Feelin' Better :)

There is a light at the end of the tunnel

I damn near hit rock bottom waiting for the train at Suburban station last night. DAMN NEAR LOST IT! Shakes, headache, chills, flashes of light, and the overrall head-spinning feeling making me almost throw-up my horseradish & herb bread crumb crust w/ cilantro & lime sauce tilapia.

Dinner was excellent last night with my Director from work and my cubby buddy. We went to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Rittenhouse Square. Its this really cozy place with really good food (call ahead cuz it gets packed!).

I came home at 8p and tried to relax and keep myself from climbing my walls. You know what I did? I looked through my high school yearbooks. Yes, in my lack-of-caffeine induced dimentia I was ridin' a huge wave of nostalgia. (narley? not quite)

I feel really really superific today, Alhamdulillah! I woke up bright and early, did my treadmill thing, and got the early train to work. Its nice outside, not too cold. Pa called me up this morning to chat. Here's how that went:

Pa: PUTRI! (term of endearment meaning dear daughter) I think your phone is not for making calls, but for receiving only. You never use it to call.
(its early, mind you but im in a good mood)
Me: Its actually for show. I neither call nor answer.
Pa: (laughs)
Me: How are you Pa?
Pa: Good, beta. (another term of endearment -- I wonder if he knows my real name) I have a joke to tell you.

Now my father is extremely funny -- he can make fun of you to your face and you will rolling on the floor, clutching your sides, from laughing so hard... at yourself. So I wait in anticipation of a joke that will make me pee in my pants.

Pa: Remind me to tell you when I see you.

Whaat? No joke? Or is that the joke? He does this on purpose because he's setting it up for me to come home and visit....soon because my curiosity will drive me insane.

I really DO need to go home though. I have laundry that is so old that it is now vintage goods. I could not for the life of me find my trouser socks this morning -- and I bought 6 new pairs over the weekend, I cant remeber where I put the bag. So I am wearing ankle-cut GYM socks with my loafers and trousers today. It was really sad sitting on the train and trying to hide the white that wanted to peak through. Not to mention the draft Im feeling because the socks are the really really low cut barely there brand.

So Im doing well today. No sign of a headache. No fear. I think I'll be okay afterall.

:P

How Well Do You Know Me? - Quiz

take the quiz and we shall see...
http://www02.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=070227204703-198245&

Either I read like an open book or my friends are just really into me cuz they're getting high scores. And these arent easy questions either!

No Caffeine - Day 2

"Sometimes it's like someone took a knife baby
Edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley
Through the middle of my skull
At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet
And a freight train running through the
Middle of my head" - I'm on Fire, Bruce Springsteen

If I didnt know any better I'd swear he wrote that song about caffeine withdrawal. Yesterday, DAY 1, during the day went well. My headache started at 5pm on my train ride home. It started soft and dull and then by 7p it was like firecrackers were going off in my head. I went to sleep at 10p. I havent gone to sleep at 10p since the fourth grade. I woke up, exercised (I figured the release of energy would ATLEAST stop the voices -- jk), ate breakfast and I STILL had my headache.

I have decaffeineated coffee (how it got into my cart is a different story -- see.. there was this super hot guy in the coffee aisle and I had spent way too much time pretending to read the label of the CoffeeMate creamers, so I had to make a move, either away from or towards him. I wanted to say something but couldnt think of anything to say except, "Excuse me, could you grab me the DECAF coffee at the top of the shelf?" WHAT?? You woulda done it too..."HIND-SIGHT" it wasnt such a bad idea!) so I brewed myself a cup. It is 97.999% caffeine-free, so I figured it would be enough to take the edge off.

NOPE.

You guys this SUCKS. Im going out of my mind. SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP. MAKE IT STOP! Im actually on the web searching for others in my same predicament as me. http://coffeefaq.com/site/node/11

If you are SERIOUSLY opposed to swear words and the like I suggest you stop reading here because Im losing my grip and Im so not apologizing for it. You should leave now. Go google about flowers or dirt or something. (Did I mention Im PMSing, too?)

Tonight my cubby-buddy and I are taking the Director of Cytology out for dinner. (Laur: I'd like my wine in a BIG GULP please!) We're going to a nice restaurant, famous for good food and good dessert. Chocolate has caffeine in it right??!! MOTHER-F***!

Anyway, my headache seems to be subsiding. Blogging is therapeutic! And I got through this post with only one curse word.

