empire state building celebrates

The Empire State Building is celebrating Eid al Iftar. I think that's
great- and was a little surprised to hear it. Apparently it wears a lot of dresses it wears:
http://www.esbnyc.com/tourism/tourism_lightingschedule.cfm.

Check out the little footnote:
During spring and fall bird migration seasons and particularly on cloudy, humid and/or foggy nights, when large numbers of birds are seen flying near the building, the tower lights are turned off. Observatory personnel on the 86th floor outdoor deck notify the engineers. The birds are attracted by the lights and there is a danger they will fly into the building and be killed.

Eid Mubarak.

Introducing Bayaan

Here she is at one month. Precious! Big eyes, apparently blond highlights. She looks a lot like Iman did at her age.

Rawan wanted to eat and was told to wait just a minute until my sister finished feeding Bayaan. Rawan says: Bayaan is always eating. She's more important to you than I am.

Wow, a 5-year-old who can so easily express her feelings!

When Rawan was born, Iman (2.5-years-old) just said- we don't need her, why don't you throw her away...

birthday wishes

My 5-year-old niece and I have been having a funny little exchange over the phone regarding her birthday present. Her birthday was planned as an outdoor party, and because of rains from Hurricane Ike and the challenges of having a newborn in the house (her new little baby sister!), the date of the party was uncertain. So, it was difficult for me to plan to be there, and I tried to convey this to her on the phone.

Me: Rawan, I'm going to try to come to your birthday party, but I am not sure I can make it because you don't know exactly what day it will be.

Rawan: That's OK. If you can't come, you can just send me my present in the mail.

A practical solution. But it's not that she didn't really care either way...

Me: OK, but I'd really like to be there with you on your birthday.

Rawan: Yeah, me, too.

Me: Rawan, what would you like?

Rawan: Anything!

Me: Did you ask your mommy and daddy for anything specifically?

Rawan: No. You just get a present, and you open it, and you see what it is.

Me: OK, so you want it to be a surprise.

The follow-up conversation where we talked about the details of the present exchange after her party.

Rawan: You can just send me the present in the mail or you can bring it when you come for Eid (the Islamic holiday). But you can send itin the mail- that way I don't have to wait for it.

Giving me options, but sharing her preference.

Me: OK, tonight when I get home, I'll go online and see how long itwill take to send it to you.

Rawan: OK, but you can just go to the store, and buy it, and, and,and put it in the mail. That way you don't have to wait for it.

A pause as I think how funny she is in her subtle ways.

Rawan: But you can go tomorrow because today when you go home you maybe tired.

Me: Oh, Rawan, you are so sweet.

Rawan: Why? I didn't do anything.

when to touch people

During orientation, HR says there are two times it's OK to touch someone at work.

One, with a firm handshake.

Two, when someone falls, you can ASK them if it's OK to help them up.

That's more like one and a half times. Since we don't greet our co-workers daily with a handshake, here's hoping for more falls at work.