Aanchal Jain: Dressing Up America In Indian Colors

In the mere 3 years that Aanchal Jain has been in the US, she has unraveled the scope of opportunities that one’s talent and determination can open up most succinctly. Exuberating flamboyance, a powerhouse of enthusiasm, yet appreciating the simple joys of life, Aanchal is making a name for herself in the design industry. In an exclusive interview with DissDash, she tells us how her journey in the US has been so far.

Her favorite things to do while growing up were sketching, painting and dancing. In her childhood, or even high school days, she was not a very stylish person. However, as she got older, her interest in fashion grew and she decided to chase her dreams and pursue a degree in the field. She gave a name, Pastels By Aanchal, to her designs and artwork during her 2nd year in college. She says, “As I have always been very chirpy, vibrant and talkative, the same is reflected through the outfits I design! My outfits speak for themselves. They are creative, colorful and make you stand out from the crowd.”

Having come to the US on a dependent visa after her marriage in 2014, she decided to decorate her own home by making paintings and creative artwork (along with watching Netflix and traveling). This resulted in having all the walls of their house filled with her creations, “Our friends used to call it an art gallery!” she tells us.

Soon after getting her work visa, she was offered a job by a tennis brand called inPhorm. It’s been more than 9 months that she has been working with them. In the meanwhile, she along with her husband, Akhil, got their clothing brand registered in the US as Pastels By AJ.

Her inspiration for developing her clothing brand arose from looking at the glossy magazines sporting Kareena Kapoor in Manish Malhotra outfits. “I had in my mind that one day I should see people proudly saying that we are wearing Pastels by Aanchal and are feeling classy and the best!”

She is motivated by designers like Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra, Elie Saab, Ralph & Russo (Tamara Ralph & Michael Russo).

“Most of my clients are Indians, but recently a few American women gave me the opportunity to design for them and it’s been really ecstatic! It’s thrilling to see them respond to my outfits and Indian culture in such a beautiful way. They love these stunning colors, patterns and they look forward to my next collection! Since I design all the outfits I sell, it makes them unique in every possible way. 

I also have my own website www.pastelsbyaj.com and a small Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/PastelsByAJ for people to buy outfits from and to contact me if they want to get it customized.”

Her mantra in life is to smile from ear to ear always. Apart from all her other talents, she is also a Bollywood Dance Instructor in Dallas. “Dancing is something I am passionate for and I have inherited those skills from my Dad. Then comes cooking skills which I have in me from my Mom and I started to bake cakes/desserts for my friends which in turn resulted in baking for my clients. So there are multiple things which are keeping me on my toes and I am enjoying every bit of it!”

She took up teaching dance as a fun activity in which you smile and express yourself beautifully. “That’s what I teach my students as well to try to release your stress if any and enjoy in that moment. Believe it or not, but I have been teaching since I was in the 10th grade! Dancing is something which I would never give up on. I started teaching at Blue Flame Performing Arts and it has been an incredible journey! Recently my friend who is an amazing classical dancer asked me to join her for some fitness lessons with Dance Dallas Dance and that has been pretty amazing as well! I truly believe in this – dance till you drop!”

Though she has received a spectacular response for the cakes she bakes she is still unsure of leaving everything and doing only baking. “I still want to explore the fashion world but I also want to continue with my baker skills on the side. As far as my artwork goes I have made those for our own home and personal use. But it’s amazing to receive appreciation and see people talk about the same.”

She signs off saying, “If you have something unique to offer, no matter where you are, and who you are, people will fall for your work and you! It won’t be easy in the beginning, but it will definitely be worthwhile in the end.”

Kudos Aanchal!

We just love your work and hope to see you get more success.

