tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164433022024-03-07T16:32:41.758-05:00D-LogHannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-10554175342094315432011-03-28T16:31:00.002-04:002011-03-28T16:38:30.793-04:00SAVE EMAN EL OBEDI -- VICTIM OF RAPE BY GADDAFI MILITIA<div style="text-align: center;"><script type="text/JavaScript">
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</script></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-3232780361145262202011-02-19T11:51:00.000-05:002011-02-19T11:51:07.089-05:00I am A Proud Libyan!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/5458366555/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5458366555_8143d93329.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-86761502907634407502011-02-12T09:03:00.000-05:002011-02-12T09:03:04.252-05:00I am an Arab... A Proud Arab!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="" src="http://www.dregia.us/blog/uploaded_images/egypt2.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
For the first time, I am very proud to be an Arab and to associate myself with the Egyptians. The brave Egyptians took the whole world by surprise. Not because of the up-rise or their resilience in face of the tyranny alone, but because of the civility and peace seeking they have demonstrated to the world.<br />
<br />
The talk here on the news, talk shows, and analysis, is about that civility and awareness demonstrated by the Egyptians. Everyone is asking "How do we deal with Arabs that way?" Everyone is saying that those are not terrorists, blood-seeking, bomb-blaster, anti-west, etc. that we are used to perceive them as. Those are freedom-seekers, peaceful, democracy-seekers and they are just like us, think like us and act like us. More questions were about how does the US deal with their foreign policy that supported those dictators and helped them stay in power, when now there's a different kind of Arab that emerged, the young, ambitious, educated, calling on the world to support the democracy they have been preaching about.<br />
<br />
I was glued to the TV yesterday for hours while receiving the blood transfusion, and those were the questions echoed on all programs and channels.<br />
<br />
It's the Arab renaissance - the real elites are resurfacing... May the ripple continues! The youth are our future.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.dregia.us/blog/uploaded_images/egypttoon_custom.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-47002616462920960512011-01-30T09:29:00.003-05:002011-01-30T10:28:04.390-05:00Struck with Awe!<u><b>A Source of Pride:</b></u><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625937667498/with/5401148628/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5401148628_2c1cb3903c_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Proposing Project 100 with Panda Express Manager</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/school_home.aspx?schoolID=23" target="_blank">Whittier Elementary</a>'s 4th grade, Ahmed's class, is supporting the <a href="http://cancer.osu.edu/" target="_blank">James Cancer Hospital</a> for their community project. They have been collecting money to purchase links that cost a quarter each. They hook the links together and run them around the classroom and school as they grow. All proceeds go to the James. In the Fall, the kids and Nicole had a garage sale that we promised them whatever they make would be split three ways among them. Ahmed declared that he want to donate his to the James by buying more links at the school. And he did, bought about 80 links.</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another related project they have to work on is called Project 100, where each student picks a business and makes an agreement with them do donate a quarter of a specific thing they sell to the school's James fund. Ahmed picked Panda Express and their famous Orange Chicken dish. After meeting the manager yesterday, she recommended the idea of holding a Whittier Day at Panda Express where 20% of the day's sales will go to Whittier to support the James project 100.</div><br />
<u><b>Food for thought:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Recently, I recognized that friends want to help, but they don't know how. So, I came out of my cocoon and gathered those friends around me and opened my doors wide. All the ones I reached out for responded and showered me with their care and support, except for one dear friend that caused me some disappointment since I thought she would be the first.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the difficulties I shared with friends is having food for the family when I don't have the energy to cook. Cooking on Sundays has worked, but then it leaves me tired and drained for a couple of days, and I start the week on the wrong foot. In response, my friend Kathy rallied seven ladies, from her church community, who are willing to provide us food 7 days a week. I know some of those women, but others I don't know at all. Talk about caring for the members of the community and showing support and all. And some tell you that the American society lacks such values. In comparison to the Libyans I know locally, none has offered to help but for one close friend. So tell me, what makes a society civilized?</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Kathy, also, has been driving me around, going with me to chemo sessions, taking me to places I needed to go, having lunch together, mall visit, and bringing us delicious food. What a blessing to have such a caring friend!</div><br />
<u><b>Solidarity:</b></u><br />
<br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625919554906/with/5393344801/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5393344801_8f629ced8c_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My hair is falling in locks and it was driving me crazy. I decided to go and shave it off rather than deal with the emotions associated with seeing it fall that much. I was supposed to shave it on Friday, but then I did not receive my chemo on Thursday as was planned, for the second time in a row, because my blood count of white cells and platelets was very low. So I decided to shave my head on Thursday and I'm glad I did. I felt so good and relieved after shaving. I had so much anxiety and fear from being bald that was gone immediately after I shaved. I was worried about shocking people around me including the kids and coworkers. I was worried about putting people in awkward position when they see me shaved or with a wig. But the shave was not bad; actually I realized that it didn't change a thing in me, I am still the person I was before the shave and maybe a little stronger!</div><div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625919554906/with/5400585301/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5400585301_9aede34fa9_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Ahmed, Sol, and some of my friends vowed to shave their heads in solidarity with me. And the shaving started. It touched my heart and soul in a way nothing ever did! I love them for that and feel very lucky to have them and their support. I can lean on them for sure and learn from them!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">As a gesture, to include my kids in Lebanon more in my life, I sent a message to Anoos and told him about the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=327087&id=719287109&l=8d9e8147e4" target="_blank">Solidarity Cuts</a> project and that he may join if he'd like to show his support. He replied saying that he's growing his hair and don't want to lose it. That's the difference between children who grow up in the uncivilized world and those who grow up in the civilized world. I love all of my kids whether they choose to participate or not. Each has a special place and something that makes them special. For example, Anas is my first baby; he's the first to make me a Mama.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">There's so much to talk about, but I'd rather spend the time doing other things for now. Last thing worth mentioning is I got me 2 wigs to wear, in addition to my shaved look, and mess around with people's heads since both are very different. Have a look:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625919554906/with/5400585301/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5393943120_7ec8d8045b_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625919554906/with/5400585301/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5400583933_ee7f178a9d_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625919554906/with/5400585301/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5131/5401185194_abd3ec6d60_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-78364291429456732672011-01-11T17:15:00.001-05:002011-01-11T17:20:32.787-05:00Moments Gone By!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625802234708/with/5347393154/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5347275948_71da6a683e_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the 29th, the Sherry's hosted dinner for our family and the Apples. The three of us were neighbors where we still live. We kept in touch after they both moved. Moody, Luke and Conor were born 2 weeks apart each, and each has a completely different personality. We had lots of fun and lots of food!<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625802234708/with/5347393154/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5346664839_fd75e1b243_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>We also went to the Rec Center with the Kanouns and the kids did wall climbing and played other games, while us the mothers sat and chatted.<br />
