So today was wonderful with our ultrasound. It made this very very real. I think that there were three just absolutely awe-inspiring moments. The first is when he first zoomed in and you can actually tell that this is a baby; the second is when you see the baby actually just moving around on its own; and the third is hearing the heartbeat. We both got all teary-eyed. Alex asked to hear the heartbeat three different times.
It was funny b/c the guy is trying to take measurements of the baby, but every once in a while it would turn around so that he couldn't see. So the tech would jiggle by belly to try to make it move back. Alex got so upset - he told me later that he didn't like that "because you're not supposed to shake babies." I am laughing again just writing that! I reminded him that I shake the baby more than that when I walk - and anyway the baby is floating in fluid so it's really just rolling around.
Will have Alex take a picture of the ultrasound picture tonight so that I can post it.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Elle's Murder Mystery Dinner
For their daughter's 18th birthday, our friends Jamie and Dave threw their daughter a murder mystery dinner party. It was VERY cool, there were about 40 guests all with assigned parts. The story: the wedding of the daughter of a mobster family marrying the son of a gold-digging family. Someone dies....
August is always our slowest month here in Miami due to debilitating heat, tropical storms etc. So we have been enjoying some time off and these opportunities to play with friends.
The birthday girl, Elle - also the bride. Check out that rock....
Wedding guests
The bride's parents (he's a mobster) during the toast.
The murder....
That's me, the grandmother of the bride (an old italian lady - I'm old-school mob). I'm also a bad actress....
The groom discovers that his bride is murdered. He's the most obvious suspect.
The investigation...
By the way...the groom was set up, his brother and father were trying to collect on a life insurance policy they took out on the bride. Dirty.
August is always our slowest month here in Miami due to debilitating heat, tropical storms etc. So we have been enjoying some time off and these opportunities to play with friends.
The birthday girl, Elle - also the bride. Check out that rock....
Wedding guests
The bride's parents (he's a mobster) during the toast.
The murder....
That's me, the grandmother of the bride (an old italian lady - I'm old-school mob). I'm also a bad actress....
The groom discovers that his bride is murdered. He's the most obvious suspect.
The investigation...
By the way...the groom was set up, his brother and father were trying to collect on a life insurance policy they took out on the bride. Dirty.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Really Good Question
This was a great question in my comments section that I wanted to post, since some people may not read them:
Anonymous said...
Dear Shaleen, quick question, who is paying for the salaries of all Trust's staff while they are working at voting sites? I agree with the Trust's mission, don't get me wrong, but I find it troubling that as a taxpayer, I may be paying for staff to conduct a political activity regardless of its good intentions.
August 19, 2008 9:02 PM
Shaleen said...
Good question! I had to take vacation time to help with the campaign. The Trust has been very strict with that. Nothing for the campaign can be done while at work or with work computers cell phones, etc.
Back to this post:
It is in fact against the law for taxpayer money to be used for campaign purposes. This is why over a year ago, a political action campaign was created. That group began fundraising and raised over $1 million for campaign ads, flyers, yard signs etc. Most of the money is for campaign ads given that they are the most expensive part of a campaign. For most of the past year, the PAC has been staffed by just two people - a campaign manager, a political strategist who is doing this pro bono. In the past month or so, they were joined by a team of volunteers (a LOT of college students home for summer).
For most of the past year, Trust staff were, purposely, left completely out of the loop with regard to anything related to the campaign - for the simple fact that we actually wouldn't be able to answer questions on work time b/c we don't have the information.
In the past month, when the campaign really got started is when many of us contacted the campaign to see how we could help - and they gladly accepted since the early polling was not looking positive.
Anything that I do about the vote, sending emails, making phone calls etc is done in the evenings and weekends. The only time I'm actually taking off of work to help is the rest of this week and election day - the 26th.
I would add, that the majority of the staff aren't working full days like I am. I just finished a major deadline so I had some 'downtime' in my schedule, so I decided to take the time off. Most people who are volunteering, Trust staff or not, are doing it during weekends when there are more people voting.
Anonymous said...
Dear Shaleen, quick question, who is paying for the salaries of all Trust's staff while they are working at voting sites? I agree with the Trust's mission, don't get me wrong, but I find it troubling that as a taxpayer, I may be paying for staff to conduct a political activity regardless of its good intentions.
August 19, 2008 9:02 PM
Shaleen said...
Good question! I had to take vacation time to help with the campaign. The Trust has been very strict with that. Nothing for the campaign can be done while at work or with work computers cell phones, etc.
