Kids talking

Two little kids are in a hospital, lying on stretchers next to each other outside the operating room---the first surgeries of the day.

The first kid leans over and asks, 'What are you in here for?'

The second kid says, 'I'm in here to get my tonsils out and I'm alittle nervous.

'The first kid says, 'You've got nothing to worry about. I had that done when I was four. They put you to sleep, and when you wake up they give you lots of Jell-O and Ice Cream. It's a breeze.'

The second kid then asks, 'What are you here for?

'The first! kid says, 'A circumcision'.

'Whoa!' the second kid replies. 'Good luck buddy. I had that done when I was born. Couldn't walk for a year.'

Dancing Queen

Amira and I went to an open house event for our friend, Fatima, who recently relocated her studio to a newer and nicer location. Of course the evening was filled with a variety of dancers from all over the globe, but below are photos of my favorite dancer.

Little Kid School Be Gone

FYI-Sometimes I get so freaking irritated with not knowing how to post it nearly drives me insane. I put together an entire post with pictures recapping Amira's "little kid" school days and bam---GONE. So here's another feable attempt.

On Amira's last day of "little kid" school her teachers took her dinnner and presented her with a photo album filled with wonderful memories of her days at Susie's Cottage and Pre-School.

When a door closes.......

It seems always, when a door or a chapter of our lives closes a window of opportunity is opened for us.

This week I officially gave my letter of resignation to one of the attorneys I work for as it has become necessary.

The opportunity to work with this individual has been of great joy because she's not only been my "boss" but she's been my friend as well.

Certainly we've been a support and encouragement for one another during our 5 years of working together, but believe our working relationship has played out and is now time to end.

Like anything in life, sometimes ending something can be a bit melancholy because it's an ending of something which isn't necessarily a bad or good thing....it's just an ending.



And just like most things in life, when a door closes usually a window or door of another opportunity will open for us.

With Amira starting kindergarten tomorrow this will change our daily routine which requires me to change my daily work operation. I've been given an opportunity in my new field of work to change and increase my hours which will allow me to work overall less hours but make more money. I am thrilled beyond believe to no have to work 6 days a week after September 1st as I've had just about enough of that along with trying to be mom and dad to Amira.

So, I am leaping in faith and trusting that I'm making the right decision for Amira and I with this new work schedule and career. I have been taken care of so far in my life, so have no reason to doubt that God would stop now. He's been opening opportunities for me of which I need to trust Him and proceed forward through them.

Wish me luck!

Stereotype Challenge by Queen Rania

This morning perusing the blogsphere as quickly as possible as time is certainly of the essence these days I checked one of my favorite blogs, Muslim by Choice by Amina. She posted about Queen Rania of Jordan's challenge regarding stereotypes.



After listening to this clip, I went further in my researching to see what responses were generated. There, of course, were many and I couldn't listen to them all before posting myself. However, I liked this guy's response as I felt he was articulate, clear and heartfelt.



I also found this clip which I thought was both funny and sad at the same time because although it's funny thinking anyone really thinks these things about Arabs and yet sadly true the stereotyping is still very much alive.



Perhaps something many people do not think about or consider regarding "Terrorism" is that it affects everyone---not just one culture, one religion, one race........no, it affects the entire world.



Ok, I realize I could go really crazy posting all that I found, but will end with this last one which I absolutely love. It's about women and it was posted by a man.

Mamma Mia Clips

Here's a couple of clips from Mamma Mia........you can't help but want to go see the movie after watching them. :-P

Father/Daughter Date Night

Yesterday dad and I went on a "date". We went to see the new film Momma Mia, which was originally a musical stage production. Mom had seen it twice already and just thought dad and I would really like it. Now normally musicals can be corny, and certainly I was hesitant to see it because Meryl Streep was in it. Meryl Streep is one of my all time favorite actresses, and has played in some pretty powerful films, so the thought of her playing in a musical just seemed somehow cheesy to me. However, mom kept insisting I think you guys are going to like it, and Meryl Streep does an awesome job.

So mom came over to watch Amira while dad and I went off to the show. We were suprised actually that on a beautiful sunny, not so warm, summer afternoon to find the theater packed with people, and specifically this show. The scenes are beautiful and all the casting members were great. The music by ABBA was great and really got you dancing in your seat. My mom said that during one of the times she went to see the film these young girls sitting down in front of them stood up and started dancing to the music. She said in fact there was a man sitting next to her that was doing a little dance in his seat....lol

Dad and I did not see anyone jumping up and dancing but he was tapping his foot and I was dancing around in my chair a bit (and it wasn't from the soda either)----couldn't help it.

There were times I started crying in this film, of course trying not to let dad see my cry because I could relate to so much of this film. A single mom, raising her daughter on her own, and her daughter now grown up ready to start her life. Moreover, Donna (Meryl Streep's character) also had these two really close girlfriends that were great. Of course I can't relate to Amira being grown up and ready to start her own life, but so many other parts of the film just hit me so profoundly. The bond between the girlfriends reminded me of my supportive bond between my two dearest friends, Mindy and Vicky. There's just something incredible brilliant between the three of us that I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. I love them dearly.

After the movie we went back to my place to pick up mom and Amira and go to dinner. It was a real treat of an afternoon/evening.

I will definitely get this film when it's released on DVD. I'm not one to buy a lot of films except cartoonish movies for Amira, but this one is definitely worth the purchase in my opinion.