Inspiration!

Met an amazing and interesting person in the gym in the hotel here in Richardson. Helped her a week before for  carrying her water bottle pack. She thanked me and we had a small talk going on in no time with her running on the treadmill and me cycling (carefully not showing the strain on my face..he he). I was telling her that I had been hitting the gym for 2 months now and still could not run on the treadmill. She took a look at me and asked me to guess her weight. Hmm...I stammered and stuttered and said am poor in Math! (why hurt a lady!). She said that she was 140 pounds and told me that she could run a mile now. And then she suddenly went digging into her phone and out popped a photo. She said that it was her six years ago. And my...it was someone who was thrice her size! She said her weight then was 260 pounds! To cut a short story shorter, she gave me tips on how to change small things in the way I eat; taught me to use the weight machine for developing muscles (as they burn fat even two hours after you exercise) and most important of all, told me that I would need to be patient in reducing weight. It takes time to lose. Just keep going is all she said. I was just stumped by her.Truly an inspiration! And in all this melee, forgot to ask her name!

Hike to Spring Creek Natural Area

Did the bike hike to Spring Creek Natural Area today in 7 Celsius and the sun shining! Nice trail with lots of winding paths up and down the creek dotted with bridges over the creek. Lot of bikers too.  The path along the DART train path is particularly good. Did an hour and half of biking today. 

Appa

I remember asking my Appa (dad), when I was 12 years old, as to what money he had in his bank account. He told an amount which was not what I had imagined. It was so low that I remember feeling depressed that whole day.

When I was 15 years old, I went to my first movie with friends alone. Till then, it was always with family.

When I was 16 years old, he told me the importance of having a driving license for a (motor) bike (without gear). He taught me to drive his TVS Champ (50 cc). I got my license soon and he gave his Champ, his Champ. I used to be the only one with license in my 11th grade and happily drive around.

Coming to think of it, Appa never asked me to stay indoors and study all the time. In fact, I do not recollect him asking me to study even one day. I studied as I pleased and played as I pleased.

Appa's appa (Grandpa) was a farmer turned Military personnel. He retired a Subedar. Appa made his transition from his carefree life in the village to a struggling lawyer to the city.

When I left my TAFE job to pursue something else (with no other job), Appa did not talk to me for 10 days. That is the only time, I remember him that way. Then, Infy happened.

Everyday morning, I used to have a driver (Muthu anna) who dropped me in our old Ambassador car to my office. Muthun will then go back to pick Appa and drop him in court. When going to my office, I used to stop at 'her' place to pick her up. This used to delay my Appa's schedule. One day, when she called my home to reach me, Appa picked up. He told her "No problem in what is happening. I am quite happy about it. But can you send the car earlier?" I was furious then on hearing this from her. But now...I cannot stop laughing at this.

My father did not teach me 'money'. He taught me 'Freedom' and living a content life.

This is the single most important lesson I will pass to Nandan and the WIP kid. :)