Merry Xmas to all!

White Xmas

It has been a long time passed from my last post. I was quite busy with my mom and preparing myself for the final exam. then right at the last night before the exam, I got a bad flu from Princess which made me to postpone my exam. Well, then I had a relaxing time with my mom and Princess going out and shopping and enjoying life. If you have heard about snow and storms in Vancouver area and BC, you know that it made our lives too relaxing! since we are all stuck at homes, buried under the snow. Temperature had never been this cold for the last 40 years and people are tired of this snow. You know, we are not used to snow in this part of Canada. We are all looking forward for the good old fashioned rain. Xmas s coming and I have not purchased ANY gifts since I have not been able to go out for 2 weeks. Tomorrow, God willing, I will try to go out if snow let me. I must go! That's my last chance!

P.S. I tried to make a snowman for Princess today, but surprisingly I found out that I do not know how! and when I thought I could not remember when the last was that I made one!!! What about you??

My mom is coming...

I am so happy. My mom is coming from Iran... It seems that the most important person for her now is Princess. Can you beleive it? Well, we, adults, have not changed a bit from 8 months ago, but Princess has changed for sure!!!! I am so excited...

I miss you..

I miss you a lot! No words can say how much I miss you! I have not seen you for more than 20 years and I will never see you again, unless in my dreams. When you were leaving, I begged you not, but, you said" I am not only your grandma, I'm their grandma too" and you left. You came back so sick in a way that you were not able to know me any more. I just saw you twice in my dreams after you left us forever; last time was right a few days before my labor started. You came to my dream and took me to the hospital and said that you would take care of me until they take me to my delivery room. I felt so happy and relieved after that dream. I said that to my husband and he apparently got worried for me and said that it was not a good thing that a pregnant woman sees a dead! person in her dreams. I was so shocked! After so many years, I just faced that you were gone forever. That day, I cried in disbelief. I do not know, somehow, some time, somewhere, I was believed that I could see you again. Maybe because I had never said good bye to you and you were the most precious, and dearest one in my life.

Obama! Obama! Obama!

Congratulations Obama!
Canadians and American citizens who were living in Vancouver celebrated his victory tonight. Obama, world wanted you so badly and we are happy that Americans this time made the right choice. I was following the results from the first moment on TV and Oh God, it was soooo exciting!!! Obama, there is a lot of love everywhere for you I hope you never disappoint people.

Kordan and Oxford University!!!!

This joke is circulating among Iranians about the fake PhD degree of the Iranian minister, Mr. Kordan, from Oxford University. Although Oxford University did not approve his honorary PhD, his name could successfully get into the Oxford Dictionary!!!!
هرچند دانشگاه آکسفورد اتهام! دادن مدرک دکترا به کردان را تکذیب کرد، واژه "کردان" به دیکشنری آکسفورد راه پیدا کرد

- Kordanize /'kərdənaiz/ (v.) [past tense: Kordanized / past participle: Kordanized ]

(1): To get PhD without having B.Sc.
(2): To become an important person (e.g. minister) by presenting fake certificate or documents.

- Kordanification( n.)

(1): The process of receiving fake degree, especially from a prestigious university (e.g. Oxford )

(2): The relationship between happiness and telling a big lie.

(3): A method in order to gain Self confidence.

- Kordanism(n. )

(1): The philosophy and strategy of telling lie to a large group of people (e.g. a nation)

(2): A psychological method for deceiving people and laughing simultaneously.

- Kordanic(adj. )

(1): Happy
(2): Self Confident
(3): Relaxed

- Kordanicly(adv. )

(1): In a Kordanic manner.

What makes men cheat?

