hyphenated twentysomething

On hiatus

2007-10-12T23:49:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,

T and I are swamped with school and work, so we're taking a short break, as is probably evident with our lack of posts in recent months! We'll be back shortly though :)

Une Americaine a Strasbourg

2007-05-23T05:52:00.001-05:00

Cathedral de Strasbourg

India in France!

Intermission

2007-05-04T17:33:00.000-05:00

hey all,

i'm going to be away from the blog up until July or so. if i get a chance, i may try to post something, but it will be unlikely. i'm currently busy with final exams and other school stuff and then will be away due to work and some travelling. so apologies for this brief intermission, but we'll be back shortly. until then...bon voyage!

~p

Hear, Hear

2007-04-20T13:33:00.000-05:00

In response to the whole Don Imus fiasco, Oprah held 2 townhall meetings this week on her show. Did any of you catch it? Quite frankly, I was not impressed. The theme for her first meeting/show was "What's Next?" and well, I still had the same question after watching her show. While some of the panelists were honest and had some good points regarding misogyny and actions that need to be taken by many in the music industry, the show left much to be desired. It all seemed so contrived and everyone kept beating around the bush to get to their points. Instead of having an active dialogue, at times, I just felt that it was just Oprah and her panelists voicing their beliefs (but bypassing any serious, complex issues such the business side of the industry, the purchasers of the music, the reason some of these women act the way they do in these videos, etc) followed by a round of applause from the audience, with random audience opinions here or there, and mostly all by black people. Cuz, you know, this isn't just a societal issue, it's just a black issue. AHHHHH!!! I just got so aggravated while watching it. Anyway, I'm not saying that there's any simple, single solution to the some of problems in mainstream hip-hop, but I do think that it's much more complex and there's much more that can be done, than what was revealed in these 2 townhall meetings. And, why, dear god, why has it taken Oprah so long to have this conversation on her show??? She should have done this years ago, and her excuse that she "didn't want to fight it alone" was such a cop-out.

Well, anyway, the fantastic racialicous has a wonderful post addressing this and one that states how I felt about the shows much more eloquently!

Also see my previous post on that wonderful hip-hop documentary that aired on PBS: Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

Vanaja

2007-04-15T14:21:00.000-05:00

Hey all,

I've been meaning to post about this for sometime. I saw a trailer recently for the movie Vanaja and it looks amazing. It's about a young girl fighting social barriers as she comes of age.

photo link

Here's the trailer. And here's the movie's website. Since it's an independent movie, I'm not sure when or even if it'll make it out here in the U.S., but keep your eyes open.

**Also, apologies for not posting frequently. I'm going to be quite busy for the next 3 months so there will be sporadic posting. Sorry! But thanks again for visiting :)

Spread the word...

2007-04-11T19:21:00.000-05:00

My peoples in Illinois, time to step up! Especially Illinois Desis:Call, email, write to local veterans organizations, media outlets, and the police department in Joliet. Most importantly, spread the word. At the least, they'll be a full investigation to find out what exactly happened. Take a step towards eradicating racist, xenophobic behavior! This cop needs to go back wherever he came from!.

Via: http:www.saldef.org/content.aspx?a=1682

SALDEF calls for immediate probe into assault and the xenophobic, anti-immigrant statements by police officer against bronze star recipient.

Washington D.C., April 11, 2007 --

The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, today called upon the Joliet Police Department to investigate the actions of one of its officers when patrolling a local neighborhood. On Friday March 30, 2007 at around 3:00pm, Mr. Kuldip Singh Nag, a Sikh American who was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Navy during the first Gulf War, was at his home in Joliet, IL when a local police officer noticed that a van parked on Mr. Nag’s private property had expired registration tags. Upon being confronted with this, Mr. Nag’s wife, Vera Kaur Nag, informed the officer that the van is parked on their driveway and was inoperable. Mr. Nag then came outside to answer the officer’s questions regarding the van. The Joliet police officer then demanded that Mr. Nag park the van inside his garage and not on the driveway, to which Mr. Nag responded to the officer that it was not possible and that regardless, the van is parked on his private property and he has a right to park it on his driveway. At this moment, the officer pulled out his pepper spray and attacked Mr. Nag. As Mr. Nag screamed in agony, the officer removed his baton and violently struck Mr. Nag numerous times until he fell to the ground. While the assault ensued, the officer was reported by both Mr. and Mrs. Nag as saying, “You f****** Arab! You f***** immigrant, go back to you f****** country before I kill you!” Mr. Nag's wife and six year-old child both witnessed the violent assault, which resulted in Mr. Nag immediately being admitted to the hospital where he stayed for five days due to complaints of intense pain and head trauma. Mr. Nag also received numerous bruises and a serious head injury which have caused him to go blind for several minutes at a time “This case seems to be a clear incident of police misconduct in Illinois,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “We are horrified at the anti-immigrant sentiment the officer allegedly used as he violently accosted Mr. Nag, and further that his six year old son was a witness to this violent assault. We call upon both Joliet and Illinois officials to investigate this incident and for the Illinois community to stand in solidarity with Mr. Nag.” SALDEF has garnered the strong support of the Illinois Sikh American community and is currently working with The Chawla Group Ltd to represent Mr. Nag in a criminal case brought on by the City of Joliet.

The Attorney, Lettuce, and Indiana Jones

2007-03-25T16:28:00.000-05:00

I had the most unfortunate, torturious, and frustrating lunch with an attorney the other day. Although some of you might claim that that's how all of your meetings with your attorneys go! ;) I had decided to meet him at the Hilton in town for a lunch as a way to network with him and get an idea of the type of law he practices.

But go figure, I would get stuck with the attorney who had a fork up his ass.

This fool of an attorney, and yes he was a fool, decided first to berate me right upon meeting him, that I had made the "wrong executive decision" to not miss class and which would have allowed me to meet him earlier and would have assured us a table with the rest of his friends. Then when I told him that I didn't want to miss class because I had already missed a few due to illness and I didn't want to be marked down(because attendance also factors into our grades) for missing another one, he had the nerve to tell me that the class I missed wasn't that important and wouldn't really help me in the future. WTF???? Umm....all first year classes are all basic, foundation-building classes so how could they not be important? And...who is he to tell me that I was wrong to miss a class! I'm paying for it, I'm the one learning from it, so dammit, I do have a right to NOT miss it if I DON'T want to!!!

Moreover, there were several seats still open and tables available for us to sit at, but he was just frustrated that he couldn't sit with his friends. Well, life is unfair, buddy, DEAL with it!

Moving on to more annoying moments, after the salad course, it was time for the entree meal. Now, I had booked this lunch several weeks ago, and being in a small city, I had also been in the right mind to specifically request a vegetarian meal. I had even talked to them TWICE to confirm this, with the responses both times being that they would take care of it. But, there I was, all alone at my table, as being the only one who wasn't served with a meal! Apparently, the waiter didn't know and they had to cook it right then, and so I was stuck with my lettuce and water. Now, I'm smart enough to know that when you go to these events, you're not actually there to eat(sad, I know!) but there to mingle and converse. But, I'd like to think that there would at least be something MORE than lettuce and water to suffice a meal. Seriously, the whole time, I had to stare at his face as he ate. But of course, Mr. Attorney, thought that the proper emotion at this time would be to show some empathy, some compassion. So he turns to me and says, "Well, uh, hey, are you sure you don't want the mushrooms on top of my chicken? HeHe. " (He said this and then smirked!!!) I kindly declined. But what I really wanted to say was, "REALLY? If this was your way to be funny, it wasn't. And is that what you REALLY want to say to show your concern for how I have NOTHING to eat except lettuce. NO, I don't want the mushrooms on top of your chicken, because, the whole reason I'm ordering a vegetarian meal is because I DON'T EAT MEAT or anything with meat on it, anything touching meat, or anything near meat. So, WHY would I want to eat the mushrooms that have been sitting a top of your chicken for the past 15 min? NOOOO!!!"

Sigh. Sadly, he didn't get it and I really didn't want to explain it to him.

But this afternoon still hadn't hit it's climax moment. The mushrooms only got the lunch started. He proceeded to ask me where my family was from in India. Now, I normally don't spend too much time talking about my racial or religious background (at least not on a first meeting) because that's really not the whole point of the meeting. But since he asked, I told about my family, my "roots", and my last trip to India. I managed to be pretty brief about it but still mentioned some important details and some memorable moments from my last trip. I then expected him to maybe say, oh how nice or oh really, and ask maybe a few more annoying questions. Instead, he said, "Well, you know, I think if I ever went to India, I'd be pretty intimidated. Hahahahaha."
And, well, truthfully Mr. Attorney, yes I think with your attitude, you might. But, seriouly, why would you say that to someone who just told you about their heritage from that country??? Additionally, lots of white people go to India every year, and survive( and might I add pretty nicely) the experience. And even if they were overwhelmed, they still manage. What makes you think you're too big of a person to go there?

But then came my favorite comment of the day. Without any concern or knowledge (obviously) as to who he was talking to and the effect of what he might say would sound like, he said, "Well, I guess if I wanted to know more about India, I could always watch that Indiana Jones movie!"

Oh no he didn't!!!!!! The worst, he was actually SERIOUS when he said that. No sarcasm at all. WTF!!!!!!!! I almost, almost gave him a dirty look. But told myself that he didn't even deserve that. Instead I kindly told him that that would NOT be a good a idea. And then I proceeded to drink my water with the desire as if I had just run a marathon so I wouldn't regret saying anything too harsh to him.

Seriously. SERIOUSLY. The lunch ended soon after that and I was left to consider how I had just wasted an entire hour and a half of my life with a rude, ignorant attorney who didn't even end up helping me with some of the questions I had!

The next time I do one of these things, I'm going to go stalk my attorney a week ahead of time to make sure he/she is cool and to erase any memory they may have of that awful movie!

Update

2007-03-25T16:23:00.000-05:00

Okaay....so now Illini are gone AND when The Namesake did finally come to a theatre near me in Chi-town, I'm not there for over a month, and will now likely miss the movie in theatres altogether!! GRRRRRR.

Some Thoughts...

2007-03-14T21:55:00.000-05:00

I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to see The Namesake (and have for a year now), BUT unfortunately it's NOT playing anywhere near me!!!! And when it will, I'll most likely be out of town. I hate waiting. Life sucks :(

On a more hopeful note... GO ILLINI!!!

Our 1st year blogversary

2007-03-02T16:38:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it??!!! It's been 1 whole year! An entire year...that we've been writing this blog and sharing our somethings about nothings and our wonderful thoughts about our lives, careers, and random amusements everyday. We've really enjoyed blogging this past year (apparently I have more than others!) and have you all visit our blog and share your thoughts as well. So here's to another year and to celebrate here's a pretty cake I found online. So eats lots of cake and a happy 1st year blogversary to everyone!!

An amusing flow chart

2007-02-25T15:47:00.000-06:00

Saw this over at Boing Boing and felt the need to share:

Summing up Bush's presidency:

http://www.wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/index.html

The best flowchart I've seen all semester! :)

Dear Reader

2007-02-21T14:55:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader....

I don't usually do this because I don't really mind who reads this blog and because I too am usually an anonymous lurker so I understand the need to not comment or reveal your identity. But here I go. Dear reader from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I'm quite astonished, grateful, and well a little concerned that you visit our little blog 5 times a day. In fact, we quite appreciate your dedication to reading our frequent nothings quite regularly. However, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind letting us know who you were, maybe just a single comment, and more importantly, tell us what brings you to this wonderful little site. Please don't take this the wrong way. We truly appreciate your visits and your privacy and respect your concern to remain anonymous and a lurker. And this blog of ours is really open to anybody, not just to our friends. We think of ourselves as very hospitable bloggers and enjoy your visits. But if you could just de-lurk once in awhile, share a thought, or even drop a praise (ok i'm getting a little greedy and going overboard here ;)) that would be great!

Thanks,
A concerned yet greatly appreciatve blogger,

~P

The Battle in Bollywood

2007-02-21T14:37:00.000-06:00

Did you even know there was a battle? I certainly didn't. And for all we know sitting in our lovely homes in America, there probably isn't. Talk about a bunch of hype. What am I referring to exactly?

Well, low and behold, Time Magazine is yet again trying to prove that it's on the down low on all things, including Bollywood gup-shup and drama.

(courtesy of Time. com)

With the big headline, When Superstars Feud, the article proceeds to discuss and analyze what exactly, if one exists at all, the feud is about between Big B and Shah Rukh Khan. There's talk of generation gaps, age, acting critique, and of course, the big one: STATUS. Apparently, this little dispute is so newsworthy, it's even made into TIME.

First it's CNN, and now it's Time Magazine. Geez...what's going on?!

Look through these lens...

2007-02-21T10:14:00.000-06:00

Independent Lens that is.

Last night on PBS's Independent Lens, I saw this wonderful documentary, Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes . I really enjoyed watching this documentary. Filmmaker and narrator, Byron Hurt, talked about making conscious hip-hop and confronting issues within hip-hop culture such as misogyny, homophobia, and violence.

I really liked how he interviewed various rappers including Chuck D and Mos Def as well as academics, students, and journalists/pop-culture enthusiasts who cover hip-hop in the media. The diverse perspectives were interesting and particularly, the fans who don't find anything wrong with many of the rappers' lyrics. Also, an amusing moment in the movie occurs when Hurt interviews a white man from Columbus, OH who claims that he too can claim hip-hop music as his own (which is fine)....and it's not just for the "colored folk." Yeah. He seriously said that on air. Hurt responds by saying something like, "Did you just say "colored folk?!" Very funny. And awkward!

While the documentary really didn't give any clear solutions or answers to solve these issues, it did promote a much needed discussion and possibly hope for those of us who are hip-hop fans but are disgruntled with the current direction of mainstream hip-hop music and the social attitudes and stereotypes that some rappers promote.

By the way, I would recommend that you watch Independent Lens in general every Tuesday evening at 10/11 EST. Independent Lens promotes thoughtful, eye-opening, and unique independent film-making. Here's a schedule of their upcoming programs: program guide.

Check it out!

Today's headlines

2007-02-21T09:59:00.000-06:00

I'm quite busy this week, but I couldn't resist posting about these headlines that I was confronted with as I opened my google homepage this morning:

From cnn.com, this gem:

Smith's mom: 'She liked downers'

...referencing of course to Anna Nicole Smith and her whirlwind life(style). Was it just me, or did anyone else burst out laughing after reading that headline. And, apparently, yes, I have a dirty mind.

From Wiki's "How to of the Day":

How to Start a Conversation With Someone on a Train, Bus, or Subway

...and why exactly is this something we all need to learn how to do??? Is your ride really that long? I mean I have nothing against the occasional lovely conversation you may have with strangers or other frequent riders, but really, do these types of conversations need to be taught, choreographed?

Oh Google, I'm so glad we have these moments together every morning!

The Amazing Earthmuffin Like You Wouldn't Believe

2007-02-14T19:05:00.000-06:00

Well you might. It's my M&M character name ;) What's yours? Create your own character, movie, and photo here.

Enjoy!

Sublime Snow Days...

