As of late...

Most of the good birthday pics are on my sis' camera, so before getting them off of there, thought I'd share a couple of cute pics of Naief eating his bday cake at his party and one cute one of him and Katelyn outside prior to the party, and I'll also throw in a couple others just for good measure.

This last one here is of the mountains just a few days back. It's been snowing a lot up there and since the sky was so clear, just couldn't help getting a pic of it. We're thinking of driving up to Big Bear for a day. My sis is leaving tomorrow a.m. for Houston to take some course for 3 days, so it'll be quiet around here.... so what better time to hop in the car and take a drive... especially one that'll be so scenic!

I'll post some pics of the party soon.... we had a good time. I'm happy to say that Naief didn't cry, wasn't afraid of the ppl or kids and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the pizza, chips & dips, and homemade chili from his pappa. I'm tellin' ya, this kid eats everything!! And surprisingly, he wasn't all strung out from the sugar overload like I thought he'd be... he took a big nap not long after these pics.... could hardly believe it! :)

phew, can you believe it!!! :)

I hardly can... it's been ONE FULL YEAR TODAY....

wow, how time flies when a baby is growing!

Happy Birthday little boy....

a fabulous read

My sister introduced me to this book when I got to Calif. It's only been in the last 3 days that I've picked it up. Now, I can't put it down. Stayed up until 2 a.m. last night reading this darn thing and woke up at 6 thinking about it. Actually, I couldn't fall back to sleep because my mind kept going over everything that had happened.

Then I started thinking about hubby leaving and the fact that he'll be here tomorrow.... so sleep, I knew, would not come back to me.

This book pulls on my heart strings. I found myself crying at several points last night... when Amir's father died, when his best friend from childhood, Hassan, and Hassan's wife had been shot by the Taliban in Afghanistan. This was all after learning that Hassan had been his brother which only made the shame in his heart all the heavier because of what he had done to Hassan and his father,
Ali, years ago.

Then to find out that Hassan had a son and Amir is given the task of returning to war torn Afghanistan to find him.... but... is he a strong enough man to do this?

This is where I am at the moment. I can hardly wait to get back to it, but there are so many things to do today, so I guess it'll be another late night for me tonight. :) And really, I can't wait. I love books like this.... the ones that capture me immediately, hold on and don't let go until the bitter end.

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Naief's bday party is this Saturday. Hashim gets in tomorrow at 1 - I can hardly wait. We found out last night that more ppl are coming than first expected so I called the bakery this morning and changed the cake order. Have to run to the Dollar Tree shortly to pick up more decorations, plates, napkins, table cloths, toys for two addt'l bags for the addt'l kids, and I should be ready.

Me and my sis will make the menu tonight... what to make, what to make. I think we're doing pizza and some fabulous chicken from some mexican place, and then lots of dips and finger foods, beer, sodas and maybe a few games. I'm also thinking or will prob get one of those big bouncy tent things for the kids.... I just hope it doesn't rain.

The rain seems to linger and linger. I love the rain, but I'm truly sick of it. I want it to warm up, get sunny and allow us some time to enjoy some sight seeing and maybe even go to the ocean w/ Naief. Not to swim mind you, but just to walk, play in the water - maybe a little - and relax.

Hashim has been so busy at work and then spending all his other hours in the studio. He's totally ready for a relaxing vacation... and I'm so ready for him to be here. I hope the baby recognizes him .... but I'm sure if he doesn't, it won't take any time for him to realize who it is.

aaahhhhh... this is my first bday party to throw. I'm anxious. I'm not a big "life of the party" type of person, so I opted out of opening the presents in front of everyone and we'll wait for Naief's bday to do so. I just hope I'm calm on Saturday and able to relax and enjoy his first birthday party.

Kennedy backs Obama

Caroline Kennedy has come out in favor of Barack Obama (NEW YORK (AP) - The daughter of President John F. Kennedy is endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Caroline Kennedy says Obama can inspire Americans in the same way her father once did.).

I'm thrilled to read this. I really like Obama and would like to see him as the next American President. Despite all the smear campaigns going on right now against him - with the Muslim thing getting national attention again - I just hope he overcomes and ppl see the true side to Hilary Clinton and what her camp is up to and that it's all lies.

It's really sad in this day and age that ppl can send out emails to the masses discussing his religious affiliations or upbringing and have it affect his campaign or possible seat in the White House. It's sad that it's looked down upon - his being raised by a Muslim father and not in this country - it's just really a shame that ppl, in this day and age, are still so shallow.

Ppl like to brag about how far America has come, has un-racist we are, but it's alive and well today... as evidenced by the ppl trying to smear Obama on such things.

I hope we can all rise above this... and who gives a damn if he is Muslim!!! Does that make him a bad person? No. I am married to a Muslim, I converted to Islam, our child is Muslim....

I'm here to tell you, it's not a bad thing!

this ain't fun....

Me and the baby have been sick for over three wks now, w/ the worst of it hitting us over the last week 1/2. I brought meds w/ me from Bahrain just in case the baby got sick and figured that if I got anything, I could pick up meds here.... or so I thought.

Went to the pharmacist the other day to find out what's best for this crap that's ailing me and she told me to get Mucinex for congestion and coughing and Claridan D for the runny/stopped up nose. I picked up the Mucinex then headed over to the pharmacy area to get the Claridan... seeing that's it kept back there under lock and key. I figured they kept it back there to keep potential drug users from getting ahold of it, but, come to find out from sisterpoo, they just recently made it over the counter - since it used to be by prescription only.

So I wait in line to get up to the counter for what seemed like eternity and when my time finally rolled around, I go up there, ask for it, she gives it to me and then asks to see my identification. I pull out my passport (as I was told I needed it from another pharmacist to get the medicine) and they wouldn't take it. In order for me to get any medicine that's behind the counter, I have to have a valid ID or driver's license from Calif. I was totally miffed, to say the least.

Couldn't believe it really. I told her that I had been told at Walmart that I could get it w/ my passport, but she refused, saying that it's State law that in order for me to obtain this med, I would have to show a valid ID from the State of California.

Here I am sick, needing this med, but can't get it. I came home, told my mom to get her ID. In disbelief that they wouldn't give it to me and cussing under her breath... we start out the door to go and get it, but... just as we're about to leave, sisterpoo gives me some regular Claridan that she has, tells me it's the same and to use it.

So, I used it and am now out. Me and mom, baby and niece are about to head out to try and pick up the infamous "other" medicine, so we shall see if we're allowed to get it. Sometimes the crap that you have to put up with here in the States gets under my skin.

I hate being sick.

change, change, change

In less than a month, Naief will be a year old. Can hardly believe it really. Time does pass fast when they're growing and changing so much. Everybody tells me to enjoy it now because they grow so fast, and I agree, but, truthfully, I'm looking forward to all of those changes and to him getting older.

