Photographs of me always take me by surprise. In my mind’s eye, and in my mirror I look very different. But then I shrug and turn away, it wasn’t important how I looked. Externals are just superficial, and I had
Coral Raw Silk
1990s H4 bride: That first “Aunty”
For the first 22 years of my life, the word Aunty was used for all older women family friends or acquaintance, a tacit honorific used for the social collective of older, usually married, women who vigilantly enforced the community rules.
1990s H4 Bride: Letters From Home
All the recent #layoffs reminded me of the anxious years I spent as a #H4bride. It was a different time, but the vulnerability to abrupt dismissal was the same. TLDR: Aerogramme nostalgia Do you remember these precious communications from family
1990s H4 Bride: Glass Bangles
All the recent layoffs reminded me of the anxious years I spent as a H4 bride. It was a different time, of course, but the vulnerability to abrupt, unexpected dismissal was the same. TLDR: nostalgia The first few months of
1990s H4 Bride: Fremont Main Library
All the recent #layoffs reminded me of the anxious years I spent as a #H4bride. It was a different time, but the vulnerability to abrupt dismissal was the same. The first thing that truly converted me into an “American” was
1990s H4 Bride: In Laws’ Visits
One of the rituals all H4 brides went through was the first in-laws’ visit. I was still dealing with the transition from single to married, doctor to housewife, financially independent to dependent, full service help (maid/ launderer/ gardener) to no
A morning playlist
Feb 2016 I’m not a religious person, but a deeply spiritual one. I do believe in a God, and because I was born a Hindu, I uneasily shift between 33 million names, because I studied in a convent for the
The Moment:
My nephew was born Feb 2014 I don’t remember holding either of my girls like this, in perfect peace, mind focused solely on the soft wisps of hair ruffled by the tiny askew cap. I don’t remember feeling this effortless
1990s H4 Bride
All the recent layoffs reminded me of the anxious years I spent as a H4 bride. It was a different time, of course, but the vulnerability to abrupt, unexpected dismissal was the same. TLDR: nostalgia The first