2007-02-14T16:05:00.000-06:00

White, messy, frustrating, peaceful, and scary snowstorms. Gotta love them. Well at least for one thing: SNOW DAYS! And, no not just one of them, but TWO SNOW DAYS in a row!!!!! That has, like, NEVER happened to me before! In all my years in the midwest, school has always been on even in the worst of snowstorms, because as we all know, education comes first;)....so screw bad weather, horrible driving conditions, and possibly life endangering moments as you try to make it to school. It's not about the journey, it's about the destination. Or is it the other way around? ;)

So, needless to say, I'm just thrilled that we have 2 snow days in a row. However, that means more expectations that you should have all your work done and in top form come Thursday. But whatever, because today is v-day dammit, and those damn hw assignments are not going to come between my love for doing nothing and being a good productive student.

So to burst my bubble and my perfect rebellion of this awfully commercialized day, in came 4 nice men. Uh...no this is not a dirty post, so STOP what you're thinking. Stop it. NOW.

Here's the story....I needed to run out for a bit. So, dreading the fact that I will now have to spend the next hour shoveling my parking spot and cleaning my car, I cover myself up in layers and get ready to get down to work. Except for one small problem. I don't own a shovel. Ok, so now you all are going to be like WTF? how do you live out in the mw and not own a shovel!! But, it's never been so bad before and there's always been to help (aka parents, roomies, neighbors, and occasionally strangers) so I just never ended up buying one! So anyways...I tried using my hands to form a bucket and dig out the snow. But as you can imagine, it was pretty futile. Well, a few cars down from me... a dude was helping another frantic, lonely chica like myself with her car. Except I thought he was her boyfriend or something so I felt weird intruding and asking for help. Plus, I hate looking like I'm desperate for help and I wanted to keep thinking that I could magically make all the snow disappear. Well ten minutes later, the chica eventually got her car out and the dude helped her push it out of her spot and onto the road. But he never got in the car! *Secretly thinking: YAY!!! Maybe I SHOULD ask this dude for help! He seems like a nice guy...and well, at this point, I'm covered in snow and not getting anywhere so I AM desperate!*

So I shyly go up to said dude and am all girly, "Um...hi..there. Hey, so I'm like, really sorry to do this to you, but I was wondering if you could help me. Pause. Do you think I could borrow your shovel? I'm kinda desperate and I know you're probably tired, so I won't make you do it, I just need a shovel cuz, like, I don't own one."

Nice dude: "Sure! Of course...which one's your car!" (he almost jumped at the chance to help! I heart nice people:) )

A few minutes later....

Nice Dude: "Here, let me help. You can take over if I get tired. So you don't own a shovel? Is this your first winter out here?"

Me: "Uh....yeah....I'm new here (true) and I just forgot to buy a shovel (lying through my teeth). Stupid I know. hehe(insert innocent smile here)!"

Nice dude: "Oh, yeah, no problem. I just moved here last year...and just bought this shovel last winter. "

Then he went on...and started recommending me different shovels to buy. I kindly listened and tried to take mental notes, but also realized that I'm probably going to forget all of this when I make it to Home Depot or some store anytime soon!

Ten minutes later when we are both out of breath....

Nice Dude: "You know what, I'll be right back.

Me: "Err....ok. " (Oh my god!! Is he leaving me here like this. No!!!!!!!!!)

5 minutes later....

Nice dude brings back 2 of his nice dude friends along with him, who have with them 2 big shovels and they all start digging and helping out almost immediately. They all say howdy and have big smiles on their faces as if doing this on a Wednesday morning was their only joy in life and the most glorious part of their day.

Meanwhile, I stood around uselessly and observed the helpfulness of this young men unfold around me. (Gosh..I'm such a girl!)

10 minutes later....

One of the nice dudes: "Ok...well I think this is good enough...why don't you get in and we'll just help push the car out."

Me: "Um...ok. Sure. Thanks so much for all of your help."

I get in the car and after 5 minutes of hard work, my car manages to make it out of the parking spot and onto the messy, icy road. Whew!!
I open the window to thank the men and shower them with praise, but almost have to yell as they're walking away already...probably to help another desperate soul. They yell back thanks but it seemed like they were just doing what needed to be done and didn't really mind doing the work!!

So now you're probably thinking...aww what a cute story. But wait:

20 minutes later, pulling up to my spot....

My car gets STUCK and now I'm in the middle of the parking lot blocking the freakin' exit alley.
Me: "SHIIIIIT!"

But as v-day would have it, another very nice dude (apparently there are plenty of these men who you just happen to pop up in moments of desperation. who knew they existed! now if only they were single and desi....jk ;)) who happened to be walking up to his car at the very same moment. He noticed my frustration and managed to help push my car back into my spot.
Sigh. I double heart nice people. Just DON'T ask me how I'm going to get my car out again.

So, on this lovely snow day and V-day, remember that inspite of all of your efforts to be in your own little world, to act like you don't need someone else, and to do everything possible to hate this very day and all the cheesiness it stands for, nice things can happen to good people. When you least expect it, some people can just turn out to be wonderfully nice, warm, and helpful and it makes all of your anger, fear, and sadness melt away. Random strangers can sometimes be the most friendly, genuine, and kind-hearted people you all will ever meet. Nothing new, but it's always nice to reaffirm that belief. So give in a little, and let all the red, white, and chocolate bring a smile to your snowy day!

Was that V-day message corny enough for y'all?? However you may be spending the day, stay safe and warm, and have a happy hearty day!

With pyar,
~P

Be back shortly....

2007-02-11T13:50:00.000-06:00

Hey all,

These next few days are going to be extremely busy, so there will be sporadic posting. But stay tuned...I have several posts that I would like to share with you soon!

~p

Citizen of the World

2007-02-07T09:26:00.000-06:00

The Trib has an article on Vikram Chandra, who's in our city today promoting his new book, Sacred Games.

It's called Citizen of the World.

From the article:

It is, in various ways, a thriller, a police procedural, a mystery and a traditional Indian epic, all wrapped up in the elegant, nuanced language of a literary novel. It has been called Dickensian and labeled a South Asian version of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather."

"In a sense, reading is all about that. When we read a book, we read along, but we're also looking for structure, for resonances and rhythms. Whenever you are reading anything, but especially a novel, you, in a sense, become a detective, trying to figure out that world." (link)

I'm looking forward to reading this book soon, although seeing that it is some 900 pages long, I'm thinking it'll be awhile until I get around to it!

Some more lovin'...

2007-02-06T14:54:00.000-06:00

From the hilarious, excellent, soon-to-be-finished (sigh.), and adorable show, Scrubs, I present to you: Guy love.

Enjoy =)

We've switched!!!

2007-02-06T12:09:00.000-06:00

So...finally we've switched to the new Blogger!!! We'll try to makes some new changes to the layout and design shortly. Let us know if you have any suggestions or would like to help our poor technically impaired souls. Anyway, just felt like announcing our new change :)

Let the "Rainfall"

2007-02-03T19:17:00.000-06:00

I'm currently in love with these songs from Nitin Sawhney and I thought since, it's close to V-day and all, I would share some of my lovin' :)

Enjoy:

Rainfall

Home

I'm working on inserting the youtube clips for easier viewing. But until then, click away on these links!

Help a brother out

2007-02-03T18:22:00.000-06:00

Hey guys,

I know many of you are in the city and some of you are even students at Loyola. Here's an article about 2 men helping out Pravin Patel and his family, owners of the Kaffecino Coffee Shop in the university's Lake Shore campus. It's great to see students and community members helping a family out in times of need.

The story:
"Steve Hill, a junior at Loyola University, Chicago, started the campaign after coming to know that Nikit Patel, the 22-year-old son of a university campus coffee shop owner, has been diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML. Hill and Chicago real estate developer Tom Pierce organised an all-day event last week as part of the Nikit Patel Benefit Project."

The purpose:
"The whole idea is to provide support for the family and maybe take a little pressure off and allow them to buy some medication for a month," Hill told The Phoenix about last week's event. "This definitely raises awareness."

What you can do:
"Apart from last week's event, donation boxes have also been placed at Carmen's Chicago Pizza on Sheridan Road and the subway on Broadway and Berwyn Avenue in Chicago."

If you're on your way to class, know somebody who lives in the area, or you're going to be in the area yourself, stop by the shop or one of the above locations, donate, and help a brother out!

Stupidity is a defense

2007-02-02T17:19:00.000-06:00

Apparently, and contrary to what we may be taught in school, studipidy is a defense:

"A judge who sentenced a couple to probation for delivering a 20-pound package of marijuana to a friend said he did so because the pair acted out of stupidity." (link)

Go Bears!!!

2007-02-02T17:11:00.000-06:00

MAC-up

2007-02-02T16:58:00.000-06:00

I read this article today in the Chicago Tribune and found it rather interesting:
Ethnicity plays a role in beauty habits

While some of the results were pretty obvious, it was interesting to see the statistics/breakdowns:

Asian: The most likely to use sunscreen and after-sun products. They also are most likely to use facial moisturizers, cleansers and lip-care products. In color cosmetics, Asians are the most likely to use bronzers and shimmer sticks every day.

Hispanic: The leaders in everyday use of mascara, blush, eyeliner and lipstick.

Black: The most frequent wearers of lip gloss and fragrance.

White: The most frequent users of foundation, with 43 percent of Caucasian makeup wearers using foundation every day.
I wonder what the survey would be like if it was more narrow and looked at particular communities such as South Asian women. Just from my observations, I'd say South Asian women are more likely to use foundation, lip-care products, eyeliner, and mascara.
What do you think? Plus do you think it's hard to find a good shade of brown for all of us when we're searching for foundations/cover-ups? I find mixing different shades helps. I guess, much like our personal diversities, no one shade that can truly cover up our physical ones!!

Article on Racism

2007-01-31T15:30:00.000-06:00

Here's a great article I read today in the American Chronicle on racism in American politics:

Read here.

Looks like it's going to be a long and challenging campaign season for Obama.

Going Blank

2007-01-30T10:54:00.000-06:00

....For some reason, my mind is going blank. I can't think of anything I want to write about!!! And it doesn't help that this semester is turning out to be even worse than last semester and even more stressful, leaving me little time to blog in the first place. But I just wanted to let y'all know that I"m still alive, surviving, and I'll be back soon with something more interesting to read about, hopefully!

Until then, come by and say hello, seems like a lot of the visitors here are too shy to say anything. I would love to meet some of our lurkers!

Funny Feedback

2007-01-22T17:05:00.000-06:00

Being the bad student I am, I was stalking youtube and found this lovely gem:

Indian professor shows feedback forms to his students.

Now, this is exactly the kinda feedback I'm talking about!!! Too funny:)

My new distraction

2007-01-18T14:28:00.000-06:00

Do you ever get so into reading a book ,that you forget to do anything else? You simply don't want to do anything else??

I'm currently reading Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found and I can't put it down!!! It's so damn addicting. All the underworld stories and personal experiences are extremely riveting. I'm only about half way into the book, but I'm really liking it so far. Have any of you read it? If not, I urge you to do so. Having only been to certain parts of Bombay on my family trips, I never saw nor experienced the many sides of this city so clearly written about in this book. It makes me want to take a trip back to Bombay now, just to see and feel and hear all the stuff that I apparently missed out or was completely ignorant of in my previous trips.

If nothing else, this book is turning out to be a Maximum (and a welcome) distraction indeed!

Fun for $5

2007-01-18T14:20:00.000-06:00

Wonderful stuff to do in the Chicago for $5: Read Chicago on $5 OR LESS (Chicago Tribune, free registration may be required). Cheap and fun!

We are all Phenomenal Women

2007-01-16T17:03:00.000-06:00

That is, if you're a woman ;)
I just read this wonderful poem by Maya Angelou. Simply Phenomenal!

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies

I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size

But when

I start to tell them

They think I'm telling lies.

I say

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips

The stride of my steps

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please

And to a man

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees

Then they swarm around me

A hive of honey bees.

I say

It's the fire in my eyes

And the flash of my teeth

The swing of my waist

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say

It's in the arch of my back

The sun of my smile

The ride of my breasts

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say

It's in the click of my heels

The bend of my hair

The palm of my hand

The need for my care.

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That's me.

A brief Golden Globe Re-Cap

2007-01-16T16:16:00.000-06:00

Hey All,

Ok so I know most of you are probably reading this thinking, why, Why, WHY Payal are you watching a stupid award show! But, truthfully, I'm kinda addicted to these awards shows and all that comes with it: the fashion, seeing my favorite actors and actresses, the gossip, the funny speeches (depending on whose it is), and the wonderful escape it provides me from my boring life!

So, here's my little recap of the Golden Globes last night. Make of it what you will.

Speeches: I LOVED the speeches by Borat, House, and Betty (using their character names) HATED: Tom Hank's introduction, Warren Beatty's speech(which went on FOREVER), and Jaime Foxx's annoying banter before introducing his movie.

Fashion: I surprisingly really liked Jennifer Lopez's dress. Helen Mirren looked regal. Rachel Weiz and Kate Winslet looked elegant. America just looked gorgeous!

Special shout-outs to America from Ugly Betty. Loved what she said about girls being more what they wished for and I love her character. Watch the show, it's great!

To Sendhil Ramamurthy for being on tv and announcing the award that was then presented Hugh Laurie! A truly fine moment! :)

To Sascha Cohen for one of the funniest speeches ever!! I was almost crying:)

pictures from entertainment weekly:

Highs and Lows

2007-01-16T12:07:00.000-06:00

Today was the first day back for 2nd semester and with an added bonus of starting classes at freakin' 8 am in the morning (seriously, this should be a crime. I mean some of us, are just NOT morning people!!!) So, needless to say, I wasn't exactly all that thrilled to get up today morning, especially after my little Golden Globes party (more on that in another post) last night. But then, when I woke up today, at the crack of dawn and with darkness all around me, I opened the blinds to my window and for the first time this winter I saw REAL snow! The first time all winter!!! I love seeing the first snowfall of winter, it's so pure and peaceful and beautiful. Excited after seeing my pretty white snow, I thought, hey today won't be so bad after all. I mean I even had some time left to drink some coffee before class!

But all good things must come to an end and so my initial high slowly came crashing down as I realized how much of a pain it is walk outside while it's snowing during the early morning in the midst of all the traffic and icy sidewalks. And then, the day got even worse, as I just had to run into my fellow "brown brotha from the hood" as I was walking up the stairs almost out of breath (damn you heels!).

And finally, to put the icing on top my ugly morning Tuesday cake, I just found out that a dear friend that I made last semester, a truly gem of a person, kind, caring, so smart and studious she made the rest of us look bad, so elegant and proper that I told her to ditch all this school nonsense and become a famous ballerina dancer, decided that graduate school was not where her interests lie after all. She would no longer be sitting next to me and we would no longer share each other's company during our loooong classes. Sigh. I'm going to miss her. But you know, she's the sort of person that will be successful in whatever she does and I hope she finds her true calling soon. She's out to search for her dreams and I hope she grabs ahold of it soon.
I wish I had grabbed a few sparkly snowflakes in dark, early morning today too, before it soon all melted away in the warm sun of a Tuesday afternoon.

