April 2024
After what felt like a pretty prolific beginning of the year in regard to writing (poetry, essays and other content – much of which I haven’t yet mustered the courage to share), April was largely still for me. Not still in actual fact, because my son Rohan and I spent a wonderful spring break week in our other home – Treasure Beach, Jamaica. As always, it was magical! But unlike other times that I’ve spent there, this trip was much more input oriented. By that, I mean that I chose (perhaps subconsciously) to fully inhabit the sensations and feelings that this special place inspires in me rather than try to “produce” anything by way of the written word. Since coming home I’ve remained in a reflective space, which has been amplified by both loss (the passing of a dear friend and a close cousin) and the balms of the cosmos (hello, solar eclipse!) and Mother Nature, which is currently emblazoning Washington in the most vivid green hues. Wherever you are, I hope that you too found time for reflection this month and that you enjoy this round-up.
10 Things to Check Out
April is National Poetry Month in the U.S., and while I didn’t get a chance to attend any of the readings and other commemorations that took place around DC this month (chilling on my balcony was more the vibe this month…reflection, like I said), I did really enjoy these poems about art from the National Gallery of Art. It turns out that these are known as ekphrastic poems, a sub-genre that was previously unknown to me. Check out some of the works by poets such as Ada Limón (currently the Poet Laureate of the U.S.), Hanif Abdurraqib, Naomi Shihab Nye and others.
I’ve recently been thinking more about where I am in my professional life and where I’d like to go next. As part of this quest, I’ll be working with a professional development coach, who suggested that l do an Enneagram test as a tool for self-analysis. The Enneagram is a visual representation of nine distinct personality types, and for only $20 the Enneagram Institute’s online RHETI test allows you to discover yours. The test takes about 40 minutes to complete (it’s suggested that you do it in one go) and is made up of a series of paired statements that you have to chose between (e.g. Overcoming inertia has been one of my main problems vs. Being unable to slow down has been one of my main problems). I found the test to be really interesting and am looking forward to applying this additional insight. If you’re wondering, I’m apparently a Type 7 (The Enthusiast), and the results/description that I received from the test seem pretty spot on!
I’ve written on various occasions about Treasure Beach, which is located on the southwest coast of Jamaica. The focus here is on community tourism, which means there are no all-inclusive resorts, private beaches, chain restaurants or anything of that ilk. The vibe is slow and super relaxed and the community warm and welcoming. Rohan had the spring break of his dreams there, filled with rope swinging, conch hunting, urchin scooping, dolphin spotting, sandcastle building and of course hours of splashing in the waves. Much of this was thanks to Captain Dennis, a seasoned boat captain and pillar of the community who organizes the most lovely boat trips and excursions to the Black River, the Pelican Bar (a unique watering hole constructed on a sandbar in the middle of the ocean) and a private beach where he and his crew cook up and serve the most amazing lunch while you enjoy a blissful beach day. If ever you find yourself in Jamaica, a day with Dennis is a must!
Senegal always holds a special place in my heart, given that I largely started my career in international development and education there. This month, the Senegalese people chose as their leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who at 44 is Africa’s youngest elected president. The elections were peaceful and democratic, despite machinations to the contrary in the weeks and months prior, and young people played a major role in the campaign. For more on this inspiring story, check out this article in the NY Times (gift link).
This month, Food & Wine released their list of the Top 20 restaurants in the U.S. I was happy to note two DC eateries that I love on the list: Daru (a chic and inventive Indian restaurant) and Yellow (a “Levantine-inspired café” by Palestinian-American chef Michael Rafidi). I highly recommend both and look forward to trying some of the other spots on the list in my future travels.
One of the highlights of this month was most definitely the solar eclipse, which was visible across a large stretch of North America on the afternoon of April 8. I was quite simply blown away by this phenomenon, as you might have gathered if you read the short piece that I wrote on the life lessons that the eclipse brought to mind. This roundup of some of the best eclipse photos, from Space.com, is pretty cool too.
I’m thinking about doing a short write-up about what I pack when I travel to Treasure Beach (or other island/beach destinations), because I think I’m finally getting it down pat. Given the strong rays of the Caribbean sunshine, it goes without saying that a wide-brimmed hat is a must for lazy beach days. This one that I scored at Target ($25) got a lot of compliments. I love the pearl detail in particular.
