New Year's Resolutions

My 2012 New Year's resolution was to read more. I set a goal of one book a month. I realize this isn't very lofty, but is a good bar for me. To date I have completed 11 books:


Vision in White (Nora Roberts)



The Monsters of Templeton (Lauren Groff- an Amherst friend)



Bond Girl (Erin Duffy)




The Descendants (Kaui Hart Hemmings)


The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
The Hunger Games 2 (Suzanne Collins)
The Hunger Games 3 (Suzanne Collins)




Fifty Shades of Grey (E.L. James)
Fifty Shades of Grey 2 (E.L. James)
Fifty Shades of Grey 3 (E.L. James)


Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)

And currently I'm reading:


Twilight 2 (Stephenie Meyer)- 32% done




11/22/63 (Stephen King) - 41% done

Not exactly high literature, but all very enjoyable. I hope to expand to something a little more respectable (at least as my non-treadmill reading book- that will probably still be trashy). My favorites have been the Hunger Games series and 11/22/63 (so far).

I decided on next year's New Year's resolution, but figured there is no reason to wait until 2013. In fact I am not sure I will continue once I am back in the states, but I want to retroactively commit to a 2012 New Year's resolution. I want to provide at least 2 online reviews a month, or 24 for the year.

I buy at least half of my consumed goods online and often rely heavily on reviews, be it an Amazon book review, a yelp review to find a tailor, or banana republic customers reviewing fit. While I am a user of reviews, I am not a provider, so I want to give back to the community. Avoid the Tragedy of the Commons, not that it really applies.

The impetuous for this new resolution is a New York Times article talking about a new profession springing up: people who get paid to write positive online reviews. The article is specifically speaking of book reviews, but I am sure it is a matter of time before it spreads to all items- in fact I am sure a lot of positive reviews out there aren't from unbiased consumers.

I already have a few LinkedIn recommendations I want to provide, and promised a hairdresser I'd give a yelp review. After that I am not sure how I pick an item. I guess when I feel passionate about something I will go forth and review! Happy New Year 2012!!! 

Hill station get-away

After a few weekends in Mumbai I decided it was time to get out and explore the world beyond the city. A friend suggested I check out a hill station: the weekend get-aways of Mumbai  folk. Are you thinking the Hamptons? Martha's Vineyard? Tahoe? Not exactly, but maybe it's a  little like Fire Island, if you replace the gay men with wild monkeys, plan on hiking instead of high tea, and envision lush green forests instead of the ocean. Actually not like Fire Island at all, is it?

The one I went to was recommended by my business school friend, Suds, and is one of the closer and smaller of the hill stations. Matheran is about 2 hours from Mumbai and doesn't allow automobiles at all, so you have to hike in from the parking lot. Or take a horse. We are currently in the rainy season therefore a lot of the hotels/guest houses were closed and it wasn't crowded. Below are pictures from the fun adventure I had in Matheran with John, another Citi ex-pat.

In line to get train tickets. There were little smelly fish in those baskets. 

Inside the famous Victory Station in the South of Mumbai. 

Outside of the famous Victory Station (photo taken a few weeks ago)

What looks like a dictator getting his shoes shined (notice the gun slung over his far shoulder) 

a doggy enjoying a nap in the middle of the bustling station

our train

There was one air conditioned car on the 10+ car train. This was it. It was therefore about 3 times the price of an open window train. And cost us about $3 for the 90Km trip. 

Upon arrive in Neral I decided it was my favorite Indian town

google guy buying some flower ornaments

we had just began our hike to Matheran when we saw these horsies.  We were offered a ride on them many many times. 

lunch at our guest house. 

                                                     

we had some monkeys keeping us company for lunch

after lunch we went for a hike for a few hours. The soil was of such a color that the puddles were bright orange. 

how cute is this little pit stop on the hike?

we made it to the lake. 

don't know what that says, but I'm sure it's inspirational 

see the monkeys?

This is the view from Louisa Point. 

playing with a panoramic app on my phone. This is a 180 degree view. 

I love these little stands! 

2 points if you see the monkey

Chicken chillin

Instagram makes me feel like such a poetic photographer

look close. What do you see?

Family of Monkeys! 

back in town after the hike

the statues in the park all had umbrellas over them

Spanish Tomato Tango chips. 

On the way back to the parking lot we decided to experience the horsies. 

                                         

view of town from atop the horsie

And when I returned home I had a lovely dim sum dinner with ex pat friends at the Chinese restaurant in my hotel

What a beautiful weekend!