Gypsy Thoughts

Happy New Year

2012-01-19T00:33:00.002-05:00

Sorry for being awol of late - work has me traveling, back to DC! I took baby with me and the grandparents were in love! Of course this meant limited access to a computer, so no blog posts.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's! Baby's birthday is coming up, I can't believe she is a year old! I keep asking her to stop growing but she won't listen. Can't she stay my little baby who adores her Momma forever??

Last weekend my parents threw a huge birthday bash for her (hey its her first and this is their first grandchild, they totally spoil her). I was thinking, instead of sending traditional thank you cards, sending Arizona postcards - what do you think? Is that ok or tacky? Any way to jazz up this idea?? I've already done the putting personalized pictures of scenes from the party for another of baby's events, so I don't want to go that route again. Any suggestions for creative thank you cards would be appreciated!

Favor

2011-12-29T00:11:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having wonderful holidays! We head to Virginia for the New Year’s, for baby it means ringing in 2012 with her grandparents.

Of late, a general malaise has come over me. No explanation for it. I am more than grateful to God for all that I have; there is no cause for being depressed. Though as a sufferer of depression, I know that often depression can come on with no explanation. I do really need to find a therapist here in Phoenix, just someone to talk too periodically, just for check-up’s. Using my company’s EAP, I do have a few names, must get on the ball about setting up an appointment.

In other matters, does this ever happen to you…someone asks for a favor and than you end up having to do all the work??! At the office, a co-worker asked for one of my flight passes (we get 16 a year, reduced rates flight passes, standby travel). She and I are not the best of friends, but I thought, ‘ok, fine’ I’ll give her one. I end up having to spend half an hour (of a very busy day) setting up the flight information. She was not at all inconvenienced, while I had to break my work day to do this for her. In return, I get a note from her the following morning saying how I had not done it correctly. I was suppose to give the person a roundtrip pass, which is 2 passes, she asked for 1 and after everything that had occurred previously, I was not in a favorable mood to assist.

I am unclear when we became such an entitlement society. This was a favor but it didn’t seem to me that she recognized that status, instead it felt more like a mandate. Going into the future I don’t think I will be as free with the passes. The whole experience just sours one on helping out.

Say no to bigotry! Boycott Lowes!

2011-12-21T00:04:00.002-05:00

All-American Muslim is a new reality show on TLC that follows American Muslim families as they go about their daily lives in Dearborn, Michigan. One critic described it as "a heartfelt story of immigration and assimilation that is as American as apple pie." My husband and I really enjoy watching the show, it is more reality than anything about Islam.

But some on the religious right are upset that the show doesn't portray Muslims as anti-American extremists, so they're threatening to boycott its advertisers. How hilarious is that?! The Muslims on the show are not terrorists and these bigots are mad about it! Even worse, hardware chain Lowe's has caved in, pulled its ads, and released a cowardly statement saying they want to avoid a "hotly contested debate."

During the last few years we’ve seen anti-Muslim bigotry rise to new levels as professional fear mongers have exploited public ignorance about Islam to create a climate of fear and suspicion.

These anti-Muslim extremists have created a series of baseless controversies (the “Ground Zero mosque,” “creeping Sharia” law overtaking the Constitution, etc.) to get airtime for their radical conspiracy theories that Muslim-Americans are part of a secret global plot to destroy our country.

Having been rewarded with funding, media coverage and political influence by mainstream conservatives, they’re now lashing out at anyone who debunks their ridiculous, hateful views.

That's why it's so important for us to show that the overwhelming majority of religious people are opposed to this anti-Islamic bigotry. Please join me in voicing your displeasure to Lowes (write them a letter or go to their facebook page) and by not patronizing the store.

A happy holiday story

2011-12-13T22:29:00.002-05:00

(Denmark - second happiest country in the world!)

It has gotten suddenly cold in Arizona (by desert standards) in the low 40’s in the evening and just 60’s during the day. This temperature change caused my tires to deflate and cause the emergency tire pressure light to pop on. According to the Owner’s Manual, a person shouldn’t drive with this emergency light on – the tires should be re-filled. As I have a fairly long commute, this alert signal was causing me no small worry.

I told the husband who took a look and said there was nothing wrong. That when he drove the car, the light didn’t even come on. I thought that was the end of it. The next morning, I start the car up to head out to work and guess who joins me…my lovely friend the tire pressure emergency light. Now what was going on? I decided, no matter the cost, I would have to take the car to the dealership – I use the car so much, it can’t be incapacitated.

That evening, after picking up baby, I drove straight to the local dealership. I hadn’t made an appointment and figured they would just schedule me for a service for the next day. I also didn’t relish the idea of dropping anywhere from $100-$1000 for this situation. We all know what happens when you go to the Service department at a car dealership (cue the cash register music). I drove right up to the service station and got out. Standing there was a service manager and a mechanic. I explained the circumstances. I was waiting for them to say, “we will have to take a look” and scheduling me for an appointment. Instead, to my utter surprise, the mechanic very kingly said, “oh your tires just need topping off. I can do that right now.”

‘Wow – what?!’ I thought. A simple solution?! And the dealership willing to do it, at no cost?! I couldn’t believe it!

10 minutes later I had the car and the tire pressure light was gone (and hasn’t appeared since). This was so nice of them, I was touched. Nowadays, I feel like there is less kindness, everyone is out for a buck. But Midway Nissan was beyond helpful to this overworked mom. I can’t say how immensely joyful I was by this gesture by the kindly mechanic (the next day I dropped him off some cookies).

It is these acts of charity that restores one’s hope in humanity.

Gift Question for the holidays

2011-12-05T23:43:00.002-05:00

Should I ask my brother-in-law if I can give a gift to my niece? Is that typically done? The gift in question is a book, The Secret Garden.

He is VERY religious and I'm not sure if he would allow the book and/or the gift.

Reading The Night Circus for book club, everyone is raving about it, but I'm finding it a tough slog....this is like that Dan Brown book all over again.

Arizona politics

2011-11-27T19:29:00.001-05:00

The month of November brought local elections to Arizona and none were more contentious than the recall voting of Republican State Senator Russell Pearce. If his name sounds familiar, it should. He is the brainchild behind such legislation as SB 1070 and the birthright amendments (both pieces fiercely anti illegal immigration using racial methods).

Initially in the race there were just two candidates, Mr. Pearce and a Mr. Jerry Lewis, also a Republican, but MUCH more moderate. Suddenly in July a third candidate popped up, Olivia Cortez. She had no political experience, was holding no press conferences and turned down calls for volunteers. What was going on?? It seems, (though this has not been officially confirmed but all evidence points to this), Ms. Cortez was recruited by the local Tea Party (big supporters of Pearce) to run in an effort to dilute votes for the moderate Jerry Lewis. Her nominating petitions were filed by the Phoenix East Valley Tea Party chairman. And when it came time for her to disclose who her financial backers were, she drops out of the race. She was a diversionary candidate, to siphon off votes for Jerry Lewis – that is how things work out here in Arizona; scheming tricks and childish games, instead of challenging on the issues.

This story does have a happy ending, the sham candidate tactic backfired (the Phoenix media picked up on it and ran with it daily) and Jerry Lewis won. Despite the Wild West mentality of this particular election, sensibility somehow prevailed.

baby photo contests

2011-11-15T01:26:00.001-05:00

Gotta make this quick, at work and have so much to do!! But I am rather tired of neglecting my blog.

Its funny, driving to work, I have all these topics I think about to write in the blog but as soon as I’m faced with the blank page of the computer, my mind wipes clean. Aye!

Traveling back from my in-laws, who live in Sacremento, I picked up the airline magazine and was hugely disappointed. It was awful. It seemed like basically they had pulled press releases from locations and published. There were no thoughtful pieces, nothing interesting. I know airplane magazines are not bastions of exciting reading but really, this is the height of sloppy work. Could not the editors club together something?

I freelance write on the side and am thinking of sending a query – what do you think? What topics would one want to see in an airline magazine article? I would like to use the fact that I work for the airline as part of the query letter, how should I word that? That I want better articles in the magazine, because it is a reflection of the airline (though the magazine is actually outsourced to a third party and not done in house by the airline).

Also, anyone have tips on entering baby into online baby photo contests?? She is adorable and if she won, would help boost her college fund.

Thanks!

Sadness

2011-11-07T22:43:00.003-05:00

Here is the pic as promised - she is a parrot.

Going through the blogs I frequent last week, I read with great sadness that my dear blog friend, Brenda's husband had passed. I was than and continue to remain in shock. He was under 60 and was not unduly sick. It all came on suddenly. The ultimate tragedy is that he was a hard worker but did not have any health insurance, because Brenda and her husband were farmers. What does it say about America that a man dies for lack of health insurance. My God - he could have been living in a village in the Sudan, for all the good living in the wealthiest nation in the world did him!

Reading her post on her beloved husband's death, I am just want to scream at those people who oppose health care for all, shouting about "Obamacare." What do they know, sitting comfortably with their Medicaid cards or their wealthy pensions, so easy to talk about the evils of nationalized health care. Say what you will about Canada's health care but it is still a hell of a lot better than what we have here!

I have never met Brenda or her husband yet through the years of reading her blog, I feel a connection and I wish there was more that I could do to help my dear blog friend. In lieu of being able to deliver a casserole to AK, I am going to continue to fight for better health care options in this country, so these kind of tragedies don't happen to other kind people.

Peace Out

2011-10-28T00:19:00.002-04:00

Heading to DC for the weekend....baby's 1st Halloween, I promise to post pic's!

Hello Again

2011-10-19T00:03:00.000-04:00

Sorry, sorry, sorry – I know I’ve been AWOL for much to long, the only excuse I can give is that annual enrollment has started at non-descript airlines and as I work in the Benefits group, we have been very busy

But now I am back! So much to talk about, where to start???

One of my good friends from grade school is expecting her 7^th child. She is a devout Catholic. She has 6 children already, all under the age of 10. With this child she is having complications and has been forced to stay in the hospital. This means the father has had to look after the children. Everyone is praising the father for doing this, except me. My thinking of this situation is, “you are the father, you are suppose to be looking after the children, you are not doing anything extraordinary here.” My friend does this all day when he is at work (the kids are home schooled). Besides, you wanted all those children (my friend’s husband is a super strict Catholic) you should look after them, see what my friend goes through all day long, everyday 24/7. Am I wrong in not being impressed? I kind of see this hospital stay as an act of God, as a way for Him to force rest for my friend, otherwise, when does she get a break?

Well we now know the worth of a Palestinian life to the State of Israel – 1 Israel for 1,000 Palestinians (as seen in the current prisoner exchange). That seems about right if one follows Israeli politics; kill 1,000 Palestinians to make room for a settlement for one Israeli family, and that too, on occupied Palestinian land. I wish Israel would stop saying they are for peace when its clear through their continued settlement expansion into Palestinian terroritory that they are not (seems almost more like ethnic cleansing).

Took baby to a pumpkin patch this past weekend – she was completely frightened. Who would have thought rows and rows of big orange balls would scare an 8^th month old so much?? She would not get down from either momma or daddy, clinging on for dear life. We will try again next year.

Airport Security

2011-10-05T01:40:00.002-04:00

This bit (in red below) was in our daily electronic newsletter that all employee’s at non-descript airline get – I couldn’t agree more about the idea of making different security lanes for air passengers. I know, as a frequent traveler, I HATE getting behind someone in security who has never been on a plane or doesn’t know what to do, their pockets full of coins, wearing sneakers, a belt, having a laptop, you name it in slowing down the security line and they are doing it. Aye!

“Airport security would be cheaper and more effective if passengers were divided up according to risk, the head of the International Air Transport Association said. The aviation industry spends $4.7 billion a year on security in the aftermath of the attacks at the World Trade Center in New York 10 years ago, Tony Tyler, chief executive officer of the trade group, said today in Amsterdam. “We have not made it any more intelligent,” he said, speaking at an air security conference. “For the billions of dollars we spend, we could do a lot better.” The CEO called for an overhaul of airport security scanning and said airline passengers should be screened with their bags, without having to stop, remove clothing or unpack. IATA favors splitting passengers into three categories: “normal,” “enhanced,” and “known traveler,” based on customs and immigrations data and information about their travel arrangements such as the payment method. Based on the risk-assessment the passengers would be guided through different lanes, with limited scanning for “well- known” customers and more extensive security screening, including body scans and explosive trace detectors, for higher- risk passengers. “

In the shower today and thinking about the top five films guaranteed to make me cry:
1. Fried Green Tomatoes
2. Dumbo
3. I am Sam
4. Steel Magnolias
5. Schindler's List

Also, my heart goes out to Meredith Kercher’s family, I could care less about Amanda Knox, but poor Meredith is dead and that is the whole tragedy in this story, nothing else.

Post Tramatic Stress Disorder

2011-09-27T23:03:00.001-04:00

I am suffering from office post traumatic stress disorder. Regular readers of this blog will remember that last year at this time I had begin working as an Administrative Assistant at a local Phoenix university. Also, you will recollect that this was not a pleasant experience as I had the boss from hell. He was a complete micro-manger, would not even let me send out my own emails without checking it first. Every day working there was like going to battle. I had to steer myself up and each time this awful manager would communicate with me, my defenses were raised. I had to be defensive because he was always looking for excuses to find fault. It made me second guess every comment or note I received from him and in that office.

Switch to today and I’m back with good ol’e non-descript airlines, my extended family! However, I am having difficulty letting go of my defensiveness. My boss is nothing like that horrible guy at the university, yet I read her emails and sometimes her comments immediately start to get my hackles up. I am cognizant I am doing this but how to remove that barrier? I think its that defensiveness which is also hindering my becoming closer to other members in the department. How does one recover from a bad boss experience??

Slice of Life

2011-09-20T21:07:00.002-04:00

Sorry I have been AWOL of late – now that I work, I’ve writing my blog posts at my desk and lately I’ve been just swamped.

This past weekend the family went to my in-laws. They were having a party for baby’s christening. My mother-in-law had me wearing this very heavy outfit that my mother had gotten for me from India. It’s beautiful but full of bead work and the “skirt” part is very full. I liken it to the ball gowns of Catherine the Great’s era. The outfit is gorgeous and I love it. But carrying around a squirming baby and moving rapidly from table to table is near impossible. On top of that, the “skirt” (it’s not really a skirt but looks that way, the bottom part of the dress, hard to describe), sweeps the floor, it goes past my feet, even in heals. With a baby in hand, I can’t hold it up and that bugs me because I know the bottom is just getting filthy, as it touches the dirty floor.

