5 Things You Didn't Know About Me

It was a few weeks ago when I was speaking to a high school friend did he mention to me that my “online life” seems so different from the Supal he knew growing up. We got to talking about our time in school and thereafter and it made me realize that you all see such a different side of me. As I observed my social media and blog as an outsider one day, I got the impression I was very uptight and highly independent. Though I do value my independence and a regimented lifestyle, I do live a very easy going life. The more observed, the more I came to notice that there are so many things that may be interesting about my upbringing or life that you don’t know and you might enjoy! So, here are 5 things you didn’t know about me because I barely share that side of my life!

I’m very Indian…

Back in high school, I was always the student that was getting work done, participating in a bunch of extra-curricular activities and often surrounded by the same type of people. My mom would pick me up and drop me off and I went to a school where race and identity was just not something we spoke about. Though it was a melting pot, we were all in it together. These were the same kids I grew up with in elementary and middle school, so we all knew each other very well. It wasn’t until junior year when my teachers decided to organize a multicultural day. I offered to sign up to represent India and didn’t think anything of it. The moment came to perform a few weeks later. I was dressed in traditional-wear and danced my heart out moving my waist and shaking my hips! Every single person in the audience was so awestruck that my friends today still can’t believe they saw me do such an intricate dance and never knew that side of me. I guess what I’m saying is that I am very Indian. Classically trained in Indian dance, I speak/read/write the languages, I live in a very Indian household. At times I even find it easier to speak Gujarati than English! I am an American, but I’m also that much of an Indian woman.

I was a tom boy growing up…

Part of the reason my high school peers were so shocked is because I was such a tom boy growing up. Participating in all the sports, often in shorts and t-shirts, and always bare faced without make up. Girly things just didn’t interest me and I used to grow out of my clothes quickly that dainty dresses from Limited Too never fit. I was definitely that girl that had hair growing out of every pore and a single eyebrow between both of my temples. I actually remember my mom giving me a long lecture on the “type of interests” I should have including crafting with glitter and rhinestones. I crack myself up because I’m a blogger today and could not be more feminine. Her dreams have come true.

Never dreamed of a wedding…

Okay, let me clear up that this does not mean I don’t want to get married because I do. This probably feeds into my “tom boy” phase that lingered. I just don’t want to have a big wedding. This sounds absolutely cliche being an Indian girl, but never have I ever even dreamed of pinning to a wedding board on Pinterest. When I thought about why I felt this way, it made me realize that I don’t really want to be the center of attention even though I’ve always been in the forefront of dance competitions and public speaking. I love the idea of a really romantic small wedding with just the people I need and want beside me. The idea of a large Indian wedding is also a daunting feeling as the larger it gets the more of a {tacky} spectacle it becomes. I like things simple.

I’m always behind on pop culture…

This probably ties in with the very Indian side of me, but I’m barely with it on the pop culture. Kardashians? I was the last to know them. Who Taylor Swift is dating? Didn’t realize that was national news. I listen to music, but things that I enjoy and I never dive further than that. I do keep up with currently events in the news, elections and campaigns and sports. From that point everything just falls in a pit. It’s probably why you don’t see me posting much about trends.

I was always a blogger…

Way before the days of C&E, I decided to study abroad to the Middle East. As many of you know, I studied international relations and focused on the Middle East region. It’s why I decided to spend some time out there to actually get some on the ground experience and hone my Arabic speaking skills. The Middle East was a place that people weren’t necessarily frequenting as much as we see today. I was spending nights in Wadi Rum camping with Bedouins way before Instagram was even a thing. In that time, I started a Facebook page where I shared photos and stories. Much like what you see here, but minus the 10 years of skill work that comes with my posts now. I had friends all over the world and university staff reading it and keeping up with what I was up to. While I was in the Middle East, I grew a fondness for the food I was eating and wanted to learn more about the cuisine. I found that the food told me so much about the various countries and regions of the Middle East and it made my experience that much better. When I got back for my final year at university, I realized that I needed a place to document these recipes and share with my mom back home in Florida. That is when I started a blog called Simple Cooking with Supal. It has quite the ring to it! This was all spanning 2008 to 2010 and then came the birth of C&É in 2011 after wanting a place where I can share all my experiences with friends and family all over the world!

Is there anything in that list that you didn’t know about me? Tell me something I may not know about you!