Source: 

https://www.dissdash.com/2017/05/aanchal-jain/

http://www.pastelsbyaj.com/

  

Bike Ms

MS 150 Round-Up Ride (Bicycle Ride)
15 indelible hrs, 150+ incredible miles
May 4th/5th 2013

Let me back track a little for you, trust me I won’t go past 2 months when I thought of participating in MS 150 bike ride. By the way MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disease that affects people in many different ways. It could be paralysis one day, loss of vision the next or impaired memory the day after that. So 2 months back I was talking w/ Jeff and he mentioned about MS 150 and his brief experience since last 5-6 years and then he got me introduced to George from Texas Revolutions team. I read about MS and why people ride to raise fund for MS. I thought that this can be a good way of making a difference in the lives of those living with MS and a great opportunity to test my limits and try something new. Finally me and Jeff started biking practice. We used to bike once in 2 weeks for around 20 miles and then visit Sunny’s place for dinner. Sanika/Sunny we owe you queso and XX ;). After work practice was somewhat challenging but I tried to ride 20-22 miles on my hybrid bike. Just a week before the race Jeff, Lisa and Jason arranged a road bike for me. Thanks Jason 

Returning back to Day 1- May 4th. Our team reached at Dr. Pepper Arena Frisco at 6.30AM. I was full of energy and excitement to ride but really nervous with my 1st ride. Mentally  was prepared to finish 150 mile but the fact’s were that I never biked for more than 25 miles. When I saw the riders suffering from MS and participating, I was like- the miracle isn’t that I’m biking for the 1st time but the miracle is that these brave hearts  have the courage to bike. Very inspiring people living with MS and riding. Well we crossed Dallas Parkway and moved towards Celina town. 1st lap was close to 13 miles and full of energy. Excellent services at the rest stop. Next 13 miles towards Pilot Point city were also full of energy as every rider crossing you was cheering up. Now comes the exciting part of the day- Ray Roberts State Park. No doubt it was a great view, waves rippling over the lake but the wind chill of approx 35 miles/hr made the ride really challenging.  Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving and I moved on. After that challenging lap we stopped at Sanger High School for lunch and we almost finished 45 miles \m/ . We didn’t spent more than 15 minutes at lunch and started biking again. I was getting tired after lunch but then I saw a fighter biking on a hand powered cycle. Well that was enough to motivate myself. Rest stop 4 was at Denton and after that the last rest stop was at Ponder city. At the last rest stop Jeff told that- Only 13 miles left and I was like Wow!! I can’t imagine I’m so close to finish Day 1. Thanks Jeff for riding at my pace throughout :). Last lap was really smooth and I was waiting to reach the Finish line. We were close to finish line and everyone was cheering us. I really can’t explain the feeling of crossing the finish line. We reached at the texas revolutions tent and met our team mates. Everyone was so happy to meet each other after the finish line 

Day 2- Woke up again at 5AM. Reached at Texas Motor Speedway with body ache and pain. They opened the speedway track at 6.30AM. You might have seen nascar race on the the track but you need to participate in MS 150 to get the feel of biking on the speedway :P. Though temperature was around 42F but 13 miles towards Fairview town were not bad. Next 10 miles were again challenging but then I thought that every stop will be my target until I reach the finish line. Lunch was at Decatur High School and we finished 30 miles before the lunch. Rest Stop was at Boyd town and I was getting exhausted. After crossing Boyd, I was like skipping next 10 miles but I thought about Armstrong – “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” Next 11 miles towards the last stop were the most difficult miles of my life ;). Those miles tested my patience, my stamina, my anger and eagerness to achieve 150 miles. I was completely exhausted at the last rest stop of the day at Rhome town and was wondering that I can be the Turtle of the Day.. lol ;). Everything is possible and impossible just takes longer and I was just 15 miles away from the finish line. I feel last 15 miles were like a piece of cake as I was full of energy during my last lap :D. I think we finished the last 15 miles in an hour. Finish line at TMS was visible to me and I heard people shouting “Go Fidelity” and at the finish like George speaking- Great Job Akhil :). Thanks George and other members for creating Texas Revolutions  After that Steve comments like Akhil Attaboy; Axel again motivated me and yes I’m ready for next MS 150 ride and to raise funds to make a difference in the lives of those living with MS.

It’s true that finishing MS 150 is about heart, not just legs. If you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying. After completing finishing 150 mile ride I experienced the pain of people living with MS.  Every mile spent during 15 hrs is dedicated to the fighters suffering from MS.

