Ok, to restart the grandma birthday discussion - does anyone have any ideas about a good birthday present? Of course, I think that my being there is present enough : ) But, still, I think real presents would be nice, too. Any thoughts?
Also, what is everyone going to wear? I was thinking a nice spring-like dress, but I wasn't sure how fancy-schmancy this party is going to be.
Finally, Rash - what's the word on the residency??
Ok, so I've been commanded to post about my birthday.
You know how when you're younger your birthday is the most exciting day of the year (for me, this was always the second most exciting after thanksgiving when I got to eat ... ALOT!)? I think that, as I get older, it gets less exciting. Don't get me wrong - I had THREE WHOLE days of celebrating, so I had a good time (Kev took me to the Drake for brunch and we found out later that people that had eaten there got food poisoning, including Kev!!!). And, I ate a ton. But, the moment of epiphany, or more accurately apocalypse, came when I got on the treadmill first thing in the morning and had to enter my age into the screen-thingy. I almost had a huge personal meltdown in front of a gym full of people. But, I pulled it together, and got on with my day.
So, in short, my birthday was a good day but nothing earth shattering. I expect that will come soon when I finally get it through my head that I'm actually 27!!!
I just thought this one was pretty funny:
"This find definitely proves that the Chinese were making noodles way before the Italian Marco Polo came," said television chef Martin Yan in the Los Angeles Times, on a finding reported in the journal Nature about the unearthing of a 4,000-year-old container of noodles in northwestern China. "I take pride in that, even though I have a lot of Italian friends," Mr. Yan said. (This is from the Wall Street Jorunal)
On another note - do we not have anything to say to each other? Is that why NO ONE but me is posting?? It must be because I have nothing to do.
Probably because I'm fasting and I'm low on sugar. But, here's the reason I'm posting - I saw this quote and I thought it was important:
"You're a religious man. You believe in God and life after death. I also believe. When we come to the other world and meet the millions of Jews who died in the camps and they ask us, 'What have you done?' there will be many answers. You will say, 'I became a jeweler.' Another will say, 'I smuggled coffee and American cigarettes.' Still another will say, 'I built houses,' but I will say, 'I didn't forget you,'" Simon Wiesenthal once said in answering the frequently asked question of why the Holocaust survivor had become a searcher of Nazi criminals instead of resuming a profitable career in architecture. Mr. Wiesenthal died yesterday at his home in Vienna at the age of 96.
And while I don't think we should all hunt Nazis, I do think we should think about how we will account (recount?) our lives to others, as he suggests. I don't know if that makes any sense or if it's of any worth, but I thought I would pass it along.
Guys -
I saw this article on the New York Times website. I thought it was GREAT. You'll read it and can just hear our parents talking about "bio-data" and "both parents doctors" and "tall, slim, fair" (does that describe ANY of us??).
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/23/national/23india.html?8hpib
Enjoy!!
Well, everyone, I am back in good old Ann Arbor. As much as I dislike this city (and I have a LONG list of reasons!), it is SO GOOD to be back in my own house, sleep in my own bed and eat in my own ktichen. NYC was great, but it's nice to have my own stuff.
What's the dealio with Cabo? Angie, did you and your mom finalize anything? Rashmee? What's your deal. I think the more people there, the better. I need as much buffering between Kev and the wacky Shahs as possible. Besides, who doesn't want to spend Thanksgiving on the beach? My only concern is: will we still be getting turkey and stuffing? Yes, I am thinking about food that far ahead!
Angie - how's your internet dating going? I have a few friends who have met people that way and it's really worked out for them. So, go for it! Have you met the guy(s) you've been "chatting" with? are they cute? Are they nerdy??? I am loving the changing header on the website - it's great!
Well, that's it from me. Hope you all are doing well!
of entrys, of course!
I'm glad that the crazy dog was so well behaved. Not to be obnoxious, but Gayla is ALWAYS well behaved (HAHAHAHAH!). Good to hear about the wedding date - I will make sure to block off some time that week. Have you guys thought about a honeymoon?
