Raptors, weight, visitors, & a contest

I went to the Raptors in New Jersey on Friday. The seats were great. And Bryan Colangelo said "Hey guys" to me and Noah. That was the highlight. As after that, when the game started.....the Nets killed us. Sunday was game 4. I watched from home....for 3 quarters. It was even worse than Friday. Hopefully things improve for game 5.... I bought a scale on Saturday. I'm hoping it will motivate me. I won't disclose my weight here. Its not that bad I suppose.......but its still the heaviest I've been in my life....sigh...I think I hide it quite well. As most people tell me I'm fine and don't need to lose anything. Some people even call me skinny (janet). but there are others that are evil who call me fat or tubby or something (darrin) and thats spreading to two other evil ppl (jenn and caitlin) grrr..... Jane will back in town tonight. My apartment really is like a revolving door with friends coming and going quite frequently the last month or two. I don't remember when I last deflated the air mattress. Its a lot fun though. And not at all a complaint. I just agreed to a contest with Ruby. 8 weeks (~June 24) to lose weight. We both have our own individual goals. But I always do better when there is a competitive factor involved. So my own goal is about 10pounds. So slight more than 1pound a week....shouldn't be too hard right?....Anyone else want to partake in this little contest? Oh and another thing. I'm going to try and spend less time online. I want to stop waisting time doing pointless stuff online. Maybe the time will be spent on better things like reading...or maybe not....I just think I spend too much time online. So I'm going to try and no longer use the internet after........12 (midnight)....and maybe work that done to 11. I may still be online.....or doing something on my computer.....so its somewhat of a loophole....as I could still chat if people message.....but....the main thing is to just not sit there and start conversations or randomly surf the web. Hopefully this wil lead to me reading more (I'm woefully behind on reading my ever increasing stack of books on my window sill) and going to bed early. And hopefully that will in turn lead to me actually waking up early enough to cardio in morning and eating breakfast.

Bunch of small changes

Ok, so I made a few changes. It probably doesn't seem like much....maybe it really isn't. But on the backend, with the new blogger code....well, its pretty different. It'll take me awhile to figure things out and decide how I want it. I finally liked about a bunch of blogs I read. Sorry, I didn't really ask most of you for permission. If you dont want it up just let me know (and sorry for doing first and asking later). If I somehow forgot to include you, sorry as well and just let me know. A few of the blogs are almost dead too....but I'll leave them up for now and clean house later. K, thats enough blogging for 1 day. 2 blogs, a template change, and all got up on my commenting...yeah definitely enough.

Yay.......boo.......interview tag.

I have 2 other blogs....but they are just for testing stuff out in blogger design and template stuff.....but I'll never get around to fixing this layout if I just leave it there. So I'm goign to slowly start moving stuff here and changing stuff even if it looks weird and is incomplete....at least it'll be some progress....hopefully....sometimes you need to step back before moving forward. First the good news. Raptors won!!!!!!! Yes! Parker with a big game! Bosh and TJ both played well. And we evened the series up at 1-1. Now we're off to NJ for game 3 on Friday where I will be attending! wooohooo! And props to Mitchell for winning coach of the year! Now the bad news.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh........sigh.....I'm waitlisted by both Texas and Toronto. Now Toronto I know my interview only went so so....but still....Texas I had a great interview so I'm more surprised.......but now I'm scared........while I still have 3 schools to hear from still.....I'm much more doubtful. I really feel that its because I applied in the later rounds.....darn my recommenders for not getting them in earlier......darn me for not finishing my essays and hounding my recommenders for getting it done faster....sigh. My gmat is good. The quality of my work experience is great. My essays I think were alright. My gpa sucks. My number of years of work experience just meets the minimum. So the fact that I'm at least waitlisted.....if I must look for positives.....is good. It means I just missed out....well waitlisted means theres a chance I'll still get in.......but really....I doubt it. Inshaallah I'll get into one of my remaining schools. But if not.....well working for another year is not the end of the world. I'll be able to save more for school and need less of a loan. And I'm absolutely positive that if I apply earlier next year I'll get in. I mean when I applied in later rounds the majority of the spots were taken. And I still almost got in. I can improve my essays and 1 more year of experience will help too. It sucks.......but I had evening of dismay last night and I must try to be positive again now....and hey. InshaAllah I'll still get into my other schools...its not over yet. On another note, Ruby had this game on her blog which I volunteered myself for....its basicaly a tag answer 5 questions type deal. Here we go. 1) The only chocolate left on the planet is one block of dark lindt. It's guarded by 10,000 hungry lions. I know you want it, what do you do to get past them? Hmm....it better be one big block....cause otherwise I'd make my own chocolate..but hmm...lets see. I think I'd draw them away with bait.....or maybe I can steal one a giant robot dinosaur from disney and scare them all away. 2) What was your favourite cartoon as a child? I can't pick one....but...I won't list all of them....to many........lets go with.....3. Gummi Bears, Thunder Cats, He-man. 3) You have the chance at an all expenses paid trip to anywhere on this planet. Where will you go? On a trip around the world! But if I had to choose a single place....thats tough....I'd like to say Turkey or Spain or Egypt.......but I think I have to go with Mecca b/c while inshaallah I'll have many oppurtunities to travel in the future but just in case....I should do this first. 4) Favourite meal? Shrimp! No wait....Lamp Chops....or Steak....can chocolate cake be a meal? ok...so many to choose from....lets go with... allo and fish pakora appetizers. rice and kebabs as the first course. prawns for the 2nd course. and 1 lamp chop in fried egg to top off the main courses. Then for dessert lets have a light fluffy chocolate layer cake with thin chocolate mousse layer. No icing. And maybe some double ka meeta as well (not sure about the correct spelling). And maybe the next day have good bbq with burgers, mcdonalds fries, and a sundae with chopped banana. :P 5) How do you feel about socks and sandals? I'm actually not big on sandals.....but then I spent a lot of time in India in the last 2 years (visiting, internship). And....I've changed my mind. Sandals are great. Now for socks.......I get cold easily.....and I don't like being cold. Give me the heat anytime. So socks with sandals....perfectly fine by me. The rules to pass along: - Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me!" - I will respond by emailing you five questions. - You will inclue this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. - When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