He's already starting to stand in one place by himself. He'll push up either from me or from the floor and stand in one place for several seconds. Last night I actually thought he was going to take a step, but he didn't. I think that'll prob come when he's not thinking about it. Right now, he's getting his legs.. they still wobble a little. It reminds me of a fawn.... they way they get up with their legs spread wide apart, go back down and then get right back up. He does the same, even w/ the legs spread apart. Makes me smile and laugh.

He's also now clapping. Wasn't sure when or if he'd learn to do that since I think many kids were doing it way before him, but my mom taught him a few wks back and now he does it all the time. :) He's not clapping along w/ Pat a Cake or If You're Happy and You Know It, but I know he will be before long.

And something that is surprising me to no ends is the fact that he's cutting 4 teeth at once! He actually skipped his canine teeth on the bottom and started cutting two teeth back from those on each side. Didn't realize babies cut two teeth at once and skipped teeth like that, but he is. He now almost has 12 teeth.

He also loves music and when he's standing will do a little jig. It's so cute. He'll bounce on his little legs to the music. And talking about music, he's also very interested in musical instruments. My sister has a banjo or something and he loves to sit and strum it. I'm sure his daddy will be really happy about that. I think he's also singing. He'll hold notes for long periods of time when someone is singing or if he hears singing on the TV. I know lots of parents say stuff like that.... that their children started singing at 2 or some such, now I see why they say that. Coz he's doing that... or if it's not that, it sure sounds like it. I hope it is... especially since Hashim loves to sing and his momma loves to sing... sounds right to me. :)

Being here has been great. He loves my mom and I love seeing the two of them together. I only wish she could be around us all of the time... I really wish that could be. His grandparents in Bahrain just aren't the same with him... I wish they were, but it's different and when the time comes to go back to Bahrain, I will really miss the interaction between him and my mom. I can't even go there really....

cloned meat

Heard this yesterday, not sure if it's a new thing or something that's been around for a bit, but apparently they're starting to put cloned meat into the grocery stores, and from what I understand, it's not labeled as such.

I'm not a huge meat eater, but even if I were, I really don't know how I'd feel about eating cloned meat.... maybe I have already and just didn't know it.

Many of you may see no problem w/ it... meat is meat... but, to me, it just seems... not right.

This whole cloning thing doesn't sit right w/ me. I'm not for it. Don't believe in it.

I can't help but to think, "where does God stand in all of this?", but I'm funny that way.

Also read where they're thinking of approving cloned milk....

Really... I have a big problem with all of this. I wonder if the Arab world will allow this? I hope not! For now... I think I'm gonna stop eating meat here, or go to the Arab market and get my meat!

office spyware

Was watching CNN this morning and it seems that Microsoft has just patented a new thing called Office Spyware. It'll allow employers to watch what they're employees are doing on their computers, gauge their heartbeats, temperature and such. Until recently, it's only been used by NASA and in fighter jets.

Makes me wonder... would you want your employer watching what you're doing on your computer? They could call it up remotely, even, and watch you w/out you ever knowing... but hey, I guess it's no different than what they're doing here w/ respect to listening in on telephone conversations to the Middle East and such.

Seems a bit creepy to me, and not something I'd like at all. Who wants to be watched like that? I can't even stand someone to stand behind me when I'm typing...

voices and accents

My sis, Jahooni, was talking on her blog about accents, so it made me think about accents and voices. And if you haven't checked out her blog as of late... you might want to... she seems to be in a rather spunky mood as of late.

Before moving to Bahrain, I was pretty lame in that the British accent was a pretty big deal to me. Yeah, I'm small town! ;) Now, after hearing accents from all over the globe, I must admit that my preferences have changed a bit. Not that the British accent still isn't a favorite mind you, but after falling for the hubby, I would have to say that his accent is now my favorite. It just has this ..... how do I put it... well, it makes me tingle all over!! It's very sexy, deep... and just the way he says his words... aaahhh, I'm like chocolate in his hands! ;) hmmmm... I wonder if that's a bad thing?!! you think?? ;)

And... coming in a close 2nd would have to be the German accent. Just love it.... and wouldn't ya know it, hubby can speak some German! ;) and with a good accent!! hmmm....

Then, I'd have to say, that my old favorite, British, pulls in a third... but, even in saying that, I have a hard time distinguishing between the British, Scottish and Irish accent. They all sound very similar to me, altho I know they're not and are different in their own special way... I sorta liken it to the various accents in the States. But.. I will say, that over time, I think I'll get to the point that I can tell the difference or hope I can because in thinking about it, I can also say that I have a hard time telling the difference between the British and South African in some ppl. I think that between those three, the Irish is the easiest for me to pick out.... I'm sure all you Brits would strongly disagree w/ my evaluation here... but like I said, I'm small town! ;)

I really like the French accent, but I find it difficult to understand.... and talk about not understanding.. I have a hard time with the Indian accents. Not all, but many. I have some Indian friends that have British accents, but the guys that you find working in shops around Bahrain or the guys who work in gas stations and such in the States... well, forget about it, I can't understand a word that comes outta their mouths. Indians talk so fast... I think that's a big part of it.

anyway... this is my take on accents.. and the voices, well... to me, they just make a good accent all the better....

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Hashim!!! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that your every wish comes true in the coming year.

I miss you and can hardly wait to see you... only a couple more weeks!

Naf Naf sends kisses, smiles and love.

look at me

This is the first time that Naief has stood on his own.

My sister snapped these shots tonight while he stood for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. Not a great length of time, but standing nonetheless.

I could hardly believe it. And at one point, I could swear that he was going to take a step... but he didn't.

I think he'll wait for you, hubby, to walk... but grandma thinks he'll be walking in the next couple of weeks! Just so you know, he was thrilled at standing and giggled while he stood there.

happy day

It's been raining in California for two days straight now. The clouds are low over the mountains, the sky is grey and it's quite chilly outside. I love it. Heard that Bahrain is having similar weather and that it's down to about 56.... about time that cold weather has finally moved in!

(this pic is of the night sky from my sis' back yard... or right before it got dark... it was so pretty. the pic doesn't do it justice)

Naief's 1st bday is coming soon and we've been putting together the details for a party here at my sister's house. Went out and got a bunch of things the other night at the Dollar Tree (boy do they have cute, inexpensive stuff!!) and we'll plan to have a "ball" theme.... that'll include soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and basketballs. He loves balls of all kinds, so can't imagine doing it any other way really.

I know he won't remember anything, but since I'm terribly sentimental and since it's here w/ my family, and since I'll be adding all the pics and such to his baby book, how could I not do it - - right?!! And it is his first birthday! Boy, time has travelled fast around us....

Naief has started walking w/ a walker (the stand up kind), has cut his 9th tooth, is getting into most everything and isn't afraid of the grass any more. We took him to the park the other day and he slid down a few of the slides w/ Katelyn and really liked it. He's pretty thrilled w/ sand and hasn't put any in his mouth - yet - but is putting most everything else in his mouth, actually anything his little hands can get ahold of! He's particularly fond of rocks and paper.

