June solstice

After being locked in with a prolonged winter, June was the month the Sun decided to show its face. It wasn't for long though, as a week of soaring temperatures brought along 2 weeks of thunderstorms. 

June is usually a fun month for us. Both M and I happen to have our birthdays this month. But we had a quiet celebration, much like the last year. London is still yet to unlock fully - even though restaurants and malls have reopened, indoor events are restricted. We decided to keep it a low key affair, which was a slight disappointment to M (who wanted her friends around), but she took it in her stride.

And this month I scaled my run duration too. Till the last month I had gotten close to a 10k. This month I doubled it. I also managed to use the runs to see more of London - ran all over Ealing and then did 2 weekend runs all the way into the City, to see the Palace and Westminster. London is gorgeously beautiful in the early mornings, when few are around and then greenery is fresh. I love running around Kensington gardens and St. James Park. If only India had such greenery in its cities.

We also got our second jabs this month, to become fully vaccinated. yay! No side effects this time around. Just waiting for the vaccines to be available for M. 

As the lockdown lifts and life starts going back to normal, firms have started calling employees back to office. I expect to go back in sometime next month. A lot of peer banks have already gotten back in. It usual now for calls to have a mix of in-office and remote teams. July should also see most of the US folks back in. It will be a welcome return to some semblance of normality after nearly a year and a half. But the virus hasn't disappeared yet, and that worries those of us who have to use public transport in.

We have taken advantage of the last of the lockdown days to get busy with board-games at home. Blokus is great fun. So is 3D labyrinth. Cluedo not as much. And we've got 3 sets of Legos and multiple puzzles yet to solve. Ah, the simple pleasures of home.