Found my book!

Something wonderful happened to me yesterday. I found a book, quite by coincidence, that I had read as a child and I truly loved it. One of those books that I would think of over the years again and again.

It was one of the only Western author books recommended to me by my grandmother. Strangely she never recommended the classics such as Austen or Bronte although she had read them all. For years, I had a hardtime finding this book through a very dumb mistake of my own.

My grandmother is now over 80. We don't know her exact age since they didn't keep birth records in Iran in those days. She is the one who gave me the gift of reading and always filled my head with wonderful stories from all over the world that would literally last for nights and nights as she would put us to sleep with her stories. None of her children inherited the gift of reading so I feel doubly blessed that it something that came from her to me.

A few years ago she lost her eyesight due to diabetes and used to cry that she can no longer read. She didn't care that she could no longer see us but reading was a whole different story for her. (No books on tape in Farsii either.)

And now she is begining to lose her memory. For example, she keeps forgetting that I'm my mom's daughter but she knows I'm her granddaughter.

And then I found this book. Her book...It's called the "White Mountains" by John Christopher. I can't tell you what it meant to me to find it or rather it found me. If that makes sense. To have something of my grandmothers that meant so much to me.

The book is about outerspace Tripods that take over the earth and take control of young people's brains making them docile and compliant. And they put these rings around the people's heads and once you have the ring on your head you lose control of your brain and the Tripods totally take over. If you remove them you go mad and mad people do appear in the book. It was so painful to read about one of the protagonist's friends succumbing to the Tripods -- and SO scary! How he changed from a rebel to a slave.
 
The main character a 12 year (?) old boy was able to escape the Tripods and was living with friends and constantly escaping the Tripods and running to the white mountains to join a group who aimed to bring down the Tripods. And the tripods continued to look for them the whole time. Couple of other things I remembered is that one of his friends had to "reinvent" glasses so one of them could see. They find canned foods. And the main character made so many bad mistakes! In the second book something terrible happens to the beautiful girl that he has fallen in love with back in the first book. It was just an AWESOME book! And very frightening in a good way.

But here it is and I found it. It feels like a blessed day! I've put in an order at Barnes & Noble for the book. It'll be my son's xmas gift from his great grandmother.

The Thirteenth Tale

This is a fascinating and satisfying book and the world it introduced was attractive and alluring. It feels wonderful to add this story to the repertoire of others in my mind. I am so happy I found it.

At times, the suspense of this book nearly killed me. And what it revealed truly shocked me. I could not foretell what will happen next and there are many surprises in the book.

I listened to it as an audio instead of actually reading it. Many times I was not able to leave the car and waiting for one more minute, then two more minutes and then more for the narration to continue.

If The Thirteenth Tale had been a physical book I'd have had a few sleepless nights until the book was finished. For I know, I wouldn't have been able to put it down. One day at work it was just pure torture to be away and not knowing what the next turn in the book will bring. To not be able to access the book, to not have it in my hands and commit the simple act of turning the pages.

There were times during my commute as I listened that I wanted to bite my nails and beg the narrator to please read faster and reveal the story. Books can't get better than this. How I always long to read books that dazzle and mesmorize me. To me, this was such a book.

If you love books such as The Turn of the Screw by Henry James or Jane Eyre (which is mentioned repeatedly in the book) by Charlotte Bronte, then you must read this novel.

You will be reading a Gothic novel, where you'll find your characters in a mysterious mansion. In a place where not all is right with the people inhabiting the home and the house itself. Could it truly be haunted? And what are ghosts? This book gave me the gift of being able to believe in ghosts and that they come in many shapes and form. I had never seen ghost quite the same way as this book presents them. A ghost is not always a specter. It can be many things.

I plan to read this book again and look for all the clues I missed throughout. This is one of those books that will be a different read the second time. The words uttered by the character narrating her story, will have a different meaning in the second read.

Vampires the new prince charming??? Ugh, please no!

I think I've mentioned that I"m a long time romance reader. When the stress levels go up in my life, you can bet I'm reading a romance to help me cope with it all and just escape the reality of my life.

