a day in the life of a moosh.

fancy poulty parts sold here, breasts and thighs and hearts.

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0000

A new class starts tomorrow: History of Rock Music. If this isn't going to be interesting, I don't know what will.

We got a new futon off Craigslist. It's funny how something so small (well, it's physically quite heavy and huge, but still) can make both of us so much happier.

Mishti may or may not be getting sick again. I really hope she doesn't. Poor little baby chinchilla.

I have old Suzanne Vega stuck in my head most of the time now.

My projects for now: redecorate and reorganize living room, learn JavaScript, and start drawing again.

harry potter and the series of distractions

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:33:00 +0000

Oh Harry Potter. By know, I should know your ultimate fate, but I've been too distracted by IKEA, Mirah, Peach-picking, and graduation-planning. Please don't die. Ok!

can't wait (immediate future edition)

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:13:00 +0000

I can't wait to:

Sleep well every night
Continue to exercise and eat well regularly
Spend less time online
Knit!
Spend more time with my animal-babies
Maybe possibly buy a condo?
Clean the kitchen really, really well
Go to Trader Joe's on Tuesday (when they restock everything)
Spend more time with my parents and siblings, who just cam back from Europe
Finish my summer course
Break out my drawing pens and get to work.

the places a chinchilla will go...

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 01:53:00 +0000

Well. I don't know where to begin. I don't even know if I should really begin. She's alive, and not just barely. She's almost her old self again. I owe so much to Chins & Quills. I really, really do.

We managed the bloat pretty well with the help of the second animal hospital we took her to. We had to get her out of there after a couple days, though, because it was not a chinchilla-friendly environment. Even though the bloat was much less pronounced, her breathing was in tatters. It was really painful to watch. We took her to another vet, who thought that Mishti probably had an upper respiratory infection and needed antibiotics. We didn't like the idea because she'd been on three the week before, which is what caused her massive near-fatal bloating. But when we brought her home it became more and more apparent that we needed to give it a shot. We had chloramphenicol on hand, so we gave her a dose, went to bed, and hoped for the best.

When we woke up, her breathing was normal.

And since then, it's been steady progress. We still have to feed her with a syringe because she has no appetite (probably an antibiotic side-effect), but she's gaining weight steadily and gaining energy. You have no idea how happy Kaiser and I are about this. I think elated would be an understatement. She's our baby girl, and she's going to be ok.

This whole ordeal, as well as Proud-Feather's death a few weeks ago, has been really bad for me academically. It's been much harder to concentrate and keep on-task. I already have ADD, and huge emotional ordeals on top of that make me sort of scattered. Hopefully I can get myself organized for the next two weeks, because this class is almost over and I really want to do decently in it.

I promise more future updates for my 2 readers!

bloated chinchilla

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 06:30:00 +0000

This has been the most emotional few weeks of my life thus far. Mishti is still alive, but just barely. Her hospital bill was $1300 and they didn't find anything, so they sent her home. And then at home we noticed how badly she'd bloated, so we took her to another hospital in Baltimore, which is quite a drive, and apparently she really is dying. All because of gas. All because four experienced exotic veterinarians can't tell when a chinchilla has a relatively harmless gastrointestinal condition. And look where it is now.

If you want to see all the x-rays they've taken of here, they're on Kaiser's site here. They're neat, but since I now know what's wrong, it's heartbreaking.

Kaiser and I feel so stupid. We should have caught on. We should have figured it out early. The only reason we know about this now is because of the kind members at Chins n Quills. I owe them so much. I wish I'd asked them questions so much earlier. No chinchilla should ever have to die because of gas.

I really hope our baby makes it. She means the world to me.

to add insult to injury

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:14:00 +0000

Our baby chinchilla, Mishti, is really sick. I don't think she'll be able to make it. I'm devastated, since we raised her from the time she was just three months old. She's not even an year old yet. This shouldn't be happening.

I don't want to eat or sleep. I just want her to get better.

hair pictures

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:09:00 +0000

A few pictures Kaiser took earlier:

The beautiful hair clip I'm wearing is a Flexi-8 that I just received in the mail today. I love it! I wanted to see what it looked like in my hair, but I also wanted to check out my hair color. I was a redhead for a few months until I switched over to henna, which doesn't lighten hair, and was left with two-tone red/medium brown hair. I bought a bottle of medium ash brown semi-permanent hair dye from Sally's (Ion brand, highly recommended) and now my hair is a rich, deep reddish brown.

Turns out that Penelope is really a Penelop-he. So ~~she~~ he is now Penelope Fred. That explains why ~~she~~ he was so aggressive with Proud-Feather.

Our second wedding anniversary is on Monday!

priorities, priorities

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 02:39:00 +0000

Ending an emotional week, starting fresh.

I still have to study for music theory, but here's a rough list of what my priorities are right now:

> Spending time with my family (including two newly adopted parakeets, Moon and Featherbert).

