It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day

Meditation for your Monday

2012-01-16T13:31:00.000-05:00

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Martin Luther King Junior

Santa Fe Crock Pot Chicken Chili

2012-01-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

I love to eat but I do not love to cook. With the welcome of every new year, I resolve to cook more and every year I set myself up to fail. I don't have a passion for cooking and that is fine by me. This year, I decided to think of things differently. Instead of resolutions, I am setting intentions for myself. For me, food and cooking take on a different meaning when I think in terms of intentions around health and wellness. So my intentions around food are to be more mindful of what I eat, to enjoy the experience of eating (i.e. don't eat at my desk while at work) and to keep good company when eating whenever possible.

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Today at work, I brought my crock pot in and made some chili to share with a few of my colleagues. Jamie named it Sante Fe Chili. The recipe is based on a variation of a delicious meal Kirsten made for me years ago during one of our visits. It is the EASIEST recipe ever! This is a low fat, high taste slow cooked chili. Great for adults and kids!

Sante Fe Chili (Serves 5)

What you need:
A crock pot and an electrical outlet to plug your crock pot into.
- President's Choice - Blue Menu Fully Cooked Sliced Chicken Breasts, 1 package (or something similar)

- Corn - Sweet, yellow, frozen, kernels on cob, unprepared, 500g
- President's Choice - Extra Chunky Mild Salsa, 1 jar (1500 mls ea.)
- No Name - Mixed Beans, 1 can.

What to do:
1. Place the chicken on the bottom of your crock pot. I recommend that you dice up your chicken so that when it comes time to stir your chili the pieces mix in good with everything else.
2. Pour the jar of salsa over the chicken.
3. Pour the can of mixed beans over the salsa.
4. Pour your frozen corn over the mixed beans.
5. Cover your crock pot. Use the low heat setting for 6-10 hours or the high heat setting for 3-5 hours.
6. When it's ready, stir it all up and mix it all together and then ENJOY it with someone you like!

Cool things to do with your Sante Fe Chili
(I'd recommend you do any of these with a half serving of the chili as a full serving is VERY filling.)
1. Pair one serving with a baked potato!
2. Have a serving with a cup of rice.
3. Get some baked Tostitos Scoops and scoop yourself some fun!
4. Hollow out a red pepper, roast it and then pour a serving of chilli in it and dig in.

And for those of you who are keeping track of things here is the nutritional info for this recipe (per serving.)
Calories - 410
Carbs - 28g
Fat - 3g
Protein - 20 g
Sodium - 1089 mgs
Cholesterol - 38mgs

Using a crock pot is a great way to start to enjoy the process of cooking...the crock pot does all the work!

I loved you on purpose...

2012-01-04T22:56:00.000-05:00

"I loved you on purpose..."

It has been a long time since I've been moved by a movie. I've been entertained, excited, amused and satiated but last night I was moved to my core. I cannot stop thinking about Tyler Perry's film adaptation For Colored Girls. The movie is rooted in Ntozake Shange's choreopoem (yes, I had to look that up.) Shange wrote the piece in 1975 For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. The representation of women's stories in this movie is haunting, genuine, heart breaking and uplifting. I can't even begin to describe all the things that this movie is. I wish it was called For Every Girl. Race plays a huge part in the movie but at the end of it, I intensely felt my social location as woman. This is a film for every single woman out there.

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The most impactful moment in the movie for me (and this movie is filled to the brim with them) was the poem recited by the character Joanna (Jo)/The Lady in Red She was portrayed by Janet Jackson. Joanna is materially successful, hard, unaccessible and superior minded. There is a masculine air about Joanna which you see in her fashion, some of her mannerisms and some what in the way she relates to other women. Joanna discovers her second husband is gay. In sleeping with other men outside of their marriage he's given her HIV. She says,

one thing i don’t need
is any more apologies
i got sorry greetin me at my front door
you can keep yrs
i don’t know what to do wit em
they dont open doors
or bring the sun back
they dont make me happy
or get a mornin paper
didnt nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars
cuz a sorry

i am simply tired
of collectin
i didnt know
i was so important toyou
i’m gonna haveta throw some away
i cant get to the clothes in my closet
for alla the sorries
i’m gonna tack a sign to my door
leave a message by the phone
‘if you called
to say yr sorry
call somebody
else
i dont use em anymore’
i let sorry/ didnt meanta/ & how could i know about that
take a walk down a dark & musty street in brooklyn
i’m gonna do exactly what i want to
& i wont be sorry for none of it
letta sorry soothe yr soul/ i’m gonna soothe mine

you were always inconsistent
doin somethin & then bein sorry
beatin my heart to death
talkin bout you sorry
well
i will not call
i’m not goin to be nice
i will raise my voice
& scream & holler
& break things & race the engine
& tell all yr secrets bout yrself to yr face
& i will list in detail everyone of my wonderful lovers
& their ways
i will play oliver lake
loud
& i wont be sorry for none of it

i loved you on purpose
i was open on purpose
i still crave vulnerability & close talk
& i’m not even sorry bout you bein sorry
you can carry all the guilt & grime ya wanna
just dont give it to me
i cant use another sorry
next time
you should admit
you’re mean/ low-down/ triflin/ & no count straight out
steada bein sorry alla the time
enjoy bein yrself

Meditation for your Monday

2012-01-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

Thank you 2011 for the triumphs, humility and lessons learned as I drink in the possibilities of 2012!

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart."

Jean Baptiste Massieu

The Big Forgive

2011-12-31T11:08:00.000-05:00

As I look back on a blessed 2011 and look forward to all the opportunity that awaits me in 2012, I have decided to end the year by shedding a bit of baggage. I am preparing myself to forgive a BURNING injustice that was inflicted upon me...by my best friend.

Here we are getting ready to walk 60K in a quest to combat breast cancer. Don't we look so happy?

If you know my bestie, you probably recognize this cute, adventurous face. This boy who can eat 10,000 calories and never gain a pound. This fun loving fellow who always makes you laugh and even lets you laugh at him.

He is always challenging himself physically. Here he is cycling from Toronto to Montreal in support of the Friends for Life Bike Rally. Look at him waving to the camera. Such a dogooder right?

Bestie is an artist and a creative caring soul drawn to colour and emotion and all forms of expression. Despite all of this we do have a fiery blemish upon our relationship. A dark time. A time of hurt and pain. A time that I am finally ready to forgive.

Let me set the scene...take a look at my bestie below. Only a face like this could have inflicted such evil on...ME!

It was 1997. My last year as a teen. My first year as a university student. I was home for the Christmas holidays and so happy to be spending time with my friends and family. Shafik and I went to mosque one Saturday evening and then proceeded to one of our favourite 90's hangouts, the Movenpick Marche. We used to go there for the free parking and for $10 we could get a four cheese wood oven baked pizza and a tasty plate of shoe string fries! We could also linger there as long as we liked. It was the perfect place for students on a budget.

This particular night, I had a craving for ice cream. As I returned to the table with my scoop of white chocolate chip ice cream, bestie started talking about how yummy his mint ice cream was. I remember him saying, "Look how creamy it looks and how bright green it is. It's sooooo minty. Do you want to try a bite?" I looked trustingly into his bright, big, beautiful brown eyes and said, "Sure!" Bestie spoon fed me a bite of his alleged mint ice cream with a huge grin. I accepted with a smile anticipating a cool minty treat!

AND THEN...FIRE! HOT! THE SWEATS! TEARS DOWN MY FACE!

This, friends, is how I was introduced to wasabi! Not mint ice cream! I looked over at bestie and he was roaring with laughter. I really don't remember much after that. Somehow the night ended on a good note. I think, like the heat in my nostrils, I rose above it and succumbed to being punked although my eyes still kind of water when I think about that time.

Shafik, Zohra and I had sushi for lunch yesterday and the bright green wasabi on our plates brought this memory back. Shafik confessed that he went on a bit of a crime spree and I was not the only person he did this too. Funny enough, every other victim he mentioned still remains close to him to this day. I told bestie that I would forgive him and let it go. So here's to you Shafik! Now that I've let the rest of the world know about your evil ways, I'd like to thank you for a terrific 2011! Thank you for the memories, the road trips, the soul chats and hugs. Looking forward to all we have planned for 2012! I love you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

An Everyday Celebrity

2011-12-30T08:40:00.000-05:00

People like this make me feel so good about the world and the hands that it is in...all of ours.

Useful Things To Know...Really!

2011-12-23T11:49:00.001-05:00

Here are some pretty cool tips to make your day a little easier. I love this kind of stuff! Now I can't take credit for any of these ideas. I got them through an email forward from my co-worker and had to share. (I guess this is my way of forwarding that same email!)

In the kitchen

Make breakfast in bed a little spicier with this amazing heart shaped egg tutorial. Love this!

Hull your strawberries using a straw.

I love the way they end up looking plump, fresh and ready to devour.

Stop cut apples from browning by keeping them together with a clean rubber band.

Turn your muffin pan upside down and use cookie dough to create dessert bowls for ice cream, pudding or fruit. So fun!

Bake cupcakes into an ice cream cone. How fun would these be?

Around and about

Search for lost earrings and small treasures by placing a pair of your stockings over the vacuum cleaner tube.

Amplify your tunes by placing your iPhone or iPod into a round bowl.

Storage and organization

Use some wire to store wrapping paper on the closet ceiling.

An eye catching, easy solution that allows you to take a quick visual inventory too.

Use magnetic strips on the back of your vanity door to keep track of things like bobby pins, tweezers and nail clippers.

Use bread tags to label computer cords!

I only use fitted sheets and love using this technique to keep them folded in a neat and tidy way.

Tuck your bed linen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match. Brilliant!

I have lots of trips planned for 2012 and I always take ~~too many~~ enough shoes when I pack. Storing them inside of a shower cap is a great way to protect your clothes from any of the dirt you might have picked up along the way.

TGIF Friends! Safe travels to those of you heading out to visit friends and family over the holidays. Wishing you a peaceful season wherever you may be.

Great Minds!

2011-12-20T21:07:00.000-05:00

One of my favourite things about work is my colleague Donna. When I think about my relationship with Donna, I am reminded that no matter how different or at odds we are as human beings, there is something that connects every single one of us to each other.

Donna and I could not be more different. She's 905 and I'm 416. We are generation apart in age. Our upbringings are vastly different. I just celebrated my grandma's 90th and she recently celebrated her momma's 90th. I greet her in the morning with a "Hello!" She says with a flair, "Hey Girl!"

Today I was pleasantly reminded that Donna and I have a lot in common. We exchanged Christmas gifts today and wouldn't you know it, we got each the same gift. Great minds think alike!

Lucky for me great minds also think together. I am so lucky to have a great team member in Donna!

Why Today Rocks...

2011-12-15T23:26:00.000-05:00

Ever go to bed with sore cheeks? Sore from smiling? That's me tonight and here's why...

I caught a new subway train on the way to work...

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Played and won two games of Spider. Anyone else playing this addictive game?

Stopped and listened to my favourtie subway musician Ronny on the way to work.

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Giggling at my boss' ridiculously big umbrella-ella-ella...

