I've very rarely felt true, unadulteratred happiness for someone else without feeling a little sad about myself. The happiness I felt for my friends wasn't marked with jealousy or envy, but a slight tinge of wistfulness for myself.

A very, very dear and close friend of seven years got engaged yesterday. It all happened so suddenly that even though we were expecting this news to come our way, when it finally came-- It took me off gaurd. And so did the happiness that burst from within. So pure, so joyous and it was all for her. And I didn't feel a wee bit wistful for myself. I felt so happy that I wanted to fly banners and scream out to everyone that my friend got engaged!

I came to work early and called Madhu, the one who I was pissed with coz she cancelled coming to Philly for the break. I woke her up, (Cali is a couple of hours behind) and squealed as I told her of "the" news! If she wasn't awake before, now she was! It was so bitter-sweet. If we were still 17, we would have both cried.
- it seemed so silly to still be mad at Madhu and not share this excitement with her just coz she didn't come to Philly. Besides, I missed her terribly.

Then I woke up Sameer in Canada and told him the news. And got mad at him for not showing his excitement. I talked to him for a couple of minutes and before hanging up he said, tell me tina's news when you meet me online or I'll think this was a dream. I yelled at him again and then hung up.

Life is beautiful. :) I called Tina and she was at her "fiances" cousin's wedding (In bbay, duh!) It was soo eeire! She's suddenly someones future mami and kaki and bhabhi! LOL. This.....22 year old pink-snowflake of mine is someone's bhabhi, how dope is that?! (dope is the new word I picked up from Brandon)

I thought to myself, if Tina could say yes to spending her entire life with a man she's known via an arranged setting for a few months, I can definitely gather the courage to think of myself married to R. Tina's engagement has given me a strange but sublime courage and an appreciation for what I have.

I've warned everyone, including R, that there is NO way we are to miss her wedding in Dec 2006. So brace yourself Bombay-- Madhu, Sameer, R and me are coming to Bombay. Who knows? this time, next year we'll prolly be dancing at her wedding or getting drunk at her spinster' party! I missed Rati's wedding this December, there is no way I'm going to miss Tinas.

My roommate Gauri kinda hinted her parents about Sharan. Maybe wedding bells will ring for them too!! Ti's the season of merriment and joyfulness. I think I've gotten my best Christmas gift.

Whats most wonderful about growing up with friends is that you see them go through everything- boyfriends, break-ups, academic qualifications, first-jobs, first-salaries, first-time sex, first car ....and then marriage. It is a feeling I cannot describe. It reminds you of much much more you still have to share, it reminds you that even though the time you get to spend with each other becomes less- it begins to mean more and it becomes more precious. When we graduated Mithibai in 2001, we made an oath to never lose each other. Vitamin C's, Graduation Day, was "our" song. I'm nostalgic and happy.

Another friend of mine is (hopefully) very close to realizing his dream. And it makes me happy because I saw him work hard for it- I saw the desperation and passion in his efforts and this is what he deserves. It's an interview call-- and I know he will nail it. You go , Vivek!

Now if I don't stop talking about my friends, I'm going to really cry. I'm just so happy today. I love you all.