Stressed or not, there is one author I will absolutely not miss reading and that is Lisa Kleypas. She is just a wonderful writer. I love her historical romances as they are like no other. They are just tender and satisfy my need to read about loves that are love and like no other.
I came across this excellent article by CNN. Which has a great title: Vampire romance novels suck in readers. Ha Ha

It is a really well written article. The author must be a romance reader. There is absolutely no attitude in the article about being a romance reader and she understands why the genre is doing so well. Everything in the article points to the fact that she understands the reader. But I personally have a problem with Vampires being the new "Prince Charming." Nothing about Vampires charms me. I have no patience for it. It doesn't jive with what I need to live in my fantasies. I have tried reading paranormal romance books and I don't find anything that would "suck" me in. However, this also doesn't mean I won't try to read one again. Maybe I'll come upon the right author one day.

However, I realize Vampires are big now. I have a theory and I believe they are big due to feminism. It's been a long time since a female reader is able to read a book where the hero simply ravishes the heroine. A man that lets the beast take over. The beast that allows himself to take her as if he owns her.

In this world of fantasy - Please note and I mean fantasy only!!!! As something that exists "only" in your imagination and where you'd want no part of it in reality! - you may have a heroine that says no but means yes. The only time it is now acceptable for the male not to hear the "no" and understand the "yes" in her "no" is the vampire, the beast.

He is allowed to ravish her because he has animal instincts and innately knows what she wants. He is able to operate in a different plane and is in tune with her mind and desires. He can reach her at a level much deeper that simple words. He looks beyond the plain words and looks for a language that runs much much deeper. And as the man who has right to her he sees and hear more than any mortal man could.

He can take her and satisfy her need for unbridled physical and other sorts of love satisfying to the female mind - only as a beast of a man could...

Hilarious French Commercials

Overall, I like things brief and short. For example, when speaking I don't elaborate on a subject and it's my natural inclination to keep things short and sweet. I'm a huge fan of the short story and it's not a surpise to me that I love, short movies, music videos (with story lines) and commercials. All short forms of telling a story and getting a point across.

On this forum, I found a fantastic collection of hilariously funny (mostly) French commercials. For many of them you don't even need to speak French to understand it. I think commercials bring out the quirky side of any culture and I really enjoyed many on this site.

I hope you enjoy it too:
Super Frenchie - The Forum - French commercials and advertising

By the way, I have the picture of the very beautiful Catherine Denueve here. Her Chanel commercial on the site isin't funny. I just have her picture just because she is so alluring, recognizable, the ultimate French woman and doing a commercial... Oh la la!

Famous & Favorite First Lines in a Novel

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
-Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
- Jane Austen, Emma

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversation?’
-Lewis Carrol, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

In a village of La Mancha the name of which I have no desire to recall, there lived not so long ago one of those gentlemen who always have a lance in the rack, an ancient buckler, a skinny nag, and a greyhound for
the chase.
-Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, General Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant
afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude

My suffering left me sad and gloomy.
- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Niffenegger's Time Traveller's Wife is one of my all time favorite books. It was so beautifully written and so imaginative. I usually don't like Science Fic Romances but this was (to me) beyond anything I can explain. Maybe I loved it so because it surpassed any kind of romance I had ever imagined. It gripped me and and took hold of me.

When I heard that Ms. Niffenegger has a new book, I pretty much dropped everything on my To Be Read list and put her on the top and I'm glad I did.

Again, her writing is striking and her imagination wonderful. There is something about her that reminds me of Jorge Luis Borges. Another favorite author of mine. Maybe it's the fact that she can be so fantastical and her endings SO surprising.

The story is centered on a Ghost. In reading the reviews I read that it is a creepy book and indeed it was creepy! At times, I wasn't sure if I could go on and would want to know what is going to happen next. I'd slightly delay reading the next page or paragraph. Added to the creepiness is that this all happens next to Highgate Cemetery in London and it lends an extra amazing aura of death to the book.

The book starts with the death of Elspeth in London. Immediately your sympathies are played upon and you are sad to hear of her untimely death at the age of 42 from leukemia. And sad that her younger lover, Robert, mourns her so deeply and would do anything to bring her back.

However, as you read the book you realize things about Elspeth that are not so complimentary. For example, we read that her brother-in-law in Chicago is relieved to hear she is dead.