Christmas in Chicago

2006-12-28T17:25:00.000-06:00

I LOVE Christmas in Chicago. There's nothing else like it and well, I'm a bit biased, the holidays are my favorite time of the year. Here are some pics of my favorite holiday in my favorite city! :) Merry X-mas and Happy Holidays all!

The new ABC 7 Studios and...Ravi...the new desi weekend reporter.

State Street!

Windows at Marshall Fields...er...I mean Macy's

More State Street

My new status

2006-12-19T01:30:00.000-06:00

Single?
Alone?
Uh...it's complicated?

What category do you fall in? Well, instead of always marking the oh so obvious "single" or defining ourselves by our relationships with others, perhaps it's time for a new status. I would like to add another category. QuirkyAlone!

Have you guys heard about this? Apparently there's a famous book about this whole new idea: Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics and a dedicated online community.

What is a quirkyalone you may ask?

Who are the quirkyalones? There are many definitions, but we'll start with this one. Quirkyalones are people who resist the tyranny of coupledom. Oddly enough, we quirkyalones also tend to be romantics. We resist the tyranny of coupledom because we would prefer to be open to the possibilities that life has to offer than be in an unsatisfying relationship. That is, to date for the sake of dating, or be in a relationship for the sake of being part of a couple.
Quirkyalone is not anti-love. It is pro-love. It is not anti-dating. It is anti-compulsory dating. It's an embrace of all kinds of love. Although we quirkyalones enjoy solitude, and sometimes even need and crave it, we are NOT loners. We typically have a strong network of friends. Most of us place a high premium on friendship. We've even been known to bring our friends on dates! (Link)

I rather like this new term (although technically it's been around since 2005; yeah, i'm so not hip!) in the way that it allows ourselves to be fully satisfied and secure with who we are, who are friends are, and the lifestyles we choose to lead without defining us, limiting us by our relationships. It's a love for life, for oneself, and the idea that it's ok to be single! It's OK!!!! (ok, that should like be my new mantra of the day.)

Seriously, in the last month, I've already heard of 3 engagements of girls who are my age or close to my age. I'm not even kidding. 3 in just one month!!! (Note: these girls were always the ones really desirous of getting married young and finding the one..so well...their passion found success!) And it left me thinking that I was somehow behind on the game (you know the game. the one and only. the one some of us have been trained for since birth. motivation, drama, and inspiration provided by the 'rents. and constant gossip and comparisions and questions from fellow peers who can be at times rather desperate, ruthless competitors. tanvi and i have lovingly termed it: Husband-Hunting!)

As if, all of sudden life took a turn somewhere and everyone went one way; knowingly, strategically, and enthusiastically following this "I'm of age so I MUST be looking for my husband now and in a few years I'm going to get married and then a few years after that I'm going to have kids and I'm going to make sure I follow this mapped out life path." Of course, I'll throw in a little bit of career, school, oh and some eye-opening life experiences in there as well, just for good measure.

Meanwhile, a few of us kinda wandered off on a different turn, daddling in relationships but also finding and pursuing other passions. And then.... some of us just did a complete u-turn and were apparently completely off path to this ultimate goal. We were so off-path, we didn't even realize we were supposed to be participants in the game. We had not idea how, when, and how to get to this "ultimate" prize life choice. Where was the start line? More importantly....how far away was the finish line???

When did this all of sudden become so calculated? Did some of these girls just wake up one day, realize they were 22, armed with some education but no life experience, and decide, hey...i know what I'm going to do with my life now! I'm going to find me a husband because I'm like in my twenties and I like MUST get married now! It's like the only right, natural, parent-pleasing thing to do. And who cares about expanding my mind when I can like expand my heart. For a man.

This whole idea for some reason has been really bugging me of late, not sure why exactly. I mean usually I'm pretty libertarian in my social beliefs and if these girls are happy and have finally claimed their "prize" then why shouldn't I be happy for them? After all, why should I be angry when that's clearly their desired choice. But it's when these so-called girls then continuously ask me if I'm dating, have I found the one, did I meet anybody..etc. And it's like, you know what...I'm not desperate to play this game yet. Call me a late-bloomer, call me a little naive, a little selfish, a little too preoccupied with other visions, dreams, and ideas about my life. But I'm just not ready to follow this so-called cookie-cutter path. Not now. Who knows, I may regret this later on when all of them are married and I'm still living on my own with my books, artwork, and blog(kidding y'all. i plan to like..you know...move on to podcasts or something;)) but at least I'll know that I didn't follow someone else's path just because I was supposed to be on it. Instead, I took a U-turn, drove around in a few circles, travelled through some seedy areas, reversed out of some dead-ends, and finally found myself at an intersection where a relationship status alone didn't define or evaluate me. In fact, all the while, I had just been a quirkyalone, embracing all kinds of loves, especially the most important one of all: the love for oneself and one's own beliefs. Never compromising those ideas, but rather building a new path through my own experiences and creating a whole new life map to follow. Just for me.

Freedom Never Tasted So Sweet :)

2006-12-19T01:22:00.000-06:00

Ok....so I'm finally done with the the torture also known as finals. Sigh. And I thought it would never end!!

And so to constantly motivate me as to why I should probably pursue a law career, I present to you this uh..arousing clip.

I rest my case. ;)

An Indian Nutcracker

2006-12-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

Via Angry Asian Man, I just read about this wonderful new peformance of the Nutcracker that's happening in Boston.

Read An Indian Nutcracker.

The teacher is Indian but it seems that the students who are performing it are not. Regardless, I think it's amazing that she's put together such a performance incorporating various Indian dances and movements including Bharata Natyam. More importantly, she's teaching traditional movements and giving her students a glimpse into another culture.

As someone who has a wondeful memory of the first time that she saw The Nutcracker being performed in the city on a class field trip and is a Bharata Natyam dancer, I would just like to say that I think it's great that Ms. Sirinivasan has created this performance by bringing together classical Indian dance and the main idea behind the famous Nutcracker story. She's altered the story a bit, obviously, but she has orginal video scenery and an original musical composition for the performance!

It's nice to see college dance departments including various dances from around the world into their curriculum. Indeed dance is universal!
Very, very cool.

Also see previous post, Sita Ram, a Musical.

Kuuuumarrrrr!!!!

2006-12-08T13:40:00.000-06:00

Ok..so I got a little excited there. But seriously, this looks like a really cute, funny little movie about Kumar. The one and only. Kumar Pallana of The Royal Tenenbaums fame. There's a new movie coming out titled, Kumar: My 88 Year Old Best Friend.

From the website:

"KUMAR: MY 88 YEAR OLD BEST FRIEND provides a unique window into the fascinating and unlikely friendship between eighty-eight year old cult film icon Kumar Pallana (The Terminal, Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore) and thirty-year old indie label proprietor and PR/management guru Dave Brown.

Many mistakenly believe that Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson "discovered" Kumar when they plucked him out of seeming obscurity from behind the counter of his eclectic cafe. But in reality Kumar's hardly new to show business, in fact he's a world renowned vaudevillian entertainer who once shared a stage with the Rat Pack and performed on classic television shows like the Mickey Mouse Club, Ed Sullivan and Captain Kangaroo. "

And the man even has his own MySpace page. I'm not even kidding. Talk about being hip and cool. Man, this 88-year old man could beat my twentysomething kundi any day for cool points.

Catch the trailer on the website. My favorite line: "I can speak four languages. But when I'm drunk, I can speak any language!" :)

Taking a Small Break...

2006-12-06T17:52:00.000-06:00

Hey all,

I just wanted to inform you all that I'll be blogging pretty sporadically for the next couple of weeks in order to fight the good fight against this educational conspiracy known as finals! So, there will be few posts until the end of Dec. But no worries, visit our archives and enjoy the holiday season, and more importantly (gosh, i'm so selfish;)) pray that I survive the next two weeks!!!

Also, I would love to hear from some of our readers. Seems like our comments are dying recently. Comment, voice your opinion, story, experience. Or just say hi. We love visitors! :) Check y'all laters.

~~payal

New links

2006-12-03T19:14:00.000-06:00

Hey all,

Just wanted to point out some new links on our sidebar:

Chicagoist: Everything you need, want, and should know that's going on in our amazing city

Racialicious: The intersection of race and pop culture

Hyphen Blog: Hyphen Magazine's Blog

E-Motive: A good friend e-moting ;)

Click Away! :)

IFC Nominations

2006-11-30T16:37:00.000-06:00

Yay! The real nominations are here! Not to diss the Oscars, but they ALWAYS overlook the truly talented, subtle performances, many from newly arrived actors (including many minorities), and some noteworthy, innovative, and thought-provoking screenplays.

The IFC nominations just came out the other day. And..the wonderful Little Miss Sunshine and Man Push Cart have been nominated!! So has the documentary My Country, My Country (a really great doc!) and Thank You for Smoking. Check out all the nominations here.

I Think I May Have Met a Celebrity...

2006-11-29T15:50:00.000-06:00

BUT..I'm not sure!!!

This ALWAYS happens to me!!!! Always! And this is the 2nd time in the same city!!!
Either I run into a celebrity but didn't even know that he/she was one...or...I run into one, even have a pleasant conversation with him/her, but then have no camera to forever remember that moment and rub it in the face of my friends!!! Life is SO unfair!

So I was in L.A. (L.A.!!! o.k. but that's for a whole 'nother post!) recently and attending a certain family desi function. I happened to be sitting at one of the front tables right near the stage, the center of the hall, and near the mcees. So the mcees for the night were these 2 desi men who walked on stage with some strut and style and proceeded to put on some skits and give mini-speeches. And they were HILARIOUS. No really. They were good. And good to look at too ;) Which is not always the case in certain desi functions, especially family-related ones (both the mceeing and the looks!).

These two managed to connect with the audience and ran the program along smoothly in a timely manner with their random comments and witty banter during periods of technology difficulties (isn't that always the case!) and long, boring, unimpressive speeches by people who should really not be speaking in public to begin with (sorry, but its true! You know what I'm talkin' about!).

So while I'm sitting there listening to these mcees, I'm thinkin' Damn!! Who are these people? (I didn't manage to get their names when announced at the beginning, and no one at my table knew either). Usually non-professional desi events don't have the strongest of mcees and certainly not the funniest. So I was quite impressed.

Even more impressive, was the fact that one of the mcees looked awfully familiar. Like I had seen or heard about him before somewhere, but couldn't imagine where. Afterall, this was freakin' L.A where everyone is practically a celebrity or acts like he or she is one. But I've spent practically all of my life in the Midwest (Holla!!!) so there was no chance I somehow knew this guy (although, it has to be said that there's like 2 degrees of separation between all of us Gujjus in America.)

I didn't know this guy, had never met him before, but for the life of me, knew that there was something about him that I couldn't quite pinpoint. Lo and Behold, the evening flew by, my face hurt from laughter, and before I could even finish my lassi or grab a spoon of dal makhani, these boys seemed to have disappeared. I couldn't find them anywhere afterwards and sadly, didn't even see them on the dance floor bustin' some moves :( !!!

Who was this guy and where did he come from!!!! Talk about using your connections! Where, how, when, did my extended family find this guy!!!!
It was driving me insane...

So after a few days, when I returned back home in the flat, cold, cloudly Midwest, I happened to be checking one of my older emails that I had gotten but never opened. It was an email describing a new start-up desi clothing business and had a link to their website. I clicked on the link and was perusing their website in hopes of finding what was so cool about this new clothing line. One of the links on the webpage was to a page with photos of desi celebrities wearing the clothing at various parties and events and showin' some love towards this new product. A rather direct, convincing marketing tool to say hey "if Kal Penn wears this, so should you!" (add big cheesey smile here with several thumbs up actions!!!) . Well, as I'm looking through the pictures, there, right in the center of the webpage, is the photo of a desi hip-hop group reppin' the t-shirts. And I think my MYSTERY MCEE DUDE was in it!!!!!! He was in the hip-hop group!!!! I'm pretty sure it's the SAME GUY! How could I have not known that! Geez...I'm totally missin' out on my street cred these days.

I had so heard about this guy and read about him in other features! If I'm right (and I'm pretty sure I am), Mr. Funny Mcee Dude is huge in Cali and is a rapper, musician, comedian, and apparently also an mcee on his down time at random desi events that I attend!!!! How cool is that!!! Meeting a random desi celebrity (hard and rare enough as that is!) while I'm in L.A, at a big (but not nessarily huge or well-known) desi event, a family event no less, and who was standing just a few inches away from me! What was the likelihood! And to think that if I had only paid attention to those damn youtube videos and random magazine articles of him beforehand, I could have known all along who this cool dude was for sure and might have even got a picture as proof for this long-winded blog post.

I mean DAMN! I so could have met a celebrity! And that's important stuff people! Who cares about studying, helping others, getting a career and all that, when you can MEET a celebrity!!!!

Sigh. Next time, people, next time. Whenever I go back to L.A. again, I'm keeping my camera with me at ALL times. In L.A., you never know who you're going to run into. Even with random aunties and uncles. And I swear, I WILL make sure that there are some photos with celebrities.
Photoshopped or not!! ;)

Upcoming Writing/Acting Workshop

2006-11-29T15:39:00.000-06:00

Just received some news on the following introductory writing/acting workshop by Rasaka Theatre and DesiLit. Sounds pretty cool, sign up if you can!

Rasaka Theatre / DesiLit Creativity Workshop

Saturday, December 2, 2006
Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, Rm 720

DesiLit and Rasaka Theatre cordially invite you to participate in our introductory creativity workshops!9 - noon: Morning session: ActingAn introduction to acting. This workshop is geared for beginners -- no experience needed! We'll do group and individual exercises designed to unlock your inner actor.
Instructors: Anjali Thawani and Bobby Zaman.

Noon - 1: Lunch (brown bag)Bring your lunch and join us for a discussion of the life of the creative artist; we'll talk about finding inspiration, finding time and discipline to create, and if time permits, we may even talk about starting to market yourself and your work.

1 - 4: Afternoon session: WritingAn introduction to writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. This workshop is geared for beginners -- no experience needed! We'll do exercises that introduce you to all four genres, and by the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a complete piece of writing. Instructors: Bobby Zaman and Mary Anne Mohanraj.

Cost: $30/session; $50/entire day.Space will be limited to ten participants/session.To reserve your spot, please e-mail Mary Anne Mohanraj at: info@desilit.org

Instructor Bios:
Anjali Thawani is delighted to once again be working with Rasaka Theater Company. A graduate of the University of Illinois BFA program in Acting, she has worked throughout Chicago in various venues, including The Stage Left Theater, and with The Steppenwolf Theater Company (Summer Arts.) Favorite roles include Darlene in Balm In Gilead, Viola in Twelfth Knight, the Infanta in Stories from a Garden (world premiere cast), and of course, any role that she has ever played for Rasaka.

