Friday, December 24, 2010

...on Christmas Eve....

This is a day before a day that is a rather big deal to many people: Christmas. For me, I too have memories of this day that comes about at the last week of the year. As far back as I remember, I was "conditioned" about the religious side of it. This is what happens when you go to a school in the UK, where religion can be taught in schools, unlike here in the US.

I remember that one morning where there was gifts by our sealed-off fireplace in our living room. We did not have a tree, but with all the lines of cards that we received, the "wow" factor in the eyes of a child was there indeed. In many ways, I can say that this might have been Dad's way of seeing that this is something that signifies the start of cross-culture. In years since then, we never did the gift giving ordeal, but we as a family did do something for this holiday that is otherwise celebrated by others.

Therefore, when anyone comes up to me to wish me "Happy Holidays", I will reply back with "Merry Christmas". Just do not take away my Christmas memory from years ago. This is what I want for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a great night.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

...After a long Hiatus....

These are usually words I really do not exactly like writing. A hiatus is not supposed to be a regular thing-- it is a small break that comes from necessity, not laziness. As with many things, this is much easier said than done.


Ok, I am back. This time, may these words that are proverbially etched in the concrete of my blog all serve as a reminder that blog writing is a daily thing. I am sure that the million dollar question of the hour is 'how can I make myself write daily, without fail?' I am sure there are self-proclaimed experts that will be very eager to donate their two cents to this question. The only problem is that “two cents” is disproportionally valued. The person giving it is thinking their advice is priceless, while the person receiving it feels most is worthless.


I am writing for the sake of writing, and I am not being so judgmental. My hope is that this is the beginning of more blogs to come. Yes, I do mean daily blogs.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Half way there....

Full moon outside--A time where some people use it to explain why things are going crazy, or why we have had a 2-day heatwave. For me (and other Muslims globally), it is another mile marker that Ramadhan is almost half over. As it normally takes 21 days to form a new habit, I am now seeing that I am finally eating less. I have not been "chowing down" in the morning and evening. Food is becoming a fuel, and not a fill.

Life is good, and I am looking more sexy!!!!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

10 Days Down...20 To Go

The first 10 days have passed. From it, I have experienced mush the same as a biker riding a 10-speed bicycle. At first, things were hard--life immediately in 10th gear. As momentum picked up, things got easier. In other words, the impossible seemed possible because it is.

I am writing this on the start of the 11th fast. I am in between making my food and thinking, and looking for my contact lenses. Before I know it, the day will be done, and I will have 18 more fasts to go. Eid will be here in no time, as will Ramadhan 2011.

I am writing "on the fly" and that is why the paragraphs are "journalistic" style. I promised myself today that I will write no matter what. I just hope that the quality of my writing is better than the quantity of words I am coming up with.

As I am passing this mile marker, I see that I spend a lot of time eating food. How much of that time was spent eating for fuel, rather than eating aimlessly?? I hope that the sticker shock of the "by the numbers" is enough to eventually shape my eating habits for the better. As for now, I have to eat--out of necessity, and not to pass time. Here's to a new day, and here's to the next one third.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

September 9, 2009 (revisited)

And so today is 9-9-09. Many are saying that today is a “lucky” day--numerically speaking. So it is the same date in all parts of the world—even to the countries that write the date the wrong way—by my own definition. Just don not be looking at the date upside down--only to prove that I am wrong.

Every day is a lucky day—not specifically just this one. We all have the ability of making a good day a great one. We can and should never rely on “miracles” that we are counting on. We can never chase a sunset or a perfect moment that “you should have been there”. It's really a Kodak world, but the film is in our mind. Live life, prosper, and make it a great day. Look back tomorrow and chart a better future. You can do it---it's much easier than you really think.


Today's “this has never been done before” task is that I would really like to write more than just 1 topic. There are way too many great things going on on life. We all have to keep our eyes and mind open to life that is happening in real time. This is not optional, yet many of us tend to get preoccupied with a life of “whole lot of nothing-ness”. Yes, we can bet busy doing nothing. On the other side of the coin, we tend to function better when lots is on our plate. Momentum has a way of building upon itself--'an object in motion remains in motion'.

Friday, August 6, 2010

The Importance of Good Morning....

I have to say that the the first few minutes how the day begins usually does set the tone for the rest of the day. I know this may appear as if I am “judging a book by its cover”, but we all need a reference point.

This is why the big cardinal sin at the workplace is when someone comes in the office, unpacks their stuff, and goes directly into “worker mode”--without any acknowledgment that others exist. Now, I understand the times when you have the most pressing tasks in the world—that's ok, but just remember to let people know that they matter—because they really do.

