Life Journeys

by Trunali When we try something new, it might be a new dress, a new dish, a new look or learning something new. While doing something different which is out of your comfort zone, we might like it or not. When we try something new we get either a good or a bad experience but we always learn. I would like to share my ‘baking’ story with you. As kid I loved baked foods like cakes, pastries, cookies etc. My mom used to buy it for me once in a while these things. She did not know how to make these at home. When I was growing up I got busy in studies and in other activities. Whenever I wanted to eat these things I used to buy them from the bakery. It was easily available in India. After some years of my marriage we moved to the USA with my 3 years old daughter. And then I came to know that eggless cake is not easily available here. We follow a vegetarian diet. So I decided to learn baking. Cooking is always easy for me but baking is totally new. I never tried it before. I asked my friends f

by Vanaja We've all tried new things in our lives. Whether it's watching a different language movie, trying a new recipe, eating at a new restaurant, starting a new job, buying a new type of clothes, meeting new people,  etc. It's part of life and it's part of growing up. It can be looking simple as taking a new class, entering new college or going to a new restaurant, but all this starts with something shy and panic. But we need to take the step and jump in. Here why new things are important: GIVES US CONFIDENCE Building up confidence is important. If I try something new and I am successful in that gives me the confidence to try something else. I believe that "Mistakes are Proof that you are trying." If I am getting positive results, it encourages me to keep going and try more new things. In my childhood I tried to ride a bike but I was very scared. But my brothers helped me a lot daily. In that process I got hurt on my knees badly. After one day I

by Shivagami This word is beautiful, scary and fun at the same time. Traditions are reflections of US. Our Legacy. Let me start with a simple tradition followed at most of the Indian homes. We start our day by lighting lamps (villaku/diya/oil lamps). If you are not an atheist, this is followed by a prayer. Lighting lamps before dawn and dusk, putting a small kolam/Rangoli in front of the house and ensuring no footwear in front of the home entrance/door. This is a tradition that has been followed, maybe for centuries, to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, god of wealth and prosperity. Kolam/Rangoli is a delight to the eyes and a welcoming feeling. Lighting lamps brightens our soul and heart and gives a positive feel to start our day. Our ancestors followed this tradition with ease, while they used rice flour for kolam/rangolis and the rice flour would also be food to ants and birds. As years passed by, slowly traditions were modified to fit into our daily life. Now most of us use kolamavu /ra

by Shivagami Unexpected small events are part of every day life, few events filled with surprises, few brings frustrations and sadness. Small incidents like spilling milk in our day to day life will annoy us. But few events turn our life upside down. Some events shower happiness and success. Sad or Happy, all unexpected moments are here to teach us some valuable lessons, to know your strength, identify your weakness and raise above all this. For most of the Unexpected events in our life, we are either lucky or we are at the right place at the right time. The person who grabs the opportunity and makes the best use of it cherishes it. Some moments bestowed on you are life changing. It can be a job during the peak of a recession. Unexpected delay in the arrival of an always on time train on the day of 9/11.... We thrive and learn to appreciate all those unexpected events of life. Few unexpected moments of our life are no less than facing a war. They turn your life upside down. They bring

by Ankita Let me take you all back to history. As I already shared before, I have five siblings. Me and my twin sister were born in 1985 on the 17th  day of July.  July is famous for its rain. I love rains. After our birth, my mom and dad had total four girls to look after, my twin sister had some  complications after birth, which needed lots of care. Whoever come to visit us, they involved  themselves in taking care of we all. Both sets of my grandparents were a big support system for my parents. But more of my mom’s attention was required for my twin sister, and it was tough for her to manage so many things together. So around after 9 months of our birth, our grownups decided something which could help the whole house hold. My paternal grandparents decide to keep me with them in my ancestral home for sometime, so that my mom and dad can better manage their life with other twins and two other older kids, who needed lots of care. I still have a picture at my home in India in which me a

by Ankita My MOM is the reflection of WOW! Because she knows the answers of which, what and how?? Her name is Asha,  Which means "hope," in Hindi "Bhasha." Her life revolves around us Because we are her mini world who keeps her “khush.” (happy) My mom loves her all five kids equally: Nimmi, simpi, dinki, chinki and abhi. (nicknames for us four sisters and 1 brother) With love, we call her mummy!! And she cooks everything yummy!! Saree is her favorite attire: Red, blue, green, all the colors you desire. Kurta trend has changed her wardrobe though Because its comfy, easy to wear, and ready to go. Her maroon lipstick and Bindi Love listening to her Bhojpuri and Hindi. (languages) Chai and khakhra make her feel good That’s she like to have it as “first morning food” Her smile is positive and strong: This Mumma and child bond will be lifelong. Our phone calls are enough to make her day Whether its Monday or Sunday. I love to see her on Whatsapp and Facebook Because this

by Priyanka In this busy world, everyone was engaged with their schedules and activities in daily routines and all my family and friends’ timetables and plans were operating smoothly. Suddenly, a few weeks ago, we heard about an outbreak of pandemic disease (covid-19) in this world. We know covid-19 will fundamentally alter the world, but these changes may not be the ones we expect. Life can change in a moment and it is filled with unexpected events. Having to face uncertainty in life can also help us to learn how to adapt, overcome challenges, and increase our resiliency. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus it spreads worldwide. It’s infecting people and spreading easily from person to person. This infects people of all ages. Handling this situation is difficult for each individual in this world. Life is filled with uncertainty, especially at time