Miss Me?

I was on such a roll this summer with my updates....I don't know what's come over me! Between my crazy end of the summer, Ramadan and work I guess the only thing I really want to do is sleep.

So here are the updates:

Since my last post I happen to turn 24! Yes 24, and I feel so old...God only knows how I'm going to feel next year or better yet at 30! It's so weird to even say 24 when people ask me. I mean let's face it, it's really not that old but I guess I'm just having a hard understanding how time goes by so quickly!

I have the most AMAZING friends, but you all already know that. I got the best birthday gifts EVER! I can only HOPE that one day I find a man who is as intuitive as my girl friends : ) Each of them got me something they new I would love or have heard me talk about over the past few months. I got to see Lupe live last weekend (what an amazing show!) thanks Farida for remembering how much I wanted to see him! I happen to currently be in love with Jim from The Office. Thanks to Rudy I get to drink out of a "I <3 Jim" mug (with his picture in the middle of the heart) each morning. Thanks to Bayan I have the most rockin eye shadow! But I have to say my Tinkerbell necklace takes the cake. Over the summer I happen to mention that I have been wanting this Swarovski Tinkerbell necklace for almost a year now (you should all know that I'm obsessed with Tinkerbell!!). In a previous life I had asked someone else to get it for me but they never came through, so I just happen to say that I needed to go out and get it on my own...but kept putting it off. Nana thank you so much for thinking of it, seriously it makes me almost want to cry...you have no idea how much it means to me and how awesome you are for remembering it from such a brief conversation!>

Ramadan was amazing. Last year I felt like I didn't get the chance to take advantage of the special month the way I should have, and this year I was determined not to let the same thing happen. SubhanAllah, how quickly some of my duas have been answered. The power of prayer is amazing, and the truth is when you turn to Allah and truly ask him for his help and guidance he will never turn away from you. Following the end of Ramadan I was over come with such ease and relief. It was so bitter sweet to see the months go, but I hope to continue to be a better person and build my relationship with Allah outside of the blessed month.

The Redskins are making Sundays a bit more bearable! It makes such a difference when your actually winning games. Are we the best team in the NFL? No, but we got out and play good, clean football and nobody can ask for more then that. Beating the Cowboys and the Eagles back to back on the road was enough to make this season worthwhile! HAIL TO THE REDSKINS, 5-2!

I have become addicted to certain things recently, among them include: The Office (I’m all caught up on all 4 seasons!), Date Lab (first thing I read on Sunday mornings now: located in the Washington Post Magazine), and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks (omg it's sooooo good! every time I take a sip I can't stop myself from saying emmmmmmmmmmm).

I better not make a habit out of drinking this Hot Chocolate, as I can't afford the 400+ calories it pumps into my body! I'm in love with Jim and Pam, we all need someone like Jim in our lives (I don't care what you say Rudy!!) Date Lab: What a horrible guilty pleasure!! Farida you are always to blame for these things, I swear! "Set loose in a database of more than 1,600 singles, author Anna Bank was charged with finding just two daters who'd go great together " Check out why I can't stop reading Date Lab

The weekend's already over :( But I'm glad I got around to posting. I promise I promise I promise (yes x 3!) myself to be better about this, although I'm already really proud of myself considering this is the longest I have gone without abandoning a blog, I guess third times a charm!

Sex and The City before bed, what a way to end the weekend :) Hope I don’t regret it tomorrow morning.

What's You Sign

Don't laugh, it's a serious question! When's your birthday is a question that I find myself asking people more and more these days.

I have been putting off writing this post, but since I'm having a funky morning (that has now turned into a funky afternoon since this has taken me ALL day) what better day then today?

Before I even start, Farida is 100% to blame for this new found sick obsession lol. I like many of you once thought all this "sign" stuff was crazy talk. I don't know what exactly struck my interest (maybe it was finding out that Taurus’s and Libras are known to be bad matches, and wishing I had known that 4 years ago haha. Yes Farida, you tried to warn me but it was 3 years to late) regardless the reason, I'm kind of hooked.

Basically it is a study of where the planets are at the time of your birth and how that affects your person and personality.