Your morning might be short of spectacular, but make sure to add some energy to the lives of others. A smile and 2 words is all it takes, and then go get your coffee, tea, or other morning beverage. And a Good Morning to you too.

Can you hear me now????

Have you heard??? Well, I guess you can not if your ears are plugged with earphones. Worse is when you see a driver that has both his ears immune to the world—just to indicate to the world that he is a proud owner of an iPhone. I do wonder what are they listening to that is so important that they refuse to use an iPhone integration kit with their upscale car. Cheap rats.

I am venting as usual but then again who is listening?

Uncommon Choices, Uncommon Results...

Pressure's on as it usually is. I chose to be uncommon and I know that a solution is eminent. There lies solutions to all situations that confront us—if we chose to go out and look for them, rather tam sitting back worrying telling everyone that you are faced with an impossible task. If is what you make it—and we become our dominant thought. This is to say that when we excessively worry about our problem, then we become the problem. Why not make the worry worthwhile, by planning a strategy for solution?

We all have the same 24 hours a day, and we can make our life better when we become better. I've gotta get out and make an abundance of solutions.

Better Left Unsaid...(revisited)

November 22, 2009 – Some things are better left unsaid but what would you do? You wake up one morning, and you have a dream where your newly formed enemy is in it. Words have been exchanged but not really kind ones. On one hand, you feel that anything you say can and will be used against you, but on the other hand, you want to leave things on a positive note. As I am writing this, I am seeing clarity.

Some things—good and bad--are indeed left better left unsaid. This is not a contest about who gets to “one-up” the other party. It seems that any communication only opens up new wounds as only opens new ones open. Less (or none) is indeed more in a situation like this one.


As it is Sunday morning here, I am glad to see that my computer—without Internet access—is really serving me well. Somehow I see that we all need to put “personal” back in to our computer/laptop. The Internet is a great resource, but with any blank slate, nothing gets created automatically or overnight. I don't want to be that person who has an art book that is filled with things I have cut our from other sources—that would be like using a canvas to make a scrapbook Some things “fly” but this does not do it for me. I will create my own masterpiece.

The Good, the Bad, The Ugly Customer Service

I am usually a person that points out excellent service—to let others know that there are places out there that go the extra mile. Such are the places that know the true value of attracting new customers and keeping existing ones. These places come in a different shapes, sizes and from different industries.

On the other hand, when I go to a place that makes up new rules and policies as they are sweeping the floor, making a latte, answering the phone, and taking an order, I like to do them a favor: tell others.

Take for example a coffee shop. Most have free Internet available because they know that people will spend a certain amount per hour—provided they they (they owners) are not exemplary assholes. Well, to make a short story even shorter, save your time and skip patronizing Coffee Factory in Santa Clara.

First of all, you get greeted at the door with a suspicious Asian guy that has the look that says “why I have people come here.... no good”. Well, sorry to bust your bubble and make YOU kiss my ass while I pay you for it. “What you want” is their version of the more common “Can I help you?” that I miss from normal establishments that I am used to.

My general rule is that if I like the place, I will end up spending more-- my “sale per customer per hour” hence becomes a very nice number. I do not have an iPhone, so I am at the mercy of places like this. I know that jwire.com is a resource for Internet places all over the world. I just wish they have a place where users can reflect their experiences—especially for places like this.

“No bring your water.... I have... next time you leave in car ok?” Well my friend who really is trying hard to piss everyone that comes through the front door, I will do YOU a favor: I will tell my friends where not to go. “Why you no have good battery in computer?? No use my electricity--too expensive”--- Newsflash Mr Asshole who is getting on my nerves as I am about to pack up and leave: Santa Clara has the least expensive electricity rate in the state. Thank you again for reinforcing the fact that you are greedy, selfish and you hate people; I'm sure I will be the one getting all the thanks for the recommendation, unlike you. Just call me when you are out of business, so I can buy it and run it like how a real establishment should be run.

Chapter 1

If life begins at age 40, I am wondering now how I have lived. For the most part, I can say that life's been good to me... so far. There have been blessings in abundance—many that I have overlooked. I can say that the trail behind me still has some milestones that are clearly visible—despite the clouds that I have created that would otherwise cover the best of times. I am blessed no matter how I look at it. As I begin this inward journey, there is lots to look at. Surely it all takes time, but its all about time—mine.


Nothing stays the same. Life is constantly changing and we are all evolving. I know this sounds rather bland--and not like something profound. We are all not living a peachy life all the time—there are down times.

