Highlights from the Thank you dinner

Finally Mike and hosted our first "Little Summer" dinner....to thank all of those that helped us move (and those that were kind in so many other ways).... Thanks and there will be more fun times to come....

Can the "most watched" TV show in the world create social change?

Tuesday night I watched PBS's Independent Lens--
They had a documentary aired called
"The World According to Sesame Street"
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/worldaccordingtosesamestreet/film.html

This film was remarkable! The film follows U.S. Sesame Street producers to
Bangladesh, Kosovo and South Africa. They set up 'workshops' where this
ICONIC American TV show metamorphosizes to become a local cultural
space to create social consciousness! The U.S. produces are very cultural
sensitive and collaborate with the local producers--- the end result for each
country highlight Jim Henson’s artistry but incorporate indigenous songs,
puppets and curricula ---the film highlights cultural, political and production
challenges.

Happy Wedding Rachel and John!

P1010892
Originally uploaded by Sherene.

Rachel and John became 'partners' this past Saturday...and as you can see it was a beautiful non-traditional gala event! Rachel and John really make such a wonderful couple...and I am so happy I had the chance to see them tell the world how much they love each other.

When I think about successful couples, I think of them!

Morocco-Marrakech---Here I come!

200004-Morocco-Marrakech
Originally uploaded by alias65.

Today it's official--- I am going to Morocco! And, to the home of Dr. Ali---Marrakech~

There is an amazing rush of knowing you will travel somewhere soon. I find my soul craves these opportunities, and I feel very lucky I am healthy and I can afford to follow my soul's voice.

Now...hopefully many more will fwollow me...>Sofia, Kris, Joe and Ish....come 'on guys----we can sleep when we are dead, experiences like these come only but once per lifetime!

Iftar celebration

Masjid Sultan Ramadhan Bubur Distribution 02
Originally uploaded by axisofjustice.

Tonight I went to celebrate the breaking of the daily fast with friends at a local Mosque. During Ramadan Fasting is prescribed for Muslims by Allah & is one of the fundamental 5 pillars of Islam.

I have to say, I always enjoy going to this event....I feel so welcomed by the muslims in Buffalo and encouraged to ask questions that allows me to really understand (of course from my outsiders perspective)...and I got a pretty good crash course in Arabic...

But as always, I feel so lucky to have these opportunities. And, thanks to Rema--I also got to meet the head of the FBI in Buffalo....
~~ watch out, I may be recruited for counterterrorism work! AHHHHH

Happy Belated Birthday Ish!

Sunday was Ish's birthday. I didn't know this until earlier last week when I had this ESP kinda feeling and I just knew there was something going on in his life and I had to email him. I thought maybe it was a raise, but it was something even better, his birthday!

I am really grateful that I have become friends with Ish. He has real talent---whether it's his architectural designs or his cooking, or his candle making abilities---he shares it with all of us. Most of all, I have so enjoyed our many chats over coffee @ Amy's place, or beers @ Hardware Store...where we ponder life--why are we here?
He is a wonderful soul!

Happy belated Birthday!

More on the Friday the 13th Storm

I have spent the last 2 days helping friends and ensuring everyone is ok in the wake of the strangest snow storm I have ever seen~ I wanted to share some more pictures---you can see the difference from Friday to Saturday as the wind came a blew off the snow (which helped the trees survive)-- To see more of Amherst on Friday, the 13th, check out my friend Amresh's pictures: http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~agkumar/
The streets were still not cleared out on Saturday. This is my sister's street. Power lines and down trees making driving dangerous.
However, Aidan was a happy kid---check out the gloves (we had to tape them on his hands to keep them warm).

Gas lines were incredible---as people stock up on Gas for their car as well as for generators. The "Generator craze" was amazing. My brother-in-law's dad went to Celevland to get one. For those that did get to buy one in Buffalo, they found long lines for Gas. Some gas stations didn't have pumping units due to power outages.

However, I found this whole disaster a wake up call. As people went crazy at Wegman's stocking up on what they deemed as 'necessities', I thought about the meaning of a 'real' necessity.

Summer gets POUNDED by SNOW in OCTOBER!

Today we woke up to down trees and snow....very unlike Buffalo in October. The worst part is how this storm has effected the trees. Buffalo has beautiful, old trees, and this storm has caused serious damage. Check out the old tree in front of my house---
This morning George and I explored Richmond and summer, here's some highlights, See if you can find George????

Who said Food on the Face isn't cute?

Ok, so today I had a lunch date with the CUTEST, and COOLEST guy I know....someone I love so much----AIDAN!

And, no one can make him laugh like my Mom....you go Grama!

I found the key to feeling better! IKEA!

åttonde
Originally uploaded by flyzipper.

Thanks to all of you for bloggin' in and giving me fantastic suggestions to feeling better. Now I even have a Swiss Doctor! I am sure he would agree that there is no better medicine that a trip to IKEA!

Saturday Angela, Kris, Caroline, Joe Sofia and I spent hours meandering through Ikea's vast array of stuff....and I came home very happy. But Mike isn't, as he has to put together all the crazy parts to my shelf!

Bloody Hell, maybe it's the Bird Flu!

avian flu virus sem
Originally uploaded by uafcde.

Being sick is just horrible. I have been battling a cold for 3 days..the first two days I was in denial ..."Oh I just have a soar throat".
Now, my body is in a battle against these tiny little invaders! Damn them.

So I have been asking my workmates what they take for a cold....my Syrian friend says Dried Figs and Seame Paste. My Chinese friend, says special Tea.....

Rita says a POTATO on the nose!

At this point, I am willing to be a medical experiment in order to feel better!

Happy Birthday RITA! And Congrats Dr. Ali

Today is my friend Rita's birthday. She has to be one of the smartest, insightful and warmhearted people I know. Her generosity is displayed in many ways...she always there for her friends whether it's listening to my problems or helping me clean my stove. She shows her love in many ways. I am so happy that she has come to Buffalo to study~~~ She has brought light into our lives! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
The Evening was also to celebrate---Dr. Ali ~ We are all very proud of Ali and his accomplishment! Go Social Justice~