Resetting the phone, life, time, and myself, perhaps?

Yesterday was one of those "reset" days when you find yourself constantly connecting and stretching, rarely pausing to reevaluate whether all of it is truly necessary.

My phone's password became entangled in a series of frustrating delays. It started with a minute, then five, then 15, and eventually stretched to an agonizing hour, followed by three more hours. The three-hour wait was the last straw. I decided to erase everything, fully aware that only my contacts (the most crucial aspect for me) were stored in iCloud. Since I regularly back up my photos, I wasn't worried about losing them.

I've been spending time reinstalling apps, exiting or deleting numerous WhatsApp groups, and contemplating whether I truly need so much clutter on my phone. I did lose some very valuable conversations and important messages on WhatsApp, but it's not the end of the world. I will adapt, learning to live without them and collecting things more mindfully.

I lost a lot of ghazals from the WhatsApp group I'm a part of. I may have many of them on my computer, but I'll miss the convenience of having them on the go. I also lost tons of my mom's voice messages and a multitude of unfinished drafts for my blogs. Maybe it's time for a new thought process. I will ask my mom to send me more voice messages, and I'll listen to the ghazals I have with greater attention. 

Today, I'll be resetting all those everyday apps, including banking and work logins.

My calendar is also empty now, so if you believe I made a promise, accepted your invitation, and failed to show up, please understand that my iPhone decided that I needed a pause in life.😊 

A Baghalpuri silk for a Hindi Manch Production, One of its kind in Boston. A dear friend wrote, envisioned and produced and found the best team to make it happen. Boston Saw a grand show. 

This was another reset for some, an improv meet at the local park - Not your typical families but they are there was one another to help them grow and support.

 Reset comes in many forms, water does that to me. Its a happy me in Nantucket , Below are the pics from my Cape trip - I was standing tall against all the waves and then came a big one knocked me down and then again and again I was knocked down. Someone extended a hand and I stood tall again. 

***A day in Nantucket***

 We took the early morning slow ferry from Hyannis and absolutely loved it. The highlight of the trip was witnessing the beautiful sunrise. The slow ferry offered more space compared to the fast ferry, and it was also cheaper and cleaner. 

I would advise against bringing kids and older people on this trip as there is a lot of walking involved. The downtown area has cobblestone streets, which can be hard on the knees.

We departed at 6.30 AM and returned at 6.15 PM, making it a long day. We managed to do a lot, but the evening was quite tiring, and Nantucket was getting busier. If I were to do it again, I might opt for a later ferry around 11 AM to noon and then take the last ferry back. Alternatively, taking the slow ferry and resting on board might also be a good idea. The fast ferry costs $60 for a round trip from Monday to Thursday, while it usually goes for $80 round trip over the weekend.

Be prepared for the high costs on Nantucket; expect to spend around $20 per person for breakfast (including tip), $40 for lunch with a drink, and $50 or more for dinner.

Nantucket shops and stores do not have restrooms, but public restrooms are available throughout the town.

Parking is free but allowed only for a short time. During our visit, we went to two beaches, Siasconset and Madaket, both of which had no entry fees. This seems to be the norm on Nantucket. The beaches were beautiful, with big waves, a bit of rough sand, and spectacular views. Please note that there are only portable restrooms available at these beaches.

You have several transportation options on the island. You can rent a bike for $45 from 9 AM to 5 PM, or you can purchase a local bus pass for $8 per day, with each trip costing $2 or $3, depending on the route you take. There are two major bus stops, and we found it convenient to use the bus to explore the island. Just remember to have exact change because the machine does not provide change; instead, it gives you credit to use on your next ride. For example, if you pay $20 for two passes, you'll receive $4 in credit for your next ride. However, we had day passes, so we didn't need to use the credit.

Please be aware that bus service may be seasonal, and it's recommended to check the latest routes and information on their website: https://nrtawave.com/routes/. You can also use the TransLoc app for updates.

We had a delightful breakfast at Island Kitchen, which is a little over a mile's walk from the ferry stop. It was a beautiful morning, so we didn't mind the walk, but there's also a bus from the downtown stop to Island Kitchen. We arrived early, enjoyed outdoor seating, and received excellent service. By the time we finished, there was a line of people waiting to get in. I highly recommend this place.