Hunger is good—it really is not a bad thing. Without it, we would have a false sense of fullness and would be under the impression that everything is ok. Many of us are starving and complaining. The mere sense of instability is what causes us to first panic, then freak out, and then have the feeling that there is no hope. Hunger drives us towards a solution, while hope is the light that guides us that there is a better tomorrow. Hunger—if used appropriately, can actually empower us to feed ourselves. This is something that so many people tend to ignore; maybe society should tell us to always 'get your fuel rather than “get your fill”

A Throwback to back in the days....(revisited)

I wrote this entry last year, and as always the nice thing about writing is that you you get a new perspective from an otherwise not so good day. Maybe this is the reason we have bad days: so we can reflect and write about them!!!

Monday May 18, 2009 – And so I have more time on my hands now, but I am finding ways to do nothing. I am here Monday morning, listening to music while I am writing this. In many ways this is my personal therapy. What a way to begin a Monday morning and the first day of a new week.

I have said before that our life is shaped by our rituals. For me, my “oxygen” really is music and writing—not necessarily in that order. I am listen to that song I heard from the Abba film-- actually the best song of the movie, and a “what the hell have I been doing with my life up until now” song that is even worse to heard on your birthday. Yes, time really is “slipping through my fingers all the time”--or at least its all been within my reach (or something like that).

Music will always have a way of shaping our mood as it has shaped our life. Almost in every culture in the world, music is what connects people. For me, as I am alone, music is my connector to my life and the blessings of the past. It really is nice to live well in a manner that you can look back when you are older and really smile again when you feel there's otherwise no joy.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

A Cup of Ambience (with a side of inspiration)

The beauty of daily writing is that it gives me the chance to reflect on my bland day. I know I should be positive, this is me being real. “Keeping it real” like many loud barkers say on TV. This is my reality TV show, and for now, I am the main audience, actor, producer and director of my life. Every process has a process, and this too is no exception.

I am at the cafe as I am on my third cup of great coffee. For a day that began with me saying that I will not drink any coffee, lets just say that this is not my last cup. The coffee here is irresistible. Besides the lady with the loud laugh, the ambiance is very “creative thinking” friendly.

As I am experimenting with food, drinks and desserts, I am seeing that there is something interesting about whipped cream. I think the attachment to is is rather psychological than it is of the product itself. Maybe its that noise, or the shape—surely it is not the taste that makes it the “I want that” item that I am looking forward to.

Small paragraphs and this is the fourth one. Thoughts rampant as is the caffeine. Another super charged day.... got fuel and no where to go.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Ramadhan, Part 1

“That which does not kill me makes me stronger” In the famous words of Friedrich Nietzsche, we tend to follow the direct opposite. We live in comfort in a world with abundance where the slight lack of a simple necessity can force us to endure the pain of actually taking extra effort. When the boat is rocked, we panic; yet in times of smooth sailing, we have no cares in the world around us.

As Ramadhan is less than 14 days, I am reflecting on this though. In my reflection, I am recalling the importance of tradition. As Ramadhan is the month where we prepare for the 11 months ahead, I am also focusing on the importance of planning. All of this coincides with my birthday—as I usually use August 2 as my personal New Year.'s Day.

It is 3:00am, and our house lights are on. Mom is in the kitchen and it is the smell of culinary delights that awakens me. The lights are just there to remind me that I am not dreaming, and that I have to get up out of bed, eat and then begin my day. As a 12 year old on summer vacation, this memory of some three decades ago all seems like yesterday. So too are the times where I felt too tired to get up and fasted without breakfast. “You snooze, you lose” becomes a lesson learned quickly.

The table is set, and it looks as ornate at the Iftar dinner parties that we have been hosting from the nights before. The main difference is that this is our gathering—where our family, lead by Mom and Dad—are rounding us up all together at the dinner table. As we are all racing to eat what we can before dawn's early light, this moment is something I look forward to.

After the confirmation that it is time to stop eating—almost like a New Years countdown—clean up begins as we all help with the kitchen cleanup. As I am cleaning, I am not thinking about food, but I am thinking about dinner. Somehow, I have my justification for this diametrically opposed thought---16 hours of a fast without food or water.

The day is long, and somehow time seems to tick slowly as the hours approach sunset. I chose not to look at clocks or my watch, but I try my best in keeping busy. I am learning goal setting and time management from fasting—what a deal!!! I can recall that one of my thoughts back in those days which replays every Ramadhan is “exactly how much time do we spend per day eating?” This is the question that we do not pay much attention to. We grasp the reality of the answer when we see that we have been eating almost unconsciously. Are we addicted to food? Are we using food like how a smoker lights up for not real reason? Are we chugging soda and coffee in the same manner an alcoholic reaches out for “just one more drink”? Face it, I am an addict. My drug of choice is food.