Mary Anne Mohanraj is the author of BODIES IN MOTION, a set of Sri Lankan-American linked stories, covering two families and three generations (HarperCollins). She teaches fiction at Vermont College and Roosevelt University, and is working on a follow-up book, THE ARRANGEMENT, a contemporary threesome novel (forthcoming HarperCollins). Mohanraj recently received an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in Prose. She currently serves as the Executive Director of DesiLit (www.desilit.org), an organization that works to support S. Asian and diaspora literature, and also directs the Speculative Literature Foundation (www.speclit.org). Mohanraj was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. http://www.maryannemohanraj.com

Bobby Zaman is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with degrees in English Literature/Writing & Theatre. He has been working as a playwright and actor in the Chicago theatre scene for the past 12 years. During this time Bobby has worked with such companies as the Next Theatre Company, Keyhole Theatre Company, Saint Sebastian Players, Polarity Ensemble Theatre, The Theatre Building Chicago, Arts Lane Absolute Shakespeare Company, Rasaka Theatre Company and many more. His latest play THE PALACE received a staged reading with Rasaka Theatre Company in May of this year and is currently being shopped around for near future production. Bobby is currently at work on a trilogy of plays.

A Sad Thanksgiving for Some

2006-11-29T15:19:00.000-06:00

I'm finally back from my looooong weekend. More details on that later, hopefully, if I get a chance to blog about it. But I came back and read this sad bit of news that happened last week in my hometown.

Hopefully these shop owners can get their businesses up and running soon!

Thanksgiving fire shatters dreams on Devon Avenue

By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah
Tribune staff reporter
November 25, 2006

The smell of smoke and charred debris hung heavy Friday over the heart of Devon Avenue, a boulevard of American dreams built by immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.Just like the nation's retail giants, these North Side sellers of lentils, spices, saris, jewels and Bollywood videos depend on long holiday weekends for their livelihoods.But a fire Thursday morning ravaged most of the south side of the street between Campbell and Maplewood Avenues, closing 15 businesses and 11 apartments. Friday morning, shop owners gathered across the street in Zam Zam Restaurant to commiserate, compare losses and try to find a way to smile through it."Outside I'm laughing, but inside I'm crying," said Abdul Wahid Butt, whose Sabri Nehari Restaurant had been so popular that patrons often waited an hour for a table and a chance to sip the nehari, a spicy beef stew. Friday it was boarded up, its roof collapsed, its green and white sign blackened. "Thirteen years of hard work and I've been left on the street," he said.Estimates of destroyed inventory and lost business ranged into the millions.Mohammed Rehan, the owner of Sur Sangeet, which rented Bollywood movies, had just taken ownership of the store a month ago. He didn't have insurance.Hamid Mirza, the owner of Chandni Boutique, a clothing store, reflected on how eight years ago when he first came from Pakistan, a house fire left him homeless. He and his family survived and eventually started the boutique, only to have another fire devastate them.Outside, people gathered in groups across from the burned-out block. Some looked lost. Others wondered whether their favorite restaurants or stores--some of which draw customers from around the Midwest--would ever reopen.

"Each and every shop has its own unique presence on the street," said Mahesh Sharma, 50, who had walked down from his own business, the India Book House, to take a look. "Everyone comes here from a different part of the world to make a living. People here put in a lot of hard work, so when something like this happens, it really hurts."He noted that Raag Music, one of the affected businesses, was the only store on Devon that specialized in music from south India in Tamil and Telegu."No one else had the variety he had," Sharma said.Shujaat Ali, owner of Sohnny Jewelers, walked into Zam Zam with relief in his eyes. He had been allowed into his store Thursday night and his glass showcases appeared intact. There was no water damage in the store. His goods were locked away in a safe.But as long as the store remained closed, he was losing sales."We were really waiting for this special Thanksgiving weekend," Ali said. "We were expecting a lot of business."Others had not been inside their businesses yet. They had no idea how much they had lost.The fire began at about 4 a.m. Thursday. Three buildings share one facade along the block. Fire officials said flames were initially reported in the rear of one of the buildings and quickly spread across the roof.Although firefighters were able to get the fire under control within two hours, they battled hot spots throughout the day Thursday. They returned Friday morning to put out rubbish that had rekindled.The cause remained undetermined Friday, said fire spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez. But firefighters had some much-needed good news for occupants: The buildings were no longer in danger of collapsing.Butt welcomed the news. Since first arriving 27 years ago on a temporary visa, the Pakistani businessman has struggled to make a life in America. He lived illegally before being granted amnesty in 1986. He is now a U.S. citizen. For many years, he drove taxis, 14 hours a day, saving money for a business.

Two decades ago, he started his first restaurant on Devon. It failed. He started another. It failed too.Sabri Nehari was his first success. Butt opened it 13 years ago in a small storefront, east of Western Avenue. He said he put 16 hours a day into his restaurant, cultivating customers and developing a loyal following. Eventually, he moved the family eatery to the current, larger site west of Western. He now owns other businesses in the area and in DuPage County as well.But Sabri Nehari on Devon was where many of his family memories lay. Recently Butt, 52, had bought the store next door hoping to expand the 140-seat capacity."It was the No. 1 restaurant on Devon," said Rohit Maniar, vice president of the National Republic Bank of Chicago and an unofficial expert on the strip.Qamar Churra, who walked by across the street, had eaten at the restaurant the night before the fire. He wondered if he'd find another eatery that was as friendly, a place where he could hang out with family and friends."I come and eat here every other week," he said.Butt said he has been getting calls from patrons, expressing their sorrow and pleading with him to reopen soon.On Friday, in between pep talks with other business owners on his block, telling each to have faith in God, Butt was busy trying to secure financing and looking for another site along the street where he could open another Sabri Nehari--ASAP." I have a lot of customers," he said. "I have to open as soon as possible."

nahmed@tribune.com
Copyright (c) 2006, Chicago Tribune

Thanks and Happy Giving

2006-11-21T11:34:00.000-06:00

Hey all....

I'll be away from the blog for a few days. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it, and a wonderful weekend. Give a little thanks and have a good one!

And you thought debate was just a club...

2006-11-20T15:20:00.000-06:00

Oh Hell No!!! It's a sport. Or also known as...how to speak 150 words a minute. Intelligently. And while breathing. This is some real talent y'all. And it's even broadcast on College Sports TV. Love that!

Just saw the video of the 2004 National Collegiate Debate Tournament on Google Video.

It was fascinating. And yes, I know. I'm a dork.

No but seriously. The schools, the teams, the upsets, the triumphs, the underdogs, the tears, the joy, the cockiness, the school bravado, the nerdiness, the ambitions, oh more nerdiness, and the sheer amount of verbal aggressiveness was astounding! These are some smart, driven students. Apparently these undergrads do as much research for their arguments as those completing their Masters thesis. *bowing in respect of just how serious (and just a little geeky/crazy?) these students are.

Unfortunately, didn't see my alma mater, University of Illinois represented. But there were Berkeley and Michigan St. competing against each other in the final round (that's right. Northwestern and Harvard were outta there! Haha:)) and a Berkeley desi debater featured as the best speaker in the country.

So I guess it's about time people started realizing they shouldn't mess with the nerds!

Or as my lovely button says: We are the future of America. Be Afraid. Very Afraid. ;)

A Dress-Sari?

2006-11-17T20:23:00.000-06:00

So as I was procrastinating on my paper, I saw this pic of J.Lo in Rome for TomKat's wedding:

(picture courtesy from People magazine)

Is it just me..or does this sort of look like a sari cut short and worn off the shoulder?? I mean, it looks beautiful, but the way the pallu is worn is kinda like a sari, no?

Personal Rant of the Day: Don't act like you know me

2006-11-17T15:10:00.000-06:00

*Directed towards a certain individual who decided to talk behind my back, as I was listening (!), and went on to make certain presumptions about me. *

First of all, I hate it when I can't turn back and shoot an equally insulting comment back at someone during the moment when someone is trying to undermine me. I don't know why. I always wish I was one of those girls who could come up with a witty, burning comment right at those moments. BUT, of course, I am too overwhelmed, confused, or simply too nice to say something back. Something in me just always wants to wave it off, ignore it, and move on.

But really, how dumb/unaware/nice do you think I am? To be sitting there right behind me, making indirect comments (but yet so direct since you were looking at me and since there was NO other brown person there other than me) about who you think I am and what my personality is like. I've talked to you like 2 times, both times with a smile on my face and with considerable kindness. I've never been mean to you.

But just because you're brown and I'm brown, DOES NOT mean we have to talk to each other, become best buddies, hang out on weekends, or even eye-fuck at each other. Maybe I'm a little shy, a little introverted and maybe you're a little outgoing and extroverted, so you're having trouble understanding why a fellow brown person isn't automatically bffs with another person who also happens to be brown and all eager to hang out with just fellow browns. Well, "Mr. Are you brown enough": Let me break it down for you.

DON'T act like you know me. DON'T tell me how desi I am or am not. DON'T label me and tell me what a Desi should/would act like. Don't take mere observations and extractions of random conversations to presume that you know who I am, where I come from, what my upbringing is like, what my beliefs are, what my friends are like, what I think it means to be a brown person.

But most of all, don't EVER tell me how I should identify as a brown person and what I should act like. Because, the truth is, with your convoluted vision of who I am, you'll never figure it out and you'll always put me in your make-believe "this is how desis should act/feel/hang out with" box. And I'll just never fit in.

Seriously, who do you think you are to be telling me what it means to be a desi, to be assuming that just because I hang out with a diverse group of friends that has a lower number of desis which apparently doesn't fit your quota/standard of enough desi friends to have to be a true desi, that I am somehow less desi because of it? That I am somehow losing my culture, religion, beliefs by hanging out with people that I actually like, that are smart, funny, caring, and good people rather than a few extra browns to fill your supposed quota just so I can say/feel like I'm desi enough.

Because let me tell you. That is some messed up idea of what it means to be a desi. For you to say something so asanine like, "Well I guess brownies just ignore other brownies here, you know, that's just how some of the brownies I know roll here I guess..." In what planet did you think that I would just let that go by and how dare you think that just because not every brown person is friends with every other brown person, that somehow we are ignoring him/her or denying our identity in some way. Seriously, man. I want to know. Because you are apparently coming from somewhere I CANNOT relate with.

Maybe it's because you live in a town with a much smaller desi population and so everyone knows each other and therefore every brown person MUST be friends with each other. Well, I hate to break it to you. There's like this big city like 3 hours away from here where there's like 200,000+ desis. And not everyone knows each other (unless you play the six-degrees-Kevin Bacon game!) and not everyone feels the need to either. Nobody CARES!

You're just being an idiot. People like you upset me, anger me, because you try to pigeon-hold all of us in some sort of complex-standstill-narrow minded concept of desiness that people like me will never adhere to. Everyone has their own way of identifying with their brownness and don't need to follow your stupid standards or quotas.

I'm secure with who I am, what my identity is, how I define desi for myself, who my friends are, what my interests are, and how my brown self wants to "roll."

I guess I could drop to your level and question why you act so gangsta (when you're clearly suburban), why you feel need to act like such a pimp (as if that really attracts all the ladies), why you are so arrogant and judgmental when somone doesn't act in a way you don't agree with. But you know what, I'll NEVER equate your behavior, beliefs, actions, as being any more or any less Desi.

Because guess what, you jerk, being desi isn't about all that. That's all just you. There's no one definition for it. You are who you are and you live the way you want to. There is no one way that an individual desi must act in order to be an actual desi. There's no written script or rulebook for it. There's never confusion. You shouldn't be bound by some arbirtrary boundaries. And never according to just one defintion. We all have our own evolving identity.

Desis come in all forms yo! Live and Let live!

Peace,
From the "I-don't-need-to-define-myself-to-you" secure brown sista sitting infront of you.

Go Fug Your Bollywood Self

2006-11-16T21:58:00.000-06:00

So as some of you may know, I am quite selective in which Bollywood films I watch. It depends on the actors (I will NEVER watch a Salman Khan film. EVAH!), the script/plot (seriously, Black is one of the worst movies I have ever seen!), possibly the director (I'm biased towards most Bengali directors, Deepa Mehta, Aparna Sen...but need to be insane to ever watch a Karan Johar film), and the genre (I refuse to watch horror films).

But...(you didn't think there would be a but did you ;)) ....I may be influenced into watching a film for its asthetics. That's right people. I have my priorities. Clearly. And if it looks really pretty (ahem..Devdas, Umaro Jaan (and coincidently, both contain a certain actress, sadly)), then I might just go see it. But cinematography and scenery aren't enough.

FASHION! I love fashion. Even if I don't/won't/shouldn't wear any of the clothes that are displayed, I love looking at the designs, fabrics, colors, and various ways such clothing can be worn. And if a movie has fabulous fashion.....I'll watch it too. I know....I have way too many exceptions;)

So for the past month or so...I've been stalking my favorite Bollywood fashion commentary site, Ugly, Ugly, Bollywood Fugly. (And shout-out to one of the writers who is an Illini!)

Love the blog...Go check it out, it's so NOT fugly:) !

PS...Ok so the photo has NOTHING to do really with the post, but no matter how much I dislike Ms. Rai, I gotta say, Damn...that is one pretty pic!

Getting Filmi

2006-11-16T21:44:00.000-06:00

Want reviews about the latest desi movies? Want commentary on movies you know you'll never be able to watch but so wish you could because you're stuck in an educational dungeon in the middle of nowhere? Want news, opinions on indie (as in independent:)), diasporic, and documentary features?

yes, Yes, and YES!!!!

I recommend filmiholic. Love her site and well...am a little jealous she got to see all those movies!

I am so greatful for her commentary from the recent IACC movie festival in NY on movies such as Nina's Heavenly Delights, Punching at the Sun, Hiding Divya, Gandhi at Bat, etc. A wonderful way to enjoy those movies vicariously through her writing. Especially since I know it will be a pain to track them down if I ever do get a chance to see them.

Take a break, and enter her filmi duniya! You just might get addicted :)

It's All About Consolidation

2006-11-15T14:15:00.000-06:00

I read the following op-ed in the Tribune today morning and it made me laugh. It's by the one and only, Garrison Keillor. I thought I would share it with you all. My favorite part:

While we're at it, let's admit that Utah, Texas and Vermont have never been completely comfortable as part of the United States. They've tried to fit in but it just isn't working, so let's allow them to pull out and find their own path. You could attach Nevada to Utah and make a lovely little desert nation out of that, and let Vermont join Canada, and make Texas a republic. Add Oklahoma to it. They really are part of the same thing. This leaves us with 43 states, which we could reduce to 40 by joining Rhode Island and New Hampshire and making Idaho part of Montana and combining North and South Dakota into one state called West Minnesota. It's called consolidation, folks. It goes on all the time in corporate America and also in local school districts, so let's make it work for America.We Democrats will personally foot the bill for the new flags.

Find the full article below.
Warning: If you're a Republican, you might not laugh! :)

Goodbye, Utah, Texas ...

