A Figment of my Existence

Ahk! I know I know! I'm bad!!!

2009-07-06T12:43:00.003-04:00

I didn't forget you or my blog. I've just been REALY busy lately!

I'll have some big news soon and more recipes (and possibly even a few projects I am working on).

I just need to have some time to breathe. I spent the whole day yesterday cleaning my apartment (re-organizing)... I was hoping to get rid of a lot of stuff but it seems I need all the crap that I have! Damn you craftiness! Damn you!

I decided to take a break and head for a coffee shop for some reading at 8:30 (I'm back to reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich). I think some guy attempted to hit on me/pick me up on the way to the shop... He was in a car, let me walk past the gas station entrance rather than run me over only to continue straight to the exit (not even stopping for gas). I saw him out of the corner of my eye looking and me and I saw his mouth move so I guess he was talking to me. I'd like to thank my iPod for offering the perfect excuse for my not hearing him. I just kept walking. Of course, part of me feels bad if he was just asking for directions... but somehow I highly doubt that was the case. Please let me know if you think I'm full of myself. ;-P

On the schedule tonight: my friend Michèle is coming over to teach me the basics of cake decorating! Woohooo!!!! I'm kinda hoping she's craving Indian takeout!

Ok, back to work! I'm leaving early today!

A question I never thought I would ask myself...

2009-05-07T15:46:00.003-04:00

How the hell did I somehow lose about 5 lbs?

Yes, I'm surprised as hell! Imagine my surprise when i stepped on the scale on the Y yesterday and noticed that, without really trying, I somehow lost 5 lbs in the last 6-8 weeks. And here I was scared that I had gained (in my head I was back up 10 lbs).

Don't ask!

Although I am currently doing a cleanse (no, not one of those nasty colon cleanses!) and I'm on day 4. On day 11 I get to start adding one kind of food back in per day (these are foods which people are often allergic to or have a hard time processing, i.e.: wheat, cow dairy, red meat). I was low on energy for a few days but have been slightly hyper today. Also, this is a great way to break sugar addictions (ie high fructose corn syrup!!!! Nasty nasty thing!).

Tired both physically and mentally

2009-04-30T12:16:00.003-04:00

Well, I was hoping to start up my post without having to complain but this morning dealt me a wonderful little bundle of rejection. It's my first time back at my regular desk in the office in just over a week. I was sitting at my desk, doing some work when one of my co-workers comes in. She's the one who seems to have something up her *ahem* when it comes to me. She comes around the wall (my desk is next to hers), she looks at me and makes this look (tight lipped but more of a "hmm" than a "ugh". I tell her "good morning!" and I get no reply, she doesn't even look at me after I tell her. Lovely! Then, later, she wants to chose a paint colour to go with some sample she has with her. Her friend comes around and sits at her desk, I ask if they're looking to find good matches "yes" so I start to push away from my desk "we're fine, we can do it", "ok then" "thanks". Not even 3 minutes later they were 4 girls looking at the colours and giving their opinions. I still wonder what I ever did for her to treat me like this. Did I somehow shit in her cornflakes not only this morning but every morning? Do I smell bad? I would seriously like to change where my workstation is and am considering perhaps asking if I can work in my studio more often - at least the warehouse people there are a lot nicer.

Ok, enough complaining. I promised recipes! A few weekends ago, I prepared 2 healthy dishes and thought I would share them with you (that means I liked them). I took them from the Oxygen glutes issue.

Tuscan-style tuna salad:
Makes 4 servings
2 x 6oz can chunk light tuna, drained
1 x 15 oz can white beans, rinsed
10 cherry tomatoes, quartered (I used regular tomatoes and cubed them)
4 scallions, chopped
2 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
2 tbspn lemon juice
1/2 tspn salt
black pepper to taste
*please note that I also added some left over coriander I had lying around in the fridge

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve!

I actually really liked this dish! It was amazing! I even gave some to Salem for his lunch and he really liked it too.

Stuffed roasted red pepper
Makes 2 servings
1/2 cup of nonfat or 1% cottage cheese
1/2 tspn minced garlic
8oz poached chicken breast*, chopped
2 whole roasted red peppers, canned or jarred - Please rinse them! I didn't and had to deal with a slightly pickled meal!
*I poached mine in chicken stock and herbs as I felt it would be too plain simply poached in water

1. In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese, garlic and chicken and stir until combined.
2. Distribute cottage cheese mixture inside pepper. You can serve warm (45 seconds in the microwave) or cold.

I also made mahi mahi but I don't have the recipe on me at the moment. It was quite good (my first time making something with this fish) and Salem brought the leftovers with him for lunch the next day. He said it was even very good reheated. :-)

I need to work on some pictures to post up on here. I haven't been at home much for a while and I'm all over the place at the moment. I just want to sleep.

Just a quick update - SP13 and newness!

2009-04-21T08:30:00.002-04:00

Just a quick FYI and update:

1 - SP13: I would like to thank Yvonne yet once more for the wonderful package she sent me! :-D I will be posting pictures and details shortly (hoping to do this this week).

2 - Not to sound too full of myself, but I just made one of the best jewelry items I've ever made! Picture to come soon as well.

3 - I've decided that I should dedicate more time to this blog. New things to look forward to in the next little while:
- Recipes (including pictures and notes)
- Crafts (including my own originals, links to instructables and pictures)
- A special little section on planning a certain type of event... More to follow!

On my awesomeness and worries

2009-03-12T13:11:00.003-04:00

On my awesomeness
I had to take pictures today of some pants at work. The male mannequin is has a waist of about 32" (yes, he's tiny!) and the smallest pants were size 46" waist! Errrr... yeah. So I got creative and made him a makeshift fat suit! I took some cotton shopping bags and draped them over his neck (front and back) and then wrapped him up in a white sheet. I had to pin the pants on because he still wasn't big enough, but I did the best I could. Pictures to come!

On worries
Salem's neighbour, Tante Alice, a really nice 71 year old Armenian lady has not been feeling too well for a while. The other day, she cooked for us and told us she was still feeling short of breath and that this and that hurt. I'm getting worried... very worried. She won't go to the hospital for fear of not being let out (and I think for fear of knowing what she has and being forced to go through treatments) and she won't tell her daughters about her problems. What should I do? Actually, I know there's nothing I can do other than repeat to her that she should go to the hospital... How should I deal with this? I seriously have the gut feeling that she has lung cancer (she and her husband smoke a lot, shortness of breath, etc)... :-( I don't know. It makes me sad to think about this. Even though I don't know her very well, she almost feels like a grand-mother to me.