Our visit to Cisco Brews was on a Sunday, and they charged a $10 cover fee. We paid $8 for beer and $12 for wine. They had a few food trucks on the premises, and we tried Millie's Taco ($18) and some kebabs from another food truck. We took the bus and walked about half a mile to get to Cisco. They also offer a van drop-off and pick-up service from downtown, but we opted for the bus as Uber was taking too long and was expensive. The brewery was a lively, crowded place with a live band, several food trucks, and a fun atmosphere. If you enjoy a bustling and lively environment, it's a great place to visit, and the $10 cover fee is worth it.

After Cisco Brews, we took their van back to Downtown Nantucket and waited for our 6.15 PM Steamship fast ferry. This was the last ferry by that company on a Sunday, so it was quite busy. You can find more information about the ferry services at https://www.nantucketferries.com. I found the staff at Steamship to be very kind and helpful, and they explained all the available options. However, I personally decided not to use Hy-Line, another cruise company running fast ferries, as their staff appeared rude.

Website - www.NRTAwave.com

Island Bike Company http://www.islandbike.com

Young's Bicycle Shop https://youngsbicycleshop.com

Ferry   https://www.nantucketferries.com

 

Gran Turismo - A movie for you but a big step and memory for our family.

 Going for a movie as a family Is such a big deal. Four of us with different choices, preferences and sensory overload , any family activity is challenging.

Anand watches some movies on TV because he can control it. He will watch the same movies repeatedly,. Watching something new really is a big deal. Ajey doesn’t have the attention span for a movie. Mr. Husband is quite selective about the movies he enjoys. I love to watch movies in theatre but finding a movie that both Mr. Husband and I can agree on proves to be a tough task.

Gran Truism had been announced long time ago and Anand had been eagerly waiting for it for months. Finally the movie got released last month. One of his friend had promised to watch the movie with him but never solidified any plans. It was heart-wrenching to see my son anxiously waiting every day. I wished I could do something to help him understand the concept of excuses and avoidance.

Finally he resigned to the fact that it’s not going to happen and he will watch when it comes on Netflix.

Mr Husband has been nudging him for few days to go with us. When Ajey came home for the weekend and also expressed interest in seeing the movie, it felt like the stars were aligning to make it happen. Anand agreed, and within an hour, all four of us were at the movie theater. We all watched the movie without any fuss, happy, smiling and excited and relived. It's an indescribable feeling, one that cannot be put into words.

So keep wishing, thinking and working on it. Things work out.

A linen saree for a board meeting. It was my first board meeting as member of the board with this organization. Such an incredible feeling to be part of an organization with a mission to empower families and create a vision for future.

Are you missing the present in your efforts to prepare for the future?

 Am I working too hard to get Anand ready for the future, even after we're gone? Am I damaging my relationship with him? Am I being too pushy and focusing too much on what's not right for him today? Am I overly fixated on things that may not even be important ten years from now?

I wrestle with this dilemma every day - where to strike the balance between discipline and letting go. Mr. husband often gently reminds me that I sometimes see Anand as a project, always moving from one achievement to the next. He suggests I should savor the present and celebrate our accomplishments. He believes that things will naturally fall into place, whereas I firmly believe in the need for hard work to make things fall into place.

I admit that I often lose this internal battle, but the occasional victories keep me going. Anand usually turns to his dad for most things, and although I might not be his favorite person right now, I'm learning to accept it. I'll do what I can to improve my approach, become more patient, and learn to let go.

I believe that we all discover what's right for us at a given moment. Some things may fall apart, while others will work out. Our job is to keep trying different approaches and hope for the best.

Sending hugs to all the parents who are struggling today. Trust me, tomorrow may be better, and if not, perhaps next week. Just keep moving forward.

Anand all ready to go to work.so proud of him. But now I would love to see him working more hours and doing something different :)  

 When things get tough, go to the ocean :) a sunset at Race Point beach in Provincetown

  I was swept away, knocked down, but someone extended their hand to me. With their help, I managed to rise and stood tall against those waves.I learnt that I dont have to give up but adjust my footing and find a balance and things will be okay.

A cotton saree a gift from a saree friend. My love for Movie "Once Again" Shefali Shah and her Sarees ( watch it if you haven't) a friend found this saree for me - Shefali Shah's first scene she wore this saree. The movie was again how a mother finding it hard to separate a woman from motherhood.