As the book progresses we find out that Elspeth has an identical twin in Chicago named Edwina (Edie). At one point the two were inseparable but then there was a falling out that happened between them and it was never resolved. In her will, Elspeth leaves her flat and a large sum of money to her nieces in Chicago. However, in order to inherit the flat they must live in it for a year and their parents are not allowed to visit. These nieces are identical twins like Elspeth and Edwina. But unlike the two older twins they are mirror twins and in many aspects they mirror each other. They are described in a way that I couldn't help but remember the twins from The Shinning. The girls are thin and colorless, they even dress identically and even though the are in their early twenties, everyone thinks they are much younger.

Upon finding out about the will Edwina says, "I was always afraid she would try to take them away from me." And indeed, the twins move to London and into Elspeth's flat.

Increasingly, a theme of being lost is developed in the book. All the characters are lost somehow. The inseparable twins often get lost in London but each one reacts to the feeling of "lostness" differently. Robert their downstairs neighbor who was Elspeth's lover is lost in grief and then lost in so many other ways as the book progresses up until the end.

On other occasions we read about how people get lost in the cemetery and they need to be retrieved. Or that Martin their upstairs neighbor neighbor diagnosed with OCD loses his wife (she leaves him.) And she remains lost to him as she doesn't want him to know where she lives. Or that Martin has no idea where his son is. Because of his illness Martin is lost to the world. With only the Internet as a connection to the world and later on when one of the twins befriends him.

We find out that Elspeth is now a ghost in her flat. As time goes by she becomes stronger and stronger and more fully formed. Valentina, the weaker of the twins, and referred to as "mouse" by her other twin Julia, can indeed see Elspeth. Julia forms a friendship with Elspeth and starts to spend many hours in her company.

However, Elspeth feels lost and aimless in her flat and longs to be free. (Here I wondered if she wouldn't have wanted to be free in the cemetery. Surely there must be other ghosts there to keep her company.) However, Elspeth can not figure out how to get out of the flat even though she tries. Her focus is not the cemetery and the world outside. She wants to be with Robert. As he lives downstairs she wants to traverse down through her floor to be with him but she always ends up as a puddle on the ground like the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz.

As we read on, there are added layers to the horror and the story prepares you for something ominous. Robert who has now formed a love interest in Valentina, tells her to be careful as Elspeth is not a nice person. On another occasion Valentina who is in the cemetery looks back onto her apartment window and thinks she sees something horrific looking out at her. But she thinks she has imagined it.

Something horrific does happen and there is a major surprise(s) towards the end. Suffice it to say that I think Ms. Niffenegger is a genius. I hope to read many more books by her. Her imagination is simply terrific!

Having said this, I think the ending could have been much better. There is one loose end I can think of. And it seemed a bit rushed and I don't think she took the same time that she did in developing the first 2/3 of the book where we are getting to know the characters at an excellent good pace. The ending is not quite as satisfying as most parts of the book. Or rather it is satisfying - but in a different way as it is action-packed and full of surprises and creepy.

I still recommend the book and looking forward to reading her next book which will be about a girl who has an unusual disorder - The Werewolf Syndrome. How imaginative is that?

Am I Misled for Loving Chick Lit?

My gosh, I wish I had written this post that I found on Galley Cat. I had sometime ago read Maureen Dowd's dismissal of chicklit. However, as much as I like her articles, this one went into my mental junk pile. Trash in/Trash out.

And now I find this post on Galley that refutes the dismissal of commercialized women's literature. Just yesterday, I was very self-satisfied with my choices in books - if I may say so myself.

As I stepped into my Dr's office elevator, I noticed a woman reading a hard cover book with the paper cover missing. I tried really hard to see what she is reading but alas could not see the title. I let her get out of the elevator before me and I trailed behind her trying to read the name of the book from over her shoulder to no avail.

Then I thought what if she is reading a romance and doesn't want anyone to know that's what she is reading. After all there is a stigma attached to that kind of a genre. Some still call it bodice ripper... yes, they do. Don't deny it! Any many women, thanks to the kind of thought perpetuated by Ms. Dowd deny reading women's Lit.

So what was I saying... oh yes... being personally self-satisfied. A pleasure rippled through me (yes, the pleasure actually rippled through me) as I thought hey just as I don't hide my copy of "The Inheritance of Loss" - a book I'm currently reading which won the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award in 2007 - If I were reading one my romances I wouldn't be hiding that book either. Hence the self satisfaction and the happiness I have in my life by being free to chose the books I want to read without fear of censure. By not paying heed to what the critics say.

