It's been an exciting 2.5 weeks in the new year already... on the personal, professional and world stage. Probably the most exciting new year for me in a long, long time, with a lot to look forward to.
Personally, after many many years, I can see crystal clear with my lenses, with close things appearing 15-20% larger than I used to see them - which, trust me, is a whole new experience. Unless you have experienced it, it will be difficult to understand - but everything from buying clothes, to ordering pizza, watching TV to playing with the cat, is an experience in wow. Also, with the ability to wear glares, my eyes are much less stressed in sunlight... again, it's amazing to be out on a beach in the afternoon and not have to squint.
We had a great trip to Goa, total and complete rest from work and pressures for 4 days. Lazed on beach beds, got foot massages, guzzled liquids and slurped ice candies, climbed a fort, and zipped around in an open Gypsy. Came back feeling so fresh and excited about work, was totally worth the big break.
Work wise, last week I was at the HRM Next Conference - had a speaker slot, and moderated a panel on social media in HR. Was an amazing experience; and it was a great conference, in terms of content, people and networking. We have also signed up some amazing clients in the new year, and although I cannot divulge their names, trust me, it's a dream come true for many of us. 2013 is set to totally rock.
On the world front, interesting things have been happening, not all good. The US just managed to avoid the fiscal cliff at the 11th hour, literally. On the other hand, with the government taking strong fiscal measures, the Indian Sensex is back at 20K, and things are looking very upbeat for now. Rahul was appointed as VP of the party, and it seems like 2014 will be Modi vs Gandhi after all. The Nirbhaya case was a sad start to the year. Algeria took a no negotiation approach to the hostage crises, storming the oil field and resulting in the death of around 50 people, half of them hostages. Sad, but at least it reduces the chances of something like this happening again! Meanwhile, French forces are battling to save Mali from falling into terrorist hands - and all those Robert Ludlum books don't appear so far fetched any more! Diesel is finally getting deregulated, water crises already looming in Pune, and the never-really-hit winter is already on its way out. The Lance Armstrong saga is getting very murky, disappointing millions of fans who looked at him as a fighter, a hero, a survivor. Meanwhile, India is pulling back brilliantly, hitting the English hard in the last two matches, some sweet revenge for the humiliation we suffered not long back. The Hockey League kickstarted with much fanfare, but Pakistani Army's alleged barbarism meant that it could no longer be business as usual, and the Pakistani players in the league had to be sent back. While Pakistan simmers with tension between the Army, the government and the Supreme Court, in India, the Nirbhaya issue almost turned public anger and attention away from corruption and dirty politics. And as always, the main opposition party, the BJP, has been unable to put the government in a spot, troubled as it is by its own internal problems.
Overall, after the 2012 end of the world, 2013 has heralded a very "happening" new era. But as they say, the more things change, the more they remain the same!
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