Apex Bowling - Building Our Village – One Lane at a Time

Desi Mom’s Network as a group went to Apex Bowling. About 20 families got together, hung out, and had fun.

We reserved the whole VIP lane area, so there was nobody but our families. A total of 48 players across 8 lanes, mostly children, with moms and dads hanging out together.

From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm and welcoming. Everything was well organized, and the team made our families feel comfortable. Our servers who managed everything with patience and a constant smile—it really made a difference to the experience.

As one mother pointed out, there were so many kids trying this for the first time. So many families felt comfortable coming out to a group event with their children because they knew this is one place they all belong.

They felt at ease, knowing their children would not be judged for their behavior.

It was not all smooth—there were screams and meltdowns—but the collective joy, laughter, fun, smiles, and new experiences outweighed those moments.

Families connected. Dads introduced themselves to one another. Moms felt rejuvenated—talking, smiling, and taking pictures together.

More than anything, they belonged. They shared advice, offered helping hands, exchanged phone numbers, and promised to meet again soon.

The feedback coming in says it all—“wonderful time,” “great space,” “felt like a village,” “kids had so much fun,” “so special to see first-time experiences.” That is exactly why we do this.

Summer is around the corner. It will be easier for families to come out of their shells—both literally and figuratively—and open up their world a little more, one family at a time, one step at a time.

Thank you to everyone who came, trusted the space and made this so special 💛

Introducing the guest writer for this post - Anand Pandey - His story - his words - mom's blog

Anand has been very adventurous. He wanted to write about his day as his mom would write it.

So below post is written by him acting as mom :) please read and write some comments - he is waiting for everyone's reaction :)

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"Next Stop: Hynes Convention Center. Anime lovers, this is the place for you. An Anime Convention here in Boston, Massachusetts. One of many popular pieces of art in Japan. If you grew up with the Pokémon series, you would remember seeing the TV series and the anime Pokémon movies." — some commuter rail, subway, ferry, or bus announcer

Next Stop? Where is Anand finding these quotes? Actually, that's been his thing growing up, quoting lines from movies that he watches or movie lines he and Mr. Husband have been watching. Mostly the Matrix movies, since they LOVE them so much. Anyway, what's the "next stop" Anand's been talking about? Something he calls "Open World Expansion Tour," and why would he come up with that? My past blogs about Anand's "solo adventures" back in 2025, which he wrote while pretending to be me. Anand's "first stop" in his "Open World Expansion Tour" was the South Arcade concert at the Middle East Restaurant in Cambridge back in October (check his and my side of the story if you missed them). His "second stop" was the Rhode Island Comic-Con at the Amica Mutual Pavilion and Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI (the story is on my blogpost also). Third stop? Anand's first Gala. I talked about how Anand has been stepping out of his comfort zone, but now he's "opening up his world," as he's been saying. While I was in India, Anand was researching Comic-Con events happening in 2026, ever since he enjoyed his first ever experience at Comic-Con in Providence, RI. Part of "opening up his world" included going to Comic-Con and trying new places he's never been to. One of them happened to be an Anime Convention. But what made Anand have a sudden interest in anime? I'll never know, since he will not tell me.

On November 29th, 2025, Anand got tickets to attend Fan Expo at the Thomas M. Menino Convention Center in Seaport, a Comic-Con happening in Boston. To keep him busy until August, Anand has two more conventions both happening in April, as well as an upcoming racing video game launching on May 15th, 2026 (Premium buyers would have four days of early access, which Anand went for; that blogpost will be up in May) and May 19th, 2026 (official launch date). On December 5th, 2025, Anand purchased tickets to go to Boston Anime-Con at the Hynes Convention Center off Boylston Street. Lastly, on January 5th, 2026, Anand got his anime costume he ordered on Amazon!

I wrote a blog post about wanting Anand to take the train into Boston, which he's been doing. But what surprised me even more was the fact that OpenSky had also planned to attend Boston Anime Con on Friday! Anand requested time off from work on Good Friday, wanting to attend Anime Con twice. I'll also never know why he decided that, since he'll never tell me. Now being public-transport-independent, Anand had planned out his adventure. I tried to convince Anand to take the train from Franklin to Back Bay on Friday, but he refused. Finally, in that argument, Anand purchased a train ticket to Back Bay.

