I started out with the impression that my logic class would be difficult. Then I quickly changed my position to that it would be a total breeze. After this week, I’m reversing back to my initial position. Writing proofs involving negation and disjunction elimination is much more intuitive and difficult than I though.

Despite that, all the homework is done for last week.

The second midterm in physics is coming up; this will be the make-or-break point to see how well I’m going to do in the course, since the first test was incredibly easy. Naturally, I’m anxious as all hell. I don’t really get how some people can have such composure going into tests-my brother certainly does, and it has always helped him score a few points higher than me.

Speaking of anxiety, that reminds me of something. I think there are two equally valid but conflicting philosophies on academics/work/life, one consists of worrying about things and being driven to ensure your success, the other of letting go of concern and accepting whatever results you receive.

Both can be argued to bring you happiness, although the latter seems to be criticized more often than the first, presumably because it’s the “lazy” way out. But that makes me wonder, if someone worked very hard, and achieved much, but then switched to a wild and carefree lifestyle, could anyone really criticize them? After all, it was a choice, they obvious have the ambition and willpower to pursue success, but they decided the second outlook was the better path.

I hope one day I can be one of those carefree people who step out of the grind, smile, and walk away.

Guess I’ll work on that.

across the universe, time is to be reversed. no shelter can be found, to this fate, we are bound!

The destination of my peace is with you my love. your feeling is in my heartbeat. dont go far, please… dont go. <3

dont ask…

We left house around 12:30 pm… came home around 9:00. o_o

In the process, we visited two older ladies mom knows, and attended THE most POINTLESS seminar I’ve ever been forced to attend. 

Yo, the topic was “Love, Family, and Domestic Violence in Islam”. 

Since WHEN does a 15 year old kid, who has heard random speeches on this topic (that doesnt interest her nor benefit her now) have to attend a whole SEMINAR on the topic. 

Arrrghhhh. 

Bored.to.death isnt a well enough description of the lecture. 

Some of the domestic violence stories are  horrific though. I think by now one should be scared to get married. Especially seeing as the youth today are even more corrupted than the previous generation. Seriously man, your chances of finding a good person to marry is like… 0.1/1000. 

When the seminar was over, and we were going to eat, I announced to my friend that I had already figured out the PERFECT solution to all that drama spoken about. She’s like…”really? what?” My answer? “Just don’t get married…jeeez”

Why bother if chances are you’ll end up with horrific in-laws or an abusive husband or whatever else? I mean ok, people mention the ‘tranquility’ and ‘peace’ and ‘love’ involved. I get that…I really do. But… ah whatever. I don’t feel like speaking my inner head right now. 

Still pointless topic for a 15 year old ok. 

I told the sister in charge of the whole thing my “brilliant” solution. And she was like “Just don’t marry any ‘tom, dick or harry’, ask your questions, make your dua, and all will be fine insha-Allah.” 

Of course it will be. -_-

Oh oh oh, I met this girl who I havnt seen in…YEARS.. no joke. Shes in her twenties now, and shes married and has the most ADORABLE babyyy. All curly haired and dimpled and what not. *squeals*  <3

And this random lil cute boy came and hugged me. I feel loved now. xDD

The food was mad good by the way. =]]]]

Kay I think thats all for now… xxx

Most amazing, perfect description of me…a January baby: (minus the stuff on strikeout)

January
Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl of a kind. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music. Pretty/handsome . Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.

———-

Sweet story found on someones blog:

If you were asked to list the Seven Wonders of the World, what would your response be?  Would you answer as the first group of students did?

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.”

Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal 
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal 
5. Empire State Building  
6. St. Peter’s Basilica  
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little.  I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”
 
The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.”

The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:

1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!   A gentle reminder – that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

———-

Why…

If you can answer these questions you’ve probably grasped the meanin of life‏.

• Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?
• Why do banks charge a fee on “insufficient funds” when they know there is not enough?
• Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
• Why doesn’t glue stick to the bottle?
• Why do they use sterilised needles for death by lethal injection?
• Why doesn’t Tarzan have a beard?
• Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a gun at him!
• Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
• Whose idea was it to put an “S” in the word “lisp”?
• What is the speed of darkness?
• Are there specially reserved parking spaces for non-disabled people at The Special Olympics?
• If you send someone ‘Styrofoam’, how do you pack it?
• If the temperature is zero outside today and it’s going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?
• If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?
• If it’s true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?
• Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?
• If someone with a split personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?
• Can you cry under water?
• What level of importance must a person have, before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
• If money doesn’t grow on trees then why do banks have branches?
• Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
• How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on bigger suitcases?
• Why is it that people say they “slept like a baby” when babies wake up, like, every two hours?
• If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
• Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
• Why do doctors, when they ask you to strip, leave the room or close the cubicle curtain while you change? ………… they’re still going to see you naked anyway.

