I Can’t Stop
I think my newfound shopping habit has spiraled out of control.
It all started a few weeks ago when I was preparing for my trip to NYC. Naturally I had to have new boots for the cold, harsh NYC winter. And skinny pants to tuck into the boots. And while I was looking at the new pants I found a shirt that completed the ensemble perfectly.
I bought it all but my God the guilt! I felt a bit better when I assured myself that I’d only buy one or two things max when I finally got to NYC.
Yeah, right.
A pair of shoes, another pair of pants, 3 shirts, 2 tank tops, 1 outfit for Maya (aka guilty mom purchase), a $50 box of Godiva (my willpower was compromised by exhaustion), and a couple of other miscellaneous items later, I realized I spent 4 hours at Bloomingdale’s.
It seemed a bit tacky to take a photo of the things I bought so instead, may I present you with a photo of what I bought Maya. I only wish they carried Hello Kitty Velour in my size.
Considering that I spent about 4 hours shopping in total this year, this is a ridiculous disproportionate amount of time to be in one store. The worst part of it all is that I am still itching to go to my local Bloomingdale’s to see what else I can amass!
I was considering joining a support group but then last night I found Ali ogling laptops on the Home Shopping Network…and now all is well in my world once more.
I Spent 6 Hours With Leo Di Caprio.
Celebrities usually don’t impress me.
I am far more impressed with people like Anuradha Koirala, an amazing lady who has saved more than 12,000 women from slavery and who was just honored as CNN’s Hero of the Year. Or junk bond king Michael Milken. He didn’t save anyone and yet he fascinates me just the same.
Anyway there I was, trying to minimize Q & A time with Maya on our flight back from NYC by jamming in my ear phones and settling in to watch Inception when I realized that the star of the movie himself was sitting behind me.
Despite his reluctance, Ali was nice enough (and inconspicuous enough) to take this photo with his iPhone. Per my insistence.
I have been a huge fan of Leo’s from back when he was on Growing Pains. I even dragged my sister to What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Twice. If that’s not a dedicated fan I don’t know what is.
Minutes after landing in L.A. I hit to the gym to escape Ali, Maya, cleaning, piles of work, an inbox full of emails, and the feeling that another blood clot was going to form in my arm any second.
I was further ruining my arthritic knee on the dreadmill while watching a CNN special about Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction when guess who climbs onto the dreadmill next to me? Yes, Janet Jackson.
No picture, for obvious reasons.
My star-filled morning is now over and I’m addressing the reality of being back in much-hated Los Angeles. This includes finding proof that my family completely disregards my hatred for zoos and is a bunch of liars…
Per Ali: "No, we didn't go to the zoo while you were at Bloomingdale's." Per Maya: "We ran out of time, Mama."
And that I live with a bunch of slobs.
Are three knives really necessary when preparing two pieces of toast? Really?
Home Sweet Home. Or something like that.
Thankful.
I am especially grateful today. Why? Well, I finally made it to Macy’s.
You must be thinking, “Big deal Ameena! Why should I be impressed?” Well, I made it to Macy’s via public transportation. This is a huge accomplishment for me seeing as I’ve taken a bus or a train in Los Angeles about…zero times.
On my way I passed the Time Warner Center...
“Stop being cheap and take a cab,” Ali said when I informed him of my decision to head to Macy’s in Herald’s Square.
“No, no,” I insisted. “I want to take the subway.”
“You are going to get lost.”
“Have a little faith. I think I can manage to hop on a train. Just point me in the right direction.”
“Okay, whatever,” Ali said. “The entrance is across the street.”
And Cartier...obviously I was headed in the wrong direction...
After 3 attempts and 15 minutes of trying to find a subway entrance “across the street,” I finally found it. Except that when I went to buy a ticket the only ticket dispenser was broken. So, I had to find another subway station.
Easier said than done.
After encountering two people who gave me wrong directions and a man who disgustedly said, “I have no idea where the subway is, I never take it,” (he must have been from L.A.) I finally made it.
45 minutes later.
Macy's. Finally.
I may not be able to find my way via the underground but I certainly had no problem navigating Macy’s for 3 hours. And being that Macy’s takes up an entire city block that should count for something, right?
Right.
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 