Christmas crackers with paper hats and cheesy jokes shared with cheerful co-workers.(Cheesy jokes like, "Why did the chicken say baa, oink, moo and bow-wow? He was studying foreign languages.

Discovering hidden talents. My co-worker has a fascinating way of putting milk into her coffee. Fascinating.

Funny signage on the way into a comedy show.

All this before the stand up even started! Thankful for a terrific day!

Mom's Spinach and Potatos

2011-12-15T08:42:00.001-05:00

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Another delicious recipe from my Mom. Perfect for the vegetarian in your life...or in the mirror.

In a saucepan add:
1tbsp of oil
2 300g packs of spinach
2 potatos, skinned, cut up and diced
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of tumeric
1 1/2 tsp of dhanna jeeru (coriander and cumin mix)
1 tsp of giner and garlic
1/4 tsp of green chili (optional)

Stir it up and then add:
3 tbsp tomoto paste
1/3 cup dried onions
1/2 cup of water

Cover and leave on low heat for 20 minutes and then YUM!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-12-05T06:53:00.000-05:00

"How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment

to improve the world."

Anne Frank

In 1985, the United Nations declared December 5th to be

International Volunteer Day.

Thanking every single one of you who makes your community a better place to live with your gifts of time and love.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY!

Sleeping Beauty...

2011-11-23T06:46:00.000-05:00

I think it is a clear sign that Movember is coming to an end when it starts seeping into your subconcious. I woke up with a start this morning after dreaming (was it a nightmare?) that I was being chased (or was I playing hard to get?) by moustached men! It was all very confusing.

First there was this fellow from my childhood who sported a healthy fu manchu in my dream and chased after me with his platinum blonde 'stache.

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I also seemed to be running away from this dreamboat who used to occupy our TV after school every Monday to Friday from 4-5pm. (I know that Marianne and Claire would call being chased by this furry specimen a wet dream.)

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I think where it all went wrong was when this man starting chasing me. Sorry Geraldo. I am sure you are a kind man with good intentions for the world but you sort of freaked me out and I had to wake up and start my day!

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Shout out to all my man friends participating in Movember!

Looking forward to seeing your upper lips on December 1st!

Wake Up!

2011-11-16T06:55:00.000-05:00

I sure did! This morning my clock radio went off to this "ballad."

I resisted the urge to snooze and listened for a few minutes. The guitar bridge at 4:09 was the perfect time to jump out of bed and air guitar my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth and greet today!

Good morning!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-11-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

“Getting older is the best thing that ever happened to me. I wake up every morning rejoicing that I'm still here with the opportunity to begin again and be better.”

Oprah

Maji at 90.

I love this quote and think about it often, usually in the mornings. After celebrating Maji's 90th birthday yesterday with my family, all my aunts, uncles, cousins and their gorgeous kids, this meaning has deepened for me.

Wishing you a week of opportunities!

Simple Pleasure - L.A. Reid's Facial Expressions

2011-11-03T16:17:00.000-04:00

Who's watching X Factor?

I watch every single week hoping the camera will pan over to L.A. Reid while he is rhythm deep in watching a performance.

It's written all over his face!

Love it!

Confessions from Barney Live: Barney's Birthday Bash!

2011-10-28T20:52:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, I stepped out in style with a trio of little people to catch a most exciting musical extravaganza. Yes my friends, I went to see Barney! Live! The premise of the show was basically the excitement and planning for Barney's birthday followed by THE.ACTUAL.BIRTHDAY.PARTY! I'm not going to lie, I had no expectations for this show other than spending quality time with my cousin Tasneem, her husband Rahim and their two gorgeous kids Sophia and Zane. My Kahzmir and I were delighted to be invited to spend a few hours with them. The show did not disappoint. I had a such a great time! Hold your horses, I'm not buying the Barney record or liking his Facebook page but I did have a blast!

Barney and his pals deep in party planning mode.

A valuable lesson is shared...Barney doesn't need birthday gifts with friends like Baby Bop, her big brother BJ and their cousin Riff. (Yeah, I'm name dropping here... Just in case you were wondering who the other dinosaurs were.)

All he wants is a birthday card (with a picture of himself on it!) Listen up parents of the world, this means there is no need to get your kids any of the latest Barney paraphenalia. He just got you off the hook!

Sophia gets on top of her seat to get a closer look.

The best part of the show was seeing how excited all the kids were. I looked around me and felt like I was at a New Kids on the Block concert! Kids were dancing, screaming, clapping and yelling out "Barney! BJ! Baby Bop! Riff!" Some of the kids closer to the stage were losing their minds whenever Barney came close.

Thankful to the Samjis for the invite and a spectacular show!

My cousin Tasneem had a great time too. I loved seeing her sing all the songs...and perform all the actions! At one point she turned to me and said, "Yup! This is my favourite Barney song of all time!" I love that she has a favourite Barney song! Thankful for this chance to let go and look at life the way I did when I was a kid. To sing out loud, dance a silly dance and tell the people around me that I love them was worth it!

Mom's Potatos and Peas

2011-10-26T14:10:00.000-04:00

My Mom came by last night and dropped of some of her scrumptious Fish Pie and some Shepard's Pie too. I'm having her Fish Pie for lunch right now and it feels like I am getting a big and loving hug from her too. My Mom got rear ended on the way home from dropping her treats off to me. Please send her a big hug along with me.

My Mom is an amazing cook. Here is a recipe her Potatos and Peas. I love to eat them on their own, with some naan or rotli or even some rice and yogurt. YUM!

This what your dish will look like if you add coriander as a garnish.

Photo via

Mom's Potatos and Peas
In a saucepan add:
1 tsp of oil
1 tsp of cumin
Curry leaves (Just a couple.)

Heat the above for one minute until you hear popping.

Next add:
2 tbsp of tomato paste
3 potatos diced
1 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp tumeric powder
1 pack of pigeon peas

Heat on low for about 20 minutes. Stir and serve.

It's as simple as that! Potatos and peas....yes please!

Awareness

2011-10-01T15:40:00.001-04:00

I had the good fortune of attending an amazing Diversity and Social Inclusion Leadership Learning Forum at work this week. Our facilitator Tabish showed us this great video during an exercise exploring the importance of self awareness.

Brilliant marketing for cyclists and road safety but the broader message is even more important. Sometimes even with the best of intentions and focus we can miss out on something fabulous, like a moonwalking bear.

90!

2011-09-18T01:44:00.000-04:00

Happy 90th Birthday Maji!

Thank you for putting up with our waking you up at midnight so we could say happy birthday!

For indulging us in throwing you a party and showering you with you love, hugs,

prayers and...

...kisses!

I love you!

I love my job because...

2011-09-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

These are my coworkers and this is how we celebrated someone's birthday today.

I hope he felt like the superhero he is!

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-09-12T09:13:00.000-04:00

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It would be so cool...

2011-09-09T09:14:00.000-04:00

I woke up to Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" on the radio this morning and I thought...

It would be so cool to be a back up singer for Cee Loo Green for the song "Forget You!" Check the lyrics below that the back up singer gets to sing in red...

I see you drivin' 'round town with the girl I love

And I'm like, forget you (oo oo oo)

I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough

I'm like, forget you and forget her too!

Said, if I was richer I'd still be with ya

Huh, now ain't that some shit? (Ain't that some shit?)

Now although there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best

With a.. Forget you! (Oo oo oo!)

Yeah I'm sorry, I can't afford a Ferrari

But that don't mean I can't get you there

I guess he's an Xbox and I'm more Atari

Hmm, but the way you play your game ain't fair

I pity fool that falls in love with you

(Watch out she's a gold digger, just thought you should know n*gga )

Ooo Ooo, I got some news for you

Yeah! Go run and tell your little boyfriend

I see you drivin' 'round town with the gir I love

And I'm like, forget you (oo oo oo)

I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough

I'm like, forget you and forget her too

Said, if I was richer I'd still be with ya

Now ain't that some shit? (Ain't that some shit?)

Now though there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best

With a.. Forget you!

Now I know, that I had to borrow

Beg and steal and lie and cheat

Tryin' to keep ya, Tryin' to please ya

'Cause being in love with your ass ain't cheap

I pity fool that falls in love with you

(Watch out she's a gold digger, just thought you should know n*gga. )

Ooo ooo, I got some news for you

Oh, I really hate you right now

I see you drivin' 'round town with the girl I love

And I'm like, forget you

I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough

I'm like, forget you and forget her too

Said, if I was richer I'd still be with ya

Huh, now ain't that some shit? (Ain't that some shit?)

Now although there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best

With a.. Forget you!

Now baby, baby, baby why'd you wanna, wanna hurt me so bad (so bad)

so bad (so bad)

I tried to tell my momma but she told me this is one for your dad (your dad, your dad)

Yes she did, Yes she did

(Ooh) WHY?

(Ooh) WHY? BABY?

(Ooh!) I love you! I still do! (oo oo oo)

I see you drivin' 'round town with the girl I love

And I'm like, forget you (forget you, oo oo oo)

I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough

I'm like, forget you and forget him too

Said, if I was richer I'd still be with ya

Huh, now ain't that some shit? (Ain't that some shit?)

Although there's pain in my chest

I still wish you the best (wish you the best)

With a.. Forget you! (Oo oo oo)

Now for your listening and viewing pleasure:

Thanks for indulging me. As you were.

September Eve!

2011-08-31T19:55:00.000-04:00

I cannot welcome September without telling you about a wonderful milestone my family celebrated in August. My adorable nephew Isaac celebrated his first birthday! Isaac and his Mom and Dad were in Canada for a two week visit which culminated in a baseball themed birthday party the day after Isaac's first Toronto Blue Jays game. (Jays won 11-2!)

Isaac's party had all the perfect ingredients including
- family and lots of cousins and their gorgeous kids
- friends who were kind enough not to eat Isaac up
- butter chicken and naan for the adults, hot dogs and popcorn for the kiddies
- blue freezies...because they are the tastiest
- and last but not least...

...a delicious birthday cake!

Minaz always picks the best cakes and this one was so fun to look at and even more fun to eat. YUM!

My Mom and Dad with their grandkids.

I totally don't mind being their favourite child after these two delights!

Aneez, Vanessa and my monkey.

Also known as Mom, Dad and Isaac.

Proud Dad and Isaac.

The banner reads "Happy Birthday Isaac! You're a Grand Slam of joy in our hearts."

All right, bring it on September! You are giving me a long weekend, a dear friend's wedding and Maji's 90th birthday. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!

The Colour Of

2011-08-30T21:22:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, my #1 Canadian penpal Zoe pointed me in the direction of this fun website The Color Of. They describe themselves in saying, "This is a system created to find out the colour of anything, by querying and aggregating image data from Flickr, a popular online photo sharing community. It is an attempt at answering a potentially complex and abstract question in an objective manner, by using simple algorithms on data originating from subjective human perceptions."

I, of course, took this very technical and complicated method of deriving colour and did a very serious and scientific search for...

French fries

(Fellow connoisseurs Micaela and Karina will agree that these capture both the golden glow of the perfect fry as well as the happy sunny feeling they can so easily provide. Sigh.)

