I took an Uber at 4:30am this morning to get to Union Station for my train to New York. The song playing was Jack and Diane. I immediately thought of Maggie Thompson and high school. Good times. The lyrics of the song made me think about this trip up to New York. I am going to volunteer at the NMDP (formerly Be the Match) New York gala. I think about the last gala I went to for Be the Match. It was right after my ex-husband had left and I had to speak. I honestly have no idea what I said, I do remember little Zakaria making sure he followed me to the stage. Stacey Chase will be there and of course my mind goes back to when we were first introduced to each other online and how she was rooting for Hadi to complete mastering a Rubix cube. 

This might be my first time on an Acela. While I appreciate that it is fast, it is quite bumpy. I am in business class because I fancy. This is not evidenced by my choice of McDonald's coffee this morning (Blue Bottle wasn't open at Union Station). I am looking forward to seeing what my next coffee choice once I am in in New York. Stay tuned. 

I didn't realize Dulles Town Center is closed on Easter. I was planning to stop by Gardelina to have a garland made in honor of Zakaria completing Umrah. My mother had made the request. I tried to argue that a garland of chocolate bars might be more appealing to Zakaria than a garland of flowers. She insisted on tradition though and so I attempted to create my own garland out of some roses from Trader Joe's and a tasbih. It was pretty awesome seeing Zakaria after he spent Spring Break with his dad in Saudi Arabia. Kid followed religious custom and can rock a shaved head, just like his mother. Listening to him tell me stories about buying prayer mats for the cats and his displeasure with KFC made me realize how quiet the house had been without him. He also picked out an abaya for me and now has a new favorite type of date. 
My parents sent him flowers and of course I got flowers from them as well. This was mostly because I donated blood on Friday and let my mother know I was feeling lightheaded. This led to her sending me a blood pressure monitor (I now have three sent to me by her). I am perfectly fine and while she might think this will deter me from donating...I am O- and have seen first hand the need. Just will make sure to not reveal if I am lightheaded. However, what if I was lightheaded because of hearing about Pete Hegseth and his love of Signal? Or how I received a $30 gift card for donating? Trust me, INova, I would have donated without the gift card. I do like the hoodies you give out though. 

​6:30am flight out of BWI. I am quite the early bird but man, more coffee is needed. I am annoyed that I got coffee from Chick fil A before seeing Mayorga.
Oh, Southwest, I still love you and yes, BWI beat out flying out of Dulles because I really dislike O’Hare. Granted, Midway reminds me of the last trip we took to Cincinnati to get Hadi t-cells in an attempt to fight the adenovirus (we connected in Chicago). Hadi was in a helicopter but Aamir and I had to fly separately. The first helicopter ride, I was with him. I remember him saying he wasn’t going to rub it in Zakaria’s face that he got to ride in a helicopter.
Free movie on the plane. Any guesses on what I watched? Sparky Palastro is your hint. Decided to travel to Chicago for QuadM and my favorite duo, Mommying While Muslim. Also, I love traveling. I will not weigh in on Uzma and Zaiba’s disagreement on Garrett’s popcorn but I will most likely try some stuffed pizza and pretend that I still prefer it over New York style pizza. 
The DNC Convention starts on Monday. Wondering if I will see some of the set up and/or attendees/protestors. I have been in the DMV area for over 20 years but I love coming back to the Midwest. I moved from Kansas to D.C. to work on Capitol Hill. How different my life is now. I met up with old friends who were some of the first people I met in Virginia. 20 some years later and they still had me laughing until I cried. Also, Tyson’s Galleria and a Shotted pistachio latte is slowly becoming part of my self care, even if the caffeine increases my anxiety and there are far too many people.
As for those who reached out in regards to planning events, you best believe lists and ideas are being put together. Keep em coming. 😊


