San Khwan, Puerto Rico

I arrived at the San Juan Airport, got off the plane and walked guess what, it smelled like Pakistan. So much for a US territory. People here remind me of Miami, everyone is bilingual, and the older folks have an accent. The youngers seem chicano-ish...

But, yes, it smells just like Karachi. haha. 70 degrees. Humid. Raining. Sticky. and full of brown people. hahah. The only difference is that there are tons of white people roaming around in skirts and wrap arounds with elated smiles on their faces excited about their week long trip that's about to transpire.

I found the hotel where some people I met on Valuemd.org reserved a room. We're crashing in san Juan for one night and taking the 2 hr flight to Dominica together tomorrow afternoon. Fun. They're pretty chill. Not psychos--at least it seems. haha. Just kidding!

Anyway, we started discussing luggage and baggage requirements, and they apparently shipped 2-3 cartons to themselves from the states. Me? hahahah. Right. I'm waiting for the shipment from Raj Cha Cha of channa and assorted desi food sealed in aluminum packages. Right. Ma, the paratha and kababs, can be shipped as early as you like!

Anyway, I'll be living in a single bedroom dorm room at RUH (Ross University Housing) for the first semester. I'll add pictures later.

OOoooh. I forgot to take a picture, but I saw a PACMAN arcade game at the airport. How cool. Other than that, nothing new, all is well. And someone remind me to pick up a San Juan Bell before heading back for the states around August. Oh, wait, nevermind, Adnan already got me one. I'll just add this year and change it from 2002.

April Fools...

I haven't been Fooled by anyone on April Fools day in a long long time. I think the last time I remember any deviant behavior on April Fools was at BHS when we played a trick on our favorite Calculus Teacher, Mrs. Hall. I don't even remember what the trick was, but I just remember the image of Mrs. Hall holding her face with her chalky hands and smudging chalk that was already all over her clothes, onto her face & hair.

Anyway, today, on April 1st, my brother gives me a call and tells me that he received a phone call from a representative of the Medical School I will soon be attending. I acted pretty calm, because I did put down my brother as a reference. So, it wouldn't be too unexpected if he received a phone call or contact from Ross U. Then, my big brother tells me this crazy story that since he attended St. George's University (Ross University's rival--if you didn't know, they're the top two schools in the Caribbean), my file would have to be re-evaluated, and my acceptance may possibly be revoked. I would have to re-apply for the next term.

What? Unbelievable. Come on, Pshhhh.

Then I ask him, did they call over the weekend? He says, no, on Friday. I should have realized it then. If he really did receive a call like that, he wouldn' t have waited the whole weekend. He would have called me up immediately after hanging up. Shoot, I would have wanted him to put that Rep on hold, and 3-way'ed that crazy conversation.

Anyway, he suggests I contact my advisor and inquire after the matter.

All the while, inside I begin to sweat, even though I'm trying to play it cool on the phone (not) Oh, it must be a prank call, Adnan. I'll call my advisor tomorrow, and look into it. Shit, I just got through telling everyone here in ATL that I'll be leaving for school, and for them to feel the mehsoos of my absence. haha. We even already attended a "good-bye" dinner at a friend's place. Now what? Even if I wasn't going to school, now I'd have to go away for awhile, just to keep the momentum going. I was beginning to hear the best things about me! Talk about Narcissistic behavior. Leaving a place "for good" is a real confidence & self-esteem booster. Who would have thought? Plus, I love hearing good things about me, and my loved ones. I just glow-t. haha. Yes, that was a pun-ny attempt.

Anyway, within a minute and a half, I hear giggles from Bhabi (through the speaker phone..or other headset) an a big, "April Fool's!"

Golly jee. They got me good.

Bacardi Commercial

What?! Unbelievable! Come on, Pssshhhh.
What?! Unbelievable! Come on, pssshhh.
What?! Unbelievable! Come on, Pssshhhh.
What?! Unbelievable! Come on, Pssshhhh.
What?! Unbelievable! Come on, Pssshhhh.
What?! Unbelievable! Come on, Pssshhhh.

Bangali

Did I tell you that Hasnain & I finally made a decision, I'll be heading out to the Caribbean for a year and a half for Medical School. Yup, I'm going. I'm heading out end of April, and am as excited a bunny. Those little furry suckers have a lot of energy under their fur.

Since I'll be gone for about a year and a half, and since Hasnain probably won't be in Atlanta for very much longer, this means I have to say my good-byes to EVERYONE here. SO, we decided to do all the things we said we'd do, but haven't done yet, now. We have four weekends, and everyone one of them is going to be packed with adventure. Okay, maybe not adventure, but loads of people.

