100 Things About Me

I'm stealing this idea from Dawn. But in honor of my 100th post I'll post 100 things about me in absolutely no particular order. Anything you did or didn't know?

My birthday is September 4...I'm turning 26.....Getting older displeases me greatly...I love cats...Though in an ideal world I'd have two Panda's and a tiger for a pet....I hate horror flicks... Supposedly I sometimes talk in my sleep... And I speak Punjabi when I do...I have a degree in Education...And loved every minute of being a teacher...I'm a law student now.. I have mixed feelings about it...but I love having a locker.....And I love learning...My favorite perfume is Jadore...Perspcriptives is my makeup of choice....My house has Spanish tiles in the kitchen which is what made me fall in love with it.... I love the Santa Fe Salad at Cheesecake factory...I think I began to fall in love with Kashif over the brownie sundae cheesecake there....
... I've introduced at least 30 to the Molten Chocolate cake at Chili's and so far 99% success..I love the ocean because it fills me with peace....My favorite color is pink...My favorite to decorate with is shades of maroon and beige....I love drawing henna/mehndi patterns....I'm not a breakfast person...Friendship is very important for through life I'm learning it's value....My longest friendship has lasted 15 years (and counting..).....I like Desperate Housewives...And Boston Legal... And King of Queens....My favorite singer is Sarah Mclaughlan....Jason Mraz's music can turn a frown upside down...I love it so much when people over at our place....I love to travel.... I love the Mocha chip ice storm at Nordstrom's cafe.... But I don't like Starbucks...Though homemade chai is my caffeinated beverage of choice....Almost every article of clothing I own is from Express....All my turtlenecks are from J.Crew...I love babies, particularly chinese babies.....I used to understand spanish fluently...I can speak Urdu but I get intimidated around aunties....I love to write.... I love reading, particularly Nick Hornsby and Roald Dahl...and Jhumpa Lahiri....I love to sing, I'm not too bad at it...In highschool had a chance to sing back up for Celine Dion but the outfit was inappropriate.... I love to cook....Even in hot weather, I can't take cold showers....I love the smell of fragrant candles....So much so that I bought at least 10 of my favorite one from White Barn...I use a laptop.... I can't believe I ever used a desktop..... I'm paranoid about it getting viruses....On our honeymoon we went to Charleston, SC....And then London and Paris....I have a nose ring...And curly hair that I straighten...I love handmade rugs...And hardwood floors...I love sound of music....When I read "Up a Road Slowly" by Eve Bunting, I want to curl up in a blanket and be 12.....I love wraps and shawls in the winter time.....My favorite season is winter.....I despise writing resumes....and cleaning the bathtub....I love throw pillows....I'm very sentimental... and sensitive...I wrote two children's books....I think about the future a lot... way too much.....I like pulling weeds...I havent pulled weeds in a while....TV is a vice I struggle to avoid...I saw "The Secret Garden" recreated in Michigan and it's a very special memory....I hated living in Michigan....But now I look back fondly upon it.....And I miss watching the snow fall at night blanketing the world in peaceful silence....I'm an aunt...To a nephew....I've recently been taking public transportation.... I feel I'm doing the right thing as far as reducing pollution, but I'm a car girl....When Aladdin came out, my neighbor's four year old daughter saw me with my hair braided wearing Pakistani clothes and ran in to the house shrieking "It's princess Jasmine outside!"...I dislike it when people talk obnoxiously loud on their cell phones about private matters.... Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite comic strip...The Daily Show really is the best news show- ever....I met Bill Clinton.... In Michigan a coworker's brother in law was Scott Foley (Noel from Felicity)...So I knew before everyone that him and Jen would be divorcing soon because she told me!....I've watched the entire show Felicity on WE at least 3 times over....I think she should have ended up with Noel...I love talk radio when driving....I was in Hurricane Andrew in 1992.....And I lost my home.....I still freeze in my tracks with fear when there is strong wind.....I actually like diet soda....The nicest hotel I stayed at was the Wyndam El-Conquistador in Puerto Rico....Reefs are my favorite flip flops....I like the fan on even when its cold... I had a recurring dream as a child that may have saved my life at 14... I really should be studying right now!

Of Milk and Orange Juice

I was incredibly hungry but hadn't done the groceries this week, what with law school and all, yet there sitting on the top shelf of the fridge they stood. Without a request or a comment, hubby went shopping. The joys of marriage... Kashif, I doubt I've ever loved you more deeply.

