Too many eggshells vs. too much careful treading

As an Indian, I have often found myself in that irritatingly awkward situation of someone telling me they do not like Indian food, attempting to justify it to me and eventually finishing with ‘I hope I am not being offensive’. My honest answer in that situation is, I really do not care why you do not like Indian food. Am I offended? No. Will I be bringing you a home cooked curry to make you try ‘real’ Indian food? No.

I totally agree there is a difference between take-away Indian food and home cooked Indian food, but I don’t expect you to like either. Just because I am Indian, it does not automatically mean I will tell everyone I was offended when you told me you do not eat Indian food.

Let us turn the tables for just a minute, and let me tell you I do not like the smell of bacon, I have never tried bangers and mash (and never intend to) and I also do not understand why people like chips and gravy or ‘SPAM’. As a British person, are you offended by my words? I would hope you aren’t, and if you are then I don’t think I truly need to apologise because not a single ounce of me intends to offend you or your culinary practices.

I totally get that some people do not ‘get’ the mixture of spices in Indian food. Just as you might order a burger instead of a curry, I would order a burger instead of a Chinese take away. And that’s ok. I’m not saying I would never eat Chinese food because I hate the Chinese culture, it is simply the taste.

In some ways, this all stems from the over exaggeration pumped by a minority of individuals around cultural ignorance and cultural appropriation. People are too scared to say they do not like something in fear that they will be accused of being culturally ignorant or worse still, racist. We do not need to like every single piece of food that ever comes our way because if we did, quite frankly it would be strange. We have sour, sweet, spicy, mild, hot and cold for a reason. It is to describe the feelings brought upon our taste buds. I’m sure that if I told you I don’t like Snickers you wouldn’t think of me as an intolerant, ignorant human being would you?

So please, if you ever want to tell someone you don’t like a curry or chinese, just say it. Don’t attempt to justify your likes and dislikes, we live in a world [that should be] better than that.

All love xoxo

Slowly But Surely 

In life I've learnt that nothing happens over night. I often craved this EUREKA moment where suddenly my life will come together like a small and simple jigsaw puzzle. Now I realise that much like those 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles I struggled with as a child, life is complicated. It requires patience beyond any level you've been taught. It takes time for things to happen and everything happens for [probably more than one] reason.

The past month has been hectic, full of changes and full of new things. Firstly, I graduated, and what an incredible moment in my life that was. Secondly, I got myself a job as a Legal Secretary, after heaps of rejections for vacation schemes. This was the moment I realised that not everyone is programmed to jump straight into a training contract, and that is 100% OK. Throughout my first couple of weeks as a Legal Secretary, I have spoken to so many practicing solicitors and paralegals who have told me that they took time out after their law degree and had absolutely no idea what they wanted to do.

So, to all those budding lawyers out there, with absolutely no idea what path they want to go down, where they want to train or even where to do their law degree/LPC/GDL, just know that it is ok to be confused. It's ok to take your time, to get your bearings and to really understand yourself. On the other side of the spectrum, it's also ok to know exactly where you want to go with your legal career and it's ok to jump straight into your LPC. Everyone has their own preference and that's why there are so many hundreds of options out there for us.

I for one made the mistake of panicking because I was jobless, with a lack of legal experience. Little did I know that it was my life experience, my approach, my ethics and my personality that would get me where I am today. I can't say (yet) that I absolutely love my job, but I can say I enjoy it. I might get tired of copying a 3000 page bundle but I most certainly find the content interesting. Being able to build my experience by using the experience and knowledge of others is a great opportunity. I'm doing things and learning things I've never done before. For the first time I read a licence (those things I got confused about in Land Law), I know how documents are sealed, how case management systems work and how all of the cogs in law fit together as one.

I want everyone to know that no matter where you are in life, no matter what career you want to follow, no matter where your heart lies, if you follow your dreams, you will take yourself there. It might not be the fantasy you see in the movies, but I promise you, every step will be worth the end result. When you see things falling together, don't forget to count your blessings. Thank those around you for their support and keep aiming high. Don't let anything or anyone put you down. Keep striving.

Throughout my life, in all that I have applied for, I've faced at least 50 rejections. But I'm still going because I know I'll fit in somewhere. There is a place for everyone and right now, I've found my place as a legal secretary. I'm moving upwards, slowly but surely, climbing the ladder of success, in rain and shine.

All love xoxo