Yet another year has flown by- it seems like only a few months before that I was writing this! 

Last Xmas was a fairly quiet time at home with family and friends. Work had been busy so it was good to get the few days break. 

This year has been very hectic workwise so sorry not to have corresponded with everyone on a regular basis. Hopefully this will give you a flavour of what’s happening in our lives. The highlight of the year was definitely our holiday to the Far East over the summer. Originally we’d planned to go to Sri Lanka but the boys rejected that one so we compromised on going to Malaysia, Thailand and Dubai., provided there was not going to be too much sightseeing. We started off in Malaysia (KL is a really lively city) and went to the oldest rainforest in the world for a few days (rest and relaxation being with nature and walking on the highest and longest canopy in the world – it’s really a bridge not a canopy but very high up and scary – I must have said ny navkar mantra a few hundred times). After that it was back to KL and then to Cameroon highlands (very British old colonial style ) boys had a lot of fun playing golf and tennis etc. Travelling was really easy – had planned to go to Penang but everyone was keen on getting to Thailand quickly so we had a half hour stop in butterworth before taking taxis and buses to go to Phuket. – very touristy and livley but beautiful too. All but me had a go at go-kart racing and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After this we flew to Chiang Mai , Chiang Rai, golden triangle, Laos where we indulged in the 3 Ss – Shopping, sporting activities and scenic sightseeing. Then took train to Bangkok which was hustle and bustle city-more shopping and sightseeing this time with temples

After this dubai which was hot and I mean hot. Nikhil fell a little ill and so couldn’t join us for the jeep safari which was amazing. More shopping here too.

My main achievement this year was doing the moonwalk- we’d registered back in October so from Jan / Feb it was serious training and I mean serious. This was more than we’d trained for the 3 Peaks challenge but by the time 15 May it was a bit of a doddle as I managed to walk the marathon distance (26 miles and ? yards) in 7 hours and 47 minutes  starting from midnight and walking through the night. This was followed by a hearty breakfast of chai and parathas at my house courtesy of Bena who’d come over to make all the food. There were around 30 of us (a few doing the half moon) but most doing the full moonwalk  All of us finished, some quicker than others but for all it was the exhilaration of completing the challenge that was the most satisfying. 

Hitesh’s main achievements this year has been coaching the under 15 Herts county badminton team and managing the team matches. Both Nikhil and Ajun are in the Herts Sqaud (Nikhil now in the under 17) and so this is an extension of his chauffering role but more satisfying especially as he can see the improvement in all the kids. He’s passed his first stage of coaching exams and is planning to take the 2^nd level shortly. Aside from that he continues to chauffer the kids to their various sporting activities, pick them up from school whenever required, coaches badminton to other non county kids on Saturday (where he is ably assisted by 2 promising young stars Nikhil and Arjun) and Sunday , plays golf on Saturdays and runs his business in between all this.

So what about the kids?

Well, Nikhil has had another successful year- In March he was invited to become a member of NAGTY (National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth ) –he obviously thinks this is a definitely uncool move and didn’t want to join but when threatened with having to miss out on the school skiing trip, reason prevailed. He also had to promise to go on to one of their summer schools but by the time he applied the places were filled up. So he’s got that to look forward to next year. Academically he continues to do really well and gained a Gujarati GCSE in the summer getting a B overall but an A* in his oral. He also had his Key Stage 3 and gained a level 8 in his maths and Level 7 in his science. The English results were not published at the time due to some fiascos and are still challenged.

Sportswise, he continues to play squash and badminton for the county; In February he was the joint winner of SE U15 tournament- joint winner because they ran out of time to play the finals. He went on the school skiing trip in April and had a wonderful time as usual. skiing with some of the best juniors in the country who just happen to be at Parmiters. In the summer he represented Harrow at the London youth Games in squash and they came plate runners up. In September he won the U15 boys Middlesex squash closed. It was a tense nerve racking match to watch where he lost the first 2 sets and we’d pretty much given up on him but he came back from the dead to clinch it in a nailbiting 5^th .. Now Nikhil has started playing in the men’s league for squash and is really enjoying the challenge.

Last week he won the Oshwal Men’s squash for the 3^rd year running , this time without conceding a point. He also took the county referee exams and has passed the theory, now just need to pass the practical tests.

Nikhil’s also recently started his Duke of Edinburgh training and will be undertaking the bronze award next year. For his skill, he’s going to be helping coach the squash kids.

As for Arjun, he just seems to be flourishing with his studies at school and now really takes pride in his work. He’s also busy preparing for his GCSE Gujarati (aiming to get at least a B – sibling rivalry there). As for sports, he was in the Under 13 semi finals for badminton, represented the county in the national finals and shires league finals. As for squash, he just moved up to the under 15’s and so lost in the quarter finals, but he continues to play a lot of badminton and generally comes in the quarter finals or semi-finals and recently came plate runner up in the under 18 doubles. Arjun also won the Oshwal Youth Games for the under 16 the 3^rd year running and represented Harrow in the London youth Games. Arjun also plays in the men’s squash league and recently played a man around 60 which apparently was a funny match to watch (like David and Goliath) Arjun narrowly lost in the 5^th.

They both continue to represent the school in cricket, basketball and occasionally football and tennis. They also go regularly to Shishukunj, which Nikhil particularly enjoys since finishing his Gujarati.

Other events that have been happening in the year include a visit from my mama and mami and cousins from India (my mum was really pleased to have ),, Hitesh’s cousin’s wedding which was a very simple but elegant occasion . We’ve also had visitors from the States including my sister Niru, her husband (for a flying visit before his main trip to Thailand) and Hitesh’s brother, sister-in law and niece.

One major event that happened in our lives was my mum suffered a heart attack in October. This was a complete shock to all of us especially her, but she recovered very quickly and was discharged after a week’s stay. Unfortunately she didn’t take heed and then suffered another attack within a month after which she had a long stay in hospital and angioplasty operation.. All of this was quite sobering and puts everything else in perspective. Thankfully she’s is now recuperating and taking it easy and the support that she’s had from everyone has been wonderful. Thanks especially to Manjula and  Niru who have been busy for the last couple of months taking food to the hospital and Niru’s had to postpone her trip to Yorkshire. 

Mum’s heart attack has made us realise that our parents are getting frail and won’t be around for ever so it’s best to take time out to spend time with them . Hitesh’s mum has been staying with us for the last few months and she also has to take a lot of medication but is generally doing OK currently. 

I hope that 2005 will be a peaceful and happy one for all of us and that all your aspirations and dreams come to fruition.