Part of life with a preteen in tow is getting constantly schooled on technology and the many ways in which you (aka me) are not up to speed with the latest gadgets, apps and know-how. This is mostly a gift, as said preteen is always teaching me new things. One day, I had a song stuck in my head that I absolutely needed to find and add to my current playlist. I tried humming the melody into Shazam, but that was a dead end. Rohan then told me that I could use Google for that same purpose – simply playing, singing or humming the tune into the app. I tried it (humming just a couple of bars) and was floored to discover that it worked! Who knew?! If you, like me, are hopelessly behind the times – check it out.
I’ve been a fan of former ‘Top Chef’ star Padma Lakshmi for many years, ever since I read her memoir Love, Loss and What We Ate. I’ve grown to appreciate her even more after the launch of her wonderful show ‘Taste the Nation’ on Hulu, which tells the stories behind the food of some of the many immigrant communities that make up the U.S. Not to mention her Instagram, where she shares great cooking videos, interactions with her sassy teenage daughter Krishna and progressive activism. The interview she did with Harper’s Bazaar this month though? Simply brilliant! In it, she gets really candid about her upbringing as an Indian-American woman, previous relationships, current career pivot and dating perspectives. I found so much of it to be relatable, just as Padma herself seems to be.
Every year, I get myself a little birthday present…because, why not?! Last year’s gift was the cookbook Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon. Hetty is Chinese-Australian (but now lives in NYC) and is a regular contributor to the NY Times and other food publications. Tenderheart is an ode to vegetables, and many of the recipes have Asian flavors and inspiration. The book was just nominated for a James Beard award (a very big deal!), so I thought it was timely to tell you what a treasure trove it is. If you’re looking for some new vegetarian recipes (all of which are straightforward and unfussy), definitely consider this book.
What I read
During our spring break getaway, I devoured Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein, which had been on my bucket list ever since hearing the author read at last year’s Calabash Festival. Set in 1940s Trinidad & Tobago, it’s the tale of two families whose worlds collide despite the barriers of class and caste. Hosein’s writing is so incredibly immersive and evocative – I literally felt transported into the barrack residence of the Saroop family and their neighbors. The themes of the book – race, colonialism, love, betrayal, revenge, violence – are heavy, but the writing is positively luminescent. Highly recommended!
What I watched
Absolutely nothing, unless you count a few YouTube rabbit holes that I wandered into. I’m welcoming any recommendations of new (or old) shows or movies to check out next month – please share!
What I listened to
Did you know that International Jazz Day is celebrated every year on April 30? UNESCO (my former employer) is the mastermind behind the day, and I was lucky enough to be at the Paris headquarters back in 2011 when it was launched. The legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock gave us an intimate performance for the occasion and went on to become co-chair of the annual commemoration. There are events organized for the day all around the world, but the highlight is the all-star global concert, which this year took place in Tangier. Check out the recording – it’s magnificent!
What I cooked
This month, I hosted dinner for a group of friends that I’ve known for over a quarter century, from working together at our first job after college. Over a meal of dishes from my various Yotam Ottolenghi cookbooks, we reminisced about the good old days and ended the evening with some luscious chocolate cake, champagne and strumming on the guitar. Of all the things I cooked, the standout was surely this Thai red lentil soup, which I’ve made and served in the past on a number of occasions – always to rave reviews. The original recipe (from the book Plenty More) asks you to make a delicious chili oil from scratch but when you’re pressed for time as I was that day, storebought chili crisp works just fine (in fact the soup is so delicious that it needs no flourishes on top at all).
And a poem to sign off…
CO-CONSPIRATORS We’re co-conspirators, you and I. You dandelion dances in the wind, Whirling dervish filaments A bit like my heart - in flight. You the first peonies of April, All erupting regal bloom, Mirroring my blazing light. You wood thrush singing a cappella, No orchestra required, Just like this joy, singular flight. You verdant window of peak renewal, Sudden, alight, technicolor green, Bursting like the stars of that night. So it turns out to be true: like begets like, Or maybe that’s just love, our eternal spring. - Ramya Vivekanandan, April 26, 2024
Thank you for reading and for being here! Please feel free to leave a comment, let me know what has inspired YOU this month or share this newsletter with anyone who you think would enjoy it. See you at the end of May!
Love your poem, looking forward to more. 🔥 Not sure if you're into fermentation, but I recommend The Noma Guide to Fermentation. I experimented a bit with a few of their recipes. Some turned out wonderful, some not so great. And they just released The Ocean Bundle as part of their Noma Projects. https://nomaprojects.com/products/ocean-bundle
Great share...anytime you write of TB and Food it is a winner. As I have said, you are lucky to have found TB. It is a powerful vibe about life.