Life is not about being self-centered but it’s about fighting for someone.. Fighting until last breath.. Never giving up..  Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body.. But rather to skid in sideways, re-defining the craziness, and shouting “Hell yeah… We enjoyed every moment of the life… ”

Blogger: Akhil Jain

Team: Fidelity Texas Revolutions

Riders/Volunteer: George, Steve, Jason, Diana, Lisa, Justin, Jeff, Michelle, Spence, Justin, Brenda, Robert, Akhil

Pics: Google+

One Degree of Separation: http://www.theswashbucklers.net/?page_id=423, facebook

Ride Check-in: foursquare

About MS: What is MS

Grand Canyon R2R Hike

Grand Canyon North Rim to South Rim hike: November 2013

Never give up.. Don't ever... Trust me that the miracle was not that we hiked Grand Canyon north rim to south rim but the miracle was that we had the courage to hike rim to rim in 1 day.

2nd November- We reached South Rim around 7AM and parked the car and took a shuttle to North Rim. Don't really remember the drive as I was sleeping in the shuttle :)

We reached north rim around 11am. Met the ranger and told her the plan to rim to rim in a day and she was like "that we be aggressive" and we were like "let's do it".. Another few minutes we started downhill from the kabab trail..

Day 1 plan was to hike 7miles and sleep early as the plan for day 2 was aggressive and we have to hike around 15 miles with the 7 mile up hill hike. So finally we started descending which was pretty awesome, taking pictures, cracking jokes and getting the feel of red rocks and huge mountain. So technically we started our hike around 12pm on day 1 and around 4 pm we reached the cottonwood campground. After reaching the campground we assembled our tents and started planning for day 2. The campground was very well managed. We started cooking after sometime and had a really good time. Went to the tent around 8PM.. Temperature was down to 30F.. But the excitement was at the par.

3rd November- We woke up at 3.15AM, wrapped up the tents and other stuff and started our hike at around 4AM. It was pitch dark and the view was simply superb. Trekking around the Colorado river within the canyon is an experience which can't be explained. You have to be there to just get the feel for it. Stars were so close to us that one can touch them. We hike around 7miles towards the bright angel Campground. We reached at this campground around 6.30AM. This is the best camp ground I have had ever seen in. Any campground. I can't believe that there are lodges and a restaurant inside the canyon.
Now it was the toughest part of the hike. Hiking around 7 miles and reach the south rim by noon.. Few miles ahead of the campground on South Kaibab Trailhead is the bridge to cross the Colorado river. The view over there is gorgeous. I would say this is the best part of the hike. It's a paradise from where you can feel Colorado river, huge Grand Canyon, red rocks, and your hike which will never forget in your life. Took tons of amazing pics doing crazy activities on the bridge and had a really good time with my lads.

Now was the toughest part of the hike as we all can see the peak of the canyon and this was not the peak but this was the one of the canyon peak which we have to hike before reaching the south rim. We started heading uphill and slowly our emergent bar and gels came out of the pocket.. Lol.. It seems that me and Tom were getting tired but the best part was that we were mentally prepared. Georgie, Bhavik, Husain were energetic and we all were super duper excited. After 3 or 4miles I completely lost my energy. I was not able to walk and that was the worst part of the hike. Every 5minutes I started taking rest. Georgie was walking along with me at that time and he was completely pushing me. That push was really very important at that particular time because I was completely drained. More over I think that I was loosing patience.

I feel that's when you are attempting a challenge like this then it's all about the mental state, ability to control your patience, emotions and frustrations. Once your control all these bad vibes then everything is possible. I'd rather again say that everything is possible and impossible just takes longer. Sometimes the situation is not the problem which makes you down, it is the reaction to the situation that creates the problem.. After finishing those 2 or 2.5 miles of the hike I was kind of better. We stopped at the top of canyon and attempted array exception again. Now we were like 3 miles away from the south rim and body was completely loosing the energy. This time Bhavik was along with me to push hard to finish the last lap of the hike. Last few miles were challenging but full of enthusiasm. The trail was changing the color as the altitude was changing. I think the total elevation was like 7200 feet. We again stopped at the base which was around mile ahead of south rim.. We all were very excited as it was around 11AM and we were a mile ahead to finish the hike. Listening to music, eating energy gel, taking pictures and feeling one of the most energetic trip of the life was the last mile. We finished the hike at around 12.30PM and that was just "wow" . After that we visited a restaurant and cheered up for the rim to rim hike. Our body was soar and legs were hurting badly. We started driving back towards Phoenix airport which was the again the toughest drive in the pain. Finally we reached the airport and it was the end one of the most beautiful journey and the start for few more upcoming hikes. More to more and more to hike. In every hike of nature one receives far more than he seeks..