So, we decided to invite some people over for dinner yesterday.

1-One couple is our very next door neighbor, who are Bangladeshi, whom we've barely spoken to except if we both happen to be entering/exiting our vehicles at the exact same time, nice, fun people. The husband is a CS PhD student at Tech, just like Hasnain, but for a different Prof.

2-Our other neighbor who lives one floor above and two doors to the left of us, is a lebanise physician doing his residency in ATL, cool guy. He handed us front row basketball tickets once for a game that had started 5 minutes ago, and we took it. The game was lame, unfortunately the Hawks suck, but it was a cool experience sitting behind the sports casters, and the coach and teammates. Having their sweat splash on you.

3- A Pakistani friend and his mom, since we'd never invited her, we thought what the hell, why not. This did add some pressure, she is an Aunty afterall, but she's was cool.

4-Hasnain's labmate, her husband and 2.5 year old child, Anova, too Cute! They're bangladeshi as well, and happen to be friends of our next door bangladeshi neighbors.

The night before I did nothing except lounge around, pick up the chicken breast, and confirm what it was I was going to be cooking, so that meant indulging in Rachel Ray's cook book!..Foodnetwork.

I had actually written this a long long time ago (2 weeks ago) and I already forgot what the point of it was, but it was a fun night, where we got to meet some really down to earth, funny bangladeshis..

Oh and, you pronounce the language as Bangali, like bun-gaal-i, not ben-gaal-i.

English mein kehthe hain ke I love you,
Gujrati mein kehte hain, mein tamne prem karu choon,
Bangali mein kehte hain, ami tamalo bhalo bashi,
aur punjabi mein kehte hain, teri to, mein tere marjavan, something someting something .. teri.

Yes, and we did some singing of course. Food was good. Company was great. And overall the night was a success.

Thanks nazrul maqam, you is the best.

Autism Speaks

Support me in the Walk for Autism.

I recently accepted the challenge of walking in the Walk for Autism fund-raising event. The Walk will benefit individuals affected by autism through funding programs and services of the Marcus Institute and Autism Speaks.

I am asking you to help by supporting my fund raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference. Together we can make a difference in the lives of individuals and their families affected by autism. It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below. More information on Autism Speaks, its programs and autism in general can be found at their website: www.autismspeaks.org. To learn more about how the Marcus Institute aids individuals and families with disabilities, visit www.marcus.org.


Any amount, great or small, helps. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks!
Lulua


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Sorry Can't Make It, Carry On Without Me.

For a person who was able to make it to mostly everyone's special occasions, ironically, I'm now going to not be able to make it to some of the more important and closest of family events:
In chronological order:

My in-laws visit to Amreeca.
My brother's daughter's 1st B-day party.
My husband's brother's son's graduation party.
My husband's graduation (IA).
AND
Our move to where-ever my husband gets a job.

These are events regarding people who are all with less than 0ne degree of separation from me and/or Hasnain. Literally. Hasnain's mom & dad. My brother. Hasnain's brother. Hasnain!!

On a positive note, at least I'm not missing out on any weddings.

It's alive!

2.5 years ago, we received a wall clock as a wedding present. This wall clock, isn't just any old wall clock, it's an ATOMIC clock; that is, the clock hanging above our TV receives a signal from the National Atomic Clock in Fort Collins, Colorado. Now, the beautiful aspect of this clock is that on days when there is a time change due to day light savings time, the clock changes time on it's own. That's right, when we wake up and check our side table time, it's one hour behind the "atomic clock" time. So, we know, something special happened today.

The weird thing is throughout the day, the clock resets to the previous (now incorrect time) throwing you completely off! And it does it all on it's own. This is an analog clock, so the hands literally start spinning clockwise (on it's own.) When the apartment is quiet, and you all of a sudden hear a vibrating noise, you follow the sound with your ear, and see that the clock is ALIVE!

Anyway, it'll happen one more time tonight, while it resets to the proper as based on the signal received from Colorado.

The first time we had friends over, we had to take the batteries out and have it reset in front of them for them to believe that the clock hands start rotating on their own. That was a funny scene. We should have video taped it. We're crazy-weird like that.

Decisions

I cannot think of a time, where I had to make a decision on my own. I mean, I think I've always just followed everyone's advice, and just gone with the flow. I've never really had to go against the grain.

I know a few people who have, and I have MAD respect for them. It's hard. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I quince at the thought of ever having to do it. But sometimes, it's necessary, as I've seen in some close ones. And not only do I have them on a pedestal, they're standing on it, with head high facing their loved ones as if they've conquered the world!

I kind of believe that. Once you've conquered the domains of yourself, what else is left to fear? Like Delphi said, "Know thyself."

