I can has cupcake!

I'm always looking for an excuse to buy or bake cupcakes and my cat's birthday was no exception. It was a last minute decision since Farhana and I hung out with Lena today and Baked by Melissa was conveniently on the way home from her apartment.

Paris actually enjoys red velvet, but loses interest after finishing the cream cheese frosting. The twins, my brother and I ended up eating them (: .

Pear Shaped Paris with Pears

An abstract work of art by the Sultana sisters, in four stages.

Fall Cuppies

Haven't written about my life in a while, so I'll start it off with a few cupcakes:

Cupcakes on the "birthday card" Macy*s sent my mom

Vanilla chocolate chip cupcake from Cupcake Stop

Pumpkin spice cupcake from Cupcake Stop (with candy corn pumpkin on top)

While I've been eating cupcakes, my cat, Paris, has been getting fat. She just turned a year old and her waistline has been ever-expanding.

Paris being cute. You can't tell that she has a huge belly here.

So, being the good owner I am, I decided to get her weight management cat food:

...And the picture above shows what Paris thought of her diet.

It's been weeks since Eid but I also wanted to share this picture of the local mosque I attended for Eid prayer:

It was my first time at this mosque, the Parkchester Jame Masjid. I have to say it was a great experience and although 90% of the people there were Bangladeshi men, I was able to meet a wonderful sister from Guinea :-).

Nothing else has been going on! I promise I will post some actual writing soon. I have a lot of ideas brewing but I keep running out of time. Hopefully this weekend I can work on something.

Take care!

Animals and liminal space

Just something to think about. Since ancient times, liminal space has been considered to be dangerous and part of the realm of the unknown. Any doorway, or passageway between two areas for example, would be considered liminal space. It's the age old reason that brides are carried by the groom through the doorway into his home- to shield her from the "ghosts and goblins" that hide out in the between-space. This space may also serve as some sort of protection. Muslims recite prayers while entering their households or rooms with the belief that malevolent beings may not cross the barrier created after them as a result.

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because I've noticed (and I'm not sure if anyone else with pets has noticed this also), that animals love to hang out in such areas. My cat Paris frequents only doorways for her naps. In fact, she loves any doorway more than windows, couches, beds, or any other place.

Now the belief that animals are able to see beings that humans can't is rampant in Islamic lore- so I find Paris' behavior a bit disturbing. I've heard all sorts of stories- from dogs barking at jinn to owls arriving and perching outside a sick person's home, signifiying their oncoming death. The symbolism of the owl as a heralder of death, you will find, goes back to at least the Romans. Julius Caesar's death was supposedly predicted by an owl, and this is referenced by Shakespeare in his play as well: "...the bird of night did sit/Even at noonday, upon the marketplace/Hooting and shrieking." ('Julius Caesar', William Shakespeare). I sometimes see Paris react to things when there is really nothing to react to- but I may be looking too into this.

Either way, she should really learn to move because we're always tripping over and stepping on her, especially at night. And yes, I recite something when I walk into my room at night, just cause.

Teddy Graham Twins Cupcakes

Just thought I would update on what I did with the cupcakes we celebrated with at home. Surprisingly, we discovered that cupcakes are the only food that Paris has no interest in.

Diary of a Cat

A recently spayed Paris

Found this online, thought it was cute enough to be shared.

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan ......

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.

So glad this week is over...baby seals

Almost a month! A lot has happened.
Europe was amazing. I could totally see myself living in Rome but at the end of the day NYC is NYC. Haha everyone there was like, "whoa, you're from NY, it's my dream to go there!"

So I had the worst week ever- aside from school stuff like a midterm, a paper, and a project due over three days, I get my wallet with my whole life in it stolen in Watertown. I hate thieves. Luckily the cards can be replaced and the only thing I'll have to pay for (well in addition to the cash I had in there) is getting a new license (and wallet, I guess). I have no idea why these people don't just take the money and leave the wallet/cards they can't use cause obviously the owner will cancel them.

The plot thickens as I'm heading to the police department to file a report on the theft...I get pulled over for doing nothing wrong :( The cop tries to make me believe that I ran a red when the light was clearly green (not even yellow). I tell him what happened to me and he acts like he's doing me a big favor by giving me a warning and not fining me, but writes me a citation anyway for something I clearly didn't do.

Other than that I am currently obsessed with baby seals.

It's so terrible that they're being clubbed :(.


Really cute video:

"Don't Pet This Kitty"

I am officially terrified of this creature. I wouldn't watch this in the dark...I couldn't stop laughing but at the same time I was so creeped out. The guy claims she was never abused but just hates men and so reacts this way to them.











And a Jasmin cat related moment:

lemonCUPCAKE23: omg in history today
lemonCUPCAKE23: the professor goes
lemonCUPCAKE23: anyone here know what lolcats are
lemonCUPCAKE23: i was the ONLY ONE
lemonCUPCAKE23: everyone stares at me
IW: hahahahahhahahhaha
lemonCUPCAKE23: and i go "what, i make them..of my kitten.."
lemonCUPCAKE23: BAD idea.
IW: hhahahahhahaha
IW: good lord, I would have paid money to have been there
lemonCUPCAKE23: yeah luckily i was a senior and there were mostly freshmen in the class so like i didn't feel like that big of a loser...like whatever they're freshmen

Planning on catching up with my readings ALL DAY.

Further proof of my praying cat

Cute until she gets annoying. SO much homework this semester. Had such an amazing weekend, and it needs a part TWO...so I'm going home February 13th-16th to chill with the marauders again.

I was lucky enough to get four birthday cakes this week, including my first ever birthday ice cream cake!!! I would be so jealous of my brother growing up because only HE would get an ice cream cake with his July birthday and what not. Dayna, Angie and I ate the chocolate funfetti cake all weekend. Too scared to weigh myself.