Back to this post:
It is in fact against the law for taxpayer money to be used for campaign purposes. This is why over a year ago, a political action campaign was created. That group began fundraising and raised over $1 million for campaign ads, flyers, yard signs etc. Most of the money is for campaign ads given that they are the most expensive part of a campaign. For most of the past year, the PAC has been staffed by just two people - a campaign manager, a political strategist who is doing this pro bono. In the past month or so, they were joined by a team of volunteers (a LOT of college students home for summer).
For most of the past year, Trust staff were, purposely, left completely out of the loop with regard to anything related to the campaign - for the simple fact that we actually wouldn't be able to answer questions on work time b/c we don't have the information.
In the past month, when the campaign really got started is when many of us contacted the campaign to see how we could help - and they gladly accepted since the early polling was not looking positive.
Anything that I do about the vote, sending emails, making phone calls etc is done in the evenings and weekends. The only time I'm actually taking off of work to help is the rest of this week and election day - the 26th.
I would add, that the majority of the staff aren't working full days like I am. I just finished a major deadline so I had some 'downtime' in my schedule, so I decided to take the time off. Most people who are volunteering, Trust staff or not, are doing it during weekends when there are more people voting.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Pics of Miles
Okay....by popular demand here are the photos of Miles with his horrible haircut.
This is an older picture - this is how most of my blogging happens:
This is an older picture - this is how most of my blogging happens:
Early Voting Locations
You may be thinking that you are tired of hearing about the vote for The Children's Trust. Well, too bad. We are exactly ONE week away from the actual election day - August 26th.
I will be working for the campaign on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at early voting sites. Thursday and Friday I'll be at the Kendall Branch Library and Saturday I'll be at the Coral Reef Library. If you haven't voted - feel free to pass by and VOTE.
This week open from 11 to 7; and Saturday 9 - 1 and Sunday 1 - 5.
North Dade Regional Library
2455 NW 183rd St
West Dade Regional Library
9445 SW 24th St
Lemon City Library
430 NE 61st St
City of Miami- City Hall
2500 Pan American Dr
Model City Library (Caleb Center)
2211 NW 54st
West Miami City Hall
901 SW 62nd Ave
Florida City- City Hall
404 W Palm Dr
North Shore Branch Library
7501 Collins Ave
Coral Gables Library
3443 Segovia St
Miami Lakes Public Library
6699 Windmill gate Rd
West Kendall Regional Library
10201 Hammocks Blvd
Aventura Government Center
19200 W Country Club Dr
Coral Reef Library
9211 SW 152nd St
Miami Beach City Hall
1700 Convention Center Dr
John F Kennedy Library
190 W 49th St
Kendall Branch Library
9101 SW 97th Ave
North Miami Public Library
835 NE 132nd St
Elections Dpt. (SOE Branch Office)
111 NW 1st St
South Dade Regional Library
10750 SW 211th St
I will be working for the campaign on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at early voting sites. Thursday and Friday I'll be at the Kendall Branch Library and Saturday I'll be at the Coral Reef Library. If you haven't voted - feel free to pass by and VOTE.
This week open from 11 to 7; and Saturday 9 - 1 and Sunday 1 - 5.
North Dade Regional Library
2455 NW 183rd St
West Dade Regional Library
9445 SW 24th St
Lemon City Library
430 NE 61st St
City of Miami- City Hall
2500 Pan American Dr
Model City Library (Caleb Center)
2211 NW 54st
West Miami City Hall
901 SW 62nd Ave
Florida City- City Hall
404 W Palm Dr
North Shore Branch Library
7501 Collins Ave
Coral Gables Library
3443 Segovia St
Miami Lakes Public Library
6699 Windmill gate Rd
West Kendall Regional Library
10201 Hammocks Blvd
Aventura Government Center
19200 W Country Club Dr
Coral Reef Library
9211 SW 152nd St
Miami Beach City Hall
1700 Convention Center Dr
John F Kennedy Library
190 W 49th St
Kendall Branch Library
9101 SW 97th Ave
North Miami Public Library
835 NE 132nd St
Elections Dpt. (SOE Branch Office)
111 NW 1st St
South Dade Regional Library
10750 SW 211th St
Sunday, August 17, 2008
butchering the dog
I can't believe that Alex and I are actually going to be entrusted with a CHILD after what we did to Miles.
If you look on the right, you can see what a beautiful dog Miles is. You may remember a post from several months ago after we first shaved Miles at a groomer. Well, the groomer is expensive ($80!) - so we figured that we could do it ourselves.
