About Us
We grew up in India. Pori grew up in the state of Assam (famous for its tea) and Bimbi in the state of Manipur (from where the game of polo originated). Believe it or not, Assam and Manipur are neighboring states but we speak different native languages. We share English and Hindi as our common languages. Between the two of us, we can speak and understand 6 dialects. We met during college in Delhi. Bimbi was attracted to Pori’s kindness and helpful attitude. Pori was attracted to Bimbi’s sense of humor and kindness. We started dating shortly after and we have been together for the last 20 years. After college, we both landed jobs. Pori worked in New Delhi Television and Bimbi taught in Delhi University.
During college in Delhi
Our wedding
Although we were happy in our respective jobs, we wanted to pursue higher education in the U.S. We already had several family members living here and we decided to come for graduate school. After completing our Ph.Ds. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we worked in different universities in Michigan and Missouri. In 2012, we finally landed jobs together in WSU, Pullman. We are both professors at WSU.We love the Pacific Northwest and its milder winters (as compared to Wisconsin). We also appreciate the fact that we are surrounded by major national parks and beautiful mountain ranges and that we have a wonderful community in Pullman. Alongside pursuing higher studies, we had got married and started planning our family. Even though we have been trying unsuccessfully to have a biological child for a while, adoption has never been far from our thoughts. We have immediate family members and close friends who have built their families through adoption.
We are both passionate about cooking. Bimbi is the bread maker in the family and he has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to bread. Pori cooks delicious meals and likes to refer to Bimbi as her “sous-chef”! Trying out new recipes is a great bonding experience and we cannot wait to cook with the little one. Pori is very, very fond of dessert and she will go the extra mile or two in search of delicious, sweet food. Bimbi is fond of spicy, flavorful dishes and he will need that extra dollop of heat in his food. Although we are meat eaters, we try to consume moderately. We try to eat healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables.
Trying out desserts in Hawaii
During grad school in Wisconsin
We love to travel together, explore different cultures, try new foods, and collect souvenirs. Pori is a very passionate photographer and she always manages to capture breathtaking pictures of natural landmarks. Every new place is a learning experience for us and reminds us that human beings have more things in common than our differences. We have had a lot of great times as a couple and we are ready for the next chapter. We cannot wait to share the love and laughter in our lives with the little one.
I’m very passionate about what I do—whether it’s teaching in the University, my own research work, my hobbies, or taking care of our pets. I love my job as a teacher at WSU. I really enjoy the flexibility at work. I love animals. And as I am the only child of my parents, I grew up with a lot of pets. I enjoy traveling and doing photography. The two go hand-in-hand. I love music as well. Growing up, I listened to the Beatles, the Eagles, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Simon & Garfunkel, BB King, Santana and many more. One of my fondest childhood memories is coming back from school and eating a late lunch with the Beatles playing on the radio. Bimbi and I have gone to see many of these musicians over the years, which we have enjoyed immensely. I had the best childhood; I was loved by my parents and I grew up surrounded by loving extended family, friends, and lots of pets.
Baking date with Meghna, daughter of our friends Nairanjana & Dean
With my friend Lyndsay’s little ones at the zoo
Hobbes and I pose for a picture
With my students at a workshop
If I had to describe myself in one word, I would say I’m very loving. It is of course good in many ways to be loving and kind, but it can also be problematic at times. I cry easily. I even cry over stories I read or see on TV about people and animals in distress! Bimbi often makes fun of me about this.
Learning ceramics with my dear friend Io
BIMBI
I’m affable and easy to get along with. I’m passionate about my job as a teacher and researcher and really enjoy my conversations and discussions with students. Pori and I share a lot in common in our musical tastes. We listen to the same bands and have attended countless concerts together. I also enjoy keeping fit and working out with weights or the elliptical machine. I love taking care of our pets. I grew up with several dogs as a child and with Hobbes (our orange tabby), I’m discovering a whole new dimension of love, play, bonding, and snuggles with cats. I’ve always dreamt of raising a family and becoming a good parent.
Nap time with Hobbes
The significant relocations and the multiple places I have called home throughout my life have shaped me most as a person. I have been enriched by these many experiences. I had a fabulous childhood as I was much loved and very pampered. My maternal grandmother used to openly declare that I was her favorite grandchild. My mother has four younger sisters and I grew up being very well-cared for and loved. There’s a saying in my family that my feet never touched the ground for a long, long time because I was always in somebody’s lap! The extended family environment was fun. I grew up with lots of cousins and always spent my summer and winter vacations in the houses of my many aunts. I hope to be able to give an equal amount of love and joy to our child.
Playing with friends’ kids at a birthday party
Hiking in Scotland
Goofing around in L.A.
Calvin & Hobbes helping me in the backyard
Calvin & Hobbes
We are loving parents to our dog and cat—Calvin and Hobbes. Pori named them after her favorite childhood comic book characters. Calvin is a German Shepherd-Border Collie mix while Hobbes is an orange tabby with white boots! We got the fur kids when they were just two months old. Calvin is shy by nature and very energetic. She is great with kids and her protective instincts come out around small children. Hobbes is not shy at all and he, in fact, rules our household like a king. Calvin and Hobbes have bonded very well; they play with each other and we often find them snuggling together on the couch or beds. The fur babies are spoilt rotten and sleep with us on the bed at night.
Calvin with our friend’s daughter, Eli
Their first Christmas
Calvin loves the outdoors. She enjoys taking long walks, playing in the snow, or visiting the Pooch Park in Pullman. Hobbes loves the outdoors too especially in summer, when he can nibble on the new grass shoots and chase the bugs and the flies. We have a fenced backyard for both Calvin and Hobbes to play. This is one of our favorite places in the summer, where we garden, BBQ, have friends over, relax and enjoy the sun.
Hobbes practising yoga
When Hobbes had to stay at the
ICU for a stomach infection
Calvin loves the snow
Hobbes backseat driving
Calvin & Hobbes chilling outside