Undeniably Malu

So for those of you who are reading this blog post and have no idea what "malu" means...let me explain. My family is from the southern tip of India...a beautiful, lush state called Kerala. The people who dwell in Kerala are called Malayalees...or "Malus" for short.

I hate lumping people into categories...or making blanket statements about people within a certain culture. So, I'm going to try to say this very carefully...as to not offend anyone... That being said...A few weeks ago, my mom and I were walking through my neighborhood. I saw a women walking up her driveway with a newspaper under her arm. She had frizzy black hair, which she tied up in a bun...and a pair of gold earings and a thick gold necklace which I could spot from several feet away. Instantly, I turned to my mom and told her that Malus lived in my neighborhood! She asked me why I was so certain that the woman was a Malayalee...and I explained that the hair and jewlery were two major give aways. As we got closer to her house....I noticed that their garage was filled with Japanese cars....a Honda and a Toyota...."See! I told my mom...there's another sign!" She looked at me as if I was crazy. But then, I saw something that solidified my suspicions....an unruly rosebush in the front yard. Upon seeing that, even my mom agreed that they definitely had to be Malayalees.

I hadn't seen the Malayalees again for a few weeks. A part of me wanted to see and befriend them....hoping the lady might invite us over for some home cooking! Then, last week as I was driving home, I saw the man of the house checking the mail. He had on blue slacks, a black belt, and a wife beater. If I had any doubts they weren't Malayalee, all doubts were now washed away!

Today, I was walking Moussey in the morning. As I was walking up the sidewalk, the Malayalee man and lady were walking down the sidewalk. I thought "this is my chance to befriend them!" They'll ask me where I'm from in Malayalam...and I'll respond with my usual village idiot response!!...They'll chuckle at my feeble attempt...and we'll all become friends! (As you can see I'm desperate to make some friends around here!) So, as they approached...I began smiling...And when they were close enough to hear me...I said "Hello!"

They didn't smile or respond to my pleasentries...they just maintained a stoic expression and walked right on past me. I was bummed...and kept walking. Maybe they didn't know I was Indian. Afterall, they hadn't seen my driveway with 2 Hondas parked in it...and my hair had been de-frizzed before my walk...and I never walk with my bling on...it just ain't safe these days!!

On my way home from our walk...we passed the couple's home again. This time, they were both standing on their driveway....almost as if they were waiting for us to walk by. The man stood there with both hands on his hips and the woman stood beside him curiously. As I walked by...they just stared, not a word was uttered...Just a silent stare.

"Undeniably Malu," I muttered to Moussey...as we turned down my street and walked home.

My "Why So Blue?" picture of the day!

Pick-chas...

Matty and I have decided to keep working on our photography interest. We thought we'd make each week a particular theme and take pictures accordingly. This week's theme is "why so blue?" I'm not quite sure what this means, or how I'm going to take pictures to go with the theme...but it should be fun trying to figure it out. This weekend, we had another photography expedition. This shot was my absolute favorite! It wasn't posed at all. I just happened to see my BF...the good sport that she is...sitting on a bench, 9 months pregnant...trying to find a little reprieve from the Florida sun. Isn't she cute? Maddison will be here in just 3 short weeks!Ever the competitor...Matty is always looking for a way to get a better shot than me. Infact, I usually have to go through this schpeel while we're driving.

M: "Susan, you have to admit...I'm a better photographer than you."

S: (in order to shut him up) "Yes, you absolutely are...Your shots and your camera is much better than mine."

Although I tell him that each time...I take a shot like the one below...and post it...knowing full well that it totally blows his shots away. ;)

This was just an interesting shot to me...it was the ceiling of a pagoda that was in downtown Orlando...in the Lake Eola area. One things for sure...These photography expeditions are exposing me to lots of Orlando!
Sometimes you can find something interesting in something simple...like a piece of wood!

Irony...