———-

I think thats it…xD

Yesterday was… interesting to say the least. Warning: very long recount of a  very long day ahead… read at your own risk. 

Seminar:

- We went to a sisters program at a Masjid about 1 hour away. 

 
- The topic was “Inner Hijrah”.  Which is like, changing your mind set. Changing it from duniya needs, to thinking mostly about the life after. And changing the bad over to good. And to stop procrastinating (haha) on doing good. Like stop saying “oh I’ll memorize Quraan and study Islam later”. Because if you don’t start, or at least make an effort, the procrastinating will go on for your whole life and you will wind up dying without accomplishing what you set out to do.

- Yes I was actually listening… mostly because my friends were silent-fighting. (I’ll get to that in a minute) 

- The man who gave the lecture (the long lecture part) scared the hell outta me. He looked so.. scary. *shudder*

 
- I fell partially asleep on a 2 yr old’s lap. (my head isnt THAT heavy ok… so she wasnt in any pain or anything) 

Friend Troubles: 

- Friend A and Friend B as I shall call them. (neither of which reads this blog… so yea) 

 
- Friend A is a jealous-ish type of person. When your her friend, you can’t be ANYONE else’s friend. Or she gets really mad and thinks you’ve abandoned her. She doesn’t believe in a group of friends chillin, she believes in that one best friend. (who is me to her) Her favorite subject is talking about guys… and she’s probably going to get married right out of high school. She’s actually a mad sweet person if you get to know her…(if she lets you get to know her anyway) 

 
- Friend B is a sweet, sarcastic, mad fun girl. Doesn’t care about guys any more than she cares about what people think about her. (Reminds me of myself…) She’s all for the group of friends hanging out, and she’s supportive when your down and doesn’t push it, she gives you your space when you need it and doesn’t get offended or whatever if you happen to talk to anyone else. 

 
- So I’ve known both A and B for.. ever. Since I was like…4 no joke. We met in 1998… so yea. I was 4. So we’re all pretty good friends. Or so I thought anyway. Turns out, A and B aren’t talking, because A thinks B has changed too much over the years, and B thinks A doesn’t want her around anymore, and both of them are friends with me. Which turned out to be the biggest problem of the night. 

 
- So these two had a silent argument, through note passing during the lecture. God knows what they said but A got up with tears in her eyes and walked over to the other side of the Masjid. I had been busy playing with the kids (whom I shall mention in a minute) and listening to the lecture, and was only partially aware of their fight. I wound up resting my head on B’s shoulder and asking what was up. She gave me the minor details of the mini-silent argument that they had, and said she didn’t understand what the big deal was. So being the awesome. concerned friend that I am (yes, self praise is necessary sometimes), I went to go see what was wrong with A. A refused to look at me, let alone talk to me. I asked what was wrong… she got up and walked out the Masjid. 

 
- If you’ve ever been caught in the middle of two good friends fighting, then you know how it feels when it happens, and how bad you feel when you can’t do anything to help. I spent the majority of the rest of the night with B… (since A refused to talk to me or B), and playing with the kids, and eating the food. I felt really bad of course, but I swallowed it and enjoyed my evening. 

 
- B ended up leaving after we ate, her parents came to pick her up, so we hugged and she said to please not feel bad over what happened and to try to stay out of trouble. (because I have a habit of getting caught in fights like this so often its frightening, and she knows that.) She left and it was just me and A left to talk. She didn’t say anything still, until I got up to help them serve dessert and she asked me what kind of cake was in the tray I was holding. I told her, and after a bit of that casual talk I asked her if she was mad at me. She said… no. I was left stupefied, and internally raging with anger over my wasted frustration and slight depression over the whole thing. I didn’t say anything else to her. Until after Isha her mom called me aside and explained what had gone on in A’s head. How she felt as if I had abandoned her and became best friends with B. I was left in confusion obviously, because I was sure I talked evenly to both, until A decided to ditch me of course. A’s mom said she knows I had nothing to do with it, and she was just telling me so that I wouldn’t feel bad. I understood, and forgave her internally for the whole episode because I know how she is and I didn’t want to drop-kick the friendship out the door because of her bad habits.

