Date #2: Nosheen

I spent Tuesday with the lovely Nosheen (and Utbah crashed our date). We decided on dinner and a movie. Okay fine, I decided on dinner and a movie and it was the greatest plan ever. We ate at Olive Garden and watched Guardians of the Galaxy; the movie was a-ma-zing! I am not a big 3D fan but that was the show time we ended up going to and I highly recommend watching the movie in 3D--totally worth the extra money.

Musah's and Mahnoor's Birthday

The month of January is a busy month for the Khan family; too many birthdays. Musah's, then Mahnoor's, then Sadiah's (thought technically she isn't a Khan) and then Samreen's. 

This year it was Musah's first birthday and Mahnoor's fourth birthday. Aww they grow up so fast don't they. Sam has been super creative recently so she made these cute shirts for both of them. This Saturday is their birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. Lets wait and see how the craziness will unravel.

November/December Recap

So its been a while, I realize that. I had finals for three weeks and then a two week winter "vacation." Lets be real, that wasn't really a vacation. I worked the whole time and did nothing. I did watch a lot of TV. I definitely overdosed on the Hallmark channel. Yes, I watch those sappy Christmas movies, they're amazing.

So the whole month of November was spent studying for finals; even spent Thanksgiving studying. I took 17 credits in the Fall so I would only have to take 13 in the Spring. While studying for finals I thought I had made the worst decision of my life by taking 6 classes, but after I got my grades, I'm thinking maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. I guess I excel under pressure because I kicked ass on my finals. It sucks that my GPA isn't going anywhere, but I am pretty proud of myself. 

Other than preparing myself for the next three miserable weeks of finals, it was also Asmara's birthday. I have been meaning to blog about her birthday for days weeks now but just never got around to it. Asmara is my favorite because, in addition to a million other things, she is like my second mommy. She makes the yummiest things (including my fav lasagna), is literally one of the smartest people I know, literally the smartest person, I can ask her about anything and a kick ass couponer. I mean she makes those people on TV look bad she's that good! 

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

December was spent taking finals and watching lots and lots of TV. It was also Abu's 59th birthday. I have to blog about Abu, maybe I'll save that for Fathers Day. Sadiah got engaged. Oh lawd. My bff. Where does the time go? Lastly, this may have been the first year I spent not staying up until midnight to watch the New Years ball drop. I got knocked out around 10. When did I get so old?

I guess thats everything I didn't blog about. My plans of going to different places has failed yet again. Maybe 2014 will be different.

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 :)

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. 

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. 

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. 

August Birthdays

When you have a family as big as mine, most of the time, you don't get single birthday parties. More than likely there is another person in family who has a birthday in the same month as yours. August is the lucky month for Saif, Ebaad and Ghanva. We decided to celebrate everyones birthday (Saif's 4th and Ghanva's 17th birthday) on Ebaad's 1st birthday. 

We did a little face painting, a few games and attempted with an outdoor movie night but the adults did not like the movie selection, The Guardian. We ended the night with fireworks that Bushra had saved from 4th of July. 

Princess Mahnoor 

Birthday boy

Saif Wayne--get it, Bruce Wayne, batman, Saif Wayne--never mind

The Three Musketeers: Mahnoor, Raghib & Saif

Ball game

I must post these pictures tonight or otherwise Bushra might just commit an assault and battery on me. Today we went to the Nationals game against the New York Mets. The kids schools start Tuesday and Bushra wanted to take them out before the studying started again. Although I'm not a big sport follower, I do enjoy going to a baseball game. My first one was in 2008--my awesome neighbors (Amy & Brian) took me. The best part about the experience was as we were leaving the stadium, a foul ball came towards our direction and Brian actually caught it (or attempted to). After a struggle with some other people who wanted to claim the ball, Brian finally got control of it and gave it to me! First ball game and I got a foul ball. I'm not bragging but come on, that's a pretty good story. Here are my quick phone shots to prove my story. 

Anyways, today my sister dropped the kids off at my work and I drove them to DC. Even with navigation, I got lost for about 29 minutes (that's right, 29 minutes). I hate driving in DC and on top of that, I'm horrible with directions. Horrible. Finally got to Bushra's work and like always Bushra didn't show up 20 minutes later. We drove to the park and found an incredibly close, too good to be true, parking near the stadium. After paying for the parking on the phone we finally read the sign that said "no parking during events" (oh and the cars parked nearby were all cop cars). I really wanted to move the car but Bushra convinced me to leave it there (mainly because she said she would pay any parking ticket I would get and was a parking ticket "expert").

We then walked to our seats and enjoyed the Presidents Race and the game (excuse the quality of the pictures, these were taken from my phone)

The Nats were so close to winning but lost 3-2 or is it 2-3 (my knowledge of baseball comes from playing the Wii). After the game, they had a great firework show sponsored by American University (it lasted much longer and was much better than I expected--definitely worth the wait).

After the fireworks, I rushed out to make sure my car was still there and hadn't been towed (I took a quick shoe shot during the walk back--I love these shoes!)

As I got closer to the car, I didn't see any of the police cars parked near my car but before I could have my panic attack, I saw my beautiful blue civic parked right where I left it. When I got closer to the car, I realized I had not only not gotten towed (that made sense, I think) but I never got a parking ticket! Alhamdulillah. As if that wasn't a great way to end a Friday, we had Taco Bell on the way home. A happy end to a happy day :)

Lal Qila

Today we went to Lal Qila in Windsor Mill, Maryland to celebrate a graduation. It's an open buffet style restaurant with all halal options (Chinese, American and Pakistani/Indian--I prefer the Chinese, specifically Orange Chicken and Lo Mein), basically a good place to get that I-cant-move-because-I-ate-so-much feeling. The food is good but I don't know if its worth driving 70 miles for. On the other hand, when you have a big family as mine (6 sisters + 9 nieces and nephews + 2 parents + 4 brother-in-laws), maybe it isn't such a bad idea. 

And now, I must do my readings for school tomorrow. Where does the weekend go?