In My Panelist Era & Monthly Faves!

And I answer some of your questions :)

In My Panelist Era

Last week, I participated on a panel via Zoom with two other disabled Asian American women for Brandeis University. We discussed the ways in which our culture intersects with our disability—a topic I could discuss for days. It was a fascinating conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. As the only South Asian on the panel, I think I had a unique perspective and relished the opportunity to share.

Afterwards, the organizer sent me a picture of one of my blog posts (a Harshada deep cut fr) they had loved and printed out and hung up on the wall among others. I was so touched. It felt validating. Seeing strangers appreciate my words. It tells me that I have something to say. Something worth listening to. It’s easy to forget in our busy lives. And connecting with people—it’s what we live for.

One of my favorite quotes is from the film Waking Life: “Life was raging all around me and every moment was magical. I loved all the people, dealing with all the contradictory impulses - that's what I loved the most, connecting with the people. Looking back, that's all that really mattered.” The funny thing is that this was one of my favorite quotes as a shiny starry-eyed high school senior. With everything I’ve been through, everything I have to worry about now, this quote still resonates just as deeply.

Ask me anything!

I plan to answer some of your questions on video but these two questions I received are time sensitive so here we go!

Alex asked: I have tickets for Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway next week. Should I re-watch the movie (I watched maybe 15 years ago) beforehand, or should I go in fresh?

• I wholeheartedly believe each adaptation of a story should be appreciated as a distinct entity. If you are too familiar with one adaptation, you won’t enjoy the other because you’ll spend the whole time preoccupied by what’s left out or what’s different in one versus the other. So basically, no, don’t re-watch the movie.

Jeff asked: With The 2025 Masters starting in 2 weeks, do you have a favorite golfer in the field?

• It totally makes sense to come to me for advice on golfers since I’m SO knowledgeable and passionate about golf games. Matches? Tournaments? Anyway…I say go with the Bhatia boy. I feel strongly about his hipster fashion sense.

Keep them coming!

Monthly Favorites

TV show: Adolescence (Netflix) - The acting, writing, camera work are all incredible and it covers an important topic that’s poisoning society. Also, Elon and co. are purposefully missing the point of this show so you know it’s hitting a nerve.

Book: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande - This should be required reading for anyone working in health care, particularly the latter half of the book. He writes about the health journeys of his patients and his own father and how doctors can better care for people in difficult moments.

Song: I Can’t Get Enough by Selena Gomez and benny blanco. Their whole vibe has just been a breath of fresh air. They’re engaged and promoting this new album together. Their relationship comes across so authentic, healthy and un-Hollywood-like. I’m loving this trend of men letting, no, helping their women shine. See also - On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty and the two of them.

Podcast: If Books Could Kill - I thought it was about books, but it’s not. Regardless, very insightful and funny!

Okay, I’m sorry this is so short and lackluster, but I’m a little under the weather this week! But I’ll come back stronger than a 90s trend 😉 Also, GO DUKE!

See ya ✌🏽 in a month!

Yours,

Harshada