Right before New Year

Being fed up with our good weather, we went up state looking for cold and chill and snow! Crazy, I know; but living in a constantly moderate weather gets old really fast, I tell ya!

That little road trip helped me discover the perfect Car Ride outfit: Jeggings, boots, tunic, long thin cardigan with a coat, hat and scarf ready at hand on the backseat for those freezing chills when you stop for coffee.

Jingle bell, Jingle bell, Jingle bell rock

…

…

What a bright time, it’s the right time,

To rock the night away…

Have I told you how much I love Christmas? I love the decorations, the lights, the colors, the presents, the happy people, and the holiday spirit. I love the snowy landscape (in pictures and movies!), the Santa’s workshops and houses in the malls and I love the cheesy holiday music. Love the holiday movies, the food and the sweets, the lazy atmosphere and the relaxed smiles.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Yalda

For Iranians everywhere, Winter Solstice Celebration on the longest night of the year is the time for families to gather and await the birth of light, the breaking of dawn and the return of sun.

Although these days we look at our Yuletide celebration as an excuse to eat as much watermelon and pomegranate and nuts as we can!

Happy Yalda, my dears!

Leave of absence

It’s been raining cats and dogs for the last four days and still more is in store. I’ve staying home shivering under a blanket and wishing for the rain to stop. On those rare occasions that I had to go out, my fluffy boots have been a blessing, keeping my feet warm and dry. You all know how I hate getting wet!

That train trip, cold weather and junk food eating wrecked havoc with my health and I am a little under the weather. In addition I have to plan and pack for our trip next week. I also have lots of stuff to prepare for next quarter and school work.

So I won’t be able to have any new post for the next couple of weeks.

Enjoy your holidays and see you guys next year!

A train ride

I finally did it, taking a train to Santa Barbara with a friend. Yes, it was enlightening, amusing and slightly alarming! Aside from airplanes, my other use of public transports in the last ten years had been a five hours bus trip five years ago, a half hour metro ride two years ago (both in Iran) and a two hour trip from South Bend to Chicago last year. So you can understand the significance of an eight hour total of a round trip by train, surely!

I just wish I had dressed warmer!

Tomato soup

I’ve been wanting a nice hot bowl of tomato soup for sometime now. Unfortunately the cafes we frequent don’t have it on the menu. Well, until tonight apparently. So I was filled with joy upon seeing it written on the board and ordered it. As luck has it, we were late and they’d run out of tomato soup!

Finally “Tangled”

Yeah, finally! Totally worth it too! It is one of those movies that you leave the theater smiling, wishing they would make a sequel.

Orange leopard

The first party of the season and I didn’t know what to wear. What do you wear to a small informal dinner party where the hostess and other ladies are super stylish?

I went with my tried and true combination from Thanks Giving dinner: Leopard print and orange. Moving the pieces around a little and I got a whole new look.

Note: those shoes look more orange in real life than in the picture.

What I love these days:

Fluffy boots. Water proof, warm and cozy, the ultimate in self indulgence. Now I understand why Ugg boots are so popular. However, I prefer these chic alternatives to chunky shapeless Uggs.

My new phone. Giving me the ability to check my email ten thousand times per day, oh joy! …and it is Red, a happy orangey red!

My “Bath and Body Works” lotion in Black Amethyst. Two years using it and I still love it. It is restful and lightly fragrant. Although I liked the old packaging better.

Aside from these, my nose is to the grindstone and the pile of text books is growing beside my bed!

The Herbs

Just a quick post to say:

Does anyone remember “The Herbs”? Do you remember Dill the dog who was always chasing his tail? That’s how I’m feeling these days. Chasing my tail while nothing gets done.

That’s it people, … and I’m still alive!