 
- A’s mom made A apologize for her behavior, and we hugged it out, and A wished us a safe drive home all while tears of  regret were falling down her face over my immediate and complete acceptance of her apology. A had told me earlier that she had an assignment in madrassa, to pick a best friend and write an essay about one thing you would change about her. A said that she picked me , and she couldn’t think of anything she would change about me (my head kinda blew up a bit over that one) and that maybe the only thing she could come up with was for me to be a bit more outspoken. I didn’t get that part. Maybe it’s cause I hate speaking in front of people. I’m a loud mouth kid who loves talking, just not in front of all the aunties who are already smiling and talking all sweet to me (will explain …) Otherwise, I think I talk too much. =]

 
- Overall, that issue ended on a relatively good note. A emailed me last night when I got home, apologizing again over the whole episode and explaining herself again. I haven’t responded to that yet, I need some time to think what to say. I want her to get her head back together completely first. 

Adorable Kids:

- The kids at that place are choooo cuuuteeee. Their smiles are so amazing, and they’ve all got dimples. 
- They also love me, which is an added happiness.

 
- The little girl whose lap I dozed off in, is a two and a half year old girl who insisted I play with her dolly. So I did, and rested my head on her tiny little lap, and dozed off. Haha. I jumped up within 10 mins or so, and she was patting my head like I was the kid and she was the teenager. When I looked around, half the people were laughing. 
-Twas awesome. =]

Awesome Food:

-The food was GOOD. Whoever cooked, is awesome. 

Scary Aunties:

-All the aunties were smiling at me and making conversation with me about my studies and cooking skills and what not. 

 
-I’ve noticed they have been doing that a lot lately. 

 
-They scare the living daylights out of me. The only aunties I like, are the older ones. The ones whose kids are middle aged, and their grandchildren are babies. 

 
-I remember one lady once told me (she made me laugh).. “I tell my son all the time, “If you were older, I would have married you to Saeeda”" Mind the fact that her son is my brothers age. Which equals below 10. I asked her why, obviously feeling VERY sorry for that son of hers. haha. She said “because you are the best teenage girl I’ve ever met. You don’t wear make-up and you don’t need it, your not stuck up, your always smiling unless something is bothering you, your religious, your funny, your great with kids, you can cook, you love your parents and respect your elders, and your SO pretty. (I can agree with all except the last one. =]) My response… “oh” *blushes and looks down*.  She added “Whoever marries you should consider themselves very lucky.” (yea right… I feel bad for him, if he exists anyway.) I still feel sorry for that son of hers. Poor kid. xDD 

Gunshots:

- We heard bullets flying in the neighborhood outside my fenced in community. Like dozens of bullets. Then a bunch of cops flying through the street. All at around 1:00 in the morning last night. I wasn’t scared of the bullets, the cops made me jump from my bed. I hate cops. I will have serious problems on the road because I’ll probably slam my breaks every time I hear police sirens. 

 
-I hope no one died. No actually, I hope no one innocent died. If a druggie died, than thank God. (hey they brought that on themselves, so don’t call me heartless) 

Yea thats all I think. Overall, I believe it was a great day. =]

This is my baby, my saviour, my peace of mind, my escape from this world. He’s old, but he’s stood with me through thick and thin, through highs and lows, through storms and peace. He’s my sweetheart. 

May you live long iPod darling. xoxoxoxoxo

Can someone pweeeeeseee get me this

I always put these random pics of dessert. But you see, I have a weakness for ice cream. And chocolate of course. 

*wipes drool*

I have to update this. I wasnt happy with it exactly cause, well like “AsianPranksta” said… he was too perfect. Sooooo….

Oh and I’m listing, screw the paragraph. 

Personality/Achievements

• -He’s fun/funny/not serious. (Serious sometimes, when it comes to paying bills n crap. =))
• -He’s done stupid stuff, and doesn’t regret it. Like he’s gone toilet papering, prank called, etc. 
• -He respects his parents, and all other parents and elders. (not taking that bit off either)
• -He doesn’t need a degree, and he can’t be a doc/engineer. I can’t stand docs and engineers. He however, should have at least finished high school, and has the ability and mind set to get a job.
• -He has to be a relatively good Muslim. As in prays, fasts, gives Zakaah, etc. That’s all though, he doesn’t have to be a hafiz or scholar. 
• -He has to have at least one little sibling, and at least one older sibling. So he can relate to both. =)
• -He’s not rich. (This should have been on top somewhere.) And it’s because rich kids get everything they want. Never had to struggle for it. So they wouldn’t be able to survive any downfalls. 

