STORIES, STORIES

I never caught the travel bug, which I'm sure is a travesty when I’m finally adulting in the free world, and at a time when travelling is an affordable and common pastime for people my age. Nevertheless, I am fortunate enough to have friends who drag me out every once in a while to some non-airconditioned adventure that would yield lots of opportunities to take photos of them taking photos of our trip. Last month, it was to Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia, for a day trip that would only last about 8 hours, transportation and milling about included. Teluk Intan (“Diamond Bay”) is a small town in Perak most known for its own version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Subtly tilted to the left, the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan was also known as the Clock Tower, as its primary function was to tell the time with its large clock-face on top. It’s now just an official national monument and tourist attraction. I wasn’t as awe-inspired as I thought I’d be, disappointed as I was that I ...

Zounds! WE DID IT. 365 motherfrakkin days. I can't believe it's been that long. Sharifa and I started this like it was only yesterday. I still remember it. We were at her place, she was packing for a trip abroad, and we were like "Let's do it. Let's do a 365 project." For me, it was something to test my level of commitment on. I also wanted to work on my photography, instead of just jumping up and saying "HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK A NEW LENS WILL HELP ME IMPROVE." I already have 2 lenses and a camera, and what I needed wasn't more equipment; what I needed was to understand how the camera worked and how to use it.  Am I any wiser now than I was last year? I AM AFRAID NOT. I mean, sure, I learned how bad my pictures can get, and what exactly causes my bad pictures to be frightfully horrid, but I still have a long, long way to go. But I am now the Valedictorian of Commitment. So that's something, hey? It's been a horrible ye...

Here be our last BSG game (probably) of 2011. It's a little difficult to explain the charm of this board game to civilians non-BSG-players because of the nerdiness that precedes any activity that involves space things and sitting around for hours. While it's true, YES, IT'S TRUE, that there's a Loser factor, most of the 6 hours (on average) that we spend playing this game yields so many LOLs (and usually ABOUT that Loser factor) that it's worth it.  There really is quite nothing like having a group of people get together who share at least one obsession. We don't all share the same interests or personal qualities, but that's what makes the game interesting. The whole point of the game is to work in teams that should ideally have evenly-distributed skills and weaknesses.  Also, I just call our group nerdy because that's what everyone calls it, but I really don't think it's as nerdy as it sounds. I myself am not even smart enough to ...

I honestly didn't think I'd get so quickly to the point in my life when my friends and I would have grown-up lunches to share good news and announcements. While that makes me feel old, I also didn't expect to actually ENJOY being this grown-up. Having said that, BRB, mom's calling. 

You know how almost anything said in a British accent can sound either really smexy or really smart even when it's not? When kids say ANYTHING, it's really cute and funny. Even when it's really not. -- I've finally got my first lesson on American money. I am now the proud knower of what a dime, nickel, penny and a quarter is. Plus 100 points for me.

FOUR MORE DAYS, YOU GUYS!!  Here's what this month looked like for me. I shade the days that are fitness wins. I do have all kinds of calendars on my gadgets, but I still like doing this manually. Just in case technology fails me.  Also, don't let this calendar fool you. I'm totally popular.

This lonely playground at a compound.

( Here, refresh your memory. ) At Sharifa and Helmy's, for some quality time. -- Santa also decided to use my camera to take pictures, coz I found these. (I dunno who took them. The pictures, not these people. FACEPALM. Nvm.)

Having a cigarette in between shopping for Xmas presents for the kids (or, like, books for myself). 

Ever played Cranium ? -- It's a lot like Charades, but more dynamic. You might be asked to hum a song, impersonate a famous person, draw something with your eyes closed, or sculpt something with Play-doh. -- Sculpture of the night: Majed's Mt. Rushmore.

It's been a while. I don't go to Teayana as often as I used to. I think there was a point when every Jeddawi and their mom's friend's kids went to Teayana. It's calmed down a bit now, which means there's less "OMG they've taken our spot!" and "OMG I know that person!" and more "Wow, I've missed this place!" and, for me, "Wow, I remember when we first played BSG for 7 hours and I forgot to take my SR230 change back with me so it was like I tipped very generously, because, you know, I've got cash spilling out of my earholes." Remember that simultaneously shitty and awesome day? No? THAT'S OKAY, I'LL TELL THE STORY AGAIN .  This, of course, goes to the Shit We Eat collection.

Suzann, who quite possibly makes up 98% of this blog's audience (the other 2% being myself), is home for the holidays. She did what any person coming home would do: go on a food frenzy. Food we take for granted here because we have them everyday. -- And, of course, friends and family. -- Fa la la la la and all that bossa nova.

So I'm listening to this as I'm thinking of our Sally (of That Jeddah Podcast fame), and I think the song is pretty appropriate. It's exactly the kind of song we would be listening to during a cigarette break when we're both quiet and possibly having a bad day.  Small things that remind us of the people who have been in our lives long enough to be part of who we have become. 

In one of my classrooms, there's this super emo plant that just sits there alone, very moody. If you're depressed and you want to talk, drop me a line. I will listen.

I know this is like the most unappetizing picture EVAR FOREVAR (sorry!!), but one of my mom's students made this Filipino spaghetti and it's yummy. I promise. 

A bunch of Cylons, humans and civilians got together for Colonial Day / Menelik's birthday. Results: -- The yummy birthday cake courtesy of Khayra (and her mom and aunt ). -- A discussion about pecan. -- Cake stabbing. -- Fun having. -- And LOLs.