I used to love watching the Sunday night feature on TV at my grandparents and it was always a Disney movie that the whole family could enjoy.

We didn’t have a TV at home but we’d catch the shows here and there, and I reveled in it. I wanted to be one of those characters and act and sing and dance, it looked like so much fun!

The funny thing is as I grew up I always thought in the back of my mind that one day I would visit Disney World, and eventually it did happen.

My husband and I went to Orlando, Florida for our Honeymoon and pretty much return every year. We haven’t made it out there this year yet, but hopefully if things work out and we get situated with our jobs and perhaps a move to a new place, we’ll go.

I think what I love about Disney World and the whole brand in general is its focus on happiness and positivity. I love the idea of going on vacation and being immersed in an environment where people are smiling and nice and want to make sure you are having a wonderful stay.

That’s what I call customer service!

Visiting the big city was very intimidating. I would see homeless people all over asking for money and I didn’t know what to do. I had heard of scam artists before, but this wasn’t my city, I had no idea who was real and who was just too lazy to get a job.

Flash forward to the present.

Living in downtown Chicago has been quite an experience. What used to seem like a scary and overwhelming city is quite the opposite!

Now that I know the area like the back of my hand, I can tell you for certain who the scam artists are.

Right outside our building there are the regular 2 or 3 guys that ask for change or try to sell you a free newsletter (if you are a tourist you wouldn’t know any better).

One time I was heading out to work at 4:30 am to do the morning drive on the radio. It was still really dark outside, and the streets were empty. I asked the doorman if he could please turn on the cab light. It’s like a police light but it hangs upside down from the front awning and signals to the taxi driver that someone wants to be picked up.

I waited what seemed like forever and then I see headlights a few blocks away. I’m praying it’s a taxi so I can make it to work on time. All of a sudden two guys pop out of the 7-Eleven that’s attached to the high-rise I live in. They see me waiting, they see the cab that I had just spotted, and then they are in the street waving and trying to flag it down.

One of the guys tries to open the door for me while the other one starts to talk on his cell phone.

The guy who opens the door, “Spare any change?”

I look at him and smile politely, “Sorry I don’t carry cash.”

Which is the honest truth. I rarely have cash on me, not even a penny. I like to travel light and rarely carry a purse (as I write this I realize I don’t even own one anymore).

I’m not sure if these guys were actually homeless, it seemed like they were just trying to make some money.

But let me tell you, if you ever go to Union Station you can be sure to get scammed.

These guys come out of the woodwork trying to open your cab door, or “find you a cab” when the taxis  are right there lined up. And if you ignore them and don’t offer them money, you can be sure to hear them shout profanities. Usually they don’t approach me because I do my best not to look around as if I’m lost or confused. That’s seems to be what tips them off that you’re a newbie and they can pull one over you. I’ve witnessed many a tourist pull out a map and not know what’s going on, that’s when they’ll pounce on you like fresh meat.

One late night as my husband and I were returning on Amtrak after visiting my parents in Central Illinois, we got out to look for a cab. That evening, because of delays, the train arrived really late to Union Station. We got out and walked around looking for a cab but the few there were taken. Then this guy comes out of nowhere (don’t they always?) and approaches my husband.

In Arabic I’m telling my husband, “Don’t talk to him!” Because I sensed he was going to ask for money or something.

My husband asks him, “You have a cab? Where is it?”

The guy is trying to talk fast, “I’m a veteran, see here is my ID,  I’m parked down there.”

Again I repeat in Arabic, “Don’t talk to him!”

Well it’s almost 1am and we’re tired and my husband seems especially so.

I’m about 8 months pregnant and carrying my 2 year old, and my husband has our luggage and our daughter’s carseat as we traipse along a few blocks down following the random guy.

My husband: “Where is your car?”

Random Guy: “It’s just down there.”

My Husband: “Is it a taxi?”

Random Guy: “I’m a veteran, look I’ll show you my ID.”

OK with the ID already!

We get to his “cab” and it’s a white car with tinted windows. There was something creepy about it.

My husband turns to him, “Look I respect what you’ve done for this country, but I’m sorry we can’t get in the car with you.”

These are just a few things that happen, there are MANY more experiences so I’ll write some more later. I don’t want to overwhelm you and I have to save some stuff for future posts right?

Just yesterday I was in the elevator leaving the apartment to go to work. There was this realllly old guy in the elevator. And I mean old. Either that or he’s been smoking since he was 8 because he looks THAT old. Not to mention he smells like a chimney. I could barely breathe in that small space.

As the door closes he just stares at me up and down while tapping his cane. And finally says, “Is that a chador you’re wearing, or is that for the cold?”

I look back at him, not sure what he’s trying to get at, and honestly answer, “It’s a scarf.”

He spits out his reply, “I know that’s a scarf.” I could tell he was a little pissed off. But I didn’t’ mean to be rude. I thought he was one of those people who had no idea what a scarf was.

“I’m asking if it’s for religious reasons you wear that on your head, or if it’s because of the cold weather.”

