My Views and Ideas: Life and Parenting

  I don’t know about you, but I’ve had days where “trying” felt like the most unglamorous thing in the world. Everyone seems to celebrate the person who crossed the finish line, not the one who kept stumbling on the track. Social media doesn’t exactly hand out trophies for people who said,  “Well, at least I tried.” And yet, I’ve come to realize something: I feel the most self-respect not when I’ve achieved perfection, but when I’m genuinely trying. That moment when I decide, “I’ll give it my best shot”—even if the world yawns and looks away—that’s when I know I’m honoring myself. Why Trying Deserves More Credit Than It Gets We live in a culture obsessed with outcomes. Promotions, gold medals, six-pack abs—pick your poison. The message is clear: results are everything. Effort? Cute, but come back when you’ve got a trophy. But here’s the problem with that logic: life doesn’t always hand out neat, measurable rewards. You can work hard, prepare thoroughly, and still not land the ...

 

Disclaimer (Before You Grab Your Pitchforks): Relax, folks. I’m not defecting, I’m just curious. This post isn’t about politics, borders, or switching cricket teams— It is a personal reflection on curiosity, culture, and the beauty of Urdu language. My intent is to explore the idea of listening, understanding, and appreciating words—no matter where they come from. Patriotism, for me, is not about shutting doors but about opening minds. Patriotism doesn’t vanish because I peeked across the fence; if anything, it makes my Wi-Fi connection stronger. Every August, nostalgia and patriotism hit me like an express train. Being born and raised in India, August 15th has always carried the aroma of fresh flags, the echoes of patriotic songs, and the familiar sight of India’s Prime Minister addressing the nation from the historic Red Fort. Even after moving to the United States, my tradition continues—only now it’s easier. No crowded living rooms fighting over the remote, no shaky antenna strugg...

 

 

 

 

 

  You know that feeling when you walk into a store, pick up a bottle of “Ultra-Mega-Super-Powerful” cleaner, glance at the price tag, and nearly faint into the detergent aisle? Yeah, me too. That's right. Let me tell you, I’ve spent decades perfecting the art of cleaning while dodging overpriced chemical cocktails that claim to dissolve grime but mostly just dissolve my bank account. After years of trial and (sometimes disastrous) errors, I’ve cracked the code on homemade cleaning products that are cheap, effective, and won’t make your house smell like a chemical warfare zone. I lerned this the hard way, because I had no choice. My daughter had ectopic eczema and I had to stay away from harsh chemicals to keep the skin flare-ups less. And guess what? They cost pennies compared to those fancy store-bought ones. So grab your apron (or your old college T-shirt—who am I to judge?), and let’s make some magic happen in the cleaning department inside the convenience of your home kitche...