For literature's sake!

2009-03-05T13:11:00.005-05:00

I found this list on my Secret Pal's blog: Identity: Yvonne! Yayyyy!!!!

Turns out, the BBC figures most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here.

Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read.
2) Add a '+' to the ones you LOVE. (I added a - sign for the ones I didn't like)
3) Star (*) those you plan on reading.
4) Tally your total.

How many have you read? About 20

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen x
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien - I've tried, I'm sorry, but I just can't!
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte x
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling x How about the first 3?
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible - Well I've read some of the Torah which is the old Testament... it's an eventual read.
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell x - Freaky!
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens x
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare - I've read some of it but not all, not even close!!
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger x - I think I was one of the only in my class who enjoyed it.
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald x - The rich get richer and the poor get poorer
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams - It's on my list!
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis - Now that I've seen one movie, I may try the books.
34 Emma - Jane Austen x
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini x - I just did! It's amazing but SO SAD! Bring a kleenex box with you when you plan to read it!
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden - On my to-read list.
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell x - Amazing political commentary! One of my favorites!
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown - no, but I have read Angels and Deamons
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery - perhaps I should...
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel x - And I still don't know how I felt about it...
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen x
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley x - I was supposed to read it for a clas... I skimmed through it and though I was going insane.
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov x - Actually, I thought it was quite a good book.
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas x - I'm about 1/3 or the way through book one - IN IT'S ORIGINAL FRENCH VERSION!!!
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac x 2x+
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker x - During my vampire phase... Ok, my first vampire phase!
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker x - Ugh, yes... for a class.
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert x - As much as I could stomach. I wish someone would've told this woman to quite her whining and do something!
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White x - I LOVE this book!
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Alborn
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery x - ben oui!
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo - I think I have it in my bookcase. I read another Victor Hugo book about a prisoner... I can't recall the name.

On not being part of the team and birthday annoyances

2009-02-24T12:21:00.003-05:00

Well, I often wonder if I think too much or if I read into things too much. Lately, it's been getting to me a bit, please excuse me as I vent/complain/voice my concerns out loud.

I started a new job a month ago and I've only recently started making any kind of progress socially. Even at that, it's hard! My cubicle is in the same area as 2 other girls. One barely even responds when I say hello and gives me the impression that she looks down on me. The other one responds to my hellos and we've had brief conversations. Yesterday, 3 girls were laughing at some sort of forward on the computer (one was almost crying from laughing so hard) so I said "something must be funny if she's on the verge of tears"... No one even aknowledged me. I have no clue what was so funny... Am I just wasting my time?

Also, it seems I try to always please others. For my birthday dinner this weekend, I decided to go to a Moroccan restaurant because 3 people I had consulted before were quite interested. I searched all over the place and decided on a restaurant. Now it seems half the people I invited can't come (I know, I invited people at the last minute) and people have complained about the parking (it's on St-Denis - parking is hard there but not too bad if you don't mind walking for 5 minutes)... So now I'm considering moving the whole event to a more parking-friendly area (and somewhere closer to the homes of the people coming) but they don't have Moroccan restaurants! So Now I'm looking at Thai places (I like Thai food) and of course, I'm wondering "will people be happy?"...

*SIGH* Big, Freaking SIGH!

When am I just going to make up my mind and not give a crap whether people are totally happy at my expense? It's my freaking birthday! Just one day a year where I'd like to have things 100% (or even just 90%) my way! I don't want to hear about the parking or that the soup that came with the table d'hote didn't have enough salt or that the proposed time is too early, etc etc etc. Seriously! It's just one meal out of the whole year! One! Maybe 3 hours of your time! Can you please just suck it up? Do I complain when people tell me where they want to go for their birthday? No! Why? Because it's their happiness that counts, it's their day!

It seems it's the same problem every year. Perhaps next year I'll just take a vacation somewhere sunny and not have to deal with any of this. It'll just be me, myself and I ... and the sand, beach and sun!

Happy commercial love day - and some chai!!!

2009-02-15T13:23:00.003-05:00

Well hello!

It's been a while again, the last few weeks have still been a bit crazy and I'm hoping things will calm down shortly but it seems not...

The new job is going really well, I am very happy. I set up my studio a week ago and have been taking pictures every few mornings of various clothing items. It's actually quite fun! :-)

I had supper with a good friend of mine on Friday after about 6 weeks of not seeing one another. It was really nice! We went to the mall for a few minutes, the Lindt outlet store (chocolates!!!), to a restaurant for supper, Chapters for some reading material (I bought the last 2 steamy vampire novels I hadn't read yet out of the Lindsay Sands "Argeneau" series and a Christopher Moore book) and then we went out for coffee and desert (we shared some gelato). Odd thing is, our waiter at the coffee place was someone I had been friends with as a kid. He had a hard time recognizing me but when he did he had the right name... Unfortunately, he was completely out of whack as to how we knew each other. I think the guy did too much partying and lost some of his brain along the way. Anywho!

On my return home, I found a nice bouquet of flowers on my dresser. :-) <3 <3 <3 Salem got me flowers! I'll be posting some pics of them soon. They're beautiful! He came over and buzzed the janitor who let him through the front door (Salem has a copy of my apartment key). Even the janitor liked the flowers (he's got a thing for plants). Anyway, it was a great surprise!

Last night was our traditional sushi takeout at my place. We then went out for coffee and a shared piece of cake on St-Laurent. The cake and coffee was good, but the service sucked! Oh, and the waitresses' skirts were beyond short! I mean talk about micro-mini! Thankfully, they didn't drop anything otherwise we would've gotten one hell of a view! Yikes!

Well, I best get going, my habibi will be here shortly. :-)

Distractions make me a bad, bad girl!

2009-02-01T22:32:00.002-05:00

Well, I've been quite distracted lately by 2 things:

1 - Mom's 60th! I took her out to a Peruvian restaurant on the day of her birthday and gave her 75% of her gift. Why only 75%? Well, I got the other 25% but a part is missing so I have to return it... Of course, I've been slow in getting it to the post office. Surprise surprise!

