Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Wishing You Lots of Merry, Happy and Mubarak

Hope all of you are having a great holiday season. Among other things, I got an awesome set of Emeril for All-Clad cookware that I had been wanting from my parents, and some great stuff including hot pink (my favorite color) earrings from Bert.

I spent some leisure time today checking lots of blogs, and I noticed many people have stopped blogging long ago or have deleted their blogs entirely. Sometimes I am so tempted to do the same thing. I was amazed at how many of you have left.

Sometimes you are completely caught off guard by the person who "gets it." My dad said that he rarely reads my blog because he believes this is my outlet, the place where I can go to and say whatever I want, uncensored. And, frankly, entirely too many people I know in "real life" know about this place.

But then, I go and read some new comments. And I see a new reader or two, and a really special comment by an old blogging buddy...and I am touched by the care and friendship among us in this blogging community. And then I remember how much this place means to me all over again.

Anyway, that being said, this has been a great 2006, full of lots of new and wonderful experiences. I will leave this year with a smile on my face, grateful for lots, including my wonderful family (with extra big hugs to my parents and Bert) and great friends, my kitten Matty, a new job, a new house, a new car and lots of amazing experiences.

Here's to 2007...may it bring peace throughout the world, and to us all.
posted by Anisa @ 12:39 AM | 9 comments


Thursday, December 21, 2006

True Spirit of the Season

Life is good right now.

As many of you know, I write a column for the local paper that appears bi-monthly. My last column was about how much my life was sucking, and that my luck had turned to crap. I went on to say that I was trying to see the good...and that this season is perfect for that with all the pretty lights, Peppermint Hot Chocolates at Starbucks, etc.

Well, yesterday I was opening holiday cards, and someone had sent me a note thanking me for helping them to see the good in the season, and they signed it "A Loyal Reader." They also enclosed a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks and said I should go get a Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

I am still smiling thinking about it.

There was no signature, no return address. Just a thank you.

And that wonderful act of kindness has made me see things a little differently. Spreading a little kindness around causes a chain reaction, in my opinion. That person made my day, and I had a great attitude the rest of the day. Maybe someone was affected by something I did, and maybe not.

But I think if you put good things out there in the universe, good will come back your way.
posted by Anisa @ 11:53 AM | 5 comments


Thursday, December 14, 2006

My Mama, The Hero

Please, if you will, say a prayer for my Mama. She is headed to Jordan tonight, and will soon be in Saudi Arabia to perform hajj, which is the required pilgrimage of all Muslims. She will go to the kaaba, the holiest earthly place for Muslims. This is the place we all turn to face in prayer, and it was built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. It later became a place full of idols, and Prophet Muhammed returned it to its roots of monotheism.

Mama (and her brother) will run back and forth seven times to re-enact where Abraham's wife Hagar frantically searched for water for her son until the angel Garbriel revealed the zamzam well. This is holy water, and people still drink it today.

Another part of the pilgrimage includes going to Mount Arafat, where it is said all prayers are answered. When you are done praying and turn your back on Mount Arafat, it is said that all of your previous sins are forgiven. I once saw a video on hajj, and I could not stop crying when I saw how moved people were at this point of the pilgrimage.

The end of this pilgrimage is a day of celebration called Eid al Huda. This day is in commemoration of the Muslim belief that Prophet Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, for God. Animals are slaughtered and food is sent to the poor.

I miss my Mommy. She is the most wonderful woman that I know.

I told her that I was going to miss her so much. She said she would miss me too, but that God had invited her and that she had to go.
posted by Anisa @ 4:47 PM | 16 comments


Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The Sweatshirt's Fault

About a month ago, there was a Georgia sweatshirt in the lost and found box at my work. It had been around for about a month, so it was going to be taken to the Goodwill. Well, I loved the sweatshirt, so my co-workers said I should just take it since it was going to be donated anyway.

And from that day on, everything got worse.

When I came to the realization that everything could be traced back to the sweatshirt, I washed it, and bid it good riddance as I dropped it back in the lost and found box at work. Almost instantly, everything started looking up.

I made an A in my class and I found my digital camera that had been missing for a month within 48 hours of returning the sweatshirt. I was so stressed about school, and sick about not being able to find my new camera. It was a miracle.

I am not sure who the rightful owner is, but I think there are two likely scenarios. It was either left on purpose because it jinxes the wearer or it was someone’s favorite sweatshirt and karma will only let that person to wear it with good fortune.

And so, once again, life seems good. The world seems kinder and gentler, and whatever made all of this happen - well, I am just glad it did.
posted by Anisa @ 3:18 PM | 3 comments


Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Breathing Again

Wow - I actually get to go home after work and go to the gym. Now, I hate going to the gym, but it is better than homework.

I am so glad this semester is over, schoolwise.

Not much going on here for once, and I am thrilled.

