Timeline of Defining Moments.
May 20, 1980: Born in Arlington Heights, IL. Older sister infatuated with me (she finally has a real-life doll!), immigrant parents debating on speaking to me in English or Konkani (the language of Goa, India).
October 2, 1982: Little sister born. Officially a middle child. Initiated temper tantrums and attention-seeking habits.
April 9, 1987: Family picks up and moves to Orange County, California.
September 1989: Assigned to sit next to a sweet, funny, blonde girl with curly hair. We become best friends. I will be maid of honor at her wedding this November!
September 1994 - June 1998: Attend Woodbridge High School in Irvine California. Joined the drama club, mock trial, the diving team, and dance team. Always made it home in time for curfew.
September 1998 - June 2002: The college years. Censored, with the caveat that I made Dean's List, was the cultural show organizer of the Indian Student Association, majored in Journalism and won the Art Buchwald Scholarship writing competition with an article titled "A Visit From Aunt Flow." Yes, it's exactly what you think it's about.
September 2004: Picked up everything and moved to Chicago to get my Masters Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University. Away from my family, friends and year-round warm weather. But couldn't be more excited.
July 2005: Experience my first Chicago summer after a freezing winter and officially fall in love with this great city. To this day I still call Chicago my first love.
December 2005: Graduate from Northwestern University! My whole family comes to town in the dead of winter to celebrate.
January 2006: Accept an offer to work at FCB, Chicago. Couldn't be happier. First real agency job! Hooray!
June 14, 2009: It's a girl!!!! My furbaby Sadie and I meet and join forces. She's also a Taurus and therefore sassy, loyal and lovable.
August 20, 2009: First date with my now husband, Joe. We ate Mexican, ordered dessert and sang Karaoke at the Blue Frog. Our choice of song was "I Want to Dance With Somebody" by the incomparable Whitney Houston.
September 13, 2009: Ran my first half marathon. And later that evening I went to the Snow Patrol and U2 concert at Soldier Field with my girlfriends. We had floor seats, and by seats I mean we stood the whole time. Needless to say that monday. I could barely walk!
May 24, 2010: After my 30th birthday celebration, Joe and I head to Hawaii for our first big trip together. The best way to ring in a new decade.
July 14, 2012: Joe proposes and I say "YES!"
August 5, 2012: Joe lands a job at the University of Texas which was the impetus for me to get a job at GSD&M. We pick-up and move to Austin, Texas! New town, new job, same man just a different title. Lots of great changes in just a couple months.
April 13, 2013: Marry the love of my life!
June 2014: We spend two glorious weeks in Italy. Lots of pasta, walking and wine... oh my!
Present day: Dance classes, photography, experimental cooking, hiking, yoga and spending quality time with friends and family... These are the wonderful things that fill my day-to-day outside of work