I love making these lists. They make me so happy:
- Macintosh apples
- Apple pie
- Apple cider
- Apple picking (noticing a trend?)
- Diwali (I love it when we light the diyas/candles and turn of the lights)
- Thanksgiving and beginning of the holiday season
- Chunky sweaters
- Hot chocolate or tea
- The weather
- The deer that sleep in the backyard (they're more visible when there are no leaves on the trees)
- Scarves
- Cinnamon
- The general need to bundle up and be cozy
Sorry, needed to get that out of my system. Wow, a lot of the things on my list are tastes & smells. I guess those are what I remember from when I was a kid. I haven't been home (or in the US, for that matter) during this time since 2004.
Also, I phone banked for Obama last night. We were looking for volunteers, so we were targeting Obama supporters. I think I'm going to start volunteering for John Linder, who is running for Pennsylvania State Senate in the 9th district.
Alright, back to writing the article I'm writing about Source for Change. It should show up in India Abroad in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Post-Retreat High
I just returned from my first Indicorps Alumni reunion. It was nice to see familiar faces and meet people that I have heard so much about! It was a great opportunity to catch up and network and I feel so re-energized coming out of it. I emailed a bunch of Philly area schools about recruiting for Indicorps, so hopefully I'll be able to set up some times to visit with students soon. Have to keep up my momentum now.
So I finally finished Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, which is set during the Emergency in India. The book was really haunting and unsettling, but I really enjoyed the relationship the four main characters had with each other. I recommend it to anyone interested in Indian politics and caste system. Or to anyone who's looking for a good read. Next on my list is Arvind Adiga's White Tiger (short-listed for the Booker Prize) and Edward Luce's In Spite of the Gods.
So my first piece was published in India Abroad. I'll scan it and put it up soon. It feels good :-)
Other than that, I start phone banking for Obama tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it - to being in the office with a bunch of people who are taking things into their own hands and to hearing from people what they're looking for in this election.
Tomorrow's the first day of autumn. I got a beret, so I'm really excited about the cool weather because I'll get to wear it! Maybe the next post should be an ode to autumn!
So I finally finished Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance, which is set during the Emergency in India. The book was really haunting and unsettling, but I really enjoyed the relationship the four main characters had with each other. I recommend it to anyone interested in Indian politics and caste system. Or to anyone who's looking for a good read. Next on my list is Arvind Adiga's White Tiger (short-listed for the Booker Prize) and Edward Luce's In Spite of the Gods.
So my first piece was published in India Abroad. I'll scan it and put it up soon. It feels good :-)
Other than that, I start phone banking for Obama tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it - to being in the office with a bunch of people who are taking things into their own hands and to hearing from people what they're looking for in this election.
Tomorrow's the first day of autumn. I got a beret, so I'm really excited about the cool weather because I'll get to wear it! Maybe the next post should be an ode to autumn!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
It's been more than a month since I last wrote. Since then, I said tata batata (for now) to Bagar, saw the Golden Temple (gorgeous!), got my ass kicked in a one-week Bharatanatyam workshop taught by the great dancer C.V. Chandrashekar, cheered on Baltimore-native Michael Phelps, fell in love with Chicago (in the summer), caught up with cousins at a family wedding and got re-energized and ready for November's elections thanks to the DNC. Currently I'm grappling with living at home and being unemployed. Not one of my best phases, but it shall pass.
Speaking of the DNC, my thoughts on what's going on in American politics: I decided a while ago that I would vote for Barack Obama anyway just because he is pro-choice. After hearing the viciousness that is Sarah Palin, I'm just more determined. And yesterday I heard that John McCain is equal or ahead of Obama in most polls?? I am just having so much trouble wrapping my head around why anyone who was pro-Hillary would vote for McCain. I mean, I understand that they hope Hillary will win in 2012 but at what expense?? Anyway, I will definitely be watching Palin's interview on ABC tomorrow & Friday. I know he'll ask her some tough questions and I'm anxious to hear what she has to say.
Now about Joe Biden. I like him a lot and I think he adds a lot to the ticket and offers a more realist balance to what I think is a lot of rhetoric for change. He has shown that he's not afraid to get his hands dirty, and I respect him immensely for that. His aggressiveness turns people off, thus the public doesn't really get to know him. I think that people will now have to pay attention.
My final thoughts: Even if a lot of empty talk and false promises are being thrown around, I think it's so inspiring and exciting how engaged people are - there are grassroots movements, people tuning in to hear speeches, a flurry of blog entries - people are paying attention and they're getting others to pay attention. The obvious test will come starting next January, when the new president delivers (or does not) and the public responds (or does not). But in the meantime, yay democracy!
Speaking of the DNC, my thoughts on what's going on in American politics: I decided a while ago that I would vote for Barack Obama anyway just because he is pro-choice. After hearing the viciousness that is Sarah Palin, I'm just more determined. And yesterday I heard that John McCain is equal or ahead of Obama in most polls?? I am just having so much trouble wrapping my head around why anyone who was pro-Hillary would vote for McCain. I mean, I understand that they hope Hillary will win in 2012 but at what expense?? Anyway, I will definitely be watching Palin's interview on ABC tomorrow & Friday. I know he'll ask her some tough questions and I'm anxious to hear what she has to say.
Now about Joe Biden. I like him a lot and I think he adds a lot to the ticket and offers a more realist balance to what I think is a lot of rhetoric for change. He has shown that he's not afraid to get his hands dirty, and I respect him immensely for that. His aggressiveness turns people off, thus the public doesn't really get to know him. I think that people will now have to pay attention.
My final thoughts: Even if a lot of empty talk and false promises are being thrown around, I think it's so inspiring and exciting how engaged people are - there are grassroots movements, people tuning in to hear speeches, a flurry of blog entries - people are paying attention and they're getting others to pay attention. The obvious test will come starting next January, when the new president delivers (or does not) and the public responds (or does not). But in the meantime, yay democracy!
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