Looks n shyt

• -He’s got a melting smile (Not changing that bit ) 
• -He isn’t tall, isn’t too short either. I’m short, so I honestly wouldn’t mind him being relatively short.
• -He isn’t too fat. I proly wouldn’t mind skinny-ish *ahem*, but yea. Not too fat. A lil is gud. 
• -He’s got at least a stub of a beard. Just so his face isn’t totally bare. (Not Zee’s idea of a little beard of course. :P)
• - His hair isn’t short, its long-ish. Not rocker long, just, Imran Abbas long. xD
• -He’s got to have dimples. =) (Should have been up there somewhere) 

Yea I think I’ll update this whenever. =)

This post made me laugh. Don’t ask me why, cause if you do I won’t be able to answer you.

http://siraatullah.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/the-river-of-life/

Zee is guna beat me up.

Love.

First of all, love isn’t Bollywood. It isn’t a fairy tale. It isn’t always staring into someones eyes knowing that you love them. And most of the time, love isn’t at first sight.

A friend of mine gave a nice explanation of love. I quote “Love is admiring someone so much, that you love them”.

I don’t agree fully with this. Because I love some people that I don’t exactly admire. And I admire some people that I don’t really love. Love is…complicated. 

I can’t stand romantic movies/TV shows anymore. They drive me crazy. It all seems so fake. Except I end up watching them anyway because I’m slightly addicted to the Bollywood “dance in random field of wildflowers/side of lake/top of snowy mountain all in the same song with guy looking all dashing and the girl looking stunning in her saree/shalwar/lehngha with dupatta flying through wind” stuff. As for the “Hollywood” romance stuff. I only watch when it’s a romantic comedy. But like I said, it’s all fake. 

As for MY opinion on love. It goes something like this. Love is simply love. A complicated array of feeling of which no logical explanations can be given. Also there are different kinds of love. The love you feel for your family member is not the same as what you feel for your friend. And the love you feel for your friend is not the same as what you feel for your “someone”. (Which I don’t think I’d experience). All in all, love is love. End of story. 

Yo that was THE CORNIEST post I’ve ever written in my entire life…damn. I hope I’m not crossing over to the goody-good side. O_O

As promised, the list continues! This time we find secret hideaways in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania regions.

• Catskills and Hudson Valley Romance – Relax, couples-style, at the Mohonk Mountain House Resort & Spa in New Paltz. Then go for a romantic hike through Kaaterskill Falls.
• New York City Romance – Have a classic New York City tourist day with a trip to Central Park, a ride up to the top of the Empire State Building, and a Broadway show in Times Square. Top it all of with a couple’s massage and a soak in the tub at the Mandarin Oriental Spa!
• Jersey Shore Romance – Take a romantic walk on Sandy Hook Beach, get lucky in Atlantic City Casinos, and then chill on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and the Atlantic City Beach before returning to the Borgata Hotel Casino’s Spa Toccare for a luxurious treatment for two.
• Long Island Romance – Imbibe on wine and love at the North Fork Wineries. Head out to Westhampton and find an empty spot to relax in the Westhampton Beach Village.
• Eastern Pennsylvania Romance – Get down and dirty with a romantic, chocolaty experience at Hotel Hershey’s Chocolate Spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Romance – Roadtrip through fall foliage majesty and stop for the night at Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa in Morgantown, West Virginia. Then head to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania for an architectural and natural (and romantic) wonder!

• TripCart’s Posts on Romantic Getaways
• The Best Designed Hotels in the US
• Valentine Vacation Getaways

So this definitely was NOT my first pick for a travel destination, but Matthew (yes, we’re still together, despite what you thought –you know who you are!) is swapping cars with his brother for some reason that I don’t really understand but apparently it was something that they agreed on like 5 years ago. So…I figured I’d come along for the ride. We’ll be driving there, swapping cars, and driving back, staying in Indianapolis maybe but then driving back through Pennsylvania. We want to do some camping in the Poconos and go to Hershey Park. Then we’ll be having a very romantic night and day at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa. We’ll also spend one night in the Laurel Highlands, see of the Frank Lloyd Wright stuff in the area, and then explore some back roads on the way back to New York City.

• Philadelphia Fall Foliage, Poconos and Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours
• Allegheny Mountains, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Tours and Guide
• 10 Great Places for Fall Foliage
• Top Destination Spas in the U.S.
• Places to Visit in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Places to Visit in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Spas in Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Spas near Philadelphia, Hershey, the Poconos, Eastern Pennsylvania
• Cool and Fun Things to Do in Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania

Me, My Eye -and- My Video…

Enjoy a fresh ‘Film Still’ from my new Video Art Installation: “SEXhibition”.
Ti’s about a combination of Video ART and Sex…
The Eye acts as a powerful Sexual Symbol.
Have you ever read Georges Bataille’s “Story of the Eye” ( Histoire de l’oeil ) ???

