He stands more than a head taller than I, his locks buzzed close to his head and bleached blond, ears pierced with silver studs, and an old Indian Rupee hanging around his neck. Fun fact: I too dabbled in blond when I was his age. Let’s just say he is far cooler than I ever … [Read more...] about Happy 17th Birthday to Deal
Dirt and Noise
A Taste of Home at Cheeni
I inhaled and was immediately taken to a familiar place. Coriander, cumin, rosewater, basmati rice. Everything was a delight to the senses, from the music of familiar tones to the artwork depicting spice markets and Bollywood glamor. Every detail in Cheeni took me back to the … [Read more...] about A Taste of Home at Cheeni
Nurture Purpose in Teens
My son is 16 and embarking on his next chapter to figure out how to navigate the college application process. So far it's all about achievements rather than character, and purpose is measured in empirical terms. I think purpose is about lifelong learning and curiosity, not about … [Read more...] about Nurture Purpose in Teens
Mom Activists Are a Force — “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World”
Truth be told, I’ve been woefully disengaged. It’s a symptom of being disenchanted, disgruntled, disheartened. The weight of goings-on in my community, my state, and my country have left me feeling deflated. I’ve been feeling like my voice, no matter how loud, is muted. There are … [Read more...] about Mom Activists Are a Force — “From Changing Diapers to Changing the World”
Write On
It used to be that my pen was my comfort. I wrote when I felt stressed, overwhelmed, sad, pretty much any time I had big feelings, I wrote. This has been a lifelong habit, even from when I was a little girl crafting background stories for every doll in my collection. I have … [Read more...] about Write On
Brown Girl in a White World…No More
You’ve all heard me talk plenty about otherness and onlyness. I’ve spent most of my 53 years othered and onlyed. My self-esteem was ravaged in my youth, and it's a little tattered well into my adulthood too. I’m not sure where any of my confidence comes from. Out of necessity, I … [Read more...] about Brown Girl in a White World…No More
Dimmed Spirits
This year, my Christmas spirit has a flavor peppered with longing, fatigue, and melancholy. Gone is the typical sweetness of the season. Rather than anticipation, I feel dread. A cloud of worry casts its shadow overhead. Actually, it’s more of an all-consuming fog. Time is fluid. … [Read more...] about Dimmed Spirits