hi, I’m  urja!

I don’t really know what I’m doing.

writer.  
creative freelancer. journalist.  
content creator.

After working as a journalist for 2 years, I left my job and the U.S. in search of a life outside the confines of

some of my stories
Opinion: Thrifting is not our savior
Chicago
Opinion: Thrifting is not our savior
Chicago

With more people opting to shop secondhand than ever before, we need to re-evaluate whether thrifting is as eco-friendly as we’ve made it out to be.

Chicago
Feature: EL Ideas
Chicago
Feature: EL Ideas
Chicago

A unique fine dining experience in Chicago.

Chicago
The different shades of Thanksgiving
Ann Arbor
The different shades of Thanksgiving
Ann Arbor

As another Thanksgiving season comes around, let’s look at what the holiday means to different people.

Ann Arbor
Backcountry vs. Frontcountry Camping
Chicago
Backcountry vs. Frontcountry Camping
Chicago

Whether you have recently taken an interest in camping or are thinking about spending more time outdoors, knowing the difference between the types of camping can help give you the experience you are looking for.

Chicago
my stretch of the river
my stretch of the river
Garba season of the Indian diaspora
Chicago
Garba season of the Indian diaspora
Chicago

A look at how the Indian American diaspora celebrates Navaratri as another garba season draws close.

Chicago
Cafe hopping in Bangkok
Bangkok
Cafe hopping in Bangkok
Bangkok

Some of my favorite cafes in Bangkok

Bangkok
56 Surawong quarantine
Bangkok
56 Surawong quarantine
Bangkok

My first two weeks in Bangkok were spent in a strict quarantine at the 56 Surawong Hotel. This is how I spent it

Bangkok
Flying across the world ft. COVID
Bangkok
Flying across the world ft. COVID
Bangkok

My experience flying from Detroit to Bangkok in March 2021.

Bangkok

where am I now?

📍Mumbai, India

Follow my food adventures

been tinkering around a lot in the kitchen these days and I keep coming back to some variation of bread, cheese, and roasted veggies...just can't help it loved this flatbread with ricotta, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted arugula, and some run
missing the green of summer trees and summer mint lemonades in the mountains . . . #foodblogger #travelblogger #studentjournalism #foodie #colombia #taganga #hostellife #lemonade #eat #drink
kinda-janky-falafel plate made with Trader Joe's falafel mix because it was already in my pantry. is spending 2hrs making dinner on a weeknight procrastination? yes. is it also has the only thing keeping me sane? yes. . 🍴Falafel, Seasoned Rice, P
Dos Caminos has some of the best upscale Mexican food in NYC. Everything is made with fresh ingredients and packed with flavor . 📍 Dos Caminos - SoHo 🍴top to bottom Quesadilla de Pollo • Chicken Quesadilla Elote • Mexican Street Corn Atu
nothing better than a plate of fried food after a long day in the water :)) . //fried shrimp cakes with a sweet plum sauce and a chili sauce at the Khayee Restaurant located on Koh Yao Yai Island off the coast of Phuket . . . 🍴Tod Mun Goong 📍Koh Ya
insane paella style dish with salmon shrimp mussels squid AND clams🐠 . . . 🍴Specialty Seafood Rice 📍Kinlenn Eatery and Play . . . . . #seafood #bangkokfoodie #thaifood #travelblogging #thailand #food #foodblogger #foodie #foodstagram #eat
corn🌽from above⬆️ . . //bkk is full of crosswalks that sit above all the main roads so people can cross to the other side easily. the view from up there is always interesting, and often involves street vendors setting up shop right on roads, just a
dolsot bibimbap🍲 . . // even in Thailand I'm never too far from my favorite Korean dish, complete with crispy rice and allll the banchan. bkk's Koreatown is a small shopping complex filled with restaurants, dessert shops, bars, and more. . . . 🍴Dol
the one thing I've learnt in bkk is that condensed milk tastes good on EVERYTHING . . . //street vendors pour it straight out of carnation cans and restaurants bring it to you in mini jugs. my time here has taught me that life in the US is severely l
who knew vegan food could taste so good? I had my suspicions but this was amazing . . . 🍴 Stir-Fried Tofu in Basil Sauce 🍴 Shitake Fried Spring Roll 📍May Veggie Home . . . . . #veganfood #bangkokfoodie #thaifood #travelblogging #thailand #food
devouring bkk one plate of noodles at a time . . . //why does food taste better under the florescent lights and ceiling fans of random restaurants on the side of the road? with so many regular restaurants going takeout only, I rely on street food or
honestly, my brain turned off after taking the first bite of this french toast, it's all a crunchy and fluffy and sweet haze . . . // I stumbled across this pretty bougie cafe accidentally and was met with an amazing menu, denim clad staff, and a cat