My Inner Shakti

finding strength in everyday things

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I Was Selected for the…

written by Parita 7 Comments

…Liebster award!

My friend and fellow blogger Heather asked if I wanted to participate, and since I love completing surveys/answering questions, I said yes.

So let’s get started!

What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who walk super duper slow and then don’t move out of the way when they see/hear people coming.  Actually, just inconsiderate people in general.

How did you come up with your blog name?
I knew I wanted my blog name to incorporate the Indian culture in some way.  As I was cleaning my kitchen one night, I started brainstorming potential names.  This was actually the same night I decided to start blogging.  Almost immediately the word strength came to mind, and then I thought about what the Indian equivalent for that was…SHAKTI which is strength in Sanskrit!  When I told Vishnu that I named my blog Inner Shakti, he suggested adding My to make it more personal.  Done and done!

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My parents are my biggest inspiration.  Not only have the given me and my sister anything and everything we could ever need/want, but they continue to enrich their own lives with meaningful pursuits and experiences.  Even when it’s hard to do so, they have fun and make the most of every situation. 

Mom and Dad

What’s the riskiest decision you have ever made?
In the spring of 2008, my friend Jigna and I decided that we wanted to be adventurous and spontaneous.  So we decided to go skydiving.  Except we didn’t tell anyone.  When we got to the site, we basically signed our lives away (I almost backed out at this point).  It was one of the most thrilling experiences of my life, but looking back, I now realize how risky it was.  Never again!

Skydiving

What is one thing that they should teach in school that isn’t being taught right now?
Two things – personal finance and nutrition.  These two topics need to be weaved into every school’s curriculum across the country.  I truly believe our country’s future depends on it.

If you could hear anyone from history give a speech who would it be?
Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.  Kind of expected I know, but these two men fought long and hard for equality and their messages weren’t as much political in nature as they were human.  Regardless of what anyone says, these two men put their lives on the line for progress, change, and love.  

Gandhi quote
Source

What is your favorite aspect of your blog?
I honestly love how random my blog is.  Not only does that afford me the opportunity to write about whatever I want, but it makes the process of blogging so much fun.  It never feels like a chore because no topic is off limits!

What is your favorite accent?
The British accent.  LOVE! 

Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
I would rather be able to fly.  Think of all the savings – gas, airfare, time, etc!  Someone needs to get on this ASAP.

If you had to give one object to every person in the world what would it be?
I would give every person in the world a picture of someone else in the world.  On the back of the picture would be that person’s story – who they are, where they live, what they love, what they struggle with, etc.  A twist on Humans of New York if you will!

Happy Monday!

Answer one or all of these!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
What’s the riskiest decision you have ever made?
Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?

Written on February 23, 2015 Related:Blogging, random, survey

Quick Update + The Liebster Award

written by Parita 5 Comments

While things have ramped down a little bit around here, I feel like they’re going to pick back up just like that.  Between mine and Vishnu’s travel schedules for the rest of the year, things are going to be nuts!  In the last week alone, I’ve booked four separate trips…and that’s just the beginning.  Oy vey!  More on all that to come later.

Vishnu and I finally got around to “celebrating” our 2nd wedding anniversary and 9th dating anniversary this week.  Our original plan was to go out to a fancy shmancy restaurant for a meal that would have cost more than we’ve ever paid for food before.  But luckily we came to our senses and decided to keep it low key and opted for Shake Shack instead.  It was honestly what we both needed and wanted.  He was exhausted from studying, and I had a busy day at work.  All we wanted to do was eat decent food and talk…and Shake Shack delivered!

Shake Shack Miami
Vishnu got the Smokehouse burger and a B&W milkshake, while I ordered the Portobello burger and a PB + chocolate shake…with a side of fries to share of course.

Like I said, just what we needed!

P&V4
An elevator selfie to remember the night!

