[su_quote]I’ve been very fortunate to go from interesting chapter to interesting chapter. ~ Neil Patrick Harris[/su_quote]
(Neil Patrick Harris and I share the same birthday, and I felt this quote is relevant to how I’m feeling right now).
Hi everyone! My name is Ruchica Chandnani and I’m a rising senior here at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor! I’m majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and planning to minor in Asian Languages. I was born in Westland, MI and grew up in Troy, MI. One of my favorite things about Troy is that every year, we have a festival in September called Troy Daze, which is basically a carnival that my friends and I used to go to while we were in high school. I still have (really dumb memories tbh) of us sharing drinks and food with each other during the weekend of the carnival and then all of us getting sick in school the very next week. On the bright side though, I guess that sort of thing builds up your immune system? At least that’s what I try to tell myself lol.
I’m a pre-med student, a night owl, and hoping to get into a MD-PhD or DO-PhD program in the future, so I normally don’t have much time to do my hobbies or try new things regularly (something I’m trying to change this summer and in my final year of college). However, they usually involve drawing cartoon characters, playing the piano, listening to music I doubt most people have heard of, and cooking new foods (within the jurisdiction of what ingredients I have immediately available in my kitchen).
Honestly, the prompt shouldn’t ask me to have a SINGLE favorite song, movie, or TV show, cause there’s usually a list for me on all fronts. I’m open to lots of different music usually (from alternative rock to pop to rap to plenty of international songs), but most of my current favorites are songs within the electro swing and lo-fi hip hop genres. I have examples of a few songs I listen to below, but honestly hmu with any suggestions that you think I should listen to or try to put on my iPod nano (yes, I still have one of those, I’m trying to keep it in use and get rid of stuff from when I was in middle school).
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Jc8rC6S_E”]
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf6Cv2m1N1Y”]
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIOEDC_maAY”]
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp0J78oqXT8″]
Movies are a bit more specific; I ADORE animated movies and TV shows to this day cause I’m honestly still a child. Among my favorite movies are The Incredibles (and Incredibles 2 coming out on my birthday is my literal dream come true), Inside Out (cause psychology and neuro stuff), Mulan (cause #feminism), and most Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki films (can’t pick a favorite for this one, lets go with Porco Rosso; it’s underrated). TV shows include stuff like Steven Universe, Rick and Morty, and too many others to list. If you have any suggestions on what I should watch besides the stuff I listed, please comment. I’m totally open for a new series to binge watch!
Research that I’m doing this summer involves looking at how the portrayals of South Asian women in South Asian and American media affect South Asian women psychologically, emotionally, and mentally. It hits a bit of a personal note with me as an Indian American woman growing up watching both types of media in my life (and seeing how problematic each of them are in their own “special” way).
Speaking of my Indian American-ness, I’ve grown up with a unique blend of Indian and American foods throughout my childhood (although, I gotta say, American foods need to step their spice game up a bit more; not hating, just observing). My favorite meal is hard to choose (for both Indian and American), but if you give me palak paneer (spinach and cheese), dahi (plain yogurt), and my Mom’s speciality – rajma bean parathas (flatbread) – I’m set for life. Moreover, cause I’m Hindu, Holi is a super fun holiday for me – it’s so pretty seeing color splash everywhere in the middle of spring. *_*
Finally, despite being a Michigander since I was born, I really enjoy warm weather (like how it is right now). As a result, places like Sydney, Australia and Venice, Italy are on my to-do list for traveling.
That’s all I think you need to know about me so far; can’t wait to interact with you all more over the summer! 😀
-Ruchica Chandnani
I absolutely agree with your comment on Incredibles 2; I’ve been waiting longer than I’d like to admit on that front. I think its wonderful that you have such a special connection with your research and, as a South Asian woman myself, I can definitely empathize with problematic representation in both Western and Bollywood films.