:P

A Puzzled Morning

I messed up my Sudoku puzzle this morning on the train. That NEVER happens to me. I messed up so bad I couldnt even fix it. I couldnt even start over because I did the puzzle in ink and I didnt have white-out. I never have white-out because I never make mistakes... the kind you can erase anyway.

I hate being caught on the train with nothing to do. Friday night coming back home I left my magazine at my desk. I panicked -- complete with light-headedness and nausea -- so I called everyone in my phonebook hoping to find someone who could spare 15 minutes to chat with me.

My sister was the first I called. The conversation went something like this:

Mimi: hey
Me: OMGILEFTMYMAGAZINEATMYDESKIHAVEABSOLUTELY NOTHINGTODOFORTHENEXTTHIRTYMINUTES! NOBOOKNOMUSICNOTHING!
SARAH HELP MEEEEE!
Mimi: just listen to your iPod (evil laughter ensues)
Me: you suck! Look, the guy sitting next to me is listening to music WHILE reading a book. WTF? He's doing neither one completely!
Mimi: I have to go get mail, so I'll--
ME: NO! SARAH DONT HANG UP! Pleaseeeeeee!
Mimi: ok, I'll call you back--
(the ringtone I have for Sarah wakes the dead in all countries around the world)
Me: No, don't call me back. Just leave the phone on the counter I'll wait.
Mimi: call Pally, he always answers the phone.
("Ask Mikey, Mikey'll eat anything. HE LIKES IT, HE LIKES IT?!")
Me: haha, you're right. Ok, bye.

My rant had attracted an audience. The guy sitting next to me has turned off his music but he still has his headphones on. I know this because before I could hear music blaring and I no longer hear it. Great. I am THAT girl.

iPodlistener: Um, did you want to read my book? I cant really concentrate.
(GEE, I WONDER WHYYYY???)
Me: Oh, no, thats ok, but thank you. (I dont turn down books, but its one Ive read already -- plus he gets off two stops later.)

So I call my Pally and we chat it up until I reach my station.

Sunday's improv class was fun. Well, class is always fun, but in this classtime we learned about putting all the elements we've been learning about together. (you mean there's been a point to all the seemingly pointless drills?) We learned about the Armando, which is a storytelling-style monologue, based on an audience suggestion. After the monologue, players play scenes inspired by the monologue, and the monologue may even continue, later on in the performance.

The past few weeks we've been feeling out different styles and ways of making the obvious seem funny -- thats the basic gist of improv --- life happens and you have to find the funny in it. It doesnt have to be direct either. No, improv isnt scripted, but techniques that we've been learning are helping me feel more confident as a speaker, be more aware of my surrounding and find cues to work from. So we spent all of class going over monologues. Now, this is where you start a story and go on and then from it people find other ideas for their skits and the show goes on. Everyone's stories are real. Everyone's stories are funny. Everyone's stories have elaborate details. I cant think of ANYTHING in my life that is funny.

WRONG.

I can find tons of things in my life that are funny but to find one single story with lots of characters (that arent all in my head -- LOL) that everyone will find funny and be able to formulate their own skit ideas -- on the spur-of-the-moment is hard.

I ended up going last. My word association was 'jewish'. I could think of none other than the one time my friends and I were planning her bachelorette party. Once the girls found out that I'd never been to one before, always been the good girl, never watched pornos.. they got really surprised and whatnot and vowed to change things: they sent me to my sister's friend's house where we were spending the night with a porno flick.

Long story short, we NEVER got to see the movie because we got CAUGHT and I had to make up this RIDICULOUS story of where the movie came from and my BIG LIE went down in HISTORY as the biggest lie ever and the one we all got away with.

It had to be a message from GOD himself because after that it was like never again did we try anything quite so foolish. I'd like to say we never got into any other trouble after that, but then, that would be a lie -- a little white lie.

But there are moments in everyone's life that are only funny after the fact. Improv actors are always ready to jump to the opportunity to take something and run with it. But why not? Why not squeeze laughs out of all of, or atleast as many of life's moments as possible?

HEADLINES

Coffee is not the only part of my morning routine. After screening my morning cases, I like to take a few minutes going over headlines from a variety of different websites, including news, sports and of course Hollywood/Bollywood gossip. Below, a few of the ones that caught my eye:

U.S. soldier gets 100 years for Iraq rape, killings
Sgt. Paul E. Cortez, 24, was sentenced to 100 years in prison Thursday for the gang rape and murder of an Iraqi girl and her family last year. He tearfully entered a plea agreement, pleading guilty to four counts of felony murder, rape and conspiracy to rape in a case considered among the worst atrocities by U.S. military personnel in Iraq. He received a dishonorable discharge and the plea agreement qualifies him for possible parole in 10 years.