We did our holiday decorating this weekend, I sent out 80+ cards and we watched "You, Me and Dupree" (really cute and funny) last night. It's been wonderful just to relax. Those last two weeks, Bert had to cook most suppers, so I am glad I have time to be all domestic again.

Hope all is well with all of you.
posted by Anisa @ 1:26 PM | 3 comments


Friday, December 08, 2006

What is This? Y2K?

It's here, and I DON'T like it. (That was a throwback to "Will 2K" just for you, Kendy. Remember my favorite part: "the new Millenium, no excuse me - Willenium.")

Oh yes, I am indeed delirious.

No, seriously, am I freaking 20 years old again? Give me a break, I am not an undergrad! I can't believe I am going to have to stay up half the night for my final tomorrow later today. It is truly not my fault, either. The professor gave us a bunch of new material Wednesday night for our final AND we had a giant final project due Wedensday AND the people I was splitting up the ginormous review with waited until the last possible second to send me their answers.

I am mad, exhausted, delirious, etc.

It is 1am, and I have no idea when I last stayed up this late. Oh yeah I do...I was wide awake Friday night and Bert and I stayed up 'til all hours talking about the 1980's. But that was way more fun than this.

I hate budgeting, investing, etc. etc. Well, if it's personally for me, I love it, but I hate being tested on it in a governmental context. B-O-R-I-N-G.

Anyway, in a little under 18 hours I will be tested on a ridiculous amount of material. Say a little prayer for me if you feel so inclined.

And DO NOT judge me because I have eaten "4th meal" even though it was not Taco Bell. More like chips and ice cream. All low-fat and low-calorie, but still. The chips are gone. Whatever.

OF COURSE I cannot take the day off from work tomorrow because it's our annual holiday party and yours truly is in charge of it. Someone save me!
posted by Anisa @ 1:07 AM | 2 comments


Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Human Cat

So, I think Matty thinks he is human.

Sometimes when I am playing with him, I will hold him up and he will walk a few steps. It is so cute.

But tonight, I went to pet him, and I am telling you...he got up on two legs and took a step. It totally freaked me out. When he gets really good, I think I should try and get on David Letterman.
posted by Anisa @ 9:43 PM | 3 comments


Monday, December 04, 2006

Holiday Fun Stuff

It's finally not 70 degrees here every day, although the professor next to me makes my office ridiculously hot. Anyway, at least when I go outside, it starts to feel like Christmas really is at the end of this month.

Here's a fun questionnaire I got from Katie...


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?? Hot Chocolate...my favorite is Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Starbucks...they only add the red sprinkles this time of year, so go now! I've never even had egg nog...it sounds gross.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When I was little, my parents gave us the gifts under the tree and Santa filled our stocking. This is the same thing I tell Ariana now.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? All white...definitely not red, as those look demonic to me.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I should! I should get a mistletoe hat and chase Bert around.

5. When do you put your decorations up? When I get a chance! I am studying for a final exam on Friday, so we will put up decorations this weekend.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My mom's dressing...for sure!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Gosh, I am not sure. I once got a GameBoy, and I was really excited. I think every year has involved me screaming and jumping up and down.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What truth?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I begged one year, and got to pick any present to open. I chose earmuffs, and my parents just laughed because they knew that was the smallest gift and the one I happened to open. I'm sure I could not conceal the disappointment.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? It is color-coordinated. White lights, and all blue and silver ornaments. The stockings are mostly red and green.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it for like 5 minutes.

12. Can you ice skate? Kinda. I have only ice-skated once.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not really...I love gifts in general.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Seeing family and friends. I have to admit time off from work and school is very important too!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I love anything that involves chocolate and mint or chocolate and peanut butter.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? that I don't have to go to work or do any homework!!

17. What tops your tree? A bow that matches the ribbon that goes around the tree. Mrs. Beverly made it for me...it is starting to look squished, so I may need her to make another one!

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I really love both. I love it when I know I got someone something really good, and I love gifts in general for me!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Bert and I just had this discussion. We decided there were two categories: modern and traditional. My favorite modern one is "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney and "O Holy Night" is my favorite traditional. I just think you gotta be talented to sing that one. I also love "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear."

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or yummy? The Lifesavers ones are delish.

21. Favorite Christmas Movies? Probably "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I always miss it because they show it so early. CBS has probably already aired it this year.
posted by Anisa @ 2:20 PM | 4 comments


Sunday, December 03, 2006

Burned Out

Ugh, I am so sick of having so much schoolwork. I have a gigantor comprehensive final exam Friday, and I just want to hide somewhere.

BUT, the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.

Stuff's kinda crazy, but mostly good. I am just a little sad because I am starting to see more and more examples of people that are crap than people that are good. What happened to people?

Do people get burned out from being decent human beings and turn to crap? I am beginning to wonder.
posted by Anisa @ 6:50 PM | 3 comments