Fog of Anxiety

Time closes in.
School rolls in.
A fog of anxiety casts a shadow.

I'm traveling to an exotic country, beginning an arduous adventure, my belly is fluttering with butterflies, and I can't calm my nerves. Right now, I'm positioned on the couch watching my breathing in a serene condition and yet, inside, processes are churning through tumultuous pathways. I'm excited. Scared. Hopeful. In Wonderment. What will our lives lead to next? Can I be successful at this? Will I be successful?

Sit down. Buckle up. And put your hands in the air and scream. Wide-eyed, jaw-dropping enthusiasm! Here we go. We're going to be in for a ride.

It's a good feeling to have someone be there with you throughout all this, that is, if I go.

Evolving Aspiration

So there is a slight possibility that I might be going back to school. It's been a "lifelong dream" that keeps evolving then returning to it's natural state every now and again, that is, to become a doctor.

It's funny, when I was single, I told my mom that she didn't have to worry about having to find me a guy, that's I would find him on my own, and basically indicated that it'd be a "love" marriage (in the colloquial manner we use it.) But, right after that conversation, as my cousin and I stayed up all night discussing our roles in life after we each had found our mystery men: younger bhabis, older bhabis, only bahus of the household, living with/without our parents, location, status, occupation, I ended up telling K. nonchalantly, that although I'm saying I'm going to find him on my own, I'd probably end up following the "match-made" path, through a type of arrange marriage. And guess what ended up happening? just that, an arrange marriage.

The same applies to my career aspirations. All my life, from before I can even remember, I've wanted to become a doctor, and as I've grown, and as I've molded into different roles in life, my aspirations have change. I no longer aspire to become a doctor, even though I may be leaving to attend Med school.

Instead, some of the things I wish for everyday is being a good wife, a good mother, and raising a good, healthy, and decent family.

I once had a deep conversation with E. about fears. My immediate response was that I feared raising children. No, I'm not pregnant; no, we're not planning in the super near future; but, at some point in time, when we do begin raising our children, I hope we do it right. I hope in the end, we make right decisions, that lead to helping our kids rather than hurting them in their future. By helping, I don't mean spoiling, in contrast, I mean teaching them to make roti, rather than buying the Malaysia Paratha packets for them (variation of the feed for a day/ feed for a life--rather than catch fish for them, teach how to fish.)

So, sometimes this dream of treating a portion of the pediatric population gets wiped off the slate and substituted by raising a portion of the pediatric population. I know the two are not mutually exclusive. Both are possible. My siblings and I are living proof. Even in dire conditions, with one guardian, it's possible. How can it not, with such a considerate and honorable partner like mine? Sometimes my thinking of him encourages me to try for the latter dream than the former. But, he makes me feel like it is possible to have an all-encompassing career and be a good parent and partner.

partners r parents. That's interesting.

AutoPilot

So, I recently drove to work without actually consciously driving to work. I mean, I got in the car, and I really don't know what I was thinking about, and I don't remember making conscious decisions to turn here or there or to take this exit or that. I was on auto pilot. Is that possible? How can I not be wary of neighboring drivers? It was raining today, how could I not have noticed the rain, and have a heightened sense of awareness? I somehow knew it was raining. I had a waterproof jacket on and an umbrella in my hand. But how is it that 25 minutes could have passed completely undetected by my conscience radar?

I wonder if some people go through their lives on auto pilot? Like Adam Sandler's character did in Click? Do you think our mental state could be that disconnected from our physical presence? I guess that may be the point of 'daydreaming'. But the most known cases of daydreaming occur when the body is in an almost immobile state (e.g. sitting in class staring at the white board, lying in bed staring up at the ceiling, etc.) but not when you're actually performing multiple behaviors.

Maybe it is possible. Some can listen to music and study at the same time. Some can drive and talk on the phone (maybe not safely, but still without accident), and some can drive home and end up in a Walmart parking lot unphased, undisturbed, and completely at a loss as to what they came there for. I do know some people who have difficulty drinking a soda and walking, so maybe it's not the end of the world.

But, it's like putting the cereal box in the fridge and the milk gallon in the pantry, or throwing away the candy and putting the wrapper in your mouth. We perform these set of behaviors until they become automatic, and then we need someone to just put a quarter in us, and our contraption gets that jolt, and follows through until completion, unless prematurely interrupted. No I'm not referring to intercourse here, people! I'm referring to the ability for us to LEARN. Our neurons become stronger and stronger the more automatic sets of connections (or behaviors, or sequences) become. In essence, we're driven to become automatic.