Angie - about the arrogant guy (is this old news and I'm just now getting it?) - what happened to the cutie in Sri Lanka? Arrogant guys suck because you have to work so hard on something. I'm not sure what, but you have to work hard.
On another (related to me) note - working 9-5 sucks. But, that's ok. What else do I have to do? Kev comes to NYC this weekend and it's going to be lots of fun and NO WORK!!!!
AND - push those you are close to to make Cabo decisions. Please. otherwise, I'm scrapping the whole idea and pouting over thanksgiving turkey (which I will, once again, cook, carve and eat).
ok, that's it. Back to work!
Guys -
It looks like a large number of people have "committed" (as much as the older Shahs can commit) to Bali. Here's the supposed list:
Fiyya
Grandma
Uds & Aruna auntie
Zikes and Zenat and the Virk
Asha Aunti and Sony (supposedly)
Preeti
Angie
Rashmee
Me and Kevin (maybe, he's kind of freaked out about having to spend so much time with SO MANY shahs!)
So, it looks like we have over ten people. Have we heard from Sonia? I'm going to call Singapore Airlines and find out if we can get a deal since so many of us are planning on going. I'll also get more details.
Does anyone else think it's weird that we're going to Bali as opposed to Florida, for example? We really don't do anything normally, do we?
Ok, that's it about Bali.
I start work today. It's the first day in TWO YEARS that I don't have the option of watching the Today Show (followed by Ellen and The View and West Wing) all the way through. The "Lady who Lunches" era is over : ( I guess reality had to set in eventually. I'm hoping that this first day isn't too painful. If I don't fall asleep at my desk after lunch it will be a success!!
Also, just to remind you all, I will be in the big NYC from this Friday through July 30th. SO, if anyone wants to come and visit, I'm available!! Hopefully I will be assigned a large apartment with a water view. Kev has kindly reminded me, however, that because I'm the lowest on a very large totem pole, I'll likely have a studio with a garage view. But, whatever, I'm not paying for it and it will likely be bigger than most studios in NYC.
Ok, I have to go to work!!! Wish me luck!
My fellow Shah's -
After reading all the interesting and endlessly amusing comments, I have to say that it's too bad we don't get together more often. Sonia's purchasing of ugly socks and subsequent receipt of cash was laugh-out-loud funny. You can tell she's a REAL Shah! Has the kitten arrived? Why a cat and not a dog. After spending the last two weeks with two dogs (Hero who is crazy and fun and Gayla who is older and lovable), I wish I could have one.
I spent ten days in Managua and I recommend that you all visit. Nicaragua is interesting, though you should go with someone else that 1) you can hang out with (ie NOT Grandma!) and 2) has at least a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish (French does not work there). I hung out with the housekeeper and the driver. She fed me and he drove me around and told me all about Nicaragua IN SPANISH. whoa. I feel like I must be fluent. Or something.
Ok, I'll stop babbling. It's good to be back in my own home, heading to sleep in my own bed.
Congratulations, Angie, on the job. I'm sure it will be fabulous. Rash, I hope this weekend's visit goes well. Sonia, if you've got the cat already, send pictures! Preets, I think Nici-Naca gave me a rash. That's payment for a few days of warm weather.
Hope you all are doing well.
Happy New Year!
Hello cousin sisters!
So, I've been wanting to post for a long long time, but clearly with my marginally crazy life, I haven't. But, here are my thoughts ...
Fiyya and I went to her friends wedding in the-middle-of-nowhere Ohio. It was forty minutes outside of Toledo. Who knew such a place existed. The biggest attraction was the Wal-Mart. Which they were expanding. Really, a lovely little town.
Anyhow, it was a mixed wedding. Indian girl, white Catholic boy. Both ceremonies were really nice and both families, it seemed like to both of us, went out of their way to be accomodating to the other family's traditions. It was honestly a very nice (set of) weddings and it ended up being a really nice weekend.
