The Rasheed Six

Sunday, May 11, 2008

More Changes

So my blog address has changed to fit our new name change. I hope I don't loose track of any blogging friends this way, but you gotta roll with the punches, I mean changes.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Life is full of changes, but for us this is a significant one. We have decided to change our last name. Soon, I will no longer be known as Alisa Rasheed. This decision was influenced by Aqeel's father. There is a story behind this and I will give you the short version. Before Aqeel was born his parents were members of the Religion of Islam. When they were fully converted into the faith the custom was to take on an Islamic name. My father went from Edward Johnson to Idris Rasheed. When Aqeel was born his parents named him Aqeel Amir Johnson, as they had not fully converted. Upon conversion Aqeel's last name was changed to Rasheed. Since 9/11 Aqeel's father has been considering changing his name back. When he heard of our current struggle to find work, he was reminded of how hard it was for him to find work here in the south with an Islamic name (wished he would have thought of mentioning that to us earlier). So, he decided to change his name and has offered for us to be able to file with his lawyer, at no cost to us, so that we too can change our name to whatever we want. When all the paper work is filed and we receive court approval Aqeel, the kids and I will forever, as long as we don't change it again, be known as the Johnson family. I am sure it will be wierd at first, but we will all quickly adjust to it.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

My life it seems is pretty boring. I wake up everyday to the same deal; clean, cook, clean, play with kids, clean, cook, clean, entertain husband, put everyone to bed and zone out in front of the tv until I can fall asleep. However, today was quite eventful.

Aqeel had today off, that's right he has found some part time work until the right job comes along selling cars at Kia. Since Aqeel was home we decided to do yard work before Jr and Amaya's check-ups. In the south Bermuda is the grass of choice and we also grow weeds better than grass. Bermuda does really well in the heat and goes dormant in the winter. It also loves the sand. So, today we spread fertilizer with weed killer followed by a layer of sand on the lawn that was freshly cut. It was fun being out in the yard with Aqeel. I have found that I like working side by side with Aqeel doing projects.

Then the kids and I were off to the Dr. Amaya and Jr were both scheduled for shots. Brave Amaya went first and didn't even cry for her shot. Jr cried, but did well. Then we went into the lab for the finger prick. Amaya graciously let Jr go first (so nice of her)and Jr cried so hard he couldn't even breathe. When it was Amaya's turn she was not having any of it. So, here I am sitting in the chair with Jr on one knee (still crying) and pulling Amaya by the arm over to me so that she can have her finger prick. Amaya struggled so hard I couldn't believe that I was even able to get her to cooperate. When all was said and done, and two suckers later we began to leave, but Amaya made me stop before we walked out into the waiting room so that she could wipe the tears from her face. She said she didn't want anyone laughing at her or calling her a baby for crying. It was so funny to me. We finished off the day with a london broil steak and mashed potatoes dinner. My house is a complete disaster and I am exhausted, but we had a good day.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

more trivia

Here are some more of those fun questions. Hopefully my children will get a kick out of these years from now.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes and then their shoes. I feel that you can tell a lot about people by their eyes and shoes.

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Physically, my weight. Mentally, my inability to say no to people.

WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My Mother.

WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
No shoes. I do not like wearing shoes, but when I do wear them it's usually flip flops.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Dinner: Spaghetti, Strawberries, and Texas Cheese Toast.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Nothing, but my recent favorite is old school Notorious BIG or Classical. Weird combination I know, but I don't listen to them together. I listen to music depending on my mood. When I want to be jazzed up, hip hop. When I want to mellow out classical. I love Steven Sharpe Nelsons Classic Chelo.

FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of the house filled with meat smell. Growing up on Sundays my mom always cooked either a ham or pot roast for dinner while we were at church so we always came home to a house that smelled like dinner. I loved it and still do!

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My sister Staci who is my other best friend (Aqeel being my first BF).

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Basketball, Football, and baseball if AT the game.

FAVORITE FOOD?
Steak and Potatoes.

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings, but mostly I like the ones that make you think.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Lions For Lambs with Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, and Meryl Streep. Great movie about engaging in the world around us and what we can do to make it better or make a difference. Very thought provoking.

Monday, April 28, 2008

About me

I received these questions via email and since I don't do forwards I decided to use them here. I tag anyone who wants to have fun!

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My middle name Ann comes through my mom's line where it goes back four generations. It is also, Amaya's middle name.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
On Saturday I watched Hope Floats and it made me cry.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Sometimes, it depends on the pen I am using.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Honey Ham, the deli sliced kind not the prepackaged stuff.

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Sure, I think I am fun and a good friend.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Yes, except when I want to be serious, which I am becoming more and more.

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yep.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I used to think NO, definitely not, but now I would consider it.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Captn' Crunch with the berries.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yes, but most of my shoes do not have laces.

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes. I have beeen through a lot in life and I have had to be strong.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Breyers Cookies and Cream

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Posting and comments

At the risk of sounding completely silly and sad I have a secret to share. I love when people comment on my postings. In fact it makes me feel quite special. you know, like someone really cares about what I think and is interested in who I am/what I do. So, I have been looking back on my posts to see which one's yielded the highest comment return. I have also been looking at other people's posts to see their rate of comment return. I thought that posting something that had a deeper more thought provoking theme would encourage my friends to respond. Some did, but others didn't, which is fine. I have learned one thing, the funner, cuter posts get better responces. So, from now on I have pledged to make my blog funner and cuter to hopefully encourage more comments since I love them so much.