Technotalk

Computer Surgery

We're now entering the second week of excellent behavior by Moody, which is great! We call it "going up the maturity ladder." He relates to such constructs pretty well; he added once that he is going "down the being bad ladder." Last Saturday he had his second ice skating lesson, and it was wonderful! The first lesson, he basically spent the whole time grabbing on the edge, but he moved a little and didn't get frustrated. The coach suggested moving him to a beginner class, where, I discovered afterward, the kids skate with parents. Well well well! Oddly enough, it was only my second time ever to put on skates, Moody's third. I got to the slab of frosted glass and decided: FORGET THIS! Well, Moody was cool, he went in with some sort of "advanced beginners" class where the're supervised by a couple of teens. I was pleasantly shocked. Moody stayed the whole time away from the edge, wiggling and jiggling and even falling at times, but he could get back up! He was happy, I was thrilled and relieved. Whew!

Computer brain melts ice

Last Friday Hanu and the kids went exploring science and technology at the Center for Science and Industry, COSI. (I suppose if they'd put the word technology in the name, instead of industry, then COST wouldn't make a very appealing acronym.) The name sounds like cosine-- ooh, very sciencey! Anyway, the guys had a blast exploring space, playing doctors, and hands-on stuff like bugs and crabs and doing a surgery of sorts on an old computer. They took out its "brain," a big old Pentium II beast. The CPU is mounted on a spikey aluminum platform for keeping it cool. The kids put an ice cube on the spikes and watched it melt quickly and sink down. Now they probably think the function of computer brains is to melt ice, which is not doing much to their technology education but hey, they can at least get some good science fiction out of that! I'm proud to say Moody can distinguish five different kinds of materials: metals, plastic, glass, ceramics and wood. I can't wait till we can get inside those and talk microstructure! He is becoming very interested in building stuff and experimenting. Tala? Well, take a look at her picture observing the ice cube experiment. Is she involved enough, you think? LOL LOL LOL What a nosey girl!

It's interesting how technology affects people of all ages, but I think its influence on kids might be the most vivid. I am sure Tala and Moody don't relate to things the same way my generation does. I wonder what they think when they see a clunky toy phone with a dial and a cord. It must fall in the same category as a potato with glasses. And the whole computer thing. I grew up to think of the computer as just that, a thing that is programmed to compute and solve problems numerically. I am sure Moody and Tala think of it as a tool for playing games, viewing pictures and shopping! The other day, I had the kids in the car and made a left turn at a light. Tala said,"Hey, Dad, you goed on red!" I said, "I had a green turn light." A short while later Tala was telling me, "I sawed the click, Dad." I asked for clarification, but she just kept talking about seeing the "click." Finally, it dawned on me that she meant the ARROW of the traffic light. She called it a "click" because of the arrow on the mouse, the one you "click". I was hilarious! But then I thought, why do we call a pointer "an arrow." Because we linguistically belong to an ancient culture, that's why! For Tala, a member of the finger shopping species, it's the click! Just imagine pulling up a dead person even from the sixties and how they might interpret phrases like "move the arrow and click the mouse, then drag it." Distasteful rodent hunters!

Happy Birthday, Big Sister!

Fairouz was born in Tripoli, February 1, 1964.

Ankara, Turkey, February 6, 2004

Fairouz and I are two years apart. We were very close growing up; we used to wear the same clothes, color and all, and same hairdo that we looked more like twins. Later, life and geography put a big gap between us. I haven't spent any sisterly time with her since she got married in 1985 and my family took off to Malta. I wish we’d bridge the gap some day soon while we have the time.

Happy Birthday!

And good luck with your endeavor in Cairo.

Found it!

And, it's here in case I forget again:

Just to fill the gap...

I don't really have much to write. We've all been extremely busy and it's tiring! I participated in the Fisher Case Competition last Friday; last minute thing. I was there on Friday, working with 3 others in my team whom I didn't know before, from 8am till after midnight. Saturday was the presentation day. I was there from 7:30 am till 5! Still trying to recover.

Moody and Tala, here in the picture, coloring a flowers picture "Just for you, Mom!" That's been Moody's project for two days now. Moody was insisting on using only red "Because it's your favorite color, Mom." Today, he asked, "Is it OK if Dad uses green?" and I gave the green!

