Life is whatever u make of it, and the 20's are the time to party and explore, y waste it looking for someone, they will come to u, don't u watch hindi movies!

Happy Birthday!

Seems how it is already tomorrow here in Europe. Happy birthday.

I am in a similar position to you both job wise and relationship wise. I lost two jobs in the same week this year and met some incredible people that I would have loved to date but it just didn't happen. The important thing I learned was I know now what I want and how I was defeating myself trying to please people that didn't need or appreciate it.

The job market sucks big time and finding someone confident, bright, hot and available is hard. But I found that when you stop looking you find the right person. Or someone who might be that person with a bit of work.

Just don't give up. 24 is far too young to become jaded. Be yourself and things and people will come naturally to you. I like your work and I imagine that you would be a pretty awesome person to know in real life.

2009 is going to be very rough for a lot of people.

So as I said in my tweet responses, I have to agree with you with what you feel is happiness. I'm 34 ans still haven't found true happiness yet.

With my family though the health part isn't as good. My sister Holly suffered a major head trauma almost 3 years ago, which basically left her in a semi-vegetative state (she had to have a large portion of her frontal lobe removed). It left her without the ability to communicate or move on her own. She has made some strides over the last 2 and a half years, but she still has a long way to go. The worst part is that it happened 6 months after my dad died, so my mom has had to deal with it by herself since she they live in Missouri, and I live here in SF. Thankfully she has a wonderful support structure, and she herself is still in pretty good health (probably better than me actually). One of my sister's friends has been a great help for her, and goes to be with her when my mom has to work. As for me, well my health could be better. I am trying to do better. I hate to exercise, but I am trying to find something I would want to do, also I am trying to eat a bit better. Also I do have a support structure of my own. My aunt, uncle, and cousin's live out here, so I know that if I need help or just to go and have a nice meal and conversation, there is someone there.

Anyway, not to trying to be a downer, I am happy that my sister is still alive, and at the end of the day, that is the most important thing. And she is a stubborn and willful girl, so I believe that someday she will come back. Maybe not a full 100%, but at least as close to her old self as possible.

Now about jobs and love. I couldn't agree more. 5 years ago I decided to make a change and I moved out here to SF to go to the Academy of Art. My wish is to get involved in the sound side of media (TV, movies, video games, etc). Now that could be on set with a boom pole, or in post doing Foley, I wouldn't care. If it was fun and made me happy (hey there's that word again *grin*), then that would be awesome. I've got one more class to go next spring, and I hope that when I am done I will be able to find something. I keep my fingers crossed anyway. On the love front....I pretty much have given up for now. I know that the reasons I don't have that someone are all my own fault: I'm a might introverted, I don't really get out all that often (partly monetary, mostly shyness, but at least I know it). For the moment though, I think that I need to spend time getting me to where I think I should be, and hopefully the rest will work itself out.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. So take it from someone older, though probably not much wiser, I would say that you are probably a lot more ahead of the game then you might think. I think you will end up just fine in the end. You sound like you have an awesome family, I've seen you on several shows, so I know you got skills (if you could bottle some up and send it my way, that would be awesome as well), and as I said, the rest will take care of itself.

So I hope that this comment is what you were looking for for this post. I know I feel a bit better after writing it. And I know it is a day early, but like I said in my tweet: in case I forget tomorrow. Happy Birthday Nehalia.

Scott

You are truly wiser than your young years. I know many 24 year olds who wouldn't be able to survive the adversity you are currently facing in the job market. I am blessed with a good job as a government contractor, so finances are not CURRENTLY an issue, but I need to remember that can change at any moment. Nothing brought that closer to home for me than being out of work for almost 6 months for back surgery.

I believe family should always be your number one concern; and having the love of your family is your number one reward. Right now for you that family is the family you are coming from, but soon it will be the family you are growing.

I hope that for your birthday you will feel strengthened by your family and friends, and with that strength you can overcome adversity.

Happy Birthday

Great post Neha. I am 23 and trying to find a job as well. Trying to find out who exactly I am and what I am doing is tough and hopefully Ill find my way. Being happy is hard for me to answer personally because I have been battling that for almost 2 years. In general I am thankful for my family and the roof over my head, but for me to be truly happy I have to accomplish some certain things. Anyways, you are gifted and will end up better than before. I on the other hand have less to work with, so where I end up is hard to tell. Good luck with everything.

Happy BDay!

that sense of warmth that begins at the core of the soul, spreads to the heart, and radiates outward from the eyes and lips of those who know it. The gift of happiness is elusive, but tangible. You cannot seek to find that which makes you happy for happiness comes from within and by your own choice.

Happy Birthday Neha. Take care.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

when you market yourself don't forget to include your fan base, we'll follow you to whatever you do next.

Hey guys,
I see that many of you have been through a lot this year, and the downward economy just adds an extra layer of gray to it all. I think the factors that make me happy are common; family, friends, job, love. I do think that all of these things are attainable, but perhaps not all at once.

@Phul: I love Hindi movies, but they aren't the truth. Good for escapism however :)

@Glum: Thank you!

@Billy: Yeah, it's really hard finding a compatible person,but people who have someone make it seem so easy! I went to a bridal shower this weekend and it seemed so simple. Maybe it will get easy at some point for both of us?

