P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S
As odd as the following picture is, it is still imperative that I share it.
Why? Well because this picture? This picture spells P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S.
Ali and his trash can…
Let’s dissect, shall we?
- Ali is holding a trash can. This, from a guy who informed me on Day 3 of our marriage that he would no longer be throwing the trash because he didn’t like the gust of air that barraged him when he opened the trash chute.
- Ali is holding a trash can, on the subway. This, from my L.A.-born husband who once said he could never live without a car. And who, I might add, doesn’t particularly share my love for public transportation.
- Ali is holding a trash can, on the subway, in an un-air conditioned car, in August. This, from someone who can’t handle temperature extremes of any kind.
- Ali is holding a trash can, on the subway, in an un-air conditioned car, in August, which is indirectly preventing him from using his cell phone (note his other hand), thus rendering him idle for 14.3 minutes. I’m sure no further clarification is necessary on this one.
Pasta, salad, and mashed potatoes at Bistro Milano (looks better than it tasted) and double chocolate cookie at Maison Kayser (tasted better than it looks).
And the next day? When we took the trash can out of the box and realized it was far too small for a family of 3 (one of whom is notorious for throwing everything away)?
Ali returned it to Home Depot without one word.
Family picture on Broadway, outside of “Annie.” Highly recommend this musical!
Well…maybe he sighed. A really long Ameena-style sigh.
And when he returned to Home Depot he did so via a cab instead of the subway.
And then he swung by Best Buy and picked up a couple of Internet cables to make himself feel better.
But regardless, I learned two things from this experience: 1. My expectations have recently taken a giant nose-dive, and 2. I should stop fighting it and order everything – even trash receptacles
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
You used the ‘P’ word! That can only mean good things!
Tolerance levels for things that you hate tend to increase when you have little alternatives ! I absolutely hated public transport, until I moved to London. And then I had no choice since I didn’t have my car any longer.
It wasn’t as tough as I imagined it to be in the end….
So….um…when may I come round for a visit??!!!!!!
The “P” word…so funny.
I love the London transportation system…so clean and so organized.
And you can come for a visit anytime! Let me know and we’ll get together!
Hehe I love this fab insight into your life and family. It shows that even every day life makes for an entertaining story!
I find humor in everything random, including trash cans on the subway.
Drives Ali crazy… 🙂
If I could only write as well as yaa.
Muah to u and Maya.
xoox
z
So nice of you to say Z! Thank you.
Haha! Looks as though you’re settling in to NY. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the right trash can, is there 😉
Who knew there were so many choices? I think this was the first time I actually realized that…
Love your writing style Ameena. And also really like Ali for always providing such excellent writing material 😉
Thank you Habiba! So nice of you to say. 🙂
Firstly: I laughed.
Secondly: I applaud you for using the word “progress”.
Thirdly: I laughed
Fourthly: Amazon works!! 😉
Glad I could make you laugh and applaud! And yes, Amazon is amazing…nothing like it!
Look like the New York air is getting to both of you! Or at least Ali. Like Ali I cant stand public transport. Staying in London I still drive my air- conditioned car everywhere! Sorry Ali-am I making you jealous??? 🙂
Really? I think London’s Underground is amazing! I’d happily move there in a second.
And yes, I’m sure Ali is jealous. 🙂
Too Funny!! Ralph would never live in a city for far too many reasons. I, however would Love to live in a city…even as just a runaway experience for a month or too. Not likely to happen, but I like to think about it anyway. And not just NYC…we were in Portland, Maine yesterday…not a Big City, but I loved it and was looking at it through the eyes of someone living there. You look So Happy!!
I’ve always wanted to go to Maine! I just think there is something so amazing about that part of the country…one day hopefully.
Now that you’re in the East you should do it! It would be a nice short trip now and you’re past most of the worst of the traffic if you you drive. We always dread going through NY. It’s just an amazing place. Not a lot to do for the little ones, especially in Boothbay Harbor where we were, but the beauty is amazing. The trees and the water with all of the boats. Amazing. I’ll be posting some pictures. Once I get used to being backk!
