Reasons for Blogging: Two years later

By Amreen on February 19, 2009 8:26 PM | 4 Comments | No TrackBacks
Reasons for Blogging: Two years later
 I am so excited about the look and feel of our new site!  I've been blogging for Urbanmoms for about 2 years now, and it's become an integral, hugely fulfilling part of my life.  At this milestone time, which coincides with the site's "rebirth", I find myself reflecting on the reasons I started blogging in the first place: 1.  This whole child-raising thing goes by so fast.  I want to make sure and document it so I remember these precious and fleeting moments.  Whether it's a glorious day in the park on the due date of my third baby,... More »
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A Tantrum at Costco

By Amreen on February 5, 2009 2:27 PM | 4 Comments
Thus far, I've been pretty lucky when it comes to tantrums.  My kids have never really been into the the screaming, lying-on-the-floor, kicking and wailing kind of thing.   They're  more of the whining sort, which is equally painful in its own way. However, this was not the case at Costco on Tuesday.  On the weekend, we ran out of everything simultaneously - razors, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent - you name it.  I lured the Girl into the van to accompany me with promises of a  Costco hot dog.  We made our way and I was quite pleased to have the... More »
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Airport Musings

By Amreen on January 31, 2009 3:52 PM | 7 Comments
Airport Musings
We came back from Calgary a month ago.  At the Calgary airport, the person in front of me in the check-in line was wearing these:   Okay, I'm definitely in "casual" mode most of the time, but come on. Pink flannel Minnie Mouse pyjamas are NOT ACCEPTABLE TRAVEL CLOTHES!  Pyjamas on airplanes are one of my pet peeves. Also, I continually horrify myself with my inability to travel light. It's just that I'd rather have everything just in case....our flight gets delayed and we need more clothes, an unexpected event comes up for which we need the right attire...when packing... More »
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Fitness and Health: Learning from the Past

By Amreen on January 28, 2009 10:40 AM | 5 Comments
Fitness and Health: Learning from the Past
Sorry for the delay since my last post!  January blaaahs, combined with some technical difficulties prevented me from writing sooner.  As you may know, I've been discouraged about my inability to "bounce back" fitness wise after my third child.  I've been trying to think back to when I was fit, and what I did differently then (the 90's).  The fact is, I was in shape because I worked damn hard at it. I exercised vigorously, ate properly, and maintained good, healthy habits. Somewhere, along the way, I lost track of these healthy habits.  Of course, multiple pregnancies exacerbated the problem,... More »
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2008: These are a few of my Favourite Things

By Amreen on January 6, 2009 11:45 PM | 5 Comments
2008: These are a few of my Favourite Things
Favourite book:  Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri Unbelievable how Lahiri entered my brain with this novel. There were lines of prose that so physically moved me that I had to put down the book to catch my breath.  Her simple yet powerful words so clearly capture the experience of Indian immigrants and their children. Favourite movie:  Slumdog Millionaire A masterpiece by Danny Boyle, this film haunted me for days after.  The first time in a long time that I felt euphoric and satisfied after watching a movie.  A must-see if you haven't yet. Favourite TV show:  The Wire, all 5... More »
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Ahhh, the holidays!

By Amreen on December 29, 2008 1:41 PM | 2 Comments
It's been 7 days, and we are all finally on Calgary time.  No more getting up at 4am for my kids, or going to bed at 7pm for me.  It's been really cold - minus 25 most days - but Saturday was really warm.  We embraced the plus one temperature and took a big walk down 4th street and then down 17th avenue, Calgary's funky street of hip cafes, shops and restos.  New places that I made note of to check out (without kids) were a new restaurant called Farm (focusing on local cuisine, farm-raised meats and artisan cheeses and... More »
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Live from Calgary

By Amreen on December 27, 2008 12:43 AM | 1 Comment
I'm in Calgary, our usual spot for the holidays.  It was a challenge getting out of Toronto on Saturday due to the big snowstorm on the 19th.  But we made it with only a few hours delay.  At the airport, a grandfatherly man kept talking to the Girl, first at check-in, then in the corridor on the way to security, and then again he approached her at Swiss Chalet.  At first, it seemed sweet, then quickly I got creeped out by his attention to her.  In the restaurant, he came and started drawing cartoon characters on her napkin.  Am I... More »
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My Favourite Holiday Traditions

By Amreen on December 17, 2008 10:41 PM | 4 Comments
My Favourite Holiday Traditions
As a Muslim family, we don't celebrate Christmas in the traditional, religious sense. However, as I've blogged about in the past, I embrace the spirit of the holiday season in many forms.  To put it more bluntly, I'm a Christmas junkie.  For example, yesterday I ran into the Dollarama for a quick errand, and was overcome with excitement by the walls of decorations - red, green and white everything - jingle bells, felt elf hats, plastic mistletoe, cello wrap with candy canes on it.  It was all good, and I was loving every inch of it. For me, this is... More »
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A wounded ego and a bruised, bloody knee

By Amreen on December 14, 2008 5:10 PM | 6 Comments
It always seems to happen when I'm feeling my "coolest".  I mentioned in an earlier post that I now attend a Saturday spinning class. I've now been to about 10 classes, and am finally getting the hang of it.  Yesterday, I was really in the zone.  Feeling the beat of the music, maintaining the right cadence on the bike, I felt in sync with the instructor's motivating mantras.  "Feel your power."  "Stand tall."  "You are so amazing."  I felt, tall, rhythmic, amazing - an athlete, an achiever, a pioneer. Then it happened. For one brief moment, in the midst of... More »
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Winter chic

By Amreen on December 9, 2008 8:16 PM | 8 Comments
Winter chic
I was at Yonge and Eglinton (a trendy, urban 'hood in Toronto that is also know as "Young and Eligible" because of its population of single hipsters) today for a haircut.  All around  me were people dressed in their most "winter chic", managing to be stay both warm and stylish.  The look of choice, I gathered, was a long, fitted parka (how do you people walk, drive or bend in those things?) and beige UGG boots over skinny pants.  Hoods up, large sunglasses, glossed lips and you've got it - holiday urban chic in the big city. I'm quite pleased... More »
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