--------------------Garrison Keillor November 15, 2006

I'm sitting under a banyan tree in Honolulu with a big glass of pomegranate juice, and the sea is glittering and surfers are skimming in on low waves, and the election is over, so let's all relax and quit irritating each other. OK? Nancy Pelosi, the she-wolf from Sodom, is about to become the madam of the House, so you Republicans just get over it. Cash in your blue chips and invest in gold ingots and maybe real estate in Costa Rica. The black helicopters have landed. Live with it.Democrats intend to bring reform to Washington, and why not begin with the United States Senate? It has been sorely in need of reform for a century or so. Two senators per state is a good idea in theory, assuming they are half smart, but then you look at George Allen, a lumbering frat boy from the state of Madison and Jefferson, and you think, whoa, something is wrong with this picture. We need some horizontal control.Let's start at the beginning and redraw the map. First of all, is there a reason for Wyoming to exist as a state? I have often wondered about this. Why give two Senate seats to a half-million dime-store cowboys while California gets two seats for 34 million people? (Wyoming has roughly the population of Sacramento.) It's OK if Wyoming sends somebody with brains and an independent streak, but when they send a couple of Republican hacks, then it makes no sense.The idea behind the Senate was to create a sheltered body of wise counselors who, because they don't have to shill for money perpetually, can rise above the petty tumult and think noble thoughts and do the right thing in a pinch. Can you think of a time when Wyoming's senators have done this? No, you can't. So let's bite the bullet and make Wyoming a federal protectorate and appoint an overseer.This would be a good assignment for Halliburton. It's done a heck of a job in Iraq, and let's give it Wyoming and, while we're at it, Alaska. A wonderful postcard place, but what have its congressmen done other than grub for federal largesse for Alaska? Change the name to Denali and put Halliburton in charge of it.

While we're at it, let's admit that Utah, Texas and Vermont have never been completely comfortable as part of the United States. They've tried to fit in but it just isn't working, so let's allow them to pull out and find their own path. You could attach Nevada to Utah and make a lovely little desert nation out of that, and let Vermont join Canada, and make Texas a republic. Add Oklahoma to it. They really are part of the same thing. This leaves us with 43 states, which we could reduce to 40 by joining Rhode Island and New Hampshire and making Idaho part of Montana and combining North and South Dakota into one state called West Minnesota. It's called consolidation, folks. It goes on all the time in corporate America and also in local school districts, so let's make it work for America.We Democrats will personally foot the bill for the new flags. This is a promise.We now have 40 states and 20 extra Senate seats to parcel out. Give some to ex-presidents. This would rescue them from their lonely lives on the lecture circuit and lend some pizazz to the place since they'd be free to spout off and say whatever they think. People would sit in the galleries to listen to Bill Clinton. He'd be down there sawing away with Jimmy Carter and Bush 41 and maybe some former secretaries of state and chairmen of the joint chiefs. Let them in the club and put that experience to use. And add some city senators. Give one to New York, one to L.A., Chicago, Seattle and so forth. This would definitely add color.And that is how you create a permanent Democratic majority. Tom DeLay showed us the way. Learn from the master. Those dinkeldorfs who ran the show for 12 years must never be allowed to return to power. Take those suits to the cleaners. Subject them to alternative interrogation techniques until we get to the truth. George Allen would make a decent host of a daytime quiz show. He came dangerously close to running for president. Ai yi yi yi yi. Let's get to work.
----------Garrison Keillor is an author and radio host of "A Prairie Home Companion."Copyright (c) 2006, Chicago Tribune

Rockin' out to Raman

2006-11-15T13:55:00.000-06:00

I wanted to point out 2 tracks that I've been listening to recently from one of my favorite artists, Susheela Raman. Both can be found on her myspace page. The first is Same Song and its an extremely beautiful song with the wonderful line, "Nowhere to go but the horizon/ Where then will I call my home."

The second is the yet unreleased collaboration with my fave, Karsh Kale, titled Waiting in Vain. I love the slow, subtle start and how it starts out with her English lyrics and then flows into Hindi lyrics sung by male voice. Lovely!

Although, of course IMO, I enjoy all of her tracks on her albums, Salt Rain (I love the song Mamavatu) and Music for Crocodiles.

Check them out!

Nancy Giles

2006-11-10T16:24:00.000-06:00

I just came back from a wonderful conference titled, Women in Law with amazing sessions and speakers. The keynote speaker for the dinner reception was Nancy Giles currently on the CBS Morning Show. She was so amazing and such a vibrant, engaging speaker. I loved listening to all of her experiences from NY to college to her acting career and radio show. I especially liked how she would occasionally digress into random rants, songs, and side anecdotes in addition to the already tangential stories she was mentioning. She's loud, honest, and SO funny. I loved her and her spirit. She talked about empowerment and how what were initially negative experiences, later on became the most benefitial lessons and motivational moments in her life. I got a chance to meet her after her speech and she was extremely nice, funny and stayed an hour after to talk to all of us and listen to our comments and stories! There were many highlights during the conference which I will blog about later, but I just wanted to give a shout-out to an inspiring, funny, smart, and wonderful woman who's speech and personality was refreshing and gave me an emotional high! Lots of respect yo!

Boston Highlights

2006-11-07T22:40:00.000-06:00

On my recent trip to Boston, I saw Death Cab for Cutie in concert. I've never been so in love with a bunch of dorky looking guys before. They were adorable and incredible! Our seats were two rows away from the stage. I could actually see them spit (and to be honest Ben Gibbard, the lead singer did). But when you sing like that, all is forgiven! They setlist included tracks from Plans, The Photo Album, and Transatlanticism. The Base player was kinda scary, doing his little dance and blocking the oh so cute drummer. So if you haven't heard any of their stuff yet, I urge you to do so. You won't be sorry!

Stay tuned for actual photos from the concert, taken up close and personal!

A New Desi Comedy?!!!

2006-11-07T01:46:00.000-06:00

CBS has put up pilot episodes of a new comedy from the writers of Borat and the Da Ali G show:
The Papdits.

It's a show about a Kashmiri family immigrating to the U.S and finding a place to call home as they travel around in their RV. There's a camera crew following them to see how they go about realizing their American dreams.

I just watched the pilot episodes online and some of it's funny. It reminds of Arrested Development in the way it comes off as a reality show and how it portrays expressions of the outside actors, aka, the Papdits' interactions with the Americans.

Plus it's got Nitin Ganatra (of Bride and Prejudice fame(That guy with the speedo. Yeah. Him.) among other shows and movies) who's got great comedic and acting ability. In fact, he was the only redeeming quality of that awful, awful movie. (If you haven't seen it, DON'T!!) Additionally, Madhur Jaffrey plays the "widow" in the show.

The Brown Terror Alert Levels

2006-11-03T19:03:00.000-06:00

I read this HILARIOUS feature today titled: THE TERROR ALERT LEVELS: A BROWN PERSON'S GUIDE.

It's so funny, and yet in an odd way, likely to occur someday given the current state of affairs. Now get your brown radar on and ALERT yourself! :)

One November Morning....

2006-11-03T10:51:00.000-06:00

8:15 AM: SHOOOOOOT!

I woke up late. I had class in a half an hour and I was running late! Nothing new, as I'm ALWAYS running late for my morning classes. Seriously. It's so bad, the professor no longer even notices as I walk in late because well, it's to be expected. Yeah. I've become one of those students. But in my defense, I've never been a morning person, I'd rather pull an all nighter than wake up at 6AM for a class. But then again, I'd rather sleep than eat too....so yeah I have some issues ;)

I'm getting therapy.

Well, someday.

But back to my rather interesting story. So I'm practically running down the hallway of my apartment building in heels (because it's Friday, dammit, and despite my "messy look" and my "it's too early to think" mindset, I'll look like a doll today if I want!) like a maniac to catch the elevator down. Just as I get inside the elevator and the doors are about to close, this tall, cute guy with a warm smile tries to get into the elevator. So being the nice person I am (I swear, I am, even in the early morning :)) I attempt to hold the door open. Attempt being the key word there. In moments of time pressures, I, of course, become the most chaotic, uncoordinated person evah. So of course, being the dork I am...I hit the "close the door" button. Crap! Then I hit the "Alarm" button. NOOOOOOO! (which is NOT a sound you want to hear that early in the morning!) Finally, my hands coordinate with my brain and bad eyesight to actually hit the "open the door" button with me literally yelling out (i'm not even joking) AHHHHH out loud because I couldn't even press the correct button! Geeeeeez.

I'm such a loser.

But seriously, those were some stressful minutes, yo!

Meanwhile, the man already has smoothly made his way into the elevator and is watching me fumble around with the buttons in an "attempt" to help him. I swear he had the biggest smirk on his face.

And it lasted the WHOLE freakin' elevator ride down.

And then he looked at me and I gave him this nervous, embarassed smile as if that would mean anything next to his smirk. He made some small talk and we both laughed. I, because, I was already a mess and am prone to being very gullible before my morning coffee. He, I presume, because he needed to let out his laughter in some manner over some silly girl in the elevator before proceeding to his MBA class.

Sigh. These were such memorable moments.

I walked into class late as the professor didn't even blink an eye and as my fellow loyal students had already collected all the handouts for me and stacked it on my seat. Well, hey, at least I'm consistent!

Class is over and I rush back to my apartment before returning to my educational dungeon. I'm waiting at the signal light. Waiting calmly and SO happy I had found some caffeine. But of course, you knew the story couldn't end like this!

Enter Mr. Smirky Cute Elevator Dude. WHY! OH DEAR GOD WHYYYYYY! His class just had to end at the same time as mine. I try to look away, hide behind a pole, act like I've NEVER seen him before. That this morning was just a hallucination.

Damn. He looks over and smiles at me. Without finding anybody else to chat up and forgetting to wear my bitchy-I-don't -want-to-talk-to you blinders, I smile back. He asks me about the books I'm carrying. Sees me walking in heels and says, well, wow, you do a mighty (his word, NOT mine) fine job carrying those heavy books and walking in heels. You must be used to to it he says. We laugh.

I, because, I had no idea what to say. I mean, what do you say to something like that? Yeah I'm a woman who can walk in heels and carry books! Deal with it yo! He, because, he needed to let out his laughter after making a silly comment to a girl while crossing the street at a major intersection where no one cares to talk because everyone has a life to get to.

Also, was he flirting with me???? Elevator people should not flirt with you in the real world! It's just wrong. And really uncomfortable!

Just as we are reaching the end of the intersection, something wonderful and yet sad happens. He trips over himself.

He looks away. I smirk.

We walk away and get separated by other people at the intersection. I enter my apartment building and walk into the elevator and hit the "up" button, still smirking about the RANDOMNESS of this day.

And...I hit the button for the WRONG floor.

Dude. This shit never gets old!

Beneath a Book Club Sky

2006-11-01T18:06:00.000-06:00

I just saw on CBS NEWS that this book, Beneath a Marble Sky, is flying off bookshelves, about a 1000 a week and becoming rapidly famous in book club circles. As a way to increase sales and his popularity, the author, John Shors, wrote his email address and a short letter in the new printing of the book. Apparently, many book clubs began contacting him and booking him to come and talk at their book clubs. Now he's booked almost up to 2008!

I hadn't even heard about this book before, but it's gotten some decent reviews. Who knew that there was a book out there written by an Iowan male author about an Indian princess in the first person narrative!

From Amazon:

"Shors's spirited debut novel tells the story of the eldest daughter of the 17th-century emperor who built the Taj Mahal. From her self-imposed exile, Jahanara recalls growing up in the Red Fort; the devotion her parents, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, had for each other; and the events that took place during the construction of the fabulous monument to their love."

Have any of you read it or heard about it?

Scrub me in ;)

2006-10-31T23:02:00.000-06:00

Dear Fox,

Oh, how thy entice me! I'm so glad you've started showing repeats of the televsion show Scrubs on weeknights! It's one of my favorite shows and now I can add it to my list of things to do while procrastinating on my studying. Plus, it follows repeats of Sex and the City so...I get a whole hour of tv comedy before putting my nose back in my books! :) A dose of Zach Braff + a slight dash of sarcasm + 1 hour of comedy= AWESOME

Sincerely,

A dedicated student (I swear mom!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2006-10-31T09:55:00.000-06:00

Catch A Fire

2006-10-28T17:01:00.000-05:00

So I saw one of my Need to See movies last night: Catch a Fire

It was amazing! Superb acting from Tim Robbins and Derek Luke. The potrayal of techniques used to destroy one's integrity, to motivate someone to become a freedom fighter, and bring someone to abandon their faith was unsettling and yet rung true. When the idea that everything would be fine if one just followed the rules and was a good person and loved their family just disappeared, one realized that just living and being "good" was no longer enough.
The depiction of the Apartheid and the actions used by the "Anti-Terrorist" squad against all those suspected, innocent or not, and immediate use of torture was horrifying. It was especially ironic considering that the squad claiming to protect the country and citizens of the violence (more so for violence against the upper class whites) was in fact having the opposite effect as it was slowly destroying the the protection and goodness of the citizens as protests, distrust, and rebellion ensued. The squad's actions were in fact a motivating factor to the souls of the freedom fighters to stand up for what they believed in, claim back their rights and equality, and continue their struggle.
Especially inspiring was the ending when the movie showing how the apartheid finally ended and with the actions of Nelson Mandela and how Patrick came to terms about his pain and had the compassion to forgive. Amazingly, the real Patrick currently houses over 80 African orphans in his house! Also, there was a lovely moment at the ending of the movie with the real Patrick playing soccer with actor Dereck Luke. Overall, a really well-made movie with action, sorrow, optimism, and even a lit bit of education!

Diwali--Steve Carrell Style

2006-10-27T11:09:00.000-05:00

Via Nirali's Blog:

The NBC show the Office is having a Diwali Party on their Nov. 2nd show. Check out the HILARIOUS (Don't you just love Steve Carrell!) Diwali Song.

This is my official Diwali song, to be sung all the Diwali parties next year. You know, in Christmas Carol fashion ;)

Yay for The Office for bringing Diwali to the primetime. :)

NEED to see these movies....

2006-10-26T21:49:00.000-05:00

As I was browsing through some movie trailers today, I saw a few that stood out that I really really really want to see!

First up: The Great New Wonderful.

When I was down at U of I a couple of weeks ago, I saw the movie at Rententertainment and it looked interesting. Although we opted for Kumars No. 42 instead, I still intended on seeing the movie. The trailer is weird and quirky and of course, when you least expect it: surprise, surprise. Guess who's in this movie? Naseeruddin Shah. Wha???? Yeah. Exactly. In one of the scenes in the trailer he's wearing funky sunglasses and smiling at strangers on the streets of NY while wearing a nice suit. Too funny.

Second: For Your Consideration

I LOVED Waiting for Guffman. Chistopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Katherine Harris, = Smart & Funny
Well, folks. There back at it again. And this time it looks like it's a parody of a movie being shot that might be so good it might be nominated for an Oscar. Or so they think. Really, these folks can do no wrong. I'm look forward to the laughter:)

Third: One Last Thing...

I'm not sure if this movie is going to be really good or not. So maybe I don't really really want to see it. But it still looks interesting enough for me to check it out. The trailer seems pretty cliche. Except that...I kinda want to know what happens to the boy in the end. And its about a boy going after his wishes and dreams. And who doesn't want to see a warm, fuzzy, possibly funny?, movie after a long hard week? That and Cynthia Nixon is in it. And well, she's GOOD. Not just in the good ol' days of SATC, but have you ever seen her in Warm Springs? Amazing performance. Anyway...who's knows it could be a cute movie like Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants or something!

