Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Peanut instead of Reese's

Halloween reminds me of my first halloween in Atlanta. I'm sitting at my desk studying for a Social Psychology test the next day, and I hear a doorbell. After I get up to walk to the door, I hear the chatter of the children through the thin walls, and slap my forehead.

Did I just forget about Halloween?

Yes, I did. So, I turn the light on, and run to the kitchen. I'm not a chocolate lover, I don't have sweet stuff hidden under the couch, inside the medicine cabinet, or an unopened bag from CVS! So, what do I do. I run back into my room, jump to the desk (over the heap of dirty clothes that I hadn't washed for a long long long time) and grab the big tub of roasted & salted peanuts. You know the ones you get at Costco, with the red cap. Yes. Those. I run back to the kitchen, snag a spoon from the drawer, and run back to the front door, all along yelling to the kids outside, I'll be there in a sec.. Hold on, don't go away. Okay, okay. Take a breath. Open the door...

Happy Halloween. Trick or Treat. I hope you guys are in for a treat because I have something no one else is going to give you. I dip the spoon head first and pull out a PEANUTS. haah.

As expected, the little kids, of course were disgusted with witnessing the grotesque non-colored, non-wrapped non-sweetened little non-goodies I just presented them.

However, right before I closed the door, after saying sorry a zillion times to the little angels & demons, (no literally, angel w/wings & devil w/red horns==brother/sister ) the bigger, older kids who were taking out their younger siblings, run up to the door and put out their palms. YES. Success. I pleased someone if not only myself that night! Yay! Some even stuffed their pockets with it. Ick, but who cares, I was happy my door wasn't the ugh, don't go to A15, she doesn't have anything good doors.

Good thing that only lasted a bit. I switched off the front porch light, closed my blinds, and pretended to not be home for a while. haha. I couldn't stop laughing after that little bit. I ended up writing Emily an 8 page letter about it. This obviously isn't 8 pages, so I must be missing something... hmm .. spooky.

Just a little note: Think of the past to correct your future...always have a stock of candy during the fall season...

Happy Halloween all you Trick or Treaters.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Virtue of Being Sick

I was ill for the past few days with the usual, tonsil inflammed drama. Sore throat, post nasal drip. drip. drip. Snoring with my mouth open, drying up my "cotton mouth" throat even more. I didn't go visit the doctor this time, but the usual diagnosis is... Strepp. Here take these antibiotics twice a day, and FINISH THE BOTTLE.

I won't get into the whole, finish your antibiotic dose issue, but today, I will discuss the virtue of being sick. I'm sure there's a whole lot out there, like your sins are forgiven when you become ill, so be thankful, and your prayers are sent with a better, clearer reception and all that good stuff. But what I'm here to talk about is the present earthly life, when you're sick.

All you need is:
A- a good lovin' someone,
B- 4 pillows,
C- a bedsheet
D- a light quilt or blanket.

Oh yes, I forgot...

E- a night stand with a glass of water, and ....(a water stain preventer on the wooden night stand.....what are they called..someone help me out..glass holder?) yeah, one of those.

Talk about bliss.

If you have a form of entertainment, nearby, that helps out also. A book, computer with internet connection, writing pad & pen. The key is to keep everything in arms distance. Now, the other half of the bed looks mighty enticing to be used as the (arms distance ) location to STORE all those items, doesn't it? Yes, indeed it does. The only drawback is Item A is usually the space saver of that particular portion of the bed, so, there's a definite need of re-arrangement and self-sacrifice needed to be made by ...Item A, of course. If Item A needs suggestions, do not be afraid to point out the comfy futon in the family room, in front of the tv (for Item A's visual entertainment.)

Now that you have your space, since you are coughing, sneezing, and wiping snot on any piece of dry cloth you can find, it's best you elongate your arms, to increase that little bubble of yours. Only allow shrinkage of Your space, when in need of A hug, when you're "really sick."

But what I'm talking about are the times, when you're feeling pretty well for about 1/3 of the day, and 2/3 you're ...somwhat well. It's based on the whole Strong/Moderate/Weak principle. We had to create these rating scales for coding purposes at work, and boy have they become integrated into our daily lives, this talent at coding, sure has posed a dilemma in our lives. OH my GOd. I have to stop that.

