There is nothing like being stuck in planes and airports for 24 hours + forcing me to catch up on some writing. As much as I love travel, I hate the part of sitting in airports or planes for hours on end, feeling claustrophobic and helpless.

It is that time of the year, where I head home to Sri Lanka to see my family and friends.

I sit here sipping on over priced coffee, watching everyone around me on their electronic devices trying not to make eye contact with the person next to them, just in case conversation ensues. I am not in a position to point fingers, when I am doing exactly the same thing.  I stop for a moment and look around me, trying to see if there is anyone that looks vaguely interesting and just maybe I could strike up a conversation to kill time. However, all I see is couples engrossed in themselves, parents trying to keep their kids entertained or others who look like they are traveling for work on their devices or phones. I sigh and get back to my writing.

There is a part of me that is excited to be going back and seeing everyone and then there is another part of me that dreads the thought of being back and dealing with the chaos that somehow seems to rear its ugly head.

But instead of worrying about what may happen, I want to instead reminisce of the year that was.

2017 was one heck of a year for me!  It involved a lot of traveling and adventures and sometimes misadventures, but I wont forget all the exciting places I got to visit. Wyoming, Denver, Charleston-South Carolina, Savannah-Georgia and Asheville North Carolina and the trips overseas, Germany, Norway, London, Switzerland, Sweden, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Despite all that, the highlight of the year was running 6 half-marathons and the Marine Corps Marathon. The anticipation building up to that moment, standing there at the start line and then crossing that finish line is something I will not forget. It seems like it was only a few days ago that I felt the adrenaline of it all.  I hope that in 2018 I will be able to experience it all over again.

The challenging part for 2017 was trying to make my dream of being self-employed a reality. It was a true test of myself and my capabilities. I am yet unsure if I am made of steel and if can or want to continue down that road or if I am going to take the easy road and throw in the towel and find myself a 9-5 job. As much as I enjoyed not just the challenge but the freedom to be creative in the kitchen, it is no easy feat to chase a dream.

They announce boarding for my flight, I grab my computer and head off to find my seat and get ready for a 14 hour-long flight to my next destination.

I sit by the window watching the city getting smaller and smaller. I am lost in the clouds and along with it lost in a cloud of thoughts.

Running, baking seem pretty uncomplicated in comparison to my personal life. Trying to sustain romantic relationships seems to be the hardest part for me. Despite having recovered from all the heartbreak, I find it hard to put too much effort into maintaining relationships. I seem to struggle to balance it all.  Not having too much time over the weekends make it harder. I can’t stay out late on a Friday night because I have to wake up early to be at the farmers market, I can’t stay up late on a Saturday night, because I have to go for my long run on Sunday. Those seem to be lines that kill any hopes of romantic relationships. Not many people understand my need for the baking or the running and that it is my salvation.

As the plane descends and I watch the lights on the runway grow brighter, I tell myself that 2018 will be a better year for me. I will continue to run and bake and maybe chase my dream or throw in the towel and just maybe it is the year I learn to sustain a romantic relationship. But mostly I hope that I have the courage and the strength to face whatever challenges that are thrown my way.

I wish everyone the best for 2018 and hope that you have the courage, strength and wisdom to take on everything that comes your way.