2- I just started a new job last Monday! I love my new job! We are currently setting things up, I will be working out of 2 offices (in one of which I get to have my very own office/photo studio!) Wow!!!!!! The people are super nice, the benefits are amazing, etc etc etc!

Oh... And Salem's mother was down for 10 days or so! I got to spend a lot of time with her. She's very nice and I think we got along very well.

Overall, I am quite happy with things. I just finished up some slippers for my dad (I just need one last thing to be done).

Ok, bedtime! I need to wake up at 6 am! Ugh!

Another random survey

2009-01-13T17:26:00.003-05:00

Name: Caroline

Birthday: February 29th, 1984
Birthplace: Montreal

Current Location: Still in Montreal
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Very dark brown, dyed burgundy?
Height: 5'4" (Gosh I’m short)
Heritage: French-Canadian (aka Quebecoise), Scottish and German
Weaknesses: Sweets, I wear my heart on my sleeve, hypersensitive (emotionally)
Fears: heights, public speaking, that something will happen to the people I care about, the wrath of God.
Perfect Pizza: Cheese (lots!), mushrooms, onions. Hot peppers can come along for the ride too.
Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: « LOL »
Best Physical Feature: Possibly my eyes… Salem says something else… men!
Bedtime: weeknights : 11pm-12am, weekends… anywhere from 12am-3 :30am
Goal To Achieve This Year: make money! Get to my goal weight!
Most Missed Memory: Living without any responsibilities!
Thoughts First Waking Up: Where’s Pumpkin?

Random info:

Right Handed or Left Handed: Right
How do you want to Die: I rather God surprise me… preferably a quick death, in my sleep.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I am grown up!
What country would you most like to Visit: I can’t narrow it down to just one. I’d love to visit my own country a bit more, Scotland, the Arabian peninsula, Europe…
Are you a Health Freak: *chuckle*… I would be lying if I answered in the affirmative.
The Shoes You Wore Today: My expensive winter boots (they’re lined! OOooOO!!!!!)

Pick one...

Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi
MacDonalds or Burger King: Beurk! Harveys!
Single or Group Dates: A double date can be fun at times.
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: What’s the difference?
Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla ice cream with Nutella on top.
Cappuccino or Coffee: I can’t tell the difference, it\s all cafeine to me!

Do you...

Smoke: No… well, I do smoke shisha maybe twice a year.
Swear: *sigh*… yes….
Sing: When no one else is around.
Shower Daily: Yes… ???
want to go to College: Been there, done that!
want to get Married: YES! The clock is ticking! Time is-a-wasting!
belive in yourself: At times…
get Motion Sickness: Nope! :-D
think you are Attractive: Not particularly…
get along with your Parents: Yes, much more than when I was younger…
like Thunderstorms: They’re amazing! I love them!
play an Instrument: I have a guitar I haven’t touched in years. Maybe I’ll pick up the kazoo…

In the past month have you...

Drank Alcohol: I don’t drink alcohol at all.
Smoked: No
been on Drugs: If I don’t drink, do you think I do drugs?
gone on a trip: Nope…
gone to a Mall: Why yes!
eaten a box of Oreos: I can’t recall the last itme I ever ate one!
eaten Sushi: Yes, numerous times! (MMMMM!!!!)
been on Stage: Gah! No way!
been Dumped: Salem and I have been going strong for over 2 years now, so no.
gone Skinny Dipping: Never!
Stolen Anything: Not in the last few months (just once when I was… 9? 10?)

Have you ever been...

Drunk: to my everlasting shame…
called a Tease: No! But I’ve been called a goody-two shoes!
Beaten up: No.
in Love: Derrrrrr!

In a Boy. . .

Favourite Eye Color: Blue, but anything goes
Favourite Hair Color: Dark
Short or Long Hair:It depends on how it looks
Height: The taller the better!
Weight: Athletic to beefcake!
Best Clothing Style: nothing but a towel!

Fun with numbers...

Number of Drugs I have taken: as in ever? 1
Number of CDs I own: Actual bought CDs? 150? I don’t know, it’s been years!
Number of Piercings: 7 (number of holes…) Nose, 2 standard in ear each, left ear : tragus and upper ear.
Number of Tattoos: 3
Number of things in my Past I Regret: It’s best not to regret anything.

Gah! I'm super late!

2009-01-13T16:28:00.002-05:00

This is just a quick update on what's going on. I know, I've been a bad, bad girl! So bad that I only realized now that one picture from my package post is only half displayed! I'll get around to fixing that ASAP! Sorry!

Also, I'm so behind on answering the SP13 weekly question (or... well... this was in December)
Part A: Are you doing any holiday knitting?
Hehehehehe... no! :-D

Part B: Have you finished?
If I have none, then I guess I am finished! Amazing! For once I'm ahead and not way behind!

So.... what new? I am starting a new job in just over a week and a half! Weeeeeeee!!!! Note to self: get a book on digital photography techniques. I'll be working on putting items on a website, taking pictures of said items, writing up item descriptions, working with other departments to make one HUGE website... and I get to be creative! Oh, and benefits after 3 months, pension plan after 6 months and... AND... get this! Vacation time after a year! WHAT'S THAT?! **all wide-eyed** I can't wait! What's this company? It's a company that has an office in Montreal and 14 co-ops in the North of Quebec (and by North, I mean WAYYYYYYYY up north, as in permafrost my friend!). We supply all items for these 14 co-ops (food, clothing, gasoline, storage, building materials, programs, etc etc). It's a really neat company and big on helping out everyone in the community.

On my plate for the next week or so:
1- Finish up everything at the office here
2- Impress Salem's mother! I mean REALLY impress! She's in town until the 25th and I plan on cooking a crazy meal (yet I'm not too sure what to make yet).
3- Finish organizing Mom's 60th birthday dinner (shhh.... don't tell her I let her age slip out).

Projects I am currently working on:
1- Picture frame earring organizer (pictures to come soon). Of course, it'll be decorated with henna!
2- Dad's thrummed slippers (almost done!)
3- SP13 knitted item #1
4- Lama's scarf (may be frogged, I noticed a mistake - damn!!!!)
5- Mom's ab... abbyl...abhlynn.... errr.. cowl. I just need to add beads and hope she's a bit more enthused about it when I present it to her for the 2nd time (oh, the grimace on her face the first time I showed it to her. I must admit it really hurt).
6- Whatever I just forgot.