The day of Boston Anime arrived and Anand was so excited. After he shaved and showered, Anand took the train from Franklin to Back Bay, went through the Prudential Center and Copley Place malls, arrived at the Hynes Convention Center and met up with OpenSky, then they went inside for Anime Con. Anand expected the food at the Hynes Convention Center to be expensive, but when I told him OpenSky would pay, Anand refused. After he told some staff that he was about to head home, Anand took the Green Line from Hynes Convention Center to Kenmore, ate at the Fenway Wahlburgers, saying hi to Cheryl, the wonderful manager who surprised him for his 25th birthday, went back on the Green Line to the Hynes Convention Center for Anime Con again, went to Back Bay, safely boarded a train to Franklin, then Dad picked Anand up.

On Saturday, Anand took the commuter rail again from Franklin, but this time to South Station, the Red Line to Downtown Crossing, and the Orange Line to Back Bay, then walked through the Copley Place and Prudential Center malls, arriving on Boylston Street and walking straight to the Hynes Convention Center. Anand knew what to expect on both days: people in cosplay or wearing anime costumes of their favorite characters, no matter where he was. Like yesterday Anand had his thought-out plan: after Anime Con, Anand would take the Green Line to Kenmore to eat at Wahlburgers yet again, then take the Green Line to Park Street and the Red Line to South Station and safely boarding a train to Franklin.

As always, Anand agreed to take pictures of Anime Con, but he also makes a poster of his Comic-Con adventures, which is what I saw him do this evening. Knowing I would tell him, "Write out your story," Anand just wrote it right away on December 6th, 2025. For him to airdrop the photos and wanting ME to write about his solo adventures is so unlike Anand, but then again, this might be happening more frequently.

This is, yet again, another amazing milestone for Anand. Biggest goal of 2026 is opening up his world, such as attending conventions in Massachusetts by himself, as well as an upcoming racing video game. That blogpost will be up in late May or early June. This man just can't wait for more this year. Next stop: Western Mass Comic-Con at the MGM Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts. This time, Anand wanted me and Dad to explore Springfield, then meet up at a Wahlburgers close by, but I couldn't do it. More on that in the next story.

Grief and Gratitude on a Saturday Afternoon- Honoring Amma

Two years have gone by—two years without her physical presence, her phone calls, her love, her laughter, and her care.

The Shradh was performed for my mother’s second death anniversary according to the Hindu calendar in the beginning of March, but yesterday—the calendar day—was particularly hard for me.

It was a tough day to begin with. I hosted a bowling afternoon with 12 mothers from the Desi Moms Network, spending time together, having fun, and building connections. They initially came together because they knew one another through the needs of their children, but they went home with the feeling of being part of a village. They spent the afternoon eating, sharing stories, and making a promise to do more activities together, be there for one another, and meet again often.

Yesterday morning began with an introduction to a new mom in my town, 3 miles from my home. I usually talk to them first then a video call before adding them to the group. After bowling, instead of coming home, I drove to meet them in person. Both the mother and her son were home, and it was wonderful to see them in their natural setting, talking about family, India connections, day-to-day struggles, neighbors, and our towns.

Another family from the group lives in the same neighborhood, so I visited them too. They have been in the group for a few years; with three young kids and full-time jobs, life can be really chaotic. These short visits help me understand family dynamics and their specific needs, allowing me to provide better resources.

My mother would have been so happy to hear all these details. I miss her, but I’m sure she’s somewhere smiling down on me. I think this was my way of paying tribute to her on her departure day.

March 28th, 2026 

A silk for a musical meet

An "Auntie’s" Night Out in "Don’t Tell Aunty"

On a lazy Friday, a mother from the Desi Moms Network reached out and insisted I join them for a Bollywood night in the city. It isn’t something I usually do, and I was a little apprehensive, but I decided to go along anyway.

Our group grew until six of us from the area, plus two from elsewhere, met in Boston’s Back Bay (4 of us from Desi Moms Network). The venue's name, "Don’t Tell Aunty,” was catchy, and the fusion menu looked truly innovative. Being a self-proclaimed "old-age auntie" now, I can’t really eat that late at night, but that didn’t stop me from having fun. I’ll definitely have to go back for lunch soon to try the food!

After 10 PM, they move the tables to create a dance floor. While the opening DJ didn't quite hit the right vibe for our group, the energy transformed the moment the main DJ came on the floor—one of the owners of the establishment. It was such a pleasant surprise to bump into the DJ's sister and brother-in-law, whom I’ve known for over 20 years.

The dancing was fun, but the best part was seeing these moms dancing without a care in the world. We were surrounded by a much younger crowd, but it didn’t matter; we had our own bubble. Just past midnight, we said goodbye to the full-blown party and drove back from Boston. I’m so glad one of the mothers planned the night and insisted I join; I couldn’t have done it without her.

