About Me — Aisha
Self-taught ambidextrous, mom, a software engineer, and an occasional drummer.
I’ve decided to go by the name Aisha on Medium. I have been a loyal and regular Medium reader, and now I want to contribute as a writer and share my thoughts here.
The Roles I Play Every Day…
I’m a backend Software Engineer, and I love to code like a girl. I chose Computer Science because it was trending at the time — my friends and my sibling opted for it. I never knew that, with time, I would become such a good coder and enjoy the daily design and coding challenges.
I’m also a full-time mother. I decided to have my first child in the fourth year of my five-year plan.
- First Year: I got married at the age of 23 and came to the USA on a dependent visa. Since I couldn’t work at the time, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science.
- Second & Third Years: I completed my Master’s and worked as an intern in the third year (we received our green card by this time).
- Fourth Year: I started my full-time job at a software company and decided to work pregnancy-free for one year.
- Fifth Year: As planned, I got pregnant and became a mother. This became my real, unpaid full-time job. Now that I have two kids, I’ve realized my true physical strength, patience level, and optimism.
What’s My Backstory…
I was born and raised in a mid-sized town in central India. Throughout my childhood, I was fascinated by the idea of discovering what I’d look like as an adult and what my future husband would look like. I always imagined that one fine day, some kind of curtain would lift and reveal my identity and my husband’s face.
I believed my face would change completely by my twenties — that I would look like a Bollywood or Hollywood actress. To my surprise, I didn’t even develop proper breasts and still looked like a teenager in my early twenties. That was the first of many long-held illusions that burst over the years.
In my early thirties, I realized I had this quirk: I visualized my daily actions as if a parallel movie was playing in my head, watching myself as I worked and moved through life.
What Makes Me Unique…
I’ve developed various distinctive traits as a result of certain life events. When I was around 14, I misquoted my favorite actress to impress an older cousin, so he wouldn’t think I was silly. Later that night, I felt deceptive and promised myself never to lie again, just to preserve my peace of mind.
Believe it or not, truthfulness has given me a deep sense of courage. I cherish that feeling every time I’m tempted to avoid the whole truth but still choose honesty. It feels like total liberation — a sense of purity, like fresh water.
Over the past eight years, as my parents have gone through a difficult phase and I often felt helpless, I began adopting new traits to channel my energy.
How My Journey of Recent Traits Began…
Since I’m right-handed, I decided to train the left side of my body to become ambidextrous. At the time, I was consumed by my thoughts, my job, and my little kids. This practice didn’t require extra time or travel — it fit right into my routine. I began using my left hand to cut vegetables, knead roti dough, and apply oil or cream after showers.
Next, I joined a drumming class. It still gives me a reason to get out of the house and do something that may reveal its purpose later in life. In the years that followed, I explored short film-making, DJing, and T-shirt designing.
Whenever life gets difficult and I need help navigating my emotions, I introduce a new skill. It’s like walking through a dark forest — these skills are my landmarks. I know I’ll eventually emerge from this darkness, see my parents free from their struggles, and look back on these landmarks as the map of my journey.
Why I Am Here…
I want to share my life learnings and technical insights with others. If any of my words can help even one person in some way, I’ll feel fulfilled. If not, writing will still be another meaningful landmark in my journey.
My Mantra, My Motivation, and My Belief…
I follow the path of truthfulness 98% of the time. When I start a task or pursue a new skill, I stick with it. I’m never a quitter. I don’t spend time in self-pity or seeking sympathy or empathy from others. Every hardship, every raw emotion is part of this beautiful journey.
Life is like a final movie sequel — it reveals its intentions sooner or later. I’m just walking straight.