Again in all curious seriousness, I asked myself, "What is the colour of my favourite TV show?" The Colour Of kindly provided me with this complicated answer...

Ode to television's genius, The Young and the Restless.

I love the chaos and craziness of this one! Very Genoa City!

I also plugged in "lovely day" and was delighted by this:

Try The Color Of yourself to see what colours your life!

The Guest Book Project wraps up...with a wedding!

2011-08-19T08:43:00.000-04:00

They did it! Last weekend, Naaz and Kushan got married. They were so calm and confident walking down the aisle and as you can see happiness is pouring out of them

For those of you who participated in the Guest Book Project, you know that their wedding had a travel theme to it. Here is their way cool wedding strawberry shortcake. The suitcase represents Naaz, while the backpack represents her hubby! I love the world map that it rests on.

Everyone got a topiary with the name of a county on it.

Every table was named after a country that Naaz and/or Kushan had visited. The photograph on the table name was taken either by Naaz or Kushan while in that country.

I have to admit I didn't get a chance to get too many pictures of the guest book table. Here are a few of the postcards that guests got to choose from.

And here is the newlywed's mailbox! All the postcards filled with words of love and celebration were put into the mailbox once they were done.

After an amazing dinner and just before we hit the dance floor, I got a chance to catch up with the newlyweds !

And for Micaela and Karina...look what came out at the midnight buffet!

Naaz and Kushan are currently on their honeymoon in Turkey and The Maldives and on their behalf, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who made this such a special day for them. They are two of this world's best people!

A Guest Book Project Thank You!

2011-08-10T18:55:00.000-04:00

Three more sleeps until Naaz and Kushan's wedding of fun!

A warm and appreciative THANK YOU to everyone who sent in postcards for their wedding guest book. Love and hugs to all my friends as well as Naaz and Kushan's friends who remembered this little task on their travels over the past year.

I also got postcards from France, Germany and China from people I don't even know. To you folks wherever you may be, THANK YOU for sharing in the spirit of this fun project.

Naaz and Kushan have a super chic white mailbox for their guests to put their completed postcards in. Today, I sorted through all 250 postcards from as far away as New Zealand and as close as...down the street from me. I have to admit I had to resort to a little child labour in the sorting process.

Kahzmir and Isaac engaging in some quality control.

Isaac does the very important smell test.

Isaac can't believe how many postcards gifts there are!

Loving these interwebs friendships and connections that span the globe. How wonderful that strangers will have had a hand in such a glorious day this weekend! Thank you for helping to celebrate two of my very dear friends!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-07-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

This week's meditation comes to you in the form of a rap courtesy of Theo Huxtable and his buddy Cockroach. This is YOUR life...enjoy!

Say hello...

2011-07-21T20:20:00.000-04:00

...to my new screensaver! This picture makes me laugh every time I see it!

Thank you Erin!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-07-18T08:54:00.000-04:00

Some challenges are so overwhelming that we don't the have the energy to think about what it might be like to see ourselves through them and on to a brighter side. That clarity you think you need just to get started can feel so out of reach.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
Martin Luther King Jr.

I am one of those people who loves Mondays. For me, getting to Monday can feel like a first step. It's okay if you don't know how the journey will play out or what your second step will be "...just take the first step."

Taking a first step this Monday and wishing you steady feet wherever you travel this week.

Forbidden Fruit at the Toronto Fringe Festival

2011-07-13T09:21:00.000-04:00

I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York once. There was a collection of chairs on display. I felt as though I had walked into an Ikea catalogue. The art of it was lost on me. More likely I was lost to it. It still amazes me how strongly I react to some forms of art and not others. Music, poetry and dance inspire, infuriate, move and bring me to tears on a daily basis. I often wonder what I am missing out on when other forms of art don't bring out any reaction in me.

This past weekend, I went to the Toronto Fringe Festival for the first time. The festival brings together over 140 shows in 25 different venues all over Toronto. How have I never fringed before? I went to see my bestie perform with his dance company Limitless Productions. The show was 60 minutes in length. Four days later I am still processing everything I felt that day. I wasn't prepared for the strong emotional reaction I would have to seeing my heart's best friend acting and dancing out concepts like the cycles of abuse, multigenerational cultural conflict, healthy self esteem, discovering self love and gender identity. The sensitive and skillful choreography blended with world music from Bollywood ballads to Top 40 hits brought me to tears.

In this piece, cast member Imran dances in a heart wrenching exchange of a lover going back to his abuser over and over again begging to be loved, to be chosen and to be truly seen by the person they love.

Photo by Hamidah Hemani

Powerful silhouette from a past Limitless performance.

Seeing the cycle of violence, anger and abuse on stage shook me up and definitely made me realize the echoes and ripples my actions have.

If you are in Toronto, I highly recommend that you check out Limitless Productions' performance Forbidden Fruit at the Toronto Fringe Festival. There are three more shows this week. What kinds of art move you?

Meditation for your Monday

2011-07-11T06:39:00.000-04:00

Grateful to Meagan at Fierce Fitness for this reminder. Wishing you a week of being your own cheerleader.

Meditation for your Monday

2011-07-04T06:40:00.002-04:00

Teaching is a talent and I am lucky enough to have many teachers in my life. They are those special people who take this art form and remind me every day how much more there is to learn and master.

Then there are children. They are humbling, humourous teachers without meaning to be. Thank you to five year olds Kahzmir and Ethan for schooling me this weekend.

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."

Rabindranath Tagore

Mom, Dad and Ethan - kids at heart!

Happy PRIDE Toronto!

2011-07-03T09:31:00.000-04:00

Today, more than a million people will celebrate love in all its forms at the annual PRIDE parade in Toronto!

Last night, my bestie danced his heart out at a celebration of South Asian PRIDE with his dance company Limitless Productions.

Taking a well deserved bow!

Happy, hot and sticky in the crowd!

My bestie and me. He's so cute even with a farmer's tan.

HAPPY PRIDE TORONTO!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T08:35:00.000-04:00

Happy Canada Day!

So excited for a yummy brunch with Erin, a baseball game with Fatima and Ethan, a walk along the water and dinner with my parents followed by fireworks with my family!

Paradise

2011-06-29T00:26:00.000-04:00

Highlight of my day? Listening to Sade singing The Sweetest Taboo with my bestie by my side.

Pics from tonight's concert at the ACC.

Meditation for your Monday

2011-06-27T06:08:00.002-04:00

This weekend we celebrated Naaz's upcoming wedding with a bridal shower rooted in love. What I realized in seeing her smile was,

"Happiness is what happens to us when we try to make someone else happy."

Unknown

I hope that someone lets you shower them with love this week. Your heart will be so happy!

The bride-to-be and a happy me!

Getting high...

2011-06-23T20:20:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, at an orientation session for work, I decided to use my recreation time to try climbing the high ropes.

Our instructors Matt and Nicky talked us through the course.

Eager moi excited for the ascent!

My belayers making sure I felt supported and cheering me on each step of the way.

Almost at the top where it was so sHaKy! Right about here I was ~~yelling expletives, trying not to soil myself,~~ freaking out a bit. I knew there was no turning back and made it up!

High up there! Letting go and lying back.

Back on solid ground and still trembling from the adrenaline!

I couldn't have done it without these girls!

Thankful for an ever expanding comfort zone and the opportunity and courage to explore it every day.

What a welcome!

2011-06-21T06:16:00.000-04:00

Day 1 at my new job was terrific! I received such a warm and friendly welcome.

Looking forward to another day with a great team. Thank you for all your sweet wishes!

Meditation for your Monday

2011-06-20T06:00:00.002-04:00

New job starts today and I am so excited. This is a great meditation to begin any new day.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

Maria Robinson

Happy beginning to you!

A Letter from my Dad...

2011-06-19T07:27:00.000-04:00

My Dad sent this email to my two brothers for Father's Day...

Dear Karim and Aneez,

Father's Day is this weekend and here are some thoughts from me.

When I was a teenager I wished, just as you do now, that my dad could be my best friend. However, it wasn’t until my time to be a father came up when I understood why my wish would never come true.

There is the big difference between a friend’s role and father’s role.

A father must provide his son constant love, subsistence, and an education. He must also protect and guide him, set a good example, and instill in him ethical and moral values so he may become a responsible, self-sufficient, and compassionate human being.

A father who tries to be a best friend can’t be a real father. To be a friend is voluntary. It’s an option.

To be a father is a privilege, but above all it’s a moral obligation.

My duty as a father is to give you what you need, not necessarily what you want. When you were born, God gave me a blessing that has brought me great happiness. At the same time, He gave me a difficult mission – to be responsible for your moral development and well-being.

Now that both of you are "dads' you’ll understand the meaning of this letter. It was one of the happiest days of your life – when you held your sons in your arms. From that moment on, you’ll understand that being a real father is much more important than being a friend.

With all my love to both of you and your families. Mom sends her love.

Dad

Happy Father's Day Dad! (I love you more than Victor Newman...promise!) We drive each other crazy but only because we want the best for each other always. You have given me all the tools to live an amazing life and to give to others. I thank you and Mom for teaching me what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. It is such an honour and privilege to be your favourite ~~child~~ daughter. :) Thank you for lighting the brightest parts of my heart.

Meditation for your Monday

2011-06-13T00:05:00.003-04:00

On Friday, I said farewell to an amazing workplace, a rewarding job, inspiring, intelligent and dedicated co-workers and outstanding volunteers and clients. Waking up this Monday morning, I am missing them terribly.

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

A. A. Milne

Wishing that you cross paths with someone this week whose light makes you lucky enough to ache at good bye.

Do You Dewey? I've Been Bad...

2011-06-11T09:51:00.000-04:00

I'm not condoning bad library borrowing behaviour. I know how lucky I am to live in a city with an amazing library system but after getting this letter in the mail, I think I need this book more than the library does...

Meditation for your Monday

2011-06-06T00:05:00.001-04:00

My friend Azadeh reminded me of this quote which stops me in my tracks each time I hear it.

"Crying doesn't mean you're weak.

Since you were born, it has always been a sign that you are alive."
Anonymous

Isaac wakes up to his life!

Wishing you moments of feeling present, vibrant and strong this week.

Bucket List - Maya Angelou

2011-06-04T19:36:00.000-04:00

How about a hat trick on the bucket list?

I got to hear Maya Angelou speak on a rainy day in Toronto last week. I had a view from the very top! No seriously, I was sitting in the very last row of Roy Thompson Hall, one of my favourite places in Toronto. Even from up there, the experience was intimate and inspiring. She started the night saying, "Be a rainbow in somebody's cloud." Her message was one of taking care of each other and recognizing yourself in the pain and hardship of every man and woman. At 83, Angelou was frail in body but her mind was sharp! Donned in a beautiful red dress, she sang, recited poetry and had us laughing.

via

The one thing she said that has stayed with me since that night was, " We get up again. That's one of the things about falling down."

Another rainy today in Toronto brought with it beautiful rainbows and I was reminded of her spirit once again. Thank you Maya.

Bucket List - Bill Cosby!

