Kabul - a poem

I am starting to read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" today and wanted to find the poem that the title came from. This poem was written in the 17th Century by Saib-e-Tabrizi

KABUL
(Translated by Dr. Josephine Davis)
Ah! How beautiful is Kabul encircled by her arid mountains
And Rose, of the trails of thorns she envies
Her gusts of powdered soil, slightly sting my eyes
But I love her, for knowing and loving are born of this same dust

My song exhalts her dazzling tulips
And at the beauty of her trees, I blush
How sparkling the water flows from Pul-I-Bastaan!
May Allah protect such beauty from the evil eye of man!

Khizr chose the path to Kabul in order to reach Paradise
For her mountains brought him close to the delights of heaven
From the fort with sprawling walls, A Dragon of protection
Each stone is there more precious than the treasure of Shayagan

Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls

Her laughter of mornings has the gaiety of flowers
Her nights of darkness, the reflections of lustrous hair
Her melodious nightingales, with passion sing their songs
Ardent tunes, as leaves enflamed, cascading from their throats

And I, I sing in the gardens of Jahanara, of Sharbara
And even the trumpets of heaven envy their green pastures

Randomness Meme #2

week of June24: TV favs
what is your favorite....

1. Tv show Grey's Anatomy
2. Snack while watching tv Popcorn - what else is there?
3. Tv personality Oprah Winfrey
4. Time to watch tv In the evening
5. Place to watch tv In my living room.

Back to the Rack - Saturday Special

1. What's the oddest thing you've ever returned?:Do you return things you don't like or just keep them?: I would have to say a car
   
2. Do you return things you don't like or just keep them?: I usually return them.
   
3. What's the largest item you've ever returned?: A car.
   
4. Have you ever returned a dress/outfit you wore to a special occasion?: No, I haven't.

Lensday Challenge: Sky

This picture was taken near Solvang. I don't remember the name of the lake but it is the perfect picture for today's word "Sky".

Ten Favorite Movies to Quote

The Princess Bride - "My name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." "As you wish".

Back to the Future - "You gonna order something, kid? Ah, yeah...Give me a Tab. Tab? I can't give you a tab unless you order something. All right, give me a Pepsi Free. You want a Pepsi, PAL, you're gonna pay for it."

Terminator - "I'll be back."

Young Frankenstein - "Wow, look at those knockers." "Want to go for a roll in the hay?" "What hump?"

Somewhere In Time - "Is it you?" "Come back to me."

Joe vs. the Volcano - "You mean you were diagnosed with something called a brain cloud and didn't ask for a second opinion?" "I tell you one thing, though. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we're gonna take this luggage with us! "

Overboard - "I was short and FAT?" "I remember you, you're that carpenter guy who hates me." "Mom's don't leave." "Mrs. Burbridge, would you come over here for a moment? Has it *escaped your attention* that these children have head to toe poison oak?"

Castaway - "WILSON." "I'll be right back."

Casablanca - "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."

Star Wars - "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope. "

Sunday Seven

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven television shows you’re ready to see new episodes of.

1. Lost
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Desperate Housewives
4. Heroes
5. Brothers and Sisters
6. Ugly Betty
7. CSI: Miami

Randomness Meme

randomness...feed your mind and your blog
week of June17: random word association
I say...you think

1. red - white and blue
2. summer - fun
3. car - drive
4. book - read
5. kiss - hug
6. work - play
7. bird - fly
8. yogurt - strawberry banana
9. sand - beach
10. eyes - blue

till next time...

Saturday Six

1. Have you ever talked to your doctor about stress levels in your life? Yes, several times - it is important for my doctor to know about stress in order for him to be able to help me.

2. How likely are you to “let go” of something that stresses you out? Depends on what it is - much more likely now than in the past.

3. Does your family or your work cause the most stress in your life? Do you think your family members or co-workers realize how much stress they generate? Work causes more stress, but family can at times too. I don't think people realize the stress they cause me.

