After close to a year in a (not-so) new country, I feel there were some things that I used to do earlier but for some reason discontinued after moving base. There are also some new things I should possibly have done but never got around to doing. There are, of course, a number of reasons for this. The biggest one being that there was so much change to deal with that I never had much energy or interest to go beyond what I was already dealing with (good and bad).
There will likely be even more new things in the next country I move to – fewer dosa joints to begin with – but I think it warrants some extra effort.
Socialise – When you’re alone in a city that has limited ‘cultural’ things to do, the only thing left to socialize over (well, almost) is drinks. So when you’re making an effort to cut that down, you invariably have to compromise on the socialising front as well. Of course, you can be that outgoing person who can talk to anyone about anything under the sun to overcome this challenge, but that isn’t quite me. *laughs*
Hopefully, things will change. I already have a number of people waiting for me to arrive (!). So I will at least have a starting point. And unlike here in the UAE, they are not two hours away from where I live.
Get Back on Twitter – You may want to club this with the first point itself, but I think this social socialising is of a different type. Being social on Twitter means being engaged with the local politics, markets, brands, activities, or other drama. Of course, you can rant endlessly about every minute of your life too, but that isn’t quite me. *laughs*
This past year, I could not keep up with things in India and there was never anything too interesting happening locally. Or maybe I couldn’t relate to things that were happening. I don’t know. But I want to change this. Twitter can be a lot of fun.
Save My Accent – I do not know how I will achieve this given how much my accent has already been influenced by the Americans around me. The thought that I can make it worse in the company of Brits is rather dreadful.
Play – I gave this one a very genuine attempt this year, but my body tends not to support me in such endeavours. Hopefully, all the walking that I’ll have to do in the new place will help build up some stamina to play or dance or do something else that would stop the bones from getting too old too soon.
Learn – About the place, about its culture, about its nuances. Know the place like I know home. Be qualified to be the GPS (like in Delhi) there too. That should be the goal.
Document Life – 2014 was an eventful year, but I ended up writing the least this year. I would admit that I didn’t miss it much, but the fact that I don’t have anything much to go back and read about makes me sad. I’d rather do it than not. So Fuchsia, let’s take that word count up next year!
Fuchsia 