The week in review

Amazing Race NYC was just awesome! Everyone had a lot of fun. But I'll blog about that later when I get some pics from the other racers. So for now...lets just do a bit of a recap. Last Tuesday Darrin, Jenn, and Aamir were in the city from Mississauga. So Tuesday we met up and went for Indian food. I was so in the mood for Indian food. I even got subway at lunch b/c I knew I'd have Indian for dinner. But then.....this place always says its halal, but today when asked the waiter was unsure.....so I had to get shrimp....which was meh.... :( Wednesday, Zaina and Arefin dropped by and then they along with Darrin, Jenn, Anojan, and I all went for Lebonese food, Yum! Afterwards went to my apartment and played Wii....such an addictive lil console hehe Thursday Caitlin came down from Hartford and we went to Carmines (family style Italian restaurant). It was really good. It was rather late when we finished so we all just went home after that. Friday we went to Les Mis! Wow! It was awesome! So So So good. I'd definitely put it in my top 5 and probably top 3 shows. At least based on entertainment. On how good of a show it is....it vies for top spot. The performances were just incredible. Then we all (Anojan, Caitlin, Mike, Darrin, Jenn) all picked up some chinese food and went back to my apartment and played more Wii. Until 4am! Then we had to wake up at like 8 Saturday for the Amazing Race. But like I said, that will be a seperate post. So yeah, basically it was a very very fun (though expensive) week. Good fun with great friends, what more can I ask for. Oh....except for the raptors losing game 1.....still.....Raptors in 5 (well my gues is 6)! On an entirely other note. I found that during every year of university, sometimes every term, someone would really start getting on my nerves. And at no fault of their own. Its just.....ugh, I don't want to deal with them. They annoy me. And I hadn't felt that for the last 2 years....till now. Its back. I'm finding someone really annoying. And its not because I spend too much time with them. I'm not sure why it is. But....I take it as another sign I need vacation :P At first I was thinking maybe I'll take a weekend trip home. Or a weekend trip to LA to visit Omar. But...I think I'll take 4 days off and take a long trip home. The end of May inshaallah. Then hopefully I'll go visit Omar in May or June as well but that will only be a weekend trip. Of course if I inshaallah get into the schools I'm applying to......sigh still very worried about that...if only I had made it in time for the earlier rounds.....my plans my change. Dah well its out of my hands now.

