I'm glad Blogger or Blogpost or whatever has not decided to inactivate my blog/account. I guess so long as I use Gmail my blog remains active also? I just happened to "decide" to check in on my blog and found my way to my friends' blogs and read up on their recent activities and goings-on in life.
Facebook has somehow taken all that I enjoyed in keeping up with my blog and made things that much "easier" to post things and/or to just catch up and inform family and friends of our current situation -- which was, ultimately, the reason this blog was started in the first place.
Interestingly, the more creative the world of technology, the more distant I feel I am getting with many of the people I often times find myself wishing to remain close to. Did that make sense?
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Where To Begin?
It has been far too long since I last wrote, I honestly don't know where to begin. So much is going on, but to find time to sit and write has been difficult.
Update on Lexie seems most appropriate now. Well, my little girl is 6 months old! She sits unassisted now, grabs things and is earnestly curious of the things she holds in her hands. She babbles and coos and even has a tooth poking out of her lower gum now. Lexie is eating solids, having already found a liking for green beans, sweet potato, but her favorite is... squash! :-) She is also doing well with her sleep training - a lot less fussy at this stage of development than her older brother was.
Speaking of Ethan, he turns 3 in a couple of months. Ethan is learning many things every day and is inquisitive about everything around him. He is spoken to in english and mandarin and speaks both, though still prefers/relies on english a lot when responding to instructions in mandarin. He can recite at least a couple of Baha'i prayers in both languages! :-)
The rest of the family is doing well also. Life in Blue Ridge is getting better, though still not quite there on the friends front. If we can move, we will, but if not, we are thankful for what we have here and will make the most of it, for our children especially.
We have been spoiled for several months now with grandparental assistance. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, comforting presence, games. We will be a mess - literally and emotionally - when back to our lonesome :-) But we are growing and can handle almost any challenge it seems.
I have made some personal goals to get fitter recently. About two months ago, I weighed around 186lbs. Well not quite that heavy, but that is the heaviest I have ever weighed I think. Now, I weigh around 170-173lbs. (I weighed as low as 169.5 :-P) So making some progress. I am trying to "train" for the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day (November 26). Should I do it? Registration does not end until August 31st, so I have time to mull it over. (hopefully I can go through with it).
Labor day long weekend is TBS weekend again this year. Tennessee Baha'i School. Should be fun, fun, fun, and Ethan is enrolling in the preschool class (3-4 yr old) even though he will be 3 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. Lexie will be in the nursery. The night concerts will feature the Prices, which will be hopping and uplifting!! Can't wait!
OK, Ethan is hanging off my arm - and this last sentence has taken me a good few minutes to complete (typing).
I'm off...
Much love!
Update on Lexie seems most appropriate now. Well, my little girl is 6 months old! She sits unassisted now, grabs things and is earnestly curious of the things she holds in her hands. She babbles and coos and even has a tooth poking out of her lower gum now. Lexie is eating solids, having already found a liking for green beans, sweet potato, but her favorite is... squash! :-) She is also doing well with her sleep training - a lot less fussy at this stage of development than her older brother was.
Speaking of Ethan, he turns 3 in a couple of months. Ethan is learning many things every day and is inquisitive about everything around him. He is spoken to in english and mandarin and speaks both, though still prefers/relies on english a lot when responding to instructions in mandarin. He can recite at least a couple of Baha'i prayers in both languages! :-)
The rest of the family is doing well also. Life in Blue Ridge is getting better, though still not quite there on the friends front. If we can move, we will, but if not, we are thankful for what we have here and will make the most of it, for our children especially.
We have been spoiled for several months now with grandparental assistance. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, comforting presence, games. We will be a mess - literally and emotionally - when back to our lonesome :-) But we are growing and can handle almost any challenge it seems.
I have made some personal goals to get fitter recently. About two months ago, I weighed around 186lbs. Well not quite that heavy, but that is the heaviest I have ever weighed I think. Now, I weigh around 170-173lbs. (I weighed as low as 169.5 :-P) So making some progress. I am trying to "train" for the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day (November 26). Should I do it? Registration does not end until August 31st, so I have time to mull it over. (hopefully I can go through with it).
Labor day long weekend is TBS weekend again this year. Tennessee Baha'i School. Should be fun, fun, fun, and Ethan is enrolling in the preschool class (3-4 yr old) even though he will be 3 weeks shy of his 3rd birthday. Lexie will be in the nursery. The night concerts will feature the Prices, which will be hopping and uplifting!! Can't wait!
OK, Ethan is hanging off my arm - and this last sentence has taken me a good few minutes to complete (typing).
I'm off...
Much love!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Weekend With Krishelle
A break from the monotony, this weekend we had a dear friend come and visit us! Saturday morning, I picked up Krishelle from the airport and we drove straight back up to Blue Ridge (home). Since I am fasting also, I had to stop by some place to pick up something to eat before the sun rose. What first comes to mind? Why what else, but the Golden Arches. That's right. Micky-D's (McDonald's) it was. I ordered this southern chicken and biscuit meal with a hashbrown, side of scrambled eggs, and a hot tea. Not realizing this was not the easiest meal to eat while driving... but I digress. I then doubled my order. Then paid. I figured if I could not finish all this food, and if Krishelle had not eaten breakfast yet, she may just be craving for a chicken biscuit and hashbrown? Hee hee ...
