Food Memory

Daily writing prompt
What are your feelings about eating meat?

I personally prefer non-vegetarian food over vegetarian food. I think its cause at home, there was always some non vegetarian food made.

I have seen enough videos online to know that this is a polarizing issue. I have no intention to add fuel to that fire.

But taking a step back truthfully I am grateful for any meal that is on my table. I am believe to each his own. Everyone is different and grew up in different circumstances. As long as you don’t take for advantage the privilege of choice – “to eat what you prefer” it does not matter what you eat. Further, someone being different from you does not give you the right to impose your opinion on them.

Taking another step back, Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian it does not matter. The only thing that can evoke feelings about food is an associated memory. I don’t remember every dish I eat, neither do I remember the most costly food I have eaten.

I mostly remember the food I ate sneakily in the back of the classroom. It’s the food that my sister made for the first time. There is also the burnt food we salvaged after mom forgot the stove was on during family conversations. These are the foods I love. These are the food that evokes feelings in me.

Day 2: Waking Up to Possibilities

Today was a good day. I woke up at the first alarm rather than snoozing it to kingdom come. Let me tell you, that was no easy feat given the freezing temperatures and the warm cocoon of my blankets. Still, I made myself get up and let my feet touch the cold floor.

After months of putting it off, I finally ran a cycle of laundry and set the clothes out to dry. It wasn’t easy, but I paced myself, took breaks, and got through it.

Later, I gave myself something even more important: time to speak with a friend. I needed to let out what was in my heart. I wanted to talk openly about my fears and worries without burdening my family. Breaking down in front of them feels difficult—I’ve always been the stoic one, the person with logical reason when things go wrong. But today, speaking to my friend gave me the space to acknowledge my fears and reaffirm my hope for a good life.

All in all, not a bad start!

Day 1: Making each day Count

There are moments in life when the weight of reality feels heavier than ever. For a long time, I didn’t think much about how long I had in this world. It didn’t matter to me. But now, just as I began to hope for a long and fulfilled life, things have taken a different turn—and it hurts.

I find myself battling with my own thoughts, ashamed that I let things get so bad. I know I’ve caused pain to my family, and the one thing I always wished was that they would never have to bury me. That thought alone feels like the worst punishment I could give them. And yet, facing the possibility of it, I realize I need to live better—not just survive. I want to take care of my health, to be stronger, and to leave behind good memories for the people I love most.

I don’t know if my family will ever read these words, but if you do, I want you to know something: I love you. Even if I don’t say it often, even if harsh words have been exchanged, my love for you has never changed. I have always felt your love, even in moments of loneliness. Despite the walls I built around myself, I knew you were there, waiting for me.

If I leave this world before you, I am deeply sorry for the pain I’ve caused. If I could start my life over again with you, I would. But I am not ungrateful—I’ve had a better life than many, and a longer one than most.

From here on, I want to take things one day at a time. To be better than I was yesterday—in my faith, in my family, and in my dreams.

The items that broke my bank

I am a calculated impulsive buyer. I do not know if that makes sense.

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

It’s just that when I really want to buy something especially if the item in question is on the higher end of my usual spending bracket I take my time.

The “take my time” statement does not make sense when I call my self impulsive. Self Contradictory. To put things into perspective, the desire to buy is impulsive. As soon as I see something I like I want to buy it! The only thing that restricts me is my need for financial stability.

I end up saving for the item first. I take my time and restrict my expenses to the come up with the money to buy it. Sometimes by the time I save the money the item is out of the market and I loose the chance to buy it. However, on the other hand there are few items that I did end up buying.

My largest spends till date are: my Samsung Flip phone, my iPad and my Sony Camera. These may not be “pricey” according to some peoples standards but with my education expenses buying even these were a challenge.

Totally worth the wait and worth the cost! I think the wait to buy it made the actual purchase even more special!

Music beyond Genre

What is your favorite genre of music?

I have never had a proper understanding of the different genres of music. In fact for a long time, I did not even know that there were different genres.

My mom and sister love listening to music so I never was a stranger to it. Add to that the fact that I was 5 when I first joined the junior choir, it was a natural progression that I would develop an interest in music of my own.

My music interest started with gospel music. Closer to my teens I developed my interest in music separate from my family. Though I was not aware of it at that time I believe that I automatically divert towards “Pop” music.

Though pop music has always been my top choice that spans across languages. I have ventured into other genres like R&B, Blues, Hip-hop, rock etc..

I love exploring new music and listening to artists from different regions. Music is my daily requirement now. I listen to music when I work, when I study, when I cook even at times when I sleep. Genres have never restricted my choice or interest in music and I hope that I continue to love music in its many forms.

Accident Prone

Have you ever broken a bone?

By the grace of God, I survived!

Given how accident prone I am it is really a miracle. I sat this line to define my situation “I can trip on level ground”.

It started with a cracked ankle at 13. Post that I have cracked my other ankle, an elbow, a wrist, dislocated both my shoulders, crack on the head and multiple ligament and tendon injuries.