I definitely want to take a little drive there…this would now require renting a car which seems like a task. Probably isn’t but for some reason it does!
Hopefully I can convince Ali before winter starts…
I love that the lady in the background is straight up scowling at your husband. Soooo funny. This IS progress!
I didn’t notice that until now! LOL
So glad for you that you got out of LA. A change is always nice – esp. one that was a long time coming. Cars can be such a hassle, esp. in the city – public transportation isn’t perfect, but it sure beats driving in the city.
Actually, I should say parking in the city. I don’t find driving in Manhattan to be all that bad, but I’m not going to pay $600 a month to park a car I hardly ever use. Plus, I can’t parallel park!
Parking in our building is $600 a month! Crazy how expensive it is.
I mean, I could lease a whole other car for that price!
And yes, public transportation definitely beats driving here… I love it.
Wow! This is such a big news. Ali in subway with trash can box, who would thought.. it’s a progress indeed.. I’m sure you’re very proud of Ali right now.. 🙂
I’m almost prouder of this than when he received his MBA. 🙂
I love the way you write! And your daughter looks exactly like you!
Thank you Zarine! I appreciate the nice comment and you reading. 🙂
Too funny! Progress, indeed 🙂
Progress for sure. 🙂
Very funny but I am with Ali, the subway in August is an assault to the senses and not in a good way. Amazon sounds like the way to go. It has become my new favorite since having the twins.
Shopping with twins must be a challenge…I don’t blame you one bit!
I think both of y’all have become patient. The line about Ali going to best buy to buy cables and make himself feel better cracked me up. Too funny! I am looking forward to your posts during the winters particularly to read how Ali adjusts to the extreme cold 🙂
I’m a bit terrified of the winter…due to the cold, obviously, but also due to Ali’s reaction to the cold!
lol the man deserves kudos for taking the subway and holding that trash can..although I dont understand either why people have issues with public transporation
Very strange…I guess people like their own space? But I also enjoy the fact I don’t have to sit in traffic so I’m willing to give up a bit of space for a little while. 🙂
I am SO impressed. 😉
Me too!
Surely he gets some bonus points for this one right??? Jeez. A trashcan on the subway. Not fun. Welcome to NYC Living I guess right!
Bonus points for sure.
Until the next problem anyway… LOL
so did he took it back on subway again? 😉
Nope, he took a cab back!
I remember when that Home Depot was built! I used to kill time there…
Really? It is pretty large considering it’s location.
The place is packed!
you are sooo funny!! I love these posts, the daily drama of married life.
Good.
Thank you Laurie! And thanks for reading. 🙂
i also dont like public transportation…does maya like it?
Maya seems to be okay with it – no complaints yet!
I like public transportation but having been on a subway in august I am with Ali. I would just cab it too.
But between the return trips and the sighing, trust me Amazon works AND they expedite!
Looking forward to more “Ali posts” given the NY weather..this is going to be fun I can tell 🙂
Yes, I finally splurged and subscribed to Prime. Not sure why I was being so cheap about it?
Really funny! Ali clearly has some adjusting ahead. 🙂
Yes, we all do Mama D!
We order everything from AMAZON. Everything! Otherwise, I’d happily be at Target everyday 😉
There is NO Target near us…how crazy is that? But I guess ultimately I’ll save some money buying from Amazon…no $1 sections to tempt me!
Yay, progress :)!
Love the family picture :)!
Thank you P! 🙂
I love the side eye the lady is giving your husband.
When I went to NY, I also had to take the subway. I haven’t taken public transportation in so long, so I wasn’t sure what to do when we were underground and I didn’t have cellphone reception.
Progress!
I see people on their phone while in the subway…I also wonder how they have internet access?