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I took my sweet time wrapping the gifts before New Year's eve. It was fun; something I enjoyed doing. I even wrapped my own gifts that I bought myself :) The kids went ballistic in New Year's day tearing open their gifts. They were really happy to see that some items made it from their wish list. <br />
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<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625802234708/with/5347393154/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5347393154_64cb4d0dab_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tala's self-portrait with the locket</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Tala had a "Locket with Mom and Dad's pictures in it" on her wish list. And she got it. Jan, the family therapist, asked her before she got the locket (and she did not know she was getting it) what was her most precious possession. And Tala said "The locket with my parents' pictures!" That she didn't have yet! How can you resist that?! <br />
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On Tuesdays this quarter, Sol has an early class and can't take the kids to the bus, so he made arrangements with Nicole to come in the morning and take care of that. The first Tuesday after the break, Nicole showed up and this conversation took place:<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625802234708/with/5347393154/" target="_blank" title=""><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5347421692_030ebe581b_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><b><i>Ahmed: Nicole is here! Now my day is ruined!</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Nicole: The feeling is mutual, Moody!</i></b><br />
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<b><i>Ahmed: But you don't have any, Nicole.</i></b><br />
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You can't beat this guy with words. My friend Fatma used to say that my word is always ready at the tip of my tongue. I guess Ahmed takes after me in that lol<br />
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I was invited to a Libyan ladies only party for the New Year and I did go for a couple of hours. It was a good change. The New Year came upon us with a mixture of things. The doc changed my treatment, and I'm doing OK with it so far. I recently got tremendous support from family and friends that just energized me and transformed me emotionally and otherwise... Thank you dear ones!<br />
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We spent a good Holiday. Not doing much other than board games, movies, some swimming, ice skating, cooking, seeing friends. It was very relaxing and we all wished it lasted longer!<br />
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We ended the holiday with Tala's Step One Ballet Dress Rehearsal.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625802234708/with/5347393154/" target="_blank" title=""><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5347269836_728c00e43f.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a> </div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-82726548879666597062010-12-26T10:02:00.001-05:002010-12-26T10:09:46.529-05:00Food For The Heart, From The Heart!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625675643528/with/5293314854/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5293314854_79499b5b88_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, the best fun you could have is unplanned. The plan yesterday was to go with the Kanoun's to a dine-in theater, but the kids could not agree on the movie. And Christmas day is usually so boring here with everything, I mean everything, is closed, except for the movies and gas stations. So out of the blue came the idea of let's get together in our place and do Emgatta' (homemade Libyan noodles).<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625675643528/with/5293314854/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5292717663_d2418b7dae_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>It was interesting how it turned out and what coordinated teamwork it took to pull it together.<br />
<br />
- Dough recipe consultation with Fairouz live on Skype from Cairo<br />
- Making the dough by Sol<br />
- Cutting the noodles by Tala<br />
- Dry Gideed sent to us by mail from Sara and Adel in Cleveland <br />
- Gideed oil leftover from some gideed I made a while back<br />
- Fenugreek that my mother-in-law brought with her from Libya in 2000<br />
- Cooking the whole thing together by Suhir<br />
- The yeast for the bread came from the middle eastern store that was open but only had bulk yeast. The owner gave Sol enough to use for free <br />
<br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625675643528/with/5293314854/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5292722377_cac820f365_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Since stores were closed we had to find a solution for the bread. It was not my problem, so I went for a nap and left Sol to start making the dough. I woke up just about when the Kanouns were expected to arrive. I found Tala helping Sol with the noodles; bread dough is done and set aside to rise... I felt really good. Everything got taken care of without me lol<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625675643528/with/5293314854/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5293321876_cbbae872e5_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>The Kanouns arrived and Suhir was assigned the task of cooking the emgatta'. I relaxed on the sofa in the family room watching the busy bees in the kitchen and chatting away. It was fun not to have to do anything! After dinner, we had herbal tea with delicious magrood and ghrayba made by Sara, our niece, in Cleveland.<br />
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The emgatta' was out of this world... all gone!<br />
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All in all, it was indeed a Merry Christmas :)<br />
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The blessing of having family and friends... Priceless, for everything else, there's the plastic!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625675643528/with/5293314854/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5292724907_5e1f3ab0e4.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-45307446106765847502010-12-24T10:33:00.001-05:002010-12-24T11:15:14.951-05:00The Comings and Goings of Years!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625519361005/with/5280286240/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5203/5280285628_2d6d505348_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Monday was the annual Christmas caroling party at the Rigney's. It has become a family tradition of ours for 12 years now. We started Sol and I alone, then Moody joined followed by Tala 2 years later. This year, again, it coincided with the boy scouts super game. So Tala and I went to the Rigney's, while Moody and Sol went to the super games. I did not feel up to going, but did it for Tala who really wanted to dress up in her fancy dress and go. Later on, Ahmed and Sol surprised us by showing up at the party. Ahmed wanted to come so he split hi time between the 2 events. He even participated in the acting of <i>Twelve Days to Christmas</i> song.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625519361005/with/5280286240/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5279680961_1b2a16de8c_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>I was not feeling well, so I decided to go home and they continue the party. Sol wanted to us all to leave, but I insisted. I arrived home and few minutes later they walk in behind me. Ahmed would not stay while "Mom is not here and might need our help!" Tender, caring Ahmed.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625532545099/with/5284975505/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5284975505_7fc058b668_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>At the super games, he had to make a poster showing examples of a good citizen example is. He made one with four examples of being a good citizen: Toy Drive, Recycling, Being Fair, and Registering to Vote. They were all his ideas and activities he actually participated in, except for registering to vote, but he did go to me when I voted and I explained to him the registration and voting process and let hi push the voting buttons for me.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625532545099/with/5284975505/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5284969933_cc2c1e7efa_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>On Wednesday, Adel, Sol's Nephew, who is a grad student in Cleveland came to visit with his wife and four kids, Owayss, Mariam, Omar, and Aisha (cute Aisha). We wanted them to spend the night, but they were hesitant. It was the first time they visit and we meet, so we let them be. The kids had a lot of fun, playing and exchanging gifts. We had makaroona mbawkha that I made and magrood and ghrayba that they brought us. Mariam was crying and did not want to leave, and Tala wanted her to have a sleepover. Next time, we promised!<br />
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Afterward, I lied on the sofa to get some rest. Ahmed and Tala came and sat with me playing their DSi's to "keep me company" and "get me what I need". So sweet!<br />