Yes, when you read about yourself it's NEVER going to sound exactly like you...but often times you have to admit "damn I see a lot of myself in that". Others will tell you to also read about your rising sign (aka your moon sign). Your moon sign is said to rule your personality, while the Sun sign (actually sign for the month/day you were born) rules your individuality. Some people posses more of their moon sign then their sun sign and that's why you may not always agree about the things you read. For example "you could say that your rising sign is your physical self or the face you present to the world. For example, though your Sun sign might be Taurus, your rising sign could very well be Gemini. While you're feeling laid-back, others will tend to see you as a ball of nervous energy and cerebral wit.

I'm a Libra through and through...my rising sign is Aquarius or maybe it's Gemini...I need to check on that again.

Ok ok enough with the mubo jumbo of moon and sun and blah blah blah, because most of you reading this find it to be crap....I once was in your shoes...but I can't help but to be a believe after reading much more into it. I love my new book, which will remain nameless since everyone gets the wrong idea from the title. It goes in depth about each birth sign male and female...and boy oh boy does it lay it out for you haha.

Have fun a read about your self a little. Just have at it, you might really enjoy it once you start. How else would I know to never in 100 years marry a Cancer? I'm just kidding (kind of). I love reading out people that I know because you start to have a better understanding of them. I also love reading about what pairs go together as well. Although any two signs can make it work if they really try to...how nice would it to be to be with a sign that can help make a crazy relationships a little bit easier to bare!

For your reading pleasure I have provided you with a taste of all the signs bellow. Shame on you if you have never read about your own, and if you have maybe this will give you a reason to want more ;)

***Please note: Farida is still dreaming of her blond Leo, if you know of any she would kindly appreciate it if you could please pass them along to her***

***Also please note that not right now or even in the near future, but one day....I will need you to pass along some lovely Aquarius and or Gemini...thank you!***

(I have a random story at the end of this so keep reading)

Aries: March 21- April 20 The Ram (Ms. Farida)

The Ram is the first sign of the zodiac and it would seem those born under this sign are headstrong and leaders. They are usually sure footed and know which way they want to go. They are ruled by the planet Mars and their color is red. Their element is fire and everything about these people is primal. The Aries people are often saying' I am' which would have to be their slogan.

Taurus: April 21-May 21 The Bull

The Bull is the second sign of the zodiac and these people are very much into possessions and material things, their earthly possessions. They show great interest in physical things like sport and food and have very individual qualities. They are ruled by the planet Venus and their color are all shades of blue and green. Their element is Earth and they are usually very cool and very calm. Taurean people usually say ‘I have' which would be their slogan.

Gemini: May 22-June 21 The Twins

The Twins are the third sign of the zodiac and they have a very quick intellect and like to communicate with people. They need a stimulating and changing environment to make them happy. They are ruled by the planet Mercury and the colors that serve them best are light greens and yellow. There saying would have to be ‘I communicate'.

Cancer: June 22-July 22 The Crab

The fourth sign of the zodiac is The Crab and they are usually associated with water and emotions. They could not survive without contact with the dream state and there is plenty of subconscious activity. They are ruled by The Moon and pale colors, including cream and white serve them well. Their motto would be ‘I feel'.

Leo: July 23-August 23 The Lion

The Lion is the fifth sign of the zodiac and like his symbol he is very proud and strong. Leo people have an air of authority and confidence once they have decided on what it is that they are doing. Their planet is The Sun and their colors are all the golden hues. They say ‘I create' or I have made.

Virgo: August 24-September 22 The Virgin

The sixth sign of the zodiac is The Virgin and true to this sign is the serious nature and attitude towards life. They have a strong moral ethic and a tendency to take things literally. The planet that has them fired up is Mercury and the colors that move them are violet, indigo and silver. Their motto would be ‘I serve'

Libra: September 23-October 22 The Scales

The Scales are the seventh sign of the zodiac and his need to weigh things up and balance things out is apparent. They are extremely fair and think things through. They are governed by the planet Venus and the primary colors especially midnight Blue and Pink serve them well. They state that ‘I weigh'

Scorpio: October 23-November 21 The Scorpion

The eighth sign of the zodiac is The Scorpion and the sting this sign can deliver often cuts through to the truth rather abruptly. They can come across as being very direct and this could be the influence of their planets Mars and Pluto. The colors Black, Charcoal and Blood Red are dark colors that match their deep, soulful personalities. Their motto is ‘I control'.