I drove. It was raining. And for some reason, either due to the fasting (and the spiritual forces that really work to cleanse your soul) or the weather .. or the combination .. or the not-so-spiritual music I was listening to (Akon).. but the drive to the airport was rather emotional for me.
I was crying. I was a mess! Ate some egg. Cried. I'm surprised I could see through my tears, my eyeglasses, the rain on my windshield, to see where I was driving! My tea was too hot to drink (right away) .. I was a MESS! And what exactly was I crying about? That would take too long to put to words now, but ALL imaginary situations. My mind was so creative at putting me to tears, I was probably just in need of whatever it is that crying realeases within your body (seratonin? endorphins? I forget), because I certainly felt better afterwards. There's nothing like a good crying session... except for maybe FOOD and (sigh) sleep.
So I made it almost to the airport when Krishelle calls and tells me she had arrived safely and to call her when I got closer. I was there in ten minutes, and we turned right around and ... got lost. That's right, I did not turn on my GPS since I figured I should know the directions by now. And I do. But only from North Terminal to our home and back (or the other way around)... you know what I mean. Krishelle arrived at South Terminal and so leaving, the roads were different and unfamiliar to me.
Turning on Krishelle's Nuvi (GPS) instead - and listening to a British man's voice giving out directions (we have Jill, the American girl, on our Nuvi) - we found our way to the interstate that I know and love. So we were off to the mountains!
We arrived, it was still pouring outside.
Anyways, the weekend flew by in a hurry, and we mostly stayed at home. Kelly and Krishelle and Lexie usually went out for meals, while Ethan, Mom and I stayed at home (we can't eat anyways so figured keep Ethan fed and happy without the wet outside to negotiate). It's been a fun couple of days. Like the "old times" of Durham. Sadly, Krishelle flies back today, so I will be taking her to the airport, and Ethan has "pink eye". Hey, at least we had a healthy Ethan for a day, right? That's a bonus these days!
So just waiting now before we leave for the airport. Krishelle has been fantastic with Ethan - always engaging him with something new, imaginary play, and story telling. She will be missed, by Ethan mostly, and us all for sure.
The rain is getting heavier now. Sorry Krishelle. The rain fell precisely during the dates of your travel to see us. Maybe it is our turn next to visit you - in sunny San Diego!
I drove. It was raining. And for some reason, either due to the fasting (and the spiritual forces that really work to cleanse your soul) or the weather .. or the combination .. or the not-so-spiritual music I was listening to (Akon).. but the drive to the airport was rather emotional for me.
I was crying. I was a mess! Ate some egg. Cried. I'm surprised I could see through my tears, my eyeglasses, the rain on my windshield, to see where I was driving! My tea was too hot to drink (right away) .. I was a MESS! And what exactly was I crying about? That would take too long to put to words now, but ALL imaginary situations. My mind was so creative at putting me to tears, I was probably just in need of whatever it is that crying realeases within your body (seratonin? endorphins? I forget), because I certainly felt better afterwards. There's nothing like a good crying session... except for maybe FOOD and (sigh) sleep.
So I made it almost to the airport when Krishelle calls and tells me she had arrived safely and to call her when I got closer. I was there in ten minutes, and we turned right around and ... got lost. That's right, I did not turn on my GPS since I figured I should know the directions by now. And I do. But only from North Terminal to our home and back (or the other way around)... you know what I mean. Krishelle arrived at South Terminal and so leaving, the roads were different and unfamiliar to me.
Turning on Krishelle's Nuvi (GPS) instead - and listening to a British man's voice giving out directions (we have Jill, the American girl, on our Nuvi) - we found our way to the interstate that I know and love. So we were off to the mountains!
We arrived, it was still pouring outside.
Anyways, the weekend flew by in a hurry, and we mostly stayed at home. Kelly and Krishelle and Lexie usually went out for meals, while Ethan, Mom and I stayed at home (we can't eat anyways so figured keep Ethan fed and happy without the wet outside to negotiate). It's been a fun couple of days. Like the "old times" of Durham. Sadly, Krishelle flies back today, so I will be taking her to the airport, and Ethan has "pink eye". Hey, at least we had a healthy Ethan for a day, right? That's a bonus these days!
So just waiting now before we leave for the airport. Krishelle has been fantastic with Ethan - always engaging him with something new, imaginary play, and story telling. She will be missed, by Ethan mostly, and us all for sure.
The rain is getting heavier now. Sorry Krishelle. The rain fell precisely during the dates of your travel to see us. Maybe it is our turn next to visit you - in sunny San Diego!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Fasting, Facebook, Fun!
The past few months have been very tiring. Since Lexie's birth (1/14/09) and even before, I cannot remember the last time I was not sick with someething I likely caught from Ethan. Actually, our entire household has been sick pretty much constantly the entire time, and even little Lexie has had a sniffle or two already. In comparison, Ethan did not fall ill until about a year old, which looking back on things, was quite amazing. Nothing major with anyone, just the usual cough and cold and congestion, but oh is it getting old.
And winter is getting old! Enough with cold, and bring in the heat I say!
Actually, the next few days, and culminating on Sunday, we are supposed to get as high as 73-75F (not sure exactly what this is in C's). For March 8th (Sunday)? That is super toasty.
I hope we end up healthy, motivated and active enough to plan a short excursion some place when it is sunny this weekend.