As I was maneuvering on Saturday, I came to a realization. No wonder these heavy outfits are generally for brides only – because it is only on the day of her wedding that an Indian bride doesn’t have to do anything. Otherwise, we ladies are always expected to be busy, working.

Here are some pic’s of these type of outfits – very beautiful and makes one feel like a grand lady, a la Catherine the Great!

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-12T01:26:00.003-04:00

"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully," Abraham Lincoln.

Started the day early and from the beginning, its been all 9/11 remembrance. It makes me sad. This is largely why I try to avoid 9/11 memorial specials etc every year. But this anniversary it was unavoidable. The sad part is, I know what is going to happen and yet every time I get choked up. You see the sad stories of those who didn't survive the Towers, the poor passengers on Flight 93 and that awfulness of the Pentagon and you just want to cry. Was listening to NPR and they were broadcasting the live reading of the names at the WTC, couldn't get out of the car - one begins to analyze, like a Monday morning quarterback, the events of that day. What could have been done differently?....

After a day full of this tragedy, all I did this evening is hug baby and thank God for her.

Even still, Irene is a cool name

2011-09-01T21:16:00.001-04:00

Why are people so suspicious? At the office, because I work with Payroll and the paycheck adjustments it’s assumed that if a manual check is cut, I MUST have done it (I was advised NOT to request manual checks). I didn’t request a manual check and yet I feel like I have to prove to the powers that be, that it wasn’t me, why? It is like when money goes missing at my parent’s house, my mother and aunt automatically assumes, “the cleaning ladies” took it. Both times they have been wrong. Aye!

Seen today - little old lady, barely reaching above the seat, going to the bank, driving right past the bank’s “do not enter” sign – welcome to Arizona!

People who complain about the hassle of dealing with billing issues from doctor’s offices and still vote Republican, I have no sympathy for, that also includes those who receive Medicare or Medicaid and are now feeling the squeeze. You get what you “voted” for, idiots.

Is it just me, but does anyone else think Pakistan and Mexico are rapidly becoming failed states?

Last Days of Ramadan

2011-08-26T00:53:00.002-04:00

Just a few more days of fasting left to go – though I will have to make up about 12 days. I’m going to be honest, this is rough. I am falling over with sleep at work. It will be nice to once again be allowed to drink caffeine during the day, I’m sure it would help! The funny thing is that it is not even the food I miss so much as sleep. One has to wake up in the morning to eat breakfast and say prayers. And even though I manage to do the whole thing in ½ hour, its still an interruption of sleep and I’m dragging during the day.

I wonder also if this lack of food has made me less patient to deal with people. Right now, typing this at work and one of the guys is boosting about all his travels, oh joy, a braggart, than I also have snarky people in my life. How does one deal with a snarky person - someone making sarcastic comments under their breath, etc?

Breaking news – Crown princess Victoria of Sweden is expecting her first child! Babies, babies everywhere!

Grab Bag

2011-08-18T00:12:00.001-04:00

Lately Momma and baby have been very clingy to each other – is that normal? I sometimes worry, what if something happens to me, who will protect and love my baby like I do? This has prompted a change in my eating habits, must take care of myself for baby.

Position open in my department here at non-descript airlines and the hiring manager has kept me appraised of some of the better candidates (alright not so much appraised as I have been noisy and asked). One candidate had a phone interview, did well and they wanted to bring her in for elevated interviews. Now the phone number doesn’t work or the applicant is not calling back. Really, what is wrong with people? You complain about being unemployed and than when you get an opportunity, you can’t be bothered to pick up the phone, aye! If you are not interested, just say so, plenty of other people happy to take the job.

Still get time to read? Why, yes I do! Darla D and I have talked about this, if reading is a priority, you will make the time. I dislike the excuse by non-readers for their lack of picking up a book by saying, “oh I’m so busy." I have a six month old baby and work a full time job and I still make time, even if its only five minutes. Certainly I don’t get through books as fast I use too, but I haven’t given them up either! Non-readers stop pretending you are a reader and just admit, “I don’t like reading.”

Native Arizonians, not very nice about making new friends, I am coming to find out. Sigh.

Somalia Famine

2011-08-10T00:09:00.002-04:00

Second week into the holy month of fasting and I’m still going strong (though to be honest, I have not fasted everyday, I want to make sure I don’t fall sick).

One of the daily rituals baby and I do after returning from the daycare and getting situated at home, is to watch the national evening news. I prefer NBC’s Brian Williams (hey if you are going to watch the news might as well do it with some eye candy). In this month of fasting, the one story that always strikes me is the on-going Somalia famine. I am haunted by the stories of mothers leaving their dying children on the side of the road, as they walk away the child staring at them silently; this breaks my heart. What tragic circumstances lead a mother to do that, I can’t even let my little one cry for a few seconds. I am not passing judgment, just stating that it is completely out of my realm of experiences.

News reports say that collectively we have given less to these victims than to those suffering from the tsunami and the Haiti earthquake. Why is that? Is one disaster more worthy of help than another? I don’t think people are maliciously NOT giving but I do wonder if there is a bit of donor fatigue when it comes to Africa. Let’s face it, there is always a need in Africa. Is something in the back of people’s minds saying, “not again?” I know upon initially hearing of the famine I flashed back to the 1980’s and the Live Aid concerts – so much money was raised and yet we could not avoid another famine, what is the point?

Irregardless, as I break my fast, I knew I had to give, not only are we Muslims encouraged to give in Ramadan but there is much spiritual reward to be had; for example yesterday I was feeding baby her oatmeal cereal and I thought, “my God, how a baby in Somalia could use this little bowlful so much right now.” I prayed that my donation to Doctors without Borders would make that possible.

I implore you to consider donating to a charity helping out the Somalia famine victims - $5 goes a long way, maybe think of it as a way of sharing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with your Muslim friends (like me!).

Doctors Without Borders

Edesia, one of the makers of Plumpy'nut®, a life-saving nutrient, has set up a donation page to allow people to specifically donate the product to children in Horn of Africa

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

CARE

World Vision's Horn of Africa response

UNICEF

Save the Children You can donate online or text SURVIVE to 20222 to donate $10 (Standard message rates apply). Legal disclosure: www.savethechildren.org/legaldisclosure

UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

MercyCorps

Oxfam America

Ramadan Mubarak!

2011-08-02T23:19:00.001-04:00

The holy month of Ramadan is upon us! On the surface one can see it’s a month of fasting all day, taking in no food or liquids from sunrise to sunset. These acts last for one whole month. But delve further and realize that it is about learning self-restraint, submitting to God and gaining patience and temperance.

The latter are, of course, the higher goals of this month, but we can see that largely, many Muslims fail to achieve. I am just as guilty. Every year I vow to become more patient and while I do think I’ve made some head-way, there is definitely much more room to grow! There should be more inner-reflection by all Muslims, during this holy month but what I see more often, sadly, is judgment of others and preening of religious self-importance.

Ramadan 2011 is going to be particularly difficult for me and already I have decided that I won’t be able to do all 30 days. Living so far from family, I can’t afford to get sick, there is only the husband and I, to take care of baby. [I had food poisoning about a month ago and it was awful, baby could not understand why momma couldn’t pick her up and play]. As it is, I’ve fasted two days and I’m falling over with sleep exhaustion. It doesn’t help that just as the month of fasting begins, baby starts to get her teeth (so she is not sleeping through the night, sometimes waking up for three hours at a stretch!).

Right, my prayer for this holy month is, “oh Allah, may this month easy, help me to be a good mother, wife and daughter and may your light and blessings shine on me and my loved ones forever.”

College Costs

2011-07-26T22:48:00.001-04:00

By now, both the husband and I are actively saving for baby’s college. I have used one of those online college savings calculators. The tragedy is that at 6 months, we are already behind. According to the savings calculator, the cost of university in 2028, when baby goes to college (InshAllah), four years of school will cost just a little under $400,000! For us to achieve that in 18 years, the husband and I have to put in $662 per month. Sadly, we do not have that kind of money. Maybe in a few years, when hopefully my earning potential will be more, we can put that kind of money away. Right now baby has a 529 plan, which is something; though like a 401k, the 529 plan fluctuates with the market and in the last quarter we lost money, ugh.

All of this is to preface what I am actually writing about; college athletes. I recently heard how there is some talk of giving top college athletes money, paying them. The reason behind this is because these students, i.e. the football or basketball players, are bringing in millions and millions of dollars for the college. Grant you, that statement is true, but to me these college athletes are already making money in that they are getting a free education! That is an average of a $100,000 savings. They will graduate with no student loans – a clean slate! As someone who has a student loan, I must say not having a loan would be amazing! Most of these kids, these college sports kids, will not make it to the big professional leagues, so they should consider it a great gift to get a free education. The school is setting them up to make money, to go right into the plus column upon graduation. That is a great pay-off as far as I’m concerned, better than money that most of these kids would squander anyway.

Books are dead?

2011-07-21T01:27:00.003-04:00

I heard the saddest news this week - Borders has filed for bankruptcy. Wow. I'll be honest, of the two big book chains, I did and do like Barnes and Noble better but the reason behind Borders' death frightens me. It seems those electronic readers are taking over. Some pundits are saying that hard physical books are going the way of records.

I hate the thought that physical books might become obsolete. I love actual books. I love flipping the page, I love seeing stacks and stacks of books; browsing these books. My ideal house will be filled with reams of built in bookshelves (naturally with books inside). Do you know, that one time my sister and I spent a Friday night in London, LONDON, hanging out at a bookstore?! This is how much I love books!

My resistance to e-books comes down to one issue, and one serious to me. You can't read an e-book both during take off and landing in a plane. Silly, I know. But we all know, they make you turn all electronic devices off like 20 minutes before the plane actually touches the ground. That is a precious 20 minutes I could have been reading, heck I could be in the middle of a good part and now have to sit around and twiddle my thumbs. Blah.

What makes me sad about Borders' demise is gone are the browsing opportunities. I love browsing through book stores, finding new authors, new stories. You can't really do that on an e-book.

I will say the one and only thing that I see as an advantage for an e-book, less paper, going green.

Hope that the demise of the physical book is not well until the year 3000 when I'm long gone.

And a Good time was had by all

2011-07-16T03:06:00.002-04:00

I am finally back from Virginia - actually have been back for a week but adjusting to this new work schedule has me falling asleep early (as well as the fact that the baby wakes up early).

She seems to be getting a bit better at the daycare, though momma still hates to leave her there; because lets face it, nothing can be better than momma care.

I have to say, traveling with a baby, people are amazingly nice! Returning from Washington DC, on the first leg, the gentleman standing behind me on the jet way, saw me struggling with holding baby, diaper bag and roller board carry-on and took the roller board all the way into the plane for me and than placed it over head. Than baby had a bit of a melt down as we were descending into Chicago (our connecting city) and both of the ladies on either side of me, sang and played with baby, very much distracting baby from her screaming. So nice!

On top of all of this, I was able to get a ride on one of those mini-cars inside Phoenix airport, again because I was struggling with all of the things in my arms. oh and I remembered, when I landed in DC, at the baggage claim belt, a woman saw me with the baby and could see I was trying to figure out how to get the suitcase off the belt and she did it for me - and she was a tiny lady like me! So kind! oh and another thing, on the out-bound flight, these teenage boy (BOY) who was sitting behind our row continued to smile, laugh and make faces at baby, who just found that super fun; he was so good to entertain her and not be bothered by her. See, I can come up with more and more examples of the kindness of strangers to a new mommy flying on an airplane by herself, just goes to show you, there is still goodness out there.

Happy Belated 4th of July!

2011-07-05T22:49:00.002-04:00

Happy Belated Fourth of July!!!

So sorry I have been awol of late - I'm in Virginia for the week. My parents had the baby's big Christening party over the holiday, the whole extended family came out. It has been so much fun! I think its times like these that help me to get through other difficult times; like if I know I have something to look forward too, than the dull days pass quicker. Does that make sense??

I promise to update upon my return to Arizona next week!

New Job

2011-06-25T01:13:00.002-04:00

Two days into the new job and I'm off mixed emotions. I love the job (back with non-descript airlines, in HR, if you can believe it?!).

However, I am very much missing baby while at work. I think I am having more separation anxiety than her! Part of the big problem is that she is not getting enough nap time. See at home she sleeps on her stomach but that is not American Pediatric Association approved. The daycare will only put her on her back. Doctors are now recommending on the back to reduce SIDS. But when we brought baby home she was having a lot of problems burping, with her stomach, so I would have her sleep on my me (on her stomach) and we just kept up that position even when she is in cradle. This has created the problem that at daycare she is not napping. She gets home and is so tired that she conks right out, leaving me with like an hour of playtime with her. I feel like I'm missing out on everything!!!

I think I'll give it a few more weeks, if things don't improve than I'll have to seriously re-consider the job - because she is the most important thing to me and I don't want to have any regrets where she is concerned.

Nighttime worries

2011-06-20T03:30:00.003-04:00

Its midnight over here in Arizona, I should be sleeping. The baby will wake up in a few hours and I'll have no time for sleep than. But I'm in deep worry mode. I go back to work on Thursday and this means baby will have to be put in daycare. I am having a very hard time with this, with leaving her. I don't know if I can do it. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. I want to just hold and hug her tight. I know she is going to feel so abandoned that first day, crying for momma. What a horrible momma I am not to be there to assuage her fears. Sigh. Can I do this.....

We are back!

2011-06-16T01:44:00.003-04:00

(my mother's Virginia garden in full bloom right now)

We are back from a fantastic trip to Virginia! Baby got to visit her grandmother and grandfather and her aunt. She was the belle of the ball. They all fought over her! Inevitably my dad (her grandfather) would win.

With all that help I had a lovely time, could actually sleep in, get some rest, eat! There is nothing like being with the grandparents to realize how incredibly helpful it is to have them around!!

We are back in Arizona, though I sense that baby is missing her grandparents and aunt, she was a bit fussy all day today. I think she kept expecting grandpa to come pick her up and take her for a walk outside (which he did every day we were there) and water the plants. Of course I am missing home, but we all know that is a given, ha ha.

Tsarist Russia and baby

2011-06-02T01:53:00.003-04:00

Baby and I are off to Washington DC tomorrow morning - for a visit with her grandparent's. I might be a bit away from this blog during that time (as I will not have my lap top with me).