CAIR- my heart could burst with pride.

On his radio show Michael Graham declared Islam a terrorist religion where even normal mainstream Muslims love violence. (wikipedia article). When asked to apologize for his remarks, Mr. Graham refused and has subsequently been fired. He BLAMES CAIR:

"It was only after the Council of American Islamic Relations objected that suddenly my words transformed in the minds of management from completely acceptable to a firing offense. And that's what scares me, a group like CAIR exerting that kind of pressure on free speech and open discourse in the United States."

I'm awed. Did CAIR really do this? Does writing letters work??

Aaron Brown interviewed him. And as my students would have put it, he's my "new best friend." Here was his response to Graham:

" This isn't a free speech question, it's not. You have every right to say whatever you want. You have absolutely zero right, as do I, frankly, to say anything on television or radio. CAIR has every right to defend its position. That's what it exists for, to try to eliminate bigotry as it defines it."

In college we discussed the "minority's burden." Upon our shoulders rests our entire race. If someone has a bad encounter with us they could very likely say all people of our respective minority are JUST LIKE THAT. One person representing the world. This is the silent burden minorities carry. A burden I don't have a choice in.

Stereotypes are created by the lazy too ignorant to care to see that the world is more than just black and white. Even Republican Congressional nominee Ric Keller didn't flinch when saying "Palestinians are lower than pond scum". I concede stereotyping makes life less complicated but life is complicated. Muslims are over 1 billion the world over... how can you blanketly classify when the actions committed are committed by a negligible percentage of the population? Their actions are actions of INDIVIDUALS... Just as Catholic priets who molest children are not representing their religion by their actions... their representing their own individual sickness. Education goes a long way to help with this problem. (note help... not necessarily solve, as Ric Keller proved). I'm not saying college is the only way to gain an understanding, however, ignorance breeds fear which breeds hatred... Education breeds knowledge which breeds understanding which breeds tolerance which breeds respect.

I'm proud of CAIR if they are truly responsible as Graham insists. All bigotry should be actively advocated against.

Michael Graham- Get your learn on.

SO.... what do you do?

Someone I just met asked the inevitable question: "what do you do?" I was surprised that saying "law student" didn't come naturally.... Inside of me it was more of "You're a teacher! a second grade teacher for very cute little children!" I almost wanted to insist after the fact..."but I was a teacher "

Today was the first day of full-time law school. Wearing jeans and flip-flops to class instead of uncomfortable dress clothes is an unbeatable feeling. But there is a little bit in me missing my students a great deal. I wonder how third grade is treating them, I pray no one is teasing them... I pray God will create an invisible armor around them sheilding them from the temptations that lurk around every corner of their little worlds trying to take them off track... Tomorrow I'm starting my ACLU internship and I hope it will give me the meaning I need....

Someone once told me "even if you leave education you will still feel like a teacher because it becomes a part of you".... Is this true just for teaching or is this true across the board for anyone who changes careers? Does your former career still represent a part of who you are. Or does it eventually shed itself from you like old skin?

Here we go again

Law school starts up tomorrow and I am n-e-r-v-o-u-s... I won't go into the familiar discussion of my fears and stresses as they can be read throughout the blog. I wanted to become a lawyer, I'm fulfilling my dream. Somewhere along the way other dreams popped up but I'm going to see this one through. Jane discussed being positive in her post... I'm glad that I am able to go back to school full-time, I'm glad that that the ACLU gave me an opportunity to work with them so that I can feel fulfilled in helping others, and I'm glad I have the luxury to experience back-to-school angst through the struggles of the minorities and women before me. Their efforts were not in vain and I am proof of that... I thank them for their struggles to allow me to fulfill my potential.

Welcome little nephew

Hello Everyone,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Yusuf. As you can tell I am a baby, but don't let that fool you. Some people talk to me like I was born just yesterday, but I wasn't.. it was three days ago on August 16th. Today I arrived at my palace where I shall rule for a long time to come. My parents think that this is their house, but I've already begun throwing my weight around, all 7lb 10oz of it. Just ask them if anyone comes running when they cry?! Hahahah!

I may be shorter than them (at 20 inches long) but I have them in my control. I even got my dad typing emails for me, since I'm so busy with the pooping, eating, and sleeping. That and the fact that I can't spell, or know that I have 2 hands and 10 fingers. And my mom, let me just tell you, I've already used my cuteness powers on her. My new friend Mr. Bear (as seen in the picture) used to be mom's. Boom I got your teddy!

