Bonus Time
While most people look towards the month of March with excitement and enthusiasm for the long-awaited spring season, my family and I look towards it with trepidation. Why? Well because for the millions of people who work in investment banking, my brother included, its bonus time. And anybody who knows anything about banking knows that bonus time is stressful for all involved. Things could be very, very good…or very, very bad.
We’ve been living life on pins and needles for the last few weeks, but I’m happy to say it was unnecessary since this year’s numbers were good! My little brother did quite well for himself. Better than I have ever done or may ever do. But you know what? If anyone is going to one-up me, I’m glad it’s him.
Last night, after I pushed my jealousy and bitterness aside, my mom and I decided to throw my brother a little last-minute celebration.
I made a few of my brother’s favorites, including date muffins and pasta with a ground turkey-tomato sauce…
I even broke out my precious Williams-Sonoma bowls in his honor, but as you can see his bonus didn’t merit me ironing any of the placemats. The iron is on the lengthy list of things I am allergic to, you see.
Since my mother was present, I actually set the dining room table instead of having everyone serve themselves from the stove.
The table was complete with flowers and proper serving dishes. Shocking, no?
Dinner included some roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus…
My mom brought a chocolate cake…
As always, Maya was only too happy to help her uncle celebrate once she knew chocolate cake was involved.
And in case you are wondering, I still haven’t figured out how to take a non-blurry picture.
My brother eats dessert only once a year on his birthday so we were all shocked that he decided to partake in some cake.
He had two pieces, hence his guilty smile. It’s okay Has, you deserve it.
Since I find it much easier to write things than to say them aloud, allow me to take a minute to tell my brother how proud I am of him. Considering he works from 5:30am to 5:30pm, takes few vacations, and spends weekends in the office, he absolutely deserves his bonus and a whole lot more.
Now we just need to find him a nice girl….any takers ladies?
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 
your brother is a very handsome man, Ameena, but I’m taken by someone already: Jesus. Hee hee hee.
Ah, men have crazy metabolisms…I’m sure he can spare the cake! No guilty smile, lil bro!
Mmm…your food looks yummers. You’re making me hungry, and I just had dinner not too long ago.
I agree with Sophia, quite the handsome little bro you have there. You’re such a sweet big sis.
Nice tale. Where is your mom? and when do I get to try your sweet potatoes??
I am just like Maya, if chocolate cake is involved I would not mind being part of the party! Congrats to your brother!
P.S. I think I am allergic to irons too 😉
Bonus has been reported missing for the last 2 year – lost somewhere in NY I heard. Lucky brother you have there. I do have a nice very girl friend who might be a match for yr bro. Similar backgrounds I would venture to guess. Let me know.
you’re such a good sister. i will rack my brain for someone for your brother – don’t you love playing matchmaker?
I’ll marry him…he’s rich and eats dessert. Perfect!
I’m already married, will that be a problem ?
🙂
You’re brother is a lucky guy 🙂
To bad I’m married… and live on the other side of the country 😉
Cute bro!
Younger or older than you? You must live close to both yours and Ali’s family hey? That must be nice since Maya can see both families.
Awww, sweet post! Your brother looks like such a nice guy– and you are such a nice sister for putting together this celebration!
I HATE ironing our placemats with a passion. I hardly ever do it.
Awwww, so sweet!! That picture of him eating the cake is too funny!! 🙂
I’m single in Texas 🙂 So I’m looking around different locations in Cali but Redondo and Irvine are my top pics. I should be flying out soon to scout and look for a job so I’ll let you know and we can possibly meet up!
OOOh he got his bonus early! I check our bank account EVERY morning for Raymond’s bonus.
As much as you like to talk all big and mean on your blog deep down you are one sweet lady 😉
Your table looks beautiful-ironed placemats or not. Love your bowls-very pretty.
Now the cake-I hope I get one of those-I am a sucker for good cake!
Congrats to your brother…..
Have a good day!
We can still kidnap you 🙂
I love impromptu celebrations! Congrats to your brother!
what a great thing to do! congrats to the bro!
nice girl!!! hahahaha, LOL :))))
congratulations to your brother!