Imagine if we had to re-learn the alphabet every time we wanted to write something. That would be nearly impossible. We had to automatize the alphabet, ingrain them in ourselves so that we may improve ourselves further. Is that how we reach enlightenment then? By automatizing our material world to a point where we are completely unphased by any occurrence, and only are aware of novel experiences in the spiritual or enlightened realm?

Does any of this make sense, or is it all humbug?

WAM

Are you a Woman?
And
Are you American?
And
Are you Muslim?

Then you know what it's like to be a WAM, (Woman who is an American Muslim) bam thank ya ma'am.

You have got to check out the entry on A Call For Essays on ZP's Blog.

They're looking for anecdotes from an American Muslim Woman's perspective & life.

We've all been touched by someone we know who is an American Muslim Woman.
If you know someone who is an American Muslim Woman... pass on the info, please. And you can help reach the goal of creating a book dedicated solely for the purpose of enlightening those who don't do crap, and still call themselves muslim. Just kidding.

No seriously though, pass this link on.

I'm just a medium for spreading the word. There, I command you, word, Spread. Spread, like you ain't never spread before!

Chick Flick Club

At work, I'm a Behavior Data Specialist. So, as a result of being at the bottom of the heirarchy, we are also given little chores to complete on the unit every week. Mine for the past two months was "shredding paper." Great. So, anyway, one of my co-workers filled me in on a little secret about these secret locked boxes, that are picked up once every month by a "shredding company." Yay. So, I reduced all my work to just picking up paper and dumping it somewhere else. Classic. Well, there are three floors to this building, and each floor has a little box. Now, I can't overload one box, the closest one to my office out of sheer laziness. I have to at least be considerate of the people who actually Need that box (plus, Beth told me to not fill up the box with the papers that I should be shredding myself, damn!) So, I slide a few through the cracks here and there and some upstairs in the Medical Records room too!

This entry mainly deals with the Med Recs Room's employee. I forgot her name. I'll call her Bob for now. So, Ms. Bob happened to be having a conversation with some other lady, Bill, about her favorite movies. And guess what, they all happened to be MY favorite movies too! hahaha. I started cracking up because I had no idea that anyone loved chick flicks the way I did. Woah. So we ended up having about an half hour conversation about chick flick movies and I told her about French Kiss, and While you were Sleeping, and First Knight, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and all the rest. Man, she was on her way to Chick Flick Heaven when I started to describe them to her. Anyway, she trusted my judgement so much that she said she was going to go straight to the store to purchase the movies. And two weeks later, when I went in for my weekly (getting rid of the paper I'm supposed to shred myself ) duties, and Ms. Bob said she couldn't get enough of them. Vondervul.

I think we might start up a Chick Flick Club. Who wants in? I call President.

Yard Sale

I haven't blogged in quite a while, and honestly, I just didn't have much to say. Or maybe I did, but just didn't want to put in the effort. Anyway, I'm beginning to feel like my old self again, and I thought, I'd start off this wonderful blogging experience again with a little account about our recent outing.

Oh, yes, before I begin, I realized when I was down and out of the blogging scene that I hadn't been blogging about personal stuff. I was always humorous and specific about things in my life that I really didn't mind people knowing about me. But I guess, I am much more conscious than I thought (that means it's a ridiculous quantity of self-consciousness floating in the air...) and I think it's about time, I spread it out and let you all see a piece of me that you may not be aware of.

I am generally not a very confrontational person (reminds me of the dinosaur in Toy Story!), so I'm mostly always in the middle on issues, especially because I usually don't have all the information about issues to be able to debate. I should have taken Debate class in HS. I suggest all students to major in English (or at least minor in it) and definitely take Debate in HS. It'll do you wonders no matter what field you go into. Being able to persuade people and defend your arguments in any environment where you have to deal with people is always a good thing!

Anyway, yes, finally
--Yard Sale--

I was sick again, this past weekend. I started feeling fatigued Friday afternoon after lunch, and realized exclaiming, "Oh, Erik you're so smart; Good job, Erik; Excellent workin'; Wonderful, Erik" was getting really tiring working with kids who were learning to respond appropriately to touching their cheeks, nose, the glue on the table, their own picture on the wall; autistic kids with language and learning disabilities. So, I took it easy, and gave him a lot more Spongebob than necessary. Good thing, Erik is a restless kid; it made for a good pretense to take him for a wagon ride every 5 minutes around the Marcus Institute unit.

Anyway, went home, called out sick on my evening meeting with our jamaat visitor from FL who had come especially to train the madrasah teachers on providing a positive and reinforcing environment for the children, and jumped into bed by 6pm, and was out until 8.30 am. Wow, crossed over into the next day. Had to call out the next day as well. But as I inhaled a few Ibuprofens (thank you CVS), I was feeling a little better, but still a little light headed and drinking tons of watered down OJ (home made flavored water--plus we were running out of OJ--making it easy for my hujband); I was evidently cleansing out my system.

