Funny names:
Christine B Dull
Jason D Cline

Yesterday was Eid, so my roommate's aunt and uncle insisted that I join them for dinner. They have a huge house in Cleveland which Asfiya is always raving about so it was good to finally see it. However getting there was quite an adventure. Asfiya did not know that there was a way to find directions to a place online. I did not realise that she did not know the way. Anyway we take the exit and then she decides to call her aunt and ask her for directions. I am busy calling otu the names of all the side streets but her aunt doesn't remember their names. I was extremely worried that all the good muslim biryani would be over by the time we got to the house.
Anyway, we finally found the development called, Quail Hollow. I thought it was a lovely name, nice and quaint. THe little streets also had odd names like Winged Foot and Beaver Creek.
We walk into the house and I felt like I was in my friend Arshiya's house surrounded by all her muslim friends, family and neighbours. It was fun! Before we knew what was happening atleast 10 muslim women came and hugged us and then ushered us down the steps to eat.
Heaven! I overate. I did not realise how much I missed eating biryani till then. Actually I miss my mother's biryani.
My aunt and I are constantly arguing about whose biryani is better- her mother's or mine. I think my mother's biryani is the best and she thinks hers is the best. So she always ends it with, "Well, my mother taught your mother. So there!"

We put my dog to sleep last week. It was very difficult for me. I knew my parents were thinking about doing it for sometime but I did not know when. When I spoke to my dad on the 20th he said that they would see how he was doing for a week and then decide what they were going to do. I guess Rusty could not wait that long. He had trouble breathing that night. My father stayed up with him all night. The vet came home at 7 a.m. and gave him an injection and that was that.
I was very depressed the entire weekend. Didn't eat much. And when I did eat I could not taste what I was eating. I needed some time to myself and I got it. I guess the hardest part is that I am here and it feels like I did not say goodbye. Although in actuality I did several times.
My mother called me on Saturday night. Halfway through the conversation she started crying. She said that she finds it odd not to have Rusty there. She forgets that he died and finds herself going to my sister's room to wake him up for breakfast. :).

IN MEMORY OF
Rusty Paulose Thomas
(Golden Labrador Retriever)
a.k.a. Doormat, Muttonhead, Food Fiend
Died on: November 21st 2003
7a.m.(Indian Standard Time)

Marty woke up at home with a huge hangover. He forced
himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he saw
was a couple of aspirins and a glass of water on the
side table. He sat down and saw his clothing in
front of him, all clean and pressed. Marty looked
around the room and saw that it was in perfect order, spotless, clean. So was the rest of the house. He
took the aspirins and noticed a note on the table,
"Honey, breakfast is on the stove; I left early to go
shopping. Love you."
He went to the kitchen and sure enough there was
hot breakfast and the morning newspaper.
His son was also at the table, eating. Marty asked,
"Son, what happened last night?" His son said, "Well, you came home after 3 A.M., drunk and delirious. Broke some furniture, puked in the hallway, and gave yourself a black eye when you stumbled into the door."
Confused, Marty asked, "So, why is everything in order
and so clean, and! breakfast is on the table
waiting for me?" His son replied, "Oh, that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom,and when she tried to take your pants off, you said, "Lady, leave me alone, I'm married!"