Oh man, I give Ali so much credit, that’s a major transition. I hate taking the subway, so I can’t blame him. Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun eating out, I don’t know how you manage to stay so slim. See you next week. 🙂
Why do you hate taking the subway? We’ll need to chat about this on Tuesday. 🙂
oh we didn’t chat about this. It smells! It’s so dirty! I see rats while I’m waiting for the subway. I have to take the B D, it’s so dirty. I try not to touch anything and then disinfect my hands.
Poor Ali, but it is ok to laugh right? I order EVERYTHING from Amazon, thank goodness for our Prime membership.
I recently stopped being cheap and sighed up for Prime as well…I wonder what took me so long? It’s great!
That is definitely a progression! I am not a fan of public transport either so I can understand why he took the cab on the second trip. I’m all for buying online!
Online is definitely so convenient…I am going to be putting my new Amazon Prime account to use!
Awwww! The things he will do for you 🙂
I like to think of him doing it for “us” since he’ll be using the trash can too! LOL
Oh I loved this post Ameena! I’m proud to say I haven’t bought a trash can since I the first year of marriage. I will not, as a result, be sharing this post with my wife… 🙂
So funny Ken…I’m sure your wife would appreciate my insights!
Kudos to Ali….finally! My husband gets an award this week too. I twisted my ankle while showing of my non graceful moves at a wedding Sat and couldn’t walk til Wed. He waited on me hand and foot and even made the bed everyday 🙂
So sorry to hear about the ankle but on the plus side I am very happy to hear that your husband took care of you!
The things Ali will do for you Ameena.! 🙂 Ask him to brace himself for the winter though.. not going to be fun for you SoCal residents..
I’m not going to lie…I am definitely a bit nervous about the winter. Hope that we can keep it together!
Thank you so much for leaving a comment on my blog! I have sincerely enjoyed reading yours this morning, and getting pumped for my visit to NYC this September! I am so sorry so many of your items broke during your move…at least that means new, shiny things? Especially trash bins? 😉
Do you need any NYC recommendations? Please let me know! I’m no expert but I know a few things. 🙂
Yay for progress 🙂
🙂
If it saves a cab ride, I’d definitely order from Amazon. I loathe public transportation.
Really? I’m so curious why?
Haha Ali has come a long way :)! I won’t lie- Living in Mumbai and getting spoilt by being driven around didn’t really help my case when it came to going back to London and using public transport there haha!
Having a driver would be the ultimate! Maybe one day…
patience and progress yay! we spent a ridiculous amount of money on a simple human trashcan too…but i just couldn’t help myself. it actually makes me want to clean up my kitchen regularly so i guess that’s a plus 😉
There really aren’t too many other types of trash cans out there. Simple Human seems to have a monopoly!
Amazon really is the way to go. Hooray for progress!
Thanks for the comment Wendy!
Amazon’s the way to go! But I see that Ali has come a LONG way! The Subway?! What NYC will do to you 🙂
Nazneen
I love the subway…keeps making me laugh how many people disagree. 🙂
Positive Progress.
You are teaching Ali a thing or two, Ameena! Xx
I’m trying to. 🙂 Not sure how successful I am but I’m trying!
I support you buying everything on Amazon. I am trying to start doing the same thing! It’s dangerous because I can do it from my phone also LOL
I see some awesome Ameena-influence going on here 😉 Perhaps the move was just what you all needed! Also, I totally agree with getting essentials from Amazon – it would be hard to get what we needed here without it!
P.S. Love that last picture of the three of you! 🙂
Well, this is certainly a step in the right direction! I think one round of public transportation per errand is reasonable. If you don’t already have it, you should get an Amazon Prime subscription – it’s only something like $80-100/year and you get free 2-day shipping on most things. Totally validated your idea right there. 😉
Ali gets props from me, last time I rode public transit was in high school and I don’t remember it being a good experience even back then. So glad you guys are adjusting so well.
-Gina-
Simple Human trash cans are the best, we have them all over our apartment!