By 12.30pm, I checked out Craiglist for fun, and found out that there were some Yard Sales going on. Yay. It had been ages since I had last yard saled. Or better yet, ever yard saled. The last time I went, I was about 18 years old and went with my mom's ex-co-office inhabitant's secretary, Laurie. She was so fun, cute, and peppy. Tons of fun. So, she's the one who taught me to yard sale.

Yard sailing (?) is an elaborate scheme. There's tons of planning that is involved. First, you have to figure out where the yard sales are occurring and when. Then you have to create a map, with a beginning and end, linking all the locations together.

Anyway, thanks to google maps, that was a breeze. They have this really cool feature that allows you to not only add on destinations, but to move them around in different orders, too. It's crazy cool.

So, I found a few within proximity, okay, not really, but hey with a driver, it ain't so bad.

This yard Saling trip was actually really cool for Hasnain too! The coolest thing by far, I think we both experienced was getting to go through all the cool neighborhoods and backstreets (+ without getting lost!) All these years (me = 3, Hasnain = 8), we had primarily stuck to the interstate. Going the back route is such a new thing for us, it's so much fun just taking the normal routes. We love checking out old neighborhoods, and just cruising pass houses that look either like mansions or like trailers IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD. It's astonishing.

Anyway, We had tons of fun, and got some cool gadgets, and useful stuff. Hasnain picked up some ancient Lego set, and I picked up the game Pente that they played in "A Beautiful Mind" I always thought it was like Othello, but I guess a little different. It's addicting. Besides 1000 piece Puzzles and books, yard saling is mighty fun.

Anyway, this entry didn't turn out how I wanted it to, b/c I ended up finishing this on a different day than I started it, so there was a bit of a different flavor running through me. But, I'll come back.


oooh, that reminds me, if you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be?
I think I'd be ..... hmm. I think I'd be Chocolate Chip. Generally just a plain vanilla, but every once in a while, I have a few surprises, that always stick out.

Be creative, you make one up, too!

Luluwa Tribe

Any resemblance?


Who would have thought, that performing a Google image search on your name would bring up this? Luluwa Mask. Sheez.

I didn't know that I was that influential that there'd be a Tribe named after me.

Men/Women & Aging

Why is it that when men age, they get sexier, and seem "wiser;" whereas women just turn into that "old hag?"

Police Academy

Oh my God. Police Academy is coming on Comedy Central today! Even 10-15 years later (if it's been that many years), it's still Hilarious! There's just way too many great characters in this series.
The black guy with the voice over.
The white guy with the cracking voice.
The The nerdy PE assistant.
The Captain Harris loser.
COP: Collection of Piss Ants.
The gold fish.
The Black girl with the high pitch munchkin voice.
The Gym teacher with the red jump suit, and
Mahoney, Hightower,

David Spade was in Police Academy?

This is all I've discovered in just 15 minutes of watching the movie. I need to watch this movie with other Police Academy aficionados.

Dependency

So, I've realized after having been married for 2 years now, that I'm dependent on my husband. The weird thing is this dependency is not the type that is easily recognizable. I have some friends, who are in the general sense dependent, where they can't do certain things because they need their husbands to do it for them. To them it's not a problem because it doesn't matter whether they do it or their husband does it for them. At least not until they want to do it and the husband doesn't have time, or doesn't want to do it himself. Then the wife, feels like damn, I wish I knew how to do it, and felt confident enough to do it herself.

The kind of dependency I have on my husband comes from a lack of desire to do something. Let's get a little more specific. Cooking. Yes, sometimes I enjoy cooking. But most of the time, I'm a cooker, so we have something to eat when we get home from work. But mostly, this cooking behavior initially stemmed from the need to provide nourishment for my husband. He's a home-meal kinda guy.

When he was away for a few months for work, I was living alone, and I became the laziest, most non-healthy, not taking care of myself person in the world (well, probably not that bad.)Anyway, I stopped cooking, and was living off McDs, friend's dinner, and cereal. Ah, cereal. Who knew cereal could last for breakfast & dinner, and the snacks in between. If only I wasn't lactose intolerant! Argh.

Anyway, what I noticed was that I stopped taking care of myself. Essentially, I'm dependent on Hasnain because when I'm taking care of him, I indirectly take care of myself too. I guess, my motivation for the day to day routines were for the wrong reasons. I shouldn't clean just because Hasnain begins to nag at me to do the laundry (even though the countdown of underwear is the limiting factor), or I shouldn't cook just because Hasnain desires green chatni chicken, I should perform my duties for a more sublime reason, so Hasnain can brag about what an awesome wife I am. Yeah, I like that.