> Studying for music theory and making sure that I understand the concepts well.

> Cleaning the apartment little by little without getting distracted.

> Simplifying our possessions and finances with the ultimate goal of saving up for a down payment on a house.

> Speaking of home, slowly phasing out toxic cleaning materials and substances in our home and replacing them with natural, less polluting, and less irritating substitutes.

> Being physically active every day and taking time to combat negative body image.

> Art, maybe drawing or painting (which I stopped doing in 2002, for many reasons).

I wish I could cut down that list to be even shorter, but to me these are the essentials.

What is the deal with all barbeque sauce in the normal grocery store having high fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient? That's completely unnecessary. I seriously don't know if I could live in an area without a Trader Joe's.

Also, our second wedding anniversary is coming up! I still want a re-do for our wedding to be more about us and less about everyone else, but that's not a priority right now (ooh, I'm getting good at this!)

it comes in waves

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:10:00 +0000

We lost our baby boy parakeet, Proud-Feather, yesterday. I thought I was ok this morning but I'm crying again. It's especially sad because our remaining keet, Penelope, keeps looking for him and doesn't trust me. I really wanted our kids to meet Proudy. I hope that I'll feel better about his passing soon, because all this crying is giving me a permanent headache.

In other news, my priorities are all wrong, I've been listening to a lot of old Focus, and the kitchen is halfway clean.

Re:

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:23:00 +0000

Regarding introductory music theory: I probably should have looked into this 15 years ago when I tried to learn how to play the flute.

Regarding crazy, crazy cravings: I need more chocolate in the apartment. Chocolate, cheese, and blue potato chips. And Fresca.

Regarding clothing: I don't know what to do with all of it, or the fact that none of it seems to fit (too big/too small/too tight/too loose).

Regarding Kaiser: He's being awfully sweet lately. I think summer puts him in a good mood.

Regarding campaigning for 2008: Is it really, really bad that I think Ron Paul would make a good president?

Regarding this blog: Hmmm.

the rain, the guitar, and food

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:20:00 +0000

It started raining last night, and we were reminded of last summer. My parents and siblings were out of the country on vacation for most of the summer, so Kaiser and I were taking care of their house. They have a pool in their backyard. It rained, and rained, and rained for over a week, torrential, pouring rain. And the pool flooded. And the basement flooded. My parents were in the Swiss Alps, so we couldn't call them. It was quite the mess. So it's raining like that again right now, and my parents are going on another international trip in a couple weeks. We're crossing our fingers that it stays dry, at least while they're gone, because (being apartment-dwellers and not homeowners) cleaning up a big flooded mess is not our expertise.

I've been taking some time to re-learn how to play my guitar, and it's going pretty well, considering. My left hand is really weak and my barre chords are dull, but it'll get better with time if I keep up with it. I feel kind of bad that my guitar, which was my first major purchase bought with my own money when I was 18, has been so neglected. I feel like I'm pulling myself in all these different directions to learn how to play guitar, to make this blog + website complete, to start drawing again, to get fit, and to be a good animal-mommy. Need to re-focus. I never really had much focus.

My mother made an amazing strawberry shortcake tonight for dinner, and I was absolutely amazed when she told me the ingredients. I don't know the exact instructions, but if you've ever made a cake before, this should work out:

1 cup turbinado sugar
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/4 c. oil
1 1/4 cup skim milk
2 ts. vanilla extract
2 ts. baking powder
pinch of baking soda
pinch of baking powder

I should probably get the temperature from her, too. Its simplicity is what was so interesting, and she layered the cake with strawberries and whipped cream. Every time my parents invite us over for dinner, they make it so special. Well, "special" is also making us gain weight. That's what family is for.

the "grown-up" meme

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:47:00 +0000

A livejournal friend posted this, and I thought it was worth filling out. I remember Lizzy asking me a few months ago about what I wanted to do "when I grow up" and I thought that was hilaaarious at the time, but she has a point. Hmm.

The Grown-Up Meme

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Kaiser mostly does that, but if I had to choose the one that is hardest to pay (because it's the most useless cost), that would be cable.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
Romance? Wot? I guess it was Persimmon for our last wedding anniversary? Or Valentine's Day at home.

3. Last time you puked from drinking?
When I was a freshman in college. I blacked out and puked a lot apparently. I started drinking a lot more carefully after that.

4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced at a bar?
I've never danced at a bar. I don't really go to bars.

5. Name of your first grade teacher?
Ms. Hershey

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Cleaning my clothes a little, but alas, I'm online.

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A meteorologist, librarian, fashion designer, and architect.

8. How many colleges did you attend?
Two.

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
I love this shirt, it's so comfy and floral-y.

10. GAS PRICES?
On one hand, sick. On the other hand, they should probably be higher so that people don't take it so for granted.