I was talking to someone today and it hit me that I'll be 40 pretty soon! I wonder if that's the reason why I feel tired more often and takes me longer to recover from it. I don't mind the age as long as my health remains the same. I like the wisdom that comes with age... ehem!

Got overwhelming responses for Tibra, from judges and in donations, but no nominations yet! I'm still hopeful.

Time to rest... long day tomorrow!

Mosaic

The long-awaited book, Libya by Paula Hardy, has finally arrived. I've been waiting for this book since it was published in 2003. I've ordered it online a couple of times, to be told after months of waiting, "Sorry! It's not available." Last I ordered it was in September, and it arrived on Tuesday, Eid day--nice gift! Turned out it's worth the wait; very nicely presented. It's the first of its kind on Libya--buy it!

The reason behind my desperation is that my father is featured in this book. Moody was thrilled to know that and see his pictures. He asked me to read it to him many times! Now Moody wants to take it to school to "show my friends and teachers Grandpa and read it to them..." I might take it myself one day and hand it to the teacher; it's too precious to let go of so easily! I have a couple of people in mind to give a copy to as a gift and might also order 3 more for us, one for each of my children. Well, that has to wait--it's quite pricy as it is.

We still don't know how to deal with Moody and how to react to his behavior at martial arts that got him on probation. We just told him there will be consequences, and we're still thinking about it. We had a session with Donaldson and didn't get an answer yet! My inclination is to pull him out of martial arts, but it's kind of late now and might send him the wrong message. We should've done that earlier when we saw signs of the trouble coming ahead. What do we do so he doesn't get the wrong message that this kind of behavior is what gets him what he wants? Still a puzzle!

We had fish for dinner, Red Snapper, and decided to at least double the amount for next time. I didn't have my fill, neither did Sol, I believe. The kids just kept asking for more; how could we not comply! I have noticed lately how the amount of food we consume has increased significantly. Previously, when I cook a dish, stew or soup for example, it would last us for at least two meals and a half. Now, it just does for one meal! I made Sharba yesterday and what's left is barely enough for one person. The kids have grown! I'll have to upsize the pots and pans and hopefully not mess up the taste--the result is not the same when I change the quantity.

I attended a resume-writing workshop last week and got some feedback on my resume. I got to the task of polishing it over the weekend; it looks and reads much better now, and I'm quite happy with it.

Today, I sent an update on the status of the Tibra Awards for this year. Hopefully that'll get us some response. Too bad Libyans don't know the value of such a project! I'm afraid they'll realize it when it's too late. If you're reading this, do something... please!

Oh, Moody wants to go to China! He's been saying that for months, and now he adds "... and I will eat bugs in China!"

Snapshots

Yesterday was Eid... Happy Eid to all! We're going for steak tonight at Lone Star. I have to wrap the kids' gifts. Maybe I'll convince Tala to take a nap when Moody is in school so I can do the gifts.

School is in full swing once again. I'm taking three classes this quarter plus a "self-assessment" workshop and signed up for some of the speaker-lecture series.

On Friday, Moody, Tala and I went to COSI. We watched some live liquid nitrogen experiments and "touched the clouds." The space exhibit with the tunnel is the hit for us. We had such a good time and stayed till closing. It was hard dragging them out of there... me too! That day, I was told in different places by different people that I look pretty and have beautiful hair... Gave me a boost! My hair has grown back; I like it this way, and maybe a little longer. I'm not cutting it short again.

Ohio Theatre
A state of the art!

Sunday night, Sol and I went to see David Sanborn and Chris Botti at the Ohio Theatre. I was going there mainly for Sanborn, didn't know and didn't care much about Botti. How I was wrong! Botti was great; I liked him more than Sanborn. I regret not having the camera with me; he was mingling and giving autographs after the show.

Master Circle put Moody on probation at martial arts and we think he shouldn't go this week. This boy is a very complicated puzzle; when I think I figured him out, he proves me wrong! I have to talk to Master Circle. Moody is starting the hockey rookie camp this Saturday; hope that goes well. The parent-child class for Tala was full--too bad.

Tala got one of her dance costumes for the show--purple and cute! We sometimes forget she's only 3 and expect more from her. She doesn't look 3 and definitely doesn't sound so, more close to 5--talk about deceiving looks and verbal skills! Even Barbi told me yesterday that she has to remind herself time and again that Tala is 3!