And of course mom and I are fasting right now too. Kelly is not fasting because she is nursing baby Lexie. Ethan is too young :-) So it has been mom and I, waking up in the mornings before sunrise and eating a heavier than usual breakfast. Mothers, by nature, want to stuff their babies full of food. My mom is no exception, and breakfasts have been interesting (ahem). Yesterday, it was rice with lentils, with chicken adobo, and roasted vegetables, and "pork and beans", and cut fresh fruit (bananas, apples and strawberries) and hot tea, and orange juice, and water, and my multi-vitamin and cod liver fish oil (tablet). (for breakfast)
Mom, I love you, and it is so great to be spending time with you especially during the fast, but I have never been a huge breakfast eater, let alone before the sun rises, and this much food :-)
The next few days will be as usual with our fasting schedule, but then comes DST - daylight savings time. Thanks to former president George W. Bush, the usual DST change in April has been moved forward to March -- I believe for all the farmers and agricultural workers in America. So now sunrise thankfully will be at a lazy man's 7:30am or so, but the kicker will be the sun setting at nearly 8PM. Who eats dinner at 8PM? That's but an hour shy of my bedtime these days! Yes, with sicknesses (see above), and Ethan not being sleep trained (re-trained, long story, sigh), my own bedtime is as my son's. -- yes, I do know, thanks to my lovely wife reminding me every night, that Ethan is the only toddler under the age of 3 (in this whole wide universe) with such an enviable curfew as 9 and even 9:30pm some nights. So we have challenges. :-)
But boy is it fun having a little girl. Lexie is getting chubbier and growing every day. She is more attentive and interested in her surroundings. She does a kick-kick and punch-punch and a reach-reach and moves all around trying to learn her movements (and the fact that she owns limbs). My little princess. No, my little pumpkin-princess. My little GOOMBAH!
And winter is getting old! Enough with cold, and bring in the heat I say!
Actually, the next few days, and culminating on Sunday, we are supposed to get as high as 73-75F (not sure exactly what this is in C's). For March 8th (Sunday)? That is super toasty.
I hope we end up healthy, motivated and active enough to plan a short excursion some place when it is sunny this weekend.
And of course mom and I are fasting right now too. Kelly is not fasting because she is nursing baby Lexie. Ethan is too young :-) So it has been mom and I, waking up in the mornings before sunrise and eating a heavier than usual breakfast. Mothers, by nature, want to stuff their babies full of food. My mom is no exception, and breakfasts have been interesting (ahem). Yesterday, it was rice with lentils, with chicken adobo, and roasted vegetables, and "pork and beans", and cut fresh fruit (bananas, apples and strawberries) and hot tea, and orange juice, and water, and my multi-vitamin and cod liver fish oil (tablet). (for breakfast)
Mom, I love you, and it is so great to be spending time with you especially during the fast, but I have never been a huge breakfast eater, let alone before the sun rises, and this much food :-)
The next few days will be as usual with our fasting schedule, but then comes DST - daylight savings time. Thanks to former president George W. Bush, the usual DST change in April has been moved forward to March -- I believe for all the farmers and agricultural workers in America. So now sunrise thankfully will be at a lazy man's 7:30am or so, but the kicker will be the sun setting at nearly 8PM. Who eats dinner at 8PM? That's but an hour shy of my bedtime these days! Yes, with sicknesses (see above), and Ethan not being sleep trained (re-trained, long story, sigh), my own bedtime is as my son's. -- yes, I do know, thanks to my lovely wife reminding me every night, that Ethan is the only toddler under the age of 3 (in this whole wide universe) with such an enviable curfew as 9 and even 9:30pm some nights. So we have challenges. :-)
But boy is it fun having a little girl. Lexie is getting chubbier and growing every day. She is more attentive and interested in her surroundings. She does a kick-kick and punch-punch and a reach-reach and moves all around trying to learn her movements (and the fact that she owns limbs). My little princess. No, my little pumpkin-princess. My little GOOMBAH!
Hooray! My Blog Is Back!
This is an ultrasound picture of Lexie. This is a picture. Yes, I was able to upload a picture!! Finally! After months of being too tired to do anything towards creating a new blog (since I was unable to post any entries with pictures - due to maximum storage limit met) I had given up. And just this afternoon, I "checked in" on my blog to get to the links I have for my friends who have blogs, I pondered, whether or not deleting "My Slideshows" element on the side panel would create some much needed storage space to be able to continue posting photos. So far it has worked, although I am weary and hopefully it is not just due to this ultrasound photo being a very small file. Perhaps I should go through older posts, especially the photo-only entries, and either delete a few, or reduce the photo sizes. But there may be life with this blog after all ...
Friday, January 02, 2009
My Last Blog Entry
It has been fun writing, and photographing, the goings-on of my life, and my family's life. But this entry will mark my last - for this blog that is. With the soon addition to our family, and since I can no longer add any more photos to this blog, I have started a new one. I am still not sure if the new one will allow me a whole new limit to the number of photos I can post (since I am using my same Gmail account to set the new blog up). But in any case, it has been an enjoyable ride, and one I encourage you to follow, in Ticket For 4...
A Baby Girl Shower
Today we celebrated the soon arrival of our baby girl with a shower that some of our co-workers organized. It was a great day for a gathering like this, since, most other people are not at work today, or their offices are closed still for the holidays until next week. With the holidays now and truly past, it just felt like the right thing to do to ride out this week with yet another reason to celebrate, get together, have some food, and yes, open gifts.
