It’s surreal to catch yourself in a dream while you are conscious of the fact that you’re dreaming. Picking at your brain and thinking when forming a sentence in a foreign language is even more interesting. Put the two together, and you’ve got a powerful moment where you’ve reached the turning point in your learning. ...

Over the past six years, I have studied Turkish. As time passed, I became busier and left it behind. I recently got back into it. Learning a language and maintaining it is difficult, but it’s rewarding and beneficial in many ways. With both personal and professional advantages, being fluent in languages other than your own ...

I’ve always experienced difficulty grasping the concept of passion. Regarding what I wanted to pursue career-wise, I felt restricted by the “follow your passion” narrative. This is because I didn’t have a single goal to achieve. Some people are certain of what they want and can’t imagine it any other way. Others possess multiple interests ...

Glazed eyes upon a flimsy piece of paper.The thin, fickle texture telling me mathematical questions.A subject filling my soul with apathy. “Two plus two equals fourjust as two times two,”the teacher’s voice drones onto the uniformed class of glazed eyes. My vacant eyes try to clingto the firm, green chalkboard.And the white figures dancing as ...

Although our home is small, the rooms are sizable and airy, with twelve-foot ceilings. Clerestory windows above doors increase natural light and air circulation. A long open south-facing verandah runs the entire width of the building. Sudhir and I spend most of our mornings and evenings here in the open. Another staircase leads to an ...

A moment that ‘is’ may soon turn to a moment that ‘was.’ Warbler’s singing a tune. Listen ‘now,’ as she may sing a different song or not…next moment.   The Sun rays ‘re piercing through space between railings. Natural light’s causing a geometrical design of shadows on the deck. See ‘now,’ as new shapes may ...

Those were the days when neighbors took pride in knowing each other by first and last names Kids, pets included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors exchanged tomatoes, potatoes, and onions Milk included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors drove their cars, trucks, and trolleys ...

We were young, still in our cocoons when we first met. Flora morphed into a beautiful butterfly, sooner than me. Her wings—the colors of fire, lit the sky. Her flutter stirred many, to reach and pocket her. But free minded, she held her own, unwilling to be caught.   With a grand vision to travel ...

I cannot wait to fly and touch the sky Above the clouds, beside the Sun and Moon Where Stars stand straight in line and wave their “Hi!” Where Plough and Crux appear to watch me swoon   Where Birds adapt to fly beneath the sea Where Green Sea Turtle races Octopus Where Sally Lightfoot Crab ...

Powdery white sand shimmers its quartz in sunlight stars twinkle on ground   Singing cardinal joins the drumming woodpecker branches take a bow   Fluttering pupa amidst the dense, tall sand dunes dotted flowers bloom   Sliding waves ashore bring seaweeds, grasses, and more crabs party with bugs   Diving pelican grabs grub by its ...