The other day I was eating Bit 'O Honey's, wading the papers together as I gobbled down each one and since I wasn't paying attention, I didn't realize that Naief got them and stuck every one of them into his mouth. I turned around and I swear, if he could, he would have smiled because he seemed so proud of himself... and yes, I took them out. My mom calls him a little billy goat.... seeing that his favorite past time seems to be eating cardboard and paper of any kind.... poor kid! At least he hasn't gotten ahold of any change. I swallowed a whole dish full of pennies when I was little, have a niece that loved sticking cigarette butts in her mouth and then one kid of my cousins played in toilets... so the way I look at it, I'm not doing too bad! ;)

Anyway... I hope all of you out there are well and the New Year is treating you kindly. Take care .... and sorry for not visiting blogs as of late. It's hard to get online unless the baby is asleep... so hopefully I'll see all of you around soon.

New Year's resolutions

For many, over in Bahrain, New Year's Eve is this coming evening. For us in the States, it's tomorrow evening.... either way, it makes me sit back and contemplate resolutions. In the past, I've tended to set some type of goal or want for myself, sometimes achieving it and sometimes not. I've been known to make lists of things I intend to change, try to achieve, give up and whatnot. To some degree or another, I've usually wound up being disappointed in myself for not sticking w/ it or not doing it well enough (that Virgo side of me) or at all, sooooo.....

Nowadays, I try not to set resolutions or if I do, I try not to set more than just a couple. Can't say that I have any for the coming year. I think about things I'd like to change or do differently, but I'm not dead set on changing something in my life... or am I????

I know I'd like to lose some weight, but crap... what happened to my motivation??? If I can't get motivated after having 3 women ask me if I'm pregnant, then nothing will motivate me! And I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing that question!! Ok, I have a poochy tummy, but lordy, I don't LOOK PREGNANT!!! Or, at least, I don't think I do.

I'd like to start cutting a lot of sugar out of my diet, but coming from someone that loves candy, it's gonna be hard. I can pretty much mentally psyche myself out w/ things in order to stop certain habits or to not eat certain foods/drinks and such, but for some reason, it's not so easy when it comes to candy. I desperately love candy .... on days. :)

Ok... so, I've listed a couple things. I'd rather not think about it too much or I might start making lists again! ;)

How about you? Do you have any or are you flying solo this year?

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

few holiday photos

These are some pics of my family. The first is of my mom with Naief. Then you see the one with my sister, her husband, my niece, mom and me and Naief. The others... well, I think you can figure it out :)

Happy holidays... tomorrow is the big day :)

Tomorrow is Christmas! Wow... it came fast! Weird, but when I'm in Bahrain, it seems to come and go w/out much hoopla and this year I'm really feeling it. Didn't think so at first, but there's just something about Christmas Eve and Santa coming that makes Christmas a little bit different.

Altho, I haven't had a visit from Santa in years, Naief will be visited tonight and I just can't wait to see what happens tomorrow morning when we all get up and he sees all his goodies under the tree. I doubt if he'll get overjoyed, since he was more estactic over the paper at the Christmas party we went to last night than his actual gifts... but I don't care... I'm just thrilled that he'll get to enjoy all the fun w/ his cousin, Katelyn.

Btw... he ADORES his cousin. Makes me wish I had a little 7 year old at home for him to play with, but maybe in the coming year we'll get around to making a little playmate for him! ;) He loves to pull her hair and try to attack her. He follows her around everywhere and gets so bashful in the mornings when she gets up. It's just too cute.

Last night while at the Christmas party, my sister's friend, R, had this walker that we let Naief play with... different than a walker in Bahrain in that this is the kind that you stand up with and push to walk, instead of sit in and ride around. To my utter amazement, he walked with it!!! I was overjoyed and tried to get it on tape for Hashim but it was too dark in her house and I only got a small amount of footage. But... R let me borrow it, so I have it here so that Naief can get used to it. He's already tried it this morning and loves it. My sister wanted to get him one of those, but I told her not to bother because I didn't think he could use it, but now I'm thinking we outta get one to take home w/ us... not that they don't have them there... so, I should probably just wait.

R has two little girls and a little boy. Her youngest is 6 mths and while holding her, Naief was also in my arms and just smiled and started touching her. It was so sweet. I was a bit afraid he might try to slap her or pull her hair, which is his latest big thing, but he didn't. He didn't even cry or get jealous... I was proud! ;) Matter of fact, he behaved so well last night. At first he was a little afraid for me to let him down, but probably after 10 mins. he wanted to get down and crawled around everywhere, even going outside.

Oh yeah... he NOW loves the grass! With a little urging from his cousin, he went out onto it yesterday and seemed to love it. We also took him down to the park and he got to swing all by himself for the first time, and played in the sand for the first time. He was very interested in the sand. Got some cute pics of him in it, so I'll try to post some later.

We're having a Christmas Eve party today with all of my BILs family and some of my sister's friends coming. We've been cleaning house all morning and I must say that my sister is one helluva cleaner... getting down on her hands and knees to scrub things... and I thought I was a clean fanatic! Then tomorrow we're going to dinner w/ my BILs family to a mexican joint... different than what I've had in the past, but sounds yummy to me!

Oh yeah... almost forgot. Last night at the party, I was holding Naief and there were some friends of R's there and her brother, well... one guy asked me Naief's name and I told him what it was then he started asking where it came from, what it means and whatnot, so I tell him that it's Muslim , then all of a sudden he says, "I'm a Jew". I didn't know what to say. I just stood there and he walked off. I wasn't sure if he was trying to be rude or just being funny. Later that night I realized he was only joking around and was a really nice person... but that really stunned me at first.

Ok... I hope you all are doing well... enjoying the holiday festivities and looking forward to Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.... and

HO HO HO!!!!

few pics of Naief in California

Thought some of you might enjoy these pics of the baby, his cousin and my sis while here in Cali.

It's raining today, cold outside and there are so many low lying clouds that you can't see the mountains in front of my sister's place.... I love it. :) I've missed the rain, but, so far, there's no thunder or lightening or such.

Anyway... hope you like the photos.

Here we are

Gosh... it's been almost a week since being in Cali and haven't gotten into an argument w/ my sister one time... okay, maybe a tiny little spat, but it ended quickly, so all is happy on the Jahooni and Um Naief cloud! :)

Naief is still trying to get used to the time change. He's waking up at midnight wanting to play... which last night my sister got us up, played for a while, and he slept until 8:30 this morning!!!! What a relief since he's been waking up at 4:30 and 5 in the morning every day.

We've been spending our days shopping for Christmas presents, stocking stuffers... and even a few things for myself... yeah, how could I not, especially since they're carrying Vera Wang at Kohl's now and her pajamas are to DIE FOR!!!! Oh my gosh, they are sooooo soft... your skin melts in them, believe me!

Stocking stuffers are the hardest to get... I rack my brain trying to come up w/ things to fill stockings, and buying for hubby has always been the hardest for me, but this year... with a little help from my sister, I was able to get things to fill his stocking w/out a problem!