<br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625532545099/with/5284975905/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5284975905_5c6180d8cd_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Yesterday, I got up at 6 am, had breakfast, then took a nice nap. Later the kids and I went out, put gas and air in the car--freezing my hands with thermal gloves, my feet, my nose and ears-- and went into the car wash. Off to the movies, we indulged in lunch and watched Tron in 3D... It was OK, but not great. The kids picked it and I didnot mind, just wanted to do it for them. I did not have a good day. I was so emotional, crying most of the time for no reason, looking around me and wondering how much longer is this going to last... I will miss my life when I go even though I'm not sure how could I "miss it" when I'm no longer there?! It is hard for others to understand what I'm going through, and it is hard for me to make them understand... It seems Tala and Ahmed are the closest to that--I take it as a blessing.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625519361005/with/5280284396/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5280284396_e6fdd587aa_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>The gifts for friends and teachers are done finally and gone their way. The family New Year's gifts are boxed but still need to be wrapped and put under the tree. Maybe today. I think we are supposed to visit friends tonight, but my chemo brain is confusing me! I'll have to call Fatma.<br />
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The last 2 weeks I have reconnected with very old friends of more than 25 years ago through Face Book. It's been very nice to catch up with them and pick up from where we left. I hope we keep the connection as they were part of my life as a child, tween, teen and beyond.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625501028343/with/5272647980/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5272647980_28aef9bd46.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-74741312939633778632010-12-14T14:20:00.006-05:002010-12-14T20:12:14.561-05:00Years of Milk and Degla<div style="text-align: justify;">Friday, December 10th, was the twelfth anniversary of our wedding party، which actually took place on a Thursday back in 1998. Hana's family drove from Benghazi and Derna, mine from Tripoli and Misrata. I left Columbus on the 8th, and we all met in Djerba, a Tunisian island near the border with Libya. Many details had to be arranged, and most were done in advance, thanks to the internet, the phone and credit cards! It turned out to be a nice party. It was unconventional in some ways, which means the guests focused most of their attention on us, not on each other. So there were no fights! In fact, everyone seemed to be having a good time. A lot of the people had not met one another before, that might have provided a little cover of anonymity... and a little inhibition went out the door. lol lol OK, this was a party that had my father-in-law on stage with the dance band, in the presence of my mother. That could never happen in the conventional setting. It is fun to reflect on our anniversary and look all the way back from the perspective of the present.</div><br />
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<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=16443302" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4hcs3p7h6IleVkozGEcYVEQTsI33idDa0mj-NiDF0tMEPjGXbBkKogUQuDVq7hCKGHeap5-U-ooHvXmniw5hayLQzeb-PTIqvDJMpO54tWufsGoBGN_ucuNMtLGhwXTsPUt6JA/s320/degla.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What about milk and Degla? Milk is clear enough. Degla is a date grown in North Africa and usually harvested in late fall. It has a delicate taste and texture and it appears translucent. Let me tell you a little background story that happened to me, also in Tunisia but on a different occasion. I was returning to my hotel one pre-noon, and I ran into a bus load of African tourists crowding the lobby. They appeared to be francophone tourists from sub-Saharan Africa, or as some Tunisians say, from "Afriqia el-Kahla"--black Africa. The receptionist, call him Hamza, was very busy trying to serve many people at once. As I wiggled my way through to the elevator, I greeted him with my usual (in Arabic) "Your day is milk, Hamza!" He glanced my way and swiftly replied, "No, today, it's Degla!"</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">How do you take Hamza's statement? Some might think it is a sort of racist statement. The metaphor could be variously interpreted, depending on the eye of the observer. But think of how it might be interpreted if I said (in English) "Your day is ivory," and he replied, "No, today it's ebony" There is no implied superiority or hierarchy of value, and that's how I now think of Hamza's statement now.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Life is not either black or white. It deals out light days and dark days, but even the dark ones can carry moments to be savored, moments when some light comes through. Those are the days of Degla. The others are the days of milk. The two complement one another very well! That's how I like to look at my years with Hannu, especially now as she fights cancer. Some days are bright like milk, some are dark, but like Degla they let some light through. Life is easier to swallow, if it can be viewed not as black and white, but as gratitude and hope, milk and degla.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Hana and I stayed at the Hasdrubal Hotel in Djerba. They put a nice basket of seasonal fruits for us to enjoy. What sticks in my memory the most is what we had for our very first breakfast: milk and degla.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The following is a little poem that I transcribed from an old tape I've had for many years. I don't know the name of the poet, I just know his voice! It hits on very traditional themes, and I hope it brings a smile to you, Hannu. May your darkest days be as sweet as degla. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/20/72104527_20e64f7304.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">نشبح طفلة بشناشنها، دبالج ومحابيب<br />
جت تدرج بشناشنها، دبالج ومحابيب<br />
نفسي مرضت بمحاينها، تلقوليش طبيب؟<br />
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عينك عين اجدي الفالي يقطّف في النوار<br />
يتريّع في البر الخالي وما يطيقش لحفار<br />
وغثيثك مهدود أحمالي فوق الصدر أسطار<br />
هيف قدامك وإلتالي كيد اللي ظفار<br />
والشفة كيف الفيلالي تحمار وتصفار<br />
ونياب مراصيف مجالي كاينهم جمار<br />
حبك في المكنون لجالي وقص الكبد اشطار<br />
مرضني وبهدل باحوالي وزاد عليا جار<br />
وحبك مايطيقوه رجالي غير أني صبار<br />
نشبح في الزين العلّالي اللي عمره ما صار<br />
ماتلبسش اللي عوالي ولا ناقص لسعار<br />
تلبس في اللي سومه غالي، شكشاك وماجار<br />
حوليها ماهوش جبالي، فضة من البازار<br />
وبلغتها من طبع العالي، فجرة بالمسمار<br />
لوكان تاخد واحد زوالي يستغنى في نهار<br />
تقول لوزة في عقاب ليالي حفلت بالنوار<br />
وتداعى تقول بنت الوالي في سوق العطار<br />
حاجة طابت في لظلالي لا صهدتها نار<br />
ولا صهدوها رياح قبالي وما ظهرت من دار<br />
وياما صور فيك العالي، شفة تقول زبيب<br />
طعمة ولذة للوكالي: دقلة إعداها حليب</div>Sulimanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09146402481170823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-75900869549100131002010-11-29T08:24:00.003-05:002010-11-29T08:37:31.436-05:00Prophets and Gender... Question of the Week!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625492158654/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5217294863_41a03d90d8_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we went to the <a href="http://www.columbusmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Columbus Museum of Art</a> (CMA). The kids were handed fragments of paintings had fun trying to identify the paintings the fragments belong to. We did some puzzles of paintings, read some, played some, and then off to Barnes and Nobles to check out some books.<br />
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Sol cooked bazeen for dinner. It was delicious. I have never tasted any bazeen like Sol's. The conversation around the dinner table was how Islam came about and how prophet Mohamed received the word of Allah and became so. We came to the part when Mohamed was greeted in Madina with the song "Tala'a al-badru", so I looked it up on you tube and played it. The kids liked it and listened to it many times.<br />
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Tala asked, "Are there any women prophets?" Ahmed was quick to answer, "Even if there were not, it does not mean that women do not do courageous things to our world!"<br />
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Late at night, Ahmed came to us and said that he could not fall asleep and wanted me to sing him that song again, Tala'a al-badru. I did and he went back to sleep. </div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-10210863877005160542010-11-27T11:13:00.017-05:002010-11-27T12:27:02.500-05:00A Wonderful Thanksgiving!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5211190105_74ce281691_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanksgiving was here on Thursday, and we're still enjoying the long Holiday. This year, we shared it with the Kanouns at our place. It was peaceful and nice. Everyone contributed something. The best contributions were from 3-year-old Yaseen, and Ahmed.<br />
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We went around the table for everyone to say what they're thankful for. Yaseen said, "I'm thankful for marshmallows!" Ahmed's contribution was a pie of his own creation. He formulated the recipe and made it from scratch (except for the pie crust which I made for him).<br />
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The food was delicious; the ducks out of this world... I'm still craving more, but there was hardly any leftovers--glad to say! Here's a snapshot of the menu--recipes coming soon to <a href="http://chezhannu.dregia.us/" target="_blank">Chez Hannu</a>:</div><br />
