My first Halloween in United States

Halloween is one of those festivals that we do not celebrate in India at all. Since the time I came to know that I will be in U.S. this year during Halloween, I was super excited about it. In the world could be the best place to celebrate Halloween other than United States!

I visited Princeton, NJ last October to have an onsite business strategy discussion with one of our Costume retailer client. It was even more exciting to experience the crazy celebration from inside of the industry.

We had several strategic sessions on discussing latest movie releases, evergreen themes, last year's top seller. We were predicting people's purchases intent for the upcoming Halloween and strategizing our ecommerce costume retail business to win it.

On the personal side, I had to buy a super cool costume for the celebration. I felt like a little child about to experience his first ever Halloween. Soon my US colleagues and friends started discussing Halloween parties and costumes. Neighborhood door fronts were being decorated with carved pumpkins. Stores windows started displaying Halloween decorations. We bought some spooky cutouts and artificial spider's web and decorated our office.

I started my search for a perfect costume. In US, people dress up as everything and anything, from scary devil to superheroes, or funny giant burgers. I consulted with my costumes retailer client. Among the endless options that was offered to me, I decided to dress up as the person I wanted to be from my childhood.. an airlines captain. I placed the order online at a 'special' discount that was offered by our client.

The day has arrived!

I dressed up as 'airlines captain', feeling bit uncomfortable to walk in public in my costume. The moment I stepped outside, I realized and felt relieved seeing all costumed people roaming, driving very casually on the road.

We had a Halloween celebration and potluck lunch planned in our US office for the day. I entered the office that day accompanied by two of my dearest colleagues.. a NYPD cop and Batman. My eyes was not believing what I was seeing. It was crazy. My colleagues were already, truly into the characters.. we were greeted by Roman soldier, deer, duck, giant beer and many more. Our NYPD cop meanwhile was having a friendly chitchat with our Pirate friend.. this was hilarious.

The potluck lunch was equally thrilling. We have our colleagues from different countries.. the lunch table was reflecting the origin. It was an explosion of tastes, and flavors. I brought some Uthhapam.

In the evening neighbors children flooding the street knocking the house's doors in their cute costume for a trick or a treat.

Overall 2017 Halloween was an exciting, wonderful experience of following the yearly tradition.

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New Year's resolutions 2018 that I must keep

Now that we have fresh 364 days in stock, I thought to make some new year resolutions. Let us list down my aspirations from the year 2018.

Resolution-1: Writing a blog post every day. Ever since I learned about blogging, I thought of writing one of mine. I started several times in past years but it was hard to continue. Before I take it as a new year resolutions once again, I had to identify what stopping me from writing. I spent most of my time in 2017 honoring family commitments, staying late at work, and browsing social media.

So here come two more resolutions to remain true to my resolution-1. My office hours are usually long, at a mid-senior management position there are several responsibilities and ownership that demand extra time commitments. The work however satisfying, but ate up my family time. The family commitments understandably then ate my personal time. Resolution-2: Finish work and leave office on time, and do not carry the baggage home.

Social media did not consume much of my time, primarily because I didn't had much 'free' time in 2017. However, social media and all associated mobile notifications are distracting. I am guilty of checking Facebook, Whatsapp in the middle of work, triggered from mobile notifications. Social media are like drugs. Resolution-3: Limit social media screen time and disable app notifications.

Now that I hope to save some time this year. I hope to revive an old 'good' habit - reading books. It was painful when I received my goodreads year end notification that I did not read a single book in the year 2017. So here come Resolution-4: Read at least a few pages of a book everyday at bedtime. Some goal should be quantifiable. I pledged to read 12 by the end of the year 2018. Here is my goodreads reading challenge log.

Other smaller resolutions that I inherited from 2017 are waking up early, morning meditation, stretch yoga, and sleep for at least 7 hours.

This New Year I strive to be a better Me. What goals are you setting this year?

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365 days of blogging self-challenge

Happy New Year!

I was thinking about taking blogging challenge last few months. Finally, I am starting it as my New Year resolution.

In our busy life continuity is a problem, but I pledge myself that I will write at least a few lines every day and hit the 'post' button. I don't have any curated list..

Well, my kid jumped in to say 'Good morning' and snatched my mobile for few minutes that I was using to write this post. So, I need to wrap up early than I thought. This is me, and welcome to my life!

Wish you have an amazing New Year 2018... bye for now.

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