Yet another year has flown by- not that much older but maybe a little wiser!. 

Last Xmas this time we were in Lake Tahoe enjoying a truly spectacular White Christmas and skiing on the slopes on Xmas day with Sanjay and Ila- It was absolutely magical. We’d begun the trip on 17 December in San Francisco and then gone to Yosemite for a few days-It was truly spectacular. Then had gone skiing with Sanjay Ila and family before heading off south to Los Angeles and San Diego- spending New Year on the beach. Took the pacific highway going back to San Francisco and the drive itself was just magnificent. California is a wonderful place and we had a lovely time with Sanjay, Ila and the kids.

January was a bit of a damper after the wonderful holiday but everything was in full swing- my work was getting busy and kids were busy with school work and all their activities. On the last day of January we had a blizzard and everyone got caught in the snow without any warning- No-one was prepared and kids got home around 5 hours later- I got home around 11pm but there were horror stories everywhere.Lots of cars were skidding on the roads and Hitesh acted like the Good Samaritan that he is and helped out with the pushing of cars etc on Kenton road. The gritters and police were nowhere to be seen. 

In February Nikhil went skiing with the school- it was his first school trip and had an absolutely fabulous time- The British junior number 1 skier happens to be at Parmiters and Nikhil was in the top group with this boy- He was the youngest one in his group and they really took care of him- Both Nikhil and Arjun are very confident skiers and never say no to a skiing holiday- they don’t like many other holidays though!

Over the Easter holidays we had a short holiday with some friends in Britain.

The highlight of the year was the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge which took place in June. This was organised by Jain Spirit and involved a walk of around 24 miles scaling the 3 highest peaks in yorkshire. We had decided to take part as a family and had to undertake regular training sessions particularly me as I was the least fit.

The challenge was to do it in 12 hours –Nikhil and Arjun did it in 9 hours and we took 11 and a half hours- Hitesh waited for me for over an hour before the last peak. It was a great achievement and I was so proud of the boys.

In October Arjun went to Barcelona for a football trip; Nikhil and I went to Paris for a few days

We also decide to get the house decorated in September – this is still ongoing and Hitesh has been coping with the builders and shifting etc.

My work is keeping me really busy now- The International Accounting Standards implementation is supposed to take place on 1/1/2005 so next year will be even more hectic

Bena and bhabhi continue to send food parcels and Hitesh cooks a lot as well; Kaka always buys the fruit and vegetables especially the lemons- I’ve run out lemons now that Kaka and Ba are in India! Without this support I would really find it difficult to cope

Both Nikhil and Arjun continue to be as sporty as ever- Before flying off to California we’d taken part in the Oshwal Games and Nikhil won the Men’s squash event- a tremendous achievement at age 13; Arjun won the under 16 boys squash; I came second in the ladies and Hitesh won the darts doubles.

This year( last week) Nikhil successfully defended the men’s squash titles in the Oshwal games as did Arjun for the boys; I again came second partly due to a lucky draw and Hitesh came third in the darts doubles. Nikhil was also playing football in the under 16 and is in the finals- these are to be held next week

Also Arjun was runners up in under 13 boys squash in Middlesex this year- he narrowly lost and was gutted; Nikhil was a semi –fianlist in the under 15 event

In Badminton Arjun was promoted to a Grade 2 player- rated in the top 50 in the country for under 13 and was invited to 2 world class assessment days by the Badminton Association as well some invitation only tournaments. He really enjoyed the coaching on the assessment days and was upset that he didn’t get selected – Selection however would have meant he gives up squash etc

Arjun won the Boys doubles under 13 in Hertfordshire and was a semi-finalist in the mixed doubles ; he was also a plate finalist in the under 15 mixed doubles

Over the summer he played a lot of cricket for the school and some tennis as well as basketball and football in winter

Nikhil also went for selection for Herts for badminton this year and was selected; he continues to play both squash and badminton and also played cricket and tennis for the school.

In music Nikhil finished his Grade 3 trumpet and decided to give it up. Arjun continues to play the clarinet and passed his grade 2 . He played in the school orchestra both in the summer and over Xmas.

They continue to go to Shishukunj and Nikhil is planning to take his GCSE in Gujarati next year

The year has presented us with lots of  challenges- I’ve taken to driving the boys long distances at weekends for their sporting commitments as Hitesh has to take them on weekdays. I’m so grateful to have such wonderful kids and loving husband and such a supportive family. 

I hope that 2004 will be a peaceful and happy one for all of us and that all your aspirations and dreams come to fruition.