Nicknames

Everyone has nicknames, I'd like to meet one person that has never had a nickname. 

I chose Meeka with a switch of the end letter to make it sound more feminine since Meeko is a MALE raccoon from Pocahontas. I've only had her for almost three months but she already has several nicknames given to her (mostly) by me and my family. She actually does answer to her name Meeka. Smart Kitty! And will turn her head and look at you if you randomly say it. :)

Meekoo (my mothers NN for her), Meekster (like a hipster), Meekasa (like Picasso), Meek (the shortened version)

I'll share my siblings nicknames (as well as my own) that we had growing up since they are so bizarre and odd!

Some of them I can explain others I cant, it's really so funny how people come up with nicknames! Hehe. :)

My older sister is named Aminah. Pronounced Ah-min-ah. Our dad used to call her tuk-tuk, which meant 'small'. My cousin (his nephew) couldn't pronounce that and his attempt was Tu-tu. He used to run around yelling Tutu and the name stuck, haha. Much to the dismay of my sister who didn't like that nickname at all.

My brother has an even weirder nickname than my sister! His name is Omar. Fairly easy to say. So it's a wonder where in the world he got his nickname - Manee. Nobody knows. My parents don't know how that started since they always called him by his given name. It's a nickname given by our relatives and they are the only ones that call him by it.

Here's a picture of me showing my mother I can stick my foot in my mouth. I really could too, lol. I never had the nickname Mary until I hit middle school. Technically my name is actually pronounced Maar-yum. But if you're not middle eastern or desi you wont know how to say it. My family used to call me Moolee. Which is a pale vegetable that looks like a carrot but it's white. Haha.

My younger sister is named Sarah. Here she is with my paternal grandfather. Dada. Her nickname is Saree-the-Laree and the Champion oh and Sarah #1. Our dad taught her how to hold up one finger and then he would ask her mathematical equations that always had the answer 1. What's 2-1? What's 10-9? What's 1x1?

So there ya have it.

Our childhood nicknames at it's best.

At least you weren't named after a vegetable.



I don't even see the resemblance. Apart from the way I'm standing.. and my expression.. and my outfit. Man I really do look like the Moolee vegetable. Oh well at least I know I taste good, haha. ;)

Kayaking!

I finally got to fulfill one of the things off my bucket list.

I was down at Needwood Lake in Derwood, Maryland. East of Rockville.

74 acres of lush green grass, stunning views of the lake and peaceful serenity.

I wanted to make a light snack to have at the lake, something delicious and sweet. Pistachio Cranberry Cookies! These were deliciously light and everyone that ate them loved them! This is one that is definitely making it into my Family Cookbook.

 

I put in less of what was required in the recipe and it turned out really great, so here it is:

1 Pouch Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix

1 Box Pistachio and Pie Pudding Mix

1/2 Cup Dry Roasted Pistachio Nuts

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup Butter Melted

1/4 Cup Flour

2 Eggs

Heat oven at 350° and bake for 8-10 minutes! :D

The underside will be golden brown not the top of the cookie!

Makes around thirty cookies. Won't even last two days I guarantee!

I forgot to take a finished look of the cookies and by the time I remembered they were all gone. 

Getting back to the kayaking part, the park was absolutely beautiful!! 

They had all different kinds of boats. Kayaks, the Classic and some Paddle Boats too.

They had this shed full of life jackets with every size available.

They were all clean looking too! It worked for my germ-a-phobic self.

It was chilly in the air but out on the lake the sun shone brightly and warmed me up.

The clouds were so pretty, it was the brightest sky blue color I've seen with puffy white clouds.

The water was calm and peaceful. The sun shone down and made it sparkle like diamonds.

It was so breathtaking being out on the water, so wonderful.

I just wanted to pull out a book and read or just doze off in the sun.

I found a few birds swimming out on the lake and decided to follow them.

The white one is so hilarious, it's like an outcast poor thing, following other ducks.

It's quack was so different! It reminded me of how Goofy laughs. QuackQuackQuack. LOL.

 I also saw a few people with remote controlled sailboats!

 Absolutely loved kayaking so much! It was the epitome of exquisite scenery.

I saw two men fishing in the woods around the lake.

Just look at that scene. How peaceful. I love it.

After I was dried off from the sun's warming rays I decided to stop for a late lunch.

There's this adorable café called Melt not but ten minutes away from the Park.

It was quaint and clean and wonderfully priced. :)

 I chose the Tuna Melt. It was delicious and fresh.

It was an absolutely wonderful day. I loved it so much. Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

It was a great finish to the end of summer and a grand beginning to the start of fall! :D

❤ Me

Teenage Gift

I've decided to create a few defined rules in gift-giving.

It's hard choosing gifts for kids with age variations, interests, etc.

I came up with this idea that I think works and the parents are happy too.

Something they WEAR

Something they READ

Something they LIKE

Something they EAT

It was my younger cousin's birthday and she's turning 14 years old.
She's a bit of a tomboy but is slowly starting to come around to being a girly-girl.

