Sept 11 Reflections

Like most Americans, it is hard for me to believe that five years have passed. On the other hand, so much has happened that I also can't believe it has only been five years. Since time has a way of marching on, I'll take a moment to reflect.

Five years ago today, I was in a totally different place. All right, I was in Miami, but my life was very different. Six months earlier, I had broken up with my Arab boyfriend of 4 years. On top of all of the fighting we did, I realized that I just could not marry him, move back to Qatar, and mostly adapt to the cultural norms.

At that time, I was working ridiculous hours for a thankless company. I had been flying back and forth to the Bahamas (work) and was actually lucky not to get stuck in an airport. In fact, I had a plane ticket to NYC a week later to see one of my closest friends. My company had been asking me to cancel and they got their wish.

That day, I remember that I was extremely bogged down with work. The television was on in the main area of the office. Every little breather I took involved rushing out to get a quick update before returning to my computer. There was no chance to take in the magnitude of what had happened. I also remember that one of the young guys there came in and half way joked that this was my ex's revenge for breaking his heart. I just responded with a quick fake laugh. I realized that my ex was probably the only Arab the guy had ever met. To him, they were all the same.

That evening, I finally got a hold of my friend in NYC through on-line chatting, which we had never used before or since. I sat on the floor of my apartment with my laptop on the coffee table. We chatted about the events while watching the horrible images on the news. That is when the horror of it all really hit me.

Six months later, I finally went on that trip to NYC to see my friend. Actually, I went twice in a couple of weeks. The first trip, I saw Ground Zero. The second trip, I saw the St. Patrick's Day parade, which is full of policemen & firemen. Everytime a unit would come marching in full dress, the crowd erupted into cheers and tears. That is how I would like to remember that time...cheers and tears.

Tags: NYC, Sept 11, Ground Zero

Mauled in his Sleep

Several times a week for the past 4 months, my husband has rudely been awakened by being grabbed. Last night, his face was clawed. When he screamed ouch, I woke up. I am usually the kind of person that sleeps very still. In fact, when I was single, I would slip out of bed in the morning and it would practically be made. My husband, on the other hand, is the wild sleeper, which is part/most of the problem. Lately, as he is rolling over, I have a sudden panic attack in my sleep and dream about our baby falling off the bed. I reach over to grab her and he gets mauled. What a horrible thing right? Although he surely hates it, he actually admitted that he is pleased to know that I am even concerned about her in my sleep.

Tags: dreams, nightmares, mauling

Trying Technorati

Technorati Profile

I read a little about this on WizeUp's blog and Dayngr's blog. I don't know much about it, but I'm trying to figure out the hype by signing up. Silly way, right?

Tags: technorati tags

Funny Photo Friday and Day Dreaming Again

It's Friday and that means I get to post a funny photo. Lexi got her first cell phone last weekend. Actually, we bought her a set of keys and a cell phone, so I have something to give her when she begs for mine.

I am also in the mood for day dreaming again (surprise). This morning, my mind is on travel (another surprise). I talked to one of my brothers about planning another international trip with them all. Actually, I have missed out on most of their great trips, so I should instigate the next one. I think I'll make a list of places I'd like to go. The list could go on for ever, so I'll stick to ones I might be able to talk my family into going to.

1. Spain and Morocco - I'd like to fly into Madrid tour Spain a bit. Then, head across Strait of Gibraltar and spend at least a week in Morocco. This one might be expensive for me because I love shopping for Moroccan things.
2. Peru and especially Machu Picchu - I've been curious for a while.
3. Costa Rica - culture, rather inexpensive, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and eco-tourism.
4. Brazil - I have a brother that lived in Sao Paolo for 2 years and speaks the language fluently. I am sure he would love to go back and we would have a tour guide.
5. Mount Kilimanjaro - I would love to go and they have been talking about it for years.
   

I will limit my list to 5. If I put too many, we'll never pick a place. I should e-mail it to them today...

