Well, thank you so much Mister!

Hey all!

Ok, so I might have mentioned once or twice, but simply to refresh your memories i'll tell you again; my family owns a restaurant. I do the dishes, and dessert/salads etc. I hate working in the front...well for many reasons, but mainly because I am a Muslimah and don't feel comfortable "small talking" with all these people -naturally the small talking with "men" is just NO WAY- anyway you get the point. I also am not a very "bubbly-outgoing-I can laugh with everyone type of person", unless you're a friend or what have you, then you'd wish I'd shut up!

Anyway, in Canada there's this country music legend -I won't name any names, but he thinks he's the last of the last when it comes to cowboys and a lil someone here knows for a fact that this guy was born a city slicker...- anywho, well he comes by our restaurant a lot (sadly) and personally thinks his "sheet" don't stink.

He's very fond of himself, and thinks it is such a grand pleasure to us that we are so graciously blessed by his presence. For example: he sometimes comes through our back door which is in our kitchen -when we're stupid enough to leave it open- because he doesn't want to be seen, and also because, I am a little sure he wants to seems all special "coming in from the *backdoor*". All I can think is "Oh-my-gawd, you've got to be kiddin' me! I doubt half those people even know who you are...or care." Which is kind of true seeing as 1) some of the people are locals who don't CARE and 2) some just don't know who he is because they aren't big fans of old country music.

Oh gosh...the things I could tell you about how fond of himself this guy is, but I won't.

Anyway, so he comes in for dinner tonight and he was telling us all about the places he got invited to for christmas dinner *wink wink* -he was hinting to us- then when he pays guess what he leaves as a tip?

Nada...........

........... honestly that's what he writes on the tip line...NADA.

A suprise? Not really...he never leaves tips...but to write NADA, now that's just arrogant! Do people even realize how hard waiters and kitchen staff have to work? Do people even realize how much bull'sheet waiters have to put up with? Do people even realize how hard it is to run a restaurant and then have it do well? Do people even care?

Now I am not saying people don't...but many really...well DO NOT CARE! It's not a piece of cake -no job is really, but, you know- especially when you are short staffed. The worst part is you really have to kiss bee-hind if you're a waiter... it reallllllllly stinks!

Or when you have people who call you five minutes before you close and want to make a reservation for that night. Ummmmm, yeah why not, I mean we didn't want to go home or anything! Ok and who the heck makes a reservation five minutes before we close for the SAME NIGHT???

We had this happen last week, and we let the people come because the guy had some sob story, which in the end wasn't even true. One of the guys we knew, and he was nice but the guy that called, what an arse! Like honestly, he thought he was doing US a favour. Ok...sure, thank you mister!

I don't like to vent about things like this, because I don't often like to complain to everyone, but this just gets really annoying, which is why I've decided to leave the food industry!

Anyway that's all I have to say for the day. But honestly...Alhamduillah for everything, because we aren't starving and everyone has to put up with BS once in a while. :)

Take care all.
~Pink Gerbera~

Hello...hello...is anybody still there?

Ok so let’s see…In six days exactly it will be December 29 th, 2005. You might be wondering (possibly) –“who cares?”- And I would answer….

…. Well it’s been almost one whole month since I last updated my blog! Those who visited before probably do not anymore, and for that I am sorry. I am sorry also to my dear friends since it’s been a while since I’ve e-mailed you! I know…

Anyway, I think before I move on to try and make up for my long absence I will introduce you to one flaw in my personality that has kept me from updating. I am a sporadic person, I don’t keep time tables, or schedules simply because I can’t stick to them. I think I once said that I really find a lot of pleasure from writing, but that doesn’t change that I have moods in which I don’t want to write, or that I do want to write but never get around to it. It’s quite sad, and it’s basically for that reason why you fellow readers, may find that I do not update as often as most bloggers. That and I’ve been drowning in an abyss of chem. Homework, which I started two months late. This however was NOT my fault.

Anyway with that out of our way, I hope to have some time to update more periodically, insha’Allah.

Basically all this post will entail is useless rambles of what I’ve been up to, what I like etc…

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Hollywood Movies
There are two movies out which I really want to go see. They are supposedly both very good, so that’s enough for me. No, seriously they both have to do with things that interest me.

The first movie is Syriana, with George Clooney, Matt Damon and some other people I don’t know. Anyway, it is supposedly a really good movie which has to - in a “nut-shell”- do with the grasp that gas/oil companies have on the populous/ruling parties of countries. My brothers went to watch it –sans moi…homework- and really like it, especially since it has a lot to do with what is happening in today’s world.

The other movie I want to watch is “Memoirs of a Geisha”, now I am a cheater as I haven’t yet read the book, but seeing the previews and hearing the raves about the book I must say that I am tempted. I think that perhaps I will read it before I watch the movie, seeing as I am one of those people that doesn’t like to watch movies based on books unless I have actually read the book.

Now for movies that I don’t think should even exist –well let’s be honest, the vast majority of what Hollywood shoots out these days just stinks, with a capital S- but this one in particular. The movie is called, “Brokeback Mountain” and it’s about two gay cowboys who fall in love…but wait, there’s more…they have an affair and are married to women! Yeah, and from what fans of the book –it was a Pulitzer prize winner…go figure- the story isn’t focusing on the homosexuality or forbidden relationship but more on the fact that it’s about adultery. “Oooooook then”, is all I have to say on this matter, seeing as this subject alone requires a whole post of its own! That and honestly I could give to flicks about two gay cowboys! I like bollywood…have I ever mentioned that?

