Aishwarya Rai says life has been extremely fast-paced since the day she chose to study science in high school. Now the internationally renowned actor is waiting to take a much-needed break before entering another year full of film projects.

"I keep joking that the pace of my life has been so hectic ever since high school. From Class 12, when I was a science student, till date it has only been a hectic pace and that's the only pace perhaps my body knows now," Aishwarya told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

This year has been particularly hectic for the 36-year-old actor thanks to the release of her films - "Raavan", "Robot", "Action Replayy" and "Guzaarish" in quick succession.

There has been so much jet-setting in and out of the country and travelling within India for the promotion of her films that Aishwarya fell slightly ill. But she is not complaining.

"Come on! I'm okay now. If you think work pressure has affected me, how would you explain Hrithik (Roshan) getting unwell after doing just two films in two years? I just got a day's fever and I'm all raring to go," she said.

Aishwarya is now looking forward to some relaxing time.

"It's almost the end of November and very little of December is left. I had deliberately kept a little part of December off...because since 2008 I have been working continuously.

"Doing five films - 'Raavan', 'Raavanan', 'Robot', 'Action Replayy' and 'Guzaarish' - has been mammoth. Hrithik keeps joking about my plight and says he did just 'Guzaarish' all this while, apart from 'Kites'. But, yes, I did all that work and also promoted those films. Now I need a break ...so a bit of an off in December and then further work next year," she said.

She is still in talks with filmmakers on her future projects and will be able to announce developments around February next year.

"There have been talks. Producers are working out the scheduling, and then the announcements will be made. I was going to sign up for two films to do this winter, but I declined them because I had commitments with all my directors of the film releases this year. The next lot of offers will materialise post-February and March, and will continue beyond next Christmas," said Aishwarya.

So she wants to make the most of her holiday period with husband Abhishek Bachchan and all her family members.

"Spending time together itself is quite a holiday for me. It doesn't matter where we are. We will just be happy to make that time together and that we will make sure we do," she said.

For now, Aishwarya is just waiting to get the audience reaction to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's just released "Guzaarish", in which she plays Sofia, a nurse to a paraplegic essayed by Hrithik.

"It is my final release of this year...and what a special film to share with our audience! My character Sofia is very special. The kind of capacity, strength, resilience, commitment, empathy and unconditional love that she has for a patient just takes this character to a different realm altogether," said Aishwarya.