I was logged in to work, early for a Friday morning that is, when Laddu, also logged into her school iPad in the same room, walked up to me. Her face was serious. I removed my ear phones and gave her my full attention preparing myself to send a note to her teacher whatever the … Continue reading Defining Success: Yet
Tag: Reflections
Mindfulness
Photo by The Devil on Pexels.com I look at the app on my phone right after I am done walking for the day. It tracks a multitude of things like sleep, exercise and mood. Occasionally there is a challenge of sorts. The latest one is mindfulness. Each day, it asks me if I have been … Continue reading Mindfulness
A Home On My Back
Photo by rompalli harish on Pexels.com My weekly astrology classes take up a bulk of my Saturdays. I am actively listening to theory, catching up on podcasts related to the material taught and applying the concepts I learn to my natal chart. The rest of the time though, my mind is processing and viewing my … Continue reading A Home On My Back
Parenting From The Sidelines
Photo by burak kostak on Pexels.com I watch my twins laugh and chat with their friends from school over Facetime. The happy faces, the whispered exchanges and the giggles that break out every once in a while, make me amused. I think about the time I was eleven in the pre telephone, pre internet days … Continue reading Parenting From The Sidelines
Goodbye, 2020. Welcome 2021.
Photo by Disha Sheta on Pexels.com It is New Year’s eve as I write this. My morning has been productive. I’ve cooked an elaborate meal of vendekka morkuzhambu, beans parupu usili with ample help from Amma. I have two batches of Jalapeno bread proving in the oven, I also have four rounds of laundry in … Continue reading Goodbye, 2020. Welcome 2021.
Crossroads
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com The almost full moon outside my kitchen window is ethereal. I stand transfixed mulling the wonder that is an object suspended in space reflecting light off its surface. I have always enjoyed natural beauty. This year has made me appreciate what I have around me even more. Occasionally I … Continue reading Crossroads
Unsettled
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com On Saturday, I danced. I never do. This election has had me on edge as nothing has before. In 2016, I was rooting for our first woman President. Trump was a figure in the periphery. Someone whom I did not like based on what I saw. A person who mocked … Continue reading Unsettled
Sitting With The Pain
Photo by Zeynep Sude EMEK on Pexels.com My eyes are glued to my phone, the screen that is being shared too tiny for me to follow. The voice in my ears is talking about some test strategy. I am there mentally but physically I am in the morning sun, walking home after waving bye to … Continue reading Sitting With The Pain
Election Day 2020
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com It hits me in waves through the day, this notion that we are living through History. This year, this election, this place that America has in the world, it all comes to what happens today and in the weeks following. Four years ago, I was buoyant. I was hopefully that … Continue reading Election Day 2020
My relationship with food as a first-generation mom
I talk with my mother multiple times a day. “Saaptacha?” It is routine, this asking if I've had my meal. By Lakshmi Lyer The post My relationship …My relationship with food as a first-generation mom
Dreams: The Long Story
Photo by Antonio Quagliata on Pexels.com In a few days, “Why is my Hair Curly?” will officially be out in the world in paperback. In itself, this day will be no different from the day the Kindle or Audible versions were released. In the words of a wise friend, “the story is no longer yours, … Continue reading Dreams: The Long Story
COVID-19 Diaries: Cleaning
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com My calf muscles and hamstrings are sore from bending over one too many times. This time I am on my knees and elbows reaching for a hard to reach inflated ball that is wedged right in the middle of the futon width. I let out a string of curses knowing … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: Cleaning
The Author Life
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com “So, how does it feel like to be an Author?” I have been asked this question by various friends over the past few days. I laugh and answer that I am living the dream. It is true. This all feels like a dream, a lovely one. The truth though … Continue reading The Author Life
The Race Conversation
“What is the meaning of race?” My elbows are flat against the kitchen island, my face level with my girls. “Run?” “Bring children up?” The twins come up with every possible meaning but the one I was curious to know what they knew. We drank our kaapi, set Laddu up so she could Facetime her … Continue reading The Race Conversation
COVID-19 Diaries: Ceding Control
Waiting. This word in itself sums up the entirety of my existence these days. I am waiting for many things. Sometimes, it feels like all of my life is one big wait for something to happen. Everything is scripted in my head, the joys, the grief, the anticipation, the highs, the lows. It is frozen … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: Ceding Control
COVID-19 Diaries: Jugaad
I am in the bedroom browsing through my phone when I hear Laddu’s voice. “Mommy, my glasses broke.” It takes a minute to register. “What do you mean broke? Broke?” The questions swirled. How? When? Who? In the end, I inspected the glasses, pronounced it dead. The lack of emotion, the lack of panic. The … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: Jugaad
Book Update: Why is my hair curly?
So, I have news. “Why is my hair curly?” will be available on Amazon in a few weeks in Kindle format. The physical book will take a couple of months to be available given the lockdown in India. While I wait for the book to be available and permission to share the cover for the … Continue reading Book Update: Why is my hair curly?
COVID-19 Diaries: First Lost Tooth
We are all sitting around our dining table. The afternoon sun feels pleasant as it filters through the window even if it is windy and cold outside. The steam swirls and diffuses into the air from the keerai kootu. I serve the children while the husband dutifully mixes the hot rice, ghee, and kootu for … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: First Lost Tooth
COVID-19 Diaries: The Little Things
With this week, we have all been home for over four weeks with the rare exception of the weekly grocery runs by the husband. Some days, the kids and I step out for some sun keeping to the small grassy oval in front of our home. On adventurous days, I even walk the full loop, … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: The Little Things
COVID-19 Diaries: I Am The Lottery
I see my reflection on the dirty powder room mirror and pause, really pause. The face staring back at me is beautiful. Perhaps it is the lighting or the two years of sticking to a walking routine or just the effect of being indoors all the time for over a month. I like what I … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: I Am The Lottery
COVID-19 Diaries: Schooling Unschooling
It is a day into week three of the five of us at home. This week also marks the start of formal online school for all three children. While I struggled the past two weeks, the knowledge that all of it was optional let me operate a little guilt-free. This week they started easy. About … Continue reading COVID-19 Diaries: Schooling Unschooling
