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Sandhya Acharya

PLAY

We were taking a walk around the neighborhood. My kids ran a little ahead of us and found two sticks lying below some tall redwoods. They were giggling uncontrollably when we caught up to them. They had figured out a way to push the sticks ahead of them as they ran. As it bumped across the concrete, the sticks made a Thar Thar Thar. “Look how it vibrates,” said my five-year-old. “I can feel it in my shoulder,” said my eight-year-old. A few minutes later the sticks had been repurposed into bows with plans of… Read More »PLAY

LOVE AGAIN

Published in KQED https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601139805/sandhya-acharya-we-will-love-again We were savoring the last spoonful of a new brand of yogurt. “Thank You,” I exclaimed to the maker of the yogurt, calling out the name that was emblemed on the packaging and added, “I love you.”. My eight year old immediately piped in “Don’t say ‘love’. What if she gets coronavirus?” I suspect he already knows virtual transmission of the virus can’t happen, but this was his first reaction. Lockdown in coronavirus times means no playing with friends, no four square, no following lizards, no jumping on logs until the… Read More »LOVE AGAIN

QUARANTINE – ROUTINE

I wake up these days expecting to snap out of a bad dream. Then, as consciousness descends, I accept, again, that this is our new reality. The new world we are in. And it’s only been days.The news alarms, so after a while I put my phone aside and focus on what to do today. I am grateful that with the kids at home I have a task(s!) to do. I plan their schedule. I decided to take comfort in routine.The first day I opened ‘school’ at home, complete with the teacher’s chair, morning greeting,… Read More »QUARANTINE – ROUTINE

WONDER

Can you imagine seeing something for the first time and experiencing that sense of wonder? The first time you see that leaf shimmering and falling to the ground. The first time you see a bird flying in the blue sky. The first time you see a butterfly flitting among the flowers, bubbles, balloons, kites, dandelions. How full and grateful your heart feels just being there to see them.

Book review: An unexpected friend

Written by Raya Rashna Rahman and illustrated by Inshra Sakhawat Russell I participated in the Multicultural Children’s Book Day because there is a world of diverse books out there for all of us to discover. #MCBD’s #readyourworld is a fantastic attempt to bring these voices and stories to the fore.  As part of this effort, I received a copy of a very special book: An unexpected friend written by Rashna Rahman and illustrated by Inshra Sakhaway Russell. Raya Rahman has collaborated with Save the children to deliver a poignant and powerful story. Faisal, a Rohingya refugee, finds… Read More »Book review: An unexpected friend

Book Review: Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala

by Meenal Patel for #MCBD I participated in the Multicultural Children’s Book Day because there is a world of diverse books out there for all of us to discover. #MCBD is a fantastic attempt to bring these voices and stories to the fore. I received Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala written and illustrated by Meenal Patel to review as part of this effort. ‘Priya dreams of marigold and masala’ is a sensitive story of a little girl who is curious about where her Grandmother, Babi Ba came from. She wants to understand more about… Read More »Book Review: Priya dreams of Marigold and Masala

PHULKA FULL OF JOY

There is something mesmerizing and magical about a Phulka that balloons up perfectly. The fire coaxing the water in the roti to become steam, to push, seek escape. The roti fluffing up into a perfect sphere, wobbling on the stove like a balloon ready for flight. The aroma of hot wheat escaping. The dollop of ghee soothing the puffed Phulka. It took me years to get there. I used to look in admiration and some envy as my better-skilled friends and relatives minted phulkas by the dozen. When I tried my hand at it, the… Read More »PHULKA FULL OF JOY

PUT ON YOUR SKIS AND LET’S GO

Two days back, as I sat in the chair lift transporting me over the stark white slopes, I could feel giant knots in my stomach. My skis dangled heavily off my feet. A moan escaped me as I fell on my back from the chair at dismount. As I began sliding down, I breathed in panicked spurts. Muscles that I didn’t know existed strained and protested, and my heart pounded wildly. I screeched on my skis, wedging them in the brake position the entire way down. I fell, I struggled, I cursed.It was ski season, and… Read More »PUT ON YOUR SKIS AND LET’S GO

MANGALORE MEMORIES

This is a long overdue post. This summer while I enjoyed the warmth of Mangalore weather and my parents’ home, I had the honor of doing a book reading at @cheekychimpsmlr for 10 Gulab Jamuns. It was my first time doing a book reading in India so it was really special. I loved the space that @vidhyahrao, Sanjay, @nanditaraoaroor, and @ramgopal.rao have created. It’s a kids paradise with jumpy houses, bouncy balls, climbing ladders, etc. It is safe and clean and a wonderful option for parents who are looking for a drop-in daycare of its… Read More »MANGALORE MEMORIES

THE HOLIDAY GIFT

Published in KQED https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201601139350/the-holiday-gift Holidays are also a season of giving. As we embrace the spirit, more so today, on #givingtuesday, here’s a bit of holiday humor from my household.THE HOLIDAY GIFT Come October, its festivity time at our household. Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years; the holidays come in quick succession, the more the merrier. We bring out the diyas from the storage. Warm candles find cozy corners to nest in. The old Christmas tree is dusted off and decorated with ornaments and shining blue and golden “Merry Christmas” signs. The entrance of the house is… Read More »THE HOLIDAY GIFT

Book reading for Indigo Program at Barnes and Noble, Almaden

Had a fun time at the book reading at Barnes and Noble for the @indigoprogram program book fair on Tuesday, Nov 19. I enjoyed interacting with the kids and parents from the Indigo program that seems to share the philosophy of my kids’ school in developing the whole child. I was treated to peoples’ stories of how they first experienced Gulab Jamuns, indian sweets and the reach of indian food in the African continent. Did I ever mention I ate parathas on my hike up Kilimanjaro? The world is, indeed, a small place! I met… Read More »Book reading for Indigo Program at Barnes and Noble, Almaden

Event announcement – Book reading at Barnes and Noble, Nov 19, 6 PM

Looking forward to today’s book reading at 6 pm today, Nov 19 at Barnes and Noble, Almaden. Do stop by – there is a bookfair by Indigo program that your little ones will love. The Indigo program aims to be a safe and caring K-8 program designed to educate the whole child. The literacy night will include crafts, improv story-making, and book readings while helping them fundraise. Everyone is welcome! #bookfair #10gulabjamuns #bookreading #authorvisit #schoolvisit #wholechild #indigoprogram #kidswhoread #diversebooks #readyourworld #integratededucation #weneeddiversebooks #kidlit #childrensbooks #picturebooks #bayareaauthors #womenwriters #amwriting

IT’S ALL RELATIVE

Sometimes casual conversations with our kids lead to pertinent discussions. Like the other day, a simple topic of ants led to an intellectual exploration of the concept  “it’s all relative”. You know the – ‘your yuck could be my yum’, ‘boring to you could be interesting to me’, ‘silly to you could be offensive to me’ – sort of talk. But coming back to ants – We were all in the van headed out for breakfast. One thing led to another, and soon we were talking about these friendly six-legged insects.  “Do you know a… Read More »IT’S ALL RELATIVE