A N N A J O H N ' S D I A R Y

MOU

FRIDAY

7:00am    wake up, curse patisserie for not being open with helpful Illy drink.

7:45am     pray frantically.

8:00am    survive most important phone interview of MY LIFE.

9:00am    try and stop twitching from nerves, get some sleep.

11:00am  wake up, brush teeth, call Vicky's, get caffeine.

11:30am   pedicure.

11:35am   Vicky is disgusted by my lack of toe maintenance (hello, unemployment!).

12:30pm   leave Vicky's.

1:00pm     shower!  hurry!

1:30pm     pray for correct metrobus to arrive.

2:00pm     pick up car.

2:30pm     haircut, at which I'm tempted to say, lop it all off OR make it look like Blake Lively or Angelina.**

2:40pm     debate the importance of bangs and if necessary, what length they should be.

3:30pm     leave  salon, feel human again.

4:00pm     get hooked up by cousin who is make-up artist for Stila.

5:30pm     fetch Panda.

6:oopm     Vicky's AGAIN.

7:01pm     take boxes from here to new apt, since we have car.

7:30pm     leave for Potomac or wherever.

8:ish          rehearsal dinner.

2:01am      leave party.

SATURDAY

3:00am     fall in to bed, tell you we have to be up in a few hours, you whine.

11:00am   wake your panda ass up.

12:00pm   two hours of mad errand-running.

2:00pm     return car, hail cab.

2:30pm      leave for Sheraton.

3:00pm     arrive, check in, change in to suitable north indian sari.

4:30pm     my first Hindu ceremony.

5:30pm     end of ceremony.

7:00pm     Cocktails.

8:00pm     woooh shaji's murried ann i'm drunkk ypeeee!

12:00am   Dholi.

SUNDAY

11:00am   wake up with hangover, plead for late check-out.

12:00pm   leave hotel.

1:00pm     drop stuff at home, preferably in a heap which is directly in our way, later.

2:00pm    Garden and Cosmos opening @ Freer/Sackler.

6:00pm     pass out because we are pathetic.

9:00pm     wake up and ransack fridge.

10:00pm   Episode 12 of Mad Men.

10:30pm   Ambien time!

11:30pm    I'll be sleep-walking at this point, so just point me towards a safe, flat surface.

**Right now, hair looks like top row/middle pic of this collage, except black instead of brown.

Knock 'em Dead, Kid- (Now with WORKING links)

On 12/10/06, HS wrote:

HI!

Firstly, you're a great writer and have been reading your writing on Sepia Mutiny and on your blog.

Secondly, congrats on the new job.  I"m job hunting myself and I know what a difficult process it can be.

Thirdly, you sounded very normal on the interview, which is a good thing. You sounded like a nice wholesome mature girl which is good!  I also liked what you had to say and I think that you really represented a lot of us in your thoughts - that they could have made the doll better but a part of you was excited that they had a doll out at all.

Fourthly, and most importantly, I have a question that only you can answer: I had an interview where I wore my business suit (as I do for most interviews)... I met the whole office team (which is quite small) and everyone was super nice and friendly.  The office is business casual, for the most part. Well things went well, and I'm invited back but I have to make a presentation for the second round.  Now, what should I wear?  I only have that one suit, and it's a nice quality suit, but that's all I have?  Should I wear it again?  Or should I buy another coloured shirt that I can wear under it.  Or, should I wear nice business casual clothes instead so I fit in with the rest of the office and am more familiar with them?  I know that only you can answer this question because you've been interviewing and have had to go back to make presentations and stuff.  I would really just appreciate your honest answer for what you think that I should do. 

Best of luck at the new job and I hope that your sister gets better.

warmly,

H

Hi H,

Wow, thanks for all the kind words and for your unwavering faith in me-- I'm sure I'm not the only one who could answer your question, but I'm delighted that you think so well of me.

1)  Thank you!

2) Searching for a new job SUCKS.  My best wishes for an end to your hunt-- until Wednesday of this week, I was right there with you and miserably anxious. 

Mom thinks I can do anything, including programming, apparently.

