Sunday, October 13, 2013

My New Adventures

Hello All,
I must say I am lucky to have friends that not only allow me to push and improve myself, but to take challenges and partake in new experiences as well. Aliah, Jannah, and Sheeren are who I'd like to call my "adventurous friends". I have done so many activities with them these past years that it's difficult to remember all the good times we have shared. I have done archery, skiing, intro to scuba, intro to hang gliding, horseback riding, paddle boarding and so much more.

One of the activities I remember doing with them is archery. Aliah found this deal on Groupon or Living Social (I can't recall which) and we ended up going to Gilroy to learn how to do archery. I wasn't that bad and I hit close to the bull's eye a few times. The others were far better "archerers" than me and hit bull's eye with little to no effort. The instructor was really experienced and had good pointers on how we can improve our target practice. I saved the sheet of bull's eye that we practiced on as a keepsake.

Then we did an intro class to scuba. It was in a swimming pool of a local school. When people get scuba certified, they spend the first few classes in the swimming pool in order to learn the basics of equipment, breathing and what it feels like to be under water. I must say that was a bit disconcerting. Breathing under water is quite different than breathing air because I was breathing with my mouth the whole time and that is something I am not familiar with.  Once I became a little comfortable, it was actually fun. We hope to get certified soon as soon as we get a good deal somewhere.

Then last Sunday, we went to Half Moon Bay to do paddle boarding. It was through another Groupon deal. The weather was perfect, but the car ride to the place was not. There was a bit of a traffic jam on Highway 92 and what was a 40 minute drive, ended up being an hour and half hours long. Apparently, due to Halloween, there were many pumpkin-picking and other fall activities that were going on along the highway, thus the traffic jam. We finally made it to the place and got our paddle boards after a little training. Paddle boarding is a lot of fun. I was able to stand up quickly and stood up the whole time. Aliah did the same, but Jannah and Sheeren preferred sitting on their knees. I didn't go much further out into the ocean, because I was afraid of falling into the water and getting wet. Go figure! However, paddle boarding near the harbor was just as fun.

Then yesterday through the benefits of a Groupon membership, we got another deal for hang gliding. This time Sheeren didn't join us, but Mahin's sister, Mohua did. It was all the way in Tracy. We got lost on the way to the location thanks to all our GPS's going crazy and lost about half an hour of our lesson time.  We finally reached the place and put on the right equipment. Jannah and then Aliah were the first to go and it looked like so much fun. I went next and did pretty well. The hang glider was huge compared to what I have seen in movies. But, since we were novices, we got the wider-spanned hang gliders since it is much easier to operate them than smaller-spanned hang gliders. We didn't go up very high- about 4 to five feet, but it still was a lot of fun. You need to get certified in order to jump of cliffs. The air quality was really good so we got a little taste of the adventure. All in all, I can cross this off my bucket-list.

I still want to do kayaking, sky diving, among many other activities. I know these girls are up for that! Pictures coming soon!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Family Picnic 2013: Bayshore Park

Hello All,
It's been some time since I have posted anything on the blog. What can I say? Life got in the way. A lot has happened since I last wrote and God willing, many positives prospects are being lined up in my life.
Last week, the Naqvi clan got together for a reunion at Mountain View's Bayshore Park. Qamar Chacha, one of my younger uncle, flew in from Canada and his family flew in from Pakistan. So it was decided that we should plan a fun excursion for the whole family. I took the lead and after much deliberation and rejection of ideas, it was decided that we should have a picnic.
The site I chose is close to our house and offers many activities for the whole family. Besides being a well-maintained and spacious park, Bayshore Park offers water activities such as peddle boating, kayaking and sailing. Not to mention, a full-blown restaurant is part of the facility.
The whole gang was excited and after RSVPs from each family, the date and time was set for September 8 at 11:30 a.m. Incidentally, my sister's birthday falls on the same day so there were two causes for celebration. Food was decided to be catered by the one and only Shezan restaurant- our favorite Pakistani/Indian restaurant. Samina Aunty and Jamshed Uncle, the restaurant owners and cooks did a fabulous job preparing Biryani, Behari Kababs, and Choley for us. Hina and Hazem Bhai brought cake and drinks.
The whole day was filled with fun and engaging conversations and adventure. The food was to die for. Some of the family members, including myself, took in boating. There was another factor that made the day just perfect-the sunny weather. There was a minor concern that the day would get hot and we even got a spot under the shade, but we were gifted with a perfect Indian summer day.
The picnic was planned to end at 2:00 p.m. and a Niner's game was a cause to curtail the longevity of the event, but we persevered and stayed till well after 5:00 p.m. All in all it was a great day!
Alina and Mohsin Kayaking

Me on a Row Boat

Cyrus, Ali, and Mohsin

Seema Aunty and I


Sunday, September 8, 2013

Twitter/ Facebook Wit

I enjoy reading status updates on Facebook and Twitter. I read somewhere that status updates are modern day haikus. They need to be short, and to be memorable, witty. Here are some that I wrote and some that I found recently in a book called "Twitter Wit" :

1. Overheard a mom say, "We ain't gettin' THAT doll. She don't DO nothing!" Then watched the girl's 3-year-old imagination & grammar die.