Of course, I couldn't help thinking what it's going to be like when one of us gets married. Will it be smooth sailing? Or will it be conflict after conflict? Will there be mixed weddings? Or will someone insist on just having one ceremony? Will it be really big? Or really small?
I feel like we're all getting to the age that we need to start thinking about this stuff.
Anyhow, those are my thoughts. A little delayed, I know, but I wanted to share them anyway.
Also, Angie, congratulations on your story! I'm going to read it right now!!
Manasee
So - for those of you not in school (I guess that means all the ACTIVE members!) it's tough being back! wow - I thought this semester would be a breeze but, sadly, it's been crazy. No class on Mondays and Fridays certainly makes up for the other days, though!
Because my life has been consumed by my "studies" I don't have much to say right now. The "denim palace" is "denim" no more. As of Tuesday of this coming week, my not-so-blue house will be fully functional with a new wood floor. It's like it's a new house! Next up - the carpet and the walls. The wood looks so nice that it highlights how not-so-nice everything else looks.
On another front, this Monday marks the 18th month that I have been with Kevin. Who would have thunk that we would have made it this long? One of my friends commented that had I told her I would be dating an electrician in the union two years ago she would have laughed at me. Now, I can't imagine anything better. So - my sage words of advice for you girls is to keep an open mind and get to know everyone!
Ok, that's it. Hope things are going well for everyone! I'm sorry I haven't posted as often as I should have, but I will from now on. That's assuming that I actually have anything worth sharing!
Manasee
Girls -
Why is no one posting? I know that Angilee has time. Though she is supposedly looking for a job!
First - wow! you Lakers fans SUCK! Who would have thunk that they would have won last night? for Fiyya's sake I am V. Sad. but, for Detroit I am quite happy.
Second - how IS that job search going? Have you made any progress? You are looking in Chicago and AA aren't you??
Third - I am finally old and "mature" enough to say "we are looking for a house". Ok, so not ME, really, but Kevin has been looking and has found a great condo on the northeast side of Chicago. Very exciting!! So, though it does not have an extra room, there will be a couch for any visitors to sleep on.
So, that's it from me. Rash - if you're in town for 4th of July, why dont' you come to DC? I'm going to be there for the weekend.
Ok, that's it from me. I should get back to "work"!
Girls -
Sorry I have been so absent from the site. My only excuse is that I have been busy "working" : ) The jobby-job (can you call an internship a "job"?) has been great so far. The extremely liberal world of non-profit provision of care is pretty nutty. I've never met so many idealistic, pie-in-the-sky types (with the exception of Angilee, maybe!). So, it's been quite the learning experience.
The trip to California was AMAZING! we had a great mix of family and fun. Ang, Kev really enjoyed Berkeley and hanging out (no, he is not reading this. I can hardly get him to turn on his computer and read his OWN e-mail!). So, the next Kevin-trip is hopefully going to be in October to LA to see Fiyya and Grandma. We'll see how long it takes to convince him to go with me.
Rash - about your boyfriend comment. I will tell you that even after more than a year (who ACTUALLY thought that this was going to last???), I am never bored with Kev. Yes, we have our differences and we will argue (VERY rarely), but it's never boring. For me, it's always nice to know that I get to spend time with him. We watch more than our share of TV and talk more about food than most (not surprising, right??), but it's never boring. We always have something to talk about or do or see. SO - if it's boring, reconsider. Or, maybe it's boring because you haven't been able to think or read or talk about anything else besides studying. Wait until you are finished with your Boards and then see. But, if it's still boring, it's not right. Or maybe I'm just lucky.
Ok, that's enough of my preaching. Quite eloquent, I must say, for 6:30 in the morning! Everyone have a wonderful weekend!!
So, Kev and I finally made it to Berkeley and are staying at Angilee's (rather interesting, I must admit) apartment. We will be heading to Wine Country tomorrow so any requests should be posted TONIGHT. I plan to make lots of wine purchases. AND ENJOY them : ) ok, that's it. I don't have anything to say, so I'm out of here!