The trip the past weekend to Vancouver was a lot of fun. The highway drive wasn’t boring at all. Some highways I have been in the past were boring as hell and made me fall asleep or keep reiterating, “are we there yet?”

The highway to Vancouver was through the mountains. It took over 4 hours because we kept going up and down and taking too many twisty turns. One minute we were in a low elevation, and the next minute your ear would be popping from almost at the tip of a Rockie Mountain we were driving in.

What amazed me is the snow covered tips on the mountains in the middle of July. The temperatures on this side of Canada are much higher than Ontario. It goes up to 35 or 38 degrees Cecilius. However, it is tolerable because it is dry and not humid. If it was humid I would have been melting by now, literally.

We arrived at Vancouver city 4.5 hours later almost, and the first stop was the Vancouver Science Centre. I love science and that little science dome was so much fun. I know it is for kids, and we had a couple of kids with us, but seriously, it was FUN!

Wasn’t that Beaver cute?

Afterward, we went to Vancounver Aquarium in Stanley Park. We couldn’t check into the hotel till after 4:00 pm. So we had to spend the day out doing something. And obviously, where else would you find Mona at? An AQUARIUM with fishies! I love aquatic and exotic marine life.

The best part of the Aquarium was seeing the Baby Balugas. I loved them! However, we had to be super quiet because there were Researchers Offices around there, and we couldn’t use the flash on the cameras. So this was the best picture that I was able to take.

And we cannot forget the crocodile! LOVE IT!

The next day we went to many mini trips in the parks and seeing how beautiful nature is. I snapped some pictures live with my mobile phone, and sent them to my Twitpic album if you guys were keeping up. I got internet all over Canada with free emails, so I am abusing it big time! So keep up with me, you never know where I am at, and what I will snap and send!

Later that afternoon we took a fairy to cross the docking area to Granville Island. We were at the edge of it at the Market. I love the scenery and people. All kinds of people from all over the world. I felt I was in an international market. Did I ever mention that I felt like a foreigner in Vancouver? 90% of the people there that I saw were either of Asian decent or Indian. It was weird. Even in Vancouver, there were hardly any Arabs.

And since I am in the other part of Canada, I had to obviously snap some picture of the Pacific Ocean. It was breath taking!

During the ride in this entire trip, I couldn’t stop talking. I get bored easily, and I have to talk about anything. My brother noticed how much I changed, and how much I talk. I used to always be quiet and not say a thing. However, this time I saw his dark hair turn grey every time he screamed at me to shut up in the car. He couldn’t stand me anymore and told me to be quiet or kick me out of the car while he is driving at 120km/h or up to 140km/h.

He can be mean sometimes. He just doesn’t like me talking or having an answer to everything. I can come up with any answer to any topic. I do talk a lot eh? Give me a topic! Any topic!

Finally, because it seems that everyone loves that little rascal of a niece that I have. That little 23 month old that has more energy, charisma, and too smart for her age, drove us crazy in the car. However, I managed to snap a shot of her while she was at her best. Her cute little face and poses are priceless! She says, “Hi! Google!”

Blah Blah, Funny, Happy, They said what?, Travel, Whatever!

Last Thursday evening, before we headed to Vancouver the next morning, we decided to go to the beach at a Regional public park.  The only reason people swim here because of the view of the mountains.

Before we took a dip in the lake, we barbecued. I don’t eat meat, except for shrimp sometimes. So, feeding me here has become a challenge for my brother, but great for me! Hehe. At restaurants I am so picky, and the waitresses say, “yes, we make sure our sauces and food are made for vegetarians with no animal products.” Awesome eh? I love being picky!

Anyways, while we were cooking the food over the coal BBQ, my niece kept wanting to strip off her bikini underwear part. The bikini was too big on her, and she is very skinny and tall for her age. She is almost at the tallest mark for children her age. She is gonna be a tall girl like me! Yay! Anyways, she stripped about 3 or 4 times because she couldn’t run around properly. She hated it, and she kept getting smacked on her hands for doing so. Unfortunately, she is the most stubborn child and didn’t care.

Moreover, the beach was all rocks and sea weeds under. I didn’t like swimming in it because it hurt the bottom of my feet. It was annoying and I just kept floating. However, I wouldn’t have traded the view and the clean water for anything else. It was amazing!

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I recorded this video of my twenty three month old niece while excitedly looking at the Google front page and saying, “Google! Google!” She loves Google too! Who doesn’t?

She begins the video saying, “Mooona! Google!” She ends it by saying, “Google!” The girl loves Google! I tried to teach her how to say Yahoo! However, she refused to say it and kept saying, “Google!” My niece makes me proud!