6:30am flight out of BWI. I am quite the early bird but man, more coffee is needed. I am annoyed that I got coffee from Chick fil A before seeing Mayorga.
Oh, Southwest, I still love you and yes, BWI beat out flying out of Dulles because I really dislike O’Hare. Granted, Midway reminds me of the last trip we took to Cincinnati to get Hadi t-cells in an attempt to fight the adenovirus (we connected in Chicago). Hadi was in a helicopter but Aamir and I had to fly separately. The first helicopter ride, I was with him. I remember him saying he wasn’t going to rub it in Zakaria’s face that he got to ride in a helicopter.
Free movie on the plane. Any guesses on what I watched? Sparky Palastro is your hint. Decided to travel to Chicago for QuadM and my favorite duo, Mommying While Muslim. Also, I love traveling. I will not weigh in on Uzma and Zaiba’s disagreement on Garrett’s popcorn but I will most likely try some stuffed pizza and pretend that I still prefer it over New York style pizza. 
The DNC Convention starts on Monday. Wondering if I will see some of the set up and/or attendees/protestors. I have been in the DMV area for over 20 years but I love coming back to the Midwest. I moved from Kansas to D.C. to work on Capitol Hill. How different my life is now. I met up with old friends who were some of the first people I met in Virginia. 20 some years later and they still had me laughing until I cried. Also, Tyson’s Galleria and a Shotted pistachio latte is slowly becoming part of my self care, even if the caffeine increases my anxiety and there are far too many people.
As for those who reached out in regards to planning events, you best believe lists and ideas are being put together. Keep em coming. 😊

It is hard to believe I have an eighth grader. It is August, 2024. Five years ago, on my son’s first day of school, I learned from my son that my marriage was over. It is often said that time heals. How much time are we talking? How in the world is this summer almost over? Zakaria and I went to Deep Creek last weekend and it was lovely. I forgot how incredible it is to look up into the sky and see so many stars. There was also hiking and apparently Pokemon like to hike as well. Pokemons?  Apparently Pokemon is a thing again. Zakaria is using Hadi's old account and I am sure some people are confused. I still am clueless about the whole thing but it did make me smile thinking of Hadi walking around NIH with his nurses looking for Pokemon. 
As the school year begins, I find myself wondering what it is that I want to do with my time. I recently helped a friend plan her 5 year old's birthday party and it was awesome. You know there was a spreadsheet and utilizing my skills to ensure it was a memorable experience was really sweet. Not so subtle of a plug for you to hire me to manage your events. ;) If you also want me to plan your travel, I am all for it. What else shall I look into? What gives you joy/fulfills you? 
​I haven't written in awhile but heard from a few people that commented about enjoying reading my posts in the pasts so I figured I would give it a go again.

Zakaria is getting braces and I am tearing up. His dentist and orthodontist are in the same office. I am remembering when I first brought Hadi and Zakaria here. They were fascinated by Mr. Slurpy.
I remember when I had my braces and being introduced to dental wax. Good stuff. Favorite conversation with Zakaria about braces. I told him I know he is a rule follower but that I didn’t always follow the food rules with my braces. His response-“We both know I am not going to, I am gonna have some popcorn.”
Ad astra per aspera. That’s on the Kansan flag. To the stars through difficulties. I might have been in the DMV area for over 20 years but I will always be a Kansan. Watching that game last night…seriously, Jayhawks, why you gotta be like that. Rock Chalk. Thinking about sitting with my beautiful Hadi while he filled out his brackets. Wonder what he thinks about Kentucky. Hadi was intense with his brackets. Wanted to know about statistics and everything. Zakaria…eh, I will just use yours, Mommy.
We handed out iftar to a local community yesterday for Team Watience. Thank you to all those who donated towards this. I went with cheesesteaks and chicken sandwiches. One of the youngins said to his friend…halal steak is the best. Same kid put on a Team Watience shirt after hearing about Hadi.
I am sure the tears will flow after I drop Zakaria off at school. Ceasefire on Jummah? Ya Allah, please. #freepalestine #jayhawks #braces #marchmadness #aplasticanemia #brackets