A simple list of simple pleasures

Where Vaibhavi and Skandha list down simple things around them that make them happy!

Vaibhavi's list

• Colourful chopped veggies arranged on a wooden board

• A perfect sunny side up

• Sounds of cooking—sizzle, pop, splutter, and more

• Scents of the kitchen—banana muffins baking, cinnamon, and South Indian tadka to name a few

• Making my food look pretty!

• My brother waking me up every morning before leaving to college to say that he loves me

• Spotting cute kittens and cats on the street

• Writing letters and postcards to loved ones 

• Sitting at the window every morning to soak up the sun

• A clean room

• Giving and receiving surprise gifts

• The smell of freshly washed clothes

• Blowing soapy foam while bathing 

• Spending time in nature’s company

• Birdwatching

• Running into the sunrise

• The feeling of runner’s high

• Giving a bear hug to my mom

• Blowing a wish

• Petrichor

• Walking on fall leaves

• Foraging and pressing flowers and leaves

• Having no thoughts for a few seconds while meditating

• Browsing libraries and bookshops

• Reading children’s picture books 

• Video calling friends

• Getting a massage

• Night walks with my grandmother

• Gossiping with mom

• Watching films with dad

• Watching the sunset at Marine Drive

• Breaking a fortune cookie

• Reading my horoscope every morning (for fun)

• Exploring art galleries

Skandha's list

• Kitty time—petting my cat's soft furry head and watching her sleep on my lap
  

After a long session of attacking the smiley ball

• Tug of war and kung-fu with Maara—love rough-housing with my dog

• Jump scaring mom in the kitchen for no reason

• Mildly infuriate my brother at least once a day and celebrate the achievement

• Re-watching the grand tour and top gear to enjoy the childlike banter and antics of three grown men with the cars they lay their hands on

• Twisting the throttle of my bike on an empty highway to feel the engine's grunt
  

Foggy Morning on the way to Pulicat Lake

• A deeply relaxing sensation after a long meditation

• Sharing about a cool manufacturing or making process with my dad

• A short ice cream or dessert detour with my brother when we're out together on some work

• Finishing a set of chest press with heavy plates

• Random conversations with my brother while riding the bike or in the car

• Smashing a coconut seed onto the ground to open it up

• Harvesting mangos from the tree in the workshop

• Looking at my clean desk after a long-overdue cleaning session

• Marvelling at my own 3D prints right after it's done printing

• Watching dad enjoy my chutneys with his dosa

• Cracking absolutely terrible dad jokes and riddles with Vaibhavi

• Riding down the highway in formation with my biker friends

• Dressing up and admiring my fashion sense in front of the mirror

• Unpacking all my clothes and stuff right after coming home from a trip

• Marvelling at my aloe vera collection

• Post-bath nap after a relaxing head massage

• Accompanying mom to the temple

• Random ice cream dates with myself

• Fixing some tech problem at home and watch it work again

• Meowing back at my feline friend

• Laughing at Maara's attempts to befriend the cat who's terrified of him

Will they ever become best friends?

• Falling asleep soon after hitting the bed

• Waking up at dawn and watch the world light up with the sunrise

• Teaching maara new tricks and treating him for being a good boy

• Feeling the sea breeze on a hot Chennai summer evening

• Watching dark thunderstorm clouds roll in from the horizon during a monsoon evening
  

Rainclouds coming to the rescue on a humid evening

• Looking at the clear blue skies on a winter day

• Watching puppies and other baby animals play

• Late night music listening sessions in the living room

• Flipping through childhood and parents' photobooks and listening to stories behind the photos

• Swatting mosquitoes with the electric racket

• Walking down the street with sunglasses on

• Destroying sleepiness with a quick shower in cold water

• Making a crisp, thin and round dosa - my brother's favourite
  

Dosa - Food of the gods!

• Cooking pasta with mom

• Having a bowl of sweet and salty protein salad - pomegranate and sprouts with a sprinkle of salt

• Enjoying a film on the big screen at home with all lights out

• Making a hot coffee for grandad when mom's not at home

• Kickstarting my bike and listening to the engine run on a cold start

• Petting my neighbour's Rottweiler Vikram across the compound wall