Leaving on a jet plane..

..but I know I'll be back in a week.

You'd think being an only child, I'd be used to being alone.

I'm going to be on a week long business trip. *sigh*

There is a bit of me that's looking forward to it though. The girly bit is looking forward to the hotel rooms and the prettiness and the hot chocolate by the bed. And oooh, not to mention the ginormous bathrooms with great prospects for soaking in hot, scented, blissful baths. (Pats, you've sold me on this idea!!) I shall enjoy the packing - choosing outfits, jewellery and matching shoes. Yes, girls are like that.

The adventurous bit of me is looking forward to meeting new people, seeing the new office set up, giving my first set of trainings. Catching a quick cuppa with friends at famed local coffee shops, walking the streets for the hidden cheap shoppers paradise, visiting the restaurants, well known for their curries, tikkas and samosas.

I'm waiting to get on the back of a bike, driven by a girl I've never met before, but have known for 2 years. Oddly enough, I trust her.

The silent bit of me is looking forward to some alone time. Reading, soaking in previously mentioned glorious tub- just chilling. Luckily, the silent bit of me is amongst the smallest.

The friend in me though, is waiting to get back and plan Chili's Hen Night. Hear about the outfits, see the invitations and calm the stray and frazzled 'bride to be'nerves.

I shall not see Pats before she leaves for her trip and I shall only meet her after 2 solid weeks. I shall miss her.

I shall miss morning coffee in the office with Zee.

I shall miss e-mails chats with Pooh girl and bursting into brief giggling fits.

But most of all, the Rose in me will miss dude. It's not going to be easy to fall asleep without that familiar shoulder under my head. I shall miss the morning coffee and drive, the peace I feel when I see him at the end of the day. I shall even miss playing Gears of War with him. (yes, this is recent. It is, but a bloody game.) I shall miss the dinners, the sofa, the hugs and the kisses.

Yes, I know it's only a week, but I'm thankful for all the things I'm going to miss.

I am blessed : )

Till later.

The pecans

My mum loves ice cream.

She has a single, most favorite flavour, vanilla.

We could be in the poshest parlour in Europe, London Dairy, Baskin Robbins, Vadilals or even the little shop in Bombay that sells ice-cream out of those over-sized cardboard boxes.

It's always vanilla.

But when mum realised that I had tired of it, she introduced me to Butter Pecan.

So here's the thing, I didn't like the ice-cream. I however, LOVED the pecans. I'd tell mum to have the butter pecan cone and give me the pecans. *grins*

One day she told me that I needed to have the rest of the ice-cream as well...mix it up with the pecans and perhaps it wouldn't taste so bad.

Thus bringing me to my point.

Off late, life has been...well, a bit taxing. Blame the recession, blame the summer, take your pick. But thanks to mum and her lesson on the pecans...I've still had a great time.

My friend Zee at work. She forces me to stop for a cuppa. We laugh over the stories we share of the few hours past (since our last cuppa yesterday!)

Chili is a constant source of fun, laughter and endless conversations. Her upcoming wedding is almost always doing the rounds in my head. I love all the thinking and planning that's going into it - I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Dude. One of my best friends. We fight, we laugh, all of it. It's not picture perfect, but bless him, I love every minute.

Dora, Boots, Pats and more recently, Tatt Boy. And oh, a peacock wall we're painting. We're having the bestest time. I heart you guys.

And me. Yes, me too. I've realised my mind and heart don't allow me to be down for too long. It's like I've been conditioned to be happy. And I'm ever so grateful.

My pecans are taking me through the summer, through the rough, through the rocky roads.

Thanks mama...who knew I'd learn so much over an ice-cream.