Somethings Matter The Most!

I am writing this post while on my way back to London from Vancouver. The last one week were easily the best few days of 2012. Reuniting with the family and meeting Vanshika - the little angel - made this trip very very memorable. I am longing for more and I know the next few hours in the flight and the coming 2-3 days will be a challenge in itself - to get used to the old routine. This is life, isn'it it? Somethings matter the most and the last few days will stay embedded in my memory for a very long time.

She is still soooo small. When I first saw Vanshika, it was difficult to believe that someone could be so small. She is such a darling, so beautiful, so calm, so relaxed. And she sleeps like an angel! Everytime she wakes up from her sleep, she does this customary stretching of muscles which make you feel like doing it yourself. And she does it in style - It is like a 45 second exercise which puts her immediately back to sleep. Barely 3 weeks old, she sleeps a lot right now. I was slightly surprised initially as to why she sleeps so much. Once in her dreams, it is very difficult to wake her up despite pulling / pushing her legs, arms, singing or for that matter, anything else. But once awake, she listens to you (doesn't respond yet) so attentively that it makes you feel like keep talking to her. I will miss her a lot!

It was great to see Mom and Dad so happy as well. I think for the next few months, all our lives will revolve around Vanshika. Everyone will talk about her, everyone will want to take care of her, everyone will want to play with her. Dad lightly remarked that he has grown 10 years younger after meeting with Vanshika. She's the first grandchild in the family and no doubt, we will all make her feel like a princess. When it comes to grandparents, the bond is much more deep, much more strong. I wish Vanshika learns all the good things from her grandparents as early as possible. I wish she grows up to become an intelligent, smart, beautiful, caring, loving person whom we all are proud of.

Rupi is still with the family. She will be back next weekend. I feel so happy that she is still there - with Bhabhi still recovering, Rupi's presence helps Mom to take care of the house. Mom has had a tough time managing everything on her own and I do hope that she will get a well deserved two weeks of rest while Rupi is with her. Rupi is doing an amazing job - I love you sweetheart!

On a different note, I have to confess my perspective on life changes a bit whenever I spend a few days with bhaiya. Not sure what exactly it is but he lives his life in a totally differnt way that I do. And it makes me learn a lot - Somethings matter more than others in life. I am glad that there is someone I can always look up to for guidance and common sense when things are falling apart. He is like a monk who will always give you the right advice when you need it the most. Bhaiya - stay rooted! I just hope that I stay close to you forever - after all, I am and I will remain your kid brother.


Love and Peace! The two things I seek for all of us.

She is here!

Today,  bhaiya and bhabhi were blessed with a baby daughter. What a feeling! I and Rupi are so far away - I think this is the first time that I am not with my family on such an important occasion. Moments like these make me believe that it is time to get back home. These are the great joys of life which I will continue to miss if I don't take the decision soon.

What a moment!

I can't believe that I have become a chachu. It is an immense feeling. Feels like that it wasn't long ago that bhaiya and I were playing cricket together, running after each other, fighting & caring for each other, still too young, going to school together, celebrating each occasion together. Ah! life has changed so much. Rupi and I are feeling so happy but there is no one to share our happiness with. I want to be with Mom and Dad - they will be the most happy people in the world today. They have waited for so long to become grandparents. I can't express my feelings here but today was one of those days when I really felt that I should have been closer to people who mean the most to me.

Life is fair but you always want a lot more!

Baby Neha, our little princess - we all love you very much. Learn all the good things from your grandparents - they will teach you all the great lessons that they taught to your dad and to me.

And always, always, stay close to your dad. He has waited for long - you are his angel, bless us all! Bring all the happiness in the world to our lives.

London Marathon, 2012

What a day!

It has been over 48 hours since the London marathon. My legs are still killing me. Can't walk properly and it feels like I went to an extra long gym session after 10 years. Despite this, part of me is saying that i have to do it again next year. Call me weird, crazy, psycho or whatever but It is difficult to put the feeling in words.

It was a surprise morning - the sun out in full glory with a gentle breeze blowing under the beautifully painted blue sky. Surprise because it had rained all through the week and we were told it could be rather depressing and cold on the race day. Waking up to such a lovely weather immediately lifted my spirits (and guess of the many other 38000 runners). I also sensed that I had slept well and my legs felt very fresh. While on the way to the starting point, the mood built up. The trains were packed with runners, their friends / family all in good spirits. Some of them getting ready in the weird outfits, long queues outside the bars to visit the washrooms, others continued to raise donations for their charity. As Rupi and I edged closer to the starting line, we finalised our meeting points again and again. It wasn't going to be easy to spot each other in such rush when the whole of London had descended either to run or to cheer up those who were running. Just before the starting line, I felt a bit uneasy - I should have trained more, I should not be running in the new trainers and I should have eaten one more banana an hour ago. And then, Go Gaurav.