But you know what is the biggest shocker to this? I am not an athlete. I have had small injuries playing basketball and football but all broken bones were out of the field.

Its not that I am careless. I am very scared of getting hurt so I am careful. Despite this, I keep getting injured. Now I have given up on fighting my situation. I deal with the injury rather than being fearful of getting injured.

The enjoyed the extra attention I got when I was in a cast but taking a bath with the cast on was super annoying. The worst is when it starts itching in the cast. But when the cast comes of its literally like a weight has lifted off me.

I think at one point of time my doctor saw my name and came into the emergency room asking, “What did you break this time?”

Love for the Cold Breeze

Daily writing prompt
How do you feel about cold weather?

I love Cold weather!

I know that cold weather brings it with dryness and cold nose. But the perks of winter far out weigh the faults.

  1. No Style Needed
    I am not a person who is good with styling. During winter all you need is a sweater or a cardigan. No one is really going to be bothered if it “goes” with the outfit. All that matters is your warm enough.
  2. No Allergies
    I get heat rashes any time I spend too much time in the sun. It doesn’t help that I do not put sunscreen when required. But when the cold air hits my faces all my skin irritation just goes away. The winter dryness is something that I can handle. Moisturizing is much more easier that applying sunscreen.
  3. Hot Chocolate and Warm Blanket
    I love drinking hot chocolate in the cold weather. Its like a warm hug. I feel the world has tilted towards happy. Also, sleeping under a warm blanket is something that everyone loves. You feel like your whole body is wrapped in a cocoon. You feel safe and secure and all the evils of the world has disappeared.
  4. Snow
    I love snow! I know that probably after it melts I may not have the same answer. But who cares! Snow is awesome! I think playing in snow brings out the innocence of childhood in people.

Unbalanced Act

Daily writing prompt
How do you balance work and home life?

Work life balance is something I am just starting to learn.

When I got my first job I was so unsure. Being an average student all my life, I was worried of being average again. Till it was school it was okay I could write the exam again, but failing in job would be failing in life.

Every time I stepped into my workplace I was 100% committed to giving it my best. However, somewhere along the way I gave up on living my life. My life could be summarized as work and sleep. I thought that being good at my job would give me the respect in need in the society. Slowly I realized I had disconnected from my friends and my family.

It was when my family was in a crisis that I realized that my family was more important to me. The society never will matter. I want my life to be filled with wonderful memories with the ones I love. I am learning to disconnect from work and spending time with my family. Even if its just sitting and talking with them.

I am getting better at it. Balancing my time between my family and work. Being a 100% present for my family. I think in this post COVID world everyone is learning what are their priorities. People want people and work can always get done.

None till Date

Daily writing prompt
What sacrifices have you made in life?

This prompt is something you really need to think about. My instant thought when I think of sacrifice is all the things that I had to give up in life. When I had to walk past a toy that I really wanted because it was too costly. When I had to give away my gifts because my cousins had lesser. When I had to give up my dream degree because my parents didn’t want to be alone.

But now that I have taken a minute, they were never sacrifices. They were choices that I had to make with age. After you grow up these childhood “sacrifices” you realize were just things that you had to let go. It was about choosing between two things. I was not giving up anything for anybody.

Sacrifice is when my parents gave up on pursuing their education to save up for my future education. They gave up their health because check ups “costly” or “not required”. The real reason was they wanted to provide for the family even if it meant that they become sicker. Even when they were tired and exhausted just one whine from me and they would carry me in their arms.

Sacrifice is what my sister did. When we were children, she always gave the bigger piece of the chocolate she loved. She is immensely talented. However, when there was a school program she never gave her name because my parents could not afford paying for us both. She didn’t pursue her career dream because that meant that I could not afford to have a dream.

But the biggest sacrifice of all is what Jesus did for me. We do not like when we get punishment when we do something wrong. He was punished when he did nothing wrong. He took that punishment without a word of protest so I could be guilt free. He gave His life for me so I could have life. When sins closed my way to God He broke down the walls to pull me closer.

Sacrifices are those that can never be paid back. All I can hope is be worthy of the sacrifices made for me. Maybe one day when I does come to me I also am willing to sacrifice for the people I love.

My Cross Pendant

Daily writing prompt
What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

I have a lot older things but they are safely kept in my box of memories.

The only item I do wear everyday is my cross pendant that my mother gifted me. Over the years I have changed the chains multiple times. However, I always add my pendant to the new chain.

I love wearing the cross its the first thing my mother bought for me after a long time. Not as a birthday gift or a gift for an occasion. She just randomly came up to me one day and gave me the box with the pendant. It isn’t anything fancy or over the top. But the worth it holds for me is far beyond words.

My cross is the constant reminder that I am never alone. If ever I am stressed I automatically touch the cross and I remember that God is always with me. I hope that I can keep the cross with me as long as I am alive and maybe pass it along as a heirloom.