We are blessed to have so many thoughtful people at work. We received so many things pink, our little girl will surely be a girlie-girl. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Your kindess and thoughtfulness is heartfelt, and we are greatful to share in this moment in our lives with you all.
With 12 days to go until the scheduled arrival (unless baby decides she wants out earlier!) we are more or less set and ready.
Happy 2009 to all!
We are blessed to have so many thoughtful people at work. We received so many things pink, our little girl will surely be a girlie-girl. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Your kindess and thoughtfulness is heartfelt, and we are greatful to share in this moment in our lives with you all.
With 12 days to go until the scheduled arrival (unless baby decides she wants out earlier!) we are more or less set and ready.
Happy 2009 to all!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
What Is Going On Inside My Head Right Now
Ever wonder how "good it must feel" when healthy (when you're sick)? Myself, I never really celebrate being healthy, and so when I am sick, I often contemplate how NICE it would be to not be sick. I am currently thinking this. Yes, I am not well. Ugh.
We are all not well actually. This past weekend, my entire family got sick and we are still slowly recovering. Thankfully, it has been really dreary and drizzly. I say 'thankfully' because normally this type of weather is associated with slightly warmer temps. And I for one would take a bit of wetness over freezing cold conditions any day. But I must admit the umbrella-wrestling between getting in and out of the car and a place of refuge (from the elements) is getting old.
Kelly is 35 weeks now! (and one day). That is one more day than Ethan was able to do. :-) I wonder if Kelly will make it to her baby shower (Friday Jan 02, '09) at work or if baby girl will come early. How much more for due date of Jan 14th. I hope everything will be ok.
Baby room plans have hit an all time lull. We've bought furniture that needs assembling, but a large dresser needs to come out first (and moved downstairs). It has been slow going to say the least, but perhaps this weekend I can snap my magic fingers and everything will fall in place perfectly! Yes, that is what will happen.
Hmmm.. what to eat for dinner? The past two nights we've had some kind of 10-minute meals (that is preparation time) and both have been surprisingly good! First night was some asian noodle with beef strips, and last night was "Berrrtoli" (like the commercials you know?) pasta rotini (?) stuffed with spinach and cheese and in a creamy tomatoey sauce. Mmmmmmm-mmm! Darn right!
I hope my sister and family are making their way safely to Orlando. We were not able to meet up due to us being sick and I didn't want my nieces to catch anything (they are on vacation after all). Hope to see you guys soon!
Yup, all of that is going on in my mind. Right now.
We are all not well actually. This past weekend, my entire family got sick and we are still slowly recovering. Thankfully, it has been really dreary and drizzly. I say 'thankfully' because normally this type of weather is associated with slightly warmer temps. And I for one would take a bit of wetness over freezing cold conditions any day. But I must admit the umbrella-wrestling between getting in and out of the car and a place of refuge (from the elements) is getting old.
Kelly is 35 weeks now! (and one day). That is one more day than Ethan was able to do. :-) I wonder if Kelly will make it to her baby shower (Friday Jan 02, '09) at work or if baby girl will come early. How much more for due date of Jan 14th. I hope everything will be ok.
Baby room plans have hit an all time lull. We've bought furniture that needs assembling, but a large dresser needs to come out first (and moved downstairs). It has been slow going to say the least, but perhaps this weekend I can snap my magic fingers and everything will fall in place perfectly! Yes, that is what will happen.
Hmmm.. what to eat for dinner? The past two nights we've had some kind of 10-minute meals (that is preparation time) and both have been surprisingly good! First night was some asian noodle with beef strips, and last night was "Berrrtoli" (like the commercials you know?) pasta rotini (?) stuffed with spinach and cheese and in a creamy tomatoey sauce. Mmmmmmm-mmm! Darn right!
I hope my sister and family are making their way safely to Orlando. We were not able to meet up due to us being sick and I didn't want my nieces to catch anything (they are on vacation after all). Hope to see you guys soon!
Yup, all of that is going on in my mind. Right now.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Atlanta Baha'i Regional Conference: By The Numbers
4,000+ - number of conference attendees
357 - number of miles driven over the two-day conference
20 - number of B-clusters soon to be A-clusters by Ridvan 2009
5 - number of Core Activities I have personally pledged to do/assist with
1 - my first time on MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) -- train
0 - number of pictures taken with my camera :-(
The conference was uplifting and encouraging. It was great to see so many old and new friends together under one "roof".
357 - number of miles driven over the two-day conference
20 - number of B-clusters soon to be A-clusters by Ridvan 2009
5 - number of Core Activities I have personally pledged to do/assist with
1 - my first time on MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) -- train
0 - number of pictures taken with my camera :-(
The conference was uplifting and encouraging. It was great to see so many old and new friends together under one "roof".
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Durham Thanksgiving
It had been about a year and half since we last were in Durham. A trip back "home" to visit old friends was being talked about for months, and we finally made good on this plan.
For the U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend we took to the road to Tobacco Road. It was so good to be back in Durham (NC). With so many memories in this city - our first home, wedding, Ethan's birth, Kelly's residency at Duke (to name a few) - being back felt more like home than our current place of residence.
