Saturday, November 16, 2013

Inayaah's Ears Piercing

Today we took Inayaah to get her ears pierced. I have been wanting to go forever now, but Asu used the "six-month" excuse. 

Inayaah was so happy to be at the mall. A lot happier than Asu was; Asu was freaking out. Motherhood softens you up like crazy. 


Look at those cute little eyes.


Here she is sitting on Noshi Mama's lap, getting ready.




Ta-da! 

There is a picture in between these 2 pictures that I took but I didn't post because she looked so sad. I mean really sad but how adorable does she look with her new earrings? 


Happy Birthday Squish

Ah the busy month of November. So. Many. Birthdays. 

Last week it was Eisha's, aka Squish, birthday and guess what? I completely forgot. I mean completely, just had no clue. I knew it was coming up because I ordered something online for her but I forgot it was on the 14th. I'm glad her mom called and left me a message because otherwise there wouldn't have been an 8 PM call. Forgetting is a big deal in our family. I mean we're the kind of people that like to compete to see who the first wisher is at midnight. It gets pretty heated. 12:01 is too late. 

Back to the topic, ah Squish's birthday. Yes. My dorky, book worm, socially awkward, super creative Squish is all grown up (I believe 19). Where does the time go?

Before I forget Squish, let me take this time to remind you that you called me your "BFF" Friday night. This is incase you ever forget. You won't now. Its now on the internet. 

Anyhow, Happy Birthday Squish. Even though you are turning into a beautiful and smart young lady, to me you will always be the dork with the crooked teeth, and I mean some crazy looking teeth, and weird book obsessions. 

I just hope each passing year, you'll stop being so lazy (people, I got my birthday gift a year after my birthday). Love you.

And yes, of all the pictures I took, I'm using this one :)


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Happy Birthday Asu

You know the best part about having 5 sisters? Having 5 sisters. Growing up I didn't need many friends because I had 5 around-the-clock-i-can-never-escape-them friends. Sure we didn't get along all the time (we still don't) but I know they love and care for me unconditionally, no matter what I do. 
“Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink." 
People always ask me who my favorite sister is, but the truth of the matter is they're all my favorite, for one reason of another. 

Even though we are 8 years apart, Asu is my favorite because, in addition to a million other things, she has a really big heart. I mean a really big heart. She always gives, gives and gives, but doesn't ask anything in return. She is loving and caring and funny and humble and smart and gorgeous. She is there for me when I need her and she's there for me when I don't. If you look up "older sister" in the dictionary, you'll see her picture (in addition to my 4 other sisters, of course); she is the ultimate older sister. 

I am so lucky to have you in my life. Happy Birthday Asu. Love you. 



Friday, October 25, 2013

Dulles Airport + TooSso

Let me tell you something about Dulles Airport, my people love it.  I think I am at Dulles Airport at least once a month.  I am at Dulles either dropping someone off or picking someone up.  Unfortunately, I am never the one leaving.  

My parents just recently went to Pakistan; no I have not been partying everyday.  Ever since my mom left, I now have 5 mothers (the result of being the youngest of 6 sisters).  Its a blessing and a curse, but lets be real, I am loving the attention I am getting. 




Pakistani parents take the most awkwardest pictures
Recently I discovered the benefit of going to Dulles Airport: TooSso Pakistani Kitchen. I have no clue what it means, actually I am not even sure how to pronounce it but whatever it is, it is amazing

Of course theres a baby picture--this was before we went inside
Its a pretty small restaurant but very nicely decorated.  They have decorated their walls with Pakistani soda caps, kites and a projector playing old Pakistani movies (genius!). 






I really liked the menu because there wasn't a million things to choose from--it was short and simple. 

We decided we would get the Meat Samosas, the Bun Kebab Special which came with Mirchi Fries and for dessert, if you know me, you know I love my desserts, Faluda.

Even though the Bun Kebab reminded me of the ones I had in Pakistan, literally they are so good, the Samosas were eh; the Faluda was really good too.





I didn't get to enjoy all of my Faluda because this happened:




Even though I didn't try much on the menu, I am definitely going back there for the Bun Kebab and Faluda. 

Pumpkin Patch

I have been meaning to post about the Pumpkin Patch I went with my little babies but I keep of slacking.  Story of my life. 