Sagittarius: November 22-December 21 The Archer

The Centaur is the ninth sign of the zodiac and the last fire sign. These people are well known for their love of traveling but if the shoe fits they are very content to settle down. They are lovers of knowledge and as long as this is being fulfilled they can be still. The guiding planet is Jupiter and the colors for them are beige, bronze and denim blue. Their saying is ‘I philosophize'

Capricorn: December 21-January 20 The Goat

The tenth sign of the zodiac is The Goat and is the last earth sign. These people take things seriously and are rather conservative in their outlook. They can be like the rock of Gibraltar and have a vast array of knowledge about everything and anything. They come under the influence of the planet Saturn and their colors are orange and the browns. The words for them are ‘I master' and it doesn't matter how long it takes, they are persistent.

Aquarius: January 21-February 19 The Water Bearer

The Water Bearer is the eleventh zodiac sign and they are the last of the air signs. They have an erratic quality to behavior and like the freedom of choices, they are always seeking the joys in living. The planet Uranus holds great sway over these individuals and they are moved by the fluorescent colours and electric blue. The saying for them is ‘I universalize' as they have a tendency to be able to think for everyone.

Pisces: February 20-March 20 The Fish

The last sign of the zodiac is The Fish and they are also the last water sign but they are also associated with being the link between the earth, sea, air and cosmos. These people are an empathetic bunch who are indeed very generous. They have a saying ‘I believe'.

My random story of the day: In true Libra form, I told a coworker I liked her outfit minus the belt! Who says that?! Insert foot in mouth Sarah.

Until next time my friends until next time ;)

So Bitter Sweet

It's been a while since I posted anything and as I predicated at the end of July, August was a CRAZY month.

As the summer comes to an end and we embark on another Ramadan I think to myself how bitter sweet the past three months have been. Although this summer was not what I expected it to be a few months ago, I really couldn’t have asked for a better or more complete summer. I did so many things and kept so busy that I almost can't believe it's over. From vacationing to finally getting the chance to sky dive, to seeing some of my closest friends get married, to slowly checking things off my year long to do list….it was pretty awesome.

Both Chancey and Bayans weddings were beautiful, and I'm so happy I got the chance to be by their sides on their special day. I wish you both nothing but a lifetime of happiness inshAllah. (Bayan, Wallahi Ramadan iftars wont be the same with out you...so sad)

Most of you have seen my sky diving pictures, and I must say it's the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. There is nothing more freeing then feeling as if you’re flying through the air. I would 100% do it again, and can't wait until the opportunity presents itself. The only thing I wish I could take back is the person I jumped with. Had I not just been on such a high from jumping out of a plan, I would have been really really mad. It sucks when your life is in the hands of the person your attached to and all you want to do is turn around and punch them in the face...knowing that you can't or it will cost you ;)


I ended my summer the way I have for the last 8 years (minus last year), by going to ISNA. It was such a different experience without the C-Uint and for the 100th time this summer I felt so old. It was a really nice weekend alhamdulilah...and a perfect segway into Ramadan, but I did miss the old days. I can't say I missed sharing the room with 5+ girls, but I did miss my crazy friends, late nights, things that will not be named (haha) and the fun we would all have together. Our Ring Free ISNA truly was the last ISNA of the old days :( I really missed your girls this weekend, but Hafsa was an awesome ISNA partner and I think she might be hooked ;)

I can't believe it's already Ramadan. I'm always shocked by how quickly the year goes by. This is by far my favorite month of the year as it should be yours to ;)
With this month comes such a feeling of ease and relief. It truly is the best time to rebuild your relationship with Allah and become closer to him. May all our prayer be accepted this month, and may Allah allow us to continue on this same path following this month.

It already feel like Ramadan is going to fly by (its always does) and I just hope I can make the most out of every moment.....

I doubt I'll be keeping up with this in the next month...but I wanted to make sure to send a kiss off to my beautiful bitter sweet summer.....

You Don't Have One Free Weekend?!

So the big joke between my friends and I is that I have every weekend of the summer booked. Booked as in I have no room to make plans with anyone b/c everything is already planed out. I don't think anyone else I know is like this expect Rudy...which is why we have to "pencil" each other in before she even gets home from Spain! I don't exactly know how this happened. Back in June I was trying to find a date to go to an amusement park with a group of friends...but once I started writing the dates down...I realized I had only one Saturday free, and that would entail me coming home from the beach!