2011-05-24T08:54:00.000-04:00

Hooray for another dent in the bucket list! I finally got to see Bill Cosby live! Many thanks to my bestie Shafik and new friends Mel and Dayna who shared the experience with me.

I've been trying to make this happen for the last year and a half. Every Monday, I faithfully checked Bill's webiste for upcoming gigs. One Monday, while I happened to be in Vegas with my bestie, I saw that Bill had a gig coming up in Detroit. A four and a half hour drive was the closest he would be to me for the next year. Shafik and I decided we would go! Since we were going to pass through Windsor to get there we asked Windsorite Iain, my sister-in-law Vanessa's brother, and his fiancee Mel to join us. Iain passed but Mel jumped at the chance as did her friend Dayna. Mel even offered to bring the Jell-o Pudding Pops!

3 months later we all met up in Detroit for the show. Mel took us to Greektown where we tried alligator bites and had a decadent meal at Fishbone's. Two thumbs up for this yummy place!

After dinner, in the midst of a food coma, we braved the short walk over to the Astoria Pastry Shop which was filled with sugary treats.

Sweet pretzels!

Chocolate mice!

Shafik and I decided to try and eat Peanut Butter Mud Pies. They were really scrumptious but after our amazing dinner we couldn't even finish one between the two of us. Next time we're in Detroit, we'll start at the bakery and then head to Fishbone's.

With bellies full, Mel steered us towards the MotorCity Casino. She was determined to get us there despite the many one way streets in downtown Detroit and perhaps a few inconveniently placed medians which were no match for her. We arrived at to the casino safe and sound and headed to the theatre to see Bill.

Mel, me, Dayna and Shafik! We're going to see Bill!

Waiting for Bill...

Besties!

And then the lights went out and there was Bill. I'm pretty sure a cross between a squeal and a shreak came out of my mouth. I was so happy! There was no introduction needed as the audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation while Bill flashed his trademark mischevious smile. Donned in a long sleeve t, jogging pants and Crocs, he was hilarious as ever even without one of his trademark colourful sweaters. At 73, Bill shared his experiences as a husband, his views on marriage and relationships and the origins of the battle between men and women with his take on the story of Genesis. For me, the best parts of the night were watching his various expressions. If you are a fan of Bill, Cosby you know what I mean. I tried to capture as many of them as I could with a shaky hand from all the laughter.

I love this expression indicating Bill has either just gotten away with something or is about to deliver the punch line.

Mischevious Bill!

Bill's expressive fingers and hands are an important part of his story telling. No one chronicles a story quite like him. To make a point he always injects the right amount of back story, repetition and physical comedy.

One of my favourite things about Bill Cosby is the way he is genuinely appalled by simple human behaviours and interactions.

Bill aghast!

When Bill is right about something his gestures are huge! He wants you to know that he knows you know he is RIGHT! Here is one of his most memorable poses! He uses this same gesture to express solidarity. On this particular evening, this gesture was meant for all the men in the audience whose wives seek to take offense when they nap on the couch.

Solidarity Bill!

Throughout his public career as an actor and comedian, Cosby has always been an activist. At the moment, his heart's work is improving the education system in the US and encouraging young people to seek higher learning. This comes as no surprise to me. I've always seen Bill Cosby as someone who is so generous of heart and spirit. Someone who truly wants people to be the best that they can be. Someone who uses humour to gently remind us that we can do better. My absolute most favourite expression of his is the one below. I love the way his hands are open to receive love and laughter.

Sharing joy, receiving love.

If I get the chance to see Bill again, I will definitely take it! Next up on the bucket list...listening to Maya Angelou...stay tuned!

Bucket List - Adele

2011-05-19T23:32:00.000-04:00

Do you have a bucket list?

I've been slowly building one and last night I got to cross something off my list! Naaz and I went to see Adele in concert. It was unforgettable.

We started the evening with Kushan and had dinner and drinks at the Real Sports Bar and Grill. This place is so fun! The energy is amazing! There are 200 tvs, one of which is two storeys tall!

The Civil Wars opened up for Adele. Micaela introduced me to them. Through the magic of BBM, I was able to record "Poison and Wine" and send it to her. It was so fun, like we were listening to them together. I only wished I had recorded their cover of "Billie Jean." I giggle just thinking about it.

The first time I ever heard Adele, Katee and Joshua were running across the stage to the song "Hometown Glory" on So You Think You Can Dance. I was so struck , that I couldn't watch. I turned away from the tv but Adele's voice was still there. Thank goodness for my PVR! I ended up watching them dance over and over again and thinking that Adele's had one of the most honest voices I heard in such a long time. She opened her show with this song and I didn't look away for a moment. In the picture above, she is singing "Don't You Remember." The waterproof mascara was such a saviour for this one!

She ended the night with" Someone Like You." Naaz held me through that one and I let every bit of love in my heart pour out through my tears. Then we heard "Rolling in the Deep" and after a big exhale we walked home in the rain and wind. It was a perfect night. Perfect.

So there's a check off the bucket list. Tomorrow night, I will tackle it again when I head to Detroit with my bestie to see Bill Cosby! Mel and Dayna (who I am so excited to meet) are meeting us there. Back when we booked the tickets, Mel said, "I wonder what sweater he'll wear?" Stay tuned...I'll let you know.

Soup Sisters

2011-04-12T20:16:00.000-04:00

It is National Volunteer Week in Canada I got to kick it off in the most spectacular way! Last night, a group of 20 of the finest people I know gathered together in a kitchen downtown to make some soup for Women's Habitat of Etobicoke with the support of four great volunteers from Soup Sisters.

"Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers are year-round programs where participants pay a $50 fee to receive training from respected Chefs, the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art professional kitchens, an enjoyable dinner paired with a complimentary selection of wine, and most importantly the sense of gratification that comes from helping others. Approximately 150-200 servings of soup are prepared and donated during each session." (via)

We were greeeted by four kind volunteers Margareth, Debbie, Mary and Betty. They gave us aprons to wear and elastics to get the hair out of ou faces. We started the evening chopping vegetables and then started to cook our soups.

Outstanding volunteer Debbie from Soup Sisters adds herbs and spices while I stir the Spicy Jamaican Pumpkin Soup.

My Soup Family! Soup Sisters Munira, me, Saira, Marta and our Broth Brother John!

While the soups cook and gets pureed, Munira and I take a seat and get ready for dinner.

Actual sisters Saira and Munira!

Delicious salad!

Chick Pea Soup! A most delicious dinner!

Chick Pea Soup Sisters Mary, Rena, Samantha, Jess and Anisha. Their soup fed all of us and there was still plenty for Women's Habitat.

Hamburger Soup. This tasted exactly like a hamburger and was so yummy! I want to make this one for my Mom with a side of fries of course!

Hamburger Soup Family! Wendy, Joelle, Amanda, Marta and John. If you look closely, you will see that Marta is glowing. She's got twins under that apron!

Tasting the Spicy Jamaican Pumpkin Soup!

Delicious!

My Spicy Jamaican Soup Sisters! Ruth, me, Debbie, Munira, Saira and Mary.

Tasting the Curried Sweet Potato, Carrot with Red Lentil and Ginger Soup.

The sisters that made the Curried Sweet Potato, Carrot with Red Lentil and Ginger Soup. Dawn, Melanie, Sophia, Vaso, Leslie and Tamar.

Look what we did! The greatest part of this experience was the evening's cast! People from all parts of my life came together, cooked and connected. We've promised to meet again next year and make more soup. Pictured above from left to right:

John - Fellow Toronto Blue Jays fan, founder of the world's first ever Pamphlet Club and hubby to my book club mate Marta.

Marta - Mommy-to-be and my book club friend.

Amanda - Co-worker of my friend Joelle.

Ruth - A great lady who works with volunteers at Yonge Street Mission.

Leslie - Another great lady that works with volunteers at the CNIB Library.

Joelle - One of my cheerleaders in life who also works with volunteers at the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

Samantha - Girlfriend to the brother of my co-worker Aaron's girlfriend Jess. (So perfectly random!)

Wendy - Works with Ruth and the volunteers at Yonge Street Mission.

Jess - Girlfriend of my co-worker Aaron and also a fellow Toronto Blue Jays fan.

Tamar - Co-worker to Dawn at the University of Toronto.

Dawn - A peer of mine for many years.

Vaso - My jolly friend and co-worker at Surrey Place Centre.

Mary - Mary works with volunteers at the Central Eglinton Community Centre.

Melanie - My friend, confidante, gym buddy and co-worker at Surrey Place Centre.

Sophia - Bride-to-be, friend and former co-worker. We both used to work at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Munira - President of the Faiza Kanji fan club. Knower of my heart. My life line. Justin Bieber lover!

Saira - Funniest woman I know. One of my most intelligent and kind friends.

Moi - Grateful for this picture, this moment, the people around me.

Anisha - My university roommate and new mom!

Rena - Anisha's best friend and one of the best stagette planners EVER!

Check out www.soupsisters.org to see if there is a kitchen near you! If not, start one!

C is for Cupcakes

2011-04-07T18:32:00.000-04:00

I started my Alphabet of Gratitude in February of 2010. A and B were a cinch and then it got so easy finding things to be grateful for that I forgot about the alphabet all together. (Kind of a great problem to have!)

I am back with the letter C! Those of you who have dined with me would think C might be for Crispy Fries but I assure you that C is for Cupcakes.

Now let me tell you why...

Weeks ago my cousin Alida came to town to visit with her sister Farah. She'd been working in Kabul and has since moved to Washington. Alida popped over to Toronto for a quick weekend visit. It was so good to see her safe and sound on this side of the world. At the same time, I have to say that I am grateful for Alida and those like her, who value people and their freedoms and take risks to work in war torn, unstable areas of our world. She's one a kind.

Speaking of one of a kind, Alida's sister Farah, another one of my terrific cousins (I have 30 first cousins, not including their spouses and kids) is also one of a kind. After a fun book club meeting at The Burger Cellar, where I did indeed have some crsipy yukon gold fries along with Tiger Stripe and Moose Drooping ice cream, I met up with Farah and Alida at Farah's new house. The task at hand was to help Farah make a couple hundred cupcakes for her nephew's birthday party and a few other events as well. I'm no culinary whiz but I knew I could help out in some way. What ensued was four hours of girl talk to the soundtrack of Michael Jackson and Sade. Thank you sweet cupcakes for giving us a reason to come together, accomplish something yummy and have a most soulful discussion.

The first thing Alida and I did was to put the fun red crystals on these yummy heart shaped sugar crystals that Farah had baked the night before. Pictured above is one of Farah's vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing. Her vanilla cupcakes are my favourite and her icing is perfection! I could eat it by the spoonful. I believe I ate three of these cupcakes that night (right out of the oven!)

We also helped Farah to put batter in all the cupcake liners as she got them ready for their date with the oven. If you ever need someone on an assembly line, I am your gal! You're looking at Farah's chocolate cupcakes with her blue buttercream icing. Delish!

The next morning Farah took all these treats to her nephew's first birthday party and if there were any left then I say to those party goers...SHAME ON YOU! Although I doubt that there were.