Gus is... what do you call a fish? Darling? The jrabee3 are so good to him--what a relief! The funny thing is he freaks out when Furby is placed near the bowl. We didn't know what was happening in the beginning, but after a while we figuered it was Furby! lol Do fish see? Does he think Furby is a cat or a furry animal/monster?

Monday is Martin Luther King Day. We were considering a ski trip on the weekend, but have so many chores to finish. Tala's closet pieces are all assembled but not stacked in her closet yet. The desk for the basement is still in its box; we thought it better that I take the kids to a movie or something so Sol could finish it quicker.

Happy Birthday, Amoola!

Amal was born in Benghazi, January 9, 1981. She and Ayman got married on January 9, 2002.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Anniversary!

I don't think I've ever met Amal but our families go a long way back since the days of Tripoli. Also, her maternal great grandfather married my mother's aunt who was "shipped" to him from Derna to Benghazi by sea. There's an interesting story behind that, but I forgot! Ayman, get me the rest from mom please.

More and more birthdays coming up soon... a good way to remember dear ones!

Timely Intersections

I wonder who decided to put the start of the year in the winter. It must have been a place with a warmer climate, maybe around Rome? Or maybe it was done on purpose, an entirely human insertion of a celebration when it is needed. Maybe it is a little late to be talking about New Year, but there are actually a few interesting intersections worth noting.

Today is the 8th day of the first month and also the 8th day of the last month of the same year, oddly enough! In the Islamic lunar calendar, this is the 12th month of the year, the month of Pilgrimage. The start and end of a year sound distant but they're actually the same point in the cycle, another intersection!

New year's Eve was a particularly good one for us this year, the whole weekend was. The kids didn't seem up to watching fireworks, so we canceled and just stayed home. It was a good thing we did because they ended up stuffing themselves at dinner and needing some rest, multiple times! Hanu made a (now traditional) rack of lamb and it was excellent. Moody would not touch it, however. He noticed the bones and the "wholeness" of it, I think, made him realize for the first time how meat comes from and relates to animals. He kept stressing that someone had cut it, and how his mom must be very sad that they cut it... He basically looked at the whole affair as a crime and would not touch the meat. Well, all the more for me and Hana to enjoy- lol lol. It was great! Moody and Tala just OD-ed on corn and baked potatoes, then again on cake.

Ahmed's reaction to the lamb is another interesting intersection. In a couple of days, it will be the 10th day of Dhul Hijja, the day of Big Eid, as we grew up calling it. Traditionally, the occasion is a commemoration of Ibrahim's sacrifice of a ram in lieu of his son. Practically, there is a lot of meat and bones and a whole lot of other parts! I haven't really had the full experience in many many years, the closest I've come is buying half a lamb over at Abu Someone's store--works for me! I think we're planning to go out for steak, a manufactured product as far as Ahmed and his culture are concerned. It's funny, but a few weeks ago I was talking with my brother Mohammed on the phone, and he was giving me all the reasons why we should go to Libya for a visit, among them was the chance for Ahmed to be treated to a 24-ct. reception, including the slaughtering of a lamb in his honor! lol lol lol. I told him, if he did that, Moody would call the cops! Sometimes I think culture is like an ecology that achieves balance by self-canceling influences, if you take away or introduce only certain parts you risk upsetting the balance. Ahmed will continue to consume his manufactured hot dogs as ferociously as TV commercials and picnics in the park encourage him to do. Incidentally, for decades, I thought hot dogs were totally and grossly raw, so I tried cooking them, only to discover they had two states of being: looking raw and looking charred. I guess, young kids from Libya will continue to long for the smell of salted fresh lamb liver, or even a little piece of fat from the back of the lamb's neck, sizzling on wood charcoal, at least once ayear.

After New Year's Eve dinner, while we were cleaning up, Hana and I crossed paths by the sink, intersected, and I gave her a big hug and a kiss, while Tala looked on from the table. Her eyes were wide open when I turned to see her, and she said, "Hey, I sawed you guys hugged eatsother!" I said, "Yeees..." and she just gave us two thumbs up! She was obviously happy and it was a nice way to sum up the evening for everyone.

Back to normal... or is it?

Everything has to start the same day... Tala and Moody's school; I have classes till 10pm; Sol back to normal work hours; Tala has dance at 2; Moody has martial arts at 4:15; Barbi is here and our new Beta fish, Gus!