This weekend started off what will now be a jam-packed rest of the summer. It was so nice to see the VA crew. A year and a half ago I feel like I was in VA every single weekend.....those days are no longer (can you blame me...look at the cost of gas?!?! I seriously pumped regular for $4.26 over the weekend!) So it was nice to see a few of them on Saturday...including Aya who should just move home...who the hell likes Jersey?! I should try and make it out more often.

So from VA I drive into D.C to go to this show for the Belly Dancing class that Farida and I are taking. Never again am I going to drive to Dupont and a Saturday night, NEVER AGAIN. I kid you not when I say I drove around for an hour and a half and ended up calling Farida to come out b/c I had missed everything and there was no place for me to park!

She jumps in the car and we make our way to Baltimore (Yes, I went from Columbia to VA to DC to Baltimore and back to Columbia all in one day...and I really wonder why my gas tank is always on E) for a show at Metro Gallery. Although this wouldn’t be my typical kind of crowd I really enjoyed. Abhishek Basu was playing with the band Telesma that night. He is one of the most famous tabla players in India...and it was pretty damn amazing how he came in and played with the band as if he had been doing it for years. I always meet the weirdest people in Baltimore I mean REALLY WEIRD. Weird like let's hold hands and pray together weird...but again it might have just been the show we were at. I just think I'm a D.C kind of girl...it all goes back to the Redskins what can I say?

By far the best part of the weekend was seeing John Mayer live. Now this was very much my crowd, my music, my everything and I loved every second of it. I have Laila to thank for being the first person to get me into John Mayer. She gave me my first John Mayer CD, and there was no turning back.

I had been looking forward to this show for the past two months. I wake up Sunday morning and realize they were calling for rain. Most people would complain about this, I on the other hand couldn't have been happier. I have recently found a new love for rain. I just love the sound and the way it feels, so I didn't even think to bring an umbrella or poncho unlike the hundreds of people sitting around me. I can't lie I did scream like a baby while we were waiting in line to get in b/c the lightning was so loud and so bright across the sky. I really didn’t feel like getting hit by lighting to see John Mayer, as Farida put it...he's not worth it! The thunder eventually calmed down before he came on and I can't tell you how awesome it was standing out in the POURING rain, with my feet in the soaking wet grass, drenched to the bone jamming out to some of my favorite songs.

Songs I enjoyed most:
Waiting on the World to Change
I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)
Bigger Than My Body
Belief
Gravity

(You can check out the whole set list at John Mayer 2008 Summer Tour)

But by far the highlight of my night was, Slow Dancing In a Burning Room, I almost cried it was so amazing.

Towards the end of the show he reaches down and takes a camera from a girl in the front row. He then takes a self-portrait of himself and then a picture of the girl he took the camera from. I just don't feel like people really do stuff like that anymore. It's like their in and out and call it a day. I saw Red Hot at Verizon Center on their last tour and I was so pissed. They played for ONLY AN HOUR and didn't play any old school music. I think artists forget that their fans make them who they are, and I was happy to see John Mayer still gets that.

He thought it would be a good idea to come out for an encore with no shirt on, I thought so to ;)

He closed the show just jamming on his guitar and letting the crowd know, "It's always ok, there's always a way to feel alright". Couldn't have put it better myself…it was just a nice positive way to end the show. For some people music is something that always makes you feel like it’s gonna be alright. It’s amazing that a few melodies and some words strung together can make you believe that person is living your own life. I didn't think I was gonna enjoy a show more then I did DMB...but I did. This was the first but not that last time I will see Mr. Mayer.

The summer more then half way over, and I wish I had a pause button. I already know the coming weeks are gonna be crazy/fun/relaxing/busy all in one.

Next stop on my summer concert tour: Maroon Five (MAYBE) that is if Bayan does not kill me for going to a concert the night before her wedding...when I'm gonna need to be up helping her the next morning haha. We shall see.
This time next week I'll be on the beach for 6 days straight getting some well needed sun and reading good books....I can't wait

You Rock My World

I have the best friends on the face of the earth, Alhamdulilah. I am so lucky and blessed to have so many people in my life who truly love and care about me with all their heart. Some I have known my whole life, some I have just met in the past few years. My words could never express to you how amazing you all are, and what you have done for me esp. in the past few months. I can say without hesitation that there are so many of you I could call at 3:00am just b/c and you would answer, let me talk, and then tell me to go back to sleep ;)

Not everyone gets the chance in life to build friendships like this. My word of advise is if and when you find people like this, never let them go...regardless of the stupid fights or disagreements, regardless if some of your beliefs differ, regardless if you sometimes don't see eye to eye (you can't expect people to be just like you, it will never happen) b/c people like this are hard to come by.

