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Action Replay + Gratitude List: June 2019

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We are done with half of 2019, really? Here, I haven't even started half the things that I wanted to do in 2019 and the year is just swooshing by! Having said that, 2019 has been fast paced yes, but it also has been wonderful. Speaking of wonderful, let's talk about June. To sum up what June was to me, I'd use the word 'sorted'. June raised my anxiety levels to the peak and yet by the end of the month it helped me calm down. June kept us insanely busy, but by the end of the month we could relax happily. June tested our physical and emotional strength and in the end we came out with flying colors. Now you know why I used 'sorted', don't you?

Work continued to keep me busy, but my main focus this time was on our house. Since we moved in towards the end of May, most of the setting up had to be done in June. If I have to describe it in one word, it would be - crazy! Whoever said that buying a house was the toughest part did not know the pain of setting it up. My husband and I went nuts by the time we got it done and there still is so much to go. Both of us would be forever indebted to online shopping! Almost everything in the house, apart from the lighting, were bought online. Thank God for Urban Ladder and Pepper Fry! We walked into so many stores to check out furniture and barely found anything close to what we could like. After weeks of disappointment, we decided to take a risk and go for the online stores. I'm so glad we did! The furniture looks splendid, the quality is great and the designs are exactly what we wanted. It is a little heavy on the pocket, but with the convenience it comes with, it is totally worth it!

Since work and moving in took so much of my time, reading had to take a back seat. I did manage to read a lot of short stories though. I've been hooked on to Murakami's style of writing for a while now. I found many of his e-books online and read quite a lot of them as and when I was taking a break from work. I have been reading for almost three decades now and I hadn't read a single Ruskin Bond! I know, I hang my head in shame. I finally started reading his books this month. I read a couple of other books as well. The books I read in June were:

Murakami's short stories: A Walk To Kobe, Town Of Cats, UFO In Kushiro, Cream and The Folklore Of Our Times. I read these five short stories and each one was so different from the other. I love the essence of magical realism in his narration and the stories are more often than not unconventional. That is enough to keep me hooked.

The Blue Umbrella by Ruskin Bond: I can't believe that I hadn't read this one until now. Such a beautiful tale! I was reminded of my childhood and the tales of panchatantra.

I See You by Clare Makintosh: It took me a while to finish this one as the writing was a bit too tough to read, but the story and the mystery does come alive here. While I do have mixed feelings about the ending of the book, it definitely is worth a read. I'll do a detailed review of this soon.

When I Hit You by Meena Kandasamy: This book sure is a vicious punch to the gut! The story of a young wife facing abuse at the hands of her husband, the man she married for love, is too gut-wrenching! It took me a few days to get over this book. Once I've digested this story completely, I'll do a review.

Writing was pretty decent in June and I'm so glad I finally started being a part of #WordlessWednesday. I've been wanting to be a part of this since a long time and I'm thrilled that I finally got to it. I have so many images waiting to be shared! I enjoy doing book reviews as well. As much as I love reading, talking about books makes me immensely happy too. I also wrote a post on a topic that was very close to my heart and I'm glad that I finally got it out of my system. I still have quite a bunch of topics that I want to talk about. Hopefully, I'll get to write about a few of them this July.

June came with an abundance of gratitude. Here's what I'm thankful for:

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~ Work: As much as I love my work, I love the flexibility it comes with. My work gives me the time to read, write and take care of a home. I know it has a lot to do with my time management skills, but having a flexible work place does make things easier.

~ Health & Fitness: Healthy eating and working out did take a hit in June as we were busy with setting up the house. Meal timings were erratic and since we did almost all the work ourselves, we were too physically exhausted to go workout. Thankfully, health did not give up on us.

~ Home: Setting up a house is not easy, but it sure is an emotional moment to watch it come to life. Every thing, every tiny thing in the house has been handpicked by my husband and I and we like the way it has come together beautifully. We still have a lot more things to do, but we are now slowing down and taking one thing at a time.

~ Online Shopping: Without them, I'd be a lost cause! While I am totally dependent on online shopping to buy most of my stuff, I never thought that I'll be setting up a house entirely using online shopping. I still remember the first time I bought something online, it was a book via Flipkart. I was so skeptical about it back then! Now, I just close my eyes and go ahead with it. It has made life so much easier.

~ Nature: Waking up in the morning and standing in our balcony with fresh air and natural light surrounding us is sure a blessing. We take nature for granted so many times, but having ample natural light and fresh air enter your house does make you want to celebrate the beauty of nature. And yes, solar heating too! When nature has so much to give us, can't we care for it a little?

~ Love: My anxiety levels have been all over the place and it was not an easy month for me. My husband held my hand through it all and we sailed past it. He knows that I'm a very controlled and organized person and it is not easy to be around me, but he makes it seem so easy. He's been so supportive and helpful in setting up the place and watching him handle the workers makes me glow with a sense of pride and respect. Sometimes I wonder how did I find a person who is so kindhearted and smart and funny at the same time! And the fact that he's mine makes me feel so blessed.

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July will continue to be about the house and office work, but thankfully we have some travel planned to break the monotony. I also hope to get back to reading and writing as often as I can.

How was your June?