Well sheesh, now that you put it that way, “It’s for religious reasons.”

I dashed out of the elevator and ran to catch my bus.

“My button, I lost my button.”

She says she had no idea what I was talking about and dropped me off at her friends house so I could stay there while she took care of my brother’s emergency. I think he had hurt himself at the playground (yet again) and had to get stitches. This was back in the day when kids actually played outside.

In the meantime, here I am playing with the neighbor kids (I think I was about 3 or 4 years old at the time) and I sneeze into my hand.

Lo and behold out pops the button!

I was so excited that I ran up to my mom’s friend and held out my hand, “I found my button!”

Not sure what the lady did with it, but that wasn’t the last she would see of my antics.

Another time this same lady was watching me and my siblings when her kids brought me a bottle of liquid Panadol. It was a big bottle probably the size of the liquid Nyquil you’d see today. I remember them telling me to drink it, and of course being the deprived child (we weren’t allowed to have candy), I chugged that thing down.

My mom happened to come by at that moment and I remember walking down the stairs to greet her with the empty bottle and red mustache.

Of course she flipped out and next thing I know she had given me medication that made me vomit continuously.

Moral of the story: don’t deprive your children of candy, they’ll try to find other ways to get that sugary taste!

Little Layla was born November 1st so she is officially two weeks old today! Her big sister Sarah is 2 and a half.

This time around the birthing experience was downright amazing. Maybe it’s because I feel like an old pro already? lol.

We are so blessed to have two beautiful and healthy daughters and I’m truly in awe. Am I really a mom?

Everyday when I gaze upon my baby’s face or look into my older daughter’s eyes I’m reminded how lucky I am to have been able to bring them into this world. And I’m equally blessed with a husband who is hands on and helps with everything. I honestly don’t know how single parents are able to do it.

Raising children is a very hard task. It’s more than just popping them out after 9 months. It’s about making sure they’re cared for and nurtured. It’s about trying to give them the best life possible and teaching them right from wrong. And most of all it’s about letting them know that they are loved.

I want to give my daughters the confidence to live their lives in whatever way they choose. I hope that they choose to do so in a manner that is kind, peaceful, honest, caring, loving, and moral.

I will give my all to provide them with the tools they need, but in the end all I can do is sit back and watch them grow all the while hoping they make the right choices and avoid heartache and mistakes.

I’m sure they’ll have a few slips along the way, but we all do, after all to err is human.

Perhaps that’s why I’m such an addict now.

I’m completely obsessed with candy and sweets in general. I could literally live off of desert and never eat real food. But of course that’s not healthy and I do want to live to see my kids grow up.

Sometimes I get worried that I’ll have diabetes because of the amount of sugar I eat. My husband told me the other day that he recorded an episode of Dr. Oz for me because the topic was how sugar is an addiction.

I told him I already figured that out.

I’ve gone cold turkey with no sweets for two weeks straight, and then I never craved a single piece of chocolate after that.

But, being the social eater that I am, once I get together with friends it’s hard not to munch on something that everyone else is. They make food look so good!

I’m trying to make a resolution here to stop eating sweets and just get back to nature. Eat more raw fruits and veggies and get back on track.

There is truth to the fact that fresh fruits and vegetables will boost your energy.. I’ve been there, done that.  I’ve just fallen off the wagon again. For some reason this last month of pregnancy has made me feel entitled to every single whim. I’ve eaten junk food that I never would have considered before because I keep telling myself once the pregnancy is over I wont have any more excuses so I better get it all now while I still can!

At least I worked out through this entire pregnancy, that much I can say to make myself feel better about my binging. But I hope that I can do better not only for myself, but to be an example for my family.

I don’t want my kids growing up feeling deprived, but I also want them to know how to balance the sweet and the salty.

Maybe it sounds crazy cause people will tell me, “You can make yourself happy or depressed.” But honestly it’s not that simple. My mother claims I feel like this because of our Swedish side. “It’s called the black mood.” And then my neighbor tells me I should get a special light for people who have S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder).

I can be happy when it’s gloomy outside but I’m just not myself. As soon as the sunshine comes out I’m excited and energetic and ready to take on the day!

That’s probably why I’m so obsessed with Florida. We go there on vacation every year and I’m so relaxed. My husband says it’s because vacation is a carefree and relaxing time, but I know it’s because of the weather.

I love it when it’s hot and humid outside, there is nothing that feels better. Unfortunately living in Chicago a few blocks from the lake means lots of cold and windy days.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Chicago too. The winter is freezing but, as long as I stroll down Michigan ave. enjoying the street musicians playing Christmas songs and the hustle and bustle of shoppers and the smells of baked goods and nutmeg, I feel OK. It’s just that in-between weather that truly dissappoints.

It’s not fall and it’s not winter. It is cold and damp and people are grumpy. So grumpy they will drive really fast and turn the corner into a puddle and splash all the people waiting at the bust stop.

Luckily I’ve avoided getting soaked this year.