**Even though several of the links go to places that provide guided tours, we always wing it.

Tags: travel, daydreaming, Spain, Morocco, Peru, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mount Kilimanjaro, family trip

Dreams Gone Awry

Doesn't every kid have grandiose dreams of what their life will be like? We are always told that we can be anything we want to be, so we think big. When we grow up, we will be famous movie stars, sports heroes, political giants, noble peace prize winners, amazing scientists, leaders of the UN who crush world hunger, or astronauts. Even Disney movies portray a hero battling dragons or evil witches. It all sounds so exciting.

Then, the reality check hits. Most of us grow up to be just as boring as our parents seemed. We shop at the grocery story, work in an office, struggle with bills and the only real battle we have is traffic. My life has a lot of joy in it, but I still want to know what happened to the amazing dreams.

Tags: grow up, dreams

Book Tag!

Tere tagged me for a meme on Books. I must admit, that I am not an avid reader. After all the reading I do at work, pleasure reading rarely happens. I guess that just makes me pickier. Here are the books, I found enticing enough to read:

1) A book that changed my life: For Those I Loved by Martin Gray. I was probably about 14 when I read this book. It was the first biography I ever read and it was incredible. His attitude and experiences with the Holocaust as well as personal life tragedies are truly inspiring.

2) A book that I've read more than once: I can't think of any books I have read more than once, but I am considering the Princess Sultana Trilogy by Jean Sasson. The books are about a real princess in Saudi Arabia. Her stories are funny, sad, realistic, and heartfelt.

3) A book I'd take to a deserted island: SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea by John Lofty Wisemen. Hey, it has been way too LONG since I went camping.

4) A book that made me laugh: Dead? By Lawrence J. Law. My dad wrote this book and it is full of his bizarre sense of humor. I guess I could have picked this one for #2. Now that he passed away, it is a nice way to remember him.

5) A book that made me cry: Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindja and Layli Miller Bashir. This book does a wonderful job of conveying the need for cultural understanding and acceptance, major immigration reforms in the US, and for people to take action against injustices.

6) A book I wish had been written: Most of the Biographies I read are about people whose lives are way too intense for me to wish that upon myself. So, I'll go with practically any book by my two favorite fiction authors, Patrica Cromwell (only Scarpetta Series) and Amy Tan.

7) A book that should never have been written: I am sure there are a lot out there that I would pick, but the only one that comes to mind is Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi. I am not saying that it is a bad book, but I only got through the first chapter and was completely freaked out. I couldn't even look at the book after that. I had to throw it away.

8) A book I'm currently reading: a handful of books by Sandra Boynton. They are quite catchy and Lexi loves them.

9) A book I'm planning to read: I looked up a few books on Amazon & these look interesting to me: Daughters of Tunis: Women, Family, and Networks In A Muslim City by Paula Holmes-Eber and The Places in Between by Rory Stewart

10) Who I'm tagging next: Paige (since she belongs to a book club) and Anna (because she loves being tagged as much as I do). If this strikes anyone else as interesting, I'll be happy to tag you too.

Tags: books, biographies, library

Mandatory Ear Piercing

Before having Lexi, I did not realize that it was mandatory in South Florida to get your baby girl's ears pierced. Apparently, that is the only way people can tell that the baby is a girl. My mom did not allow me to get my ears pierced until I was 7 years old. I have always planned to have my daughters wait until they ask for it, but not allow them to do it before kindergarten.

I know most people down here get their baby girls' ears pierced when they are two months old. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I would rather not. The whole thing has never seemed like a big deal to me until I had Lexi.

You would not believe how many people ask me if she is a boy or girl and 99% of the time she is wearing lots of pink. They have all said that they could not tell because her ears aren't pierced. I happen to think that this logic is funny, but Steve gets slightly offended.

This weekend, I decided to dress her in a little outfit that was definitely for "boys." We were going to visit her granddad and uncle, so I figured they would get a kick out of the little University of Miami fan (besides there was a game).