Mummy,

Maybe if I had studied something different at Davis...that job is for someone who actually knows how to do real, useful stuff with computers, i.e. not me. :)  You have too much faith in my technical abilities.  Still, it would be so fun to move home and then get to live in Berkeley.

The test I took yesterday was harder than I expected, but I reviewed what I could beforehand and I did my best.  There were a LOT of questions which felt tricky...but I guess that's to be expected.  We'll see.  I'm trying to stay positive, because by the time I left at 5, I really started to fall in love with the offices and the staff's attitude.  I don't want to get my hopes up, but it seems like such a cool place to work and I know I'd learn so much.

I'll call you the minute I hear any news about it; the next step is a second interview, if I'm worthy.

Love you too,

Latha

On 11/8/06, Mom wrote:

Hi Monay,

Does this* interest you? How was interview yesterday?  Hope everything went OK.

Love you,

Mommy.

*fwd'd job opening

Asked and answered, counselor

Anna I have wondered this since I started reading your blog ....

Why, why, why are you single?  It does not make any sense to me.  How can such a breathtakingly beautiful, intelligent, interesting, creative, curious, amazing person such as yourself be single?

And really this is just an excuse, a lead-in, to asking, what is it that you are looking for in a guy?

And, for example, in reference to your latest blog post, what are your views on non-brown-guy dating, and/or, if I may be so bold, have you had negative experiences in the past that have seemingly turned you off to this?

The curiosity, quite literally, is killing me.

-GP

I have no idea why I'm single, other than the sad fact that underneath my clothes, my entire body is covered in scales. 

I suppose it's actually b/c I haven't found someone...yet.  Maybe b/c the Baby Jesus hates me??  That's my explanation for everything else nasty which has clobbered me lately.

These days, I wonder if I'll ever find him; 2006 is the year I started seriously thinking I wouldn't (and not rabidly freaking out about it).  I've only had Indian boyfriends, but that's not because of some traumatic experience which eternally haunts me, thus preventing me from ever stating, "I don't discriminate-- I regulate EVERY shade of that".

I dated two non-browns once.  One was Persian, the other (whom I mistook for a Punjabi) was Palestinian.  Both...practically brown, really. It's not like I ogled a Swede or something.  I do realize, with some weirdness, that since I am officially geriatric according to brown marriage standards, the chances of me ending up with an unbrown guy skyrocket with every passing month spent single. 

Assuming of course, that I ever date one...

More soon, if you're unlucky,

Anna

p.s.  that was a ridiculous list of adjectives you generously bestowed upon me in that 2nd paragraph of yours there...thank you.  every girl should have someone in her life to say such things to her, when she's blue.

i have balls the size of epcot, bitches

;)

From: sg <suitablegirl@gmail.com>

To: tony p <p-------@yahoo.com>

Date: Aug 8, 2005 12:21 AM

Subject: Re: whats up

Reply |  Reply to all |  Forward  |  Print  |  Add sender to Contacts list  |  Trash this message  |  Report phishing  |  Show original

Tony,

Thank you so much for your interest, it's quite kind of you to think of me.  Which website are you referring to, pacifically?  As for what I do, I'm a blogger, which is a lot like being a writer. 

I spoke at the 2002 Fokana conference about political activism and our youth.  You are welcome to contact Robin P------------, the woman who coordinated my appearance.  Most recently, I had the privilege of discussing Globalization at the first BlogHer convention, ever, last week.  As you can read, I'm very comfortable with being a panelist or guest speaker.  Since I won "Best India Blog", perhaps I could facilitate a session about blogging?  Again, I'm not quite sure what you're looking for, it's difficult to discern from your email.

As for talents, I have many, some of which aren't printable, but I'll start off by relating that I'm gifted at baton twirling whilst singing the Star Spangled Banner...but that's only a fraction of what I can do.  Get back to me with specifics regarding what you're looking for and we'll talk.

