard this announcement in the flight, I was smiling. Well, being said that I also mean that the respect for individuals remain a priority, everyone has their own fights, so be kind and respect others.

Last New Year I had wanted everyone to be crazy, this year I think I am a bit calm. This year I might try being softer and a good listener than try to voice my thoughts. My thoughts are always a bit unruly and rebellious, so this year am going to home them. I have also realised over time that when you are quiet, you can hear your inner voice. That voice sometimes guides you and sometimes confuses you but at least it talks to you without you speaking a word. This inner voice or conscience will also be my focus this year. It feels that with every passing year, you grow wiser or at least realise that you are not wise enough 🙂 ! This year let’s do a bit of soul rifling.

I have always felt that it’s the people in your life that defines who you are and not the place or country. The people in your life are also the ones to make your life the way it is, so select the people wisely and don’t be scared to take chances. Trust is also another important one to focus, trust others and in turn earn their trust. Live a good life but don’t be scared to make mistakes. I make many mistakes every day, I have also hurt people but at the end I try to make up to them. The realisation that you are wrong, is always right :)! So, this year I will make more mistakes and learn from them. Be human, be calm and listen to self. Stay happy, stay blessed. Happy New Year to All 🙂 .

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My friend at the Cafe!

August 4, 2016 by disguisemeforever, posted in Gratitude, Journey, Letter, love, Melbourne

I have a friend at the coffee shop. I don’t know her name but she knows mine. She also knows what coffee I usually order. Every morning, one of the motivations I have, to come to office, is my coffee and a small chat with my friend. We talk about everything, about the weather, the food, my evenings, her evenings, about flowers and life in general.

She is a beautiful young lady with a warm smile. She talks to everyone very nicely; everyone likes her I believe. She has very beautiful eyes. Just the other day, my hands were very cold and I was freezing in the Melbourne winter. When she met me for taking my order, she was feeling bad for me and said I should buy gloves. Later, when I was going out for lunch, she offered me to wear her gloves, in case I am too cold. I felt really gratified with her gesture.

We don’t know each other well, neither we spend so much time together, but the small gestures of love make my day warm. Such are the effects of ‘being human’.

Today when I went to grab my afternoon coffee, the café was quite empty. My friend came over and offered me a cookie from her own share. I gladly accepted. Then she said today is her last day in this café! I felt a gush of sadness crept inside me. I didn’t know what to say! I looked at her and she smiled and said, “You’ll make new friends”. She said she is travelling to Northern Australia and after she comes back, she would join some other café, somewhere else. She also shared her gratitude towards me and said how nice its been talking to me all these last five months in this café.

I finished my coffee and walked up to her to say the final good bye. She gave me a hug and said, take care. I started walking back to my work and didn’t turn back.

They say, “Goodbyes are never forever”. I wonder why I felt bad when she said she is leaving, why I never asked her, her name. This is life! We make friends and then bid them farewell and then make new friends again in the journey of life. Sometimes you suddenly don’t see that same face you see everyday and search for it, faces change, everyday. Sometimes you can’t even say good bye to everyone you love. That’s the truth.

Just be nice to everyone you meet, say hi and ask how are they doing. Life is too short to have grudges. I will miss my friend at the coffee shop tomorrow, but who knows, maybe I will see another warm face saying, “What coffee would you like”? 🙂