Thankful for cousins and cupcakes!

Opening Day 2011!

2011-04-05T15:23:00.000-04:00

With my Opening Day regulars Naaz, Karim and Kahzmir by my side along with Aneez chiming in via BBM and suburbanites Valentino and Ahmed, it was so much fun to watch the Toronto Blue Jays win 13-3 against the Minnesota Twins on Friday! What a way to start off the season at home in front of a sold out crowd!

The festivities began with a tribute to Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick who will both be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in June. Anyone up for a roadtrip to Cooperstown?

Love this quote that kicked off a great video montage.

Wow, can I get weepy over a video montage or what?

It was so cool to see their banners released.

I'm hoping we can have a new one up there very soon!

This child has been to every Opening Day game since he was born!

Kahzmir is wearing his "Crazy for Baseball" t-shirt and judging by the 20 minutes of "Down by the Bay" that Naaz and I sang with him, he might have had a tad too much sugar that night.

Baseball season is back and I am excited to see what this team of young players is going to do! Who is coming with me to the next game?

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-03-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend's haiku by Aneez stars a very cute boy...

isaac takes a stand

father takes a photograph

gravity takes tears

Sing You Home - Jodi Picoult

2011-03-22T16:55:00.000-04:00

Last week, I reconnected with my friend Megan. She and I met in grade two and were in the same schools together until we both went to university. Her mom still lives in the house she grew up just a few blocks away from my parents home - where I grew up. I hadn't seen her in about 5 years and it felt so easy to be around her again. We caught up, talked about books, bookclubs, work and travel. I also introduced her to the Hot Smoothie from Tim Horton's. If you have one close to you, order it with a shot of mint. YUMMY!

Megan and I met up to hear one of our favourite authors at the Toronto Reference Library. Jodi Picoult (pronounce pee-ku, not p-colt as I had thought or pee-co as Jodi said Americans liked to pronouce it) was in Toronto promoting her newest novel Sing You Home.

Before reading an excerpt from her book, Jodi spoke to an audience of about 300 who braved chilly wet weather and a very strict security guard - he asked Megan and I to keep it quiet while waiting in line for the event to start. I was mortified!

The book deals with gay rights in America, a topic Jodi said she had been wanting to write about for years. Interestingly enough, as she was researching and writing the book, her 19 year old son who is an Egyptology major at Yale, came out to her and her husband.

Accompanying the book is a CD. There is a track to accompany each chapter. The main character in the book is a music therapist named Zoe. Zoe is coming out of a marriage where she and her ex-husband struggled to have kids. After trying various fertility methods and miscarrying many times, they finally carry a pregnancy to seven months only to lose their baby. Their marriage doesn't survive and Zoe and Max each move on to a new life. Zoe falls in love with one of the women she works with and they get married. Max, a recovering alcoholic, finds comfort post divorce in an evangelical church. Personally, they couldn't be further apart. Zoe wants Max's support to use one of the frozen embryos from their marriage so that she and her new wife Vanessa can raise their own child.

I am halfway through the book and enjoying it though it is challenging hearing the evangelical viewpoint portrayed. It is very different from my belief that people love whomever they love. Any form of love is a beautiful, sacred, honourable and treasured thing.

One of my favourite parts of the evening was when Jodi took questions. A 13 year old girl had the floor and said, "I adore you and have read all your books. All my friends will be talking about the newest Justin Bieber song and I will telling them about the newest Jodi Picoult book." So cute!

What are you reading?

Hopeful Haiku by Aneez

2011-03-20T10:02:00.000-04:00

when nature reclaims

human resolve is tested

hope springs eternal

Snail Mail Tale - Mouth on Fire!

2011-03-15T21:53:00.000-04:00

This first Snail Mail Tale of 2011 is brought to you by the hilarious, hardworking and generous Steph. She is so inspiring and the best thing about her is that she has no idea how much her friends admire her for her unwavering faith, the hard choices she makes every day, the amazing job she does as a single mom and her sense of humour.

I received her package last night at the exact moment that I was procrastinating on writing some snail mail responses. I decided that I would use the package as an incentive and that I wouldn't open it until I had written at least two letters. Having completed the task at hand, I tore into said package! (For those of you expecting a letter from me...stay tuned! I'm back!)

This is the super fun package that Steph sent!
I loved that Justin Bieber was staring out at me! And let's not forget the Happy Days font stickers!

Steph is so creative. I love how she used the stalkerish (in the cute way) cut out magazine words to foreshadow what was inside the package...

The anticipation builds...

Under a layer of wrapping, there was this note from Steph.

This lovely drawing from her son Zackary. I love the flowers with the happy face sticker heads.

Zackary's Christmas tree in March. I think the ornaments might be Easter eggs.

Another note from Steph.

VOILA! Behold the gems inside. Hot Fries! Hot Fries for me!

Steph talks about Hot Fries all the time. They are her breakfast of choice. Any edible item with the word fries in the title is desirable in my book! (Even if the prime ingredient in this treat was corn...) Steph was so wonderful to send two large bags all for moi!

And now my mouth is on fire...but it was so worth it!

THANK YOU STEPH!

A Cat in the Hat Birthday!

2011-03-14T17:34:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Kahzmir! Today you are 5 years old plus a day! I remember watching you being born and thinking that my life would never be the same. Now I know way too much about Thomas the Tank Engine, I can speak in many voices to keep you entertained and sometimes I find myself reading my own books out loud forgetting that you are not around to hear. Happy Birthday my mango! I crazy love you!

Kahzmir's mom (my sister-in-law Minaz) throws a fabulous birthday party! Every year, she picks out a theme for Kahzmir's birthday and does an AMAZING job with the decor, games, loot bags etc. This year was no exception. The theme was The Cat in the Hat and I can now proudly brag that I have eaten red fish, pizza and delicious cake amongst a vast Truffla tree forest. My inner camp counsellor came out in full force as I led some pretty competitive games of Duck-Duck-Goose (renamed Cat-Cat-Hat by request from the birthday boy), Musical Chairs and the Freeze game.

Kahzmir's Cat in the Hat birthday cake!

It was beautiful inside and out. It was so yummy that I was eating it with my hands. Who needs a fork at a time like that?

The candy table was a hit with all the kids. Sheba would have loved the Swedish fish bowl!

We are good Muslims so behold the Green Eggs and (chicken) Ham table! Don't worry Mom, there is no pork here. Karim and Minaz made green egg salad sandwiches. There were lots of green eggs (M&Ms, green Mini-Eggs and green Skittles.) I was so excited to paw some green Skittles but they were all gone once the candy table got into full swing.

The One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish table.

Yummy fish cookies high in ~~Omega 3 fatty acids~~ coloured sprinkles!

A well stocked Dr. Seuss library.

The kids loved this! They each had their own Dr. Seuss favourite!

Thing 1 (a.k.a. Amin Ada), Minaz and Thing 2 (a.k.a. Karim a.k.a. Papa.)

Kahzmir with his Dadi and Dada.

My parents with their FAVOURITE child!

The birthday boy and his family!

Happy birthday sweet boy! I love you!

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-03-13T20:44:00.001-04:00

I was totally fooled by Daylight Savings Time this morning!

Thankfully I woke up at 6am to get a jump on the day and get some things done before Kahzmir's 5th birthday bash. The theme was Cat in the Hat and it was awesome. Stay tuned for pics!

In the meantime, please enjoy another haiku by Aneez.

Blue Jays spring training

Daffoldils and equinox

Path laid for summer

Thinking about SkyMall

2011-03-11T20:14:00.000-05:00

I have developed a little bit of a fascination for SkyMall. The first time I heard about it was during a marathon of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. (Were you crushed like me that they didn't make it?) Nick bought Jessica a jewelry cleaner that she had seen in the SkyMall catalog. She was so excited about it that for a moment there she didn't notice the tennis bracelet inside. Seriously. Why didn't they make it? And another thing...why is it called a tennis bracelet? I know of no other sports that include diamond accessories as part of their apparel.

Anywho, my bestie Shafik and I were flying to Vegas and there in front of us was the SkyMall catalog. We knew we were going to be hitting some outlet malls as part of our mini vacay and the shopper in me was on high alert! With my heart palpitating, I flipped through the same catalog for each of our four flights. I was mesmerized. Take these gems below as an example. They were described as Sky Mall Classics. I would like to meet just one of the multitude of folks who have found themselves on a plane, have flipped through the catalog, seen one of these items and then purchased them therefore turning them into a SkyMall Classic.

Behold the Big Foot Garden Yeti. If you own this, I want to talk to you. I want to know when you knew you had to own this piece of art and I want to know where it sits now. You fascinate me.

I know one person who might own the Zombie of Montclaire Moors. Steph likes to be spooked but she's one of a kind and I can't see how volume purchasing of this item has made it a classic.

Last but not least is this very comfortable and plush seating accessory. King Tut's Egyptian Throne sells for $1000 (plus shipping.) Who has this in their house?

Now I am not being fair to SkyMall. The kind folks over there also sell products to help make your life easier, more comfortable, more relaxing.

Doesn't this Head and Eye Massager look so inviting and soothing? I especially like the arch that fits over the skull. Now imagine yourself slipping this on and falling into a Zen like state while you congratulate yourself for the best $200 you ever spent.

I wonder if this Comfort-U Pillow comes with the two red roses? Sigh.

These Men's Ballistic Athletic Shoes are supposed to give your feet great stamina during a workout. That's great but why oh why is there a little sperm like thing along the side of them? The graphic artist who cooked this up didn't make a mistake. They come in black and grey too.

And Ladies, SkyMall didn't forget about you...

Whose Idea Was That?

2011-03-09T20:56:00.001-05:00

Last night, Sheba and I worked off our delicious Thai dinner while perusing my favourite used bookstore BMV. I love to browse the bargain bin out front and buy books from my childhood. The bin is single handedly responsible for bringing Ramona Quimby and Judy Blume back into my life. Yesterday I came across some real treasures!

Living Somewhere Between Estrogen and Death

Is this title for real? I might not be the target demographic for this book but...really?

Angels Don't Know Karate

Says who?

And why are these kids gawking in awe instead of protecting their eyes from the shards of broken wood heading their way?

Embracing Your Big Fat Ass

If I emerged from a shiny white stretch limo in the middle of Manhattan with those legs, that dress and those shoes, I'd be embracing my big fat ass too.

When Love Gets Tough: The Nursing Home Decision

Not to make light of what is a very serious situation but this cover art is hilarity. The prominent rose in the foreground and dated photo in the background really bring it home don't they?

Naked Brunch

Werewolf chick-lit-romance! This genre is so often over looked. Thank goodness for the furry foot in the sexy red pumps on Sparkle Hayter's book cover to pull a book lover in! Love the pen name!

It's so much fun judging a book by it's cover!

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-03-06T00:01:00.002-05:00

Aneez introduced me to Postcrossing. If you aren't a Postcrosser yet, give it a try. It's so much fun!

Unexpected smile

A warm feeling amongst bills

Send postcard to friend

Fever...

2011-03-05T09:52:00.000-05:00

I saw it.

I loved it.

I don't care who knows it.