» Click on the Picture – See more Videos «

Trip N’ Burn presents : ” Me -and- My Eye ” ©

Soon I will publish ” Flower Power ” which is a new Video I’m working on…
It is also crappy… You’ll love it, Probably not — – –

Video Art Performances can sometimes be Good Shit -
This is one’s an example of how bad can it get as well…

• Tel Aviv Gay Bus Tour
• Top Ten Literary Cities
• Home Sweet Home – back in Phoenix Arizona and happy!
• Art -or- Bob ???
• Freaken Freaks
• 10 Great Places to go for the Green (Golfing).
• Atlanta is fun!
• $15 luggage charge – whats next? water? YUP
• Water on the Plane – An Arbitrage Opportunity
• Original Freaks
• Burning Man Photo: Butts Portfolio

Here’s the thing about romance—it doesn’t really matter what you do. It matters who you do it with; and so, really, anything can be romantic if you’re with the right person. That being said, I suppose there are things which, with the right person, are more or less romantic. And I suppose there are things that EVEN if you’re with the wrong person, you can see how it’s possible that it COULD be romantic. (Jesus, there I go again.)

Meanwhile, I’ve FINALLY moved into my apartment in Spanish Harlem which is pretty sweet (I mean, considering the fact that my room is the size of an ice box and it’s got fake walls) and I started my temp stint as a paralegal. They’ve been working me pretty hard, (like sometimes til midnight—is that allowed?), but I’ve still found time to explore the great New York, New York.

More romantic ideas:

6. Orchard Beach, in Bronx, NY, is the only beach in the Bronx, located on the Long Island Sound, comes complete with volleyball courts, a boardwalk, and a band shell. Just so happens that the NY Times just came out with an article about Orchard Beach memories—Orchard Beach Journal; Slice of the Riviera, With a Familiar Bronx Twist.
7. Orient Beach State Park, in Orient, NY, is on Gardiner’s Bay where you can go swimming, fishing and kayaking. Nearby there’s hiking and biking along forest trails. It’s a few hours from New York City, but makes for a fantastic day trip.
8. American Museum of Natural History, in New York, NY, is one of my most favorite places on Earth. I love all the animal exhibits. Right now they have an exhibit on horses which is just breathtaking.
9. Hayden Planetarium – while you’re at the American Museum of Natural History, make sure you experience some romance under the stars at the Hayden Planetarium. I think this is one of those things where even if you’re not with the right person, you can sense the romance in the air. Beautiful shows.

Ok, gotta get some sleep. I hope you get a chance to experience romantic New York City!

• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Manhattan and New York City
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Toronto, Niagara Falls & Finger Lakes
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu, Hawaii
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Nevada desert
• Free NYC! (Thing to Do and See)

Planning a Romantic Vacation – Check this video out…

A Romantic Getaway can easily lead to a Family Vacation – Be Ware !!!

Trip N’ Burn presents : Video by Romancing the Mouse ©

I need a Vacation (and I’m speaking about Burningman)…

• Romantic Vacations in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, and the Alaska Panhandle
• Romantic Vacations in Palm Springs and the California Desert
• Romantic Vacations in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland
• Romantic Vacations in Woodstock, Cooperstown, New Paltz, Catskills and Hudson Valley
• Romantic Vacations in San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel, Napa Valley, Central California Coast
• Romantic Vacations in Orlando, Tampa and Central Florida
• Romantic Vacations in Nashville, Louisville and Lexington in Central Kentucky and Tennessee
• Romantic Vacations in Boston, Cape Cod, Newport, Connecticut, Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island
• Romantic Vacations in Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Steamboat Springs and the Colorado Rockies
• Romantic Vacations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Cheyenne Wyoming and the Eastern Rockies
• Romantic Vacations in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, North Carolina’s Outer Banks
• Romantic Vacations in Philadelphia, Lancaster, the Poconos, Eastern Pennsylvania
• Romantic Vacations in Hilo, Kona, Waikoloa, Puna, Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii
• Romantic Vacations in Atlantic City, Wildwood, Cape May, New Jersey Shore
• Romantic Vacations in Lihue and NaPali on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai
• Romantic Vacations in Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Nevada desert
• Romantic Vacations in Long Island, the Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island
• Romantic Vacations in Portland, Bangor, Acadia, Bar Harbor and the Maine Coast
• Romantic Vacations in Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, including Kahului and Lahaina
• Romantic Vacations in Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison
• Romantic Vacations in Burlington, Stowe, Rutland and the New Hampshire and Vermont Mountains
• Romantic Vacations in Manhattan and New York City
• Romantic Vacations in Jacksonville, Destin, Daytona Beach, Pensacola, St. Augustine, Northeast Florida
• Romantic Vacations in Northern California Coast from Bodega Bay to Mendocino to Eureka
• Romantic Vacations in Traverse City, Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, Northern Michigan
• Romantic Vacations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
• Romantic Vacations in Salt Lake City, Park City, Northern Utah
• Romantic Vacations in Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. Rainier, Washington and The Cascades
• Romantic Vacations in Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu, Hawaii
• Romantic Vacations in Oregon Coast from Astoria to Coos Bay to Gold Beach
• Romantic Vacations in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Padre Island and Southeastern Texas
• Romantic Vacations in New Orleans, Louisiana, Biloxi, Natchez, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama
• Romantic Vacations in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
• Romantic Vacations in Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale and Southern Arizona
• Romantic Vacations in San Diego, Venice, Laguna Beach, Los Angeles, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Southern California
• Romantic Vacations in Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Sanibel and Southern Florida
• Romantic Vacations in Moab, Zion, Bryce, Arches National Parks in Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip
• Romantic Vacations in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
• Romantic Vacations in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Finger Lakes in Western New York and South Central Ontario