We left on Wednesday night (11/26) and split the road trip in two, staying overnight in Asheville, NC before continuing the next morning to Durham. The entire trip takes about 6 1/2 - 7 hours, which we felt would be too much for Ethan if driven continously.
Jessica offered her place for us to stay, even though she would be out of town visiting her family for Turkey Day in Baton Rouge, LA. Jessica would come back Friday evening and we spent all of Saturday together, which was great fun.
The average American consumes about 4,030 calories on Thanksgiving Day. I certainly managed that, if not the first evening, most definitely after the second, as we were treated to two Thanksgiving dinners! On Thursday we were hosted by the Kugler family (Eileen, Gary, and sons Jason and Jeff). Dinner was traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy. On Friday, we were at the Mostaghimis residence for a Persian-American fusion dinner combining favorites such as khoresh-e-bademjan (persian eggplant stew dish) and oven-roasted turkey, and tadik (crispy persian rice) with sweet potatoes. Yuuuuuuuuuum! For the record I had seconds both evenings. Heaven! Oh did I mention there was shohlezard (persian yellow rice pudding)... darn, I want some right now.
Saturday with Jessica included breakfast at home (bacon and egg McJessica muffins, pancakes, Earl Grey, left-over shohlezard). We then went to the science museum, butterfly conservatory and insectarium where Ethan had a lot of fun roaming around and exploring. We were not alone, as it seemed every family in the area thought it was a good Saturday-after-Thanksgiving thing to do to take the kids to the science museum. We had to park across the street it was so packed.
Saturday evening we dined at Merlion. We ate Char Kway Teoh (Singaporean noodle dish), ginger beef, a tofu dish and honey glazed prawns. After Ethan was put to bed, Kelly, Jessica and I ended up talking until 2am, bringing back fond memories of our time at Duke/Durham.
But sadly our trip had to come to an end eventually. On Sunday, again Jessica made us some egg and bacon breakfast muffins. Kelly, Ethan and I went to the Baha'i Center while Jessica went to her church for Sunday service. The program at the Baha'i Center in Durham was on the topic of marriage and chastity. The discussions were lively, and the selected readings very thought provoking -- I know several friends of mine that would benefit from these Baha'i writings.
Some usual suspects were at the Center - Catherine Davis, Dilsey, Angelica, Parvaneh, Anyema and Sherlock, Shegund, Ayla, Lee Moavenzadeh, Daria, etc.. It was nice to see everyone, and so comforting to be the in the company of our former community members. Several other friends we knew ahead of time would be away this weekend which was a pity - including (but not limited to) Amani, Elyse, Nahal and others.
Lunch was had back at Jessica's (left-over Merlion food, left-over Thanksgiving meals Persian-Chinese-American fusion, and STILL left-over shohlezard :-D). Our truck fully loaded (with recent purchases for the baby's arrival) and Ethan showing signs of napping, we took to the long road back home, under pouring conditions, making our way, slowly, back to Blue Ridge.
10 pm Sunday evening, and a truck full of things to unload, we were "home" at last. A very worthwhile trip.
For the U.S. Thanksgiving long weekend we took to the road to Tobacco Road. It was so good to be back in Durham (NC). With so many memories in this city - our first home, wedding, Ethan's birth, Kelly's residency at Duke (to name a few) - being back felt more like home than our current place of residence.
We left on Wednesday night (11/26) and split the road trip in two, staying overnight in Asheville, NC before continuing the next morning to Durham. The entire trip takes about 6 1/2 - 7 hours, which we felt would be too much for Ethan if driven continously.
Jessica offered her place for us to stay, even though she would be out of town visiting her family for Turkey Day in Baton Rouge, LA. Jessica would come back Friday evening and we spent all of Saturday together, which was great fun.
The average American consumes about 4,030 calories on Thanksgiving Day. I certainly managed that, if not the first evening, most definitely after the second, as we were treated to two Thanksgiving dinners! On Thursday we were hosted by the Kugler family (Eileen, Gary, and sons Jason and Jeff). Dinner was traditional - turkey, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy. On Friday, we were at the Mostaghimis residence for a Persian-American fusion dinner combining favorites such as khoresh-e-bademjan (persian eggplant stew dish) and oven-roasted turkey, and tadik (crispy persian rice) with sweet potatoes. Yuuuuuuuuuum! For the record I had seconds both evenings. Heaven! Oh did I mention there was shohlezard (persian yellow rice pudding)... darn, I want some right now.
Saturday with Jessica included breakfast at home (bacon and egg McJessica muffins, pancakes, Earl Grey, left-over shohlezard). We then went to the science museum, butterfly conservatory and insectarium where Ethan had a lot of fun roaming around and exploring. We were not alone, as it seemed every family in the area thought it was a good Saturday-after-Thanksgiving thing to do to take the kids to the science museum. We had to park across the street it was so packed.
Saturday evening we dined at Merlion. We ate Char Kway Teoh (Singaporean noodle dish), ginger beef, a tofu dish and honey glazed prawns. After Ethan was put to bed, Kelly, Jessica and I ended up talking until 2am, bringing back fond memories of our time at Duke/Durham.
But sadly our trip had to come to an end eventually. On Sunday, again Jessica made us some egg and bacon breakfast muffins. Kelly, Ethan and I went to the Baha'i Center while Jessica went to her church for Sunday service. The program at the Baha'i Center in Durham was on the topic of marriage and chastity. The discussions were lively, and the selected readings very thought provoking -- I know several friends of mine that would benefit from these Baha'i writings.
