First Blog Post
Where do I begin? When uncertain, begin at the beginning, right? I remember I was eight (8) or maybe nine (9) years old, seeing pictures of dad with his colleagues in front of this beautiful castle. Dad and his colleagues looked so happy. Dad described it as an amazing trip and the roller coaster rides were insane and how he had such a good time at Disney World in some place called Orlando in the United States. For a little kid growing up in Mumbai, this seemed like a far off place maybe in the clouds or better a magical land somewhere out there. Dad always traveled for work and was gone from home often for months for his job. Upon his return, he brought back delicious chocolates, gifts, clothes, and all sorts of goodies. Good old days where airlines had no baggage or weight limits and I was the single beneficiary of dad’s love, dad’s handwork and travel, and of course, the generous airline policies. Ha! Whenever, we watched Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on TV Sunday mornings, dad would say “I met them at Disney World”. That’s where these are made. I had a tiny little windup Mickey Mouse toy that I held onto for many many years; he was my most cherished of the lot. (Thank you, Dad for everything! Love you loads).
In all the years, and fast forward to even when we emigrated to United States, for some reason I never asked dad to take me to this magical place. Dad travelled the whole world and brought back stories and goodies. That was something that dad just did. We all have a place and purpose in this world, right? Dad travelled for work and my place was to be busy with schoolwork and my extracurricular activities. Neither did he offer to take me nor did I ever ask him. I don’t know why then but I know now it was meant to be something that my very own Prince (metaphorically speaking…let’s not get carried away) did to make my dreams come true. Something he has done three times now … at various stages of my/our life together — each of them memorable in their own way. However, third time is the most special because I had quit my Science and Policy career to pursue my dream as an artist. I took all my obsession with Disney fairytales and castles from all these years (and visits) and channeled them into art.