She is getting cuter and cuter everyday. I love her laugh! Though I was sad today, I had to put away a bunch of her onesie's, they are too small. Everyone was right when they said they grow up too fast!! She smiles and laughs, but is still very attached to momma. I am applying for jobs but I hate the idea of leaving my dear little one. It breaks my heart. Its at times like this that I wish I lived in Western Europe, where they give mothers at least a year of maternity leave. Its so much better for the babies. I wish America would swing that way.

Just finished reading a great book about the last grand dames of Tsarist Russia. So fascinating, I love all things European royalty, particularly from the golden era, the late 1800's, early 1900's before WWI. This book, From Splendor to Revolution by Julia Gelardi, looks at the lives of four Grand Duchesses of Russia (two of whom became Queen's, one the Queen of Russia the other the Queen of Greece). One of the women it featured, Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrova (wife of Queen Victoria's son, Prince Alfred), was a hoot. She petitioned the Communist regime, right after the revolution, for the continuance of her royal allowance. Really?! You really think the Communist party, which killed half your relatives, would continue to give you a royal allowance? The country was starving, sheesh! You can either laugh at that or think she is delusional. I choose to laugh.

Pakistan

2011-05-29T00:49:00.002-04:00

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.
________________________________________________

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

2011-05-21T23:23:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-05-16T22:29:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-04T00:32:00.004-04:00

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).

Royal Wedding, Figure Skating etc.

2011-04-30T23:33:00.002-04:00

I'm back!!!

Stayed up Thursday night/Friday morning to watch the entire royal wedding - the result is that I am now suffering a cold and have lost my voice (no I didn't cheer, I was drinking something cold and the weather in L.A. at night was cold, I am thinking there is a corrolation). My thoughts on the wedding:

LOVED Kate's dress! I thought it fit her perfectly and so classic. She reminded me of an old fashion Spanish Princess, like what perhaps Katherine of Aragon would have looked like. Her hair and the tiara were beautiful, truly like a princess. I thought the veil was a nice touch, in the Spanish style. Also the bridesmaid and flower girl dresses were so cute, I would love to get one of those pleated flower girl dresses for my baby!!
I thought the Abbey looked great with the flowers and the trees! Again a nice touch, made it seem more intimate and less cold.
I was amazed at how short the actual ceremony is itself, the real long part was the mass afterwards, funny how it seemed some of the key players in the wedding didn't know the words to properly sing the hymn.
Some of those hats were insane, no? What were Princess Beatrice and Eugenie thinking? And all the fashionista's were wowing over Tara Palmer Tomlinson (I think that is her name, the chic in blue with the weird hat) I thought she looked hideous. Also Victoria Beckham might have looked cute but what a snob, looking down her nose at everyone.
All in all what a fairy tale day!!

In other news - world figure skating championships were held this week, sadly I was unable to see any of it because none of the regular television channels were showing it, bummer. I had to follow through the ISU website. Alissa Cziny completely shortchanged, she deserved to be on the podium! I hope that she continues skating this way and into next season, so she gets a chance to win!

Royal wedding in LA

2011-04-25T10:30:00.001-04:00

We are off to Los Angeles for a visit with my in-laws, will write when we return, all about the royal wedding!!

Have a great week!

Airline fees

2011-04-20T19:03:00.002-04:00

Good news came out today about the airline passenger rights bill! The one element in the bill that I was supremely happy to see was the caveat that if the airlines lose your luggage they have to refund you the baggage fee! I am happy for this rule because it will hopefully prompt airlines to do a better job with not losing suitcases. As a customer service agent, the worst thing in the world was a lost bag; unhappy customers, no idea where bag is, constant work. Fingers crossed, this works to improve service in the world of airline bags!

I attend this Muslim woman's group on Wednesday mornings (kinda like Bible study). It is nice but I am having a hard time making friends there. Everyone is friendly enough but its clear I am the outsider (everyone in the group is from India, I am the only American). To some extent I think language is an issue, but is it also a cultural thing? We can't relate as well? I genuinely feel like the nerd, take today for example - after group discussion we eat a snack. I sat at the table with baby in my lap while the other ladies all sat in the living room chatting. And its not a child issue as all the other ladies have little ones as well (which is why we meet on a Wednesday morning, all stay at home mommies). I still like to go to learn more about Islam but it would be nice to be friends with these ladies beyond the polite, "hello's." Any suggestions or thoughts?

Watching Oprah

2011-04-14T19:12:00.003-04:00

I watch a lot of Oprah nowadays - a pitfall of being a stay at home mommy I guess. On Thursday she was showing some recaps of her shows, funny episodes. One of the incidents was when she had her favorite things Christmas show but for this particular year the theme was, "being thrifty." Thus, unlike previous Oprah favorite things shows where the audience walks away with tons of free stuff, that year the audience was given tips on how to have a more frugal holiday season.

Oprah was showing this episode because of the audience reaction. The people in the crowd were in disbelief, seemed upset (this spend-thrift episode was in 2008 when America was really hit by the recession, so the theme seemed appropriate). Mind you, these audience members did not even know the subject of the show they were seeing until they got into their seats.

Flip back to present day and Oprah was saying how she felt bad that these audience members were upset, how they appeared to be duped...um what?!

What is she talking about? These people are that greedy that they went to Oprah's show with a sense of entitlement?! They saw that they were at Oprah's favorite things episode and therefore they OBVIOUSLY had to be getting lots of great goodies. What the heck?! Who do these people think they are?! You didn't even know the subject matter of the show before you got the tickets - so why do you think you deserve big ticket free stuff because you happen to get into the favorite things episode?! You should just be glad you got tickets to the Oprah show, sheesh!

This is the problem with America today, everyone thinks they are entitled to something - you are not!

The worse part of this whole story is that after showing that old show, Oprah proceeded to give each of that old episode audience members a gift pack (tracking them down and Fed-Ex'ing to each member a gift pack), because she felt bad for what happened to them three years ago. What?! No! They got to see Oprah, that is all they paid for. This abject consumerism drives me nuts!

Finding Friends

2011-04-12T18:03:00.003-04:00

Living in Arizona, as you know, can be very lonely and that can be exacerbated by being a stay at home mommy - enter the stroller!

We reside in this big apartment complex and my mommy support group had recommended that I take the baby in the stroller and go around during the day, where there would be increase chance of finding other mommy's and perhaps other Indians strolling as well. Eureka! I have found some other mommy's, even joined a Muslim woman's group! They don't make up for continuing to miss my family and friends back in Virginia but it certainly helps to move the days along.

Speaking of which, I LOVE my mommy support group and can you believe it is offered free from the hospital I had baby in - what shocks me is that there are not more new mommy's taking advantage of this great club.

ps - on a side note, proud of the husband, he will no longer play Trump golf courses in boycott of Trump's joining the stupid birther movement. Sad that Trump has whored himself out to these racists.

Stay At Home Mommy

2011-04-07T14:57:00.002-04:00

Currently I am a stay-at-home momma....and you would think that would drive me crazy, wrong! I love it! I fall more and more in love with baby every day, she is too cute! She is so sweet as well! I can't even imagine going back to work and leaving her with someone, just the though makes me get weepy. Yes I don't get much done because she likes to be held all the time but somehow it works and we are both happy (smile).

Husband and I are now officially RedBox fans! Since we can't really go the movies, we do Red Box Fridays - its great! I look forward to it and only for $1! So far we have seen:
The A-Team
Unstoppable
The Fighter*
The Social Network*
127 Hours
The American
The Other Guys
Despicable Me
Remains of the Day (that was rented from the library).

*I highly recommend these two, they were fantastic!!

In figure skating news, they have moved the World Championships to April 24th and to Moscow (originally scheduled for late March and to be held in Tokyo). I can't wait!

CEO is a tool

2011-04-02T01:34:00.003-04:00

Watched a CNN interview today with the CEO of godaddy.com. Apparently he heads to Zimbabwe every year to shoot elephants. He says he does it solely for altruistic purposes, because the elephants are trampling the crops of local farmers there in Zimbabwe. The CNN presenter pointed that she had spoken with an elephant expert at the Columbus zoo and that expert had said that while the elephants are known for trampling the crops there are other methods to get them to stop without having to shoot them. These methods included electric fences (go daddy guy dismissed this as too expensive) and the use of honey bee's (again dismissed as ineffective).

The CEO guy justifies his killing by saying that he is doing this to save those poor people's crops and that those people are happy for his help. As far as I'm concerned, this CEO is a real tool - he thinks he knows more than an ELEPHANT EXPERT, who has studied elephants all his life. He is trying to justify his desire to shoot big game by clocking it in some, "I'm doing good," excuse. If he really wants to help these people why doesn't he help with more advanced farming methods, tools, schools, roads, hospitals, so they don't have to sustain on just those crops but could improve their lot in life. Here is the story - http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_7683.shtml

Baby is getting more animated - I am trying to teach her Danish, if anyone knows any good and cheap programs that teach children a foreign language, do send along the tip!

Dilemma

2011-03-25T20:39:00.002-04:00

I'm in a quandary regarding a good friend of mine.

Here's the story:

She recently separated from her husband - they had been married for close to seven years I believe. They have two little girls together. It was a love match (not arranged, she is not of Indian descent). She had told me that she and her husband were having problems for some time now in our phone conversations from the past last year.

During the last few months she has been taking some job training. The teacher of the class and her got very friendly. He eventually told some weeks into the class, he liked her. She could see that. Suddenly when I would be talking to her on the phone, prior to the separation, she would be talking more about this guy and how great he was and in the same breath how and her husband had been having problems and it seemed like a good time for a separation.

Within the first week that she and the husband were separated, the teacher and her were dating. Talking to her, its all about how great this new guy is, how perfect he is, how he makes her happy, how she hasn't been happy in ages, how he respects her, how he likes the same things she does, how just made for her he is.

I am not comfortable with this - look I get that she and her soon to be ex were having problems, I don't discount that and they might have needed a separation, but what I have an issue with is this, frankly what I consider, grade school behavior. Her emails sound like notes I use to get when I was in high school. This man is the love of your life?! How is it that he happens along just as your marriage is falling apart? This man completes you, he is perfect?

My other friends think I am not seeing the whole picture, and maybe I am not, maybe its because I come from a very conservative social background (Indian), but this just doesn't seem right.

She and her husband separated in January and already she is talking about how she wants all of us to meet this new love of her life. And how is all of this affecting the daughters I wonder. She says that this new guy makes her happy and that her being happy is better for the girls - is that true?

To be honest I know she is going through some rough stuff and she is one of my best friends but this behavior is upsetting and angering me. I don't like it - does that make me a bad friend? I am not jumping for joy that this guy is the love of her life (truthfully I don't believe he is, I'm sure he is a nice guy but probably the reason he seems so perfect to her right now is that he is the an thesis of her ex). More importantly, I don't feel like getting emails from her chock full of how great this new man is and about all the things he does that are so special.

The dilemma is that I want to snap at her for this behavior but I hardly imagine that would be productive - what should I do?

HR Block and Great Surprise!

2011-03-20T17:46:00.002-04:00

Thanks for everyone's insight into the Kindle/Nook - still looking into it. I did go to Book Club last week and two out of the five members have electronic readers.

Had a great surprise this weekend, my sister and cousin came to Phoenix for a visit! They didn't tell me or anything, just knocked on the door and were standing outside. It was great! It was like God had heard how much I am missing my family and friends and sent them. It was so much fun having them here, they make me laugh and were so good with the baby, we got babysitters! Sadly since my sister has little vacation time and my cousin is on spring break, they could only stay two days. I am missing them - the apartment seems so quiet.

Husband and I went to H&R Block yesterday to get our taxes done. I can't say enough good things about the Block, they were so helpful and nice! Our taxes were a bit of a mess as I worked three different jobs last year and therefore had three w-2's (what a pain in the a*#!). Doing them on our own we calculated that we would owe Uncle Sam close to $500 but once the Block did the taxes we only owed $172. That is quite a difference!

Give and Get is Here!

2011-03-14T17:41:00.001-04:00

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

I use this program to stock up on gifts for throughout the year!

Store Closings and Other Things

2011-03-13T18:30:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone for their kind words - I am glad to hear that, "you can't spoil a baby." Because I am loving on my pookie all the time!

In other news, lots going on around the world, no? So sad about what is going on in Japan, what a tragedy. Also I am disheartened by what is going on in Libya, I wish for them Democracy, but it isn't looking good.

World Figure Skating Championships are coming up, I can't wait! I think this is the first year in a long while that an American girl will be on the podium - Alissa Cziny! Check out her 2011 US Figure Skating championships long program on youtube and you would agree.

With baby now, husband and I are quickly becoming addicts to Redbox - we can watch movies at home with pookie! And only for a dollar! This weekend alone we saw, Despicable Me (cute!), The American (I loved it but very foreign film-y), and The Other Guys (not your typical Will Ferrell, not as funny).

I have to say the one thing I am missing is being able to read - I'll be honest the bathroom is really the only time I get to myself, is it ok to bring a book in there? I do bring the paper - because I'll just throw that away but can't keep up with the book. Suddenly an E-reader is looking better, because I can hold pookie and still read the screen. Thoughts???

Kitchen Equipment

2011-03-07T22:58:00.003-05:00

Its funny but I can keep up with everyone's blogs much easier than updating my own blog - I think that is definitely because I can check everyone else's blog while baby is in my hands but I can't type since one hand is definitely gone, holding up pookie - lol.

Today was my first full day alone with baby - for the past six weeks I've had my mother-in-law and than my mum helping out. It was so nice to have them around and I was VERY scared when they left, could I handle the baby on my own...the answer, YES! I did it! She sleeps most of the time, but she wants to be held a lot and man my right shoulder is killing me. I did put her down a few times to go to the bathroom, to eat a quick lunch and to make dinner. I was also able to empty the dishwasher of kitchen equipment (though I did have baby in my hand when I did that). It is amazing what tasks you can do one-handed.

I know I am spoiling baby, she has to be left on her own but I can't stand when she cries, it breaks my heart so when she starts to whimper I pick her right up. I feel like she and I have a connection, I love when she holds on to me so tight, like she knows I'll protect her against anything!

I will say one thing, now that I am a stay at home momma, I have re-started watching Oprah, man she is good! I just watched her visit to Yosemite National Park, with Gayle, it was hilarious. There is a reason Oprah is so rich and so admired - I admit it, I'm a follower again : )

Pigeon Blog

2011-02-26T22:47:00.002-05:00

Still working on the baby blues........but am working on it....my mom leaves at the end of this week, and I am sad just thinking about it, than I will really be very much alone. I miss home so much right now, I can't explain it.

I have been surfing the web to find something to make me feel better and I came upon this blog from the London Underground blog.

