Who Am I?

Historical Timeline

I am still reflecting and writing this part out. But to beat my perfectionism, I’m making it live and will continue to fill in details over time.

2023 – present

Integrate This, The Deep Now, Building a business within a philosophical framework, Social media return, Philosopreneur podcast, NYC, Wedding, Around the World in 90 Days, Numinous Realm all in, Contributors, India, Quitting the gym, half marathon, boxing, Christianity, YouTube, Russel Brunson,

2019 – 2022

Malini’s wedding, Abeer, Intequity, CIIS, Esalen, Saxophone Painting, Nature & Eros, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Ocean, Astrology, History, Whitehead, Fashion, Impact@CIIS, Off social media, Covid-19, Klima DAO, Crypto, Financial management, Numinous Realm, Planetary Flower Arrangements, Family, Engagement, HistoryEngine Mirror, BoF Conference NYC,

2013 – 2018

TheatreWorks, Drew & Napier, Abu Dhabi, “gap year”, gym, Northeastern, living alone, philosophy, jazz, saxophone, guitar, working out, Bossa Nova and wine in the hot tub, Co-op at Boston Municipal Court, Social entrepreneurship, South Africa, Kilimanjaro, Amsterdam, Neend, Kiva, SF, Machu Pichu, Japan, Ecuador, last semester of undergrad, London, move to SF, The Last Mile, Graduate school application, The Philosopreneur

2010 – 2012

Experienced a tough transition back to Singapore until I enrolled in Saint Joseph Institution International (SJII). Although the first year and a half was challenging academically and socially, I managed to find my way through the school. / Activities and societies: Played the role of "Maria" in the production of West Side Story; performed at several cultural events (sang in Japanese, choreographed and performed a Bollywood dance); a member of Folk Song, Glee Club, and the School Choir; participated in Challenge Week in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (IB's Creativity Action Service program); organized, facilitated, and participated in Slum City and Welcome Week. Hospitalized with overconsumption of alcohol, underage partying, social media (Instagram), “the high life” , Harvard, Stanford IB summer school, TheatreWorks, Drew & Napier, Abu Dhabi, “gap year”, gym,

2007 – 2009

Due to the fact that I spent the last three years learning all my subjects in Japanese, my English was beginning to deteriorate. My family decided to put me back into an English-medium school, and so I began middle school at Canadian Academy, an international school in Kobe. Ironically, while I was in Japanese elementary school I still only listened to and watched Western media (Avril Lavigne was my favorite musician, and Disney channel was my jam). But as I transitioned to international school, I began watching Japanese TV dramas and listening to J-pop music, ultimately becoming a huge fan girl of the Japanese boy band Arashi 嵐. Japanese entertainment seemed far more interesting to me so I completely quit watching and listening to Western media. I was also determined to become a professional singer and decided to enroll in Watanabe Entertainment School in Tokyo. During 8th grade, I was going to regular academic school during the weekday, and then on the weekend, I’d take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo to attend my not-so-regular pop-star school. In addition to my calligraphy classes, I began a new traditional activity: Japanese Tea Ceremony. I had a fun group of international friends who all interchangeably spoke in English and Japanese. Our favorite hangout spot was the karaoke lounge. Midway through 9th grade I began experiencing some emotional hardship and was told by a school counselor that I should be closer to my mom during this crucial period of my life. Therefore, I moved back to Singapore so I could at least have a few years with my OG family of five before my brother would leave for college in the U.S.

2004 – 2006

Boarded my first solo flight and moved to Kobe, Japan to live with my grandparents, uncle, and aunt. I attended a Japanese-medium elementary school and struggled to communicate with friends and teachers for the first year and a half as no one else spoke English, and I had just begun to learn Japanese. However, I managed to graduate from this elementary school in three years with fluent Japanese. I developed a close bond with my grandfather who was in his early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease. When I was 10 years old, I had my first encounter with entrepreneurship. Seeing the leftover inventory of pashmina scarves from my grandfather’s business, I decided to set up a shop right outside our garage and sell the remaining scarves–which were almost ready to be thrown out–with my Japanese friend. Within a day, my friend and I sold roughly 30 scarves (at a high discount) for ¥15,000 (~$130) in total. It was a period of immense creativity, experimentation, and growth as I ventured into several activities such as Japanese calligraphy, ballroom dancing, and music (including classical guitar, vocals, and percussion). Reading Japanese manga was my all-time favorite hobby, and perhaps what led me to master the language within a couple of years. Became a Singaporean citizen as well as an Indian and Japanese permanent resident.

1994 – 2003

I was born in Singapore as an Indian citizen (even though I had never lived in India). I attended a local school in Singapore and spent holidays in Japan with my extended family. My family of five, including my mom, dad, sister, and brother were pretty much scattered across the globe during most of my childhood. There were only a few consecutive years when we were all together living in one place. We moved to London, UK in 2003, but it was short-lived as I decided to embark on an independent journey at the age of nine.