Pakistan

The surplus of conspiracy theories floating around in Pakistani society shows that what Sec. of State Hilary Clinton did today was perfect. She noted that these crackpot (she didn't use that word), ideas do not help further the relationship between the US and Pakistan.

As a Muslim American, I know a lot of Pakistani's and they fervently believe in a host of conspiracy theories, all cloaked in the idea that nothing is Pakistan's fault and nearly everything in the world is America's fault: from 9/11 (believe the American government did it) to Osama Bin Laden not being dead, to Starbucks being a Zionist operation. There is always a quickness to deflect blame away from Pakistan - it isn't that they are victims but they also seem to believe Pakistan does NOTHING wrong, that it is always being maligned. When I get together with Pakistani's I find its best not to even get into these subjects because they so firmly believe this crack. Its like talking to a loon.

What Sec. Clinton did was finally say something about this phenomena and I'm glad for it. The Pakistani government and society needs to understand, you can't take America's money and continue with this childish behavior. You must take accountability for your actions. How can America work with a partner who is constantly looking for conspiracies in all actions by America? It would be like being in conjunction with a crazy person.
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On a lighter note, I LOVE the Geico ad with Foghorn Leghorn, it cracks me up! I love the ad-libbing part (with his Aunt Jenny) and than the end with the chicken and the bat, hilarious!! If you haven't see it, I'm including it here.

Stray Cats

Just stepped outside on the deck, here in our apartment in Phoenix, spotted a stray cat walking the parking lot. I watched the cat and thought, you know living in Arizona as a stray cat can't be so bad, no? This part of the state hardly gets any winter, maybe two or three weeks in February when at night it dips into the high 40's, but a smart cat can find a place to hunker down during those times. On the flip side Arizona does get incredibly hot in the summer but that is really only if you are in the sun, trust me, you could survive an Arizona summer as long as you sit in the shade. As for food, I imagine there must be lots of little rodents and stuff around and water, surprisingly for a desert, is readily available (from all the people watering their plants). So all in all it doesn't seem like such a bad gig for a cat....unless I'm missing something. (Well yeah, predators, but if you stick to a residential neighborhood or an apartment complex like we live in, you significantly reduce that risk).

Tried to read that new Whoopi Goldberg book, it was awful, awful, awful - couldn't even finish it!

I read a survey once that said if a recipe has more than six ingredients most people will not attempt the recipe...I am one of those people.

I'm back!

Sorry been awol for a while - went on vacation all last week - off to Florida! A very good friend of mine, friend from my childhood, was getting married in Fort Lauderdale.

It was a great wedding! She did it mid-size, so could spend some money. The whole weekend the friend kept us feed and entertained (it was a destination wedding). The final event was an evening reception on a boat, really special, we sailed around the waterways of Ft. Lauderdale (man some expensive houses!).

Baby was great, she had her grandpa wrapped around her finger the whole week. He wouldn't let anyone else hold her, he kept snatching her from my mom (baby's grandma) and anyone else who had her, it was too cute : )

Best part, baby was perfect on the plane, never cried (actually she slept). Woohoo!

Hope everyone had a great week!

Gap Give and Get

Remember a few weeks ago I posted this offer from the Gap family stores. If you used the attached coupon, the stores (Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic) would give a percentage of your purchase to one of five charities. Out of those 5 you could select which one you wanted your sale to go too.

After that weekend here are the results:

	If you or your friends shopped during the March Give & Get event, you helped raise $1.5 million for our non-profit partners. Since the program began in 2008, we've surpassed $15.5 million in total donations. These contributions allow our partner organizations to aid the community in meaningful ways. On behalf of our company and our communities, thank you!
All together—we made a difference.
U.S. Donations Canada Donations $453,416 $46,118 $232,181 $37,515 $172,393 $37,036 $167,792 $35,043 $149,555 $32,784 $136,166 Total for U.S. and Canada $1,500,000

See these things do sometimes work! (I purchased a pair of flat shoes from Old Navy that weekend and I chose Feeding America).