The first mile itself took an eternity. It was difficult to run and speed ahead while rubbing shoulders with fellow runners. It is an unbelievable sight when 38000 people run on the same street at the same time. Belligerent! Bands, loud music, people chanting, egging on the runners, offering sweets, jelly beans, chocolates, biscuits (even beer). Not even a single inch of space was left unoccupied on either side of the road.

I met Rupi at the 6 mile mark - I gave her a flying kiss (which she accepted, I hope). Didn't stop as my legs were still going strong. In fact, I managed to run the next hour quite decently as well. Reaching Tower Bridge (12 miles+) was a moral victory - I had never seen so many people on the bridge at the same time. A couple of miles later was when the I felt my legs were giving up. I did the mental maths - 12 more miles to go, can't stop, no Gaurav - you can't stop just yet. The debate continued for another half a mile and then the devil won. I stopped running at a Lucozade station and started walking. It is always difficult to start running again after you have stopped once (simple law of momentum in physics). Still cursing myself that I shouldn't have stopped running, a guy came running from behind, patted my back and said 'Come On'. A couple of seconds later I was running again. And for the next 20 minutes, I thanked that guy whose one gentle push made me start running again in my moment of indecisiveness. I made it a point to push the other guys (who had started to walk) in a similar way. Wonderful gesture isn't it? 

At 17 miles, I met a big contingent from THT (the charity I supported) who made a loud noise as I ran past them. I was very close to Canary Wharf and knew that Rupi, along with Gyan, Aditya, Kinnary, is standing somewhere close. I was dead tired by now but wanted to stop only after I met them. Turned out that they were standing at Mile 19... uff, I was really angry 'coz I'd have liked them to stand a bit earlier so that I could have stopped earlier. This is the photo that Rupi clicked when I met her. I told all of them that I am now absolutely destroyed. And there were 7 more miles to go!

Between 19 and 23 miles, I walked a lot. At times, the only thought that crossed my mind was that I have to just finish the race so I should conserve my energy for a late boost. Guess it turned out to be a good plan. After the 35 km marker, I realised there were only 7km more to go and I mentally started eating away 100m by counting my steps. It kept my mind occupied and I could see the end very near. Quite frequently, I heard my name as the crowd kept cheering all the runners. The sound only got louder and louder. I met two of my office colleagues who egged me to carry on running. And then, not long after, I read '2 more miles to go and you will become part of the history'. What a thought at that stage. I ran and ran determined not to stop till I reach Big Ben. At this stage, I had run almost 2.5 miles without taking a break. Less than a mile to go, I stopped and decided to walk 100m. Somebody from the crowd shouted my name and said 'Go Gaurav'. I turned around to see an Indian guy waving his hand and angrily questioning why have I stopped - it is only 5 more minutes now, run! 

And I did run again. With my eyes focused on my feet, I decided not to look up again till I got very close to the finish line. My feet were hurting, legs trembling and I felt a persistent backache. '600m to go', the banner said when I looked up momentarily. I was shattered - how was I going to cover the remaining 600m? After a minute, '400m to go'.... And then 385 yards... I had reached Buckingham Palace.... the finishing line in sight... At that moment, a runner sprinted past me and several others. All of a sudden, the pain eased out and my legs had found renewed strength - the last 100m was the fastest that I had run during the whole 42 km journey. I had just experienced the Runner's High. 

26 miles had ended too quickly. 5 hours had gone by too soon. I wanted to run more!

Back Again! This time for Good.

It has been more than four years. Can't believe it. Time has flown, the world has changed, I have changed but old memories stay forever.

Having just read some posts on a friend's blog (she is a textile designer in London), I realised what a fantastic mode of communication this still is. In the world of Twitters & Facebooks, we risk losing all the details. And at times, I do feel like doing a bit more than the 15 seconds elevator pitch. So, here I am back in the days of detailed blogging.

And I am back to stay here for long (hopefully forever). And why not? It just feels so great to read through all my previous posts. Good old memories and I want to add more to these memories. 20 years down the road, this is what will keep me going.

There's lots to say. But hey, the most important thing. I am running the London Marathon tomorrow (22 April 2012). Last four months have been taxing - running, running and more running just to feel confident that I can grind myself towards the finishing line. There's a sinking nervous feeling that I should have trained more. But can't really think about that too much at this stage. I am EXCITED, ready to GO, soak myself in the SURROUNDINGS and achieve something which most people can only DREAM of.

And I know it will be 'Once in a lifetime' kindda achievement.

Thank you to all who have sponsored me whole heartedly. Here is the link.

http://www.justgiving.com/GauravChaudhary2012

This is what it looks like 24 hours before the race starts:

Guys, you are all amazing people. It takes a lot of courage to spare a few bucks and donate it for a good cause. And you all have done it. I will be running for all you tomorrow. Wherever you are, do root for me!