So, I've been noticing a few ironic things in my day to day life....1. I've moved to sunny, florida....yet, it rains every day!! It's usually bright and sunny throughout the day...you know, while I'm at work and unable to enjoy it! But as soon as 6 pm hits, the rain pours. (Just in time for me to sail home through traffic). 2. Florida has a very large population of Hispanics....yet the one thing I have not eaten so far is Mexican food...not even good Mexcian fast food! (Oh, Taco Bueno, how I miss thee) I'm sure there are quite a bit of authentic Spanish restaurants, but I can't stomach that. It has a little something to do with my missions trip to Mexico in 04, in which I encountered some really bad chicken mole...(pronounced molay)..wait. is it spelled molay? oh, who knows...anyway, what I'm in search of is some good ol' tex mex. sigh. the search continues. 3. Matt and I both work for a vacation club, but we can't afford to take a vacation! ha! I guess our move will be considered our vacation this year. Maybe in 09 we'll have some potential traveling possibilities. One can hope. Speaking of hope, I hope my friend Matty keeps up with his latest attempt with blogging! Check him out and welcome him back!

The Farmer's Market with Friends....

Matty got a new fancy, schmancy camera a few weeks ago and had been itching to get out there and practice before Maddison's born. So, I suggested we go somewhere on Saturday to take pictures. I've been wanting to work on my camera skills too! So, Matty and BF took me to Winter Park, Florida, where they have a Farmer's Market every Saturday. Matty and I had lots of subjects to take pictures of!

A thorn among the roses...Ha! I kid. His pictures turned out a lot better than mine...I say it's his camera...he says it's his talent.BF was such a good sport. She walked around in the heat just so we could pretend to be photographers for the day!

This is Yeager. He was looking for a tree to rest under for shade...but found the next best thing!

Dog days of summer in Sunny, Florida...

I wish had bought these cherries instead of just taking their picture!

The Great Depression...

I walked into the grocery store the other day and was horrified to see that the gallon of milk I needed was nearly five bucks. I left...with out it. Is it just me...or are the sky rocketing prices of gas, food,...and everything else for that matter... making the rest of you greatly depressed? Right about now, the one thing I'm grateful for is my car purchase last year. Thank God for imparting a bit of wisdom on me....that I would select a fuel efficient car instead of a guzzler. Seriously...if I didn't have my Fit, I would have a fit every time I pumped gas! (No pun intended)

I don't know how people are surviving these days. Everything's going up...other than salaries, of course. It never ceases to amaze me that people do still survive...and they do still shop till they drop. For instance, a few months ago, SueTee took me and CCL to a Coach outlet. I looked around the store and saw women swarming with coaches in all shapes and sizes and random colors in their hands. I stood in line with a patent leather, wristlet that Sue found for me at a steal of a deal for only $30. The lady in front of me had a bright green and white purse (which I thought was not a very practical buy considering it wouldn't match much) that was big enough to carry my dog, a coach scarf, a coach umbrella, and a coach key chain. At that moment I thought to myself...am I the only person affected by this recession?!?

However, I know I'm not because I hear people complain about it every day...at work, at the gas station, at the produce department of grocery stores. I guess what goes up must come down...and right now, we're just on a downward slope. We've just gotta hold on for dear life, and hope "up" comes around soooooooooooon!

Pictures Galore...

I just finished watching a very disturbing episode of the Bachelorette. You know, the episode where she doesn't pick the person I wanted her to!!!!!! I don't know why in the world I waste my time watching this show and getting all emotionally invested in their decisions. This is the last time...I swear!!!

Anyhoo...afterwards I decided it was high time to post a few pictures that I've taken over the past few weeks.

July 4th...Matt and I went to watch fireworks with my sister and fam. We sat outside Universal Studios. It took a while for them to start crackin' but when they did...it was pretty spectacular. Here's a few of my favorite shot...excuse the telephone wire. =/

The grand finale....
A random picture of the most beautiful little girl I know....
A picture from my mom and bro's visit. My mom floatin' around in the pool. Yes, in her pants. I tried to give her shorts, but she refused. =/

My brother floatin around in the pool. I could sit and watch this guy in the pool for hours. It might not look so comical right now. But at the time...it was crackin me up that he was in a floaty...yet acting like a seasoned olympic swimmer.

