May 2023 was a busy month. On the weekends, I had family visiting from India, big birthday get togethers, road trip with the fam and then road trip with friends. On weekdays, I had Write of Passage keeping me busy. Attending the live sessions, mentor sessions, assignments, and regular newsletters. I was barely getting any sleep. But despite the manic schedule, May is in the books full of memories.
Family Fun
The first weekend of May we celebrated the birthday of my 5-year old cousin who loves anything about the Disney movie Frozen. So of course, it was a Frozen themed party. We decorated the house in blue and white balloons, the cake has Elsa and Anna printed on it, and she was indeed the center of it all, dressed as princess Elsa.
The next weekend we went on a trip to see the Niagara Falls where the cool weather was too much to handle for our Indian visitors. But the following day was surprisingly pleasant and we enjoyed the Maid of the Mist boat ride that took us at the bottom of the falls. It was a memorable trip because there were 16 of us but we had theplas, a variety of snacks, tea bags all packed for the two day trip. It felt just like family trips back in India. The nostalgia hitting hard.
It has been over a year that I spent so much time with family. The last was when my parents visited me last summer. I loved that I got to speak my mother tongue Marathi all day long, exchanging gossips between India and USA family drama. I was soaking up these moments not knowing when I’ll experience this again. Forever grateful to be surrounded by love and laughter.
Write of Passage Reflection
Write of Passage cohort 10 wrapped up on the 24th. The culmination of action-packed 5 weeks of zoom calls and assignments. People in WoP joke about how it feels like being a part of a cult. LOL. But in a good way. Everyone is rooting for your success, everyone is there to support you.
Looking back, my first WoP, cohort 9 resulted in consistent publishing. I went from being someone who published an essay once every few months whenever “inspiration” struck to being someone who publishes every week. I became a WRITER.
Cohort 10 resulted in improving my writing. Instead of publishing boring essays in to the void. My internet friends read these essays, gave feedback to improve, and provided encouragement. It boosted my confidence. I wouldn’t say I’m good at writing just yet, but WoP has helped me to improve my writing. Earlier it was just plain old descriptive writing, I’ve been trying to incorporate POP writing in my essays now.
I have done a few writing courses in the last couple years but nothing has changed my life the way Write of Passage did. I’m a WoP guy now.
PS: As a timestamp, I have 40 subscribers, most of whom are friends and family. My most popular essay is about paying attention to what you pay attention to.
Boston Trip
For the memorial day long weekend I was in Boston with friends. We did the Fenway Park tour, strolled along the harbor, grabbed a bite at Quincy Market. But the most memorable tourist spot for me was the Boston Tea Party museum. It is not your regular museum where you read the plaques on the curated artefacts.
This museum walks you though history though an interactive show. Actors are dressed up and in character. There is the revolutionary Sam Adams who gives you a rousing speech to dump tea into the harbor. As you walk along the events of the fateful night you learn about the history as if you were really there. Then you literally get to throw “tea” into the harbor.
I love museums but this interactive museum has changed my expectations from museums forever.
I had learned about the Boston tea party in high school history books. I never imagined that I would go to the site where the Boston tea party actually happened. Surreal!
Very good.Keepbit up.
Wish your cousin a belated happy birthday for me!
You sure are a WOP guy now, Shubham. We're all rooting for you. Kudos on your 40 subscribers, man!