And mentioning stockings, I COULD NOT believe the difference in sizes of the stockings between me and my sister and Hashim's was quite small comparetively speaking (and yes, we're talking about sister jealousy here! ;) ). My mother made me and Hashim stockings two years ago and sent them to us filled w/ goodies, so this year she tells me to bring them w/ me - which I did - and what did my wondering eyes see when I got here, you may ask??!!! My sister's stocking is two sizes bigger than mine!!! Yep! Even the dog's stocking is bigger than mine and hubby's !!! Oh.. and if you know me, that was a no go, so I marched in to my mother and told her right off that that would have to be fixed :)!! So yesterday my momma made me and hubby new stockings!! and now sisterpoo is complaining that mine is bigger than hers! Can you believe it!?? I can... but I laugh because it's been how many years that she's been getting gobs more stocking stuffers than me... matter of fact, there have been years that I haven't even gotten a stocking from my mom... so this is only fair, the way I see it! ;) hehehe AND... found out this morning that she actually measured the stockings last night when one of her friend's was over.... uh huh.... she can hardly stand that my stocking is as big as hers now!!


And... and all of you might figure, I miss my husband a lot. This is the first vacation I've taken w/out him and for it to be such an extended length of time, well... it makes me sad on days... but the daily shopping excursions have helped w/ that somewhat! ;) Altho, I know Hashim is not too happy to hear that! But hey.. I haven't had Christmas w/ my family... well, my sister in about 5 years and ... my mom, well, it's been about 9 or more years, so I see this year as special. Coz who knows when the next time will be that I get to spend the holidays w/ them and such an extended length of time!

My sister has a dog and it's been a difficult task in getting Naief used to him. If I sit Naief down on the floor, the dog is usually all over him... not being mean or anything, just wanting to lick him and it scares Naief a bit, so he usually cries and doesn't want to do anything but be held, which is hard for me. He's also not particularly keen on being held or watched by my mom... crying when I leave the room and when I left to get gas the other day, he went into a complete crying fit, and then when I took a shower, my mom thought she was gonna have a panic attack because of the way he started acting.... so that's been hard, to say the least. I feel like I have a siamese twin and it makes it hard to do anything... but I'm trying to see it as a good thing and know that soon enough he won't even want me to hold him... but it's hard.

Anyway... this has been our time in a quick nutshell. We have a dinner party to go to this weekend, so I'll be making a pie to take - one of my favorites - and then I'm gonna do some baking over the next several days... making some Christmas cookies, brownies and such. The nice thing about here is that they have ready-made pie shells, which is nice. Never tried them, but have heard their just as good as the real thing, so I'm gonna give 'em a whirl this time around.

Happy shopping everyone... and Happy Eid to everyone in Bahrain!

Miss you Hashim!

soon enough

Tomorrow is the big day... we'll be leaving home at around 11 p.m. to head to the airport w/ our flight taking off at about 2:00 a.m. I'm pretty much packed... just getting the last few odds and ends ready and making sure or trying to make sure that I haven't forgotten anything.... and for some reason, I keep forgetting to get my socks out. I always tend to forget to pack socks.

My nerves have calmed pretty much, thank goodness. We pick up Naief's visa to the UK tomorrow, so I'm hoping that when we go thru immigration here in Bahrain, there won't be a problem. I'm taking his birth certificates, a letter from Hashim stating that it's okay for me to be traveling w/ the baby (alone), and I hope that about covers it. I won't be pulling out his American passport, unless needed, until we get on American soil... except at the airline's counter here in Bahrain... so it's my hope that it's smooth sailing at all points.

Gave Naief the sleeping meds last night to try them out. They made him hyper for about an hour 1/2 and then he fell asleep. Slept this morning until about 7 and took two bottles while asleep, which I thought was great. I was afraid they'd knock him out to the point that it was like he was in a coma, but it was very mild. I'm not for drugging the baby or anything, but since this is the first time to fly w/ him and because he hates to sit in one place for longer than 2 mins., it seems, and because I'm a bit of a nervous wreck w/ the thought of not being able to handle him by myself, I decided to go w/ the med. And really, I'm glad I have. I think it'll be perfect ... it'll let him sleep soundly and will allow me to get a little rest myself.

I'm thrilled to be going. Can't hardly wait. Packing is killing me though. I never know what to take, what not to take and wind up taking things I never wear. I promised myself I wouldn't do that again this time, but wouldn't ya know it, I am. But... I'm hoping that as tomorrow comes upon me, I'll have some type of revelation and know exactly what is needed! yeah, right.... but at least I can be dream...

My friend, S, will be having her baby in Feb., actually her due date is 2 days prior to Naief's birthday. I'm thrilled for her, but sad because I won't be here for it. I can't wait to hear the good news and to come back to see her sweet little baby! My sister and all her friends in Cali do this thing where they take food to all their new momma friends, and I'm gonna start that tradition here starting w/ S. Never realized how much something like that can help until having my own baby. My MIL sent food to us for weeks after the birth and it was so needed. It's nice to not have to worry about cooking, especially when you're tired and have a million other things on your mind!

I saw Henry yesterday. It warmed my heart to see that he's alive and doing well. My FIL has taken on two more of these birds and I'm really wanting to set them free. I told Hashim today that I want to become a caped crusader and set all these caged birds free!!! Imagine... seems like a crazy idea but I'm just the one to do it!! :) One of my blog friends, Jane, made an interesting point about caged birds. She said something like, "If God had intended for birds not to fly, He wouldn't have given them wings" or "If God had intended for birds to be caged, He wouldn't have given them wings". I so agree w/ this and will never buy another caged bird. Now, if I could only get my in-laws to see it this way!

And that's about it for me. I'm tired - need to sleep but can't because of my nerves - and am so anxious that I leave tomorrow that I'm beside myself. Today we were driving around Bahrain and I actually got sad. For as much as I think I don't like it here (on days), I really have fallen in love w/ Bahrain! Can you believe I'm saying this?!! The people are really good here... so many times, out of the blue, people will start talking to me about the baby. I get smiles from mothers and complete strangers, and just a general positive vibe from people who don't know me but love babies. It's a good feeling and it's nice to be experiencing it! And Naief loves the attention! And wouldn't you know it, but I can honestly say I'm gonna miss my FIL and MIL! Yes, pick yourself up off the floor, it's true! :)

up, up and away

I sure hope it looks like this for me and Naief. Went to the dr. yesterday and got traveling meds, but wouldn't you know it, they expire in January (so that means no meds for our return flight), and no other pharmacy in Bahrain has that med.... figures. We haven't checked w/ every one yet... but I hope to check w/ many more tomorrow before giving up.

Why does this stuff always seem to happen? The medicine we got is phenegran (sp??), which I've never heard of giving a baby prior to this, but the dr. gave it to his kids when they traveled and it worked perfectly he said... altho, they were hyper two hours prior to the flight. After that, they were out for the entire trip.