I find it amazing that I have friends I have known my whole life. These girls are like sisters to me. If you look at each of us, we are so different in so many ways, yet by some grace of God we have found a way to make it work. We have found a way to build bonds that transcend friendship. I would give my right arm for any of them.

From the depths of my heart, thank you for all you do. Thank you for making me laugh "I curse the day he was born", thank you for buying me a replacement bear when it was hard to throw away my other one, thank you for being my stand-in BF and calling me before/after work, thank you for pushing me to take Bar classes, thank you for standing up for me, thank you for recommending good books, thank you for coming home even though you didn't have to, thank you for coffee nights, concerts, summer fun and thank you for helping me realize what kind of person I really am and how much I have to look forward to. You have let me lean on you when I needed it the most and I couldn't be more grateful.

You All Rock My World

Ok on to the next thing, now that I'm done gushing my heart out (I know I know, I just can't help!). It seems I found a new love for reading Blogs. When I mentioned this to Farida the other night, she told me to check out John Mayers Blog (Um ya I can't wait to see him live on Sunday night, look out for a follow up Blog) and so I did. I came across this entry and loved it. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

from the heart....03/27 by JM

I need to write this.

I've been traveling alone in Japan for the better part of three weeks now, and it's been so remarkable an experience for me that I can't book a ticket home yet. I haven't spoken very much out loud these days, but I've been thinking to myself in what feels like surround sound. I can see so many things clearly, and feel so connected to myself and the world around me that I need to share the perspective with you.

I'm already aware that when I sing, say or write anything, 50 percent of the response will be in support of it and the other 50 will want to discount it. This blog, though, is directed to 100 percent of people reading it. If my blog truly does have any cultural effect, then it should be used for more than just pictures of sneakers and funny youtube videos. (If you don't think my blog has any effect, than you can't by definition be reading this right now and therefore don't have to respond to it in any way. Isn't that tidy?)

What I'm about to write isn't about fame or success or celebrity or the media. That's my business.

This is about us all.

This is about a level of self-consciousness so high in my generation, that it's actually toxic.

This is about the girl in her bedroom who poses in front of the camera she's awkwardly holding in her outstretched hand. She'll take a hundred photos until coming up with one she's happy with, which inevitably looks nothing like her, and after she's done poring over images of herself, will post one on her myspace page and then write something like " I don't give a f*ck what you think about me."

This is about the person trying out for American Idol, who while going off about how confident they are that they were born ready to sing in front of the world, are trembling so badly they can hardly breathe.

This is about me, the guy who walks through a throng of photographers into a restaurant like he's Paul Newman, but who leaves a "reject" pile of clothes in his closet so high that his cleaning lady can't figure out how one man can step into so many pairs of pants in a week.

This is about a young guy who maintains a celebrity blog that subsists on tearing other people down but who has wrestled with a lifelong battle for acceptance as a gay man.

This is about us all. Every one of us. Who all seem to know deep down that it's incredibly hard to be alive and interact with the world around us but will try and cover it up at any cost. For as badass and unaffected as we try to come off, we're all just one sentence away from being brought to the edge of tears, if only it was worded right. And I don't want to act immune to that anymore. I took the biggest detour from myself over the past year, since I decided that I wasn't going to care about what people thought about me. I got to the point where I had so much padding on that, sure, I couldn't feel the negativity, but that's because I couldn't feel much of anything. And I think I'm done with that.

I'm not the first person to admit we're all self conscious, Kanye was. But what I want to do is to shed a little light on why we're all in the same boat, no matter the shape of the life we lead: because every one of us were told since birth that we were special. We were spoken to by name through a television. We were promised we could be anything that we wanted to be, if only we believed it and then, faster than we saw coming, we were set loose into the world to shake hands with the millions of other people who were told the exact same thing.

