The Long Awaited Update…
I’ve been negligent on what’s been happening with me. So I hope to fix that by writing a big-ass post about my weekend.
As most of those following me know, I got pretty sick during last week and stayed at home on the last two days of the work week. My mom was supposed to leave with my grandmom on Thursday morning to Mombasa, where my grandmother would return to her ‘other’ home with my aunts, while my mom would stick around for about a week before returning back here on the 8th.
Being in one of my ‘good daughter’ moods, I dropped them off early Thursday morning despite the sneezing, coughing and loose motion (which by the way I found what the real reason for all that was – more on that later). I reached home to crash in a deep ‘I’m sick’ slumber, mom called by saying their flight got canceled and they’re returning by cab. I didn’t bother offering to pick them up as I was nicely tucked in my cozy bed. Plus I was hoping their flight would be available.
No luck. They came back and my day full of gluttony on foods I’ve been denying myself got canceled. Darn it. There’s a tradition I have when mom leaves me alone. I buy all the treats I want but can’t have and eat till I turn green. That’s just one day though. I don’t pig out the entire time. I may be a ‘grease monkey’ (yes, I know what it really means), but I’m not self-destructive – most of the time. I limit my hog-sessions to just one day. Plus I’ve been losing so much weight that I don’t want to jeopardize it. I want to retain my curves, but loose the ‘I’m-preg-with-sextuplets’ stomach. And JT rather likes me the way I am – chubs and all. And I’d like to honestly not care about my weight if it wasn’t for my health. And the fact that Dubai caters to pre-pubescent figured women. Which I’ve always been astonished by considering many of the locals are well-endowed.
Anyhow, they finally left on Friday morning. So thus began my pig-out session. Except I didn’t really pig-out. I made the entire packet of my fave ‘crinkle-cut’ fries, but ate a quarter of them. And left the rest for munching on later. I baked them. They tasted better than fried. I love crinkle-cut. They’re just perfect for baking, always remain crispy, and catch the right amount of seasoning and dipping sauce. I don’t understand why people don’t make or sell more. There’s no shop selling it. Only one store in Dubai sells the frozen USA brand (Ore-Ida for those curious). The same brand I cherished in little 1-serving boxes in Boston ‘92. Even in the States I barely found sellers for crinkle-cut. Just one fast food chain (forgot the name – they’re famous for ice creams and start with ‘B’. Sounded German) and a street vendor next to the Arch in St. Louis. I remember going to see my dad in NYC just after he left for the States in 99. We had a 30-hour trip from Dubai and we slept the entire day reaching home. I woke up at 4aqm and was starved. My dad took me to a Chinese restaurant nearby and guess what I ordered? Chicken nuggets and french fries. For $4. A gigantic portion. And it was crinkle-cut. I have a weird habit of ordering something totally weird in a restaurant. Especially those that offer different cuisines. Like Chinese in an Indian restaurant. Or nuggets and fries at a Chinese.
Back to the fries on Friday. I decided to call some of my St. Mary’s pals for a pot-luck and games night. We all make one dish and play board games. So I made mac ‘n’ cheese, with some sauteed chicken breasts to add more weight. My neighbor, Keith, made a yummy berry, walnut and salad salad with a raspberry vinaigrette (all made from scratch). Clary bought hotdogs and condiments. All in all, alot of food. We played ludo, which I won of course. Followed by Game of Life, where I adopted twins, and Keith kept on having kids. And ultimately he won by just a fraction above me. I guess having all those kids pays off. We then had dinner and watched Indian Idol. Yes, there’s an Indian version of it. And finally we settled down for my fave game – Monopoly.
I have to admit – I’m very, very good. I’m ruthless and most times succeed in bankrupting people, even when I’m on the verge of it myself. So we began and of course, I bankrupted both of them in about 2-3 hours. At one point, they even decided to team up and bankrupt me. I of course, pointed out it wasn’t a good idea because after they wipe me out, they’d have to compete against each other. Then told Clary (who had the Mayfair-Park Lane monopoly) that she’d lose out on rent. And told Keith (the poor guy) that if he got rid of me, he’d lose to Clary. So they both dropped their gang-up plan, enabling me to first bankrupt Clary and take her properties, which gave me 3/4 of the board, and finally get Keith. I told you I am good 
I love board games night. You’re never to old to play them. Or gloat gleefully when massacring friends for the umpteenth time.
