Several years ago, I took a course on Modernism and Post-modernism. One of the topics of study was T.S. Eliot’s widely read modernist poem, “The Waste Land” (full text here). The themes and intricacies were so intense that we spent a solid three weeks reading, digesting, mentally churning, and understanding the poem. Three weeks may…
Lessons from (other people’s) faith
“God has no religion.” Mahatma Gandhi Approximately one week into my elective in Palliative Care, I am learning to bite my tongue when it comes to discussions on religion and faith. My own religious persuasion has evolved and devolved over time, and I cannot pinpoint any specific game-changing factors in the process. What I do…
She Rises
At the intersection of Orleans Avenue and Jefferson Davis, stopping at a red light sparks contemplation.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival
About one month ago, I wrote about Red Baraat after happening past a place on Frenchmen Street that was featuring the band that night. I lamented at letting the chance slip by to see them, but luckily they made it back to New Orleans for the 6th annual Congo Square Rhythms Festival in Louis Armstrong Park….
Orange Walls
Deep orange walls infused with the muses streaming through his trumpet Fingers pulsing what the soul is feeling Eyes closed for one sweet moment hips swaying slowly in the heavy, fragrant air Collective strangers bound by notes and lyrics heads nodding agreement Yea, that’s the feeling A couple dances her loose curls falling on his…
International Women’s Day
“No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her sex.” [Susan B. Anthony] March 8 was International Women’s Day. This post is a bit delayed because although this is a 102-year-old observance, I only learned of it on Friday and wanted to learn more. IWD began as a…
Yellow
Whenever we admit an especially nice patient to the hospital whose diagnosis seems worrisome and somewhat elusive, we assume the worst — cancer. Of course this has no scientific basis whatsoever; it is simply the experience that all of us have collectively had throughout our training. Such is the case with a patient I admitted…
chaos withstood
A night that’s changing colors from the green of summer to the pumpkin cream of autumn leaves Brought to not quite bustling life by lights and glows from lamps and streets Seated in a tiny square a few stairs up from city feet, with lilies as the centerpiece So clean, they deceive the gorgeous grimy…
Lucky Peach
Just when I thought I couldn’t find any more reasons to love my (newly discovered) hair salon Rocket Science, I was proven wrong. Sitting in the waiting room of the shotgun-turned-hair-salon, it is easy to lose oneself in the eye candy that is its interior. Lovely Chinese lanterns line the ceiling, unique furniture pieces are…
Red Baraat: a bhangra brass band!
As we strolled along Frenchmen Street last weekend, I overheard the words “Indian funk brass band” and immediately turned around to learn more. That night, Blue Nile was hosting Red Baraat, a diverse band that fuses the contagious energy of bhangra music with the joyful shake-your-hips sound of the brass bands of New Orleans, the…
One Billion Rising on V-Day
Two months ago, the horrific gang rape of a young woman from New Delhi sparked protest and anger around the world. Violence against women is rampant in every society, but most of the cases are brushed under the rugs of ignorance and political repugnance. I am still surprised that the Delhi case became a worldwide…
Philly Friends Meet New Orleans Carnival
This year’s Mardi Gras marks the third consecutive season for me. As a resident living in New Orleans, it is easy to look forward to the revelry and good cheer surrounding this joyous time. While the rest of the country slows down their celebrations after New Year’s, NOLA keeps its spirits energized for a few…
pen . paper . storm 