And really? Really? It turns out we're just not all that special, when you break it down. Beautifully unspectacular, actually. And that truth is going to catch up with us whether we want to run from it or not. The paparazzo following me to the gym ain't gonna be Herb Ritts and the guy he's following ain't gonna be Bob Dylan. It's just a matter of how old you are once you embrace that fact. And for me, 30 sounds about right.

What now, then? I can only really say for myself: Enjoy who I am, the talents and the liabilities. Stop acting careless. In fact, care more. Be vulnerable but stay away from where it hurts. Read. See more shows. Of any kind. Rock shows, art shows, boat shows. Create more art. Wear hoodies to dinner. Carry a notebook and hand it to people when they passionately recommend something and ask them to write it down for me.

Root for others.

Give more and expect the same in return, but over time.

Act nervous when I'm nervous, puzzled when I don't know what the hell to do, and smile when it all goes my way. And never in any other order than that. And when it's all over, whether at the end of this fabulous career or of this life, which I hope takes place at the same time, I should look back and say that I had it good and I made the most of it while I was able. And so should you.

I'm going quiet now.

John

Even The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You

Change, it seems to be a word I think of often these days. I find it crazy how much things can change from day to day, week to week, year to year. You really just never know what could happen.

About a month ago, I happen to be in a sitting with a bunch of girls who were much younger then me. The girls ranged from 13-15 and I couldn’t help but listen in on the conversation they were having. I held my tongue for as long as I could, but there came a time where I knew I had to step in. One of the girls is going into the 9th grade, which means she is 14 years old at the most. She was talking to her friends about how she already took some highschool classes and wanted to graduate at 16 so she could get married. At the sound of this my head spun around so fast I thought it was going to fall off.

**Note: In our culture you are some what brainwashed to think you have to get married as young as possible. I would like to say most parents these days don’t encourage this until their daughters are well educated and finish college. This is the responsible and smart thing for every parent to do, but regardless from the time a girl is 5 years old all they hear about is marriage this and marriage that. By the time they are 25 they better have the ball rolling or they are in big “trouble”. Yes, it's stupid I know...but it's the truth**

I was pleased that all her friends thought this statement was a bit crazy, as they all asked her about going to college. She then starts in on a rant about how "hard" life is and at this point I start my classic eye rolling, I couldn’t believe she was serious. I looked this young girl straight in the eyes and tell her how much she is going to laugh at herself when she thinks of this time in her life 10 years from now. Not even 10 years...3 years from now!

I know at every age we all go through something that makes us think the world is going to end. I know better then anyone else, because as much as I hate to admit it I can be a bit dramatic (agh that's really hard for me to say, but I guess that's part of the new me...facing my lovely flaws…but I like to look at it as I’m just a passionate person!). I remember being 15 years old and thinking that every issue I ran into was so important, only later to find how silly it all was because at the end of the day NONE of it mattered. I'm not so sure I will be able to do the same when I look back at this point of my life. Rather then think my issues are silly, I'm sure I will realize that everything happens for a reason even if you don't know it at the time.

It's frightening how much you change as a young adult. I remember being 18 and having numerous conversations on marriage with my other 18 year old friends. I once again LAUGH at the idea that we ever thought we were ready for that at such a young age. I don't think people realize how much they truly change and grow from 18-20, 20-23, 23-25. Each of these years are filled with things that mold us into the people we will become: college, internships, making new friends, moving, jobs, traveling, and so on. I feel like you kind of sell yourself out, if you don't get the chance to really understand who you are before promising your life to someone else. Each year I surprise myself, because although my core values don't change many of my perceptions on life do.

What bothers me even more then what I have stated above, is when you think you know someone but you never really do. You form friendships, you meet people whom you love deeply...but little by little they become someone else, and accepting them for that person becomes extremely difficult because they no longer possess the qualities that made you love them in the first place.

I use to be a person who advocated the idea of getting married at a young age, but the more time goes by the more I realize what a bad idea this is unless you truly are one of the most mature 20 year olds on the face of the earth.

Really random, I know…but just my thoughts for today.

Hope everyone had an awesome 4th of July.... I’m happy to say I had a better one then 2007...at least it didn’t end in tears and that was the goal!

So it looks like I might be on a role when it comes to updating this thing, I don't want to jinx myself! Let's see how long I keep it up.

