I have been pondering on this caption for a while now. Every time I thought I should put my thoughts into words, I felt I should wait for an appropriate time. Maybe in a few months, I will have more value, more words to add. I started off with this thought in January 2017, its been 9 months ever since, waiting for my experiences, achievements to do justice to my caption. However, it was yesterday that I realized like the apple hitting Adam that what could be more satisfying for my Canadian journey than being able to share my experience about people? No amount of achievements, accolades, rough patches, travel diaries can replace the joy of being able to call a place and people your ‘family’.
As I walked down the Mumbai international airport leaving my sister at the domestic airport last year, I had no idea what this journey would have in store for me. (Don’t get me wrong, my journey isn’t over just yet). As I set my foot to create my own dreams into an unknown ‘cold’ land, I was greeted and welcomed by the warmest people. My first experience was definitely right in this land of maple. A home away from home, my family away from family, Thank you chachu and chachi. From re-living my childhood with my siblings to re-cherishing my own toddler tales with uncle, Canada already felt like it was home.
As I moved on to try my attempt at being an independent grown-up, I failed at many stations and succeeded at some. At the end of the time, the only thing I am left with is not my graduating certificate but with memories, experiences and most importantly people who I can call ‘mine’. Some relations hit off in the beginning and only a few stood the test of time. Everything in life though comes with a lesson in disguise, it is about when you identify this disguise and learn from it.
The two suitcases I packed from home were not just filled with clothes and essentials, they were filled with zeal, enthusiasm, and excitement to do something big in life. It all ends only to find your joys in the smaller moments of life. The smaller moments that are left in your circle of friendships. They are found in your friends jokes- ‘BJ’s’ (Balaji). The moments are treasured in the never-ending assignments and binge stress eating poutines (Modi) with people fighting over what music to play while we crack the stupid assignments (Sartaj and Anand). The smaller joys of a friend who lives minutes away but comes with food just to make you smile (Ankita). The moments that were left in the random 3 am cravings and coffee walks (Nancy). P.S. you still remain the only one who can drag me out of bed and the only one who can snap me out of over-thinking. You don’t need someone who knows you in and out, you only need someone to sometimes read your mind (Jay) or someone to show you that life isn’t all that stressful (Joy). It is not about if you got your desired grades, it's about who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself (Anand). It is not about dreaming and watching big Ted talks but who you can simply sit and have an aimless but intense conversation with (Vaibhav). Despite all that happens, you always need someone to remind you of your city and re-iterate your love for cricket and wherever you go in the world you will find those souls (Akshay and Pratik Bhaiya).
Between clicking blurry pictures and listening to each other's hazy dreams, we all grew up in our own little way. As time passed by, we only learned the difference between when to be the leaning shoulder and when independent enough to stand up straight. As I read the finer things in life, the more I started appreciating the aimless and random laughter and mid-night conversations. As I understood the ugly truth of being alone in a land miles away from home, I appreciated the beauty of having two faithful friends.
So, life is not about the million-dollar house you build in future, it will always lie locked somewhere in the pictures on the hard drive of your laptop. When we grow old, joy may not be in the 5-star luxury of your vacation home but it will definitely be in the pondering smile that would form on your face reminiscing those pictures. As I celebrate my first Thanksgiving, it's about reflecting and thanking the few noble evil souls who would trouble you to no end but still stand up against the world for you. Thank you, guys, for making my heart believe that Canada can be home because home is where the heart is.
x
As I walked down the Mumbai international airport leaving my sister at the domestic airport last year, I had no idea what this journey would have in store for me. (Don’t get me wrong, my journey isn’t over just yet). As I set my foot to create my own dreams into an unknown ‘cold’ land, I was greeted and welcomed by the warmest people. My first experience was definitely right in this land of maple. A home away from home, my family away from family, Thank you chachu and chachi. From re-living my childhood with my siblings to re-cherishing my own toddler tales with uncle, Canada already felt like it was home.
As I moved on to try my attempt at being an independent grown-up, I failed at many stations and succeeded at some. At the end of the time, the only thing I am left with is not my graduating certificate but with memories, experiences and most importantly people who I can call ‘mine’. Some relations hit off in the beginning and only a few stood the test of time. Everything in life though comes with a lesson in disguise, it is about when you identify this disguise and learn from it.
The two suitcases I packed from home were not just filled with clothes and essentials, they were filled with zeal, enthusiasm, and excitement to do something big in life. It all ends only to find your joys in the smaller moments of life. The smaller moments that are left in your circle of friendships. They are found in your friends jokes- ‘BJ’s’ (Balaji). The moments are treasured in the never-ending assignments and binge stress eating poutines (Modi) with people fighting over what music to play while we crack the stupid assignments (Sartaj and Anand). The smaller joys of a friend who lives minutes away but comes with food just to make you smile (Ankita). The moments that were left in the random 3 am cravings and coffee walks (Nancy). P.S. you still remain the only one who can drag me out of bed and the only one who can snap me out of over-thinking. You don’t need someone who knows you in and out, you only need someone to sometimes read your mind (Jay) or someone to show you that life isn’t all that stressful (Joy). It is not about if you got your desired grades, it's about who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself (Anand). It is not about dreaming and watching big Ted talks but who you can simply sit and have an aimless but intense conversation with (Vaibhav). Despite all that happens, you always need someone to remind you of your city and re-iterate your love for cricket and wherever you go in the world you will find those souls (Akshay and Pratik Bhaiya).
Between clicking blurry pictures and listening to each other's hazy dreams, we all grew up in our own little way. As time passed by, we only learned the difference between when to be the leaning shoulder and when independent enough to stand up straight. As I read the finer things in life, the more I started appreciating the aimless and random laughter and mid-night conversations. As I understood the ugly truth of being alone in a land miles away from home, I appreciated the beauty of having two faithful friends.
So, life is not about the million-dollar house you build in future, it will always lie locked somewhere in the pictures on the hard drive of your laptop. When we grow old, joy may not be in the 5-star luxury of your vacation home but it will definitely be in the pondering smile that would form on your face reminiscing those pictures. As I celebrate my first Thanksgiving, it's about reflecting and thanking the few noble evil souls who would trouble you to no end but still stand up against the world for you. Thank you, guys, for making my heart believe that Canada can be home because home is where the heart is.
x
Exquisitely written 😍 the whole journey. Two of my favorite lines are lesson in disguise and ugly truth of being alone.
ReplyDeleteKeep writing, keep evolving.
Thank you, jay. They are my favourite too :) :*
DeleteFirst of all, I loved every bit of what you wrote. Not entirely, but I can relate to it at some level. I know my home is a lot closer, but I know what's it like to have a family away from your family. What I feel at times, you've penned it down so beautifully. Write more often Sansy...! Publish a God damn book..and come back to Amchi Mumbai. I miss you 😘
ReplyDeleteAwww, pri💜 this is the best thing someone's said to me.. I miss you so much, too. We are your Mumbai family 😘💜 Always.
DeleteBeautifully penned Sansi....way to go :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bala <3
DeleteNice work and thoughts... Simple yet a lot meaningful... All the best and you will achieve great heights and many great friends too...
ReplyDeleteLoved every but of it❤ you are an inspiration to me..keep growing😘
ReplyDeleteThank you❤️
ReplyDelete