Funny times

I had my Toronto interview. It was ok. Only ok. I'm getting worried. Quite worried. I'm trying not to think about it too much. Another year of working wouldn't be the end of the world. But InshaAllah everything works out. Let do something more fun instead of thinking about that. Here are some conversations/events that took place sorta something maybe like this. hehe. 1) Ahmed on msn during lunch at work#1. Ahmed while thinking to himself about what he needs to get done today changes his msn display name to, "Tonights Plan: The Laundry Room". Shortly after, his mom messages him. Mom: Do you need to tell the whole world you're doing laundry? Ahmed: meh, what does it matter? Mom: No, its good. It tells the world you are still single. Ahmed: .......I have to go now. 2) Ahmed on msn during lunch at work#2. Ahmed opening up the dark lindt chocolate bar he just bought from the store. Takes a bite and thinks not bad but wishes it were a bit darker. He changes his msn name to "70 just doesn't cut it". Later in the day his mom messages. Mom: Did you get a raise? Why so small? You should ask for more. Ahmed: Huh? No...oh my name....I was just talking about chocolate. Mom: You and you're chocolate. Hurry up and make more money, I want to retire, I'm getting old. 3) Ahmed talking to Jane on msn. Jane: Hey, Ahmed I'm going down in April! We shoot meet up, can we all go to Serendipity again? Ahmed: Sure, though I know better chocolate places. J: oh cool, we should go. Do you want me to bring you or Anojan anything from Canada? Chocolate? A: haha, nah, thats ok thanks. J: hmmm....I'll bring you oranges! You never eat fruit! A: haha, thats ok. Theres a fruit section in my grocery store....I haven't really explored it.......but I think they have oranges. 4) Ahmed talking to his sister on msn. Ahmed is quietly doing some work at home (in Brooklyn, New York) when his sister messsages him (from Mississauga, Canada) Umber: BHAIYA! Ahmed: yep? Umber: I'm coughing, sneezing, I'm tired, my stomach hurts, I have a headache and I feel hot. Now Fix me! Ahmed: haha, what can I do from here? Ok, ask Nana (a doctor) to give you some medicine and then have mom take you to the doctor tomorrow if you still feel sick. And go to bed, its late. Umber: .....Fine........ 5) Ahmed and Darrin are playing Pool. Darrin has (somehow) won 3 games in row (somewhat convincingly). Darrin: haha, this is like one of my best pool days. This cue stick is great. The top of his cue stick then suddenly, without being touched, breaks off. Ahmed: lol, what you do? Darrin: Nothing, how'd you do that? Evil! Ahmed: haha, I didn't do anything. Grab another cue, I'm going to break. Ahmed does a poor break (for him) and much of the balls are still centered (probably a poor racking job by Darrin). Ahmed gets one ball goes in but then he misses his next shot. Darrin: blah, I'm just going to bust it open some more, everything is too bunched up. Darrin stikes the group of balls and....1, 2, 3, 4 balls go in! All belonging to Ahmed. Ahmed: LOL....omigosh....lol....i'm dying...hahaha. Darrin: WTH? Evil evil guy. 6) Ahmed, Jane, and Anojan are at the Chocolate room. Anojan: The waitress hasn't really been attentive. Jane: Yeah, where is she? I asked for milk and sugar like 10mins ago. Ahmed: It doesn't seem that busy in here, well I guess you can tip less. Jane: haha. At the end of the evening, Waitress: I'm sorry I half abondoned you guys, I've just been busy with this rude table. I overheard you guys talking about Visa's and Medical Jobs.....waitress proceeds to give a lot of info and tips for Jane on moving to NY, visa's, and job searching. Jane: Wow, you've been such a resource! Hmm....hey do you know any Sri Lankan girls for him (points to Anojan). Ahmed starts laughing. Anojan: Eyes bulge for a sec and then he lowers his head with hand to forehead (hiding) and goes quiet as he's completely embarassed. Waitress: haha, sorry can't help you there. After waitress leaves. Jane: I think I'll give her a good tip. 7) Janet and Ahmed playing wii before going to do cardio. Anojan gets home. Ahmed: Hey Anojan, come do cardio with us. Anojan: What now? Ahmed: Yeah, you've been saying for a couple weeks you were going to start doing more cardio and you always say you'll start on monday. Anojan: Oh...well...I would, but I need to work on planning this Amazing Race stuff on my computer. Janet: Oh can I help? Can I see what you have so far? Anojan: Yeah sure, but its all on paper at work. Ahmed: Its on paper at work? Anojan: Yeah....umm....ok, I'm lazy I just dont' want to do cardio ok.

Amazing Race NYC!!!!!!!!