11. If you could move anywhere?
Right now my pick is the Pacific Northwest. Realistically, I'd want to move out to Northern Montgomery County. Farmland, y'all. Like I said in an earlier post, anyplace with a Chipotle, Trader Joe's, affordable housing, and Canada nearby.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
No alarm, just husband. First thought was that it's nice waking up next to him. Second thought was, crap, I managed to fall asleep while playing Animal Crossing on my DS and it's battery was probably all drained.

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Gotta make henna paste to do my mom's hair, remember to return some clothes I bought today, and register for summer classes.

14. Favorite style of underwear?
Depending on the situation, low-rise bikini or boyshort.

15. Favorite style of underwear for the opposite sex?
Boxers for sure.

16. What errand/chore do you despise?
Paying bills, because I'm kind of bad with that. I've been getting a lot better, though.

17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
Absolutely, no question.

18. Get up early or sleep in?
Early. I feel icky when I sleep in.

19. What is your favorite cartoon character?
Rocko, I think.

20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
Go on walks together, especially through neighborhoods.

21. Have you found real love yet?
This is as real as I could ever hope.

22. When did you first start feeling old?
It's always been a mixture between feeling young and old. I guess I've been feeling pretty young recently. I'll just say 21 is when I really started feeling it.

23. Favorite '80s movie?
The Hugga Bunch Movie. I'm really showing my age here. I think Kaiser was even too old for this movie when it came out.

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
Honey-roasted turkey breast.

25. What do you get every time you go into Walmart?
I've been to Walmart maybe 4 times, and disliked it. I like Target. And every time I go to Target, I leave with Hanes underwear. Yep.

26. Beach or lake?
Tough one. Probably beach.

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
It depends on the rituals within marriage. I don't think marriage and commitment are outdated. But then again, I don't see marriage as a radically life-changing event. I see it as an extension of already-existing love and affection. And I also define marriage pretty loosely, since legal paperwork does not a true marriage make.

28. How many people do you stalk on Facebook?
I don't stalk people on facebook.

29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
it's a tie between licorice and Chipotle. I know, sick.

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
Hmm. "Dude, Where's My Car?" was actually kind of funny. In a bad way. I still like it.

31. What's your drink?
Long Island iced tea :x or Malibu Bay Breeze. I don't think either of these quality as "my" drink, though, since I don't really drink.

32. Cowboys or Indians?
Native Americans?

33. Cops or Robbers?
Not cops, depends on the type of robber.

34. Who from high school would you like to run into?
Sara Virgil. She disappeared! Maybe google will index this page and someday she'll google her own name and see this? And then contact me?

35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
NPR

36. Norm or Cliff?
Not a Cheers watcher.

37. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons?
Simpsons.

39. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
I don't have a workplace like that.

40. If you could get away with it, who would you kill?
Woah, that's a loaded question.

41. What famous person(s) would you like to have dinner with?
Jimmy Carter.

42. What famous person would you like to sleep with?
Not Jimmy Carter?

43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
Nah.

44. Last book you read for real? And finished?
It's been a long, long time. I believe it was Hey, Nostradamus! by Douglas Coupland.

45. Do you have a teddy bear?
No, I have a stuffed elephant named Onesy. He sleeps in our bed with us sometimes.

46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
In the backyard of my grandfather's house in the rural Kashan, kneeling in dirt, rinsing with water from a spring.

47. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
Napa Valley.

48. Do you go to church?
I do no attend religious services. Sometimes I wish I did, but the lack of options in the area gets in the way.

49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
New career. I like my relationship tons.

50. Just how OLD are you?
22. ish.

my six children

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 04:09:00 +0000

I feel like I'm incredibly lucky to be able to have such awesome pets. They all have really distinct personalities, and all of them are kind and sweet to us. Mishti, the baby chinchilla, tends to be fussy, but she's a baby after all.

The budgies (Penelope and Proud-Feather) mostly keep to themselves. It's so sweet when they start preening and cuddling. They're very much in love, like the bunnies (Papaya Jane and Elton John) are.

And then there's Shirin, who has the super chinchilla-mansion all to herself because she doesn't want to get along with Mishti. She isn't fussy at all, but she does love getting scratches and attention.

I really love our family.

I keep flip-flopping on the issue of human babies. On one hand, I absolutely can't wait. On the other hand, is it too early to be thinking about this? That's ultimately only our decision to make, and I can't really put too much weight on other people's experiences and opinions when they haven't been and aren't in the same relationship and situation. I know I'm not big on waiting until I'm 35+, but maybe 23 is too early.

For now I have six very happy (and still pretty young!) babies. They make me happy. That's good for now.

fresh blog scent

noreply@blogger.com (asma maryam) — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:26:00 +0000

Ok, so I know that my blog is empty, and as such, I don't expect many people to take this seriously yet. I'm going to be keeping this blog as a public record of events and thoughts, mostly related to my last few months as an undergraduate and taking care of my (and my family's) health.

So I'll put off making a decision about how I'm going to start this off until after I manage to make the layout right. Right. Ok!