Its a blog by a pigeon who lives in London - it is HILARIOUS! I love it! I enjoy the way he writes about all his pigeon friends and includes pictures, always makes me smile! Mart is my favorite! Check it out,

http://pigeonblog.wordpress.com/

Hanging in there

2011-02-17T21:48:00.002-05:00

Sorry - not much in a mood or have energy to blog much. I'm definitely suffering from post-par tum depression. This is rough. I want to take care of my baby but I have so little energy and than my emotions are so sad. Please tell me this will get better! I want the depression to go away, I want my energy back.

kitchen gadgets

2011-02-04T22:34:00.002-05:00

Thank you all for the lovely congratulations - yes this whole thing is sooo overwhelming!!! I miss being pregnant, when I could sleep! Someone asked me the other day what I would like as a gift for my birthday, I replied a full nights sleep without waking up worrying about baby.

I do feel so blessed to have been given this baby but I just feel so overwhelmed, this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do! I think I could even scale a mountain at this point and it would be easier, because there I would only have to worry about myself!

Also I find my emotions are up and down all the time, people say this is to be expected, one second I'm ok, the next I'm crying over nothing. I keep the television on, it calms my nerves. Right now I have some grandma help which is heaven sent otherwise I would be a wreck but I'm nervous about what happens when grandma goes home. I just don't know if I can handle baby on my own. I know thousands of women before me have done it, but it just seems so hard!

We just saw an advertisement for stoneware pots, how funny, eh? A television ad about kitchen gadgets shows me that the world continues to go on even as I swirl around in my worry (which has me so stressed that I can't seem to eat). On top of which, natural feeding is not coming at all! I so wanted to be able to do that. What a failure as a mommy am I!

Right, sorry about this rather negative post - its only reflecting my current state of mind.

Baby is here!

2011-01-28T19:48:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lateness in post - baby is here!

She arrived, Saturday, Jan 22nd at 12:30am, after 14 hours of labor (joy). She weighed in at 6lbs 4ounces and 20 inches.

Mommy and baby are doing fine, though I'm rather in zombie mode and am worried all the time about everything for the baby.

Probably won't blog as regularly for the time being. Hugs and love, Virginia Gal

Cooking Utensils

2011-01-19T23:53:00.002-05:00

Watched the Golden Globes on Sunday with mum, as she is in town for the baby's birth (though it really doesn't seem like baby wants to come anytime soon, which is rather frustrating as I would LOVE for both of my parents to be here for the birth of their first grandchild, but I suppose these things can not be predicted and they don't have unlimited vacation. Sigh).

I enjoyed the show and thought Ricky Gervasis was hilarious! I noticed many of the entertainment news shows were very critical of Gervasis's commentary during the show but I thought he was great! Certainly, he took shots at the Hollywood stars, but so what - did people expect him to only make jokes about cooking utensils?

I love how these Hollywood types get so upset when the jokes are about them, especially at this lovefest the Golden Globes. No sense of humor and really, all Gervasis was saying was the reality - I guess they like to be mollycoddled into thinking they are really are special people who deserve, no, are entitled, to being treated better than other human beings - by default of their Hollywood status. I am glad Gervasis took them down a few pegs!

Enough of my caterwauling, overall I thought the show was good, glad it ran within the time limits so I could catch the second episode of Dowton Abbey on Masterpiece Theatre!

Still Here!

2011-01-17T15:13:00.002-05:00

Just an update, no baby yet : ) Grandmom's are here but baby has decided she is not ready to make her grand appearance! Hope all are well!

Murder of Salman Taseer

2011-01-11T15:29:00.002-05:00

No baby news, but any day now, went to the doctor's today and he said my water could break any minute, which would be awesome, I'm so ready.

I have to write about the tragedy that happened in Pakistan, the murder of Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab (a state in Pakistan). This horrible incident exemplifies the extent of intolerance that has become the norm in Pakistan. Salman Taseer became a target by Islamic right wing zealots when he stood against Pakistan's antiquated blasphemy laws. He spoke out against the trial of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who has been accused of speaking against the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), which is against the law in Pakistan. He was shot to death by one of his bodyguards, while the rest of the bodyguards looked on. The killer said he had to do it because Taseer was against the blasphemy laws.

When I think of blasphemy laws, I think of the Salem Witch Trials, when ignorance and fear ruled the day, ignorant thinking. I have to agree with the late Mr. Taseer, these laws are backwards and not the mark of a modern country. As a Muslim I am unclear why these laws even exist. So what, if someone says something against the Prophet (pbuh) or make a comic strip- these things are not going to affect my faith. I am unclear why the religious right get so afraid of free speech, is your faith so fickle? What purpose does a blasphemy law serve exactly?

Some Pakistani's openly rejoiced at this assassination and that is what is even more tragic. This shows me that the extremists are winning in Pakistan. Instead of moral outrage throughout the country, many Pakistani's think this killing was not only permissible but right. What the heck?! Not that I'm surprised, as an Indian, with a grandfather who was virulently anti-Pakistani, I don't have high opinions of the country of Pakistan overall. They tend to be highly insecure in their religious identity, with some sort of inferiority complex to Arabs. But this incident really disgusts me, particularly the support by so many people to the killer, showering him with rose petals as he is arrested...what?! And that dog of a man killer has the audacity to smile as he is lead to jail, sick, sick, sick.

All of this just bothers me as Muslim. I love my faith, in its true origins it gives me peace and tranquility. I don't need to prove to any human being my devotion to Islam, only God will judge me. Yet, it feels like these right wing people are just taking the religion over. I want to lend my voice for opposition to these acts, this is not Islam! Islam its not about persecuting minorities in Muslim countries (what hypocrites by the way, as the Prophet, pbuh, did not allow that at all, read your Islamic history you stupid idiots!) be they Coptic Christians in Egypt or a liberal voice such as Salman Taseer's. This whole thing just makes me outraged.

It just gets weirder

2011-01-07T12:45:00.002-05:00

I am missing my snowy weather that is going on back East, so I've uploaded this image of a nice winter day in my beloved Copenhagen.

I have to follow up on my job situation. I put in my letter of resignation yesterday. It was a weight off my shoulders, especially since the baby could come any day now and I wanted to make sure this loose end was tied up.

But things here just get weirder and weirder. I gave the director of the department my letter of resignation since my boss is not in this week (school starts on Monday, this is the last few days of holiday - boo!) However, I wanted to make sure that HR also knew about my intent. Unfortunately, the HR guy for the campus just happened to leave on Tuesday for another job. I asked a fellow administrative assistant who has been with the company for a long time, who I should go too in lieu of an HR person. She provided me with a name, the business director of this campus.

I emailed this gentleman with my letter of resignation, soley for the purpose of making sure there was no paperwork I had to fill out regarding my leaving. He replied back, but cc'ed my boss, the department head and the acting head of the campus (the top person here).

Two hours later, this head of the campus came down to see me. She was upset. She wanted to know why I had emailed the business director. I told her that I had been advised by the administrative assistant who works in her office. She tersely told me, "you shouldn't have done that, you should have emailed me. The business director shouldn't have been told." and than she abruptly left. Um....what? Okay....first of all, what the heck? Why is this a problem? I'm unclear. Second, why would I email the head of the campus, it would be like emailing the CEO, I would figure that my department head, who reports to her, would tell her in person. Why would I even think to email her. I am an admin, I email a fellow admin. Third, why would you come down to see me about this situation - I'm leaving and than why would you behave that way, getting all upset, instead of speaking rationally? Why do you even care that I am leaving, I've only been here for three months - whats the big deal?

This whole place is just a hot mess as my friend Christina says. Where is the professionalism? Maybe I was spoiled at non-descript airlines, but people generally didn't act this way. I would never have gotten reamed out by the Senior VP of HR, he would have had my director do it. I would never have thought to give my letter of resignation to the Senior VP in any case, how strange!

This woman is the acting head of the campus and she behaved that way - what?! To me that was just unprofessional. What do you think?

Perhaps it is just the change of settings, this is an educational institute vs. non-descript airlines, which is a business. Maybe people in business know how to act as professionals and this is not the same behavior expected in educational situations?? I mean, from my immediate boss to this head of the entire campus acting in this manner just shocks me. I am glad I am leaving, I can't work in this upside down world, it is just too weird.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T13:01:00.001-05:00

At this stage in my pregnancy, I'm finding that I get tired super easy and that is the excuse I'm using for why I have not been updating my blog as regularly as I should be…sorry!

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year, sadly, I puckered out by 11pm and sent my husband on to a party, so at least he could enjoy. I was content to just go to sleep (smile). Speaking of sleep, anyone have tips on how a nine-month pregnant woman can sleep better? My shape is making it hard to really stay sleeping, I end up getting up at least twice a night, should I use pillows all around? Tips most welcome!

I've been following the going-on's in the Ivory Coast with fascination. It is rather a sad situation and yet sometimes when I listen to the news I just have to laugh. To recap, Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent president, lost. But, he refuses to step down. A variety of sources have confirmed this, but Mr. Gbagbo refuses to believe or concede. This makes me laugh in a way…it is such anathema to what we believe here in America. If you lost and the powers that be, the election commissions, the outside fair election coalitions, the Supreme Court, verify this, in America, the loser, graciously steps down. But Mr. Gbagbo is saying, "no, I refuse to step down." Its like a little child, just refusing to get out of the sandbox. And in a trait shared by all power hungry personalities like Mr. Gbagbo, he is saying that he is only staying in power because of the security of his country – mind you his denial to step down is THE reason there is tension and a potential for civil war in the Ivory Coast. These power hungry people cloak their selfish behavior in psedu-altrustic terms to convince themselves that they are not the monsters that they really are (this is a common tread I read about in all dictators). I suppose, ultimately what I would like to know is what does the world do when a leader refuses to step down??

Another thing on my mind was a debate I heard the other day on the radio about American pediatrician's performing faux female circumcisions. The radio host was naturally against it but I am not so sure. If a person is from those parts of the world that believe in female circumcision, to the extent that they would go to an American pediatrician to request it, I think its better if that doctor performs a faux female circumcision (in this case just giving the girl a nick in that area, so the parent's will see bleeding, but no actual circumcision). My thinking is if the American doctor doesn't do this "act" these parents will just take the child back to the home country and get it done there and we know from evidence that in those cases its going to be the real thing, scarring and damaging the child permanently. What do you think??

More of my boss

2010-12-27T14:41:00.003-05:00

Sorry for being awol of late - was going to write last week, but than my boss made my life horrible again, just before he left for the holidays (aye, what is his problem?! Its like he enjoys ruining my holidays).

It did get me to wondering...is it me? Am I a difficult employee? I don't think so. But how to know? And yet I can't think that is the case, because I have had jobs where I was I a long standing employee and one wouldn't be a long standing employee if they were difficult. And in those instances the managers and I got along fine. I think perhaps my problem is that I can't deal with with bad managers. If you are a good manager who doesn't micromanage my every move, I am a better employee.

I know I must be doing something good, the head of the department did thank me for all my work right before we left on Thursday. As I say to my husband, this boss is going to become the head of the department at the end of the year and I have to imagine that my boss's micromanaging personality is going to manifest itself onto the other professors, because he will be there boss as well.

And than my sister says that perhaps I am not flourishing in this job is because it is not what I wanted and after working so hard for two years to get my MBA, this is most definitely a step backwards. Does that make sense?

Either way, I'm resigning, the baby is on the way and I don't need this negativity in my life.

Happy Story

2010-12-16T12:09:00.002-05:00

In the spirit of the holidays, I wanted to share a happy story I stumbled upon while listening to the BBC yesterday (I like to listen to the BBC at work, its the closest I can get to London at the moment).

It starts out sad, about this little boy abandoned in a Russian orphanage. He has cerebral palsy. Its the early 1990's, the Russian economy is falling apart, he is stuck in Baby House 10, going undiagnosed medically, the workers at the house think he is mentally retarded. The conditions at the orphanage are sparse, no real love or affection and the little boy is left in a silent ward with no toys, no exercise, no education all day, every day. By happen chance, a British journalist's wife stops by the orphanage and Vanya, the little boy, calls out to her. This sparks a connection that will help save his life. She monitors and keeps an eye out for Vanya. Yet, poor little Vanya is sent at age 6 to a mental asylum, housed with adults, living a nightmare. But Vanya continued to reach out to the adults around him and through this, Sarah, the journalist's wife and Vika a Russian woman, labor to get Vanya out of the mental asylum (Russian beau racy caged him and other children like him, in adult mental homes) and finally adopted by an American woman. Now Vanya lives in Bethlehem, PA, is an honor's student and a member of the Boy Scouts.

I know the story is rather sad but the ending is happy, (yay!) which is what I like and can go for. Presently, I can't do sad stuff, it must be the hormones, but I just start to get weepy. I can still do angry though. Don't get me started on my boss!

Has anyone ever had the experience of this, with a supervisor.... if said supervisor is not busy, they will come and bother you? Its like they don't want to do their work, so they will come and make work for you? In my case I am noticing that acutely. My boss, RARELY sits at any length of time in his office just doing work. He LOVES to chat with anyone and everyone. If there is no one around for him to chat with, he comes and creates work for me or takes time out to critique my work. To me, its almost like a child or a cat, he must be distracted with shiny toys (in this case other people to talk with) or he comes and bothers me, like he can't entertain (in this instance, work) by himself.

Don't forget - Free Shipping Day is tomorrow! Check it out here - www.freeshippingday.com

Snowy Days

2010-12-12T00:11:00.002-05:00

I had a number of points I wanted to blog about and now its all slipped my mind.

I am missing the snow, I love the images coming from Europe, particularly Paris with the snow - how beautiful! There is something magical about snow days, even though I've lived in snowy weather all my life and a snow day is really nothing new for me, I still marvel each time I see snow falling.

I am saddened by the news in England that they will begin charging students for higher education. It is just a tragedy that will prohibit many from going to college, high costs, high graduating debt. What does it say about a society full of uneducated people? Shortsighted thinking if you ask me.

Just finished reading a baby book - nothing to make you feel like an inadequate parent than reading those books and the baby is not even here!

Kitchen Gadgets

2010-12-06T14:19:00.001-05:00

Some changes at home, we are moving. Alas, not out of Arizona (God will I ever leave this horrible state?!) but into a different location. We most definitely need a bigger place, the baby is not even here yet and she has taken over our one-bedroom apartment! I find it funny that something so small needs so much stuff! Tonight is our first baby-care class. Thankfully, both mothers are helping us out when the baby arrives, so for at least the first six or seven weeks we won't be alone, parenting. I know, I know, millions of people do it alone all the time, but if the experts (our mum's) are willing to help, why not take advantage, no? Hey, if Yo-Yo Ma was willing to teach my kid the cello, why would I say no? It's the same comparison in my mind.