Upcoming projects:
1- My giant above-couch painting/mirror project! I swear, I'll do it!
2- Salem's Henry scarf
3- Do the 2nd herring-bone mitten
4- A shawl for Nanan
5- Henna jewelry and ... housewares (it's a secret!)
6- My personal website
7- Get back to my Bettie Page poster (done in Illustrator)
8- Make a hat for myself (if it's the Fishy hat, then I might even use various scraps!)
9- Various projects with dad (including a fold-down table/counter for my tiny kitchen and a deep shadow box to display my growing seashell collection)
10- I'm sure I'm forgetting something, I just can't recall what it is... :-S Sorry!

All that snow and I still got my first package!

2008-12-12T10:54:00.003-05:00

Well, I just got my first package for SP13! A million packages to "Arnold" for the amazing package! I thoroughly enjoyed opening every item and looking at what I received! Even Pumpkin helped out (and even she had a little gift!). I really must say that I was floored!

Here are some pictures of the madness than ensued!

What's this? A surprise?

Pumpkin can't wait - she wants to open the package now! She gave me just enough time to cover the contents with a post it note (used in lieu of a fig leaf) before she sliced the box open - Careful Pumpkin!

Yes, mommy likes to take pictures. In the good old words of Monty Python: Get on with it!!!!

Of course we both really enjoyed unwrapping the numerous gifts in my package.

Yes, there's even something for you Pumpkin!

The full Monty! PS "Arnold" has beautiful handwritting.
Seashells from Florida, Milk chocolate with roasted almonds and seasalt, toys for pumpkin, homemade salted caramels, chocolate-mint body bar, a giant bag of M&Ms and 2 skeins of white angora yarn! *swoon*

Pumpkin eyes her new toy...

Pumpkin in bed with her new toy.

A huge thank you again to "Arnold". This really is amazing!

And now... About the snow. OMG! 20 cm on Tuesday (we were in the car for 5 hours - driving Lama to the airport) and another... 10 or 15 cm today? Oh, and the city still hasn't salted any sidewalks (not even in the downtown core). My co-worker slipped 3 times yesterday! It's only going to get worse - it's going to rain on Monday and then snow within a day or two after that. Tisk tisk!

"Dish bitch" is not in my job description!

2008-12-03T09:11:00.002-05:00

Hello kids, it's me again, and I'm back to do a few things.

1. SP13 Question of the week (from last week - I'm fashionably late, of course): What are you most thankful for this year:
I'd have to say that I'm very thankful that my tonsils are gone, my number of translation contracts are up, Salem and I are talking marriage and babies on a regular basis, that I have everything I need available to me (job, money for rent/food/utilities/spending), that I've finally found my religion and that everyone around me in in (relatively) good health.

2. A big THANK YOU to my SP13 spoiler "Arnold" for my first gift! (yes, I'm very late, sorry! I've been so busy sending you novels). ;-) It's the Farmer Fox pattern by Jennie Lamond! He's amazingly cute and now he's MINE!!!!!

3. Re: Dish bitch. I was helping out with a conference one of my co-workers organized yesterday and guess what happened! The caterer came by and set everything up and then told us "we won't be able to come pick up the stuff until tomorrow or after tomorrow". SO basically, my co-worker and I were stuck carting everything (3 food trays, plates, cuttlery, serving trays, cups, etc) and cleaning up the mess at the end of the day. Did I mention this event had 25 people attending and lasted ALL day? Do you have any idea how dirty people are when they know they don't have to clean up after themselves? Not only did we have to store everything in our office, but we had to rinse everything as well to make sure nothing started rotting in here. I spent almost an hour and a half rinsing this crap! What the hell kind of crap ass caterer was this?!

Extra, somewhat weird questions I found on the internet!

2008-11-18T22:47:00.001-05:00

50 Random Questions

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?

In the Library conference room of the main building of the hospital.

2. Who are you in love with?

Myself of course!!! ;-P Salem.

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?

Not that I can recall but I wouldn't put it past me.,

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

Why yes! A highlighter!

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?

Sunday.

6. Are you wearing socks right now?

No, I'm wearing thick cotton tights.

7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?

Is the Nova bus or metro car even worth $50?

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?

I was off the island on Sunday, but I wasn't the one doing the driving.

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?

No. How about 10 days?

10. Are you hot?

Don't mind if I say so myself!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?

Just plain water. But I had an awesome salted caramel hot chocolate this morning!

12. What are you wearing right now?

A long purple shirt/short dress (empire waist), charcoal coloured cotton tights and 3" spike heel, black leather boots.

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?

I don't have a car...

14. Last food that you ate?

Foul (mixed fresh beans with tomatoes and green peppers), pita, cucumber and tomato slices.

15. Where were you last week at this time?

At the same freaking place I am now - my desk!

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?

Yes, tights.

17. When is the last time you ran?

Oh God...

18. What's the last sporting event you watched?

Hockey on Saturday. We lost!!!!

19. What is your favorite animal?

Dogs, cats, manta rays.

20. Your dream vacation?

Anywhere warm and historic with new foods.

21. Last person's house you were in?

Salem's.

22. Worst injury you've ever had?

I can only recall ever going over the handlebars of my bike once...

23. Have you been in love?

Duh.

24. Do you miss anyone right now?

Yes, lots of people.

25. Last play you saw?

I don't tend to do plays... Peter Pan in sec 5 (11th grade).

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?

If I told you then it wouldn't be so secret now would it?!

27. What are your plans for tonight?

Picking up translation package, going for an Arabic placement test downtown, eating, going home, watching the Tudors and going to bed early.

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?

I don't do MySpace...

29. Next trip you are going to take?

Probably going to the United Arab Emirates...

30. Ever go to camp?

Once when I was younger, I hated it.

31. Were you an honor roll student in school?

FI was for most of high school and CEGEP.

32. What do you want to know about the future?

I think the future is best unknown.

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?

Yes: Givenchy's Irrésistible

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?

probably should, but I'm not going to go.

35. Where is your best friend?

At work.

36. How is your best friend?

She's probably great as she just got back from a trip to the carribean!

37. Do you have a tan?

LMAO! That's a good one!

38. What are you listening to right now?

Talk radio - blah blah blah (boring topic).

39. Do you collect anything?

Seashells.

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?

Most probably me...

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?