I always choose cards from Papyrus. They are so beautiful.
A bit pricy for a card, but I think it's worth it. :)


The leopard background was made of velvet.

For me, it's not just about items, its about COLOR as well.

I've been obsessed with the color Turquoise as of late.

The gift bag I bought at Hallmark.

The book I bought at BAM for $10.

The perfume and lip gloss at Forever 21.

The chips and candy were from a Grocery Store.

I had to make a special tribute to this mug!

It has two sides to it, one is green one is pink. :)

It's a talking mug. As soon as you pick it up it starts talking.

"Ohhh you're a good drinker!"

"Is it tasty, wait don't answer that keep drinking!"

Among other funny things I can't remember off the top of my head. :P

I also had a shirt that shrunk a bit too much in the wash. So sad since I recently bought it too.

But I thought I'd send it over to my younger cousin for her to wear, forgot to snap a picture of it tho, lol.

Peek-a-Boo!

Sometimes I find cat's to be creepy. 
They just sit in a corner and stare at you.
 

Sitting inside her tower of boxes and watching me.

I was sweeping the floor. Then I look up to see her spying on me.
 

Hanging out when I see her peeking from behind her carrier, lol.

I was waiting for my laundry to dry.

Brushing my teeth when I see this.

I spy with my little eye...

BOO!

  

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

She has this peculiar look on her face too, haha.

In all the pictures it reminds me of a certain rage face!
 

Picture Courtesy of Google

Hahahaha. Ohmygoodness. This is the perfect picture description.

Pick-Me Upper

So my weekend didn't start off too great.

Friday and Saturday I was annoyed to say the least.

Most definitely cutting negative people from my life asap.

I went down to the "Rio" once more in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

It was a much needed day to recuperate from the previous days events.

The weather was amazing and everything was just perfect. :D

Remember the bird boats I talked about the last time I came to the Rio?

It seems they were in full swing, swans, flamingos, ducks!

I wanted to ride one but I didn't want to ride alone lol.

 They also had a choo-choo train that you could ride around in for $3.
I wanted to ride that too but I think I might have looked out of place with the toddlers. 

 I stopped by at Potbelly for some lunch since I was starving, lol.

I got the Mediterranean Sandwich (delish!) 

Afterwards I bought a ticket at the cinema and had a bit of time to pass.

So I waltzed into a Barnes and Noble bookstore across the street.

They had such a pretty fountain with a tier of mini waterfalls.

I (finally) picked up the amazing Divergent series!! :)

Right next to the movie theatre they had a Haagen-Dazs!

A bit pricy though, $6 for a size regular, eek! :/

I got me a Mango & Lemon Sorbet.

It was pretty good. :)

 This was the theatre from the outside.

(taken after the movie finished).

Bethesda Row Cinema
7235 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(I rate the theatre a 10/10! It's awesome!)

This place is absolutely AMAZING. I cannot explain it. Actually yes I can. It is unlike any movie theatre I've ever been to. They give you a custom first class experience - unimaginable. They have a bar (with non-alcoholic beverages) where you can take drinks to your seat. And the seats themselves? Oh my. Made me feel like I was sitting in a luxury new BMW with black leather seats. They have assigned seating which you may think is bizarre, but it's really great they have it so organized.  Everything was immaculately clean and that's saying something cause I'm the biggest germ-a-phob.

The theatre does cater to independent films instead of mainstream which can be a good or bad thing depending on your taste. For me it didn't really matter as much. It was an alright movie. I saw The Spectacular Now. 

Spa Treatment

What do you get for a friend that has everything?

No one ever has everything, there's always something!

I came across an idea on Pinterest about putting gifts in jars.

Well I can do that easily and go a little beyond too. :)

Enter in: The Spa Treatment!

Every girl needs to pamper herself at one point. I feel the best pampering to get is at home. :) 
Cozy, Comfortable and Relaxed. I went with a Calming Turquoise Theme!

1. Aloe Vera Socks, 2. Chocolate, 3. Mason Jar, 4. Face Mask, 5. Ice Breakers
6. Chapstick, 7. Loofa, 8. Face Wash, 9. Nail Polish, 10. Candle

I did not add the shampoo and the lighter shade candle.

I knew I should have gotten a larger mason jar!!

But it's okay I made it work regardless. :)

❤ Me

Imperfection

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

As I was admiring Needwood lake and the trees, a beautiful blue butterfly flew out from the bushes until it landed on the road fluttering its wings allowing me to take several pictures before it flew into the air once more zigzagging around before disappearing into the bushes again. It honestly felt like it wanted me to admire its beauty and show off to the world. ^-^

It was the prettiest darkest blue butterfly I've ever seen! :)

Unfortunately it looks like nature wasn't too kind to this butterfly.
It seems a predator got half a hold of one of it's wings.

I think that just makes the beauty of this butterfly that much
more mesmerizing and it's happy carefreeness was a moment I enjoyed.

❤ The End ❤