The Floridians with my mom...

I saw this picture on Facebook the other day...and I just had to share it! Baby Neela is getting cuter by the day...and I hate that I'm not there to kiss her squishy little cheeks. (Jess, I miss you guys!)

Now it's time to do a baby update...the cousins got together this weekend and CCL sent me a few pics of all the babies! They're all so precious and getting too big too fast!

Maddy...cute as ever!

Sweetness...Maddy and Lola (Lauren)
Ethan...ever the little model and JP (Joshua)...reminds me of how Mikey used to look up to Bobby! Ha!!! I love JP's face in this one!

All the lil girls...Lola, Princess Leah, and Maddy

All the lil' munchkins. Looks like I definitely missed out!

Speaking of cute babies! Check out the newest cutie on the blog scene!

BUSY!!!!

The other day, Matt asked me if I'm done with my blog. I looked at him blankly. So, he asked again..."Are you done? Is it over? You aren't writing anymore?" That was a sad thought to me...after all these years!!...I quickly said no!

Life's been really busy lately. I have no time to write at work. Often, I start working in the morning and then by the time I look at the clock, it's 3 pm....and I haven't had lunch! I've never been so busy at a job before, but I enjoy it. It's nice to not watch the time drift by slowly. My mom has been visiting for two weeks, so everyday after work, I'd run her around...out and about...since she was cooped up at the house all day long. So, no time to blog after work either.

But now, she's back in Oklahoma, so I'll have a little bit more free time in the evenings. I have lots of pictures to post of birthdays, baptisms, maternal unit's visit...etc....so stay tuned!!

Getting ready for baby Madison...

The gang here in Florida is totally anticipating the arrival of baby Madison in just 9 short weeks. I can hardly wait to have another "Maddycakes" to adore! I know that between the 7 of us, we'll be fighting over who gets to hold her and put her to sleep...but we'll let Dains/Matty do all the diaper changing!;)

We've been spending some of our weekends getting her room ready for her....Her momma sent me some pictures of it...and it's absolutely too cute not to share....so here ya go!

Maddy's Daddy spending his 30th birthday painting his baby girl's room...

A messy me...painting letters for her name to hang on the nursery wall...

The finished product of our work last Saturday...

These curtains are proof that Maddy's loved so much...even before she's gotten here. Her mom, Dad, Sue Aunty, Beena Aunty, Sheppy Uncle, and Aaron chachen all helped to make this for her...(Uncle Matt missed out...he had work!)
I'm almost sad that the nursery project is over! Now there's nothing left to do but wait for the baby!!!!!!!!

per the request of my pesky little friend....

i'm updating my blog. i know it's been a while. it's just been kinda busy and not much to report as of late...

the other night, bf and i went to watch the sex and the city movie. i figured the theater would be dead on a tuesday night. wrong. it was pretty much packed. there were a lot of women in line to watch the movie...basically groups of 4's. i was glad that bf agreed to watch it with me...although she never followed the show. i had to explain a few things to her....but overall she did a very good job in keeping up. when the theme music began...i got a lil' giddy and smiley. and then i saw the girls!!!!!!!!

it was so good to see carrie, miranda, charlotte and samantha again! it was like reuniting with four of my long lost friends! the movie was good...but i thought the ending was kinda cheesy. overall, i was pleased though. it was a much better ending than the series finale. i was left feeling satisfied!

in other news....matty and i finished painting madison's room. (more so matty than me). it looks awesome! it's a perfect shade of sage green and a butterfly/polka-dot theme....peaceful, yet cheery. i love it. sonia and i decorated letters to spell the baby's name and they put it up on the newly painted wall and hung her butterfly mobile. it looks quite cute. i'll post pictures as soon as she sends me some.