I've heard stories about different meds, one woman gave her child some drops and the children were in something of a coma state for most of the trip, if not the entire trip. Now... I'm not sure I'd like that, but it would be nice if it made him nice and relaxed, and he was able to sleep.

I'm thrilled at leaving, and from the way Hashim was carrying on w/ the dr. while we were there, it's obvious he's in a different state of mind w/ the fact that he's going to have the house to himself for practically 2 mths!!! He's beside himself... but hey, I'm thrilled to be going to the States and to be spending Christmas w/ my family (altho there were a few days there that I went back and forth about going or not going) - even got into a spat or two w/ my mom and sis - but, in the end, I'm dying to go, can't wait for them to meet the baby, and we'll even go camping in Arizona while we're there... and man, it's been years since I've been camping.

Can't say my temperament has been the greatest over the last several days. I've actually been quite stressed... if it's not worrying about the paperwork for traveling w/ Naief, his passport issues, how he'll be on the flight, flying alone with a baby, jet lag, missing my husband, not fighting with my sister, what clothes to take, what shoes to take, buying gifts, finding the stockings my mom made for us.... then it's the stuff here at the house. The kitchen sink started leaking again - this time it was a mini fountain coming from the faucet, the bathroom overflowing, the water tank overflowing, worrying about Salumi letting the cats out while I'm gone, the cats not being fed properly, the birds not being fed, who'll watch the house when Hashim leaves.... you name it, I'm worrying about it. But hey.... aren't all of us Virgos worry warts? I know I am.

I just know I need a break from the life here and from my in-laws. I'm longing for the rain that pours down in California, the thunder, the lightening.... the cold weather, the clouds, the birds, the great stores, the people, the restaurants.... just life in the States. I miss it. I need the support of my family, the unconditional love (ok... not always, but hey, at least we try), and, really, just feeling like I belong. I do here w/ a lot of ppl, mainly friends, with many of them being Bahrainis, but I miss that feeling you get from your own family. Even though me and my sister have this love/hate relationship, we still have a bond like no other... and I miss being around her and being around my mom.

anyway... I'm nervous... anxious, excited, thrilled, and ready to go. I'll post before... and post while there... so stay tuned :)

The art of the tickle-rub

Not sure if any of you know what I mean when I say the word 'tickle-rub'. Don't really think it's even a word... except in my own little private dictionary, and I wonder how many of you have ever had one of these 'tickle-rubs'??

As a young girl, my mom used to rub my arms, my face and hair. I loved it. It would relax me and help me sleep. (I still ask for these rubs when I see her, and I must say, she still gives the best tickle-rub!! Can't wait to have her rub my hair when I visit California) As a got older, I'd enlist my younger sister to do this for me. Usually w/ the assurance that I'd tickle-rub her as well. Most nights I'd make her go first... insisting that she rub my arms for what seemed like hours (to her), then I'd fall asleep and she'd never get her share.... aaaahhhh, those were the days! ;) But lemme tell ya, she has NEVER let me forget this. I think she's reminded me of this, say.... 500 times!

For any of you out there that don't know what this 'tickle-rub' is... let me explain. It's a light dance of the fingers across the skin, sort of in a rubbing type motion, but they glide over your skin instead of rub and gives a wonderful sensation that is both relaxing and intoxicating. It can also cause your skin to itch if not done in the proper way.

I thought my family was the only ones doing this until I was talking to a lady at work and telling her all about it, whereas she informed me that as a child, her mother had been tickled-rubbed to sleep by the housemaids while living in South America. They'd fan her mother to sleep w/ huge feather fans, while another would tickle-rub her skin until she drifted to sleep. Now... I don't know about you, but that, to me, sounds like the ultimate way to be relaxed.... makes me a bit relaxed just to think about it. Imagine being fanned to sleep while another person rubbed your arm, hair.... aaaaahhhhhhhh.

anyway....

I've now enlisted Hashim to tickle-rub me, and he does it until I fall asleep.... he's not much for it but will occasionally allow me to tickle-rub his arm, then complaining (because it does feel wonderful) that I don't do it enough! HA!!!! He only has to ask!! Well, unless I'm sleepy and then I have to have it, for it seems the only method to truly send me into sleep heaven.

but... you know, I haven't had a tickle-rub since having the baby, and I'm missing them!! I've tried a couple of times to inch over towards him to let him tickle-rub my face and hair, but wouldn't you know it, the baby wakes up and my heaven escapes me! :)

My sister has enlisted her daughter in the tickle-rub, saying she's the best... matter of fact, Katelyn wakes up in the middle of the night, if she's sleeping w/ her mother, and will rub her for long stretches of time. She slept with me and Hashim when we visited the last time, but I got no tickle rubs. I waited, but nothing. Maybe this time.... I can only hope. ;)

And wouldn't ya know... I'm hoping that Naief will follow in the tickle-rub footsteps... matter of fact, I'm making it a tradition in our family. :) I'm training him from now. Tonight, when he woke for a feeding, his little hand stretched out and I started rubbing it ever so lightly (as I've also done in the past), and what did he do? He started rubbing my arm ever so gently and rubbing my hand and fingers... it's soooo sweet and made me think of our tickle-rubs when we were younger. It's moments like these that make my heart soar... and make me glad to be next to him at night. And NO, not just for the tickle-rub... but because he's so sweet, and it's so sweet when he starts to rub my arm!!!

If he were sleeping in his crib, I wouldn't have these experiences... and for as bad as it can be w/ sleep deprivation and such, I still feel it's worth it.

Now, in thinking about it... I think the tickle-rub started w/ my mother. She loved having her hair rubbed/combed... so maybe it started w/ her and she passed it down to us.

Are there any other tickle-rubbers out there???

What to do, what to do?!!

What pretty blue eyes on this baby, huh?!! This picture makes me think of your God Daughter, Olivia.

I chose this pic because Naief has started to bite. At first it started as a teething thing. I thought it would pass, but it's actually gotten worse. It started a couple of months back with him getting ahold of my clothes and pulling back on them, but now it's full fledged biting.

He's not biting anyone else or anything... it's not like that, it's just momma. He tried to bite daddy's leg the other night, but usually it's when I'm holding him and he's frustrated, excited or agitated. The other night he almost drew blood.

They say not to pull back when it happens, but it's really hard. Your natural reflex is to pull away from it, but lemme tell ya... it hurts! He's gotten ahold of my index finger a couple of times - yes, it's my fault for putting it in his mouth - and the last time I thought he broke the skin.. but he didn't.

I think the problem is that I laughed the first time and thought it was cute. Since then, he thinks it's a game. Or, until recently.

A few weeks ago I tried biting him back. Not hard or anything, but just to show him that it hurts. He cried and it broke my heart. So I only tried that twice. Then I got upset and would hold him away from me, looking right in his eyes and told him sternly, "no biting mommy". A few times he cried. After telling my friend, Puppy, about it, she gave me an idea. She was a biter as a little girl and her mother used to always tell her, "no biting, give me kisses" and it seemed to work. So over the last few days, I've been doing that. It seems to work for the most part.