<div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5211817928_d6e4887b31_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Fruit and Nut Salad<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5211787870_610c87e251_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Cranberry Relish<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5211787160_2965a13ab4_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Pumpkin Relish<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5211188475_003304a4b6_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Pomegranate Roasted Sweet Potatoes<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5211189227_49e6624852_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Madras Cauliflower<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5211818176_5cbcb0f791_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Rice with Nuts<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5211188783_73a5ca5f89_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Roasted Ducks; Corn; Potatoes Casserole<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5211785768_6fe1a503ef_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Pecan Tart<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625352743227/with/5211787870/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5211185837_7750f56cbf_t.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="50" /></a> Moody's Pie</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<object classid="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B" codebase="http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab" width="640"> <param NAME="src" VALUE="http://www.dregia.us/blog/uploaded_images/Thanksgiving 2010-Medium.m4v.m4v"><param NAME="autoplay" VALUE="false"><param NAME="controller" VALUE="true"><embed SRC="http://www.dregia.us/blog/uploaded_images/Thanksgiving 2010-Medium.m4v" width="640"height="500"
AUTOPLAY="false" CONTROLLER="true" TYPE="video/quicktime"
PLUGINSPAGE="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/"> </EMBED> </OBJECT></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-41571242258188993202010-11-20T08:53:00.003-05:002010-11-21T12:04:39.507-05:00Stuffing Season!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625304917065/with/5191486091/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5191486091_6c2ab555c6_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year has gone by so fast! The Holidays are here already and that means the year is over. Eid al-Adha (meat Eid), in which most muslims stuff themselves with meat, just passed. And now we are getting ready for Thanksgiving in which most Americans stuff themselves with turkey. We are lucky that we observe both, though not the stuffing part!<br />
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We didn't do anything special this Eid. It was during the week with school and work as usual. Eid day, Moody dressed up in his dress shirt, ties dress pants, farmella (Libyan traditional jacket) and shanna (Libyan hat). I thought it was cute, but then he changed into a regular jacket to go to school with. Once he entered school, he took the hat off since they are not allowed in schools. The principal saw him and told him that he could keep it on for the occasion. He appreciated that.<br />
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The week before Eid was the end of the first school period and report cards were out and time for the teacher-parent conferences. We were pleasantly surprised, especially with Tala's, the quiet one. Her teacher started by saying, "Let me put it this way: Tala is always right!" Wow! Moody's teachers had a lot to say about him and how they love having him in the class. His home-room teacher said she enjoys the most having conversations with Moody in the hallway outside the classroom. Way to go kiddos! I am one very proud parent.<br />
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Planning and preparations started for Thanksgiving. At the same time, we're contemplating going for a second opinion on my case. It was recommended that we either go to New York or Houston. I'm hesitant... I'm just tired and want to be done. The nausea, fatigue and other side effects are interfering with my life and causing me to lose more weight (as if I have much left)... I just want to be done. This time I'm getting a 3-week break from chemo because of the holidays. Next visit, the doctor will look at the CT-Scan and recommend a way forward. I hope it is no more chemo for a while, though I doubt it.<br />
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<i>Think positive, change the tone</i>... Moody wrote this song and he's waiting for his cousins, Loui and Shatha, to bring sounds to it.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625430431288/with/5192084352/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5192084352_ef23d439cc.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-87522927263261808892010-10-29T14:49:00.005-04:002010-10-29T15:13:19.704-04:00Beggars Night... Beggars Week!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625142411051/with/5126494920/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/5126494446_6b1d0e0fb1_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I stayed home another week after Ayman's left, but then could not take it anymore and returned to work. People are puzzled why I go to work when I could rightfully take paid medical leave and stay home. They don't understand it or me. I need to be around people, I need to feel I'm useful accomplishing something and contributing something... That's all part of dealing with cancer, not let it alter your life tremendously though it's very inevitable!<br />
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<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625142411051/with/5126494920/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5126494920_ffb7727c70_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Yesterday, I had chemo, so the day was shut. We made it home around 6 pm just as Trick-or-Treat was starting. And the kids were ready, anxious, frustrated, and driving dear Nicole crazy. Moody was a werewolf and Tala a vampire. Moody went one direction to catch up with his friends and Sol had to go with him. Tala wanted to go the other direction so I had to go with her. I set the candy by the front door for beggars to help themselves and took off. It was cold...! And with gloves and all, my fingers were still cold and tingly. Cold sensitivity in the peripheries is one of the side effect to the chemo drug I'm taking. I'm wearing gloves at home with the heater on... Not complaining, just saying.<br />
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This is the second Halloween since my parents were here and observed it with us. Halloween time is so dear to my heart now because it reminds me of the time Mama and Baba were here.<br />
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<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625142660103/with/5126573788/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1077/5126573788_949a2f30e9_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Two weekends ago, the kids had a garage sale organized by Nicole. They made more than $70. Ahmed pledged all his proceeds to the <a href="http://cancer.osu.edu/redirect/Pages/index.aspx">James Cancer Hospital</a>. He's also participating in a school project called <b>Project 100</b>, in which students are encouraged to get sponsored by local businesses to collect at least $100. For example, if a restaurant sells a certain dish, the student is proposing they donate 0.25c to <b>Project 100.</b> All proceeds will go to the <a href="http://cancer.osu.edu/redirect/Pages/index.aspx">James Cancer Hospital</a>. How nice and enriching for the kids' development! That's building a civil society 101!<br />
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<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625267400458/with/5125895229/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/5125895229_4c325a44a7_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Parents' observation at <a href="http://gen-pac.com/index.php">Generations</a> was last week, I think. Walking out of the studio, we ran into one of Moody's teachers from school. Moody immediately told him "No one in school should know about this!" lol Although he's in all-boys classes, Boys Hip-Hop and Boys Tap, it is still a taboo to dance... Boys!<br />
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Things are getting to be a routine in a way, but other things are popping up to cause some chaos and throw us off the routine. I've been cooking diligently for the last 2 weekends and we've been eating a decent variety of meals all week. Check <a href="http://chezhannu.dregia.us/">Chez Hannu</a> for my recipes.<br />
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<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625267425436/with/5125971363/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/5125971363_1016e114d9_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>The kids are doing well in school. Moody is liking to use "Ahmed" on all his assignments and where he needs to write his name, and likes to be called that, which is nice. Actually, I call him Hamood, Mood, Ahmed more than Moody.<br />
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Tonight, Tala is performing with Generation in Midnight Madness in Uptown Westerville. Tomorrow, Ahmed has tryouts for the basketball Bantam League; Tala has the girls' group with Jan; Later, she has Big Sister, Li'l Sister at Generation; Moody has to sell more popcorn for the boy scouts; I have to return a pair of boots and make a hair appointment. And this weekend, I have to pay the bills... hate'm!<br />