What makes men cheat? Marriage counselor M. Gary Neuman dug through past research on male infidelity and found that most answers came from the wife's point of view. "Wouldn't it make more sense to ask the guys?" he thought. So for his new book, "The Truth About Cheating," Neuman surveyed 200 cheating and noncheating husbands to get at the real reasons behind men's infidelity -- including what cheating men say could have prevented them from straying. Here, some of his findings:
More Dating Articles from Redbook:
Diary of an Affair
8 Things No One Tells You About Marriage
48% of men rated emotional dissatisfaction as the primary reason they cheated.
So much for the myth that for men, cheating is all about physical intimacy: Only 8 percent of men said that physical dissatisfaction was the main factor in their infidelity. "Our culture tells us that all men need to be happy is to have physical intimacy with someone," Neuman says. "But men are emotionally driven beings too. They want their wives to show them that they're appreciated, and they want women to understand how hard they're trying to get things right." The problem is that men are less likely than women to express these feelings, so you won't always know when your guy is in need of a little affirmation. "Most men consider it unmanly to ask for a pat on the back, which is why their emotional needs are often overlooked," Neuman says. "But you can create a marital culture of appreciation and thoughtfulness -- and once you set the tone, he's likely to match it."
66% of cheating men report feeling guilt during the affair.
The implications are a little scary: It isn't just uncaring jerks who cheat. In fact, 68 percent of cheaters never dreamed they'd be unfaithful, and almost all of them wished they hadn't done it, Neuman says. Clearly, guilt isn't enough to stop a man from cheating. "Men are good at compartmentalizing feelings," Neuman explains. "They can hold on to their emotions and deal with them later." So even if your partner swears he would never cheat, don't assume it can't happen. It's important for both of you to take steps toward creating the relationship you want.
77% of cheating men have a good friend who cheated.

Hanging around friends who stray makes cheating seem normal and legitimizes it as a possibility.
Hanging around friends who stray makes cheating seem normal and legitimizes it as a possibility. The message he's subconsciously telling himself: "My friend is a good guy who happens to be cheating on his wife. I guess even the best of us do it." You can't simply ban your husband from hanging out with Mr. Wandering Eyes, Neuman says, but you can request that they spend their time together in an environment that offers less temptation, like at a sporting event or a restaurant for lunch rather than at a bar or club. Another strategy: Build your social circle around happily married couples that share your values -- it'll create an environment that supports marriage.
40% of cheating men met the other woman at work.
"Oftentimes the woman he cheats with at the office is someone who praises him, looks up to him, and compliments his efforts," Neuman says. "That's another reason why it's so critical that he feel valued at home." Luckily, there's a clear warning sign that your husband is getting a little too cozy with a colleague: If he praises or mentions the name of a female coworker more than he would a male counterpart, your antennae should go up -- and it's time for the two of you to set boundaries about what is and isn't okay at work, Neuman says. Is it acceptable for him to work late if it's only him and her? Can they travel together to conferences? Have dinners out to discuss a project? Ask him what he'd feel comfortable with you doing with a male colleague.
Only 12% of cheating men said their mistress was more physically attractive than their wife.
In other words, a man doesn't stray because he thinks he'll get lucky with a better-looking body. "
In most cases, he's cheating to fill an emotional void
In most cases, he's cheating to fill an emotional void," Neuman says. "He feels a connection with the other woman, and physical intimacy comes along for the ride." If you're worried about infidelity, focus on making your relationship more loving and connected, not on getting your body just right or mastering how to please him physically. (But know that physical intimacy does matter -- it's one of the key ways your guy expresses his love and feels close to you, so be sure to keep it a priority.)
Only 6% of cheating men had physical intimacy with a woman after meeting her that same day or night.
Actually, 73 percent of men got to know the other woman for more than a month before they cheated. This means that you may have time to see the warning signs before infidelity occurs -- you might even see it coming before he does. Keep an eye out for these common signals: He spends more time away from home, stops asking for physical intimacy, picks fights more frequently, or avoids your calls. Your gut reaction may be to confront him, but most men will deny even thinking about cheating, especially if nothing physical has occurred yet. Instead, Neuman suggests, take charge of what you can control -- your own behavior -- and take the lead in bringing your relationship to a better place. Don't hesitate to show your appreciation for him, prioritize time together, and initiate affection more. Give him a reason to keep you at the front of his mind, Neuman says. And be open about how you feel about what's going on between the two of you (again, without mentioning any third parties). Try "I think we've started to lose something important in our relationship, and I don't want it to disappear." In the meantime, commit to keeping tabs on your relationship and doing what it takes to keep it working for you.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
Source: http://ca.dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/relationships/24096/dating-101-the-truth-about-why-men-cheat

If you have difficulty understanding the current world financial situation, the following should help...