Are you really neat, because you are a neat freak? Or are there other forces at work?

Mood Jam

Yoko put up a link on her blog that one of her friends at CMU created, called MoodJam. You basically use colors, and combinations of stripes of colors to indicate what mood you're in. It's pretty cool.

You can find out what mood I'm in by clicking on the link called "My Mood" in the Must See! section of my blog. Or click on My Mood . Check it out!

-Lulua

Commercials II

I was watching a commercial today (duh, inevitable when you lounge in front of the TV) of a Toyota ad in which the dad & son are sitting in the two front seats. The father is advising the son on the how to-s of the new car, and the son is constantly being amazed by the new features that the car has. Then the father gets irritated and finally blurts out, "It's not like you just press a magic button and you're off." haha. The son, takes a look at the location of the ignition, and finds a Button (Press to start engine). And the father kicks his kid out of the car. hahah. Too funny.

Anyway, so, as I tried to search for that particular commercial, I find these. Check them out if you have time. Some of them don't have any volume, but you get the idea. Pretty creative. That's what I enjoy about the commercials. Not that they brain wash me, even though, I now am "okay" with eating McDonalds, I believe all because of the commercials focusing their attention not on kids, but on young adults, and making McD's fun & cool, but that's besides the point. I enjoy the creativity, not the deception.

http://www.pronetadvertising.com/articles/creative-commercials-that-youll-never-forget.html

80s & 90s After School TV

One of my friends had written an excerpt from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song as her status note, and I had to complete the Entire song on her wall. You can't just say a line from that song, and leave it at that.

If at any point in time a line from that song is said aloud, the ensuing lines must be completed for personal satisfaction. As I was writing the rest of the song:

I was chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool

shooting some b-ball outside of the school,
when a couple of guys who were up to no good,
starting making trouble in my neighborhood.
i got in one little fight,
my mom got scared,
She said you're moving with your aunty and uncle in bel air.
I whistled for a cab, and when it came near, the license plate said fresh,
and in a dice in a mere,
If I didn't know anything?
I thought this cab was weird ?
I said forget yo home the bel air.

I pulled up to the house around 7 or 8 and
I yelled to the cabbie yo homie smell you later,
looked my kingdom I was finally there,
to sit on my throne as the prince of bel air.
(then you have to do the little foot slide thing as you act out the song, too!)

I probably don't have all the words right, as usual (probably in more places than just the ?ed lines) but oh well, everyone knows the jist of the song..

I remember coming home by 3.45 racing & fighting my sister for the remote, then once the remote was clearly in someone's possession we'd go to the kitchen to whip up some snack (usually Honey nut cheerios) and then both watch the channel we would have used the remote we were fighting for to watch:
the last half of Saved by the Bell (2 episodes back to back)
Fresh Prince--Geoffrey!!!,
Family Matters-GO HOME STEVE,
Full House- That's Rude,
Darkwing duck
Talespin
The Animaniacs
Looney Tunes
I dont' think we really got hooked on Captain Planet until we went to Pakistan and found all our cousins singing the theme song all the time.

Bobby's World - Weekdays 7.30am
Eureka's Castle - Sat Morning, 10am-... Remember dungeon brothers..or something, they had a band, I think.
NICK AT NIGHT
Are you Afraid of the Dark? Those were group events!!
Salute your shorts,
Rugrats - Oh, I don't know Tommy,
Ren & Stimpy - Happy happy, Joy Joy,
Rocky & Bullwinkle,
Rocko's Modern World -Dirty,
The Elephant Show - One fine day the elephant came out to play...,
Dragnet (with dad) - Doors doors galore,
Double Dare - Green Slime,
My Two Dads - the big twisty staircase,
Punky Brewster - ,
Boy Meets World,
Sister Sister,
Clarissa Explains it All - She knew everything, and if she didn't she figured it out,
Roseanne ,
Silk Stalkings -multi colored sports jackets,
90210 - Dillan!!!,
Party of Five,
Blossom - Woah,
Dinosaurs-Baby in the high chair,
Cheers- Where everyone knows Your name,
UnderDog-The super hero DOG
Different Strokes-Whatchyu talkin bout Willis,
Designing Women,
Facts of Life,
Family Ties,
Growing Pains- Kirk,
The Jeffersons,
Night Court,
Who's the Boss,
Alf,
Doogie Howser, MD,
Garfield,
Knight Rider,
MacGuyver,
Married with Children,
Mork & Mindy,
Quantum Leap,
Smurfs,
The Jetsons,
Small Wonder,
Out of this World,
In Living Color --Homey don't play that!