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Linking this post to Vidya's Gratitude Circle for this month.

Comments

  1. I really can't believe that 6 months of 2019 are over already. It just feels like yesterday that I was jotting down my to-do list for 2019. Setting up a home can be tiring but it brings such immense joy that you sleep with a smile on your face despite tiredness in your body. When I Hit You is amazing. Can't wait for your review.

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    1. Oh yes! This year is going by really fast.

      You said it! That smile is all that matters :)

      I'll do a review soon.

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  2. I am so craving to read 'When I hit you'. I read about this book last year, and since then I have been looking for it at my bookshop, but in vain.
    I love reading about your love story, Soumya! God bless you guys and your home, and may the love shine forever and ever!
    May July bring with it loads of happy moments and blessings galore!

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  3. Congratulations for the new house, Soumya. Setting up the house from scratch is bound to create anxiety. There is always so much to do. Aren't Urban ladder and Pepperfry amazing sites? A couple of years ago, I even bought a convection oven from Pepperfry although like you the first time I orderd books from Flipkart ages ago, I was skeptical if they will eat up my money. Online shopping sites are a big blessing. Wishing you a lovely July in your newly set-up home.

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    1. Thank you, Anamika! Oh yes, they are splendid! I was a bit skeptical about ordering furniture online, but after the first one arrived and I saw the quality, I was totally impressed and went all in!

      Thank you, Anamika. Wishing you a fabulous July too.

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  4. I love Ruskin Bond's horror stories. My childhood is filled with his stories in my English guide as unseen passages. On the other hand, online shopping is an addiction for sure. Setting up a home is exhaustive but rewarding at the same time.

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    1. I need to read more books from him for sure.

      More than an addiction, it is a necessity for me as almost all my shopping including groceries and other stuff is done online.

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  5. Congratulations Soumya on the house. My June was a lot like yours. Setting up the house, with the school in session drove me crazy. We're more or less done with three or four cartons to be unpacked still. Online shopping is the hugest help although we got our furniture from a physical store but a million other things came from Amazon.
    Glad to see you kept up with your reading. That's something that suffers when I get busy.
    Looking forward to a happy July for you. Wishing you even more love and happiness in your new home. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you, Tulika! There is still so much more to do for us too, the garden area is just empty now! Amazon saved my life in so many ways here, I bought the biggest of things to the smallest of things from them.

      Wishing you a fabulous July as well, Tulika. Lots of love and hugs!

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  6. I totally agree with you regarding the setting up of the house part. Though I'm staying in a rented house, we had to pick the furniture, set up the kitchen and sort out other electrical appliances. It took us a while to get it all done. Still there are so many things that I want to do, like having a few plants but that has not happened yet. And yeah, thank God for online shopping.
    And regarding the books - even I haven't read enough of Ruskin Bond as I would have wanted to. When I hit you is indeed one book that is so hard hitting.

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    1. Any house takes a while to get set up! I remember the first time when we moved out to a place, we had to buy things from furniture to spoons! It was so stressful and yet something so satisfying about it. I'm yet to start the garden department at home! I don't even know where to start.

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  7. It must be quite daunting setting up a new home and the transition period can drive one nuts. Hang in there! Good to know that health stayed good. I am dreading the monsoon months as generally respiratory allergies really hit me. That online shopping bit really resonated with me. I actually do almost all the shopping online. I can't believe how much. It is such a blessing not to step out and get everything delivered to you. Take care and having a lovely July.

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    1. Crazy is the word! I'm glad the health has persisted through all this.

      Take care, Rachna. The weather is very erratic these days. Online shopping has been a boon so far, so convenient!

      You have a healthy July, Rachna. Take care of your health.

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  8. Congratulations on the move! I almost feel like inviting myself over ;) Also, can't believe we were talking about buying houses and here you moved into one. Time flies. I am very happy for you guys and I love that balcony of yours.

    You did very well inspite of all that was happening around you. wishing you continued happiness. Btw, where are you guys headed?

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    1. Once we are all settled, you are the first friend I'll be calling over :) You and I have been talking about it for so long!

      Let me message you about the travel plans.

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  9. Atta girl!

    Love this round up. Happy Homecoming and a big warm welcome to #WordlessWednesday yet again!

    I'm so glad I finally managed to stop by and read you. Still have to read your A-Z stories from this season. Ever considered turning it into a book? :)

    Have a very blessed July dear Soumya.
    Hugs and happy vibes xoxo

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    1. Thank you my darling! :)

      A book? Hahaha, I rather have other plans for my first book ;)

      Lots of love to you, Natz! We'll talk soon :)

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  10. Setting up a home is tough but its a gradual process. Take your time setting up the bare minimum and then do the rest at ease. Thats the best part - you travel and you see something that you want for the house and then you get it. This ways you can plan it both money wise and item wise - its a labour of love over a whole load of time but its definitely worth it. All the best in this journey Somz.

    Glad to see you take it each day as it comes - that helps one be sorted in the craziness of life.

    I would love to see a pic of your house and hope you post it / send it to me soon!! Much love and hugs for July!! xoxo

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    1. Thank you, my dear Shalz!

      Once the house is all set up and done, I'll share the pictures with you! Still better, why don't you visit us sometime soon :)

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