Last week on Saturday I decided to go to the gym and try a cycling class. It wasn't bad at all! I think I did alright. The only parts that really killed me were when you have to stand up and pedel. My legs were sore for a good 2-3 days afterwards though. Stairs became quite the challenge. But I think I'll try it again this saturday. I'm going to be committed to getting back in shape....at least in terms of excercising....at least 3 times a week. Diet.....thats another story. Currently, I'm trying to go by the rule that I'm only allowed junk if its free or if I go out for dessert with people. I've been good with it....but my boss brought in easter chocolates and I'm like the only major chocolate eater at work so I finished pretty much all of it singlehandly. And Jane has been visiting from Toronto. And she likes chocolate too so we've been goign to dessert places. And it was her bday this week too. And we're all (her, me, Anojan, her bf, some other friends) are all going out to dinner, a comedy club, and more dessert tomorrow! So yeah.....diet...oh well. Recent articles say dieting is bad for you anyways. So Jane is leaving on Saturday. But on Wednesday Darrin is coming down. And on the weekend his bf Jenn and her sister Caitlin are coming. And Aamir is coming down for 3 weeks on business as well around the same time. So.....more eating and more dessert! hehe But thats not the best part! We were all talking about things to do and we thought hey, lets rent bikes and go biking in central park and maybe the city a bit. And then from that...we came up with the idea of having.......Amazing Race (scavenger hunt style) NYC!!!!!!! Anojan is busy that day so he'll design the race for us. It'll be 6-8 tasks and we'll work in teams of 2 with a set budget. Tasks could be things like go to Serendipity and eat a chocolate sundae, go to the Park to rent a bike and go to Columbia and back, go take a picture with the NY Stock Exchange Bull statue, go to the state library and find X book, etc. Man, I'm so excited! And the trash talking has already begun! The sisters have decided they want to take on Darrin and I. Ooooh they are sooo going to lose. And several of my other friends in the city have also expressed interest. So we're up to about 8 or so people....roughly 4 teams so far and more people expressing interest each day! =) The race is set for the 21st. InshaAllah the weather will be good. hehe, I can't wait!

Interviews and Tag

So I had the Austin-Texas (McCombs) interview this past Monday.......it went really well! It was much longer than I expected, 1230pm - 210pm. But it was quite casual, the alumni interviewing me was very nice and gave me a really good impression of the school and the city. I was ready for all his questions and he liked my answers and said he would give me a favourable review. He did however temper it by saying that the interview is still only one aspect of the application and that everything will be reviewed once more before they give you a decision. While most ppl he has approved have been admitted there have been times when they have not, and there have been times when he's given bad reviews and they've still got in.....which seems odd to me.....but oh well. I feel good about it right now. Also, Toronto (Rotman) emailed me to setup a time for a phone interview! The guy said its only a 30min interview though. And from reading about it online its very casual and it makes me feel like its only a formality...as long as I don't screw it up. So yay! So ABCDlaw tagged me, from no tags ever to 2 in a week! Kinda cool. Anyhow, she has given me the task of listing 5 of my favourite things and why.....hmm....... 1. The first thing that immediately jumps to my mind is...CHOCOLATE! Milk, cake, ice cream, cup cakes, truffles, bars, whatever, chocolate is wonderful! 2. Stories. Whether its a book, a movie, a tv show, a story someone tells me, a broadway show, whatever it is, I really enjoy a good story. The feeling of a good book where the entire world around you disappears and you are full immersed in a story...I just love it. 3. Travelling! There are so many amazing places in this world. Things that just make you stop and stare and go WOW. And going new places, seeing new things, and even the trip itself...its a fun adventure that ends up giving you so many little stories...most of which you forget but the trips are just incredible experiences. 4. Ok, so bowling, pool, movies, trips, vacations, shopping, etc all that stuff is a lot of fun...but I really like just simply hanging out with people and talking too. A lot of times, the simple sitting around with family or friends talking and playing cards or boardgames are the nights where you have the most laughs and the most fun. 5. Hmm.....what else...I like competing. And of course winning. I dont' mind losing as long as I did well. If I won but didn't do as well as I know I can I'm disappointed. That said, there are some ppl I will not lose to if I can avoid it. I won't lose to my sister or my cousins, Anojan at video games, Darrin at Pool, Jessani at anything, Ben at squash, and I could go on. 6. I guess thats another thing (or 2). I'm a big Toronto Raptors fan! Lets go Raptors, Lets Go! Woo! Woo! (I only woo woo online I don't know why I don't in person...its just not me). And I really like playing squash. Hopefully, inshaallah I'll get into school and be able to start playing again. k, thats good enough. Lots of people have been tagged lately....I dont' want ppl to be sick of it....but if you haven't been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged! And list 5 of your favourite things and why. :)