If people knew what they were missing there wouldn't be any criticism. I've read enough to know that many of the romances I have read are by far better than some of the "acceptable" fiction out there. The prose and plot of many of the romances I've read are so satisfactory that it really makes me sad/upset/angry that people can so easily dismiss these books as simply fluffy. Some of them may be but many are really really good books.

Anyhow, I'm rambling on for the full post dismissing Ms. Dowd's assertions go to: Why Does Maureen Dowd Hate Popular Women? on the Galley Cat.

Rozina: A 17 Year Old Living in Athens

Gazment Kapllani documents the experience of immigrants living in Athens. The following is ths story of Rozina. A 17 year old young woman who is now living in Athens. One of the most diverse cities in southern Europe. Kapplani has also written about other experiences such as those from Afganistan and Vietnam.

An Athenian Story…from Iran

I found the article on "Words Without Borders." The online magazine for international literature.

October - the month of many books!

This has been a great month for me reading-wise. I've read:

- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (Extremely sad book - I felt as if I know him and share his pain. RIP)
- The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (SOOO awesome!)
- A Lady of Persuasion by Tessa Dare (New Romance writer. I think I'm going to like her!)
- The Elegance of the Hedgehog (surprisingly good and very french with a surpising ending!)

Currently Reading:
- Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel by Audrey Niffenegger - Preparing myself for a creepy book!
- The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
- Mattimeo by Brian Jacques (very cute but a little harsh for little ones - still my son likes it)

Healthy Foods

Back in May of this year, I started taking Dr. Oz's advice on only eating food that the first 5 ingredients did not contain sugar. I didn't have time to read Dr. Oz's huge book called "You on a Diet." But by watching him in interviews, I knew this is a point he stresses in his book. So I decided to act on it.

I even went a step further and tried to eliminate all High Fructose Corn Syrup from my diet. I began to increasingly see articles on how terrible this ingredient is and even read theories of how obesity in the US grew exponentially in the 80's when this ingredient became mainstream. HFCS is responsible for making you more hungry. I sure didn't need to feel that way. I believe the only thing I eat right now that has a small amount of HFCS is my favorite yogurt.

As a result I have lost over 10 very stubborn pounds that I had been struggling with for years. After the first five pounds, I was able to reduce my caloric intake and the loss itself motivated me to exercise by doing Pilates and Latin Fusion Dance (yea! Andale! Baile muy rico!) As a result I am feeling a lot better about myself and I have a ton of energy.

So, whenever Dr. Oz speaks, the Sepster listens. One of my favorite things that Dr. Oz says is to live your life with vitality. I think that is such a great advice. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

This week Health.com has an article on Dr. Oz's favorite foods and here they are:

Almonds: According to Dr. Oz they are “The best snack of all, because nuts are high in fiber and protein, they’ll satiate you so you’ll never be hungry." My problem with that is I can't eat just a few but I do love Almonds.

Broccoli: At my house we LOVE this vegetable. For me started when my very young cousin was fighting cancer and he'd have broccoli by the bowl. It was one of the things that helped him fight his disease and since then I make sure I have lots and lots of broccoli. We steamed them so they are still crunchy and have lots of flavor. I'm thrilled that one of my 10 year old's favorite veggies is Broccoli.

Coffee and Green Tea: According to Dr. Oz “Coffee is the number-one source of disease-fighting antioxidants in our society." However, drinking Green Tea gives you the same benefits but for a lot less caffeine.

Eggs: I stick with Egg whites and they are so delicious...

Oatmeal: No comment... I usually don't bother with this food.

Low Fat Greek Yogurt: Need to check into this one

Fresh fruit: “The sugar in fruit is naturally occurring, meaning it’s not man-made or artificially added, which makes it the healthiest sugar out there,” Dr. Oz says. And unlike processed fruit products, like juice or fruit chews, a hunk of apple or slice of orange contains filling fiber.

Dark chocolate: Look for dark chocolate that contains 70 percent cocoa.

Curly Hair: Tougher than you think...

Good tips on how to take care of your curly hair and making it frizz-free.

