It’s been a while since I posted on the blog. From blogging weekly, I have completely put this on the backburner for the past 6 months. I know some of you have been asking me why I haven’t been posting. And I wanted to do a quick catch up and let you know what’s been going on.
I went on a break from blogging when I went to India this past summer for 7 weeks. My longest trip since I moved to Redmond. In the past year, we have made 4 trips to India. 3 of them I did and the most recent one my husband did. This past summer was rough for us. My husband’s family was in a horrific car crash. I won’t go into the details here. But he has a really small family and we lost people we loved. When my husband was 7 years old, he lost his dad in a similar car accident so it was like reliving the whole incident again for everyone. The ones who survived are on a long road to recovery. I still won’t forget the morning we heard the news. We were on a plane 3 hours later. The weeks we spent there were challenging – it is hard to see loved ones struggle and saying final goodbyes. Someday I will blog about the whole incident but not today.
We came back to find out my husband’s company had closed. So he was without a job. Having already suffered so much loss. It was hard to see him go through yet another struggle. And 5 days after coming back, I heard that my mom’s cancer had resurfaced. She also has a degenerative lung disease that makes things much more complicated. So within a few weeks, I left again to head back home and spend time with her and dad as she went through chemotherapy. I always like going back home but not for these reasons. None the less, I got to spend time with mom and dad – priceless. My mother is cleared of cancer and is currently in remission for the second time. She has an aggressive type of cancer (I forget what it’s called). But her lungs continue to get worse. And she’s not cleared for travel. So I hope to head back again this summer to check in. Meanwhile, Karthik got another job. So phew…
I have never left the studio for almost 2 months. But I have such an amazing crew of teachers and yoga students who held the fort for me when I traveled and even taught at my annual yoga retreat in Leavenworth. Coming back from all this and walking into class was something I looked forward to daily. It helped me feel less lonely and helpless. Things back home are the same. Everyone limping back to normalcy slowly. Again, someday I will blog about the whole journey.
My husband and I have been planning to get a puppy for so long. It was meant to happen this past year. We welcomed Munch, our wonderful German Shepard puppy. Who is now 6 and half months old. He has lit up our lives. Anyone who has been around animals knows there is nothing like a bond with a pet. Raising him is a big reason why I have been distracted off this blog as well. But now that he’s older, calmer and hopefully wiser. I can get back to blogging more regularly. (If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you will see me post pics of this big guy often)
Every year January to April, I run a super packed schedule. The yoga teacher trainings happen every weekend at the studio along with our annual Bollywood dance show – Project Bollywood. The show is bigger than ever before. So it’s basically been a lot of work and little time to replenish me. But I am making a conscious effort to do that. I have also been working hard on getting into shape partly because I have always wanted to and also because of our show. I have lost over 9 pounds in the past 5 months. If you don’t know me, I am already petite and didn’t have much to lose in the first place. But I am stronger and better than before. In a few days, I celebrate my 33 birthday. (OMG – when did I turn 33!) I feel 26. Maybe younger.
Everything else is great. The teacher training is awesome. Classes are running well. Munch is growing into a fine boy. I am surrounded by wonderful people who support what I do. Life at the moment is good and I am glad to be back writing this blog. I hope to have more headed your way in the weeks ahead. I hope you are doing well and living every moment to its fullest.
Love,
Aru