Anyway, on Tuesday I went to the Cox Farm Pumpkin Patch in Centreville with Mahnoor and Saif. I love these kids but man they are socially awkward; Saif didn't leave my side the whole time and Mahnoor wanted to go to school the whole time we were there. 

We started the Pumpkin Patch with the mandatory Hayride. 




This is how excited the kids when we first got there. Wait until you see the last picture I took. 


After the Hayride, we stood in line for a slide until it started raining and the slide closed. Whomp. Whomp. We took shelter for a bit, ate lunch (Nutella sandwiches, of course) and then the kids were free to go run around. I had class in the afternoon so we called it a day around noon and the kids selected their mini Pumpkin to go. 








I kid you not, these were their happy faces by the end of the day. 



Monday, October 21, 2013

DIY: Succulents

I finally got around to something I have been wanting to do for months now: DIY Succulent Cups.  I really wanted to use a tea cup but my dad has a garage sale craze and brought these sugar holders/sugar cups/the thing you put sugar in (I have no clue what to call them).


I didn't do anything innovative really.  Just got the succulent with its roots, stuck it in the sugar cup (thats what I'm calling it), added some gardening soil and voila!



Isn't it the cutest idea to spruce up a table setting?

Saturday, October 5, 2013

A Much Needed Break

It's Saturday, well it was Saturday, it's almost over now but regardless it's the weekend! For some reason I woke up at 9 today. The day I want to sleep in, the day I need to sleep in, my brain decides to wake me up at 9. And if that's not bad enough, I couldn't fall back asleep because my brain decided to tell me about the million things I need to do soon and all the embarrassing and annoying things that went down this week. Yes I'm that person that thinks about something even if it happened a month ago, especially if I did something stupid but for the life of me I can't seem to remember where my classes are.

Today, Bushra, Nosheen and I went to Nirala in Brookfield Plaza (Springfield). After working at the Commonwealths Office and realizing how many bad things happen there, I don't really like being there BUT they have Food Corner and Nirala there. Who can say no to amazing Gyros, Ras Malai and Mathai (both are South Asian desserts)? I know I definitely can't. 

Seriously Food Corner is the best Gyro place. Ever. In history. It's amazing. 

My favorite Mathai at Niralla is Kalakand. I'm not a foodie so I have no idea how they make this (it must involve magic) and what's in it but I know what it tastes like and it tastes like happiness and sunshine.  I am also obsessed with Ras Malai. 




Of course no Saturday is complete without a trip to Chuck E Cheese. Ami (mom) finally decided to go with us today and kicked ass in Skee Ball. Me on the other hand, beat a 12 year old boy in Basketball. I've never felt so young in my life. 


Another Saturday has passed too quickly. Now I must spend what time I have left watching Arrow. Ladies, if you haven't started watching that show, believe me you're missing out. 

Friday, September 27, 2013

My Phone Miracle

Yesterday I lost my phone. Biggest tragedy of my life (not really, but really for my thumbs). I left class with books in one arm and my phone in the other. I got to my car and put my books and phone on top of my car to get my keys from my bag. I got the keys out, unlocked my car, put my books inside my car, got in the driver seat and drove away. A few miles down, I drove over something and at that moment I thought it was something dead but boy was I wrong; it was my phone! After I didn't find my phone in the car, I decided to check use iCloud to locate it. Guess where it was? On a highway, a few miles away from campus. It was too dark and I had no motivation to drive back to get my phone (30 miles there and 30 miles back) so I took a risk and decided to go during work the next day. I checked my phones location on iCloud, made a prayer and went on my journey to find my phone. I drove to Washington Boulevard, pulled over and began my search. I looked and looked and looked. That crazy person you saw walking in the median on the highway was me. I almost gave up but then there it was, my beautiful phone just lying there. No broken screen. Just pure beauty, with a few scratches. My miracle phone. 

The was my wonderful start to a wonderful Friday.

Then for lunch, Eisha and I enjoyed our food coma from Elevation Burger and Sweet Berry (which by the way is amazing--crepes AND gelato? Yes please!)

