Bye, Bye, 2020.... You made history...

 

As the SUN sets on 31st Dec 2020, I have started writing this...  This picture is taken from Kanyakumari, sun set view point.

Hope everyone is doing OK. We did sail through the toughest year and a historical year. 

Looking back about year 2020: 

It was 1st Jan 2020, 12:00 am, as usual I stayed late to wish everyone a Happy New Year, saw few crackers showing up in the sky and went to bed. Got up in the morning, checked all new year wishes and wished everyone back.  So, What's next?...  New Year Resolutions (NYRs). I decided to swim at least once in a week, since my apartment has a nice pool. Got into the pool, did other usual activities, prayers etc, and my day was made on 1st Jan 2020. :)

January: I was able to maintain my NYRs... (New Year Resolutions...)

February: I traveled to USA in first week.  USA Immigration took more than 5+ hours.  Can you imagine? It was very unusual for a developed country to take this much time in immigration.  History started here..

Think about standing in a single queue for many hours, after being in a 15+ hours nonstop flight from India. I saw many kids were crying, many folks missing connection flights, saddy faces, everyone was tired and asking why this much time.  Immigration officers were doing their best and excellent job on that day. Then, why this much time in queue?...  Officers were checking every pass port page, checked whether I visited China in last few months, and asked few more questions.  People visited china in last few months, were asked to go for additional testing. Also, whoever had cold and fever were asked to go for additional test.  

Whoever in masks were looked at differently in Feb 2020.  History started and its yet to be Accepted..

OK, I managed to get into USA for my usual business meetings, had wonderful planning discussions for 2020. Yes, I was with my NYRs too, maintained my discipline, diet, swimming etc... After few weeks, came back to India. Wow, no queue in immigration, felt like bird back at itz own nest... :)

March: Lock down started.... History started everywhere. 2020 looked different.  I never worked from home officially, got into new experience. My kids felt happy for first few days... 

So, what happened in next few months...  Lock down 1.0, 2.0, 3.0... X.0 and Unlock 1.0, 2.0 and X.X.....2020 made history and everyone has memorable moments.

Some of my historical moments:

• Worked from farm. :).... Mac under the Mango tree was born
  
• My son started his first school (LKG) via online classes. Who is my teacher now? :) Is it my laptop?
• My daughter attended online classes, online exams and online dance classes.  She knows pros and cons of online classes vs In-Person classes with teachers
  
• My wife attended YOGA classes online. Adjusted with all of us at home. :)
• Good amount of time with family members, attended many events, fun moments, arguments etc.
• Zoom time with friends, funky fights - Did we think virtual zoom time with friends?

Everyone is with masks now, aware of hygiene ad health consciousness.  2020 made history ...

OK, What happened to NYRs?. When there is no swimming pool, how do I swim? :).   Yes, it made me to change my resolution, and taught about "Know your limits, live with nature, show humanity everywhere."

I was in my cultural costume most of the days in 2020. :)

 

Some other key moments:

• Roads, Railway Stations, Bus stops, Airports - Never seen empty like this in life.  -  Will history repeat?
  
• Doctors, Nurses, essential public service workers and farmers - Stayed at work. Everyone else worked from home. - Which one should be our profession? 
• Nature won and proven its value
  

How about 2021?

• Quality of life - This is debatable with everyone.  Time to plan 2021 NYRs for better life
  
• Quality of work - Take a moment and think.  Quality comes with Cost :)
  
• Work life balance -  Are we at best here? Can we have NYRs for this?
  
• Humanity & Innovations - What could be my NYRs to bring interesting facts in my life, society, and family?
  

I changed my resolution, changed many things too since 2020 made everything to change and everyone to adapt.  Hoping to have good, healthy and prosperous 2021 NYRs.

Advance Happy New Year Wishes to all. :)

See you all next year...