A little about me and JT – for those interested. He wasn’t online a few days due to heavy workload, and I didn’t freak for once because I figured he was busy. But I gave him a call (he can’t call, but I can). And spoke to him for a long time. I really, really missed him. And he missed me too. He was so happy to hear me and so happy I called. He said he’d try coming over to Dubai for an overnighter in between being stuck in that crappy place. And he’d try to do it on a Thursday so that I can stay over on the weekend. We talked about the trip to States and made a few plans. When we finished the phone call, I said ‘I miss you’. He said have a good day and speak to you soon. I figured someone was standing around.
But immediately after I kept the phone, he came online to say a big ‘I MISS YOU TOO’ and said his colleagues were standing around and waiting to hear him say something sappy. Being where he is, he has to maintain the ‘tough guy’ image, so I understood. And I appreciated the fact that he came to tell me that. No guy ever did that. I’m falling for him more and more, and missing him even more. I want him back soon. This wait is killing me. Plus I have cobwebs collecting down there.
Oh, and the reason for all the sickness and crappiness was a very long-due visit from my fave person, Aunt Flo. Crap. I’m gonna get me some chocolate now. I bought chocolate chips at the grocery and going to make choco-chip pancakes.
Double meme…
I’ve been getting many memes and as I was quite sick this past week, I thought I’d take the time and do two of them. More on my personal life later. But for now:
25 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT MOI….
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.
Got tagged by Karen on FB. So here goes:
1)All I really want is a Birman Cat.
2)My best friends will know everything on this list.
3)I love my mommy more than I show it, and more than she knows it.
4)I’m having a quarter-life crisis.
5)I’m on more meds than a senior citizen.
6)I’m a freak mama 
7)I’m the black sheep of my family baaaaaaaa….
8)The voice in my head alternates between a British accent and a Southern American (y’all) accent. Occasionally, it’s talks in Valley-girl.
9)I recently discovered my long-time fascination with writing. And that I’m gooood. Very good.
10)I’d like to fast-forward time if possible.
11)I have a love-hate relationship with kids. I want one, yet I don’t.
12)I’m not very good at saying goodbye. Especially if they mean alot to me.
13)I suck at leaving voice messages.
14)I wish I woke up everyday with perfect hair and skin.
15)I think vanity is a chore.
16)I have a secret desire to be a fashion designer. Since I was 10.
17)I’d like to sing, write music, be a pop star. I have only accomplished one of those.
18)I love karaoke.
19)I’m rather sick of hearing never-ending conflict. If I get or hear one more “Please help XYZ” because I’m Muslim, I’m going to blow a fuse and mot probably be called a heretic.
20)I do not like being appealed for charity because I’m of a particular race, nation or religion. I do charitable things because they are HUMANS. Do not call me sister, unless it is the common brother/sister-hood of humanity. One HUMAN dying is one too much.
21)If people really knew what goes on in my head, I’d be disowned or considered “the enemy”. By every clique.
22)All I think about is peace. I am extremely anti-war. I don’t care who started it, or who’s fault it is, I just want it to end.
23)I don’t boycott American products or any thing like that because I think it’s ridiculous. It’s not a solution. Besides, – oh never mind…no point explaining.
24)I’m a homeless kid. Coming from so many places, yet belonging to none.
25)I’d like to travel to sites of ancient history and civilizations.
I’m not tagging anyone in particular as writing 25 links is much even for me. And I’m lazy. So go ahead and do it if you like it.
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7 GREATEST ALBUMS
This meme I got from Bridget.
*cracks knuckles* Here goes:
The Rules…
1. Post your list of the seven best albums, the seven bloggers you will tag, a copy of these rules, and a link back to this page.
2. Each person tagged will put a URL to their Blogger Album Project post along with a list of the seven best albums in the comment section HERE.
3. Feel free to post the “I Contributed to the Blogger Album Project” Award Graphic on your sidebar, along with a link back to this page.
4. Post a link back to the blogger who tagged you.
I don’t have any albums in particular, but ok, I’ll give it a whack (in no particular order):
1) Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
2) Evanescence – Fallen
3)Backstreet Boys – Backstreet Boys
4) Backstreet Boys – Backstreet’s Back
6) ABBA – Number Ones
7) Various – Classic Disney Collection
I Is Thickkkk *achoo*
I left work early today – ok, earlier than usual – because I spent half my time sneezing into saved Subway napkins, and running to the bathroom to wash my hands after a considerable pause from the sneezing marathon. I told you I was a germophobe.