Here are some things I heard my friend Munira saying during the movie...

"Look at his Mom! Who said teenage pregnancy is bad?"
"It would never be right between us. I'll always be 20 years older than him."
"I have a bit of an inappropriate crush on him."
"Look at Demi and Ashton, it could work."
"I'm older than his Mom and I find him so appealing."
"He's so likeable. I want to be his babysitter."

Me and Munira.

We've got the fever!!

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-02-27T00:01:00.002-05:00

Wishing you a calm Sunday. My bestie and I are treating ourselves to a warm vacation for the next few days and Aneez has another happy haiku for you below. I'm feeling like the luckiest girl in the world today!

Set smiley password

Reinforce positive thoughts

Happy all day long

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-02-20T00:01:00.008-05:00

Happy Sunday to you!
Here's another haiku by my brother Aneez.

Pack banana snack

Answer it on ringing phone

Trust me, it’s funny

Old School - February 16, 2011

2011-02-16T23:13:00.000-05:00

I haven't done an Old School post on here in over a year. I often include them in my daily journal but I couldn't keep it to myself today!

Nothing extraordinary happened today except that it did over and over and over again...all day. You know how they say it's all about the little things? Today it was. I feel like I have been laughing or smiling all day and I finally stopped to think about why.

1. I woke up to Aneez's Facebook status which read, "Tinie Tempah's got so many Brits he keeps some at his Aunt's house." If you know this song, then you know that status is HILARIOUS! I have been laughing at this all day.

^ Tinie Tempah

2. Signed up for Karim's first webinar tomorrow. WOOT!

3. I like to chew on a piece of gum on the way to work. I usually pop a stick in my mouth in the elevator on the way down to the street. Whenever someone else is in the elevator with me I get anxious about whether or not to offer them a piece of gum. Not everyone is as UP as me in the morning and I like to respect that. So this morning, one of my neighbours got on the elevator with me. I didn't even think about it, I just offered him a piece of gum. It was a piece of Trident Layers Wild Strawberry and Tangy Citrus gum. He was so excited he high fived me!

4. All right so I am still not at work yet. (And I love my job!) I was thinking about my day and a meeting I had in the afternoon regarding a Toy Drive I am working on. As I was thinking about toys, I walked down the seasonal aisle of a drugstore. I was hoping to find some Skittles on sale amongst the Valentine's Day candy but instead I found a whole bunch of really fun stuffed animals marked down 95%!!! I cleared the shelves and bought about 15 stuffed toys for less than $20 for the Toy Drive! YAY!

5. I had poutine for lunch. What else is there to say really?

^ The eight wonder of the world...

6. I walked back through the drugstore at lunch and they had restocked the shelves. I bought about another 20 toys for the Toy Drive for $16!

7. Got tickets to see one of my favourite authors talk about her new book in a few weeks!

8. Maji told me she loved me!

9. Drank pink lemonade in Canada in February.

10. Caught up on the last two episodes of Glee. The Valetine and Bieber episodes. I like the Biebs and Sue's plaid jumpsuit? C'mon!

The Guestbook Project - Part 6

2011-02-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

Another round of thanks to all the lovely folks out there who have been sending postcards my way for Naaz and Kushan's wedding guestbook. We've got all the postcards we need. Now I just need to get them all up here so you can travel around the world too! And then wait with anticipation for their beautiful day coming up in August!

New mom Heather sent these postcards from Patagonia, Chile just before her move back to California and the arrival of her Rowan. These images are breathtaking.

Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine in Chile.

Learn how you can save the Numbat from extinction at http://www.numbat.org.au/

View of the Red Square in Moscow.

View of the Spit of Vasilyevky Island in St. Petersburg.

Adorable Gentoo Penguins in Antarctica.

My lovely Marianne sent so many postcards!

From Marianne's whirlwind trip last year.

Perfect postcard to get from a girl with so much love to share! I can't wait to see who uses this for the wedding guestbook.

Volterra, Italy. Shades of Edward linger here...

Frankfurt, Germany!

Marianne went to Chicago with her hilarious bff Steph. She sent me this same postcard while she was there.

I love these big lettered beauties!

Hoping to visit Marianne in this beautiful state someday soon!

How about a random armadillo fact from the back of this postcard? Did you know that all the young in each litter are the same sex? It's true, that is what the postcard said. Huh! I had no idea.

Canberra cutie Megan sent these colourful postcards!

I love this card! I've just started to truly embrace the whole holiday experience and I agree I love them too!

If you turn these two Florida postcards over you will see some tiny print that reads...Printed in Tenessee.

Loving these illustrated dolphins! Australia, I hope to see you one day!

I would love to Do the Dewey here. WOW!

Thank you Heather, Marianne and Megan.

Happy Haiku by Aneez

2011-02-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

My brother Aneez truly has a gift with words. He is the King of Puns and he plays a mean game of Scrabble (although I usually win.) He is also very kind and extremely generous. Aneez has parlayed some of his happy tips into the form of haiku. Here is his first gift to you. Come back next Sunday for your next happy tip. Thanks Aneez!

Upside down alarm

Set for seven-0-seven

Wake to LOL

The Guestbook Project - Part 5

2011-02-03T21:09:00.001-05:00

Okay, I have to be honest. I am swimming in postcards from generous people everywhere who have embraced The Guestbook Project for Naaz and Kushan's wedding. I have learned a great lesson in intentions and in asking for help. This is something I have written about before. Thank you to everyone who reminds me of this lesson with every postcard that comes my way. Naaz was over at my place the other day and it was so much fun to watch her eyes dance while we went through all the postcards. So without further adieu, here's the next batch of global treasures.

I never really knew much or thought much about Kentucky. I definitely didn't know that there were so much natural beauty there until I got these next two postcards from Christy. The third postcard is from Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Thank you for sharing some of America's beautiful landscape.

My Suzie sent me this postcard from Stuttgart. I had a bit of a giggle thinking about the fact that she and I had walked through this scene a few times when I visited her in 2009. Timo sent along some postcards from Hamburg, their soon to be new home together! I can't wait to visit them there and then picture myself inside those postcards as well.

Sarah and James recently moved to Manchester. Sarah sent this postcard to me while I was in England. Thank you so much! Getting and sending mail while you are on vacation is such a treat!

Sheba (a real life friend to Naaz) and our fellow book club pal brought these postcards during her Thanksgiving family adventure. Thank you!

Thankful! Thankful! Thankful!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-27T20:41:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

When do you officially stop saying Happy New Year? I have been back home for just under two weeks and have been Happy New Yearing it up left, right and centre. I plan to keep it up until the end of January. So...Happy New Year!

As you can see below, I tried to bring Isaac home with me. I couldn't fit his Mom and Dad into my suitcase as well. My plan to bring him to Canada was a bit of a flop!

Melanie over at LiveLaughConnect gave me the Stylish Blogger Award. "Faiza over at It's Gonna Be A Lovely Day has style not only in fashion, but in life! She is stunning inside and out!" Thank you Mel!

In accepting this award, I must share 7 things with you.

I can't think of a better thing to do for my first post of 2011!

1. I like words!

I am trying something new in 2011 and that is to write my goals and dreams down. In 2010, I did a lot of writing. I enjoyed writing my blog, I formed some meaningful friendships with penpals across the globe and I did a lot of journaling. Writing brings me a lot of clarity and keeps me honest to myself. I also discovered that by writing down some of my goals (sometimes over and over again,) I was more likely to spend time striving to achieve them rather than spending the same amount of time daydreaming and thinking about them. So the next six things you will learn about me are six dreams I have for myself in 2011. I can't wait to write about achieving every single one.

2. Road trip with my bestie.

One of the most beautiful and most important people in my life is my Shafik. I can't remember when we met and I love that. I know that he has been in my life longer than he hasn't. What a gift! This year, my bestie and I are taking a road trip! When we are together we become two of the biggest nerds ever. Stay tuned!

Shafik and I all smiles and wrapped up in a hug as we prepare to walk 60K for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer in Toronto in 2003.

3. Make my Mom a meal she'll never forget!

My Mom is a great cook! You can taste the love she pours into everything she makes. Once, she accidentally put citric acid into a dish instead of salt. The meal still tasted great even though we could tell something was different. When she figured out what had gone wrong she sent out an email apologizing to us. That's my Mom! She shows us her love by making us our favourite meals time and time again. Somehow, with a Mom like this, I ended up with no desire to cook for others and little desire to cook for myself. I love to eat a homemade meal, I just don't want to make one. This year, I am going to make my Mom and meal that she is going to love! Watch out Mom!

4. Take a ballroom dancing class with my Dad.

When I was a little girl in pigtails, my Dad would sing Mona Lisa to me at bedtime. He'd also ask me to dance with him in the living room. As I got older, I thought he was being cheesy but now I smile so wide when I think about how very cool my Dad is! Dad, I know you read my blog, so when can we take a ballroom dancing class?

via

5. Watch the sun rise and set in the same day...on purpose.

I've never done this even though I have a front row seat to gorgeous daily sunsets over the Toronto skyline.

6. Learn how to change a tire.

I have been driving since I was 16 years old and among other car related chores, I also have no idea how to change a tire. I know a spare tire is located. At least that is a start!

7. Meet a blog friend in real life.

I don't know how. I don't know where. I don't know who. I just know it will happen.

Okay so now it's your turn. Please, please, please accept this Stylish Blogger Award and tell me any 7 things about you. Anything at all! When you do, please leave a link to your blog in the comments section so I can check it out.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Snail Mail Tale - Thank You 2010!

2010-12-31T14:04:00.000-05:00

My final Snail Mail Tale of 2010 is the perfect time to express how grateful I am to all of you who brighten up my mailbox with your letters, humour, friendship and cheer. It is a small world out there with so many lessons to be learned. Thank you for all you have taught me and opened my mind to. Wishing you all a year ahead filled with love, laughter, family, friends, happiness and lots of goodies in your mailbox. Thank you Felicity for this post.

INCOMING

Lisa and I have a unique and very special snail mail relationship. We send each other songs of gratitude. Her latest to me was the Golden Girls theme song, Thank You For Being a Friend.

One of Lisa's homemade cards.

If I had a Christmas tree, this would have been the perfect ornament. The photo in the bottom right corner is a magnet!

A lovely note and some hilarious Betty White magnets. THANK YOU Lisa!

Gorgeous envie from Bianca. I love seeing how she writes my name differently with each letter that arrives. You can download labels illustrated by this generous gal here.

Inside Bianca's envelope was her very first zine.

If you love mail like I do, get your own copy. You'll love it.

Also included was a terrific letter from Bianca.

And lots of paper goodies including a Baby-sitters Club Jessica Ramsey card! Too cool!

Newlywed Micaela sent me a lovely note and some stamps that I am really excited to use. In it she asked me who my girl crushes were. Hers is Penelope Cruz. I've never really thought about it. As I was admiring the envelope she made, which was peppered with glamourous Hollywood stars, I spotted Salma Hayek on the back. I'd have to say that she may be a crush. She oozes intelligence. I'll have to think about it some more.

A Postcrossing card from Moscow.