Picture Prefect Memory

This is a blessing and curse all in one. Alhamdulilah I have a really good memory. It's really hard for me to forget things especially when it comes to people I love. I still remember the day I met Farida and I was only 7 years old! I remember her coming over with her family for the first time and spending the night because we didn't want to stop playing.

I remember the first night I met Bayan at a Ramadan dinner, not having a clue what kind of friendship would grow throughout the next two years. I remember the first time I really had a conversation with Rudy while manning an AAI table and falling in love with her amazing personality and love for life. I remember so many insane moments Nana and I shared growing up, having no idea how drastically our lives would change 10 years down the road. I remember my first day of college when I ran into Saadia (who I hated in a pervious life haha) again not knowing we would later form the C-Unit and I would be bridesmaid at her wedding. I remember family vacations, birthday, weddings, first loves, crazy high school/college times and so much more.

The issue with this is that sometimes I want to forget. Sometime my picture perfect memory gets the best of me and I am overwhelmed with sadness when I remember old friends or people I have shared amazing things with who are no longer part of my life. No matter how hard I would like to forget, I can't.

Bayan and I had this conversation the other day, because she never remembers anything...and I was shocked at how different our outlooks are. There are seriously some moments in life I could never forget. I could tell you where I was, what I was doing, what the people were wearing and most defiantly the year and month it happened. I know, its sick! Some people can only remember really important memories, but what seems to be a big deal to me is not such a big deal to others. Sometimes I think it's going to be the death of me. My Mom will forever tell people not to argue with me when it comes to old memories because I will always be right! (Sarah is always right, that has a ring to it)

I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind a few weeks ago. For those of you who don't know the movie is about a couple that undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories when their relationship goes bad, but soon come to find "You can erase someone from your mind. Getting them out of your heart is another story."

There are so many people who have walked in and out of my life but have left a lasting impression, there are others who have walked in and out of my life who I would like to erase but I have come to learn at the end of the day our memories makes us who we are and you can't change the past. So going forward I wont try to forget old memories but rather realize how lucky am I to be able to hold on to so much. I will cherish the good and learn from the bad and will hopefully be a better person for it.

The Bar

No, not the kind you grab a drink at...

I have lucked out by having a fitness crazed friend who is forever introducing me to new and improved workout and health plans. So when she told me she had signed us up for what seems to be the most recent trend in L.A and New York I was all for it. Little did I know what I was getting myself into when I walked into my first Bar Method Class.....

To say I wanted to die half way through would be an understatement. Who knew such little movements could be so effective! The Bar Method seeks to stretch every major muscle group, and oh boy does it!

I am currently working with a trainer twice a week and taking a dance class once a week, none of the those do me in the same way as Bar. When done with the 60min workout you walk out feeling like you used every part of body. This is the kind of workout that tricks you into thinking you deserve a big treat when your done (like a big piece of chocolate cake!).

Don't be fooled by the name, you don't need any formal dance training to take part in this class, the main focus is to use the bar as a tool to work ever damn bone in your body including: arms, legs, calf (killer), abs (soooooo killer!), back, thigh, butt etc.

Well I'm happy to say I lived through the experience and will now be going back to the class every other week. If anyone of you girls in the DC area (or guys, but you might be the only one there haha) are interested let me know! It's worth a try and if your up for really pushing yourself. They say with time it gets easier..I sure hope so.

Dave Matthews Take Two

The weekend always goes by so fast. Sunday is seriously the worst day of the week because you spend the whole day thinking, "tomorrow is Monday". I always find myself asking what did I do this weekend, and how did it go by so fast?!

So I spent all last week listening to my best Dave Matthews mixed CD's to get pumped for the concert this past Saturday. I saw them live for the first time 3 summers ago (almost exactly to the date!) and could never forget the experience, so when I found out they would be making a stop in VA on their summer tour I new I had to go! Farida and I packed up the car for our 3 hour ride (which was well worth it!) and jammed the whole time while also reading up on astrology/birth signs....which has become my new obsession but I'll save that for another post.

This show was like none of I have ever been to, and that’s saying a lot considering I have been to so many shows I can't even count. It was 100% different from the first time I saw him live and I loved every bit of it. I have never had the chance to sit on the lawn at Nissan Pavilion before, and now that I have I will be do it again 100 times over! It was amazing to see the seas of people all around, and it's nothing like sitting under the Pavilion in a seat. We got there right before he went on, and he played and two and a half hour set.