He had this to say: "I don't know why. I wish I hadn't. The lives of four innocent people were taken. I want to apologize for all of the pain and suffering I have caused the al-Janabi family."

Psychologist Charles Figley testified that Cortez and the other soldiers likely suffered stress brought on by fatigue and trauma. "It eats you up," Figley said. "It's a horrible thing. This is not unique. We've seen this in other wars."

I've never been on a battlefield during war but I dont think there is a person in this world who hasnt suffered from stress brought on by 'fatigue and trauma'. They just dont resort to rape/physical violence. They go to Krispy Kreme. Thats it: Charles Figley should have suggested THAT.

Obama/Clinton: I dont know what's worse, Clinton crying for Obama to return campaign money, or the fact that Hollywood movie mogul David Geffen only donated $2300. Perhaps it was a typo, I havent found the amount anywhere else, but according to the METRO it was only $2300. Could it all be a publicity stunt, a diversion tactic if you will? A diversion from the fact that Republicans believe Clinton is the easiest candidate to beat.... like ever, for sure ya know.

It will be interesting though to see who the Democratic population is more comfortable with having in office out of the two minority candidates: An African American male, or a Caucasian female (with a penis larger than her husband.) And if by chance Clinton does win...would that make Mr. Clinton firsty lady? :P

Are you tired of hearing about Anna Nicole Smith yet? The issue of custody over her body, and her as well, is finally laid to rest and up pops the next episode: custody battle over her baby girl. Im only more fed up with Britney, but ANS is a close second.

Jesus Works At Walmart

I love half days! Mid-week theyre like a boost of much needed energy. Yesterday I took a half day from work to go to a meeting and then get some errands out of the way. First on my list: Taxes...ugh.

I made an appointment with an H&R Block tax specialist because I knew my taxes were going to be challenging with having to file two separate state forms. Ok, honestly, its not that big of a deal, I just know if you get taxes filed professionally they are usually able to pull out deductions from thin air in order to increase your refund.

First of all, the whole setup was all wrong: I picked the most beautiful weather day in a long while to go sit and have some lady tell me what all Im not worth. I was there for a good 2 hrs and in the end it was not worth my while at all.

The lady ended up struggling to find deductions and her patronizing pleading for me to THINK of ANYTHING was quite painful.

TaxLady: Were you married in 2006?
(Ok, its ok to ask me this in the beginning, "Whats your filing status?", but 3/4 of the way in to ask me again as if I somehow let it slip my mind was absurd!"
Me: Oh, yeah, wait. You know what?
TaxLady: YES?! (You could see dollar signs)
Me: Oh. Nah, no. Almost doesnt count.
(TaxLady is getting annoyed? Isnt that against the rules or is that allowed in PA?)
TaxLady: Oh, hey, ok, were you a victim of a natural disaster?
Me: Theres an itemized deduction for my love life?
(TaxLady laughs...I think.)
TL: Were you a victim of a hurricane?
(Its a shame but she says it in a way that almost makes me sorry for saying no.)

TL: Have you ever been burglarized? Any theft of property????!?!
Me: No, thank God. Thats a good thing, really.
TL: (flatly) Oh....yeah.
(WOMAN WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!!?!)
TL: Did you buy a hybrid car?
Me: You mean you DIDNT hear me pull up? Wait, I pay an arm and a leg for my gas-guzzling car -- its practically a child -- how about I use that as a dependent?
TL: Does it have a social security number?
Me: (Bite me!) FXL-934
TL: Ok, so lets figure all this out and get you ready to get out of here.
(TL has had it with me!)
TL: Oh! You end up owing $1 for your PA state taxes, but anything $1 and under you dont have to worry about.
(She makes it sound like I hit the lotto.)
TL: Ok so in review, again, you arent married, you have no dependents, you dont own land, you have no other investments, you dont own a hybrid, you're not a student, and you're not elligible for any other deductions.
Me: Wow, you know I thought my life was good, really, but thank you for giving me a reason to slit BOTH of my wrists tonight! (regretting ever flushing my oxycontin pills down the toilet.)
TL: Are you sure you're single?
Me: Where do I sign?