We went out to a few places while we were in PSL and got lots of comments about our boy, including one about her being a future ball player. I just laughed and told everyone that she is a tomboy for the day. I also teased Steve that we could call her "Alex." He wasn't too happy about that. I guess I need to get a bow for that outfit. As far as the ear piercing though, I will wait until kindergarten or later. Head to toe pink should be a good enough indication.

**If you are thinking she might need therapy once I get done with her, you're probably right. My mom used to dress my sister, Paige, in a navy blue sweat suit when she was a baby and she is a real wacko. (hahaha)**

Tags: ears pierced, gender, girls

Plug for the Sis-In-Law

As all of us know, it is not easy trying to make ends meet and be a SAHM. My sister-in-law has decided to supplement their income by becoming a personal shopper for Shade Clothing. She chose them because their clothes are more modest (Mormon owners). Along with that, the shirts are 3" longer than average shirts. She is 6' tall, so that is important. Anyway, they are having a sale today & tomorrow (half year sale). If you put in her personal code, LAW23300, you get an additional % off. Go to the site or don't go to it, it is up to you. Hey, who knows??? Maybe some of you would like to become personal shoppers.

Tags: Shade Clothing, SAHM, sale

Miami Cross Blogination

While reading Tere's blog and later greenerMIAMI, I found out that Miami Bloggers were organizing something called Miami Cross Blogination. It sounds interesting, so I signed up. Here is the announcement:

Calling all Miami bloggers! In the past month we've been working on creating more of a "blogging community" here in Miami. Today, I'd like to announce the first ever Miami Cross Blogination!

On September 19, several Miami bloggers will do a bit of a switcharoo. Each blog will feature a post written by another blogger in the group. The post will be related to the blog on which it will be featured. It's basically going to be a fun, silly day in which we can use our blogs to create a bit of confusion, mischief, or maybe just great new content by a guest blogger!

Blogs on board so far (please click at your own risk, some blogs go beyond the PG-13 rating that we have here on gM): Critical Miami, greenerMIAMI, Miami Vegan, Stuck on the Palmetto, Sex and the Beach, A Mom, A Blog, and a Life in Between, Transit Miami, "Klotz" as in "Blood", Fanless, 26th Parallel, Urban Paradise, Hidden City, Freckle Face Girl (new!), Miami Beach 411 (new!).

If you are a Miami based blogger and are interested, please go to greenerMIAMI or email her and she'll get you on the list. Deadline to sign-up is Sunday, September 10, 2006.

I think this will be an interesting experience. Not only what I have to come up with on someone's site, but to see what poor person has to figure out the theme of mine.

Tags: Miami Cross Blogination

Fun Photo Friday & Top Ten for Dreaming

Yesterday, I realized that I hadn't posted any photos for 2 weeks. I am going to try to add one at least once a week (Fridays). Can't promise though.

I also decided it would be nice to do a meme today. Since it is Friday and I am in the mood to do a little day dreaming, I'll make this a meme for Labor Day weekend.

Every night when my head hits the pillow, I think of a top ten list to day dream about. This is my method for going to sleep quickly. One of my favorite is the Top Ten List of What I Would Do if I won $_____ (usually $ 1 mil, sometimes as low as $20k or up to $1 billion). You would be surprised, but I'm usually out by #5.

Top Ten Things I Do If I won $1 million (besides help family):

1. Pay off all our bills
2. Quit my job to be a working SAHM ($1 mil doesn't go that far)
3. Move to Katy, Texas
4. Buy an SUV (with gas consumption & size in mind)
5. Start my own consulting company with GREAT computer equipment
6. Seriously think about having another baby right away
7. Plan an amazing vacation oversees
8. Get a maid
   
9. Buy an elliptical machine and treadmill
10. Put money away for plastic surgery after having kids (tummy tuck & a little more) - I would want to look completely awesome

Of course, it could go on for ever. Since it is nice to dream about positive things, I'll tag Paige, Emily, Misha, Anna, Issy and anyone else interested. Let me know & I'll be more than happy to add you to the list.

Tags: $1 mil, daydreaming