I just received the following by an email from my brother. I loved it! Hope you enjoy it as well!

Once upon a time in a village in India , a man announced to the
villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10.
The villagers seeing there were many monkeys around, went out to the
forest and started catching them.
The man bought thousands at $10, but, as the supply started to
diminish, the villagers stopped their efforts. The man further
announced that he would now buy at $20. This renewed the efforts of
the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.
Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back
to their farms. The offer rate increased to $25 and the supply of
monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey,
let alone catch it!
The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at $50! However, since
he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now act
as buyer, on his behalf.
In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: ' Look at
all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will
sell them to you at $35 and when he returns from the city, you can
sell them back to him for $50. '
The villagers squeezed together their savings and bought all the
monkeys.
Then they never saw the man or his assistant again, only monkeys
everywhere! Welcome to WALL STREET.

my studies

I am reading this book about 50 times every day! Do you think it is helpful in doing my assignments????!!!!!!

I just saw this and I would like to share it with you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was Thanksgiving in Canada. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Princess' personality?? Social butterfly???

Princess can just say very few words, but she understands much more than that and also in 3 different languages. The few words that she uses more often are hi, naaw ( means no in Persian), Baaa( you already forgot what a sheep say??!!!!), and Iyah( a changed version of her own name). Now you guess what kind of personality this girl has??? social butterfly? Ham?!!! self-centered, stubborn???!! or all together?

Discipline???!!!

How do you discipline a naughty 14 months toddler??? Do they ever accept any discibline?!!!!

{image from: http://www.myspaceanimations.com/images/naughty-santa-funny-graphic.jpg}

Missing Iran??!!!!!

Years have passed. It has been about this time, exactly Sept. 1, when I left Iran to Canada for the 1st time to study. To be honest, I never missed it. It was like I ran away from that place. I was so happy just to be out of Iran and still I am. It is somehow sad that I don't love my home country. Tonight, I remembered those last few months. Running and running and all the worries! And the very last night in my parents' house, in Iran, that I never slept. I was happy and sad. I was happy to be free finally from all that I was running from and sad because of this feeling. I was so lonely. Just me in that big night with 2 suitcases!

Happy Moon Festival

Last night was the Chinese moon festival. We did not have any party or even moon cakes, but DH and I took Princess out to show her the big moon. My Chinese friend says that last night's moon is the biggest in the year. Actually, it was so shiny that later I even thought a light was left ON in the yard!!!

Wow, here looks like....!!!!!

Auntie was walking along with her friends in a nice place in Sweden. They were looking around and enjoying the beauty, until suddenly Auntie started talking . She said" guys just see how beatiful here is. Here looks like the Europe!!"
OOOOppss

Please participate in this poll!

I would like to have a poll of YOUR thoughts and experiences about how life and aging make NICE people become BAD and CRUEL, and on the other hand, how BAD people become NICE when they become old.

Well,this is my first emotional-personal post. My heart is so broken. The ones that I loved them while growing up just turn to me with hatred and meanness. Yes,something has happened recently or it is better to say that I have heard some unexpected news. One day, I may share it here with you but not today. I need to know YOUR thoughts and experiences about this matter.

Here is the explanation. I know some people who were very nice, kind-hearted, and simple people when they were young. While they were young, they were sad that they are not SMART enough as other BAD and CRUEL guys are to achieve their goals. They gradually became CRUEL and BAD. This is what I see in my loved ones. I can not hate them or hurt them just because of how good they used to be, although I know that they have changed now. Oh! it is just so sad. So sad!

Thank you for your participation!