I figure I should start with this: New York is a romantic city. And I’m not just talking about the Marriott Marquis and the Empire State Building. Here are some more creative, romantic ideas:

1. Besides for the above, I recommend taking the MTA #7 Train. It travels out of Manhattan and through Queens through different ethnic neighborhoods. Go hungry and get on and off the train, sampling different cuisines as you go. It’s a fun, romantic excursion, giving you a chance to spend quality time together as well as distractions around you (if you need to fall back on them during your date).
2. The Chelsea Market is another unique date place, and with the smells of fresh baked cookies and gourmet foods all around, you’ll never want to leave. The National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) was established in this area in the 1890s and the Oreo cookie factory is now a block-sized market with food, flowers, art, and shows. We went the other day and sampled some delicious samosas and had fresh squeezed OJ. yum yum.
3. Another unique hot spot is the Jazz Museum in Harlem. There’s something about Jazz history that I find romantic. The Harlem Renaissance, Duke Ellington, African American culture—I find it all beautiful. And Matthew’s grandfather played with Willie Smith and Matthew grew up in the Afro American music scene, so he’s particularly passionate about this museum and the whole subject in general.
4. Coney Island Boardwalk, Brighton Beach, and the New York Aquarium. Matthew planned those other days, but this one was on me. My dad grew up in Brooklyn so I know these places by heart. We spent the whole day (a Sunday, since believe it or not, Matthew actually works) walking around, eating cotton candy, and relaxing on the beach.
5. Top of the Rock – Rockefeller Center Observation Deck. Ok, so maybe it’s just as cheesy as the Empire State Building, but it’s a little more unique. Also, once you’re in Rockefeller Center you can also do the NBC Studio Tour. (Go 30Rock!) Put all those things together and you’ve got yourself a romantic outing!

So there you have it. I can be happy and in love and I can give practical advice! Who would’ve thought!

P.S. For a great list of free things going on in NYC, check this out

• Restaurants and Food in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and New York City
• Arts and Entertainment in Manhattan and New York City
• Fun Things to Do in Manhattan and New York City
• Factory Tours in Manhattan and New York City
• Places to Visit in Manhattan and New York City
• Architecture in Manhattan and New York City
• The Zoos of New York

Matthew (I always thought that was a sexy, solid name) and I spent like every second of every day together for the last week while I was in Miami. He even drove with me to Fort Myers Beach for 2 days so I could spend some time with Julie. I actually hadn’t even realized my luck – the family that Julie was nannying for had gone away for the week (to Amelia Island which is near my grandmother’s Jacksonville home, so I’ve been there a bunch of times, but that’s unrelated) leaving Julie (and us and like 4 other really cool people) their awesome beach front house and a kitchen stocked with food. (I wouldn’t ever ever ever want to be a nanny, but putting the day job aside, Julie’s got in made.) So Fort Myers was fun, needless to say—I felt like it was spring break all over again.

So don’t laugh at me, but I’ve been walking around in a blissful daze all week. I introduced Matthew to my grandmother immediately which is not something I EVER do. I think the last time my family knew one of my boyfriends (!) I was in like 7th grade.

The best part about this is that when I sit down to write about this, it all comes gushing out like a babbling brook, but in reality, I’ve been pretty breezy about this.

