I live my life in 5th gear! A few years ago, I realized that I needed to speed up even further if I wanted to get through the monumental list of “Things to Accomplish in my Life” as it was only halfway complete.
I had put this list together when I was in high school and it still holds true for me today. The list in pieces goes something like this:
1. To become a wife and a mother
This means the world to me. If no other thing on the list ever got achieved, I decided I would be content with this. It drove my family of strong women and feminist-bent friends a little crazy as I would preach that my ambition was to be a ‘Housewife’.
2. To write a book
This one was by far the most difficult for me. I tried a couple of times, playing with Indian historical fiction, a biography, boarding school stories, but the discipline of this art is daunting.
My good friend Annie (the artist who started Studio Rasa) really helped me in achieving this when we decided to work together on a children’s story based on street animals of India. I wrote and she illustrated beautifully. We decided that we would finish the book no matter what!
She helped me accept that I would write this book even if it never got published and to put aside all fears of rejection, and better still, to do it at a mellow, creative pace rather than at full speed. We did indeed finish the book and self-published it. You can download a free copy of The Mischievous Monkey here — I’d love to hear your feedback!
Producing the book made me realize what a talented artist Annie is. Her illustrations are stunning and her work is beautiful. The use of colour is my favourite part. Most importantly, it helped give me the confidence that I could start and finish a project and enabled me to move on to number 3 on my list…
3. To open a restaurant
Although I’d imagined doing a high-end sit down Indian restaurant, Kasa has proven to be way more fun and in line with my speedy nature. Annie designed our cool logo, the beautiful artists map on the website and the subtle wall of sanskrit above the banquette at Kasa Castro. 
She also helped me to communicate my vision of simple Indian materials for our clean decor. Our customers, of course, are mainly to be thanked sincerely for supporting Kasa and allowing us to continue to be able to cook for you all everyday.
4. World Tournament Poker champion
Well I haven’t done this one yet, and have accepted that I probably never will. A very apt poker saying here goes:
“You aren’t as good as you think or as bad as you think.”
5. I can’t really talk about this one, as it needs an element of surprise.
6. This one may be offensive to some if it is not accompanied with a deeper explanation. I don’t really have the words or the idea down yet.
Take care,
Anamika