Reached home and conked off to blissful afternoon siesta. Only to be awoken by angry bowels. Off to the loo. And again. And again. And yet again. Great, not only do I have the sniffles, I have loose motion too. And to top it off, my right nostril is inflamed, like there’s an enormous zit inside there waiting to be popped, but there’s no zit. It’s just inflamed and irritable. And sore to touch, especially if I sleep on the side and the nose touches my pillow.
Why do I always get sick just before mom is leaving me alone at home? And get my p’s too. Great. I think I’ll take a sick day tomorrow. I’ll see how I feel in the morning.
I had so many ideas in my head for this post, but instead I’m too sick to think logically. So I’m just going to whine, laze around as I can’t sleep anymore, and wait for JT to come online. I have a pic of him sleeping with his Yorkie curling up next to him – name is Sophie. It is the best picture I have of him. It is so cute, so peaceful and it makes me light up. My man – I can’t believe I’m saying my man – at his most peaceful, with a cute ball of fur with pointy ears curled up just above his head. He told me that when he’s at his place, Sophie follows him everywhere and refuses to leave him alone.
I think I might just warm up to dogs a lil more after that pic. It’s my desktop wallpaper. I sleep to it, and wake up to it. I feel like I’m next to him.
I Is Published…
It’s finally live. My guest post on TJ’s blog is finally on!!! Check it out, and do comment
Waste Not…Want Not….
Today was the day I forgot to get up just a titch early and make the yummiest sandwiched ever – cheese and mint chutney sandwiches. There were herbs going bad so my grandmom made pudina chutney with mint, parsley, one or two chilis, garlic and tamarind. We sometimes add raw mango(the green, small, slightly hard ones). It is the most awesome thing ever but I can’t quite master it. And this batch was sooooo amazing that I add to my meals too instead of lemon – it’s deliciously minty and sour. So spreading that on a sandwich with cheddar and grilling it – mmmm mmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
My grandmother has taken the family ‘thou shalt not waste food’ to another level all together. There was some 4-day old rice – enough for one person perhaps – and mom was going to throw it. Instead of throwing it, my grandmother made kheer(a milk-rice pudding) out of it. And it tasted pretty good – made a good dessert after dinner.
That’s not the only thing she’s done either. She adds veggies to leftover dal and makes a hearty vegetable stew to have with khubs/roti/paratha. Or makes yummy omelettes with ghee and adds that to the dal. Make some papad and have it with rice or bread. Sometimes she takes the meat curry and old dal and makes em together. Anything but throw old stuff away. Of course, if its spoilt, she won’t try rehashing it into something edible. That’s a bit much even for her.
She’s making it a point to finish most veggies, perishables and stuff I generally don’t cook with and spoil easily before she leaves this Thursday. She and my mom knows that there’s a possibility that the items will rot in the one week I’m left alone while mom accompanies her to Kenya. I tend to live like a male bachelor during the week long absences – slightly neater and cleaner though. I don’t cook very much. And if I do, I cook one-portioned stuff so as to not waste food. And I end up eating out alot. My home-alone meals are mostly pasta, ramen noodles and other bachelor meals. I don’t go all crazy in the kitchen unless there’s something I really fancy, or there’s someone else who’s going to eat it.
I finished my guest post this weekend and TJ tells me that it’s going to be on tomorrow at 12pm UK time, 4pm Dubai. For US peeps, that’s anywhere between 4am-7am, depending on which ocean you face. Check it out, and check his blog out too. Also do leave a comment – there’s a lil something for 500th commenter, as well as something for the guest blogger whose post the 500th comment occurs. As of now, I think it stands that there’s about 50-60 comments left to the 500th mark. I’m sure TJ can correct me on that.
Gran vs Mom…
One of the coolest things about having my Grandmother around is having the tables turn on my mom. No matter how nice/evil your mother is, it is a requirement to nag to be anywhere close to maternal. Although most times, the nagging is a result of time relativity with the kids.
The speed at which mothers want something done is different than the speed a kid finally does it. My mother is no exception. I can never be fast enough to do the chore she wants me to do. Hence, before I even get up, she’s already finished doing whatever she’s been nagging me to do – except touching my room. That is the only thing in which I either blockade her, or manage to be faster than her.