Sincerely,

Anna

- Hide quoted text -

On 8/6/05, tony p <p-------@yahoo.com > wrote:

whats ur website about or what do u do?..
i represent the next FOKANA convnetion
iwanted to see if u had any talents?

hi "ho", it's off to exile i go

dearest mg,

i wished i could've spoken to you last night-- someone very small and verrrry cute did not want to:

a) go to sleep
b) leave

so it took a bit longer than the ten minutes i promised to get back to you. sorry. normally, i'd be crushed at the lack of "ho"-time, but i was too busy swooning over the fact that when i carried my little pudgesicle outside and strapped him in his car seat, he fixed those anime-ready eyes on me and said, "i lubb oo!" with such conviction, i almost fainted.

sorry, i need a moment.

ahhhh, that kid is perfection.

anyway, i'm sorry to read that your day wasn't flawless. that's no good. you want to know about "my agenda" for the day? well, today i have to freak out slightly as i run around unhappily, preparing and packing for the part i hate, leaving home. i have to box all the food mom selflessly sacrificed sleep to make, the goodies she bought me at costco (pista biscotti? TIGI hair crap?? a bright pink lint remover b/c she was disgusted at my beloved black pixies shirt's magnetic attraction to white fuzz???) and whatever else i've managed to discover/purchase/accumulate here in under a week. and i STILL haven't gone to ULTA yet. oy.

next writing workshop = next week

KAHANI is next Saturday!

June 25, from 3-5pm

Tryst
2459 18th Street NW .
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-5500

Closest Metro: Red line, Woodley Park/Zoo

This will be an actual workshop, i.e. unlike past meets where we just did a few casual writing exercises, on the 25th we will have an author who has taken the time and effort to prepare a story for us. Sharon is presenting her work for feedback. PLEASE download and read the story in advance; Sharon will only be reading a portion of it, and due to the nature of Tryst, expecting to get an entire "read" on her work just by listening to a section read in a cafe isn't advisable. Traditionally, we present the author with marked-up copies of their story, so they have our feedback for posterity. :)

You are welcome to attend Kahani even if you haven't read the story we're focusing on-- you just won't have as much to say when the rest of us are dissecting it. ;) Perhaps you can have a bite to eat until we get to the writing part. EVERYTHING at Tryst is yummy (and veg-friendly), from the drinks, to the coffee, to the food.

We will be doing a writing exercise after we workshop Sharon's story.

Please get in touch with me so that I know how big a table I need to hoard, and I'll see you in a week!

P.S. There is an unsubstantiated rumor that we're doing Amsterdam Falafel for dinner apres-Kahani. I'm starting this rumor. Pass it on. ;)

get write with me

> anna, can you send me more details or  a link to more details.

I've pasted all that you require at the end of this missive.


> I'm new to town and, on a stroll through the internet, found a
> mention of the saturday meeting on your website.

You were reading my diary?  You naughty boy.  Go to my room.*


> Does a fella have to bring something he's working on?

No, just bring you...and your laptop if you're smart ;)


>Are you already full up with lawyers with aspirations to be writers?

I am highly anomalous for holding the following opinion-- there can never be enough lawyers who aspire to write. :)


> Why is there no good cheap indian food in  town?  These and  

> other questions oppress me.  Please lighten this weight by  
> sending a response when you get the chance.

Amma Vegetarian Cuisine in GTown kept me alive my first two years of grad school...if you really want to save and crave, make friends with ME and I'll hook you up with my legendary, light-your-ass-on-fire chole.

Don't hesitate to reply if you have additional questions-- or if
you're going to be kind enough to RSVP.

-A :)

...........................................................................

Brown Writer's Workshop @ Cosi in DC.
This Saturday- March 5

Our next get-together is THIS weekend, which is
convenient if you're feeling like you missed out on last
Saturday's workshop (you so did).

It will be a casual writing environment, so you don't
need to prepare a story in advance. Don't stress or
think about anything besides how satisfying it will be
to obliterate your writer's block.

