October 21, 2009

Greetings from New York

"Sabbatical ... is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year."
"Sabbatical has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something."
- Wikipedia

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I've set off on another journey. Not that I need a reason to travel but as I give it a thought, it’s for a few reasons:

Firstly, to take a much needed break from routine, especially the routine of office work. I am on a sabbatical.

Secondly, to find a differently quiet corner so as to settle down someplace (no, I do not mean immigrating) and study, as I have to appear for my exams again in January 2010. That will be second year's.

Thirdly, to reward myself for listening to my inner voice that life is not all about employment, success, finance, family, friends, parties, challenges, commitments, stress - to name a few that crops up in my mind this moment. There must be more to life than this. Right now, I can think of good health to enjoy and a beautiful world and the kinship of people out there. I am glad to have given heed to the call of the humming and inexorable now - as far as my dreams are concerned - rather than keeping it for later and probably forgetting it with time.

Fourthly, to fulfil yet another one of my "travel dreams" on my "wishlist" and that is, to enjoy the autumn colors in the east coast of the USA where it is supposedly the best. I'm presently in Manhattan and have already had a glimpse of the awesome changing colors of the foliage in and around New York. Let me see where the road will take me from here.

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For a change, I'm carrying my laptop along during this journey, so I shall be in touch and visit my “blog friends” as soon as possible. I hope my Indian friends have had a joyous Diwali filled with festivities.

Have you taken a sabbatical or come across anyone who has? If yes, has it been a choice made not to regret? Would you like to share your views or experience on this matter?

14 comments:

Mridula said...

Someone like me will not be able to do it, so I admire it all the more to see that you went out and did it! Enjoy.

indicaspecies said...

Mridula,
Thank you. I presume you are referring to checking out the fall colors, am I right? Or is it the sabbatical?

indicaspecies said...

Mridula,
Thanks for your email and the positive statement on the sabbatical.
Not that I must have any affirmation, but it would be good to receive more views on the matter.

Anuradha Shankar said...

All the best and have fun!!! Its great that you can take a sabbatical..... go ahead and make the most of it..

indicaspecies said...

Anu,
Thank you.:)

Namita Chandra said...

This ones on my wish list too. But I can only holiday when children have vacations. Enjoyed the photographs.

Lakshmi said...

you really go places dont you..Ive been on a sabbatical for the last two years and have hardly gone anywhere in that sense :) have a great trip

Nisha said...

Taking sabbatical to go places is what I like here. :)

Looking forward to your experience of it.

All the best and have fun !

indicaspecies said...

Namita,
Thank you. I hope you get a chance to vacation during the Autumn.

Lakshmi,
Thank you. You were in Leh, Ladakh recently and that is awesome!

Nisha,
Thanks. I'll post some pictures for sure.

Anonymous said...

This scenery is more familiar to me than the Himalaya!

Enjoy North America and let me know if you cross to Canada ;-)

My Unfinished Life said...

autumn in new york...hmm...going by the pics u have posted...it seems to be a lovely season there

SandyCarlson said...

I know clergy who have done that. They come back refreshed and renewed. I wish you a wonderful time.

Vamsee Modugula said...

Celine,
I really admire you for following your heart and taking a sabbatical.
I was just talking to a friend who was worried sick about what a break will do to her career. We are so bogged by doing the right thing for our careers and finances, that we forget to do the right thing for happiness. So, kudos to you.

Coming to NY, u picked the absolute best place to visit in fall. If you have the time, take a drive to the Adirondack NP. The fall colors there are just awesome. I love pictures of pumpkin patches. If you have not already tasted it, please have a piece of pumpkin pie (warm, with ice cream on the side)

Oh, and thanks for the correction wrt Latin names on my blog. I had no idea.

Priyank said...

Awesome Celine, perfect time, perfect place and perfect philosophy. :)