This blog has such a formidable reputation about me that I think if any of you were to really meet me, you would think I am a rigorous person with an air of discipline and melancholy. At least the discipline part is correct.

Discipline and routine keep me on my toes and gives me something to look forward to. Besides helping me track my therapies and help me manage my professional life, it also gives me the power to stay in control.

However, with this blog post, I want to demystify myself and the perception any of you may have of me.

1. I AM FUNNY

Trust me, I am, I crack jokes, but because I have limited interaction with people, only a handful of them know this trait. I am sarcastic, and I have a loud laugh. I do crack jokes (some good, some lame), but hey, I make people laugh.

2. I LOVE ANIMALS

My YouTube search history has cute puppies and even Maya Polar Bear. I love stray dogs, sometimes even cats, but mostly dogs. When I was younger, my older sister gifted me a bunny rabbit. I loved my rabbit so much that I chose to stay at home for my semester. If given a chance, I would love to have a pet again, after my parrots and the famous rabbit.

3. I SWAM IN THE OCEAN

So it is almost world news that I have cerebellar Ataxia. I can barely stand on my own without support for minutes together. Still, I swam in the ocean a couple of years ago when I was on a family vacation abroad. Of course, my family was close and keeping a watchful eye on me, but I independently swam for a while. It gave me immense pride and happiness.

4. I KNOW HINDI VERY WELL

Yes, I have an American accent, but that does not mean I can’t speak Hindi. I speak fluent Hindi and converse with my mom in Hindi once in a while. I was never cut from my roots.

5. I WAS A DANCER AND A GYMNAST

That was the past, but I was a very active child. I played soccer (or football, if you will) for my school, danced in heels, and was a social butterfly. Then life happened. I no longer dance, but someday I would love to. Anybody up to lead me for a waltz?