There will be informal writing exercises led by ME, so
bring your no.2 pencils OR your laptops, if you are
Abhijit-level-sloppy with penmanship. :)

Location: Cosi- Dupont South, 1-3pm
Address: 1350 Connecticut Avenue NW
Phone: 202.296.9341
Across the street: Buffalo Billiards

Metro: Red line-Dupont Circle (Exit Dupont
Circle SOUTH.)

can't we all just get along?

re: your post on "call girls" (ha) what an interesting perspective you have. :) totally bollocks IMO but interesting, nonetheless. i guess we all try hard to be...different, unique, contrary. i love pranks. unfortunately, what power99 did was not a prank. i agree with some of the other points you made, but consummately disagree with your take on the "Radio Jockey" scandal. i'm sincere when i write that i'm envious of your teflon heart...that's what it must be coated with if the recording didn't hurt you. it did hurt us, and that's why we stood up to it. NRI or not, when i walk down the street, no one EVER assumes that i was born here in amreeka. to them i'm just another foreign, filthy, rat-eating bitch from hindu land. you can call me NRI until you're bluer than krishna, but to the majority of my countrymen, the distinction between NRI and Indian doesn't exist. i haven't read the rest of your blog, so i don't know how reasonable you are but i know most people (especially blogg A N N A | Email | Homepage | 01.16.05 - 10:37 pm | #

Anna, 'bollocks' isn't really an American word. That confused? And upset over my Blogshares pranks? Ouch. Incidentally, its not always about you - so stop pissing on my territory. Go write a post about me, and a few pseudo-intellectual suckers might applaud your internet bravado. p.x. | Homepage | 01.17.05 - 1:06 pm | #

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BLOGSHARES
VIEW MESSAGES

TO:  P.X. Project

FROM:  suitable girl

Date  19:23 17 Jan 2005

i have no clue what the hell you're going on about in the comments section of your blog-- i didn't say anything about what you do here at blogshares. i have no issue with that-- your takeovers, artefacts and whatnot.

i pity you, that you can't deal with someone who differs with your opinion. i didn't insult you, i didn't use profanity, i was not inappropriate. you called me "confused"...b/c that's apparently the gold standard of insults against american citizens of south asian descent. wow. scared of you.

you actually wrote a *whole post* about a hierarchy of comment-leavers? i affected you that much? are you sure it's "not always about me"? b/c i didn't think it was until i read THAT. i always thought of myself as more of an "A" comment-leaver vs. a "C", FWIW, not that you're balanced or rational enough to consider that.

it seems like you are one of those inscrutable people who has something against me, (or another mutineer?) or america or...whatever. it's not worth my time to conject what you dislike so much. i know that i don't deserve your wrath, your derision or...your...phudi* decision to ban my IP.

i wanted a dialogue, not a temper tantrum.

peace.

:+:

*phudi:  (noun)  rude urdu word for a woman's reproductive orifice.  see:  pussy.

what if she were your sister?

dear megan,

it's amazing how a complete stranger can influence your choices and impact your life; i've experienced/inspired this myself and now i find myself on the opposite end of things, writing to someone i've never had the privilege of meeting, hoping she doesn't think me strange for doing so.

a few months ago, when i heard about pia awal's search for a stem cell match to treat her leukemia, i made sure that i attended a special event in DC so that i could get tested and become part of the national marrow donor program database.

when i heard about you, i fervently wished that i could do more than light candles for you at church.  i'm obviously not your match, though i'm also malayalee.  i pray for you every night, that you find your one in 10,000. 

if there's anything i can do to help your cause, please let me know.  i've already harangued most people i know to get tested, but i don't know any Knanayas, and i heard that your greatest chance of a match would be with one of them.  perhaps i can write about you for one of my websites?  i checked your site, is there an upcoming drive that i could help you publicize?

let me know.  i'd love to do my part.

best wishes,

anna  :)

.

.

.

more info:  this excellent nirali article features pia AND megan.

.

addendum:  pia and baby varun (another brown who's made the email-plea rounds like pia and megan) have both found matches within the last week!  :)

please get your blood tested.  if whimpering, immature, cowardly me--who has refused the FLU SHOT for the last five years b/c of terror WRT needles-- can do it, you have no excuse.  it takes a few minutess to give the mere specks of blood; it takes a few months to process your sample.  i'm forever haunted by the tragic and unnecessary loss of another south asian girl who died on april 29, 2001...just days before her match was found.   i know that most of my readers are desi. 

one of you could save megan's life.  what's stopping you?

.