Anyway, when I started feeling better, but not well enough to really do any substantial work (me & my drama...yay!), I lay in bed, wrapped in Item D, under Item C (so my fever sweats don't get the blanket all icky), with 2 pillows supporting my back, one on my lap (to prevent the laptop heat from burning the quilt/sheets/pjs), and one pillow to my side to place whatever items I wanted to near by. Okay, actually the fourth pillow was just there in case Item A came by and wanted to be space saver again. hahah.

The water for midnight bursts of thirst (in arms distance) and the glass holder thinga ma bobber, for Item A's satisfaction.

After a day or two in this state, it gets to be really comfortable. Yes, there is the required regular maintenance (showering, changing clothes, throwing away tissues sprawled to the side of the bed where you stand up and consequently sprawl even further) more than anything, you really get used to laying like a slug. Granted, you have to previously have slug-like tendencies, only then would this sloth like behavior seem in the remotest sense, fun. But still, come on, who doesn't like not having to not do nothing? Wait did I say that right? Oh who cares, I don't have to not worry about it. That's my perogative right now. Until I'm better at least.

Oh yes, finally, if Item A, incessantly asks if you're better, HOLD BACK THE TRUTH as long as you possibly can, as long as there is some doubt that you might possibly just possibly be still a little whooozy, because Item A's got a list of chores up the wahzoo lined up for you.

It's best you rest a little before you suddenly get better again.
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All this I'm saying is not COMPLETELY true. Actually, most of the time, when I felt "ickhy," I'd walk out, demand a hug, stay locked in the hug until Item A felt fidgety, and then went back 20 minutes later for another hug, if I was still awake. haha.

I think the most relaxing factor for me when I'm sick is Item A's heartbeat. It's the rhythm, the warmth, and the grasp. It just lulls me off into my dreamworld of vampires, ghosts, and monsters. But at least gets me to go to sleep!

Friday, October 13, 2006

Wakey Wakey

Have you ever woken up really early, to get an incredible start on your day not because you wanted to but because you HAD to...To either finish up a project, start an essay, eat sihori (breakfast), pray namaz, study for a test... and realize that a few hours after you've had that cup of tea or coffee or bowl of cereal at 5.30 am that 8am seems just as early?

The house is still dim, dark, and tiring. You haven't yet had the opportunity to pull the blinds back/up and your too focused on trying to not falling asleep with your head either in a book while slouched on the couch, or your face cheek red caused by resting your face flat on one side of the textbook while trying to read at a parallel angle to the actual words on the page (not very good for your eyes, posture or endeavor to stay awake! I might add.)

Anyway, for the past few weeks, I've been waking up at 5.45, squinting my way to the kitchen, deathly afraid of turning the lights on in case I might blind myself, and tripping on half the items left on the carpet on the way over to the tile. "Good morning. " After having sihori, eating breakfast at a ridiculous time in the morning that really only makes you hungry earlier on in the day for some ironic reason, I grab hold of my computer rather than the Quran, and look up my recent ebay activity. haha. Even when I'm half conscious, I can still function properly when it comes to Ebay (if that behavior is considered "functioning properly.") After a while on the computer, I set the comp down, pray namaz, and debate whether I should go back to sleep for a 1/2 hr to an hour, setting myself up for another 4-6 hour "nap." The days I actually do stay up until about 8 or 9am, I'm still in a stupor, because I'm sitting on the couch with the blanket covering my shoulders & my feet and too lazy to open the blinds that block the radiance of the sun telling me to, "Get the hell up, Begin your day, and Brush your teeth, woman!"

Once again, finally getting to my point: the 9.20am it is finally, feels just as early as the 5.30 did without the adjustment to the blinding light of the flourescent bulb flickering on & off. This time, it's the fear of opening that door and exposing all that heat to the cooled apt.

Wakey, wakey. Time to Really get up and start your day.

Monday, October 09, 2006

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Go Pink Everyone. It's October, and it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

All you out there who don't perform Monthly Self-Breast Exams, learn how to do so. Make sure you make a log, for your usual lumps and bumps. We all have them. More often that not, they should feel the same on both in the same areas. No worries. If you feel a little panicked, take it easy, and get it checked. Early detection, means early treatment, means you can pass on the detection techniques to your kids, etc. You will survive!

We all know someone who's been through some life-threatening health situation. Don't let it take you by surprise. Get regular check ups. If you're over the age of 40, you need to get annual mammograms.


Don't be afraid. Be proactive.
Here's a cute little poem...
http://www.englishforums.com/English/LadiesMammiesGrammed/bbnkx/Post.htm

Reference
http://www.breastcancer.org/dia_detec_exam_idx.html