Well, hello again Peeps, from the author side of me, this time…
Please, head over to my other site, www ritubhathal.com to hear some more news about this year, and that book, too!
New Year, New Book. What Next?
01 Jan 2020 Leave a comment
in My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Marriage Unarranged, Ritu Bhathal
2020 – Word Of The Year
01 Jan 2020 68 Comments
in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: 2020, Believe, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Word of the Year
Well, look at us! We’ve reached the next year, the next DECADE, in fact! I sincerely hope you had a good one, celebrating the end of one era, and the beginning of this next one.
So, what have you got planned? Any resolutions? I find it very hard to make resolutions. I have done so, in the past, and they just stay that. Resolutions, but not achieved.
Last year, I decided to adopt this trend that has been around a while, and focus on a word for the year. Something that will spur a person on to focus on goals.
It intrigued me, so I thought ‘why not?’
Last year, my word was Self. I wanted to really think about my time, and make sure that I looked after me, as well as everyone else in my life, and concentrate on work/life balance. And I didn’t do too badly, I’ll have you know! I took time out when I needed it, got my nails done, regularly, read lots (147 books, Goodreads knows!) and made sure I had a bubble bath weekly, if not more.
All these things really did help me. I achieved more than I thought I could, found myself able to cope with life a lot calmer, and I got to soak in a tub full of bubble, every week! Bliss!
So, what of this year?
I thought long and hard, and the word that kept coming to mind was this…
Believe.
So that will be my focus this year.
I want to believe in myself. Have that confidence that I can achieve my goals, and make my dreams come true.
The book is out in 6 weeks. I am nervous as anything, but I need that belief that all will go well; that I am not a bad writer, and that it will be well received.
I need to believe that I can write most of, if not all of, book two, as well. I don’t have another twenty years to tinker about! And, I am hoping that there will be readers of my first book, who would like to read more from me… I have to believe that!
I want to focus on my own beliefs a little more too.
I hope to visit the gurdwara more regularly, and pay my respects to God. After all, he’s helped me get this far. It’s a shame, because the most beautiful temple is a stone’s throw away from our home, yet we drive past daily, instead of popping in. I must change that.
I need to believe that I can change my lifestyle successfully, to be more healthy, from eating and sensible weight loss, to getting some proper exercise in place.
And, I’m still holding onto Self too. That weekly bubble bath will not stop! Might curb the reading a little, if I want to get more of book two written!
So, my dear Peeps, do you have a word for the year? What are your goals, plans, hopes or dreams for 2020?
2009 vs. 2019
31 Dec 2019 79 Comments
in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: 2009 vs. 2019, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Ten Years Apart
2009 – I was a wife and mum to two, telemarketing communicator who loved to read, and dabble in a little word craft.
2019 – I’m a wife, mum to a teen and tween and a teacher with an award winning blog, a published poetry book and a noveI due out in 6 weeks!
#2009vs2019
What are your ten year apart stories?
Chai And A Chat #65 #ChaiAndAChat – Last Call For Chai Orders In 2019!
30 Dec 2019 54 Comments
in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Chai and a Chat
Happy Monday to you all! Can you believe it? The last Monday of 2019, and the DECADE!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d take a sip of my Chai and sigh. 2019 has been quite a year, in so many respects, hasn’t it? And you have been there, clinking cups with me, the whole time, so for that, I thank you ❤
- If we were sipping chai together I’d have to tell you that this week was, for obvious reasons, busy, what with Christmas to prepare for, and cater, presents to wrap and deliver, festive cheer to keep alive, you know! Well, Christmas went well, apart from a slight slicing of finger as I wrapped presents. But then, this Ritu we’re reading about here, there was always going to be at least one accident! The kids were so happy with their presents. Lil Man got a smart watch, Lil Princess got a new phone, and they both got money and trainers too, so they were more than pleased. I was so lucky to get a Dyson Air Wrap hair styling system (not a new vacuum as some thought! ) And dinner was yummy, as always. I love cooking with my sister in law. Here are a few memories from the run up to Christmas and the day, itself!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that we drove to my sister-in-law’s family home on Boxing Day for a few hours, then the kids and I continued on to Birmingham for a short, but sweet visit to my Pops and Mum. We didn’t go anywhere, but just relaxed together, enjoying time, making memories. Lil Princess made cupcakes with her Nani, we watched films together and had yummy home made pizza for dinner.
