As Kavi’s first birthday…

As Kavi's first birthday is just a few weeks away (May 18), I wanted to leave a quick note for close friends and relatives that yes, she does indeed have an Amazon wish list (please see age notes in the comments there), to aid in the present-buying. :-) You're of course more than welcome to find gifts elsewhere, but please note that we prefer non-electronic (less over-stimulating for both parents and baby), non-plastic (more pretty :-) toys. Thanks! And for those who want to buy clothes, she's pretty well out-fitted for 12-18 months already, but is a bit short on sleepwear.

In other news, had a great weekend, was wonderful spending so much time with relatives and old friends (Sharmi, Mirna, Romi, Nimmi, Lakshi, Elaine, Angie), had a fun time hosting the Chicago moms' brunch yesterday, and I now have tons of leftovers and much exhaustion. Anyone want a broccoli-cheddar quiche? Some delectable dark-chocolate macaroons? I have to stop eating and get back to grading...

This week: Discussing Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior. Fun! So far, they liked John Okada's No-No Boy, Anita Desai's "Winterscape" and Michale Ondaatje's "The Passions of Lalla," but mostly did not like Carlos Bulosan's America is in the Heart. Unsurprising, given how bleak and polemic it is, but I'd probably still teach it again, since it's an important book, and covers material I want them to learn...