Another hearty letter from Felicity. She even made me my very own pink giraffe with a rainbow of spots!

Mail from Claire delivered to me in Basingstoke!

Melanie sent this to me here in England during my last visit to the post office in Toronto. I think she might have borrowed a pen from me to write on the back of the envelope, "You are actually with me at the post office right now!"

OUTGOING

Christmas fun from me!

Looking forward to all the letters I get to write in 2011.

Thankful today for 2010.

It has been a year of blessings around every dark corner and through each bright horizon.

Wishing you and those you treasure happiness for 2011.

Isaac - Day 130

2010-12-28T15:47:00.001-05:00

Aneez began the day letting us all know that today was Isaac's 130th day of life. He keeps count every Friday and is now the National British champion at having mastered the seven times table this way. There was something in the air today. It wasn't the fact that the rain washed away all traces of the snow here that indicated that today would be a momentous day.

A couple of days ago, I was hanging out with Isaac when I felt a tickle on my toes.

Isaac takes a toothless bite out of my middle toe after devouring the big toe and leaving a very slobbery second toe in his wake.

Taken earlier this evening, Isaac moistens his feet and looks determined to go in for the kill.

Oh no! He overshoots!

A very proud moment for parents Aneez and Vanessa as Isaac learns to soothe himself with his very own big toe.

Thankful for all 20 of my digits and milestones like these!

A Night in Chicago!

2010-12-21T12:25:00.002-05:00

Last night, Aneez and I parted ways with these two beauties and headed to his work Christmas party in Chicago.

Vanessa and Isaac at lunch in Wagamama.

Okay, I am exaggerating, the party was in Farnborough but it WAS a 20s themed Chicago party. It had all the necessary elements. Jazz, vintage cars and show girls!

There were even some gangsters in the crowd!

Aneez and his breadstick cigar.

We shared a delicious meal with Aneez's hilarious co-workers which included a trio of desserts featuring bubblegum ice cream with Pop Rocks in it! Then the dance floor opened up, one of the walls suddenly came down and behind it was a Twister ride and bumper cars! So Chicago 20s right?

Not the best ride to go on after a delicious dinner...but so much fun!

Aneez was driving like a mad fool!
Perfectly acceptable conduct for bumper cars!

With the amusment park rides in full swing, the Chicago 20s theme went a little to the wayside. The jazz band disappeared and a great DJ filled in.
Can you guess which Bon Jovi song I'm rocking out to?

Thankful for American getaways in Europe!

The Guestbook Project - Part 4 (guest starring Isaac Jaffer Kanji)

2010-12-19T17:20:00.001-05:00

I begin the next Guestbook Project post with a gratitutous shot of Isaac. He attended his first Christmas party today and approached his first meeting with Santa Claus quite seriously. You see, he's already exploring his career options and wanted Santa to know that he is getting in touch with his inner reindeer just in case Donner or Blitzen get stuck in Germany before Christmas eve. The snow in Europe is treacherous...for Europe that is.

Mommy Vanessa coaches Isaac through his first job interview.

This installment of the Guestbook Project is brought to you by the beautiful Claire from Bicoastally. She's one of my favourite bloggers, penpals, g chatters and friends.

Claire lives just outside of San Francisco. These shots of the Golden Gate Bridge offer two different perspectives. One beats with the pulse of the city while the other overlooks the beautiful water below.

Wouldn't you love to take a trolley to work everyday? How refreshing!

Claire studied at Tulane University and recently took a trip back to New Orleans. When I get there, the first thing I want to do is listen to a booming and soulful brass band.

Having been a choir girl myself, I loved seeing this postcard of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Listening to a choir in a big space and breathing in the music as it fills up a room is one of my favourite things to do. I've never seen a choir as big as this one which is made of 360 volunteers. Am adding that to my bucket list!

This postcard is breath taking. The fluidity of the sand, the beautiful colours and the subtle patterns it creates is so wonderful to look at while shiftless, solid rock looks down on it.

Claire lives in Oakland and I love reading about her adventures in and around the city. These postcards gave me a better idea of why she loves her home.

I love the vibrant colours that peek out from the ancient ruins and old architecture of many Central American sites. Read about Claire's recent trip to Antigua here.

Thankful that it IS a small world after all.

Meeting Isaac

2010-12-18T14:14:00.001-05:00

I am in lurve and pleased to have you meet my nephew Isaac. For our first date, he welcomed me by projectile peeing a beauiful arch of liquid all over his crib and spitting up on me throughout the day. So, basically, he pretty much likes me too. I retaliated to his outpouring of affection with a zerbert to the belly.

Our first kiss.

Isaac is quite talented. He showed off his aquatic skills later in the day at swimming class.

With his Daddy Aneez.

Wondering why the paparazzi followed him to swim class.

Apparently Isaac thought he was swimming up to the poolside bar.

Thankful for first kisses!

Do You Dewey? November 2010

2010-12-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

I've been sitting on this post for awhile but my guilt over some impending library fines got in the way. This time the damage was $9.30 for movies I didn't even have the time to watch. I felt so bad that I even returned them to a different library. I couldn't bear to face the kind staff at my local branch. That's two months in a row of library delinquency. I feel a New Year's resolution coming on.

Step Brothers

All things Will Ferrell make me happy! John C. Reilly is hilarious in this movie as well. Note to readers: Several scenes in this movie are not appropriate for inter-generational viewing. (Read: Don't watch this while your Dad AND his 89 year old Mom are in the same room.)

Zeitoun, Dave Eggers

If you haven't heard of Dave Eggers yet, now you have. Claire recommended this book to me just after her recent trip to New Orleans. I find myself thinking about it all the time. Zeitoun is the story of a Syrian born American man who decided to stay in New Orleans in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina. After riding out the hurricane and securing his home and possessions, he used a canoe to travel through the flooded streets of his town offering help to neighbours, strangers and animals where he could. He was rewarded for his sense of community and caring by being arrested and being held in jail for weeks without medical attention all while being denied the right to contact his family. Eggers does an incredible job of telling the story of Abdulrahman Zeitoun and his wife as they experience this ordeal apart, together and in the years following Zeitoun's imprisonment. He presents them as whole people experiencing this in the context of their life as American Muslims in a post 911 era. You cannot help but feel as though this is just one horrific story out of many. This book really opened up my eyes to the effects of loss, chaos, fear, despair and desperation that emerged immediately following Hurricane Katrina. It is a must must must read.

Thankful for friends who open my heart to realities and experiences other than my own.

I may or may not have...

2010-12-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

...watched 5 seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians this week. I am shamed (but I know I am not alone!)

Chocolate Snob

2010-12-13T16:30:00.002-05:00

My friend Anjum is intelligent, beautiful, kind and loving. She is also a chocolate snob. Apparently, she is not alone. If you google "chocolate snob" you will see over 20, 000 entries including some that will tell you just how to become a chocolate snob all by yourself.

After dinner at her house a few nights ago, Anjum asked Zohra and I if we wanted some dessert. We turned down her offer of Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream while removing the limbs of an innocent gingerbread man who was minding his own business amongst a bowl of clementines. Craving something small to soothe my sweet tooth, I asked for a piece of chocolate. Anjum disappeared for a bit. Zohra was hoping she'd come back with some milk chocolate. I was hoping for something with peanuts in it. Anjum returned with this:

An array of dark and really dark chocolate.

Zohra's reacted calmly by saying, "Oh, I forgot that you are into the dark chocolate." I reacted with an incredulous tone in my voice, "What is all this elitist chocolate?! Don't you have anything normal, like an Oh Henry? Some poor man's chocolate perhaps?!" Anjum, the ever lovely host said "Yes, in fact, I do!" She busted out some left over Halloween candy and I being a gracious guest had one of each!

Feeling bad for those of you with peanut allergies. This stuff is great!

Zohra took one bite of a Wunderbar and made a face as though she had just eaten the sourest of lemons. What else could I do but offer to finish it for her? What else? I admit, I tried a piece of the Dark Chocolate Pomegranate and it was good but nothing beat the Crispy Crunch lodged into my teeth and the Caramik stuck to the roof of my mouth.

Thankful for chocolate snobs all over the world!

The Guestbook Project - Part 3

2010-12-12T12:30:00.001-05:00

Postcards for Naaz and Kushan's wedding guestbook are pouring in from every corner in the world! Here is the next batch!

Creative Lisa made some colour copies of some of her favourite postcards and sent them along.

Gorgeous views from Varenna, Italy.

When I saw this postcard from Argentina, my eye was drawn to the waterfall crowned with a rainbow. Rainbows from other places make the world seem so much smaller.

All the seasons that surround Lake Michigan. This postcard reminded me how close nature's beauty is to my very own home.

Santiago de Chile is the capital of Chile.

The architecture and history there must be amazing to get lost in.

Erin is an Action Canada Fellow this year. On her recent trip to Eastern Canada, she picked up these amazing postcards.

The back of this postcard reads: "Pacquet, Newfoundland. Arctic ice drifts south and can be dangerous for boaters." There is something really comforting in the solitude of this image.

This postcard boasts a beautiful lighthouse on Cape Spear, Newfoundland. This is the most easterly point of North America.

Thankful for friends whose travels always bring them back to us somehow.

Snail Mail Tale - Thinking in pirate...

2010-11-24T16:36:00.001-05:00

Here ye snail mail enthusiasts! Feast thine eyes upon my latest booty! Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

(Follow the chain....Claire's been talking about man buns > now I have Johnny Depp on the brain > alas I have found myself thinking in pirate more than once today...)

INCOMING

Isaac's birth announcement all the way from England.

A letter from soulful Claire in Oakland.

Super cute 3D card from Erin. This card for me accompanied her great Victoria postcard.

Postcrossing from the capital of Croatia, Zagreb. Thanks to a little driect swap action! Love the rooftops!

Postcard for me from another special Erin. She sent this on her visit to Cape Spear, Newfoundland. Shout out to you pirates looking for a place to dock!! This is the most easterly point of North America.

Letter on a cute giraffe card from Sheba. Who doesn't love banana stickers?

OUTGOING

Bianca blogged about taking part in the PO BOX Clock Project.

I was intrigued and this was my contribution.

Long overdue letter to Patty in an envelope made by Melanie.

A thank you to kind Erin on the other side of the country. This also proved to be a lesson in colour management for moi. Red gel pen on an orange envelope does not a happy postal clerk make. Hopefully it'll reach Erin soon!

Christmas treat for the sweet Micaela.

Thank you to Krystal for contributing to the Guestbook Project.

Aye! My booty has been plentiful! Thankful for reasons to say Yo-Ho-Ho!!

The Guestbook Project - Part 2

2010-11-16T22:11:00.001-05:00

Postcards are coming in from around the world for Naaz and Kushan's wedding guestbook. You can read about this project here. Thank you to everyone who is collecting postcards and sending their love from all over the world!

My Munira and Saira took a quick weekend trip to Chicago and brought back these two beauties.

The reflection of this skyline in the water is gorgeous. The city girl in me feels very comforted looking at this postcard.

Wrigley Field! One day I hope to watch a baseball game here while chewing on some Juicy Fruit! I've got my eye on this postcard...I think I may use it for my own guestbook entry at Naaz and Kushan's wedding.