2. My 2yr old keeps declaring w/great merriment "Happy StupidHappy stupid!!!". I think we'll start celebrating that holiday as well.


3. London city airport. Where form meets function. And they have a fight.


4. I get really uncomfortable when people ask embarrassing questions about sex. Like: "Is that it?"


5. I bet I know what you are thinking about when you hear the words "penetrates" and "soothes" during a shampoo commercial ;-)


6. The three worst mistakes you can make are overpromising and underdelivering. 


7. Cosmo features an article titled "How to Outsmart a Date Rapist," which is handy in light of prevailing "How to Be Date-Rape Bait" content. 


8. Why aren't martini glasses shaped so that they don't spill so easily on the bus?


9. Please tell your grandfather to stop sending me Evites to parties in his pants. 


10. You know what this guitar needs? Lessons. 


11. I don't believe in holidays that Google doesn't change its logo for.


12. Both my son and my fridge have leaked onto the floor tonight. Hopefully the dishwater isn't fazed by peer pressure. 


13. Somebody picked my dwarf friend's pocket last night. I mean, seriously, who would stoop so low?


14. At a cemetery, looking for my name on tombstones. This is Goth's version of Googling yourself. 


15. I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance by peeling out after hitting that Pinto!


16. Wait. "Vagabond" means nomad? I always though it was some kind of vaginal adhesive. 


17. To stimulate the economy, first we must find its G-spot. 


18. I respect your right to express your opinion as long as you respect my right to slowly lose interest in whatever it is you're talking about. 


19. I did not hit you. I just high-fived your face. 


20. Some people don't like Vietnamese food, but I don't know what they are complaining pho. 


21. You never know what I have up my sleeve. Today, for example, it was a once-thought lost earring


22. You know, most of the Harry Potter book plots would be over in 3 chapters if they had a decent search engine. 


23. The most pessimistic sentence possible: "Rainbows are shaped like frowns."


24. The tomato is the tranny of fruit. 


25. Happy Birthday to my car! It is two years old today. Taking it to Lozano for a car wash. 


26. Just finished watching Eclipse. Plot recap: Like I love Edward... whatever I love Jacob.... omg I love Edward :D


27. Thank God it is T.G.I.F! 











Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Attempt to Reconnect



After much contemplation, I have decided to reconnect with a friend from grade school. We were in the 5th grade together and quite close. I found out she was on facebook so I tried my luck and sent her a message. Hopefully, she will remember me and respond back.  I copied the message I sent her and will let you know if she responds. Here's hoping.
Salaam M_______,
I don't know if you remember me, but we went to school together at Beacon House Public School. My name is Sana N____and I think we did 5th grade together with Miss Zeba (she was a very strict teacher at Beacon House). We used to play the game with the elastic band all the time. I also remember coming to your birthday party. You lived in an apartment complex next to KDA.
If doesn't jog your memory, we also had a mini reunion back in '94 or '95 in front of the American Embassy in Karachi. Our families were applying for the American visa.
I am in California and just wanted to connect with you and see how you are doing.
Sana N______

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Mediterranean Grill House



Last week I went to Mediterranean Grill House for a late lunch with Mom. Ali introduced this restaurant to us and we go there each time we crave flavors of the middle east. Its a clean, family owned restaurant that serves enormous plates of delicious food for good prices.
My mom ordered the chicken shawerma plate and I love eating  the Kufta Kebab Wrap served there. I recommend this place to anyone seeking Middle Eastern flavors for a good price.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Cupcake Time!

 Today, Hina, Sameeha, Amani and I went to Kara's Cupcakes in Town & Country Village in Palo Alto. It was an impromptu plan and I am glad we made it. The cupcakes were yummy. The pictures will speak for themselves.
I ordered the Oreo and Cookies mini cupcake and Hazelnut Crunch cupcake. Hina ordered Chocolate Velvet and Java. Sameeha ordered Chocolate Velvet mini cupcake. Amani slept :)



These photos crack me up. 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Boston to do list

This fall my mom and I plan on visiting Ali in Boston. You may not remember, but seeing fall colors in New England is one of my items on the bucket list, so naturally I am very excited and eager to cross this off my list. I am creating a sub list that will detail what else I want to do while I am there. I am open to any suggestions...

1. Walk the Freedom Trail/North End
  • Copp's Hill Burying Ground
  • Hanover Street, Salem Street
  • Old North Church
  • Paul Revere House
  • Bunker Hill Monument
  • Boston Massacre Site
2. Visit the Back Bay Area
  • Boston Public Garden
  • See the Trinity Church
  • Boston Library  
3. Visit Cambridge
  • Harvard Square 
4. Explore the Beacon Hill area
  • Boston Common
  • Louisburg Square 
  • Acorn Street, Beacon Street, Chestnut Street, Charles Street, Mt. Vernon Street
5. Stroll along the Boston Harbor
7. Visit Salem, Massachusetts
  • Haunted Happenings: www.hauntedhappenings.com 
8. Walden Pond
9. Plymoth, Massachusetts