I am hoping in this move to clean out some of the stuff in the apartment. Just looking at the kitchen there is room for de-clutter, too many Tupperware dishes, too many glasses, on the flip side, not enough kitchen gadgets. Thank God for those Bed, Bath and Beyond gift cards! Also, I'm wondering if maybe we shouldn't invest in a new vacuum cleaner, the one we have doesn't seem to pick up as well as I would like.

Working in an office, I have one big pet peeve. Why do people always think the administrative staff are experts in all functions of the copy machine? This use to bug me at non-descript airlines and now bugs me at the new location. It seems the higher the position or degree of the person, the more inept they are with the copier or more demanding that someone else fix the copier machine. The hilariousness in this situation is that I don't actually have a degree or certification in copy machine repair, but I do have common sense (what a novel concept), most copy machines are made for the 8^th grade education level, the machine will often walk you through what is wrong with it. A person just has to read the screen. The other day a student came in demanding I fix the machine, he didn't ask to nicely and I was not pre-disposed to help. I did glance at the screen and say, "oh its broken." And did not volunteer to help fix it. The student was clearly annoyed and very sarcastically suggested I was smarter than him. I replied equally in a sarcastic tone, "clearly." He left. As soon as he was gone, I went and 'fixed' the copier machine…it was out of paper. He might be a doctoral student, but at that moment, I was smarter than him!

My Yearly Scrooge Moment

2010-11-30T16:53:00.002-05:00

The holidays are upon us and its that time again for me to rail against these holiday drives/Christmas/Angel trees.

I am very opposed to these toy drives and now, you are saying, why are you being such a Scrooge?! First of all, let us be clear the Christmas holiday is in no way, in the religious sense, related to the giving of toys or getting of gifts. How is giving a child a toy helping in the Christian spirit? How about instead feeding a hungry person, providing clean drinking water, heck spending time with the child instead of throwing a toy at them? If a child is in a lower soci-economic status, what he/she needs is probably more basic needs: food, shelter, clothes. Toys are a luxury. I'd rather spend my money to improve the child's education so that they can have a better life. Where does it say that everyone needs a toy for Christmas? If you don't get a toy for Christmas, is the holiday not worth it? Is that not reason to celebrate?

You know I don't agree with my very strict Catholic friends on many things, but in this instance I concur with them, this whole materialistic focus, starting with Santa, seems to be taking away from the whole purpose of the holiday and who should be the real star (Jesus, peace be upon Him).

Perhaps I am being even meaner this year than previously because I too feel the economic crunch, and I've had to give up luxuries (manicures, coloring my hair, new shoes as examples). There are millions of children around the world who will never have a toy in their entire childhood, I would like to know, is that the case with those children participating in these toy drives? Do they have no toys? Or is the toy drive adding to their collection?

If I'm not seeing both sides of the pictures, please feel free to enlighten me.

baby thank you cards

2010-11-25T00:16:00.007-05:00

Last week was my family's big baby shower - it was amazing!! I had a lovely time and absolutely did not want to leave and come back to stinky Arizona. The whole extended family came out as well as long time friends, so much love for my dear little one and she is not even here! This baby will be the first on my mother's family side and my parent's first grandchild, so you can imagine the excitement surrounding her arrival. She is blessed indeed!

The party itself was a madhouse but in a loving way, my only complaint would be that I didn't get enough time to spend with everyone who was there, but than even if the party had gone on all weekend, it would not have been enough time.

Upon arriving in Arizona, my husband and I joked that the baby isn't even here but her stuff is more than ours combined. I think its funny that this tiny little thing has SO much stuff! Her clothes alone for the first year could take up our whole closet, lol.

Now I have to get motivated and write all the baby thank you cards. It isn't that I don't want to do it, but its that I want to do it in an elegant and personal way, yet with over 50 thank you cards to write, can that be done?!

The whole weekend was lovely. I am so blessed to have such a great and loving family and I can't wait to introduce my baby into the tribe!

Small Miracles

2010-11-22T13:12:00.001-05:00

I had to share this story, because its nice to have something good for a change, no?

As you know, my job is high stress only in that my manager is a super micro-manager and will pounce on me for even the smallest of mistakes. Honestly, I think part of this is because he is not kept busy enough. I wish there were more meetings to put him in, because I find the more occupied he is with others the less time he has to nitpick me.

The one day of the week I love at work is Friday, because he doesn't come in. This past Friday, all was going well when I went to retrieve a student file in my new file cabinet. Imagine my distress when I opened up the drawer and could NOT find the file. Oh My God, I was in a state of panic. The boss would rip me a new one if a student file, with confidential material in it, was lost. I tore that file cabinet upside down, going through every folder. How could this happen?! Since my boss's melt down last week, I had been on edge, trying to be extra careful about every little thing I did (of course I think this heighted vigilance could cause a person to make more mistakes because one is so filled with tension).

I did not want to tell the boss on Monday morning that I couldn't find a file. My Friday was slowly being ruined by this situation. I decided to take a deep breath and go to a higher power, my mum's advice. As children, my mother had told my sister and I about a prayer that we could read, four times, to ask for God's help to find a missing item. My sister swears by this prayer (anytime she loses something, that is the first thing she does, reads this prayer). At this point, only God could help me, because I had turned not only the file cabinet but my office inside and out and could not find that freaking file. I prayed the prayer and in the meantime I also continued to look, I asked other professors if perhaps I had mistakenly given them the file, nothing. The hours rolled by, my nervousness rising. At lunchtime I had to go to another professor's office to give him some paperwork for an upcoming meeting. Walking into his door, I glanced down at his desk and lo and behold what was sitting there….the missing student file!!! I had given it to this professor for review and had completely forgotten I had done this. Oh I was ecstatic!! All was well again, my mother had again been proven right, the power in this prayer, praise to God for saving my behind!

The Big Wedding and Kitchen Gadgets!

2010-11-17T11:54:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful work advice, my sister concurred and she was right, nothing motivates a person more to find a more meaningful job than being stuck in a location or in my case, a boss, that you do not enjoy! Also, I have had it with Arizona, so two big motivators are pushing me to really look for a job in the Washington DC area or at least in a part of the country that is a bit more civilized.

But enough of that depressing stuff – I am sure everyone heard the big news yesterday, Kate and Prince William's wedding!!!! I am over the moon! Anyone who knows me, knows that I have been saying since high school that whenever Prince William got married I would be there in England to observe (particularly as I couldn't make Charles and Diana's wedding, since I was 5 years-old at the time, ha ha). This does pose one big problem, the logistics of baby. I don't really want to bring her, I've heard its just one big party and she will be about four or six months (depending on the date they set). Would it make me a terrible mom if I left her for three or four days with her dad to go off and see the wedding?? Also, would I just hate the entire experience if I felt like I had left my little one? I would hate going to all that trouble to get to London for the wedding and not enjoy myself because I'm upset about leaving the baby….

There are so many elements of the wedding that I'm dying to find out about, such as the wedding dress, the bridesmaid's dresses, the breakfast, who will be invited, and of course, the gifts!! I imagine Kate and Prince William will get a wide assortment of gifts, from gilt framed boxes to kitchen gadgets. I hope they will be willing to show us general public some of the gifts. As I see it, I will never be a Royal so this will be my only opportunity to live vicariously through them.

Work Day from Hell

2010-11-10T02:09:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm off to Virginia for the big family reunion/baby shower - will blog later on about my day today, which turned out to be perhaps the worst day in my working career. Its official, I have the boss from hell!!

In a nutshell, he's a micro-manager to the extreme and has begun to itemize every little thing I do the slightest bit wrong. The increased scrutiny has made me even more prone to mistakes, aye! Today he reamed me out big time for:
1. Failing to remind him immediately when he walked through the door of things he said I was to remind him off.
2. daring to touch a shared spreadsheet when he said "give me a list" which is not the same thing as a spreadsheet apparently and than not following his directions on project - though I did exactly as he asked. oh also I am not allowed to touch any spreadsheets without his consent.
3. Sending an internal email with a mistake in it and not realizing that I should have asked him first before proceeding. I am not allowed to email without his consent.
4. Not contacting another professor about a project, despite the fact that this project doesn't have a deadline.

Aye! It looks like I might get the ax, I say 50/50 shot that when I get into the office on Monday morning I get the big termination letter. On one hand I wouldn't care because I can't stand my manager but on the other hand, we could use the money for sure and I hate the idea that I would be fired, which has never happened to me before, like there is something wrong with me. What bothers me most is that he seems to be itemizing my every mistake and I am not allowed any learning curve. Any suggestions??

Test Run

2010-11-05T14:18:00.001-04:00

I am at work right now – where they have installed the latest Microsoft Office Suite. Initially it was difficult to navigate but now I'm finding it easier. One of the things I discovered while exploring in Microsoft Word is this Blog option. Apparently, I can write my blog post here in Word (and at the office, yay!) and than publish it to my blog.

I am not sure if this will work, hence the test run. You know how it goes, technology has all these great features that are suppose to make our lives easier but half the time they don't even work or are so hopelessly complicated that you have to have a Ph.D in technology to understand them.

Before ending this test run, I have to put in a funny little anecdote that happened to me the other day. I'm not sure if I mentioned or not but I work at a University and one of the programs offered at the University is Culinary Arts, i.e. future chefs! The other day I was riding the elevator up to the fourth floor (I work on the first floor where there is no kitchen facilities) to microwave my frozen meal and I heard a voice peep up from behind, "you are not going to eat that?!" I turned, it was a professor in the Culinary Arts program. I smiled and ruefully said, "yes," it was all I had in a pinch. The professor tried to make his comment not seem so bad, but I wasn't offended – I found the whole exchange hilarious. Only in a University with future chefs could I get so chastised for a frozen dinner.

This That and The Other

2010-10-31T02:03:00.003-04:00

I saw this video the other day (it was recommended to me by YouTube) and I thought it was too cute!! Those little lion cubs are from the National Zoo, in my home city of Washington DC. Since watching that video, I've also watched little bunnies, how adorable! I tell you, nothing like a cute lion cub or bunny to make your day better, makes me hope that my daughter will not have a fear of animals like I did/do.

Went to see Paranormal Activity 2 this weekend, bad idea for an expectant mom - the movie centers around this entity trying to get a baby - I wish my sister had mentioned that in her reviews of the film!

Watched President Obama's appearance on the Daily Show, not very funny, no sense of humor from the President, but I still feel for President Obama, he looks like he needs a serious break - he seems to have lost all of his optimism and exuberance that we saw in the 2008 election. I feel like the bad guys have broken his spirit. Don't let the haters get you down, President Obama!

Seriously MSNBC did you really have to stop all other news coverage because of two suspicious packages on a UPS plane. Really, there must be other stuff going on in the world, I don't need a minute by minute recap of searching for a box. Bo-ring!

Finally, The team at Women on Their Way have selected 10 US hot spots to enjoy the holidays this season. In addition to the recommended locations, suggestions for what to do and see and also insider tips are shared throughout the website.

Nurish Deep Down

2010-10-25T23:27:00.003-04:00

Monday laughs

Did anyone watch the updated version of Sherlock Holmes on PBS this past Sunday? I LOVED it! I was hesitate at first but it was brilliant! I am just glad that there are more episodes in the chute, I would have hated if that was a once-off.

Since when did Nancy Pelosi become a synonym for evil? Out here in Arizona they use her name (and of course President Obama) with the same venom as if the big bad wolf is in town - insane. I am sorry I just don't understand economic policy that has the government spending less in times of recession, the school of economics I studied found that when times were tough the government has to spend to stimulate the economy.

New job is nothing super exciting but so glad to have a full time honest to God job! Yay! Its an administrative assistant for the clinical psychology department at a local university. In this job market and for the amount of months I have been searching, this was heaven sent! Of course this meant I had to quit my airline gig, because I was just not able to hack two jobs, I was becoming physically exhausted and what was the point really? I wasn't happy at the airline gig anyway.

I Got Your Back, Ladies be Crazy

2010-10-21T22:44:00.002-04:00

I have quit my gig with Hawaiian Airlines, that was the airline I was working for - with my new full time gig, I can't hack the two jobs. Plus I ended up getting stuck with the night shift with Hawaiian and its becoming too much for me.

Before my last day I wanted to add a few more airline tips I've gleaned in my time as a customer service agent:

If you are traveling with a baby or small child, arrive to the airport early, at least an hour and a half before departure, it will make your entire flight experience so much easier!
In the kiosks, don't panic if you don't get your boarding pass try checking to make sure the paper isn't just stuck halfway through.
Dress to get through security faster, no layers (sweaters/coats), wear slip on-off shoes, avoid belts if possible, light jewelry.
I know its frustrating to wait for your bags at the baggage carousel, but I promise you, no one is purposely keeping your bags, usually the bag handlers are hustling and it just takes some time to get the bag from your plane to the belt. Believe you me, airlines DO NOT WANT a loss baggage claim.

I know the airport experience is generally not fun for most, but if you can go in with a smile and a healthy sense of humor, it won't be as painful.

Bad Driving

2010-10-17T23:07:00.002-04:00

Sometimes you have an example of such bad driving, one must write about it.

On Saturday I was running some errands and coming home on the AZ-101. The 101 is a loop around Phoenix, at various points you can get other area highways from this one. I was driving in the slow lane heading towards the juncture where the I-17 on ramp comes up from the 101.

Suddenly everyone in front of me came to a stop. What was going on?! Some idiot in the fast lane had missed the I-17 on ramp and was now proceeding to cut across all the lanes, not looking to see what was going with the other lanes they were cutting across, I guess assuming that everyone would just yield to them. And mind you this was almost past the point of no return for that I-17 ramp, this moron had to get on to the I-17 at the section where its all sandy and the barrier starts to come up.

I was so annoyed! Its not like there were not signs indicating that the I-17 was coming up, what was this person doing, why were they not paying attention than? And if something had been going on and they realized too late they were going to miss the on-ramp, do what a normal person would do, go to the next exit and turn around.

Instead they decided to disregard all rules of traffic and driving and take a great risk to everyone on that highway. So dangerous! We could have had a major car pile up! All because this person was out in la-la land and than needed everyone else to accommodate them when they returned to Earth and driving.