NEVER! Actually, the first time I ever drove but simply because I was wandering around a mall in the dark...

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?

I do it on a regular basis/

43. What does your last text message say?

To me: that I have a voicemail message. From me: "I love you habibi" to Salem.

44. Do you like hot sauce?

Do I ever!

45. Last time you took a shower?

This morning. How about you??????

46. Do you need to do laundry?

It seems ever ending.

47. What is your heritage?

I am 1/2 French-Canadian (Québecois), 1/4 Scottish, 1/4 German but raised 100% French-Canadian.

48. Are you someone's best friend?

I'd like to think so, perhaps I am disillusioned...

49. Are you rich?

Certainly not!

50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?

Getting into bed.

Credit Repair

MySpace Surveys and Quizzes

And now, for something completely different...

2008-11-09T23:28:00.003-05:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I currently have no yarn preferences. I am still exploring many options with every new project. I'd rather stay away from acrylics (I have plenty in my stash from my earlier days) and lets just say that the thought of making yarn out of a pet freaks me out just a tad!

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A school bag - I really need to get organized with my needles.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for about 4 years now, seriously for 1-2 years. I taught myself thanks to some sites and then a book or two. I'd consider myself an intermediate knitter (always looking for a new challenge)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope.

5. What's your favorite scent?
I love musks, sandalwood, lavender and "ocean" type smells. I ave about 20 essential oils I like to burn all over my apartment!

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
You have no idea!!! Chocolate is my favorite thing (milk or dark but I can't take white!). I will take M&Ms over Smarties any day!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Ok, so I: knit, crochet, paint (acrylic and starting with oil and some water colour), I make the occasional bath bomb, I make my own chocolate truffles, enjoy baking (cakes, cookies), I love to cook in general (Indian food is always fun), I sometimes make jewelry, I love doing henna on people or wood, etc... I tried spinning once, I may try it again but lets just say I thought I pretty much sucked.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to just about anything except for country, opera and rap. I'll listen to the normal top 40 stuff, some R&B, rock, metal, alternative and classical (Tchaikovski is one of my favorites). MP3s are not a problem, I also have an iPod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I'm still into my huge turquoise and magenta/fuschia kick! I can't do yellow and most shades of green.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live on my own but spend most of my free time with my boyfriend of 2+ years. I have one cat, Pumpkin - she's great! I love her!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, I wear all of the above except for ponchos (I'm trying to lose a few more pounds, the poncho would only add them back on at this point).

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I'd have to say scarves - they please everyone and can vary greatly from pattern to pattern. I also made a toy once for a friend's daughter - that was very fun too (quick, easy and cute as hell!). But I have fun knitting just about anything!

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am knitting up a birthday scarf for my boyfriend's sister, then starting up on some thrummed slippers for my father and the Henry scarf for my boyfriend's birthday (December).

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course! Who doesn't???

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Straight/circ: it depends on the project. I am currently useing more circs because it's much harder to lose the stitches on those when travelling in the metro. Any material will do!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Yes, I use the back of my dining room chair (unfortunately, I had to fire the boyfriend as he kept putting his hands down on the yarn all the time!).

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
My first pair of socks is going on 1 year now! I really need to get back to them...

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
I like both Eids... I don't celebrate any winter holidays since my conversion, but I still gather with my family at Christmas and most other holidays - there's no reason why I can't wish them hapy holidays. Otherwise, I love Halloween (even though it's not a holiday) - it's the only day of the year where I actually have a valid excuse to play dress up!

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I love seashells!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I love the Farmer Fox pattern! He's beyond cute!!! I also want to start trying out some really neat lavian mittens.
I have no knitting magazine subscriptions, I don't feel a need for them.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I'd eventually like to wrap my head around shawl patterns - for some reason I easily mess them up!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I'll knit socks, I'm actually thinking of making 2009 my year for making socks. I wear a size 8-9 : 23 cm (9") x 9 cm (3.5"). Warning! I have wide feet!!!

23. When is your birthday?
February 29th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
MaiCarInMtl

October - that means Halloween is coming!!!!

2008-10-16T08:55:00.002-04:00

First, I would like to appologize to all my readers *cough* for not posting for a very long time. I spent the whole month of September day fasting, praying and coming home only to sleep.

Work has been ok but 2 fairly recent slaps in the face have made me decide that it is finally time to look for something else. I am currently looking for jobs in translation (in Quebec or Ontario). I am also thinking of moving overseas next year (to the Gulf) to teach English and French. To tell you the truth, it all depends on what happens with Salem.

Today, I will be signing up for my first official Secret Pal swap - Secret Pal 13. I had a lot of fun organizing my own small Montreal Knits one (although there are some issues that are still unresolved 6 weeks after the final deadline). But I think ti was a nice experience and plan to host another Montreal Knits swap in the new year.

And now, for the best part of this month: HALLOWEEN! Yes, I know, I am a Muslim, not a Pagan, but Halloween is still one of my top 5 days in the year! I get to dress up, have an excuse to spend all day in costume and no one can call me a freak! Wooohoo!!! I really want to dress up like Medusa (even though Salem and his sister really don't want me to - they rather I dress like a disco queen or something else.... Yeah, riiiiiight!). I'll see, I might be going to a theme party where I have no choice but to dress up as somethign specific - ugh - in this case, a superhero - double ugh!

That's all for my current, quick update!

Ramadan Kareem / Mubarak!

2008-09-02T11:39:00.006-04:00

Well everyone, I would like to wish all my fellow brothers and sisters Ramadan Kareem! Yes, I know, I am posting a day late, but distraction was the key to getting through day 1 of fasting! I kept myself busy with 4 loads of laundry, praying and then a 2 hour grocery shopping trip with Salem.

Dinner was oh so very yummy!!! We had kibbeh, fatteh, hummus, lentil and bean soup, stuffed zucchini in a yogourt sauce, amareddine and tamarind juice. Later on, we had some apple tea with cinnamon and some nuts.

The weekend was quite crazy. I had supper with Mom on Friday, bought some more scarves and some shoes. I discovered that Commensal is just too expensive for my taste. I've only been twice and sure you get to try new things but it's just too expensive!

Saturday, I mailed out my package to my spoilee and I hope it gets there on time but with the holiday... er... not looking too good. Sorry!