4. Take the quiz: Will You Live to 100?

Chance You'll Live to 100: 66%

100 is looking pretty likely for you right now. You've made your health a priority. So kick back, keep doing what you're doing, and enjoy the great life you've made for yourself. And you might get to see what the world is like 70, 80, or even 90 years from now.

5. When you think that you are at the breaking point, are you more likely to have an angry blow-up, a self-contained meltdown, or something in between? When was the last time you had such a moment? Something in between - usually I get very emotional and especially if I am tired. Can't remember when I last had a break down like that.

6. When you’re stressed out, what is the first clue someone who knows you well is likely to pick up on? Probably the appearance of my skin - it gets all blotchy.

Last week's Sunday Seven

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Name seven favorite items on a Chinese buffet.

1. Beef and Broccoli
2. Sweet and Sour Chicken
3. Crab Wontons (P.F. Chang's!)
4. Almond and Cashew Chicken
5. Honey Crispy Chicken
6. Chicken Chow Mein
7. Lettuce Wraps

~In Two Words~ Saturday Special

1. Two words that describe you best?: Confident and caring.
2. Two words that describe your personality?: Fun and optimistic.
3. Two words that describe your taste in clothes?: Casual and tailored.
4. Two words that describe your home?: Relaxed and comfortable.

A Meme

I was reading a blog linked to a friend's blog and found this "meme". For definition of a "meme" click here. The blog where I found this meme is here. This particular meme looks like fun, so I have decided to try it. So here goes....

The rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names (I challenge my readers to add their answers to my blog and I will tag one person).
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog (See 3 above).

The facts:

1. I bit my nails when I was in grade school. My friend Charlotte, who lived across the street and was a year older, bit her nails. I thought she was cool and wanted to be just like her, so I started biting my nails too. I stopped biting my nails when I got braces at age 11. The last time I saw Charlotte (at my wedding), she was still biting her nails.
2. I love to write letters - I had three pen pals when I was in high school. One from Trinidad, one from Finland and one from Australia.
   
3. I HATED typing class in high school. There was a boy in my class who teased me and told me that I would become a secretary. I got very angry and told him that he was wrong. Being able to type has helped me pay the bills for over 20 years. My job? An administrative assistance (politically correct term for secretary).
4. I was born with a cleft palate (a hole in the roof of my mouth). When I was a year old I got a candy cane stuck up there. Yikes! I had plastic surgery to correct it at age two and did not have speech problems or the need for speech lessons.
5. In the sixth grade I was one of the three tallest girls in my class. My class did "The Wizard of Oz" that year. If you tried out for a part and didn't get it, you were cast as a munchkin. I tried out for the part of the good witch and didn't make it. I was taller than Dorothy and the same height as the good and bad witch, yet I was a munchkin. Seems funny now as I look back, felt ridiculous at the time.
6. I was in a musical in high school called "Tin Pan Alley". I said something under my breath one day during rehearsal and someone repeated it. The teacher liked the line and it ended up being my line in the play. I also sang through a tire as one of the numbers.
7. I would love to be able to play the piano like a pro. I took lessons as a kid but didn't keep it up. I love watching and listening to people who can play the piano. They make it look so easy.
8. One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me was teaching me to read. In 2nd grade I got a "D" in reading and I remember my parents working with me with flash cards to improve my reading. I have loved reading every since and often times "devour" books in a day if I have the time and opportunity.

I am going to tag Kathryn to respond to this meme. No pressure, but it would be fun if you did.

Maureen

Graduation Day

This is me on Friday afternoon accepting my diploma for my Associate of Science in Business Administration. My daughter graduated with me and we managed to sit together (the school requested that we line up by height, but we cheated). Graduating with my daughter was so fun - as we stood in line to receive our diploma - she kept saying - "We're almost there". My mom and step-father took us out for dinner afterwards and we had a great time.

Yesterday she and I had a big graduation party with family and friends. My son barbequed chicken and steak, my sister brought her fabulous seven-layer dip, I made a great salad, and my daughter made the margaritas. We had a blast! I always enjoy watching my friends and family get together and watching them interact. It is just so great to see the people I care about talking to each other.