An Ode to K-Dramas and Why Bollywood Should Bring Back Authentic Feel-Good Romance
Lately, I have ventured into watching Korean dramas. I have to admit I am completely hooked. I tried to stay away from K-dramas for the longest time, assuming it would be too cheesy for my liking. And honestly, the titles did not help. But after watching just a few K-dramas over the past few months,…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to Beloved Indian Witches
I was surprised when I learned Wicca is openly practised in India. Till then, I had only read about it in blogs written by people in the U.S. Witches are just like ordinary people, blending in seamlessly with society. They don’t ride broomsticks or cast spells on unsuspecting individuals. The real ones tell you not…
Keep ReadingImportant Life Lessons Learned in the Past Month
As mentioned in my last post, I had a whirlwind of a month. It was emotionally stressful, and I was in an overthinking mode. But all’s well that ends well. Thankful to the universe for every little blessing. With each unchartered experience, you learn something new. Lessons that overshadow the learnings of the past. Here…
Keep ReadingWhat Do I Miss the Most from Childhood?
Out of all the nostalgia-filled flashbacks showered upon me by this thing called “childhood,” the one I sorely miss is having fewer responsibilities. When we were kids, someone was always taking care of our needs. You weren’t the one everyone turned to when it was decision-making time. You could let an adult take the burden.…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to 5 Interesting Quotes from “Your Place or Mine?”
Before we begin, I want to point out that the quotes posted here are from Portia MacIntosh’s book Your Place or Mine? Not the movie. The book is an entertaining, cute, light-hearted story of two accidental roommates who eventually become much more than they signed up for. It’s a heady mix of fun and frolic,…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to 36 Thought-Provoking Quotes from The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari needs no introduction. The book shares a treasure trove of ideas, concepts, and mental wellness gems we could do well to absorb. As the world progresses towards increased capitalism, we have forgotten to take care of our core emotional needs in the pursuit of fulfilling our materialistic ones. We…
Keep ReadingIs Comfort Zone a Place or an Emotion?
We are often encouraged to venture out of our comfort zones, push our boundaries and limits, and embrace the unknown. People say that’s where the real growth happens. I concur. Subjecting ourselves to new experiences is a sure-shot way to fuel personal development. Having a routine in place may or may not be detrimental, depending…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to Dr. Gabor Maté’s Insights on Healthy and Unhealthy Anger
Recently, I came across a video that provided an interesting perspective on anger. It featured Dr. Gabor Maté, a Hungarian-Canadian physician, providing key insights on healthy and unhealthy anger. The doctor himself had experienced a transformation that changed his outlook toward rage, and he uses this knowledge to help us understand the differences between constructive…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to My Failed Love Stories
Love, for me, has always been complicated. As a youngster, I always thought my first love would be for keeps. That the first kiss meant the deal was sealed forever, and the relationship was locked in for life. But real life is not a movie. It is definitely not a fairy tale. Different plans were…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to Dopamine Detoxes
I’m at that stage now where I can discern the reason behind my restlessness. The symptoms that previously used to confound me can finally be attributed to a source and countered with practical solutions. I say this with pride because discovering the cause of any turmoil is always the first step to recovery. The reason…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to the Things I Am Scared Of
I feel being scared is good. It makes me feel human and relieved over the fact that none of the new-age technologies has successfully managed to kill the entirety of my emotions and turn me into a robot. Two of the sweet somethings that technology did rob me of, though, include: Currently, in my mid-30s,…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to the Non-Nepo Actors in Class (Netflix) and What Bollywood Should Learn From the Show’s Success
Class is the official Indian adaptation of the popular Netflix series Elite. But I am not here to talk about how good the show is or how different it is from the original. There are enough online reviews for that. I am here to stress the impact the actors had on me. I was totally…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to 9 Thought-Provoking Life Quotes from Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha
I recently finished Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha. The book takes you through the life of the fictional protagonist, Siddhartha, who comes from an affluent family. He is restless and dissatisfied with life and feels the need to search for enlightenment and spiritual fulfillment. He eventually finds it on his own, though the path he took to…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to the Witches of Yore
I stumbled upon this cartoon by Tim Hamilton recently. It was an eye-opener of sorts. Society has habitually portrayed witches as these socially ostracized, spooky characters who are out to do no good. You are expected to eye witches suspiciously and doubt their every motive and move. In the past, women who were declared witches…
Keep ReadingWhy Blaming Modi Won’t Make India a Better Place for Indian Muslims
It’s a trend seen worldwide – to blame the Indian Prime Minister and the country for its alleged mistreatment of Indian Muslims. I say “alleged” because certain journalists present the scenario as such – that all Muslims are being targeted and attacked. This is absurd for someone like me, who stays in the country. I…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to Nonviolent Communication
Happy to announce I am now 100% nonviolent after reading Nonviolent Communication (NVC) by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. I am also 100% lying. Because, like all good things in life, NVC takes effort. And practice. Having just finished the book, I only have an idea of what to say but no practical experience. Conflict resolution is…
Keep Reading4 Tips for NRIs on How to Effectively Prepare for Paperwork in India and Avoid Multiple Trips
I have seen a lot of NRIs (non-resident Indians) struggling with paperwork once they land in India. They get frustrated and intimidated. It was during that point I realized I (an ex-NRI) have become accustomed to the system. Probably, because I now have a way to go about it. This page aims to provide…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to Taking Fewer Photos and Living in the Moment
I take a sip of refreshing chai and relish the warmth it brings. I visit a striking green paradise and breathe in the intoxicating air. I spend time laughing with my loved ones, engaging in deep conversations. Time stands still. I welcome the moment with a big smile, comfortable baggy clothes, and frizzy hair. All…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to The Street-Savvy Characters of The White Lotus (No Spoilers)
In The White Lotus S2, there are only two types of people – the ones who are street-smart and the ones who are not. The street-smart ones know how to get their way, even if it’s through unethical means like manipulation, lying, and deceit. “How do you sleep well at night knowing you did this?”…
Keep ReadingAn Ode to My Favorite Products of 2022
Since the year is almost over, I thought I would take a moment to list my favorite products of 2022. Purchases that have improved my life, delicacies I enjoyed, and things that exceeded my expectations. Most of these products are only available in India. Still, you might want to check out your local Amazon website…
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The Monkey Dilemma 