standing still
Sometimes I surprise myself by doing something that goes against my typically selfish behavior.
My latest selfless act? I got off my lazy behind to immerse myself in the “Must Get Maya Into a Better School” process.
Eid Picture in the 96th street subway station. A first.
This rather time-consuming project, which, incidentally rivaled my college-entrance process, had a happy ending, which is great.
By the same token, this happy ending created a bunch of additions to my To-Do list including:
- Finding a new place to live.
- Writing countless checks to our various landlords, including move-out fees, cleaning fees, security deposits, first month’s rent, last month’s rent, pro-rated month’s rent, and a bonus check simply for the right to exist in a world where writing so many checks is actually a possibility.
A walk / scooter ride through Rockefeller.
- Researching and securing the least shady movers we could find (an impossible challenge).
- Packing up Ali and Maya’s sh@# AGAIN.
- Unpacking all of Ali’s and Maya’s sh@# AGAIN.
- Doing all of this all during Ramadan. AGAIN.
View from our new place with the beautiful(but high-maintenance) floors.
Aside from having some words with Ali regarding his insistence we pack and move his tacky bright red-orange Ferrari shirt (it has since been donated) and nearly losing my mind with Maya’s Lego hoarding tendencies (they’ve since been organized according to color and style)…
…I firmly believe I dealt with all of the above with a grace and level of patience that is typically foreign to me.
A walk through Lincoln Center…lots of hair and ugly shoes all around.
But today, with 30 days of fasting, the move, countless hours of work, and an excessive amount of hours Swiffer-ing (I am obsessed with our new wood floors) behind me, I’ve decided I just need to be still for a while.
Maybe for the first time ever.
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 
Much as I know you love New York, all I can think of is ‘yuck’ when I see the photos of all that glass and concrete (though the sunset was gorgeous). I was excited to see a hint of green in the potted plants behind you guys. 🙂
You moved again? Seriously? I’m sorry. Though, congrats on the wood floors. I love them and I adore my Swiffer.
You’re looking gorgeous, my friend; always gorgeous.
Love the wood floors, despite the hassle. I’m thinking of investing in Swiffer stock because I know I’ll be keeping them in business.
And thank you for the compliment!
I am so impressed with how much you’ve done—and all in this month alone?!
Love the last photo of you and Maya. You look like a model 🙂
Thank you P! I appreciate your kind words.
Ameena,
being “Still” is a very good thing 🙂 especially when you live in NEW YORK!
It’s definitely a challenge here…but I wouldn’t change it for the world. 🙂
Such a refreshing post. Happy Eid Ameena and rest of Din family. God bless you all
Thank you Maha! Eid Mubarak to you as well!
You are so right about the shoes but you and Maya still look like fabulous New Yorkers to me!! Moving AGAIN?? How awful. I hear moving in NYC is a nightmare like no other so you deserve a giant pat on the back for doing it again so soon. Hope the new diggs are bigger, better and more permanent.
It really is NOT easy to move here…from the movers double parking to having to schedule times for the move. I hope this place is more permanent as well!
i am so impressed – with ramadan you have accomplished so much. Eid Mubarak to you and Din family 🙂
Thank you Dixya! I appreciate the kind words.
Happy Eid. Hope you have settled well in your new place.
Thanks NA! We are settling in pretty fast.
Eid Mubarak!! We’re planning to move into our new apartment soon, and I’m dreading all the packing and unpacking!! You and Maya look like celebrities; that last photo looks like the paparazzi have been following you guys!
So sweet of you Fab, thank you for the very kind words. 🙂
Good luck with the packing! I highly suggest moving your dishes yourself, if possible.
you made it! nice view and that last pic – you look like a seventeen year old model! love the outfit – shoes included!
17! Talk about the nicest compliment. 🙂 Thank you.
Another move. Wow so soon. And during Ramadan. Kudos to you. Keeping so busy probably kept your mind off fasting (I hope). Now it’s time to get a cleaning lady to take care of your new floors…you’ve earned it. Please tell me you didn’t forget to pack Ali’s fork 🙂
Trying to find an affordable cleaning person in this new neighborhood is such a challenge. Fingers crossed that it’ll happen soon. 🙂
What a beautiful family! Eid Mubarak to you all!
Thank you Parita!
Happy Eid Mubarak Ameena! Congrats on the move and on finding new & better school for Maya. You’re so brave moving during Ramadan. That view is gorgeous! Love hardwood floor. If possible, don’t get the dark finish one because they show when dusty even though you just clean them.
Did Ali have a fit when you donated his shirt? 🙂
We don’t have a dark finish and still the dust shows VERY quickly. I just finished Swiffering (again) and I can see dust settling already.
I notified Ali of the shirt donation and promised to buy him one that was similar but less hideous. He did not have a fit. 🙂 And I followed through! LOL
do you like this new place better than last years? if so, then moving was worth it! also, you look amazing! your legs look so long, how tall are you?!
I do like this new place although we are having some issues with brown water which is freaking me out a bit.
I am about 5’8.” My legs are oddly long. 🙂
Glad to hear you have survived another move and that somehow you’ve mastered the art of being still. I’m still working on slowing down, one skill at a time😊🗼
Must be easier to slow down in Europe Elaine. 🙂
Just started reading your blog and I have had many a laugh reading your archives over the last few days! I get your sense of humor completely and love your writing style – the sarcasm and everything. Oh we live in NYC too , so might just bump into you sometime:)
uh, hello hot stuff….all of you! this one made me a lil emotional and can’t wait to hear about all the stillness…feel like you haven’t been still in the 19yrs i’ve known you….ever…..you my friend, deserve all the relaxation and stillness more than anyone i know! please tell me you’re relaxing in some fabulous london park….so excited for you guys, let’s talk when u get settled in:) xoxoxox
The other side boo, I would come over there for you (maybe). Does standing still mean you’re not working like a dog? I have 2 weeks until my offspring return, em me.
Wood floors are the best!
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Eid Mubarak, Ameena! you did well! It has been long I haven’t dropped by. Lovely to see Maya looking gorgeous and so grown up. You look so lean and amazing! xx
All those checks, I hope you have a fab new apartment. I’m sure it’s wonderful, how is Maya’s new school? GG
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Goodness. Excuse my ignorance but how long is Ramadan? Props to you for being so productive and moving and getting Mya into a good school. Wow. That is a lot. Maybe while you are being still you should indulge in a great massage.
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