HHG has tagged me to reveal 10 things I would like to do in the next decade of my life. I loved this idea! It got me thinking about all the wonderful things I've still got to do - very rejuvenating...

... 1) Like the thought that there is so much travelling I intend to move on with. Trekking in my native Kumaon, camping in all the gorgeous Kerala forests - especially Agastyagudam, riding a bike (ok I can dream can't I?) through Northern Karnataka and Coorg ... I also intend to do Mardi Gras and jazz festivals in New Orleans, visit cafes in Chicago, go sky diving in New Zealand and visit Baker Street in London. I also intend to make at least 10 trips to Pondicherry - its my favorite place in the whole world and I haven't been able to go for 2 whole years.

2) Ongoing effort in the next decade and actually top priority will be to be a better mother to my 4 year old and the new bundle of joy thats coming in May. I go to bed every night wishing I had more patience with my son and that I didn't have so many expectations from such a little tyke. Its a constant struggle against the way I'm made (demanding shrew in other words!) - but I really do want my kids to have memorable childhoods for all the right reasons!

3) I'm going to write a book. Cross my heart and hope to die. Its called "Red November" and its a work in progress ... ahem (i.e. been writing for the last 3 years with no end or publisher in sight :-D ).

4) I'll move back to Bangalore - with or without my husband! Be warned Tys ... its not an empty threat. Seven years in UAE feels like an exile and it gets worse every year. At the risk of sounding pompous, I do want to live, love and give something back to the country that shaped who I am. I dream of breathing Indian air sometimes ... and as filmi as that sounds its all too real to me.

5) Make a start towards helping my aunt in her Anganwadi projects in Kumaon. This means providing basic food (mid day meal)and education to underprivileged children. And there are any number of these in Uttaranchal. My trips back there are one heart breaking moment after another of deprivation and sad little faces ... too many for things to be any good. I do what I can when I'm there but its nothing without more time and yes the all important dedication. I'll get my little brood involved as well. I can't imagine a better lesson in humanity than this.

6) I intend to grow older gracefully. The way I look I mean - I shall colour and trim those tresses, take those bitten to the quick nails and actually go all elegant with them (French manicure ladies and er gents!), repeat said manicure every month or so(right now its an annual thing), stop wearing khadi and journalisty looking chappals as my mom so articulately puts it and try to do something with maybe gasp a dress or something. There, whew! I've voiced my secret desire and maybe I'll start looking a bit like those women my husband secretly ogles when he things I'm not looking!

7) Learn to swim - such a shame that I can't! And yet I expect my son to be some kind of junior swimming champ everytime he so much as hits the bathtuub. sigh ... work harder on point 2!

8) Spend much more time with my parents. They are wonderful company and they think that the sun shines out of my _______ . Time flies when I'm with them and my dad's creativity always challenges me to push the limits on my own. Plus nobody cooks food like my mom does. And oh yeah, I don't do nearly enough for a couple of people who have dedicated their whole live to me and my sister. And I want to.

9) Build a house in Pithoragarh and grow a garden just like my grandmother had. Peach trees, tomatoes and green green herbs (corriander, methi, green chillies). She passed away in Jan and with her gone I feel so insecure that my "pahadi" connection will go missing as well - and that my kids will lose track of their Kumaoni half. That house is a must.

10) And what I must immediately do of course is to tag Tys, Twinga, Prats and Vidya on how they're going to spend the next 10 years of course!

Good night all. This was so much fun!