Anyways.. I am preparing a diaper for my grandmother to change... so I'm gonna head out (That's the second time this week I've "headed out"! Get it?! I crack me up!)

Hugs and Kisses

Yusuf

*letter from Yusef as dictated to his dad*

Because pictures speak a thousand words...

A small sampling of pictures from our trip. It was relaxing, charming and well needed. Back to school Monday :(

Some Pictures From Our Trip

San Francisco... you had me at BART*

San Francisco.... So many words come to mind to describe the trip that they jumble up leaving me speechless.... Route 1 scenic drive ....Japanese Tea Garden... Carmel... Monterey... trolley cars ... clam chowder...fresh fish... Red Wood trees.....Golden Gate Bridge...crooked street.... China Town... Sea Lions at the Fisherman's Wharf...stumbling across Stanford and eating at the local thai restaurant.... my unexpected favorite, Telegraph Hill on the Berkley campus... and much more...

There's a commercial on TV for Luizzianne Iced Tea where this old man on a rocking chair talks about how his whole life he drank Lipton and refused to try something different....and one day he accidentally drank Luizzianne... and said "Boy was it good... kinda makes you question your whole life" Berkley was my Luizzianne.... . A friend's friend took us around and he seemed to know every interesting and fascinating person on Telegraph Hill. But the most amazing part of Berkley were its bookstores.... Alan and Joan thanks for recommending Moe's bookstore because it was like finding water after years of thirst...... You won't find these books at Barnes/Borders.... they're eclectic, they're interesting and they're CHEAP...... It took a great deal of self retraint to keep from buying my weight in books.... What would life have been like if I went to school at Berkley? The only thing keeping me from moving here is the fact that rickety three bedroom shacks start at 2.15 million dollars!! (Yes- I checked! :) )... so yeah, maybe a little later :)

Tomorrow is Alcatraz which is supposed to be wonderful..... we're leaving all too soon! :(

*BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit

The world in which we live...

Stuck at the airport since 1981

Mehran (half British) fled Iran in 1981 to go to Britain but his paperwork got stolen at the airport. Paperless, England refused entry, but Iran refused his return. French laws allowed him to stay in the airport but not to leave. Ten years this man lived forcibly trapped in the airport until 1991 when Belgium allowed him entry... but by then it was too late. Unlike Tom Hank's character in the Terminal, Nasserri has slowly gone from a psychologist to crossing the brink of insanity. 24 years at the airport now, luggage in tow, he knows nothing else. This is his life. Movies such as the Terminal have helped him survive financially but his condition is deteriorating every day. If you stop in Paris make sure to stop and see him. Recently he's had a sharp drop in visitors and the staff at Charles De Gaulle say his morale is suffering. Rumi says so beautifully: Why do you stay in prison when the door is wide open? I never thought I'd see his ancient stanza played out quite so literally. An article about Mehran Karimi Nasseri

Runaway Bride starts probation

Blushing bride went off for a run before her wedding and never came home. Since I live two miles from where the "abduction" occured, I was terrified. Ofcourse it turned out to be a big hoax and now due to book deals and TV movies about her life, she will live a nice cozy life. How about as much attention to the Brian Nichols' caputurer? Now that is a true hero who deserves recognition and praise. A few months ago Brian Nichols murdered a federal Atlanta judge and a few other innocent people before running into a woman's house and taking her hostage (incidentally he also ran to Duluth!). This young widow talked him down, listened to him until he was sobbing and telling her about his deep remorse. Ultimately he let her go letting her turn him in. Why is the runaway bride getting more press than this hero? (It took me five seconds to find an article on Runaway bride: non-hero versus Ashley Smith: hero which took me five minutes to find). Oh well- Jenifer's probation began today with her mowing state lawn . Don't feel bad if you laugh at her, she's the one laughing to the bank. The article


Harry Potter hot on the list of readings for Gitmo inmates

There really isn't much to say about the topic. But I found it very interesting. The article






Last but certainly not least....Rest in Peace Peter Jennings

My heart caught in my throat when I read that Peter Jennings passed away. Aside from The Daily Show, it was Peter I turned to for television based news. ( I prefer taking my news without dramatic background music and anchors speaking in voices to get me to react in desired ways). His calm silent strength, his refusal to give into panic news reporting (as most news media outlets are these days) are what made him a rarity. He should be the ideal that all anchors and newspeople aspire to. article

Home Depot, among other things.

