thank you

I was supposed to be on a trip headed back home last week, but it got canceled (for a variety of different reasons). So, I was going to spend Thanksgiving here, by myself mostly. It's amazing though how some times the best made plans, never materialize, and plans you'd never had end up being the best ones. I ended up spending thanksgiving with some friends who I've gotten to know very well over the last year or so. And I am extremely thankful - I can't imagine what life would've been like in the city without them.

The other half of the holiday, I spent with some other friends. These friends have kids (ranging from 2 to 15), and their kids have cousins, and their cousins have cousins and so on... As I stood in the middle of my friend's brand new house mansion in Pleasanton, and played "Ring Around the Rosie" with what seemed like 800 children I got a glimpse of myself in this giant mirror - I was smiling ear to ear. That was the first time in a long time I'd looked at myself in a mirror not holding a phone, or a computer, or a microphone. My phone was in the car so I didn't know who had or had not called. I wasn't obsessively updating or thinking of updating my facebook status. No idea who had emailed me. But I could have cared less. I am so thankful for these friends, their company, their children, and for accepting me as one of their own.

I also met S^2 and his fiancée this week. S^2 and I spent quite a bit of time together in early our 20's. It warmed my heart seeing him and his fiancée, this perfect couple, together. They looked so content and perfect in each other's company. I'm thankful I got to see this side of my close friend who's changed his life around so miraculously and is headed for phenomenal things.

So, I spent Thanksgiving with my closest friends (and who I now consider) family. Some time back I'd complained about not growing up (google "anand growing up" and see what you see). And for a while now, I've been feeling rather down - while work has been amazing, I feel like I haven't really been accomplishing anything personally. I haven't even had the motivation. And in a lot of ways, its hard to see why certain things just end up working out - like me not going home this week and staying back here, getting to spend time with my friends, and their kids, and seeing them in this amazing stage of their lives where nothing else matters but their families. I came to a realization that I need to grow up. That I need to have personal goals that I will eventually need to realize and make happen.

Sorry, this post sounds extremely selfish. But for those of you out there, if you don't have goals outside of your career or work, ask yourself why that is. Because there seems to be this amazing other side to life, outside of work, that helps you keep your sanity, that makes you infinitely happy. Why wouldn't you want that?

Thank you.

"ai"

Comments

• Anonymous
  November 25, 2007
  Anand,    Like you I really enjoyed my "time off".  It was great to not check on things over and over again.  I got to spend time with my family and just relax.  I can imagine next holiday once we have our first child what a different experience this will all be.  I'm disappointed you didn't give a shout while in Pleasanton :).  I consider you a good friend and look forward to just hanging out and doing nonwork things in the future.  BTW watch your email for a few Warrior game dates flying your way. Kurt

• Anonymous
  November 27, 2007
  The comment has been removed