Anyway, it’s fun seeing my grandmother take my mom down by a peg or two when mom complains about the fact that I never help around the house nor do I volunteer without being asked first. I admit that sometimes it’s just plain laziness, but most times it’s the result of my mom’s impatience with wanting to clean the house before 8am on weekends. And the fact that the last time I did something without being told, my mom told me why I did it and that she’d have to do it all over again. Can’t really win with her. While bickering the above, my grandmother said that I’d learn or do it more often when I’m at my own place. And then said that my mom never did anything when she was at home. Mom was awe-struck for a second and said there were always other people/servants in the house to do it. And I said “EXACTLY!” lol.
It’s fun seeing mom being nagged on than nagging me around for once. I love my grannie.
While on the subject of my grandma, I’m learning many of her recipes for later. Like pudina chutney, some beef recipes, how to make roti/paratha/puri without having it turn into some lethal ninja discs. I might post some up later when I feel like it – or when I try recreating it on my own. I’m cramming as much as I can before she leaves this Tuesday. I’m going to miss her, but I’d rather like the fact that I can now roam around in whatever I please without having to wear an overcoat/bathrobe.
Splurge…
The last working weekday – yipee. Then another weekend that will fly by all too soon.
I did something I’m not sure was the right choice. The problem with me is that I have buyer’s guilt/remorse – even for a small packet of chips. I always wonder whether it was worth handing over my hard-earned cash for whatever I bought. Even when I was a little kid. So the bigger the price, the more proportionate the guilt. And even more if it was a luxury item or a ‘treat’.
However, I do not have that guilt at all when buying things for other people. I could spend thousands and not feel that way – but anything above 50dirhams for me sends me into a guilt frenzy. There are many times when I’ve picked up stuff at a store, determined to buy it – even tell myself its a necessity – to leave it back where I picked it up from.
Anyway, the object in discussion was a brand new phone for myself. My current phone works fine, but needs retirement pretty soon – it’s about 3 years old and counting. And I bought myself a PDA-esque phone with all the PDA goodies, plus some, for an amazing deal of 1600AED($400) – inclusive of memory chip and a slightly fancy bluetooth headset). And the best part is – you guessed right – it’s REDDDDDDDDDD. RED RED RED!!!!! I got me some Sony Ericsson G900i – check it out in its awesome REDDDD glory (Did I mention that it’s red?)
Only chink in the awesomeness is that I have these little ear-inserts for hands-free and listening pleasure, instead of my comfy ear-huggers. I feel like I’m irrigating my ear canals everytime I insert one in. I have to admit though – it blocks out the annoying people at work much better than my ear-huggers. No irritating loud-and-tacky ringtones left ringing forever. No annoying TV blasting right next to my ear because the Channel people MUST see that there show is on air in full dolby stereo. No annoying marketing people listening to their internet-radio stations because they must hear each and every micro-second of their clients’ ads on air.
Has anyone heard the concept of headphones? I don’t want to sound like a grinch because I sometimes play music on the speakers instead of my headphones – but nothing more than 5 minutes and nothing louder than a desk’s length! If it’s going to go beyond that, I switch to headphones! And I do not leave my mobile alone and on the loudest tone if I’m going to be away from my desk more than 2-3 minutes. There are some ringtones that haunt me in my sleep now.
Back to work – or maybe look like I’m doing it. While I play Mahjohng on my awesome RED phone. Did I mention it’s RED?
Guest Blogging…
I decided to guest post at another blog. It will be my first.
T the blog in question is the Cookie Monster’s blog. He sent an invitation a few days back to all regular readers, commentors and basically anyone visiting his blog to take part in the “7 Posts in 7 Days” challenge.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen an open invitation to guest blog. But I decided to join after realizing something – I should write more. Not just write to blog or whinge. But start writing stuff to be published. While I’m not going to give up my personal blogging, I want to begin writing stuff that can go in magazines, special interests, other blogs and perhaps get some cash for it.
I always toyed with the idea – since 7th grade actually – but never took it seriously. I was actually told by quite a few that I couldn’t write. I don’t know why I believed it, but I did and it entered my head that I couldn’t write. Only working at my current job did I realize that I can actually write something. And my blog – it isn’t a classic or masterpiece, but having people read it, comment it, be interested enough to follow it, gives me hope that I’m not utterly hopeless.
And perhaps I should focus on writing. Being a screenwriter rather than a director/producer. Even if not being in film, perhaps write books or columns in magazines. And teach. I rather like teaching. Even if I were to go to film school, in my mind I always thought I’d teach. Be a college professor. Be the role model to kids that my teachers in college were to me.
I think I know what I’m going to write about. Check out the blog between Jan 25-31st!