Altho today he's been biting a little more than usual. Earlier today, he got ahold of me and I calmly and gently said, "no biting love, give me kisses" and then I kissed him. Boy, he watches my eyes like a hawk! He watches my every emotion... that's why I'm staying very calm w/ him. It's hard though... especially when he gets you really bad. But I've noticed that if I get upset, he'll go right back to get me again.

So, do you any of you seasoned mothers or parents out there have any good advice for me? I don't want Naief getting bigger and biting other children. I hope that this is only a phase that he'll grow out of .... we shall see.

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Some really great news. Me and Naief will be traveling to the States around Dec. 10th to visit my family. I'm soooo excited, but a little nervous. I'm gonna get some meds from the dr. to help Naief sleep, but he's not good about sitting in one place for a long time, which makes me a bit anxious at the thought of traveling for so many hours and how he'll do, and what I'll entertain him with... I guess I'll have to take lots of little toys, books and such.

This trip will be different for me. I'm a mother now. Before, me and my younger sis have had our arguments.... sometimes even to the point that we could strangle each other... but I think w/ my being a new mother and her working full time, things will be different. She loves babies and is dying to meet Naief and my mom.. well, she didn't think I'd ever have a baby. I can't wait for her to meet him. Brings tears to my eyes just to think that I'll be there in a couple of weeks!

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Hmmmm... what else. Well, one of our cats got out and is gone. I realized it Sunday morning and panicked. He was a yellow tabby cat, and so incredibly sweet. His name was/is Wilson. We got him w/ his two sisters about 2 yrs ago, if that long, and they're all so loving and gentle. I just can't believe he's gone. I've called for him... went out today w/ the baby and hoped that I'd see him, but nothing.

I don't even know when he got out or how. The woman who works for us sometimes lets the outside cats in and she's let our cats out a couple of times, and she's also left windows open... so maybe he got out from an open window. He also looks just like the outside cat, Tigger, so maybe she put Wilson out by mistake. I don't know. I'm worried and have come to conclusion that he won't be coming home. He knew nothing of the outdoors really. Nothing of cars and staying safe... and nothing of the wild dogs that roam our neighborhood at night.

Last weekend I heard the dogs outside barking like crazy and figured it was a cat they were after... maybe it was Wilson.

I just hope, if he's alive, he finds his way home. I really hope to see him again. He was such a sweet boy.. even tho he'd pee on things he wasn't supposed to... I still really loved him. It makes me sad.

I swear... I have 8 more little tragedies to live thru.... 10 if you count the outside cats.

Sexual Abuse/Molestation in Bahrain

I've been waiting to write this blog entry... hoping that someone else would beat me to the punch, but as of yet, I've not read anything about what's happening in this country.

Today I read on Ammaro's blog about a guy in Berlin or someplace in Germany that was given a job at a kindergarten after being sentenced for sexually molesting children, and what did this guy do??? You got it... he turned around and abused two children at this school. Who would have thunk it.... imagine... he's a predator and the best job for him is at a school. Oh but wait... he was a janitor.... how could a janitor sexually abuse children?!!!!

So... the story goes.

Well... I guess about a month ago, I read in the GDN about how some Bahraini guy had sexually molested a child and been given 5 yrs for the offense. But after judges reviewed his case, it was lowered to one year because they felt like he was suffering from a mental problem. Poor guy... must be terrible being a victim of such mental problems!

I know what can fix that for 'em tho... let's castrate the guy... and hey, maybe Bahrain should take a lead from Saudi and do it in a public place for all to see. That might fix his little problem and keep him away from other children... you think?!!

I'm appalled at this ruling. I don't know how anyone in their right mind could lower the sentence of such an animal. Here he's damaged a child and that child will have the scar for the rest of their life - in one form or another - but he's given leniency by the judge and his sentence is lowered to one year. ONE FREAKIN YEAR!!!!!!!

But ppl who sale drugs are given 10 yrs in prison and then deported. Where's the logic in that? Who the hell cares about drugs and ppl who are using when you have pedophiles running loose???? And no one gives a damn about it!

Here you have ppl out protesting almost every weekend about something... either not having jobs, about America, about Israel, about Lebanon... but NO ONE protests about these ppl - the child molesters/rapists/pedophiles walking the streets! And why the hell not???? Why doesn't anyone give a damn about this?

Here the child will live w/ this for the rest of their lives. They'll suffer post traumatic stress syndrome from it off and on for years to come, if not all of their lives, live in fear and shame, probably will be treated as a leper from ppl in their community - since the victim is probably blamed in this country or seen as someone who asked for it - but the man who committed this crime is walking free... only to strike again, I would bet my life on.

I get so sick when I read about this crap in the paper... and you have ppl in high powered positions not giving a damn.... usually caring more about getting their pics in the paper for giving money away to this charity or that organization.... but when I sit back and think about it, I really start to wonder why there isn't someone standing up for these children? Where is their voice? Where are their parents???? Why in the hell don't they care? I guess it's swept under the carpet like everything else.... and praying that no one finds out that it was their child who was raped/molested....

instead of getting out there and doing something about it. Why aren't these pedophiles black listed? Why aren't their laws to keep these ppl in jail? Why aren't they shamed at every street corner? Why don't ppl know where they live to protect their children???

It's sad... really sad. I wonder what will happen when and if children ever start disappearing here... oh but wait... that's already happened and what came of it?!! What about when and if children start being killed by such criminals... all of them out to molest/rape a child and then it gets outta hand and they kill the child... or their whole intent was to kill the child. If you don't think it'll happen one day, you are blinded by your rose colored glasses or you need to pull your head outta your ass and get a freakin clue as to where this country is going UNLESS ppl do something about this!

Wake up ppl!!!!! There are child molesters roaming your streets... and their hurting your children!

Planet Earth

Wow... has anyone seen this Discovery Channel/BBC documentary/series that's being shown or was shown in the U.S.??? It's phenomenal!!! I've never seen this type of coverage before... and if you like animals and seeing the earth/world in the most brilliant of ways, you should definitely watch this show.

We've been watching it for the last few nights and I'm in complete awe. I sit and watch it, and, probably to the disbelief of my hubby, I don't make a sound.

It took 5 years for them to get all the footage for this and they traveled the world... they have footage of animals that no human has ever seen before. We watched the snow leopard make a kill last night... it was incredible. This has never been filmed before. The female leopard was so beautiful. Her feet and tail were huge. Both help her to keep her balance while walking/running on the side of the mountain and while chasing prey.

I will add, the one thing about "making the kill" is that they don't show all the blood and gore like many other animal programs. Even though, you stay on the edge of your seat because the footage is breathtaking.

I highly recommend this program and would love to hear from anyone that's been watching it. I saw it previewed on Oprah. She loves it and now I can see why. If anyone saw her show where she's talking about this program... well, everything she said is right on.

I used to watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom when I was young, and I watch the Animal Planet all the time, but neither of these compare to this program. Truly, it's the most amazing footage I've ever seen in my life. And... the added benefit is that it teaches you about the planet, and you travel the globe... so you get in some geography... which never hurt anyone. :)

If you wanna check out the info on this program, go here.