- If we were sipping chai together I’d better not forget to tell you that I had to take Sonu Singh to the Vets for his 6 month check up. Now, I have been trying hard to reduce his food, as he is overweight, but this check up made me realise, I am fighting an uphill battle… He lost 20 grammes! Should have been 500! But I am not in control of the ‘treats’ a certain fur daddy cannont help slipping to him! So come the new year, there will be a furry companion with me on a weight loss journey! (Yup, I need to do this too!)
- If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that once back home, we tried to relax up for a days. I read lots, and spent a huge amount of time trying to sort out the paperback cover for the book. I never knew how much trouble 0.088mm can cause! Nonetheless, my persistance, and help from my dear cover designer meant that the book is finally ready for me to press Publish! And I actually did, by accident! I wanted to order a proof copy, but clicked publish instead, then didn’t realise what I had done until the next morning when Amazon sent me a lovely email saying that my book was LIVE now! Eeek! I had to rush downstairs, log in and get the settings changed! That was close, but it;’s all sorted now. I’m just anxiously waiting for my proof copy to come… 20 years of blood, sweat and tears, will finally be in my hands.
- If we were sipping chai together I’d have to sit back and just reflect upon the past year. There has been a lot to smile about. A lot of effort gone into elements of my life; like my writing and my new classroom. There has been laughter. There have been tears and injuries. We have welcomed many new members into the family, through marriage or birth, but lost loved ones too. And there is so much to look forward to, going forward. The book release, for a start. That will be the big one for me! I really should raise a cup to 2019. You have been unforgettable, and 2020, I’m pretty sure you will be memorable too!
- If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that I am looking forward to the New Year, and I wish you all a most wonderful 2020! Enjoy your celebrations, and we’ll meet again next DECADE!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your year has been!
Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 252 – Year End
29 Dec 2019 50 Comments
in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: 2020, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, New Year, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Spideys Serene Sundays
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Thank you for finding another inspirational set of words, Spidey!
You know, I often wonder what the big deal is about New Year.
It’s just marking the passing of time, yet so many of us put great store into the New Year, and what it will bring us.
But then, is not every morning a new start? A new chapter in your life? Another chance to right wrongs, or begin a new regime?
I do try to start each day with that positivity, but I know, it’s not always easy to wipe the slate of yesterday truly clean, and emerge in the morning, unscathed by the happenings of the day before. There may be deadlines at work, issues with colleagues, family, or even friends. Someone might be unwell.
On this note, I do like to think of each year as another chapter in my life book. I have plenty of chapters to look back upon, to learn from, to reminisce, and laugh at.
But this new year, it brings with it possibilities.
Who knows what will happen in the future? No one.
But, if you want to do something, it is in your hands to start the wheels of fortune turning, and make something of your dreams and ideas.
And what better time to make those plans than at the beginning of the New Year?
I don’t know it, but I have a feeling in my bones… 2020 might just be the start of something big. I have hopes and dreams, and I have had them for a while. But I decided I wouldn’t leave them as thoughts, but make them happen!
- Publish that novel! And I am already on plan for that, with a release date of 9th February, 2020! (If you want to preorder the Kindle Edition, click here, getbook.at/MarriageUnarranged , and the paperback should (cover pending) be available to order from Amazon on the same day!
- Make some real headway on book two (and even three!), whenever I get the time to sit and write.
- Do something with my children’s stories. I have 2 picture book style texts ready, and a third that is half done, but alas, I am not an illustrator! But research time… Who knows, I might end the year as a published poet, novelist and children’s writer! (DREAM BIG!)
- Do something with our house – we either need a MAJOR refurb, to give more space for the kids, and repair a whole host of issues, or look for a new forever home… the plans are there… hope this one is also achieved this year too!
- Finish my first full teaching year with my own class on a HIGH! It has been tough, the last few years, having to share a class, and split myself between two (and sometimes, three) classes. This time, I was given my own space, my own class, and with it comes a new set of responsibilities. I want to show my Headteacher, I can smash it. I’m hopeful! (even with my special Beauts!)
So, Peeps, what have you got in your 2020 plans, so far?
Have a peaceful last Sunday of the year, and decade, Peeps And enjoy your New Year celebrations! ❤
