"..two roads diverged in the wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference...": Robert Frost Roy jammed the 10 gallon hat on his head as he settled down on the hood of his Pontiac thunderbird. This time it looked to be a long wait and the sun was …
Ageless in Alien Worlds
.... I, to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop, ..... William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors We made it! We made it on time; equipped with low chairs, a picnic basket and adequately chilled wine. The setting sun casts an orange glow over the grassy slope where we …
Do Brown People Tan?
I am not one to swoon in support of Bobby Jindal, the 13th or 15th (or is it 20th?) declared aspirant in the republican nomination - you know that guy - tanned and ready? Before he was tanned and ready he was American and not Indian American. And even before that he was Christian and not …
Animal Instinct
It started as a normal day. Monday morning, alarm, yawn, stretch, tumble out of bed, shower, blue uniform, and holster. Yeah don't forget the gun. Ready for work. Just another day. Just another week. Alex sighed, straightened his tie with the right hand and reached for the briefcase with his left. Only it wasn't in its …
Memorial Day is for Moms
Matt and Priya were classmates. I met Mrs. Manoukian for the first time when she came to drop Matt off for a birthday party. She rang the doorbell. "Can we stay too?" Matt ran in without pause. I saw Matt's brother looking up at me. His chubby palm circled mommy's manicured finger. His look was …
How I Became an Organic Chemist
We were only 20 students, but our science classroom could easily have seated 200. It was on the second floor: a 3 stories high cavernous room, with wide windows that overlooked the school gardens down below. To sit we had benches with tables. Each row was raised a few feet every row so you could …
The Open Door
I can hear footsteps clanging behind me; getting ominously louder and the panic inside me builds, ready to explode. I stand paralyzed staring at the wall in front of me. There is an ornate gate on one side, an iron crossbar shaped coat of arms on a massive wooden door in front and a humble …
A Cup of Restraint
At the dawn of civilization, Omar Khayyam said something to the effect of- a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou beside me - his portrayal of heaven on earth. We lapped it up. But I ask you, does this scenario have merit today in a civilization when we all must rush about …
A Walk in the Wetlands
The wetlands behind Shoreline Park, just a short distance from Highway 101 but a whole world apart, are magical today. Finally, after a year of severe drought we have had a month of rain, hard rain; enough to bring the water level back up to the edge of the walking trail. Water has been pouring …
Garden of People
My father leans over the balustrade to look at his garden. He is making sure plants that need protection from frost have been tended to. There is a chill in the evening air and a good chance that temperatures will dip below freezing tonight. I stand on my tippy toes, bolstered up by my elbows, chin …
Neerja Raman 