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body.. But rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy shit... What a hike!!"

Blogger: Akhil Jain
Hikers: Akhil, Georgie, Bhavik, Tom, Mustafa
R2R Route: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bxf5MiFFCNPadjJGTzY5aDRaakU
Pics: facebook 

Steps to apply H4 EAD

Here are the few steps which I followed for filing H4 EAD Application- new and renewal application. This blog is solely based on my experience and nothing to do with acceptance and denial of someone else application. Always read USCIS H4 employment links before preparing your package.

Basis for Work Authorization:

• Approved Form I-140
• H-1B Principal Received AC21 106(a) and (b) Extension.

H4 I-765 application form:

• Full Name: Legal First, Middle, last Name
• Address in the United States: Address you stay
• Country of Citizenship/Nationality- Your citizenship based on passport. If you are a dual citizen, write the country noted on your I-20, which should match the passport you use
• Date of Birth - month/day/year
• Social Security Number: If you have a SSN then write it but If you do not have a Social Security Number, write “N/A”
• Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or I-94 Number: 11-digit I94 record number. Refer https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html
• Have you ever before applied for employment authorization from USCIS? If you have never applied for an EAD before, mark “No”. If you have applied for an EAD in the past, mark “Yes” finish the questions at the top of the next column. Which USCIS Office? - Write the USCIS office. Example LIN – Nebraska Service Center, EAC – Vermont Service Center , SRC – Texas Service Center , WAC – California Service Center. Date(s) -Valid from and Card Expires date from EAD card. Results -Granted or Denied
• Date of Last Entry into the U.S. (mm/dd/yyyy)- Put Last City in US and also put port of entry (if both are different)
• Current Immigration Status- H4 Visa
• Current Immigration Status: C26
• Current Immigration Status: H1B I797 number (start with EAC or LIN ..)

Here are the documents which I have sent for H4 EAD application:

• 2 colored photo of 2*2 inch (Write name and I94 number on back with Pencil and black light ink)
• Cashier’s Check- Check payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security for $380
• I-765 form
• Form G-1145
• I-140 approval of spouse
• I-94 of EAD Applicant
• I-94 of Spouse
• I-797A of EAD Applicant
• I-797A of spouse
• Birth Certificate of Applicant
• Marriage Certificate
• Stamped Copy of H1 and H4 Visa (optional)
• Driver License of Applicant (optional)
• Employment verification letter of spouse (optional)

Please refer to the latest documents required based on https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/employment-authorization-certain-h-4-dependent-spouses

H4 EAD Renewal application:

• You cannot file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires
• Please send your I797 Notice of action (Notice Type: Approval of Action),  EAD card and the receipt on which the previous EAD was attached. I have heard that the paper w/ attached EAD is also required, so please don't trash it (I have trashed one)
• Send all the applications documents as listed above. The process doesn't change for new application vs renewal except the above 2 point

Key things to note:

• Two identical two-by-two-inch passport-style color photographs. Print Name and I94 number of back of photo
• I765- Please sign the form w/ black ink. Don't sign outside of the space provided
• Place of last entry: I feel this is bit confusing in the case when port of entry is outside of the US (eg Abu Dhabi). In this case your last entry into the US and port of entry will be different. I'd just put Last Entry as US City, Port of Entry: Port of Entry as per I-94
• Where to send your package: Refer to C 26 section on this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses and send it to the address based on H1 most recent Form I-797 Notice of Approval (begins with EAC or LIN, SRC or WAC)
• Use latest version of Form I-765
• You cannot file for a renewal EAD more than 120 days before your original EAD expires

Few important links:

• Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/employment-authorization-certain-h-4-dependent-spouses
• I-765, Application for Employment Authorization- https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
• I765 Instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-765instr.pdf
• USCIS Service and Office Locator- https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=SC
• USCIS Status tracker- https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/logon.do
• H4 EAD trackit. Really useful forum to submit your case and discuss issues- http://www.trackitt.com/usa-immigration-trackers/h4-ead

Good Luck and this process is helping tons of H4 dependent to step outside of their house and start working. Please navigate to contact us page and use any social media to get in touch with me to discuss my experience w/ H4 EAD application process or any other questions.