If I Weren't An Engineer, I Would Be...

a stay at home mom.
I was blessed to have both parents with me nearly every day of my childhood. But, I get that most women today have careers blossoming long before they meet Mr. Right, let alone have a baby. So, I often struggle with the whole would-I-be-a-stay-at-home-mom or go-part-time-mom or be-the-real-life-superwoman-hero-mom-that-most-of-my-friends-are. I figure I will know when the time comes. But, I like to think that for me, money and a really cool career are not nearly as important as being at home with my future children.

a musician.

I love music. Ever since I was a child, I would sing, often to the dismay of my family. I mean, one time, Pritty and I were having sisterly-girl-time-stay-up-all-night fun and were singing what I obscurely yet distinctly remember as a Michael Jackson song. And, it was this day that I learned that certain sayings were existent in all languages because my dad yelled from his bedroom "Who is killing the cat?" in the most emphatic Gujarati I had heard! Plus, I figure if current music technology can make Britney 'recordable', then I am in!

an author.

Reading is my 'thing'. I mean, I really think my friends associate me with books. I would choose a good book to TV any day. In fact, there is no way to describe to a non-reader how hypnotizing a good read can be. If you have found a truly 'good' book, then when you put it down, it feels like a commercial just interrupted a fabulous movie. I would love to write something that made someone else that "in love" with reading. Currently, my latest find is Kindred by Octavia Butler.

a world-wide traveler.

Often I feel like I just 'talk' about travelling. I am thankful to have been able to travel as far as I have been, but I yearn to see more. To feel more. To learn more. So, if my life has yet to make me a mom, by gosh, I am going to make the most of it! This year, it's Dublin and Costa Rica. Next year, I hope it's the long awaited family excursion to India and a trip with Project Cure shared with my main squeeze, Dr. Nagaraja.

a pediatrician.

I never really wanted to be a doctor. I had no desire for the fancy car or fancy house or saving someone's life (like that, at least). But, during my first year of graduate school, I had THAT feeling. I wanted to know about the human body...how it works...how to fix it when it was broken. I never did decide to do it, but if I did, I would have been a pediatrician. My childhood pediatrician was the best; Dr. Dodson was his name. I distinctly remember him saying that he would treat me until I got married. Joke's on him-little did he know I would be 29 and unmarried! Lucky for him and unfortunate for me, he retired.

a photographer.

Have you ever seen a picture that made you wonder "Where IS that?"? We've all heard it as trite as it may be, "a picture can tell a thousand words". But, it's sort of true. The best part is that we each interpret a picture in a completely unique way. Here's one that has always made me ponder. He has one of the coolest picture blogs. http://rammorrison.com/

the founder of my own non-profit organization.

It would probably benefit children, to be quite honest. There would be travelling because all children deserve to have a safe, clean, and nurtured life. There would be opportunities for high schoolers to volunteer because it has always been my belief that 'giving back' can be accomplished at any age. There would be a small, humble office space with a small team whose camaraderie would be unfathomable by most. There would be passion and drive. And good hearts all around. Plus, a killer blog about it!

a chef at my own restaurant.

I love to cook, probably more than I love to eat. It is so thrilling to make up a recipe or flip through new cookbook for delectable ideas. Kitchen gadgets make me giddy. There are buttons and shininess. They're all new and useful. I get to clean afterwards. I mean, what's not to love?!??!! My restaurant would be posh yet comfortable. Probably modern Indian, with a personal twist. A really cool sense of style. Head chef would be my mom.

Even in my young 29 years, I have learned life can lead you astray from the master-minded plan developed by your effervescent 8 year old self. I always said that I would not know what to do if I were not doing what I do now. Clearly, I was wrong.

So, what would you be if you weren't...?