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Now I have to go sort through piles of paper from school, dance, and the community! Where the heck did all the candy go? I just need a piece, but there's none to be found from what the little beggars brought! </div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-66550391968114356442010-10-28T21:42:00.001-04:002010-10-29T14:07:01.613-04:00Ayman's Clan Gonzo!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625267331068/with/5052050634/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5052050634_6e6dc182c5_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ayman and family left almost a month ago now. It took us all a while to adjust to not having them here, especially li'l calbooz 3amo 3asem! Just love him. Of course sweet Safoo too, who did her best to learn English and communicate--she did a good job of that. It is sad that they left and we don't know when we'll meet again. But hey, this was the first time the families met... so it's a huge accomplishment. <br />
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I met Ayman's first in September of 2009 during a business trip to Europe. The kids now run to the phone when they see Ayman's number in the caller ID. Before they met them, they wouldn't and sometimes they would refuse to talk to them. I didn't blame them; they didn't know them or relate to them in any way. But now, they talk about them fondly; they keep bringing up things that was said or done with them, they talk joyously about them--That alone makes me ecstatic!</div><br />
We miss you guys, come back soon... Puhulease!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157625142463921/with/5052295552/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5052295552_117ba89c20.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-87936795024120670892010-09-18T10:08:00.002-04:002010-09-26T20:54:29.894-04:00Snippets - 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="IMG_8076" height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5001291714_2b7cabd70e.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /> </a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5001289164_d4c76faf25_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="240" /></a></div>At long last, Ayman et. al. are here. It's been a long awaited visit. Here I was waiting for them anxiously at the airport. Everyone is warming up gradually. Rahimo is the one who held a strong front the longest. He would only deal with Moody, no one else. But today, the smiles and naughtiness is being spread to everyone.<br />
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Yesterday, they all accompanied me to get my treatment. I spent the whole day dozing being drugged. But for some reason I feel good today. It's true, emotional state plays a lot if fighting cancer. I noticed the day they were supposed to arrive good things have been coming our way, including money :) I'm holding my breath for a miracle :)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pictures I love:</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5001289826_41f2216f23_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5000689857_bb2b312457.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5001290644_d152a2edf9.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624856536361/with/5001289164/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img height="375" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5000693307_32255dff5a.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-10001104830949184722010-09-14T18:26:00.004-04:002010-09-14T21:07:27.382-04:00Eid, Come Back!<div style="text-align: justify;">Eid was wonderful. The kids stayed home and didn't go to school. They went to the mosque instead with Sol; their first time. I went and had coffee with Nadia and Eman. Sol had a couple of black hens roaming around him in the morning, but we managed to shush them away before noon.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the day was spent with the Kanouns. So the kids agreed to do the Toys'R'Us trip on Saturday. Happy with the iMac, I made a slideshow of the Eid, actually 2. I'll stop here as they tell the whole story.</div><br />
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</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-21810997734079298922010-09-14T17:20:00.003-04:002010-09-26T20:57:02.678-04:00Blame it on Nicole!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157610240496411/with/3063696173/" target="_blank" title=""><img height="240 style=" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3063696173_c0325747cb_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nicole, or Jennifer officially, has been with us for years. We've probably known her for more than 5 years now. She's become part of our family, witnessed our ups and downs, cried with us, laughed with us, cared with us... You name it. She knows our friends and even family from Libya she has not met yet.<br />
<br />
Lately, she's become the scapegoat for anything and everything that goes wrong or goes missing in the house. If Sol asks about his keys, the answer would be "Nicole must have hidden them." If I question a misplaced or disorganized thing, the answer would be "Nicole made me do it." So now I don't bother asking the kids, even on weekends, I would text or call Nicole to ask her directly. I do but jokingly, and she takes it well.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157609011030761/with/3027307595/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/3027307595_a653f3faf4_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="240" /></a></div>Now let's dissect Nicole a little further.<br />
<br />
Her strongest point is finding valuable coupons and good deals. She would take the kids out for a hearty, delicious lunch for free or for $2.99 all tops! What tops that is her ability to plan activities and keep the kids busy. She is awesome when it comes to that. Very creative and talented. and does it at little cost. The outings and activities she usually plans are very educational as well as fun, to name a few, museums, baseball games, putt-putt, beach, COSI, ZOO, parks, etc.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157608614438060/with/2995581822/" target="_blank" title=""><img height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/2995581822_a3c41f5354_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="240" /></a></div>Her weakest point is talking. She is so quiet lol Actually, "motor mouth" is a good way to describe her. Ask her a question or just say hi and you could be in a conversation that might take 20 minutes or so. Everyone that meets her, that's the first thing they notice about her. But hey, that's what makes her Nicole, right? Funny, Tala lately has been questioning my quietness as if she just noticed it. She's another motor mouth in our house. She's been asking me, "Why are you always quiet? Why don't you talk much? Are you OK? Do you have a headache?" I told her, I've always been a person with few words since my youth, but I don't think she comprehends that some people could be quiet by nature.<br />
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<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157609011030761/with/3027307595/" target="_blank" title=""><img height="180" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3646913541_7106868149_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="240" /></a></div>The kids enjoy a very unique relation with Nicole. It's a I-love-you-but-don't-love-everything-you-make-me-do kind of relation. One day they'll be pushing her to leave as soon as we come home, the other thay'll be asking if she can come on the weekend. It's like can't be with you, can't be without you kind of thing.<br />
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From our perspective whatever little organization and peace of mind we have at home we owe a big deal of it to lovely, caring Nicole! So here goes a tribute to Nicole Jennifer Briggs. (snicker)</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-10725482947320091032010-09-13T09:19:00.001-04:002010-09-13T09:28:08.533-04:00رسائل لبابا، 5<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/3100456234/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3100456234_78d4e78b82.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="375" /></a></div><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: justify;">خيرات يا بابا،<br />
<br />
مرت فترة على آخر رسالة، ومهما كان البركة في التلفون ولكن الرسائل لها طعم آخر. في السنوات الأخيرة أصبح تمكني من الإنجليزية أحسن من العربية وأجد الكتابة بها أسلس و أسهل. ولكن أكتب هذه الرسالة بالعربي حتى تقرأها ماما أيضاً فهي لكما الإثنين.<br />
<br />
بدأت أمس بتصفح بعض الصور من زيارتكم لنا في 2008 أنتهيت بمشروع ترتيبها في ألبوم. بدأت هذا بالبكاء لإشتياقي إليكم ولأن زيارتكم كانت مقرونة بمرضي وتلك الفترة العصيبة. ولكن بعد فترة وجيزة بدأت بالإبتسام مع كل ذكرى أو موقف تمثله هذه الصور. كان تمرين جد شيق ومشحون عاطفياً--بطريقة جميلة. أخذ من وقتي على الأقل 7 ساعات... تلهية كنت بحاجة ماسة إليها.<br />
<br />
ثم تذكرت أنكم لم تأخذوا معكم أي صور، وخطر لي حينها أن زيارتكم مربوطة في ذهنكم أيضاً بتلك الفترة العصيبة، صورة تطغى على ما كان جميل فيها. لذا قررت أن أرتب كل الصور في ألبوم وأبعثها لكم، حتى تعوا ما أثر زيارتكم لنا في حياتنا وكم كانت مهمة وثرية بذكريات لا تعوض ولا يجب أن تنسى أو تحجب. صورجميلة للحظات أجمل. كفاية جمعتنا على مائدة العشاء التي كانت بالكاد تسعنا وتسع مالذ وطاب من إيدين ماما، الله ما يحرمنا منها ولا من إيديها ولا من نفسها الطيب في الطبخ. وكذلك سهرتنا على الشاهي ولعب الورق وغيرها مع الأحفاد.<br />
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ختاماً، ترقبوا الألبوم وتأكدوا أنه سيجلب لكم الفرحة والبهجة والسرور... وراحة البال والهناء. وكما أتمنى أن يكون حافز لتعيدوا الكرة.<br />
<br />
والسلام للجميع،<br />
هنو<br />