Fourth (and finally): Catch a Fire

I just saw the trailer for this on TV today. It's out in theatres today. It's about a man fighting for his family and against the injustice of the apartheid in South Africa. With Derek Luke and Tim Robbins (One of my favorites!). It's a serious one compared to my other choices above, but the story looks good and I'm sure the acting is superb. Really looking foward to see this one.

Secret Chocolate Stash

2006-10-25T17:57:00.000-05:00

...So I think everyone has a secret food stash somewhere. It could be cheetos, twizzlers, cookies, jelly beans, whatever.

You know, it's the little area in your kitchen cupboards, a little side corner where you know people don't usually look, to stash all your favorite munchies and sweets. It's the place you go to when your not necessarily hungry but you want, nay "need" something to eat. You go to it when you're extremely happy, sad, upset, lonely, tired, stressed out, excited, frustrated, whimisical, or even when you're going a little crazy. It's your little piece of yummy heaven at your disposal. It's there just for you. You have command over it so it never runs out on you. It never talks back at you, mocks you, criticizes you, or guilts you (well, not at that moment anyway!). It's always there when you need it, just like a good friend.

My hidden food stash? CHOCOLATE :) Preferably, any chocolate candy with caramel. Simply the best! It's my temporary bliss ;)

What's yours?

Dance it off...

2006-10-23T22:17:00.000-05:00

I LOVE Moby. Check it out his new video, New York, New York featuring Debbie Harry. It's hilarious! Enjoy:)

Happy Diwali

2006-10-22T21:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Diwali to all of our readers (read: 4) and Saal Mubarak!

My Kinda Town

2006-10-21T14:01:00.000-05:00

Went to visit my city the other day, (That’s right, I’m claiming some possession to it!), and it felt sooooo good to be back. Spent some time with T and wandered about the Loop area. Went window shopping, saw some hideous outfits out for the fall season, and even tasted some “intelligent” coffee. Chicago. It’s my kinda town ;)

Audacity of Hope

2006-10-17T21:23:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama (aka my FAVORITE senator! Not that I'm biased or anything;)) has a new book out, The Audacity of Hope.

I read his first book, Dreams from My Father, and it was extremely well-written. It provided great detail about his childhood and young adulthood, his views on race, uncertainties of his life, and much, much more.

I saw him speak in person at U of I when he was campaigning for votes. A truly amazing, inspiring speaker! And of course, who could forget his speech at the Democratic Convention.

Anyways, I'm excited to read his new book!

U of I

2006-10-17T20:46:00.000-05:00

I visited my alma mater , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign over the weekend. Good times and good people:) I miss my undergrad days! Anyway, here are some photos of the campus. Go Orange and Blue!!!

Moonstruck! A Heavenly place :)

The Union

Altgeld Hall

Foellinger Auditorium: If you look carefully, on the bottom right corner, there's a bride! That's right, a wedding somewhere on campus! Who comes to the quad to take a wedding photo??? U-C...Nowhere else, I tell ya.

Below that, the English Building...I remember spending some time there ;)

The Law Has a Funny Side

2006-10-09T00:44:00.000-05:00

One of the funniest quotes from Boston Legal.

Denny Crane: How can you ban red meat?
Dominick Ryan: Well, they've got a whole campaign, they're going to go with it. They plan to promote Summersport as the seafood capital of the world.
Denny Crane: We're carnivores. When the pilgrims landed, first thing they did was eat a few Indians.
Dominick Ryan: [Shirley and Dominick stare aghast at Denny] Is there anything we can do?
Shirley Schmidt: We'll get in the media TRO.
Denny Crane: I'll argue it myself. Ban red meat. That cannot possibly pass Constitutional mustard.
Shirley Schmidt: The word is "muster", Denny, but you're right, the law lack condiments.

I have fallen in love with this show, and it really didn't take much. But the following reasons surely helped.

William Shatner - The last time I saw William Shatner in anything was Star Trek, and let's face it I was a fan. But, this role portrays a whole new side of the actor which is down right lovable. Okay, I can't finish this point without saying..."Denny Crane".
Alan Shore - This character is hilarious! His quick wit and strange quirks make the show. He suffers regularly from night terrors, and has an irrational fear of clowns. If that's not enough, the character is played by James Spader...now come on, who doesn't love James Spader?
You can win a case by merely uttering the words "Nansy-Pansy".
The last scene of every episode shows that appreciating the quiet joys of a friendship is all anyone ever needs.
The speed of dialogue - sure can give Gilmore Girls a run for their money.
Abbot and Costello routines never get old.
You get to meet people who are "verb bigots".
In reference to the quote above, Denny Crane does not have Alzheimer's, he suffers from Mad Cow Disease instead. Yes, this is meant to be funny...watch the show to find out why.

Little Miss Sunshine

2006-10-08T15:57:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to blog about this movie, Little Miss Sunshine. It's honestly one of the best and funniest movies I've seen all year. It's already become one of my favorites. Steve Carrell is hilarious with his less is more style. Greg Kinnear is now becoming one of my favorite actors. His expressions are just hilarious and his acting has really grown on me. The always fabulous Toni Collete is wonderful as the mother trying to hold the family together. The grandfather, Alan Arkin, is equally as funny. He's so outrageous and his philosophy on living out his old age is just too funny. Paul Dano as the older brother does a wonderful job as a brooding, angst-ridden teenager and the young girl, around whom the story is based, is cute, talented, and endearing.

Both Paul Dano and Greg Kinnear can also be seen in the upcoming movie, Fast Food Nation, which looks just as funny with a dash of wit and a jab at our society's obession with fast food. Overall, a wonderful movie experience and I recommend you all go see it. NOW!!!

A little older, but any wiser?

2006-10-05T11:06:00.000-05:00

So as I'm celebrating my birthday...and I have to wonder (such a Carrie B. moment!), am I getting any wiser? I know my twenties are a time to explore new things, experiment with my thoughts and beliefs, build connections (damn you networking), find a suitable, respectable, and FULFILLING career (and my mom might add a husband here too. But of course, I would do no such thing;)), and well mature through new and challenge life experiences. And..well sometimes I really wonder if I'm getting any wiser. Am I really taking advantage of my twenties? Am I really doing all I can to grow as a person and grow in my education and career as I can during these currently formative years? Sure school is providing me with more and more information and I'm certainly gaining new perspectives, but I really hope that I'm also using all of this to become a better, a more secure person and to grow into a more confident woman. Someone who is comfortable and confident in her skin. I suppose only time (and experience) will tell...

Chaos

2006-10-03T17:17:00.000-05:00

I just saw this great French movie titled Chaos recently. It's powerful, fast-moving, thought-provoking, and a you-go-girl type movie.
Here's the synopsis via IMDB:

Malika, a young prostitute, is badly molested in the street by her pimp in front of Paul and Hélène, a well-off couple, carefully hidden in their car. Against all odds, Hélène leaves her husband and family behind to go to the hospital and take care of Malika, who lies in a coma. The mission Hélène assigned herself: to help Malika have a new life and, above all, to take her out of her molesters' claws...

I definitely recommend seeing it!

Nirali Magazine is Back!!!

2006-10-03T08:22:00.000-05:00

So back in undergrad, in the good ol' days ;), I used to love reading Nirali Magazine, a South Asian magazine for women with articles and interviews ranging from arts and entertainment to news, and other juicy and noteworthy features.
Here's what they're about from their website:

"Nirali, which means “different” in several South Asian languages, is just that—a different kind of magazine for South Asian American (and Canadian) women. Founded in 2004, Nirali Magazine reflects the identity and interests of South Asian women all over North America.
Published on the first Monday of each month online, Nirali is your complete source for all things South Asian. It’s not your typical women’s magazine: While you’ll find the requisite fashion and beauty stories within Nirali, you’ll also see stories on politics, trends in the South Asian community, profiles of smart South Asian women, and introspective pieces about what it means to have an identity that is both South Asian and American. Nirali’s stories are like the smart and supportive conversations you’d have with your girlfriends over lunch.
Nirali. Because you’re different. "

But then, sadly, last year it went on hiatus and I was back lurking on blogs, and twiddling my thumbs. But guess what!

Nirali is finally back and better than ever!

Most recently they've done interviews with Mr. Desi Hero aka Sendhil Ramamurthy and the always awesome, Penn Masala. And it has wonderful make-up tips and great profiles on inspiring women like Shailja Patel. Check out the magazine. And their blog. A new issue comes out every month. Just LOVELY :) !!!!

VM starts today!

2006-10-03T08:19:00.000-05:00

I've been waiting for this day since like...MAY! Today is the series premiere of Veronica Mars, Season 3. She's in college now and who knows what's going on with Logan. But either way, it's going to be a wonderful way to procrastinate on my hw on a Tuesday night. Get excited :)

A wtf? Day

2006-10-02T15:59:00.000-05:00

We've all had one of these days. Unfortunately mine had to come over the weekend, the only time of the week where I try to regain my sanity and get some peace around me.

wtf? moment #1:

My friends and I are walking in downtown to a restaurant to grab some dinner. I'm tired as all hell after a long ass day and a really LONG week. So we're walking and we're having a jolly old time. We are stopped at a traffic light waiting to cross the street. A car comes up to us.

Guy in the passenger seat asks us: Hey...do any of you know where the Zoo is?...
So being the altruistic, nice person I am, I'm like hey, I'll help you out and answer your question (ok now people, don't get too shocked. I occasionally can give out directions and do know where I'm going!!)

Me: Yeah. sure. Just go down this street and take a right on x street and follow it down and you'll see it on the right side.

Him: Thanks (looking at all of us). (And then looking directly at me): Or...er...thanks...in whatever language y'all speak.

Me: WE SPEAK ENGLISH! (really loudly so all the cars could hear me) (And..um..yeah I got some strange looks, oh well :))

And well, he drove away. But damn.
/Bitchy sensitive paranoid attitutde rant: I just gave you freakin' directions in freakin' english and now you're gonna be all like "whatever language y'all speak". WTF? What language did you think I was speaking? /Bitchy sensitive paranoid attiude rant.

wtf? moment #2:

It's been a fun Friday night. But as mentioned earlier, I'm dead tired and ready to crash. Plus I have to get up early in the morning on Sat. to run an errand (leading to #3). And...then the most annoying thing happens when you least expect it. That's right. A DAMN FIRE ALARM. AT 4 AM! IN THE COLD, DARK NIGHT! NOOOOO! It felt like I was in the dorms all over again and not in my isolated apartment away from all that annoying RA/random roommate/stupid Greek Frat undergrad crap. So of course, being the good girl I am.. I get out of bed, put on a jacket and my glasses, act like I'm somewhat awake and ready to face safety from a fire I don't see or smell, and go outside. And so I waited...with about 5 other people who had bothered to leave the insanity of that annoying alarm sound and come outside in the 40 degree weather to stare out into NOTHING. And guess what! IT LASTED A FREAKIN' HOUR!
I mean seriously, wtf??? So I did what any smart girl would do. I walked back into my apartment. Shut the door. Put on my earphones to my Ipod. Climbed back into bed and went back to sleep. Death be damned!

wtf? moment #3:

So now..( are you still following? I swear it only gets better!) ...it's early Sat. morning because I had to get up early despite my lack of sleep to run a stupid errand. What is this errand? Going to the damn power company because they can't seem to put the account under my name because they think I don't exist. I had given them my name (which I spelled like 5 times for her..and yes, it was annoying) and my ssn over the phone a few days earlier and the STUPID, SERIOUSLY DEAF, woman is like..."Um...no name comes up under that number and well, I see no one under that name. The credit bureau DOESN'T RECOGNIZE you." Um.....What???? So after getting all bitchy on her over the phone and still not getting anywhere with her...I realize I'm going to have to go there myself and show them that I'm not some ghost or illegal alien or sort out this shit.
So I drive my butt over there. And wait in line for 1 HOUR. And of course, being the bright one I am, I forgot to bring a book or anything. So I had to resort to playing with my cellphone and having an extremely long conversation with my mom where we at one point, ended up talking about the weather because..well, that's how bored I had gotten. Finally my name is called.
I go up to the person, tell her my situation, and show her my identification. She sits there typing up stuff on her computer and stares at it for about 5 mins. Then finally she looks at me.

Her: "Um, actually you didn't have to come in today, hahaha." (Yeah, no shit. Ya think? You should have seen my face.)
Me: "Um what do you mean?"
Her: Well, actually it shows that you do exist. (Really! I do???? OMG?) And it was just an error. You're fine now and its all fixed. It was just a misunderstanding."
Me: "What was the error?"
Her: "Oh well it looks like she had just misspelled your last name."
Me: "What!!! Are you kidding? I spelled it for her like 5 times for her and told her a number of times that she was making a mistake. I could tell, because she kept mispronouncing my name!
Her: Yeah. Well. Hahaha. It's all fixed now. Hahaha. (Giving me that nice customer service smile.)

WTF?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH HELL NO! I came over here on a Saturday morning to hear this? So I did what was the only right thing to do. I called her manager, and made her write up a report on this woman(the one on the phone). Ha. Ha. Revenge can be sweet! Muhahahahaha.

....Yeah...so...how was your Saturday? ;)

I Heart October

2006-10-02T15:32:00.000-05:00

I LOVE October. For several reasons (in no particular order, although I'm a little biased to number 2 ;))

1) The weather-its not hot and its not too cold. The temperature is just right. I love 60-70 degree weather. It's just the right temperature to take a lovely stroll outside, sit outside of a coffeeshop studying, or sit on a park bench people-watching. And, with all the leaves changing colors, it's one of the most beautiful times of the year!

2) My birthday-Yep, I'm a libra. And well...what else is there to say. IT'S MY FREAKIN BIRTHDAY!!!!! :) Sure, I've had my share of traumatic, less than memorable birthdays, and well days in general. But, despite all my bad moments, it's always nice to get smiles and happy birthdays from random people and gifts and well wishes from your close family and friends. For some reason it always reminds me of grade school and high school. In grade school, you always brought treats for others during your birthday (not a rule, but nevertheless a time old custom) and well, who didn't like candy and chocolate covered cupcakes at 2pm on a weekday afternoon right before gym class?
In high school, it was all about showing off (and well, isn't that what hs is about anyways?) and walking in surprised and full of smiles as your locker was decorated with colored tissue paper. And then you would get to walk around the hallways to your classes all day with balloons and presents, showing off that you were a little older, and secretly (but delusionally I might add) hoping a little more wiser (aka just a little less dumb) as well.
Nowadays, it's just about hanging out with friends and family. Having a lovely day or going to a concert and realizing that by becoming a little more older, you were a little more farther away from your youthful, stressful-free days that you were so yearning to go back to. Ah, well. At least I'm still in my twenties. I have a lot more to aspire to (and a lot more wisdom to gain)! ;)

3) Halloween: Who doesn't like Halloween? Candy. Costume Parties. Make-up. Black. Orange. Red. And so many memories of growing up, wearing various costumes and running around my neighborhood trick-or-treating. Good times!

