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Sandhya Acharya

10 Gulab Jamuns at MVLA

On Jan 9th I did a book reading session at (MVLA) Mountain View Adult Education Center. The lovely ladies at the daycare center and the director made me feel at home and the kids were so into the story and counting. The parents attend classes and can drop their kids at the daycare. They have so many good programs at this center. Gave me some great insights about the gaps in education especially for adults and others in need and the great work organizations like these do outside the mainstream schools. A great beginning to… Read More »10 Gulab Jamuns at MVLA

Wonderful Book Reading at Wonderland

A few weeks back I did a book reading at Wonderland Chinese immersion school.  It was special because it was my first ever book reading. I am so lucky to have gotten the opportunity to do this at such a wonderfully well-run school with caring staff and teachers. I loved the concept of an immersion school where students get to really learn about a specific culture. It was heartwarming to see the school was so sincere in giving the students opportunities to not just immerse in some cultures but also learn about diversity and exposure… Read More »Wonderful Book Reading at Wonderland

Happy Holidays

I have been trying prompt writing and have been enjoying it. I never know what how it will start or how it will end. This is a prompt that asked us to write a title, a headline and a news report using a picture of a kid with no front teeth. Here’s what turned out Happy Holidays A boy with no front teeth brings holiday cheer to town. “I noticed something was different about him the moment he was born.” Mary Ann Lou announced with pride. She seemed poised and well prepared for the questions… Read More »Happy Holidays

A Happy Day with 10 Gulab Jamuns

Every year, the Diwali celebration at my son’s preschool- Happy Days, is a much awaited one. This time it was even more special for me as I was given an opportunity to present my book “10 Gulab Jamuns” to the wonderful parents and children of Happy Days. The director, Ms.Marmen, here is an energetic force behind the school and she has always been so encouraging throughout my journey. I read a quick excerpt from my book and had her volunteer to taste some Gulab Jamuns as she was being cheered by the audience. The festive… Read More »A Happy Day with 10 Gulab Jamuns

A birthday celebration with 10 Gulab Jamuns

Last week we went to a birthday party of a very dear friend of my son. The family was so gracious to include a book reading of 10 Gulab Jamuns as part of the celebration. Even with stiff competition from an impressive bouncy house, the kids eagerly gathered around when it was time to read. Some of them had come early to make sure they don’t miss the session. The kids were engaged and interactive throughout. A few recognized and were excited to see foods that they eat every day featured in the book. Some… Read More »A birthday celebration with 10 Gulab Jamuns

10 Gulab Jamuns’ Diwali celebration

Last week we had a little Diwali celebration at my son’s Kindergarten. We read from my book 10 Gulab Jamuns, sampled some Gulab Jamuns, made paper lanterns and painted clay lamps (diyas). It was so much fun! Some highlights 10 Gulab Jamuns story reading: Kids were delighted with the story. The names of the characters ‘Idu and Adu’ and also saying ‘Gulab Jamuns’ aloud together gave everyone a lot of laughs. They amazed me with their counting skills and observations about the pictures. They identified different foods that they knew or had tried before and had… Read More »10 Gulab Jamuns’ Diwali celebration

Make a wish!

  My son was helping with gardening. He picked a flower, ran inside and handed it over to me. I took it from him and exclaimed it was a beautiful flower. He asked me to hold it in my hands, close my eyes and make a wish. Someone would hear it and know about it and give me my wish. (Thank you Kindergarten teacher!) I held the flower and made my wish. Then he ran outside and came back with a couple more. Take a picture take a picture for Facebook he exclaimed. I winced… Read More »Make a wish!

To Kneel or not to Kneel

Colin Kaepernick and other NFL players have given us a new Shakespearean conundrum to think about. To kneel or not to kneel. Is it right to do anything but stand in front of the flag during the National Anthem? Even if it a respectful sign of protest against things that might be challenging the fabric of the nation? Everyone is facing this dilemma in football stadiums, in high schools, and really everywhere the national anthem could be being played. While we are on the topic of national anthems, let me share another experience of mine.… Read More »To Kneel or not to Kneel

Daffodils

First published in Aaduna literary journal It was the middle of the school year. Mala’s family had just moved to the little obscure town of Belgaum in the interiors of India. The only school within walking distance was the vernacular one. This was her last year at school, the most important one since it would determine admission to college. Unfortunately, this became the hardest year of her entire school life. The medium of instruction in her new school was Kannada, whereas she had been studying in an English medium school until then. Every class was now… Read More »Daffodils

Lemons, sweet lemons for you.

Just then, out of nowhere, as the train left Mulund station, a beautiful voice came lilting through the doors and windows. It was the sweetest sound one could have heard. “Lemons sweet lemons for you”. And like magic, the rains suddenly stopped. A brave defiant rainbow stood outside the window. Overjoyed by this happy coincidence the ladies brought their hands together and clapped for Suman Bai. “Look what magic my lemons bring”, said Suman Bai equally elated. “Lemons sweet lemons for you.

A daydreaming agreement

One morning, as most schoolday mornings, I was running around frantically pushing my sons to move a little faster. I managed to tackle two tantrums in the car and drop the younger one to his daycare. Next, I had to drop the 5-year-old to his Kindergarten. I rushed to the car balancing the to-do lists in my mind while my son lingered on the sidewalk. I opened his car door and goaded him on. He skipped and hopped, trudged and trailed. Frustrated I pulled him along and told him maybe he should do a little… Read More »A daydreaming agreement

A for

A for… Transitions can be hard especially for a five-year-old. Remeber your first day at college or workplace? We have all been nervous about meeting new people, anxious about connections, the pressure of performance, the need to establish oneself and of course, letting go. New beginnings also mean goodbyes to something that might have been a wonderful part of your life. During the first week of Kindergarten, an assignment given was the letter A. My son decided to write his best friends name that starts with an A on the page. Later in the car, he… Read More »A for

Third prize at Katha 2017 (India Currents and Wellstone Center)

I am ecstatic! Won third prize in the Katha contest 2017. Thanks, India Currents Magazine and The Wellstone Center in the Redwoods for the opportunity. The theme this time was California. Take a read. All the stories are fantastic! https://www.indiacurrents.com/katha-fiction-contest-winners-announced/ Cherry Blossoms Stepping out of the plane, that first day in America, it was the vastness that first struck me. I took in the wide blue skies, the unending green lawns, and the circuitous freeways as we drove from the airport in Arun’s convertible top-down silver gray mustang. I took in the magnificence of the… Read More »Third prize at Katha 2017 (India Currents and Wellstone Center)

I don’t need a ring on me!

First appeared in http://raisingworldchildren.com/2017/07/05/marital-symbols-significance-ring-mangalsutra/ . Find out what my real marital symbol is. What is yours? I Don’t Need a Ring On Me   A few weeks before I got married, I had an engagement ring,my first marital symbol . The first day I wore it, It drew too much attention. Friends and strangers called it out with equal exuberance. They held my hand and ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ about the sparkling stone and wanted to know everything about my “love story”. It felt like I had announced my wedding on prime time TV. It made me way… Read More »I don’t need a ring on me!

Competitiveness starts young

First! (on NPR)

A piece of mine is on KQED Perspectives this morning. If you are near the radio, listen in at 8.43 AM How do you cope with the obsession of coming first in your children? https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/2017/07/01/first/    Recently, I was finishing a half-marathon. Several runners had already come in. Some had won in their categories, some had made PRs. They posed, took pictures and collected their medals. Finally my son spotted me. He rushed to welcome me and then somewhat sadly asked “Did you come last?” Lately, my 5-year-old has been a bit obsessed with ‘coming… Read More »First! (on NPR)