Do you tip?

What is it w/ tipping in this country? Most restaurants that you go to have a service charge included, but I doubt seriously if the waiters and waitresses are seeing any of that money. So, where does that leave a person when it comes to giving a tip?

Do most ppl not tip in restaurants? How about your hair dresser? What about at hotels?

I know that my husband doesn't like to tip in most cases. Coming from the States where tipping is required, I usually cringe when he refuses to leave anything after a good meal.

In many restaurants in the States, you'll have the wait staff actually come after you if you don't leave a tip. I've known ppl to scream at their customers for not giving at least 15%, and you'd never think of not tipping your hairdresser, unless they were the owner of the salon, but, even still, I've always felt weird about not tipping - even if they're the owner.

My hair stylist, Kristin, worked at a place in Dallas; she wasn't the owner, but she rented out the space she had in the place, which is considered to be pretty much the same. I spent over $100 most times - if I dyed my hair - and I always left a tip. Thankfully those hair days are over and I'm not paying anywhere near that now, but I still feel odd if I leave and don't tip. I even feel bad if I don't tip the shampoo girl... seeing that she gives fabulous scalp massages every time she puts the conditioner on my hair. I'd actually love to hire someone like that to be my personal scalp masseuse.

Now... let's say you do tip... do you tip a standard percentage or just whatever you feel like? In most places back home, if you leave anything under 20%, you're considered stingy. I've known ppl to leave a few cents, and I mean pennies, after a meal.. but the service was terrible and the place wasn't a big place or anything... but even still, I think I'd rather leave nothing than leave a few pennies.

A few restaurants that we go to on a regular basis even charges a service charge if we pick up the meal and go, which I think is strange and not really fair. Hashim has complained and one place close to us doesn't do it anymore, but if we sit down inside, we get the charge. I don't agree w/ service charges. I can understand if you have a huge party, but if it's only you and your husband, why the service charge?

And w/ the rise in food prices at restaurants after the Ramadan holiday, I'm starting to think like my husband... maybe it's better to save that extra cash. I guess that's why us Americans are always hard up for cash... we're too busy tipping all of our money away!

Sick of being sick....

One of my blog buddies (Christopher aka Kissyfur aka The Diary of a Lost Boy) recently posted on my Back in Time post and asked if I was sad... I guess I am sad, in a way. Why is it that gay guys always know how to read me?!! Even in the past, they've always known.. it's like they can see right into my soul, and he's no different. Even when I try to hide it... you always know my friend.

So... this is it... or part of it... actually most of it... ;)

Naief has been sick for the last 5 months, off and on, and I feel exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally.

I promised to myself and Hashim that I wouldn't take him to my MILs school again after he got well this past time, but what did I do??? Because everyone was asking me why I don't bring him and such, and not wanting to seem like a bitch - I allowed the woman who works for us to take him there for short periods of time a couple of days last week - thinking that the short periods of time would keep him from catching anything, and it allowed me time to get a few things done, walk on the treadmill, etc. But as my mother pointed out, it's not going there that will make him ill... it's the germs floating around in the air that I need to worry about and the toys... since he wants to put everything into his mouth, and she was right. (I wish my mom was here to give me motherly advice all the time!! or at least not so far away... which is another reason for my sadness, but anyway...)

Needless to say, he got sick again. One of his cousins was deathly sick as well as the housemaid that watches him, and since his mother sends him to the school come hell or high water, every child catches what her child has, and Naief was no different.... and he's been super sick for the last 4 days.

This time it's the worst cold he's had. He has an upper respiratory infection and is having a hard time shaking the fever that is accompanying it... altho today, he seems much better. He can actually breathe outta his nose and he slept thru the night last night, which gave both of us much needed rest.

So... all of this has been taking a major toll on me. Today has been the first day that he's slept/napped w/out insisting on my holding him... and hasn't cried for most of the day... and I feel so thankful.

It's so difficult to see him sick. I can hardly take him having a hard time breathing and hearing him cough... it's tough. The smallest of things will upset him and if I get moody, well... he can feel it and it upsets him, and then it upsets me, so it's like a vicious circle that won't stop revolving around and around and around.

Yesterday (I think it was yesterday), he was downstairs in the kitchen w/ me and I was making dinner. He was on the floor crawling around, playing w/ his toys and then all of a sudden he burst out crying. I ran over to him and he was face down on the tile. My heart leaped... let me tell ya. I picked him up and got a tissue to wipe his eyes and mouth and when I did, there was blood. I looked down at him and there was blood coming from his mouth, which terrified me. All I could think is that he knocked a tooth loose or busted his lip or something.

Thankfully I'm really good at handling extremely stressful situations, so I was able to act fast.

I wiped the blood from his mouth and tried to look in his mouth but he was having nothing of it. I got out the water and gave him a big drink from it - knowing that the cold will help to slow down the blood flow, and then I put him back on my legs and asked to look in his mouth. Usually he won't allow it, but he did (obviously seeing the seriousness in my eyes), and there was blood between his two front teeth, so I took the tissue and had him bite on it and then looked again. I checked his teeth to make sure they weren't loose and then looked at his lips and from what I can tell, it was coming from the little piece of tissue (can't remember what it's called) that connects the lip to the gums...

After a few minutes, it stopped bleeding and he was fine, but my heart wasn't for a while.

Now I find that I'm afraid to even let him crawl around on the floor... but I know things will happen and he's going to get hurt, it's a part of life... but it's hard to see your baby bleeding. Makes me feel like a bad mother.

So... w/ this happening, my falling last week w/ him in my arms and then w/ him being sick again... I have felt like I'm doing something wrong and it's taking the life from me, for the most part or has when I let it...

I've started walking w/ him in the mornings and it seems to be helping both of us. Figuring the sun and fresh air will do him and mommy good, and since the weather is getting much cooler, I'm out trying to take full advantage of it, and think I'll continue doing it most mornings. Since he's waking up at 5:30 or 6 every morning... it gives both of us plenty of time to do things like this. And... it's helping my mood, so that's a plus, and he seems better today, so that's another plus.

On a lighter and more positive note, he has stopped crying in his highchair and is now eating w/out a problem... I think it was a phase and working him back into the routine of eating there, and he has also stopped crying in his stroller. We're able to walk for more than 40 mins without him having a problem... YAH!!! And he has started cruising along furniture or is starting to go there - taking little baby steps in that direction. He also participates in peek a boo and will slap me five... it's sooo cute!!

The Art of Massage

What is it about massage that can either relax your whole mind and body or send you over the edge because it is so incredibly painful? Do you enjoy massage? Do you like quiet places with relaxing music and oils that smell of lavender? Or do you prefer to have a quickie at one of those places set up at the mall where you pay $10 to $15 for a quick back massage?

Me.... well, I prefer soft music, smell good candles and wonderful oils massaged deep into the tissues of my body, but it's been a long time since I had such a massage... until Thursday evening.

