Finally Turning 30!

As I watched the sun set on the 17th of June 2012, it struck me these were the last rays that would ever shine on me in my 20s. The next time I saw the sun I would be over the hump, officially into middle age. The very last day of my “youth” :D

And what a day it was! All thanks to Anupa who’s given me some memorable moments to ruminate on. We woke up early at 7:00 – we  never do that. I had to finish my meditation and programming before we left at 8:00. I haven’t missed either one for almost two months now and it’s important to me that I don’t break the streak. When we left, the day was bright, the grass was green and the sky was cloudless. A perfect June day and afternoon – just like in the song by Roxette.

Probably one of the most exhausting I’ve ever had. We went canoeing for close to three hours with me sitting behind and Anupa steering the front. Learning how to coordinate and steer was quite a task. Thank god the river was nice and placid! We were exhausted by the time it was over. Then we went clothes shopping for me in a nearby mall and got a good set to wear so I’m not left hanging on formal occasions. And then the last part of the evening – the beach.

I tell you I’ve never seen one like that. It was a beach of dreams. White sand, more fine than any I’ve experienced. The sea stretching out to infinity, clean waters. You know how in Marina beach in Chennai, as the waves break it looks brown because the sand itself is brown? Over here, the color was clear. The whole vista was so unspoiled…pristine.

The lovely beach

We sat there for close to an hour, watching the sun set over the sea. I took in everything – the waves, the cool breeze, the shifting color of the sun as it set and how it lit up the clouds. I went into a mini meditation zone and captured that scene for future reference. It’s burned into my mind. If I think about it now, I can call up every last little detail. I used it this morning as a meditation prep. I don’t know if I’ll ever see it again, but I’m grateful I got the chance to see it just once.

And then we tracked the sun as it sank under the horizon. And that was the last it would ever shine on my in my 20s. The next time I saw it, I would be middle aged. It was incredibly satisfying to know that my last day before 30 was so perfect. We made it home and stopped to pick up a lemon cream pie. On midnight I spoke to my parents for a while and opened Anupa’s present- a luscious comic book collection covering the Hush story arc of Batman!

No one does birthdays like my wife :D

I rather enjoy the idea of being 30 now. It seemed that I’d spent way too much time reaching here. Was looking forward to finally completing my third decade of existence for quite long now. And it was good. But hey – there’s gonna be plenty more of this:

Next goal – 40. I have my sights firmly set on this milestone. I will not be deterred and I know I have the good will and support of those who love me. The way will be rocky and the path twisted, but I will persevere! Barring an early death, nothing can keep me from achieving my goal! I just have to take it…one day at a time :)