Then off I was to Oka beach with Salem, Lama and Lama's friend Noura. She's a very sweet girl. We enjoyed the water, sand, sun and food. We even stopped off at a roadside stand where I got corn, Lama got berries, caramel and sucre à la crème, Salem got some apples and Noura got drinks for everyone. As if all this wasn't enough, we even went out clubbing at Moomba later on. I only got home at 3:30 am - boy was I pooped!

Sunday was horseback riding with Lama and Noura. Everything was going great until Noura fell off her horse while galloping. She had a pretty bad fall but she's fine (thank God!). Once back in the city, I had a Labour Day barbecue to attend at Aunt Lise's. The food was good as per usual, but with every family reunion, it is more and more apparent that I have next to nothing in common with my family, namely my cousins. It does make me sad in a way, but not sad enough to make me change myself to be closer to them. I'm sorry, but I do not agree with their lifestyles and their decisions. Then again, they probably don't agree with some of my decisions.

I was most dissapointed when my cousin Katie and my godfather (my father's brother) left without saying goodbye to my father, his wife, Salem or me. I feel really bad for my dad. He always calls his brother for his birthday but his brother never calls him for his. Another uncle left without saying hello but chances are he was busy with one of hsi 3 grandkids. At least his wife said bye to everyone. This breaks my heart a bit... a bit for me, but mainly for my dad. :-(

This week will be a longer one... adjusting and all. But so far, so good! :-D Subhanallah!

Allahu Akbar

2008-08-20T21:24:00.002-04:00

Well, I finally took the plunge and converted to Islam on Sunday. I even went to the mosque to do it.

Since then, I've been trying my best to pray 5 times a day (sometimes making it to 4, other days I get my 5 a day in). I am starting to remember some lines (keep in mind, this is all in Arabic). So far, the family is taking the news pretty well (Mom, Dad and Mary Ann). The friends who have found out seem ok with it too. So far, so good. The people in the community seem very kind too.

On to not so great things. I officially hated my job today, totally hated it. I have to do my full-time job as well as the secretary's full-time job. In past years that was fine but now I have to do things I had gotten crash courses on. There are also problems with some reports used to put things I need together. Anyway, I am just really hating on the department head right now. I almost walked into her office this morning (after her pulling crap on me twice) to tell her "you can take this job and shove it! Now you can enjoy replacing the secretary until she comes back from vacation!". GGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

And then knitting... well... Oh forget it.

I've just had an all over bad day and I just need to have a good cry now. I'll go pray and just leave it all in God's hands.

Call me Auntie Caro... oh, and WTF?!

2008-08-09T18:08:00.002-04:00

Well, it's been a few days (or a week?) since I last posted. I've been busy with knitting, the gym, work and my friend Lea, who just gave birth yesterday to 9 lbs 8 oz baby Damian. I was the first to see the baby (other than mommy, daddy and Lea's mother). It's times like this that make working at a hospital worth it.

I absolutely love the baby, he's so cute and very quiet. I think I'll love being his Auntie Caro... except for the par that I'll see his dad more often. Yes people, I do not like the father. Why? He's a smartypants know-it-all jackass. Of course, I never tell Lea that as she's very protective of him.

He's said comments here and there that I am never too sure how to take: is he teasing, joking or just using it as a cover to be a jackass. He also really likes to give hugs and hello/goodbye kisses (like us francos do) which makes me a bit uncomfortable as I reserve this for family members only (when it comes to men) - females can get all the hugs and kisses they want - aren't you lucky?! ;-P

He's also said a few things that I consider to be going over the line of "you should only say this kind of stuff to your girlfriend". Ex: today, I was wearing an above the knee skirt and a wrokshirt that's a bit low-cut but not much - I really like the shirt and have worn it many time and no one has ever said anything. I was sitting next to his mother, talking and he was leaving the room and he said "sitting there crossed-legged with your sexy secretary outfit - hahahahahahaha!!!!". Errr.... like WTF?! At another point he said "oh we all know why you dress like that, you must like the attention the guys give you (we were talking about how I hate it when guys check me out - Lea had shared this info with him). I made sure to correct him and let him know I only dress like this to please Salem, I really wish other men would just not look at me. Now why the hell is he making comments like this? All this is making me think maybe I should review my wardrobe and dress even more conservatively. I mean it doesn't help that I am converting to Islam, but I am feeling more and more of a pull to wear the hijab because I hate these kinds of comments and this kind of attention. But what kind of a world do we live in where I feel the need to cover up simply because a friend's boyfriend can't watch what garbage comes out of his mouth?

Anyway. I want to see the baby more often, but I'm not going to look forward to seeing the father. Perhaps I will make sure that Salem comes with me in case the guy says anything weird. I'd love to see Salem put him in his place.

So yes, it is playing on my mind. To the point where I went for some shopping therapy at the pharmacy - I got waxing strips and an all-purpose, bio surface cleaner.

So, Am I just nuts or is this guy really a jackass?

What the hell is going on???

2008-08-01T17:56:00.004-04:00

I must ask this question because so many weird things are going on all over this great country of ours this week.

1- 17 year old girl gets kidnapped and killed by her boyfriend's repeat-offense father.
2- Man is found dead in manhole in Montreal (whaaaa?!).
3- Crazy 40 year old stabs to death then decapitates 22 year-old, complete stranger on a Greyhound bus.

I woke up to the news of #3 yesterday. At first I was thinking this was some kind of sick joke, that it must be a mistake, but as time went on, I figured out it wasn't some kind of joke. Hearing the stories made me feel ill (and as someone who watches all those forensic/medical shows, it's hard to make me feel ill).

I feel I am really saddened by what happened as well as enraged. This young man did nothing wrong, nothing, yet this crazy psychopath decided he had the right not only to kill some random person but also cut off his head!

Now this may shock some people, but it's times like this that make me think we should bring back capital punishment. There are some individuals whom I think really do not deserve the right to live, to take away the right for one person to live, you take away your right to live. Now, would I advocate this in all cases? No, of course not, only in extreme cases.

My condolences to the family of the young man who's life was brutally ended. I also hope that the people present at this horrible event will be able to heal and deal with the circumstances of this event. I can;t even begin to imagine how these people feel.

Onto brighter news now: I took a day off and went over to Alison's place with Janet. Unfortunately the weather was horrible, but we still had fun stuffing our faces with pizza and some black bean brownies Janet brought along (mmmmm yummy!!!). Also, I couldn't believe all the plants Alison has outside! Whoah! I know who I'll go bug for advice if I ever get a garden of my own! Thanks girls for a wonderful day out!