We bought some clippers yesterday at Petsmart and went to work. Unfortunately, the clippers didn't come with a guide to raise the level of the cut from the bare razor. So Alex went back and got some, but those just didn't work. So we decided to 'go it alone'. Alex has a steady hand, right?
Basically, Miles looks like a drunk blind person shaved him. Poor thing, there are at least 8 different spots where the razor cut down to his skin and he is almost bald. The rest of him is just patchy all over like we sheared him with rusty scissors.
Poor thing. He was so beautiful. The really hysterical thing, is that he has an appointment at the vet tomorrow for his annual shots. They are ALL going to make so much fun of him (us). I'm so embarrassed.
I will post a picture very soon.
If you look on the right, you can see what a beautiful dog Miles is. You may remember a post from several months ago after we first shaved Miles at a groomer. Well, the groomer is expensive ($80!) - so we figured that we could do it ourselves.
We bought some clippers yesterday at Petsmart and went to work. Unfortunately, the clippers didn't come with a guide to raise the level of the cut from the bare razor. So Alex went back and got some, but those just didn't work. So we decided to 'go it alone'. Alex has a steady hand, right?
Basically, Miles looks like a drunk blind person shaved him. Poor thing, there are at least 8 different spots where the razor cut down to his skin and he is almost bald. The rest of him is just patchy all over like we sheared him with rusty scissors.
Poor thing. He was so beautiful. The really hysterical thing, is that he has an appointment at the vet tomorrow for his annual shots. They are ALL going to make so much fun of him (us). I'm so embarrassed.
I will post a picture very soon.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Seriously, people
Ok. If you live in Miami and you read my blog, you NEED to read this post. If you read my blog and you skip over these things - then just stop reading in general because this is more important than the day-to-day junk I do and write about here.
I have posted so many things about The Children's Trust on my blog. And I just want to get this out on the table that I don't get the word out because I work there; I do it because I believe wholeheartedly that it helps children and families. I don't just believe it, I know it. Through The Children's Trust I have seen:
-a girl who fell at school who went to the see the nurse, she had a bump on her upper thigh that was swelling. The nurse did not like the bump and was concerned. She advised the mother to take the girl to the ER. It turned out the girl, who had fallen off a slide had ruptured an artery in her leg and had surgery the same day.
-blind babies who have the opportunity to enroll in vital programs with trained specialists who help expose the babies to activities that stimulate their other senses. These skills are critical to help blind babies not to lose certain development skills they are at risk of losing without proper exposure.
-Parents who are able to enroll their children for free in afterschool and summer camp programs where their kids can do all kinds of activities like theater, art, kayaking, rowing and robotics. These would never be free generally - and it's not just for poor kids it's for ANY kid.
I don't care about my job. I love my job, but I can always work. I don't care if I lose my job, I'll find another one. If The Children's Trust doesn't get reauthorized - this community will NEVER make this kind of investment for kids. Not in my lifetime, not in yours. This costs the average homeowner in Miami just over $1 per week about $61 per year.
VOTE YES ON AUGUST 26.
TURN THE BALLOT OVER, WE ARE ON THE BACK.
EARLY VOTING IS OPEN NOW EVEN ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
I have posted so many things about The Children's Trust on my blog. And I just want to get this out on the table that I don't get the word out because I work there; I do it because I believe wholeheartedly that it helps children and families. I don't just believe it, I know it. Through The Children's Trust I have seen:
-a girl who fell at school who went to the see the nurse, she had a bump on her upper thigh that was swelling. The nurse did not like the bump and was concerned. She advised the mother to take the girl to the ER. It turned out the girl, who had fallen off a slide had ruptured an artery in her leg and had surgery the same day.
-blind babies who have the opportunity to enroll in vital programs with trained specialists who help expose the babies to activities that stimulate their other senses. These skills are critical to help blind babies not to lose certain development skills they are at risk of losing without proper exposure.
-Parents who are able to enroll their children for free in afterschool and summer camp programs where their kids can do all kinds of activities like theater, art, kayaking, rowing and robotics. These would never be free generally - and it's not just for poor kids it's for ANY kid.
I don't care about my job. I love my job, but I can always work. I don't care if I lose my job, I'll find another one. If The Children's Trust doesn't get reauthorized - this community will NEVER make this kind of investment for kids. Not in my lifetime, not in yours. This costs the average homeowner in Miami just over $1 per week about $61 per year.
VOTE YES ON AUGUST 26.
TURN THE BALLOT OVER, WE ARE ON THE BACK.