last night was a night of firsts! when i arrived home, i smelled indian food. my nose lead me to the kitchen, where i saw matt standing over a pot of chicken curry. i thought i entered the wrong house initially...but moussey was there...frantic for my attention...so i knew it was truly my house. i was astonished to find matt cooking...since the closest thing to food he usually makes is hard boiled eggs. the curry was the bomb dot com....finger lickin' good. i was proud of him!!! miracles never cease...i tell ya! after dinner we jumped in the pool. and....for the very first time...i went to the deep end. ok, so maybe i still had my float on and was clinging to the side walls...but still...i went...and that's a first!

anyway, is it friday yet?!? i didn't think so....it can't come any sooner...i tell ya. if i don't get computer access next week...i might just lose my mind. (what's left that is)

BIRTHDAY BOYS...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MATT AND MATTY! Yesterday was Matt's birthday. I thought it was today. I made plans to go to dinner and celebrate...and then when I was writing the date at work yesterday, I realized that the 5th was not on Friday. Not. Good. So, in a last minute attempt to right my wrong. I stopped by Walmart after work, picked up a few cards, a balloon, and a few ingredients to make birthday cakes.

For Matt, I made a chocolate cake...his favorite! I am not a big fan of icing in a can, so I decided to try to make my own. I made cream cheese icing and it was pretty good, I must say. For Matty...I made strawberry cake. Sonia gave me a heads up that he likes fruity cakes....(sheryl, resist making a joke right now...it's his birthday. be nice.) So, I made strawberry cream cheese icing for it. Back in OKC, the BOC crew and I used to go to lunch at a lil' place called Shirley's. She made the BEST strawberry cake and icing ever. I think I might have actually figured out how to duplicate it!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm thanking God that it's Friday...I've survived week two with no computer access. It's been frustrating...but I can handle one more day. Matt brought home some free movie tickets...so BF and I will be going to watch Sex and the City...and I can hardly wait!!!!!!!! I hope it's as good as the shows were. And...Matty and I will be painting the baby's room. I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Surviving the HEAT...

It was 90 degrees out yesterday, and in the land of the scantily clad, I wore a sweater over my shirt. Yes, I'm aware of the fact that most people prolly think i'm LOCO. But, I can't seem to give em' up. I rather sweat to death. Matt says I'm getting darker by the day. Now, if I was pasty white, this news may excite me, but I'm far from that...so I figure I could use some covering to help me block out that Florida sun a lil bit.

When I came home from work yesterday, I had a watermelon waiting at my door. It was attached to a note t hat said "welcome to the neighborhood." I thought it was a rather kind gesture from our neighbors. Now, I don't know what the proper protocol is. Do I just cut the watermelon and think fondly of them as I eat it? Or, do Matt and I go over there and introduce ourselves and thank them? I haven't experienced this kind of niceness before. Any suggestions?

Well, I have already discovered my two most favored spots in FL so far. (both introduced to me by BF) 1. Pollo Tropical. It's a fast food joint that has a chicken n' rice dish that's very comparable to NYC's own. 2. Shoe Land. When you walk in it's like you've died and gone to cheap shoe heaven. Not only are they cheap, but they are oh-so-cute and stylish. The only downfall is that they smell like fake leather. In case you don't know what that smells like....it stanks.

Well, blogosphere....enjoy your weekend. I survived my first work week here! yee. haw. Matt and I will be trying to hit up Universal Studios tonight when I get off. Other than that...I got some much needed cleaning to do this weekend.....

On the job...

It's my 3rd day of work. On my 2nd day I was 30 minutes late...A huge accident had traffic backed up. Luckily, my boss and half of my co-workers were stuck in it too. Other than that...the drive to work is pretty simple. I've managed to get there and back with out "Gina."

My boss reminds me a lot of my first boss at AF. She looks and talks just like her. She manages the eastern region...just like my AF boss did. coinky dink. No friends as of yet. Something tells me I might be to busy to be making new friends. We shall see....

Matt had the past two nights off, which was nice for a change. We went to Downtown Disney and walked around a bit...and got some stuff taken care of around the house...and hung out in the pool a little bit. So, I don't really like the new raft. I decided it's too big and I'm gonna revert back to using the little donut floaty instead.

Summer's about to start...anyone coming down for a visit?

I'm officially up and running...