For a comprehensive list of 90s TV shows: http://www.rateitall.com/t-16-90s-tv-shows.aspx?age=&zipcode=&gender=&sort=0&pagenum=7

For a comprehensive List of 80s Tv Shows:
http://www.driko.org/80stv.html



What were some of your favorites??

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.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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!

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.

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

What good have you done, lately?

Mar's blog "Just be Nice" inspired to me to inquire after the altruistic audience. I know normally it isn't appropriate to go around blabbing to the world the good, sincere, and altruistic acts you have performed in the past, present. or even planned for the future. But, I'm curious. I might, and others as well, might learn from your entry of things we can do, too, to help others.

These acts can be something as small and seemingly insignificant as asking someone if they needed a ride, to actually giving your lunch to a man in an overcoat during the hot summer who was holding a trashbag of aluminum cans.

Here's what I did this past week: I prevented a kid in my research lab from taking a horrible horrible class with a horrible horrible teacher. Yes, success. One life, not ruined next semester.

You can (but don't have to) totally be anonymous here, so please contribute:

What good have you done lately?

Can I keep it?

Ooh, I love it. I sometimes get into these crazy artsy fartsy moods, and go all out on these "projects," half of which I finish 6 months to some years later. I still haven't finished a Masallo I started about 2 years ago.

Anyway, Yoko & I got charged up to do some sewing projects. I really wanted a cover for my sofa, so I thought, Baby steps; let's start small, like with a pillow cover or something. We dropped in on a store, and figured we'd make something for a friend, for fun. We ended up splitting the cost for 2 different patterns. One for pillows (that go on chairs) and one for hand bags. I took the latter home, and she the former. Six to seven months later, I finally finished the project, while Yoko's out at CMU making new friends, I'm getting to know my sewing machine better and paypal, need I say more, is my Buddy. I've been buying threads (embroidery & regular) off ebay like crazy.

Anyway, after I finished the hand bag, or, when I noticed I might actually be able to finish this sucker before I lose interest again, I thought to myself (and said aloud to Hasnain), "Can I keep it?" I know, I know, I intended the hand bag, purse, duffle purse, as I like to call it, for Emily, or M for short, really short. She's a crazy fun friend from Cali. But, I fell in love with my own flawed, thread-hanging, duffle purse. Ugh! I want it!

Some may say, "Well, if you like it that much, make another one." Yeah, right! Like that's going to happen. I've always been able to do things ONCE in a spectacular way. Every time I try to replicate something that I've done well, it's always been less than nice. People may expect it, I even do, but whatever it is, from a calendar collage, to a wedding album, to a scrapbook, to a masallo w/sujni, once & that's it. Anyway, I think I might make a pillow out of that combination of colors though. I think that would be fun for college bound kids. Yay, B-day present.

I guess my question is, when you walk out of the mall with the perfect gift, and you think for a split second, Wow, that would look great on my side table, hmmm. Can you, are you allowed to modify your niyyat? your intention? Isn't that contrary to the meaning of intention? Your primary purpose for whatever action you are going to perform (or performed)?

Not to worry, the duffle purse is already in a manila envelope on it's way over to the Golden State. Ain't that Peachy? (If you didn't already know, Georgia is the Peach State).

Next time you pick up or plan to give someone something, make clear in writing what your intentions are. I'm telling you, for people with a "not so strong" will-power, it's for the best!

(Marya, I know you'll have some comment about me giving you stuff that I ended up keeping, yes yes, I can name a few... no need to elaborate. You know what, go ahead, elaborate, "swim in it, until your fingers get all pruny"--French Kiss, hahaha)

Ebay addict

Ebay-ing is such an addicting act. I didn't notice the time fly by, but the moment you realize you need something that you're willing to buy or could possibly be found on Ebay, the whole day passes you by without even a stretch of the leg. Okay, well maybe a couple stretches; how else are you going to sit for hours on end staring at a computer screen comparing prices and shipping costs all day?

The problem with Ebaying is that once you've located the item you wish to purchase or bid on, your mind automatically starts wondering what else in the house you may need. Does your husband, child, mother, brother need anything? It's a one stop shop...ing spree more like it. Anyway, from selling to buying, and buying to more buying. It's like walking through an arcade room to get to the coke machine. You have to drop a few quarters here and there and play a few games in the process. (I would have used a casino example, but "we don't do that." Right. )

Again, just like the arcades, you go in knowing you're going to spend a certain amount. You have to log on to Ebay the exact same way: with a pre-determined amount that you are willing to spend, and just let it rip.