Gus is our first pet--a gift from Barbi! Moody and Tala are both excited and happy. Barbi explained things to them and how to take care of him. We fear for Gus from Tala the explorer! We told Barbi, the best place to place him is on top of the fridge! Tala left for school, and Barbi and Moody took off to the library and will look for a book about fish and being kind to them... we'll see if that will register with Tala.

I have to head out myself and do my reading before classes. Two quarters down--25% thru the program. Back to another 10 weeks of isolation and minimal social interactions. I enjoyed the break but glad it's over. Break means carefree, no order--I need order in my life to function properly.

Oh, Tala's closet is not finished yet! Sol promised to put the last piece today... Please do!

Happy Birthday, Little Safia!

Safia Ayman Naas; Gotta love the laugh!

Safoo is 1!

Safoo, my niece, was born January 2, 2004, in Benghazi. She carries two names that are dear to my heart, and I'm sure she's as sweet and special as Amal and Ayman are--and some!

Happy Birthday!

Hope to see you in Ohio soon.

كل سنة وانت طيبة يا صلوعة... البنت طالعة لبوها!

She is wearing the birthday outfit that I sent her when she was born!

Lost and not-found

I searched high and low for Anes's token and couldn't find it. I remember at some point it made it to my jeans pocket, then my robe pocket, and on the vanity, and was there on the desk in the den many times in between. It will surface someday and I'm sure to take a picture of it!

Moody at the Rigney's Xmas carol, 2005

Tala, Sol, and I went to Panera for lunch... nice, peaceful, and quiet. Later at home, Tala was watching Cinderella, Sol taking a nap while pretending he's watching with her, and I was working on the computer and all the while kept straining my ears listening for the sound of Moody... then realizing he's not here. I'm still listening and all I hear is the sound of Moody's silence--it's so loud! I miss him, so does Tala.

Hurray, I got gifts today! I'm a big gift-giver, I enjoy and love giving gifts as much as I do receiving them. I give gifts to friends and family for every little thing that happens to them; but sadly I don't get much myself. For some reason, the people around me don't pick on my cues! Sol got me an MP3 player/Recorder/FM. I have mentioned that I want one of those tiny radios and I got more than what I asked for! The recorder will come in handy in the lectures and I can listen to NPR wherever I am. Anes's mom gave me a PINK mom's calendar; so nice and cute, the calendar that is--and also nice of her to think of me. Thanks, Ahlam!

My one and only New Year's resolution is to tidy up Tala's closet. Oh, it's a MESS! I'm thinking of taking a picture of before and after, but not sure if I'll have the guts to post the former! Got closet shelves, drawers, etc. and need Sol to put them together. I'm not allowed to assemble plywood pieces, and I acquiesce--I have ruined two items previously when I thought I could put them together. Time to get on Sol's case to start working on them...

I still can't download pictures from the camera and it's bugging me... I miss the iMac!

Sol just answered the phone... It was the Apple store; the iMac is ready for pick up... I should've asked for more than that! Maybe a good 2006 ahead?

Sleep Over, Red Light, and Precision!

Moody, Anes, and Tala

Tala has a planned sleep over with Morgan today. It could still be called off for Morgan's aunt might arrive today from out of town. In this case, they will just have a play date.

Moody has a sleep over with Anes on Sunday. His first time out of the house--we're sure he'll be fine. He's been asking when he's leaving and when he's coming back.

Tala has grown and "matured" so much in the past week or so. She's past the toddler stage, I guess, and gets sweeter and sweeter by the day. She has been testing a lot with behaviors and phrases. Yesterday, we stopped by a store and as she was getting out of the car, she said, "I promise I will behave in the store, Mom." Of course, that didn't happen! She wasn't bad, just being silly with her "broder." later at home, she said, "I'm sorry for writing on the table and chair, Mom." And she showed me where she did that with the crayon. A third time, she came to me and said, "I'm sorry for making a mess in the bathroom." She had unrolled the toilet paper off the roll! I explained to her that it's better not to do what she knows is not right, rather than do it and then say sorry. She has also been doing not-so-good things to Moody and saying sorry immediately after. What's her point? Just testing how the sorry word works and if it saves her any consequences and makes the actions OK? Don't know!