After we got home, I sat down on the couch and didn’t get up for another hour or so.  Why?  Oh because I’m binge watching another show…New Girl.  I have problems!  But at least they’re fun problems!  I am almost done with Season 1 and just now really beginning to love all the characters.  I’m hoping I can stretch this show out until the new season premieres in September.  We’ll see…I don’t exactly have the best record with this stuff!

On to the second part of this post!

Selena from Nom Nom Crunch nominated me for the Liebster Award,  and she came up with 10 questions for me to answer.  So here we go!!

What are your top 5 workout playlist songs?
I usually listen to podcasts when I workout and therefore haven’t updated my playlist in a VERY long time.  But the five songs that always pump me up no matter what are…

1. Culo – Pitbull
2. Desi Girl (a Bollywood song)
3. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee
4. Give Me Everything – Pitbull
5. Wake Me Up – Avicii

I’m never in the know when it comes to music, so if you have any good recs, let me know!

What’s one food you wish you could learn to like?
Cilantro.  Unfortunately, I’m a member of the “cilantro tastes gross” club.  Event though I’m slowly coming around, it’s not something I would choose to eat given the option.

Your biggest pet peeve.
It’s hard to pick just one!  Haha.  But if I had to choose, I would say it’s when people are knowingly inconsiderate.

Your go-to snack.
It changes by the week, but recently it’s been Greek yogurt mixed together with a little bit of PB and honey.  YUM. 

Your favorite quote.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “woo hoo – what a ride!”

What is one thing you try to do every day?
As cheesy as it sounds…I try to laugh as much as possible everyday.  Laughter really is exercise for the soul!

Name one TV show you feel guilty or embarrassed to admit you actually like.
The Bachelor/Bachelorette.  Well, that’s a half truth.  I’ve only ever watched one season all the way through, but I always try to tune in for the first episode and the last episode.

How and why did you pick your blog name?
I wanted to incorporate the Indian culture into my blog name, so that’s where the Shakti part comes from.  The original plan was to go with just Inner Shakti, but Vishnu thought the My added a little bit to it and I agreed.  Honestly, I wanted something that highlighted the fact that everything starts with us as individuals, especially what’s inside of us (not in the literal sense though).  Anyways, that’s how My Inner Shakti was named!

What is your favorite workout? (Running? Yoga? Crossfit? Kettlebells?)
Hands down – running!  It’s not always easy, but I find that it’s always worth it.  I’ve never come home from a run and regretted it.

Who inspires you?
My husband, parents, sister, and grandparents are my biggest inspirations.  But I try to find inspiration in everyone that I meet and connect with.  I find that when I really pay attention, everyone has something to offer.

Thanks for nominating me, Selena!  And have a great Friday everyone!

Written on August 1, 2014 Related:Blogging, Life, Marriage, Restaurant

Liebster Award

written by Parita 11 Comments

20130218-185319.jpg

A few weeks ago, a couple of bloggers (Aparna at Not a Leaf and Teach the Teacher) nominated me for the Liebster Blogger Award – thank you very much, ladies!  I believe the award is intended to recognize smaller blogs and to share some blog lovin’ (which is always welcome!).

There are a few rules that the recipient of this award is supposed to follow.  Well, my brain is a little fried right now (and yes, I realize it’s only Tuesday evening), so I’m going to partially do what I’m supposed to.  As part of the process, both Aparna and Teach the Teacher, came up with 11 questions that they wanted other bloggers to answer.  I’m going to answer those questions and hopefully not bore you all to tears with my responses.  Get ready for a lesson in Parita!

Questions from Not a Leaf:

What is one thing you are most looking forward to in 2013?
Moving to Miami and (hopefully) being able to walk to work.  No more crazy commute!  Oh and I’m also looking forward to a fun, tropical vacation in Turks and Caicos!

If you could switch lives with one celebrity, which celebrity would you choose?
Don’t laugh.  Lauren Conrad.  She’s classy and has a great sense of style.  And she’s a smart businesswoman.  I basically love her.