The fact that marriage is 50% of our deen is insignificant. I need to get married so I get more than 50% back on my taxes! :P

Afterwards I went to Walmart to schedule an eye exam. The associate enters my last name and says, "That's different. Ive never seen that before." I look down at his name and say, "I've never been helped by Jesus before either!"
Jesus: (laughs and its very obvious he's gay) Yah, but we dont pronounce it like that. (Did I mention he's hispanic?)
Me: Oh right right! Hay-soos, right? Boy I bet you get a lot of interesting comments with that name.
Jesus: Yah, the funniest is when keeds (kids) come into the store and say, "Mommy, look, its Jesus!!"
Me: (unable to control my laughter) ...and they ask you if you know Santa Claus?
Jesus: I know right. This one lady got really angry with me one time.
Me: What, she didnt think Jesus could be brown?
Jesus: It was a Sunday and she had just come back from church or something.
Me: Oh. Wow. Maybe she wasnt mentally prepared to see Jesus twice in one day?
Jesus fixes me up with an early early appointment for Saturday and in closing I say....
Me: I got one last question for you: What would Jesus do?
Jesus: When? Jesus is salaried and works 18 hr days at Walmart.

....nuff said.

Inquiry Ordered In Iraq Rape Claim

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered an investigation yesterday regarding a 20 year old married Sunni woman's claims that she was raped by members of a Shiite-dominated police force.

The 20 year old goes on videotape to recount the horrible acts of violence committed against her on account of her allegedly "cooking for Sunni insurgents".

A neighbor hears of the attack and alerts U.S. soldiers and the woman is released.

Tensions between Sunnis and Shiites are longstanding, but the explosive allegations occur at a time of rising tension between Shiites and Sunnis as the US tries to restore peace to the capital.

The Sunnis claim that the crackdown is targetting their neighborhoods and leaving Shiite militia unaffected. The Shiite-dominated police force is often accused by Sunnis of using excessive force and brutality in arresting and torturing prisoners.

The kicker: Deputy Interior Minister Hussein Ali Kamal dismissed the allegation as unlikely stating, "something like this could not happen because Iraqi forces are operating with U.S. forces at all time." (AP)

Um, yeah, the US soldiers who have been in that area for an ungodly long time, not really knowing why theyre there, are tired and angry but remain on their best behavior at all times and are present 24/7 and would NEVER allow the torture of or partake in heinous acts of violence against women ergo the 20 year old married woman who has nothing to gain from proclaiming she was raped is obviously lying and trying to get media attention and notoriety. Why not just shave her head bald?

What will it take for brothers, fathers, sons, uncles, cousins, husbands to realize they're related to woman everywhere somehow and that the only thing a woman has sacred to her is her honor and once that light is gone she is reduced to nothing? Its not about Sunnis, Shiites, religion, oil, or what have you.

I feel for women suffering all over the world. I am blessed that the women in my life, who mean the most to me are safe. Women are supposed to be protected, not in a dominating way, but in a way where she is respected.

I went to see V-Day Monologues with my co-workers last night. Yes, the pieces are not for the light-hearted. The human interest pieces make you cry, while the witty make me laugh til you cry. This is my second time seeing the show, and I remember being skeptical at first but the message is clear: We are women. We should be proud of who we are, were and will be.

This year the theme was reclaiming peace. There was a segment on the acid throwing trend of rural Punjab which is becoming increasing popular. The one time I was ashamed of my heritage. And of course there is always a piece on female genital mutilation.

Its scary how when you think of war -- you think of men going into battle. But what you dont see is the aftermath and the strength of women being tried when men come back incapable of adjusting in society again. What you dont see is how women have to step up and become bread-winners, go out into the community and form organizations and networks of hope and comfort.

Women are dynamic. Women are strong. Women can adapt. Women can feel sympathy for people who have hurt them and/or their family. Women can forgive.

Women can and do, especially when men cannot and dont.

God forgives all you say on MONDAY (so just SAY it!)

First and foremost, I have an Uncle who is sick in the hospital. Please pray for him so he gets better soon, iA. He's a really sweet Uncle.


OK. Let the ranting and raving begin...


...WHAT.IS.UP.WITH.VERIZON.TOWERS?!?! Im trying to send a picture message this morning and above ground I get no signal and somehow we go underground and I have full bar strength. Crazy.


...Deceptive.Weather. Yesterday, its bright and sunny and SNOWING? The skies eventually turned grey, but it was really weird for a minute.