13سبتمبر، 2010</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-40832235948254141292010-09-04T09:27:00.007-04:002010-10-01T18:39:46.805-04:00Sweet Loli, Sweet Life!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624751731351/with/4956344603/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="IMG_8033" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4956344603_7fb1990bff.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week Tala started talking about having a slumber party for her birthday on Friday the 3rd. Finally I made the invitations using <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/4956342919/in/set-72157624751731351/" target="_blank">her picture with the hibiscus flowers</a> for the card. That was Tuesday. On Wednesday, I called Sheri from Delicacies by Sheri and shared the card with her for ideas on cupcakes instead of a cake. She suggested to make hibiscus flower cup cakes and some iced cookies. On Friday, I went to the party store to get some goodies and decorations. Guess what! I found a whole theme of hibiscus flower. Lucky Loli; that was not even planned.<br />
<br />
She invited 5 girls; 4 showed up. They had fun. We watched Camp Rock 2. All 5 of us girls cramped on the sofa! And when the song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIDWjilzuSw&feature=related" target="_blank">"It's On"</a> started, all girls and Moody stood in front of the TV singing along and dancing along. It was amazing; they knew all the lyrics and the dance moves... Kids of the 3rd millennium!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624751731351/with/4956344603/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="IMG_8037" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4956936648_b87aa58d58_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the movie, they decided to have a round of nail polishing. And I joined them :) I have one hand silver, the other glittery pink, one foot red, the other glittery burgundy. When they had their fill of that, we went back to the basement and watched <i>Princess Diaries</i>. I went to bed at around midnight and woke up later after 2 am to find them still chattering and playing in the basement. The girls liked having Moody around. Well, they know him from school. They kept saying that he made the party more fun!<br />
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<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="225" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=d801753f1d&photo_id=4956455659"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=d801753f1d&photo_id=4956455659" height="225" width="400"></embed></object></div>On Thursday, I went for my 3rd round of chemo. It did affect me terribly this time. My fingers get numb, even my throat does when I have a cold drink. I was drowsy, disoriented and hated it. The doc switched me from Zoloft to another anti depressant that has dual action. It treats depression and helps with the early onset of menopause caused by chemo. <br />
<br />
Friday morning I took the kids to the bus stop. That made them and me happy. It's a new year. I'm impressed with Tala and her organization of her school belongings. And Moody is on top with his homework and doing well. I hope they keep it up the whole year.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624751731351/with/4956344603/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="IMG_0022" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4956443323_353cc4b393.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="374" /></a></div><br />
When is it going to be Wednesday?!</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-77262074341195729182010-08-29T19:36:00.003-04:002010-08-29T20:06:33.593-04:00Oh, The Fun!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623997907465/with/4934659386/" title="Butterfly @ the Dregias"><img alt="Butterfly @ the Dregias" height="354" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4934659386_95cfbbf02c.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started today by paying the bills... a painful chore no matter what! After that, the plan was to tidy up Tala's room, the kids' bathroom, and the guest room. I told Sol that it would not take long; it's basically just organizing the closets. Could I have been any wronger--if there's such an expression?! By the time we finished, I was so depressed and still am. Oh, the junk, the trash, the mess... My goodness--I still can't get over it! I don't think I was that messy or that destructive when I was the kids' age. But, of course, that's for my parents to attest to. Part of the mess is because I have not laid a hand in those areas since I got sick--two freaking years!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Straightening the linen closet, I could not figure out what was clean and what was not. So, I'm in my umpteen laundry load now! Oh, what fun!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To add fuel to the fire, I finally got to make a round on my garden yesterday. What a disappointment. We had long hot dry period that coincided with my treatment, which prevented me from tending to the garden. The cucumbers are all on the ground, about 10 or so, rotten; the basil is all dead; the mint is all dry; most of the flowers are not doing well at all; my beautiful double-stud rose bush is dry and not blooming anymore! And to add more fuel... Sol decided to spray the weed and it happened to be just the weed near my plants and flowers... Ugh!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I worked on the garden yesterday and today. I cut down a lot of the dry, dead stuff and fed the plants. Not sure if things will revive, but it's a try.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only thing that makes me feel a little better is the photo above that I took on Friday. While driving into the garage from work, I spotted this beautiful butterfly fluttering by the flower pot by the front door. I managed this snapshot. Just beautiful!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-62528074503515325272010-08-27T07:21:00.003-04:002010-08-27T07:24:06.191-04:00New Beginnings!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" height="225" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=e1634d6f59&photo_id=4931914628"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=e1634d6f59&photo_id=4931914628" height="225" width="400"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the password hint in my computer. The kids have tried everything they could think of to figure out the password puzzle to no avail!<br />
<br />
Yesterday was Tala's 8th birthday. She had a good time. Baked cupcakes with Nicole the day before and took them to school to share. Later we went to Toys'R'Us for gifts and ended up with dinner at Brio, It was delicious, Gorgonzola crusted lamb chops!<br />
<br />
<br />
Monday, Generations dance classes started. It will be a busy year for us with Tala in 4 dances, Moody in 2, and Sol in 1. Wednesday, was the first day of school. The kids are happy and excited to be back... It's about time!<br />
<br />
There might be new beginnings at work, I hope! And hopefully more good news with my health after this cycle of treatment. The chemo is getting to me!<br />
<br />
This post reminds me of the first post on out blog when we started it in 2005, Here it is:<a href="http://blog.dregia.us/2005/09/first-day-in-many-ways.html"> First day... in many ways!</a><br />
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Everyday is a first day for something, and there's always a first to everything... So here goes to new beginnings! Keep guessing the passwords kiddos; you will never get it!<br />
</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-31946867350044910852010-08-20T11:38:00.005-04:002010-08-20T11:57:37.500-04:00What Cancer Can't Do<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624023366934/with/4591381399/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/4591381399_3beaea78ee_z.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cancer is so limited,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot cripple love,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot shatter hope,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot corrode faith,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot eat away peace,</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot destroy confidence,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot kill friendship,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot shut out memories,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot silence courage,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot invade the soul,</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot reduce eternal life,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">It cannot quench the Spirit,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Our greatest enemy is not disease but despair,</span></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">That makes us feel so deprived of divine love and guidance!</span></i></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-24924917566270497222010-08-15T15:39:00.001-04:002010-08-15T17:59:47.123-04:00Welcome Back, Chaos!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623997907465/with/4890872402/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4890872402_11030c418f_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #666666;">Fruits from my garden!</span></em></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.westerville.k12.oh.us/school_home.aspx?schoolID=23" target="_blank">School</a> starts next week, August 25th. <a href="http://gen-pac.com/" target="_blank">Generations</a> starts next week, August 23rd. Tala's birthday is next week, August 26th. All day today, I've been filling forms: school forms, sports forms, dance forms, medical-leave forms, insurance forms; and populating the electronic calendar with all sorts of important days and dates. We will be at Generation 4 days a week this year. And, oh yeah, what do I do with my days? Nothing, I just sit on my bahookie ordering people. For example, I was ordering people all day long today and enjoyed hearing everyone give me the typical "Why me?" I finally got to stop ordering people and did something useful--for a change. I prepared myself a delicious falafel sandwich. And BTW, it's almost 2 pm and my last meal was around 8 am, and I am supposed to have about 6 meals a day to stop losing weight. Well, who cares... or more of who thinks it's important!