EARLY VOTING IS OPEN NOW EVEN ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Just awesome
I hope that you watched the Opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It was honestly one of the most amazing and beautiful things I've ever seen. I know that sounds like I'm exaggerating - but I'm not. If you saw it you understand.
It was perfection. The show involved over 15,000 performers who never performed in more than one show. Each 'show' involved a sea of 2008 people who were involved in elaborate and highly complicated coordinated dances, movements, drumming, tai chi and karate. We were blown away. If you saw it, I think that my favorite was the concentric circles of tai chi and karate. All 2008 performers were involved in tai chi and karate in perfect concentric circles around the stage. But they would move together so that the circles would periodically change shapes and then return, perfectly into circles. There were no marks on the floor or anything to show when to stop - they were just perfect.
Apparently the opening ceremony alone cost over $300 million dollars. Which is completely outrageous - but I will say, that it was mind-expanding art that was beautiful, complex and really did evoke a lot of emotion.
I looked on YouTube and NBC to try to find pictures or video but I can't find any...so sorry, if you didn't see it.
It was perfection. The show involved over 15,000 performers who never performed in more than one show. Each 'show' involved a sea of 2008 people who were involved in elaborate and highly complicated coordinated dances, movements, drumming, tai chi and karate. We were blown away. If you saw it, I think that my favorite was the concentric circles of tai chi and karate. All 2008 performers were involved in tai chi and karate in perfect concentric circles around the stage. But they would move together so that the circles would periodically change shapes and then return, perfectly into circles. There were no marks on the floor or anything to show when to stop - they were just perfect.
Apparently the opening ceremony alone cost over $300 million dollars. Which is completely outrageous - but I will say, that it was mind-expanding art that was beautiful, complex and really did evoke a lot of emotion.
I looked on YouTube and NBC to try to find pictures or video but I can't find any...so sorry, if you didn't see it.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A funny thing happened
A funny thing happened on my way home from work today. I was sitting at a red light on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. I was the first car and this guy in his mid-twenties was crossing the street. He was well dressed and generally well put together, except, I thought to myself "he needs a haircut" his hair was too bushy. So he crosses the street and walks straight into a Super Cuts!
Isn't that funny?!
Isn't that funny?!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
out of sorts
I'm really sorry that I haven't posted in a while. When I started this blog (and Alex's photography blog) - people would always ask where I found the time to write for both of them and do all of the other stuff that I do. I don't know, blogging just isn't very hard, I would say. Well, lately, everything is hard. I am tired all of the time. And some days, like today, I'm beyond tired. So given that general lack of excitement in my day-to-day life, blogging has been hard.
Today, I actually fell asleep in church! I was horrified. Thankfully, I go to a leader service where we watch the service on a big screen on DVD, since I serve during the main service. I guess that I fell asleep and woke up when my head bobbed. No one noticed, but I don't usually do that!
This afternoon, Alex and I went to the Sports Grill for wings. As usual, I moved from really not very hungry to debilitating-ly hungry in about 5 minutes. This just made my tired-ness worse and being hungry kind of makes me nauseous. So we're sitting at the table in the restaurant and Alex asks if he can do anything, I say no. Then he says "you look like you're about to cry". I said, I think I am and then got weepy and just said how tired and hungry I was. What a wreck. He just laughed at me --but I'm sure he also thought I was crazy. Then I ate and felt SO much better - not a 180 degree difference but definitely over 90 degrees.
So...that's why I haven't blogged. If I do anything else as interesting as get overly emotional in a sports bar again, I'll be sure to post.
Now I think I'm going to make some brownies. That makes Alex super happy -- (and I don't mind them either!) ;)
Today, I actually fell asleep in church! I was horrified. Thankfully, I go to a leader service where we watch the service on a big screen on DVD, since I serve during the main service. I guess that I fell asleep and woke up when my head bobbed. No one noticed, but I don't usually do that!
This afternoon, Alex and I went to the Sports Grill for wings. As usual, I moved from really not very hungry to debilitating-ly hungry in about 5 minutes. This just made my tired-ness worse and being hungry kind of makes me nauseous. So we're sitting at the table in the restaurant and Alex asks if he can do anything, I say no. Then he says "you look like you're about to cry". I said, I think I am and then got weepy and just said how tired and hungry I was. What a wreck. He just laughed at me --but I'm sure he also thought I was crazy. Then I ate and felt SO much better - not a 180 degree difference but definitely over 90 degrees.
So...that's why I haven't blogged. If I do anything else as interesting as get overly emotional in a sports bar again, I'll be sure to post.
Now I think I'm going to make some brownies. That makes Alex super happy -- (and I don't mind them either!) ;)
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