{"id":11,"date":"2007-06-21T11:15:04","date_gmt":"2007-06-21T15:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.apostrophicseasons.com\/journal\/?p=11"},"modified":"2007-06-21T11:15:04","modified_gmt":"2007-06-21T15:45:04","slug":"a-year-gone-by","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/2007\/06\/21\/a-year-gone-by\/","title":{"rendered":"a year gone by . ."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"Section1\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">We lived. Yes, we did. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Not everyone on this planet earth would have savored the joy and eventful days n nights of 2006 as we did.  It was an year full of joy, excitement, adventure, mirth, name it we had it..<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Blimey, the year was quick as we could ever imagine.  It was indeed a prized year for all of us; an year we had never dreamt of. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Couple of days passed in the new year, sitting in my tiny cubicle with hundreds of emails flooding into my mailbox, I thought I would prioritize this one before banging my head for the others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">As the year started, we gladly welcomed lots of new faces to our orbit.  Of the lots, one was a good friend from <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">India<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> and the other dived in and flooded with bliss. That\u2019s it. We were a group in no time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Though it wasn a leap year, we happened to feel the month a bit lengthier. We happened to settle down as the winter breeze kept us nice and warm in office; we quickly added on few extra pounds onto our tummy!. The valentine month was indeed a planning month for the coming nine months.  All of us quickly geared up to tour the world, which later happened to be the best ones in our lives. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Call it a <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Spree<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">!. It was a spree that started as if its not gonna drain. Well, it hasn\u2019t.  From treacherous Afan to coolest <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">New Forest<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">, from beautiful locales of Longleat to the Adventure Land Blackpool, we started off with a blast. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Noi rocked on the streets of Venizia, <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Pisa<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Vatican<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> and Roma in the Aprile mese. From square to square, from cathedrals to Basilicas,<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Pantheons to Forums, noi enjoyed the Easter as never before. Roma topped my fav list along with <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Paris<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Pisa<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> really made me wonder and \u2026.wander. Never ever I can despise my Nikon for all its hard work.! <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Walking along the <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Berlin<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> wall and crossing the <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Berlin<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> gates, we registered ourselves in the huge <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Olympia<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Park<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">, Muniche. Speeding German cars did leave us behind mesmerized in the museum BMW. Dreaming on the same lines, we flew to <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Frankfurt<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> in much faster Lufthansa witnessing the skyscrapers. From all the busy streets, skyscrapers to the<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">orchids, bromelias, palms, ferns, succulents of Palmengarten, we stepped into May in splendor. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">May, the month of more adventure, was a great summer month we spent. Driving on BMWs from <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Germany<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">, we tried in vain to catch one such in the beautiful <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Austria<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">. Infact, it led us to make our own roads to the natural wonders which left us nothing but for ice and salt to taste. We enjoyed the chilly walk in the world&#8217;s largest ice cave and the down under the Bavarian mountains to add more salt to taste. Melodic sounds of music carried us to one of the most beautiful locales of <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Europe<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">. Music, lakes, mountains and we four were into an imaginative world of natural beauty. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Summer of June &#8217;06 was the hottest one. It took us past the fast lanes which I had never thought I would, so soon in life. Dream to witness F1 live did turn out to be the best ever reality racing.  Ferraris, McLarens, Renaults, name it you had it in front of your eyes, pierced passed our eardrums. Schumi, the best driver F1 has ever seen, paved way to his last year of racing after bundling many many world records under his belt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">July summer did bring in some heavy work and busy schedule which let me enjoy <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">UK<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> weather ( for a change ). <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Soon, the Autumn month carried our foot onto the Old Trafford. It was a great experience of watching the football along with <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">UK<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">&#8216;s craziest football fan following.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Tiny drops of tear came gushing down her ever charming cheek.  It was around 1900 hrs on Friday, the 8th. She hugged her most loved kid after many many days she had ever imagined. Feelings were no different from<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">the kid&#8217;s heart. Indeed, a kid of 24 yrs was also longing to meet someone very special in life.  September maasam brought in all the joy and mirth which I was devoid of. In the next 20 days, I lived life to the fullest. Trips across <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">UK<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> did make both my parents merry around in their long holiday. Well, for me, I don\u2019t have enough words to fill my joy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">October rains showered more light to our never ending celebrations. <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Leicester<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> beckoned us to join for the most enjoyable Indian fest Diwali. First of the kind abroad and truly missed home sweet home.!<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Winter harshened in November, but we shelled more n more on our celebrations.  Birthdays back to back kept us pondering to get the best suited gifts to our loved ones.. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">After a long gap of about<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">a month plus, we thought of going out together to explore more in <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Wales<\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">. Chilly weather, high mountains, ghostly lakes welcomed us in cool spirits. And it was a spree again. Shopping spree! While few did for their hometown, few spent on themselves and made English ppl pile up more wealth. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Merry Xmas! It was our second Xmas abroad. Partying around with colleagues added more to our celebrations. Year 2006 came to an end with celebrations all around..<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> Celebration, the word we embodied in our life with no regrets of any kind. Celebrations, on being together with our mellowed friendship.!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\"> Its hard to believe that we spent 365 days way away from home..! It was &#8216;WE&#8217; that kept us in touch with all the missing love, care, mirth, outcry\u2026.hmm, movies, songs, dances, ppl et cetera et cetera.. In true words, it kept us HAPPY.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">I believe by now, you all have re-lived those moments which were very hard to capture, but we all did, in our own feel. When you look back, you see the happiest moments of the year just passed, the year we lived.. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">Indeed, we ruled; we enjoyed; we danced to the tunes; we rocked; from the core of our hearts, we embraced the year 2006.. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;color:silver;\">We lived. Yes, we did.<\/span><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoCommentText\"><span style=\"font-family:Helvetica;color:silver;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoCommentText\"><span style=\"font-family:Helvetica;color:silver;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:silver;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoCommentText\"><span style=\"color:silver;\"> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We lived. Yes, we did. Not everyone on this planet earth would have savored the joy and eventful days n nights of 2006 as we did. It was an year full of joy, excitement, adventure, mirth, name it we had it.. Blimey, the year was quick as we could ever imagine. It was indeed a&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,24,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dreams","category-thoughtful","category-wishes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1804,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11\/revisions\/1804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pradeepshankar.net\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}