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm spearheading a Eid potluck at work. I visited this middle eastern catering place yesterday to make arrangements and had my fill of tasting their yummy food. I could not resist but come back with loads of food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It is time to revive <a href="http://www.tibra.org/" target="_blank">Tibra</a>. I asked Sol last night "How do I recruit people to help with Tibra? I need a website designer, a developer and an administrator. Do I make an announcement in the Libyan sites?" Here's how the conversation went--or more <em>died</em>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<em>Sol: No, it won't work.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Hannu: So, how do I do it?</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>So: Just let it go. You don't have the time and there's no input to Tibra from anywhere. You can't do it alone.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Hannu (eyes foggy with tears): But I can't let it go! It is my worth. Tibra is part of what I'm worth.</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I stopped there when my eyes welled up and tears started streaming down! I hate it when I know there's so much I can do, but feel my hands are tied and need to depend on external factors to accomplish what I want. I'm disappointed how Tibra took to a halt with my ailment. I hate it that people still associate me with Tibra and still praise me for the work I do through Tibra, even though I have not done anything in 3 years! Maybe Tibra has a guardian angel that will reach out to me before it's too late?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://cancer.osu.edu/waystogive/cancer_advocacy/policymakers/patienttestimony/pages/index.aspx" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://www.dregia.us/blog/uploaded_images/Bernie_Speyer.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" /></a></div>The other day at the James', I sat across a huge sign with Bernie Speyer's picture and his quote <em>"I'm having a good time with life. I've learned to accept my role, find pleasure in my blessings and take advantage of my opportunities." </em>Bernie is the #1 famous Buckeye fan... Real famous! You may read more about him here: <a href="http://cancer.osu.edu/waystogive/cancer_advocacy/policymakers/patienttestimony/pages/index.aspx" target="_blank"><em>For more than 65 years, the Buckeye football team could count on Bernie Speyer’s support. Today, Bernie counts on the Buckeyes.</em></a>I love his quote so much that I posted it on my Facebook and on my office door at work. Partly because it resonates with me, and partly because some people from work and outside wrote me off already as dying if not dead. Some people come across that way, even though they have the good intentions and just trying to be nice and sympathize. But I don't need sympathy, and I definitely do not need people to be nice to me, or to treat me differently, because I am sick. Sick people are humans, they make mistakes, they could be nice at times, and they could be as mean as could be at other times. If I was a jerk to someone, I want them to still consider me a jerk and hate my guts unless something I did or said convinced them otherwise; not because something happened to me. Sick or not, I am who I am!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/4894889234/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank" title="Hannu by dregias"><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4894889234_f81dd9bd4f_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div>I repeat after Bernie...<br />
<br />
<em><strong>I continue to find pleasure in my blessings and take advantage of my opportunities.</strong></em> <br />
<br />
And I will continue! <br />
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Kudos to Bernie, Kudos to me... Yes, I believe in me! Repeat after me... <span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">☺</span>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-91182688446189562322010-08-02T07:08:00.001-04:002010-08-02T07:09:38.459-04:00"You Gave Me Life!"<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624635888544/with/4852432391/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4852432391_9218e0030c_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="180" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last couple of days brought us more challenges to face and deal with. The first concerns my health, the other is some turmoil in my branch in Lebanon that we had been asked to resolve. I've been thinking about the trend in my life lately... It's so rich and busy, if you want to call it that! And I've been thinking about Sol and how his life turned 180 degrees from before he met me... and my baggage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were having our evening talk yesterday, and I was sharing with him what I felt. I told him that I don't know what to say, could I say I'm sorry for my ailment, I'm sorry for having kids from a previous marriage? Of course not! How could I be sorry for something out of my control, and how could I be sorry for having Anas and Juju. But still, I feel bad and I feel guilt that I brought all this onto him. And I said, "Look what I brought you. I'm sick, you have to take care of me, the kids, and everything. And you have to deal with the problems arising from my past." He answered me, "You brought me life!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love you, Suliman Ahmed Dregia... <em><strong>You</strong></em> gave <strong><em>me</em></strong> life!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624635888544/with/4853052774/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4853052774_59b4a15599.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="500" /></a></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-84093155675591932422010-07-31T09:33:00.008-04:002010-07-31T11:54:05.221-04:00Things That Make Life Fun!<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624496591511/with/4845616503/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4845616503_57ea2d3380_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tala is at her friend Hannah's for a sleepover. She left yesterday and will be coming back today. Her room is empty... I found myself checking it out yesterday after I got back from work and first thing when I woke up this morning. Moody misses her--on his own way. He was flipping through the TV channels last night and said that he misses Tala because she would be yelling at him for flipping through the channels! I say he misses the feedback loop and the enjoyment of success at bugging someone! What is it with men/boys and constantly flipping through channels? Hmmm? Some research needs to be done in that area. Tala finished her cheerleading camp this week, and Moody is starting sports camp next week.</div><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624446538031/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4823386379_6b8185dce5_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The kids are enjoying their summer which is coming to an end soon... We need to start buying school supplies and not leave it for the last minute like we do every year. By then, we'd have a difficult time finding everything they need. The stores are already stocked up with school supplies.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Moody decided he wants to do dance at Generations this year. He refused last year (boy's mentality) but actually missed being part of the recital and all the fun so he decided to join this year. Tala wants to do Step One which is competition dancing. That will require a lot of commitment on her end and I hope she can make it. It will be good for her from the physical activity perspective and also the discipline that comes along with participating in such things. And yes, we are definitely signing Sol up for the Father's Dance this year... he he he that would be lots of fun!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Mentioning Sol, he's been in pain for the last 2 days. On Thursday, he twisted his back emptying the pool in the yard... Poor old man! And talking about backs, I've been having back pain for a couple of months. I was able to correlate it to the fact that I sit with my legs crossed all the time. I bought me a footrest for the office, and it worked. No back pain till around 5 PM. That reminded me of my days at the bank in Lebanon. My manager, Lamin Shallouf bless his soul, was so generous with his staff. He provided us with all the comforts we need in the office, including footrests, monitor filters, etc. Here, you have to buy your own even a space heater to make your office temperature tolerable in the summer!</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623601792087/with/4473202068/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4473202068_c1b188b56e_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="173" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My nephew, Mido, Nahla's son, had a surgery this week. He got his tonsils removed (I used to call them utensils ha ha ha) and a hernia repaired. Poor little Mido. He's doing well though. When I asked him "What did the doctor do to you?" He said "Ta7leel" (blood work or tests). Oh, and he refers to Tala as the butterfly. After seeing this picture of her, he is convinced that she is a butterfly... fluttering by. I can't agree more... She is my butterfly that eases my worries and pain away!<br />