The remaining days were spent shopping at Sawgrass Mills Outlet Mall (a monster of a mall that’s shaped like a crocodile) and hanging out on Hollywood Beach. I have such a gorgeous tan and I am so ready to head back up north (I leave tomorrow morning) and move to NYC. It’s really soon! Just one more month to kill…

Matthew and I already said goodbye so I can spend the evening with Granny, and he’s still down here for one more week. Apparently he had two conferences (in physical therapy) in Miami two weeks apart from each other so decided to make a vacation of it. But then he’ll be back in NYC and we’ve already made plans to go to the Guggenheim Museum (he was shocked that I’d never been there and said we had to fix that right away).

• Beaches in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Canaveral and Central Florida
• Beaches in Jacksonville, Destin, Daytona and Northeast Florida
• Beaches in Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Southern Florida
• Places to Visit in Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Boca Raton
• Shopping in Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Boca Raton
• Museums in Manhattan, Staten Island and New York City

I’m in love. I know all my friends who are reading this are gagging and rolling their eyes, but seriously! Oh my god, I LOVE SOUTH BEACH! Let me start at the beginning.

So my grandmother is cool, I’m sure you’ve caught onto that. She’s pretty young for a grandmother and is hip and pretty with it, which is one reason why I love visiting her so much. But in one way she really is an old lady (sorry, granny) – she goes to sleep freakin’ early, like 8:00 and wakes up at like 2 in the morning, which just doesn’t make any sense to me. And since I came to Miami so that I wouldn’t sit around and waste the day and night away in front of the TV, I decided after a day of shopping at Aventura Mall and walking around the Miami Seaquarium, that I would not call it a night, but rather climb out of my little box and go a little wild.

I drove down to South Beach and sat myself down at a gorgeous art deco outdoor café (see how wild I can get?) on the promenade with a stack of magazines that I was going to pretend to read – you don’t want to pretend to read a book b/c then people might think you’re too engrossed in what you’re doing and don’t want to be interrupted. So, I was sitting, sipping my latte, scanning my literature, and looking, I might add, particularly hot. See and be seen, right?

I know I sound like a babbling fairy tale, but this seriously happened to me! A gorgeous man came up to me and asked if I was waiting for someone. I thought he just wanted to take the chair so I said, “no, go ahead,” motioning to the chair, and he said, “thanks, I’d love to,” and sat down.

And the rest is history, as they say—that applies to one day old history, too, right? We chatted all night, like really talked. We didn’t even move from that spot, except for a roundabout walk to my car, where he dropped me off and made me promise to answer my phone when he called me the next day, which he already has done.

Not to get too much into my personal life, but let’s just say that this is generally not the way I meet guys. Like in college (which was just like last week, so please don’t let me start talking as though it were thirty years ago) I’d go to a party, get drunk, and then end up making out with some random loser. This was so different, so…REAL. He seems like such a good guy.

And I haven’t even told you the best part yet. He actually lives in NYC, right around the corner from Wave Hill in the Bronx. That’s like 100 blocks from where I’ll be living in a month! Ahhh. So we’re going out tonight (after 8pm of course) to some place he knows on the Fort Lauderdale Beach.

I hope he doesn’t read this. Yikes.

• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Sanibel and Southern Florida
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Orlando, Tampa and Central Florida
• Romantic Vacation Getaways in Jacksonville, Destin, Daytona Beach, Pensacola, St. Augustine, Northeast Florida

Inspired from personal experiences.

I hate how people cling to other people, things or memories and avoid starting anything new, or giving anything else a shot.  One thing I truly love about myself is that nothing is easier for me than throwing something behind my back and starting over if that specific thing turns into a hopeless case or causes me a lot of unnecessary headache (Insert nods from angels one and two).

Moving on is not about avoiding to talk about/to  something/someone ,it is not about avoiding to do things or avoiding to go back to things that remind you of someone/something, it is the ability of staring everything that reminds you of what you’re trying to forget in the eye and not feeling a single thing.

A lot of people mistake being able to stay away from a thing or a person for moving on, when in fact the only thing that comes out of avoiding situations is putting your feelings to sleep for a while only to realize out of a sudden that they did not vanish but on the contrary, they grew deeper.

Moving on is being able to look back on what was, smile and think how thankful you are for what is  , becoming obsessed is looking back on what was , feeling bitter and angry and assuring yourself that what was is not over yet until you say it is.