Surprising tools you'll need:

• Paper Towel
• Refrigerater
• Flat clips

http://gblsharing.app.aol.com/pop-up/

Remember the time...?

Ok, ok, I'm with many of you tired of the Michael Jackson news overload. But I couldn't help enjoy the legacy he left behind with his fashion. It's interesting that in all the pictures in Harper's Bazaar it is a white british blond female that is portraying Jackson's various looks.

Slide Show: Top Healthiest Brands

From Businessweek: August 3, 2009

Who Do Consumers Trust?
By Tara Kalwarski

A company's worth is rarely equal to the sum of its assets. In fact, most corporations hold intangible value. An important case in point: brand image. Research shows that brand power can account for as much as 10% of the change in a company's stock price—up or down. The past year has made all too clear that a company's image is no guarantee of future performance. The following publicly traded brands are the "healthiest" right now, as measured by ("YouGov's BrandIndex"), which tracks consumers' perceptions across six categories by polling 5,000 people each weekday. YouGov, a polling firm, scores each category from -100 to +100, then averages the grades for each company to come up with its BrandIndex score.

Slide show

List of Best Summer Reads by NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106983620&ps=cprs

Top 10 are:
1. The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling
2. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
3. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
4. Bridget Jones's Diary, by Helen Fielding
5. Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
6. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, by Rebecca Wells
7. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
8. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
9. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg
10. The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver

I will never forget you nameless man

A few weeks ago, during my beloved nephew's graduation I met a handsome man.

Many of us had traveled long ways to attend this graduation.

This handsome man was there with a family member and the quietest man I've met in a long time. We were all very excited to see each other that first night and I know we are all very talkative people. But not a peep out of him.

That evening my husband and I asked each other if we know anything about him? We both said we've heard he is an artist. Ok... So he may have been shy that first night and not said anything. Or to romanticize the situation he may be the water runs deep kinda soul and he is observing us so that we can figure in his next art work ? Whatever...

48 hours later and we still didn't know this person. Still no more than a hello and goodbye from him. It must have been painful to be so quiet among such lively and talkative people.

But then everything changed when we had to say our final goodbyes to travel our long distances back home. I went to him for a handshake and to wish him and his family a safe trip back home. His handshake was SO firm and he squeezed my hand so fiercely that I literally bent my knees and went "ahhh" in pain. But he didn't seem to notice. He smiled and was forever gone.

It is now three weeks later and my hand still hurts. I have to suddenly let go of things specially if I'm holding a pot. Had he not hurt me I would have long forgotten him by now... He may not have been talkative but he sure was an unforgettable pain...

Most Popular Nano Color

What is the most popular Nano color, I wonder. I am desperately in need of a Nano. My old white one died over a year ago and I miss it so.

Today I was at a Latin Fusion fitness session over at Lifetime Fitness and the most excellent Rochi was teaching the course. Man that was so much fun! Okay I know, I'm digressing!

The music in that session was so good (soooo darn good!!!!) that I wished I had my Nano back so I could do all those sexy moves on my own. Not being able to think of anything else - on my way home I mozied on over to Costco to check out the Nanos. The choice of the colors were tough! This isin't suppose to be tough! If they had had red, I would have taken one right away!

They were:

Blue
Pink
Purple (!)
Black
Silver ( I hear it's the most popular? Really???)

So go ahead! Take a poll right here! What is your fave, darlin'?

I couldn't make up my mind so I walked away empty handed. Isin't it crazy? How much will I care about the color in the end? I have no idea!!!!

ISFP is me

I love taking personality tests. Here is what a recent Meyers Briggs test had to say:

I'm an ISFP - Known as the Composer or The Artist. See Portrait of an ISFP.

Best Careers for an ISFP:

• Clergy/church worker
• Secretary
• Psychologist
• Technical specialist
• Counsellor
• Assistant
• Forces
• Administrator
• Sales
• Marketing specialist
• Trainer
• Human Resources

The Queen & Michelle

Apparently all of Britain is atwitter over Michelle placing her hand on the Queen. How dare she touch the Queen!

This article from Time magazine had me laughing over the protocols of dealing with the British Monarchy and all of the subtle maneuverings that go with it.