The best part of this is that I know people like this bad driver, people who insist they are good drivers and yet I don't think this kind of driving should rank as, "good driving." What was this person thinking when they did this, when they do this?

Cooking Utensils

2010-10-14T22:10:00.003-04:00

Now that I have a honest to God sit down job (yay!), I can listen to the BBC at my desk, I love it!!!

Today they had a story on about the situation in Pakistan regarding the aid for flood victims, about how the rich of Pakistan should be giving where it seems they are not. I couldn't agree more.

These poor victims lost everything, their homes, their blankets, animals, radios, bicycles, cooking utensils, plants, farms, buckets, clothes, everything! And chances were these people were on the bottom of the totem pole to begin with and yet the elite of Pakistan don't seem to be pulling their fair share.

I find the whole Pakistan situation very perplexing, having grown up with so many Pakistani's, I still can't understand them. They are a proud people and don't seem to really like to take charity, yet if America doesn't give aid, they scream. Even when America does give aid, they hate the USA. I get that they find many of the policies of the USA abhorrent, but if that is the case, than why ask us for help? Stand tall, even if that means going without, holding your own country accountable.

Also, Pakistani's appear to feel some constant inferior complex to Middle Eastern countries, trying, I guess, in some vain attempt to prove their "Islamic" worth??

I just don't understand it, but for this, the poor people continue to lose as usual. Sad.

Jury Duty

2010-10-11T23:15:00.003-04:00

Last week I went in for jury duty. Ironically (if I'm using that word right), I got called for jury service here in Arizona after only nine months - its funny because I lived for years and years in Virginia and never once got called!

I tried to get out of it, but to no avail. So on a clear sunny Tuesday I went in to the courthouse, resigned to my fate, sitting around all day and being bored. People did tell me I had two good excuses under my belt should I be chosen for a jury, I'm pregnant and I am starting a new full-time job.

First thing out the bat, I get called into a jury selection group. Yipee. There were 55 of us and we were ushered into the judge's courtroom. After the legal speak, the judge got down to business, asking for those who believed they had excuses to state their reasons. My favorites were the one from the kid currently in high school (even a judge can't allow the skipping of school!) and the guy whose family members were being tried in another courtroom for murder. both got out of it.

During this time, I said nothing. After the group had been weeded out, the second round of questions began, about the nature of the crime. Still I said nothing (though I could have argued on religious grounds to get out of it).

Next came lunch, we returned and the group had been dwindled again. The judge asked about those with law or law enforcement connections. Again I said nothing. The group shrank once more.

Finally the lawyers came up and asked pointed questions - still I said nothing. I thought through this all I would get a chance to speak but not in front of such a big group of strangers. Maybe have some one on one time with the judge (what was I thinking?!).

1:30pm roles around the judge announces, "I need the remaining potential juries to step outside the room, the lawyers and I will now select the jury and call you back in."

'oh crap,' I thought, 'here I had all this time and did nothing, now I was screwed, no way to get out of this!' I sweated for 20 minutes as the judge and lawyers seem to deliberate and deliberate, 'get on with it!' I wanted to scream!

The moment of truth arrived, the last 30 or so of us were escorted back into the courtroom. I sat on tenderhooks, the first six jurors picked, so far so good.

Number 10, still not me, number 11, cleared and than number 12.........someone else!!! I didn't get picked!!! I was elated! Though I had no hand in it, but instead through sheer dumb luck, I got out of sitting on a boring jury, missing my first day of full time work and as an added bonus, for going through that whole process, I am excused from jury duty in the state of Arizona for 18 months, in which time I hope to be outta here!

cheap hotels in Paris city centre

2010-10-08T01:49:00.003-04:00

In the same vein as my previous two posts, I am now traveling to the amazingly lovely city of Paris. You have heard the cliches and just about all of them are true when it comes to the City of Lights. Paris is romantic, beautiful, haunting, creative, and classic.

Recently, two of my good friends were in France's capital, visiting, which is what got me thinking more of this city. I have been to Paris at least three times in the past and I still haven't seen everything there is, to be honest, every time I have touched down in Paris and gotten off the Metro, I become so enthralled in it all, that I lose all sense of a plan to go to certain points. I begin to wander, because in Paris, wandering will allow you to find the most unusual and exciting things - all very Parisian (or at least what I think of as Parisian). One time in my wanderings, I stumbled on an English bookstore with the cafe in the back, so quaint and delightful! Another time I happened upon a lovely museum that featured tapestries of the middle ages, which tied in wonderfully with a book I had just read, "The Lady and the Unicorn."

I am aware that many people in the US have a hesitancy in traveling to Paris because of persistent rumors that the French and Parisians in particular are snobs and treat Americans very rudely. In all my travels to France I have never ONCE had that happen to me and I don't speak a lick of French. I found being friendly, learning a few key French phrases and never getting mad or pushy served me well.

France is a great vacation, airfare is always competitive from many cities in the US, not just the East Coast. There are a variety of accommodations to be had, including cheap hotels in Paris city centre. Upon reaching Paris, tours are a plenty and most in English.

There is nothing more valuable than a great memory - for me it was sitting at a cafe right next to Notre Dame, outside, along the banks of the Seine, very early morning, as most of Paris still slept, sipping an expresso and eating a pain au chocolat, utterly at peace with myself and the world.

Hotels in Dublin

2010-09-30T21:55:00.002-04:00

Continuing my adventures in travel from the previous post, I have been thinking about a location that I haven't been to but desire to travel too - Dublin, Ireland.

During my time at non-descript airlines, I remember I was planning on visiting this lovely city but for some reason something came up. It could have been at the end of my tenure there, when I was traveling like mad and I decided I needed a break, one weekend at home or maybe flights were full - who knows, but I must get out to Ireland.

Visit Dublin, the official Dublin tourism website, has a plethora of information regarding the city - including the well known fact that Dublin is home to Guinness, which my friend who has visited Dublin, informs me is the cure to all ills (smile). Airfare to Dublin is relatively cheap as compared to other cities in Europe. Lots of hotels in Dublin to choose from as well!

When I go, I would like to tour Georgian Dublin, which was used in one of my favorite PBS movies, a remake of Jane Austen's Northhanger Abby! Going along with the literary theme, I would love to visit the home of the Book of Kells and the oldest library in Ireland! And of course, I couldn't go there without seeing the life of Bram Stoker, an Irishman who elevated Dracula to superstar status.

If you have visited Dublin, feel free to send me tips - though the trip is no time soon, its always good to plan!

hotels in Edinburgh city centre

2010-09-29T21:25:00.002-04:00

I was at a college fair today, representing my alma mater, Mary Baldwin College. One of the girls who came up to my table asked about the study abroad programs at the school. It got me thinking of my good friend Kate, who spent a semester in Japan. But its actually her current location that I love - Edinburgh, Scotland!

I have been to this lovely city once, for Kate's wedding. It was so much fun, I went with another friend from college, H and though we only had two full days there, we did try our best to see as much as we could of the city. As you can imagine, Edinburgh has a plethora of history, but it also has this vibrancy that makes me yearn to re-visit it! We toured the must-see Royal Mile and the Scottish history museum but we also saw the bookstore that JK Rowling is said to frequent and a haunted church yard. The touring was finished off with a delightful tea at the top floor cafe in one of the big fancy department stores right on the busy main street of Edinburgh, with a view of the whole city, as recommended by Kate.

Despite my having coming down with the flu mid-trip, I thoroughly enjoyed myself (that is the one thing make sure you dress warmly, it rains a lot in Edinburgh). This city has a charm that made me want to dress up in a Tudor gown and ride a horse drawn coach through the city.

If you have not traveled in a while or want a European trip without a lot of hassle, Edinburgh is the place for you (as an added bonus, everyone there speaks English!). You can get easy flights to the city via most major American cities. Hotels in Edinburgh city centre are swift to come by and wintertime in the city offers a surprising number of events and things to do, like a Christmas fair!

Lucky Kate to be living in such a great place!

Food Myths etc...

2010-09-27T01:10:00.003-04:00

Working in a gourmet food store, I hear the whole gamut of health - food advice. I usually just smile and say something to the effect, "you don't say," but I get tired of hearing the same thing day in and day out about food/health (who wouldn't no?) and usually in the context of a person sampling our food but not buying a thing. Today, I was surfing the web and came upon this gem of a factoid that I'm now going to use when people annoy me. This comes from Eating Well Magazine (http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/6-biggest-lies-about-food-busted-2391419),

Myth: High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is worse for you than sugar.
The Truth: The idea that high-fructose corn syrup is any more harmful to your health than sugar is “one of those urban myths that sounds right but is basically wrong,” according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a health advocacy group. The composition of high-fructose corn syrup is almost identical to table sugar or sucrose (55 percent fructose, 45 percent glucose and 50:50, respectively). Calorie-wise, HFCS is a dead ringer for sucrose. Studies show that HFCS and sucrose have very similar effects on blood levels of insulin, glucose, triglycerides and satiety hormones. In short, it seems to be no worse—but also no better—than sucrose, or table sugar. This controversy, say researchers, is distracting us from the more important issue: we’re eating too much of all sorts of sugars, from HFCS and sucrose to honey and molasses. The American Heart Association recently recommended that women consume no more than 100 calories a day in added sugars [6 teaspoons]; men, 150 calories [9 teaspoons].

Ha ha, I can't wait to track this out : ) What food myths are you sick of hearing from people and wish to debunk??

I'm adding this clip from Youtube for a good Monday morning laugh. Its Stephen Colbert testifying on Capital Hill. I love it! He stays in character but delivers his message, too bad many congressman have no sense of humor and sense of fighting injustice against those most vulnerable.

Kiosk's are our friends

2010-09-23T02:02:00.002-04:00

Having worked for nearly six months as a customer service agent for an airline, I have gleaned some valuable insight that I feel needs sharing for the flying public. Enjoy!

First rule, airline kiosks are our friends! They are faster and never surly, like often times customer service agents can be. Use the kiosk, embrace the kiosk, you DO NOT have to stand in line and see the customer service agent unless you have a problem, such problems include:

wanting to change reservation/flight
haven't paid for the ticket
canceled flight
transporting pets, unaccompanied minors, or traveling with a lap child

Trust me, the kiosk is going to take you much less time and headache. You don't even need your credit card to use the kiosks, simply carry your confirmation code (also referred to as airline record locator, airline record number, PNR). This confirmation code is always five or six letters/numbers combination. The only need for the credit card would be to pay for the suitcases.

This brings us to the second useful tip, factor in at least $40 for airline incidentals, that includes but is not limited to suitcase costs, in-flight entertainment, food, and seat upgrades. I know its not fair, but airlines are now nickel and dime'ing their customers. And for God's sake don't act surprised with having to pay for a suitcase, the ONLY domestic airlines that give free bags are Southwest and Jetblue. My rule of thumb is be prepared to pay and if you don't, than that is a good surprise!
Please don't complain to a customer service agent about the company's policies, we don't make the rules, we often agree with you but we must enforce said rules or we get in big trouble. Besides there is NOTHING we can do about it (see note above about getting in big trouble). If you have a problem, your best bet is to write a letter to the airline and copy in the FAA (they keep a track of all airline complaints, airlines hate to have high complaint numbers).
The final lesson in this particular post is about carry-on's. The size of the overhead bins vary by airline to airline and by plane. What you insist fit on the way going may well not fit on the way back because the plane size has changed. It might not look that way to you but believe me a Boeing 737 has different overhead bin configuration than an Airbus 330. Also, please don't try to pull a fast one or be cheap, by packing too much in your carry-on so it becomes fat and weighty but so you don't have to pay for a suitcase - nowadays you will be stopped by a customer service agent. It is our job to prevent these bags from making it to the gate and causing delays. Either pack light or plan to pay for a suitcase. And yes, we customer service agents will ask you to fit your carry-on into the sizer, your bag should be able to fit into that sizer, that approximates the overhead bin space. Remember, until you become a billionaire and own the entire plane, there will be others flying with you and they deserve overhead bin space as well and not be forced to gate check a perfectly acceptable carry-on at the last second because you packed everything including the kitchen sink into your bag.

Monday's

2010-09-21T00:14:00.003-04:00

Castle and Gossip Girl - two reasons why Monday is bearable, thank God for the return of the new season of television!

Dear McDonald's

2010-09-17T01:33:00.002-04:00

Dear McDonald's,

I would like you to bring back the fried apple pie. I am currently pregnant and my food cravings now include your delicious fried apple pie. The baked apple pie just does not do it for me! I do so love your fried apple pie, that scrumptious flaky dough that just crumbles with each bit, the warm filling and the best part - the intoxicating smell of fried dough and sweet baked apple!

I know this delectable recipe is still in the McDonald's aresonal because I had one of these mouth-watering pieces while touring in Germany, at a German rest stop.

May I ask why you discontinued this item from the menu? Was it all the clamour from the health food nuts? Honestly, if one is looking for healthy food to eat, I hardly imagine heading to McDonald's is a smart option in the first place, not to mention that eating healthy shouldn't include apple pie as desert, baked or fried.

Why are the German's getting our enjoyable treat and we are being forced to suffer the less palatable baked apple pie, blah?

Please, I implore you, as a woman pregnant with her first child and who has reached that stage in the pregnancy were I'm eating everything in site, to help her out.

Thank you,
Ms. Virginia Gal

Number Plates for Sale

2010-09-13T02:14:00.003-04:00

Eid Mubarak! The month of fasting is over! Of course it wasn't taxing for me, since I wasn't fasting this month of Ramadan, with the baby and all (smile).

The husband and I went to California to celebrate the holiday with his family this past weekend, hence my delay in latest post. I'm catching up on my emails and watching that episode of Seinfeld were Elaine eats the wedding cake piece from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor wedding.

As an admirer of the English Royal I have never been a fan of the Duchess of Windsor. Recently, I decided to read up on her - boy she was a piece of work! Rude, racist and completely crass, I am glad that the English parliament denied her the title of Her Royal Highness. She was never kind to her royal in-laws, calling the late Queen Mum frumpy and stodgy (or something very equivalent) and yet that same family gave her a monthly allowance even after the Duke of Windsor died and gave her a funeral in Windsor castle, I bet they even gave her personal number plates on her car! Though she deserved none of those things, an interloper with no respect for the office of the English Royal family! I can't believe they even let her be buried in the royal cemetery, she doesn't deserve that! She was also a Nazi sympathizer and called the local people of the Bahamas some very racist comments.

I would like to think that in the end she got hers - she really wanted to be Queen and respected as a Princess, but never did - ha! I say.

All of this commentary because of Elaine's sweet tooth....that is one funny Seinfeld episode!

