I commend the wearer of the white boots because this winter I have seen a strange fashion statement on 3 separate people. Flip flops. Bare feet in flip flops. It’s been a warm winter, but not THAT warm.

I’d love to wear a hijab…unfortunately not for the modesty reasons but for the bad hair reasons…or also to feel comfortable being seen without hair as part of my identity. So why don’t I wear one? I look like I walked off the set of Fiddler on the Roof. Vanity sucks. I do much better if I wear a beret…sideways.

Sun Jan 14, 07:09:00 PM
Anjum said…
wow, maha. I came here just to say that I tagged you on a meme (see my blog) but what a deep entry. first, your mom is very polite and strong, probably just like you. also, I pray that you will be strong and confident in choose to wear hijab whenever you make that choice. if you want to talk, you’ve got my number, love.

also, my J also wears caps sideways sometimes and she does actually carry it off.

Sun Jan 14, 10:31:00 PM
Chantal said…
Great post! I loved the part about your mother’s tactful & clever retort, and your fashion smack-down of the offender was priceless…..I read your blog everyday, and I find that when I’m in situations where I must assert myself, I think: What would Maha say? Thanks for sharing your confidence and humour, and Thanks God for you

Mon Jan 15, 06:38:00 AM
Sami said…
I can picture your mom saying that to the lady, then turning to you to say ” eesh hada?”

that’s very courageous decision you are contemplating to wear the hijab. in shallah you would make the decision that will fulfill you and reward you.

salam
sami

Mon Jan 15, 12:01:00 PM
Maria Calvo said…
I’m so happy to see you back, I think this was the longest strecth of time that you’ve been absent.

HI CHANTAL. I like your name. Are you French? Welcome to Maha’s home where we all live. We love her as much as you do I would have LOVED to hear you respond to her “Socratic” like with that question, lol!! I also hate sideways shit. “J” is the girl who comments here sometimes, right? I agree I think her photo is nice.

As for hijab, dude that’s awesome. All you need anyway is that smile of yours I’d love to hear more about that if you want.

WELCOME BACK. maria

Mon Jan 15, 03:13:00 PM
Chantal said…
Hello Maria…I was looking forward to Maha’s post, too. She’s the one I read first thing in the morning, even before CBC! Maha, you’re an awesome woman to wake up to LOL!

Thanks for making me feel welcome (yes, I’m French…:)

Tue Jan 16, 06:19:00 AM
Colleen said…
Hi everyone! Welcome Chantal, I don’t think you’ve posted here before

Are you French from France?

Maha it’s nice to have you back and I hope you will keep posting as normal as before or at least once a week instead of once every two weeks

Did you see the newest photos of Gerry Butler? He was at some party last night with Bianca Christians again. Were you too busy to go with him? I WANTED HIM TO BE WITH YOU YOU’RE SO SMART AND BEAUTIFUL DAMN IT! Why does he have to be so like everyone else and date a model? That’s what I love about Clive Owen and Hugh Jackman their wives are normal women. I still hope that Bianca is a sort of fling. YOUR SMILE IS NICER THAN HERS. I am still hoping he’ll come to his senses, find you and fall in love with you. I would say ME, but my husband may not approve, lol! I do like her dress though.

Colleen

Tue Jan 16, 11:36:00 AM
Maria Calvo said…
hey Chantal, where are you from in France? For the last couple of months, Maha’s place is in my top must see daily five blogs. This and perezhilton because he’s fucking hilarious.

COLLEEN YOU ARE HILARIOUS. I saw those photos of him, Maha couldn’t go because she would out shine him I am her new PR person. Look the guy’s an actor and so he’s surrounded by modesl, why wouldm’t he date one? I think you’re right though, the same reasons I love Hugh & Clive. HOTTTTTT! Of course Maha’s smile is nicer than Bianca’s, the fuck?! Maha’s our girl and Gerry Butler’s a retard for not having scooped her up at TIFF. Men are stupid no matter how hot they are. LOVE YOU MAHA.

CHANTAL WHAT DO YOU THINK? Now that you “live” here as Maha likes to refer to us who stalk her blog.

maria

Tue Jan 16, 12:49:00 PM
just a girl said…
Lisa: Yes, absolutely about mama

Flip flops during our winter? My God…leave it to Canadians to do this. Was it, at the very least, near to a uni campus?

If you wear a beret sideways, make certain to take tips from our girl J.

Anjum: As soon as I finish responding here, I will go see what you mean by making me a meme. I hope this is a good thing, thank you I will make you one as well, if possible.

As for mama, any good qualities I have, I received solely from her. Anything else, I blame baba

Of course I’d call you >> with or without reason, and so we have to do this soon. I am way behind on my calling people I love. Sorry!

As for your “J”; it is she of whom I speak. She looks awesome in a sideways anything!

LOL Chantal: “Thanks God for you” is absolutely priceless! Touché! And you think I have something good to say, oh my God, I’m so flattered!!!! Honestly, thank you you’re so kind! And everyday? I love y’all who do that (Êtes vous Québécoise ou Parisienne?)

