2007 - A Year in Review

First of all, thank you to all that wished me on my birthday. A special thanks to my dear Neeraj for writing that sweet post for me. You are the best Thanks also to my dear sweet Neeraj for the beautiful gifts (perfumes - Ralph Lauren’s Romance and Chanel’s Chance) as well as the Swarovski heart locket and matching earrings. Love you lots!

Just like the years before, its time for a year in review - 2007 - and look back and all that is happened this year in NP’s world. I am going to start thinking from the beginning of the year and start jotting them down.

Neeraj and I battled the first winter here in STL. With a few icy days, and even days where the office was closed, overall the winter was long.

I went on my first business trip to Phoenix while Neeraj gets to stay home from the office a day or two because of the heavy snow and ice.

Our dear Chicago Bears were in the Super Bowl, and we got to watch the game late because we were at the movie theatre watching the horrendous Salaam-e-Ishq Bears eventually lost but we missed some eventful plays.

Poonam’s father was named Regional General Manager of the Year. His big prize was a trip to 2 on a cruise to Mexico. We were so proud of him. A well deserved award and vacation needed for the parents.

Suraj received a promotion at the end of last year, and he started his new role in the first week of March.

Neeraj and I surprised his family by showing up at Hindaun train station in India in March right in time of Holi. I still remember the surprised looks of my bhabhis, nanads, and nephews/nieces.

We went to India with big ambitions that we would be able to get two families US tourist visas (Neeraj’s parents and Lata Didi/Kishore Jijaji). Both that I may add were successful.

We brought Neeraj’s parents with us in April back to the US. They stayed with us till late May in which we went to see Niagara Falls, around STL and IL, and celebrated our 1st year anniversary party, etc…

Neeraj and I celebrated our 1st Wedding Anniversary with a grand party. We got to spend some genuine time with Kaush for the first time. We also rocked the house by dancing continuously for 3+ hours.

Neeraj’s sister, Lakshmi, gave birth to a baby boy (Anmol) in the summer.

Neeraj, Suraj, and I chipped in to surprise Papa with a brand new 2007 Chevrolet Impala for his 60th birthday in July. Boy, was he surprised.

Neeraj completed one year with our current company at the end of August.

Neeraj finally decides on a phone - the iPhone! Ended up being the only Apple product that we will ever buy for ourselves! Apple sucks!!!

Mumma, Papa, Suraj, Neeraj, and I went to Las Vegas for the very first time together in the first week of September. We gambled, we saw Hoover Dam, and even saw the Grand Canyon (in the dark!).

Our dear friend, Kavita, was in the US for some shows and came to stay with the parents for a few days. It was great seeing her after such a long time.

Neeraj and I made a huge investment by buying a house in September in STL. We completed one year in STL, and by making this investment it showed that we really liked where we are and are settling here long-term.

Neeraj and I started our first semester of the MBA program at St. Louis University in September. We took two classes and recently received our grades. Read further to find out if we passed.

With the house, we made some first time purchases - all which required major researching. Overall, it was quite fun to do it together.

Life was overall very busy with the office, the home, and MBA throughout October & November.

Neeraj and I convinced my parents to go to India for a 3 week vacation. It was perfect timing to go so that they could celebrate Roop Mama & Sangeeta Mami’s 25th Wedding Anniversary with the whole family. It ended up to be a great decision, and they had a blast!

As part of their trip, they were able to get my Nokia N73 mobile phone fixed & brought a beautiful Durga Mata’s murti (statue) for our home. Not only that, it was a trip of seeing celebrities, as they saw the baby from the movie Heyy Babby, Priyanka Chopra, Bobby Deol, and Rohit Roy in various different places.

I completed my first year at our current office in the end of November.

Neeraj and I completed our first semester at SLU in the mid of December. Yes, we both passed with flying colors.

Neeraj and I put our dear sweet, Jollyface (1995 Dodge Neon), up for sale. So far no takers.

Suraj received another promotion at his current job which he accepted.

With all the great things that have happened, we did face some tragedies as well. Neeraj’s eldest brother-in-law (Shobha Didi’s husband), passed away in Sawai Madhopur this year. Neeraj’s middle sister-in-law’s (Maya Bhabhi) elder sister just recently passed away all of sudden in Ahmedabad in December. We had one friend who was fatally ill (after recently giving birth to a baby girl) due to misdiagnosis by the doctors (this was in the US). Thank goodness for Mata Rani to remain with her, and she survived. We had another relative, this in India, whose doctor had told her that her pregnancy was normal, and gave birth to a baby girl who now they realize has no functionality from the hip down.

This was the first time that we missed the jagran for Narendra Chanchal. The temple in Chicago did not do a good job of promoting the event, and we found out after-the-fact on when the jagran had happened.

Overall, it has been a great year for our health. Because of Mata Rani’s blessings, both families had great health and no such worries. We hope that it remains this way for a very long time.

We hope that 2008 brings for you & your families and us & our families more happiness, joy, prosperity, and great health.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!!!

Alvida. Jai Mata Di.