4)The start of fall season for some of my favorite tv shows: Veronica Mars, Lost, Gilmore Girls (ok technically it started last week, but in previous years I remember it starting in Oct!)

5) Fall Break: This is the first time that I've had a fall break at a college I've attended. Regardless, I love it! It's just the right time of the year to take a little bit of a break and slow down a little. And Lord knows I need it!

So...yeah, these are some of the few reasons I heart October and so should you:)

Indy

2006-09-27T18:08:00.000-05:00

Downtown Indy "Skyline" by day. (Please. I'm from Chicago. )

The wonderful, delicious, mouth-watering, chocolate-covered South Bend Chocolate Cafe. I spend way too much time there ;)

My Favorite dessert at the Chocolate Cafe: Hot fudge Sundae!!!

Veteran's War Memorial by night.

Expand your vision...

2006-09-27T18:06:00.000-05:00

I found out about 2 wonderful events today:

Sixth Annual Ind0-American Arts Council Film Festival: NOV 1-5, 2006, NY
The 42nd Chicago International Film Festival: Oct. 5-19th

(click on both of those to go to their websites and get schedules/location information)

Starting off with the first one, this is one of the few times I'm jealous I don't live in NY or have any opportunity to go there in the next few weeks. Of course, I wouldn't mind skipping a few weeks of school for this...:)

Anyway I don't know which ones to choose, they all look SO good and worthy of my time and money!
Here's a few that really stood out for me:

Punching at the Sun
Cast: Misu Khan, Nina Edmonds, Hassan El-Gendi, Ferdusy Dia, Kazi Rahman, Karan Singh, Mohammad Mirza, Rana Quraishi, Farhad Asghar, Raymond Vasquez, Keyonn Sheppard

Synopsis: Punching at the Sun is a crackling, emotionally-charged dream ride through the streets of Elmhurst, Queens. It is a tale of rage and redemption as seen through the fiery eyes of Mameet Nayak: a headstrong Indian teen lost in the shadow of his brother's death.Director: Tanuj ChopraChopra’s projects have taken him from India to Manhattan. His short film, Butterfly, won three best film awards in addition to playing at over 20 festivals across North America, Europe, India and Pakistan. His other films Uljhan and Bade Bahiya (Big Brother) have also played in a number of festivals around the country.

A film version of one of my favorite short stories:

Toba Tek Singh (Narrative Short)

18 mins, 2005, Urdu, English, Punjabi, Hindi, NYC PremiereScreening: Thursday, Nov 2, 6pm Courthouse, Anthology Film Archives32 East 2nd Street (corner of 2nd Avenue) New York City Festivals/Awards: New York Asian American International Festival, 2005, 22nd VC Filmfest, The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, 2006, 7th CrossRoads Film Festival, Jackson, MadCat Film Festival 2006, Bite the Mango festival 2006 Cast: Midhat Kazim, Omair Rana, Imran Siddiqui, Adeel Ansari, Zahid Qureshi, Usman Raja, Ali Imtiaz

Synopsis: It is 1947. The newly created governments of India and Pakistan wish to exchange lunatics. Bishan Singh, a Sikh lunatic in Pakistan, wants to know whether his hometown, Toba Tek Singh, has gone to India or Pakistan. No one seems to know. Based on the classic short story by Manto, Toba Tek Singh is a search for an identity in a world gone suddenly mad.Director: Afia NathAnielOrdinary people have extraordinary stories to tell ”, says Afia Serena NathAniel. A poet-writer-mathematician- computer scientist-copywriter-activist, Afia is Pakistan’s first independent female filmmaker from a minority background.

Anamika-Her Glorious Past (Doc Short)
21 mins, 2006, EnglishScreening: Friday, Nov 3 - 6pm Maya Deren, Anthology Film Archives32 East 2nd Street (corner of 2nd Avenue) New York City

Synopsis: The Devdasis are known as "The Lovers of the Lord." In ancient Indian tradition, young girls who were trained in the classical art forms were chosen to be married to God and the temple. These women were highly respected as patrons of the arts and for their status in society. They would never be the victims of widowhood. The film explores the glorious past of the Devdasi tradition in India Director: Pavitra ChalamA graduate student at New York Film Academy, Chalam made her film debut with ‘Bus’, when she represented India in the Youth Initiative for Peace in Pakistan."Anamika" marks the beginning of her quest to understand the transformation of the Devadasi tradition, from the revered patron of the arts to the fallen woman of today.

Meanwhile, back home, the Chicago Film Festival looks enticing and has loads of movies from documentaries, movies on Chicago and Illinois,and of course, to the vaguely titled, "World Cinema." While I've only skimmed through some of the movies being played there, a couple that caught my eye:

21 Up America
In 1962, Michael Apted started his influential and fascinating Up series in which he chronicled the lives of fourteen children by meeting with them every seven years. Apted’s work inspired an American parallel to the original British series with director Christopher Quinn now takes the reigns for the third installment. With the subjects at the complex age of 21, their lives have branched off in diverse ways having grown to be a law student, U.S. Coast Guardsman, a black metal musician, and a prison inmate, among others. Quinn has succeeded in developing a closeness with all of them and they open up with him easily, revealing a thought provoking picture of young adults in flux who are part of a young country in flux. 99 min. (link)

Nina’s Heavenly Delights
A marvelous movie with the whimsical passion of Chocolat, the subtle charm of Kissing Jessica Stein, and a flashy dash of Bollywood, Pratibha Parmar’s Nina’s Heavenly Delights is a flavorsome tale of ripening romance. Charismatic Nina returns home to find the family curry house is in jeopardy thanks to a big gamble by her recently deceased father. Former classmate Lisa also has a stake in the business, which will be sold to the competition if they can’t find a way to win the “Best of the West” curry competition. As the two women get closer in the kitchen, Nina finds herself trying to figure out the most difficult part of all. . . the recipe for love. 96 min. (link)

If anyone gets a chance to see these movies or any others or is going to the event (blog about it) leave something in the comments section.

Hottie of the Moment

2006-09-27T16:06:00.000-05:00

Sendhil Ramamurthy

My new Desi Hero :)

The Foresaken Land

2006-09-18T13:57:00.000-05:00

Just heard about this new movie about the aftermath and effects of the current conflicts in Sri Lanka. From the Chicago Tribune:

"An extraordinary debut film from Sri Lankan writer-director Vimukthi Jayasundara, "The Forsaken Land," is a stark, lyrical and affecting portrait of war's aftermath as seen from the edges of the old conflict. In images that sear themselves into your memory, Jayasundara shows a watchful young girl (Pumidika Sapurni Peiris), a young soldier (Mahendra Perera), his faithless wife (Nilupili Jayawardena) and devout unmarried sister (Kaushalya Fernando) caught up in the events that follow a cease-fire between rebels and the government." (link)

The movie opened about 2 weeks ago and is playing at the Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-281-4114, www.facets.org/cinematheque.

Check it out if you can. This sort of reminds me of the book I read earlier this year and posted on, Funny Boy, by Shyam Selvadurai (I'm too lazy to post a link to it, just search the archives). I am eager to learn more about the histories, experiences, and effects of the conflicts that have occured and continue to occur in Sri Lanka. I really want to visit it someday when school is no longer hovering over my head!
Anyway if anyone of you catch it or hear something more about it, leave some info here.Alas, these are times I wish I was back home! Tanvi, we're adding this to the list of things to do when I come home for a visit!

The Amazing Couple

2006-09-17T21:04:00.000-05:00

Ok....so much to blog about and so little time. I will try to put up some pictures and anecdotes about my time here so far in Indy and all of the cultural fests I've been attending in the city soon. Seriously, every weekend, there seems to be some sort of cultural fest here. They're trying to bring diversity in the middle of cornfields. Greekfest, Irishfest, Middle-Eastern fest.....etc.

But until then...I just watched the Amazing Race. Tonight was the first time I've actually watched an episode of that reality tv show, and the only reason I really watched it was to root for the desi couple. But damn. They were the second couple to be eliminated. The first couple were the Muslim brothers. No more brownies left! So much for the great brown hope. And the Vipul-Arti team were such a cute couple too!

Well, I promise to come back with more substantial posts soon. But I just wanted to mourn the loss of the sole desi couple that decided to join "The Amazing Race" and represent the brown folks on TV. Here's to Vipul and Arti. Good effort!

Funny proposal video

2006-09-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

Who wouldn't want to get a proposal like this? :)

Check out this proposal video.
It's hilarious. It made my day!

P.S. So, um, Shaz...pass on some hints to Mr. To-Be- Fiance Who We've Never Seen Before;)

Chicago by Night

2006-09-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Millenium Park and Columbus Ave. :

Karsh Kale, Anoushka Shankar Concert at Millenium Park 8-13-06

2006-09-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

Before I left for Indy, Tanvi and I had an amazing time at the Karsh Kale and Anoushka Shankar concert at Millenium Park as part of the World Music summer series. Anoushka's band was incredible and the stadium was quite crowded. Here's some pics:

Being accepted as Americans...

2006-08-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

After the whole Sen. Allen and Macacagate issue (especially his "Welcome to America" comment), sometimes you really wonder when we (as minority or immigrant communities) will be considered in the same light as our fellow Americans, on the basis of our citizenship, and NOT the color of our skin or our race.

Here's a great op-ed by an Indian-American in the Washington Post discussing: "On Becoming A 'Real American' ".

From the op-ed:

"From adolescence on, I heard a constant refrain from my Indian father: "Don't ever believe that you're really American." I found his advice peculiar, especially as I had been living in America since age 8 and had largely forgotten my time in India. To him, it didn't matter that the only language in which I could think a complex thought was English. It didn't matter that the only music I listened to was Michael Jackson, the Bee Gees and Billy Joel."

What do we do now?:

"The Allen incident offers evidence that America is not now or likely to ever be a color-blind country. How are South Asians to live with this truth? Resignation is not the answer. Vigorous political participation is. My youthful intuition that what makes me as American as any Mayflower descendant is citizenship -- not race or ethnicity -- was only partly on the mark. The piece of paper that validates our identities as American citizens can do only so much if we do little to struggle for recognition."

Of course, while engaging in political participation, it would help to look somewhat fashionable;)

Desi?!

2006-08-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what to mark on applications when the section for "Race" comes up?

Well, my friends. let this T-shirt right here be the solution!

That's where my next checkmark and well check is going:)

And on that tangent, via SepiaMutiny, I found out about this hilarious, and well if i must say, very true site:

www.indiansareasian.com

I especially love the facts and updates section. Check it out!

A New Buddy!

2006-08-23T15:14:00.000-05:00

So in this new, lovely little city I am no longer alone! Almost all the people I have run into in my apartment complex are med or dental students. And then some others are professionals who actually have to go to work (haha) and others are graduate students in other fields. So turns out, today, I just happened to be sititing next to this girl today in my lecture, and realized that both of us had all of our classes together, we were both from out of state, we both LOVE Dr. Pepper, and we both live on the same floor in our apartment building! Yay! I now have a new study buddy:) Funny how the saying goes, when you least expect it, expect it.

Lost

2006-08-22T19:31:00.000-05:00

Sigh. I have a confession to make. I have a new addiction. And it's quite serious. It's forced me to forget eating, to stop sleeping, to procrastinate on homework, to keep phone conversations to a minimum, to not turn on my television, and the worst of all...it has inhabited my dreams!

Yes, yes. It is none other than my completely farfetched, mysterious, deliciously obessive DVD of LOST!
Damn you J. J. Abrahms. You have now made me add another addictive show to my already "I don't have time to do anything else but study, eat, and sleep" schedule!

I just finished watching the first season on DVD. And now I am literally counting the days until the second one comes out on Sept. 5th. Can't Wait!!!!!
Hmm... Gayatri and Tanvi---What did you do to me!!! :)

Pakistani community on Devon St.

2006-08-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

I read this today in the NY Times and I wanted to share this article discussing the Pakistani community in Chicago's own Devon St. : Pakistanis Find U.S. an Easier Fit Than Britain .

Check out the article. It's pretty interesting and wonders whether South-Asian communities in the U.S. are prone to become breeding grounds for terrorists much like those that are currently under scrutiny in Britain.

From the Article:

"Similar enclaves in Britain have been under scrutiny since they have proved to be a breeding ground for cells of terrorists, possibly including the 24 men arrested recently as suspects in a plot to blow up airliners flying out of London.
Yet Devon Avenue is in many ways different. Although heavily Pakistani, the street is far more exposed to other cultures than are similar communities in Britain.

Yet one major difference between the United States and Britain, some say, is the United States’ historical ideal of being a melting-pot meritocracy.
“You can keep the flavor of your ethnicity, but you are expected to become an American,” said Omer Mozaffar, 34, a Pakistani-American raised here who is working toward a doctorate in Islamic studies at the University of Chicago. "

...And I'm Back!!!

2006-08-21T22:02:00.000-05:00

Sorry, sorry.

I know, it's a while. A LONG while.

But I'm back. So what, you ask, took me away from this blog for so long?

Well, lots of things. But mainly I moved and there have been some personal and professional changes, leading to many stressful moments and challenges, and leaving me little time to blog.

But fear not, for the one thing I've not forgotten to do my dear readers is to PROCRASTINATE!

So, here's a cute little story (well, at least I think so):

I recently moved to Indianapolis, from my beloved Chicago, and found myself in a small city with very few friends (um...more like acquaintances, but little do they know that my lonely butt will be calling them up nonstop and turn them into friends! Muhaaaaa!) and really, wondering what in the world I got myself into and when would I be getting home to the windy city.

Orientation, or what was more like the calm before the storm was intriguing and at times even fun. However, the initial "networking party" made me a little worried/anxious when I kept bumping into small town white folks who couldn't pronounce my name and seriously were a little in awe of me. Of course, don't get me wrong, I met extremely intelligent, diverse, accomplished people as well. But, well, was I really going to have to be around some of these people who had little idea of my culture and found my name exotic for the next XYZ years?? I mean, we all have gotten our share of "No, really, where are you from?" and "Wow, what a pretty name!" questions and comments before, but to be asked and told that a number of times in one evening was a little unsettling. BTW, I wasn't shocked that this happened. I mean this happens anywhere you go (hell it even occasionly happens to me in Chicago and recently in NJ (NJ, capital of Desiland of all places!!!But let's face it. This is a small city. And well, unlike Chicago, at times, you may actually find yourself the ONLY desi there.), no matter what city or place, but to be suddenly faced with it all over again, in a matter of minutes, was a little unnerving. Besides, I also met many other Asian-American/Middle Eastern-American/African-American people who were asked similar questions. Funnily enough, we all usually took a sip of our drinks, smirked, looked XYZ in the eye, and proceeded to give him/her/all of them a straight answer. "Um, no, my name is P-A-Y-A-L. No, not Kyle. P-P P-A-Y-A-L. Yes, that's exactly how you pronounce it. And, yes, it's an Indian-Hindi name!"

