Dad's birthday, sunset and beach walk | Travel Thursday

December 14^th

            I spent my entire day home being sick and forced to eat well. I did get some good sleep but, I felt like, I was trapped inside the house all day. I wanted to go out meet friends, eat street food, go crazy and enjoy every bit of the day. All day my grandparents had total control over me. I used what’s app all day and bothered everyone at college and work complaining to them about my lazy day home. Forgetting how they were still having their regular Monday. Thankful to them for patiently listening to me. That night, I had decided that, I can’t afford to get sick. I planned no matter what, I want to make the most out of my days here.

Top- Kohl's Royal blue and Polka dots

Jeans- Hollister Dark blue slim fit (Still available in stores)

Heels- Gift

Purse-TjMax Beige color by Nine West 

Sunglasses- Forever 21 The Reflective

Watch- Micheal Kors Rose Gold (Still available online click on the link)

  

December 15^th

            I woke up feeling awful again my throat was still hurting and even my parents were now concerned about it. So everyone planned to keep me inside the house once again so, that I could be able to recover soon and enjoy the upcoming weddings.  I was super annoyed all, I wanted to do was escape out the house. Sitting in my room and watching TV all day wasn’t how, I planned this vacation. I was mad that I completed my exams two weeks ahead just to spend few extra days here and all I was doing was sitting home. It was my dad’s birthday, I wanted to do something special. I told my grandparents that I want to go buy a cake for dad and they can cook and plan the dinner. I told my cousin how bored I was and I made a mystery plan. Before buying the cake I told him I want to visit the beach and watch the sunset. He was up for it and I told that to my uncle he said it’s okay as long as I get home in an hour. I was super excited but half way through the ride I was unsure why I was so pumped up for this plan. I decided to just breathe the salty air and click a sunset picture and return home. It was a bummer when I got there I missed the sunset. I wasn’t very happy about it but I took few pictures. I ended up scrolling around the beach for a long time. It was a magical evening the sea waves where very soothing. The weather was perfect it was beautiful all around with Coconut trees, ocean breeze and salty air. There was so much going on around the beach but nothing seemed to distract. Until, I saw a Camel I wanted to ride on it but I didn’t. Riding a Camel is on my list for the next trip back home. Every beach trip has a story. It is impossible to walk on the beach without making an imprint in the sand and taking some of it with us. I felt that this is just a beginning for long adventure after all it was a spontaneous escape out of the house. B.EA.C.H. Best Escape Anyone Can Have!

            It was late when I left the beach we quickly rushed to the bakery and picked a cake for my dad. We got home almost in time my cousins came over we sang happy birthday and dad cut the cake. I was so happy that dad got to celebrate his birthday with his parents and loved ones. It felt like the old days. This was my fifth day but I was slowly getting used to everything. Sorry guys, I posted this up on Friday instead of travel Thursday. I wanted to cut few things off but I didn’t cut back on anything. It was one of the best days and it shall be forever my greatest memory no matter what. Often times, we feel that just because someone didn’t remember the day same way as we did. We feel a need to forget about it and give less importance to it. To me it’s very important to stay true to myself and believe in things the same way I felted on the very day. Maybe someday I shall add more to this post but never shall I ever cut anything.

Next Thursday, I will share my shopping trip, party experience, hanging out with Cynthia and much more!



Click the link below to read old #TravelThursdaywithJD
India Trip day one
First week of my India Trip

First weekend of my India trip | Travel Thursday

After a very long flight and no sleep for three days I finally got some rest. It wasn't enough though, early in the morning my baby cousin (Shaniya) woke me up. I played around with her for a bit and went downstairs for breakfast. I had a Chai tea, which is the traditional Indian breakfast. Later on, I got ready went around the neighborhood and said hello to cousins. After lunch I was waiting for my uncle to come and drive me home. I spent some time with grandma and some other older women. They were all surrounded around me and spoken fluent Kadodi and I replied to them in Marathi. By the end of our conversation, I got pretty good at talking in Kadodi too. They literally brought back my past memory! I went home later on met lots of family members again all day. My favorite cousin gave me a beef Vada pav. My first Vada pav after 3 and half years. It tasted really good I enjoyed every bit of it! A Vada pav is basically a deep fried Potato (beef) patty in between two slices of bread. It's almost like the Indian version of a burger, although it tastes very different. Then two my best friends came to meet me. I spent almost 2 hours talking to them. I was so happy that we connected instantly. They told me a lot of stories that I had missed on over the years. I couldn’t really relate as I missed college phrase with them but I could definitely understand them. As I have known them for over 12 years. It was a very busy day just meeting everyone. Then I got a throat infection later on at night. So I didn't eat dinner my grandpa suspected that I got the infection due to the oily Vada pav I had. Opes!! I wouldn’t say it was worth it but I didn't regret it. 

Outfit details- Top: Old navy, Blazer:Forever 21, Jeans: Hollister, Boots- DSW, Necklace-Forever 21

In my old room

Lunch

When you eat a Vada Pav after years!

