Category: Writing
-
In My IDGAF Era
One work call ends and I have about 30 minutes before the next one. I take Felix out for a small walk. The air is balmy. The sun too bright. I stand squinting in the light and heat while Felix just plops on the grass and does this weird squiggle as if he needs to…
-
The Politics Of Joy
Each day, I religiously scroll through my Facebook memories. With well over a decade of posts on there, it often surprises me how I live life in patterns. In the midst of everyday living – school opening, mid school year blues, fall festivities, end of year festivities, there are these posts about the pandemic, school…
-
Serenading The Fandom: Forever We Are Young
Last night my three daughters and I sat in a smallish theater surrounded by fellow BTS fans and watched BTS ARMY: Forever We Are Young, a documentary on the global fandom that is the BTS ARMY. A few months ago when this well made documentary premiered at SXSW, my interest was piqued. I figured I…
-
Menopause And All That Jazz
“You smell like lifesavers…” Laddu leans into me before she heads upstairs to bed. The Volini cream I have on my shoulders anoints me with the smell of camphor and menthol. I let Laddu go after giving her a tight squeeze. My arms hurt. My shoulders hurt. I turn my swivel chair to face my…
-
Breaching New Frontiers
“You can get drunk as much as you want to…” Ammu says playfully in conversation where her dad and I talk about her and her twin getting their learner’s permits and eventually their drivers license. “Ani! Neva…” I call out laughing as I do and head back to my oasis that is my study. “True!…
-
The Art Of Representation
I load the dishes after a take out dinner of mooli parathas and chhole. Pattu is at the table by the kitchen, her MacBook open, a note card by the side muttering to herself. The whole scene is incongruous. I have never seen any of my girls actually do school work at home. I finish…
-
Retreat From Reality
One Friday evening, I rolled two suitcases into the Philly airport, bid adieu to my spouse and tuned out. I went through check in, security and the boarding process detached from everything. I didn’t browse my phone, read a book or even people watch. I just sat in a seat staring at a light fixture…
-
Embracing Uncertainty in Writing and Life
The jeep bounces on bumpy roads and, I jiggle along, moving in sync with each bump and jump. I feel free, unfettered from all that has bound me thus far. It has been days since I called in to check on my little girls. It has been days since I caught up on the five…
-
The Business of Self-Publishing: Beyond Writing and Editing
Amazon Accounts Payable reads the email notification at the top of my phone. I click on it too hurriedly only to realize I need to log in to check the details. An hour later, kitchen chores done, walk after dinner done, kids suitably engrossed in their phones and Amma downstairs in bed, I finally sit…