So far it seems the swap is going well. Hopefully people are in the process of starting projects and plan on sending a little something soon to their spoilees.

I guess I best get going as this is the 5th time Pumpkin jumps on my desk since the beginning of this post. She just doesn't seem to get that I am busy.... GRRRR!!!!!!!! More posting later or in the next few days.

Wedding etiquette question

2008-07-22T10:11:00.003-04:00

Ok, a quick post as I have some questions on the subject of weddings which I'd like people to give me their opinion.

Wedding thank you notes:
Salem and I have been to 2 weddings this summer: one of which was a month ago, another about 2-3 weeks ago. Keep in mind the couple from the first wedding went on a 10-day honeymoon. I wanted to know: what is a normal/acceptable time to wait before one gets a thank you note/card in the mail from the married couple? We gave pretty good gifts ($$$) at the weddings and have since not heard a peep from either couple. I ask: What gives? Am I being too impatient? Is there a set time to wait? Where's Emily Post when you need her?!

Of fleece and swaps

2008-07-22T10:08:00.001-04:00

Yes, I know, I know, it’s been over a week since I’ve posted. May I offer my sincerest condolences to you in these hard times. How are you dealing? It’s ok, everything will be alllllright.

Alright, lets move on to business!

I’ve had a bit of a busy week, but I’m not complaining about it (well, not at the moment).

Last Wednesday, we had (what I would cosnider) one of the largest knitting meetings I’ve ever been to. Quite strange really. Usually attendance at knitting meets drop off in the summer but for some reason, we ended up being about 15 people in all (they just kept coming!). Basically we took over the whole terrasse at Java U on Monkland (thank you guys for putting up with us – I hope you made out with a lot of cash and tips!). Did I ever mention how much I love the staff over at Java U (on Monkland – I can’t speak for the Westmount staff - YUCKO!). We had a very rowdy time and I only got home at 10:45! Woopsy poopsy!

The weekend was fairly quiet: I made my first ever attempt at strawberry rhubarb pie (2nd attempt at a pie) and strawberry rhubarb compote. SUCCESS! But, next time I will prebake the pie crust for just 5 minutes. Salem liked all my experiments so I sent him home with some things (half the pie and some compote). A big thank you to Tante Lise for helping me out with the strwberry:rhubarb:sugar:water proportions for the compote. MMmmmmm....

Oh, a mini lesson I learned on the weekend and would like to share with everyone: NEVER DRIVE TO OLD MONTREAL ON A FIREWORKS SATURDAY!!! NEVER!!!!! It’s impossible to find parking! I highly suggest you walk, bike or metro it in. I also suggest people try to Core Sundae from Ben & Jerry’s – very sinful and full of calories. Thankfully Salem got it while I got the light fudge brownie making my ass not expand quite as much. Score!

And now, for something completely different: Fleece!
Upon Janet and I’s arrival at Ariadne on Sunday, I found a table covered in, yes, sheered sheeps wool! Oh wow! Also on the table: carding brushes and combs. Well, I spent the next few hours brushing out bit of dirt, grass and countless other things out of the wool, and prepped it to be spun. Yes, I do think I am catching the spinning bug. God help me! I e-mailled Molly-Ann yesterday, asking her when I could set up an appointment (and asking aslew of other questions) to learn how to use the spinning wheel. And the addiction begins!

Of swaps: I have decided to organisea secret pal swap (much like Secret Pal 12) for those of us who missed out on/didn’t know about the swap. It’s for Montreal knitters only and it’s fairly short (only 6 weeks). Just a little something to give us all a little taste of what these swaps are and to enjoy the coming of packages in the mail (yes, finally, something other than bills!). The swap officially starts on Thursday as soon as I send outthe assigned partners and ends in early September. I hope everythign will go swimmingly and that no one will flake out. I must admit, I am getting quite excited! :-D

Henna and Preggo news: I went to my friend Lea’s place last night (my preggo) to do henna on her stomach (my first time). I did have quite a bit of fun and finally got to see what happens when a baby moves around. No, he’s no longer kicking, he is shifting all over the place! So weird but so cool! She’s due in a week and a half but I really hope he comes early for her sake (poor girl feels like the top of her stomach is bruised and he keeps pushing his feet up against her ribs). I must admit, seing all that movement last night (I even taped some on my camera), makes me really look forward to my turn – someday Caroline, someday. God, I’m turning into such a sappy woman!

The Kuffiya is NOT a fashion accessory!

2008-07-09T18:52:00.004-04:00

Over the last few months, I have seen a disturbing trend growing stronger with every day.

What is that trend?
Why, the use of the Kuffiya (hatta) as a fashion accessory.

What is the kuffiya?
It is a traditional head dress worn by many arab men. The size, pattern and colours can vary depending on the country/region.

Why the big stink?
Because the kuffiya has (since the 60s) become a symbol for Palestinian nationalism/solidarity, it is a very strong political symbol. People wear it to political rallies for many reasons (to show their support to the Palestinians, to show resistance to the occupation, to speak out about human rights injustices, etc).

How has it become a fashion accessory?
More and more people are buying and wearing the kuffiya without even knowing what it stands for (many stars are wearing it, I even found some at Le Chateau last week!).

I first became aware of this change a few weeks back. I was out shopping with a friend and happened upon a halter-top in a window. I was looking at it when I realized it was made with a kuffiya. Yes, someone had taken this political symbol, cut it into pieces, resewed it and fit it to a mannequin to display in a window. To me, it's like taking a flag and cutting it up into pieces and using it to accessorise. You are altering the original vision, the essence of this symbol and making it into a disposable product, you are changing it because you think you can do better, because you just need something to fill the gap. I find this degrading! I would never take my beloved Canadian flag and desecrate it by taking bits and pieces of it and using it willy nilly here and there. Needless to say, I took a picture of the shirt and asked a few people for their opinion. Indeed, everyone agreed with me.

Since then, I have seen plenty of people wearing kuffiyas around their neck. Every time, I wonder if they really know what it means.