...My.Answering.Machine/Voicemail. I dont ever check my messages, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?? Some of you are finally getting the hang of me screening though and I must say I LOVE hearing people screaming/begging/pleading/singing? at the top of their lungs for me to pick up the phone. Haha, then they realize its not me, its THEM and they quietly hang up. Im kidding. Really, Im kidding. I pick up most all of the time if I am around. THE EXCEPTION: Friday nights. Friday nights are MY time. Its my watch a movie/facial sauna/do my nails kind of a night. I'd ask God to leave a message after the beep. OK, thats a joke. I'd pick up only for Him. All else...? You should know better! :P


...Sneezing.On.The.Train. Ok eww. Sneezing should be banned in all public places. Fineable offense, punishable by stoning. GROSS. Just dont do it! Some idiot seated in the seat accross the aisle from me sneezed and I was so disgusted I gave him a mean look but screamed at him still. Dont judge me. What I said was, "BLESS YOU..... (DAMMNIT!)" --- I didnt really say the last part... but he gave me this confused look so Im wondering whether or not I did....


...Michaels.Craft.Store. Nothing makes you feel more inadequate than a bunch of senior citizen women with oodles of spools of yarn discussing needle gagues who look at you funny when you pick up a machine that knits. GET OVER IT! I know how to knit, I just dont have three forevers and a day's worth of time to make one friggin scarf. You smile politely and put down the box thinking you'd love to say, "IF I DIDNT WORK, YOU WOULDNT HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK EVERY MONTH!!" but you mumble something like "HA. A machine that knits?? What will they think of next???" instead.


...Sitting.Next.To.My.Coworker.In.The.Next.Cubicle.And.She's.The.One.I.Message.All.Day.Long. Technology is the bastardization of society. Neither here nor there. We're always sending messages back and forth and in a QUIET QUIET office, we'll just all of a sudden start laughing and everyone else will be thinking, "What is going on???". Now they know. ;)


...HOSPITAL.EMPLOYEES.NEVER.HAVE.OFF! Ok, this really bugs me. I remember working for a bank was great because I had banker's hours and every single holiday known to man and made up ones off. As a hospital employee, we're NEVER off except for the major major holidays: Christmas, New Year's, TG. **sigh**


...Have I ranted and raved enough about the project? Yeah, I have. Im over it now. :)


...Why does it seem like Pakistanis make following the religion so much more difficult? Hear me out before you behead me: Take two girls. One Arab, and one Pakistani. (And yes, I realize this is a generalization but shoot me. Its one I have seen time and time again) The Arab girl is dressed in a low cut top with a short skirt and tall boots. The Pakistani girl is fulllly clothed, nikab, jilbab and hijab. The only way you know she's Pakistani is because she smells like masala. Theyre both Muslim. But yet, theres this very apparent difference. I dont know who either is fooling. I know the Arab world is conservative, and I know that Pakistanis can be liberal, too. (Gimme a BREAK, there are nightclubs in Pakistan for God's sake!) I dont know..........someone figure it out and get back to me.


...Ive been typing this and now my coffee is cold. And thats the last thing I shall rant about for today.


OH wait. I must post a picture of the boots I bought over the weekend. I never ever find any good sales, but I found the sweetest deal on these black boots that I needed. $7 steal. :)

The Ribbon That Started it All

The latest ribbon I saw: the prism Gay-pride ribbon.

"Righteous dude! ROCK ON!"

(what WILL they think of next?)

:P hahaha

Don't BOYCOTT your Intelligence!

*yay*

For the longest time, Blogger would not open on my laptop, so I had to write all my entries at work.

Ok --- so it is Friday and the working class everywhere should be rejoicing yet I find it difficult to be happy today. Im upset and it has nothing to do with work, but rather a project that I have been working on for awhile now. The program is the product of two non-profit organizations coming together for a good cause and because I am one of the listed persons to contact, Ive heard (and had) just about enough of desi (un-)punctuality and ignorance (all in the name of Islam of course).

Ive had people accuse me of being an agent working for one (or both) organizations for pay. (HELLO? What part of NON-PROFIT is unclear to everyone?) and the latest complaint: The State Dept is using the group as puppets to act as vehicles of peace when really they're dropping bombs left and right! (RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Ive seen this movie before, havent you?

Whats wrong with the Muslim community? The biggest thing: LACK OF UNITY, followed by IGNORANCE and ARROGANCE, and topped off with sarcasm.