@Scott: Wow, you have quite a bit on your plate. I am sorry to hear about your sister--I know how hard it is to have a sick family member. Last year, my best friend had a brain injury [she fell headfirst on pavement], and it is still tough dealing with it. She is back in school and similar to who she was, but it's always different. Like you, I am just happy she is alive! Also, never underestimate your talent. Confidence will help you get your foot in the door in this industry or any other. Lastly, thank you for the compliments :)

@Phil: I've always been raised with the "family first" attitude. Their support has made my life possible and I would do anything for them. I hope your back (has or does) heal up great.

@Bret: The beauty of it is that we're young. I know, that whole phrase doesn't necessarily make me feel better, but it does hold some truth. And I don't think being happy is easy. What is easy is saying "I'll be happy when I ______"{get a bf/gf, get into grad school, etc.) It's natural to think that, but perhaps it's best to stray from that sentence. I am trying to myself--good luck!

@Everyone: Thank you for the accolades and thoughtful comments. I understand these took some time and thought, and appreciate your support. Cheers to a better year for all of us!

wow, great post and great responses, so I feel a bit foolish by just saying...

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEHA"!!!

you are a great person, and I'm sure this year will be good to you... =)

Happiness is happiness :) ... no need for a definition. You just feel happy because things are cool, nice, good, beautiful, touching, gorgeous, amazing, fascinating, and the list goes on ...

It remembers me what a teacher told me once : "Le bonheur est dans mes pas"
It is in French, and it means literally : "Happiness is in paces I make" :)

Happiness is everything, in anywhere, at anytime :)

Neha,

Keep thinking abou this stuff... honestly I think you're a head of a lot of the women I've known well... many people, including myself, are in a constant struggle to define happiness. I personally am not seeking it anymore... it's a futile fate. Granted I love to be happy and try to make myself and the people around me happy but, seeking something so fleeting is only setting ourselves up to be stuck on the wheel of suffering. Take the good when you can.

I'm now seeking some contement when I can but mostly just trying to avoid expectation and attachment to those things that won't really bring happiness. Life is short.... and I'm begining to realize the value of my time and the time of other wonderful people, such as yourself, and how we have to just forge ahead.

Anyway.. that's my musings..

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Awesome post
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy (Pre) Birthday Neha!

Happiness is the meaning of life. (according to me 15 years ago, and I still agree with myself)

As per the photo, when you were lil Neha, you did know that you're gonna rock in 20's. Don't believe me? Look at your right hand in the picture, it shows rock symbol. \m/,

Have a rocking b'day Miss Neha. :D

Relationships when you're in your 20's aren't all that durable, in part because your experience and view on the world evolves so quickly. It doesn't mean you have to be anti-social though. Just make sure any person you choose to be involved with understands your expectations.

The job thing does suck. I'm there too, only in Cleveland where it's snowing. I've got a lot of ideas that, if I had the resources for, would be doing right now, and hiring people like you. But regardless, as hard as it might be to consider, remember that the world does not revolve around the bay area. It never hurts to look around.

So I am late to the party, and I will risk repeating what the other comments have probably already said, because it is worth repeating.
1. You are wise to realize the good fortunes that you do have with friends and family around and in good health. It is always helpful to your own happiness levels to find the good things in life and to focus on them.
2. Obviously you are not the only person in the tough job position, but that can't last forever. The economy may be in a bad place for a while, but a person of your intelligence, talent and yes, even beauty, cannot go unrecognized forever. You WILL find employment that makes you happy.
3. While I don't wish to be nosy or to pry, based on your tweets in the last month or so, I would imagine something in the romantic dept. hasn't quite gone your way. That could explain the "jaded much" tone in this blog entry. Never fear, it happens to us all, and inevitably life goes on. I will spare you the part about "other fish in the sea" and simply say that the best things tend to happen when we least expect them and long after we stop trying so hard to find them.
It is a pleasure to have followed your online presence over the last year or so, and I look forward to each new blog entry, tweet, and hopefully future new media excursions. Btw, it is about time for another DL.TV appearance, don't you think?

Happy Birthday Neha! Sorry I don't have too many wise words for you but I will tell you this: Happiness for me is a pista kulfi. That hasn't changed since I was about 5 years old.

You seem like a natural leader and relentless workaholic. Instead of interviewing for a job, create your own. You've built up a loyal audience. Why work for someone else? You've already done that.

> but I hear that is what your 20s is all about
You are right :) - that could be one way to look at your 20s...
I think soul-searching never ceases though it could be an individual thing and sometime situational.

Happy Birthday and wish you all the very best!!!

I believe your perspectives are all great on love and relationships. So you are great. That should make you happy :)

There are some gems in all those insightful comments. I wish people would have cared as much for me, so you have the privilege as well.

And at the cost of sounding repetitive, I'd say that -

Happiness is accepting what you have and making most of it.
(it's the same thing that many have commented and said in other ways)

I know it's sometime hard to understand and you can not force on yourself.
It's like enlightenment. It just hits you one fine moment.

Hope such a moment comes on the special day and may you soon realize that every day is such a special day, every day provides you opportunity to reflect, every day gets the best out of you.

Happy Bday Neha..!!

Happy Birthday !
Its not that bad growing up, except for the fact that you forget more, for instance, who wrote these lines.. "..Come Grow Old With Me, The Best is Yet to Be; Though.... and hair go grey....."
Hope you had a good one.

Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness.
- Robertson Davies