Welcome and thanks for making yourself seen and heard…

Maria: I think you’re right about this being the longest stretch of time. Thank you for missing me…it’s an honour :*

Yes, “J” comments here…I believe she found us by way of Anjum.

Chantal at 2: Before CBC? Oh my…I have a lot to live up to. Thank you.
&
“Maha, you’re an awesome woman to wake up to LOL!” That’s what they all say (KIDDING, MAMA, WALLAHI KIDDING.)

Colleen: Jesus, you used to be so sane, lol! Thanks for the compliments >> I’ve not yet seen the photos.

Maria makes a good point >> his immediate circle of acquaintances is the likes of models, it’s natural (rather than typical) that he would date one.

I have no doubt whatsoever that Bianca is an absolutely wonderful woman on many levels. I would like to think that he has hit the jackpot with her.

K. I just saw some photos. Jeesus. Did you see her Crack? I love them and I want a pair. The dress is beautiful, too. She’s a very pretty girl and her dress is stunning. She actually drew my eye before he did!

And yes: I do have a nicer smile, thank you. We all know that few – except perhaps Angie’s – can rival *this* mouth (Allah yi7meeni!)

Maria @ 2: You are a wreck, lol! I accept you as my new pr person, thank you.

I love Hugh & Clive, too. And you as well, Maria.

xox
maha

Tue Jan 16, 03:57:00 PM
Chantal said…
What an awesome group of women you are! Sorry for logging on so late tonight, it’s been the usual busy stream of work-children-errands-homework-supper-lunches-bath-bedtime….not complaining, though. The busy-ness makes the unwinding time at the computer all worth it.
I should have specified in my earlier comment that I’m French-Canadian, born & raised in Northern Ontario. Saying “Oui, je suis Parisienne” would sound so much more intriguing than “I’m French-Canadian” but there you have it. I’ve never been to France, but I HAVE been to Quebec, and Montreal is one of my favourite cities in the world.

I’ve lived most of my life in tandem with French & English, going from one to the other & back again without a hitch. I think that’s what got me when I read this post, Maha: How one person (the fashion-challenged nurse) makes assumptions about another person (your mother) because their accent or their mother tongue is different. In this case, it was the tongue of your mother that showed how one can rise above thoughtless comments!

As for Gerry Butler, I’ve been reading previous posts and will reserve comment until I get a better grip on the whole thing
But in the meantime, Maha, your writing strikes many chords with me in my own life, everything from appreciating the good men, finding fulfillment in work & good deeds, to the importance of being mindful of family and friends, of cultivating those relationships, and most of all being true to oneself. You rock, man……and to that I say “Amen” (with a French accent!)

Tue Jan 16, 11:36:00 PM
Tommy of The Gays said…
We have a new bitch on the block! Welcome French CHANTAL. All of the bitches here are awesome and I am partial to Mo because she is always drunk on martinis and high on sugar cookies. I am the only The Gay and I love Maha like a sisterly bitch. I’ve said it before and will say it again that she is the only woman who can make me straight.

Maha, Bitch, you are too good for Gerry Butler. Leave the models to him

Tommy of The Gays

Wed Jan 17, 11:23:00 AM
Tommy of The Gays said…
Oh fuck, PS. Welcome back! I was a little edgy without your posts, bitch.

Baby Jesus and a wal-mart! HAH!

Tommy of The Gays

Wed Jan 17, 11:25:00 AM
Maria Calvo said…
Chantal, we are an awesome group totally! French Canadian, cool! I only speak English and envy the likes of you
I second everything you said in that last paragraph which you said much nicer than I could have!!

“Maha, Bitch, you are too good for Gerry Butler. Leave the models to him ”
Hallelujah, brother. That’s the first smart thing you’ve ever said, Tommy

maria

Wed Jan 17, 03:37:00 PM
Chantal said…
Tommy of The Gays! I am honoured…you crack me up, sweetie
As I pour myself another glass of wine, here’s to new friends & to Maha, who makes things happen.

Wed Jan 17, 10:43:00 PM
just a girl said…
Chantal, I see you are a SuperMom! Good for you that you find the time to unwind and chill at the end of your long days (Flattered I am a part of that routine!).

Re language and the like; people often times shut down or stop listening entirely when they hear an accent. It’s sad and such a clear indication of how deep our fear / suspicion of Others runs.

Lucky you that you flip between the two languages. I adore French and speak/comprehend exceptionally well, but I need it to be equal to my English. Hence, the current French courses

Your comments are much too gracious and I am greatly appreciate that anything on here may strike a chord. Sometimes it’s easy to see how we’re all just diffrent variations of one another. I look forward to more of your comments…

Tommy, I love Mo too! For many more reasons than that, lol! And thank you for your often times skewed and weird compliments…all of which I love to hear

Maria, you and Tommy and “smoking the crack”.

xox
maha

Sun Jan 21, 07:05:00 PM