Generous Erin, whom I've only just met, asked if she could contribute to the guestbook. She promptly sent this refreshing view from Victoria and reminded me of the wonderfully diverse Canadian landscape. Thank you to my fellow Canuck!

A vintage art card from Krystal in Switzerland. She makes me wanna live way outside my pocketbook with all the great finds that she posts.

Thankful to you ladies for playing along!

Movember is contagious!

2010-11-14T15:30:00.002-05:00

We are halfway through November and there are an awful lot of men walking around with manicured hair on their upper lip. My brother Karim is one of these dudes. He's participating in Movember and raising money for Prostate Cancer Canada. It seems that his spirit is catching on!

They (you know, them) well they say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Something about a mo' brings out the attitude - even in a four year old.

Proud papa!

Grrrrr!

My Dad can't resist getting in on the action!

My Dad's attempt at attitude! He's trying not to laugh!

Three generations of Movember!

Dad's eyes are still smiling!

Thankful that Movember will soon be over and the men in my life will all return back to being clean shaven, except for my Victor Newman...the only man who was truly made for the 'stache!

Do You Dewey? October 2010

2010-11-05T16:39:00.001-04:00

Thanking my public library once again for these treats and for accepting my late fines with a smile!

Charlotte's Web

I have been borrowing this DVD from the library and renewing it the maximum number of times allowed and then placing it on hold again for months now. I wanted to re-read the book before watching it so when a lazy weekend happened upon me, I did the re-read and then popped in the movie. The book was excellent the fifth or so time around and the movie was done beautifully. The kid in me loves this story of friendship just as much as my 30-something self does! If you don't know the story of Charlotte, her webs and her buddy Wilbur, you need to get right on that! Wonder when the next re-read will be?

Stranger Than Fiction

Oh Will Ferrell! How is it that you make me laugh, even when you are not trying? I loved this clever movie and give it two thumbs up for excellent execution of a quirkly storyline and a mash up of a cast. Will Ferrell's initial awkward scenes with his love interest played by Maggie Gyllenhall are brilliant!

Tropic Thunder

In true Ben Stiller fashion, this movie is so ridiculously ridiculous and over the top that you can't help but laugh. My only complaint is a scene where the word retard is repeatedly used inappropriately. Loved the concept for this film as well as the perfectly cast cameo by one Tom Cruise!

Thankful to be able to keep doing the Dewey in November!

It's Gonna BEE a Lovely Day!

2010-10-29T15:28:00.001-04:00

It was Halloween at work today. This morning, the kids dressed up and trick or treated down the hallways. Then the bigger kids got together and had a costume party. A group of us decided to be a swarm of bees. I was the Spelling Bee.

Let me introduce you to our swarm of bees, Bee-Witched, Queen Bee, Spelling Bee and Killer Bee. We won some lottery tickets as a prize for Best Group Costume.

Buzzzzzzzzzzzz! Thankful for an amazing workplace and great co-workers!

Dalai Lama in Toronto

2010-10-24T09:59:00.001-04:00

Friday afternoon, I met my friend Rishma for another one of what she calls our "off the beaten path dates." She pointed out that we never just go out for a simple lunch or dinner. Last time we met, we went to see a play and the time before that we went to hear Elizabeth Gilbert speak about her new book Committed. It's a treat to experience these things with Rishma and through her eyes.

This time around we met up to hear His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speak at the Dome. His talk was entitled "Human Approaches to World Peace."

The stage.

A spiritual offering before HH the Dalai Lama comes out to speak.

Seamus O’Regan emcees.

Craig Kielburger introduces HH the Dalai Lama.

HH the Dalai Lama cracks a joke about the lights being too bright and puts on a visor. He followed that with his hearty laugh which made everyone else break into fits of giggles.

"The meaning of human approach is more compassion, and genuinely consider others as brother and sister.''

"In ancient times, through war, it was one side defeated, one side won. But the destruction of your neighbor is a destruction of yourself. So, the only way is through dialogue. We must respect other people and listen.”

“To those who show a positive attitude, you develop concern for their well-being. To those who show a negative attitude, you cannot extend your compassion. Now if that limited compassion is taken as a seed, through the help of human intelligence, it is possible to develop our compassion.”

Answering some questions submitted online he says, "Every human being has the right to be happy."

All smiles after the talk.

Thankful to live in a country and city where friends can meet for a date with the Dalai Lama.

Anona's Harem

2010-10-22T00:09:00.001-04:00

A moon or two ago, my colleague Anona was telling me about her beautiful dog Nori who passed away this spring. I was taken by the emotion in her voice for her beloved friend. We started talking about pets and I shared with her that never having grown up with pets, I was a little apprehensive about dogs in particular.

I'm not scared of dogs. I just haven't spent enough time around them to feel comfortable with their movements and mannerisms. When a dog is just trying to be friendly and jumps up on me, my reaction is to turn away and shield myself. I've been feeling kind of guilty about inflicting this mild form of rejection on innocent and loving animals. Anona, being the kind and nurturing woman that she is, invited me over for dinner and a play date with her dogs. We've had this plan for a few weeks now and as the day has been drawing closer, my nervousness has been mounting. Today at work, while I was telling Frances how nervous I was, Anona was telling Terry that she hoped the dogs wouldn't embarrass her.

We arrived at Anona's house and she warned me that the dogs would be excited to see me and would jump up on me. She was right. They did. Anona went into the kitchen to let the dogs outside to burn off some energy when she discovered this:

A half empty bag of dog treats...

All of a sudden Anona called out "Don't come in here!" Well if that wasn't an invitation to come in, I really don't know what is - so in I went and discovered this:

Yes, that is what you think it is.

Upon further inspection, I also saw this:

Feeling bad for whomever has the upset tummy.

Anona was incredibly embarrassed while I thought that the whole thing was hilarity! I'd like to believe that Seeky the Labradoodle and his Chihuahua pals Homer and Gaston gorged themselves on dog treats all day and then got sick all over the kitchen as a way to break the ice!

Seeky looks so guilty in the back of his crate.

I quickly let go of whatever reservations I had while photographing Anona having to clean up the ice breaker of a mess.

While Anona got her mop on, I tried to lend a hand by gathering some intel from Bob Marley the canary. We know he witnessed the massacre of gourmet doggy treats from his perch. Bob Marley remained loyal under fire. I got nothing out of him.

A prosecutor's worst nightmare.

Dinner was delicious! Anona and Larry were real culinary team in the kitchen. Our meal began with a generous cheese and olive tray, followed by a hearty and toe warming winter soup and terrific tossed salad. Larry served up a savoury salmon (best one I've had this year) with broccoli and onion rice. Oh and it didn't stop there, we also had some rainbow sorbet for dessert! YUM!

Then came the time for the play portion of this date! I watched Gaston and Homer battle on the kitchen floor.

Gaston and Homer duke it out.

When they play fight like this, their yapping comes out as what I can only describe as a Donald Duck accent.

As Anona bathed in cuddles whenever she could from her harem of dogs, I began to feel really comfortable.

A joyful Anona hugs Gaston as the loyal Bob Marley looks on thankful that the evening's earlier drama is long forgotten.

I watched to see how Anona picked the dogs up and decided to try it out for myself.

Success! Gaston and I snuggle as he flirts with the camera.

Thankful tonight for the dog hairs stuck to my chocolate brown cords. Footprints from my new canine friends!

The Guestbook Project - Part 1

2010-10-21T15:01:00.001-04:00

High fives to everyone who is collecting postcards for my friends Kushan and Naaz's and their wedding guestbook!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

The wedding, which takes place in August 2011, is travel themed. Guests will be asked to write their messages to the happy couple on the back of postcards from all over the world and then will be placed into a mail box at the wedding.

As the postcards come in, I'll post them here to share with all of you.
Melanie and her hubby recently took a trip to New York and brought back these great finds!

Manhattan skyline.

Autumn in Central Park.

Zahida took a break from med school in Dublin to scour the city for these postcards.

Thankful for friends who help me help my friends!

Snail Mail Tale - Paper Cuts

2010-10-20T07:54:00.000-04:00

When snail mailing is one of your hobbies, you cannot let the worst paper cut of your life get in the way! I had to be a little lazy with my packaging and reverted to typing out letters. Nothing could stand in the way of my contributing to the bottom line at Canada Post.

INCOMING

From Micaela who always packages my snail mail in bright bold colours!!

Inside Micaela's pink envie was this wonderful giraffe pillow!

And giraffe knee socks! Thank you sweet Micaela for your love and adding to my giraffes!

This super sweet letter from one of my dearest friends Sheba included a recent picture of her adorable boy Indio.

Postcard from a fellow postcrosser in France who wanted to do a private swap.

An American postcrosser in Florida sends me an image from her recent Disney Cruise.

OUTGOING

Had so much fun writing typing this letter out to Felicity!

Love in the form of English on paper AND Crystal Light for my Suzie in Stuttgart.

For sweet Micaela.

Hope that Zoe will take a break from her books to read my letter.

Here's to the letter B!

2010-10-19T10:59:00.001-04:00

I would formally like to dedicate this past Sunday to the letter B! I started out the morning having brunch with my bestie Shafik at one of my favourite breakfast places, Over Easy. Shafik was just coming down from what he called his best drag performance ever at the Boobyball.

Next up was a basketball game with my friend Ameera. The Raptors beat the Pheonix Suns in this exhibition game 121-100. And for scoring more than 100 points, we all got a free slice of pizza!

Gratuitous bum shot of Grant Hill for Ameera.

Ameera and I blissed out at the end of the game.

After the game, I headed uptown to my cousin Shelina's house. Her hubby Akhter was making a butter chicken feast! First he made naan bread from scratch.

A contrapation that Akhter made so that he could slide the naan dough onto a stone plate in the oven. He's bit intense in the kitchen.

The bread rises and gets crispy.

Brushed with butter and ready to eat!

This is me creeping their spices. I like to return the kindness of a good host by checking out their bookcases and spice racks.

As I mentioned, our chef was intense. We were feeling a little left out of the cooking process and decided the time was right for some of our own culinary creativity! We decided on an obvious item to compete with our chef's home made naan and butter chicken...and so we embarked on the creation of a rainbow array of ice cubes.

We used food colouring in primary colours, water, a straw and 45 minutes of time we will never get back to create this masterpiece of ice cubes.

We entrusted Nabeel to transport the cubes to the freezer. (In pig Latin, his name means,"He with the steady hands")

Someone graffitis the back of our chef with flour. It had come to that.

My butter chicken dinner. I gave it a 10 out of 10!

Random shot of the shoe area. Have you ever had guests who arrange their shoes so neatly?

It was time for dessert and so we celebrated my niece Haseena's arrival into her 20s with this pink velvet birthday cake! It was delicious. Kind of a cross between a red velvet and carrot cake.

I got to close out the night with a quick visit with my Mom, Dad and Maji. While talking to my balding Dad, I noticed that one of his hairs had a split end. A bald man with split ends! I couldn't stop laughing!

Thankful for the letter b and that my family can laugh at themselves!