This one project was to send a group of 20-25 people to the Middle East so that they may exchange cultural (NOT POLITICAL) information and for a few minutes learn and experience the beauty of being raised in a Muslim country. We're not being fueled by anyone's agenda, certainly not America's foreign policy. We are people of peace going to another territory in hopes of opening up communication between American Muslims and the Muslim world on the other side.

For this we are ridiculed?

Nersey Sardar Jee pumping my gas: you're punjabi? Where are you from?
Me: Guru jee, Amreeka'ch pullay paray'an, usse te kithay de vi nai!
(Born and brought up in America, we're not from anywhere!)

Its true. Its hard for us American Muslims to pledge loyalties to a country who supports Israel. But its not like we dont have a choice to leave. For all its bad qualities, and EVERY government is corrupt and has its fair share of skeletons, America still remains a country which allows us to practice Islam, Hinduism, and Aetheism along with Judaism and Christianity.

Is it so hard for us to step back and look at each other not as followers of a particular religion, but as humans that were all created by Allah (swt)?

We have a whole website dedicated to bringing down ISRAEL by promising in blood that we will boycott Starbucks and Estee Lauder beauty products, but did anyone think to put living and paying taxes in the US? Tax dollars that support Israel? What Islam warns us of most is being hypocrites, because then you're truly neither here nor there.

Muslims, our hatred will consume us, and we will amount to nothing and never live up to the fact that our religion is a peace-loving religion and has one of the most number of followers, regardless of sects. If we came together in unity, imagine what Islam could be.

Think of it this way: Whatever we do as children is a direct reflection on our parents' teachings. Agreed? Whatever we do as a group, is reflective of its leaders' teachings.

Pool together all the knowledge of Islamic leaders, Imams, and other educated people in medicine, politics, law, engineering, etc. and you want me to believe the ONLY method we have come up with in all these years to affect World policy and views of Muslims is to BOYCOTT Nestle?

To each his own, do what you can. If thats all you feel you can do to help out your fellow Muslims, then so be it.

Wouldnt it make more sense to form a Peace mission from the US that is backed by the State Dept to go to Palestine and speak with US and Israeli and Palestinian officials on changing their minds and attitudes?

I dont mean to offend anyone with this serious issue, Im no scholar I have little knowledge but I strive to change that each day by reading different varieties of opinions and historical facts.

Don't trust everything you read: Agreed
You can challenge things as you see fit, but dont challenge them with a hard heart but rather with an open mind and maybe you will see things someone missed somewhere that could change lives forever, for the better, iA. We are Americans. This is our country and our heritage. We should make it reflect our views as much as possible and iA Allah (swt) will be pleased.

DISCLAIMER: I am not judging the website for boycotting Israeli goods, I am merely pointing out that we should see that bet and up the ante and pledge to find other resources, create alternative goods (If Thomas Edison created the light bulb, we dont suddenly stop using electricity but rather find other means).
This is aside from the point that I think the website iteself serves as advertisement for the Israeli goods, in fact having the OPPOSITE affect. Think about it: you're using the media -- much of the media is Jewish owned -- to promote boycotting THEIR products when really that space and time should be used to either promote ISLAMIC ideals/principles/theories/programs or dhikr.

:)

WIMPY WOMEN!

I am so outraged at married women of today. Acting all helpless until some fool (their husbands/sons/etc) comes to dig them out of a ditch!

GET OUT AND DO IT YOURSELF WOMAN!

DEEEEEEE-SKUSSSS-TINGGG!

Allhamdullilah you have arms, legs, and a mind to get yourself out of any jam and what do women do: CALL IN SICK?

Puh-leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!

I got up early yesterday to clear off my own damn car yesterday morning and this morning. Yes maam I did it by my damn self.

Noreen: Oh your landlady shoveled?

AHEM, she's a woman! Its all good.

I almost got trapped in my house yesterday because the front door was sealed shut from slice (snow + ice=slice). I had to leave from my backdoor instead. No biggie. It didnt keep me from trudging right along thank Allah (swt).

Noreen: husband or no husband...I was out there. I was the only wife outside

For all those married women who did it all themselves... I commend you!

For those who didnt, shame on you!

For the rest --- either find me a husband or sell me your son dammit!

:P

Did you know...?