My Elevation Burger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, elevation sauce and cheese

Eisha's Elevation Burger with lettuce, pickles, ketchup and cheese

Eisha's Chocolate Gelato Crepe with Bananas and Strawberries 

My crepe with Vanilla Gelato crepe with Nutella and House Cream

Monday, September 23, 2013

Happy Monday

I can't believe its been a week since my last post.  I can' t believe I am almost half way through my last-fall semester of law school. 

The last few days have been super stressful. Ah, the gift of growing up. Instead of being excited that its September, which means PUMPKIN PIES, I am stressed because I don't have a job lined up post-May. Yes, yes I shouldn't be, its only September, something will come up when the time is right, but I can't help it. People around campus have things lined up and its making me nervous. I was in denial (about graduating, finding a job, it being August) the first few weeks of the semester so I missed a lot of the government deadline, which sucks. Sigh. BUT, I saw this quote yesterday:
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
So here I am, taking it one day at a time. 

Today's Happy Monday is brought to you by the Tomato Basil Soup at Cosi. This stuff is amazing. 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Happy Monday

No day is hated more than Monday, well Sunday may be a close tie. Today I have decided to stop hating Mondays, okay fine, today I have decided I need to find ways to make Mondays more bearable. 

Today, the smell of coffee made my Monday less painful, one bean at a time. 


Saturday, September 14, 2013

Perseverance

This week has been, lets just say unforgettable: on Sunday, my friend Sabah lost her brother in a car accident, and on Wednesday, my mom lost her brother. 

I like to think that I'm a pretty strong person, but this week was emotionally wearing me out. That was until I saw this in my driveway: 


What is so amazing about this? Its a flower, growing in the cracks of our driveway. 
How did it get there? I have no idea. 
How is it surviving, without any water, surrounded by cement, in this weather? I have no idea. 

I check it every morning and there it is, healthy as ever, blooming away. I even tried yanking it out, but it has somehow put its roots in the driveway.

To me, this flower represents hope. It represents a miracle. It represents strength. It represents perseverance. 
"Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance." (Quran 2:155-157).   
Sometimes the answer to your dilemma is as small as a flower, growing in your driveway. 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

DIY Sunday

Can't believe its Sunday again, where does the weekend go? Every weekend I plan on doing my readings for the week and every weekend I do nothing. Actually, now that I think about it, I actually did my reading for National Security Law yesterday. Oh wait, I only did reading for my other class tomorrow. One of these weekends, I will get ahead. It'll happen, you just wait and see. 

So instead of doing what I should be doing, I spent the morning crafting. Samreen, my Pinterest obsessed sister, wanted to dye her clothes, ombre style. After a hour or so of dehydrating in the sun (man it was hot today), I think we accomplished a lot. Afterwards I decided to do the craft I have thought of doing while I was in Miami. 

While we were in Miami, I kept these glass water bottles we got from the Concierge Lounge hoping to do a Pinterest project. I decided today would be the perfect Sunday to get craf-tay. 

This is the end product:



What you need:
(1) newspaper
(2) spray point
(3) clear water bottle
(4) hot glue
(5) dry erase marker 


Please ignore the dirty garage floor
First, come up with what you're going to write on the bottle. I thought I would use this bottle as a souvenir from my trip so I decided to write "Miami" (I think I saw it on Pinterest with "love").

Use the dry erase marker to write what you're going to trace with the hot glue gun. 

My cursive stinks, I know
Next, trace what you wrote with the hot glue gun. Make sure you cover all of the dry erase marker--I didn't and it shows at the end. 

The hot gun glue didn't work the way I wanted it to
Then, spray the word. You can spray the whole bottle--I only sprayed the front. 


Wait until the paint dries, I think I left it alone for about 30, and then peel off the glue. I would recommend waiting maybe an hour or so, my paint was still a bit wet when I peeled the glue, but I was too excited to see how it was going to come out to wait. 

Once you peel the glue off, ta-da, you're done! (my "Miami" wasn't as smooth as I wanted, so I dipped a q-tip in some nail polish remover and fixed the edges)



My personal florist Bushra made the arrangement
You can use the bottle for whatever you like--vase, pencil holder, jewelry stand, or any other creative idea. 

Ahhh, my very first DIY post--I feel very Pintestery at this moment.