Tank top and top- Forever 21, Bracelet- Canada trip memory purchase, pearl crown Mazzoni Jewelers and jeans Hollister 

Next day I woke up early to attend 3^rd mass at the Holy Spirit church. I didn’t quite enjoy the mass because I had to watch it from a TV with at least 50 other people. For a while I felt like I was just sitting in my living room here in Michigan and watching an old Sunday mass on YouTube. When it snows a lot my dad does that on a Sunday. Ha-ha! After mass I felt the difference there was a huge crowd. I got home and my house was full of guest. I had a very quick but one of my favorite breakfasts spread. On this very day I felt in love with Jalebis all over again. During middle school days my Grandfather (Baba) used to bring Jalebis for me almost every day in the morning. Whenever anyone asked me what I like to eat. I shamelessly answered Jalebi. At times I received two-three packets of Jalebis in the morning. There were many guests at my house but my cousin sneak me out of the house and took me on a super long drive. The songs in his car were mixer of old and new ones. I had a blast everything around looked very different and I was just trying to take it all in. I kind of got emotional because I knew I’m going to go back in a month and this day and drive will be just a memory. I have couple videos from the car I watch them over and over again and I go right back to that very moment. Later on I went to my cousin’s fiance's house to meet him and his family I also had a lot of Jalebi there. You know can’t say no to Jalebis. In the afternoon my cousin comes with his fiance it was great meeting her she is wonderful young lady. Then I went out with my cousin to her friend’s houses for her wedding invitations. In the evening my friends came over it was great to catch up! We had an amazing dinner cooked by my uncle and aunt. It ended up with a long conversation. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Next Thursday I will share an excited first week!

            

Top from American Eagles, Skirt- Wet seal, Black stocking's- Calvin Klein,Sling bag- Charlotte russe, watch- Micheal Kors rose gold, Boots- Forever21  

Car Ride

School Friends

Dinner

India trip day one | Travel Thursday

          For the last three and half years, I have been looking forward to this trip. My first trip back home. I got my tickets back in summer and I wanted time to go by fast and see everyone. I started my countdown around the 100 day mark but as the days came closer it was a rush. Packing became very hectic because I wasn’t sure what to bring for everyone. Lots of shopping in November along with finals preparations, Thanksgiving parties, family photo shoot, and early birthday parties. I didn’t get a moment to breathe and think it through.

Birthday pancakes
Brunch after finals strawberries and banana pancakes. (The manager paid for my coffee as it was birthday how sweet!)

Early birthday cake from Dad

Family party

Birthday Cake made by my aunt

On 9^th of December we left Detroit and started our super long journey to India. We had a halt in Pairs for 3 hours and our flight was delayed for half hour but we had good Wi-Fi so that’s when I posted about my surprise visit. I was very excited and was going through a lot of emotions. I can’t sleep on a plane, which sucks for really long flights, but I kept myself busy by looking out the window and watching movies. The view from the plane was unbelievable. The sheet of cloud looked like big soft marshmallows. It’s crazy how everything seems so small and irrelevant from up there. I was super exhausted at the very end and all that I wanted to do was sleep. While landing in Mumbai I looked at the city lights. I remembered the 15 years old me excited to go live in the country that I had always dreamed off. Leaving behind my birthplace most importantly family and friends.  I realized so much has changed since then. After we landed I couldn’t wait to see my family. I was so close yet so far. After 4 hours of waiting in immigration. We got out and met our family. It was the best feeling ever! I had pictured this moment in my head forever. It was so surreal. I couldn’t stop smiling, I was home. It was the happiest day ever. I didn’t sleep for a bit just took shower changed and met everyone in my village. It was good to be around family it felt like the old days. Everything around looked a bit different and smaller. My cousins arranged a huge spread for breakfast. Later on, I had an amazing Indian lunch cooked by Grandma. It was a very authentic Indian meal, mostly consisting of rice with a type of curry. My granny makes the best fish curry with

 pomfret. 

Appalachian Mountains 

Dinner

Lunch

Mumbai view while landing

Airport outfit!
Blazer- Forever 21, Top- H&M, Necklace- Macy's Jeans- Hollister, Watch-Micheal Kors,Pearl and rose gold bracelets, Boots- Forever 21

House Blessing party Look!
Top - Aeropostale,Necklace,Skirt and leggings from- Forever 21, Belt- Not sure long ago purchase, Watch- Micheal Kors , Booties- DSW

Met my Baby Cousin Shanaya for the first time.

Surprise birthday from cousins! 

In the evening I visited my uncle’s house, which is about half hour away from my house. I met my baby cousin for the first time. Met mom’s side family and had a great evening with cousins. It felt like I had finally reached home. It’s true what they say, ‘Home is where the heart is.’ They surprised me with a birthday cake. Then we had amazing dinner spread of mostly home cooked Indian food, which I couldn’t eat because I had major headache and I felt sick. I still kept up with the spirit and went to bed late. Next morning my baby cousin woke me very early. Next day, after lunch I went home I met my friends, ate Vada pav, learnt to speak ‘almost’ fluent kadodi and much more. Day two and three will be up next Thursday.