My back has been hurting in a bad way since I had the baby. I've read info on it and many ppl say that it's from the spinal tap, but I'm not sure because I had the pain while I was pregnant. And since having the baby, I seem to wake up w/ new pain most every day... yeah, I know, it's a part of getting older, but I hate to think about it like that, so instead, I got the telephone number of the massage therapist my MIL uses and called her up. I also fell last week while going up the stairs w/ Naief in my arms - he wasn't hurt but I was. My back and shoulder area was starting to feel as though I'd been in a bad car accident... obviously I was holding on to him for dear life to protect him... and because of this, I needed some relief. And for as good as Hashim is w/ massaging my back when I ask him, he couldn't relieve this pain.

Anyway... this woman is Thai, I found out, and was very nice on the phone, so I made an appt. for 4:30 that afternoon. Now... the last time I had a Thai massage was probably 3 1/2 yrs ago. I went to one of these Salon in the Box places (salons are on every street corner in these parts) and after laying on the table and having this Thai girl drill her fingers into my back for almost an hour, I thought I'd never have another Thai massage. I might add that after having that first massage, I was sore for a good 3 or 4 days. It felt like she was ripping my body apart... no kidding.

So, knowing that a Thai woman was coming was a bit scary for me, but my MIL swears by her... so what the hell, right?!

I very much believe in setting a mood, especially for massage. This is the first time for having a massage at home, so I took every care to make it perfect for who else??? ME!!! :)

Since I'd be on the floor, me and Hashim moved the coffee table so I could at least lay on the thick carpet in that room. I also put down two more quilts, got a sheet, set up the CD player w/ my Relaxing Massage CD, got out the essential oil, lit a nice candle, turned on the a/c and then waited for her to arrive. I guess about 10 minutes later, she rings the doorbell.

She's a small, heavy set woman. Very pleasant and wanted to get right to work. At first, when she started the massage, I thought it was going to be just like before because she was rough. But as time passed, I was taken away to a wonderful place.... and it's been a long time since being able to feel so fabulous from a massage.

This woman's hands were incredible, and there was something about her ability - and I say this word with seriousness in my thoughts, because she was able to find the exact location of my pain when I told her the general vicinity of it. It was as though she had a little radar system built in her hands - I kid you not. The first time I experienced it was with the pain by my right shoulder blade. Since I was holding the baby w/ my right arm when I fell, it was especially painful.

I pointed to the place - more or less, and what did she do? She took her fingers and went to the area and then used her finger tips to do this stitching type of thing on the area and w/ this method, she zeroed in to exactly where the pain was and stopped right on it. It was like her fingers guided her to the precise place of the pain. After stopping, she'd do some type of massage right on the area. It would kill at first but after about 3 or so minutes of intense work in the area, the pain would lift. Then she'd take this stone she had and rub it on the area. It was really cold and would immediately relax the area. aaaahhhhh... I get joy just thinking about it, which tells me it's time for another!! :)

Anyway, the whole massage worked this way. I showed her the area of the pain in my lower back and hip area, and she did the same stitching thing w/ her fingers (don't know how else to explain what she was doing) and within a few seconds would find the exact location of the pain. She'd rub a deep heat type of stuff on it and oil, do her magic fingers and the pain would go.

Now, the pain in my lower back will take a while. Seeing the pain is so severe, she couldn't get it to go away immediately, which I completely understand. But... I will say this, since having the massage on Thurs., I haven't had the pain in my lower back like before. Matter of fact, when I get up from a sitting position, I can actually stand straight. Before, I'd have to stay bent for a bit before I could straighten up... but not now. The pain in my hip is gone as well.... and my shoulder blade hasn't hurt at all.

I used to go to a massage therapist once a week and sometimes more after I totalled my RX-7 years ago, and this girl was good, but she was never able to take away pain like this woman. I told Hashim and wondered if she knew some type of ancient techniques or something. I do think these Asian ppl have abilities... and I think she's one of them. Yeah... go ahead and think me silly, but it's the truth. This finger stitching thing she did or whatever you wanna call it was incredible. How she was able to move her fingers over my skin and find the exact area of the pain... well, I'll never know, but the one thing I do know is that this massage was fabulously wonderful and I hope to have many, many more in the future!

Back in Time Tag

I've been tagged by Olivia to write about going back in time (The Age That I Wish to go Back To)... and choosing a time/age I'd like to go back to hasn't been easy... so I've decided not to choose a day to go back to, but stay in the present.

I think that right now, the way life is for me, Hashim and the baby, it's the best time in my life. My childhood was filled with many unhappy things, leaving a lot of unhappy memories, so I think it best to stay happy... wouldn't you agree?!!

Not that there weren't happy things in my life, but nothing really compares to now when I sit back and think long and hard about my life. I loved growing up in Indiana... loved going to my cousins for the summers, helping my mom in the garden, living on a farm for a lot of my life, living in California and Texas... but, even w/ this, I still cherish today more than anything.

The Age That I Wish To Go Back To:

My answer to this is Here and Now. Sorry for being such a spoil sport Olivia, but having given this plenty of thought, I must say that this time is the best for me. I have happy memories from long ago, in my 20s and from when I was a young girl, but there aren't any that compare to right now.... :)

I think you all know why I choose now... if you don't, then I must add that it's because of Naief and how my life has changed since having him. I must say that I've never felt love like I feel it now. He gives my life such meaning. He brings happiness to every day... even when he's being naughty!! ;)

I tag:

1. Jac from A Window to My Soul
2. Gazza from Sefton Taxis
3. Jane from Lost in America
4. Munther or Khalid from The Drivel of Two Bahrainis
5. Hashim (you have to do this one dear!!) from Hashim's Studio

Puppy, I wanted to tag you but then remembered that your blog is private.... :)

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Instructions:

Title: The Age That I Wish To Go Back To
Requirement: Write about the one age that you wish to go back to and why?
Tag Mode: 5 bloggers
1st - You leave blog and post link and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger you want to tag know they had been tagged by commenting in their blog.

The Age that they Wish to Go Back to:

Amidrin wish to go back to age 22 to correct back some mistakes in life.
Lemonjude wish to go back to age 6 to enjoy kid’s life.
Hui Sia wish to go back to age 16 to meet her first lover again.
Giddy Tiger wishes to go back to a childhood life with no worries in the world.
Rinnah wishes she could turn back time to the happiest days of her life.
Ehon doesn't wanna go anywhere.
Chen wanna go back to age 19 to take a different pathway in life.
Selba wishes to go back to the time where she could persuade her parents not to move to Indonesia.
Olivia wishes to go back to her early 20s when the world was her oyster.
Tania wishes to stay right where she is. The world is good now.

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ok... again, sorry for not being more fun, but in all honesty, my childhood, teenage years, 20s and my 30s just don't compare to now. I hope that as he gets older, I have the chance to remember times when there was a lot of happiness in my life... I hope that thru him I will be able to remember good things....