It's getting tiring keeping up with them two jrabee3! I have to be on guard all the time... It seems that everything they say is to somehow set Sol or me up for something or the other... long gone the innocence! lol

Moody and his linguistic precision: It is amazing, but sometimes gets to be annoying. He does not let a sentence or a word pass by without testing it, evaluating it, and correcting or commenting on it. On the one hand, I want him to keep this ability and develop it further, on the other hand, I don't want it to become some sort of a social hindrance for him.

Tala has figured the traffic lights and the color codes. If I'm turning right, she would say, "You can't turn on red! The light is red! You should stop!" And then I start the sermon of explaining it; but then comes another red light and another right-turn and we start all over again! If a traffic light--that is a mile away--turns red, she would say, "Mom, STOP, it's red!" I guess red means freeze wherever you are--immediately!

Her latest fascination nowadays is directions. Wherever we're going, she'd ask, "Where's the way to..." We just tell her to wait and she'll find out once we're driving there. She has been recognizing streets and knows our destination if it's a place she's been to before. Amazing! When I came to the US, it took me a while to distinguish the different streets and intersections. Most of them looked the same to me with no landmarks. It was just very different to Europe. How could a 3-year-old know one street from the other, even when they look pretty much the same!

Raising children is such an enlightening eye- and mind-opening experience in itself. Every stage of my children's life revives the same stage of my life. I'm reliving my childhood, enjoying my life, and learning along with my children.

Happy birthdays, up and down the family tree!

Safia and Ru'a

Mama turned 62 today! She was born December 28, 1943, in Derna, Libya.

Ru'a, my niece, Noha's daughter, is 5! She is a Dragon, born December 28, 2000, in Benghazi.

Moody and Tala got to sing them both happy birthday on the phone. Mama was happy with the call and liked it even more when Moody said afwan in reply to her shukran. He ended the call by "masalama." I had nothing to do with him saying these words.

Nahla told me that Ru'a was excited with the call. She kept saying, "They sang to me in English!" Though everybody sang her the same song over there before we called, it's not the same coming over the phone all the way from the US from her English-speaking cousins!

One more time, to Safia and Ru'a:

Happy Birthday!

Picture courtesy of Ayman, taken today... Thanks Moony xox!

A very long weekend!

On Friday, we went to the Rigneys' Christmas carol; a tradition they’ve been having for 35 years. I don’t think we have missed it for at least the last four years. This year, both Moody and Tala were enjoying themselves, and we got to mix more with adults and enjoy it too. Previously, Moody was too young and we had to alternate chasing him and keeping him under control, and then Tala came, and it was time to keep an eye on her too. This year,they were both "mature," having fun with the friends they made for the night and were not tempted to storm the cookies table in the back! At one point, Peter asked Tala, "Do you look like Mom or Dad?" She looked at him and said, "Tala!" I have a picture of Moody for every year we were there; I will post the pictures once the computer is back.

On Thursday, something went amiss with the computer; kept turning itself off. I made many calls to try and solve the problem; one person concluded "It’s a virus!" Ha, a virus, "get out of here!" was my response. We never had a virus—we have a Mac. I love the Mac for its high immunity; it is just uninfectable! The price is high, but it’s worth it. Sol had a Mac since 1996, a G4; in January we added the magnificent iMac G5! When Sol got home, Tala told him, "Our computer died!" She must have heard me talk to the technician at the Apple store, and I must have mentioned "dies off," or something of the sort. So now, we’re confined to using the G4 till the other baby gets home. I cleaned it up yesterday, reinstalled the OS and everything "needed;" --about time to do that. The only drawback is that it’s not configured to transfer pictures from the camera and the printer/scanner is not connected here! We’ll just have to wait.

On Saturday morning, the "boys" went swimming, and the "girls" went shopping! We, the girls, had fun shopping for toys and home décor items. On our way to meet the "boys," Tala said, "I love going shopping, Mom!" We’re going for more shopping today--it’s the big sale day. We rearranged the basement the other day and discovered that the computer desk is about to fall down with one leg almost completely detached!

Yesterday, we went to see the Chronicles of Narnia--a great movie. Moody and Tala loved it; Moody kept saying, over and over, "It’s a great movie!" Tala didn’t flinch for one minute and the suspense was very high. It’s a must see... over and over!