You know you're going crazy with Ebay when you enlist in the "Help" function. Oh, no, you don't want to go there. Paypal is now officially your Buddy. Get out while you can, or make sure you have a Designated (Sober) buyer who is able to turn the sirens on when you're getting out of control; who can take you into the other room, and give you a bowl of ice-cream with hershey's chocolate syrup on top to get your mind off the minute to minute closing deals and last minute bids on Ebay.

Shy girl turns spotlight lover

Who would have thought, the girl who hid behind her father's leg when she was 5 would turn out to be an attention seeker, and lover of the limelight. My sister and brother, and of course mother have always been one of those people who handle the center stage really well. They tell stories really well. They initiate the conversations, and they are definitely the lives of the parties (Unless Taha or Luby's in the room.)

But, me, I was the quiet one. Or at least I thought. I was probably about 14 when I "came out." Yes, I began to take the initiative, I began to shine. I began to take on the limelight. It was around the time Marya left for Jamea, and I was left to take on "her" duty of being the life. haha. Or something.

It could be that I always was an attention seeker from a very young age. Like my little cousin, Buruj, when she was 3 years old, she would walk out of the bedroom after having taken a shower and getting dressed and she would purposely stand outside the door, waiting for compliments on her hair, her dress, her smile, her stockings. This picture is her at age 5. We told her to jump on the couch and pretend to be Cleopatra. I didn't even think she knew who Cleopatra was, and she gave a perfect picture pose. Buruj has a lot of characteristics that are taken straight from my genes. So, the more I think about it, the more I believe that I have always been an attention seeker.

The most famous or infamous of my lines is "I feel neglected." A common quote I use when with my siblings. I think I just go on talking not realizing what/when the appropriate time to speak would be. The use of that sentence, I guess, is evidence for my needy attention requirements. I came up with a new line based on the RESPECT song by Otis Redding, "N-E-G-L-E-C-T, Find out what it means to me, N-E-G-L-E-C-T! Sock it to me, sock it to me" (or something like that) Usually these tactics don't work either. They just muster a laugh or two, and then everyone's back to their normal game.

The point of this blog:

Anyway, I recently spent time with two different groups and felt like I had more fun with one group than the other (in retrospect.) I thought to myself, why? And then I realized it.

The group with whom I supposedly felt I had less fun with was a group in which I was treated as an equal to all the others in the group, as friends. No one more special than the next. Still fun, and good to hang out with, but I wasn't seen as special.

The group with whom I supposedly felt I had incredible fun with was a group in which I was treated incredibly special. I was the in limelight, the center of attention. I was the one initiating the jokes, I was the one people came to to joke around with. It was non-stop laughter. Maybe I was a novelty for them, and so they enjoyed it even more. Maybe, they were to me. I don't know, but it was a blast.

I know this sounds ridiculous, that the more special I feel, the more I enjoy the event. Is that just down right, flattery? Does this mean, I'm incredibly influenced by flattery? I've always liked "ta'areef," but never thought I let it go to my head. But, here, I noticed a distinct difference in my behavior and perspective when I was and was not being flattered. I guess the fact that people wanted to hang out with me was a point of flattery too. That we were all having soo much fun, that I took that as a compliment of my own doing (for some odd [more like retarded] reason.)

My whole point to this is, if you'd like me to have fun when I'm with you, flatter me. And you'll have me thinking you're the best!


*Find the lyrics to Otis Redding's Respect song @
http://lyrics.rare-lyrics.com/O/Otis-Redding/Respect.html
*ta'areef = compliment

Dehydrating Movies

Have you guys ever gone to a movie, and cried so much, you felt a little dehydrated while exiting? Walking DOWN stairs begins to be an exhausting bout of exercise? And then when you've reached the bottom of the movie theater complex, you realize, damn, I need to go to the restroom?

Well, if you were paying attention, you would see that you have lost quite a lot of water throughout those THREE hours you were sitting on your bum wiping your nose on your sleeve, or palm, and waiting for it to dry off in between the comic relief.

I guess this could be generalized to all chick flicks, but more so to Hindi Filums. If you want to go see Kabhi Al Vida Naa Kehna, then take a box of tissues with you. No, actually, a towel would be better. Man, beginning to end. Shirin Bhabi & I were passing a pocket tissue packet back and forth throughout the whole movie, while my husband kept on patronizing me, requesting I try to turn the water-fountain off for a change--Sorry sweety, too late, pipes are busted.

When we walked out, I seriously thought my clothes were a little damp, and Hasnain offered to put them in the dryer when we got home, haha. I lost so much water (especially after the realized, "damn, I need to use the restroom" part, that I really had to get some fluids in me.

Pass me some Gatorade, please.