Hopefully I will be blogging more regularly now. We're officially proud owners of internet connection, so I have no excuses. Tomorrow is my first day of work!!!!!!!!! YIKES! I'm really nervous about this for some reason. It's the same feeling I had when I started a new school as a kid. I'm sure it will be fine...I've started new jobs several times before...but for now, I'm really nervous.

Anyway, this weekend was BF's baby shower...in Okc. Yep, I missed it. However, I did get to do a little planning for it before I left. Sheryl did a great job of keeping me in the loop and making me feel like I was part of the last minute mayhem. Overall, I heard it was a great success. The baby has enough clothes to last a long while, and mom and dad have all the baby equipment that they'll need. Here's a few pictures from the shower...

Our cute lil' mom-to-be opening her presents....

I totally recognize the look of delight on her face....She's cutting herself a piece of chocolate filled chocolate cake....

Memorial Day was spent at my sister's. The B-I-L grilled us up some fabulous burgers with yuca fries! D-to the-licious! Matt had to work, but before he left this afternoon, we bought a few floaty devices for the pool. I wasn't having much luck with the donut floaty that we had already. This time we bought a raft...which I'm greatly looking forward to lounging on!

Stay tuned tomorrow....new job updates soon to come!

Sunny, Florida...

Sunny, Florida hasn't exactly been sunny the past few days....more like rainy, humid and cloudy...but I'm not complaining. We've been in the house four days...no fridge, no clothes, no furniture...but the movers will be arriving with our stuff early tomorrow morning. So far, I pretty much feel like I'm on vacation...staying in someone else's house...floating around in their pool...visiting my sister and BF. But that feeling should change soon enough....work starts TUESDAY.

I'd like to say that I'll be blogging a lot more frequently, but my computer isn't set up yet. I'm staying the night with BF tonight, and she urged me to blog before I hit the sack. (ever the best friend...she checks it daily...even when she knows I have no updates)

For once in my life...I must admit that I don't know what I'd do with out Gina (our navigation system)...she is my confidant these days. ;) So blogosphere...life continues on...it's new...it's exciting...it's stressful...and it's humid. I've learned to appreciate where I've come from (good ol' OKC) and be thankful for where God has brought me.

That's all for now....

I've been MIA. Most of my time is spent packing these days. Our first move went so much quicker and easier since it was a combined effort. This one has been a real pain. But, I can finally see the light...the movers will be here by the end of the week, the utilities will canceled, the house key will be returned to the landlord, the car will be back from the mechanics and ready for the trip, the old furniture will be hauled off, and final goodbyes will all be said. *sigh*

I'll be taking lots of pictures for the next few days...so hopefully I can post until it's time to box up the computer.

Sunuset in OKC...

Sheryl and Elijah...she hosted a little going away fondue night at her new home...it was a good time to chillax after a weekend of packing. =/
The girls...
Micah being as cute as ever...

And before I forget....Happy FIRST birthday

to Maddy!!...she's our lil' Cinco De Mayo Baby!

Big bucks and pick up trucks...

So, it's 7 pm, Saturday night...and it feels really GREAT to have nothing to do. I spent the past 2 hours lounging on the sofa watching my Netflix order of the week. Ok, Ok...I'll tell you what I watched...Laguna Beach Season 1. Before you scoff, let me explain...I'm an addict of the Hills...and I never saw LB, so I was kinda curious to see how LC first started off in the wonderful world of reality TV. Ok, now scoff. =/ I'm a reality tv junkie and I admit it.

I spent most of yesterday and all of this morning and afternoon helping my mother with a garage sale. My niece, Marissa kept track of our patrons...I think her final count was around 85...not bad. And the money we made?? Not bad at all. I actually made enough money selling my miscellaneous junk to fill my car with gas...halfway, at least. I was happy.People brought their pick up trucks and hauled away some old furniture that my mom was most happy to get rid of. That's when I realized that I want a truck too. Although, I don't particularly enjoy the "cowboyishness" that pick ups tend to represent...I think they are pretty practical vehicles...I can almost picture Moussey sitting in the back with her ears flapping in the wind. It would be especially nice for our drive back to Florida....but alas, I'm stuck with "ol Faithful"...my CRV.