So what do you plan on doing about it?
I was looking to buy a kuffiya to show my support to the Palestinian cause. I've decided I will not be buying one unless I am 100% sure it was made in Palestine, that the money is going to support the cause and I will only wear it to rallies. It's a shame because I wanted to wear one out and about, answer peoples' questions, inform them, but I do not want people to look at me and ask themselves the same questions I ask myself when I see someone wearing a kuffiya "Are they wearing it for the cause, or are they just another ignorant fashion whore?".

My long awaited return... Well... maybe not awaited

2008-07-08T21:45:00.002-04:00

After a long time of not coming on here, I've decided to give blogging yet another try. Perhaps this time it will work for good.

I've now graduated and I am working full-time. I am working a lot on knitting and coming up with new projects all the time.

So here's to hoping I can keep this up for once, maybe even entertain a few people along the way.

PS for those of you who are perhaps wondering, I successfully completed my fasting for Ramadan last year. I found it was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and plan on doing it again yet once more.

Slacking off!

2007-09-17T12:46:00.001-04:00

Yes, yes, I know, I know!

I slacked off all weekend and didn't post! But I still kept my fast on!

Friday went went, broke my fast at the right time and took it easy most of the night.

The boyfriend came over around 9, I wanted ice cream so we set out for some home-made ice cream place about 20 minutes or so away (by highway). We got there only to see it was closed! Crap! We then drove to a Dairy Queen near a place where I lived a few years ago, along the waterfront. They were closed too! What the...?? We ended up driving all the way downtown and went for some fancy-pants chocolate crêpes. Yummy!

Saturday was good but my lingering cold was giving me a bit of a hard time. I slept in until 12 (went to bed at 3 am) and went grocery shopping at 4 or so. Cooked supper for about 2 hours because the man was coming over for supper. We broke our fast together (dates) and then proceded with supper: vegetable soup, veal meatballs in tomato sauce and roasted veggies. Yummy! Tried to watch a movie, it didn't work. Grrrr... So we watched Fight Club.

Sunday was another boring day, I did nothing. I saw no one and went out for about 10 minutes.

Today, working, up at 4:30 to break my fast. Found a cockroach in my bathroom (3rd one in about 3 months - what is this!) so that ruined my morning. I came into work very early and just prepped for the upcomming meeting.

So far, not hungry, I just want to sleep as I am sneezing a lot, my throat is scartchy and my left nostril is slightly blocked. Lovely! LOL!

Ok, that's enough for now.

Perhaps it's best to tell people what you are doing

2007-09-14T11:08:00.002-04:00

I've given this title to my post because I have not yet told my mother about my decision to fast during Ramadan this year.

"Why?" one may ask. Well, so far, when it comes to me looking into another religion, Mom hasn't been all that receptive. Quite surprising to me because I always thought she was open-minded. But, considering our roots and how most people are, culture and religion are quite important (even to non-practicers). Even more surprising is the fact that my more conservative father basically told me that whatever religion I chose, it's ok, it's my choice, and not to worry about what people may say or how they may react. Wow. Anyway!

So back to the why I didn't tell my mother - she seems to be a little apprehensive about me looking into a religion other than the one we were born and raised into. Are we practicing Christians? Certainly not! The most practicing we do is celebrate Christmas and wish one another Happy Easter. Is there a single hint of religiousness in what we do during these two holidays? Nope! And it's very much like this in many North American households (or so I think).

I've decided not to tell her yet about the fasting. I somewhat regretted that last night as we decided to go shopping before having supper (a way for me to stall for time until I can break the fast). Well, we finally got to sit at a table 45 minutes after fasting time was up! Thankfully they brought some bread after another 10 minutes. I wasn't hungry (quite surprisingly) but I was really looking forward to eating. So I broke my fast around 8:10-8:15 pm. So just over 15 hours of fasting.

Needless to say, I wasn't able to finish my plate.

~ Today ~

4:30 - eat breakfast! Brush teeth, go back to bed!
I had the other half of the chocolate Boost thing from yesterday, a slice of bio multigrain toast with natural peanut butter and sugar free jam. And as a treat, a very small bowl of cinnamon-roll-cereal thing. I'm sorry, I have no clue what it's called or who makes this cereal, Mom has it at her place and I asked her if I could bring some home.

It was so hard to get up for good this morning - I just wanted to keep sleeping. I told myself that I'll sleep in tomorrow and Sunday. I hope it was just a fluke.

So far this morning, no hunger, no major thirst, not much sleepiness, just paranoia about still tasting last night's supper (damn you tsaziki sauce! damn you!).

Other than that, all is good!

So far, so good

2007-09-13T13:46:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm only a bit past the half mark in my first day of fasting and so far, so good!

Here's the low-down so far:

4:26 am - Wake up. Choke down a mug of Neo Citran, 1 slice of bio whole grain bread with natural peanut butter and sugar-free jam. 1/2 a serving of chocolate Boost (extra protein kind).

4:50 am Brush teeth, go back to bed and toss and turn until about 6 am.

7:30 am - Get up and the day starts here.

I went to my 2 classes, and I am super paranoid about my breath, but I warned people sitting around me and offered my sincere appologies for my horrid breath. I keep rinsing my mouth and brushing my teeth to help (not swallowing anything of course). I'm not hungry. No headache (although I do feel slightly light-headed). I'll just make sure not to run around too much at work today and try to stay calm tonight while out shopping with mom before I can break my fast at 7:14 pm.

Hunger encounterest to this point: next to none. Once in a while (about 2-3 times so far), I'll get a little feeling of movement in my system which threatens to perhaps turn into stomach growling, but it's gone in 2 minutes and that's it.

Why Neo Citran? My throat was scratchy yesterday and I kept sneezing. So I took some NyQuil before going to bed (this leads to very fitful sleep for me) and when I got up, I took some Neo Citran and 2 cold and sinus tablets.

Alright, that's enough for now. I'll update later.

First impressions

2007-09-12T22:39:00.001-04:00

Well, here I am again, trying to make another blog. If this blog lasts a month, then I will be happy.

Why am I creating this blog? Because perhaps someone out there is going through similar things I am going through, asking the same questions, feeling the same feelings.

Tomorrow morning will be day #1 of my fasting for my first every Ramadan. I am not a muslim though. I am simply doing this for many reasons (religious, spiritual, personal challenges, etc). I am hoping to be able to make it through this month and perhaps come out a better person.

This is a short post really, just an intro. I hope to post more as I go along, share my experiences with whomever might simply stumble upon this (or possibly no one will).