This weekend was interesting in an ordinary sort of way. It was the rare weekend that we didn't go out of town nor did anyone come from out of town to visit us... It was one of those weekends that you got-stuff-done. You know, house stuff.

Saturday began with the most dreaded "house stuff" of all... Home Depot. Kashif nor I are one of those people who drool at the sight of tools or see in Home Depot the wonderous possibilities of re-tiling, re-carpeting and re-painting. Yes, we go for those very purposes, but we don't have the glow in our eyes or the hop-skip in our gait as many of the hardware and crown molding enthusiasts we see walking through the aisles. For me the worst part of Home Depot is its putrid Home-Depot-Trademark-Smell...not to mention the bare floor...the flouresecent lights hanging from the tin ceiling... the lack of anyone there to help you because unlike the rest of the population skipping giddily down the aisles buying paint thinners and paint sponges, we have no idea and WE NEED HELP...

Then there was the matter of the cracked rear view mirror. As mentioned in the previous post, my car's rear view mirror inexplicably shattered so naturally needed replacing. After three auto part stores not carrying our model, we ended up in the"Pull-A-Part" junk yard. I've never been in a car junkyard so I didn't know what to expect, but I certainly did not expect to feel what I felt.... Picture it: Silence. The ear deafening sort.... cars propped up on makeshift stands in endless rows leading down a gravel hill for two miles as far as one can see. I don't think it was just Kashif and I who felt like we were in car graveyard because although many people walked around, peeking into cars, inspecting bumpers, they were all exceptionally quiet and almost somber as they yanked off parts and unscrewed headlights. I remember when I was 10 we sold our 12 year old tan Velori for about $200. It wasn't really hard to let it go but I clearly remember a few months later as we took an alternate route home my brother and I glanced out the window and saw a large field and in it's center, laying on its side, our tan velori crushed neatly in half. We were so sad we couldn't eat...The Velori that took my mother to the hospital and from it with newborns... the car we spent innumerable Sundays having soap fights around.... It seemed tragic for anything, even a piece of machinery, that spent its life providing safety and transportation to find such a lonely end.

but as not to end on such a.... (sad?) note... the rest of the weekend has been great... we had a lovely dinner at cheesecake factory on Friday with some friends (If you have dinner there make sure to order the santa fe chicken salad... it's unbeatable for taste and calories).... and after a very busy summer of visiting people and places, it was really nice to have down time.. just hanging out... watching rentals and eating popcorn. It's a wonderful, quiet sort of joy :).

Ever had one of "those" days?

My rearview mirror fell and shattered inexplicably..
My computer contracted a virus and is on the brink of crashing...
My new nightstand, water stain...
My favorite foundation, discontinued.....

I should have stayed in bed today.

How Well Do You Know Me?

Take the quiz :)

(They ask for your e-mail address.. you can just give a fake one incase they sell it out or anything) *c'mon!! at least write your first name so I know who you are! ;)*

Aisha, what was your first year of law school like?

(click on image to enlarge)

"What I like is when you're looking and thinking and looking and thinking... And suddenly you wake up"

Ah.... summer! When it began I looked forward to the bright expanse of time stretching out before me. I would travel, clean, work out, write, make fantastic and exotic new dishes each and every evening for dinner, and pick up yoga.... Two months later... been there, done that...(well, except yoga) but the big plan was to write my memoir. After all, this was the Summer of the Memoir.

I *did* write a children's book. The idea struck me on a plane ride to Atlanta in an "Egad- By-George-I've-Got-It!" sort of way. It's about a kangaroo and I dare say, it's good! But, as good as it may or may not be, I havent the slightest clue how to publish it.

Besides, the memoir was the plan... To publish it I must submit two chapters, a detailed outline of the book, the potential market, books addressing the market and the uniqueness of my book, find an agent willing to promote me who will then find a publisher willing to publish me...phew...

Clearly, I'm very well informed on the matter, maybe because the project is so dear to my heart, the thought of rejection petrifies me. Unfortunately, with 6 + billion people someone else might have my same idea. Two weeks ago as I browsed Barnes and Nobles I came across a teaching memoir published TWO years ago..... I held the book and felt: (fill in the blank)

Still... I believe my story should be told. Don't stories of being caught outdoors with a tornado a mile away with 25 students more concerned with grabbing flying papers than rushing to safety, and going on lockdown because a prison inmate is playing hide and go seek with the cops right behind my window make for an interesting read?