Maybe I can do both?

In the meantime for those few readers out there who check this regularly, I have a few stories I just wrote for Hijabtrendz that you might find interesting and worthy of a juicy read.

How I Met My Husband

How I Got Engaged

How I Got Married

Why would you work in a job that requires you interact with people if you can’t even try to be nice?

I understand some folks take jobs just because they have to pay the rent and it’s not something they really enjoy. But the fact is that if you put a little positivity into whatever job you have, you can make your day that much more bearable.

I’m not saying this as someone who’s high and mighty never having worked in the service industry. I say this as someone who’s done everything from cleaning computer labs to working as a sales associate at Victoria’s Secret. I’ve been there done that. And although there are difficult customers at times, you still put a smile on your face and do the best you can. Even if you’re being paid minimum wage.

My biggest pet peeve is when I have to avoid things because the people who work there are so mean.

One example is the Chicago Public Library Harold Washington branch. I have never in my life experienced such attitude. The people there are so unfriendly and I literally have a small panic attack if I ever have to ask them a question.

No one smiles, no one is happy to be there and as a matter of fact, the only time they speak to you is when they want to point something out that you’re doing wrong.

“Ma’am you can’t sit on the floor!”

A security guard literally came all the way across the library to tell me that. I’m 8 months pregnant, I can barely move, I had to rest for a second and I was in a corner of the library looking over some books.

Last time I checked the library is for people to enjoy reading, it’s not a museum full of breakable artifacts. I was so startled I jumped up and apologized.

Another visit to the kid’s section of the library was also bizarre. We barely walked through the door when the security guard barked at my 2 year old.

“No running!”

She wasn’t running, just doing the happy excited skip a little kid does when they’re greeted by shelves of children’s books. Way to make a kid feel welcome and encourage literacy.

The only thing I can conclude is the people at this particular library do not want you to read, they do not want you to relax, and they certainly do not want to do anything other than sit at their computer.

It’s so far removed from my childhood where librarians and other staff where eager to help you and actually shared your passion for books.

Maybe it’s because it’s a big city library or maybe the person hiring actually looks for mean people… I have no clue.

I keep forcing myself to go back so that I can check out books for my daughter and I try my best to hide my anxiety from her.

But I’m almost at my limit.

The last two times we went the same woman acted like a nutcase when we were waiting in line to check out books.

mean librarian: “I’m not open, wait for her she’ll help you.”

My daughter innocently places her books on the counter while we wait in line.

mean librarian: “I said I’m NOT OPEN SHE WILL TAKE YOU WHEN SHE’S READY.”

I was caught off guard because we didn’t even say anything to her, we merely were resting our stack of books on the counter and our portion of the line was by her desk.

Two seconds later some co-worker comes next to her and they start chatting.

mean librarian: “Check this out I was just reading on cnn.com about Illinois political corruption.”

As they say third times the charm. So, I swear if she acts like this one more time I will snap back.

I just have to come up with something to say that will make her realize what a jerk she is.

It can be quite a cool experience if you’re like me and actually read celebrity news only to be like “wow these people are real” when you finally meet them in person.

Anyhow, two summers ago after I had my daughter (she was probably two or three months at the time) I was walking around downtown with my husband and mother in-law. We live a few blocks from the main shopping area so it was just another nice summer day of walking and enjoying the sunshine.

I had no expectations of meeting anyone famous and I was used to seeing millions of tourists everywhere so I just did what I always did, busted out the puke green colored sweater poncho my mom gave me.

I think she ordered it and didn’t like the color and initially I was skeptical about it, but it turned out to be the best thing for breastfeeding in public.

So I put it on and was walking down Michigan ave. with baby in tow underneath.

All of a sudden we see Aaron Eckhart standing there talking to some woman, and I’m like “Wait is that the guy we just saw in a movie”?

Of course, I failed to realize I was still nursing the baby beneath this ugly poncho and my mother-in-law who doesn’t speak English was right next to me completely oblivious to why I was going up to some strange man.

Me: “Are you the guy from Thank You for Smoking?”

Aaron Eckhart: “Yes, I am.”

Me: “That was such a good movie, we loved it!”

Aaron Eckhart: “Thank You.”

Me: “So are you enjoying Chicago?”

Aaron Eckhart: “Yes it’s beautiful, we’re here to start filming the new Batman movie.”

Me: “We won’t keep you just wanted to say hi”.

Then he said bye and ran off and caught a cab.

Now, later I realized that this seemingly normal conversation was probably very awkward. He was very polite and nice but I can only imagine what he must have been thinking.

Here is this trio of Muslims one of whom is extremely disheveled, scarf wrinkled and out of place, with a huge puke-green-fringed-poncho. What is she hiding? Is that a small foot poking out? Are those strange noises coming from under there?

I have learned my lesson and try my best to be a little more presentable when I leave the house.

There are just days when I’m so tired and lazy and think who cares if I go out in my pajamas? But those are usually the days I end up running into someone famous.

It’s a catch 22.