Because it's not cute to flounder
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December 2009

India's Fashion Week

12/18/09

India's Fashion Week

Living in India was the first time that I had no one around telling me what to do or who to be. After college I rebelled from a conservative Republican family by moving to San Francisco. The problem with the Bay Area is that everyone agrees with each other, so there is a lack of critical thinking and serious passion. I went to India and learned something that the liberal mafia nor Howard Beach Italians would never let me admit: it is OK to manipulate the system to get what you want. Here is an old blog post from that time when I was finally was able to put on a corset and get out on the runway. Posted in post-fashion week enthusiasm.

“A friend-of-a-friend in Calcutta is a designer who got into Indian fashion week for the first time. Friends of theirs were going...

Posted at 06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0
Why I’ve Turned Into a Walking Cliche

12/11/09

Why I’ve Turned Into a Walking Cliche

For those who knew me as I was in the U.S. you know that I always had a three-year plan, if not a five-year life plan. Future plans were not to be fucked with. Mine were always delicately planned and thoroughly researched. Although coming to India might have seemed crazy and irresponsible to some, it was actually an essential part of the 5-year plan to get into public health school and begin working in the public health field.

After 5 months in India something has rubbed off on me. I hate to say it, but I’ve had the cliché ‘come-to-India-and-have-a-life-altering-experience’ experience. It gets me mad, because I routinely make fun of the hippie back-packer types who come to India in search of an ashram, guru, and spiritual enlightenment or life-altering...

Posted at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0
To India…Again!

12/04/09

To India…Again!

A few years ago I was lucky to receive the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India. I spent a tumultuous, unpredictable year working with an NGO in Bangalore, India. The insanity is summed up by the following facts:

I went to India an indy punk, grubby, non-consumerist, teacher and public service worker.

I left India an aspiring actress and model ready to delve into the commercial entertainment world.

Not the stereotypical travel-to-India-life-changing-journey. Before leaving India I wrote:
“CONCLUSION: IT ALL WAS NOT THAT BAD
 Although there were a lot of hard times in India, things ended up working out. I was told that if one at least likes India the country will keep calling you back. The future is uncertain, but I am sure that...

Posted at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0