By far the highlights of my night were the following songs:
-You Might Die Trying
-The Space Between
-Everyday
-Ants Marching

He closed the show with Thank You, and by the end you couldn’t even hear him because the crowed was singing so damn loud....amazing.

Best lines of the night:
Farida: "Do you know what the best part of this whole show is?"
Sarah: "What"?
Farida: "There will be no fighting on the way home"!!

And then we gave the middle finger in remembrance of our last Dave Matthews experience hahaha. I'm so happy to have a friend like her who is down for any show at anytime.

I'm already looking forward to the next time he's on tour, I have a feeling seeing him live wont get old for a long time to come.

Next stop on my summer of concerts: John Mayer, July 13th...good times.

A New Kind Of Life

Anyone who knows me well enough knows that my life has changed dramatically in the last two months. I have not updated this since February (as I knew I would be so so bad at that), and if you would have told me at that point I would be where I am today I would have called you crazy.

A New Kind of Life is exactly what I'm working on. I have learned more about myself in the last 60 days then I have in the last 4 years of my life. I'm amazed by the strength I never thought I had, and for the first time in a very long time I am only concerned about my own happiness. It feels so good to be selfish and do everything I want to do with no questions asked and nothing to worry about.

I feel so lucky and blessed to have amazing friends and family. I will never take this for granted so long as I live because without them I don't know where I would be or how I would survive such trying times.

So my "New Kind of Life" entails many changes/things I am looking forward to in the next 12months. My mind is all over the place and each day I find myself adding to my year long "to do list". I am pleased at how in just two short months I have started to come up with a plan to some how make each thing on my list happen:

In no particular order:

-Travel: I will be spending a week at the beach with my family. A week at the beach with my girl friends, and traveling to Egypt in December (which may be a permanent move for a while, but I'm still working on that)

-Pay off my credit cards: So ya this one is not coming along so well, my new found freedom has me spending more then I probably should. But your only young once, so I'm going to take advantage of this time and buy cloths when I want to, eat out at amazing places, travel because I can, and just have fun.


-Save money: See Above lol

-Read more books: I have at least three-four summer books lined up. I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love (Thank you Rudy) and I can't say enough good things about it. Perfect book for the perfect time.


-Lose 15-20 pounds and start working out by taking classes/going to the gym/personal trainer: This was actually on the very top of my list and I am quite pleased on how it's going thus far. I have lost 10 pounds, am meeting with a personal trainer twice a week, taking a belly dancing class once a week, and just doing my best to stay active and really get in shape.

-Eat healthy: This kind of goes hand and hand with the above. It really is a life style change, you naturally want to eat better when you are working so hard to get in shape. All of a sudden that extra slice of chocolate cake doesn't seem so worth it.


-Take piano lessons: I have always wanted to do this, but thought I was "to old" to learn. I know, to old?! I'm only 23, which in my book still counts as super young...so I have found a place and am working on picking a teacher. It won't be anything crazy, just once a week for 30min..but I'm excited.

-Sky Dive: I'm still trying to find the right people to do this with. No way in hell can I going on my own and it's def. something I want to share with someone else...anyone down for this get in touch with me!


-Change my room/get new furniture: Soha is home for the summer, but once she leaves I will be moving into her room and changing everything. (Again this is tentative depending on where my travel plans will take me in the coming months)

-New Ear Piercing: This will for sure be done by the end of the summer, but god knows I don't really need anymore lol.


-Avon Breast Cancer Walk: I have been talking about this for the past 3 years. I hope I get the chance to take part in it this year or next.

-Apply to be on deal or no deal (haha this is reaching I know): The application is almost done, and now I need to make a 5min tape. You may think I'm crazy...but it's the best plan I could come up with to get a good amount of money fast haha.

I'm truly looking forward to what the coming year has in store for me. I can't lie and say I'm this positive all the time...some days are harder then others. For the most part I'm just really proud of myself and have realized if I can make through such a painful experience I can make it through a lot.

I think I should add to my list that I need to update this once a week. I wont pick a certain day...but I will make a vow that once a week I will get to it. I think it might actually be kinda therapeutic and God knows I need that!

So here's to a New Kind of Life, and a year full of adventures, truths, and self-discovery