As sunset is approaching, the more food being set on the dinner table now becomes the new way how I am seeing that Iftar is approaching. This becomes the new clock for the countdown to eating. The guests arrive, and silence grows as it is appearing darker outside with each passing second. Food at last, as there is no shortage of that, or the moments that we are thankful for.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Owed to Facebook.....

I am here because I am trying to shy away from Facebook. In making my decision of breaking free from the consumer of my internet time and bandwidth, I was assessing this critical life changing decision from many different angles. Here are my findings.

1. What if Facebook is an attempt of someone collecting data about me, my friends, what we all like, and how not so normal we all act amongst ourselves?? Actually, it is. Conversation interaction is great--especially when we can speak our mind. If we have to "edit" our thoughts as we are in a deep conversation, it is clear that some time down the road, someone who has no clue on that exact moment, you will we grossly misjudged. When we have an opinion that our friends new car is a piece of crap, only an idiot will ask you how is such a comparison valid. Solution: block the dumbass!!

2. Why do we have friends that think that facebook is a modern version of a party-line phone conversation. I don't need to know the details about a friends friend that had a stomach ache this morning and that they are going to see the are going to see the doctor because they are peeing blue after breakfast. Solution: Since they are on the subject of peeing, Kindly piss off!!"

3. What happened to people calling?? Have we lost the fine art of conversation?? Well, if the conversation is like that of the friend's friend above, they I should thank them for not calling me as they are in line at the grocery store. Some things are better left unsaid and un-facebooked!!

...But in all fairness, FB is forcing us to get back to the fine art of writing. I am not talking about the the conversations that consist of "yeah" "no" "k". Now, is it THAT difficult to say "ok" that people really feel that pressing the letter "o" takes up too much energy?? Have a candy bar on me!!!..

As the name of this block implies, 'if you can read my mind'... I know, I have to write more, as lots is on my mind. Please remember that feedback, not facebook, is the breakfast of champions. Whats your "take" on this issue?? Go out and make it a great day.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

mobile blogging...wooo hooo!!!!

It's great to know that I can create from the comfort of my cell phone. I am not using a Blackberry type device, but this phone does have a keyboard. I am slow at typing on this... two thumbs and wandering eyes!!

Not all of us get our 15 minutes of fame, but with this new means of communication, I now have my voice than can speak louder than me... I hope. I'm glad I'm not addicted to facebook!!!

Seven important things to remember about life:

Life is a game, PLAY IT

Life is a song, SING IT

Life is music, HEAR IT

Life is love, ENJOY IT

Life is a mystery, SOLVE IT

Life is a challenge, FACE IT

Life is a sorrow, SMILE AT IT

You only get ONE life,
So LIVE IT!

Our Legacy

We choose the legacy we leave behind. We all are getting older, as the hands of time never go counter-clockwise.


I am thankful for many things that touch my life and enrich my spirit. I feel that I will be counting my blessings--not just this evening, but more often and on a regular basis. Only in rare situations are we amongst those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. We begin from humble beginnings, and our journey becomes the canvas on which we either make a priceless masterpiece or just wish we had better and brighter colors to have worked with. Rainbows serve to remind us stop, take a step back, and see if our artistic abilities are forming the work of art we call our legacy.


From today, I learned that there are moments in our life that we wish could never end. The seeds of greatness that these memories create are the fact that we can always rewind and replay these again, when our world gets a sudden spell of rain. Life is our greatest blessing. I love life, my friends, and everyone that has inspired and encouragement to go beyond the distance. This is the grandest time in history.


The words that are ringing thru my mind right now are "legacy building". Somehow, I see that when I do things off my regular path, there comes an event that makes me realize the bigger and much brighter picture of possibility. My life is constantly filled with symbolism as it is blessed with moments. Priceless moments can be worth so much.


I am learning so much is this crash course of real life 101. Do I care more than necessary? Yes. This might be an asset as it too is a liability. The question we will ask at this second is "Where will we be 1 year from now?" I am certain that this something do later become the start of massive change that no one had ever thought possible.


In many ways, I am seeing certain blessings from the situations that I have seen. I do believe that 'every situation is a positive situation if viewed as an opportunity for growth and self mastery'. We are all growing, changing, and evolving. There are blessings around us."

Greetings and welcome to my new home....

This is my first post of many. Firstly, I would like to thank a great friend of mine who gave me the kick start to write my own blog. A huge "shout out" to Novie. Her blog can be found at http://awesomelittlepal.blogspot.com/