Introversion

Here’s how most conversations used to go for me: Just say something. Now. Wait, nevermind. Now. Come on, just say it! And when I finally gathered enough courage, the conversation was over.

Greek Culture

Efstratios George Papageorgakis. My name comes from an ancient and tranquil Greek island in the middle of the tempestuous Aegean Sea.

Being Small

February 4th, 2015: one of the happiest days of my life.

My Natural ‘Mom Vibe’

Apparently, I have a natural “mom vibe.” On my volleyball team, I am team mom in every way. As a natural worrier, I like to make sure that everyone has all of their necessities: knee pads, water bottle, hair elastic, uniform.

Bangladeshi Culture

January, 2003: A labor of love in foreign, unfamiliar territory. I am born, a culmination of my parents’ hopes, dreams, and aspirations. A culmination of the growing Bangladeshi diaspora.

I Swear I’m Hispanic

For some reason, most people associate “Hispanic” or “Latina” with thick-accent-bearing, huge-family-having, fiery bombshells. With English that easily passes as American and an aversion to anything Spandex, I am the opposite. I am an introvert in a family of three who was born and raised in Argentina.

Competition Trish

For the first three years of high school, I spent most of my time being Just Trish.

Superpowers

When I was a little girl, I imagined I had superpowers. Deadly lasers would shoot from my eyes pulverizing the monsters hiding under my bed. Mom would wonder where I had magically disappeared to after I turned invisible as she forced me to eat that plate of broccoli. It was the wish I made on every birthday candle and upon every bright star.

The Essence Jar

Ribbons, glitter, and some popsicle sticks in a mason jar, that’s all it took to create the best gift I’ve ever given. A combination of all of the small snippets of my life from memories, to jokes, and limericks.

Economics

My grandparents fled Pakistan to India amidst the joy and mayhem of the 1947 partition. As they created new lives and pursued educations in engineering, they found stability and hope. Ever since, all twenty-two members of my father’s family inherited the gene for studying engineering.

Silence

I like science. When everything is quiet, I am able to organize the waterfall of thoughts of which, using simple words, I rarely can express a droplet.

Brother + Career

As my parents rushed my brother Rhitik to the Emergency Room, second grade me didn’t realize this would become the norm.