Car Registrations

2010-09-06T00:14:00.003-04:00

Co-worker of mine, at the retail operation, applied for a job with a Lego Store in another Arizona mall. She was talking to me about the upcoming interview (everyone knows she is looking for another job because she is not getting enough hours at this one). Her talk of the store brought up my fond memories of living in Denmark and the amazing trip the school took us exchange students on (strictly voluntary), to Legoland Billund. Lego's are a Danish creation. I didn't think I would have so much fun on that trip, since Legoland is geared for little ones, but goodness, it was so much fun, so many amazing Lego exhibits, you could spend hours on each one. Just another fabulous memory in my Danish treasure chest.

The month of fasting is coming to an end. I haven't been as focused on it this year, as I am excused from fasting (pregnancy). Today is an especially special day in the holy month, Laylat al-Qadr, the night we Muslims believe the holy book, the Quran, was first revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We are suppose to spend the evening in prayer. It is rather strange celebrating this time in Arizona, rather alone and separated from family, though I am trying to stay spiritually connected, since location should not affect one's level of faith, no?

This special night also, for some reason, has me missing my grandfather, my Nana, very much. I make this exception because anyone who knew my Nana knew he was not very fond of Islam, despite being a Muslim himself. Yet, today, I wish very much I could pick up my cell phone and call him and hear him talk to me, making fun of the days politics, asking how I am, telling me how he is, maybe giving me some gossip from Indian family members. Physical reminders of him are around, we have his two used cars, neither of which have cherished number plates, but still exude of him. Yet, its his voice that rings in my head, maybe that is why I so wish I could talk to him - to hear the voice that echos in my head, be in person. I miss you Nana.

For this special night, I send this Ramadan blessing to all - May God's blessings shine upon you, your friends, family and dear ones.

Virginia Gal's comments on the News

2010-09-02T00:29:00.002-04:00

November Elections in the USA - The political commentators are saying that the Democratic party will lose seats in both the House and the Senate this go around. I am disheartened by this news but not very surprised. I am sad to say I have been disappointed by the Democrats in the Congress, they have let the Republicans hi-jack the debate in America with pointless topics and slight of hand tricks (who created this deficit in the first place - REPUBLICANS did with their pointless wars!). Perhaps this is just the wake up call the Democrats need to get mean like their opponents.

Pakistan Flood - This is a tragedy and yet the world doesn't seem to me as affected as other natural tragedies, and that includes myself. Why is this, I think? I know in my case, its because I know the Pakistani's want help from America than the second they are better, it will be, "death to America." I can't reconcile with that idea - you can't be friends with the Taliban and extremists and than want help from us as well. Does that make sense? Also maybe because I have this intimate knowledge of Pakistani's (grew up with them in the Muslim community), and I know that they talk a big game, but there is no substance there and this goes to prove it, the complete ineffectiveness of the government.

Chinese Traffic Jam - seriously a traffic jam nine days long?! I would have killed someone in that time. That is crazy! I get mad at having to wait at the light for more than a minute (smile). I give props to those people, they have much more patience than me or maybe they just have to put up with it, they do live in a communist country.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and thoughts on my previous post!

A Little Bit of Something

2010-08-30T00:41:00.002-04:00

Does it ever seem like what you do is never good enough? Lately, I've been feeling that way, of course it doesn't help that in my current condition (being pregnant), I get tired easily and want to sleep all the time.

I am trying but just don't seem to be getting anywhere, in neither my domestic endeavors or professionally.

Any suggestions to get both motivated and stay on the goal??

Wishes by Wydham

2010-08-25T23:34:00.002-04:00

In keeping with my duties as a member of the Women on their Way committee I am posting this notice. Do please try to help!

Thank you,
Virginia Gal

Help Wyndham Worldwide raise funds and awareness for our Wishes by Wyndham signature charities

Now through November 30, Wyndham Worldwide will donate $1 in support of Wishes by Wyndham and our signature charities – Starlight Children's Foundation, Christel House, and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps – for every new person that "likes" our new Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page with an opportunity to reach up to a $60,000 donation. The funds will then be divided between these three organizations which are all focused on improving children's lives.

There are two quick and simple ways that you can participate:

1. "Like" our Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page. To "like" the page and learn more about the Wishes by Wyndham charities, click here.

2. Spread the word via Facebook or Twitter! Share this opportunity with your friends and family!

To access the Facebook page, please visit www.facebook.com/wyndhamworldwide.

Fate Hates Me

2010-08-23T00:42:00.003-04:00

I was in Virginia last week, for what I thought would be a mini-vacation (more on that later), just for three days actually. As soon as I landed in Washington Dulles Airport and turned on my cell phone, I found I had been called for a job interview for a part time position I really wanted out here in Arizona. They employer wanted me for an interview that day (Wednesday) or the next (Thursday) and my return ticket was not till Saturday.

I had planned this trip for two months, it was a mere three days and naturally this job interview would have to be during that mini-vacation! I tried to call back multiple times and see if it was at all possible to reschedule and no one would return my call (very professional btw!). I took this as an indication that if I did not come at the required time I would be ineligible for job consideration.

The irony of this entire situation was not lost on me, here I am stuck in this God forsaken state of rednecks and Republicans all the freaking time! And the mere two days I am gone, I get a chance to get a job that would give me some sense of self-worth. To add insult to injury the mini-vacation I was so looking forward too, back in Virginia, visiting with my family was not all that fun. I didn't get much rest, my family was not all that enthused to have me there (constant complaining about me being there, etc) and I probably should have skipped the trip altogether.

All in all, I have determined that fate has it in for me, and not in a good way!

Private Number Plates

2010-08-11T21:05:00.003-04:00

I've been reading with avid interest this on-going story with the JetBlue flight attendant. First of all, I should preface by saying that I applied with JetBlue for this exact position and I made it through three rounds before being rejected at the fourth round (there is a fifth and final round, where you are temporarily hired but must continue to pass tests during training to get the permanent position).

Initially I saw this news piece and had to laugh out loud and think to myself, "so let me get this straight, I'm not good enough for JetBlue but this guy is? Suddenly, I'm not impressed with the JetBlue recruiting system." After getting over my bitterness that this guy could get hired and not me, I really delved into the subject - initially I was more inclined towards the customer, since I've had my fair share of surly, rude or just plain oblivious flight attendants, who treat us economy customers like jail house escapee's. Yet, the more I explore the more I side with the flight attendant. Customers really are very rude on flights nowadays, David Sedaris wrote in a New Yorker Magazine article, that we become our worse selves when flying and I have to agree. The customer in question seems to have been in such a rush that she couldn't wait for the plane to come to a full stop or had to be the first up to get to her carry-on. Some say she had breathing medical stuff in the overhead bin, why didn't she put this stuff in front of her? It would have been readily available without getting anybody involved. Why was the customer in such a bad mood that she went to screaming and cursing the flight attendant? Why didn't she behave like an adult, take her complaint to a higher authority?

I'm not justifying the JetBlue flight attendant's behavior (though you gotta be honest it was funny, grabbing a beer and jumping down the emergency slide!), but I can see where it comes from. (I have been wondering how the flight attendant made the get-a-way, he just walked into the terminal, got into the employee bus to go to the employee parking lot, calm as could be? Did he have private number plates on his car and sped away? No one noticed? Strange indeed!). Certainly I agree domestic air travel today leaves most of us frustrated, with its rat/maze like attitudes and methods towards customers, predisposing us to quick tempers.

Perhaps (and I've been saying this for some years now), we need to have a paradigm shift in thinking, air travel should be seen with the same attitude as one travels the bus or subway, just another form of mass transit and everyone, including the airlines, need to let go of the image of air travel as some glamorous entity. As this example shows, those days are gone!

Number Plates for Sale

2010-08-07T00:42:00.003-04:00

I have this friend who lives in Athens, she is going on vacation to a smaller city/island in Greece - I imagine it will look something like the picture above. She usually sends me photos, so I eagerly anticipate any emails from her.

This particular friend and I met at the World Figure Skating Championships in 2008, when both she and I went to the event by ourselves and found that we were staying at the same bed and breakfast! If that wasn't coincidence enough, we share the same birthday! I have only met her in person that week but since then, she and I email each other weekly. We are hoping that sometime in the future we will again meet at another World Figure Skating Championships.

Speaking of figure skating, did you hear that the 2002 Canadian pair who won the gold (during that whole figure skating scandal of Salt Lake City), are divorcing?! I was shocked when I heard, they were suppose to be so in love. Sad really. Out of the three medal couples from that Olympics, only one is still together - the Chinese pair (who won gold this year in Vancouver).

It was that Olympics when it seemed the gold medal was for sale. So much now-a-days is for sale I find - jobs, the environment, congressional positions, movies, athletic trophies, justice, medicine, even number plates for sale. Now on that last one, I'm not opposed, but some of the others, well, here is wishing those items were not for purchase.

What to Say....

2010-08-04T02:20:00.002-04:00

What to say, what to say....bombed a job interview, really wanted the job, had done the job before, could have, should have totally nailed it, feel like a total idiot and feel like I'm never going to go back to having a proper career with adequate pay.

Went to the library here in Phoenix, why are they such a military state here - librarian came over to reprimand a grown man who was reading with his feet over the seat. Really, is there nothing else to bother about? How about getting a better non-fiction selection?!

News daily depresses me more, no job recovery, no hope for the near future. Sigh.

Cars and Irish Number Plates

2010-07-30T02:49:00.002-04:00

There is nothing like flying commercial aviation today to see some bad behavior by individuals.

Take, for example, when I was connecting through Chicago en route to Phoenix (from Washington DC) - the flight crew asked repeatedly "if Chicago is your final destination, please wait to leave the plane for those people making connections." This was done largely in part because we had been delayed almost an hour and a half in Washington DC. Yet do people do that? Of course not! I don't understand it. Is it that you just really have to get off the plane, or that you really don't care? Naturally these seem people would expect me to wait for them. Thankfully, despite these people's insensitivity, I made my flight.

Than when one arrives at their final destination you inevitably have those people who forgotten where they parked in the economy lot, so why do the rest of us have to go on the search with you? I think a perfect solution to a lost car and if you are prone to those incidents, to get Personalised Number Plates. This way you would always know which one is your car. My sister has personalized car plates on her mustang (unlike me, she is working this great professional job, making big bucks and going places career wise, sigh). These plates always help my father confirm its her car when he has to drive it.

Cherished Number Plates

2010-07-26T23:52:00.004-04:00

All in the news lately has been about the firing of the BP CEO Tony Hayward. I get the impression from the reporters that this is suppose to be some punishment for his work or bad public relations mess with the gulf spill. Yet, I don't see that - Mr. Hayward has already stated that he wanted his life back, what better way to get that life back than by being fired?? Having been through two bankruptcies with non-descript airlines, I know that firing for these CEO's is not like firing for the rest of us. Mr. Hayward will not have to go on welfare because of this - chances are more likely that he will lay low for a few months and than re-emerge with some other company. Worse comes to worse, he will get a tenured position at some business school, who wouldn't want the Ex-CEO of multi-billion dollar corporation British Petroleum on their faculty.

To me this firing isn't a punishment so much as a reward, for all the mess his company has made, I would think the least this man could suffer is being forced to man the company for a few more months, go through some more headache. To not allow him to get his life back seems a more fitting punishment. Though I suppose there are those in the media who say that this has nothing to do with reward or disciplining Mr. Hayward but instead getting the company back on track. If one was to poll me, the best way to get the company in the black is to invest in alternative energy and help push that through throughout the world.

One area that no one on the United Kingdom is having problems with is obtaining Cherished Number Plates for their car. As it really is the only major method of transportation in much of the modern world, we must use oil for our cars so shouldn't we at least get something nice out of the drive for ourselves, such as a personalized license plate that expresses our self. Now I just have figure out what I would want my plate to say......

British Royals on Flickr!

2010-07-25T01:44:00.002-04:00

It finally rained here in Arizona - I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was!!! So elated was I, that I went walking out in the rain.

I love rainy days - and there are so few of them when one lives in a desert, you must relish the days you get.

In other news, the British Royal Family is now on flickr! Check out the story here -
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_britain_royals_flickr

This is great for lovers of all things British royalty like me : )

And finally, I could use a laugh this week and I do love the Muppet's and Sam the Eagle - enjoy!

Indian Reservation

2010-07-18T23:36:00.002-04:00

This weekend all my cousins but me are getting together in Florida for a mini-reunion. I am completely bummed I am missing it, yet with my work schedule this last minute planned trip could not be fit in (of course I am also the only cousin on the West side of the country and air tickets are much more expensive last minute for me than for everyone else living on the East Coast so there was a detrimental cost factor as well).

But this all leads me to one of my favorite moments during my work day. When I work close at the store in the mall, I leave the job at about 9:30pmish. The road that I take to get home passes right by an Indian reservation (don't ask me which one, I have no idea, this whole Native American culture and reservations is new to me, we didn't really have that in Northern Virginia, so I'm learning about it as I live here in Arizona).

You can tell its a reservation, its sparsely populated, not built up as the rest of Phoenix is (and believe me this part of the road is prime reality, if it wasn't owned by the Native Americans it would be built up!). Anyway, there is this little outpost of homes in the distance I can see from the highway. It seems to be about five or six homes on one street.

I always look at those homes/that street and imagine that all my family lived there, all on one street, how nice that would be! We would get together in the evening for dinner and than everyone would hang out, the cousins chatting and laughing while the adults sat around and talked.

I know, I know this is an idyllic dream not reality but perhaps in my abject homesickness this is what I have come up with to help me cope? Either way, it is one of the best points of my work days.

Strange Things People Say

2010-07-13T01:35:00.002-04:00

People say the strangest things, no?

At the store I work at, today I had at least four people come in and after I said "hello," they replied, "I'm just here for the free samples."

Um...what?! Yes that is right, we opened a store in one of the most expensive malls in America just to provide free food for the masses. Exactly, we have changed our business mission, instead of making money, we have become a non-profit. People are idiots, how do they think we provide those free samples? Like the store has unlimited money to just feed their cheap asses (as they come in with their Nordstrom, Juicy Couture, Crate and Barrel bags). I don't understand people's thinking, aye.

I heard on the news today about the bombings in Uganda, the terrorists said they did it because the country of Uganda sent in peace forces to Sudan. I know terrorists are stupid but this is a new level of idiocy - "how dare you send in peacekeeping forces?! We liked war and death!" Exactly what tenet of religion is this profused love of death and war listed? Idiots.

