Who Do I Look Like?

Honestly, I was surprised by the results of this web site...I thought it would pick my dad by a tiny percentage more. My mom's family thinks I look my dad and my dad's family thinks I look like my mom. I am a lucky girl to have such fabulous genes!

Thanks for the fun idea, Laura!

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family search

Labels: family, random

The Christmas Spirit

Christmas means different things to different people. As a child, Christmas was completely about Santa Claus to me. As an adult, it became about spending time with family. This year, I was having a hard time getting excited about a holiday I had always enjoyed.

Thursday night, Bert and I watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I had (shocker!) never seen it before. I know, I know. Anyway, I thought it was a pretty terrible movie. Sorry - I really didn't enjoy the over-the-top humor. Still, though, I suppose it had some redeeming qualities in a few of the one-liners, the main point, etc. Well, after the movie, Bert looked around our living room and said, "At this rate, we won't even have Christmas next year." Because of traveling, we didn't put our tree up and our only decor were our two stockings, a tiny tree and an ornament.

As I went to sleep that night, I decided that I would change that. I woke up Friday morning and while Bert was at work, I wrapped tons of gifts, put more decorations up and put our holiday cards all around the mantle. Christmas had finally arrived and overtaken our living room. I even put the little tree on top of the mantle so that all of the gifts were pseudo under it. Bert was so surprised and loved it. I loved it. He said I had saved Christmas.

I was feeling really happy. Well, later Friday, I had to go and fulfill a community service requirement for Junior League. Honestly, I was dreading it. I had tons to do, and normally I'm the kind of person that would rather write a check. I know, that sounds terrible. But it was the truth.

I got to the Boys and Girls Club and as it turned out, they didn't need any help, as their Christmas party had been moved. Goody, I thought. I could get some other things done. I went and closed the door to my safe little car.

"Hey!" a little 7-year old girl called out. I opened my door to see what she and her friend wanted.

I spent the next hour playing with Brianna and Sabrina in a parking lot in the middle of the projects.

I have not stopped thinking about them since. They sat in my lap, told me about school. They were best friends, one in second grade and one in third. I gave them some Skittles, thankful I had shopped for stocking stuffers earlier in the day. And what really sealed our friendship was the fact that I was able to play both "Soulja Boy" and "Party Like A Rock Star" for them. They were showing me the dances in the parking lot. It was hilarious.

It was hard hearing them talk about how people in their family had been shot. Sabrina's older brother, Dre', confirmed that their family had moved from Michigan when "Bri" was a baby because so many members of their family had been killed. So sad.

In that hour, I met two little girls and a little boy who have been on my mind for days now. I told them I would come back in January - and I meant it. These were smart kids. Well-spoken, amazing dancers and so full of personality. Especially mischievous little Sabrina. That little girl could do a mean air guitar to "Party Like A Rock Star."

When I got ready to leave, Brianna asked if she could write their names on a piece of paper so I would remember them. As if I could forget them. They threatened to jump on the back of my car and go with me.

As I drove away, I realized that just because of where these children started in life, their lives would be very different than mine. If they were the exact same kids born to a middle-class family, their lives would be almost certainly be wholly different. It's just not fair.

And so, I found my Christmas spirit as I drove away from the Boys and Girls Club Friday afternoon. I felt something different than I ever felt before. The time I spent was worth far more than a check. This was so different. And I can assure you I got just as much from them as they did from me. Maybe I can be that person to someone. Maybe, just maybe if I go and volunteer more of my time these children will take something from that time that can better their lives. But regardless, I know for a fact that I will be better for it.

And so this year, I found the spirit of the season by making Christmas in our home for Bert and by spending time with Brianna, Sabrina and Dre'. I have never felt like I have received so much.

Labels: holiday

Holiday Cheer and Stupid Biker Santas

Well, the stockings were finally hung last night. The house was cleaned and the mantle has been decorated. We have (gasp!) decided to forgo the Christmas tree this year. Well, we do have up a tiny one that cost me $1 several years ago, but that is it. We won't be here on Christmas Day and the tree blocks my seat on the couch from properly seeing the TV. Eid is Wednesday and I finally got my Eid cards stamped and addressed. And so, this is all I have the energy to do. It has been lots of fun actually having a minute to get into the holiday spirit, hence the reason for the red and green Photoshopped photo of me above. I couldn't resist.

Today was a mostly fabulous day. I have been going through a very difficult time at work, and finally today, the situation was resolved. I had given up hope, but my faith was once again renewed. In the end, the good guy does win. And that makes me happy. I also got a beautiful orchid and Target gift card today as a thank-you from some graduate students. And I have made all A's! I saw my favorite professor today who informed me I had made the highest grade in the class. And so, hard work does pay off. It makes me feel so much better that what we do really does matter. Working hard and doing the right thing really is important, even if it seems like it doesn't matter at the time...it most certainly does.

But then I was a little bit hurt.

Flashback: 1996, High school Anatomy class. This girl hands out birthday invitations to everyone in the class (like 25 people) except to me and one other person. And we only had 54 people in our entire grade and half of us were in that class! I was devastated. I decided then and there that my child would never hand out invitations in class.

Today: 2007, Work. This lady hands out Biker Santa toys to 6 people at work, leaving out me and a few other people. And this lady tries to get me to do her work all the time! I have helped her out so, so much. And she didn't even give me a damn $2 Biker Santa from Dollar General. And she acts like we are such good friends! And no, I don't really want a Biker Santa, per se, but regardless, it made me feel left out. I know I am hypersensitive, but I can't help it. I decided then and there I would always have gifts for everyone or for no one at my place of work.

I guess whether you are 16 or 45, some lessons people never learn. But please, listen to me, dear readers...please do not hurt someone's feelings by making them one of the few who has to go sans birthday invitation or Biker Santa.

But other than that, it was a fantastic day. And it's not over yet, as Bert and I will head out shortly to dine with friends. Friends that would most certainly give me a Biker Santa if they had one. Yesiree.

Labels: holiday, work

Woo Hoo!

Finally, I'm finished -- and two days early! I worked my butt off this weekend to finish a paper early, and it feels great. All I have to do is hit "print" and drop my paper off. I just took my last exam, and I feel so RELIEVED!

My brain has been so fried that I made quite an embarassing mistake at work. One of my job duties is to plan all events, and so I was turning in a receipt to be reimbursed for soft drinks and plates that I had purchased - or so I thought. The accountant calls me into her office and says, "Anisa, we cannot reimburse you for pantiliners." PANTILINERS, people. I had bought some personal items the same day I bought all the stuff for work and I turned in the wrong receipt. One with PANTILINERS on it. That sums up how frazzled I have been.

And so having a day off from work tomorrow couldn't have come at a better time. Tomorrow, I will get all of my Christmas, Eid and birthday (for a baby) shopping done. It will be great to shop on a Tuesday instead of a weekend or after work. It might actually be enjoyable!

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement and support. Now, I just have six working days left and then I am off for two glorious weeks. Things are definitely looking up.

Labels: holiday, school, work

Save Me

Please make exams and final projects be over. This is how I feel and will feel until December 12.

And, this is how I also feel because Georgia got screwed -- we definitely should've been going to the National Championship Game.

BUT...I am so excited about Mississippi State going to the Liberty Bowl!

But alas, I must get back to studying. :((