Blah Blah, Funny, They said what?, Whatever!

Almost every day at noon, my brother comes home for lunch. He would be all dressed up and wearing a tie, and thinking he is the engineering king of the world.

He told me this which was a serious conversation that I had to take seriously or else!

He gave me a stern look and said, “Mona, why aren’t you on TV yet? Why aren’t you rich and famous yet?”

I said, “Ahh? I am working on it? You want to help me? You know people that may know people?”

My brother said with an angry tone, “Well, you need to work harder at it. We all know that you are the only person that has the potential to be rich and famous. You need to start making millions so we can all quit our day jobs and work along with you to increase the fortune.”

I rolled my eyes and said, “OK!”

Sure, one day I will be rich and famous..

Blah Blah, Confused, Funny, They said what?, Whatever!

One thing that amazes me with married life is the two opposing sides that are forced into the deal. I am serious. Two families are forced into this proposal, and not two people. With us Arabs, and the rest of the middle eastern family oriented countries, you don’t marry to just be with someone you love and procreate. No. No. The entire family is swept into the deal, and their say of the outcome of the entire wedding and married life involves them more then the two lovebirds.

[source]

What amazes me with Arabs though, that the mothers are directly involved like they are the ones getting married. I heard many horrible stories of mother-in-laws to-be canceling weddings, because of their battle with the other mother, or over stupid material things.

Why the fight?

You would think that two people would cancel the wedding because of various differences, but why do mothers have the final say to cancel the two lovebird’s wedding?

I heard a few stories, and the final result was a devastated girl that refuses to love or marry anyone ever again.

One fight I heard of was a wedding that was canceled because the mother of the bride didn’t want her daughter to pay for half the furniture for the new home. So the mom canceled the wedding.

What kind of mom is that? Ruining her daughter’s happiness because of something the bride wanted to do for her future home?

Another story of a bride who was half way through her wedding reception, got off her chair and walked out in front of everyone. The people were dancing, having a kick ass time, and the bride just walked out after arguing with her mother-in-law during the wedding reception! What kind of wedding night is that?

Yesterday afternoon, my Arab Reuters beloved mother told us of a wedding that is planned for today (Saturday), and was almost canceled. Why? The two mothers fought, and the mother of the groom wanted to cancel the wedding. The father of the groom said no because the invitation cards were already distributed, and people from all over are coming, etc. Why did they fight I wonder?

On speaker phone with mother

Mom excitedly said, “Oh my God, so and so almost canceled the wedding that will take place tomorrow.”

I said, “Why?”

Mom said, “I didn’t hear the entire details, but it was the mother of the groom’s fault.”

My brother said, “Who’s wedding is this?”

I told him who it was, and he gave a disgusting look and screamed, “OOOH! HIM and THAT little bitch!” Then my brother whispered, “that drunken bitch who spends her time in night clubs getting wasted with more trash like her and who knows how many guys she slept with, and that little guy who thinks he is all that?”

I said, “AHA! Yah!! Remember them from University? It’s funny that those people get married first! Trash find each other quickly eh? I think they smell each other a mile away!”

Mom on the line heard half the conversation and said, “why, what is wrong with her and him?”

I said, “I told you mom! There are good Arabs, and the tip of the mountain of garbage Arabs. No wonder the wedding was almost canceled.”

Mom said, “But her dad is a doctor, and they are a big family.”

I said, “So what? What does education have to do with being trash?”

My brother jumped in, “Ewwww. I hate those people. I hope they did cancel the wedding.”

I said, “Mom, go ask people you know about the details of the fight. We would like to know.”

My brother said, “Yaaaah. Stupid trash people! Why they didn’t cancel and save humanity from more trash?”

I laughed so loud. Weddings and moms. Classic tales.

However, nothing beats my story of not being wanted by them mothers because of my skin color. Ah, I wonder what God feels like doing to them because of Arab backwards mentality. Oh Oh!! I know what!

I know this one Arabic chick, who got married before she was 20 because the mother of the guy thought she was so pretty, has very light hazel-green eyes, very white, petite and skinny. Guess how the kids ended up looking? Can we say that genetics play a big role in being tan and brown eyed? How about looking more like the dad than the pretty mom?

You guys don’t understand how happy I am being single and not have to deal with married life, as I am witnessing it now with my brother and his wife, and having a little girl. My God! I have zero patience for all that. I am happy being free to do what I like with no responsibilities. I am like a bird flying around doing nothing but looking down at things. It’s more relaxing. Believe me!

Blah Blah, Confused, Culture, Funny, Idiots, Random Thoughts, They said what?, Whatever!