Don't Give Up On Me...

I'm still here...alive and well...but for some reason, I just can't bring myself to blog these days. But, I refuse to pull the plug on my blog...because I know that one of these days, I'll snap back into my former self and muster up the energy and drive to be a devoted daily blogger again.

Until then, I'll fill you in my trip to Austin this past weekend. It was so nice to have a 1 day getaway with the girls...We talked and laughed and over-exerted ourselves...(or maybe that part was just me!) A few months ago we decided that a family that runs together stays healthy together...Lisa was in charge of picking a 5k for us to run in. She warned us that it might be intense...hence the name..."the toughest race in texas." I blatantly ignored her, since she tends to be a bit of an exaggerator.

What I discovered is...no, I'm not tough enough. I can't run through the wilderness. I trip over things...like holes and rocks and tree limbs. I can't skip over hills effortlessly...I have to climb over them in excruciating pain. So, although my cousins discovered they enjoy runs...and would like to do it again next year...i discovered that, i'm much better running on a treadmill, in a park, on flat surface...at my own pace...not competing against anyone...Last place is not a fun place to be. =/

After the run, we did something more my speed...shopped in San Marcos. CCL was ready to shop till we dropped...and eventually Suetee and I did drop. I could hardly limp and hobble behind her anymore... But, we were both very proud of her for not purchasing anything cacky! Way to go CCL...now just wear the clothes you bought!

Afterwards we enjoyed some down home Texas Barbecue at Salt Lick! Over all it was a delightful weekend. A good last hoorah before I move away to Sunny Florida....

I need a....

I need a break. It's been difficult job and apartment hunting in Florida whilst living in Oklahoma. I'm ready to pack up my things and my dog and head South East. But, I still have a while before I can do so successfully...and in the interim, I need a break. A span of 24 hours with out thinking about the future, jobs, apartments, moving trucks, and money will suffice.

I'm grateful to be getting just that....this weekend, I'll be heading to Austin, Tx to have a girls day out with CCL and SueTee. I know they're both excited to have 24 hours to step away from their responsibilities as "mommy" and "wifey" as well. We have things planned...a 5k that I'm not so sure any of us are prepared for...and shopping and eating barbecue...things that come more naturally to us. I think it will be a delightful little getaway...and my last hoorah with them for a while since I'm moving even further away.

Blue bonnetts...barbecue...bears...broads in cacky pants....here i come!

TGIF, I guess...

It's Friday. The weather website predicted sunshine and 70 degrees, but it's noon, and neither prediction has come true. I'm feeling rather blah. My hair's curly, no make up, and I'm wearing a Yaga T-shirt from the 90's. Actually, I haven't seen the t-shirt since the 90's either. Somehow it was left at a cousin's house and then floated through one grubby cousin's hand to the next for the past 10 years. I just got back last October and now I love to wear it when I'm in need of comfort and TLC.

Job hunting is getting the best of me. I had forgotten what this kind of disappointment and self-doubt felt like. Oh...how quickly we forget. I'm trying really hard to remain positive and focused...and think not on the "what if I never..." but on the..."surely I will..." Make sense? Probably not.

The weekend plans are low-key. The furball will be keeping me company this evening. I'm sure we'll do a lot of nothin. I'm going to make us stuffed tortellini with chicken breast and spinach parmesan alfredo sauce. I'm sure consuming it will be the highlight of our evening.

The rest of the weekend will be spent packing...one room at a time...for the next 3 weeks.

Old and Neglected....

That's how my ol' blog feels. I haven't updated in days...which is totally unlike me. I'm finding myself in a bit of a funk these days. When you uproot your life and strive to make changes for the future, things can get a bit stressful. I've been zapped of all my creativity...apparently my stress is eating it for lunch. So please bear with me...

I'm sure in due time I'll be once again talking about nothing and posting pictures of sweet babies...and things of that nature.

Until then, keep me in your prayers as iron out a few kinks in my "master plan."