I remember when Princess Di visited the US and we were all wondering if those who meet her should curtsy or not. And some American woman did and that was a faux pas. The reason being it is not in the American tradition to curtsy and therefore it could be construed as mockery.

Ah the intracacies of being a Royalty. How grand!

The Queen and Mrs. Obama: Did the First Lady Break Protocol?

Cell phone novel

It fascinates me that the human mind has a need to tell stories. As new mediums are created so are ways to tell stories.

It seems that the Cell phone novel emerged in Japan. They are no longer than 70 words and were started by women who count tales of Relationships, Love Triangle and Betrayals. The genre is called keitai shousetsu.

For a history of the Cell Phone novel and how it has evolved check my most favorite place on the Net, the Wiki.

Once you have read the Cell Phone novel you may also be interested to know that people are writing 140 character stories on Twitter known as TwittNOL. Can you imagine telling a story in only 140 characters and *no more*? It's like Haiku but not as restrictive, I guess.

You can read some of these stories at: Read, Write, Web.

Simply fascinating...

Haft Sin - an important part of the Norooz Tradition

Haft Sin or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Norooz, the traditional Iranian new year. The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them.

The Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sin table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Noroozi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste. The Haft Sin items are:

The Haft Sīn items are:

* sabzeh - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
* samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
* senjed - the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
* sīr - garlic - symbolizing medicine
* sīb - apples - symbolizing beauty and health
* somaq - sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
* serkeh - vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

Other items on the table may include:

* traditional Iranian pastries such as baghlava, toot, naan-nokhodchi
* dried nuts, berries and raisins (Aajeel)
* lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)
* a mirror
* decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)
* a bowl with goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
* a bowl of water with an orange in it (the earth floating in space)

A New Year, A New Beginning

President Obama released a special video message for all those celebrating Nowruz. Translated "New Day," Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the New Year for millions in Iran and other communities around the world. This year, the President wanted to send a special message to the people and government of Iran on Nowruz, acknowledging the strain in our relations over the last few decades. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," he says.

Watch the video at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/Nowruz/

My heart is heavy

I am so saddened by the death of Natasha Richardson. I always liked her unassuming ways. Her expressive eyes and pretty smile.

She played in some of my favorite movies; the Parent Trap, Widow's Peak, Blow Dry and Nell.

My prayers go out to her sons, husband and family.

Skiing without a Helmet

My husband and I met during a college Ski trip that he organized and we've been together ever since. So, skiing is very near and dear to our hearts. We never miss a chance to ski!

When our son started skiing a few years ago we would not think of not equipping him with a helmet! He complained and nagged but we didn't budge. We explained that it was as critical for him to wear a helmet as it was wearing a seat belt in the car.

Now, upon hearing the stories on Natasha Richardson within the last 24 hours, I wonder why is it that my husband and I don't wear helmets? How can we play so dangerously? And think it's ok? Why did we put a set of safety standards for our son but not ourselves? We it be fair to the rest of the family if any of us suffered brain damage? (See US News article in the health section here.)

I know what I was thinking, that I'm too good a skier and it hasn't happened so far. That I rather feel free and have the air go through my hair. That when we take pictures we'll look good! But, again, hearing the story about Natasha, I believe we've taken too big of a risk. And there is no excuse for not protecting yourself when you can. I can assure you that we'll be skiing with helmets on next year's ski trip!

In the meantime, I deeply hope that she recovers from the ordeal and that the medical community can help this wonderful actress. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Spring Cleaning!

I spent much of the last weekend cleaning the house for Spring. Somehow Spring cleaning doesn't get me down as much as regular cleaning does as Spring cleaning promises renewal of all things. It's a great way to just shoo out all the Winter blues. It also helped that my beloved hubby was there most of the time helping out. Poor guy I must admit I was a pain to work with. And we were both so exhausted by Sunday night.

The areas that were cleaned were:
- My closet, which meant weeding out all the old clothes, jewelry, hair stuff, idiotic gadgets that seemed like a good idea to have at the time and many many things that surprised even me that they were in my closet.
- My son's room, closet and playroom. Thomas the Tank Engine was given a warm farewell.
- All bathrooms and laundry room. Deep, obsessive cleaning for those.