So, after our lovely little party (which BTW got better, when I ran into 2 Indian guys--very funny story, and a whole another post!) I'm walking back to my apartment. I was actually kinda missing home, missing home-cooked food, and missing my friends who could pronounce my names correctly! So low and behold, as I'm walking, I hear Carnatic music coming from the distance. WTF??? This is downtown Indy and I'm near a park, What in the world is going on?? I start walking towards the music, seeing "apna lokh", aunties with sarees and punjabis, a man in a dhoti, and little girls in Bharata Natyam costumes! And guess where I found myself. That's right. Right across from my little WASP party, was the Indian Association's India Independence Celebration event. With FREE FOOD:)!!!!! There was a huge park across from my little partay and a large stage with a stone roof was in the middle of it. And the desi community had taken it over. There were tables of food, trucks loaded with more food, a made-up playground for kids, port a potties, little sinks reminding me of Taste of Chicago, pamphlets of India and its independence, posters and signs for particular communities (ie the Sikh Association, the Gujurati Samaj, etc). Little girls were doing a Bharata Natyam performance, some older girls did a dance to some Bollywood song, little boys danced to a patriotic song from the movie "Mangal Pandey", and Indians were all different communities-Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, etc were all sitting together, eating, talking, and having a grand old time in the middle of the day, in the middle of a random park, in the middle of this state, and in the heartland of our good old U S of A. And I found myself, a lonely student, out of nowhere, in the middle of a small, but cozy Indian gathering in the heart of the city. And all of it unexpected. Very suprising, and very nice. Just when you think you're all alone, some how, your community just shows up at your doorstep, somehow finds you, to let you know, that there still others who can pronounce your name. It was so much fun to see all these kids and adults proudly celebrating their culture in this small town, enthusiastically dancing and eating, and bringing visitors, and even local political candidates (yes, I saw people representing a local candidate there, trying to get votes:)) to their lovely mela. And, finally, after a weekend of parties and get togethers, and angst, and worries of moving, I realized, I was going to have a lovely time in this small city. Because, no matter where I went, and who met, or how many times I had to repeat my name and describe my background, somewhere, somehow, there will always be someone who knows exactly where my name came from and let me know that I am not alone.

Bombay Bombings

2006-07-12T14:21:00.000-05:00

A truly sad event. I know Tanvi, Gayatri, Shaz and I all have family, friends, and loved ones who live in Bombay. Most of us have been to Bombay at some point in our lives, either recently or when we were younger, and Bombay's lively spirit has always remained a cherished memory. Our condolensces and prayers go out to the victims and to their families, to those injured, and to everyone who has been affected by this awful, tragic event.
There's also a great blog you can visit for regular updates and help to find loved ones. Mumbaihelp.
Feel free to leave any relevant information, comments, stories, cherished memories, etc.

Update: Also, 2 wonderful essays by Manish Vij and Dilip D'Souza can be found at Salon. (via SM)

A Worldly Game...

2006-07-07T15:12:00.000-05:00

The NY Times has a fascinating article on the game of basketball and the diversity of its players. Read "World Court: Basketball in Queens."

On the changing face of new players:

"As it happens, you no longer remember quite when the basketball players in your neighborhood started to change. After playing on these very courts for 29 years, you've lost track. The only detail you recall for sure is that back in 1977, and even as recently as 1990, almost all the players came stamped Made in America. Jewish, Irish, German, Italian, occasionally black. This was neither good nor bad. That was who lived here, and that was who played here.
One day, though, a teenager joined in who spoke only Russian. A few months later, a Chinese kid who knew only broken English dropped by. The lineup started to change, piecemeal, without your even realizing anything had happened. The names of fellow contestants proved harder to learn, much less pronounce. The faces looked different, sometimes with skin darker or eyes narrower. Players from Tel Aviv might take to the courts wearing yarmulkes. New tongues were heard, too. Asian teammates could talk strategy among themselves in Mandarin without risking that opponents would understand."

On a new multicultural Queens:

"So it goes, too, all along the spine of Queens Boulevard, from Long Island City and Sunnyside to Kew Gardens and Jamaica. Store signs have morphed from English into Russian and Greek and Korean. The corner delis now lay out newspapers in dozens of languages: the Chinese alone have no fewer than seven dailies. Suddenly it's harder to get good pastrami around here — Pastrami King and the Boulevard Deli are long gone, leaving behind only Ben's Best — but much easier to find baba ghanouj and palak paneer.
It's already widely known that no place in the United States, maybe no locale on the planet, is more ethnically diverse than Queens. What's a revelation is just how multicultural it has become."

"For proof, ride the subway from Manhattan out to Queens some workday during the evening rush. Every skin tone on the human palette is represented on those trains. Passengers may converse in Cantonese or Punjabi, may wear turbans or saris. Just for fun, try to guess who will get off at which stop, bound for which national enclave. The Koreans may step off in Flushing and the Colombians in Corona, while the Afghans leave at Jackson Heights and the Bukharians in Rego Park."

On how Queens represents a larger "idea" of America:

"Queens is like a conglomerate that keeps diversifying its portfolio, the better to profit from synergies. When it comes to being international, the Olympic Games have nothing on this borough. Unlike, say, the Iowa wheat fields, Queens is what this country is supposed to be all about, the true American heartland. It's every inch a symbol of the great experiment in freedom and democracy that is America itself. Still, tourists to New York would rather see the Empire State Building. So nobody ever comes out to Queens, only everyone, and seldom to visit, only to live here. "

On new faces, same game:

"The names and faces are different from three decades ago, but the sport itself, how it's played, remains the same. Dribble. Pass. Shoot. Rebound. You have yet to see a style of play remotely identifiable as, say, Middle Eastern. The new arrivals may still observe Ramadan and eat paratha, but they all look to slash to the hoop like Kobe. They all aspire to play American. "

On reality but how the game brings a hopeful, ideal vision for the future:

"Even in famously liberal New York, not everyone wants the country's doors flung open to admit immigrants from everywhere in the world. You hear a refrain of doomsday warnings about neighborhoods being invaded and going downhill, of many longstanding residents ultimately leaving in dismay or even disgust. Given the close quarters in which New Yorkers live, ethnic tensions run as high here as anywhere.
Still, in almost three decades playing basketball here, you've never seen evidence on the courts of any issue over national differences. No name-calling, no arguments, no fistfights. In the occasional game involving Arabs and Israelis, you've actually seen peace break out. That's why the changing of the guard in Queens renews your faith in the future, and never more so than as July Fourth approaches. Sappy as the sentiment sounds the moment it enters your brain, you think: if we can all play together, maybe someday we can all live together, too.

Please read the entire article and do check out the pictures accompanying the article. They are pretty amazing!

To a dear professor...

2006-07-05T12:38:00.000-05:00

From "Professor S":

..."I'll be teaching my last year of classes for the university & will retire at the end of spring 2007. After 35 years of teaching at the U of I. I look forward to starting other kinds of work-- not sure what. But I'll be looking. Take care & stay in touch. You were a terrific student who brought much pleasure into my teaching life...."

I recently received an email from a dear professor of mine who I've kept in touch with since I've graduated. She's one of the most fascinating women I know and a champion of human rights, at the forefront of developing events for womens' rights, a lover of South Asian culture and literature, a traveller, a writer, a voracious reader, an AMAZING cook, and a teacher with a heart of enormous compassion, love, and hope. She has truly been one of my many inspirations during college and introduced me to the wonderful world of South Asian literature and art. I travelled with her throughout England and she showed me the beauty and history of the cultural mix that is London. London and consequently my trip throughout England, wouldn't have been anything without her guidance, stories of past travels and studies, her knowledge of obsure places, authors, histories, her connections to local historians and celebrities, and her eye for the various diasporic links within London.

I'm truly grateful for her eagerness to help each student (including myself) believe that we were, are, and could become great writers, noble citizens, and acheivers of our own, often delisionary, dreams.

Now, this dear professor of mine, will retire soon and move forward with a new life with the same passion, integrity, and vision she brought to her classroom, both near and far. This is my ode to you, "Professor S", for making me believe that "words are things" , that you can be somebody anywhere and at anytime, that a book unread was our luck, our new opportunity to open up our minds, that life was about making new mistakes, and that your identity is always who you are and and not what others interpret it to be. Thank you and may you make many many more new mistakes in your future life to come.

Lost...and Found!

2006-06-28T21:35:00.000-05:00

Ok, well I really wasn't lost (take that Tanvi!) But, apologies for having been away for so long. Lots of things to write about, so little time! I'll put up some of my ramblings soon, but until then...read the archives, drink some coffee, surf the web at work:) and um...enjoy Star's(you know who!) woes (you know its bad [meaning of course, it soooo good], when Babara Walters claims she's "betrayed")!

P.S. Seeing that the only source of entertainment/bemusement/mockery is gone from daytime tv, who will watch the View now?

P.P. S. Oh come on, you know you hated her so much, that as much as it hurt you to watch it, you just had to catch a glimpse, just to make fun of her! Please, stop denying. Please.

P.P.P.S Any ideas/suggestion for her future career/path towards continued infamy;)

Fear not, faithful readers!

2006-06-25T20:17:00.000-05:00

Fear not, faithful readers! Despite all appearances, we have not abandoned you. I have been suffering debilitating technical difficulties for the past month that have crippled my blogging capabilities. On the other hand, my partner in crime, payal, seems to have actually disappeared. So far, I have some pretty brilliant theories as to her whereabouts...

the usual theories: abducted by aliens or joined the witness protection program
the scary theories: kidnapped by ‘aunties’ and taken to India to find her a suitable husband or brainwashed by corporate America to carry out their agenda against the rest of us
the impossible theories: she found cooler and better friends and has decided to phase me out (Like I said, IMPOSSIBLE! Who is cooler or better than ME?)
the likely theories: driving around the Chicago-land area completely lost because she did not take her totally awesome navigator, me, with her or visiting out-of-town family

Anyways, if anyone knows of her whereabouts or if you are reading this payal, please contact us. Where are you stranger? I am really worried……….Well maybe not REALLY worried but I am sort of worried…….…Actually to be perfectly honest I haven’t been worried at all. I am just curious as to how you, of all people, have a life all of a sudden.

Okay, enough about payal. Back to what’s important, ME! As I mentioned earlier, I have been experiencing some terrible computer problems that led to the temporary suspension of my internet access. It was torture, I tell you! Oh the drama! The pain! The suffering! The withdrawal symptoms! It was a total nightmare. I really don’t know how I managed to survive the past few weeks. There were several moments where I really didn’t think I could make it. My parents had just about given up on me. In fact, a perfect example of how dependant I am on the internet happened on the second day of my isolation. My dad called me and asked me to find the phone number to a local pizza place we love. Well, I couldn’t find the phone number anywhere in the house and the damn internet was not working. So I did the only logical thing, I called my father and asked him how he expected me to find the phone number when the internet was not working. He then re-introduced me to an old friend called the telephone directory. I felt like an IDIOT! I never even realized how much I rely on the internet until that moment. The rest of the last few weeks kindly reinforced that fact over and over again. It has been one heck of an experience. One I hope not to repeat anytime soon.

Well the whole point of all of that rambling is to let all of our loyal readers know that I am back! And once I locate payal, she will be back too. Stay tuned for more…

Words are things...

2006-06-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

"Words are things;and a
small drop of ink,
Falling like dew upon a
thought, produces
That which makes thousands,
perhaps millions think."

--Lord Byron (1788-1824), from "Don Juan"

The Namesake

2006-06-06T21:55:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake. I know, I know. A few years too late. But hey, at least I finally read it. And actually, I was quite surprised. I really liked it. A lot of my friends disliked the book and said it didn't quite match their regard for her first book, Interpreter of Maladies (which I still liked, as seen from my profile). And so I was a little anxious going into the book.

I actually disagree. I liked The Namesake more than her first book. I could really picture the characters and their lives. I kept thinking about Gogol, Ashima, and Moushimi and the different directions their lives took as they grew, their changing emotions and attitudes towards their identity and heritage, how they dealt with Ashoke's death, Moushimi's affair, and possibly what the future held for them. While I didn't exactly have great regard for Gogol's character, I was nevertheless intrigued and very much curious as to what would would happen next in his life and what sort of actions he took, especially his changing feelings towards his family and identity.

Of course, I feel, as many do, that the book is still largely about Ashima, and the first generation (a generation that I think Lahiri writes with more lucidity and sensitivity), as they try to find a balance in their new country (America). I felt most connected with the Ashima towards the end of the book when Lahiri wrote about Ashima's life after retirement, a few years into her widowhood, and her final departure into a land she once considered home, but was now simply another nostalgic resting place. At the end, Gogol finally may have come to terms about the significance and his connection with his namesake, but I think Ashima also comes to terms with her American identity, the new hybrid culture she creates with her family, and how she has grown as result of her journey. However, home still seems like an in-between place for her, neither here nor there, but I think she finally recognizes and admires the significance, opportunities, and a certain sense of security that America provides for her and her family. A place where her son may finally understand and become comfortable with his namesake.

**********

So now that I've finally read the book, I can say that I'm thoroughly excited about the upcoming movie. [I'm more or less one of those people that likes to read the book/play/comic before watching the movie version of it. I just like the idea of knowing what the original story was like, what the prose and author's tone and voice is like before exploring a visual depiction of it.]

Here's the trailer. Tabu looks amazing and I'm interested in seeing more of Irfan Khan's acting. The movie looks to be amazing and while I'm not expecting it to be exactly like the book, I think (based on the trailer) that it will still convey the emotional turns, the descriptive connections with the characters, and give a sense of the overall atmosphere of a Bengali family living in America. I guess we'll see come November!

Office Space is too close to reality

2006-06-06T18:19:00.000-05:00

So apparently, Payal feels that my nuttiness needs to be shared with the world. So here we go…this blog will now attract a whole new crowd of loons.

Work life has definitely exposed me to new experiences, and no I’m not talking about the usual glimpse into the cutthroat corporate world. This day in particular has been an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve managed to experience embarrassment, sadness, joy, giddiness, and a myriad of other feelings.

I started off the day by laughing meaningless, like an airhead, at my boss’ face. He, of course, not only catches me, but insists that I explain myself. Now I would love to tell you why I was laughing, but I don’t know the reason myself…how crazy is that? Now, if you’ve met my boss, you’d understand that he’s by far the coolest boss there is. It’s 8:30am in the morning, I’m cracking up right in front of him, while he’s seriously trying to explain something. Naturally, he assumes that I’m laughing at him. I don’t explain what’s going on, and he lets it go. Can you imagine how MORTIFIED I am at this point!

I feel I need to explain something about myself in order to complete this story and to tie it back to Office Space. It’s confession time…this is where the my eccentricity is portrayed.

I have a relationship with rain! ::GASP::

Hold on, before you judge me, let me explain. Now if you’ve seen Gilmore Girls, think Lorelai and snow. Looking back on our relationship, rain has always been there for me. It’s rained when I’m depressed or having a bad day, it waits on me when I don’t have an umbrella, slows down when I’m out, drenches me when I need to relax or have fun…ahh the good times we’ve shared!

How does this trace back to Office Space you ask? Well, Payal feels that I should be Milton, with a bright red stapler, which I’d have to steal, since my company is stingy. I should be in a bunker somewhere, mumbling/laughing to myself, plotting against the world, and hoping for rain.

Man the life of a hyphenated twenty something is sweet!