Monsoon started in the state and the climate in Bangalore is to die for long drives. However, consciously we made the decision not to venture out even if its in our private vehicle. Hubby started going to office from this month and my paranoia knew no bounds. Almost spending two-and-a-half months together day in and day out, this separation was painful. This must be the first time in 14 years' of our relationship that we get to spend so much quality time together. My withdrawal symptoms were evident. Have I forgot to gush about how Hubby being my own personal brand of drug?
I compensated the void by reading five books this month; Huntress-Kate Quinn, The Alice Network-Kate Quinn, The Lost Man-Jane Harper, In Five Years-Rebecca Serle, and Daisy Jones and the Six-Taylor Jenkins Reid. After liking Huntress, I picked Quinn's 'The Alice Network', both historical fictions. I put an end to my obsession over single writer and picked other new authors.
The movie count was 11 for this month; Vrithra (Kannada), Sarileru Neevevvaru (Telugu), Maya Bazaar (Kannada), Brahma (Telugu), Gulabo Sitabo (Hindi), Shylock (Malayalam), Jumanji The Next Level (English), Choked (Hindi), Bulbul (Hindi), Unda (Malayalam), Call of the Wild (English).
We had continued our binge watching journey of Indian serials streamed on OTT platforms. They are Panchayat, Criminal Justice, Kota Factory, Taj Mahal 1989, and Aarya. I wish and hope to do a detailed review on at least few books, movies, and TV shows in the coming days.
The "stayhomestaysafe" has pushed us to don our reluctant chef hats. Hubby and I are trying our hands on cooking especially on weekends. We have started a new Insta page to show off our culinary skills and our new stints with gardening. There is always something new to learn while caring for plants. The Mexican mint leaves were wilting away even after watering adequately. I tried to keep it in full sunlight as well as partial but to no avail. Videos on gardening tells me it might be bug infested, though I could not locate any. It also suggests to sprinkle Neem oil on the plants and voila, it worked like a charm. Now the plant looks healthier and bright.
We also celebrated MIL's 60th birthday without much fanfare. The usual cake, balloons, music, food, and beverages. Ideally this is her retirement year. However, the school requested her to work for few more years and she is more than happy to oblige. She does not want to sit idle and while away time. And in the present scenario it is unlikely that she need to go to school full-time. We told it is entirely her decision whether to continue work or not.
One Friday evening while watering the plants I have noticed some barricade in front of the next-door neighbour's house. Unable to figure out what it was I called Hubby to make inquiry while returning home. It turned out the barricade was not actual barricade, but that house has been sealed down due to COVID positive. I was shocked to hear the news. Though we have never been in touch with those people the message was loud and clear. The pandemic is very much real and closer than we think. Cousin M1 was supposed to come home for the weekend as she had to attend her close friend's lockdown wedding. She chickened out after hearing the corona positivity around the neighbourhood. Once the initial shock wears off I was quite thrilled to have COVID positive neighbour. I'm quite eerie that way.
We were safe and healthy. That is all we could hope for.
As unbelievable as it sounds the half of the year came to an end. The June has been kind and busy as expected. It has been two months since the last holiday and itchy feet is dying to go for another. Then it dawns upon me it is not feasible with Hubby's new job and leave limitations. What I do then, the next best thing to holidays, that is planning the next. We make sure to have at least 5 to 6 itineraries handy at any given time. Our theory is we should be able to travel when the time is ready, at that moment we shouldn't worry about the journey.
The climate in Bangalore is beautiful just how it used to be a decade or so ago. All I want to do is curl up in bed and read, which I'm fortunate to do in the afternoons. Reading 6 books is quite impressive with the busy schedule and the list is "Come sundown-Nora Roberts, Live Wire-Harlan Coben, Sharp Objects-Gillian Flynn, The Fill-in Boyfriend-Kasie West, Then she was gone-Lisa Jewell, and It's All In The Planets-Preeti Shenoy"
The movies are important part of our life too. As I said to my cousin M2 movies to us aren't just entertainment, they are religion. Quite heavy, right? Believe me it was necessary. That girl forwards movie and watches and then whines about it. For me it is nothing but blasphemy. Thirteen films are quite a number if you ask me. They are "Tomb Raider, The Great Wall, Assassin's Creed, Bharat Ane Nenu, Ibiza, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Gautamiputra Satakarni, The Con is On, Falcon Rising, Captain America: The First Avenger, Missing, Bourne Legacy, and Jason Bourne".
And our binging continued with "How To Get Away With Murder". This is quite addictive and I can't believe I started loving the characters despite them being murderers and I want them to get away with it. Am I turning into an oxymoron or what?
This month we saw few documentaries relating to travel, history, architecture and they were amazing and so informative. I would have given a disapproved look if you mention the word documentary just a year or so ago. Now, I find them fascinating and it is definitely giving an edge to my thinking process. It is really good to be open about learning new avenues, that way it not only broadens your horizon but also brightens your life.
Attended friend B's parents' wedding anniversary. It was quite an event and this is the first time we are meeting his family. We met "B" first time in Thailand three years ago and we hit it off immediately and our relationship continued from then onward. He is very special because hubby and I both can claim him to be our friend. Usually it is either hubby's friends or my friends. Even though we bond with each other's friends there is always certain kind of distance. And he must be the only guy I'm most comfortable with other than the family. He even remembers our anniversary (the day we three met) and calls to wish. How cute is that? The perks of traveling. You will never know when you make new friends.
And cousin M1 has gone to a road trip to Leh, Ladak. She is still there. I was a little apprehensive when she first mentioned this and I have told her to think twice, but that girl was determined. And I could hear my aunt saying "You're all the same, once you made up your mind, no amount of cajoling can change that". Sure, I'm happy when we inspire others to travel. The paranoid me warned her to be "constant vigilance", well, that is mad-eye moody for you (For the unknown it is Professor Alastor Moody of Harry Potter's mantra).
That pretty much sums up my June. How about you people?