<br />
Nahla told me today that my voice and way of talking is exactly like Mom's. It's funny when you're younger, you wish you end up nothing like your mother, but you reach a certain age and it makes you feel good to be told that you look like her or sound like her!</div><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624621307202/with/4846228388/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4846227688_53f86845d0_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm compiling my bucket list--in my head. I need to write it down and start implementing it and crossing things off. Oh, the other day, Moody woke up, came downstairs to the kitchen, said good morning to me and then added, "Mom, you know how people have a will?" At first, I thought he meant well. When I asked him what about it. He said, "You know they write the will so when they die people will know what to do with their things. Are you going to write a will?" Pure, innocent, practical... That's my boy! lol I told him that I was actually talking about it to Sol the other day and told him that I need to write a will... I will, very soon.</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624621307202/with/4846228388/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/4846228388_5c576b98a3_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend was hot and humid. I managed to convince the gang to go for a hike in Sharon Woods. We did. We four walked the outer 4-mile trail, about 6.5 km. We were all sweaty and hot, but it felt so so good! Wrapped it up with cold showers and watermelon.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I submitted a short-term disability claim yesterday at work. I'm going back under intense chemo for 3 days every 2 weeks for about 8 weeks. So I'll be taking those 3 days off from work. Some people tell me that I should quit my job and just enjoy life. I find it hard to explain that I love my job, it's part of my life and it makes me feel good.<br />
<br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623997907465/with/4823498257/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4823498257_f6f0f03fd4_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="240" /></a></div>I stepped out the front door first thing this morning to check out my flowers--a daily ritual. I was greeted by a flock of birds moving between the cherry tree by the house and the tree in the middle of the front yard and chirping away! It was a delightful sound... a delightful good-morning wish! Here's a picture of a huming bird I caught the other day hovering over the flowers. We'd seen it more than once around the same flower plant. So beautiful!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I miss my parents, my sisters, and my brothers... I really really want to see them and be with them again!</div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16443302.post-91589842277653939222010-07-18T09:55:00.021-04:002010-07-18T16:48:26.929-04:00Summer Breeze!<div style="text-align: justify;">I decided that there could never be a favorite season of the year. I used to flip-flop and change my preference with the dawn of every season declaring it my favorite. So to be fair, I hereby declare all seasons to be equal... or equally favorite, unique, pleasant, refreshing and I love them four! This summer has been very pleasurable... Brought us so many pleasures and heartwarming gifts.</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624402746411/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" height="320" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4804262325_acaa842e5f.jpg" style= width="244" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Walid, my bro, had a girl in June 27th. Him and Manal delegated naming her to me. I felt honored and privileged and... loved! But, there was worry with that as well. I worried that Manal might have a name that she wanted for her first daughter. I worried that they might not like the name I pick. They insisted, so I offered them the name <strong><em>Nissma</em></strong> which means <strong><em>Breeze</em></strong> in Arabic. Nissma has been one of my favorite girl's names. It became more so after coming to the US and feeling and enjoying the breeze we get almost year round in Ohio (except for the frigid winter of course!)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">So, <strong><em>Nissma</em></strong> she is. And that's what she brought with her. For a whole week after she was born, we were blessed with a delightful, pleasant breeze.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Being the gift-giving lover I am, I got her a pearl set--her birth stone. I mailed it to Ayman who was going to Libya before she turned 1 week old. Even though the package was guaranteed to be delivered in 2 days, it did not make it to Germany till after 16 days and Ayman was already in Libya! Oh well, it will eventually make it to Libya.</div><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624402357051/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4804718608_811e994773_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another important milestone this summer was Moody's first camping experience. He went camping with the boy scouts for 4 nights and 5 days. Sol was stressing out worrying that Moody was not ready and that some things would go wrong. I did not. I kept telling him that he'll be fine and that he'll only learn things from that experience. Last Saturday was family day at the camp. Moody came running to greet us; he was so happy and excited. He hugged Tala and was picking her up off the ground... basically swept her off her feet lol. Each pack performed a skit and then adults and kids competed in archery for a watermelon. No, Sol did not win the watermelon! All the kids were happy and excited to have their families, but by the time the families were leaving there was a major meltdown... The boys wanted to go home with their families. We thought next time they better make family day the last day of camp instead of during camp. Sweet boys!</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624527054522/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4804101181_4afab116c5_t.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another major event worth documenting is Tala's doing. She decided to fix her eyebrows and she literally shaved a lot of them off with the scissors. When asked why she did it, she said "Women fix their eyebrows!" When I told Sol, he started getting worked up about it. So I asked him, "Remind me, who in your family did that?" He answered, "Seddig (his bro) and his son Samy." I said "It's genetic, runs in the family!" Case closed!</div><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-right: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623997907465/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4804107073_15b8d52881_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What else? Oh, the garden is flourishing and is looking--and smelling--stunningly beautiful to say the least. The hibiscus bloomed gorgeous humongous pink flowers as large as Tala's head! I'm definitely planting more next year. The stargazers bloomed this week, another must-plant-more next summer! The veggies are growing like crazy. The cucumber plant is spreading in all directions and holding on to other plants around it. We have to keep cutting it down. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and corn are full of fruits. The basil, lavender and mint are so fragrant and full; they please the eyes and the nostrils. Tala is experimenting with making a perfume out of their leaves.</div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157624402357051/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4804092043_7e6c7a6da9_m.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Baba has been happy and excited recently. He received the first 2 copies of his new book. I encouraged him to start the next one and suggested it to be his biography. He's had a rich life that shaped and spanned many major events and turning points in Libya's history. He was influential and instrumental in shaping the banking and the oil sectors in Libya. I do hope he documents those events in a book.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Thinking how to end this ranting, I realized that I did not mention my health. Well, no need... I am happy, feeling healthy, and have abundance of bliss from everyone and everything around me! My happiness will be complete the day I get to share these things with my parents, siblings, and their kids here at my home.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I know I have left out a lot of other fun and not-so-much-fun moments worth mentioning. But time is of the essence and I need to go live those moments. One question lingers: What should I cook today for the week? Sol is taking the kids to Arabic class, so for the next 2 hours, it would be peace and quiet, or boredom and empty house... depends how to look at it!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">May Nissma be a source of delight, freshness, pleasantness, and happiness to everyone around her!</div><div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dregias/sets/72157623997907465/" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4804734672_ff79c50d71.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="320" /> <img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4804104227_2a42ba80c9.jpg" style="border-bottom: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-left: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-right: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid; border-top: rgb(0,0,0) 2px solid;" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div></div>Hannuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277562554072670167noreply@blogger.com0