Moody and Grandma Amna

Today is a holiday... At least retail and food places are finally open; it seemed like they closed for a long time! While we were having breakfast, Moody said to Sol, "I’m sorry Grandma Amna died." She passed away in October of 2000, shortly after her return to Libya from her visit with us that year. She came when I was pregnant with Moody and stayed till after his birth. I don’t know what made Moody start this conversation about the dead. He asked about "uncle Khaled," Noha’s husband who passed away in 2001 at the age of 38, and about my uncle with the "three fingers." He was asking if uncle Khaled was buried, who buried him, where is he buried, and could he see the burial place when he goes to Libya; then he asked the same questions about Grandma Amna and uncle Faraj. Now he’s set to visit these places when he goes to Libya. Last summer, Noha, Rahaf, and Ru’a were planning to come visit (they were denied the visa!) When Moody noticed that we were only talking about the three of them he started asking about their dad, we told him that he's dead and answered all the questions he had about that. He got very interested in learning more about death and talking more about uncle Khaled. For sometime, he would say, out of the blue, "I’m sad that uncle Khaled died." Toward the end of today’s conversation, I just wanted to talk about something else--it still hurts deep to think of Khaled, Noha, and the girls, and the way he died...

What a Wonderful Time!

Star Wars freaks!

Nick et al left on Monday and Tala and Moody had a real long nap after school. They did a lot during the weekend, from watching Star Wars, to playing Star Wars, tea parties, and Cinderella. Nick is a Star Wars fan himself, and that broke the age barrier between him and Moody. The boys were two Darth Vaders look- and sound-alike with the lightsabers, helmets, and voice changers; princess Leia was there too and joined in the fights!

Tea Party

Tala, on the other hand, wouldn't leave Nick alone for a minute. If he's out of her sight, she starts calling at the top of her lungs, "NIIIIICK!" The amazing thing is that he didn't seem to mind; he would just roll his eyes and hurry to her every single time! Of course, how could he resist such a charm as hers! What a patient pleasant guy himself. He's now no longer the "yother" Nick, simply Nick! Got upgraded, I guess. I have noticed that Nick, the moose, has been dropped; he even lost his spot on her bed! Poor fluffy thing!

At Easton

The Bazeen was another adventure. Nick surprised us by how much he ate from it! As for the rest, a picture is worth more than thousand words... Look for yourself, the most expressive is this one with the notes from "big" Moody. Nick, Nikki, and AmuZam (he he he,) your visit has become a favorite yearly event to us.

Today is the kids' last day of school. Tala is going with her friend Morgan after school today. When Morgan's mom told her that Tala will be coming with her after school, Morgan didn't like it and said she wants Tala to have a sleep over not to come and play. We gotta do that soon!

Nick!

Nick, the moose!

The kids are absolutely thrilled that Nick is coming today. They just had lunch and can't stop asking, "are they here yet?" and "Is he coming today?"

I don't know if Tala really remembers Nick from last year. She knows he gave her the little moose called "Nick" ever since. And she refers to him as "the yother Nick," with the "y" in there. So Tala knows this yother Nick is a boy who seems close to the family, and it is important to impress him by tidying up her room , etc., but she is not really sure. Earlier today, on the way home from the gym, we were of course talking about you know who, and Tala asked me,"Is Nick a nanny?" When I said no, she asked, "Is he a brudder?" OK, Moody just popped in to ask, "Is he coming at midnight? How many miles from Canada?" Now I'm getting anxious, too. When IS Nick gonna come and take these critters off my back! lol.

'Tis the Season!

Happy Holidays!

It is beautiful outside... everything is white, and it's snowing still!

I finished the quarter last week, but only felt the load lift off when I received the last grade Tuesday night. I'm actually impressing myself with my grades! I guess I've been out of school, out of work, for a long time that I forgot how good I am! Something more to brag about to Sol... lol.

Saturday the 10th was our seventh anniversary. Sol and I had a crazy night out. I enjoyed uploading the pictures and going back in time to that day seven years ago, and the Sousa and Tunis trips.

Kathy and the gang!

This year, we decided to have a holiday tree. Well, the kids are very good at nagging and sometimes it is easier to give in. We tell Moody that he's so lucky--he gets to celebrate more holidays than any other kid. We picked up a real tree on Saturday and got the ornaments and decorations on Sunday. Kathy offered to help with decorating it, which we did on Monday--thanks Kathy and Conor! I am amazed: Tala hasn't even taken one ornament off yet--very unlike her. Well, she did pull Moody's stocking off the mantel. It fell along with the holder and broke some of the glass beads. Luckily, she didn't get hurt.