Nothing is the end of the world except for THE end of the world, what seems like a tragedy today might become an embarrassing  memory later on that you could look back on and punch yourself in the face for. Instead of focusing on how hard it would be to move on and start something new just keep one thing in mind; things change, people change, they move on, nothing stays the same forever and you don’t always get your way, if something is destined to happen it will without all the constant whining and the desperate attempts to make it happen as soon as possible, and regardless of who disapproves of it, and if something is not destined to happen it won’t, even if the whole world gathered to make it happen.

Three

 Brought to you by Three

The thing about hangovers is that not only alcohol causes them but anything in excessive amounts does. I’m suffering from a mental hangover, been thinking a lot recently,  about everything.
A lot of people strive to appear perfect, we all know that the state of perfection cannot be reached by humans but a lot of people try to look perfect. I hate rude careless irresponsible people who say and do things without giving either any prior thought, I can bear having to talk to them for a while because I believe that, even though they get on my nerves big time and even though talking to some of them can be degrading, they are harmless. What  I cannot bear at all are people who think a lot about things and plan every single word they utter beforehand, I just can’t deal with similar people. Those who live by a handbook are almost never real or sincere, they gather a couple of principles that look appealing while applied by others and try to apply them to real life situations, they mostly fail or fail to be convincing.  The reason behind that is mostly fear and no self esteem or confidence, People who feel that they can never be good enough while being themselves, people who feel that they need to look perfect so as to make others like them,  people who believe that they need to be cheerful, happy and funny 24/7, people who keep going on and on about how confident they are, people who end up lonely and friendless, stupid people.

Striving to become a better person is good, suffocating the real you to save yourself the embarrassments you could cause yourself is bad and pathetic.
I love a lot of people, non of them is perfect, if I wanted perfect and planned reactions, words or actions I would’ve befriended a dictionary, but that is not what I want. I’m imperfect, just like everyone out there, I have very bad and annoying habits and traits, but the bad comes with the good, the beautiful with the ugly, if we were to focus on everything that is bad about people we’d end up being  a bunch of lonely cave-people, but we were all born imperfect just like each other, we put up with each other’s bad traits because we love the good ones so very dearly, and with time, what we thought were bad traits become things we cannot live without, things we wouldn’t trade for the whole world.

I’d choose a stupid mansaf-eating, soda –drinking faisali-cheering human over perfect anytime of the day.

Brought to you by ONE 

I came across this touching story, I don’t like to do the copy paste thingie, but this one brought tears to my eyes. It’s really ironic how sometimes we lack the courage and thus we might end up regretting our whole life, and when we get the right chance; it might be too late.

10th grade

As I sat there in English class, I stared at the girl next to me. She was my so called “best friend”. I stared at her long, silky hair, and wished she was mine. But she didn’t notice me like that, and I knew it. After class, she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before and I handed them to her. She said “thanks” and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to know that I didn’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.

11th grade

The phone rang. On the other end, it was her. She was in tears, mumbling on and on about how her love had broken her heart. She asked me to come over because she didn’t want to be alone, so I did. As I sat next to her on the sofa, I stared at her soft eyes, wishing she was mine. After 2 hours, one Drew Barrymore movie, and three bags of chips, she decided to go to sleep. She looked at me, said “thanks” and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.

Senior year

The day before prom she walked to my locker. My date is sick” she said; he’s not going to go well, I didn’t have a date, and in 7th grade, we made a promise that if neither of us had dates, we would go together as “best friends”. So we did. Prom night, after everything was over, I was standing at her front door step. I stared at her as she smiled at me and stared at me with her crystal eyes. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn’t think of me like that, and I knew it. Then she said “I had the best time, thanks!” and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to know that I didn’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.

Graduation Day

A day passed, then a week, then a month. Before I could blink, it was graduation day. I watched as her perfect body floated like an angel up on stage to get her diploma. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn’t notice me like that, and I knew it. Before everyone went home, she came to me in her smock and hat, and cried as I hugged her. Then she lifted her head from my shoulder and said, “you’re my best friend, thanks” and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.

A Few Years Later

Now I sit in the pews of the church. That girl is getting married. I watched her say “I do” and drive off to her new life, married to another man. I wanted her to be mine, but she didn’t see me like that, and I knew it. Before she drove away, she came to me and said “you came! Thanks!” and she kissed me on the cheek. I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love her but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why.

Funeral

Years passed, I looked down at the coffin of a girl who used to be my “best friend”. At the service, they read a diary entry she had wrote in her high school years. This is what it read: I stare at him wishing he was mine, but he doesn’t notice me like that, and I know it. I want to tell him, I want him to know that I don’t want to be just friends, I love him but I’m just too shy, and I don’t know why. I wish he would tell me he loved me! `I wish I did too…` I thought to my self, and I cried.