a forgotten passion

This morning I had a Karnatic vocal class with Mommy, my first lesson after what feels like years....
She says my voice has gotten stronger, but I still feel shaky at transitions between octaves.

Yet, I am still the proud unofficial designated anthem singer at our local Indian functions.

That's me at the American Association of Indian Professionals 2012 dinner to honor Indian American graduates in New Orleans. My voice has good days and bad days...that was a good day, I mean, night.

The event itself was very pleasant, in a cozy banquet room at the New Orleans Airport Hilton. The guest speaker, Brian Bordainick, who is quite expectedly the tallest guy in the picture above, to the right of la madre.

Bordainick is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and joined the Teach for America project to be able to help restore post-Katrina New Orleans.

He is so selfless and determined, and really really inspiring.

See for yourself:

At the end of the AAIP ceremony, I shook his hand and thanked him for speaking to us.
"My pleasure! By the way,you have a beautiful voice," he said. "Never stop singing."

Thanks, Mr. Bordainick. I'll keep singing, I'll keep singing, loud and clear.