So forever and ever I was under the impression that Bata was a Pakistani company. (SK: Kamal hai, thum log samaj thay ho sab kuch hi thumhara hai!) Well, its not Indian entirely, either. Its history dates back to the late-1800s (1894 to be exact) under the Austro-Hungarian Empire which is known as the Czech Republic today. The company was founded by Thomas J. Bata whose family held a long line of cobblers.

Today, the global company is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland and has business units in Europe, Africa, Latin-America, Asia, and North America.

I've been to the website (www.bata.com) and I must say Im impressed. I always knew they had fancy shmancy desi footwear (think: gaudy!), but I see they have boots and other shoes that I wouldnt mind wearing in every day style.

BATA - A company worth buying stock in indeed.

(information was taken from Wikipedia in a challenge to locate the origin of the company in a bet that I won and SOMEONE else lost -- guess what.. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan, and so does EAST-PAKISTAN! :P)

From My Valentine -- Love you Meemz!

I <3 Math!

...its the engineer in me dying to come out!

It wasnt Love, obviously cuz that is forever.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

(post secret... not popsecret!)

BOYCOTT VALENTINES DAY!

An arrow to the heart? How about an arrow to the head, Cupid! Take that!

I will be boycotting Valentine's Day tomorrow. I am rebelling against this horrible, archaic, neanderthalic, barbaric, codswallop, stupid day of blindly professing love and affection with confection and promises you have no intentions of keeeping!

I will be at the corner of Roosevelt and Red Lion with a big sign that says, "SHUT UP ALREADY! YOU KNOW YOU DONT MEAN IT!" hahaa. suckkaaaaz!


JOIN!

Monday

I tried to spice up Monday morning by driving to work. Eh, it didnt work. My parents were in the area last night, and so they stopped by and spent the night. No, I didnt lock them in my apartment this morning. They're free to leave. *sigh* Im on needles today but there arent many cases scheduled. Not a bad way to begin the week. We're expected to have snow tomorrow. How much? No one knows. Not as much as the pic below:

yikes!

My DSL modem died last Friday, so now I have no internet until they send me a new modem.

Busy week... have a good Monday everyone!

How cute is this jellybean!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfACAXmR4dw

I just want to squeeeze him!

I HAVE A SECRET..SHHHHH!!!!

...and you're silly if you think Im going to say it here. HA! I got my friend Monika struggling to get it out of me. Here's how the story came about:

My passport has expired, but more interestingly than that Ive lost it. I didnt lose it recently, its been a while. The most travelling I ever do is to Canada and in the past Papa Jaan's security clearance gets me into the country no questions asked. But now I need one. I have to get issued a new one and of course they ask you to prove your identity which is a lot easier said than done since I seem to have misplaced my birth certificate, too. (Subhan'Allah to my organizational skills you say? Its more like MASHALLAH to moms thirty billlion suitcases in the attic, strategicially placed so you are completely thrown in looking for the one with all the TOP SECRET DOCUMENTS!)

Now, its not just simple enough to go to the city where I was born asking for my original document. My name has been changed from my original birth certificate, and the changed document is the one I cant find. Drama, I know. So now my option is to get a copy from my school records and hope a copy will suffice. I dont know where to go if I cant use a copy.

Jeez, criminals are better at passing themselves as me than I am! Its scary but this whole thing is making me wonder... if suddenly you had to prove yourself (above and beyond driver's license and paper documents) how would you do it???? Scary.

Ive totally been meaning to get my mother a fireproof "black box" of sorts to keep all our documents in. She used to keep it at the bank until I asked for them. (Ah, maybe I am partially to blame)

Anyway, so I come to my original post: I have a secret: my original name on my birth certificate and it is hideous I tell you, hideous. I refuse to tell anyone. EVER!

Maybe I'll make an exception for the person I marry -- maybe. So, Monika, if you marry me -- I'll let you know... maybe. :P

I AM SUPERWOMAN!

No, Im wayyy better than Superwoman! I kick Superwoman's asssss!!! I got sick with a stomach bug, stayed home and toook care of my throw-uppy butt all by myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats right -- didnt need anyone to hold my head or give me warm ginger ale, or chicken broth. Nope --- I made myself all better.

