The air reeks of bird dung and sea salt. Waves clap against rugged cliffs that drape the island’s sides, drowning out faint pelican squeals. The boat docks. Passengers pour from the vessel, my cue to begin a five-minute talkathon. As the tourists flock around me, I begin: “Welcome to Alcatraz Island!” Eyes squint in my direction. I resist the urge to open with some island trivia or a joke about prison fashion. I’ve been trained—stick to the...

Sitting at Café Joseph’s, I feel the food baby coming on. Full is all I can think. “Je suis...rassasiée,” I say. “I’m satiated.” The table goes silent. I think back to 6th grade, meeting my friend Risa and confidently pronouncing her name “Riza.” It had been my first day outside international school; the twang of California-speak replaced the cacophony of accents I’d long known. I noticed my own voice hint at my parents’ Indian accent....

It was when I was driving the most familiar road—the one on which I begin each of my mornings and end each night—that I noticed the air was too crisp for my open windows. It was early, still dark out, but my car flooded the streets with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The music infuses me with happiness and fuels my energy. I can’t help but dance in my seat, grinning with so much force I...

Dear Friend, As a kid, I jumped into the arms of a stranger. I’d thought he was my dad, but he was a 20-something on a date. Suspended by the armpits, mortified by his date’s laughter, I felt a hot tear hit my cheek. I now look before I leap, but somehow, still receive more sideways glances than Monday morning receives hate. Exhibit A: Gymnastics lied to me: walking on hands is only acceptable when you’re twelve...

When I was nine, my dad emailed me an optical illusion. When I looked at it directly, I saw a black and white pattern; but staring at a blank surface afterwards, I saw Jesus’ face. Awe-struck, I printed it, showed my friends, and soon became the schoolyard celebrity. A moment of disbelief inspired a long-held curiosity. At Penn, I plan to major in the Biological Bases of Behavior Program to analyze something nearly magical—the world’s most complex three...