Who's the Boss?

Today's post is brought to you by the Lins.  They need little introduction, but I will add that the two little munchkins that they are bringing will be a highlight of the trip!  And we are never short of laughs when we hang out with this family :) See you at the beach! 

Let me introduce the Lins.  There's Salima (the "boss"), Spencer (the "other boss"....so he thinks....), Sophia (the princess) and Courtney (the "boy" I never had).  And you guessed right, it's me, Salima, writing this.  I asked Spencer about 20 times...maybe 25 times... and figured if I didn't do it, Natasha would somehow stick us in a hotel room next to the elevator or laundry machine!  

So, let me give you a brief summary of the four of us.

Let me start with my husband, who I refer to as "baby"...Spencer. He's a Chinese-born American.  But unlike the Chinese, he's a good driver.....in fact, so impatient with incompetent drivers that I have to wonder...is he really Chinese??  My girls are in a Chinese immersion program at school and I actually think I am learning and know more Chinese than Spencer does!!  Spencer loves clothes and actually has more shoes then me.  So, if you decide to wear something that doesn't match or wear a fabric that is not appropriate for summer, you bet Spencer will notice!!  And I will hear about it in the hotel room :>.  Spencer is a great father (when he's not on his ipad), incredibly smart (went to Princeton, graduated as a Chemical Engineer...and then to Kellogg for his MBA), and is a HUGE sports fan - - Loves Carolina basketball, Vikings football, and the Blackhawks.  And if you are a Lions fan, or a Kentucky basketball fan, steer clear of Spencer!!

Let me now talk about what I care most about in the world, my girls.  

Sophia is the ultimate "girl's girl".  It's interesting because she really reminds me of all my sisters.  She has an uncanny resemblance with my sister Shaida.  Both have beautiful olive skin, always smiling and so goofy.  In fact, if you knew Shaida's Sophia as a toddler, she and my Sophia look like sisters.  Like my sister Nevin, Sophia can be "preachy".  She loves to teach, to demonstrate a better way of doing things and is so organized.  Just the other day, Courtney was having a meltdown.  Sophia said to her "Courtney, just breathe, and count slowly to 10".  She then proceeds to count for Courtney...1...2....3...4....5.  By 5, Courtney's screams get louder, and so Sophia says "This isn't working.  Let me put soothing music on for you".  Seriously, doesn't that sound like Nevin!!  And like my sister Nadia, she has a heart of gold!  A fantastic swimmer...just check out her "guns"... she was the only 8 year old in Illinois who made Swimming Regionals for the 10 and under category in an individual event this last February.



Then there's Courtney.  You will never meet anyone with such a big personality!  She is very competitive, loves soccer  (the next "Messi") , and like my brother Imtiaz, thinks she's always right! Hah!  She is incredibly witty and like my nephew Kareem Pirani, comes up with the funniest and completely false comebacks.  You have to shake your head and ask - - is she really 8??!!  So, if there is a crash of dishes all of a sudden by the pool, you'll see me hiding, because Courtney will most likely be in the middle of it saying "i didn't do it...the dishes just fell all by themselves"



It's amazing how difficult it is for me to talk about myself.  Most people would tell you that it should be really easy to talk about myself.  But there's so much to say....seriously, there is :>  I love milk chocolate...have to have one a day.  I can never eat enough cheese, but it must be cheddar.  I love products for the skin - - obsessed with them.  I also love work-out clothing....I could open my own store.  I am passionate about learning and education...I get that from my mom's devotion to me getting the best out of education... and I hope to instill that same passion for learning with my daughters. 

Let me not forget our Samy cakes....my dog.  We love him soo much and unfortunately you won't see him. I often think he's a human in a dog's body.  He has such an amazing range of emotions.  He is really the king of this household....plays and sleeps all day, gets home-cooked meals every day, get a head and tummy massage before going to sleep!!





















So, I will end by saying we are really looking forward to Mexico and meeting all of you.  Thank-you Natasha for organizing this - - I know I could never have the patience to do this.  You will not see me doing YOGA on the beach...you will see me sipping Pina Coladas with Nadia at the pool...and occasionally sneaking a few Pina Coladas "veiled as a soft drink" for my mom!