OH, and I almost forgot I bought “Cinderella and Aladdin” on DVD! I love those fairy tale movies, they’re always so cheerful to watch, and they bring back SOOO many memories of my lil’ gaffer days. *sniff*

Bollywood Movies
Anyway since I was earlier speaking about Hollywood movies I think I’ll just quickly talk about bollywood movies. I swear if I hear one more thing about John Abraham becoming the next it guy in Bollywood I will SCREAM! People…he doesn’t even sing and dance! Ok, so maybe many natives of India or Pakistan are sick of all the sari dancing, bangle jangling, i-love-you song/dance sequences in the movies but take it from moi…THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF YOUR MOVIES! Ok so maybe at times it’s corny, but at least there’s character. So that annoys me, and then the fact that they are getting a little provocative in some of their movies now! Kjbgghfhjhvhfhgjvghfghjjhgjfghkf!!!! That’s all I have to say about that. Hmph.

Books
Ok, lets see. Well I haven’t had much time to read, so sadly I can’t say to much about any good books out there. I did get the “Shopaholic” series, and I am looking quite forward to laughing a little at the heroine’s antics. It’s suppose to be a very funny series, and I need a break from some heavier reading!

Weather
It’s………

…….actually not to bad weather wise. I mean it’s not cold, but it isn’t hot either, it’s just warm. Which means NO SNOW, which means my “Fun in the snow” plans haven’t even materialized yet. However, I’ve recently realized that it’s going to be quite impossible for me to go through with those plans anyway, why? Because, one) I forgot that sliding down hills on a crazy carpet requires proper attire –meaning I need some darn snow pants- and I really don’t feel like spending over fifty bucks on a pair. Two) though it totally rocks to act like a seven year, there’s a HUGE difference between being seventeen and being nineteen. For one thing, you have a LOT more responsibilities –I know many of you older readers…cough…my big sisters, to be exact, are probably laughing at that part- but it’s true. When I was seven I didn’t work fulltime, or I didn’t have to worry about all that annoying school work, or or or all that other stuff that comes with being a “grown up” –I use the word lightly, hehehe-.

Isn’t the irony just to much, when we are seven we wish we could be “grown ups” because they get to do whatever they want…like buy chocolate cake and not have to get a big, fat, NO from your mommy. Sadly, when you’re actually grown up you still have to listen to mommy saying NO to buying the chocolate cake because you should, “Put your money to better use!” So you still have to listen to mommy and daddy, plus you get all those funnnnnnn responsibilities…YAY!

Uni
I have been conditionally excepted to the nursing program I applied to! This is great Alhamduillah, because it’s just my first step to my dream –well one of my dreams- of becoming a doctor. The thing is I still have to finish two classes, since I never took them in high school, before I can actually say that I am “excepted” so INSHA’ALLAH all goes well and next time I can say that I am officially a nursing student…

The coffee scene
I just got a Frappuccino from Starbucks…yummmm. However, it probably isn’t so brilliant of me to get a cold, slushie drink when a) it’s getting cool outside, and b) the first signs of the cold going around in my familia are making themselves apparent. What can I say…I’m a rebel, “grrrrrrrrr”!

Good Islamic Reading
After wasting most of your time with my…dare I say…useless, ramblings, I think it’s time I actually say something worth any recognition. I’ve actually read quite a few good articles lately and will post one here for you. I don’t want to weigh you down with any of my internal conflicts as I see those are best kept to oneself.

Wasted Time

by Shaykh Abdul-Malik Qasim

IslamWay.com

Since last night my young son has been unwell. When I got back from work this evening I decided to take him to hospital despite my exhaustion. Indeed, fatigue for his sake is rest.

There were many waiting…perhaps we will be delayed by more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room. There were many faces, young and old, but all silent. Some brothers made use of the many booklets available in the waiting room.

Some of those waiting had their eyes closed, while others were looking around. Most were bored. Once in a while the long silence was broken by a nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on the one whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly…then silence returns.

A young man grabbed my attention. He was reading a pocket-sized Qur`an continuously; not raising his head even once. At first I did not think much about him. However, after one hour of waiting my casual glances turned into a deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he utilizes his time.

One hour of life wasted! Instead of making benefit of that hour, it was just a boring wait. Then the call for prayer was made. We went to prayer in the hospital's mosque. I tried to pray close to the man who was reading the Qur`an earlier in the waiting room. After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I was of him and how he tries to benefit from his time.

He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or regretting their waste. He said that he started carrying the pocket-sized Qur`an around when a friend encouraged him to make full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste he gets to read much more of the Qur`an than he gets to read either at home or in the mosque. Moreover, besides the reward of reading the Qur`an, this habit saves him from boredom and stress. He added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours.

Then he asked, "when will you find one and a half hours to read the Qur`an?"

I reflected…how much time do we waste?How many moments of our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by?

Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Qur`an?

I came to respect my companion, and I discovered that I am to stand for account and that time is not in my hand…so what am I waiting for?

My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number…I went to the doctor. But I want to achieve something now. After I left the hospital I quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Qur`an. I decided to be mindful of how I spend the time. That was my intention when I put that Qur`an in my pocket.

How many people will do this?

And what great reward is for the one who guides others to this idea!What can you do in one minute?

As usual this article really made me ponder on how I waste my time...now the trick is to actually do something about it!


Anyway dear readers, that’s all I can think of right now. Let me sleep a little bit, maybe I’ll think of something else to say.

Take care, and please except my apology for the long gap of “no pink hyper blogging”!

~Pink Gerbera~

P.S. Sorry to all my fellow bloggers (Umm Mahtab, princess, Mayya, Dana etc) whose blogs I usually leave comments at but haven’t of late, I’ve read them and they’re great I’ll drop by soon!