Congratulations to your brother!! You’re such a wonderful sister to prepare such a gorgeous celebration for him – he’s very fortunate indeed! Your table setting and menu are breathtakingly beautiful…
(I’m allergic to the iron too! 🙂
Congrats to your brother 🙂
Those sweet potatoes are so yellow! Are they Japanese sweet potatoes?? I’ve tried those before and they were really good!
The grocery store just labeled them sweet potatoes but whatever they are called I prefer these to the red sweet potatoes. They bake up better!
How long do you cook asparagus? Mine always turns out mushy 😦
By the way, Jennah has those same PJ’s as Maya. So cute!
hi good muslim girl (love it), try to just sautee the asparagus in light olive oil until crisp…don’t steam prior or they will be mushy…then ad salt and pepper, yum!! 🙂 and sweety, there’s a reason jennah has the same pj’s:)
XOXOXOXO
Are you trying to start a shadi.com on your blog?!?!?!!? I many have to hit you up in the future for match-making :)!
Haha, your brother should do a guest post about what it’s like to have a sister trying to get you a date via a blog 😉 Congrats to him! Sibling rivalry never truly dies, I think, but I find that I can be happy for my sister’s accomplishments with less jealousy (usually). Your dinner looks great, and Maya’s chocolate enthusiasm is so cute! I thought the blurry photo was an aesthetic choice. Shows what I know. I can’t even figure out how to turn off my flash.
It was so sweet of you to throw him a little party. It saddens me to know that one thing I will never get a party for in my life is for having a big bonus. Teaching is a thankless job.
Hey… trust me, if you are nice to the kids, we remember you fondly in our adult years. If not now 😀
Congrats to your brother. Working from 7:30 to 7:30 sounds kind of like torture (especially without vacations in there) but at least his hard work is recognized. It makes it a little better, huh?
Does your brother know you’re trying to play matchmaker? 😉
I’ve never experienced any kind of sibling rivalry, as I’m an only child, but it was good of you to put your bitterness aside… at least for one night 🙂
Congratulations to your brother! Your feast looks fabulous (especially those date muffins) and I’m sure he appreciated the star treatment.
Glad your brother did well!
I want that cake! I haven’t had cake in over 1 1/2 months and I definitely think that that is way too long to go without cake.
Congratulations to your brother! I can see myself getting iffy about not doing as great as someone else but I’m glad you were able to push it aside and feel happy for him. That’s what really counts. 🙂
so sweet of you big sis…and you know, i have to admit i’ve never seen a closer bro/sis relationship and he completely deserves it!! go hass on the cake, so proud of you…and of course i’ve never known anyone to deserve a happy bonus day as much as you either! keep up the good work you two!!
XOXOXOXO
Yes!! I’ll take him!!…does the cake come with???? 😉
Congrats to your brother!
I love those placemats.
And I have a younger sister . . . although she has a boyfriend, but I’m sure I can convince her your brother is a better match. 😀
congrats to your bro! my dad is an investment adviser..maybe they know each other haha
oh, you outdid yourself, even without the ironed placemats!
everything looks amazing! And congrats to your brother
Aww I love that you had a celebration of your brother’s hard work. He sounds like he really deserves any good fortune that comes to him. It’s so beautiful when you want the happiness and security of another before your own. Family is like that.
Have a great weekend!
Congrats to your brother! He sounds like a really hard worker. He deserves the bonus! I am happy he choose to spend time with family to celebrate! 🙂
aw! how sweet! Your table setting looked absolutely wonderful–there was no need for that pesky iron . And you can never go wrong with chocolate cake. Looks like your family had fun!
First of all congratulations to you! Glad that you got a bonus – I fall in the other extreme: didn’t get one 😦 But that’s old news.
Next, congrats to your bro. Encourage him to take some time off, coz that might discourage prospects. But looking at all the comments above, you have a lot of takers! 😀
Don’t you get those plastic placemats? Or are cloth placemats in? Ironed or not, the dinner setting looked good. And looks like there were no leftovers.
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