Some usual suspects were at the Center - Catherine Davis, Dilsey, Angelica, Parvaneh, Anyema and Sherlock, Shegund, Ayla, Lee Moavenzadeh, Daria, etc.. It was nice to see everyone, and so comforting to be the in the company of our former community members. Several other friends we knew ahead of time would be away this weekend which was a pity - including (but not limited to) Amani, Elyse, Nahal and others.
Lunch was had back at Jessica's (left-over Merlion food, left-over Thanksgiving meals Persian-Chinese-American fusion, and STILL left-over shohlezard :-D). Our truck fully loaded (with recent purchases for the baby's arrival) and Ethan showing signs of napping, we took to the long road back home, under pouring conditions, making our way, slowly, back to Blue Ridge.
10 pm Sunday evening, and a truck full of things to unload, we were "home" at last. A very worthwhile trip.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
4-Year Anniversary
Kelly and I celebrated our 4-year wedding anniversary on Friday 11/21 with dinner at Longhorns. Ethan was such a handful, so dinner was cut short, which was a shame. But food was good :-)
Monday, November 17, 2008
When Quiet Is O.K.
I rarely visit my own blog, let alone write an entry these days. And when I do make the infrequent presence to my blog it is usually to see if any comments need moderating/accepting and to read up on some of my friends' blogs. Often the case, my motivation to write comes from seeing some of my friends write -- so I encourage you all to keep up with your blogs, lest my own come to a screeching halt for good.
Well, the past few weeks have been hugely trying. Nothing that blog etiquette/management would allow me to divulge however. Sufficeth to say, life's many dramas are over-rated. And the once dreaded silence of normalcy and isolation I now invite with eager appreciation any day.
Yes, we were hoping dear friends of ours would be visiting this past weekend. In fact, it had been a trip planned for well over one year believe it or not. And still, it was not meant to be, for last minute decisions prevented such from finally taking place, and we must now be content with a hopeful reunion in the spring.
If it happens, it happens. Yes, our disappointments we wore on our sleeves. And, yes, the thought of being with our lonesomes was worrying. But unsuspecting to me, this weekend was rather above average and quite satisfying.
We spent most of our time this weekend at home. No surprise there. It was cloudy and gloomy and wet outside, with the temperature hovering in the low 40s for the daytime and below freezing overnight. It is definitely wintery, making the indoor environment all the more inviting.
Kelly cooked this pork roll dish that she learned (how to make) from her mom not long ago. We did laundry. Ethan is doing fantastic with potty training now. He knows all his ABC's and is in fact "advancing" to the older class come December 5th! (not our insistance, but the preschool's director's suggestion to move Ethan up). All this means is that Ethan will be with 3 and 4 and 5-year-olds, instead of 2 and 3 year olds only. He is currently 2 years and 2 months old.
Kelly has never had an easy time with pregnancy. It was the same when she was carrying Ethan. Still, the past 3 or 4 days have been surprisingly uneventful. Could this be the end of nauseous feelings? Kelly is nearly 31 weeks, and so it is long "overdue" if this is the case. But I am not counting on it. I have always said that Kelly would have pregnancy-related sickness for the entire duration of her pregnancy. We are just thankful we get few-day-stretches like these where everything is just quiet.
Well, the past few weeks have been hugely trying. Nothing that blog etiquette/management would allow me to divulge however. Sufficeth to say, life's many dramas are over-rated. And the once dreaded silence of normalcy and isolation I now invite with eager appreciation any day.
Yes, we were hoping dear friends of ours would be visiting this past weekend. In fact, it had been a trip planned for well over one year believe it or not. And still, it was not meant to be, for last minute decisions prevented such from finally taking place, and we must now be content with a hopeful reunion in the spring.
If it happens, it happens. Yes, our disappointments we wore on our sleeves. And, yes, the thought of being with our lonesomes was worrying. But unsuspecting to me, this weekend was rather above average and quite satisfying.
We spent most of our time this weekend at home. No surprise there. It was cloudy and gloomy and wet outside, with the temperature hovering in the low 40s for the daytime and below freezing overnight. It is definitely wintery, making the indoor environment all the more inviting.
Kelly cooked this pork roll dish that she learned (how to make) from her mom not long ago. We did laundry. Ethan is doing fantastic with potty training now. He knows all his ABC's and is in fact "advancing" to the older class come December 5th! (not our insistance, but the preschool's director's suggestion to move Ethan up). All this means is that Ethan will be with 3 and 4 and 5-year-olds, instead of 2 and 3 year olds only. He is currently 2 years and 2 months old.
Kelly has never had an easy time with pregnancy. It was the same when she was carrying Ethan. Still, the past 3 or 4 days have been surprisingly uneventful. Could this be the end of nauseous feelings? Kelly is nearly 31 weeks, and so it is long "overdue" if this is the case. But I am not counting on it. I have always said that Kelly would have pregnancy-related sickness for the entire duration of her pregnancy. We are just thankful we get few-day-stretches like these where everything is just quiet.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Times Passing
I clearly do not have the time to keep up with this blog anymore. Sorry to all who still manage to check in on me from time to time .. only to see the same last entry for weeks at a time.