Ok -- Im too humble to look past the fact that my whole family was praying for my health too... so mad props to them and their connection with Allah (swt). He listened, imagine that! :P

So yeah, yesterday I took the day off work and stayed warm in my apartment and realized daytime tv isnt so bad --- and then Regis and Kelly ended and I was seriously bored. So I took the feng-shui quiz below, thought long and hard about life( a very longggg 4 1/2 minutes), worked on the CAMP newsletter, made adjustments to my social calender (haha -- yeah I actually need a calender now to keep track of stuff -- fancy that!), caught up on sleeep, took out the trash in my apartment (WHICH BY THE WAY IS NO EASY TASK. See.. where I live, the trash is picked up only on tuesday mornings -- which means it stays in my apt until -- not like apt complexes where there is a trash dump. Thank God for my laundry room where I can keep it away from the rest of the house-- anyway.. I usually am soo busy monday night that if i dont take trash out sunday then I miss the day.. and yeah.. it piles up... so yesterday i took out like 4 weeks of trash-- thank God it was during the day so my neighbors werent home to see that it was me -- THE BROWNGIRL WHO ISNT GREEN ENOUGH TO RECYCLE-- HEAVEN FORBID!!! THE HORRROR, THE HORRRRRROR!!)

ANYWAY --- getting back to my original story.. OH WAIT! My original original story of how I got sick actually starts back on Friday night. But follow me through chain of events of how I found out what was really wrong with me, pathologically speaking, anyway. Friday was a rainy/snowy/slushy mess. I was supposed to go down to Maryland to visit a friend but it was too nasty outside so I decided to hold off until Saturday. I went out with Lauren after work and we went to this really shady nasty place. DONT ASK! JUST DONT ASK! Got hit on by a couple of guys --- nasty nasty ewww. NEVER EVER GOING THERE AGAIN!

Saturday -- I wake up not exactly feeling well. I go outside to run a few errands before I leave -- when I come back I feel tired and all over groggy. Not able to realize what was really wrong with me, I decide to stay put. I stay inside doing normal chores the rest of the day. I fall asleep later and wake up early early Sunday morning with a very unsettling feeling. I pace back and forth in my apartment hallway from my living room to my bedroom, then finally to my bathroom. I couldnt quite put a finger on how I felt and as I realized it was the SAME WAY I felt during the morning of my sister's valima 5 yrs ago, I THREW UP! Thank God I had enough warning (and sense) to make it into the bathroom. From that point on til about midafternoon it was projectile vomitting every twenty minutes. Actually, it was vomitting the first two times and then dry-heaving all the rest (which is precisely why my chest, collarbone, and shoulders are hurting like crazyyy since yesterday -- from all the straining).

At 9am I realized I had spinach the night before and could possibly have gotten some weird strain of E.coli poisoning (highly UNlikely cuz I nuke everything I eat--- three times!) I call my parents and tell them Im not feeling well. 930am -- Papa: Maybe you should go to the hospital. I felt sooo bad I seriously that I wasnt going to make it -- it was THAT bad. I remember standing over the sink and I thought to say the Kulmah. And then I remembered that my sister had said that most ppl right before they pass away think to say it and it FREAKED ME OUT! So at first I wouldnt say it....... cuz in some childish/twisted way I figured if I didnt say it.. the Angel of Death would wait??... but then I thought it might be my only chance... so scared silly I said it......... but Allhamdulilah... still here.

Around 2pm Laur texts me and says she's not going to improv. class cuz she's been throwing up all day. My text to her: OMG ME TOO! So needless to say it was something we caught at the shdy place we went to after work friday night - that plus the extreme cold/rainy conditions/everythign else thats called prime conditions for growing bacteria in excess amounts. (eww.. I know)

Anyway, so we both took off yesterday and vowed today, never ever ever (ever ever, ever ever?) to go back. Lesson learned: if you didnt pay too much for it, you'll pay a lot later on.

Feng-Shui Horoscope -- My answers

1. Blue - You are spontaneous and love kisses and affection from
the ones you love.

2. If your initial is: A-K - You have a lot of love and friendships in your life.

3. If you were born in: JUL - SEP: You will have a great year and will experience a
major life-changing experience for the good.

4. If you chose....Black: Your life will take on a different direction, it will
be the best thing for you, and you will be glad for the change.!

5. This person should be your best friend: Mimi, my sister, my best friend, my love.

6. This is how many close friends you will have in your lifetime: 19 (makes sense since I hold all friends have a special place in my heart)

7. If you chose: California : You like adventure.

8. If you chose: Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people.

9. This wish will come true if you send this to 1 person in
one hour.. Send it to ten people, and it will come true before your next
Birthday. (Im not telling my wish -- but Im a sucker for chain-mail -- so if you got this from me..........its all love and for a good cause!!)