the problem lies elsewhere, always, of course
My friend, H, is a Cuban-American convert to Islam. His roommate is an international student from Saudi Arabia. They’re both good-natured and funny, and most of the time they get along really well, but once in a while they’ll burst out with the arguing and aggravate each other to […]

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bombs and butterflies
Spoken word poetry should speak to the heart and soul. Or, at least, that’s how I take it. Check out these beautiful people -
Calligraphy of Thought [Not a part of the above spoken-word event, but they still come first in my book.]
iLL-Literacy
Mango Tribe
Lady Wonders of 8th Wonder
Freedom Writers
Take the time to read through […]

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umbrella terms
My response to being called desi, the word for people from the South Asian subcontinent:
“I may qualify, but I don’t identify.”
On the other hand, if you were to refer to me as a Pakistani (American) Muslim, we shouldn’t have any problems.
The end.

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nerd boy extraordinaire
H is devastated to hear I didn’t get a job I recently applied for, one where we would have been working together, thus ensuring that I could stop calling him and leaving threatening voicemails asking where he is and why he hides from his friends. He takes the news personally, even though I’m […]

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Daddy-o: Yasminay, you want to see a rainbow?Yasmine: Sure. Where’s it at?Daddy-o: Look in that direction, over by that tree. ::sprays the hose so that the water catches the sunlight:: Do you see it??Yasmine: aww, that’s beautiful, Daddy. Thank you.Daddy-o: You’re very welcome. ::sniffs:: Why do you smell like cigarettes?Yasmine: Uhh, I was smoking it […]

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and words can never really help you say/what you want them to anyway
I had an idea for a Women of Color Conference workshop that involves a film, followed by discussion. The film is entitled The Way Home, and I saw it over a year ago, so the details are somewhat fuzzy, but I think it […]

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just say no to déjà vu
So guess what. They changed the curve again. AGAIN! Cal-Trans, you’re killing me here. Holy freakin’ smoley, have pity on this Commuter Child Extraordinaire.

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by default
S: Yeah, so you two sorta look alike, you know?
Somayya: :sarcastic: Yeah, I wonder why.
Yasmine: No way.
S: Yeah, isn’t that funny?
Yasmine: Very.
A: :to S: You do know they’re cousins, right?
S: Oh my God, are you serious?
Somayya: Wait, you really didn’t know?
Yasmine: You’ve known us for a year. How could you not know this?
S: Why […]

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bits and pieces
So the only reason I’ve been neglecting this place is because when it comes down to a choice between sleeping and updating my weblog, trust me, I would much rather sleep.
Anyway, I was informed by various unreliable sources last weekend that my writing style is intimidating, that I’m “detached” from my weblog, that […]

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every time that i see your face,/i wonder what lies beneath your smile
I miss my cute little preschool kids.
And I miss Dennis the Menace, too.
I was reminded of both this afternoon because I stopped by D’s apartment to say hello and was pleasantly surprised to find myself greeted with such unrestrained joy. I’m always amazed […]

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