What birthday is most memorable to you?
Honestly, they’re all memorable for different reasons.  But I do love watching the video my dad took of my 10th birthday party. My friends and I reenacted scenes from Aladdin.  I was a dorky and kind of mean Princess Jasmine.  Emphasis on dorky.

What recipe from your childhood do you remember and love the most?
I’ve always been a huge fan of my mom’s food, so it’s hard to pick one thing.  But since I have to choose, I’m going to go with her lasagna.  I still remember helping her in the kitchen – my job was to shred the cheese.  Whenever she wasn’t looking, I’d stuff my little mouth with as much of it as I could.  Ha!

What is your preferred mode of transportation?
Walking.  Not only is it good for the body but it’s also very relaxing for the mind.  Now, I just have to wait for #1 to happen before I can do it all the time!

Best concert you ever went to?
In high school, I went to an Eminem/Snoop Dogg concert, and it was awesome.  You see, the high school me loved rap/hip-hop music.  This Parita likes it but not with the same degree of passion.  Fun fact: when Vishnu and I first became friends, I was obsessed with 50 cent.  Ummm…yeahhhhhh.

Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who, when and where?
Back in high school, I met a number of very popular Bollywood actors at a pre-concert media event. At the end of the whole thing, everyone rushed forward, including me, to get autographs.  I made it in front of my favorite actor only to not have a pen on me.  Within seconds, a bodyguard came and pushed the crowd back…and that was the end of that.  So sad.

Best vacation you remember when you were a kid? (under 18 years old)?
Our trips to India were always crazy fun.  During one of the trips, we travelled around Northern India with my grandparents and went to see the Taj Mahal.  It was incredible.  The history, the splendor, the beauty. I can’t wait to go back with Vishnu one day – he’s never been!

Favorite new hobby, activity or possession?
My Blendtec.  The other day my mom asked me how often we use it.  Truth be told, the answer to that is EVERYDAY!  It’s my new favorite toy.

Is there something you want to learn, but haven’t yet?
I really want to learn the art of photography.  For no other reason than to be able to capture everyday moments in a beautiful, more artistic way.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Everything.  Not joking.  At one point or another I wanted to be the following: a painter, a nurse, a teacher, a newscaster, and a dentist.  And now I work in Human Resources.  Yeah, I don’t know either.

Questions from Teach the Teacher:

Favorite dessert: A big, warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. Always.

Snail mail or email: I love both, but seeing that I have to choose, I’m going to go with snail mail. There’s something special about reading a handwritten card or opening a package that someone took a lot of time to put together just for you. 

Somewhere you dream of traveling: I want to see all of Europe and eat all the food in Europe. It’s on our “things to do now that we’re married” bucket list.  One day we’ll make it happen…one day…

Favorite meal to make:  Plain quinoa, roasted veggies, grilled tofu, and Mmmm sauce. So simple, so good! This meal always hits the spot.

Most memorable pet:  I’m not an animal person. However, I did own a goldfish for about 2.5 days back in the 5th grade.  And then I fed it fruit loops. Oops!

Favorite quote: “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” – Winnie the Pooh

Besides writing, is there another creative outlet you use: Cooking. The kitchen is my studio! I love trying different flavor combinations and seeing what comes of them. Some are tasty winners and others…not so much.

Preferred reading genre:  Oooh…so hard to choose a favorite. But I’ll never say no to a good suspense novel.

Favorite piece of technology: I honestly wish this wasn’t my answer…but my iPhone. I’m trying to break my addiction because it’s so bad that it annoys me. Ha!

Something you can’t live without:  My husband, and yes, I know he’s not a thing.  However, I love him to pieces and can’t imagine my life without him!

Preferred beverage:  Unsweetened iced tea. A weird choice, I know…but I love it!

Ok, done!  Now that you know more about me than you ever cared to, it’s your turn.

  • What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?
  • Is there something you want to learn, but haven’t yet?
  • Snail mail or email?
  • Favorite quote?

Written on March 6, 2013 Related:Blogging, Life, Self

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