Part of my hesitation to write is due to the fact that I can no longer post any pictures on this blog (I have exceeded the allowable quota for memory) and so without some pictures, it really takes away from the journalistic or "publication" enterprise that I felt when I first decided to start my own blog.
So anyways, A LOT has happened since last entry. Not all recountable. I turned 30. Yay! Always fun getting older. Ethan turned 2! We had a party for him, and he was aware of things like "birthday cake" and "blowing the candle" -- still needed help on blowing his candle tho.
Mom and dad have been with us the past couple of weeks and are in fact going back to Canada this Saturday. They will surely be missed. It has been wonderful having them with us to celebrate Ethan's, mine, Dad's (and Babak's) birthday.
Dad has been so very busy working on a deck downstairs. The deck looks amazing (if only I could post pictures -- though I fully intend to post some on Facebook and perhaps link to this blog). I feel badly just how hard my dad has worked, but to be honest much of the work was self-inflicted, since my dad has many great ideas, or sees a deficiency that needs fixing or addressing quickly, and so the project has grown.
I can't wait until it (the deck) is stained and some screening has been put in place.
Kelly is 23 weeks into her pregnancy, and still feeling nauseous. Surely a record. Though I have a feeling for some weeks to come, if not the entire pregnancy, Kelly will not be feeling all that well. Sorry, Honey!!
And of course I just realized our pregnancy was never officially announced on this blog!!! Apologies to those who have not yet heard. I posted an announcement on Facebook several weeks ago. We are expecting a baby girl in January (14th is the due date).
Any suggestions for names?
Certainly by the time our daughter is born, I will have a new blog set up for the next phase and adventures of our family.
Part of my hesitation to write is due to the fact that I can no longer post any pictures on this blog (I have exceeded the allowable quota for memory) and so without some pictures, it really takes away from the journalistic or "publication" enterprise that I felt when I first decided to start my own blog.
So anyways, A LOT has happened since last entry. Not all recountable. I turned 30. Yay! Always fun getting older. Ethan turned 2! We had a party for him, and he was aware of things like "birthday cake" and "blowing the candle" -- still needed help on blowing his candle tho.
Mom and dad have been with us the past couple of weeks and are in fact going back to Canada this Saturday. They will surely be missed. It has been wonderful having them with us to celebrate Ethan's, mine, Dad's (and Babak's) birthday.
Dad has been so very busy working on a deck downstairs. The deck looks amazing (if only I could post pictures -- though I fully intend to post some on Facebook and perhaps link to this blog). I feel badly just how hard my dad has worked, but to be honest much of the work was self-inflicted, since my dad has many great ideas, or sees a deficiency that needs fixing or addressing quickly, and so the project has grown.
I can't wait until it (the deck) is stained and some screening has been put in place.
Kelly is 23 weeks into her pregnancy, and still feeling nauseous. Surely a record. Though I have a feeling for some weeks to come, if not the entire pregnancy, Kelly will not be feeling all that well. Sorry, Honey!!
And of course I just realized our pregnancy was never officially announced on this blog!!! Apologies to those who have not yet heard. I posted an announcement on Facebook several weeks ago. We are expecting a baby girl in January (14th is the due date).
Any suggestions for names?
Certainly by the time our daughter is born, I will have a new blog set up for the next phase and adventures of our family.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Elmo White Eyes
Ethan is slowly starting to put together three word sentences. This morning, he pointed to his plush Elmo's (nearly the same size as he is) eyes and said, "Elmo, white, eyes".
My little Noomsie is growing up. He still blabbers his own speach most of the time that no one understands. But every now and then, you get the feeling he is answering you with real words.
Ethan is getting better at counting from one to ten. He still hesitates to say "seven" and skips to eight, but I think more to tease me than anything. Right, Ethan? "seh-VEEN"
My little angel Noomsie.
My little Noomsie is growing up. He still blabbers his own speach most of the time that no one understands. But every now and then, you get the feeling he is answering you with real words.
Ethan is getting better at counting from one to ten. He still hesitates to say "seven" and skips to eight, but I think more to tease me than anything. Right, Ethan? "seh-VEEN"
My little angel Noomsie.
Exam Time Again
Kelly should be a few hours away from completing her Internal Medicine boards exam which started this morning. Good luck, Honey. I hope you packed enough for lunch and snacks. I am praying and thinking of you.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ushering In The 30's
Kelly turns 30 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Honey!!
Perhaps now Kelly will find comfort in answering the same question her many patients ask her: "How old are you anyways? [You seem too young to be a DOCTOR]", by replying: "Well, as a matter of fact, I am in my THIRTIES."
Congratulations, Honey. You know I am so very proud of you, and make it my personal duty to brag about you as much as I can on my blog. :-P
For Kelly's birthday, this morning, I bought a Chinese money plant in a nice white ceramic pot, with itty bitty black stones on the surface of the soil, and a band of bamboo around the pot (very asian looking plant/pot) to keep in her office. Dinner tonight will be at a local Italian restaurant called Cusina Rustica. This restaurant is family owned and operated, and in fact, it litterally feels (or is?) a part (extension) of the owner's home. Their hours of operation is only from 5-9pm and they have seating for about 20 people (or at least it seems this small/quaint the last time we were there).
Tomorrow will be the Tidman's annual summer Lake House party. It is expected to rain with scattered thunder storms starting at around noon. Still, I hope to pop in for a visit, and perhaps in the afternoon the family will go down to Atlanta for some shopping for Kelly, and activities for Ethan (Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc.. to which we have annual family passes that we rarely use).