I spent some time chatting with the girl at the door, the security guy, a mom and daughter duo from New Jersey, and a fellow attendee. It’s clear that Bollywood night is incredibly popular with the younger generation. They miss home—the familiarity and the environment. This DJ provides exactly that; beyond the nostalgia, he serves comfort food like creative Maggi dishes (Noodles) that hit home.

In a room full of younger faces, I realized that joy has no age limit. I came home tired, but my heart was full—and I’m already looking forward to the next dance with the moms from the Desi Moms Network.

Looking back, I realized that for me, it was not the music or nostalgia; it was a reminder that self-care is not just a spa or tea—it can be loud music and the joy of dancing, it’s the radical act of showing up for yourself. I am so glad that night we remembered the person we were before the "auntie" or "mom" took over. 

 With our planner, driver and motivator for the night

Saree for a bhajan saree meet, i was there more for Bhojan than bhajan . I was dancing on Dam Maro Dam a night before 

Walking in Amma’s Shoes - The inheritance of Joy and Pain

This morning, I was driving to work in the wee hours, thinking about my mother. Last weekend, a friend noticed the way I was walking because of my knee pain and it reminded me of my Amma and her constant knee pain. My brother-in-law always said I walk just like her.

She was only a couple of years older than I am now when she visited us in 2006. We drove approximately 13,000 miles during the five months she and my father were here. We traveled a lot, and it was her enthusiasm that kept us going. Every night before bed, she would take two Tylenol, massage her legs, and be ready for the next adventure the following morning.

I wish I had known then to give her that Tylenol before we even hopped in the car, so she didn't have to deal with the pain. I wouldn't have changed anything about our travels, but I would have taken her to see more sunsets and sunrises, more vsthe blooming Esplanade, Dahlia gardens, the farmers market, and sat with her in a café on Howard Square. Those small pleasures would have made her so happy.

With my own hurting knees and acid reflux, I miss her even more. My health has declined over the last couple of years, and I understand physical limitations much better than I did 20 years ago. She was heavy and loved good food and snacks; I am exactly the same. Losing weight is an uphill battle.

Like her,  I pour myself into the people I love Like her, I treasure my connections, but I also expect reciprocity;. And like her, I want to experience joy, happiness, and new things. I admire her courage, enthusiasm, and strength now more than ever. As I turn 55, I am no longer just her daughter - I am becoming her. 

A tussar silk for a muscal evening

From Skylines to Bowling Alleys: A Women’s Day Reflection

For years, I scoffed at these "Hallmark card" holidays. In my logic, I always asked: why do we need one specific day to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day? Why do mothers and fathers only get one day? And now, in recent years, International Women’s Day has started making headlines too.

As I grow older, however, I realize these days act as a "pause"—a moment to think and reflect. These specific celebrations give us an opportunity to express emotions that we might otherwise take for granted.

I was recently invited by a local organization 

(Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA) New England) to be honored for Women’s Day. I’ve come to realize that these honors are actually a powerful way to reach out to families. If just one person in the crowd listens to what I do and reaches out to another family in need of support, that is enough for me.

A fine group of women gathered in the heart of the city, at the magnificent Prudential Tower—one of the tallest buildings in Boston. On a gloomy day, I drove into the city not knowing quite what to expect. I arrived on time, but since it was an Indian get-together, everyone else arrived on "Indian time" :) That actually gave me a wonderful chance to hang out and chat with the other guests.

I met the Deputy Consul General in Boston, a woman from Karnataka wearing a beautiful Mysore silk saree. As a mother to a two-year-old daughter, she spoke about her hopes and aspirations for her child. In her official posting, she is breaking glass ceilings in so many ways. It was inspiring to listen to stories of women moving forward with such conviction and passion.

I was honored for my work with the Desi Mom’s Network. Ironically, after the event, I drove off to hang out with some of the dads from the group. I have been hosting events for moms for years, and while getting the dads together always seemed difficult, it finally fell into place. Seventeen dads, including my husband, met up for bowling.

One of them joked that instead of celebrating Women’s Day, they were busy enjoying a "Dads' Evening." But as they hung out, they talked to one another about their children, services, and their difficulties.

The morning was joyous and humbling, but the evening was deeply fulfilling.It turns out that celebrating women isn't just about the honors we receive; it’s about the communities we build that finally allow everyone—moms and dads alike—to find their place. 

A silk saree gift from a dear friend.