Dictionary

I found this Farsi- English dictionary very handy. http://farsidic.com/

Sweden

Auntie got to Sweden right on time. Here are some pics from Sweden that she sent to me but did not get any chance to post hem here by herself.

Stanely Park in Vancouver (2)

Problem in uploading

I have some problems in uploading the rest of pics. I will post them tomorrow. Please stay tuned for more pictures!

Stanley Park in Vancouver

I took some pics from Stanley Park. Enjoy it!

Finally!!!!

Good news! Auntie finally got her visa to Sweden! I am soooo happy for her. This is a new section in her life, though I doubt if she gets it now. My only worry now is my parents who want to stay in Iran. Being stubborn is not uncommon in this family, I am telling you!

Travelling,

I am thinking these days that it would be nice if I write about what I have seen in my trips. I visited the UAE, Iran, and also many places in Canada. Please stay tuned. There would be many pics and notes about them very soon.

Don't care about aging any more because...

I found this interesting and I wanted to share it with you.

"Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese."
– Billie Burke

Sign of wisdom!

Today, I felt that my daughter has really grown up! You ask me why? because I saw a tiny sign of wisdom in her. What happened is that Princess, Daddy and I went shopping today. I was checking some perfumes and holding a sample on a piece of paper in my hand. Princess wanted to have the piece of paper, as she usually grabs all kinds of papers. I gave it to her since I did not have any other option with such a strong girl!!! I was expecting her to bite and chew the paper, but here comes the sign of wisdom. She held the sample in front of her nose and kept smelling it in a very classy way!! Therefore, Mummy found out that Princess is a wise girl!!!!

Everything is like a big mess now. Auntie is waiting with all her body cells to get the reply from Sweden while her suitcases are already packed! I give her all the rights in the world to be like that. I totally understand her.

My husband and I are busy with an addition in our house. You know, I wanted a big family room!

Princess is even naughtier than before. Yesterday, I took her upstairs and guess what she was doing? she was tossing things down from top of the security gate which is installed on top of the stairs. The first stuff were manageable. Baby carrots,... , but the last one made mummy to cut this game right away. It was our phone which flew all the way down stairs!!!!

Incredible love story...

I had an email from a good friend of mine who sent this story to me. I hope you enjoy it as well as I did.

An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world. It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century. The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years.Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin..
In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality.In the beginning, life was harsh as hey had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve..'In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much.'
The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away. 'You promised me you'll take care of me, you'll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?' Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband's black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.

In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

Source: WWW.cqwb.com.cn

There are things that you can only tell them in Farsi...

Can somebody out there tell me how I can write in Farsi in my posts? Do I need to download a software?

Auntie is not writing any post. I think that she just does not feel like writing at all. I was like that years ago when I was waiting for my interview with the Canadian embassy to get my visa to Canada. I did not feel like doing anything at all in those days. The difference is that Auntie is waiting for her Sweden visa now. She could not get a visa to Canada, although she had acceptance letters from Great Canadian universities along with funding from them. "Limited ties to Iran", this is what the Canadian embassy replied to her request for visa!!!! I am waiting to get a happy email from her that she finally got her visa. Typed by Mummy

Khosro Shakibai

I heard a sad news this morning. It is sad news for all of you who know Khosro Shakibaii, the great Iranian actor, who played the first role in Hamoun. Shakibaii pased away on Friday morning, Iran time, July 18. http://212.58.253.71/persian/arts/story/2008/07/080718_he-shakibaee.shtml. I still remember that when I watched Hamoun for the first time in a theater, I came back to watch it again and again for 3 times!!!! I also loved his play in Moddaress and Kochak e Jangali. May he rest in peace...

This is the very first post in this blog. Well, Princess is a little baby girl. I am Mummy. Auntie and I are co-authors of this blog which is going to be about Princess and also our lives. Most of the posts will be in English, while some may be in Farsi. This is going to be a place to write down our thoughts, worries, laughs, and ideas as well as a place to catch my daughter's early steps in her life. Please, leave a comment anytime you come over...