The Fire Festival

Charshanbeh Suri is an ancient Iranian festival dating at least back to 1700 BCE of the early Zorastrian era. The festival of fire is a prelude to the ancient Norooz, which marks the arrival of spring and revival of nature. Nowrooz, or the New Year's Day in the Iranian calendar, falls on March 20 this year. The first Day of Spring.

On the last Tuesday evening of the Winter mnight many people around the world will be jumping over fires in parks or streets. The fires will be lit shortly after sunset. The gatherings are among family and friends. They take turns jumping over the burning fire Singing a little song which will say/symbolizes that the fire shall take away the illness and instead give the person health the Iranian New Year (New Day/Norooz) begins.

Miss My Boot Camp

I miss going to my 6 a.m. outdoors boot camp. And always having aches and pains... ha ha

I realized just how much I missed it (or maybe how much "not") by looking at these particular exercises at Self.com . They remind me so much of the grueling work we did with Active Duty Fitness! These exercises will help you Burn Fat Fast!

Looking for Guilt-free and satisfying food?

Check Hungrygirl.com for lots of great information on healthy and low calorie foods. You can check either products or unbelievably easy recipes to to whip up something that will satisfy the taste buds and the tummy.

I've been following this site for a while now... I believe since November, when I joined Weight Watcher (yes, again) and I was introduced to this site.

Well I'm no longer with Weight Watchers but I get the Hungry Girl Newsletters on almost a daily basis. I hope you find what you like to eat on this site:

I'll leave you with Hungry Girl's Top Ate Calorie Saving Cooking Swaps. I encourage you to also check her Top Ate Guilt-Free Chocolate Craving Busters!!!

She also has a book now which is available through Amazon.

Heaven-Given Persia

My dear cousin, Sasan Khajavi is coming out with a book titled: Heaven-Given Persia: The Iran Not Known. It will be on sale at Amazon in March of 2009. Just in time for Norowz! (More on this in future blogs)

Sasan is a fascinating man. A genius with a brilliant mind. In his young life, he has invented many things. Many of them technical but it's his poetic mind that amazes me. He is powerful in both hemispheres of his brain. The Left and the Right!

I look forward to reading his book as I know I will be learning more about the origins of where I've come from. Sasan loves Persia and knows so many facts about that country and he always has the factual resources to backup his knowledge.

Here is a this little excerpt from his book and it will give you a big window into the mind of this amazing mind:

"I have an obligation to both countries. I came to the U.S. when I was fourteen -- old enough to have become Persian and young enough to become American. Love of Persia and America are not mutually exclusive. I love America and Persia the same way that one loves both his parents.

If I let both nations know as much about each as possible, I have given something good back to America and to the country of my birth, Persia. The aim of this book is not peace, for peace implies war. Peace is a low goal. Peace requires nothing. Peace is passive. One can despise a people and yet be at peace with them. The aim of this book is friendship -- the most beautiful relationship that exists
between two people. Friendship requires effort; it requires engaging; and above all, it requires respect. And respect requires seeking, learning, and focusing on other people's good."

I hope you give his book a try when it is available. See: http://www.heavengivenpersia.com/

From Pamela Peeke, M.D. 's Newsletter

If there are 3 things you could do this month.

Mind: When you see that cement ball of stress swingin' your way, take a slow deep breath. Just one breath. Try it right now. Feels pretty good doesn't it? When you breathe that way, you actually alter the levels and ratios of brain chemicals that calm you. Inhale for a count of three and exhale for a count of four. Enjoy that exhalation. In with the good, out with the bad. You're just a breath away from less stress!

Mouth: Track what goes into your mouth. Study after study shows that the key to reducing what goes in is to write down what you're consuming. Otherwise, especially if you are a stress overeater, you will eat more than you realize.

Muscle: Commit to 30 minutes of movement on a daily basis-you can find ½ hour. Just do it! Think of it as a crucial stress strategy.

Slumdog Millionaire Shines at the Oscars

I couldn't believe the beautiful show. So full of Indian culture. It felt as if I'm watching a show in India. It was so uplifting specially the section A.R. Rahman

http://bollywood-songs.org/slumdog-millionaire-shines-at-the-oscars/

Here is a video too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nOVggxZPL0

The only word I understand is Asaman which means sky. I'll have to look up the meaning of the song. Oh and "Jai Ho" means victorious.