Angel in the making!

Azzam, Nikki, and Nick are coming this weekend. Hope they don't bring more cold with them from up there! We're all excited and looking forward to having them over. Tala has been asking non-stop, "Is Nick coming? When?" I don't think she remembers him from last year. She said, "I will show him my room, and introduce him to the 'yether' Nick. He will say, 'What a beautiful castle you have!'" The 'yether' Nick, is a stuffed moose they got her last year that she named Nick. Moody, also, is very excited. He told me yesterday, "I'm so excited Nick is coming. I have a long list." When I asked him about the list, he said it has what they will eat for lunch, what movie they will watch, and where they will sleep. The whole experience of anticipation and then having the delightful company is so wonderful; thanks guys!

Kaitlin, Moody, Tala, snow!

Tala has been talking non-stop lately. She had some speech therapy at 18 months of age; she wasn't saying much then! Maybe we shouldn't have done that! lol Last night, I heard her come out of her room. I went up and asked her what she was doing. She answered, "nothing; I don't care!" She loves using big expressions even if they don't fit the occasion or she doesn't know what they mean. I tucked her back in; minutes later she came downstairs and asked that "Dad, give me a good night kiss." We told her not to come out of her room again; she said, "When you guys go to sleep, I will come downstairs." At least she's honest!

I don't hear Moody; hmmm, very alarming! Gotta sneak on him... I just checked; he's listening to music, Phil Collins' Brother Bear; and reading a book, Transformers.

Like it was yesterday!

Sheep with a scarf

This December 1st is the 7th anniversary of our Fatiha, the legal marriage ceremony. In the picture are Hana's uncle Faraj Naas, who has passed away since, my brother Mohamed, the lamb-with-scarf, and Hana's brother Ayman. It was Tuesday, Dec. 1st, 1998 in the Naas house in Benghazi. Some representatives of my family had driven from Tripoli and Misrata. I was not there, but I guess I didn't have to be, and actually the groom is usually not present at this ceremony, even if he is in town.

I am not sure where the pink scarf tradition started or why exactly, but... I guess that the scarf is an attention getter; after all, you don't often see a lamb sporting a pink scarf. Yeah, it's usually blue, right? I remember once seeing a lamb wrapped in a Haseer (a matt made of soft wicker-like stuff called Dees that grows around the spring of Tawargha) only its head showing with the pink scarf around it, all on top of a car leading a motorcade. First the car horns get your attention, then you just follow the pink scarf to know who's getting married in the neighborhood.

The funny little detail about the lamb in the above picture is, I later found out, my family actually did not get the scarf in Tripoli, where it is widely sold for this purpose. Also, you can't use just any old scarf. It is special: square, pink and larger than the ones meant for humans. Now imagine my relatives roaming all over Benghazi looking for this thing, where most people thought they had to be drunk or playing some sort of Misrati joke. Sure enough, they found one, a pink one to be sure, and the rest is history. Yes, you can say, it was all meant to be.

Lots of things had to fall right in place, I remember. Hanu's dad told me, she was not gonna leave for the wedding in Tunisia until I assured them that her visa was ready! The Fatiha was on the 1st, I got confirmation from the embassy in Tunis on the 7th, flew out the next day, and the wedding party was on the 10th, a Thursday in keeping with tradition! That's the subject of another post, maybe in 9 days or so. Of course a lot of arrangements had been made in advance (remotely by guess who) including all the party reservations, hotels, music bands, etc. There were only minor glitches, really, everything went very well because it was meant to be. Lots of beautiful memories of those few days, and lots more since. Thanks, Hanu, and happy seventh.

Oh... Baby!

Nadia's baby, Akrem, is here. He landed on November 28 around noon. It's so nice to hold a baby that's not yours; he's a bundle of joy nonetheless, but without the mess... diapers, feeding, crying...
Oh, what fun! He sprayed me actually while I was changing his diaper, but luckily the receiving blanket was close by, lol!

Mabrook, Nadia, and welcome to parenthood... We're all so happy for the three of you! Moody and Tala can't wait to meet Akrem in person.