Personality type

2010-07-07T02:05:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone for their well-wishes, I'm not much better but my mom being in Arizona taking care of me most definitely helped! I swear there is nothing like mommy care in the world, no?

Driving home from work tonight and I got to thinking about something - my personality type. My husband says its prudish, but I am just one of those types of people who doesn't find talking about sex and fart jokes all the time, or really any of the time, in polite company, is acceptable. I just don't find that stuff funny or interesting. That is really juvenile to me.

I find that my personality is such that I don't broker such conversations around me, maybe broker is not the right word, instead invite such conversation. People who would normally indulge in those discussions don't around me. Instead I like talking about current events, sometimes Hollywood gossip, books I've read, movies I've seen, peoples lives. I don't really want to know about someone's sex life, be it wild or boring and maybe I let that disapproval show??

I'd like to think that is because I'm sophisticated, but the husband says this is not a good thing. Also, I'd like to think moving in more educated circles would eliminate this gap, no?

What does everyone think?

Yoodle

2010-07-01T21:51:00.003-04:00

Still sick - not much to write about, my life is currently so dull, there is nothing to write about, though my mum is coming out to visit for the next few days, and that is good, I could do with some mommy TLC.

In the spirit of summer and the fourth of July, I'm going to recommend some beach book reads!

1. The Other Wes Moore - by Wes Moore. Non fiction, roughly 198 pages. Such an easy read and fascinating, about two guys named Wes Moore, both born in Baltimore, around the same time, African-American, and how their paths diverged, one went on to be a Rhodes Scholar and the other is in jail for life. A great insight into sociology of our society, raising children and the impact of families.
2. Her Royal Spyness - by Rhys Bowen. Fiction, roughly 300 mass market paperback pages. For those like me who love all things England and royalty, this first in a mystery series is great! It is set in the 1930's, with all the scandal of the English Royal family (remember Edward and Wallace Simpson). It harkins to a time in English history I love, set in London with this great girl character! Super fun read, you'll finish it in a day!
3. His Border Bride - by Blythe Gifford. Romance fiction, roughly 300 mass market paperback pages. I love this author, you can pick up this book or any other of her romances and you'll have a good time. As far as romance novels go, Gifford has a real knack of making a good story in a short time, with plausible characters and good characterization/dialogue. If you want a happily ever after, this is the book to go with!
4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows, fiction, 300 plus pages. If you haven't already read this book, do so! There is a reason this book was on the best seller list for weeks on end, its just a moving tale about life in England immediately after the war (WWII) in a part of the British Kingdom one doesn't think about (only part of England that was occupied by Germany). You will zip through this book, I promise!
5. Kitchen Confidential - by Anthony Bordain. Non fiction roughly 312 pages. You have seen him on tv eating all kinds of strange and fascinating things from around the world, now read about his history, how he became a chief and his family history (french!). The book also goes into the world of cooking and kitchen hierarchy, it is very interesting and a great start off point to learn about the world of top chiefs and restaurant life!

To get these books and more, I recommend good ol'e Amazon!

BP Oil Spill

2010-06-26T00:21:00.002-04:00

I have been sick for the past few weeks, so hence my lack of blogging. I tell you one thing, when you are sick, you lack any motivation to do anything, my writing has suffered, my career goals have suffered. Being sick just zaps the energy out of you. It sucks! I am not use to being this sickly a person, yes I have had my bouts of colds and digestive issues, but nothing on this scale. I am trying to get motivated to get into some action, but my body just won't respond. I am off to the doctor for a second visit next week, wish me luck!

Is anyone else tired of this BP oil spill? I want it to go away. My sympathy with the people of that region is low, I know that makes me a total meanie. But not even a few months after this tragic accident and they are rallying for more deep water drilling?! I know people need jobs but I just think this is not the answer, could the gulf area take another oil disaster?? Also, I'm tired of everyone screaming for the federal government to help, hey you want less government, capitalism solves everything right? Well, let it do it this time too, BP will figure it out eventually.

I was so glad that President Obama canned that General in Afghanistan. Good! Insubordination plain and simple, besides which I want President Obama to let these Republicans, particularly throughout the military, that at the end of the day, he is still Commander in Chief and keep your mouth shut when you are in uniform or on the job! These military types are so in love with their rules and regulations, lets keep this one in mind (you can't only follow these rules when its a president you like, ha!) - I loved when President Obama said in the speech after the firing, that in the end its his decisions. Good for you President Obama!

New York City

2010-06-20T23:29:00.004-04:00

Sorry I have been awol of late - I was in NYC the last few days of the week. I went into the city to see my favorite boy band of all time - New Kids on the Block!!! They were playing at Radio City Music Hall. I have to say - AMAZING!!! Its interesting because this is my fourth time seeing them in two years, but it never gets old! Reverting back to my middle school days, complete with screaming and carrying on (particularly when Joey took off his shirt). I told my friend who I got with to every one of these shows with - I'm in for future dates - though I don't think there will be any time soon, as Donnie is in a new CBS show starting this fall.

In other news, I spent the two days I was in the Big Apple with a friend of mine, Jelly Kean (see charity badge on side of this blog)!!! She and I have known each other since middle school. Its fascinating to me that despite the years, we have stayed close. Its great! Though I have heard of other friends who fell out after high school, lost connection etc. So I am ever so glad that has not happened to us. Getting together with her was like starting right off where we left off.

I must say, I simply adore her place. She is now in her own studio, right in the heart of Astoria Queens. It is grand! Fifth floor, when you look out the windows, you can see Manhattan. Yet, even though she is right in the heart of New York City, the neighborhood has this familiar feeling, which I enjoyed.

I hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Puzzlers

2010-06-13T02:31:00.002-04:00

Can you believe this girl (image above), Kate Bosworth, has/is dating two of the world's hottest guys?! first Orlando Bloom now Alexander Skarsgard from True Blood (Eric). What is it about her that attracts these guys? I mean she is pretty, but nothing that is knock-out? Is she amazingly charming? I haven't really seen her in much, she has not made the A-list of actors yet. I don't get it?

Why do the people of Mississippi and Alabama and Louisiana and Florida want federal government help for the BP oil spill? I thought capitalism solved everything? No big government right, there is too much deficit anyway, no? Are these not all the typical Republican arguments against health care reform? Should not these arguments be used here as well? What is the difference....oh the oil spill is affecting these Republicans so now spending money and big government is fine. Aye!

I have a question, if we were not friends in our former lives, why would you think that I would want to facebook you now? It doesn't make any sense.

Financial Woes and Dublin Car Rental

2010-06-07T23:50:00.004-04:00

Aye, another day another dollar seems to be the mantra of my life of late. I got financial woes (though today I received some much needed good news, one of my big bills is now being covered by renters - yay!).

I know, I know, you are saying, who doesn't have financial woes, but I am maddeningly frustrated, because I am certain I could be earning more money if only I could obtain a better paying job! It is just like there are no professional Human Resources jobs here in Arizona, or I suppose one needs to know someone to get these much coveted positions?

Finally, I have convinced the husband we are moving back to the East Coast, DC (naturally), but now I am having no luck in getting a professional job back home. I remember two years ago when I had just returned from Denmark, it took me nearly 5 months to find a proper job, a job that didn't pay hourly and required ringing at a cash register (which is what I currently do).

I am appreciative to have a job, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it just feels like I'm going backwards, its like I'm embodying the expression working hard for no pay (or something like that). Certainly, don't blame the current administration but can a girl get some help here? Forgiveness on student loans (less than 1% of the AIG loan, if that makes any difference)???

Sometimes, I just want to run away from it all - perhaps to Ireland, go to a Dublin Car Rental and drive the emerald isles, enjoying the beautiful countryside and the wonderful culture. Of course to even do this, I would need............you guessed it! - money, aye it never ends!!!

Pieces of Heaven - Dublin Airport Car Hire

2010-06-03T00:53:00.002-04:00

Of late I have been thinking of Copenhagen, my beloved Copenhagen. Life for those four months was amazing. As I am driving home from my blah retail gig here in Phoenix, I think of my time in Denmark - it seems like it was all dream, because to me those days were God's way of showing me slices of heaven. Could that be? I have to say if that is the vision of the hereafter, I am going to start working extra hard to get in!

During those four months in Scandinavia, I think I had two bad days, only two?! Every morning I relished the day ahead, even if it was raining (sometimes because it was raining) or I had studying to do (I did of course go there for school, though that seemed cursory in the great scheme of things). My favorite days were Saturday, when I could explore Copenhagen without worry of attending class and Sunday, when I would wake up early to attend church services at St. Alban's, enjoying the city in those morning hours, walking by myself. Perhaps, and probably so, those days were so great because it was a break from my regular life, chock full of its worries and problems.

Interestingly enough, and I don't think I've shared this before - when I was trying to find international business programs for my semester abroad, I narrowed my search down to two, the school in Copenhagen and one in Ireland, Dublin. I wonder what would have happened if I had picked the program in Dublin. Would I have had as great a time? Would it have been as much leisure time as I had in Copenhagen? would I have made such amazing friends? I do know, that just like in Denmark, I would not have driven around. In Ireland if I did want to drive around I could have gotten a Dublin Car Rental. I am not sure about the car situation in Denmark. In this situation, I don't really care about what could have been - because I loved what was.....my beloved Copenhagen, a piece of heaven.

Save Wildlife

2010-05-27T02:35:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it just happens you find a commercial that either makes you laugh or smile, and this above YouTube is just that television advertisement. I love the animals, they are adorable, though the otter is my favorite, particularly with him holding onto the side of the basin, so precious!

It is sad though, when you think about the deeper message behind the spot - that animals need to be cleaned off and up by oil spills, man-made oil spills. Naturally, Dawn has timed this with the tragedy in the Gulf with the BP spill. My dear friend, My Mind Wanders, blogged on the Gulf spill a few days ago and I agree with her. I feel so helpless and yet how can I stand around and do nothing. if I at least write a letter to my Senator, perhaps we can move away from using fossil foals and move to more earth friendly energy sources. In the meantime I shall also buy those Dawn Dishwashing bottles with the animals on it, where Proctor and Gamble donates $1 to the Wildlife rescue and my adorable otters.

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Job Search et al

2010-05-21T16:53:00.002-04:00

Please tell me that unemployment is still a problem in this country and that others are having difficulty finding a job, as I am. Nothing like making you feel like a total zero than job searching. God, I miss the days of youth, when President Clinton was in office and I had just graduated from college and there were more jobs than people. It was a new hire's market!
Hey teenagers, don't come into the store just to walk around and talk on your cell phone, go stand outside, why even come into the store? PS - you do know you look like a complete dork, right?
Why is everyone so upset at President Obama? Please remember he didn't create this mess, he INHERITED it!
How come Tom Selleck never plays a bad guy? So typically Republican, he only plays strong men who fight for justice, if you only take the same role over and over again, are you acting?
Confession, my ultimate television guilty pleasure is The Real Housewives of New Jersey. I know much of it is staged but I can't get enough of my Jersey girls, its a hoot! Plus, I think there might be some mob connections, tee hee.
The Sacramento Library system is starting up a Jane Austen book club, I hope this catches on, I would love to join one where I am living!
Does any else wonder how Nicholas Sparks gets published? What awful saccharin books he writes! The sad part is that his books are always on the bestseller list. Just goes to prove those lists are not very indicative of the best in the publishing world.

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The New Job and Car Hire Dublin Airport

2010-05-17T01:30:00.004-04:00

This picture embodies my current mood. I recently got a second part time job with an airline here in Arizona. I have been trying to enjoy it but one of my managers is making my life miserable! This job stinks! This one assistant manager has decided she doesn't like me and now I can do nothing right! This woman (big surprise a female manager who is terrible at her job) is now sending me daily email criticisms. I can't stand it. What was once a fun job is now hell. What is it about me that makes me a target? Am I a prickly personality and this gets people's heckles up?

How should I proceed? This manager has decided I can do nothing right, and yet I have to work with her everyday. I have been trying to stay under the radar but she watches me like a hawk, looking for anything to criticize. She picks on what I wear every day (yeah because this is going to make or break the airline business). Its become that I am afraid to go to work. I have emailed the station supervisor, I can't work in this environment. I am actively looking for other employment, but what else can be done?? Any suggestions?

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Now more than ever I need a vacation! Thinking of taking one yourself, consider the beautiful Emerald Isle! Its only a 6 hour flight from the East Coast and once you reach Dublin or Cork, you can find happy people, warm spirits and a Car Hire Ireland! Visit the country of James Joyce and the Celts, stopping to enjoy the loving history and heritage - at this time of the year the weather will be perfect. So what are you waiting for - Erin Go Bragh!

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

2010-05-11T22:31:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes about my sister - you guys are the best! My sister is doing good, just her neck is a little swollen from the surgery, but the doctor said that is too be expected. She will be back to work by the end of the week.

Yet that is not what this blog post is about, the meat and potatoes is actually regarding my current job (I work two jobs right now). My primary gig is at a retail store in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you are not familiar with it, Scottsdale is an affluent part of the Phoenix suburbs. The store is in a very high end mall in Scottsdale - this mall has Barneys, Chanel, Louie Vuitton and Neimen Marcus to name a few shops. I work in a gourmet food store which fits into the theme of this mall but is considerably less expensive than say Brighton's or Nordstroms.

At the store we offer free food samples as well as free mini cups of coffee. I can't even begin to tell you the number of people who come to the mall and expect their free samples (which are a courtesy not a mandate). I hate that sense of entitlement! They come in with their Nordstrom and Juicy Couture shopping bags and angle for free food. Why are you even at this mall if you can't afford to buy food?! I am amazed at the hutzpah of these people! I suppose this is what makes rich people rich, they buy one small thing from some fancy store and than troll the mall looking for free food. They will often come in for multiple samples (filling up huge cups of coffee) or argue for extra stuff.

For example, today I had a lady come in with a coupon dated April 15th for a free item, I chose to honor it, though it was clearly expired. She than wanted a fancy gift bag for her free stuff, I gave it to her. Than she wanted fancy ribbon for the free item (we do custom baskets at the store, which is were we use the ribbon), I gave her a left over piece from one of the baskets we made. She rejected it, because it was scuffed on one end and asked for new ribbon - mind you in this entire transaction she hasn't bought a single thing! What gall! I had had enough and gave her a flippant answer, I know, I know, this was not good customer service but I had had enough, she got the hint.

I swear one could make a sociological study of these people's behaviors, sometimes I feel like I'm at the zoo - the zoo filled with selfish, self-centered, greedy rich people.

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