Looking forward to soon join you in this decade milestone, Honey. (My 30th comes but a couple months later on September 23rd).
Perhaps now Kelly will find comfort in answering the same question her many patients ask her: "How old are you anyways? [You seem too young to be a DOCTOR]", by replying: "Well, as a matter of fact, I am in my THIRTIES."
Congratulations, Honey. You know I am so very proud of you, and make it my personal duty to brag about you as much as I can on my blog. :-P
For Kelly's birthday, this morning, I bought a Chinese money plant in a nice white ceramic pot, with itty bitty black stones on the surface of the soil, and a band of bamboo around the pot (very asian looking plant/pot) to keep in her office. Dinner tonight will be at a local Italian restaurant called Cusina Rustica. This restaurant is family owned and operated, and in fact, it litterally feels (or is?) a part (extension) of the owner's home. Their hours of operation is only from 5-9pm and they have seating for about 20 people (or at least it seems this small/quaint the last time we were there).
Tomorrow will be the Tidman's annual summer Lake House party. It is expected to rain with scattered thunder storms starting at around noon. Still, I hope to pop in for a visit, and perhaps in the afternoon the family will go down to Atlanta for some shopping for Kelly, and activities for Ethan (Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc.. to which we have annual family passes that we rarely use).
Looking forward to soon join you in this decade milestone, Honey. (My 30th comes but a couple months later on September 23rd).
Thursday, July 24, 2008
One Year In Blue Ridge
We have now been residents of Blue Ridge, GA for an entire year! In fact, July 16, the one year anniversary of our moving day, came and gone as uneventful as ever. Gosh, it really has not felt like a year. Looking back on this past year, it has certainly been a year of learning, and a lot of drama, mistakes, and a few friendships. Woo hoo, looking forward to the next year! Yee-Haw!! Though I joke, and in all seriously, it is a miracle we have not been lost in all the craziness. So many things to be grateful for indeed ...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Ethan Is 22 Months
Ethan turned 22 months this past week, and his mama turns 30 years on Friday. [sorry no pic as apparently I have reached my allowable limit for loading photos on this blog ... time to start another one?]
Ethan's speech is developing more and more each day, although for the most part we still cannot understand what he is saying. He can now put two words together with his more favorite sayings being "all gone" and "my car". His most favorite thing in the world right now? Cars. Every waking moment is "kah", "kah" - like a British person not pronouncing the letter "r".
He runs faster, and is starting to test his jumping abilities.
He can identify certain letters of the alphabet like "O" and "U" and "Q", among others. He can also count to ten. Well, sort of. He "skips" four and quickly says "five", does the same with seven for eight, but otherwise says the other eight numbers.
He weighs 24 pounds and his eating habits are still hit or miss. Oh well. What can you do?
Ethan's speech is developing more and more each day, although for the most part we still cannot understand what he is saying. He can now put two words together with his more favorite sayings being "all gone" and "my car". His most favorite thing in the world right now? Cars. Every waking moment is "kah", "kah" - like a British person not pronouncing the letter "r".
He runs faster, and is starting to test his jumping abilities.
He can identify certain letters of the alphabet like "O" and "U" and "Q", among others. He can also count to ten. Well, sort of. He "skips" four and quickly says "five", does the same with seven for eight, but otherwise says the other eight numbers.
He weighs 24 pounds and his eating habits are still hit or miss. Oh well. What can you do?
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
2,044!!!
I just posted a short video of my garden on YouTube and couldn't help but go back to my older video uploads of Ethan. One video, titled "Allah'u'Abha" has received 2,044 views! Hahaha .. I seldom check up on my videos to see if people are viewing them, since I only really post them on YouTube to then get the HTML code to embed the video on this blog. 2,044!!! In case we all forgot what this video looked like, I post it again here :-P
Mwah! (kiss) My noomsie.
Mwah! (kiss) My noomsie.
Georgia Garden 2008
[Debra H (back) and Deborah A (front), my two research study coordinators, assisting me with planting several baby plants one Friday early evening after work in May]
Spring in Georgia has meant a new season for gardening - my first in the Peach State. Experimenting with new perennial flowering plants, and having received several donated plants from my co-workers (everyone does gardening!) I have created this garden in the front of our house, that still needs a lot of work, but is growing like crazy. One thing that is certain is that EVERYTHING seems to grow to incredible sizes here in Blue Ridge - weeds and all. Hopefully this rings true with the plants I have carefully planted.
I planted Angel Trumpets, Gerber Daisies, Echinacea (and double-Echinacea), Carolina Jasmine, Cannas, Elephant Ears, Hibiscus, Ginger, and more. Having been known to get right to the planting and little with the planning (of where to place plants), I am not sure how the final blooming garden will look like.
But anyways, I include here a picture in the month of May when I first started clearing the garden bed and sought the help of two co-workers to help me plant some 200 baby plants and ornamental grasses. Also included (below) is a short clip of what the garden looks like, as of yesterday, a couple months after the garden was started. Some have grown rather quickly (Angel Trumpets, Bee Balm, etc..) while others are slower to develop and bloom (Echinacea, Ginger - not shown, etc..).
Will post updates probably towards end of this month or mid August and again towards the middle/end of summer in early September.
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