2009: It's all about the family (not Benjamins), baby

Note: This is a rant, enter at your own risk.

For me, this year has been quite unique. I climbed the Great Wall in China, witnessed my brother get married in India, and had a lot of family from India visit the U.S. for the first time. Some would call it "life changing," but I think I would phrase it as "perspective changing." I started the year with a journey through my motherland where I spent over 3 months exclusively with family. It was not my first trip, but it was the first time that I felt that I could look at an entire situation objectively. As one matures, it seems that those blinders that may have one been tied on by others in your family seem to deteriorate. You start seeing everything and everyone for who they are as a rational adult which is much different than what you may have thought as a teen or child. Though there is deep love present, it does not necessarily warrant the like-factor of any individual. On the other hand, it also is amazing to realize the goodness in someone you are related to and love then all the more for that reason. My favorite sister in India works for UNICEF and travels from village to village teaching young girls about their bodies, hygiene, and safe sex practices. She also is responsible for ensuring that everyone in her region gets their ration of food fairly, and that no corrupt government official is making money in between. She is one of the most honest do-gooders I've met, which is not easy in India. It's easier to be corrupt and take part in the "paise kahnae" [money eating], but she refuses. She lives a modest life in a tiny one bedroom flat whereas her counterparts are rich because of their dishonesty. Lending to the ill mentality of her cohorts is a trend in Indian attitudes that I noticed this past trip--the absurd lack of personal responsibility. Whether it is a politician or your Uncle Hari, everyone blames someone else for their problems. I wonder if this is some effect of imperialism or simple laziness, in any case it is very different from the western viewpoint where you are responsible for your actions, thoughts, and words.

Not to say that there are not problems here. After returning from India, I was optimistic that I would find employment as there seemed to be some definite prospects. Almost simultaneously, it seemed that every opportunity diminished due to economic problems. I have my own theories on that, but in any case, there is a silver lining. I have had a wonderful time producing V01d and Rad on the Web, two projects that may have not come into fruition if I were working full time. With season one of V01d nearly finished and Rad on the Web viewership growing by the episode, it is an encouraging position. Since I have been freelancing, I have learned how to live life on a much tighter budget and live frugally. It's amazing how not having much a social life can save some dough! I know this is a quality that my mother always feared I wouldn't understand, but now I do loud and clear. Saving is the best thing we can do for our rainy days, which seem to be outweighing the sunshine for most of us. My parents both were experts at living happily on a small budget [still are], and it is this mentality that helped them survive in this country. It blows my mind to think that my mother was only 5 years older than I am now when she immigrated to this country with close to nothing. I could never imagine doing that and will always have a deep respect for my parents for taking that risk.

In less than a month, I will be 25 but I feel like I have grown so much since my last birthday.

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